of knowledge and there thou art till thou art become a Fool and dead to that reason thou shalt never eat of the tree of Life and therefore Flesh be silent and thou sayst thou dost not allow that reason that gets only a conclusion or an argument instead of Christ and after thou sayst the day is yet to dawn and the day Star to arise and thou cryes violently for it and here what hast thou more for an assurance of thy salvation then an argument and a conclusion instead of Christ for thou confesses the day is not dawned and then thou are yet in the night and in darkness for the day dawns and the day star arises before Christ be witnessed but thou knows no such thing as either Christ or the dawning if thou had not others testimony and that is without and thou art one Christ spoke of Since Iohn the Kingdom suffers violence and many thrust into it and thou art striving and are violent but I say thou shalt not be able till thou layst down thy contending in thy carnal wisdom and striving and resisting but thou must become a Fool and sit at Jesus feet but thou art full and rich and whole and need no Physitian and therefore thou must be sent empty away and when the Book of Conscience shall be opened thou shalt be judged for what thou hast done against the Innocent Now something in Answer to the Fourth Particular which thou sayest is a Tenent held forth by the Northern people which is A denying of the Ascension and Beeing of the Body of Christ. Answ. O thou Enemy of Righteousness when wilt thou cease to pervert the right Way of God who uttereth thy Lyes and Slanders against the Innocent God shall judge thee and between thee us whether thou hast not uttered Lyes and false Accusations in the Name of the Lord and put forth in Writing unto the World for truth that which is absolutely contrary unto the Truth God will reward thee thou full of subtilty according to thy deeds who takes part with the Dragon against the Lamb goes about by thy lying Slanders to render the Way of Truth which thou canst not comprehend in thy serpents wisdom odious unto all men but God taketh our part against thee and will dash thy Lyes and Slanders and thy Impudent Forehead in pieces even by that Power which makes the Earth to quake tremble which is become a reproach unto this Generation many who have heard us since we came to this City though our Enemies shall witness against thee and for us in this particular for we have oft witnessed forth and I do here again witness forth in the sight of God and men that Christ Jesus is risen and ascended far above all Principalities and Powers and the same which descended into the lower parts of the Earth is also ascended and raigns over all subjecting all unto himself that he may be Lord over all and in all and may be glorified by all and Members of his Body we are who thou enviously raylst against and Witnesses of the Body we are whereof Christ Jesus is Head and because of the Resurrection of the dead Body which is ascended we are called in question and all Sects Opinions are troubled and on an uproar concerning us and I tell thee plainly we are so far from denying the Ascension and Beeing of the Body of Christ that because of being called to witness it as being Members of it we are persecuted and reviled by such as thy self whose carnal conceptions and imaginations of Truth we do deny and do testifie unto you all that through death is the Resurrection and Ascension witnessed and every one that reads the Scripture is not witnesses of the resurrection of the body of Christ and all whose witness is onely without them other mens words which had the Witness within them we deny to be true Witnesses but are found false Witnesses of the Resurrection and of the Ascension and knows not Christ nor his body but by hearsay and whereas thou bringst many Scriptures to prove his Resurrection and Ascension I answer the Scriptures we own to be a true Declaration of the Witness which was in the Apostles of the Resurrection and of the Ascension of Christ but thee we deny who are found a Lyar and a Slanderer and thy resurrection will be unto condemnation and thy ascension will prove a descending into the Bottomless-pit for ever to be tormented except thou repent and from the Life of the holy men of God thou are razed out who art found in the way of ungodliness and thou hast nothing to do to profess their words who art out of their life nor no inheritance in their words but as thou steals them adding thy own imaginations upon them and wresting them to thy own destruction being one unlearned in the Way of God and in the Doctrine of Christ. And whereas thou sayst And thus you see how these men deny the Lord that bought them if they deny the Body that was crucified for them I answer We deny not the Lord that bought us for by him can we say we have received the end of his coming and of his Death and Ascension even he hath purchased us and set us free from the Power and Kingdom of the Divel of Lyes and Slanders and false Accusations of us by whom the Man-child is brought forth and this shall stand for thy own condition who art a wandring Star and hath no habitation in the Heavens God will plead with thee thou who hast set thy self against the Lord in Slandring and reviling his servants Now to thy fift Particular That we deny the Ordinances of Christ in which thou sayest We also deny the Lord that bought us Answ. The Way unto God and unto Everlasting Life which is Christ Jesus we do not deny but are true Witnesses that same Christ alone which was crucified at Ierusalem and which God hath raised from the dead and which is ascended in him alone is Salvation and by him also alone are all justified that believe in him and this we declare freely unto all people that Christ is the Ordinance of God ordained by him for the Salvation of all that believe and for the Condemnation of all that believe not in him and that the Way unto this Christ is not any outward visible thing but even that which is manifest from him leads up unto him even the Light by which he hath enlightened every one that cometh into the World which is Spiritual as Christ is Spiritual and whereas thou sayest there is nothing that Christ commanded but we deny it mentioning only your Baptism and Breaking of Bread which is your Idol and your Image you bow unto the one Baptism which is by one Spirit into one Body into the Death of Christ we are Witnesses of and the Bread which we break is the Communion of the Body of Christ and we being many are one Bread but the beggerly
restored again to serve and worship and glorifie the living God who made Heaven and Earth and all things therein THis is chiefly to go abroad into the dark parts of the World among those called Heathens most especially but its service reacheth to all men and people upon the face of the Earth And out of love unto the Creation and to all People in the World was it written and is it brought forth in publick that all that have ears to hear may hear and it is to be translated into several Languages by any who are moved of the Lord thereunto for of a truth the Lord is risen among us and God hath given the Word from his Mouth and many are they that publish it abroad through the World TO all the Sons and Daughters of Adam in the whole World this is the Word of the Lord God the Power that made you and that made Heaven and Earth and all things therein your State and Condition consider How that you are all drove from God your Maker and from the knowledge of him and of his Wayes which are Life and Peace and are in Darkness Blindness and Ignorance separated from that Power that made you and in the enmity against it and are Enemies to it in all your wayes and words where the sorrow anguish wo and trouble is But the second Adam the Lord from Heaven the Power by whom all things were made who is called Christ Jesus hath lightened every one of you with the true Light which shines in your hearts in darkness to give you the understanding of the knowledge of him that made you and of his Salvation and Redemption and of eternal Life if you love the Light with which you are all lightened And first The Light measureth every mans state in true Judgment and with it you may all see your selves in the state wherein you now stand which is a state separated from God and the state wherein man was created which was blessed Therefore search and consider your State and Condition in him that is the Light of the World of the dust of the Ground were you made and into man was breathed the Breath of Life from the living Power which formed all things and man was made a living Soul and brought forth into the World in the Image and Likeness of the Power that made him every one in particular that be come into the World for Male and Female in the Image of the Creator created he them without sin or evil And man was a noble Plant wholly a right Seed planted with the choicest Vine and placed in Paradise the Garden of the Creator and there was set to bring forth Fruit and to glorifie and honour him by whom man and all Creatures were made for man was made perfect and upright set in the Counsel of his Maker without sin or spot or evil in his sight and was the glory of the Creator and was made for his glory and Power and Wisdom was given unto man to rule and govern in Dominion in Righteousness and in Wisdom over all living Creatures and was Lord over all things and had rule and authority over all the Creation and was Steward over all things which the Creator had made who made all things for man and made them subject unto him to be ordered and governed by him and used to his Glory by whom they were made and in that day when man was in the Counsel of him that made him and was subject to his Will he was blessed above all Creatures and unto him were 〈◊〉 Creatures blessed and not any thing was evil that was made but good in hiâ— Sight that made it and good unto man that was to use it he being brought forâ—â— in the Image of the Creator and had a measure of his Wisdom and his Poweâ— to teach him and to lead him in the exercise of all Creatures and was in perfeâ—â— freedom over all things to rule in the Wisdom of God And this was the staâ—… of man before transgession which state was blessed and not subject to the cuâ—… of misery or sorrow nor trouble nor torment but man disobeyed the Power that made him and went from its Counsel and contrary to its Will and grievâ—… it and vexed it till it became his Enemy to fight against him and to curse him for he had transgressed against it by feeding on that part which he should not with the knowledg of things and so became wise and lost Uprightness and touched that which the Power that made him had forbidden and so his mind and heart adulterated from the Creator into the visible glories pleasures and things which were less then himself and so he became unprofitable to his Maker by transgressing against him and only profitable to himself to feed and nourish and delight and please himself in the outward Creation and forgot the Power that made him and thus being with his mind turned into the Earth there the evil entred and the Devil overcame him with his temptation and the power of the earthly darkness gained dominion over him to sway his affections desires and lusts into vanities of the Earth and he lost his dominion over the Creatures and they gained dominion over him to serve and worship them and to please himself with them who became captive with his mind to be ruled by them in vanity and in evil And thus man became unprofitable to his Maker and unfruitful in the Garden and kept it not undefiled and being turned from the Covenant wherein he was set into his own willing and desiring in the outward Creation the evil defiled him and he became evil and a fruitless Tree that cumbred the Ground and an enmity was placed in him by disobedience and all things became evil to him and the door of all misery and sorrow was opened and let in the curse upon him inwardly and outwardly for he became dead in transgression to the Life and Power and Wisdom of the Creator and every moment was subject to die in this World also And through transgression of the Power that made him he was cast out of the Creator's Garden and out of his Love to labour under the curse in unprofitable Ground and also out of his own dignity and honour and dominion was he cast and became Heir of death and Child of wrath and an Enemy in his mind unto the Creator and an enmity was placed in him against the Power that made him and rebellion in his mind from which all the works of unrighteousness proceed and innocency was lost and man became hurtful to himself and to all Creatures and grieved continually the Power that made him and was drove from the presence and feeling of his Creator into insensableness And in this state unto this day are all ye the Sons and Daughters of the first Adam in the enmity against the Power that made you every moment transgressing it and death reigns over you all and the power of
but one the same to day yesterday and forever who is the Foundation of God and abides forever was preached unto you all to be the Way the Truth the Life and Salvation and there is none besides him why then are there Divisions amongst you and some for one and some for another And herein are you carnal and your minds abroad and not'staid upon him which gives the increase and all this is to be judged with the Life of God Wherefore I beseech you in the Fear of the Lord as you love him and his Glory yea as you love your own souls Come to the Light which lets you see all this and condemns it and strive not one with another nor exalt not your selves one above another but let all that be condemned and all your evil Surmisings and foolish Jealousies separate Worshippings Backbitings be brought to Judgment and let condemnation pass upon it all never more to appear to hinder your Fellowship with the Lord and know the Life of God in you all which is but one which is not at strife nor divided and let that arise that all Vails may be taken off and Hardness of heart judged and the Countenance of the Lord may shine upon you when that exalted spirit which has appear'd in some is brought down of which I charge you all to beware lest there be a total departing from the Lord and his Name be reproached through you among the Heathen and it had been better for such they had never been born Therefore I say unto you all lay it to heart till the Judgments of the Lord take it away and purifie your hearts from all these things which ariseth out of that which is not of the Father that my joy may be renewed who have been in travel for you tell Christ be formed in you that he alone may rule in you over all those things which are at enmity against the Life and hinders your growâ—â— And if you yet harden your heart against Reproof who are stubborn well the Lord will ease him of his Adversaries and break you as a Potter's Vessel And though you oppress the Life of God for a moment yet my Peace with him â—â—â—ll these things never take away but over all these things I tread am not offendâ—â— in him who is my Peace forever And though those things cause sadness of heart yet the Lord giveth no cause of Sorrow to them that are faitful to him but will arise to confound all Deceit and Deceitful Workers who err from his Way and count the Knowledge of his Wayes a Burden and of you all though you perish I am clear who am not hated of the Lord though falsly judged by his Enemies over whom I trample as the Dust and the Living God gives Victory over you all I am not of this World E. B. Something of TRUTH Made Manifest In Relation to a Dispute at Draton in the County of Middlesex in the first Moneth last In Opposition to the False Account given of it by one Philip Taverner in his Book stiled The QUAKERS ROUNDS OR A Faithful Account c. FOrasmuch as one who hath I suppose ambitiously stiled himself Mr. Philip Taverner hath taken in hand to set forth to the view of the World an Account and Relation of a Dispute hapning in the eleaventh Moneth last at Draton near Colebrook to which Relation I am a little engaged to write something by way of answer thereunto that all people may know the Truth and being the Truth is somewhat concerned herein that is the Reason wherefore I have taken in hand to write a little by way of answer to his Relation being without any prejudice towards the man as concerning any Wrong he hath done to me though me as well as the Truth he hath wronged as may appear to such who desire to know the Truth It 's true a publique dispute I had the time and place mentioned with a company of Priests and this same Philip Taverner was one of them and the occasion of the Dispute was thus I being a few weeks before at a Meeting with some Friends in the said Town one Richard Goodgroom in his relation mentioned was present at the hearing of what was spoken but at that time did not object any thing though afterwards in London and other places he went up and down in a backbiting manner and gave forth That I had held forth blasphemous Doctrines or the like whereupon I much desir'd a Dispute for the tryal of those things and it was accomplished and that day the Truth was much made manifest and Deceit confounded And as to all the things objected against me by Richard Goodgroom which he would have seemed to have taken great occasion thereby as if some great matter of Heresie and Error had been utter'd by me I say the very Truth of all these things was demonstrated according as I had laid them down and his Arguments against them made of none effect And though such as hardened their Hearts might go unsatisfied and in greater Unbelief then they came yet I am sure the Upright-hearted and such as desired the knowledge of the Truth were wholy satisfied and this many can give Testimony of with me And though by his Relation it may appear otherwise to some yet wherein he hath related falsly it shall fall upon his own head and his Folly shall truly more appear in the End then he would have or seem to cause any in me to appear at this present and so he might with more Credit to himself been silent then to have meddled in that wherein he hath shewed himself so imperfect For I believe That this same Philip Taverner hath given a Relation of four times as much as he did speak at that Meeting and hath related as though he spake that which he never uttered by so many times fo much as I have said and hath not related so much by many times as was spoken by me and them of my part as many may witness Which Work of his seems not to be perfect neither yet altogether honest as sober Men may judge but such a thing must redown more to his own Dishonour then to the Truth 's Disadvantage And first As to the Title of his false Relation which is stiled The Quakers Rounds or A Faithful Account c. To this I answer That the very Frontispiece and Title of his Book savours of a vain light scornful spirit and so every Spiritual Man may judge of it to be so But why dost thou Philip Taverner say A Faithful Account but that to confirm Falshood with audacious words having a shew of Confidence upon it thereby the more easily to enter ento the Hearts of the People as if it were irreprovable coming also from the hand and under the hand of a Mr. Philip c. having so stil'd thy self to make thy Fame great and to publish thy Work under a seeming Authority but hadst thou had more Humility less
The Scripture was the Foundation of Foundations but when he heard this he ran away and fled like a Hireling and would not stay and I was and am ready in the Presence of God and any sober men to prove this to be false Doctrine and of the Devil and him to be no Minister of Christ who holds it forth And all you sober minded men may be ashamed of him who managed his work with so much wickedness and impudency while he staid and when it came to the very trial then he run away and would not stand though I desired him hereby did his guilt appear is flying the tryal and this is the substance of the Business though not every particular word and I have gathered it up to send you and him that when you see it and consider and read what you have done you may be ashamed of him and of your own unreasonableness And further He is already proved and may be more largely hereafter to be one that God never sent both by Conversation and Doctrine and no Minister of Jesus Christ and not only in the House but when we were come forth such was your Violence to the stopping of us when we were pasting and had not the Mayor prevented it our Suffering from some of you had been more then it was let the Fear of God strike you and let his Light search Wicked and Ungodly Hearts and repent of your doings and cease to do Evil and turn from your Deceiver if you love your own Souls and learn the Way of Righteousness and Peace which you have not yet known for in the broad way you are and the end of it will be unto your everlasting Destruction And to you this is a Warning and a Visitation from the Lord by a Lover of your Souls who is true though by you called and counted a Deceiver and this in Love to your Souls is sent unto you E. B. Here also followeth certain Queries to Christopher Fowler the same time to which he never yet could give any Sober Answer therefore I here insert them that he may yet give his Answer Christopher Fowler SEeing thou art a man so irrational and so unsober to speak and fairly to debate things in Discourse and thy Auditory so rude and inhumane in Behaviour and words therefore to thee these few Queries I propound to try thee whether thou wilt shew the spirit of a Man by writing more then by speaking seeing therein I have tryed thee to be more like a Wild Inhumaine Creature than a Sober and Upright Christian. Seeing the Scripture saith the Word of God was in the Beginning and the World was framed by it and it shall endure forever hence I query of thee I. Whether the Scriptures be the very Word of God yea or nay Seeing the Scriptures were not in the Beginning neither was the World framed by them neither can they endure forever hence I query of thee II. Whether the very Word of God be Scripture yea or nay Seeing it is confessed that which is written of and declared of in the Scriptures is the Word of God and the Truth which shall endure forever hence Iquery of thee III. Whether the Scriptures the Writings and the Thing or Subject declared and written of are not two distinct things so as one may have the one and not the other yea 〈◊〉 nay Seeing God and his Word Will and Mind is Eternal Infinite and Endless hence I query of thee if thou hast an Understanding answer IV. Whether God his Word Will and Mind is or can be contained or holden in Scriptures and Writings or but only part of the Declaration of him of his Word Will and Mind yea or nay Seeing such were false Prophets which preached for Hire and divined for Money and sought for Gain from their Quarter hence I query of thee V. Whether by this Rule art not thou proved a false Prophet who preachest for Hire and takest Hire for Preaching and hast a Quarter reading of some part of it from which thou seekest Gain answer in Plainness Seeing every Tree is known by its Fruit as Christ saith hence I query VI. Whether by this rule thou that bringst forth the same fruits as the false Prophets did viz. Lies Lightness Pride Covetousness and false accusing art not the same Tree viz. a false Prophet Seeing they were false Prophets who ran and were not sent and did not profit them the people at all but clothed themselves with the Wool and prepared War against them that put not into their Mouths c. hence I query of thee VII Whether by this rule thou art not proved a False Prophet who canst not prove that thou art sent of God neither are the people profitted by thee but are rude and wanton and wicked and thou preparest war against them that put not into thy mouth by suing them at law for Tithes c Seeing Scorning Lying Slandering Envy Hatred Lightness c. with much more of which thou art guilty are the fruits of the flesh and of the Divel hence I query of thee VIII Whether by this rule art thou not proved to be no Minister of Christ but of the Devil and a Servant to him and a Liver to the Flesh and not in the Spirit in whom these Fruits of Darkness and of the Flesh are abounding Seeing the Scripture saith the Word of God was in the beginning and Christ Jesus is the Foundation and no other can be laid hence I query of thee IX Whether by this rule thou art not proved a Deceiver and thy Doctrine false and Error and contrary to Scripture who said the Scriptures are the Word of God which were not in the Beginning and said that the Scriptures which are not Christ are the Foundation of Foundations and whether this Doctrine of thine doth not deny Christ and so art proved to be Antichrist answer according to Truth Seeing thou confessest thou hast Hire for Preaching yet sayst thou preachest not for Hire hence I query of thee X. Whether any of the People of Reading would give thee so much a Year if thou didst not preach to them and if no then whether they do not give thee so much and thou receive it because thou Preachest unto them or did they give thee so much before thou preachest or will they give thee any when thou dost cease to preach to them try them when thou wilt and prove thy self a true Prophet by Preaching some years and receiving nothing and till then I charge thee to be a false Prophet Seeing the Ministry which Christ Jesus sent by the Apostles did bring people that they needed no man to teach them but as the anointing within them hence I query of thee XI Whether by this rule thy Ministry is proved not to be of Christ Iesus nor thou sent of him by which none can come to this condition that they need no man to teach them produce any one if thou canst and so a Ministry of Anti-christ
long sate in Darkness that their Souls may live and be refreshed with the Light of the Living And for this Cause do we Labour and Spend and â—re Spent accounting nothing too dear for us that the Light of Truth may shine abroad and guide the Upright in the perfect Way till the Elect be gathered into the Pasture of Eternal Life and the Son so elivated on the Firmament of Joy and Praises never to go down but the Saying fulfilled There shall be no Night but the Light of the Son shall be as the Light of seven dayes These following Testimonies were written at divers Times as the Lord drew forth my Spirit through the Motions of his Life in me some of them some years since and being cast by among Bundles of Manuscripts and now lately coming to my sight and looking them over I have thought good to send them abroad as being of service to many And this is the Occasion and End of my present publishing these things And to the Iudgment of the Spirit of God in all the Saints do I commend my Labours and myself to be approved Westmoreland the 25th of the 7th Moneth 1661. Who am a Friend to all Men E. B. A DISCOVERY of DIVINE MYSTERIES c. CHAP. I. A Testimony concerning Life and Death and their several Fruits and Effects Distinguished THere is only Life and Death and there is but only Life and Death in the whole Creation that Ruleth and Raigneth in and among and over all the Children of Men and all the Children of Men upon the Face of the Earth are under the Government and Dominion of LIFE or of DEATH in whatsoever they are and in whatsoever they do and Life or Death hath the Rule and Government in every Creature in every Exercise whether of Works or Words and all people upon the Earth are subject to the Government of one or the other and bring forth the Fruits and Works in obedience to Life or to Death and shews them forth in visible appearance Now these two to wit Life and Death are contrary one to the other in Beeing in Nature in Works and Fruits and each of these are known and distinguished the one from the other in Beeing in Nature in Fruits and Effects which diversly they bring forth in this World and each of them hath a Kingdom and Government in himself distinct from and contrary each to other and each of them have their several Subjects which also are contrary in Birth and Generation in quality and kind over which they Rule and Govern and to whom they give distinct Portions and Heirships in this World and hereafter and where Life Rules and reigns Death is held in Captivity and Bondage and where Death lives the Life dies and where one of these brings forth Fruit the other is Barren for they agree not in one but are in all things contrary and the Subjects of the one are alwayes opposing and striving against the Subjects of the other And between Life and Death there is continual War and Strife among the Creatures who are the Subject of the one of them in whatsoever man is and in what he doth First Concerning Life I will speak Life was in the Beginning with God and is without descent and God is Life in himself without beginning or ending of Time Place or Matter and Life put forth it self out of its invisible Beeing into Work and Action in the beginning of the World and appeared in visible Operations and Works and brought forth all Creatures and all things into visible Appearances and Life was the Author of all the Beginning and Foundation of all and Life was and is that Beeing and Vertue of all things that are and it was the Ioy and Delight of all things that it self brought forth for all Things and Creatures subsisted through it and it gave Breath and Life to all Creatures and Life blessed them all and in it were all Creatures at Unity being framed and brought into Visibility and for the Pleasure of Life which was all in all in the Beginning and there was a sweet Concurrance and Harmony in the whole Creation through the Power and Beeing of Life in the midst of all Creatures through which the whole Creation was made and framed by the Eternal Word of Life and through which they stood and did remain 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—sedness and Life ruled and raigned in every Creature that was brought forth and was the Glory and Substance thereof For Life was and is that only begotten of the Father the Son and Heir of the Everlasting Father his express Image and Brightness being one with the Father not separated or divided from him And as for Death it was not yet known nor had it any place in the Creation it had yet received no Power nor Kingdom nor Government neither was it in beeing But Life was all over all through all and in all in the Beginning before Disobedience and Transgression entred to war against Life But Life was Prince Ruler and Governour in and over all the Works of the Creator And Life in its beeing is God and God is Life and in its Government and Fruits and Effects is Purity Righteousness Truth Holiness Meekness and all the Works that are Just and Equal according to God and like him and which shews him forth in the Creation and this was and it was thus in the Beginning before Death entred into the World or had a kingdom But it is written The Devil abode not in the Truth but went out of the Truth and he is the King of Death and hath the Power of it he went out of the Power of God and out of the Life by which all things was made and created and abode not in the Truth nor in the Life to live and act and speak in that but desired to be and became to be something of himself without God and he spoke of himself and acted of himself without the Power and Life and also contrary to the Power and Life of the Creator being separated from it and become a distinct Beeing of himself and then having lost his State and first Condition thus became an Enemy to Life and Truth and became the King of Death and he was the first of Death's Race and he holds the Power of it unto this Day he being gone out of the Truth and out of the Power and Life of God and become a distinct Beeing of himself having a kingdom of his own to promote in Opposition to the Kingdom of God Then he drew Mankind out of the Power and Truth and Life and beguiled Eve and Adam as you may read in the Scriptures and they lost the Life and Power even all Feeling of it and Comfort in it by which they were Created and made and they also transgressed and acted contrary to the Life and Power and acted of themselves and spake of themselves without the Power and Life of their Creator being separated from it and were and did something
Iacob is coming out of Egypt that will replenish the whole Earth and the seed of Esau shall become bondmen and wherefore are you gathered together and to what purpose have the wicked spent their strength to oppose what the Lord is bringing to pass shall not all our Enemies be broken to pieces and will not the Lord grind them to Powder will he not marr their Beauty and stain their pride will he not bring down their crowns and corrupt their glory and stain it with his Fire of Wrath and make them ashamed of their Wayes and Doctrines Hear this ye Priests and howl and lament for the misery that is coming upon you the Lord hath laid you naked and made you bare and you are seen as you are and the Elect is risen amongst us which ye cannot deceive but alas wo is me how have you caused the people to err and how have you led the blind out or the way and how is truth fallen in your Streets and you have daubed falsly with untempered Morter and have cried peace to the wicked and condemned the righteous and all this hath vexed the righteous soul and the Lord will now arise and is risen and you shall not resist and escape the stroak of his hand which will come upon you and bruise you as a Milstone for you have caused the wicked to rejoyce and the righteous to mourn and you have made sad his heart whom God hath not made sad have not you fed your selves with the fat and clothed with the Wooll and have not the peoples souls been starved and leanness been upon them all your plants are dry and barren trees that bring forth no good fruit and your people are like a Wilderness that is untilled and unploughed and undressed and your flocks are like wild Asses upon the Mountains that are untamed as rude as the Horse Mule that know no Bridle and now it is seen what the end of your Ministry is and what fruit it hath brought forth the Lord hath taken notice and he hath beheld how you have loytered and lain idle and the Nations lie yet like fallow ground that bears no fruit and mens hearts are untouched with absence of Gods Word and there is no sound true and perfect sence amongst your people of the dealings of the Lord nor of the operation of his Spirit but they remain in great Blindness and Ignorance void of the Knowledge of God for ye have not caused them to hear his Word but you have told your Dreams and your false Visions and you have spoken Imaginations of your hearts and not from the Mouth of the Lord neither have you stood in his Counsel nor hearkened to his Voyce and therefore people remain unprofited but what they and you know it s naturally and not by the Spirit of the Father but as dry Trees you are not taught of the Father and as rough Goats in the nature of Swine that is polluted in the silth of the World and in the nature of Dogs and Lyons devouring one another and biting one another and killing one another which things were not in the Churches of Christ and we have a great controversie with you and that from the Lord we have tried you searched you and discovered your Foundation and it s not sound nor will not stand in the trial we have fetcht your Line from the first original and we have found out your beginning and we find yours of that Race which Christ prophesied of that should come which should deceive many having the sheeps cloathing but inwardly revening and which Iohn saw was come and went out from the Apostles and true Churches which went from the truth and went into the World and had the Form of Godliness without the Power here began the Race in the Apostacy of the Churches and when they Apostatized from the true Faith then came your original up and the World went after them and all that dwelt upon the Earth worshipped the Beast that hath reigned through all this time of Apostacy which hath been since the dayes of the Apostles and we find your original goes no further then to the false Brethren and false Apostles which went out from the true Apostles and run for Gifts and Rewards and preached for filthy Lucre and through covetousness made merchandize of souls seeking mony and gain to themselves I say we find your original begins there and your Line goes no further and never came your first rise so far as the true Apostles you were not in your beginning of their life nor birth nor cannot be reckoned from their original for you succeed not them but you truely succeed the false Apostles and false brethren which Christ prophesied should come after his days and Iohn saw was come and coming in his days and we find you of this stock and Generation and now you are discovered to be contrary to the true Apostles and agreeing with the false Apostles in Call in Practice in Maintenance and in all things and the Line of true judgement is laid upon you all and you are measured and found too short and weighed and sound too light and we will deal truely with you in judgement first we do hold controversie with you as concerning your Call your Ministry it agreeth not with but is contrary to what the Apostles Call was they were called by power from on high and were made Ministers by the Gift of the holy Spirit received from God and their Ministry was an absolute Gift from God and not to be bought and sold for mony and they were anointed of the Father by his Spirit of promise and to Preach the Gospel but your Call is at Schools and Colledges in such and such Orders which are attained through natural industry such and such Arts and Sciences and Degrees having been so many years brought up in studying natural Arts natural Languages this is your Ordination and your Call having no respect to receive or to wait for the Gift of the holy Spirit to be made Ministers thereby and this is different from the Apostles and true Ministers and equal and according to the false Prophets and Deceivers Secondly Again you are not according but contrary to the true Ministry and Ministers of Christ in Practise for they were led by the Spirit of the Father which dwelt in them and they preached the Gospel by the Spirit and spake as the Spirit gave them utterance and went up and down the World through Nations converting People to the Knowledge of the Truth and what they had handled tasted seen and felt of the Word of Life in them that they declared to others and preached the Gospel which they had not received from man nor by man but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ in them but your Practices are not such but contrary for the spirit of this World leads you and it you follow in all your Works in your Preaching Praying and in your whole Worship in Form
Form and in Forms of Righteousness without the Power and in Immitations without Life and perfect Knowledge so that all the Practices of Religion we beheld without Power and Life though some had a sincerity in them and a zeal and a desire towards the Lord yet all people erred in Judgment and none were guided in Judgment by the Eternal Spirit and because of the error in Judgment that made their zeal blind and their performances of Righteousness not accepted though acted in some sincerity and zeal because they were not guided in Practice and led in Judgment by the Spirit of the Lord which only leads into all Truth and none are in the Truth but who are led thereby so that we behold all Profession but as Coverings with Figg-leaves while the nature of Transgression stood uncondemned and not crucified and then we saw not only the Performance and Practice in Church state and in religious Orders were corrupted but also Government and Magistracy and all things in civil state were not aright in the sight of the Lord nor as the Lord required neither as he had ordained in the beginning for Government we know as ordained of God is to punish and limit and terrifie all Evil-Doers and to preserve and defend all that do well and that mens Consciences are to be left free and to be ruled by the Lord alone and guided by his Spirit and that outward Power and civil Magistrates and Laws so called ought not to be Lord or Ruler in mens Consciences nor over them but we beheld how Unrighteousness and Iniquity and Sin and Wickedness was strengthened and encouraged in the Government and by such as were in Authority and how the Fear of God and the exercise of a good Conscience was abused so that it was turned backward from what it ought to be them that did well were punished and limitted as Trausgressors and the Evil-Doers were set free and not made afraid so that we could truly cry Truth was faln in the Street and Justice and true Judgment turned backward and Equity had no place to enter and the Innocent were devoured through want of true and just Judgment and the Needy were spoiled and made a prey and thus it was framed for no sooner had we opened our Mouthes but the Magistrates began to put us in Prison and execute great injustice upon us and became Oppressors of the Innocent and laid grievous unjust burdens upon us grievous to be born and true justice and judgment was neglected and wrong judgement brought forth and good Government abused and men in Authority not ruled by the Lord neither ruling for the Lord among men and thus it came to pass upon us through the corruption and Degeneration in Goverment and Magistrates which we saw to be as it was fulfilled by them to wit not as the Lord required nor as he in the beginning ordained it but quite the contrary and this we saw in the beginning when the Spirit of the Lord was poured down upon us and power from on high was revealed to declare against all the Abominations of the Earth and to make War against all Corruption in all Orders and Places and Men. Then being prepared of the Lord and having received Power from on high we went forth as commanded of the Lord leaving all Relations and all things of the World behind us that we might fufill the work of the Lord into which he called us and with Flesh and Blood nor any Creature we consulted not nor took counsel of men but of the Lord alone who lifted up our heads above the World and all fears and doubtings and was with us in Power and Domininion over all that which opposed us which was great and mighty and gave us power over it all and to bind Kings in Chains and Nobles in Fetters of Iron and this is the Saints honour and the Word of the Lord we sounded and did not spare and caused the Deaf to hear the Blind to see and the heart that was hardned to be awakened and the Dread of the Lord went before us and behind us and teror took hold upon our Enemies And first of all our Mouthes were opened and our spirit filled with indignation against the Priests and Teachers and with them and against them first we began to war as being the Causers of the people to err and the Blind-leaders that carried the Blind into the Ditch and against them as the Fountain of all wickedness abounding in the Nations and as being the issue of Prophaness for from them hath Prophaness gone forth in all Nations and against them we cryed aloud as being redeemed from their Mouthes who had made a prey upon us as they do upon all that follow their ways and in Steeple-houses we did visit them often and in Markets and other Places as the Lord moved and made way for us shewing unto all them and all their people that they were not Lawful Ministers of Christ sent of him but were Deceivers and Antichrists and such whom the Lord never sent and we spared not publikely and at all seasons to utter forth the Judgments of the Lord against them and their wayes and against their Churches and Worships and Practices as not being of God nor commanded by him by which they deceived the World and this was our first work which we entred upon to thresh down the Deceivers and lay them open that all people might see their shame and come to turn from them and receive the Knowledg of the Truth that they might be saved and this we did with no small Opposition nor danger yea oftentimes we were in danger of our lives through bearing abusing Punishing Haling casting over Walls striking with Staves and Cudgels and Knocking down to the Ground besides Reproaching Scorning Revilings and Houtings at and Scoffings and Slanderings and all abuses that could be thought or acted by evil hands and Tongues and often carried before Magistrates with grievous Threats and sometimes put in the Stocks and Whipped and often Imprisoned and many hard Dealings against us the worst of Tongues or hands could execute sparing Life of this all the North-countries may witness and all these things are sustained and suffered from people and Rulers because of our faithfulness to the Lord and for declaring against the false Deceivers for nothing save onely the Hand of the Lord and his Power could have preserved us and carryed us through all this neither for any reward outward whatsoever or advantage to our selves would we have exposed our selves to that sufferings and violence and dangers which befell us daily but the Lord was our exceeding great reward through all these things and kept us in the Hollow of his Hand and under the Shadow of his Wings and gave us Dominion in Spirit over all our Enemies and subdued them before us and though Rulers and People were combined against us and executed their injustice and violence upon us yet the Lord made us to Prosper and
by which he was made an able Minister of the Everlasting Gospel to preach Repentance Conversion Salvation and Remission of Sins and accordingly he went forth in the Name and Power of the Lord Jesus the Saviour of Mankind and was an able Minister of the glad Tidings of Salvation in many or most parts of this Land and also he travelled through again and again the whole Nation of Ireland and in some part of Scotland and some part of Flanders and his Ministry was made effectual through the Almighty Power of God in turning many from Darkness to Light and from the power of Satan to God there are many thousands who are living in the Body and alive in the Truth who can in the Spirit of the Lord bear Testimony to the Power and Verity of his Ministry in many Countreys where he travelled for he laboured much in divers places even in the heat of the day though he began early in the morning and in the beginning of his Travels and Labours it was his share to break up rough places and untilled ground and to walk amongst many Bryars and Thorns which scratched and pricked and teared and travelled with some other not without great opposition and he often trod the pathes and wayes which had not been occupied in the Truth and where darkness had the Dominion and was as a covering he brake through as an armed man not minding the opposition but the victory and the good of all souls though to my knowledge his sufferings and tryals have not been small nor his exercise a little on the right hand and on the left in travels often oftentimes buffetted sometimes knocked down by unreasonable men who had not Faith loaded with Lyes Slanders Calumnies and Reproaches often in Weakness yea in Deaths often in Watching Fastings and Temptations often in Straits and Necessities in Perils among rude Multitudes in Perils in Idol-Temple in Perils in Streets and Markets where the Lord did move him often to go in the beginning of his time besides the exceeding weight of service from Weeks end to Weeks end insomuch that he had seldom many Hours of repose and often suffered by those spirits who lost their first love and rose in opposition He was very diligent and faithful true hearted and valiant and the Yoke at last came to be easie unto him though no ease at all in the Body as to the outward man for he made the Work of the Lord his whole business without taking so much Liberty unto himself or about any outward occasion in this World as to spend one Week to himself to my knowledge these Ten Years He had ventured himself often for the Bodies sake and a great care I know was in his Heart that them that he had ministred unto and others that had believed in the same Truth might thrive and prosper and might walk as becometh the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was of a manly Spirit in the things of God he hath engaged himself often upon the Lords account singly in great Disputes when there were many Opposers he hath stood in the Door and in the Gap against all his Enemies for the worthy Name of God and taken the whole weight of things upon his own Shoulders that others might be eased though often to the weakening and almost destroying of the outward man yet doing all in love to the Lord and for his peoples sake he did it with Cheerfulness and it was a Grief to him if any opportunity was missed of doing good He was a man of no great Learning in natural Tongues which men so much applaud yet indeed his Heart was full of matter and his Tongue was as the Hand of a ready Scribe and yet he had the Tongue of the Learned having had experiment of the Work of the Lord and being acquainted with many conditions which God had carried him through he could speak a word in season unto all who declared their conditions unto him or otherways in his publick Ministry he was very plausible and elegant in his speech and indeed had the Tongue of a learned Orator to declare himself to the Understandings and Consciences of all men with whom he conversed by which many received great profit and their Understandings came to be opened for his words ministred Grace to the Hearers and his words were forcible and very pleasant as Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver This young Man of whom I am speaking was one of the first with some others who came to the City of London where he met with no small opposition both from Professors of divers Forms and also Prophane who heeded no Religion at all and the Way of Truth seemed contemptible and without form or comeliness to them all which made the Opposition so great and the Labour so hard that notwithstanding it pleased the Lord to reach unto the Consciences of many and many were prickt to the Heart so that they cryed out what shall we do to be saved And God made his Ministry very effectual to the conversion of many in the City of London whereby a great change was wrought in the hearts of many and many hundreds brought to know the Lord their Teacher which are as Seals unto the Word of Life through him unto this day And many hundreds I may say thousands heard the lively Word of God declared by him and were convinced of the Way of Truth though still remaining in the Disobedience to that of God in their own hearts unto which he declared and many have lost their day which they had of hearing and receiving the things of God for now he is taken away which might have been a help unto them while they had time and all such are not worthy of him He continued in this City very much at time and times betwixt eight and nine years together preaching the Word of God and speaking of the things of his Kingdom to all that looked after it and great watching travel and exercise in the Work of the Lord and his earnest desire was That all might have come to know God's Salvation and the Redemption of their Souls And his great diligence was known unto many that his only rejoycing was in the prosperity of the Work of the Lord and the increase of Faith amongst them that did believe And his heart was much drawn towards this City and oftentimes hath he said to me when sufferings did come for the Gospel sake which he knew would come I can freely go to that City and lay down my Life for a Testimony of that Truth which I have declared through the Power and Spirit of God which in the end indeed came to be his share and will for ever be his Crown who loved not his life unto death for the Testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ. And in the same year 1662 being pressed in his spirit to go visit them who were begotten unto the Faith of God's Elect at the City of Bristol and in divers other
our way to the promised Land which belongs to the Saints in Light we would eat our own Bread and Drink our Water and what we needed and keep our Consciences clear in our Generation we must to that which God hath promised and if we cannot have away God will make one for us and that you that set your selves against the Lord in the end shall be sure to know and feel though we shall never lift up carnal Weapon nor draw Sword neither use Bow nor Spear for God hath taught us to love our Enemies and out of these things we are come and to the end of Wars and to be for it yet God's purpose shall be fulfilled and he hath wayes enough to plead the cause of his people and he will do it and wo to all their Enemies And do you cry out of Popery because of cruelty and persecution And will you be found in the same Foot-steps and in the same nature Oh! let it never be said nor thought that ever the Church of God or true Christians did Drink the Blood of the Saints or cast them into prison for that is Babylon the Mother of Harlots that doth so Therefore be informed and warned set not Bryars and Thorns in Battel against the Lord neither stubble before devouring Fire for if you do a Consumption will come upon you and your Name and Memorial shall rot dye wither and melt away as Snailes and Glory shall rest with and upon the Heads of the Sufferers of Christ for ever Reading the 22. of the 12. Moneth 1662. By one who hath chosen rather to Suffer with the People of God called Quakers then to enjoy the Pleasures of Sin for a season or to be reckoned as a Prince amongst the Uncircumcised Francis Howgil GEORGE WHITEHEAD HIS TESTIMONY AND ACCOUNT Concerning Edward Burroughs ANd as for E. B. our dear Brother and Companion in Travel Suffering and Consolation for the Everlasting Gospel's sake in his day his Testimony lives with us He was a Preacher of Righteousness and one who travelled for the Redemption of the Creature from under the Bondage of Corruption and proclaimed Liberty to the Captives in the Power and Authority of God and therein was a true Witness against Oppression and all the Antichristian Yokes imposed in the Night of Apostacy upon the Persons and Consciences of People and truly and valiantly he held sorth the Liberty of Conscience and vindicated it to the great men of the Earth in things appertaining to God in matters of Religion and Worship against the persecution and compulsion which had its Original and Rise from the Power of the Beast which hath made War against the righteous Seed that men might be left free to the guidance of the infallible Spirit of God which is not to be limitted in these matters and not be compelled nor brought under the corrupt wills of men nor their failible judgements nor invented Forms in these cases And the Name of this Minister of Righteousness is written in the Lambs Book of Life and all the Enemies of his Life can never be able to blot it out nor extinguish his Memorial Oh! the remembrance of his integrity uprightness and sincerity hath deep impression upon my heart and that tender love and affection in God's Truth which he was filled with towards all the upright who are lovers of peace and unity in the Lord is never to be forgotten by us who are yet remaining in the Work of the Lord and the Everlasting Gospel for which he hath left a glorious Testimony the glory of which shall never be extinguished but thousands shall praise the Lord our God because thereof yea even the Seed that 's yet in the lower parts of the Earth where darkness covers it and the child that 's yet unborn in many that 's curiously framed in the Mothers Womb whose Members are written in the Book of God shall glorifie the Lord on his behalf And this Testimony many have already concerning him that though his Body is dead his Spirit liveth in the immortallity of that Life that is immutable and shall never die not wax old and is felt among the Righteous who walk in their integrety and constancy to the Lord. And this faithfull Servant of the Lord and valiant Souldier of the Lamb as in his day was evidently apparent as to live to him was Christ and to die was Gain And though in his time many were the Sâ—fferings and Afflictions which his life went under and his upright spirit suffered by both from his open Enemies and Persecutors in the World because of the valour and courage for the Truth of God and from deceitfull and transforming exalted spirits which burthen the holy Seed but now his Life is caught up above them all and is out of their reach in the transcendent and unspeakable Glory in the Everlasting Habitation and Firmament of God's Power where he hath shined and doth shine among the Stars that have kept their Habitations as one that hath turned many to Righteousness and that hath overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of his Testimony with those holy Prophets and Martyrs who rejoyce over Babylon and her Abominations in whom their blood is found and against whom he was a faithfull Witness and valiant Warrier whose living and absolute Testimony therein God hath blessed made prosperous and will fulfil to the uttermost And though he be ceased from his Labours his Works do follow him which will be had in living remembrance and precious esteem among the Upright when his Persecutors shall be broken and laid low in the desolation and ruin of Babylon and all that continue in Enmity and Deceit and all the deceitfull spirits that have burdened his righteous Soul shall fall and their blossom wither and come to nought And if any of his Persecutors or Oppressors be yet so impenitent and obdurate as to triumph and be elevated in an exalted or prejudiced spirit because of his death and in their exaltation and pride of heart say He was taken away in Judgment or in Wrath. To such in Gods Fear I answer That thousands of the Servants of the Lord are of another perswasion not questioning but it was in God's tender Love as to his own particular that he was removed out of the Earthen Vessel in which he though a man as in the prime of his years endured great Travels in his time for the Truth 's sake and the gathering of many into the Way of the Lord and in which his Travel was the greater when the time of his dissolution drew near to be dissolved because of his Sufferings and the extremity of his Sickness occasioned thereby which many others were pertakers of who suffered Persecution and Imprisonment by unreasonable men in this City of London for the Cause of God and a good Conscience as chiefly for their meeting together singly in the Worship of God But this I testifie in the Lord as in him I have felt that
Heathen and under the barren dry and empty Ministry of Man which stands in the will of man and have proceeded out of the carnal inventions and imaginations of fallen man and is not according to God nor to the practice of the Saints in former Ages and Generations To you all do I clear my conscience in the presence of God by declaring to you in writing being that I cannot have freedom through the subtilty of the Serpent who doth work alwayes to prevent the living Truth to be declared and the deceits of himself to be discovered and made manifest to declare in word among you I have been sent by the Lord moved of him to come and to declare to you the Word of the Lord to the directing of your minds where to wait to attain the true Knowledge of the Lord and to that one Thing needful the Eternal welfare of your souls and to lay open the deceits of the Serpent who doth work in the cursed deceitful Ministry which is upheld by you whereby your souls are kept in the death and only your dark minds fed and nourished by the painted and Serpent-like expressions and declarations coming out of the carnal wisdom and brain knowledge of your Hireling who walks in the way of the false Prophets of Israel which the true Prophet called greedy dumb Dogs four several times hath the Lord by his Eternal Spirit working in me moved me to come into the Congregation and Assembly he himself is the Witness that I came not of man nor by the will of man but contrary to the will and desires of man wherein stands the true Ministry of God now as it was ever the true Prophets Ieremiah and Ionah witnessed the same and the Apostle Paul and as it is known to you unto whom I speak that I could not have liberty to declare to you the Truth from God who came not to you with entising words neither what I had gathered out of Scripture from without me neither to speak my own imaginations and conceivings as your false Hireling doth but to declare the Word of the Lord to the convincing your dark understandings that you might see the deceits by which you are and have been led that your souls might have been redeemed up to God out of the imagined worships of the World to worship in Spirit and in Truth Hear ye the Word of the Lord ye people all your carnal traditional Ordinances and Observances is abomination to the Lord all your praying and praising is odious in his sight for all your worship is an imitation and an imagination of the dark mind of man and was never commanded by God therefore consider all ye people what you are doing and reject not the Lord nor his Everlasting Truth but prize your time and now seek the Lord while he may be found and call upon his name while he is near Your souls are kept in the death under your dead Minister and under his dead Doctrines dead Reasons Points and Uses which he speakes from the Saints conditions and experiences but is an enemy to the substance and to them in whom the same conditions are made manifest in the power of Truth and he doth make manifest himself to be in the same generation of them who had the form of Godliness but denies the Power having the Letter as the Pharisees had but persecuting the substance as they did All people consider whether he be not in the generation professing God and Truth in Word as the Scribes and Pharisees were but persecuting the Son of God who is the Substance of Truth where he is born and made manifest he is in the generation of them who professed Abraham's freedom and that God was their Father but were of their father the Devil for his workes they did they said and did not as he doth as it is made manifest he is a whited Wall a painted Sepulcher which Christ the Son of God cryed wo against who was and is the Light by which all Deceivers Hirelings and false Teachers are discovered and cryed out against The Light which is Christ do I witness to be made manifest in me from God the Father of Light daily leading me up to him to live in Purity and Uprightness praises be to him for ever in which Light I see your Teacher to be a Hireling a greedy dumb Dog seeking for his gain from his Quarter one that God never sent but hath run and was not sent therefore doth he not profit you at all and from this Light which is Christ do I declare against him as knowing him that he hath not the Word of the Lord but the Letter Freely do I declare against him as knowing him to be a Deceiver and an Antichrist being once I was deceived by him but now through the rich Love of my Father who hath made himself known to me hath shined by his Eternal Light in my heart do I see him and all such to be Antichrist and no Minister of Christ from the mouth of the Lord I do declare it that you are led blindly by him your blind Guide and you are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the Living Truth by his Ministry He layes heavy burdens upon you He is in the generation of them who had the Law and Prophets but persecuted him who came to fulfil the Law and who hath the substance of the Prophets He hath the Conditions and Experiences of the Saints in the Letter but who are brought to witness the same Conditions and the same strait Way in which they walked He is an enemy to all people to you from God I do declare it he is one that God never sent to speak his Word to you he calls good evil and evil good and puts Light for Darkness and Darkness for Light and therefore wo is his Portion and wo is the Portion of all that upholds him What will ye do in the end thereof He doth bewitch you to observe That calling is an Ordinance of God which he never commanded Poor people your souls lies in the death under the power of darkness and corruption under your dead Minister and under his dead carnal Observances and your dark Minds your Wit and Reason is only fed and so the enemies of the Lord are strengthned by him and you remain in ignorance and in blindness and cannot attain the true Riches for Christ only is the Way to the Father the Light in every man which leads to the Father but this Light he denies as having enlightened every one that comes into the World as several times he hath done to me in Argument Here he makes Christ a Lyar and doth not know the first Principle of Religion nor the Light which leads unto God but is a Heathen and knows not God for this is the Light which all the Servants of God in all Generations witnessed and which Light we do now
witness praised be the Lord for evermore who hath in his Light led us to himself and hath shewed the deceits of him to us and of all such as he is he is in the generation shutting the Kingdom of Heaven against men neither entring himself nor suffers others to enter that are entring Through the Power of the Lord made manifest am I bold to declare against him who walks not in the Doctrine of Christ and therefore is an Antichrist and doth deceive you professing himself to be sent of God and walking contrary to the Truth of God a Hypocrite saying and not doing Ye my Country men be not deceived by him try him by the Scriptures see how he walks according to the Declaration as they did who were Ministers of Christ not by the will of man but his Ministry is by man and according to man and had his Call from man as it is known to you all but they who were true Ministers witnessed the contrary neither received they their Gospel from man but by the revelation of Jesus The true Ministers of Christ sent sorth by Christ witness now the same thing for Christ is the same that ever he was which is now made manifest in the Saints and his Ministry is the same which is not by man but contrary to man be not deceived God will not be mocked for he is terrible and his day is powerful and dreadful that shall come upon the Heathen and upon the workers of Iniquity and upon all Dissemblers and Hypocrites all your carnal Worship and Ordinances and Observances is but mocking of God and dissembling with him and is but an imitation an imagination of the Mind of fallen man imitated by you and your Minister droven by the imaginations from the true Worship of God which the Saints in former generations was exercised in who were led not by imagination as you are but by the Spirit of God as all the servants of God are Now as ever was true Baptism I own which is by the holy Ghost and with Fire and the Baptism with one Spirit into one Body do we witness but that which your Chief Priest and false Hireling holds up I deny it it is not of God but is an imitation and is abomination in the sight of God and therefore from God do I Declare against it and against your Hireling that upholds it among you True Communion of Saints I own for we have Union and the Bread which we break is the body of Christ and the Cup which we drink is the Blood of Christ by which we are nourished and fed up to Eternal Life for he that eats not Christ's Flesh and drink his Blood he hath no life in him he among you that can receive it let him but your Communion I deny for it is Heathenish and no more but an imitation having proceeded out of the imagination of the Proud Your breaking of Bread and drinking of the Cup is abomination and God never commanded it and this doth your Pharisee uphold sitting in the seat of Christ and of the Saints as the Pharisees did in Mose's seat saying and not doing True singing I own with the Spirit and with Understanding singing in the Spirit making Melody in the heart to the Lord this singing was and is among the Saints in the Church of Christ this is well pleasing to God for it is not an imitation nor by tradition as your singing is but it is true Sacrifice the song of the redeemed ones which none can learn but the redeemed ones of the Lord who is come and coming to Zion with songs and everlasting Joy upon their heads but your singing is Carnal Traditional and Heathenish and is an Imitation and is not with the Spirit of Jesus but with the spirit of the World with the spirit of Drunkards Swearers Lyars Mockers Scorners Coveteous ones with the spirit of Wrath Envy Malice with the spirit of Cain with the spirit of the Scribes and Pharisees and chief Priests who persecuted the Saints which sang in Truth in former Generations and now the deceit is turned into the form of singing and they that live there persecutes them that sings in the Power for thus it was ever they that lived in Profession of the Word outwardly persecuted them that lived in the Power of which was professed and there you and your Hireling is but know that the Lord will take an account of you and give unto every man his reward according to his deeds You and your Priest have got the form of Baptism of the Communion of Singing and of a Church but the Power and Substance of these Ordinances you know not for they are hid from all vulturous eyes and from the generation of the Pharisees and Serpents who are called of men Master and which have the chief place in the Assemblies as your Hireling hath and who is called of men Master as they were which Christ cryed Wo against True preaching of Jesus Christ Crucified we own and do witness for the preaching is out of the will of man out of Form and Custom and is foolishness to the wisdom of the World now as it was ever this is not with the inticing words of mans wisdom but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of Power and the preaching of the Word of Faith which is nigh thee in thy mouth and in thy heart that preaching we do own for Faith comes by the hearing of this Word preached And the Prayer with the Spirit of Truth we do own for that is not in word to be seen of men but led to that not by Custom Form and Tradition but by the Eternal Spirit which proceeds from God which hath free recourse to God which God heareth and doth accept for their iniquity is purged out of the heart and is not regarded for he that regards iniquity in his heart God will not hear his Prayer but the Preaching and Praying of your Hireling I do deny for they are abomination to the Lord for his preaching leads from God stands in his own Will in his own Time in Form Custom and Tradition and your souls are not refreshed by it neither is true Faith known among you for how can he being evil speak good things A corrupt Tree cannot bring forth good fruit said he who cryed Wo unto them that said and did not in which generation he is how can he teach and direct towards true Religion being he denies the Corner Stone the first Principle of Religion which is the Foundation which no other can any lay the Light of God which hath enlightened every one that comes into the World which he denies to have enlightened every one Poor people I do pitty your souls God is my witness to see you lie in darkness in ignorance and blindness and in deadness under your dead Hireling and under his dead traditional Preaching your wisdom reason and dark minds
their Quarter and so did Ieremiah Ezekiel Micha and Malachy cry against Hirelings and against those that said the Lord saith it and he never spoke to them and against them that preached for hire and that diviâ—ed for money and that taught for the Fleece and yet leaned upon the Lord as your Pharisee doth saying Is not the Lord among us And from this same Light do we declare against all such and seeth them to be abomination to the Lord now as they did then praised praised be the Lord for ever for now the abominations of the Whore is made manifest that sitteth upon many waters that hath made all Nations drunk with the Wine of her fornication and now is the Judgment of the Whore come and the day wherein she must reckon to drink the wine of the Wrath of God and he who was and is this Light cryed Wo against them that said and did not and against them that had the chiefest places in the Assemblies and that were called of men Masters This same Light do I witness to be made manifest from God the Father of Light and am not ashamed to declare it before men for he that denies Christ before men he must be denyed by Christ before the Father and this Light lived the Saints in and spoke from who were called Mad-men and deceivers of them that professed Truth in Word but persecuted them in whom the Son was born and made manifest in which Generation you and your Priest daily makes manifest your selves to be therefore repent and come down ye high minds and lifted up spirits for the Lord is against you and hearken to the Light of God in you and wait in it according to measure and cease from all your formal customary traditional worshipping and from all your dumb Teachers who are Antichrists and denies the Light as having enlightened every one this Light is the only Way to the Father which all must who comes to God follow and walk in for he that walks not in this Light walks in darkness and stumbles and knows not whither he goes and there are all Priests and People in darkness and ignorance who walks not in this Light therefore love the Light and obey it it will separate you from all filthiness and corruption and lead you into purity and holiness without which none shall see God and here is your Teacher alwayes present with you which teaches to deny ungodliness and the wicked wayes of this World he who walked in this Light by this Light saw all the World to lie in wickedness but said they were of God and all that were of God heard them who dwelt in the Light but he who disobeyes this Light follows the blind Guides of the World as you do and sets up Teachers to themselves having iching ears and that ministry is of man and by man called to the ministry by the earthly Powers by earthly Magistrates or at Oxford Cambridge or Newcastle all this ministry who is here called is by man and their gospel is of man which the true Gospel is not and he that hath the Word of God to declare from God his call is not by man neither doth he go to man to be approved for he that preacheth the true Gospel consulted not with flesh and blood and so it is now the same thing do we witness and to be Ministers of the everlasting Gospel called not by man but by God praised be the Lord for ever from Generation to Generation who hath revealed himself unto babes and hath hid himself from the Wise and Prudent of this World stop your mouthes ye Ministers which is by man which Gospel is according to man for now the Lord is arising whose Angel is gone forth preaching the everlasting Gospel Sing praises to the Lord for ever ye Redeemed ones who are brought from under the empty dead deceitful Ministry which is by man to be true witnesses of the true Ministry which is of God Therefore be ashamed ye upholders of the deceitful Ministry which is but the Ministry of witchcraft by which your eyes are darkned and under which your souls doth lie in blindness and ignorance under the power of witchcraft and sorceries Be confounded ye Back-sliders who once heard the Word with joy and received it who were once among us yet not of us who hath chosen the glory of this World rather then the everlasting Truth and hath fold your birth-right of the Everlasting Inheritance for the satisfying of your earthly minds with the earthly treasures Hear the Word of the Lord ye sloathful servants who not abiding to wait upon God eats and drinks with the Drunkards and beats your fellow-servants and are now become Haters Mockers and Revilers suddenly will the Lord come and cut you all assunder and give you your Portion in the Lake that burns with fire except you repent Repent you Back-sliders and consider ye that forget God now while you have time before the Lord â—wear in his wrath that ye shall not enter hearken to that which convinceth you of your filthiness the Light of God within you which shall eternally witness us to be true which Light shall be your Condemnation because you love darkness rather than Light ye are returned with the Dog to his vomit and with the Sow to the wallowing in the mire your latter end is worse then your beginning and the Parable is fulfilled upon you for lying against the Truth will the Lord plead with you and wo will be your Portion for ever for the Lyars shall not enter into the Kingdom of God therefore all people fear the living God and prize your time and see where you are his servants you are unto whom you do obey all must give an account to the living God and must receive according to what is done in the body in such an hour will the Master come which you are not aware of and will take account of your stewardship for God hath given unto every one a Talent therefore spend not away your time in wickedness and in a deceitful Profession of God feeding your dark minds with the dead formal Preaching of your dead carnal blind Pharisee but hearken to the Light of God within you and improve every one his Talent the good and faithful servant improves his to the honor and riches of his Master but the sloathful servant hides his in the earth living in the filthiness saying he hath no power now see which servant you are and read your selves within how you stood covered in the presence of the living God for wo unto him that is covered but not with the Spirit of the Lord the servants of God brings forth fruit unto God bears the image of their Father and the servants of the Devil brings forth fruits of darkness and bears the image of the Devil which is glorious to the carnal eye and feeds the carnal mind
The Seed of the Woman is but one in all generations and the Seed of the Serpent is but one which ever was is ruling and reigning in the Children of Disobedience who are disobedient to the Light of God within them and betwixt these two Seeds is Enmity the one against the other each Seed is known by its fruit the old bottle pours out old Wine the new bottle new Wine therefore all people sink down to within and call in all your wandring thoughts imaginations and affections and desires and see which seed is head in you and see what your desires and affections goes out after for where your hearts are there is your treasure see what you do possess of God in your Souls and what you are made witnesses of for he that believeth hath the witness in himself and Faith is the Victory over the world he that can receive it let him Dear people I have freely Declared to you the Truth and from the love of God shed abroad in my heart to your Souls and for the Seed sake in you which lieth in death captivated under your Wisdom and Reason have I spoken the Word of the Lord which if you own it and abide in it shall be the savor of Life and in eternal joy shall you witness me to be true in what I have Declared but if you harden your hearts and kick against the Truth and against what I have Declared shall be the savor of death unto Death and in eternal torment and misery shall ye witness me in what I say for to that which should exercise the Conscience do I speak in every one of you and to that in you have I cleared my Conscience and have freed my Spirit this is the day of your Visitation the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Remember that you have been shewed the Deceits which you live in and have been warned of the misery and desolation that shall come upon you except you lay these things to heart and turn to the Lord. Farewel By him who is dispised and had in derision among you who is not greater then his Lord and therefore is contented to be called a Blasphemer and a Seducer as he whom I serve was by them of your Generation E. B. TO all you my Country people of every degree who are Inhabitants in Underbarrow have I cleared my Conscience and have freely Declared to you the Word of the Lord and have laid open the Deceits of your Deceitful Ministry and Ministry and have directed you to that in every one of you which leads unto God and which is the way to the Father which is the true Light which hath enlightned every one that comes into the World which light all who loves and follows walk not in darkness but walks up to God out of the Fall from under the Curse into the Being but all who hates this Light and follows the imagination of their own brains and of the divination of their Hirelings and Pharisees this Light shall be their condemnation because they walk not in it even this Light which is come into the World in every man even the witness in the Conscience which is placed by God shall for ever witness against you and against all your false worships and Hirelings and shall bear testimony to what I have in this little Volume declared to be true when the Book of Conscience shall be laid open for to every mans Conscience am I made manifest in what I have to you declared as concerning your Hireling whom God hath never sent but is in the way of the false Prophets and Pharisees for he that abides not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God 2 Iohn 1. 9. but is an Antichrist and of the Devil And as concerning the Light within you that Light will bear witness to it self that every one of you to whom I speak hath this Light which shews you sin your lying swearing pride and wicked wayes covetousness and wantonness to be sin this is the true Light which is as ever was foolishness and a stumbling block to the wise ones This is the Light which your Pharisee denies to have lightned every one and this Light shall for ever witness me to be true and shall witness this poor people among you who are despised and contemned by you and scornfully called Quakers to be the servants of God whom I do own as my Brethren in the sufferings of Jesus who are my joy in the Lord. Now all people every where to you all a word from the Lord though I have spoken in this small Volume as moved by the Lord of Heaven and Earth to the Inhabitants of Underbarrow as declaring against their false Teacher and false Worships which they uphold now freely and plainly do I declare against all thy Teachers O England who are one in the same generation with him in the Seat of Christ and of his Apostles professing themselves to be sent of God but walking contrary to his commands in the same footsteps which the Scribes and Pharisees walked in which were persecutors of the Son of God and which he cried wo against they who said and did not as all these thy Teachers do who are called of men Masters as they were and have the chiefest places in the Assemblies as they had and prayed standing as these thy professed Ministers do Now the same Light which ever was which is Jesus Christ is now born and made manifest which is witnessed among the Saints in which Light I see all thy Teachers O England to be drunk with the Wine of her that hath deceived the Nations who sits upon a scarlet coloured Beast and is arrayed in purple and scarlet colour and decked with gold and precious stones and hath the golden cup in her hand full of abominations whose name is written in her forehead Mystery Babylon the great the Mother of Harlots and abomination of the Earth And in this Light to I declare against them all which are in the generation of the false Prophets of Israel which seeks for their gain from their Quarter and which steals the word from their neighbor and have taken the words of the Prophets of Christ and of his Apostles and selleth the divination of their own brain upon the Scriptures which the holy men speak forth freely to the poor blind people and teacheth for the Fleece and if ye stop not into their mouths they prepare War against you and which are called of men Master which Christ forbids Against all these freely as from the Lord I do Declare to be no Ministers of Jesus Christ but are Seducers and blind Guides and are Antichrists and leads the poor blind people in the wayes of death and destruction for they are no Ministers of Christ that abides not in the Doctrine of Christ these have run but have not been sent by God and therefore is not your Souls profited by them but are in the dark heathenish nature as by
