thing in these Scriptures as that grace is a created thing nor that it is called the new creature but the Apostle saith By grace are we saved through faith and that not of our selves it is the gift of God Now was that grace by which they were saved a created thing if it was prove it by plain Scripture else stop thy mouth for we have searched the Scriptures and we find no such thing but we find that by grace they were saved and that they who are new creatures in Jesus Christ the grace of God was their teacher as it is our teacher to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly godly and righteously in this present evil world which grace is able to keep the hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God of all those who are taught by it but is not a created thing Pr. That the principles of Christian faith is established upon the Scriptures pag. 74. Answ. Faith hath but one foundation and all who are believers their foundation is established upon Christ who is the Author of Faith before any Scripture was written Jacob Enoch Abraham Isaac had no Scriptures written to establish their faith upon and when Moses and the Prophets had known seen and believed and from that wrote of him who was the true light enlightning every one that in him very one might believe so every one whether they have the writings of the Prophets and Apostles or not yet they have that in which they are to believe which if they believe not is condemned and believing in the light they come to be the children of the light and here the first principle comes to be known of faith and so the first principle of the doctrine of Christ must be known before the doctrine be profest and so all who know not the first principle of faith are far from the saith and who knows not the first principle of the doctrine is far from a doctrine and so the principle of a thing must be known before the thing but the Scripture speaks of nothing that the Christian faith is to be established upon but upon Christ who was glorified with the Father before the world was by whom all things which now are were made who hath given us of his spirit and to us it is given to believe and suffer for his names sake as it was given those who were his true witnesses before us and they did believe because it was given them to believe by the spirit so faith is the gift of God and many have the Scriptures which have not faith which is the giâ—t of God and they which are turned from the faith are pierced through with many hurtful lusts have the Scriptures and say they believe what the Scripture speaks but this I say that faith is the ground of the Scriptures and not the Scriptures the ground of faith and none can believe in Christ but they who believe in the â—ight which Christ hath enlightned every one withal that cometh into the World and all who own Christs Doctrine who saiâ—h believe in the light that ye may be the children of light which who believe in shall not abide in darkness but shall have the light of life and shall not enter into condemnation but who believe in any thing else their faith is vain they are yet in their sins and he that lays another foundation for faith then Christ let him be accurst Thus having laid before the people some of those things with which his book is filled and for this end do I lay them open that those for whom Christ died and unto whom his love is reached forth to bring them to the Father should not be corrupted with the unsound form of doctrine delivered unto them by their Priest And again as followeth I shall lay down some particulars which he hath held forth as affirmed principles in his book which if you receive his testimony you must believe as your principles also but if you come to try them with the measure of the light that Christ hath enlightned them withal then you will deny both him and them therefore mark them as followeth 1 That the Magistrate is an Officer of Jesus Christ as Mediator 2 That Jesus Christ hath a political and spiritual Kingdom 3 That Christ the eternal Son of God is distinct from the Father eternally 4 That the Spirit was distinguished from the Father and Son from eternity 5 That the Father Son and Spirit are three substances 6 That the soul of man is humane and that humane and immortal is both one 7 That Christ may dwell in his people by his special spiritual presence and have no union with them 8 That God dwells in the heavens but hath no union with them 9 That the union between God and believers cannot be comprehended by the Saints here 10 That heaven is not to be enjoyed whâ—le men are here 11 That the Corinthians who were baptized from the dead were ancâ—ent Hereticks 12 That the light which hath enlightned every man that cometh into the World is the light of reason and understanding and is natural 13 That natural light is the remainders of Gods image in man 14 That God is a respecter of persons 15 That the grace of God is a created thing and that it is called the new creature 16 That the principles of Christiaâ— faith is established upon the Scriptures I having here answered and laid open those things which is a mist of darkness over the peoples minds and understandings whereas they are either received or believed to the end that all who read it may come to that understanding which is a well-spring of life and to the knowledge of that truth by which iniquity is purged out and to the counsel of God in the heart which is like deep waters whereby judgment in righteousness comes to be set up by which the simple and tender-hearted comes to be preserved out of the snares of subtilty and craftiness to walk in the light of the Lord which is the path of the iust and the way of life and all they are blessed with spiritual blessings that walk in it for they shall be able to tread upon Scorpions and the deadly poyson that is under the tongues and in the hearts of the generation of Vipers and Serpents shall not hurt them and this power shall all those be indued with which believe in the light of the Lord answering that of God in all their consciences which leads into a chast conversation before the Lord ordering their conversations aright in his sight and all such who be turned to the light with which they are enlightned by Christ shall discern who serves God and who serves him not in this day when many profess him but few serve him in spirit and in truth as he will be worshipped by them whom he hath chosen Necessary Questions propounded to the Priests to be answered 1 WHat is that in every man which
sound of Christ as a light hath never been heard where sin and iniquity is discovered but that which hath brought forth these things may well be called an untimely birth which ntver saw the Sun not never knew the light which Christ hath enlightned every man withall which cometh into the world for a little of this fruit doth manifest that tree from whence it springs so we shall judge the tree by it's fruits Another fruit from this tree is to give his testimony of the Law of Faith which is this How far the Law of Faith may be said to be written upon every mans heart is not given unto me to understand only this glimpse I have of it That it appears to have had an influence upon the heart of man by those sacrifices which were offered up to God before the publication of the positive Law wherein as well Cain as Abel offered sacrifices Gen. 4.4 Answ. This testimony doth not proced from the word of Faith in thy heart for that would give an understanding how the Law of Faith is written in the heart as well as how the Law of Works is written and this thy glimpse which thou sayes thou sees from the proposing of the promise and the influence which thou sayes thou seest upon the heart of man by the Sacrifices of Cain as wel as Abel offered unto God if this thy pretended light and glimpse which is so far of Christ be truly weighed and tryed it may prove but a vain vision and a divination of thy own heart as all who consider thy testimony of the Law of Faith in saying that the discovery thereof ariseth from what is without and that it had never been known nor never thought of nor never would it or could it rationally have come into the heart of man to have conceived such a thing but from the declaration of God in his promise Here it doth appear Faith is a mysterie to thee and thy eye hath not seen it nor the ear heard neither hath it entered into thy heart to conceive Faith in the working and operation of it And in that thou sayest well that it was not given thee to understand how it is written upon every man's heart and thou had done well if thou had not stretched thy self beyond the line of thy knowledge and understanding for thou thy self confessest that unto those first believers Abel Enoch Noah Abraham Isaac Jacob Moses David Daniel and the rest there was communicated unto them a Spirit of Faith and a Light sutable and proportionable whereby they were enabled to behold Christ who was the object of their Faith Then if it did arise from the Spirit of Faith within them the Light of Christ who was the Author of their Faith it did not arise from the Declaration of God in the promise without so that the mysterie of Faith vvhich is held in a pure conscience is yet to be learned vvhich vvas vvitnessed amongst the Saints So vvhen thou vvrites again of the Lavv of Works or the Lavv of Faith or the discovery vvhich the Lord maketh to his creature under the diversity of these administrations keep back to the measure of the gift of God and then vvil thy testimony be no larger then thy knowledge vvhich is a guilt hath spread over many in these days but this I say Blessed is the man which doth not condemn himself in the thing vvhich he allovveth and vvhich doth not destroy himself vvith the breath of his ovvn mouth but there is a generation which their own breath as fire shall devour them Again concerning the Light which every man is enlightened withal which is thy stumbling-block and rock of offence as it is unto all the rest whose deeds are evil Thou saist God hath not annointed it to that Work nor laid the weight of eternal salvation upon the shoulders thereof it being too weak for that service Answ. Him hath God annointed who is the Light of the World and hath enlightened every man that cometh into the World and there is no work of eternal salvation wrought but in the Light which every man is enlightened withal and this Light is of him and from him which bears the sins in his own body and is not too weak for that service which the Father hath given him to do and this Light is Christ. And whereas some say Hath every man Christ Every man hath Christ to save or to condemn him Christ is as truly the condemnation of those whose deeds are evil as he is the Saviour of them that believe and as those that believe in the Light are already saved by Christ so also those that believe not in his Light which he hath enlightned them withall are already condemned And so Christ is near unto every one to answer every mans work according to the nature of it whether he serve sin unto death or be found in the obedience of truth unto eternal life for now is the day appeared to try every mans Work of what sort it is and now are many offended because the Light is broken forth and their eye is evil because the Lords is good But wo unto the World because of offences if any have the Spirit of a King let him search out the cause of the offence which is now broken forth amongst the children of men that the enmity which is in all sorts of people of all professions should rise up together and become a body the wicked joâ—ning hand in hand preaching and printing and crying for unity which they are making up of enmity that they may be strong against that which the Lord hath now brought forth in his Light and Power to be Witnesses unto him in every place wheresoever he doth call them witnessing forth his Mercy and Truth by which iniquity is purged out and preaching the Gospel to every creature whereby they may come to the knowledge of the truth that they may be saved But in the World it is so come to pass in these days that he that can but give reviling terms and hard speeches against the Light which Christ hath enlightned every man withall calling it natural or insufficient and if they do but revile those whom they call Quakers and put this in the beginning of his Book then it passeth with toleration and hath as good approbation from the World as any of the Priests have for their Ministry but if any man begin to speak of the Light within and the Annointing within and the Word of Faith in the heart and of the Mystery of Faith in a pure conscience and of the sprinkling of the heart from an evil conscience and of believing in the Light as Christ said such a one speaking of these things and not directing his speech in open reproach against them called Quakers the peoples hearts will be fiâ—led with jealousies lest he be one So that even the Light is become a reproach unto them and their derision daily but the Lords hand is
