THE VVOOLF UNDER Sheeps-Clothing DISCOVERED OR The Spirit of Cain appearing in the Bishop of Liechfield Reproved As hereafter is sufficiently manifested by the Fruits of his Sermon at Polesworth in Warwickshire Published for the benefit of the people in those Parts by a lover of their Immortal Souls Charles Harris For I know this that after my departure shall grievous Wolves enter in among you not sparing the Flock Acts 20. 29. Printed in the Year 1669. The Woolf under Sheeps-Clothing discovered c. IN or near the seventh moneth 1668. the Bishop of Liechfield came to preach upon a first Day at Polesworth whether many people resorted to see and hear who for his Text clothed himself with the words of the Psalmist David to the fourth verse of the first Psalm And after he had paâ—ched up his Matter and came to his last point it was to conclude all men sinners and that the best of men cannot be perfect which I know would be very sweet doctrine to many Drunkards and such as love their Pride and Pleasures there abouts But there being by the appointment of God a young man in the place whose Soul loved Righteousness and being grieved to hear such sin-pleasing or licence to ungodliness the Word of the Lord was as a fire in his Brest by which he cryed God accepts not of the Sacrifice of sinners therefore I warn all in the Name and fear of the Lord to repent repent and to return unto the Lord while they have timeâ— neither is he worshipped in Temples made with hands for he is a Spirit and is worshipped in the Spirit and in Truth therefore I warn all again to repent and return unto the Lord for it is their sin that makes the only separation between God and man but he that repents and forsakes and returns to the Lord there is Mercy with him When he had thus spoken the Bishop Ieroboam like cryed for some to lay hands on him and would not reason out the matter but soon gets his way and left the people in a confused noise and had all the rest been as envious as the Bishop it s much if the man had not been spoiled but many of the people knowing him to be an honest man it pleased the Lord to work for his preservation and at that time had liberty out of all their hands but as Soloman saith anger resteth in the bosome of Fooles for afterwards the Bishop sent to warn him to his court so the young man went according to time and place and desired seeing the Bishop would not stay at the Steeple-houseâ— that now he would appear to maintain in his own court that which he had delivered or to own his shame but he would not appear nor bring him upon tryal so the man returned home But the Woolf divised another way giving order to the Priest of the place to excommunicate him which the Priest said he would do and then said he If any one run him through with a Sword and kill him there is no Law against them You that have an understanding judge what Spirit rules this man he also told the young man that he had better have broke the commands of God and committed Adultry with any lewd woman or to have layn drunk under a Hedge that while meaning that time whilst he cryed against sin and called to repentance Oh Neighbours and People was ever the like heard surely that Prophesie is now to be fulfiled their Folly shall be manifest to all men and they shall not proceed much further it 's like this Priest is brother to Priest Vincent of London who said It s better to go to a Bawdy-house then to go to Quakers Meetings surely the Merchants of Babylon are casting duâ—t upon their own heads because the Day is dawned that people will buy their wares no more The same Priest at another time told me I deserved to be whipt at a Cart-tayl and if he was in power to make Laws and had the rule he would have all such as I to be hanged because I opposed him about Sprinkling of Children and called for Scripture-proof Is it not high time to post up the fruits of such Bishops and Priests as these Oh the very Nation stinks of them they are a shame to the name of Christianity And furthermore this Bishop proceeded against his opposer until by a private way he sent a writ and fetched the man out of the field not suffering him to go speak with his tender Parents and Relations or get his cloaths but one pulled out a Pistol and said If he offered to stur from them he would shoot him though he never resisted so they took him to Warwick Goal 20 Miles from his Father's house and there hath been kept as a close Prisoner ever since and if this Bishop hath not appeared more like a Woolf then a Sheep of Christ let all true Christians judg and hath not the spirit of Cain plainly appeared in him for mark Cain was the evil doer and the sin was laid at his door and because of sin his Sacrifice was not accepted but Abel's righteous Sacrifice did witness against Cain and then Cain like this Bishop was full of wrath to destroy his Brother So let all people see whose rule the Bishops and Priests walk by Cain's rule for Persecution Balaam's rule for Reward Corah's rule for gainsaying the Truth Now let us try the Bishop by his own Text Psalm the first Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly yet at the same time manifests whose counsel he takes such as Ieroboam and wicked Ahab and Herod but not the counsel of Christ who bids Love Enemies and overcome evil with good but it was no evil work to bid sinners to repent and turn to God again as to his Text nor standeth in the way of sinners but delighteth in the Law of God And yet at the same time himself not only standing in the way of sin but pleading for a continuance in it term of life surely boys and girls may see this mans confusion Now that which fulfils the royal Laws is to do as one would be done by but who believes the Bishop would be served as he hath done Verse 3. He shall be like a Tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth fruit in due season well Every Tree is known by its fruit but we see this old Thorn-like-man doth not bring forth sweet Grapes but untimely fruit by which its manifest his root is not watered by a River of Life and Love but by the foul black puddles of Egypt such as Pharaoh's hard heart and root was watered by which made him grow up in rebellion against God and reject the counsel of his servants and strive to bring and keep the righteous People in bondage let all people consider this the close of the Text The ungodly are like the Chaff which the wind driveth away well it is sin that makes