shall conquer by the sword of the Lord which the Lord hath put into their hands over Countries and Dominions For O Nation the Lord is with them and thy unjust Rulers and Officers cannot hurt them not a hair of their heads shall perish without my heavenly Father It is for a testimony of their Fathers love to them that they suffer shame and reproach and some of them imprisonment by the unjust Rulers and for a witness against them that some of them are brought before them the Lord is chusing the weak things of this World and he is making manifest his Counsels to Babes and revealing his Counsel and eternal Truth to Children and keeps his hidden Treasures from the eyes of the Wise and vulturous ones Praises praises be to him for evermore For the Lion of Judah is opening and hath opened the Sealed Book let all his Saints rejoyce for evermore This is the day of thy Visitation O Nation wherein the Lord speaks to thee by the mouth of his Servants in word and writing therefore return to the Lord thy God from whence thou art fallen Now will the Lord gather his Jewels and Chosen ones out of thee and will raise up the dead which lies slain under thy Teachers and Pharisees which makes a prey upon the people which was never sent by God to speak unto thee O Land Hear the Word of the Lord Depart from all thy Teachers for the Lord hath drawn his Sword and lifted it up against the false Prophet and the Vials of Indignation shall be poured upon him and upon all that upholds him in his Whoredoms and Witchcraft by which he deceiveth the simple therefore lest thou be partaker of their Plagues depart from them And all people mind that measure of Light within you which the Lord hath lightened every one of you withal for the Lord is risen to teach his people himself and he is fulfilling his Prophesie in thy ears O Nation they shall teach no more every man his neighbor and every man his brother saying Know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them unto the greatest of them saith the Lord for I will put my Law in thine inward parts and write it in their hearts Ier. 31. 33. The Lord is about his great and wonderful Work in thee and all the Wars and Contentions in thee O Land hath but been a making way for this Work of the Lord and hath not been the Work which the Lord hath purposed This Work is made known to them that feareth the Lord and abideth in his Counsel The Lord will overturn overturn the Nation and will create new Heavens and new Earth wherein shall dwell righteousness in which all the Chosen of the Lord shall rejoyce for evermore And all the Kings and Nobles shall cast down their Crowns before this Glory And all the men of War shall lay down their Armour and Weapons of War And Nation shall not lift up a Sword against Nation any more For the Lord will establish Righteousness and Peace this will the Lord bring to pass in thee O England through the destruction of that which now liveth and through the Resurrection of that to Life which now lieth in Death Hear O Land give ear O People for the Lord of Heaven and Earth is now turning the World up-side down all old things shall pass away all things shall become new by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh and the slain of him shall be many corrupt Judges and Officers will the Lord sweep away and their name shall no more be found in the Nation the fire is kindled and the sword is drawn happy is he that keepeth himself from fighting against the Lord in this his Work and happy are ye O Brethren that stands faithful to the end to see these things accomplished great shall be the battel it is now begun many shall see death and shall yet live to see these things TO all the Despised and Contemned ones who are Persecuted and shamefully entreated by the Generation of the Chief Priests and by them who live in the highest Profession in the Word outwardly ye who are the scorn of the Nation and the derision of all the Heathen and are called Quakers you are my brethren children of my Father have been brought forth by the same Womb and have sucked the same Breast Ye are chosen out of the world out of all worldly glories and earthly excellencies and are not of this world and therefore the world hateth you you are brought out of the broad way of the flesh and are separated from all the world in their ways worships and forms of religion and are redeemed out of the mouths of all Idoll dumb Shepherds and hath one Shepherd and are gathered from all the mountains and out of all the desolate disinhabited places and are come into the pleasant sheepfold where is green pastures and fresh springs of living Waters By Faith with Abraham are ye come out of your native Country from among your kindred and out of your Fathers house And with Moses have you forsaken the glory of Pharaohs house and chosen rather to suffer affliction among the poor despised people than to have enjoyed the pleasures of sin but great shall be your reward ye Contemned ones glory and honor and everlasting happiness is prepared for you if you stand faithful to the end the Lord is with you as a mighty terrible one and therefore shall all your persecuters be ashamed and confounded the sound of a trumpet is heard among you which makes all Nations at a stand and all the Heathen to wonder and all the Rulers Nobles and chief Priests are in consultation combining together to suppress the Army of the Lord of Hosts which he is gathering together fear not nor be dismaid for the sounding of your trumpet causes an alarum and makes all the inhabitants of the Land to tremble and all bows before the sound of it for the sound of it is terrible to the Nations to all Kingdoms and Dominions the Lord of Heaven and Earth is your Captain which rides upon the Clouds and whose glory is above the World and therefore in the battel shall you obtain the conquest and all your enemies shall be put to flight and one of you shall chase a thousand for he is with you who hath all power in his hand and all your enemies are limitted by him therefore be not discouraged at the raging and swelling words of your Adversaries but be bold and valiant and faithful to him for his is the victory and by his own Right Hand will he get himself the victory Ye are my fellow Souldiers and fellow Members of the same body and my joy in the Lord stand faithfull to the Lord and be bold and valiant for the Truth upon Earth for you hath the Lord chosen of all the Families of the Earth to place his Name among you and he will glorifie his
now I am but praised praised be the Lord for evermore who hath separated me from the World and worldly glories and hath made me a partaker of his Love in whom my Soul hath fall satisfaction joy and content Thus have I travelled through the World even unto the end and am now come to the beginning of that which never shall have end which the dark mind of man knows not E. B. I Am a Prisoner for the Truth sake and for Declaring to man of his Wickedness and of his Transgression of the spiritual Law of God which is spiritual and for writing of a Letter which was written from God to shew to man of his wicked ways and how he stood in the presence of God as by the spiritual Light of God which shines in the hearts of his servants was discovered and made manifest unto me for who Speaks Writes or Declares from the Light of God which doth discover all the dark paths of fallen man and all his spiritual Wickedness Speaks Writes and Declares not as from man whose light is only natural and carnal which is darkness in the pure Light which is eternal but as from God whose Light is spiritual and doth make manifest the secret Whoredom of fallen man and from this Light did the Prophets and Ministers of God who were sent by him to reprove Sin and Transgression Speak Write and Declare and in this Light did the true Prophets Ieremiah and Hosea discover Israel to be adulterous and in the presence of God to be guilty of Whoredom from whose presence they declared And all now who are sent of God to reprove for Sin and Iniquity declares from the same Light of God and by the same Spirit which Ieremiah and Hosea did For the pure Light of God is but one from generation to generation in all generation which discovers Sin and Iniquity the same Light now as in the time of the Prophets and Apostles and from this Light which is not carnal but eternal did all the holy men of God Write and Declare And all who are sent of God now witnesses the same Light and Speaks from the same Light now as they did then for who cannot witness this Light are no Ministers of God neither ever were sent of God to Declare the Truth from God but are Deceivers and blind Guids and speaâ—â— from the natural and carnal light the imagined and supposed light which hath not seen the living spiritual God for Declaring by Writing to a man that he is guilty of all manner of wickedness naming pride drunkenness and whoredom I am imprisoned I wrote not as from man whose light is only natural and carnal and doth only make manifest carnal Transgressions of a carnal Law but as from the eternal and spiritual light which doth make manifest spiritual Transgressions of a spiritual Law And in this Light is he to whom I wrote guilty of all manner of Wickedness Now this which I declared from God who is spiritual is above the reach and comprehension of the carnal and earthly Law for by the natural light through the earthly Law is no natural man able to judge of that which is spoken or declared from that which is eternal and spiritual for darkness cannot comprehend the light which light all the Servants and Ministers of God are guided by to Act Speak or Write and therefore do I deny to have this Cause put into the Judgement of carnal Lawyers who judges by the natural light through the earthly and carnal Law yet willing I am before any Authority to Answer for my self that whereof I am Accused but to the Judgement of earthly Magistrates I do not stand but to the Judgement of the Living and Eternal Judge who Judges not according to the sight of the eyes and hearing of the ears but who judges with Equity and Righteousness thus rather I chose to suffer imprisonment in the Body yet free as to God in the Truth waiting to be Redeemed not by the earthly Powers through the earthly Law but by him who is Eternal whose Law is Eternal who orders all things by his mighty Power to which Power I give up my self to be kept in it and ordered by it continually Here I have given to all People the ground of my Imprisoment in the particular of it though I might in few words have declared the thing for between the feed of the Woman and the Seed of the Serpent is Enmity put and he in whom the Seed of the Serpent is Ruling seeks the destruction of him in whom the Seed of the Woman is Raised And here is the Ground of all the Saints Imprisonment now as ever was the envy of the Devil working in Fallen man against the living Truth of God where it is made manifest By one who is a Labourer in the Vineyard who is not known to the World though named of the World EDWARD BURROUGH THE Walls of Jericho Razed down to the GROUND OR An Answer to a Lying Book called The Quaking Principles dashed in pieces Wherein one called Henoch Howet which goes under the name of an Anabaptist doth falsely accuse and maliciously belye us his seven Principles which he calls ours I shall lay down and what we own is vindicated and what he hath belyed the Truth in is turned upon his own head NOw is the time wherein the Lord God of Heaven and Earth is setting up a Kingdom and exalting his Name in the Earth and is exalting his own Son upon the holy Hill of Sion and is discovering the Mother of Harlots who hath made all Nations drunk with her Fornication and Iezabel shall be cast into a Bed of Torment and the fire of the Lord God is come down from Heaven and is kindled in the Earth to burn up and destroy and to consume to ashes even all those that have worshipped the Beast and hath his Image and the false Prophets that have deceived the Nations and they both shall be taken alive and cast into the pit for the Lord is grieved and wearied with this adulterous and viperous Generation who are offering up that which stinks in his nostrils and strange fire and are professing him and his Resurrection who crucifie him and put him to open shame and they deny the end of his coming and are offering in Cains nature while they slay the Just and are in the gainsaying of Corah who perished in it and so shall all those that gainsay the Lord in his Way and now the Lord of Heaven and Earth is proclaming War with the Dragon and his Angels and they shall be cast out and whosoever doth resist him in his way shall be broken to pieces as a Potters vessel and thou Henoch Howet who would limit the holy One of Israel and bind him up in thy carnal reason and stint him in his Way and Form up things in thy imagination from the Scripture and walks by Tradition thou art accusing us among the Papist but let it stand for
thy ignorance is made manifest who bringst one Scripture to oppose another and knowst not the conditions in thy self from which Paul spoke and so art ignorant of what he spoke for I say there is a time without the Law and a time under the Law and a time dead to the Law and not under it and all these states Paul witnessed which we also in our measures are witnesses of which thou knowst not in thy self and so wrests Pauls words And whereas thou sayest Yet let not them think that we by this doctrine nourish sin having brought many Scriptures to plead for sin I answer being guilty in thy self thou art afraid and hath a jealousie lest we should lay it to thy charge and truly concerning thee we think nothing in this matter for thy heart and the secrets of it is made manifest in the Eternal Light by which thou are comprehended and answered and by which God will eternal judge thee therefore repent lest the wrath of God overtake thee and thou be swept away with the Beesom of destruction who hath falsly accused and slandered us with lies and false reproaches but now it s the time that Pilate and Herod is made Friends and Gog and Magog is gathered together to compass the Camp of the Saints about and even the Priests and their Crew and the Anabaptists and their Crew and all Sects is combined against the Truth but God is with us and in him alone can we rejoyce over you all for ever and ever and in him make our boast all the day long for this is our heritage every tongue that riseth up in judgement against us shall be condemned for the Lord is our portion and even the stone which is become the head stone of the corner and thou Howet shalt be grinded to powder by it who hath bent thy bow to shoot at the righteous therefore consider what thou hast done and repent lest God tear thee in pieces and there be none to deliver By one who is zealous for the Name of the Lord of Hosts called EDWARD BURROUGH Answers to several Queries Put forth to the despised People called Quakers by Philip Bennett who calls himself a Minister of Christ but is found a Deceiver Also Answers to several other Queries put forth by Iohn Reeve who lives in the City of London who calls himself The last Messenger and Witness unto the true God but is found a false Witness and a Lyar and a Perverter of the right Way of God A Paper being received which was directed to Rich. Roper and to his Quaking Friend which words comes from the dark carnal mind quaking and trembling which the Saints and holy men of God witnessed we own and witness therefore we do deny thee and all thy dark Divinations WHereas thou Philip Bennett in thy Note which thou hast written to Roper in Answer to a Letter which he wrote to thee wherein he charges thee to be a Lyar and a false Accuser and charges thee to bring any man to witness what thou hast spoken by them whom thou sayest denyed that Christ that dyed at Ierusalem and who they were that denyed that Christ that suffered at Ierusalem or else acknowledge thy self to be a Slanderer and in thy Paper thou gives no Answer at all to these words but sayest thou callest the Congregation to witness but doth not mention one in all the Congregation that will witness it whereupon the Lye rests upon thy head and thou found to be the Lyar and the Slanderer and the false Accuser And whereas thou sayest thou hast sent queries concerning that matter thy queries makes thee manifest what thou art many of thy own Tribe and Generation if they saw thy queries would be ashamed both of thee and of thy queries for hundreds there are in the world that know nothing of the true and living God and yet would see thee and thy queries not to be worth answering yet lest thou shouldst boast in thy filthy ignorance and darkness and for clearing of the Truth to the simple Something in answer to them 1 Quer. Whether was the Word made flesh or the Son of God made of a Woman more or oftner then once Answ. In this first query thou hast manifested what thou art to all the Children of Light and where thou art and what spirit thou art of a Reprobate a child of Darkness thou art thou mightest have spared the other nineteen queries for in this query thy spirit is tryed and in the Eternal Light seen and known Thou askest whether the Word was made Flesh any more or oftner then once which makes it plainly manifest that thou knowest noâ—â—â—at thou askest and that thou dost not know nor canst not witness the Word to be made Flesh once but art one of the Antichrists and Deceivers which Iohn speaks of that are entred into the World which cannot confess Jesus Christ come in the flesh and therefore thou queries whether the Word was made Flesh any more or oftner than once which query comes from thy dark polluted mind who is out of the Light and a Stranger to the Life and without God in the world amongst the false Prophets Antichrists and Deceivers which are in the world and in the Light of Christ which condemns the world ye are all seen known and made manifest and are turned away from by these who dwell in the Light which Light condemns thee and all thy Generation eternally and the Word made flesh we witness which dwells amongst us and we behold his glory as the glory of the only begotten of the Father according to the Scripture whereby we witness thee and all thy Generation to be in the Sorcery and in the Witchcraft deceiving and betraying the Souls of the Simple the Light of Christ in thy Conscience will tell thee so for that thou must be obedient to and witness before thou witness the Word to be made flesh once for thou art Darkness it self and the Light in thy Conscience if thou wouldst let it rise will be thy condemnation and when thou canst witness the Word to be made flesh once then thou wilt know whether the Son of God was made of a Woman any more or oftner than once But thou art the Dragon that wouldst devour the Man-child which the Woman hath brought forth who shall rule all Nations with a Rod of Iron and her Child is caught up to God and to his Throne and thou the Dragon and thy Angels are cast out into the Earth and therefore dost thou persecute the Woman which hath brought forth the Man-child but thou art overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of his Testimony and for thy other nineteen queries thou hast conjured them up in thy black Art out of the Bottomless-pit which is to be turned into perdition if thou hadst an ear thou mightst hear or a eye thou mightst read but thou art blind 2 Quer. Whether did the Man Christ Iesus the Son of God slain in
in your own wills despising the daily cross of Christ which if you walked in would bring down the high minde and high nature in you and through the Cross that which is low in you would be exalted and the witness of your Ordinances would you have within which you are seeking in the letter without And now Friend to the◠who wert the Speaker when I was present among you thy Name I know not but by thy nature and spirit thy spirit is the same which they speak from which thou seems to deny as false spirits and by that spirit hast thou been deceived and now it workes by thee to deceive others and that spirit infallibly by the eternal Spirit do I judge for the time is come that by the Saints the great Whore must be judged which hath made all the men of the Earth drunk with the Wine of her Fornication and which hath deceived the simple And whereas thou didst Quaery what one thing I will deny as untruth which you had spoken I answered then as now I do I do deny thy voyce and spirit for 〈◊〉 is the voyce of the stranger and not of Christ and though you sweare by that spirit The Lord lives I say surely thou swearest falsely and the false Prophets which used their tongues and said The Lord saith it when the Lord had not spoken unto them spoke the same words of the true Prophet but he that had the true spirit judged the false spirit and so it is now And therefore Friend out of love to thy soul I do advise thee to be silent before the Lord and wait upon him till he manifest himself to speak in thee and by thee for Friend thy Ministry is in the will of man and thou ministers death unto dead minds and the Ministery which is to the Seed thou art ignorant of to that in thy conscience I speak which shall witness for me before the Lord who is appearing in his power to utter his thunders and all Flesh shall tremble at his presence and all Forms of Worship will he dash to pieces at his appearance And yours which is the purest Form shall be broken to pieces that he may rule who is without form and comeliness Now Friends for the Seeds sake have I spoken and written to you and to that in your consciences have I cleared my conscience in the presence of the Lord which you shall Eternally witness whether you will hear or forbear By a Servant of the Lord who is named of the World Edward Burrough An Answer to a Book called A Voice from the word of the LORD by one Iohn Griffith against us whom the World calls Quakers wherein his false Accusations is denied and he proved to be a Slanderer and the Truth cleared from his Scandals A Certain Book being come forth into the world full of Lies and Slanders against the Innocent called A voice from the word of the Lord to those grand Impostors called Quakers to the Author of which Book who calls himself Iohn Criffith a Servant of Christ and to all to whomsoever it may come I am moved to write something in Answer that his lies and slanders and false reproaches may be made manifest and that he may proceed no further for as Iannes and Iambres withstood Moses so doth he resist the truth being a man of a corrupt mind and reprobate concerning faith and is not a Servant of Christ nor a witness for his Name but a child of disobedience in whom the Prince of the aire rules And first to the title of thy Book I Answer the Word of the Lord is powerful and will cut thee down thou sensual minded man it thou knowest not but takes the words of others declared from the word which was in them and thou useth thy tongue and saith the Lord saith it but I say unto thee the Lord hath not spoken unto thee neither commanded thee to speak of his Name and I charge it upon thee in the presence of the Lord God of Life that thou art of that Generation which Ieremiah was sent to cry against Ier. 23. 31. for thou speaks thy imaginations upon their words which dwelt in the life of God but the life thou knowest not and thy whole Book is no more but an empty sound and voice and is as the untimely fruit of the womb which will wither and perish away and one of them I am whom thou calls Quakers to whom thou sayst thou directs thy speech but that we are grand Impostors I do deny for we are gathered up into the life which the holy men of God lived in and are fallen from the world and from its wayes and nature and I charge thee here to be a slanderer and from the mouth of the Lord I do declare unto thee that thou must have a slanderers reward And whereas thou sayst thou hast discovered their fleshly and filthy mindedness together with the judgments of God attending them I Answer Fleshly and filthy mindedness we have denied by the Power of the Son of God made manifest in us thou hast laid it to our charge but thou hast not proved it nor discovered it and here again thou are a false Accuser fleshly and filthy mindedness shall stand for thy own condition for there thou art in the flesh filth living to thy will in the lust of uncleanness for thou mayst remember thou camest out of the Bowling-Alley to our Meeting though Pharisee-like thy out-side is painted and made clean but thy heart is full of enmity and lies and slanders and false reproaches to that in thy conscience I do speak which shall forever witness me and as for the judgments of the Lord upon thy own head will they fall and with what measure thou metes it shall be measured to thee again we are passed from judgment and from the condemnation and who art thou thou enemy of righteousness that shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect. And whereas thou sayest thou art one that bears witness against those wandring starres I answer this shall stand for thy own condition a wandring star thou art and hath no habitation in the Heaven but speaks swelling words of vanity thou thy self being a servant of corruption we have an abiding place and an habitation in the Lord and are not wandring and here again I charge thee to be a false Accuser and a false witness who bears Witness of thy self for the Father bears no witness of thee but against thee Whereas thou sayst the most high God that made the heavens and the Earth hath moved thee and stirred thee up to bear witness to the Truth and to witness against the abominable fleshly mindedness and yet spiritual pride of those grand Impostors called Quakers by whose sorceries many are bewitched and drawn from the simplicity of the Gospell to another Gospel which is not another Gospel but the vanity of their own minds and their own fleshly and corrupt thoughts which they
but what is declared of in the Scripture by the Holy Men of God and neither without it nor above or beyond it do we speak I challenge thee to prove what thou hast asserted and all the City of London whether we have spoken or declared any thing but what the Scriptures bears witness to and the Light which we declare of is the Light of Christ which the Scripture saith hath enlightened every one that comes into the World and it is not besides the Scripture so as contrary to it but the Scripture bears witness of the Light And here I charge thee with Blasphemy who calls the Pure Light of Christ thick Darkness and that the Light of Christ which is the Light which we declare of hath led men or leads any to contemn God or his Ordinances or Righteousness let shame strike thee in the face thou impudent one who blasphemously sayes that the Light of Christ is thick Darkness and leads into contempt of God let the Light in thy own Conscience condemn thee thou Enemy of God for thy Lyes and Slanders and Blasphemy which in this thy Book thou hast uttered And whereas Thou exhortest to labour to see an excellency in Christ in the Word of Christ and in the Church and Ordinances of Christ. I answer For the simple Ones sake that they may not be deceived none ever shall see any excellency in those things but who owns and walks in the Light of Christ which lets every one see themselves first and your talking of the same and report of Christ and of his Word and Ordinance is not to know the excellency of those things for death in you talks of the same but the thing in Substance you are ignorant of and you who stumble at the Light wherewith Christ lighteneth every one are above the Door which is the entrance unto the life of these things And so I exhort all to mind the Light of Christ and to walk in it and it will lead unto Christ from whence the Light comes and it will lead to the fulfilling of Christs Words and to the one Bread and to the one Baptism and the Light is the Door and Entrance unto the Life of those things But you who hate the Light and deny it to be in every one hath but the Husk and outward Declaration of those things and are without the Life And whereas thou sayst They that are of God will hear John Peter and Paul and the rest that were the Servants of Christ not the fleshly conceits of those or any other men and Christ Sheep hear his Voyce and a Stranger they will not hear I answer They that are of God do own the writings of all the Servants of Christ but many may profess their words as the Pharisees did the Prophets words and as thou dost now and yet not be of God but children of the Devil but that our conceits are fleshly I do deny for all conceits of the flesh we deny and bears witness against and it shall stand for thy own condition and thy voice is the voice of a stranger and they that are of God will not follow it though thou bringst the Saints words in thy mouth as the Devil did unto Christ yet in the Light of Christ thou art seen and comprehended and from the Light of Christ answered and by it judged to be without the life of those Scriptures which thou speakst of and they are to thee but as an empty sound And whereas thou cites many more Scriptures which are exhortations of the Apostles to the Church and exhorts thy Brethren with them To which I answer as before The Scriptures I do own but to thee thou envious man they do not belong for as in this thy writing thou art proved a Lyar and a Scorner and a Slanderer and a false Accuser and a Blasphemer out of thy own mouth be a Witness against thy self and let all thy whole Assembly bear witness against thee that the Scriptures which were spoken to the Saints who walked in the light and had denyed ungodliness do not belong unto thee who art an hater of the light and lives in the pollutions of the world but the Scriptures will surely be fulfilled upon thee The wicked shall be turned into Hell and the Lyar shall have his portion in the Lake and he that works abomination is to be troden in the winepress of the wrath of God without the City and such like And now somthing in answer to some things in the Epistle to the Reader Whereas thou and the rest of you there say although the light hath appeared yet there is a Generation of men in the world that do hate the light and endeavour to put it out crying against the Scriptures of Truth it s a dead letter and against the form of doctrine therein contained To which I answer It is true the light hath appeared Christ who is the Light lightneth every one that comes into the world which light hath appeared in every mans conscience and there is a Generation which hates the light and you are of that Generation which say every man hath not the light and calls the Light of Christ thick darkness and endeavour to put it out and here you have read your own condition though you make a large profession of the Scriptures which is not the light but words declared from the Light as the Iewes did profess the Prophets words but persecuted Christ and spoke against him who was the light and substance of the Prophets words and if you know any who cry against the Scripture and against the doctrine therein contained we cry and declare against such for the Scripture we own in its place to be a true declaration of God of Christ and of the Saints conditions but they are not the light but Christ is the light as themselves bear witness nor are they the Saints guide but the Spirit that gave them forth as they themselves bear testimony neither were the Scriptures given forth to give your own imaginations and suppositions upon but they themselves are doctrine and are as they speak he that hath the same spirit which speak them forth reads them and understands them and none else And whereas thou sayst Lest that simple plain meaning men should be kept in Babels darkness or the enlightned fall into the errour of the wicked for that reason your Book came to publick view I answer truly you are deceived who think to gain into your form the simple plain meaning men by Lies and false Slanders and false Accusation who are simple and plain unto God will descern your deceits and how falsly you have accused the innocent and will see you to be in Babels darkness and who walks in in the light wherewith they are enlightned will see you to be in the errour of the wicked and out of the Truth and it is well for the Truths sake that your Book came forth that thereby your filthiness and deceitfulness and
thy Law and defends by thy unrighteous power thy power is limited and it shall be taken from thee and thou shalt be overcome and the Lamb shall get the victory and into the pit and lake of fire shall you be turned to have your resting place And thou false Prophet which hath deceived the Nations and scattered the Inhabitants thereof and builded by fraud and daubed with untempered morter thy Judgment is past upon thy head already and the Decree of our God is sealed against thee thy smoke shall ascend for ever and ever and of thy sin there is no forgiveness nor of thy torment no remission Over you do we and shall for ever rejoyce and sing and over your god and your King the Dragon that old Serpent cursed be he and his memorial for ever Ye Lambs of the true Shepherds fold with whom my soul resteth whether ever I behold you outwardly yet my heart is with you and I am one of your fold and I lye down with you under the shadow of the rock upon the Mountain which the beast cannot touch where we are safe from all our enemies and am to you wel known to be read in your hearts in the Record of the Lambs Book of Life and known only to the world by the name of EDWARD BURROUGH Written at Dublin City in Ireland To the Camp of the Lord in England Several Epistles to Friends in LONDON Written in the Year 1655. by E. B. Some of which were subscribed by F. H. who was Fellow-Labourer with him in the Work of the Lord. FRiends of God in the Truth whom the Lord is gathering as desolate Stones to build unto himself a Habitation whom the Lord is bringing back out of Captivity wherein you have been held under the Chains of Darkness in the Land of the shadow of Death the Lord is calling you and chusing you to place his Name in you and to spread forth his glory among you Therefore all dear Friends whose hearts the Lord hath touched by his Love and by his Power be faithful unto God who hath called you and look not out at any thing that is mortal to draw you from the Obedience of the Eternal Light of Jesus Christ which shines clearly in Darkness Resist not the Drawing of the Father but take up the Cross and abide in it daily that your wills may be crucified in which the ground of enmity lodges So all in your own conditions wait in the Fear of the Lord in singleness of heart and in simplicity of mind for the powerful Appearance of the Son of God to be revealed in you to destroy the works of the Devil for where he is not witnessed the works of the Devil stands and the nature of the earthly man in the fall All of you whose minds are turned home to within where the Pearl and the Lost Money is to be found dwell and walk in the pure Fear and Obedience to that of God which is made manifest in you and made known unto you and there will Peace flow in from the Presence of the Lord unto you and refreshment and strength to the Seed and the Pure will live and the Corrupt will die daily Beware every one that have put their hands to the Plow that you look not back at any thing which you have left behind in the World but press on in the strait Way which is the Light which gives no liberty to the fleshly man but which judges and condemns all that hates it and turns from it the Light is the Way that leads to Life and by it as you wait in it the Life will be made manifest which is immortal and your Redemption will be witnessed dwell in the Judgment and in the Burning that the Dross may be consumed and the Pure may be refined and the earthly carnal minds may be confounded and judged The Lord is near unto you wait for his powerful Presence in his own Light to see him and in it to comprehend all the World with all its Profession which leads not to God but keeps in the separation from God your Way is near walking in the Light you will see it and in the Light you will see all the paths and all the wayes of the Harlot which leads into the Chambers of Death look not out at words for that which feeds there is for the Famine but dwell in the Light joyning with the immortal Principle which receives nourishment from the Eternal Fountain which the World knows not nor comprehends as you grow in the Pure and in the Life so you are unknown to the World and your growth will appear by your obedience in the Cross of Christ so take off stumbling at the Cross for such hath no part in the Eternal Inheritance but walk in the Cross which is life to the New-man and death to the Old and so through Death Life is made manifest and the pure Life of God arising in all the World will be trampled upon and denied by you but such amongst you that chuseth the World wrath from God I declare against you and you who knows the way and casts off the Truth and for the love of that which is visible turns from the Truth you cannot escape the Damnation of Hell So all dear and tender hearts abide in the Counsel of God and let not the World overcome your minds but wait for a daily victory over it that so you may with the Saints possess the Eternal Riches and that in you which is carnal and corrupt may be overcome by that which is Eternal and Holy as you abide and walk in the Truth and grow up in the knowledge of the eternal God so our joy will be fulfilled in you and our rejoycing will be encreased by you therefore walk and live in that which God hath made manifest in you which is of himself and the eternal God of Life and Power prosper you and lead you up unto himself to dwell and walk in his Love for evermore Be not troubled at the rage of the World nor at Temptations but stand in the Will of God which hath been declared amongst you that you may all be established and guided by that which is not of this World but by the Principle of Life which is Eternal which judges all the fruits and grounds of Darkness Our love salutes you all who walk in the Truth and our prayers are for you that Life may spring up in you to praise the Lord for ever We are Servants unto you and unto all the Elect Seed of God every where for whose sakes we give our selves to be spent E. B. F. H. To Friends in London ALl Friends whose minds are turned to the Lord by that which is Pure which comes from him who is the Light of the World all mind it that with it your minds may be turned to him from whence it comes out of all the perishing things and out of all the visible to the invisible that so
who saith in your hearts you are the onely people but your lying hearts deceives you and you are found naked and without a covering All ye that desire after the way of the Lord of all sorts of people who are simple and honest hearted whether prophane or professor you have a day of visitation from the Lord yet stretched forth unto you Come ye unto the Lord and forsake all your lovers lay aside your evil hearts which hath led you aside from the way of salvation and now learn the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom and mind the one thing needful which is of great prize even the salvation of your souls press after and come out of the broad way of perdition wherein the world goes on to destruction and enter into the strait-way where the unclean walks not cease from all the deceitful wayes and worships of the world and love truth and walk in simplicity Cease from all your Idoll Temples for God dwells not in them but his Saints are his Temples wherein he dwells and walks cease from all your Idoll worships and feigned prayers and praises for God is not worshipped in vain traditions as in observing dayes and times and outward things but in Spirit and truth is he worshipped and such he seeks to worship him and a broken spirit and an upright heart is accepted with him Cease from all your Idol Shepherds and Priests of Baal that preaches for hire and divines for money and seeks for their gain from their quarter for they profit not the people at all who are ever learning while they live upon earth and none able to come to the knowledge of the truth therefore cease from man and wait upon the Lord who is now risen to teach his people by his Spirit in his way of truth and righteousness in his peace and purity where his blessing is received from his presence which is with all that fear him Therefore awake awake out of darkness and love not to slumber in the dark night which long hath ruled over you this is the day of your return and of your visitation wherein the Lord would gather you Therefore resist not the love of the Lord wherein he calls you to repentance from dead works to serve him in righteousness but every one turn your minds inward to the Light of Christ Jesus wherewith every one of you is lightned which light is it which convinceth you of sin and lets you see your evil deeds and whom you have served and how you have spent your time the Light shines in darkness and reveals unto you the secret intents of your dark hearts and doth secretly reprove the wicked purposes of your minds with this light in your consciences your sins are written and all that ever you have done is recorded and this light shall be the swift witness and the condemnation of the wicked in the day of the Lord and by it all your works will be brought to remembrance and your sins will be set in order before you to receive judgement by Christ Jesus And here is the free love and gift of God unto you who hath given you a light to guide you in his way if you own it and wait in it it will manifest the judgements of God against sin in you and will condemn sin in your flesh and will reveal the righteousness of God to be your covering if you dwell in the light it is your Teacher and way unto life eternal and if you bring all your deeds to it it will reprove every evil word and work and give you discerning of things that differ it will manifest the secretest deceit of your heart and winding of the Serpent and will be judge thereof till unrighteousness be taken away and a birth brought forth from above and born of another nature and Seed which if you be not born again you cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Therefore in the fear of the Lord all consider and search your selves in tender love to all your souls I write You must be judged in the flesh that you may be justified in the Spirit and you must be made poor and emptied of all your knowledge and wisdom that you may be filled and made truly wise So if you believe in Christ Jesus the Light and life of the world your hearts will be cleansed by the word of God which endures for ever and the Covenant of peace will be established with you where sin is no more remembred being condemned so â—ow you have all time this is to you all a warning as I was moved of the Lord. Repent the dreadfull day is at hand and meet the Lord by confessing and forsaking your sins and prepare the way of the Lord his coming draweth near lest his Judgments come upon you unawares and his Wrath sweep you away in fury and your Nation become more cursed then the rest all your applying of Christ's Righteousness whilst your selves are Sinners is to no purpose for no Hypocrite can enter into Life nor none that work wickedness have Eternal Life abiding in them but are in the death which hath passed over all men and the curse remaineth upon the Disobedient and all in the first nature are Children of wrath Therefore every one wait in the Light that you may be changed and take up the daily Cross of Christ that your own wills affections lusts and desires may be crucified and you may become dead to the World and may live unto God in his Nature and Likeness that your souls may be satisfied therewith and all that hunger and thirst after Righteousness shall be filled with the true Food Therefore wait all you that fear the Lord and meet together in his Counsel and wait for his Law that you may walk therein and lay aside the works of Darkness which are made manifest by the Light and also condemned in all that come to Sion Spend not your time in the vain deceits of the World nor follow noâ— the delights thereof for according to your works must you be judged in the day of the Lord. Depart from Iniquity and all the works of the Flesh Pride and Cotousness Lying Swearing and Double-dealing and all the fruits of unrighteousness let them be judged and let the time past be sufficient that you have wrought evil and now return and work Righteousness in God by the Light which all that love works in God And deceive not your selves with a deceitful covering of self-making and self-righteousness professing Scriptures in your carnal minds which was given forth by the Spirit and is not understood but by the same Spirit Whilst the first nature stands alive in you you cannot please God but are in the emnity against him Humble your selves and come down to the Light and search your hearts thereby Wo unto the Lofty and High-minded who will not be instructed but hatâ—â— reproof Wo is unto all Lyars and Swearers and Whoremongers and Vagabonds and prophane Persons
in your own time and the Lord is not all and in all among you for your Mother is not the Lords wife but married unto a Harlot and your seed is mixed with strange Children A Prophet was your Father and a Whore brought you forth and your Profession will wither as time passeth away and your covering is too narrow and your righteousness no more regarded then your sin for the Spirit convinceth of it as of sin with the Light everlasting your height and depth is comprehended And this to you is a Warning for a Preparation to meet the Lord and to put away your other Lovers The Beast which all the World wonders after but they whose names are written in the Lambs Book of Life hath many Heads and many Horns ANd the great Image set up in the Earth worshipped by Nations and People is of many mixtures and it shall fall before the little Stone which strikes at the Bottom All your several Forms and divers appearances outward and different Judgements and Opinions will stand you in no stead in the dreadful day of the Lord which upon all flesh is coming and hastning in its glory Wo wo will be the end of all profession when Christ comes in his own way contrary to all your divided expectations and groundless hopes He was before the world was and doth and shall reign for ever when it is not and in this his day will the Lord God set up an everlasting Kingdom of whose Government and Dominion there shall be no end but it shall abide for ever and your divided Kingdom of the Beastly power and authority shall be dashed to pieces never more to be found and your Mountains shall be burned and your righteousness and your sin shall meet in the Pit of everlasting Wrath receiving the Sentence of eternal Judgment from him that sits upon the Throne of infinite Power and Glory and your rich Treasures shall be spoiled in a Day and your sun and light shall be darkned at Noon-day and all your goodly Buildings shall be thrown down and shall become the Habitation of Dragons I have viewed you all in the eternal Light and you are weighted in the Ballance of Equity and all your wise Builders stumble at the Foundation and at the Corner-Stone and Christ Jesus is become an offence unto you in his Light by which he hath enlightened every man that comes into the World of which you are unbelieving and therefore shut up in darkness and confusion groping as blind men being many Branches of one Root planted in the barren cursed ground of enmity And though you are divided as Herod and Pilate yet do you joyn your selves in one Body to war against the Lamb and his Followers who cannot bow to your great Image and you are listed in the Records of Gog and Magog against whom the Lamb is risen and his Followers come forth having the Bow and Sword conquering and going to conquer and will make you a Desolation for ever All your Sacrifice is corrupted and the Lord God of Heaven and Earth is weary with your Oblations and Offerings your hearts are far from him and your hands are full of blood and the Just lyeth slain in every corner of your Streets and the Earth covereth the blood of the Innocent and the Slain cryeth How long Lord how long But he hath heard in an acceptable time and will come forth in his Might and will slay and his Hand shall not spare and will wound and his Eye shall not pity Awake awake ye Careless and Slothful that have laid at ease in the dark night of Slumber and Come out come out ye Upright-hearted and separate your selves and touch no unclean thing nor no longer partake of their Idolatries and Inchantments The Lord is now coming to gather his own and to make up his Jewels of the Despised and his Angels are gone forth to Reap the Earth to bring in the Wheat and to bind the Tares in bundles for the fire of everlasting Fury and Babel shall be thrown down and the great Whore shall be rewarded which sits upon the Nations and Tongues and People and the Dregs of the Cup of Wrath shall be wrung out unto her and the Kingdom of the man of sin shall utterly be laid waste and every Subject shall be utterly driven away into everlasting captivity of Vengeanee and all your Sects and Opinions and many Wayes and Forms and Worships shall become heaps of Confusion for ever And your talking of Christ without you so long and largely professed by you shall not save you nor justifie you in another World who are found Enemies and Actors against his Light present in the World which is but one in you all at which you all stumble and by which you shall all be broken and which shall grinde you to powder and be your eternal Condemnation in this World and forever which Light shines in your darkness and convinceth every one of you of your sin which Light if it you love is your Way to Peace with God Eternal and will lead you into one Truth to be of one heart and one mind and to serve one God with one accord in loving him with all the heart and your Neighbour as your self and this is Sacrifice of the living God only accepted And to you all sorts of People my Conscience do I clear to the Light in all your Consciences which is but One without respect to your Persons whether you hear or forbear And this to you all is a Warning and A Trumpet sounded out of Sion your many gods and Idols to forsake and your Forms without power to turn away from and all your graven Images set up in your hearts to cast away And this is the Word of the Lord to you all which upon you all shall be fulfilled and by you witnessed when the Book of your Conscience is opened and your eternal judgment rewarded by the just Judge that sits upon the Throne of true Judgment judging nations and People righteously TO all you who are in the Light of eternal Life which doth comprehend the World who are born from above of the Immortal Word which doth live for ever who are not of the World nor of the many Opinions in Divisions but of one Heart Soul and Spirit Worshippers of the one living God with whom there is no change nor shaddow of turning who are not known to the World though by it scornfully called Quakers even you doth the Lord also remember with everlasting Kindness and infinite Love of whose beginning and end there is none and whose height and depth measure and limit cannot be found out for you hath he chosen above all the Families of the Earth to place his Name among and to stablish his everlasting Covenant with of Righteousness and Peace forever and Redemption and Salvation to you is come Judgment and Mercy in you is met Righteousness and Peace in you hath embraced each other In the womb of eternal
Darkness rules in you all and the Law of sin and death and transgression are you all subject to and led captive in your minds affections and desires at the will of the power that leads into transgression called the Devil and in that state you are all strangers to God and are without him in the World and ignorant of the knowledge of his Wayes and are in the perishing state for want of Knowledge and subject to the curse of the power which you transgress and are Heirs of his Wrath having no part of the Inheritance of Blessing for a vail of Darkness through sin hath overspread you all and covered you all from the sight and hearing and feeling of the Creator and of the mystery of his Glory and Wisdom and every one in particular and none excepted of all the Children of Adam upon the face of the whole Earth but all have sinned and transgressed and death reigns over all and blindness of heart hath possessed all and all have fallen short of the glory of the Creator and all men are concluded by his Spirit to be under sin and Children of Wrath and Heirs of Corruption and in disobedience and rebellion to the Life that gives all men a Being The whole World and all People in it without exception of Tribes Generations or Nations this is the state and condition of all the Sons of men all flesh hath corrupted his way upon the Earth in his sight that made it and the wickedness of man is great in the Earth and the imaginations and thoughts of every mans heart are evil continually and grieve the Creator for the whole Earth is filled with violence through mans transgression And now not any Stock or People have priviledge one above another to Redemption and Salvation and to the Kingdom of Peace and Glory but Iew and Gentile Wise and Foolish Noble and Ignoble Male and Female all People without exception are in transgression and by the line and measure of true Judgment are shut out from the Knowledge of Life and Salvation and of the Inheritance of the Father in that state of enmity wherein every man in the World is fallen into and by one the Offence came and so death upon all men which reigneth in the hearts of all and opposeth the Life of the Creator and everyone is imperfect in the sight of the Lord blind deaf dumb lame and without the sence of the Power of him that made him and brought him forth his Eye sees not for it is covered with a vail of darkness neither doth the Ear hear for it is stopped nor the Tongue speak nor the Understanding perceive any thing of the Secrets of the Lord but all are separated and divided from the Tree of Life and are cast out from his Presence by whom the World was made into blindness of heart and to the loathing of your selves and are more ignorant of your Maker then the Ox is of his Owner or the Asse of his Masters Crib for you know not him that gives you life and all good things and that upholds you by the Word of his Power And this is his Word unto you all You are all under the power of Satan and subject to his will acting in iniquity and in evil bringing forth the fruits of death from that ground in which you now stand which is cursed and your Maker hath no pleasure in it for your fruits grieve his Spirit that made you and vex his Soul that brought you forth for man is degenerated into the plant of a strange Vine and brings forth wild Grapes and cursed Fruit which are of a bitter taste unto the Lord's Soul who planted all things for himself who is the good Husbandman but the whole Earth is corrupted and all Mankind in it and man is not now acted nor led nor ruled in his heart by the Power that made him which gives him all good things but the power of Satan the Serpent the old Dragon which deceived from the beginning who is in the enmity against the Life of the Creator he acts man and rules man to the abuse of all Creatures and to his own destruction and every particular man is liable to the wrath and to the curse and to everlasting wo and misery and torment from his Maker in that state of disobedience whereinto all mankind is fallen not one upon the face of the Earth excepted from transgression and so from misery nor none priviledged one above another unto happiness but as I have said Male and Female who were made in the Image of their Maker in the first Creation but now every man in the whole World is in the enmity against the Life of the Power that made him and is a Child of wrath and shut up in blindness and unbelief under the Devils power which power abode not in the Truth but is out of the Truth and all mankind is left in this condition without Help or Helper or Deliverance or Means or Way of Salvation from himself or any other Creature upon the face of the whole Earth but is a Sheep without a Shepherd straying and wandring in the thoughts of his own heart after vanity and that wherein there is no profit to the Lord nor to his own Soul but death and sorrow in all his wayes having forsaken the Fountain of living Waters and gone a whoring after other Lovers and defiled himself and so brought destruction upon himself by his own doings who abounds in all Evil Lying Theft Murder Envy Strife stealing and Whoredom and such like which are the fruits of the Ground that is cursed for mans sake But now unto all People the Sons and Daughters of Adam the first man that ever was made Though you be thus fallen into misery by transgression and helpless from your selves or from any other Creature yet hath the living God the Power which made you and which you have transgressed against ordained and prepared a Way to be restored and healed and to be brought to the injoyment and feeling of the Creator from the disobedience and from the curse and misery unto the blessing and happiness and unto all mankind in particular is prepared a Way out of Death unto Life out of the loss which every man hath received in Transgression to Salvation and Redemption and Deliverance out of the captivity and bondage which all are fallen into into liberty and freedom to serve his Maker and to glorifie him for he hath not been served nor glorified but grieved and vexed by all men on the Earth and so he hath brought misery and the curse upon all by forsaking them and leaving them under the Power which made them not to be led and guided by it in rebellion unto destruction And now this same Power by which man was made is mans Restorer and Deliverer and Redeemer and Saviour though he hath transgressed against it for when there was none to help noâ— to save of any creature upon the face of the
Earth the Arm of that Power which made all things stretched forth it self to save the Creatures which were made and that same Power which is transgressed is the Redeemer of all mankind though it is offended and burdened and pressed as a Cart with Sheaves by transgression against the Creator and that is the Power which works out Salvation and Deliverance by slaying the enmity and condemning iniquity and removing the cursed ground out of mans heart that the evil fruits may cease which it brings forth and by this Power all must be saved that ever are saved and delivered from wrath And this all men have been ignorant of and not felt nor known nor tasted of the Life and Power of the Creator though it hath been near unto every one and all men and Creatures live move and have their being by it and sustenance from it and yet man transgresseth it and grieveth it and is not led by it Therefore all People upon Earth consider your condition and state and hearken to the Power that made you a measure of which moveth in the hearts of all mankind upon the face of the Earth and it moveth against the evil and against the defiled and transgressing part in every mans heart that is come into the World and this Power by which all men were made and which they have transgressed against a measure of it from the Father is made manifest to all mankind upon the face of the Earth and convinceth of the evil of Murder and Adultry and such like and condemneth the works which are evil in every particular man whether Heathens or Christians so called and unto all People here is the Way to be restored into covenant with your Maker a measure of his Power in you secretly moves upon you and calls to you to return to it to be led and guided by it in fear and obedience and subjection to it from which you have been driven and against which you have transgressed and this Power the Creator hath sent his Son into the World and given him a Gift unto all mankind and he hath given Light and Understanding to every particular man to know Good from Evil Truth from a Lye Right from Wrong Justice from Injustice and Equity from Falshood And this Power of the Son of God in you doth witness to you and accept you when with it you be guided and when according to it you speak and act and it justifies the good and the right and the equal and excuses all men in that from condemnation but against Lying and Wrong-dealing and Deceit and Injustice it testifies and when you do these things you transgress against that Power that made you which should save you and justifie you and excuse you and with it you are accused and condemned and it brings trouble upon you and the curse of misery and sorrow And this Power in you will search your hearts and try your reins and let you see your thoughts and make manifest unto you the state and condition of mankind who is become Enemy to his Maker in following that which brings death upon which the Wrath remaineth till there be a returning unto the Power by which man was made a measure of which as I have said moveth in the hearts of the Sons and Daughters of Adam in all the World And now if every one of you do turn your minds from the World and from the glories and vanities thereof and from the evil which hath possessed you in thoughts and actions and if you stand still for a moment from willing and desiring to your selves and after the World this shall you find secretly moving in you which shall draw you towards the Creator to enjoy him and to see his Glory which none that are still in transgression against him can ever partake of or behold and if to that you hearken within you and heed it and follow it which witnesseth to that Power that made you to be great and mighty and wonderful this will shew that you are short of his Glory And it will condemn evil in you in all thoughts words and actions which proceed out of the cursed ground in which the Creator hath no pleasure and this will take away the vail which is spread over you all and open the blind eye and unstop the deaf ear and bring you to hear and see and understand the things which are eternal which belong unto your peace and if you all come to be guided by that which moves in you all against evil it will lead you up to its self to be renewed and changed out of the evil and from under the Devils power under which every man hath been subject which power hath been out of Truth into the Image and Likeness of the Creator and to be restored to his Inheritance to enjoy Rest and Peace forever And this is the Word of the Creator of Heaven and Earth to you all and to all mankind this is the way unto Redemption and Salvation and unto the Blessing out of all Sorrows and Troubles and Afflictions and Torments and Woes and Miseries which are the Portion forever of all that disobey this Power which moves against evil in you which is the Power of him that made all men and things which move in your hearts against all that which the Creator never placed in you but which are fruits of Darkness I say unto you all This Power in you must you own and believe in and follow and be guided by it and beaâ— its condennation and judgment upon all that which is contrary to it if ever you be restored to the blessed State and all Anger and Wrath and Murder and Lying and Dissembling and Whoredom and Drunkenness and Brutishness and Beastliness and Wontonness Backbiting and Theft and all these things whatsoever must be condemned in you for who act these things are Enemies to the Creator and are led by the Power of Darkness which is the Destroyer of you soul and body and the cause of the curse upon you and the ground of all sorrow and sufferings and afflictions and troubles which come upon that Part in you which is in transgression against the Power of God for there is a birth born of the flesh which brings forth and goes after fleshly wayes fleshly joyes and delights and pleasures and fleshly words and vanities which murder the Just and blind the Eye and grieve your Maker and this birth must not inherit eternal Life but all that ever do inherit must be born again of another Seed and into another Nature where all the former things are passed away for all glories of this World will wither and all your joyes and pleasures will come to an end and you will be left miserable and wretched Therefore Oh Earth Earth and all the Children of Adam in the whole World be Awakened be Awakened stirred up to consider of your state condition for the Creator of all things is risen to gather his People
up to himself and his Voice soundeth abroad through the whole World If any hath an ear to hear let him hear Terror and Vengeance is against all the Rebellious and to Judgment must all come before the Maker of all things to be judged by him according to the Power which moves in every man which is just and equal and witnesseth in equity which is a measure of the Power that made the World and all mankind unto it shall confess to its greatness to its justness and to its authority and to it must all the Children of Adam bow and before it tremble and he that hath done good and lived in Meekness and Soberness in the Truth and in Justness in all that which is good and not in any evil shall receive Life Peace Rest and Glory from the righteous Judge the Power by whom the World was made and he shall be excused from all condemnation but he that hath done evil and transgressed against the Power of God by which he is upholden who is degenerate and brings forth rudeness wildness and wickedness he shall receive tribulation and anguish and be deprived of happiness in this life and forever And all who do not own the measure of the Power of the Creator in you to be guided by it such do neglect and reject the day of your visitation and shut your selves out from the Glory of God and are unworthy of Life and Peace but all that owâ— this and are subject to it the Power of his Son who is the Maker of all things and do follow it this will reconcile you and slay the enmity and bring you into unity with the Creator and this will lead you out of darkness out of death and evil and all the wayes thereof and will save you from all the effects thereof and you will be excused and justified in the sight of the Creator Therefore all People upon Earth consider this is the day of your Visitation the Way of Life and of Death is set before you the Way unto Peace and the way of Trouble Prize the day of your Visitation This is to go abroad through all the World to all the Sons and Daughters of Adam it is a Warning from the Creator and Maker of all by a Friend unto all People and a Laver of their souls HEre is the Estate and Condition of mankind described whereby in the sighâ— of the World all may come to understand how all the Sons and Daughteâ—â— of the first Adam are degenerated and subverted and fallen from the state wherein man was created in the beginning who was blessed of his Creator being brought forth in his own Image and Likeness to rule in dominion over all living Creatures and to use them to the Glory of the Creator in that day man was not subject to the curse of misery or sorrow or vexation for that door wo was not opened for the curse to enter but man was altogether blessed in the state whereiâ— he was brought forth until by disobedience unto the Power that made him another Power gained dominion over him even the seed of enmity placed it self in maâ—s heart which prospered by mans rebellion and became a great Tree of bitterness bringing forth much fruit in the hearts of all the Children of Adam to the vexing and grieving and dishonouring of the Spirit and Life of God the Creator even to the making void of his Purpose in creating man who created him for his Glory but man disgraces him and dishonours him altogether and brings forth fruit not accepted but grievous and of a bitter taste and the Lords Soul hath been pressed as a Cart with Sheaves under mans Transgressions who hath backslided and revolted and turned aside for a thing of nought and hath cast himself down from his excellency of Dominion into shame and dishonour daily provoking the Long-suffering of the Lord and wearying his Goodness and he hath been provoked to cut off the Works of his own Hands which Satan hath entred into and defiled and made loathsom and abominable to the Maker for Satan hath made man barren of all good and fruitful in all evil and he is wholly subverted into another end in all his works then wherefore he was created he that reads let him understand the Creator of all things planted a Vineyard with the choicest Vine his own Image and he dressed the Vineyard and watered it and he came to look for Fruit in the season and behold the Vineyard it was degenerated into strange Plants and brought forth only wild Grapes and sower Grapes and crossed the expectation of the good Husbandman for the fruit of his Vineyard was loathsome to him of an ill Smell and of a bitter Taste and his Soul was not satisfied but grieved who laboured for himself that he might gather Fruit of the Plants which he had planted with the choicest Vine but behold the Vineyard all mankind was barren of good Fruit and no pleasant Fruit could the Husbandman reap to himself but the Vines were degenerated and all brought forth wild Grapes and sower Grapes which the good Husbandman hath no pleasure in but is vexed thereby for his Vineyard is barren of all good Fruit and the fruits of unrighteousness have abounded whereby the good Husbandman is provoked to fury and indignation against the Vineyard which he had planted being become degenerate Plants and strange Slips this a Parable and describeth the Condition of all Mankind If any have Ears to hear let him hear and read himself how he was planted in the Image of his Maker but is now degenerated and turned aside from Truth and Righteousness from all good and from the wayes of Peace out of the Love and Pleasure of his Maker and is now in all evil in deceit and unrighteousness and in the Wayes of sorrow and trouble and in the Makers displeasure and the Seed of Enmity ruleth in him and is suffered to be King in the Wrath of God and must be taken away in Gods displeasure and anger for that is not the annointed of God but is in rebellion against his Authority and breaks his Law and transgresses his Commands and must be condemned into perdition for all cursed Fruits do spring forth from that seed to the vexing and grieving of the Lord God injustice oppression deceit hypocrisie false-heartedness lying murther whoredom theft envy bitterness perversness devouring one another covetousness idolatry and all manner of evil which gives an ill savour and a corrupted taste and a loathsom sight in the Presence of the Lord God who made all things Oh how abominable are all the wayes of man become unto his Maker who hath no delight in any of his ways nor pleasure in any of his works Oh how is the Lord grieved and his Soul from day to day oppressed and his Long-suffering provoked by the wayes and works of his Creatures which he made for himself but they are become the Devils and subject to the power of the
free from sin and were the Servants of Righteousness They say Christ hath not enlightened every 〈◊〉 the Scripture saith He is the Light of the World and hath enlightened every one c. can they now who live in the same persecuting nature and walk in the 〈◊〉 steps as they did which persecuted them who spoke forth the Scripture as the Teâ—chers and People do own the Scripture in Truth Their professing of the Scripture is as theirs was which made a great profession of it in the outward appearance but put him to death who had the Life and was the Substance of it They then as the Teachers of the World do now denyed the Spirit and Life whicâ— gave sorth the Scriptures And the Ordinances of Jesus Christ we own and witness Preaching Praying Baptism Communion Singing and whatsoever was ordained for his Saints to practise in Life and Power we witness these things in the eternal Substance having passed through the earthly figures which was but to stand for its time by the Eternal have we been led by the Command of it within us and got by tradition from the Scripture without us And we deny all such who have taken up these things in their own wills by conforming the outward man to the outward Letter and have not entred in at the Door True Preaching we own and do witness in which is the Cross of Christ and the Power God unto Salvation or Condemnation it is foolishness to the World and its wisdom now as ever it was and we deny all speaking of imaginations from the Scripture which is in the wisdom of the World and which stands in the will of man limitted to a set time day or place Prayer by Spirit and in the Spirit we own and witness which is not limitted to a time and place And we deny all the Worlds formal customary Preaching and Praying for a pretence Baptism we own and witness which is With one Spirit into one Body into the Death of Christ And we deny all Baptisms which are imagined and imitated by conforming the outward man to the outward Letter which is but a likeness of the the true Baptism Communion we live in which is In the Light by the Spirit which will endure eternally and we deny the Worlds imitation which is in word and declaration and visible carnal things which will pass away Singing which is with the Spirit and with Understanding of the redeemed of the Lord we own and witness but the Worlds singing in Rime and Meeter proud men singing That they are not puft in mind and prophane men singing That the Law of God is dear to them this singing we deny for it must be turned into howling the Lord hath said it And here again I charge it upon the Teachers of the World That they deny the Substance and Power of what Christ commands his Saints to practice by upholding their own imitations and so deceiving the People but where the Substance is witnessed the figure is denyed and the false imitations are discovered and denied And mans free-will we do deny for the will of man shall never enter to God but leads out from God into the lust and into the flesh and keeps in the power of the Devil and man hath free-will unto that which is evil but not to that which is good and all who follow Christ the Light of the World must deny their own wills and take up the Cross of Christ which is to the will and walk in the Light contrary to the will in the strait Way which leads unto Life which is out of the will of man in the Will of God which the will of man doth resist and oppose And I charge it upon the Teachers and Professors who do not witness the daily Cross of Christ that they live in their own free-will and holds it up and are led by it into pride and coveteousness and lusts of the flesh which stand in the will and here they are guilty of that themselves whereof they falsly accuse us living in their own free-will and walk not in the daily Cross of Christ. And Self-righteousness we have denied and have seen it in the same Light which Isaiah did to be as filthy Rags and we declare against it and against them which live in it for self must not be saved it is accursed from God it is wholly unrighteous and makes the best of actions so and is and must be cast out from God Christ Jesus made manifest and revealed in us is our Righteousness and self is judged and condemned by him who is made unto us Righteousness neither do we teach People to labour in their own strength to obtain Life but do direct People to the Light of Christ within them which walking in will be strength to them to lead them to Life the Light which is of Christ to which we direct all to wait in to be taught by it will lead out of self-righteousness and from under the power of self to witness the power of God to lead and to act and to witness Christ Jesus revealed the Righteousness of God And the Church which is in God which is the Body of Christ whereof Christ is Head we witness and are members of it gathered and joyned by the eternal Spirit and not by tradition in the wisdom of man And we deny all the Worlds Churches whereof they were made members by visible things without and gathered by traditions and not by the Spirit whereof the Serpent is head and not Christ and which is the body of antichrist some of which commits Idolatry iâ— an Idols-temple and the ministry of this church we deny for it stands in 〈◊〉 will of man and the Ministers of it are such as all the Servants of the Lord witnessed against the Churches the Ministry and the Ministers are contrary to God but the Ministry which is to the Seed which is out of the will of man we own and witness which ministers Life unto life and Death unto death and divides the Word aright judgment to the fat and to the strong and feeds the â—…gry and looseth the Bars of wickedness and breaks not the bruised Reed 〈◊〉 quencheth not the smoaking Flax this Ministry we deny not but are Friends unto it and who are Ministers here we have union withal but proud men and such as are called of men Masters are cast out of this Ministry and are Miniâ—… to the body of antichrist and know not the Mystery of the Ministry of Jesus Christ which is to the Spirit in Prison Magistrates and Magistracy we deny not but do give respect unto for Conscience sake for who bears the Sword of Justice who use their power to be a terror to the wicked and for the praise of them that do well are Ministers of God and we desire that there were more Magistracy here and that the Magistrate would more use his power to be a terror to Lyars to Swearers to Drunkards to Railers to
thou again unjustly numbers the Quakers with some high-flown People and sayest These high-flown People are iâ— this very like to Familists and Quakers undervaluing the Lord Iesus Christ God Man and though they speak much of Christ yet they do not savingly and rightly lay him for their Foundation c. 2 Answ. The sum of this broken confusion is thus much Two Slanders upon the Quakers undervaluing the Lord Jesus Christ c. and not laying him as a Foundation c. though thou wilt not through thy subtilty separate the Guiltless from them who may be guilty in thy Accusation yet now must I in simplicity in my return to thee and cannot but openly charge thee to be a secret Shooter of Mischief against the Righteous We prize the Lord Jesus Christ God Man to be precious unto us and unto all that do believe and have owned him alone to be the Foundation whom God hath laid for Salvation unto the ends of the Earth and in his Light are we saved and therein do walk and because hereof are we hated by thee and the Generation of Hirelings and false Prophets who speak much of Christ without you but knows him not in you the hope of Glory and take back to thee thy false Accusations for thou art faln in the Pit which thou hast digged for another a slanderous tongue dwells within thy house and Christ Jesus the Saviour of all that believe is thy Condemner who believes not but art found a Lyar and a false Witness slandering unjustly and by thy unbelief and wickedness herein undervalues Christ Jesus who is pure and holy and is the Foundation of Righteousness and Peace and not of Wrath and works of Darkness wherein thou art builded in thy works of Mischief And for the rest of this first Epistle I shall say little to it only thus much is the mind of the Pen-mans spirit secretly smiting at the Doctrine of true Faith and Salvation to wit Christ Jesus within and directing altogether without and afar off and saying in his heart who shall ascend and who shall descend and is not mindfull that the Word of Faith is in the Mouth and in the heart and thus much I say if they be Reprobate who have not Christ in them then is it the most profitable doctrine and thing of greatest concernment to seek for him and to find him within seeing many can speak of him without who are manifest Enemies to him in their hearts and works and thus much to Iohn Burtons Epistle Let him go learn what this means The next thing that I shall mind is this in the second Epistle where a Question is asked Who are the men that at this day are so deluded by the Quakers and other pernitious Doctrines but those who thought it enough to be Talkers of the Gospel c This man appears to be of the same spirit with his Fellow and will more abound in Lyes in respect of the number then he that went before and the sum of this transcribed is That the Quakers are Deluders and thou hast joyned them with a Thief also and numbred the guiltless with the guilty and hast shot secretly in the dark and far missed thy aim for thy bare words are no true witness and thou must not both slander and be Witness thy self though I perceive thou may have the witness of all that walks in the broad-way to evidence falsly for thee And this is no new invented Lye for it hath been ever the Children of God were counted Deceivers as in the Scripture we have a cloud of witnesses and Christ Jesus our Lord was counted so by thy Generation and as they did unto him so must you do unto us and must fulfil their measure of wickedness as Christ hath said Answ. And this is my Answer in full That way which thou calst Heresie and delusion do we worship the God of our Fathers and are not ashamed of the Reproaches for his Name sake Then further thou sayest They be such kind of people who at this day are carried away with the Quakers namely loose Ranters and light Notionists and here and there a Legallist which were shaking in their Principles c. Answ. The Substance of this is as much as the wise Scribes and Pharisees said concerning Christ None believed in him said they but a company of poor people which know not the Law which were accursed and doth any of the Rulers believe on him Friend though some of all sorts of people be brought to God yet thou seemst to be offended herewith that the wicked should be turned from his wickedness which is no evidence against us that we are Deceivers but an evidence against thee in thy wicked slander who hath brought forth thy Lies without fear as though thou shouldst never in this life be put to prove them nor in the time to come shouldst ever answer for them But the Ranters and light Notionists and Thee we do deny in that state wherein they and you do stand till you turn to the Lord by repentance and whatever you have been in your profession or practice if you turn from your iniquity we dare not deny you And whereas thou givest this Character of a Notionist Such a one is puffed up in his fleshly mind and advanceth himself above others c. This is thy own condition and thou hast read thy own Character who art pufft up in thy lies and slanders and advancest thy self above the Innocent who exceeds thee in faith towards God and in good works towards men and whose conversation is in Heaven but thine is among the Hirelings under the Marks of all the Deceivers of old as may afterwards appear Then thou goes on and sets down some of the Lyes which thou sayest the Devil perswads those men to believe And first That Salvation was not fully and compleatly wrought out for sinners by the maâ— Christ Iesus c. Answ. Friend the Devil hath perswaded thee to believe Lyes which is a degree higher A Slander is more then a Lye This Accusation is clearly false wickedly cast upon us for there is not salvation in any other nor is it wrought by any other but by Jesus Christ fully and compleatly it is brought forth by him unto every one that believes who receives the Testimony of it in themselves for if thou have no Testimony of it but without thee the Pope and his Idolaters have as much as thou and may be more take back to thee thy Lye again with shame and confusion Then thou goes on and sayst This is another of his Lyes wherewith he deceives bidding them follow the light that they brought into the World with them telling them that this light will lead into the Kingdom c. Thou hast here mixed Truth and a Lye together this is falsly laid down The light that they brought into the world with them but this is the Truth of God and no Lye of the Devil That to follow the Light
of Christ Jesus wherewith he hath lightned every man that comes into the world and it will lead into the Kingdom of Peace and righteousness for saith Christ I am the Light of the World he that follows me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the Light of Life and this is that which thou wouldst fain call the Lye of the Devil and therefore to cover thy wickedness and impudency thou hast changed and mixed the terms of words that thou mayest have a ground for thy Slander but thou art seen and comprehended and thy folly appears Then thou sayest we say It will convince of Sin Swearing Lying Stealing c. of Sins against the Law and this thou makest a thing of little account to be convicted of sins against the Law by the Light of Christ for there is nothing else that doth convince of sin mind that And this Light thou seems to acknowledge every man hath and this Light I do affirm to be the Light of Christ Jesus and to bid People follow this the Light of Christ to lead into the Kingdom can be no Lye of the Devil for he which convinceth of sins against the Law leads up into the fulfilling of the Law and though thou and thy Generation would leap over the Law yet must the righteousness of it in Judgment be fulfilled upon you and by Christ Jesus in you if ever you receive the Salvation to your Souls Learn whâ—t it means Much more thou ramblest over which I pass by as being not pertinent to the thing in hand but Fools love to be meddling though little to the purpose and as I have said thy Maker will not blame thee for thou hast brought in of thy chiefest substance though it be but as Clay and as Dirt at least that of it which is against the Quakers and the substance of many Pages following is this that I have gathered denying or at least opposing Christ revealed within and in opposition to this quotes many Scriptures of what he did in his own Person which Scriptures I own and the Truth which they bear witness of yet must we beâ—â— witness that without the Revelation of Christ within there is no Salvation However so much is or may be spoken of him without as the Pope can do as well as thou yet are you found to be one Generation persecuting the Life under the zeâ—l of profession of the words Then the next thing that I mind is a Question which thou hast asked thyself Do not the Scriptures make mention of Christ within c And I shall ask further Doth not the Scripture witness that all who have not Christ within are Reprobates But thou hast proved deceitful in answering thy self and shuffled and I may much fear thou wilt not be faithful in answering mine however it rests upon thee to answer it or to stop thy mouth Then the next thing is thou sayest This design of deceiving the Devil carries oâ— by pretending if they follow what is made known to them from the Light within Answ. I observe all thy whole purpose is a secret smiting against the Light within which Christ hath given to every man and thy whole work is to render his â—ight odious But this I further answer The design of the Devil in deceiving souls is thy own and I turn it back to thee but this is truth as it is in Jesus He that comes to eternal Life must follow and walk in what is made known by the Light of Christ within And thou sayest Beg of God to convince thee by his holy Spirit c. And thus thou utterest thy confusion sometime treating for it and sometime against it secretly smiting the Just mixing the Truth with Lyes that thereby thy Slanders may be covered and thy deceit hid The rest of thy Epistle I pass by being from the same spirit which thy Lyes are from and thy Lying Spirit the Children of God cannot own and therefore must needs deny that which proceeds from it And thus much in answer to thy Epistle Sixteen of thy first Pages are filled with this to wit proving that there is a Christ and that he was promised and that he was waited for and expected c. To all this I shall say nothing except thou hadst proved it in opposition to some body for what is Truth I own by the Spirit of the Lord as it is Truth in Christ but as it comes from thy lying spirit I do not so well own it I own the words and I deny thy voice and this is my Answer Only I find thee wresting some Scriptures whether through subtilty or for want of wit I shall not judge especially this hast thou encreased Revel 13. 8. and faisly sayst The Blood of Christ was shed before the World was and it is Since the Foundation of the World betwixt which is great difference the one being a very Lye and the other very Truth Then thou goest on proving That he is the Saviour that was born of Mary c. which thing we never denied and therefore I need the less to answer thee except thou hadst spoken it in opposition to us which I find thee not altogether until the thirty seventh Page where thou again secretly smitest in mixing some Truth with thy Lye And thou sayest How horribly are those deceived who look on Iesus to be but a Shadow or Type This is thy Lye I know not any who do it and yet thou sayest Of something that was afterwards to be revealed c. Answ. This hath some truth in it which is this The same Christ which was born of Mary which wrought Righteousness in his Person by doing and suffering which was is the Substance was afterwards revealed in the Saints And this is no horrible deceit to witness Christ revealed or to wait for him to be revealed within Then thou sayest When he was come then was an end put to the Law c. And here I ask a Question Did Christ Jesus put an end to the Law for them who yet live in the transgression of the Law or doth be justifie that which the Law condemneth before the work of the Law be finished What is the meaning of the Scripture Not one tittle shall fail till all be fulfilled What assurance have any that it is fulfilled for them who are yet transgressors of it in themselves An Answer to this may satisfie the simple Then thou goest on and sayst How are they deceived that think to obtain Salvation by following the convictions of the Law which they call Christ c Answ. Here thou confessest the Law convinceth then it is not put to an end or fulfilled or taken away because it yet works and it is no deceit to mind that which doth convince of sin to lead to Christ to take sin away for the Scripture saith The Law is a School-Master to bring to Christ but thou art in the deceived state who healest up falsly and daubest with untempered Morter and
