if Sons then Heirs and Joynt-heirs with Christ now Heirs doth inherit but no unclean thing doth inherit therefore Sons and Heirs must needs be sanctified throughout and must needs be born again of the Holy clean Seed that inherits and the Apostle said Ye are the Off-spring of God and the Off-spring of God must needs be Holy for as the Root is so are the Branches and as the Tree is so is the Fruit. But I shall return to my former Subject again viz. the Second Covenant the Light or Law written in the Heart which we have received and therefore are not looking up to the Mount that might not be touched and that burned with Fire nor at Blackness and Darkness and Tempests nor at Figurative and Shadowy things Hebr. 10.1 and 12.18 22. c. but we are come to Mount-Sion the City of the Living God to the New and Heavenly Jerusalem c. and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and to the unchangeable Priesthood that endureth for ever for the Law maketh Men High-Priests that have infirmities that continueth not by reason of Death but the word of the Oath which was since the Law maketh the Son High-Priest who is Consecrated for ever and therefore he is the surety of a better Testament and such a High-Priest becomes us and such a one have we need of who is holy harmless undefiled separate from Sinners Yea this was his Work I say still and the end of his coming to separate and savâ— his People from their sins and this is Christ Jesus an High-Priest of our Profession a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedeck who is worthy of more Glory then Moses inasmuch as he that buildeth the House is worthy of more Glory then the House now Christ is a Son over his own House which House are we if we hold fast our confidence and hope to the end wherefore he is able to save to the uttermost those that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them but this they still doubt of and cannot believe who are yet wading in the frothy unstable Waters and stumbling in the dark being tossed with every windy vanishing Doctrine and is not come to the breakings of the Day to the Light the Son I mean for its the Sun and Light that makes Day and makes all things manifest Ephes 5.13 John 12.36 I say they cannot believe that Doctrine that any should be saved to the uttermost and no marvel for they are Strangers to the Covenant of Promise the Light and to the vertues and effects of the Light which until I received and obeyed I was as doubtful as they and did object against it as incredible but I was of them the Apostle foresaw that spoke evil of things they knew not for I had not then known nor tryed the Light though it was in me yet I loved darkness rather even so do they now who spakes against Light and the sufficiency of it they speak evil of that they know not c. in that thing they corrupt themselves But to proceed I say Christ Jesus is come the New and Living Way who is King Priest and Prophet so the Covenant is changed the Priest-hood is changed so there must of necessity be a change of the Law also and then Tythes and Oblations must needs cease Hebr. 7.12 For verily they that were of the Sons of Levi who received the Office of the Priesthood had a Commandment to take Tythes of the People but it is evident that after the similitude of Melchisedeck there ariseth another Priesthood who is made not by the Law of a carnal Commandment as the Sons of Levi and Aaron was nor Consecrated by a carnal nominal Bishop as Priests are now but he was made and ordained by the Power of an endless Life and this is no other then the Son of God who is Consecrated for evermore and saith the Apostle with this assertion There is verily a disanulling of the Commandment going before because of the weakness and unprofitableness thereof mark here is a disanulling of the Commandment what Commandment The Law of the carnal Commandment by which the Priests the offspring of Levi received their Office and the Commandment by which they took Tythes of the People read Hebr. 7. throughout so the Priesthood being no more of Levi nor the Sons of Aaron then there is no more Law nor no more Tythes after the First Covenant for the New Covenant is established the New and Living Way is made known and the unchangeable Priesthood being brought in the First Covenant and Priesthood must needs give place the Law must needs be abrogated and the Commandment disanulled and the first Tabernacle and Sanctuary must needs be turned out and then all the Rites and Ceremonies and all the Appurtenances and Ordinances of that Priesthood Tabernacle and Sanctuary must needs be turned out also then no more room for Tythes being an Appurtenance or Ordinance of that Covenant when Christ the Spiritual Eternal and Unchangeable High Priest is come and we say he is a greater and more perfect Tabernacle for the First that stood in meats and drinks and divers washings and carnal Ordinances was but imposed untill the time of Reformation being Figures for the time then present mark and but shadows of good things to come Hebr 9.10 and 10.1 and 8.5 Now when doth the time of Reformation enter that you may shake off the first Priesthood Tabernacle and Ordinances Is it not now high time for People to amend repent and reform Is it not time for Men to work out their Salvation Is it not time to make their calling and election sure Is it not time to turn from Darkness to Light and from Satans power to God Is it not time to seek the Kingdom of God and the Righteosness thereof If so then is not the time of Reformation come Is not the Spiritual appearance of the Son of God come Is not the Comforter that leads into all Truth come Is not the sound of the Everlasting Gospel come Is not the time in which the true Worshippers shall Worship the Father in Spirit and Truth come Is not the Light that was given for Salvation to the ends of the Earth come Is not the Light that gives the knowledge of the Glory of God come Is not he that convinces the World of Sin of Righteousness and of Judgment come Is not he that is the Way Truth and Life come Is not he that saves his People from their Sins come And is it not now a time of Reformation Is it not now time to die unto Sin and awake unto Righteousness Is it not time to put on the New Man which renews into the Image of God and brings into Righteousness and Holiness else in vain hath the many and large Professions of England been and to what purpose hath it carried the name so long of a holy and reformed Nation if the time of Reformation
THE MEMORY OF That Faithful Servant of the Lord Thomas Carleton Reviv'd BEING A COLLECTION Of several of his VVritings in the ensuing Volume as a Testimony of his Zeal for promoting the blessed Truth and Establishing of Friends therein Also some TESTIMONIES Concerning his Faithfulness and Perseverance in the Way of the Lord unto the Finishing of his Course here with joy which was the 18th day of the Ninth Month 1684. The Memory of the just is blessed Prov. 10.7 The Righteous shall be had in Everlasting Remembrance Psal 112.9 Printed in the Year 1694. The Testimony of Thomas Trafford concerning his Friend and Brother in the Truth Thomas Carleton THere is a Testimony in my Heart at this time to bear for dear Thomas Carleton Notwithstanding it is long since he was Removed from us as to the outward yet his Memorial lives with me and in the Revivings of it can do no less then say something of the Experience Knowledg I had of him My first acquaintance with him was by the Spirit of Truth in a Meeting for as soon as I saw his Face as he was coming into the Meeting I felt my heart united or knit to him as Jonathan's was to David and it was sealed to me That he had a Testimony to bear for the Lord's Truth in the Assemblies of his People which was Confirmed to me that Meeting For after some time sitting in the Meeting there came an Exercise upon his Spirit and he stood up in great Fear and Dread which was his usual manner when he was so Exercised under the powerfull Word of Life not being a Man forward in entring upon that service but rather backward until necessitated thereunto by the constraining Power of God And while he was delivering his Testimony I had dear unity with him and my Soul was refreshed by his Ministry although he was but short and my love reached so to him that I could not be satisfied untill I went to see him at his Lodging after which time we grew into a more near acquaintance one with another both inwardly and outwardly so that we became near and dear one unto another and thereby came to have a true sense and knowledge of one anothers Mindâ— and Spirits and truly my heart and spirit is broken at this time in the remembrance of that sweet and brotherly love that continued between us to the last for he was a true Yoke-fellow in the Labour of the Gospel for the good and wel-fare of the Church and I must needs say I have found the want of him with some others who were true sensible Members in the Body or Church of Christ whom the Lord