Nation who in their covetousness after money piercing thâ—mselves through with many hurtful lusts having erred from the faith and having exceeded the false Prophets in other generations for their ill savour is so come up before the Lord that he will cause even their own breath to devour them and their own confusions to make them ashamed But we have also to war against spiritual wickedness in high places and the powers of darkness under the form of godliness and the Beast which is risen out of the Earth which hath Horns like a Lamb but is as a Lyon but with one Light are they seen and with one Power are they judged and the secret counsel of the Lord is the strength of them that fear him in which we reign over all the ways of unrighteousness and works of darkness in what appearance soever they come And now to thee Jonathan Clapham and the rest of thy company art thou not ashamed to go under the Name of a Minister of Christ and take Tythes and sue men for Tythes and thou to number thy self and take hand with them that are persecuting and casting slanders upon the innocent And dost thou set forth thy Refuge of lyes and dost not thou think that all people that read thy book made up with lyes will not see it that fear God and know that will return upon thy pate had there been no Reply to it The day hath dâ—clared thee a witness shall rise up in thee against thee and thy lyes that is the Word of the Lord God to thee What you that be call'd Independents now should be setting up your Refuge of lyes and publish them to the chief Magistrates of the Nation they will not refuge under them who be under the shadow of the Almighty who do believe and obey the Truth and fear God! And what you that be called Independents sue men for Tythes cast men in prison for tythes O shame cover your lips and faces and you are they the wicked Seeds-men to sow your lyes abroad and to proclaim thy self a lyar to all the Nation to say that the Quakers deny prayer dost thou not think all the Nation will see thee and you to be lyars who have proclaâ—med your selves to be lyars in saying the Quakers be Enemies â—o prayer We are satisfied and a thousand of people concerning you your lyes and slanders and do see into what you run and do beseech the Lord to forgive you for you have a lamentable cup to drink for you do nâ—t know what you have done in this great day of the Lord and what you have stood against and is it not a shame for thee and you that are called Independents to take Tythes of them and to sue them up to London for tythes that you do no work for and to cast them into prison that cannot put into your mouths whom you do not labour for Was ever such a company of Ministers of unrighteousness known in any age And is not all this your fighting against the Saints and opening your mouths against them because they cannot put into your mouths and give you tythes and filthy lucre and gifts and rewards and hire To demand hire of them that have not hired you is not this unrighteous You know not what spirit you are of nor what Cup you are to drink of the Lord forgive you And as for thy Book all people that fear God will be satisfied with reading of it And I tell thee and all them that are called Independents in the Nation that are suing persecuting and imprisoning unto death for tythes that there is something raised up in the hearts of the people that will not believe lyes and many of them are so far satisfied that they know that your Books are but envy and malice and stuft full of lyes and prejudice against the innocent and the Truth and some of you have a mad blind zeal in persecuting and imprisoning to death but the Lord will be glorified in your folly who will carry his Lambs in his Arms and the more you write and speak against Truth the more your blindness madness aod folly and lyes and dislike to the people that fear God appears and your speaking against truth hath advantaged truth against your folly and madness but out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hath the Lord ordained strength and the Lord and his high hand is with them Art not thou and you such as the Apostle spoaks of that serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but your own bellies who mind Earthly things the evil Beasts the Apostles speak of the slow bellies Have not you all stained your selves with this Have not your fruits declared your Earthly minds and worse than Balaam who sue them for tythes you do no work for doth not this load the innocent Are you them that keep the Gospel without charge O hide your selves for shame the day is appearing that the evil beasts shall go into Dens and men shall go to their labour but ye keep men from their labours while you are abroad ravening in the Earth Are you them that keep the Gospel without charge that now call your selves Ministers that are suing people for tythes and if they wâ—ll not give it you cast them into prison Now are you not clearly proved to be them that the Apostle bids us turn from that are covetous and make merchandize of the people which have the form of godliness but deny the power which the Apostle bids us turn from which teaches for handfuls of Barley and Corn which have the love of money which is the root of all evil which while you have coveted after you have erred from the Faith and pierced your selves through with many hurtful lusts which the man of God is to flye as you may read in Timothy and Titus who are given to filthy lucre and strikers and the covetous are disapproved to be Ministers of Christ. Now its manifest that you are given to filthy lucre strikers and covetous and do teach for filthy lucre and will have lucre of them you do not teach to Your glory is defacing and your beauty staining God will stain it whose end is teaching for filthy lucre you will force people to give you filthy lucre and do not teach them 'T is a shame to speak of the things you do how such peoples goods are spoiled who cannot give you Tythes or filthy lucre which know in their consciences you to be the false Teachers for filthy lucre take aâ—ay that your preaching would quickly down this makes you so mad and enrageâ— like a Lyon that wants his prey against them that put not into your mouths Consider there is a check come upon you to the Light in all your Consciences I speak which Christ hath enlightened you withall which lets you see your Saviour if you love it and if you hate it it 's your condemâ—ation And so I am clear of your blood be it upon your own heads And
all feignedness and formality even to dwell in the substance which is the holy life of the Son of God where the true love the heavenly voice and pure joy is felt and known as in the beginning always remembring how the Gospel in power came unto you and how in fear and much trembling it was both preached unto you and received by you with the many blessed effects of its operation vvorking your conversation out of the earthly nature from the earthly body into the heavenly body in which you are able to take up his Cross if it be daily to follow him in the regeneration and newness of life even from the true knowledge of him in whom ye have believed and by whose povver you stand For when we consider the infinite deepness and largeness of that love with which we have been cloathed and have even covered others withal and likewise the many experiences of the Father's dealings with us in working all our Works both in us and for us this cannot but deeply engage our hearts unto him how that ever since we have known him to be our Leader he hath always gone before us preparing our vvay that we might serve him he hath for his seeds sake even reproved Kings and hath quenched the violence of fire that was kindled in many hearts against us he hath by his Wisdom put to silence the ignorance of foolish men that he may clear us from all their reproach He hath not only kept us alive in our suffering under the Wrath of our Enemies but in the power of his spirit made us to reign over them and not only over our outward and open enemies but also over the secret smitings of the wicked one which would privily slay the righteous He hath had a tender regard to his innocent ones to keep them out of the snares of the betrayers and to keep them in the unity of his power and love in the which I speak unto you that know these things whose ears the Lord hath so opened that you can try Words and whose eyes also he hath unclosed that you can see that which causeth divisions and offences contrary to the Doctrine of Christ and avoid it for hitherto even until this day have you learned by good experience and some through sufferings that whatsoever hath risen up to oppose the Lord in his Way to quench the strength of his Love or to break the unity of his people whether it hath been by spirit or letter under never so innocent pretences the Lord hath brought it down and confounded it and made it to be as dust under the feet of his Saints so that we may together say to the praise of our God that we knovv the depths of Satan and are not ignorant of his devices Therefore in the sence of this experience put on strenth O ye Arm of the Lord by vvhich he will do great things and through whom he will make his power known to the Nations in setting up his Kingdom and Government and his Peace of which there shall be no end Let nothing hinder the setting up of his Scepter of Truth and Righteousness amongst you and let the Life of Jesus in his Love and Power reign over all the earthly spirits and over the spirit of Jealousie which is strong as death and cruel as the grave which being not received it can hurt nothing but its own habitation in which it lodgeth So keep your selves pure in the love of God and be not partakers of other mens sins walking worthy of the holy and blessed calling in which the Lord hath given you an inheritance among the living And dwel in the spirit of meekness in which the Wisdom and Power of God you will feel to the refreshing of your souls for as you therein abide you are our joy in the Lord and a strength unto us in his Work Another Epistle to Friends IN the life of the Son of God dwell that in it you may be made manifest unto all answering the just and reproving the unjust for he is come to rule who must put down all rule and all authority under his feet and in him is the living dominion felt and the faith in the power which overcomes the edge of the sword and subdues Nations in which is the dread of the Almighty to bring under the stout-hearted even by the power of the holy seed which is spreading abroad in the earth for the finishing the Fathers work in the earâ—h which all are witnesses of who do abide and walk in his light where you may all enjoy your peace with the Lord and be kept in his power over the power and spirit of the world in the everlasting covenant of light and life where you may all feel the growth of the seed in you into the Fathers gift which is the life immortal so dearly beloved and truly begotten in my Fathers love dwell in that which gives you a sight knowledge and feeâ—ing of him who hath begotten you into a measure of his life light power and image and hereby will you all be united into one serving one another in love for God is love and we are his off spring and to the world is he manifest through us as being his natural branches and the breaking forth of his light and power and is as set upon a hill unto which all eys look and from which the sincere and tender take their example so dear hearts in the path of the Just walk which is a shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day so as children of it all walk that you to others may be examples and leaders out of darkness and out of the ways of death into the Kingdom of the Father which stands in the Light righteousness and peace and joy in the holy Ghost in which the power and presence of my heavenly Father preserve you and keep you in his living Dominion Reasons why no Imposition ought to be upon mens Consciences by any but the Lord. 1. BEcause no man can perswade the conscience of another either what God is or how to worship him but onely the Spirit which God hath given to instruct man 2 Because to impose any thing upon another mans conscience either to do or practice is not to do unto another as he would have another do unto him and therefore is contrary to Christs doctrine 3 Because all obedience or service that is thereby obtained is for fear of wrath and not from love nor for conscience sake and will but continue so long as that fear or force abides upon them 4 Because thereby no man can make an Hypocrite a Believer but it is possible that thereby he may make many Hypocrites 5 Because that in all forced impositions upon mens consciences there is of the wrath of man exercised which workâ— not the righteousness of God but rather begets enmity one towards another 6 Because that men are not made thereby loving Subjects but forced Slaves 7 Because that by the force of imposing any thing upon men many are thereby hardned in their hearts and resolved to resist when as by love and leaving them free they mâ—ght easily be perswaded of that which otherwise thâ—y will not be THE END Acts 33. Rom. 4.11 John 5.3 Jer. 1.5 6. Luk. 1.66.08 1 Kin. 8.46 John 14.4 Prov. 20.9 John 18.10 Eccles. 7.23
A Collection OF THE SEVERAL BOOKS AND WRITINGS OF THAT Faithful Servant of GOD Richard Hubberthorn Who finished his Testimony being a Prisoner in NEWGATE for the Truths sake the 17 th of the 6 th Month 1662. And I heard a voice from Heaven saying Blessed are the dead which hereafter dye in the Lord even so saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours but their works shall follow them Rev. 14.13 LONDON Printed and are to be sold by William Warwick 1663. TO THE READER THe glory of the everlasting God and the Light of his powerful Truth hath so far appeared and is so effectually manifest in our day that the veil of darkness is removed from off the hearts of thousands who have received the love of the Truth as it is in Christ Jesus the everlasting Light and the life of the righteous and ugright in heart who walk in the way of the Lord and many thick clouds of darkness and error which have darkned the minds of people are dispersed by the arising and shining forth of the Sun of righteousness and the visitation of the day-spring which hath dawned from on high blessed and praised be the name of the mighty God who hath raised up unto himself a royal-seed to bear testimony of his Name in righteousness against which no weapon formed shall prosper Albeit this seed hath been largely tried and persecuted by the seed of enmity and evil-doers and sons of Belial who have made it their work to seek to obstruct the work of the Lord by persecuting his servants and reviling his faithful witnesses and reproaching and blaspheming his living â—ruth and way even till a line of confusion is come over them and they have split themselves against the rock and the stone which the builders have rejected which is exalted and set over them all And now as for these Priests and Professors who â—ave so much busied themselves in opposing and gain-saying â—he Lord's people called Quakers and those righteous Prinâ—iples and Doctrines held forth by them the work of these opâ—osers is come to nought and they have apparently missed of â—heir ends and exspectations and they have wearied themselvs â—or very vanity and they and their work is manifest to the â—ation and the folly of it in a great measure after they have â—rought forth their cause and produced their strong Reasons â—as they have esteemed them which the truth and Spirit of understanding in it's Witnesses hath evidently confuted and brought to nought And how hath shame and dishonour and Contempt in the eyes of all sober and Indifferent people come upon many of our oppressors and Adversaries the Priests and professors who after they have been striving and contending against our preaching up and vindicating the Light of Christ in every man Joh. 1.9 Rom. 1.19 and perfection and freedom from sin as attainable in this life to such as believe in Christ who is manifest for that end 1 Joh. 3. they themselves who have opposed and withstood these truths are turned into grosser darkness and confusion then ever many being turned from their pretended Reformation Covenant and Directory now to complain with the prophane that they have done those things they ought not to have done and left undone those things which they ought to have done and there is no health in them and so now they cry Lord have mercy upon us miserable sinners or miserable offenders c. as in their divine service so called which formerly they exclaimed against who now are turned to it So as it 's come to pass upon them as upon the false prophets and hireling priests of old Night is unto them the Sun is gone down upon them and the day is become dark over them and the seers are ashamed and the diviners confounded for there is no Answer of God nor vision unto them many of whom have preached and prophesied falsly against us and of our overthrow tilâ— they are overturned themselves Micah 3. and many thaâ— have been as emâ—nent Leaders overseers and tall Cedars amongst the outside and form all professors of our times arâ— fled as the hireling that cares for himself more then the flock and their mouths are stopt and they ready to hide themselves when those they account wolves devourers anâ— superstitious persons comes amongst their flocks manifestinâ— that they are not true shepherds nor built upon the Rock Chriâ—â— Jesus for their profession will not abide the storms nor enduâ—â— the Winter so as much of our work and controversies wilâ— such our Antagonists is over for they were the highest aâ— most contentious against us where the Truth and power â— God first appeared amongst us to gather us out from â—mongst them unto Christ the true shepherd and when they could have â—he Magistrates and powers of the earth on their side as to prosecute for them and to feed them with the wages of unrighteousness and maintain them in Balaams way And now the righteous testimony of the servants of the Lord liveth and remains as upon Record against the unrighteousness and falshood of such and in particular the faithfull testimonys and true evidences given for the truth and held forth by that faithfull servant and follower of Chrâ—st and brother and Companion in the work of the Gospel R. Hubberâ—horne Concerning whom I hearing that some have taken in hand to Recollect as many of his Books as they could to be Reprinted it is in my heart by the spirit of the Lord and in true love to his truth to signifie these things in short to be annexed unto them for the sake of the world and such as knew him not having had more conveâ—se with him and experience and knowledge of him then many others had 1. That he was a true and faithfull Instrument in the hand of the Lord in his day for the turning many from darkness to the light and from error to truth First by informing instructing and admonishing people to the light of Christ which appeareth and shineth in the hearts and consciences of the children of men and against the darkness pollutions falfe ways professions and worships of the world c. Secondly by preaching and holding forth the new and living way the substance and end of figures and shaddows which many in the darkness of apostacy have been Doting about and the true saving knowledg of God and his Son Jesus Christ within his people to become their Wisdom Righteousness sanctification and redemption and in which they come to experience the justification of life according to the Witness given by the primitive saints Christians and true witnesses of Christ. 2. And the gift of God bestowed upon him the saâ—d R. H. was very pretious honorable clear lives with us in our Remembrance hearts thereby he was made a faithfull Contender for the living faith which was once delivered unto the saints which stands in the power of God worketh by love giveth the Creature victory
over the world purifieth the heart and maketh man obedient and faithfull unto Goâ— as he lives in it till he hath fought the fight of it and overcome his spiritual enemy power of darkness which hath led man from his Maker into sin and transgression so as the gift of God did largely shew forth it self in the said servant of Christ by opposing and renouncing Errors stopping the mouths of and many times convincing gainsayers 3. And though his bodily presence and his speech to some seemed weak and contemptible yet we can in the truth bear witness that he was a man both of a solid spirit and quick understanding and delivered weighty things in his ministring as were felt by such as were unprejudiced who were impartial sober and staied in their spirits and the innocency and uprightness of his life and conversation so many have a certain knowledge and can give their testimony thereof that I shall need to say little as to that and he labored for peace unfeigned love and unity in the Truth amongst people witnessing against that spirit and those things in any which would either make division or cause offences or stumblings in any thing contrary to the Gospel of peace and salvation wherein the mystery of the everlasting and true fellowship consisteth and he truly preached the Cross of Christ and true judgment to such spirits as would live in a form and notion of Truth out of the life power and true obedience who though they may profess great matters in words and strain after high things in the carnal comprehension yet are but in the state of such as were dead as unto whom the Gospel hath in judgment beeâ— preached that they might be judged as men in the flesh buâ— live according to God in the Spirit as that follower of Christ and Minister of righteousness R. H. hath held forth who walked in his integrity to the Lord and â—â—tained his first love and habitation in the truth being over all such changeable spirits as would lead from it into any ways or things tending to be get prejudice division or offences in the minds contrary to thâ—â— pure love which stands in the living unchangeable Truth Anâ— this I must needs say touching that man that I never felt more of the presence and love of God accompanying him theâ— I did in that time we were sufferers and conversant togetheâ— in Newgate before his decease And he viz. R. H. was taken away in a time of suffering and tryal for the testimony of a good conscience being in the year 1662. in which many of the Lords people were under persecution especially in the City of London for the exercise of their tender consciences in meeting together in the worship of God as the Saints and true Christians in the Primitive times did and diverse others of the innocent and faithful servants of Christ who were sufferers upon the same account in Newgate London laid down their lives for the â—estimony of Jesus about that time as he did being for the most â—art taken weak and sick in prison and as was judged by the most part their hard imprisonment and deep suffering being crouded together in great companies the hot season in prison â—nd in holes was the occasion and beginning of their distemâ—er and sickness whereon they died before they were discharâ—ed of their imprisonment So as he nor they did suffer nor â—ere taken away for any evil-doing or in wrath or judgment â—ut in the peace and love of God as to them-ward having paâ—iently endured and faithfully finished their course with joy â—nd fulfilled their testimony in faithfulness as seeing him â—hat is invisible having received a crown of glory and life â—hose memorial lives with us and is for ever blessed and â—hus the Lord hath many times taken away the righteous â—â—om the evil to come who through faith have received a â—â—od report and left an everlasting testimony behind them And now blessed are all they that in faith patience and sinâ—â—rity do follow the Lamb unto the end whithersoever â—e goeth â—hether it be through tribulations persecutions or what sufâ—â—rings soever for such are they that keâ—p their habitations 〈◊〉 the power and love of God and such overcome by the blood 〈◊〉 the Lamb and the word of their testimony and shall reign â—ith Christ as victorious Conquerors in his everlasting kingâ—â—m over death and darkness and the power of it and such 〈◊〉 abide in the love of the Truth and Faith of Gods Elect do 〈◊〉 and witness that seed which God will exalt over the earth â—â—â—ore which he will root out and overturn his enemies that his 〈◊〉 plant may take deep root and spread to the ends of the 〈◊〉 And so all friends who have received the love of the Truth and the knowledg of the life and power thereof wherein is immortality to the faithful and obedient Be valiant for the Truth upon earth and live in true love unity and peace always minding and folâ—owing those things which make for peace and feel the true and constant love and fellowship in the Gospel of peace life and salvation And so blessings from on high will fill your hearts and the glory of the Lord will be your rereward in the everlasting inheritance of life with the holy seed which will out-live all its enemies and remain when the enmity of the wicked and the seed of it is removed and gone So the Lord exalt his Name and Truth and promote his Kingdom over all that is contrary to himself that he alone may have the glory and preheminence whose right it is G. W. Waltham in Essex the 27 of the 11 month 1662. Epist. pag. 4. lin 30. for attained read retained pag. 5. lin 16. for so as he read so as neither he Reader this following Testimony was given forth by our dear Friend Edward Burroughs before he finished his testimony by death for the Truths sake which I thought fit here to insert RIchard Hubberthorne was born in the North part of Lancashire and was of very honest Parents his Father was a Yeoman of the Country and had a good Report of his Neighbours for uprightnâ—sse in all his dealings and Richard was his onely Son who was inclinable from his youth upwards to Religion and to the best way always minding the best things and following the company of good men and was never known to be addicted to vice or malignity nor ever following any evil course of life from his Child hood but fâ—â—red the Lord and walked uprightly before him and 〈◊〉 faithful according to the Light and knowledge received in all things and his natural disposition temper was meek and lowly and loved peace among men he was brought up with his Parents in good education according to the custom of the Country and in time of the late Wars he was disposed ro go into the Army and was in Scotland most of the time till the Land was reduced and he
