fail as you will answer the contrary Given under our Hands Seals this 27. of March 1655. Nicholas Pearson Thomas Belamy Something in reply to Edmond Skipps Book which he calles the Worlds Wonder or the Quakers Blazing-Starre who saith he is a Teacher of the Gospel at Bodenham in Herefordshire At his Book the World may wonder but the Children of light doth not for his folly in it they manifest and him to be the Wandring-Starre who is wandered from truth and thou may read in Jude in the end Edmond Skipp that in thy Conscience shall me remember who is called of the World Humphry Smith There shall come in the last dayes scoffers walking after their own lusts 2 Pet. 3 3. Babylon is fallen and become the babitation of Devils Rev. 14.8.18.2 BEing moved to write something in answer to the scandalls that hath been cast upon the truth by Edmond Skipp in a Book called the Worlds Wonder or the Quakers Blazing-Starre wherein he hath not only cast many aspersions upon us in these parts of the Nation to wit Herefordshire but also on those yea all of those whom he never saw not heard whom the great and mighty power of God hath raised by the pure life of Christin them to witness and live in which we hear a handful of Babes are but in a little measure yet brought to witness therefore not for our own vindication but for the simple ones sake who ever was carried away in all ages with Scribes Pharisees false Prophets false Apostles through the sleight and craftinesse of men whereby they lay in wait to deceive 2 Cor. 4.2 Therefore take notice that not many wise men after the flesh not many learned not many mighty for the wisdom of this world passeth away and the Lord is now taking the wise in their own craftiness and chusing the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and the things that are not to bring to nothing things that are that so no flesh may glory in his sight but that the Lord alone might be exalted in this the great day of his power Isa 2.11 wherein he is risen out of his holy habitation Jer. 2.13 to shake terribly the earth Isa 2.19.21 and bring down the haughtiâ—eâ— of man and laâ— low the haughty looks of man Isa 11. who are going forth like men of Warre in their own strength against the Lord and against the anointed witness the last page of Edmond Skipps Book Psal 2.2 Now that the truth of Jesus Christ may the more appear I shall in this following discourse in bâ—seâ— lay open some of the former and yet-lived-in deceâ—ts of this open enemy and also some of his lies which he hath written against the truth of Christ whom the world knowes not therefore they write speak hate stone whip imprison and â—aâ—â—y say all manner of evill against us wherein the Scriptures are fulfilled by them Matth. 5.11 12. whose Judgement slumbereth not and whose damnation lingereth not Now before I proceed further I give thee a little notice what sort of people he thus hath opened his mouth wide against and it shall be made manifest and that from his own writings which declare us to be the people of God chosen out of the world John 1â— 19 and he to be the persecutor I shall give thee a few short hints but if thou wilt observe his writings thou wilt finde that he himself hath declared that our whole life and practice is proved by plain Scripture and that our lives and practises are the same with them that did write and speak forth the Scriptures but in short see his own words in page 40. Did you ever know people acted through a more glâ—â—â—oâ—s â—â—oâ—â—or appearance of righteousness then they are to witâ—ns their â—â—nying and throwing off the world and all â—care and â—â—ainsâ—â—or Christs sake their forsaking Father and Mother and â—ife and Children Luk. 14.26 Matth. 10.37 though with so much affliction opposition persecution and disgrace from men is not this like the Crosse of Christ and the sufferings of Christ and his Apostles yea even the same their â—avelling so many â—â—iâ—es from place to place Jer. 18.18 and speaking so boldly unto great men â—â—â—â—â—g out against their abominations their writing so many letters and dealing so plainly with men And there are hardly a people to be found that cry out more against Antichrist and all appearance of sin and unrighteousness then they do and in page 41. the whole bulk of their actings hitherto as faâ—â—e as I know or have heard do declare them to be carried forth as Ministers of righteousness page 44. for I am perswaded they dare not tell a lie Now see plainly before thou proceed the darkness ignorance and envy of this man that can persecute in writings and smite with the tongue such a people as he himself in this very darkness cannot chuse but conâ—eâ—s such things by and in who that is not altogether blinds will not see the bâ—â—â—ness darkness and ignorance of this mans confused-Writings See one more page 50. Now these people as farre as I am and ever was able to discern them are indued with a large measure in those things the Apostle mentioned in Heb. 6.4 5 6. I mean many of them that I know that I did take in my former intimacy and acquaintance with them to have received much of the power of truth through Christ and to hare much communion with God and large experiences of his loâ—e but as for others of them they were never judged by me or the rest to be any more then a willing people and for such this Scripture doth not touch them even by this although there might be much more mentioned thou mayst see in measure in the light of Christ what he is that doth tail against such a people whose words lives wayes and actions are agreeable to the Scripture as he confesseth in his own Book The world loves his own and the world delights in its own the world speaketh to the world and the world hears that which is spoken from the earthly heart reacheth the deaf eare and no farther that which is comprehended by the dark minde that is spoken forth by the deceitful Tongue that feeds the deceit that lodgeth in the hearers so one darkness upholds another and the same deceit upholds its own in both speaker and hearer so in both Writer and Reader yea all that write and speak that which proceeds not from the life but from the death being in the state of death is but death speaking to death whereby Serpents are begotten or the seed of the Serpent is increased Now they that are of God heares Gods word and they that hear not his word are not of God for the natural man perceiveth not the things of the spirit of God for they are spiritually discerned by the spiritual man that judgeth all things though no man can judge him who is a Child of the day and dwelleth
in the light and hath no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darknesse out of which the Children of the day are delivered and can witness the darkness past and the true light now shining in them but all those who say they have fellowship with light and walk in darkness are lyers and all lyers are shut out of the Kingdom and are estranged from God who is altogether pure hoâ— and righteous just perfect light and those that dwell in him are in he is and they only have the minds of Christ the which all the world and earthly hearts are ignorant of Therefore I shall not put the worldly carnal heart to judge of what may be written by me although I am but yet leaving off the world and entering into a little of that which is eternal which no eye of flesh can ever attain unto and live neither can any but those that live in the same life that speaks aright or understand what is spoken from the life by those that speak aright from the pure life therefore let not thy deceitful heart deceive thee in judging herein for the old heart is deceitful as I shall further make manifest both unto the world and unto the Children of the light not only from what I hear but from his own written words and my knowledge and being witnessed by the light and truth as it is manifested in me whereby something may so plainly appear that eâ—en the world it selfe may see the deceit that alwayes hath been and yet is in this man who now desires all the world to take notice page 23. of his exposition of his lies that he himself hath cast on us who are not of the world therefore the world knoweth us not for we witness against it that the deeds thereof are evill After Edmund Skipp had thrown off his Tithes and convinced of much more which he was waiting to throw off too he then told me not long before he left us that he had not faith to carry him through neither could he beleive but he was confident that the Devil would steal all that he had from him again the which is now too true Woe woe woe from the eternal God to all the Inhabitants of the earth who dwelleth in the earthly darkness being seated in the earth drove out from the presence of the living God and are vagabonds and fugitives in the earth whose Center is in the earthly dark minde woe to all those that put light for darkness and darkness for light woe to all those that go down to Egypt for help in Egypt the pure seed is captivated and kept in bondage in Sodom and Egypt the Lord is daily crucified and put to open shame woe to all the Oaks of Bashan and all the beasts of the field woe to them that build their nests among the Starres for Capernaum that is listed up to Heaven and in its wisdom in its own strength shall be brought down to hell for the Lord God of life and power is risen out of his holy habitation to confound the language of Babel and dry up the tongue of the Egyptian Sea and famish all the gods of the Heathen that know not God whose presence is terrible to all the Children of disobedience therefore woe unto him that striveth with his Maker who ariseth to scatter his enemies and to wound the head of every one that goeth on still in his wickedness Oh the day of the Lord is at hand wherein every man shall receive according to the deeds done in his body then he that hath seemed to wait and now begins to smite his fellow-Servants saying his Master delayes his comming and so eat and drink with the drunken that are drunk indeed with the wine of the fornication of the Whore of Babylon those are Drunkards indeed that are drunk with wine and oâ—ercome but not with strong drink such stagger at the promises and stumble at the corner stone but when that stone shall fall upon them it will grind them to powder therefore be warned of the Lord thou that despiâ—est and wonder for all the works of the Lord are wonderful least thou perish for the Lord is working a work in these dayes