••: J. ■ T 'v - • , ■.>■■ ■■ ,'•; # _ r ',f^S^'' /. j^if , r$ ^ ^^ ^ tltt ®I?Mlngtr£t/ PRINCETON, N. J. %.. Division. Section . Qv/r i %70A^^ J^et^lt.y: OF S U N D R Y/^^^ AW BOOK "Efiflles and Tapers WRITTEN BY Barnes J^aplet, Some of wliich \y^re nevcK before Printed. • ■* W l^ H AN Impartial ^ELATIO N Ai/t^ T H E Moft Remarkable T r a n s a c t i o n s Relating to His LIFE. Dan. II. 35. And. form of them of Vnderftandirjg Jh^U fiU to Vy them, md t pi'-^ge-, and to make them vohitSy &c. Micah 7. 8. J{e Joyce not agdnft me^ 0 mine Enemy, when J fall I jhall rife, . N. we were furprizVl and griev'd that he fuffered them fo to fol- low and expofe him, to make a Fool and Gazing- ftock of him, without reprehending them, which gave liis Adverfaries and Ferfecutors the chief Ad- vantage againft him upon his Examination before the Committee of Parliament. His Forbearing in due time to teliifie againft the Folly of thofe his Follow- ers (who magnified him) was his great Weaknefs and Lofs of Judgment, and brought the greater Suf- fering upon him, Poor Man! Though when he was delivered out of tlie Snare, he did condemn all their wild and mad Actions toward him, and judged him- felf alfo: Howbeit, our Adverfaries and Perfecutors unjuftly took Occafion thereupon, to triumph and in- fult, and to reproach and roar againft Quakers^ tho' as a People wholly unconcernal and clear from thofe Occafions and Offences. But however the cruel and barbarous Ufage whi.h the faid J. N. met withal f-emed to be fo intoller- able, as might tend to fitisfie the higheft Revenge, and ( XI ) and mitigate the greateft Fury, and abate the loudeft Clamour and Reproach of the moft invidious Perfe- cutors and Adverfaries. For a Man to be fentenced " to ftand Two Hours in the Villory at Wefimmftery ^' and from thence to be H'^hip'd by the common ' " Hangman over every Kjnnell as far as the OU Ex- " charfge with Three Hundred and Ten Stripes^ and " there again to ftand Two Hours in the Ti/lorj^ and *^ hored thoroiv the Tongue with an Hot Iron^ under *' Pretence of Blafphemy, when no real Proof could ^^ be made thereof againft him. Wliich Treatment " and Ufage the faid 5^. A^. met withal. This might ^^ feem intollerable Barbarity exceeding '^jews or Turks. " Many fober Men and Perfons of Quality were a- ^^ fhamed thereof, and greatly pitied him, and fomp " Petitioned the Parliament to refpite the Execution " of the la ft Part of the Sentence for One Week's " Time, becaufe the Sufferer was in a very ill and ^^ dangerous Condition of Body, by the Severities he ^' had fuffered from the firft Part of the Sentence ; " which Refpit was granted. But about One Hun- " dred and Ten Perfons prefented another Petition at ^^ the Bar of the Houfe of Commons, begging that " the remaining Part of the Sentence againft ^f. A^. ^^ might be remitted. Which not producing the de- " fired Effeft, they Addreffed Oliver^ then LordTro^ ^' tector^ (as he was termed) by Petition, That he " being jointly Jnterefted in the Proceeding of the then " V art lament and Liberty of Conscience (pretended) &c. '' would pleaje to jland up for the Poor People of God^ " and take fuch Courfe as that the intended Execution^ ^' and remaining Punifloment again fc the faid J. N. might *' he remitted and prevented. But he (lightly turn'd *' it off, rather feeming to take for granted, that the '^ Sufferer might be guilty of tlie Crimes imputed to ^ him, ( xii ) *^ him, yet defired that the Houfe would let him " know, the Grounds and Reafons whereupon they '' had proceeded ; which feemed a Poor Shift and " Evafion ! " Notwithftanding all which Sollicitations the Sen- ^' tence of Parliament took Place, and was Executed " upon the faid J. A. iVarr. p. 54, 55, 56, All which Severities appeared to be defigned to bring Odiums and Reproach upon us as a People, and our Holy Profeffion : For in thofe Days the high and proud Profeffors and Perfccurors were generally bit- terly fet againft the People called Quakers^ when Presbytery and Indefendency fwim\l and floated in Pro- feffion, and witli their long Leftures againft us cried out, Thefe are the Antichrijis come in the lafi Times ^ &c. ^ For at that time in December^ 1656. were feveral ^' Petitions prefented to the Parliament, containing ^^ Complaints againft the Growth and Exorbitances of <►' the People call'd ^^^Avirj, {rom Minifiers^ AUgiJlrates ^' and others of the Counties and Cities following, viz. ^' Devon and Exeter^ Northumberland^ Durham and Nerv^ '^ cafile upon Tine^ County of Chefier and City of ^' Chefier^ City of Briftol and County of Cornwall. " Which faid Petitions were all refer'd to a Com- ^ mittee to confider of them, and to colled fuch ^^ Heads as might be fitteft for a Billy for Stiffrefjing ^^ of the Mischiefs and Iriconveniencies complained of *^ therein. Narr. p. 37. Notej It was obfervable, How bufie the Proud, Covetous and Envious Priefts were in thofe Days, to ificenfe the Magiftrates againft us, to make them tlieir Servants and Drudges in Perfecution, fuppofing That a Fit Opportunity given them to brand us with Blafphemy, and under that Pretence to fupprefs us by Force of Perfecution. Howbeit ( xiii ) Howbeit by all the ftriO: Inquifition made upon the faid J. N. and fevere Proceedings againfl: him, and Reproaches and Aggravations thereupon, to make him guilty of Blafphemy, I never underftood that he alTumed, or arrogated to himfelf the Nam.es or Titles of Jcf^^ or Chrijt \ but contrarywife confeffed to his Inquifitors of the Committee and Parliament, That he did not call himfelf by that Name, nor underftood that they (who took his Part) meant fo of himfelf being a njtlible Creature^ not God nor Chrift ; But what all true Chriftians and Children of God believe and own, That God was his Father^ and that he knew Chrift in Meafure to be fpiritually IN HIM by his Holy Spirit, Light and Grace, as he is in all his Saints and true Believers; which is no Blafphemj,, but true Chriftian Doftrine : And neither w^as this any Denyal of Chrift come in the Flefli, nor to fet up any other for Jefus Chrift, but the fame MeJJiahy the very Chrift the Son of the Living God, born of the Virgin Mary at "Bethlehem in Judeay wdiofe Coming in the Flefli, and Revelation and Coming in Spirit, are both teftified in Holy Scripture ; confequently neither Blafphemy nor Antichriftian Doflrine could be proved from confefling Chrift in either Refpecl, feeing neither w^ere denied, but owned according to our Chriftian Principle and Doftrine. After I and fome other Friends came to be releaf- ed out of a clofe, long and hard Confinement (in Edwrwdsl?ury~Go'd\ in the County of Sujfolk) v/hich was in the Years 1655 and 1656. I came to London^ and went to fee the faid J. A', then Prifoner in theG^?r^- houjc at Weftrntnfier^ but cculd not get into the Room w^here he was, but faw him and fpake to him thorow the Grate of the Door, to know how he did ? He booked on me, but laid utrle : he feemM to be in ( xlv ) "in a fufFering Condition of Spirit, as well as Body. The faid Martha Simmondsy with fome other Wo- men that had cried him up, and followed him to his Prejudice, being in another Room, I went up to fee them, and Martha underlianding who I was, began furioufly to judge me, telling me, All that I had done m:i(i come to the Fire : But when I foberly queftioned her Judgment, fhe could render no Reafon for the fame; but perfi^fed in her ralli uncivil Behaviour and Folly, which I teftified againiT:, and cleared my Confciencc before the Company with her ; for I was fenfible a great Darknefs was then over them. Having lately perufed the Narrative of the faid jf. A''s Examination before the Committee and Houfe of Commons in Parliament, and compared Matters of Fact and his cruel Sufferings, i find his Punifh- ment fo far from being Secundum qualitatem^ & quanti^ tatem delicti, that they far exceed both, confequently Arbitrary, and extreamly unjuft and barbarous. For I/?, He fuffered chiefly for the Offence of other Perfons with him, their giving him fach high Ho- nour or Homage, as they did in a publick Manner, efteeming him as a great and eminent Prophet of the moft High, replenilliM with Chrift, or partaking of his Fulnefs above his Brethren, to make Divifioa between him and them. 2. He did not rebuke nor rejeO: them therein ; but quietly fuflered them in their fuperftitious Behaviour and high Acclamations, which was from Privation of true Judgment, and his great Wcaknefs and In- ^ difcretion, difowned by his true Friends and Bre- thren. 2. By confeffing himfelf to be but a 'vifible Crea-^ ' turey and did not own nor attribute to himfelf the Name of Jjfus or Chrift, he did thereby endeavour to ( ^v) to free and quit liimfelf from their Charge of Blai- phemy, who fought fuch Occafion againfl him, to colour over and excufe their own Severities. 4. It was certainly Satan in his Transformings that made Ufe of Inftruments to betray him into Divifioa and Difunion with his Brethren and Friends, and it was the Devil in his great Envy and Malice, that made Ufe of Inftruments to ufe him inhumanely and barbaroufly, as aforefaid, to bring Reproach upon the Lord's People and Heritage. But our God fuflFered thefe Tryals and Hardfliips to try and difcovermany high ProfelTors of Chriftianity in thofe Days ; and how far contrary thereto, their Aftions of Cruelty did openly^ manifefl:. And alfo the Lord our God gave us his Innocent People Faith and Patience to bear them ; Bleffed be his Name for ever. When I underftood what Offence J. N. had given, and what Sufferings fell upon him, and Reproach upon us thereby, I often remembred and conlldered the Prophecy of D.^miel, Chap. 11. ? 5. And fom^ of them of Underjlanding {hall fall to try tlmn^ and. to fiirge^ and to make them white : Even to the Time of \be End, &c. Ver. 54. Now when they jhal/ fall they fjjall be holpen voith a little Hd^ ; hut ?nany fjall cleave to them with Flatteries. Some of thefe Things came to pafs in the Condi- tion and Cafe of J. N. He was a Man of Under- ftanding, yet had a Fall : Flatterers did cleave unto him, but he was holpen with a little Help^ yet ia great Mercy and Compaffioa to him. When 7. N. was Prifoner in Old Bridewell in Lon- don, It pleafed the Lord to afford him a freQi Vifi- tation, and to open his Underftanding, and remove the Cloud that had^ been over him, whereupon he wrote fome brief 1 efrimoxiies to clear and vindicate the ( xvi ) the Truth which had deeply fuffered on this Account, as before. Serious Reader (by the Way) Note, That there are Marginal Notes added to the before-mentioned Nar- rative of the Farliament'^s Proceedings againjl J. N. (by what Hand I know not) wherein fome Scrip- tures in theMargent are mifapplied, though the Nar- rative it felf appears impartial. After the faid J. N. was brought under Suffering and Contempt through the Folly of that Party that too highly applauded him, and his too much fuf- fering them without reprehending them in due Sea- fon; fome other Perfons of a loofe Ranting Spirit got up, and frequently difturbed our Friends Meet- ings in London^ by their Ranting, Singing, Bawling and Reproaching us, crying out againft divers of our faithful Minifters and their Teftimonies, in this man- ner, vtz. Tou have lofl the Power '^ Tou have ,lofi the. Power J S^c. All which Diforder and that wicked Spirit J, N. condemned, being heartily forry that they had any Strength upon his Account ; as he fig- nified when the Lord had brought him under Judg- ment. And of this turbulent Company was one Mildred^ an impudent Woman, and Two or Three Rude Boy- fterous Fellows, who were Ranters ; and this kind of their Dilturbance continued for fome Weeks, until the L )nd by his Power ftop'd and confounded them, fo as Laey came to nought. One iicbert Rich^ a Merchant in Londo^fy who had been cu evinced of Truth, he was a great Admirer of J. y . and did much appear and foUicit for him, when lie was under Profecution and Examination be- fore ( xvii ) fore the Parliament, and alfo ftood by him on the Pillory, when he fuffered under the cruel Sentence of Boring through the Tongue, and Stigmatizing with an hot Iron, and then publickly lick'd his Wounds, thereby fliewing his great Affeftion to him. After fometime the faid Rol?ert Rich went into "Barbadoesy where (as we had Account) he was turbulent in our Friends Meetings with Noify Singing, 6"c. to theOiFence.of fober Friends there. After fome Years he returned to Londo?jy and came into fome of our Meetings, and walked up and down therein in a ftately Manner (having a very long White Beard) in his Black Velvet Coat, witlx a loofe hanging Cloth One over it. When he heard fomething declared that pleafed him, he would cry Amen^ Arnen^ Amen. After a Meeting in White-Hart-Court in Graciom- Street^ he came up into Gerard Robertas Room to fome of us, and declared unto me thefe Words, 'viz. I am one of the Dogs that licked Lazarus his SoreSh I had fome Difcourfe with the faid R. R. an- other Time, about the Seed of God (the Eternal Word) in Man and the Soul of Man ; and he could " not diftinguifli them, putting no Difference between the Soul or Spirit of Man^ and that which faves it ; to wit, the Ingrafted Immortal iVord^ which is abh to fave the Soul. So that he feemed to leave no. room for the Immortality of the Soul of Man, but only of the Immortal Seed or fVord of God ; but difcourfing him a little clofely upon the Point, he put me off with an evafive Slight, faying, Thou art Wife in the Letter^ hut I am in that which is above thy IViJdom ; to wit, in the Mj(lerjy &c, , b As ( xviii ) As the Occafion and Beginning of this Tragedy which fell fo heavily and feverely upon poor J. A^. (as is before related) was introduced by a Spirit of. Dlvifion and Enmity^ it ended in a divided^ looje and fatlious Partjj which at laft the Lord deliver- ed him out of and from ; though fome were loft in it : For I never knew any open Schifm, Rent or Fa£lion made from our Chriftian Society by a partial Admiring and Setting up particular Men or Perfons, as Sett -Matters, but fome or other were Scattered and Loft in fuch a Breach, Divifion and Faftion, being turned afide from the Holy Com- mandment of Love, and from the Footfteps of Chrift's Flock and Family. Some of thofe Followers and Admirers of J, N. (v^hen in his clouded Condition) were puff'd up in their Imaginations concerning Him, as vainly Conceiting his Growth and Attainments in Chrift amounted to more Equality with Him (when on Earth) than is attainable by any particular Mem- ber; Probably miftaking that Scripture, Efhef, 4. 1 3 . Ttll we all meet together (or come) into the Unity of the faith^ and of the IQwwledge of the Son of God^ and to a perfect Man^ unto the Meafure of the Sta- ture ( or of die Age ) of the Fulnefs of Chrijl, Which is not predicated of any particular Member, but of the whole Body or Church, as united to Chrift the Head or Principal thereof; which there- fore is faid to be the Fulnefs of him that flleth all in all^ Ephef. i. 23. And is not meant as if every one (or any) of the Members in Particular fliould be equall with the Head, though every Member of Chrift be compleat and perfefl: in him ; And All the Members of the Church, (or Myftical Bo- dy) of Chrift are compleated in Him, as united in Spirit^, ( xix ) Spirit, in true Faith and Love unto Him, as their Head, their Life and Nouriihmeiit, their Strength and Salvation, (Coloff. 2. 9, 10, 19.^ It is the Head that fupplies all ; and they are all Partakers of his Fulnefs, as they receive thereof, Grace for Grace. But u^to every One of us is given Grace^ according to the Meafure of the Gift of Chrift^ EpIieC 4. 7. whereby w^e all may jointly, as One Man in Chriftour Head, One Body united to and in Him, attain unto the Meafure of t!ie Stature of the Ful- nefs of Chrift, Efhef Chap. 4. Ver. 13. But when any one of us, or any Living Member of Chrift's Body, receive of his Grace, Spirit, Power or Wif dom, it is by Meafure, as to us or our Capacities : But He (Christ Jesus) received the Spirit not hj Meafure but in Fulnefs ; All Power in Hsaver^ and Earth is given to the Son^ Matth. 2S. 18. It hath f leafed the Father ^ That in Him fJjould all FuU nefs dwell : And He is the Head of the Body of the Churchy and in All Things muft have the Frehernin- encey i Coloff. i* 18, 19. As Chrift is our Head, we are All Inferior to Him; and tlis Church is jubjeci to Him J Eph. 5. 24. And if any of them who too highly Admired jf. A^. would alledge Phil. 2. 5. Let the fame Mind be in you that was even in Chrtjt Jefus^ who being in the Form of God^ thought it no Robbery to be equal with God, &c. The fame Mind that was to be ia them, was his Humble, Lowly, Self-denying Mindj wherein He made Himfelf of no Reputation, but • hnmbled Himfelf, and becdme Obedient to the Death of the Crofi. This was a Mind meet for Believers,, ' and not to think themfelves equal with GOD or CHRIST. b 2 The ( XX ) The GaUtlans^ when they fo highly admired the Apoftle Paul at fir ft, that they received him as an Angel of God ; yea, as Chrijl jf^/*V until he in his Wifdom made way to fend unto thee, which was done, and he alone feen in giving it to thee, which that I feel moving in thee, from whence thou haft given forth, fince I fent unto thee, hath in meafure anfwered. Blefled be the Name of the Lord, who in meafure hath given thee Power over that Spirit which the Righteous Seed groaned under; Let this Mercy be prized, and in the Light wait to be kept Single to the Lord, He will bring again all that hath been driven away 5 they return- ing again to his Counfel, the Light, in which the dear Babes and Children of my Father grow in the Unity, and bring forth much Fruit in the Power of his Love ^ and great is the Increafe of his Flock all abroad, and his Powerful Prefence keeps them favory and fweet in his Life, to the Praife and Glo- ry of his Name over all, who alone is worthy. Amen, - w, 2). Copy'd from the Original, in his own Hand, To all the Nearly beloved People of God, Mercy and T^eace. THERE is nothing dear and precious to me in this World but God's Truth, and his Life of Righteoufnefs 5 for which I have forfaken all the World, and whatever was dear to me therein, I have hated and counted it as an Enemy, that I might ob- tain Chrift, the Fountain and Spring of that Eter- nal Life of Truth, the Beauty whereof I cannot ei- prefs, as I fee it and feel it 5 the Lovelinefs thereof to my Soul h^th fo dearly united my Spirit to all that ( xxviii ) that tear the Image and Life of it, that there can ^^^^^'^be no Separation, but my Life fufFers thereby : And I can truly lay, That there is no other thing what- foever that can unitj me as one with any Creature living, but this Lnage and Life, where I fee it born up, or breathing to Life-, but in whomfoever it be (without refpedt of Perfons) that I fee the leafl: ap- pearance of this Seed of Life is, I can (by that Power of Love the Father hath begotten in me) lay down my Life for the Seed's fake. And wherein I have come Ihort of this formerly, and have refpect- cd the High more than flood only in this Seed, I have been judged of the Lord, and my evil Thoughts therein condemned •, yea, and I do condemn them before all the World, to be of that which favours Self, and not tlie Things of Chrift : And the lower God doth bring me^ and the nearer to himfelf, the more doth this Love and Tendernefs fpring and fpread towards the poor, fimple, and defpifed Ones, who are poor in Spirit, meek and lowly Suffering Lambs ^ and with thofe 1 choofe to fuffer, and do fufFer, where- ever they are found , and I bear my Teflimony a- gainft that Spirit by which they fuffer, where-everit is found ^ and this lies upon me from the Lord : Hear- ing and feeling a Spirit of Enmity having got head, hy what the Lord hath fuffer'd to be done with me, and now doth exercife its Power againfl: the Peacea- ble Meetings of the Lord's People, the Burthen where- of lies heavy upon me, and I fuffer under it, and have long waited with Prayers, and Tears of Sor- row, Night and Day^ to receive Counfel from the Lord what to do in it, in that Condition I am now in at prefent: God knows, I lye not^ for there is Hothing of all my Hardihips that hath lain and doth lie upon me like this, that any of the Flock of God Ihould be offended, or fulfer through me -, therefore I have not ceafed to warn ( as God hath opened to me ) fuch as I could fpeak to, to live in Peace and Love^ to fuffer, but not to ad Strife and Violence^ and have denied that Spirit, not to be of the Lamb, but ( xxix ) but an Enemy to him, though the Creature may not know it, but may think it is doing God fervice^ C/VNiJ it being got above the fufFering Seed in themfelves, would fcatter and devour it in others: And this Spi- rit the Lord hathfliewed me, and its End, and hath. redeemed me from it by the Spirit of the Lamb-, and I Ihall never join, as Head or Tail, therewith ; but fhall earneftly pray to the Father, that a deep Search of Truth may ferioufly pafs through the Hearts and Reins of all Contenders, that all that ' are guilty herein may fpeedily come to Repentance, leafl: they be hardned therein, and there come a time when they would give whatever is dear to them for one Hour's Society with the People of God, and can- not obtain it ^ then with lamentable Woe fhall the Wrath of that be known, that is now trampled on, without the true Fear of God, or Life of his Love:^ And having at length received this Favour of the Lord, I have taken this time, in the tender Bowels of Love (as one wounded therewith) to warn you hereof: Befeeching you all, for the Lord JefusChrift s fake, that you all fearch low for the Bowels of him who loved you, and fuifered for you, when you were his Enemies, and put them on towards all Men, but efpecially towards one another, who have been called by one Spirit into one Truth ♦, that fo the ho- ly Spirit be no more grieved, nor Satan get any more advantage i whofe Work it is to fow DilTention, e- ven among Brethren. And the Lord God of Love give us all to fee, that v/hatever our Gifts or Powers be, yet if we have not the Life and Power of Love, it avails not vyith God, though Men may efteem of us never fo high : For only he that dwells in Love, knows God, and lives in him -, the reft know not what Spirit they are of. And this I feelingly declare, from that dear Love of God in me, begotten to all his People ^ whereby I am fo far from taking delight in troubling the People cf God, that their growth in Peace and Truth upon the Foundation laid already, was ne- ^ ver ( XXX ) ver fo much defirecl^ and my Love to them 55 daily IV*V>J increafed, beyond what I can here exprefs, yet the Lord knows it, and whence it is, whether it be re- ceiv'd by Men or no •, yet the Seed Ihall feel it (in God's time) to which it is, and in whofe Peace on- ly I have Peace ^ and I hope, in the Power of that Love, God will fo ftrengthen me, that nothing of Shame, Lofs, or Reproach, Ihall ever be too hard to take up for