Salvation with fear and trembling and hath known the Living Faith that works by love to have purified his heart from dead works to serve the Living God in newness of Life and therein hath stood a living Witness for God and hath abode faithfull to the end to such it will be said Come ye blessed of â—y Heavenly Father enter into the jâ—y of â—he Lord but unto such as have been unfaithfull and have not known the bridle to the Tongue nor have not through the Spirit mortified the deeds of the Flesh and so never come to witness Redemption by Christ Jesus but hath hid their Talent in their earthly hearts such may cry Lord Lord and bring their Talent or Giâ—t and give it to the Lord as the unprofitable Servant did as is mentioned in the Parable but mark the answer though they cried Lord Lord and brought him his own righteousness which they had hid in their earthly hearts but never joyned their hearts which the Lord required the heart above all things but it is a manifest token that such served themselves and not the Lord who never improved his Talent mark what was the Sentence of such Depart from me ye Workers of Iniquity into everlasting punishment prepared for the Devil and his Angels Thus in true love unto thy Soul in the fear of the Lord I warn thee before Night comes when no man can work and also I would have thee consider of thy late proceedings against me who am an innocent man first I not knowing of thy being at Polesworth until I saw thee in the Synagogue unto which place I was sent by the Spirit of the Living God to warn all people to repent of their sins and to return unto the Lord and saying God accepted not the Sacrifices of Sinners neither is he worshipped in Temples made with hands but according to the Scriptures of Truth declared how that he is a Spirit and is worshipped in the Spirit and in the Truth and therefore I warned all to repent and to forsake their sins and to return to the Lord for there is mercy with him and this was but according to the Spirit of Truth and the Apostles Doctrine That if any thing was revealed unto him which stands by let the first hold his peace but herein thou manifested thy self not to be in the Apostles Doctrine who called for Officers to hale me out of the Synagogue but of those which cannot abide sound Doctrine also thou art one of those which Christ foretold of saying They shall hale you out of their Synagogues and they shall excommunicate you examine thy self whether thou hast not been acting in this work of late contrary to the Doctrine of Christ who when he taught his Disciples to pray said Pray on thâ—s wise Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name thy Kingdom come thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven and forgive us our debts or trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us but herein thou hast manifested thy self not to keep Christs Commanâ—s now if the Lord shou'd forgive thee according to thy works who hath cast a man in Prison for speaking the Truth and hath done thee no wrong or oweth thee any thing or any man but love And again when Peter said unto Christ How oft shall my Brother sin against me and I forgive him unto seven times Iesus said â—nto him I say not to thee unto seven times but unto seventy seven times Matth. 18.22 and so read on to the end of the Chapter of the Parable of the Debtor of that hard-hearted man that would not forgive his Brother that had trespassed against him mark the severity of the Lordâ— So likewise shall my Heavenly Father do unto you except ye fromâ— your hearts forgive each one to his Brother their trespasses Verse the last But I have not sinned or trespassed against thee yet thou hast cast me into Prison only for keeping Christ's Commands therefore greater will be thy condemnation except thou repent and return to the Lord before it be too late when there is no place of repentance to be found And whereas it is reported we deny the Scriptures and are unlearned and unmannerly because we speak the Truth as thee or thou thy or thine to a single person read from Genesis to the Revâ—lation and see where it is you or your to a single person but they are unlearned that have not learned Christ and follows not his Doctrine but Teacheth for Doctrine the commandments of men Mark 7.7 and such are unmannerly that speak not Truth but â—uns on according to their own hearts lust not knowing a bridle to their tongue and are from the pure fear of the Lord in their hearts which keeps clean but runs on in the broad way into evil communication that is it which corrupts good manners And much more might be spoken according to the Scripâ—ures of Truth which we own and practice according to the Spirit of Truth from whence they werâ— given â—orth and therefore I desire that all people may read them profess them and possess them that they may live the life of them for which end they were given forth fâ—â—ely and not to be made a trade of Again read the Scriptures and see who it was all along that perâ—ecuted about Religion Pharaoh the hard-hearted one Ishmaâ—l a Mocker Cain a Man-slayer the envious one Herod the Adulterer