that thou canst not believe nor any that live in their own wisdom exalted above the pure wisdom of Christ who teacheth all his to deny all yea even all both wisdom righteousness wit and all carnal comprehensions for they are followers of him who lived not in his own will for saith he I came not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me and saith Not my will but thy will be done and he that is not yet made a fool and so denies his own will and wisdom is yet exalted above the crosse and the son of perdition is exalted above all that is called God sitting in the Temple of God even in the holy place where truth should alwayes be exalted Christ should raign as King and subdue all his enemies under his feet and lead captivity captive that a gift may be received which gift is eternal life and this life is in the son by which gift all that are in the son-like obedience do witness being made heirs with him in the eternal Covenant which is established upon better promises then the first therefore he taketh away the first that he might establish the second which is witnessed in the son-like obedience by the which we are made the righteousness of God through him the which is a mystery to the dark world whole mouthes are now open to speak evil of that they know not calling the great and mighty works of God the delusions of Satan and the conditions now witnessed in the Sons and Daughters that the Prophets and Apostles both passed through to speak of those things they now call the works of Antichrist But he is an Antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son now see who is an Antichrist no man knowes the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son reveals him he that denies this Revelation denies both Father and Son that is Antichrist Now to know the Father is eternal life and he that saith he knoweth and hath fellowship with the Father and walketh in darkness is a lyer and the Devil is the Father of lies and he that liveth not in the truth which is Jesus Christ he must needs lie because he is out of the truth and tâ—erfore found an enemy to the pure truth as it is in Jesus who is the truth and life it self by whom the world is and shall be judged when the Lord shall come in flaming fire rendering vengeance on all that know him not this day is even at hand yea even now the Lord is comming a swift witness against all unrighteous ones who hold the truth of God in unrighteousness living in their ungodly practises sporting themselves now in the day-time spending their time upon their lusts living in their own wils speaking forth the
swift witness against all deceitful workers who live within the power of what they speak or write much more against those that write filthy abhominable lies Oh if thou love either Christ or thy own soul return return unto the light of Christ in thy own conscience which will let thee see the deceit of thy own sinful heart out of the abundant deceit thereof thy pen hath run so largely in confusion now I charge thee in the presence of the living God in as much love to thy soul as ever that thou return to the light of Christ in thy own conscience and mind that which checks thee in secret I tell thee man in love there is something yet in thee which will witness me to be true See one more page 64. where for thy own defence not for the defence of the truth thou saiâ—â— thou wast necessitated to fly unto the practices and truths of other men to wit Baptists where it is plain thou had not the spirit of Christ to fly unto and speak from as the true Apostles had witness one Acts 6.10 therefore thou art both seen in the light proved by Scripture and thy own Writings to be a false Apostle and a false Minister 3 Cor. 11.13 14 15. much more might be said and proved both from thy writing and actings but I desire the good of thy soul by this which is sufficient at present to prove thee at present to be one of the wondering Startes Iude 13. A word to all Professors in the world BEing it was ordered of my Lord God and Father of lights that something must go forth in print as from me who am the least of all Saints I was even as freely engaged in my spirit out of tender love to your souls to present a few lines from that measure of spirit which is brought forth in me Oh my friends my friends the hour is not only comming but now is witnessed in me that the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live Iohn 5.25 and the voice of the true Dove is heard in our Land to wit this earthly Tabernacle that is made the Temple of the living God who is now fulfilling his promises in us that walk not after the flesh but after the spirit even in us is the Lord establishing his new and everlasting Covenant even the sure and certain mercies of David which is by the life of Iesus Christ in us fulfilled and witnessed whereby we have fellowship with the Father and one in measure brought to live in him and he in us where we have joy and rest and eternal peace which passeth all understanding and all the worlds comprehension where all the Children of the light meet and see face to face for the Lord hath brought again Sion who is become the perfection of beauty out of the which God now shineth Psal 50.2 and is become our glory and we his Isa 46.13 Oh prayses prayses be unto him who hath redeemed us out of Nations kindreds and tongues to serve the living God in newness of life and not in oldness of Letter that so now we may offer up eternally living and eternal sacrifice and prayse for evermore who hath in measure redeemed us from the world and out of all darkness that is therein and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son and made us partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light which is the eternal light of life for God is light and in him is no darkness at all and all those that live in him are Children of the day who walked in the day even the pure light in the which there is no occasion of stumbling our feet being guided in the path of peace which is the true and living way in which the wafaring man though a fool shall not erre Isa 35.8 which is a pure way of holiness leading up into the full enjoyment of the Father who hath long waited to be gracious unto us and now in the day of his love and power hath gathered us in his arms of love and brought us home unto himself who were before the out-casts of Israel wondering with you from Mountain to Hill but did not finde rest unto our souls but now the great and mighty power of the Lord hath raised up his own seed in us now indeed we are made by the life of the Sonne in us to cry Hallelujah unto him to him alone be all honour glory and obedience and eternal prayses forever even for ever and ever for he that was lost is found he that was dead is alive and behold he liveth for ever more Now my friends the whole world lieth in wickedness and all the world by wisdom knowes not God the natural man perceiveth not the things of God which are hid from the wiâ—e and prudent even from the readers of the Scripture from Scribes Pharisees Priests yea the Princes of this world for had they known they would not have crucified the Lord of glory who is crucified daily by the same spirit that now ruleth in the Children of disobedience even in the Scribes Priests and people that live in the same Nation where the learned ones of the world are 〈◊〉 all those that walk in darkness to wit pride to covetousness 〈◊〉 love of the world hatred variance strife sedition heresie baâ—â— biting heady high-minded lovers of pleasures more then the over of God scoffers walking after their own ungodly lusts raging waves of the Sea foaming out their own shame who accounts gain godliness whose eyes are full of adultery feet swift to shed blood eares open to all deceit whose mouthes are full of cursing and bitterness the poyson of Aspes are under their lips their throats an open Sepulcher who imagineth mischief lying altogether deceitful and desperately wicked who can know it such as these are the fruits of the flesh in the which all the world lies therefore I witness against the world that the works thereof are evil Now in the world there are Sects Schismes Judgements and Opinions there they are heaping up teachers to themselves having itching eares and according to the number of their fansies so are their wayes of worship according to the number of their imaginations so are their Gods for there are many Gods and many Lords but the living God is not known by the world for it by wisdom knowes not God no man knoweth the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son revealeth him now he that hath the Son revealed in him is born of God and he that is born of God overcometh the world and sinneth not he that sinneth hath not seen him but this is a hard saying who can bear it the world cannot for the world hears its own they that are of God heareth Gods word ye hear them not therefore ye are not of God Now friends all you that have looked after me and other men for teaching now I can write unto you
