blood of Christ and they that discern not this body eat and drink their own damnation he that hath an eare to hear let him hear and under his Banner we fight against the Beast false Prophet Deceivers and all the Nations of the world now united together against him Our weapons being not carnall but spirituall mighty through God to the casting down of strong holds and high imaginations whose daily Crosse we witness to be the great power of God to salvation who lives and dwels in us and whose peace none can ever take from us and who shall dash his enemies in pieces and grinde them to powder before whom Nobles doth bow and Kings cast down their Crowns whose scepter is a scepter of righteousnesse and of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end unto whom be glory for ever and ever And this is the truth spoken from our hearts the Lord bearing us witnesse and this is the true way decreed by God for attaining of justification which we have seen and heard and are witnesses of and is no principle of delusion but held by us truly as it is in Jesus according to the Scriptures of truth and so Thomas Collier hath wronged the innocent for which he must account Another of the particulars falsly charged on us is that we have set up another way for the attaining of Justification that is by Quaking c. This is onely affirmed in his Dialogue but no proof mentioned and in his Glasse he endeavours thus to prove it that this is true is evident and apparent in that they have affirmed that their Quaking is the spirit of burning through which all must passe to enter into Righteousnesse and Justification c. Let the Reader minde this proof he saith it is evident and apparent by what evidence If persons will take an impudent false affirmation for proof then it is evident and apparent but not otherwise by what is produced he saith they have affirmed it who is it what particular person we and many others deny it and own no other way but what we have already declared and it 's very likely if he had heard such a thing from any particular person he would have mentioned it in his Dialogue or his Glasse and so he appeals to the understanding for judgment but we say he that judges this a proof to say they have affirmed it is void of understanding And if T. C. had not been blinded with envy arrogancy and impudency he would rather have confest his lye then have persisted in his obstinacy but at last he calls I. N. to justifie this in his answer to the Dialogue Now this must be granted that the Dialogue was published before there could be an answer to it and the charge was laid in the Dialogue and so laid without proof or cause And can any one in reason take J. Naylers Book for a witnesse when in that Book he returns this to be one of the Lyes charged by T. C. on the people called Quakers and no such words in his Book as to say that the Quakers have set up another way to attain Justification by that is by quaking c. He alledges the 15 page but there is no such thing affirmed This he saith that all that do declare the way they came to God witnesse quaking or trembling and all that knew the word of God trembled at it Do he here say that the Quakers have set up quaking as a way to attain Justification T. C. might blush at such impudency if he had not got a forehead that could not Another lye by T. C charged on us is that we have outed Christ in the great work of justification and no lesse then trample under foot the blood of the covenant counting it an unholy thing or at least too unholy to look to it or expect justification by it this he affirms in his Dialogue Now in his Glasse to prove it he saith if the preaching of it be Stories and Blasphemy this is a trampling of it under foot c. And if Sanctification and Mortification be the fulfilling of the Law and the creatures justification then the blood of Christ is laid aside For answer we say that T. C. and such as he makes the preaching of it a story If any in taking upon them to preach Justification by the blood of Christ to other while abominations reign in their own souls and are drawing iniquity with cords of vanity as is exprest in Tiverton writing before mentioned and as for Sanctification and Mortification to be the fulfilling of the Law and the Creatures justification is not proved by T. C. that the people called Quakers own any such thing but we say such as imagine to themselves a Justification without Sanctification and Mortification shall be scattered in their imaginations being no other but filthy Dreamers deceivers and being deceived and are blinde leaders of the blinde and shall all fall into the pit together Now consider what greater Agents can the Devil have for his Kingdome then such who preach to others or expect to themselves Justification without Sanctification and Mortification taking and what in them lies giving liberty to themselves and others to live in lust but the grace we own and witnesse teacheth us to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and so Justification Sanctification and Mortification is all the work of God by Christ and none may conclude they have one without all Faith without works being dead As for our owning the blood of Christ we refer it to what we have said in our answ to the first particular But T.C. goes on in his wickedness adding sin to sin lye to lye and saith pa. 3. it further appears in that all that will own them must deny all their faith and justification in Christ crucified Verily except thou repent God will smite thee thou lying tongue he will destroy thee for ever he will take thee away and pluck thee from thy dwelling place and root thee out of the land of the living and give thee thy portion with lyars who hast herein out-stript all that have gone before thee that have come to our view If thou canst produce one example that ever any were invited to own or refused to be owned by us on any such termes or let shame and confusion cover thee for ever But he is still running on in his lying false accusing like the horse into the battel saying hence it is they judg and condemn all but themselves because they have found out another righteousness So that indeed and in truth they account the blood of the Covenant too unholy for them to look at for justification neither do they ever teach remission of sins by faith in the blood of Jesus Very many people can in this bear testimony against thee and surely we say didst thou know that blood and faith in it thou wouldst witnesse victory over and cleansing from those abominable lies Now let any rational
own that we might gain Christ in whom all our sufficiency is both to will and to do And though tempted to sin and warring with the enemies of our soules yet are not overcome but are more then Conquerours through him that hath loved us We choosing his Crosse rather then our own liberty which Crosse we have found to be the great power of God to salvation Let him have the glory of all And after all this he saith that he hath briefly run through many things c. through redeeming of time which is precious and called for in other employments We answer how didst thou redeem time when thou inventedst thy Dialogue and so many Lies and Slanders therein against the Innocent What was it moved thee thus to reproach the Lords people who art passing through the Wildernesse towards the Land of Promise and neither eat of thy Bread nor meddle of thy Waters Was it any other ground then what moved Amaleck to fight against Israel Surely hadst thou known the preciousnesse of time and what it is to redeem it thou wouldst not have employed it thus to invent Slanders and Reproaches Yea such things as the Lord knows never came into our hearts but are detested by us And yet thou art found mispending more time to vindicate what thou hadst thus unjustly done Thou mightest well say it was called for to be spent in other employments and the more thou hast to account for For he that knows his Masters will and doth it not shall be beaten with many stripes And then thou sayest It is for the Lord what and yet called for to be spent in other employments what confusion is here But the work shews that it is not for the Lord for will a man lye for God Nay If some that preach in his name must depart as workers of iniquity much more they that speak lyes in his Name He further saith He hath faith given him to believe that God will speedily set a stop to those things and principles that are so dishonourable to him and ruining to souls Verily thy fruits declare what thy faith is no better then a vain hope which shall perish And woe to them which call evill good and good evill We know that the Lord hath wrought for the glory of his name in thus carrying on his truth against all ooposition and sets a stop to the rage of the wicked who had swallowed us up quicke had not the Lord been on our side Yea he puts a bridle in their jawes and a hook in their noses and turns them backward and snares them in the work of their owne hands but delivers those that trust in him praises to his name for ever And then at last he sets down severall particulars