so the Nation may enjoy that Liberty and Feedom which they have long waited for and suffer none to act that persecution in your names which hath already covered the Nation with blackness and darknesse and hath brought Gods curse upon their proceedings One thing is upon me to acquaint you with which many of you it may be doth not know which is this One of the little horns which pushed and persecuted the Lambs of Christ is springing up again and begins to be as fierce as ever For yesterday in the Exchequor at Westminster Judge Parker and Judge Wilde would not receive a true answer from an honest man who is well known for his uprightnesse against a false Bill exhibited against him by a Priest unlesse he would give it in upon Oath and therefore because he could not swear for Conscience sake but did testifie the Truth from his heart he was committed Prisoner to the Fleet and several others True and Just men and Friends to the Common-wealth was denied the Law and their answers rejected because they could not swear but in whose names and by whose authority they act those things is not yet declared to the Nation If those Judges act those things in the name and by the authority of the Army or their late chosen Counsel let it be openly manifest and if not but they did it in their own names let the Nation know it For this is worse then the last Parliament who did set many free who where so imprisoned and did give Commissions and receive Testimony without swearing Judge Parker seems to have forgotten that knowledge and fidelity which he had of that people when he went his last circuit in the North and his so favouring the Priests now shews that he hath forgotten since he confest that he was Sermon-sick at Carlisle this last Summer when he wished that a Quaker had been there and saw that they had reason to declare against them c. But to us it is no strange thing to see men so apt to change and to betray their own knowledge for filthy lucre sake while the corruption of the Laws through bribery and deceit is upheld which once the Souldiers had a clear sigâ—t oâ— and a determination to pull down and now it is the only day of their tryal to provâ— themselves and it is doing of that which you have accused the Parliament for not doing that must make you manifest for people will no longer believe words for your selves know that the good people of the Nation have made daily complaints and Petitions the Officers Souldiers also against that general oppression of Tithes the Parliament hath only given them thanks for their good expressions and good affections but done nothing until their thanks did even become loathsom to the people Is it not a grievous thing and intolerable to be born that innocent and faithful men who see and deny the Priests deceit should be forced whether by Law or Violence to give them the tenth part of all their labours and increase and they with that money to buy horse and arms to raise a Rebellion to murther and destroy those men who deny to give them that which your Law hath caused to be taken from them and so both the Law and Priesthood is joyned together in oppression of the people And the Nation is very sensible that all this while they have but been deceived by promises and fair pretences Therefore be diligent to improve the light of your day before the Sun set upon you and you be shut up in darkness and the power to do good be taken from you A member of his Army who makes War with the sword of his mouth Richard Hubberthorn London the 24. of the 8. mo 1659. An Answer to the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacie from the People called Quakers A Copy of which was given to the KING by them upon the 4. day of the 5. Moneth 1660. AS it was the Disciples Religion Principle and Practice to obey Christs command as in Mat. 5.34 But I say unto you Swear not at all neither by Heaven for it is Gods Throne nor by the Earth for it is his foot-stool neither by Jerusalem for it is the City of the great King neither shalt thou swear by thy head for thou canst not make one hair white or black but let your yea be yea and your nay nay for whatsoever is more then these cometh of evil and this being the Apostles Religion and practice rhey preached thiâ— doctrine unto others as it is written James 5.12 But above all things my brethren swear not neither by heaven neither by the earth neither by any other oath but let your yea be yea and your nay nay lest you fall into condemnation so this is our doctrine principle and practice that we cannot swear at all by any oath lest we fall into condemnation and so sin against Christ and if we do suffer or be persecuted and imprisoned because we cannot swear then it is for our Religion and exercise of our Consciences and obedâ—ence of truth unto our God in which suffering we shall rather die then sin against him And whereas it is required of us to testifie our obedience as Subjects unto Charles the second as our lawful King and own his Supremacie and Government in all just and lawful commands whereupon an oath of Allegiance and Supremacie is tendred As it is our principle and hath ever been our practice to be obedient Subjects under every Power ordained of God and to every ordinance of man set up by him for the Lords sake whether unto King as Supream or unto Governours or any set up in authority by him who are for the punishment of evil-doers and for the praise of them that do well 1 Pet. 2.13 14. and unto such we do freely promise obedience unto all just and lawful commands And we do own and believe that it is not without but according to the purpose of the Lord that he hath this day and power given him as King head and chief Magistrate over this Nation that while he hath this day and power he may rule for God in civil and outward affairs and matters relating to the outward man and estate in which all his just and lawful commands we can willingly be subject unto not for wrath but even for conscience sake and all commands which are otherwise whether from him or any other we shall willingly and patiently suffer under them what men shall be permitted to impose upon us and thus we do accept and own the King and his Government as he and it is according to God and answerable unto him we are willingly obedient and in Conscience bound to accept it and shall yield subjection thereunto but if otherwise contrary to God he rule in tyranny oppression injustice or the like that we must bear witness against by the spirit of truth but not by outward opposition as rebellion by insurrections plots or
Jesus Christ that was called of men Master In thy answer to this Query thou bringest the Prophets and Priests under the Law called Fathers to oppose Christ's doctrine Thou wouldst compare Oxford and Cambridge to such as the Prophets and Apostles yet thou deniest immediate Revelation from Heaven And here thou hast cleared thy self and Oxford Cambridge from the life of the Prophets for they had immediate revelation And so thou bringest many names as Pastors and Shepherds and Ministers and Apostles and Evangelists to oppose Christ's Doctrine who saith Be not you called of men Master So let all see if they be not under the delusion who say Master is a civil honor and so opposeth Christ's Doctrine Here thou hast shewed thou dost not believe For how can you believe that receive honor one of another and shewest that thou lovest it as the Scribes and Pharisees did and would not part with it and art in thy pride and vain-glory as the Scribes and Pharisees were who say that is a civil honor and respect which Christ cryed wo against And herv thou hast brought thy self and all thy company under the wo and Oxford and Cambridge in the state which Christ pronounced wo against and thou art judged with the same life that gave forth the Scriptures Qu. 4. Shew me by the Scriptures where ever the Ministers of Christ took Tythes of the people or Augmentations In thy answer thou saist The Priests under the Law received Tyâ—hes Rep. There was a time that they received Tythes they might not neglect them as denying their Tythes to the first Priesthood There was a time after Christ when he was sacrificed up that he was preached the unchangeable Priesthood Heb. 7. then the Priesthood which received tythes was denyed therefore the wo is come upon thee and all thy generation who receive tythes according to the changeable Priesthood Here thou hast shewed thy self without judgement and rhe love of God and the wo is come upon thee and all thy generation who receive tythes and hold up the changeable Priesthood and so deny Christ come in the flesh They that preached the Gospel who lived on the Gospel denied the changeable Priesthood who received Tythes but for shame you Ministers of Oxford and Cambridge stop your mouths for they must be stopt do not you sue men at the Law and imprison men for Tythes And here you shew you do not preach the Gospel for it will not maintain you for them that preached the Gospel lived on the Gospel There thou thief art taken who hath gotten the Apostles words who art for judgement Qu. 5. Shew me by the Scriptures and what Scripture have you which speaks of the word Sacrament which you tell the people of and deceive the simple Pr. And in thy Answer to this Query thou art confused First thou sayest there is no Scripture for the word Sacrament and yet thou sayest Christ commands it and yet thou sayest there is not such a word in Scripture Rep. Here thou which addest to it hast brought thy self under the plagues and wo. And here let all who are in the Light see if thou art not a deceiver who deceives thy soul. I charge thee again that thou knowest not Christ for thou deniest immediate revelation so thou knowest not his commands nor dost not obey them for none know the Son but to whom he is revealed And here I charge thee to be a deceiver and a deluder of the soul from the Lord. This is in reply to the answer of the fifth Query Qu. 6. Shew me what Scripture you have which speaks that the Apostles sprinkled Infants Thou bringest the Scriptures as Christ saith Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdom of God And this thou bringest to justifie sprinkling Infants for circumcision outwardly was a type of circumcision inwardly So thou hast not a word in the Scripture to maintain it but thou ramblest up and down and perverts many Scriptures in which there is not such a word for it And here I charge thee in the presence of the living God to be a lyar for Christ never commanded sprinkling Infants neither is it any Ordinance of Christ neither is there any example among the holy men of God that ever it was practised the plagues of God are added to thee Let all people see if there be any word for sprinkling Infants let the scriptures which thou bringest judg thee Luke 18.15 Jer. 15.6 Luk. 1.66.80 Act. 10.47 Here I charge thee with all these scriptures to be a lyar and they shall judge theâ— which thou hast brought for sprinkling of Infants let the Reader of thy Book examine the scriptures and find thee a Lyar and all thy dirty stuff which thou hast gathered from them is to be trodden under foot with the children of the Light who witness baptism and circumcision and new birth born again and all who are here do see thee to be blind deaf and a fool and there thou mayest read thy self Let all people see thee here who art without the life of the scripture who deniest immediate revelation from Heaven which the Apostles witnessed and the Prophets for without God thou art eternally I witness it Qu. 7. Shew me what Scripture you have to stand praying in the Synagogues before Sermon and after and whether the Apostles did so In thy answer to this query thou bringest the Apostles words which said pray alwayes to justifie standing praying in the Synagogues and having the chiefest place in the Assemblies which Christ cryed wo against And here I charge thee to be a false Prophet who puts no difference betwixt the Apostle and the Pharisees though he said the Temple which Solomon built him it was a house of prayer Christ said there should not be one stone of it left upon another when Christ Jesus was witnessed Stephen for witnessing him was stoned to death And here thou hast shewed thou hast no judgement and errs not knowing the Scripture And as for Christ's whipping them out of the Temple read thy self to the Light in thy Conscience I speak and so all thy praying before thy Sermon and after as thou callest it in the Synagogues in the chiefest place of the Assemblies the wo which Christ pronounced against thy Fathers hath light upon the son thou who art found in the same place let Matth. 23. judge thee the life which gave forth these words the life of these words is upon thee and so all thy prayers are abomination to the Lord God in the state thou art in and the praying of the Saints who were moved by the spirit thou hast cleared thy self from for thou deniest immediate Revelation from Heaven and how canst thou pray and not with the spirit And here let all people judge and see what thy prayers are if thou be not in the state of the Pharisees who deny immediate revelation and to be one that is blind
