Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	believe_v	spirit_n	teach_v	1,809	5	5.9944	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85130	The brazen serpent lifted up on high, or truth cleared and above the deceit exalted, and as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wildernesse: even so must the son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish but have eternall life. Joh. 3. 14. 15. Here is also laid down in this treatise something, concerning election and and [sic] predestination, which is so much spoken of, and how they may know their election, something concerning Christ being the way to the Father; and how, and concerning Christ, the mediatour of the new covenants, and the end of the old, and tythes are ended. ... Lastly, here is part of a dispute, held between two chief priests, and two men that came and met with them, and the people at Chadwitch in Worcestershire; ... to clear the truth form accusations, held forth by those men that the world scornfully calleth Quakers. Written in Worcestershire, the beginning of the first moneth called March. 1655.	R. F. (Richard Farnworth), d. 1666.	1655 (1655)	Wing F471; Thomason E831_10; ESTC R207464	47,825	63

there assembled that day and the too men called Quakers as aforesaid And thirdly the dispute held between the priests and the men they called Quakers in the latter part of the day and fourthly I shall clear the accusations to the honested hearted that truth may stand pure in its place as it is and that it may stand a witnesse also against lying spirits and against errour delusion and deceipt For the spirit of truth being come teacheth us all things and guideth all such as obey it into all truth according to gospell discipline and promise and bringeth all the things of Christ to our remembrance according to the working of his divine power and the good pleasure of his will praised be the Lord for the riches of his love John 14.26 John 16.13 First Some particulars laid down or declared hear by one of the men which the world scornfully calleth Quakers which are as followeth hear set down for the honest mind to consider of weigh in the ballance of equity so to enter into the allowance through the good consent into the sincerity that it may be stayed in the integrity out of the evill surmisings grudgings and false reports and look at the truth above them to walk in it and be freed from them c. Concerning Election and Predestination Touching election God sees not as man ungenerated sees for men in that state and condition sees naturally and so discerns nor the things of the spirit of God because they are spiritually discerned 1. Cor. 2.14 but God sees spiritually with that spiritual eye sees althings as they are whence they are how they are and those that he did doth predestinate he fore-knew and saw into the mistery which was and is in such revealed and revealing in which mistery in the creature he did and doth in that mistery with his all seeing eye see something good which afterwards in his due time were through Christ in them and is in such revealed and revealing according to the working of his divine power and had not God foreseen that how would it as it was and is in such have been manifested and revealed according to the working of his power that through their love and obedience to the truth according to choice in the royall acception through their obedience to the truth upon manifestation through the spirit continuance therein after that they were sealed their souls was also purified and that which so sealed and purified their souls was revealed and known working within in the mistery and the pure love enjoyed through the unsealing or opening of the same within them who were born again and the seed of God was within them and in that seed were their souls through the obedience to the light and truth purified and elected stablished and confirmed and they therein and by the working of the divine power joyned to the Lord and so both Jew Greek Barbarian Scythian bond and free male and female come into the unity of all so●ts that obeyed the truth and walked in the way Christ Jesus the light of the world they came thereby to the father and so knew the ground where election stood according to predestination and foresight of God which were manifested according to the working of his divine power and after the good pleasure of his will and that in the dispensation of the fulnesse of times he might gather them into Christ through their obedience to the light in the eternall truth in whom also we have obtained an inheritances being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh into unity and the election joining the soul to the seed after the counsell of his own will that we as they was should be to the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ the foundation of choice and election in the ordination in whom we also trusted after that we heard the word of truth Rom. 10.6 7 8. Eph. 1.9 10 11 12. the gospel of our salvation Rom. 1.16 17. in whom after that we believed we were sealed with that holy spirit of promise Eph. 1.13 which God foresaw within in the mystery and to be good which were in them revealed and is in such revealed who obey the light and walk in it Col. 1.27 28. 2 Cor. 4.5 6 7. and through the obedience to the same light and truth what such enjoyed in and through the same way light and obedience to the truth others may and to have their souls purified as such had and have who are begotten and born again as they was 1 Pet. 1.22 23. and saith Christ other sheep I have which are not of this fould them also I must bring in Joh. 10.14 15 16. Rev. 22.17 2 Heb. 9.10 Christ in dying for us is our example in sufferings and way to the Father For Christ in dying for sinners and ungodly died for all for was not all sinners and ungodly guilty of Christs death but it is by his Bloud that we are justified and by his Life that we are saved in following his councell the light manifested within and obeying him the true light that lighteth every man that comes into the world Joh. 1.9 and such as obey and follow him are led out of darknesse by him through their obedience and so into the light of life Joh. 6.12 it is by Christs life that we are saved in following his councell and obeying him through the crosse with slayes the enmity as he became obedient to the death of the crosse who is our leader and example is the Author of eternall Salvation to all that obey him but none else and he that will follow Christ must denie himself and take up his crosse dayly as he is required and through his obedience to the crosse which slayes the enmitie he comes to know life and peace to his soul in the eternall unity Rom. 5.8.9 Luke 9.23 c. Mat. 10.38 c. 1 Pet. 4. 1 Cor. 1.17.18 Ephes 2.16.17.18 Heb. 5.8.9 Justification by Christ alone who died for our sins and rose again for our justification we are justified by faith in his bloud or life through the obedience to the crosse whereby the enmity is slain and the election witnessed in the reconciliation through the crosse which ministry in the crosse is the power of God to such as are saved and witnesseth justification by faith in the bloud or life of Jesus as such did Rom. 5.1 1 Cor. 1.18 Rom. 5.8 9. 1 Joh. 5.4 c. and we bear about in our body the dying of the Lord Jesus as such did that the life of Jesus may more and more be manifested in our mortall flesh who by his spirit quickeneth the mortall body dwelling within us so saving us by grace and maketh us to sit together with him in heavenly places 2 Cor. 4.6.7 to the 12. Rom. 8.10.11 to the 20. Eph. 2.4.5.6.7 therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom also we