the Advancement thereof, as God Jhall Ihew and lead me therein, without whom I dare do nothing, left I deny his Work, or confound it with my own. And concerning you, the tender Plants of my Father, who havefuffered thro' me, or with me, in what the Lord hath fufferM to be done with me, in this time of great Tryal and Temptation ^ the Almighty God of Love, who hath numbred every Sigh, and put every Tear in his Bottle, Reward it a Thoufand told into your Bofoms, in the Day of your need, when you fhall come to be tryed and tempted ^ and in the mean time fulfil your Joy with his Love, which you feek after. The Lord knows, it was never in my Heart to caufe you to mourn, whofe Sufferings is my greateft Sorrow that ever yet came upon me, for you are Innocent herein : But the Envious One hath taken his advantage, which the Lord will turn to his difadvantage, and utter Ruin in many Souls ^ and in this believing is all my Reft, in my great trouble of Heart, concerning you or my felf ^ and in Patience I wait to fee it, when the Man of Sin hath had his time, to be revealed. For I have feen the good Hand of God working in it^ whofe End is good to all that love him, elfe had I been deftroyed e're this, fuch hath been the Violence of the Enemy of my Soul: But he hath njjmbred my Hairs, and not left me in the Fire or Water 5 when none elfe \7ere with me, thou waft my Com- forter. O that I may never hide thy Praife, by covering my Sin or Shame ! God forbid. By ( XXXI ) By a way unexpedled did the Lord open a way to declare thefe Words, all other means of writing be- O^''^ ing taken from me. Blefled be He, on whom I wait further to fee his Will, that I may do or fuf- fer it. The Vrefence ani Peace of the Almighty comfort hii Feopley zvhom Ifahite in the Bowels oj Love, James Mayler. I befeech you (all that can) to receive it, even as you would be received of the Lord ; and for the reft, the Lord give me Patience to fufFer,, till the Lord make up the Breach. To all the ^people of the Lordy every "where^ Gathered or Scattered. IN the Fear of God, and Love to his Truth, and People, do I declare, in the Spirit of Meeknefs, what hath long opprefTed my Soul, concerning thofe Unclean Spirits gone out from the Unity of Truth and Light, by which we have been called, and ga- thered into one in Chrift Jefus, the Head over all his, BlefTed for ever 5 whofe Name hath been great- ly diihonoured through many wild Actings, and his Innocent Spirit griex-^ed, and many fimple Souls de- ceived ^ many opprefTed, and many offended againfit the Truth, becaufe of thofe Spirits gone out from the Truth, and now fecretly, under a Pretence, feek daily to make it odious unto all. ( For which Work my Soul hath been inuch troubled:) Who to this Day raven about from Place to Place, amongft the People of God, feeking to enter where they can • andfotoftrengthen themfelves into Parties, to trou- ble fuch as they cannot enter, feeking to fpoyl the peaceable Paflure of the Lanibs, that they ihouM not feed in Ptace : And for that End, hunt after the Meetings of the People of God. All which Pradi- fes and Pretences, I deny in my Soul, and tliat Spi- rit that ads therein. And ( xxxiv ) fhould te deceived, and that fuch as are deceived ^XV^ already, might recover themfelves out of Satan's Snares 5 no felfifli End have I in it, God knoweth. And long time hath my Soul been in Travel, ere I could obtain Power herein, fo ftrongly hath he thai letteth withftood my Way. Therefore in the Bowels of tender Love, I warn you all, to take heed how you ever come under that Spirit under any pretence whatfoever 5 but let the Fear of God, and found Judgment in the Spirit of Meeknefs, prefer ve you all above it ^ for wherefo- ever it enters by confent, it is hardly got out again 5 and if it be, it is not without much Sorrow: And this I have found in the Depth, which for your fakes I declare in Plainneis and Truth, as I have learned of the Lord, labouring with him without" ceafing, that the reft of the People of God every where may be faved from this Devourer, whogoeth daily about to deceive, and whofoever he takes, he cafts into the Earth, or into the Sea;, for V/ickednefs is with him wherefoever he goeth. Even the Lord God Almighty arm yoii all againff his Wiles, being warned thereof in his Love, and the Eternal Power ofj Holinefs preferve you all clean to Himfelf, who are dearer unto me than ever, and that in no other thing, but in that Innocent Principle in which you are kept free from all the- Pollutions of the World, and Fleflily Liberty, and iiand WitnefTes for God againft it, before all Men, and in no other thing have I fellowfhip with any, which is that I feek to fet up above all. And this was I moved to give forth, to go every where, as a Witnefs againft that unclean Spirit \vhere-e\''er it goes, feeling its Work is to run to and fro to deceive ^ that all may be warned by what I have learned in Sufferings, and that they that wiil net may be left without Excufe. James Nayler. Written in Bridervclly about the Be^innin^of i658» ( XXXV ) ^ Tejiimony to Chrijl Jefii^ delivered to the "parliament^ isuho Perjeciited him as a Blaj'phemer : ^written in the time of his Imprijonment in Bridewell. CHRIST Jefus, the lm7nanuel^ (of whofe Suf- ferings the Scriptures declare) him alone I confefs before Men ^ for whofe fake I have denied whatever was dear to me in this World, that I might win him, and be found in him, and not in my felf, whofe Life and Virtue I find daily manifefl in my Mortal Body (which is my Eternal Joy and Hope of Glory) whom alone I feek to ferve in Spirit, SduI and Body, Night and Day, (according to the Mea- fure of Grace working in me) that in me he may be glorified, whether by Life or Death 5 and for his fake I faffer all things, that he alone ma}?- have the Glory of my Change, whofe Work alone it is in me: Even to that Eternal Spirit be Glory, and to the Lamb for ever. But to afcribe this Name, Power and Virtue to James Nayler, (or to that which had a Beginning, and mufi: return to Dufi:) or for that to be ei'alted or worfliipped, to me is great Idolatry, and with the Spirit of Chrifl: Jefus in me it is condemned ^ which Spirit leads to Lowlinefs, Meeknefs, and Long fuffer ing. So having an Opportunity given (with readinefs) I am willing in the Fear of God the Father, {in Ho- nour to Chrifl Jefus, and to take off all Ofi^ences from every iimpie Heart) this to declare to all the World, as the Truth of Chrifi: is in me, without Guile or Deceit, daily finding it to be my Work to feek Peace iu Truth with all Men in that Spirit. James N a y l e r. c 2 His ( xxxvi ) I, r — His Confeflions and Anfwer to fome Particulars. Printed^ 1 6 i^^. Having heard that fome have wronged mj JVcrdsy which I Jpoke before the Committee of Parlia- ment, concerning Jejus Chrijl^ and concerning the Old and New Teflament^ fome have Printed IVords which I fpoke not : Alfo fome have Print- ed a Papery and call it James NaylerV Recan- tation, unknown to me: To all which things I fjall fpeak a few Words ^ vphich may fatisfie fuch as love the Truths and that he who is out of the Truth may proceed no further, I. /CONCERNING Jefus Chrift, the fame V-i Chrifl and no other, of whom the Scrip- tures ttftifie, who is the Light of the World, and Redeeiner of Loft Man, from under the Power of Darknefs, known of Old by the Name Immanuel •, that Eternal! Spirit of Truth is the fame to whom I confcfs all Pjwer, Glory, Honour and Worftiip, in Heaven ard in Earth ; And wherein- foever this earthen Vefiel, or an}'' thing therein hath been fet up in the ?^linds of any. todiminiihtheGlory of that In- vifiblePower, or \o draw any one from the Meafure of the ran:e Spirit in themfelves, or to offend the leaft Tvle^ffbreof that pure and tender Spirit in any of his People, all that I Condemn and Deny as a thing never intended by me ; bat is the Work cf the Ad- verfarjs who feeks ail occafions againft the Truth of God, to devour them in whom it is begotten 5 who tock his advantsge in the time of my Tryal and Sufferings/ to ftir up Enmity and Defpight againft the ^]nnt qX Truth, and viath all his Power fought to diihcnour the Name of the Lord Jefus Chrift, for 2^AXV11 ; 1 for which I have deny'd all that I loved in this 16^9. World ^ which Name ftands in the Power and Na- ^-'^'W) ture of that Eternal Spirit, and to the Power the Name is given (and not to James Nayler) as Chrifl: himfelf laid, John 14. 26. and in the Eternal Seed is the Son-lhip, and the Lamb is he that bears all things. And concerning his Sufferings at Jerufalem^ I Iiave believed them iiom a Child, according to the Scriptures, and I can truly fay, I was never of any Faith contrary s and much more I am confirmed therein Daily, having found the Effect and Power of that Suffering' Spirit to be all my Strength in all my Tribulations, who in all our Afflidtons hath been afflidted, which whofoever abides in, feeks no Re- venge, their reward being prefent with them 5 which Pov/er and Spirit whofoever feels in the deep, can- not call Jefus accurfed, nor undervalue his Suffer- ings, neither can any fay (in Truth) that he is Lord, but thereby. And concerning the Old and New Teflament be- ing the Word, the Old is that which was dedicated with the Blood of Calves and Goats, enjoyned for its time, and difannulled for the Weaknefs and Un- profitablenefs thereof, becaufe it could not make Perfect, Heh, 7. i8, 19. and 9. 18, 19, 20. But the Word of God is not Difannulled, Unprofitable nor Imperfect, but Quick and Powerful, living and a- biding for ever, Heh, 4. 12. And the New Teftamxent I ov/n, which is in the Blood of Chrifl:, Luke 22. 20. And the Apodle faith, God hath made us able Minifters of the New Teftament, not of the Letter, but of the Spirit, 2 Cor. ^. 6. And thefe were Minifters of the Word, who faid, they were not Minifters of the Letter, which Word was in them, and fpiritual, and they knew his Voice, that liveth for ever, Rom, 10. 6, 7, 8. So the Scriptures I own which declare of thefe things, and the Word I own which was before thefe things were written \ but my Life ftands in that which cjuickneth, liveth, and abideth for ever •, and eg he ( XXX VI U ) 1659. he is the Word which by the Gofpel is preached^ ty^V^\^ and they that have him can believe what is written of him, yoh/7 1. i Pet. i. 23, 24, 2$. Rev. 19, 15. And as touching the Printing of that Paper (called 5. N^s Recantation) it was not done by me, nor with my knowledge in the leaft, nor do I yet at all know the Man that hath done it 5 but out of the Truth and a- gainfi: the Truth he hath done if, and for evil to- wards m.e whoever it was ^ tlie Lord God of my Life, who hath kept me alive in all diftrefs, turn it for Good and forgive the Evil : And though he that hath done it hath not done it in Truth, nor Love to it, yet what of Truth there is in the Paper I fhall own, as fiands on Truths behalf^ for thus it was, that af- ter I was put into the Hole at Bridewell^ I heard of many wild Actions done by a fort of People who pretended that 'they owned me, and thefe were ear- iieftly itirred up at that Day, with much Violence, and many unfeemly AcHons, to go into the Meetings of the People of the Lord called ^akersy on pur- pofe to hinder their peaceable Meetings, and yet would tske that Holy and pure Name of God, and Chrifl, frequently into their Mouths, whereby the Name of the Lord was much dilhonoured, and his pure Spirit grieved, and much diforder they caufed in vn^nj places of the Nation, to the dilhonour of Chriil Jeilis, for which I felt wrath from God ^ which when I underftood that they had any Strength through me, 1 uied all means I could to declare a- gainft that evil Spirit, which under the Name of God and ChriR, was pgainft God and Chrifl, his Truth and People:, and fomething I did give forth about a Year and half iince in denial of thefe Spi- rits, which it feems to me, he that hath done this ^ H- bath got a fight of ''',and hath added to it the thoughts V^\hT ^^ ^^ ^'^" Heart, and fo hath brought out this "^opk of DarkneG, that People know not what to make of it. ■s Lord, Therefore, fo far as it teftifies againft thofe un- orefaid. clean ranting Spirits, and all the Actions wherein the Koly Name of God hath been dilhonoured, and his •* T.,-; ( XXXIX ) his Spirit grieved, fo far I own it^ but in that it is rS'^g- turned as though I denyed the Lord Jefus Chrift, O^S^'"V^ and his Truth which hath called me out of the World, or his People whom he hath called into Light, in that I own it not ^ for in the Patience and Tribulation of Chrift Jefus, and with thofe who have the Power this Day to teftifie therein, againfl: all the Evils of this prefent World, I am one in Heart and Soul to the utmoft of my Strength, till the coming of the Lord Jefus over all, and the Throne of Meeknefs, and Truth be fet on the top of all Enmity and Deceit, in which Faith and Power I am given up to live or die, fuffer or rejoyce, as God will, even fo be it, without Murmuring. James Mayler. T O T H E Life of G O D in All. THE Love of that precious Life of Ch rift Jefus in me, conftrains me (as the Light thereof a- rifes) to declare to all People, and to Generations to come, how that Innocent, Juft, and Holy Life came to fuffer in me, and be betrayed, and I to lofe the Light thereof, fo far as to be taken Captive again under the Power of Darknefs, Sin and Death, from which, that Life had once fet me free, and born me in it felf for fome Years, above all the Craft, Sub- tilty and Power of Satan, that old Deceiver and Tempter of Mankind, who ceafes not to take every occafion that pure Life to devour, and fo to take the Creature Captive again, who with that precious Life hath once been ranfomed, as once I had been by the living Virtue thereof •, forout of Kindreds and Eflate, and all vifible Relations had he once called me, and c 4 fet ( xl ) 1659. fet me free^ and had broken all my Bonds as to all {y^^^ earthly things, which were ftrong and many, and redeemed me from all my Sins pad, and with his precious Blood had he fprinkled my Confcience (be- fore God ) as though I had never finned in his Sight, anointing me with the Oyl of Deliverance and Peace towards God and Man ^ and fent me forth in the fame Bowels to call loft and ftrayed Souls to the fame everlafting Light, therein to wait for the Appear- ance of the fame purifying Life and Power in them- felves, therewith to be gathered to the Pure God, to whom the Children of Darknefs and wicked Workers cannot come, till with the Word of Life they be cleanfed and made new after himfelf, in whom is no Iniquity. And in this his Work, by him I was preferved a- gainft all Enmity, born in all Afflidions, and fed above all Wants within and without, though fent into a ftrange Country without Money, Bag or Scrip, and among a Strange People that knew not God, in the North Parts of this Englijlj Nation ^ and I may truly fay, as a Sheep among Wolves I was where- evex I came; yet had none Power to touch me fur- ther than what Ihould make for his Glory in whom I lived, and the Advantage of that Work I was a- bour, which he daily turned to my exceeding Joy and great Reward ^ and his living Prefence did ever furniih me with renewed Strength againftall contra- ry Spirits, and the Power thereof, and in him I had Judgment and Power over them, where-ever they withftood his pure Work. And in this fame Life and Dominion did he bring me up into this great City London^ into which I entred with the greateft Fear that ever into any Place I came, in Spirit forefeeing fomewhat to be- fal me therein, but not knowing what it might be; yet had I the fame Prefence and Power as before; into what Place or Service foever I was led of the Spirit, in that Life I never returned without Vi(5to- ry in Chrift Jefus, the Lord thereof. But ( xH ) But not minding in all things to ftand fingle and 15^9. low to the MotioDs of that Endlefs Life, by it to '^S^ be led in all things, within and without ^ but giv- ing vray to the Reafoning Part, as to fome things which in themfelves had no Teeming Evil, by little and little drew out my Mind after Trifles, Vanities, and Perfons which took the Affectionate Part, by which my Mind was drawn from the conftant Watch, and pure Fear, into which I was once be- gotten, and fpiritual Adultery was committed a- gainft that precious pure Lift' which had purchafed me unto himfelf alone, and is grieved with, the lead Departure from him in Body, Spirit or Mind, even that Eternal, Pure and Zealous Spirit from a- bove, had drawn me near into Himfelf, and that pure Word was become my Life, who faid, He that doth but look upon a Woman to lujiy commits Aduh try i and in whofe Sight the leaft Coveting, or let- ting a|iy vifible Objed into the Afl^edions is Idola- try : Into that Life I was comprehended, and the Apple of that pure Eye was opened in me, which admits not of an Evil Thought ^ but is wounded and bruifed with the leaft Appearance of Evil, even this Birth v/as born which reigns through Righteouf- Xids, and fufFers till all Pvighteoufnefs be fulfilled in every particular. And this is the Son of God for ever, and into this Life and Kingdom I was tranf- lated i and I was in him that is true, in whom there is no Sin ;, and he alone lived and ruled in this his Temple, which to himfelf he had purchafed with his precious Blood, and his Delight was in me, and his Prefence was glorious, and not the leaft Evil could appear, but I could feel him in Spirit lifting up his Witnefs againft it. But when I reafoned againft his tender Reproof, and confulted with another, and fo let the Creatures into my Affedions, then his Temple was defiled through Luft, and his pure Spirit was grieved, and he ceafed to reprove, and he gave me up, and his ^ight he withdrew and his Judgment took away $ and ( xlii ) 1^5:9. and fo the Body of Death and Sin revived again, and Ky^/^1 poiTeiTed afrelh the Iniquities of my Youth, and that which had of Old been buried, arofe and ftood againft me, and fo the Temple was filled withDark- Jiefs and the Power of Death, and my Heart with Sorrow, and Satan daily at my right Hand to tempt me further to provoke the Lord, and to take away !my Life. Thus having in a great Meafure loll: my own Guide, and Darknefs being come upon me, I fought a Place where I might have been alone, to weep and cry before the Lord, that his Face I might find, and my Condition recover: But then my Adverfary who had long Waited his Opportunity, had got in, and beftirred himfelf every way, fo that I could not be hid, and divers Mefiages came to me in that Cafe, fome true, fome falfe (as I have feen iince) So I knowing fome to be true, to wit, How I had loft my Condition, with this I let in the falfe Mef- fagealfo^ and fo letting go that little of the true Light which I had yet remaining in my felf, I gave up my felf wholly to be led by others, whofe Work was then wholly to divide me from the Children of Light ^ which was done, though much was done hy divers of them to prevent it, and in Bowels of tender Love many laboured to have flayed me with them. And after I was led out from them, the Lord God of my Life fent divers of his Servants with his Word after me, for m}^ Return : all which was rejedled j yea, the Provocations of that Time of Temptation was exceeding great againfl the Pure Love of God, yet he left me not ^ for after I had given my felf under that Power, and Darknefs was above, my Adverfary fo prevailed, that all things were turned and perverted againfl: my right Seeing, Hearing or Underftanding, only a fecret Hope and Faith I had in my God, whom I had ferved, that he would bring me through it, and to the End of it 5 and that I ftiould again fee the Day of my Re- demption ( xliii ) demption from under it all : And this quieted my i6';9. Soul in my greateft Tribulation. L/^sTNJ Thus was I led out from amongft the Children of Light and into the World, to be a Sign, where I was chafed as a wandering Bird gone from her Neft, fo was my Soul daily and my Body from one Pri- fon to another, till at length I was brought in their own Way before a backfliding Power to be judged^ who had loft their firft Love, as I had done •, So the^ fentenced me, but could not fee their Sign, and a Sign to the Nation, and a Sign to the World of the. dreadful Day of the juft God, who is come and comiug to avenge for that pure Life, where it is tranfgrefled, and to plead the Caufe of that precious Seed where-ever it is oppreffed and fuifers under the flelhly Lufts of this prefent World, and the Cup is ' deep and very dreadful that is feen and filling, and it hath begun at God's Houfe, but many muft drink it, except there be fpeedy Repentance. And in this Time of my Darknefs and Night of great Temptation (which Darknefs I had let up over my Head, and my Judgment being much loft) there gut up many wild Spirits, Ranters and fuch like, ading many evil Things againft the Life of Truth and Name of Chrift, his Light and People that walk therein, on purpofe to bring Reproach thereon, and fet themfelves to break and difquiet the Meetings of the People of God, and made ufe of my Name therein, and others rejoyced thereat, and cried, Thus would we have it, they are divided among themfelves \ thk is that we looked for. Sec, Others came to me in that Time in true Pity, and in Sorrow of Heart Suffered with me for all that was befallen me, and that precious Truth 1 had walked in. Thus became I an Occafion to make fad tlie In- nocent and harml'fs People, whofe Hearts were ten* der, and to make glad the Man that delights in Mifchief, and fuch as rejoyce in Iniquity, and to gratifie many unclean Spirits : which Things the pure ( xllv ) 16^9^ pure God hates, and my Soul hates, and all that OOT^tJ Name that God had fonrrerly given me in his Houfe, and that Power, the wicked One made Ufe on a- gainft the Lord, and^ his Lambs, and his Truth, wherein I had received that Name and Power. Thus I abufed my Power and knew not, by com- ing under him who feeks to pervert the right Ways of God, and his Truth to turn into a Lye, where- ever he gets above, whom the Lord had once trod- den under my Feet and all his Inftruments. And over the Head of all this was I kept by his Power, while fingly I flood in his pure Counfel, and hum- bly walked in his daily Fear: the Lofs whereof wasof my felf. And this to his Eternal Glory I confefs for ever. So to that precious Life of Chrift Jefus I confefs openly, which I have openly finned againft, which Lite is the Light of the World, and all the Good that is in Man is from the Virtue thereof , which whofoever goes from to feed elfewhere, forfakes their own Mercies, and to this mufl return, and confefs again, if ever they come to true Peace in God : For this is the Peacemaker and the Chrifi: of God, and the Lamb that takes away Sin, and reconciles to the Father of Spirits, and that Spirit that quickens the Dead, of whom I teftifie for ever, and Him I confefs in the Night and in the Day before God and before Men, who under