had some office in a Regiment and did sometime preach among his sincere and sober Companions that loved him wel according to his knowledg and judgment at that day and he obtained a good Report amongst such as were lovers of Religion And when it pleased the Lord God everlasting to raise us up to be a People in the North parts and through great Tribulations and extream distresses within and without which we passed through were we raised up of the Lord to be a holy and chosen People This same Person was one among the first of us whose heart the Lord touched with the sence of his Power and Kingdom and amongst us he had the mighty operation of the Power of God experienced in his heart Great afflictions and tribulations for many weeks was he exercised in through the dispensation of the Grace and Spirit of Christ Jesus he was in that state and while therein exercised for many dayes a wonder to all that beheld him as one passing out of the body as one under the deep sence of the hand of the Lord under the operation of his Power thus it was with many of us and particularly with him Till such time as the same Power that killed made alive as wounded also â—eâ—led as brought down also raised up and then being raised up in the holy Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ he was made a Minister of the Everlasting Gospel to preach Repentance Conversion Salvation and Remission of sins and accordingly went forth in the Name and Power of the Lord Jesus the Saviour of mâ—n kind and was a Minister of the glad Tydings of Salvatiâ—n in many parts of this Land and elsewhere to the conversion of many Souls to God for his Ministry was made effectual by the Almighty Power of the Lord to turn many from darknesse to light from the power Satan to God and there are thousands who can in the Spirit of the Lord bear Testimony to the power and verity of his Ministry in many Countreys where he travelled for he laboured much in divers places and was very diligent and faithful in the work of the Lord and suffered imprisonment divers times and was hardly dealt withal and persecuted in Chester Cambridge and in Norwich prisons and other places and he was found faithful in all his Tryals among his Brethren and alwayes ready to do his service in what he was called unto with a willing mind being truly in body soul and spirit given up to the service of the Gospel of Christ Jesus a dispensation of which was committed unto him that he might serve the Lord in his Generation and though he how hath finished his Testimony in this World yet the remembrance of him lives with us in the Spirit of Jesus and he is accounted among the faithful Sufferers a Martyr for the witnesse of the Truth which ever liveth And for the space of nine years he laboured and travelled in the work of the Gospel aforesaid in most of the Counties of this Nation and was well known for his faithfulness among the Churches of Christ He was but little in stature in his outward man and of weak Constitution of body and was slow of speech and often more ready to hear then to speak he made little appearance in the manhood of Excellency or Authority but was contemptible among men yet he was very wise and knew his season when to speak and when to be silent and when he spoke it was with much discretion and deliberation in weaknesse of word many times yet reached perfectly the matter intended by him and his speech was with Graâ—e and in the fear of God and had Authority in the Spirits of men and was of savour and sound judgement though in weaknesse of the manhood expressed for he answered not mens Wisdom in excellent stile of words but the witnesse of God in sincerity of speech he was a Person of sound judgement in divine Mysteries and of good experience in the operations of the power of God and knew the passing through divers conditions of the inward man and was able to speak to many estates of man passing under the dispensations of the Grace of God he could well inform the mind of a person in an afflicted and tossed state of terrour and judgement and his Ministry was often savoury and seasonable and felt in the pure life though his words were plain and homely and no beauty in them to mans Wisdom and God made him and his service a blessing to many who shall speak for him in their own Consciences He was of a loving genâ—le and good disposition and acceptable was his Company to them that knew him and were like-minded a good Companion in all Conditions not soon moved into passion of either grief in Adversity or of joy in Prosperity nor had he a Spirit taking offence upon light occasions against any but watched for Good over all and not for Evil He was a man of peace and loved it and walked peaceably among his brethren in honest kind familiarity And I am perswaded in my Soul according to the experience I had of him for many years he abhorred dissention and strife among Friends and was never the real occasion intendedly by himself of any difference and dissention among brethren and what further is Truth of him I leave it to the just God whose testimony is true and never fails Among many others that were taken from Meetings and sent to Newgate according as ye have â—eard This same Person of whom I am now treating was in like manner rudely and violently taken on the 22 th day of the 4 th Month last out of a Meeting in the Bull at Aldersgate and carried before Richard Brown who used violence to him with his own hands in pulling his Hat down upon his head so that he brought his head near the ground and then he Commirted him to Newgate where he remained till the Sessions and was then indicted among the rest for being at an unlawful Meeting c. as it is said and he being throng'd up in Prison among the rest of us it pleased the Lord to visite him with sickness of body and in 10. dayes space always growing weaker and weaker in that time he deceased and laid down his body in peace About two days before his departure some of his dearest Friends went to visite him and sate by him a space and spoke somwhat to him and asked him if any thing was upon his Spirit he might now speak it to his Friends His answer was That there was no need to dispute matters for he knew the ground of his Salvation and was satisfied for ever in his peace with the Lord God and we know said he one another wel and what each of us can say about those things and spoke no further And the 17 th day of the 6th Month he departed this life and was gathered up to his Fathers the Generation of the just and though he be gone in that
witness the testimony of my Brethren the prophets that went before me who have left an example on record of suffering affliction and of patience and we count them happy who endure Elisha was a Plough-man and when the Word of the Lord came to him he left the plough and obeyed the Word of the Lord And his call was lawful Amos was a Herdsman and a gatherer of Sycamore fruit and the Lord took him as he was following the Flock and the Lord said unto him Go prophesie unto my people Israel and he obeyed the Word of the Lord and prophesied In the Kings Chappel and in the Kings Court and his calling was lawful And I do witness the same call who was a Husbandman and had a Vinyard and gathered fruit till the Word of the Lord came and called me from it and he turned my mind within enlightned my understanding and opened the Creation to me and let me 〈◊〉 the Vinyard without was but a figure and that I must come into his Vineyard to labour in his Work and gathering fruit without was but a figure for there is fruit within to be gathered A possession wirhout was but a figure there was a possession and an inheritance to be enjoyed within and that figures must pass away to come to the everlasting inheritance which is within which never fades away out of time into that which is Eternal And for this cause and by this Word did I forsake Father and Mother Lands and Livings House and Vineyard to follow Jesus Christ and do whatsoever he commands me And this Call I witness to be lawful and the Word of the Lord is gone forth to command Sons and Daughters to prophesie in his Name and thâ—y have no other call and they go as they ate commanded as ever the true prophets of the Lord did if it be to the Kings Chappel or to the Kings Palace or to the Synagogues or into the Cities or Markets to declare against sin and iniquity and where they see the people given to idolatry and prophaneness their spirit being raised up by the power of the Lord and by the Word of the Lord do they declare against it and they have no other Call but the Word of the Lord and they have a cloud of Witnesses for all the Prophets of the Lord spoke from this Word and for speaking the Word of the Lord as they were commanded were persecuted imprisoned and put in dungeons and were made a derision daily to all that were about them as Jeremiah was and was smitten and put in the stocks Jer. 20.2 and Daniel was cast into the Lyons Den for declaring the Word of the Lord Dan. 6.16 Amos was commanded not to prophesie any more in the Kings Chappel Amos 7.13 And the Apostles were imprisoned beaten scourged and persecuted from City to City and straitly commanded to speak no more in that Name And for declaring the Word of the Lord did all the Prophets Apostles and holy Men of God suffer And the Word of the Lord is the same now and the persecutors the same and those who are sent of the Lord now and called out of their own Countrey as they were then to declare his Word against your sin and ungodliness which you live in Magistrates Priests and pâ—ople you call them Wanderers and Vagrant persons who have no lawful calling What would you say by him who said The Foxes have holes and the Birds of the air have nests but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head Luke 9.58 And the Jews said This fellow we know not from whence he is John 9.29 You may say Paul was a wandering person who had no certain dwelling place 1 Cor. 4.11 and those who wandered about in sheep-skins and goat-skins being afflâ—ctâ—d and tormented of whom the world was not worthy they had tryals of cruel mockings scourgings and imprisonment they were stoned hewn asunder and despightfully used Heb. 11.36 37. And you shew your selves to be in the same generation mocking scourging those whom ye are not worthy to receive But all you dear ones servants of the living God blessed are you when men shall revile you and speak all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in Heaven for so persecuted they the Prophets that were before you Mat. 5.11 12. You are in the same nature and generation of those who said unto Christ Depart out of our coasts And saith Christ As they have done unto me so shall they do unto you And now I witness the same things to be fulfilled Do not you say as they did Depart out of our City and teach in thy own Countrey And the same generation called Paul a pestilent fellow a mover of sedition and the Apostles would turn the World up-side-down and the Jews said they had a Law That if any confest he was the Son of God he should dye and they said Christ was a blasphemer and Christ was crucified and the Apostles persecuted by them and all under pretence of blasphemy heresie and sedition and as it was then so it is now for they who come to witness Jesus Christ come in the flesh and boâ—h sons and daughters who come to witness the promise of the Father fulfilled in them as he hath said I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesie And they who come to witness this fulfilled you say they are blasphemers and not worthy to live in the Natition and all those who will not lye and swear and use deceit but yea and nay such a one cannot have trading in your Markets for none can buy nor sell who have not the mark of the Beast upon him but he who loveth and telleth a lye hath the most priviledge and advantage among you O wicked and adulterous generation thy wo and misery is coming upon thee for the Lord is appearing who is come and coming to cleanse the Land of evil-doers This I was moved to declare from the Spirit of my Father dwelling in mr as a Testimony of his Eternal Love and Power made manifest in me and all who come to know the Power of God which is but one do witness me and all who despise the Power of the Lord this is for a testimony against them from the Lord by his Servant who is a Prisoner for the Truths sake whose Earthly Name is Chester the 12. day of the 12 th Month called February 1653. Richard Hubberthorn I came to Chester about the 29 th of the 9 th Month. The end of the first Book A Reply to a Book set forth by the Priest of Berwick who writes R. Sherlock which was an Answer to some Queries set forth to him by them whom he calls Quakers who writes himself Batchellor of Divinity and a Diviner he is proved REader This is the word of the Lord to thee Take heed unto the Light Christ hath enlightened
thee withall to guide thy mind into the fear of God to the Light of Christ in thy conscience I speak which if thou hearken unto it it will lead thee out of pride and lust and envy and will bring condemnation upon that nature thou hast lived and acted in that is out of the fear of God and hearkening to this Light in thy conscience it will direct thy mind to God and draw thy mind and affections out of earthly things and the pollutions of the world by which thou art defiled thy mind and conscience is defiled by lust and unâ—leanness lusting after earthly things and the flesh is defiled by that mind â—hat wallows in the Earth Now minding the Light in thy conscience Christ hath enlightned thee withall thy understanding will come to be enâ—ightned to see the deceipts and the blind Guides which have led thee â—rom this Light in thy Conscience which should exercise it and lead thee â—o go to fear him and to be taught of him and will lead thee from the â—eachings of man which keeps thee in thy sins and draws thee from this Light in thy Conscience which convinceth thee of sin and lets thee see sin â—nd evil and all ungodliness and will bring thee to deny it and lead thee 〈◊〉 repentance and so thou wilt come to know Jesus Christ which gives â—epentance and remission of sins and then thou wilt deny Priest Sherlock â—nd all that generation of Priests who saith in thâ— 32. page of his Book â—hat Christ was a person not capable of Faith and Repentance And here I â—o charge him in the presence of the living God to be a lyar for he is â—he author and finisher of faith and he preached repentance and gives repentance to his people And he denies the knowledge and understanding the Apostles had and yet saith he preaches the same Gospel pag. 10. And saith That external Tongues Arts and Sciences gives them to understand the meaning of the Gospel p. 11. And saith That the spirit causeth fleshly fruits p. 22. and saith That to understand the Doctrine of God they must use the light of distinctions p. 54. and saith That Religion is the Art of Arts p 86. And saith That Prayer in all the parts and species thereof is a means to fetch down the holy spirit of God p. 144. When as the Saints said the Spirit taught them to pray and that they prayed with the spirit and with understanding Now to the Light in your consciences I speak which will let you see these lying Priests and blind guides which have deceived you so long and kept you blind and ignorant So all people cease from them and wait upon the Lord for teaching A lover of the Truth and a witness against the deceit and deceivers and a lover of the souls of all people and that righteousness might be established was I moved tâ— write this Richard Hubberthorn Quest. 1. WHether your Gospel be the same which the Apostles preached And if it be why go you to Oxford and Cambridge when the Apostle saith the Gospel that he preached was not after man neither was he taught it by man Pr. Thy answer is You preach the same Gospel the Apostles preached but do not attain the knowledge and understanding of this Gospel by the same means Rep. Here let all people see what wooden stuff this is How can you preach the same Gospel and have not the same knoâ—ledge and understanding If it be not by the sâ—â—e knowledge and understanding it is not the same Gospel for the spirit oâ— understanding is but one and from this Spirit of underâ—tanding thou hast cleared thy self Pr. And thou sayest You ought not to depend upon any such immâ—diate Revelations from Heaven as the Apostles had Rep. Here again thou hast cleared thy self from the Spirit thâ—â— gave forth the Scriptures who deniest immediate Revelation from Heaven And here thou hast denied thy self to be anâ— Minister of Jesus Christ for no man knows the Son but the Father and he to whom he is revealed And thou that deniest immediate revelation thou hast denied the Son of God and hast shewed that thou hast not life for he that hath not the Son of God hath not life And therefore we deny such Schools as Oxford and Cambridge where the rudiments of the world are invented And abundance of filthy words are in the Answer to this Query that are not worth mentioning Qu. 2. Whether you can give another meaning to the Scriptures than they are Or whether the Apostles did give the meaning to them when they spoke them forth yea or nay And if they did what need learned men give the meaning of them Pr. And in thy answer thou sayest The sence and meaning of the Scripture is involved in it Rep. Here thou wouldest make people believe Christ were in the Letter who is the substance that gave it forth and was in them that spoke it forth for the Scripture doth declare another thing of God and Christ it doth not declare God and Christ is in the Letter but here it is that fools might appear blind and such as thou sayest learned men must give the meaning to the Scripture Pr. And thou sayest That Christ took a Text and that Philip took a Text. Rep. O thou enemy and slanderer of Christ and the Apostle Did they take Texts to get money with them and to lie a quarter of a year or half a year in a Text Christ came to fulfil the Scripture and the Apostle shewed how Christ fulfilled the Scripture and came to fulfil that which the Prophet spoke The Scribes and Pharisees were learned men and they could not open the Scriptures Peter an unlearned man he opened the Scriptures Pr. And thou speakest of standing up in a Pulpit of wood Rep. In the time of the Law when they read it there was a Pulpit of wood to a particular people to whom the Law was given but Christ said Go preach the Gospel to every creature And Christ cryed wo against them that had the chiefest place in the Assemblies And here thou art one of them that would be under the Law and would have a Pulpit of wood and pleadest for thy learning that the Scribes and Pharisees were in which is to no purpose who saith the kernel of the Nut is in the shell and that comparison thou bringest to make people believe that the Life is in the Sâ—riptures and so the poor people are groping in the Letter to find life there when the life was in them that gave it forth Pr. Thou speakest of flying to God by prayer Rep. Yet thou deniest the Revelation from Heaven which the Saints were to wait for the Revelation of Jesus from Heaven and this makes all you blind guides to stumble because you have not the life which gave forth the Scripture which now is made manifest to the children of God Qu. 3. Shew me by the Scriptures who ever was made a Minister of
external stuff pours out which hath poisoned many people which thou sayest thou shouldest open the Gospel withall all that have the least convincement may see thee to be a seducer for what is external is natural and what is natural knows not the things of God but the Lord be praised thou hast declared thy self abroad Qu. 12. Whether any Ministers of God were made Ministers by the wil of man yea or no Shew it me by the Scripture Pr. And in thy answer to this Query thou sayest There is 〈◊〉 Minister of God made by the will of man onely but by man in subordination Rep. Here thou crossest the Scripture Paul an Apostle not of man nor by man And here the lying spirit hath shewed it self indeed Pr. And thou sayest There is no such hope of any such calling as was in the time of the Apostles Rep. And here thou hast cast thy self and thy fellowâ— and all thy study to be without the Doctrine and Life of the Apostles for thou concludest there is no such calling yet thou talkest of laying on hands there thou and you are making likenesses which is forbidden and to be confounded and so we conclude and all the children of Light shall judge that your Hope and your Calling and your Ministry made by the will of man and not only by God to be without God and conarary to the Apostles Qu. 13. Shew me by the Scripture whether a man shall grow up to that condition that he need no man to teach him but the Lord or no Pr. We must not look for any immediate extraordinary miraculous teaching by revelation from the Lord and yet all men are taught of God too Rep. What confused stuff is this and blasphemy that comes out of thy bottle Thou wouldest make God not an immediate doth not God teach immediate Here thou shewest that thou dost not know the living God for the teaching of God is immediate in the least degree Pr. None aims to such a perfection of knowledge in his gifts as not to need teaching Rep. Here I charge thee to be a Lyar who speaks contrary to the Scripture and here I charge thee in the presence of the living God to be a slanderer who speaks of being taught of the Lord Jesus Christ outwardly by the spirit what confused stuff is this and here again I charge thee to be a lyar for the words of our Lord Jesus Christ are spirit and life but such as thou who lookest upon the outward thing cannot receive his words though you have the letter of the Gospel as they had the letter of the Law Quest. 14. Whether they be not Antichrists and disobey Christ that have the chief places in the assembliâ—â— stand praying in the synagogues which Christ did forbid his disciples to act such things and cried wo against those that did act them In thy answer to this querie thou ramblest up and down with many words to justifie that which Christ cried wo against to justifie the chiefest place in the Assemblies and to be called of men Master and for standing praying in the Synagogues which Christ pronounced wo against and so let all the people see if thou and you be not such as are called of men Masters and stand praying in the Synagogues which the wo was and is upon Mat. 23. and there is neither shelter nor hole for thee to hide thy self for them that walk in the truth will find thee out and praised be the Lord God of heaven and earth who hath given us a spirit of discerning and we are able to judge you who live in deceit for the Apostle prophesied with the spirit of the Lord that such should come and we see with the same spirit you are come and with the same spirit you are judged Quest. 15. Whether they be not Antichrists and of the Devil and no Ministers of Christ which do not abide in the Doctrine of Christ Pr. They that swerve from the Doctrine of Christ are of the spirit of Antichrist Rep. There thou art this is thy own condition who deniest immediate revelation and thou that deniest immediate revelation deniest Christ for Paul said the Son was revealed in him and so all that thou speakest is with the lying spirit in the wicked generation and whereas thou slanderest and sayest we rail that is false And again thou speakest of love because the letter declares it but the love of God who dwells in it to such thou art an enemy and as touching using plainness of speech to people because we do not flatter or use enticing words of mens wisdom which thou dost so thou hast cleared thy self from the children of God and to be in the generation of them that swerve from the doctrine of Christ who seekest to justifie that which he cried wo against aâ— Mat. 23. And whereas thou accusest us for railing upon people thou art a liar for love useth plainness of speech and love and charity is out of deceit if we should flatter we should hold it up and should be pleading for thy generation who talks of God and confesses that you have not the same knowledge and understanding that the Apostles had Therefore how can you know God then And whereas thou speakest of trying the spirits the fruits of it is love here with the spirit of love is thy generation tried for when the servants of the Lord have been moved to come into your Synagogues some have been stockt and wounded and imprisoned and hailed out of your synagogues And is this the fruits of your spirit Qu. 16. Whether they be not seducers that draw people from the anointing which is in them and tell them they must be taught of a man whereas the anointing teaches them they need no man teach them but as the anointing teacheth them and the promise is to him that doth abide in it eternally Pr. Many false Prophets are gone forth Rep. Here thou hast proved thy self to be a false Prophet who denies immediate revelation for whom the Lord sent forth he spoke to them immediately which thou deniest and there thou art one of the false Prophets which thou speakest of and knows nothing of the anointing who deceives the simple and ignorant the world may wonder after such but who are in the light and receive any thing immediate will see thee in the dark to be a deceiver for none in thy generation can witness that you need no man teach you but the anointing for who doth are come out from your teaching and you both And as touching Sects them we deny as thou speakest in thy answer to the fifteenth Querie therefore do we see thee with that which is no Sect to be colouring and deluding people telling them thy error is truth who quotes and misappliest the Scripture to maintain thy falshood Pr. The flesh is quickned with the spirit of life to bring forth some kind of fleshly fruits 1 King 8.46 Joh. 14.4 Prov. 20.9 1 Joh. 1.8 10 Eccles. 7.22
believe they will and see your folly that under his Name whom thou callest Sir Robert Bindlosse under his name and patronage they may appear as a cover to veil their imperfections Therefore R. B. to thee I say Be wise and fear the Lord and run not on in the broad way with such a one who doth confess in his answer to the first query that he doth not attain the same knowledge and understanding of the Gospel as the Apostles attained Therefore thou R. Sherlock thy knowledge is brutish and thy understanding sottish as the Scripture saith for none knows the Apostles condition and knowledge but with the same understanding and in this thou deniest it and thou art in another knowledge and understanding and art in another doctrine and the true Gospel thou dost not know and thou art to be held accursed as the Scripture saith Gal. 1. And so here thou hast given satisfaction to many that stood in doubt though to all the children of light thou wast known and all things shall work together for good to them that love God Rom. 8. therefore R.B. take heed what thou sets forth under thy Name and Fathers for if thou see a thief and consent with him thou art guilty And R. Sherlock the Queries that were sent to thee thou callest them scrupulous and the Letter which was sent to thee as a Libel Why dost thou slander the innocent and simplicity but of thy generation we look for no other whose mouth is ful of slanders Thou slanderer in thy Epistle to the Lady thou slanderest privily under a colour who flatters her where thou art telling her of love stirs her up to envy as in p. 46. and incensing her and wouldst stir her up against them whom thou callest Quakers so thou might'st have as well have incensed her against Moses who was a Judge over all Israel quaked and David who was a King quaked so all that are vertuous will own us who deny opinions for them we deny and there thou art who livest in opinions and as thou speakest of some to strike at the root of many infections and errors which are overspread amongst you the Lord Jesus Christ hath raised up a Light in his children that they are striking at your root and laying open the deceits and bringing forth his own Work to his own praise And thou sayest All men do worship God and Christ with one heart and one mouth and after one manner is not onely decryed but also dismist our congregations and since the pale of Ecclesiastical Discipline is pulled down by whose coercive Laws all men were kept within the limit of the true Faith Here I charge thee to be a lyar Was the true Faith and the Worship of God maintained by an outward Law Thou Traytor have they pluckt down the true Faith and the Woship of God or your old Ceremonies Thou seducer how art thou tormented by that which hath pluckt down the traditions Tremble for the hand and sword of the Lord is against thee as it was against them thou dissembler and envious one the Law was not made for the Church which is the pillar and ground of truth which worships God in the spirit but for such envious persons as thou art who hast cleared thy Church Worship here from the true Church and Worship of God to the view of all honest hearts and thou art tormented because the freedom is given for the liberty of tender consciences to worship God his own way even in spirit and in truth as in John 4.23 24 And thou sayest Since under the name and priviledge of liberty of conscience licentiousness of opinion hath got footing And this thou seems to father upon the Magistrates We who are in the Light of Christ Jesus which doth exercise our consciences towards God and man all opinionâ— licentiousness we deny therefore thy mouth must be stopt O slâ—nderer which soweth dissention for since the Lord hath opened the Magistrates understanding with the Light of Christ in them the same light doth give freedom to the light in others consciences which worketh into tenderness of conscience teacheth to exercise a good conscience towards God man such Magistrates do not make a Law over the consciences of men which thou seducer brutish fellow wouldst have a law upon but the law is against such as thou art and so thou hast shewed thy self to be in the frantick state heresie which thou talks on and many such speeches as thou hast in thy Epistle to Sir R. Bindloss as thou callest him And whereas thou speakest of your church and hope your hope will perish your church and all who are in the Light will be ashamed of your church And thou art he who art of the Devil who dost promote lies and untruths which is of thy Father the Devil Joh. 8.4 but God is coming with his mighty power to chain thee up thy Father the Devil the old Dragon who is the Father of lyes and thou art one of his servants who blindeth the understandings of the people who are in the unbelief and seeks to poison their affections with vanities and lying slanders And in thy conclusion thou wouldst not have him to perish with the blind and giddy but if he follow such as thou art he doth follow both and in the ditch both will perish together And thou speaks to him of walking in the paths of the just and righteous and such thou privily slanderest and their way hatest thou who walkest in the steps of the wicked and with those that forget God and thou must be cut down with the sword of the Almighty God To that in thy Conscience I speak when thou art in the terror remember me for that in thy conscience wil condemn thee and witness me And Friend to the light in thy conscience I speak under whose Name this Book goes there is thy Teacher if thou lovest it which is the Light of Christ if thou lovest it it will teach thee as thou goesâ— up and down and shew thee the way of the just for it is just it will condemn thee if thou hate it And when the Book of Conscience is opened thou shalt witness what I speak that it's truth to thy soul. Pr. And whereas thou sayest You do neither pretend to any such sublime and eminent gifts neither do you nor ought you to depend upon any such immediate revelation but do use such means and helps which God in all ages hath afforded to people viz. by study and industry in the Schools of the Prophets Schools thou sayest they had at Bethel 2 King 1 3 5. And Elisha 's Colledge was so full that they enlarged it 2 King 6.1 1 Sam. 14 20. and upon the Hill of God 2 Sam 10.5 10. Rep. Here let all these Scriptures witness against thee that thou art no true Prophet no Minister of Christ who witnessed the end of the Prophets and were all taught of God which
