Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	holy_a	scripture_n	speak_v	14,888	5	5.2608	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A93230	The Saints testimony finishing through sufferings: or, The proceedings of the court against the servants of Jesus, who were called before them to be tryed at the late assizes (or sessions) held in Banbury in the county of Oxon, the 26 day of the seventh moneth, 1655. Also a relation of Margret Vivers, going to the steeple-house in Banbury, after the assize (or sessions) as aforesaid: and a testimony against false prophets, and false doctrine; ... And the manner of Richard Farnsworth imprisonment at Banbury, with a short examination and answer. And the cause of his detainment. Also, a warning from the spirit of the Lord (in his hand-maid Anne Audland) to the persecuting priest and people, &c. And a letter of Robert Rich to the magistrates of Banbury, ... Likewise a letter of Tho. Curtis to the professed minister called Samuel VVells in Banbury. And a certificate wherein is manifested the diligence that was used to know the causes of the prisoners commitments ... (Anne Audland, Iane VVaugh, Sarah Tims, and Nathaniel VVeston) as wel as Robert Rich, ... With a paper relating the sufferings of the innocent.	Vivers, Margaret.; Audland, Anne, 1626 or 7-1705.; Rich, Robert, d. 1679.; Curtis, Thomas, 17th cent.	1655 (1655)	Wing S365; Thomason E857_7; ESTC R203441	49,745	48

to her for judgment and did not dispise the counsell of the Lords spirit in a woman preacher or a Iudge in Israel and a Prophetess of the Lord Iudg. the 4 5 6 7 c. And in the dayes of Iosiah King in Israel there was one Huldah a Prophetess that lived in Ierusalem a woman Preacher or one who by the Spirit of the Lord declared and spoke to the people the word of the Lord and to her the Priest and people went to enquire and hear the word of the Lord according also to the Kings command 2 King 12 13 14 15 16 c. Besides several other Prophetesses as wel as Prophets there was in the time of old among the Lords people Issa 8.3 Nebe 6.14 Luke 2.29 30 31 32. as the prophetess in Isajahs time and in Nehemiahs time so there was in the Apostles time a man in Cesaria had four daughters that were virgins did prophesie Act. 21.8 9. And at the comming of Christ when Simeon that just man spoke of him the light of the Gentiles and the glory of the people Israel there was one woman a widow of above fourscore years of age that had no outward huusband at home to ask who was a preacher or one that spoke of the Lord Iesus to all that looked for Redemption in Ierusalem Luke 2.36 37 38. And Tryphena and Tryphosa and Persis three vertuous godly women did labour much in the Lord which Paul in his Epistle to the Romans did salute and as the wife is in subjection to her husband so is the Church subject unto Christ who is the head thereof as the husband is the head of the wife and Chsist being the Head of his Spouse or husband of his Church the Spouse of Christ united unto him and betrothed in Righteousness both asketh of him and staying at home taketh counsell with him though the Harlot from home and the stranger unto him knoweth it not and saith the Lord ●el 2.28 6. I wil pour out of my spirit that sons and daughters and handmaids also shall prophesie and who are they that are offended hereat now that the Lord doth see but proud covetous self-seeking priests who never knew God and their hearers that are deceived by them and such in their nature who know not the sure word and spirit of prophesie but are ignorant both of the mystery of godliness 2 Pet. 1.19 Col. 1.27 Rev. 19.13 Heb. 17.8 and so of him whose name is called the word of God and knoweth neither the teachings of God not the life of the Scriptures and the work of the Spirit of God who would not have him to be the same now that he was and Christ to be the same yesterday to day and for ever who are such opposers of the work of the Spirit of God and persecutors of the servants of Jesus in whom it is bringing and brought forth as their Generation and seed of evil doers ever was Mat 23.33 34 c. Holy men of God spoke forth the Scriptures The Scriptures or Writings that proceeded from the Spirit of truth were not spoken forth by the seed of evill doers that were haters of God and persecuters of his neither were they spoken forth by such as preached for Hire barerule by their means 2 Pel 1.21 Ier. 26.9 10. Ier 20.2 Ier. 37.16 2 Cor. 6.4 5 6 7 8. nor such as laid heavy burthens upon the people sought for their gain from their quarter like the Priests of England the false prophets and pharisees but Holy men of God who witnessed against such spoke forth the Scriptures as they were moved by the Holy Ghost who were persecuted mocked stoned haled out of the Synagogues set in the Stocks most shamefully abused evilly entreated and sore punished smitten put in the Dungeon and often imprisoned and such a portion from the world and seed of evill doers doth the servants and messengers of God meet withall now that witness against them who make a trade upon their words also denying them and owning the teachings of God and the life of the Scriptures again now as they that spoke them forth who suffered for witnessing the truth in the life and power of them aforetime did A short Relation betwixt the true Prophets and the false and how they may be known a ssunder First THe true Prophets of God had the word of God revealed to and inspired in them and the moving cause of their speaking was from the light life and power of the Holy Ghost within them who dwelt in the light which discovered deceit whereby they know the false Prophets and declared against them and against such as spoke the words of others 2 Pet. 1.19 20 21. 1 Pet. 1.10 11 12 Isa 48.16 17. Ier. 23. saying thus saith the Lord when the Lord spoke not unto them or by them and so they speak a Divination of their own brain as do the Hireling Priests and Deceivers and not from the mouth of the Lord as to those that dwel in the light as the true Prophets did they now are very wel known and against testified though it be not received by the besotted turned from the light and the deceived who persecutes those that are sent to witness against them contrary to the wil of man as the true Prophets were who were not sent by the wil of man but by the Lord God and his spirit Isa 48.16 17. which the world could not receive nor the wil of man no more than it doth now Iohn 4.17 and therefore do they persecute and put out of their Synagogues for to fil up the measure of their iniquity and to fulfil the prophesie of Christ ye a these things they do because they are in enmity against the living truth and know neither the father nor the Son Iohn 16.2.3 and so manifest what an evil and a wicked Generation they are on 2. The true Prophets of God who were indued with his spirit and dwelt in the light and spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost and were not sent of man contrary to the wil of God but of God contrary to the wil of man and such as are sent by the Lord God and his spirit now have their commander neer them and by his holy Spirit are moved to speak as he pleaseth and as they was who were not sent by the wil of man neither did mans wil receive them that went contrary to it and stood in the counsel of God no more than it doth now but rather persecured and imprisoned as they do now and the true Prophets that were sent of the Lord and stoood in his counsell neither preached for hire nor sought for their gain from their quarter nor sought for the fleece but preached or declared freely the word of the Lord and said come freely without money or price Isa 55. And also declared against the deceit of the false Prophets and hireling Priests and such as sought for their gain from their