all hath been Giy Help and Saviour, Immortal Praifes for ever. And he that hath this Precious Life hath the Son of the Eternal God and Eternal Life , and with all that receive him as King and Leader, with fuch ' the Father is well-pleafed, becaufe he alone it is that leads in all Holy Ways, and out of all Shew of Luft and Uncleannefs, and teaches to avoid every Appearance of Evil within and without ^ There- fore the Pure God loves him above all in Heaven and Earth, and hath placed his Fulncfs in Him, :rom whom the Living of all Ages are to be fed, and ( xlv ) and whatever good Gift any Creature receive? from God the Father, it is in this pure Life and for the^ Sake of this unfpotted Seed •, and that He alone (that Spirit) may be exalted in all and above all, not Fleili which is Grafs, whofe Glory turns into Duft. If this Life withdraw its Virtue, then all his Wifdom is Shame and Folly, who goes out from this Light and Counfel : For this Life is He, which being difobeyed is Man's Fall ^ and his Spi- rit being grieved, is God's Wrath upon every Crea- ture ^ but in his Favour is Length of Days and Eternal Glory •, and both thefe I have learned in the Day and in the Night : So I give all Glory to the Life for evermore, and to Him it is due, and all the Evil hath been from Self. This Life is the Root and Off fpring of all Hea- venly Fruit upon Earth, and in whom this is plant- ed, as it grows it will bring forth Truth and Righ- teo'ufnefs towards God and Man, and the Virtue that rifes with it will fill the Creature with Springs of Eternal Life and Heavenly Poiver, it will cover thee with Health of Salvation, and flay thee with immortal Strength •, He will guide thee with Coun- fel of Life, and open thy Mouth in that Wifdom which none iliall confound •, yea, all the Treafures of Wifdom and Knowledge are in Him, and the Richeft Excellency that ever appeared in Flefh in Him is fealed ; For all Generations that receive Him in their Faith and Obedience, and as he arifes in his Temples, he gives forth of his Riches, Gifts to adorn his Habitation, and to cover it with his Light and Glory. But this is the Evil in his Sight, and that which provokes his Pure Spirit, That vain Man, in whom he thus delights, finouid be ex:ilted in himfelf, be- caufe of the Gifts, and Glory in His Strength and Wifdom, and fo grow wanton againft the Lif-e, from whence he hath it 5 And fo through feeding on the Gifts, ceafestowalk humbly with the Giver in his own Veflel. Here Man forgets his God, and lo ( xlvi ) 16$ 9^ fo withers at the Root, and be the Tree never Co vS^^ great it will fall in the End, and great will be the Fall thereof. And this is that God againfl: whom I have finned, and my Offence I confefs to the Root that bore me, who raifeth up the Meek and Lowly, and cafleth down him that boafteth above the Root, who doth what he will in the Heavens, and ruleth in the Kingdoms of Men, the Lord of Hofts is his Name, and he is worthy ^ yea, and will be feared: Even fo be it for evermore. And whatever of that Worflilp or Honour hath any way by any Creature been given or received to my Perfon, which belongs to that Eternal Spirit, for ever by me it is denied and condemned as Ido- latry ^ and whatever Creature I have at any time gone out tg, from this pure Spirit, and let into my AfFedions^ or u^hatever I have taken Counfel of without this Life and againfl: it, is for ever con- demned as Adultry in my Heart, and fo I have found it in his pure Sight, to whom I confefs for my God and Saviour in all my Troubles. In whomfoever this pure and Eternal Spirit of Life throughout the World hath been troubled or offended, in Man or Woman, through my Fail, or the Advantage which the Adverfary got agsiinft my Soul, God's Truth and his People, to that in all I acknowledge my Offence. Againft thee have I finned who was with me in the Deep, and in fo many tender Hearts for my Recovery and Salva- tion, which is one in all, for ever confefled to, and the Occafion of the Grief thereof for ever con- demned in the Prefence of God, His Hofl and People. But againfl him that fought my Life in that Day, and rejoyced at that Occafion, have I requited no Evil in my Heart, neither have I opened my Mouth before the Lord, That the Evil Day fliould hafle, who rejoyced at my Fall, and was glad at that Ad- vantage, to purfue my Soul into the Pit, that I might ( xlvii ) might never have feen Light more, nor have ap- 1^5:9. peared in the Affemblies of them which God hath 'v-orv^ fandified on the Earth : But in the Bowels of Him that hath born me through all Adverfity, I have been kept towards them, aild I know it is theSpirit of Chrift Jefus which thinks not Evil for Evil. And when all vifible Help was removed afar off, and I in the Depth of the Pit, then this was with me and in me before God, which often appeared when all elfe was gone, and many a time frayed my Soul in fecret, that it funk not under the Accufer-, and the Weight of his Temptations when I was alone from any Creature. And now feeing that the Lov- ingkindnefs of the Lord hath outlived all this En- mity, and the Longfuffering of Chrift Jefus hath born to the End thereof, and that Endlels Life hath miniftred Freedom for me, thereto be Glory and Praife for evermore. And to God the Father of all be Thanlcs for ever, who is begetting his Creatures into that one pure Life, and with the Cords thereof hath bound up as in one Bundle fo many at this Day, who in his Liv- ing Spirit and Power are made at the needful Time to ftand before him, with.Cries and Prayers one for another, which he hath heard and doth hear, even as he hath begotten thereto in every Creature, the Anfwer whereof makes many glad at this Day^ Praifcs to God everlafting. And to the Glory of this precious Life is this fent forth, that all that have finned againft him may have Hope in him and return, whofe Judgments are Right and his Mercy endures for ever, and that all who have m.ade their Graves deep through Difobe- ditnce, and their Darknefs thick through Luft, might awake and coiifefs to the Lord of Life, and come forth, who qaickeneth the Dead, at his Word the Blind he .makes to fee, and hath called to the great Deeps, that his Praifesmay live for ever. And that all you in whom any Meafiire of this precious Life hath been betrayed, either through this or ( xlviii ) 16$^, or any other thing, that to the Light thereof you oK^n; may return in your felves, and there wait till the Life arife, which is your Return, and which mufl give you Reft with the Flock of God ^ for it's the Life that's the Door and the Fold, and without it you will be but Wanderers, and loft in all your Thoughts and Motions, and God will crofs you and curfe you for its fake, and plead againft you till you return, if he caft 3''ou not off for often Rebel- lion, from which the Lord keep you. And take heed of Evil Thoughts to which you will be tempt- ed, you that are gone out from the true Light, or an Evil Eye going out of your own Hearts againft the Truth 3^ou once were called into, or them that w-alk in it, to fpy Faults in others and feed thereon, this Food will but ftrengthen the Enmity in you againft you and your Return, and with this you may make Bonds which you cannot break when you would, and your Evil Thoughts are as Witchcraft to the pure Life, and as a Canker, will eat till it have de- voured all that remains in you, to lead you to Re- pentance, that not fo much as the Place thereof you will find in the End. And this I am moved to warn you of, having been often tempted therewith, that the Life of Peace and Truth may only live and guide in you in all, without which there can be no true Unity with God or his People, which is that the Devil chiefly hates, and withftands in all in whom he can prevail. Thus having drunken a Meafure of that Depth which cannot be meafnred,! cannot butconfefs there- to, and declare thereof to his Praife, who above all excelleth in Judgment and Mercy, to every particu- lar Creature in their feveral States and Conditions, that all might hear and take heed to abide in him, whofe Off-fpriiig they are, who hath his Way in the Deeps, and makes Darknefs as Light before Him : He turns Man to Deftrudion for his Difobedience, and the Light of his Word is Salvation, and his Life theRefarredion out of the greateft Depth, who hath faved ( xlix ) faved my Soul from Death thus far, and lifted my i6^g\ Feet out of the Pit, even to Him be immortal Glo- *^<^'\) ry for ever i and let every troubled Soul truft ia Him, for his Mercy endureth for ever. James Maylci\ And in the T^ay isohen my God lifted my Feet out of the "Pit "was this given forth. IT is in my Heart to praife thee, O my God, let me never forget thee, what thou haft been to m^. in the Night, by thyPrefence in the Day of Tiya], when I was befet in Darknefs, when I was cafe out: as a Wandering Bird, when I v/as aflaulted with ftrong Temptations, then thy Pre fence in fecret did preferve me ^ and in a low Eftate I felt thee near me, when the Floods fought to fvi^^ep mo away, thou fet a Compafs for them, how far they fliould pafs over, when my Way was through the Sea, and when I pailed under the Mountains, there wall thou prefent with me, when the Weight of the Hills was upon me, thou upheld'fi: me, elie had I funk under the Earth, when I was as one altogether Helplefs, when Tribulation and Anguifh v/as upon me Day and Night, and the Earth without Foundation -, when I went on the Way of Wrath, and pafled by the Gates of Hell ^ when all Comforts fiood a far off^ and he that is mine Enemy had Dominion ^ ivhen I was caft into the Pit, and was as one ap- pointed to Death •, when I was between the Mill- ftones, and as one cruflied with the Weight of his Adverfary, as a Father thou waft with me, and the Rock of thy Prefence, when the Mouths of Lyons roared againfl me, and Fear took hold on my Soul A in (1) i659' li^ ^^^ ^1^- Then I called upon thee in the Nighty U/V"Ni? and my Cries were ftrong before thee daily, who anfwered'ft me from thy Habitation, and delivered'fi: me from thy Dwelling-Place, faying, I w'lU fet thee above all thy Fears^ and lift up thy Feet dbove the Heaiof OppreJJion : I believed and was ftrengthen- ed, and thy Word was Salvation. Thou didft fight on my Part when I wreftled with Death ^ and when Darknefs would have fhut me up, then thy Light fhone about me, and thy Banner was over my Head. When my Work was in the Furnace, and as I pafled through the Fire, by thee I was ' not confumed, though the Flames afcended above my Head; When I beheld the dreadful Vifions and was amongfl: the Fiery Spirits, thy Faith flayed me, elfe through Fear I had fallen j I faw thee and believed, To the Enemy could not prevail. When I look back into thy Works I am aflonifh- ed, and fee no End of thy Praifes : Glory, Glory to thee, faith my Soul, and let my Heart be ever filled withThankfgivingj whilft thy Works remain^ they fhall (hew forth thy Power, then didft thou lay the Foundation of the Earth, and led'ft me under the Waters, and in the Deep did'ft tliou fhew me Wonders, and the Forming of the World. By thy Hand thou led'ft me in Safety till thou Ihewed'ft me the Pillars of the Earth ^ then did the Heavens Ihower down, they were covered with Darknefs and the Powers thereof were Ihaken, and thy Glory de- fcended, thou filled'ft the Lower Parts of the Earth with Gladnefs, and the Springs of the Talleys were opened j thy Showers defcended abundantly, fo tlie Earth was filled with Virtue. Thou madeft thy Plant to fpring, and the Thirfty Soul became as a v;atered Garden j Then did'ft thou lift me out of the Pit, and fet me forth in the Sight of my Ene- mies : Thou proclaimed'ft Liberty to the Captive, and called'ft mine Acquaintance near me, they to whom I had been a Wonder, looked upon me, and in thy Love 1 obtained Favour in thofe who had forfuok (li) forfook me, then did Gladnefs fwallow up Sorrow, i6$gil and! I forfook all my Troubles 5 and I faid. How UOPO good is it that Man be proved in the Night, that he may know his Folly, that every Mouth may become Silent in thy Hand, until thou makeft Man known to himfelf, and haft flain the Boafter, and Ihewed him the Vanity that vexeth thy Spirit, Printed in the Tear^ 16S9' GLORY to God Almighty, who ruleth in the Heavens, and in whole Hand§ are all the King- doms of the Earth, who raifeth up and cafteth down at his Will, who hath Ways to confound the Exaltation of Man and to chaftize his Children, and to make Man to know himfelf to be as Grafs before him, whofe Judgments are above the Higheft of Men, and his Pity reacheth the deepeft Mifery : And the Arm of his Mercy is underneath, to lift up the Prifoner out of the Pit, and to fave fuch as truft in Him from the Great Deftruction, which vain Man through his Folly brings on himfelf; who hath delivered my Soul out of Darknefs, and made way for my Freedom out of thePrifon-houfe, and ranfbmed me from the great Captivity, who divides the Seas before Him, and removes the Mountains out of his Way, in the Day when He takes upon Him to deliver the Qpprefled out of the Hand of him that is too mighty tor him in the Earth ; Let His Name be exalted for ever, and let AH Flefli fear before Him, whofe Breath is Life to His own, but a Confuming Fire to the Adver- fary. A 2 And ( Hi ) i6$Q. * And to the Lord Jefus Chrift be Everlafting Do- /V^ minion upon Earth, and His Kingdom above all the Powers oi Darknefs, even that Chrift of whom the Scriptures declare, which v/as, and is, and is to come, the Light of the World to all Generations, of whofe Coming I Teftifie, with the reft of the Children of Light begotten of the Immortal See^, whofe Truth and Virtue now fliine in the World unto the Righteoufnefs of Eternal Life, and the Saviour of all that believe therein, who hath been the Rock of my Salvation, and His Spirit hath given Quietnefs and Patience to my Soul in deep Affliction, even for his Namee fake; Praifes for ever. But condemned for ever be all thofe Falfe Wor- lliip^, with which any have Idolized my Perfon in tliC Night of wy Temptation, when the Power of Darknefs was above ^ All their Calling off their deaths in the Way, their Bowings and Singings, and all the Reft of thofe wild Adions which did any way tend to diihonour the Lord, or draw the Minds of any from the Meafure of Chrift Jefus in themfelves, to look at Flelh which Is Grafs, or to afcribe that to the Vifible which belongs to Chrift Jefus ^ All Thdt I condemn by which the pure Name of the Lord hath any way been blafphemed through me in that Time of Temptation, or the Spirits of any People grieved that truly love the Lord jefus throughout the whole World, of what Sort ibever. This Oiience I confefs, which hath been Sorrow of Heart, that the Enemy of Man's Peace in Chrift Ihouid get this Advantage in the Night of my Trya], to ilir up Wjath and Offences in the Crea- tion of God, a Thing the Simplicity of rny Heart did not intend, the Lord knows, who in his endlefs Love hath given me Power over it to condem.n it •, . And alfo that Letter itnt me to Exeter, by Joh^ Stranger, wlien I was in Prifon, with thefe Words, Thy Name fodU he no more James Nayler, hut Jefm, This ( llll ) This I judge to be written from the Imaginations, 1^69. and a Fear ftrack me when I firft faw it ^ and fa I iXVV) put it in my Pocket (clofe) not intending ?any ftiould fee it : which they finding on me, fpread it abroad, which the Simplicity of my Heart ntver owned. So this I deny alfo. That the Name of Chrift Jefm is received inftead of James Nayler^ or be afcribed to him 5 For the Name is to the Pro- mifed Seed to all Generations, and he that hath the Son, hath the Name which is Life and Power, the Salvation and the Undion, into which Name all the Children of Light are baptized : So the Name of Chrifl: I confefs before Men, but not according to Men; which Name to me hath been a ftrong Tower, in the Night and in the Day. And this is the Name of Jefus Chrifl: which I confefs. The Son and the Lamb, the Promifed Seed, where he fpeaks in Male or Female ^ but who hath not this in himfelf, hath not Life, neither can have by Idolizing my Perfon, or the Perfcn of any Flelh, but in whom the Heir is born and hath fpoken, or doth fpeak, there he muft not be denied the Mouth to fpeak by, who is .Head over all, and in all his own, God blefTed for ever. And all thofe Ranting Wild Spirits, which then gathered about me in the Time of Darknefs, and all their wild Adions and wicked Words againfl: the Honour of God and his pure Spirit and People, I deny the Spirit, the Power and the Works thereof and as far as I gave Advantage, through want of Judgment, for that evil Spirit in any to arife, I take Shame to my felf juftly, having formerly had Pov/er over that Spirit in Judgment and Difcerning where-ever it was ; Which Darknefs came over me , through Want of Watchfulnefs and Obedience to the Pure Eye of God, and diligent Minding the Reproof of Life, which condemns the Adultrous Spirit: So the Adverfary got Advantage, who ceafes not to feek tQ devour ^ and being taken Cap- A 5 dve 165:9. lire from the true Light, walked in the Night, {y^/>J where none can Work, as a wandering Bird fit for the Prey. And if the Lord of all my Mercies had not refcued me, I had perifhed •, for I was as one appointed to Death and Deflruclion, and there was. none could deliver me. r And this I confefs, that God may he jufiified in His Judgment, and Magnified in his Mercies with- out End, who did not forfake his Captive in the Night, even when his Spirit was daily provoked and grieved J but hath brought m^ forth to give Glory to his Name for ever. And it is in my Heart to confefs to God, and before Men, my Folly and Offence in that Day \ yet was there many Things formed againfi me at that Day to take away my Life, and cafl upon the Truth, of which I am not guilty at all ^ As that Accufation, as if I had com- mitted Adultry with fome of thofe Women who came with us from Exeter Prifon •, and alfo thofe who were with me at Briflol the Night before I fuffered there. Of both which Accufations I am clear before God, who kept me at that Day both in Thought and Deed, as to all Women, as a little Child, God is my Record. And this I mention in particu- lar (hearing of fome who flill ceafe not to reproach therewith God's Truth and People) that the Mouth of Enmity may be fhut from Evii-fpeaking, tho' this Touch not my Confcience. Alfo that Report, as though I had raifed Dorcas Erbury from Death •, This I deny alfo, and condemn 1^ that Teftimony to be out of the Truth, though that If Power that quickens the Dead I deny not, which is the Word of Eternal Life. And this I give forth, that it may go as far as the Offence againfi the Spirit of Truth hath gone a- broad, that all Burthens may be taken off with the Truth, and the Truth cleared thereby, and the true Light and all that walk therein ^ and the Deeds of Darknefs be condemned, and that all that are in Darknefs may not act in the Night, but flay upon Qod (Iv) , God who dwells in the Light, who with the Work- 1679. crs of Iniquity hath not Fellowlhip ^ which had I VVXl done when firft Darknefs came upon me, and not been led by others, I had not run againft that Rock to be broken, which fo long had born me, and of whom I had fo largely- drunken, and of which I now drink in Meafure ^ to whom be the Glory of all, and to Him muft every Tongue confefs, as Judge and Saviour, God over all,- Blefled for ever. And this further is given me to fay to every par- ticular Perfon, to whom this Writing Ihall come^ whatever is thy Condition, wait in the Light which lets thee fee it ^ there is thy Counfeland thy Strength to be received, to ftay thee, and to recover thee. Art thou tempted to Sin ? Abide in that which-lets thee fee it, that there thou may ft come to feed on the Right Body, and not on the Temptation j for if thou mindeft the Temptation it will overcome thee, but in the Light is Salvation : Or having finned, art thou tempted to defpair or to deftroy thy felf ? Mind not the Temptation, for it's Death that Sin hath brought forth ^ feed not on it nor mind it, leaft thou eateft Condemnation, for that's the wrong Body. The Body of Chrift is felt in the Light, in which is Life from Death, Grace and Truth to feed an^ which will overcome for thee being followed ^ but if thou foUoweft the Temptation, Fear and Condem- nation will fwallow thee up 5 If there appear to thee Voices, Vifions and Revelations, feed not thereon, but abide in the Light and feel the Body of Chrift, and there wilt thou receive Faith and Power to judge of every Appearance and Spirits, the Good to hold faft and obey, and the Falfe to refift. Art thou in Darknefs > Mind it not ^ for if thou do'ft, it will fill thee more ^ but (land fiill and adt not, and wait in Patience till Light arife out of Darknefs to lead thee. Art thou wounded in Confcience > Feed not there, but abide in the Light, which leads to the Grace and Truth, which teaches to deny and put off the ( Ivi ) 1(5^9. the Weight, and removes theCaufe, and brings fav- ^i^^VN; ing Kfeakh to light •, yea, this I fay to thee in the Name of JeTu^ Chrift, That though thou haft made thy Grave as deep as the nethermoft Hell, or were thy AfBidioDs as great as JoFs^ and thy Darknefs as the I>pth of the Sea, yet if thou wilt not run to vain Helps, as I have done, but ftay upon the Lord^ till he give thee Light by his Word (who commands Light to fhine out of Darknefs) from thence will he bring thee forth, and his Eye fhall guide thee, and thou fhalt Praife his Name, as I do this Day, Glory for evermore ! And this Word is nigh thee which muft give thee Light, though Darknefs com- prehends it not And had'ft thou Gifts, Revelations, Knowledge, Wifdom, or whatever thou canft read of in the Scriptures of Truth, and doft not abide in the Light, and feed on the Body of Chrift, whence the Gifts fpring, but feed on the Gift, thou ma^'ft be up for a while in thy own Sight, but certainly thou wilt wither and die to God, and Darknefs will come up- on thee, and thy Food will turn to thy Condemna- tion in the Sight of God, And this I haue learned in the Deeps, and in fecret when I was alone, and now declare openly in the Day of my Mercy, Glory to the Higheft for ever- more, who hath thus far fet me free to Praife his Righteoufnefs and bis Mercy, and to the Eternal, InviUble, Pure GOD over all, be Fear, Obedience and Glory evermore, Amen, James Nayler. [See more in his Anfwer to The Tanatick Hijlory^ Page 650, ^cr\ A COLLECTION (_o A COLLECTION OF SUNDRY "Books and Tapers Written by J a m e s N a y l E r. fivers particulars of the Ter[ecutions of James Nayler^ hy the Triefts of Weft- morland. AMES NJTLERhelng raifed up, and fent 16^2. forth to declare nhe everlafting Truth, came L^""^ into Weftmorland^ and being at a Meeting at Ed- ward Bri^g^s Houfe on the Firfi: Day^v/here many People met, he was defired by divers Friends, to meet the Day following at Widow Cock's Houfe, about a Mile from Kendal •, whereof the Priefts having Notice, raifed the Town of Kendal againft him: but being long in gathering together, the Meeting was done 5 but Spies being out upon the Steeple Top and other Places, Notice was given what Way James paffed from thence. And coming down towards Kendal^ two Priefts, being accompanied with a Juflice of Peace, and fome other Magiftrates of the Town, with an exceeding great Multitude of People follow- ing them, met him, faying, Nayler^ I have a Mejjage jrom the Lord Jefus Chrift to thee^ but that there h not a convenient Place, To which James anfwered, B The (^ ) 16^:2. The Lord Jefus Chrifl: is no Refpecler of Places. The l>^/NJ MefTage that he had to declare was this, / conjure thee, that thou tell me, by what Pozver thou infli^eft lijh^ennwtf^^^^ P///?