is lead to life but every one that doth evill hateth the light and will not bring his deeds to the light lest they should be reproved and so the light is his condemnation John 3.18 19 20 21. They affirmed That Christ died not for all contrary to the Scripture 2 Cor. 5.15 as abovesaid They say that the Scripture is the Word of God which is but a Declaration of the Word Luke 1.1 And Christ his Name is called the Word of God Rev. 19.13 The Scriptures are words of God and Christ is the Word that fulfils and ends the words They affirmed That men and women and Children should be condemned for Adams Transgression c. contrary to the Scripture which saith The Children shall not bear the iniquity of their Fathers nor the Fathers the Childrens but every one shall give an account of himself and every one shall bear his own burden They affirmed That none could be perfect on this side the Grave and that a Ohilde of God cannot be perfect as to have no sinne at all Answ Contrary to the Scripture Mat. 5.48 Where Christ saith Be ye perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect And Christ doth 〈…〉 nor command impossible things and the Apostle saith We speak wisdome amongst them that are perfect 1 Cor. 2. And let as many as are perfect be thus minded and the Childe of God is perfect and without sinne for whosoever is borne of God doth not commit sinne and his seed remaines in him and he cannot sinne because be is born of God 1 John 3.8 9. It is as impossible for him that is born of God to commit sinne as it is impossible for him who is born of the Devil to cease from sinne They affirmed That none was Ministers of Christ but such as wait for an ordinary and mediate call from Men. Answ Contrary to the Scripture which saith The things of God knowes no man but the Spirit of God And contrary to Pauls Call who saith Not of man nor by man but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ for he neither received of man neither was he taught it but it was given to him of God and this was the Gospell he preached Christ within the hope of Glory and if any bring another let them be accursed 1 Cor. 2. Gal. 1.1.12 Colos 1. They affirmed That an oath was lawfull to be taken of men and women Answ Contrary to Christs Command Mat. 5. who saith Swear not at all c. and contrary to the Apostles Doctrine James 5.12 who saith Above all things my Brethren swear not neither by Heaven nor by Earth nor by any other Oath but let your yea be yea and your nay nay lest ye fall into Condemnation They affirmed That Bread and Wine is the Communion with Christ Answ John and the Saints had Communion with God and his Son Jesus Christ and their Fellowship was in the Light For saith he if we walk in the Light as he is in the light then have we fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin 1 John 1.5 7. And they who are in the Light have fellowship with Christ and receives every thing in the purity from the Lord but they that hate the Light they remain in darknesse and every thing to them is accursed to the unbelieving and disobedient their is nothing pure but even their mind and conscience is defiled They affirmed that sprinkling Infants is an Ordinance of Christ when as Christ never ordained such a thing and their is no Scripture for it let the Priests of Scotland or any of their brethren in England prove it if they can They affirmed it was lawfull for them be called of men Master Answ Contrary to Christ his expresse words in Mat. 23.8.10 be not ye called of men Master c. They affirmed Tythes to be lawfull for Ministers now shewing themselves to be Antichristian dark and blind denying Christ Jesus to be come in the flesh and saying that is lawful which Christ hath disannulled and made void and there is no Law in the new testament that doth allow of Tythes to be paid to a Gospel Ministry therefore not lawful These are some of the false Doctrines and Principles of the Presbyterians about Glasgow Whereby it was plainly manifest that they are guilty of heresy and are heriticks which they would charge upon others But true Light now shineth which maketh deceipt and deceivers manifest Henry Foreside said in the hearing of several people that Christ was not in the Apostle Paul c. Contrary to Pauls words in Gal. 1. After it pleased God who separated me from my mothers womb and called me by his Grace to reveal his Son in me c. and in 2 Cor. 13. Ye seek a proofe of Christ speaking in me and Christ in you the hope of Glory Col. 1. and Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates Peter Kid Priest of Douglasse said to preach that people should walk according to the Light and law within them is the Doctrine of Devils Answ Paul and other of the Apostles and Saints and true Christians who believed in Christ had the Light shining in them and the Law in them and the Spirit in them and God and Christ dwelt in them for their bodies were made Temples of the Holy Ghost as the Scriptures declare and the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus had made the Apostle free from the law of sin and death and saith John these things I write unto you that your fellowship may be with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ This was the Doctrine of Christ to bring people to Light Law life and spirit within to worship God in spirit and in truth and all who draw out and lead people from this are deceivers and their Doctrine is devilish William Somerwell Priest said It was ill manners to to say thee and thou to a man c. Contrary to the Scripture which all along doth give thee and thou to a particular not onely unto man though never so great in the world but also to God himself and unto Christ William Morton Priest of Wonstone summoned James Simmonton to his Sessions and being required to prove his Ministry he said he scorned to prove himself a Minister of Christ Contrary to the Scripture which saith be ready to give account of the hope that is in you with meeknesse and fear to every one that shall aske you And when he was told of taking hire for his preaching contrary to Christ his Commission who saith Freely ye have received freely give then the Priest arose in arage and called him base-born beggarly raskall contrary to the Apostles Doctrine who saith Let no corrupt communication come out of your mouth William Stockdale being in the Steeple-house of Lesmahagow where John Lum Priest thereof was preaching and he being writing some of his lyes the Priest cryed out and said There
