complained of by the Prophet Isaiah Isa 29.13 First Let me ask you that profess your selves to be Ministers of the Gospel Quest but are not of the letter for you will not let it be your rule to walk by but run from it and will not abide the tryal but are you not all made manifest by your fruits what you are Take notice of it all people consider and see how you have been deceived all this while they will all be found deceivers and blinde guides that deceive the people did God ever send scandalous and ignorant persons enemies to the people and ways of God into the work of his Ministery and do not your fruits declare that you were never sent of him who are enemies both to him and his where he is made manifest Secondly Do not your sins testifie against you to your face that you are none of his the highest of you are you not all unprofitable servants do not you make the people light and vain as the false Prophets did which ran but the Lord never sent them as in Jer. 23. Thirdly Are you not proud and pride is of the devil and God doth forbid it and saith it is an abomination to his soul and that is contrary to God and is scandalous and shews that you are guided by the spirit of error and are ignorant of the spirit of truth that teacheth to deny pride which is one of the seven abominations which the woe is to Woe to the Crown of pride for the devil he is the King of Pride then woe to you ye devilish proud-Priests Jesus Christ saith Learn of me I am meek and lowly in heart but you shew that you are ignorant of his teachings and are enemies to those that are brought into the obedience of his teachings which teacheth self-denyal and you being self-lovers are contrary to the Scriptures and the practice of the Ministers of Jesus Christ and scandalize the truth where it is manifested in power Are you not covetous and God doth forbid it and the Ministers of Christ do forbid it and say Eph. 5.1 2 3 4 5 6. 1 Tim. 6.6 7 8. Let not covetousness be once named amongst you as it becometh Saints and let your conversation be without covetousness for covetousness is Idolatry and draweth the heart from the Lord and covetousness is the root of all evil and you are covetous exceeding covetous the Ministers of Christ said having food and rayment therewith let us be content and the Ministers of Christ laboured to make the Gospel of Christ to be without charge And coveted no mans silver nor gold nor were not greedy of filthy lucre Acts 20.32 33 34 35. 2 Pet. 5.1 2 3 4. Gal. 1.11 12 15 16. 2 Cor. 3.6 but spoke against it in obedience to the commands of God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ The Ministers of Jesus Christ were not taught of man but of God they were not made Ministers by the will of man but by the will of God and they were not Ministers of the letter but able Ministers of the spirit and they made full proof of their Ministery and gave no offence in any thing that their Ministery might not be blamed but in all things approving themselves as the Ministers of God in much patience in afflictions in necessities in distresses in stripes in imprisonments in tumults in labours in watchings in fastings by pureness by knowledge by long sufferings by kindness by the Holy Ghost by love unfained by the word of Truth and by the power of God 2 Cor. 6.3 4 5 6 7. 2 Cor. 6.2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. The Ministers of Christ were blameless as the Stewards of God not self-willed not soon angry not given to wine no strikers not given to strong drink nor filthy lucre they were lovers of good men they were holy just and temperate Tit. 1.7 8. 1 Tim 3.1 2 3 4 5. Mat. 23.8 1 Cor. 9.19 The Ministers of Christ were not men-pleasers neither were they called of men Masters but became servants to all in obedience to the Command of Jesus Christ and they were not persecuters but were gentle towards all men even towards them that did oppose them They were examples to the flock and exhorted others to follow them so far as they followed Christ Eph. 5.1 2. and saith he Brethren be ye followers of me and mark them that walk so as ye have us for an example Phil 3.17 Phil. 3.17 for saith he many walk of whom I have told you often and now tell you even weeping that they are enemies of the cross of Christ whose end is destruction whose God is their belly whose glory is their shame who minde earthly things Phil. 3.18 19. Phil. 3.18 19. Now consider the end of your conversation even all ye Priests of Baal who profess your selves to be Ministers of the Gospel see where your conversation is are you not altogether earthly and walk contrary to the holy practice and conversation of the Ministers of Christ which were examples to the flock in all things now see if you have not lost your examples and walk altogether contrary First As they had received freely they spoke freely again and were free from covetousness they took God to witness it and so made the Gospel of Christ free and not burdensome Secondly But you are exceeding covetous and are hirelings and are amongst the false Prophets in the same state and condition that those were whom the Lord sent his true Prophets to cry out against then as he sendeth to cry out against you false Priests now which scandalize the truth of God you are all scandalous and if you have that which is your right you must all be cast out every one great and small for the highest of you in your fleshly wisdom and notions are the highest deceivers of the people Do not your fruits make you manifest Are you not all in the same condition that the false Prophets were in that ran but the Lord never sent them do you not look for your gain from you quarter Isa 56.10 11. place and parish where you are as those did that Isaiah was sent to cry out against Isa 56.10 11. Cleer your selves if you can and do you not take Tythes which neither Iesus Christ nor his true Ministers did and so act contrary to them both shewing yourselves to be Antichrists as it is now made manifest by your practise scandalous you are all of you Tythe-mongers and hirelings and ignorant you are of the same spirit that they were guided by that spoke for the deceits of the false Prophets and so are enemies both to the people of God and the ways of God and are guided by a spirit of errour deny it if you can your works will testifie against you and are you not upholders of the traditions and rudiments of the world which is a prejudice and hinderance of Reformation and danger of poor souls leading them
examples to the people but these are evil examples and walk contrary both to the Scriptures and the practise of Christ and his true Ministers herein they shew the spirit of errour and are enemies to the Truth of God 4. They are men-pleasers all the Priests of the world and have mens persons in admiration because of advantage denying the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ Iames 2.1 2. Gal. 1.10 which the true Ministers of Christ did practise herein they walk contrary to the Scripture and shew the Spirit of errour and are enemies to the truth of God 5. The Priests of the World or the Ministers of man and of Antichrist they are blamable and are soon angry and are given to wine strikers and are given altogether to filthy lucre Jer. 23.26 27 28 29 30 31 32. Joh. 1.1 2. c. Joh. 17.14 15 16 17. Jer. 23.29 Heb. 4.12 1 Pet. 1.22 23. Rom. 6. 1 Cor. 6.11 1 Pet. 1.25 Jam. 1.21 22. Col. 1.1 2 Cor. 3.6 Gal. 1.11 12. Eph. 1.1 2 Tim. 1.1 Mat. 23. Mat. 26. Jer. 23.16 17 18 19 20. Jer. 23.10 11 12 13 14. Jer. 23.1 Jer. 5.23 24 25 c. Hosea 4.1 2 3 c. Isa 59. Isa 29.9 10 11 c. Gal. 1.8 9. Mal. 2. to the 10. The two Seeds one of the Flesh and the other of the Spirit contrary to the Ministers of Christ as in Titus 1.7 1 Tim. 3.1 2 3. walking contrary to the Scripture and are guided by the spirit of error 6. The Priests of the world and their Ministry is not of God but of man they are the Ministers of man and not of God and are no Ministers of the Spirit but are of the imaginary wayes what they do conceive of or imagine that they hold forth and know not the word of life which is eternal that sanctifieth and purifieth Soul and Body which word is invisible and is as a fire and a hammer and is quick and powerfull which is the power of God that killeth the old nature and purgeth out the old leaven and raiseth up the immortal Soul out of death to praise the Lord. And they that do Administer it are cleansed and washed justified and sanctified by it which word endureth for ever being the ingrafted word that is able to save the souls of those that know the Ministration of it and the Ministers of it were and are able Ministers of the Spirit not taught of man but by the will of God and administer to that which is kept in the death the immortal seed which the Ministers of the world are ignorant of but are persecuters of those that hold forth the word of life now as the Jews