//^//? Tea, (faith he) / have the Spirit tiiugJ^Z ^f ^^^j ^^^ thereby I know it is done by a Power. James faid, If thou haft the Spirit of God, as thou fayeft thou had:, then thou canft tell by what Pov\^er it is done. The Prieft faid, Jf'l^en God comes, he co7nes to torment the Souls, and not the Bodies. James faid. He comes to redeem the Souls. But after much Jang- ling, the Prieft began to accufehim before the J uftice andMagiftrates of many things: as, That he taught People to burn their Bibles \ Children to dijobey their Parents-.^ Wives their Husbands s People to difobey the . Magijlrates, and f:ich like Accufations : To which James anfwered, Thou art a falfe Accufer : Prove one of thefe things, if thou can'ft, here, before the Magiftrates. But not being able to prove any one, he began to accufe James, iov Holding out a Light that doth convince of Sin , which, faid the Prieft, all have not. To which James faid, Put out one in all this great Multitude, that dare fay he hath it not: Saith the Prieft, Thefe are all Chriftians, but if a Turk or Indian were here, he would deny it, James faid. Thou goeft far for a Proof, but if a Turk were here he would witnefs againft thee. The People beginning to fight, the Prieft turned away, faying. Here will be a Diflurbance, Said James, Thefe arerhy Chriftians, and this is the Fruits of thy Miniftry: But thejuftice, v/ith fome others, diden- deavour to keep the rude People off him, fo that they could not come to their Purpofe xhr-ie.-., but he being to pafsover the Bridge, and chrou^h the Town, they ( 3 ) they tliat were of the Priefts Party ran before, fwear- 165^2. ing they would throw him off the Bridge into the WN,> Water : but coining thither, and feeing their Piir- pofe, he was encouraged in his God, who gave him Ailurance of Protedtion, and did wonderfully keep him, and thofe that were with him : for when he came unto the Bridge, the Word of the Lord came unto him, and he was made to cry outagainft their Rage, and the Power of the Lord was with him, fo that he received no Harm, though he was made to fpeak all a-long, and in the Market-Place, and till he came out of the Town : but the raging Priefts conti- nued Shouting, Crying, and fome Throwing of Stones at him a Qiiarter of a Mile out of the Town. But fuch was the Power of the Lord, that neither he, nor any v/ith him, received any Harm. The Work was wonderful, and we were brought much to admire it, and praife the Lord, v/ho is biefTed for ever and ever. Another time, Jtimes being defired of many Chri- fiian Friends, to be at a Meeting at Orton, there to wait upon the Lord for what he would make known to his People, went accordingly-, and many Friends and Brethren accompanied him: but the Priefts hav- ing Intelligence fome Days before, five of them were gathered together, and many People from all Quar- ters. A Friend in the Town defired James to come to his Houfe, and bting come into his Houfe,; a.MeP fage was fent from the Priefts, defiring him; to come into the Field, under Pretence of a more convenient Place for the great Multitude. Towhich J^/^^j- an* fwered, It is my Defire that all may be edified : And coming into the Field, the Priefts cam.e with a great Multitude, and asked him, By what Authority he cam^ thither^ and had gathered together fo many Peo- ple, to break the Peace ? And, tempting him, faid. Wilt thou be bound, that none here JhaU break the Peace ? To which Jafnes anfwered. We came not hither to create Offences ; but if any break the Law, let him fuffer by the Law. For he perceived they intended yiolence, as it appeared afterwards. B 2 But 16^^* But feeing they could not prevail in that, another K^^sTSJof them defired him to go into the Church, as he. called it 5 tempting him, faying, The People 7nay all Jir, and hear better. But y^;«^x perceiving their De- ceit, faid, All Places were alike to him, he would a- bide in the Field i whereupon they pulled out an Ordi- n??nce of Parliament, forbidding any to fpeak, but fuch as were authorized to fpeak, either in Church or Chappel, or any publick Place 5 and bad him fpeak at bii Peril, as he would anfwer the Contempt of it. To which he anfwer'd, faying. This is not a pubHck Place. No, faid one of the Priefts, If not this a publick Place ? the Town Field ! And charged the Conftable of the Town to do his Office ^ and examined his Authority. James anfv/ered, Thofe that are fent to declare the Things of God, have not their Authority from Men. But they bid him prove that. He faid, Paul receiv- ed not his Commilfion from Man, nor by Man, To which one of them anfwered. That was his Gofpeh, but they would prove. That l?a.ulhad a Call from Man to preach'^ and for that End he named that Place in J^s 13. 2. where the Holy Ghoft faid. Separate me Barnabiti and Saul: and the Apoftles laid their Hands ?4pon them : Which^ faid one of them, ixias the Laying on of Hands of the Presbytery, But when he had found thcTt Place, 'James alked him, If that was Paul's Call to the Miniftry > (three times) but he anfwered nothing: then faid James, If that was his Call, he had preached long without a Call before that ^ and inftanced toprove it, (r^/. r. Whereupon that Buflnefs ended : But another Priefl: flood up, and faid. Thou oughtefi to give an Account of thy Faith to every one that asketh : whereupon he asked divers Queftions, whereunto James anfwered, infomuch that fome who flood by cried out, Anfwer not all, but ask him fome, A while after Jaities asked him, Hov/ he would prove himfelf a Minifterof the Gofpel, and live upon Tythes \ to which he vvould not anfwer: then ^Ta^'James^ Neither will I anfwer thee, if thou aft me Twenty more. The ( 5 ) The next "Queftion he alted was. Whether Chrijl 16^7, was afcefjded or /lo? but James faid, I will not an-^i-^'VX^ fwer thee ^ whereupon he cried out to the People, and faid, He denies the Humanity of Cbrifl : And made 3 great Outcry among the People of it. But the Peo- ple cried our, faying, Let m hear h'lm-^ you have often told us tnany things again fl him : Let him fpeakj and then if he j peak not Truths you may then re- prove him, James hearing the Defire of the People, began to fpeak ^ and the People gave Audience, and were very filent. But beginning to hold out Chrift alone to be the Teacher of his People in Spirit and Truth, one of the Priefts cried out, J cannot endure to hear thk Seducer any longer. Upon which ^j;;;^!* faid, Prove me a Seducer before all this People, or elfe thou art a Falfe Accufer. But he had not one Word to fay againfi: any thing that he had fpoken ; but faid, If thou wilt not anjwer me that ^e ft ion I (jsked thee, I will call thee a Seducer oi long oi I live. Whereupon, feeing there could be no Peace there, nor Liberty to fpeak, they defired James to go into the Houfe; and they kept clofe about him, to keep him from the Violence of fome that c^ime along with the Priefl: : but they raged fo, that he and fome o- ther Friends received Blows, and with much ado got to the Houfe : but they, like the raging Sodomites wait- ed about the Door to doMifchief, and keptfhouting about the Houfe all the while he was fpeaking : but the Houfe being filled with People they could not come to their Purpofe. And the Lord fo ordered it, in the Evening we came away without any more Harm ; but not long after, there came fome of the Priefts Party about the Houfe, and asked, if Nayler was gone ? And when they heard he was gone, the^ faid. He may thankGod for that. Thus by theWif- dom of God he efcaped their Violence at that time. But the Priefts miffing of their Purpofe there, the next firft Day after, they prepared their Sermons fuitable to what they intended, pofleiling the People that he wa§ aBlafphemer, and denied the Refurrec- B 3 tion (6) •»i65^2. tionandtheHumanitj'- of Chrift, and all Authority-, ^^y^Y"^ and that the Parliament had opened a Gap for Blaf- pheiny, and, as it was faid by feme of their Hearers, they did God good Seri^ice that would knock him down. Thus having ftirred up the ruder fort, the next Day they prevailed with one called ajufticeof Peace, thePrieft's Son got him to come twelve Miles from his own Honfe, (he was one that had been in actual Arms againit the Parliament, for the bringing in of the Scots) And having arm.ed a great Multitude againft the next Morning, they came very earh^ to the Houfe where he was, where many Chriftian Friends ihould have met that Day, and afked for Ndy/er^ thre^tning to knock out his Brains againft the Stoiies in the Wall, and that they would pull down the Houfe if he would not come out 5 though the Door was never fliut againft them. But fome of them came into the Houfe, and commanded him to come forth, under pretence todifpute with thePrief!:. But yaffles feeing what they intended, anfwered, You did not ufe me fo civilly the laft time I was amongfi: you, but if any have a Mind, they may come in, the Doors are open. Which anfwer they told the Priefts-, whereupon they rufhed violently in, and taking him by the Throat, haled him out of the Door into the Field, (where was a Man whom they called a Juftice) and with a Pitchfork ftruck off his Hat, and commanded him to anfwer to fuch Queftions as the Priefls would afk him. Whereupon the Prieft h^gan to afk many Qiieftions j as, concerning the ^efurreCnon^ the Hu7Jianity of Chrifl^ the Scriptures^ and divers other Qiieftions, as, the Sacrament^ and fuch like ^ to which he anf.^ered, and proved by Scripture. But at laft being afked if Chrift was ia him., he faid. He witneffed him in Meafure. The Prit ft asked, If Q)vif{ was in him a^ Man ? James laid, Chrift is not divided. But he urged him to tell, vjyo ether Chrijl as 'Man was 'in him or no ^ He an- fwered, Chrift is not divided 5 for if he be, he is no moi e Chrift : but i witnefs that Chrift in me (who (7) is God and Man) in Meafure. But the Priefi: fdd, T6'y7. Chr'ift is in Heaven with a carnal Body, To which O'^V'K) faid James^ Chrift filleth Heaven and Earth, and is not carnal, but fpiritual : for if Chrifl: be in Heaven with a carnal Body, and the Saints with a fpiritual Body, that is not proportionable (or agreeable) nei- ther was that a carnal Body which came in among theDifciples, the Doors being iliut : for Chrifl is a Myftery, and thou Icnoweft him not. ' Then after much Jangling and Tempting, thePriefl not having got the Advantage he waited for, he cried out unto the People, not to receive him into their Houfes^ and alledged that in the fecondEpiftle of John,, ver, to. Now how fuitablethat Place was for his Purpofe, all People may fee, who have Eyes; for there they are forbidden to receive any into their Houfes, but fach who abide in the Dc&rlne of Chrift^ and conjefs thcmjelves that they had both the Father and the Son, and preach that Doctrine , but the Priefts fay that is Blafpher/ty, Then the Prieft turned away from him •, upon which, the armed Multitude began to be violent a- gainfl: divers Friends that were there. Jaines hear- ing Friends cry out, faid to the Juftice, Ton zvill furely Jet us peaceably in the Houfe again : but feeing him to go away, and leave them in the Hands of the rude Multitude, he gave himfelf up, faying, The Will of the Lord be done. Upon which the Juftice turned again, faying. We will fee him in the Houje again -^ and going towards the Houfe, many Friends kept clofe about James ^ expofing their own Bodies to the Danger of their Weapons, to favehim harmJefs : And fo with much ado we got into the Houfe, not receiving much Harm. Which being done and as James was praifing the Lord, for his wonderous Deliverance from their malicious Intents, fome heard them fay. If we let him go thus^ all Feople will run after him. Whereupon they agreed that he fhould be brought before the Ju- ftice again, and came with Vioknce^ and haled hini B 4 out ( s ) i<^5^2. out again. Then the Jiiftice and the Priefl: getting ^-^'V^^on Horfeback, they caufed him to run after them to an Alehoufe on the other Side the Water, where they went in, not fufFering one Friend to go in with Ja7nes. And when he came before the Juftice, he told him. If he would nnt put off hk Hat^ he would fend him to I^rijon '^ and aifo becaiifehe Thoud him^ for the Ju- ftice faid. My Commiffion runs Te. To which James anfwered, I do it not in Contempt ^ for I own Au- thority, and honour it according to the Scriptures: but I find none fuch Honour commanded in Scrip- ture, but forbidden. Then they concluded to com- mit him for that, and alfo as a Wandering Perfon, and faid, None there knew from whence he came^ for thofe who knew him were kept out. Then faid he to Arthur Scaife, Thou knoweft me ^ I was in the Army with thee eight or nine Years. It is no mat- ter, faid the Juftice, Thou art no Soldier now. Then they writ a Mittimus to fend him toPrifon, and carried him to Kirby-fteven that Night, and fhut him up in a Chamber, and fet a Guard upon him : but divers of our Friends following into the Town, where a great Multitude were gathered together for Meeting: then did the People come from the Steeple- houfe, where another had been Preaching •, for divers of the Priefts were gathered together that Day, fome Preaching, fome Plotting and (ome Perfecuting : Je- zabeTs Fail was a Preparation for NabotFs Death. But Friends not being fuifered to go into the Houfe where James was, they abode in the Streets f, and fome of thejn being moved to fpeak to the People, the Priefls perceiving the People to give Audience to what was fpoken, made Complaint; Whereupon fome were fent forth, and with Violence fetched iu Francis Uovogill^ a Friend v/ho was fpeaking to the People, and brought him into the Priefls Hall, where were five Priefts ailembled, with many others of their Party, but not one Friend. And bringing him before thejuftice, he commanded to put off his Hat, He anfwered, 1 know no fuch Law, Thq Priefl: faid^, ••■ • • He (9) Be will tread both Miniflry and Jliagjftracy under hk 1 652, Feet, He faid. Thou art a jalfe Accufevx, prove xy^T^ wherein^ But one that flood by, took off his Hat, and caft it into the Fire. Then laid the Juftice, What is this thou Jpeakeft againft the Mimfters ^ He an- fwered, What haft thou to accufe 771c of ^ Where- upon one affirmed that he faid, ARthe Minifters that taught for Hire^ and in Steeplehoujes^ were Enemies, and Lyers againft Jefjfs Cbrift, and no Minifters of JefusChrift. Upon that, the Juftice faid, Thoufpeak- eft againft the Law-^ for the Law gives them their Maintenance, He faid, / meddle not of the Law, but of their Fra^iice, Then faid Franck to the Prieft, Didj} thou ever know a Jlinifter of Jef/s Chrift, that was a Perfecutor, or did labour to hr/prifon any ^ And after foine more Difcourfe, he faid to the Prieft, I have feen a great deal of Tyranny and Verfecution in this Days Anions, Then faid the Juftice to the People. Take Notice, he faith. The Law I a[i by^ is Tyranny and Verfecution. To which the People affented. Then faid Francis^ Thou may ft give out to the People what thou wilt • but If peak not of the Law, but of your A- Sions, Upon that he was i^^nt to Prifon ^ a Guard of Eight Men was fet over them, who fpent the Night in Dinking, Swearing, and filthy and unclean Talking \ and the more tliey were deflred by the People to beware of Sin, the more filthy they did appear. But thefe are the fitteft Inftruments foradt- ing the P|:iefts Intentions, being Members of their Churches. The next Day they were guarded to Appleby-, but fome Friends following, could not be fuftered to pafs on the Streets that Way -, fo great was their Envy againft all that fet their Faces that Way. And the Prifoners being brought thither, much Means were ufed, that none fhould come at them, but fuch as werefent to tempt them. There they were kept un- til the Seifions 5 in which time they fentupanddown the Country, to feek for any who would witnefs ^nj thing againft them -3 and improved their utmoft Interefl ( lo ) '16^7, IntereH for their Advantage. A Jury was chofen 5 i/^^'NJ divers of whom were refolved on the Bufinefs-, fo that it was told thePrifoners what would become of them, before the Day of Examination came •, and it was accordingly : For the Day came, and Judgment pafTed 5 but the Prifoners never faw their Accufers, nor know who they are. But againft that Day, the Priefls had prepared three large Petitions, ftuft with moft filthy Untruths and Slanders, raifed out ot the bottomlefsPit, but not one of them proi^ed, though one of the Juftices faid to them, // ^ Jit they /hou/d be proved: neither was there any thing in them, which they could charge upon the Prifoners, fave only what the Power of the Lord had manifefted at their Meetings in fiiaking proud Flefh, and pouring out his Spirit upon many, efpecially, as they faid, upon little Children : which the Priefts concluded was Sorcery and Witchery, and of the Devil ; hereby declaring themfelves to be of that Generation, who called the good Man of the Houfe^ Beelzebub \ and if they fliould not do the fame to them of his Houfhold, the Words of Chrift could not be fulfilled. Likewife they had gathered up all Reports, true or falfe, of things done by many that the Prifoners had not feen the Faces of, nor ever knew 5 thinking thereby to make them odious to the People. They alfo brought two Priefts out of Lancafhire^ to fwear things that another Man had fpoken in the Prefence of four Juftices of the Peace, and for which the Man had h^tn tried and cleared. Andthefe they brought thinking to add AffH^ions to the Brifoners Bonds. But he (with his Fellow-Prifoner) was kept in great Peace and Joy, having not any Comfort from Man, but from God, who hath appeared to him in this Condi- tion, and hath given him AfTurance of his Love, in whom he refts. To whom be Praife, Honour and Glory for ever. Jmen* Tbs ( I^ ) The Examination of James Nay- ler^ upon an Inditlment of Blaf- pheray^ at the SeJJions at Apple- by^ in January, 16^2, JUft'jce Pearfon. Fin ojf your Hats, J.Nayfer, I do it not in Contempt of Authorit7; for I honour the Power as it is of God, without RefpedingMensPerfons,it being forbidden in Scrip- ture. He that refpeds Perfons, commits Sin, and is convinced of the Law as a TranfgreiTor. 'Juft, Pearf. That is meant of RefpeBing Verfons in Judgment, J. N. If I fee one in goodly Apparel, and a Gold Ring, and fee one in poor and vile Ra3nnent5 and fay to him in fine Apparel, Sit thou in a higher Place than the Poor, I am partial, and judged of Evil Thoughts. CoL Brigs. If thou wert in the FarHa?nent HoufCy woiildft thou keep it on ? J. N. If God ihoiild keep me in the fame Mind I am in now, I fhould. Co/. Biigs. / Anew thou wouldfl contemn Authority. J. iV. I fpeak in the Prefence of God, I do not contemn Authority ; but I am fubjed to the Power as it is of God, for Confcience fake. Juft. Pearf, Now Authority commands thee to put off thy Hdty what fay ft thou to it ^ J, N. Where God commands one thing, and Man another, I am to obey God rather than Man. Co/. Benfon. See whether the Law commands ity or your own Wills. The Indictment was read, wherein James was in- " diaed for faying. That Cfjtftt tuaS in |)fm, ajid that t^m mfi 6ut s>nt ©ojo of Coo* 1652.' ( I^ ) i^T^. CoL Brigs. Where waft thou horn ? ^^^'y^^ % K At ArdiJIaw, two Miles from 'Wakefield. CoL Brigs. HoTP long Hvedft thou there ^ 9. N. Until I was Married : then I went into WakC' field Parifh. Col. Brigs. What Vrofejfion waft thou of? 5^. N, A Hufbandman. CoL Brigs. Waft thou a Soldier ? J. N, Yea j I was a Soldier between Eight and Nine Years. CoL Brigs, /i^^j^ thou not at Burford, among the Levellers ? J, N. I was never there. CoL Brigs. I charge thee by the Lord, that thou tell tne whether thou waft or no. J, N, I was then in the North, and was never tax- ed for any Mutiny, or any other thing, while I ferved the Parliament. CoL Brigs. What wof the Caufe of thy comng into thefe Parts ? y. N, If I may have Liberty, I fhall declare it. I was at the Plow, meditating on the things of God, and fuddainly I heard a Voice, faying unto me, Get thee out from thy Kindred^ and from thy Father ^ Houfe, And I hadaPromife givenin withit. Where- upon I did exceedingly rejoyce, that I had heard the Voic6 of that God which I had profefTed from a Child, but had never known him. CoL Brigs. Bldft thou hear that Voice ? J. N, Yes, I did hear it ^ ^nd when I came at Home, I gave up my Eftate, cafi: out my Money ; but not being obedient in going forth, the Wrath of God was upon me, £0 that I was made a Wonder to all; and none thought I would have lived. But (af- ter I was m^de v/illing) I began to make fome Pre- paration, as Apparel and other Neceflaries, not knowing whither I fhould go : but fhortly after- ward, going a gate- ward with a Friend from my own Houfe, having on an Old Suit, without any Money, having^neither taken Leave of WifeorChildreri, not thinking (13) thinking then of any Journey, I wascomman(3ed to 1^7^. go into the Weft, not knowing whether I fliould go,L/"^r\J nor what I was to do there : but when I had been there a little while, I had given me what I was to declare 5 and ever iince I have remained, not know- ing to Day, what I was to do to morrow. Col. Brigs. What noof the Promife that thou hadfl given ? J. N. That God would be with me ; which Promife I find made good every Day. CoL Brigs. / /tever heard fuch a Call as thk i$y in our Time, J. N, I believe thee. JuJ}, Pearf. Is Chri/i In thee ? J. N. I lyitnefs him in me : and if I fhould deny him before Men, he would deny me before my Father which is in Heaven. Juft. Pearf. Spiritual^ you mean ? 7. N. Yea, Spiritual. Juji. Pearf. By Faith^ or how ? J, N. By Faith. , Juft. Pearf. What Difference then between the Mini- Jlers, and you ^ J. A^. The Minifters affirm Chrift to be in Heaven with a carna/ Body^ but I with a,/piritua/. JuJ}. Pearf ^hich of the Miniflers fay.^ Chriji k in Heaven with a carnal Body f* J> N, The Minifter, fo called, of Kirby-Jieven. Priefl: Higgmjon flood up, and affirmed it again o- penly before all the Court. 7. A^. If Chrift be in Heaven with a carnal Body, and the Saints with a fpiritual Body, it is not pro- portionable ^ neither was that a: carnal Body which appeared among the Difciple% the Doors being Ihut, and appeared in divers Fornis. Que ft. Wa^Chrifl Man^ or no ? 