hath been pleased to remove from us and take to himself which I must be content with resting in the Faith that he can and will raise up others in his time to supply their places And although this my Friend and Brother was a Man attended with many Infirmities of Body which disabled him from Travelling much abroad yet I can say he was seldom if ever without a Concern Care or Exercise upon his Spirit that all things might be well in the Church and that those who were Convinced of the Truth might live answerable to what they did profess and was many a time Constrained to bear Testimony in a holy Zeal against such as were dry Formilist Professors of it and did not come up into a Living Experimental Exercise of the power of Truth and such who walked loose in their Conversations as will appear by the following Epistles that he Writ and God who tempers the Body as he Sees meet had indued him with a large and clear understanding both in Divine Spiritual things and also Natural Parts beyond many which did very much adorn him and so much the more in that he did not think so of himself but would appear as simple as any which bespoke him to be one of Christs Followers who had Learned to be Meek and Lowly in heart I Write what I know and it is not to attribute any thing to Man but to acknowledge the great Work of God in and for Man who as Vessels in his Hand he hath honoured therefore we who have been made partakers of their Work and Service can do no less And indeed all his Parts and Gifts were Sanctified unto him for he was a Man of of a sweet temper mild in Controverting things and could govern his Spirit with gravity either with such as did oppose Truth and contend against it or at other times in Church Discipline or with unruly Spirits that he might have to do with Oh the Remembrance of him makes the loss of him more to be Lamented But having this answer returned sealed unto me that our loss is his gain therefore am Contented in the will of the Lord and notwithstanding his Parts did exceed many yet he was ready to prefer others before himself which was an Ornament to him and did very much become his Holy Profession he was a Man that Loved the Truth and all such that lived in it and he was of a tender Spirit desiring nothing more then the Unity of the Brethren and to hear of the Prosperity of Truth and Peace in the Church So that I have cause to believe he is one of that Number to whom it is said Blessed are the Dead which Die in the Lord from henceforth yâ—â— said the Spirit that they may rest from â—â—eâ—â— Labours and their Works do follow them Written this 15th day of the 6. Month 1693. At Wicklow by one that loves the Brethren Thomas Trafford THE TESTIMONY OF GEORGE ROOKE Concerning Thomas Carleton THis I have to say concerning this our dear Friend and Brother in the Truth that is removed from us by Death according to God's appointment for all Men once to Die he was a Man that was tender of Gods glory in his Day and laboured for the promotion of his Truth into the service of which the Lord was pleased to Call him when he was but young in years and made known unto him the riches of the Mistery which had been hid from Ages past even Christ Revealed within the sure Hope of Eternal Glory by which he was preserved both sure and stedfast in his Testimony-bearing for God where-ever the Lord was pleased to Order him whether it was in a Prison-house or at Liberty he was not unwilling to submit to his Will even to do and suffer whereby he might honour and glorifie his Maker in his day and generation And he had not long been Convinced of the blessed Truth till Lewis West the Priest of the Parish where he lived began to persecute him because for Conscience-sake he could not pay Tythes and cast him into Prison at Carlisle in Cumberland for at Little-Salkeld in that County was the place of his abode then though some years after his Enlargement he removed himself and family into this Nation of Ireland But mark he being put in Prison was kept Prisoner
Tree of Life that is in the midst of the Paradise of God and their names shall be written in the Book of the Life of the Lamb from henceforth and for ever It being my aim and intent at this time to present unto publick view and to the manifested Light and Judgment of all pious and sober Men not only my discent state and condition from my Childhood but rather my estate and condition in Spirit in all the gentle leadings drawing and carryings on of my Soul by the Lord from the day of the dispensation of the tender Mercy and Love of God by his light dispensed and made known in me unto this present day of my Sufferings for his Name and Gospel and also to give a Relation of the ground and cause of my Sâ—fferings the Person by whom and the manner how with a breviate of my Testimony and Judgment in the matters of this Treatise in as much brevity as possible whereby to clear my Conscience and answer the witness in others in the sight of God AS for my discent to speak after the manner of Men I sprang of mean though honest Parents according to the Flesh my Father being a Husbandman in the County of Cumberland I according to his pleasure was educated sometimes at School sometime with Herding and tending of Sheep or Cattel sometime with the Plow Cart or Threshing Instrument or other lawfull Labours according to the manner of that part of the County in which I lived yet such was the love and tender mercy of the Lord who always had respect unto the meek and lowly in heart and dwells with the the contrite and humble in Spirit and shews kindness and mercy to them of low degree that he was pleased to visit me with his everlasting Love which often presented unto me my state and manner of Life and by the same Love and Light he made known unto me that his Way and Worship was a purer holier Way and cleaner Life then yet I had attained unto and withall gave me to see the evils and miserable effects of that state and condition in which I lived according to the Fashions Customs Ways and Worships of the formal World which secret drawings I felt time after time as a small still Voice inwardly calling for Righteousness and Holiness of Life and as it were saying This is the Way walk in it Read your own States for thus I was induced to seek after the Lord and to make further enqâ—iry into the Way of God out of which I perceived my self and then not knowing where the Lord was to be found nor that it was he that stirred and drew by his Love in me I gave my self to Reading and searching of the Scriptures which was then Preached by the Man made Ministers and also generally believed by the People they taught to be the Word of God and the alonâ— way to the Kingdom and to the knowledge of God his Way and Worship and believing their Doctrines I did with much diligence and zeal press after the knowledge of the Scriptures giving up my self to Hear Sermons learn Catechisms and the like after the manner and general Practise Taught by the then Preachers sometime more Strickt then the rest whose comliness seemed to Transcend the precedent Generation of Priests and their way of Worship yet it pleased the Lord not only inwardly to break my rest in spirit but also outwardly to afflict me with Bodily afflictions for I was afflicted from my youth up and from my Childhood the rod of Correction was upon me inwardly and outwardly inwardly known to my self alone and outwardly apparent to most or all that knew me after the flesh some concluding I was in a Consumption some in one Disease some in another and then by the advice and will of my Father according to the flesh I sought to and proved many Doctors and Physitians for the restoration of the health of my Body but they like the Priests were all Physitians of no value for none did remove the cause nor take away the effect which still remained with me and upon me as a motive spur or whip to drive me forward to get an interest in the Lord who through the riches of his Love did spiritually apply my Bodily afflictions for the Health and Salvation of my Soul inwardly drawing my affections and desires after Him still presenting to my view and raising in my unerstanding a way more Holy and Pure and more agreeable to his Will then the way I was in drawing me from one degree of Grace to another and from one Dispensation to another according to his good Pleasure and Wâ—ll then I began to affect those that separated from the formal Worships and pubâ—ick People who sâ—emed to be a People of more reformed lives and judgments and of more circumspect Conversations and chused rather to settle and joyn with those called Independants who at that day were beautiful and glorious to that glimmering Twilight estate that I was in they being then pretty tender and low I often adjudged my self inferiour unworthy and undeserving the Fellowship and Society of such a People yet still I pressed forward desiring to attain unto that state which was before me which by the eye of Faith I saw and to apprehend that for which I was