and Scribes and Pharisees chief Priests and Elders of the people were and they speak a divination of their own brain and not from the mouth of the Lord and their Ministry will never satisfie nor purifie one soul it hath been long but here is no redemption nor Sanctification by it Nay they say themselves that it will never sanctifie them whilst they are here and by their fruits it doth so appear and so it doth not profit the people at all they teach for Doctrine traditions and rudiments of the world and they are all confused so many men so many minds when as the Ministers of Christ were and are all of one heart and one minde who were taught of God and are Ministers of the Spirit and not of the letter or of man as the Priests of the world and all those here in York-shire are and are contrary both to Christ and his true Ministers and load his Servants with Reproachings and Revilings and are Enemies both to him and his and they and their Ministry is accursed for it is contrary both to Christ and his Apostles and doth neither sanctifie nor purifie but keeps in the lust of the flesh and in the fall There are two seeds one after the flesh as Ishmael was and the other after the Spirit and by promise as Isaac was and they that are after the flesh they persecute them that are after the spirit and they that are after the spirit or by promise are made not onely to believe but also to suffer what the Lord shall permit or see good and they that are of the promised seed are of Abraham now and are born again one Seed one Faith one God one Father one Baptism one Bread one Body all one and in one Baptized by one Spirit into that one body which is spiritual and made to drink into one Spirit and their faith doth purifie them and worketh them out of their old nature and ingrafteth them into the Vine which is Christ Jesus the Vine of the Lords free love and being all one in Christ Jesus set and ingrafted into their own Vine the natural branches being cut off those that are Jews outward and not inward who live in the wild-Olive and in their natural stock or state or condition know them not who are in the true Vine being made partakers of the Divine nature their faith standing out of the wisdom of mans words in the power of God groweth with an increase making fruifull being in the Vine the fruits of true faith do shew it forth as Vertue and Knowledge Temperance Patience Godliness brotherly kindness and charity which maketh fruitfull in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ so shall all men know saith he That ye are my Disciples if ye love one another continue in my love for faith without works is dead as the worlds faith is or the fruits of the first seed which is after the flesh and they that are in the flesh their old corrupt nature and in the wild Olive they cannot please God and their faith standeth without in the wisdom of mans words and not in the power of God which worketh a Reformation and a change but as they are in the fall their fruits make them manifest and their faith is corrupt it doth not purifie their conscience from dead works and so they believe in that which thier priests lead them into for good as say the Petitioners we have believed in them for good like Priests like People as in Hoseas time Hosea 4. and all live in one nature that are in the fall and are under the curse in their old nature both Priests and people and the Priests are evil examples to the people 1. The Priests they live in Pride and the people they believe The Priests are evil examples that if they may be proud that are their leaders they may follow their examples because it is suitable to their earthly hearts and so they believe in them as they say for good calling good evil and evil good but the woe is to such 2. The Priests they live in Covetousness and the people they follow their examples and are all given to Covetousness both Priests and people and love it and believe it is good because it is suitable to their earthly
on in blinde ways worshipping the works of your own hands teaching for doctrine traditions and rudiments of the world telling people that they are ordinances of Christ when they are but your own inventions How dare any of you say you are the Ministers of Christ and act contrary to them blush for shames do you not hold up that filthy horrible thing that was committed in the land which the Lord sent his true Prophets to cry out against as in Jer. 5.30 31. The Prophets did prophecy falsly and the Priests they bore rule by their means Jer. 5.30 31. then But do not all the Priests here in York-shire so now Following the wayes of Balaam teaching for gifts and rewards Iude 11. as they did Shew me but one in all York-shire that does not Put forth one that is not guilty of it and cries out against it as the true Ministers did Come Where is there one in York-shire that goes not on in the wayes of Cain to envy c. and that teacheth not for money or Tythes and bears not rule by their means and that seeks not for their gain from their quarter place and parish where they are as the false Prophets did or where is there one that teacheth not for some of these Or that teacheth not for gifts or rewards as Balaams Priests did and that cries out of it and against it as the true Prophets and servants of the Lord did Is there not one to be found in all York-shire out of the false Prophets state and condition or else found in Balaams Priests state and condition which were all enemies to the Servants of God and to the ways of God all minding earthly things whose end is destruction Phil. 3.18 19. Sift them all turn them all out they are scandalous men and scandalize the Gospel of Christ which is clear and free and hath no sale set upon it as in Isa 55.1 2 3. Ho every one that thirsteth come and receive freely without money or without price Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your labour for that which doth not satisfie Hearken ye diligently to me saith the Lord and eat ye that which is good and your souls shall live and I will make with you an everlasting Covenant even the sure mercies of David The Servant of the Lord cries Come freely Isa 55. come eat freely that your souls may live Isa 55.1 2 3 4. As he had received freely of the Lord he spoke freely again and directed them to the Lord as he was taught of the Lord and as the true Ministers did he watched for their souls as one that was to give account unto God But these false Priests they will do nothing without money they will have money here in York shire for reek passing up the chimnies and for servants wages without money will they do nothing see if that be not their Diana and they are here in York shire like unto those false Priests that Micah the Servant of the Lord was sent to cry out against Mica 3. saith he Put into their mouths and they cry peace peace and say we are good Christians and are the beloved of the Lord but now that we try them and put not into their mouths they say we are Seducers and Hereticks and Deluded and Mad and they can make such Christians as they call them for money and they can change them and cast them out again for want of money this is the manner of Balaams Priests here in York-shire and now that we put not into their mouths they are so envious that if it were in their power they would destroy us and prepare war against us suing some at Law because they will not pay for reek passing up their Chimnies Mat. 5.40 1 Cor. 6.1 2 Ioh. 9. Mich. 3. and threaten others to go to Law with them which both Jesus Christ and his true Ministers do forbid plainly shewing themselves to be none of his for he that abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God 2 Joh. 9. and are like unto those that Micah cries out against Put not into their mouths and they prepare war and now that they are tried they manifest themselves All people try your Priests everywhere and be no longer deceived by them see if York-shire Priests do not manifestly declare themselves to be amongst the false Prophets and are scandalous all of them every one and are ignorant of the Spirit of truth for they persecute those in whom it is manifested to Rule and see if these do not prejudice the calling and hinder the work of Reformation as much as in them lies to the endangering of immortal Souls but God will cut them off out of the work they have nothing to do with his Ministry theirs is of man they are the Ministers of man and not of God Enemies to the People of God and wayes of God as their fruits do make them manifest every tree being known by its fruits Mat. 7.15 16 17 18 19. they are in the flesh the Lust the Earth and the Fall and persecute those that are after the spirit who are born again and worship God in Spirit and in truth as in John 4.23 24. Knowing that he seeketh such to worship him But these are of the first birth and draw near to God with their mouth and lips but their hearts are far of having their fear taught by the precepts of men as those had which the Lord complained of by his servant the Prophet Isa 29. ver 13. And are they not upholders and practizers of old Popish Ceremonies do they not uphold the Idols temple set up in the time of Popery or ignorance for God that made the world dwelleth not in temples made with hands Acts 7.47 48 49. Acts 17.24.25 Neither is he worshipped there with mens hands and they do worship there that which their hearts do imagine sprinkling Infants which is but a Mark of the Beast Rev. 13.16 17 18. and tell the people it is an ordinance of Christ when there is not one word in the Scripture for it Gal 3.27 1 Cor. 12.13 Eph. 4 4 5 6. 