7. A: Yea, he was, aiid took upon him the Seed of Abraham^ and was reat Flefti and Bone -, but is -a Mj^ftery not known to the carnal Man : for he is be- gotten of the Imjnortal Sced^ and thofe that know himj i5^2. him, know him to be fpiritual •, for it was the Word ly^\rsJ that became Flefh, and dwelt amongjl us •, and if he had not been fpiritual, he had not wrought my Re- demption. Jufl. Pearf. If Chrift iff thee as Man ? J, K Chrift filleth all Places, and is not divided ^ feparate God and Man, and he is no more Chrift. Ju/}. Pearf. If we Jhnd to difpute theje things^ zxie P)ould have the Minijiers. James perceiving Prieft Wgginfon offended, becaufe he had told of his Saying, that Chrift was in Heaven with a carnal hodj^ James faid, Friend, I had not accufed thee, had I not been aiked what was the Difference between the Minifters and me. For I am not come to accufe any ^ for I am a» gainft Accufations. CoL Brigs. Waft thou not of a Kirk about Sawrby > J, K I was a Member of an Independent Church at Ifeed Church. Col. Brigs. Waji thou not excommunicated for thy blafphemotfs Opinions ^ J. Al I know not what they have done fince I came forth ^ but before I was not, to my Knowledge. Col. Brigs called of Mr. Coale, faying, Didyowe^er hear) Itch a Call as thk ^ Did you hear it ^ Coale. 2>j, / heard Fart of it, CoL Brigs. Bidft not thou write a Paper .^ zioherein. tvas mentioned., That if thou thinkejl to be faved by that Chrift which died ^/ Jerufalem, ^/Z^d?// art deceived ? J. N. If I cannot witnefs Chrift nearer than J^- rufalem., I fliall have no Benefit by him ^ but I own no other Chrift, but that who imtneft'ed a good Con- fcffion before Fontius Filate '., which Chrift I witnefs fuffering in me now {viz. fpiritually.) CoL Brigs. Wilt thou deny thy Hand ? J. N. I will not deny my Hand, if I may fee it % and I defire that I may have fo much Favour, that thit Paper may be kept as an Evidence, either with or againft me. A large Petition being read, wherein was fome- thing againft leaking and Trembling. Juft. ( 15 ) Juft. Pearf. How comes it to pafs that People quake 1652. and Tremble ? ^ ^ iX^VVJ J. iV. The Scriptures witnefs the fame Condition in the Saints formerly ^ as David, Daniel, Habbakkuk^ and divers others. Juft. Pearf, Did they fall down ? 7. N. Yea, fome of them did fo. Co ale. David /aid, all hk Bones were broken^ but they were whole. J. N, So are thefe now. Coale. Mofcs trembled 5 for he Jaw the Face of God, and all Ifrael. y. K Did all Ifrael fee the Face of God? That crofleth the Scriptures. Coale. They faw hk Glory. Ifhallfee the Lord with thefe Eyes'^ putting his Fingers to his Eyes. J. N, They muft firft be made fpiritual ^ he cannot be feen with carnal Eyes, for he is a Spirit , and no Flelh can fee God, and live. Coale. That Light by which 1 am jujiifiedy ii a ere' ated Light. J. N. That Light by which I am juflified, is not a created Light. Coale. That is true, Juft. Pearf. To the Jford: What fay fl thou to the Scriptures ? Are they the Word of God ? j, N. They are a true Declaration of the Word, that ivas in them who fpoke them forth. Higginion. Is there not a written Word^ J, N. Where readeft thou in the Scriptures, that they are called the written Word ^ The Word Is fpi- ritual, not feen v/ith carnal Eyes: but as for the Scriptures, they are true, and I witnefs them true, in meafure fulfilled in me, as far as I am grown up. Juft. Pearf Why doft thou difturb the Minijiers in their fublick Worfloips ? J. N, I have not difturbed them in their publicfc Worfhips. Juft. Pearf Why doft thou [peak againft Tythes, which are allovoed by the States ^ ( i6 ) 16^2. J' ^' T meddle not with the States^ I fpealc a- L/V^tJgainft them that are Hirelings, as they are Hirelings: thofe that vvere fent of Chrift, never took Tythes, nor ever filed any for Wages. Jufi:. PearC Doll thou think we are fo beggarly as the Heathens, th.it we cannot afford our Minijiers Maintenance ? We give them it jreely, J, N. They are the Minifters of Chrifl, who abide in the Doftrine of Chrift. Juft. Pearf. But who Jhall judge ? How JJ:faU we know them ^ J. N, By their Fruits yon (hall know them •, they that abide not in the Dodtrine of Chrift, make it appear they are not the Minifters of Chrift. i>Thujun, Juft. Pearf. That is true."^ Pearfon tp^| thisswons. After this, there paffedfome Difcourfe betweenju- ^>J^^^yJ^j*;ftice Ben/on^ and others on theiBench, concerning 3^. the Bench Nay/or's Commitment. Juftice Benfon alledgM, That ^eof hi4 jjj^ Words hy him fpoken. were neither within the A^i a- ing that kn-gainjt Blajphemyy nor agatnji any Law, 1 wo or the J U" fon" wfofJ/- ^^^^s reply'd, That rather than J. Nayler Jl)nuld go at terwards Liberty, and abroad in the Country, they would ftand to caileTrhQ^^^ ^^2^/-^ of being Fin d by the Judges of the AJfize ^ Great Cafe and another of the Juftices fiiid, That they rather ot^Tythes, committed him upon the Minijiers Petitions (tho' none of the Particulars therein were proved) //w;7^/p6'/7//;^/y?- diEiment, (there having been feveral Petitions put up by the Priefts of Wefimorland to the Juftices of the Peace, againft J. N, G. Fox, F, Hozvgil, and others) and accordingly it was ordered by the Juftices at Appleby^ That y. Nayler and F, Howgil ihould ftay in Prilon till the Petitions were anfwered : which faid Petitions were anfwered b}' G. Fox and J. Nayler ; fee the Book, intituled, Several Petitions anfwered, that were put up by thePrieJTsof Weftmorland, againft J. N. and G.F. So after about 20 Weeks Imprifonment, they were dif- charg'd -, atter which J, N. continued in the Service of Truth in the North, till he came to London about the Year 1654. as will appear h*ir<.after by his own Account. A Le tter ( 17 ) j4 Letter of James Nayle rV^ to fo?ne Friends in Yorkfhire^ giving a brief Account of the proceedings at Ijinc^^itii'SeJfions agamfi him and G. Fox; as in a Book^ called^ A brief Difcovery, and alfo in G. F's Journal^ Tage 9O5 &c, DEAR Friends and Brethren in the Lordjefus Chrifi:, my dear Love is unto you all, defiring you mij be kept ftedfaft in the Lord Jefus Chrift, and in the Povrer of his Love, boldly to witnefs forth the Truth, as it is revealed in you by the mighty Working of the Father 5 to him alone be everlafting Praife, and Honour for evermore. Dear Friends, the Lord doth much manifefl his Love and Power in thefe Parts. Upon the fecond Day of the la ft Week, my Bro- ther George and I were ?i\La?7caftery there were Abun- dance of Friends from all Parts, and a great fort of People who fided with the Priefts, giving out, They now hoped to fee a Stop put to that great Work, which had gone on fo faft, and with fuch Power, that their Kingdom is much ihaken. We were called before Judge FeU, Colonel iFeji^ Juftice Sawrey^ See. to anfwer what was charged a- gaind George. There were three Witnefles to Eight Particulars, but they were much confufed in them- felves, which gave much Light to the Truth ^ where- by the Juflices did plainly fee, that it was Envy, and they divers times told them fo. One of the WitneiTes was aYoung Prieft, who con- feffed, he had not jneddled, had not another Prieft C knt ( I» ) 16'^ 7. fent for him, and fet him on Wort. The other Wit- t/VS^ nefles were two Priefts Sons. It was proved there, by many that heard one of them fay. If he hai fowe}\ he would make George den] h^ Frofejjlorj, and that he would take away his Life, ' This was a fingle Witnefs to one of the greatefl: Untruths that were charged againft George r and the Juftices told him. That theyfaw^ becauje he could not take away hk Lije^ he went about to take a way hk Liberty, There was one Prieii chofen out of the whole Number, as an Orator, to plead againfius^ who fpared no Pains to ihew forth his Envy againft the Truth: And when he could not prevail, he went down in a Rage^ and there came up a Pack of them into the Room, among whom was one Jacus, George was then fpeaking in the Room (one of the Juftices having wilhed him, ;/ he had any thi^g to fay, he vjould/peak :) At which thefaid Prieft yact/s was in fach^a Rage, that he brake forth into many high Ex- prejhons againft the Truth fpoken by my dear Bro- ther C^^^r^f^ amongft which, this was one. That the Letter and the Spirit were infeparable. Hereupon the Juftices ftood up, and bid him prove that, before he went any further. Then he feeir.g himfelf caught,, would have denied it; and when he could not get off' fo, the reft of the Priefts would have helped him to a Meaning for his Words; bur the Juftices would admit no other Meaning, than the plain Sence of the Words, but told him, He had laid down a Foji- tion^ and it wa^ fit he fJwuld prove it -^ preiling the Matter clofe upon him. Whereupon the Priefts, be- ing put to filence, v/ent down in a greater R age than before ; and fome of them, after they were gone down, being afked v/hat they had done, lyed and faid, They could not get into the Roopti-^ thereby to hide their Shame, a.ud keep the People in Blindnefs. The Juftices, Judge Fell and Colonel f^^eft^ were much convinced of the Truth, and aid fetupjuftice and Equity ; and have muchfilenced the Rage of the People. Many bitter Spirits were at Lancajhr, to fee ( 19 ) fee the Events but went Home and cried, ThePriefls' iS'^i. had loft the Bay : Everlafting Praifes be to him, who L/^^T^, fought the Battel for us, who is our King for ever. There were others called, who the WitnefTes con- fefTed were in the Room, when the things charged on George were faid to have been fpoken ^ but they all as one Man, denied, that any fuch Words were fpo- ken: which gave much Light to the Juflices, and they durfl truft what they had witnefled, for the/ faid, they knew many oj them to be honeft: Men, There was a Warrant granted out againft us at Appleh\ but Juftice Ben/on told them, It wa^ not according to Law \ and fo it ceafed : As I hear he is a faithful Man to the Truth. The Priefts began to preach againil the Juftices, and faid. They were not to meddle in thefe things^ but to endControverfie betwixt Neighbour and Neighbour^ They are not pleafed with the Law, becaufe it is not in the Statute to imprifon us, as the Prieft, that pleaded againft us, faid -^ the Jafticebid him. Go put it into the Statute^ if he could -^ he faid. It Jhouli want no Will of h^. They are much afraid, that they fhall lofe all. They are much difcontented in theie Parts •, and fome of them cry. All is gone. Dear Friends, Dwell in Patience, and wait upon the Lord, who will do his own Work. Look not at Man in the Work, nor at Man who oppofeth the Work ^ but led in the Will of the Lord, that fo ye may be furniflied with Patience, both to do and to fuffer what ye fhall be called unto, that your End in all things may be his Praife. And take up his Crofs freely, which keeps low the fleflily Man, that Chrift may be fet up, and honoured in all Things, and fo the Light advanced in you, and the Judgment fet up, which mufi: give Sentence againft all that oppof- eth the Truth, that the Captivity may be led Captive^ and the Frif oner fet free to feek the Lord^ that Righ- teoufnefs may rule in you^ and Feace and Joy tnay^ dwell in you^ wherein confifteth the Kingdom ot the Father-, tp whom be all Praife for ever. C 2 Dear 16^0. Dear Friends, Meet often together, and talce heed ( L/^^^v?of what Exalteth it felf above its Brother -, but keep low, and ferve one another in Love for the Lord's fake. Let all Friends know how it is with us, that God may have the Praife of all* Written from Killet, ths ^oth Day of the '6 th Month y 1652. Truth cleared from Scandals : Being James NaylerV ^nfwer and 2)^- ^ claration^ touching fome things charged upon him in the Lancafhire Petition. j/-^ TTAving heard of divers Untruths cafl: upon me XTL ^7 Ibme of the Priefts in their High Places, though I fland only to the Lord in refped: of my felf ^ yet left any that Love the Truth, fhouid be led to fpeak Evil of the Things they know not, I Ihall lay open the Truth, as it is in me revealed, touching thofe things whereof I have been falfly accufed. jude 10. T, Concerning Jefus Chrift, who is the Eternal Re.ii^.i3.\Vord of God, by whom all things were made and I Jon.. 1. 1, ^j.^ upholden, who was before ail Time, but niani- 1 Pett'i? hefted in Time for the Recovery of loft Pvlan^ which 25. Word became Flelh, and dwelt amongft the Saints, Joh. 1. 14. who is the fame Yefterday, and to Day, and for e- Hp^i.^Bo. ^^j. who did, and doth dwell in the Saints -, who i[..;^\3'i2TufFered, and rofe again, and afcended into Heaven, 2Ther.2.8and is fet at the Right Hand of God ^ to whom all 2 Cor. 6. Power is given in Heaven and in Earth 5 who filleth ^^* ^ all Places-, he is the Light of the World ^ but known to [5 j-^ none, but thofe who receive and follow him^ and thofe he leads up to God, out of all the Ways, Works, and ( ^I ) and "Worfhii^j of the World, hy his pure Light in 16^5. them, whereby he reveals the Man of Sin, and by O^'VNJ his Power cafts him out, and fo prepares the Bodies of the Saints a fit Temple for the pure God to dwell in, with whom dwells no unclean thing. And thus 2 Cor. $. he reconciles God and Man, and the linage of God, 18, 19. which in Purity and Holinefs is renewed ; and theI-^^^*3»io» mage of Satan, which is all Sin and Uncleannefs, is defaced. And none can witnefs Redemption further than Chrifl: is thus revealed in them, to fet themJ^hnS. free from Sin : Which ChriH: I witnefs to be revealed ^"^^ ^^* in me in Meafure, Gal. 1. i^. 2 Cor, 13, 5. CoL I. 27. 2. Concerning the Scriptures, That they area true i John i. Declaration of that Word which was in them, that 3, 5. gave ox f pake them forth, and are of no private In-^ ^^^' ^* terpretation •, but v/ere given forth to be read and?)\'^^* fulfilled in the Saints, as they were given forth by Rev. '22.' the Holy Ghofl, without adding or diminilhing, and 18. were not given forth for Men to make a Trade upon, '^^^^^•3» to get A^oney by •, but as they are, they are pro jit ah k^^' ^^* jor Dothine^ jor Reproofs for CorreEiion, for Inftruc*- t'lon in Right eoufnefs^ that the Man of God may he perfe^^ throughly furn'ifhei unto every good Work : But they who trade in the Letter, and are ignorant of the Myfiery, deny all Perfection. And none can rightly underfland the Scriptures, but they whoj.Cor. 2. read them with the fame Spirit that gave them forth, 14, 15. For the natural Man receiveth not the Things of the l^^-^*^^* Spirit of God'^ for they are fpiritually difcerned, ^^^ ^* '5* 3. Concerning Baptifm. The true Baptifm is that \^^ of the Spirit, with the Holy Ghoft and with Fire ii^Tet.^.i. Baptized by one Spirit into one Body: not the Wafloing^^^-'^^'^'^' cway of the Filth of the FleJJ?, but the Anfzver of a ^^^' 3^^^' good Confdence towardf Gody hy the Re/urreElion ^/Mat!'26?* Jefus Chrift : without vv^hich, no other Baptifm can 26, 28. * fave us, they being but Figures or Shadows.^ but Jo^. 6.51, this Baptifm of Chrifl is the Subftance, whereby we ^^'^'^'^^' are Baptized into his Death , and thofe who are Bap- ^ " tized into Chrift, have put on Chjift. C :^ 4. Con- ( 21 ) "^6^7. 4- Concerning the Lord's S//pper, the true Supper ^-'^''^*^' of the Lord, is the Ipiritual Eating and Drinking iCor.io.of the Fleih and Blood of Chrift fpiritually, which 1^- the fpiritual Man only eateth, and is thereby Koit' 24 2^?^* r^^^^ ^^P ^^^^. £"/^^/'/7^/ Z//^. V/ithout which Eat- Col. 2.'io.^^S there can be no Life in the Creature, profefs Acts 4.32. what you will. And all who eat of tliis Bread, and J Cor. 1 1, drink of this Cup, have real Communion with Chrift ?7' -^'^9' the Head, and alfo one with another, as Members, ^ ' ^* ^'and are all of one Heart, ^nd one Mind, a compleat Body in Chrift, Now the World, who take only the Outward Signs, and are not brought into a Dif- cerning of the Lord's Body, eat and drink Bamna' lion to them/elves, and fo become guilty of the Body and Blood of Chrift; and calls this a Communion, but lives in Envy, Strife and Debate, Fighting, and going to Law one with another, for Earthly Things. iCor. 1$. 5:. Concerning the i?'^^ of Fevfons ^ and faith, Such are partial in themf elves, ^' and become Judges of evil Thoughts, And faith Paul^ Rom. 13. Let every Soul be [ubjeEh to the higher Vomers \ for^^y^^ faith he, there is no Power but of God : the Powers that be, are ordained of God, not of Man : And that whcfoever refijleth the Povoer^ refifteth the Ordinance of God : and faith, Ife muft needs be fubje^l for Con- fcience fake. And therefore, though the Prophets and Saints were often fent by the Lord, to pronounce Judgment againfl: unjuft Men, who had the Power committed to them, and did not judge for God, but for Self-Ends \ yet they never attempted to raife any Violence againfl them, but ufed all means to perfwade them to do juftly^ love Mercy, and walk^^^'^'^-^' hu?nbly with God, that they might be eftablilhed, and the Wrath of God turned av/ay from them : For i Pet. i. thofe that be of God cannot rejoyce in the Defi:ruc-\2. tion of any, but would have all to turn to God, and ^^4^^.4.11. find Mercy. 7. Concerning the Miniflry, The true Miniflers of Jefus Chrift have always been, and are fall, fuch as came not by the Will of Man, but by the Will of God ^ neither are they fitted for that Work by any thing of Man, but by God alone ^ for the true Mi- niftry is the Gift of Jefus Chrift, given for the Per-i Cor. 12* feching of the Saints, and needs no Addition of Humane 7? Helps and Learning, but as the Work is fpiritual, ^ 4 and ( H ) J6'y7' and of the Lord, fo they are fpirifually fitted only ^■^'^"^^^'^^ by the Lord. And therefore he choFe Herdfmen, Pet. 4.10. Filhermen and Ploughmen, and fuch like. And as "• he gave them an immediate Call, without the Leave 111*216.°^^^^^^^' ^^ ^^ fitted them immediately, without the Help of Man : And as they received the Gift freely, fo they were to give freely. And whenever they found any of the faife jvlinifters, who taught for Hire, they cried oat againfl: them, and pronoun- ced Woes againfl: them, and the wed them, that they Mat.Tc.S.lay in Iniquity, becaufe they thought that the Gift '" ^ "^ ' ' " ' ' " And 770t 3. for the Sheep, And Micah cries out againft the 10* Priefts that taught for Hire, and faith. They build up Sion with Blood, and Jerufale/H with Imqitity, And Jer. 5.3c. Jeremiah cried out againfi: the Prieits in his Days, that and 6. 13* bear Rule by the Prophets Means, and calls it an hor- rible Thing, and faith, That from the leaji of them to the gre ate ft J they are all given to Covet oufnejs. And Ifai. '56. Ifaiah cried out of fuch in his Days,- and calls them 10, II. (jreedy Dogs, that can never have enough 5 and, faith he, they all look for their Gain from their garter, 2 Pet. 2. And 'Peter faiih of fuch in his Days as flionld come, 14) M' that they through Covet oufnefs fhould 7nake Merchan- "^f^^^'^^'dife of /he People, and faith, they have Hearts ex- erci fed with covetous Praffi/es, who have for/a ken the right Way, and have folio wed the IP" ay of Balaa?n, who Jiide II. /^jj^J the Wages of l/nrighteoufne/s. And Jude cries. Woe unto them, for they go on in the Way of Cain^ and run greedily after the Error of Balaam, for Re- zvards. But thofe that v/ere fent out by Chrilt, counted it tlieir P.evv^ard to make the Gofpel without 1 Cor. 9. Charge;, neither ever had they any fet Means, but 16^17, iS.-^ent about, having no certain Dwelling Place-, nei- iCor. 4. therivcre Mailers, but Servants to all for Chrift's Gal. 4. 1 ^.^^^^5 nor ever went to Law for Tythes, or any o- ther earthly Thing, but fuffered Perfecution. And as always he that was after the Fleih, perfecuted him that v/asaiter the Spirit 5 even fo ic is now. Nov/ ( 25 ) Kow all People, Try your Priefl-s by the Scriptures, i<$^^. whether they are of God, or of the World ^ and L/^V^O never think to hear the Word of the Lord from their Mouths, who walk contrary to the Scriptures^ for fuch were never fent of God ; for had they been fent of God, they would abide in his Doctrine. And John faith, Such have not God, but he that abides in ^ John 2. the Do^rine of Chriff, hath both the Father and tbe'^,4.,<=i,6. Son, And if there coir.e any to you, and bring not Joh-^9-»o« this Dodlrine, you are forbidden to receive them in- ^ ^°^^" ^' to your Houfesy or bid them God /peed : for if you ' ' - do, you are Partakers of their evil Deeds, And un- to the Wicked, faith God, What hafl thou to do toVh\, ^o, declare my Statutes^ or that thouJJoouldeji take my Co- ^^^ !?• venant into thy Mouth \ feeing thou hateft InftruEiiony and caJJeft my Words behind thy Back^ and art a Par- taker-with the Thief, the Adulterer, Evil-f peaking, Slandering and Deceit-^ And fuch as do thefe things, think God to be like themf elves. But 1 will reprove VhX, ^^o* thee^ andfet them in Order before thine Eyes, 21. 