left in the snare which thou hast laid and the pâ—t which thou hast dâ—gged and sounder the delusions and mysterious workings of Antichrist as to the single eye will clearly appear thereby will the innocent by thee called Quakers be cleared though thou and the wicked through plotting mischief be ensnared and seared that all simple hearts may take warning and be preserved who have the living God in any measure truly seared and served by doing his will in departing from the workings of Antichrist by his own power in himself and also though his Antichristian Ministers being as thou art transformed as a Minister of righteousness beguiling the ignorant through the mysterious actings by a Satanical spirit of Antichrist in that mystery of iniquity with thy lying wonders c. 2 Thes 2.9 10 11 12. Now I shall speak to clear the truth from some of thy accusations and slanders that deceit may be cast out and truth stand clear as hereafter will appear First To that in thy tenth page where thou seeks to render the people of God odious which thou calls Quakers and one chief thing thou accusest them withal and lays as a ground to work on and that is thou says their railing and speaking â—uch languages to all sorts of people and Rulers and Magistrates c. which doth as thou says discover a spirit of delusion error c. Now if I prove that that they do not as thou says then thou wilt be found to be what thou would charge them withal and so they cleared and thou left to be known thereby to be guided by a spirit of error and in the delusions and mysterious workings of Antichrist thou speaks of But I shall prove that those thou calls Quakers are not as thou says therefore thou art the deceiver and in the delusions c. an the people thou calls Quakers redeemed from such things and stands clear To thy second Rule whereby thou says thou wilt find out where Satan doth colour over and blind this fallacy with some Scripture words and instances And that is first as thou says their rayling and says they count it not railing but a sharp rebuking and reproving men with authority c. quoting Thus 1.13 and 3.15 and those are the places thou says Satan covers himself under and that of Nathan to David when he said thou art the man and that of Christ to Peter when he called him Satan I answer Satan cannot cast out Satan and a Kingdom divided cannot stand thou deceiver and subtil serpent doth or will Satan discover and reprove his own deceivableness No he will not strike at his own Kingdom to root it out The fallacy thou speaks of that is thy own turned back upon thee again and the Scriptures which thou hast cited we witness and own the authority spoken of but they are no covers for deceit as thou says therefore in that thou art the false accuser and lyer against the truth and truths friends thou art a stranger to the life of truth and them and that which thou calls rayling is to tell thee and men of the evil of their ways for in the second place thou says they charge men with hypocrisie aod so take the example of Christ to call men hypocrites here thou shews thou art offended at truth for declaring against the deceit and so art judged out of thy own mouth and by thy own works who art in the hypocrisie and therefore an hypocrite for we cannot follow any better examples then Christ Jesus and his true Prophets and Apostles for we are required so to follow them as for our examples and we do not errâ—n so doing but are accepted for obeying Christ and hâ—s Commands and following him for our example and the eâ—ample of such Eph. 5.1 1 Co. 11.1 and thou art offended at that and that the seed of God should sharply reprove and rebuke the serpents seed and the man of sin and darest thou say there was sin or deceit manifested by Paul forbâ—dding Titus reprove and rebuke with authority or was that any rayling and reviling in him and such to obey the commands of the spirit of truth as Nathan did and such as are sent as he was from God sent to tell David he was the man and Christ Jesus himself to Peter Get thee behind me Satan And as it was no sin nor deceit in them to say so being guided thereunto by the Lords spâ—râ—t then it is not deceit error nor delusion for such now so to say being thereunto as they was guided by the Lords holy Spirit to say so to whom they are so sent and to say as they are by the Lord required but thou and the Serpents seed are offended at the righteous judgment and language of the Spirit of Truth therefore thy sayings against such are false and so thou judgest amiss to call it rayling and reviling speaking against sin and deceâ—t and to speak plainly to Teachers People Rulers and Magistrates according as their Condâ—tâ—ons are c. As I shall prove by several Scripture eâ—amples and then let all the children of light judg and not the world which thou calls to judg of thy sayings who are in deceit as thou art and cannot judg aright but therein thy folly and enmity is discovered and for colouring delusion error and deceits with pretences and seemingly from the Scriptures by-fallacies c. none more guilty of that sin than thou art and the Hireling and Tything-Priests and such false Antichristian Ministers that are in union with Antichrist as thou art being so acted and guided by a Satanical spirit in all his mysterious actings being turned back and according to thy sayings in thy 11. page and the judgments woes c. against Kendal in the North shall stand But that which proceeds from the Spirit of truth and the true Power of the living God in His Sons and Daughters which thou calls rayling is not as thou says but are words of truth therefore thy second Rule for the discovery of the mystery thou tells of is false a lying fallacy so error and deceit therefore thou art a false Judg and so guided by an erronious spirit of delusion to judg amiss of the Saints practice by thy delusion error and deceit Example 1. To speak truth in plainness by the spirit of truth to Priests People Rulers or Magistrates is no railing but according to the Scriptures and practise of the Peop of God as is here by these Examples proved to be a witness for the truth and against E. S. lies error and all decei For first When the Lord sent the Prophet his servant Isaiah to speak to the blâ—nd watch-men and greedy Sheapherds of Israel who had transgressed the first Covenant c. he called them beasts and said All ye Beasts of the field come to devoure His Watch-men are blind they are ignorant they are all dumb-dogs yea they are greedy dogs which have never enough they all look to their own way
world hate them Iohn 17.14 this word abideth in such as hath overcome the world and greater is he that is in them then he that is in the world 1 Iohn 2.12 13 14. and such are sons 1 Iohn 3. and being sons they are heires of God and joynt heires with Christ Rom 8.16.27 and such have a right to the promises being heires according to the promise and of the seed which the promises are to Galas 3.29 therefore thy fallacy I deny Edmund Skip and witnesse the spirits teachings which thou art a stranger unto as it doth appear the accusations is taken off from Truths friends which thou calls Quakers and now truth is on their side and shineth pure and clear Fourthly That promise made to the waiting people at that time spoken of Malachy 3. was a particuler people and a true figure for there was a time when the adversaties of the Lords people called the Proud happy and they that wrought wickednesse were set up by such enemies and adversaries Malachy 3.15 then they that feared the Lord met often together and spoke one to another and the Lord hearkned and heard them Gods unchandgable Love and Remembrances of his former mercies and loving kindness is sweet and comsortable to his people c. verse 16. but the promise was not upon their acceptation of meeting together in the first place but out of the free love and mercy of the Lord made known unto his own peculier ones which moved them to meet together for saith he I am the Lord I change not therefore the sons of Iacob are not consumed Mala. 3.6 there was a manifestation of Gods love unto them his loving was the moving cause of their meeting together and not their meeting together the moving cause of Gods love to them and so the promise I say to them was not in the first place upon their acceptat on of meeting together but the free love mercy of the Lord which moved them to it and for his loves sake were they accepted their meeting together was not the cause of Gods unchangable love to them but the free love and unchangable of Gods goodness the so mer promises of God remembrances of his loving kindness to them was the cause and their meeting together a fruit of their tobedience to God for his mercy and loving kindness manifested to them and now the promises are to the seed that are in the Covenant and returned to the pure being and in the obedience to the God of Iacob and Israel in the Spirit 2. Cor. 3.17.18 Fistly And that we witnesse who are of the promised Seed The Saints and Servants of the the Lord are witnesses to his teachings and workings by his Spirit And The holy Vnction is the Saints-Teacher and the Spirit of Promise their grade into all Truth and we witnesse the teachings and Covenant of God with his own Seed and according to the promise of the Lord to the Seed as in Isa 48. v. 27. and where he hath said that his Spirit and Words put in the mouth of such there spoken of shall not depart out of the mouth of the seed nor out of the mouth of the Seeds Seed from henceforth for ever saith the Lord Isa 59.20 21. and that spiritual promise of Christ in the Gospell we witnesse which guideth and leadeth into all Truth the Spirit being come which was promised and prayed for Iohn 14.16 17 26. Iohn 16.13 and we also witnesse to the holy Unction which teacheth us all things and we need not that any man teach us but as the Anointing teacheth us which is Truth and no lie as it is written 1 Iohn 2.20 27. And Edmund Skip this power which gave forth the promises and new fulfilles them to the Seed we witnesse to and in therefore Edmund Skip thou that calls the teachings of the Spirit of God and the workings by his Power in and through his children and servants the mysterious workings of Antichrist thou speaks evill of the Power of God and blasphemes in so saying but thy folly is seen and that for all thy Comparisons and Scriptures under pretences adding thereunto thy fallacies and lying divinations as is manifested to any single eye in thy 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21. c. pages And thou art ignorant of the workings and teachings of God and one that blasphemes his Power but thy Judgment thou must bear who art that false accuser of the brethren misapplier of the Scriptures and calls Truth delusion and Delusion truth and so calls evill good and good evill such is thy false judgment crrour and deceipt manifested in thy Astronomical judgement or Blazing-star 1. Whereas thou Edmund Skip falsly accuseth them thou calls Quakers and saith they are filled up with Railing Harsh Some accusations cast off from the Truth and Truth friends by the World called Quakers and turned back upon the Accuser and false accusers to remain and Clamerous language c. in this 13. page but thy saying therein is false and that is largely proved against thee and so the truth from that accusation cleared before and that is turned back upon thee the false accuser and with the false accusers to remain 3. And whereas thou tells of taking Scripture to cover over deceipts withall that we denie and this saying is therein false so turned back upon thee again and with thee and the false accusers to remain the Scriptures we witness to be a true Declaration of the Truth Luke 1.1 1 Iohn 1.3 and we make use of them in their place to witnesse for the Truth and against deceivers and deceipt but for taking them to cover over deceipts withall therein thou lies and hast by that also manifested thy lying spirit and none more guilty of that sin both taking the Scripture to made with all for money and also to cover deceipts and fallacies with all then such as thou art and the priests of the World and not we whom thou accuseth for presently after thou calls them a mislead people and tels what is meident to a mislead people quoting 1 Tim. 6 4. and 4. v. 2 Tim. 3.4 But that misleading we deny and turn thy saying back upon thee and all that are proud traitours heady high minded and lovers of pleasures which things we deny and against them testifie and those Scriptures which thou hast cited tells of such a sort of people Which two places of Scripture clears us and proves such as the Priests and their followers to bring forth the fruits they speak of us their fruits maketh them manifest to be those people thou speaks of not us whom you cal Quakers so according tothatsaying the Priests and their followers are the misled people thou speaks of and there is like Priest like people Hos 4.9 which 2 places of Scripture 1 Tim. 6.4 5. and 2 Tim. 3.4 turnes backwards off from us to you ye Proud-doaters about Questions and Strife of words