1 Pet. 1.22.23 They that are Christs have put on Christ and are baptized by one Spirit into one body where there is but one Faith one Lord one Baptism one God and Father of All and in All and through All those that are of the Faith of Abraham and born again of water and the Spirit But these are ignorant of it And they make use of the Popes Law to imprison by denying the Law of God 1 Cor. 14.29 30 31. or practice of the people of God as in 1 Cor. 14.29 30 31. when any thing was revealed to him that sat by the first was to hold his peace and the other was to speak but these will binde the Spirit of God under a Popish Law and deny the Law of God as by their fruits it doth appear and
see the deceits of all our proud Priests and blind Guides that their sins testifie against them to their faces Hosea 5.5 6 7. that they are a seed of evil doers and live in the lust and filth of the flesh Persecuting Killing and Slaying the righteous and innocent ones and drive them away from them by their Envious Malicious wicked practises in life and conversation and are evil Examples they are kings of Pride and that is one of the seven Abominations which the Lords Soul loatheth Prov. 6.16 17 18. Prov. 6.16 17 18. And we are bound in Conscience to testifie against it and proud Priests are exceeding raging mad and would not that we should see beyond their Dirty Miry Doctrine of earthly conceivings and Imaginations wherein they did deceive us and have got our mony a long time for that which is no bread and caused us to spend our labor for that which gave us no satisfaction to our souls they were as theeves that wounded us and left us they led us into Pride by their evil example seeing them live in Pride we saying that if it was not right they would not do it and if they did it we might do it and so they being blind Guides led us into blindness and wounded our consciences and then they made us this cover for Pride and said it was but decency here they added their own inventions and we knew it not so long as we lived in Egypt and Sodom with them following the customs and fashions of the world which we find now we are taught to deny for the fashion of the world passeth away but the plagues of God is their portion Wo to all deceivers But we find our teacher the Lord writing his Law in our hearts and teaching us by his Spirit Jer. 31.33 34. Heb. 8.10 11. according to his promises made in the time of old Jer. 31.33 34. Heb. 8.10 11. And he having established his law in our hearts sheweth us sin and evil for we had not known that lust had been a sin but that the pure Law of God said thou shalt not lust neither after Pride nor Covetousness nor Envy nor anger nor pleasures nor the love of the world nor the honor of the world nor pleasures nor delights because the Priests that said they were sent of God lived in all these things and if they had been contrary to the mind and will of God they saying that they knew it and spoke his words from his mouth and we concluding within our selves said If they may do it we may do it and so they destroyed us for lack of knowledge and drove us from the Lord but now he is gathering us to himself by his Spirit according to his promise Ezek. 34.11 12 13 14 15. Ezek. 34.11 12 13 14 15. And lets us see whither we were driven even into the broad way of fleshly delights but that the Lord of his infinite love hath discovered it to us and we are brought to see where they left us in the cloudy and dark day and would never come to shew us any light nor to set our feet into the way of peace but led us further into the wilderness out of Pride into Covetousness and so caused us to taste of the forbidden fruit saying that Covetousness was but a provident care but we now find that it was the Devils Doctrine that they taught us For the Lord saith to us by his Spirit that Covetousness is Idolatry and draweth the heart from him but these Covetous Idolatrous Priests run with greediness altogether after it as those greedy dumb dogs did that Isaiah was sent to cry out against Isa 56.10 11. He said that the watchmen were al blind as these proud Priests are now blinded with covetousness For Tythes Gifts and rewards hath blinded their eyes that they see not Pride and Covetousness to be a sin but greedie after it Coveting altogether after great means and if they have not to satisfie their lusts to live in pomp and pleasures they complain of the people and if any for conscience sake towards God seeing his Ministry to be free and no sale set upon it which Ministry teacheth them to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts as Pride Covetousness the love of the world knowing that if any man love the world the love of the father is not in him and that all that is in the world as the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the Pride of life is not of God but is of the world for conscience sake towards God who is the father of our Lord Jesus Christ whose wisdom is not to be bought nor sold Job 28. Job 28. and the Lords free love running forth to his People saying Why do you spend your mony for that which is no bread and your labour for that which doth not satisfie Hearken ye diligently to me Isa 55.1 2 3 4. Deut. 4.1 2. Prov. 30.5 6. and eat ye that which is good and let your souls delight themselves in fatness Isa 55.1 2 3 4. And we find it made good to our souls and every word of God being pure and a shield to them that trust in it and he that adds to it or takes from it is to be reproved being found a lyar Prov. 30.5 6. And he that adds his own Inventions the Lord is against him Jer. 23. And we that are of God are against him and are bound to testifie against his deceits and deceiveableness according to the command of the Lord who saith have no fellowship with the unfruitfull works of darkness Eph. 5.11 Joh. 10.1 8 10. Quest but rather reprove them and how can we see a thief and consent unto him but we shal be guilty of the same crime I pray you consider of it you that are spirituall judge what I say Are not all the Priests in England thieves Answer for them who wil Do they not study for what they say and walk by other lines Did ever the Ministers of Christ so As he bade them take no thought what they should eat Luk. 12.22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30. Luke 12.11 12. Gal. 1.10 11 12 15 16. 2 Cor. 3.6 nor what they should drink Luk. 12.22 23. So he bade them take no thought what they should say for it should be given them in that hour Luke 12.11 12. But these dare neither trust God for their meat nor drink nor cloathing as they did nor for words to speak as they did who were unlearned men but as they were taught of God and were made Ministers not by the will of man but by the will of God Gal. 1.11 12. And were able Ministers of the Spirit and not of the Letter 2 Cor. 3.6 But these both studie what they shall eat and what they shall drink and what they shall put on to make them proud and what they shall do to oppress poor people and they study every way how they may
