in that nature which is to be famished and glories in what hath been done by it as though it had not received power from the Lord and is exalted as though it bare the Root not knowing that it is born of the Root and that spirit spends its Treasure which it received in the Fathers house amongst Harlots and despises the poor and seeks occasion to glory over the weak that it may be renowned beware of that spirit I charge you all for it is not of the Father nor to be followed but to be condemned and resisted unto death Again believe not that spirit neither follow it which preacheth not from the measure of God received and to be manifest to it in you and approved by it only but speaks above the measure and reaches not to the measure of the Grace of God that spirit leads after words and outward shews and cries peace to the Rich and judgment to the Poor and the Word of God is not divided aright but heals up falsly and daubs with untempered morter and cries peace where God speaks war and cries war where God speaks peace and that Spirit is a Deceiver and a Betrayer and feeds but the Ear and not the Life and darkens the Counsel of God by words without knowledge and is not of the Father but of the World and to be denied and condemned Again Believe not that spirit neither follow it which is not subject to rule and order and is not meck and diligent and long suffering but heady and high and untoward seeking occasions against the Just and Watcheth for evil that spirit will not bear reproof but is idle sloathfull and careless and surmising evil and backbiting and conforms in appearance making a fair shew but is not unto God as appearing unto man and that would go and is not called and will not go when it is called and seeks for the praise of men more then God and that is fruitless ground and brings forth Bryars and Thorns in secret which choaks the Seed of God beware of that spirit it is a Lover of this World have no fellowship with it for it is not of the Father but a Deceiver and is to be a denied Again Believe not that spirit neither follow it which is tossed and unsetled and is given to change and is not established with Grace that is an Adulterer and hunâ—s for the precious Life and seeks by flattery to beguile the Innocent that spirit is zealous for a moment but is soon overcome and is stony ground and brings not forth fruit to perfection but withers and its latter end is worse then the beginning That spirit is exalted into presumption in peace and cast into desperation in trouble and the double minde lodgeth in it and it is unstable in all its wayes and is a ground for the Seed of Satan and to it there is no peace from God and beware of that spirit for it is not of the Father but to be condemned Again Believe not that Spirit neither follow it which is more zealous then knowing whose zeal is without true knowledge and stands in that which is corrupted that flourisheth for a moment but cannot endure for ever it hath no root in it self but is furious and passionate and not long-suffering that spirit knows not its self but would devour its Adversaries with bitterness and not gain by long-suffering that is not the spirit of the Father but must be denied in all Again Believe not that spirit which draws back into the World into its lusts and liberty and fashions which passe away that spirit forgets God and draws back for his Soul hath no pleasure in it but is vexed with it where the Cross is made of none effect and the false liberty is walked in which murders the Life that spirit is of the Devil and is to be condemned And now all Friends of God every where who knows him and are known of him whom he hath gathered out of this untoward Generation be diligent in your Callings and keep your Meetings in faithfulness waiting upon the Lord that you all may receive of his fulness to be filled with it and may be nourished up unto himself as trees of righteousness the planting of his own right hand to spread forth his Name and Glory as a people saved by him and to whoâ— there is none like besides And this know and understand that spirit is not of the Father which confesseth not the Son to be come in the Flesh who destroys the works of the Devil and takes away sin and that Spirit believe and follow whiâ—â— condemns sin and destroys it and takes it away and so gives peace with God iâ— your own Consciences and leads you into all Truth and keeps you from all evil and you that witness this the Son you know and the Father you know to dwell with you and in you and this is the first and the last believe in him and follow him and look not for any other and in this the Father of Life and Glory whose Dominion is without beginning and end establish you and preserve you Amen and Amen I a beloved Brother and a Companion unto all the Saints in suffering and in rejoyciâ—â— who have received this Testimony from the Father do with it in this Epistle salute tâ—â— whole Church in the Love of the Father as moved of him by his Eternal Spirit whiâ—â— beareth witness to me that we are of God and the whole World lieth in wickedness 〈◊〉 that all that are of God heareth us And this Testimony I give of the Father 〈◊〉 of the Son and of the Truth and of the Salvation of which I am made a Witness and against all that ever shall deny it or turn from it And this is thus far the 〈◊〉 of my Testimony by the Spirit of the Father not knowing when the time comes it 〈◊〉 be finished and the night may come when no man can work E. B. To all that suffer for the Testimony of Iesus and foâ— his Name sake THe glorious God of Truth hath appeared and made known his Way aâ—â— Truth perfectly in this our day and hath chosen unto himself faithfâ—… Witnesses to testifie of his Name and of his Truth before Rulers and People and hath brought forth a Seed which is not of this World which cannot boâ— to the Devil but is Heir of Gods Inheritance though a Sufferrer in this World under the Powers thereof and many in this Generation who are called and faithfull and chosen bear witness unto the Name of the Lord in Sufferings and Tribulations whom he will honour because they honour him who is exalting his Truth and his People through Sufferings And now all Friends who are called to suffer for the Testimony of Jesus and foâ— the exercise of a pure Conscience which you hold be valiant for the Truth upon Earth and faint not but finish your Testimony with joy for the Lord aâ—â— against all your Enemies and look
