THE BAPTIST AND Independent Churches So called Set on Fire By a bright shining LIGHT revealed from Heaven Their PASTORS and TEACHERS scorching in the flame of it Gnashing and Blaspheming God and his Tabernacle As their Principles rash and judging herein recorded do demonstrate which are answered for the vindicating of Truth and the satisfying of the simple In which they are found to be children of them who killed the Just and have drunken of the Cup of Fornication who also must drink of the Cup of Indignation at the hand of the Lord. Wherein also is an Exhortation unto all people to examine themselves in what state and condition they are and to meet the Lord by repentance before that great Day of wrath that is come and coming to overtake them and they perish for ever In which all flesh shall QVAKE and TREMBLE Wherein also are some of the everlasting Truths of God revealed whereby all that have desires and breathings after God and to be partakers of the Divine Nature of Christ and would be acquainted with the one Faith and one Baptism and with the way that leads into it and the Kingdom of God may be directed into it Whereby every Particular may by an infallible testimony according to the Law and Testimony come to know whether they are in the one truth and in it walking In it also is a Word of Comfort to the IEWS Likewise is shewed when all Carnal Ordinances which stood in time and outward things and had a limitation of time ended to every one that believes which were types and figures and what they did prefigure is proved by the holy Scriptures of truth By one who is labouring and seeking the Redemption of all mankind in Christ Iesus who would not that any should perish but come to the knowledge of the Yruth. THOMAS MORFORD Isa 10 17. And the Light of Israel shall be for a fire and his holy One for a flame and it shall burn and devour his thorns and bryars in one day Rev. 16.9,10 And men were scorched with great heat and blasphemed the Name of God which hath power over these Plagues and they repented not to give him glory c. And they gnawed their tongues for pain Hosea 4.15 I will go and reurn to my place till they acknowledge their offence and they seek me in their afflictions London Printed for Robert Wilson and are to be sold at his shop at the sign of the Black-spread-Eagle and Windmill in Martins l'Grand 1660. The heads of things contained in this BOOKE 1. EDward Whale Priest of Waterford his Doctrine That none was ever free from sin in this life answered pag. 1. 2. Robert Carr Baptist Pastor of Clonmel his Doctrine Thaâ— the Scripture is the Rule of Life and Faith and the more sure Word of Prophesie and the Law and Testimony answered and confuted and the true and perfect Rule and Guide and the Law and Testimony shewed what and where it is p. 9. 3. The said Priest Whale and Priest Millard of Passage affirming That the Light within us is darkness are here answered p. 11. 4. An answer to Samuel Wade Baptist-Teacher who saith He believes that the Quakers are under the highest delusion in magnifying the Light within in opposition to Christ without and the Scriptures p. 12. 5. An answer to an affirmation of Joseph Parsons a Teacher of the Free-willers viz. That God would purge the Tribe of Levi to offer sacrifices external as of old p. 22. 6. A rash Judgement of William Lee Baptist Teacher and Governor of Waterford reproved and found false and so proved according to the Law and Testimony Wherein also is a true Testimony of the operation of the Eternal Power and Spirit of the Lord in the work of Regeneration c. p. 24. 7. An objection That we observe not the Ordinances of Christ as Baptism c. answered What that Baptism Matth. 28. was viz. A threefold Ministration by the same spirit John's Baptism a figure fulfilled and ended Baptism into Christ is another thing then that of water the figure William Lee and William Lamb their gross actions of violence manifesting their fruitless baptism p. 28. 8. Breaking of Bread a figure carnal and perishing continuing onely till he came who is come the end of all figures The form not to be used in imitation without power p. 32 9 The Doctrine of Pastor Hunt Baptist against Perfection answered Of Imitation which is Idolatry Truth purifieth and perfecteth A silence of flesh must be before God's Teaching can be received But the Spirit being poured out both Sons and Daughters may prophesie p. 34 To the impartial and unprejudiced REDER READER WHoever thou art that art enquiring after the Good old Way to walk there and hast desires to be directed therein but art a stranger unto that or knowest not where to have it which should give thee an entrance therein here in this following Book is that plainly demonstrated according to the holy Scriptures of Truth which should give thee an entrance therein and also where it is illustrated by infallible testimonies by one who hath wandred from Mountain to Hill to seek the Lord breathing and panting after him as the chased Hart after the Brooks of water but found him not until he came to wait at the true Door which is CHRIST the LIGHT which gives the true entrance into the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ And seeing according to the Scriptures of Truth perilous times are come many are crying Lo her 's Christ and lo there 's Christ whereby the simple-hearted which have true hungerings thirstings after God and would be acquainted with the One Truth one Faith and one Baptism and one Lord Jesus Christ know not which way to turn by reason of the many inventions of man and voices that are in the world each one esteeming hie own his invention that he worshippeth his God with to be the best way