all know which secretly worketh to bring forth his own plant hâ—s seed his elect from the ends of the earth and from the bondage of corruption which the creatures groan under but the redemption and deliverance of the creatures is to be waited for that the glorious liberty may be witnessed which is free from corruption and this the daughters and sons of the living God is to waiâ— for abiding in the word of his grace there is nothing hid whicâ—â—hall not be made manifest nor nothing promised but shall be fulfilled to the seed in whom all the promises of God is Yea and Amen for ever Your dear brother in that which from the world is hid Richard Hubberthorn Prisoner in Norwich Castle Written the 19. day of the second Month 1655. Some Queries for you to answer who hold forth this testimony to the people That Christ is a Creaâ—ure against those that wâ—â—ness him to be the Son of God by which the World was made perfect God and Man not created but begotten according to the Scriptures 1. What knowledge of Christ that is without a man and how may a man do to lay his foundation thereon without having him revealed in spirit within seeing that was held forth by some of you 2. When was that Christ created which you say must as a Creature judge the World and if in Maries time who was judge of the World till then or did he judge the World as God till then and as a Creature ever since 3. Whether was not that Christ which you call a Creature sent out of Heaven from the Father and did he send a Creature to redeem the Creation and judge it 4. Is there any son of man as a Redeemer but he that came down from Heaven who filleth heaven and earth and was not he in heaven when he was in the flesh with his Disciples and do not the Saints partake of his flesh now upon earth 5. Whether all they which did see that body which to the world appeared in similitude of sinful flesh did see the shape and hear the voice of the Son of God or know the Man Christ Jesus 6. And if Christ was in that body which he appeared to the World before the World was as was asserted by Joshua Sprigge and he a creature as you say and the World made by a creature whether is not this to make the word of God of none effect 7. Was not the person of Christ Jesus before the World was his nature and glory the same that is now with the Father in heaven or in what is it changed and when had the man Christ Jesus his beginning if you can declare it 8 Did the Son of man take upon him the nature of the first Adam as he is in the fall when he took part of flesh and blood or do any know his nature who are in the fall and is not the flesh of Christ a mysterie to all mankinde till he be revealed in spirit 9 What that eating of the flesh of the Son of Man is seeing none can have eternal life in them but who eat it is the eating of it the eating of a creature and doth not all as they eat thereof become one flesh and spirit with him in his life and knowledge and if you have eat that flesh drunk that blood how is it you have the knowledge of God which is life eternal yet to seek seeing he that eats and drinks thereof can never thirst more but shall have the spring of life within or can the eating of that flesh which is of the nature of the first Adam give life eternal 10 How is Christ the only begotten Son of God if he be a creature or how can God beget a creature and if the whole person of Christ was not the before the earthly Adam how was the Creation made by him or how can he be of the nature of fallen Adam and not earthly and defiled or can God dwell in that nature but as it is purified and brought to the beginning seeing the fulness of the God-head dwelt bodily in him and is â—he flesh of Christ heavenly or earthly or is he Christ without his flesh 11 Whose obedience and righteousness and works is that which is not Christs and how is it that Christ makes any obedience or righteousness accepted with the Father which is not his own and of his own working this being one thing affirmed by you 12 How is it that a man can be in the spirit of God and in the spirit of Satan both at one instant and doth not the obeying the one deny the other and are not these the two Masters that no man can serve which you seem to affirm the contrary 13 Whether did God create man with any thing of the Devil in him and if not whether any can witness perfect redemption so long as the Devil hath any thing in them seeing some of you could not receive this testimony Now seeing we did answer many of your queries and you would answer none to us so now answer these things in writing that it may be manifest what testimony it is you bear of Christ Jesus for of our testimony of Christ Jesus we are not ashamed before men A lover of your souls and eternal good R. H. The innocency of the righteous seen of God cleared from all slanderous tongues and false accusers IN answer to a printed paper set forth by Frederick Woodall wherein he goes about to render the truth of God odious and by a cloak of maliciousness to cover those lies which he hath formerly published but in the light of God I do him see and comprehend and in it he is made manifest to all the children of light to be no Minister of Christ and to the light of Christ in all consciences I speak that in it they may read these things which from the light is declared that so occasion may be cut off from all who seek occasion against the truth that so peoples minds may not be incensed against the truth of God by his refuge of lyes set forth in his paper called Natural and Spiritual light distinguished But in the light of Christ which is but one which is not natural but spiritual is he seen to be natural and his distinction to be natural and so in the light the natural man with his natural doctrine and natural distinction is denied and Christ Jesus we do witness who is the true light which lighteth every one that cometh into the world Joh. 1.9 I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in darkness Joh. 12.46 and this is the condemnation of the world that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather then light because their deeds were evil Joh. 3.19 20 21. Now all you who are enlightned by Christ Jesus and can read in the light and with understanding to you there is no occasion of stumbling but all
they would not come unto him that they might have Life Joh. 5.40 and not because his light in them was not sufficient for these Jewes did for a season rejoyce in the Light which if they had continued in would have led them to the knowledge of the Father and of the Son as those of understanding sees in those Scriptures which thou hast asserted and so thus in all thy Arguments to manifest thy Ignorance of the Scripture and of the Light instead of charging mens guilt of disobedience thou charges the light of Christ to be insufficient for they that did love and receive the light which Christ had enlightned them withall to them it was given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven but to those which did hate reject and count it insufficient those things from them was hid and their rejection was the cause of hiding those things and not the light and this may answer the most of thy Arguments and let thee see how thou stumbles because thou hates the light which should discover unto thee both the cause of knowledge and of ignorance and the ground from whence they both arise In many other of thy Arguments thou proves nothing thou intendest but accusing falsly the Quakers as in the 15 16 17.21 22. Arguments where thou saist That they forbid People to seaâ—â—h the Scriptures in those words page 48. Christ saith Search the Sâ—riptures Quakers say no but look to the light within you and that their opinion makes a supposed light within each man a safe rule and guide to each man and is erronious Thirdly That the opinion and praâ—â—ice of the Quakers are evil in making every man a Teacher and makes neealess the Teachers set by God for the work of the Ministry Fourthly That their Opinion is impious and that they make it uâ—necessary to pray for the Spirit to enlighten mens Eyes iâ— the knowledge of God Fifthly That their Opinion is pernicious which makes man to lean to his own understanding be wise in his own Eyes and in his own conceit and that they bless men in following their own light Sixthly That the Quakers place all their Godliness in following their own supposed Light Ans. The ground of all those Arguments is false and every particular thing herein charged against the Quakers is false for they have not denyed thaâ— men should search the Scriptures neither hath their Opinion and practice made every man a Teacher Neither is it their Opinion that it is unnecessary to pray for the Spirit to enlighten mens eyes in the knowledge of God but do pray for it and for our Enemies so far that their eyes may be enlightned that they might see their own darkness and then they would not so falsly accuse uâ— of things that we never affirmed but was always contrary to and we never made any man to lean to his own understanding but do turn men to Christs light which lets them see their own understandings which is false and bringâ— them to the true understanding of Him whom the Father hath sent into the World which brings them from being wise in their own eyes and in their own conceit neither do we blesse men in following of their own light but we say they are bleswd who follow the light of Christ and walk as he walked and see never did place any Godlinesse in following our own supposed light but in Christ who hath really enlightened us do we place all Godlinesse and all are ungodly that do not walk in his Light but hate and despise it and falsly accuse those that walk in it but well may they accuse us to be erroneous and impious for walking in the Light vvhen they have accused the light it selfe to be but lust and imagination but in this they know not what they do and therefore we pray to God to forgive them And whereas again we are chargâ—d Page 47. to make the coming of Christ into the World to be needlesse and uselesse by saying that he hath enlightneth every man that commeth into the World that charge is contrary to the Truth for in this we make hâ—m usefull and needful to all people Christ was as a Light in the World and as a Teacher to the Saints of Old and to Moses who bore his reproach and to the Prophets which prophesied of him before that in the fulnesse of time he appeared in the similitude of sinfull flesh of which appearance the Apostles were witnesses and so to preach him as a Covenant to the Jews and as a light to the Gentiles before he so came into the World was not an Error much less now when he is come and hath so appeared for us to say that he is the true Light which hath enlightened every man that cometh into the World that every man thtough him might beleeve is not an error but is the way to Salvation And whereas several other Arguments is made upon false grounds as that the supposed light in a man may lead him into a way whose end is death this only belongs to thy selfe thou art guilty of it for the true Light would have led thee to have spoken Truth and to have accused no man falsly and would not have suffered thee to have opposed by plain contradiction Christs Words nor to have perverted the Scriptures in making them a ground for thy false Arguments and so that Argument against thy selfe stands and that thy supposed light leads into a way whose end is Death Again thou saist in some of thy Arguments If every man have a light sufficient to guide him then there needs no transforming nor renewing nor putting off the Old Man nor should be no foolishness nor need of a Rod of correction nor need any train up a Child in the way he should go nor need not learne Childrens Literature or good manners and other things of the like Nature Ans. This is as if thou shouldst say that Christ is come into thâ— World to Teach to Redeem to Renew and to Restore and to Reâ—orm and to do all these works in them and for them but they need not believe nor obey nor Worship nor put off the old Man nor Pray nor Preach nor Learn because he is sufficient as to all those things but this we say though Christ and His Light be sufficient to lead men to the Father and that though thiâ— Light do shine in the darknesse and convince man of his evil deeds yet his mind must be turned unto it to obey and follow it which is that only which leads to the Father but though Christ become a Light into the World and be sufficient and a safe guide yet none comes to the Father by Him but those that believe follow and obey his Light and do put off the Old Man with his deeds and be renewed in the inward of their minds and do deny conformity to the World and do hear him in all things and learn of him so this our Doctrine shall