some of the Jury hath confessed which was contrary to the known Law of the Nation in such cases provided contrary to truth and equity which is a greater crime and breach of the Law then those things which many of the servants of Jesus are imprisoned for And after awhile the Jury came into the court was asked if they were agreed to which they said they were gave in their verdict for the Protector but they said they found not blasphemy it was then demanded what was found to which they said misdemeanor then she desired to know what she was accused of for they read then bil called their witnesses for blasphemy but blasphemy was not found then they said they found misdemeanor against her the asked in what they said in calling the Minister a false Prophet but she denyed that she did as they said although it s no transgression to call them false prophets who are false prophets which doth not abide in the doctrine of Christ and their minister being then on the bench in the Court was asked what he had to accuse her of he answered he deserferred his cause to God and said he desired she might have what favour the Law would afford yet for all this though the Bil was not found and though their as they call him there present did not accuse her of any thing they committed her to Prison again who had been there prisoner nine months before and fasly accused at her first commitment for no other thing did she speak but the truth according to plain Scripture a true Relation of which is published and declared in a printed paper being intituled A true Declation of the suffering of the Innocent who is hated and persecuted without a cause which is made manifest dayly for which the righteous Iudge of all the world will deal righteously and call you to an account and weigh you in an equal ballance and measure you in a just measure and from the hand of the Lord must you receive a reward according to your deeds After that then there was one Iane VVaugh called to the Barre who had been imprisoned about sixteen Weeks before in the Town of Banbury who at first coming thither was in obedience to the Lord to declare his truth and witness against deceit for which she were beaten and abused persecuted and imprisoned and evilly entreated in the said Banbury as the servants of the Lord in former ages as wel as this were by such an evill generation and seed of evil doers as they are whose fruits makes them manifest to be guided by the same spirit though under a refined subtilty that other persecutors of the innocent spoken of in Scripture were The said Iane VVaugh as foresaid who had been a witness to the truth of God and against the deceit of the world and after she had been sore abused in the said Banbury persecuted imprisoned and put forth of the Town for witnessing the truth against deceit and after a certain time being moved by the Spirit of the Lord to come into Banbury again and being with a friend getting him to write a Letter for her the Magistrates hearing of her being there sent for her to come before them Iohn Austine who was then Mayor caused the Oath of Abjuration to be tendred unto her and because in obedience to the commands of Christ Jesus who saith Swear not at all she refused to swear being faithfull to him abiding in his Doctrine and although she so did in obedience to his Command out of love to him and his truth and there in their court when the said Oath was tendred she utterly denyed all things contained in that Oath and Witnessed against all Popery and Popish Jesuiticall Opinions whatsoever yet the was then notwithstanding all that committed to Prison where the remained though the breach of any Law were not laid to her charge til the Generall Sessions Assize or pretended Goal-Delivery when and where she was called to the Bar as abovesaid and appearing there that day where no Accusation and witness came in against her nor any breach of the Law or mis-demeanor laid to her charge but notwithstanding she was asked to put in sureties for her good behaviour then she asked them on the bench what Law she had broken and would have had them to have convinced her of a transgression by making known to her the breach of some Law the which they refused but she could get no other answer but that if she would not give in sureties she must to prison again which was done accordingly now let all the wise in heart that truly fear God consider whether these proceedings against the innocent be either legall or just and if they do not exceed the proceedings of heathen Magistrates who sate Judges in tryals against the Christians and servants of Jesus in former ages as in the Scriptures are left upon Record Consider and see the actings of the persecuting Jews who had the form but wanted the power and so out of a blind zeal persecuted the Servants of Iesus who were in the power and life of truth and they were sore moved and offended at the Servants of Iesus and exceeding mad against Paul who was pressed in Spirit being in Macedonia to testifie to the Iews that Iesus was Christ and when they aposted themselves and blasphemed he shoke his Rayment and said unto them your blood be upon your own heads and having cleared his conscience to them he departed and went to the Gentiles and so entred into a certain mans house that worshipped God and being moved of the Lord he spoke and was not afraid the Lord being with him and having much people in that place where he continued a year and six months teaching the word of God among them and the Iews which made insurrection against Paul when they brought him before the Deputy of Achaia for teaching the word of the Lord which their dark minds who lived in Envie and Malice against the truth could not receive And now observe the actings of the Deputy of Achaia who though he might be accounted a heathen or an Antichristian whose proceedings in that case might preach or teach wisdome to some who profess themselves to be Christian Magistrates for when Gallio was the Deputy of Achaia as Iohn Griffith Deputy-Recorder was Iudge in the Court at the assize or sessions in Banbury before whose judgement seat the servants of Iesus was brought by such as had made insurrection against them in their Market Steeplehouse and Steeplehouse-yard in nature like the envious persecutors of the Servants of Jesus For the Iews made insurrection against Paul and brought him before Gallio to the Iudgement Seat and laid down their accusations against him according to Law there and then accusing him to the Deputy who sate as Judge saying in their accusation this fellow to wit Paul perswadeth men to worship God contrary to the Law and when Paul the accused was about to open

