They made nothing of that 11. So the Time appointed came and there was prepared a good Dinner of Pork and the three came ready prepared to curse us and our God 12. So Proudlove and Remington went from us to those Men and Remington said unto them If you three will go up and curse them and their God you shall have a good Dinner of Porke 13. Then one the stoutest of the Three said unto him pray tell me what is their God that we must curse 14. Remington answered and said That the Lord Jesus Christ is their God and they own no other Father or God but he And now if you will go in they be there and curse them and the Lord Jesus Christ their God you shall have a good Dinner of Porke 15. When they heard this the most stoutest Man of them smote his Hand on his Breast and said If that be their God I will never do it if I might gain the whole World And said That he was sorry and troubled that he should conceive such a thing in his Heart So said the other Two We will do no such Wickedness So they departed without their Dinner of Porke 16. But he that repented himself could not be at quiet in his Mind until such time he had asked us Forgiveness 17. So we forgave him his Sin for that and he remained very kind to John Reeve all his days tho he did not beleive that we were the two last Prophets and Witnesses of the Spirit 18. Also this Remington was called to an account by John Reeve as one in this Plot and he told the truth how Proudlove laid the Plot and that he did but go with him being an old Acquaintance So we forgave Remington and gave Proudlove the Sentence of Condemnation to Eternity CHAP. VII Of the Dispute with Mr. Leader a New-England Merchant and of the Prophet's convincing him how that God had a Body and how God is worshiped in Spirit and Truth with Bodys and that there is no Spirit without a Body 1. AFTER this in the Year 1653 there came a certain Man a Merchant and a great Travellor into many parts of the World and he was a religious Man but had somwhat declined the outward Forms of Worship because he could find no Rest there 2. So he applied his Heart more to Philosophy and the knowledg of Nature more than Religion for he thought he had seen the utmost of Religion and that there was nothing in it 3. Indeed he was a great Philosopher and a very wise Man in the things of Nature His Name was Richard Leader 4. It came to pass when he came out of New-England being persecuted there because he could not submit to their forms of Worship and when he came into Old-England again he heard there were two Prophets now risen up who called themselves The two Witnesses c. 5. So he enquired where he might speak with these Prophets so he was brought unto us and he was very sober in his talk and he propounded his Questions with great Moderation 6. The first Question was concerning God Whether God that created all things could admit of being any Form of himself 7. We answered and said That God made Man in his own Image and Likeness And if Man have a Form then God must needs have a Form himself even in the form of Man else them Words of Moses are not true That God made Man in his own Image and breathed into him the Breath of Life and he became a living Soul 8. Mind the Form of Man was the Image and Likeness of God before God breathed into him the Breath of Life 9. Therefore God must needs be in the form of a Man from Eternity Therefore it was that God said Let us make Man after our own Image and Likeness This was the true Sense and Meaning of Moses and it is dangerous for any Man to deny it 10. Besides said we there is no Spirit can have any Being without a Body neither God Angels nor Man And further that God that is a Spirit without a Body is no God at all 11. For we that are men that have Bodies have power over all Spirits whatsoever that have no Bodies For it is the dark Imagination of Reason in man that hath created to it self Spirits without Bodies which is none of God's Creation 12. When he heard this he considered the things of Nature that no Spirit could have any being without its Body 13. Then he marvelled and said Where have we been all this while that took God for a Spirit without a Body Oh! how have we been in the dark 14. But said he doth not Christ say God is a Spirit and God will be worshiped in spirit and truth And Christ said His Words were Spirit and Life 15. We answered and said Can a Man worship God in Spirit and Trust without a Body He said No. Then said I neither can God accept of any Mans worship except he hath a Body of his own For God hath a Body of his own as Man hath a Body of his own only God's body is spiritual and heavenly clear as Christial brighter than the Sun swifter than Thought yet a body 16. But Man's body is earthly and made of the Earth in the image and likeness of God's own body only Man's body is of the Earth earthly and God's body is the Lord from Heaven heavenly Yet Man's body is the image of God as well as his Soul as Moses did truly mean as he spake 17. For this I say that if Man's Body and Soul had been spiritual in its Creation then when Man's Thoughts do assend up to Heaven his body would assend with it in the twinkling of an Eye 18. For the Thoughts of Man are swift and if his body which is earthly do but put on Immortality then his body would assend with his Thoughts up into the Aire and so to Heaven 19. These immortal bodies can do and at the last day these vile bodies of ours that doth truly beleive shall be made like unto his own glorious body 20. For now our bodies are natural bodies but when these natural bodies shall rise spiritual bodies then shall Immortality take place and these vile bodies of ours that are now mortal yet made in the image of God's own glorious body shall be spiritual and heavenly bodies even like unto his glorious body 21. And because God's body is spiritual and heavenly and cannot be seen by the natural sight of the Eye therefore it was that Christ said God is a Spirit and will be worshiped in spirit and truth 22. Observe For as a Man cannot worship in spirit and truth without a body neither is that any God at all that hath no body of its own neither is a Spirit without a body of its own any Object of Faith or Worship for a Spirit without a body hath no substance And as for those words of Christ being Spirit and Life consider they
true Knowledge is never proud 5. For I would make nothing of the greatest learned Man that is upon the Earth if he will dispute of the Scripture in the English Tongue And not persecute with a Sword of Steel to overthrow him by the Scriptures that there is but one true God in the person of a Man who made Man in his own Image and likeness as the Scriptures saith And not Three Persons and one God as all Profesers of Reason do own at this Day 6. Also we being the third Record of the Spirit upon Earth we use no outward visible Forms of Worship But do Worship God in Spirit and Truth as Christ said 7. So that every Record on Earth doth differ one from another in Point of Worship 8. For it is not proper for every Record to Act one and the same thing over and over again And as there is a difference in the Three Titles called Three Records in Heaven of Father Word and Spirit Now these are Three Distinct Titles yet but one God 9. So it is with the Three Records on Earth of Water Blood and Spirit These be Three distinct Records And Three distinct Persons the head of these Three distinct Records And there is Three distinct differances in there visible Worships yet they all Three agree in one 10. In witnessing to that one Jesus Christ to be the very true God and Saviour of all those that believe in that the Word was God And God was that Word And the Word became Flesh and Dwelt among Men He that is called the Alpha and Omega the First and the Last The Begining and the End He that was Dead and is Alive for Evermore 11. This one God doth all the Three Records agree to witnâ—ss unto this one God though differing all of them in their Several dispensations