his spirit in the hearts of his children and servants and in that which thou hast been pretending to discover to others thou art found chief in Antichrists design and deep in his mysterious actings thy self and let all the wife heatted take notice thereof And where thou art slanderously reproaching and accusing the servants of Christ that follows Christ in the sufferings calling them their Quaking fits roarings transings swoundings passions and Agonies and exercitations of body and exâ—team tortures c. that it maketh them roar out for very bitterness thou clâ—erly judges thou sayes if the Lord did not limit the devil in their behalf as he did for Iob saying thou shalt not touch his life it would be impossible for their concaves to hold their internals in those violent motions for they are made under those Agonies to tremble and Quake as though their flesh must part from their bones and ligatures like unto men in the strongest fits of an Ague as though they had seen Belshazzars vision Dan. 10. that made his knees smite one against another in those strong passions they are thou sayes exercised with so much heat of what sort thou sayes thou knows not c. Reply Thou hast reckoned up many names and been busying thy minde about setting forth a peoples condition whereby thou would render them odious to the world but the people of God was ever so in the worlds account and Isaiah and those people that trembled at the word of the Lord Trembling Quaking and shaking the Scriptures witnesseth which is also witnessed by the holy men of God as in Isa 66.2 5. they were signs and wonders then Isa 8.18 and so are the people of God now to thee and such like and thou hast been so much bysying thy self about them to set them forth by thy gethered words and expressions the inventions and divinations of thy brain and in the latter end confesseth thou knows not of what sort it is therefore thou art ignorant of what thou hast been busying thy minde about and falsly accusing them withall thy gathered and vain expressions and vain repetitions I deny but the power of God which causeth Quaking trembling and shaking which thou calls cruel torturings c. I own and witness or else I should deny the authority of the Scriptures and the conditions of the holy men of God who witnessed Quaking trembling and shaking as Moses David Daniel and the men that were with him roared trembled and Quaked and Habakkuk whose belly shook and lipps quivered and Paul and the Corinthians that trembled and the Philippians that was to work out their salvation with fear and trembling this the Scriptures witnesseth unto and the same power and workings of the Spirit of God I witness unto but if thou who watcheth with an evil eye had seen Moses when he said he did exceedingly fear and Quake Act. 7.31 3â— Ezek. 12.18 Psal 38.8 Psal 119.120 Iob 21.5 6 37 1. Isa 66.2 5. and David when be roared by reason of the disquietness of his heart and when his flesh did tremble and Daniel when he trembled and fell down to the ground that his breath and strength went from him and seen the men that were with him when such a Quaking fell upon them that they went to hide themselves for fear and Habakkuk when his belly shook and his lips quivered and Ioh when his flesh did shake and tremble Dan. 10.7 8 11. Ior. 23.9 Ier. 30.5 6. Hab. 3.16 Act. 9.4 5 6. 2 Cor. 7.5 Phil. 2.11 12 13. that his heart thereby was removed out of its place and Ieremiah when he reeled to and fro and all his bones did shake and Paul when he fell down and trembled and when the Corinibians trembled and the Philippians wrought out their salvation with fear and trembling who witnessed the power which I have written to more fully and cleered by Scripture in a Book called the Brazen Serdent to take away that stumbling block from the mindes of the simple and such as are troubled about it let them have recourse to the book called the Brazen Serpent lifted up and because I have written so largly to this in that I shall now pass on but if thou who watcheth with an evil eye and seeks to raise grounds to raise slanders and aspersions to cast upon the people of God to render them odious to the world if thou hadst seen these servants of the Lord before mentioned in those conditions thou would have been ready to have called them their Quaking fits Roarings cruel torturings c. and thou that labors to raise such aspersions upon the people of God Psal 21.1 Ier. 5.22 Isa 2.11 12 17 19 20 21. who witness his power as such did thou mightest as well have accused them and have spoken against them that witnessed the sanie conditions before as speak evil of the people wayes and works of God now who speaks evil of them and the power of God but it is too manifest to all the children of light that thou art a false accuser of the people of God and one that speaks evil of his power and thereby hast also cleared thy self to be one that art ignorant of the wayes workings and teachings of the Spirit of God and a stranger to the condition of the holy men of God that spoke forth the Scriptures and ignorant of the conditions of these now who witness to the life of the Scriptures and knows not the manner of the work of the Spirit of God as in thy 22 Page thou confesseth thou knows not of what sort it is that maketh them cry out c. And in that let all the wise hearted take notice that thou hast also said thou knows not what and art Ignorant of their conditions that thou hast been slandering and upon them casting accusations and false aspersisions And here I charge thee to be a slanderer of the innocent and a busie body in other mens matters and knows nor of what sort their work is as thou hast said therefore silence deceit and stop thy mouth be ashamed and blush And in thy 25. Page where thou sayes By this thou clearly sees thou art delivered out of the temptations of Satan and they are befooled with Antichrist wherein thou art also telling thy generation thy lies c. Reply The children of light that dwells in the pure power of God which thou speaks evil of and art delivered from they dwelling in the pure discovery of Divine light and life they see thee the boaster excluded out of Gods Kingdom which stands not in word but in power righteousness peace and joy in the holy Ghost and such in the power are kept out of Satans snares and for being befooled by him and so chargeth thee to be a liar and denies thy fallacy and with the pure divine light they that in the life of it dwelleth such sees thee in the snare thy self though exalted Lucifer-like yet befooled with the delusion of
reward according to thy work and all such as you may read Rev. 21.8 Rev. 20.10 c. Rev. 22.11.12 Whereas thou hast heard that some have gone from some parts of the North unto London 200. miles an end and must go with all expedition upon his command c. Reply Thou art offended that any should go to do the will of the Lord and that makes thee spew out thy venome because truth is raised up to declare against the deceit of the world and Antichristian Ministers like thee and thou cries out of their goâ—ng up to London fâ—â—â—â— the North because thou perceives thy Kingdom to be struck at and now begins to speak but when didst thou cry out against any or many that went up to London to Petition for the advancing of the Kingdom of pride covetousness self-seeking Priests and Antichristian Ministers but now thou rages that hiâ— Kingdom is discovered and struck at And as for their going from the North up to London it is not denyed but the lye which thou joyns unto it and thy sting in thy tail where thou says they go with all expedition upon Satans command that is denyed and against testified If it had been so thou wouldst not have so cryed out against them as thou hast but praised be the Lord who hath put into the hearts of his servants to execute and to do his will though thou and the Devil thereat be offended and because thou art so trained up in his Antichristian School of deceit thou with all expedition obeys his command to declare his lyes and vent them abroad And where thou says the poor creatures are made to fast sometimes three days and three nights and sometimes more c. Reply Is that such a wonder as thou says that they are made to fast so from food c. here thou hast manifested thy self to be what thou art a stranger to the life of truth and to the conditions of the people of God and Ministers of the Gospel who were in labours and tumults often and also in watchings and fastings 2 Cor. 6. But thou says Satan he doth so far deprive them of natural affections and by that it may be known to be his work c. Page 30. Reply Eph. 2.3 Col. 3.1 2. 