thy own wisdome and selfe-righteousness and conceitednesse and heady high-mindednesse and thy selfe-love and the honour of the would and forsake all vaine delights and vaine pleasures and take up a daily Crosse to thy own will and follow me and learn of me for I am meeke and lowly in heart and so shall you finde rest to your soules following through the streight way of obedience and selfe-denyall These things with many other thou shalt finde commanded to be done by the new Law of Righteousnesse in thy heart leave them not undone Christ doth require it of thee it is his Ordinance The Priests of the world are carnal and earthly minded coveting after great Benefices swallowing up thâ earth like Bell and the Dragon never have enough belly gods that doe consume and devoure the Creation upon their lusts ââil 3. ââ 19. pride pleasures heady high-mindednesse living in lust and excesse oppressors they are oppressing the poore people and persecuting the servants of the Lord ââil 3.20 the true Ministers had their conversation in Heaven as in Phil. 3.20 and they did exhort others to follow their example and to marke those that did not follow them in life and conversation Phil. 3.17 but these walke contrary to them ââse 27. and have lost their example herein they walke contrary to the Scripture and shews the spirit of errour The Priests of the world doe persecute and imprison as the Jewish High-Priests did imprison the Apostles which were the true Ministers of Christ who were blamelesse in their lives and conversations and did walk blamlesly giving no offenââ in any thing that their ministery might not be blamed but in all things did approve themselves as the Ministers of Christ in much patience afflictions in necessities in imprisonments in tumults in watchings in fastings c. 2 Cor. 6.3 4 5. But these are contrary that doe imprison others Cor. 6.3 5. and consume the creatures of God upon theiâ lusts living in pride and excesse and by their cold dark barren Ministery stadve the soules and bodyes oâ others and walk contrary to the Scriptures as in thiâ of 2 Cor. 6.3 4 5. c. and that of Tit. 1.7 8. and 1 Tim. 3.1 2 3. c. and that of 2 Pet. 5.1 2 3. The Ministers of Christ are to take care of the flock willingly Tim. 3.2 3 4. Pet. 5.2 3. of a ready minde not by constraint nor for filthy luere not to be Lords over Gods heritage but the Priests of thââ world are constrained by fat Benefices and great Parsonages and if they can but have 10 or 20 l. moâeâ yeare in another place it will constraine them to leaââ them where they are to goe to that see if they doe noâ act contrary to these Scriptures and are guided by the spirit of errour 1 John 4.5 6. 1 Iohn 4.5 6. The Ministers of Jesus Christ were to be gentle towards all men even to those that did oppose themselves and were not to be Lords and Rulers over Gods beritage but these are and just act all those things that are forbidden 2 Pet. 5 that which they should not be that they are that which they should be that they are not and have lost their examples in all things see if this be not Antichrist who deny the Scripture but the Priests of the world and who cry out of errour more then they but now they are found out they cry as the Thiefe doth that sayes turn Thiefe turn Thiefe that he he may not be looked at but sets the people to looke out at some others and not at him and see if the Priests doe not so looke well to them they can deceive none now but blind-men and fooles that gaze abroad for wise mens eyes are in their heads in Christ that doth enlighten them and so shews them their deceits they that walk contrary to the Scriptures are to be noted that they may be put to shame 2 Thes 5 6. 1 Tim 9.10 Isa 9.1 2 Thes 2. Now Priests be ashamed of the evill of your doings that take the Scriptures to talk of and make a trade of them for money which is your Diana and walke contrary to them but it is fulfilled the leaders of the people cause them to erre Isa 9.16 Blush for shame and give over deceiving of the people The Priests in the first Covenant were to live of the sacrifices that were offered up which a people brought in freely Rev. 1.6 7. 1 Cor. 10 11 13. 