doth not commit sin but the unbelief is sin Rom 11 20 and Christ is the end of the Law to every one that believes for righteousness sake Rom. 10.4 and yet thou puts both believers and unbelievers under the Law Lodowick Simerell Priest of the new parish of Munckland his Principles and Doctrines Pr. THat it is blasphemy to say that the light in man which reproves of sin is the light of God is perfect is the gift of God Answ Contrary to scripture contrary to Christs words and contrary to the Apostles words is thy doctrine and Principles for every gift of God is perfect Isa 1.17 Isa 49.6 Joh. 1.3 Joh. 4. For Christ is the gift of God and he hath given him for a Covenant of light to the Jews and Gentiles which doth enlighten every man that commeth into the world which every one that doth truth comes to it which every one that doth evil hates the light and will not come to the light because the light will reprove him and so This is the condemnation of the world that light is come into the world and men love darkenesse rather then light because their deeds be evill So this light is perfect which doth reprove every man of sin and is from above and it is the gift of God and thou art blind and in darkness that comprehends it not And the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world Christ Jesus the gift of God him by whom the world was made this light was before any naturall light was made Sun Moon or Stars for all things that was made was made by the light which came a light into the world that all through him might believe for he that believes not in the light is condemned already and he that does believe in the light hath the witnesse in himself to set to his seal that God is true and the spirit of truth that doth reprove the world is perfect and of God The light which every one that cometh into the world is enlightened withall is not conscience for the light was before any thing was made or conscience named So the light is that which exerciseth the conscience towards God and towards man where it is loved and the voice heard but where it is hated and the voice not heard the conscience is seared and the light is their condemnation whose consciences is seared which light was before conscience was The Priest would not have thee and thou to be to a single person and so is the man that would not indure sound words that cannot be condemned thee and thou was the language between God and his Saints and one another and you is to many and thou was to one and this was the language between Jeptha and his daughter and between the Saints and the Kings this shewes thou hast not learned the Accidence nor Bible nor art come to the form of sound words John Castaires called Minister of Glascow his Principles Pr. T Is naturall folkes duty to pray to God and worship him although they sinfully keep themselves under a sinfull necessity to sin against God through ignorance Answ This hath been your worke to keep people in ignorance which you may be ashamed of A natural man cannot worship God for he cannot receive the things of God nor a sinfull man but worship the Devil for he that commits sin serves him and he that serves sin serves the Devill and worships him Iohn 8 34 And Christ said the Pharisees should receive the greater damnation for their pretended long prayers Mat. 23 14 and so he did not justifie them in their long prayers but rebuked them and said Wo unto them who draw near with their lips when their hearts were far off Isa 29 13 And they that pray and worship God must pray in the spirit 1 Cor 14 15 and worship in the Spirit which the Devil is out of John 4 21 Pr If the first Command be in force and if it be in force negatively it is also in force positively thou shalt have me for thy God and oughtest to worship me and if they pray not as they should let them answer for it for it is not sin of it self Answ The children of Israel that the Commandments were given unto knew God but the Heathen knows him not here all may see what measure thou measures withall And further thou sayest if they pray as they should not and yet not sin is praying as they should and as they should not one by this to call upon God with their lips and the heart not right and the prayers and sacrifice of the wicked is justified Prov. 15.8 and if any pray as they should not are they not condemned for it and if in praying as they should not be not sin then they doe as they should Pr. If folks should not pray because they are uncapable then a believer not finding himself in a good frame may let his prayers alone Answ A Believer is ababe of God and his cry is right his prayer is right and his groan is right 1 John 5.1 And every man that cometh into the world being enlightned and coming into the light which hath enlightned him 1 John 1.7 in that he is to watch and pray which leads him beyond naturals which will be accepted in the degree but he that hates the light his prayer is not accepted but is in the hypocrisie Pr. The Apostles bad Simon Magus an old witchcarle pray and now is there any reason to say we are bidding folk sin when we bid them pray although they be grosly ignorant Answ The Apostle bad him Repent Acts 8.22 and he was sensible he had sinned and that which makes a man sensible of sinne brings him to pray aright and turnes him from witchcraft and so thou dost put no difference between the precious and the vile Ezek. 22.26 the accepted and unaccepted And Hen. Foreside who would have had his people to stone the Quakers and calls it Christian zeal he would have his wall up that he might live in safety who murthers and would be preserved in the murtherous estate and would have the powers of the earth to be his Executioners and pack-horses but the Lord is opening of their eyes that they will not execute their malice though he is stirring up the people to do so so all may see this is not the work of our Lord Jesus Christ but the work of the Murtherer and one that makes himself drunk with the blood of the Saints Rev. 17.6 till he reel again in his madnesse And Christ called them that took up stones to stone him of their Father the Devil for doing his lust John 8.44 And thou who would have the people to stone and calls it Christian zeal thou hast manifested thy Father and to be of the Devil who was a Murtherer from the beginning but you are the Serpents and vipers that would kill to fill the measure of your Fathers Mat. 23.32 and persecute