about Perfection which we have spoken to already in what goes before and therefore here need not answer but warn thee speedily to repent and fear before the living God who suddenly appears to render to every man a due reward according to his works whether they be good or evill For our God is a God of knowledg and by him are actions weighed Some Queries for Thomas Collier 1 Qu. WHether ever any Minister of the Gospel or one that was set for the defence thereof had at the same time abominations reigning in his soul and was drawing iniquity with cords of vanity 2 Query Whether that be not a false Teacher Deceiver or Lyar and not a true Minister of Christ who cry peace to the wicked even to such whose iniquities are apparently written in their fore-heads since the Lord saith there is no peace to the wicked 3 Qu. Whether the woe of the Lord be not against such who now pretend to wait for the counsell of the Lord that they may know it and yet are drawing iniquity with cords of vanity as it was in the dayes of Isaiah 4 Qu. Whether ever the mouth of a true Minister of Christ were stopt with a slavish fear 5 Qu. Whether he be not an hypocrite who reproves others for their sins while his owne abominations reign in his soul and is drawing iniquity with cords of vanity 6 Qu. Whether Christ words may not well be spoken to such a one viz. Thou hypocrite pull the beame out of thine own eye before thou go about to take a mote out of anothers 7 Qu. Whether they are true Ministers of â—hrist who daily complain and make addresses for maintenance 8 Qu. Whether such might not rather be called greedy dogs which can never have enough 9 Qu. Whether any unclean thing shall ever enter into the new Jerusalem 10 Qu. Whether they that dye in their fins shall not receive the wages thereof 11 Qu. Whether there be a time of cleansing from â—in after the dissolution of the body 12 Qu. Whether the tree doth not lye as it falls 13 Qu. Whether many shall not come at the last day and say Lord Lord in thy Name have we preached cast out Devils and done many wonderfull works To whom Christ will then say Depart ye workers of iniquity c 17 Que. Whether such whose Abominations reign are drawing iniquity with cords of vanity and slavish feare hath stopt their mouths be workers of Iniquity yea or nay 15 Qu. Whether such must not receive the same sentence that Christ pronounces against workers of Iniquity what ever their profession be 16 Query Whether God be not just to render vengeance against all such who in words professe him but in deeds deny him 17 Query Whether he that commits sinne be not of the Devill 18 Qu. Whether they stand in the warfare against sin and the Devill who are drawing iniquity with cords of vanity or whether they are not joyning with Sin and the Devill against Christ 19 Qu. Whether any whose Iniquities are apparently written in their fore-heads and are mockers of God are joyned to the Lord yea or nay 20 Qu. Whether they that are joyned to the Lord are not one Spirit 21 Qu Whether any truly know Christ their Saviour while their Abhominations reigne and are drawing iniquity with cords of vanity 22 Quer. Whether they that are without the sense of Gods Majesty in whom the world hath eaten out all the Divine sweetnesse of regenerating and sanctifying grace who are formall in holy duties and whose Iniquities are apparently written in their fore-heads are built up through that one everlasting Spirit a holy Tabernacle for the living God yea or nay 23 Qu. Whether such as have the forme of godlinesse and are without the power must not be turned from yea or nay 24 Qu. Whether such must not be denyed who are without both form and power 25 Query Whether any of the Ministers of Christ did ever plead for sin and against perfection but for perfection and against sin 26 Qu. Whether Jesus Christ be not the same to day as yesterday and for ever 27 Query Whether they are not Reprobates who do not know Christ within them 28 Qu. Whether ever a Minister of
Truth Vindicated AND The Lyars Refuge swept away Being an Answer to a Book set forth by THOMAS COLLIER called A Looking-glasse for QVAKERS and also to some particulars in a Book of his called A Dialogue c. Wherein the truth is cleared from those Slanders and Reproaches by him cast upon it and the Refuge of Lies swept away and upon tryal himself found guilty of many of those Evils which he hath falsely charged upon the INNOCENT Also an Answer to his Queries in the end of the Book called A Looking-glasse c. with some Queries returned to him to be answered Together with an Epistle to the people called Baptists with whom we sometimes fed on Husks But now are brought to the Fathers house where there is BREAD enough Published by us who love truth in the inward parts and are now called forth by the Lord to bear testimony against Deceit Unrighteousnesse and deeds of Darkness who have long wandered upon the barren mountains running from mountain to hill but now have heard the voyce of the good Shepherd and are brought to the true fold and known to this generation by the names of John Pitman Jasper Batt The lip of truth shall be established for ever But a lying tongue is but for a moment LONDON Printed for Thomas Simmons at the Bull and Mouth neer Aldersgate 1658. Truth vindicated and the Lyars Refuge swept away THomas Collier a man long well known unto us who hath for some time profest himselfe a Minister of the Gospel or a Teacher of others saying that he is set for the defence thereof having published a Book which he calls A Dialogue between a Minister of the Gospel and an Inquiring Christian where in truth there was neither in which he undertakes to discuss the principles of the people called Quakers therein setting down several particulars as by them held and guilty of which they deny Neither hath he made any proof thereof but only said it which Book being answered by I. N. and Thomas Collier charged for uttering many Lies against the foresaid people and above fifty of them returned to him for a proof or to rest on his head untill the dreadfull day of account unlesse he timely repent Thereupon he hath published another Book which he calls A Looking-glass for Quakers in which he saith the truths asserted in that Dialogue are clearly proved and James Naylor and the Quakers are proved to be lyers and deceivers Now it is not the truths in that Dialogue if any there which he was called upon for a proof but the lies by him therein invented which yet remain unproved notwithstanding what is by him alleadged Now these Books coming to our view and by us examined and weighed and finding our selves concerned therein we being reputed by him under that name were pressed in spirit to publish this vindication on the Truths behalf which is by us owned and lies and lyars denyed But before we proceed further this is to be observed that we sent him a Letter dated the 19th day of the first moneth 1657. thereby acquainting him that such books we had seen published in his name expressing such particulars which we did declare in the name and fear of the Lord were not owned by us but denyed and the Author to be neither Minister of the Gospel nor Christian but a Lyar slanderer and false accuser And that if he did not disown the said books or confess that he had wronged the truth and us who own it or otherwise reasonably satisfie us in some short time either by word or writing we should as the Lord should direct and order publish our Innocency and some of the Authors wickednesse that so his Sheeps cloathing might no longer hide his wolvish nature Now there being a time and place agreed on and appointed by him and one of us for him to vindicate himself and prove the particulars before mentioned where was a meeting accordingly and where only four of those particulars debated Thomas Collier went away not mentioning any further or other time for debating the rest though it was then and still is by us denyed that what was then by him offered for proof of his Assertions to be any way valued for his purpose And now his Looking-glasse being his only Refuge that we know of which consists much of Lyes must be swept away unto the particulars whereof we are now come 1 That all our principles are delusions 2 That we hold not any principle of truth truly as it is in Jesus Now for proof of these particulars he saith that if that which follows be true then this is true and we may safely conclude that if that which follows be false then so must this That which follows is this that we forsake the true way decreed and ordered of God for the attaining of justification which is by faith in Christ crucified this is charged on the people called Quakers not one or some of them but the people called Quakers Now for proof hereof in his Dialogue he only says it but offers none In his Glasse he alledges James Nayler in his love to the Lost concerning justification where he uses these words That persons are so justified as they are sanctified and mortified and no farther And at other places he severall times expresses Mortification and Sanctification before Justification