follow me here the necessity is laid down by Christ himself therefore he that denyeth not self in obedience to Christ to follow his light but continues in sin and unbelief abiding in darkness is no Saint but a Servant of sin and so out of the Doctrine of Christ and he that abides in darkness speaking against self-denyall saying it makes no Saint though in obedience to the Spirit and word of God he is a contradictor of the truth and a denyer of the Doctrine of Christ and neither knoweth a Saint nor him that sanctifieth but is ignorant of the turn and the Apostles Doctrine who saith seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit love one another with a pure heart fervently being born again contrary to self and the corruptible seed for witnessing him that sanctifieth Iohn 8.12 and that which discovereth sin and self in the ground of it with its fruits and effects which is the true light of Christ who calls to repentance and a denyall both of sin and self and in obedience to his call such as follow his light are thereby led out both of darkness and self out of self-love self-seeking self-conceitedness and all unbelief and sinfulness as wel as out of self-righteousness error delusion and deceit and into the love and joy of the Lord righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Ghost and so into the marvellous light even the light of life according to the word of the Lord in obedience thereunto through the working of the Spirit and power of God but such as are servants of sin and do not envy self but disobeyeth the light of him that sanctifieth they are in the unrighteousness denying the Doctrine of Christ and turns persecutors of them that deny self in obedience to him as their fruits maketh manifest who continue in felse undenyed as wel as the Priests antichristian or false Doctrine for after the Priest of Banbury had been spoken unto for the same instead of vindicating by Scripture what he had delivered contrary to truth when he was spoken to for it he suffered the servants of the Lord Jesus as antichristians aforetime did to be haled out of the Synagogue and haled down to the Goalers house attended with a great company of people which shewed much rudeness and wildness what little effect their Ministry had wrought and so it were a clear manifestation that they were unbelievers and those that regarded iniquity in their hearts and lived in sin and self undenyed and were not guided by the spirit of Christ but of Antichrist as persecutors and such in their nature aforetime were Act. 17.5 6 c. Afterwards one was moved to go down to the Goalers house to the friend that was in custody at that time and some they pushed and abused him and some others began to reason with him and would have had the Steeplehouse to be the Church but could not prove it so to be and there they shewed again that their Priests Ministry had neither taught them civility nor good-behaviour that were so wild and disboist neither had his Ministry taught them as was said to know what the Church of Christ was for the Church is the body of which Christ is head and he is the head of the body his Church Eph. 1.22 23. Coll. 1.18 19. as the Scripture witnesseth but Steeplehouses are not the body of which Christ is head neither is Christ the head of the body of Steeplehouses as he is of his Church therefore the Steeplehouses are not Christs church and yet poor deluded creatures have been taught by the Priests to believe that steeplehouses are churches and so they call them and rests in the perishing and visibles that are so ignorant of the true church the pillar and ground of truth 1 Tim. 3.15 Heb. 3.6 1 Pet. 2.5 Eph. 2.20.21 22. Eph. 5.25 26 32. ver And after that when they had confessed that they had Margret Vivers who had spoken to the Priest in the Steeplehouse after that he had ended that day there neither for whoredome felony nor theft and words to that purpose yet it was the Mayors mind that she should be there but whether she had committed any offence or no they could not tel as they said and words to that effect and the man that kept her there upon such uncertainty when they was about to put her in Prison and had her at the dore but did not put her in for no Law by her was transgressed at that time as it was said that could be proved for witnessing the truth in obedience to the command of the Lord yet though they did not commit herto Prison other two they did one that stood by and another that was quietly passing up the street at that same time and the man that had kept her in custody did object against a woman speaking in the Church it was asked whether the Spirit of God might not be permitted to speak in the Temple of God yea or nay the which by some was answered and granted that it might Answer To the Question about the woman forbidden to speak in the Church and proved that the spirit of God may speak in his Temple either in the Body of male or female let the woman keep silence in the Church as it is said and let God speak by his spirit in his Temple 2 Cor. 6.16 Either of male or female whose bodies are the Temples of God through the spirit 1 Cor. 3.16 17. For in Christ Iesus the spirit of God in male and female is both one Eph. 2.19.19 20. Gal. 3.27 28. And Paul he commended Pheba in his Epistle to the Romans which Phebe was a servant of the Church which was at Cenchrea Rom. 16.1 and in the same Epistle he saluted Priscilla and also gave thanks with the Churches for her labour who had been a helper of him in Christ Jesus and she was a woman labourer in the Gospel by the Spirit of truth so was there woman labourers with Paul in the Gospell which he writes of in his Epistle to the Philippians as wel as them he speaks of whose names are written in the book of life Rom. 16.3 4. Phi. 4.3 So was there women guided by the Spirit of the Lord that were the Lords Prophetesses as wel as there were men that were his Prophets and the Lord spoke his word by his own Spirit in and through the one as wel as the other Miriam Arons Sister was a Prophetess and spake forth the praise of God in that dispensation and administration by the spirit of God that teacheth to prophensie as wel as the manifestation of it is given to profit withall Exod. 15.20 21. Isa 8.16 17 1 Cor. 12.7 And Deborah a Prophetess by the Spirit of the Lord which taught her to prophesie she therewith judged Israel and were a Minister of Justice amongst the Lords people in her dayes and in that dispensation insomuch that the Children of Israel came up

c. The said Mayor and Justice as aforesaid so called came to him very much enraged as he was walking on the Street VVilliam Allen a Justice so called belonging to the Borrough he did strike or pluck off his hat grinn'd at him and heaved his fist in his wrath and could scarce hold his hands and then to fulfil his envie he cryed have him away to the Stocks the which they were doing in obedience to his will and after they were gone from the place and ha●likg him towards the Stocks the said VVilliam Allen to shew his confusion in his actings as wel as his self-contradictions he came to the men and said bring him back and have him to Prison and they did not delay his words to disobey but with all expedition haled him down to the prison out of the Street and then R. F. he asked what fact he had committed that deserved either Stocks or imprisonment and desired of the Justice so called to know the Fact and the Law by vertue whereof the Fact became a crime which were denyed to be made known unto him but with violence were he haled and thrust into close prison and there remaineth The next day they held a Court and called him before them being the first day of the 8. month 1655. And the Mayor and Justices so called being set and R.F. brought before them according to their command Aholiab VVest called Mayor he asked R. F. his name and where he lived