1 Cor. 14 15. Gal. 1.12 and had no other wayes they were to wait upon that Ministery and they sacrificing and waiting at the Altar taking of the things sacrificed and offered up was a type or figure that they that preach the Gospell should live on the Gospell and be set apart wholly for that worke Now the Gospell is spirituall and not carnall and the carnall man knowes it not because he doth not understand the things of God who is a spirit and the Gospell is spirituall and none can preach that everlasting Gospel but Jesus Christ who lives in our bodyes âl 1.15 Cor. 3. â 6 Cor. 6. â that are made the temples of the Holy Ghost and he preacheth to the spirits that are in prison and he doth it freely it is his delight to do his Fathers will killing all our lusts that were sacrificed too when we lived in the lust of the flesh and he crucifieth them and works us out of our selves into the divine nature Cor. 6.17 18. or 13.5 l. 1.17 b. 7.24 and his life is in doing us good being his Fathers will offering up our requests to the Father in us and for us that he by his own bloud the spirit of life in us killing slaying and crucifying the corrupt nature in us and working out that which is evill being made manifest in us to destroy the workes of the Devill âh 2.4 ââ 7 ââoh 3.7 taking our mindes and affections into that which is eternall and invisible working us into that which is pure and spirituall that we may praise and gloâify his great and glorious name being made partakers of his divine nature fâeâly for his names sake âââh 2.13 ââ and not for any deserts in us and being brought out of darknesse into his marvellous light by the guidance of the eternal spirit in us âââh 3.17 c. ââm 8.10 leading us out of bondage into liberty sending the spirit of his Son into our hearts crying Abba Father which none can do but those that are born againe ââm 14.16 17 18 v. 3.12.49.8 or 12. having their Fathers name given them at the entrance into the new Covenant which is inwardly to the Jewes inwardly the seed of Abraham after the spirit being baptised by the free spirit into that spirituall body all that are born againe are redeemed from their vaine conversation to serve the Lord in newnesse of spirit in walking humbly before him
A BRIEF DISCOVERY OF THE Kingdome of ANTICHRIST And the downfall of it hasteth greatly WITH A Difference betwixt the Ordinances of Christ and of Antichrist 1 THES 1.3 4 5. The Man of sin who is exalted above all that is called God and sits in the Temple of God as God shewing himselfe to be God deceiving the Simple Ones WISDOME now cryeth out in the Streets calling out of Babylon Sodom and Egypt where our Lord hath been Crucified and spirituall wickednesse ie now committed in high places therefore return and hearken to the vioce of Jesus Christ and turne at his reproofe 2 THES 1.4 5 6 7 8 9 c. ãâã the Lord is comming in power and great glory and Antichrist shall be consumed by the breath of his mouth and the brightnesse of his coming This was written by One the World calleth A QUAKER in March 1653. A Discovery of Antichrists Kingdome and the downfall of it hasteth greatly NOw the Kingdome of Jesus Christ is setting up in the spirits of his people Dan. 12. And at that time shall Michael stand up the great Prince which standeth up for the Children of my people saith the Lord and there shall be a time of trouble such as there never was since there was a nation even to that same time and at that time there shall be deliverance every one shall be delivered that shall be found written in the booke of life in the day of the day of the Lords power Zeph. l. 12.13 Dan. 12 1. And it shall come to âasse at that time that I will search Jerusalem with Candles and punish the men that are settled upon their Lees that say in their hâart the Lord will not doe good neither will he doe evill Therefore their goods shall become a bâoty and their houses a desolation ther shall also build houses but not inhabite them and they shall plant vincyrds but not drinke the wine thereof The great day of the Lord is neare it hasteth greatly even the voice of the day of the Lord there the great man shall cry bitterly Zeph. 1.14 Now the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the Prophet stands up let him that readeth understand Mat 