apprehended in the Love of God yet was I often tossed in my self like restless waves in a troubled Sea not feeling peace nor stability with the Lord I often besought the Lord in secret in the brokenness and contrition of spirit to clear my understanding and judgment and make me to know his own Living Way Truth and People Sects and Opinions then abounding one saying this is the way anâ—tâ—er saying that is the way one saying lo Christ is in this or here another saying He is in that or there thus every Denomination and Judgment construing wresting and interpreting the Scriptures to their sundry Tenents and forcing meanings from them to answer their Principles and to maintain every of their interpretations as authentick Truths in all which I was as one without Foundation tossed with every of their windy Doctrines iâ— stâ—ll rested with me Man was created for Gods glory I being ever and anon judged and condemned in my self for Sin and Disobedience for the Law was come by which is the knowledge of Sin and the Commandment being come Sin revived and I died and having as it were wrought Death in me by that which was good then Sâ—n by the Commandment became exceeding Sinful and then was I driven to seek for Peace night and day early and late in publick and private Fastings or Feastings or Family Devotions whatsoever running from one House to another and from one Town to another from one Assembly and Worship to another even as it were from Sea to Sea seeking the Word of the Lord as Amos said Amos 8.12 in all their Sabboths Lectures Humiliations or Thank givings diligently observing every Ordinance so called in which
freely nor did not for sake all freely but like Ananias and Saphira though I had parted with much yet would have kept a part back and if the Lord had cut me off as they were I must have justified the justice of the Lord in my Soul and Conscience which daily witnessed against me as it were sealing and confirming this Testimony to me and in me that I should never find Peace nor Reconsiliation with the Lord untill I gave obedience to the Light and came into society with the Children of Light viz. the People by the World called Quakers and came to the Worship that stood in Spirit contrary to all the Wayes Worships and Services of the World set up in the wills and limitations of Men which I saw to be only Formal and Traditional and no less then Idolatry as they then stood in the Will-Worship being prescribed and set forth at the Wills and Pleasures of Men and established by the then present Powers Government and Authority as by the Independant Church Faith the Presbyterian Directory the Episcopals Common-Prayer Book and such like may more fully Testifie none being to question or object against any thing that was or is believed by their several Churches and Assemblies or prescribed in their Rules or Canons Directories or Service-Books though never so much dissatisfied in Conscience without undergoing the Censures or Abjudications of their particular Societies and Churches so called But they that are come to the Light and Liberty of the Sons of God and to live and walk in the Spirit and by the Spirit they know the Anointing which abideth in them which is truth and no lye which Teacheth them in all things to follow the Lamb only whithersoever he goes and the leadings of his Spirit and not the formal trash and traditional precepts of Men and so they are ceased from Man and his teachings knowing the Lord is come to Teach his People himself whereof I being perswaded in my own heart and this Testimony aforesaid standing in me viz. that I should never know Peace with God in my Soul untill I obeyed and followed the Light which I daily felt striving in me and with me in my Meditations and Communications with my own Heart secretly condemning me for my disobedience and works of darkness I was in the fulness of time constrained to yeild and resign my self into the Will and Lap of the Lord as Esther did either to Live or Perish resolving as I said before freely to drink that Cup which had so long appeared bitter but was then made sweet and wholsom as the Waters of Jericho being seasoned with that power that makes every bitter thing sweet and hard things easie then was the Arm of the Lord made bare and stretched forth for my deliverance and his strength was perfected in weakness being brought into subjection and made willing to bear his Cross then his Yoke was made easie and his Burden became Light then he that sat in Darkness saw great Light and he that dwelt in the Land of the shaddow of Death upon him did the Light shine in that Day did he cause the Deaf to hear the Blind to see out of obscurity the Lame to walk the Dumb to speak and the Tongue of the stammerer to speak plainly even then when mine Ears hearkned to the Word that was near in the mouth and heart the righteousness of Faith which the Apostle Preached Rom. 108. Even then when I cast away my Jewels Ornaments Images c. Menstruous cloaths Isa 30.21 22. and my own Righteousness Faith and best Performances which was but as filthy rags in comparison of the excellency of that Glory revealed in and through the Son of righteousness which arose with healing in his Wings then did he give rain unto his Seed even the former and the latter in his Season and upon every Mountain and Hill made he Rivers and Streams to run then was the light of the Moon as the light of the Sun and the light of the Sun was sevenfold even in that Day when he bound up the breach of his Servant and healed the stroke of his wounded he opened the Prison doors also and set the Captive at liberty and let the Oppressed go free then he made the Lame to leap as an Heart and the tongue of the Dumb to sing for joy the crooked paths did he make straight and the rough ways plain and smooth he brought down the mighty from their Seats and exalted them of low degree then he filled the Hungry with good things and the Rich he sent empty away then did joy spring forth as the Mornning and gladness did arise as the Sun even then when Peace did run down like a River and Salvation as a mighty Stream then was the time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord even then when the Bridegroom came out of his Chamber and the Bride out of her Closet then was the Marriage Supper of the Lamb at hand then was the Day of joy and gladness when sorrow and sighing fled away then was the Day of mine espousing when my Maker became my Husband Hosea 2.19 20 23. and the Bridegroom and Bishop of my Soul when I was betrothed unto the Lord then was the Marriage in Cana of Galilee known John 2. which was the only Marriage Christ and his Disciples were called to where all the Water in the Vessels was turned into Wine which maketh glad the heart of Man and comforteth the Living Psal 104.15 Eccles 10.19 such did Israel of old Drink in the Land of Promise Deut. 32.14 here was the first and beginning of Miracles that Jesus wrought shewing forth his Glory it was here also he Healed the Rulers Son which was ready to Die his second Miracle wrought in Galilee John 4.50 54. here also was his first appearance to his Disciples after he was risen from the Grave Matt. 28.7.10.16 17. here also was his first appearance and working of Wonders in me and to me which when I saw I believed as his Disciples and the Galileans did John 2.11 and 4.45 then he whipped out the Buyers and Sellers out of the Temple and overthrew the Tables of the Money-changers then I knew the Tabernacle of the Lord was with Men and that he was come to Teach his People Himself and great was the Peace of His Children as Isaiah said chap. 54.13 then did I witness the Covenant changed the Law changed the Priesthood changed the Offerings Oblations Sacrifices and Ordinances changed the Service and the Worship changed and all the Shadows Types and Figures abolished which was but a Shadow of good Things to come Hebr. 10.1 and the Tabernacle and Sanctuary changed Heb. 10.20 and the Vail removed and the New and Living Way to be Revealed which he hath prepared for us through the Vail that is to say his Flesh for even to this Day while Moses and the Old-Testament and the Law is read the same Vail remains over and untaken away 2