of outward Worship as aforeâ—aid 12. For every Record Acts his part upon this Earth suitable to the Three Titles in Heaven Moses and the Prophets their parts in the dispensation of Water as being under the Title of God the Father and Creatour of all things 13. Christ and the Apostles Acted their Commission of the Blood under the Title of a Redeemer by his own Blood And he was that Word made Flesh And Dwelt among Men. 14. And now we the Witnesses of the Spirit do Act a Spiritual Record on Earth which is to Worship God in Spirit and Truth Answerable to the Title of Spirit in Heaven 15. In Witnessing to that one Personal God though Three Titles of Father Word and Spirit yet but one Personal God 16. So that the Three Records on Earth do agree in one though they differ in their outward dispensations of worship as aforesaid so that we the Witnesses do Act our part on Earth under the Title of the Holy Spirit in Heaven therefore our Worship is Spiritual and Invisible in the Heart only 17. And now you see I have prov'd by Scripture that the Commission of the Spirit is now Extant upon the Earth and Acted by Men like yourselves even by John Reeve And myself and those that beleive our Doctrin 18. Said I do you beleive me now I have prov'd by Scripture that I am one of the Two last Prophets and Witnesses of the Spirit or last Record on Earth 19. He answered and said that he could not gain say any thing that I had spoken but did aprove of what I had said better than of any that ever he heard in his life but said he could not venture his Salvation upon my Words 20. Then said the Sheriffs Men and the Keeper of the Prison Now Mr. Benet you have met with your Match One that hath Answered you all things 21. Then said Mr. Benet suffer me to ask you one question more 22. What is that said I. 23. Why saith he I have been a long time of the Oppinion that the Soul of Man is mortal and doth dye But I cannot satisfie myself in it 24. I answered and said your Oppinion was true for the Soul of Man is Mortal and doth Dye For nothing doth Live but the Soul for it is the Soul that Eats and Drinks and Walks and Talkes And the Soul that Lives and Dyes For nothing can be said to Dye but Life for if the Body be Dead the Soul or Life is Dead also For the Body and Soul is all one being And if one be Alive both are Alive And if one be Dead both are Dead 25. For both Body and Soul came into the World together For the Soul is begotten by Generation as well as the Body so that they go both Body and Soul out of the World together For that Life that is begot by Procuration must Dye which all Souls are and not by Infusion from God but by that very Law that said Encrease and Multiply 26. Therefore the Soul or Life of Man and all things else that is begotten by Generation must Dye as well as their Bodies 27. When he heard this He was very much taken with my answer and seem'd very Respective to me and so did the Sheriffs Men they show'd themselves very Civil 28. This dispute was upon the Sunday before the Assizes For that began on the Monday following a matter of Four Hours in the Afternoon this dispute was CHAP. XIII The Prophets Argument And Examin'd by the Judge And he Required of the Judge to take Bail the Judge granted it The Maior Aldermen and Recorder that Committed him saw their Folly and Madness and were asham'd of themselves How the Prophet had the Love of all the Prisoners Of his Printing of the whole Book of the Revelation c. 1. AFTER this dispute aforesaid upon the Wednesday following being the last Day of the Assizes I was call'd before the Bar And when I came before the Bar. 2. The Judge asked me if I would be Try'd by this Note of Examination 3. I answered no and said I thought your Honour would have excepted of Bail for my appearance the next Assizes For Mrs. Carter had delivered the Judge a writing to that purpose of mine the Day before and the Judge his Name was Terral 4. The Judge answered and said that he would take Bail but had said to her he would see the Man So when I asked him at the Bar to take Bail the Judge said he would and asked me who they were 5. And I said one is Richard Sudbury He asked where he Liv'd I said at Notingham he asked what Trade I said an Iron-monger Then Richard Sudbury was call'd and the Judge asked him whether he would be bound for my Appearence the next Assizes He said he would then the Judge Commanded him to be set down for one 6. Then said the Judge There must be another then said I there is one Edward Fewterer where Liveth he said the Judge I said at Chesterfield what Trade said the Judge I said a Surgeion then the Judge Commanded Edward Fewterer to be called then the Judge asked him whither
I declared unto her so that she was very well satisfyed in her Mind and she desired that I would come often to her which I did always when she sent for me not else And she was a true Beleiver afterwards and lived in the full Assurance of her eternal Happiness after Death all the Days of her Life 13. And she had a Kinswoman a Virgin that waited upon her by reading of the Books her Aunt had of mine by stelth she became a true Beleiver her Name was Ann Loe and in process of time this Ann Loe married one William Hall a true Beleiver of this Commission of the Spirit 14. And she did grow in Wisdom and Knowledge in spiritual and heavenly Knowledge and Experience and strong in Faith more than her Aunt before her and she was a great preserver of me from the Hands of my Enemies when the King's Messengers sought after me as will more appear hereafter CHAP. II. Of one Captain Wildye an honourable Man And of one Mrs. Cowlye of her Faith and Obedience of her Husband and of her Son a University Scholar and of his Convinement by the Prophet both as to the Ministry Law and Phisick 1. ALSO there was one Captain Wildye he was one of the Masters of Trinity-House an honourable Place For that Trinity-House is a Court for the ordering of Shiping and Seamen This Captain Wildye became a very true Beleiver of this Commission of the Spirit and he shewed a great deal of Charity to several poor Beleivers of this Faith more than any perticular Person in his time 2. Also he was the occasion of bringing to this Faith one Ann Cowlye a Gentlewoman at Mile-End-Green She was carried through several Principles of Religion as Independant Quaker and Virgin-Life-People She was zealous in all things she clave unto being very desirous to be saved and afraid to be damn'd 3. She was in the Principle of a Virgin-Life and would not let her Husband know her in Twelve years before she saw me notwithstanding she had born several Children by this Man and had one Son and one Daughter living by him 4. But after she came to be acquainted with me I convinced her both by Scripture and Reason of the unlawfullness of a married Wife to live a Virgin-Life and that she could not possibly have Peace as to another Life in that Practice And I advised her to give herself up to her Husband else I could not give Judgment of Blessedness upon her to Eternity 5. She being troubled at this saying of mine was forced to yield to her Husband which thing she thought an Angel from Heaven could not have perswaded her to do 6. But the Words of a Prophet was of great Power whose Word she could not resit but obeyed his Voice and had Peace of Minde and the Blessing of eternal Life in her Self and she grew very zealous for the Commission of the Spirit and contended for the Faith very much and this thing wrought upon her by the Word of a Prophet 7. This caused her Husband to beleive also and he was a very Wife and Prudent Man of the Independant People who had been a Preacher among them he became a very knowing Man in the Faith also his Son and his Daughter became both true Beleivers of this Commission of the Spirit 8. His Son John Cowlye was well bread he was brought up at the University of Cambridge his Learning cost his Father many hundred Pounds and when he was to receave some Benefit or