1653. J. N. j4n E^ijlle to feveral Friends about Wakefield. Jlmes Nayler^ a Prifoner of Jefiis Chrift, unto all that love the Appearance of ourLord JefiisChrid: every v/here, Grace and Peace be multiplied from God the Father, and from our Lord JefusChrifi:. My dear Hearts, you whom the Lord hath mani- fefi-ed fo much Love unto, as to call you out of Sin and Death, and the World, all the Delights and Pleafures of the World which fade away, up to himfelf 5 where is joy unfpeakable, Pleafures and Riches that eiidure for everniore. Dear { a6) ! iS'y^. Dear Friends, Watch and be fober, that you may ^y^VN^hear the Voice of your Beloved when he calleth, and let not the precious Profers of the Love of God be tendred in vain. While you have an Ear open to | the World, you cannot hear the Voice of God ^ fo | that you have been made to groan under it. How long have you been deceived by it ? All your time promifing Peace, Fulnefs, and Satisfaction : but have been brought to cry out of Oppreffion and Deceit. And your Cries are come before the Lord of Sab- baths, who is your Reft ^ and he is now ^.ppeared to deliver you, and fet you free from BondagCy-that you may ferve him alone. And now take heed of confulting with your Old Matter ; hath the Lord been fo merciful unto you, as that he hath fet your Faces out of Sodom and ^- gyp^-, towards the promifed Land ? Oh ! take heed of looking back, left jou. be taken Captive, and led back again ^ and fo you comiC fhort of Redemption, and your Faith fail you, and fo you come lliort of the Promife^ for Unbelief cannot enter into the Reft. But you, Dear Friends, put on Refolution, put on Strength, be valiant for your Freedom, caft oft* every Weight, follow your Captain, the Lord Jefus Chrift, who, for the Joy fet before him, en-' dured the Crofs, defpifed the Shame, and fo entred into Reft and Glory. Take heed of Halting between God and the World : What Agreement can there be, or what Peace v/hile you are married to the World ? Your Thoughts turn in thither, and you are adulterated from God, who gives you all good Things, as fo many Tokens of his Love. Hereby is the broken Language brought forth, and you cannot fpeak the pure Language of the Land of Reft. And while you give way to that in you, which leads you to look back to what is behind you, you keep your felves in the Wildernefs and Darknefs, and lofe your Way, and know not where you are-, grieving the Holy Spirit of the Lord which hath appeared unto you to guide you. But (^7) But, (O Friends!) mind your Guide and follow 1^5;^.' him ^ Arife, fhine, your Light is come, and the V/VN5 Glory of the Lord is rifen upon you •, the Night is far fpent, theDay is at hand, even the Day of 6'/^;?'s Deliverance: Arife, come away, all you that love her, coineoff from the World and worldly things, come into the Life, lie no longer in Death and dead Things. Awake, thou that fleepeft, and ftand np from the dead, that Chrift may give thee Light ; Come forth, come forth of all created Things, wit- nefs your Redemption from the World, that you are redeemed from the Earth up to God, out of all Kindreds, Tongues, People and Nations, to reign as Kings and Priefts for ever, above the World, Sin and Death, triumphing and treading upon all that would take you Captive. This is the Day of your Delive- rance, own it v/ith the Lofs of all fading Plea fu res, make it appear to all the World, this is the Day you waited for : even the Day of your Joy, but of the World's Sorrow : a Day of Blacknefs and Gloo- minefs^ a Day of Fear and Trouble to them that opprefs yon ^ a Day wherein the Kingdom of Jefus Chrifl: fhall he exalted, and all the Kingdoms and Powers of the Earth fhaken •, a Day wherein the Lord will avenge the Power of him that is tooftrong for you. Rejoyce, rejoyce, ye Meek of the Earth, Ihout for Joy, ye poor defpifed Ones, whom your Brethren have trodden upon, and have caftyouout, and you have been made their Mocking ftock for the Truth's fake^ fing and rejoyce, the Voice of a King is amongfl you, and he will marry you to him- felf in Rightecufnefs, Purity and Holinefs, and will rejoyce over you, as a Bridegroom over the Bride, and you fhall be for a Crown of Glory in the Hand of the Lord, and a Royal Diadem in the Hand of your God. O my dear Hearts ! My Defire to God for you all, is. That you might come to fee what unfpeakable Riches is laid up tor you in Jefus Chrift, which is hid from all Flefc? neither can they fee -it v/ho live after ^he ( a8 ) ^^5^^ theFlefli: And while they continue their Love to ^^^^^'^*^ the World and worldly Things, they keep out the Manifeftation of the Father's Love, for their Hearts cannot receive both. Now fliew your felves wife Men, chufe that which is eternal : here is Light and Life tendred to you in JefusChrift, freely out of the Father's Love: freely receive Life and Love, and fhew forth Lire and Love to God again, by giving up to him all you have, and all you are for Chrift's fake^ that fo you may come to receive all again with Chrift, who is the Fulnefs of the Father's Love, and in him are all good Things needful for this Life, and that which is to come, even the Earned of your Inheritance, which none can take from you •, which being received, you xhall never Hunger more, having a Wellfpring with- in, even the Witnefs of Eternal Life and Love. And as Chrifl: appears, who is our Life and Love^ fo ftiall Life and Love appear, fpring, bloflom, and bring forth Fruit towards God and Man: That fo, being raifed by him from Death and dead Works, you may henceforth live unto God: And being brought into Onenefs with him, and Purity, and Holinefs, you may be one amongfl: your felves, of one Heart and one Mind, fpeaking one and the felf- fame thing •, and having the fame Care one for an- other, as tor your felves. And take heed that there be not in any of you a Principle of Self-love, which will lead to Separation and Divifloji, cafting a Stum- bling-Block in the Way of the Simple ^ and fo they that are weak, may be defiled and turned hack into the World. And I befeech3^ou, Brethren, that you mark them that once fet their Faces towards «SV^/7, but not being willing to deny the World, and take up the Crofs, have confulted with Flefh and Blood, and turned back into jEgypt cig^in: of fuch take heed, know- ing, that the fameSpirit that hath wrought in them deceitfull}'-, will not ceafe to work by them to de- ceive others, to maintain its own Kingdom. But you, ( 39 ) you, ftanding faft in the pure Light of Chrifi:, fliall i6^^J fee whither thofe return, and the Caufe of their Re- O^VX) turnings, and that the End of fuch is worfe than the Beginning: but there will be fuch, that they who are aJ)proved may be made manifeft. But yoa my Brethren, be ye fo far from following fuch, that their Falling away, may caufe you to watch, and fearch by what Power you ftanJ , and fo a pure Fear may be preferved in you, by which you may be kept in the Way that leads to the Crown which is immortal 5 for it is he that overcomes that muft wear the Crown : Wherefore faint not, nor think any thing hard the Lord calls you unto-, nothing muft fuffer, but that which is to die, that your Souls may live. Oh! your light Afflidion worketh for you a far more exceeding Weight of Glory, while you keep your Eye to that which is invifible. Where- fore give up your felves to his Will in all things. Stand in the Will of God in your prefent Condi- tion, you are my Joy in the Lord, let my Bowels be refrefhed to hear of your Stedfaftnefs and Growth in the Truth. Take heed of propounding Ends to your felves in any thing, for that leads out of the Way of God, and gives way to your own Wifdom ; and fo you feek to preferve that alive which is ap- pointed for Death, and fo you maintain War againft God, and know it not. And in this Condition you can have no Peace, while the Enemies are in Arms againft your Peace. Oh! dear Friends, you are in my Heart, my Prayer to God for you is. That you may be kept blamelefs to the Coming of our Lord Jefus Chrill, bleffed for ever. My Fellow Prifoner, and dear Companion in the F. H. Lord, falutes you all. Ceafe not to pray for us, that we may be kept to his Praife, who hath count- ed us worthy to fufFer for his Name. W"e are well, and in great Peace, kept in our Father's Love above all. We are often brought to fland, and wonder how we are kept in the midfl of the Fire, and not confumed ^ and the more that the Enemy rages, the more C 30 ) 16$^. more are we iept in Peace within. Here are ftrange ^^^'^VXJ Devices ufed to enfnare us, to get ought againfl: us (true or falfe) but all is ordered hy a Power the World knows not. God is our Strength, rejoyce with us, all dear Friends, and Praife his Name for evermore, for he is worth}'', for his Mercy endures for ever. James Mayler^ A Vrifoner at Applehy in Weft- mor land for the TrutVs Jake^ I 6 S 3. To All Dear Brethren ani Friends m Holdernefs, and, in the Eafi Tarts of Yorklliire. Dear Friends, I Rejoyce in you, as ycu are entred into the Love of the Truth, and have owned the Voice that calls out of the Darknefs that is over all the Earth, to fet your Faces towards Sion, the City of everlafl- ing Light. And now mind your Way, and the Light that is given to guide you in the Way, to keep your Eye to the Light, that? it may lead you through all the vifible Things of the World : And as you pafs through, you may fland fingle in the Mind un- to God, not turning to the Right or Left hand, where lies the Temptation-, nor looking back, which lays you open to be afTaulted afreili by thofe Evils you had once efcaped from •, but keeping the Eye towards the Mark, pafs on, leaving and forgetting what is behind, and treading and trampling under 3'our Feet, what the Enemy ihall lay as Stumbling- Blocks in your V7ay, which your carnal Eyes, or Ears, or Hearts would be doling with, for the Temp- (50 Temptation lies In the carnal Things, and there is i6^?, the Bondage of the Creature to things that are cor- C^^VVI rupt ; from which Bondage from Sin and Corruption the Lord is now appeared, that in the Light he may redeem and lead out of it all that will own and fol- low him. And this Light and Redemption is in his Son, whom he is about to exalt, in which Exaltation a ftrange and mighty Work is to be brought to pais, whereat all that ftand not in his Counfel and Fear, and to whom he fhall not reveal his Secrets, fhall be offended : for all that is exalted, fliall be laid low and debafed ^ the Wifdom of the Wife fhall come to nought, and theUnderftandingof the prudent Ones fhall be hid: Riches and Honours fhall fall to Duft, from whence they came, and the Worihip of the World (hall become Filthinefs, the Gods of the Hea- then fhall be famiihed with looking for Worfhip, but fhall get none* and the flrongefl of them fhall not be able to deliver himfelf: For the Lord will bring down all Heights and Mountains into the Val- leys;, for in the Valley of Jehofaphat he will plead with ail Fleih, which have fcattered the Seed of the Covenant. And now, Dear Friends, here is your Peace and BlefTednefs, That you filence all Flelh, and ceafe from your own Wifdom, and give over your Imagi- nations about the Things of God ^ come out of the Love of the World, and arife out of all vifible Things, and prepare to meet the Lord : Caft off all your Idols that have had your Hearts, and put off the Stumbling Blocks of your Iniquities from before your Faces, and give up all that will not that he fhould reign over them, that his Enemies may be your Enemies: for in Judgment and Righteoufnefs is he com.e our, to be avenged upon the unrighteous Seed. And now fland in the Light, that a Separa- til a Wid-Y be made in you, the Precious from the Vik, that a true Savour may arife, that you may knovtr your Calling and£le<^ion, what is called, and what you ( 30 K^^:?. ^rouare to come out of, left you {{^y in any of that ^>^V^^ to which the Plagues are-, for this is the Caufe of your Suffering, not difcerning, in the pure Wifdom, what that Antichrift or exalted Spirit is, that is got into the Seat of God, and iliewshimfelf tobeasGod, whofe Kingdom ftands in the Wifdom, Glory and Riches of the World, whereat all that know not the true God in Spirit alk Counfel. Therefore, Dear Friends, look not out into the vifible Things, for there he is ready to prefent to you falfe Voices and Vifions, Lying Wonders, to lead out the vain Alind into the Liberty and Boafting of High Things, in Words without Power: but while fuch fpeak of Liberty, they are in Bondage, in Mind, to corrupt and fading Things. And while thefe are Head in the Creature, there is not Redemp- tion : for the Bonds of Iniquity are unloofed, and the pure Seed is opprefTed, and the Plagues muflpafs upon that Nature. Therefore fink down into the Sufferings and Death, that you may find the Door whereat to enter -, for there is a Vale of Tears to pafs thorow. You Ihall find your Well Springs in him, where you Ihall drink of the Water of Life, and find Refreihment, and grow from Strength to Strength, till you come up to Sio/j, Stand faft, take heed of Words without Life, fpoken from the Com- prehenfions, for that feeds not the pure Seed, but feeds the WiWom which is below, and the Itching Ears, and fo the Pure is covered with Earth, and the Fowls of the Air are fed, and no Fruit is brought forth to Perfection. And take heed of that Nature that would know more than God is willing to re- veal: for youfhall find that unwilling to obey what it knows : And take heed of that which deiires to appear before Men to be commended, for that fel- dom deferves Praife of God. And let a godly Con- verfation declare what is within ^ and know one an- other in Spirit, and not in Word, and meet often to- gether, and wait upon God, (tor his Teaching alone) in a Crofs to your own Wills, for therein is the Se- crets (33) ' crets of God revealed. Let Love abound in you i^S^^i one towards another, without being partial. l/VVJ And I befeech you by the Love of God, that you halt not between God and the World -^ but as you profefs that you are not of the World, fo let 3rour Converfation be out of its Fafhions, Cuftoins, Tra- ditions and covetous Pradtices, that it may appear you are marked out for the Lord's, and that you are not afhamed to own that which differs, and fo walk, as not to cafl: an Offence on the Gofpel, that you become not a Scorn to Fools ^ but let Wifdom be ju- ftified of her Children. And take heed of that : which would be exalted above others, teaching and I talking of Things without Life. And you that would be counted Somebody, let fuch firft learn to wafh the Feet of them they would be above •, and j he that would he greatefi, let him be Servant to all, I for it is the humble, and not the high Spirits that are taught of God, and fuch fo walk, as their Lives and Pradlices teach and judge all vain, light and haughty Spirits. And mind how you grow out of the Earth, and out of that which is in the Enmity; and until you be brought out of the Love of all vi- fible Things, and wholly infolded into the Love of God, you cannot witnefs Redemption, nor receive the true Joy that arifeth in the Manifeftation of the Love^ for it is only he that is brought upout of the Death to reign over it, whole Heart is come out of the unrighteous Mammon, who is entred into the Kingdom of Righteoufnefs, Joy and Peace. And as you arife out of the Earthly Bondage, you fhall wit- nefs the glorious Liberty, and fo come to know your own Meafures, every one in particular to improve it, and not to boaft above it in another Man's Line ; And fo you will come to fee by what Power you ftand in your Warfire, how far you are Conquerors, and who is your Enemy at prefent ^ and fo be able to give an Account in your felvesof yourFaith^ and how you grow from Faith to Faith* D And, V 34- ; 16^^. And, t)ear Friends, watch over one another, e2* V*^/*^^Miort, reprove, admonilh in pure Love and Meelvnefs of Spirit, left you alfo be tempted ^ and all knovv^ That you are fet as a City on a Hill, as Signs to this Generation: therefore lift up your Light to all the World, that all Mouths WRy be flopped, and Hearts convinced •, fo that all that fee you, may fee you to he Children of Light, and being judged by you, may be afhamed of their Deeds of Darknefs: For great is the Work of the Lord, and blefled are they that are found faithful in it, in what is committed to them. Farewel, Dear Hearts, and the Lord God Almigh- ty blefs, profper, and prefer ve you pure and clear tinto his Kingdom, Amen» My Love in the Lord falutes you all, and if my Father pleafe, I fhall be glad to fee your Faces in the Flefh^ but his Will is my Peace, who is bleifed for evermore. Written from Nuby, the U(i Day of the Seventh Niomh^ i^53» A Lover of your Souls^ James Nay ler. The Work cf the Lord is great in thefe Parts, and he carries it on with a high Hand, having got him- felf the Victory. Praife the Lord with us, all that know him, who is worthy, even him alone for ever. THE ( 35 ) ' 7 THE Power and Glory of the Lord, Shining out of the NORTH, OR, THE Day of the Lord Dawning ; WHEREIN THE True Light is holden forth^ to all who delire to walk in the Day. WITH A TVarning to the Teo^le of England^ Of all Sorts, not to Oppofe Chrifl in his Kingdom' Then /pake J^z/i" again unto ibem^ f^^ytf^gy I ^^^ ^^^^ Light of the Worlds he that followeth me JJ?aJl not walk In Darknefs^ but ffoaU have the Light of Life, John' 8. 12. Therefore y behold^ I will proceed to do a fnarvelousWork among this People , even a mar ve lorn Work and a Wonder : for the Wifdom of their wife Men ffmll perifh^ and the Underfianding of their prudent Menfhall be hid^ Ifa. 29. 14. ALL People evr^ry where, who profefs that you . love God, and have a Delire to walk in his ^^^^^^4^ ^Va7s, and are in this dark World, wandering to D 2 ^nd (36) jSs'^- and fro, enquiring the Way, how you may come out ■^'"^"'^'^^ of this great City, which is Sodom and Egypt, whtte Rev.ii.S'Filthinefs and Darlcnefs rules, and is ;heard, where- in the Lord is crucified, and all the righteous Blood hath bten fhed, and your felves are kept in Bondage to Sin and Unrighteoufnefs, Blindnefs and thick Darknefs, and know not where you are, nor the Way out of this Condition ; though many of you have been enquiring after the Way fo many Years, feek- ing after your blind Guides, who are not the Way, neither in the Way themfelves, and fo haveforfaken the Fountain of Light, and have run alter, and have been led by them who are in the fame Dark- nefs with you. Now ftand ftill a while, and fee where you are, and what you have been doing. You pre- tend as to the Kingdom of God, but you are not feeking where it is: you have been feeking without^, but it is within you; and there you mufl: find it, if ever yrj, find it. It is not to be found in Forms and Cuftoms, and out-fide Obfervations : but the Luk. 17. Kingdom of God is voithin you, and the Way to the 2i« Kingdom is within you, and the Light that Guides into the Way is within. Chrift is the Way, and Job. 14. 6. Knov^ ye not that Chnfl is in you, except ye be Rcpro- !z CovA-^, bates ^ And as he is the Way, fo be is the Light; / I* am the Light oj the World, and lighten every one that ^^y^]^^' cometh into the World. He that follow eth fne fhaJl not walk in Darknefs, but fhall have the Light of Life. I Pet. 3. i'^^ti the true Shepherd of the Sheep, and my Sheep 19' knovo my Voice ^ but the Voice of a Stranger they ivill Rev. 2. 7,p2ffi }jsar. And the Voice of Chrifi: is Spiritual, and V: not Carnnl; and he fpeaks to the Spirits in Prifon i II 12.* ^^^ 1"^^ ^^^^ hz\\\ an Ear, hears ivhat the Spirit faith. ,. And he who comes once to hear the Voice of Chrift I in Spirit, will no more defire to hear the Voice of Strangers. All your Hirelings are Strangers to Chrift, and he knows them not ; tor though they may prophefie in Mat. 7. his Name, and in his Name caft out Devils-, yet if ^2, 25. they be Workers of Iniquity, Chrift knows them cot. ( 37 ) nof, and fuch know not Chrifi: ^ For he that faith ^ 1 i^^^. know him^ and keeps not^ his Commandment^ is a ^-^W^sl Lyar. ijoh.2.4, Now all People^ Ceafe from your ftrange Guides, and out-fide Lights, and return to the Light of Chrift in you, that which (hews you Sin and Evil, and the Deeds of Darknefs: for whatever tnakes fna- nifeftis Li^ht -^ znd this is that Light which lhinesEph.5,13. into the Confcience, which tells you. That Lying, Swearing, Pride, Envy, Covetoufnefs, Backbiting and DifTembling leads to Condemnation : And this Light checks you for Sin, and would have you to Do to all Men, oi you would he done to. And this Light is not a Chapter without you, in a Book, but it is that Light that revealed the Scriptures to the Saints, in their feveral Meafures, which they fpoke forth) and which thou readeft in the Chapter. And this Light being minded, will lead to the perfcdt Day, which declares all things as ibey are. And this did the Apoftles exhort the Saints tvtij' i ^tt. i, where to take heed unto, tiU the Bay dawned and the 19. Day 'Star did a rife in their Hearts: And this is a more fur e Word of '^rophefie^ than that the Apoftles did dear in the Mount, as he declared unto th.m. And if you take heed to this Light, to obey and love it, then it will fhew that to you, which no outward Declaration of Man can fliew you \ It will X^t you fee all your Sins done in fecret, and whom you have wronged, and how you have fpent your Time, and will bring you to Repentance, and to Tendernefs of Heart towards all People, and will bring you to exercife a pure Confcience in the Fear Aa. 24. of God, towards God and Man in Uprightnefs, and 16.' fo will lead up to Juftification and Peace. And if you difobey it, it will condemn you in your own Hearts, and will fhew you that God is greater than your Hearts, who will render to every one accord- ing to their Work. And here you are left without Excufe before God, Men and Angels^ and in this That you know Sin, and live in it. Here you have D 3 learned { 38 ) i6^9' learned your Condein nation, and 37-our Deceit is dif^ C/'^/^*^^ covered, whereby with a Pretence you make Prayers, and fa3% Lord^ Jhevo us a Sight of our Sins 5 whenas Joh. 3.20. God hath given you a Light within you, which be- ing minded and obeyed, will fhew you all your Sins and WickednelTes, and lead you out of them. But this Light you hate, becaufe you love your Evil Deeds 5 and you periih not for want of Light tendered, but becaufe you turn your Backs on it : for when you fhould bring your Works to it, to be proved, then you join with the Deceit, to make Co- verings for your Sins, and hide them left they Ihould , come to the Light, and be made manifeft. And this j is the Caufe why you ftumble, becaufe you walk not in the Light ^ for your evil Deeds will not abide Ijob 24. the Light: The Adulterer loves the Night, and the j;i5,& 16. Thief loves the Night, and the Drunkard loves the ll^'^^^^^-^- Night, and all. the Children of Darknefs love the Night, that they may bring forth their Evil Deeds unreproved.^ . And here thou art who loi'eft thy Sins, and here wilt thou be found, profefswhat thou wilt \ for the Day v/iil throughly declare thee what thou art, for u now is the Day of the Lord, which will judge thee f as thou art, neer at hand. And v/o to thee that hideft thy Sins, and covereft thine Iniquities.. Thou may ft hide from Men, and make Men believe thou 'Eph .j.s.^J^t aChriftian, but God v/ill not be mocked ^ for ' above all he abhors the Hypocrite and DifTembler: wherefore take heed and turn from your Deceit, and come forth, you Children of Darknefs, and come into the Light, where there is noOccafion of Stum- bling, and make it appear you are Children of the Light, hj loving it: and make it appear you love the Light, by bringing your Deeds to it to be prov- ed, that all your Works may be Works of the Light, that your Light may ihine forth before all Men in your Works, and that true Judgment may be fet up I Tohn 8. ^" l^^t ^"^ ^^^ Unrighteoufnefs condemned and can: '52, 34.