make their Ministery burdensome and studie what to speak studying old Authors and some of them writing down that which they speak in papers See if these do not distrust God Jer. 23.29 30 31 32. 2 Joh. 9. and do dishonor him and are no Ministers of the Spirit but are Unbelievers and Infidels who distrust God and steal the words of their neighbours as the false Prophets did Jer. 23.29 30 31. But the Lord is against them now as he was then and sends to cry out against them now as he did then and when any is sent by the Lord to cry out against them now to tell them of their deceits and deceivableness Acts 7.47 48 49. Ver. 57 58 59. Acts 6.11 12 13. Mat. 23.27 28 29 30 31. and how that they are no Ministers of Christ who do not abide in his Doctrine but teach for Doctrine the traditions of men and call a stone-house a Church and say that God dwelleth there and when any is sent by the Lord to cry out against them there as Steven did Acts 7. who said God that made the world did not dwell in Temples made with hands and that evil generation of the uncircumcised in hearts and ears did murder poor Steven the Servant of the Lord and said he was a blasphemer and came to overturn the Law and the Statutes that were given forth by Moses and so these persecuting Priests here in Yorkshâ—re especially their sins testifie against them to their face that they are of the Generation that slew the righteous blood and they would have all to take notice that they know not God for when any is sent to them and says that God doth not dwell in any of those Idol Temples that are made with hands as in Acts 17.24 Acts 17.25 neither is he worshipped there by Traditions Customs and Rudiments of the world with mens hands Acts 17.25 But he is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth Joh. 4.23 24. 1 Pet. 2.5 1 Cor. 3.19 2 Cor. 6.16 Isa 54.11 12 13 14 15. for he seeketh such to worship him Joh. 4.23 24. And that the Church of Christ is made all of living stones elect and precious 1 Pet. 2.5 and that the Saints are made the Temples of the living God as the Corinthians did witness and that they shall need no man to teach them for the Lord is the teacher of his himself alone by his Spirit and asks them how they came to their Ministry and bids them prove what they have said they run away and will not stand to prove their call to the Ministry but lets them be beaten and struck by the uncircumcised in hearts and ears for none that are circumcised by the spirit of the living God cometh there to stand up to deceive the people But the hireling fleeth because he is an hireling that the Scriptures may be fulfilled Joh. 10.12 13. And the thief cometh not Joh. 10.12 13. but for to kill and to steal and to destroy Joh. 10.10 But the good shepherd he layeth down his life for the sheep but these that cannot prove their call to the Ministry of the Gospel the Ministration of the Spirit which excells that of Moses and John they having nothing but what they have stolne and studied for Their old Author studied spirit fails them and the hireling fleeth because he is an hireling and not the true Shepherd and the thief kills steals and destroyes and saith to the people hear him not whom God hath sent take him Officers and put him in the stocks and let him be had to Prison and so turns Persecutor and you all know that Persecution is of the Devil and now those divelish Priests shew themselves what they are now that they are come to be tried but it is but that they may be made manifest what generation they are of and when they cannot defend themselves by their old Author-studied Spirit it failing them then they Petition to the outward powers of the Land that they may more plainly appear but the Foxes are so subtile that they twine about into the hole of their earthly wisdom in their Petition that they would cover over themselves as if they were the Ministers of Christ and would justifie themselves but God will condemn them And it were better for them that a Milstone were hanged about their necks and they themselves cast into the Sea then that they should offend one of these little ones that believeth in the Lord the Petitioners are many of them Persecutors and I do not question but that both Parliament and Army and all that fear the Lord and are acquainted with his teachings the teachings of the Spirit of Grace in the least measure those that know it know that it teacheth to deny all ungodliness as it is made manifest by the Divine light of God within where the light of God doth shine in the hearts of any as it doth in those who are taught of God who have the heavenly treasure in earthly vessels as the Saints had See 2 Cor. 4.5 6 7. And those that are enlightned and guided by the same Spirit that they were which spirit is but one where it is made manifest I say all those that know this spiritual teaching of Jesus Christ both Parliament and Army and all others know that this blessed Spirit teacheth to deny persecution and worketh out anger and envy and wrath and revenge purging out the old nature working into love and bowells of Compassion Gentleness Goodness Meekness Temperance Patience Godliness and brotherly kindness which causeth the old man to be put off and the old persecuting nature and causeth the new man to be put on and withall to be made partaker of the Divine nature and those that know this in part will see that those false Priests have a filthy deceitfull heart and will be discovered and made manifest in their deceivableness by those that have the Spirit of God and they have an end to themselves for to have the praise of men as the Scribes had that sate in Moses seat as these do proud Pharisees they will appear to be fair outsides but they have insides full of rottenness and deceitfulness of heart but you know what is the portion of such Mat. 23.1 2 27 28 29. See Mat. 23. And it will not be unknown to the Heads and Rulers of the Nation what sort of men they were that took counsel together to take Jesus by subtilty to kill him And then they may see what Generation these are of and what seed after the flesh but not after the Spirit for they that are after the flesh they presecute them that are after the Spirit You heads and Rulers of the people see that you stand in the Counsel of the Lord and mind that which is of God in you that is pure which sheweth you the vanity of your minds and checks you when you do contrary to it and
it will guide your minds towards God who is pure and cause you to stand in his pure fear which will lead you into the true wisdom of God to govern the people in righteousness and to take away that unrighteous Law or Statute made by Queen Mary which the Priests your Petitioners make their refuge to persecute and Imprison the Righteous by and deny the Law of God or practise of the Saints the people of God in former ages as in 1 Cor. 14. When any thing was revealed to him that sate by the first was to hold his peace and the other was to speak and all might speak one by one that all might be edified let that of Mary be put forth and put in one in order to this which was the practise of the Church of God that the deceivers may be laid open and made manifest what they are Act in righteousness that you may receive the blessing Take heed of holding up that which God is throwing down now he is making his power known casting down the mighty out of their Thrones and bringing down the haughtiness of men throwing down every high thought and every high Imagination Let such Laws be established as tend to the punishment of evil doers and countenancing those that do well and then you will see the Foxes and false Priests will be found out Let truth be declared freely by any one where it is made manifest Who art thou that wouldst limit the holy one of Israel by thy carnal mind What ever thou art God will limit thee and throw thee down out of thy Throne be what thou wilt But thou that lovest the truth and standest up for it as it is in Jesus thou shalt be Crowned with Glory Quest 1. Is it according either to Conscience or the Law of Equity and reason that theeves should make their prey of the Righteous Consider of it and lay it to heart 2. Is it according to Equity or the truth of God that any mans Conscience should be kept under a beastly corrupt mans will that swells in anger and if any go to ease his burdned Conscience to be beaten and set in the stocks and stoned in the streets is this according to the practise of the Ministers of Jesus Christ Let the Scriptures be your Rule and the Lord your judge and be not upholders of those deceivers for God will honor himself in throwing of them down 3. Is it according to the righteous Law of God or mans corrupt will that the righteous should suffer and the wicked go free and escape by lies and flatteries let every thing be brought to light and let the transgressors be punished and the Innocent cleared For God will be honored and he will not always strive he will reprove even Kings for his righteous childrens sake and he will take away the reproach of his people himself and no deceitfull person shall dwell in his house God is a Spirit and none knows him but such as are spiritual and born again and the righteous they suffer and no man layeth it to heart but God is judge himself and he will be avenged of all his Enemies 4. Is there are reason that we should pay or be compelled to pay for that which we have not is not this unrighteous They say they are Ministers and we do ask them what Scripture they have for their Rule to take tythe Hay or Corn tythe Lamb and Wooll tythe Eggs and money for Reak passing up our Chimnies and money for Mares and Foals and Kine and Calves and tythe Apples and Cherries and to have an end of all our labors we would have them to give account of their Ministry and how they came to be made Ministers of the Spirit and what Scripture they have for their Rule to take tythes and whether it were ever the practise of the Ministers of Christ yea or no who laboured with their hands and desired rather to dye then to make the Gospel burdensom that they might