Tabernacle of clay is undemolished for he alone is worthy of all Glory and Thanksgiving from me for evermore For he brings to nought the understanding of the Prudent and turns the wisdom of the Wise men backward and confounds the Wisest Ahithophels so that their vain hope perisheth and their Expectation is cut off Now all this he hath wickedly done against me and that for no just cause as in the sight of the Lord nor no cause pretended save some small Tythes as Hens Easter-Reckonings c. which was no doubt very inconsiderate in comparison of what he hath done for I have been much perswaded that when he begun with me he could no way reckon Five shillings for his Collectors took in kind that which was most material as Corn and Hay as I have before related and for Wooll and Lamb I had none and for other Goods I had but a few it may be a Cow or two but seldom if ever three which things could amount to no great value suppose it were for two or three years an account whereof I have often required of him I have also written to him for an account also my Relations have desired an account of him but to this day none could I have from him also I have written to him that we might fairly and soberly Discourse of the Title of Tythes profering if I were convinced that they were Lawfull to pay them without all that to do and withall warned him â—o cease from his wicked proceedings being perswâ—ded they should not go unpunished by the Lord a true Transcription whereof hereafter follows as they were sent him in several Papers at several times which I have inserted for the Readers better satisfaction LEwis I am informed there is a design in thy Heart to deprive me of mine inheritance left me by my Father Is this the fruit of thy Ministry and in this dost thou do as thou wouldst be don unto Hath Satan filled thine heart and rooted Covetousness so deep in thee Take heed to thy ways search and see what spirit thou art of and what spirit it is that suggesteth this in thee enter into consideration with thy self and commune with thy own heart whether thou wouldst be done unto so yea or nay or whether it be thy place to covet thy Neighbours Goods or Inheritance methinks thou shouldst not be ignorant what became of that Woman Jesabel for coveting Naboth's Vinyard and what the reward of Covetuousness is the Scriptures are full observe the words of the Wise Man that said lay not in wait O wicked Man against the dwelling of the Righteous spoil not his resting place enter not into the Fields of the Fatherless c. and whatsoever is written is written for our Learning thou hast often repeated that Command that saith Covet not thy Neighbours Goods nor any thing that is thy Neighbours and is thy heart now going after thy Covetousness Weigh these things with thy practise Why shouldst thou destroy thy own Soul thou that holdest Scripture for thy Rule will it justifie thee in this thing Or where hast thou any such Rule in it amongst all the Conversations of the Saints And do not think but thou must be brought before the Tribunal of God there to give an account of all thy deeds done in thy Body and there thy person will have no more respect then mine though now it may all thy Pomp thy Dignity and Riches will stand thee in no stead neither justifie thee in his sight who hath said The wicked shall not go unpunished thou hast deprived me of my just Liberty already and if that cannot content or satisfie thee surely no more will mine Estate for the more thou obeyest that envious and covetous spirit the more it will draw thee on untill thy Soul be shut up in the Grave out of which there is no redemption So I desire thee have respect to thy Souls everlasting health for these and such like as thou art often found in are not the fruits of a Gospel Minister for Christ and his Apostles never taught any such Doctrine and truly whilst thou art of this spirit and conversation thy Ministry will not profit to wards God nor thou canst never turn many unto Righteousness its true thou mayst make some Proselytes but I think few Converts it appears thou came not to seek nor gather us but ours so that thy end is thy own and therefore accursed so unless thou repent thou shalt certainly bear the indignation of the Almighty for little or nothing hast thou Ministred unto me either in Doctrine or Practice but that which savours of Death and such Ministration deserves no maintenance So I desire thee as one that respects thy Souls everlasting welfare and in love thereunto I send this unto thee and not in any respect to my own interest as the Lord whom I serve knoweth in whose presence I am but that thou mayst cease to bring so deep guilt and weight upon thy Soul but rather repent of thy wicked purposes and seek unto the Lord if peradventure the thoughts of thine heart may be forgiven thee for according to outward appearance one would think thine Estate were sufficient to satisfie thee that thou shouldest not reap where thou sowedst not and covet my penny that hast so many pounds remember the Parable of Nathan to David But thou may object and say there is a reason thou hast a proper right and due unto it To this I answer as I have formerly done if thou or any of thy Function will appoint the time and place where I or some other of my Companions in bonds may meet with you and according to Scripture sound Doctrine and the Spirit of Truth convince me or us that such things is just and due and properly belong to your Ministration or that Christ and his Apostles did ordain constitute or allow any such Ministry or Maintenance after he had offered himself a perfect Sacrifice having thereby abolished all Types and the Law that made nothing perfect I say if thou or any of you can or will convince me or us of the lawfulness of paying Tythes we should neither suffer Imprisonment loss of Estate or Goods nor the Execution of any Law to pass upon us for denyal of Tythes but rather pay them as conscientiously as any one whatsoever And this were but the place and duty of your Function and indeed if it were not matter of conscience to me I could not have suffered such detriment loss and imprisonment in the patience and content as I have done by thee and I am yet resolved to suffer more before I offend Gods Witness in my Conscience And further I demand of thee what the sum or value is that thou claimest of me being reckoned up together for I have been deprived of my just Liberty a full year and upwards which is a penalty beyond my offence or any pretence of offence that thou hast shewed me So that I think thou needed not
same God to day and can save so take heed betime least the judgments of God fall heavy upon thee and labour not to incur the wrath and displeasure of the Almighty upon thy Soul for thy deceit violence spoyling and persecuting is and will be a token of perdition when my innocent suffering is and will be a token of Salvation and that in Christ Jesus So be warned I advise thee once more and repent and amend speedily lest the plagues and arrows of the Almighty fall heavy upon thee for this I am bold to tell thee in the Name of the Lord that the Lords wrath is kindled against such which will not cease nor quench till the workers of Iniquity be cut off that have added affliction to the afflicted and usurpingly exercised lordship over the Heritage of God for your treachery deceit and folly hath and is appearing to all Men and Gods controversie against you is begun for your end is destruction whose God is your gain and your belly whose mind is on earthly things yea the Stone of your Wall and the Beam of your Timber the very materials of Babel's Building shall cry out against the Builders and the Stone you have rejected is become Head viz. Christ Jesus the Light and if thy patience can read it and apply it so do if not how willt thou bear and answer the Lord when these things fall upon thee Carlile the 13th of the 3d Month 1665. From a Sufferer for Truth and Righteousness Tho. Carleton These Queries following I propounded to him occasioned by some Discourse between us about their Sacrament and Conformity which he seemed to charge upon me as the sole cause of my imprisonment having the like confounded Architectors of Babel either lost the original cause else finding the weakness and inconsideratness of it was ashamed and so let it fall For I said to him that I never thought Nonconformity to their Church and Sacrament had been the cause but rather Tythes as my Mittimus signified he answered no no it was it and nothing but it meaning Nonconformity L. West PErceiving thou blamest me for want of Conformity to the Church Ordinances and Sacraments as if that were the sole cause of my imprisonment and thou pretending to be a Minister in the Church and to the Church give me a full and positive answer to these following Queries according to Scripture sound Doctrine and the spirit of Truth that so my judgment may be rightly informed and if I have been erroneous and schismatical I am willing to reform when I am thereof convinced 1. What is the qualification of a Minister of Christ what is his Gifts and Endowments and how and from whom are they obtained 2. How is a Minister of Christ to be called sent what is their Ordination or whether thy Call Ordination or Ministry be from him to whom wast thou sent and to what end or whether there be not some that run unsent and never profit the People according to Jer. 23.32 3. What dost thou Minister from in thy self or what dost thou Minister to in the People or wherein doth thy gift and ministration conâ—â—â—t 4. What is the Gifts and Parts of a Minister of Christ what is the gifts and parts of a Minister of Antichrist or how do they differ one from another 5. Whether is a Minister to be Servant to and in the Church or to exercise lordship