of sin and son of the Devill read Rom. 6.16 Joh. 8.34 1. Joh. 3.8 hearken to the light within you that checks and reproves you for sin and obey that that will not deceive you but if you obey and follow it it will teach you when such as doth draw you from the teachings or Christ within such doth seduce you 1 Joh. 2.26 27. come to the light to be led into the holy life and into the pure worship of God in the spirit obey the light take up the crosse to your wills and come to Christ come out of your false churches and of from your proud Priests and off from your false Pastors to Christ the true shepheard and bishop of the soul and the true Pastor and feeder of his flock and come to the church in God 1 Thes 1.1 Heb. 12.22 23. and their overseers made by the holy Ghost Act. 20.28 is known and elders in Christ 1 Pet. 5. and there is no constraint nor for filthy lucre and such as dwell in the power knowes the voice of the Father and the Son to speak in the Church and amongst such Ioh. 10.4 Gal. 4.6 Luk. 12.12 Act. 2.4 Mat. 10.20 Take heed to that which is pure of God in your consciences and obey it that which calls for a pure conversation 1 Pet. 1.13 14 15 16. and let your light so shine before men that they may see your good conversation and come out of your sprinkling of infants it is no ordinance of Christ come follow the light and come out of your false baptisme all that you may be buried with Christ in the true baptisme Rom. 6.1 in the suffering and witnesse that through the crosse and so a fellowship with him in the new life ver 3 4. and be baptized into Christ so put him on Gal. 3.27 and by one spirit witnesse that baptisme into one body 1 Cor. 12.11 12 13. where there is one Lord one faith one baptisme and so of such one God and one Father of them all who are of the houshold of God in that church which is the piller and ground of the truth Eph. 4 4 5 6 7. 2 Tim. 2.19 1 Tim. 3.15 Come all you that are weary and heavy laden Mat. 11.28 saith Christ and I will give you rest obey the light and come out of your sins take up the crosse and deny your wills and forsake your iniquities 2 Tim 2.19 and Christ will receive you and elect you he is the foundation of election obey him that you may be laid on him and builded up into the election 1 Pet. 2.4 5. and give all diligence to have the assurance of calling and election 2 Pet. 1.9 10. Christ Jesus he is the light and the way to the Father and the authour both of election and salvation to all that obey him Ephes 1.10 Ephes 2.7 8 18 19. Ephes 3.9 10 11. Heb. 5.8 9. Now Christ Jesus he is the true light that lighteth every man that comes into the world and with his light you see darknesse in you and rebellion and wickednesse and he the true light cal●s you by his light to forsake darknesse wickednesse rebellion sin and evil and he calls you with his light to come out of darknesse 1 Joh. 1.5 and follow him that gives you light that with it you may be led on to him Christ Jesus to the Father of lights and into the marvellous light 1 Pet. 2.9.10 And now that you are called and perswaded by the light to obey and follow it if you will not obey and follow the same but continue in their wilfulnesse sinfulnesse and rebellion taking pleasure in wickednesse and so love darknesse rather then the light and disobey the truth to take pleasure in unrighteousnesse then great will your condemnation and damnation be Ioh. 1.5 9. Ioh. 8.12 Ioh. 14.6 Ioh. 3.19 20. 2 Thes 2.7 8 9 10 11 12. and 2 Thessal 1.8 9. Romans 1.18 Revel 20.10 Rev. 21.8 27. Election and Predestination stands in the counsell of God Those things concerning Election and Predestination stands in the counsell of God and are hid from all the wise and prudent of the world Isa 29.10 11 c. 1 Cor. 1.20 21. 1 Cor. 3.19 20. Col. 1.26 27. Isa 29.16 17 18 19 22 23 24. Rev. 5.1 2 3 4 5. 1 Cor. 1.18 Eph 2. 1 Cor. 6.17 Heb. 2.10 11. yet the secrets of God are with them that fear him and he is pleased to reveal his counsell and such things to babes and those babes are born again contrary to the will of man Ioh. 3.6 7. Ioh. 3.10 11 12. Ioh. 1 22 23. and such as witnessed election and predestination were such as were born again of water and the spirit that the Scriptures speaketh of and knew the mysteries opened in them and to them and saw what God fore knew to predestinate and what to reprobate learn to deny your selves and obey the light that you may be taught of God to know the same and to know the two seeds within and learn to see and know that except you be born again you cannot enter into the kingdom of God nor witnesse assurance of the eternall inheritance nor of election therefore busie not your minds about those things in your wills and fleshly natures for from such and the serpents seed are they hid praised be the Lord Mat. 11 15 26 27. But ye have a light to the which ye do well to take heed unto to obey and follow the light of Christ within in your consciences which checks and reproves you in secret for sin and evill and if you love and obey that light it will teach you and guide you to the sword to know the power to cut and bruise the serpents head within you and so through the crosse to witnesse a suffering with Christ in the mystery through the ministery in the crosse and so know a bearing about in your bodies the dying of the Lord dayly that the light of Christ may through the crosse by slaying the enmity be manifested to your souls and in your mortall flesh 2 Cor. 4.6 7. to the 12. that through the obedience to the light within and the eternall truth through the spirit your souls may be purified 1 Pet. 1.22.23 and the seed raised up by the power of God which Christ taketh upon him and not the nature of Angells and so to witnesse the birth and bearing up over the world and through the quickenings and working of the divine power to know your souls joined to the seed and so to God by being changed from glory to glory into the pure holy image by the spirit of the eternall God to know election in the ground and truths as they are in life and power thereof enjoyed through the obedience to him and his light guide Mat. 25.28 29 30. Mat. 25.41 to the end 2 Thes 1.8 9. and spirit to witnesse the salt seal savoury discerning and holy unction which teacheth all things 2 Cor.