2 Pet. 1.2 3 4. The corrupt nature and all evil affections we do deny but the pure divine nature and such good affections we do own and are made to set our affections on things which are above and for Satan to teach people to fast three or four days or commanding them more to do so it is so destructive to his own Kingdom of lust gluttony riot and such excess that he will never set any to work against himself to root out a Kingdom of lust therefore in that thou hast also spoken without understanding And such as are without the pure natural affections are they that are in the corrupt nature children of wrath lyers false accusers fierce heady high-minded truce breakers and lovers of pleasures and of that nature art thou and such like therefore that saying turns backward upon you in that generation again and there to remain 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3 4.5 c. who are those that are so evil affected towards the truth and truths friends so that thou and such like doth revile them slaunder and falsly accuse out of the evil of your hearts and evil affections towards it and them and so that you are known to be thereunto acted and guided by the working of Antichrist John 8.44 and manifesteth your selves to be of your faâ—â—â— the Devil 1. Where thou says Col. 2.6 7. They are made to deny their Callings Reply That is false for such as are called out of corruptions into purity and out of a state of nature into grace abiding therein they do not deny their Callings but every one as he abideth in the measure of the grace of God into which he is called he abides in that Calling wherein he is called of the Lord We do abide in our Calling and so it agrees with the former practise of the Saints and Children of God in the time of old where the Apostle saith to such as were called saith he as ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk ye in him as obedient children not fashioning your selves according to your former lusts in your ignorance but as he that hath called you is holy so be ye holy for I am holy 1 Pet. 1.14 15 16. 2. Where as thou says they are made to give over their callings Pet. 1.3 4 5. Coloss 1 22 23 24 25 26 27 28. professions and honest imployments many or most of them Repâ—◠〈◊〉 at is also false for as we are called in one hope of our Calling 〈◊〉 we abide many or most of us professing the same and hoâ—â—â—â—â—mploying our selves therein being diligent and faithfull to thâ—â—â—â—rd who hath so called us We are faithfull in our calling Profession and honest imployment for the discovery and laying open the mystery of iniquity as it is to us made manifest and also we are faithfull many or most of us in our honest imployment declaring against the false-Antichristian ministry and reproving the man of sin at such thou art offended for our faithfulness in our Calling and honest imployment in the same but we know in whom we beleeve and whose Name we Professe in the faith and obeying in our Calling into the Unity we receave the vertue and so we are made fruitfull in him who hath so called Chosen us that we should be to the praise of the glory of his Grace Iohn 15.3 4 5 14 15 16 c. verses 27 2. Iohn 17.14 16 and 16 Eph. 12 0. And where thou accuseth and saith they neglect and disregard their families The family is not neglected disregarded but Respected and Regarded Reply that Accusation is false families they regard and respect and this fallacy lies in those words Disregard and Neglect take it again it is denied turned back upon thee to remain But the family we do not so disregard as thou says therefore thou art a lier and false accuser take thy accusation again and stop thy mouth with it and where thou says They say it is the language of Antichrist that biddeth a man take care for his own houshold and familie Reply we deny that fallacy also it is the language of Antichrist in thee that so standerously saith and falsly accuseth Now Truth slands clear and is freed from those slanders and false accusations Blessed and praised be the Lord God of Principalities and Powers who maketh us to see what is the Riches of his Grace and fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the World hath been hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ Eph. 3.0.9 to the intent that now unto the Principalities and Powers in Heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God Eph. 3.10
According to the eternal Purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord ver 11 being now no more Strangers Forreiners but fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God Ephes 2.18 19 20. for which cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in Heaven and in Earth is named Eph. 3.14 15. And whereas thou says that some of them go naked and they have a colour from that of Saul and also saith they neevr knew the mind of the Lord so discovered by any of his servants either under the new or old Covenant c. pag. 35. Reply A Reply to that about going naked which thou hath accused some withall and says they bring in a cover for that from Saul Here thou hast shewed that thou art a busie bodie about other mens matters and also ignorant of the minde of the Lord discovered to Isaiah the Prophet one of his Servants undâ—â—â—â—e old Covenant to whom the word of the Lord came saying 〈◊〉 thy sackcloth from off thy loynes and thy shoe from off thy 〈◊〉 â—nd he did so and walked naked and bare-foot 3 years in obeâ—â—â—ce to to the minde and will of the Lord Isaiah 20. chapter See and take notice here was an example And the Lord so far Discovered his minde that he commanded the same thing to be acted and done which were Performed according to the Word of the Lord Therefore in that thou hast manifested thy Spirit of Errour as well as in the rest of thy sayings slanders and false accusations Secondly And thou says As for that of Sauls stripping off his cloathes and lying down naked amongst the Prophets there is nothing in that Place doth prove it to be the will of the Lord c. Reply Saul at that time was guided by a Spirit of Prophecy and that was according to the will of the Lord for no Prophecy of the Scripture came in old time by the will of man but by the will of God 2 Pet. 1.21 but Saul was then a Prophet guided by a Spirit of prophecie according to the will of the Lord and at that very time when he stript off his cloathes and day naked before Samuel all day and all night 1 Sam. 19.23 then Saul having at that time the Spirit of God and prophesied till he came before Samuel where he stript off his cloathes and then prophesied also which were according to the will of the Lord at that same time when he lay naked among the Prophets and as Balams Asse did speak to reprove him for his madness and folly so thou having manifested thy madnes and folly art Reproved and Judged for thine who art in errour delusion and filthy deceipt but are lest naked and bare as Saul was and now all thy Covers will not hide thee thy skirts is discovered take shame to thy self and beware how thou utters thy folly as thou hast done And whereas thou says if they cannot see the servants of Christ that walk according to the manifest Rules of the Gospell to be the servants of Christ but reckon them to be the servants of sin hypocrites c. as thou says they do commonly why then thou says they prove themselves to be blind and led forth by a lying and deceavable spirit of delusion by Antichrist c. pag. 37. Reply Now if we can see and know the servants of Christ that walk according to his Spirit 〈◊〉 manifest Rule in the Gospell and so do not reckon them to be blind servants of sin nor hypocrites c. and do not as thou sayes commonly call them so then we do not prove our selves to be blind nor led forth by a lying and deceaveabl spirit neither of delusion nor Antichrist c. as in thy 37. page The Serpent catcht or taken in his own snare devieâ— But we whom thou calls Quakers do see and know the servants of Christ that walk according to Gospel rules and do not reckon them to be servants of sin nor men in the darkness and hypocrisie c. neither do we commonly call them so then we do not prove our sâ—â—â—es to be blind but in the light Joh. 8.12 nor led forth by a lying and deceivable spirit but by the manifestation of the Spirit a rule in the Gospel to profit withal 1 Cor. 12.7 and also led by that spirit which is the Saints guide into all truth John 16.13 a Rule in the Gospel and so we are led by the Spirit of God which is the Saints guide Roman 8.14 Galat. 4.6 7. therefore we whom thou calls Quakers are not in delusion nor guided by the Spirit of Antâ—christ we are hereby cleared and thou ensnared and so thou art he that hast proved thy self to be blind and led forth by a lying Spirit therefore in that delusion of Antichrist thou speaks of and art acted and guided by his Spirit and amongst such as thou ranks together like unto the men of the world that do not know the servants and Disciples of Christ from his professed enemies according to his saying but speaks evill of the men you know not and of the things and workings of the Spirit of God and so there needs no further proof then your own open and Professed mistake who your selves are Ranked with the carnall and sinfull men of the World so that there is like Priest like People Hos 4. v 9. who are all under the Power of Antichrist and so without God in the World and the poor deluded Creatures thou speaks of according to thy 37. pag. The Covenant the Promises we witnesse but the Alienation and slanders aspersions and false accusations and lies as well in the 37 page as in other parts of thy Book that we deny turning them back upon thee and thy generation again though thou be made to cast away Tythes thou art strong in thy false accusations and lyes and so art in the deceivablenesse with the rest that took them though thou be in another colour disguised take notice of that therefore do I turn thee amongst the Serpents generation for Lyers and slandererers deceavers and false accusers therefore thou are of that generation and of the Serpents seed whose head is in the unbruâ—sed And whereas thou says if these poore deluded wretches of whom we are speaking shall judg themselves to be the servants of Christ and reckon them to be the servants of Christ also then they are brethren and if brethren and yet hate their brethren they must needs be under delusion and the words of the Apostle John will render them to be Liers and deceaved People c. pag. 37 38. Reply Now upon this Reckoning and Account as thou leaves it toour judging rnd reckoning of our selves so I say if we know that we are the Servants of Christ The wise taken in his own craftinesse and the Innocent art clear thâ—reby and reckon our selves Brethren and so love one another and