which did not abide in the Truth he is separated and distinguished from the Father eternally but so is not the eternal Son of God for he is in him John 17.11 John 17.21 22. And again I say False Prophets and Hirelings are from the beginning and from Eternity distinguished from the Father and the Son but so is not the Spirit of Truth So I leave it to that of God in all people that with it they may see and know which to believe for Christ saith I and my Father are one and he is not Christ without God Therefore that damnable doctrine is denied which saith That Christ the Eternal Son of God is distinguished from the Father eternally For few in this Nation are so blind besides Priest Clapham as either to affirm or believe such a thing or that there is three Subsistences and but one being Is not a Subsistence a Being Therefore if any other of the Priesthood in Norfolk have joined with Clapham in his Book or do own him in these things cover your faces together and be ashamed that your impudency and blindnesse do not lead you any more to blaspheme Again Clapham saith concerning the soul in pag. 21 That the soul came indeed from God but was not of the Being of God and that the soul is humane And when I asked him Whether the soul was not immortal He said Yea Humane and Immortal were both one To this I answer Ans. Wo is unto that people whose Leader is a fool blind and ignorant of God of the Son of God and of the soul of man of the Scriptures what they speak concerning these things Now if humane and immortal be both one then every man that is come into the World hath a humane body then the bodies of all men that are come into the World are immortal as well as the soul. But for your sakes who are led by such I say The first Adam was made a living soul the second Adam was made a quickening spirit 1 Cor 15.45 And you all have a Light from the second Adam with it to see what the soul is which was made living and how again by Christ the quickening Spirit it comes to be restored into the same Life and with the Light of Christ you will see the soul and see the Life which from Christ is manifest to quicken it up to the living God and so then you will know the Scriptures and the power of God and that the Scriptures speak not of a humane soul. Now the Ministers of Christ which are sent to turn people from darkness to lâ—ght and from the power of a Satan unto God they are to watch over the souls of those who are turned to the Light therefore you all in the Light wait to knovv the soul and know the power of God which raiseth it up out of the death and then you will be wiser than your Teachers as David was and then you wil not come short of the promises which the Father hath promised even the sure mercies of David So in the Light all who wait upon God come to the knowledge of the Son of God and of the Soul which is to be watched over and then you come to that which is sure even to the knowledge as David did over all your Teachers and so you wil come to know the key of David which will open unto you that which is sealed up from your Teachers and so come to know the one shepherd and the one sheepfold and the green pastures as David fed in and then you wil not need the Priests meanings being wiser then they you having the key of knowledg which they and the Lawyers have lost as Christ hath said Matth. 23 13. shutting up the Kingdom of Heaven against men and from men now as the Pharisees did then so that you need not say there were such then but where are there now any such I shall shew you one as John Clapham in the 37. page of his Book saith That Heaven is not to be enjoyed vvhile vve be in the flesh here Novv see vvhether he hath not shut it up from all men vvhile they are here But Christ vvho vvas annointed of the Father to preach the Gospel to the poor said not so for he said unto his Disciples Blessed are ye poor in spirit for yours is the Kingdom of Heaven Luke 6.20 Mat. 5 3. it was theirs and they did enjoy it neither did Christ shut it from the Pharises but said unto them The Kingdom of Heaven is within you Luke 17.21 And if they had believed his words they might have enjoyed and been Heirs of it as the believers were And the Ministers of Christ were to preach as they went saying The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand and so they were not to shut it up from men as the Hypocrites did and false Teachers which say It cannot be enjoyed while men are here And here it appears that they shut up the Kingdom against men and neither enter in themselves nor suffer others Matth. 23.13 for if they entered in themselves then they could not deny but that it might be enjoyed And here is the Scripture fulfilled Matt. 13.19 they shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men saying None can enjoy it here but Heaven is God's Throne and the Kingdom of Heaven is within you and so here as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them and they shall be my people and I will be their God And the Seed of the Kingdom was sown and was reaped amongst the Churches and it was in them that would not enter in it themselves nor suffer others as a grain of Mustard-seed and in others it was as Leaven hid in three measures of Meal And so the Kingdom was preached and the Gospel in every creature and there were parables of the Kingdom and the World had it in the Parables in them but they that did believe had it in them in the power in the power out of the parable He that hath an ear let him hear what the power speaks then shall be witnessed that vvhich is written both of the Povver and of the Kingdom Again the said Clapham hath charged God and Christ falsly in his Book as that Christ dwells in his people tvvo vvays first by his special spiritual presence Secondly By mystical union and that is more than the former bringing this comparison That one may dwell in a House and have no union with it and saith That God dvvells in the Heavens but hath no union vvith them and that the union betvven God and believers cannot be comprehended by the Saints here as in the 24 â—h page of his Book Ans. Now let all take notice and with the measure that God hath given you to judge whether Christ can dwell in his people by his special presence and have no unity with them as he hath affirmed And again judge wheâ—her a mystical union be more then his special presence as
he hath affiâ—med And again consider that Heaven is God's Throne and the place of his rest And whether God can dwell in the Heavens and have no unity with them with his own Throne and with the place of his rest And consider whether there was ever such a doctrine preached or believed among the sons of men from Abel unto this day there is no record of such a Doctrine neither in the Scriptures Histories Heathens Pagans nor others therefore it is now fit to be recorded or put in Chronicle that all may see what a doctrine is crept into the World and that all may see that Night is come upon all such Prophets that they have no vision nor knowledge of God nor his wayes And this is the man that hath set himself to oppose and gainsay the truth and is a daily reproacher of those that walk in it yet professeth himself to be a Minister of Christ and those whose hearts are upright towards God is he reviling comparing them to Papists Hereticks Scribes and Pharises Indians and such like but to none of those in these things before-mentioned neither to Scribe Pharisee Pope Turk Indian or Alcaron can he be compared for they have been all restrained by something of God in them from writing so blasphemously against God and Christ and the Holy Ghost the Soul Heaven and Union and the Saints as he hath done And so this is another Gospel than that which was preached by Christ and his Apostles and so by the Spirit of God to be accursed for ever And whereas he saith That the union between God and believers cannot be comprehended by the Saints here he charges a lye upon the Saints and speaks contrary to the Scriptures 1 Joh. 1.7 1 Joh. 4.15 1 Joh. 5.20 for the Saints did witnesse union with God here for he that sanctified and they that are sanctified were one they said they were of God and the whole World lyeth in wickedness as he is so are we in this present World they comprehend with all Saints the heighth and length and the breadth of the love of God while they are in the world Now whoever would have believed it that the teachers in England had been so blind or durst have spoken so contrary to the Scriptures they professing them so much to be their rule and learning so long and studying so much to get the Letter of them but now is found both out of the Letter and Life but now the day of God is risen in his peoples hearts and they are seen to be such before their books come forth and now that which they were judged to be before they published themselves in print comes forth that all the world may see that the judgment of God is true from his servants upon them and that all the Rulers of the Nation may see that such are not fit to be held up but be cried against and if any should by a Law give such the tenth parts of mens estates they may expect that by the righteous Law of God ten parts of theirs may be taken away and given to strangers so if any people maintain this doctrine they maintain that which the curse of God comes upon and if they come not out from it will be partakers of the plague And again as concerning Hell Clapham saith that men are not in Hell while they are upon earth And here is another lye Answ. The Prophet said while he was upon earth thou hast redeemed my soul out of hell and Jonah said Out of the belly of hell cryed I unto thee and so the believers doctrine was contrary to Claphams for they knew both heaven and hell while they were upon earth and a redeeming out of the one into the other by Jesus Christ. Again he accuseth Peter saying that he speaks of the divine Nature being communicated to the Saints but understands divine graces Answ. The Apostle doth not speak one thing and understand another as the Priests do for he speaks with the Spirit and with understanding and knows how to divide the word of God aright who spoke unto them that had escaped the corruption which is in the world through lust and knew what it was to be partakers of the divine nature but herein the wickedness of this Priest is manifest who would keep people from being made partakers of the divine Nature and would shut up the kingdom of heaven from men while they are upon earth Again he accuseth the Corinthians in the 33. page of his book to be the ancient Hereticks who were baptized for the dead Ans. Those who were baptized for the dead was no Hereticks neither did they deny the resurrection of the dead though Paul said How say some among you that there is no Resurrection of the dead yet he did not call those that were baptised for the dead Hereticks for those that were baptised for the dead and stood in jeopardy every hour did believe the resurrection of the dead and did wait for it and did not deny it as Clapham saith who hath proceeded on in his book with many of the like false accusations against us also but it is a small matter for us to be judged by such a one for herein is but Christs words fulfilled As they have done unto me so shall they do unto you for neither Christ nor the Apostles nor the Church of God hath escaped his accusation for Luk. 6.26 Wo unto you saith Christ when all men speak well of you for so did they of the false Prophets but blessed are you when men shall speak all manner of evil against you falsly for my names sake for great shall your reward be in heaven now though against us all manner of evil be spoken falsly in the Book before mentioned yet in truth do we stand out of it all and over it all and our accuser is found in the evil and vve clear And as for the 13. Sect. wherein he hath wearied himself for very vanity hath he proved nothing against us but against himself in which he hath said that we are enemies to the holy Scriptures and deny Christ come in the flesh also his death and resurrection and that we have said that Christs flesh perished and that we own not the man Christ in the Heavens as pag. 11. and chargeth us to say that he did not ascend into heaven is not at the right hand of God shall not come to judge the world pag. 12. Again Whereas Clapham saith we deny prayer the Lords Supper and Water-baptism and giving of thanks at meals and singing of Psalms Ans. This is false as his own writing and confession will witness against him which in a former Letter said that I prayed three times at one Meeting and now in this book saith we deny prayer Here confusion is grown into impudency and lyes are made his proofs Again he saith we deny the â—ords Supper yet confesseth we own eding on Christs flesh Now Christ saith