while many despised thy youth And how have I seen thee with thy Sling and thy Stone despised Weapons as to war with wound the Mighty and that which hath seemed contemptible to the Dragon's Party even as the Jaw-bone of an Ass with it thou hast slain the Philistines Heaps upon Heaps as Sampson Thou hast put thy Hand to the Hammer of the Lord and hast often fastened Nailes in the heads of the Lamb's Enemies as Deborah did to Sisera and many a rough Stone hast thou polished and squared and made it fit for the Building of God and much knotty Wood hast thou hewed in thy day which was not fit for the building of God's House Oh thou Prophet of the Lord and shalt for ever be recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life among the Lord's Worthies who have followed the Lamb through great Tribulations as many can witness for thee from the beginning and at last hath overcome and found worthy to stand with the Lamb upon Mount Sion the Hill of God as I have often seen thee and thy heart well tuned as a Harp to praise the Lord and to sound forth his great Salvation which many a time hath made glad the hearts of them that did believe and strengthened their Faith and Hope Well thou art at rest and bound up in the Bundle of Life and I know Tears were wiped away from thy Eyes because there was no cause of sorrow in thee For I know thou witnessed the old things done away and there was no curse but blessings were poured upon thy head as rain and peace as a mighty shower and trouble was far from thy dwelling though in the outward man trouble on every side and hath had a Greater share in that for the Gospel sake though a Youth in thy time than many besides But now thou are freed from that and hast obtained a name through Faith with the Saints in Light Well hadst thou more to give up then thy Life for the Name of Jesus in this World Nay and to seal thy Testimony committed unto thee with thy blood as thou hast often said in thy day which shall remain as a Crown upon thee for ever and ever And now thou art freed from the temptations of him who had the power of death and art freed from thy outward Enemies who hated thee because of the Life that dwelt in thee and remaineth at the right Hand of God where there is joy and pleasure for evermore in the everlasting Light which thou hast often testified unto according to the Word of Prophesie in thy heart which was given unto thee by the Holy Ghost and art at rest in the perfection thereof in the beauty of Holiness yet thy Life and thy Spirit I feel as present and have unity with it and in it beyond all created and visible things which are subject to mutation and change and thy Life shall enter into others to testifie unto the same truth which is from everlasting to everlasting for God hath raised and will raise up children unto Abraham of them that have been as dead stones whose Power is Almighty great in his people in the midst of their Enemies This same Edward Burroughs was born in the Barrony of Kendal in the County of Westmoreland of honest Parents who had a good report among their Neighbours for upright and honest dealing among men who brought up Edward in his Youth in Learning and good Education as the Countrey doth afford He was a very understanding Boy in his Youth and his knowledge and understanding did far exceed his years He had the Spirit of a man when he was but a child and I may say grey hairs was upon him when he was but a Youth for he was cloathed with Wisdom in his Infancy for I had perfect knowledge of him from a Youth He was inclinable from his Youth upwards to Religion and the best way always minding the best things and the best and nearest way of Worship to the Scriptures of Truth and always did accompany the best men who walked in godliness and honesty insomuch I have often admired his discreet carriage and his great understanding of the things of God He was never known to be addicted to any vice or malignity or bad behaviour neither followed any evil course of life from his childhood but feared the Lord and walked uprightly according to the light and knowledge received in all things In his natural disposition he was bold and manly dexterous and servent and what he took in hand he did it with his might loving kind and courteous merciful and flexible and easie to be entreated His whole delight was always among good people and to be conferring and reading the Scriptures and little to mind any sports or pastimes which there is an insidency unto in Youth but his very strength was bended after God and was separted I may say from his Mother's Womb and fitting for the Work 's sake whereunto he after was called And when it pleased the Lord to raise up unto us the ancient Horn of Salvation among us who were reckoned in the North Part of England even as the Out-casts of Israel and as men destitute of the great Knowledge which some seem'd to enjoy yet there was more Sincerity and true Love amongst us and desires after the living powerful Presence of God then was among many in that day who seem'd to make a great flourish who ran into Heaps and Forms but left the Cross behind them and indeed were Strangers to it God out of his everlasting Love did appear unto us according to the desire of our hearts who longed after him when we had turn'd aside from Hireling-Shepherds Tents we found him whom our Souls loved and God out of his great Love and great Mercy sent one unto us immediately by his Power a Man of God one of Ten Thousand to instruct us in the Way of God more perfectly who laid down the sure Foundation and declared the acceptable Year of the Lord who indeed made the Mourners to rejoyce and the Heavy-hearted glad which yet was terrible to all Hypocrites and all formal Profession which Testimony reached unto all our Consciences and entred into the in-most part of our Hearts which drove us to a narrow search and to a diligent inquisition concerning our state which we came to see through the Light of Christ Jesus which was testified of and found it to be even what it was testified of and the Lord of Heaven and Earth we sound to be near at hand and as we waited upon him in pure Silence our Minds out of all things his Dreadful Power and Glorious Majesty and Heavenly Presence appear'd in our Assemblies when there was no Language Tongue nor Speech from any Creature and the Kingdom of Heaven did gather us and catch us all as in a Net and his Heavenly Power at one time drew many Hundreds to Land that we came to know a place to stand in and what to wait in