do not hate our Brethren then thy necessity is taken away and we shall not be under delusion nor a deceaved People neither will the Apostle John render us to be so but on the contrary witnesse with us to be the children of thâ— Lord and Friends and Brethren in Christ and so we are shall thereby be cleared for what thou falsely would charge upon us and doth slander us withall But we whom thou calls Quakers and reviles under that name we know that we are the servants of God and bought with a Price and being called in the Lord we are his free men and so we Reckon our selves also to be Brethren and not the servants of men but of God abiding with him in that calling wherein we are called 1 Cor. 7.22 23 24. and so let every one abide in the same calling wherein he is called of the Lord ver 20. and serve him in what he requires Presenting also their body as a living sacrifice holy acceptable unto God which is their reasonable service Roman 12. and being born again not of corruptible seed but incorruptible seeing we have purified our souls in obedience to the Truth through the Spirit we love one another with a pure heart servently according to the Gospell discipline Rule fellowship and doctrine as such did who were of that Birth and Seed 1 Pet. 1 22 23. and so we witnesse as such did that he who sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are of him and he is not ashamed to call them his Brethren Hebr. 2.11 12. and we being so born sanctified and taught we Reckon such as are of that Seed and Birth in the Sanctification to be also our Brethren and we do not hate but dearly tender and love them and we also reckon that the suffering condition is not to be compared to the Glory revealed within by comming through the suffering Rom. 8.14 15 16 17 18. and we know that our brethren before who were led by the Spirit did also witnesse the same and we know moreover as the sufferings of Christ do abound in us so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ Praised be the Lord for the Riches of his Love 2 Cor. 1.5 1 John 3. Then it being that we are of the New Birth in the calling and brother-hood and have acknowledged witnessed that we are Servants of God and Brethren in and by Christ and that we do not hate but love our brethren it must needs be that we are not under any delusion according also to thy saying E. S. Being proved and tried and back-returned thy fallacy taken away and truth set up in its place and therefore thou being sound the subtil Serpent with thy sting in thy tail and envie and hatred thou al false accusers of the innocent are the deluders and in the delusions and wretchednesse thou speaks of and now that we are cleared from thy slanders and thou found the envier and hater and such in the nature the Apostle Johns words witnesseth for us and against such as you are that are in the envie and evil committing sin and so serving the Devil take notice of that and also read 1 John 3.15 and 1 John 3.8 10. It followes from Edmund Skips words that we a People whom he calls Quakers being servants of Christ and brethren not hating but loving our brethren that we are under no delusion nor guided by aspirit of Antichrist c. But we whom he calls Quakers are servants of Christ and brethren and also do not hate but love our Brethren therefore according to that we a People whom Edmond Skip calls Quakers are not deluders nor under delusion c. take notice of that Friends and Christ who are of the Royall Seed and new Birth are set forth and manifested to be the Children and servants of God by their Love to him and one to another that are if the same spirituall Birth and in Vnion with him in the pure divine Light Life and Love Or Some Rules of Love whereby the Children of God are known to to love God and also to Live one another and also of Johns words to witnesse for the Truth Johns words witnesse for the Righteous seed such as are born again are of that seed and sons of God so brethren in Christ who lives in the divine light Life and Love and we may cry out with admiration that are of that Seed and in the divine Love and say with John and John with the righteous Seed who sald First Behold what manner of Love is this that the Father hath bestowed on us that we should be called the Sons of God therefore the World knoweth us not because it knew him not 1 John 3 1 2. Secondly And saith he ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins and we know the same and in him is no sin at all whosoever abideth in him sinneth not 1 John 3.5 6. Then Thirdly little Children let no man deceive you he that doth Righteousnesse is Righteous even as he is Righteous and whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his seed Remaineth in him so saith the holy Ghost and he cannot sin because he is born of God 1 John 3 7 and 9. Fourthly Therefore Marvell not my Brethren if the World hate you it is but what the Lord Jesus foretold of to his John 15.18 19 20 21. and we know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the Brethren 1 John 3.13 14. Fiftly Now my litle Children let us not love in Word neither in Tongue but indeed and in Truth and thereby we know that we are of the Truth and shall asure our Hearts before Him â— John 3. ver 18 19. Sixtly This is His Commandement that we should beleeve on the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another as he gave us commandment and he that keepeth his commandment dwelleth in him and he in him and hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us 1 Joh. 3.23 24. 7. In this was manifested the love of God to us whom the world now reproacheth for his names sake c. because that God sent his onely begotten Son into the world that we might live through him and herein is love not that we first loved God but that he first loved us and sent his Son to teach us and guide us Joh. 8.12 and to be the propitiation for our sins who being children have them forgiven 1 Joh. 2 1â— And now beloved if God so loved us it is our duty and we ought also to love one another for God is love and if with his love we love one another God dwelleth in us and his love is perfected in us 1 Joh. â— 9 10 11 12. 8. Hereby know we that we dwell in him because he hath given us of his spirit vers 13. 9. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us God is Love and he
rejoyce in that he hath chosen us out of the world and counted us worthy to do his will in declaring against the deceits of the world and also in that he hath counted us worthy to suffer for his names sake Joh. 15.18 19 20 21. and more especially that our names are written in the Lambs book of life knowing also that the unrighteous and all whose names are not written in the Lambs book of life shall not enter into the holy City nor inherit the Kingdom of God but be cast into the lake that burneth c. as Jesus hath said who sent his Angel to testifie the same Take notice of this all ye persecuters gainsayers and oppressors of the truth and all the unrighteous prophane ones and all under what deceipts soever 1 Cor. 5.9 10. Rev. 14.9 10 11. and Rev. 21.8 27. Rev. 20.10 11 12 13 14 15. Rev. 22.10 11 15 16. And where thou shews thou art offended that truth should be spread abroad thou makes covers to cover over deceit but it is clearly seen and thou art falsly accusing and saying That they pretend that the Lord sendeth them hither and thither that they know not wither to go or to what person till they come to the place or person c. Reply That is false the pretence is thy own and that fallacy or sting in thy tail I deny where thou sayes They pretend the Lord sends them hither and thither they know not whither The wicked bends their tongues like their bows for lies and so shoots their arrows of reproach against the innocent c. thy pretence and fallacy is denied but the Lords sending I own and know and after what manner he sends even as he pleaseth according to the workings in his own councel after the good pleasure of his will And this I do own notwithstanding thy cover from the Lords sending of Moses to Pharaoh and Nathan to David and Ananias to Saul c. Thou art busying thy minde about them and their sending and art a stranger to the life they lived in they was not liars slanderers false accusers nor hypocrites like thee but declared against such as thou and thy generation of evil doers are by the spirit of the Lord in his servants and children declared against now at which thou art sore offended and bends thy tongue like thy bow for lies and shoots thy arrows of reproaches false accusations and slanders out against the truth and would not be told of it again but be thou sure God will meet thee and with his righteous judgements smite thee and such like and then wo to the wicked and such as thou art it shall go ill with you Isa 1.24 2 Thess 1.8 9. Isa 3.11 2. Thy pretence being denyed and fallacy cast out the former sendinâ—s of the Lords servants I own A sting in the tail denyed but the Lords sending of his servants as he pleaseth owned and also the sending of the Lords servants now by the same spirit and power which thou art a stranger unto that speaks against immediate teachings by the Spirit of God which teachings immediate I own and also know the Lords sending when I am sent to person or place as Ananias did when he wâ—s sent unto Paul in the street called straight to that person and place Act. 9.10 11. and as I do so do all witness to the truth who stands in the councel of God and to the truth I witness but thy saying that lay in thy fallacy and sting in thy tail that I deny and backe with the rest of thy lies I return open thy old botle and take them in again into the serpents seat from whence they came that with thee and in thy generation they may remain And where thou sayes Let us return and examine the manner of the Lords sending his servants and prophets upon particular messages I answer Thou hast nothing to do to busie thy minde about them The way and manner of the Lords sending forth his servants is owned according to the working of his power in his own councel after the good pleasure of his divine will and also some times to particular places and persons according to the word of the Lord. yet art an enemy to them and a stranger to the immediate teachings and so to the power by which they were and are sent but the immediate teachings I own as before is said and also the power and spirit by which the Lord sent and now sendeth his servants and the manner of the Lords sending of them as he pleaseth according to the working of his power in his own councel and after the good pleasure of his will he then sent forth his servants and so doth he now and that I also own and those that the Lord sent and stood in his councel they knew whither to go and sometimes the Lord told them to whom to go and what to say and sometimes they were to go to places c. and it should be told them when they came