to the which he answered very mlidly and said said That as he stood in Relation to God in whom his soul lived and as were a witness of the immortall seed in the Regeneration born of the Spirit and begotten by the eternall word which endureth for ever 1 Pet. 1.22 23 he said in that relation as he there stood he had a new name given him of God which no man knows but he that hath it Rev. 2.17 And as he was in Relation to man he had a name given him by man to be known by to man according to the account of the world called in the outward by the name Richard Farnsworth Then the Mayor asked him again where he lived to the which he answered and said in the first place in God and as the Apostle as wel as the Poet hath said in whom we live move and have our being c. Act. ●7 28 Then said the Mayor But have you not a being in the world I answer said he That residence is being my being is with the Lord but an outward residence or being I have said he at a place called Tickhill in Yorkshire Then said the Mayor But how long have you been here in this Town To the which R. F. he answered and said Four or five dayes if not a week The Mayor asked him what he did there to the which he answered he came to visit his friends c. Then the Mayor asked him where he had been since he came into the town he answered The most at Edward Vivers then Iohn Austine who is called a Iustice he asked him if he were the Messenger of God to the which he answered There was but the Messengers of Christ and of Antichrist in them two relations and the message of Antichrist he did deny After that the Mayor said how might they know that for they might not expect Revelations now to the which he answered and said Though he to wit the Mayor and they did not expect Revelations c. that did not hinder the work of the Spirit of God for being to them who did expect and wait for them that wait for the grace which is brought unto such at the revelation of Iesus Christ according to the Apostles Doctrine 1 Pet. 1.12 13. For the deep things of God are revealed by the Spirit of God unto his servants and children as it is written And saith Christ Mat. 11.21 i Cor. 2 i0 Mat. 11.27 Luke 10.22 No man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son wil reveal him Then such as deny Revelations by the Son they deny the appointed way and means of attaining to the true knowledg of God the Father and the Son And Christ hath said the same concerning the knowledg of God by Revelation as a second confirmation in Luke the 10.22 ver witnessing and agreeing with that in Matthew the 2.27 And Paul an Apostle not of man neither by man but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead did certifie unto the brethren that the Ghospel which he preachnd was not of man for he neither received of man neither was he taught it of man but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ Gal. 1.1 and the 11 12. ver Then VVilliam Allen called a Justice said it was not the Revelation of Jesus Christ in him but by Christ unto him then R.F. he answered that the same Paul said when it pleased God to reveal his Son in him that he might preach him among the heathen he immediately preached him not conferring with flesh and blood after he were so revealed in him Gal. 1.15.16 So there was a Revelation of Christ within and after he was so revealed within in Paul he went to preach him forth among the heathen and gentiles and said to the Collossians great is the mystery of godliness Christ in you the hope of glory whom we preach and teach warning every man every where that we may present them perfect in Christ Iesus Col. 1.25 26 27 28. ver And after that there was a few words spoken concerning the Objection of the womans non-permission which before is answered and when it was asked them on the Bench if the Spirit of God might not speak in the Temple they were then put to a stand or partly silent about the same and R.F. then and there said if any of them would deny it he would by plain Scripture prove that the Spirit of God might speak in his Temple meaning either in the body of male or female as aforetime it did 1 Cor. 3.17 i7 Gal. 3.27 28. 2 Cor. 3.17 and little was said thereunto at that present then when R.F. was there speaking about the Saints bodies being the Temples for God to dwel in as God hath said I wil dwel in them and walk in them 2 Cor. 6.16 Then said Iohn Austine who is called a Justice if God did dwel in them he said where was his legs c. for the which VVilliam Allen called a Justice gave a secret check seeming to be troubled thereat And R.F. he told Iohn Austine Justice so called that God was a spirit and is as the Scripture witnesseth Iohn 4.23 24. And Christ is a mystery Col. i 26 27. therefore it may be said that great is the mystery of godliness God manifest inflesh for the would by their wisdome cannot find it out Read and consider Isa 29.10 11. And now that I have

left that place of Scripture upon you that was spoken to such in your natures I shall come on to what was said by you in some things at the bench with answers and enlargments thereunto by proof from the Scripture or as followeth Aholiab VVest the aforesaid Mayor of Banbury who sate in the Court with the two Justices he asked the Town-Clerk for the Oath of Abjuration and the Town-Clerk said he had it not there but he would go for it the which he did and tendred it unto R. F. the servant of the Lord and as he read it the said Richard Farnsworth did in the Court there in the presence of God by whose power he were kept and upheld utterly deny and detest all Popish wayes and Jesuiticall Opinions whatsoever and those things contained in that Act or oath of Abjuration and stands a witness against all Popish wayes and false worships but to Sweare as they would have had he said he could not for Conscience sake do it for it was and is contrary to the command and Doctrine of Christ then they alledged that an Oath was for the end of all strife and controversie amongst men which is answered as followeth yea in the time of old it was so when Oaths were ordained for that end but Christ the Oath of God ended all Oathes to his Mat. 5.33 34 35 36. Iam. 2.12 and where strife and controversie is there Christ is not yet learned who brings good will and peace to such as in his Doctrine abide who hath said That in the time of old it was said thou shalt perform thine Oathes unto the Lord But saith he now I say unto you swear not at all Mal. 5. Then it was said to R.F. by one that if he read on he might see that Christ Jesus said in all communications let your yea be yea and nay nay to the which he answered the party before the bench that he might observe that Yea and Nay in their places was as binding in the Doctrine of Christ and the New-Covenant as Oathes was in the Old-Covenant and therefore Christ forbad all Oathes and now they that own Christ and his Doctrine who abide therein are to let their yea be yea and nay nay and deny all Oathes for so hath Christ commanded And the Apostle saith Above all things my Brethren swear not at all least ye fall into condemnation Iam. 5.12 But let your yea be yea and your nay nay So they that swear and they that cause men to do it are in the evill under the condemnation and out of the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles and the Scripture saith That he that transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God considder of this 2 Iohn 9. But be