justify guard or defend your pulpits of wood but fled from the guard and left them for another to defend your great plea or defence for your pulpit of wood was that Ezra had one but you was to prove that any of the ministers of the gospel had one and said you wou'd but did not so further manifested your lies and Antichristian doct●ine for lyars are Antichristian and of old Antichrist their father Ioh. 8.44 when you was put to read that place of Ezra's pulpit spoken of in Nehem. Nehem. 8.1 2 3 4 5. 8. it was proved that his pulpit was not in a steeple-house but in the street before the street called the water gate and yours is in steep e-houses and not in streets therefore not as Ezra's was And secondly Ezra's pulpit of wood was but only for the reading of the Law book from morne till mid-day but yours is constant and in idols temples not for the reading of the Law only but for the preaching of the gospel as you say therefore Ezra's pulpit guards not yours he was a priest under the Law in the first covenant and priesthood and the Law is changed by which Ezra was ordained priest and legall preacher in his wooden pulpit in the street that was before the water gate and the Law and priesthood being changed and ended so Ezra's pulpit and you could not prove yours by or from the example of any gospel ministers but left it and would not plead for it so lost its guard proved your selves lyars and unskilfull souldiers or pulpit leaders and commanders and let your pulpit be routed and disguarded therefore to be guardlesse and now disregarded not to be pleaded for but to be proclaimed against then we bad you own your condemnation also upon that your errour so you left that and went on to another thing even to prove your mastership Which ching you could not prove by gospel rule and example of gospel ministers but Scribes Pharisees and hypocrites which Christ cryed wo against and by command said to his gospel ministers be not ye called of men masters for one is your master even Christ and all ye are brethren he that will be greatest let him be your servant and they obeyed his doct●ine given forth to them by command Mat. 23.8 10 11. And there was neither Master Peter nor Master Stephen nor Master Philip nor Master Andrew nor Master Barnabas nor Master Paul but he said he became servant to all as may be read 1 Cor. 9.18 19. Then such as disobeys Christs command professing to be his ministers Mark 10.43.42.44 and are called masters abideth not in his doctrine and so hath not God 2 Ioh. 9. but are Antichristian and the priests of the world are such therefore Antichristian ministers so one of you to wit priest Osland would not plead for it but said if men would call him so he could not help it or to that effect he presently answered the thing and said it was God that wrought both the will and the deed of his own good pleasure so the first act of grace is of God and then from him so from grace received and we bad him disclaim it and declare against it therefore you left that and lost it so your mastership is routed with your pulpit and now Antichrists kingdom begins to fall and tumble down praised be the Lord. And when we bad you to acknowledge your errour own your condemnation thereupon and take shame to your selves who like the Gentiles had exercised Lordship and authority in your proud nature and such like over others contrary to Christs counsell commands and gospel discipline and doctrine Mat. 23 8.10 Mar. 10.42 43 44. But wo is to such Mat. 23. ch Mar. 12.38 39 40. as the Scripture and as Christ hath said and the wo is to you that walk in such steps as those that Christ cryed wo against at to you I said then you fret and were vexed and said I had had taught false doctrine which then you said you would charge me withall but could not prove it which false doctrine you said was this that I said men might not act for life but from life or grace received and sought to cover your selves with this saying you will not come unto me that you might have life and so said there might be acting for life and then Andrew Trusterom Priest of Clent to confute his saying and answer himself to the accusation laid against me therefore according to Andrew Trusteroms saying that God wrought both the will and the deed according to his own good pleasure if he had seen that it was instead of confuting or contradicting my doctrine a more confirmation of the same and confuting himself to his shame for God working both the will and the deed according to his own good pleasure then he is the first mover and actor of grace and life in the soul therefore the first motion to goodnesse and the first act of grace is of God working the soul into the obedience and the creature to the performance of the same so that he acts not for life and grace but he is acted by the divine power according to the good pleasure of the Lord and so acts of love and performance of the same is from life through the quickenings to motion and from grace and strength received to proceed into action and so grace and peace is multiplyed unto us through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godlinesse through the knowledge of him who hath called us to glory and virtue 2 Pet. 1.2 3. Ioh. 6.44 45. 2 Corinth 3.5 6. 2. You the Priests said the light was not sufficient of it self without some other helps to lead into all truth c. I answered and said that the light being obeyed with and through the spirit was and is sufficient to lead into all truth and to salvation for Christ is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world as Iohn and his record doth witnesse of him who was sent so to do and testifieth the same in the record that God gave of his Son which is true and no ly Ioh. 1.5 6 7 8 9. And every man being lighted with this light Christ Jesus he hath said that such as obey the light and follow the same they shall not walk in darknesse but shall have the light of life Ioh. 8.12 and he spake true and could not ly that so said who is the light and the authour of eternall salvation to all that obey him Heb. 5.8 9. And his spirit is the guide to such as follow the light and obey it from whence it comes to lead them into all truth as the Scriptures witnesseth that bears record of Christ and as he himself hath said who is to be trusted and believed in read Ioh. 14.26 Ioh. 16.13 which spirit speaketh within and sheweth things