be examples to all that come after and they walking contrary to Christ and his Apostles have lost their examples and make the Parliament their spiritual sword and carnal bulwark for the account of their Ministry or ground of their Doctrine and say the Parliament do allow them and can no ways clear themselves by Scripture and we finding the Ministry of Christ to be a free Ministry and the Gospel not to be burdensom though they clear themselves to be the Ministers of man and not of God the Apostle was a Minister not made by the will of man but by the will of God and these walking contrary to the Ministers of Christ and contrary to the Scriptures and we never profited by them they starved our souls by their cold dark and barren Ministry of their own Inventions and they say that we would justle God out of his Throne but it is but the God of the World Mammon which they so much thirst after for it is the desire of our souls to see the onely true God to sit upon his Throne ruling by his power and every Spirit and as the Lord is large in his love to us though they call us Papists Quakers or what Nick-name they can invent and every way seek to cast dirt upon the pure Truth standing in opposition against the power of truth in any where it is made manifest as Jannes and Jambres did but their folly shall appear to all men as theirs did but we cannot in Conscience pay for that old rotten stuffe which runs out of their old bottels old corrupt natures which poureth forth nothing but corruption and bitterness as Railings and Revilings and cursed speakings speaking evil of that which they know not and because we cannot buy of their old stinking wares as we did formerly not questioning them took them for good upon their words but now the Fountain of their stinking puddle is made known and the Lord teacheth us better things we are ever bound to praise his name and we receive of his Love and spiritual teachings freely receiving and Grace for Grace growing up from Grace to Grace in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and as we have received freely we are made to hold it forth freely to others again not seeking our selves as they do but seeking the good and welfare of one anothers Souls by the power of the Lord as it ruleth in us running forth to seek the good of all and we cannot hold them up in their deceits and we cannot pay for that which we have not neither did we ever receive any spiritual food or refreshings from them we testifie against them as it is our bounden duty to let our light shine forth to others and though the proud Priests as in all that which they do it is for money which is their Diana and all that which they look after They do not seek us but ours And as we receive of the Lord freely we cannot but declare though they
threaten and do sue and go to Law for carnal maintenance which both Jesus Christ and his true Ministers do forbid as in Mat. 5.40 1 Cor. 6. ver 1. but they do not abide in his Doctrine as is now made plain in our book of Easter Reckonings And we would reckon with them as we have there declared about the pure Doctrine by the Spirit of the Lord made known and taught to us And if they could prove themselves warrantably by Scriptures to have Rule from them which we own the Life of and make it appear to us to be Ministers of the Spirit they should have their due and if they will lay open their shamefull dealings to all men let all take notice of their folly that God may have the praise who hath laid open their deceits and taught us freely by his holy Spirit in these our dayes to him be all holy praise both now and for evermore who is worthy to be praised God blessed for ever Reader I Would have thee to peruse this ensuing Treatise or something in Answer to the Counties Petition put up to the Parliament by the Priests and many of their associates here in York-shire wherein their flatteries and subtilties and deceits are discovered and laid open and although theybe so cunning that in their Petition they have kept out themselves and put it up in the name of the People yet they were the chiefest Actors and got all as many as they could Boyes and Girles in several places that knew not their left hand from their right to set their hands to their Petition and many people that had any knowledge of God in the least measure denied to joyn with them But read it over and it will to thee their deceits more plainly manifest and fully discover Rich. Farnworth The Counties Petition To the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England THe humble Petition of many inhabitants of the County of York and City of York and County of the same City Humbly sheweth That your Petitioners who are less then the least of the Mercies they enjoy as they desire to be sensible of that good decree of peace and truth which through the good hand of God upon your Counsels and Indeavours they partake of and are therefore Petitioners to the Lord for you that he would remember you for good and spare you according to the Multitude of his mercies and so withall they think it their duty humbly to present unto you the deep sense they have of some evils and dangers which they apprehend very nearly to concern the truth of God and Gospel of Salvation or the prosperous course thereof whereon the glory of peace and safety of this Nation besides the eternal welfare of precious souls more worth then worlds do much depend 1. That many scandalous and ignorant Persons Enemies to the People and ways of God upholders and practisers of the abolished Ceremonies and no friends to the present Government and peace of this Common-wealth are continued in the work of the Ministry to the prejudice of that calling the hinderance of Reformation and danger of Immortal Souls 2. That the faithfull Ministers of Christ by whom we have believed whose labors have been so profitable and yet so necessary to the Church of God and whose reputations and incouragement ought to be so dear unto us are daily loaden with contempt and reproach disturbed in the diligent and peaceable execution of their office by evil and unreasonable men and also undermined in their calling and maintenance whereby the course of the Gospel is much hindred and the Spirit of Gods people nay we doubt not to say the Spirit of God himself grieved and vexed the precious Ordinances of Christ trodden under foot and consequently the welfare of this tossed distracted common-wealth very much endangered For if the just Lord who is in the midst of us spared not his ancient people the Tribes of his inheritance when once they began to mock his Messengers and deal injuriously with those that are sent to preach the glad tidings of the Gospel whereby they filled up the measure of their sins and brought upon themselves wrath without remedy even wrath to the utmost and we see no reason why the unchangeable God should not proceed by the same measure against gentile Churches as of such you have had also nearer instance in the fall of those persons whom the Lord cast out before you the rock of whose ruine was their opposition to a Godly and conscientious Ministry Lastly They take boldness to represent that the liberty granted by the Parliament in matters of Religion and the worship of God is very much abused to the increase of Popery and prophaness contrary to your intentions in the same Your Petitioners seriously considering and laying to heart these things think it their further duty earnestly to beseech you by the glorious and fearfull name of God which is every day blasphemed by the precious Gospel of Jesus Christ which is much dishonored and despised and by whatsoever is dear unto us which by these and such like evils we believe to be much endangered That you would take these particulars into serious and speedy consideration 1. That you would take a more effectual course for removing of scandalous and unworthy Ministers from the office and work of the Ministry then yet is or can be taken by the Committee for plundred Ministers sitting at Westminster in regard of the great distance of this County that so the Parliament may not be charged not so much as by neglect to build again those things they have destroyed 2. That you would speak comfortably to those that teach the good knowledge of the Lord seeing that God himself hath given notwithstanding manifold infirmities testimonial seals to many of them and take care that they may have a comfortable subsistance that you would support the honor and reverence of the Universities necessary to the supply of able Ministers and bear witness against those who daily discover their enmity to the Office and Ordinances of the Gospel whereby life will be given to your well established Laws and inferior Magistrates encouraged to vindicate and further the Gospel in their several stations and much danger of the Common-wealth prevented which cannot but be feared For the oppressers of the Ministry whose Principles are full of confusion and lead to casting off the Rulings as well as the teachings of men wherewith they have given much cause of suspition in this and full evidence in other Nations Lastly That you would take care to build such battlements about your grants of liberty in matters of Religion that Popish and prophane Persons may not take advantage thereby to dishonor God despise his Ordinances pollute his Sabboths and so the land be filled with Atheism Ignorance and Idolatry So shall the Lord who hitherto hath been a wall of fire round about us be also for glory in the midst amongst us and your Petitioners be further engaged to