put them to an end and not destroy them nor contradict them in the sight of his Father though to their corrupt judgement and Christ tells them that they erred not knowing the Scriptures nor the Power of God who had old lying hearts and were sinful wretches even such as John Stelham hath confessed himself to be and therefore his words and judgement and theirs is like to be all of one nature judging Truth to be Error and the Way of God to be Heresie and Blasphemy this the Pharisees did of old and even thus doth John Stelham and his companions do at this day But why should any be troubled hereat seeing herein Christs words are fullfilled upon us who said They shall speak all manner of evil falsly against you for my Names sakâ— And so hath this man done with his light scornful spirit and fulfilled Christs words who because he hath not known the Father nor the Son hath spoken evil falsly against them that follow Christ And this were sufficient answer to his whole Book Yet let us see what follows and let the Reader try with all moderation that he may be edified and may know the true Spirit from the false and the doctrine of the Gospel from lying visions and may cleave to the Truth and escape the error And let none believe hastily things uttered without knowledge out of J.S. deceitful heart FOrasmuch as many of the Servants of the Lord have been moved of the Lord to set forth in order several Declarations of those things which the Light of the glorious Gospel shining in their hearts hath given them the knowledge of and for this end are they published that others also may know the certainty and truth of those things which are believed known and enjoyed amongst us not that they can be known by reading the Letter in which they are declared but through their diligence and obedience to the Light wherewith Christ hath enlightened them though not for it which is the same Light which shined in our hearts and gave us the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ by which Light of the glorious Gospel who are faithful in it to the Lord their understandings come to be opened that they stumble not at those things which are testified in the Truth neither at that which is declared in other Scriptures but it being that in this our day it hath pleased the Father to bring forth in life and power that mercy and truth which the Scripture speaks of by which iniquity is purged out and as it is become a savour of life unto life in those that receive and believe in it so it is also become a savour of death unto that death which remains in both Priests and people in this age who hate the Light who can scarce hear it named or that people should be turned unto it as the Apostle did turn them from darkness to the Light and from the power of Satan unto God that they might receive the remâ—ssion of their sins and be partakers of the inheritance amongst them that are sanctified but when they hear that preached or printed which they may do and out of which they cannot receive the remission of their sins then envy riseth up in them a perverse mind and ungodly speeches and false accusations saying that we speak of a natural Light and of a natural Conscience when as we speak of the true Light which hath enlightened every one that cometh into the World and in which Christ's Doctrine stood who said to the people and to the Pharisees again and again I am the Light of the world as John 8.12 John 12.46 but now because the Light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon us and we declare it freely as we have received it therefore is floods of ungodliness risen up against us But it is impossible that the Seed which the Lord is manifesting his Light and Power to bring forth should be kept alwayes under the power of death which Seed is now terrible in the Lord's Power and will yet be more terrible as his power encreaseth which is now going forth as an Army with banners for the torment of the wicked is already begun because the righteousness of God is now spreading over the Nations and neither the Rulers of the darkness of this World nor all the Printings and Preachings of those who be out of the life of God can hinder that which the Lord hath begun and is carrying on by his own power though the Nations are angry because that by the Light of his glorious Gospel shining forth his wrath is revealed upon them for their ungodly deeds that the Scripture which cannot be broken may be fulfilled and therefore it were better for them there may be hope then to rise up against that which is more unchangeable than the Heavens and the Earth And therefore in vain have the Enemies of God and people in all professions joined themselves together against the Light of Truth and the Way of the Lord which many in our dayes have fallen upon but are broken to pieces and it hath fallen upon many and grinded them to powder and nothing shall escape for the day of the Lord is come and it is very nigh to you that hate it a day of darkness and of gloominess of clouds and of thick darkness and now the seed of God is as the morning spread upon the Mountains a great people and a strong there hath not been ever the like neither shall there be any more after it even to the years of many generations a fire goeth before them and behind them a flame burneth the Land is as the Garden of Eden before them and behind them a desolate Wilderness and nothing shall escape them the appearance of them is as the appearance of horses and as horse-men so shall they run c. the Earth shall quake before them the Heavens shall tremble the Sun and Moon shall be dark and the Stars shall withdraw their shining and the Lord shall utâ—er his voice before his Army as he now doth for his Camp is very great for he is strong that executeth his Word for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible and who can abide it And now according as the Prophet Joel prophesied is it come and coming to pass Joel 2.2 3 4 10 11. against which Seed men of corrupt minds and reprobate concerning the things of God are risen up who in their first appearance in their Writings profess themselves to be that which they are not seeming right unto many through their feigned words and fair speeches deceiving the hearts of the simple for whom Christ dyed but afterwards in the same Writings to those that see they manifest themselves what they are and being so considered as they are seen and known cannot deceive and therefore to all people who desire to be edified and satisfied in the ground and truth
these things there was Christ held out and mentioned in the shadows and figures and so that Covenant which promiseth no salvation nor mentioneth any thing of a Saviour that we deny for there is no such Covenant in the Scriptureâ— For that which said Do this and live promised life and mentioned Christ who is the life and by Christ who is the Life and Light of men is that Covenant fulfilled and by his Power both the obedience and life is brought forth of which that Covenant speaketh and the new Covenant being come that God hath promised wherein he hath put his Law in their hearts and his Spirit in their inward parts and all such need not to come to such Priests to be taught who tel of a Covenant which promiseth no salvation nor mentioneth any thing of a Saviour for we who be in the second know the first fulfilled which Christ was held forth in under Ordinances of Divine service and a Worldly Sanctuary and divers washings and carnal Ordinances which never made the comers thereunto perfect as pertaining to the Conscience But now is Christ the Covenant of God and Covenant of Light come and preached and with his Light shineth in mens Consciences that he may make perfect as pertaining to the Conscience which Covenant is now witnessed among thousands and such denyed who speak of a Covenant that mentions nothing of a Saviour and that to be the Rule of true believers Again in John Stelham's fifth head of Scripture-contradiction he speaks concerning sin saying That the more a soul is sanctified the more he sees his moats to be beams and that Paul was groaning and sighing all his life-time under the body of sin and death Both these are false for the more a soul is sanctified he is not the more taught to lye or to see falsly but the more he is taught to see clearly and discern a moat to be a moat and a beam to be a beam and knows the difference And Paul thanks God who had given him the victory over sin and death which he had not while he groaned under the body of it and so both the Saints and the Work of sanctification is falsly accused by such and such are to be denied as Enemies to God and to his Work In the reading of this let all people take notice that in the several and particular heads of J. S. Book where he saith he hath contradicted us he is proved himself to contradict the Scritures and so far as he contradicts the Scriptures in those particulars so far he may say he contradicts us our testimony being one with the Scriptures in those things Pr. For in his sixth head as concerning Justification he saith He that is justified is justified by God not under the aspect or notion of a Saint and as such but of a sinner and as a sinner believing in Jesus not as he loveth God or overcometh the world by Faith c. but as believing on Christ dying c. Now this testimony of J. S. is contrary to the Scripture for God never justified any as hating of him nor as a sinner but as made obedient through faith according to the Scriptures as the Apostle witnesseth Gal. 2.16 Even by the faith of Jesus Christ even we have believed in Jesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ c. so they believed that they might be justified and the ungodly they were first called out of their ungodliness and whom he called them he also justified and they whom he justified them he also glorified and by him all that believe are justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses Acts 13.39 And so all who are justified by the Lord are justified from their sins and not in them as all shall witness who come to be justified by Christ from their iniquity And whereas J.S. vvould set the Law and Justice of God at a difference with the Gospel and as contrary in saying The Law and Justice finds and leaves us sinners Gospel and Mercy declareth and pronounceth us righteous Now the one pronouncing a man to be righâ—eous and the other pronouncing the same to be a sinner these two are contrary But the Scripture hath another testimony saying Mercy and Truth are met together Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other Psal. 85.10 Now here is unity here is not Righteousness pronouncâ—ng one thing and Mercy another for the righteousnesse of God is revealed from Heaven against the disobedient and this vvill not leave them disobedient nor sinners if ever they come to mercy for it doth not leave them as it finds them And so that Doctrine is accurst from God which saith That Justice finds them sinners and leaves them so and to say that Justice pronounceth them sinners and Mercy pronounceth them righteous But to satisfie all people a few vvords may serve to answer the volume of that darknesse and blindnesse given forth by him before-mentioned should a man full of vvords be justified Job 11.2 Again concerning J.S. in his seventh head concerning Regeneration he saith That the Word of God that is preached was never without or besides Scripture c. And as in other places he hath said That the Spirit is given by the Letter so here he vvould make Regeneration to proceed from it which this being denied he concludes it had been better the Scripture had not been known nor written An. The Word and Gospel were preached unto Abraham without Scriptures and before the Scriptures were written and they who are regenerated and born again it is by the immortal Word which is able to save their souls which Word was before the Letter was written and who be begotten again and born by that Word it is profitable for such that the Scriptures were written given forth and the Scripture by such is honored but such who call the Letter the Light and the Word and that which begets again into the new birth by such both the Work of God is despised and the Scriptures perverted and denied Again J. S. in his 8. Head of Contradiction speaking of perfection uttereth forth more confusion and contradiction to himself in his speaking of the Communion of the Saints in Heaven and doth lye concerning the Saints on earth saying the Saints in Heaven hoped for the perfection of their bodies at the Resurrection c. And again contradicts that in saying that at death they have a final perfection and a full harvest and reward of peace c. Ans. Now this is the issue that all people may take notice he hath so envied perfection and Christ's Doctrine which saith Be ye perfect as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect And them who now preach that Doctrine that he hath set out a Volume to declare against the Saints being perfect here yea and his envy hath reached to Heaven to prove that the Saints in Heaven are not perfect but wait for the redemption
