always been of use in England and if the Apostle be so understood as that you are not to pray or prophecy with your head covered then were not many among you transgressors that pretended to pray and did not your Priest transgressâ—â— in both praying and preaching with his Cap on but I beleive the Apostle had a higher meaning then that well people be not deceived the Lord will not be mocked with your showes nor likeness of drawing neer him with your bodys when your hearts are far of from him after your coveteousness and the satisfing of your lust it is not Reading not hearing the Saints words read over nor the keeping part of a day once a week that will give you exceptation with the Lord while you are in the evil state and nature untranslated out of the Kingdome of darkness unchainged in your nature unconverted and unturned from your works of sin and Iniquity which seperates between the Creature and the Lord the wicked and the ungodly he beholds a far off how neere soever they pretend to draw unto him And what though the man you call your Minister do call you as he did in my hearing the children of the most High what are you the better for that so long as in works you shew your selves to be the children of another Father for mark what Christ said to the Pharisees that had as large a profession as any of you and could boast as much of their Law Ordinances and Temple outward as you can and yet he told them they were of their father the Divel whose lusts they will do see Iohn 8. 44. and the Apostle saith His Servants you are whom you obey whether of sin unto death or of obedience 〈◊〉 righteousness but try a little this flattery of your hierling what can you be the Children of the most High and yet have cause as he said to 〈◊〉 to for being more vilde in your conversations then they which are called heathens mark freinds can a child of God which is one that is lead by his Spirit or can a Christian that is one that believeth in and is a follower of Christ or is Christ like that is a partaker of his Divine nature which is oure and cleane and yet I say can the Heathens by name and nature â—â—tstrip you in an honester conversation and better life freinds it was meer deceit in him so to flatter and delude you and it was the Enemys policy in him to make you think better of your selves then you ought to do that so he may keep you always in his snare my spirit way greived and my very heart within me was troubled to stand to hear what manner of stuff your were sed with even meer chafe such as is good for nothing but for Swine â—o muzel â—pon it will never satifie the hungry â—oul that thirsts for Gods righteousness Wo is me for you this word is true upon you The Prophets prophecyfalsly and the â—riests bare rule by their means and the people love to have it so but â—hat will you do in the end thereof if the blind lead the blind and it continue so to be will not both fall into the ditch and pit of miserry out of which there will be no recovery therefore in time repent and though he told you you might look upon the good in the heathens and the bad in you'selves and bâ—â—sh thereat yet he said you had a Law to be your guide which would shew you at all times what you ought to do saying if you are in the Church you have a Law to shew you how you ought to carry your selves there if at your â—â—â—ses at home you have a Law shews you how you ought to carry your selves there if in your Shops you have a Law shews you how you ought to carry your selves there in your trading and if alone you have a Law shews you how you ought to carry your selves before the Lord and this he aplyed to the Letter of Scripture But is that Law such a guide unto you and doth it shew you and lead you as he said let the witness of God in you judge I know it doth not neither can it so it is but a dead Letter and the Letter killeth it is the Spiâ—it giveth life there was a time when I heard men preach out of Scripture and to that time it was not a guide to me so to shew teach and direct me as he said to you but I erred very much in many things and the true guide which was able to save me out of sin I knew not till I was turned to the â—ight of Christ in me which is a measure of the Spirit and gift of God the good word of his grace which I have found alone able to convince me of â—â—liver from and save me out of sin And freinds this is your guide and this is the Law of the Spirit of life â—hich is in and comes from Christ Jesus the light of the world who is 〈◊〉 true light that hath lighted every man that is come into the world which sets free from the Law of Sin and the Law of Death and what ever hâ— be that sets up any other thing for a rule and for a guide is a deceiver 〈◊〉 Anti-christ and no Minister of the true Christ And people such a one is he that perswads you to look for that in thâ— Scriptures which only is to be found in Jesus Christ the light of the world mark Christ's words to the Pharisees he said search the Scriptures in them you think to have Eternal life they are they which testifie oâ— me you will not come to me that you may have life and doth he noâ— bid you hearken to be taught of the letter to keep you in that state to teâ—â— in the letter of Scripture without you from looking into Christ Jesus thâ— wisdome and power of God who is the life of men and is to be felt within in man let none mistake me I do not deny or slight the holy Scripture buâ— I say they are a true declaration of the rule of life but they are not thâ— rule of life Christ Jesus is the rule of life the Scripture is a declaratioâ— of the way to life and peace but Christ Jesus is the way which leads out 〈◊〉 sin into well doing and so to peace the Scripture is a declaration of thâ— truth but Christ Jesus he that is the way he is the truth and be leads hiâ— people that follow him into the truth by which they are made free thâ— Scripture is a declaration of the everlasting word but Christ Jesus is thâ— word that lives and abides for ever And thus people in the fear of God having received the knowledge anâ— understanding of that which was the Saints rule and guide of old I cannoâ— but in tender love to your souls shew you what it is and reprove that spirit that would set up any thing else in the roome of it