your good works brought forth in your own wills in that nature in which the enmity lodges is a lame and a blind Sacrifice and of Cain's nature which God accepteth not you are in the liberty of the flesh and the daily Cross of Christ you do not know but lives daily to the World and dies not to it and your knowledge of Christ is without you by what such a Prophet and such an Apostle spoke of him and the witness of the operation of his Spirit and Power you have not in you nor his sufferings you do not know in your life but by your life make him to suffer in you in his Life the horrible filthy thing is commited amongst you and your Teachers are perfect in the false Prophets steps and some of you are as bruit Beasts in their knowledge gathered in by vain study and humane learning through Phylosophy and vain deceit and have large Quarters from which they seek their Gain and through Coveteousness with feigned words make merchandise of souls and are compleat in Balaams way of Idolatry following his Error loving the Wages of unrighteousness teaching for filthy Lucre devouring souls for dishonest Gain by trading with the Scriptures and selling their Imaginations upon them for money gaining many thousand of pounds a year thereby having stolen the Saints words into their unclean hearts uttered forth by them for advantage to themselves when the Lord hath not sent them nor spoken unto them nor ordained them for his service but their Call and Ordination have been by man and their work and testimony of themselves and have not profited you at all and yet you have loved to have it so but what will you do in the end thereof Even you that have been helped and they that have holpen shall both fall together in the Day of the Lord's Recompence which will fall grievously upon you and none shall be able to deliver you but miserable Comforters and Physitians of no value shall all be unto you and your long applyed Promises shall suddenly fly away No Peace from God is to the Wicked neither do I sow Pillows under your Elbows but to the Light in your Consciences I commend these things which Christ hath enlightened every of you withal which shines in Darkness and you cannot it comprehend nor in it believe but at it stumbles and by it shall be broken which if it you loved it would teach you in the Spirit the Living God to worship and would condemn all your set forms of worship in the imaginations the Light is given you of Christ Jesus unto Life Eternal or unto condemnation everlasting when the Hand of the Lord is upon you remember you had Warning and when you are in the Lake and in the Pit remember you had a day of Visitation upon Earth The Light in all your Consciences shall witness Gods Judgments to be just and your mouths shall be stopped To all you that are called Anabaptists WIth you also is the Controversie of the Lord for you are Children of the same seed more purged in the Fire of blind Zeal and begotten in the transforming of the Serpent into more secret hypocrisie and deeper subtilty your covering being larger the greater deceit and abomination lodges under Death reigns among you and your Kingdom is scituate in the Mountains of exaltation and you feed aboundantly in the Valleys of pride and vain glory and are nourished with the bread of prosperity you are grown high and great in your number and have joyned your selves for advantage and glory in your strength having through Policy and Craft and bowing to the beastly power highly exalted your own Horn and by Flattery have gained much of your dominion which you hold in possession by the Law of guile many simple Ones have by your curious colour and bed of fair pretences been deceived to commit Adultry with your Image brought forth in the likeness of the Saints God by imaginations from the Saints words you worship the Practice and exercise of the Saints with the same mind that the Papists do worship their Names and dayes You allow not Idols without nor a vain conversation in the World but you are stricâ—t in observation in your outward conformity in your self-righteousness which is your greatest sin you are cloathed with the Saints words and practices which you have climed up in your own wills to obtain not having entred in by the Door and while you say you eat and drink the Flesh and Blood of Christ in the Saints manner shewing forth his Death till he come to Salvation you kill him as the Heathens do till he appear unto Condemnation and you shew forth daily that you cruciâ—e him in the World eating and drinking to your selves condemnation you say Christ dyed only for you as Elect but your works make manifest that he dies by you as Reprobate You take up a command from the Letter and imitate the Apostles some of you in a lower and some of you in a higher degree in that mind and nature which in the Apostles was crucified and you say Christ commands it when the Letter doth but declare it and you are not led with the same Light which gave forth the Commands declared to observe them but say in such a Verse of such a Chapter such a Command is not having received the Command by the same Spirit Here you are proved to be them which use your tongues and say he saith it when God hath not spoken unto you but as you read it without you as the false Prophets may do the words of the true Prophets and thus you are in the Witchcraft as they were Gal. 3. who take on things in your own wills and observe Commands without from the Letter thereby drawing from the Teachings of God within by the Spirit you are zealous as they were for the Traditions and Figures and cannot see him which is the end of all that which perisheth with the using so you are not dead with Christ from the World who are yet subject to Ordinances which are of the World They that obeyed Christ and followed him were led by the Spirit and not by the Letter for they were not Ministers of the Letter but of the Spirit and such were judged to be in error and this is your condition who say such are Breakers of Christ's Commands and Makers void of the Scripture and Destroyers of the Ordinances who witness Christ the Substance and him to be King and Judg and Law-giver and in whom and upon whom the Scripture is fulfilled and so it established and the Commands of Christ kept which are in Spirit and his Law daily walked in which condemneth sin And this is not contrary to the Scripture but a fulfilling of it in Principles in Doctrines and in Practise and in Conversation The Apostles were sent to preach the Gospel to every Creature and they were all led by the same Spirit and did not go before it in their own wills