over the world purifieth the heart and maketh man obedient and faithfull unto Goâ— as he lives in it till he hath fought the fight of it and overcome his spiritual enemy power of darkness which hath led man from his Maker into sin and transgression so as the gift of God did largely shew forth it self in the said servant of Christ by opposing and renouncing Errors stopping the mouths of and many times convincing gainsayers 3. And though his bodily presence and his speech to some seemed weak and contemptible yet we can in the truth bear witness that he was a man both of a solid spirit and quick understanding and delivered weighty things in his ministring as were felt by such as were unprejudiced who were impartial sober and staied in their spirits and the innocency and uprightness of his life and conversation so many have a certain knowledge and can give their testimony thereof that I shall need to say little as to that and he labored for peace unfeigned love and unity in the Truth amongst people witnessing against that spirit and those things in any which would either make division or cause offences or stumblings in any thing contrary to the Gospel of peace and salvation wherein the mystery of the everlasting and true fellowship consisteth and he truly preached the Cross of Christ and true judgment to such spirits as would live in a form and notion of Truth out of the life power and true obedience who though they may profess great matters in words and strain after high things in the carnal comprehension yet are but in the state of such as were dead as unto whom the Gospel hath in judgment beeâ— preached that they might be judged as men in the flesh buâ— live according to God in the Spirit as that follower of Christ and Minister of righteousness R. H. hath held forth who walked in his integrity to the Lord and â—â—tained his first love and habitation in the truth being over all such changeable spirits as would lead from it into any ways or things tending to be get prejudice division or offences in the minds contrary to thâ—â— pure love which stands in the living unchangeable Truth Anâ— this I must needs say touching that man that I never felt more of the presence and love of God accompanying him theâ— I did in that time we were sufferers and conversant togetheâ— in Newgate before his decease And he viz. R. H. was taken away in a time of suffering and tryal for the testimony of a good conscience being in the year 1662. in which many of the Lords people were under persecution especially in the City of London for the exercise of their tender consciences in meeting together in the worship of God as the Saints and true Christians in the Primitive times did and diverse others of the innocent and faithful servants of Christ who were sufferers upon the same account in Newgate London laid down their lives for the â—estimony of Jesus about that time as he did being for the most â—art taken weak and sick in prison and as was judged by the most part their hard imprisonment and deep suffering being crouded together in great companies the hot season in prison â—nd in holes was the occasion and beginning of their distemâ—er and sickness whereon they died before they were discharâ—ed of their imprisonment So as he nor they did suffer nor â—ere taken away for any evil-doing or in wrath or judgment â—ut in the peace and love of God as to them-ward having paâ—iently endured and faithfully finished their course with joy â—nd fulfilled their testimony in faithfulness as seeing him â—hat is invisible having received a crown of glory and life â—hose memorial lives with us and is for ever blessed and â—hus the Lord hath many times taken away the righteous â—â—om the evil to come who through faith have received a â—â—od report and left an everlasting testimony behind them And now blessed are all they that in faith patience and sinâ—â—rity do follow the Lamb unto the end whithersoever â—e goeth â—hether it be through tribulations persecutions or what sufâ—â—rings soever for such are they that keâ—p their habitations 〈◊〉 the power and love of God and such overcome by the blood 〈◊〉 the Lamb and the word of their testimony and shall reign â—ith Christ as victorious Conquerors in his everlasting kingâ—â—m over death and darkness and the power of it and such 〈◊〉 abide in the love of the Truth and Faith of Gods Elect do 〈◊〉 and witness that seed which God will exalt over the earth â—â—â—ore which he will root out and overturn his enemies that his 〈◊〉 plant may take deep root and spread to the ends of the 〈◊〉 And so all friends who have received the love of the Truth and the knowledg of the life and power thereof wherein is immortality to the faithful and obedient Be valiant for the Truth upon earth and live in true love unity and peace always minding and folâ—owing those things which make for peace and feel the true and constant love and fellowship in the Gospel of peace life and salvation And so blessings from on high will fill your hearts and the glory of the Lord will be your rereward in the everlasting inheritance of life with the holy seed which will out-live all its enemies and remain when the enmity of the wicked and the seed of it is removed and gone So the Lord exalt his Name and Truth and promote his Kingdom over all that is contrary to himself that he alone may have the glory and preheminence whose right it is G. W. Waltham in Essex the 27 of the 11 month 1662. Epist. pag. 4. lin 30. for attained read retained pag. 5. lin 16. for so as he read so as neither he Reader this following Testimony was given forth by our dear Friend Edward Burroughs before he finished his testimony by death for the Truths sake which I thought fit here to insert RIchard Hubberthorne was born in the North part of Lancashire and was of very honest Parents his Father was a Yeoman of the Country and had a good Report of his Neighbours for uprightnâ—sse in all his dealings and Richard was his onely Son who was inclinable from his youth upwards to Religion and to the best way always minding the best things and following the company of good men and was never known to be addicted to vice or malignity nor ever following any evil course of life from his Child hood but fâ—â—red the Lord and walked uprightly before him and 〈◊〉 faithful according to the Light and knowledge received in all things and his natural disposition temper was meek and lowly and loved peace among men he was brought up with his Parents in good education according to the custom of the Country and in time of the late Wars he was disposed ro go into the Army and was in Scotland most of the time till the Land was reduced and he
deceit in Westchester and of his free-will hath given me not only to belâ—eve but to suffer for his Name sake who hath called me out of my own Countrey and from my Father's House and to go in obedience to his command whithersoever he shall call me While I was young I girded my self and went whither I would and then I yeilded obedienâ—e to my own will and to the will of man and was a man-pleaser but the Will of God I knew not neither was obedient to his commands but when the Lord was pleased to reveal his Son in me and make known his Will unto me to enlighten me with his true Light which hath enlightened every one that cometh into the World and by it let me see my self to be a stranger to him and knew him not though I was grown mighty in the Aegyptians Wisdom and was in love with the World and in the favour of men and in a profession and words of man's wisdom exceeded others being in a form of godliness but was ignorant of his Power and his Word but when his Power was made manifest and his Word spoke within me which Word was in my heart and was as a fire or a hammer and this Word being made manifest within me my Conscience being awakened by the Light of God which did convince me of sin and did testifie against all my words and actions and that just judgments of God were revealed from Heaven against that Nature I lived in and the Trumpet of the Lord was sounded within me and the Earth did tremble and the Viâ—ls of the wrath of the Almighty were poured down upon me and the powers of the Earth were terribly shaken the foundation of Wisdom and Earthly Knowledge was shaken and the Judgements of God were upon the outward man and my flesh was wasted off my bones and the bones smote one against another and I knew the Lord to be terrible and this Word powerful in burning up and hammering down the lustful nature I lived in in pleasure and wantonness in pride and fulness which the Word of the Lord was declared against and this Word I witness spoken from the Lord 's own power within me which made my flesh and bones to tremble exceedingly and did cause pain in all my loyns and paleness of face my comeliness was turned into corruption and my joy into lamentation and I was brought to the bed of sorrows where I cryed out in the bitterness of my spirit and I had no ease nor rest day nor night for the hearing of the ear which I did hear and the sight of mine eyes which I did see I heard the sound of the Trumpet the Alarum of War within me terrors wo misery and destruction was upon me in my trouble I cryed in the evening Would God it were morning and in the morning Would God it were evening and the terrors of the Almighty being upon me my acquaintance and familiars stood a far off me for they knew not the power of the Lord nor the Judgements of my God which I do witness to be revealed and made manifest in me and the Lord raised up in me a love to his Word by which all the powers of the Earth did tremble and the Earth it self was shaken by it and by this Word was I called to go and declare it as I had received it from the Lord to those who lived in the same Heathenish nature without the knowledge of God and to declare the Judgements of God against sin and ungodliness as they were made manifest in me And by this Word was I called to forsake Father and Mother Lands and Living to go in obedience to the Lord who commanded me not to take thought what I should eat or what I should drink or wherewith I should be cloathed but cast my care upon him And this I witness the Lord's care and those whom the Lord calls into his Work and who labour in his Vinyard need not complain to the World for want And for yeilding obedience to the Lord and his commands and not giving obedience to the corrupt Will of man who commands me contrary to what the Lord hath commanded do I suffer under the persecution of those who are set in the place of Rulers and Magistrates professing themselves to be Ministers of the Law of England and to act Justice according to that Law and do bear the Names of Major Justices of Peace and Magistrates and say they act according to the Law of the Nation and present Government but they are seen to be in the generation of those who were ever persecutors of the righteous Seed where-ever it is brought forth and the Servants of the Lord in all ages were ever persecuted by that generation professing to be Ministers of Justice But that which is acted is cruelty persecution and injustice and the righteous suffer whom the Law was not made for but for the lawless and disobedient and was added because of transgression The righteous Law af God was to be inflicted upon transgressors breakers of the Law but the unrighteous Law of men is inflicted upon the righteous who walk blameless and are proved no transgressors but in obedience to the Lord do witness a good conversation towards God and towards men our consciences bearing us witness in the sight of God And those who are Rulers of the City and Rulers of the Synagogue under whom I suffer imprisonment say this is their Law That if I will home into my own Countrey aâ—â— to my Father's House and stay there and depart this City I may be free upon this account else I shall remain in prison And this is contrary to the command of the Lord for he hath commanded me out of my own Countrey and from my Fathers house but my own Countrey dwelling and Fathers house the World knows not that which I am called from they know the natural man knows that which is natural And this is contrary to the Law of the Nation for the Law of the Nation doth not confine any to stay at one place nor to be kept from any one City being proved no transgressors nor breakers of the Law But I seek a Country and City whose Builder and Maker is God and truly if I had been â—â—â—dful of the Country I came forth and did love the pleasures delights and flesh-pots of Egypt which I am called from I might have had opportunity to have returned thither but in obedience to the Lord I had rather suffer affliction with the people of God then enjoy the pleasures of Egypt And you who say I have no lawful calling I do witness the same Word of God the true prophets of the Lord were commanded by to declare against all sin and ungodliness by the same Word do I declare against it where I am commanded of the Lord and am called out of the same calling that they were into the same Work of the Lord that they were and so I do