that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ hath both the Father and the Son They alledged that the Prophet said they should swear the Lord lived and swear in righteousness Answer Yea it was so and there was in the Prophets dayes that swore the Lord lived and swore in unrighteousness for they swore falsely as the true Prophet hath said Ier. 5.2 and though the Prophet did say they should swear the Lord lived and swear in righteousness Christ Iesus the end of Oathes to his and substance of what the Prophets prophesied of he is come and forbids all Oathes and saith Swear not at all and if it be alledged that Joseph in Aegypt swore it is answered for thus saith the Lord Out of Egypt have I called my Son hear him and he saith swear not at all and if it be alledged that Jacob swore Christ he reignes over the house of Jacob who saith swear not at all and if it be alledged that Solomon swore I answer Christ is greater than Solomon who forbids swearing and all Oathes saying swear not at all And if it be alledged that the angell swore true he did so but thus saith the Lord I bring forth my first born only begotten Son let all the Angels worship him hear what he saith and he forbids oathes who saith swear not at all and they are Christs friends as he hath said that keeps his commands and saith he if ye love me keep my commandments and they that loved him as his do now said By this we know we love him because we keep his commandments then blessed are they who abide in Christs doctrine and swear not in obedience to Christ and keeps his commands that they may have right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the gates into the city Rev. 22.13 14. For the unrighteous and such as disobey the truth who keepeth not Christs commands but lives in the transgression serving the evil and so fall under the condemnation of the Devill they and such like are shut out of Gods Kingdome and enters not into the holy city as they may read and the scriptures stands a witness against them and all such as are of the evill seed persecuting the godly in Christ Jesus 2 Thess 2.10 11. 2 Thess 1.6 7 8 9. 1 Cor 6.9 10. Gal. 5.19 20 21. Rom. 1.27 28 29. c. Rev. 20.10 c. Rev. 21.8 27. Rev. 22.15 c. And when the servant of Jesus could not break the command of Christ nor transgress his Doctrine to swear they said they would return up his name to the Exchequer who told them they might do as they were ordered then the Mayor said if he would pay his Fees and go out of the Town that night he might go free and Richard Farnsworth answered who could not be a friend to deceit that he could not pay fees for a nights false imprisonment and withall asked what Law he had broken or transgressed and withall said if they knew any evill by him acted or done they might there declare it but they said he justified himself and they feared he was deceived who bad them lay open the ground of self with the fruits and effects of it if they could and convince him of it but they said they would not meddle with that and words to that effect and one Iohn Austine called a Iustice asked him whether the Spirit were created or in-created to the which Rich. Farnsworth he answered That the spirit of God which is the Saints guide is eternall and they that are guided by the spirit of God Iohn 1.12.23 1. Pet. 1.23 are the sons of God as it is written Rom. 8.14 And God hath sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts whereby we cry abba Father Gal. 4.6 Then the Mayor said he had need to take heed he spoke not blasphemy would he say that he was a son of God whose answer is That such as were and are born of the spirit of God and guided thereby are and were the sons of God that were and are so born 1 Pet. 1.22 13. and guided by the spirit of God into the truth and the Holy Vnction its self Iohn 16.13 1 Iohn 2.20.27 And

cause of the innocent and although the said Nathaniel VVeston when the Oath of Abjuration was tendred to him did utterly renounce and deny there openly all things contained in the said Oath and witnessed against all popery popish and Iesuiticall opinions or tenents whatsoever and told them that in obedience to the command of Christ Jesus who saith swear not at all he could not swear lest he should go out of the Doctrine of Christ in which he did abide yet notwithstanding was he sent to the Prison where he had lain 14. weeks at their Assize or Session holden in Banbury who was there called and appearing before them it was demanded of him to put in sureties for his good-behaviour whereupon he desired to know what Law he had transgressed which they would not neither was there any appeared that laid any misdemeanour or breach of law to his charge nevertheless was he sent to the prison where he doth yet remain So all people that hear and read these things you may see with what justice the Magistrates of Banbury proceeded against the innocent and servants of the living God So there was one Robert Rich as many others standing by who with them was an eye witness to many of these things thus acted as before is related in their proceedings that day and saw that there was great Rage in them against the Innocent and how they plotted and took Counsell together against the servants of God laying traps and snares to catch them and after they had consulted together one of the Magistrates there sitting on the Bench called Thomas Hathead said to the Judg and to some of the rest of the Magistrates I suspect them to be Jesuits whenas that in his conscience would tel him the contrary and that out of his Envy he accused them and desired to have them tryed by the Oath of Abjuration who in obedience to Christ Iesus durst not swear to transgress his Doctrine and break his command so at length they agreed together and gave order to have them brought into the Court and then the Lord God moved the aforesaid Robert Rich to declare unto them their unjust proceedings so according to the command of the Lord he spake and said that he was a Witness for the righteous Lord God against their unjust proceedings in the Court that day who desired to speak and to clear his Conscience unto them whereupon the Iudg and others on the Bench bad him come up and speak and when he was come up and began to speak they cryed away with him away with him pull him down pull him down so their Officers as was commanded them pulled him down and haled the said Robert Rich to prison not permitting him to speak as they had promised These things are written and published to the world that people may not be ignorant how unjustly the innocent Lambs and servants of Christ Iesus suffer and are persecuted in this Nation which exceeds the persecutions that were in former ages either by the jews or from those in Queen Mary's dayes for they had a Law gave them power according to which they acted so the more to be excused but this Nation hath no such persecuting Law in force and Liberty of conscience hath been proclaimed and pretended yet men and women are beaten buffetted haled stoned and stocked and after that thrown into prison holes and dungeons the breach of no known Law proved against them and not so much freedome afforded them in prison as to thieves and murtherers whose friends are not kept from visiting them as hath been known in Banbury c. People lay these things to heart and repent that the righteous judgement of God fall not upon you A Warning from the Spirit of the Lord in his Handmaid Anne Audland to the