of false Prophets and saith the tryal of the spirit is the Word of God Rep. By the Word of God thou art tryed who are in the conceivings Again thou speakest of the High-Priests and Pharisees that councelled against Christ to put him to Death Rep. So do you now where he is made manifest shevving your selvet to be in the same generation Pr. It waas this spirrit also that stirred up Demetrius the Silver-smith with the rest of the Crafts-men against St. Paul and his companions because his Profit and gain which he got by making silver shrines for Diana was in danger to be lost pag. 116. Rep. The same spirit novv being made manifest it cryes against your Trades-men and Crafts-men and your Diana and your two great Schools where you learn your trade which are puddles of darkness and the same spirit being stirred up to cry against your profession it sets you in an uproar novv as in the Synagogues vve do vvitness Pr. And the earth opened her mouth and swallowed Corah and all his Company a fair warning for Lay-persons pag. 86. Rep. The judgement did not come upon Corah because they vvas Lay-persons but it vvas for gain-saying the truth as thou doest For many of them that gave forth the Scripture vvas plain men Paul a Tenâ—-mâ—ker and most of the Apostles Fishermen Moses a keeper of Sheep thou mayest call these Lay-men vvhich gave forth the Scripture vvho make a trade of their vvords And here thou hast shevved that thou hast not the knovvledge and understanding vvhich the Apostles had vvhich thou confessedst thou hadst not tberefore thou art as a bruit beast and there I leave thee to be condemned vvith the light vvhich thou callest Heresie The Mittimus answered by which R. H was sent Prisoner to Norwich Castle by Ralph Woolmer Justice of the Peace October 9 1654 WHereas I am committed to Prison by a Mittimus under the pretence of the breach of the Law in these things therein expressed and laid to my charge As first Openly to declare before all the people That he that preached viz. Mr. John Mony was a deluder of the people I answer This accusation was false for that word was not so spoken but to the Light of Christ in all your consciences I speak declare openly to all people that he that acts those things which Christ declared against is no Minister of Christ all who are hirelings as Christ saith John 10. who seek for their gain from their quarters as Isaiah saith Isa. 56.11 who bear rule by their means as Jeremiah saith Jer. 5.31 and who preach for hire as Micah saith Mic. 3.11 and all who are called of men Master stand praying in the Synagogues and have the chiefest places in the Assembly and lay heavy burthens upon the people which Christ cryed wo against Matt. 23. such are no Ministers of Christ who act such things for they who are the Ministers of Christ do abide in the Doctrine of Christ to the Light of Christ I speak that with it John Mony may see himself to be out of the Doctrine of Christ holding up those things that Christ cryed wo against Another thing charged against me is That the people in a great number gathered together about me which might have proved of evil consequence they being the under-sort of people I answer Where-ever the gospel was preached there were gatherings together and uproars and tumults as you may read in the Scriptures Acts 19. and the same gospel worketh the same effects now as in did then and those whom thou callest the under-sort of people were all quiet and were willing to hear the word of the Lord and did not offer any persecution or violence but you who profess your selves to be Saints have proved your selves to be the undersort of people as by your consequence have made it appear by your persecution by taking me out of the multitude who were willing to hear the Word of Truth sent me to Bridewell and then to prison for declaring the Word of the Lord freely as I have received it and so are persecutors and not Saints for the Saints were ever persecuted but never did persecute any Another thing charged against me is That being often asked my Name and Countrey would give no account I answer The Lord hath called me out of my own countrey and from my Fathers House to declare his Word as I have received it and I was freely declaring the Word of the Lord when opposingly thou camest and asked my Name and Countrey which when I ceased speaking I declared it unto thee before I went out of the yard and so there is no ground for this accusation but enmity Another thing charged against me That being brought before me he in contempt of Magistracy as I apprehended would not once move his hat off his head I answer O! for shame never profess to be a Magistrate and make such apprehendings the ground of thy Law as to call this contempt of Magistracy not to put off the hat Where was ever such a thing mentioned in all the Scriptures by any who were set to rule over the people to execute the Law of God upon offendors When did Moses who was a Law-giver and a Judge over all Israel command any such thing of any that came before him to put off his hat or ever in all his Writings make mention of such a thing as contempt of Magistracy or imprison any that did not But it was the transgression of the Law of God to respect persons for he that respects persons commits sin but by your Law those who cannot respect persons and so fulfil the Law of God you say they contemn Magistracy and are not to subject to Authority Oh! for shame never make Laws upon such outward traditions for here you go from the life of God and from the law of God and from the practice of all the holy men of God which the Scripture speaks of When did ever Joshua or Japhat when the people came before them command any such thing or mention it to put off their hats and prison them if they would not or tell them they contemned Magistracy When did ever Solomon who was in the large Wisdom command any such thing of the people whom he was over to put off their hats or imprison them if they would not Shew me one example amongst all the Heathenish Emperors Kings Princes Dukes Rulers or other Officers which the Scripture speaks of that ever commanded any of their people to put off their hats and imprison them if they would not Did ever Pharoah King of Egypt whom Moses and Aaron went before command any such thing and imprison them if they would not Did ever Nebuchadnezzar or Darius command any such thing of any Did ever Herod command any such thing or imprison them that would not Did ever Agrippa or Festus command Paul to put off his hat vvhen he came before them Here you outscrip all the Heathenish
opened which were blind and now in the Light of Christ the Way is seen which leads unto God the Father of Light and in it all false Prophets and false Teachers they do see and by them cannot be deceived who come in sheeps cloathing and are beautiful outwardly decked with the Saints words but inwardly ravening Wolves And now their covering comes to be taken of which was none of their own and now the Wolf appears ravening against the Lambs of God for the day hath made them manifest and of them the Lambs of God are aware and in innocency are preserved and in the pure Wisdom which is not of this World in it they see and comprehend the Serpents Wisdom subtilty craftiness and snares which for the righteous seed are laid but in the Eternal Light made manifest to the seed a way is seen out of them all and by the Eternal Power of the pure living God of life deliverance out of them all is witnessed Eternal pure living praises to him for evermore Given forth from the love of God to the souls of those who desire to know the truth to take away all stumblings and cut off all occasions from all minds that in the Light of Gheist the truth they may see to be clear from all slanders and false accusations which from the unclean spirits proceeds which goeth out of the mouth of the Dragon to devour the innocent but from the Dragon and all his Floods the innocent are preserved Given forth from him who a witness stands for the truth of God against all deceit R. H. Written from Mondlesham in Suffolk the 29. of the 3. Month 1655. The distance between Flesh and Spirit c. THis is the Word of the Lord to all people as I am moved of the Lord to clear the scandals and false accusations cast upon the righteous seed and as the seed of God in all generations have suffered reproaches from the World so now the same seed where it is brought forth suffers by this generation of evil doers and is afflicted and tormented and shamefully accused now in England whom you call Quakers And you say we deny all the Ordinances of Christ and you say we do not honor the Magistrâ—tes nor are subject unto Authority but are disturbers and breakers of the peace which is false The first accusation You say we deny Repentance Ans. And this is false for Repentance is the gift of God and this gift we have received and his free grace which teacheth us to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts Tit. 2.12 by repentance we have forsaken sin as it was discover'd to us by the Light of Christ which he hath enlightned us withall and so the mercies of God we have found according to his promise and are sent of the Lord to preach Repentance to all people who would have all men come to repentance and to the acknowledgement of the truth that they might be saved 2 Tim. 2.25 And with the Word of the Lord as they are moved of the Lord do many go now with this Doctrine into your streets into your markets into your synagogues and into your cities to call you to repentance before the wrath of the Lord come upon you and both sons and daughters now are sent to preach this Doctrine amongst you from the Lord and for obeying the Lord herein are they reviled by you and persecuted and falsly accused And thâ—s is left for a Testimony against you from the Lord and shall bear witness against you The second Accusation is That we deny Baptism Ans. The Baptism of Christ we own which all the Saints were baptized into which was by one spirit into one body as in 1 Cor. 12.13 and by this baptism we do witness the washing away of sin not onely the washing avvay the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God But sprinkling of Infants vve deny which there is no Scripture for And all you who from your imagination do imitate Johns Baptism and so go into the vvater and say you are believers and have right to the Ordinances of Christ but you to be believers we deny vvho are not yet come to repentance and your Water-baptism vvhich is but an imitation from the letter for the Lord never sent you forth nor commanded you either to preach or baptize as they did vvhom you go about to imitate vvho are not yet come to repentance nor to the first principle of the doctrine of Christ nor to ovvn the light of Christ in your consciences which should exercise them and lead you to vvait upon God and lead you to repentance And the Faith of believers you know not for the mysterie of Faith is held in a pure conscience 1 Tim. 3.9 vvhich you cannot vvitness which hates the Light of Christ vvhich should exercise your consciences and so your minds and consciences are defiled and vvith that mind you talk of faith and of the Ordinances of Christ and of Water-baptism vvhich serveth unto us for a figure as the Apostle saith 1 Pet. 3 21. And Jesus Christ was baptized by John by water that he might fulfil all righteousness Mat. 3.15 And John was a Prophet and Christ is the end of the Prophets and Johns baptism was but a figure for he said he did but baptize with water but Christ is the end of all figures types and shadows and did fulfil them for he fulfilled all righteousness and Johns Ministry and Johns baptism and he that fulfilled all righteousness the same baptizeth which John did bear witness unto and all men came unto him Joh. 3 16 but he baptized none with water But this is a mysterie to thy dark mind which knows not the baptism of Christ nor Johns doctrine nor Jesus Christ the true Light which enlighteneth every one that cometh into the world vvhich John bore witness unto John 1.9 but goes to hold up the types and figures which Christ came to fulfil and so deniest Christ to be come in the flesh to fulfil all righteousness and so thou art an Antichrist who holds up the figures which Christ came to fulfil and so thou denies the Scriptures and Christ who said he came to fulfil all righteousness and the Saints baptism thou art ignorant of which is by one Spirit into one body 1 Cor. 12.13 And Paul who was a Minister of Christ and preached the Gospel did bring many into this baptism and he was not sent to baptize with water but to preach the Gospel and all the Churches which he preached unto came to witness Christs baptism with the Holy Ghost and with fire by one Spirit into one body and were baptized into Christ who was the head of the body Rom. 6.3 and by this baptism we are thus washed from all filthiness of flesh and Spirit but your imitated baptism of water we deny who live in your filthiness of flesh and spirit whose minds and consciences are defiled but the baptism of Christ we
have acted contrary to it and taking heed to the Light it will lead you out of all those things which the Law of God takes hold upon and will add the Law upon every transgression And all you that act contrary to the Light of Christ in the Conscience it will be your condemnation And you are they who deny the Ordinancs of Christ which walks not according to the Light of Christ which he hath enlightened you withall and you are they who are not subject to Authority who are not obedient to the Light of Christ in the conscience and you are the disturbers and breakers of the peace whose minds are not guided by the Light of Christ and this Light will let you see giving heed unto it who are out of the commands of Christ and are not subject unto Authority nor obedient to the Light of Christ in the conscience And here I have cleared my conscience to you all from the Lord to the Light of Christ in your consciences I speak which will eternally witness me to have spoken the truth unto you all who have falsly accused the innocent As I was moved of the Lord who is a Servant unto you from the Lord in love to all your souls to set up righteousness in the Land R. H. The Light of Christ within proved to be sufficient to lead unto God In Answer to a Book put forth by John Tombes and Richard Baxâ—er In which they go about to prove the Light within insufficient to lead to God by many falliâ—le Arguments by Perverting of Scrâ—pture and their own reasonings But their rule for proof being so fallible uncertain and confused that often-times they prove that which they would disprove and confess that which they would deny For the convincing and edifying of those that are not satisfied concerning the Light within is this given forth by R. H. Prov. 4.18.19 The path of the Just is a shining light shining more and more unto the perfect day The way of the wicked is darkness they know not at what they stumble BEcause the Lord hath appeared and his True Light is broken forth that by it his Inheritance may be gathered and his Dominion from sea to sea may be witnessed and because many with it are already gathered into the Covenant of everlasting Life many are turning their faces thitherwards enquiring the way to Sion therefore doth the offence arise like floods from men of corrupt minds destitute of the Truth and spiritual understanding of the great mysterie of godliness to wit God manifest in the flesh though appearing us in a form of godliness and words of Scripture which in unrighteousness they hold both perverting the Scriptures and falsly accusing others to wit Christ the Prophets and Apostles and last of all those called Quakers that so by any means the might quench the Light of that fire which God hath kâ—â—dled or hinder his Work which he hath begun that the vail which is over peoples hearts under which iniquity is hid might not be read nor discovered Therefore is there a joining together and making a confederacy one with another against those which follow the Lamb of God keep the Word of his Testimony for upon the same account as we read Luk. 23.12 that Pilate and Herod was made friends who before had been at enmity between themselves which was to set at nought and to deliver up to be crucified the Son of God upon the same account is Baxter the rigid Presbyter and Tombs the pretended Baptist made Friends and call one another Reverend Brethren both setting themselves with their strength arguments and reasons devised words and false charges against the breaking forth of Christ's Light and walking in his truth for but a little while since Baxter had said that Tombs and the Anabaptists were the Authors and Fautors of the delusion of the Quakers as Tombs confesseth in his Epistle And Baxter also confesseth the same in his Epistle That he hath been too eager in disputations which he saith is too well known in the Nation And although here is a great pretended unity betwixt them yet it is but in hypocrisie for in one page of Baxters Epistle he talks of holding the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace as members of the same head and body uniting their force for the common Truth against the pernicious Adversaries thereof And in the next page saith That he hath already told the Episcopal Brethren That Bishop Usher and he did fully agree in half an hour but saith That the wound is yet uâ—healed betwixt him and Tombs for he never treated with Tombs about such a matter but saith he is confident that they should agree in one day upon terms of common charity and forbearance So that to men of understanding it appears that Baxter is agreed with the Bishop and the Episcopal Brethren but not with Tombs noâ— the Congregational Brethren and further it is manifest from his own words and according to his limit and time of treaty that he could agree with twenty four bishops as soon as with Tombs for all their pretended unity and agreement for theâ—e is twelve hours in a day and he agreed with one Bishop in half an hour So we seeing their book begin with such lyâ—s and confusions we know the whole Volume and effects of it wil minister nothing else to the people the strength and force of those two lately pretended brethren joined against the Quakers in their two Epistles and nine see â—onâ— in which iâ— thirty arguments and ten reasons against the sufficiently and spirituality of Christ's Light wherewith he hath enlightened every man which cometh into the World yet for want of knowledge and because of darkness speaks against themselves and proveâ— that which they would disprove as by something following may be made manifest 1. As first the charge against the Quakers in the 15 th page of their book is That we put darkness for light in that we make a natural Light which is but darkness in spirituals as if it were to be heeded as mens rule in all sorts of duties and knowledge of the things of God Ans. This charge is false for we do not make any natural Light if heeded as mens rule in any duty nor to the knowledge of God neither have ever held such a thing but this is the way of old of all slanderous tongues first to lay down a false position of their own and then disproving it makes people believe that they have confuted an error when they have but proved their own words false and so boasteth in a vain shew as David saith Psal. 39.6 proving nothing against us Again John Tombs saith page 28. That Câ—â—â—st makes mens hearts void of Light till they be enlightened with his Light and that every man till he be enlightened by Christ wants Light to guide him in the knowledge of his duty and the way to salvation Ans. But in contradiction to that in page 11. he
thing in these Scriptures as that grace is a created thing nor that it is called the new creature but the Apostle saith By grace are we saved through faith and that not of our selves it is the gift of God Now was that grace by which they were saved a created thing if it was prove it by plain Scripture else stop thy mouth for we have searched the Scriptures and we find no such thing but we find that by grace they were saved and that they who are new creatures in Jesus Christ the grace of God was their teacher as it is our teacher to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly godly and righteously in this present evil world which grace is able to keep the hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God of all those who are taught by it but is not a created thing Pr. That the principles of Christian faith is established upon the Scriptures pag. 74. Answ. Faith hath but one foundation and all who are believers their foundation is established upon Christ who is the Author of Faith before any Scripture was written Jacob Enoch Abraham Isaac had no Scriptures written to establish their faith upon and when Moses and the Prophets had known seen and believed and from that wrote of him who was the true light enlightning every one that in him very one might believe so every one whether they have the writings of the Prophets and Apostles or not yet they have that in which they are to believe which if they believe not is condemned and believing in the light they come to be the children of the light and here the first principle comes to be known of faith and so the first principle of the doctrine of Christ must be known before the doctrine be profest and so all who know not the first principle of faith are far from the saith and who knows not the first principle of the doctrine is far from a doctrine and so the principle of a thing must be known before the thing but the Scripture speaks of nothing that the Christian faith is to be established upon but upon Christ who was glorified with the Father before the world was by whom all things which now are were made who hath given us of his spirit and to us it is given to believe and suffer for his names sake as it was given those who were his true witnesses before us and they did believe because it was given them to believe by the spirit so faith is the gift of God and many have the Scriptures which have not faith which is the giâ—t of God and they which are turned from the faith are pierced through with many hurtful lusts have the Scriptures and say they believe what the Scripture speaks but this I say that faith is the ground of the Scriptures and not the Scriptures the ground of faith and none can believe in Christ but they who believe in the â—ight which Christ hath enlightned every one withal that cometh into the World and all who own Christs Doctrine who saiâ—h believe in the light that ye may be the children of light which who believe in shall not abide in darkness but shall have the light of life and shall not enter into condemnation but who believe in any thing else their faith is vain they are yet in their sins and he that lays another foundation for faith then Christ let him be accurst Thus having laid before the people some of those things with which his book is filled and for this end do I lay them open that those for whom Christ died and unto whom his love is reached forth to bring them to the Father should not be corrupted with the unsound form of doctrine delivered unto them by their Priest And again as followeth I shall lay down some particulars which he hath held forth as affirmed principles in his book which if you receive his testimony you must believe as your principles also but if you come to try them with the measure of the light that Christ hath enlightned them withal then you will deny both him and them therefore mark them as followeth 1 That the Magistrate is an Officer of Jesus Christ as Mediator 2 That Jesus Christ hath a political and spiritual Kingdom 3 That Christ the eternal Son of God is distinct from the Father eternally 4 That the Spirit was distinguished from the Father and Son from eternity 5 That the Father Son and Spirit are three substances 6 That the soul of man is humane and that humane and immortal is both one 7 That Christ may dwell in his people by his special spiritual presence and have no union with them 8 That God dwells in the heavens but hath no union with them 9 That the union between God and believers cannot be comprehended by the Saints here 10 That heaven is not to be enjoyed whâ—le men are here 11 That the Corinthians who were baptized from the dead were ancâ—ent Hereticks 12 That the light which hath enlightned every man that cometh into the World is the light of reason and understanding and is natural 13 That natural light is the remainders of Gods image in man 14 That God is a respecter of persons 15 That the grace of God is a created thing and that it is called the new creature 16 That the principles of Christiaâ— faith is established upon the Scriptures I having here answered and laid open those things which is a mist of darkness over the peoples minds and understandings whereas they are either received or believed to the end that all who read it may come to that understanding which is a well-spring of life and to the knowledge of that truth by which iniquity is purged out and to the counsel of God in the heart which is like deep waters whereby judgment in righteousness comes to be set up by which the simple and tender-hearted comes to be preserved out of the snares of subtilty and craftiness to walk in the light of the Lord which is the path of the iust and the way of life and all they are blessed with spiritual blessings that walk in it for they shall be able to tread upon Scorpions and the deadly poyson that is under the tongues and in the hearts of the generation of Vipers and Serpents shall not hurt them and this power shall all those be indued with which believe in the light of the Lord answering that of God in all their consciences which leads into a chast conversation before the Lord ordering their conversations aright in his sight and all such who be turned to the light with which they are enlightned by Christ shall discern who serves God and who serves him not in this day when many profess him but few serve him in spirit and in truth as he will be worshipped by them whom he hath chosen Necessary Questions propounded to the Priests to be answered 1 WHat is that in every man which