was and the place of her abode and answer was made to both then they asked What their business was to Oxford they answered They were commanded of the Lord to come thither they asked What to do they answered To declare against sin and ungodliness which they lived in as pride covetousness lust and all uncleanness self-righteousness and all false worship which both Priest and people lived in contrary to the commands of God Then they asked them How they knew they were called of God they said They knew the voice of God and that they were called of God And this is to be observed as a true testimony of these two servants of the Lord that they did neither beg nor steal neither did they wrong nor violence to any man they coveted no mans silver gold nor apparel but because they obeyed the word of the Lord and did his work faithfully speaking the word of the Lord in boldness against the deceits of the Priests and people in the Streets in the Market-place in the Synagogues and in the Colledges clearing and discharging their consciences in the Lords work and service freely administring that which they had freely received from the Lord of whom they do receive their reward for their reward is with them and the presence of the Lord God doth accompany them and for their obedience to the Lord they receive the shame of the world as ever the servants of the Lord did who were mocked buffâ—tted and shamefully used being tied together at Johns Colledge and pumped and kicked and buffetted and thrust into a pool called Giles's pool so that they went into a remote place to wash the dirt off their cloathes And here both Magistrates and Schollers and they who pretend to be Ministers of the Gospel are the chiefest actors in this persecution and so do make themselves manifest to be in the same generation of the Scribes and Pharisees and Hypocrites who were ever persecutors of the righteous seed whomever it hath brought forth and so they fill up the measure of their fathers iniquities Again as concerning the Justices being assembled the Vice-chancellor being the chief actor in this persecution said That they blasphemed the name of God and did abuse the Spirit of God and dishonour the grace of Christ and asked the women Whether they did read the Scriptures they answered Yea they did then they asked them Whether they were not to be obedient to the power of the Magistrate they answered They were obedient to the power of God and to the power as it was of God their souls were subject unto it for consâ—ience sake Well said the Vice-chancellor you prophane the word of God and I fear you know not God though you so much speak of him And then they concluded that there was matter enough for their commitment and punishment and wished the women to withdraw consenting that a paper should be drawn up for their being whipped out of the City And when the paper was drawn up it was presented to the Major to set his hand to it but the said Major refused and said He was not willing to do it but one of the Justices said That it was the privilâ—â—ge of the City that if any vagrant were taken within the Franchises and liberties of the City the paper must be drawn up That I such a one Major have committed such and such persons and then it is to be sealed with the Office seal but the Major answered That he would refuse both then others said who were zealous and thought that they had done God good service That if he would not it should be done by them and it was agreed upon that they should be soundly whipped and that for the present because of the tumult be put into the cage And the next morning their wills was performed though with much unwillingness in the executioner Many other particulars might be mentioned of their sufferings afflictions and patience under reproachings revilings slanders and false accusations cast upon them which is the portion of the righteous in the world as Christ said Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute and speak all manner of evil against you falsly for my names sake rejoyce and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the Prophets that were before you Mat. 5.11 12. and saith Christ They shall put you out of the synagogues yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth God service and these râ—â—â—gs will â—hey do unto you because they know not the Father nor me Joh. 16.2 3 4. Aâ—â— nâ—w both sons and daughters of the Lord comes to witness these â—hings fulfilled and you Magistrates Priests and people do fulfil the Scriptures against the servants of the living God as you have done against these And herein is made manifest your tyranny and persecution the chief Priest being the chief actor in it yet there was many in the City that have so much of the light of Christ made manifest in them as to acknowledge them to be servants of the living God and to own them in their sufferings and to confess the appearance of Christ in them before men and in love did accompany them out of the City and did own them in their persecution And this testimony is true to testifie to all people and to all the world the cruelty of unreasonable men and that the Major had no hand in any of this cruel usage and persecution The names of the two women who suffered persecution for righteousness sake is Elizabeth Heavens and Elizabeth Fletcher R.H. Two Letters written by R. H. during his imprisonment in Norwich Castle From Norwich Castle TO all my dear friends whom the Lord by his eternal spirit is gathering out of the World into the covenant of Life to be of one heart and mind and soul. Wait all in that which is pure and invisible that the pure teachings of Christ you may know every one in particular which is without form and beauty to the visible that nothing you may receive but that which speaks from the eternal moving of the living God have salt in your selves to savour with all words you may discern which is without life and power and standing single in that which is pure of God all such deny to be your teachers which have the words of truth but live not in the life and power of what they say so in the power of the living God wait in silence of all flesh and here comes that which hath been fed to be famisht and that which hungers after God comes to receive living nurture and nourishment from God So in the invisible comes to feed upon the bread of life which comes from heaven and the tender plants will come to grow up unto eternal life and fruit will be brought forth unto God dwelling in that which is invisible and all untimely fruit will wither and fade away but keeping low in the light
Except ye eat my flesh and drink my blood ye have no life in you And this is his Supper in eating of which the creature hath life in himself Therefore fly from idolatry I speak unto wise men judge what I say the cup of blessing which we bless is the Communion of the blood of Christ and the bread which we break is the Communion of the body of Christ For we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread 1 Cor. 10.14 15 16 17. For the bread of God is he that came down from Heaven and giveth life unto the World John 6.33 Then said they unto him Lord evermore give us this bread and Jesus said unto them I am the bread of life he that cometh to me shall never hunger and he that believeth on me shall never thirst John 6.34 35. I am the living bread which came down from heaven if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever and the bread that I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world v. 51. But the Jews could not belive this neither can this Priest but saith we own feâ—ding on Christs flesh but deny his Supper and so as blind as they But by the life which we receive in eating of his flesh and drinking of his bloud are we manifest to be of those that feed at his Table and cannot have communion at the Table of Devils as the Church of God could not 1 Cor. 10.21 Again He saith that we own baptism with the spirit but deny baptism with water I answer Who come to the baptism with the spirit into one body they are come to the one baptism which the Saints witnessed not laying again the doctrine of baptism which waâ— several but witnessing the one the substance of the other which was necessary to salvation so all those things in which the substance was signified whether circumcision or water is not denied in their time and place when the obedience in them was from the command of the spirit and not from tradition but people now in the ignorance of God and his ways take up things by tradition being both out of the command and out of the substance and such deny the substance where it is witnessed as for this Priest Clapham he hath never ministred water baptism as it was ministred when it was a doctrine from heaven for there is not one in all his Congregation that had first received the holy Ghost nor believed in Christ before he baptised them with water and so both the substance and the figure is denied in him so that in that in which he would accuse another without ground is he upon good ground found guilty And as for denying to give thanks that is false for we are bound in spirit to give thanks always to the Father who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light and whether we eat or eat not we give God thanks and this we are come to witness to pray without ceasing and in all things give thanks for so is the will of God concerning us and in us is it fulfilled and we sing with the Spirit and with understanding also but such take Davids conditions which waâ— made manifest unto him in the sure mercies of the Lord to him and sing his deliverances whose soul is yet in the pit and sing his prophesies who never knew the spirit of prophesie in themselves and say they have roared all the day long by reason of their sins when as they have roared all the day long in fulfilling their sins and iniquities and for the scorners to say they have no scornful eye and for the proud to say they are not puft in mind such singing we deny which is without the Spirit and without understanding also For light is sown for the righteous and joy for the upright in heart so to the light with which Christ hath enlightned every one that cometh into the world I speak which tends to uprightness of heart and unto holiness without which no man can see the Lord those things which are reprovable are made manifest in the Liâ—ht and that which doth make manifâ—st is light which all who be out of it is in darkness and know not whether they go nor what they profit as many now in these days being kept from the light and gate of truth by the doctrines of men and so never come to read in the Lambs book of life which first all must come to know the vials poured forth upon the earth upon the Beast and his works and his sear which is found standing in all them who be from the light they be enlightned withal But the hour is coming and now is when all they that be upon the face of the earth may see the appearance of the Son of God and may receive his power in the measure which his Father hath given them to receive him in therefore every one who comes to see with the light of the Son of God enter into thaâ— which you see to be of him and out of that which you see to be of the World that so the everlasting righteousness and peace you may possess in your obedience to what is made manifest that you may come to see and favour the things of God from those things that be of the World and as every one walks in the light you will be as a sweet smelling sacrâ—fice unto the Lord and knowing and feeling the power of â—he Lord with it the everlasting door vvill be opened and the vvell-springs of life to the feeding of the plants of God with the uncorruptible food which is every word which proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord vvhich vvill be received as that of God in every particular is kept single Again The Priest in his 3 4 5. Section saith That we deny the doctrine of the Trinity and that we hold equality with God and the soul be â—ne being with God and corrupt the doctrine of justification Answ. For a Trinity of persons there is no such docâ—â—â—ne in the Scriptures neither the vvord three Persons nor Trinity and so three distinct one from another eternally as he hath held forth saying Christ is the eternal Son of God distinct from the Father eternally and the Spirit is distinguished from the Father and the Son eternally This is a Tradition of men taught for a doctrine but no doctrine and in denying of that vve do but deny Claphams tradition but as for the Father Word and Spirit which bear record in heaven these three are one and vvas never separated eternally for Christ in the days of his flesh vvhen he vvas in the vvorld said I and my Father are one and said I in them and they in me that they may be one as we are one John 17.11 22. and so this doctrine of the unity of the Father Word and Spirit