Therefore in the fear of God in the cool and calm spirit read over this Book wherein thou shalt find many of the Principles and Doctrines of some of the eminentest Professors Pastors and Teachers who have a form of godliness but deny the Power the which I was an ear witness of and when I heard it I said in mine heart Great men are not alwayes wise in the wisdom of God But in the grief of my soul I said Men of high degree are a lye and men of low degree are vanity Wherein also is an Answer thereunto according to the holy Scriptures of Truth by which their folly is made manifest though not with enticing words or in the form or method of the Serpents wisdom unto whom it is not directed nor for their sakes who by his wisdom are acted is it written Therefore let that noble spirit be in thee as was in the Bereans Search the Scriptures and compare them together and see whether the things herein be true let that of
I have proved by the Scripture of Truth is it not then plainly made manifest that thou hast taken the peoples mony for nought and deceived them and so hast clothed thy self with the fine of the wooll and thy wife her garments laced with silver and gold from the neck down to the foot the poor ready to perish with hunger and nakedness 1 Tim. 1.2 1 Tim. 2.9,10 lace upon lace some near as broad as four fingers which is not according to the ornaments of the holy women of old which were not laced with silver or gold or plaiting of the hair but covered with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which in the sight of God is of great price and hast fed thy self with the fat and neither thou nor any of you all have fed the poor and needy nor bound up that which is broken nor healed at the bottom that which was sick nor brought again that which was driven away but with fierce wrath and cruelty have ye ruled And now to cover thy wickedness and deceit thou Priest Whale sayest They must be cleansed from sin in Heaven which is also contrary to the Scripture which saith No unclean thing Idolaters nor Adulterers effeminate persons nor abusers of themselves with mankind nor covetous persons nor drunkards nor revilers nor extortioners or any that defiles or works abomination or that makes a lye shall inherit the kingdom of God or enter into that holy City and as the tree falls so it lies Eccl. 1.3 1 Cor. 6.9 Rev. 21.27 But saith Paul such were take notice some of you But they came to be washed cleansed and sanctified by the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of their God before ever they entered God's Kingdom which is joy righteousness and peace in the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 6.9 to the 11. Rom. 14.17 And now let that of God in you all judge Whether that Doctrine Priest Whale preached be according to the Scriptures and all people beware of them to wit such Teachers as Priest Whale and come out from amongst them lest ye partake of their plagues and consider your paths and ponder your waies and what you have benefitted in the things of God by following and learning of such Teachers and cease from them and mind that of God in you and as you come to mind and obey that it will lead you unto God the Father of Life and open your understandings and as you come to wait on the Lord it will reveal the true knowledge and glory of God in you in the face of Jesus Christ the key of which your Teachers have taken from you and caused you to err from the right way of the Lord even CHRIST the LIGHT who is the Way the Truth and the Life 2. The Principles and judging of Robert Car Baptist Pastor in Clonmell He affirmed the 10 th day of the 5 th month 1659 That the Scripture was the Rule of Life and Faith to Salvation And that the Scripture was the more sure word of Prophecie that Peter spake of and the Law Testimony And for us that are called Quakes to affirm that the Spirit of truth from God received was the true rule of life to salvation c. he said It was a fiction of the Devil Answ The true and everlasting Rule of life to Salvation and the Author of Faith which is Christ the holy Scripture is a true declaration of which is Christ the Eternal son of God the Spirit of life and truth which lighteth every one that cometh into the world that all men through him might believe Joh. 16.13 which whosoever loves and followes the Light of the son of God comes to receive the Spirit of Life and truth which leades into all truth and the Light and Spirit of truth is the Law and Testimony which was before the writings of Matthew Mark Luke and John for â—aith Isaiah Isa 8.26 To the Law and to the Testimony Now when Isaiah spake those words the Evangelists writings were not writen Jer. 32.40 Heb. 8.10 Ier. 31.33 Prov. 6 23 therefore the Law and Testimony is another thing and within man for saith God I wil make an everlasting Covenant with the house of I srael I wil put my Law and fear in their hearts and write it in their inward parts Now the Law is the Light which they that believe in follow come to receive the spirit of Life and truth as I said before and that is the Testimony of Jesus for the Testimony of Jesus saith John is the spirit of Prophesie Rev. 19.10 And this Spirit the Apostle did witness was come amongst them and bare witness to their Spirits that they were the sons of God for saith he because ye are sonnes God hath given forth the Spirit of his Son into your take notice hearts Gal. 4 6. And by this Spirit and Light they came to be led out of the lusts of the flesh and through the Cross of Christ knew a crucifying of it and that life in them that stood in outwards signes and things that perished in the using which Paul gloried not in neither desired