of their bodies which now if people mind the Scripture there is no such doctrine in it as the Saints in Heaven have not received the Redemption of their bodies for they who had received the first fruits of the Spirit upon earth did wait for the adoption and for the redemption of the body till the creature it self be delivered into the glorious liberty of the sons of God Rom. 8. And this was witnessed and is witnessed and this is the Work of the Worlds Teachers instead of presenting them perfect in Christ Jesus as the Apostles did they would make people believe that the Saints in Heaven their bodies are unredeemed if so where is that redemption wrought And whereas I. S. vvould make people believe that there are none clean novv Christ said concerning those that follovved him Now are ye clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you John 15.3 And David saith that the Lord is good unto such as are of a clean heart Psal. 73.1 And the Lord said concerning his people that he would pour clean water upon them and they should be clean from all their filthiness Ezek. 36.25 and this Prophesie was to be fulfilled And the Lord said also by his Prophet Zephaniah That his Remnant should do no iniquity nor speak lyes neither should a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth Zeph. 3 1·3 And Paul preached Wisdom among them that were perfect and as many as were perfect should be so minded and Christ preached to the pure in heart that they should see God Matt. 5. Now if there were none perfect Christ preached unto such as there was not Now this is the chief ground of J. S. and the rest of the Enemies of truth and of perfection to declare against it because some fall from it as his instance of C. A. or others in the like To which I answer Their falling into that which is not perfect doth not make that which they fall from imperfect for the Angels that kept not their first state which was perfect did fall from that which was perfect A Virgin state is perfect but if any go out of that state and become foolish yet that which they depart from is perfect And if any do fall from the Truth and do not abide in Christs Doctrine that doth not make his Doctrine to be imperfect for Christ saith Except they abide in him who is perfect they cannot bring forth fruit Is not he that is in Christ perfect though some do not abide in him And is not the Truth Truth because some deny it Was not Christs Doctrine and the Apostles true because Demas did forsake it and love the present World And was not that part of the Ministry which Judas had committed unto him perfect And was not he the true Christ that Judas preached though afterwards he betrayed him Now if people do but truly consider all those that now do turn from the way of Truth which is now preached and lived in by us it may be an evident token to justifie us in the Way of Truth seeing what they go into when they go from the Light which Christ hath enlightened them withall which while they abide in it are kept out of all filthiness of flesh and spirit and so long they may speak of perfection and of the gift of God which is perfect But if any go from the Light then they are let at liberty to act all uncleanness with greediness and so are cast out from us and from perfection And if any such deny the Truth and forsake it yet there remains in them a witness for the truth and against their own uncleanness as in C. A. who from the Witness of God in him was made to confess that if he had continued in the Light of Christ he could not have so sinned against the Lord and so by his transgression fel from the way of Life and could not continue in Christs Doctrine any longer so such things may satisfie people concerning the way of Truth for while they are of us all such things is denyed by them but when they go out from us then they become Drunkards Swearers Prophane Adulterers Fornicators and so every evil Work is committed and then they turn to the Priests Doctrine there all such things are and are excused and then the Priests rejoice and give thanks if any turn from the Light of Christ and the obedience of the Gospel into drunkenness and prophaneness again where they were before and if they wil but swear and respect mens persons and use the rod of violence and persâ—cute and shed the blood of the innocent and be conformable to the World that is the Priests rejoicing and if any turn from the truth into any act of uncleanness then they take that as a proof against those that abide in the truth and such a thing is a better proof to them then all the Scripture and those are they that rejoice in iniquity and watch for evil and so they rejoice in that which we have cast out as abomination and these are they that plead for a life in sin while they are here and that say that the saints glorified in Heaven do yet hope for the resurrection of their bodies and so not come to the end of their hope though in Heaven when as the Saints upon earth witnessed the end of their hope the salvation of their souls Now these may wel deny perfection on earth who deny it in heaven which the Saints we and the Scriptures do witness it in both and against all such who are not fit to speak of the things of God Again in his ninth Head of contradiction he speaks of a warfare which yet himself never came unto and in it he wrests Pauls words and so would turn the truth into a lye saying as if Paul should say thus If sin that wars and sights in me hath no power to condemn me then there is no condemnation to me Which words Paul never spake and it is a lye in the ground for it is not sin that is the condemnation but the Light which lets men see their sins because men love darkness rather than light as many in this age have manifested themselves to do and the light shall be their condemnation who are not yet come to the War nor to the Victory which the Scripture speaks of Again in his tenth Head of contradictions speaking of repentance as if he would prove that we denyed or disclaimed godly sorrow and his proof is this If we disclaim in-dwelling sin in the godly we disclaim godly sorrow Let all people take notice of this If we deny in-dwelling sin we deny godly sorrow this is contradiction in the highest degree but against it this I shall affirm that none comes unto godly sorrow but they deny in dwelling sin and they that do not deny in-dwelling sin denies godly sorrow Again John Stelham in his eleventh Head of contradictions to the Scripture in his speaking of
I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in darkness And Jesus cried anâ— said He that believeth on me believeth on him that sent me Also Joh. 12.44.46 This light was not mans reason nor understanding neither was it mans spirit that was the true light which lightneth every one that cometh into the world Joh. 1 9. Again another false testimony concerning the light is this That the light did drive Adam from the voice and presence of God and so far is the light from leading up to God that it drives the soul from God and keeps him in the fall p. 53. Answ. This Doctrine is to turn the truth of God into a lye and to call light darkness and darkness light for there is no such testimony in the Scriptures that the light did drive Adam from the voice and presence of God but Adam saith I was afraid because I was naked and I hid my self It was because he had disobeyed Gods voice not because he was enlightned for the Scripture saith It is your sins that hath separated you from God it doth not say that it is the light which hath separated you from God or driven you from him this may well be called a damnable Doctrine or Doctrine of Devils Hath God sent his Son a light into the world to drive the souls from God and keep them in the fall Now let all consider and judge that ever knew the light whether it be darkness or it be light which drives the soul from God and keeps it in the fall Now this doctrine being compared with the Scriptures is utterly false and there is a few that profess godliness in this Nation that can bear it or approve of it and for such as account themselves the highest profession and above forms under the name of Seekers to publish such a thing in print here it appears that the best of men iâ— but as a Briar and the most upright is sharper then a Thorn-Hedge for the day of thy Watch-men and thy Visitation cometh now shall there be perplexity Mic. 7.4 Now here is a day for tryal that they which can may try the spirits and doctrines whether they be of God Now I shall lay it to that of God in all is it not the work of the Devil to drive the soul from God and to keep people in the fall If so then it is not the work of the light which lightneth every man that cometh into the world is not this to call light darkness to say that the light is so far from leading up to God that it drives the soul from God and keeps him in the Fall What is that which leads man out of the fall if the light keep man in it As this is contrary to Scripture and to truth so it is contrary to his own words as in pag. 7. there saying That by the Light is the will and mind of the Creator made known unto man and he sufficiently qualified to see it and understand it Answ. How can these two stand together That the light drives man from God keeps him in the fall and again That it makes known the will and mind of the Creator unto him and sufficiently qualifies him to see and understand it This cannot truly be called Hosanna to the Son of David nor A Testimony to the Lords Christ but a line of confusion which is stretched out wherein darkness is come forth as a cloud and spreads it self over the earth to darken peoples minds from the knowledge and understanding of truth by words without knowledge but his folly shall proceed no further unreproved and made manifest Another false Testimony concerning the light is this That at first it moved upward and man could look God in the face and serve him but now since the fall the Thief is got into the Candle and now the Spirit burns downward and discovers the things beneath Answ. What is the nature of the Light changed or is the spirit so changed that before it ascended upward and now downward We shall try this according to the Scripture which saith Who knoweth the Spirit of man that goeth upward and the spirit of a Beast which goeth downward to the earth Eccles. 3.21 so then if it goes downward it is the spirit of a Beast not the spirit of a man And here it is plainly evident that he knows not the spirit of man from the spirit of a Beast so unfit to cry Hosanna to the Son of David or bear testimony to the Lords Christ. But as for the Light which hath enlightned man that cometh into the world the fall did not â—hange the quality of the light for the light is the same as it was but darkneâ—s cannot comprehend it neither knows how to give a true testimony of it but confusedly speaks of two lights the one springing up with man in his naturall birth suitable to his naturall birth and another light sutable to the new birth that is born of the spirit This is a testâ—mony which is not to be found in Scripture to be two Lights sutable to the two births for he that is born of the flâ—sh persecutes him that is born of the Spirit and God hath put enmity between the two Seeds but to say that there is two lights sutable and so the one natural and the other spiritual the one of the earth earthly and the other of the Lord from Heaven as the two births are this is not a testimony according to truth for the light is but one and the spirit of truth is but one and the same spirit which led the Saints which believed into all truth the same did convince the world of sin because they did not believe in Christ Joh. 16.3 And that light which is the condemnation of the world who love the darknes rather then Christ the same is the Saviour of all them that believe and one man loves it another hates it yet it is the same light Joh. 3.19 but the Scripture bears no such testimony as that there is two lights in man the one spiritual the other natural and for any man to say that the light of Christ is natural is blasphemy against the Son of God and is a sin not easily forgiven and it is hard for such to find the place of repentance for every one that comes to repentance must first come to the light which Christ hath enlightned them withall and must know it to be spiritual and confess it so and with this light come to discern the two births the one from the other and their several natures and how that the one birth is guided by the light it being as the eye giving them to see what to speak before they speak and so keeps them out of the worlds line which is confusion and as a Teâ—cher giving them to understand what to do before they do it and so keeps them out of the condemnation bringing their works