the Foundation or Fundamental Principle of the Religion which is not in Form but in Power agreeing in the Foundation and in the whole building But Friends you seem to charge the late Powers of the Nation if not your selves yet some part of your Body which now are in power with great things with no less then to be Satans Seedsmen for if allowing difference in Forms be the dangerousest and fruitfullest Seed that ever was sown by the envious One as you say it is then who do you blame either the fore-going Parliaments of which some of you have been and so cannot be clear from that evil or the Protector himself and this seem to be a very great charge upon him whose judgment is appearingly to give allowance unto difference in Forms to be the Seedsman of Satan or to allow the envious One to sow the Seed which you call dangerous it is not Christians that are divided but the Sects and false Opinions men of corrupt minds Thus much in answer to the words as they are laid down but I rather chuse to speak to the mind or intent of the Penmans spirit of your Declaration which implieth an inclining to be against many Forms and to bind up all into one Form of Worship and so thereby though some which is evil would be shut out yet would the true spiritual Worship of the Saints above all assuredly thereby be excluded and the tender spirits of People who truly seek God would be oppressed But keep your selves from that evil I warn you lest you be broken and never bound up and lay no Law nor make no Law upon Religion but let Religion defend it self only lay your Law upon Peace-breakers and violent men and bind not mens Consciences to a Worship by your Precepts either made already or by such as may be made if you ease the Oppressed so God will establish you in peace if you fulfil his Will herein Again you say In not being fully sensible though the Lord in the depth of his wisdoms and righteous Iudgments hath for some years last past been overturning several Authorities in these Nations and hath as it were been pouring them from Vessel to Vessel he hath been pleased ever since his people publickly contended for his Truths still to set up Rulers who have allowed them the free exercise and profession of them Answ. Indeed you are not sensible of the righteous Judgments of God in overturning several Authorities in the Nation and therefore you go in the same abominations as they did who were overturned till you also be overturned as they were But take heed to your selves lest you be more then poured from Vessel to Vessel even spilt in the dust of misery and never more gathered again Your last part of this particular is false for we that are in the pure Religion and in the Exercise of our pure Consciences have not from some of you our Liberty but are cast into Goals and Dungeons and banished out of yoâ—â— Towns and Cities some of us by some that have been Rulers set up if this be doubted by you examine through your Nation true testimony may be given so that here you have spoken better of the Rulers then indeed it is and would make the Nation believe untruths to establish you though I condemn not all but my words are towards the Guilty that they may repent lest they perish in their iniquities and be cut off in their transgressions and the Curse be upon you all for the sake of some Again you say In that Athiestical and luke-warm Spirit too commonly aâ—…gst you whereby not only the Form but also the Power of Godliness is reproached and accounted as a vain thing but also too many have fallon from their first love and others esteâ—… themselves rich whilst they are miserable poor and blind and naked sins which â—…e the highest aggravated by being committed in Countries where the glorious Light of the Gospel shinâ—s clearest Answ. This you have confessed truly to your own shame in the sight of other Nations your spirit is not only luke-warm unto Righteousness but it is too â—â—mmon among some of you to be zealous and hot in persecuting the Way of Righteousness and indeed many of you are grosly fallen from your first Love and Integrity and thereby the Power of Godliness is not only reproached by you but persecuted and counted vile and they that live in it oppressed such is your zeal in your dead Form some of you that even you count the true Way and Worship of God madness and you are the men that esteem your selves rich while you are miserable and blind and naked and your sins are aggravated the more and higher because God gives you warning daily by the mouth of his Servants who hold forth the Light of the glorious Gospel and bears witness unto your faces against your Abominations and Idolatries committed by you yet for all this you continue in your iniquities and evil entreat the Messengeâ— of Peace unto you souls and are the men indeed which are Athiestical evâ—â— many by their work saying in their hearts there is no God and as truly as yoâ— have confessed your sins so must you confess the justness of the Judgments of God upon your own heads if you return not unto the living God and own the day of your Visitation Again you say In being more dissatisfied that you have not obtained all you aimâ—d 〈◊〉 then thankful that you have obtained so much as you now enjoy Answ. Verily this is not the least of your sins but exceed some others fâ—r you aim at that which you shall never obtain till you be thankful and walk worthy of what you enjoy and this is the way Ease the Oppressed and take oâ—f the yoke of the Poor and Needy and of the Lord you may be heard and seek not your own honour for that is the ground of dissatisfaction and unthankfulness among you and the cause why you abuse the Mercies which you do enjoy having lost the sence of the former dealings of the Lord with you Further you say All which with other the grievous sins of these three Nations caâ—â— aloud upon all the good People in them to lie low in the sight of our offended God and bâ— Prayer and Humiliation away which in our deepest distresses we have found both our Dâ—ty and Comfort to tread in to seek to appease his Wrath and that he would be pleased fâ—… his own Names sake to remove whatever accursed thing there is found amongst us and the as he is our God so we may be his People Answ. Indeed many more grievous sins are highly abounding in these three Nations your own oppressions and self-seeking honours and vain glories in your self-performed righteousness with your persecution of the Innocent by grievous unjust Fines and Imprisonment not regarding the cry of the Poor which lie under the heavy hand of Oppression of you subordinate Rulers these aboundantly add to the