to glory in any thing save the Cross of Christ for he knew and said Gal. 6.15 Circumcision though it was in its time serviceable and commanded of the Lord yet it availed them nothing yea he told them Gal. 5.2 If they were Circumcised Christ would profit them nothing But the new was to be accepted which was the onely work of the Spirit of the Lord through its eternal working and operation in their hearts circumcising of it and cleansing of it Gal. 5.6 whereby they who abides its working comes to receive the faith of God's Elect which works by love into the obedience to the Spirit of Truth and the sure word of Prophecie which is nigh them even in their hearts and mouths which divideth the evil motions and the evil words from the good and gives power against them as they do appear whereby all that come to obey and take heed unto that more sure Word come to know their sanctification and so the New Creature they come to know and the Mercy and Peace of God comes to be mustiplied in them and on them walking according to that Rule And Peter did not say the Writings of the Evangelists were that more sure Word than that they heard in the Mount which was the living Word of the Lord that abides for ever which by the Gospel was preached unto them and of this Living Word must all be born that ever come to know salvation which Word is in the heart and is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword even to the dividing of the joints and marrow soul and spirit and the thoughts and intents of the heart And this WORD David said hee had hid in his heart out of which came the Issues of life So Peter told them of another Word than the Words heard in the
affirm in the fear of God we do not put any on works or duries according to the first Covenant for life and salvation for by the deeds of the Law no flesh shall be justified But a measure of Gods Light Grace and Spirit of truth being first given freely to every man to it obedience is required which as I said before is a Cross to the will of man through which Cross is the power of God felt to the slaying of the enmity and the cleansing of the heart whereby the faith of Gods Elect comes to be received which works by love in obedience to what the Lord requires and so by the same power as Christ was raised from the grave comes the Creature to be quickened even his mortall body by the Spirit of Christ that dwells in him and so comes to be changed to walk in newness of Life through obedience to the Life of God in man for Christ himself learned obedience in the days when he was manifest in flesh and being made perfect through sufferings became the author of eternall salvation to all them that obey him Heb. 5.8,9 and so to press the Creature to obedience to the Light and Spirit of Life and Truth within it is not against Christ nor contrary to the Scripture nor a setting man to work for Life but to work in obedience to the Life received is according to the doctrine of Christ and is the beginning of the ground work of salvation But I must once more return to my present work to wit to the magnifying of the Light and anointing within for saith John when he writ to the Saints concerning those which would have seduced them from the Light and anointing he exhorted them to abide in that of God in them for saith he I have not writ unto you because ye know not the truth but because ye have known it that ye might abide in it Let that therefore abide mark in you which ye have heard from the beginning If that which ye have heard from the beginning take notice shall remain in you ye also shall continue in the Father and in the Son and the anointing which ye have received of him mark that abides in you and ye need not that any should teach you but as the same anoynting teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lye and as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him 1 Jo. 2.21 to 27. and so to magnifie the Light and Spirit within and walk in obedience to it is not Spirituall delusion nor against Christ nor in opposition to the Scripture which is largely proved by the Scriptures of truth But they that are not guided by the Light and Spirit of truth within are in the Spirituall delusion And whereas thou S. W. speaks of magnifying the Light within against Christ and in opposition to the Scriptures of truth Paul saith when he writ to the Philipians I would ye should understand Brethren that the things which have hapened unto me have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the Gospel so that my bonds in Christ are manifest c. for I know that it shall turn to my salvation through your prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ according to my expectation and my hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed but that with all boldness as always take notice of that so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body c. And there is not any one thing in all the whole Scripture more clear to be proved then the magnifying of Christ the Law Light and Spirit of Truth in man And as for the first Rise of us which scorners call Quakers which S. W. saith was in London about the year 47 it is no more true then his charging of us that the magnifying of the Light within stands in opposition to Christ and the Scripture But as for the eternall power of the Lord God of hosts which in righteousness hath been revealed and made manifest amongst us more then hath been of late ages through the long night of Apostacy by which proud flesh hath exceedingly quaked and trembled that was not first in London as S.W. dreameth but in the North of England as many faithful witnesses can testifie if required and the first