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A40250 Several papers some of them given forth by George Fox; others by Jame [sic] Nayler, minister of the eternal word of God, raised up after the long night of apostacy to direct the world, to wait for the revelation of Jesus Christ, and to turn their minds to the true light, that they may be reconciled to God; of the world is not worthy, and therefore doth hate, persecute, and whom inprison them, under the name of Quaker[s]. Gathered together and published by A. P. that the truth may be spread abroad, and deceit be discovered. Wherein the plain, honest, and sober conversation of the saints in fear and trembling, is justified, against the idle bablings of formal professors ... and of all sorts of persons, under pretence of civility. Also the priests of England, with their imaginary doctrines and worships discovered to be the grand enemies of Jesus Christ; and the true worship of God in spirit and truth made manifest. ... With a word to the people of England ... Fox, George, 1624-1691.; Naylor, James, 1617?-1660. aut; Parker, Alexander, 1628-1689.; Killam, John. aut; Parnell, James, 1637?-1656. aut 1654 (1654) Wing F1904; ESTC R218791 32,715 40

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purity and holiness is renewed and the Image of Satan which is all sin and uncleanness is defaced and none can witness redemption further then Christ is thus revealed in them to set them free from sin Which Christ I witness to he revealed in me in measure Gal. 1.16 2 Cor. 13.5 Col. 1.27 2. Concerning the Scriptures That they are true declaration of that word which was in them that gave or spake them forth and are of no private interpretation but were given forth to be read and fulfilled in the Saints as they were given forth by the holy Ghost without adding or diminishing and was not given forth for men to make a Trade upon to get money by but as they are they are profitable for Doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto every good work but they who tread in the Letter and are ignorant of the Mystery deny all perfection and none can rightly understand the Scriptures but they who read them with the same spirit that gave them forth For the naturall man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for they spiritually discerned 3. Concerning Baptisme the true Baptisme is that of the spirit with the holy Ghost and with Fire Baptized by one spirit into one body not the washing away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ without which no other Baptisme can save us they being but Figures or shadowes but this Baptisme of Christ is the substance whereby we are Baptized into his death and those who are Baptized into Christ have put on Christ 4. Concerning the Lords Supper the true Supper of the Lord is the Spirituall eating and drinking of the Flesh Blood of Christ which the spirituall man onely eateth and is thereby nourished up unto eternall life without which eating there can be no life in the creature profess what you will and all who eate of this Bread and drink of this Cup have reall communion with Christ the Head and also one with another as members and are all of one heart and one mind a compleat body in Christ Now the world who take onely the outward Signes and are not brought into a discerning of the Lords Body eate and drink damnation to themselves and so become guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ and calls this a Communion but lives in envy strife and debate fighting and going to Law one with another for Earthly things 5. Concerning the Resurrection That all shall arise to give account and receive at the last day according to their works done in the flesh whether good or evil these bodies that are dust shall turn to dust but God shall give a body as pleaseth him that which is sowne in curruption shall be raysed in incorruption it is sowne a naturall body it is raysed a spirituall body and as we have borne the Image of the earthly so we shall beare the Image of the heavenly But flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdome of Heaven neither doth corruption inherit incorruption for we shall all be changed but they who cannot witness the first Resurrection within themselves know nothing of the second but by heare-say And therefore say some of your Teachers that Christ is in Heaven with a carnall body now that Christ who is the first fruits shall be there with a carnall body and the Saints with a spirituall body is not proportionable 6. Concerning Magistracy that it is an Ordinance of God ordained for the punishment of evil doers and an encouragement of them that do well Where justice and righteousness is the head and ruleth without partiality that Land is kept in peace and those who judge for the Lord I honour as my owne life not with a flattering honour of putting off the Hat and bowing the Knee which is the honour of the world having mens persons in admiration because of advantage for selfe-ends but from my heart for conscience sake as to the power which is of God and not to mens persons For the Scripture saith He that respects persons commits sin And the Apostle commands the Saints not to have the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of Glory with respect of persons and saith such are partiall in themselves and become judges of evil thoughts And saith Paul Let every soule be subject to the higher Powers for saith he there is no power but of God the Powers that be are of God not of man and whosoever resisteth resisteth the Ordinance of God therefore subject for conscience sake And therefore though the Prophets and Saints were often sent to pronounce judgement against unjust men who had the power committed to them and did not judge for God but for selfe-ends yet they never attempted to raise any violence against them but used all means to perswade them to do justice love mercy and walke humbly with God that they might be established and the wrath of God turned away from them for those that be of God cannot rejoyce in the destruction of any but would have all to turn to God and finde mercy 7. Concerning Ministry the true Ministry of Jesus Christ hath alwayes been and are still such as came not by the will of man but by the will of God neither are they fitted for that worke by any thing of man but by God alone for the true Ministry is the gift of Jesus Christ given for the perfecting of the Saints and need no addition of humane helps and learning but as the worke is spirituall and of the