vain have you sought divination against Israel and to no purpose have you risen up to resist Mount Sion whom the Lord is establishing and exalting above the Dominions of the Earth and though many set themselves and of the wisest too in our age to gainsay the truth which is revealed by subtil Arguments and have travelled in pain to bring forth misty vapors to blind the eyes of the simple and have laid and sought so to do stumbling-blocks of iniquity before the people by multitude of crafty productions and lying arguments Wo unto you wise Writers and Scribes you have taken away the key of knowledge and have neither entered the Kingdom nor suffered others to enter that would what will be your doom and what will be your judgement Oh the heavy hand of the Lord will be upon you your damnation sleeps not a moment And whereas John Stelham one of Gogs Army against the Lamb and his followers a falsly supposed and contrarily called and unjustly named Minister of the Gospel hath out of his corrupt wicked old lying heart which he confesseth he hath brought forth a large piece out of Babylons Treasure of falsly collected and falsly framed arguments whereby he hath sought to offend the way of the Lord but the rather hath burthened his own soul by his own wickedness and offended himself and made himself unworthy of life eternal and is reckoned in the sight of the Lord and proved in the sight of man to be indeed sinful John Stelham yea he is numbred and truly too among Babylons children and the Lyars and Hypocrites whose portion is in the Lake and not among the children of the Lord for them he hath set himself to oppose and by his subtilty secretly sought out Inchantments and endeavouring to curse whom God hath blessed he is accounted among the uncircumcised and shall not dye the death of the righteous neither shall his last end be like unto his except he repent yea God hath kept him back from honor and to shame and disgrace he is already promoted in the sight of all the Saints and all his work is trodden down as a branch of a dead Tree to be cast into the fire And what though he hath travelled full ten Months or more yet his birth is imperfect and the fruit of an Egyptian Womb which hath obtained neither praise of God nor favour of man And what though his Arguments be many and subtile through the strength of his divellish Wisdom whereby he hath descended into the darkness to fetch up his stuff and invented in his mind and framed in his evil thoughts which hath filled his Volumes by his envious pen. And what though he hath taken seeming occasion against us by his industry and bent his tongue to utter it as friendly and zealously as may blind the single eye and in as great hypocrisie and pretended righteousness as possibly may What then of all these things Let hâ—m take this for an Answer in full to all his many Arguments and to his whole Work and whatsoever is brought forth or may be yet lodging in his sinful heart ever to declare We are of God and his Covenant is with us and the whole World lyes in wickedness and he that is of God heareth us And this is enough Reply to all what he hath or can say further against us And this Testimony the Father gives of us who hath chosen us in him before the World was and let him and all our Adversaries know That our Religion is in that which keeps unspotted of the World and our acceptance with God is in him who is the Light of the World who exerciseth our consciences in all good things towards God and towards man And though we answer not yet are we no worse and though we answer yet are we no better praise of men approves us not to God nor dispraise of men makes us not sorrowful but our peace is in the Father whether the World do us love or hate or praise or dispraise us And first of all like unto Rehum and Shimshai and their companions he appears with his Dedication much like unto theirs from the same Spirit and unto the same end as may be seen Ezra 4.9 11 12. c. and in the manner of Amaziah Priest of Bethel unto Jeroboam the King with a Message much of that nature as in Amos 7.10 11. c. And this man with his feigned flattering titles appears to the chief in Authority for approbation of his Woâ—k that men may accept it the more But that 's little worth if God accept it less and in much secret hyyocrisie hath he uttered the intent of his mind in less than a sheet of paper to the Protector and Council of State whom we hope in for more honesty than to believe lyes and the indictments of a sinful wicked heart Well but if they will harden their hearts to believe unrighteousness they shall be filled therewith till both the ancient and honorable and the false Prophet that prophesies lyes which is the tayle Isa. 9.15 be consumed together 〈…〉 the Dominion shal be given into their hands then among his flattering titles he seems secretly to Complain of Abuse made of the Press for the spreading of Anti-scriptural and Anti-christian Errors as he saith Indeed his own works do prove his words true that the Presse is abused which hath by his Pen scribled so many Lyes Reproaches Slanders and Errors and the Presse the instrumental cause of spreading them abroad whereby the Press hath been abused to the dishonour of Religion and Piety if not to the dishonour of Authority also Then he seems to hint at the Cruelty and Outcry of many for crying Club-law against the men called Quakers but whether with approvement or otherwise of it his mind is not uttered however by the Lyes and Slanders ensuing out of his owne mouth it is easily proved that he is of that very generation of persecutors though he so well do not approve of Persecuting with the hand yet he allows and himself is guilty of persenting with the tongue which is one in nature so that hereby the great hypocrisie of this man appears in condemning others secretly of what himself is guilty of openly then he is pleased though the Lord be vexed to cast forth his peevish smite against the light of Jesus Christ wherewith every man in the world is lighted in words thus venomously uttered that perverse Principle of their viz Quakers self-adoring light Will the Protector and Council believe this or will they promote him to honour or magnifie him because of his opprobious speeches against the light of the Son of God let them answer and testifie against him for blasphemy who hath in his hastinesse uttered his envie and wickedness and no less then denied the Lord that bought him in calling and shamelesly stiling the pure light of Christ the Way the Truth and the Life Perverse Principle and Selfe adoring light and thus it
put them to an end and not destroy them nor contradict them in the sight of his Father though to their corrupt judgement and Christ tells them that they erred not knowing the Scriptures nor the Power of God who had old lying hearts and were sinful wretches even such as John Stelham hath confessed himself to be and therefore his words and judgement and theirs is like to be all of one nature judging Truth to be Error and the Way of God to be Heresie and Blasphemy this the Pharisees did of old and even thus doth John Stelham and his companions do at this day But why should any be troubled hereat seeing herein Christs words are fullfilled upon us who said They shall speak all manner of evil falsly against you for my Names sakâ— And so hath this man done with his light scornful spirit and fulfilled Christs words who because he hath not known the Father nor the Son hath spoken evil falsly against them that follow Christ And this were sufficient answer to his whole Book Yet let us see what follows and let the Reader try with all moderation that he may be edified and may know the true Spirit from the false and the doctrine of the Gospel from lying visions and may cleave to the Truth and escape the error And let none believe hastily things uttered without knowledge out of J.S. deceitful heart FOrasmuch as many of the Servants of the Lord have been moved of the Lord to set forth in order several Declarations of those things which the Light of the glorious Gospel shining in their hearts hath given them the knowledge of and for this end are they published that others also may know the certainty and truth of those things which are believed known and enjoyed amongst us not that they can be known by reading the Letter in which they are declared but through their diligence and obedience to the Light wherewith Christ hath enlightened them though not for it which is the same Light which shined in our hearts and gave us the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ by which Light of the glorious Gospel who are faithful in it to the Lord their understandings come to be opened that they stumble not at those things which are testified in the Truth neither at that which is declared in other Scriptures but it being that in this our day it hath pleased the Father to bring forth in life and power that mercy and truth which the Scripture speaks of by which iniquity is purged out and as it is become a savour of life unto life in those that receive and believe in it so it is also become a savour of death unto that death which remains in both Priests and people in this age who hate the Light who can scarce hear it named or that people should be turned unto it as the Apostle did turn them from darkness to the Light and from the power of Satan unto God that they might receive the remâ—ssion of their sins and be partakers of the inheritance amongst them that are sanctified but when they hear that preached or printed which they may do and out of which they cannot receive the remission of their sins then envy riseth up in them a perverse mind and ungodly speeches and false accusations saying that we speak of a natural Light and of a natural Conscience when as we speak of the true Light which hath enlightened every one that cometh into the World and in which Christ's Doctrine stood who said to the people and to the Pharisees again and again I am the Light of the world as John 8.12 John 12.46 but now because the Light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon us and we declare it freely as we have received it therefore is floods of ungodliness risen up against us But it is impossible that the Seed which the Lord is manifesting his Light and Power to bring forth should be kept alwayes under the power of death which Seed is now terrible in the Lord's Power and will yet be more terrible as his power encreaseth which is now going forth as an Army with banners for the torment of the wicked is already begun because the righteousness of God is now spreading over the Nations and neither the Rulers of the darkness of this World nor all the Printings and Preachings of those who be out of the life of God can hinder that which the Lord hath begun and is carrying on by his own power though the Nations are angry because that by the Light of his glorious Gospel shining forth his wrath is revealed upon them for their ungodly deeds that the Scripture which cannot be broken may be fulfilled and therefore it were better for them there may be hope then to rise up against that which is more unchangeable than the Heavens and the Earth And therefore in vain have the Enemies of God and people in all professions joined themselves together against the Light of Truth and the Way of the Lord which many in our dayes have fallen upon but are broken to pieces and it hath fallen upon many and grinded them to powder and nothing shall escape for the day of the Lord is come and it is very nigh to you that hate it a day of darkness and of gloominess of clouds and of thick darkness and now the seed of God is as the morning spread upon the Mountains a great people and a strong there hath not been ever the like neither shall there be any more after it even to the years of many generations a fire goeth before them and behind them a flame burneth the Land is as the Garden of Eden before them and behind them a desolate Wilderness and nothing shall escape them the appearance of them is as the appearance of horses and as horse-men so shall they run c. the Earth shall quake before them the Heavens shall tremble the Sun and Moon shall be dark and the Stars shall withdraw their shining and the Lord shall utâ—er his voice before his Army as he now doth for his Camp is very great for he is strong that executeth his Word for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible and who can abide it And now according as the Prophet Joel prophesied is it come and coming to pass Joel 2.2 3 4 10 11. against which Seed men of corrupt minds and reprobate concerning the things of God are risen up who in their first appearance in their Writings profess themselves to be that which they are not seeming right unto many through their feigned words and fair speeches deceiving the hearts of the simple for whom Christ dyed but afterwards in the same Writings to those that see they manifest themselves what they are and being so considered as they are seen and known cannot deceive and therefore to all people who desire to be edified and satisfied in the ground and truth
of things as they are made manifest by the Lord to the Light in you I speak that in it you may be able to understand truth in what I say and by the truth to judge of things that differ for such as the Tree is such is the fruit an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit neither can one Fountain send forth sweet water and bitter Now as concerning a Book given forth by John Stelham Priest at Terling in Essex who having an evil eye because God is good and being filled with indignation because God hath mercy on his own Seed whom he hath blessed hath out of the abundance of his heart spoken it forth Now the way to know that which is spoken in darkness is to read it in the light and if his Testimony in any thing as coming from him is to be believed it is that which is concerning his own condition and if his estate and condition be such that in it he can receive the things of God and minister them to others then they may be received but if his condition be such that in it he cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God then that which cannot receive cannot minister and so he is to be silents and none to expect the things of God from him being neither fit to reprove nor to rebuke but to be reproved and rebuked as will appear as followeth The ground in him and the heart out of which this abundance of words in his Book proceeds in it as he declares is yet the root of all error and of all sin is in him and seen by him not mortified and that he hath an old lying heart and flesh wherein there dwells no truth no good thing a sinful wretch and worm subscribing himself the sinful John Stelham as in his Introduction in pag. 80. and p. 117. Now therefore we having found out the root and the ground to be a root of Errror and the ground of Deceit and a heart wherein dwells no truth nor no good thing therefore from that which is unclean shall we not expect that which is clean to proceed nor truth from that wherein dwells no truth but from the lying heart and deceitful tongue hath the Lord delivered us so that if we be called revilers and be rebuked and a charge laid against us as to contradict the Scriptures of God and be called Antiscriptural Antichristian and Antispiritual we have now learned to know whence it doth proceed even from the lying heart and flesh wherein there dwells no truth and we can bear it because we know that til that heart be taken away and a new heart known wherein is truth we must be reproached and spoken evil of falsly for his sake who hath taken away the old lying heart and hath given us a new heart wherein truth dwelleth and where truth proceeds out from and herein are we manifest from the children of this generation and herein are the two states known and the two conditions of men according to the testimony of Scripture and the parable which Jesus spoke Luke 6.39 Can the blind lead the blind shall they not both fall into the ditch And ver 45. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good And an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh And hereby is the Tree known by his fruits and the heart of the wicked was ever filled with lying and vanity and understanding was hid from them the Lord was grieved with such that did err in their hearts and had not known his wayes Psal. 119 70. Psal. 140.2 and this was an evil which was under the sun that the hearts of the sons of men were full of evil and madnesse while they live Eccles. 9.3 And such a heart was in the Scribes and Pharisees a lying heart wherein dwelt no truth filled with evil thoughts as Christ said Wherefore think you evil in your hearts Mat. 9.4 and out of the heart did arise all false accusations calling the truth blasphemy and the way of it heresie and such who be in the state as John Stelham confesseth he is was never appointed by the Lord to watch over souls But such where Christ did dwell in their hearts and because they were sons God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into their hearts Eph. 3.17 Gal. 4.6 and such had truth in their hearts doing the Will of God from the heart and did draw near unto God with a true heart in full assurance of Faith having their hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and their bodies washed with pure water these did not profess the things of God in an old lying heart wherein dwelt no truth but called upon the name of the Lord with a pure heart and said that the end of the commandment was charity out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith unfeigned from which some swerved in the Apostles dayes having turned aside unto vain jangling and such desired to be teachers of others but the doctrine is corrupt and the Mysterie of Faith is not held where the heart and conscience is not pure and the Lord is good unto such who be of a clean heart Now as concerning the Scriptures John Stelham's Testimony from the old lying heart wherein dwelleth no truth is this That the Scriptures are the Word of God and truly so called and the Letter and Scripture is all one as p. 3.4 but to contradict that himself he saith in p. 5. the Letter taken strictly is but legal administration using these words The Letter killeth i.e. the bare legal command without a promise of power or pardon as a bare Letter void of strength life and spirit it leaveth all men under a killing sentence and curse Let them that have understanding judge Again as concerning the Letter in page 6. he expresseth himself thus The Spirit is given by it And in the next words saith the Scripture is but instrumental to the Spirit Now mark the Letter taken strictly being legal without a promise of power or pardon void of strength life and spirit the Spirit to be given by this which he confesseth is void of strength life and spirit and is but instrumental to the Spirit whether this be not contradiction and confusion let them that read judge For in reading these things which he hath published many may seal to the confession of his own condition to be truth but that which he hath declared of the things of God to be false for now the Light being broken forth such doctrine cannot be received nor believed that thâ— Spirit is given by the Letter but that which is declared in the Letter was given forth from the Spirit vvhich vvas in them which spoke it forth but people may long have the Letter and think in it to find God and eternal life and may dye in
his Testimony is true saying And there are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the World it self could not contain the Books which should be written John 21.25 So that all is not written which was revealed wrote and spoken which if much more were written which was made mâ—nifest by it with that which is written could they not know the Lord their mindes being from the light of Christ which doth reveale and make manifest that which may be known of God in them And many who have the Letter and are Ministers of it are sensual having not the spirit nor the word of God nor the testimony of Jesus and their Ministry is but as Chaffe to the Wheate and the Lord is against them For what is the chaffe to the wheat saith the Lord Jeremiah 23. Is not my word like a fire saith the Lord and like a hammer breaketh the rock in pieces Now many have the letter and know not the word of the Lord as a fire neither is the rock broken with the letter and such use their tongue for it is their own and the power of the Lord is not come over it such cause the People to err and doth not profit them being not sent nor commanded of the Lord for who are sent and commanded of the Lord the Lord useth their tongueâ— to speak his words which he puts into their mouthes and such words doth profite the people and not cause them to err being spoken according to the law which is light And the testimony of Jesus which is the Spirit of Prophesie and such do witnesse the Scriptures that as they cannot be broken so they cannot be denied by the Spirit which gave them forth to be a Declaration of those things which was revealed known and believed But they are not that which they are a declaration of the letter testifies of the eternal life but it is not it neither gives it It testifies of the light of the glorious Gospel shining in the heart whih gives the light of the knowledg of the glory of God but it is not that light which gives that knowledge It testifies of the Way but Christ is the Way of the Word but God is the Word and of Redemption but Christ is the Redemption not the Letter though it testifies of Justification Sanctification but they are wrought by the Word in the grace and power of Christ and so every one who wil own the Scriptures as they were given sorth to be owned must first own that of God in them which is manifest to work in the Creature that which they testifie of that Christ the power of God they may witness working all their works in them and for them according to the Scripture But contrary to the Scripture J.S. from the root of Errour saith That the written letter is a Spirituall Arm and Sword of the Spirit and that the very power of the written letter puts Satan to flight And in the same Page saith That the Devil hath Scripture in his mouth Answ. Let the People take notice and read the Scriptures and see if there be any such thing that the Sword of the spirit was ever in the Divels Mouth for the spiritual Armour which is said to be the Word of God But the Word of God which is the sword of the Spirit is that by which he is to be destroyed and is the mystery bid from him and all that follow his lusts But though the Divell which did not abide in the truth and his Ministers who are out of the truth may take the letter in their mouthes as they have done and say it s written so but the word of the Lord is not in their moutheâ— which is the sword of the Spirit and such will use the letter in their mouthes which cannot sease from sin whose eyes are full of Adultery beguiling unstable Souls their heart being exercised with coveteous practises cursed children which have forsaken the right way and are in the Error of Baalan loving the wages of unrighteousnesse and taking them and such have the letter in their mouthes but knows not the Word of God whâ—ch who comes but know it restraines them from all such practises Again J.S. from his blindnesse and root of Error and lying heart wherein dwells no truth but much confusion saith that the letter i. e. the Scripture is the true ground of the believers Faith and again in the same page saith That Christ in the Scripture is the true Ground of Faith And to prove the former he brings Prov. 22.19 20 21. That thy trust may be in the Lord I have made known to thee this day even to thee have not I written to thee â—xcellent things in Councels and Knowledg that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee An. By this scripture the Lord is made the ground of Faith not the Letter And therefore did the Prophet make known excellent things in writing in counsel and knowledge for this end did the Apostles both preach and write that the Faith of those which heard them read their writings might not stand in the wisdom of words nor in the letter as its ground but in Christ the power of God and Christ who preached the true doctrine that in it every one might believe said to the World the Pharisees While ye have the light believe in the light that ye may be the Children of light and these had the letter but did not believe in the light which light is Christ and which light is the foundation of Faith and is the foundation of many generations in which many did believe before this letter which declares of it was written And that Faith which stands in the light and in the power of God is the ground of the Scripture letter from whence it did proceed after they believed they spoke and wrote that which now is declared in Chapters And every one which coms to the true ground of Faith must come co the light to believe in it that they may be the Children of it and then the Scriptures will be profitable unto them they with the light having the understanding opened to see for what end they were given forth and how they come to be fulfilled and witnessed in that which gave them forth for the ground of Faith to believers is but one both before and since the Scripture was written which is Christ in whom whosoever believeth shall be saved let Christ be in what he will for he was the ground of Faith when the letter was not and he is the ground of Faith when it is and no other foundation for Faith can any man lay than that which is laid Jesus Christ who is the true light and enlighteneth every man that cometh into the Word that all men in him might
of their bodies which now if people mind the Scripture there is no such doctrine in it as the Saints in Heaven have not received the Redemption of their bodies for they who had received the first fruits of the Spirit upon earth did wait for the adoption and for the redemption of the body till the creature it self be delivered into the glorious liberty of the sons of God Rom. 8. And this was witnessed and is witnessed and this is the Work of the Worlds Teachers instead of presenting them perfect in Christ Jesus as the Apostles did they would make people believe that the Saints in Heaven their bodies are unredeemed if so where is that redemption wrought And whereas I. S. vvould make people believe that there are none clean novv Christ said concerning those that follovved him Now are ye clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you John 15.3 And David saith that the Lord is good unto such as are of a clean heart Psal. 73.1 And the Lord said concerning his people that he would pour clean water upon them and they should be clean from all their filthiness Ezek. 36.25 and this Prophesie was to be fulfilled And the Lord said also by his Prophet Zephaniah That his Remnant should do no iniquity nor speak lyes neither should a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth Zeph. 3 1·3 And Paul preached Wisdom among them that were perfect and as many as were perfect should be so minded and Christ preached to the pure in heart that they should see God Matt. 5. Now if there were none perfect Christ preached unto such as there was not Now this is the chief ground of J. S. and the rest of the Enemies of truth and of perfection to declare against it because some fall from it as his instance of C. A. or others in the like To which I answer Their falling into that which is not perfect doth not make that which they fall from imperfect for the Angels that kept not their first state which was perfect did fall from that which was perfect A Virgin state is perfect but if any go out of that state and become foolish yet that which they depart from is perfect And if any do fall from the Truth and do not abide in Christs Doctrine that doth not make his Doctrine to be imperfect for Christ saith Except they abide in him who is perfect they cannot bring forth fruit Is not he that is in Christ perfect though some do not abide in him And is not the Truth Truth because some deny it Was not Christs Doctrine and the Apostles true because Demas did forsake it and love the present World And was not that part of the Ministry which Judas had committed unto him perfect And was not he the true Christ that Judas preached though afterwards he betrayed him Now if people do but truly consider all those that now do turn from the way of Truth which is now preached and lived in by us it may be an evident token to justifie us in the Way of Truth seeing what they go into when they go from the Light which Christ hath enlightened them withall which while they abide in it are kept out of all filthiness of flesh and spirit and so long they may speak of perfection and of the gift of God which is perfect But if any go from the Light then they are let at liberty to act all uncleanness with greediness and so are cast out from us and from perfection And if any such deny the Truth and forsake it yet there remains in them a witness for the truth and against their own uncleanness as in C. A. who from the Witness of God in him was made to confess that if he had continued in the Light of Christ he could not have so sinned against the Lord and so by his transgression fel from the way of Life and could not continue in Christs Doctrine any longer so such things may satisfie people concerning the way of Truth for while they are of us all such things is denyed by them but when they go out from us then they become Drunkards Swearers Prophane Adulterers Fornicators and so every evil Work is committed and then they turn to the Priests Doctrine there all such things are and are excused and then the Priests rejoice and give thanks if any turn from the Light of Christ and the obedience of the Gospel into drunkenness and prophaneness again where they were before and if they wil but swear and respect mens persons and use the rod of violence and persâ—cute and shed the blood of the innocent and be conformable to the World that is the Priests rejoicing and if any turn from the truth into any act of uncleanness then they take that as a proof against those that abide in the truth and such a thing is a better proof to them then all the Scripture and those are they that rejoice in iniquity and watch for evil and so they rejoice in that which we have cast out as abomination and these are they that plead for a life in sin while they are here and that say that the saints glorified in Heaven do yet hope for the resurrection of their bodies and so not come to the end of their hope though in Heaven when as the Saints upon earth witnessed the end of their hope the salvation of their souls Now these may wel deny perfection on earth who deny it in heaven which the Saints we and the Scriptures do witness it in both and against all such who are not fit to speak of the things of God Again in his ninth Head of contradiction he speaks of a warfare which yet himself never came unto and in it he wrests Pauls words and so would turn the truth into a lye saying as if Paul should say thus If sin that wars and sights in me hath no power to condemn me then there is no condemnation to me Which words Paul never spake and it is a lye in the ground for it is not sin that is the condemnation but the Light which lets men see their sins because men love darkness rather than light as many in this age have manifested themselves to do and the light shall be their condemnation who are not yet come to the War nor to the Victory which the Scripture speaks of Again in his tenth Head of contradictions speaking of repentance as if he would prove that we denyed or disclaimed godly sorrow and his proof is this If we disclaim in-dwelling sin in the godly we disclaim godly sorrow Let all people take notice of this If we deny in-dwelling sin we deny godly sorrow this is contradiction in the highest degree but against it this I shall affirm that none comes unto godly sorrow but they deny in dwelling sin and they that do not deny in-dwelling sin denies godly sorrow Again John Stelham in his eleventh Head of contradictions to the Scripture in his speaking of