that ever was known to give us that name of Quakers as I heard out of the mouth of a true faithfull witness of the Lord was a persecuting Justice in Darby Shire Gervas Bennet as I remember about the year 1652. yet the power of the Lord was witnessed before that time amongst our friends in the North. Yet that was not the first rise of the Quakers or Quaking which S. W. saith was in London which plainly manifesteth to all the Children of Light that Captain Wade is no Minister of Christ neither following him in the regeneration for they that follow Christ in their mouths is found no guile mark that neither do they speak a lye for quaking was thousands of years before that For saith Moses so dreadfull was thy presence that I did exceedingly quake and tremble Heb. 12.21 And Isaac which was before Moses hundreds if not thousands of years did witness quaking or trembling for when he heard the voice of Esau the cunning Hunter he exceedingly trembled Gen 27.33 And in the holy war in the days of old the Host of Israel and the Garison and the spoylers mark ye spoylers who make a prey and spoyl of the Lords servants and their outward substance a Day of horror and perplexity is coming on you and the spoylers also did quake and tremble and there was a great trembling and quaking in the Host in the field 1 Sam. 14.15 And David said his flesh did tremble he was afraid of the judgements of the Lord Psal 119.120 And Daniel that holy Prophet when he saw the Vision and heard the voice of the Lord stood trembling and a great quaking fell on them that stood by Dan 10.7 to the 11. And Habbakuck when he heard the Decree of the Lord against the wicked who built towns with blood and established Cities by iniquity and that gave drink to their neighbours till they were drunken and their nakedness seen c. and violence was done on mens blood and they taught lyes and trusted in dumb Idols take notice and their rejoicing was to devour the poor secretly for the which the man of God saw the Lord would be avenged of them in the day he would invade them with his troops or compass them about with his terrible army with displayed banners the which when the Prophet heard his belly trembled and his lips quivered rottenness entred into his bowelâ— he trembled that he might rest in that day of trouble such a man as saith Isaiah Isa 66.2 to the 5. hath the Lord regard unto which is of meek and humble Spirit that trembles at his Word Habak 2.8 to the end chap. 3. See thou S. W. and you all that despises
things of God I earnestly contending for the faith of Gods Elect once delivered to the Saints which gives victory over sin and bearing my testimony to Gods righteous Law and Spirit of Truth in man which largely afore is proved by the Scriptures of truth for all men by it to be guided having received a measure thereof this was the substance of what I there declared That of God in them bears me record which is the everlasting truth of God But William Lee Teacher and William Lamb Pastor strongly opposed me crying out The Ordiances of Christ The Ordinances of Christ to wit the Supper of the Lord and water Baptism which stood in time and were Ordinances of God and Christ But had a limitation of time and are ended in Christ the everlasting substance to every one that believes and follows as will be proved by the Scriptures of truth So he call'd Colonell Will. Lee governour and Baptist Teacher affirmed in the presence of Will. Lamb Pastor the Mayor and Aldermen so called and severall Captains and other men of quality in the worlds account both Baptists and Independants That I was absolutely damned and did not believe the truth nor abide in the Doctrine and Ordinances of Christ Now I appeal to Gods witness in the consciences of all who cry out that the Quakers do Judge when did any of the Quakers that are so in truth give such rash Judgement as to say any man was absolutely damned which is a secret belonging onely to God except the unbeliever confess it out of his own mouth or that the fruits of his Life make it appear But blessed be the Lord God and Father of Light through his eternall Love in Christ Jesus I do believe and follow the Truth which is Christ Jesus the Light of the world that Lighted every one that comes into the world and am dead with Christ buried with him in Baptism in measure and cannot bee subject to Ordinances that perish in the using and he that believes and is baptized shall be saved but he that believes not shall be damned And this testimony I give to all the world and sons of men on the face of the whole earth I do believe that Jesus Christ the Saviour of the souls of mankind was the eternall Son of God born of a Virgin whose name and interpretation I truly in my measure witness even the Emmanuel God with us who made a good confession before Pontius Pilate that he was Crucified and Buried and by the mighty Power and Glory of God the Father of Life was raised again and appeared unto his Disciples and was received up to eternall Glory and Glorified with the Father with the same Glory he had before the world began And much more do I believe in him and of him according as it is recorded in the holy Scriptures of Truth concerning him which I may not now declare And this Testimony I give for the Lord God and his truth unto all who have breathings after Christ and are hungering and thirsting after his righteousness But are gazing abroad and seeking him in outward observations c. that Christ Jesus the second Adam the quickning Spirit is come the second time without sin unto salvation in his chosen thousands Therefore turn in your mindes to that of God in you Rom. 1.19 and remember the woman that lost the