Lord so they are spiritually fiued onely by the Lord And therefore he chose Heardsmen Fishermen and Plowmen and such-like and as he gave them an immediate call without the leave of man so he fitted them immediately without the help of man and as they received the gift freely so they were to give freely And when ever they found any of the false Ministery that taught for hire they cryed out against them and pronounced woes against them and shewed them that they lay in iniquity because they thought that the gift of God could be bought and sold for money And Christ calls them Hirelings and saith they care not for the sheep And Micah cryes out against the Priests that taught for Hire and saith They build up Sion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity And Ieremy cryes out against the Priests in his dayes That bare rule by their means and calls it an horrible thing and saith That from the least to the greatest they are all given to covetousness Esay cryes out of such in his dayes and calls them greedy Doggs that can never have enough and saith
SEVERAL PAPERS Some of them given forth by George Fox others by Jame Nayler Minister of the Eternal word of God raised up after the long night of Apostacy to direct the world to wait for the Revelation of Jesus Christ and to turn their minds to the true light that they may be reconciled to God of the world is not worthy and therefore doth hate persecute and whom inprison them under the name of Quakers Gathered together and Published by A.P. that the Truth may be spread abroad and deceit be discovered Wherein the plain honest and sober conversation of the Saints in fear and trembling is justified against the idle bablings of formal Professors the wicked fashions and heathenish customs of this Nation and of all sorts of persons under pretence of civility Also the Priests of England with their imaginary Doctrines and Worships discovered to be the grand enemies of Jesus Christ and the true worship of God in spirit and truth made manifest Also the occasion of divers scandals concerning the Scriptures Baptism Lords Supper Resurrection Magistracy and Ministry cast upon them by the Priests removed With a word to the people of England who in several Forms have long flattered themselves with their Ministry Churches and Ordinances but upon tryall are found to be the Synagogues of Satan Persecuters of the Truth and enemies of the Gospel And a few Queries propounded to Tho. Ledgard of Newcastle or any of those he ranks with himself under the notion of Anti-Quakers Printed in the year as the world accounts 1654. To the Reader THere is a Paper for the Press given forth by George Fox wherein all may see That Forms of Religion Ordinances as they are called and observations where into people are led by the searchings of Wisdom and the light of their Reasons and Vnderstandings from the Letter of the Scripture are nothing but the worship of the first Nature the Sacrifice of Caine which God doth not accept And that the worship of God in spirit is not known to such neither indeed can be for to that eye it is hid and the Revelation of Jesus Christ and of the deep things of God by the spirit is a Mystery to them not understood which is intended if the Lord please to be made publick as soon as this is finished P A. To all who love the Lord Jesus Christ Mercy and Peace be multiplyed unto you WHo have been scattered abroad in the cloudy dark day from mountaine to mountaine and worshipping that which they know not following the imaginations of others which they spake from the divination of their own braine and not from the mouth of the Lord shepherds that fed themselves and cloathed themselves with the wool and sought after the Fleece and so made a prey upon us and do upon the people but God as he promised saith he I will gather my sheep from your mouthes and seek them which have been scattered in the cloudy dark day hath gathered us an doth feed us upon the mountaine in a good pasture and so we witness the Promise of the Lord fulfilled and as the Lord said I will seek that which was lost and bring again that which was driven away who hath one shepherd Jesus Christ herein do we witness the Lord fulfilling the Scriptures in us and I witness the lost sheep is found and the Lord hath brought back again that which was driven away and here do we deny all the Teachers of the world who speak a divination of their own brain and not from the mouth of the Lord for who spoke from the mouth of the Lord denyed them then so do we by the same word and we deny all them that seek for gain from their Quarters which are greedy dumb doggs as the Scripture saith and all those who take the peoples money and sell the Letter which was spoken forth freely For Isaiah that spake from the mouth of the Lord he denyed such things and bid all come freely without money and without price to hear the voice of the Lord that their souls might live and to make with them an everlasting Covenant even the sure mercies of David and this Covenant I do witness therefore I deny with the same word wherewith they spake the same things the Scripture denyeth and all those that bear rule by their means and hirelings which Preach for hire and Prophesie for money For Jeremy who had the eternal words denyes such things Micha denies such things and Jesus Christ who was the Word said The hireling would fly because he is an hireling and this word the Lord hath made manifest which gathers our hearts together up to God and opens to us the Scriptures whereby we see the deceits of the Priests of the world now of the same generation and nature and acting those things there is no Scripture for which the holy men of God did not practice And for taking Tythes in the old time Levi which was to receive Tythes the strangers the fatherless and widows were to come and eat and be filled within his gate but this was according to the Law and here you see the Priests of the world do not act according to the Law in which were Types and Figures of Christ and when Christ was come those he sent forth were not to have a bagg nor a stick to defend them nor two coats nor brass nor silver but freely ye have received freely give The workman is worthy of his meat so they neither walk according to the Law nor the Gospel therefore we deny them and the Ministers of Jesus Christ which went into the world they had no portion of the world but whipping stocking prisoning But them that were gathered out of the world in the eternall word which met together and were of one heart one minde