his folly but our judgement in this is known he that can receive it let him and the belief of the wicked we shall not beg In these things we are approved of God and in the denial of all false imitations and who is he that shall condemn In the 14 th Head concerning Prayer Concerning prayer we do not contradict the scripture in our practâ—ce J.S. is the lyar herein who hath made it a subject to treat two leafs upon for praying in the spirit and by the spirit and in publick and private too we own and do practice as is known to thousands our Enemies can witness for us and according to the scriptures too and not contradicting to it any way But this is the offence against him at which he is troubled that we should deny the prayers of the Pharisees or of such who are in the steps of the prayers of the Pharisees viz. who for a pretence make long prayers and stand praying in the synagogues who are out of Christs and the Apostles Doctrine and the prayers and practices of such we do not deny according to the scripture which saith the sacrifices of the wicked are abomination to the Lord and they shall receive greater condemnation who make long prayers for a pretence as it is manifest concerning many in this genetation and against the praying of the Hypocrites and of Hirelings who pretend to pray in love to souls when as if they had not a great sum of money from the people would not pray among them but seek a place to pray at among such who would give them money and hire and this praying is for a pretence and we do deny it in publick and do not offend God herein though we vex J. S. hereby because some wil not worship the Beast and bow a hat off while he is praying in an idols Temple which he complains of in J.P. though he himself that prayâ— hath a cap on and he confesses himself not wicked mens prayers are accepted publick or private and here he hath condemned all his own praying who confesses he is wicked and sinful and his heart is old and lying let all take notice of this which if he had not confessed it it is sufficiently proved Then why shall he ever hereafter be offended seeing his prayers are not accepted according to his own confession if any tell him so or declare against his praying and before any can truly pray they must receive the Spirit of the Father and them we know who are not led by the Spirit of the Father them and their prayers are to be declared against by the Saints and are condemned in the sight of God And J. S. saith If this counsel be followed viz waiting in the Light till the Spirits leadings be known it makes known nothing of publick Ministers Church-Officers Baptism Lords Supper publick order of prayer nor of Christ as Mediator nor of the Spirit of promise c. The Light that every man hath makes manifest nothing of this he saith he in this is a lyar and as landerer of the people of God who are led by the moving of the Spirit in the Light of the Word Christ Jesus that lighteth every man and owneth the publick Ministry of Christ which is received by the Holy Ghost and Church and Baptism and Christ as Mediator and the Spirit of promise and all these things all the Saints upon earth who have the spirit of Christ shall witness against J.S. herein to be a lyar of the Light and Spirit of God and so is a transgressor and his wickedness may largely be laid open but the least of the children of Light may see his folly and madness who also lyingly saith that Quakers they nourish up people in the Light that every man hath which is the Light of Christ Jesus in opposition to Scripture-Light This is also utterly false and a lye and the Author proved to be of the Devil for the Light of Christ leads up in the fulfilling of the Scripture and not in opposition to it but by his lightness and lyes he is made manifest to be a deceiver of the people and so take thy own words in thy conclusion to thy self thou art he that is alienated from the Scripture and from the Spirit of God also by thy lying spirit of contradiction which is manifest in thy Writings In his 15. Head concerning singing We do not contradict the Scripture herein again thou art a lyar but singing with the spirit and with understanding we own of such as are redeemed out of the World and are not of the World but singing of David's experiences sung in the World by such who are of the World this singing we do deny as it is practised in this generation in Rhime and Meeter in a vain multitude of people where all or most of them do dishonor God in singing Davids words which themselves are out of the life of and in a life quite contrary singing the Law of God is dear to them and that they exercise themselves in it when every moment of time they are exercised in wickedness and cast the Law of God behind them and thus singing lyes and that which is not true to them yet in the Name of the Lord. Other Reasons many may be given why we deny singing in this form and manner and way as singing is practised in this generation but this instance is sufficient to all honest people but cavillers mouths are not soon stopped not by the truth And all J. S. professes as to maintain this manner and practice of singing are all impertinent he proves that the saints sang and were exhorted to it but what is this to the purpose to prove the World must sing who are unconverted which singing we oppose onely and not the saints singing in 〈◊〉 spirit who are moved to it by the spirit O thou lyar Wherâ—fore dost thou say To be against singing Davids words by the World in Rhime and Meeter as we do is contrary to Eph. 5. Col. 3. doth these scriptures hold forth any such thing let the Reader try as that Davids experiences may be sang in the World in Rhime and Meeter nay they do not and so thou art a lyar on the scriptures to be taken notice of and marked for a wrester of the scriptures and in this we have often declared our minds by words and writings that poetry and J. Hopkins and T. Sternolds brain-invention we have denied yet Davids Psalms wâ— have owned and do own them as they were given forth by the spirit of God and not as they are perverted and added and diminished to such a compass of syllables as they are now in practice and thus I have given you a further testimony for and against singing wherein we deny it and wherein we own it and so leaves his muddy stuff and so counts it not worth raking in onely a lye or two or more he is proved in as the Reader may take notice also of
one thing more where he charges R. F falsly to speak falshood for saying the priests of England they teach people to sing lyes in hypocrisie this they do and do wiâ—kedly in it and he hath added to their wickedness in denying it to be so for to all people without exception they give to sing I am not puft in mind nor have a scornful eye and they making not exception in giving forth these psalms to sing Some that they give it forth to are puft in mind and have scornful eyes and these they teach to sing lyes in hypocrisie to any honest man this appears true let J. S. shuffle and twist never so much In the 16 th Head concerning Elders and Ordination We do not herein contradict the Scripture but witnesse forth according to it that who are moved by the Spirit of God to watch over the Flock and ordained with gifts thereunto may take the oversight of the Flock wittingly and of a ready mind and not by constraint nor for filthy lucre sake as J. S. and his generation of false Teachers who preach for hire and for gifts and rewards such are not ordained of God to watch over the Flock but run and were never sent and therefore shall not profit people at all and such an ordination we deny who are ordained at schools or by natural arts and sciences to speak their brain-study by a Glass this is by man and not of God and God doth deny it and we testifie against it by the spirit of God and do say The call to the true Ministry and Eldership is not by man nor of man but by the Lord according to Gal. 1.1 yet such a one is approved of all the Saints and go forth not contrary to men who fear the Lord for the spirit of life is one in them that are called and ordained by it and in them that beareth witnâ—ss to truth what such doth approve with the spirit that are called by â—he spirit This is our judgement and the judgement of Truth what ever J. S. or any of his fellows raise up to oppose it and herein we do not contradict the Scriptures he is that lyar in the subject matter on which he treats in the title of the Section In his 17 th Head concerning Ministers Maintenance Concerning this we do no way contradict the Scripture but witnesseth according to it that the Ministers of Christ doth receive freely and gives freely of what they have received from God and haveing planâ—ed a vineyard may eat the fruit of it and keeping a flock may eat of the milk of the flock and when they go into a house may eat such things as are set before them and yet may not be chargeable to any man and this is according to Christs instructions not contradictory to the Scriptures though J. S. be pleased to so stile it but all such who preaches for hire or takes hire for preaching and seeks for their gain for 50 l. or 60 l. per annum or the like from their quarter a Parish or Town and such who take Tithes Gifts and Rewards for preaching which people should not give them except they preached and such who have sums of money and lives in pleasures and vanities and lust and fulness of the Flesh as the Priests of England do this maintenance we do deny and them that act those things we deny to be Ministers of Christ or that any Maintenance by way of Ministry doth belong to such who are greedy dumb doggs and can never have enough as Isa. 5 6. such practises and men we oppose and doth no whit contradict the Scripture but it witnesseth to us herein and against all such and therefore I. S. and his Bâ—ethren the Independeâ—ts who acts such things they contradict the Scripture and so are truly guilty themselvs in action of what they falsely accuse us in words for such who walks in the steps of the false Prophets as he and they doth that preach for hire and takes Gifts and Rewards for preaching are contrary to all the true Ministers of Christ and the Scripture and the Spirit that gave it forth condemns them and much as to this we have publickly spoken and written and so here I need say the less though much might be said to manifest I. S. folly and vanity though they that plant a vineyard may justly eat the fruit thereof yet what is this to purpose he is a thief that eats of the fruit of that which he hath noâ— planted but is hired thither for so much per Sermon or per annum and plants nothing for the Lord he that preaches the Gospel may live of it but this shames I. S. and this Generation of Teachers who many of them might begg bread at peoples doors had they not a Law by violence to compel maintenance from them which thing is a very shame to all righteousness which is practised by most of the Priests of England at this day grievous to be related what unjust Judgements against them for to maintain Ministers so called what is the thing that J. S. pleads for Tithes or an hundred or two hundred pound a year he is a Lyar to say that we contradict the Scripture because we cannot uphold this but must bear witnesse against it so whilst he falsely charges us with contradicting the Scripture in the very same thing he and his Generation are found in this practice contrary to all the Ministers of Christ that ever was sent by him and in the very practice of the Deceivers Antichrists and False-Prophets in making merchandize of people through covetousnesse in preaching for hire and in seeking for their gain from their quarters and this is the very truth let J. S. and all his fellows read their own contradiction to the Example of all the Ministers of Christ in their cuâ—sed practice of Maintenance which is the greatest oppression this day in England and this is their grief against us because God hath opened our mouths to declare against them and to shew their solly and wickednesse unto all people and when the Law of the Land ceaseth to maintain them which will come sooner than they expect then may they beg their bread or perish for want and that is all the fruit that their Vineyard of wilde Brambles will bring forth to them and if every particular of his words should be searched much rottennesse might be let forth but in plainnesse I have spoken as to the truth of things in pleading for truth and in denying the Deceits and the Oppression of Hirelings which I cannot call Ministers Maintenance His 18 th Heâ—d concerning immediate Calling In this we do not contradict the Scripture J.S. is a Lyar herein also but we say Such as are called of God are called by his Spirit and led with it and fulfills the will and work of God in the Spirit and such as are called by the Spirit of God are approved by all the Saints of God who
vanity and men of high degree are a lye and the heart of man is desperately wicked and deceitful above all things Hear this ye wise men and foolish The more ye strive against the Lord the more is your wound made incurable and the higher you rise in envy always the deeper is your fall in confusion And now Christian Reader whose heart God hath opened to see and behold the things that be eternal and can truly discern of different causes and between the good and the evil and between the light and the darkness This Book is sent forth in the pursuit and after a Book called Hosâ—nna to the Son of David c. by a nameless Author whose work indeed was hardly worthy of an honest mans Name though very subtilly and craftily he prosecutes his purpose and traverses his steps full cunningly as this worlds wisdom could guide him in which wisdom he cannot know or receive the things of God and therefore it cannot be expected that the things of God should be received from that wisdom and though he hath confounded in his words his description of the Light of Christ sometimes speaking well of it aâ—d sometimes otherwise and not knowing hardly whereof he hath affirmed his words are so confounded and mixed in his corrupt reason in giving forth his knowledge of the things of God which he seems to be ignorant of but only as he hath the knowledge of them from the Letter by which no man can come to the knowledge of God nor of the things of his Kingdom without the revelation of the Spirit of Jesus and the operation of the same Spiriâ— But Friends the Testimony of God stands sure for ever though men would confound it in their own reason And this is the Testimony That Christ lighteth every man that cometh into the world which Light is sufficient to lead every man to God or else to condemn every man from God and this Testimony is true notwithstanding all the opposition against it and it shall abide sure for ever though men strive never so much in the gain-saying of it And this is the Testimony which we have born and shall bear to the end and who believes it and who believes it not this is the hand of the Lord according to his pleasure and to him we leave it and so we do and must clear our consciences from time to time while the Lord gives us a being And herein we are a good savour to God and our reward is with him whether Israel be gathered or no Isa. 49. And also this nameless Author which is supposed to be one John Jackson known in this City hath taken some seeming occasion against us by searching our Books and as he saith hath found some contradictions in them which may appear to be so to his dark mind yet in the sight of the spirit of the Lord that is truth which he sees to be no other than error However this is sent forth for the true information of peoples minds that they may know that truth is bold and confident and that it is Armour which defendeth from all Enemies and giveth strength to answer the craftiness of men And this same John Jackson hath shewed himself now to be one with the common Priests of the world for as they have done so hath he opposed the way and people of God and with the very same arguments shewing that he is of the very same spirit with them his discourse and arguments being of the same nature as theirs are yea he hath shewed himself to be of the very same spiâ—it with all the open prophane wretches which doth revile and scorn and abuse in every Town and Countrey the Lords people and as they do so so hath he written with subtile Arguments to the very same end as they reproach and scorn to wit in a derision and despising the way and servants of the Lord so that his self-separation is now seen what it is to be a very cheat and hypocrisie who while he professeth a separation frâ—m the World doth practice the very same wickedness and is not changed from them in nature though he be in appearance But what a poor work hath he brought forth in two years time which he saith his work hath been as Embers raked up in ashes yet a work that gains no praise of God nor very little of the praise of any man It seems he hath hatched mischief upon his bed and brought it forth in the morning Who would have thought but a wise man in that time would have brought forth a larger piece and more to purpose I am sure he might have made better use of his time in another exercise than to have writ against the servants of the Lord It had been more honest for him to have set his pen to paper and studyed to have given his testimony against the Pridâ— and Drunkenness and Oppression and Whoredoms and Wickedness in this great City I say it had been more honest and liker a Saint to have sought the reforming of prophaneness and wickedness that greatly abounds in this City than to have studyed two years to bring forth his invented stuff against a harmless and innocent people which he nor any can justly charge with evil but as he hath digged deep by his imaginations in recollecting a seeming-contradiction out of our writings which is no contradiction no more then Christs words are who saith Except ye eat my flesh and drink my blood ye have no life in you And yet in the same discourse saith The flesh profits nothing And for Isaiah to go with the Word of the Lord to Hezekiah to tell him he should dye and not live yet in the same instant of time told him he should live and not dye Would not John Jackson have counted these contradictions But what he hath done in this in sending forth a Book against the Quakers he hath been so far from beating down sin drunkards and rude scorners and abusive men that he hath fully strengthened their hands and the wickedst people in this Nation are very glad of his work he hath given them matter to oppose truth withall but his reward and theirs shall be both with one hand and he shall drink his portion in the same Lake with such whose hands he hath strengthened and let him know and them all God hath established us upon a sure Mountain which the Gates of Hell and Death cannot prevail against So his work is counted of us and cast by as our spoiled prey of Babylons treasure onely this is sent abroad after it in the pursuit of it which is not done with multitudes of words of mans wisdom but in the plain nakedness of innocent truth which is more strength than all his arguments of guile whereby he would deceive the people but he can deceive none but such as are deceived already for all that are in the Light and in the Truth sees beyond all that he can say and are established
where his words can never reach them to take away their peace or disquiet them for as I said we are established upon a sure foundation and are tryed and proved and cannot be blown away with any windy Doctrines of men which begets into strife and not into true sincerity of heart but wo unto that man that works offence and doth cast stumbling-blocks in the way of the simple And though the Lords people be a suffering people yet wo unto them that cause thom to suffer And though he and some others in their spirits were elevated thinking thereby to trample upon the innocent by that occasion happâ—ning concerning J. N. which was not suffered of the Lord to be as an occasion to destroy his people but as an occasion to try them and to prove them and thereby are they tryed and proved and the more setled rather than confounded and John Jackson and such like may glory in such things for a moment because the appearance of it seems evil yet the Lord will make their glorying void for the Lord hath ways enough to preserve his people and this we have found in many needful times And as concerning this thing which was looked upon as a breach among us by many yet it 's over and Truth stands a top of it and the beauty of Truth appears through it all and Truth is more lovely when it is proved and purged What if the Lord suffer his to be led and tempted for a season let not the wicked boast of this for though the righteous fall he shall rise again but the wicked fall into mischief But yet we learn something by this what a great use the Devil hath made hereof and how many Books and lying Scribblers hath been sent forth about it concerning us which are all counted by us no better than the most corrupted Treasure that ever grew in Babylon and the best of it is but baubles to please vain minds for men of sound understandings can take no pleasure therein And we see how by all means the Devil and his people seeks occasion against the ways and people of Gods and how glad are the wicked when they get an occasion against the Lords people And how do they glory in it and boast in it for a time thinking that their hands are strengthened in a greater boldness to do mischief And John Jackson is one of those that takes pleasure in these things and he hath managed his business with a great deal of craft but there are none that will praise him for it except such whose wicked hands he strengthens and such as he must have stumblings after the way of the Lord hath been so fully manifested and they receive it not and they must fall and be broken And seeing that the wicked doth take occasion and seeks occasion against the innocent this will make many more watchful and more circumspect and more to walk in God's wisdom and to deny their own wayes lest offences come by them And let him put off his Armor and lay down his Weapons and I wish he may spend the next two years to come better than he hath done these last aod that the little fire in the Embers may kindle to the burning of his corruption rather than into a blind zeal against the innocent people And what in this Book is written is not to contend or strive for mastery but to clear the Truth and to remove all cause of stumblings from before the face of all the upright in heart A Friend to all people E.B. London the third of the ninth month 1657. MAny untimely Births in ages past and present have been brought forth and the Work of such hath alwayes been to destroy the Heir the Seed which the Lord hath blessed that so the Inheritance might be theirs and so would thrust themselves into the Kingdom but they know while the Seed of the promise is alive it keeps them out and will not let them meddle with those things which they are not born unto for they are sons of bondage and children of falshood and must not be heirs with the son of the free woman c. David out of whose root the righteous seed did arise the bright and Morning-star he saw that Seed in his days and was aware of them and gave his testimony concerning them saying In heart ye work wickedness you weigh the violency of your hands in the Earth the wicked are estranged from the Womb they go astray as soon as they be born speaking lyes their poyson is like the poyson of a Serpent they are like the deaf Adder that stoppeth her ear charm one never so wisely Break their teeth O God in their mouth break out the teeth of the young Lyons O Lord let them melt away as waters that run continually when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows let them be as cut in pieces as a Snaile which melteth let every one of them pass away like the untimely birth of a woman that they may not see the Sun c. Psal. 58.2 3 4 5 6 7 8. And again he saith Behold he travelleth with iniquity and hath conceived mischief and brought forth falshood Psal. 7.14 and so there was a travelling and labouring before they could get their iniquity brought forth as we have true declarations concerning the ages past how many have travelled and brought forth wind and confusion so likewise in this age by experience can we give testimony of the like births which hath been brought forth to the slâ—ughter amongst Babylons children and here is one of the same birth born and brought forth in this City of London to which I shall speak something at present although he conceal his Name yet the seed you shall know by its fruits it is one that would be reckoned amongst those children that in the Temple cryed Hosanna to the Son of David Mâ—tth 12.15 But the Seed which David called Lord is risen and hath rebuked the false voice for it is not every one that cryeth Lord nor every one that cryeth Hosanna that enters into the Kingdom but such as heareth the Word of God and doth it Now the testimony which this Author gives to that which after a long travel is come forth is this That it hath been in his breast two years and upwards while it at length is come forth as an untimely birth or as that which is born out of due time labouring under the burden of being both unnecessary and unseasonable Such a Testimony as this seems to beget a Wonder in the airy Spirits of men as if a Monster were to be seen What two yeares travel and yet an untimely birth And many such false cryes are in this City which enters into the sensual part of men and gets into the affections but there is a Seed risen which hath received from the Father the spirit of judgement and understanding and it doth not own things according to the report nor judge of things according to