Priest and persecuting people in Banbury and all such as may be found in their nature and falsly accusing and imprisoning the Servants of the Lord Iesus ALthongh I was unjustly imprisoned at the first in the town of Banbury for no other thing but speaking the truth as in a true Declaration of the suffering of the innocent who are hated without a cause may be seen as it is declared in a printed paper which was a Letter sent to William Allen called Iustice of peace With an answer to the false accusations charged upon the innocent wherein their proceedings are laid open and proved to be contrary to the Scriptures as also their proceedings at the last Assize or Sessions holden at Banbury the 26. day of the 7. month 1655. Where I was called to a tryall after long imprisonment or bonds and there in the Court an Indictment was read against me charging me with blasphemy and on they did proceed called a Iury and brought in their witnesses which differed one from the other and was in confusion though they pretended to bear witness to one and the same thing and falsly was I accused as it did appear when the Iury gave in their verdict they found no blasphemy though for it I was accused as the unchristian proceedings may further be seen both in the printed paper called The sufferings of the innocent in what before is said in this Book about my Examination and Tryall which is plainly made manifest dayly yet more in these things before mentioned and in many other things which are committed for which the righteous Iudg of all the world wil deal righteously and call you all to an account and weigh you in an equall ballance and measure you in a just measure Act. 17.31 Rom 2.5 6. and from the hand of the Lord shall you receive a reward according to your deeds good weight pressed down and running over such measure as you meeted and in the day of your calamity an outside profession in words when you live not in obedience to the Lord will not hide you and cover you and although I may be accounted as your Enemy for speaking the truth yet once again I do warn you as from the Lord to repent Rom. 1.18 19 27 28 c. Eph. 5.6 2 Thess 1.5 6 7 8 9. and turn from the evill of your wayes if there be any Remembrance of your latter end when you must come to be judged according to the Light in your Consciences which secretly in you bears witness against deceit and unrighteousness envy wrath and persecution for which things the wrath of God comes upon the children of Disobedience and because iudgement is not speedily executed upon you do not think you shall escape for your deeds are written in a Book of Remembrance and the Book of Conscience willl be opened and the wicked must not go unpunished Oh ye foolish people and without understanding How long wil ye walk after your own inventions Ier. 5.21 and to the end Act. 7.51 52. How long wil ye harden your hearts against the Lord How long wil ye resist his Holy Spirit Ye stiff-necked and Uncircumcised in heart and ears

quarter Ier. 5.30 31. Isa 56.10 11. And the true prophets declared against such as cryed peace peace to the people whilest they put into their mouths but when they could not for conscience sake uphold them in their deceits nor put into their mouths then the false prophets and such as preached for hire either shut up in prison or prepared war against them Mic. 3.5.11 Hos 6.9 2 Pet. 2. And the false prophets and Hireling priests do the same now Iude 11. and therefore they walk in their fore-fathers steps and are known by their fruits which is marks and the way to know them by according as Christ hath said Mat. 7.15 16. c. 3. And the true prophet that stood in the counsel of God preached or prophesied and declared the word of the Lord freely they neither persecuted imprisoned nor caused any to be persecuted and imprisoned as the false prophets and priests that stood not in the counsel of God aforetime did as wel as their off-spring hireling Priests false prophets and seed of evil doers do now Ier. 5.30 31. Ieremiah was a true prophet and were sent of the Lord to declare against the false and against such as bore rule by their means and held up the filthy and horrible thing which he then saw committed in the Land as the false prophets and hireling priests do now and Ieremiah the true prophet neither put others in the Stocks nor persecuted and imprisoned any but he himself were persecuted and imprisoned put in the Dungeon and set in the Stocks in the high gate of Benjamen Ier. 20. And when Ieremiah went to the Cities of Judah who were in the disobedient nature and come up then to worship the Lord commanded Ieremiah to go stand in the Court and speak to them the words which he commanded him to say without diminishing of them and he did so in obedience to the command of the Lord then the Priests asked him why he had spoken such words and they were sore offended at him for it that they judged him worthy of death and said he should surely dye and so sought to take away his life for it and Ieremiah answered the Priests and their party that were so in rage against him for speaking the truth and said unto them As for me behold I am in your hands as for me do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you but be sure or know ye for certain that if ye put me to death ye shall surely bring innocent blood both upon your selves and upon your City and the inhabitants thereof and of a truth the Lord hath sent me to speak all these words in your ears Jer. 26. Ye persecutors and blood-thirstie ones who cannot receive the truth that bears testimony against your deceit but seeks the blood of the innocent the persecuting priests and their party aforetime did from whence you are sprung stop your mouths cover your faces and blush observe your root and see both the fruits of the persecuting priests and their party And likewise behold your Spirit and repent of your cruelty madness at Banbury for there is like priest like people as saith the Prophet Hos 4.9 And as a troop of Robbers wait for a man so the company of Priests murder in the way by consent as it is written and witnessed Hos 6.9 The Priests crueltie manifested c. VVHen Christ Jesus the Dear Son of God came to testifie against the world that the deeds thereof was evill Iohn 7.7 Mat. 2. Mark 5. Mat. 26. 27 chap. the Priests and their party held counsells against him and sought false witness to take away his life and they accused him for blasphemy and said what further need had they of witness against him Herod also and his men of war they set him at nought and both Pilate and Herod became friends to joyn persecution against him and that evill seed had their hands in shedding his innocent blood and after they had done so by him Iohn 18 19 chapt Act. 4.1 2 3. the 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 verses his Servants were evilly entreated from the persecuting Priests and seed of evill doers Peter and Iohn were put in the Prison and afterwards beaten and commanded to speak no more in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ but for all that they could not but speak the thing which they had heard and seen And Stephen were judged by the priests and their counsell to be a Blasphemer though he was a man ful of the Holy Ghost and so ignorant were they of the Spirit of truth that they persecuted them that were guided by it and out of envy and malice shed innocent blood and took away Stephens life by stoning him to death as a Malefactor under the pretence of a Blasphemer when no such thing could be proved against him though the Greeks Libertines Stoicks Act. 6.11 12 13 14 1● Mat. 43 to the 10. Mark 6.20 Act 21.28 29 30 Act. 24. Act. 17.17 18. 