is manifest the Press is abused by such an Anti-scriptural and Antichristian error proceeding out of John Stelhams old heart and manifested from his Pen then with his lying Message he follows after his flattering titles and sayes ere long the Lord himself will rebuke them viz Quakers to silence that they shall neither write nor speak so presumptuously c. If his Lords believe this Message they shall never bless him but in the end curse him when the production of his lying Prophesie appears which is deceiving of their Soules and will prove a curse upon them and posterity and is feeding of them with hopes of vanity and lyes and on his owne head shall his false vision fall a Rebuke into silence shall come upon him the sin is his writing presumpuously and arrogantly and the judgment thereof shall he feel and all that believe him truth shall be established and his lying tongue is but for a moment then his lye he adds to his Message which is that the Lord Jesus is fighting against them viz Quakers with the Sword of his mouth c. What wicked presentation is this to the chief Rulers of Nations even lyes one heaped upon another to suggest into the minds of men to stir up wrath in their hearts against the just nay Jesus is our Prince of peace and righteousness and is with us and fights for us and who can be against us none but such as are his enemies and have denied him and his light and counted it a perverse Principle O how fain would John Stelham sinfull indeed gaine a Kingdom by flattering and have praise of his works by his Lyes which he hath made his Refuge and his Weapon too they that believe him shall perish with him that 's all that may be said his flattering titles and words of guile may gain upon the wicked but the just man is preserved from the fury of a deceitfull tongue then his supposed humble Supplicate after his false Vision and lying Messâ—ge is That every person whatsoever may not impute strike them viz Quakers Corporally c. This appears fair in word if his meaning was right yet while he supplicates That every one may not though whether he means any one may not I determine not strike them corporally c. Yet to publish his Lyes and Errors and Slanders he would have liberty this is but so much more secretly to strike in the greater hypocrisie in more crafty subtilty and indeed well may the Priests of England be ashamed of what hath already been acted as to striking and cruel abuses and works of that nature the blood of many harmless hath been spilt wofully in streets and Steeple-houses through the means of the false Prophets it may be they will now take another Weapon seeing that hath failed and not wrought effect no more shall any formed weapon agâ—inst the innocent and though some of them have shamefully cried Fight Lads for the Gospel others may with as much hypocrisie write for the fighting lads and in as great deceit And then he gives an Exhortation in his Supplicate and saith Be pâ—eased to let them viz Quakers know that we are guarded by a bettâ—r Law then what they upbraid us with its time to be ashâ—med that you have been so long guarded by a Popish Law yet the secret crafts of this man is noted in this subtile suggestion a better law would he have what doth it too much shame you by the name of Popish Law and would you be lesse discovered if the law of the same virtue were of another Authority then Queen Mary and of another Dominion than the Pope therefore a Law from the Protector he would supplicate if possible That how ever we may not have liberty to deliver our Doctrine in their Assemblies as he saith and this evill man and decever who waxes worse and worse in his way impudently slanders the way of God reproaches the Doctrine of the Gospel of Christ and would wickedly make men more honest than himself believe that these mens viz Quakers Tenents as he saith are as reprobate stuff of the Jesuites their blasphemies as horrid as the Popish Parasites O the wickednesse and impudence vvhich hath appeared out of this mans heart in those few words wickednesse in that his words are lyes and devilish and impudent in that he dares thus to appear to an Authority with the Dedication of Lyes Let him take notice of this we are cleer from his false Accusations and of Popish Doctrines But they that are one wiâ—h him are not from being guarded with a Popish Law and these are truly Romes Subjects who are guarded with his Law more than we are Romes Emissaries which scarcely he would cast upon us and make the Protector and his Councel believe it if their hearts be so hardened But better is thought upon concerning them though I.S. would make them evill suggesting evill into their hearts But a false Prophet is known by his Lyes and Slanders and secret smiting and then he saith He would have some of this Sect viz Quakers more narrowly watched c. and stigmatized Oh cruelty out of the abundance of the heart his mouth utters like a Pot boiling with anger that cannot contain it within the mouth what lodges in tbe heart of this man consider what less then in their hearts who â—ere Queen Maryes Jesuiees and Priests if the Protector and Councel would answer the cruel intent of his mind as Queen Mary did theirs Balaam or worse he is or he hath sought inchantment and would curse before they sent for him to doe so but it shall return on his owne head who is watched against for a Wolfe and Devourer and stigmatized for a Deceiver and false Deviner one who art marked for a false Prophet and known to be so by every one who is taught of God and in the end of all this secretly uttered wickednesse and cruelty insinuatingly expressed to suggest evill into the minds of men more honest than himself he wishes for Blessing upon his Highness and Honours that they may discern true Spirits from false such who proceed out of the mouth of the false Prophet from such as proceeds from the Father and from the Son indeed of such a gift of discerning they have need and by the fruits they may try every Spiri t in a just tryal by just judgment are thou tryed they spirit is made manifest to be the spirit which proceeds out of the mouth of the Dagon who wars against the Saints and out of the mouth of the Beast who hath many Heads many Horns which Beast arose up in the Apostacy since the Apostles days thy spirit is made manifest to be the spirit of the false Prophet who deceives the Nations for thy fruits doth discover thee a lyer a slanderer a perverter of the right way of God art thou proved and such things proceeds out of the mouth of the false Prophet so let them
beware of thy spirit who art not guided by the spirit of Christ Jesus nor of the Father but a worker of darkness a revâ—ler of the light of Christ calling it false Prophet-like as being led with the spirit of the Dragon the Beast Perverse Principle We have measured thy spirit to be as I have said and he that speaks otherwise speaks as a lye and if the Protector and his Councel believes oâ—herwise they believe a lye and cannot obtain a blessing though thou with thy lying spirit pray for them whom God the Father of blessings hears not but is against thee and this is my prayer the Lord rebuke thee thy wicked tongue and give the Protector and his Councel a better understanding than to believe thee else will the Lord make them cursed to themselves and to the Nations of them my heart hopes better things and this might serve for a full Answer to thy whole Book and by this little of thy work that I have viewed and turned unto the sigh of all art thou discovered to be an enemy to God and a secret envier of his people and by what thou hast said it appeares what the rest of the whole matter can be an evil spirit cannot bring forth good works but yet a little further is my matter unvayled for the sake of the upright And further J. S. after his wicked Presentation to the Rulers of this Nation with lyes and evill Speeches proceeding out of his old heart he writes an Epistle out of the same heart to the Church as he calls them wherein is many words uttered but altogether tasted with that leaven of his malice against Quakers and Quakerism who seemes to be the greatest burthen upon his evil heart because truth is among them if truth go on his deceit wil be more made manifest wither and perish and so as subtilly as may be he would defend himself in the sight of his Church that his shame may not appear before them it may be least his Hire should be abated and he seems to cast a cloak upon them but whether out of pure love to their Soules or for his owne Gain such a sum of Money God knowes how ever the least Child in the truth dwelling in the light sees his length and can measure his state knows that good cannot come from an old lying heart he speaks something of wondering after the beast and false Prophet but hath not described what the Beast is and the false Prophet And I refer the Reader to a Book called The Measure of the Times wherein the Priests of England such as J. S. is reproved according to the Scripture to be the very branches of the same Root of false Prophets which all the World wondered after in Johns time though he speak much to his Church of Christ without and of his birth blood and his righteousness and justification thereby c. but to all that I say All are Reprobates but such in whom Christ is within them and none are justified but such nor hath any part in the inheritance of God though they may profess never so much of Christ without and what he hath done for others yet except he be within them too to change and renew them and give them power over all their sins their profession of him is vain I am no picker of Quarrels else many of his words might be searched which I run over hastily knowing his voice to be the voice of a stranger and not of Christ who never made use of an old sinful heart to pen Epistles to Churches But into this lets search he saith Christ blesseth Infants-Baptism Where or when I aske proof of this and till then I say J.S. hath belyed Christ and the generation of the just Wel may he bely us when he hath bely'd Christ who could not bleâ—s that which there was not there was no Infants baptism that ever we read of in his dayes sure people will be more wise than to be established through Lyes else their sin be upon them if through hardnesse of heart they be given up to believe Lyes that they may perish He speakes of a well ordered Conversation Inded this seems Hypocrisie to exhort others their Churches to that which many of the Independent Teachers have not thmselves who are Hirelings and takes Guifts and Rewards for Preaching and is in the way of all the Deceivers of old and they that do these things have not a wel ordered Conversation but a Conversing with the generation of ungodly when we read the plain words of Christ Luke 17. The Kingdom of Heaven is within you he saith we madly wrest the reading of the words when we neither add nor diminish now he seems to say It is the Kingdom of Heaven among you and not the Kingdom of heaven within you and so blames the Scripture and confoundâ— the doctrine of many of the Independents who say the Scripture is believers Rule but he seems to charge ths Scripture with false translations and therefore is subject to alteration and so cannot be the Rule of Believers according to his own account thus by wicked men are we blam'd when we do not speak according to Scripture language and now as wickedly charged by I. S. for speaking just in the Scripture-expressions with madly wresting the words but thus it was before whatsoever we do now by enemies must be reviled and our words abused contrary to our innocent intents Then in the end of his Epistle he desires the Prayers of his Church that his Reply may be accompanyed with power according to the truth of it Indeed so it shall and no more according to the truth of it which is very falshoods and deceits so shall the power of the Lord confound it and turne it into folly and confusion as may he seen by a sober man who this following doth with patience read and weigh Then many things is uttered by him in his Epistle to the Reader he seems to shew he saith how R. F. and his Associates have made up A Litter and Fardel of Erroneous Divinity and secretly charging us with making up of what we professe from some Writers before us But to this I answer His reproachfull words Litter and Fardel and Erroneous we beare with patience rather rejoycing that we are accounted worthy of the reproach for the truth sake from an envious man then to be angry with our reproaches But however let him and all our enemies know what we professe and bear witness of we receive not from man but from God even the Gospel which we testify of by the revelation of Jesus Christ in us we received it informs others to the same door which is by our Ministry that they may receive the same and this is but his poor shift to undervalue the power and truth of Jesus in the sight of men who would falsly make men believe That our Doctrines are but the spawn of