groat and could not find it untill she had Lighted a Candle the Candle of the Lord is the Spirit of man the Light of Christ Lightneneth it and swept her house and when she found it she called her Neighbours and rejoiced read the Parable who can And I can truly say as Paul did he is come to save sinners of which I was chief which lived in Pride Lust Vanity blaspheming his holy name but have obtained mercy because it was in the time of ignorance and unbelief not through works that I have done but of his everlasting free Love Yet have born his Just and Righteous Judgements and deeply have drank of the cup of his fierce wrath and indignation and can truly say I am washed cleansed sanctified and Justified in my measure by the water the blood and the Spirit which three agree in one in the work of regeneration and so through the faith of God which works by love am brought in obedience to the Doctrine of Christ and his commands and in it to abide and this is his Doctrine Blessed be the poor in Spirit blessed be the meek blessed be they that mourn c. Thou hast heard that it hath been said of old time thou shalt not forswear thy selfe but I say unto you swear not at all and when thou prayest be not like the Hypocrites which stand praying in Pulpits and call no man master neither be ye called of man master and Love your enemies give to him that asketh and from him that would borrow turn not away that you may be children of your heavenly Father for he maketh his Sun to shine on the evill and on the good and sendeth rain on the Just and unjust and he that looketh on a woman to Lust after her hath already Committed adultry with her in his heart c. And lay not up for your selves treasure in the earth where the moth and Canker do corrupt but lay up for your selves treasure in heaven where neither moth nor rust do corrupt nor thievs break through and steal And I say unto you saith Christ swear not at all but in all your Communications let your yea be yea and your nay be nay for whatsoever is more then that cometh of evill and take no thought what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink or wherewithall ye shall be cloathed and take no thought for to morrow But first seck the Kingdom of God and his righteousness c. And be ye perfect even as your heavenly Father is perfect and his Ministers bid try all things and hold fast that which is good flee youthfull Lusts of Vanity abstain from every appearance of evill quench not the Spirit but if any thing be revealed to him that stands by let the first hold his peace c. Now whether thou William Lee and ye Baptists which cry out the Ordinances of Christ and the Commands of Christ be in the obedience to those weightier Commands and Ordinances which is fulfilled through faith mercy and Judgement upon the head of the transgressor I say whether you Baptists or we despisedly called Quakers be in the obedience to those Commands c. And many other which might be mentioned of Christ and his Ministers and abides in their Doctrine Let that of God in all Judge which the least of those or any of his Commands knowningly or willfully I dare not disobey if I might gain the whole world God is my record I lye not And he that saith he knows God mark that you Baptists and keepeth not his Commandements is a lyar and the truth is not in him 1 Jo. 2.4 So
the truth of Christ and his Doctrine I do believe and abide in through his mercy and Power Obj. But thou dost not practice the Ordinances of bread and baptising of water Well let us reason together Answ I do require and challenge all the Baptists in the Nation to prove by express words for he that addeth or diminisheth to or from the words written in the Booke God will adde to him the Plagues written therein where ever Christ did baptize with Water or command any to baptize with Elementary Water That Matth. 28,19 Go teach all Nations baptizing them c. doth not speak of Elementary Water and it is evident the Scripture doth speak of other Baptism then John's which was onely Elementary Water which I also do believ was a Command of God to John though sometimes practised by the Disciples but fulfilled and ended by and in Christ to every one that believes and follows the Light of Christ within which leads to the one Baptism the weightier matter spoken of Eph. 4.5 And I have a Baptism to be baptized with saith Christ and how am I straitened tiâ—l it be accomplished Luk. 12.50 Now Christ had fulfilled John's Baptism as to himself before he spoke those words and was before that baptized of John as you may read Luke 3.2 And himself did prophesie the decreasing of his Ministration For saith he I baptize with water unto repentance but he that cometh after me who is mightier then I he shall baptize you with the holy Ghost and with fire He doth not say Christ should baptize with Water but with the Holy Ghost c. And he shall encrease saith John but I shal decrease And when the Apostle came to Ephesus finding certain Disciples which had take notice been baptized before that unto John he said unto them Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed And they said We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost Then saith Paul who was not sent to baptize with water for I baptized none saith he except Crispus and Paulus c. and the houshold of Stephanus To what were ye baptized They said Unto John Then saith he John verily baptized with the Baptism of Repentance saying That they should believe on him that should come after him Christ Jesus When they heard that they were baptized into Christ and Paul laid his hands on them and they received the holy Ghost Acts 19.1 to the 6. So it is evident as I said before