one soule to such they say If we minister unto you spirituall things is it a great thing if you minister to us carnall things But this was spoken to them upon whom the end of the world was come and this I do witness what the Scripture doth say God commanded an outward Temple Circumcision the Sabbath given as Figures and Types and Shadows of Jesus Christ so when Jesus Christ the substance was come and when he was crucified and risen who believed in him Preached his Resurrection and so went up and down in the Synagogues and into the Temple Reasoning and Disputing with them that held them up to bring them out of the Figure up to Jesus Christ who was the substance so all which were gathered together in the substance met together and then the Church was in God and they denyed the outward Temple which God commanded being made the Temples of God and denied Circumcision outwardly being circumcised with the Spirit and denyed the Jewish Sabbath outwardly and observing daies For he that believes is entred into his rest
and hath ceased from his own work even as God did from his And all those now who have received Jesus Christ the substance who is the Head of the Church deny all Types and Figures of him and do witness the Scriptures fulfilled And Jesus Christ who is the chiefe Shepheard the Bishop of their soules And Jesus Christ who is the Mediator between God and Man being made manifest in them makes them all of one mind and one heart and to deny the priests of the world who profess him in words and act those things he forbids First for sprinkling of infants and telling people they baptize them into the Faith into the Church which there is no Scripture for but the baptism by one spirit into one body this we own and the Church is in God as Paul and Silvanus and Timotheus write to the Church of the Thessalonians which was in God And they tell people of a Sacrament for which there is no Scripture that we do deny and them but the Supper of the Lord we own The Bread that we break is the body of Christ the Cup we drink is the Blood of Christ all made to drink into one spirit And the singing of Psalmes after their manner we deny for they sing Davids tremblings quakings and roarings this they have turned into meeter as if we should see one of you lying roaring crying till your eyes should grow dim and watering your bed with your teares and we should turn it into meeter and make a Rime of it and take it and go among a company of ignorant people and say let us sing to the praise and glory of God O Lord I am not puft in mind I have no scornfull eye when they are puft in minds and have scornfull eyes and when they read the Psames they keep on their hats and when they sing them they keep off their hats here they worship the work of their own hands all such practises we deny but we will sing with the spirit we will sing with grace we will sing with understanding Praises praises unto the Lord God on high And they speak a divination of their own braine and not from the mouth of the Lord and such the Lord sent his Prophets to cry out against all these now who study a divination of their own brain and speak not from the mouth of the Lord we do deny and all who are made Ministers by Oxford and Cambrige bred up with Learning and so made Mininsters by the will of men and speak natural Languages as Hebrew and Greek and say that is the Original which a natural man may learn and the natural man knowes not the things of God and all such we do deny for Paul was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel in the Jewish Religion but that did not make him a Minister of Jesus Christ for he declares that he was not made a Minister by the will of man nor of man neither by man but by the will of God and all such I own who stand out of the will of man denying all carnal ends for this ministry draws up to God out of the world and doth not respect any mans person but ministers to that which is in prison But those Teachers which are made by man say The Letter is the Light the Letter is the Word the four Books Matthew Mark Luk and John is the Gospel when the Letter saith Christ is the light and God is the World and Jesus Christ is the glad tidings which was promised the Lambe of God which taketh away the sins of the world and this we witness to be fulfilled all they that are in the light are in unity for the light is but one and who know the light are in unity all who know the word which is a mystery are come to the beginning are sanctified by the word and clean through the word for this word is a Fire burning up all corruption as an Hammer beats down all high minds high nature that the pure seed may be raised up as a sword cuts to pieces and divides asunder the precious from the evil and makes a separation inwardly and outwardly from uncleanness and this is the word of reconciliation that reconcileth together to God and gathers the hearts of his together to live in love and unity one with another and lets them see how they have been strangers and aliens from the life of God the light doth and the word draws from under the occasion of all Laws outwardly working out that silthy nature which the outward Law takes hold on so walking in the spirit there is not a fulfilling the lusts of the flesh and the spirit is but one which baptizeth into one body which we do witness praise be to the Lord to be fulfilled And whereas we are a people accused to raise up a new War it is false for dwelling in the word it takes away the occasion of Wars and gathers our hearts together to God and unto one another and brings to the beginning before War ● was for the Ministers of God which had the word of reconciliation to draw them from the occasion of all wars working out that nature that occasions warre said whence do wars arise even from the lusts Therefore all dear people who love the Lord Jesus Christ and the appearance of Jesus Christ in your souls be not talkers of the truth nor followers of the blinde guides but mind the pure light of God in you which shews your sin and evil and how you have spent your time and shews you how your mindes goe forth and every carnal thought and if you love that light you love Christ and walking in the light in measure there will be no occasion of stumbling for all stumbling is being disobedient and wait to finde the word in you as the Scripture saith Not to fetch it from above nor from beneath but what saith it It is nigh thee in thy heart for with the heart man believeth and with the tongue confession is made unto salvation and abiding inwardly in the light it will let you see one another and have unity one with another and the Teachers of the world to be the Ministers of the letter And whereas we are accused for going into Steeple-houses It was the practice of the Apostles to go into the Synagogues reasoning and disputing about the Scriptures shewing them the substance and told them that God did not dwell in Temples made with hands neither was he worshipped with mens hands Stephen saith the most high dwels not in Temples made with hands and for witnessing forth the substance was stoned to death but these were types of Jesus Christ and the Saints and who were made the Temples of God denied all outward Temples But the Ministery now which doth profess Jesus Christ holds up these