* out, and Truth received in, that the Truth 2nay make : *' you ( 39 ) you free: for while you join with the Deceit^ you i/^n- confent to keep your Sins, and while you commit ^^^/^Vl Sin, you are the Servants of Sin, and the Images ^/joh. 3.19, Sin is Death, and Death reigns in you, becaufe you will not come to Chrift, who is the Light, that you may have Life, and your Deftrudion is of your felves •, and God is juft, and your Condemnation is this, That Light is come into the V/orld, and you love Varknejs rather than Light, becaufe your Deeds are evil: And this is that Grace of God which hath ap- peared to all Men ^ which is the Saints Teacher, and Tit. 2. teacbeth them to deny Ungodlinefs and worldly Lufls^'^^^ ^2. which you that live in your Lufts turn into Wanton- jude 4; pefs, and will not be taught by it ^ and here you read your Condemnation in every Sin you co r nit. O you People of England ! How long v/ili ir be e're you be obedient to the Kingdom of Jefas Chrift ? How long will you profefs him in Words and Forms, and yet will not own him in Power ? You can be i Cor. 4, content to let him have the Name of a King, fo2o. that you your felves may reign, and under the Name '^^^•^•^^^ of Chrift's Kingdom, act your own Wills. And tho' you cannot bear it, to be judged by the Spirit of Chrift where it is in his People, which judgeth all i Cor. 2, the World, and all Things, yet you cannot efcape ^i5» for you fhall be found Guilty before the mighty Judge of Heaven ana Earth, when hefliall appear in Flames of Fire, to be avenged upon all Deceit and j Pet.5.3, Unrighteoufnefs of Men. And will you be found at that Day Subjeds in the Kingdom of Chrift, wherein all the Saints are one, and Chrift their Headi and Lawgiver ? Or are you not Lords over God^ Heritage^ yea, over Chrift Himfelf ? And you will appear fucb, v/hen the Myftery of Iniquity ihall be Mato 2S, revealed in you 5 you who ought to make it 3''our2o. whole Care to obferve the Law of Chrift in all Things that he commands, as a Rule for you to walk by. But are you in your Duty, as Servants to Chrift, "vvhen you are prefcribing him Ways to walk by in his Church ? And is it not fo, when you would limit D 4. him C 40 ) 165^3. him to fpealc only by fuch as you in your Wifdom O-^VN^ approve of, or elfe he fliall be filent ? And to eifedt this, are all the Powers of the Earth combined to- gether : Do not you here take upon you to be Lords of the Vineyard, and not Servants ? And would not fufFer him to fend forth Labourers into it, who is Mat. iu Lord of it. Is not this the Way to make the Heri- 23, tothetage your own > Hath not all thePerfecution of the ^""- MefTengers of God, arifen from this Ground ? And 2Chron. how many times have earthly Powers been broken 36. 16, to Pieces againft this Rock ? And do you walk ac- cording to the Scriptures, which you fay is your Rule, when you would limit the Spirit of the Lord, not to fpeak in his own Time, and in what Place foever they who have the MelTage are fent into > Amos 7. ^^"' ^'ho are offended becaufe the Lord fends his 13. MefTengers into your Idol-Temples, to «cry againfl Ads ^. your Idol- Worfhips and Heatheniili Cuftoms, and to 19,20, (>3|| Q^j. pQQj. ignorant People from amongfl: you. Ads 17. v'/ho have long been deceived by their blind Guides: 2, 3. And to call them out of Forms and LikenefTes, into the Subfiance of all Worfliips, which is only in Spi- rit, and not in Forms and Cufloms, and out-fide John 4, Cbfervations, that they may come to know what 21,22,23, they worfhip, even the L i v i n g God, that their =^^' Souls may live. Which was the Way by which the Apoflles did gather the Saints out of all the Idols Temples and Carnal Worfhips, into the Spirit, as you may read in the Scripture. And this (with you) is a TranfgrefTion of your I-aw, and, you fay, it breeds Diftraction in your Churches : But what Churches are they, which will be fo foon diftraded > And what People are thofe Churches made up of, v/ho no fooner hear one deli- ver the Lord's MefTage in a peaceable Way, but they are all on Fire, Beating, Buffeting, Curfing, Swear- ing, and haling them to Prifon > And were you not Blind, you might plainly fee what Generation thefe are, who are, and always have been offended at the Will of God, ( 41 ) Is not the Love of God to Souls, to fend to call i6';7l them who will hear his Voice, out of fuch Churches C/'VNJ as are thus aded by a Spirit of Envy, Rage and Murther, which is the Spirit of the Devil? And this is that Spirit which being offended, fets the Crea- tures one to deftroy another, left his Deceit fhould be revealed. And are you not blind, who cannot diftinguifh be- tween that Spirit which ads in the Perfecutor, and that Spirit which ads in the Sufferer, and hath fo done in all Ages, and come out from amongft them > And what Law is that which you fay is tranfgrefled hy the Creature, being obedient to the Creator, o- beying the Voice of Chrift, witneffed in the Scrip- ture, by the Pradice of the Holy Men of God, fent out by the fame Spirit into the World, as thefe are at this Day ? Is this a Chriftian Law, as you pretend it to -'be, that thus withftands Chrift in his King- dom ? And were you fpiritual, as you pretend, a£Is 17. would not thefe carnal Laws, that oppofe the Spirits, 3. and Pradife of the Saints, be laid afide by you > And now try whether that Spirit ad in you, which led the Apoftles and Saints into the Temple and Synagogues daily, there to difpute againft all Idolatrous Worflijps, and to hold out to the People the trueSubftance, and thereby gathered the Church into God, in the Spirit, there to meet and worfhip^Afts i5. or that Spirit that was in them who perfecuted thei9>2o,2io Saints for fo doing, and commanded them to be fi- lent, and charged them with Breaking their Law, and Turning the World upfide-down, and counted them Madmen. And if any be moi-ed to fpeak 3 Word of Truth, while your Parifh-Teachers ar$ Talking, or before their Glafs be run. You that execute a Carnal Law upon the Bodies of fuch, are 3^ou fubjed to the Kingdom of Chrift, which is iq the Spirits of his own, whereby he rules the Con- fcience, and brings them to obey him in his Com- mands? Or will not you be faund in the Day ofi Cor.14. Tryal, to be Fighters againft God, under the Name 30. of ( 4^ ) 1 6^^. of Profeffing him ? And do thefe whom you perfe- jU^V*^ cute any thing but wh^it was the Saints Practife > And how are you not afhamed to profefs that Scrip- ture to be your Rule, which faith, If any thing be revealed, to another that fits by^ let the fir ft hold hi^ Feace. And this the Apoftle fets down as Order, and the Saints Liberty. But what Spirit afts you, who would reftrain it, and call it Diforder, and hale them before Rulers, or to Prifon for fo doing ? And you that fay. If fuch have their own Liberty^ it is Reafon they fhoitld be filent^ and not cry out againft others \ know that the Law of Chrift is not ground- ed on the Will and Reafon of Men : And is your Reafon here any thing but Carnal > For doth pure Reafon give any way, that Deceit fhould go under the Name of Truth unreproved? And is there any Reafon to limit the Spirit of ChriH:, that it Ihall not difcover the Man of Sin, where-ever he is, who niuft be revealed and deftroyed by the Brightnels of his Coming in the Saints, and by the Sword of his Mouth ? And is there any Reafon, That the Powers of the Earth fhould make Laws for the Spirit of Chrift in the Saints to ad: by (though in all Ages they would be meddling with it to their own Hurt ?) And if all fhould be fubjed to your Law, which you fay is Reafon, how fhould Truth be fpread abroad, and Deceit be brought to blulh , feeing Deceit hatn always, and doth ftill wind into the earthly Powers for Safety ? But Truth feeks no Corners, nor Shel- ters from earthly Pov/ers 5 for all that ever were fent out by Chrift to Preach the Gofpel, were called hj him alone, without the Confent of earthly Powers, neither flood they to the Judgment or Tryal of any Men or Powers, as from them to receive Order, whether to Preach or forbear : But by his Authority alone, by whom they v/ere fent, to whom alone they were to give Account of their Miniftry, v/ith Joy or Sorrow. And in this Work they denied all the Learning and Wifdomoi the World. Few of the Apoftles were learned. ( 45 ) learned, and ^auU when he tells of his Bringing up i6'y7,l in Learning, counts it amoigfi: other (carnal) Things, ly^VX^ Lofs and Bung^ (v/hich before he had counted Gain) ^^^ . that in the Lofs of them he might win Chnji -^ and 13. faith, of the Knowledge of the Gofpel, that he /W Phil. 3; it not of Man^ nor by JIan, nor was he taught it^ but 7» S* by the Revelation of Jeji^ Chrijl. Jut what Rulef^^^^"^'"* walk y m by, who muft have them t^ fach a Pitch of Learning, and fo many Years at Oxford or Cam- bridge^ and there ftudy fo long in Books and old Au- thors? And all this to know, what unlearned Men, Fifhermen, Ploughmen and Herdfmen, did mean, when they fpoke forth the Scriptures, who were counted Fools and Madmen by the karned Genera- tion when they fpake them forth : And they who fpeak it by the fame Spirit, are fo ftill by the fame Serpent's Wifdom. And vvhen you have brought them to this Height or Learning, yet the Scripture is a Book fealed to all their Wifdom and Learnings and Rev. 5. 3. they from v/hom you expect the Opening of this Myftery, are at a Jar amongft themfeives, what iliould be the Meaning of it ^ and have been in all Ages Difputing, Quarreling, Jmprifoning, Killing and Burning one another, and would do fo now had they Power: for this learned Generation have been the Stirrers up of all Strife and Blood- flied, fetting Kingdoms, Nations and People one againit another, and all about ftanding to uphold their Meanings, Forms, Imaginations and vain Conceptions from the Letter, but are all ignorant of that Spirit which gave it forth 5 for they who have the Subftance, con- tend not about Words and Meanings 5 and that Spi- rit is the Subftance which gave it forth, and opens it again, as it arifeth in its Meafure. And they who have that Spirit, are Minifters of the Spirit, and they minifter to the Raifing up of the Spirit in o» thers, aud not to the SerpentV Wifdom 5 for they know, that Wifdom which ftands in the Will of Man muft not enter •, for the Myftery is hid from it. And fuch cannot Perfecute the Bodies of Men, be- caule ( 4^ ) i6^^. caufe they know not fo much as they, neither do ^^'^Y^^ they feek to deftroy the Creature ^ but they ftrike at the accurfed Spirit, which keeps the Creature in Blindnefs and Bondage, and fo redeems the Creature and reconciles him to God in the Spirit. And this is the Miniftry of Reconciliation, guided by the Spirit, and by this was the Scripture written forth : 2 Pet. I. for Holy Men of God fpoke forth the Scriptures oi ^^' they were moved by the Holy Ghoft^ without Carnal Learning. And Hly Men by the fame Spirit read and underftood them again ^ not by Carnal Learn* I Cor. 2. ing and Natural Tongues ^ for the Spirit is the Ori- ^4- ginal, which firft reveals the Myftery to the Spirit Eph» 3» 3> within Man, and then declares it forth in Words or Writing to the Underftanding of others, to the Di- recting their Minds to wait upon God for the fame free Gift of the Spirit. And here is the true Worfliip in Spirit found and performed, which Hands in the Teaching of the Spi- rit, and not in the Letter, unknown to the World, but awned of God. But all you, who feek to find out the Invifible Mat. II. Things of God, or the Way of his Worfhip, by 25* your Learning and Wifdom in the Letter, you feek that which is hid from your Wifdom, and you 1 Joh.1.3. take the Saints Conditions to talk on 5 And they having outwardly declared their inward Worlhip and Fellowfliip they had with God in Spirit, this you find in the Letter, and every one, according to his feveral Conceiving thereof, fets up an outward Form, Image, or likenefs of the Saints Worfliip. And here you worfliip, and for this you contend by Reafons 2 Pet. 3. and Arguments, and wreft the Scriptures to uphold i<^« your Form ^ and if any will not worfliip this your Image, you are greatly offended at. And here is all the Contention in the World about Things without, as Forms, Cuftoms and Traditions, and here carnal Minds contend with carnal Words Rom. 6. 3"d Weapons about carnal Things; And you who 6, 7. are here cannot own the Saints Conditions in your felves. ( 45 ) felves, as to witnefs the infallible Teachings of the 165^?. Spirit, and the Body of Sin put off, and to h^fanc- ^^^VSJ tified throughout in Soul and Body : But you will own the Sc'.iptures (as they are) as far as they will make with your Form, and that you may live in the De- lights of the Worlds and for thofe which crofs your Ways and Wills, you will alter them by Meanings and Expofitions. Anu thus the Scripture mufl: bend to you, and fubniit to your Wills, that the Will may reign, and ycu live in your Lufts : But to believe, that ever they Ihall be fulfilled in you by Chrift, as they arer-""^;^- and were in the Saints, to this your Faith is repro- ' bate. And yet you are not afliamed to profefs Chrift your King, and the Scripture your Rule, and you make a great Sound in Words, The Kingdom ofChrifty and the Ordinances of Chrijf, and the Church of Chrift^ and the Saints Vra^ife^ and the Scripture- Rule^ but is it fo upon Tryal, or but a thing like thefe you fpeak on ? And where you appear to be wanting, there you have covered with Words, Mean- ings and Expofitions : but the Saints, wjiofe Condi- tions you talk on, was what they fpoke without your Tlev.7.14, Meanings or Deceit : they were Subjedsin theKing- dom of Chrift, and he did rule in them, and they followed him through Perfecutions, Mockings and Death : but is it fo with you, who are Lords over your Brethren, Beating, Mocking, Imprifoningand Killing them, becaufe they will not forfake the Com- mands of Chrift, to be fubjed to your Wills and Heathenifii Cuftoms, as to bow down to you, and worlhip you, and to be filent at your Will, and to fpeak at your Wills, though Chrift command the contrary > Is this to own Chrift for your King > And as for your Ordinances you cry up fo much, are thefe they. To fet up a proud Man, called by you Mat. 25. Mafter^ having the Higheft Place in the Idols Tem- 6, io» pie, Preaching always from a Verfe of another Man's Condition, but not fulfilled in himfelf 5 raif- ing Points, Reafons, Objedtions and Ufes, a Divi- nation C 46 ) i<^5:^. nation of his own Brain, but not from the Mouth of ^>^'VNJthe Lord 5 adding and diminiihing to the Scripture 5 Sprinkling oflnfants, and calling it. Baptizing into Chrifl '^ Singing Di^u/i's Conditions in Rhimesi Tel- Cal. 4. ling People of a Sacrament, and Obferving of Times, 10, 11. doing all for Tythes or Money 5 Living in Pride, Fulnefs and Covetoufnefs, and many more like things, never ufed by any that Chrifi: fent > And is this your Church, all within fuch a Place or Parilh, Sprinkled when they were Infants, but not yet walhed from Sin, but many are fliil Liars, Sv\^ear- ers, Drunkards, Whoremongers, Covetous, Scorners, Proud, Wanton, Oppreffors, and fach like, but not X Joh.2.4.one that can witnefs that Faith which hath over- come the World, Sin and the Devil, or believe, that ever they fhall overcome while they are here > And is this the Church of Chrift (which is his Body) whilft Limbs of the Devil, and ferve him at his Will? And is this the Saints Pradifeyou fpeak of. Mat. 20. to exalt your felves one above another, to fue one 26, 27. another, to accufe falfly, to be proud and covetous. Gal. 5'24.to live in the Lulls of theFlefh, Sporting and Gam- ing, and calling it Recreation-^ living in Excefs of Apparel and Diet, Spending the Creatures in your Luffs, when your Brethren want Food and Rayment, caufing others to labour in Wants, that they may bring it to yoii to fpend in your Lufts and Vanity? And when you fhould hearken to the Light of Chrift in your Confcience, then you join with the Deceit to make Coverings for your Liiquities, and ^^y it is but as your Place and State requires-, as tho' Cod Jam. -5. 1, had given out his Law with refpect of Perfons, and 2> 5) $• had given you a Toleration to abufe the CreatTire, ^^^26^2' ^nd live in your Luffs more than others, becaufeyou Liik!22.'^'have more of the Earth, or a greater Power com- i^. mitted to your Charge amongft Men than others 5 not confidering that the Heathen exercife thefe Things, but the Saints, the greater Power, the more humble, and the more careful to walk as Examples to others, that fo they may exalt him alone, whofe Mini-^ (47) Minifters they are, and not themfelves in Pride. i6$^l And this is to be truly Honourable, and herein '^/^/^ have all the Faithful been honoured ♦, but you who feek for the Worlds Honour, are not of the Faith- ful ^ For, faith Chrift, how ca?i you believe, that feek for Honour one of another ^ Now ye that talk of x\\q Saints Praaife, own it John <; in your felves, and it will take you ofF from thefe,4i. 44. and many more Vanities you live in^ God, wiU not be mocked, ye Hypocrites, be not Sayers, but Doers. And you talk of the Scriptures being a Golden Rule^ but your Ways prove but little you are Ruled by it. Do you feek to be perfed ? for God is perf^d:: Holy, as he is holy? Do ye love God above all, and your Neighbours as your felves, when ymi make them yourFootftool > Do you do to all as you\\^ould ,be done by ? Have you forfaken the World and the Love of it? IstheLuftsand AfFedionsof yourFleftiHeb. 130 crucified ? Having Food and Raym.ent, are ye there 5/ * with content^ Do you live by Faith, not taking i Tim. 6 Thought for to Morrow, what to eat, and what to?! \\ put on ? Do j^ou live as the Lord's Lillies > Do you ^ the end feed the Hungry, and cloath the Naked, and let the Jam. 2. i. OppreiTed go free ? Are ye no Refpedors of PerfonsP- in all your Dealings ? Are you brought to Tea and^at-5-37. Islay in all your Communication, without any more, which comes of Evil ? Do you fufFer, and are hated* and have all Manner of Evil fpoken on you falfly'Mat.$.ii. for the Name of Chrift ? Are you brought out of all the Cuftoms of the Heathen, and are conform- able to Chrift in his Life and Sufferings? Prove Luk.6.22* your felves, if you be what you profefs in Truth, that you be Saints, fandified and redeemed out of all worldly and earthly Things, to live to God in all Things, in Righteoufnefs and Holinefs. Oh! you take but their Conditions to talk on, which were fo, and foyou boaft in another Man's Line, oa things th.^t are not your own. See if you be made the Righteoufnefs of God inj^Q^.^^-^ Chiiit, as they were, and if you know him, whom 10. you ( 48 ) 16^7,. you fay you worfhip, to dwell in your BodJes, ^s O^V\^ they did^ and th^t you are taught of Hiiil in Spi- sCor. i^.rit, how he v/iil he worfhipped, as they were whom lo, you talk on. 2 Cor. 6. See whether thefe Things be fo in Subffance, cr ^ you have but a Form of their Worlhip, gathered out of the Letter ^ and fo you worfhip a Likenefs or Image of that whereof they had the Subftance. Now, if you have but the Outfide, take heed •, for Zac. i3.2.now is the Hand of the Lord upon all the Idols of the World : And that which is not the Subftance, is Dan.3.34.but an Image. And now fliall the Stone cut out of the Mountain without Hands, break thee and thy Ilev.14.9. jj^2gg in Pieces, and he that is without Form, fhall by his Power, break all your Forms and formal Wor- Ihips in Pieces^ And that Worfhip alone iliall be fet up, which is in Spirit, and not in Form, and is ac- cepted by that God who never was known in Form, but in Spirit, BleiTed for ever. And, you Rulers of the Nation, take heed how you ftep into the Throne of Chrift, or exalt 3rour felves in his Kingdom, and mind what Power you are entrufted with by the Lord, and be faithful in that, as theMinifters of God, tovvhomyou are to 2 Sam.2> give an Account. You are to punilh Sin in whom it 3. is, without Refpe6t of Perfons: and if you be faith- Ifa. $6. 1, ful herein, you will find Work enough in the Na- I Pet. 2. ^j^j^^ ^j^j ^^Q^ ^j,g ^Q encourage them that do well, Pfal. 82. and deliver them from the Power of cruel and 2,3, 4. blood-thirfty Men that opprefs them ^ for he that Pro. 29.2. departs from Iniquity is made a Prey to this Gene- -^^•^^•^^* ration. And you are to walk as Examples to the People, in all Holinefs and Righteoufnefs, that God may blefs you, and honour you in the Doing of his Commands : But as for fending out Labourers into his Vineyard, where hath he commanded this at your Hands? Or, When did he in any Age reprove any for not doing it > He hath overthrown King- sChron. doms and Nations, for abufing and going about to 3^« i5)i5. flop the Mouths of thofe that he fent , and hath re- proved ( 49 ) proved Kings for their fakes, faying, Touch them 16'^^ 'x, not : But thefe were fiich as he fent ^ for he never u^'V^^J entrufted the Powers of the Earth to chufe him Mef- fengers to go on his MefTage. And hath he now put Luk.10.2. Power into your Hand, that you Ihould not fufFer him to chafe his own MefTengers, by whom he will fend to his own People? And have 3^ou the Mf/Tage to put into their Mouths ? And muft they go on your Errand or His ? And will not you give Him leave to chufe His own Servants, and what He will imploy them about ? Will you deal fo with Him, as you would not have any to deal with you > And for your Tythes^ Augmentations and fct Be^ nefits^ when did ever God require any fucli thing from any Magiflrates under the Gofpel ? And doth it ferve for any other End, but to hold up an idle loi- tering Miniftry, one pulling another out of Places, and fetting themfelves in their fcead, that they may heap up Riches, and live in their LuRs, all running greedily after the Wages ol Balaam for Gifts and Re- Zach. n. wards? And do you fear tliat the Hand of God 15 4, 5- fhortned, that he will not raife up fach a3 will go^^^'^*^^* on his Mefiage, unlefs you provide themVv^ages? Didff^*^ .q, ever any that he fent complain to the World for 2, 4. ' Want ? Nay, all my Father's Servants have Bread enough, without being cared for by the World \ for thofe who are fent by Chrifttake little Care for fuch earthly Things, having a better Reward in durable Riches. And can you ever keep the Minifters of Antichrifl out of Places (who will conform to any thing for Gain) fo long as they can have you to feed them with Money ? And will not you be found guil- ty of keeping up the Hirelings, that x\\t Woe is to, and them that hold them up, and whom Chrifl is come to difcover and call out, and fo you be found Fighters againil him ? And when you leave all that fay they are ChrijVs Mlniflers, to Chrifl's Mainten- ance, fet down in the Gofpel, then it will appear who have run unfent, and have not profited the Peo- ple. And is it not the Love of God, to call out fuch Rom. 5. E as7> ^^' ( 50 ) i^")"?. as have called them£dves Teachers, and have been || Ky^/"^ thus long in Places, and have their People yet Liars, il S'v'/earers, Drunkards, Proud and Covetous, and in all Filthinefs ^ but not one that is fet free from Sin, and brought out of the World •, and they who have taught them, dare not truft them for Maintenance, without a Law to compel themr* And are you doing any acceptable Service to God, in Maintaining fuch as thefe as they live > And will it not be faidtoyou Prov. 22. one Day, IHjo requires thefe things at your Ha/ids^ i6. to opprefs the Poor, who labour hard to give their Labours to maintain thefe Belly- Gods (contrary to their Confciences) in their Fulnefs, Pride and Luft, and their Wives and Families in Idlenefs; and they that labour for it are many times in great Want > Oh ! I^e wife and take heed what ye do^ and as i you profefsyour felves to be aChriftian Magiiiracy, fo mind the Commands of Chrifi:, and not your own Wills. It is not faying you are Chriftians, but walking after Chrifi; and his Commands, that differs you from, the Heathens : And do not profefs the Scripture in Words, but own their Praclife that gave them fcrtli ^ and let them who C^y they are Mi/ii- fters^ make Proof of their ?4inifLry in Power, and not in getting a few Words whereby to deceive you and the Pecple: but \^t them firft fow fpiritual Things^ before they reap carnal : Firfi: beget a Peo- 2 Cor. 9. P'^^ ^'"-^^ ^^ ^^-'^ World into the Spirit, and then they 11. ihall not need to contend with them about Food and Ra3nnent, nor i^ao them at the Law : Firft plant, than eat. And this v/as the Praclife of fuch as Chrifi: fent, and he always provided them a Houfe to go to who Aa, 4c34. "^^^^^ worthy, and Meat to eat, and they never wanted what was good fji them. And I witnefs that he is the fame now, and hath the fam.e Care o- ver thofe that he fends into the World, with divers others, ;vhom he hith fent out without Bag or Scrip, yea, into the mofl: brutiih Parts in the Nation : P/aifes, Praiies be to our God, whofe is the Earth, and the Fulnefs thereof. And ( 50 And thus do we witnefs the Scripture fulfilled, and t<^?7. ^ take no Thought for Food andRayment, as theHea- ^^'VNJ then do, but are come into the Unity with all Saints Mat.6.25. in their Joy and Sufferings, and are taught by Chri ft ^^^*^- 4« how to want, and how to abound, and in all Condi- ^ ' ^^* tions to be therewithal content. And we can truly fay, all is for Good to us, and to the Church of Chrifl: And our Kingdom and Joy is not of thisj^h. i(5. World, nor doth the World know us, nor our Joy ^22. Glory to the Highefl for ever, who is fhaking all the Wifdoms and Powers of Men, to eftablilh that which is of Himfelf alone, to which all fhall be made to bend and bow. And you that are in Power, mind thePromife of the Father, at the Coming of Chrift to his Kingdom, 1 will overturn, overturn^ overturn^ t'lU it come into ifa, 9.6,7. h^ Handwhofe Right it k^ and upon his Shoulders JJ) all the Government be eftablifJoed (He that hath an Ear to hear^ let him hear.) And take Notice how many have been overturned already, who would have been limitting him by their Wifdom.s. And now it is come into your Hands, who above all have ^Q^n his Amos 3.2, W'onders done for you and the Nation, and you a- bove all have declared, that your Defire is. That Chrift alone may reign in his Kingdom : and fome of you I have known to be tender towards any who looked that way. Oh ! that there were fuch a Heart in you, to lay afide all your own Wills, and carnal lia, 30. i, Confultations, and to take Counfel at the Spirit of the Lord, and be guided hy his pure Light, fhining in your Confcience, which would bring you into the Fear of the Lord, and to depart from Self-Ends, In- terefts and Exaltations, and to follow the Law of God, in eftablifhing Lav/s for your felvesand others to walk by, and that you may follow the Pradice of the Saints left in Scripture, without wrefting it,Pral. 8^?. that fo you might come to have Unity with them in H, i5>^^» the fame SpFrit that gave them forth j and fo be guided by the fame Spirit of Juftice and Judgment, by which all were guided that ever have ruled well E 2 in ( 50 16^'^, in all Ages, whom God did Blefs, and hath honour- 1 [%/W"^ ed for ever : That fo God may blefs you, and e-* ftablifh you, and preferve the Nation out of the Hands of yours and the Nations Enemies^ and that you may be honoured with taking away OppreJFion, Ifa. lo i-.