there is another Baptism then Water-Baptism as true experience of many can witness who are now baptised and baptizing into the Father Son and Holy Ghost or into Christs death according to the Scriptures of Truth for saith the Apostle Know ye not that so many of us as have been baptized into Christ were baptized into his death c. Rom. 6.3 And he said unto the Galatians As many of you as have been Baptized into Christ have put on Christ Gal. 3.27 So the Scripture doth not say any where that they that are baptized into the Father are baptized with water or they that are baptized into the Son and Holy Ghost are baptized with Elementary water which onely was a type or figure of the inward washing and sanctifying for the baptisme of the Father Son and Holy Ghost is three distinct things of a various operation though wrought by one and the same spirit the one a ministration of Terror and Condemnation the second of Salvation or washing and cleansing from sin and the third a Sanctifying and Glorifying with the same Glory that was with the Father before the world or sin began And so I do affirm in the fear of the Lord which is according to the Scriptures of Truth That Christ is the end of the Law and of John's ministration for righteousness sake to every one that believes in the Light which Christ hath enlightned every one withall that whosoever I say believes in the Light of Christ in them it leads as they follow it into the one baptism Eph. 4.5 and daily Cross of Christ to the Crucifying and slaying of the Lusts of the flesh Pride of Life envyings wrath strife adulteries Idolatry witchcraft variance emulation seditions heresie Drunkenness murders self-willedness c. the which they that live in are not Christs neither are such actions the fruits of the members of the true Church And whether many of those sins be not standing amongst you Baptists Let that of God in you all Judge for I standing peaceably in a meeting amongst the Baptists in Waterford where William Lee was Preaching and when he had done I stood upon a form to speak the Word of the Lord that was in my heart as fire desiring their moderation I speaking no other things then what is contained in the Scriptures of Truth but Will. Lee came out of his Pulpit and laid violent hands on me and thrust me down gnashing his teeth on me Another member of that Church Serjeant Wilson Constable of the Town laid violent hands on me and haled me out of the room and said That I deserved to be stoned to death and another time I walking peaceably in the next room to their meeting came Geo. Caldron called an Alderman and told me It was their hired house and if I did stay there it should be to my perill and the day aforesaid when I was with the Mayor when Will. Lamb Pastor was taking his leave of the Mayor he bowed hat and knee saying Your humble servant Sir according to the fashion of the world which passeth away for which I reproving him he came and laid hands on my hat and took it off my head and threw it violenton the ground which some of his Brethren would have had him taken up again but he would not so because I know they were ashamed of the brutishness of their Pastor one of them took up my hat and ran after me and put it on my head which was said to be Captain Boulton And that same day because I testified the writings of the Prophets and Apostles were not the Word of God but I said that which was spoken from the Spirit of God were the Words of God but Christ is the Word Bov. 19. Jo. 1.1 So Will. Lamb was speaking with the rest and would have had me to been taken hold of for he said there was an Act of Parliament that if any should say the Scripture was not the Word of God they should suffer c. And being somtime after that amongst the Baptists of Waterford Jo. Deck a Teacher of them was whispering with some of his Brethren and came presently unto me and held up the Bible in his hand and asked me whether that was not the Word of God Judas-like to betray or insnare me I asked him whether that was the Word of God which Rabshaka and Sennacherib spoke blaspheming and reproaching the Living God and that the Devil spoke to Christ his answer was That it was And Roger
to the end of all those shadows and knows himself as he abides in it a member of the body of which Christ is the the Head and a member of the true Church in God with the Saints in Light and so comes truly to say as the Apostles did We being many are one body and one bread I speak as to the wise in God to judge what I say The Cup of Blessing which we bless is it not the Communion of the Blood the Life of Jesus Christ And the Bread which we break is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ c. For all are partakers of that one Bread I am the Bread of Life saith Christ he that hath an ear to hear let him hear and he that eats thereof shall never dye So I say in this the day of God's eternal Power his children who meet together sitting in the heavenly high places waiting on the Lord in the measure of his spirit and in the Spirit of Truth are worshipping him they being many are one body and come to be partakers of that spiritual Bread of life which is broken amongst them by the Divine hand through the Power of the Lord so are come to the substance of the shadow or outward sign which was to be done in remembrance by the Disciples till he come c. but not commanded to be practised by succeeding Generations as a traditional rudiment the which did prefigure the spiritual communion of the Saints in the dispensation of times which is come for the gathering together all in one even in CHRIST Eph. 1.10 And those that were baptized unto Moses c. They also eat of this Spiritual Bread