and what is that which chains him and whether art thou come to one of the dayes of the Thousand years yea or nay Quer. 12. Whether dost thou know any Christ or preach or profess any Christ who hath not lighned every man that comes into the World with the true Light of Life or of Condemnation and is he not a Deceiver that exhorts People for Salvation to any other thing then the Light of Christ yea or nay And how hath Christ enlightened every man in the World if not within him These Queries with some more in my Answer I put forth to thee that Truth may be cleared from all Slanders of envious tongues and shall leave my work and thine to be weighed in the Ballance of Righteousness to be considered of by every honest heart to whom they do come and God shall be the chief Judge betwixt us in his day A Postscript ANd now seeing we have taken in hand to discover and lay open the deceits of Deceivers that all men may come to the knowledge of the Truth and be saved and led out of the snare of the crafty Fowlers these things further we shall add which are contrary to the Doctrine of the true Gospel First Iohn Burton said in a Discourse with some Friends That Christ had two Bodies and one of the Bodies was out of the sight of the Saints Secondly Iohn Bunyon said Christ's second coming 〈◊〉 not his coming in Spirit for his coming in Spirit is no comming Thirdly Iohn Bunyon said upon Discourse Of the Word of God being in the heart in the presence of divers People That there was nothing in him nor in any man to be taken notice of Fourthly One of their Brethren said That Christ and the Word of Life were two things Fifthly Some others of the same Members in the Market of Bedford said That they scorned that Light which we meaning the Quakers speak of which is the Light that convinceth of sin which Light they confessed to be in every man in the same discourse which was with some of them called Quakers Much need not be said as to the laying open of these particulars for by the words themselves the wickedness and ignorance of the broachers of them are fully seen to every one who is spiritual and to them I leave this to be judged onely this I shall further say They have not spoken onely that which cannot be proved by Scriptures but some of the particulars are also contrary to the Scriptures and are damnable Doctrines of Devils as might be largly laid open in the third and fifth particulars But I delight not in raking in such unsavory Stuff but do trample over it and return it to the Authors Having summed up their Wickedness into a Sum I leave it for to be weighed by themselves and others and if any question the truth of the particulars charged against them sufficient Testimony may be given by such who were â—aâ— Witnesses By one who hath chosen rather to suffer affliction with the despised People then to enjoy the pleasures of sin EDWARD BURROUGH Stablishing Against Quaking Thrown down and overturned and no Defence found against it Or an Answer to a Book called Stablishing against Quaking put forth by Giles Firmin a professed Minister in Essex WHEREIN His many Lyes and Slanders are rebuked and witnessed against and all his thirteen Arguments confounded and clearly confuted and he manifestly proved a false Prophet in several particulars as in his Call and Maintenance And while he hath thought to discover the Prince of Darkness in others he is found secretly lodging in his own house and powerfully working in him and is found truly guilty himself of that whereof he falsly accuseth the innocent People called Quakers who are Gods faithful Witnesses against this subtil Generation though for a moment they are a Prey to the seed of Evil-doers and a Reproach to lying Tongues THe Lord from Heaven in this his day is risen and come forth to make War with all his Enemies being the fulness of time wherein his purpose is to cut down and destroy the man of sin by the power of his coming and he must reign whose right it is and of his Kingdom and Government there shall be no end and Nations shall flow into it and Kings shall lay down their Crowns at his Feet whom God hath appointed to exalt in his Throne of Righteousness and Judgment and the war is proclaimed in his Name the Standard of the Lord is set up before him to gather together the Nations to fan them and to try them and to search and to seek out his own where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day and a prey made upon them by every wild Beast of the Mountain But the Lord hath opened his Ear to the cry of the Just and his Bowels are filled with compassion towards the Seed of his Inheritance whom no man regardeth to take pity upon but are altogether hardened in their iniquities and become equal with the Oppressor therefore in Judgment is the Lord appearing to work the purpose of his Heart and to fulfil the intent of his Mind and will not spare to punish the transgression of the wicked upon his own head and is already clothed with the Garments of Vengeance and clad with Zeal as with a Cloak and hath proclaimed Indignation in the face of the Ungodly and his Enemies against whom his wrath is kindled is joyning battel with him and Gog and Magog is prepared to resist the day of Recompence and the whole body of Darkness from the head to the tayl is risen to gainsay the Lord and strive in confusion together and their armour clashes one against another and they over-run each other through the confusion of their blind understanding and they will not be perswaded unto Reconciliation but goes on in rebellion till they be left without strength as a wounded man who shall never more vise again nor recover his deadly blow for the strength of Aegypt shall fail in the midst of it and the Warrier finds not his hand in the day of his necessity but terror is upon his loynes and fearfulness in his heart and the wrath remains upon him and wisdom is become madness and prudence is hid and the wise men of this Generation are become foolish What do ye mean Ye that have gathered your selves together all ye Sects and Opinions and ye that profess the Law of Righteousness Is your Religion turned into Envy and Wrath whereby you would slay the Upright You have made Lyes your refuge as your last defence to cover your selves from the Storm but your City is besieged and fear shall compass you about and the refuge of Lyes shall be swept away For in vain and to no purpose do men strive against the Lord and without effect as to that which they intend do they gather themselves together and band themselves in deaths covenant to war against the Lamb for the
and in the fulfilling of them by the Spirit or he that talks in words of them and makes a trade thereof but lives in Lying and false Accusing and Pride and vain Glory and tâ—e filthiness of the Flesh This Question being answered will open the understanding of the simple and our innocency thereby will appear from all thy grievous slanders and wicked wrestings of our words As in Page twenty five in thy false conclusioâ—… of this particular thou sayest The Quakers divide the Spirit from the Scripture c. Yea the Spirit and the Scriptures are low things though they bear witâ—… to the truth of each other thus are they divided That every one that hath the Scriptures hath not the Spirit and this is no error nor from a Light of Satan but thy Lyes are from the Darkness of Satan and not from the Ligâ—â— of Christ. Thy fourth Argument is Such is the Quakers Light viz. which makes the Scripture cross it self and that in things known by the Light of nature therefore the light of Satan c. Answ. This is also false in the foundation and thy Arguments and Confusions made without effect Friend whilst thy foundation is a Lye thy Building wiâ—… not endure be sure of that the Scripture was given forth by one Spirit and bears witness unto one thing and doth not cross it self in the Light of the Spirit that gave it forth though to thy carnal wisdom it may seem so And for the proof of thy minor proposition thou sayst we quote that Scripture Iames 2. Have not the Faith of our Lord Iesus with respect of Persons c. to overthrow all respect of Persons c. Doth this at all prove that our Light makes the Scripture to cross it self Where is it said in the Scripture Have the Faith of our Lord Jesus with respect of Persons Such a one thou must bring or else thou hast said nothing to this purpose And thy second Scripture is That we say as Christ said Swear not at all Will this Scripture being quoted by us prove that our Light makes the Scripture cross it self What blind confused stuff is this which proceeds from thee thinking to make us odious and vile but thou hast the rather made thy self ignorant and blind in the sight of all the Children of Light who comprehend thee in thy subtilty and as to that of Swearing which thou hast strived in thy Argument to prove the Lawfulness of it thou hast thereby made thy Argument against Christ's own words who saith Swear not at all and thou art he whose Light or rather whose Darkness would confound the Scriptures to blind the eye of the Simple and thy conclusion stands true upon thy self hence thy light is the light of Satan not of Christ. And thou sayest The Quakers bid men be guided by the Light of God within c. How doth this contradict thy own words page twenty second where thou sayest The Quakers Light puts out this light the inward Law set up in the heart c. when wilt thou be ashamed of thy ignorance and stop thy mouth in the dust Thy fifth Argument is Such is the Quakers Light viz. which takes men off from that Rule which is perfect and cannot err and sends them to be guided by a Light which is imperfect and may and doth err therefore the Light of Satan c. Answ. Hast thou given up thy self wholly to lyes and to make them thy refuge thy work is to make a Lye and then to confound it this is an easie way to prove us Deceivers as I said and in the proof of thy minor Proposition thou hast fallen short of proving what thou takest in hand and sayst The Word of God is perfect but the Quakers do not send men to the Word c. This is false we preach the Word and send men to it even that Word of Faith which the Apostle preached which is in the heart and in the mouth and that Word is perfect and errs not and this we send men too to be guided by it and to receive faith in it then thou sayest The light of Conscience is imperfect and may err and takes accasion to speak of that Scripture 1 Ioh. 8. but to what purpose I know not except thou wouldst prove that Light of Christ to be imperfect and err which we say hath lightened every mans Conscience in the World and is a perfect Rule in the Conscience where man is guided by it and this Light leads up unto Christ to exercise the Conscience and he to rule King and Lord in the Conscience and so to make Conscience one with him in the unity and this is true wisdom and no folly as thou accountst it in thy blindness page twenty nine Then thou goest on and hast intimated a falsity from I. Ps Query and then confutes thy own Lye I. P. doth not say every man is lightned with a saving Light but asks the Question to be answered which for the simple sake here I do answer Christ hath lighted every man in the World with the true Light which is saving Light to every one that believes therein and condemning Light to him that believes not yet is the Light true Light and no error nor imperfection in it and they that hate it are such as know nothing of Redemption Justification c. and a great part of England is in that conditin though they have heard the report yet they know it not in truth and righteousness and this Light is in the World and the World knows it not yet doth not this confute that he hath lightned every man that comes into the World as thou wouldst ignorantly make it appear in the same page Then thou sayest If you speak of reason and understanding so Christ lighteth every one c. Here thou hast confessed Truth with thy lying Spirit it is the purest reason that every man should serve his Maker and act nothing contrary to his Maker this the â—ight of Christ lights unto and leads unto and it is the best understanding that gives a man to understand the Way of eternal Peace and Rest for his Soul if he love the Light and lets him understand when he acts against his Maker c. and this hath Christ lighted every man unto Then thou sayest Conscience may err and provest it from Paul's example of persecuting If Conscience be not guided by the Light of Christ it erreth but it was not the Light of Christ in Pauls Conscience which led him to persecute but his thoughts and imaginations which were in the high mind above the Light in the Conscience then many false conclusions from our words hast thou drawn through thy wresting of them thou sayest as in all our books the word of God written is made of no account c. thy lying tongue will God rebuke the Scriptures we account of and set them in their Authority and bring them as a Witness against thee and all thy wayes who art
Apostacy then began men to study from Books and Writings what to preach and say not having the holy Ghost received in them without which none are Ministers of Christ mark that and when men had lost through ignorance the Knowledge of God dwelling in them and that their Bodies were his Temple and that he dwelled and walked in his People then began they again to build Temples without and to set up their false worships in them for having lost the sence of Gods true Worship which the Saints worshipped in in the Spirit and in the Truth then they began to worship in set Dayes and set Times and set Places and outward Observances which is not the worship of God in the Spirit and in the Truth but Superstitious and Idolatrous and when the Word of God was not received immediately from his Mouth nor the Gospel by the revelation of Jesus Christ as it was in the dayes of the Apostles then darkness being come in they used their tongues when the Lord had not spoken to them as the false Prophets did before Christs time and long have they said the Letter is the Word and that the Letter is the Gospel and that it must be received by the Scriptures and by natural Learning and Arts and that none can be Ministers of Christ but such who are learned in the Languages and knows the Original of Scriptures Latine and Greek and Hebrew nor any of these have received the Gospel by revelation or the Word of God from his mouth And when singing in the Spirit and with the Understanding was ceased and not known then began People to get the Form of singing of Davids experiences in Rime and Meeter and when the pure power of Godliness was lost which was in the days of the Apostles manifested and known then in the Apostacy the deceit grew into the Form of every thing which the Saints had enjoyed in the Power and so were Shadows set up instead of Substance and Death instead of Life and the Form without the Power which in many Branches sprang forth some into one appearance and some into another but all under the power of the Beast with his many heads and horns defended and until this day since the dayes of the Apostles thus it hath been and those very Teachers and supposed Ministers which now are in this and other Nations are of that very Root which sprang forth in the dayes of the Apostles and they are under the dominion of the Beast and moveable like unto the great Whore and this may easily be proved that they are of that Generation of Teachers and false Prophets which Christ prophesied of should come which the Apostle saw was coming in in their dayes of those which Iohn saw the world to run after for Christ said That by their fruits they should be known and the Apostles they described their fruits them by their fruits and so we seeing their fruit to be the very same now which the Apostles described was the fruit of them that then were come and coming from whence we do conclude according to sound judgment that these very Teachers are of the same Generation and Branches of the same Root which sprang forth then And in Pauls Writings you may read such they were whom he saw of whom he bad people to beware and said perillous times would come and men should be Lovers of themselves Covetous Proud Blasphemers Disobedient to Parents Unthankfull Unholy without Natural Affection false Accusers Fierce Despisers of those that are good Heady High-minded Lovers of Pleasures more then lovers of God having a Form of Godliness but denying the Power and such of whom people were ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth for people were laden with sins and led away with divers lusts and these did resist the Truth as Iannes and Iambres who withstood Moses by making likenesses without Life and they were men of corrupt minds and reprobate concerning the Faith Now it is plain that these Teachers in this Generation are of that very Stock which Paul describes such he saw would come and such we see are come and by their fruits we know them as Christ said and Pauls words are fulfilled for these Teaâ—hers are lovers of themselves and covetous and proud this is plain to all people and Blasphemers who denies Christ to have lighted every man that comes into the World and therefore they deny Scripture and so are disobedient and unholy men and without natural affection who many of them have caused the Innocent to be imprisoned and some have died in Prison and they the chief cause of this and this is without natural affection to the Creatures and they are false Accusers and Lyars and fierce in their Books and Preaching as is manifest through all this Nation and they greatly dispise those that are good and prepares war against such as do not put into their Mouthes and they aâ—â— heady and high-minded and lovers of vanities and pleasures this is evident without proof and they have a Form of Godliness they say all should be taught 〈◊〉 God but when any comes to witness it and deny their teaching they cry agaiâ—… such as Hereticks and thus they have the words and the Form but deny thâ—… Power and they are ever teaching twenty and forty years and more but noâ—… able ever to come to the knowledge of the Truth by them but all in blindness aâ—â— darkness still and people cries out who have been learning many years froâ— them that they do not know the Truth and its plain that these Teachers are of that sort that Paul spoke of who brings none to the knowledge of the Truth people that follows them are laden with sins and led away with divers lusts 〈◊〉 these have and do resist Truth every whore they deny that Christ hath lights every man that comes into the world and so resists Truth and denies Scripture and the truth as you may read Iohn 1. 9. And they are corrupt minded ever wicked Persecutors and Suers at Law and earthly minded and covetous and oppressors and are wholly rebrobate concerning the faith and thus it is plain that the root of these Teachers was springing in the Apostles dayes and hath grown ever since in this dark night of Apostacy and hath filled the Nations Again the Apostle saw that many should depart from the Faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of Devils speaking Lyes in hypocrisie haviâ—â— their Consciences seared as with a hot Iron Now these Teachers are of the Stock which is departed from the true Faith for they are without true Faith and reprobate concerning it who are in iniquity and sin and the works of the World which are evil now Faith purifies the heart from all this but their hearts 〈◊〉 not purified but polluted with Covetousness and preaching for Hire and Persecution and Envy and therefore they had not Faith and so are of that Generation which
faith whereby they may continue boldly witnessing to the end And this is a true Testimony of the Father and of the Son witnessed by us who are called of God in whom his Power is made manifest TO all the Children of Light every where who fear and love the Lord who are begotten of God and unto whom he is known in the Spirit and in the Truth this is a Testimony of the Fathers love unto you Grace Mercy and Peace from him that lives for ever the God of Light and Life be multiplied in you all that you may daily be renewed in strength and girded with Truth and armed with the whole Armour of God and may be kept by his Power until the day of Salvation to walk in the Government and subjection to Jesus Christ witnessing the Power and Presence of God in you and amongst you giving you power to fulfil his Will in all things and that in all righteousness and out of all evil you may be led and preserved unto the end and in the end to shew forth the praises of God in this Generation as a people called of him and redeemed by him for his great glories sake even so Amen and Amen Dearly beloved be not ignorant but this know This is the Message which came unto you which is true and faithfull and everlasting That the true God is Light and in him is no darkness at all and this is the Message of Peace and Reconciliation and of glad Tidings unto all that have sought the Lord which we received of him and you have heard and there is not another to be declared and all that have received it are gathered up to God and are in Covenant with him and one with another and are in that which reconcileth and joyneth unto Christ Jesus the Husband and second Adam who is the Lord from Heaven the Prince of Peace the Saviour and the Deliverer who is made manifest in power and condemneth the Transgressor and slayeth the Enmity and raiseth the Life out of death and this is he who kills and makes alive even the God who is Light who brings down one and sets up another who makes war against the mighty and gives peace to the pooâ— and besides him there is none he searcheth mans heart and trieth the reins and â—noâ— the thoughts and every Creature is manifest in his sight who gives to every one according to his doings and this is he who standeth in the Congregation of the Righteous even in the midst of us and sitteth Judge among the gods unto him must all the gods of the Earth bow and the Inhabitants of the Earth must tremble before him and unto him every Tongue shall confess and the Light in every man shall answer when he ariseth to Judgment who is a swift Witness to condemn or justifie all the children of men upon the face of the Earth This is the God of Truth whom we worship and who will be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth who is the God of Abraham and his Seed for ever and with him there is no change nor shadow of turning and he hath made known his Name and his Power and his wonderful Works in this his Day and hath caused his Voice to be heard in the Earth and the Dead hath heard and now liveth And his Name is exalted on high amongst all that fear him and obey his Voice and he hath given his Son a Covenant of Light who lighteth every man that cometh into the World with the true Light of Life or Condemnation that all who receive him may come to the knowledge of the Father whom to know is Life eternal And this is the Christ the Saviour in whom we have believed and whom we preach who is the Way the Truth and the Life the Foundation of God which cannot be moved the Word of God is his Name and there is no other Name given for Salvation This is he who was dead and is alive and lives for evermore and there is no other to be looked for if any preach any other let them be accursed and if any bring any other Message let them not be received And all you who have believed in this Christ Jesus who is the Light of the World and who have received the knowledge of this God who is Light himself and that searcheth your hearts I exhort you and warn you all in his Presence that lives forever to wait upon him and to fear before him and to walk with him for ever in uprightness of heart which is of great price in his Sight and forget not his righteous Judgments which he hath made known least you wax fat through Mercies and rebel against him and become disobedient and gainsaying and so be destroyed from being a People but be stayed upon the Lord and let your hearts be established with Grace and be not tossed nor shaken with any wind of Doctrines of men which is not from the Life of God nor reacheth to the Life in you but begets into Idolatry to worship other gods then he who is Light and be not troubled at Temptations nor at Sufferings nor at Reproaches nor any other thing but stand in the Counsel of God and in his Long-suffering and wait patiently upon him in your own measure of the Grace of God received which is sufficient for you to preserve you that Victory over Death and over him that hath the power over it you may receive to trample upon all that which is contrary to the Life of God within you and without you neither be you troubled nor offended in Christ if any among you deny the Lord and backslide from his pure Way through an evil heart of unbelief and so become disobedient Children and vex the righteous Soul such shall bear their own burthen and condemnation in the day of the Lord and shall know that Truth changes not but is the same for ever though the Deceitful-hearted through unbelief depart from it and choose their own wayes and despise the Counsel of the Lord to their own destruction but be ye more watchful and faithful and valiant for the Truth upon Earth unto the end that you may be found faithful Witnesses unto the Name of the Lord in this crooked Generation and may receive the fulfilling of the Promise of God and may witness God within you the Emanuel the Saviour God with us and this is the whole Salvation and there is no other to be expected or witnessed then this That God dwells in us and walks in us according to his Promise and all that know this need nor go forth to the right hand or to the left but Salvation is come unto us he that taks away sin and saves from it and from condemnation and who witnesseth this are begotten by the Word of God and born of the immortal Seed and are new creatures but now there is no condemnation but the reward of righteousness and peace to us who are not in the Flesh but in
Dwellings and so Unbelief and Doubting and Murmurring and Lustings after evil arise in you and you be perverted from the Worship of the true God and grieve his Righteous Spirit by bowing to Idols and following of other Lovers and so the true God who hath brought you out of Aegypt and made manifest his Power in you be forgotten and the Faith of his Son made Ship-rack of and your latter end be worse then the beginning and the Name of the Lord be dishonoured by you and then wo unto you his Wrath shall suddenly break out against you Wherefore hear and fear and hearken unto the Word of the Lord He hath caused his Light to shine forth and his voice to be heard he hath proclaimed his Name amongst you and hath caused his marvellous Light to approach when you sate in Darkness in the Land of the shadow of death when you were lost he sought you and when you were driven away and scatterred he found you and brought you home when you were in your blood and no eye pittied you he had Mercy upon you and bound you up and healed you when you were dead he said unto you Live and it was so when you were led captive by the Devil under the power of death he broke the Chains and set you free and when there was none to help nor to save his own Arm brought deliverance and salvation and the Way of Life and Peace he set before you And now all this hath his own Arm accomplished that you should be a Praise unto him for evermore now if you walk in the Way which he hath set before you and keep his Covenant which he hath made with you and fulfil his Will and walk in Righteousness in Love and Unity in Meekness Lowliness Humbleness and in Soberness and Watchfulness and in Fear of his Name then shall his Presence never forsake you nor his outstretched Arm cease to defend and preserve you but he shall go before you and be your Reward and he shall be your God and you shall be his People and shall dwell in him and he shall be your Hiding-place and he will be to you a Father and you shall be his Children and his Blessing and Peace shall remain in your Habitations for ever and ever but if any of you turn aside for a thing of naught after vanity and deny the Way of Righteousness and forget the Lord and kick against him and follow the way and counsel of your own hearts and worship other gods and joyn your selves to Strangers and commit Adultery with other Lovers and make the Cross of Christ of none effect and turn from the Light of Christ within you and fulfil your own wills and the desire of your own minds and go out of the fear of the Lord into the liberty of the flesh which is not the Liberty in Christ Jesus and so seek your selves and strive for mastery to be one above another and so surmise evil one against another and the bond of peace be broken and vain contention and strife appear then shall the Rod of God smite you and his Wrath be suddenly kindled against you and you shall not prosper but his Countenance shall be hid and the terrors of the Lord and Lamentations shall possess you and Peace shall flee far from you and such shall be cast out of the Camp of the Lord and shall have no part in the Inheritance but the Blessing shall depart and the Curse shall enter till utter destruction yea and if any of you deny the Lord unto whom his Way is made manifest he will deny you and you shall have no part in him but Vengeance in Flames of Fire will he render upon the Disobedient manifold more then if his Love and Way of Peace had not been made manifest to you and the Light of the World is your condemnation for evermore if you turn from it And in the Presence of the living God I warn you all Believe not that spirit neither follow it which brings any other Message then what hath been declared from the beginning Believe not him which crieth Lo here or Lo there is Christ without you or that draweth from the measure of Christ within you to hearken to or to be taught by any other thing for that spâ—â—â—t is not of the Father which preacheth any other Christ then he that is the Light of the World and lighteâ—â— every man that cometh into the World or bringâ—â—â— any other Message then that God is Light in himself and hath given his Son a Light into the World and this is the true Testimony of the Father and of the Son and he that testifieth any other Message is to be judged and denied he is not a Worshipper of the true God bâ—â— out of the Truth and in the Error and a Deceiver being deceived Again Believe not that spirit neither follow it which ministreth to others that which it hath not learned oâ— the Father but hath the words without the Power and liveth not in the Power of what it ministreth forth in words nor is it what it declareth but is in the outward Shews in the Hypocrisâ—â— and Feignedness and reacheth not the Life of God but vaileth and covereth it and that spirit is not of the Father but is to be denyed and judged and not received nor believed Again Believe not that spirit neither follow it which is at liberty in the flesh and maketh the offence of the Cross to cease which is exalted out of the Fear of the Lord in the liberty of the earthly which crucifieth the Life and darkeneth the Eye and that spirit will boast of Joy and Peace and Experience and Knowledge and speak high words in the airy Wind and that would lead yoâ— out of your conditions to glory above the Cross till you be past feeling of the Life and that spirit begetteth into Feignedness and Hypocrisie and into the Loâ—e of the World which passeth away and beware of that spirit for it is not of the Father but to be condemned Again Believe not that spirit neither follow it which is hasty and forward and rash for that goeth out of God's Counsel and betrayeth the Just and striveth to be greatest and to be above the Weak and despiseth him and would be Master and not a Servant and would rule and not be ruled in the meek and lowly Government of Christ and that spâ—â—it will judge out of thoughts rashly and unsavourly and condemn another in secret in what it self is guilty of beware of that spirit for it is not of God but to be judged with the Life of God Again Believe not that spirit neither follow it which seeks it self to have praise of men and to be accounted and would beget into divisions and would have Parties to it self and respects persons and glories in gifts and knowledge and parts more then in the Giver and admires men more then he that gives the encrease and feeds of the knowledg
in that nature which is to be famished and glories in what hath been done by it as though it had not received power from the Lord and is exalted as though it bare the Root not knowing that it is born of the Root and that spirit spends its Treasure which it received in the Fathers house amongst Harlots and despises the poor and seeks occasion to glory over the weak that it may be renowned beware of that spirit I charge you all for it is not of the Father nor to be followed but to be condemned and resisted unto death Again believe not that spirit neither follow it which preacheth not from the measure of God received and to be manifest to it in you and approved by it only but speaks above the measure and reaches not to the measure of the Grace of God that spirit leads after words and outward shews and cries peace to the Rich and judgment to the Poor and the Word of God is not divided aright but heals up falsly and daubs with untempered morter and cries peace where God speaks war and cries war where God speaks peace and that Spirit is a Deceiver and a Betrayer and feeds but the Ear and not the Life and darkens the Counsel of God by words without knowledge and is not of the Father but of the World and to be denied and condemned Again Believe not that spirit neither follow it which is not subject to rule and order and is not meck and diligent and long suffering but heady and high and untoward seeking occasions against the Just and Watcheth for evil that spirit will not bear reproof but is idle sloathfull and careless and surmising evil and backbiting and conforms in appearance making a fair shew but is not unto God as appearing unto man and that would go and is not called and will not go when it is called and seeks for the praise of men more then God and that is fruitless ground and brings forth Bryars and Thorns in secret which choaks the Seed of God beware of that spirit it is a Lover of this World have no fellowship with it for it is not of the Father but a Deceiver and is to be a denied Again Believe not that spirit neither follow it which is tossed and unsetled and is given to change and is not established with Grace that is an Adulterer and hunâ—s for the precious Life and seeks by flattery to beguile the Innocent that spirit is zealous for a moment but is soon overcome and is stony ground and brings not forth fruit to perfection but withers and its latter end is worse then the beginning That spirit is exalted into presumption in peace and cast into desperation in trouble and the double minde lodgeth in it and it is unstable in all its wayes and is a ground for the Seed of Satan and to it there is no peace from God and beware of that spirit for it is not of the Father but to be condemned Again Believe not that Spirit neither follow it which is more zealous then knowing whose zeal is without true knowledge and stands in that which is corrupted that flourisheth for a moment but cannot endure for ever it hath no root in it self but is furious and passionate and not long-suffering that spirit knows not its self but would devour its Adversaries with bitterness and not gain by long-suffering that is not the spirit of the Father but must be denied in all Again Believe not that spirit which draws back into the World into its lusts and liberty and fashions which passe away that spirit forgets God and draws back for his Soul hath no pleasure in it but is vexed with it where the Cross is made of none effect and the false liberty is walked in which murders the Life that spirit is of the Devil and is to be condemned And now all Friends of God every where who knows him and are known of him whom he hath gathered out of this untoward Generation be diligent in your Callings and keep your Meetings in faithfulness waiting upon the Lord that you all may receive of his fulness to be filled with it and may be nourished up unto himself as trees of righteousness the planting of his own right hand to spread forth his Name and Glory as a people saved by him and to whoâ— there is none like besides And this know and understand that spirit is not of the Father which confesseth not the Son to be come in the Flesh who destroys the works of the Devil and takes away sin and that Spirit believe and follow whiâ—â— condemns sin and destroys it and takes it away and so gives peace with God iâ— your own Consciences and leads you into all Truth and keeps you from all evil and you that witness this the Son you know and the Father you know to dwell with you and in you and this is the first and the last believe in him and follow him and look not for any other and in this the Father of Life and Glory whose Dominion is without beginning and end establish you and preserve you Amen and Amen I a beloved Brother and a Companion unto all the Saints in suffering and in rejoyciâ—â— who have received this Testimony from the Father do with it in this Epistle salute tâ—â— whole Church in the Love of the Father as moved of him by his Eternal Spirit whiâ—â— beareth witness to me that we are of God and the whole World lieth in wickedness 〈◊〉 that all that are of God heareth us And this Testimony I give of the Father 〈◊〉 of the Son and of the Truth and of the Salvation of which I am made a Witness and against all that ever shall deny it or turn from it And this is thus far the 〈◊〉 of my Testimony by the Spirit of the Father not knowing when the time comes it 〈◊〉 be finished and the night may come when no man can work E. B. To all that suffer for the Testimony of Iesus and foâ— his Name sake THe glorious God of Truth hath appeared and made known his Way aâ—â— Truth perfectly in this our day and hath chosen unto himself faithfâ—… Witnesses to testifie of his Name and of his Truth before Rulers and People and hath brought forth a Seed which is not of this World which cannot boâ— to the Devil but is Heir of Gods Inheritance though a Sufferrer in this World under the Powers thereof and many in this Generation who are called and faithfull and chosen bear witness unto the Name of the Lord in Sufferings and Tribulations whom he will honour because they honour him who is exalting his Truth and his People through Sufferings And now all Friends who are called to suffer for the Testimony of Jesus and foâ— the exercise of a pure Conscience which you hold be valiant for the Truth upon Earth and faint not but finish your Testimony with joy for the Lord aâ—â— against all your Enemies and look
and his Arm shall watch over them to overthrow them all and to make them desolate that the Just may be delivered And all you who suffer any where Imprisonment or Finings or reproaches or any other thing because ye cannot Swear for Conscience sake nor respect Persons according to the vain Customs of the Heathen but are redeemed out of the Customs and Superstitions of men which are of the World and are evil and not of God nor justified by him you suffer for Righteousness sake and for Christs sake and are Witnesses for God herein against the Superstitions and Wickedness and Pride and High-mindedness of men and the Lord is with you if you be ruled in his Wisdom and are faithful to him and he will lift up your heads till his and your Adversaries be confounded And I charge you all in the Presence of the Lord who suffer for Righteousness sake in these things or in any other who are moved of the Lord to bear witness of the Truth and against the deceits of the World be not exalted in the flesh in your sufferings lest you forget God Nor be not cast down into sorrow lest ye be overcome of the Devil but dwell in the measure of the Power and Life of God which is above all and more then all and feel Gods living Arm to stay your hearts to watch to his own in you to refresh you continually And resist the Devil on every hand with the Armour of Light and Truth that your Life may be preserved in Dominion over all things even the Life which is not of this World in you may not be vailed nor overcome for to enjoy the Life of God with you is enough if you pass through the Fire and through the Water it keeps you and carries you above all this I witness and it is more then all outward Freedom or Liberty or Riches or Treasure of this World and walk herein in Boldness and Faithfulness and Patience as you have us for an Example in Christ Jesus who are in Jepardy every hour often in Tryals Sufferings and Dangers and love not our lives unto death for the Testimony of Jesus which we hold and that his Name and Truth may be exalted in the Earth but as the Lord moves are carried through Nations among Lyons and Devourers such as seeks our life for their Prey and yet the Lord is with us our Defence and Arm and Preserver above all Therefore look you at the Lord in all Affliction and Distress and know his Reward with you that your Burden and Yoak may be easie and not hard for his Presence makes all things joyful And know that it is for the Name of the Lord and for his Honour and for his Kingdom which God will set up through suffering for this cause are ye called to suffer and your Life nor liberty nor any other thing is not to be measured nor compared herewith So uâ—to every one of you I am moved to write and to warn you all in the fear of God be content and long-suffering and patient and finish you Testimony with rejoycing if ye seal it with your Blood and dwell with the Lord in his holy Habitation of Peace out of respect to time or places or things and give up your selves that his will in you may be fulfilled And think it not strange though you have fiery trials neither be moved at any Suffering without you or troubled in spirit neither let it break your peace nor fellowship with God by any impatiency or murmurings or temptations for then will your sufferings be grievous to you and the Enemy within and without will have ground against you to overthrow you and know it is that which ever was in all Ages and no new thing for the Seed of God to suffer by the Seed of Evil-doers for the wicked alwayes strengthened their hands in cruelty against the Righteous and laid heavy burthens upon the Just and caused the Innocent to groan under them for a time till iniquity was fulfilled that they might be broken and the Oppressed delivered and alwayes the Lord exalted his Name by the sufferings of his people as we have a Cloud of Witnesses of our Fore-fathers that went before who did bear witness to the Name of the Lord through faithfull suffering so it is no strange thing hath happened unto you but that which is common to all the Saints who enter the Kingdom through tribulation blessed are you if you be faithfull unto the end that you may reap the reward of your works of your sufferings and patience even the Crown of Life that never fades away so the Lord God of Life preserve you And all Frieds every where I am moved to warn you Dwell in love and unity and fellowship one with another in the Light and in the Spirit of the Father and fulfil the Law of Christ and bear one anothers burden and suffer with one another that none be oppressed among you in any thing whilst others are free but that the burden of all things and the care of all things in relation to the Truth be equal among you according to every ones freedom and as every one is moved of the Lord so to administer to one anothers necessities as Members of one Body to the honouring of the Head and spreading of the Truth that there be no complaining but equallity and justness and the Government of Christ ruling among you and his Wisdom in all things Feed no excess nor the lustfull devouring mind in any neither suffer the Distressed to perish for want but reach one to another in love and like mindedness suffering for one another and all caring for the Truth above all things that God may dwell among you and be known that he is in you of a truth And in this the Wisdom of God guide you all Amen By a Companion in Tribulation to all the Saints every where EDWARD BURROUGH THE Testimony of the Lord CONCERNING LONDON Witnessed in Truth and Faithfulness to the Consciences of all People in it that they may return to the Lord and Repent Also the Great Abominations discovered of this People who draws near God with their Mouthes and professeth Self-Separation when as their Hearts be far from the Lord. VVith a VVarning to all sorts of People in it what the Lord requires of them O LONDON thou art weighed in an even Ballance and found tâ—… light thou are measured by an equal Line and found to short and tâ—… narrow and thy People cannot stand in Judgment for abundance of iniquity lodgeth within thee and thou aboundst in all unrighteousness thy sins are grown over thy head and with transgression thou art covered as wiâ—… a Garment from the Head to the Foot thou art corrupted and there is muâ— unsoundness in thee O how doth Pride abound Lightness and Wantonness and the lust of the Eye and all the works of the Flesh are encreased to a large suâ— aboundance of Idolatry and Vanity springs out of
they seek their Gain and through Covetousness make Merchandize of souls â—he false Prophets of Israel were their Example and they follow in the Path of Unrighteousness having run and were never sent of God and therefore the People are not profited at all nor turned to God but from year to year and time to time ever learning but cannot come to the knowledge of the Truth Ignorance abounds in thy old Men and Rudeness and Wildness in thy Youths and thy People are without the knowledge of God and perish for lack of Knowledg Thou art even as a wild untilled Garden which bringeth forth no plesant Fruit thy Vines are as the Vines of Sodom and thy Fruit is loathsome to the Lords Taste wild Grapes and sour Grapes are brought forth in thee which the Lord hath no pleasure in ye bring forth fruit unto your selves and not unto the Lord ye kindle a Fire and warm your selves with your own sparks ye sacrifice to your own Net and ye think to be heard for your much Babling and your many Performances Aboundance of the first mans wisdom is among you it leads you and guides you and not the Spirit of God and through your own wisdom which is devillish you conform to the Saints words and to theiâ— practises in outward appearance and make your selves like the Saints and bow unto your own Images and Likenesses which ye make and are grown wise and full of knowledge but it is not the Wisdom of God nor the Knowledge that will endure for ever for you neglect the one thing which is only needful to Eternal Life Your Buildings are high but they are not upon the true Foundation for many of you stumble at the Corner Stone your sprinkling Infants is a vâ—ry Cheat and all that believe therein are deceived and your singing of David's â—â—periences in rime and meeter is a very Lye unto you your Worship is but Idolatry and it will not cover you in the Day of the Lord though none be like unto thee O London in Profession nor any City hardly can compare with thee in respect of the Multitude of thy gathered Assemblies and self Separates yet all this will not availe thee when the Lord searcheth thy heart which is found not perfect beforethe Lord but full of vain glory and lust and pleasures of the flesh and dissimulation and guile which the Wrath of God will be revealed against A single and an upright Heart is of greater price with the Lord then all the Performances of Self-righteousness that is done in thee while your hearts are given to vanity and continue therein Wherefore O London this is a Warning to thee Let thy Inhabitants repent the dreadful Day of the Lord is coming I have heard the voice of War against thee and not of Peace the cry of Howling and bitter Lamentation and not of gladness nor joy of heart What wilt thou do in the day of thy Visitation when the Lord stretcheth forth his Hand to smite thee To whom wilt thou flee And where wilt thou be hid when the Lord shews himself thy Enemy and appears to take an account of thee What will become of all thy Treasures How will thy vaine glory become a stink How will the dayes of thy mirth be turned into grâ—evous sorrow instead of thy pleasures and delicacies and mirth and wantonness shall be Sighing and Mourning and woful Lamentation all thy gods shall not be able to deliver thee nor all thy Profession shall not justifie thee nor all thy self-separating People shall not be able to stand in the gap to stay the hand of the Destroyer none of thy carved Images shall stay his fury nor none of all thy several Sects shal be a mountain to hide thee when the Lord strips thee naked and layes thee bare and gives thee to know what is in thy heart which will come upon thee in a day not looked for Wherefore repnet all sorts of People and turn to the Lord if there may be mercy found Cease your Wickedness ye Wicked and learn to live Righteously Wo unto you Drunkards Wo unto you Whormongers Wo unto you Covetous Wo unto you Lyars Swearers and Scorners Wo unto you Dissemblers and deceitful Dealers Wo unto you Proud and Vain-glorious Wo unto you lustful People The Lord will plead with you all and give unto you the fruit of your doings and reward you according to your works his hand shall not spare nor his Eyes shall not pitty in the day that he comes to Judgment when he takes vengeance upon all the seed of Evil-doers and to pluck up the wild branches and to cast them into the fire Sackcloth shall be put on instead of gay Apparel and all thy Idols shall vanish away as for all thy Profession where is it All thy many Sermons and long Prayers what is become of them And all thy publick and private Duties where are thy shall it be said Ye shall all know that there is a God that will execute judgment and justice and that will plead with all flesh and in his sight shall no flesh be justified And all ye who thirst for the Lord and desire after the knowledge of his Wayes unto whom iniquity is a burden by you desired to be freed from who have long sought the Lord and have not yet found him who have prayed and had no answer and have been weary and heavy laden and found no rest I say unto you Save your selves from this untoward Generation come ye out of these abominations that you may be delivered from the Wrath Fear ye the Lord and do not offend him in any thing stand in awe and transgress not love Righteousness and Truth touch no unclean thing and the Lord will receive you meddle not with their Worships bow not to their Images nor sacrifice not to their Idol gods have no fellowship with them in their prophanness nor yet in their hypocrisie but hearken ye to the Voice of the Lord that ye may know his Judgments in your hearts and his Law and Covenant established with you depart from all iniquity and cast away all your Idols and forsake all your Lovers Give not your selves to the wayes and pleasures of this World but give your selves to Chastity to Soberness and Meekness and above all things be upright in heart towards God and towards man speak the truth one to another and let no Guile dwell in your Lips nor a deceâ—tful Tongue in your Mouth And cease from all Vain-glory and vain Customs and Fashions of the World which are evil And cease from all Men-teachers which deceive the People by flattering words who cry Peace when the Lord hath not spoken peace daub with untempored Morter such have not profited you at all but your soules are starved under your Ministry and leanness is upon you though you ever learn of them yet you cannot come to the knowledge of the Truth by them Cease from them all and from all your gathered and
that who will not have hire for preaching nor be hired by great sums of money from one Country to another such as makes the Gospel of Christ free and without charge who will not be burdensome to any but walks in all wisdom as examples of righteousness to all people whose conversations are in heaven and holdeth forth in life and practice unto all men what they profess in words and by doctrine and conversation holding forth the Light of the glorious Gospel which they have received from God being Partners of all holiness of Peace and Long-suffering of Meekness and Patience unto their Flocks even such who walk in Christ and shew forth good works and the fruits of his spirit causing his Light to shine forth among men in humility and soberness and in all the fruits of peace and Truth and such are approved of God and of the Saints even they that preach Christ freely to all people and hold forth the Light of the World which lighteth every one in the World the free gift of God to all mankind that all may believe and come to the knowledge of the Truth and be saved and such Ministers respect not the person of any man for advantage neither respect dayes nor places nor things but worships God in Spirit and in Truth and teach that worship unto all people and they gather people into the new Covenant where Christ is the High Priest and our Bodies the Temples of God and the Circumcision in the Heart and in the Spirit for such are Ministers of the Spirit and not of the Letter and they divide the Word of God aright they feed the Hungry and the Rich are sent empty away they cry not peace to the wicked neither do justifie the Unconvered neither do they condemn the Righteous nor such as are of an upright Heart but Christ they preach to justifie all that do believe and are obedient to him and do condemn all that believe not but are disobedient and such Ministers have the Word of Reconciliation and their Ministry is made effectual to accomplish the work of God Sinners are converted and brought to God thereby and to be taught of him alone and the Saints through that Ministry may obtain to the Holy Ghost and to need no man to teach them but as the Anointing within them which they receive through the Ministry whose labour is and the end of it to present every man perfect in Christ and this Ministry and such Ministers we approve of and they are approved of Christ and we would have them established and who are such will not take care for an outward maintenance neither what to eat or what to put on neither will they petition to Magistrates for Tythes and Augmentations but are without care as for a Lively-hood in this World they will not remove from one Town to another for a better Parsonage â—r Place for such as do so are not the lawful called Ministers of Christ but have run and were never sent for Christ's Ministers take not though for an outward maintenance but approve themselves in Patience in all Conditions and â—omtimes are in Want and in Cold and Hunger and Nakedness and in Persecutions and Tryals and Afflictions and suffered all things for the Name of Christ and yet we do believe and know That such have power to eat and to drink and may receive carâ—â—l things where they sow spiritual things but as a free Gift and not by compulsion or force we do allow that the Ministers of Christ may eat of the Milk of the Flock which they keep and feed and they may eat of the fruit of the Vineyard which they have planted and which they labour in and they may supply their necessities from them whom they have begotten of the Faith and whom they labour among 〈◊〉 Life and Doctrine who are Sheep of the Fold and Plants of the Vineyard of Christ Jesus but I say as a free gift may they receive the fruits of their labours and not as a debt nor any title claimed thereto by the Law of the Nation neither may they receive it by force or compulsion but who are the truely called Ministers of Christ are so far from this of forcing maintenance from any that they will not make use of their power in taking what may be freely given them for they will not make the Gospel burdensome by any means and this is the maintenance we do allow the Ministers of Christ they may eat such things as are set before them in any house which they enter into which is worthy and they may supply their necessities in food and raiment as a free gift from them who are gathered out of the world who are the Church of Christ over whom the Ministers are made Stewards to watch over them to exhort them to instruct them and to edifie them but not from the world who continues in unbelief and disobedience to the Gospel may they receive any outward maintenance by compulsion or by a free gift neither may they receive great sums of money by the year or tythes or other offerings to maintain themselves and their families in pride and idleness and lust and excess and superfluity in meats and apparel such a maintenance if by free gift much less by force is not allowed by Christ and his Saints but is the maintenance of Antichristian Teachers which never were sent of Christ and such cannot be content with his allowance and wages but lives in pride and pleasures of this world and in vanity and maintained they say they must be and if they be so they care not from whence it comes nor by what means and that is the reason wherefore so many hundreds of honest people are so spoiled in their Persons and Estates the Bodies of some being cast into prison and many others having their Goods taken from them by force and distraint and all this is to maintain Antichrists Ministers who neither care how they have it or from whom or to what evil use they improve it and this plainly appears in this Nation by many evidences but the Ministers of Christ do deny such a maintenance and such practises and are come to that Life which judgeth all these things And as concerning COMPELLING of Maintenance and forcing of iâ— from people this is utterly against the Law of Christ and condemned by him and denied by the Saints for it is unreasonable and no equallity in it that people should be compelled to maintain a Ministry especially such a one as they know 〈◊〉 not the Ministry of Christ neither is profitable to them and which they receiâ—â— no fruit from for the Ministers of Christ do not desire maintenance from the people of the World neither can receive any from them neither in justice and equity should the Ministers of the World receive or compel Maintenance from the Saints by force and cruelty but this we would have and this is reason and equity let all Ministers be maintained by
the true God that made Heaven â—nd Earth in the Spirit and in the Truth he hath placed his Name amongst us â—nd made his everlasting Covenant with us and established it that it cannot be â—oved he hath given us his Spirit and poured it upon us and we are taught of him according to his promise and are established in his holy Mountain where â—one can make us afraid for he hath armed us with his power and strength to defend us from all our enemies that we should bear witness of his Name in all the world and declare unto all Nations of his power and Dominion of his Salvation and Redemption that is in Him and in his Son of which we are made â—artakers and witnesses and by him have we received the heirship of the everlasting inheritance and we are of God and he that is of God heareth us whom the Father hath chosen and redeemed out of kindreds tongues and peoples to stand before the Throne of God and the Lamb and we have sought and do finde a City whose builder and maker is God and we are known to the Lord God Almighty and approved in his sight Our light is the light of the Lamb and our government the government of Jesus and our Law the Law of the most high and our Way is the way of peace and truth he that can receive it let him This is the Testimony which the Spirit of the everlasting Father witnesseth in us and witnesseth of us unto the whole world CHAP. I. Concerning the true God this Testimony I give to all People upon the Earth THe true God he is a Spirit and is infinite eternall and everlasting the Creator of all things and the life and being of all things and the power by which all things stand all Creatures have a being in him and by him and without him no creature is or doth move upon the face of the earth this is he whom we worship and fear and doth obey and he brings to pass by his counsel whatsoever he will and nothing can prevent the purpose of his mind but his counfel stands for ever and he is the righteous Judge of all things and before him must all mankinde come to Judgement and the living and the dead by him must be judged he is a rewarder of every one according to their deeds whether they be good or whether they be evil His Greatness Power Majesty and Dominion is over all and beyond all ruling above all in the power of his own will and who may say what doth he his eye seeth all and his presence filleth all and no creature can be hid from his sight he is near at hand and afar off he searcheth mans heart and and tryeth the reins and shews unto man his own thoughts he justifieth the righteous and condemneth the wicked he is light it self and in him is no darkness at all This is the true God whom we worship and this Testimony I give of him unto all people upon the face of the whole Earth CHAP. II. Concerning the Son of God this Testimony I give unto all the World THE Son of God who is called Christ the Prince of Peace and Righteousness he is one with the Father in power and dominion and was with him before the world was and by him the Father created all things and without hiâ— was not any thing made that was made he is Heir of all things and is the Priâ—â—â— of the Kingdom of Righteousness of Peace and Truth and he is the Word aâ—â— Power by which all things doth consist and is the Salvation of mankind and thâ— very life of the World he inherits life and immortality and is the Redeemer Saviour Deliverer and Restorer of the Children of men he is the very Wisdom and Poâ—er of the Creator and the Father doth nothing without the Son and by him anâ— through him the Father brings all things to pass by him the Father will judge the whole Earth and all the Children of Adam therein and this Christ Jesus the Son of God is the Life and Light of the world and hath enlightened all mankind every 〈◊〉 that cometh into the world is lighted by him with the true light of life or condâ—â—nation and what the Son doth the Father doth also and he is at his right 〈◊〉 exalted and is the very express Image of the Father and is the Fathers gift iâ—â—â— the world and is given to all mankind that they may have life by him and all 〈◊〉 receives him hath life and salvation but many receives him not and they 〈◊〉 receive him not perish even because they do not receive him whom the Father 〈◊〉 given into the world for he is the arm alone of Gods salvation and he is the â—â—â—der of his people CHAP. III. Concerning the Spirit of God this Testimony I give unto the whole World THe SPIRIT is with the Father and with the Son and its present eveâ—â— where and filleth all places and is for ever and ever and trieth all thinâ—â— and revealeth the things of the Father and of the Son unto all that doth belieâ—â— in the Son and makes manifest and searcheth into the deep things of God 〈◊〉 it witnesseth the Salvation of the Just and the condemnation of the Unjust it is not absent from any place nor contained in any one place the Father and the Son works all things through it and brings all things in Heaven and Earth to pass by it and it works in the Hearts of the Children of men and in every one it witnesseth of the Father and of the Son to the Justness Greatness Righteousness and to the power of the Eternal Creator that made all things by the Son through his Eternal Spirit which is one with the Father and with the Son and is the Worker of their will and mind in all things it worketh in the Wicked to reprove them and to witness against them and that God is angry with them 〈◊〉 sheweth and it worketh in the Righteous and witnesseth the Love and Mercy and Peace of the Father unto them He that can receive it let him this is the Testimony of the Spirit of God and it leadeth into all Truth and out of all Evil all that are guided by it and it is given to be the Guide and Rule of Life to the Children of God CHAP. IV. Concerning Man and all Mankind this Testimony I give unto all Nations and People MAN was created and brought forth in the Image of God and was without sin or evil brought forth to do the will of him that created him and was Lord over all Creatures to use them to the glory of the Creator and all Creatures were to serve him but man transgresseth against his Maker and offended him and dishonoured him and became degenerate and grieved his Maker continually and was drove out from the Presence of the Lord and he is now a Child of Disobedience and of Wrath and an Enemy in his mind
against the Lord that made him and he is doing and fulfilling daily the will of the Devil and grieveth the Spirit of God and vexeth his righteous Soul and is subject unto the Curse of Wo and Destruction being ignorant of the Life and Power and Wisdom of the Creator to lead him to guide him and to preserve him but follows the counsel of hisown heart which is evil altogether though he was made upright yet hath he sought out many inventions which are continually abominable unto the Lord the ground in which he stands is corrupted and all his fruit is unpleasant even bitter and evil unto the Lords Taste Man is fallen into the Pit of Misery and Sorrow compassed about with desolation and is left without a Helper from himself or from any other Creature and this in short is the state of all mankind upon the face of the Earth who was planted a noble Vine wholly aright Seed to bring forth good fruit unto his Maker but he is turned into a degenerate plant bringing forth cursed fruits which the Creator hath not pleasure in his best works are not accepted and his evil deeds are condemned because the ground in which he stands is accursed because of disobedience CHAP. V. Concerning the World in general and the state of things as they have been and as now they are this Testimony I give to the whole World DArkness hath been over the face of the Earth and thick darkness hath covered the people for many ages the Beast hath reigned upon the face of the whole Earth and all Nations have been subject to his power and dominion even the Kings and Princes of the Earth have given their power unto him all the World hath wondred after him as it is written and the whole World hath worshipped the Beast and his Image he hath power to kill all that would not worship him both small and great rich and poor even all have been subject to his Government and he hath had power to war against the Saints and to make war with them and to overcome them even all that would not worship him he hath had power to kill The Rule and Government of the SON of God hath not been witnessed among men for Ages nor the true God known nor manifestly worshipped in Spirit and Truth but he hath been as a Stranger among men and they have been ignorant of his Wayes and Judgments and all People have been doing that which is right in the sight of their own eyes and God hath been forgotten dayes without number the Living Fountain hath been forsaken and many broken Cestern have been hewen out which have not holden pure Water Great Evils and continual Abominations have been acted in the sight of God and the measure of iniquity hath been fulfilling through many Generations and it is grown nigh to the full The Law of God hâ—th been made void and his Grace hath been turned into wantonness and all things have been out of good order Kings Princes Rulers Governments Laws and Decrees have been corrupt and not right in the sight of the Lord Oppressions Tyranny and Vain-glory hath abounded in the Nations and Justice and true Judgment have been neglected and Mercy and Truth have been Strangers and the World hath been filled with violence and the whole Earth stained and polluted with Oppressions Injustice and Cruelties and the cry of the poor hath not been heard every one hath sought themselves and not the Lord nor the good one of another the Kings and Princes of the Earth have not been perfect nor upright before the Lord but Vain-glory hath abounded and superstitions and Idolatries hath reigned over them and unrighteousness hath abounded and Self-seeking and they have risen up one against another in quarrelling and destroying one another and to gain one anothers Dominions by Craft and Pollicy and strong hand and the poor have been oppressed and troden down and thousands of thousands destroyed to fulfil the wills and lusts and pride of their hearts all this hath been evil in the sight of the Lord and his soul hath been weary with it by the destruction of his Creatures one by another even Rulers Teachers and people have all been out of the Way and subverted from that wherein God hath pleasure and the Prince of Darkness hath ruled in his dominion swaying all under his Government and even all things both of civil and spiritual concernment hath been out of the Counsel of the Lord. Oh what cruel Injustice and Tyranny in civil Government Oh what abominable Superstitions and Idolatries have been in supposed Church-governments It s a vexation to the spirit of the Lord to consider it and the Righteous soul hath long cried out and mourned under it and because of this is the Lord of Heaven and Earth now risen to overturn to overturn Kings and Princes Governments and Laws and he will confound and break down all Tyranny and Oppression under which the poor have groaned and â—e will change Times and Laws and Governments there shall be no King ruling but Jesus nor no Government of force but the Government of the Lamb noâ— no Law of effect but the Law of God all that which is otherwise shall be ground to powder the Kingdom of the Most High shall rule amongst men and the Kingdoms of this World shall be changed and shall become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ and the Lord shall be known in the Earth to be the God of Truth of Righteousness Justice and Mercy and Truth shall be exalted and true Judgment shall be set up in the Nations and the Worship in Spirit and in Truth shall he established for the Lord is gathering his numberless number to stand before his Throne without Guile in their Mouthes and without Fault before him CHAP. VI. Concerning mans Restauration Redemption and Salvation what they are and by whom they are wrought this Testimony I give unto all People MAns Restauration is a repairing and giving again that which he had lost by transgression and Redemption is a recovering and a winning again and setting free from that wherein man hath been held even all the sons of Adam because of disobedience and Salvation is a saving keeping and preserving from sin and death and disobedience and all the ways thereof and also a saving from wrath and misery and condemnation which are the effects thereof and by the Son of God Christ Jesus is all this wrought manifested and witnessed and Restauration Redemption and Salvation is onely in Christ Jesus the second Adam and not in any other and it is wrought by him and by no other and they are the free gift of the Father unto the sons of men no way purchased by the works of the Creature or desert of him but are freely given unto the Creature through the Power and Wisdom of the Creator and onely by Jesus Christ the Son of the eternal God and by the eternal Spirit are they witnessed in all
that believe and through the word of Life are they handled tasted seen and felt near at hand in power and not in words onely Many professes them in words and what others enjoyed of these things but have not felt in themselves the working of the eternall Spirit neither have the witness in themselves of being restored to God again and of being redeemed by him from under the Devils power neither are saved by Christ from sin and transgression and so are not nor cannot be saved from condemnation and wrath for who abide in their sins and in the state unreconciled to God hath not any part or portion in these things which belongs to their peace and without the knowledge of which by the working of the eternal Spirit all mankind is everlastingly miserable CHAP. VII Concering true Religion and the true Worship of the true God this Testimony I give unto the whole World THis is true Religion to be kept pure and clean from all evil and from all that which would defile in the sight of the Lord and to walk in his fear in all things this is Religion to do good and to do no evil and to speak the truth and to do the truth in all things and to do unto all men as a man would be done unto and to love God withall the heart and the neighbour as self and not to love the world and ways and pleasures of it nor to use deceit in words or actions this is true Religion and the true Worship of God to be led with his Spirit in all things and to be guided in the truth at all times on all occasions this is acceptable and well pleasing unto God above all words and outward conformity and set times and days and observances for the Worship of God is not in these things but is without respect of days places or things this Religion and Worship stands in Christ Jesus the second Adam who hath lighted every man that comes into the World that all men through him might believe and by him have their consciences purely exercised towards God and towards man in all things whatsoever and this is our Religion and Worship of the True God he that can receive it let him CHAP. VIII Concerning Justification and Sanctification this testimony 〈◊〉 give unto all People JUstification is freely by Jesus Christ in the sight of the Father and not by the works of mans own righteousness and such as are taught by Christ and guided by him in all the ways of truth and righteousness are justified by him and none else not in any word or work whatsoever but in what they are led to fulfil by him and it is the new man that is justified and not the old he that is born of God and none that are born of the flesh such cannot please God neither can such be justified by him for they are not taught of him nor saved nor restored nor redeemed and therefore are not justified nor cleared from condemnation in the sight of the Lord but who lives in iniquity and sin and the wayes and works of the World which are evil by Christ Jesus are condemned and not justified though in words they profess him yet of justification by him they have no part and sanctification is by the working of the eternal Spiri◠in the heart of the Creature which purgeth out and taketh away all unrighteousness and all the works and fruits of darkness it witnesseth against and witnesseth unto Jesus who takes away all sin and destroyes the works of the Devil that man may be holy and pure in the sight of his Maker and every one that hath the witness of his justification hath the operation by the eternal Spirit of sanctification and all that receives Christ Jesus who hath lighted every man that cometh into the World receiveth sanctification and justification by him and he unto us is made so of the Father he that can receive it le◠him CHAP. IX Concerning the Kingdom of Christ and how it is to be set up this testimony I give unto all the World THE Kingdom of God and of his Son is not of this World but is fro◠above and stands in righteousness and in truth in mercy and in peace i◠true judgement and justice and this Dominion is from everlasting to everlasting and it reacheth beyond all the World and its Government is love and unity and everlasting peace and is perfect liberty to the Just and bindeth and chaineth the Unjust in it there is on oppression but perfect freedom from all unrighteousness and it consists not in word but in power to the bringing down of the Kingdom of the Devil and to the breaking off the bonds of all injustice and all ungodliness which is the Kingdom of Satan which hath long ruled i◠the World that Kingdom whereof Christ is King which stands in Righteousness no unclean thing can have any part therein and this we believe it shall be set up and advanced in the earth but not by might of man or arm of flesh nor the multitude of an host neither by policy nor craft nor by revenge but by the arm of the Lord alone through the suffering and patience of his people and by faithful witness bearing unto Jesus Christ by doing and by suffering by doing his Will in all things in a pure Life and Conversation and upright walkking in the sight of the Lord and by patient suffering under the injustice and oppression of men and of their unjust Government and Laws till they be overturned and confounded and further we give testimony that suffring in patience under the cruelty and oppression of the Devils government and kingdom more reaches to overthrow them than the rising to rebel in any way of outward offence toward them or defence from them and the Kingdom of Christ is near to come and the Kingdoms of this World shall be changed and none shall have any part therein but they that are redeemed out of kindreds tongues and people this we believe he that can receive it let him CHAP. X. Concerning Governours and Governments and Subjection to them this testimony I give to the World GOvernours Rulers and Magistrates we own and do respect in the Lord and yet cannot respect any mans person whatsoever such as be a terrour to all evil in their Government and that fears God and hates covetousness and delights in Equity in Justice and true Judgement and gives diligent heed to try the cause of the poor and will judge justly without respect of men who justifies the good and gives praise to the Well-doer such Government and Governours we reverence where Sin and Iniquity is kept under Drunkenness Swearing Murther Quarrelling and all the ways and works of the flesh are terrified and a Wel-doer praised and justified this Goverment of men reaches to the witness of God in every man and that answers to the justice and righteousness of all such Governours and Government and these witness that
they are of God but the witness of God in every man beareth witness against all unjust men and Laws and Rulers and Governments which strengtheneth the hands of the wicked and oppresseth the just where the making and execution of Laws are in the power of proud men and covetous men who fears not God neither hates covetousness neither doth respect the cause of the poor but rules by their Wills and Tyranny and not by just Laws in Righteousness but makes unrighteous decrees to oppress the poor and innocent letting the wicked go free such who upholds unrighteous Worships and Teachers by oppression and causes the Innoccent to suffer and makes them Offenders because the exercise of a pure conscience towards God and men such Rulers and Government we cannot be subject to for Conscience sake but do rather fulfull the Law and Will of God though we transgress their wills and unrighteous laws and yet doth not rebel against them nor seek defence from them but patiently suffers under them and bears their injustice and cruelty without seeking any revenge but leaves vengeance to the Lord to whom it belongs and this is our Judgement in full the Government and Laws which we cannot obey nor fulfil for Conscisake we chuse rather to suffer under them for disobedience to them than to transgress the righteous Law of God written in our hearts by obeying them so that what we cannot obey for Conscience sake for Conscience sake we resist not but suffers under that the punishment of it patiently and herein are we subject to every ordinance of man for conscience sake in fulfilling of the good the just and righteous and in patience suffering under the cruelty and oppression of the unjust and unrighteous and this we do and teach every where subjection to every Ordinance of man and are not destroyers of true Government or rebellious against just Governours but are exalters of true Justice and Judgement in the Earth CHAP. XI Concerning the true Ministry of Christ and the false Ministry and the difference betwixt them this testimony I give unto all the World THE true Ministry is sent of God and is the gift of the holy Ghost and it stands in the Power of the Spirit of God and not in the words of mans wisdom of that wisdom which is from below and it brings people to the knowledge of God which is life eternal and it turns people from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to the Power of God it is freely received of God and freely given forth of us it proclaims Peace on Earth unto such as are of a broken and upright heart and it proclaims war against all the wicked upon Earth it is a good savour unto God in setting the way of life and the way of death before all people the Ministry of Christ is free and cannot be bought nor sold for money it is without hire and gifts and rewards from any man which is given freely into the World and it ever was and is persecuted by the Generation of the unjust and by the powers of the Earth he that comes in the Fathers Name cannot be received of the World but the World is at enmity against it in this Generation as ever was it converts people unto the Knowledge of God and many did and many do receive the Knowledge of God thereby though some thereby be hardened against God unto destruction and the Word of the Lord and the Ministry returns not in vain unto God but all by it arâ— left without excuse the Witness of Christ in every Creature being reached to which gives Testimony to the Power and to the Truth of the Ministry of Christ but the false Ministers and Ministry are not such for their Ministry is received by natural Learning and Arts and is not the Gift of the holy Ghost but stands in the wisdom of mans words and not in the Power and Life of God it profits not the people at all neither do any come to the Knowledge of God thereby neither is turned from Darkness to Light but Teachers and people continues in the power of Satan and in the unconverted estate the Witness of God not reached to to bring to the understanding of things which are eternal but people are ever learning by it and never coming to the Knowledge of the Truth but the Blind leads the Blind and like Teachers like People all out of the Way given to Iniquity and unrighteousness and such are they who preaches for Hire and divines for Money and seeks for their gaiâ— from their Quarter and through covetousness by feigned words make merchandize of Souls going for Gifts and Rewards and teaching for filthy Lucre having settled places and so much a year these are not the true Ministers of Christ but false Ministers of Autichrist and Deceivers and were never sent of God and do never bring any to the Knowledge of Gods and such we beâ—â— witness against to be of the Devil and that for many Generations the World hath been deceived by them who hath had the form of godlines but not the Power and Christs words and the Apostles words without the Life and they have served themselves and not the Lord Jesus but now they are made manifest with the true Light which approveth the Ministry of God and disapproveth such who are Ministers of Antichrist and all that are in the Light and walk in the light can receive this testimony which is given by the Spirit of God to that Ministry which is sent of him which doth fulfill his will and against the false Ministry which is not of God which runs and was never sent of him CHAP. XII Concerning the Gospel of Christ this is my testimony unto all the VVorld THE Gospel is the Power of God and it is sent of him into the World to reconcile people unto him that have been in the enmity agaiâ—â—â— him 〈◊〉 is Peace to the Poor in spirit and judgement to the Fat and to the high minâ—â—â— and it is to be preached to every creature male and female under Heaven without respect of Peoples Nations or Generations it is the manifestation of the Love of God to the whole World to gather people out of all unrighteousâ—â—â—â— into the living Way of Life Peace and Truth to walk with God in Purity and Holiness and to deny the World and all its ways and works and worships which are evil and by it some are brought to God and to salvation and life eternal and some through it are hardened against God that they may be destroyed and condemned who are Reprobates and believes not in him from whom the Gospel comes and it cannot be received by any other way or means than by the revelation of Jesus Christ in the hearts of his people and many have the letter which knows not the Gospel nor hath received it and this Gospel which is everlasting have we received from God and this is the sound of it which we