only is not able to teach all gospel truths nor sufficient to lead to salvation such as say so are lyars against the truth the true light and the spirit of truth therefore enemies to Christ and the gospel For the Lord Jesus hath said that he is the light of the world and those that follow him shall not walk in darknesse but have the light of life eternall life and so assurance of salvation who is the authour of eternall salvation to all that obey him the light and the way to the Father and the true light of the world that lighteth every man that cometh into the world Ioh. 1.9 Ioh. 8.12 Ioh. 14.6 1 Pet. 2.9.10 Heb. 5.9 Tenthly But such has say the light of the world which is the true light Christ Jesus that lighteth every man that cometh into the world is not sufficient to salvation being obeyed and followed without some other help such as so say speak they know not what unadvisedly and such questions the power and authority of the true light Christ Jesus and knows not that he is perfectly able to save to the uttermost all those that come unto God by him and the authour of eternall salvation to all that obey him only Heb. 7.24 25. Heb. 5.7 8 9. Eleventhly Such as say the light which is Christ by his spirit opening the mystery is not able to teach all the perfect knowledge of the truth such as say so are against Christs doctrine in the gospel ministration and against him Antichristian for he who is the true light and lighteth every man that cometh into the world saith that all that obey him the true light shall be saved by him only and that all that obey him the true light shall not walk in darknesse but be led out of darknesse into the light of life and so into eternall life by him the true light and perfect Saviour to all such for he is perfectly able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him the true light Christ Jesus and to such as obey him he is the authour of eternall salvation who is the true light and lighteth every man that cometh into the world but is the condemnation of such as after manifestation do wilfully sin against love tendered and mercy profered who do hate the light and love their evill deeds and darknesse rather then the light Ioh. 3.19 20. Heb. 10.25 26. 2 Thessalonians 1.6 7 8 9. Iude 4. 2 Thessalonians 1.12 Twelfthly Christ Jesus the light of the world hath said who is the true light and lighteth every man that cometh into the world that the Spirit of truth coming to be manifested within should guide them and teach them all things being obeyed and bring all things to remembrance and guide into all truth Iohn 14.16 17 and 26. Iohn 16.13 14. Then such as say this spirit is not sufficient to teach all things being obeyed and such as so say and say it is not sufficient to guide into all truth being come and walked in without some other help such questions the authority of the spirit and affronts the Lord Jesus by contradicting his own sweet gospel discipline doctrine and promise but such as do so and b●ing a contrary doctrine who love not the Lord Jesus Christ let them be Anathema Maran-atha accursed with a curse 1 Cor. 16.22 Gal. 1.8 9. Therefore blessed are they that obey the true light and follow the counsell and teachings of ●he spirit of truth that they may know the spirit of the Father speaking in them and through them and so know the free love of the Lord wrought in their souls by the working of the divine power according to the good pleasure of his will in the spirits teachings and sweet gospel ministration through the riches of the Fathers love sending the spirit of his son in their hearts whereby they cry Abba Father Luk. 12.12 Mat. 10.20 2 Corinthians 6.16 2 Peter 1.2 3. Galatians 4.6 7. Such as aforetime did obey the light and the teachings of the spirit were made able ministers of the gospel of Christ Act. 2.4 2 Cor. 3.6 Joh. 19.19 20 21 22. Act. 4. ch Act. 7. ch Act. 1.22 23 24 c. Heb. 8.10 11. in the new covenant of grace according to the Fathers teachings though some of them outwardly were ignorant and unlearned men so that they confounded the great Rabbies and Greek Latine and Hebrew scholars and the Jewish chief Priests so that they cryed out to the magistrates counsellours and governou s to cause them to be persecuted beaten and abused imprisoned and threatned to speak no more in the name of Jesus and the great rabby docto●s and chiefest of the English Priests if they might have their wills would do so now to such as have been with Jesus and they seek to quench the light and spirit but shall not be able to do it for it will powerfully appear in sons and daughters in the spirits ministration and the teachings thereof and so thereby they may take notice that the schollars of Christ are brought up at Emanuels school taught of the Lord according to his promise Act. 4.12 13. Isa 2. 1 Cor. 14.24 25. and have been with Jesus for counsell the Emanuel God with us and in us the everlasting Father and the mighty God wonderfull counsellour Isa 9.6 Joh. 6.45 Joh. 4.20 2 Cor. 6.16 as he was in them that were taught by his spirit though some were shepheards ploughmen tradesmen and some ignorant and unlearned in the great scholes of humane learning and Paul denyed his learning that he had received of man when he was made an able minister of the gospel which he preached he had not received it of man neither was he taught it of man but by the revelation of Jesus Christ as he hath certified to the brethren Gal. 1.11 12 and 15 16. and now is the Lord teaching his and now is the Lord sending the law forth of Sion and making and sending forth ministers to declare his truth and publish the gospel freely without the help of proud covetous self-seeking men ever praised be the Lord they that obeyed the light and walked therein they witnessed that by it they were led out of darknesse to walk in the light of the Lord and as they did come out of darknesse through the obedience to the light according to the doctrine of Christ to walk in the light of the Lord by so doing others may for Christ is the true light and the way to walk in the way that leads out of darknesse into light out of sin into grace out of bondage into liberty out of unbelief into the life and power of faith out of errour and deceit into the life and power of truth and so into the holy unction which teacheth all things without the help of faln man or his fleshly wisdom as it is Written ye have an unction from the holy 〈◊〉 and ye know all things 1 Ioh. 2.20 and this is