24 25. vers Act. 18.12 13 14 c. Act. 24.5 Act. 26.16 17 18. and Epicarians sought to encounter him And Iohn Baptist he were behaedded by Herods command though he were convinced and knew by that in his conscience that he were an upright Man And Paul he were counted a Pestilent Fellow a mover of Sedition and a Ring-leader of the Sect of the Nazarens they cryed out Men of Israel holy this is the man that turneth the world up-side-down and they drew him out of the Temple and forthwith the doors were shut he were beaten and abused for going into their Markets and Synagogues to reason and dispute with the Iews and for testifying against the outward Temple and that Temple-worship and bearing witness against their deceits who also was called of Christ and both chosen and sent to turn people from darkness to the Light and from the power of Satan unto God Act. 26. Yet so blinde and ignorant of the life of truth were the Priests and their counsell that they persecuted Paul as they did the rest and said he was a mover of sedition and accused him as a heretick and sought by all means to take away his life though he told them of his choosing and Call Commission and sending they could not believe him that knew not the Spirit by which he were guided and sent who also told them that in the way which they called heresie did he worship the God of his Fathers yet for all that were he imprisoned beaten and set in the Stocks Act. 24.14 15. Act. 26.22 23 24. And the same portion from the Priests and their party doth the Servants of Jesus meet with in the world Wo to the wicked seed of evill doers and persecutors Priest and people you are seen with the Light and you Spirits are tryed 2 Pet. 2. Mat. 6.5 Mat. 23.4 5 c. and your wayes comprehended and all your false worships and

they said as such with them and the same spirit being guided thereby so may say Behold what manner of love is this that the father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God And now we are the Sons of God therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not as saith the Scripture 1 Iohn 3.1 and to witness with the Scriptures by the Spirit of Truth according to the work of the power and spirit of God according to measure and manifestation is no blasphemy though the Jews said it was and that may be witnessed unto though persecutors and the world know it nor nor receive it yet he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are of him and are of one for which cause he is not ashamed to call them Brethren as it is written and witnessed Heb. 2.10 11. and when he would have disputed the case with them if they would have stood to Dispute according to the Scripture and the work of the spirit of God then Iustice Austine so called said Had he the same spirit that the apostles or Christ had Who answered and said that if any man that had not the spirit of Christ he was none of his as they might read in Romans the 8th and the spirit that the apostles had or received of God was the spirit of the Son Gal. 4.8 and of the Father 1 Iohn 3.23.24 and Christ said it was not them that spoke but the spirit of their Father that spoke in them then the said Iustice Austine so called said to R.F. hold thou thy tongue and see if the spirit will speak to the which answer was given the spirit made use of the tongue to speak forth the praise of the Lord and let Iohn Austine here observe his ignorance of the teachings and work of the spirit of God for the Lord opening the mouth the tongue and lips shews forth his praise and God having sent the spiri of his Son into our hearts we cry abba father and to him return all praiset But to conclude and be short observe this all you that read it and take notice of the actings of the Magistrates here at Banbury who caused Richard Farnsworth to be taken out of the streets as he were passing quietly in them and put him that night in prison and called him the next day before them where they held their Court and after some dispute but the breach of no Law laid to his charge nor any accuser were against him but such as sate to Judge and no Law mentioned though desired that were transgressed and after they had tendred the Oath of Abjuration unto him who denyed what was in it contained and all Popish wayes and Jesuiticall Opinions whatsoever then the mayor others said if that Richard Farnsworth would pay the Sergeant his Fees and go out of the town that night he might go free but if not he should be re-committed or sent to Prison again but Richard Farnsworth could not be a friend to deceit nor pay sees for a nights false imprisonment taken as he were quietly with another friend walking up the street and so they made a Mittimus and gave to the Goaler and both before and after he had it given to him they made a speech and said if he would pay his sees in the Court he might go free and when he could not for conscience sake towards God then do it after that one of their party said Who was self will'd now to which he to wit R. F. answered and said Not he that denyeth to pay sees for a nights false imprisonment but such as did so in their wills wilfully persecute and imprison the servants of Jesus contrary to Law and Gospel both and here it is to be observed that Richard Farnsworth's detaining in Prison is because he could not be a friend to deceit and acknowledg a false imprisonment and pay fees for the same being taken out of the high way or street as he were passing quietly on and sent to Prison and to colour over their deceit withall they have added severall lyes in a Mittimus and here is kept in prison for standing faithful to the Lord and cannot have any fellowship with the unfruitfull works of darkness but rather reprove them Eph. 5.11 And their partiallity is to be observed here in this case as wel as the rest for two were committed to Prison in Banbury and kept three dayes and three nights and no fees as it is said were demanded of them but put out of prison and one out at one end of the town and another at the other end and yet though they did so being then they may be ashamed of what they had done but hardning their selves against the truth to act wilfully in their wills they detain one for not paying sees for one nights imprisonment for the breach of no Law then either proved against him or laid to his charge VVritten in Banbury the beginning of the 8th Month in the Year according to the worlds account October the 7th 1655. A TRUE DECLARATION OF The Suffering of the Innocent who is hated and persecuted without a cause Wherein is discovered the zeal of the Magistrates and people of Banbury persecuting and imprisoning them that are sent of the Lord in love to their souls to warm them of the evil of their wayes Declared in a Letter sent to William Allen called Justice of Peace with an Answer to the false accusations charged upon the INNOCENT Also their Proceeeings laid open and proved to bee contrary to the Scriptures By Anne Audland whom the world scornfully calls QUAKER 1 Sam. 2.20 The Adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces out of heaven shall he thunder upon them The Lord shall judge the ends of the earth and he shall give strength unto his King and exalt the horn of his Annointed Acts 2.18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will poure out in those dayes of my Spirit and they shall prophesie WIlliam Allen Justice of Peace so called but little peace I finde in thee We came to the Town of Banbury on the thirteenth day of the eleventh moneth and being strangers we took in at the Lyon The next day being the first day of the week we went to a meeting which we heard of in the Town and when the meeting ended we were moved to go to the Steeplehouse to speak the word of the Lord to Priest and People and in obedience to the Lord we went and stayed till the Priest had done and then my friend spoke to the Priest and the rude multitude came and hurried her forth as the customes of the Heathens is Then I spoke to the Priest Man here see the fruits of thy Ministery and presently the rude people hurried me forth Then came one and took mee by the hand and questioned me what untruths their Minister had spoken and J answered That they that are out of the Doctrine of Christ all