again to judge the whole World wiâ—â— Righteousness and all people with Equity and shall give to every man according to his deeds at the Day of Judgment when all shall arise to Condemnation 〈◊〉 Iustification he that hath done good shall receive Life and he that hath done evil everlasting Condemnation And we believe He is to be waited for in Spirit to be known after the Spirit as he was before the World was and that is the Knowledge unto eternal Life which all that believe in him do receive and he subdues Death and destroyes him that hath the power of it and restoreth from Death to Life and quickeneth by his spirit all that the Father hath given him and we believe such he justifieth and sanctifieth and such are taught of him but he condemns all that believe not but continue in unbelief and are not taught or him And this we faithfully believe And we believe That unto all people upon the face of the whole Earth is a Time and Day of Visitation given that they may return and be saved by Christ Jesus who is givn of the Father to call the worst of men to Repentance and the most ungodly of Sinners are convinced by him of their ungodly deeds that they might believe and be converted and saved And we believe Herein is the Love of God manifested to all Mankind and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are shut out by him before they were born into the World but unto all men is a Vâ—…ation given and they that do perish it is because they do not believe in Christ and destruction is of a mans self but Salvation is of God through believing in his Son who takes away sin and reneweth into his own Image that they may become Heirs with him And we believe that there is a Crown of Eternal Glory and an Inheritance of Eternal Life to be injoyed for evermore by all that believe and are chosen of God and that there is an everlasting Misery and Destruction to be possessed by all that believe not but continue in the state of Reprobation and are not changed from the wayes of Sin and Death but walk after the wayes of their own Hearts Lusts fulfilling the will of the Flesh in the Evil of this World and follow not Christ the Light of the World that they may be saved And we believe upon all such the Wrath of God abideth and that they have no part in the Inheritance of God And we believe That it is only he that is born again of the Spirit and that walks after the Spirit who is changed from Death to Life and who is redeemed out of the World and all its wayes such only must inherit the Kingdom of God and they only have right thereunto and none besides even they that are washed and cleansed from all Unrighteousness by the Blood of Jesus by which their sins are remitted For his Blood cleanseth from all Unrighteousness and Sin yea all such that walk and abide in the Light which Christ Jesus hath lightened the World withal And we believe That the Saints upon Earth may receive forgiveness of sins and may be perfectly freed from the Body of sin and death and in Christ may be perfect and without sin and may have Victory over all Temptations by Faith in Christ Jesus And we believe Every Saint that is called of God ought to press after Perfection and to overcome the Devil and all his Temptations upon Earth and we believe they that faithfully wait for it shall obtain it and shall be presented without sin in the Image of the Father and such walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit and are in Covenant with God and their Sins are blotted out and remembred no more for they cease to commit Sin being born of the Seed of God And we believe The Gospel of Christ is the Power of God unto Salvation and that it ought to be preached freely unto all people and Christ to be held forth unto all Mankind by the Ministry sent of him And we believe this Ministry is received by the Gift of the Holy Ghost and all they that receive it are lawfully call'd to the Ministry and they may preach the Gospel of Christ freely as they have receiv'd it freely And this Ministry is not of Man but of God and is made powerful to the converting of Sinners and to the bringing of people to God and to the Knowledge of his Wayes And we do not believe That any man is a Minister of Christ without the Gift of the Holy Ghost or that the Gospel can be receiv'd by natural Learning or Education And we believe Such as preach for Hire and have Hire for preaching are not the lawful called Ministers of the Gospel of Christ such as are Proud and High-minded and Covetous Men who do not profit the people at all such as have run and never were sent of Christ who calleth by his Spirit into the Work of the Ministry and as every one hath received the Gift of that his Spirit so he may administer to others Concerning Rulers and Governour we believe That there ought to be Rulers and Governours in every Nation City Country and Town and they ought to be such men as fear God and hate every evil way who will judge for God and not for man and will judge righteously equally and justly and will give true and sound Judgment unto all men without Bribery or Respect of Persons not regarding the Rich above the Poor but being a Praise unto all that do well and a Terror to all Evil-doers whatsoever having knowledge in the pure Law of God and themselves continnally exercised therein And we believe That every Law of man ought to be grounded upon the Law of God pure Reason and Equity being the Foundation thereof that God's Witness in every man may answer to it and the Law ought to be known unto all people before Trangression be charged or punished in any man And we believe that every Transgression ought to be punished according to its nature and that the Punishment exceed not the greatness of the Transgression neither ought any Transgressor to â—…ape unpunished neither ought any upon false Suspition or Iealousies to be caused to suffer without the Testimony of true men or the Confession of the Party And we believe that the Executors of the Law ought to be Just Men and not given to Pride Drunkenness or any other Evil whatsoever and ought to be chosen every year or otherwise by the Consent of the people and that no man be stopped of his free choyce except justly taxed And we believe that all Governours and Rulers ought to be accountable to the people and to the next proceeding Rulers for all their Actions which may be enquir'd into upon occasion and that the chiefest of the Rulers be subject under the Law and punishable by it if they be Transgressors as well as the poorest of the People And thâ—â— true Judgment and Justice will be