over the Church and Heritage c. as the manner of the Gentiles is 6. Whether is covetousness pride wrath malice envy swearing lying drunkenness fornication oppression robbery theft idle and corrupt communication and such like of the Spirit of Christ or Antichrist 7. Whether they that do such things do believe in God and have Faith in Jesus Christ or can be either a Minister or Member in his Church and Body having not obtained Remission Redemption and Salvation from those things 8. What is the Church of Christ or how many Churches is there whereof doth it consit whereon doth it stand where and by whom is the Foundation thereof laid and how is it preserved Holy and without Spot or whether is it subject to corruption and change yea or nay 9. What are the Ordinances of the Church what are the Precepts Rules and Canons therein to be observed and to whom doth the Rule and Government thereof belong 10. Whether doth these Ordinances of the Church belong unto all Men or whether is all Men under the Rule and Government thereof or what is the qualification of those that have a right therein and the priviledge of those that are Governed thereby 11. How many Ordinances are in the Church when and by whom are they instituted to what end and for what time 12. What is Baptism who is the Baptiser with what and to what are Men Babtized 13. How many Baptisms are there and how do they differ one from another 14. How are they Baptized that are Baptized into the death of Christ and are Buried with him in Baptism or how is the Baptizing with Fire and the Holy Ghost 15. Whether doth dipping and sprinkling in water England's present Church Form in Baptism make one a Member of Christ or whether is any unclean thing a Member of Christ yea or nay 16. Whether they that were Baptized and ingrafted as a Member in the Church if they perform what was therein promised viz forsake the Devil and all his works the pomps and vanities of this wicked World and all the sinful Lusts of the flesh and believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith and keep Gods holy Will and Commandments and walk in the same whether they must not be excomunicated and cast out of your Church and into Prison and suffer loss both in body and estate yea or nay according to John 16.2 17. What was those Ordinances and Traditions that Paul forbad the Collossians to touch taste or handle which though commanded by Men was to perish with using which Ordinances Christ blotted out and nailed to his Cross as being against such as he had quickned and raised by his Spirit 18. What was those Meats and Drinks those Holy-dayes New-moons and Sabboth-dayes which was but shadows of good things to come or is not the Churches yet under those Ordinances Traditions and Shadows and knows not the Light of the glorious Gospel revealed which Christ commanded to believe in 19. What was the Philosophy Traditions and Rudiments of the World which had like to have spoiled some and which those that were dead with Christ were not to be subject to but if Pope and Turk should have power to set up their Traditions Rudiments would you not be subject and Preach them up for Doctrine 20. What is the Sacrament of the Lords Supper which thou would have me receive how is it distributed and received or what is the qualifications of the worthy Receivers and if I Eat and Drink the thing signified viz. the Body and Blood Spiritually and so difist from
the State of the Church as it did descend from the Primitive times downwards to this Day I shall be more sparing in things thereunto pertaining and for the further satisfaction therein and how Rome and other Churches fell from their Primitive purity and how they brought in Tythes and the Relicks of Judaism again and every external extant Ordinance or Tradition now allowed and established throughout all Europe I refer the Reader to A. Pearson's Book called The great Case of Tything and also to Francis Howgil's Books the one called The Glory of the True Church Discovered in its Purity where he proves Tythes no Gospel Ordinance the other called The Great Case of Tything once more Revived c. where the State of the Church in the Primitive times and downward from year to year and the bringing in of all the Romish Stuff and Superstitious Trash is sufficiently treated of and may be satisfactory to any sober Reader that desires to be instructed Now it appears clear that that Law by which Tythes was payable and due under the First Covenant was only Established among the Jews as I said before and that in the Land of Canaan being a peculiar People to whom he gave his Laws and his Statutes for ever as it s said Psal 147.19 and it s believed we are not of the Jews Genealogy neither of the Offspring of any of the Tribes of Israel according to the Flesh and therefore if Tythes were yet an Ordinance in force as to the contrary is sufficiently proved ought not to be paid by us by vertue of that Law and Covenant we being of the Gentiles Stock by Nature is authentical and so hath nothing to do with the Ordinances of Israel according to the Flesh who was the natural Branches unto whom pertained the Law and the Covenant and the Oracles of God and they fell through unbelief and by their fall we came to be ingrafted and we stand by Faith which is the Gift of God a Mystery held in a pure Conscience and not by the Observation of the Ordinances of the Jews and the First Covenant So let the blind Priests and Doctors lay their hands upon their mouths and be ashamed of their gross absurdity and stupid Sences being mudled and jumbled in obscurity with their many Arts and Sciences multiplicity of Tongues and divided Languages one pleading one thing and another pleading another until they become like Froth upon the Waters which while not touched appears material and substantial but if once handled wasteth and vanisheth away so doth their windy deformed Doctrine and typical Tenents who hath long Preached and talked of a Covenant of Grace which is still a Mystery or as a Book Sealed to them while they are studdying and musing in their Greek and Latin Libraries not at all perceiving the Vail or the Wall of Partition that stands between them and the Covenant of Grace unbroken down and removed One other Objection is in my mind which is this speaking of Melchisedeck who received the Tenth of the Spoils from Abraham it s said Levi who received Tythes payed Tythes in Abraham and further he saith Here men that die receive Tythes but there he received them of whom it is Witnessed that he liveth now what objection can be made from these words Here Men that die receive Tythes but there c the words hath Relation to two times or places or as here or there as here in this time and there in that time for the Law being 430 Years after Abraham or after the Promise was made to Abraham Galat. 3.17 must needs be nearer to the Apostle or to the days of the Apostle then the day that Abraham gave the Tenth of the spoyl to Melchisedeck by so many years so that he might well say here when he spoke of the Sons of Levi and there when he spoke of Melchisedeck but if any say it hath Relation to the very Age and Day when the Apostle spoke it which is disputable yet I may say now as he said then Here Men that die receive Tythes yea such as are dead while they live and not only receive Tythes but persecute imprison and in a manner rob for Tythes such as doth not give contrary to Law or Custome but I allow not such I may say here Ministers in England Swear Lye Covet Oppress and Persecute exceedingly for Tythes and yet pretend to be Gospel Ministers but I say again I allow not such neither believe they are Gospel Ministers so this makes little in my judgment for Tythes under the Gospel Then again There he received Tythes viz. Melchisedeck of whom it is witnessed that he liveth and Christ is said to be a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedeck Now if any infer from hence that Tythes or First-fruits belongs to Christ as being or coming in Melchisedeck's Order I say rather it hath reference to his immutability and unchangeableness then taking of Tythes for it s said He was without descent without beginning or end of dayes and if it related to Tythes first I say to that it was but the Tenths of the Spoyls and not of all his Estate and Increase clean and unclean as they are now claimed And secondly I hope you 'l grant Christ a Spiritual Priest and therefore if any will give it must be the First-fruits and Tenths of things Spiritual and not Carnal else there is no agreement nor coherence For Sacrifice and Offerings he would not for he being Spiritual accepts nothing but what is Spiritual and proceeds from the measure of his own Spirit and Truth in every one and herein let as many offer and give unto the Lord as will and as much and as often as they will I allow of it if it be a Spiritual Offering indeed Thus much in Defence of my Innocent Sufferings being thus far convinced in my Judgment and perswaded in my Heart and Conscience I dare not allow nor yield to any thing so noxious to my Conscience and contrary to the Gospel Dispensation and the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus being as is before proved in the first place Figurative imposed for the time then present until the time of Reformation Secondly being only an Ordinance among the Jews and such as were under the Law and not to the Gentiles nor such as are under the Gospel Thirdly being claimed as Spiritual by Divine Institution when as the extent and scope of the Institution is finished and ended and is therefore now no more Spiritual then the rest of the nine parts And lastly being generally Dedicated Payed and Received for the use and maintenance of an Antichristian dark Man-made Ministry who only seeks ours and not us for which the Wisest and Learnedst of them can neither produce Precept nor President from Christ or any other his Apostles Ministers and Servants in the Primâ—tive purity of the Church being an old Ordinance of Moses renovated in the Romish Apostacy and Traditionally dispersed by Papistical