their sins though J.S. say that not one man in the world knows God to be God till he finds him in the Scripture But I say unto him as Christ said unto the Pharises Who had neither heard his voice at any time nor seen his shape had not his word abiding in them nor did not believe in the Light and that he was the Light vvhich did enlighten every man that cometh into the World search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have Eternal life and they are they which testifie of me saith Christ the Life but those thought that they had the life in the Scriptures deceived them for they vvanted the Life when they thought they had it And so I. S. thoughts that he hath the Spirit by the Letter deceâ—ves him for vvhen he finds the Spirit and Eternal Life then his old lying heart in which is no truth but the root of error will be taken away and so the Light vvhich cometh from Christ the Life in vvhich the Spirit is received condemneth all such thoughts for they proceed out of that heart which is not upright before the Lord neither is it set to seek the Lord in that way in vvhich he and his Spirit is found Again I. S. talking of the Scriptures intrudes into things which he hath not seen comparing it with that which he hath seen and so in what he saith he is blind saying The Scripture is a more standing Rule than Visions To which I ansvver The night is upon him that he hath no vision and therefore doth not know vvhat a Vision is a rule unto nor the continuance of it as those in Israel which said that every vision faileth and so vvould not have them a standing Rule and that Reproach of the Visions of God were so common that it vvas become a proverb amongst them but the Prophet vvho vvas in the Light and had the vision of the Lord had the Word of the Lord he was to reprove that proverb and to tell them that they should no more use it as a proverb in Israel and said The dayes are at hand and the effect of every vision and so with the Light who be in it do now reprove all such proverbs and preachings against the visions of God for from the visions was the Scriptures spoken forth and that which they had seen they declared so that which gives forth words is greater than the words and without vision the people perish and they may perish while they have the Letter but they cannot perish while they have the vision and although there be vain visions they do not make the true of none effect And although there be Sorceries and Enchantment that doth not make the true resurrection of the dead of none effect but the blind must stumble at the things they do not see Again J.S. sâ—ith That the Authority of the Scriptures is owned ed among the Jews to this day Ans. No Christ is not owned amongst them who is the Authority and Power unto which the Scriptures give testimony that he is so neither are they yet converted as thou thy self confessest and they who be in the unconverted estate do not own the Authority of the Scriptures though such may talk of them as thou dost speaking that of them which they never spoke of themselves Again I.S. saith in the 17. page As deep things as the Spirit hath revealed they are all in the Scripture Ans. Nay There were things revealed which were unutterable and many things which were revealed and also written which are not in the Scripture as the Book of Nathan the Prophet and the Prophesie of Ahijah the Shilomite and the Visions of Iddo the Seer which was against Jeroboam the son of Nebat 2 Chron. 9.29 And the Book of Shemath the Prophet 2 Chron. 1.2 15. And the Book of Jehu 2 Chron 20.34 and the Book of Gad the Seer 1 Chron. 29.29 and the Book of Jaser 2 Sam. 1.18 and the Prophesie of Enoch who prophesied of the coming of Christ in his Saints to execute Judgement upon all and to convince all that are ungodly of their ungodly deeds hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him as Jude beareth witness And he also saw and prophesied of Israel according to the flesh that they should do wickedly and slâ—y him vvho was the light of the world And much more which is not written in the Bible And that which is manifest unto Paul which he wrote to the Corinthians in an Epistle not to company with fornicators that whole Epistle is not in the Bible 1 Cor. 5â—9 And likewise that which was revealed unto Paul in the dispensation of the grace of God given unto him how that by revelation God made known unto him the mystry which he wrote unto the Ephesians in a few words whereby they when they read they might understand his knowledg in the mystery of Christ which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men as it was revealed unto his holy Angels and Prophets by the Spirit which Epistle in which that mystry was written is not in the Bible Ephesians 3.3 And the Epistle which Paul wrote to the Laodiceans which he charged the Colossians to read amongst them and that theirs should be read in the Church of the Laodiceans wherein his thanks prayers to God was for their stedfastnesse in the truth wherein he made manifest the unprofitable talkers who went about to draw them from the truth of the Gospel and from their diligence in good works of eternall life as many vain and unprofitable talkers are in the world now doing the same work And whereas J. S. saith That the Epistle of Paul to the Colossians was read as the Word of the Lord in the Church of the Laodiceans Why doth he not bear witnesse that Paul's Epistle to the Laodiceans was read as the word of the Lord amongst the Colossians Collossians 4.16 And if he read in his Church the Epistle to the Collossians as the Word of the Lord why doth not he read to his people that which was written to the Laodiceans they both being given forth from one Spirit So let him consider of those things above mentioned and try whether his words will stand unreproveable 67. page saying God might have revealed more than is in the Scripture but he pleased not so to doe In that page mentioning Samuel Moses and the Prophets Christ and the Apostles saying All that they have spoken is written both according tâ— what was written before and for substance the same Answ. What I have spoken and shall here speak may sufficiently make manifest that his words proceed from the old lying heart in which dwells no truth for I have shewed out of the Prophets and out of the Apostles many things which was both revealed and declared which is not in the Bible written And likewise I shall shew farther of the things concerning Christ testified by John and we know that
believe and they that believe not that he is so shall die in their sins as Christ saith John 8.24 But J.S. going on in his own devised Fables would pervert the words of truth both in our writings and in the Apostles as it is manifest in his writings of this reviling Rebuke concerning R.F. and J.N. E.B. and F.H. and others which whosoever read their words and his they may discern truth from devised fables without much Reply upon it as in places he is mingling his own words with theirs joyning a lye to the truth that he may contradict it as false as every one that reades with understanding will see which when they have spoken plain truths which he himself hath often in his Book confessed unto to be truth will afterwards give his meaning to 〈◊〉 words as he hath done unto the Apostles words saying If they meane thus c. Then he goes about to contradict his own meaning and when he hath contradicted his owne meaning then he saith he hath contradicted their words though he have before confessed the truth of their words so he hath not contradicted the words as they were spoken but because they spoke not his meaning with the words therefore the true words must be false in his judgment and bear his rebuke as his Book doth make manifest and adding his lye to the words of truth these two things are his greatest proofs to resist the truth In page 77. he hath mingled his own words with the words of R.F. in wâ—ich page he acknowledgeth a former addition and yet reneweth another R.F. having been speaking of the light which hath enlightened every man which cometh into the World he adds which where it is and it is in every man it reneweth the judgment c he here adding his own and then rebuking it would make people believe lyes that all might be damned who believ not the truth But on the contrary for we never have said that every mans judgment is renewed with the ligbt though they be enlightened for they are enlightened who haâ—e it and who are void of true judgement because they hate the light which they be enlightened withal And also the Apostles words he perverts and gives meaning unto which if he did not they would be a plain testimony with that which he hath set himself to oppose so giving meanings both to their wordâ— and our words his meanings must be the ground of his Believers Faith and not the Scriptures as he said before The Apostle Peter speaking of a more sure Word of Prophesie wherein they did well to take heed as unto a light that shineth in a darke place till the day dawn and the day-star arise in their hearts 2 Pet 1.19 knowing this first that no Prophesie of the Scriptures is of any private interpretation for the Prophesie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved of the holy Ghost To this J.S. adds not heart-prophesie no breast-prophesie but written down in Books c. which is contrary to the Apostls words for he doth not exclude heart-prophesie for there was never any prophesie but did proceed out of the heart before it was written in any Book And the Apostle saith Untill the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts and that holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the holy Ghost and that vvhich moved them to speak Prophesies was in their hearts and the Apostle did not bid them wait till the day star did arise in the Scriptuâ—es but till it did rise in their hearts and then he told them how the Prophesies of the Scriptures came Peter saying Untill the day dawn and the day-star arise in our hearts J.S. saith That is untill by the study of the Scriptures more light he cleered up c. Now let all them of understanding read and compare his words the Apostles and they may well conclude with his confession that he hath an old lying heart and flesh in which dwells no truth but the root of errour and gainsaying of the truth and as for many others of his devised fables and false meanings though I let them passe here unanswered yet they may be seen with the mind informed in the truth and all who are of God and of the truth may know that it is a small matter for us to be rebuked or judged to be in confusion who so evidently hath confounded both our words and the Apostles into his owne false meanings and so contradicts them both but that remaineth sure which gaves forth the Scriptures and abideth in us and we know that they cannot be broken but must be fulfilled as they were given forth by the Word which they were given forth from by taking heed unto which the young mans way is cleansed by which the old lying heart is reproved that which was given forth from that Spirit cannot be by it denyed but that which would darken words without knowledg is denyed that which would set up devised fables above Christ the Spirit and Scriptures that by the Spirit is denyed without contradiction and as we shall by the Spirit and by the Scriptures trye John Stelhams Doctrinâ— which if he deny them both then by his owne Argument we shall prove him and see whether he will own himself to be judged by that with which he would judge others whether they be Messengers sent by Gods Spirit His Assertion laid down Page 60. to try withall is this Such Messengers as speak more than is in the Scripture are not sent by GOD'S Spirit nor guided by him to what they say By this then is all that of him before mentioned cast out being both more and contrary to what is in the Scripture as also that which is to be declared as followeth in his second head as he calls it of Scripture Contradiction he is speaking concerning a Trinity and three Persons which words are not spoken in the Scriptures he meaning the Father Son and Spirit by such nameâ— as the Scripture never did so about words names which the Scripture doth not mention arsing out of the Divination of his heart doth he multiply words to hide the truth and shuâ— the Kingdom from men and so hath no ground for the word three persons from the Scripture but the Scripture in one translation speaking of Christ being the express Image of the Fathers Peâ—son and in another â—ranslation saith that he is the expresse Figure of the Fathers substance as he is witnessed to be by those that know him and so till he find the word three persons and Trinity in the Scriptures let him owne his own rule to judg him to be no Messenger sent by Godâ— Spirit because he speakes more than is in the Scripture who saith the holy Ghost is a Person and this person dwells in Saints though not personally mark this A Person dwell in the Saints not personally all this confusion is as