he they all look for their gaine from their quarter And Peter saith of such in his days that they through covetousness make merchandise of the people who have hearts exercised with covetous practises who have forsaken the right way and have followed the way of Balaam who loved the wages of unrighteousness And Jude cryes wo unto them for they go one in the wayes of Cain and run greedily after the error of Balaam for reward but those that were sent out by Christ counted it their reward to the Gospel without charge neither ever had any set means but went about having no certaine dweling place never was Masters but servants to all for Christs sake Never went to Law for Tythes or any other earthly thing but suffered persecution and as alwayes he that was after the flesh persecuted him that was after the spirit even so it is now All people try your Priests by the Scriptures and never think to heare the Word of the Lord from their mouthes who walke contary to the Scriptures for such were never sent of God for had they been sent of God they would abide in his Doctrine And John saith such hath not God but he that abides in the doctrine of Christ hath both the Father and the Son And if there comes any to you and bring not this Doctrine you are forbidden to receive them into your houses or bid them God speed for if you do you are partakers of their evil deeds And unto the wicked saith God What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldest take my Covenant into thy mouth seeing thou hatest to be reformed J. N. The Worship of the Saints and of the world how they differ YOu selfe-willed Professors and you conceited hypocrites lament for your woe and misery is coming you who dissemble with God and Man and deceive both your selves and others away with all your curious minds which feedeth on the aire and are so light and which feedeth upon your dainty dishes and novelties you are above the Cross and so the earthly will is sed and fleshly desires Woe unto you self-conceited ones which gaddeth abroad to change your wayes death doth feed upon death and death doth speak death and all is death the letter is death and the carnall mind is death The Lord hath said the Seed of Woman shall bruise the Head of the Serpent and people will talk of it without them But O Man and Woman doth not death reigne in thee while the carnal mind reigneth death reigneth and the seed of the Serpent is head in thee it God have not bruised him in thee and dust is the Serpents meat you must all see it in your selves Whatsoever is seen is dust all your outside profession is dust which you have got out of Books and Sermons and your Latine Greek and Hebrew and all which is outward is dust and all your glorious Gospel-notions is dust and your gold and silver is dust and fine Apparel is dust and all the worlds glory the mind feedeth on is dust all the worlds profession and worship which is not in spirit and truth is dust If the head of the Serpent be not bruised in thee by the seed of the Woman thou wilt see these to be so for the pure worship is not without but within The worlds Church is without them carnal lime and stone and their call is outward a carnall Bell and a carnal man speaking the carnall letter to carnal minds for carnall money and carnal ends The Saints Church is in God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ The worlds assembly is without them a company of earthly minds meet in a Steeple-house The Saints are brought to the general assembly of the first-born and to the innumerable company of Angels and to the spirits of just men made perfect and to God the Judge of all The worlds Teachers are of the letter without a proud man called of men Master and hath the chiefest place in the assemblies going in long Robes loving greeting in Markets the highest roomes at Feasts all which Christ forbid The Saints teacher is within them ye need not that any man teach you but as the anointing that you have received teacheth you of all things and is true and is no lye and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in it The worlds law is without them in the command of the letter and they break the command and so it is death The Saints Law is within them written in their hearts and they are all taught of God from the greatest to the least And shall no more teach every one is neighbour saying Know the Lord for they shall all know him The worlds light is without them a Chapter or a Verse which was other mens light left upon Record The Saints light is within them you have a light that shineth in a dark place to which you do well that you take heed untill the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts The worlds word is without them and they take the letter for the word when as the word is invisible The Saints word is within them the word is nigh thee in thy heart and in thy mouth and doth sanctifie them and is sharper then a two edged-sword dividing asunder and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart The worlds witness is without them which is the letter and it bears witness against all the practice of the world The Saints witness is within then he that believeth hath the witness within himself The worlds Baptism is without them sprinkling of infants for which is no command or example in Scripture The Saints Baptism is within baptized with one spirit into one body and are made all to drink into one spirit The worlds communion is without them taking a little bread and wine which is carnall and cals that a Communion but are separated in spirit and are not of one heart and one mind The Saints communion is within them in spirit written in one anothers hearts and though absent in flesh yet present in spirit The worlds touchstone is without them and they try the liuing by the dead the spirit by the letter The Saints touchstone is within whereby they try the spirits whether they be of God or no every spirit that confesseth Jesus Christ come in the flesh is of God and he that confesseth him in truth hath him and the Father also The world is ruled by outward rules all goeth from the rule The Saints rule is within them Christ who ruleth in them and is the head of the body The worlds record is without them The Saints Record is within them the spirit that God hath given into them is their record The worlds Sabbath is without them