THE BRAZEN SERPENT lifted up on high OR Truth cleared and above the deceit exalted and as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wildernesse even so must the son of man be lifted up that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternall life Joh. 3.14.15 Here is also Laid down in this treatise something concerning election and and predestination which is so much spoken of and how they may know their election something concerning Christ being the way to the Father and how and concerning Christ the Mediatour of the new Covenants and the end of the old and how tythes are ended Also Concerning Justification Sanctification and Redemption and the condition of unregeneration and regeneration the mystery of the Crosse and how God will plead with all flesh the resurrection of the just and unjust with many pretious things for the good of the thirsting soul as the understanding is open in the reading for to read and not to understand is as if they did not read at all Lastly Here is part of a dispute held between two chief Priests and two men that came and met with them and the people at Chadwitch in Worcestershire the ground and manner of their meeting and most part of the dispute with some demonstrations to clear the truth from accusations held forth by those men that the world scornfully calleth Quakers Written in Worcestershire the beginning of the first moneth called March 1655. LONDON Printed for Giles Calvert at the Black spread-Eagle at the West end of Pauls 1655. TO THE READER Reader In this little ensuing treatise there is some pretious truths laid down and as thy understanding is kept open in the reading thou 〈◊〉 ●ee the som having thy eye single here is somthing concerning Election Redemption Justification and Sanctification the change also and end of the first Covenant and Priesthood so an end of tythes and how as thou mayst see in the reading of this over and the truth cleared from among slanderers and exalted above over the deceits somthing of Christ being the way to the Father and how also the resurrection of the just and unjust besides many other things which I shall not now name in particular but I have written them for the clearing of the truth to the honest hearted as in the reading thou mayst further see also a meeting of the men called Quakers scornfully by the word two of them and some Priests at Chadwitch in Worcestershire and the manner of their meeting and part of a dispute also how they ended with some clear demonstrations to clear the truth from accusations that may falsly be occasioned against it by some either in Bromsgrove or elsewhere that are opposite against the truth as such were but I shall let that cease seeing I writ to William Cook William Filt and Humphrey Potter and the opposers as the writings to them will such things further clear and the Queries that was sent to me I answered but the Queries sent to William Cook William Filt opposers of the are yet by them unanswered severall Queries also to Priest Trusterom and some that was sent to the Priest Oasland and severall other Priests and opposers which upon them doth remain and the blazing star if Rob●●● Gardler have a hand in it in this treatise thou ●●yst also take notice of what he is even an accuser of the brethren and so remains but I leave thee to the reading of this and let truth clear it self who am a servant of Iesus that suffers for the testimony of a good conscience and rejoyceth with my fellow sufferers for the testimony of Iesus whom the world scornfully calleth Quakers March the 3. day 1655. R. F. The Brazen serpent lifted up on high THe truth cleared and above the deceit exalted that as Moses lifted up the brazen serpent in the wildernesse for such as were bit and stung with the fiery serpents to look upon it and live Numb 21.6 7 8 9 verso shall the son of man be exalted that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life as it is written and witnessed in Joh. 3.14 15. and here to be short the truth of the gospel is cleared to the single eye and lifted up above or exalted over the deceits that some is ready to cast upon it which is the wicked serpents work to lye accuse falsely slander reproach the truth also and bite behind seeking thereby to stumble some that are possest with slavish fears and doubts and to wound the consciences of some that are weak and so sting them with the sting in their tailes by venting their venome and envy against the truth shouting forth their sting and biting at the heel behind with lies false reports slanders reproaches and false accusations but for a remedy to such as are so bitten and stung with such wicked spirits or fiery serpents in their bewildered condition and to stay the minds of poor weak creatures out of such salse accusations as proceeds from the serpents generation and also to stay the minds of the honest hearted the truth is here in brief cleared concerning the great battle fought with the sword of the mouth only at Underwood hill belonging to Chadwitch in Worcestershire the 21 day of the 12 month 1654. Between two chief Priests and their party to wit Priest Oasland Pastor so called to an independent company at a place called Bewdley and one Andrew Trusterom Priest at Clent the battle with the sword or the mouth or dispute the day aforesaid was between them and the two men that the world scornfully calleth Quakers R. F and F. G. this battle was hot and sharp against the deceipt and the man of sin from midday till towards night or till towards the going down of the evening sun yet the son of righteousnesse were above and went not down but were exalted in some the hearts of saints that day praised be the Lord and truth prevailed against the deceipt at that battle fought with the sword of the spirit which is the word of God Eph. 6. 12. to the 18. that is sharp for the cutting down of errour and deceipt praised be the Lord Heb. 4.12 and those that are offended at reports concercing that great publick meeting that were the fourth day of the week being the 21. day of the 12. month in Worcestersh●re at underwood hill belonging to Chadwitch as aforesaid let them return to view this little treatise and weigh the truths of things in the ballance of equity so will they be satisfied concerning the same that are honest minded seeing the truth of things clearly demonstrated to take away lies slanders evill reports and false accusations that some are ready to cast out against the truth for the clearing thereof I shall first lay down a few particulars of the truths given forth from one of the men scornfully called Quakers And secondly I shall lay down the ground and manner of that meeting the priests and people