that cut off Iohn Baptists head and slew the innocent Children aiming at Christ whom the Scribes and Pharisees Elders â—nd the high and chief Priest fulfilled with many that followed after him to wit Christ Again read the Scriptures and see where the Prophets Christ or his Apostles or aâ—y of the holy men of God persecuted about Religion but Christ said When ye are persecuted in one City flee to another or when they were â—ocked reproached reviled and shaâ—efully intreated or buffetted and smitten on the â—ne Cheek turn the â—ther also read Iames 2.20 27. So Christ's Commands are contrary to thine which is to do good against evil and not to render evil for evil but bless and curse not and pray for them that dispitefully use you for God is Love Therefore examine thy self and see whether of these footstepâ— thou treadest in who sent thy Servants with a Writ of Excommunication who came unto me to the Plough and violently haled me away and one of them came with a Lye in his Moâ—th saying He was come to cite me again to the Court but it was to take me to Prison unto which I never resisted but went freely to sufâ—er for the Name of Christ for he hath not only called a people to believe in his Name but also to suffer read the Epistle of Iude. And so Christ's Prophesie is fulfilled in this day who said They shall Excommunicate you and cast you out of their Synagogues yea if they kill you they shall think thâ—y do God Service And the other as I was going with them about â— Lands-length from the Teem pulled out â— Pistol threatning if I offered to resist them to slay me Read Tâ—â—â—â— 1.7 to thâ— last Verse And so the Teem was conâ—trained as I heard since to return with the Seed home again Are these the Fruits of Christ who said his Kingdom was not of this World therefore his Servants would not fight And art thou a Bishop like unto Timothy that was blameless O consider of these things before it be too late and lay them truly to heart for the good of thy Soul and do not dispise me because of my Youth but forsake that persecuting spirit of Saul that thou may'st become a preaching Paul But if thou perish I am clear of thy Blood W. H. Warwick the 3 d Moneth 1669. THE END 1 Tim. 5.20 Them that sin to rebuke openly that the rest may also fear Rom. 12.14 Bless them that pâ—rsecute you bless I say and curse nâ—t
a man unlike God and that is it which this man lives in and pleads for And so he and all such are in those chaffie notions and amongst the husks where the Swine feed and when the Word and Power of the Lord appears in his Servants against them they run and are driven like Chaff For if this Bishop had been of the weighty Seed he would have taken up better Weapons and stood to his cause But the 5th verse saith The ungodly shall not stand in Iudgment And verse the 6th The way of the ungodly shall perish And so the Bishop's Text is opened and he manifested to be one that can use his tongue to say The Lord saith and the Prophets say and the Apostles testifie thus and thus and so to strive to cover himself with sheeps clothing but it s proved he is ravened from that Life and Spirit of Love which dwelt in them and by which they were guided to bring forth the â—ruits of the Spirit even Meekness Forbearance Brotherly-kindness and all other heavenly Vertues c and is following the lusts of the flesh according as they are declared Gal. 5.20 21. but not according to Paul's Exhortation see 1 Tim. 3. also Titus 1.7 8 9 10 11. they who would know a true Bishop let them not miss reading these places for although many may call the Scriptures their rule the name of a Christian now must not serve and to live in the nature of Heathens and Infidels tearing like Dogs and Swine and Wolves and what is the matter with many called Bishops and Priests of late they begin to stir more then formerly to prosecute their design against the innocent Lambs of Christ do you think your Seat is stablished for ever many of you came in hungry a few years since but your great yearly revenues hath soon fed you up and now you begin to kick and grow wanton Will not strong drink and wine serve to content you still must you needs have the Saints Blood to sup and mingle with your Sacrifice will not bloody Bonner's spirit be yet laid amongst you you would fain be blowing the Fire the bottom of the Cup will be bitter to you Well take your day and do your work there is an eye open that sees you will soon be ripe if you go on The Anger of the Lord of Hosts is already kindled and though you may fortifie your selves to an evil work of Persecution think not to speed better then they which undertook it before you for the Lord is on our side before whom the strength of all men is but like a Bull-rush and though you may seek to Kings Councils and Parliaments for add in such a work the more you strive the weaker you shall grow and when you have filled up your measure and your iniquity is full the sower Grape shall be caâ—t into the Wine-press of God's Wrath and your lofty looks shall be bowed and I must tell you from your seats of Covetousness and Opression and Cruelty and Violence you shall be overturned and though you mock at Revelation and movings by the Spirit when this is fulfilled upon you remember it was told you by the Spirit of Truth And all people high and low who are yet in the broad way walking at ease in the flesh minde your latter end and take heed of following such Blind-Guids who daub you with untempered Morter telling you you are good Christians â—nd Believers and Children of Abraham and heirs of Christ's Kingdom though you live in that which can never enter Oh awake to Righteousness while the door of Mercy is open and come to Judgment that ye may know God's Word in your hearts like a Hammer â—o knock down all Satans