given you them you are set up above them who are made poore by you now is the Lord come to search you out and you shall restore for your theft four-fold Woe unto you that have had power in your hands to 〈◊〉 these things but instead of using the sword to scatter the works of iniquity have turned the edge of it against such as the Lord hath called out of these things and sent them to call others out left they partake of the Plagues that are to come upon those who are found in them Woe woe unto the blind guides who have called your selves Christ's Seedsmen and now that the Lord of the Harvest is come to look for fruits here is no better fruit to reap but such as these and that among such as you call Saints and the Churches of Christ And now that the Heir is appearing you are stirring up the powers of the earth how to destroy him left you be called to account for your great care to feed your own bodies and heap up carnall things and the little care for the soules of Christs Flock Now shall you not escape your day is near at hand Who could have believed that England would have brought forth no better fruits then these now after such deliverance as no Notion else can witness Oh tell it not among the Heathen left you strengthen the hands of the enemy and occ●sion the wicked to Blaspheme the name of the God of Hosts who is reported to be among us and hath subdued all our enemies and hath delivered us thus farre Awake awake all sorts of people can you say you have not had power in your hands against these abominations but now that you have not proved faithfull in the promises to the Lord in the day of your feares therefore is the Lord coming to call to account all sorts of dissemblers and oppressers and by his own right hand to get himself the Victory And now woe unto you that have known to do well and had it in your power but have not done it Woe unto you that have taken counsel at your owne wisdome and multitudes and not at the spirit of the Lord and have strengthened your selves by your Riches Woe unto your fruitless Trees you have long been digged and pruned but no fruits you have long cumbred the ground Woe unto you that are at ease in Sion houl woe and m●sery tremble ye women that are at ease strip you make you bare pu● off your pride and pu● on ashes turn your Musick into wayling your Feasts into Fasting and bitter lamentation and 〈◊〉 the Lord if there may be hope for your souls in the day of his fierce wrath that is coming upon the earth while you have time improve it J. N. Several Queries to be answered by Tho. Ledgard or any of those he ranks with himself under the name of Anti-Quakers 1. DId not God create man and woman perfect in his own Image without sin 2. Did not the first sin make a separation betwixt God and man 3. Whether is there any other way to unite God and man into spirituall Communion again but by being separated from the works of the flesh sin and uncleanness and being Redeemed into his first Estate 4. Was not that the end for which Christ was manifest in the flesh that by taking away sin he might restore man into his first Estate in which he was created in the Image of God without sin 5. Whether any can witness the work of Redemption perfected in them while they commit sin 6. Whether any unperfect unclean and sinfull one shall enter into the Kingdom yea or no 7. Was not that the end for which the Scriptures were written to warn all to turn from sin to holiness 8. Shall not God justly judge every one as he finds them at the day of judgement they that have done good into life eternal and they that have lived in sin into everlasting fire And whether do you look for a Purgatory to cleanse you from your sins between the day of death and the day of judgement 9. Whether a Christian have ground to believe and ought to wait for it that he shall be redeemed by the second Adam into that estate which he lost by sin in the first Adam 10. Are not all that are servants of sin out of the Covenant and under the power of darkness and in the Kingdom of the Devil 11. Is there any promise in Scripture due to any who have not confessed and forsaken their sins but all the Plagues written in the Book are to fall upon that generation of evil doers 12. Was it not the onely end why all the true Ministers of Christ both now and ever were begifted and sent into the world to wit to call people out of sin and to perfect the Saints in holiness and to present them perfect to God 13. Whether all those who both by Life and Doctrine encourage people to abide in that condition of sin imperfection and separation from God which Christ came to take away and so to unite God and man again do not oppose the work of mans redemption and withstand the onely end of Christ coming and so are Ministers of Anti-christ and labour to uphold the Kingdom of the Devil Now all you who plead for sin in your selves or others consider these things and see if you do not withstand the love of God in giving Jesus Christ into the world to clense from all sin all that believe in him and so to present you to the Father without spot or blemish and so you are the greatest enemies to your eternall salvation How will you stand before the Lord at that great day who would have gathered you out of your sin but you would not but have joyned with the Devil to uphold the wall of separation between God and you Woe unto you ye whited walls J. N. ALL People and Professors consider where you are and from whence you are fallen you that plead for sin and say None can be set free from sin while they are in this world you plead for a house for Satan in you while you are here and where will you have him cast out or what fellowship can you have with God while the Serpents head is in you you are separated from God and know not for what communion hath light with darkness God is light and he that dwels in God dwelleth in light and in him is no darkness at all but while you live in sin you are in darkness and the God of this world hath blinded your eyes that you cannot see and having blinded your eyes that you cannot see he leads you captive at his will and you are willing to be so and you do not believe that ever you shall be otherwise you are servants to sin and you take pleasure in it you are in the flesh and sin and have made