And at another place That by which the just lives is that by which the creature is justified And so T. C. sayes that it is James Naylers great work to make Sanctification Mortification and Justification to be one and Justification to depend on Sanctification and Mortification The work that we have in hand is not to vindicate persons but truth and if any one should forsake the true way decreed and ordered of God for the attaining of justification Is that a sufficient ground to say the people called Quakers do so Is there any one or more that hath set out any writing by appointment and signed in the name of the people called Quakers as T. C. and others did a writing in the name and by appointment of the Messengers of the Churches at Tiverton the 18th day of the 7th moneth wherein such a thing is declared as to forsake Christ the way to Justification then there might be some ground for such a charge but further the truth declared by James Nayler in this particular we own and he that with an impartial eye views his writing will never finde any such thing by him declared as T. C. falsly charges for J. N. saith that the wisdome of men in the fall finding these severall words in the Scripture hath in their imaginations run them into division and separated that which is in one and cannot be divided in the possession for it is one that worketh all these and that which sanctifies that mortifies and the same justifies and so his drift is not to make Justification to depend on Sanctification and Mortification but all on the just one and so
to discover the vanity of such a people who would conceit a possession of justification without sanctification or mortification like the Authors of that Writing from Tiverton who say they are joyned to the Lord and yet confesses abominations reigning in their souls drawing iniquity with cords of vanity A light spirit slavish fear mockers of God living short of the true sight and sense of Gods Majesty a wretched worldly spirit coldnesse and deadnesse on their souls formality in holy duties indifferency Laodicean spirit without the sense of the work and true travail of soul as in that writing with more such fruits is exprest Now J. N. clearly lays the work of justification sanctification and mortification on Gods righteousnesse saying it is the work of God wrought by Christ and they who had received the Spirit were called to all these by faith in his blood And in what he writes concerning Redemption in the same Book he saith All who knows the redemption of Christ by his precious blood c. And in another place Who hath redeemed us to God by his blood and so it 's clear by his words as he expresseth them without T. Colliers Expositions that he lays the work on Gods righteousness wrought by Christ and why should T. C. conclude a meaning from some of his words contrary to his own expressions but the thing is very probable that he had laid this charge from his own imagination before he had ever seen J. Naylers Love to the Lost Another testimony he offers for proof of this particular is what himself heard as he saith at a meeting of ours at a place called Himmington but it 's like it was intended Limmington where he and another as he saith taking occasion to hold forth Christ amongst them they heard with patience untill they came to hold forth justification through his blood Then their Teacher cryed out blasphemy and said that they spake stories to the people and denyed the spirit by which they spake There coming to the meeting and speaking there of justification by the blood of Christ is confest and their preaching of that which they knew not might well be called stories but that our friend Christopher Holder called Justification through the blood of Christ Stories or Blasphemy is utterly denyed as severall do witness who were then present and do affirm that our friend said he owned the words but their spirit he denyed for them to talk of that which they were ignorant of might well be called Stories the Prophet saith Jer. 5.2 Though they say the Lord liveth surely they swear falsly Dare any say the Prophet denyed the Lord lived Now for such whose abominations reign are drawing iniquity with cords of vanity c. as T. C. confest of himself since that time witnesse Tiverton writing We say for such to take upon them to preach Justification through the blood of Christ Their testimony is by the truth in us denyed and may well be called stories they blasphemers and the Lord will say to such what have you to do to take my words into your mouths And further we know that Christopher Holder at that time and believe yet doth if living own no other way for justification but Christ crucified by faith in his blood as the Scriptures declare and so both those which T. C. produces as witnesses for him are found bearing testimony against him and so the two first particulars and this which follows are found false We also say that if both those before produced by T. C. for evidence had declared the thing asserted which is utterly denyed yet could no rational unprejudiced man take them for sufficient evidence to prove the people called Quakers hold such principles And further we do declare for our selves and that which is also assented unto by the people called Quakers that this we own and witnesse Jesus Christ is come a light into the world that all men through him might believe and is the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world And whosoever follows him shall not abide in darknesse but shall have the light of life This is he who is the way to the Father and none can come to the Father but by him even he who was in the beginning before all things and by whom all things were made even he that was dead but is now alive and lives for evermore who is made unto the Saints sanctification and righteousness as well as justification and redemption and saves his people from their sins And they who are made witnesses of him know him dwelling in them and for that end made manifest to destroy the works of the Devill And all those who make a profession of his name and say he is their Redeemer Saviour or Justifier and have abominations reigning in their souls Iniquities written in their fore-heads and are drawing it with cords of vanity are Lyars and Deceivers for none can know him a Justifier but they who know him a Sanctifier and a Mortifier and whosoever knows his salvation from condemnation must know his salvation from sin This is that Christ we bear record unto the seed of the woman that bruises the Serpent head whose day Abraham saw and was the Rock that followed Israel of whom they drank The same the Prophets prophecyed of who was born of the Virgin in the City of David preached himselfe the light of the world the way to the Father was hated persecuted mocked reviled and delivered to be crucified by those who profest they were in expectation of his coming yet chose a Murtherer before him This is he who is the living bread that came down from heaven whose flesh is meat indeed and whose blood is drinke indeed and whereof whosoever doth not eat and drink have no life in them He that can receive it let him who was a man of sorrows acquainted with griefs his visage more marred then any mans of whom many were and are astonished was crowned with thorns crucified between Theeves was buried rose again and ascended far above all heavens and fills all things being glorified with the Father with the glory which he had with him before the world was the same to day as yesterday and for evermore who makes intercession for the Saints and is the Mediator of the New Testament even the man Christ Jesus and he that hath seen him hath seen the father also through whose blood we are justified and are redeemed from our former vain conversation and witnesse remission of sins who hath baptized us with the holy Spirit and is our righteousnesse with whom we have fellowship and with the Saints in light And they that walk in the light as he is in the light have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin who though we are many are one bread for the bread that we break is the Communion of the body of Christ and the cup that we drink is the Communion of the