there what to say and sometimes waited after they came there several dayes before it was given what to say or speak c. And as the Lord did then to his servants according to his own councel and the good pleasure of his will so doth he to his servants now according to his own councel and the good pleasure of his divine will but Edmund Skip thou that art a liar slanderer and false accuser of the brethren thou art of the old serpent Rev. 12.15 c. and not in the councel of God but accusing such as are and speaking evil of the wayes and workings of the spirit and power of God then out of his councel and so not sent of him but by the false accuser and the man of sin therefore I take that from thee which thou hast stoln and return it into its right place again and I tell thee plainly the Lord is against such theeves as thou art and as may be read Jer. 23.30 31 32. But to the truth I witness and own and that when the Lord called Moses and made known himself to him he sent him according to the good pleasure of his will and so doth he now such as standeth in his counsel Exod. 3. And when Ezekiel was sent to them of the captivity at Tel-abib that dwelt by the river of Châ—ber he knew whither to go but not what to say neither when he went to them nor at first or present when he came there amongst them and where they was but he sat where they sat and remaied there amongst them seven dayes before it was given him what to say so he to wit Ezekiel the servant of the Lord when he was at that time sent by the spirit of the Lord he knew whither to go but not what to say untill it were revealed unto him Ezâ—kiels seven dayes silence at Tel-abib or given unto him what to say from the Lord to the people unto which he
were sent And as it was with that servant of the Lord so it may be with some others of the servants of the Lord they know sometimes whither to go and not at present what to say and as it was no delusion in Ezâ—kiel to go and wait so it is no delusion in them that so go in obedience to the spâ—rit of the Lord though they waite when they come there as long or little time as the Lord pleaseth as Ezekiel the servant and true Prophet of the Lord waited amongst the people of the Captivity at Tel-abib where he was sent seven dayes after he came there then he came there amongst them by the river Cheber before the word of the Lord came unto him what to say therefore silence all flesh also read Ezek. 3.14 15 16. When Ananias was sent to Paul he was told in a vision to whom to go and what to say Act. 9.10 11 c. Peter sent by the spirit c. When Peter had seen the vision though it was not told him before he went what to say yet he knew whither to go and went without gain-saying Act. 10.17 18 19 20 c. So others of the servants of the Lord may know by vision or revelation whither to God and not at present what to say and to go without gain-saying the power they do well for to obey Philp sent on the way towards Gaza 1. When Philip was in the villages of the Samaritans he was commanded to arise and go towards the South unto the way that went down from Jerusalem unto Gaza and he did obey the commands he knew at that time onely whither to go to such away that led to Gaza but he neither knew what to do there nor what to say yet he did obey and went unto that way that went from Jerusalem unto Gaza which is desert Act. 8.25 26 27. Philip joyned to the Chariot 2. And again Philip when he came there as he was going on the way he saw a Chariot and the spirit said unto Philip go and joyn thy self to yonder Chariot and he went knowing then the second time whither to go but not at that present what to say until he came at him that sat in the Chariot to whom by the Spirit he was sent Act. 8.29 30. And when Philip came at the man to whom he was sent instead of delivering a message first unto him when he came there he propounded a question Act. 8.30 But the Eunuch neither ran away nor sent Philip to prison for propounding unto him a question as many Antichristian Ministers in these dayes do Take notice thereof An observation to be â—aken notice of by the Lords servants about being sent c. And here it is to be observed that the Lord did not alwayes make known to his Servants whom he sends to particular persons and places what to say before they go their obedience is required first to go and then to wait for what he is pleased by them to say or do therefore he will have his servants to stand in his Counsel that they may be ordered by him according to the good pleasure of his will Some of the Lords servants and at sometimes knows-before they go both whither to go what to say and what to do others sometimes they know to whom to go and not at present what to say it was so amongst the Lords servants Prophets and Apostles before time and it is so with the Lords servants now they are to be ordered by his Power in his own Counsel according to the good pleasure of his will Several things acted by the servants of the Lord before time which if any of the servants of the Lord should be commanded so to do now this generation would wonder and call it delusion madness And again see a few of the Prophets acts according to command First see Jeremiah's act about the earthen bottle how the word of the Lord came to him and told him what to do which would be strange in these days if any of the Lords servants should do so and likewise concerning the girdle when he was commanded once to go and put it in a hole of the rock Jer. 13.1 2 3 4. and he obeyed that command ver 15. but he knew not at that time why he did it but shewed his obedience to the Lord then after many dayes he was commanded to go fetch that girdle again and it was so marred that it was profitable for nothing see Jer. 13.6 7. and the second time Jeremiah knew nor why he did so act but he shewed his obedience without any gain-saying Then the third time the Lord made known to him the mystery of the thing verse 8.9.10 Likewise that of Ezekiel about the tile when he pourtrayed upon it and laid siâ—ge with a pourtrayed tile c. Ezek. 4. and likewise concerning the Barbers rasor cutting off his hair and weighing it in the ballance c Ezek. 5. and about digging through the wall to carry the goods out when reason would have said the door had been more convenient and many things which the Lords servants did there which if any of the Lords servants now should be commanded to act such things to figure out the condition of a people and what the Lord would do and in his time perfect and accomplish they would in this generation be ready to call it madness delusion and folly but such as knows not the immediate teachings of the Spirit of God knows neither his sending to particular persons nor places nor the Spirits workings and actions no more then thou Edm. Skip dost who so slaundereth and accuseth the people of God and art a stranger to the immediate teachings of the Spirit of God as thou hast shewed and before is proved therefore silence deceit and stoy thp mouth thy Prognostication or Astronomical Judgment is false and stuft full of lies falshoods and untruths to fill ignorant people with fancies envy and lies that thou may make them like thy self in deceit and filthiness such as are wiling to believe it and be led by thee but to the wise hearted thou hast tittered thy shame and folly With the light that changeth not art thou and thy pernicious waies and fubtil twistings seen and comprehended and with the light judged and condemned And where thou says There was one in the North kept a fast a great while and thou conjectured it to be either Nayler or Foâ— who was commanded of the Lord to fast and as thou says if thy memory faile thee not it was seaven days and having so done he was commanded to fast so many more next ensuing that and so several of them as thou says have been commanded to fast and this thou says is the little great wonder this man having fasted as be was commanded by his enemy under the pretence of a friend c. Reply Thy sting in thy tail fallacy and little great wonder is denied where the
of the Lord be with his own works and labors and go thou up and down to pursue thy enemy and be vigilant for the defence of the truth and be also a reprover and rebuker of and wâ—rrier in the name and power of the Lord against truths enemies and adversaries and be a valiant conquerer for subduing that Army of lies and for the treading down false accusations and aspersions cast out against the innocent and the assistance of the Lord answer and go along and make the hearts of his to rejoyce and carry them glad tidings to Israel let them know that thou art come to bring them word that Antichrists man of war is encountered withal by one that is little in his own eyes and the blessing of the Almighty be with his own work and carry on his own cause against all his adversaries and his childrens foâ—s that truth may triumph and the Lord make thee prosperous even to Amen Farewell and be of good cheer and all my dear friends be faithful and valiant for the truth every where And the Lord God of Power be with you now and for ever more Written onely for the clearing of the truth and for the simple ones sake by a servant of the Lord at Underwood Hill in Wotcestershire there finished and made ready to be sent forth this fifth day of the second moneth commonly called Aprill and according to the worlds Account 1655. Instead of a Postscript AN Answer to a Mittimus by which Thomas Goodaire a servant of the Lord was sent from Kederminster where Richard Baxter is cheif Priest to Worcester prison after he had been kept there a certain space and committed for no breach of any known Law but to manifest the enmity and that monster persecution brought sorth by Richard Baxter's ministry at Kederminster who is chief Priest there and accounted the chiefest Priest in Worcestershire and in persecution his ministry is chief in that shiere and begun there first in that County or Shiere to wit at the Town called Kederminster The Mittimus begins thus as followeth and the answer unto it To the Keeper of the Goal for the County of Worcester 1655. Forasmuch as Thomas Goodaire the 25. of this instant March being the Lords day came into the Parish Church of Kederminster I answer no Church it is but a Synagogue of Satan which brings sorth that monster persecution and casts into prison for speaking the truth but it is written Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer behold the Devil shall cast some of you into prison that ye may be tryed and ye shall have tribulation ten dayes be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a Crown of life as it is written Rev. 2.8 9 10. The true Church of Christ never persecuted any but your Parish Church as you call it hath brought sorth that monster therefore a harlot and not the spouse be you ashamed thereof The true Church is in God 1 Thes 1. and 1. and doth not perish but yours is out of God and so perishing Christ is the head of his body the Church Eph. 2.22.23 but not of a Steeple-house you have told a lye to call that a Church and are found persecuters also and so not of Christs Church it were not of a persecuting nature but such as followed him the Head were of that body which were persecuted John 15.18 19 20 21. 