as you will answer it before the Lord consider of it and lay it to heart this is the day of your visitation Freind D. W. MY love salutes that which is pure of God in thee mind that light of God in thy conscience which checks and reproves thee for sin and evil and it will turn thy mind within and shew thee the evil of thy doings and tell thee plainly thou ought not to act in that which is evil this is the light which Christ Jesus hath enlightened every one that comes into the world withall and this light will not onely shew thee thy evil deeds but it will shew thee the good way which thou ought to walk in yeilding obedience to this light which discovers unto thee sin and evil it will teach thee to deny that which is evil as the light makes it manifest unto thee in measure and this light which Christ hath given to every one to enlighten thee withall it will not onely teach thee to deny that which is evil but it will teach thee to act in righteousness and to do unto all as thou would be done by Loving this light thou wilt bring thy deeds to the light that the light may prove them and here is thy teacher present with thee obeying it the light and hating this light which makes manifest sin and evil here is thy condemnation eternally Now thou hast time prize it and put not the day of the Lord afarr off for the time past is unrecoverable the time to come is uncertaine the time present is thine now while time is improve thy talent which the Lord hath given thee that thou mayest receive the Blessing which is Well done thou good and faithfull servant thou shalt be made Ruler over much but on the contrary if thou be negligent and sloathfull and slight the mercies of the Lord to thy soule and hide thy talent in the earth then thou art that sloathfull servant who said Christ was an austere man for the Lord hath given every one a measure to Profit withall then thou must receive thy portion Go ye cursed into hell prepared for the Devil and his Angels Now it is called to day arise and put off the old man with his deeds for the old man must be put off with his deeds in measure before the new man can be put on with his deeds which is after God created in righteousness and true holiness therefore in the feare of God worke while it is day for the night comes when none can worke it is said Rejoyce O young man in thy youth But know for all this thou must come to Judgement Now friend consider what thou art a doing and take heed of spending thy time carelesly without the fear of God and the Lord give thee understanding that thou mayest see what thou art doing that thou mayest chuse the good and refuse the evil From a friend to thy soule and to all that love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and in truth This was I moved to write to thee who am a prisoner of the Lord in York Castle whose name in the flesh is John Killam ALL friends in your several measures dwell and abide in that which is immortall of God in you which is begotten by the ministry of the word which is not of the world but leads out of the world and crucifies the world who in it dwells this doth witness so all to the witness keep your minds and upon it wait and be attentive that you all in the tenderness may be kept and the witness preserved waking and alive in you that which witnesseth with the Just and righteous pure God in you against all deceits hypocrisie or self-ends in you that herein you may be preserved every one in your measures faithfull to God who hath called you that herein you may grow out of the world self flesh and the knowledge thereof which all defiles and perisheth into purity righteousness and holiness which condemns the world that in the true favour and discerning you may grow to sever between the precious and the vse the clean and the unclean the pure and the unpure that you may know and owne the pure life in one another the pure language and the pure voice that true Judgement may pass upon that which is contrary least for want of favour and true Judgement you joyne with the unclean spirit which spots and defiles staines and darkens the understanding and then slothfulness gets up and earthly mindedness and self-endedness and self takes its liberty which all staines and dishonours the truth of God the father of truth from whence all truth proceeds But woe from the Lord will follow the careless slothful disobedient rebellious one who causes offences so all in the presence of the living God to the witness of God in you I speake to feare the living God of life and Power and in it dwell that in it you may be preserved low and tender your minds to the measure of light which manifests darkness and what out of it ariseth which is contrary to the light drawes from the light and so draws from God that in the light this may be seen Judged and condemned and here you are kept in your measures and daily growth out of the world self flesh or whatsoever is of the same that all things may be given up into his will who is God over all and creator of all whose owne all is and here you are kept single and free Just upright and pure every one in your measures in the continuall exercise in a growing condition the witness being kept waking but I do you all warne to take heed of setting up a false rest out of light in the carnality in the form without the life and power painted with the word of truth catched in the comprehension talked of such feeds death in whom death raign and such with the light which they are turned from are seen Judged and condemned Ignorance not to be pleaded So all tender ones who feare the living God and abide to the light which opens manifests and discovers within that upon it you may wait for teaching and direction looking out at any but every one in particular mind the light of the Lord Jesus which hath convniced you to be your guide and teacher in all things bringing all your thoughts words and actions to the light by it to be tryed and proved at it to ask councel and direction and here God alone is teacher orderer and mighty counceller who is the everlasting Father and Prince of peace and joy and here true Judgement is set up which keeps in the watch and the cross and here true peace is preserved which stands in obedience through the Cross and herein true favour you grow and in the discerning and the pure wisdome you grow in your measures received from the fountaine which orders all and distinguishes between the precious and the vile and the two seeds and what is