man judge what proof here is more then the reiterating of a company of lies and therefore need no further answer Another of his Lies charged on us is That we have found another way to go to God by then Christ the Mediator this he affirms in his Dialogue and for proof says it over again in his Glasse and to it adds another lye That we disown Christ to be a man he adds further and sayes Naylor in his Love to the Lost where all their principles are stated such as they are yet there is never a one of Christs Ascention and Mediatorship Doth J. N. or any other except thy selfe say that all the Quakers Principles are there stated Thou hast said before they have set up another way to Justification then by Christ that is by quaking Dost thou find such a principle in that Book It 's like thou wilt not deny but the way to Justification is a principle And if we have set up quaking to be the way and all our principles be there stated then that must be one or thou must be a Lyar It were well if thou knew a bridle for thy tongue but because his Ascention and Mediatorship are not stated there as thou sayest doth it follow that they are denyed by the people called Quakers and then thou draws thy conclusion sutable to thy premises saying by all which it appears that they have indeed another way such a one as themselves have invented to go to God by and not by Christ page 4. By what doth it appear because thou hast said it here is nothing else remaining to prove it but who can believe thy testimony that art thus given over to lying except such as are as blinde or impudent as thy self He still goes on charging that they own not Christ in his Authority will not submit to him in his word In stead of hearkning to the voyce of Christ in Scripture they hearken to and follow after either the voyce of Satan or suggestings of their own deceitfull hearts within them and call this Christ and his voyce which they must and do obey though contrary to all rules of God in Scripture And instead of proving this with an audacious impudent face he asks the question saying Oh all you Quakers is this a lye too do you not witnesse it to the world that you hearken not to the voyce of Christ in Scripture nor obey him on the account of faith but to the voyce of Satan or at best your own deceitfull hearts though contrary to all rules of Scripture Will any rationall man account this a proof was ever such impudency heard of First to slander and accuse falsely and when called upon for a proof then aske whether this be a lye too What is it but as much as to say who dare deny what he affirms though never so false Can any of thy own followers be so blinde as to owne thee here And thou goest on page 4. filling up thy measure of lies saying you call it the light within the voyce of Christ the true Word c. when it is but your own lying fancies at the best witnesse your turning aside from all the glorious truths of Christ in Scripture And then for proof of all this beside thy own false affirmation thou bringest J. Naylers words in his Salutation to the seed of God Nor can your litterall promises sure your condition nor save you from Satans power Doth this any way tend to the proof of what is asserted that wee owne not Christ in his authority c But thou goest on as if thy main work were to invent lyes and saist by which he would give to understand that all the Scripture must be laid aside onely looking to and following the Lights within Didst thou ever hear of such a thing from any of those called Quakers as to presse any to follow Lights within Or is there any thing in those words of J. N. tending to the laying aside of Scripture but thy Master sets thee forth to manifest thy self We further answer the truth of the Scriptures do we own and witnesse the voyce of Christ have we heard to his authority are we subject and have his word abiding in us which is a light to our steps by which we come to see the deceit of our own hearts and are delivered from it by which also we see where all those are who are imitating the Saints recorded in Scripture without the life and power which they had and so are no better then those vagabond Jews who would cast out Devils because Paul others did but were void of that power and authority by which they did it For this we say in the name of the Lord there is many have and read the Scriptures but few know the commands of Christ of which sort are all those that know not Christ made manifest in them for those whom the Lord sent spake as the spirit gave them utterance and had the word abiding in them Acts 2.4 And the Saints knew the anointing in them which taught them all things and needed not mans teaching 1 Cor. 2.12,13,14 and so they did not steal the words every man from his neighbour but as they had received the gift so they ministred and if they had not received a word from the Lord they dare not speak a divination of their own brains but in the name of the Lord did bear their testimony against all such to be deceivers and such as run and the Lord never sent them for by their fruits they are known And by the same rule do we walk as they did even the spirit of Truth and not by another mans line And so as all are kept to this rule every one is kept in his place and so are serviceable to one head one Lord and Master Of the Apostles some were sent to preach and baptize another was sent to preach the Gospell and not to baptize Some were sent to the Circumcision and others to the Gentiles Now as they all were obedient to the commands they had received they discharged their duties and not like a generation of men in these dayes who are crying up the Scriptures but being ignorant of the commands of Christ intrude themselves into things they know not and runs on in a vain imitation of the Saints recorded in Scripture in outward observations and bodily worships but comes not to the life power and authority which they witnessed and are ignorant of the true guide and Leader And so many seeing in the Scripture what Paul or others of the Lords faithfull Ministers wrote unto particular persons or Churches according to their severall conditions or occasions take a part or parcell of it and read to their hearers or followers and then add a Divination of their own brains but the voyce of Christ or Word of the Lord they never knew and so they go contrary to the rules of Scripture unlesse it be in following the false Teachers
to such a purpose because I. N. saith Iudgement passeth upon all that is in the creature contrary to the life of God and his judgement must passe upon all that is unrighteous and they live in that which is for fire and condemnation Doth therefore he or the people called Quakers deny the Salvation or Damnation of persons If in this T. C. had been faithfull to I. N. he might have found in the same Book concerning Judgement speaking of the wicked with that which you hate shall you be condemned with other vvords to that purpose And in the same Book concerning the Resurrection he thus saith Think of this you wicked workers who live and dye in your sins and yet please your selves with talking of the Resurrection c. A wofull day will it be unto you who are found in your sins and in love of the world you prophane Esaus and cursed Nimrods c You hypocrites who professe God in words but in works deny him c. A terrible day will this be to you who dye in your sins And speaking of the children of Light he saith That in him we might be found at that day in whom we looke for a better resurrection which did we not see to be an unmeasurable reward we have an opportunity to return c. And if our hope were onely in this life we were of all men most miserable and many other words to the same purpose And now that T. C. or any other should be so impudent as to charge the people called Quakers for owning neither Salvation nor Damnation of any person and be so blinde to produce J. N. for a witnesse who so evidently declares that he owns both And this further we say A day we own wherein every man shall receive a due reward according to their works done in the body whether good or evill Even in that day which God hath appointed to judge the world in righteousness when the wicked shall not be able to stand in judgement nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous Yea a day when all that are in the graves shall hear the voyce of the Son of God and shall come forth they that have done good to the resurrection of life and they that have done evill unto the resurrection of condemnation when a finall separation shall be witnessed and each receive his sentence Come ye blessed go ye cursed from which sentence there shall be no appeal nor flying from the execution thereof Oh consider this ye who are drawing iniquity with cords of vanity having abominations reigning in you and iniquity apparently written in your forheads Ye who now make it a light thing even to lead the innocent with lies slanders reproaches verily in that day shall your hands grow weak which now are strengthened one by another and your faces gather palenesse which now cannot blush Then shall all false coverings be ript off and all appear as they are In vain shall it then be for such to say Lord Lord we have preacht and baptized in thy name c. Nay hear your sentence Depart you workers of iniquity into everlasting fire c. Another lye by him charged upon us is That our principles are but the pinciples of the old Ranters vvhich are out of date revived and brought into credit again by a new dresse c. This he affirms in his Dialogue vvithout mentioning any proof And in his Glasse for a proof he saith That this is true I need not prove in this place Any that know the principles of the Ranters may easily discern it The Ranters would have no Christ but within no Scripture to be a rule no Ordinances no Law but their Lust no heaven nor glory but here no sin but what men fancied to be so no condemnation but in the consciences of ignorant ones c. And what the Quakers is more or lesse let