he hath gathered from Scripture or his own imaginations and let him chuse to say whether he will And in the next he will be proved a false Prophet and that E. B. compiled a Book out of Scripture Collections is false for having the same Spirit which gave forth the Scripture which brings the Scripture to remembrance is not compiling a Book out of Scriptures and J. S. is found a false Accuser and E.B. neither a self-Contradictor nor self-Curser and these are true words to this Generation and owned with the Spirit of God though J. S. in his scornfull spirit abuse them he that hath the Word of the Lord from the mouth of the Lord to declare he is reviled and mocked But he that speaks the imagination of his own heart from the Saints conditions he is heard and owned and this is neither Scripture contradiction nor self contradiction let J. S. judg out of his own heart what he will neither is this self-contradiction to ask Which of the Saints had the witnesse of their souls union to seek in the Letter and yet to affirm the Spirit opens and brings that which is spoken in Scripture to remembrance Let J. S. first answer the Query in plainnesse which is an honest query and not to imply from it his own conceptions to make appear self-Contradictâ—ons let the sober Reader judg where the contradiction lies and he saith the Spirit is in the leâ—ter and goes about to prove it if he could if the Spirit be in the letter then all must have the spirit that hath the letter and the Spirit is whereever the Bible is which I do deny for many have the Letter and profâ—sse it which knows not the spirit and many have the Bible in their pocket which have not the spirit there and this will be confessed by J. S. and all his fellows and so he must revoke who saith the Spirit is in the letter and the spirit gives life but the letter kills In his proof he saith The written Word viz. the Letter is of greater authority then the writer Mark here Christ was one of them which gave forth Scripture and he was a greater authority than what was written and I say as it is plain to all honest men who can believe truth that the holy men of God who had the spirit were of greater authority than the Scriptures since have been which they left behinde them But J. S. hath set Christ and all them that gave forth scripture to be lesse in authority than the scriptures Let wise men judg of this matter he saith They were imperfectly holy that wrote forth the Scriptures and this is an absolute lye for the scrâ—ptures give â—his testimony of many of them that wrote it that they were perfect men and he hath also slaundered Christ to be imperfectly holy and in his next let him prove what this imperfect holinesse is and till then we deny that there is any Holinesse imperfect Further he saith The promises of the scripture are his â—hariot to convey him spirit whither he pleases to go But where is his proof for such a Doctrine but all that he saith doth not prove that the spirit is in the letter though he say to make up the sum of his matter Daily experiences do demonstrate that the spirit is in the letter but where is the man let him answer that thus hath experienced that alwayes when he hath seen the letter and handled the letter hath seen and handled the spirit the testimony of an honest man I will believe but not J. S. assertion out of his own heart In his 2 d Head of self-contradiction Concerning hearing the Word this is not contradiction to say they who are of God hear his Word and yet to deny the hearing of such as J. S. who is not a Minister of the Word but a Professor of the Letter for proud men and covetous men and false Accusers such as J. S. is we are exhorted to turn away from by Paul and this is not a denying our selves to be of God as J. S. would charge us withall because we deny to hear Hirelings for we hear Gods Word and his Voice and therefore do we deny to hear Dâ—ceivers and this is no self-contradiction nor saying nor unsaying let J.S. judge what he will the Saints shall be my witnâ—sse and though we say that the Saints Teacher cannot be removed into a corner as saith the scripture and that the saints will finde theiâ— teachers as they lie in their beds both these are true and not self-contradiction let a sober Reader judg whether he can find contradiction in those words but fain would J. S have his lies believed for truth that he might have praise of men for his works have gained no praise of God and he saith R F. hath not proved lyes yet against him if it were so let the Reader search whether there be none proved against him now but let him not say like a Pharisee I am no lyar but rather let him repent of his lyes and wickedness His 3 d. Head concerning the Light within Wherein much ado he makes as to prove the light of Christ spoken of Ioh. 1.9 to be a natural light and he saith the light given to all men even that light spoken of Ioh. 1.9 is a dim light and is cold and insufficient to Salvation and unable to make true discovery of the true Saviour such like contemptible undervaluing words of the pure light of Christ by whom the world was made who lighteth every man in the World by this it is known more evidently what Spirit J. S. is of but there is none of us who have received the knowledge of God by the very light of Christ which shines in our hearts can believe him and this is no contradiction to say that every man is lightned by Christ with the true light and yet to say some men are living in a natural condition both these are true for some hates the light of Christ and their deeds are evil and such are in a natural condition but this doth not prove that Christ hath not given them light though they be in a natural condition I leavit to spiritual men to judge though they say it seems strange that some should live a natural condition and yet have the light of Christ given them saith he as if every man brought a Saviour with him into the world This last is his false conception but he is mans saviour by whose power every man is brought in to the World and if J. S. did but understand as we do that some love the light and some hates it such as hate it denyes Christ he that loves it receives Christ who knows this stranges not I.S. wondring shews his Ignorance who would secretly charge us to be bewitched with a Notion of accounting nature grace which we do not and it is his own condition he that conceives Lyes believes them and tells them is the
the Saints and followed his thoughâ—s which were false thinking that he did God service and thinking that he ought to do that which is contrary to the light and so kick'd against the pricks instead of following that which did prick him and as for him in that condition and the rest which persecuted Stephen to death though they did it ignorantly yet it was not because they were not enlightned nor because the light was not sufficient to have given them the knowledge of him whom they did persecute but because they did resist that which was sufficient to have given them the knowledge As Stephen a man full of the holy Ghost did bear witness saying unto Saul and the rest Ye stiff necked and uncircumcised in hearts and ears ye do always resist the holy Ghost as your fathers did so do ye which of the Prophets have not your fathers persecuted and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the just One of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murtherers who have received the Law by the disposition of Angels and have not kept it When they heard these things they were cut to the heart So here is little ground in those for any to say they follow the light within them and to say that they was not enlightned which had received the Law which is light by the disposition of Angels and dâ—d not keep it Here they disobeyed that which they had received which was the light and did always resist the holy Ghost which was able to have led them from their disobedience and stiffneckedness and if they did persecute to death for lack of knowledge and so did it ignorantly it was because they rejected knowledge and forgot the law of their God which they had received as the Priests did in Hos. 4.6 and because they did forget the Lord as those did in Jer. 18. so it was not because they were never convinced nor reproved but because they would have none of his reproofs for they would not walk in his ways neither were obedient to his law But I say Did not Israel know To Israel he saith All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gaiâ—saying people Rom. 10.21 Therefore let no more such clamorous speeches come forth as to say such have obeyed and followed the light within them which if they had then when God had called they would have answered and it could not have been said they had been disobedient which when Stephen told them of their resisting of the holy Ghosâ— and their disobedience to the law which was light his words did answer something of God within them when they were cut to the heart and that which had disobeyed the holy Ghost and the law which they had received that did stone him to death and therein they did kick against that which did prick them But the liâ—ht of Christ is sufficient to lead all unto God which do obey and follow it and there was never any in all generations from Abel unto this generation that did ever in such ignorance and wilful impudency preach and print against the sufficiency of the light of Christ as in this age is brought forth for as others did reject the lesser so these the greater Others did disobey that which they had received from the disposition of Angels and those that which is given by the Son of God who saith I am the light of the world He doth not say that the spirit of man is the light of the World nor that mans reason is the light of the World as some have said neither did ever Christ say That his light was insufficient but did bid those which were of the World believe in the light that they migh be the children of light Joh. 12.36 and did tell such which were of the World that the kingdom of God was within them So there was something in them which was of power but such a doctrine is now hated in the World to preach any thing within man to be of power or ability to guide or lead man to God or sufficient to believe in but the Sâ—ripture saith The word of faith is in thy heart which was the Word the Apostles preached to obey and to do it and saith comes by hearing and bearing by the Word of God but how shall they hear without a Preacher Bâ—t I say Have they not all heard Yes verily their sound went out into all the earth and their words unto the ends of the World but they have not all obeyed But again it is said in the false Hosanna That the discovery of sin and iniquity may be where the sound of Christ as a door as the light as the way may not have been and for proof saith it was so in the first man that measure and degree of light which discovered sin to him was the law written in him Answ. He who is the light of the World in him was life and this life was the light of men and he is before all things and by him all things consist and the first man Adam who was made a living soul and was the son of God the light that was in him was the light of the son of God while he remained in Gods image and when he was fallen from Gods image into transgression that which made manifest his transgression was the light which he was fallen from God did never write his law in mans heart but there was a measure of Christ But men in ignorance and blindness pretend to be Ministers of distinctions between their Law Christ when as they neither know what they say nor wherof they affirm not seeing how it was added because of transgression till the seed should come ordained by Angels in the hands of a Mediator Gal. 3.19 as well ministred forth in the light of the Mediator For though there was and is diversity of administrations and of operations yet the same Lord and the same Light that Light in which the Prophets saw Christ and prophesied before-hand of the coming of the Just was the same in which the Apostles witnessed him come and the same light which lets men see their sins is that which lets them see their Saviour and leads them from their sins to Christ as they are obedient to it But to say there is the discovery of sin and iniquity where the sound of Christ as a door the light the way hath not been this remains to be proved seeing the Apostle saith That the sound is gone into all the earth and the words to the end of the world Have they not at all heard Yes verily That which makes manifest is light Is there light making sin manifest and is there nothing of Christ seeing that his life is the light of men and that men have no light but what proceeds from his life When was ever Christ and the light which discovers sin separated and where is that Scripture which saith that the