works and like a Fire to burn them up out of your hearts For it s the heart that God requires and take heed of pleading ignorance but mind that Light of Grace in you which manifests sin and believe in it that so you may receive Power to overcome it For it s those that overcomes that have right to enteâ— the Kingdom but sin and unbelief shuts out of it And all you who see the deceit of the Deceivers and yet follow them for fashion-sake or for fear of suâ—â—ering for the Truth if you should leave them and walk in it I warn you from the Lord unto whom one day you must give account to take heed and con-consider you have immortal Souls lies at hazard and if you do not obey the call of God to come out of Sodom and Babylon you must have a share of their Judgments for they that havâ— eyes and will not see and â—ars and will not hear but sport themselves in the day time and slights the day of their visitation and puts far the evil day the Lord will overtake such as a Thief in the night and then though they may call and cry it will be said unto such I called and ye would not hear so as to answer me by obedience and therefore now when ye call I will not answer you with my Salvation which in time past I freely offered unto you in the day when my Light 〈◊〉 in your heaâ—ts by which you knew what you ought to do â—nd what you oâ—ght not to do but you reâ—used the goodâ— and chose this present evil World and the pleasures that are therein and would not take up the Cross but denied me bâ—fore men and set at nought my Counsel and stiffned your necks and would not bow to my yoke therefore shall you have a reward according to your doings think on this all you lâ—ke-warm Professors and you who love the praise of men more theâ— to follow the Lord in the way of Self-denial for God will not be mocked from whom every man must receive a reward according to his works And now further to the Bishop and Priests in those Parts or elsewhere seeing â—â—ey say the Quakers are Lay-men and cannot understand the Scâ—â—ptures because they have not the Original as they call Hebrew Greek and Latine these places following are sent to you to be interpreted and that forth-with you give the true meaning of them to publick view under your hands with a plain Answer to the two following Queries and let it be left in the hands of any of your Neighbours called Quakers directed for me Isa. 56.11 Yea they are greedy Dogs which can never have enough and they are Shepherds that cannot understand they all look to their own way every one for his gain from his Quarter Jer. 5.30 31. A wonderfull and horrible thing is committed in the Land the Prophets prophesie falsly and the Priests bear rule by their means and the people love to have it so and what will ye do in the end thereof Micah 3.5 Thus saith the Lord concerning the Prophets that make my People â—rr that bite with their Teeth and cry peace and he that putteth not into their mouths they even prepare war or Law against him Also
see Verse 11. Luke 20.46 47. Beware of the Scribes which desire to walk in long Robes and love greetings in the Markets and the highest Seats in the Sinagogues and the chief Rooms at Feasts which devour Widows Houses and for a shew make long prayers the same shall receive greater damnation 2 Pet. 2.14 15. Having eyes full of adultery and thaâ— cannot cease from â—in beguiling unstable Souls an heart they have exercisâ—d with covetous practices cursed children who have forsaken the right way and are gone astray following the way of Balaam the son of Bezor who loved the wages of unrighteousness Jude verse 11. Wo unto them for they have gone in the way of Cain and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward and perished in the gainsaying of Corah read to the end but must this trade alwayes hold in Babylon See Rev. 18.11 And the Merchants of the Earth shall weep and morn over her for no man buyeth her Merchandize any more verse 14. And the Fruits that thy Soul lusted after are departed from thee and all things that were dainty and goodly as the Wheat-Sheaf and tythe Calves and Lambs and Pigs and Ducks and Geese and Chickens and Eggs as also Glebe-Lands Midsummer-dues Easter-reckonings Garden and Smoke pence and such like are departed from thee and thou shalt find them no more at all Verse 15 and 16. The Merchants of these things which were made rich shall weep and waâ—l saying Alas alas that great City that was clothed in fine Linnen and great Sleev'd Surplices and Purple and Scarlet and decked with Gold and Precious Stones and Pearls â— Verse 17. For in one hour so great riches is come to nought And every ship-master and all the company of Balaam's tribe in Ships and Sailers like poor Journey-men Priests and as many as â—rade by Sea stood afar off Verse 19. and they cast dust upon their heads c. Do not they already begin â—o throw dust and bring dirt upon their own heads that sees their City and Building is going down and cryes against the Spoylers of Babylon and say You had been better to have lain drunk under a hedg that while oh you had better have been committing Adultry with a lewd woman that while oh rather then go from this City to Quakers Meetings go to a Bawdy-house and rather then drink in the doctrine of Perfection from the Quakers drink a cup of Poyson surely as Iude saith Verse 13. These are raging waves of the Sea foaming out their own shame There is many places more that might be collected for you but let me see these fairly from you interpreted and as I like your work you may have more hereafter and forget not to answer my two Queries which are to you as followeth Query I. What one particular Practice in matter of divine Worship of God either of Christ Iesus or any of his holy Prophets or Apostles do you walk in in truth