faith the holy Ghost Whosoever is born of God sinneth not for his seed remaineth in him for he that is begotten of God keepeth himself that the wicked one toucheth him not and saith plainly In this are the children of God made manifest and the children of the Devil whosoever doth not righteousness is not of God neither he that loves not his brother God in all ages hath known his by their obedience but thou sayest thou must live in disobedience or else thou canst not live in the world and yet thou wouldest he accounted one of his too But where is thy marke by which thou art known from the world those which are God's are marked and known from the world and therefore hated of the world but thou art in friendship with the world and whosoever is a friend of the world is the enemy of God Now thou that canst conform to the worlds waies words and worship and yet would be accounted one of God's too O thou deceiver thou deceiver thou deceivest but thy self and men like thee thou canst not deceive the Lord Take heed repent halt no longer between God and the world if thou wilt owne God thou must disowne the world and the world will disowne thee thou canst not have both for whilst thou art striving with both thou hast right to neither for all things were made for the Son both in Heaven and Earth and he is Heir of all even the fulness of all and in him are the treasures of wisdome laid up and there is no receiving any thing without him witness the Son and witness all but no further then thou canst witness him no further canst thou witness real possession but seedeth on wind words shews and shadows and art deceived by the Devil that old Serpent who makes large promises but hath nothing to perform but deceit for all the promises are yea and amen in Christ they are all to the seed which is the Son and to him are all the Promises in the Scriptures For he that hath the Son hath the Father also and such are made Free by the Son but while thou art a servant to thy lusts tho art in sin and art farre from a Free man Now search the Scriptures and see if ever thou finde one Promise to thee whilst thou art in this condition but that the Devil deceives thee and leades thee to steal the Promises that were given to the Saints who was risen out of thy condition but thou hast no right to them but all the plagues and woe written are thy portion As thou liest in sin thou shalt drink the dregs thereof and wring them out except thou repent Queries 1. VVHether Jesus Christ be not that Covenant of light spoken on in the Scriptures promised by the Father to enlighten and lead all that will owne and follow him out of the dark world up to God the Father of lights yea or no 2. Whether that be not the light of Christ which enlightens the conscience witnessing there against all sin and unrighteousness which convinceth and sheweth the deeds of darkness and exerciseth the conscience in purity and holyness of all that will follow and obey it or no 3. If you say that be not the light of Christ then how is Christ the light of the world and how doth he lighten every one that cometh into the world and how do you distinguish between the light of Christ and that which you call a naturall light and doth the light of Christ enlighten the creature any other way then by shining into the conscience yea or no 4. Whether the light of Christ be not a sufficient guide to all who receive and follow it to bring out of darkness unto the Father and reveal him to the creature without adding to it any other humane helps and was not he given to all the ends of the earth for this very end yea or no 5. Whether those that are in Scripture called the children of light be not onely such as are gathered out of darkness by this light and into it walking in it in measure and those which are called the children of darkness be not such as whose understandings are darkened by following the Prince of darkness to seek out other lights from their imaginations setting up Persons Forms Customs Times Dayes Places Letter and other visible carnal things to get light from which are not the spirit of Christ yea or no 6. Whether it was not by the same light of the spirit of Christ that all the holy men of God in all ages were inspired had their Revelations and by which they spake forth what is written in Scriptures in a mystery to all the children of darkness and whether the light of Christ be not the same now that ever it was to every one that have received in their serveral measures yea or no 7. Whether all those who are not onely ignorant of this light but also enemies to it rendering it under odious terms as unable to lead out of darkness be not Ministers for the Prince of darkness and against Christ the true light and so are Ministers of Anti-christ and upholders of the Kingdom of darkness which Christ came to destroy yea or no More Queries 1. VVHether can the Scriptures be read and understood by any other spirit then that which gave them forth yea or no 2. Whether that spirit be excluded from manifesting it self in the Saints now in the same power and manner as formerly it hath done yea or no 3. Whether that spirit where it is be not infallible and Judge of all truth and all deceits in its measure as it is manifested yea or no 4. Whether those who have not the spirit which is the infallible judge have any true ground to pass the censure of ex-communication or to judge of Blasphemy in others yea or no 5. Whether that which is spoken by that spirit where it is be not the very word of God yea or no 6. Whether the spirit of the world by their carnal laws grounded upon humane wisdome and reason have any power from God to Judge that spirit where it is and have they not in all ages when they have attempted it passed the censure of Blasphemy upon it and so it hath suffered yea or no 7. Whether that spirit be not at unity in it self all that speak by it speaking one and the same things each in their measure and doth it not speak the same things now that ever it spoke in the holy men of God and whether all that are guided by it be not brought into one and the same way to the Father and his worship in spirit yea or no 8. Whether giving heed to any other spirits whatever they pretend be no the way to delusion and to lye open to be seduced into rent Schisme and Heresie yea or no 9. Whether any who have not this infallible spirit in themselves which is the onely light and guide and judge be fit and able