to the Lord but contrariwise his obedience and that he waâ— in Christ Jesus so this was not as the bleating of the Sheep or the lowing of the Oxen neither did it shew that they were not in the City for Paul testifieth of the holy brethren which he was a Minister unto That they were come unto Mount Sion and unto the City of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the first-born whâ—ch are written in heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the spirits of just men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling Now let him that hath thus accused shew how many miles these had to travel before they came to the City and whether there was any parts measures or degrees in these or whether there was absolute perfection without any measure of degrees of it and whether Paul was not come so far as these unto whom he preached wisdom even among those that were perfect and might he not in that estate say that he would not stretch himself beyond his measure But this I say none are true witnesses of perfection but those who know their measure and abide in it and likewise those that call the witnessing of the truth in a measure of the Spirit the bleating of the Sheep or the lowing of the Oxen such never knew perfection neither yet presseth after it but would keep all others from it by despiteful terms against the measure of the spirit which leadeth unto it But the day is come and the light is risen which hath found out and discovered all the cunning craftiness of men in whâ—ch they go about to deceive the hearts of the simple and beguile unstable souls but the elect seed is risen which iâ— is impossible to deceive for it is not the Scripture words which men may take and speak in the hypocrisie which can darken our knowledge nor any way hinder the testimony of truth in those which have received it in the power of God only with such things the blind may lead the blind and with such things they may strive to keep others out of the kingdom which have not tasted of the good word of God neither are brought to know a measure of God in themselves whereunto to be obedient but I see the Lord is opening a way for such to come out of the pits which they have been led into in opening their eys and letting them see that their Watchmen are blind and that understanding is departed from them even from their Leaders and the counsels of God is depâ—rted even from the ancient and the people are even like to perish for want of vision because they have not seen for themselves but their Teachers have seen for them vain visions and lying divinations and prophesied lyes causing the ignorant to believe them but the Lords hand is stretched out against such and is stretched out to gather his own seed from such to bring them into the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom and into the knowledge of the holy whithis understanding Prov. 9.10 which understanâ—ing is a Well sprinâ— of life Another seeming strength risen up against us is the conceit of the discovery of a Schism in the body as if the Band or Girdle which bound up the body were broken and as if there were now a character brought forth amongst us shewing a variety of persons doctrines and practises and as if the testimony of our being of the body of Christ from the unity in the body were ceased and as if the Heads were divided and as for proof instances G.F. to J.N. J.N. to G.F. J.B. to J.N. and as if it were not person but party which some wonder at admiring and waiting to see the Lords counsel and pleasure in it Answ. All those that wait to see the Lords counsel and pleasure and his wisdom in this thing shall see it and be satisfied and it vvill for the time to come be more for the confounding of those that vvatch for iniquity then any vvay for confirming them in iniquity and by that vvhich God hath done and is doing shall the Girdle and Band of our love be made stronger and in this shall the sight of our enemies fail and become blindness for their thoughts is not as Gods thoughts in these things neither their eye as his eye for he saw a better thing for us in these things then they have imagined for that vvhich they thought vvrought for evil hath wrought together for good unto those that stand in Gods counsel who alwayes waits to see those works which stands in his wisdomâ— contrary to mans reason for that which they thought did break that hath bound and that which they thought did separate that hath united together so that there is not a difference nor dividing of Heads not in persons nor in parties nor in doctrines not in practices but the same unity in the body in the faith in the seed in the covenant in one heart and one soul one way and worship of God in the Spirit is now as much or more then ever before witnessed so that God hath cut off occasion from those that seek occasion hath taken away the corner-stone that the wicked thought to build upon and hereby hath God tryed and discovered and brought to light that which lay in the bottom of the deepest pits for God hath brought in this his day many things forth to try prove those who said they were his people and those that a few dayes since seemed to be like Lambs do now manifest themselves to be in the nature of Lyons and ravening Wolves and those that pre-end to wait for the coming of Christ in power and had the Name of Seekers they are now found to reject his coming and to be such as watch for iniquity in those among whom Christ is come now they are turned backward and now drink up that which they had vomiâ—ed up for now if they could but finde any iniquity among such as God hath made known the glory of his power among or if they can but suppose or imagine any such thing from false conceptions conclusions this would be a sufficient ground to them to print a Book upon and publish it abroad and but that the Lord hath been on our sides well may we say when all sorts of men and religions hath risen up against us by their violence had we been consumed for the powers of darkness and all the divers worships of the Beast are now more joyned together then ever and the deepest subtilty of the Serpent is now at work in his members to devise wayes and change the Laws and times whereby the spirit might be quenched which God hath raised up in his children whereby a mighty cry is gone forth through the Nations against the Mystery of iniquity where it worketh both in
souls then will they confess That it had been well if they had loved the light and walked in it which they have so long hated and despised with those that walk in it and all those which have exercised their strength to shut others out of the Kingdom of God by their Preaching Printing and false Accusations they shall know that while they serve sin they are free from righteousness and do keep others from it But the time is coming that their mouths must be stopped and the Lord wil cause his everlasting righteousness to spread abroad as broad Rivers and streams unquenchable and nothing shall hinder it and this is the day in which the Lord will try those that dwel upon earth as he hath tried many and measured them with a true line and hath found them deceitful although they have made profession of his name and of his words for a cloak for their iniquity But now the light is come into the world and there remains no more cloak for their sins nor hiding place for their iniquity An Epistle concerning the sufferings of friends shewing the Priests wickedness and persecutions GOD hath a great work to do in this generation to pul down the abominations which hath long reigned and many are straightned till it be accomplished and onely such must be exercised in this work who are called chosen and faithful and many have been called but have not been faithful but have destroyed in their works that which they seemed to have established by words and was not faithful to witness the fate of their words by their works so that by a true search we have fouâ—d the words of righteousness in many but we have found the works of righteousness but in few and though God hath shined into the hearts of many by his light yet there are but few children of it in comparison of the disobedient The eye of God hath looked into the world and he sees men differ more in words then in life and conversation and some in words do witnesse for God but in their works deny him As for example How many of late years had a zeal stirred up in them by the spirit of the Lord against the abominations of the Priests and the oppression of the tithes preaching both down even as that which denied Christ to be come in the flesh So that if words had been that which would have finished the work the Land had been cleansed before this time of that abomination but the Lord hath brought a tryal upon such spirits whether they will own their testimony through the spoiling of their Goods and imprisonment of their bodys and therefore hath God suffered an earthly power a Law to try them and now they do rather deny their Testimony then suffer by that Law which gives the Priests tithes as for Witnesses most of the baptized people in England have betrayed their testimony and profession in that thing And how are you worthy to be called Saints which bear such a testimony can this equally be compared with the testimony of the Saints of old Did they cry down false worships and false teachers in words and did they uphold them by giving them wages Have you not herein sinned against light Did you not once see that they were never sent of God And will you now uphold them because you cannot suffer for your testimony Is not your paying them wages giving them tithes a greater witness for them then your preaching them down in words is against them and may they not herein rejoyce over you Christ is not herein your example which for this end was born and for this end came into the world to bear witness to the truth and did finish the work which the Father had given him to do and was made perfect through sufferings but such never need suffer who preach down deceit in words and hold it up in workes And the Apostles is not your example for they were in workes that which they declared in words therefore hath God cast you by as not fit to be Labourers in his Vineyard But a people is the Lord raising up whom he is giving his holy spirit unto whose witness to him must stand as well in works as in words who love the truth more then their lives or liberties goods or estates and are valiant for it upon the earth which cannot be subject to the powers of darkness nor the Rulers of the darkness of this world but believeth that whatsoever they deny for Christ in this life they shall receive a hundred fold and in the world to come life everlasting And these are they whom the Father will exercise with his holy spirit in the gathering his seed from the ends of the earth and for the turning of many to righteousness and such shall shine as the stars in the firmament of Heaven when as the false and deceitfull witnesses shall be turned into darknesse because their testimony is not able to endure the tryal for the Lords house must be built with tried stones that the winds of persecutions cannot blow it down and upon such will his light arise who when they are tried are found faithfull and who are counted worthy to bear a testimony in this work though it be through sufferings in this day when the powers of the Earth have set themselves to wear out the Saints of the most High God by changing times and Laws whereby to restrain the liberty of the Lords people whose worship stands in the spirit and in the truth Times they have changed by a Law in making the first day of the week to be their Sabbath but that day is more prophaned then any of the seven And Laws they have changed to get a grouâ—â— to stop the word of the Lord from having free course and 〈◊〉 utterance among â—he people These seek to scatter the power of the holy people and to 〈◊〉 the truth to the ground by their acts of cruelty and deâ—rees 〈◊〉 unrighteousness and by a tolerating cruelty and or pression â—mong a company of Priests which are worse then those in Hosea'â— dayes who then were As a Troop of Robbers that wait for a man eveâ— so the company of Priests murther in the way by consent Hos. 6.9 and saith the Prophet I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel but now we may say We have seen a more horrible thing in the Land of England even a company of Priests taking mens horses from their work their Corn off their field driving away their Oxen and Kine out of their Pasture taking their wool out of their Barns taking away their Brasse and Pewter out of their Houses taking away their Bedding off their Beds even off their childrens Beds Such a horrible thing was never seen in Israel for the Priests Robbery was not so great then as now for they did never so spoile mens goods nor destroy mens Estates nor imprison mens bodies as now in England the Priests have