Livelyhood for the future for all the cost past the Benefice was to be ordain'd a Minister or a Doctor of Phisick or a Lawyer These Three be the most honourable Things in this World 9. But when he came to speak with me I convinced him of the Unlawfullness of all the Three for any Saint or Gods Elect to undertake that Practice 10. The Seed of the Serpent were the fitest Men to take them Practices upon them because all the Kingdoms of this World is given into the Hands of the Seed of the Serpent as the Devil said to Christ 11. And these Three sorts of Men are reputed by the Seed of the Serpent the most honourable Men of all and are reverenced and subjected unto both by Princes and common People yet the greatest Cheats that is in this World as will appear 12. First I shewed him how dangerous a thing it was to take upon him to be a Minister of Christ without a Commission from God it would be counted by him spiritual High Treason For Ministers are in more Danger of eternal Damnation than any other Men for going to Preach and are not sent of God 13. For when they shall say in the Conscience at that Day Lord we have preached in thy Name and prayed in thy Name and cast out Devils in thy Name 14. The Answer of God in the Conscience will say Depart from me you workers of Iniquity I know you not And why did not God know them because he did not send them So that preaching and praying as a Minister without a Commission from Christ is counted but a Work of Iniquity 15. And as for the Doctors of Phisick they are the greatest Cheats upon a natural Account that is in the World They cheat the People of their Money and of their Health for they are in the original but atheistical Witches and it would be good if there were never a Doctor of Phisick in the World People would live longer and live better in Health 16. For God never appointed any Doctor of Phisick but he appointed Nature to preserve Nature 17. But through the wicked intemperate Life of Man it hath brought a necessity of Doctors of Phisick 18. But those People that go to a Doctor of Phisick to get Health he goeth to a Witch to seek his Health even as a Man that is troubled in Mind seeketh unto a Witch that hath a Familier Spirit for satisfaction as did King Saul 19. But when the Conscience of the Doctor of Phisick shall be opened at the last Day he shall say Lord we did not think that there were any God at all but Nature only therefore our Minds fed upon Gold and Silver that groweth in the Earth that we might Cloath our selves in rich Apparel that might make us honourable among great Men of the Earth and reverenced by the Poor not thinking in the least that there was any better Heaven hereafter or any Punishment after Death for practiseing this Cheat that is Autherised by the Powers of the Nations 20. And tho' we have done a great deal of Hurt yet Lord we have done some good we have cast out many Devils in Drunkards and Whoremasters and Whores who by their Wickedness have procured that Pox which no righteous Man could cure we have made them leave off that Practice by our Medicines and Advice and from Drunkenness and have lived a sober Life afterwards and many divilish Diseases have we cast out by our Spirits of
THE Acts of the Witnesses OF THE SPIRIT In Five Parts By LODOWICK MVGGLETON One of the Two Witnesses and True Prophets of the only High Immortal Glorious God Christ Jesus Left by him to be publish'd after 's death In the latter days two Bright Stars shall arise raising up men being dead in their sins which shall resist the Beast and the Waters of the Dragon testifying and preaching the Law of the Lamb and the Destruction of Antichrist and shall diminish his Waters but they shall be weakened in the Bread of Affliction and they shall rise again in stronger force and after Truth shall be revealed and the Lamb shall be known After this shall be but a small Space Fox in his Book of Marters LONDON Printed in the Year of our Lord God 1699. THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY TO all True Christian People that do or shall hereafter come to believe in this Third and Last Spiritual Commission is this ensuing Treatise directed with love and peace to you be multiplied It being a Legacy left you by the Lords last True Porphet for your further establishment in Truth As also it is left for a Convincement of the Seed of Reason when he is in the dust that by these Acts they may see how he hath been slandred reproached and belied persecuted and imprisoned without a Cause For how many Lying Reports hath been not only flung upon them but also upon the True Believers of them saying That we own neither God nor Devil Heven or Hell and all because they see us use no outward glittering shew in fruitless Forms of Worship whilst we worship an invisible Spiritual yet personal God in Spirit and Truth which the World knows nothing of For this we know and affirm that the Doctrine of this Commission of the Spirit is of as great purity and power as to Godliness as ever any was and as they were themselves ever kept innocent from the breach of the Morral Law as to Act Even so the Fruits of their Doctrine is of the like efficacy in the knowing seed of Faith by which they have dominion over Sin as in respect of Act. And altho' this last Prophet in his Answer to the Nine Assertions hath shewed his great mercy and clemency to some corrupt Natures yet it is but to such who act not so far as the breach of the Morral Law as to borrow Money and not to pay it again or to be passionate and hasty natur'd overcome with Strong Drink or the like and tho' these are evil yet reach but to the Borders of the Law being Frailties in Nature which disturb the peace of the Mind for in such things as the Apostle James saith We offend all But where there is true Faith it prevents the Act as this Prophet saith in one place among many his Words are these Faith saith he overcomes all Sin Death and Hell within a man's self and that none but such shall be admitted into the Kingdom of Heaven And the Prophet Reevâ—s Doctrine is thus saying All those that are led by the Voice of the holy Spirit of Jesus do work Righteousness in their bodies whereby they die unto Sin Again saith he in another place The Light of Christ in man doth convert from the Ruling Power of Sin And in a Third Place which is not yet printed saith That they that are led by the Spirit of Faith are kept from the commiting of sin I do not say saith he that they have no Motion to sin but the Spirit of Faith purifies their hearts giving them power against those Motions that they commit not the Act and from hence it is that all that are born of God know the Voice of God and hath this Power over Sin as I have declar'd said he These Doctrines of the Prophets are absolute and possitive and do give great light into several Scriptures as Matt. Chap. 5. ver 28. 