perverted into evel in its practise of degenerate man and if you forget the Word then Iniquity prevails again and the love of this World and its vanities and the Riches and Pleasures of the mortal man steals away the Heart and they possess the Habitation of God unrighteously and all things are become sinful and the Body of Death comes over the pure Life and Peace with God in the Conscience is lost and that because the Word of God is forgotten which once begat unto God and where the unclean spirit enters again the latter end of such is worse then the beginning more finful against God and more hated of him and therefore let none follow the way of such for it leads to Death and Darkness and Misery will be the end of it But Friends mind him and feel his Power who is the Preserver of Men in Peace and Righteousness and let not up that part in you into liberty into which Satan enters and sows his seed of degeneration but live in the Cross of Christ and in the meek and lowly Spirit tha◠you may not do your own wills but the Will of the Father and may fear him and his Goodness and that subjecteth the ground of Temptations that Sin cannot prevail so shall your Peace be everlasting and your Life as a River of pleasure and Joy and Gladness shall be your daily Portion and the Lord shall never forsake you but be unto you a Tower of Strength and Habitation of Peace and a Crown of Victory and Reward in this present time and for ever And if ye abide in Christ the Vine into which you are planted by Regeneration then will your Fruit be of the Vine and acceptable unto the Father who is the good Husbandman and through his Vertue you will grow into Perfection as partaining to the Conscience where all guilt of sin is taken away and the burden of Iniquity and body of Death clean removed away from you for that is Perfection as partaining to the Conscience where Sin and Transgression is done away and Power received over it both in Motion and Action and the Guilt of it and the Conscience sprinkled with the Immortal Blood of the Lamb and no stain nor guilt remaining but Peace altogether by the holy Spirit in the Conscience and this is perfection which was not attained to by outward things in the first Covenant but is witnessed in the second which the Lord hath made with us and confirmed unto us where Sin and Iniquity is blotted out and Innocency and Immortallity lives and raigns and such stand before the Throne of God without fault before him and no guile in their Mouthes and these sing the Song of the Lamb and of the Redeemed where all sorrow is fled away if so be that the burden and guilt of all Transgresion be removed then there is no cause of sorrow and blessed are they that dwell here and that are entred into the everlasting Rest even into God for he is the Rest of the Immortal Soul and the Life of it and if ye know these things ye have satisfaction and comfort which none know but they that have it it s the portion of the Redeemed whose Father Master Ruler Judge and King is the Lord God and the Lamb and we are Subjects of that Kingdom and free born of that City the heavenly Ierusalem and we are made free through the price of Immortal Blood and then how can any of you that are such serve this World and the Vanities of it by any immoderate care or desire or exercise in earthly things for this is the bondage of Egypt but the Children are free from it and are not entangled concerning the things of this World but they are subjected under and the Inheritance of a better Portion is their Crown and Substance and Esau's portion is the Earth he that hath no assurance in God wherefore live above this World in the Seed of God and be without immoderate care in every thing as to earthly matters not taking thought what shall come or be to morrow neither cumbring your selves about uncertain riches but leave the issue of all things to the Lord in whose hands are Blessings and the Curse to give or take away according to his pleasure and be not Servants unto but Rulers over all affections in earthly things for spiritual Blessings are the Crown and the Earth is the foot-stool of the Lord's Redeemed And as for the dayes and seasons in which we now are let none be troubled as though it were not well or could be better for all things are well that are come to pass because the Will of the Lord hath effected them either as the Cause or as the Means and it is good for us that these things are so for the prosperity of our Kingdom is going on through all the Hammer is beating upon the Rocks that will beat them to pieces and the Axe is hewing down the Cedars and the little Stone prevails against the many-headed Beast and the Image of Idolatry is weakening and the holy Seed grows in strength and vertue and the Purpose of the Lord can none prevent But the light of the Son must be as the light of seven days amangst us and the Day-Spring from on high hath already visited us and we have seen of his Glory wherefore let all the Upright have Patience and Long-suffering till the Measure of Iniquity in our Adversaries be filled which is hastening to be accomplished and Transgression grows full and Sinners grow ripe for Vengeance and we must pass over their Mountain of Darkness and in the mean time the Lord hides us under his shadow even 〈◊〉 Transgression be finished and covers us from the storm and blinds the enemy and turns his rage backward and we are not destroyed but our life is renewed and righteousness mercy and love are a defence about us and how great is the kindness of the Lord herein mine eye hath seen it and my heart meditateth thereon the power and wisdom and love of the Lord herein are very great and who can find out the depth thereof or declare his immeasurable power and wisdom And thus the salutation of my life unto all the faithful is expressed and I am well in him who is my fulness and desire no more concerning you then your faithfulness in the cause of God for without controversie the cause of God is with us and on our part and as you are faithful therein that is my reward concerning you and the addition to my joy and in the Heavenly Spirit of the Lord God Almighty are you committed unto him who is able to keep you even to the end and in the end to glorifie you in eternal life in rest and peace for ever and this is the portion of the faithful and my desires on your behalf and my salutation of you hoping that you have not so learned Christ as to deny him because of the love or terror of this World