and in reallity as they did according to the testimony left unto us in the holy Scriptures from the beginning to the end Do not starâ—e at the Query but answer it fairly seeing you say the Scripture is your Rule Query II. What one particular practice is there mentioned in all the holy Scripture by Christ himself his Prophets or Apostles whereby we might know a false Prophet false Priests or false Apostles and Deceivers which were in time pastâ— or were to come in the latter times but you are really walking in it and manifest by it according to the testimonies left upon record by the holy men of God through ages as the Scriptures witness from the beginning to the end And if you do not answer to clear your selves these Queries shall stand upon your heads to your shame C. H. Here is also annexed a seasonable Exhortation for the Inhabitants of Polesworth and neighbouring Towns thereabouts Also a Coppy of a Letter formerly sent to the persecuting Bishop from Warwick Goal where I am a Prisoner for the Word of God in standing a faithful Witness unto him in his Truth and Righteousness against such as hold the Truth in unrighteousness The first of the 6th Moneth 1669. William Harris the younger HE that readeth let him understand read in the fear of the Lord in whom is true wisdom and then thou wilt not read to fill the outward ear but turn in to the Witness of God in thy Conscience and keep the eye of thy mind single to that which is pure of God by which thou mayst come to a right understanding for what is to be known of God is made manifest in us and God hath shewed it unto us who hath given Christ Jesus the Son of his love a Light into the World the world is placed in mans heart now as every one turns in the eye of their understanding unto Christ the Son of God's Love who is Love Truth Righteousness Light Life Wisdom and is our all and in all So look not without at outward observations for the Kingdom of Heaven as the professing Jews did for the Kingdom of Heaven is within therefore was that Parable of the woman that had lost a Groat and she looked without and could not find it but when she turned home she lighted her Candel and swept her own house and there she found it So every one that hungreth and thirsteth after Righteousness and desires their souls eternal Peace and Salvation return home and look not without but turn in to the Witness of God Christ the true Light and in the love of God Christ the Light Spirit of Truth light thy Candle and sweep thy own house of all that which is earthly and corrupt so wilt thou come to find the Pearl which is of great price which a Merchant-man had hid in his field and he digged deep and found it and when he had found it he went and sold all to purchase it but the Kingdom of Heaven cannot be purchased with Silver or Gold or any corruptible thing therefore read in the Spirit the mysteries of God's Kingdom There was a rich man came to Christ and spake of many things he had done and kept from a youth and said What lack I yet Christ said unto him Go sell all that thou hast and give unto the poor but he went away very sorrowful for he had great Possessions Now if any have possessed their minds with the love of this World and with the earthly delights that are therein if they will not lose their life in those things they cannot live to God for people cannot be heirs of two Kingdoms they must forsake all for Christ in whom is the Blessing Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven and whosoever will not forsake all for Christ is not worthy of him Blessed is every one that believes in God and in Jesus Christ his only Son in whom is the Election in the acknowledging of the Truth which is according unto godliness unto the
hope of eternal Life which God hath promised that cannot lie before the world began whom he hath given a Light into the World that whosoever believes in him should not abide in darkness but have everlasting Life and this is the Record to wit that God hath given unto us eternal Life and this Life is in that his Son He that hath the Son hath that Life and he that hath not that Son of God hath not that Life these things have I written unto you that believe in that Name of the Son of God that ye may try your ways and examine your own hearts and see what it is that is head in you for if Christ be not risen all Preaching is in vain who is the Resurrection and the Life Iohn 11.25 I am the Resurrection and the Life said Christ he that believeth in me though he wore dead yet shall he live Now let not your Faith stand in the wisdom of meâ— but in the Power of God for the foolishness of God is w 〈…〉 en men and the weakness of God is stronger then men 〈◊〉 not many wise men after the flesh nor many mighty not many noble are called but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the World to confound the mighty things and poor things of the World and things which are despised hath God chosen and things which were not to bring to nought things that are that no flesh should rejoyce in his presence but we are of him in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption that according as it is written He that rejoyceth let him rejoyce in the Lord and let your love be without dissimulation abhor that which is evil and cleave unto that which is good for God is Love and every good and perfect gift comes from above from the Father of Spirits who so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son Christ Iesus a free Gift to all who is the true Light which lighteth every one that cometh into the World that all through him might believe Now every one that makes any profession of God and of his Son Jesus Christ see that your Faith stand in the power of God according to the measure of Faith or Grace ye have received