came to fulfill The Priests third Curse to which all the people were to say Amen Cursed be all they that say Faith is without sin and let all the people say Amen Ans FAith is the gift of God and the gift of God is without sin Eph. 2.8 Faith is that which gives the victory John 3.4 And that which gives victory is without sin And here they have cursed the Apostles and their Doctrine who saith Faith is without sin and Faith is precious 1 Pet. 1.7 and that which is Precious is without sin Faith is the gift of God and the gift of God is perfect and that which is perfect is without sin and gives victory over sin Without Faith a man cannot please God and that which men please God in is without sin Hebr. 11.6 And so ye have cursed the Apostle and his Doctrine the just and that which is pure that by which they were healed through Faith they were justified Rom. 3.28 and what is not of Faith is sin Rom. 14.23 So what is of Faith is not sin and what is righteous is not sin and the Scripture speaks of the righteousness of Faith Rom. 4.13 Faith is not of sin but what is not of Faith is sin Faith gives victory over sin 1 John 3.4 in which Faith man is justified and hath peace with God Rom. 5.1 and it is a mystery held in a pure conscience 1 Tim. 3.9 The Priests fourth Curse to which all the people were to say Amen Cursed are all they that say every man hath a light sufficient to lead him to Christ and that within him and let all the people say Amen Ans HEre they have cursed the Apostles Doctrine who said God would dwell in them 2 Cor. 6.16 and Christ in you the hope of glory Col. 1.27 and God is light 1 John 1.5 And they have cursed the Prophets who said I give him for a Covenant a Leader of the people I will dwell in them and walk in them saith God Jer. 31.31 Hebr. 10.16 And he saith I will send you the Spirit of truth and it shall lead you into all truth John 14.17 John 16 13. And I will be their God to rule them and they shall be my people Jer. 31.33 Thy curses are but winde for we are redeemed from the curse and the Apostles said the light that shined in their hearts was to give them the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 and they that are led by the Spirit of God are the Sons of God Rom. 8.14 and the light to guide our feet in the way of peace and he that hath the Son hath the Father also and if any bring another Doctrine receive them not into your houses neither bid them God speed 2 John 9 10. You have here shewed your selves in the cursed estate out of the Apostles rule the same spirit of truth that led the Disciples into all truth that shall reprove the world of sin John 16.8 13. The Priests fifth Curse to which all the people were to say Amen Cursed be all they that deny the Sabbath-day and let all the people say Amen Ans HEre thou hast cursed thy self and all the Apostles and all the Saints and their own generation hast not thou and thy own generation denied the Sabbath day the Jews met on which is the Sabbath day according to the Scripture do not ye meet together upon the first day and was not Christ crucified on the sixth day and did not he arise on the first day and did not the Saints meet together on the first day and not keep the Jews Sabbath-day do not you work upon it your selves and keep Markets and Fairs on it but as it is said before we are Redeemed from the curse These are the particular Sentences whereupon Matthew Mackell and the rest of the Priests present with him did excommunicate those people called Quakers in the presence of many witnesses and he required his Hearers to say Amen to every particular sentence John Humes Priest of Lismahagow his Principles Pr. THey who have not the Scriptures knowes not the Attributes of God by the light of nature but the Scriptures declare the great mystery of the three persons in Trinity which they who want the Scriptures knowes not Ans Thy Principle is a lie and they that had not the Scriptures knew God and Christ as Abraham and Enoch and the Scripture doth not declare of the three persons nor of the Trinity and the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God Pr. That the Scriptures reveal the great mystery of Election the great works of the Creation and the work of Redemption Answ There thou hast set up the Scripture instead of God and before God and the Son for it is God that doth reveal to babes and sucklings Mat. 11.25 and God did reveal by his Spirit 1 Cor. 2.10 and God shall reveal Phil. 3.15 and the things of God are hid from the wise and prudent Mat. 11.25 that have the Scriptures the Jewes had the Scriptures and God reveals his secrets to the Prophets his Servants Amos 3.7 no man knowes the Father saving to whom the Son shall reveal him Mat. 11.17 now the Son reveals and the Father reveals and the things of God are revealed by his Spirit 1 Cor. 2.10 the Jewes had the Scriptures and knew not the Son 1 Cor. 2.8 nor the Father as in John nor the things of God by a natural light as they call it the Jewes had the Scriptures and did not know the Election Isa 24. because they were from the Spirit So it is God that reveals the Son and Redemption and Election and not the Scripture the Scripture was given forth from them that had the Revelation from God Pr. That wee and the Papists and Jesuites and Priests do agree all together that the Scripture is the word of God that liveth and endureth for ever Answ I do believe that you and the Papists and Jesuits agree all in one but ye did not agree with the Apostles and Ministers of the word for the Ministers of the word calls the Scripture a Declaration as ye may read Luke 1. and ye do not agree with them that set forth the Acts that called it a Treatise Acts 1. likewise ye do not agree with some of your own who say the Scriptures signifies writings and writings will not endure for ever so ye are Babylon and do not agree with Christ and ye do not agree with John Bev. 〈◊〉 who saith the words nor with Moses nor God who spake all these words Exod. 20. In the beginning was the word and the word is God and the word liveth and abideth for ever but the Scripture is words and the Scripture cannot be broken James Nesmith Priest of Hambleton his Principles Pr. THat the soul of man is a reasonable sinfull substance Answ How can that which is sinful be reasonable and if that which is unsinful be