that Despise the Light accounting it as a thing of nought calling it Natural or Diabolical or an unholy thing esteeming it too mean a Meat for your stuffed up Stomachs and cannot yet be digested by you what better Testimony would you have Would you have one arise from the Dead here 's John a Man sent from God and here 's Christ Jesus which rose from the Dead which Death could not bold also we have the Testimony of the Spirit of Truth and having received this Testimony we have the Witness in our selves and can set to our Seals that God is True John 3.35 and that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ Jesus the Light which is the Life and Blood of the Everlasting Covenant though many set it at nought and will not stoop to so small a thing yet all the Powers of Darkness cannot comprehend it it will break thorow them all to your condemnation that are disobedient and for proof thereof I appeal to every of your Consciences in the sight of God and let the Light therein which abideth in you which is Truth and no Lye John 2.27 let it declare for me whether any of you can hide you from it If you take the Wings of the Morning as David said and fly into the uttermost parts of the Earth it will find you out do what you will it will declare the nature of your deeds when you do evil at home or abroad never so secretly when no man sees it will condemn you and when you do well it will justifie and you will feel peace and joy in that Work it will tell you all that ever you did as the Woman of Samaria said Is not this the Christ come and see then they came and saw and believed also not because of her words but by what they heard from him themselves saying they knew indeed that this is the very Christ John 4.42 So be intreated as a Man would intreat his Friend whom he loveth to come with the Samaritans and see wether it be not so as we have said she was but one and that a Woman yet they came forth with her to see if it was he and it was he and they believed but we are many Witnesses and Testifie what we have heard and seen and handled of him So once more I say be intreated to come and see not to come forth after us and follow us as he said Luke 17.21 23. but to turn in your minds I mean to the Light of Christ Jesus in your own Hearts for the Kingdom of Heaven is within you and there hearken to him that is the Light of the World mark the World is set in Mans Heart Eccles 3.11 and when you have heard and obeyed for that is believing indeed I question not but you will be ready to say with the Samaritans That ye know that he is indeed the very Christ So put not off by delays but while the Lord calls do you answer and while he seeks be you gathered Prov. 1.24.26 yea while the Light and Love of God is with you believe in it receive it and walk in it for Darkness comes when no Man shall walk or work John 22 35 36. And the Light of the wicked shall be put out and the spark of his fire shall be quenched Job 18.5 6. Then shall his Wrath and Fury increase which will torment the Conscience for ever where they shall feel the Worm that dies not and the Fire that never goes out then Sorrow Mourning and bitter Lamentation shall fall upon them then may they cry to the Mountains fall on us and to the Hills to cover us even they I mean that slighteth their day of Visitation and hate to be reformed For behold the Days come that shall burn as an Oven wherein all the proud and all that do wickedly shall be as stubble the Day that cometh shall burn them up and shall leave them neither Root nor Branch but to them that fear my Name saith the Lord shall the Son of Righteousness arise with healing in his Wings and they shall go forth and grow as Calves in the stall and they shall tread down the Wicked yea the Wicked shall be as Ashes under the soles of their feet in that Day when I shall do this saith the Lord he that can believe it let him This is my Testimony given forth in the same Love wherewith the Lord my God hath loved me not desiring to Eat my Morsel alone nor yet to conceal the loving kindness of the Lord which is held forth freely unto all of which I am made a partaker according to the measure of that Grace and Love received in Christ Jesus who would not that any should perish but that all Men might come to the knowledge of the Truth and be saved who was the First-fruits of Righteousness leaving us an Example to follow his steps So desiring that all might come to partake of the same Grace with us and walk in the same Light with us where there is no occasion of Stumbling and come to drink of the same Living Water with us which whosoever drinketh thereof shall never thirst again but is satisfied for ever this none knows save they that drink thereof and they are but a few Having for the Reasons aforesaid committed this to publick view it s now other Mens as well as mine to judge of and no doubt may be by some opposed as well as by others approved I therefore desire the discreet Reader having soberly and piously pondred this short Treatise in the fear of the Lord not rashly to asperse either me or it behind my back thereby to make my Principle or Testimony odious in the Eyes of such as are weak and unstable in Judgment but rather having any thing to object against the Truth of any particular herein to make known their Objections to me either by word or writing and I shall be very willing to be Christianly informed or else to give a Christian information and sober Reply for their satisfaction and for the clearing and vindicating of every particular herein according to that Talent of knowledge that is given me to improve and this I hope will be easily granted by such as is willing to do unto me as they would have me or others to do unto them which is according to both Law and Prophets Given forth about the 6th Month 1667. Tho. Carleton THE END To the CALLED OF GOD And true Professors of the LIGHT SPIRIT of Jesus Christ in these Northern Nations To the Called of GOD c. OH my well-beloved Friends Brethren and Sisters in that Spiritual Heavenly Relation that stands in the power of an endless Life do I tenderly Greet you all and in the sensible Feeling thereof do I at this time with much tenderness and fear communicate these following Exhortations unto you Upon the Second day of the Tenth Month at Even after I was returned from waiting upon and serving
the Lord amongst the assembly of his People as my body I lay down upon my Bed expecting to take its natural rest my Soul also was inclined to take its sweet repose in God and in my contemplation the care of the Churches and the concerns of the Flock of God came weightily upon me so that my natural Sleep was wiped away from mine Eyes and in my Meditation with my God these things following rose fresh in me and the delivering of them to you came greatly upon me so that I felt a real necessity upon my Soul to arise and write And a cry run through me and the Mourning of my Spirit and the Lamentation of my Soul was very great for the division of Reuben oh for the division of Reuben there was great searchings of Heart oh many a Sigh oh many a Groan oh many a Lamentation is made by many a tender Heart and many a broken Spirit for the division of Reuben which at this Day were great and many so that it came upon me in the Dread and Fear of the Eternal God to Warn all the Churches all the Called of God all the Professors of his Name High and Low Rich and Poor Man and Woman to beware of Divsion even the Division of Reuben the First-born therefore take heed take heed all you that were First-born or First begotten to God who were as the First-fruits of the Spirit in this last Age and Dispensation Oh let all be Advised I humbly intreat you and in the Counsel of God do I hereby Warn you all to beware and avoid Division for that House that is Devided in it self and against it self cannot stand oh let me advise and warn you in the tenderness and brokenness