which hath appeared unto all by which through Faith and Obedience Salvation is witnessed unto all them that witness the Scriptures fulfilled in them according to the Spirit of Truth which was left for our example unto whom the ends of the world is come for the world is placed in mans heart from whence proceeds all wickedness 1 Iohn 5.19 as said the Apostle We know that we are of God and this whole World lieth in wickedness in which is the lust of the flesh the lust of the eye and the pride of life which is not of the Father but of this World which is the earthly part that is got up into the heart of man by which the true Seed is held in captivity and is oppressed as a Cart with Sheaves And out of this earthly heart and corrupt ground proceeds Strife Murther Theft Adultery Drunkenness Swearing Lying Cozening and Cheating Pride Ambition Self-exalting Proud coveting after their own hearts lusts in which the Serpent is head who got into man through temptation who also tempted our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ when he took him and set him on a Pinacle and shewed him the glory of the World All these will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me Then said Jesus unto him Get thee behind me Satan So as every one comes unto Christ and are truely obedient unto him in the power of God they can resist the Devil and he will flee But the first man is of the earth earthly earthlike and so the Serpent got into man through an earthly object tempting with the forbidden fruit which God did and doth forbid though things pleasant to the eye and to the â—arthly heart in which the carnal mind doth not see God but lies in death but to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace And the Strong man keeps the house until a stronger then he comes which is Christ Jesus the second Adam who is Lord from Heaven who takes the Strong man and binds him and casts him out with all his goods who was and yet is exalted in the Temple of God above all that is called God where Christ is not yet witnessed to be their alone strength and their all and in all such are of Antichrist and are under his command though they may profess God and Christ Faith Love and Righteousness for that spirit which confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the Spirit is of Antichrist and denies Revelations and also the knowledg of God And the Serpent which was the subtil'st Beast of the field he came unto Adam and Eve and he would be interpreting the Scriptures though God had said they should not eat of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil which is a Mystery for great is the Mystery of Godliness which is held in a pure Conscience the Serpent called the old Devilâ— the Lyar he contradicted the commâ—nds of God and said they should not dye and so through disobedience of Eve the Serpent entred her and so to the man and so the strong Man being got in hath armed himself and so keeps the house until a Stronger comes and he hath taken the name of a Christian upon him even he who was head in the professing Jews Scribes and Pharisees who looked for Christ's coming yet when he was come to wit Christ the Serpent who was got up and is the god of the World had so blinded their eyes Antichrist the man of sin he in his members gainsaid Christ Therefore Christ told them Ye are of your father the Devil and the works of him ye will do and so they persecuted Christ to the death and persecution was alwayes blind for it proceeded from the God of the World and doth to this very day for God is Love and hath given Christ Jesus the Son of his Love who is full of Grace and Truth and true Righteousness in whom is our peace and Souls eternal Salvation who said Do good against evil Bless and curse not Now in true love to your immortal Souls I beseech all and forwarn all in the Name and fear of the Almighty God unto whom this may come that you lay truly to heart and consider your latter end before it be too late and turn in to the Witness of God in your Consciences Christ Jesus the true Prophet the Spirit of Truth that will tell you all that ever you have done all your life and will set your sins in order before you O repent repent and forsake that your sins may go before you to judgment for if they come after they will fall heavy for there is no
repentance beyond the Grave such as man sows he shall reap If ye live after the Flesh then shall ye die but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the Flesh then shall ye live for Christ came not to call the Righteous but Sinners to repentance and he is come in the Spirit we are Witnesses of his Glory who is not come to send peace on the Earth but a Sword to cut down all that which is contrary unto him whose Word is as a Fire and as a Hammer who is stronger that is in us then he that is in the World who taketh the strong man armed and dispossesseth him of all and overturns the Earth and the Foundation thereof and destroys the old Earth and the old Heavens where Antichrist the God of this World hath taken up the heart with other Lovers but blessed be the Name of the Lord our God who hath given the Son of his Love into our hearts and hath changed our hearts and minds and hath set our affections on things above and hath taken away the stony unbelieving heart and â—ath given us a new heart and hath renewed a right spirit in us by which we witness his Promise fulfilled who said he would create a new earth and new Heavens wherein dwells Righteousness Christ the Righteousness of God who came not to destroy mens lives but to save them Antichrist he persecutes in pretence of the true Christ and puts to death O subtil Serpent Christ's Kingdom is not of this World therefore his Servants will not fight Antichrist self-exalâ—ed man whose