24. Now the man of sinne is revealed and revealing even the Son of perdition who opposeth and exalteth himselfe above all that is called God and sitteth in the Temple of God as God shewing himselfe to be God spoken of by the Apostle in 2. Thes 2.2 3. and the vialls are to be powred out upon the man of sin Thes 2.3 ââv 16.17 ãâã 19. spoken of in the Revelation The Priâsts are the greatest persecutors of the truth of God now where it is made manifest in the spirits of the people of God the Lord hath sent to declare and testifie against their deceits and deceivablenesse whereby they doe deceive the people and they are raging madâ because they are discovered ââv 16.10 ââ and they persecute imprison and petition and doe all that beastly corrupt wills can invent to keep the Isâaelâes of God in bondage that they might still be Lords and Rulers over Gods heritage ââv 12.15 ââ 17. but though Gog and Magog joyne in battel against the Lamb yet he shal prevail and get the victory and the beast and false Prophet shall be cast into the lake thaâ burneth ââv 1â 11 âââ3 c. Rev. 19 20. and they that worship the âeast and his Image and receive his marke in their right hand or in their foreheads the same shall drinke of the wine of the wrath of the Almighty poured forth into the cup of his indignation and shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lambe and the smoake of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever and they shall have no rest day nor night that worship the Bâast Rev. 14.9 10 11. Come out of the beastly worships God is a Spirit Th. 4.23 ââ and he will be worshipped in spirit and the glorious Lord will be unto his a place of broad River and streames of lâve ãâã 33.21 ââ 54 13. ââeb 8 ââ ââ and peace and joy and rejoicing for ever and ever and all the children of the Lord are taught of the Lord hee is Teacher alone by his spirit and causeth people to profit by his Ministery Therefore cease whoâly from all your Priests ãâã 2.22 John 2. they are Decivers and lead you from the teachings of the spirit to observe dreames and fancies of their owne brame and are the upholders of pride ãâã 23.30 ââ 32.33 coverousnesse and oppression and never were yet taught themselves they are in he state and condition that the false Prophets were in all teaching for hire and are Lords and Rulers over the people and ran but the Lord did never send them as those did that the Lord sent his true Prophets to cry out against as in Jer. 23. and Jer. 5 30 31. and Isaiah 56.10 11. Ezek 34. Mitha 3.11 Hosea 6.9 As a troop of Robbers wait for a man so the Priests they murder in the way by consent Now the Scripture is fulsilling Hos 6.9 the Beast makes warte with the Saints those beastly Priests make themselves manifest that they are of the generation of Cain and are of their Father the Devill persecuting and imprisoning the servants of the Lord as the Jewish High-Priests did Persecution is begun here in York-shire by the Priests of Baal they cannot defend their Ministery any wayes but by an outward Law when any are moved by the Lord to speake against their deceits they run away as the Priest of Finningley did and he Priest of Arkworth and others did and will not stand to their flocâs but leave them but the Scriptures is fulfilling Joh. 10.12 13. the hireling fleeth because he is an hireling See if this be not contrary to that of the true Shepheard that layeth down his life for the Sheep John 10.11 and 15 16 17. verses They take the words of the good Shepheard to speak of but deny to live his life and they walk contrary to the Scripture See if this be not errour the true Ministers of the Gospel were to take the care of the flock willingly not by constraint but of a ready mind and not for filthy lucre neither were they to be Lords or Rulers over Gods heritage but they were to be examples to the Flock as in 2 Pet. 5.1 2 3. But these are constrained by great Parsonages Tit. 1.7 8 1 Tim. 3 1 2 3 4 c. and fat Benefices and are Lords and Rulers over Gods Heritage being puff't up in scorne and derision pride and ambition and swell in iniquity persecuting and imprisoning the servants of the Lord and act contrary to the Scripture shewing the spirit of errour 1 Joh. 5. ãâã As the Priest of Tharnisworth when one of his Heare ãâã that had been from