in which there is 〈◊〉 life as I said before the Saints had a guide before the Scripture or Letteâ— outward was Abraham had a guide Lot and Enock had a rule by whicâ— they walked with God and Moses had a rule the inspiration of the Almighty gave him understanding by which he saw things that were in the beginning and wrote of them so that was his rule by which he wrote and bâ— that he was guided to chuse the affliction with the people of God ratheâ— then the pleasures of sin for a 〈◊〉 and this rule all the holy men of God bare witness to David said It was a lite unto his feet and a Lamp unto hiâ— paths by which he was lead in the way of peace and the Apostle Paul said we have a more suer word of prophesy whereunto you will do well that 〈◊〉 take heed as unto a light that shines in a dark place until the day dawn anâ— the day star arise in your hearts mark that in the heart the day star muâ—â— be waited for to be seen to arise even the bright and morning staâ— knowing this first that no pâ—ophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation for the prophesies came not in old time by the will of man but holy meâ— of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost so that from hence 〈◊〉 affirme the light of Christ which shines in the heart and conscience 〈◊〉 mankind is the rule to steer their actions by to keep them out of evil for it â—â—â—vinseth of sin and it leads to well doing and this is the candle of the 〈◊〉 which is of the Lord lighted in man by which he searcheth their 〈◊〉 and tryeth their reigns and this is oft put out in the wicked by 〈◊〉 of sin which quencheth and puts out or vails the candle which is the â—easure of Gods spirit Iob 21. 17. The reason why men that have gotten a large profession of a rule without them and yet are not ruled and have gotten a great deal of the Saints 〈◊〉 to talk of and yet are not guided according thereunto but are out of the life of righteousness in the unrighteousness unequity and ungodliness 〈◊〉 because they have lost the knowledge and feeling of the measure of the spirit in themselves which was that by which the Saints were moved and 〈◊〉 by which they walked acted spake and writ And so people having lost the true guide and path-way to rest and peace resubject and ready to be tossed with every wind of doctrine following them which cry loe here and loe there and the way of rest they know not to be stayed on The Lord hath according to his promise of old written his law in the hearts of his people and Solomon saith the Law is light Prov. 6. and the 〈◊〉 which is written in the heart is even that of the spirit of life and is the 〈◊〉 of a saints life and a true Christians guide and this is the measure of the spirit which the Apostle Paul said was given to every man to profit withal 1 Corin. 12. 7. So friends if you knew this believed and waiâ—ed in it to 〈◊〉 the opperation thereof you would then be guided by it to do in all things to others as you would be done unto your selves and this is the â—ace of God that hath appeared unto all men and teacheth us that believe 〈◊〉 it and obey it that denying ungodliness and worldly lust we should live 〈◊〉 righteously and godly in this present evil world looking for the â—lessed hope and the glorious appearance of the great God and our 〈◊〉 Jesus Christ who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from 〈◊〉 iniquity and purifie unto himself a pecular people zealous of good works â—nd by the grace alone we are kept to do unto others as we would be done unto and this is the way of peace to all that walk therein and are obedient thereto as aforesaid and this is that which we ascribe unto even the grace of God that hath appeared unto all it is by that we are what 〈◊〉 are And this grace is sufficient for all that beleive in it but they that 〈◊〉 this good Law of God behind their backs and do despite to this spirit 〈◊〉 grace Isa 59. 7 8. Their feet run to evil and they make hast to shed 〈◊〉 blood their thoughts are thoughts of sin and iniquity wasting and 〈◊〉 are in there paths the way of peace they know not and there is no â—â—dgments in their goings they have made themselves crooked paths and 〈◊〉 goe therein shall not know peace the way thereof will bâ— hid from their eyes and this way is hid from the wise and prudent men of this world and is revealed unto the babes of the Lord as in days past And this good way of rest peace and Salvation your false guide keeps you from in crying up and directing you to looke unto another thing and therein he is a deceiver and his voice is the voice of a strainger and such a one the Sheep of Christ will not follow he stands not in the Counsel of the Lord if he did he would have been able to have shown you the true rule mark what the Lord saith concerning the false Prophets by Ieremiah Jer. 23. 21 to the 32. I have not sent them yet they have run I have not spoken to them yet they prophesy but if they had stood in my counsel had caused my people to hear my word then they should have turned them from their evil ways and from the evil of their doings am not I a God at hand saith the Lord can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him saith the Lord how long shall that be in the hearts of the Prophets that prophecy lies ye they are Prophets of the deceit of their own hearts which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour the Prophet that hath a dream let him tell a dream and he that hath my word maâ—k thaâ— let him speak my word faithfully what is the Chas to the Wheat saith the Lord behold I am against them that prophecy false dreams and that tell them and that cause my people to err by their liâ—s and by their lightness yet I sent them not nor commanded them therefore they shall not profit the people at all saith the Lord. Marke that So you may see what is the cause why you are not prosited it is your Preist cause you to Err by their lyes and their false devised dreams and storys which they gather and throw before you and so keep you from the word which is neerer to you then the Book or letter without even in your mouths and hearts and because he keps you from that is the cause you are not tuâ—ned from the evil of your ways and doings I say he is a deceiver unto you therein