give in the World unto the World Fear God and give Glory to him for the hour of his Judgements is come and this is the everlasting Gospel of Salvation he that can receive it let him CHAP. XIII Concerning the Word of God and concerning the Scriptures this testimony I give unto all the World THE Word of God was in the beginning before any Creatures were made and by it all things stand and remain unto this day and the Word endures for ever and by it all things in Heaven and in Earth are brought to pass which God doth and it is from everlasting to everlasting without beginning and without end and the Word is powerful dividing and discerning all things even the secret thoughts of every mans heart it is as a two edged sword and as a fire and like a hammer to cut up to burn and to beat down the Word of the Lord reconciles man again to him and this Word is in the mouth and in the heart and the Servants of the Lord handled tasted saw and felt the Word of Life and from it spoke forth the Scriptures as they were moved by the holy Ghost through the eternal Spirit and it is an Declaration of the Word of Life which was in the beginning and endures for ever and it declares what the Saints received believed and enjoyed and none can understand it without the same Spirit that gave it forth and to such who have the same Spirit the Scripture is profitable the Word of God which was in the beginning and which endures for ever is not the Scripture which was not in the beginning neither can it endure for ever but the Scripture testifies of that Word that Word witnesses to the Scripture and they are not contrary one to the other but gives witness each of other but many hath the Scripture that hath not the Word neither knows it but they that have the Word cannot but own the Scriptures and this is the Truth as it is in Jesus Testified to all the World by us who doth deny them that hereof gives any other testimony CHAP. XIV Concerning the Devil and Damnation this Testimony I give to all People THere is a Devil which is out of the Truth who abode not in the Truth but is a Lyar from the beginning and the father of all evil doing and the author of all unrighteousness and whatsoever is contrary to God in thought word and action he is the enmity against God and against all good and by his power subverts creatures and things to another end than wherefore they were created even to the dishonour of the Creator he is the god of this World the prince of darkness and he rules King in all the childern of the first Adâ—â— who are in evil he was the cause of the first transgression and is the cause of disobedience to God to this day in all people who are led by him moving aâ—â— them to Envy Wrath Pride Whoredom Drunkenness Theft and Murther and all the works of darkness sin and death he is the Fountain and Root of 〈◊〉 these and the Leader and Ruler in the exercise of them and of every evil woâ—â— and work whatsoever which are contrary to God he abode not in the Trâ—â—â— and he hath led all mankind out of Truth into all deceit and unrighteousness and into every evil way and he dwells in darkness inhabits in thick darkness and is out of the Light and is separate from the Presence of God for ever boâ—â—â— in chains of darkness and ignorance and unbelief and he hath power in the earthly part of man and a law in the members and he possesses him that is born of the flesh his covenant is with him who is not born of the Seed of God who cannot sin such are in covenant with God renewed into his Image but such as are not hath the Divil power in to captivate and lead their minds into vanity and their affections and desires into all that which is evil by which the Spirit of God the Creator of all things is grieved and his soul vexed and all murther and deceitful works of the World and all whatsoever is contrary to God iâ— words thoughts or actions is of the Devil that wicked one and from him and all that follow his movings and worketh evil thereby they serve him aâ—â— obey him he is their god and their King and they are his people and hiâ— subjects he is their father and they are his children he is their root and they are his off-spring and brings forth fruit unto him and serves 〈◊〉 worships him and not the true God that made all things and all such 〈◊〉 be cast into utter darkness with him and shall have their portion with him in 〈◊〉 bottomless pit of darkness for ever and ever where there is no end of woe anâ— sorrow and misery for in the anger of God there the worm diâ—â— not 〈◊〉 the fire is not quenched and out of that there is on redemption for the â—â—clean and all such who are led of him who is out of the Truth and in evil are judged and condemned and damned by him who is the Truth who judgeth righteously and as he hath not ceased to work evil and to draw the children of men into evil for he continually tempteth to lead from God into Rebellion against him And they that are led by him are destroyed and he shall not cease sorrow wo and misery for ever as he hath not ceased to work evil he liveth and moveth in the anger of God his beginning was in it and all his works are in it and it shall be the reward of him and all that obey him in the separation from Gods everlasting Presence for ever and ever CHAP. XV. Concerning all creatures that God made this Testimony I give unto all the World ALL creatures that God made in their creation and beginning was very good in his sight that made them and unto man that was to use them and no Creature was evil or defiled in its Creation but mankind transgressing against his Maker he become evil and did evil in the sight of the Lord and he being possessed with evil and corrupted he makes all Creatures evil in his exercise of them corrups them and perverts them to another end than wherefore they were created and by the Creatures dishonours the Creator â—…o should have honoured him by them and they are become a curse unto man and not a blessing though in themselves are neither cursed nor evil nor defiled but is become so unto man because of his transgression and disobedience for he being in the curse and defiled all things are so unto him and in his exercise of them he is wicked abusing them upon the lust to satisfie his devillish mind and ruling over them in oppression and cruelty and hard heartedness and not in the Wisdom of God as he ought and he subverts them out from their pure vertue
hope of Salvation and his Shepheard to feed him and perserve him at all times though he may be tempted yet he is not overcome for God is his strength though he may be tryed yet he is not forsaken of the Lord though he may be cast into the Fire it is not to consume him for the Lord is with him all things he receives as from the Hand of God and all Creatures he enjoyes in the Covenant with God and Peace is in all his ways for it is the Lord that works in him both to will and to do of his own Good Pleasure and this is the state of the new man brought forth in Conversion which is a turning of the Creature from the power of Satan which rules in every man before Conversion to the Power of God which is the Ruler of every man that is truly converted and this is the Truth as it is in Jesus which I have received from God he that can receive it let him and if any have an Ear let him Hear what the Spirit saith this Conversion of the Creature is wrought by the Spirit of God through the Ministry sent of him and even for this cause have we received the Ministry of God through the Holy Ghost that we might publish these things abroad that all people may come to the knowledge of them and may taste and handle and feel of the same Word of Life in themselves which will reveal the Knowledge of these things to them that they may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with the Son And now be it known to all the World and to all people in it that the Lord hath raised up a People and brought forth a Seed to bear witness of his Name and of his Dominion and Power in all the Earth and of these Truths with many more which are but one in Christ Jesus hath God given us the perfect Knowledge of even wrought them in us and revealed them to us by the eternal Spirit and as that same Spirit doth and shall move in us do we and shall we bear witness of these Truths unto all People upon Earth whatsoever both by Doctrine and Conversation holding forth the Testimony unto others which we have received of God that Christ may be exalted and his Kingdom set up in the World And in comparison of this that we may serve God in our Generation by bearing witness of these things which we have heard and seen nothing of this World our Liberty our Life not any other thing whatsoever is dear unto us yea even for this cause that the Name of the Lord may be testified of do we give up our selves continually to suffer all manner of evil in words or works and we love not our lives unto death that Truth and Righteousness may be exalted and this is the cause wherefore we pass through many Dangers on every hand and are in perils often and we are not nor cannot be afraid of the face of any man even that the Lord alone may be exalted whose name and Honour and Truth is more dear unto us than any other thing and for it have we forsaken all and counted it as nothing in comparison of the Knowledge of Christ and his Truth herein declared and witnessed to the whole World to whom it shall come and the Light of Christ in every one shall give testimony to it unto which I do onely commend my self and these truths to be witnessed And know ye assuredly that God who is just and righteous in all his Ways it is he that setteth the Way of Life and the way of Death before every man and he hath appeared in this Generation and he hath caused his voyce to be heard in the Earth and he hath set the way of Death and the Way of Life before you and all that perish it is through unbelief and because they do despise the Way which God hath prepared who hath prepared a Way for life and Salvation unto 〈◊〉 People that all may come to Life and Salvation and may not perish and he hath not shut out any Creature before he was brought forth into the World but giveth to every one that cometh into the World a Day of Visitation and a time 〈◊〉 Repentance and Returning that healing may be received from the Lord wâ—â— is the Restorer of lost man and there is not another so that if man perish 〈◊〉 is of himself and not of God who hath so loved Mankind that he hath giveâ— his Son his own Wisdom and his Power into the World that all that doth receive him Christ Jesus may have everlasting Life and they that receive him not they perish because of unbelief whereby they are hardened for destruction and unto such our Gospel the Gospel of God is hid whose Eye iâ— blinded by the God of this World that they cannot see the things which be eternal nor believe in him from whence Life comes and such are stumbling at Chriâ—â— the Foundation and therefore shall be broken and must not inherit the Kingdom of God and unto such though they be wise in the Kingdom 〈◊〉 this World are we become Fools for Christs sake and our Testimony cannot be received by them nor approved of them even them that seek after a Sigâ— and them that seek after Wisdom to such we are not known nor can our Testimony be acceptable to them which is not with enticing words of mans wisdom 〈◊〉 in the demonstration of Gods Spirit and in simplicity of Truth which is of grâ—â—â— Price with the Lord even above knowledg and all wisdom which is of this Worâ—â— which comes to nothing but the Lord will confound that and bring it to nothing for the World by its wisdom doth not know God neither can it receiâ—â— the things of God but is Foolishness in the Sight of God and the wisdom of tâ—â— World Must be offended in him and in the Testimony which is given of him 〈◊〉 the Princes of this World and the Wise men must stumble and fall the poweâ— of the Earth must be offended at him that they may be confounded and brougâ—â— to nought all the Heathen shall rage and the People shall imagine a vain thing But what of all this the Testimony of the Lord is true which he hath given us 〈◊〉 bear of his Name of it we are not ashamed before the face of the whole World and we are armed to suffer for it and not onely to subscribe to the truth of 〈◊〉 with our hand or to declare of it with our Tongue and Pen but also if we 〈◊〉 called to it may seal it with our blood Wherefore this is sent among you all Rulers Teachers and People in all the World this is sent among you as to giâ—â— you the certain knowledge of what we hold and bear witness to which is received of us from God and born witness of to you by his Spirit even those thingâ— with many
this is the resolution of our hearts and the full purpose of our minds to give testimony through the World as we are moved both by writing and declaring of these Truths which to us is known from the Lord that truth and righteousness may come to reign and this may we do 〈◊〉 the Lord provideth way for us not fearing the face of any man nor being afraid of the threatning of high looks and that we may finish the testimony given 〈◊〉 of God our life nor any other thing is dear unto us and all ye people every where for your sake is this written to come abroad amongst you to give yoâ— warning and true information of the work of the Lord and what he is about to do that you may hear and understand and may receive the knowledge 〈◊〉 those things which belong to your peace and may be saved with an eternal Salvation or otherwise through this are you wholly left without excuse if yoâ— perish And unto this was I pressed in spirit for many days that all the World may be satisfied what we are and what we hold and what the purpose of the Lord is and I whom God hath warned do warn all people upon the face of the Earth that you prepare prepare to meet the Lord for his coming and his day is nigh at hand and his judgements shall be revealed in the Earth all flesh shall tremble before him and all the Inhabitants of the World shall be confounded at his presence The Proud shall be abased and the Poor shall be exalted the High and Lofty shall be brought down and the Meek and Upright shall be set up Truth shall reign as King and Deceit shall utterly be confounded they that now suffer all manner of evil for the Name of Jesus shall possess everlasting Freedom and the Dominion shall be in their hands and they that now cause the Just to suffer shall go into endless captivity the Seed of God shall spring forth and flourish but the seed of Evil-doers shall never be renowned And betwixt these two Seeds is an eâ—mity put and they can never be reconciled each seed hath his fruit the one iâ— cursed and the other is blessed and each Seed is known by its fruit and must receive from the Lord accordingly And this is the Testimony of the Servants of the Lord and the Witness which they give unto all the World of those things which we have handled tasted heard seen and felt blessed are all they that can receive it We are known to God in the Spirit and one to another in his Life and are known in the World by the name of Quakers cast upon us through the derisioâ— of the Heathen But Quaking and Trembling at the Word of the Lord by the Servants of the Lord we do own when the power of God reacheth to the Witness of God in the Creature which brings condemnation upon all high looks and upon the lofty nature which causeth the earthly part to tremble we do own and many of us do witness the Quaking and Trembling which is by the operation of the Spirit of God and the several operations by the one Spirit we own which brings down proud flesh whose honour God will lay in the dust and bring it to everlasting contempt and when this comes to pass Quaking shall not be a strange thing nor the Name reproached as it is at this day by the proud spirits of men who knows not the work of the Lord nor the operation of his Spirit Moreover and beside all this let all the World know that our Conversion Life and Practice is one and the same with what we hold forth in words and that we give as large a Testimony of God amongst us by pure Conversation as Doctrine and do deny them who gives Testimony in Words only and answers not in their Conversation for that is Hypocrisie our souls loath it it is abomination in the sight of the Lord where he is profest in words and not walked to in purity and righteousness of life for Righteousness being brought forth in the heart works of righteousness will spring forth in the World and where Righteousness springs not forth in the World and the fruits of the Knowledge of God it shews that righteousness is not in the heart and that God is not known Also concerning our Government it is according to Christ whom we own to be Head amongst us and no other head we have or do bow unto and we are but Members of his Body joyned to him through the Spirit as Head over us all and the greatest of us is but a Member of Christ who is the Head alone and we have not another neither can we be subject to any other Government but his or to obey any Government but what is justly according to his whose Government must be set up in the earth and for it we wait and labour and travel and counts nothing hard but all things are easie to us for this prise which is before us even the Government of Christ to be set up and all Governments of men establisht according to it and this is our Testimony which we give forth in Words and Practice and if it be required can Seal it with our Blood And this is written for no other end but that you may be certainly informed what we are and what we hold and what the Lord hath done and what he is about to do in all the Earth who is risen and hath said Ah! I will ease me of my Adversaries Given forth by a Servant of the Lord EDWARD BURROUGH THE VVofull Cry OF Unjust Persecutions and grievous Oppressions of the People of God in England through the Injustice of some of her Rulers and the Wickedness of Teachers and People who hasten to fulfil the Measure of their Fore-fathers Cruelty With a Lamentation over them all who reward the Lord evil for good and is a Warning to them all for Repentance shewing that the coming of the Lord is nigh And this may serve for an Answer in full to all such who have Persecuted by violence by Word or Writing the innocent people in scorn called Quakers With a Short Addition which shewes unto all the ground of Persecution in its first cause and the enmity which is betwixt the two Seeds is clearly discovered Reader THis is sent abroad into the World that all People may see what is brought forth is this Generation against the Innocent who suffer cruel things for well doing and not for evil and the words of Christ are fullfilled who said As they have done unto me so will they do unto you And the time comes that whosoever kills you he will think that he doth God good service And this is now come to pass according as he hath said to our rejoycing and to the sorrow of all our Enemies And as any is moved herein this is to be given to the hands of the Persecuters and of them
dawned and the darkness of the night which long hath overshadowed the World in which no man could work is from us fled and the marvellous Light is risen and we are them whom God hath gathered according to his promise Ezik. 34. from the mouthes of Idol-shepherds which once made a prey upon us and the Glory of the Lord is revealed and the time is come of Restoration and of bringing back out of the captivity of darkness where all have lain with a vail of darkness spread over all their faces and we are eye-witnesses of his glory and it is given us to taste and feel and handle the Word of Life which lives for ever therefore I say unto you all it is a little thing to us and not respected to be reproached by you our life you cannot reach nor our glory deface and you we know to be them who God never sent but must fulfill your measure of wickedness till the time of your overthrow which draws near upon you all and despisable shall you be to all that fear the Lord and love his ways for your nakedness and shame shall be uncovered and them that have loved you shall be filled with the indignation of the Lord against you all your writings and Books and lyes and slanders and false reproaches uttered in publick and private shall go into the pit from which they came and shall return upon your own heads and when your vail of slanders and false aspersions is taken off then shall we as we are appear and till then all your evill brought forth against us we bear in patience and love your revilings rather than your praise wherefore with shame put off your armour and lay down your crownes and stop your mouthes in the dust and bow and Tremble before the Just God and before the Lamb who is risen to make war against the Beast and against you his false Prophets whose Generation must grow feeble and become weakness in this the day of the Lord your time is at an end wherein it was given you to reign and to seduce and deceive the Nations and now shall the Son of God be exalted and the kingdoms of this World shall become the Kingdoms of Christ hear and consider this all ye that exalt your selves against the Lord and his way and are established in the throne of unrighteousnes under the beastly power if any man hath an ear to hear let him hear the light is risen and these things are made manifest and with the light of the World in all men shall they be witnessed to be truth and the state of things as they are at this day and if you can discern the times and the signes of times and the changing of times here you may read and understand blessed are all that have an ear to hear TO all ye Heads and Rulers Judges and Magistrates Mayors Bailiffs Goalers and Constables and all others whatsoever Governors Priests and People who have and do persecute the Children and Servants of the Lord the Saints of the most high God who feareth the Name of the Lord and walketh in his way who are not of this World but redeemed out of it and are despised among men as all the Generation of the just every where to all you Persecuters and violent Doers this is a Word from the Lord God Repent repent for evil have you done in his sight and vext his Soul and grieved his Spirit and heaped up wrath against the day of wrath and multiplyed your transgressions and the measure of your Iniquities are well nigh filled up ye have set your selves against the Lord and your hands you have strengthened against his people you have rejected the day of your visitation and you have not regarded the day of your Salvation you have plainly made it manifest that you are of that Generation which killed the just and that you are of the seed of evil-doers the works you have brought forth do plainly declare that you will not have Christ to reign amongst you nor his Government to rule over you who have thus persecuted the Innocent without cause by false imprisonments and false judgments and hard dealings and reproachings and revilings consider your ways and what you have done search your hearts and let it take place in you all how have you persecuted the just how have you stretched forth your hands and dealt cruelly and violently with the meek of the Earth how have you troden under-foot the poor and needy and greatly oppressed the upright hearted who have not rendred evil for evil but forgiven you prayed for you wished well unto you and born in patience without complaining â—…ll your injustice and cruelty and have not sought vengeance against you even such hath God chosen more than many and them you have despised and persecuted more than any and laid heavy bonds of oppression upon them and doubled their task through your hard-heartedness least the Seed of God should grow grieveous yoaks have you laid upon it by false imprisonments and unjust fines and illegal proceedings by beatings halings abusings reproaches and revilings all manner of evil have been acted and spoken against the Generation of the just by you and under you in your Judicatories and Jurisdictions in your Corporations high-ways Towns and Goals and other places O! consider what you have done and suffered to be done under you lay it to heart what havock of the people of the Lord in their persons and estates and what cruelty exercised upon them through your rebellious hearts without any evil justly charged upon them or breach of any Law justly proved against them for well-doing and not for evil have you caused them to suffer 〈◊〉 crying against iniquity and reproving sin in the Gate for bearing witness 〈◊〉 the Truth and against all unrighteousness which abounds in this Generation such have you falsly judged to be offenders and cryed a confederacy agaiâ—… them and strengthened the hands of the wicked and caused the Innocentâ— groan O! what will you do in the day of your visitation when the Lord arisâ—… to plead with you to whom will you fly for refuge and to whom will you cry 〈◊〉 deliverance Shall not the Lords soul be avenged upon you yea from the least of you to the greatest You shall feel his hand of judgment even all you who haâ—… had your fingers dipped in the unjust sufferings of the dear Servants of the Lord whom he hath called to place his Name with for ever who are his faithfâ—… Witnesses in this perverse Generation and by your persecuting of them haâ—… you proved them to be the people of God in the sight of all Nations and it 〈◊〉 for a testimony unto them that they are of God and against you that you 〈◊〉 of the Devil and Christs words are fullfilled upon them to their rejoyciâ—… and to your sorrow who said The time comes that they shall speak all 〈◊〉 evil falsly and persecute you and think they
their wickedness without reproof and ungodliness may be hid under hypocrisie and above all other means that is used at this day to keep up the Kingdom of the Devil and to offend the Kingdom of Christ this is Cheif striving against the Light of the World opposing it and denying it and by crafty Arguments and cunning Speeches seeking sutable Scriptures as they suppose to ground their false Argumentâ— upon against this very thing that the Light of Christ is given to every man that comes into the World or that the Light which convinceth and reproveth every man of sin within him is not the Light of Christ nor worthy to be taken notice of but natural and such like and no way sufficient to Life and Salvation if the Unjust men persecute it is such as walk in the Light of Christ Jesus that cannot fulfill the wills and customs of mâ—n and so are not of thâ—… World but contrary to it in all its wayes and workâ—…â—…ich are evil and if tâ—… wise men of the World make any Arguments it is against the Light wiâ—… which Christ lightneth every man that comes into the World so that all 〈◊〉 envy of the Devil whether under this or that colour and appearance is againâ—… the Light of Christ Jesus and them that walk therein and if the light be 〈◊〉 denyed and not believed in nor regarded then may the Devil have whâ—… Possession of the heart of man and if the Light of Christ Jesus within 〈◊〉 owned and loved and walked in then Christ is received and there the Dâ—… is dispossessed and therefore it stands him upon above all other things 〈◊〉 possess people against the Light within which Christ hath given that then 〈◊〉 may not be discovered in the heart but may keep all his goods in peace aâ—… have quiet possession in his Habitation Well be it so though all men of thâ—… Kingdom doth gainsay the Light of Christ by this or that way of wickedness yet it is precious unto us and I cannot but earnestly contend for it against 〈◊〉 Gainsayers and yet strives not for mastery to our selves nor to exalt any thing of our selves but only the Lord and his truth which he hath made more dear to us then either life or name or liberty and though so it be that this Way be spoken evil against every-where yet the Lord owneth it and us who are faithful therein in the presence of our Enemies to the confounding of the wisdom of this World And whereas Iohn Bunion hath formerly set himself divers wayes to oppose the Truth under the account of his great zeal against Error but especially in a Book sometime since put forth by him thinking thereby to offend the Way of Righteousness and now a second time hath appeared with a defence upon his former called A Vindication c. Of the former and his Defence is more to the laying open his folly and to the uncovering of his blindness and wickedness then his first offence given by him which caused me to write in short four sheets of paper to clear the Truth from what he had spoken against it And now having again a second time appeared in many word without knowledge yet in great zeal hath brought forth many things reprovable even Lyes and Slanders and evil Speeches in abundance yet with great pretence of holiness and soberness and he hath not only belyed me but the Truth which is my chief and moving cause that the Truth may be clear of this my second Reply unto him and not for my own sake in any thing for I more prize to be accounted a fool and dispraised in the World then to be honoured thereby and when iniquity shall come to an end and transgression shall be finished his shall be the Kingdom and the Inheritance of Rest Eternal that hath kept himself clean and pure from a lying and slanderous tongue and who hath done righteously and fullfilled the Will of God For it is not every one that saith Lord Lord that enter into the Kingdom but he that doth the will of the Father which is in Heaven and in that day when the Book of all Consciences shall be opened and every thing brought to Judgement then shall the Light in every ones Conscience answer the Lord in the justness of his dealings and even then if not before shall this Iohn Bunion know the Light in all mens Consciences is of force when he shall be judged and then shall he see he hath wronged the Lord and dealt evil against his own soul in speaking evil of what he hath not known and in giving false judgement of what he hath not understood and till that day I leave him without praying for fire to devour him only may reprove his Lyes Errors Contradictions and False-dealing and clear the Truth from his false Charges and only to the most chiefest things whereof he accuses us in short I may Reply And whereas thou sayst There is one that hath ventured to stand up against the Truth and hath published a Book in which there is a great number of Heresies cunningly vented by him and also many things there falsly Reported of thee To which I answer that same Book published called The true faith of the Gospel contended for c. Shall clear it self from this reproach that I have not stood against any one truth or uttered any Heresie or lye against thee but in that Book did witness forth the Truth against many things falsly laid down by thee against the Quakers and that same Book with soberness read without partiality and prejudice doth clear it self from these false Aspersions and prove thee a Lyer herein and I leave it to the honest hearted to judge who reads that Book while I with patience and not seeking any revenge doâ— bear thy reproaches counting them greater riches then thy praise And Farther thou saist Only by the way thou thinkest good to mind me of my cloathing my self with the words of the Prophets and Apostles c. Answ. True enough by the Way out of the Truth and out of Christ who is the Way hast thou spoken this and so hast uttered in falsehood and by or out of the Way neither have I cloathed my self and yet am I clothed with the Life of the Prophets and Apostles and not only with their words nor do I fight against them though thou falsly sayst it but bears witness unto them in Doctrine and Conversation and before all the seed of Evil-doers and take back thy own words to thy self who art in that Generation which hath the words but are without the Life in the evil life Farther thou sayst I have broken out with a false Testimony of Iohn Burton and thee at which thou seemest to be much offended that I should say thou art joyned with the broken Army of Magog and hath shewed your selves in the defence of the Dragon against the Lamb c. Reply what needest thou be troubied at this
thou impudently dost in thy comparing the principles of the Ranters with the Quakers And to save thy brother from shame and guilt thou art fallen thy self into the Snare and justly may be judged to exceed him in Wickedness and thou sayst with shame to thy self I repeat it that the Quakers will not own Christ without them but thou brings not testimony of this Assertion till then art thou reckoned and shall be plauged for a Lyer which will be forever for we own him as he is ascended far above all Heavens who fills all things yea and without us too So that instead of proving the first false Accusation thou adds another Slander and the second thing wherein thou comparest them is unsound for though we witness yea thousands that we need no man to teach us as the Saints did 1 Iohn yet we cry not down the Ministry of God but owns it and cryes down such by whom people cannot come to the Knowledge of the Truth though they be ever learning who Preach for Hire and goes for Gifts and Rewards loves the Wages of Unrightousness this was the Apostles Doctrine as it was ours and is no Heresie though thou mayst so judge it for we say by the same Spirit as the Apostles did they that are of God heareth us who are in the Truth which is but one and there is not another and the Apostles which witnessed Saints needed no man to teach them did exhort them and yet did not condemn principles by practice Then thou goest on and sayst The Ranters are not for Baptism and Breaking if Bread and are not the Quakers the same But what doth this prove and thou sayst the Ranters are they that would profess themselves without sin and how far short of 〈◊〉 Opinion are the Quakers and the Ranters would not own the Resurrection c. And how say you Do you believe the very Bodies shall rise c. Reply Friend this is far short of proving these things upon us by querying them to us let the Reader consider But it may be impudency hath not so wholy eaten out honesty in thee as that thou darest charge us wholy with these things but would intrude into us be thy Questions as though the thing were so indeed but thou mayst by ashamed of thy work Is this sufficient proof of evil against us to ask us whether it be so what hast thou proved in all this against us if we were guilty thinkest thou we will accuse our selves this is absurdity and wickedness in thee falsly to charge us and to bring no better evidence but thy bare words and as we deny the Ranters so do we thee and sees you both to be Enemies to the Life of God But thy last and chieâ—… proof as thou thinkest that we are one is that the Ranters are Sinners and the Quakers are Lyers the first I wilâ— not vindicate but this last is disputable and thy proof of it is first thoâ—… sayst from what thou hast said already to some pages of my first Book to which I 〈◊〉 Replyed and leaves it to the Reader only doth say thou hast not yet proved one Lye against me in the sight of God nor men thou art the Lyer if thou say thâ—… hast and honest men shall be judge betwixt us And thy second proof is moâ—… to the discovering thy ignorance then yet hath been And to clear thy self from my charge against thee viz to be a wrester of the Scripture which yet I stand to thou art fain into grievous error my first charge is true upon thee 〈◊〉 thou perverted or wrested that Scripture Rev. 13. 18. in saying the Lamb was 〈◊〉 before the Foundation of the World for that Scripture saith since or from 〈◊〉 Foundation of the World hast thou no more sence art thou and all thy compaâ—… so ignorant that you know not betwixt before and since a time how are you blinded and yet persists in your wickedness and will not be reproved therefore this is a double iniquity in thee to thy shame remember it for I have said true though thou understand it not there is as much difference betwixt before and since in that thing as betwixt a Lye and Truth for to say the blood was shed before the Foundation of the World as thou didst is a very Lye but to say iâ— was shed since or from is truth and that Scripture is truth Rev. 13. And thou art the Lyar and Wrester of it and I have not wronged thee in my first though thou impudently and ignorantly wouldst clear thy self and lay iniquity upon me But further to clear thy self thou sayst thou said in Gods account it was shed before the World was and this is little less then Blasphemy what is God a Hypocrite like thy self to account that for Truth which is a Lye as I have proved O horrid error and perfect blindness but this will not cover thee nor thy shame from the eye of men where is thy Proof for such a Doctrine that God accounts that which is a Lye for Truth largely is manifest thy folly Repent if thy heart be not void of shame for what thou hast spoken heâ—… in and let the Reader understand this difference thou sayst the Blood of Christ was shed before the Foundation of the World according to that Scripture Rev. 13. I say thou perverts the Scripture and lyest grosly in the main thing it self and saith it is* since or from the Foundation of the World let the honest judge and now it is seen the Lye rests upon thy own Head who wrests the Scripture and belyes the Lord and me and goes on in thy wickedness after reproof and take thou the Ranters they are thy Companinons in lying and sinning and not ours And further thou art offended that I should say and would fain reckon it for a Lye that all thy work is a secret smiteing and an obscure shooting against the manifestation of Christ within which words I own to be truth concerning thee and am not ashamed of them though thou say I say falsly and when the Book of thy Conscience is opened thou shalt confess it only I leave this to be considered seriously and judged by them who are spiritual and they shall be my Witnesses and the Lye is of thee and thy Father whose wickedness is sufficiently seen by what is said if I should say no more Again thou sayst it is an untruth of thee to say thou art one of those that do preach for Hire through Covetousness making merchandize of Souls my words are not so laid down thou hast wrested them for thy purpose though it availes nothing but I said thou art in their steps that through covetousness with fained words makes merchandize of Souls and thou art found among them that preaches for Hire and I have spoken the truth herein let the Light in all Consciences judge who are not feared in many things I might instance that
thou art in their steps and among them that act such things as further may be proved and the wisdom of God so fore-saw to keep me clear and my words to be defended though I expected no less from thee as to this thing then is come to pass but the Lye is of thy self who would deny the Truth The next thing that thou wilt charge upon to be a Lye I pass here the Reader may expect it in its place and though thou sayst the Rantors and I and my Fellows are of the same mind in many things c. To which I Reply Their practices I deny and the ground in which they stand and their false doctrines yet dare we not deny any truth as it is in Christ though they as thou mayst profess it in words which is seldom they do for we have respect unto the Truth for the truths sake only but how uncharitable art thou in thy measure and judgement consider as if he should say Iohn Bunion is of the same mind with the Pope in many things the Pope holds Christ was born of Mary and was crucified and raised again and ascended c. And this holds I. Bunion and is of the same minde with the Pope in many things and therefore must partake of the same plagues with the Pope as thou said of us though thou hast by unequal measure thus judged us yet I render not evil for evil but in love to thy soul shews thee thy folly and weakness Then thou goest on having passed by the two slanders cast upon us by I. Burton in your first Book which I charged you withall in mine to which not one word as to evidence your slanders but hath slippen it over as a foul guilty man which charge stands upon you both that you are Slanderers herein and my first answer I am not ashamed of though you snarle much about it and would taint it or undermine it but thy subtilty is to weak Truth confounds thee and thy simple policy which is that we prize the Lord Jesus Christ God man to be precious unto us and hath owned him alone to be the Foundation whom God hath laid and in his Light we are saved c. As I said in Page 7. against which words thou canst not justly except nor yet prove the contrary and yet as a man that loves to hear thy own tongue thou lays down many things impertinent as to the cause in hand But it had been more honest to have helped thy brother Burton from under my true Charge and cleared the Truth if thou hadst been able but thou hast left â—im in the dirt under the Charge of a Slanderer and are unfaithfull to him â—nd goes about to inquire what it is as thou sayst to lay Christ for a Foundation thou confesses what I have said is fairly spoken and yet thy envious minde â—nd unbelieving heart seems to be offended at my words and to them that can believe I speak plainly and doth not beg thy belief nor any mans but commends my self to every mans Conscience in the sight of God and knows no other Jesus the Saviour nor Foundation then he that Iohn was sent to prepare the Way before who was and is and is to come who said I am the light of the World and now my words are defended to be truth in the sight of them that are spiritual and thou and such may hear but must not understand who have hardened your hearts least you should believe and therefore is given up to Gainsayings till the Wrath of God break out against you and let Iohn Burton remember my words where I said he is fallen into the pit which he digged for another and he undervalues the Lord Jesus whose Doctrine is to speak Truth but he hath lyed and slandered and so is out of Christ the Foundation and undervalues him who keeps not his sayings but is a Worker in Darkness and not in the Light And as to that where I say thus much is the mind of the Penmans spirit of the first Epistle of the first Book secretly smiting at the Doctrine of true Faith and Salvation to wit Christ within I have said the truth in righteousness and do own my words though thou sayst I have done him a great deal of wrong c. But I leave it to be judged by them that are spiritual and not unto thee to give false meaning of my words and doth not he say in that Epistle of some that have been depending too much upon some thing they call Christ and the Righteousness of Christ within them c. Let the wise in heart judge whether this be not as I said even a secret smiting against Christ within without which as I have said there can be no Salvation for he that hath not Christ in him is a Reprobate and this I speak not in opposition but as a testimony of Christ Jesus that dyed and rose again and ascended who is within and without also and if any preach another Jesus let him be accursed and repent thou who art in the wrong doing thy self falsly charging me noting in the Margent with speaking falsly when I spaâ—… the truth and the false speaking rests at thy door and is driven thither with the power of truth Then whereas thou wouldst justifie thy former wickedness in charging the Quakers to be Deceivers against my just Answer in page 8. of mine whicâ— stands free from any of thy vain Argument and uncontroled though resisted but it appears my words sticks close unto thee and torments thee and thou sayd with much confidence it will easily be proved that we are Deceivers but thy Arguments we shall try And sayst thou First the Quakers deny the man Christ Jesus without them and own Christ no otherways but as he is within c. Reply How impudent art thou in forging Lye after Lye and building them up in thy Work one upon another and a wicked course thou takes to clear thy former Slanders truly charged upon thee in my first even by laying another upon it Friend By this thy deceitful Slander while thou hast thought to prove us Deceivers hath proved thy self one even a false Accuser mayst thou not blush to say we own Christ no otherwayes then as he is within we own him which was is and is to come who is within us and without us as I have said in my first we own him as the Scripture speaks of him and it is known 〈◊〉 the Lord and in his sight we are approved whether thou believe it or not fâ—… I beg not beleif of thee but leaves thy double Slanders to be read and judged of by all honest people and in the interim know it is a bad way to prove us Deceivers by thy Lyes this the rather is a Witness to us that we are of God and against thee and thou to be of the Devil who was a Lyer from the beginning and 〈◊〉 his Child succeeds him in
and so thy words I judge and cannot receive good from an evil Spirit Then thou comes on falling on thy own foul ignorance again and wouldst fain clear thy self but by thy stirring thy own wickedness herein thou makes it cast an odious sight to all that pass by we may follow thee a little seeing thou art not yet weary and fain wouldst thou make it appear that the Blood of Christ was shed before the World was and sayst it was in Gods account but to this I have spoken and largely shewed thy blindness to all men and adds this upon thy head thou art a Lyar and Perverter of Scripture to say That the Blood of Christ was shed before the World was And further thou art a Lyer to say That God accounts a thing for Truth which is a Lye a sad error and wicked And further thou art a Lyar to say that I corrupt thy woods for I had not laid open thy nakedness so fully if thou hadst not persisted in thy blindness as now I am forced to do but enough of this and more then ever thou canst clear thy self of honestly and yet to cover thy own shame charges me falsly with folly to speak evil of things I know not or else with madness c. Reply Friend be not so confident I know the difference betwixt before and since or from and know that God accounts not a Lye for Truth as thou holds out thy own folly and madness behold who commits iniquity in lying on the Scripture and on God and on me and yet persists after a sober reproof and resists the Reprover with opprobrious words let confusion of face cover thy impudent forehead while I forgive thee and seeks not vengeance against thee then through thy mistake of my words thou hast falsly gathered a subject to oppose and fights with thy own understanding mightily and thinkst thou confoundst me and its thy self for however thou understands my words either for want of wit or otherwise it never entred into my thoughts with charging thee to believe that Christ is a tipe only I charge thee that thou saidst so of others So that I think this is a mistake in thee for want of knowledge to understand my rehersal of thy words being transcribed as the shortest not to fill volumes and through thy own misunderstanding of my laying down the words thou heavily yet vainly charges me with corrupting thy words which God is my witness I have not done though thou be guilty herein But further I deal plainly and slanders not in secret as thou dost we do not look on Christ to be but a shadow and tipe if thou affirm I shall answer further and as to that thou sayst I say Jesus is the substance to that answer I stand though thou sayst Thou doubts I do not spâ—… plainly c. Reply As I have said I seek not a proof of my faith of thee nor any man not do I beg thy belief while I am approved in the sight of God herein I matter not what a lying spirit doubts of me so that what vain Arguments or Queries thou raises from thy own false doubt I pass by being by the present thing branching out in things on the by if I should examine every particular I might fill a vollume And whereas thou hast answered my question which is did Christ put an end to the Law for them who yet live in the transgression of the Law or doth he justifie that which the Law condemns before the work of the Law be finished In thy Answer thou sayst Christ did put an end to the Law for Righteousness for all that the Father hath given him This is little to the Question I say that Transgressors of the Law are not Christs but Children of Disobedience and Children of Wrath and such God hath not given to Christ who are his Enemies nor Christ to them is not given but to condemn them is that estate and thou sayst there are many given to Christ who yet lives is their sins the Apostle Iohn saith he that sins is of the Devil and hath 〈◊〉 known God and such as are of the Devil are not Christs and in that I saâ—… doth Christ justifie that which the Law condemns before the work of the Law 〈◊〉 finished and not one tittle of the Law shall fail till all be fulfilled thou hast 〈◊〉 reached the understanding of my words for while disobedience stands and the Transgressor lives the work of the Law is not finished nor fulfilled but to that is Condemnation and not Justification if thou hast an ear thou mayst hear for he that transgresseth the Law is an Enemy to Christ and Christ fulfills not the Law for his Enemies they must bear their own burthen and though this thou cannot understand now yet in the day of Judgement shalt thou feel it and when the burthen of thy own Inquity is upon thee then shalt thou confess to what I have said and read me in what now thou canst not understand and in the mean time I deny that Christ hath put an end to the Law for thee who art a Lyar and breaks one and so is guilty of all Many of thy words might be weighed and searched but I am no picâ—… of quarrels but to my last Query thou sayst little to the purpose which is what assurance have any that the Law is fulfilled for them who 〈◊〉 yet Transgressors of it in themselves but sayst Assurance comes thâ—… believing and obedience to the Law is a fruit of believing c. Saying 〈◊〉 one that hath the hope of the Son of God purifies himself as he Christ 〈◊〉 pure Reply Then he that hath not the fruit viz. obedience to the Law 〈◊〉 may judge by the fruit or for want of fruit is no Believer and he that is 〈◊〉 purifyed as he is pure Christ hath not the hope of being the Son of God but is without hope now see where thou art who yet breaks the Law and 〈◊〉 without thy own noted fruit of believing neither is purifyed as he is pure and so is without hope this is according to thy own affirmation if thâ—… canst not bear it blame thy self for laying down such a position as hath proâ—… thy self to beâ—an Unbeliever and without hope and so without God in the World one that is for condemnation and to be judged in the state where now thou standst And whereas thou sayst I would lay assurance on obedience to the Law thou lyest in this also my words are the Law must be fulfilled in you by Christ in Judgement and in Righteousness if ever you receive Salvation and these words are true against all thy opposition neither do I affirm that by the deeds of the Law any flesh living shall be justified but the contrary though thou wouldst falsly yet secretly cast it upon me and wickedly callst this my forthy argument where I said the Law convinceth and is a School-master to bring to Christ c. But the
froth proceeds out of thy mouth for this Argument comprehends thee and stands out of thy reach for all thy detestable speeches against me and the truth and the rest of my following words thou hast passed by where I say who owns not that which convinceth of sin how can they own him that takes it away by his Blood and this is truth and tell me in â—ustâ—ess according to my first Query in that page how is sin taken away â—â—om thee more then from the Pope seeing neither of you hath the fruit of ceasing to commit sin And art not thou in the froth who opposes me as though I should say yet never did nor thought that justification must be sought by the deeds of the Law and so gathers a false conception and fights with it and keeps thy self doing in nine sheets against four and yet hast passed over many speciall things almost the chiefest and though no flesh shall be justified by the deeds of the Law yet must all flesh living be condemned for the transgression of the Law by Christ who freely gives Life to all that believes if thou hast an ear thou mayst hear in the next thou seemst or wouldst at least to defend thy self from my charge which shall if it doth not lie heavy upon thee which is that I call thee Slanderer and truly too from thy words where thou falsly accused the Qunkers with boasting and Hypocrisie and in thy answer thou sayst I need not be offended for thou dost not know our fellow for boasting in that thou sayst we â—ryâ—p our selves and condemn all others c. But this is no proof of the former Accusation but an addition to thy former wickedness let honest men consider I asked thee when thou didst hear any of them boast or see them live in Hypocrisie but not a word to this sober desire but adds sin to sin a bad way to clear thy self and thy God Be ashamed for crying up self we deny but yet must say or else say falsly That we are of God and the whole World lies in wickedness and he that is of God heareth us and is one with us and this is as the Saints testified and is neither boasting nor Hypocrifie then to my question which was Will that Faith which is without works justifie and thou sayst no c. Then I Reply what is thy condition and theirs who are not only without works of faith but in thy very work of darkness as Lying and false Accusing c. And seeing thou sayst no Consider whether thou hast faith and whether thy works which are like good workes proceed not from the unbeleiving ground and this I add to my next I asked which thou hast passed by must not every one receive according to their deeds in the day of Judgement and then thou runs out in high words against me in that I said if to talk of him Christ his Birth Blood c. Were Faith in him and living by faith then few would want it and further I add the Pope himself would have it and my words are just and honest without exception or contradiction but only that something thou must needs say though thou say many can talk of Christ that will fall short of Heaven c. And asks me a question and fayst Is there not enough in them 〈◊〉 Birth Blood c. to justifie c. I answer the knowledge of all things whatsoever without will not justifie except Christ be within and if he be within the power of his Life Blood Birth c. is known and received and felt and in this I preach not any other Gospel then the Apostles who said Say not who shall ascend or descend to fetch him Mark but what saith it the Word of Faith or of the Gospel which are not divided is nigh thee in thy mouth and in thy heart And thou falsly again charges the Quakers with corrupting and beguiling mâ—y by those Scriptures Reply Beguiling is thy own and corrupting of Scriptures too as is proved and whilst thou accuses us falsly in these things thy self art proved truly guilty in the sight of all that are spiritual and as to thy charging me That the man Christ Iesus is not very pleasant to me And with Scoulding c. Thy slanders I bear with patience and thy reproaches which is not for evil but for Christs sake who dyed at Ierusalem and is revaeled in me and for shâ—… cease to say Thou art ruled by Scripture a Lyar and Slanderer and Preverter of Scriptures is not led with the Spirit that gave forth the Scripture but is ruled by the Devil and is out of Scripture rule then thou goes on and wouldst justifie thy ignorant saying How are they deceived who own Christ no otherwise then as he was before the World began c. And my answer to it thou hast not touched nor truly contradicted which stands over thee and is sufficient to all honest people and Christ we own the same yesterday to day for ever and doth believe the Father granted that request and he is glorified with the same glory that he had before the World was and though thou tell me of a double meaning yet in plainness I speak without doubleness the fault is in thy weakness and sottishness and blindness of heart who knoâ—… not that which is infinite and immortal and eternal the flesh of Christs body is so Then thou falsly charges me again in that I said if every spirit be of God which doth in words confess thus viz. that Christ was with the Father before the World was was born and suffered in the flesh and was buried and raised c. then is not the Pope himself Antichrist c. As in my fourteenth page whiâ—… putting on a vail and ventering upon thy words But I have spoken the truth herein let that in thy Conscience answer in nakedness without a vail the vail is on thy heart thou canst not understand me and so this is thy simple policy to say the vail is on me and what of that if 〈◊〉 ventred on it it is but in the fear of God though I should say I deny all thâ—… thou sayst or the speaking of any thing for I do not own thy voice though some of thy words be true and though thou speak words of truth yet therefore I reprove thee and sometimes may not let it pass for truth for Christ is my example herein who reproved the Devils though they confessed him Mark that but the chief part of my words are passed over and read over again and see if it is not truth it self where I said It is not much better nor more accepted to confess Christ in words to be come and yet in works to deny him theâ—… it is both in words and works to deny him the one is wicked in prophaneâ—… the other in Hypocrisie the one is a Lyar and the other a false Witness and let the honest Judge then
prove the Light of Christ which thou confesseth every man hath to 〈◊〉 contrary to the Spirit of Christ I shall say every man hath that which is one 〈◊〉 union and like the Spirit of Christ even as good as the Spirit of Christ according to its measure these are my words Page 18. and I own them and thy answer to them is no contradiction nor just confutation of them but lyest 〈◊〉 saying I call Conscience and Nature it self the Spirit of Christ this is falsâ—… never spoken by me so that thou hast uttered a pack of railing words withâ—… any knowledge or fear of God instead of a sober Answer the blasphemy aâ—… great deal of ignorance and presumption appears not in my words they aâ—… truth and thou hast not proved that the Light of Christ is contrary to the Spirit of Christ Nay thy simple policy is too short when thou hadst done so then had been a time to have cast these opprobrious speeches at me like venome from a Viper but the weakness or strength of error and blasphemy and the great deal of ignorance and presumption c. is fallen at thy door and there I leaâ—… it clear thy self from it as thou art able who without any confutation of thâ—… words falls impudently to charge me thus highly and falsly from the words 〈◊〉 thou silent while the Reader judges Then thou goes about to defend thy first wickedness in that thou said the Devil doth deceive poor Souls by bidding them listen wiâ—… and turn the minde within and see if there be not that which doth convinceâ—… sin c. And my Answer to this is sound and stands over thee and unreproved by thâ—… though many words thou speakest yet from the Scripture doth not prove or 〈◊〉 honest Arguments that the Devil doth deceive any by bidding them to turâ—… the Light within which convinceth of sin if thou wouldst have cleared thy 〈◊〉 thou shouldst have proved thy assertion according to my desire I asked thâ—… was ever such a thing spoken that the Devil can deceive any by the Light 〈◊〉 Christ but to this not a word in proof but saith Every man hath not the Spirit 〈◊〉 Christ c. But further then I Query Doth the Devil deceive any by bidding theâ—… 〈◊〉 turn in and listen to that Light spoken of Iohn 1. 9. for that Light am I contending for and not any other contrary to it then thou sayst thou denyst beyond thy reach either to understand or contradict thou wants that Spirit which can examine of truth be it known unto thee and what are those unseemly expressions wilt thou slander always in secret without evidence and if these be they in that I said our innocency will appear when thy black vaile of Lyes is taken away and this is truth and is no way but seemly to be spoken to thee who art an Enemy of God then thou wouldst justifie thy former slander who said we wrest that Scripture Iohn 1. 9. And my answer is we take it without adding or diminishing which is true and no Lye nor wresting of it neither in thy Reply can I find that thou provest it though many words uttered little to the purpose with adding to thy former slanders in saying We would hold that that Light is the Spirit of Christ this is not spoken in all my Book but that it is one in union I say and not contrary to the Spirit of Christ but witnesseth of it and to it And thou further saith We say many things which thou knowest to be Blasphemy This is another Lye prove one Blasphemy And further thou sayst Christ as he is Mediator doth not enlighten every one that comes into the World c. Reply Well thy ignorance and wickedness vents it self forth apace let any man read that first Chapter of Iohn and see whether he doth not speak of Christ as Mediator he saith He was in the beginning with the Father and was made flesh and dwelt with the Disciples and his Life was the Light of men and the Light shined in Darkness and that was he which lighteth every man that comes into the World and he came to his own but they received him not but as many as received him to them he gave power to become the Sons of God c. What sayst thou Was not this spoken of Christ as Mediator Consider and be instructed rather then let thy Blood go for it however I leave thy Doctrine and Errors herein to be judged by them that are spiritual and for shame cease such Doctrine the more I rake among the filth the more vilely and odious it appears and for thy proof of this Doctrine thou bringst Mat. 11. 25. and sayst here the Father and the Son are speaking one to another but what doth this prove though it be so doth it any way follow that Iohn did not speak of Christ as Mediator Iohn 1. what vain productions thou bringst from thy impertinent proofs let them be weighed and taken notice of honestly and thou bidst me understand thus much That nature which is Conscience is the Light of God I understand thy blindness if this be so as thou sayst then mans nature is pure without sin as the Light of God is and this is error abominable contrary to the Scripture which saith All by nature are the Children of Wrath are all by the Light of God as thou sayst nature is Children of Wrath see thy Divinity and take it as it is truly interpreted I desire not to wrong thy words thou givest me to understand the greatest ignorance from those things that lately I have heard no not the like in England and it is very true as I said thy folly appears by thy much medling Then thou askst me What I will have the Light called wherewith every man in the World is lightned and because I do not call it the Spirit of Christ thou as it were murmurs because I have cut of thy occasion and thou canst not bend thy tongue with any seeming advantage against the Truth but in that I say the Light of Christ convinceth of sin which is true thou on a sudden produces thy bad consequences and askes if I call nature the Light of Christ and such like c. But they all do not prove the contrary so that which convinceth of sin is worth minding and taking notice of by all that ever are saved and as to that where I say that which may be known of God was manifest in them even in them that were given up to work unrighteousness c. I said the truth which thou are not able to contradict in equity though thou very ignorantly bendst thy answer as if I had said the Knowledge of God was made manifest in them when I say plainly in my Book that they 〈◊〉 turned from the Knowledge of God and yet that which might be kâ—… of him was manifest in them and this thou canst not deny And though 〈◊〉 words as layed down
are not in the Scripture words in terms yet I have 〈◊〉 said falsly herein and do not thou be a reprover of that which thou cannnot 〈◊〉 self deny then thou sayst How feeble an argument is this to prove that every one 〈◊〉 Spirit c. Reply Thou blind man did I go about to prove any such thing or 〈◊〉 any Argument thereupon we are about the Light which Christ hath giâ—… or lighted every man in the World withal which Light convinceth of 〈◊〉 and is not contrary to the Spirit of Christ unto this was I speaking 〈◊〉 this I stand by and thou conceives another thing from my words and 〈◊〉 against thy own consequences like a man too irrational to understand coâ—… English c. Then thou sayst Thou passed by other lame Arguments which I tumble evâ—… 〈◊〉 blind man in a thicket of bushes O be ashamed for ever thus to evade and shuffle with such scornful 〈◊〉 I said that which reproves of sin is the gift of the Spirit of God Iohn 1◠〈◊〉 that which makes manifest sin is Light and whatsoever is reproved is made 〈◊〉 fest by the Light Ephes. 5. how darest thou call these lame Arguments tumbâ—… over what impudence is in thy heart so to say when thou art put to 〈◊〉 fusion then such excuses thou bringst Well some may see thy folly 〈◊〉 to my Question which was whether that Light which every man is liâ—… withal is sufficient in it self for Life and Salvation to every one 〈◊〉 believes if thou say not wherein is the blame in God in his Liâ—… 〈◊〉 in the Creature thou sayst No it is not sufficient I take it for an 〈◊〉 and leaves it to be weighed by the sober Reader and though there be veâ—… honour and of dishonour made of the same lump as thou sayst yet I 〈◊〉 Query is not every mans blood that perisheth of his own head 〈◊〉 not the Lord clear from the blood of all men even though they go to dâ—… ction and if the Reader try thy Book over he may judge whose Arguments 〈◊〉 lame Then whereas thou sayst Christ as God hath lighted every man that comâ—◠〈◊〉 the World To which I said then why dost thou say we wrest that Scriâ—… Iohn 1. 9. seeing thou thy self hast confessed no less then what thou callest wâ—…elling in us and this is truth let all men consider else that when thoâ— câ—…nfesses Christ as God hath lighted every man in the World it is no less then wâ—… we say and that Scripture sayes which is That Christ is the true Light 〈◊〉 that is he which lighteth every man that comes into the World and mayâ—◠〈◊〉 thou be ashamed to call this so scornfully a glavering Answer not being 〈◊〉 clear thy self from my just charge in that herein I charged thee with coâ—… to oppose us in that which thy self confesseth to be true consider well oâ—… and let not thy blood go for the truth of all what thou sayst for I deâ—… not Further thou cries out Is this all the wit I have and wonderful igâ—… 〈◊〉 Because I said it is not good to neglect following the Light but that 〈◊〉 one minde the Light of Christ Jesus in them in answer to thy words 〈◊〉 having said the Light which convinceth of sin is the Light of Christ as 〈◊〉 which the neglect of will be sure to damn as thou sayst and now let wiseâ—… judge of my answer but thou falls heavily on it proving that obedâ—… to the Law will not justifie and the like which I do not at all affirm 〈◊〉 to that I say the Law having its opperation upon the disobedient the 〈◊〉 comes to be seen which is he that is the end of the Law and the Law mâ—… him be obeyed or fulfilled in thee if ever thou be saved from being damned 〈◊〉 it 〈◊〉 â—…ul bid listen â—ithin telling me of making sheâ—â—â—r for my errâ—â— c. Tâ—…â—o 〈◊〉 say that Paul bids listen within let the Reader judge from that Scâ—…ture 〈◊〉 10. 6. The righteousness of faith sâ—…ks on thâ—…s â—…se â—â—rs 〈◊〉 which is the 〈◊〉 of the Gospel and vers 9. what saith it the Word iâ— nigh tâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mâ—… and in thy Heart was not that the end of these words to lisâ—… 〈◊〉 the Word is in the Heart what saith it there now the error iâ— thine 〈◊〉 â—…e truth and the Lye is returned to the Founder who denyes thâ—t Pâ—…lâ—…en â—…en within when its plain he saith The Wâ—â—d 〈◊〉 i◠〈◊〉 Hâ—…t what 〈◊〉 it â—…ere O that a man professing knowledge and enterprzing such things should â—…e so 〈◊〉 and so unable to finish what he hath â—…in then thou cryest oâ—t â—…sly and notes it in the margent for wresting of thy words in that I â—…d â—…ou sayst They are ignorant of the Gospel who closâ—… in with thesâ—â—…s of th◠〈◊〉 â—…in or Conscience which doth command to abstain from the â—â—ll and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and thy own words are How the poor souls through ignorance of the Gospel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these motions of its own Conscience viz. the motions which convinceth of sin â—…in which doth commâ—… abstain from this evil and practice thâ—â— gâ—dd so â—et wâ—â—e men consider whether I have wronged that intent of thy words and â—e not so soon angry â—or thou canst not vindicate that they that closes â—n with these motions of the â—â—science or the Light of Christ within which oâ—…ceth of sin within which doth command to abstain from-this evil and â—o practice thi◠〈◊〉 is igâ—…nce of the Gospel and do not evade it by words without knâ—…dge in picking of quarrels and seeking offences by different tearms of worâ—…â—…e â—o occasion justly is given thee Then my Question thou see â—…est to aâ—swer which was what and how doth the Light of the Gospel work of not in the â—…ce and to command from evil and to practice goodâ— this 〈◊〉 â—…nds over thy head not confuted nor fully answered for the true 〈◊〉 â—…ang of it thou hast not comprehended but to thy own conception thou 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ed as if I should say that every man hath the Light of the Gospel â—…g â—n thâ—m to Salvation which I never said nor thought so thy answer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tâ—…e purpose Then thou hast passed by full sligâ—… as disable to clear thy Godâ— and his Spirâ—â— that guides thee which is the Godd of this World of that great 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 justly charged upon thee Page 19. of my last which a â—…ing to â—…e collection is by turning the mind within to the Light which doth 〈◊〉 of sin and listning thereunto and clasping in with the motions of 〈◊〉 Conscience which doth command to abstain from evil aâ—d to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and closing with somthing within which thou confessess 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 â—…f 〈◊〉 these things preceding then thou sayst Hereby 〈◊〉 thâ—…s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ried headlong and at the end of its life doth fall into the â—…lly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a sum of wickedness set forth by thee which when
Spirit is given to eveâ—… man this thou hast catched at and wouldst prove it unsound but truth is oâ—… thee and both these are true and further I say that Christ is given unto 〈◊〉 World yea to all but all receives him not and they that do not receive him 〈◊〉 Reprobates though he be given but not received and the folly and figâ—… against truth is in thy self who says it is contrary to the Scriptures to say 〈◊〉 Spirit is given to every one thou here lyest of the Scripture as it s proved 〈◊〉 I do not befool my self in saying the words or some of them I own in 〈◊〉 Book though I have written against the Book for though thou speak Châ—… words and the Apostles words yet thy voice is the strangers and thy 〈◊〉 I deny what ever words thou speakst and is not bafooling my self and 〈◊〉 I could justly end my discourse and what is said is sufficient to manifest thee and me to the honest Reader And thus far thy weapons of Slanders are broken and thy refuge of Lyes are layd waste and this also is cast by as our spoyled prey of Babylâ—â—s treasure and trampled upon and know that we are of God and be that is of God heareth us and to our God shall all bow and before him tremble And whereas thou seemest to be greatly offended and stumbling very much at my answers to thy Queries because thy carnall conceptions is not satisfied nor thy vain minde gratified having as thou thinkst great occasion against me thereby which causes thy mouth to be opened in vapouring words aloft against the simplicity of the Gospel not understanding my words for the things of the Kingdom of God is a parable to thee and sealed from thee never to be known in the reason in which thou judgest But in short thus I Reply I did not purpose to answer fully to them to feed any mans wisdom with my knowledge of the things of Gods Kingdom for the Queries were not fully directed to the Quakers so that quench thy anger and according to my answer go seek a further answer or else be thou still unsatisfied from them who are led with a spirit of delusion for such a direction requires no full answer from me nor any of us who are in the truth and not in the delusion neither did I purpose nor do I at any time to answer fully to such things as are directed in a great part to others I am not a servant especially to them that are led with a spirit of delusion to fufil thy will But yet the short answers that I gave which was not in the behalf of delusion but for the truths sake I still own though thou cannot understand them but products many bad lying wicked consequences from them and my purpose was not to feed thy foolish wisdom in answering nor to satisfie thy reason to receive praise from thee or any man for so I know it must be in hearing and seeing thou must not perceive nor understand who art of the Generation hardened and in parable is the Kingdom of Heaven unto thee and I rejoyce the rather in being a stumbling to thee in that state wherein thou standed then that I should have gratified thee for I seek not nor receives honour from man in what I do but is covered from the Worlds knowledge and know this if thou cannot receive the Kingdom of Heaven as a little leaven thou shalt never know it But yet how wicked art thou in this also though not understanding me in what I said yet so fouly wronging me with above 30. false charges and slanders from my words which thou reaches not the knowledge of so it will be enough Reply to sum up thy Lyes and send them back to thee to seek them out and an evidence for them and the Querys and my Answers shall stand as they are to be judged of by honest men while we are both silent in our own cause they are to be seen at large in my first Book The true faith of the Gospel contended for c. in the 26 27 28 pages And whereas further I speak at the end of my Answers of Christ within the hope of glory and said it is that mystery which long hath been hid from Ages but now is made manifest and declared and though the wise of this World cannot receive it but speaks evil against it yet it is dear unto us and so much more precious because despised by such as him and such things are a testimony to us and against you viz. our Enemies c. As in my 29. Page of my first may be sâ—en and most wickedly this or part of it he calls babling and says he passes by it O horrible impudency What marvel that he should so belye me when as he hath called the very Scripture truth spoken forth in righteousness bablings and these things I leave the Reader to Judge of and all his Lyes thrown upon 〈◊〉 â—â—pudently and consider what ground this man hath from my answers to be seen in my first Book to broach out and belch out such a number of Lyes and Slanders in five sides of paper not any one of them charged against me falsly were spoken by me or ever in my thoughts to speak or ground given by any of my words for such productions as it is seen what lodges in the heart of such a Fellow even desperate wickedness who is without any 〈◊〉 or honesty who dare utter such things against the upright who hates not his Enemies but while I am clear in the sight of God from all his false Slanders I matter not what Iohn Bunion says of me who is as a man given up to wickedness who in less then a sheet of paper hath uttered thirty Lyes or more which I may particularly manifest before he can find evidence a great wickedness 〈◊〉 this mans Converts be good while himself is unconverted is he a Minister of Christ for shame let it not be told so well I beg not vengeance against him he leaves my answers to be read who will clear me from his lying consequences 〈◊〉 wickedly conceived and as wickedly uttered By one of Gogs Army against a Member of Jesus Now I come to reckon up his damnable Doctrines and errors which are contrary to the truth as will manifestly appear to him that is spiritual some of thâ—â— damnable without comparison Iohn Bunion said That Christs second coming is not his coming in Spirit for 〈◊〉 coming in Spirit is no coming He saith this or part of it is a lye made of hiâ— by me when as several Witnesses doth testifie in righteousness that those very words were spoken by him in Pauls steeple-house in Bedford Town Mâ— 23. 1656. as is witnessed and yet this man is so impudent that he deâ—â—â— what he spake or is ashamed of his words and so would cast the Lye upâ—â— me who is clear and the wickedness lies at his door and whereas he
the Prophets and Apostles who did zealously give their testimony against such as went for gifts and rewards as the Teachers of England do but this is that which he is offended at and calls it a persecuting spirit which is not so but in love to peoples souls that they may deny the evil and follow the good And that our Ancesters have persecuted to death as he saith This is also a lye and of the Devil for our Ancestors were the Saints who were called of God and were not of the World even as we are not of the World and we are persecuted but seeks not to persecute any and gives our witness faithfully against this Generation and against the sins both of Teachers and people and this I suppose is it even our zeal for the Name of the Lord against unrighteousness which he falsly calls a persecuting spirit 16. His sixteenth Reason is Some Interrogatories saith he What reasonable man should turn Quaker that sees the common fruit of their Doctrine whâ—â— good do they do where-ever they come but saith he hate both godly Teacher and people c. Ans. To this I answer The fruit of our Doctrine is begetting people to the Knowledge of God and a converting them from sin and death and from the wayes and works of unrighteousness to be the Servants of the Lord and every spiritual man doth see this to be the fruit of our doctrine It doth condemn unrighteousness and bring war and a sword upon Earth as Christs Doctrine did And this is the good where we come many are changed from wickedness rudeness and ungodliness to live soberly righteously and purely in this present World without offence towards God and men For to say We make people both to hate godly Teachers and people this is utterly false for we endeavour to bring people to the true Teacher Christ Jesus and to have fellowship with the Saints It 's true in the World our Doctrine doth make division and doth set a man at variance and doth set Father against Son and Son against Father even as Christ did and his Doctrine so he saith we do But again he belyes us in saying We bring people into confusion and abominable error or that we cast people into a malicious mood or tincture of bitterness this is also false and this is my Answer He that doth the will of our Father knows of our Doctrine whether we weâ—â— of God or of our selves and to all the World besides we are unknown and desires to be manifest to every mans conscience in the Sight of God and not to that wisdom which is of this World And though he scorn at such who are made to cast off their Points and Lace yet is not this more then any fruit that his Doctrine hath brought forth for as 〈◊〉 do so did the Apostle exhort against all superfluiâ—â— of naughtiness as Points and Lâ—… are and it seems that such as depart from iniquity become a prey to such wicked menâ— slandering and scornful Tongues and a matter to makes Books of to send into the World 17. His seventeenth Reason Saith he It is no great encouragement to us to turn Quakers when we consider who are their followers very few experienced sober Christians turn to them saith he but such who are ignorant and ungrounded and raw professors c. Answ. To this I answer Let no man take encourgement from without to turn Quakers or to own the Way of Gods Salvation But let every one feel a Measure of God in his own heart converting him from sin unto righteousness and drawing his mind from the vanity and hypocrisie of this World to the truth and singleness of heart And he appears to be of the spirit of the Pharisees who said None but a company of poor people which were accursed followed Christ and so saith he in effect None but such as are ignorant and such like But what if there were not any other but such who owned the Way of the Lord this is a confirmation of it rather then a cause of objecting against it when such who are ignorant are brought to the Knowledge of God But yet his words are false for it is known that very many honest humble sober 〈◊〉 and people who have all their dayes been sincere towards God in what they have known of him have and do own us and indeed all that ever owâ—â— God and Salvation shall own us for we are of God and he that is of God heaâ—… us and the whole World Lyes in wickedness And such as are self-conceited and in pride and wise in their own eyes and in the wickedness of the World such are his followers and not ours though be falsely say it for such as follow Christ have we fellowship with and not with such as walk in darkness 18. His eighteenth Reason Saith he It is an evident Iudgment of God upon these people that turn Quakers and a punishment for their former sins c. Ans. To this I answer The Lord God his Angels and all his Saints and Servants I call to record against thee and they all shall witness that it is Mercy and not Judgement upon them that owns the way of the Lord And them that owned the Quakers in truth and sincerity have and do witness a remission of their former sins and forgiveness of them by Jesus Christ and not a punishment for them And Rich. Baxter may please himself and some others with his reasonless Reasons as these are yet they are not worthy of the name of Reason they be so senceless and utterly false And though he rails against the Anabaptists as well as against us yet any man whose eye is open sees his folly and turns it upon his own head and he may conceit himself in these things for a moment but the day of the Lord will declare it otherwise and that upon us Mercy and Peace shall be and not Judgement nor Wrath. 19. His ninteenth Reason Saith he They are already in division among themselves as the contention between Nayler and Fox and their followers do shew To this I answer Though an occasion may come and be taken against the truth yet wo unto him by whom it comes and to them who do receive it for the Testimony of Truth abids for ever But as about that division he speaks of it hath been answered by writings several times and now I say It happened but as a Tryal to the Lords People and not to destroy them though the Enemy boasts himself because of it yet the Lord knows how to preserve his in the midst of Temptation But these things are now at an end though a Temptation presented it self yet it overcame not and truth is the same and the Testimony thereof doth never change and all these Refuges which the Wicked flyes unto shall not cover them when the Lord appears 20. His twentieth Reason And saith he To make all their delusions more odious wickednesse they father it upon