him a while and went to hear him ãâã gaine that he might have spoken to that which had nââ beene according to truth after that he had done bââ so soone as he came into the Idolls Temple he gaââ over his speaking and sooke to him and had befoââ beene at his house to bid him come againe to heâr him and when he went the Priest begun to examine hiâ he being asked a question made an answer and fââ that was he impâisoned by him and hath lyen âheâe ãâã most a yeare and doth still continue for speaking ãâã truâh as it was made manisâât to him by the Lord bâing asked the question two or three times before ãâã answered see if this be not contrary to that Scriptuââ in 1 Cor. 4. and see if this bee not errour when ãâã whole Chuâch were together all might âpeake one ãâã one that all might be edifyed and if any thing was ââvealed to him that sate by the first was to hold ãâã peace â Cor 14. â3 30 â1 32 33. 1 Cor. 14.23.30 31 32. but this Priest aââ contrary to the Scripture and shewes the spirit of âârour With the Priest of Tickhill when one was moved ãâã speake in the Steeple-house after that hee had endââ his Sermon he would not stand to vindicate himselâ by Scripture but got him sât into the stocks See ãâã this be not Antichrist where ever did Christ or ãâã true Ministers any such thing and when he was ãâã in the stocks many people scoffing Ishmaels wââ about him and the rude multitude and one wââ moved to goe upon the Crosse to speake to the peoplâ and one of those called Church-wardâns â Act. 4.1 ââ 3. ãâã 5 6 7. ãâã 17 18 ãâã 20 21. threw hiââ downe some 13. steps high and then the rude peopââ threw dirt in his face see if these doe not act the veââ same things that the Jewes did to Paul when they halââ him out of the Synagogue and when they struck Pââ ââd Silas and set them in the stocks Acts 5 2â 28. to thââ 34. Act. 5.40 41 42. Act. 6. 10 11 12 13 Act. 7.52 53 54 55 56 57. Act. 7 58 59. Acts 14. ââ 2. 4 5. ver 19. Act 16 1â 20 21 22 23. Gal. 4.29 and threatned ââter and John that they should speake no more the âame of Jesus and stoned some and imprisoned oââers and now the same things are acted by those that ââofâsse themselves to be the people of God as the Jews ââid but they are found to be in the same state and conââtion that they were as their fruits doe make manifest This Priest afterwards would not rest till be had impriâoned the party that spoke to him and filled a paper ââf lyes in a Petition that was rejected See what fruits ââese are and the people at Leeds with the Priests imârisoned others and at Wakefield both stoned so that âtones flew like bullers in a battell and slet their doggs ând none looked to still the rage not so much as a Townes Clerke See what fruits these are whether of ââe flesh or spirit and it will not be denied but that âhey are of the flesh then what reformation is there ârought by the Ministers of the world for they that âre in the flâsh cannot please God and so the Scriptures aâe daily fulfilled they that are after the flesh they persecute them that are after the spirit The 2. Priests of Wakefield themselves came by at one time and when they were spoken to they would not stand to prove themselves See if these be the Ministers of Christ or of Antichrist a good Shepheard layes downe his life for his Sheep There was one Priest Robbison stood up in the Market at Wakefield to have maintained himselfe to have beene a Minister of Christ but one taking him by the arme and hee the said Priest being proved a lyar in the open Market ran away and the people set up a shouting Is this the Ministry of Christ or of Antichrist hold them not up for shame The Priest of Fetherston when one was moved by the Lord to go speak to him Acts 13. ââ 14.15 vââ 50.51 he caused that before ever he spoke word he should be put in the stocks and the Priest when he had done âohn 10.1 8 9 12 13. one would then have provââ him a Theefe and a Robber but he got away These Priests with many more in York-shire whiââ is too large to expresse in writing the passages of theââ with the Priests in Lancashire Westmorland Notinghaâ-shire Lincoln-shire and Darby-shire where the Loââ hath raised up any