1 John chap. 3. ver 9. and ver 15. in these places we are to distinguish between the Motion and the Action of Sin This may also give light into Rom. chap. 7. how that Paul spake there as to his state by Nature as also of the strife and strugle between the two Seeds of Faith and Reason until the Law of Faith was quickened and power by it attain'd and then had he dominion over Sin as Chap. 8. and so came to have peace with God and with his own Conscience and Assurance of Eternal Life And from hence comes the Grounds of true Worship and flows forth all spiritual Praise as David said O how sweet is thy Law This sweet Law is the Law of Faith and he or she that is truly possessed hereof can seal to those words of the Prophet Reeve which saith That he that is born of God his Language and Practice is such as speaks forth the Power of Godliness to the confounding of all glittering Tongue Hipocrites and Faithless Formalists Now let all True Believers know that under every Commission this is made the ordinary way of Life and Salvation yet to prevent an objection this is confessed by us That tho' there is this power in Faith as aforesaid yet the Lord for the Tryal of his Creature may suffer some of his Chosen Ones to fall in the time of a Commission and for the prâ—ise of his Free Grace may grant them our Repentance or sâ—â—â—nd Free Pardâ—n for thus writes the Prophet Reeve in a Writinâ— not yet printed The Lâ—rd saith he leaves some to their own strength through which he rebels against the Light that is in him to the wounding of his own Soul to the end that he may learn that the power by which he is preserved from the 〈◊〉 of Sin and so from eternal ruin is not in himself but in the Living God that made him Therefore the Scripture here and there pâ—iâ—teth fâ—rth one that the Lord hath left for a seas n to manifâ—st his Prerâ—gative Power ovâ—r his Creatures and afterwards doth his God head Spirit move him to a second Free Pardâ—n wherein he raiseth that Soul to a highâ—r and greater measure of Grace Wisdom and Humility than it had before which fulfils that Saying of Paul Where Sin abounded there Grace did superabound And this was fulfilled both by David and Paul Here we see that if an Elect Vâ—ssâ—l should once fall after his knowledge and belief in Truth that his second Pardon doth raise him to a higher degree of Grace Wisdom and Humility then he had before This by the Prophet is made a true Tryal to know whether a repentance or conversion from the Act of Sin committed be real or fained as also that a second fail or relapse will prove dangerous because it is rare to find a Third Pardon and a Third increase of Grace to that Pardon Thus it is made clear that the Doctrine of this Commission of the Spirit it hath power of Purity in it and n ne that is truly born of God can dispute against it but
weighed it in my Mind and was loath to forsake it 16. Then I consider'd my Soul was of more value and what would it avail me to be rich in this World for a Moment and to loose my Soul for I was extreamly fearful of eternal Damnation thinking my Soul might go into Hell Fire without a Body as all People did at that time 17. And after much strugling in my Mind I came to this resolution in my self that rather then I would loose my Soul or be damned to Eternity I would loose the Maid And that way that would have made me Rich and that I would be zealous of the Law of God as afterwards I was 18. Here the two Seeds of Faith and Reason did work in me but I knew them not by Name nor Nature at that time nor many Years after 19. But as I did fear it came to pass for the Maids Mother seeing my Mind so changed and so zealous of the Laws of the Scriptures and that I would not keep that way as I thought to do before 20. She would not let her Daughter have me to her Husband so the Maid was perswaded by her Mother 21. And my Zeal to save my Soul perswaded my Mind to let her go so we parted 22. Thus I forsook the World and a Wife which I lov'd in the days of my ignorance for zeal to the Law of God which I thought to be Truth and the true way and so it was 23. But I did not know it till many years after but the Lord God of Truth had respect unto my Person and Zeal at that time and prevented me from falling into that Snare of being rich in this World CAP. V. The Prophet shews his Care his Fear and Zeal in the Law of God and of the working of his Thoughts and heighth of the Puritan Religion 1. SO after I had parted with the Maid and that way that did offend my Conscience I was resolved to live so upright to the Law of God and so just between Man and Man that I thought in time I might procure favour with God and to attain assurance of my Salvation 2. For I was fully possest that there was really Salvation to be attained unto by my Righteousness and that there was a real Damnation to all those that were unrighteous or did not demean themselves so strictly as I did 3. For I was exceeding fearful of Hell and eternal Damnation The very Thoughts of it made my Spirit many times fail within me 4. But by Prayer and my Righteous Practices I did many times recover some Hope and Peace again 5. All this while I did suppose my Soul might go into Hell without a Body and that Millions of Souls were in Hell-Fire without Bodies and that the Devil being a Bodily Spirit did torment those Souls that came there and that the Devil had liberty to come out of Hell to Tempt People here on Earth and go there again but no Soul that he had gotten there could come out of Hell more 6. These things wrought in my Mind exceeding great Fear and stir'd me up to a more exceeding Righteousness of Life thinking thereby that my Righteous Life would have cast out those tormenting Fears but it did not 7. Yet notwithstanding I did continue in my Zeal and was earnest in the Puritant Religion and Practice neither did I know how to find Rest any where else neither did I hear any Preach in those Days but the Puritan Ministers whose Hair was cut short 8. For if a Man with long Hair had gone into the Pulpit to preach I would have gone out of the Church again tho he might preach better than the other 9. But we Puritans being Pharisaically minded were zealous of outward Appearance and of outward Behaviour for we minded that more than their Doctrin 10. For we took it for granted that God was a Spirit without a Body and that Christ Jesus his Son had a Body in form like Man and that he did mediate to God his Father who was a Spirit without a Body and that for Christ's sake this Spirit without a Body did hear us and speak Peace unto us 11. Also I believed that the Devil was a Spirit without a Body and could assend out of Hell when God did give him leave and sugest evil Thoughts of Lust Theft Murther and Blasphemy against God not thinking that these Thoughts and Motions did arise out of Man's own Heart but from a Divel a Spirit without a Body without Man 12. Also I thought those Souls which God did Save were carried up to Heaven without Bodies and should be with God who was a Spirit without a Body and that we should see Christ Jesus in Heaven with his Body with our Spirits that were Saved without Bodies till the Resurrection and then Body and Soul should be United together again 13. Also we did believe that the wicked Spirits should be cast into Hell Fire without Bodies where the Devil and his Angels being Spirits without Bodies should Torment the Souls of the Wicked till the Day of Resurrection and then those Wicked Souls should be United to their Bodies again and be Tormented Body and Soul together with the Devil and his Angels who were Spirits without Bodies in Hell Fire for ever and ever 14. And we did believe that the Angels of God were Ministring Spirits without Bodies as God was a Spirit without a Body so were they and could minister Comforts unto Men without Bodies 15. And we did believe our own Souls to be Immortal and could not Die but did subsist the good Spirits with God in Heaven without Bodies and the wicked Souls did subsist in Hell without Bodies 16. These were some of the Fundamental Principles of Faith and Religion we Zealous Puritans did believe and practice and there is no better Faith in the World to this day in the generality of Professors of Religion 17. These Things was I very well versed in and I grew in great Experience and Knowledge in the Letter of the Scriptures and had a good Gift of Prayer and was very strong in Disputes because my Mind was extreamly perplexed with the fear of Hell notwithstanding my exact life to the Letter of the Law 18. But the fear of Hell wrought in me much Experience so that I did exceed several other Men in that Knowledge which was in those days and tho' I was judged a very godly knowing-Man and a happy Man by others yet I could not judge so of my self but the fear of Hell was oft rising up in me 19. For I never Conceited well of my own Knowledge but thought the Knowledge of other Men did far exceed me because they seemed to be better satisfied in their Minds than I was 20. Yet I thought in my self that in time by my Prayers and Righteousness and exact Walking and hearing of Preaching that I might heal that Wound in my Soul which was made and I knew not for what 21. For I