turned against all such and he is turning the wise men backward and making their wisdom become foolishness For once there was a seeking after Light in many that it might rise and open the things of God unto them and reveal the mysteries of his life whereby their souls might be satisfied And now when it is risen in many and hath brought forth its powerful effects now the man of sin hath his time and doth prevail in many to make them believe that it is not the Light which is able to save the souls of them which believe in it and doth beget a spirit of jealousie in them which is stronger than death and begetteth a fear in them which worketh torment and many now doth fear and are jealous that that Light is not the Christ which hath enlightened them and every one that cometh into the World And this is the work of Satan in the hearts of the disobedient which as every one comes to obey his Light and to answer his perfect love to them which is manifest in the Light thaâ— fear wil be cast out and life wil be given to that Witness of God which once did breath after his life without which the soul cannot rest nor be satisfied And this shall many come to witness as the man of sin comes to be revealed which letteth and will let until he be taken out of the way and then shall they see at what they have stumbled and by what they have been overcome and then they will know that it had been good for them if they had walked in the Light of the Lord instead of setting themselves against it And as the Light it self by such before-mentioned is denyed so the Testimony which the children of Light give of it is also despised and contended against as if it were not to be owned for a Doctrine of Truth vvhich Doctrine of Truth hath been laid often before people and is yet once more that they may consider prove and try and so believe and so be able to give a testimony from the Witness of God in themselves First We say that Christ is the Light of the World according to his ovvn vvords John 8.12 And again we say That he hath enlightened every man that cometh into the World according to his vvords vvho vvas sent a Messenger before his face to bear vvitness to the truth and his vvitness is true John 2.9 And as Christ hath enlightned every man that cometh into the World so we say to every man vvarning both small and great to believe in the Light that they may be the children of Light vvhich vvas Christ's Doctrine to the World John 12.36 And now what Christ doth and effecteth by it in those that believe in his Light and followeth it which effects and operations by the World is denyed and by us is affirmed some of the effects of it I shall mention which is opposed as first That it wil not let those that are guided by it take Gods Name in vain but vvil draw them out of the Worships of the World and keep them in the fear of God and to stand stil in it is the first step to peace That it discovers things that are contrary to it That it is their Teacher that love it and their condemnation that hate it according to Christs words John 3.19 That waiting in it wil guide them to God and shew them the way to the Father as Christ saith No man cometh unto the Father but by me John 14 6. And no man cometh unto the Father by Christ but as they are led and guided by his Light within them That it opens all the Scriptures and leads man out of the fall up to God for him hath the Father given to be a Leader and Commander unto the people and he leadeth them by his Light Another effect is That it convinceth of all ungodliness and worldly lusts and is a Teacher and Director teaching and directing in righteousness purity and holiness c. And that the Light is but one in him that loves it and in him that hates it leading the one to God from whence it comes to receive eternal life and condemning the other from God because he obeyeth not the truth that he might be saved And this is the Testimony of Truth which is now held forth never to be denyed But who hath believed our report even they to whom the Arm of the Lord is revealed And this is the way by which people may come to know the truth of this Testimony by obeying the Light which Christ hath enlightened them withal thereby shall they know whether this Doctrine be of God or whether we speak of our selves and whether all those effects are not brought forth by the working of Christ's Light in them and then they shall not believe oneâ—y because of our words nor be envious against it because of other words but wil find the testimony in themselves which is according to the record which God hath given of hit Son and according to the Testimony which we have given of the Light and he that believeth shall be established Now that which opposeth this is that which beaâ—eth a testimony contrary to Christ who saith For this end was I born and for this end came I into the world to bear witness unto the truth and every one that is of the truth heareth my voice John 18.37 And this was his witness and his Messengers witness that he was the Light of the world and that this is the true Light which hath enlightened every man that cometh into the world John 8.12 John 1.9 And this contrary testimony which is brought forth is this That it is the spirit of man that is the Light which hath enlightened every man and so going about to prove the spirit of man not to be sufficient under this would destroy the sufficiency of the Light of Christ. But the Scriptures never did give testimony that the spirit of man was the Light of the World neither did we ever say that this Light was the spirit of every man nor a natural Light and therefore this man who hath writ a volume in proving a natural Light or man's reason insufficient let all people take notice what he contradicts or disproves by it he doth not by it contradict nor disprove any thing that we have said for we never did affirm that man's reason was the Light but he hath laboured to contradict himself He hath set up an Image and then glories in breaking of it down and from our words draws a false inference and glories in confounding it this is the general course of our opposers to raise a false proposition or conclusion from their own imaginations then contradict it and then cry The Quakers contradicted or confuted and their Doctrine disproved and they irrecoverably slain and many such cryes are gone forth in the World among people like the noise of many waters To which I answer Nay they are not
offence now to preach the word of Faith to be as a little light or to preach the annointing to be as a little light in those in whom the light is little doth this also offend you What then if we should say That Christ is the light of life the son of righteousness the glory and express figure of the Fathers substance in some and but as a little light or day-star in others or in others as a light before the day-star arise in their hearts Is not the light great in some little in others And is not Christ the same May that only be called Christ which takes away the sins And may not that also be called Christ which pierceth through the soul revealeth the thoughts of many hearts Luke 2.35 May he only be called Christ unto whom the Father hath given the Heathen for his inheritance and the utmost parts of the earth for his possession who reigneth and hath all his enemies under his feets is not he the same as he is descended into the lower parts of the earth which took upon him the form of a servant So therefore that none may err in their judgments concerning the testimony which is given of Christ of his light his light is more or less according to his manifestation in every one there being given to every one a manifestation of the spirit to profit withal every one is to be turned to the measure of their manifestation to know witness Christ in it though in many it be but as a little light yet they are to be turned unto it while it is so which as it doth encrease is enlarged it may be called or declared under another name than little as the Kingdom of Heaven is not alwayes like unto a grain of mustard-seed nor as a little leaven but comes to rule in the children of men And whereas the Accuser replieth against the light and against Christ to be the word of Faith saying Christ is called the Word of God Rev. 19.13 but not the Word of Faith and yet saith in page 45. That Christ 〈◊〉 the Author and finisher of Faith Answ. If Christ be the Word of God and faith come by Hearing and Hearing by the Word of God then how is it that he is not the word of Faith being that word by which Faith comes when it is heard and he being the Author of it may he not then as well be called the Word of it as the Author of it seeing he is the Word by which it comes but that all may understand what this word of faith was which the Apostle preached This was Christ Rom. 10. and they preached no other Word to be the Word of faith but Christ That whosoever believed on him should not be ashamed So that if the ignorance of Christ and of the Apostles words were blotted out of the hearts of our Accusers they would be silent and the daily reproach would cease And whereas it is affirmed by us That the Light or a measure of Christ within is a sure word of prophesie or a more sure word of prophesie as Peter saith 2 Pet. 1 19. And whereas many are offended at this and labours to make people believe that this is the Writings of the Prophets which is the more sure Word of Prophesie the Apostle speaks of because he saith Knowing this first that no prophesie of the Scriptures is of any private interpretation for the prophesie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost c. Answ. Now I shall make it appear that it was not the Writings of the Prophets which was that more sure Word as first concerning that here is one thing held out to be a sure Word and another thing held out to be more sure as unto thoâ—e to whom it was spoken And as concerning the first That whâ—ch is held out to be a sure Word is that which came from the Father the voice which came from the excellent Glory saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased and this voice which came from heaven the Disciples hâ—ard when they were with him in the holy Mount This was a sure Word when it was spoken and when it was written it was a sure testimony as sure as any of the Prophets Writings for the Prophets did see that he was to come and he that was to come was the well beloved Son of the Father and they wrote this down and it was a sure testimony of Christ and Peter and the rest saw that he was come and did hear the voice from the excellent glory proclaiming him 〈◊〉 be the Son of God and when they had seen it they wrote it down and this was a sure testimony yea a surer then the Prophets and that which the Apostles were eye-witnesses of and did write down for truth was as much to be taken heed unto as that which the Prophets declared and this will all men of understanding judge that the Apostle Peter did not direct the people to the Prophets words to take heed to them because they were more sure then his own and more to be believed But although the Apostles words and writings were confirmed with more power and witness of the Spirit then the Prophets and both true yet the Apostles Ministry unto those which did not see those things which the Prophets saw much less those things the Apostles saw no not so far as the dawning of the day nor to the day-â—â—ar risen in their hearts therefore Peter dividing the Word of God aright saith unto them We have a more sure word of prophesie whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place untill the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts 2 Pet. 1.19 It was more sure for them to take heed unto that which was as a light shining in a dark place till the day-star did arise and the day dawn in their hearts then the declaration from others without them declared in words and writings as thus for example by experience to suâ—h I shall direct my speech who cannot witness the day dawned nor the day-star risen in their hearts nor hath heard the voice from the excellent Glory to such I say That which I have seen and heard the visions power and glory wherein I am an eye-witness of his glory and of his appearance this I may declare and write unto you and you may believe it But to such I say It is more sure for them to take heed to the light that shines in the dark place till they come to witness in themselves the day dawned and day-star risen and the Son of God made manifest in them then to take heed to the words which I have declared though it be a true testimony for the Apostle did not write to himself nor say that it was more sure unto him but unto