to speake against their deceits ãâã would fill up volumnes but all ends in persecution ãâã the Jewish High-Priests did when Jesus Christ caââ in the flesh so do these now when Jesus Christ coââ to be made manifest in the spiriâs of his people to testâfie against their deceits wherein they have beene deceâved by them that others may not be led to destructiââ by them For the leaders of the people cause them to enâ Isaiah 3.12 Isaiah 9.16 And if the blinde leade ãâã blinde they shall both fall into the ditch Mathââ 15.14 All people take waâning betime and hold them ãâã up but come out of thâir dark Ministery which is Sââdome and Egypt where the Lord is crucified they aââ committing spirituall wickednesse in high places boââ Priests and People Hos 4 9. Rev. 18.4 â 6 7 8. like Priests like People Hos 4. â Thus saith the Lord Come out of Bâbââââ my people ãâã ye be partakers of her plagues come out of the Idoââ Temple and out of the Idolls Worship come out of Babâlon with n in your hearts and touch no uncleane thing aââ the Lord will receive you â Cor. 6. â 6 17 18. 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. The High-Priests were ever the greatest enemies ãâã Jesus Christ and they are yet alive to persecute him ãâã where he is made manifest in the spirits of his peoplââ Christ is the same yesterday Heb 13.8 Mat. 2.5 to day and for ever Heb 1â 8. The Chiefe Priests aâe the same that they were ãâã they did then they shew the same deede now see thââ Chiefe Priests first begun to joyne persecution wiââ Herod against Christ when he was borne See Math. ââ 5. to the 16. see Mat. 16.21 The Chiefe Priests weââ sore displeased at him Mat. 21.15 16. The Chiefe Priests and Elders came to question his authority ver 23. Mat. 20.18 19. The Chiefe Priests condemned him and delivered him to the Gentiles to mock him Mat. 2 18 19 Mat. 2 14 15 ver 47 and scourge him The Chiefe Priests covenanted with Judas to betray Christ Mat. 26.14 15. A great multitude came with Judas from the Chiefe Priests with swords and staves to take Jesus ver 47. and Jesus was led to the High-Priest where the Scribes and Elders were assembled ver 57. The Chiefe Priests and Elders ver
will cut downe the fruitlesse Tree that cumbers the ground some sweâl in pride and others goe in nakednesse and wants then thou proud professing Pharisee how dost thou obey God and walke in his commands when thou swellest with pride and lettest others starve for want when as Iesus Christ saith Maââ 45. love thy Neighbour as thy selfe and againe he that saith he loves God and keepeth not his Commandements is a lyââ and the truth is not in him Ioh. 2.4 6. and he that saith he is in Chriââ ought to walk as he wilked Now read the Scripture ãâã and see if Iesus Christ was proud but on the contraââ forbids it âât 17. â 20. ãâã 25.41 ââ 33 c and threatneâh woes to it howle thou prouâ and lofty one thou art a fruitless tree and cumbers thâ ground thou must be cut down and cast into the fire oâ the indignation of the Lord and the Ordinance thaâ thou talkest so much of will not save thee it is not heââ thât saith Lord âât 7.21 Lord that shall enter into the Kingdome of Heaven ââh 3.17 but he that doth the will of God ãâã Now his will is that thou shouldst doe to all men as thou wouldst be done by ãâã 5.20 if âhou wouldst have the Lord to do good to thee then thou must do good to others for he that hath this worlds good and seeth his Brother stand in need ãâã 2â â 7. â 21.19 and shut âeth up his bowells of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him Talk no more of thy Oâdinances excâpt thou walkest in them walk in the waies of Iesus Christ who went about doing good thou savest well but thou doest contrary thou dissembling Hypocrite the Lord knowes thy hypocrisie and dissimulation all thy profession is as the cursed fig-tree that bringeth forth no fruit but leaves here are faire words but foule actions nothing but fruits of the flesh and they that are in the flesh cannot please God Rom. 8 8. See then what fruits grow on the great tree ân England the flourishing tree of profession is it not now read for the fire doth it bring forth any thing but cumbers the ground is not pride the top branch of it and covetousnesse beares a great sway there is much of that fruit groweth out of it ãâã 15. and see if this bee the Oâdinance of Christ or of Antichrist thou blinde Pharisee ãâã 29 â3 thy eyes are stopt with dirt dawb'd with pride and the D vill he is King and rules in thy heart and thou cryest out of denying the Oâdinance thou that livest in pride and covetousnesse where art thou got ââto the Kingdome of Antichrist but woe is comming Eph. 5.3 4 5 6. Luc. 12 1â Luc. 16. 