the Ale-house to drink and there followed of his Acquaintance a Neighbour of his a Gentleman as we call them His Name was Penson and he sat down in our Company 13. So Morgan began to tell me that he heard that John Reeve and your self do say That you have Power to Bless and Curse Men that do oppose you to eternity He desired me to tell him whether these things were true or no. 14. So I told him the Words that God spake to John Reeve three Mornings together as is set down in that Book aforesaid But when I repeated those Words I have put the two edged Sword of my Spirit into thy Mouth that whoever I pronounce blessed through thy Mouth is blessed to eternity and whoever I pronounce cursed through thy Mouth is cursed to eternity 15. Then did he begin to fear and said for God's sake Lodowick do not say so Upon that this mr Penson said it was Blasphemy and that it was the Devil that spok those Words 16. Whereupon I did pronounce this Penson cursed and damned both in Soul and Body from the Presence of God elect Men and Angels to eternity 17. Whereupon this Penson his Spirit was struck into his Body so that he could not speak for a Season 18. And the Woman of the House hearing me give this Sentence upon him and seeing him in that Condition she was troubled in her Spirit and grew sick and went up to Bed And an old Man her Father being there and seeing this he railed exceedingly at me and grinded his Teeth at me 19. So in a little Season after this Penson had recover'd himself again and said unto me Wilt thou say I am damn'd to eternity yea said I thou art Then he rose up and with both his Fists smote upon my Head and after I had receiv'd a few Blows my Friend Morgan stood between us and bare off the Blows 20. And said For God's sake Lodowick let us be gon else we shall be killed So he paid for the Drink and we departed out of the House and went to another a little distance off 21. And immediately after came in the Woman's Husband and finding her not well he asked what was the matter and they told him all that was don He asked where the Man was They answered They went down that way 22. So he found Morgan and I together The Man knowing him asked If he knew me Morgan answered He did know me and said He did not speak ever a Word to your Wife or to her Father but that which he spake it was to mr Penson which did abuse him and smote him on the Head with his Fists and your Father kicked at him with his Feet and he did nothing to them again 23. So the Man went away quiet and satisfied and comforted his Wife that the Man said nothing against her to be troubled 24. But it came to pass that this Penson was sick immediately after and in a Week or Ten Days after he dyed much troubled in his Mind and tormented 25. Insomuch that his Friends and Relations sought to apprehend me for a Witch he being a rich Man but they could not tell how to state the matter so they let it fall CHAP. V. Of one Jeremiah Maunte a great Friend to this Commission And of a damn'd Man and his Fury and how John Reeve intreated the People that he might ly down and expose himself to his Fury with the ephects of that Submission And of one James Barker his Hipocricy to get the Blessing of John Reeve and how he was cursed by Lodowick Mugleton with the Ephects of that Curse 1. ALSO thus it came to pass in the same year that one Jeremiah Maunt a young Gentleman hearing that God had spoke to John Reeve and that he had damn'd several of his Acquaintance he came to us to discourse about those things and when he had hear'd an Answer to all his Objections he submitted unto us and did belive the Voice that God spake to John Reeve that it was the Voice of God and that the Lord Jesus Christ was the true God 2. Also there was one Captain Clark of his Acquaintance that did truly beleive in this Commission of the Spirit 3. Also this Jeremiah Maunte was the greatest Friend to this Commission and shewed the greatest Love to it of any all the days of John Reeve's Life 4. But he and Captain Clark their Acquaintance many of them were of the Ranters People who were at that time very high in Imagination like Capernahum exalted in their Knowledge up to Heaven as they thought but this Commission of the Spirit brought them down to Hell in a short time 5. These Ranters were the most Company we had at that time and they to have discourse with us did use to club their Twelve Pence a piece every Week that they might have Discourse with us 6. And it came to pass that one of those Ranters kept a Victualing House and sold Drink in the Minories London And they would spend their Mony there 7. So John Reeve and myself came there to discourse with them but there came in many more than was apointed to discourse with us and many of them dispised our Declaration and the Voice of God to John Reeve calling it Blasphemy the Voice of the Devil and such like 8. So John Reeve gave Sentence of eternal Damnation upon many of them for this their Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost we being the Witnesses of the Holy Spirit that sent us 9. But one of them being more offended at his Damnation than all the rest he was moved with such Wrath and Fury that he would be revenged of John Reeve and would fall upon him to beat him so that five or six Men could hardly keep him off his Fury was so hot 10. Then John Reeve said unto the People standing by Friends said he I pray you stand still on both sides the Room and let there be a space in the middle 11. And I will lay down my Head upon the Ground and let this furious Man tread upon my Head and do what he will unto me 12. Our Friends and the rest were loath to venter lest this furious Man should tread upon his Head and spoil him But John Reeve intreated the People to let it be so 13. And the People were perswaded and did stand of a Row on both sides and a vacant Place in the middle 14. So John Reeve pulled off his Hat and laid his Face flat to the Ground and the People stood still and John Reeve said with his Face to the Ground Now let the Man do what he will unto me 15. So the Man came runing with great Fury and when he came near him lifting up his Foot to tread on his Neck the Man started back again and said No I scorne to tread upon a Man that lyeth down to me And the People all marvelled at this thing 16. After this it came to pass in the same
were spoken from a body 23. For this I say no words whatsoever can be spoken of any Spirit that hath no body For those words God spoke to Moses and the Prophets they were from the body of God And those words Christ spoke that was spirit and life was from his body when on Earth And those words he spoke to Paul after he was assended up to Heaven it was from his own body 24. So that without Controversy no Spirit can speak at all or hath any being without a body And this is the very Cause that Men find so little Comfort in worshiping and beleiving in such a God that is a spirit without a body 25. Also we declared unto him the nature of God shewing that there can be no form without a nature for it is the nature that gives the form 26. Also we shewed unto him the Person and Nature of Angels and the Person and Nature of the right Divel and the rice of the two Seeds and the secret Misteries how God became Flesh and how the Divel became Flesh and many other things which satisfied his mind 27. So that he became a true Beleiver of this Commission of the Spirit and shewed Kindness unto John Reeve all the days of his Life likewise his Brother George Leader became a true beleiver 28. This Mr. Richard Leader grew very mighty in Wisdom and Knowledge both in natural and spiritual Wisdom so that every great Man of his Acquaintance did submit unto his Wisdom and lov'd him for his Knowledge so he continued in it all his Life but about a year or two after John Reeve dyed he dyed at Barbadoes CHAP. VIII Of one