out and such turn the grace of God into wantonness and are ordained of old that hate the light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world and such be in Cain Balaams way persecutors and murtherers and turns the grace of God into wantonness Pr. From the words of Jude 4. they were of old ordained from these words he said That God had predestinated one to life without any cause in the creature lesse or more and the other wicked man to Hell without any cause in the creature lesse or more and both wicked men And before thou said part of the cause that God cast into hell was in the man and part in God In this seventh principle and doctrine thou saiest there is no cause in the creature that God cast into hell and condemns him and in the other thou said there were part blame in man and part in God and here is the Devils Doctrine a lie found in thy mouth and thou hast wrested perverted and wronged that Scripture in Jude who saith their is no part in man causeth condemnation that all may see you are lyars he saith they were ungodly they turned the grace of God into laciviousness that brings salvation that denyed the Lord that bought them Jude 11. 2 Pet. 2.1 They were covetous made merchandize of the people through fained words so no covetous nor Idolater shall enter into the Kingdome of God 1 Cor. 6.9 and all they deny the Lord that bought them but who owns the light that comes from him which doth enlighten every man that comes into the world and none sees him but with the light that comes from him and they goe in Cores way and gain-sayeth the truth who goe from the light that Christ hath enlightned them in the particular and he that gain-sayeth the truth there is a fault in him and they goe in Cains way that are from the command of God who said if thou dost well shalt thou not be accepted and if he did not well fin lay at the door now these were of old ordained unto condemnation which turned the grace of God into wantonnesse were in Cains way Cores way and brake the commands as Cain did in Balaams way erred from the spirit and admired mens persons because of advantage which Balaam did and loved the wages of unrighteousnes and so these did not do the things they were commanded Cain he did not doe the thing that he was commanded nor Core that offered strange fire and his company Num. 16. So these of old were ordained for this condemnation which condemnation is the light Io. 3. light foresees them and sees over them and condemns them when they arise and goes out from the spirit of God in them and here all may see here was fault worthy of condemnation and those were they that sensually separated themselves from the Apostles and had not the spirit Jude 19 in their dayes which were covetous which went for the gift and reward which were like raging waves of the Sea which were spots in feasts of charity feasting feeding without fear 2 Pet. 2. Which admired mens persons because of advantage and spoke the high words in hypocrisy Wells without water Trees without fruit raging waves of the Sea foming out their own shame clouds without water carryed about with tempests spots in the feasts of charity like unto Sodom and Gomorah in filthiness which goe from the light that does convince them so there is the self separation and their is the condemnation that comes over them the light and these are they that separated from the Apostles which said love your enemies Mat. 5.44 Which are men gone into the world which be in Cains way in envy in Cores way gain-saying the light they are like raging waves of the Sea foming out their shame in their pulpits so you are the men that separates from the Apostles that be in Cains way who be out of the life and sacrifice the Saints were in that would murther and Cores way that gain-sayeth the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world so against the common salvation and ye be like Cain foming and raging in your Pulpits and would murther all that are contrary to you whose Sacrifice God acceptes yours he does not God would have accepted of Cain if he had done well Gen. 4. So God is merciful a just God but Cain he did not well therefore wo went out from God against him and so there was fault in him not in God which was the cause of his condemnation so you that be in Balaams way for the wages of unrighteousness admiring mens persons because of advantage Ye are out of the faith that is held without respect of persons Iam. 2. and so separated from the Apostles to whom Christ said Freely ye have received freely give and you will not give freely who are rageing and foming without you have augmentations stipends gleabe Lands or Tythes great sums of money gifts of rewards from great houses so you deny the light that enlighteneth every man that cometh into the would so gain-sayes the common salvation Jude 1. You gain-say the truth that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world so in Cores way you are and would have the persons of the Saints murthered so in Cains way as ye confess that ye have not the spirit that gave forth the Scriptures so in the self separation and ye deny the light that enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world which is the Lord John 8.12 And so denies the Lord that bought you 2 Pet. 2.1 And so are for condemnation who are of that flock that separate themselves from the Apostles sensually having not the spirit who are in Cains way that would kill and murther and out of the Apostles way who said love your enemies who are in Balaams way for gifts and rewards and admiring mens persons because of advantage to them speaking high words in hypocrisy and out of the Apostles way to whom Christ said Freely ye have received freely give Mat. 10.6 And out of the Prophets way who said come without a price Isa 55.1 2. And ye will have the price or else you will not come let all that can read Iude over and see if their was not cause in man of his condemnation and not in God and so have not you proved your selves in the Doctrine of Devils and in lyes and would make God unrighteous and the Apostles unrighteous for their was fault in Cain fault in Balaam and fault in Core and fault in Sodome and fault in them that turned the grace of God into wantonnesse which were of old ordained for this condemnation Iude 4. which condemnation is that light is come into the world and men love darknesse rather then light because their deeds are evil and so the Apostles taught that their was fault in man as ye may read Iude and thou hast taught there is none so then thou