pray for a blessing upon your Counsells and persons To the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England THe humble Petition of many Inhabitants of the County of York Petition the City of York and County of the same City humbly sheweth that your Petitioners who are less then the least of the mercies they enjoy as they desire to be sensible of that good decree of peace and truth which through the good hand of God upon your counsels and endeavours they partake of and are therefore Petitioners to the Lord for you that he would remember you for good and spare you according to the multitude of his mercies and so withall they think it their duty humbly to present unto you the deep sense they have of some evils and dangers which they apprehend very nearly to concern the truth of God and Gospel of Salvation for the prosperous course thereof whereon the glory of peace and safety of this Nation besides the eternal wellfare of precious souls more worth then worlds do much depend These Petitioners are full of flatteries and subtilty Answer and shew themselves to be carnal that run from the Lord to take counsell of men for that which they call spiritual that sit to judge of temporal affairs and it shews that the Priests of the world are the Ministers of man and not of God and dare not trust him nor take his counsail neither have they the sword of the Spirit as the true Ministers had their weapons were not carnal but spiritual and mighty through God to throw down strong holds and they were made through him that loved them more then Conquerors Rom. 8.37 Rom. 8.37 But these shew themselves to be carnal and ignorant of the same power that ruled in them that run to outward power to uphold them as the Jews and Scribes and Pharisees did that sought for the honor of the world and the praise of men as these do and were enemies to Jesus Christ Joh. 5.42 43 44. as these are For were these Petitioners acquainted with what they do profess it would draw their minds up to the Lord who is the mighty Counsellor the everlasting Father the Prince of Peace Isai 9. to direct their Petitions to him and not to run without to take Counsell of men Isaiah 9. Isaiah 30. who sit to judge of temporal things to ask Counsel about spiritual and so run from the Lord the mighty Counsellor and the judge of the whole Earth who doth direct all those that trust in him to take his Counsell both for temporals and spirituals and threatneth woe to them that take Counsel but not of him and the woe is to the disobedient Children that go down into Egypt for help to make flesh their Arm who do not trust in the living God but are haters of him though in their words to him they do profess love but by their actions they deny him and are to every good work abominable and Reprobate Titus 1. ver 16. Professing they know God Titus 1.16 and hate those that are known of him as by their fruits it doth appear for they do both Persecute Envy Backbite and are exceeding Proud and Covetous and Oppress grinding the faces of the poor Rom. 8.8 and it is not unknown what fruits those are it cannot be denied but that they are fruits of the flesh they that are in the flesh cannot please God Was it not the great men of the World that did make their suite so much to the Councel of State or those that sate to judge the People amongst the Jews who were enemies to Jesus Christ as Paul was accused for a Blasphemer an Heretick and was complained against or petitioned for by the Scribes and Pharisees and Elders of the people to the high Priest that sat in the seat of judgement to have had his life taken away and said he was a seditious fellow and Steven they said he was a blasphemer and they not being able to resist the wisdom Acts 6.10 11 12 13 14 15. and the spirit by which he spoke Acts 6.10 11 12. then they suborned men stirred up the People to swear falsly against him before the Councel and said that they heard him speak blasphemous things against Moses the Temple and the Law when he went to declare the message that the Lord sent him withall As he doth now send many to cry out against the deceits of the Priests and they not being able to defend themselves by Scripture nor warrant from God they stir up the suborned men and rude multitude who are utter enemies to God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Petition against those to whom the Lord hath manifested his love and made his power known in some measure to praise and glorifie his great and glorious name and those Petitioners are as those were that cried to the high Priest let us have Barrabas who was a murderer set at liberty and Christ Crucified in whom was found no guile but because he came to testifie against their deceits yet they said he was a deceiver and a blasphemer they that were Petitioners against the ttuth of God in that Generation went under the same colour and pretence then that these do now Petitioning against Seditious fellows that came to overturn their Statutes Laws and Customs and the Scribes Pharisees and Elders of the people cryed out against them for Blasphemy and Heresie Nay they spared not to call the good man of the house Belzebub and said he was the Prince of Devils and Paul they sayd he was a Ring leader of that Sect and the Silver-shrine-makers because hey saw that he came to overturn their Diana which brought them so much gain they said that if they did let him alone all men would be drawn after him and they should be in danger to suffer the loss of all not onely their handicraft would be set at naught but their Goddess Dianah would be overthrown and then the sense and consideration of that seised deep upon them whereupon they went and stirred up all the people against the Servants of the Lord to have slaughtered them for testifying the truth that struck at their deceits and stirred up all the whole City setting them on an uproar many not knowing what they did but as they were led on by the on-setters to mischief and cried with a loud voice great is Diana of the Ephesians and if it be but rightly considered now it will be found out that these Petitioners here in York-shire are of the same Generation and the Priests being with the Scribes and Pharisees and Leaders of the Petitioners struck into a deep sense that they have of the loss of their great Goddess Diana their imaginary way of worship and beastly wares that they have had such sale for shall now come down and they lose all their gain and none will buy their wares any longer that comes to tast of better that the sense of this doth strike deeply
at them and lye heavy upon them and the sense of no other evil and danger that is the greatest and it is time for the beast to colour over himself neatly and Petition now and cry help Magistrate now or all is gone we cannot defend our selves any way else and if you fail us now we are utterly undone for ever we canot defend our selves by Scripture and our conversation testifies against us that we neither follow the example of Jesus Christ nor his Apostles who were his true Ministers and the People they begin to see it and truth it is we have no right to take tythes nor to have hire we cannot justifie our actions any wayes by Scripture and if you stand not to us now we lose all and shall be utterly undone and ruinated for ever And They think it their humble duty to present unto you the deep sense they have of some evils and dangers Petition which they apprehend very nearly to concern the truth of God and Gospel of Salvation or the prosperous course thereof whereon the glory of peace and safety of this Nation besides the eternal welfare of precious souls more worth then worlds doth depend Answ 1. Consider of it If these Petitioners be not of the same Generation of evil doers that the Scribes and Pharisees were that laboured so much and Petitioned or falsly accused the Son of God Jesus Christ and his Disciples and followers to the Counsel of the people Assembled together time after time to have destroyed not onely them in whom the truth was declared but laboured every way to have destroyed the truth it self but could not for the more that they were persecuted they more did grow and as it was then so is it now 2. But the subtilty of the Serpent