Hereby and in this Way is true Conversion wrought in the heart to the turning men from all Error unto the Truth and from all false Worships and Heresies and Evil Wayâ—s unto the true Christian-Worship and Conformity to holy Church and Religion This I say was the Way among the primitive Christians â—…d Apostles of old and is the same among the true Christians in this Age and they that would conform others and are conformed themselves otherwise in this Case of Religion and Worship to God-wards are not in the Example of Christ and his Saints but out of the Life and contrary to the first Christians and President of the Holy Scriptures as hereafter is manifested The Way and Practice of Imposing Religion and Conformity in Worship and Church-Government by Force as aforesaid is so far from being according to the Practice and Example of the Apostles and the primitive Churches of Christians that they are even contrary to the Commands and Exhortations of CHRIST and his Apostles and Example of the Scriptures 1. As in the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares Mat. 13. when it was desired of the Servants that they might go and gather out the Tares that the Enemy had sown from among the Wheat it was commanded to the contrary by the Husbandman even that they should suffer the Tares to grow among the Wheat till the Harvest and not pluck them up lest they hurt the Wheat thereby Now though there be an invisible Mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven secretly signified in this Parable more then may here be said yet 't is also clearly signified That Christ would have no Imposition nor Violence used upon thâ— Tares nor that they should pluck them up by Force but that the good Corn and the bad 〈◊〉 grow together in one Field till the Harvest And thus much this Parable bears the Proof of Suppose there be Heresies and Hereticks and Prophane Persons that are not in the Truth but in Errors who are bad Corn even as the Tares to the Wheat in that Kingdom City or Family where there is also converted Saints and holy Persons and true Members of Christ who are as the Wheat to the Tares yet such Hereticks and Prophane Persons that are in Error ought not to be plucked up violently to wit Imprisoned Bannished and put to Death Burned and Destroyed from amongst the Righteous though they grow amongst them even in the sâ—… Field The converted Saints ought not I say to destroy by â—â—nnishment or Death the Hereticks and Unconverted and Unconformable Persons from amongst them but they are to let them live even grow amongst them in the same Field in the same Kingdom City or Family till Harvest And thus much the Parable may truly signifie Even a Liberty to live for the Tares the bad Corn the evil Persons among the Wheat the Righteous Persâ—… without being imposed upon by Cruel Force and Outward Violence to compel into Conformity 2. As in the Case among the Saints and true Believers where some believed 〈◊〉 might 〈◊〉 all 〈◊〉 others did 〈◊〉 Hâ—…s and some esteemed one day above 〈◊〉 â—nd otheâ—â— esteemed every day alike Rom 14. Here was some difference in Judgment and Practices amongst the Believers about Mâ—â—ts and Dâ—â—es abouâ—â— which thiâ—… there hath been much Imposition and Force used in the World since the Apostle dayes Well But what doth the Apostle Paul 〈◊〉 and advise in this Case Doth 〈◊〉 threaten Violence towards any of them or signifie any forcible Commands or Impositions to be used to bring them into Conformity and Unity in the things and Matters about which they were divided No no but this is his advice to the Church of Christ of which he was a true and able Minister Iudge not one another about such things nor do not impose any Practice upon thy Brother for to Christ Iesus â—…is Master every Believer stands or falls And saith the Apostle Lâ—â— every Man be fully perswaded in his own Mind vers 5. And hereby it is manifestly proved That in the Churches of Primitive Christians the Saints and true Christians were not imposed upon by Commandments of Mâ—n or outward Laws in the matters of their Religion and Practice of Conscience there was no signification of force to be used for Conformity but whâ—â—y contrary even every Believeâ— had the Liberty of the Spirit of Christ and as he was by that perswaded in his own mind to do or leave undone in such cases and every one was to mind the Teachings of the Spirit of Christ in himself for to that he was to stand or fall and not to impose upon another no not so much as to judge his Brother in any case of difference in Judgment or Practice but they were to leave one another to the Perswasions of the Spirit of Christ in their own minds 3. As in the Case where the Apostle exhorted the Saints to be Like-minded â—â—il 3. But saith he If any 〈◊〉 Otherwise-minded God shall reveal even this unto you By which Saying it is mâ—nifest That the Unity and Conformity of Saints in Mind and Practice was not by Imposition or any outward Force threatned or exercised upon their Persons or Estates but contrary-wise if there was any Difference in Mind and Practice amongst any of them that was to be amended and Unity made up when God revealed the same Truth in all as he had done in some if any were not so minded in any thing as others were they were not to be imposed upon but let God reveal the same and bring into Conformity this was the Apostle's Counsel And vers 16. Nevertheless whereunto we have already attained let us walk by the same Rule that is to â—â—y so far as the Rule of the Spirit of Christ is made manifest or in whâ—â— measure the perfection thereof is attained unto let every one walk in the same measure and by the same Rule and if any have not the self-same measure of the Spirit and know the self-same things let such alone without imposing upon them leave them to walk in the measure of Light and knowledge that they have received though it be not the self-same measure that others have received and if they want any Knowledge or be in any thing otherwise-minded God shall reveal the same unto them even the same thing as they grow in the same measure of Grace and Knowledge And here is the perfect Way of Unity and Conformity as the Primitive Christians were exercised in the true Faith and Worship and true Christian Religion in their dayes And so to impose by Force upon Paint and Forfeitures in Religious Matters is clearly contrary to all these Scriptures and to many more in the New Testament 4. In that Case 1 Pet. 5. 2 3. where the Apostle exhorts the Elders To take â—â—e Overâ—â—ght of God's Flock not by Constraint or Force but Willingly not for 〈◊〉 by Lucâ—â— but of a ready Mind neither 〈◊〉 being Lords â—ver God's Heritage which câ—…ly signifies against