against your deceits doth know Yet when you saw that the truth did prevail upon the spirits of many and that you must either yield up to it and take your shame or else to stand up contrary to that in your consciences to oppose it and resist it as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses 2 Tim. 3.8.9 and sought to harden the peoples hearts against him lest they should have believed and obeyed the truth so after I had spoken about an hour and a half or two houres you sought to resist the truth though clear truths according to scripture as that in your consciences and others of the servants of God can witnesse and you laboured much to have got me and the truth silent and broke your own engagement by promise But what are the words of Priests but words of false-hearted self seeking and deceitfull men as you and others do know yet truth prevailed and would not be silent for flesh and deceit truce-breakers like your selves and such spoken of in 2 Tim. 3 chap. That did not regard your own word and promise that time you broke your own order and word bond or the present engagement whereupon I told you the summe and commanded your silence for your words sake and still spoke to the people this is not self justication but a witnessing to the truth against the deceits and deceivers and to clear it from lies and danders and though you the Priests did so seek to resist the truth contrary to that in your consciences and so stirred up envy in the harts of some of the ignorant people against the truth of God and the messenger of God c. yet the cause I commit to the Lord who will carry it on against gainsayers and opposers like you and such in your nature and will also case himself of his enemies and be avenged of his adversaries Isa 1.24 And the Lord will avenge himself of you except ye repent and acknowledge your fault and to the people declare against your errour own your condemnation thereupon and take shame to your selves And to this the light in your consciences is my witnesse and answer the judgements upon you it wils to be just and if you do not repent and give over deceiving the people and cease your opposition against the truth or else eternall vengeance you cannot escape be silent all flesh the light is my answer and witnesse beyond and against your wills Happy are you if you obey it in all things but wo to you if you disobey it and act contrary to it Now you have time prize it remember D●ves end and also take warning and remember that in your life time you have been warned as to you I said by the spirit of the Lord. And when you Priests could not have your wills as you would who had before in part bound up your selves by your word and promise but broke your bonds whereupon I told you the same and I was bound to clear my conscience before you and the people to lay open your deceits and for the truths sake because that yon and others also of the Priests your brethren had so much cried out against false prophets and the like I said towards the latter end of my speech declared by the spirit of the Lord to the people that day at Chadwitch in Worcestershire as aforesaid That you the two priests was bound by your word to hear me what I had to say and after that to answer my question also whereupon keeping you chained or tied up by your own word then I proceeded and went on to lay open before you and the people who the false prophets were and how they might be known even by their fruits as Christ hath said Matth. 7.15.16 and 20. So by your fruits are you known and all such as the true Prophets of the Lord was sent to cry out against as than I laid open by description and fruits also proving the same by scripture which now I shall not much mention because I laid you and such so open before your faces and such like as speaks a divination of their own brain stealing the true prophets and true Apostles words to trade with all for money and selfends which they spake forth freely as they were moved of the holy Ghost and as the spirit gave them utterance 2 Pet. 1.19.20.21 Act. 24. therefore such as steals their words to trade withall for money are the thieves and false prophets spoken of in Jer. 23. but the Priests of the world are such therefore thieves and false prophets as by their fruits they are known and such as bear rule by their meanes seeks the fleece and makes a prey upon the people and seeks for t heir gain from their quarter Jer. 23. 23. Mic. 3.5.11 Isa 56.10.11 2 Pet. 2. such priests as preach for hire like those that the true prophets were sent to crie against such are the priests of the world therefore false prophets and to be cried against as such was Jer. 5.30.31 Ezek. 34. And such proud covetous selt-seeking men as agrees with a people beforehand to pay them 20.30 40.50.60.80.100.200 or 300 pound per annum faying they are ministers of Christ sudh doth speak falsely and are lying false prophets never sent of the Lord they cannot find their example in scripture neither amongst the true Prophets nor true Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ Micah 3.5.11 but such are amongst the hirelings and such as are greedy dumb dogs never satisfied Isaiaeh 56.10.11 but seeking for their gain from their quarter and making a prey upon the people Ezek. 34.1.2.3 and amongst such or under Tythmongers tytheing Priests as thou Andrew Trusterom art and saidst thou wouldst prove it to be lawful but did not and the other would not meddle about tythes so I bad him then cry them down For thou and such as takes tythes professing your selves gospel ministers are lyers and deceivers as I told thee and have not one example for so doing amongst all the gospel ministers nor Judahs tribe which you can prove by plain scripture to take tythes by command Oh shame Andrew Trusterom and all tything priests like thee you dishonour the gospel and are out of the gospel way and order be ashamed and blush and all hirelings and also tything priests like thee you that take tythes do not the work nor service that such did as bad the tythes a peculiar gift for their service onely during the legall ministration You tything priests what are you Aaronitall and Leviticall or Pharisaicall and hypocriticall where are you and where is your holy garments water of purification your altars fire and incence and burnt-offerings and sacrifices where is your circumcision and where is all the service required under the Aaronitall and Leviticall priesthood done and performed by you Tithing Priests that was done by Aaron and Levi who had the tythes a peculiar gift onely for their service under that priesthood Numb 18.1.2 3 4 5