to teach others or did the Lord ever send out any to teach who hath not this spirit yea or no Certain Queries to all you Prophets that Prophesie for hire and all you Priests that teach for money and bear rule by your means and all you Shepherds that seek for your gain from your quarter answer these for they are given forth for the generall good of all people 1. Q. VVHether you will own Jeremiah to be a true Prophet which cryed against the Priests that bare Rule by their means and whether you will justifie these that bear rule by their means which Jeremiah cryed against 2. Whether you will own the Prophet I say to be a true Prophet of the Lord which the Lord sent to cry against them that sought for their gain from their quarter and whether you will hold up these shepherds which seek for their gain from their quarter now as he cryed against them 3. Whether you will own Ezekiel to be a true Prophet of the Lord which the Lord sent to cry against the shepherds which fed themselves with the fat and cloathed with the wooll and made a prey upon the people and whether you will justifie these shepherds that seek for the fleece now and for the Woll and the Fat and make Prey upon the people which Ezekiel cryed woe against 4. Whether you will owne Micha to be a true Prophet of the Lord which the Lord sent to cry against the hireling Priests and Prophets that Preached and Prophesied for money and whether you will justifie these things now which the Lord sent him to cry woe against then 5. Whether you will justifie such as Jesus Christ cryed woe against which was called of men Master and had the chiefest places in the assemblies and stood praying in the Synagogues and laid heavy burdens upon the people and loved salutations in the Markets and whether you will justifie these things which he cryed woe against 6. Whether you will justifie sprinkling infants seeing there is not a word of Scripture to prove it 7. Whether you will justifie singing Davids Psalms his quakings prayers and tears and his condition turned in Rime and Meeter and sung in the world yea or no 8. Whether ever any of the Apostles or Ministers of God did receive Tythes after Christ was risen yea or no 9. Whether ever any of the Disciples of Jesus Christ or believers that believed in him after he was risen did pay Tythes according to the old time after the substance was come yea or no 10. Whether these be not the Teachers spoken of which stand rayling in the Pulpit and are in envy and sue men at the Law and are proud and covetous be not them which goe in the way of Caine and through covetousness make merchandise of the people and are they not to be cryed against now as Paul and Peter did then 11. Whether these be not the Teachers that seek for great augmentations and great Benefits and Tythes be not as they which the Scripture speaks of which run greedily after the error of Balaam who perished in the gain-saying of Cora seeing the Apostle said He covered no mans silver nor gold nor apparel but wrought with his hands that he might be example to all that followed him 12. Whether they do abide in the Doctrine of Christ which compels people to swear or the Doctrine of the Devil when Christ saith Swear not at all but let your yea be yea and nay nay whatsoever is more is evil 13. Whether the outward Temple was to be held up after Christ was risen yea or no seeing Stephen was stoned to death for witnessing against it 14. Whether a man shall be made free from the body of sin while he is upon the earth yea or no 15. Whether you will own that Christ which said be not ye called of men Master or whether you will be called of men Master and so deny that Christ 16. Whether that was the true Christ that forbid these things and whether you will own that Christ as an Example to follow him who is the way the light and the truth An Exhortation to all people that have a desire to know the Truth that the Truth may make them free EVery one that hath a desire to know the truth that the truth may set you free mind the light of God in you that shews you sin and evil that which checks you when you do amiss either when you lie or swear or are proud or covetous or oppress or envy or hate or backbite one another or use any deceit there is something in you that will check you and tell you that you should not do so if you hearken to it that which shews you your vain thoughts and wandring desire and wicked imaginations if you hearken to that and let it guide your minds It will turn them within and shew you how you have spent your time and bring you to consider of your waies and your doings that you may forsake that which is evil and turn to the Lord that he may have mercy upon you this light within if you hearken to it it will not suffer you to do any wrong to any man but to do to all as you would be done by and obeying it it will teach you to deny your selves of pride and covetousness and oppression and drunkenness and lying and swearing and vain talk and foolish jesting and all vain delights and pleasures whatsoever and minding this light within to be obedient to it it will cross your earthly wille and turn you out of the lust and filth of the flesh and lead you out of all the worlds waies and words and customs and fashions and worships and delights and vanities whatsoever and bring you to delight in the Lord to do his will in yielding obedience to his commands in what the light doth require of you to be done that you may cast off the works of darkness as this light within makes them manifest to you this light within you will not suffer you to eat and drink to make your selves wanton if you harken to it and let it guide your minds this light within will not let you wear apparel to make your selves proud and burthen and oppress poor creatures if you hearken to it and here is your teacher this light obeying it and here is your condemnation this light disobeying it this light is not without you a chapter or a verse but the light is within as it was in them that spake forth the chapters Ye have a light to the which you do well to take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place untill the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts Take heed to that light left ye be condemned by it obeying it it will shew you the way to salvation disobeying this light it will condemn you Now you have time prize it and take heed of rejecting the counsel and admonition of the Lord to your souls