their own consciences judge onely they smooth it over with an outward austere carriage before men but within are full of pride filthinesse abhominations which by degrees break forth witness Naylers Exaltation in the West Here is the charge and the proof of it but we are confident he that is svvayed by the least spark of honesty vvill not finde us guilty on this evidence He saith That this is true I need not prove had he said I cannot prove he had spoken the truth although to confesse himself a lyar and false accuser for envy and subtelty it selfe can never prove it and it 's very like if he had any evidence he would produce it but at last he saith Witness Naylers Exaltation in the West Let the Reader a little consider when this time was that he speaks of it was not untill about the ninth moneth in the yeare 1656. And I. N. had answered the Dialogue wherein this Charge vvas layd in the fifth moneth before and yet novv no evidence produced for proof of this particular but that vvhich he calls Naylors Exaltation in the West So it 's clear the charge vvas laid and continued about four moneths vvithout any evidence and as its likely if this Exaltation as he calls it had not been he had yet remained vvithout proof We further ansvver as to the particular vvhich he calls J. Naylers Exaltation in the West it 's sufficiently known to many that that action vvas not at all ovvned by those vvho profest and lived in the Truth and vvere called Quakers vvhich may more at large appear by George Bishops Book published in ansvver to Ralph Farmer But mark these Principles of the Ranters vvhich he saith are the principles of the Quakers One is The Ranters would have no Christ but within which we utterly deny and what we own and witnesse concerning Christ vve have already demonstrated Even he it is that vve bear testimony unto who fills all things and preached himselfe the light of the world which lighteth every man that cometh into the world vvho is the savation of all those vvho believe in obey and follovv him and the condemnation of all such vvho reject and disobey him Another of the Ranters Principles as he saith is No Scripture to be a rule We say that vvhich the Scriptures declares vvas the guide and rule of Saints vve ovvn and vvitnesse and the Scriptures of truth to be given forth by that Spirit vvhich could not erre Another No Ordinances The Ordinances of Christ we ovvn One Lord one Faith one Baptisme and his Crosse ordained by him vve daily witnesse which crucifies us to the world and the world unto us and its the great power of God to salvation Another is No Law but their Lust Thomas Colliers own principles as manifested by his practice and confession appears more like the Ranters then ours For the grace of God which hath appeared to all men hath taught us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live godlily soberly in this present world Now T. C. besides those many lyes and false accusations
against the Innocent confesses himself guilty of reigning abhominations in his soul and to be drawing iniquity with the cords of vanity c. witness Tiverton writing Let the rationall Reader judge whose principles are neerest like the Ranters his or ours Another is No heaven nor glory but here This we say that if our hope were only in this life we were of all men most miserable but we believe expect and wait for a Crown that 's immortall a Kingdome which is eternall reserved for us in the highest heavens which none can deprive us of Another is No sin but what men fancy to be so But we say the breach of the righteous Law of God is sin what ever men fancy and the reward thereof must they receive And whatsoever is not of faith is sin Another is No condemnation for sin but in the consciences of ignorant ones Here he goes on still charging without proof Now T. C. affirmed in our hearing at Glastonbury before many witnesses that persons may be freed from guilt and condemnation while motion and action of sin remains Surely this is the Ranters or Libertines principle to commit sinne and not be condemned for it what 's this but a seared conscience And herein he declares himselfe worse then the Ranters whom he saith owns condemnation for sin c. We say that Jesus Christ is made manifest to condemn sin in the flesh and happy are they who are hereof made witnesses Here judgement and mercy meets together and righteousness and peace kisses each other But at last he saith They smooth it over with an austere carriage before men but within are full of filthiness pride and abhominations Thou hypocrite first pull the beam out of thine owne eye before thou go about to take a mote out of anothers Dost thou accuse us for abhominations and filthinesse within while thy abhominations reign and art drawing iniquity with the cords of vanity Slavish fear hath stopt thy mouth c. as by thy own confession in Tiverton writing appears The Pharisees will rise up in judgement with thee and such as thou art who make the out-side clean while your abhominations are manifest within and without for the root must be as the branches the tree as the fruit therefore let shame and silence cover thee And now our consciences unto whose judgement T. C. hath appealed doth clearly acquit us and condemn him for a Lyar. Another of his particulars charged upon us is That Satan blinding us with the apprehension of the goodness of our cause or else a sence of its badness that he hath hemmed them in with a pretence of their own infallibility and the ignorance of all others that they will admit of no sober discourse nor bring their principles to the tryal of Scriptures c. but give railing accusations hard termes and hiddeous names and this is the strength of their arguments c. This is the substance of their charge in the Dialogue where no proof is offered as other particulars before and in his Glass he saith that this is truth he that runs may read if to call Persons Lucifer Devil Beast c. Let the understanding judg and their pretence of infallibility carrying all in a mistery pretending all in the dark but themselves witnesse Naylors pretended answer to my assertations in the Dialogue concerning them Now mind this Proof and see where there be any other but his own affirmation first as in many others before invent and make a lye and then for proof when called to it affirm it over again and say that this is true he that runs may read or this is so clear I need not prove and so instead of evidence here is impudency surely more honesty would have appeared in it for him to have confest his lyes then thus to add impudency thereunto but at last he brings J. Ns. answer to his Assertions a strange proof to bring the answer to the Assertions for proof of the Assertions it is strange T. C. is not ashamed of his absurdity what is this but an implicet confession that the assertions were laid down without proof and so if they had not been answered he yet had had no proof but at first intended a lye for if the things asserted had been true which is denyed yet he not knowing it were a lye for him to assert what he knows not as they swore falsly who said the Lord liveth Jer. 5. besides Thomas collier confest that be had a sober discourse with a friend at Bristol Contrary to what he here affirms and what hideous names are there in J. Ns. answer Is it a hideous name to call a lyer a lyer or to tell one that opposeth himself against Christ and Truth that he is of Antichrist and one of Gogs army one whose lyes lightness impudencies and false accusations appeares as T. C. doth it is not against scripture rules to tell him that he is of his father the Devil and shall know the judgements of the Lord against him one day for it for this know we are not of those that cry peace to the wicked like C. T. and the Authors of that writing from Tiverton but as we receive from the Lord so must give to every one his due portion Judgment to whom is belongs and this we likewise say that all that are not turned to the light are in the dark and are not turned to Christ who is the light of the world and was given for a Covenant of light and may not we justly say they are in the dark who are disputing against it though they say we judg them in saying so they are such to whom it belongs and Childrens bread is not for such he that can receive it let him and that Spirit whom we follow is the Spirit of Truth which we witness according to the promise of Christ which is infallible and so far as any are guided by it they are infallible and all others are in the dark let them profess what they will but here we leave him And come to other of his lyes viz. That amongst all the falfe wayes of Sathan there is none more pernicious and dangerous c. undermines the whole body of Truth makes an end of Christ in his person offices power and being as man all at once and so makes an end of justification and salvation all at once makes an end of the authority of the Scriptures c. at once What a heap of lyes are here at once surely as a fountain easteth out her waters so dost thou thy wickedness but now examine his evidence this as others is affirmed in his Dialogue without offering any and in his Glass he saith that this is all true is manifestly cleared for none rootes up all at once like this the person of Christ see Naylor in his love to the lost Concerning Christ he humbled himselfe and became obedient to the death that he might become a living example to all Generations which no creature