Kingdom is of this World he fights and kills about Religion lest his Kingdom should go down for if the true Christ whose free Grace Truth and Righteousness which cannot be bought with money or purchased with any carnal earthly object I say if the Grace of God Christ Jesus the Son of his Love who is the true Oyl if this take place in the heart and therewith the Lamp be trimed ye will be wise Virgins and need not go buy of Babylons Merchants or that any man should teach you but as that same Anointing abideth in you it will teach you all things which is Truth and no Lye then will Antichrist's Kingdom go down which he was afraid of before he had crucified Christ when exalted in the Scribes and Pharisees being got up into the heart of man yea in the Temple of God and would be exalted above all that is called God when many believed Christ and followed after him then Antichrist sâ—ood up in his Members and said If we let him thus alone all men will believe on him and the Romans will come and take away both our place and Nation John 11.48 therefore they arose and crucified him but he is risen again and is come in the Spirit and hath made many Witnesses of his Resurrection through Faith in his Name whose Name be blessed and praised and magnified for evermore Now every one prize the day of your visitation not knowing how soon your Soulâ— may be required of you O have not the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ in respect of persons in an outward Profession and in formality of any carnal Ordinance as in remembrance of Christ to shew forth his death until he comeâ— for he is come in the Spirit and is worshipped in the Spirit and in the Truth and this is the Ordinance of God Christ Jesus who is the Righteousness of God in whom is the spiritual Baptism for there is but one Faith one Lord one Baptism So every one keep unto that Faith which works by Love in the heart through the Spirit by which you will come to know the deeds of the Flesh to be mortified and your hearts to be cleansed purified and sanctified and so come to know the redemption of your immortal Souls and this is the true Faith and the true Baptism which washeth and purifieth the heart in the water of Regeneration through the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus by which we are come to know the new birth born again of that which is immortal which cannot feed upon any thing that dies of it self but of that which is living pure clean and uncorruptible even of the Bread of Life which comes down from Heaven from the Father of all our mercies who hath broken of his own body and hath given us to eat of his Flesh and to drink of his Blood in which is Life indeed Life Eternal but this is a great Mystery to the carnal mind in which is death Therefore return in the eye of your understandings unto that which is pure and holy of God for as the Apostle said What is to be known of God is made manifest in us and God hath shewed it unto us who is a Spirit and to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace The Superscription and Copy of the Letter to the Bishop This for the hands of John Hackitt who is called Bishop of Liechfield and Coventry for him to read over that he may try all things and hold fast that which is good Friend I Being câ—st into Prison by thy servants at thy command for obeying the Word of God and keeping of his Commandments in obeying the Truth as it is in Jesus Christ our Lord whose Name be praised and honoured over all for evermore whose Love and Mercy through the riches of his Grace which hath appeared unto all men hath appeared unto us as the Apostle said Teaching us to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live Soberly Godly and Righteously and Holy in this present evil â—orld and the arm of the Lord is not shortened who is the same yesterday to day and for ever who is the Salvation of his people unto as many as believe in him Now it is not such that sayes with their lips and opens their mouths and cryes Lord Lord that shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and also talk of God and Christ Faith and Righteoâ—sness and of being Believers and yet live in their sins that can enter into God's Kingdom for his Kingdom stands not or consists in Meats or in Drinks or in divers Washings but in Righteousness and true Holiness without which there is none can see God but sin is an unrighteous work by which the Enemy got into man through tempâ—ation and a lye and all unrighteousness is sin and that must never enter into God's Kingdom nor any while they are servants thereunto for no man can be a servant unto two maâ—ters God and Mamon Christ and Belial but his servant thou art unto whom thou yieldest thy members servant unto mark wheâ—her of sin unto Death or unto Righteous in which is Life eternal Now in the beginning when God made man and set him and placed him in Paradice he created man in his own Image in the Image of God created he him male and female and God blessed them and said unto them Be fruitful and multiply and gave him Dominion over all