witnessed within by obeying the light that leads to the unction and into the anointing and so witnesse to the power and in it the life of faith hope and election predestination and sanctification by the teachings through the spirit in the opening of the mystery in the spirits ministration that leadeth to the unction and the anointing Col. 1.26 27 28. 1 Joh. 2.20 and 27. Lastly they that obeyed the light and followed the same according to the doctrine of Christ and the ministry in the spirit they were through the obedience thereunto brought out of darknesse into the marvellous light and knowledge of the glory and eternall excellency that though they had been in darknesse yet through their obedience to the truth through the spirit God who commanded the light to shine out of darknesse did gloriously shine in their hearts and was manifested within to break down darknesse through their obedience to the truth the pure light led them to such a full attaintment or knowledge of God in the enjoyment thereof that they knew Gods glory and excellency revealed in them and they had the heavenly treasure within them and they were changed from glory to glory into the pure image or divine being in the glory and excellency so as by the spirit of the Lord and as by the obedience to the light and truth through the spirit they did attain to the assurance and knowledge of the divine glory and eternall excellency according to the working of the divine power of God to salvation and the knowledge thereof by and through Christ the true light others so may and no other way but they did so attain to the knowledge therefore harden not your hearts against the truth and take heed least there be not found in some of you that are resisters of the truth an evill heart of unbelief and so you be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sin Heb. 3.12 13. 2 Tim. 3.8 9. then wo and misery Hebrewes 10.25 26. Something to clear the truth from some lyes slanders and false reports that may occasionally be cast falsely upon it by Robert Gurdler post-master in Birmingham or any that he maketh use of to write print declare or carry about any lyes slanders and false reports against the truth held forth by those men that the world scornfully calleth Quakers For the said Robert Gurdler is full of envy against the truth held forth by the servants of the Lord and against them that are reproached under that name as aforesaid but such as are honest hearted will not be offended at his reports that knoweth what he is although formerly he have been a teacher amongst the water baptized people and now cause the truth by some to be evill spoken of by reason that he is so full of pride and vain glory and turned to the priests again and is given over to lyes and falsely doth slander and cause the innocent to be slandered but it were better that a a mill-stone were hanged about his neck then that he should offend one of the little ones that believes in the Lord Jesus Christ But I shall be short only let the honest hearted know that I write not this as an accusation against him nor against any but for the truthes sake that it may be kept clear and withall that they may know that this said Robert Gurdler doth falsely accuse and slander the people of God that are reproached under the name of Quakers and I going into Birmingham heard of it whereupon I sent a letter to him either for him to come to me and some others with me or to appoint a place for us to come to him that he might either clear himself or else bear about with him the badge of a backbiter and false accuser of the innocent and expect the judgement that is due to such c. A copy of the letter sent to Robert Gurdler post-master so calied in Birmingham is as followeth The letter to Robert Gurdler I coming into this Town to visit some friends VVHereas I am informed that thou Captain Gurdler shouldst give out words that the people of God whom the world and the wicked one doth scornfully and reproachfully call Quakers should be deceivers and guided by the spirit of the devil or words to that effect which can be proved by some inhabiting in this town Which if thou did it is not becoming any professing Christ to slander accuse and bite behind serpent like and if thou did not clear thy self and let shame cover the face of the liars slanderers backbiters and false accusers of the innocent I being one that the world and wicked one doth in scorn reproachfully out of disdain call Quaker So being one that suffers with the people of God under that name of reproach I look upon my self to be concerned therein and to be one that thou as I am given to understand or the wicked one in thee slanderest backbitest and falsely accusest and takest upon thee to speak evil against as the serpents seed ever did and judgest of us with evil thoughts and out of an evil heart If so then I demand of thee professing thy self a Christian that thou come up unto us this day and either clear thy self or bear thy shame and guilt about upon thy breast Come and if thou canst convince us and make it appear that we are deluders and guided by the devils spirit do and let it be declared against at the market crosse or else acknowledge thy errour therein take shame to thy self and own thy condemnation to be just upon thy false accusations and false judgement that thou censurest the people of God withall and bear about with thee the badge of a backbiter slanderer and false accuser and deny thy profession lest the Lord be dishonoured by thee and so take vengeance upon thee with the wicked and seed of evil doers Come to us either to Lieutenant Powels or William Bayleys or a convenient place where this day thou mayest appoint us to come to thee and if thou be able to judge and try spirits thou art permitted to lay open the ground of delusion errour and deceit with its fruits and effects how it enters and by what to be prevented and also how the devil had his first beginning and entrance into mankind and how thou canst make it appear that we carry his image and by what where it is to be defaced he dispossessed and trampled underfoot Send thy answer to Lieutenant Powels by this bearer at the white Bear in Birmingham this thirteenth day of the twelfth moneth 1654. R. F. The letter as aforesaid was sent but the said Robert Gurdler did neither come to us nor appoint us a place where we might go to him but writ a few words that were lies to us again but no proof for his sayings neither by scripture fruits nor practise Whereupon I writ a note back to him again at that present by his bearer also acquainting him in it that there was to