they spoke was untruth And though they say The Lord liveth surely they swear falsely Ier. 5.2 Then another asked me If the Lord did not live I answered Yea I know he liveth Now there are two Boyes that hath sworn against me that which I did not speak their blood will be required of them that caused them to erre And know this O man that the Lord God wil be avenged of all unjust Justices and he will make his power known in the destruction of his Enemies Therefore fear him and beware of persecuting his servants for justly shalt thou be judged according to thy deeds done in the body shalt thou receive thy reward To the light in thy conscience do I direct thee it will let thee see all thy actions and from whence they arise whether from the Spirit of Meekness or from thy perverse will which the Lord will judge righteously To that in thy conscience I speak which will witness for God against all deceit This was I moved to write to clear my conscience of thee and leave thee without excuse that when the Book of Conscience is opened thou mayest remember that thou wast warned in thy life-time A friend of the Truth and a lover of thy Soul who is a prisoner of the Lord for the truths sake at Banbury whose name in the flesh is Anne Audland WHeereas I am accused in a Mittimus for certain blasphemous words saying That the Lord liveth not I answer these words are false and never spoken by me The Lord is my Redeemer and I know that my Redeemer liveth and my Soul magnifieth him and my spirit rejoyceth in him and here I deny your false accusations and blasphemy it is your owne words and not what I said and you that accuse falsely know not the living God the Heathens knows not God and the Heathens rage but the Lord will be avenged of all his Enemies and plead the cause of the innocent And they are blasphemers which say they are Jews and are not but are the Synagogue of Satan And whereas I am accused for causing a tumult in the Church when the Minister was going to execute part of his Function and likewise to assault the Minister I answer This is likewise false Lyars must bee cast into the lake The Church is built of living stones elect and precious and there is order kept in the Church And I did not cause a tumult neither did I assault the Minister as you call him and that which is called part of his function is an invention and there is neither command nor example in all the Scripture that ever any of the Ministers of Christ did sprinckle Infants and call it a Function and here you have no Scripture to prove your Function as you call it And he that practises such things for the which there is no Scripture leads people into the inventions and so they are not profited at all as it appears by your own words that they were in a tumult O blush and be ashamed of that which you call your Church who are so suddenly in a tumult Was there ever such a thing heard of amongst the Saints that they would be in a tumult when one came in peaceably among them not offering wrong to any Here you drew your selves to be children of your fathers who lived in envy haling out of Synagogues carrying them before Rulers and casting into prisons them who was called of the Lord to bear witness against their deceit and here him called the Minister is made manifest to be one that runs before he was sent and so never profited the people and so like Priest like People Therefore give over and never call it a Church who are fighters and strikers scoffers and scorners tumulters and false accusers as your fruits makes it daily appear And some of you confess that they are in danger of their lives that comes among you the people are so rude Now you that are Magistrates ought to punish evil Dors Fighters and Lyars and false Accusers but such have liberty and dare do it in your Church as you call it and you present as hee that caused the Mittimus to be made doth confess That there was a tumult when hee was present and they that tumulted are not punished but the fault is laid upon the innocent who was beat and abused but offered violence to none And so they said Paul was a pestilent fellow and they tumulted Paul but Paul did not cause the tumult So you are made manifest of what generation you are and you shall be reworded according to your deeds And from the Lord I declare That he will visit for these things and plead with you for all your hard speeches and all your ungodly deeds and give you your portion with hypocrites except you speedily repent and when you come into the pit remember you are warned in your life-time And so your false accusation and blasphemy I do deny and the living God will judg between me and you The Burrough of Banbury in the county of Oxon. Anne Audland THe righteous Judge of all the world is now arising to judg the world in righteousness and the people with equity And every tongue shall confesse that the Lord is righteous when be comes to judgement and he wil reward every one according to that deeds And every tongue shall confess the Lord is just For according to that in the conscience which is just and equall will the Lord judg whose Iudgements are just and equall and every Tongue shall confess him just when he takes Vengeance upon the unjust And behold the Lord commeth with ten thousands of his Saints to execute Judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken And such are they that walk after their own Lusts and their mouth speaks great swelling words having mens persons in admiration because of advantage such will the Lord execute Judgment upon in righteousness All you that are ungodly the Lord will reward you according to your deeds And all you that utter hard speeches against the Holy One and blaspheme God in his Temple The Lord is coming with his Saints to execute Judgment upon you and you shall confess his judgements is just that which convinceth you of your ungodly deeds and hard speeches by it you shall confess the Lord is just when you are judged for your ungodly deeds and hard speeches And all you that have mens persons in admiration because of advantage you shall be judged righteously and you shall confess that God is just and his wayes equall and God respects no mans person nor the Saints who comes with him to Judgment respects no mans person for he that respects persons commits sin and is convinced to be a Transgressor of the righteous law of God but they who are guided by that which convinceth the transgressor they are kept