that ruled in the Jews chief Priests Scribes and Pharisees then ruleth in these Petitioners now in this age as by their fruits it doth appear 3. When the Lord sent forth his messengers then to declare his truth they strucke them and put them in the stocks and stoned and railed and hated and shamefully intreated them and when they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which they spake as in Acts 6. then some of them they imprisoned as Peter and John and Paul and Silas and stoned Steven and sought false witness against him to put him to death and sought to the counsell to have the life of them all such blood-suckers they were yet it was under a colour or cloak or pretence of godliness and stirred up the people telling them that they were seditious fellows as Steven was Acts 6. and men that came to overturn the Law and the Statutes given forth by Moses and came to speak blasphemous things against the Temple and under that colour of Schismaticks and Hereticks Sedition and Blasphemy did the pure truth suffer and this is the same generation by which it doth suffer now and let but these wicked Priests have but their corrupt wills fulfilled and they would murder all in whom any thing of God was made manifest under colour or pretence of Papists or prophane Persons when as they are themselves the wickedst profane persons of all others and stir up many to be their Executioners to mischief that know not the right hand from the left in point of Religion in strikeing and stoning and falsly accusing the good Conversation of the righteous and shamefully entreating them and Petitioning against them But Fourthly They may justly expect the just hand of God upon them and the plagues of God to be poured forth upon them for their exceeding great wickedness for they are the peace-breakers of the Commonwealth not of England onely but of Israel also as much as in them lies And they may be sensible of it they may see themselves enemies both to the Gospel of Salvation and the prosperous course thereof every ways hindring the truth from being declared Ezek. 34.2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. Hosea 6.9 as much as in them lies to the utmost of their power deceivers or destroyers of souls which is more worth then worlds And as a troop of robbers wait for a man so the company of Priests murder in the way by consent as it is now by their fruits made manifest Hos 6.9 Therefore O ye shepherds hear the word of the Lord Thus saith the Lord God Behold I am against the shepherds and I will require my flock at their hands and cause them to cease from feeding the flock neither shall they feed themselves any more for I will deliver my flock from them that they may not be meat for them Ezek. 34.8 9. Ezek. 34.9 10. Fifthly Shall you not be visited for these things saith the Lord Let the wicked joyn hand in hand yet they shall not go unpunished for saith the Lord I will be avenged of all mine enemies vengeance is mine and I will repay Woe to the wicked It shall go ill with them both Priests and people for the leaders of them cause them to erre Isa 9.16 Hosea 4.9 Isa 9.16 There is like Priest like people Hos 4.9 All joyn together to persecute the truth and to hinder the free course of the Gospel and to break the peace of the Commonwealth and as much as in them lies to destroy the souls of the righteous now that the Lord is sending forth his servants to cry out against the deceits of the world and the worship of the beast worshipping the works of their own hands traditions and rudiments of the world which are not after God Col. 2.20 21 22. but by the will of man Col. 2.20 21 22. and mens corrupt wills being crost and the deceits of the Priests here in Yorkshire being discovered and the Lord sending to them to testifie it to their faces they will not stand to prove themselves neither to be Ministers of the letter nor of the spirit but run away and cause that those whom the Lord sendeth to them be beaten and abused and given up into the hands of the rude multitude which is contrary both to the practise of Christ and his Apostles they never struck nor cause any to be struck but on the contrary received stripes Peter and John were beaten and put in the prison See Act. 5.26 Acts 5.26 27 28 c. 27 28 c. and threatned they should speak no more in the name of Jesus And Sixthly These Priests bear testimony to the same deeds here in Yorkshire for many have been beaten for declaring the truth as it is in Jesus and many stoned that stones have flown as fast as bullets in a battel and the dogs have been set on by their hearers and they themselves having been in the streets and being spoken to would not prove themselves but got away Are not these the fruits of the Jews who were enemies to Jesus Christ did not they stone Steven to death for witnessing the truth Act. 7.59 60. Acts
7.59 And had it not been the Lords power more then their mercy at that time their mercies being very cruelties all had been destroyed for they stoned a great space out of the Town and stones did hit on the backs and heads of the people as if they had clattered on a wall and none did seek to quench the tumult see whether these be fruits of Christs Ministery or of Antichrists but it is but that the Scriptures may be fulfilled and now it is fulfilling here in Yorkshire and the Priests are the greatest persecutors was not Jesus Christ himself stoned Joh. 10.31 32 33. Joh. 10.31 32 33. and persecuted by the high-Priests and shall the servant be greater then the Lord Did the Ministers of Christ ever persecute as the Ministers of the world do and especially here in Yorkshire the Jews were persecutors who were enemies to Iesus Christ and stoned both him and his and beat them and struck them Paul received five times forty stripes save one they struck Iesus and spit in his face Matth. 26. Mat. 26.65 66 67. And those that stoned and struck them and did so shamefully entreat them petitioned or falsly accused them to the Council several times to have had their lives and they were willing to suffer death rather then deny the truth Iesus himself witnessed a good Confession before Pilate which Iesus we are brought to confess before men for whose sake we are hated and persecuted both by Priests and people here in Yorkshire who do profess him as the Iews did but will not confess or witness him ruling in them by his spirit but do deny him in their actions as their fruits make them manifest Seventhly Would they stand the tryal and prove themselves before their people then let them be laid open what they are but they will not stand are they not of a cowardly spirit Such is the University Spirit it is a thievish spirit and will not nor dare not stand they not being able to resist the Spirit of God in those who are sent to cry out against the deceits of them as Steven and the rest did but these run away and because they have a Popish Law to flye to they imprison the servants of the Lord as many are here in prison at York and have been a long time in prison by these persecuting Priests here in York-shire and they will not that the truth should come to light nor they to be tryed by course of Law see if these be not hinderers of the course of the Gospel and destroy the righteous both soul and body as much as in them lies but that the Lords love doth more appear in their preservation then the Priests mercy in delivering but woe is their portion and they break the Peace of the Nation not suffering the truth to be declared after that they have done speaking but rather encourage the rude multitude to beat and strike the servants of the living God and raile and revile them but wil not stand but let the rude people break the peace of the Land and that which they call their Church is rather a slaughter-house but the hireling fleeth because he is an hireling that the Scriptures may be fulfilled and the thief comes not but to kill and to steal and to destroy as it is now made manifest by their fruits or the Priests actings here in Yorkshire and then as the Iews did they petition or falsly accuse the good conversation of the righteous to the Councel of State but they are made manifest whose servants they are and the judgement will return upon their own pate Woe to the Idol-shepherds they are in a deep sense of losing their Trade and Handicraft whereby they have a long time deceived the people and now they cry out Great is Diana or the merchandise of Babylon wherein we receive our gain and if these men be letten alone we shall lose all our profits but we will cry out against them that we be not taken notice on our selves who are the enemies and hinderers of the Gospel which is the power of God unto salvation and we want that power amongst us and that 's the reason why our Ministery works no Reformation And that they may not take notice of us A confession for the Priests An exhortation to the Priests we will