1â 14 15. Hab. 2. â Psal 9.8 Psa 10 3â Psal 7 1â 12. Isa 56.1 16. ââvertousnesse is the root of all evill and there is great ââre of this fruit groweth on this tree of oppression ââat stands in the heart of the earth thou covetous ââofessor thou proud Priest and Prelate the Magiâââate bears not the sword in vain the Lord is the righteââs Iudge and all things are naked and bare before ãâã he is of purer eyes then to behold iniquity and he ââll not let the wicked go unpunished thou cryest out ãâã denying the Ordinance but thou art ordained for ââstruction except thou returne to the Lord with speed ãâã he is comming to plead with all flesh by his sword ââd by fire and great shall be the slaine of them Isa 6.6 ââ 16. and thus saith the Lord Mal. 4.1 Behold the day commeth ãâã shall burn as an Oven and all that are proud and all ãâã doe wickedly shall be as stubble and the day that comââh shall burn and consume them up and shall leave them ââber root not branch Mal. 4.1 and then they that disobey ãâã Ordinances of the world Mal. 4.2 3 c. Mal. 3.15 16. Mal. 2.1 2 3 4. Luc. 17.2 2 Cor. 4 6 1 Cor. 4.5 Mal. 3.17 and the Traditions of âân of corrupt hearts and walk in the feare of the âârd in departing from iniquity and do professe little ââd possesse much of the love of God it will cause them ãâã walk in obedience before him who is of purer eyes ââd he will set up the Kingdome of his Sonne in their âârâs the ministration of the spirit it is set up in ââe already and lets them see all the deceits of Baals ââests and their upholders but the Lord will cut off ãâã of the land the remnant of Baal and the names of ãâã Chemarims the Black-coats with the Priests and ãâã shall wear no more a rough garment to deceive Zeph. 1.6 7 8. Zeph. ãâã Zech. 13.4 ând the Lord will cut off all those that are turned out the way of self-deniall and are guided by their beastâââorrupt wills which lead them into pride covetousââ Isa 3.13 14 15. Isa 2.22 and oppression and grinding the faces of the poore ãâã denie to walk in the Ordinance of Christ as to feed the hungry âat 25.34 â5 36 37. Mat. 5.48 Mat 5.20 âsa 33.10 11 12 13 â4 15. âsa 34 ââ c. cloath the naked and let the oppressed ãâã free if ye love them that love you what reward bââ you do not Publicans so But except your righteousââ exceed the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisees ãâã shall in no wise enter into the Kingdome of Heaven Nââ profession must be tryed so as by fire and those ãâã feede on the for bidden fruit as pride and covetousneââ oppression and grinding the faces of the poore lyââ and swearing and envying backbiting and masiciââness scoffing and scorning pleasures and wantonââ revenge and persecution which are fruits of the Deââ and ordained for destruction Gal. 5.7 8 Col. 3.12 13 14.15 16. Gal. 6.15 Gal. 5.24 be not deceived suââ ye sow such shall ye reap and know ye not that the unrigâââous shall inherit the Kingdome of Heaven 1 Cor. 6.9 ãâã 11. and see if there be any other fruit brought fortââ the Ministry of the world but fruits of the flesh wââ proceeds from the spirit of errour as in Gal. 5.19 ãâã 21. and they that do such things shall not inheriââ Kingdome of Heaven Now all your forms of ãâã ships have not yet wrought a Reformation in you ãâã the Priests and Professors in England that makes ãâã deny the Ordinances of Christ as to walk in the spââ and to bring forth the fruits thereof Gal. 5.22 23. ãâã for those that are brought to walk and act in righteââness Rev. 6.9 10 11. and to bring forth the fruits of the spirit as ãâã peace meekness gentleness goodness temperance ââence Rev. 17.13 c. c. them you hate devour in your hearts and ââtion if not to take away their life yet you would ãâã away their liberty but it is hard to kick