to come so teaching saints and glorifieth the Son and bringeth souls into the perfect knowledge or enjoyment of the Father and the Son Ioh. 14.20 in the holy unction Iob. 2.29 and 27. which teacheth all things to such as the light and spirit obey and walks in as it is written and witnessed by such as knoweth and knew the holy unction in them and the word abiding within them 1 Ioh. 2.13 14. and the heavenly treasure within 2. Cor. 4.6 7. and we know that such as are guided by the spirit of God are the sons of God Rom. 8.14 1 Ioh. 3.1 and God hath sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts whereby we cry Abba Father Gal. 4.6 and we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ this is true God and life eternall 1 Ioh. 5.20 And we preach not our selves but Christ Jesus the true light and our Lord for God who commanded the light to shine out of darknesse hath shined within in our hearts to give us the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus and this treasure have we within us as they had in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us and the message that we have to declare is this that God is light and in him is no darknesse at all and Christ is the true light that lighteth every one that cometh into the world they that follow him shall not walk in darknesse but shall have the light of life and he is the authour of eternall salvation to all that obey him which is witnessed through the opening of the mystery within Col. 1.27 and by obedience to the light in the eternall power of truth through the spirit as it is written and witnessed and according to the outward declaration of the Scripture but enjoyed according to the inward manifestation of the spirit the gift of God which is given to profit withall in the spirits ministration and mystery 2 Cor 12. to know the fellowship with Christ in the glory 2 Cor. 4.6 7. Ioh. 1.9 Ioh. 8.12 Heb. 5.9 1 Ioh. 1.5 2 Cor. 3.17 18. Rom. 8.14 15 16 17 18 19. Gal. 4.6 2 Thes 1.10 Ioh. 17.10 Then remember that you the 2 Priests would go out of the room towards the latter end of the day it was so hot and throng though you would not go before so we went into plain upon a green hill and most of the people stood below in the valley and thou Andrew Trusterom Priest of Clent and I stood together on the hill where I begun to lay open the things as aforesaid concerning the light and Spirit being sufficient according to the working of the divine power of the Lord and the good pleasure of his will through theobedience to the light teachings of the spirit of grace to lead to salvation and unto all truth whereupon thou said that was granted before we came out of the room so for the better satisfaction of the people I would have laid it open to the people there but thou yielded up to that truth only I was to return to the people on proof concerning that the Scriptures fore saw that God would justify the heathen through faith preach the gospel unto Abraham saying in thee shall all nations be blessed which Scripture is this Gal. 3.8 which is witnessed in Christ Gal. 3.18 29. and according to the Scriptures the declaration of him and the word Luk 1.1 Act. 1.1 Ioh. 1.3 the word is God and eternall life Ioh. 1.1 1 Pet. 1.23 1 Ioh. 5.6 7 11 20. Heb. 4.12 Rom. 16.6 7 8. Rev. 19.13 Then after that thou Andrew Trusterom Priest of Clent who was the mouth most for the Priests that day thou would have maintained thy call being put upon it there on the hill but could not prove it to be according to any gospel minister though thou had thy proof and witnesse without thee written in a paper in the end of thy book as thou knowes and could not remember thy call nor thy proof and witnesse without thy written paper in thy book end to turn to other mens words that thou were out of the life as I then cold thee and said also that such as thou were made tradesmen at Cambridge or Oxford or from under such as had yours and their rise from the old wicked Bishops and such Bishops from the Popes generation and they from the Pope and the Pope from old Antichrist and so Antichristian ministers and not the ministers of Christ nor the gospel For I told thee the ministers of Christ and the gospel was not made by the will of man but of God were they ordained and was sent by Christ Jesus and the holy Ghost and received not their gospel nor call of man but of God neither was such that were so called taught of man but of God as it is certified to the Brethren and left upon record in Scripture and such as were so called and taught made not their gospel burdensom but free to be examples also for others that come after to follow and such gospel ministers as were so called ordained gifted and sent forth they sold not their gift nor preaching the gospel for mony nor tythes but preached freely 1 Cor. 9.16 17 18 19. Act. 20.33 1 Cor. 11. i. not for tythes as the priests of the world do now that follow not their example neither had any gospel minister 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 200 or 300 pound per Annum as the priests of the world have now but such gospel ministers as were ordained called and sent of God went to turn people from the darknesse to the light from the power of Satan unto God Act. 26.14 15 16,17,18 Gal. 1.1 and 11,12,15,16 vers and such coveted no mans silver nor gold nor apparell but laboured with hands and preached the gospel freely who were made able ministers of the new covenant not of the letter but of the spirit 2 Cor. 3.6 Act. 20.28 and 3.3 34,35 vers Act. 13. Mat. 10. 1 Cor. 11.1 vers Then such as go to trades at Universities and learns old Authours mans inventions to add a divination of their brain to the Scriptures and are taught of proud covetous self-seeking men of such Arts and are called by such and are called of men master and hath tythes are called by them to great benefits 20 40 100 200 pound a year such are not according to the gofpel minifters but are Antichriftian and deceivers and such are the Priests of the world therefore Antichristian ministers seducers and deceivers of the nations then thou Andrew Trusterom the Priest as aforesaid thou seemingly would have denyed thy call and ordination from the old wicked Bishops but could not from that ground had thou thy rise and upon it yet stands in the