of my mourning Soul as Joseph did his Brethren of old see that you fall not out by the way oh feel feel the melting compassionate Spirit of Joseph whose Bowels broke towards his Brethren and he wept upon their Neck oh that innocent Spirit of Joseph he sought no Revenge when they were fallen into his Hand and there sheaves came bowing to his sheave and the eleven stars did obeisance unto him he was not lifted up nor exalted with Pride though Lord of all Egypt as he said but was full of Compassion and wept over them when they were smitten and terrified with Guilt only innocent Benjamin wept upon his Neck Oh see his care to his Brethren fall not out by the way And as our faithful Father Abraham said to his Nephew Lot let there be no strife between us for we are Brethren and the Canaanite and the Perizite they dwell in the Land they will see it and behold it and this will agravate the Sin and the Lord will greatly be dishonoured by it Oh see the Care and Peaceable Spirit of faithful Abraham how he sought to preserve Peace and Love and even as it were submitted to his Nephew Lot the whole Land is before thee take thy choice and let not us strive for we are Brethren so here was no superiority nor exalted Spirit in Abraham but he works by Love Oh my dear Friends be you all warned and take heed of Division for we are now upon our Travel and upon our Return out of Egypt as Joseph's Brethren were and the Lord hath given us Favour in the sight of Pharoah's Princes and hath given a large supply to the Souls of us and our families who was sorely afflicted with Famine yet in all this there is no cause of Division let no ones Heart be exalted or lifted up because of Gods Love to them We are now Returning to the premised Land the Land of Rest and Peace Therefore let us return in Peace and dwell in Love together for Love is of God and he that dwells in Love dwells in God and this Love thinks no Evil it s no maintainer of Strife nor no begetter of Division And take the Advice of the Apostle mark them that cause Division and avoid them and from whence comes War and Strife and from whence comes all Division do they not rise from fleshly self-seeking Lusts that War against the Soul And is not the accuser of the Brethren concerned would not he accuse us one to another and set us at variance one with another and provoke to sell and betray one another into the hands of the Medianites to be Bondslaves in Egypt again And what is the matter the accuser works upon is it some party coloured Coat the Father is pleased to bestow upon one more then another or upon some dream of Exaltation or being Prefered one above another or is it about some Trifle Jangling or questions of Words thus the Enemy laboured of old and wrought Division and thus he would Work now if he be not watched against Oh therefore all take heed and labour to keep near the Lord every Man for himself and every Woman for her self labour to keep out that Spirit that would provoke to strife and to contention oh let it enter into none nor being entered keep possession in any for where Strife is there is Confusion and every Evil work so if any thing would arise at any time that tends to Strief or would rend and make Division in the Bowels of the love of God I desire all to watch against it shut it out crush that Cockatrice timely kindle no such fire nor blow up that Flame with words but in the meek spirit of Jesus quench it and rather give place to wrath for a soft mild answer turns it away always remembring the words of the Apostle Why do you not rather suffer wrong and suffer your selves to be defrauded and set them to judge that are least in the Church that a speedy end may be put to it And as Christ himself said he that would be Chief let him become Servant and as I have washed your Feet even so wash you one anothers Feet Here was a blessed Example of Humility laid down and the lording of the Gentiles reproved And truly Friends they that stand single in the light and counsel of God whose Eye is impartial may clearly See and distinguish in all matters of Debate and Controversie what spirit Rules for if the Lambs spirit be there there is Innocency there is Tenderness there is Humility there is broken Heartedness that spirit that is from above is Gentle Meek and Lowly easie to be entreated it is not stubborn proud nor self willed it hates not Reproof as Fools but it loves the Reprover as a wise Man so they that are of this spirit they are of Abraham's Seed and of Abraham's Faith let there be no strife between us for we are Brethren they will readily comply and follow after Peace knowing that the Lords Honour and the Honour of his Truth is concerned so let the fruits of the Lambs spirit appear in all let the Lambs nature come up and rule in all that the Lamb and his followers may have the Victory so shut out all Pride all
World and all that nature that in it we may live and by it all may be preserved unto the end That so the Lord God Almighty his Living Holy Name and Eternal Truth may be Feared Served Honoured and Obeyed over all by and through all for He alone is worthy yea Everlasting worthy God blessed for ever and evermore Saith the Soul and Spirit of him who is the Lords and yours in the Unity of the Gospel of Christ Jesus T. C. A General EPISTLE CONTAINING Wholsom Admonition and Advice to Friends in IRELAND and else-where By Thomas Carleton DEar and well beloved Friends Brethren and Sisters who are in some Measure gathered by the Arm of God's Power and have known the blessed Appearance of Life and Salvation to you is the Salutation of my unfeigned Love and in the Fellowship of God's Everlasting Light do I tenderly greet you all and for the clearing of my Spirit of that which for some time hath been upon me do I communicate these Lines in the true Simplicity of my Heart dearly desiring all that love the Lord Jesus Christ To keep low and near the Lord and wait to feel God's living Power in your Hearts unto which we were turned or exhorted from the Beginning for in the Light of the Lord I see there is a Necessity for it For unless the Sense of God's living Power be felt Profession is vain and Meetings are not made profitable for the Mysteries of Life and Salvation and of true Christianity consist not only in any Profession Name or Notion of this or that Principle Article or Creed formed or received in the Minds of Men or Women but in a living Enjoyment and Possession of the Power and Spirit of Christ Jesus the Author and Finisher of the living saving Faith So my dear Friends all wait to feel the Operation of that Power in every Heart and Soul to subdue all to God and to work all into submission and real obedience to the heavenly Will and Mind of Christ Jesus who is come a Light into the World that all men through him might believe hear is the unchangeable standing Rule which every one is to measure themselves by and he or she that is measured or squared by this are as polished Stones for God's spiritual House and he or she that is not squared by this are not fit to be Members of God's Building so all having the Measuring line in your hearts let Judgment be laid to it and so try all things words works behaviours and the Intent of all and from what ground and spirit it doth proceed and this unchangeable everlasting Rule all keep to it and Build by it so shall you be justified with it in the Day of Tryal so all things done by this unchangeable unerring Rule the Law of the Spirit of Life this keeps clean and pure and sets free of all Mud and Confusion Sin and Iniquity and things that bring death and darkness over the Soul and understanding and so cloud the Testimony So let every man and woman by this standing Rule examine themselves and so let them eat speak or act as the Lord shall perswade them and wherein any one doubteth and is not clear in what he or she undertaketh let such forbare and wait in quietness till the Lord clear their way So all take heed and keep to the Rule for in the Lord's Light we see Light and have Clearness and Freedom and Peace but going from the Light without Rule without Guide the Vail comes over Darkness gathers in Confusion and Trouble then Peace comes to be lost So you that have known in any measure the work of Regeneration and of the New Birth through the working of God's Spirit and power in your Hearts by which some unclean spirits have been cast out keep to the Power still and beware of letting in the unclean spirit again for if you do the latter-end will be worse then the beginning And lean not to the World's Wisdom beware of that spirit I advise all for by that wisdom God is not known and if once the Sense and enjoyment of God be lost then man and woman is in a woful state without God in the World so keep out of the world's spirit I intreat you all and live as Fools to it and all its wayes fashions customs for in the light of the Lord I see a great Snare there at this day and too many that make Profession of Truth are like to be split upon that Rock So dear