enlightned The Magistrates be in that power which goes over him and is a praise to them that be in the light and the Ministers of God is to bring from under the occasion of the Magistrates sword George Weare being with his friend standing in the field neer Foord meeting-house as they call it he neither speaking nor acting any thing against any man but standing in the fear of the Lord with his friend William Lowry and John Hambleton called Justices committed him to prison where they lay twenty and three dayes and here is his innocency preached The original righteousness was before the fall The original of self-righteousness was that which fell and is in the fall that transgressed And in the Catechism which is tollerated by the general Assembly and in the Catechise of Scotland called A Short Catechism They say that the Word of God is contained in the Scriptures Answ And the Scriptures are writings and it saith God is the Word John 1.1 1 Kings 8.27 Solomon saith The Heaven of Heavens cannot contain him and you say he is contained in the Scriptures with his writings and you say there is Three persons and the Scripture doth not speak of Three persons and the Jewes had the Scriptures and knew not Christ the Word of God Then ye tell people of an outward ordinary meanes by which Christ Communicates the benefit of Redemption The word Sacraments the Scripture doth not speak of Three Persons and Sacraments they are Papists words of them ye have learned them the meanes of salvation is not ordinary or outward but Christ is the salvation who is Eternall Heb. 5.9 and they that come to him come to the end of the outward Col. 1.27 Ye say the Sacraments are the Effectuall meanes to salvation and ye say again they are not as they are themselves so here is confusion but onely by the blessing of Christ and his spirit in them How do ye differ from the Papists for they say he is in them and ye say his Spirit is in them and where his Spirit is is not he Oh blinde are ye found out go ye home to your Mother the Papist where Christ Spirit is he is And ye say your two Sacraments is Baptisme and the Lords Supper The Scripture doth not call Baptisme and the Lords Supper two Sacraments which Names you and the Papists adore and worship which you have given to them again you in your Catechize call the First day in the week the Sabbath-day Where did ever any of the Ministers of Christ or Christians un-apostatized call it so are not you come unto the breach and guilty of your owne judgement Of the third Commandment when ye give another Name to the Scriptures then they give themselves in calling them the Word and calling Baptisme and the Supper the Sacraments Exodus 20. Moses saith God spake all these words when he gave forth the Commandements mark words and the words of Christ are Spirit and Life John 6.63 God is the Word John 1.1 and Christ is the Word Rev. 19.13 and the Word became Flesh and dwelt among us John 1.14 And them that had the words of the Scriptures which cannot be broken John 10.35 the Law and the Prophets they knew not Christ the Word before they be brought to the light that Christ hath inlightned them with and they be brought to the Spirit John 5.37 John 8.19 Can the whole world say the Lords Prayer in truth or was it taught his Disciples or to the world doth not people draw nigh to God with their lips that say it Isaiah 20.13 and are not in the light which every man is lighted that cometh into the world withall Can ye say the Lords Prayer which is Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespasse against us without Hypocrisie How do ye forgive them when ye would have them persecuted and would have them stoned you that be Teachers of the people and how do ye love your neighbours as your selves and fulfill the Law and the Prophets Mat. 7.12 to do so as you would be done by To ye Presbyterians of Scotland I speak that be teachers whose principles is to stone chop off heads and persecute them that be contrary minded to you would ye have those that be contrary to your mindes stone you to death chop off your heads imprison and banish you and persecute and excommunicate you This is the Law and the prophets to do as ye would be done by as others should do to you so do unto them but Christ who is the end of the Law and the prophets Rom. 10.4 saith his doctrine is to love enemies Mat. 5.44 and saith if men persecute you pray for them and blesse them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them that persecute you and despitefully use you that you may be the children of your father which is in heaven who makes the Sun to shine upon the evil and the good and the rain to descend upon the just and the unjust if ye love them that love ye what reward have ye the Publicans and Pharisees do so and the apostatized Christians who are got into the formes of words but out of the life of the Saints of Christ and the Apostles and there they are saluting their brethren onely but saith Christ be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect which you stand against so ye are they that have denyed the one offering which hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 10.14 And makes the blood of Christ of none effect which cleanseth from all sin and the new Covenant which blots out all sin and transgression and all upon the earth professors and worshipers that call your selves Brethern and Christians and offerers of what sort soever that have but the name before thou offers be reconciled to thy brother go leave the gift at the alter and be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift Mat. 5.24 then will the Lord accept thy offering and all upon the earth that prayeth so that ye doe forgive others that trespasse against you as you would have the Lord forgive you your trespasses Oh how is the beauty of the Church of Presbyterians marred and deformed oh how are they become Cages of unclean birds Synagogues of Sathan Oh how are their Teachers become envious men and murtherers of Cains Stock in whom the eternall life is not abideing That would club stone and chop off heads of strangers servants of the Lord God and Sonnes and Daughters and Excommunicate and put out of their Synagogues these things have I spoken unto you that ye should not be offended John 16.2 they shall excommunicate you yea the time cometh that they that kill you shall think they do God good service these things will they do unto you because they never knew the Father nor me These things have I told you before that when the time comes ye may remember that I told