Mr. Cooper a great Disputant and how convinced And how a true Ministry is known from a false Of his Conversion And how he passed Sentance of Damnation upon Fifteen of his Companions And of his trouble for so doing without Commission And of a Minister's censoring him to be bewitched 1. AFTER this in the same year it came to pass that a certain man a Silk-Weaver his name was Cooper He being acquainted with one Mrs. White who was a beleiver of this Commission of the Spirit She lived in Duning hill-Ally near More-fields 2. This Man was very desirous that she would tell him how he might speak with these two Prophets for he had a great desire to see us and speak with us so she directed him where 3. So when the Man came and found us both together the Man desired to drink with us thinking in himself that he could talk and discourse better over a Cup of Drink than otherway because it was his Custom so to do 4. For he thought himself very strangly armed with Questions thinking it impossible for us to answer because he could finde none that ever he had talked withal Ministers nor other to do it 5. So we went with him to drink and he propounded his Questions concerning the true God and the right Devil and how the Devil came to be and how a Man may know the History of the Scripture to be true seeing they did contradict themselves in many places with several other things 6. Unto which we gave him a full Answer unto whatsoever he asked so that he could not make any Reply against anything we said 7. Also we showed him the power of the Commission of Moses and the power of the Commission of Christ and his Apostles and the power of our Commission in this Age. 8. And that every Commission had power to bless and curs Men to eternity and that he was no true Minister of Christ which had not power to bless and curs 9. For if a Man pretend to be a Minister of the Gospel and cannot say to him that beleiveth in him to be a true Minister and the Doctrine he preacheth to be true is bessed to eternity 10. And say to that Person as dispiseth and persecuteth the Person of this Minister and his Doctrine is cursed Soul and Body to eternity If he have not Power to do this he is no true Minister of Christ neither did Christ send him to preach unto the People 11. These things stuck upon the Mans Mind exceedingly and he was much affected in Love towards us and he was elevated in his Mind as if he would get up to Heaven immediately 12. And he thought himself so strong now that he could drive all People before him 13. So he departed from us elevated in his Mind He went among his own Company and those of his own Trade and he talked amongst them of things he had heard and that he had been with two Prophets 14. But his Company laughed him to scorn But he in his elevation and zeal to what he had heard gaâ—e Sentance of Damnation to eternity upon fifteen of his Companions 15. Some were angry at him and some laughed and scoffed at him and said he was bewitched 16. It came to pass that the next Day after he had given Sentance upon those fifteen Persons he fell sick yet he held to what he had said the Day before 17. So that his Wife and some of them he had damned said the Man was bewitched and would needs send for the Minister of the Parish to pray with him and give his Judgment whether he was bewitched or no. 18. But when the Minister came the Man would not let him pray for him 19. So the Minister gave his Judgment that the Man was absolutely bewitched But after three or four days the Man got up and was well again and told us what the Minister had said and confessed that he damned fifteen Men which was the cause of that Trouble in his Mind 20. Because he did it without a Commission not but that I do beleive they will be all damned as I said but my Trouble was for giving Sentance without a Commission 21. For at that time no Beleiver gave Sentance upon any Dispiser but us two only But in that he confessed his Fault he was forgiven by us CHAP. IX Of one Captain Stasy a friend to the two Witnesses and of their Dispute with a Minister proving that God was in the form of a Man And of the Minister's Blasphemy and John Reeve's passing the Sentance upon him and that he should never see any other God but that Sentance And how John Reeve was threaten'd with a Warrant from Cromwell or the Councel of State And how John replyed that if they dispised as the Priest had done that he would pronounce them damn'd 1. AFter this it came to pass in the year 1653. there was one Captain Stasy in the Parliament's Service that came to talk with us he was a wise and moderate Man able to hear and bear Words but did not beleive what we said 2. But he heard us gladly and liked many things which we spake insomuch that he invited us to Dinner at the Inn where he quartered 3. So we went there was of his Acquaintance a Minister as they are called a Cambridge
high Priest sat for he was one of the Commissioners of the Ecclesiastical Court with the Maior and Aldermen of the Town and the Town Clarke and all the Officers of the Town were gathered together against me 17. My Examination before them was as follows the Priest's Name was John Gupe the Maiors Name John Allwood the Recorders Name was Needham and the Constables Name was Slater and the Aldermen one was Clarke and another his Name was Pinder the rest I did not know their Names 18. The first thing the Priest asked was what I came into that Country for 19. I said I came to visit some Friends at Notingham and Chesterfield and that I was sent for He asked me where I lived I said at London and what Trade I was of I said a Tailor by Trade and that I lived in Trinity Lane and had fined for most Offices in the Parish were I lived 20. Then he waved that because he thought I was no Housekeeper but a Lodger that hath no certain abiding place but as a Vagabond that goeth to and fro and hath abideing every where So when he saw he could do nothing here then he asked me whether I did beleive the Three Persons in the Trinity Father Son and Holy Ghost 21. I answered No I did beleive there was three Names or Titles of Father Son and Holy Ghost but one Person the Lord Jesus Christ 22. He rejoyced at this before the Maior and said this was enough and caused the Recorder to set it down the same words 23. Then he asked me if I was one of the Two Witnesses spoken of in the 11th of the Revelations 24. I answered and said I was one of those Two Witnesses of the Spirit spoken of in the 11th of the Revelations then he commanded the Recorder to set these words down 25. Again he asked me if I had power to damn and to save 26. I answered and said I had power to give Sentance of Damnation upon those that dispised my Doctrin that I declare and to pronounce the Sentance of Salvation upon those that truly beleive it 27. And that you may know that I have Power I do pronounce you Cursed and Damn'd both Soul and Body from the presence of God elect Men and Angels to eternity 28. Then was the Priest struck dumb for a season and when he had recovered himself to his Sences again he said to the Recorder set that down but did not mention a word that the Priest was damn'd 29. Then said the Maior Mr. Mugleton we do not beleive you we do beleive the Apostles 30. I answered and said That will do you but little good now 31. Those words the Recorder was commanded to set down 32. There were many more Words and Circumstances in the Examination but these were the main things they made a Charge against me CHAP. IX Shewing that the Prophet proved before the Priest Maior and Aldermen that Christ was the only God The Priest made no Replycation against it but fauning upon him with fine Words to insnare him against the Government The Prophet's Wisdom discover'd it Of his Commitment 1. BUT this I observed that after I had given the Sentance of Damnation upon the Priest he was very meek and moderate and asked me Questions in the Scriptures concerning Christ being the only God 2. And I opened unto