But he goes on in his old way saying That they will not enter unless they may enter by their own righteousness and not by the blood of the Covenant First by the blood of the Covenant you will not enter that is clearly often proved We say it hath been falsely charged but never yet proved for Christ Jesus we witnesse to be a Covenant of Light and an entrance into the Kingdome which is everlasting by faith in his blood to us is administred by which we are redeemed from our former vain conversation and from whom we receive power and strength to do his will and not our own who of God is made unto us wisdome righteousness sanctification and redemption He further sayes Then it must be by your own righteousnesse if you expect to enter but in truth you never look to come there We answer as before an entrance is freely administred unto us into the kingdome which is everlasting but not by our own righteousnesse for we suffer the losse of it with our bodily exercises will-worship voluntary humilities with vain imitations forms and traditions which we sometimes lived in while short of the life which none knows but they that hath the Son in whose righteousnesse alone we now stand and rejoyce in the losse of our own that we might be found alone in him in whom is acceptance the will the deed and the power is onely his and so is the glory for ever And then T. C. brings these words of J. N. There is a seed to which the promise of Redemption is c. Doth not the Apostle say the same in effect The promise is to the seed not seeds as of many c And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed c. J. N. also saith All who know the redemption of Christ by his precious blood are redeemed from the vain conversation c. And much more he hath to the same purpose wherein he clearly and fully declares that he owns Justification and Redemption of persons not by their own rigteousnesse but by the blood of Christ and so the witnesse Th. Collier produces for him is found to give testimony against him Another charge against us is That we leave the weighty things of faith and obedience to the Laws and Ordinances of Christ as vile and contemptible And for his proof he saith This is a truth there needs no proof But we say this is a lye that cannot be proved But he goes on with his work saying Else what means not onely their leaving undone the Ordinances of Christ as Baptisme Church-fellowship breaking of bread c. Even the whole profession of the faith of the Gospel but reproaching it and those who in faithfulnesse to Jesus Christ walk in obedience to Christ therein Now this we say as before the Ordinances of Christ do we own and his dayly cross do we witness yea one Baptism even the Baptism of Christ have we received and are baptized into his death and the fellowship of his sufferings being content patiently to suffer with him for a while that we may reign with him for ever yea and Church fellowship are we brought into and live in where our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ where all the faithfull feeds at one Table and drinks of one Fountain being heirs of one inheritance and the life and power of the Gospel do we partake of and far from reproaching it or any others the Lord is our witness for by him are we taught better things and all those who in faithfulnesse obey him we dearely own and in the life have unity with but such as we find making a profession of the name of Christ his Ordinances the Faith of the Gospel and obedience to him and know not his voice but are setting up their own inventions imitating such as went before without their Authority and knows not the true Faith which purifies the heart gives victory over sin and the World but are drawing Iniquity with cords of vanity abhominations reigning not Christ iniquities apparently written in their foreheads not the Fathers name these are they who professe God in words but in deeds deny him against all such do we bear testimony and let such as names the name of Christ depart from Iniquity for because of such things is the wrath of God revealed and let all those who professe the faith of the Gospel shew it by their vvorks of Righteousness and not live in vvorks of vvickedness for vve dare not count them clean vvhich are vvicked but in the name and fear of the Lord vve say vvo unto them that call evil good and good evil that put darknesse for light and light for darknesse and are dravving Iniquity vvith cords of vanity Then he produces J. N. in his love to the Lost concerning Baptisme where he saith their forms of Water and God cannot be limited to any form or rudiment now J. N. is speaking of such as keep themselves disputing and jangling about outward ceremonies in an imitation of Johns Ministry calling it the Baptism of Christ but so far from the power of Christ or John as not come to the form of either and saith their form of Water and God cannot be limitted c. And we say such may well be called formes of Water who are thus taking on them forms but are from the life and power as their own Confession witnesse Tiverton writing T.C. further saith let them not think this will be a good excuse for them in the great day of the Lord that we took them up from the Letter to which we say the day is come that they that worship God must worship him in Spirit and in truth and for all your litteral obedience you are no better then those of whom the Lord speaks Isa 1. While your abhominations are thus reigning your iniquities apparently written in your foreheads and you drawing it with cords of vanity and are mockers of God formall in holy duties and the World like a canker hath eaten out all the divine sweetness of regenerating sanctifying grace c. as witnesse your own confession in Tiverton writing ' hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voyce of the Lord wash you make you clean c. but T.C. farther saith God can and doth limit his people to a visible Rule and order wherein they shew their faith in him love to him and his Authority over them c. We say that God hath according to his promise tent the spirit of truth which guides his people into all truth and put his Law in their hearts and written it in their inward parts c. And this the Saints in scripture witnessed and by it were kept unto him with whom we give in this testimony that the spirit of truth is come which guides into all truth and all those who are led by it are the Sons of God and so of the
the world as the Scriptures declare him or thou wilt be deceived in the day of tryal when thou lookest for salvation by him We further say we own him as the Scriptures testifie of him even the Light of the world the way to the Father the life 's the truth the mighty power of God He further goes on page 14. saying Read your confusion you blinde Quakers The Apostle saith he had not attained neither was he perfect c. We say we presse towards the mark for the price of our high calling of God in Christ Jesus And let as many as be perfect be thus minded And if Paul had attained Christ dost thou say he had not attained perfection For Christ is perfect and he saith Let as many as be perfect c. Was not he himselfe one of those many and so we say we have attained to that which is perfect and are pressing forward And mayest not thou as well charge Paul for blindnesse and confusion as we who owned and witnessed perfection and yet was pressing forward Again he saith Prove that ever any of the Saints in Scripture did like you Quakers say they were perfect here any otherwise then by faith in Christ which we own and witnesse We say do wee own it otherwise then by saith in Christ and in this faith do wee witnesse victory over sin and the World but for thee to say which we own and witness what doth it profit for this that know O vaine man that faith without workes is dead now what works or fruites doth thy faith produce who art Drawing Inquity with Cords of vanity and whose Abhominations are reigning in thee c. as wittnesse Tiverton writing what are these but fruites of Sodome and Clusters of Gomorrah therefore cease thy profession of faith untill it produce better fruits but thou thy selfe wilt own some were perfect in the Scripture why then dost thou bid us prove it that is sincere upright walking with God c. wee say wee own it no otherwise but according to the Scriptures for no workers of Inquity can stand in his presence nor walke with him now from this perfection thou art far off who while thou pretendest to wait for the Counsell of the Lord Confessest thou art Drawing Iniquity with Cords of vanity art Lukewarme formall in holy Dutyes this is far from Sincerity and uprightness pag. 15 Thou farther sayst All that Do indeed Quake and tremble at the word of the Lord will quake tremble at the