2 Cor. 6. but you have cleared your selves o be none of that Body nor Church that persecute his and shut up in prison as you have done Mittimus At such a time as many hundred of the good people of this Common-wealth were there assembled to worship God Reply The worship of God you know not that are persecutors and lyers there you have shut your selves out of the worship of God for God is a Spirit and they that worship him worship him in Spirit and in Truth John 4.22.23 24. but you are in the lies and not in the truth and here taken with a lye in your mouth for he came in before your will-worship began or were assemb'ed and did not speak till your Priest had given over and ended and then asked him a Question and he sled and called an Officer c. and so manifested himself to be an Antichristian Minister and a deceiver and he the said Thomas Goodaire came not into your parish Church as you call it at such a time as you were assembled together as you say but was there before you were assembled or your Priest came and he walked to and fro in the room before the Priest came and then sat him down until he had done therefore that saying is a false accusation be ashamed you lyers and blush Mittimus And there misbehaved himself Answer Speaking the truth is no misbehaviour and he spoke the truth but misbehaviour he doth deny and therefore that accusation is false and you are taken venting and hath vented another lye and read who lyers are of John 8.44 and you that are such lyers of the innocent and bends your tongues like your bowes for lyes to cause them thereby to suffer imprisonment be aashamed for ever and read your reward that are such lyars Rev. 21.8 Mat. 25.41 c. But to be short I shall set down the Mittimus as it is verbatim and let the wise-hearted see if there be any breach of a known Law but only filled with lyes and thereby doth not act the part of Justice Righteousness nor Christianity and let Richard Baxter and his partakers be ashamed of what they have done and wo be unto such an Antichristian Minister and Antichristian persecuting Ministry The Copy of the Mittimus To the Keeper of the Goal for the Country of Worcester FOrasmuch as Thomas Goodaire the 25. of this instant March being the Lords day came into the Parish Church of Kederminster at such a time as many hundred of the good people of this Common-wealth were assembled to worship God Reproachful â—â—â—â—ches is a false accusation charged upon the said Thomas Goodaire either against the Priest or Magistrate and no such thing as affront was offered by him neither by uncivil words nor gestures those are false slanders and the word disturbance of peace is but a cover and shuffle but there is no Law transgressed and there misbehaved himself not only by reproachful speeches against the Minister but also by aâ—ronting the chief Magistrate of this corporation by contemptuous speeches and gestures whilst he was in discharge of the duty of his place to the great disturbance of the publick peace and the grief and pertubation of the people there assembled These are therefore in the name of his Highness the Lord Protector of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions thereof to will and command you forthwith to receive the said Thomas Goodaire into your custody and him safely keep until next General Sessions for the peace to be holden for this County and hereof you are not to
Saints words but are enemies to the Saints conditions On consider consider the Lord is just in all his wayes and he is come to judge the earth with righteousness he will plead with all flesh before him all faces shall gather blackness and in him who is pure light are all the secrets of all hearts laid open for nothing hideth from him who is a God of consuming fire and of purer eyes then to behold iniquity Oh be ashamed and confounded all ye Inhabitants of the earth and of the Sea for the Devil is come down unto you and rageth because his time is but short To thy first in page 6. where thou sayest it must needs be the spirit of Antichrist and delusion that doth misinform the heart I answer the heart it selfe is deceitful and out of the abundance of thy heart thy mouth speaketh page 8. or else thou wouldest not speak as though a deceitful heart might be misinformed by a delusion for deceit and delusion is but one which lodgeth in the hearts of all the Children of disobedience who are all in the death the curse and the fall unless they come to witness restoration the stony heart taken away and a new heart given which is by the putting off the old man with his Iusts and corruptions and the new man put on which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. But in the light in thy own Conscience see when thou couldest witness thy redemption and thy heart free from delusions as thou speakest or from the power or darkness when thou by thy own relation to me went from one Parsonage to another and that not without thy Gown as thou callest it upon thy back that thou hast looked upon as it was indeed Antichristian and then after at Bodinham thou didst sue the poor people for tithes to my knowledge witness one poor man thou didst sue for 1 s. and would have constrained the poor man to have paid charges for that 1 s. if I and some other had not spoke to thee after thou hadst often refused the 1 s. without charge thou the light let thee see tithes to be contrary to Christ yet then lived contrary to the light in thy own Conscience as thou wast made to confess in my hearing and hundreds more that thou hadst acted in it contrary to thy conscience two years and before that time thou didst confess unto me and to others how thou was going to take counsel of men how to sue for thy tithes and the Lord met with thee yet the Deâ—il had like to have taken thee off of the work of the Lord again divers times as thou confessed then thou layest groaning under the burden of thy tithes yet thou resolvest to keep them another year yet I had thoughts to the contrary and was made to tell thee at Jo. Ba. his house in Hereford on the sixth day that thou wouldest ere long roar against thy tithes like a Lion and on the next first day after it was so and thou wast made to acknowledge the Lord in it and sent thy man with those few words to me Brother Smith the Lord hath done a strange work in me this morning and I shall alter strangely this day therefore pray earnestly for me and make what haste thou canst to come unto me now this is that which thou now calles delusion for this was the greatest power that ever thou couldest witness but thou was made to see by the light the emptiness of thy own words both in speaking and prayer before as thou callest it witness that in Margarets Graves yard where thou spokest words the which were a burthen to thy life and after acknowledged that it was nothing but flesh though thou didst strive much in thy own strength and at Len. thou toldest the whole assembly that thou had long spoke after the manner of men but now they must expect no more such from thee and that thy praying was as dead as ditch-water but now thou shouldest wait to pray in the spirit and speak by the spirit and the like at Cliston and then thou was convinced that thou must leave all even Glebe-land too and so live on thy own Land and build on thy own Land as thou callest it and thou then was convinced of more deceit in thy heart therefore thou wast not at all freed from deceit but alwayes lived in the Antichristian state where thou art yet witness thy own hand in page 5. where thou confessest thou hast got a sinful heart which is a heart got in sin and full of sin and we know that none but the pure in heart shall see God but sin is of the Devil and is the work of darkness and none that walketh in darkness have fellowship with God 1 John 1.6 here thou discoverest plainly that the old heart is not yet taken away therefore thou wast not at all nor yet is free from delusions therefore for shame leave off thy judging the hearts of others as thou hast Read Skipp page 6.11.19.16 As for the five charges which you mention page 9. and saying that if we had had more accusations against thee its like thou should have had them and in saying the first charge was hypocrisie in page 7. I answer that that which was written by me in answer to thy deceitful lines first sent to us that which I shall for the sake of the simple set down plainly in the same order as it was written by me having a just Copy of it by me and then let the tender spirited read thy lies in thy own book A true Copy of the Answer sent by me and the rest to thy Letter and Accusation 1. YOu said you would tell us truly c. Answ There cannot be a true discovery of truth brought forth in those that are yet in the fallen estate as thou art 2. That there is a mystery of iniquity in us that we see not Answ The Mystery of Iniquity is not discovered but by the pure light and life of God as it is freely given forth from God the which light all the Children of light liveth in but thou livest in the dark wayes of the world and liveth not in this pure light to judge by 3. That the time is come that thou shouldest disburthen thy self of the discovery of truth Answ Thou hast laid aside too much truth that which convinced of thy evil is now a burthen unto thee but we disown all that disown the truth 4. That the Devil is an Angel of light and his nature is to act in the light make Doth the Scripture say that devils nature is to act in the light Answ Thou art imagining what the Devil is without thee but thou knowes but little of his actings in thee although thou art his Servant and livest in his light as thou callest it but the light of life thou art a stranger unto 5. The light as it is acted in the soul