by which all the other may be compared and judged Again divers Reasons are alledged as a cause of printing J.G. his defence of the Priests First he saith The great malice and envy against the Ministers and the many Letters and printed Books sent by Quakers and the great growth and encrease in Errors and because many of his old Friends and Acquaintance are as he saith seduced from the Church and to strengthen such as are wavering through ignerance and weakness and to clear himself c. and that it might be seen and come into many hands Ans. He that would accomplish those things before-named to wit subdue malice envy and error and instruct the ignorant and him that is out of the way and strengthen the weak he must be such a one as is led by the Spirit and walks in the Light of Christ which is so much hated and contemned by Priests their defenders that first those things may be subdued in themselves and then minister against them in others but none of those things can be done by that spirit which hath ruled in J.G. but that his latter reasons which he saith moved him to print may be fulfilled that is that it may be seen and come into many hands that to thy own shame when they read and consider thy unlearned Logick wherein thou goest to prove that it is not sufficient to bring us to Heaven to be freed from sin for thou saist a Horse hath no sin and so by thy comparison a man without sin is but as a Horse so that thou hast truly said thy work is without Eloquence or Humane Art But seeing thou hast taken in hand to put things to publike view in thy next prove who those men are upon the Earth that are without sin and are not sufficient for the Kingdom of Heaven and whether was it any thing that did separate man from God but sin And was not Christ only made manifest to take away sin And is not man perfectly righteous when his sin is tâ—ken away made the righteousness of God in him which takes it away to wit the Lamb of God which all the Nations of them that are saved must walk in his Light and it is those that hate the Light iâ— against freedom from sin that have no understanding of the mysteries of God which is like the horse or mule whose mouth must be held with bit bridle and are like the beast that perish but they that are freed from sin are not so neither is the horse their comparison but herein thou hast shamed thy self thy Ministers that they should be so ignorant as neither to teach thee better doctrine before thou didst write nor correct thee when thou hadst written but to suffer such a thing to appear in this Nation where Light is broken forth that the state of freedom from sin is no better then the state of a horse but as the Scripture saith Your folly shall be made manifest unto all men Which Scripture is daily fulfilling and we are satisfied in it Again to vindicate the Priests of England to be Ministers of the gospel thou bringst many Scriptures whereby thou wouldst prove them to be lawfully called though they be out of the power of God and want the power of that which they teach p. 7. As the sons of Eli thou saist were lawful Priests though they were wicked men and this is a fit comparison as thou may read in the first of Samuel 2.12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial they knew not the Lord and so according to this thou hast rightly compared the Priests for though they have the name of being called yet know they the Lord no more then the sons of Belial did Again in the same page thou saist The Scribes and Pharisees were called to teach and Judas was a true Apostle from which thou wouldst prove the call of the Priests to be a true call to the ministry Answ. If the Priests did minister as truly as the Scribes and Pharisees did that is read or speak the Scriptures truly then thou mightest exhort the people to do as the Priests say but not to do as they do but seeing that they do not truly speak the Scripture but by consequences pervert it as thou hast done in thy book it is not therefore a good doctrine to bid the people either do as they say or as they do because they both say falsly and do falsly And as for thy comparing of them to Judas as for his being called and receiving part of the Ministry that they are not like unto him in because as yet they have no part nor lot in that matter but for his treachery and covetousness bearing the bag and betraying the Lord of Life for pieces of money in that they may be compared to him But thou saist The wickedness of the person doth not disannul his Office being lawfully called thereunto until he be degraded from that Office And to prove it thou bringst several Scriptures as Ezek. 34.3 where the Shepherds eat the fat and cloath with the wool and did not feed the Flock Isa 56.10 11. They are dumb dogs that cannot bark sleeping lying down loving to slumber they all look to their own way every one for his gain from his Quarter Come ye say they I wâ—ll fetch Wine and we will fill our selves with strong drink and to morrow shall be as this day and much more abundant And these saist thou were truly called From which example your Ministers as thou thus provest are lawfully called to the work of the Ministry but when these Ministers and people read thy book they wil not much commend thee for such a defence for them but how dost thou prove that those before mentioned were lawfully called unto the work of the Ministry being wicked persons but when thou read'st the Scripture over again thou maist see that those are such as the Lord said did run he sent them not and said the Lord saith when he had not spoken unto them Jer. 14.14 Now in this Vindication thou hast not done any thing of that pretended confuting E.B. his Book called A jusl and lawful Tryal of the Ministers and Teachers of this age but hast rather confirmed it for he truly compared them unto those spoken of before-mentioned and thou hast compared them as to the sons of Eli which were sons of Belial knew not God and so his Book yet stands in force for a tryal to such unanswered And again as for thy pleading for tythes for such as are like the sons of Belial thou hast no precept practice nor example in Scripture to plead for such a thing neither as such nor as the Ministers of Christ. And whereas thou mention'st Acts 4. and Acts 5. and 1 Cor. 9.4.5 c. These Scriptures speak nothing of tythes nor of any Maintenance to the Ministry but only how that when they had planted a Vinyard they might eat of the
Lord R. H. According as vve read in the Scriptures That the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding so by its inspiration is an understanding given us of the things of God Lord. Then one of the Lords said How do you know that you are led by the true Spirit R. H. This we know because the Spirit of truth it reproves the world of Sin and by it we were reproved of sin and also are led from sin unto righteousness and obedience of truth by which effects vve knovv it is the true Spirit for the spirit of the vvicked one doth not lead into such things King and Lords Then the King and his Lords said It was truth King Well of this you may be assured That you shall none of you suffer for your Opinions or Religion so long as you live peaceably and you have the Word of a King for it and I have also given forth a Declaration to the same purpose that none shall wrong you nor abuse you King How do you own Magistrates or Magistracy R. H. Thus vve do ovvn Magistrates Whosoever is set up by God whether King as Supream or any set in Authority by him who are for the punishment of evil doers and the praise of them that do well such we shall submit unto and assist in righteous and civil things both by body and Estate And if any Magistrates do that which is unrighteous we must declare against it only submit under it by a patient suffering and not rebel against any by insurrections plots and contrivances King Then the King said That is enough Lord. Then one of the Lords asked Why do you meet together seeing every â—ne of you have the Church in your selves R. H. According as it is written in the Scriptures the Church is in God Thes. 1.1 And they that feared the Lord did meet often together in the fear of the Lord and to us it is profitable and herein we are edified and strengthened in the life of truth King How did you first come to believe the Scriptures were truth R. H. I have believed the Scriptures from a child to be a Declaration of truth when I had but a literal knowledge natural education and tradition but now I know the Scriptures to be true by the manifestation and operation of the Spirit of God fulfilling them in me King In what manner do you méet and what is that order in your méetings R. H. We do meet in the same order as the people of God did waiting upon him and if any have a word of exhortation from the Lord he may speak it or if any have a word of reproof or admonition and as every one hath received the gift so they may minister one unto another and may be edified one by another whereby a grovvth into the knowledge of the truth is administred to one another One of the Lords Then you know not so much as you may know but there is a growth then to be admitted of R. H. Yes vve do grovv daily into the knovvledge of the truth in our exercise and obedience to it King Are any of your Friends gone to Rome R. H. Yes there is one in Prison in Rome King Why did you send him thither R. H. We did not send him thither but he found something upon his Spirit from the Lord whereby he was called to go to declare against Superstition and Idolatry vvhich is contrary to the Will of God Kings Friend said There were two of them at Rome but one was dead King Have any of your Friends been with the Great Turk R. H. Some of our Friends have been in that Countrey Other things were spoken concerning the liberty of the servants of the Lord which vvere called of him into his service that to them there vvas no limitation to Parishes or places but as the Lord did guide them in his Work and Service by his Spirit So the King promised that we should not any ways suffer for our Opinion or Religion and so in love passed away R. H. His Answer to John Horn. J. H. IN thy Answer to my Queries thou seemest to be resolved to say something although it be absolutely contrary to the truth and to that which thou knowest to be Truth as will appear in what follows In answer to my first thou sayest Christ in his Spirit ascended up to Heaven when his Body was upon Earth Is this an answer to the Question Is the mind or Spirit called the Son of man according to John 3.13 which came down from Heaven And no man doth ascend up to Heaven but the Son of man which was then in Heaven So by this thy Answer it appears then that the Spirit is the Son of man and that there is no other Son of man that ascends into Heaven but the Spirit then what becomes of that body thou speaks of if the Spirit only be that Son of man In thy Answer to the second and third Queries thou provest in thy way that Mary did that which was forbidden by Christ when she held him by the feet and worshipped him but in Mat. 28.9 there is no forbidding of her to touch him but this is plainly manifest that thou art in a snare and cannot tel how to get out and yet thou wilt be saying something though thereby thou more ensnares thy self but this Scripture thou wilt once know fulfilled The Wicked shall be silent in darkness When thou shouldst answer to the fourth thou tellest of its being a secret and of prying into things above what is vvritten although the ground of my Query is grounded upon that vvhich is vvritten in Luke 24.4 To the fifth thou saist That the Women did distinguish which was Christ vvas certain but hovv they did so is a foolish curious Question What certainty is there that they did knovv vvhen thou knovvest not hovv but this is like the rest of the Priests doctrine beating the air and leaving all people in uncertainties and yet would be paid for so doing but the Lord hath made thee manifest with the rest that you cannot deceive much longer To the sixth thou sayest the two Angels were seen visibly but were not Bodies nor Persons of men but in thy answer to the fourth saist that they both saw them as men and heard them speak and had two individual Forms Now if thou wert but simple and not wilfully blind thou mightest be the more excused In thy answer to the seventh thou art more lost and confused then in all the rest for when thou shouldst answer who were the eleven Disciples that were met together mentioned Luk 24.33 thou saist that Thomas might occasionally be gone out Ans. If he was gone out then the eleven was not together as Luke 24. Again thou saist that Matthias was chosen before the Evangelist wrote his Book What darkness and ignorance is this Thou art not questioned when the Book was written nor when Matthias was chosen but who was the eleven that was together