I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in darkness And Jesus cried anâ— said He that believeth on me believeth on him that sent me Also Joh. 12.44.46 This light was not mans reason nor understanding neither was it mans spirit that was the true light which lightneth every one that cometh into the world Joh. 1 9. Again another false testimony concerning the light is this That the light did drive Adam from the voice and presence of God and so far is the light from leading up to God that it drives the soul from God and keeps him in the fall p. 53. Answ. This Doctrine is to turn the truth of God into a lye and to call light darkness and darkness light for there is no such testimony in the Scriptures that the light did drive Adam from the voice and presence of God but Adam saith I was afraid because I was naked and I hid my self It was because he had disobeyed Gods voice not because he was enlightned for the Scripture saith It is your sins that hath separated you from God it doth not say that it is the light which hath separated you from God or driven you from him this may well be called a damnable Doctrine or Doctrine of Devils Hath God sent his Son a light into the world to drive the souls from God and keep them in the fall Now let all consider and judge that ever knew the light whether it be darkness or it be light which drives the soul from God and keeps it in the fall Now this doctrine being compared with the Scriptures is utterly false and there is a few that profess godliness in this Nation that can bear it or approve of it and for such as account themselves the highest profession and above forms under the name of Seekers to publish such a thing in print here it appears that the best of men iâ— but as a Briar and the most upright is sharper then a Thorn-Hedge for the day of thy Watch-men and thy Visitation cometh now shall there be perplexity Mic. 7.4 Now here is a day for tryal that they which can may try the spirits and doctrines whether they be of God Now I shall lay it to that of God in all is it not the work of the Devil to drive the soul from God and to keep people in the fall If so then it is not the work of the light which lightneth every man that cometh into the world is not this to call light darkness to say that the light is so far from leading up to God that it drives the soul from God and keeps him in the Fall What is that which leads man out of the fall if the light keep man in it As this is contrary to Scripture and to truth so it is contrary to his own words as in pag. 7. there saying That by the Light is the will and mind of the Creator made known unto man and he sufficiently qualified to see it and understand it Answ. How can these two stand together That the light drives man from God keeps him in the fall and again That it makes known the will and mind of the Creator unto him and sufficiently qualifies him to see and understand it This cannot truly be called Hosanna to the Son of David nor A Testimony to the Lords Christ but a line of confusion which is stretched out wherein darkness is come forth as a cloud and spreads it self over the earth to darken peoples minds from the knowledge and understanding of truth by words without knowledge but his folly shall proceed no further unreproved and made manifest Another false Testimony concerning the light is this That at first it moved upward and man could look God in the face and serve him but now since the fall the Thief is got into the Candle and now the Spirit burns downward and discovers the things beneath Answ. What is the nature of the Light changed or is the spirit so changed that before it ascended upward and now downward We shall try this according to the Scripture which saith Who knoweth the Spirit of man that goeth upward and the spirit of a Beast which goeth downward to the earth Eccles. 3.21 so then if it goes downward it is the spirit of a Beast not the spirit of a man And here it is plainly evident that he knows not the spirit of man from the spirit of a Beast so unfit to cry Hosanna to the Son of David or bear testimony to the Lords Christ. But as for the Light which hath enlightned man that cometh into the world the fall did not â—hange the quality of the light for the light is the same as it was but darkneâ—s cannot comprehend it neither knows how to give a true testimony of it but confusedly speaks of two lights the one springing up with man in his naturall birth suitable to his naturall birth and another light sutable to the new birth that is born of the spirit This is a testâ—mony which is not to be found in Scripture to be two Lights sutable to the two births for he that is born of the flâ—sh persecutes him that is born of the Spirit and God hath put enmity between the two Seeds but to say that there is two lights sutable and so the one natural and the other spiritual the one of the earth earthly and the other of the Lord from Heaven as the two births are this is not a testimony according to truth for the light is but one and the spirit of truth is but one and the same spirit which led the Saints which believed into all truth the same did convince the world of sin because they did not believe in Christ Joh. 16.3 And that light which is the condemnation of the world who love the darknes rather then Christ the same is the Saviour of all them that believe and one man loves it another hates it yet it is the same light Joh. 3.19 but the Scripture bears no such testimony as that there is two lights in man the one spiritual the other natural and for any man to say that the light of Christ is natural is blasphemy against the Son of God and is a sin not easily forgiven and it is hard for such to find the place of repentance for every one that comes to repentance must first come to the light which Christ hath enlightned them withall and must know it to be spiritual and confess it so and with this light come to discern the two births the one from the other and their several natures and how that the one birth is guided by the light it being as the eye giving them to see what to speak before they speak and so keeps them out of the worlds line which is confusion and as a Teâ—cher giving them to understand what to do before they do it and so keeps them out of the condemnation bringing their works
before-hand to judgement so their works are wrought in God who answer the light which they be enlightned withal but the light is not sutable nor according to that birth which is born after the flesh but condemns that in all its ways and actions and is given to lead the creature out of that nature and out of that birth into the regeneration to lead out of the deeds of darkness and out of the shadow of death into the living inheritance among those that are sanctified in Christ Jesus Another testimony concerning the light relating to the two Covenants is this That as there was a new Covenant diverse from the former the old so there must of necessity be another light to accompany it diverse from the former that is as then mans spirit so now the spirit of the Lord c. page 35. Answ. There are diversities of gifts but the same spirit and there are differences of Administrations but the same Lord and there are diversities of operations but it is the same God which worketh all in all 1 Cor. 12.4 5.6 Now all people is to know that there was a ministration different from the administration of the Gospel the new Covenant a different administration from the old but there is no necessity that it be ministred from another spirit nor from another Lord nor from another Light therefore to say that because the Covenants or Administrations are diverse one from another that therefore it must not be the same spirit but the one by the spirit of man the other the spirit of God and that the lights is to be diverse the one from the other this is a false Testimony for the same spirit in which the Law was administred the first Covenant in the same was the second administred which doth make perfect according to the conscience Now as all people is brought out of their own inventions and imaginations and from following their own spirits to own the light of Christ which hath enlightned them they should know the diversities of Administrations and the diversity of operations and yet but one Light and one Power and one Spirit and not as many lights as births nor as many spirits as operations not every Administration to have a diverse light to accompany it for though there be that are called gods whether in heaven or in earth as there be gods many and lords many but to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are things and we by him howheit there is not in every man that knowledge 1 Coâ— 8.5.6 7. and though there be in the world many lights yet to us there is but one him by whom all things was made which doth enlighten every man that commeth into the world that in him all men might believe as every one believes in this light they shal know that mans reason understanding is not the light which every man is enlightned withal for some are unreasonable men and some are void of understanding Neither is the spirit of man the light of the world which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world neither is any thing called the light of the world in the Scripture but Christ for saith Christ I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness Joh. 12.46 Then spake Jesus again unto them saying I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life Job 8.12 And again I am the light of the world Joh. 9.5 And the messenger which was sent before his face to prepare the way of the Lord and to bear witness to the truth said In him was life and the life was the light of men and that was the true light which enlightneth every man that cometh into the world Joh 1 4 9. And this is the light which in all ages generations and under all administrations the Saints did bear their testimony in and this light did never change nor alter though ages and generations have changed and men have changed and do change and the minds of men change and their ways change and their worships change and forms and religions which are not according to the light which Christ hath enlightned them withal which changeth not which as it is followed will lead them out of those ways which do change which is not the living way for the new and living way is one with the light which every man is enlightned withal which is every mans way to the Father who follow it and every mans condemnation who disobey it Another testimony concerning the first man Adam in his first estate without sin the sum of it is this That as it was at first that is at his beginning made so that is without sin for so was he made Eccles 7.29 upright without crookedness without invention that this man yea in his purest naturals cannot receive nor discern the things of the spirit of God until he is born of the Spirit or from above according to Joh. 1.13 8.3 6. 1 Cor. 2.14 Answ. This testimony is false for the first Adam before the fall was the son of God Luk 3 38. and did know and perceive Gods voice and power and he knew Gods command That he should not eat of the Tree of knowledge of good and evil which if he did he should die the death for he was in Gods image and the Lord spoke unto him and he perceived it and he had right to eat of the tree of life which was in the midst of the Garden and if Adam had continued in that state there needed no Law to have been added because of transgression neither had there needed any precept upon precept nor line upon line neither any teacher or instructer of the ignorant for there had no death passed over to separate God from his creature which he had made in his own image and given him power over all creatures but to say the Son of God in the image of God without sin in uprightness and power to say that he is sensual having not the spirit or to say that he is the natural man that cannot receive nor discern the things of the spirit of God this is greater blasphemy then that which the Apostle reproved Rev. 2.9 in those which said they were Jews and were not but were the Synagogue of Satan and all such which brings forth such mists of darkness ignorance to blind the eye in people which should see the things of God in clearness are to be reproved sharply that they may be ashamed and no more bring forth that which is both uâ—nâ—cessary and unseasonable and contrary to truth as J. Jackson hath done And further he adds That the natural man which Paul speaks of 1 Cor. 2.14 and compares it with 1 Cor. 15.44.45 is not to be taken for the carnal sinful man
sound of Christ as a light hath never been heard where sin and iniquity is discovered but that which hath brought forth these things may well be called an untimely birth which ntver saw the Sun not never knew the light which Christ hath enlightned every man withall which cometh into the world for a little of this fruit doth manifest that tree from whence it springs so we shall judge the tree by it's fruits Another fruit from this tree is to give his testimony of the Law of Faith which is this How far the Law of Faith may be said to be written upon every mans heart is not given unto me to understand only this glimpse I have of it That it appears to have had an influence upon the heart of man by those sacrifices which were offered up to God before the publication of the positive Law wherein as well Cain as Abel offered sacrifices Gen. 4.4 Answ. This testimony doth not proced from the word of Faith in thy heart for that would give an understanding how the Law of Faith is written in the heart as well as how the Law of Works is written and this thy glimpse which thou sayes thou sees from the proposing of the promise and the influence which thou sayes thou seest upon the heart of man by the Sacrifices of Cain as wel as Abel offered unto God if this thy pretended light and glimpse which is so far of Christ be truly weighed and tryed it may prove but a vain vision and a divination of thy own heart as all who consider thy testimony of the Law of Faith in saying that the discovery thereof ariseth from what is without and that it had never been known nor never thought of nor never would it or could it rationally have come into the heart of man to have conceived such a thing but from the declaration of God in his promise Here it doth appear Faith is a mysterie to thee and thy eye hath not seen it nor the ear heard neither hath it entered into thy heart to conceive Faith in the working and operation of it And in that thou sayest well that it was not given thee to understand how it is written upon every man's heart and thou had done well if thou had not stretched thy self beyond the line of thy knowledge and understanding for thou thy self confessest that unto those first believers Abel Enoch Noah Abraham Isaac Jacob Moses David Daniel and the rest there was communicated unto them a Spirit of Faith and a Light sutable and proportionable whereby they were enabled to behold Christ who was the object of their Faith Then if it did arise from the Spirit of Faith within them the Light of Christ who was the Author of their Faith it did not arise from the Declaration of God in the promise without so that the mysterie of Faith vvhich is held in a pure conscience is yet to be learned vvhich vvas vvitnessed amongst the Saints So vvhen thou vvrites again of the Lavv of Works or the Lavv of Faith or the discovery vvhich the Lord maketh to his creature under the diversity of these administrations keep back to the measure of the gift of God and then vvil thy testimony be no larger then thy knowledge vvhich is a guilt hath spread over many in these days but this I say Blessed is the man which doth not condemn himself in the thing vvhich he allovveth and vvhich doth not destroy himself vvith the breath of his ovvn mouth but there is a generation which their own breath as fire shall devour them Again concerning the Light which every man is enlightened withal which is thy stumbling-block and rock of offence as it is unto all the rest whose deeds are evil Thou saist God hath not annointed it to that Work nor laid the weight of eternal salvation upon the shoulders thereof it being too weak for that service Answ. Him hath God annointed who is the Light of the World and hath enlightened every man that cometh into the World and there is no work of eternal salvation wrought but in the Light which every man is enlightened withal and this Light is of him and from him which bears the sins in his own body and is not too weak for that service which the Father hath given him to do and this Light is Christ. And whereas some say Hath every man Christ Every man hath Christ to save or to condemn him Christ is as truly the condemnation of those whose deeds are evil as he is the Saviour of them that believe and as those that believe in the Light are already saved by Christ so also those that believe not in his Light which he hath enlightned them withall are already condemned And so Christ is near unto every one to answer every mans work according to the nature of it whether he serve sin unto death or be found in the obedience of truth unto eternal life for now is the day appeared to try every mans Work of what sort it is and now are many offended because the Light is broken forth and their eye is evil because the Lords is good But wo unto the World because of offences if any have the Spirit of a King let him search out the cause of the offence which is now broken forth amongst the children of men that the enmity which is in all sorts of people of all professions should rise up together and become a body the wicked joâ—ning hand in hand preaching and printing and crying for unity which they are making up of enmity that they may be strong against that which the Lord hath now brought forth in his Light and Power to be Witnesses unto him in every place wheresoever he doth call them witnessing forth his Mercy and Truth by which iniquity is purged out and preaching the Gospel to every creature whereby they may come to the knowledge of the truth that they may be saved But in the World it is so come to pass in these days that he that can but give reviling terms and hard speeches against the Light which Christ hath enlightned every man withall calling it natural or insufficient and if they do but revile those whom they call Quakers and put this in the beginning of his Book then it passeth with toleration and hath as good approbation from the World as any of the Priests have for their Ministry but if any man begin to speak of the Light within and the Annointing within and the Word of Faith in the heart and of the Mystery of Faith in a pure conscience and of the sprinkling of the heart from an evil conscience and of believing in the Light as Christ said such a one speaking of these things and not directing his speech in open reproach against them called Quakers the peoples hearts will be fiâ—led with jealousies lest he be one So that even the Light is become a reproach unto them and their derision daily but the Lords hand is
turned against all such and he is turning the wise men backward and making their wisdom become foolishness For once there was a seeking after Light in many that it might rise and open the things of God unto them and reveal the mysteries of his life whereby their souls might be satisfied And now when it is risen in many and hath brought forth its powerful effects now the man of sin hath his time and doth prevail in many to make them believe that it is not the Light which is able to save the souls of them which believe in it and doth beget a spirit of jealousie in them which is stronger than death and begetteth a fear in them which worketh torment and many now doth fear and are jealous that that Light is not the Christ which hath enlightened them and every one that cometh into the World And this is the work of Satan in the hearts of the disobedient which as every one comes to obey his Light and to answer his perfect love to them which is manifest in the Light thaâ— fear wil be cast out and life wil be given to that Witness of God which once did breath after his life without which the soul cannot rest nor be satisfied And this shall many come to witness as the man of sin comes to be revealed which letteth and will let until he be taken out of the way and then shall they see at what they have stumbled and by what they have been overcome and then they will know that it had been good for them if they had walked in the Light of the Lord instead of setting themselves against it And as the Light it self by such before-mentioned is denyed so the Testimony which the children of Light give of it is also despised and contended against as if it were not to be owned for a Doctrine of Truth vvhich Doctrine of Truth hath been laid often before people and is yet once more that they may consider prove and try and so believe and so be able to give a testimony from the Witness of God in themselves First We say that Christ is the Light of the World according to his ovvn vvords John 8.12 And again we say That he hath enlightened every man that cometh into the World according to his vvords vvho vvas sent a Messenger before his face to bear vvitness to the truth and his vvitness is true John 2.9 And as Christ hath enlightned every man that cometh into the World so we say to every man vvarning both small and great to believe in the Light that they may be the children of Light vvhich vvas Christ's Doctrine to the World John 12.36 And now what Christ doth and effecteth by it in those that believe in his Light and followeth it which effects and operations by the World is denyed and by us is affirmed some of the effects of it I shall mention which is opposed as first That it wil not let those that are guided by it take Gods Name in vain but vvil draw them out of the Worships of the World and keep them in the fear of God and to stand stil in it is the first step to peace That it discovers things that are contrary to it That it is their Teacher that love it and their condemnation that hate it according to Christs words John 3.19 That waiting in it wil guide them to God and shew them the way to the Father as Christ saith No man cometh unto the Father but by me John 14 6. And no man cometh unto the Father by Christ but as they are led and guided by his Light within them That it opens all the Scriptures and leads man out of the fall up to God for him hath the Father given to be a Leader and Commander unto the people and he leadeth them by his Light Another effect is That it convinceth of all ungodliness and worldly lusts and is a Teacher and Director teaching and directing in righteousness purity and holiness c. And that the Light is but one in him that loves it and in him that hates it leading the one to God from whence it comes to receive eternal life and condemning the other from God because he obeyeth not the truth that he might be saved And this is the Testimony of Truth which is now held forth never to be denyed But who hath believed our report even they to whom the Arm of the Lord is revealed And this is the way by which people may come to know the truth of this Testimony by obeying the Light which Christ hath enlightened them withal thereby shall they know whether this Doctrine be of God or whether we speak of our selves and whether all those effects are not brought forth by the working of Christ's Light in them and then they shall not believe oneâ—y because of our words nor be envious against it because of other words but wil find the testimony in themselves which is according to the record which God hath given of hit Son and according to the Testimony which we have given of the Light and he that believeth shall be established Now that which opposeth this is that which beaâ—eth a testimony contrary to Christ who saith For this end was I born and for this end came I into the world to bear witness unto the truth and every one that is of the truth heareth my voice John 18.37 And this was his witness and his Messengers witness that he was the Light of the world and that this is the true Light which hath enlightened every man that cometh into the world John 8.12 John 1.9 And this contrary testimony which is brought forth is this That it is the spirit of man that is the Light which hath enlightened every man and so going about to prove the spirit of man not to be sufficient under this would destroy the sufficiency of the Light of Christ. But the Scriptures never did give testimony that the spirit of man was the Light of the World neither did we ever say that this Light was the spirit of every man nor a natural Light and therefore this man who hath writ a volume in proving a natural Light or man's reason insufficient let all people take notice what he contradicts or disproves by it he doth not by it contradict nor disprove any thing that we have said for we never did affirm that man's reason was the Light but he hath laboured to contradict himself He hath set up an Image and then glories in breaking of it down and from our words draws a false inference and glories in confounding it this is the general course of our opposers to raise a false proposition or conclusion from their own imaginations then contradict it and then cry The Quakers contradicted or confuted and their Doctrine disproved and they irrecoverably slain and many such cryes are gone forth in the World among people like the noise of many waters To which I answer Nay they are not
of such a birth that they are so easily slain nor of such a Doctrâ—ne that they are so easily disproved for the immortal birth is brought forth unto which God hath given wisdom and understanding to be as wise as Serpents and in their innocency is their wisdom brought forth which Seed inheriteth the strength of the Almighty So though they be permitted to fight and contend against the truth yet to prevail is nor given them Therefore in vain is the Net spread in the sight of any bird and in vain do they exercise their strength against the Lord 's Annointed for this which they have brought forth is but as setting of bryars and thorns in battel against the Lord or as if the untimely birth should strive against that birth which is brought forth without deformity to slay it as those in former ages who were wiser in their generation then the children of Light sought to slay the Heir that the Inheritance might be theirs In like manner do men now also rise up against the life of the same Seed which is risen in the hearts of the children of men to slay it that so they may profess the Scriptures in their high swelling words of vanity having mens persons in admiration because of advantage for if this Seed doth live which the Lord hath not only brought to the birth but also brought forth it will stop that profession which stands in the hypocrisie and will quench that violence of fire in which that zeal flames out which is not according to knowledge But the Seed is risen which inherits the strength of the Almighty which can bear all things and suffer all things and will come to reign over all gain-sayers for all the high swelling words of vanity shall come to nought and truth shall be exalted over all in the power of the eternal Spirit when blackness of darkness wil cover all those spirits which have spent their strength against the appearance and manifestation of Truth and those that now boast themselves in their presumption against the servants of the Lord and testimony of truth shall come to be a servant of servants even to the least in the Kingdom of God before they have right unto that which they now profess or before they be counted worthy to cry Hosanna to the Son of David or to bear a testimony to the Lords Christ for he wil have none such to be his Witnesses as deny his Light which he hath enlightened every man withal for the true Witnesses bear this Testimony of Christ That he is the true Light and is the Light of the World which hath enlightened every man that cometh into the World that every man through him might believe and every one in whom the Witness is found true is justified of God Another Accusation is again Richard Farnsworth for saying That Christ did break the Passover with his Disciples and herein he is charged to want Light or that the Light in him was not sufficient to open this and that he did not discern between the Passover and the Supper of the Lord and likewise is accused for calling that a shadow which the Scripture saith was but to shew the Lords death till he came Ans. To call the Supper the Passeover doth not demonstrate that he wants light neither that the Light is insufficient for the Diâ—ciples called it the Passeover which they prepared for him and Christ called it the Passeover which he eat with his Disciples Mark 14.12 14. Matth. 26.20 21 22. and that which they eat he broke but it doth not say that he broke his bones nor eat his bones yet he eat the Passeover with his Disciples And whereas he is accused for calling that a shadow and many now in imitation take Bread and Wine and call that the Lords Supper opposing those that are come to the Substance and witness the substance eating that which is meat indeed and drinking that which is drink indeed But this man which doth oppose Richard Farnsworth and others in these things he hath the least reason to mention this Supper or the breaking of Bread of any for others do call their breaking of Bread and drinking of Wine the Lords Supper because they practise it but this man doth neither practice that as the Lord's Supper nor witness the substance so that this is the greatest hypocrisie to contend about that or to accuse others in denying of that which he himself denies the practise of Sâ— that this Accusers Doctrine and Accusations want both lighâ— and reason Another Accusation is against these two Writers Richard Farnsworth Francis Howgil as if they should be in an unreconciled difference because the one hath affirmed That the Light of Christ is sufficient to open all the Scriptures And the other saith Thou that tells of opening Chapters or Verses by meanings thou never heard a word of Christ. Ans. These are no differences for the Light of Christ and mans meanings are contrary So for the one to say the Light doth open and the other to say mans meanings doth not open this is not contrary So the confusion is turned again to the accuser and doth not belong to these two Writers So the ignorance of this Accuser is to be taken notice of which would make people believe things that are not for if he write his Book for those that can neither read see nor hear his labour is in vain and if he write it to those that can read see hear and understand they will account it foolishness especially in this day when the Light of life is broken forth among the children of men to give them an understanding according to truth for in this day he that keepeth silence is reputed wise and better is he that keepeth silence then he that speaks unless the spirit of the Lord give him utterance Another Accusation is against W.D. he speaking to such a one as is guided by the Lamb c. saying The Light in thy Conscience the righteous Law cryes through thy earthly heart and brings it into judgement c. And then speaking of the parable of the little leaven hid in three measures of meal that it changeth the whole lump into the nature of it self So the little light that shines in thy dark heart is the powerful Word of Faith and that the Light is the sure Word of Prophesie whereunto ye do well to take heed until the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts And for these things he is accused Ans. Those that are guided by the Lamb do witness that the Light the righteous Law cryes through the earthly heart and brings it into judgement and will not accuse one for saying so And as for speaking of the little light as Christ spoke of the little Leaven was it no offence in the dayes of the son of man to preach that the Kingdom of Heaven was like unto a grain of Mustard-seed or like unto a little leaven And is it an