out of the light and fear of the Lord and Judgemen and Condemnation will be against the workes and workers as you keep in the light the measure of the spirit of the Lord which is given you to convince you of your sins to lead you to profit in well doing that was it which Ioseph of old was preserved by when it was tempted and so will you be kept by it if you take heed to it it will cause you to say as he did how shall I do this thing that is evil and sin against the Lord who hath lighted me and let me see the evil of my doings and freinds this is my testimony for the Lord and for his everlasting truth if I should never be sent among you more or if I should never be seen of you again that this is the way of life and Salvation and there is not another way nor name by which any can be saved but by Christ Jesus the light he that is the way hath said no man can come to the Father but by me he hath also said he that follows me shall not abide in darkness nor the works thereof but shall have the light of life drunckweness is a work of darkness Whoredome is a worke of darkness Lying Stealing Cursing Cheating are works of darkness so are fighting mocking sâ—â—ssing and Envying all these works are wrought out of the Light Christ said without are Dogs 〈◊〉 Whore-mongers Murtherers Idollaters And whosoever loveth maketh a lye thay 〈◊〉 without who are gone out from the Light which leads into the fear and so that nature in man which is beastly and brutish bares rule while man is straying from the Covenant of light and life that which brings forth the works of righteousness is the light and spirit of Jesus even that which convâ—nceth of siâ— and evil deeds and as all joyne to tbat love it obey and follow it then you wilâ— come to see the uglinâ—ss of sin and evil deeds and you will come to loath them as I have done whâ—â— once was my self in the broad way walking which leads to dâ—struction even as you are now with many others and in that time I had a profession and the name of a Christian as yâ—u haâ—e but I waâ—â— out of and far from the power nature of Christ which is the only thing which makâ—s men oâ— women Christians that is like him and followers of him And when I was fâ—r off from the Lord in the same way in which you have been visiâ—ed the Lord in his kindness sought me out when I was in a high place like unto that into which he sent me unto you and then â—e 〈…〉 of his servants to call me and othâ—rs from that which did not satisfie my soul unto thaâ— way in which I have been restored from a lost miserable condition in which I was and am turnâ—d in my mâ—asure from thâ—â— which kept me from injoying peace with the Lord and so now having taken â—eed to and prised the visitation and warning of the Lord I am now turned to and do walk in his everlastiâ—g good way in which I have found rest peace and satisfaction for my soul and my hearts 〈◊〉 is that you may every one in whom there is any simplicity or sincerity find the same and this my fâ—iâ—nds is the way to the fear of the Lord and tbe way to the salvation of your souls turning into the light by it to be guided this is the name in which salvation is and it is in no other name or thing undâ—r heaven and as unto this name Jesus Christ the light the spirit and power of the Father you â—ll â—urn thereby to be lead out of the world and wayâ—s and works thereof that are evil and worships that are Idolatrous so will you come to know and feel his name and nature that saves his people that obey him from there sin unto this name every one that ever will be saved there 〈◊〉 mast how and their tongues confess or else salvation they cannot come to witness therefore whilâ— you have time 〈◊〉 it every one and take heed to your true guide which is the light in you as I have said and thâ—n you will come to know your true teacher that will never be removed from you as you keâ—p â—o 〈◊〉 either for more gain or greater honour and as your minds are kâ—pt thereto of it to leaâ—n you will hear a voicâ— behind you saying this is the way which leads to holinâ—ssâ— and â—ighteousâ—â—ssâ— walk ye therein when ye are turning to the right hand or to the lâ—ft to do the things that are noâ— right O all people therfore now give eare hear regard consider of that which concâ—rnâ— your 〈◊〉 lasting peace now turn in seek â—fter the Lord while he may be found câ—ll 〈◊〉 him while he is neer unto you while he is striving with you turne at his reproof be it known unâ—o you that if you dâ—sregard his call tend râ—visitation he will not alwâ—yâ—s strivâ— with yâ—u thâ— when he ceaseth to strive with you by his spirit within to check and reprove or by his servants without to warn you then will you be everlastingly miserable and this know also the Lord by his witness and good spirit hath striven with you long day by day and many times in the night season and you have little regarded it and the most of you do not know that it is the striving of thâ— Lord and thâ—rfore your state is miserable and your condition to â—â— the more lamented and the bowâ—ls of the Lords love hath been and is movâ—d in mâ— towards you and his holy power constrained me to come amongst you to warn you and to turn you from darkness to light and from the broad way whiâ—h leads to the Chambers of death grose darkness ignorance and Idolatry so that in the light you might come to finde the way of truth liâ—e peace rest and salvation Therefore I say be you warned and take heed that you slight not the tender love of the Lord in sending one amongst you which 〈◊〉 raised from the dead that once was dead in siâ—s and trespasses buried underneath iniquity even as you are at this day And so now you are warned in your life time by one that is raised from the dead and friends this I testifie unto you in the fear of the Lord I came not amongst you in my own will but contrary thereto in obedience to the requâ—ring of the Lord and that yâ—u may know it more fully I have written this for you and that I may be clear of your blood and the Lord also may be clear of it and that your blood may lye upon your own heads for ever except you believe and repent while you have time and space and herein I am your friend called The End Richard Greenway