was never any since the world began was free from sin nor never shall be write that said he Answ Which is quite contrary to plain Scripture Rom. 6.18 20 22. Being made free from sin ye became the servants of righteousnesse for when ye were the servants of sin ye were free from righteousnesse but now being made free from sin and become servants of God ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord And Paul said Rom. 8.2 The Law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death A Relation of some of the Sufferings of Friends to the Truth in Scotland JOhn Roberton called Lord of Ornock publickly refused to enter Andrew Hambleton in Shawton-hill in his possession under him because he was excommunicated by the Priests Witnesses of this Elexander Hambleton and John Strudders William Gray James Findly John Gray Robert Smally John Robine was summoned to be upon a Jewry at Dunbarton and when they came there and went within the Barr they puld off their Bonnets and bad them swear unto whom they answered they would not swear But they will tell the Truth and take God to be their Witnesse upon it but this they would not receive for John Callhonne called the Sheriffs deputy bad them swear by God and hold up their hands or go into prison and it was answered we dare not transgresse the Doctrine of Christ who said swear not at all he said it was but the Law of Christ that bad men not swear but the Law of God bad men swear and so would have set the old law over Christ who is the end of it who forbids swearing And because they durst not transgresse the Doctrines of Christ in which the Apostle lived who said Above all things my Bretheren swear not at all they put them all five into Prison The Heads of that which past in Discourse betwixt the People called Quakers and the two Priests of Hambleton in the Priests house The Names of the Priests are Jam. Nesmith and John English in which Discourse they have manifested themselves and all the rest of their Generation to be none of the Ministers of Christ but the Ministers of Anti-christ who preaches another Gospel then the Apostles did as in the Discourse following you may plainly see And also some Reasons why we deny them First JAmes Nesmith said There is no salvation in an ordinarie way for sinners without externall Revelation from the Scriptures Answ Here all may see they hold out another way to salvation then the Prophets and the Apostles did for they said Christ was given for salvation to the ends of the earth Isay 49.6 and there was not salvation in any other nor no other Name given by which any can be saved but by the Name of Jesus Acts. 4.12 But that salvation they tell of which is by external revelation from the Scriptures was never held forth by the Prophets nor the Apostles nor declared of in all the Scriptures of Truth therefore all may see they are such as preach another Gospel then the Apostles did and so are to be holden accursed and turned away from Gal. 1.8 Jam. Nesmith said That Christ doth not excommunicate the knowledge of himself but by the Scriptures and that the Scripture is the means by which the knowledge of God is imparted Answ This is a lye and Scripture contradiction For Christ who doth communicate the knowledge of himself by his own Spirit saith none knows the Son but the Father neither doth any man know the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him Mat. 11.27 So it is not by the Scriptures that the true knowledge of God is imparted to any man but by Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 The second Priest John English First Said the Vail that was over people in the time of the Law was the Old Testament and it was taken away by the New Testament Answ Sin was and is the vail by which the mystery was vailed all the time of the Law until now for when Moses is read the same vail remains over their hearts for their minds was and is blinded by the God of this World lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ which is the Image of God should shine unto them 2 Cor. 4.4 nevertheless when their hearts shall be turned to the Lord the vail shall be taken away 2 Cor. 3.16 which vail is done away in Christ 2 Cor. 3.14 and not by the Scripture which they call the New Testament and here John English is proved to be a lyar and of his father the Devil who is a lyar from the beginning 2. John English said That the Gospel that was preached to Abraham was the same for matter but not for substance neither was it a clear Gospel Answ The Gospel that was preached to Abraham was the same for matter and substance which Paul preached for matter and substance is one and it was a clear Gospel for Christ the substance was preached to Abraham and Abraham saw his day and rejoyced John 8.56 Therefore give over deceiving the people with lies and repent 3. John English said The Scripture is the glasse by which we see the Face of God Answ This is a lie and Scripture contradiction for the Apostle saith God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 Mark the Priests ignorance or the Scriptures and here all may see that he is one of them that keeps people in darkness from seeing the face of God and erres not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God 4. John English said The foundation of the Prophets and Apostles was meant the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament Answ The Prophets and Apostles meant what they speak and the same foundation which they declared of and builded upon did 〈◊〉 Enoch Noah and others who died in the Faith before the Old and New Testament was written build upon which foundation was Christ the Rock of Ages the foundation of the chief Corner Stone 2 Tim. 2.19 1 Cor. 2.11 But thou art one of them that drawes people from the foundation of the Prophets and the Apostles to build upon thy lies and consequences which building and foundation the Lord will bring to naught for he is risen to sweep away the refuge of lies which thou and thy generation hath been covered with and will make you naked and bare for your covering is too short that your shame cannot be hid any longer 5. John English said That they had their commission from Paul to give Bread and Wine Answ Here hast thou made it plainly manifest that thou and thy generation are none of the Ministers of Christ who say you have your