of the Power of God and we shall not much seek or beg our Adversaries belief for to God are we known and one to another in the Spirit and not to the wisdom of the World which is devilish and knows not nor receives not the things which be eternal His last Reason They teach but such like Dostrine and takes the like course as many of the Hereticks did and saith he Shall we run our selves into the fire which hath consumed such Heresie through former Ages c. Answer To this I answer The Doctrines of the Gospel we hold forth and teach to all people and in that way that is called Heresie worship we indeed the God of our fathers but it is but such as this man with whom I deal who is a false witness-bearer and a reproacher and the Company of Hireling-Teachers and such like that doth call the Way of God Heresie And though he say presently after the Apostles dayes such Hereticks arose and troubled the Church To which I answer Nay it is just such like as himself who appeared in the Apostles dayes who taught for filthy lucre and for gain made merchandize of souls and it was such lying Prophets which Iohn saw the whole world run after in his days and they were them that troubled the Church even such as were heady and high minded and covetous men and such as are false Accusers and fierce men and his shame and folly is made manifest and so his lyes and slanders are turned upon his own head And in his conclusion he doth beseech Professors to consider impartially of these 24. Reasons to which I say The most of them are so reasonlesse that they will rather turn to his own confusion then to his praise to any man of understanding And he bids all bethink themselves first What a doleful thing it is that Professors should be so loose and unstable c. Answ. Doleful it is indeed that after so much preaching of Priests of England people should be so ignorant loose and unstable as indeed they are and this is a very shame to Teachers and shews that they were not sent of God because that the people are not profited at all but continues ignorant loose and unstable and wicked according to their own confession and indeed people are to be pittied that are under their Ministry who by it can never come to the Knowledge of God but must be ever learning fifty or sixty years and ignorant loose and unstable at their very end and yet these are members of this Church of England so called which the very Pastors thereof confesseth to be loose and unstable andwicked and brands us to be denyers of this Church as indeed we have good reason to see the Members thereof so wicked loose and unstable as is confessed by their own Teachers therefore we cannot be condemned for denying such a Church Secondly He bids consider what a heavy judgement it is to Professors themselves to be self-condemned and self-divided from the Church c. To which I answer A heavy judgement indeed that such as are of the Church should be self-condemned and self-divided from it but yet it is a blessed thing that any that have been deceived with false likeness now should come to see the error thereof and be turned to the true Church which is in God and to be drawn away from all windy Doctrines of Englands Teachers and this many doth witness Then he exhorts Christians to be serious and be true to the Light which they have received To which I say All that are true to the light which they have received from Christ Iesus will deny this man I now deal withall and all his Lyes and Slanders Then he bid-stick close to the Word of God and I say All that do so will find it as a Fire and a Hammer and will be gathered from under the dead Doctrines of men in this Age. And he exhorts them to stick close to a faithful Ministry To which I say Then must they deny all Hirelings and such as preacheth for hire for such are not of the faithfull Ministry but Deceivers of people And thus in few words return is sent in the pursute of a Sheet of Lyes and Slanders put forth into the World and all sober-minded people by this may come to a good understanding between Truth and error And though he hath taken a course to spread his Books 〈◊〉 Ballads and Fables by having them cryed up and down the streets which is not for his advantage altogether but doth shew his Work ridiculous to all wise men And so hereby it may be seen that all his Strong Reasons are confounded and overturned that would hinder a man from being a QUAKER THe main and chief things I have spoken of and by what is written in short men of understanding may understand what his whole matter can be But in the beginning of his Book he falls a complaining of the lamentable ignorance and ungodliness of common People and of the pride and seâ—…conceitedness of Professors of godliness and of the weakness and giddiness and unstableness of others To this I Answer It is true abundance are ignorant and abundance are proud and self-conceited and abundance unstable and giddy in their minds and substract these from the whole Company of the Hearers of the Teachers of England and there is but a few left if any at all that are truly righteous in the Sight of God and so to the shame of all the Teachers of England hath he confessed the truth in this particular and sheweth that indeed the People is not profited by them and this is a strong Argument that they were never sent of God but hath ran and were never sent But presently after that he cryes out of Hereticks and Deceivers even like as the Pope doth but What is he afraid of That they that are ignorant and ungodly and proud and self-conceited unstable and giddy should be deceived they that are in those iniquities are deceived already and cannot possibly fall into greater deceit or delusion But it appears That many of the Priests of England cares not how little their Hearers profits by them so if they can get their wages their Hire their great sums of money for one of them said I mean a supposed Minister of England in Cambridge-shire That he mattered not if all his Hearers went to the Devil so they would but give him his dues to wit Tythes and Maintenance So that by this instance you may judge what stock they are of and what their endeavours are and we desire that people may be undeceived of that wherein they are deceived and that they may turn from such a Generation of covetous Teachers who care so little for their souls And whereas he saith The Quakers are but of a few years standing and that they arose from among the Papists but a few year ago c. To this I Answer the people of God received that name but a
the Word And though they press people to Perfection and do say Men 〈◊〉 be pâ—…ect upon Earth and compleat in Christ Iesus This Doctrine also is according to the Scriptures for you may read 1 Cor. chap. 2 6. of 〈◊〉 that were perfect who were men upon Earth and the Ministâ—â—â— of Christ spoke Wisdom among them that were already perfect And Col. 2. 10. the Apostle saith unto the Church who were men in this Life upon Earth he saith to them Ye are Compleat in him And though they press the people to live without sin and do say They that are born of God do not commit sin This also is according to the Scripture for it is Christ's Command Mat. 5. Be perfect as yâ—â—r Faâ—â—er in Heaven is perfect And 1 Iohn 3. there it is spoken of some that were the Sons of God already and he saith Whosoever is born of God â—oth not commit sin for he cannot sin because he is born of God and saith 〈◊〉 As he is Christ so are we in this present World And now all people may understand that in all these Doctrines which they do hold forth they do fully agree with the Scriptures and they beâ—â—â—…ness to the Truth of their Doctrines that the Servants of God and the Apostles of Christ did preach the very same things for Doctrine aâ—…done at this day and so these Doctrines are not to be wondred at not so much as they are by the wicked to be cryed against for 〈◊〉 and error and these few particulars onely I have mentioned at which the people of this Age the most stumble at and all other things whatsoever which is held forth for Doctrines unto people I am able to prove them by the Scriptures that in all things they are according to the Scripture and not different or contrary to the Scriptures so 〈◊〉 all people may take notice and see that whatsoever they do practice for Religion or hold forth for Doctrine they do herein justly according to the Scriptures and they justifie their Practices and Doctrines in these things mention'd and in whatsoever else can be objected by any man And this I shall take in hand to prove before all the World That the People of God called Quakers do practice nothing for Religion or preach for Doctrine but what is perfectly according to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament and in the fulfilling of them and so they are proved to be of that True Christian Religion which is according to the Scriptures and so may fully claim Protection and Preservation in their Practice of Religion And this is to be consider'd by the Protector and all Magistrates and People in these Nations that they may know what the true Christian Religion is and who is in it and who is not in it and for this purpose is this written for the satisfaction of all people that they may see who it is that hath a Right and Priviledge to be protected and upholden by vertue of the Oath Likewise all may understand That what such practice and profess for Religion is not without good Ground but that the very same things were practized by them that were of the true Christian Religion and preached for Doctrine by them that were Saints which is now practiz'd and held forth by the People of God and the Scriptures do fully bear witness in all things shewing that such are guided by the same Spirit which the Saints were guided by in Ages past and as they had so have these the Testimony That they are of God and that the whole World lies in Wickedness And as concerning their being persecuted by many of the Rulers Priests and People though they be sent to Prison and banished out of Towns and whipped and beaten and scorned and reviled this is also according to the Scriptures and the Scripture is fulfilled upon them for the same things were done to the Apostles and to the Servants of the Lord as you may read through the Acts the people mocked the Apostles and slandered them and said they were full of new Wine and the chief Priests conspired against Christ and the Apostles and incensed the Magistrates against them and the Magistrates put Christ and many of the Apostles in Prison and caused them to be whipped and beaten and to be banished and many other cruelties done unto them the Scripture is full to prove this from the beginning to the end of it and Christ said They shall persecute you and speak all manner of evil of you for my Name sake and as they have done unto me so shall they do 〈◊〉 you ye shall be hated of Nations And the Apostle said All that will give godly in Christ Iesus shall suffer persecution So that all people may see though the people of the Lord be persecuted and reviled and imprisoned and cruelty done unto them and though it be done by the chief Magistrates and chief Rulers and the wise men of this Age all this is according to the Scriptures and that the Scriptures might be fulfilled and the same things which are now done unto the people of God were done unto the people of God in Ages past by the same Instruments to wit the Rulers and Magistrates and by the same means to wit by the information and false accusations of the chief Priests and Teachers in Ieremiah you may read how the Priests sought to take away his Life and you may read how the chief Priests consulted against Christ and how they complain'd to the Magistrates against him and the Apostles and the same things are now come to pass and we do not strange at it for they are the chief Priests of England that do most seek the Persecution and cause the People of God to be persecuted by their complaining and petitioning to the Magistrates so that in all these things not only what is practised and preached for Doctrine but also in what is suffered is perfectly according to the Scriptures and all people that are not blind may see that this Religion is in all things agreeable with the Scriptures both in what they do and in what they suffer so that this is given forth for the good Information of the Protector and all Magistrates that they may hear the Tryal of all things and may not falsly conjecture or suppose and thereupon give Judgement without any true Knowledge let them search the Scriptures and try I hope the worst of men have so much Conscience that they will stand in owe of the Breach of their own Oaths and that they will perform unto the Lord and unto all men what they have firmly and not compell'd sworn to do and thus it may be hoped the wâ—… Persecution will cease which is lamentable to be declar'd how the People of the Lord have suffer'd in many things even them whose Religion is proved to be according to the Scriptures who practice nothing for Religion neither hold forth any thing for Doctrine but that which is
all works for it is the ground from whence all works do spring and the end unto which they are brought forth that makes all mens works good or evil to be justified or to be condemned and where the Measure of the Spirit and Power of God is the Ground of and Leader in a work that work as I have said is done in the Fear of the Lord and in uprightness of heart and in love and tenderness and meekness and patience without seeking or exalting self but the Glory of the Lord is only sought by that man in all such his works But on the contrary where an evil heart and mind brings forth works to an evil end and to the wrong of others such works are maliciously and wilfully and enviously and peevishly done in forwardness and headiness and not in the Fear of God nor in uprightness of heart but with a double mind and in secret or without the Counsel of God seeking himself in his works and not the Lord and such works are wicked and wrought by wicked men who transgresseth both the Law of God and of men and must receive according to their deeds and the Law that is equal must pass upon them which the Light of Christ in their own Consciences may answer to when they are condemned for their ungodly works against which Light they act and that is the reason and cause wherefore their works are evil and to be condemned by the Law for who acteth according to the Light of Christ and is led thereby fulfilleth the Law or it is fulfilled in him and his works are wrought in God and are the testimony unto men that he is of a good conscience and for a good Conscience sake his works are done and such men and works are not to be condemned but justified And this is for Instruction to all them that bear Rule who are Magistrates and Governours and Judges of the people that they may now be wife and learn wisdom how to judge righteously and justly among people that they may fulfil the Will of God in what he hath called them unto even that they may cherish and defend and strengthen such as do well and all whose pure Consciences are purely exercised may live in peace and rest under such a Government and all Evil-Doers may be bound limitted and judged and may stand in awe and be afraid and thus Justice and true Judgment would be advanced and Equity would run down as a mighty Stream and the Nation would be blessed and yeild content and satisfaction to her Inhabitants and hereby might the Rulers and Judges gain unto themselves a good report and an honour and renown would the Lord crown them withal in Generations to come Wherefore all ye Rulers and ye that are set to judge the people be now awakened to just Judgment and to a sound discerning and put on the spirit of true Judgment even the Spirit of the Lord that you may receive it to be taught in all things how to walk with God that you may answer his call and the End of your Authority in judging justly all sorts of men rendring to every man according to his Deeds even Condemnation and Judgment to Evil-Doers and a Praise and Defence to all that do well And this is written in love to you all shewing you how to put a difference betwixt the Precious and the Vile between the Just and Unjust that you may be the more happy if this you observe not leaving your names a Reproach and a Scorn to after Ages which is the effect which doth follow all such as pervert Justice and turns true Judgment backward with Misery and Destruction upon themselves and Posterity for evermore A True and Faithful Exposition of some part of the Laws of ENGLAND ALL ye Magistrates Justices of the Peace Mayors and all other Ministers of the Law and all ye to whomsoever the Law is committed I warn you all to take heed to your selves that ye fulfil the Will of the Lord in judging Righteously and executing true Justice and Judgment and let not Envy nor false Suspitions nor Jealousies have any place in you but with a single Eye try all things and with an upright Heart judge for God and not for man and beware of causing the Innocent to suffer whose Consciences are exercised towards God though they be contrary to the World in their Wayes and Judgments for if you cause such to suffer you do not execute true Judgment but subvert the Law and the Lord will require that Suffering of his People at your hands Now consider The Law was not made for a Righteous Man but for Transgressors such whose Consciences are not exercisd towards God and such your Sword is to be laid upon to be a Terror to them and not to the Innocent for they should have Praise that do well And you must take heed lest you abuse your Power to another End then wherefore God hath ordained it for the Law was added because of Transgression to slay the Transgressor and that is the End of the Law Now you must take heed of causing any to suffer upon bare Suspition or Evil Jealousies when as no Transgression is truly charged nor justly proved against them before you And you are not to be both Accusers and Judges of any one in any Cause You have a late Act for the taking up and punishing of idle lâ—â—se and dissolute Persons such as are Vagrants and wandering Rogues Vagabonds and sturdy Beggars Now this Law is good if it be duly and justly executed upon such as are truly guilty herein and it is right that sturdy Beggars and Rogues and idle and disorderly Persons should be taken up from wandering and set on work in some good Imployment in the Creation which may maintain themselves and prevent them from worse things But now you must take heed of judging any to be such who are not really so for many of the Servants of the Lord now as it was in Generations past are moved to leave their own Country and Dwellings and Relations and go abroad in the Nations to preach the Gospel of Christ and to bear witness of his Name in the World to the turning of People from the wayes of Sin and Death to the Way of Righteousness and Truth and it may be such cannot give you an Account or sufficient Cause of their travelling abroad so as to satisfie you For that is lawful in the sight of God which you may not judge to be so for God's Wayes are not man's wayes neither are his Thoughts as man's thoughts Therefore I say unto you If you cause any such of the Servants of the Lord to suffer by that Law you abuse your power and subvert the Law for such are not Vagabonds nor idle dissolute Persons nor Rogues nor sturdy Beggars no more than Christ was who had no where to lay his head and the Prophets and Apostles were some of which had no certain dwelling place but left
all are not to be condemned that cannot swear or take an Oath for many of the Servants of the Lord who are Followers of Christ cannot swear for Conscience sake because Christ hath commanded Not to Swear at all though such do deny the Pope and all his Authority and Doctrines and whatsoever else is signified in that Oath who cannot justly be suspected to be any way adherent to the Pope in Doctrines or Practices except through wicked Envy you seek occasion against them thereby and you abuse your Power and subvert the Law if you judge such to be Popish Recusants because they will not Swear because they cannot for Conscience sake but walk in Christ's Doctrine who commanded not to Swear and follow the Apostle's Example who said Above all things my Brethren Swear not at all And such cannot justly be suspected or judged for Popish Recusants who are Followers of Christ and keep his Commands Therefore you must be considerate and search deep into those things that are thus weighty lest you cause the Guiltless to suffer and thereby vex the Lord against your selves And you must make a special difference betwixt such as will not Swear because they are guilty and such as cannot Swear for Conscience sake though they are not guilty but clear and free in the sight of the Lord of such things as may be falsly suspected and charged against them by envious men which may watch for Evil and give Information against the People of God unto you But let your Eye be single in all these things that you may save your selves from Wrath and Condemnation which will be a Reward of all such who subvert good Laws to a wrong End and seek to cover themselves in their Persecution of the Innocent by making the Law a Cloak but such Coverings will not hide in the Day of the Lord. And my Friends In the Execution of these and other Laws let the Fear of God guide you and true Judgment and sound Discerning that you may try into the Nature and Ground of every thing and may not judge only by outward Appearance but judge Righteous Judgment And this is a great Transgression in the Sight of the LORD at this Day even the false Execution of Good LAWS and the subversion of them to wrong Ends and Uses by some wicked men who are in Authority to whom the Law is committed And this we know by Experience Be the Law never so just and good yet if the Executioners of the Law be unjust and unrighteous true Justice and Judgment is turn'd backward and for want thereof the Harmless and Innocent daily suffer which kindleth and encreaseth the fierce Anger of the Lord against these Nations And likewise All you that are in Power and Authority you ought not to command any thing of any man which the Law gives you no power to Command for doing so you make your selves Transgressors as for instance You have no Power by any Law to command men to put off their Hats when they come before you neither by any Law can you justly punish them if they do it not neither can you justly punish such by any Law who deny to Swear because for Conscience sake they cannot But what hath been inflicted upon some in such cases hath been by Will and Malice and not by any Law and the Lord doth account such things against the Wicked who cause such Sufferings And of these things I have given you Warning and it is in perfect Love unto you all as to inform you truly lest you cause the Innocent to suffer I am a real Friend to the Common-wealth and a Lover of Iustice and true Iudgment and fully affected towards Iust Government and wish well to Magistrates E. B. The 9th Moneth 1657. AN EPISTLE To go abroad Among Friends IN WESTMORLAND and CUMBERLAND And elswhere among the Flock of God FRiends my love and life which is not of this World but which is in the living God doth reach unto and salute all you that are in the Light of Life and in the Truth it self which changeth not which endureth for ever which we receive of God the everlasting Father through the Gospel which came unto us in the demonstration of the Spirit and of Power to the changing of us from Death which reigned over us to Life in which we have power over Death and to the turning of us from the power of Satan wherein we were held unto the power of the living God wherein we became fruitful and a good savour unto him through Nations Dearly Beloved in the same Truth be faithful unto death in that which cannot sin nor be overcome of the Tempter which Satan hath nothing in wherein only our fellowship and union standeth one with another as we abide in the living Vine Christ Jesus the Light of the World in which you have believed unto Eternal Life and have entered into the Rest which is prepared as you continue therein you cannot be moved or shaken but are as Mount-Sion established in the Power and Life and Wisdom of the Everlasting God which condemns Darkness and all its works and gives dominion and rule over all the powers of Death and Hell which worketh in the Children of Disobedience who know not God nor receive the Truth much more in them who turns from the Light and Knowledge of the Truth into the Liberty of the Flesh to serve sin having made shipwrack of Fear and of Faith and a good Conscience who shall bear their own shame and condemnation in the Sight of God man and shall have no part with us in the Inheritance of Peace and Righteousness but the later end of such is worse then the beginning Wherefore you that are in the Covenant of Peace where sin is not remembred nor committed nor the unclean thing touched dwell and abide in the Life of God and in his Strength which reigns over all the World with its temptations and over all false Brethren and over all deceitful Workers whose Eye becometh darkned and heart hardned through the deceitfulness of sin turning the Grace of God into wantonness and giving liberty to the unclean thing which is accursed and joyned to the Harlot and become one Flesh but in the Counsel of the Lord God walk before him and keep your selves pure and undefiled and partake not of the deeds of the Wicked neither give place to the Devil to be perverted by him from the Truth of the living God which is Truth in it self for ever though the Backsliders despise the Way of it and every one abide in your own and know a measure of the Strength of Christ Jesus in you to defend you from the Enemy who seeks to beguile and to devour and to divert from the perfect Way of Life and Peace and dwell in your own measure of the Grace of God which is perfect which is sufficient to teach and lead and preserve in all the Wayes of God which the Unclean cannot walk
leading into all Truth and preserving out of all Transgression Wherefore I beseech you all let this be your whole desire and the full practice in your life and then shall the Countenance of the Lord shine upon you and his Face shall make you glad if in all things you look unto him for Counsel and wait upon the teaching of his Spirit which dwelleth in you which the Father hath given unto you because you are his Children and this he requireth from you that his own Spirit in you which hath begotten you may be the root and moving cause of all your works and words and herein will you receive acceptance with him and Peace from him and righteousness in him and everlasting joy by him continually and and this is the Inheritance unto which you were begotten Heirs to possess for ever wherefore let your love unity and felloship be in the Spirit and let your Knowledge Judgment Meeting and Waiting be in the Spirit and let your ministring and receiving be in the Power of God and in the Spirit and so shall you never suffer loss nor condemnation but all your works shall abide the Fire and shall not be consumed when the tryal of all things come and the Foundation of every work is discovered And I say again if the Spirit of Life even the Spirit which quickens to God the second Adam who is the quicking Spirit be your Guide your Leader and Teacher in all things then you shall have perfect Peace with God and your Fellowship will be encreased and his Presence shall go before you and his Righteousness shall be your Justification and Desence and his Covenant of Life and Peace shall be confirm'd unto you and there shall be no more going forth but the Tabernacle of God shall remain with you alwayes and his Habitation shall be in you forever and the Promise of the Father shall be sealed unto you and his Mark and express Image written in your Fore-heads and that quickning shall live in you and not you unto your selves and hereby shall all know that he is your God who liveth in you in Power and Dominion and that you are his People who liveth unto him in Truth and Righteousness and this is the Covenant and the Promise to be waited for by you all that you may be married to the Lord in Righteousness and Loving-kindness and your Maker may be your Husband and you subjected under his Power to rule over you and to govern you in the Way of Peace And now dearly Beloved mind that Word of God which hath begotten you from Death to Life and to be Heirs of his Inheritance of Life and feel the Word which is quick and powerfull dwell in your hearts alwayes dividing in you betwixt the precious and the vile and as a Hammer and a Fire alwayes beating down and burning up that ground and fruit which is in the disobedience from which the cause of Condemnation doth spring and so shall you be saved from every appearance of evil shall not be overcome thereby nor led captive at the will of the Enemy but shall be saved from Sin and the Wages thereof and no condemnation shall be unto you if your hearts be kept clean and undefiled by the Word of God which is pure and sanctifieth and is but one in all his Children and it begetteth unto one Life and to be of one Mind and Soul and by it only dwelling in the Heart is the encrease of God received though by the ministring of it one may Plant and another may Water yet it is my Father that gives the encrease who is greater then all unto whom the Ends of the Earth must look for Salvation and unto him must you all look for to pertake of encrease of his hidden Treasure daily that you may be refreshed as the Heritage which he hath chosen and may grow therein as Plants planted by his own right Hand growing from strength to strength in him and renewing your strength in him and may not fain nor be weary And forasmuch as mighty hath been the Power and Presence of the Lord amongst you and his Love great unto you and caused his voice to be heard when you were Dead to raise you unto Life and many of you have had the taste and feeling thereof who have seen the Way of Life before your face that you should walk therein and live I do warn you all in the Name and by the Spirit of the Lord therein to continue unto the end having your Faith established in the Power of God and your building standing on that true Foundation which can never be moved nor shaken but that perfect victory over Death and the Grave and the powers of Darkness may be trodden down through the obedience of the Cross whereby victory is obtained over all the World and the Affections and Lusts thereof condemned but such as goeth from the Cross perceiveth not the Power of God neither can overcome but are overcome of the Enemy and shipwrack is made of Faith Truth and a good Conscience and the latter end of such is worse then their beginning for the Lord is dishonoured and their condemnation will be great Wherefore my Friends be watchfull and be armed with the strength of Christ Jesus and feel his strength in you to resist the wicked One that he may not touch you to betray you of your Life and Peace and bring you into condemnation for I am not ignorant of the many temptations which are near unto you in that place Wherefore I say again feel the Strength and Arm of God reaching to you by which you may do all things and dwell in his Life and Power and that ye may overcome by the Word of God and by the Testimony of Jesus and then will your Peace be encreased and your Fellowship with God and Angels shall minister unto you as you overcome the Enemy which would subvert your minds from the obedience to the Truth and then your rest in God will be sweet unto you as you dwell where nothing can make afraid Sin and Transgression being removed far from you not having a place in you but the Life reigning which Satan hath nothing in and this is the freedom of the Sons of God who are redeemed unto him to live in him who being dead to sin cannot live any longer therein but are washed and separated from all the works of Death Death having lost his sting it cannot hurt nor wound you and the Grave having lost its victory it cannot overcome you who do witness this for Transgression is hid and Iniquity is put under and Life it self reigns through Righteousness over all and here the Seed is brought forth in which there is no Iniquity seen nor Transgression charged against it for it sins not but rules over the Sinner and fulfils the righteous Law of God and doth his Will in all things and for this you must all wait to feel God's Promise perfectly fulfill'd in
upon whom the Wrath of God abideth and are subject to the Curse every moment and this is the state of all Mankind And the Light in every one shall answer this Measure and witness you and your Word to be the Word of the Lord which Light if they love it will bring every one to know the Power of the Creator to reconcile them and to bring them into Fellowship with him and to receive his Blessings and his Inheritance being changed by the Power of God into his Image But if they hate the Light and deny the Power of God and his Covenant and will not have Christ who hath lighted them to teach them and to rule them but do continue Enemies in their Minds to the Lord and will not receive your Message then they perish forever and you are clear seal your Testimony against them and the Lord shall be justified when he arises to Condemnation against them all who cannot own this Message and receive you in the Name of the Lord. Be bold and valiant and spare not to shew all people this Message and to Declare unto them in the Name of the Lord by whom you are sent And I warn you all Let the Fear and the Judgments of the Lord be in your Hearts and stand wholly in his Will and be obedient to the moving of his Power in all things that you may be armed against all the Swelling and Roaring of the Proud Waves of the Sea which will beat against you put on the whole Armour of God that you may withstand all the powers of Darkness and may overcome all the Temptations of the Devil Look beyond your life and your liberty and beyond all things of this World and the Life of God know and feel in you to give you Dominion over all and with his Word and Power to reach to his Witness in all that you may leave a Testimony behind you for him Thick Darkness you will find covering all people their Ears deaf and their Eyes blind and the Ground wholly barren and untilled you will find overgrown with Cursed Fruit and wild Branches which must be cut up and cast into the Fire and aboundance of Idolatry and vain Superstitions and great Hardness of Heart you will meet with and find all People in the Degeneration ignorant of God and without him in the World and abounding in all Unrighteousness and Unbelief worshipping their Idol godds which will grieve your spirits but be you Patient and Long-suffering and be not offended at any of these things but Plow in Hope and Sow in Hope and Thresh upon the Mountains and beat them to dust ye Children of Sion and bring all people to know the Fear and Judgments of the Lord in them You are sent forth to beget People unto him and to turn them to his Knowledge to till the Ground to pluck up the wild Branches which cumber the Ground and the tender Grape must be spared Therefore let the Word of the Lord dwell in you and divide the Word aright and cry not Peace to the Wicked neither cry Judgment to such as are of a Broken Heart feed the Hungry with Bread and feed the Fat with Judgment Be ye good Stewards of the Lord's Treasure cover the Naked but make bare the Harlot and discover her Abominable Whoredoms let all the World know how they have committed Whoredom with the great Whore who hath sate upon Nations Kindreds Tongues and Peoples And proclaim unto all Nations That the Lord God is risen for the Deliverance of his Chosen and he will make War in Righteousness against all his Enemies and they must lick the Dust of his Feet and bow under his Scepter And openly declare unto all the World That God is setting up an Everlasting Kingdom and the Dominion thereof shall reach over all the Earth and the Kings of the Earth must bring in their Glory to it In the Name and Power of the Lord God go ye into all the World with this Message and Testimony which shall be answer'd to be the Message of the Everlasting God with the Light which he lightened every man withal that you may bring Glory and Honour and Dominion unto him who hath called you to bear witness of his Name in all the World This I was moved of the Lord to give forth unto all that are moved to go into other Nations by a Companion unto all that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes E. B. A General Epistle to the SAINTS To the Seed of God Elected and Chosen of him before the World began and now called by his Word and Power into the Kingdom of Peace and Righteousness to be Heirs of the Inheritance of Eternal Life that never fades away DEarly beloved Friends who are called and sanctified through the Grace of God that hath appeared unto you and in you be mindful of your Calling and make your Election sure that you may feel it the Seed of God and the Heir of Life born and brought forth in every one of you that the Promise may be fulfilled in you and you may sit down in the Kingdom feeling the immortal Crown of Life as the Reward of all your Sufferings and Tryals and Patience for the Inheritance of an endless Life is the Portion of the Righteous who have followed the Lamb through his Sufferings and laid down their Crowns at his Feet and now his Feet are treading down and will tread down all mortal Crowns and stain the glory of all Flesh and bring it into contempt and set up his Kingdom to have Dominion over all And so Friends you in whose hearts the Day-Star hath appeared of Light and Life feel the growth of the good Seed in your selves which must rise in you all over the contrary part and over that nature which is related to the Kingdoms of this World that must be kept down in you all and all must be subject to the Lambs Power and to his Dominion every Work Word and Motion must be brought in subjection unto him that he who is Light and Life and Righteousness and Truth and all Vertue and Goodness may alone reign in you and over yâ—â—avâ— and the contrary may be kept in the subjection and the Body of Siâ—â—â— and Death may be wholly put off and Immortallity brought forth in you all by the Gospel which hath been sounded forth amongst you in Power and Life and not in the words of man's wisdom and this Gospel which we have received and you have heard hath wrought its effect wherefore the Lord sent it and many are turned from darkness to Light and from Satan's power to God and the Lord hath gathered his Jewels and is gathering of them and he hath planted his Inheritance with a pleasant Plant of Righteousness and Renown and his Arm hath wrought great deliverances in the Earth and hath raised up the Poor and exalted the Meek and Lowly and he hath brought down the Mighty from his Seat and these things hath
he done in us who hath wrought all our Works and he hath broken the Chain of Antichrist and will tread down that spirit more and more till whole Babylon be sunk as a Stone into the midst of the Sea and till Righteousness alone sit upon the Throne that his People may rejoyce in him for evermore when they see their Inheritance in him and their Souls rest in him where he is become the everlasting Light and the days of Mourning ended Now Friends all of you keep in the Life and Power and Wisdom of God dwell and walk therein in all things and feel the Head Christ and have no Master but him and in all things seek the Glory of the Lord for they that turn to seek themselves become as the Dross and as withered Branches whom the Lord will take away and such shall not cumber his Ground They that go from the Life and Light and Word within them they go into Error and turn aside after Vanity and these shall never see the Countenance of the Lord who continue not unto the end in the Faith but make shipwrack of it and of a good Conscience and these become Antichrist and Servants of Sin and deny the Lord that bought them having lost Sincerity they run into a feignedness and having lost the true Hope they become unstaid and such will be tossed and change their way and so become hardned And therefore Friends I say unto you all live in the Power of God and feel the enjoyment of his good Presence in you Hearts in your Families and in your Meetings and live in the Power of Godliness and not in the Form without Power for that is but Idolatry where people are zealous in the performance and practice of Righteousness and wants the sence of the Lord's Presence but keep out of this and look at the Lord in all things stand in his Counsel and fulfil his Will and walk in his Spirit that leads into all Truth and feel that Kingdom that Power and Government which is not of this World but over and above the kingdoms that are earthly and in this will be your Peace and your Comfort and your Assurance for evermore And Friends the Lord hath not onely stretched forth his Arm to bring Redemption and Salvation unto you and his deliverance out of spiritual Sodom but his Arm hath also wrought great deliverance for us without and he hath appeared for us in much Loving kindness in that he hath stopped the way of his Adversaries whose moutâ—… were opened to devour us and doubtless it was in their wicked Heâ—…s to have cut us off that themselves might be exalted but the Lord eminently broke their Counsel when they were in confederacy together how to overcome us by Craft and Guile and the Lord scattered them by a secret Hand and this was one great Deliverance And again when they were risen in Numbers with their Hearts full of devouring Envy they were suddenly confounded and brought to nought and certain it is that both these Deliverances were chiefly to us though others have good thereby and I cannot but mind you of them that you may prize them and receive them as from the Hand of the Lord and may walk worthy of all his Mercies that are reached forth unto you from time to time and for his Name sake and for his Seed sake are these things done and he will gather his Seed yet more and more and make up the numberless number of his Chosen that his Heritage may be pleasing unto him and therein he will delight that Righteousness may sit upon the Throne and Truth and Justice and Mercy flow down that his Soul may be delighted And now as concerning Places among men for the service of your Nation as men this I have to say mind Gods Wisdom to guide you and if such things be put upon you do as you have freedom in the Lord though these things be less then the eternal Election which gives to see over and feel over mens kingdoms and in the Election doth your eternal Peace and Inheritance stand in God yet in man's kingdom Truth and Righteousness must rule Justice and just Judgment must have place on the Throne and this we wait for that Righteousness within and without may be exalted for the Gospel of Light which we preach destroys not but brings the Nation into equal and just Government among men and Truth brings the Nations into good order and ye must salt the Earth So keep over these things in the Life that gives you Dominion to act only for God even as men that may glorifie him in your Bodies and in your spirits even in your daily Practises amongst men and keep in the Power of the Lord which keeps the heart pure and feel the Word in your hearts and then you will not be corrupted but will be kept in singleness and uprightness to God and man and in that will be your Crown as men in seeking the Glory of the Lord and not your own And so Friends have respect unto the Lord God in all things that his Truth may guide you in all things even as men and therein stands true honour in this World and in the World to come And so keep your Meetings and live in good order let no strife be amongst you for that will eat out the good and quench your love and deadness and barrenness will cover you and you will become unfruitfull to the Lord. And all you that are moved of the Lord to go abroad to whom the Message of the Gospel is committed I charge you all to live in the Life of God it self and then Life will speak through you and keep in the Dominion over the earthly part in your selves and over all false spirits in the World that you may feel through the corruptible in all people and may answer the Witness which will slay the Evil and wound the Wicked and convert the Soul to God and let your Conversation be holy and just that you may answer the Witness in all And though we have seen the fruit of our Labour and hath our Reward with the Lord hitherto yet it is the beginning of the Harvest for there are Mountains to thresh and Darkness to beat under for the World hath been as a Wilderness and now it must be planted with the good Seed of the Kingdom of God Wherefore be valiant for the Lord God and for his Truth and sound forth the dread of the Lord among all People the false Church the Whore must have the Cup of God's Wrath given unto her through your hands and as she hath done unto us so we must give unto her double So go on in the Name and Power of God and the Lord God Almighty be with you all Let this be read in all your Meetings and copied over and sent abroad among all Friends E. B. Two Epistles to Friends in London being a Testimony against deceitfull Spirits and such as profest the
Truth and turned from it and were unfaithfull to the Lord. FOrasmuch as in these our dayes the God of Truth hath made manifest his Name and Truth in the hearts of his people and hath gathered the minds of thousands into it to worship him in the Spirit and in the Truth in which he is accepted and of this Truth which is but one and there is not another are we made Witnesses and Ministers of and hath the Testimony in our selves that we are of God and are a good savour unto him in them that believe and in them that perish and we have the Testimony that he that is of God heareth us and we know the whole World lies in wickedness and who are in the Truth in the Light and in the Life have followship one with another in Holiness and Righteousness in that which comprehends the World and condemns all the works thereof which are evil and this Truth and Worship and Fellowship stands in Christ Jesus the second Adam whose Kingdom and Rule is not of this World but from Heaven who according to his Promise in his Counsel hath made known his Power to the raising up a righteous Branch a royal Priesthood a peculiar People zealous of his Name to shew forth his Praise and Glory in Justness and Righteousness in Love Mercy and Peace and works of Purity having our Conversation in Heaven and since that Day of the Manifestation of this Truth of the Gospel of Peace and Salvation which is the same now as was in the beginning which is in Christ Jesus the Light of the World who is the same to day yesterday and forever and changeth not I say since that very day hath the Lord prospered his Truth to the renewing of many into his Image and Likeness and to the turning of many from Darkness to Light and from Satans power to God by the Mouthes of his Ministers and through great Sufferings and Tribulations and Afflictions and Labours hath the Lord honoured his Name and his Truth in Nations and given it a praise among all that fear him and hath honoured it and exalted it in the sight of the Heathen to the confounding of the Wise and Mighty and to the bringing out of the Captivity of Darkness Sin and Death wherein in times past all have walked while Strangers from the Life of God so that thousands who have received the Truth are established in it and cannot be moved nor shaken but are built upon the sure Foundation their Faith standing in the Power of God with whom the Arm and Presence of the Lord God is defending and preserving continually and unto such the Truth is precious and the Way of the Lord and his Name and Honour is dear yea more then life or liberty or any other thing which passeth away who for the Truth 's sake as is it in Christ Jesus do daily give up themselves to suffering and to reproach for well-doing and not for evil and loves not life unto death that the Lord God and his Name and Truth may be honoured so that in the Truth which is received and learned of the Father daily do we walk in all Purity and Holiness of Life answering the Mercy and Love of the Lord in the exercise of a good Conscience both towards God and man in Patience and Long suffering and Wisdom towards all to the putting to silence of Gainsayers rendring love and mercy toward our Persecutors and are set in our hearts to fulfil the will of God in all things And now whereas that the Scriptures may be fulfilled some may and have denied the Truth which once was received and loved to the making shipwrack of Faith and of a good Conscience abusing the Mercy and Grace of God which to them appeared and follow the counsel of their own hearts and not the Lord having lost the feeling of the Spirit of the Father and are and may be separated from us in the self-separation through an evil heart of unbelief that it may be made manifest they are not of us though they arise from among us and may by disorderly walking contrary to the Truth cause the Truth to be evil spoken of giving occasion thereby to the Enemies of God to blaspheme his Name and Truth in the Earth and may be a stumbling to the weak and an offence to the Way of the Lord before the Simple through their Disorders and Confusions raising the rage of the wicked against the Lambs of Christ being not led in the Wisdom of God but in the Confusions taking liberty to their own hearts desire ful filling the will thereof without the Fear of God above the Cross of Christ in the nature uncrucified and speaking high Words in the presumption and not in the Light and Power of God and acting in the vanity of the Mind in the pretence of Truth and moving of the Spirit such things as Truth and the Children of it who are guided with the Spirit cannot justifie but is judged and denied and cast out from among the Children of Light who walk in the Truth and do try the Spirits whether they be of God Therefore in the Fear of the Lord God this is written to go abroad among Friends and others to inform and shew unto all that the Truth and we that are in it and Ministers of it do stand clear from all such who act and speak out of the Truth and contrary to it in the Disorder and Confusion and not in the Fear and Counsel of God and with the Truth such are judged and denied and fellowship with them we have not nor of their works do approve though such once owned us and were convinced of the Truth and received the Seed of the Kingdom into the unprofitable Ground yet being separated from us and gone out from the Truth and are not subject to it and its Government but are unruly and disorderly we and the Truth do such deny and the spirit that rules them being not the Spirit of Christ Jesus and such have done evil against their own Souls and against God and are Troublers of the Righteous Seed and have and do dishonour the Lord and his Truth in the sight of the Heathen causing the right way to be reviled and reproached and evil spoken of through the offence by them to the making sad the hearts of some whom God hath not made sad and even more especially in that they pretend to the Truth in their words but in works deny it and profess to be in it yet secretly condemning and openly reviling the Ministers of Righteousness which God hath blessed and doth daily bless with his eternal Power to the turning many unto God and to the strengthning of the weak and feeble which we with many others do witness to be the Ministers of Life and Reconciliation and there is no other and are established in it and cannot be moved by the temptations of the Devil though the wicked one may revile for a moment to
Pride would have appear'd and hadst thou had a better Heart less of Unfaithful Dealing would have proceeded from thee But as I have said Evil shall fall upon himself that hatcheth it for another But why dost thou say Faithful Account in the Title Page Signifying to the World that all in it is true and nothing of Truth wanting in relation to that Dispute and yet in thy Epistle sayst Thou dost not undertake to set down the multitude of words that that day was fill'd withal and pag. 29. sayst That a third man of the Company made a large Discourse concerning the Person justified but relatest not one word what was said by him and here thou hast not dealt faithfully nor given a faithful Account And pag. 31. thou sayst E. B. at such a time did multiply many words but dost not relate his particular words and so hast not in this dealt faithfully nor given a faithful Account And also in many other things thou hast not related what was spoke at all and thus thou hast contradicted thy self in saying A Faithful Account and yet confessing in effect Unfaithfulness And thy own words being compar'd together prove a contradiction in thy own Mind and Pen for to give a Faithful Account as thou sayst thou hast is to relate the whole Truth and not to keep any back neither to speak more then the Truth by adding thereto any thing But again thou sayst Thou undertakest not to relate the multitude or every particular of words neither dost relate what particular words such a one and such a one spake but sayst He said so and multiply'd many words not saying what his words were And therefore thou hast heaped a Contradiction upon thy own head and it shall remain till it hath made thee ashamed And now as to the particulars upon which the Dispute depended so far as they are truly laid down in my words and in my intent and meaning I am ready to justifie them yea at any place or time convenient or before any Auditory whatsoever upon lawful Occasion but as thou hast laid them down or some of them thou hast wronged me and the Truth and either not understood my meaning or subverted and perverted my words to thy own Advantage And whereas in the Epistle thou sayest I would not own them viz. The Particulars laid down to be mine at first and yet owned every one of them in the Discouse c. Answ. I did not own them but how and how did I own them but thus The Objector had laid down some of the Particulars not in my words which made them vary from the intent of my meaning and others of the Particulars he had laid down utterly false and so I did deny them as coming from him but as to the substance of some of the Particulars I did own having laid them down according to my own honest Meaning in my own sound Expression of words and thereupon I engaged a Dispute upon the Particulars having first denied them as laid down by him and in his corrupt Expressions and then owned them in the simplicity in the words as by me uttered I mean some of them but some I altogether denied And as to speak of that Text Ioh. 5. 39. By which sayest thou I endeavoured to skin over what I spoke but to no purpose I do deny thy words for that same verse shall stand a Witness for me and against thee in all the World and that verse shall prove that some of the Scriptures were spoken to the World and not to the Saints and the Truth it self is my Covering and I need no other thing to skin over as thou scornfully speakest And whereas thou sayest There was just matter of Reproof in the Dispute in both Parties c. Answ. Whilst thou hast condemned others thou hast judged thy self who was of the one Party a strong Contender for the Priests Party and having now accused both Parties wouldst clear thy self to be of neither but canst not for it is known thou didst take their part and in the Title thou sayest The Discourse was betwixt a party of them called Quakers with Mr. Philip Taverner c. where thou dost own thy self to be one and reckonest thy self the foremost Master of the Disputants And now upon better considerations I think when thou hast searched into their Folly with whom thou wast joyned thou wouldst absent thy self to be none of them but a third Party But let me tell thee What Disorder Prejudice and Passion as thou speakest of that was amongst the Priests thou hast a part in and must own their Sin and their Condemnation for thou art also guilty And that there was any Passion except pure Zeal for God and his Truth which thou mightest falsly so call or Prejudice or such like amongst us I do deny it and know thee to have born a false Testimony and all thy Covers as if thou wert a Moderator or the like in thy speaking will not hide thee nor cover thee from what I have said of thee But as to the things in particular I now come and may shew what my words are and the Ground of them and how I laid them down and upon what Occasion in the first Meeting whereupon the Dispute did arise and I do not here go about to give a perfect Relation of that Dispute for my Memory hath not contain'd what passed but as to the intent and meaning of my words I would give all the true knowledge thereof and how far I do own the Particulars charged against me First As to that The Scripture are not the WORD of God because the Devil spoke something and Pharoah something which is there written Answer There is some truth in this but my words were drawn up by him at the shortest and the most for his own Advantage laid down by him For I do remember That in the first Meeting I was speaking concerning the Word of God and concerning the Scriptures which are a Declaration thereof and shewing the difference betwixt the Word and the Letter and Scriptures for the Word of God was in the Beginning and the World was made by it and it endureth forever But the Scriptures were not in the Beginning for Moses was the first that wrote any thing of the Scripture who was long after the Beginning neither was the World made by them neither can they endure forever and therefore the Letter the Scriptures are not the Word of God which the Scriptures call the Word for also in the Scriptures are written what the Devil spoke and what Pharoah and other Wicked Men spoke and therefore they are not the Word of God but as I have said a Declaration of the Word and what is written of is the Word but the Scriptures the Writings are not but a Testimony and Declaration of the Word Much more as to this might be said and was spoken by me at the Meeting which is not particularly related and this is sufficient to
ever obtain any thing â—…t concerning this Great is the Degeneration of Christians in this Geneâ—…n for now the Ministers amongst you Christians are maintain'd by an â—…rd power through compelling Maintenance of Tythes and other Set-Wâ—… from the people even from them that do not receive their Ministry and they do not preach freely but makes their preaching chargeable to whole Nations and the maintaining of Christian Ministers is become a burâ—…n to whole Nations and great Oppressions upon the poor and now the â—…ers seek mens money and gold and it doth not appear that they only seek a people to God but on the contrary they seek peoples mony to themselves and it doth not satisfie the Ministers now to eat and driâ—…k such things that are set before them in a House that is worthy but they must have so much a year and so much a Sermon and so much for every particular man of his Parish be they worthy or unworthy to the value of a hundred or two hundred pounds by the year whereby poor people are greatly oppressed and they will reap carnal things by force and violence from them to whom they sow no spiritual things for they are suing at Law and putting in Prison and distraining peoples Goods by Force and Cruelty to maintain them and their Families in Pride and idleness which things the Christian Ministers formerly in the dayes of the Apostles never did but were often under great Sufferings in Fasting often and in Cold and Nakedness often Lâ—…ring with their hands 2 Cor. 11. 27. Wherefore ye Christians behold how you are fallen and how your Ministry 〈◊〉 generated both in its Call and in its Maintenance being diverted quite contrary to what the Christian-Ministry was once Behold I say how you are fallen and your Ministry quite subverted from what the Ministry 〈◊〉 in the dayes of the Apostles Then the Maintenance of Ministers was by a free Gift from them that received their Ministry and they would not make their Ministry chargeable to any But now the Maintenance of Ministers is by Force and Cruelty and great Oppression of many people and their Preaching is chargeable to many Nations Then they sought no man's Gold nor Money nor fought Riches from the people but only sought the people to God But now men's Money and Riches are sought and taken from them by Violence without regard of seeking people or bringing people to God Then to eat and drink in a house that was worthy such things as were set before them and to reap carnal things as Meat and drink and Necessâ—â—â—es by a free Gift from them that received their Ministry this was a sufficient Maintenance for the Christian Ministers But now so many Hundred Pounds by the Year to maintain themselves and their Families in Pride and Idleness and to reap it by Compulsion and Injustice from poor people In this manner are the Christiâ—â— Ministers now maintain'd which is manifest to be quite contrary to the Practice of Christian Ministers in the Apostles dayes Behold your Fall ye Christians and how you are degenerated The Lord is come to try you and to search you you are weighed and are found too light you are measured and are found wanting what the Christians once were in their Purity you are not in many things but the contrary which sheweth that you have the Name of Christians only by Tradition but are withoâ—â— the Life and being paralell'd with the Christians who truly follow'd Christ you are no whit equal to them in any thing but wholy contrary in all things shewing you follow another spirit then they who were Followers of the Spirit of Christ so witnessing to the whole World that you are degenerated out of Christ the true Vine and are Branches in a degenerate stock which brings Fruit forth through you which hononreth not God but grieveth his pure Spirit And be Witnesses against your selves that you are fallen and degenerated from that Life and Practice which was amongst the Apostles and Christians Again As concerning your Worship which is now practiced amongst you Christians through the World herein also will your Apostacy greatly appear for the Worship of the Christians was one and guided by one Spirit and was in the Spirit and in the Truth saith Christ Iohn 4. concerning the Worship of Christians God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spâ—… 〈◊〉 in Truth And saith the Apostle We are the Circumcision that worship God in Sâ—… rit and rejoyce in Christ Iesus and have no Confidence in the Flesh Phil. 3. 3◠〈◊〉 these were Christians And also Rom. 6. 7. They worshipped God not in the Oâ—…ness of the Letter but in the Newness of the Spirit and the Spirit guided them iâ— all things and was their Teacher in all their Worship for the Spirit 〈◊〉 them to pray and they pray'd in the Spirit and they knew not what they should â—ray for as they ought but the Spirit made intercession for them Rom. 8. 26. And the Christians were exhorted to pray in the Holy Ghâ—st Jude 20. And the Preaching of Christians it was in the Spirit and by the Teachings of the Spirit For they preached as the Spirit gave them utterance Acts 2. And Philip was led by the Spirit and the Spirit of the Lord moved Philip to go and preâ—h to the Eunuch Acts 8. And the Apostles went up and down as they were moved and led by the Spirit and preached and prayed in what place and at what time and season as the Spirit moved them and gave them utterance sometimes in the Fields and sometimes in Houses This was the Practice of the Christians in their Preaching and Praying And also the Apostle said I will pray with the Spirit and with Understanding I will sing with the Spirit and with Understanding And he exhorted the Christâ—… To speak in Psalms and spiritual Songs singing to the Lord and making Melody in their Hearts to him Eph. 5. 19. Now this is the Testimony concerning what the Worship of Christians was its manifest that it was in the Spirit and by the Teaching of the Spirit their preaching praying and singing were in the Spirit taught and exercised therein by the Spirit which they had received from God But now the Worship of Christians at this day is not agreeable to this but being said to the line of Judgment is proved contrary for first the Christians nâ—w are diviâ—ed in their Worship and have many Forms of Worship some worshipping after one manner and others after another so that amongst the Christians therâ—… divers Forms of worshipping and they are striving and conâ—â—ding about thâ— Worship every one praising their own Form and striving one against anothers Form of Worship and this sheweth that the Christians now are not guided nor exercised by the one Spirit of God in their worship and this shews that the Christians now are degenerated from the true Worship of God in Spirit which once the Christians Worship stood
in for then the Worship of Christians was one and in one Spirit but now the Worships of Christians are many and divers and divided one from another and they are not in unity in their Worship 〈◊〉 in strife and division and herein you are apostatized from the Life oâ—…â—…ristianity and its manifest that the Worship of Chrâ—…s now is not in 〈◊〉 Sâ—…t and in the Truth but in vain Traditiâ—… learned in natural knowlâ—…ge by people that are not converted unto God and any part of the Worship which is now practised amongst Christians whether amongst Papists of any sort or Protestants of any sort I say every part of the Worship now practised amongst Christians through the World may by taught unto and learned of and exercised in by a man that knows â—â—t God neither is in the Truth nor converted to the Truth neither hath the Spirit of God guiding nor leading of him And I say That which may be done or practised by a man that is not in the Spirit nor in the Truth not is yet converted to the Knowledge of God nor is not in any measure guâ—â—ed by the Spirit of God is not the Worship of the true God which is in the Spirit and Truth but as I have said any part of the Worship now prâ—…sed amongst Christians may be done and practised by aman that is out of the Spirit and out of the Truth and unconverted to the Knowledge of God 〈◊〉 therefore the Worship now practâ—â—ed amongst Christians is not the true worship of the true God which is in the Spirit and in the Truth and which câ—â—not be practised without it Many more things might be said as to prove the Worship of Christians now 〈◊〉 practised by them is not the true Worship of the true God but this is 〈◊〉 which I have said that which is practised without the Spirit of God is not the true Worship of God which must be in the Spirit and cannot be practised without it but such is the worship of Christians for the Christiansâ—â—ow â—â—ow generally pray some after one Form and some after another in their own wills and times and know not the movings of the Spirit of the Father tâ—ereunto nor guiding them therein but in such a manner as they set unto themselves or as the custom of the Country instructs them therein and know not the intercession of the Spirit of the Father in them nor know not the praying in the Holy Ghost and as for the preaching of Christians it is not now practised as the Christians of old practised it nor by the same Spirit now they study for what they speak and gather out of the Scriptures â—ome having it written in a Book what they will preach to the people and this is not to preach as the spirit gives them utterance neither is this from the teaching or moving of the Spirit of God but by humane Art and humane Craft knowing before-hand what and how much to speak so much as they have collected in their thoughts from such a Verse and how long to preach till a Glass be run and know what to have for preaching and this and such like is the manner of the Preaching now among Christians which hath no savour in it of God's Spirit or of the Teachings and Leadings of God's Spirit in it but altogether contrary to wit This Practice savours of Idolatry and of vain Traditions and Superstitions And in short This Practice of Preaching among the Christians now is not in the same manner neither by the same Spirit nor for the same End as the Preaching of the Christians was in the dayes of the Apostles which sheweth that the Christians now are Apostatized and greatly Degenerated from what the Christians were then For again The Christian Ministers now do not go as they are moved of the Lord up and down from Country to Country to convert people to God as the Christian Ministers did then But enquire for places of great Maintenance where there are great store of Tythes and Set-Wages and if they can there they settle themselves and preach in manner as I have said And this practice savours nothing of the Teachings of the Spirit of God nor of the Movings of that Spirit whereby the Christian Ministers of old were guided which sheweth that the Christian Ministers now are in the Apostacy and in the Degeneration from God and from what the Christian Ministers were then And as concerning the Practice of Singing noâ— amongst Christians it is not in the Spirit nor with a good Understandiâ—… but in a vain Form and Tradition and not in the Spirit of the Lorâ—… 〈◊〉 now the Christians many of them in a Form sing the Conditions 〈◊〉 as David's Prayers and Praises Troubles and Afflictions when as themselves are in a condition quite contrary to what David was and so sing that which unto themselves is false as being out of that condition of which they sing and this is not singing with the Spirit neither is it to sing spiritual Songs And others of Christians have another manner of singing all which singing of Christians now hath no savour of the Teachings of God's Spirit in it neither is it according nor by the same Spirit as the singing of the Christians once was A woful Apostacy is fallen upon you ye Christians through the World and you are fallen you are fallen from the Life of Christ and the true Praâ—… of Christianity as the first Christians were in then their praying was in the Spirit and the holy Ghost but now without the Spirit in Forms and Traditions Their Preaching then was as the Spirit led them and as it gave them utterance but now by humane Learning and Policy at such a Place for so much a Year an Hour by a Glass what they have gathered by study upon other mens Works Then the Singing of Christians was in the Spirit and their whole Worship was spiritual in the Spirit and in the Truth but the Singing of Christians now and all their Worship is in vain Traditions exercis'd without the Leadings and Movings of the Spirit of God Then the Worship of Christians was one and by one Spirit now it is divers and in division and in many coâ—trary spirits Alas oh ye Christians consider how great is your Fall and how woâ—â—l your Degeneration in respect of your Worship fallen greatly from the teaching of the Spirit of God in your Praying in your Preaching and in your Singing to follow humane Learning and worldly Policy and vain Traditions the Customs of the Country and your own Imaginations in your Praying Preaching and Singing as I have proved unto you Oh consider how great is your Apostacy from the true Life of true Christianity Greatly do you err from the pure Way wherein the true Christians walked and being truly paralell'd with them and measur'd with the Spirit of true Judgment you are found not equal to them in any measure but rather contrary altogether shewing you are guided
Singings their Baptisms and Breaking of Bread and even all that which you perform as unto God as the Worship of him is not accepted but Abomination unto him and his Soul is burdened with all these things you not being led with the Spirit of Christ And even your practizing of these things which the Saints and Christians once practiced and were accepted of the Lord in so doing while they were led by the Spirit of Christ I say The very practice of those things now by the Christians being degenerated is become Idolatry and Abomination to the Lord. And this I declare in the Fear and Presence of the Lord Even all your Praying and Preachings and Profession all your Sabboth-keeping and Set-dayes of Humiliation and even all your Practices of Religion which you do and perform are Idolatry and a Burden to the Lord's Soul in the state that now you stand not being led by the Spirit of Christ but being from it departed and your works not brought forth by it but by another spirit And now saith the Lord unto you Christians who are degenerated from the Spirit of Christ To what purpose is your Preaching Praying and Singing They are a Vexation and Burden to the Righteous Soul and the Lord hath no delight therein away with it away with it Your Profession and Practices stincks in the Nostrils of the Lord All your Baptisms and your Sacraments which ye perform in a vain Tradition and not by the Spirit of the Lord they are hateful in his sight away with them away with them they shall crumble to the dust and immediate Desolation in one day the Lord will break them down and never build them up again Your Preaching by a Glass for so much a Sermon or so much a Year what you have gathered out of Books and studied for from other mens words town with it down with it it is 〈◊〉 Abomination to the Lord. And your Ministry which is made and sent forth at Schools and 〈◊〉 natural Learning through the attainment of such Arts and Sciences and being approved of such and such men and sent forth to such and such a Parâ—… 〈◊〉 have so much Money by the Year for preaching what hath been studied foâ—… and not by the Gift of the Holy Ghost away with this Ministry away with it it s a mocking of God and a deceiving of Souls the Lord will confound it and bring it to Destruction And your singing of the Saints words in Rhyme and Meeter and their Conditions which your selves never knew this is Abomination to the Lord and a Practice which his Soul hater away with it the Lord is risen to confound it Away with all your Worship which is not in the Spirit nor in the Truth but in vain Traditions of 〈◊〉 practiced by you in a vain Form and not the Power of God The Lord will being it down to the ground restore and establish his own Worship which 〈◊〉 in Spirit and in Truth and he will give and hath given his Ministry again by the Gift of the Holy Ghost which hath been lost for many Ages while this Night of Apostacy hath over-spread the World and the Lord shall 〈◊〉 longer be worshipped in vain Traditions of men but his people shall be reâ—â—red and renewed to worship him in Spirit and Truth and the Christianâ—ife â—ife shall again be brought forth and the Spirit of Christ shall be the Leader and Teacher of his People And now the Day of the Lord's Visitation is again revived for togather his People and to restore them again to his perfect Way and Worship Therefore hearken and behold ye Christians this is the Testimony of the Lord â—…erning you You have been fallen and degenerated from the Life of Righteousness and from the true Way and Worship of the true God and you have long been slumbring and sleeping in this long Night of Darkness which overshadow'd you and darkned that glorious Appearance of the 〈◊〉 of God which once shined upon the Christians and in Blindness and Dâ—… have 〈◊〉 walked for many Ages and your Worship hath been subscribed To the Unknown God and wofully have you been wallowing in unclean Paths and you have erred you have erred from the Life of Christ and from his Spirit and you are gone from your Husband and follow'd other Lovers and you have been â—…ed in Iniquity and altogether poluted by Transgtession and the state in which you now stand is a state seperated from God a state of great Ignoraâ—… and Darkness and a state of hainous Rebellion against God whose Soul and Spirit is greatly oppressed and grieved because of your Degeneration who 〈◊〉 become more ignorant of God then the Ox is of his Owner oâ— the Ass of his Master's Crib and even the very same Vision is seen concerning you as the Prophet saw concerning Israel Therefore hear oh Heavens and give ear oh Earth for the Lord doth speak unto you Christians I have nourished and brought up Children and they have rebell'd against me and the Ox knows his Owner and the Ass his Master's Crib but the Christians do not know the People do not consider Ah! sinful Nation a people laden with Iniquity a seed of Evil-doers Children that are corrupted that have forsaken the right Way and provoke the Living God to Anger and ye are gone away backward the whole Head is sick the whole Heart is faint and from the sole of the Foot even unto the Head there is no Soundness but your Conditions are Wounds and Bruises and â—…fying Sores you are not closed neither bound up neither mollified with Oyâ—…ent and your Country is desolate and your Cities are burnt as with Fire your Land Strangers devour it in your presence and it is desolate and overthrown by Strangers and but that the Lord of Hosts has left us a soul Remnant even a Seed ye Christians would have been as Sodom if any man hath an Ear to hear let him hear This Vision is as true unto you Christians throughout all the World as ever it was unto the seed of the Iews This is your state and this is your condition and thus ye stand in the sight of the Lord though in your beginning in the beginning of Christianity I mean the Lord brought up the Christians and nourished them by his Living Word and with his Word he cherished them and they grew unto a goodly state and were â—…pleat in Christ Col. 2. 10. And they were come to the 〈◊〉 of â—…st Men made perfect and unto Mount Sion the 〈◊〉 of the Living God the Hâ—…ly Jerusalem and to an innumerable Company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the First-Born which are written in Heaven and to God the Iudge of all Hebrews 12 22 23 24. TO this state were the Christians nourished and brought up in the dayes when they were first brought forth when they were begotten and born again of the immortal Word that abides forever and they were sanctified and purified and
force for the Day of the Lord hath now appeared and the Light is sprung forth which hath made all things manifest and now the difference is known between the worship of the Beast and the worship of the true God And concerning the state of Christianity to come this I know and believe a glorious Restoration thereof shall appear throughout the whole Christendom and Christianity shall again be restored to its former purity and Christians shall and may receive the same Spirit from which the Christians have been degenerated and the same Life the same Power and the same Worship and Unity shall be revived amongst Christians in the Restoration even the same that was in the beginning before the Apostacy and the Glory of God shall again appear among his people and they shall again worship him in Spirit and in Truth only as they did before the Apostacy and all this traditional worship and false imitations which hath been set up since the Apostles dayes shall be overthrown and confounded the Lord is risen and will dash down and overthrow all this Idolatry now practized amongst Christians And a great shaking and confounding shall suddenly come among Christians for the Lord will break down that which hath been builded because it is polluted and he will pluck up that which hath been planted because it is defiled and a mighty work will the Lord work in the Earth the Kingdoms of this World will he change into the Kingdoms of Christ and Christ shall reign in and among his People and his Spirit shall be the Teacher and Leader of his People and all false Teachers will the Lord confound and consume all these Hirelings who go for Gifts and Rewards and all this manner of Preaching and Teaching which are come up since the Apostles dayes all this Preaching which they study for and by a Glass and for so much Money a year all this shall be tumbled down into the Pit God's Vengeance shall come upon it all and the Anointing shall be received and it shall dwell in People as it did in the Apostles and the people shall need no other Teacher but as that Anointing teacheth all things and for this Spirit and Anointing all that fear God may wait to receive it in this present Age which Spirit brings into the same Unity and Life into the same Worship and Fellowship that was amongst Christians in the beginning before the Apostacy and this State may Christians be restored to and for this State all that fear God and love him are to wait for this shall come to pass in the World And as concerning the Ministry I know and do believe it may be and is received again as the Apostles and Christian Ministers first received it to wit by the eternal Spirit and Gift thereof through the Revelation of Christ Jesus in them and such may and do preach the Gospel freely as they do receive is freely and without natural Learning and Languages For by that can none be made Ministers of Christ nor by any thing without the Gift of the holy Spirit and Christ's Ministry shall again be received thereby this I believe and all this Ministry made and sent forth by natural Learning and without the Gift of the holy Spirit the Lord will confound it in this Age for this is come up since the Apostles dayes to make Ministers by natural Learning and it stands in the Apostacy from the Life and Spirit of Christ and its call and work and maintenance savours not of the Kingdom of Christ and the Lord will bring it down and the Gift of his Ministry will he restore by his Spirit and this is and shall come to pass and it may be waited for in this present Age and the Lord will restore his Ministry as in the beginning and his work shall be glorious for many there are is and shall be converted to God and brought out of the degeneration and to that shall people come which all Christendom hath been apostatized from and shall receive the same Spirit and the same Anointing which was amongst the Christian Churches and life and immortality shall again be brought to light through the Gospel which hath been hid for Ages while darkness hath been over the minds of people And I say and testifie before all the World That Christianity shall be restored to its former state Life shall spring forth and Truth shall be encreased and Faith shall wax strong even the same Faith that the Apostles had which gave them Victory over all the World which shall again give People the same Victory and this shall be known in the Earth For the Marriage of the Lamb shall come and all his People shall be joyn'd unto him and there shall be one Way and one Worship and one Teacher and every one shall sit under Christ's Vine and none shall make afraid Yea and more then a Vine shall he be known and more then a Door and more then a Shepherd shall he be known to be to his People and greater then a Rock shall he be witnessed to be and more then a Teacher in the Wilderness If any man have an Ear to hear let him 〈◊〉 more and greater is he becoming to his People then is lawful yet to utter Eye hath not seen nor it hath not entred into the Heart of man but it is revealed to us by his Spirit The joyful Day is approaching the Lamb's Wife is making her self ready the Wedding Garment is putting on and all that which is polluted is to be done away And Blessed is he that cometh to the Marriage of the Lamb that he may become one Spirit with the Creatâ—r Here is Glory and Rejoycing forever when this is known That the Wife hath not power over her own Body but the Husband nor hath the Husband power over his own Body but the Wife Where this is known Death is swallowed up of Life and Sin is overcome of Righteousness and the Inheritance of Life Eternal comes to be possessed and Death and Hell is cast into the Lake and he which hath deceived can deceive no more And blessed is the Eye that sees this and the Heart that understandeth Wherefore all ye Christians upon Earth Awake awake and put away your Whoredoms cast off your Idolatries and strip you and make you clean of all your Adulteries drink no longer of the Cup of Fornication nor eat no longer of the Abominable Flesh nor wear no longer your Garments of Unrighteousness but strip ye strip ye make ye bare all your old Garments must be put off before you can appear before the Lord. A great Work will the Lord work amongst you he will shake and overthrow all your Altars Images and Idols which you have set up and worshipped The Lord hath uttered his Voice the Beast that hath many Heads and many Horns shall tremble and one Head and one Horn only shall be exalted and the Government shall be set up of whose encrease there shall be
brought forth in the Earth and all that do well will have Praise and live in Rest and Peace and all Evil-doers whatsoever may stand in awe and be afraid of God and just Men and the Execution of Iust Laws Concerning Religion we believe That it is only the Spirit of the Lord that makes men truly Religious and that no man ought to be compell'd to or from any Exercise or Practice in Religion by any outward Law or Power but every man ought to be left free as the Lord shall perswade his own mind in doing or leaving undone this or the other Practice in Religion and every man of what Profession in Religion soever ought to be protected in Peace provided himself be a man of Peace not seeking the wrong of any mans Person or Estate And we believe That to oppose false Opinions and unsound Doctrines and Principles seeking to convince them that oppose themselves by Exhortation or sharp Reproof by word or writing ought nor to be counted a Breach of the Peace or to strive about the things of the Kingdom of God by men of contrary Minds or Judgments this ought not to be punishable by the Magistrates and their Laws for we believe the outward Laws and Powers of the Earth are only to preserve mens Persons and Estates and not to preserve men in Opinions neither ought the Law of the Nation to be laid upon mens Consciences to bind them to or from such a Judgment or Practice in Religion And we believe that Christ is and ought only to be Lord and Exerciser of mens Consciences and his Spirit only must lead into all Truth And we believe That Obedience and Subjection in the Lord belongs to Superiors and that Subjects ought to obey in the Lord those that have Rule over them and that Children ought to obey their Parents and Wives their Husbands and Servants their Masters in all things which are according to God which stands in the exercise of a pure Conscience towards God But where Rulers Parents or Masters or any other command or require subjection in any thing which is contrary to God or not according to him to such causes all people are free and ought to obey God rather then man and we believe That herein God will justifie them being guided and led by his Spirit in all that which is Good and out of all that which is Evil. Again We believe concerning Election and Reprobation That there is a state of Election and a state of Reprobation a state chosen of God and a state rejected of God and that all Man-kind are in one of these states all that are elected are elected in Christ and all that are out of him are in the state Reprobate bringing forth fruits of Death and Darkness being Children of Wrath and Disobedience in the alienation and separation from God in the Transgression unreconcil'd to God the Enmity ruling in the Heart being in the Fall and not restor'd to God again but ignorant of his Power and of his Wisdom having the Understanding darkened that they cannot see nor perceive the things that are Eternal and in this condition his best Works are Sin and whatsoever he doth he cannot be accepted of God for he is dead to God and alive to all evil bâ—inging forth all his works out of that Ground which is cursed This is the condition of all Mankind upon the face of the Earth in the first Adâ—… and this is the state of Reprobation and all that abide herein are rejected of God and â—…ll never inherit eternal Life but go inâ—â— Perdition yet have all such a Day of Visitation that they may return out of the state of Reprâ—…tion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ledge and desâ—…sing the Love of God â—â—ey conâ—… iâ—â—he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wrath of Gâ—…d abides upon them â—…t they tâ—…t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wrath for they believe in the Light and becâ—…â—…ldren of the Light and are renewed in Mind and Hâ—… and receiâ—… the Love of the Father and become planted into Christ the second Adâ—… 〈◊〉 are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him to bring forth Fruit â—nto the Father and â—ll their Fruit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—â—om 〈◊〉 grâ—…d which is â—…ssed for they are led by the Spirit of thâ— Faâ—…r and â—…ch are in the state of Election who are â—ade Heâ—rs with Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eveâ—… Inheritance that never fades away And this we faithfully believe That â—…cy is not shewed to the Reprobate nor Judgment to them that are chosen of God And this is to go abroad in the World that all pâ—…ple mâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and whâ—◠〈◊〉 have receiv'd of God and they that believe this and walkâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Father shall be saved but they that belieâ—e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be condemned because they do not believe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be â—…tten 〈◊〉 in â—…rt this is given forth by one that hath believed and received the Knowledge of thâ—se things from God A Friend unto all People E. B. Some of the PRINCIPLES OF THE QUAKERS Scornfully so called by men VINDICATED And proved Sound and True and according to the SCRIPTURES In Opposition to the False Charges and Lying Reports given forth against the Truth in two Printed Books put forth by one Philip Taverner a supposed Minister of the Gospel in Middlesex near Uxbridge And hereby Truth is Manifested and Discovered and the Controversie determined by the Judgment of Truth between Philip Taverner aforesaid the Accuser and Edward Burroughs Defendant of the Truth who contends for the Faith of the Gospel and for the Word of God in the Heart against all such Gainsayers as have the Form of Godliness but deny the Power and many such are in this Age. WHereas P. Taverner one of Truth 's Opposers whether throâ—… Ignorance or Subtilty I now determine not hath again appear'd against me and the Truth in Print as in Vindication of himself and his former Work who about four Moneths ago gave a false Relation of a Dispute but instead of mending the matter he hath made his own cause the more vile as may appear to such who take a perfect view of the Proceedings from the beginning to the end thereof Now the intent of this my Reply is to clear the Truth further and to take off his false Aspersions which he hath cast upon my innocent words in my former Book in answer to his first And as for the rest of his Book which hath no relation to mine nor to the Dispute I shall pass it by The Title of my first Book was Something of Truth Made Manifest c. To which sayst thou A plausible Title to cover a Railing and Bitter spirit under that it may walk in the World less suspected c. Reply My words are truth for in 〈◊〉 â—â—ok Truth was made â—â—â—ifest to â—…y in relation to the former Dispute to the Satisfaction of many and as 〈◊〉 â—…ing anâ—â—â—â—â—erness of spirit I do deny only I am zealoâ—â— for the