Delusions of these poore blind deluded people that are deceiving and deceived here the Deceiver is talking of Deceiving and being deceived Wee say let the Hypocrite first pull the Beam out of his own Eye before hee meddle with a mote in anothers thou sayest thou knowest the Letter of Scripture is the Rule of Saints and the Spirit the Guide to that Rule wee say the Letter kills but the Spirit gives life that which the Scripture declares to be the Saints guid Rule and Leader wee own and have formerly declared but what guide and rule dost thou walke by as thy practise and Confession declare is it not the Prince of Darknesse and his Laws therefore cease talking of the Saints Rule and guide while thou art thus Ignorant of it and walking Contrary to it And so now thou concludest thy Lyes Lightness scoffes Reproaches and Slanders saying I say no more but leave them to the Lord whom I earnestly desire in mercie to looke upon them c. wee say let him that mentions the name of God depart from Iniquity for the prayers of the wicked are an abhomination to the Lord and if the Lord will not heare them that regard Iniquity in their hearts shall such be heard whose Iniquities are apparently written in their Foreheads and are Drawing of it with Cords of vanity wee farther say with the Lord wee rest in his armes are wee preserved from the wicked who bend their bowes shoot out their arrowes even bitter words yea in vaine do they plott and Imagin mischiefe their Snare is broken and wee are escaped and the Mischiefe which they causelessly devised against the Innocent is fallen upon their own heads glory to the Lord for ever As for that which hee calls Naylors exaltation in the west wee refer as formerly to George Bishops Booke in Answer to Ralph Farmer intitled the throne of truth exalted And thus have wee brought this Glass to the Light wherein whosoever impartially views it may easily observe what it represents and is contained in it it Beares the Image of the Prince of darknesse and containes many absurdities contradictions Lyes slanders and reproaches yet affirmed and published with as much impudency as falsness as if the Author neither feared God nor regarded man so this Day the Scripture is fullfilled in our Eyes and Eares that the Enemies of God have consulted together with one consent and are confederate against the Lord the tabernacles of Edom and the Ishmaelites of Moab and the Hagarius Geball and Amon and Amalick the Philistians with the inhabitants of Tyre The Lord having now appeared in great Love power and Magesty to gather a remnant out off and from all kindreds tongues Nations and families of the Earth to beare Testimony against all the unrighteous Deeds of the World all Nations kinreds formes sects and professions are now consulting and taking counsell together against this Remenant and are drawing up their forces against the holy City Ashur also is joyned with them hee that hath an eare to heare let him heare but this Mount Sion can never be moved for God is in the midest of her and though her gates stand upon by Day yet no uncleane thing can ever enter therein neither any that worketh abhomination or that loveth maketh a lye but only they whose names are written in the Lambs booke of life And therefore why do the heathen rage and the people imagine Mischiefe for ye shall bee slain all the sort of you as a broken wall and a sa tottering sence shall ye be whose fall comes suddenly without remedy for he that sits in the heavens laughs yea the Lord hath you exceedingly in derision hee hath set his King upon his holy hill of Sion Who doth and shall reigne till all his Enimies be made his foot stool the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it A few words in Answer to Thomas Colliers Queries Query 1. Whether ever the Prophets Christ or the Apostles did teach a Doctrin as you have amongst you viz to look to the Light within for salvation but rather to Jesus Christ without and what he had done for finners without them Act. 13.38.39 and 16.31 Answ We answer Moses directed to the Word nigh in the heart and in the mouth which Paul saith was Christ and if in the heart then within and Paul saith that this was the Mistery that God would make known to the Gentiles Christ in us the hope of glory and Christ himselfe saith except
you eate my flesh and drinke my Blood you have no life in you if they eate and drinke it it was within them and for the Scriptures by thee alleadged the words without is not at all in them Quer. 2. Whether Christ by his Spirit in the Gospel Ministration do not lead Soules to the beholding of what Christ hath done without them for them yea or nay according to 1 Cor. 15.3 Acts 13.39 2. Answ The Mistery to be Manifested to the Gentiles was Christ in them and Paul travelled that Christ might be formed in the Galathians and the anointing dwelt in the Saints and Christs righteousnesse was to be fullfilled in them and know you not that Jesus Christ is in you except yee be reprobates and the Word without is not mentioned in the Scriptures by thee alleadged Quer. 3. Whether it be fair dealing for your teachers who pretend they own the Scriptures to call it litterall and deny it to be the word of God as Naylor in his love to the lost Concerning the word pag. 14.15 how often doth hee call the Scriptures the Letter as distinct from the word men say the Letter is it c. yet are not ashamed to call their false and nonsensicall sayings the word of the Lord wittness Fox in his word to the Jewes and another to the Gentiles concludes in both that this is the Word of the Lord to you c. and Burrough in his Trumpet his word must be the Word of God believe it those that list Answ If the Scriptures be written with Letters is it not Litteral and the scripture declareth that Christ is the Word of God and hee was in the beginning all things were made by him now where doth the Scripture say so of it selfe and if the word was in the beginning and all things made by it then it must of necessity bee distinct from the Letter now that we call our false and nonsensicall sayings the word of the Lord is false for hee hath not proved the sayings of George Fox or Edward Burrough alleadged by him either false or nonsensicall but if G. Fox Edward Burrough or any other did receive a Message from the Lord to Jewe or Gentile they might say thus saith the Lord and if they write it the writing is a Declaration of it Q 4. Whether there be not a difference between the Word God and the Word of God the Word Christ and the Word of Christ Answ In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and God was the word he was cloathed with a vesture dipt in blood and his name is the Word of God and Paul saith Ephe. 3.17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts c. and Coll. 3.16 let the word of Christ dwell in you c. wee make no more difference between them then Paul or John doth Q. 5. Whether God hath not ever since hee hath been minstering to men by a word or law written Required his people to walke according to the word or Law of the Ministration under which they lived Answ These are the last Dayes wherein the Lord hath according to his promise written his Law in the hearts of his people and this is the Ministration which the Saints live under the anointing dwelling in them and therefore to be obeyed the Mistery made manifest Christ in us the hope of glory Q 6. Whether God hath not broken to pieces and brought to shame all that have turned aside from the written word as a Rule And whether the Quakers be not now going down by the righteous hand of God as the Ranters have done before them Answ That Prophet is now witnessed of whom Moses testified and whosoever will not heare this Prophet shall be cut off yea and broken to pieces all those who will not have him to reigne shall be ssaine before him and although those who now heare witnesse unto him to be the Light the way the truth the word their King Prince Leader and Lawgiver whom this generation calls Quakers may be persecuted scorned reproached slandered scourged imprisoned and slain yet wee are not forsaken by the Lord but the truth prospers and many faithful witnesses are raised up to beare testimony against deceit and Deceivers and the hand of the Lord is with us and against all our Enemies but our Kingdome is not of this world for the Disciple is not above his Lord but the wicked may say there is no help for him in his God and that the Lord hath forsaken him Query 7. Whether seeing that Christ hath foretold that in the last days deceivers should come it might not be your wisdome yet once more to bring your Principles to the tryall of the sanctuary and not to be so over-hold and confident in your way especially there having been so many before you as confident as you whose confidence came to folly it 's never too late to repent if the Lord give grace Answ Deceivers we know are in the world and by their fruits we know them in that Writing from Tiverton thou hast markt out thy self to be one of them as that 's an infallible mark to cry peace to the wicked and art not ashamed to bid