and drank of that Spiritual Rock which followed them and that Rock was Christ 1 Cor. 10.2.4 Therefore in the Power and Authority of the Spirit of the Lord I bear testimony That all the children of the Lord that are taught of him and in his righteousness in their measures are established are come to the end of all those shadows types and figures which stood in meats drinks and divers washings and such carnal Ordinances baptising with Water and breaking natural Bread c. Outward Offerings and sacrificing of Beasts c. are carnal and the Apostle said I Paul testifie unto you if you be circumcised Christ will profit you nothing What Scripture had the Apostle to prove that seeing there was a time Scripture required it I say although these Ordinances and commands were instituted by the Father and the Son they stood in time until he that was before time and for ever will remain when time shall be no more was manifest the second time c. even Christ in them the hope of glory and he that believes hath the witness of truth in himself and so is come in truth according to the Scriptures of truth to the end of those carnal Ordinances which were imposed on them take notice of the limitation of time until the time of Reformation Heb. 9.10,11 Rom. 10.4 9 And this testimony I give for the Lord's Truth his chosen ones whom he hath called to labour in his Vinyard that we called Quakers do not deny the Ordinance of God Christ to wit Baptism and breaking of bread c. as they stood in their time and place as is aforeshewed but for any to take them up by tradition or imitation according to the Doctrine of Pastor Hunt Baptist which said in the high place in their meeting at Kilkenny That none could follow Christ to be as perfect as he was Therefore saith he They must be as perfect as they can and follow him so well as they can and by imitation And so hee would make the Doctrine of Christ and his Ministers to be of none effect by his imitation and traditions for his Doctrine and Ministry was for the perfecting of the Saints c. they preacht wisdom amongst them that were perfect and they laboured to present every man perfect in Christ and Epaphras prayed they might stand perfect And the Apostle said They were compleat in Christ and come to mount Sion and to an innumerable company of Angels and to the spirits of just men made perfect And Christ said Whosoever will be my Disciple he must take up his dayly Cross and follow me He doth not say Follow me as well you can c. but his Disciples said We have followed thee in the regeneration c. and they received the Light of Life through which they loved one another and said Herein was their love made perfect and therein was their boldness because even as he was mark the reason in the day of Judgement even so were they in the present and were and are perfect and so they witnessed his Command and Doctrine fulfilled which said Be ye perfect even as your heavenly Father is perfect And for any as I said before to take up any Ordinance except moved of the Lord by imitation or tradition I manifestly affirm It is absolute Idolatry and Witchcraft drawing the minds of creatures into outward observations contrary to the law Testimony and that is the only Work of Antichrist crying Lo here lo there and Christ saith Go not forth to keepe the minds of creatures in outward things which perish in the using from the Light of the Son of God within which he hath enlightened every one that comes into the world withall that all men through him might believe and walk in the Light which would lead unto the one baptism to be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with Fire through which the heart comes to be purified and the Faith of God's elect comes to be received which gives the victory over the world and the mercy and peace from God comes abundantly to be multiplied in and on the new creature who is changed and raised to newness of life by the same power and glory that raised the Lord Jesus from the Grave So in the Light of the Son of God examine your selves ye Baptists whether you are come to know a real change of life and to be new creatures and old things past a way or passing away if not I testifie unto you in the Name of the most High God your baptism avails you nothing and you are not yet come to the true repentance not to be repented of And as sure as the Lord lives his just and righteous Judgement must you all come to feel revealed in you and upon that nature that hath disobeyed his Gospel through which Gods Righteousness comes to be revealed from Faith to Faith c. through which Revelation of his Righteous Judgements in flames of fire comes the creature to know the purging away the filth of the flesh and the consuming of the man of sin which hath a long time sate in the Temple of God and exalted himselfe above God even the mystery of iniquity comes to be revealed which hath a long time reigned through the Power of darkness which hath wrought