Covenant who are under Christs command who saith Swear not at all neither by that oath which David and the Jews swore by nor any other oath but if upon any occasion they were required to testifie their obedience whether they would be subject to such or such things their answer was to be yea or nay and to keep their words which is more then the hypocrites and hireling Priests in these times hath done by their oaths for this we have good experience of that such as do now plead to swear for a thing hath sworn against the same thing and do now preach against that which they have preached for so that they will preach pray or swear any thing for their belly and for filthy lucre and the oath which David was to swear in truth and righteousness who called Christ Lord he that was Davids Lord and glory saith Swear not at all who hath all power and glory Again whereas John Tombs instanceth Abraham Isaac David Solomon Elijah Micah Elisha the women of Shunem and Itai Uriah and Samuel c. their swearing and entring into covenant to be examples for swearing Answ. All these were under the first covenant and was in that which Christ called the old time Mat. 5. and proves nothing that Christians in the new covenant should swear for although Abraham swore and Solomon swore yet Christ which was before Abraham and greater then Solomon saith Swear not at all and although David swore yeâ— he was Davids Lord which said Swear not aâ— all and though the Angels swore by him that liveth for ever yet Christ unto whom all the Angels shall bow and worship saith Swear not at all so that all these arguments and Scriptures doth not prove that it is lawful for the Believers and Christians to swear at all but it is Tombs ignorance in his applying Scripture in disobeying Christs command Again To prove swearing lawful John Tombs saith that Paul put an oath on the Thessalonians 1 Thess. 5.27 which words are these I charge you by the Lord that this Epistle be read unto all the holy brethren Now saith Tombs the Greek word translâ—ted I charge you by the Lord is I put the Lords oath on you or swear you that this Epistle be read to all the holy brethren a like charge are 1 Tim. 6.13 2 Tim. 4.1 c. Answ. This is the long and thick mist of darkness which hath been long kept over the understandings of people that when the plain Scripture will not prove their ends and intents then they tell people it is otherwise in the Greek or Hebrew did not the Translator of the Bible understand Greek as well as John Tombs or are we not to believe the Scripture as it speaks till again it be translated by him but lest he should be wise in his own eys as it is in the Greek it is here set down that all that can read and understand it may judge whether Paul did put an Oath upon them or did swear them to read that Epistle to the brethren As 1 Thess. 5.27 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is I oblige or charge you in the presence of God c. Not I put the Lords oath upon you or swear you as John Tombs saith for if they did read the Epistle among the brethren then his obligation or charge to them was fulfilled but seeing John Tombs saith he swore them he might have declared in what manner they were sworn seeing Paul was at Athens when he wrote to Thessalonica Again he saith the like charge is in 1 Tim. 6.13 which according to the Greek he would make an oath the words are these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is I enjoyn or command thee before God not a putting an oath upon them or causing them to swear as John Tombs saith Again he saith there is the like charge or oath put upon them in 2 Tim. 4.1 which in the Greek is thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is I charge thee in the presence of God c. Not that he took him sworn or put an oath upon him that the should preach the word but did charge him to be instant in season and out of season in his Ministery Again John Tombs saith in the times of the Gospel Paul used this Oath 2 Cor. 1.8 But as God is true c. Answ. Now those that mind this Scripture may see that Paul doth onely justifie Christs words in keeping to yea and nay saying that with him it was not yea and nay for saith he ver 18. but as God is true our word toward you was not yea and nay and ver 19. for the Son of God Jesus Christ who was preached among you by us even by me and Sylvanus and Timotheus was not yea and nay for all the promises of God in him are yea and in him Amen So that this Scripture is so far from bringing people to Oaths and swearing that he labours to bring them all to yea and nay in all things and so to Christ the substance in whom all the promises of God are yea so that the Apostle might well use these vvords That as God vvas true c. so also vvere they true to their yea and nay the end of all oaths other Scripture Tombs bring to prove the Apostles did swear as Rom. 1.9 and 9.1 Gal. 1.20 Phil. 1.8 Answ. As to the first Rom. 1.9 where the Apostle saith for God is my witness whom I serve with my spirit in the Gospel of hiâ— Son that without ceasing I make mention of you alwayes in my prayers is this a proof for men to swear and take oathes either for men or against men hath not the man here lost the understanding of a man thus to compare and call this the Apostles oath when he takes God to witness that he prayes for the Saints continually and his saying in Rom. 9 1. I speak the truth in Christ I lye not my conscience also bearing me witness in the holy Ghost that I have great heavinesse and continual sorrow in my heart c and Gal. 1.20 where the Aposâ—le saith Now the things that I write unto you behold before God I lye not is this an oath to testifie the truth of his writings against lyes indeed this we desire that John Tombs and the rest of the Priests in this Nation would write nothing but what God would witness unto the truth of and that they would speak truth before God and not lye then they would not thus abuse the Apostles words and plead for swearing from them when as the Apostles intend no such thing in their words here asserted and whereas it is again said that the Apostle took and oath Phâ—l 1.8 where he saith for God is my record how greatly I long after you in the bowels of Jesuâ— Christ. Now let all honest and sober-hearted men consider whether the truth of God and the Apostles that speak it forth be not abused that from a novice that is lifted
all feignedness and formality even to dwell in the substance which is the holy life of the Son of God where the true love the heavenly voice and pure joy is felt and known as in the beginning always remembring how the Gospel in power came unto you and how in fear and much trembling it was both preached unto you and received by you with the many blessed effects of its operation vvorking your conversation out of the earthly nature from the earthly body into the heavenly body in which you are able to take up his Cross if it be daily to follow him in the regeneration and newness of life even from the true knowledge of him in whom ye have believed and by whose povver you stand For when we consider the infinite deepness and largeness of that love with which we have been cloathed and have even covered others withal and likewise the many experiences of the Father's dealings with us in working all our Works both in us and for us this cannot but deeply engage our hearts unto him how that ever since we have known him to be our Leader he hath always gone before us preparing our vvay that we might serve him he hath for his seeds sake even reproved Kings and hath quenched the violence of fire that was kindled in many hearts against us he hath by his Wisdom put to silence the ignorance of foolish men that he may clear us from all their reproach He hath not only kept us alive in our suffering under the Wrath of our Enemies but in the power of his spirit made us to reign over them and not only over our outward and open enemies but also over the secret smitings of the wicked one which would privily slay the righteous He hath had a tender regard to his innocent ones to keep them out of the snares of the betrayers and to keep them in the unity of his power and love in the which I speak unto you that know these things whose ears the Lord hath so opened that you can try Words and whose eyes also he hath unclosed that you can see that which causeth divisions and offences contrary to the Doctrine of Christ and avoid it for hitherto even until this day have you learned by good experience and some through sufferings that whatsoever hath risen up to oppose the Lord in his Way to quench the strength of his Love or to break the unity of his people whether it hath been by spirit or letter under never so innocent pretences the Lord hath brought it down and confounded it and made it to be as dust under the feet of his Saints so that we may together say to the praise of our God that we knovv the depths of Satan and are not ignorant of his devices Therefore in the sence of this experience put on strenth O ye Arm of the Lord by vvhich he will do great things and through whom he will make his power known to the Nations in setting up his Kingdom and Government and his Peace of which there shall be no end Let nothing hinder the setting up of his Scepter of Truth and Righteousness amongst you and let the Life of Jesus in his Love and Power reign over all the earthly spirits and over the spirit of Jealousie which is strong as death and cruel as the grave which being not received it can hurt nothing but its own habitation in which it lodgeth So keep your selves pure in the love of God and be not partakers of other mens sins walking worthy of the holy and blessed calling in which the Lord hath given you an inheritance among the living And dwel in the spirit of meekness in which the Wisdom and Power of God you will feel to the refreshing of your souls for as you therein abide you are our joy in the Lord and a strength unto us in his Work Another Epistle to Friends IN the life of the Son of God dwell that in it you may be made manifest unto all answering the just and reproving the unjust for he is come to rule who must put down all rule and all authority under his feet and in him is the living dominion felt and the faith in the power which overcomes the edge of the sword and subdues Nations in which is the dread of the Almighty to bring under the stout-hearted even by the power of the holy seed which is spreading abroad in the earth for the finishing the Fathers work in the earâ—h which all are witnesses of who do abide and walk in his light where you may all enjoy your peace with the Lord and be kept in his power over the power and spirit of the world in the everlasting covenant of light and life where you may all feel the growth of the seed in you into the Fathers gift which is the life immortal so dearly beloved and truly begotten in my Fathers love dwell in that which gives you a sight knowledge and feeâ—ing of him who hath begotten you into a measure of his life light power and image and hereby will you all be united into one serving one another in love for God is love and we are his off spring and to the world is he manifest through us as being his natural branches and the breaking forth of his light and power and is as set upon a hill unto which all eys look and from which the sincere and tender take their example so dear hearts in the path of the Just walk which is a shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day so as children of it all walk that you to others may be examples and leaders out of darkness and out of the ways of death into the Kingdom of the Father which stands in the Light righteousness and peace and joy in the holy Ghost in which the power and presence of my heavenly Father preserve you and keep you in his living Dominion Reasons why no Imposition ought to be upon mens Consciences by any but the Lord. 1. BEcause no man can perswade the conscience of another either what God is or how to worship him but onely the Spirit which God hath given to instruct man 2 Because to impose any thing upon another mans conscience either to do or practice is not to do unto another as he would have another do unto him and therefore is contrary to Christs doctrine 3 Because all obedience or service that is thereby obtained is for fear of wrath and not from love nor for conscience sake and will but continue so long as that fear or force abides upon them 4 Because thereby no man can make an Hypocrite a Believer but it is possible that thereby he may make many Hypocrites 5 Because that in all forced impositions upon mens consciences there is of the wrath of man exercised which workâ— not the righteousness of God but rather begets enmity one towards another 6 Because that men are not made thereby loving Subjects but forced Slaves 7 Because that by the force of imposing any thing upon men many are thereby hardned in their hearts and resolved to resist when as by love and leaving them free they mâ—ght easily be perswaded of that which otherwise thâ—y will not be THE END Acts 33. Rom. 4.11 John 5.3 Jer. 1.5 6. Luk. 1.66.08 1 Kin. 8.46 John 14.4 Prov. 20.9 John 18.10 Eccles. 7.23