him the First of John In the begining was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God and the Word became Flesh and dwelt amongst us 3. Now said I was not Christ the Word become Flesh and that Word that became Flesh was God And did any other God dwell among Men but Christ 4. And is it not said in Scripture That in him all the fulness of the Godhead dwelt bodily Not a part or a piece of the Godhead but all the fulness dwelt bodily in him 5. Again doth not the Scripture say Great is the Mistery of Godliness God manifest in the Flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels beleived on in the World received up into Glory 6. Now was not this Christ manifest in the Flesh Was not he preached unto the Gentles and beleived on in the World And was not he received up into Glory So that Christ must needs be God become Flesh and God manifest in Flesh 7. Also was not this Jesus Christ that Alpha and Omega the First and the Last the Begining and the End he that was Dead and is Alive for ever more 8. Here you see the Alpha and Omega was dead And was not the Alpha and Omega God And you see by the Scripture that the Alpha and Omega was dead And was there any Alpha and Omega that dyed but Jesus Christ And was there any Alpha and Omega that quickened out of Death to Life again but Christ Therefore he is said to be a quickening Spirit 9. Therefore it must needs be that Christ is God become Flesh and manifest in Flesh and he it was that dwelt among Men and he was in the Person of a Man in all things like unto Man Sin excepted 10. So that God is but one Person in Form like a Man and not Three Persons as Men do vainly imagine 11. But when he heard these sayings of mine he replyed nothing against it but seemed to faun upon me and speak softly unto me tempting me And asked me secretly what I thought of this present Power that he might have had some what to accuse me of that the Law would have taken hold of 12. But I answered him and said That I never was concerned with no temporal Powers neither did I meddle with them at all 13. So when the Priest saw he could get nothing out of me concerning the Goverment of the Nation then he applied to the things before mentioned 14. And he caused the Recorder to read over the Examination before the Maior the things were but few 15. First denying the Three Persons in the Trinity Secondly That I said I was one of those two Witnesses spoken of in the 11th of the Revelations 16. Thirdly That I said I had power to damn and save And Fourthly that I said their beleiving the Scriptures would do them little good now 17. Those were the chief things I was charged with Then the Priest asked me if I would be Prisoner that Night at the Constables House at my own charge or at the Town charge 18. If I had said at the Town charge then I must have lain in the Cage all Night but I answered and said At my own Charge 19. But I said to the Maior Do you not take Bail in these cases The Maior said Yes But the Priest before the Maior had perfectly spoken said if you can put in Bail that are not excommunicated Persons 20. Then Dorothy Carter my Friend being a Widdow would have been Bail with one of her Sons and she pressed at the Door to come in but the Priest thrust her out and said She was an excommunicated
Person neither should the Maior accept of her 21. And I had never a Friend more in that Town but one Edward Fewterer but he was not in the way at that present so could not procure Bail 22. But was committed into the Constables Hands that Night and as soon as ever I was committed Prisoner into his Hands to be sent to Darby Goale the next Morning being Sixteen long Miles from Chesterfield 23. Then the Baylies of the Town seezed upon my Horse for the Lord of the Mannor and sent me to the Goal upon their own Horse 24. But I was more troubled for the Horse than for myself because my Friend John Brante at London was ingaged for the Horse else pay four Pounds 25. But my Friend Dorothy Carter she went to the Earle of Newcastle he being Lord of the Mannor and she told him what these Baylies had done 26. So the Earle sent for them and was angry with them and did reprove them and said Will you take away a Man's Horse before he be Convicted and Condemn'd I charge you said he that the Horse be put to Grass and that no Saddle be put upon his Back and let the Owner pay for his Meat if he be quit or otherwise 27. So it was done according to his Command CHAP. X. The Priest gave that Character of the Prophet of a wise and sober Man The Prophet gave the like Character on Pendor Of a Dispute between the Prophet and two of the Officers of the Town and the Keeper of the Person and the Sheriff's Men. The Prophet proves Three Records on Earth to answer the Three Records in Heaven All this in the Goal 1. NOW I shall speak of somthing of my Imprisonment in Darby Goal which is as follows 2. For all the Priest's Malice towards me yet he could say to the Aldermen when I was gone That this Man was the soberest wisest Man of a Phanatick that ever he talked with for he thought I had been like the Quakers 3. This did one of the Aldermen tell me for he was as Nicodemas his Name was Pendor he came to me by Night for he had a great desire to talk with me alone so that Night I was in the Constables House he had his desired Oppertunity 4. And when I was Prisoner in Darby Goal there came the Sheriff's Men and Two of the Officers of the Town and the Keeper of the Prison to talk with me 5. The Officers of the Town came to me thinking themselves wise and knowing enough in the Scriptures especially one of them for to talke or dispute with me 6. But the Sheriff's Men came on purpose to insnare me if they could so one of them the most surly angriest Man of them asked me saying Have you taken the Oath of Allegance and Supremacy 7. I answered and said That Prophets do not use to swear Did you ever read in Scripture that Kings have been subject to Prophets Words and those Kings were happy that were obedient to the voice of Prophets 8. Why said he are you a Prophet 9. Yea said I that I am a Prophet 10. Then said he do you go to Church to hear our Ministers At that time there was a Law to persecute Men that did not come to Church which caused him to ask that Question 11. I answered him and said That it is not the practice of Prophets to go to Church to learn of your Ministers the Ministers ought to hear Prophets and learn of them 12. For Prophets were always above Bishops and Ministers 13. When he heard me answer him so confidently and with Authority as from Heaven he said no more 14. And when the Officers of that Town heard me answer him so positive they were the more afraid to enter into a Dispute with me 15. Yet one of them being more Atheistical being of the Saduce Spirit upon whose Wisdom and Knowledge they all depended upon he was a moderate Man and asked his Questiens moderately as you shall hear 16. Saith he Mr Mugleton you say thers is Three Commissions or Records to be acted upon this Earth and you say your Commission is the Commission of the Spirit and the last Now saith he if you could prove this by Scripture I should be satisfied 17. I answered and said unto him will you beleive me if I do prove it by Scripture here before these People 18. Then said he truly I think I shall beleive you if you prove it by Scripture 19. Then the Keeper and all the Men were silent and speak not a word none but he and I. 20. Then said I you shall not be troubled with any more Scriptures than that in the Epistle of John the 5th Chapter and such Scriptures as do allude to the same purpose where it is said There is Three that bare Record in Heaven the Father Word and Spirit and these Three are one And there are Three that bare Record on Earth the Water Blood and Spirit and these Three agree in one 21. Said I here you see that there is Three Records to be upon Earth answerable to the Three Records in Heaven and as the Three Records in Heaven were but one God