Friends live loose to the world and all the glories of it and seek to be wise in that which is not of this world that you may be loved of God and so dwell in that which can bear the revilings and reproaches of this world and the contradiction of sinners as our Lord Jesus Christ hath left us an Example So beware of looking back to Egypt's Glory again to see any heauty or comliness in that dark Land for from the Lord I see a Temptation attending God's spiritual Israel in this day as surely as ever it attended Israel after the Flesh and many are too prone to desire the pleasures of Egypt again though the best of them be bondage as many to their Sorrow have found yea too many there be that cannot bear tryals and reproaches and the way of the Cross and self-denyal but think it long and wearisom and hard as they did in the dayes of old and so are too ready to murmur and repine and lust in their hearts after this World 's glory again and joyn to its fashions and customs again and so set up Idols again as they did whose Carcases fell in tho wilderness with whom the Lord was displeased So beware of letting in that spirit of destrust unbelief and rebellion against God and his pure Witness in your Consciences and beware of building that which was once destroyed or licking up that which was once vomited or entertaining of that which was once cast out or owning that which was once denyed either in words in works in behaviour in apparel in doctrine or faith hath Truth in you condemned for all idle vain prophane wicked unfound and unfavoury words and brought you into a Form of needful true and sound words keep to it still hath Truth condemned all idle proud prophane wicked and ungodly Actions and all empty airy foolish wanton lustful proud self-willed and Men-pleasing behaviours and brought you into moderation gravity plainness reallity and Truth in Life and Conversation keep to it still hath Truth condemned for decking and adorning the Body with vain superfluous proud needless worldly eye-taking Toyes in Apparel and led you into plain profitable decent needful things keep to it still and fashion not your selves like unto the World nor learn any of their manners nor of the breeding of that Egyptian-Spirit which keeps the Seed in bondage and oppressed the just in the particular and in the general so from the Lord I advise you all and
warn you all that are Parents to watch over your Children and bring them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord and beware you breed them not up in the World's manners nor customs nor in pride lightness and vanity nor in things that puff up and lead away their minds from under the Cross of Christ Jesus but rather breed them up in Humility Lowliness and Self-denial and in the Fear of the Lord which is the beginning of true Wisdom and gate of Virtue and so endeavour to train them up in the right Way to Life and lay a good Foundation in them while they are young and then both you and they may expect a blessing from the Lord which is better then all So away with all Manners and Breeding and Education that is out of the Fear of God for you your selves know the first Nature in it self is too inclinable to be taken with the Manners and Customs of the Egyptian-Spirit and to take pleasure and conceit it self and be puffed up with and in those things that lead from God without nursing and encouraging thereunto so keep all Low in Meekness and Self-denial that God's Fear may be timely planted in their Hearts and the Principles of Life and Peace they may be instructed in as you your selves have learned them of the Lord that so the loving-kindness and gentle dealings of God towards us we may tell of them to our Children and they to another Generation so all learning the way of the Cross and Self-denyal that Will that is carnal and earthly will be mortified and slain and the Spirit of the World and the Customs thereof will be Crucified to you all and you all unto it and then how can they that are Crucified to the World live any longer therein and so Spiritual Men and Spiritual Women Sons and Daughters of the incorruptible Seed begotten again by the Power and Spirit of Christ Jesus and so dead to the World's Spirit Ways Customs Manners Traditions Ordinances and Worships all in the Fall and Degeneration from God and every one Living up to this being guided by God's Wisdom keep their Testimony clear and unviolated in the sight of God and Men. So stand true Witnesses for God and be Faithful or full of Faith in the Lord believe in Him love Him above all and trust Him with all Wife and Children Estate and Life and take heed of giving Offence or of causing Truth to suffer in its Esteem for God hath glorified it and will glorifie it and Wo from the Lord is to them that cause Truth to be Evil spoken off that brings a blot upon their Testimony and so marreth the Visage and Countenance of Truth in the particular or in the general And dear Friends stand living Witnesser for God's Truth and be not cowardly but valiant as Soldiers of Christ Jesus and stand up against all the Works and Workers of Iniquity against all Hirelings and false Shepherds against the grand Oppression of Tythes with the abolished Ceremonies and Ordinances of the first Covenant and Jews outwardly which Antichrist and the Deceivers that are gone into the World having lost the Power would innovate and set up again among the Gentiles and Jews inward contrary to the Institution of God and stand up against all Swearing and that which leads to Swearing and against Lying or Stealing and against Fighting or Killing since our Kingdom is not of this World and against Fornication Adultery Whoredom Lasciviousness Luxury and all manner of Uncleanness the sins of this World which are so vile they are scarce fit to be spoken of or named amongst the Saints so as becomes Warriours for God and the everlasting Gospel of Christ Jesus stand clear of them all and against them all and then there will be no need of shifts and excuses and crooked Reasons in the fallen wisdom to hide or cover any one with And my dear Friends let your Yea be Yea and your Nay be Nay and keep to the form of sound words in all your Communications Bargains and Dealings one with another and also with them that are without that so you may honour the Lord and honour his Truth and convince all with whom you have to do that Truth and Righteousness lives in you and you live in it this is the glory of all Profession And be not forward and rash in Words and Promises for some there are yea too many that make Profession of Truth and true Religion and yet know not a bridle for the Tongue and the Apostle said such Mens Religion was vain yea and too many there are that are hasty to promise and flow to perform and then shuffle to excuse themselves as Eve did where no Excuse can properly bear in the Truth so beware of it I desire you all for this was one express Token the Apostle laid down of the falling away therefore be slow to promise but careful quick and forward to perform when promised and that keeps Truth clear and answers the Expectations of all and Preaches to all with whom we have to do and hereby the Saints reached God's Witness in one another in the beginning so keep to it still and every one speak the Truth from his Heart without Dissimulation and learn not the slighty words and cunning evasions of the deceitful Spirits of this World which darken knowledge thereby to drive Bargains to accomplish self-ends and covetous designs for such things though never so fairly glossed are inconsistent with the innocency and naked simplicity of our Gospel neither is Truth honoured by such deceitful coverings so all Friends keep clear of such things and be plain-hearted with all Men for no coverings will hide or avail in this bright lightsome Day but that of God's Eternal Spirit which will stand over all and Darkness cannot comprehend it but going from the Light and Spirit of God into the fallen deceitful wisdom then the World comprehends and sounds and bottoms all such and so Truth suffers in the particular and in the general so the Law of the Spirit of Life which we profess is beyond all Laws and a Rule beyond all Rules and reaches further to the ordering and guiding of all those that are resolved and given up to it in Obedience then all Laws Precepts Canons or Injuctions that are outward whatsoever so the Righteosness that is God's which Christ Jesus is the Author of is beyond all and exceeds all the Righteousness of other Professions Scribes or Pharisees whereby its plain every Righteosness doth not enter nor is accepted of God but only that which exceeds the Scribes and Pharisees which Christ works in all his by the Operation of his eternal Spirit So my dear Friends wait to feel it and the effectual Works of it brought forth in you all which to feel is more then words that your Faith may stand in it and in a living Enjoyment of it for that Man or Woman that doth not feel it and the efficacy and vertue of