them unto whom he wrote his Epistle for unto him no Word of prophesie was more sure then that which he had seen and heard when he was with Christ in the holy Mount So this may inform your understandings who may have more desire to know the truth then to oppose it and may put to silence the vain disputings by men of corrupt minds who are destitute of the truth always corrupting the words of truth to oppose the life of it as many such there are in these days which the Lord hath and will rebuke sharply that they may be ashamed but all vvho are led and guided by the light of Christ shall knovv the anointing in them and the vvord of faith yea the Son of God He that can receive it vvithout offence let him 5. Object But he that hath opposed us saith in pag. 25. of his Book in the second part That the dawning of the day is rather an evening then a morning Answ. Novv let all vvhich have but knovvn a day and a night in the Creation judge whether the evening or the morning be the dawning of the day or whether the day-star be a fore-runner of the day or of the night then it will not be incredible which I have said before that he calls darkness light and light darknest but in such things our opposers will not receive a good report from those which can give true judgment and to such it is left to judge of those things Obj. Again he saith in page 35. That the spirit of truth was not a Comforter to the Apostles nor a reprover to the world before Christ was ascended and yet himself to contradict himself saith that he was in them before and dwelt in them the same spirit but not in the same measure Ans. Here is Babylon at the height fit to be pul'd down but needs little answering seeing that it answereth it self and for such reasons as these he might well conceal his name And if he could have put this off by hiding his Name for an Hosanna to the Son of Daiud or A Testimony to the Lords Christ then he might well have baosted have gloryed in his shame as if there had been no spirit of discerning in those he calls Quakers nor others but the eye of truth is not yet so blind but we know an evening from a morning a night from a day and a lye from truth and we know also that the disciples had a measure of the spirit of truth while he was with them upon earth and this spirit did both comfort them and did carry them on in obedience to his will and in the power of this spirit went forth into the world and reproved the world of sin because they did not believe in Christ and the devils was subject unto them by the spirit of truth that was in them before Christ ascended and to this there is a Cloud of witnesses So that this from him filling his Book with such things as these is as if a man should fill a Barn with Chaff instead of Corn and deceive others with selling it for Corn. Another contradiction of the same nature is this That the manifestation of the spirit is given to no man for himself buâ— to every man to profit withal to edifie and build up and do service in the body as an hand foot or eye or some other member of the body c. and to contradict this in the next words he saith Not that the spirit or the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man i e. to every individual person forasmuch as some men are sensual having not the spirit therefore no manefestation thereof pag 17. Ans. This is like the former and so to be cast out with it for his distinction of words between every man and every individual person will not cover him for where the Scripture saith every man without distinction that is every individual man and women And the Apostle saith But the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withall he doth not say not to every individuall person And this also I say and affirm That to every man is given a manifestation of the spirit to profiâ— withal and he that profits with it by it shall be justified and he that doth not profit with it by it shal be condemned because he is an unprofitable servant this truth shal stand when all confusion shal have an end yet some are sensual having not the spirit Obj. Again in despising the testimony from the mâ—asure of the gift of the spirit of God when they have spoken according to the measure and could not boast themselves above their measure but in their measure witnessing the work of God as it was fulfilled in them such he scornfully reproacheth saying What means those cracks and crannes in their knowedge knowing but in part there is no pieces nor parts nor measures nor degrees in absolute perfection whosoever saith he knoweth perfectly he knows not how perfect his knowledge is and the first of those is called a vain man boasting of that which is not and of a false gift and is like clouds and wind without rain Ans. Herein is Pauls Doctrine as well as ours declared against to be but as cracks and crâ—nnes and a vain boasting of a false gift for Paul saith We dare not make our selves of the number or compare our selves with some that commend themselves but they measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves with themselves are not wise But we will not boast of things without our measure but according to the Measure of the Rule which God hath distributed unto us a measure to teach even unto you for we stretch not our selves beyond our measure not boasting of things without our measure that is of other mens labours Now this measure of which he thus spoke was in Christ so in perfection and there is parts and degrees in Christ and so in absolute perfection so far as every man is in the measure of the gift of God so far he is in Christ so far his knowledge is perfect and abiding in this he abideth in that which is perfect and as he gloriâ—yes in this he glorys in a true gift and none shall make this glorying void Obj. And whereas John Jackson saith of those that say they have but attained in measure he calleth that the bleating of the sheep and the lowing of the Oxen which declares plainly that they are not at home they are not in the City but have certain miles to travel before they arrive Answ. This is a false interpretation as I shall leave it unto all of understanding to judge for the bleating of the Sheep and the lowing of the Oxen dâ—d signifie Sauls disobâ—dience unto the commandment of God for which the Lord did reject him But when Paul said he knew in part and prophesied in part and would not boast above his measure this did not signâ—fie his disobedience
souls then will they confess That it had been well if they had loved the light and walked in it which they have so long hated and despised with those that walk in it and all those which have exercised their strength to shut others out of the Kingdom of God by their Preaching Printing and false Accusations they shall know that while they serve sin they are free from righteousness and do keep others from it But the time is coming that their mouths must be stopped and the Lord wil cause his everlasting righteousness to spread abroad as broad Rivers and streams unquenchable and nothing shall hinder it and this is the day in which the Lord will try those that dwel upon earth as he hath tried many and measured them with a true line and hath found them deceitful although they have made profession of his name and of his words for a cloak for their iniquity But now the light is come into the world and there remains no more cloak for their sins nor hiding place for their iniquity An Epistle concerning the sufferings of friends shewing the Priests wickedness and persecutions GOD hath a great work to do in this generation to pul down the abominations which hath long reigned and many are straightned till it be accomplished and onely such must be exercised in this work who are called chosen and faithful and many have been called but have not been faithful but have destroyed in their works that which they seemed to have established by words and was not faithful to witness the fate of their words by their works so that by a true search we have fouâ—d the words of righteousness in many but we have found the works of righteousness but in few and though God hath shined into the hearts of many by his light yet there are but few children of it in comparison of the disobedient The eye of God hath looked into the world and he sees men differ more in words then in life and conversation and some in words do witnesse for God but in their works deny him As for example How many of late years had a zeal stirred up in them by the spirit of the Lord against the abominations of the Priests and the oppression of the tithes preaching both down even as that which denied Christ to be come in the flesh So that if words had been that which would have finished the work the Land had been cleansed before this time of that abomination but the Lord hath brought a tryal upon such spirits whether they will own their testimony through the spoiling of their Goods and imprisonment of their bodys and therefore hath God suffered an earthly power a Law to try them and now they do rather deny their Testimony then suffer by that Law which gives the Priests tithes as for Witnesses most of the baptized people in England have betrayed their testimony and profession in that thing And how are you worthy to be called Saints which bear such a testimony can this equally be compared with the testimony of the Saints of old Did they cry down false worships and false teachers in words and did they uphold them by giving them wages Have you not herein sinned against light Did you not once see that they were never sent of God And will you now uphold them because you cannot suffer for your testimony Is not your paying them wages giving them tithes a greater witness for them then your preaching them down in words is against them and may they not herein rejoyce over you Christ is not herein your example which for this end was born and for this end came into the world to bear witness to the truth and did finish the work which the Father had given him to do and was made perfect through sufferings but such never need suffer who preach down deceit in words and hold it up in workes And the Apostles is not your example for they were in workes that which they declared in words therefore hath God cast you by as not fit to be Labourers in his Vineyard But a people is the Lord raising up whom he is giving his holy spirit unto whose witness to him must stand as well in works as in words who love the truth more then their lives or liberties goods or estates and are valiant for it upon the earth which cannot be subject to the powers of darkness nor the Rulers of the darkness of this world but believeth that whatsoever they deny for Christ in this life they shall receive a hundred fold and in the world to come life everlasting And these are they whom the Father will exercise with his holy spirit in the gathering his seed from the ends of the earth and for the turning of many to righteousness and such shall shine as the stars in the firmament of Heaven when as the false and deceitfull witnesses shall be turned into darknesse because their testimony is not able to endure the tryal for the Lords house must be built with tried stones that the winds of persecutions cannot blow it down and upon such will his light arise who when they are tried are found faithfull and who are counted worthy to bear a testimony in this work though it be through sufferings in this day when the powers of the Earth have set themselves to wear out the Saints of the most High God by changing times and Laws whereby to restrain the liberty of the Lords people whose worship stands in the spirit and in the truth Times they have changed by a Law in making the first day of the week to be their Sabbath but that day is more prophaned then any of the seven And Laws they have changed to get a grouâ—â— to stop the word of the Lord from having free course and 〈◊〉 utterance among â—he people These seek to scatter the power of the holy people and to 〈◊〉 the truth to the ground by their acts of cruelty and deâ—rees 〈◊〉 unrighteousness and by a tolerating cruelty and or pression â—mong a company of Priests which are worse then those in Hosea'â— dayes who then were As a Troop of Robbers that wait for a man eveâ— so the company of Priests murther in the way by consent Hos. 6.9 and saith the Prophet I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel but now we may say We have seen a more horrible thing in the Land of England even a company of Priests taking mens horses from their work their Corn off their field driving away their Oxen and Kine out of their Pasture taking their wool out of their Barns taking away their Brasse and Pewter out of their Houses taking away their Bedding off their Beds even off their childrens Beds Such a horrible thing was never seen in Israel for the Priests Robbery was not so great then as now for they did never so spoile mens goods nor destroy mens Estates nor imprison mens bodies as now in England the Priests have
done so that they do not only exceed the false prophets of Israel but also all the Robbers both in Israel and in England hath not spoiled so much Goods and Cattel as they have done within these five years some without any Law or pretence of Law and others with false oaths and false witnesses and the Law not permitting a man to give in a true witnesse except he will swear contrary to Christs command who saith Swear not at all which swearing is as great a sin as bearring of a false witnesse And by theâ—e things do they seek to wear out the Saints of the Most High God first taking away a mans Goods and then casting him into prison as Christ said to the Saints so is it come to pass in these dayes also amongst us The Devil shall oast some of you into prison and you shall have tribulation ten dayes If the Devil now or his Ministers or Messengers of Satan be permitted to cust some into prison or bring tribulation upon others do they therefore think that we will yeild to the devil or to his Messengers that we may be free from tribulation and imprisonment Nay that is not the price of our redemption nor way of deliverance â—or that which was written before-time was written for our â—earning which through suffering and patient continuing in wel doing we have learned without which we could never have learned nor known Christ's words fulfilled as they are therefore happy iâ— that day wherein the everlasting love of God is broken forth unto us in bringing us his children prophets and holy Apostles to rejoice over the false Prophets and false Teachers though they spoil our Goods and imprison our bodies yet we can rejoyce over them and suffer the spoâ—ling of our Goods with joy knowing that this is for a testimony against them by which the reproach which the Lord will bring upon them will appear to all men And this is so far from silencing our testimony against them that it doth daily renew it so that if all that which is past were forgotten their daily abominations doth so increase that a testimony must be continued against them for of them the Scripture is true which saith Evil men and deceivers wax worse and worse for the deceiver in former ages was never so bad as by force to take away the goods of those that would not hear them and take away their lives by imprisonment as some have done because they could not pay them tythes as this Record of the unjust sufferings will make manifest Our brethren the prophets hâ—ve given their testimony concerning such Prophets and Priests which was prophane and that the Lord found folly amongst them as Jeremiah saith Jer. 23. he had seen a horrible thing amongst them they strengthned the hand of evil-doers that none did return from their iniquity and it is so now for these reasons How can a drunkard return from his drunkenness when he sees his priest drunk and how can a swearer return from his swearing when he sees his priest swear and hire men to swear falsly as many have done in this Nation And how can a covetous man return from his covetousness when he sees his priest so covetous that he taketh away mens goods by violence which he hath no right unto but only through covetousness makes merchandize of People So how should any return from such things who are taught by them and how can a proud man return from his pride when he sees his teacher lead him into it by example How can an envious man turn from his envy seeing his teacher envious and provoking others to wratâ— and envy So these Reasons prove that the Prophets words are true that â—one can return from their iniquity by following the practise of theiâ— Priests and Christ's words are fulfilled also Math 23. which saith they lay heavy burthens upon people grievious to be born and devour Widowes Houses as many in this Nation can wiâ—nâ—sse who have their Goods spoild taken from them as this following Record makes mention abounding all the cruelty and wickedness which ever was heard of or read of exceeding all the false prophets in Israel althoug they had a price preached for hire yet they never did use such cruelty for their Hire as these have done and exceeding all the false teachers among the Gentiles which never was known to sue any at the Law that would not hear them much less to take from them seven times the value of what they demanded but the Lord doth for a time let his children deeply suffer to fulfill the testimony of truth in this thing that it may be recorded for ages to come the faithfullness of their testimony and the cruelty of their oppressors and then will the Lord finish the testimony of their sufferings and will give them an inheritance among the Seed which he hath blessed and all their persecutors shall be ashamed for God will bring an everlasting reproach upon them and a perpetual shame which shall not be forgotten Jer. 23. Richard Hubberthorne A Call to the Ministry according to the Scriptures held forth in these few words following contrary to that Call which is of man and by man To the Reader IT being of the Lord so ordered that a publike Dispute was appointed betwixt Thomas Dance Priest in Sandwich in Kent and those called Quakers which was upon the twelfth and thirteenth days of the second Month in which many weighty things concerning Religion was discoursed of in which it was first proved by us according to the Scripture That Christ Jesus the true Light hath enlightened every one that cometh into the world Joh. 1.9 and Joh. 12. And another weighty matter concerning Religion discoursed upon was the righteousness by which man is justified before God which by us was witnessed and proved to be only by the righteousness that was in Christ Jesus being also made manifest in us the everlasting righteousness being brought in according to Dan. 9.24 Again upon the tenth day the discourse was Whether the Scriptures were the Word of God The answer was That the Scriptures were Writings and the Writings was not the Word but the thing written of was the Word of God Unto which the Priests also consented Another thing was concerning the Call to the Ministry whether theirs or ours was according to the Apostles and according to the Scriptures the heads of both which Calls are declared as followeth that all people may judge according to their measure of the gift of Christ whether of them is according to Scripture-Testimony THat by which the Apostles were called into the Work of the Ministry having gifts differing according to the measure of the manifestation of Christ by the same am I called which is also according to the Scriptures as Eph. 4. Unto every one of us is given Grace according to the measure of the gifts of Christ by which gift according to the measure of it were they made some Apostles some
and even a reproach among the Heathen So let no more the cry of the Priests nor of the poor be heard in our Land the one crying for Laws to persecute and receive money of those who they preach not unto which receives no teaching from them which cry is intolerable to be heard or suffered in a free Common-wealth And the other for want of the creatures of God when as others spend the creatures of God upon their lusts excessively and so the Creation is out of order 〈◊〉 those that are come into the Gospel-Ministration and to be taught of the Lord and have received Christ Jesus the Lord and walk in him it is not so amongst us for the creatures of God are not spent upon the lust nor destroyed neither is there a beggar amongst us who are truly of us in the obedience of truth so that we do not desire that any people or profession in the Nation should maintain our poor for they are our own flesh without respect of persons for if any of us have of this Worlds good and see our Brother stand in need and shuts up the bowels of compassion from him the love of God doth not dwel in us neither doth any other maintain those that minister unto us the Word and Doctrine so we according to the royal Law of Liberty desire to do unto others as we would have them do unto us and thus to be a free people and a free Nation So every form and profession will enjoy their own Minister till they come to know him unto whom the gatherings of the people must be viz Christ So that neither Parliament Assizes Sâ—ssions nor Courts will have any thing to do in matter of Religion but to keep the peace of the Nation and then he that hath the Word of God may speak his Word faithfully and freely without interruption so that the Gospel of God may have its free course and be glorified and that great oppression of Tythes which lies heavy upon the whole Nation which God raised up his Spirit in the Army once to testifie against may be taken away that what was then pretended may be now fulfilled and the people eased of their oppressions which they have long felt the burthen of and groaned under that so as a free people they may be delivered from that bondage and the Law may be disannulled by which that bondage is imposed upon them So this will beget love in the Nation and all persecution cruelty and bitterness wâ—ll cease and every one may freely and quietly enjoy the fruit of his own labor then with much freedom chearfulness wil every one minister of his substance unto all necessary uses knowing that the earth and the fulness of it is the Lords And when this universal love and free Spirit is begotten among people then wil righteousness establish the Nation and that will be brought forth which many sincere hearts and tender consciences hath waited for seveâ—â—l years and many have been even almost weary and faint in â—heir minds in waiting for that which they once had a lively sight of and hopes to enjoy in the Lord's promise of Liberty and Freedom opened in their understandings ten years since insomuch â—hat some have been ready to tempt God and say that he was slack concerning his promise and some for want of long patience have lefâ— off expecting that which they once believed hoped foâ— but God is reviving the hopes of the contrite ones in them that had said there was no hope in them is he renewing strength to believe that God will give Judges as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning the Judges at the first were not to judge for gifts nor for rewards nor the Priests were not to preach for hire nor the Prophets were not to divine for money but the Judges did minister justice freely between man and man and the Priests did minister the Law freely which was added upon all transgression So in those days there were no Priests that troubled the Courts Judges nor Counsellors with Addresses Petitions or Complaints for maintenance no suing at the Law no imprisoning mens persons for Wages nor no spoiling of mens goods and there was not such delays in executing judgment upon transgressors as is now for the Judges sate in the gate and executed judgement speedily upon the offendors and cleansed the Land of evil-doers and so eveâ—y one was to wait on his Mâ—nistry which he had received from the Lord and are to do so now if they do it unto the Lord He that judgeth for God is not to respect any mans person in judgment and he that hath the Word of the Kingdom is to minister it freely and then the people wil minister their carnal things freely to every one that hath need so that whereas even from the Priest to the people all have been given to covetousness strife and debate every one now will be given to love and freeness one to another for he that hath spiritual things wil minister them freely and he that hath carnal things will minister them freely and so will all come from under the execution of the Law and from all strife and contention Another great oppression wherein iniquity is upheld by a Law is in the Ministration of the Law between man and man it not being done freely so not as in the beginning HE that doth minister the Law let him do it freely for the Lord and for righteousness sake and let him be as one of the Judges in the beginning and as one of the Counsellors whose eyes were not blinded with gifts and rewards and so it will come to be a free Nation and then every man will not seek his own but every one anothers good and then will pure love spring up to one another and one will seek to preserve and save another and not devour and destroy one another about earthly things as now they do so Christ's Spirit will be found among all sorts of people Ministers of the Law Ministers of the Gospel and Subjects of the Nation which were to save mens lives not to destroy them and then the Scriptures which cannot be broken wil be fulfilled and peace wil be extended as a River and righteousnesse as a mighty Stream For it is this spirit which I have mentioned in Lawyers and Priests which did not minister freely but for covetous ends hath made merchandize of peoples souls and estates that hath broken the peace of this Nation as many hath had a deep experience even when the Army was in its first purity and zeal for God and his Truth that Spirit did creep into their Counsels and corrupted them and did creep into Parliaments and corrupted them and when there was any appearance of a Monarchy or Government arising in the Nation that spirit crept into every high Court and corrupted it so that whole Nations are corrupted with that spirit so that till that spirit be purged out there