all Nations since the dayes of the true Churches and holy Apostles And know ye That we are none of all the many Sects nor of the divers Wayes and formal Worshippers that are but in the Imitations fiegned of what the Saints of old spoke and performed in the Power and Spirit of God which hath been spoken and practized by all the divers Sects and false Churches without the Spirit Power and Life that was in the Apostles so that all Religion hath been and the Profession and Practice thereof for many Ages but as the floating of a broken Vessel upon the Waters driven with the several Winds wanting Anchor and skilful Marriners which have not carried to perfect Rest the Hope of Eternal Life But know ye that now at last through our long and wearied Travels and after all our tedious Seekings and our zealous Practises and Profession in Christianity performed by us while Darkness covered us and the Earth hath the Lord set us safe upon the Rock Christ Jesus upon whom the Church of Christ firmly standeth and the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against and he hath made our Habitation sure upon the Mountain of his House which is established upon the top of the Mountains whereunto we now are gathered and rest in a certain hope and tried confidence and doth view the whole World and the state of all Mankind and measureth the times and seasons thoroughout Generations and the state of the Church we perfectly know by the inspiration of the Almighty her estate before the Apostles dayes and in the Apostles dayes and since the Apostles dayes and her increase and decrease and estate since the beginning of the World till now and at this present time to us is certainly known by the Spirit of Jesus and the Light of the Lamb which now is risen upon our Mountain and shines in our Habitations And first we certifie you as for the many false Sects and Churches so called and many of the divers worshippers and separated forms of Churches risen up since the Apostles dayes from the least of them to the greatest we have searched and examined and are not fully satisfied but rather the contrary that they are perfectly sound in the Faith but rather degenerated from the Power Spirit and Life that was in the Apostles and among the true Churches before the Apostacy and we have sought out their first original and root and we find they fall short of the true Church and the Apostles first in respect of time many Generations and also in respect of life and power and purity and they want the spirit and dominion and Government that the true Churches and Apostles possessed and we certainly believe they are many of them come up and risen in a dark Night long since the dayes of the Apostles while the Sun was yet unrisen and while the Mountains of Ignorance Blindness and Wickedness covered the face of the Earth and the Clouds of Darkness remained upon the face of the whole Heavens and while yet the Man-child remains in God being caught up to him and the Woman lodged in the desolate Wilderness being thither fled because of the great red Dragon And we believe not that any of them are the Lambs Wife lawfully joyned to him neither are they the Virgin in which there is no spot nor the Spouse truly in election to Christ the Bridegroom for we have had controversie with them this divers years and weighed them and measured them in the ballance of equity and they appear to us not to be of a true descent from that Vine into which true Church was planted but their original may be of a latter race And to say no more of them we certainly know they are foully spotted and have not the favour nor parts nor garments of a Virgin and Christ the Bridegroom they have deeply wronged for many false Sects have risen out of the great Whore the mother of Harlots who hath been in open and secret Fornication ever since the days of the Apostles and such are her off-spring and not of the true Seed elect which is heir by right of the inheritance of Life eternal the Kingdom which hath no end And for as much as the Church of Rome hath openly pleaded as we have heard and some of your Members also to our faces that she is indeed the true Church and she alone and none besides and that you can fetch your original by line truly from the Apostles and Church of the Saints and are not degenerated in any particular of Faith Doctrine nor Practise from the Life and Power and Government and Spirit which was among the true Church and in the Apostles These things with others the like have we heard of you and concerning you by many And now because the Lord hath put it into our hearts to have controversie with you and to seek out perfectly your original and to justifie you or condemn you accordingly and having the certain infallible Spirit of the Lord God to try all things we are purposed in the Lord to visit you and to examine to the Foundation your rise and first beginning from whence you come by descent and what you truly are in your present Estate and whether you be indeed the true Church and have the true Spirit or whether you are otherwise that all the World may be satisfied and more perfectly know the full Truth concerning the Church of Rome and your Seed and Root we will examine and your Birth and Original we will search out and your Faith and Worship and whole Religion we will lay to the Line of true Judgement to justifie you or condemn you eternally for the Saints shall judge the World and your Garments shall be stripped off and your Secrets discovered and your whole Body and Members made fully manifest that the very truth of all things may appear and be embraced and the Whoredoms of the whole Earth may be laid open that the Just and the Innocent that hath long lain groaning in great Captivity may be delivered from under all Bonds of Oppressions Whoredoms and Iniquities and this will the Eternal God by us speedily bring to pass amongst you Wherefore thou Pope greatly admired and highly exalted and to all thy Cardinals Friers Iesuits and Priests and all other Officers under thee I am moved of the Lord God of Heaven and Earth who is the only Holiness and highest of all by this Message to visit you requiring you and charging you in the Name and Authority of the Dreadfull and Mighty God before whom all men and Nations are as nothing in comparison but may be turned at his pleasure and dashed to pieces by his Mighty Hand and unto whom all the Sons of Adam in the World must give an Account and as you will answer it to him iâ— his dreadful Day of Judgment and Vengeance and as you love and will obey your God and Christ whom you profess and serve and as you would honour your God and
Heart and tries the Reins who is a God Great and Mâ—…ty and giveth unto all Creatures Life and Breath and he will change at 〈◊〉 〈…〉 all the Children of Men and bring them to an Account before his 〈…〉 Seat wherefore let all Flesh tremble before him and let all the earth 〈…〉 〈…〉 his Presence who changeth and subdueth and over-turneth at his Pâ—… and brings men to destruction who have rebell'd against him â—…fore thou Pope chief Bishop at Rome this is unto thee from the Mouth of â—… Come down come down lay down thy Crown subject thy self 〈…〉 before the Lord God of Vengeance lest 〈…〉 come upon thee and crush â—… and thou shalt know that this hath the Lord spoken in the day â—…ry flaming Sword which is already drawn enters into thy Bosom 〈…〉 thy Honour and Renown Behold I have heard the Voice of Houlâ—…er Lamentation I have heard the Voice of War and not of Peace I 〈…〉 I have seen the Strong become Weak and the Mighty become Miserabâ—â—â—…ud and Honourable brought into Contempt yea I have seen her thâ—… a Queen and has said She never shall see Sorrow I have seen the losâ—â—…n and Widdowhood come upon her even in one day I have seen her Bâ—…â—…ed into Bitterness I have seen her Honour brought into Contempt I 〈…〉 Whore that has made all Nations drunk with her Fornications tâ—… the Golden Cup in her hand I have seen the Cup of Indignation pâ—… her to drink I have seen her cast upon the Bed of never-ceasing â—… I have seen the City that was full of people that was the Glory of I â—… that made all Nation rich with her Traffick and Merchandize I 〈…〉 that City laid desolate and dis-inhabited and made the Sorrow of the 〈…〉 Earth and I have seen the smoak of her burning ascend forever and this is 〈◊〉 must shortly come to pass and if thou hast an Ear to hear thou mayst 〈…〉 and these things are true and faithful and they shall not fail but the Wâ—… shall know the Majesty Dread and Terror the Vengeance and Indigâ—… of the Almighty This is assented unto by many and written and subscribed by one that hath a Nâ—… not seen nor known of the World but known among Men by the name of Edward Burroughs Return your Answer to me or any of the People called Quakers for me in London from whence this is sent being written the 24th of the 8th Mon. 1658. A FAITHFUL TESTIMONY Concerning the True Worship OF GOD VVhat it is in it self and who are the True WORSHIPPERS In Opposition to all the False Worship in this Nation which is Idolatry which is discover'd in its Foundation and in its Manifestation not to be ever commanded of God or practized by his Apostles and Saints but it is declar'd to consist chiefly of such things and practices as had their first Beginning and Ordination in the Church of Rome whereby the Hypocrisie of this Generation doth appear in denying and crying against the Papists Idolatries and yet are found in the practice of the same thing in their Church Ministry and Worship which were first instituted by the Pope's Authority FOrasmuch as there is in the World a great Controversie among people concerning the Worship of God one crying This is the right Worship another That is the right Worship And people in these Nations are divided about the Worship of God and divers one from another in their Performances and Practices of Worship one sort worshipping after this manner another after that and there is great strife through the whole Nation about this matter and a great dis-satisfaction among people which is the right Worship and who are the right Worshippers and Thousands are desiring after the right Worship of God and to become Worshippers of him as he requires Therefore now it is upon me to shew unto all the World what the true Worship of God is in it self and who are his true Worshippers First The Worship of God in it self is this It is a walking with God and a living with him in Converse and Fellowship in Spirit and Truth for he is only worshipped therein and to do the Truth and speak the Truth This is the True Worship of God where the Mind is guided with the Spirit of Truth and the Presence of the Lord felt at all times and his Fear in the Hearts of people and his Councel stood in and his Covenant felt which unites to the Lord in Spirit this is the True Worship of God and it is without respect of times or things And now none upon Earth can thus worship God but who are changed and renewed in heart and mind and born of the Spirit and led thereby where the Body of Sin and Death is put off such as are redeemed out of the World and out of all its wayes and nature such only can worship God in the Spirit and in the Truth and such is the Father seeking to worship him now in this present Age And there is never a one upon Earth that can worship God as he requireth who remain unchanged and are in the Transgression unrenewed and unconverted such cannot worship the True and Living God but that which they perform and practice as the Pretence of his Worship is Idolatry and Abomination and the Lord hath not required it at their hands for none can walk with God nor have unity with him but who are renewed and changed nor none can do the Truth and speak the Truth in all things but such who are led by the Spirit of Truth and such are in the Covenant of God and true Worshippers of him and all that is contrary is not the Worship of God but Idolatry as I have said And now as concerning this Worship practiced in England in these Steeple-Houses Churches so called it is not the Worship of the Living God but Superstition and Idolatry for people have not learned it by the Teachings of the Spirit neither doth the Spirit lead them therein but it standeth in Form without Power and in the Inventions and Traditions of the Fathers and there is not in it the manifest Presence of God neither do you Worshippers meet with the Lord nor enjoy his pure Life and Presence in your Practices and the substance of your Worship as it is now practized is made up of Inventions some part of your own and some part brought along from the church of Rome And is it not great Hypocrisie in you to profess a denyal of the Church of Rome and yet be found practizing some of the same things as your Worship which the Church of Rome first instituted and practized as her Worship Shall we instance unto you some particular things Was it not by the Authority of the Church of Rome that these Houses in which you worship which you call Churches were first set up and made Worshipping-places for them And is it not a little while since that the Mass and old Popish stuff was therein
let but reasonâ—…â—en peruse the Scriptures mention'd by thee and see if there be such a thing 〈◊〉 them as held forth by thee That the New Man the Spirit or Law of the Miâ—â— is called Imperfect Sanctifiation which thou hast asserted and cited those Teâ—… to prove it but as to the thing it self I have answered before only this is to 〈◊〉 thy manner of perverting Scriptures which is the work of the evil spirit in thee and not the Work of the Spirit of God And thus I have examin'd some part of thy Principles of Religion which thâ—â— hast put forth into the world for others to learn and the Error and Falsness of them is laid open and how contrary to Scriptures they are and in haste 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were I have passed over it not willing to rake into things which gave no just occasion against Truth but have only confuted a few of thy many particulars which had I narrowly sought into other things much Unsoundness would have been discovered but what I have said is truly sufficient to discover unto 〈◊〉 persons the Error of thy Judgment and of thy Principles and Practices and 〈◊〉 thy whole Religion And before ever thou be a true Instructor of others in 〈◊〉 Way thou must first repent and believe â—nd learn the Way thy self which yet thou art ignorant of for thou hast shewed no Knowledge but what is senâ—… and devilish and from below and meerly carnal and natural and meeting wiâ—â— thy Book and enquiring what the Author was I was engaged to say something to it by way of answer and to lay it to the Line of Judgment according to the Scriptures and it hath proved very guilty of Error and perverting Scriptures The 21th of the 3d Mâ—â—eth 1659 By a Lover of thy Soul and a Sâ—eker of the Good and Peace of all men Edw. Burroughs A MESSAGE To all Kings and Rulers IN CHRISTENDOM To all called Christian Kings and Princes and to all the Parliaments and Rulers and Governours of every Degree throughout the whole Christian World A CALL unto you all by a Servant of the LORD in the Name of the Lord God Dreadful and Mighty and the Highest Power over all the World That ye take off Oppression and relieve the Oppressed and cease to grinde the Face of the Poor and from drinking the Whore's Cup and from carrying of her and from all Oppressions whatsoever lest the Lord God Almighty execute 〈◊〉 fierce Indignation upon you if ye will not turn at his Reproof 〈◊〉 hearke◠〈◊〉 his Voice when he calleth unto you FOrasmuch as it hath come to pass in the World for many Ages smâ—â— the last Glorious Appearance of Christ Jesus and the Light of his Glorious Gospel through his Servants the holy Apostles That Antichrist that Man of Sin the Enemy of Christ and his Kingdom hath ruled in the Hearts of people and throughout over the Christian World and he has been exalted within and without ever since the falling away from the true Faith which once was delivered to the Apostles and true Churches and he hath shewed himself to be God and hath sitten in the Seat of God and hath exercised Lordship over the Persons and Consciences of Men throughout Generations ever since the falling away from the Faith For the True Church the Elected Spouse the Lamb's Wife which once brought forth him that was to rule the Nations and was clothed with the Sun and had once great Beauty and Excellency hath been fled into the Wilderness and hath been desolate as without Husband and Issue but hath remained in her place prepared her of God where she hath dwelt in Mourning and been fed with the Bread of Sorrow being pursued thither by the Dragon and his Floods of Cruelty who also waited to devour the Man-child when he was born and the Martyrs Blood hath been shed and the holy Prophets and Apostles and Saints have been made War against and killed and persecuted for Righteouâ—â—ess sake and the two Witnesses have long lain slain and rejoyced over in the Streets of the great City and the Blood of the â—…cent hath â—een drâ—…k and thâ—… Lamb and his Followers have been made Waâ—…â—…inst and the Dragon the Dâ—vil and Satan hath deceived the World into the Name of Christians without the true Christian Life and Righteousness and Truth hath stood afar off and Justice and Mercy hath been wanting and the Fear of the Lord and true Obedience to him hath been in a great measure expelled out of Nations and even all that would not worship the 〈◊〉 â—nd his Images and receive his Mark the Beast hath had power to kill 〈◊〉 and he hath had power to execute his Wrath against them that have followed the Lamb even all this time of Darkness and Apostacy which hath overâ—…dowed the Christian-world since the Apostles days until this time and all this hath been since the falling away from the Life and Righteousness and Spirit of Jesus as I have said 〈◊〉 the Beast hath been great that arose out of the Sea and out of the Earâ—… when the true Faith was lost and his power mighty amongst men for he reâ—…ed power from the Dragon and made War against the true Church and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 devour the Man-child and power â—â—th been given him over Kindâ—… Tongues and Nations and all the World hath wondered and followed after the Beast and have been admiring his power and his great authority and saying Who is able to make War with him for he hath had a Mouth given that hath spoken great things and it hath been given him to war with the Saints and to overcome them by his unrighteous Laws and Decrees and all that dwelt upon the Earth have worshipped him whose Names are not written in the Book of Life and he hath had many Heads even divers sorts and changes of Government and many Horns with which he hath pushed the Innocent and ruled over the Earth and kept all under his power and he hath set up Images to worship and Likenesses without Life and he hath caused both Small and Great Rich and Poor Free and Bond to receive his Mark and be 〈◊〉 carried the Whore and she hath journeyed upon him from Nation to Nation through the Earth in the Sheep's Clothing and made all Nations drink her Cup of Fornications And the Whore the false church she hath fate as a Queen in great State and Authority upon Nations Tongues Multitudes and Peoples and throâ—… the Beast's authority which hath carried her she hath ruled in great authority over the Consciences Persons and Estates of People and she hath drunk the Saints Blood and the Martyrs Blood and in her is found even 〈◊〉 this Day the Blood of the Martyrs and the Prophets and of â—ust 〈◊〉 and of all that have been slain upon the Earth and she hath exercised Cruelty and Tyranny over the Heritage of God and she hath had the Sheep's Clothing upon her even part of the Garment of the
Lamb's Wife and she â—â—th appeared in much Beauty with a Golden Cup in her hand in which the Wine of her Fornications and the Filthiness thereof hath appeared and which she hath caused the Nations to drink and by her Sorceries and Witchcrafts she hath deceived the World and with her false Miracles and Shews and Images and false Ministers which she hath set up she hath corrupted the Earth and all this she hath done by the Beast's power that hath carried her who received his Authority from the Dragon and from the Devil And thus Antichrist the Beast and the Whore have ruled in the World in great Authority for many Generations and the World hath been as a Wilderness â—y them and waste and barren of all good Fruit and Truth and Faith â—â—th been departed from amongst men and Love and Peace â—â—th been far away and Murders Thefts Wars Strifes and all Injustice and Wickedness hath abounded in Nations and thus the whole Earth hath been corrupted through the Whore and false church who hath deceived Kings and Rulers and Peoples by her Inchantments and Sorceries which she hath caâ—â—ed them to receive at her hand and out of her Golden Cup of Abominations out of which they have drunk false doctrines and practices to the deceiving of their Souls and Bodies But now the Day of the Lord is come and coming and the Lamb's Kingdom is to be set up and the kingdoms of this World must be changed and 〈◊〉 covered again and will become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ and the Marriage of the Lamb is come again and the Day of Glad-tidings 〈◊〉 to the Poor and to the Distressed and the Lamb's Wife shall be adorned 〈◊〉 her Husband she shall be clothed with the Sun and shall be covered with her former Beauty and shall be led out of the Wilderness and the Earth shall be refreshed and deliver'd from the Oppressions and Tyrannies of Antichrist and the Whore for the Hour of her Iudgments are come and the Darkness of the Night of woful Apostacy which hath clouded the World is passing over and the Light of the Lamb is risen and the Day-star hath appeared in the hearts of people and the Man of Sin which hath sate in the Temple and sheweâ—â—â—mself to be God and falsly exercised the Bodies and Consciences of deceived people in false ways and worships is discovering and destroying by the Spirit of 〈◊〉 Mouth and by the Brightness of the coming of Jesus and the Beast and the false Prophet shall be taken alive and cast into the Lake of Fire and the 〈◊〉 and false Prophet shall be tormented day and night forever for the Breath of Life from God is entred into the two Witnesses and they shall again Propheâ—y and the Light of the glorious Gospel that that long been hid must again be preached to Kindreds Tongues and Nations and the Kingdom of Christ Iesus 〈…〉 set up and these things is the Lord God Almighty bringing to pass And he will confound and destroy Antichrist and all that have worshipped him and 〈◊〉 that have worshipped the Beast a nd drunk the Cup of Fornication and commited â—â—â—latry with the great Whore they shall be taken and cast into the Bed of Torment and shall Weep and Houl because of the great Destruction of Babylon that great City who hath been the Glory of kingdoms and made rich her Merchants 〈◊〉 false Ministers with Deceiveableness whom God will overthrow That great 〈◊〉 City of Confusion the false church that great Whore the Mother of 〈◊〉 Abominations the â—ord God is risen against her to enquire for the Blood 〈◊〉 Martâ—rs and Prophets and Righteous Men that is found in her and she shall be rewarded according to her wayes and as she hath given others to drink 〈◊〉 Cup of Fornication so in like manner shall she drink the Cup of fierce 〈◊〉 of the Lord's Wrath from his Saints and she shall no more deceive the Nations by her Sorceries but the Earth shall be deliver'd from her and the Kingdom of the Son of God shall be exalted over all and the Light of the Lamb 〈◊〉 be the Light of all Nations and all that are saved shall walk in the Light of 〈◊〉 and Truth shall reign and the Fruit of Righteousness shall abound and all people shall glorifie God their Maker and the whole Earth shall be refreshed with the Mercy of him that made her Wherefore all ye Kings Princes Parliaments and Rulers through thâ— whole Christendom this is a Request unto you all of a Lover of your Immortâ—â— Souls That you will cease to commit Fornication with the great Whore and that you will not any longer drink her Cup of Iâ—â—â—atries neither that you will cause Nations to drink it neither that you will carry the great Whore any more nor receive her Sorcâ—ries 〈◊〉 Inchantments to deceive your Souls and Bodies And this the Lord God Almighty who ought to be the Fear and Dread of all Nations requireth of you and 〈◊〉 is a Charge to you in the Presence of the Lord God That 〈◊〉 do not any loâ—gâ—â— defend the great City Babylon and the false Church with your Weapons 〈…〉 and Oppression neither that you will ever any more oppress the persons and Consciences of people on her part and on her defence but that 〈…〉 〈◊〉 â—â—st off the Whore and not suffer her to sit upon you and 〈◊〉 you will not be Servants to her to execute her Cruelties upon the Bodies 〈◊〉 Consciences of People For these things have you done and therefore 〈◊〉 Lord displeased with you and therefore deliver your selves from the Aâ—… of the false Church and receive not her Delusions neither imâ—… 〈◊〉 upon the people under you for now the Judgments of the great Whore â—… and the time that the Lord will reward her according to her wayes 〈…〉 shall have the Fruit of her doings And if you will yet uphold her 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Fornication with her and compel the Nations to drink of her 〈◊〉 and cause all people to worship the Beast and to receive his Mark as it 〈◊〉 â—â—en Then the Lord shall execute his Vengeance upon you and you shall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wise â—e delivered Wherefore I say again unto you Arise out of Darkness and come to the Brightness of the Light of the Morning even to the Son's Appearance and receive his Kingdom and lay down your Crowns at his Feet for the Lamb is risen whose Crown is Immortal and ye and all your Glory and Greatness and 〈◊〉 and Power is but as Dust and Ashes before him and he can break you 〈◊〉 and never build you up again And come out of great Babylon and 〈◊〉 your City for the Day of the Lord will suddenly come upon you for great Babylon is come into remembrance before the Lord to reward her with great â—â—dignation Wherefore this is a Call unto you Lay aside your Inquisitions your Goals and Houses of Correction and Prisons and all your Torturing
revile the Government it self but that you may see the Ground and true Cause of all our Sufferings and of the Suffering of the Saints in all Ages and Generations and in all Nations of the World at this day And we leave it to that of God in you all to weigh and consider whether it be not time to reform both Laws Courts and Officers From your Friends who are Lovers of Peace and Truth who wait for the coming of the Lord to establish Iustice and Righteousness in the Earth whom he hath raised up as Witnesses of his appearing and of the dawning of the Mighty and Dreadful Day of God in Life Light and Power who are hated of Men and reproached under the Name of Quakers And whereas there is a Great Cry up and down the Nation That the Quakers Meetinge must be Broken and Suppressed and that this present Parliament intends to do it And of this I have heard in divers Parts of the Nation NOw to this I shall say and answer First As I have observed the spirits of People concerning this Cry all the Rude and Ungodly People as Drunkards and the prophanest of men they glory apace at this News and rejoyce at this mightily as if some great Prize were befallen unto them and it makes them rude and violent enough to the breaking of the Peace in the Nation but thus it is but with the worst sort of People in the Nation who are rejoyced with these Tidings That the Quakers Meetings must be broken But as for the Honest People such as be sober and sincere Thousands that had a hand in chusing this present Parliament never intended to send them up to London for such a Work and the Cry is by many of the sober People If they go about such a Work they will destroy themselves undo themselves and leave their Names a Reproach why say the people we have a Testimony before us hath it not been upon that Rock of limiting tender Consciences in former dayes that hath broken many before these which might be Examples to these not to do the same things And many sober people are offended at such News and it makes their hearts sad whose Consciences and the Witness therein doth answer That we are the Lord's People and it ought not thus to be done concerning us as the News reports So that by this News of the intended Purpose to break the Lord's Peoples Meetings the Ungodly and Prophane are gratified and strengthened in their Wickedness and the Righteous are made sad And further as for us We have been trodden down and made a Prey unto our Enemies and the Gates of Death and Hell have stroven against us already but have not prevailed unto this day for the Lord is with us and who is it that shall prevail against us and I may say What is this that is reported to be done what shall Dust and Ashes do and man whose Breath is in his Nostrils And who are they that shall break down that which the Lord hath a purpose to build Who shall be able to prosper in going about it or what success shall God give to that Work I tell you nay it is the Lord that has raised us up and we have given our power to him to stand by him and to be protected defended and upheld by him alone and we cannot give our Power to any Mortal Men to seek that from them which is not in their hands to give The Power of the Lord God is over you he that is our Keeper and Preserver in whose Hands is your Breath to destroy it utterly if you do that which doth offend him for you shall know that we are the Lord's People by whom we shall stand and grow in Dominion and Authority in his Life and the Dread of the Lord shall be upon our Enemies though they one gratifie another with Intentions of Evil against us yet the Lord stoppeth the purpose of his Enâ—â—ies and turns it backwards upon their own heads And this I say from the Lord If such a thing be in your Hearts conceiving to be brought forth by you it is a Birth that will devour you erâ— ever it spring out of your Bowelâ— it will be too heavy a Burden and you shall never have strength to deliver it This is the Word of the Lord to you It shall be a Rock to overthrow you and it will be a Sâ—are to catch you and if any such thing proceeds from you it will break you and your own Wickedness will destroy you Alas Do not you see evidently the Hand of the Lord fight for us Yea we have evident Testimony of his Presence that he is and will be with us unto the end And if any will be blind let them be blind for these Tidings do not trouble us neither are we thereby moved no not to beg of any man the contrary for we cannot give our Power unto you nor come under the power of this World no not to beg of you contrary to a good Conscience that you should forbear the fulfilling your intents But this it is in the Name and Power of the Lord though he requires nothing of you to exalt his Kingdom by your power nor to prescribe him a Way how he must be worshipped yet he requires That you should do nothing against him nor his People by limiting he Spirit of the Lord. And I say The Saints of the Most High cannot give their Power to you to stand or fall thereby nor to go by the Authority thereof to exalt the Kingdom of God thereby they can beg no such thing nor desire it of you for it is not in your hands to give his Work of Salvation unto the Nations you cannot give nor lay one Stone in the building of his blessed Temple but he alone will do it and not by the Arm of Flesh Yet doth he require That you should do nothing against him nor abuse your power but and if you do he will reward you according to your Deeds and this you will find and feel in the Day of God when he brings Vengeance and Judgment upon you and when he sets his Kingdom over you all and that comes to raign over the Nations which how is a Sufferer And when I first heard the News sent abroad in the Nation of such Intentions to break the Quakers Meetings many Considerations passed through me Will these go said I in the same way that many have been destroyed in before them Will these run upon the same Rock Will these take in hand to limit God and to set him a Way And shall all these Sufferings of the Lord's People for these many years be finished by these that all the Unjust Dealingâ— and Oppressions of the Saints may be upon them Is there no Wise Man among them nor none that feareth the Lord that he may be preserved â—om â—estruction And is this their beginning in Parliament to destroy God's Heritage The Lord nor the People of
is God and Man in one Person Answ. As for the word Trinity it is invented and he hath learnt it out of the Mass-Book or Common-Prayer-Book but we own the Doctrine of the Gospel of Christ that Christ is God and the Spirit is God and there are three that bear record the Father Son and Spirit and these are one but God and the Spirit are not Persons but Infinite Beeings and the Scripture no where in true Translations expresseth God under the Name Person for Person is too Carnal to express God and Christ and the Spirit by but God was in Christ reconciling the World and this we believe and acknowledge according to the Scriptures but for this word Doctrine of the Trinity the Scriptures know no such word but the Truth we own and the Gospel and the Scriptures too They hold that Iesus Christ died onely signally or examplarily and that we are justified by the Suffering of Christ in us and to be healed by his Stripes is to be stripped off or from Sin Answ. Jesus Christ died and rose again and ascended according to the Scriptures this we do believe And Christ was and is the Substance the end of all Signs and Examples yet was he an Example to the Saints and the Apostle exhorted to walk as they had Christ for an example and while he was in the World he did and spoke and acted many things as Parables Signs and Examples the substance of which is to be received in the Saints and known by them through the Spirit and we believe Saints are justified by Christ and through Faith in him which was and is and is to come who is blessed for ever and none are justified by his Death and Suffering and Blood without them but who witness Christ within them for all are Reprobates and to be condemned and cannot be justified that have not Christ in them as thou mayest read Except Christ be in you you are Reprobates and all that believe in Christ and receive him they are healed through his Sufferings and Stripes for he sanctifies them and gives them Remission of Sin and justifies them and in him the Saints are compleat and the New-man the Regenerate is justified and the old-man is in the Degeneration and knows not Christ in him and hath not received him but onely heard of him without him and believes the Relation but this faith doth not justifie for all the false Christians upon Earth have this faith but that Faith alone justifies which gives to receive Christ and him to live in us and to dwell in us by that Faith They utterly renounce the Doctrine of Iustification by the imputation of the Righteousness of Christ or by the obedience he performed or Sufferings he sustained or underwent in his own Person without us Answ. This is partly true and partly a Lye we do indeed renounce the profession of Justification by the Imputation of Christ or his Righteousness performed without men by men while they are in the degenerated estate and unconverted and unreconciled and unborn again for by such profession of Justification many deceive their Souls but yet we say that Righteousness is imputed to us and reckoned unto us who believe in Christ and have received him even the Obedience and Sufferings that he performed without us is ours who have received him within us and witnesseth Christ in us and therefore we are not Reprobates yet we do acknowledge he wrought perfect Righteousness by Obedience and Sufferings without us and that Righteousness is ours by Faith which Faith hath received Christ to dwell in us and he and his Righteousness his Obedience and Sufferings we enjoy in us in Spirit if any can receive it let them for that he wrought Righteousness this is acknowledged but who have a part in this Righteousness that is disputable They wholly renounce the Doctrine of Election and Reprobation and it is one of the great Reasons for which they decry the Ministers because they assert it they say Jacob and Esau are in a man and the good Seed is Jacob which God electeth and the bad Seed is Esau which he reprobates Answ. The Doctrine of Election and Reprobation we do own according to the Scriptures and therefore hast thou belied us and slandered us and art found reproveable and would incense mens minds against us for advantage to thy self but to some in that House we are better known then thou canst report of us and yet thou sayest we say that Iacob and Esau are in a man and the good Seed God electetâ— and the bad he reprobates and thou mayest here see thy confusion and thy ignorance uttered in the self same Lines for thou sayest we renounce the Doctrine of Election and Reprobation and yet sayest we say the good Seed God electetâ— and the bad Seed he reprobateth and this shews what spirit thou art of and how that the spirit of unrighteousness doth possess thee and leads thee to speak without understanding and we further say man being degenerated became reprobated and cast out and all by nature are Children of Wrath and the Children of Wrath are all in the reprobate State and none are elected but who are elected in Christ the Seed of David and so in the first Adam all are reprobated and all that are in the second Adam are elected and the Election and Reprobation stands not in the Persons but in the Seeds and yet the Persons are blessed or cursed in the love or in the displeasure of God according as the Seed of God or the seed of the Serpent lives and dwells and bears rule in the Persons and we do indeed decry and deny you the professed Ministers upon many accounts more then one and we have already and may in time to come shew sufficient Reasons against you both in Doctrine and Practise and other wayes that you are not the Ministers of Christ but the Ministers of Satan generally That Iesus Christ as he is the Seed of the Woman and the Seed of Abraham is in every one and that a measure or part of the Substance that was conceived in the Womb of the Virgin Mary is in every one Answ. Jesus Christ he is the Seed of the Woman and the Seed of Abrahâ—… according to the Flesh and after the Spirit the Son of the Living God and this Christ that was and is and is to come who was dead but is alive and lives for evermore the alone Saviour of the World he hath given a measure of Light and Life unto every man and there is a Light from him that shines in the heart of all men shining in Darkness the Light shines but the Darkness comprehends it not and this was Iohn's Testimony and is our Testimony That Christ enlightneth every man or all Man-kind that cometh into the World for in him was Life and the Life was the Light of men as the Scripture saith and the Apostle preached the Light that shined in peoples
hearts and it was that Light that gave them the Light of the knowledge of the Glory of God but thou hast discovered thy self to be a Stumbler at the stumbling-stone and hath taken offence at the Light like the Pharisees who professed the Scriptures as the Priests of England do but were ignorant of the Life the end of the words and knew not Christ the Substance but the Stone at which you stumble will break you to pieces and grind you to powder even Christ the Light of the World that lighteth every man that cometh into the World That the Soul is a part or measure of God as they speak and not a part of man but uncreated and so is that Light which is in every one Answ. The Soul is immortal and God is immortal for God breathed into man the Breath of Life and he became a Living Soul as saith the Scripture and the Soul is related to God for what a man works against God it is against his own Soul for all Sin is against God and against a man's own Soul And God who hath all Souls in his hand who is the Creator and gave Life into the Soul that is immortal and can never die though Death hath passed over it and hath reigned over all from Adam till Moses and Christ is the Light of the World that gives Life unto the Soul and he raiseth up the Soul out of Death and Misery and brings the Soul to rejoyce in God its Saviour and Christ is the Souls Bishop its Pastor and Feeder and who knows Christ knows him that was before the World was made and sees to the beginning and to the ending and his Soul rests in God that is over all That the Light in the Heathen who never heard that Iesus Christ died at Jerusalem is the same for the quality of it with that which is in the most godly Person onely there is a difference in the quantity And men are reconciled to God by following of it This Light they say is the sure Word of Prophesie and that it is sufficient to lead out of all Sin unto God Answ. The Testimony of Iohn is that Christ is the Light that lighteth every mâ—n that cometh into the World and if every man then the Heathen who hath not the relation of Christ's Life and his Death at Ierusalem yea and it is the same Light that is in the Heathen the same in nature and kind as it is in the Saints for the Comforter the Spirit of Truth is one in it self and the same though it comforteth the Saints and reproveth the World and the Wicked for their sins And men are reconciled to God by Christ for he was in God reconciling to himself and none are reconciled but who walk in the Light and follows it for who walks in the Light the Blood of Christ cleanseth them 〈◊〉 all Siâ— and they are reconciled and none else And the Word of God is in the Heart as the Scripture saith Deut. 30. Rom. 10. and that is the Word of Prophesie and that Word is sufficient to lead out of all Sin unto God if men believe in Jesus and receiveth him and the Spirit of Truth leadeth into all Truth all that follow it That Christ as man is not in Heaven yea that he hath ceased to be man and conseqâ—…ly to be Mediator and when I told them he should come in the Clouds in like 〈◊〉 as he ascended and that at his coming the Elements melteth one of their 〈◊〉 told me that the Clouds were scattered and the Elements melted in him Answ. Christ Jesus is ascended into Heaven and sits at the right Hand of the Father yea he is ascended far above all Heavens as saith the Scripture But that is utterly false whereas thou sayest we say he ceased to be man that is â—y Lye and so I pass it And we believe according to the Scriptures that 〈◊〉 shall come in like manner as he ascended and at his coming the Elements shall melt And it is not error for a man to say the Clouds are scattered and â—â—e Elements melted in him for Clouds are Darkness and covers the face of the Sun many times as thou mayest behold in the Firmament But Darkness is yet over thy Heart and the Elements are not melted away and therefore thou art in thy Imaginations putting Light for Darkness and Darkness for Light and calling Evil Good and Good Evil. That the Bodies of Men shall never rise again after death and that the day of Iudgement is come already and that now the Saints do judge the World Answ. We do believe the Resurrection according to the Scriptures For if onely in this Life we have Hope we were of all men most miserable And we believe that the Dead shall arise again after death and every one shall receive according to the Deeds done in the Body they that have done Evil shall arise to Eternal Condemnation and they that have done Good to Eternal Salvation in the day of Judgement And the Lord cometh with and in ten thousand of his Saints to judge the World and the Saints upon Earth do receive the Spirit of Judgement and do judge the World even all things for the spiritual Man judgeth all things even in this present Age if thou canst receive it thou mayest They are utterly against Water-Baptism and administring of the Lord's Supper with Bread and Wine because they say they have the Substance of all within Answ. As for Baptism and the Supper of the Lord we do own it and it is practiced of us in the Life and Power of God but as for your Baptism that is to say sprinkling of Infants calling it the Baptism into the Faith and that they are made Members of the Church thereby and that it is a Seal of Regeneration as you say in your Common-Prayer-Book and Directory that we do utterly deny and do say it is no Ordinance of God neither was it ever commanded by him or practiced by his Saints but is an Institution of the Whore of Rome and England received it by a Popish Institution and your practice of it is Idolatry and not any part of the true Worship of God And as for your breaking Bread and drinking Wine in that manner and form as it is practiced in the Church of England among the Unconverted and Unregenerated that we utterly deny also to be of God or to be ever commanded of him or practiced by his Saints and this is neither Heresie nor Error in us but true bearing witness against your Idolatrous Wayes and Practices with which the Nations are deceived whom the Whore causeth to drink her Cup even all people have drunk her Cup and she hath drunk the Blood of them that would not and she hath long sate upon Nations Peoples and Multitudes but now she is made bare and discovered and all you her false Ministers And whereas the Author doth say These are some of the
which hath been of the false Woman and not of the Elect Spouse that is married to the Lamb. 6. That forcing and compelling of Persons by any outward Law and Authority to be of such or such a Religion and to conform to such a Way of Worship is the Worship of the Beast and of the Whore and not the Worship of God and to kill and persecute Persons for the exercise of Conscience and because they will not be of such a Religion and cannot conform to such Worship is of the Devil and the Dragon and not of God nor according to him and that your Church herein is not Successor of the Apostles and the true Church of Christ but is of the Beast and the Whore which Iohn saw was to come in his time and which we see are come in our dayes and have ruled for Generations and I affirm that Persons so made conformable by force and violent Laws to such a Religion and Worship are but two-fold more the Children of the Devil and are not at all converted to God thereby but becomes Idolaters whom God will judge 7. That none upon Earth are true Members of the true Church of Christ having a portion in the Inheritance of Eternal Life but such who are gathered out of the World by the preaching of the Gospel and are changed and renewed by the Power of the Lord God in the Heart and are led by his Spirit within them into all Truth and are joyned unto Christ the Head and gathered into the Eternal Unity of the Infinite Body by the same Spirit and Aâ—ointing dwelling in them and of such onely doth the true Church of Christ consist now in this present time as it did in the Apostles dayes but of such Members doth not your Church consist in this present Age neither is it in the Order and Government of the Spirit of Truth but in the Form without the Power therein was its beginning and its standing at this day 8. That the time is at hand and the Day of the Lord draws near and the fulâ—ess of time is approaching wherein great Babylon shall be thrown down and fall to the Ground and the Lord will be avenged on her and will render Judgâ—ents unto her and the Beast and Whore and false Prophets unto whom the Kingdoms of the World have been subject shall be taken and cast alive into the Lake and the Devil and Satan shall deceive the Nations no more but the Kingdoms of this World shall be changed and become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ whose Kingdom shall be revealed in Power and great Glory in the hearts of his Chosen And the Church of Rome and all the false Sects and Churches upon the Earth will the Lord God overthrow and his true Church shall be gathered out of the Wilderness and the Beauty of new Ierusalem of the holy Church the Lamb's Wife shall be as Glorious aâ— before she fled thither and before she was troden down of the Gentiles and the Lord God Almighty shall be known and his Tabernacle shall be with men These things I assert to you in the Name of the Lord and the truth thereof is certain and should be ready to argue and dispute these things with any sober Person amongst you upon equal tearms and to prove the Infalibility hereof by the Spirit of the Lord and according to the Scriptures wherefore consider of them in Patience and Meekness and believe in the Light of Christ which is in your Consciences which Christ hath lightened every man that cometh into the World withall that you may come to the knowledge of the Truth and out of all false Wayes and if any of you will return an Answer hereunto in behalf of your whole Body and can be able to clear your selves in Writing from what is charged upon you it shall be gladly received by me and a Reply iâ— Meekness returned to you for the further mâ—nifestation of Truth that Truth and Righteousness may clearly appear and be embraced and all Deceit and and false wayes of Antichrist may be confounded and denyed and who are in the Truth shall be confirmed and who are in the Error may have Warning now in the Day of the World's Visitation The Lord is coming to Judgment who will judge the Secrets of all Hearts and the whole World in Equity Dunkirk the 20th of the 3d Moneth 1659. By a Friend unto Righteousness and a Lover of all Souls E. B. These Propositions were sent to them in Latine This was sent to the chief Rector of the Jesuits Colledge in Dunkirk in Latine FRiend thy wisdom and thy knowledge is earthly and sensual and thereby canst thou not know the Things of the Kingdom of God thou canst neither learn them thy self nor teach them to others for thou art but a blind Leader of the Blind And thus saith the Lord God unto thee The Fruitless Tree is standing in thee that brings forth no Fruit unto God and the Head of the Serpent is not broken in thee that deceives the Soul nor the Body of Sin put off that burdens the Just and the Sword shall cut thee to pieces even the Sword of the Lord it shall slay thee And Friend The time is at hand that the Lord will make thee know that thou art and hast been in thy Life time a Dishonour to him and that thou hast not served him but thy self and the Devil and thy Heart is not right in his sight but is corrupt and deceitful for thou art tryed and measured and thou art found wanting in all things and God will judge thee and the Witness in thy Conscience shall answer his Judgments and all thy Idolatrous Practices and Profession of Religion and Church and Ministry thy many Prayers and thy Works of Righteousness all this shall not hide thee from the Wrath of the Lamb though now thou art hardened â—nd utterly unsensible yet the Stone shall fall upon thee that will grind thee to Powder and thou shalt not escape but the burden of thy own Iniquities shall weigh thee down into Perdition except thou speedily repentest Therefore fear and tremble before the Lord God and remember thou art warned by one that seeks the Peace of Souls but makes War by the Sword of the Spirit against the Kingdom of the Devil and Antichrist in whomsoever it stands And Friend answer me this one Query What is that Whore that hath sate upon Multitudes and Peoples and what is that Golden Cup in her Hand and what are the Abominations and Fornication of which her Cup is full which she hath caused the Kings and People to drink and with which she hath deceived the World Answer me this and subscribe thy Name E. B. ANd now this I have to say concerning the Church of Rome to them and to all the World as having been in a measure an eye and an ear Witness of their Idolatrous and false Wayes Practices and Doctrines never having in all my dayes
and sober Dealing may be amongst us and the Fear of God And to this we expect thy speedy Answer concerning Time and Place Edward Burroughs Samuel Fisher. The Propositions were writ as short as could be for to stop all Advantages against us that right be taken by our Adversary in case he had met us and agreed to dispute but upon enlargement in Discourse we might have laid open the truth of every on of these Particulars at large to the satisfaction of sober Minds that might have been doubtful hereof and sâ—ewed by the Scriptures the truth of all of them AN Epistle to Friends IN LONDON Dearly beloved Friends and Brethren WHom the Lord hath called with his Heavenly Call and made you Eye-Witnesses and Feeling-Witnesses of his Power and of his Truth my dear Love in the Lord falutes you all for the Lord's sake without respect of Persons and I Greet you with a holy Kiss Dearly Beloved I bare you witness That some of you have loved the Lord above all things and for his Truth the Glory of this World with its Vanities have been denyed by you and now I wish in the Lord the abounding and enlarging of the Love and Life of God in you and amongst you all And my Dear Friends In that the Lord hath blessed you in the Knowledge of the Truth and of his Wayes and called you to serve him and to live unto him and not unto your selves now this remains unto you all to be done by you even that you be Faithful and Careful in the Great Work of the Lord which he is doing amongst you and in the World at this day And first of all See that every one of you stand in God's Counsel and that ye do his Will in all things as the Lord maketh it manifest to you and watch over your own Hearts and keep your selves clear from the Evil of this World I am moved of the Lord to write to you in particular and to warn you in his Name who hath begotten you to himself That you be mighty careful and circumspect in all your wayes and that you walk as Patterns and Examples to all the tender Babes of God in the Flock and that by your wise Conversation and Faithfulness in the Truth the Weak may be strengthened and the Hungry may be filled and they that are of the World who thirst for the Lord may be won into the Truth My God knoweth and ye know also the Care and Burdens which I have had in that Place and seeing I am thus ordered of the Lord at this present I do beseech you all for the Truth 's sake That you unto whom God hath given Grace and Strength and Wisdom and Knowledge that you take the Care upon you to watch with the Flock and over them that are Weak And I say again You must be mighty careful in the Lord that you may walk in all things to his Glory so as there be no turnings back from the Truth by any nor no occasion given to the Heathen to Reproach Truth therefore not any Service of your own must you equal with the Lord's Service But at all times be armed with the Lords Armour to do and to suffer for the Truth And this seems Good unto me in the Fear of the Lord That you in particular do keep a Meeting among your selves once in Three Weeks or a Moneths time as ye see meet that in the Counsel of God you may consider of all things in relation to the Truth and that you may advise one with another in the Fear of the Lord of things amongst you that in good Order all things may be kept And if any Disorderly Persons who profess the Truth be known to any of you let it be presented to all and Two or Three of you as you are moved may in the Fear of the Lord and in his Wisdom reprove such Persons and Things by which in the least Truth is Dishonoured and if such resist Reproof then account them as out of the Body and the Life can have no Fellowship with such but first reprove Offences and Failings in Secret and in much Wisdom also lest you destroy the Righteous with the Wicked And I lay it upon you that you judge nothing but what is for Judgment and when any thing comes before you to be tryed or judged of be tender of the Simplicity and take heed of Rash Judgment and Forward Words be mighty considerate in the Fear of God that nothing be judged wholly in which there is any thing of God but dwell in that which doth discern and distinguish and separate the Precious from the Vile that you may divide Judgment a right in all Causes and the Pure may be Strengthened and the Deceit Confounded For such a thing may be and come to pass which cannot wholly be Justified nor altogether Condemned and in such things in Friends you had need be mighty careful that the Right Way may be spared and the Wicked cut off And if any of you be moved to Minister among the Flock let it be done in the Fear of God and in his Wisdom to the refreshing of the Weak and to the building up the Body and if you do it in the Power of God then you will be answered by the Witness of his Spirit in every one and you and they will feel an Increase from God And if any Minister amongst you with which the Spirit of the Lord hath not Fellowship but is an Offence to the Just bare such in Patience for a season and shew them in Meekness and Love their Fault that they may be restoed rather then cast out And if any amongst you be over-taken with a Fault and found faulty in the sight of the Lord in any Particular reprove and convert and instruct such privately in Meekness and if they rebel and resist then reprove them and let them be judged openly And charge all that in all things they keep to their own Measures of Christ and that they act nothing nor speak nothing without the Leading of his Spirit and that will bind under deceitful spirits And as for those Rebellious and Treacherous and Deceitful Lying spirits amongst you which may trouble you as they have formerly done to the great Dishonour of the Lord I wish they were cut off as for the Truth 's sake yet I exhort you to bear them with Patience and not to heed them nor be troubled at them but account of them as Disorderly and out of the Body and freâ— not in your selves because of the Wicked such things be but for a time but Truth is forever and they that walk therein their Fruits shall never wither And let Friends keep their private Meetings on the First-days with Diligence and none to run abroad without Foar but as they are moved of the Lord and then there will be a Service in it for the Lord and as any of you are moved be faithful to exhort Friends hereunto and with a
that lodgeth in thy own Bowels Though thou hast had Kings over thee and chosen thee Parliaments and set up Protectors and Committees and Councils have been created in thee to have been as a Defence upon thee and to have born the Scepter of thy Government but alas all these have left thee and thou art now as alone and left comfortless even as a Widow unto this day and the Staff of thy hand hath pierced thee and thy strength and confidence hath betrayed thee and them whom thou hast chosen have wrought no deliverance at all in thee even the men that thou thoughtest should have healed thee they have made thy wound more incurable and they in whom thou hast reposed trust they have been deceitfull and treacherous in thee for many have sought themselves and who should be the greatest and they have trisfled away many precious hours in vain contentions about Government what it should be and who should govern while as no good thing hath been effected by them but in the mean time of their delayes and while they have been making themselves rich with the Nations Treasure and loved this worlds perishing honor and vain titles the Nation hath starved for want of mercy and just judgment and the cause of its necessity hath been forgotten and mercy and truth and the freedom of the people neglected and the Cause of the Fatherless Widow and Stranger and the Cause of the afflicted people have they not respected Oh Nation the men that have sitten on thy Throne they have left thee groaning under great Oppressions wounded with the Spirit of Tyranny yet un-cast out and thy people are yet unhealed but the breach hath been made wider even by that Spirit which hath possessed thy Parliaments thy Protectors thy Councils thy Committees who hath proved Physitians of no value but have bin the increasers of thy grief and even because of their iniquities and the sin of their Ambition and Oppression hath the Lord dealt thus with them and suffered them to dash one another in pieces and through Judgment unto themselves and thee Oh Nation are they at present ceased from thee and thou art left alone and without a Deliverer in the Earth full of Troubles and Distractions Oh that thou wouldst now look unto the Lord and seek him in Righteousness that he may heal thee for there is none of all them that do pretend to rule thee that do rightly proceed in the way of thy Deliverance they do not apply healing Balm unto thy Wound they rather add unto the cause of thy Sorrow then remove it from thee their hearts are not aright before the Lord and how then should they prosper in their doings All these things have we viewed and pittied the condition of our Nation and thus we do declare the very cause of these things that are come to pass in thee is in that oh Nation thou hast sinned thou hast sinned and the cry of thy Iniquities is come up before the Lord even the sins of thy Rulers and thy People is the Cause of God's Displeasure against thee and he is provoked through their Transgressions in thee is found the Blood of the Innocent in thee is found the Murder of Souls in thee is found Treachery against God and Hypocrisie Dissimulation with God and men in thee is found Pride Oppression Whoredom and Drunkenness Stealing and Murder in thee is found the very burden of Iniquity the full measure of Transgression even the transgression of God's whole Law deceit is found in thee unsoundness of heart unconstancy in all good things multitude of hypocritical Fastings Prayers and Services in thee is found even destroying Sins of all sorts do abound and thou hast provoked the Lord God by thy Abominations thy Rulers have been Oppressors thy Teachers Deceivers of Souls and thy People are froward and perverse against the Lord in thee is found the men that judge for Rewards and the Priests that preach for Hire and the Prophets that divine for Money thy Sins are like Israel's of old for number and greatness and thou hast lost God's Favour and gained his Fury by thy own doings and thou art the very cause of this Misery and hast brought it upon thy self and because thou art departed from the Living God by thy Transgression therefore hath he confounded thee and turned thy Wisdom into Folly and he is departed from thee and out of thy Councils and men are left to the counsels of their own hearts and as it were ready to destroy one another Ruler against Ruler and Neighbour and Friend full of strife one against another and this is happened unto thee as a Judgment for thy Iniquities who hast also nelected a gloririous Day of Visitation thy Rulers and Inhabitants have been warned and the Cry of Repentance hath been sounded towards them all by a despised people but warning hath not been regarded but the word of the Lord rejected by thy Rulers and People and lo what wisdom is there in them not so much wisdom from God as can preserve them but it may be just with the Lord to suffer them to drink the blood one of another even because they have sinned against God and rejected his counsel therefore is this come to pass in the Nation for hadst thou oâ— Nation walked in the Light of the Lord it had been better with thee had every one obeyed the Light in his own Conscience and had every one sought the Lord and not himself had thy Rulers ruled for God and had thy people been ruled of God then this day had not been a day of Trouble but it had been a day of Joy and Sorrow and Anguish had been removed far from thee and blessings had filled thy Habitations And now whereas many wise men have been advising and consulting the peace of this our Nation and they have given in their counsel for removing these Troubles yet Peace and Unity seems to be far away and though they have sought Peace for this Nation yet they have not walked in the perfect way thereof for innocency truth and simplicity have bin wanting which God only will bless and by flatteries and deceits and the pollicy and wisdom of this World have they thought to make up thy breach but it cannot be for in the way of that proceeding will not the Lord be found in a needful time and his presence hath been wanting in their counsels and therefore the fruit of peace is not yet grown up this we have seen and therefore thus we do declare O Nation the inward cause of thy destractions must be removed even thy iniquities must be forsaken and thy transgressions repented of thou must forsake thy former wayes and doings that are not right thou must leave off thy hypocrisies and flatteries with God and men thou must repent thee of thy profaneness and of thy profession also thy sin and thy righteousness must thou put away which are both Abominations unto God thou
may stand and never be moved from the hope of Eternal Life and feel the renewing of your inward man even the increase and growth of the Immortal Life in you that you may live in that unto the Lord God and Covenant with him may be preserved whereby you may be a praise and a glory to him in your Generation in the sight of the whole World even all you who have tasted of the Presence and Power of the Lord and who have known his Mercies and Judgements and been acquainted with him that you may be kept faithful unto the end and not be subverted by the wicked one nor drawn from the Obedience to the Truth nor loose your Crown of Immortality neither by the flattery nor terrour of the ungodly but that you live in the Dominion of Immortal Life which keeps above all Mortal Temptations and Mortal Terrour and gives Authority over all And this Life is blessed where the Glory and Peace of this World and the Troubles and Sorrows of it also are seen over and felt beyond and nothing of it can move the Heart nor disquiet the Spirit nor work any Separation from the Fathers Love and in the Seed of God where it lives above mortal is this enioyed by us and all the Faithful But if the mans part live above the Seed of God that will be drawn aside by the love or by the terrour of this World for that is changable and the evil one hath a part in it so that part is to be kept in subjection in you under the Seed of God it must bear the Crosâ— of Christ always else you will be overcome of the wicked for in that part the mâ—… part which is of this World the Devil hath somthing a place to receive â—im pâ—â—t to obey him but in the Seed of God he hath nothing neither place nor part And so Friends live in the Seed of God for in that is your Victory and heavenly Dominion and also your Election and Assurance for ever even in the second Birth begotten of the Father for that is the Heir of God and thereiâ— doth man inherit Eternal Life and Rest and Peace to his Soul and therein is Bleâ—â—â—â—gs and Peace and Life inwardly and outwardly and all fulness is enjoyed where the Lord is the Teacher the Father the Shepherd the Master the King and Judge and is become to us the all in all and the Kingdom deliveâ—â—◠〈◊〉 him and all subjected under him even God with us the Substance of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—â—d of all and all the contrary put under even the Lion and the Lamb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 together and man lives in Peace according to the Promise and the Mountain of the Lords House is established on the top of all in which nothing can destroy or hurt the pure Life but Life is in Dominion over all and 〈◊〉 is swallowed up of it Oh Friends this is the mark that is before you press on towards it that you may obtain the final end of all your Travel and Waiting of your Obediâ—â—ce and Suffering and the end of your Hope and Patience and the very end of the Messâ—ge sent of God and delivered to you by us The end of all is this Thâ—â— you may dwell in God and he in you and be gathered up to him to be ever with 〈◊〉 and that he may be your all in all and you may be to him an honour and praise â—â—â—â—ghout the World in your Generation even he your onely God and you his onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Friends certain it is that the Way of Life and Peace and of Salvation is mâ—de manifest unto you and you know wherein everlasting Peace and Reconciliation with God standeth and you also know what the cause is of all troâ—â—le and sorrow and condemnation the Lord hath opened many Hearts and given unto many a good Understanding And seeing you know this live in the Way of Peace and escape the other that you may not come into condemnation for it is a fearfull thing to fall into the Condemnation and Wrath of the Almighty And for this cause That men should be saved from Wrath and have Peacâ— with God the Message of Life and Salvation hath the Lord sent abroad plentifully in this Nation and you have received it and believed the Report though many have rejected it to their Destruction whose Judgment will be upon them but you have tasted handled and fâ—lt of the Word of eternal Life by which the Lord hath wounded you and healed you again and many hath he slain and made them alive even through his Word and Power which hath entred into many hearts which killeth the Enmity and quickenâ—th the Seed and which breaketh off from all the World's followship both in Transgressions and Righteousness and makes all void all Covenants with Death and Hell and marrieth unto the Lamb and the Marriage of the Lamb is câ—me unto many even unto all in whom his innocent and heavenly Naâ—â—re is begotten and brought forth for this is of his Flesh and of his Bone 〈◊〉 here is his Wife that hath made her self ready and is prepared for the Bridegroom and blessed are ye if ye know thesâ— things and are Witnesses of thâ—â— even the Marriage of the Lamb and the making ready of his Elected in you 〈◊〉 the receiving and quickening of his Flesh and of his Bone for this is the 〈◊〉 unto whom he is joyned that hath put away all other Lovers and loveth the Lord with all the Heart and with all the Soul who is clothed with perfect Beaâ—ty and Innocency and covered with divine Righteousness in which there is no Spot being delivered out of the Wilderness and freed from her mournâ—â—g state and is no more separated from her Husband but she again quickâ—â—t into Life and adorned with Beauty and married to the Lamb to live with him â—or evermore Oh Friends wait upon the Lord that ye may possess these things for to kâ—ow thâ—â— and be in them is everlasting Treasure and Riches the Possession of them are Riches to the Poor Bread to the Hungry and Clothing to the Naked and Life to the Dead And if ye know these things lay them up in your hearts as your most precious Treasure and let none spoil you of it And if ye are married unto the Lamb then are you the True and onely Church even his Body and living Members of it for such onely are the True Church that are married to Christ and United to him in his own nature and all such are false Churches and are even of the great Whore that hath taken upon them the name of Churches of Christ but were never lawfully married unto him and such are deceived and Deceivers of others with the very Name of Christ calling themselves by the Name of his Church while they are in the nature contrary to him nor they ever lawfully married unto him and this is the great Whore who commits lewdness though Nations in all false
and rumors of Wars what are they to us What have we to do with them and wherein are we concerned in these things is not our Kingdom of another World Even that of peace and righteousness and hath not the Lord called us and chosen us into the possession of that Inheritance wherein strife and enmity dwelleth not Yea he hath broken down that part in us that is related thereunto and being dead in that Nature of Strife Bloodshed and Wars how can we live in strife and contention in the World or have fellowship with any therein And can we have pleasure in the confusion and distraction amongst men or joyn in any thing with them if so be we are quickened in the new life to God which is a life of love and peace and free from such things and if we are crucified in the life to this World out of which all these confusions and strife doth arise how can we live therein and therefore these things are nothing to us neither are we of one party or against another to oppose any by rebellion or plottings against them in enmity and striving with them by Carnal Weapons nor to destroy any mens lives though our Enemies so we War not for any nor against any for the matters of this Worlds Kingdom But our Kingdom is inward and our Weapons are spiritual and our victory and peace is not of this World And our War is against souls enemies and against the powers of darkness even by the Sword of the Spirit which God hath given us and called us to war therewith to convert people from sin and death and from the very occasion of wars and contentions about the things that are earthly and this is our calling and work at this day and these things all the Children of the Lord are to mind and to keep over the spirit of this World in all people which all this enmity strife and confusion that is up amongst men lodgeth in and out of it ariseth for these things are the fruits of the spirit of this evil and sinful World and the fruits of the Spirit of God are of another nature even Peace and meekness towards all and not enmity towards any in which Spirit let us live and walk admonishing all hereunto and Praying for our enemies and not hating them but doing good for evil and not rendring evil for evil but being meek and humble merciful and patient towards all and this is the true Christian life learned of Christ and this life is blessed in this World and in the World to come and them that live here are redeemed out of the World wherein is Troubles and Confusion Wars and Strifes But let us not heed any of these things for they Rise and Fall in their season and are brought forth effected in the changable and erring spirit which worketh not the honour of God but is in the dishonour to him And Friends let us be a people separate from all that live therein waiting for the deliverance of the holy seed in all and believing that through all these things the Lord will set up his Kingdom and thus it must come to pass BABYLON MUST FALL WITH A GREAT NOISE for in strife and confusion was She builded and therein hath She long stood and thereby must She fall and Tribulations must come upon the Earth that People may learn to fear the Lord through his Judgements And he will speedily do great things in the World which cannot be believed by many if it were told them for Hell and Death must be destroyed and both the Beast and the Whore must be taken alive and cast into the Lake of the anger of God But blessed are they that do wait upon the Lord and rest under his shadow and wait in his Counsel and receive his Instructions they shall see the marvellous works of his hand but the wicked and unbelieving shall be turned into darkness and shall not see the countenance of the Lord to refresh them but their sorrow shall be increased And as for me If I were no more this is the Testimony of my Love unto the Seed of God through these Nations who am a Companion to all that travel after Truth and Righteousness and that seek the Lord in their hearts that he may Rule and these things were upon me to send amongst the Flock of God to be read in all your Meetings Oxfordshire the 1st day of the third Moneth 1660. E. B. A VISITATION AND Presentation of Love Unto the KING and those call'd ROYALLISTS Consisting of I. An Answer to several Queries proposed to the People called Quakers from a supposed Royallist II. An Objection answered concerning the Kings Supremacy III. An Epistle directed to the King and those that go under the Name of Royallists IV. Certain Queries returned to them called Royallists to answer An Answer to divers Queries subscribed thus To the Quakers some Queries is sent to be answered that all People may know your Spirit and the temper of it and your Iudgment concerning the Times and Seasons and subscribed let your Answer be directed Tradite hanc Amico Regis AS concerning the Quakers that are scornfully so called We are at this day and have been ever since we were a People a poor despised and contemptible People in the eye of this World and deep Sufferers under the Injustice and Cruelties and Oppressions both of Rulers Teachers and People and we have been a prey to the Wicked and trodden down under the feet of Ambitious men that have been in power in this Nation and have Ruled in force and cruelty over us and this hath been ever since the Lord raised us up to be a People though we have not been offensive to any just Law or Government or to any sort of People otherwise then that we have given our Witness against Sin and wickedness in all People but we have not been Oppressors of others neither have we envied the persons of any but in all good Conscience have we walked towards all men doing no otherwise to any then we would be done unto and this is the very Law we walk by towards all men desiting the good of all and that all may come to Repentance and be Saved and what we are as unto the Lord if I should declare it could not be believed by many But we are his People and he hath chosen us and he is our God and we have believed in him and walked with him in the uprightness of heart and we have this Testimony in our own hearts if we die it is for him and if we live it is to him and though we have been and may be clouded with the Reproaches and Persecutions of an Uncircumcised Generation yet in the Lord's Season it shall be manifest even to the World and to our very Enemies that we are his People and chosen of him and he in the midst of us whom we serve and worship in Spirit in Truth and in Righteousness and
God of which you have tasted in a good Measure and in the Meek and Peaceable Spirit of the Lamb be at Peace and in Unity with him and one with another even as Members of one spiritual Body that the Head may be honoured through you and that each Member serve one another in Love and Respect not any exalted above what ought to be nor striving for prehemenence above one another but that each Member may know his Service into which the Lord hath called you for that is a blessed Thing to dwell in Love and Unity and to know and to be known to one another in the Lord and the contrary bringeth the Curse where Strife and Enmity lodgeth that is excluded out of the Body and is of the Kingdom of Death and not of the Lamb but is of the Body of Antichrist and not of his Body who is exalted at God's right Hand And see that you walk in all Wisdom wait that you may be wise and that Wisdom it self may be justified of you by walking therein and then you will answer the divine Principle of Equity in your Enemies and you will cut off that which seeks ' occasion against you and turn backward the slanderous Tongue and confound the Destroyer which seeks occasion every moment Oh how pretious is Wisdom it s a Pearl it s better then Strength or Riches Wisdom is the chief of the Gifts of God it comes from the Fountain and it leads answerable unto him who is the Giver thereof Oh wait for Wisdom that she may possess your Hearts that she may go in and out before you and may be the beginning and end of all your works and so shall your Enemies have no occasion against you but you shall be preserved in perfect Peace for Wisdom is a preserver of Soul and Body even that Wisdom that is from above which is pure and peaceable and leadeth into all the Ways of Peace Truth and Righteousness and take heed that none be led aside into Snares and Temptations of the Wicked and thereby make shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience and the whole Work of God and so lose your Joy and Peace in God and come short of an Immortal Crown to which you are begotten but be faithful to God in all things and deny not your Principle nor the perswasion of God's Spirit in your Consciences in any thing neither for the Love nor Terror of this World for that is honourable to be faithful to a heavenly Principle even whether in death or life to be found walking answerable unto the Will and Mind of God as you have received the knowledge thereof but if any turn aside in the day of Tryal the Lord will have no pleasure in them but his displeasure will be against them unto their Destruction and such shall not be reckoned among the Righteous but they are blotted out of the Book of Life even such who are Hearers and not Doers of the Will of God whose Hypocrisie the Lord will judge in the justness of his Judgments And live in Patience in all Tribulations and in a still and quiet Spirit for the Lord is there his Presence is enjoyed in a still and patient spirit and such receive of his Mercies even of his hidden Manna and heed not the Tribulations that are in this World but mind your Peace that is in Christ that is everlasting and be settled in your minds and fully perswaded to follow the Lamb wheresoever he goes whether in Death or Life and let nothing separate you from that Love of God which you have received not Powers of Darkness neither Love nor Terror of this World but keep in the Dominion of God that his Spirit may be lifted up in you as the Standard even when floods of Temptations and Persecutions ariseth against you which are but for a moment and they will pass away but Truth and Righteousness will remain and cannot be shaked and the Purpose of the Lord is Good unto us and not Evil not to destroy us nor suffer us to perish for we are his and he hath chosen us and he hath placed his Name with us and for his Name sake which we bear he will do great things for us he will visit his Heritage and defend it with his mighty Power and therefore be in Patience concerning all things whatsoever that cometh to pass And the Lord having brought us out of Egypt and often appeared unto us in great Love and Favour and his Eye is over us at this day and he hath not thus far delivered us now to destroy us if we live and walk in the Power of the Lord God and feel his Life and Vertue and heavenly Authority in our own Hearts the Lord will not suffer our Enemies to prevail against us so as utterly to extinguish us from off the Earth though some of us may be tryed far if not to seal our Testmony with Blood but if so it shall hasten the Glory of the Lord and cause it to shine forth abundantly and it will fill up the Measure of Iniquity to the utter destruction of Antichrist and for this cause our Lives are not pretious unto us nor do I desire further to give Testimony by words if the Testimony of our Blood be required for I know though power may be given them over the outward Man yet we have a Life which they cannot touch and a Peace and Victory in the spiritual Kingdom which no man can spoil us of and we are given up already whether to glorifie God in the Body or out of the Body so he is glorified we have our reward for what is our reward but this That we may see the Name of the Lord exalted and but that our Confidence is sure and our Faith and Patience stedfast that we shall behold the Glory of the Lord and his Kingdom and the overthrow of Sathan and Antichrist the Beast and the false Prophet our dayes would be sorrowful and our Life a Death and our Labour and Travels a Vexation and a Grief but our Faith is confirmed by many Witnesses that the Kingdoms of the World must become the Kingdoms of Christ and Mystery Babylon must fall in whom the Soul of the Righteous hath been slain and the Purpose of the Lord must certainly be effected and no man upon the Earth shall prevent it and this is our Faith and therefore our Travels Labours and Affliction are not grievous to us even because the Presence of the Lord is with us And as for me the Salutation of my dearest love is to all the Saints every-where even with that love wherewith I am beloved of the Father do I love all them that are begotten of him but unto you more especially my love is abounding amongst whom I am known in faithful Labour of the Gospel of Christ who never sought yours but you and I hope you have the Witness of me in your own hearts even as I have of you and that in the