begin at home to cut off all those that are scandalous but indeed we may say we cannot cleer our selves for we were never sent but ran and we have not profited the people at all as it is now made manifest by our fruitless Ministery for all is light and vain covetous and prophane therefore let me exhort you by the Lord to begin with your own selves and see that you do not run on further into wickedness now that you are made manifest your sins testifie to your face that you are enemies of the truth of God and he will bruise you with his Iron rod for deceiving poor souls so long for the highest of you in your fleshly wisdom is the highest deceiver and the Lord is against you all both great and small though you say That many scandalous and ignorant persons enemies to the people and ways of God Petition upholders and practizers of the abolished Ceremonies and no friends to the present Government and peace of this Commonwealth are continued in the work of the Ministery to the prejudice of that Calling the hinderance of Reformation and danger of Immortal souls Answer You may see how you have been deceived all this while and lived under a Popish Ministery and now that it is discovered they would have people to take notice of it that many of them are of the Popish Clergy and are scandalous and enemies both to the ways of God and the people of God and if your understandings were enlightened you may see that there is but little difference of them 2 Joh. 9. 1 Cor. 2.14 for they are all contrary both to Christ and his true Ministers and he that abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God 2 Joh. 9. they are all carnal in their first nature and the natural man knows not the things of God because they are spiritually discerned and no man knows the Father but the Son and he to whom he is revealed The Heathen know not God and all are Heathens that know him not in their natural state and condition the world by wisdom knows not God 1 Cor. 3.18 19.20 Acts 17.20 21 22 23 c. but worships an unknown God and those that live in ignorance and Papists are all in one nature and both worship an unknown God as the Athenians did and every one in his natural state and condition lives in darkness Athiesm Popery and Idolatry worshipping the works of their own hands and following the imaginations of their own hearts drawing neer to God with their mouth and lips but their hearts are far from him as those were that he
my flesh trembles when they lye and lying is dishonour to the Lord and they say O Lord my righteousness when they themselves are the servants of Sin and plead for it and teach the people to lye calling that the service of God but lying is of the Devil and he is the Father of lyes and they teach the People to sing and say O Lord I am not puft in minde I have no scornful eye when they are puft in scorn and derision and so sing lyes to the dishonour of God all lyes howling and lying when they read Davids conditions they read them with hats on and when they turn them into rime and meeter they put their hats off and lye singing and setting that nature on singing and to rejoyce which is for the curse and so worship the works of their own hands following the Imaginations of their own hearrs and take a glass and speak an hour by their old Author studyed spirit and their glass standing by as if the word of the Lord was to be bound to an hour 1 Cor. 14.15 Rev. 14.1 2 3. day or place see if this be not errour or Popery and hold it not up be not deceived God will not be mocked Let him that sings sing with the Spirit and the Vnderstanding to know what he sings They that are redeemed from the Earth shall sing new Songs which none can sing but those that are redeemed out of the Fall up to the Lord God and to the Lamb to Praise him for ever Let not your Priests deceive you and destroy your souls any longer and keep you under Popery Atheism and Ignorance of the Spiritual Ministry Christ is a Mysterie and none know him but they to whom he is revealed put out all your Priests they all deceive you every one And that you may know the truth wait upon the Lord for teaching who is the Teacher of all his by his Spirit and the ministration is powerful to redeem the soul out of the Fal up to God and to reform and change your natures and dispositions which will guide you and lead you into the way of peace to know the Lord to gather out of all the ways and works of darkness Atheism and Popery Covetousness and Prophaness which all are given to Preists and People that live in their first nature and know not God who is a spirit and of purer eyes then to behold Iniquity who is a consuming fire and is both the heart-searcher and tryer Petition and will burn up the wicked in the indignation of his Ire That the Faithful Ministers of Christ by whom we have believed whose labours have been so profitable and are yet so necessary to the Church of God and whose reputations and encouragements ought to be so dear unto us are daily laden with contempt and reproach disturbed in the diligent and peaceable execution of their office by evil and unreasonable men and also undermined in their calling and maintenance whereby the course of the Gospel is much hindered and the spirit of Gods people nay we doubt not to say the Spirit of God himself is grieved and vexed to see the precious Ordinances of Christ trodden under foot c. That the Faithful Ministers of Christ by whom we have believed c. That the Ministers of Yorkshire or the Ministers of the World are the Ministers of Antichrist Answ 1. The Priests Practise as their fruits do make them manifest and their Ministry is of man and not of God and the Faith that is spoken of is corrupt for it doth not purifie but worketh into Pride Covetousness oppression and persecution lust and revenge hatred backbiting scornfulness cruelty malice debate deceit malignity and envy drunkenness lying and swearing because of oaths the Land mourns and pride swels and Covetousness and oppression and grinding the faces of the poor and these are the fruits of the reprobate and are Ordinances of Antichrist and not of Christ and they are all gone out of the way both Priests and people and the people are destroyed for lack of knowledge because thou hast rejected knowledge saith the Lord I will also reject thee that thou shalt be no Priest to me seeing thou hast forgotten the Law of thy God I will also forget thy children as they were increased so they sinned against me saith the Lord and as it was then so it is now therefore thus saith the Lord I will change their glory into shame for they eat up the sin of my people and they set their heart to do wickedly it is not now made manifest by their fruits for there is like Priest like people Hosea 4 6 7 8 9. I will punish them for their wayes and reward them their doings saith the Lord. Hos 4.6 7 8 9. 2. It is with the Priests now as it was with the false Priests and false Prophets and the people now as it was with the children of Israel after they had backslid and broken the Covenant of the Lord their sins testifie against them to their faces now as theirs did then Hos 5.5 They call the proud happy and they that work wickedness are set up and they that tempt God are even delivered Mal. 3.15 Mal. 3.15 as it was then so it is now in this generation and the Priests of the World are contrary to Jesus Christ and his Apostles who were his true Ministers in all things 1. They are exceeding proud and are called of men Masters which Jesus Christ hath taught his to deny Mat. 23.8 and herein they walk contrary to the Scripture and the command of Jesus Christ and shew the spirit of errour and are no Ministers of Christ that do not abide in his Doctrine but are of Antichrist and are Lords over Gods heritage Mat. 23.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. Proud Pharisees they are and sit in the same seat and act the same things as they did they have the chiefest places in the Assemblies as the Scribes and Pharisees had which were enemies to Iesus Christ they love the greetings in markets as they did and to be called of men Masters as they were and suffer men to worship them with cap and knee and are enemies to Iesus Christ as the Scribes and Pharisees were and hold up that which he came to throw down and so walk contrary to Iesus Christ herein they shew themselves to be Antichrists and of the saâ—…e generation that persecuted Christ when he came in the flesh as they do now that he is appearing in Spirit and the chief Priests were the greatest persecuters of him then as the Priests of Yorkshire are now who follow their steps 3. They are exceeding covetous and burden and oppress poor people Acts 20.33 34 35. 1 Cor. 4.11 12 13. 1 Cor. 9.15 16 17 18. Gal. 1.10 Jam. 2.1 2. and are light and wanton living in pleasures and wantoness upon earth which the true Ministers of Christ did forbid as in all things they were good