holy 1 Pet. 1.16 And this is not a doctrine of Devils but of Christ the Son of God and Paul preached Wisdom among those that were perfect 1 Cor. 2 6. and David preached the Doctrine of perfection in this life saying Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the end of that man is peace Psal. 37.37 Now David did not bid them mark such a man as there was not So the Doctrine of perfection is that Doctrine which both the Prophets Christ and Apostles preached and so not the Doctrine of Devils if we preach the same but all those that preach up sin and that men must live in it and that they cannot be free from it while upon earth these are Messengers of Satan and preach the Doctrine of Devils and people need not that doctrine for they are willing enough to live in sin without having it preached up and being strengthened in it and that makes them so willing to pay the Priests such Wages for calling the proud happy and those that work wickedness Saints and justified persons for without such Wages not a priest in England would preach peace to them in their sins but they would all be silent for if people come once to know Christ their Teacher and he in them the hope of glory who saves his people from their sins then no man wil buy their merchandize any more but wil come all to hear and learn of the Father and come to witness his Covenant and his Teachings and shall not need that one teach another saying Know the Lord for all shall know him from the least to the greatest Heb. 8.11 And this shall all come to witness that come to be translated into the Kingdom of the dear Son of God and then shall they come to witness his Words who is the Lord from Heaven who saith Be ye perfect as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect and be ye holy for I am holy And this is the voice from Heaven The real Cause of the Nations Bondage and Slavery here demonstrated and the way of their freedom from their sore and hard Bondage asserted Presented unto the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England who have a Power and Opportunity put into their hands to do good and to fulfil the expected ends of many if they improve it From one that hath seen the corruption which bondageth the whole Creation and that waits for the redemption of the creature from under it R. H. I will restore thy Judges as at the first and thy Counsellors as at the beginning afterwards thou shalt be called the City of Righteousness the faithful City Isa. 1.26 Not before When this is fulfilled in England it shall be truly called a free Nation or Commonwealth Not before THere hath been a time when the prudent hath kept silence but now Wisdom hath opened her mouth and will be justified of all her children for the Lord is reviving the spirit that hath been imprisoned and taking the yoke from off the Disciples necks and is going on in the Name of his Power to make his creature a free creature and his people a free people and the Nation that serves him and obeys his Law a free Nation and the thunderings of his power is gone forth and his Light is risen to discover and destroy that which hath deceived the Nations and to give a discerning unto all of their freedom from their bondage and in what it stands and that is to be cast out which gendereth to the bondage of the Soul Spirit or Conscience in any exercise of Worship or obedience unto God which springs from the measure of his own life which must not be hindered or quenched by any Law Power or pretence whatsoever Therefore from the free Spirit of Life and Liberty in Christ Jesus this is proclaimâ—â— to the whole Nation and the Nations round about to take off their bondage and to take away their reproach which hath lain upon them for want of the life of Christ which is now risen to do its own work and perfect its own praise and to deliver its own Seed wheresoever it hath been in captivity the power of life must deliver it from all that which causeth shame and reproach which is the iniquity and transgression of the Life of Christ which is the original cause of bondage to every Nation which the Lord hath promised to take away in one day Zac. 3 9. And his Work and Power shall be known by its fruit which is to take away theâ—r sin Isa. 27.9 One great yoke of bondage which is upon the Subjectâ— and Seed of God in this Nation and others is that Ministry which is not free neither wil minister without money and the people are not free to hear them yet a yoke of bondage is laid upon them to pay them and this iniquity is established by a Law So here is neither free preaching nor free hearing unto which the free Spirit raised up in this Nation declareth thus That every one that will minister must do it freely and as of the ability which God giveth him and as the Oracle of God and that no profession of people may maintain anothers Minister but that there may be a free preaching and a free hearing among all people that so it may be a free Nation and they that will have Teachers according to their own lusts and judgements they to maintain them and that there may never any such iniquity be established by a Law as for one sort of people to maintain anothers Minister for this hath caused heart-burnings envy and strife insomuch that little Justice could be done for the Nation by reason of the cry of complainers and oppressors as at every Parliament every high Court every Assizes and Sessions and petty Courts there hath some pretended Minister or other been presenting Addresses Petitions or Complaints and so have stopt the just and lawful proceedings of the affairs of the Nation which interruption may easily be prevented and the Courts of Justice freed from such brawling and unreasonable complaints which hath been more interruption to Justice than any thing in the Nation besides and hath more hindered the peoples deliverance from being a free people and a free Nation than any thing in the Nation besides So let every form and profession of Religion maintain their own Minister and maintain their poor which are crying at their Meeting-house doors and in the Streets in the Name of their God for some relief that so there may not be a beggar in England for herein the Christians in name are become even a reproach among the Heathens to see their own flesh stand naked and uncovered in the streets and Steeple-house doors and at their doors and they turn their ears from the poor and forget God and loses the bowels of compassion and are not merciful as the Father which is in Heaven is merciâ—ul and so walks not according to the Scriptures but is a disgrace to Religion
and even a reproach among the Heathen So let no more the cry of the Priests nor of the poor be heard in our Land the one crying for Laws to persecute and receive money of those who they preach not unto which receives no teaching from them which cry is intolerable to be heard or suffered in a free Common-wealth And the other for want of the creatures of God when as others spend the creatures of God upon their lusts excessively and so the Creation is out of order 〈◊〉 those that are come into the Gospel-Ministration and to be taught of the Lord and have received Christ Jesus the Lord and walk in him it is not so amongst us for the creatures of God are not spent upon the lust nor destroyed neither is there a beggar amongst us who are truly of us in the obedience of truth so that we do not desire that any people or profession in the Nation should maintain our poor for they are our own flesh without respect of persons for if any of us have of this Worlds good and see our Brother stand in need and shuts up the bowels of compassion from him the love of God doth not dwel in us neither doth any other maintain those that minister unto us the Word and Doctrine so we according to the royal Law of Liberty desire to do unto others as we would have them do unto us and thus to be a free people and a free Nation So every form and profession will enjoy their own Minister till they come to know him unto whom the gatherings of the people must be viz Christ So that neither Parliament Assizes Sâ—ssions nor Courts will have any thing to do in matter of Religion but to keep the peace of the Nation and then he that hath the Word of God may speak his Word faithfully and freely without interruption so that the Gospel of God may have its free course and be glorified and that great oppression of Tythes which lies heavy upon the whole Nation which God raised up his Spirit in the Army once to testifie against may be taken away that what was then pretended may be now fulfilled and the people eased of their oppressions which they have long felt the burthen of and groaned under that so as a free people they may be delivered from that bondage and the Law may be disannulled by which that bondage is imposed upon them So this will beget love in the Nation and all persecution cruelty and bitterness wâ—ll cease and every one may freely and quietly enjoy the fruit of his own labor then with much freedom chearfulness wil every one minister of his substance unto all necessary uses knowing that the earth and the fulness of it is the Lords And when this universal love and free Spirit is begotten among people then wil righteousness establish the Nation and that will be brought forth which many sincere hearts and tender consciences hath waited for seveâ—â—l years and many have been even almost weary and faint in â—heir minds in waiting for that which they once had a lively sight of and hopes to enjoy in the Lord's promise of Liberty and Freedom opened in their understandings ten years since insomuch â—hat some have been ready to tempt God and say that he was slack concerning his promise and some for want of long patience have lefâ— off expecting that which they once believed hoped foâ— but God is reviving the hopes of the contrite ones in them that had said there was no hope in them is he renewing strength to believe that God will give Judges as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning the Judges at the first were not to judge for gifts nor for rewards nor the Priests were not to preach for hire nor the Prophets were not to divine for money but the Judges did minister justice freely between man and man and the Priests did minister the Law freely which was added upon all transgression So in those days there were no Priests that troubled the Courts Judges nor Counsellors with Addresses Petitions or Complaints for maintenance no suing at the Law no imprisoning mens persons for Wages nor no spoiling of mens goods and there was not such delays in executing judgment upon transgressors as is now for the Judges sate in the gate and executed judgement speedily upon the offendors and cleansed the Land of evil-doers and so eveâ—y one was to wait on his Mâ—nistry which he had received from the Lord and are to do so now if they do it unto the Lord He that judgeth for God is not to respect any mans person in judgment and he that hath the Word of the Kingdom is to minister it freely and then the people wil minister their carnal things freely to every one that hath need so that whereas even from the Priest to the people all have been given to covetousness strife and debate every one now will be given to love and freeness one to another for he that hath spiritual things wil minister them freely and he that hath carnal things will minister them freely and so will all come from under the execution of the Law and from all strife and contention Another great oppression wherein iniquity is upheld by a Law is in the Ministration of the Law between man and man it not being done freely so not as in the beginning HE that doth minister the Law let him do it freely for the Lord and for righteousness sake and let him be as one of the Judges in the beginning and as one of the Counsellors whose eyes were not blinded with gifts and rewards and so it will come to be a free Nation and then every man will not seek his own but every one anothers good and then will pure love spring up to one another and one will seek to preserve and save another and not devour and destroy one another about earthly things as now they do so Christ's Spirit will be found among all sorts of people Ministers of the Law Ministers of the Gospel and Subjects of the Nation which were to save mens lives not to destroy them and then the Scriptures which cannot be broken wil be fulfilled and peace wil be extended as a River and righteousnesse as a mighty Stream For it is this spirit which I have mentioned in Lawyers and Priests which did not minister freely but for covetous ends hath made merchandize of peoples souls and estates that hath broken the peace of this Nation as many hath had a deep experience even when the Army was in its first purity and zeal for God and his Truth that Spirit did creep into their Counsels and corrupted them and did creep into Parliaments and corrupted them and when there was any appearance of a Monarchy or Government arising in the Nation that spirit crept into every high Court and corrupted it so that whole Nations are corrupted with that spirit so that till that spirit be purged out there