seeing the danger is such to you-wards in that place even more then to some others therefore is my soul engaged to admonish and instruct and Pray for your preservation unto the end that ye may walk as the Lords and to his glory 3. And also my desires are for you that blessings and Peace may be multiplied unto you and that you may walk in the Wisdom and Power of the Lord in this respect that Truth may be honoured and crown'd with dominion and Authority and good report in that great City by your faithfulness and patience and diligence and all the fruits of righteousness for as many temptations do attend you as I have said before so also many eyes are upon you beholding what you are and what you do and what will become of you and if you Walk in Faithfulness and Righteousness and be preserved unto the Lord in boldness and valour for his Names sake this will magnifie the Truth and crown it with honour and strengthen and comfort many that are weak and be a joy to all the upright and it will confound your Enemies and put them to shame and limit the unreasonable spirit of the power of darkness when our enemies see your just faithful righteous and inoffensive manner of walking in all things And therefore for this cause my heart is engaged to pray for you seeing the eyes of many are upon you to mark your wayes and doings and what will be the end And now dearly beloved as by the free grace and kindness of God ye are called unto this Calling and are renewed and changed into the Life of Righteousness so it is by the same Grace and Power of the Father that ye must stand and be preserved unto the end for by Grace and Faith we all stand even through Diligence Faithfulness and Watchfulness in the same Grace being obedient unto its teachings and fruitful in its motions and walking by its Rule in meekness and lowliness of heart in sincerity and godly Fear not being or doing any thing of our selves distinct or divided from this Grace but being and doing all things through the Grace of God dwelling in us and this is the highest Perfection of Saints Every ones highest state admits of Watchfulness and Faithfulness and Obedience and to Hearken to the Lord and do his Will in all things and whatsoever is of our selves and related to the outward World may be kept in Subjection by his Power that he alone may Rule and be exalted in Heaven and Earth and in all things what we are and what we do And wait upon the Lord that ye may be established and settled in the Truth and that ye may be confirmed therein forever as being natural Heirs of the possession of Grace and Truth to do and walk and live according to his will being so inherited never to go forth any more and able to say Nothing can separate us from the Love of God not Death nor Life nor any other thing For I would put you in mind and ye also know it How that many have been touched in their Heart with the sense of the Lord and his Love yea and many have enjoyed of the good Gift of God and walked with us for a time that have not remained unto the End but have started aside from the Lord and been overcome with the Temptations of this World even to the forsaking of the Way of Truth and Righteousness and such have dishonoured the Lord and forfeited their Peace and Inheritance in God and become hardened in their Hearts and dead to God and the Latter-end of such hath been worse then their Beginning though yet for a time such walked with us and tasted of the good Gifts of God yet are become Reprobate because their Hearts have not been firm and constant and sound and approved to God but of an Evil Frame and Temper of Spirit Ambitious Vain-glorious Self-seeking and such like which spirit could not retain the Gift of God but abused it and perverted it from it proper End And therefore dearly beloved it is exceeding precious to have a Heart and Spirit tryed and approved of the Lord a good and honest Heart an upright and contrite Spirit for that will abide in Faithfulness unto God through all Tribulations and Tryals if the Heart be right in the sight of God whatsoever the Knowledge be or whether the Gifts be little or great yet the Lord's Presence is there and such are blessed so that it s not enough only to have a touch and taste of the Loving kindness of God but every one must be established therein in an approved Heart and tryed Spirit which can endure all things and not be shaken nor moved and its only that kind of Spirit which is Meek and Lowly Sincere and Upright which is established in the Truth and which only can remain unmovable And according to the ancient Doctrine of Christ which ye have believed every one must look to your own particular standing and must feel your own particular Joy Peace and Comfort and must receive the assurance of Life in your own Souls for it is an Everlasting Word Every one must stand by their own by what they feel and enjoy of Eternal Life in their own Hearts that only is every ones Security and Assurance in the Kingdom of Peace and Glory And it is the height of Perfection To have the Seal of the Spirit of God in our Consciences witnessing to us That we are the Lord's and Blessed are they that have this Testimony even that of the Spirit of the Father which is the Everlasting Comforter against all Sorrow and the Perfect Seal against all Doubts and the sure Guide against all Opposition This is the Office of the Spirit of the Lord and its Work in the Hearts of his Children Therefore my Advice is to you as from the beginning Look to your own to your own Measure of the Gift of Grace and Truth that only stands when all Wandrings after men and things fall and in that is your security as I have said And let your Conversations and Walkings be such as becometh the Gospel of Christ in all Faithfulness and Righteousness that you may be an Honour to the Lord in your Generation for this only have we to do in this World even to shew forth his Praise and Glory who hath created us in Christ Jesus All things in relation to Truth are well in these Couâ—…ies the Dominion of Truth is set up over the Heads of the Wicked and it is a Terror to its Enemies and the Joy of all Good men and Friends are Faithful in the Power of the Lord and look over this World to the World that hath no End and their Hope and Confidence is in that and Meetings are generally quiet and the Presence of the Lord is amongst his People And thus to the Grace Power and Wisdom of the Lord God are ye committed who is the only Preserver of his Children Grace and Peace