but that over all you will be preserved in faith and victory I am now according to the Will of the Father in Ireland it is some weeks since I arived at Cork City in much peace and safety with my dear Companions it having been long upon my spirit to visit the Seed of God in this Nation even of love have I felt it in me and not of constraint but of a willing mind and free spirit and not of force and after the time of patience and waiting for many dayes to see my way clear for it the Lord hath ordered it and brought it to pass acceptable unto me and many here and this is the time which this visitation must be effected for till now my way was not clear and but that this Journey hath laid upon me I should have rejoyced to have been present among you either in testimony by suffering or otherwise but this is the will of God and it is in my heart to pass through this Nation and to visit the Seed of God by the Love and Word of the Father as he gives of his Life and Strength and opens the way before me I perceive in this Land Friends are generally well and truth grows in victory and dominion and the Lord is adding to the numberless number of them that must stand on Mount Zion and through the rage of men and above it all the little Flock is preserved in its beauty and the Seed sown in weakness and afflictions is received and quickned in much power which is my joy About Bristol I continued about two moneths in much precious service for the Lord and truth had good authority over all great acceptation in the hearts of many and some convinced and others edified and confirmed as many can witness in the spirit and until after the time of the Fâ—ir I was not clear of that City but imediately after I was free and my way made very convenient and clear to this place and the hand of providence ordered all things very well on that behalf as I do hope in the continuance of the power and presence of the Lord with me through this work and in his power I am committed even to do or suffer all things for his Name sake and that by vertue of his own life that dwells in me And the Lord preserve all the Brethren like-minded that the work of the Lord may be fulfilled and finished by us Amen County of Cork the 21th of the 6th Moneth 1660. E. B. A PRESENTATION of Wholsome Informations unto the King of England c. Being a Defence Pleaded and also appealed unto Him even to the Testimony of the Spirit of God in His own Conscience In Answer to a certain Accusation charged before Him in a Printed Book called The thrice happy Welcome of King Charles the Second by one George Willington of Bristol City against Us whom in derision the Accuser calls Quakers And also herein are laid down divers Considerations in Answer to a Petition directed to the King by the same Author in the Book aforesaid concerning Church-Government and concerning the making and sending forth Ministers and concerning the True Prophets and True Ministers and the False and how they are distinguished in their Call Maintenance and Fractises and that none ought to suffer death of Body or be killed or spoiled in Person or Estate though they may err in their mindes in the knowledge and Judgment of spiritual things All which is soberly presented to the King and His Council for Them to consider The Epistle to the King and his Council KNow ye That it is Righteousness Iustice Mercy and Truth and the fear of the Lord God it is the doing hereof and the walking herein in which you onely may be truly honourable I say if you do these things if you fear the God of Heaven and depart from all Iniquity and if you be doers of Iustice and Mercy and if ye break the yoke of cruel Oppressions and let the oppressed go free then are you worthy to be honoured both in the sight of God and men if so be that you are possessed with the nature I mean with Righteousness Iustice Mercy and Truth then you deserve the name but not otherwise for if Unrighteousness Injustice and Falshood dwell with you and be brought forth by you then are you not honourable to God neither can his servant in feignedness and flattery give the name unto you but and if I should give flattering titles unto you I should provoke the Lord to wrath against me though yet I gained your favour but I have rather chosen to speak the truth from my heart in Righteousness and to be well-pleasing unto the God of Heaven then with flattering Lips and a deceitfull Tongue be a man-pleaser while I grieve the Spirit of the Lord and the chief desire of my heart is to keep my conscience clear in all things though I should gain the displeasure of you and the most eminent accounted of men And if you shall say who art thou I must answer That I am a Servant of the great God of Heaven and Earth him I fear and before his presence I tremble I fear not him that can but kill the Body I flatter not any by feigned words for I regard not the love or hatred of this World I have not learned to practise a flattering tongue nor can I use it towards you or any upon the Earth but words of truth and righteousness are my delight and the dialect of my native Countrey and the characters thereof are not in the eloquency of words of mans wisdom but to demonstrate by the Spirit of the Lord in plainness and soberness with more respect to please the Lord then to please men Thus am I known among my Familiars and thus I desire only to be known unto you not in words only but in substance not in flattery but in an upright heart And this my present occasion thus to write unto you is even in as much as we have been accused even to the King by one George Willington of the City of Bristoll in a Book of his directed to the King even therefore is it that I have taken in hand to answer and publish a defence against his Charge with some sober Considerations chiefly laid down and directed even to the King that he may consider them and my hopes are that he and you of his Council will read and consider the Defence as well as the Charge against us assuredly knowing that it is good reason and equity for you so to do and may prove also of good consequence to you so to do for if the King should receive mis-informations and thereupon proceed in Iudgement Oh what pits and snares of danger did he run himself into even to destroy himself Now to the intent that he and you may be better informed in some particulars concerning us about which we are charged and accused and that you might know the truth and
yet notwithstanding Hypocrisie False-heartedness Covetousness Double-mindedness and the spirit of Pride Ambition and Vain-glory have possessed the Hearts of both Teachers and People in all the false Sects and divers kinds of Religion though they have had a shew as if they were the Lord's People and a Pretence of Worship and Conformity of Church-Fellowship c. yet their Hearts have not been right before the Lord but of these it may be said Even they have professed God with their Mouthes and with their Lips honoured him and in the very time their Hearts have gone after Covetousness and been far departed from the Lord and though they have cryed The Temple of the Lord and we are the Church of Christ and Members of him and have Gospel and Ministry and Ordinances yet these People have walked in Pride and Arrogancy and Covetousness and their Hearts have been Corrupted in the sight of the Most High and all their Religion hath been but as the Fig-leaves by which they have sought to cover themselves but it cannot be For Behold ye Professors and People of Ireland God hath beheld your Hypocrisies and the Deceitfulness of your Hearts and your Nakedness doth appear for though you have professed much of the Spirit and Spiritual Things yet you have walked in the Flesh and brought forth the Fruits thereof and your Garments of feigned Prayers and Practices and your Profession of Church and Ordinances will not cover nor hide you from the Wrath of the Lamb. Oh People of Ireland many of you have been corrupted in your Hearts and polluted in your Minds and from the highest of you to the lowest you are found Transgressors against God even from the Professor to the Prophane the Lord hath found no good Fruit amongst you well-pleasing to him but four Grapes and bitter Fruit have you brought forth even Fruit of a bad Taste and loathsom Smell unto the Lord and now the Lord hath found you out in your Wickedness and the Cry of your Iniquities call for Vengeance for of you it may be said Ah Nation laden with Iniquity ab sinful People a seed of Evil doers corrupted from the crown of the Head to the sole of the Foot These things are so and they cannot be hid But now the Lord's Purpose is to deal with thee because of thy sins seeing he is provoked against this People by their Iniquities who have been disobedient to the Living God therefore will he renew his Judgments of old and with-draw his Mercies and he will plead with this People in his Justice his Judgments are at the door and he will punish the Stout-hearted and Proud and Arrogant till they learn Meekness and Humility He will correct the Transgressors with his Rod of heavy Wrath till they turn to him by Repentance and all that will not how and kiss the Son and cease from Evil and learn to do well they shall be broken and cut off and perish in his Anger and he will never heal them even the Feller will come upon thy People O Nation who will hew down thy Cedars and cut up thy strong Oaks the Fanner is coming upon thee to sift thee to preserve the good Grain and to separate the Chaff into the Fire thy Strength will be made weak and thy Crown will be trodden down and thy Beauty shall be marred and all thy Glory and Might shall fade like a Flower in that Day when the Lord of Hosts pleads with thee and when he rewards thee for thy Wickedness then Wo unto thee and unto all the Wicked and Workers of Iniquity and he will cause them to remember what they have done Thy Sins O Nation shall be set in order before thee and thy Persecution of the Lords Servants shall be charged to thy â—â—â—ount and the Rod of Affliction shall reach close unto thee because thereof And as thy Rulers have done to others so shall it be done to them into Captivity shall they go and the Spoiler shall come upon the Land for just is the Lord and his Iudgment altogether equal and though he be Long-suffering and of great Forbearance yet he forgets not to plead with his Enemies and to Plague the Ungodly nor to shew Mercy to them that trust in him And doubtless there is a Cup of Wrath prepared for the Wicked to drink and it seemeth to be near even a Day of great Wrath and Tribulation upon Sinners and Transgressors who have rejected the Lord and despised his Reproofs and would not receive the Message of the Light of the World that they might be healed Wherefore Repent Repent all sorts of People all Sinners and Transgressors Tremble before the Lord ye Stout-hearted and Rebellious Children Wo unto ye unjust Rulers and Judges that have exercised unjust Judgment in the Land that have judged for Gifts and Rewards and that have turned aside just Judgment Mercy and Truth and that have persecuted the Innocent without just Cause Wo unto you that have been Oppressors of the Poor and Needy ye that have not judged for the Lord as ye ought to have done but have been Ambitious and Vain-glorious and puffed up in the Flesh by high Titles and Places of Honour Ye that have exalted your selves above your Brethren and sought Honour of Men and loved the Honour of this World morâ— than the Honour of God Wo unto you for the Day of the Lord's Judgment is at hand and an Account of your Stewardship must you give Ye that should have judged in Mercy and Truth and Equity but have perverted just Judgment and made the Innocent Offenders and have not been a Praise to them that do well nor a Terror to Evil-doers as ye ought to have been Wo unto you and to the Oppressing and Flashearted Lawyers and that Train who have been greedy of Gain and served your own Ends and sought Riches to your selves and the Cause of the Poor hath not been freely pleaded by you Wo unto all ye that have made a Trade of doing Judgment and Justice and have been exercised in the Law for your own Ends and not singly for the Lord. Tremble ye Sons of Wickedness ye that have exercised the Power of Antichrist and the Beast for the Judgments of the Lord are at hand to be executed upon you Wo unto you Great and Rich Men ye Covetous and Earthly Worldlings â—e that have made your selves Rich by Oppression and Grinding the Faces of the Poor that have got Gain by Hard-dealing and added Land to Land and Field to Field and that have over-reached the Ignorant and oppressed the Widdows and Fatherless and that have exercised Cruelty and Hard-dealing to your Tenants and Servants and have laid heavy Yoaks upon such with whom you have dealt and that have made your selves Great and Rich in the Earth by such means Wo unto you Misery is coming upon you Weep and Howlye Earthly Greedy Covetous Wretches of this World who have sought Riches more than the Lord and gotten Gain by Oppression
Minds of Men and Unsettlement in their spirits and the Foundation of a happy Government is not yet discovered unto many nor do the People walk in the way of Peace but Iniquity is abounding Oppression and Cruelty yet lives Hard-heartedness and Envy Pride and Ambition are not yet cut down neither in all the Governours nor in the Governed and this is not the way of Peace and true Settlement but it is the way of Troubles and Distractions and the very Foundation of great Distractions and Wars rather than of Settlement and happy Government These things are so and therefore true Peace and settlement in good Agreement who can expect because the ground of Distractions and unsettlement is continued and increased rather than abated and removed amongst 〈◊〉 and the true Foundation of Peace and settlement in happy Government is not yet raised up amongst men but because Injustice and Oppressiâ—â— are continued therefore will God be provoked to bring Distractions Wars and Tribulations upon the Kingdoms of all the World and God will â—â—â—found and dash in pieces Powers Authorities Rulers Nations and Peoples and he will break one Potsherd against another and overthrow one Mountain against another and the Hands of cruel Men will God suffer to devour one another and ambitious and malicious Hearts shall be suffered to finish one anothers ends because of their own wickedness and therefore be not deceived Blessedness in the Kingdoms of this World can never be except Iniquity and Transgression be departed from except Oppession and Hard-heartedness dye and except the Foundation of War and Strife be removed and the Foundation of Peace and happy Government be raised up amongâ—â— Men. Again True Peace and settlement in good Government can never be except the Lord alone be owned as Judge and Law-giver and his righteous Laws to be executed in the Earth that Justice and true Judgement may flow down and all the contrary may be stopped and limtted by the just Laws of God and all unjust and unequal Laws made and established in the Ignorancâ— of Men which have not been justly according to the Law of God nor depended thereupon such Laws must also be made void judged and cast out and the Law of God must enter This must be accomplished if ever true settlement in a pappy Peace be amongst us the Laws must be changed the unjust and unequal cast out and just and equal Laws brought in for because hereof while unjust and unequal Laws have been executed in Judgement therefore have we wanted settlement and peace in a happy Government and the cortrary hath been and will continue till all unjust unequal and oppressive Laws be discontinued Again If ever true peace and settlement in a happy Government be amongst men Governours Rulers and Executioners of the Law must be just Persons and righteous Men Men that fear God and hate Covetousness and that depart from every evil way and all ambitious self-seeking and unjust Men must be cast out even all they that have sought themselves and not the Lord in their places of Trust such as have perverted Justice and true Judgement for their own corrupted Ends and such as have been cruel and hard-hearted Oppressors all such as these must be cast out and the Law must not be committed to such to execute neither must such sit in judgement over the People for because hereof and while such men have ruled and governed and executed the Laws no true settlement in a just Government but the contrary hath been even Destractions anâ— Tribulations and while such men do continue to rule and judge and execute the Laws in any part of the World we shall never have a happy Government nor settlement in it in this World nor till just men that have the Spirit of God and sound judgement that are humble and meek patient and merciful and such as fear the Lord and walk in his Wayes be called to rule and judge and execute the Laws and the Laws must be just and holy and the Executioners of them equal and upright men Till these things be accomplished a happy settlement in this Worlds Kingdoms can never be but God will dash one Mountain against another and throw one Hill upon another and he will give no Peace among the Kings of the Earth but stain the glory of all the Worlds Governments till Truth and Righteousness come to reign and till just Laws be executed by just Men and till Mâ—rcy and Justice Truth and Equity flow forth abundantly Therefore all Nations you have been deceived while you have turned up and down from one way and manner and kind of Government to another and from one sort of Governmten to others sometimes you have been for a Parliament sometime for a Protector and sometime for neither from each of these to others you have changed thinking to have peace and settlement in a happy Government but it could not be for there are continuâ—l Distractions untill this day in the minds of Mâ—n and they are yet unsettled in their spirits and there are Heart-burnings and â—nvyings and seeking of Revenge and while these things are nothing but Distractions and Tribulâ—tions not Peace but Troubles even till these things be removed And till â—e have just and equal Laws according to the Law of God established over 〈◊〉 and just and holy and Righteous Men to execute them in Judgement â—pon us and till we have Truth and Righteousness sit on the Throne until this be no true Settlement in a happy Government but Distractions and Contentions and woful Tribulations in the Kingdoms of the World and amongst men and this is certain and according unto the Will of the Loâ—d and in the justness of his Judgement these things come to pass for it is Injustice and Oppressions and want of Mercy and Truth which is the Foundation of Contentions and Distractions and it is Justice and Equity Truth and Righteousness that is the only Foundation of Peace and Settlement and a happy Government for a Perpetual continuance To all False Christians THere are many false wayes in the World and many false kinds of Religions and People are in much disagreement about their Church Worship and Ministry Papists are opposing the Protestants and the Protestants the â—â—pists and there is a great contention in the World But the Papists are in a wrong way and so are the Protestants too and their Religions are both false in many things for whilst they profess Christ and Christianity and make a shew of Righteousness in outward appearance yet many of them live in sinful wayes and bring forth the fruits of Iniquity against the living God and Pride Cheating and Double-dealing Covetousness and Envy Drunkenness and Whoredom and all Wickedness is abounding and brought forth both by the Apostate Christians though they cry up the Name of Christ and the Profession of Godliness yet are they wicked in the sight of God and they are not changed in heart and mind nor do they know the
suppose impossible things to manifest the truth of our Principle our Principle is not to be insolent tyrannical nor to be Usurpers over God's People to enslave but far the contrary even that Justice Mercy and Truth may sit in the Throne and that Peace and freedom may be held forth unto all that no Usurpers nor Tyrants but Iust Men and men that fear God and hate Covetousness and every evil Way that such alone may sit in Judgment whom God calleth to that Place who will rule in Righteousness and Justice and regard the Cause of the Poor and Needy we would that such onely ruled who were ruled by the Lord who would be a Blessing in the World and to all People not desiring more Liberty to our selves than what we would give unto all others in all just Ways This is our Principle as to matters of outward Authority among men and not as this false Accuser hath suggested out of his evil Heart 6. As to the matter of your suppressing us which your Applauder saith you have been instrumental to do This is as false as the rest for we are no more suppressed than before you exercised your present Authority but are every way in as much liberty of Persons and otherwise as in their dayes before yours and are no way suppressed nor fearful of it So the Author of such Lyes hath but flattered you and fawned upon you in telling you ye have suppressed us whenas its nothing so but and if it had been in your hearts or be at this day to suppress us and to hinder us of our Liberties and to persecute us the Lord shall plead our Cause against you and give no success unto your Work but it shall be turned to our Renown and to your Overthrow and the secret hand of God shall confound you and break your Purposes and deliver his People out of your Mouthes Thus it shall come to pass ifthat your Hand sshould be stretched forth to hurt us who are Gods Heritage and the Sheep of his Fold And thus much in answer to his Epistle Now I come to a second Accusâ—tion of his stated in his first page in these words We may see from whence Anabaptists Quakers Ranters and Levellers all had their Original namely from the Papists c. Answ. 1. As for the Anabaptists Ranters and Levellers I leave them to plead their own Cause and though we are accused with such yet there is much difference in Iudgment and Practice between us and them though I believe they are all further from Popery both in Iudgment and Practice than is this Accuser of them but yet they shall answer for themselves and I shall onely mind the matter I have in hand which is to clear the People of God called Quakers from the Accusations charged falsly against them whom I know to be innocent from these false Accusations 2. That we did arise from the Papists or that they are our Original in Dâ—ctrine Faith or Practice this is utterly false for between us and them is perfect separation and we are of another spirit and divided from them as appears every way even by their persecuting of us for our Testimony bearing against them and their Religion and they have written against us and we against them divers Controversies and they have imprisoned divers of our Friends in their Dominions for giving Testimony against their Wayes by all which it doth appear that we are not of the Papists line nor arisen from them for if we were of Them they would love Us and not persecute Us and that herein we are falsly accused as in other Things And this is an old out-dated Accusation and is of no Account for now we are otherwise known through these Kingdoms and we are manifest to the Consciences of men in the sight of God to be such as fear the Lord and walk in his ways 3. And as for our Original It is the Lord God alone that hath raised us up and planted us a People that were not a People in times past and not from the Apostate Christians neither of Papists nor Protestants so called are we sprung but are of the Apostles Line and of the Stock and Race of the true Christians that believe in Christ and follow him and in every part of our Religion both in Faith and Practice and in Conversation we are agreeing with the holy Apostles being witnessed unto by the Scriptures in all that we profess and Practice and the Lord hath raised us up out of the Apostacy into which all Christendom hath been fallen since the Apostles dayes whilest Antichrist hath reigned over the World and we are as the first Fruits unto God and to the Lamb since the fâ—lling away from the true Faith and Truth and Righteousness is our Original and Christ Jesus it our Foundation on whom we are builded and the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against us and this Testinony the Spirit of God giveth for us and in us in contradiction of the false Accusations of all our Enemies 4. And if it be an offence to be risen from the Papists and if all that be evil which they are the Original of then the Protestants so called are in the Offence and their Ministry and the chief part of their Church-Government Worship and Ordinances are evil for did not the Protestants spring from the Papists and did not the Papists institute the Way by which the Protestants Ministers at Schools and Colledges And was it not they that first Instiuted sprinkling of Infants and calling it Baptism into the Faith and into the Church And was it not the Papists that first taught the Protestants to keep holy dayes as Christmass and Candlemass so called and many other particular things relating to the Protestant Church Ministry and Worship were originally ordained and first practiced by the Church of Rome and Papists and so while this false Accuser is charging others himself and the men of his Way are found guilty of the same things and the Papists may justly say to the Protestants that they are false hearted to them in denying of them and their Church when as their Fathers were the Instituters of the principal parts of the Protestants Worship and Ordinances and so they like unnatural Children have denyed their Mother that bred them up and ordained them a way of making Ministers and maintaining them and many other parts of their Religion But because she hath not been the National Interest for these many years therefore the Church of the Protestants have denyed the Church of Rome though originally they rose out from them The next thing in his Book I take notice of is where he seemeth to charge us with boasting that we talk with God and God with us and have Revelations and as if God commanded them to kill all the Wicked and to make a new World a Sect in Saxony saith the Accuser arose that held this and the Quakers now are like them which is as much as
am confident That the King hath better Experience of us than to believe these our Malicious Accusars And I do appeal to him from the knowledge which he hath already of us that he believes we are Innocent and not guilty of those things thus unjustly charged upon us and I question not but he will rightly understand that these Accusations are more out of Hatred and Envy against us than out of desire to benefit the King by such Presentation 2. I do testifie unto the King and before the whole World That we do profess and believe concerning the Father Son and Spirit and the Lord Jesus Christ and the Blessed Gospel and the Holy Scriptures I say we do believe and make prefession in Truth and Righteousness concerning all these things and by our Doctrines and Instructions do perswade all people to believe and not seduce any from these Truths of the Gospel and this is known through these Kingdoms concerning us though we stand now accused falsly concerning these Matters before the King But as for the Scriptures being the Rule of Life we say The Spirit of God that gave forth the Scriptures is the Rule of Life Faith unto the Saints and leads not contrary but according unto the Scriptures in the Belief and Practice of whatsoever the Scripture saith And if these Petitioners did make the Scriptures the Rule of their Lives and Practices for the denyal of which they here accuse us they would not have cut off Ears Banished and put to Death for the Cause of Conscience which is contrary to the Scriptures and proceeded from another spirit than that which gave forth the Scriptures 3. Concerning Government our Principles and Practices are well known to many and partly to the King We are not Enemies unto Government it self as these our Accusers do charge us but it is our Principle and hath ever been and is our Practice to be subject to whatsoever Government is set up over us either by doing or suffering and neither to vilifie nor rebel against any Government or Governours by any Malicious Plots or Contrivances but to walk in Meekness and Humility towards all being subject for Conscience sake as I have said either by doing or suffering and I doubt not but the KING is sufficiently informed hereof and believeth this Testimony 4. As for our Doctrines tending to subvert both Church and State this is also a false Accusation and Slander for our Doctrines are to convert and not to subvert even to convert to God and Truth and Righteousness that men should live in these things and forsake all that which is contrary and this Effect our Doctrines have wrought in the World as the Testimony of many Consciences shall bear witness Oh let the King consider of our Defence as well as of our Enemy's Charge who have thought it not enough to Whip most cruelly Banish cut Ears and put to Death the Innocent but must still accuse them â—alsly and seek to cover themselves by fawning and flattering Addresses unto the King like as if they had done no Evil whenas the God or Heaven is Witness to whom we can appeal That our Brethren suffered the Tortures of shameful Death in New-England through their unjust Laws and Sentences as Saints and Servants of the Living God for the Name of Christ Jesus and for his Truth which they held until Death and not for Evil-doing And the Executioners of these inhumane Cruelties seem so far from Repentance for their Evil doing that they rather justifie themselves in what they have done and cease not to smite and wound and reproach the Innocent and that before the King and that after they have Martyred them Again These Petitioners say After all other means for a long time used in vain we were at last constrained for our own safety say they to pass a Sentence of Banishment against them upon Pain of Death such was their Dangerous Impetuous and Desperate Turbulency to Religion and to the State Civil and Ecclesiâ—stical as that 〈◊〉 unwilling soever could it have been avoided the Magistrate at least in Conscience both to God and man judged himself called for the Defence of all to keep the Passage with the Point of the Sword held towards them this could do no harm say they to them that would be warned thereby their willing rushing themselves thereupon was their own act and we with all humility conceive a Crime bringing their Blood upon their own Heads By way of Answer to this let it be considered 1. What Means was for a long time used before they put them to Death is shameful to mention Was it not by the means of Cruel Whippings Banishment Imprisonment Cutting off Ears and taking their Goods by Violence It s true by this Means the Petitioners dealt with the Quakers and never by any Christian like Means for the very first of our Friends that ever came among them they made them Prisoners ere they came on shore and inhumanely dealt with them and Banished them and this was the first and fairest Means that ever was used by them which are not Gospel-Means nor the Way by which the Church of New-England ought to have proceeded Had our Friends been in Error and such as they say of them it had been their Duty to have gained them by Love by Mercy and by Long-suffering these are the Weapons of the Spirit of God which ought to be us'd towards them that are in Error in order to the converting of them from the Error but contrary to this the Magistrates and Church-Members of New-England took Cain's Weapons and dealt Cruelly and not like Christians nor like sober Men towards the Innocent but their thus proceeding was in vain as themselves acknowledge for notwithstanding the Gospel of Christ grew and encreased and many were converted to the Faith of Christ Jesus throughout New-England 2. Let it be considered what their dangerous and desperate Turbulency was to States Civil and Ecclesiastical Did ever these poor People whom they condemned and put to shameful death lift up a Hand against them or appear in any Turbulent Gesture towards them Were they ever found with any Carnal Weapon about them or What was their Crime saving that they warned Sinners to Repent and the Ungodly to turn from his way We appeal to the God of Heaven on their behalf whom they have Martyred for the Name of Christ That they had no other Offence to charge upon them saving their Conversations Doctrines and Practices as Saints of the Most High God and this is witness'd by many of their Neighbours though themselves have hardened their Hearts against the Reproof of God's Witness And we certainly believe it was their Malice and Envy that constrained them to pass Sentence of Death upon them and not the Equity of either just Law of God or man for they deserved not the merit of Death such was the Innocency of their Cause And they are no more safe by the taking away the Lives of our
it hath been in my Heart divers times to declare the Substance of these things unto you but at last I have chosen to write my Mind to present to you concerning the Matters very needful for you to be informed in and it is for your sakes as well as theirs that I have done it that you may not run on to act any thing against them upon Suspitions and Accusations of others without hearing our Defence and therefore it is for the avoiding and stopping of Persecution in the Land for this Cause have I taken in hand Submissively and not Presumptiously to state this Plea before you and I must leave it to your Considerations and cannot impose my Faith upon you to believe as I believe but having laid the Truth before you I shall leave it to the Lord to work Faith and Love and Iustice Mercy and all good things in your Hearts that you may bring them forth in the Exercise of them in the World London the 10th day of the second Moneth 1661. I am a Lover of Justice and Mercy Truth and Righteousness E. B. A Just and Righteous PLEA presented unto the KING of England and his COUNCIL c. CHAP. 1. The Case Stated and Pleaded concerning Swearing at all and particularly concerning the Oath of Allegiance 1. WE do acknowledge our selves to be free-born People of this Kingdom of England the Land of our Nativity and we do assert That we have just and lawful Right and Title as such to possess and enjoy our Lives Liberties and Estates both by the Laws of God and Man having never unto this day since we were a People forfeited our Birth-right as men by any Rebellion Sedition Contempt or otherwise but have alwayes been and are a People exercised in the Law of our God by walking justly towards all men and doing to others as we would be done unto and have been and are a Peaceable People under every Government and Authority that hath been over us since the Lord raised us up And I do hereby declare That we now are and shall be Faithful Innocent and Peaceable in our several Stations and Conditions under this present Government of King Charles the second whom we acknowledge supream Magistrate and Governour over this Kingdom and for Conscience sake we are obedient and submissive to him as such in all his Commands either by doing and performing of what he justly requireth or by patient suffering under whatsoever is inflicted upon us in the Matters for which we cannot be obedient for Conscience sake when any thing is required of us different from the just Law of God And to this Subjection to the King and his Government we are bound by the Law of Righteousness and such hath ever been our Principle and Practice and is unto this day even to be Quiet and Peaceable and Patient under every Authority that is set over us and not in Unrighteousness to Plot or Contrive or Rebel against any Government or Governours nor to seek our own Deliverance from Injustice and Oppression in such a way And we are perswaded to seek the Preservation of the King's Person and Authority by all just and lawful Means and not to Rebel against him with carnal Weapons and so far as his Government is in Justice Mercy and Righteousness we declare true and Faithful Subjection and Obedience thereunto and wherein it is otherwise we shall be subject by patient suffering what is unequally imposed upon us and yet not Rebel in any Turbulent way of Conspiracies and Insurrections For our Principles are not for War but for Peace with all men so much as in us lie neither may we render Evil for Evil to any but are to be subject to the King and his Government Actively or Passively upon the Conditions aforementioned And we renounce all Forreign Authority Power and Jurisdiction of the Pope or any else from having any Supremacy whatsoever over the King oâ— any the good Subjects of England And this we Declare Acknowledge and Testifie in the Fear and Presence of God to whom we and all Mankind must give an Account and that without secret Equivocation or any deceitful mental Reservation 2. But as for all Oaths and Swearing we utterly deny for Conscience sake towards God because Christ Jesus hath commanded Not to Swear at all Mat. 5. And the Apostle saith Above all things my Brethren Swear not Jam. 5. And it was the Principle and Practice of divers holy Martyrs even some of the Protestant Church since the Apostles dayes in all Ages Not to Swear at all in any Case so for Conscience sake and according to the Example of Saints in former Ages we do refuse to Swear in this Case of Allegiance to the King and in all other Cases whatsoever and we cannot Swear at all Though the Truth and Verity of all Things in all Cases so far as known to us and as Occasion requireth we can acknowledge and testifie with Yea and Nay as in the Fear and Presence of God and with true Intent and Meaning to discover the Truth as is needful to be known And in this manner we acknowledge just Allegiance to the King and his Government that we shall live Peaceably and not Plot nor Rebel against him according to the Law of God and a safe Conscience but without any Oath or Swearing at all for we may not break the Command of Christ nor walk contrary to the Example of the Apostles and Saints by Swearing though we suffer the Loss of all because thereof And it is our known Principle and Practice ever since we were a People that in no Case whatsoever though of great Dependancy oft times to our selves both in respect of Advantage to us and also in avoiding of Sufferings we have not taken any Oath nor Sworn at all whereby it is manifest that our refusing chiefly to take the Oath of Allegiance is not because it is that Oath but because it is an Oath and for Conscience sake we cannot Swear at all 3. And thus the state of our present Case about this Oath of Allegiance is different from some others from all such who can swear and take Oaths in other Cases to whom taking of an Oath in it self is not matter of Conscience but as for us we make Conscience of an Oath in it self and that upon just Ground as we are able to demonstrate and therefore our Refusal of this Oath of Allegiance gives no Ground at all of Doubt or Suspition concerning us as if we would not live peaceably and quietly under this Government or as if we would Rebel against or Plot to destroy the King's Person or Authority and so deny to take this Oath as if we would leave our selves clear to proceed in such wayes this Judgment cannot justly be given of us because we deny to Swear at all in all Cases which if it were not so but that we could Swear in other Cases and not in this then we might justly be the more suspected
because of our Bondage and strive for Liberty and also if we were men of disposions to war and plot c. it cannot be supposed by reasonable men that any Engagement by any Sum of Money would bind us from it upon occasion seeing we might hope in such attempts to save our Sums of Money and to gain far more advantage or else we hazarded to loose all and to gain a greater advantage if we were men of strife we would not doubt to attempt to lose a less and we being not men of strife we cannot bind our selves as aforesaid in this or any case neither can any in good reason desire the same of us if they rightly consider the case 3. These things considered it is fully manifest That upon good Reason and a clear Conscience we do refuse and deny to give Bond and make such and such Engagements by Forfeitures of Sums of Money it is I say In good Reason and Conscience and not in any wilfulness or stubbornness or contempt of Authority that we do it nor as though we were guilty in such matter suspected and durst not answer the Law but we do it to keep our Innocency clear and not to betray it into real cause of doubt that we are guilty 2. That we may not lay ourselves liable to a greater Suffering by answering false Suspitions and Accusations as it often happeneth in the Proceedings in course of Law 3. That we may not come under men of evil prejudiced minds that seek more occasion against us than they have and we may not fulfil their wills and to give them occasion against us when as in the Accusations they have justly none 4. That we may not expose our selves to be intrapped and ensnared into greater Sufferings to avoid a less 5. That we may walk in the Doctrine and Command of Christ Iesus who hath commanded to let our Yea be Yea and our Nay be Nay and whatsoever Oath or Engagement out of the Counsel of God is more cometh of Evil which we may not do These with some others are the Reasons and Causes why we cannot for Conscience sake bind our selves in such kind of Formal Engagements out of the Will of God to do or not to do to answer this false Suspition or the other but we do deny it out of good Reason and Conscience And also there is no Example for it that we know among the Saints in former Ages that any of them ever bound themselves to any Kings or Rulers in any such kind of Engagements neither can we at this day but as I said If we Transgress the Law let us suffer by it if we are already or hereafter be found guilty we desire nothing but the just Execution of Iust Laws and in Patience we shall bear it but before-hand we may not bind our selves in Formal Engagements out of the Will of God to promise upon Forfeitures and Penalties what we will do or say or what we will not do or say for at the Will and Disposure of the Almighty we are in all Things and Cases and it is our Principle and Belief That we abiding in the Fear and Counsel of God can be no â—ther than Peaceable Just Righteous and Innocent in the Land So that whatsoever we may do or suffer for this Case of denying to give Bond or Engage our selves so and so as aforesaid it is for Truth 's sake and such our Sufferings are Persecution and Unequal and we must commit our Cause to God who will plead it in his season if that we are persecuted for the Cause of groundless Suspition and because we cannot Engage to answer causless Objections And thus I have sought out this matter and laid it before the King and I leave it to him to consider and to shew Justice Equity Mercy and Long-suffering and in so doing he will be blessed but if the cortrary be brought forth the Effect thereof will be more miserable CHAP. V. The Case stated and pleaded concerning Government it self and particularly of this present Authority and our Obedience to it 1. WE do acknowledg Government and Rule and Magistracy to be an Ordinance of God ordained and instituted of him to be exercised among the Children of Men For to be a Praise and a Defence to all that do well and to be a Terror and Corrector to all that do Evil. And we believe there ought to be Rule and Government and Authority exercised and executed in every Kingdom Nation City and Country for the end aforesaid to wit That Evil-doers may be made afraid and corrected limitted restrained and subdued and that Sin and Transgression may be suppressed and Truth and Righteousness promoted and them that do Well praised and strengthened And this is the very end of outward Government of Kings Princes or other amongst Men upon the Earth even that the outward Man may be kept in good order and subjection in his Conversation in the World and may be limitted and restrained from all wrong doing oâ— speaking against his Neighbours Person or Estate and if he do he is punishable by such Iust Authority This is the very end of outward Government in the Kingdoms of the World but it extends not over the Inward Man to rule govern or exercise Authority over the Consciences of any in spiritual Matters and Cases between God and Man's Conscience This Dominion and Authority only partains to the Inward Government and Rule of Jesus Christ by his Eternal Spirit but not to any Outward Government of Kings Princes Parliaments or any others They I say ought only to exercise Authority over the Persons and Estates of People in all just and lawful Things and Matters but not over the Consciences of any in the exercise of Duty towards God or in the Cases and Matters of Worship and Religion 2. The Exercise and Execution of this Iust Government over the outward Man as afore described ought to be committed into the Hands of faithful just and upright men such as fear the Lord and hate Covetousness and every evil Way in all Kingdoms of the World The Execution of the Government in all just Laws ought I say to be committed to such men and not to Drunkards Lyars Covetous or Evil-minded Persons Ambitious or Vain glorious Persons in any Nation such as these ought not to be entrusted with the Execution of the Government and the good Laws of any Kingdom for such will not be a Blessing unto the Land nor unto any People but a Curse and the cause of provoking God to Vengeance and Wrath against themselves the People and the Government if such men whom God chooseth not be chosen to make Laws and execute them and to exercise Governments in any Kingdoms of this World But Men that fear God and delight in Iustice Mercy and Truth that are humble and meek and lowly Persons ought to be called to the place of Government and only such are fit to exercise Rule and Authority and to make and
the Church of ROME who are in the said Book Villified and Reproached by the Name and Term of Antient Phanaticks And this is sent forth as an Answer thereunto to Pursue it Apprehend it and Condemn it as a Pamphlet of Calumnies and Slanders against the Protestants both of former and present Dayes who are all of them Scorned in the said Book the one as Ancient the other as Modern PHANATICKS Which is sent abroad as a Warning to ENGLAND to beware of the spirit of the Church of ROME lest it Exalt it self in Cruel Persecution against the PROTESTANTS and all that differ from it HOW Great and Miserable hath been that Darkness and Ignorance which hath over-spread the Nations and Kingdoms of the World since the Apostles dayes And how manifold is that Error into which many have been fallen even as into a Snare of Destruction And how woful is that Strife Division and Contention about Religion that hath highly abounded among the Christian People so called For the whole Christendom have been divided and in Opposition one part against another about the True God and his Worship and concerning the knowledge of Salvation by Jesus Christ And divers kinds of Religion Church-Government and Practices of Ordinances of Faith Worship have been extant in the World and Nations Countries have been all in Division Strife and Contention about these Matters and have been also persecuting one another violently unto Bonds and Death for and because difference in Judgment and Practices concerning Spiritual Things Papists against Protestants and Protestants against Papists and one sort of Christians so called against another and the men of such a Judgment and Faiâ—â— and Way of Religion have been persecuting and seeking to destroy all that have been contrary minded to them And thus have been the woful Divisions and evil Effects thereof in the World among Christians about Faith and Worship and Religious matters this has come to pass because of the spirit of Error Darkness that hath possessed the minds of men since the falling away from the Truth as it was once manifest among the Apostles And thus it s come to pass because of the erring from the Spirit of God and because that hath been wanting amongst men therefore have People been divers and divided about Matters of Religion each one sort following their own Invention and Traditions of men and also persecuting one another and killing and imprisoning one another because of the same and all this because the Spirit of Truth hath not dwelt in the Hearts of Christians as it did in the Apostles not led guided and taught them in true Unity and Fellowship as it did the true Christians in the dayes of old And while the Spirit of Christ hath been wanting and is not received into the Heart to mortifie guide rule and teach in all the Wayes of God and the whole exercise of Religion and Duty towards Him and while there is any kind of imposing and forceing of Religion by Laws of men upon Penalties and Forfeitures and setting up Worship and Church Government by that means and in that way without the immâ—… Teaching of the Spirit of Christ in the Conscience I say while this hath been and is continued nothing but Division Strife Contention Persecution and Nations and Peoples destroying one another about Religion hath been is or can be in the World amongst Christians And of this same to wit of Division and Contention about Religion with the Enmity of such as are so divided one against another to the persecuting and killing one of another that are contrary minded as it hath been brought forth in the World for Generations past we have here a sufficient large Testimony lately published in a Book called Semper Iidem or A Paralel of Phanaticks c. wherein is made mention of what Strife and Contention there hath been in former dayes among the false Christians and how they have cruelly Persecuted Burned and Destroyed one another in this Cause only for and because of the difference in Maters of Judgment and Religious Things and these Persecutions and Cruelties effected contrary to the Example of Christ and his Doctrine who hath exhorted to Love and Peace and not to Kill and Destroy and that a man should love his Enemies and not Kill and Destroy them contrary to which Doctrine the false Christians of all kinds have walked and acted since the dayes of the Apoâ—… who have been Apostatized and fallen from the very Life and Power of Godliness as held amongst the primitive Saints into Forms and empty Shadows being all in strife one with another about such things and have wanted the Spirit of Christ which should have led and guided into all Truth and exercised them in the true Worship of the true and living God who is a Spirit and is only truly worshipped in Spirit and in Truth but out of this Spirit and spiritual Worship the false Christians have been erred and so all divided and in Centention aâ— aforesaid and persecuting one another because thereof each one sort justifying their own Way 〈◊〉 Right and condemning that which hath differed as the Wrong and all as Hereticks that have been otherwise minded But as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Book Semper Iidem c. I would gladly animadâ—… 〈◊〉 conâ—…ing it and do intend to write a few things by way of anâ—â—er thereunto and this is the present Occasion of my present work for having met with the said Pamphlet and perusing of it I found divers Considerations on my spirit to send forth in Answer to pursue the said Semper Iidem up and down the World till it returns again unto the place from whence it came to wit Unto the bottomless Pit out of which it lately arose and in reading the same Book I have principally observed the Mischievout End and secret Evil Intents of the Nameless Author more than the Matter it self contained and though the Author be Nameless yet is his nature and spirit known by his Book and for what end he hath concealed his Name I know not except he was ashamed of his Work and durst not Authorize his Matter by his Name but however the spirit end and intent of the said Nameless Person is perceived and known as much as any Tree can be distinguished by its Fruit and he is of an Envious Disposition of Heart and of Malicious Countenance and in nature and stock of the descent of Cain for his spirit is of an evil constitution hot and fiery and enclinable to destroy all that are not like-minded with himself in the Iudgment of Religious Matters and his proceedings and the end of his work is of an Intent and Purpose wicked enough if every Effect answers the Cause appearing and be not diverted from the End proposed by the Author and this I find by Calculation of his Birth and the Temper of his spirit and of the Time wherein his Book is published and by the Cause and End and Intent of the
One to such and such kind of Persons whom they name Clergy-men as if they knew all Religion and might only Preach and all besides themselves might be in Ignorance and know nothing nor can be fit to speak of the Matters of God's Kingdom which is contrary to the Scriptures and Example of Saints in former Ages As for the 13th and 14th Doctrines about Baptism of Infants I have spoken somewhat to it in my Answer to the fourth Doctrine so here I pass them Then Semper Iidem goes on and saith Who sees not among these the principal Tenets of our Anabaptists Fifth-Monarchy-Men Levellers and Quakers c Answ. As for the Anabaptists Fifth-monarchy-men and Levellers so called I shall not now plead their Cause but shall leave it to themselves to do it against Semper Iidem neither shall I condemn them with him or justifie them against him But as for the Quakers so called I have a few word to plead for them against their Adversaries though I shall be brief at this time They are neither Rebellious Seditious Hereticks nor Phanaticks though accused at this time of these things and accounted by the Author of Semper Iidem as such though neither he nor any of their false and envious Accusers that have ever risen against them can prove any such matter nor ought against them saving That they are an Innocent and Harmless People towards all people and though Sufferers by Injustice and Cruel Imprisonments under all Authorities yet not Rebellious nor Seditions against any but Peaceable and Quiet under all this is their Practice since they were a People And as for their Principles of Faith and Worship and Doctrine and Religion they are according to the Scriptures and Example of the Saints in former Ages and not ever yet convicted by any either Protestants or Papists of Error False Iudgment or Heresie though all manner of Evil hath been spoken against them in that Case yet never to this day truly detected or reprehended concerning the same And they desire no better way to be made manifest in their Doctrines and to be approved or disproved therein through the World than to have free Egress and Regress among the Papists and Protestants and all others in the Way of sober Arguments and Disputations and Reasoning out the Truth of what they hold and profess and if they can possibly be convicted that their Way and Doctrines and Religion are not found Verities but Errors then it is time to forsake them But all the Persecution that is already or can be acted upon them will never make them change their Minds till Death nor renounce the things which the Spirit of God in their own Hearts doth bear witness to the truth of And therefore let the Church of Rome lay down her Cruel Weapons of Persecution by Burning and Destroying of such as differ from them in Religion and let her admit of Disputations and sound Arguments to uphold her self thereby if she be able and to Confute and Convince such as are contrary minded to her even the Quakers so called if she can and let her cease her Fire and Faggot and Inquisition-Disputation of Murders and Cruel Tortures against such whom she calls Hereticks and let her appear in the soundest Arguments of Reason and Scripture and Antiquity that she can adorn her self withal and the Quakers so called will not doubt nor fear to advance towards her and meet her and answer her in the same for the true and legal Tryal of both that all the World may see and understand the difference between these two and whether the Papists Religion or the Quakers Religion is of more Reason Verity and Antiquity and the Quakers are willing to try this Case with the Papists engaging upon the adventure of certain Proof or Disproof of their Religion in the view of the whole World And this is the most I shall say at present on their behalf and in the mean time till this be performed let the Church of Rome and all her Members cease to persecute and accuse such whom they know not but by the Evil Reports of others and the Tenets and Principles of the Quakers so called will be justified where the false Christians cannot stand nor appear in Judgment Then Page 7. The Author of Semper Iidem complains of some Phanaticks as he calls them that nick-name what they dislike saith he They call the Church a Steeple-House the Surplice a Rag of Popery the Organs Grumbling-Pipes c. Answ. As for the True Church it is in God 1 Thes. 1. The People of God that are regenerated and sanctified wheresoever come together are the true Church of Christ for the Church was in Aquilla's House as it is written So that it is the People that are the Members of Christ the true Church and not the House or Place wherein they assemble at any time And as for calling the publick Meeting Places which some call Churches Steeple-Houses this is no Error for the Form Fashion and Service of the Place prove it to be so A great House made of Wood and Stone and a Steeple with Bells in it erected at the End of the House may properly be called a Steeple-House without Error and cannot at all be called a Church but in Error And as for the Surplice which the Priests put on this is without Question an Invention of the Church of Rome because there is no such thing in the New Testament nor was there any Surplices worn by any of the Ministers of Christ in the Apostles dayes but is an Invention introduced into the World by the Church of Rome and so is and may be called A Piece or Rag if you will of Popery And as for Organs and the Practice of them as held forth for the Worship of God there was no such thing among the Apostles neither did the Saints of the Primitive Church hold forth the Worship of God by playing on the Organs but the true spiritual Gospel-Worship is more heavenly and spiritual even in the Spirit and in the Truth is God worshipped as Christ said and not by outward Musick on Organs and such like but this is also an Invention of the Church of Rome since the Apostles dayes And Organs having Pipes of different sounds may be called Grumbling-Pipes without Offence Again Page 11. It is charged as a great Error in some that held It was not lawful for a Christian to take an Oath Answ. To deny all Swearing and taking of Oaths is according to the Doctrine and Command of Christ Jesus who hath said Swear not at all so it s manifest that the false Christians accuse and condemn such for Hereticks as abide in the Doctrine of Christ and keep his Commands And thus both Papists and Protestants are found in Error and Heresie themselves and breaking the Command of Christ and walking contrary to his Doctrine in Swearing and taking Oaths and condemning such as Hereticks as cannot take an Oath for Conscience sake and so
of his truth so in conversion and regeneration that many can say the Way of the Lord is so made manifest that we look not for another nor are doubtful of the Way of Eternal Life therefore be established stedfast and constant in that way not easily moved nor tossed too and frô with men nor new Doctrines nor changeable things but approve your hearts in uprightness before the Lord by being faithful to the end faithful I say to be and do according to the measure of Light and Grace and Knowledge that God hath already committed to you that ye may not offend against the Grace of God but may glorifie the Lord in your Souls and Spirits being joyned in your hearts and married to the Living God and the Lord becomes Your Husband according to the Promise but if any be of a changeable Spirit such will receive Temptations and go out of the Covenant of God and abuse the gift of God if their heart be not meek and lowly and humble and perfect in the sight of God though there may be a taste of the Love of God yet there can be no assurance of it if the heart be not aright before the Lord and faithful and constant in his Truth and therefore all must wait to receive the assurance of Eternal Life in themselves even such an assurance of Life and Peace and Joy and Comfort that there can be no departing away being established in the Heir-ship never to loose the Crown Heirs of the power of God of his Wisdom of his Righteousness inheriters and Possessors of the Eternal Life that ye may dwell in the house forever not onely as Servants but as Sons not onely as such that have tasted of the Love of God but as such as are born Heirs thereof and must inherit the same forever Now dear Friends if this were my last unto You more then this the Lord hath not to say by me and last of all in the Spirit of the Lord Jesus I charge all the Saints to be faithfull to the Principles and Doctrines which Ye have heard and received and been taught of Christ through his Gospel Oh be not inconstant and unfaithful in those Principles and Doctrines which the Spirit of God hath perswaded your Consciences of the truth of for if any are unfaithful they deny the Lord of Life before men and must be denyed of him before the Father therefore let us put on strength and courage to be faithful and constant in life or death to follow the Lamb wheresoever he goes and if we must suffer for our profession and practice of those truths which God hath perswaded our Consciences of the verity of we shall never be ashamed nor confounded before the Adversary though we gaom Tribulations Persecutions yea death it self for the Name of the Lord and his Truth yet we shall obtain the Crown of Glory which never fades away and verily all the Suffering and afflictions of this Present time are not worthy to be compared to that weight of Peace and comfort which is and shall be revealed amongst us And as concerning our Obedience to Government ever since we were a People Ye know what our Principle and Practise in that case hath been even to obey all men in all things either by doing or suffering if at any time ye are required to do any thing by any in Authority which is not agreeing but contrary to the Scriptures example of the Saints and the Spirit of Christ in your own consciences then ye are to suffer whatsoever if it be death it self rather then to obey and submit to the doing of that which is contrary to a good conscience this hath ever been our Principle and Practise since we were a People agreeing with the practise of the holy Prophets Apostles and Martyrs in all ages who rather did suffer grievous oppressions and persecutions then to obey any command of men in power by doing any thing contrary to the testimony of the Spirit of God in their own particulars let us all be like-minded this day not to do nor bend nor be in any wise contrary to the Spirit of Christ that dwels in us but rather suffer whatsoever may be imposed then to sin against that Light and knowledge of the Spirit of Christ which he hath given us but let us keep a clean heart and a pure Conscience to God-wards and therein we shall triumph over all in our inward Man though our outward man be afflicted and in this we shall have peace and comfort in God over all our Adversaries And as concerning your meetings the Lord hath given you the testimony of his Spirit in you for the verity and righteousness thereof though ye should suffer persecution for the same yet ye have the Spirit of Christ testifying in your hearts that this Way and Practise of meeting together as our practise hath been is of God and he Justifies us in the same and we have sufficient of assurance by the holy Spirit to stand faithful in that practise of assembling together to Worship God First we have the testimony of Scriptures and example of Saints in the Apostles daies to prove this practice of Meeting together The first Christians they met together in this manner and way as we do now they met in private houses and from house to house separate and apart from the Publique Synagogues and all other Sects and it is clear that we have the example of Saints and Scripture Proof for this our practise of meeting together 2. We have our own experience for these divers years how that the Spirit of the Lord hath moved our hearts to assemble together and the presence and power of the Lord Jesus Christ hath been amongst us and we have tasted of the goodness and love of the Lord being so met together how often hath the Lord met with us and his countenance shined upon us and our souls have been refreshed strengthened and comforted in this practise of meeting together these things are true and may confirm us in this practise of meeting together and to be faithful to the end 3. We have the full perswasions of the Spirit of God lively and fervent in our hearts at this moment that we ought not to neglect the Assembling of our selves together but that God requires it of us and it is his will that his People meet together to worship him in Spirit and Truth separate from all the world even in one Spirit and in the Name and power of Jesus I hope ye are all like-minded herein and that the Spirit of Christ perswades your Consciences in the Truth of that practise therefore be faithful unto God herein and sin not against the testimony of Scriptures and example of the first Christians nor against your own experience nor against the admonitions of the Servants of the Lord who are the first fruits unto God since the Apostacy and have again and again in the Name and Spirit of Christ exhorted you to meet
your Power if that I say ye oppose his Work and will seek to bind and limit his Spirit in his People and will yet force and impose upon Conscience by outward Violence and Kill and Persecute unto Death and Banishment for matter of Conscience and because of difference in Iudgement in Spiritual Things then thus it shall be done unto you Ye shall Fall and Perish and be Troubled and Blessings and Prosperity shall not be unto you If it be not thus the Lord hath not spoken by me Well Friends even all ye that have Authority and Power in the Government of this World are nearly concerned to take special notice of these things presented unto you seeing the Effects of these two Causes are both very weighty and infallibly certain even to you-wards particularly Very weighty because Peace Prosperity and Happiness or Misery Distractions and Downfall to you is depending upon the Effects of the Causes infallibly certain because the Iustice of God Almighty is such that he must bring Reward upon all according to their Deeds and his Iustice cannot be diverted But if ye permit Free Liberty of Conscience in the Exercise of Godliness in Faith and Worship unto all People under your Power then shall Peace and Prosperity be unto you according to the Purpose of God But if ye impose upon Conscience in any wise by Force in Religious Matters and will not be instructed and advised to the contrary Then shall Misery and Destruction certainly be unto you according to the Justice of God's Vengeance These things are so as a Servant of God I present them to you and not upon Fiction or Fancy but as I have received them from the Lord God by his Spirit which signifies the Verity and Certainty of those Things in my Soul Friends Doubt not of these things for verily the Time is at hand and it must surely come to pass my Spirit shall see it and rejoyce therein if in this Body I may not behold it That imposing and forcing of Conscience by Laws and Ordinances of Men upon Penalties on Mens Persons and Estates in Religious Matters shall be expunged subdued and abandoned in these Nations and Kingdoms of the World and it shall be no more But Liberty Liberty shall be Re-planted Embraced and Renowned amongst Men and Truth and Righteousness Mercy and Peace True Liberty and Freedom Justice and True Judgment with all the Causes and Effects thereof shall flourish and grow and prosper on the Earth and the contrary shall fall and rise no more This Day is dawning nigh it s at the Door Blessed are they that are prepared for it Wherefore let all Flesh Hear and Fear Bow and Tremble and let the Hearts of the Righteous rejoyce and be exceeding glad let all the Upright in Heart put on the Garment of Praises and Deliverance For the Day is at hand that Antichrist with all his Strength and Power Force and Policy shall be a Hissing and Reproach and Shame Contempt unto the Saints of the Most High and amongst whom the Lord God Omnipotent doth and must Raign and Rule in Dominion and Glory and Power over all forever and evermore E. B. London this 12th Moneth 1661. Antichrist's Government Justly Detected c. CHAP. 1. Concerning Imposing Religion the Case stated and the Unrighteousness thereof shewed with the Danger thereof also made appear by manifest Proofs Presented unto the Rulers and People of our Age throughout the World TO Impose any Kind of Religion any Way of Worship or Form of Faith and outward Conformity in any Practices of Duty to God-wards by an External Authority of men through force of Laws commanding and requiring such Conformity in Faith and Worship upon Pains Penalties and Forfeitures on mens Persons and Estates as hath been practiced in the World since the dayes of the Apostles amongst the Nations professing Christianity This thing is not of the Lord nor according to Commands of Christ and Example of the Apostles and Primitive Christians declared of in the Scriptures but is of Antichrist and Unrighteous Unequal and Dangerous to the Destruction of the Souls and Bodies of both the Imposers and the Imposed 1. Such kind of Forcing and compelling by force of outward Laws into such outward Conformity of Religion Faith and Worship Church-Government and Ministry was never in beeing nor ever practiced in the true Christian Churches amongst the Apostles in their dayes nor ever was such a thing known among the Primitive Christians There was no such kind of Laws made nor executed amongst them nor such Force exercised on mens Persons and Estates in such Cases there was no outward Violence used in the Primitive Times to compel any to Conformity to Christian Faith Worship and Practice of Christian Religion None of the first Christians were made truly Religious and converted from the Way of Error to the Way of true Christianity by such means of outward Force and Commandments of Men put upon them They were not I say converted themselves to the Christian-Faith and Religion nor made Conformable Worshippers of God in his Spirit by that Way and Means nor did they seek to convert others into Conformity to Church-Government and Christian-Worship by force of outward Laws upon Pains and Forfeitures These things were not in the true Church of Christ in the Apostles dayes amongst the Primitive Christians 2. But the true Way of Conversion among them to the Christian-Faith and Worship and true Church-Government whereby people were made rightly conformable to the true Christian Religion as it was amongst the Apostles was by and through the Doctrine of the Gospel of Christ Jesus preached amongst them in the Power and Demonstration of the Spirit of God of such as were truly called and sent of him which did turn People to the Spirit of God and that Ministry wrought in them to receive it by which their Consciences were convinced and their Hearts perswaded in the Love of christ to believe in him and receive him and follow him and thus were they drawn and begotten and converted into the Faith and Worship and Practice of the true Christiâ—…-Religion and made conformable to the Government and Order of the true Church of Christ in all things by this Means and Way only and not at all by any outward Force and Compulsion exercised upon them they were converted to the true Christian-Religion and to the true Worship of God and by the same Way did they convert and turn others to the same and this only is the Perfect Way of Christian-Conformity to the true Christian-Worship and Church-Gâ—…ment it ever was since the beginning of Christianity in the World and iâ—â—nto this day even to perswade the Heart and to convince the Conscience inwardly by the sound Doctrine of the Gospel through the Operation of the Spirit of Christ and by Love and Meekness and Patience and all the Fruits of Righteousness held forth in Doctrine and Conversation which may answer the Testimony of God in all mens Consciences
Imposing Religion and the Example hereof may be read in Nations and Countries at this day what Discontents and Contentions have arisen dangerously among people one towards another and towards their Rulers upon this Cause and Occasion of Imposing Religion by Force Unrighteously and 't is a Danger this day that all the Rulers of the World are exposed unto and deeply involved in where this Cause of Imposing Religion is extâ—nt in Force 3. It is Dangerous to Impose Religion by Force because it must needs produce Oppression Persecution Violence and Hatred in the prosecution thereof and this is dangerous to any Kings Rulers or Governours to be reputed Oppressors Persecutors and Violent Men this is Infamous and of bad Report amongst men and Abomination and Wickedness in the sight of God for any Rulers upon Earth to be Oppressors Persecutors and Cruel Men and such consequently must they be that are Imposers upon mens Consciences in Matters Religious And this Danger all the Rulers of the World are in that do Impose Religion by Force even to render themselves Infamous by Oppression in the sight of men and to render themselves Sinners against God and this Danger falls upon the Imposers of Religion because of such their Impositions by Force upon the Consciences of men Lastly 'T is Dangerous because 't is of Antichrist and not of Christ as before proved and all that do Impose by Violence on the Consciences of Men in Religious Cases are of Antichrist in so doing and because thereof liable to God's Indignation and Heavy Wrath in this World and hereafter and 't is Dangerous to bring the Wrath and Judgments of God upon Men that are guilty thereof for God will be avenged upon such his Enemies that exercise Violence and Persecution upon Men for their Conscience sake And this is a Danger unavoidable which all that impose Religion are liable unto even to be Cut Off in the Wrath of the Lord and to undergo his Indignation for all the Reasons before shewed These with many other Dangers are they involved in that are Imposers in Religious Matters Therefore Oh that the Rulers of this World would be Wise now in their last day and would consider the Unjustness and Unreasonableness of their Imposing Religion and the many Dangers that attend the same Oh that they would learn God's Counsel and Rule only for him in Justice Mercy Truth Equity and true Judgment exercising the same in the Meek and Lowly Spirit of Jesus among men and over whom they are set to Rule in this World and would give to God Almighty his Due and Right and Priviledge in exercising the Consciences of Men by his Spirit in all Cases of Christ's Kingdom for it only belongs to him to be Ruler in the Inward Man Oh! that the Rulers of this World would give this Power and Dominion unto God and would from henceforth never more exercise Lordship over Conscience by Imposing Religion through Force but would only Rule well over the Outward Man in the things pertaining to Man and would leave to God the Rule and Exercise of Conscience Oh! then would it go well with them and Happy and Blessed should they be in such their Authority and Peace should be unto them if that they only took the Government as appointed of God over the outward Man and did not impose upon the inward man by Force in Religious Matters but committed that Authority to God Then I say should Peace and Blessings be unto them But while it is otherwise even while they exercise Dominion and Lordship over Conscience as aforesaid they do unjustly and Unreasonably and bring upon themselves many Dangers and are liable to Contentions Oppositions Wars and many Mischiefs in this World and to the Anger and Wrath of God in the World that is to come CHAP. II. Concerning Heresie the Case Stated What it is in it self and who a Heretick is and who are the absolute true Iudges of it and what Punishment pertains to such as are truly convicted of Heresie 1. THere is such a thing as Heresie in it self even many Heresies and Errors abounding amongst the Sons of Men in the World at this day and there was Heresie in the dayes of the Aposties and amongst them brought in by such as erred from the Truth after they had once known the Truth and received it as ye may read the Iews they cryed out of Heresie in their time which caused the Apostle to say to them Acts 24. 14. After that Way which ye call Heresie do we worship the God of our Fathers And the Apostle said 1 Cor. 11. to the Church There must be also Heresies amongst you that they that are approved of God may be made manifest And 2 Pet. 2. 1. it is spoken of some who should privily bring in Damnable Heresies into the Church By all which it is manifest there was in the Apostles dayes Heresie and Heresies as there is at this day even many Heresies and Errors in the World held professed and maintained by the Apostate Christians that are gone into the Form of Godliness without the Power and are turned from the Spirit of Christ and the soundness of his Doctrine into the formal Profession of Religion and of the words of Christ and his Apostles and among such are the Heresies and Errors 2. Heresie is somewhat believed and professed in Practice of Worship and in Point of Faith and Doctrine that is either contrary to or different from the perfect Truth of the Gospel of Christ something I say held and practiced in Point of Worship Faith and Doctrine which is not justly according to the pure Truth of Jesus but either in whole or in part different from and contrary thereunto and whatsoever Practice of Worship or Point of Doctrine as is so held professed believed or practiced is Heresie and Error because it is different from and contrary to in whole or in part the perfect Truth of the Gospel of Christ Jesus and because thereof it is Heresie and such is Heresie in it self different from and contrary unto the Gospel of the Kingdom of Christ though as for the particular Parts and Points of Heresie in Worship Doctrine and Practice which are at this day held professed and believed among Apostate Christians are so very many that they would be too large here to ennumerate but my present Intention is only this To shew at large what Heresie is in it self and who is a Heretick 3. A Heretick one that is properly so is such a Person as hath sometime believed in the Truth and made Profession and Acknowledgment of the Way of true Christianity and hath received and held the true Faith of the Gospel of Christ and been in some measure united to Christ and a Member of his Church but is fallen and degenerated in whole or in part from the said Faith and Acknowledgment of Christ Jesus and the Way of Christianity and hath erred from the Truth of the Gospel once believed and
there is much Difference amongst men concerning this Matter and 't is the general way of People one sort to accuse another that are different from them in Profession and Religion That ye and ye are of Antichrist but this hath been for the most part in Enmity and in the Spirit of Wrath and Contention and is not from true Judgment and Knowledge now therefore it remains to be made manifest according to the Gift of Grace Knowledge and Understanding what Antichrist is in himself and how he appears in the World seeing we have proved That there is such a thing as Antichrist now Ruling and Raigning somewhere amongst men throughout the Nations of the Earth 3. Antichrist is not as some suppose a particular visible Person upon Earth Distinct and Divided from all other Persons as if none besides such an one were Antichrist but Antichrist is rather an Invisible Spirit a spirit I say dwelling in Persons even in many Persons throughout the World which makes them all of Antichrist or to be many Antichrists according to 1 Iohn 2. 18. There are many Antichrists saith Iohn whereby we know it is the Last Time So that it is plain There are in the World many Antichrists many Men of Sin or many Sinful Men many Sons of Perdition and Ungodliness not onely one man that is such but many men in the World even all such in whom the spirit of Antichrist or Antichrist that spirit dwells and walks they are all Antichrists or of Antichrist because of that spirit of Antichrist which doth possess them and rule them in the Wayes of Sin and Death in Idolatry and false Wayes and in opposition to and against Christ Jesus the Lord of Life even all the Deceivers in the World all that are erred from the Spirit and Power of CHRIST and are not of the true Church Gathered into his Name and Power but bringeth another Doctrine than that of Christ and his Saints and truly confesseth not in Word and Practice unto JESUS come in the Flesh all such are Antichrists and of Antichrist according to 2 Iohn 7. even all the Apostates who profess Christ and his Truth and his Church and are not in the Spirit and Power of Christ but in the Form of Godliness without the Power professing God in Words but in Works denying him all such are Antichrists by reason of that spirit of Antichrist which dwells in them and into which spirit they are leavened and moulded and are one with it and bring forth the Fruits of it in the World and therefore they are Antichrists more than one even many Antichrists as I have said 4. Antichrist in himself is the Man of Sin the Son of Perdition which is indeed and in Truth the very Devil in his Nature and Kind and in his Power and Spirit and of him and yet not divided nor distinct from him but is him to wit the DEVIL as he is in himself And he is against Christ and wholy contrary to Christ and bringeth forth Fruits and Works to the Dishonour of Christ and opposeth Christ and is in all things of a contrary Nature and Quality to Jesus Christ. And he is called Antichrist to wit before or against and contrary to Christ. And this is Antichrist in himself An Adversary to God an Enemy to all Righteousness a Perverter of the Wayes of God a Hater of all Good a Despiser and Persecutor of God's People and indeed a certain Spirit and Power Distinct Divided and Separated from the Living God and his Son Jesus Christ and contrary in Nature and Quality in Fruits and Effects And there is no Fellowship in any thing between Christ and Antichrist but they are divided and separated one from the other contrary and opposite one to the other in all their Wayes and Works and in their Kinds and Natures For as I have said Antichrist in himself in his nature and kind is the Devil and no other he is the Man of Sin the Sinful Man that conceiveth and worketh all Evil the Son of Perdition the Son that is lost from God and Reprobate forever he that is fallen diverted and cast out from the Presence Glory and Power of the Creator he that is sealed unto Vengeance in the Wrath and Enmity against God and Christ Jesus as being contrary irreconcilably to the Nature and Works of Christ. This is said of Antichrist as what he is in himself as that particular spirit and not of the many Antichrists which are only Vessels retaining this one spirit and Members of him through his Power dwelling in them and by which they are one with this spirit and one in Action and bring forth the Works and Fruits of it For 't is possible some that are such in their present standing even under the power of Antichrist may be converted and turned from him and changed into another Nature and so saved But as for the Antichrist in himself as such he is the Devil and sealed up in the Anger of God never to be redeemed nor saved nor changed into another Nature 5. Though Antichrist in himself be the Devil yet his Appearances in the World are divers and many and he appears in outward and visible Actions amongst men diversly somtimes he appears in the way and form of open Prophaneness by the Works of Men in all manner of Unrighteousness and Iniquity for all Sin of what kind soever in every appearance of it is of the Devil and Antichrist even all prophane Wayes and Works of Evil Men Lying Drunkenness Whoredom Double-dealing Envy Malice and every Evil Work and Word brought forth by the Sons of Adam in the Fall are all of Antichrist and the Devil and is his visible Appearance in the World though sometimes his Appearance is in another way and manner even in a way of seeming Righteousness and Holiness and in the Profession of Christ and Christianity and pretence of Faith towards God and Worship of God and crying up Church and Fellowship in the same and Forms of Godliness as if Antichrist were a Saint and Servant of God thus and after this manner doth Antichrist appear in the World amongst men now in these latter dayes since the Apostles time in the Apostacy of Christianity Antichrist I say though the Devil in himself yet hath he often appeared as a Saint upon Earth in the pretence of Holiness Righteousness Worship and Religion such hath been his Policy and Deceivableness that he hath put on the Appearance of Gospel Doctrine Ministry and Ordinances and covered himself thereby that he might the better beguile entangle and deceive Mankind in the Form and Profession of a Saint and Member of the true Church he hath put on the Sheep's-Clothing hath made use of the Saints words and Practices and hath exalted himself in the Temple of God as if he were God shewing himself to be God and hath been lifted up above all that is called God according to 2 Thes. 2. 4. and Christ himself said to his Disciples