Gen. 1. And the Lord God took the man and put him into the â—ardenâ— tâ— dress it and to keep it and the Lord commanded the man 〈◊〉 Of every Tree of the Garden thou mayest freely eat but of 〈◊〉 Tree of knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of iâ— for in the day thou eats thereof thou shalt surely dye Now the Serpeâ—t was more subtil then any Beast of the field and he said unto the woman ye shall not surely dye but we see the Serpent was a Lyar from his beginning who got in through a temptation and a Lye by which sin entred through â—ransgression for which the Law was added and for his wicked work was accursed from God and man for his disobedience was cast out from God so by the disobedience of one many were made Sinners and by the obedience of one many were made Righteousâ— which was and is through Faith 〈◊〉 Christ For the Iust lives by Faith and without Faith it is imposâ—â—ble to please God but â—here was and is the Faith of Devils that works not in the love but in the emniâ—y and so brings forth of the sower Grapâ— which is sin and unrighteousness and through disobedience sin entred by which man is led captive at the Enemieâ— will into the corrupt nature into ungodliness and unrighteousness which is the corrupt ground from whence proceeds all evil in which â—ate there is none doth good no not one and in which 〈◊〉 all have sinned and come short of the Glory of the living God in whom is Salvationâ— and Eternal Life through Christ Jesus who is the Author and the Finisher of our Faith which we have received from God Almighty from whence every good and perfect gift comesâ— And that Faith which comes from God alone it works by love in the heart and this is the Love of God that we keep his Commandments and his Commandments are not burdensom For all that are born of God overcometh this World 1 Iohn 5.4 But the Priest told me that thou saidst to him thou strangest at me that I opposed thee in that particâ—lar above all the rest for thou well remembredst what thou wert speaking of thou werâ— come to thy last point and to conclude that all were miserable â—inners and thou saidst all the World would conâ—ess that they were Sinners now as 〈◊〉 is written 1 â—ohn 5.19 We know that we are of God and thiâ— whole World lyeth iâ— wickedness and the World loves its own in which is the lust of the flesh the lust of the eye and the pride of life which is not of the Fatherâ— but of this World And when the Phâ—riâ—ees heâ—rd that Jesus had put the Sadduces to silence one of them which was an expounder of the Law asked him a Question saying Master which is the greatest Commandment in the Law Jesus said unto him Thou shalâ— love the Lord thy God with all thy heart wiâ—h all thy soul and with all thy mind and the second is like â—nto this Thou shalâ— love thy Neighâ—our as thy self Matthew 22. Now to the witness of God in thy Conscience do I speak which if thou turn in to it it will tell thee whether thou art faithful herein and whether thou doest act herein according to Christ's Doctrine and the Scriptures which was given forth from the Spirit of Truth freely and not to be made a trade of for money neither can the gift of God be purchased with money if so then would Simon Magâ—â— have purchased the Kingdom of Heaven with money and the rich of this World but Christ's Kingdom stands not in corruptable things but in that which is uncorruptable and is Pure Holy Râ—ghteous and Eternal of God therefore said Christ unto them in the dayes of old Except a man â—e regenerated and born again he cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Read the Scriptures as Christ said for they are them which do tesâ—ifie of me but you will not come unto me that you might have Life Now many have a life in the eaâ—thly part serving their own hearts lust but whosâ—ever will follow Christ let him forsake himself and take up his cross and follow him and whosoever will not take up his cross and deny himself daily is not worthy of him And whosoever will save his life shall lose it but whosoever shall lay down his life for my Name sake and the Gospel the same shall find it For what shall it profit a man though â—e should win the World if â—e lose his soul or what exchange shâ—lâ— a man give for his soul And whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and my Words amongst this adulterous and sinful Generation of him shall the Son of â—an be ashamed also when he cometh in the Glory of his Father with his holy Angels Mark 8. And he that fulfils the lust of the flesh he shall dye but if thou through the spirit do mortifie the deeds of the flesh then shalt thou liveâ— so now doest thou know the new birth arâ— thou regenerated and born again not of flesh and of blood but of the Water and of the Spirit the Water washeth and the Spiriâ— purifieth the heart through Faith in Christ by which we come to witness Mortification Redemption Sanctification and newness of â—ife by the Power of God revealed in Christ whose Blood was shed for his people now that none make his Blood his Covenant his Commandments of none effect by their Traditions For the Blood of Christ cleâ—seth from all â—â—n and it is only the sins of people that makes the separation between God and man mark Your sins â—ath separated between me and you saith the Lord God and as it is written He heareth not sinners neither doth he acâ—ept of the Prayers or Teachings or any Sacrifices of sinners while they remain in their sins but he that comes to believe in God and in Jesus Christ and repents and forsakes shall find Mercy but he that hideth his sins shall not prosper so that it is good for all to confess and to forsake and not alwayes to be making a confession of miserable sinners year by year and so all a mans life time this is but the sacrifices of the wicked which is abomination in the sight of the pure God therefore confess and forsake and return to the Lord while thou hast time that if thou hast not sinned ouâ— the day of thy visitation thou mayest find Mercy with the Lord for there is no repentance beyond the Grave For as the Tree falleth so it lieth and as death leaves so Iudgment finds and if any dies in their sins which is the transgression of the Royal Law of God for which the Law was added now when God shall come at the last day to call all to Judgment for their deeds done in their Bodies whether good or evil if thou hast done well thou shalt be accepted if noâ— sin lies at the door then he that hath done well and wrought out his