Scripture 1 Pet. 4.11 Thirdly For that he said I would not forsake the company of Seducers and Hereticks I answered that way thou calls Heresie worship I the Eternall God and this is according to plain Scripture Acts 24.14 And it saith Keep company with them that calls upon God out of a pure heart 2 Tim. 2.22 And I know they are the people therefore thou denies the Scripture and I obey it for I witnesse that Scripture to be fulfilled Isay 24.5 they have transgressed the lawes changed the ordinances and broken the everlasting Covenant I being gone from home about my outward occasions the Priest excommunicated me knowing that I was not there to answer him and he charged all people to have no dealing in the outward with me when I came home the people stood at a distance from me so I went to him that I might have the first dealing with himself and paid him some money that my husband owned him and he received it from my hand then I askt him the cause why he bid the people have no dealings with me yet he himself was the first but all his answer was saying to his man put her to the dore then I asked what evill I had done or wherein I had offended so I being speaking to the people shewing them how he was out of the moderation and out of the bonds of Christian practtice as I did speak he cryed the more put her to the door although I had paid for apart of the house building and so had an interest in it then I told him he was out of the practice of the ministers of Christ and also out of all moderation After that he caused a man to make repentance in his Congregation for selling me two pecks of Lint Seeds And soone after the Priest himself came to me to borrow a book which I lent him then I asked him why he made the man make repentance for that which he himself did practice he replyed it was for eating and drinking with me for he said The Scripture forbids to eat and drink with an excommunicated person but I said the Scripture saith The Drunkard the Fornicator the Extortioner the Covetous and the Idolater with such a one eat not I asked him if I was such a one he said I neither can nor will say so of you but I could be content you should live beside me all dayes of my life without excommunicating you if the Presbytery would suffer me and so is judged out of his own mouth to act contrary to his Conscience and to be a man-pleaser Afterwards he preached lies to the people saying That the Quakers received money from the Pope of Rome and said that was the cause that so many went from their Church then I and several Friends went to taxe him for his lye but he hid himself so that he would not come to us so is found a worker of darkness out of the Light of Christ The Causes laid down by the Priests why they excommunicated Friends THe Cause why they excommunicated William Osburne is this Because he declared the Ministers of Scotland Enemies to Christs Kingdome and Gospel which are blood-thirsty men and bore his Testimony against one of them which by violence the Priests were placing in his Land whose name is William Sterling they put him violently out of his own ground and for these reasons excommunicated him Lewis Simerel Priest of New Monkeland for these Reasons viz. Because Margaret Hambleton denied the power of their Presbiter Secondly Because she would not forsake the company of the people of God whom they call Quakers Seducers and Hereticks and also for denying their Ordinances which are by their own wills therefore they excommunicated her James Nesmith Priest of Hambleton excommunicated John Huchison and would give him no reasons for what he did it neither is there any known except it be for owning the people of God called Quakers John Hume Priest of Lesmahagow and William Simerel Priest of Petenace with the rest of the Presbytery at Lannerick did excommunicate George Weare because he harboured the Quakers and for the denying the power of their Presbytery and after they had excommunicated him Robert Semple Priest of that Parish viz. Lesmahagow sent Andrew Clealand Constable to tell George Wear if he would give satisfaction to the Kirk they would receive him in again upon easie terms c. George Wear said because they could not shew him the way to God which his soul breathed after who had been long enough under them he could not own them and when the Constable told the Priest what he had said the Priest said If it be so with him yet I protest to God we will make him Winter and Summer without William Mitchel John Mitchel Robert Tod Mary English Elizabeth Lappey Marian Mitchel did Peter Kid Priest of Douglass with the rest of the Presbytery of Lannerick did excommunicate them for these reasons as followeth 1. Priest You teach that every man and woman gets sufficient light from Christ Ans Which is according to Johns Doctrine Joh. 1.9 who saith Christ hath lightned every one that cometh into the world which light is sufficient to as many as beleeve in it 2. Pr You cry down Ministers and say there is no need of preaching Ans Not of envious murderers blood-thirsters covetous hirelings 3 Pr. You destroy the Communion of the body and blood of the Lord signified and represented by Bread and Wine Ans We which have the substance have the end of the shadow and the communion is the end of the shadow and of that which is for memory and shewes which is not the body in which body is the unity Pr. 4. You say that the children of God have no sin in this life and teach so Ans The Scripture says he that is born of God doth not fin and is he not a child of God Pr. 5. You say and teach that the light that Christ gives to every one is perfect and so bids them follow the light that is within them Ans Which is according to Christs Doctrine Joh. the 1. and John the 3. and 2 Cor. 4. 6. Pr. You deny Matthew Mark Luke and John to be the Gospel Ans The Scripture says the Gospel is the power of God Rom. 1. 7. Pr. You deny Baptisme in the Church to be a seal of his Covenant and cry down that Ans Because there is no Scripture for sprinkling of Infants but Baptisme we own 8. Pr. You deny the Lords Day and would have it taken out of the world though it be set apart in Scripture for the Divine Worship Ans All days are owned to be the Lords who is worshipped in Spirit which we own 9. Pr. You go abroad and trouble people in in the worship of God Ans We do not trouble them that worship God in Spirit but will-worshippers who are in their persecuting fained humility Also Thomas Jack Gabriel Hood James Cook Jannet Hambleton Gawine Scevenson