though called Father Word and Spirit 22. So likewise the Three Records on Earth of Water Blood and Spirit are said yet do agree in one as the Scripture saith do you beleive this 23. He answered and said he did and so they said all 24. Then said I you see this one God in Heaven is called Father Word and Spirit yet but one God yet said to be Three that bare Record in Heaven yet but one God 25. Said I how will you interpret this Scripture 26. He answered and said he knew not how but desired me to unfold it 27. Then said I these Three that bare Record in Heaven it was spoken in relation to the Three Records on Earth 28. For this one God bearing Three Records in Heaven would have signified but little unto Mankind had there not been Three Records on this Earth given unto Men to declare unto Men the Three Records in Heaven 29. That Men might understand that one true God that is in Heaven demonstrated by Three Titles of Father Word and Spirit 30. Which God cannot be known but by the Three Records on Earth and those Three Records on Earth must be acted by Men that Men and Women may come to know that one true God in Heaven which is distinguished by Father Word and Spirit and be saved 31. For it is Life eternal to know the true God and he is to be known no other way but by these Three Records on Earth of Water Blood and Spirit and these Three Records on Earth are acted by Men be they not said I. He said yea CHAP. XI Shewing the Interpretations of the Two past Records on Earth of Water and Blood being undeniably unfolded 1. THEN said I will you interprit who those Men were and are that have acted the Records of Water and Blood
and Spirit upon Earth 2. He answered and said No he could not but desired me to interprit it 3. Then said I the Interpretation is thus the Record of Water upon the Earth it was Moses and the Prophets under the Law 4. They worshiped God with divers Ceremonies of Tipes and Offerings of Bulls and Goates and sprinkled upon the Alter their Blood and upon the Flesh of the Leapers and other distempered Persons that were unclean and much Washings and Purifyings with clear Water was used under the Worship of the Law 5. Which was the Record of Moses and the Prophets it being set up by Moses and practised by the People of the Jews many Generations And this Record of Moses upon Earth is that Record of Water answering and bearing Testimony to that one God the Father and Creator of all things both in Heaven and Earth 6. This is the Interpretation of the Record of Water upon Earth and this agreeth with the Record of God the Father in Heaven 7. Now you must understand that the Record of Water upon Earth it was acted by Men as Moses and the Prophets and the high Priests in the time of the Law They all cryed with one accord This is Truth 8. The Interpretation of the Record of the Blood upon Earth it was Jesus Christ and his Apostles In that Christ came to fulfil the Law and he is said to be the end of the Law to every one that beleives and to lay down his Life for many 9. Now in laying down his Life is understood that he shed his own precious Blood Therefore it is said his Soul was heavy unto Death and he power'd out his Soul unto Death and except you eat my Flesh and drink my Blood you have no Life in you 10. That is no Man hath the Assurance of eternal Life abideing in him except he doth truly beleive that Flesh of Christ that was Crucified upon the Cross to be the Flesh of God 11. That is the Word became Flesh and dwelt amongst Men and that Blood of Christ that was power'd out unto Death to be the Blood of God Except this be beleived there can be no eternal Life abideing in Man 12. For this Blood of Christ doth purge the Conscience from dead Works to serve the living God So that Christ which is manifest in Flesh as the Scripture saith did pass through Blood 13. And his Apostles after he had given them a Commission as in the Second of the Acts they bare Testimony and Record on the Earth that Jesus was the Christ 14. And they did witness that he shed his Blood and was put to Death by the Jews and did rise again and assend up into Heaven in that same Body he suffered Death in 15. For which Record of theirs they were put to Death and their Blood was shed and so were many Beleivers in their Commission put to Death and passed through Blood for bearing Record to this Jesus which they had crusified to be the Son of God 16. And this Record on Earth was acted by Men who lost their Lives for their Record therefore it is called the Record of Blood upon Earth 17. Answerable to the Record in Heaven in that the Word became Flesh and Christ is that Word that bare Record in Heaven and became Flesh and shed his Blood And those that bare Record unto him their Blood was shed also 18. So that the Blood of Christ and the Blood of the Apostles and the Blood of Saints is that Record of Blood on Earth And this Record of Blood on Earth it was acted by Men by Christ his Apostles and Saints 19. This is the true Interpretation of the Second Record of Blood here upon Earth is it not said I. 20. They all rejoyced and said it was true so far and that they never hear'd the like 21. Now the Interpretation of the Third Record of the Spirit upon Earth You see said I that there is to be Three Records upon Earth as there is Three in Heaven Now you see there is but Two acted upon Earth as yet to wit Water and Blood 22. Now the Water Record was to witness to God the Father the Blood Record witnessed to Christ the Son and you see they were Men like your selves that did bear these Records on Earth of Water and Blood 23. Likewise you see that these Two Records on Earth they did witness to one God in Heaven Did they not said I. He answered and said They did Yet said I you see they differ one from the other in point of Worship notwithstanding they did agree to bear Record to one God in Heaven 24. Now said I as these Two Records of Water and Blood were acted upon Earth by Men so likewise must the Record of the Spirit upon Earth he acted by Men also 25. And not as People do vainly imagiin That the Two former Records were acted by Moses and the Prophets and the High Priests which were Men And the Record of the Blood was acted upon this Earth by Christ and his Apostles and Saints which were Men. 26. But you cannot conceive the Record of the Spirit upon Earth is to be acted by Men as the other Two were But you conceive that God doth act this Record upon Earth himself only by inspiring his Spirit into every Mans Heart secretly giving the Knowledge of himself 27. Two answered and said Indeed this was their Beleif 28. But said I the Record of the Spirit upon Earth must be acted by Men as the other Two were else them Words be not true That there is Three that bare Record on Earth 29. For if God which is in Heaven doth act the Record of the Spirit himself and Men acted the other Two then there is but Two Records on Earth and Four Records in Heaven 30. When they heard this they rejoyced and said to the Man that disputed with me Mr. Benet We think you have met with one that is two harde for you now CHAP. XII The Interpretation of the Third Record on Earth the Record of the Spirit and who it is acted by THEN said I The Record of the Spirit upon Earth must be acted by Men as the other Two were Now said I there must be Witnesses of the Spirit upon Earth as there was Witnesses of Water and Blood 2. And some Men must be the chief Teachers or Commissioners as he did Moses and the Prophets Christ and the Apostles these were chosen of God and happy was it for those that beleived them in their time 3. Now said I God chose John Reeve and myself by Voice of Words to the hearing of the Ear to be his Two last Prophets and Witnesses of the Spirit and he gave us Understanding of his Mind in the Scriptures above all the Men in the World at this Day 4. And this I know to be true and many that can witness the same I spake not this out of any Pride of Heart but out of perfect Knowledge for