those rejoyce whose Iniquities are apparently written in their fore-heads abhominations reign are drawing iniquity with cords of vanity and tell them their King comes in righteousness and in peace More marks thre are of a Deceiver in that Writing which we refer the Reader unto there to minde And as for our Principles they are tryed and weighed in the ballance of the Sanctuary yea tryed in the fire and for the Truth we are bold as Lyons and this confidence we shall never cast away The hope of the wicked shall perish but they that trust in the Lord shall never be ashamed and that repentance do we witness never to be repented of Query 8. Whether the 2 of Tim. 3.15 16 17. be not Scripture where the Apostle saith that the Scripture is able to make wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus and is profitable for reproof for correction c. and is able to make the man of God perfect and thoroughly to furnish him to every good worke And if so why do you so much plead against the rules of Scripture and the Ministry that is according to the Scripture Answ Yea we own it to be Scripture and profitable and with it we correct thee who art found contrary to the Ministry that is according to it And seeing that it 's profitable for the man of God why dost thou plead so much against the Rules of Scripture who sayest perfection is not attainable here but it seems thou excludest thy selfe from being a man oâ— God Quer. 9. Whether Timothy and Titus were Ministers of Christ And if so why do you not rayl at them as well as at us who received their rule without them from the Apostle Paul and not from the Light within as you pretend Answ They were Ministers
Scripture be fulfilled in you even to reject Jesus the Light of the World and choose a Murtherer joyne with any rather then children of Light How can it be otherwise seeing many of you are just fencing your selves against the Truth and not therewith content but are likewise what in you lyeth making bars and fences for those that you judge are weaker lest they should own it and not onely refusing to enter the Kingdome your selves but shutting it up against others Your zeale for God being turned against Truth in a great measure and nothing you account so dangerous and so much cry out against Even for this have teares been shed for you in secret your piety is now turned into policy complying with the world lest you should suffer by them Consider in the cool of the day what 's the difference between you and the vvorld Doe you not speak when you will and pray when you vvill go vvhen you vvill and come vvhen you vvill as the vvorlds Teachers do Dare any of you say you speak as the Oracles of God or as you are moved of the Holy Ghost and as the Spirit gives you utterance Even that which your eyes have seen your eares have heard and your hands have handled of the word of life Doe you not rather steale the words of the true Prophets Christ and the Apostles being strangers to their Life and enemies to that Spirit they were guided by and so run in your owne wills not knowing another to gird you and carrie you whether you would not crying peace to the wicked as the worlds Teachers do But woe is to the wicked and to them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity even now pronounced from the same Spirit as formerly it was and this shall stand in heaven against you all that live in it pleads for it and cry peace to it let your profession be what it will And therefore we perswade and beseech you to be reconciled to God Wash you make you clean put away from you the evill of your doings Cease to do evill learn to do well c. And this know by your owne power nor in your own wills you can never do it but you must believe in obey follow be guided and led by him who is the Light of the world and leads contrary to the will of man in which all sin is committed and so leads to do the will of another and they onely are happy that knowes him borne in them the first taken away and the second established So this we say to you There is no other name given under heaven by which men can be saved but the name of Jesus he that saves his people from their sins and preached himselfe the Light of the World He that reproves in secret for that which none can lay to your charge not onely for wicked actions but for idle and unprofitable words and vaine thoughts and blessed are all they vvho knovv him their guide and leader King and Lavv-giver and are vvholly subject to him they shall reigne vvith him upon Mount Sion and shall sing that nevv song vvhich none can sing but the Redeemed from the Earth He that hath an ear to heare let him heare So the vvay to true peace is through the svvord the vvay to life through death the vvay to obtaine mercie is through judgement the vvay to reign is to suffer vvith him and this must all vvitnesse in the particular all must know the living slain and the dead raised by the mighty power of God and such as have part in the first Resurrection on such the second death hath no power And therefore we warn you all in love to your souls that ye wander not abroad salvation must be witnessed at home or all is vain We further say as living witnesses for the Lord we now stand who have obtained mercy after long travail and cruell bondage under the oppressor wandring from Mountain to Hill and groaning under the burthen of corruption as we are perswaded some of you do Yea we could even have laid down our earthly tabernacle to have been rid of it but in all professions that we were the enemie carried us captive for vvhich vve vvept in secret and oft bevvailed our conditions and breathed for deliverance but knevv not hovv to obtain it sinking under the burthen vvithout hope of relief in this vvofull sad and lamentable estate vvhere vve long continued and had untill this day had not the Lord in his eternall love revealed his Son in us vvhom vve vvitnesse is mighty to save and on whom only salvation is laid even the light of the world he that shevved us sin and made manifest our conditions and oft times had called upon us to turn from the evill of our ways but vve knevv him not and as soon as vve believed that this was he not looking for another but gave up to be guided by him that discovered our lost estates the vvar vve soon vvitnessed betvveen Light and Darknesse the Lamb and the Dragon in the particular even such dayes as vve had not knovvn since the foundation of the world And this vve found the same that made manifest sin gave victory over it vve standing single in it adding nothing to it nor joyning any thing of our ovvn vvith it but let the Lord vvork his ovvn vvork and so dominion vve vvitness over those sins that we so long had groaned under and now we know Jesus a Saviour from sin and a Redeemer from iniquity glory to his name for ever and ever in whose saving health we now-rejoyce even with joy unspeakable which none can take from us And verily the desire of our souls is that ye may come to partake of this joy with us and the way how we came to it have we truly laid down before you and no other end have we in declaring this but our earnest desire of your eternal happinesse being pressed in spirit to it by the Lord who bears record to the truth of our hearts herein Oh that you could receive our testimonie yea the testimonie of the Lord by us Oh! that that eye might be opened in you which the God of this world hath blinded That you might know in this your day the things that belong to your peace before they be hid from your eyes and the day of your visitation passe over your heads For verily your leaders cause you to erre by their lyes and lightnesse and have cryed peace unto you when the sword of the Lord pierces to the very soule Oh! return return to him who is the Light of the world who is made manifest within who is the living bread which came down from heaven whose flesh is meat indeed and whose blood is drinke indeed and no longer seek your food in desolate places and hew unto your selves broken Cisterns that will hold no water For 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 And if you walke in darknesse and say you have fellowship with him ye lye and do not the truth but if you walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sinne And therefore no longer wander abroad for the Kingdome of God is within you And say not in your selves who shall ascend up into heaven to bring Christ down to us For the word is nigh unto you even in the heart and in the mouth he that can receive it let him And now are vve clear in the sight of God concerning you whether you heare or forbear and though Israel be not gathered yet a good savour shall we be unto the Lord both in them that are saved and in them that perish Oh! slight not the counsel of the Lord unto you by those who sometime drunk of the Cup of fornication with you and since have drunk of the Cup of tribulation yea of the Lords indignation but now drinke of the cup of consolation and salvation and are well knovvn unto many of you by the names of Streat the 21 day of the fourth moneth 1658. John Pitman Jesper Batt THE END