That there should arise false Christs and false Prophets and should shew Signs and Wonders if it were possible to deceive the very Elect Mat. 24. 24 which doth signifie that the Antichrists and false Prophets should come into the World after his Prophecy which are already come since that time They should pretend to be Christs and should shew Signs and should deceive many with the Profession of Christ and Signs of Godliness and they should have upon them and be covered with Sheep's-Clothing that is with the Saints words and practices in outward appearance but inwardly that is in their own proper Nature Fruits and Works should be ravening Wolves that is Destroyers of the Flock Mat. 7. 15. and the Antichrists which Iohn speaks 1 Iohn 2. 19. they were such as went from the Saints that were in the Power of Godliness they went out of the true Church and carried with them the Form of Righteousness and Truth and the Profession of Christianity but without the Power and had lost it and were departed from the Spirit of Christ and the Spirit of Antichrist had possessed them and now led them and ruled them and they were Antichrists to wit against him and contrary to him And these were the false Prophets and Deceivers that went out into the World and deceived it and led many aside into Error and many followed their pernitious and hurtful wayes as Peter saith 2 Pet. 2. 2 3. And Paul speaks of such as had the Form of Godliness but denyed the Power and in Words professed God but in Works denyed him Such were the Antichrists and Deceivers in the Apostles dayes and such they are this day in the World whereby it is manifest that Antichrist often appears in the World as a Saint as a Righteous one and the many Antichrists they have gotten the Form and Appearance of Church Ministry Worship and Ordinances and thus they appear deceiving the World and them that dwell therein with the Appearance and Vain-shew of Faith Worship and Religion without the Power of Godliness for unto that Antichrist is an Enemy even a Destroyer a Persecutor and Gainsayer of Christ and his Works and the Power of Godliness and true Faith brought forth by the Spirit of Christ though to deceive the World he can transform himself into and appear as an Angel of Light 6. Again So Deceivable and Mysterious is and hath the Appearance and Working of Antichrist been in the World that he hath not alwayes dwelt in one kind of Form and Profession of Religion and Righteousness but he hath dwelt in many Appearances and removed out of one false Form into another according to his Oportunity and Advantage whereby he could deceive and sometimes dwelling in one Form with pretence of Zeal and performance of Duty to God he hath envyed Persecuted and destroyed many others in other Wayes of Profession more Zealous Upright and Sincere to God than themselves have been in the other Form and by the colour of Zeal and Performance of Duty hath Antichrist clothed himself in his Envies Persecutions and Murders of others as if he did not persecute nor impose upon the Conscience of any nor exercise that Rigour or Justice as he hath named his Proceedings though never so Cruel and Unjust towards any upon any terms or account of Wrath Bitterness Envy or Cruelty but Zeal Duty and Love to Religion and to entinguish Heresie c. This hath been the Pretence and Cloak of Antichrist in his cruel and hard Dealing with many men that have differed in Principle and Practice of Religion he hath often shewed himself in his present Form of Godliness so zealous and dutiful for the truth of his Way though never so Idolatrous against all that have opposed it and gainsayed his Form and Vain Shew that he hath killed slain and exercised Cruelty towards all that have been contrary or different-minded and though this hath been brought forth by Antichrist as he is the Devil in himself and in down-right Envy Malice Persecution and Wickedness yet it hath been acted and effected under the Cloak of Zeal Duty and Sincerity and out of Pretence of Love to Christ and his Church and out of Pretence of Hatred against the contrary Thus hath Antichrist though the Devil that Wicked One as he is in himself in his own Nature Kind and proper Sphear appeared in the World as a Zealous Church-Member as a Saint as a Promoter of Righteousness and a Destroyer of the contrary With these false Covers hath Antichrist been cloathed and hidden from men and appeared to be in his Works and Transactions as a Good Man as a Lover of God and Hater of Iniquity while in the mean time he hath been deceiving Men and destroying the Innocent and leading the World to perpetual Misery and Destruction 7. Again So Deceivable hath the spirit of Antichrist been in the World that he hath alwayes put the Name of Christ and the Name of his Church and the Pretence of Duty to God and the Name of Gospel Doctrine Ordinances Ministry and Worship upon whatsoever False Way Feigned Worship and Deceitful Profession that he hath gone about to set up and promote in the World among men I say Upon the Worst and most Idolatrous Wayes of Superstition and the most false Feigned Formal Worship that ever hath been in the World Antichrist hath put the Name of Christ his Church and Worship upon them and Imposed and forced the Belief and Practice of much false Worship false Doctrine and formal Wayes under the Name and Title of the true Christ his Doctrine and Worship and upon Pains and Penalties hath enjoyned and commanded the Belief and Practice of such things not as if they were of Antichrist Superstitious Evil False or Feigned but as if they were of Christ altogether and must be believed and practiced as by his Name and under his Authority Thus hath been the working of the Mystery of Iniquity of that Man of Sin the Antichrist all the Evil Wayes he hath conceived and brought forth in the World all the Idolatrous Worship and false Faith and Doctrine and all the Cruelties Murders and Unjust Dealing to the very destroying of the Saints and all the Unrighteousness and Deceivableness exercised by Antichrist in the World hath put all this on the Name of Christ and pretended Christ for it as if it were indeed and in Truth of him and from him when indeed and in Truth it hath been contrary to the true Christ and tended to kill and destroy him Thus hath Antichrist the Devil been cloaked with false Covers and deceitful Pretences in his working among men that wicked spirit hath falsly called the greatest of Pride and Ambition Decency and true Honour Covetousness and Deceitful Dealing hath he stiled Good Husbandry and Prudent-Walking and the most Cruel and Unjust Iudgment the Oppression of the Poor and the Grinding of the Face of the Innocent hath that spirit falsly titled Equal Proceedings Iustice and according to Law
and the like Yea and the Persecutions and Murders that ever have been acted against the Saints of God in all Generations though Cruel and Unrighteous and of the Devil yet all this hath Antichrist titled to be in Honour to Christ and for the destroying Hereticks and out of Iustice and Zeal for God and such like yea and the most Gross Idolatries and most Deceitful Wayes of Worship that ever hath been set up in the World have been named after Christ and pretended to be done in Honour to him and for his Glory and so forth so deceivable hath Antichrist been in the World and walked and wrought among the Sons of Men in deceiving of them that he hath used and taken upon him the very Name of Christ and all his Evil Works of Iniquity of all kinds hath he put the Name and Honour of Christ upon them and so deceived the World by his false Wayes Worships Doctrines and Persecutions through covering these things with the Name of Christ and pretending his Honour and Exaltation whenas his own true Nature and Property is to kill Christ and gainsay him And this indeed is Antichrist who under colour and pretence of Worshipping and Honouring Christ doth seek to Slay him This is that Crafty and Deceitful Fox that Man of Sin that hath been exalted that Antichrist that Wicked One that hath deceived the World for many Ages But the Lord is now discovering him and destroying him by the Breath of his Mouth and by the Brightness of his Coming according to the Faithful Promise of God in his Servants and Antichrist shall be discovered and destroyed the Day of the Lord is at hand upon him 8. Again It hath been the way of Antichrist that he might the better deceive the World to transform himself into the likeness of the best Way and strictest Profession of Religion and so to remove from one Way and Form unto another as I said before that he might the better deceive men according as Paul writ 2 Cor. 11. verse 13 14. for such are false Apostles deceitful Workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ and no marvel for Satan himself is transformed into an ANGEL of LIGHT by which it is plain That Antichrist did change and transform himself and remove from one Way to another even till he appeared as an Angel of Light and in the very Way and Form of the Ministry of Righteousness Thus did Antichrist work and transform himself in the dayes of the Apostles and ever since unto this day in all Times and Ages for it hath been his manner and way when he could no longer cover himself nor be hid in such a Way of Worship and Religion in which he hath sometimes dwelt and walked but that his Wickedness Cruelties Persecutions and Deceits must needs be seen and made appear unto men by the Light of the Lord shining amongst them then he hath transformed into another likeness and removed his cruelties and persecutions into another form and appearance it may be into the very way in the outward prosession and practice of it in which sometime the Lord hath dwelt and walked and there hath he dwelt deceiving the World by his new form and appearance and exercised his wickedness cruelties and persecutions in some new way having quitted the Last Form in which he dwelt because he was there too publikly seen and discovered And now in his new likeness into which he is Transformed he can plead the example of Saints they did such things and held such Doctrines and Performed such Practises as now he is found in and this did the Devil sometime to Christ he pleaded Scripture against him And thus Antichrist can Change himself into divers appearances that he may deceive men Well but and if he be again discovered and his cruelties and wickedness made appear in his Last and Newest Form he can transform again into a more strict Way and zealous Performance even into an Angel of Light as if he were indeed the true Christ and were in the Truth altogether and no man needed to doubt of the Truth of his Way and then under that Form being covered with more Zeal then ever with more pretence of Duty to God then before he blinds the World and deceives them and leads men to Perdition and though changeable in his Appearance yet is he in himself Antichrist still in his own proper nature a Murderer Destroyer and a Fountain of Mischief and Evil. The Truth of this is plain if it be considered through the course of Scriptures in Generations past and Transactions of Time as in the Prophets dayes of old this spirit which is no other but the Devil sometimes opposed gainsayed and persecuted the Prophets reproached them and with-stood them and imprisoned them and killed them And sometimes we find the same spirit transformed it self into the way of the Prophets and acted by some deceivers and false Prophets in the same words and practices which the true Prophets had said and done and as the true Prophets used their Tongues and said The Lord saith it so the false Prophets in whom the Devil was transformed they used their Tongues and said The Lord saith it also when God had not spoken to them So here was this spirit of Antichrist changing and transforming himself that he might the better deceive Also in the dayes of Christ and his Apostles the Devil and Antichrist apeared against them and persecuted them and killed them and used Cruelty and Injustice towards them and as before I said this was done to Christ and his Apostles by the wicked Iews under colour and pretence of Love to their God and Zeal for their Law and for the Honour of their Ordinances and Priesthood which they supposed Christ and his Apostles made void which shews That the Devil and Antichrist appears in the World as a good Man as a Lover of God and his Laws and the like Well But though the Envious Men and Wicked Persons through the spirit of the Devil did for some time oppose gainsay and persecute Christ and his Apostles yet the same spirit possibly some of the same Persons transformed into the Profession of Christ and into the Profession of the Words and Works of Him and his Apostles For we find Envious men and Wicked men such as had persecuted Christ and killed him were gotten to preach him in words and had gotten and taken upon them the Form of Christ's Doctrine and preached him out of Envy and for Self-ends and the like So that 't is plain The same spirit that sometime opposed and persecuted the Prophets Christ and his Apostles other times was transformed into the Profession of the Prophets Christ and his Apostles words And this is the way of Antichrist to deceive men upon Earth and to lead them to Perdition For when the Devil and Antichrist perceives that his Envy Malice and Cruelty cannot prevail to subdue and keep under the Way and Truth of Christ Jesus as it
appears in the World then he transforms into the Likeness and formal appearance of the Way of the Lord and his Truth and when the Devil cannot kill Christ so but that Christ will rise again appear and live for ever contrary to all the malice and enmity of the Devil then rather then he will submit to be no more he will transform himself and take upon him the Name of Christ of his Honour and Glory and profess him in words and seem a Friend to Christ and his Kingdom And this he doth that he may live still in the World and by deceiveableness beguile the sons of men into perpetual destruction 9. And the very work of Antichrist this day in the World is to deceive beguile seduce and betray the World and all mankind 't is his only work and calling as I may say to deceive 't is his nature and property to work deceitfully and thus it ever was with him it hath been his Property and his Work in all Ages and in every Age since the beginning of the World to deceive and beguile to lead men from God and to lead them into Perdition this I say hath ever been his work in the World and by the means aforesaid to wit by transforming and changing himself into the likeness of Righteousness and Verity and putting the pretence of Goodness Vertue and Holiness upon his Actions and Doings though never so evil and unrighteous he hath always I say by this means and in this way deceived the World by appearing as a Saint as a Well-doer as an Angel of Light pretending Wisdom Righteousness and Vertue and colouring his Deeds thereby as is proved in the Case of the first deceiving of Eve What said Satan to the Woman Not that I am such a one and do intend to deceive thee with Falsity but Thou shalt be as God Thou shalt be wise of thy self and know and be and do as God Here was a fair pretence by which he deceived the Woman And the false Prophets and false Apostles in the dayes of old did not deceive the World into an absolute denial of God and Christ and Truth but did deceive them into the false Profession of the same holding out the Form of Godliness without the Power and by feigned words and good Speeches did deceive the hearts of the Simple and by false Doctrine and Ordinances and Form of Religion did the Antichrist deceive the World in dayes past as he doth at this day For if he did appear to be as he is in his own nature and property a Devil Deceiver and wicked one a Leader to Perdition and Destruction and should vindicate himself as such and entice and tempt People as such then none would believe him nor follow his Wayes for none would willingly be destroyed But he appears not as such in the World but alwayes transforms himself into the Likeness of God and Goodness still pretending the same And by this means is he more capable to deceive mankind for he cannot so readily deceive and lead men to Perdition in his own proper Nature if he appear as he is such but therefore he appears contrary to what his own nature is and transforms himself And thus doth Antichrist deceive the Christian World so called at this day even by his false Wayes of Religion false Worship false Doctrine false Humility false Faith and false Church pretending Zeal and Sanctity and such like Herein and hereby generally doth Antichrist that Man of Sin deceive and beguile the World unto Perdition and Destruction Oh! how many thousands of Peoples of Nations and Countries are at this day deceived on this wise thinking they are in the Truth and true Way of Religion Faith and Worship professing and performing these things with much Zeal as if they were indeed the wayes and Ordinances of Christ when as they are but false feigned formal and of Antichrist and deceivable to the souls of men even Shews without Substance Forms without Life and Power of Antichrist and not of the true Christ. And thus and after this manner with the very likeness of Righteousness and appearance of Godliness and profession of Faith and duty to God hath Antichrist deceived the World and doth at this day delude Nations to the perdition of thousands And Antichrist doth not generally deceive men in his works and appearance as he is in his own Proper Nature but in his appearance and works transformed and changed into another likeness even into the likeness of Truth and Righteousness By this means and way Satan Antichrist and that Man of Sin doth delude and deceive the Nations of the World 10. What the Works of Antichrist are by what is said doth partly appear His Works are all deceivableness to deceive and delude the World to lead mankind captive in the wayes of sin and death unto the destruction of their souls and to be cruel and hard-hearted envious malicious and perverse a hater and persecutor of goodness and good men and to murder and work wickedness to do all evil and to oppose gain-say and deny all good This in general is the work of Antichrist though as to particulars I now intend not to mention saving as I have before shewed to impose upon Conscience in Religious matters by outward force and violence is a main principle work of Antichrist and to kill and destroy Persons on the account of Heresie and Error and to use violence and cruel impositions in Spiritual Cases contrary to the Spirit of Christ Jesus These are works and wayes of Antichrist which he brings forth in the World as also the promoting of all the false and Idolatrous Worships and false Church-Governments in the World and in short every evil work and word brought forth amongst the sons of men are the Works of the Devil and Antichrist which he seduceth the World into the working and doing of and to consider the state of the World as it is at this day and how it is deceived in many grievous and abominable wayes of Error Superstitions Idolatries and Wickedness it makes the hearts of the Righteous sad and mournful because of the deceivableness of the working of the Mystery of Iniquity of Antichrist that Man of Sin in the World who deceiveth Mankind with the appearance and shew of godliness and leads the Children of Men in the wayes of Ignorance Death Blindness and Error yet holds them under a false pwerswasion of safety and security as if they were in the right way and walked in the pathes of Happiness when indeed and in Truth they are beguiled and deceived and nigh unto the pathes of perdition Oh! how hath Antichrist prevailed in these latter Dayes since the dayes of the Apostles and deceived the World with the very Formal Profession and practice of such Doctrines and Things as the Apostles held and Practised in the Power of God in their dayes But now Antichrist he holds the Form in his False Spirit and hath the appearance and likeness of
Righteousness Truth Faith and Worship without the Power of God even likeness of the things that the Apostles and Saints held in the Power of God And hereby is the World deceived though Antichrist hath taught them to Plead Scriptures and Prove by Scriptures â—…t the Apostles did the same things and held the same Profession yet being now held and professed out of the Power of God and not in the same Spirit that the Apostles were in 't is but of Antichrist and deceivable and leads captive the souls of men into destruction Oh therefore that the World and all that dwel therein would consider the danger of that deceivable Spirit of Antichrist and how he deceiveth mankind and would turn from him and forsake the wayes and works of Antichrist that they may be saved and not destroyed Oh! all ye called Christians 't is time to consider what Spirit ye are of and what Spirit leads you and how ye may escape his delusions for the Day of the Lord is come and he is gathering People out of the wayes of Antichrist and setting them free from his cruel Bonds to serve the Lord in Liberty and Freedom of the Spirit of Christ Jesus and blessed are all they that witness this where Christ reigns and Antichrist is subdued with his works and fruits and discovered and destroyed by the Spirit of the Lord and the brightness of his Coming who comes to judge the World in Righteousness and Truth 11. These things are said in general of Antichrist Now it remains to be shewed What the Government of Antichrist is in it self and where it is in beeing and who the Subjects of his Kingdom are That Antichrist the Man of Sin hath a Government a Kingdom a Power an Authority a Rule and a Dominion which is indeed his Government this is not doubtful to any but acknowledged by all but what this Kingdom and Government is many are Ignorant Now the Kingdom and Government of Antichrist is not the Government and Authority of some particular man in some particular Countrey and Nation upon Earth distinct from all other persons and Nations as if such a particuler visible Kingdom and Authority were Antichrist's Government and none besides But the Authority Kingdom and Government of Antichrist is more invisible more hidden as it were more spiritual and undiscernable unto the sons of men then any visible outward Kingdom is And indeed the Kingdom of Antichrist is the Authority and Power of Spiritual Wickedness of Spiritual invisible Iniquity or the Rule and Dominion of the Son of Perdition of the Man of Sin exercised in the hearts and Spirits of all ungodly men This is the Kingdom and Government of Antichrist an Authority of Spiritual Wickedness a Power of the Mystery of Iniquity and of invisible prevailing of the Son of Perdition in and over the hearts of the Sons of men not onely of one person or in one Nation or Kingdom of the World but in all sinful persons and over all Nations of the Earth Antichrist's Government is such throughout Kingdoms of this World even a Spiritual Power of Wickedness a Dominion and Authority of the Mystery of Iniquity ruling and raigning in the hearts of many men even of all sinful men of all unjust men of all unconverted men through all Nations in the World So that it may not truly be said that Antichrist's Kingdom and Government is onely the particular Authority of any particular man in a particular Nation of the Earth and all others Men and Nations are free but it is as I have said the Authority Power and Rule of the Spirit of Wickedness of the Mystery of Iniquity in the hearts of all evil men in all Nations through the World And this is truly the Kingdom of Antichrist in it self 12. This Government is placed and set up and chiefly the place and beeing of it is not only in all Nations at large but in the Hearts even in particular Hearts of the Sons of men in the Heart and Inward Parts of man is the place where Antichrist's Government is his Authority Power and Dominion is in the Hearts of the Ungodly in the inward Parts of Transgressors in the Heart Antichrist that Man of Sin dwells and works according as it is written 2 Thess. 2. 9 10. speaking of the Man of Sin Whose coming is after the working of Satan with all lying Wonders and with all Deceivableness of Uurighteousness in them that perish His dwelling and working is in them that perish in the Ungodly in the Hypocrites in all â—…aters in all false Worshippers Thus it is manifest That the Government of Antichrist is in the Heart not only to one man in some Nations but in the Hearts of all such men mentioned in all the Kingdoms of the World even the Mystery of Iniquity the spiritual Wickedness the authority and power of that spirit that is against Christ and contrary to him which is the Rule Kingdom and Government of Antichrist dwelleth and worketh in the hearts of the Sons of men even like as Christ Jesus dwelleth and walketh in his Saints as it is written so accordingly doth Antichrist dwell and walk in all that are the Subjects of his Kingdom Yet notwithstanding the Government of Antichrist is in the hearts of men originally there as having got dominion and Power over the seed of God and placed it self in the heart which is its seat and where Christ should reign yet the Government of Antichrist is not so spiritual so hidden and invisible in the heart but that it appears outwardly and visibly in the actions and fruits of men so that the outward actions and works of men are 〈◊〉 and sinted with the spirit of Antichrist and his government apaears visible in Antichristian Ways and Works brought forth by men the Sinfulness of men the Hypocrisies of men the Idolatries of men and the false Principles and Doctrines of men which appear visibly are the Works of Antichrist and his Government stands in these things in these Works he Governs men and to the doing of them he leads and rules men by his authority and power which is in the Hearts of men And thus Antichrist's Government appears visible and outward and is in the outward Actions and Works of men to be seen in the World as well as the working of his Power and Authority is in the Heart inwardly And also Antichrist's Government is extended not only as first dwelling and working in the Hearts of the Ungodly nor secondly as over the Works of men particularly but over the Governments of many Nations and Countries in general is Antichrist's Power and Rule extended so that the Governments of the World are leavened and tasted with Antichristian-power and authority in many Nations even the spirit of Antichrist hath possessed many hearts many Works and not only so but many Governments amongst men and this hath appeared and broken forth visible in all the works of Unrighteousness Injustice Oppressions and Persecutions brought forth in
seeing the danger is such to you-wards in that place even more then to some others therefore is my soul engaged to admonish and instruct and Pray for your preservation unto the end that ye may walk as the Lords and to his glory 3. And also my desires are for you that blessings and Peace may be multiplied unto you and that you may walk in the Wisdom and Power of the Lord in this respect that Truth may be honoured and crown'd with dominion and Authority and good report in that great City by your faithfulness and patience and diligence and all the fruits of righteousness for as many temptations do attend you as I have said before so also many eyes are upon you beholding what you are and what you do and what will become of you and if you Walk in Faithfulness and Righteousness and be preserved unto the Lord in boldness and valour for his Names sake this will magnifie the Truth and crown it with honour and strengthen and comfort many that are weak and be a joy to all the upright and it will confound your Enemies and put them to shame and limit the unreasonable spirit of the power of darkness when our enemies see your just faithful righteous and inoffensive manner of walking in all things And therefore for this cause my heart is engaged to pray for you seeing the eyes of many are upon you to mark your wayes and doings and what will be the end And now dearly beloved as by the free grace and kindness of God ye are called unto this Calling and are renewed and changed into the Life of Righteousness so it is by the same Grace and Power of the Father that ye must stand and be preserved unto the end for by Grace and Faith we all stand even through Diligence Faithfulness and Watchfulness in the same Grace being obedient unto its teachings and fruitful in its motions and walking by its Rule in meekness and lowliness of heart in sincerity and godly Fear not being or doing any thing of our selves distinct or divided from this Grace but being and doing all things through the Grace of God dwelling in us and this is the highest Perfection of Saints Every ones highest state admits of Watchfulness and Faithfulness and Obedience and to Hearken to the Lord and do his Will in all things and whatsoever is of our selves and related to the outward World may be kept in Subjection by his Power that he alone may Rule and be exalted in Heaven and Earth and in all things what we are and what we do And wait upon the Lord that ye may be established and settled in the Truth and that ye may be confirmed therein forever as being natural Heirs of the possession of Grace and Truth to do and walk and live according to his will being so inherited never to go forth any more and able to say Nothing can separate us from the Love of God not Death nor Life nor any other thing For I would put you in mind and ye also know it How that many have been touched in their Heart with the sense of the Lord and his Love yea and many have enjoyed of the good Gift of God and walked with us for a time that have not remained unto the End but have started aside from the Lord and been overcome with the Temptations of this World even to the forsaking of the Way of Truth and Righteousness and such have dishonoured the Lord and forfeited their Peace and Inheritance in God and become hardened in their Hearts and dead to God and the Latter-end of such hath been worse then their Beginning though yet for a time such walked with us and tasted of the good Gifts of God yet are become Reprobate because their Hearts have not been firm and constant and sound and approved to God but of an Evil Frame and Temper of Spirit Ambitious Vain-glorious Self-seeking and such like which spirit could not retain the Gift of God but abused it and perverted it from it proper End And therefore dearly beloved it is exceeding precious to have a Heart and Spirit tryed and approved of the Lord a good and honest Heart an upright and contrite Spirit for that will abide in Faithfulness unto God through all Tribulations and Tryals if the Heart be right in the sight of God whatsoever the Knowledge be or whether the Gifts be little or great yet the Lord's Presence is there and such are blessed so that it s not enough only to have a touch and taste of the Loving kindness of God but every one must be established therein in an approved Heart and tryed Spirit which can endure all things and not be shaken nor moved and its only that kind of Spirit which is Meek and Lowly Sincere and Upright which is established in the Truth and which only can remain unmovable And according to the ancient Doctrine of Christ which ye have believed every one must look to your own particular standing and must feel your own particular Joy Peace and Comfort and must receive the assurance of Life in your own Souls for it is an Everlasting Word Every one must stand by their own by what they feel and enjoy of Eternal Life in their own Hearts that only is every ones Security and Assurance in the Kingdom of Peace and Glory And it is the height of Perfection To have the Seal of the Spirit of God in our Consciences witnessing to us That we are the Lord's and Blessed are they that have this Testimony even that of the Spirit of the Father which is the Everlasting Comforter against all Sorrow and the Perfect Seal against all Doubts and the sure Guide against all Opposition This is the Office of the Spirit of the Lord and its Work in the Hearts of his Children Therefore my Advice is to you as from the beginning Look to your own to your own Measure of the Gift of Grace and Truth that only stands when all Wandrings after men and things fall and in that is your security as I have said And let your Conversations and Walkings be such as becometh the Gospel of Christ in all Faithfulness and Righteousness that you may be an Honour to the Lord in your Generation for this only have we to do in this World even to shew forth his Praise and Glory who hath created us in Christ Jesus All things in relation to Truth are well in these Couâ—…ies the Dominion of Truth is set up over the Heads of the Wicked and it is a Terror to its Enemies and the Joy of all Good men and Friends are Faithful in the Power of the Lord and look over this World to the World that hath no End and their Hope and Confidence is in that and Meetings are generally quiet and the Presence of the Lord is amongst his People And thus to the Grace Power and Wisdom of the Lord God are ye committed who is the only Preserver of his Children Grace and Peace
Neighbours and the Witness of God in all mens Consciences shall bear witness to us And all these do give Judgement for us in these Cases to whom we do appeal for Judgment And O Lord God Everlasting do thou judge our Cause do thou make it manifest in thy due Season to all the World that we are thy People that we Love thee above all that we fear thy Name more than all that we love Righteousness and hate Iniquity and that we now suffer for thy holy Name and Truth and for thy Honour and Iustice and for thy Truth and Holiness O Lord thou knowest we are resolved to Perish rather than to lose one Grain hereof Amen Amen Our Accusations and Answers truly compared and weighed in the Ballance of Justice and Truth in every mans Conscience let all the World judge of the Case Do we deserve to be Ruined Destroyed Imprisoned and Banished and that to be devoured of Wild Beasts as our Enemy threatens us he will do Is it so Are we Hereticks Are we Seditious Are we Drunkards Are we Double-dealers are we such as the Law of God condemns what Evil have we done in the Land do we hurt any Body are we not Innocent before the Lord men we appeal to the just Witness of God and Men let it be answered and though no man will hear and consider our Cause this Day yet the Lord will plead our Cause in his Time and Season and make the World to know We are his People in the mean time we are willing to suffer the Reproaches of Ungodly Men till the Lord works Deliverance in the Earth But now it may be objected by the Magistrates and Rulers That we have now a Law against you and you must suffer for we cannot but put the Law in Execution according to our Oaths and Offices and it is not we that persecute you but it is the Law of the Land by which you now suffer and we cannot be blamed for your suffering we only Execute the Law And after this manner is the Reasoning of some at this day c. Answ. To all which I do Answer It is true there is a Law now Enacted against us which is pretendedly made the ground of our Suffering but whether that Law be in it self Just or Unjust I shall not now demonstrate but shall leave it to the Judgment of all Christian Men that know us our Principles Doctrines Wayes and Conversations and let them judge whether we deserve the Penalties and Punishments therein described for any Principle or Practice held and maintained by us And though there be a Law against us yet the Magistrates that are Executors thereof may execute the same with Moderation or with Violence with Discretion or too much Rigour and it will be well for them to use Moderation and Discretion in this Case Hereby may they save themselves from that weight of Anger and Indignation of the Lord God that will come upon all Violent Doers who seek to destroy the Innocent and Rejoyce in the Occasion administred And though this Law be Enacted against our Meetings not ours I may say but such Meetings as are Dangerous to the publick Peace and to the Terror of the People But our Meetings are not such and therefore this Law may not justly extend in its Execution to the breaking of our Meetings nor to Banish us because of our Meeting together which is for the Worship of God and are Peaceable and of good Report among all good Men and are not for Disturbance of the Peace nor Terror of the People and therefore justly free from this Law as aforesaid And though this Law is pretended against us for to Banish us and to rid the Land of us as some vainly suppose Yet must it needs be executed to the height of it without Limitation or Restriction Must this Law be Executed to its height more than some other Laws that are as truly Enacted and as fully in Force as this Act can be Yet some such Laws there are which better deserve Execution than this yet they lie dormant as is visibly apparent at this day as in 4 Iac. cap. 5. in these words Be it Enacted c. That all and every Person or Persons which after Forty Dayes next following the end of this present Session of Parliament shall be Drunk and of the same Offence of Drunkenness shall be lawfully convicted shall for every such Offence forfeit and lose Five Shillings c. to be paid to the hands of the Church Wardens of that Parish where the Offence shall be committed who shall be accountable therefore to the use of the Poor of the same Parish And if the said Person or Persons so convicted shall refuse or neglect to pay the said Forfeiture then the same shall be levied of the Goods of every such Person or Persons by Warrant of Precept from the Court Iudge or Iustices before whom the same conviction shall be And if the Offender be not able to pay the sum of five shillings then he shal be committed to the Stocks for the space of Six Hours I pray you read the Statute at large 't is worth a sober mans pains to read over and then judge whether that Law be duly execued at this day and also whether it deserves not more strict Execution than the present Act against us Also the 1 Iac. cap. 7. in these words That all Persons calling themselves Schollers going about Begging all idle Persons going about in any Country either Begging or using any subtil Craft or unlawfull Games or Plays or faigning themselves to have knowledge in Physiognomy or pretending that they can tell Fortunes or such other like phantastical Imaginations all Fencers Bearwards Common-Players of Interludes and Minstrels wandring abroad shall be taken adjudged and deemed as Rogues Vagabonds and sturdy Beggars and shall suffer such Pains and Punishments as is expressed 39 Eliz. cap. 4. viz. That every such Person shall be stripped Naked from the Middle upwards and shall be openly Whipped until His or Her Body be Bloody c. and shall be forth-with sent from Parish to Parish c. And read the Statute at large and then consider how duly it is Executed now and whether it deserves not the Execution as much as the late Act against us though in some places the one is more executed than the other where many of our Friends being honest sober Persons and of good Conversation and yet are haled out of their Meetings where they are met only to Worship God and for no other End and â—sent to Prison and persecuted to the very height of the said Act whenas idle Persons following unlawful Games and Playes and Bearward Common-Players of Interludes and Minstrels of divers kinds do wander up and down City and Country and having their Play-Houses publick where their Wickedness is acted such Persons and such things though appearing publickly yet are permitted and little or no notice taken of them by some of the
Raign in Person upon Earth p. 107. 12. To all them called Ranters p. 108. 13. To all them called Seekers and Waiters p. 109. 14. The Beast which all the World Wonders after but they whose Names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life hath many Heads and many Horns p. 109. A Description of the State and Condition of all Mankind upon the Face of the whole Earth Sheweth from p. 115. to 123. 1. What man was in his Creation before Transgression 2. What he is in Transgression and how he became a degenerate Plant. 3. The Way of Restauration Salvation and of Life Eternal declared to the Sons and Daughters of Adam in the whole World Truth Defended or Certain Accusations answered cast upon the People called Quakers by the Teachers of the World In which is discovered 1. Who are the false Prophets 2. When they came in 3. How they may be known 4. Who they are that deny Christ and preach another Gospel 5. Who they are that deny the Scriptures Churches Ministers and Magistrates c. p. 124. to 135. The true Faith of the Gospel of Peace Contended for in the Spirit of Meekness Being an Answer to John Bunnian a professed Minister in Bedfordshire p. 136. An Answer to a Book called Stablishing against Quaking put forth by Giles Firmin a professed Minister in Essex p. 153. The Crying Sins Reproved whereof the Rulers and People of England are highly guilty Being Additions to their own Confessions held forth by them in their Declaration wherein these Three Nations were invited to a solemn Day of Fasting c. p. 168. A Measure of the Times Wherein is shewed 1. What the state of things have been in Ages past 2. What the state of things are at this present day 3. What shall be the state of things hereafter from p. 183. to 203. The Testimony of the Lord concerning London Being a Warning to all sorts of People in it what the Lord requires of them p. 214. to 222. A Just and Lawful Tryal of the Teachers and Professed Ministers of this Age Wherein is shewed That they are judged and by the Scriptures proved to be contrary to all the Ministers of Christ in former Ages 2. And are proved to agree with all the false Prophets and Deceivers in their Call Maintenance Doctrine and Practice In which Book is also a Description of the true Ministry of Christ from p. 223. to 239. A Standard lifted up and an Ensign held forth to all Nations Being a Testimony Concerning The True God p. 241. The Son of God p. 242. The Spirit of God p. 242. Man and all Mankind p. 243. The World in general p. 243. Man's Restauration Redemption and Salvation what they are and by whom they are wrought p. 245. True Religion and the true Worship of the true God p. 245. Iustification and Sanctification p. 246. The Kingdom of Christ and how it is to be set up p. 246. Governours and Government and Subjection to them p. 247. The true Ministry of Christ and the false Ministry and the Difference betwixt them p. 248. The Gospel of Christ p. 249. The Word of God and the Scriptures p. 249. The Devil and Damnation p. 250. All Creatures that God made p. 251. The New Covenant p. 252. Faith p. 253. What Works are accepted of God and what Works are not accepted p. 253. Man's State in the first Adam before Conversion and his State after Conversion and what Conversion is p. 254. The Woful Cry of Unjust Persecutions and grievous Oppressions of the People of God in England Shewing the Ground of Persecution in its first Cause and the Enmity which is betwixt the two Seeds p. 256. Truth the Strongest of all witnessed forth in the Spitit of Truth against all Deceit In a Reply to John Bunnian ' s second Book p. 275. Many Strong Reasons Confounded Being an Answer to Richard Baxter ' s Twenty four Arguments which he said Would hinder any reasonable man from being a Quaker p. 310. The true Christian Religion again Discovered after a long and dark Night of Apostacy Shewing who it is of the Sects and Forms of Religion in the Nations that are agreeable to the Scriptures p. 325. A Message for Instruction to all the Rulers Judges and Magistrates to whom the Law is committed Shewing 1. What Iust Government is 2. How far the Magistrates Power reacheth and what the Sword of Iustice is to cut down and what it is to defend 3. An Exposition of some parts of the Law for the Edification of such as desire to judge Righteously between man and man p. 343. The State of the Controversie between Richard Mayo Priest of Kingstone and Edw. Burroughs p. 375. Truth made Manifest Being an Answer to a Book called The Quakers Rounds put forth by one Philip Taverner p. 399. A Testimony concerning the Estate of the True Church Shewing 1. What she hath been 2. What she is pag. 413. The True State of Christianity truly described Shewing 1. What it was in its Beginning and Purity 2. What it now is in its Apostacy and Degeneration And also sheweth the Woful State wherein them called Christians now stand being departed and revolted from the Spirit of Christ and from his Teachings pag. 418. A Declaration to all the World of our Faith and what we believe who are called Quakers pag. 439. Some of the Principles of the Quakers scornfully so called by men Vindicated In Answer to two Printed Books put forth by Philip Taverner a supposed Minister of the Gospel in Middlesex p. 444. A Testimony against a Great Idolatry committed Being a true Mourning of the Lord's Servant upon the many Considerations of his Heart upon that Occasion of the great stir about an Image of O. Cromwell carryed about the 23th of the 9th Moneth 1658. p. 457. A Message proclaimed by Divine Authority From the Chosen Assembly of the Redeemed People in England to the Pope chief Bishop in Rome and to his Cardinals Iesuits and Priests c. being an Invitation and Challenge to them to come forth to Tryal and shew if they have the same Faith Power Spirit Authority and Government as had the Apostles and true Churches before the Apostacy p. 462. A Faithful Testimony concerning the true Worship of God Shewing 1. What it is in it self 2. And who are the true Worshippers p. 474. Some false Principles and Errors Discovered In Answer to a Book supposed to be put forth by Samuel Eaton a professed Minister of the Gospel amongst the Sect of Independents in Cheshire p. 483. A Message to all Kings and Rulers in Christendom Being a Warning from the Lord to them to take heed of Oppression and to cease to grind the Face of the Poor and from drinking the Whore's Cup and from carrying of her and from all Oppressions whatsoever lest the Lord God Almighty execute his fierce Indignation upon them p. 492. An Account of some Grounds and Reasons of the Innocent Sufferings of the People of God
He findeth all little enough For shame cover thy Lips and stop thy Mouth thy stuff stinks with raking in who sayest That men cannot be sufficient Ministers without Arts and such poor blind stuff of which I am ashamed and pass by it as not worth the mentioning Then thou goest on in the matter of Tythes seeing the Rule and Law of Scripture will not fully bear thee out in thy wicked practise of pleading for Hire 〈…〉 goest to the Law of the Nation and so the Gospel which you preach will not maâ—…n you according to the Apostles Doctrine but by a Law are maintained through the grievous oppression of the Innocent as is witnessed in this Nation and thou art put to all thy shifts though but beggarly some of them to blind Peoples eyes so that you may have your Hire and in thy Arguments thou pleadest That Tythes are no mans own but the Ministers c. But I say if poor men did not labour and improve their time and strength and money you could have no Tythes so that if the Land was not tilled through poor Peoples labours you might go without so Tythes are not paid out of the Land but out of mens labours thereupon and so you rob poor mens labours and not the Land that you may live in filthiness And thou sayest Care is taken for you already many hundred Years before you were born in setting an Estate c. Yea the Pope settled Tythes upon his Priests whose Generation you are of a poor shameless shift to plead such things leaving the Rule of the Scripture and defending your selves both in your Ministry and Maintenance by a Popish â—aw which was the supreme Power in the Nation when Tythes were first established in England but neither the Rule of Scripture nor of the National Law will make your works justified all People shall see your nakedness and God will make you ashamed of your way And as to particular Had we lived in the primitive Churches when the Magistrates were Heathens c. This I shall answer by a Question Doth not the works of some of the Magistrates in England I do not say all prove themselves rather to be Heathens than Christians by their unjust imprisoning of the Innocent without â—…ch of any Law and so to be rather Destroyers of the Church which is the Body of Christ then careing to preserve it and also in giving treble dammage to the Hirelings for Non-payment thereby wasting and making havock of poor mens Estates as is in many places to be witnessed and these are they who are most zealous for you some of them I leave this Question to be answered which being but truly answered will discover whether you who by oppression take Tythes 〈…〉 â—ho oâ—â— of the exercise of a pure Conscience cannot pay Tythes and so are Sufferers and you Oppressors are Carriers on of the designs of Hell and Rome as in thy eleventh Page thou speakest Then thou sayest So much for the Ministers Maintenance c. Yea more then enough but that thou mightest lay open thy own folly therefore wast thou allowed that thy shame might be fully laid open and thou uncovered who hast acted thy part as others of thy Brethren before thee in pleading your own unjust cause of Idolatry to uphold your grievous Oppression of Tythes and set Maintenances under which at this day many thousands do sadly groan and not pittied by you but though you regard not the Lord God doth and will avenge their Cry upon your heads who have made your Ministry and Religion the most grievous Oppression in this Common-wealth and so are fallen into greater abomination than the Heathen and are higher than they in ungodliness and deeper in subtilty and go to the Heathens and they will shame you and take thy own counsel and practise it as in thy tenth Page And much more of thy stuff I pass thus much is sufficient to discover thy deceit in this particular Then thou goest on and from thy Text thy observation is this It hath been of old and it is the practise still of the Prince of Darkness to transform himself into an Angel of Light c. To which I answer It is proved by the Scripture that it hath been of old his practise and it is proved upon thee that it is still his practise and thou art the man upon whom thy observation stands true who art in thy good words and fair speeches and pretences transformed only in the appearance and not in the ground out of gross wickedness into secret hypocrisie and so makest an Image without Life and so as Iannes and Iambres art resisting Truth yet art thou seen and comprehended though thou sayest Satan is never less seen then when he acts as an Angel of Light which I suppose thou speakest by experience as being acted therein undiscovered to the Simple because of thy hypocrisie In thy Page thirteenth thou sayest that The Scriptures are the true Light Here thy blindeness and error is discovered who speakest herein contrary to the Scripture which saith Christ Iesus is the true Light 1 Iohn 9. Here thâ—â— wouldest exalt the Scriptures in the Seat of Christ and thereby deny him in saying the Scripture is that which he only is and nothing else to wit The trâ—â— Light of the World which lighteneth every man that comes into the World and the Scriptures are a Declaration of him and not him And thou goest on and sayest Because these Quakers â—each People they must do justly do no body wrong nor Lye c. some take it for granted they come from Christ c. But this thou snuffest at and makest light of by which is easily discerned of what spirit thou art the Scripture witnesseth He is a Minister of Christ that turâ— from Darkness to Light and from sin unto God and could we but wink at sin and cloak it as you do and cry Peace Peace to them that walks after the imaginations of their own hearts then should we be loved and not hated of the World And in thy fourteenth Page Thou reckonest us with the Fryars and Popish Generation but them and thee we do deny and that holiness and righteousness which is in the will of man for because we cannot run to the same excess of riot with you you think it strange and therefore thou accusest us as with a matter of fact That we drink water and fast and wear no Lace c. That which thoâ— wouldst make us abominable in by the sight of men doth our innocency and uprightness appear in in the sight of God and his Children Then thou goest on in thy confused language and in that which thou callest thy use Take hâ—ed that you be not deceived To whom dost thou speak to them that are in the Truth If thoâ— speakest to thy own flock thy word might have been Search lest you be deceived for we know the whole World lies in wickedness and this Generation under the deceivableness of
a blind Ministry which leadeth not unto God but keeps in Darkness ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth And in thy Page ninteenth Thou hast put forth a Question which is How shall we know this transformed Angel of Light c To which I answer Where he rules he is not known nor discerned for the god of the World hath blinded the eye which should make him manifest and this is true in thee who art led by him and perceivest it not and art doing his work and understandest not but the brightness of the coming of the Son of Man in the Children of the Father hath discovered him in the World and in thee and though thou woulst fain put him among the Quakers yet he is found in thy own house thou endeavourest to prove thy Accusation by vain consequence and false conclusions but our Assertion is proved by the Spirit of God and stands upon thy head and shall be witnessed by the Light in thy own Conscience Now something in answer to thy Arguments and false Conclusion And thy first Argument is That the Light of the Quakers will not admit of nor endure the Trial therefore the Light of the Quakers is the light of Satan c. Answ. Thy proposition and ground of thy Argument is a Lye and so thy conclusion is to no purpose for we deny not a Trial but exhort People thereunto that they search the Scripture to see whether these things be not so and are tried by the Scriptures in Doctrine and Conversation and proved to be simple thereby to be in the Truth as it is in Jesus and are testified of in Scripture by the Holy men of God who are unto us a Cloud of Witnesses in our Faith and Life and Sufferings and Tryals c. Friend thou hast fained a Lye upon us and hast confuted thy own Lye this is an easie way to prove us Deceivers if it would stand in trial neither is thy proof That wâ— do deny tryal any wit to this purpose as I. N. against F. Harris Page the tenth which thou quotest let the honest hearted read but subtilly hast thou wrested the words to bring thy false Conclusion and Lye about to take place among the ignorant People Thy Lye is condemned and thy refuge is taken away and thou art left naked for the Destroyer Thy second Argument is The Light of the Quakers putteth out the Light of Nature therefore their Light is the light of Satan c. Thou sayest by the Light of Nature thou meanest the inward Law which God set up in the heart of all mankind châ—â—king many sins against God and man c. Answ What blind confusion is this which is uttered from thy dark mind no whit savory but stuff hardly worth stirring in and quite contradiction to thy own words Page fifteen where thou chargest us with directing to the Light in the Conscience which thou callest Natural but we call it Spiritual and this is it which cheeks the sins against God which thou sayest our Light puts out and that we preach any thing for Light which puts out this light which is the work of the Law of God written in the heart this Argument is also a Lye and so thy conclusion is made void likewise but that the Knowledge and Wisdom and Prudency of the natural man which is corrupted must be put out this we own and the Quakers Light which is the Light of Christ shall confound the Wisdom of the World and be no transgression against God nor from a light of Satan but of Christ and the proof of thy Argument is as thou sayest Wâ— deny honour to all Superiours and seemest to be greatly offended with the word Thou quoting many Scriptures against it but let the wise in heart judge thee herein none of all these Scripture will prove that ever any of the Saints gave flattering Titles unto men or spoke You to a particular Person which thou art to prove or else thou sayest nothing that the word Thou to Superiours is any denying of honour due unto them and herein thy conclusion is also false being the foundation of thy Argument is a Lye and thy Argument made up of confusion saying That Light is Natural which is the inward Law set up in the heart checking the sins against God and man this is one Lye also saying That our Light puts out the Light This is another Lye Friend if Lyes would prove us Deceivers thou wouldst accomplish it How easie a thing it is for thee to confute thy own Lyes when thou hast made them Thy third Argument is Such is the Quakers Light viz. which teacheth men to forsake the Scriptures setting up a spirit in man which shall not be examined by the Scriptures therefore it is the light of Satan c. Answ. The first part of thy Argument is a very Lye and also the last as thou hast laid it down our Light teacheth not men to forsake the Scriptures but into the fulfilling of them to walk in the Life of them and it teacheth to exalt the Spirit of God in man above all things and in its fruits and opperation may be examined by the Scriptures but it self is the Searcher of all things even of the deep things of God and this is not the Light of Satan but of Christ which teacheth men into the fulfilling of the Scriptures and to exalt the Spirit in man which gave forth the Scriptures which is the trial of all spirits and whatsoever conclusion be gathered for an Argument whereof a Lye is the foundation as of this the conclusion must needs be vain and a Lye like its foundation And in thy proof of the major position thou sayest The Scriptures are left by God to be your Light and Rule c. And the Scriptures say Christ is the Light the Way the Truth and the Life and so the Rule and so thou hast set up the Scriptures above Christ and by thy lying spirit crosseth the Scriptures but thou art accustomed to Lye and so art expert therein And thou sayest Christ bids you seâ—â—câ— the Scriptures Iohn 5. 39. It is true he bids the Pharisees who had not Christ Word abiding in them and who had not heard God's Voice nor seen his Shape but persecuted Christ them he bad search the Scriptures and justly hast thou thrâ—â—â— in thy self among the Pharisees and so art an Enemy to Christ according to thy own confession And for the proof of the minor position thou hast not at at 〈◊〉 proved by any way of the Books quoted thy proposition That the Quakers Ligâ—â— teacheth men to forsake the Scriptures c. Let the wise in heart judge And thou sayst But to speak truly The Quakers make nothing of Scriptures c. This is the very falsness and of thy lying tongue and no truth in it and a Question here I ask Whether he be the more guilty of forsaking Scriptures which live the Life thereof
of all men yet is the Lords Presence amongst them and his Fear in their â—earts and his encrease is unto them and his Power with them till all their â—nemies be vanished as a Cloud for they are of the true Seed and of the true â—irth which the Lord will bless though they be accounted as thy Slaves and â—ondmen yet are they free in the Lord and this is the very fulfilling of thy â—ickedness and the height of the Transgression of thy Rulers Teachers and â—eople in that some of them that fear the Lord and walk with him are perseâ—uted in thee even they are made a Prey unto the Wicked to the Slanderers to â—he Drunkards to the Scorners to Unjust and Cruel men the People of the â—ord are become a very prey in thee even as meat for the Devourers Oh what â—ilt thou do in the day of thy Visitation when the righteous Judge numbreth â—p these things against thee Thy staff shall fail thee thy Phisitians shall be of no value ' and all thy Comforters shall be miserable at that day I have truly â—onsidered thy condition and measured thy state and I have often seriously â—eighed thy wickedness and pondered what would be the end thereof there is no â—ision of Peace unto thee but even the day of desperate sorrow a recompence â—or all thy works from the Hand of the Lord. I have often truly lamented thee and seriously hath thy condition entred into â—y heart thy iniquities have often pressed my soul and my Spirit hath been â—rieved within me when I have viewed thy great abomination and how Thouâ—ands in thee wholly perish for lack of Knowledge and even resists and will not be â—nstructed despitefully using such as do warn them even loving and delighting in â—heir Abominations These things have often made my Heart sad who have walked in thee as a Stranger and measured thee with the line of true Judgment and this is thy Height and â—ength and Depth Iniquity lodgeth in thee and Iniquity covers thee and Inâ—quity â—â—mpasseth thee about And this is a Warning to thee from the Lord in faithfulness declared unto â—hee whether thou resist or receive thus far I am clear of the Blood of all men in â—hee who seeketh not any thing in thee for my self but seeketh and hath often â—o the Lord for thee that thy People might know him and worship him alone â—ho giveth unto them all good things and hath caused the fulness of all good Creaâ—ures to abound and hath given plenty of all things aboundance of which is â—pent vainly upon the lust to the dishonour of God who giveth it How much â—s vainly spent upon Vanity in Meats Drinks and Apparel It s hard to be â—eclared what aboundance of the good Creatures of God are vainly destroyed in â—hee upon the lust in the excess more then what satisfies pure Nature your gluttonny and high minds devour in aboundance the good Creatures which God gives and he is thereby grieved with you who hath taken notice of this your sin which is not the least of your Transgressions and he will plead with you for it even in all things great is your wickedness and the Lord hath numbred it And above all things that is done in thee thy deceitful Profession and Pretence of worship of God is the Lord most grieved with who hateth all your Meetings of gathered Assemblies which are not gathered by his Spirit he will confound yoâ— wisdom and overthrow all your buildings Wherefore repent ye and cease from Idols and all Idolatry and cease for ever to warm your selves at your own SPARKS for this shall you have at the Lords hands Ye shall lie down is Sorrow A WARNING to you all sorts of People YE Merchants and Traders and Trafickers and all ye that Buy and Sell bâ— plain and upright hearted and Lye not Swear not Dissemble not for gaiâ— unto your selves for that is cursed of the Lord and the gain that is thereby received but speak the Truth every man to his Neighbour flatter not such with whom you deal by feigned words of guile whilst secret over-reaching lodgeth iâ— your hearts to make a Prey upon your Neighbour or Brother for this is evil in tâ—… sight of the Lord but speak the Truth in all things and let your yea be yea aâ—… your nay nay in all your common occasions for whatsoever is more is evil aâ—… what is advantaged unto you through Deceit or Lying or multitude of vaâ—… Words it shall be a Curse unto you and not a Blessing unto you or to yoâ—… Children Let the Truth guide you in all your dealings one with an other aâ—… let the Fear of God be in your Hearts in all your Enterprizes both by Sea 〈◊〉 Land I Warn you all seek not by any evil means to enrich your selves neithâ—… oppress one another in any thing wherein you deal for you know not how loâ—… your time shall be upon Earth nor how soon the day of account will coâ—… wherein every word and every work shall be brought to Judgment yea for every Idle word shall ye give an account and all those words are idle which are not spoken in the Fear of the Lord therefore live and act in the Fear of God that yâ—… may be blessed in all that you do And all ye whom the Lord hath blessed with Riches and Encrease see that yâ—… abuse not that which God hath blessed you withal but in all things that it be 〈◊〉 to the Glory of the Lord and not wasted in excess upon the lust of your oâ—… minds for the Creation is the Lords and all things are given by him and takâ—… away at his Pleasure and he maketh rich and he maketh poor whomsoever he will Therefore every man be content with his own and covet not one anothers nor defraud one another to enrich your selves for it is cursed of the Lord. And all ye Handicrafts People and Labouring People fear ye the Lord continually and use no deceit nor craft nor pollicy in what you do in Labour seek not to blind mens eyes by fair outsides neither to cozen and cheat the Simplâ— by slighty work but let the Truth Guide you and that will teach you to dâ— for all men as ye would they should do for you and this is acceptable in the Sight of God Let your Commodities be just and right and let all your laboâ—… be with a single heart and do all things as in the Sight of the Lord and theâ—… you cannot do evil if the Fear of God be before your eyes and the evil in all things will be denied and the corruption that is entred into in all Callings anâ—… Trades will be judged out and be Examples one to another of Truth and Righteousness and cozen not nor cheat not one another nor use not many words not vain jestures but own the Lord to be your Teacher which will teach you Truth to do it and to speak it in all things And
all ye young men and Prentises Learn ye the Fear of the Lord and take heed of Temptations lest ye be destroyed both Soul and Body by them learn not to Dissemble nor to Defr and nor take not Instructions how to Cozen and Cheat but first seek the Kingdom of God and its Righteousness and then all outward things shall be added unto you Give not your selves to any Evil beware of WINE and WOMEN which steals away the Hearts of many give not your selves to Vanity nor fulfil not the desire of your own minds in any thing Covet not after Riches neither study how to be Proud and Vain-glorious Give not your selves to Craft and human Policies nor to deceive any People but fear God and keep his Commandments and be subject to your Masters and obey them in all things that are good and be dutiful to them in that which is just and righteous but deny them in whatsoever is evil learn not Craft and Policy from them neither Whoredom nor Vice nor Drunkenness nor Cozening nor any other thing which is evil but rather reprove those things then in the lest to follow them and if you do the Truth and speak the Truth in all things and keep your selves from whatsoever is evil then will the Lord bless you outwardly and inwardly and the Knowledge of God will be your Crown in old Age And cease from all Gaming 's and vain Sportings and from all Wontonness and vain Pleasures and from all the works of the flesh for they that follow such things shall neither prosper in this World nor be blessed in the World to come Wherefore take heed unto your selves all ye that are young in the World be not overcome of evil nor follow not evil Divices but stand in awe continually and offend not God who gives you Life and Health and all good things And all ye Masters and Heads of Families this is a Warning to you Be Examples of all good in your Families unto your Children and Servants rule in Authority in the Fear of God but not in Tyranny nor a Rigorous mind teach and instruct in fear and not in cruelty give no bad example in Pride Vain-glory Drunkenness Whoredom Dissimulation nor any other thing but stand as a Terror over all evil and as Encouragers of all good bind not the Conscience of any under your power curb sin only and reprove not Righteousness seek ye to be taught of God and then may you instruct all under you in his Way be pittiful towards your Children and Servants and pass by offences rather then punish them with cruelty and make not a prey upon your Servants to serve your own ends only seeking your own good only and not theirs for such things are evil in the sight of God and it is to be condemned Let no Excess neither let Want be in your Families but that which is honest and right love that in all things and follow it let not your anger and passion exceed when offence is given you and do not correct in cruelty but in a good understanding and walk in the Truth and fulfil the will of God and not your own and this is of great prize and acceptable in the sight of the Lord. And all ye Tavern-keepers and Inn-keepers fear the Lord God and oppress not your Guests neither feed the lust of any till they be drunk for that is cursed of God both in you and them and that which he will be avenged of Oh great is that abomination among you much of the good Creatures is vainly and wickedly spent and abused in your Dwellings and your advantage stands in the abuse of the Creatures by excess and the Lord is grieved with you because of that And all sorts of People Rich and Poor High and Low Masters and Servants Parents and Children Buyers and Sellers Trades-men and Labourers Hearken to the Counsel of God and seek to know his Will to you in all things that you may do it in following all that which is good and denying all that which is evil that your souls may live Let not the Devil lead you nor his temptations overcome you in any thing but resist him in whatsoever he would lead you into which is against God and contrary to him Repent of all evil that ever you have acted and let the Lord be your Guide that you may not utterly perish and your City be destroyed for your sakes the Lords Love is towards you and he waits to be gratious unto you and desireth your return rather then your Destruction and would heal you if you did wait upon him and would bless your City and make you happy in it if you do his Will and deny your own I am a Friend unto all your souls and a Publisher of Peace and of Glad-tidings to all that thirst for the Lord and he hath given me Power to warn you of all your iniquities and Abominations to deny them and that which is good to warn you to follow and Oh that ye knew in this your day the things which belong to your Peace which now ye may know before they be totally hid from your eyes and there be no place for Repentance nor time of returning and this day will come upon many and they cannot escape it who now harden their hearts against the Way of their own peace and even scorn to be reproved for their Transgression and such my soul pitties who are going in the way of destruction and run hastily into perdition I have many times been made sad by reason of such when I have measured the condion of all People upon my bed I have pondred what abomination was in thee and what would be the end thereof and I have desired nothing so much as that I might faithfully warn thee and free my self and the Lord from the Blood of all men deep thoughts have been upon me concerning what the counsel of the Lord is unto you all that I might manifest the Truth and discover the Abominations and I have not spared to cry Repentance unto Sinners that Sinners might be converted and turn unto the Lord and thus far I am clear of the Blood of all men and the Lord is clear and if the Wicked perish it is because of their unbelief and gainsaying of the Lord and this is the Testimony which I give unto thee and unto all thy people O LONDON hearken and consider this is the only day of your Visitation and there is not another Way to Life nor to escape everlasting death and destruction then that which the Lord hath shewed you Blessed is he that can receive it and they that deny it do utterly perish without Mercy London the 15th of the 6th moneth 1657. I am as a Stranger among you yet well known to the Lord and the Testimony of God concerning you shall stand for ever for it is true and shall'not be confounded though the wicked reject it to their own destruction EDWARD BURROUGH A Just and
was come to search them and try them and would hew down their Idolatrous wayes and worships and works c. And in order to a fair proceeding with them the next day I was moved to write this following Paper to them by way of Queries as to lay some ground of Opposition hoping to have received their Answer that I might have joyned tryal with them for it was in my heart to search and oppose their Wayes and Practices and their whole Religion And these Queries were delivered to them in Latine though from them I have received no Answer to this day but the Queries stand upon them and my Charge they lie under charged upon them in the Name of the Lord. To all ye that profess your selves Devoted to the Service of God and Separation from the World and Mortification in your lives who are called by the the name of Fryars and Nunns in and about Dunkirk THe Mighty Day of the Lord God is come and coming upon you and all the World Awake awake ye that sleep in the Earth for the Dreadful God is arising to plead with you and to give unto all the World the Cup of his fierce Indignation because of your Idolatries and Hypocrisies and Abominations which have corrupted the Earth and are come up before him and have provoked him and the Cry of the Just who hath been smitten and laid slain is entred into the Ears of the Most High and his Sword which is the word of his Mouth is awakened to wound and slay all his Enemies And the Day of your Visitation is now come wherein the Lord is searching you and trying you that he may recompence you and this is the Word of the Lord to you Wherefore I am moved of the Lord to propound some few Queries to you for the tryal of your spirits and wayes to which I demand your Answer that all things may be brought to Light and true Judgement and that you may be judged justly and by the Spirit of the Lord cleered or condemned accorto your Deeds 1. Whether there were such order of Men and Women in the true Church of Christ in the Apostles dayes and where did Christ give Institution for such Worships Practices and manner of Life slouthful idleness and unprofitableness to God and Men as ye hold forth And whether any are bound to believe you and follow your Religion and Practices except you can prove by the Scriptures the Words of Christ or Example of his Saints and Apostles your Religion and Lives and Practices and Worships and whether you do admit of tryal in all your whole Religion by and according to the Scriptures and Writings of the Apostles yea or nay 2. Whether the World in your Hearts and the World's nature even the root of Lust the root of Pride Covetousness and the love of this World and its Vanities and the root of Idolatry is subdued in you to the Light in your Consciences I do speak and what is the root of all these things and what is it that subdues it Is it an outward abstinence by the force of Locks and Doors and Bolts or self-separation and secret Places that subdues the World's nature in Men and Women and is it by such means that Christ gives Victory over Sin and overcomes it in his People or is it not by the Power of God in the Heart onely and whether is it not damnable Hypocrisie in you to appear outwardly Holy and free from these things while yet the Nature and Root of all these things are alive in you and boyling up in the motions of them and is any outward thing the Cross of Christ and Christ crucified which mortifies to the World which the Apostles preached and rejoyced in 3. Whether is it a true denial of the World in you to deny it in one manner and place and to run into it and imbrace it in another way and place it doth not appear to me that you have denyed the World as the Apostles did For answer me where had they any such Seats in the finest and fattest Places of the Cities and Towns as ye have such great fine Houses and Gardens and such Revenues by the year as ye have staying all their dayes in a great House and spending their time in slouth and idleness as ye do they went up and down the World preaching the Gospel and had no certain dwelling Place but followed the Lamb of God in the Spirit and did not settle themselves in fat Places of the Earth continuing all their dayes as ye do therefore we judge that you are out of the Life and not in the spirit as the Apostles were in but are in the Form of Righteousness and Holiness without the Power So I demand an Answer to clear your selves if you can and to prove that you are of the true Church and that your Wayes and Practices are in and by the Spirit of God and according to the Scriptures 4. What is that Death that hath passed over all and reigned from Adam to Moses and whether it doth not reign yet in and over you and what is Moses's Ministration and whether ever through it you yet truely came and whether that part be subdued in you which the Law of God was added upon and whether are you come to Christ and know him as he was before Abraham and before Mary and how was he David's Lord and how his Son and is Christ within you born and revealed to you by whom the World was made and do you expect to be perfectly freed from Sin that ye shall not commit Sin in this Life upon Earth yea or nay 5. What is the Soul and what was its state and condition before Transgression and what is its state and condition in Transgression and whether may man come to be restored by the second Adam into the same estate while upon Earth as he lost in the first Adam yea or nay Friends I demand of you in the Name and Power of the Lord God to answer me these things in writing some of you and to subscribe your names that I may return you an Answer and query further of you for we are sent of God to visit you and to try you and if you be in the perfect Truth and would convert others to your Religion be plain with us and use your best Spiritual Weapons in your Zeal towards us and defend your Cause and appear for your God and if you doubt of your own Wayes and Practices and be not able to defend your Religion then let your Mouthes be stopped then turn from Idolatry for now is the Lord God risen that will judge ye and all the Earth righteously I am a lover of Souls but a Witness against all false Idolatrous Wayes of Antichrist and the Whore that hath reigned in the World and I am the Lord's Servant E. B. By the Scorners of the World called a Quaker These queries were sent to the Fryars in Latine ANd we were with
them again at other times in discourse with the chief of all the Fryars of the Company called Recolects also and did in the Power of the Lord declare Truth unto them and against their Idolatry until such time as some of them were so offended with us not having much wherewith to an swer in Truth to defend themselves they of the Company called Capuchins grew light and scornful and very wicked and did in a manner deny us the liberty any more to come unto them And we were with each Company of Fryars two several times and as for the Iesuites we had much upon us to visit them in their Colledges but we perceived that the chief Rector of the Colledge of Iesuiâ—â—s had heard of our being in the Town he did refuse to discourse with us and we went once into the Colledge and could not be admitted to speak with him And about a Week after we came into the Town the chief Governor Lockhart coming home he sent as he said to the Iesuites Colledge that they should admit us to come to speak with them and as we found it from the Lord upon us at a convenient season we went again to the Colledge and were for some hours in discourse with the chief Rector of the Colledge who appeared at the first very high and subtile and crafty and did in his heart reject us and the simplicity of the Gospel but Truth and the Word of the Lord had dominion over him and before the Truth he and they all are as weak as Water many things were disputed upon which the particulars now cannot be related but in about three hours time he grew weary pretending other business and would stay no longer with us and so we parted demanding of him whether he would admit some more discourse at some other time which he did refuse so we were not admitted to come to him any more whereupon these following Propositions I was moved to give forth and send among them as a Charge upon them in the Name and Power of the Lord and they were given and delivered in Latine up and down among the Iesuites and Fryars in the Town unto which to this day I never could receive an Answer therefore my charge lies upon them to this day as a Testimony from the mouth of the Lord against them of which they can never clear themselves And we were moved to visit the Nunns and went to their Place and before many words were spoken to them through a Grate for we might not see them and to speak to them both at once they asked If we were of the order of those called Quakers and they perceiving we were such said They might not hear us because we were such and presently passed away and refused to suffer us to speak to them and therefore we had very small time with them onely gave our Witness against them and passed away To all ye Iesuits Priests and Friars and to all you in general of the Romish Church in and about Dunkirk FRiends in dear love to all your Immortal Souls I am moved to lay these things before you that you may read and consider them in the Fear of the Lord God for as much as for some dayes I have been in this Town according to the Will of God and having rightly observed your Religion in its Original and in its present standing and in its practises and having truely examined some part of your Faith and Doctrines and the manner of your Worships and your Ordinances and the Orders and Discipline and Government of your whole Church and in the Spirit of the Lord having laid all things to the Line of true Judgement and equally measured them hereupon I do from the Lord and by his Spirit propound and assert these things unto you First That your Church is not the true Church of Christ the Lamb's Wife and Elected Spouse but is degenerated in her Faith and in her Doctrines and in her Worships and Ordinances in her Orders Discipline and Government from what the true Church of Christ was in the Apostles dayes before the Apostacy 2. That the Constitution of your Church and the chief part of your Worship and Ordinances and the way and manner of your Discipline and Government are of Man and set up and standeth by the will of Man and are not after God nor according to him but are after the Traditions of Man learned and practised therein which is Idolatry and are not in the Commandments of Christ nor in the Example of his Apostles non according to the Scriptures but without the Spirit of God being set up since the dayes of the Apostles and since the Apostacy came in which hath overshadowed the whole World 3. That there hath been over the World for Generations and many Ages since the dayes of the Apostles and true Churches a general declination and falling away from the true Faith and Doctrines and from the Worship and Ordinances and from the Discipline and Government that was amongst the Apostles and practised in the true Churches of Christ in their dayes and your Church is in that declination and falling away 4. That Antichrist the Beast and the Whore and false Prophets have reigned over the World for Generations the Antichrist that hath opposed Christ and been exalted in the Temple of God and been worshipped as God the Beast that hath killed the Saints and warred against them and had power over Kindreds and Tongues and the World hath wondred after him the Whore whom the Beast hath carried she hath sate upon Peoples Multitudes and Nations and drunk the Blood of the Saints and of the Martyrs and she hath corrupted the Earth and caused all to drink her Cup of Fornications And the false Prophets have overspred the Nations and deceived them and you and your Church are the Peoples the Multitudes and the Kindreds that the Beast hath received Power over and the Whore hath sate upon and the false Prophets deceived 5. That the true Church of Christ the Lamb's Wife the elected Spouse and the beloved City who brought forth him that was to rule the Nations hath been fled into the Wilderness and been fled into the Place of Mourning and Desolation for a thousand two hundred and sixty dayes and the Gentiles Feet have troden down the holy City the Lamb's Wife and had power over her for forty and two moneths and though she hath not been prevailed against nor overcome so as to be extinguished from having a Being yet her Being hath been in the Wilderness in Mourning and Desolation and she hath not appeared in the Glory and Excellency which once she had but hath lost her Garments and her Attire and her Heir and Husband separated from her and caught up to God and to his Throne and in this time of the Desolation and treading down of the holy City the Lamb's Wife and the reigning of the Beast and the Whore hath your Church been extant in her glory and power