powerings forth of his eternall Spirit and to feel its operation and movings in you untill then in the dread power and authority of the Spirit of the Lord again I say unto you Let all flesh keep silence Gods witness in every one of you shall eternally witness me to be true for through the operation of Gods eternall Power and Spirit of Life Life and Immortality is brought to Light through which the Immortall soul comes to be refreshed and the seed of God raised out of death And that Life and seed is but one in all in the male and in the female so if Gods Spirit move in son or daughter to speak in the Church of Christ it is not lawfull to quench it But if any thing else speak whether in male or female and not the Spirit of the Lord or its movings that which speaks in male or female being in the sin and transgression that is the woman or sorrowfull sinfull man that must be silent and ask the husband at home which if she continue in the faith Patience Godliness Sobriety and Charity untill the man-child be born or brought forth in Dominion to Raign to Rule the transgressing part with a rod of Iron she may be saved he that can receive it let him for where sin and evill is standing there is woe and sorrow whether in male or female and all must be silent in the Church till sin and iniquitie is blotted out but who are come to know remission of sin through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ there is glad tidings Joy and Peace and all that ever ministers from the Spirit of Truth in the Church of Christ must first be a partaker of the fruits of the Kingdome of God in measure for saith the Apostle The husbandman that laboureth must first bepar taker of the fruits viz. of that he ministereth to wit of the Joy or Glory he testifieth of therefore saith he to Tymothy consider what I say and the Lord give thee understanding c. And male and female is all one in Christ and each must come to know the Travell and Anguish which makes all faces gather paleness before that Child be brought forth Wherefore saith the Prophet Jeremiah Ask ye now and see whether a man doth travell with Child wherefore do I see every man with his hands upon his Loins as a woman in travell and all faces are turned into paleness c. Jer. 30 6. This is a mystery Christ in man And so I say when the Life of Christ is brought forth in power in son or daughter it is Lawful for either to speak in the Church of Christ as Miriam and the holy women did in the days of old teach and instruct in the Congregation of the Lord and Miriam taught Israel to sing praises to the Lord and Deborah a Prophetess Judged Israel and instructed Barack taught the people to praise the Lord and Huldah the Prophetess spoke the Word of the King saying Thus saith the Lord And Priscilla with Aquila her Husband took Apollo a man of Alaxandria and instructed him more perfectly in the way of the Lord And Paul commends those women to the Philippians which laboured with him in the Gospell And do the Baptists think the Apostle would commend those women in one place or to one people and reprove them or write against them to another people and command them to be silent because Paul saith I suffer not a woman to teach or to usurpe authority over the man But be silent and ask her Husband at home c. and therefore you will not willingly if the Lord send his handmaids or daughters amongst you suffer them to speak on whom the Lord promised he would pour out of his Spirit in the last days and they should Prophesie I tell you there is a great mistery in those words I suffer not a woman to teach but to be in silence c. The Lord of Hosts is the Husband of his Church and as Peter said Our beloved brother Paul writ in all his Epistles somethings hard to be understood which they that are unlearned in the Doctrine and mysteries of Christ wrest as they do all other Scriptures to their own destruction Therefore take heed all ye that are stumbling at the Lords speaking in his handmaids as in ages past who is the same for ever Least yee are found perverting the Truth of the Lord and quenching his Spirit For Anna a Prophettess a woman of great age that had lived with an Husband seven years from her Virginity a widow of about fourscore years of age that served God in Fastings and Prayers she coming into the Temple that instant when the Child Jesus was in the Temple she gave thanks and preached in the Temple redemption by Jesus Christ to all them that looked for it in Jerusalem And Christ himself bid Mary Magdalen to whom first he appeared after his Resurrection out of whom he had cast seven Devills Go and tell or preach to my Brethren that he is arisen saith the Angell and go to Gallalee there shal they see me saith Christ And so I say unto you where ever the seed which is Christ to which all the promises of God are Yea and Amen and all that ever come to be blessed it must be in the seed is brought forth in power to Raign it is lawfull to speak whether in male or female quench it not for in Christ Jesus there is no difference in him all is one Col. 3.11 Gal. 3.28 Therefore again I say unto you quench not the Spirit of the Lord but try all things and hold fast that which is good and despise not reproof of Instruction but receive the Truth in the Love of it to wit the Light and Spirit of Truth within as is largely before proved according to the Scripture of Truth as it is in Jesus And take heed least for your not receiving the Truth in the Truth in the Love of it God give you wholly over to reprobate minds to work uncleanness with greediness and so he Justly send you stronger delusions that ye all may be damned who will not believe and receive the Truth in the Love of it And then in that day of trouble and Anguish when you cry and call even you who have caused the simple to erre keeping them in that which perisheth in the using from the measure of of God in them bringing all the Arguments and strong Reasons to pervert and perswade from the Truth and to stop Gods Righteous witnesse from arising in the simple of which many would hear and receive the Truth but having not strength are afraid of being cast out from amongst you as it was amongst the envious Jews who ever of them did confess Christ was to be cast out But the day is near come that such fears shall be cast out of them who breath after God in righteousness and Truth and they shall come to know one if you cast them out will