John Hambleton Alexander Hambleton Barbara Hambleton Jennet Hambleton Andrew Hambleton Jane Hambleton Katherine Hart Katherine Hambleton John Allen Jane Hambleton William Hambleton Margaret Hambleton John Hart Jennet Atkin John Hart Alexander Hart Jane Hart Gawine Hart John Lacock Jennet Brown Thomas Craiqqe John Torrens Katherine Hambleton Katherine Weare Jennet Wear were excommunicated by Matthew Mackel and the rest of the Presbytery at Hambleton for these causes as followeth 1. Pr. You affirm that the Scriptures are not the word of God Ans The Scriptures are the words of God Christ is the Word and the Scriptures are not Christ 2. Pr. You affirm that there is no rule according to which a man should walk but the rule within him Ans The Spirit is the rule into all truth and not the Scripture it self Pr. 3. You affirm that every man hath a light sufficient to lead him to Christ within him Ans Yea 2 Cor. 4. the light that shines in his heart will give him the knowledge of the glory of God Pr. 4. You affirm that the Scriptures are not to be preached Ans That is false but they are not to be made a trade of by you Pr. 5. You affirm that there is no blessing pronounced to the preaching of the word Ans Not to you that make a trade of the words but they that preach the word has the blessing for Christ gives the wo to you Matth. 23. Pr. 6. You affirm that the Ministry is no standing Ordinance of Jesus Christ Ans VVe affirm that Christ must preach the Gospel but we deny you who preach for filthy lucre whose Ordination is by man and not by Christ Pr. 7 You affirm that no man that hath faith hath sin Ans VVe affirm that faith purifieth the heart and gives victory over sin which faith you say is not pure and curses them that says it is Pr. 8 You affirm that there is no external means to be followed in order to salvation Ans That which is the means to salvation is eternal Pr. 9. You affirm these to be Ministers of the man of sin and reprobates concerning the faith that sayes whilest a man is on the earth he cannot be set free from sin Ans We say yea we do so which is according to the Apostles Doctrine which says they were made free-from sin and they spake wisdome to them that were perfect and they were sanctified Pr. 10. You affirm no Sabbath Day to be observed Ans Neither do you your selves but what you invent and you do not keep that well neither but Christ the Sabbath we own Pr. 11. You are deserters of all publike Ordinances Ans The Ordinances of Christ we are not but mans Inventions we are Pr. 12. You rail against the Dispensers of publike Ordinances and those that countenance those Ordinances Ans Railing we deny but declaring against any invention of man we own and railing is your own for your Pulpits declares it that they should neither buy nor sell eat nor drink with them in the Nation These Accusations were Extracted and Subscribed by the Priests Clark in this manner following Mr. John Bonave And after the Priests had excommunicated the aforesaid persons they caused a general Synod to meet at Glasgow and made an Order and published it in all their Old Mass-Houses That none of those People called Quakers should have any entertainment and that no people should have any dealing with them in any civil affairs not to give cursed men work as they stiled our Friends and hindering men to work for them and that under the pain of Excommunication The extent of which Order is That they should neither buy nor sell eat nor drink with them in the Nation Peter Kid Priest of Dauglass summoned William Michell and Robert Todd to their Presbytery at Leanarick and when William Michel appeared before them him whom they called Moderator whose name is William Jack Priest of Carlook commanded him to take off his Bonnet and when he refused Richard Gollon Bayliff of the Town who sate amongst them to execute their malice rose up in rage and took it off his head and the Priests would not let him give it him again but keeps it still from him and he staying in Town all night and a friend of his called Richard Ray the Priest and Bayliff of the Town came about the tenth hour of the night to the Inne where they lay and charged the people of the house to put them out notwithstanding they kept one of their Bonnets and the night was very stormy Witnesses of this James White Agnas Forrest And here is the Priests fruits Peter Kidd summoned William Michell and Mary English to the quarter Sessions at Hambleton but did not appear to lay any thing to their Charge when they came back againe Mary English went to him and asked him why he summoned them and did not appear to make known what he had against them but he answered not one word but his wife and servants beat and abused her cruelly Here is your fruits again William Stockdale and John Boweran being moved of the Lord to declare the truth in the Market-place of Strahavan on a Market-day were cruelly abused and many times knockt down with staves and stones and violently drawn out of the town by the wicked people William Stockdale and John Gill with many others having a Meeting in the Grave-Yard in Strahavan on a Market-day a company of the Priests Hearers came and fell upon them with staves and stones and broke up the Meeting and stoned them above a quarter of a mile out of the Town insomuch that some blood was spilt and many was sore bruised Richard Ismead for bidding James Nesmith Priest of Hambleton prove himself a Minister of Christ was apprehended by the Bayliff and was imprisoned in the Tole-booth of Hambleton and after was scarryed to a Justices Court at Glasgow who commanded him to be set in the Stocks and a Gag put in his mouth and a Paper pinned on his Brest and made an Order for him to depart the Nation William Stockdale being moved of the Lord to go to the Steeple-house of Damanoy and as he stood in the Yard declaring the Truth and against their Idolatrous Worship the Priest came who did encourage the people to beat him whereupon some of his Elders and other wicked people violently knokt him down and set their feet upon him and plucked much hair off his head insomuch that some people cried he is kild and if the power of the Lord had not born him up which bears up the heads of his Lambs whom he sends forth in the midst of Wolves when they are persecuted he had died amongst them for he was not able to speak neither to rise a certain time after off the ground William Jack Priest of Carlook said to the people of Lismahagow in his preaching as followeth Beloved If you will contribute and some of you give a six pence and others a shilling that