carnal weapons to destroy or overthrow either him or the Government thereby for that is contrary to our life But as for swearing it being contrary both to Christs command and our Consciences as we never have so we never shall swear neither for nor against any Man Power or Government but shall be true and faithful to what we promise and profess And as concerning the Church of God and spiritual things relating unto Gods Kingdom we own onely Jesus Christ as Supream Head Ruler and Lawgiver there according to James 4.1 There is one Lawgiver which is able to save and to destroy and as it is written Ephes. 1.12 that God hath given him to be the head over all things to the Church which is his body the fulness of him that filleth all in all and as the Apostles did hold forth him to be the head of the body the Church who is the beginning the first-born from the dead that in all thâ—ngs he might have the preeminence Col. 1.18 And him we do own as head Ruler and Commander in all matters of Faith Obedience and Worship in things appertaining unto his Kingdom and he onely is to rule give laws and order in the Consciences of men by his spirit light and power and as he is the author of his people Faith so he is the defender of it and them in it and so to him we give the Dominion Rule and Government as Head and Supream over his Church and not unto man so in him who is our Life King and Lawgiver we honour all men and do seek the peace of all men and not the destruction and unto this we do acknowledge and bear witness to who are members of his body which is his Church Richard Hubberthorne George Fox the younger London 23. day 4. Moneth 1660. Antichristianism reproved and the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles justified against Swearing In Answer to John Tombs's six Propositions for the lawfulness of Swearing All which Propositions are both agaâ—nst Christ and his Apostles Doctrine as is here proâ—ed according to the Scriptuâ—es For the satisfaction of all tender Consciences Because of Oaths the Land mourns Hos. 4 And as saith the Prophet every one that sweareth shall be cut off Zach. 5.3 The Epistle John Tombs IS it not a shame for thee who art called a Baptist thus to manifest thy self and divide thy self from thy own people Hast thou not taught people to swear first one way and then another Did ever any of the Apostles so in the Primitive times But on the contrary that people should not swear at all And why dost thou bring the Scripture that was spoken to the Jews and apply it to the Christians And why dost thou bring the Scripture where the Angel sware but brings not the Scripture which saith All Angels must worship the Son who saith Swear not at all So is not this like Antichrist and Anti Apostle that preaches up that which Christ and the Apostles denied as in Mat. 5. James 5. And whereas thou saist in thy Epistle that thy writing is short and indigested in that thou hast said truly for how can they that fear God digest it seeing it is so contrary unto Christ and the Apostles Doctrine And so both thou and it are become an ill savour to God and them that love him but thou shalt be rewarded according to thy work But God hath made thee manifest who hatst so long been hiding thy self under so many false coverings but now art discovered that thou shouldst no more deceive the Nation R. H. But on the contrary from the Scripture it is proved that the Believers and Christians are not to swear at all Therefore to them that are in Christ Jesus no Oath is lawful WE read in the Scriptures of truth Matt. 5.19 That whosoever breaketh the least commandment and teacheth men so he shall be least or not at all in the Kingdom of God But we do find some men especially John Tombs breaking the commands of Christ and teaching men so therefore he is guilty of that judgment but to the first proposition which is this That some swearing is lawful His proofs are these That which is not de toto genere in its whole kind evil may be lawful but swearing is not de toto genere or in its whole kind evil therefore some swearing may be lawful Answ. This argument is thus disproved To break any of Christs commands or to deny the Apostles Doctrine is de toto genere in its whole kind evil but to swear at all by any Oath is to break the command of Christ and to deny the Apostles doctrine as Mat. 5.35 36 37. and Jam. 5.12 Therefore to swear at all is not lawful but evil according to Christ and the Apostles Doctrine and in the state of condemnation Jam 5. Again John Tombs concluding that his major is manifest of it self goes To prove this minor thus That is not wholly evil about the use of which some Directions are given by God but God giveth directions about the use of swearing as Jer. 4.2 And thou shalt swear the Lord liveth in truth and judgment and righteousness ergo Answ. By the same argument may it as well be proved that the Christians and believers in â—hrist may be circumcised offer incense burnt-offerings and sacrifices because for the use of it God gave some directions and therefore it is lawful but as circumcision incense burnt-offerings and sacrifices of the Law is ended in Christ so is the Oaths which was among the Jews in him ended also to the Believers and by him forbidden for it was said of old time Thou shalt swear and shalt perform thy oath to the Lord but Christ in the 5. of Mat. makes mention of the Jews oath which God gave once directions for yet saith he Swear not at all here Christ puts an end not onely to frivolous and vain oaths but to the true oaths which the Jews was once commanded of God to sweâ—r for these oaths are they which Christs words hath relation to for he came to end the Jews worships and oaths who is the oath of God Christ the truth and righteousness of God saith Swear not at all which ends the Jews which was to swear in truth and righteousness 2 Argument That which is approved by God is lawful but some swearing is approved by God Psal. 63.11 Every one that sweareth by God shall glory ergo Answ. That Scripture Psal. 63.11 saith thus but the King shall rejoyce in God every one that sweareth by him shall glory but the mouth of them that speak lyes shall be stopped This was spoken of David the Anointed of God who was in that covenant of the Law wherein he might swear in truth and righteousness that oath As the Lord liveth and as my soul liveth but there was some in that time which if they used that Oath the Lord liveth surely they swear falsly Jer. 5.2 But what is that to the Christians under the new
Logick its like they will set thee no more a work to defend and vindicate them with such weapons Again page 89. thou saist that it is said by the Prophet Prov. 21.4 that the ploughing of the Ploughman is sin Answ. Here thou kast belyed the Prophet and perverted his words aâ— thou hast done the Quakers for the Prophets words is an high look and a proud heart and the ploughing of the wicked is sin but he doth not say that the ploughing of the Ploughman is sin But who can escape the envy of slâ—ndrous tongues which accounteth lying no sin if thereby they can accomplish their own wicked end but the truth hath found thee out and made thee manifest and the Priests had better wanted thy defence then to be so shamed by it as they will be unless they deny both thee and it Again in the same page thou saist to hear read pray sing Psalms and giving of thanks they are works morally good being Commanded by the Lord but the person doing them being not justified they are not good to him for whatsoever is not of Faith is sin Answ. This is another piece of confusion and charging of God foolishly and fasly to say that the Lord commands those things to be done and those he commands to doe them in doing of which it is not good to them but sin Where hast thou learned or where dost thou read of such a doctrine that wicked men are commanded of God to do such things which in doing is not good to them but sin Is God or Christ then the Minister of sin or commands a man to commit sin Is not this Blasphemy and Error in the highest degree And how darest thou speak of God or of his Commands or of his obedience seeing thou thus Blasphems him in his Worship but this shall remain as a Testimony against thee many other lyes and abominations hast thou spoken against us and against God and his Truth a few of which is sufficient to make thee manifest In page 107. thou saist our Quaking fits many are of opinion that they are diobolical by a kind of witchcraft and saist thou hast heard strange relations of Enchanted Ribbans and giveing drink after c. Answ. Upon the same account many was of opinion that Christ had a Devil was a Deceivâ—r that the Apostles were Ringleaders of Sects Heresyes such strange relations might have been heard concerning the Apostles in their dayes it seems to thee that such reports is sufficient proof but this is contrary to what thou hast said in an other place that thou wouldst speak nothing but according to what was written in the Scriptures And whereas thou tells of Enchanted Ribbans Is there some Ribbans that are enchanted it may be thou meanest enchanting Ribbans but if so where didst thou ever know such a thing for proofe thou names Gilpin and Toldervyes books which neither of them doth relate such a thing so that it is thy enmity and wickednesse for there was never any such thing among the Quakers as giving Ribbans and drink after but that charge thou mightst have laid upon the Priests and their Defenders for there are the most ribbans used and justified till in pride they are become the Servants of the Devill and there is the giving of drink one to another untill they be enflamed and made unsensible of God and of his fear by which they are enchanted and bewitched that they doe not obey the Gospell but are given up to their own hearts Lusts and thereby are become the Servants of sin and so free from righteousnesse Lastly not onely we have been falsly accused in these and many other things by thee but even the spirit of God which is the Fountain of cleanness is by thee charged and accused to be corrupt and defiled page 33. by passing through mans corrupt nature thou saidst it becomes defiled Answ. Is not this a sin against the holy Ghost which shall never be forgiven to charge the spirit to be corrupt and defiled And in this thou also chargest both the Father and the Son to be corrupt and defiled for they are one so that if one of them be corrupt the other is corrupt also and as the spirit is in the Saints so is the Father in them and the Son the hope of their glory and none of them are defiled by mans corrupt nature But there is that in man by which that which corrupteth his nature is wrought out so that man is made clean and undefiled by the spirit and that spirit is not made corrupt and defiled by Man for that is contrary to the Scriptuâ—e to say that by mans nature the spirit is defiled but to say that by the spirit mans nature is clensed and sanctified this is according to the Scripture but it is the work of Sathan and his Messengers to Blasphem God in his Temple and so account his spirit by which he leadeth into all truth an unholy thing and so thou art of the number of them which account the blood and spirit of the Covenant an unholy thing and we seeing and knowing these things as concerning our selves we are satisfied because the Servant is not above his Master for if the Master be called Belzebub and the spirit a defiled or corrupt thing well may we be called Deceivers although we be true and falsely accused with all manner of evil according to our Masters words and these things we should bear in patience and silence as to our selves but as in respect unto others we are constrained by the uncorrupted and undefiled Spirit of the Lords to testifie to the world that their deeds are evil and to manifest the workings of Satan in the Mystery of Iniquity which now already worketh in many justifying the wicked and condemning the just which is abomination to the Lord which his Spirit will not bear unreproved and not only the just men are condemned and falsly accused but also the just undefiled eternal and unerring Spirit is accused by him who makes a defence for the Priests in their unrighteous practices and Wages so by the plain evidence and demonstration of Truth he being made manifest to be an Enemy to God by his wicked Works and Words I do judge him not worthy of much more answer to his Book also I do judge him not able to prove any of the false accusations charged in it against us some of which is herein returned unto him again vvhich vvhen he doth but really weigh it and consider it may be he will sit down in silence and wait if there may be hope of his forgiveness for this not only ignorance but wilfulness charging us the Spirit of God and his people vvith that of vvhich they vvere never guilty for vve are in the Truth unto vvhich every tongue shall confess and by vvhich every Opposer shall become silent before the Lord in the Spirit of this Truth do vve desire not the destruction
but the repentance and forgiveness of our Enemies And those that do abuse us wrong us ignorantly their sins vvil be sooner blotted out than those who wilfully have set their hearts and tongues to vvork vvickedness for they shall receive the greater condemnation The kâ—â—â—â—edge and life of Truth is that we desire all people may comâ—â—â—to that by it the povver of the vvicked one may be taken avvay vvhich so furiously vvorketh in the hearts of those vvhich receive not the Truth in the love of it but bring forth floods of enmity and bitterness against the Lambs of Christ but the love of God vvhich thinketh no evil neither doth any unto another is that which when it is felt obeyed in all wil dry up those floods from off the face of the earth that there may be a place of rest for the redeemed and elect Seed who only hath the Lord and his Light for their Habitation and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God for their Armour and Defence Something that lately passed in discourse between the King and R. H. Published to prevent the mistakes and errors in a Copy lately printed contrary to the knowledge or intention of the party concerned and not onely so but also misprinted and abusâ—d in several particulars therefore it was thought convenient for the removing of errors and mistakes to be re-printed in a more true foâ—m and ordâ—r for the satisfaction of others R. H. SInce the Lord hath called us and gathered us to be a people to walk in his fear and in his truth we have alwayes suffered and been persecuted by the Powers that have ruled and been made a prey of for departing from iniquity and when the breach of no just Law could be charged against us then they made Laws of purpose to ensnare us and so our sufferings were unjustly continued King It is true those that have ruled over you have been cruel and have professed much which they have not done R. H. And likewise the same sufferings do now abound in more cruelty against us in many parts of this Nation as for instance one at Thetford in Norfolk where Henry Fell ministring unto the people was taken out of the Meeting 〈◊〉 whipped and sent out of the Town from Parish to Parish â—â—â—ards Lancashire and the chief ground of his Accusation in his Pass which was shewn to the King was because he denied to take the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy and so because that for Conscience-sake we cannot swear but have learned obedience to the Doctrine of Christ which saith Swear not at all hereby an occasion is taken against us to persecute us and it is well known that we have not sworn for any nor against any but have kept to the truth and our yea hath been yea and our nay nay in all things which is more then the Oath of those that are out of the truth King But why can you not swear for an oath is a common thing amongst men to any engagement R.H. Yes it is manifest and we have seen it by experience and it is so common amongst men to swear and engage either for or against things that there is no regard taken to them nor fear of an Oath that therefore which we speak of in the truth of our hearts is more than what they swear King But can you not promise as before the Lord which is the substance of the Oath R. H. Yes what we do affirm we can promise before the Lord and take him to our Witness in it but our so promising hath not been accepted but the ceremony of an oath they have stood for without which all other things were accounted of no effect King But how may we know from your words that you will perform R. H. By proving of us for they that swear are not known to be faithful but by proving of them so we by those that have tryed us are found to be truer in our promises than others by their Oaths and to those that do yet prove us we shall appear the same King Pray what is your Principle R. H. Our Principle is this That Jesus Christ is the true Light which enlighteneth every one that cometh into the world that all men through him might believe and that they were to obey and follow this Light as they have received it vvhereby they may be led unto God and unto righteousness and the knowledge of the truth that they may be saved King This do all Christians confess to be truth and he is not a Christian that will deny it R. H. But many have denied it both in words and writings and opposed us in it and above an hundred Books are put forth in opposition unto this Principle That some of the Lords standing by the King said that none would deny that every one is enlightened Lord. And one of the Lords asked how long we had been called Quakers or did we own that Name R. H. That Name was given to us in scorn and derision about twelve years since but there was some that lived in this truth before we had that Name given unto us King How long is it since you owned this Iudgement and Way R. H. It is near twelve years since I owned this Truth according to the manifestation of it King Do you own the Sacrament R. H. As for the Word Sacrament I do not read of it in the Scripture but as for the body and blood of Christ I own and that there is no remission without blood King Well that is it But do you noc believe that every one is commanded to receive it R. H. This we do believe That according as it is written in the Scripture that Christ at his last Supper took Bread brake it and gave to his Disciples and also took the Cup and blessed it and said unto them And as often as ye do this that is as often as they brake bread you shew forth the Lords death till he come and this we believe they did and they eat their bread in singleness of heart from house to house and Christ did come again to them according to his promise after which they said We being many are one bread for we are all partakers of this one bread Kings Friend Then one of the Kings Friends said It is true for as many grains make one bread so they being many members were one body Another of them said If they be the bread then they must be broken R.H. There is difference between that Bread which he brake at his last Supper vvherein they vvere to shevv forth as in a sign his death until he came and this vvhereof they speak they being many are one bread for herein they vvere come more into the substance and to speak more mystically as they knevv it in the Spirit Kings Friends Then they said It is truth and he had spoken nothing but truth King How know you that you are Inspired by the
Lord R. H. According as vve read in the Scriptures That the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding so by its inspiration is an understanding given us of the things of God Lord. Then one of the Lords said How do you know that you are led by the true Spirit R. H. This we know because the Spirit of truth it reproves the world of Sin and by it we were reproved of sin and also are led from sin unto righteousness and obedience of truth by which effects vve knovv it is the true Spirit for the spirit of the vvicked one doth not lead into such things King and Lords Then the King and his Lords said It was truth King Well of this you may be assured That you shall none of you suffer for your Opinions or Religion so long as you live peaceably and you have the Word of a King for it and I have also given forth a Declaration to the same purpose that none shall wrong you nor abuse you King How do you own Magistrates or Magistracy R. H. Thus vve do ovvn Magistrates Whosoever is set up by God whether King as Supream or any set in Authority by him who are for the punishment of evil doers and the praise of them that do well such we shall submit unto and assist in righteous and civil things both by body and Estate And if any Magistrates do that which is unrighteous we must declare against it only submit under it by a patient suffering and not rebel against any by insurrections plots and contrivances King Then the King said That is enough Lord. Then one of the Lords asked Why do you meet together seeing every â—ne of you have the Church in your selves R. H. According as it is written in the Scriptures the Church is in God Thes. 1.1 And they that feared the Lord did meet often together in the fear of the Lord and to us it is profitable and herein we are edified and strengthened in the life of truth King How did you first come to believe the Scriptures were truth R. H. I have believed the Scriptures from a child to be a Declaration of truth when I had but a literal knowledge natural education and tradition but now I know the Scriptures to be true by the manifestation and operation of the Spirit of God fulfilling them in me King In what manner do you méet and what is that order in your méetings R. H. We do meet in the same order as the people of God did waiting upon him and if any have a word of exhortation from the Lord he may speak it or if any have a word of reproof or admonition and as every one hath received the gift so they may minister one unto another and may be edified one by another whereby a grovvth into the knowledge of the truth is administred to one another One of the Lords Then you know not so much as you may know but there is a growth then to be admitted of R. H. Yes vve do grovv daily into the knovvledge of the truth in our exercise and obedience to it King Are any of your Friends gone to Rome R. H. Yes there is one in Prison in Rome King Why did you send him thither R. H. We did not send him thither but he found something upon his Spirit from the Lord whereby he was called to go to declare against Superstition and Idolatry vvhich is contrary to the Will of God Kings Friend said There were two of them at Rome but one was dead King Have any of your Friends been with the Great Turk R. H. Some of our Friends have been in that Countrey Other things were spoken concerning the liberty of the servants of the Lord which vvere called of him into his service that to them there vvas no limitation to Parishes or places but as the Lord did guide them in his Work and Service by his Spirit So the King promised that we should not any ways suffer for our Opinion or Religion and so in love passed away R. H. His Answer to John Horn. J. H. IN thy Answer to my Queries thou seemest to be resolved to say something although it be absolutely contrary to the truth and to that which thou knowest to be Truth as will appear in what follows In answer to my first thou sayest Christ in his Spirit ascended up to Heaven when his Body was upon Earth Is this an answer to the Question Is the mind or Spirit called the Son of man according to John 3.13 which came down from Heaven And no man doth ascend up to Heaven but the Son of man which was then in Heaven So by this thy Answer it appears then that the Spirit is the Son of man and that there is no other Son of man that ascends into Heaven but the Spirit then what becomes of that body thou speaks of if the Spirit only be that Son of man In thy Answer to the second and third Queries thou provest in thy way that Mary did that which was forbidden by Christ when she held him by the feet and worshipped him but in Mat. 28.9 there is no forbidding of her to touch him but this is plainly manifest that thou art in a snare and cannot tel how to get out and yet thou wilt be saying something though thereby thou more ensnares thy self but this Scripture thou wilt once know fulfilled The Wicked shall be silent in darkness When thou shouldst answer to the fourth thou tellest of its being a secret and of prying into things above what is vvritten although the ground of my Query is grounded upon that vvhich is vvritten in Luke 24.4 To the fifth thou saist That the Women did distinguish which was Christ vvas certain but hovv they did so is a foolish curious Question What certainty is there that they did knovv vvhen thou knovvest not hovv but this is like the rest of the Priests doctrine beating the air and leaving all people in uncertainties and yet would be paid for so doing but the Lord hath made thee manifest with the rest that you cannot deceive much longer To the sixth thou sayest the two Angels were seen visibly but were not Bodies nor Persons of men but in thy answer to the fourth saist that they both saw them as men and heard them speak and had two individual Forms Now if thou wert but simple and not wilfully blind thou mightest be the more excused In thy answer to the seventh thou art more lost and confused then in all the rest for when thou shouldst answer who were the eleven Disciples that were met together mentioned Luk 24.33 thou saist that Thomas might occasionally be gone out Ans. If he was gone out then the eleven was not together as Luke 24. Again thou saist that Matthias was chosen before the Evangelist wrote his Book What darkness and ignorance is this Thou art not questioned when the Book was written nor when Matthias was chosen but who was the eleven that was together
and whether was Matthias one of the eleven seeing he was not then chosen when Christ did arise from the dead But there needs not much be said to thee only to let thee see thy ovvn folly lest thou should say thou art wise To the eighth thou seemest to affirm that the Scriptures are to be taken as they speak and not otherwise a Mysterie Ans. Then why dost thou and the Priests give meanings to the Scriptures and do not let people take them as they speak but makes them such a Mysterie without your meanings and so plain with them but this is thy practice and doctrine to condemn thy self in the thing that thou allowest and builds again that which thou hast destroyed and so makes thy self a transgressor Lastly In thy conclusion thou falsly chargest me That I do not believe that any of these things mentioned in these Scriptures be really done Which is not my Faith for I do believe that those things mentioned were really done and fulfilled as the Scripture speaks but it is no new thing vvith thee to accuse falsly and to make lyes thy refuge but vvhat in all those things thou hast done against me I do forgive thee and do vvarn thee for the time to come that thou go not on to commit the unpardonable sin against God and his Spirit never to be forgiven Again in thy last paper thou declarest thy ignorance of the two Seeds and askest what be those two seeds Answ. These two the Scripture speaks of the seed of the Woman and the seed of the Serpent 2 Who did or doth sow them seeds Answ. God doth sow the one and the wicked one the other 3 Where be they sown Answ. In man 4 When be they sown Answ. When man had a being and a body to receive them 5 What be the bodies they shall rise with Answ. Their own bodies according to their own natures the one pure and the other defiled 6 Whether be these two seeds and two bodies in all the world or two seeds in every man and the two bodies to or in every man Ans. The seeds are but two in the whole world having each seed its own body and in every one until the one be cast out 7 When shall those seeds arise or be raised whether after the bodily death or after the spiritual death Ans. Every one in its own order after the death of that which is born of the flesh and also after the death of the spiritual wickedness which is yet alive in all hirelings and deceivers such as thou art where the seed of God is yet in its grave 8 What are the graves these are in and out of which they shall arise These of which the Scripture speaks which when thou comest to understand it thou wilt understand both the seeds and graves of which we speak Christ the seed made his grave in the wicked and in the rich in his death and out of that grave shall rise with his body into everlasting life if thou canst receive it thou maist be satisfied And as to the 9. Query Why I say that the one shall rise unto everlasting life and the other unto condemnation Ans. Because it is so therefore I say so and if thou say to the contrary make it manifest but in this as in other things thy folly and ignorance is manifest to ask why I speak the truth which thou thy self darest not deny to be truth R. H. A short Relation of the twelve changes of Government that hath been in England within these 8 years under all of which we have suffered Persecution SInce by the Lord we were called chosen and separated to be his people and had unto us committed the word of Reconciliation and since his eternal power broke forth and was manifest amongst us hath he done great things in the Earth for he hath prepared his way and made it plain before the face of all people by the appearance and testimony of his eternal light in their hearts which hath not onely there shined but is broken forth into a life of Righteousness in many whom the Lord hath accounted worthy to be his servants in his Work to raise up a seed unto Jacob and to gather the dispersed of Israel and Judah both Jews and Gentiles into the Covenant of Light and Life with the Father from whence they are erred by transgression and for the accomplishing of this work and service hath the Lord furnished us with spiritual Weapons to war even against spiritual wickedness in high places 2 Cor. 10.4.5 and against the Rulers of the darkness of this World Ephâ—s 6.12 which hath appeared under many Forms and Governments since the breakings forth of truth in this Nation Yea many Heads or Governments hath been raised up and cast down again by one Hand and Power and have all from the Lord through his Servants had a word of Wisdom and Counsel administred unto them what they should do that they might be established which if they did not the Lord would break them to pieces which word of the Lord was fulfilled upon them all And every divers Head had a Horn in it to push at the Lambs of Christ withal and at every appearance of his Spirit and Power in his people but for his Elect sake was their days shortned and his breakings and destruction came upon them according to his word spoken to them by his servants at divers times And it is to be observed as the Lords doing and ordering by his mighty power that within this eight years siâ—ce we have been persecuted and cruelly used for the Name and Testimony of Jesus and the Answer of a pure Conscience there hath been twelve Changes of Government in this Nation which have all of them more or less been guilty of our Sufferings either in acting against us or in suffering others to act cruelly and not endeavouring to restrain them when they had power in their hands to do it and the sufferings laid before them who suffered for righteousness sake so that they could not plead ignorance but was left without excuse which now in the day of their misery and tribulation some of them do consider it when their time is no more I. As first in the time of the long Parliament in the Year One thousand six hundred fifty two although many pretended some prayed and some fought for Liberty of Conscience in matters of Religion yet at that time were we imprisoned beat and persecuted for obeying and worshipping our God in Spirit and Truth according to his teaching and at that time the Priests rage begun to burn like fire and they run one unto another and kindled the wrath in one another against the Truth even to petition against the spreading of it and those that walked in it as a dangerous thing and they generally with one consent called the Truth Heresie Delusion and Blasphemy and those that ministred it abroad they called Ring-leaders of Sects as in the Apostles days