^i^'i wicked and unjufl: Rulers, who are the Caufe of Zach. 7. it, who judge not the Caufe of the Poor and Needy^ 9* JO, to and which the Lord hath been grieved at thefe many the End. y^afs. Bat if you forget your felves, and what you have promifed before the Lord, in the Day when you fought unto Him for Deliverance, and fo exalt your felves over the Poor, and fet up your own Laws, and not the Law of God in its Purity ' I declare unto you this Day from the Word of the Ifa. 42.23. Lord, that he will overturn you, and raife up his Xfa.x4«26, Kingdom another way 5 whether you will hear, or 27- whether you will forbear, the Word of the Lord Ha§.2. 'yy^^ii ftand : for the Almighty God hath been ihak- ^' ing the Nations, that his Glory may appear ^ and there fliall be no Reft, until his Kingdom be efta- blifhed above all Mountains. Hear, all ye Powers ©f the Earth, The Lord alone will reign. Th^s I am to dec/are abroad^ that they who are wi/e hearted J may underjiand and Fear before the Lord God Almighty : the Time is at hand 5 He that believes jl)all be ejlablijhed, James Nayler. Tat ( 53 ) The Way how all Flefh come to Know the Lord and Fear Him^ by his Terrible Shaking the Earthly Part in Man, witnef- fed by the Holy Men of G o d in Scripture. For in my Jealoufie and. in the Five of my Wrath have I fpoken\furely in that Day there Jh all be j greut Shaking in the Land of Ifrael^ fo that the FiJ})es of the Sea, and the Fowles of the Heavens^ and the Be alls of the Fields and all creeping Things that creep upon the Earthy and all the Men that are upon the Face of the Earth /ball [hake at my Vrefence^ and the Mountains f})a]l he thrown down, and the fteep Flaces fhall fall, and every WaU Jhall fall to the Ground] E z e k. XXXVIIL 19, 20. 'T^ AKE heed how you fpealc evil of the Things \ you know not, Jude 10. You who neither know the Lord, nor his Works in your felves, take heed how you judge it in others ^ you are without God in the World. And the Works of God have al- ways been flrange to that Nature which you live in, but fearch the Scriptures, and you Ihall find That the Holy Men of God do witnefs Quaking and Tre/n- hling^ and Roarings and Weeping^ and Fafiing and E 3 Tears ^^ ( 54 ) i6p. Tears ^^ but the AVorld knows not the Saints Condi- l/^VN^ lions : But beware therefore left that come upon yoa which is fpoken of in the Prophets and Apoftles, of fuch Defpifers and Scorners as you are. Behold^ ye Defpifers^ and wonder^ and perifh \ for I work a Work in your Days^ a Work which you Jh all not in any wife believe^ though a Man declare it unta you. Acls 15,40,41. The Lord reigneth, lettheFeo- pie tremble-, he fifteth between the Cherubims^ let the Eiirth be moved, Pfal. 99. i. Tronble thou Earth at the Vre fence of the Lord^ at the Prefence of the God cf Jacob, Pfal. 114. My Flefh trembleih he can fe of thee, and 1 am afraid of thy Judgments, Pf. 1 1 9. 1 20. He looketh upon the Earth, and it trembled : he touch- et}^ the Bills, and thty fmoke, Pfal. 114. 30. A Fire gceth before his Face, and burneth up all his Enemies round about. His Lightning enlightneih the World -.^ the Earth f aw and trembled : the HiUs melted like Wax at the Erefence of the Lord, Pfal. 97. 3, 4, 5:. Fear- fiilnefs and Tre7?ibling are come upon 7ne, and Horror hath ovcrwhehned me, PfaL 55.5. So terrible wof the Voice, that Mofes [aid, I exceedingly fear andtremble : Tchofc Voice then flwok the Earth ^ but now he hath f aid ^ That once more lfl:akc not the Earth only, but Heaven alfo^ Heb. 12. 21/26. When P^//^/ heard the Voice of Chrift, he trembled and aftonilhed, faid, Lord^ What wilt thou have me to do? Adts 9. 5. ThQ Corinthians received T////f in Obedience, with Fear and Trembling, 2 Cor, 7. 15:. Vaul was with theCorinthians inWeaknefs, and Fear ^ and much Trembling, 1 Cor. 2. 3. "When Paul rea- fon'dof Righteou fnefs, Temperance and Judgment to come, F^//.v trembled, AlIs 24. 2^, The Apoftle exhorts the Saints, to z^^ork cut their Salvation with Fear and Tremblings Phil. 2. 12. The Goaler, when he believed^ he came trembling, and fell down be- fore Paul and SUlU', Ads 16. 29. When Ifaac blef- icd his Sons, he trembled very exceedingly. Gen. 27, cj:;. Elear the Jf^ord of the Lord, ye that tremble at hiit J^'ord i your Brethren that bated you^ that cajiyou out (55) for my Names fake, faid^ Let the Lord be .glorified : i^'^7. but he fhall appear to your Joy, and they Jhall he j-O-^VX^ Jhamed, Ifa. 66. 5. Thm faith the Lord, To thk Man will I look, even to him that upoor^ and of a contrite Heart, and tremhleth at my Words, Ifa. 66. 2. Oh I that thou wouldft rent the Heavens, that the Moun- tains might flow down at thy Vre fence, as when the melting Fire caufeth the Water to boyl\ and to make hk Name known to his Adverfaries, that the Nations may tremble at hisFrefence, Ifa. 64. i, 2. Tea, I will make many People amazed at thee, and their Kings Jhall be horribly aj raid for thee, zsohen LJJjall brandifh my Sword before them, and they JJo all tremble at every Moment, every Man for hts own Life, in the Day of thy Fall, Ezek. 32. 10. . When Habakkuk heard the Yoice, his Belly trem- bled, his Lips quivered, and Rottenneis entred into his Bones, and he trembled in himfelf, that he might reft in the Day of Trouble, Fhib. ?. 16. When D^- niel ^^.v/ the Vifion, he flood trembling, and they that were with him, though they faw it not, yet a great Quaking fell upon them, lb that they fled to hide themfelves, Dan, 10. 7, ir. When God fets up his Son as King, all are exhorted to ferve him with Fear, and rejoyce with Trembling, FfaL 2.6, 11. W^'hen Job remembred God, he was afraid, and Trembling took hold of his Flefh, Job 21.6. Th0 Pillars of Heaven tremble^ and are ajionifhed at his Prefence, Job 36. 11. Which jloaketh the Earth out of her Place, the Pillars thereof tremble. Job. 9. 6. Thou hafl made us to drink the Wine of Afionijhment^ thou hafl made the Earth to tremble : Thou haft bro^ ken it, heal the Breaches thereof, for it fhaketh, Pfal. 60. 2, 5. The Earth fhook, the Heavens alfo dropped at the Prefence of the God of Ifrael, Pfal. 68. 8. And the Land Jhall tre^nble and for row \ for every Pur^ pofe of the Lord Jhall be perjormed again jl Babylon, Jerem. 51. 29. ", When fe;-^ heard of the Peoples Sins, he pluck'd his H^ir oft his Head, and oft' his Beard : he rent his E 4 Gar- ( 56 ) T^S^. Garment, and fate down aftoniflied ^ and there af- ^-^^'"^^ fembled unto him all that trembled at the H^ord of the God of Ijrael^ Ezra, 9. ^,4. The People were to enter into Covenant with God, by the Counfel of thofe that trembled at the Command of God, Ezra 10. g. The Lord will take the Cup of Trembling out of the Ha?ids of his People, and put it into the Hands cf thofe that afliEh the 711^ I fa. 51. 22, 25. When the Lord fhdU roa)\ then the Children fl) all tremble as a Bird^ Hof. 11. 10,11. Shall not the Land tremble for this,^ and every one mourn that dwelleth therein ^ And all Feafis Jhall be turned into Mournings and all Songs into Lamentation^ as a Lamentation for an only Son^ Amos 8. 8, 10. Thr^s faith the Lord of Hojlsy Tet a little while, and I zioill Poake the Heavens^ the Earth, the Sea, and the dry Land : And I wiUJhake all Nations, and the Uc fire oj all Nations fl:) all come ^ and I will fill my Houfe loith Glory^ faith the Lord, Hagg. 2. 6, 7. I beheld the Mountains, and, lo, they trem- bled, and all the Hills moved lightly, Jer. 4. 24. At his Wrath the Earth fball tremble, and the Nations Jhall not be able to abide his Indignation, Jer. 10. 10. Tremble^ ye Women that are at Eafe •, be troubled, ye carelcfs Ones: ft rip ye, and make ye bare, and gird Sackcloth upon your Loins, Ifa. 31. 11. Jeremiah Wid, his Heart was broken within him ^ all his Bones ihaked becaufe of the Lord, and becaufe of the Word of hisHolinefs, jer, 23. 9, The Elders of Bethle- hem trembled at the Coming of Samuel, i Sam. 16.4. Ezekiel was commanded to eathisBread withQuak- ing, and drink his Water with Trembling and with Carefiilnefs, Ezek. 12. 18. Blow the Trumpet in Sion, found an Alarm in 7ny Holy Mountain, Let all the Inhabitants of the Land tremble ; for the Day of the Lord Cometh ', for it is ni^^k at hand, Joel 2. i. For in my Jealoufie^ and in the Fire of my Wrath, have 1 fpoken : furely in that Day there fhall be a great fhak- ing in the Land of Ifrael, fo that the FiPoes of the Sea, and the Fowles of the Heaven, and the Be aft s of the Fieldy and all creeping Things that creep upon the Earth ( 57 ) Earthy nni all the Men that are upon the Face of the 1 6511 J Earth fljiiU [hake at my Fre/ence^ and the Mountains L/^<''Vl JI)all be thrown down, and the fteep Places ff) all fall ^ and every Wall Jh all fall to the Ground, Ezek. 38. 19,20. When God heard Davids Prayer out of his Holy Temple; the Earth lliook and trembled, the Founda- tions of the Hills moved, and were Ihaken becaufe he was wroth, FfiL 1 8. 6, 7. David roared all the Da}^ long, and was weary Pfal. 38.8. with his Groanings : He wept all the Night, and made ^^-32. 3- his Bed to fwim with Tears: Hefafted till his Knees pj:^^^; grew feeble, and his Flelh failed of Fatnefs^ until he 24I could number hisBo^es, while he luffered the Ter-Pf. 22.6. rors of God. He was diftr acted ^ he was a Reproach 7* 17- among Menfor fo doing, anddefpifed of the People, pr^^^' ^^ All that faw him, laugh'd him. to Scorn ^ he was a pp* 22.16' Mocking to the Wicked, they -1 -Je Mouths at him, Pf. 41.6. and Ihaked the Head at him : ihe Drunkards madeP^'7i-7* Songs of him , he was a Taunt and a By-word among them. Dogs compaffed him about, the AfTemblies of wicked Men enclofed him : vain Perfons came to fee him, that they might tell it abroad ^ and he was a Wonder to many, and a Stranger to his Brethren, and his KinHnen flood a far off. Thus faith the Lord^ We have heard a Voice of Trembling, of Fear, and not of Peace. Ask now, and fee whether a Man doth travel with Child : wherefore do IJee every Man with his Hands on his Loins, eu a Woman in Travel, and all Faces are turned into Pah' nefs ^ Alas, for that Day is great, fo that none is like it ', it is even the Time of Jacob'' s Trouble, but he f]-) all be favcd out of it, Jer. 30. 5, 6, 7. Hear now this, ye foolifi People, and without Un- der ft an ding, which have Eyes and fee not -, which have Ears and hear not -, fear ye not ?ne, faith the Lord i Will ye not tremble at my Pre fence ? Jer. 5. 21, 22, ^ Word (58) A JVord to the Seed of the Serpent^ or Miniflers of Ant'tchriji^ or Man of Sin^ "where-ever found. KNOW this thou fubtil One, who hafl long ujv holden a Kingdom of Sin, Unrighteoufnefs, Injuftice and Oppreflion, with all manner of Filthi- nefs by thy Wifdom, that now the Daj of thj Tor- ment is at Hand •, for now is that Seed arifen, which is appointed to difcover thee and thy deceitful Woik-" ings, and to bruife thy Head, and to lay all thy Pride and Glory in the Duft : And he will fet up a Kingdom of Righteoufnefs, Purity and Holinefs in the Hearts of his People, who have been deceived through thy Divination and Witchcrafts thefe ma- ny Years. And you Miniflers of Antichrift, who have made People believe that you were the Mini-? fters of Jefus Chrift, the Son of Righteoufnefs, by your crying out againft Sin in Words, and making poor ignorant People think that you were Enemies to all Unrighteoufnefs, and Lovers of Purity and Perfedion ^ but now that the Lord is bringing out a People out of the Unrighteous World, deftroying the Body of Sin, and bringing them up to Righteouf- nefs, Holinefs and Perfection, even to the Image of his dear Son, in which they were created, and fo to himfelf again, from whence they were fallen by Sin, and could no other way be reftored, but by being made the Righteoufnefs of God in Chrift, 2 Cor, 5. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. Which God having begun to ef- fedt, now you are forced to uncover and Ihew your felves, whofe Miniflers you are, and what Kingdom you ftand for, with all your Power oppofing the King- dom of Chrift, which is in Holinefs and Perfedion : And now you are forced (leafttheManof Sin Ihould tall) ( 59 ) fall) to tell the fame People to whom you have heen i6^^. all this while talking againfl: Sin, Impurity and Im-t^VN^ perfection, that they muft never look while they are here to overcome Sin, the World, and the Devil, nor ever come to Parity and Perfedtion ^ and thus you labour to keep a Hold for the Man ^f Sin as long as People Live 5 and fo perfwade them to leave the Work of Redemption and Freedom till afcer Death, or you know not when, and thus encourage People to fpend their Days in Folly^ and leave the World with Torment and Horror at their Death. Now it being that you are Ignorant of that pure Light of the Spirit that convinceth thofe who will own it, I am moved from the Lord, for the flmple ones fake, who have been long deceived by you, to give fome Difcoveries to your felves, and all who will fee whofe Minifters you are, and for whofe King- dom you Minifter. And Firft^ You that fay none can be free from Sin while they are here, you are Minifters againfl the Truth, John 8. 92, 94. Secondly^ You are againft that which the Father promifed at the Coming of Chrift, Mat, i. 21. John I. 29. 5^^r. 50. 20. Thirdly^ You are againfl the End for which Chrifl came into the World, John 8. 34, 36. Fourthly^ You are againft the End of Chrift's Suf- ferings, G^/.i.4. iP^r. g. 18. Rom,/\,2$^ Rom.6. 10^ II. 2 Cor. $.21, 1 Pet. 2» 21,22. Fifthly, You are againft the End of Chrift being manifefted in the Saints, Rom. 8. 3, 4. i John 3. 8. and 3. 5:. Sixthly, You are againft that which manifefts the Children of God from the Children of the Devil, I "John 3. 10. and $. 18. Seventhly, You are againft the Commands of God and Chrift, //j. 52. i^ John^.ii, iTim.i,^, John 5. 14. ^ Eighthly, You are againft that which the Saints 4id v/itnefs wrought in them by Chrift:, Rom. 6, i. (6o) 165?^. 6,7,18,22. Rev.i.$. 1 Pet, 2, 2^. 1 John 7,, 6, ijoh, U/W;5. 18. Col. 2. ir. And you that fay, None can come to Holinefs and Perfedion while they are here ^ and to prove this you take the Saints Conditions, which they declared as they were palFing on in growth towards it: And hence you go about by your Subtilty to make People believe that they never did attain to Perfedion •, and all this, left any Ihould prefs after it, as though God did command his People to labour for that which is cot to be attained. And now judge ( if you were not blind ) whom you Minifter for, and whom, you are againft. Firft^ You are againft the End for which Chrift offered up himfelf, Heb, 10. 14. Tit, 2. 14. Secondlyy You are againft the Commands of God, Mat. $. 48. I Pet, 1. 16. Levit, 11. 44. Deut, 18. 15. Levit. 20. 7, 12, 19. Thirdly, You are againft the End for which Chrift comes into the Saints, John 17. 2^. Fourthly., You are againft the End for which Chrift be gifted and fent out all his Miniftersinto the World, Ephef. 4. 11,12,1^. Fifthly, You are againft the "Work of the Apoftles and Prophets, to whom they writ and taught, Jam, 1.4. 2 C^/*. 7.1. and I ^. II. iChron, 7S.<^. Heb»6,i, Sixthly, You are againft that which the Apoftles and Minifters of Chrift laboured and prayed for to be wrought in the Saints, Night and Day, i The/. ^. 10. Col, I. 28. Heb. 15. 20, 21. I Pet. 5. 10. Coi. 4. 12. Seventhly^ You are againft the End for which the Scriptures are written, 2 Jim. 3. 16, 17, Eighthly, You are againft the Teftimony God him- felf bears of his own. Gen. 6. 9. Job i. 8. and 2. :?. JSIinthly, You are againft what the Saints witnefs to be in themfelves and others, 2 Kings 20. 5. Phil, 5.15;. iC^r. 2. 6. 2C^r. 12. 9. Prov.2, 21. and 11. 7. Pfal, 37. 97. and 64. 4. and loi. 2. Heb. 12. 25. I John 3. 3. and 4. 17. Tenthly^ ( 6i ) Tenthly^ You are againfl: that, without which God 165:^. and Man can never be reconciled in one again, Hcb. tXVSJ 7. 19. Hab. I. I?. Dan. 9. 44. 2 Tim* 2, 21. i Cor, 9. 17. Mat, $. 8. P/'^/. 15:. Prov, 1$, 9, 29. P/^/. ^. 4. And now let them who are wife-hearted, judge whofe Minifters you are, that are thus againft God, and the Recovery of loft Man into his firft Eftate, and fee if it be not the fame Spirit that ads you thus in fubtilty to keep Man in the Fall, by which the Fall of Man was occafioned at the Firft y and let all Judge whether you be the Minifters of Righ- teoufnefs, or of Unrighteoufnefs 5 of Chrift the King of -Purity and Peace, or of Antichrift, the Prince of this World and Man of Sin, and Oppofition j now by your Fruits you are known and fliall be judg- ed: Wherefore Repent and ceafe limiting the Lord, and meafuring the Pure Spirit of God in his People, whom he hath called out of the World, and fancli- fied thereby unto Fruits of Righ teoufnefs. Obedi- ence, Holinefs and Perfection ^ and meafure not this with that Spirit of Pride, Covetoufnefs, Self-love, and Envy, and Perfecution which Rules in you, who are jet in the World, and the Love of it, which is Enmity with God, James 4. 4. But fee within your felves what is the Caufe why you are fuch E* nemies to Righ teoufnefs and Perfection : You are too rich in your felves, in your own Wifdom, hy your earthly Wifdom, to wait for the Good and Perfedt Gifts of God from above, ^ames i. 17. You Envi- ous ones, yon want the Bond of Perfednefs, which is Charity, CoL 3. 14. You Hypocrites, who hear, and fay, and do not that which leads to itj how can you come to Perfection I* Jaives i. 22, 2^, 24, 25, You are too much in Words, but too little in Pra- dife to come to Perfection : For Faith is made per- fect through Works, and not through Words, ^am. 2. 22. I Qor, 4. 20. And you fat Worldlings, who live in Pride, Plea^ fure and Fulnefs, and have your Hearts in the Earth, fee Luke 8. 14. and there Chrift tells you the Plain Caufe C 62 ) 165:^ Caufe why you bring no Fruit to Perfedion : Now ^^/^\r\JWo unto 3''ou who have fet your felves in Places to lead People up to God out of the Fall, Sin and Un- cleannefs ^ but now when the Lord is come, none are found fuch Oppofers of Purity as you are: O Repent ! How long will it be e're you ceafe to per- vert the Ways of God for 3^our own Ends > Oh that you had Eyes to fee, that you might make Peace with him, leaft he tear you in Pieces, and there be none to deliver. And now to you poor fcattered Sheep, who have been fcattered by thefe Hirelings, in this cloudy dark Day, which hath been upon all Flefn fpread upon the Face of the Earth, and you have been run- ning from Mountain to Hill to find the Lord, but have not found him, who is to give Reft to your Souls: And many of you are ftill wandring you know not where. Others have feated themfelves under Green Trees, and are worfhipping you know not what, but as others tell you, who know as little of the True and Living God as your felves. Others are weary with feeking where nothing can be found, and are fallen afleep in the World of Eafe and Carelef- nefs. Others have their Ears open to all Voices, which cry, Lo, here^ Lo, there, but know not who to truft, being all in Confufion. Now all awake to meet the Lord, who is arifen to feek and fave, and gather into one Fold all his fcattered Ones, and to bring them up to Zion the Holy City, where he will feed them himfelf alone, without Fear, in good Pafture, where they Ihall lie down in Peace: Now come ofF from all your blind Guides, that are not in the Way "themfelves^ nor can they direct others where the Way is: Come out of the World and worldly Cares and Pleafures, and return to the Lord in Spirn-, he is within you, and there if you wait in Sjri i you Ihall hear him fpeak to your Spirits, to the Di;^cting your Minds out of ail the Works of Darkne!^ and Sin, up to God, where no Sin is, nor L'nciean thing can come j and if you niind to obey his Voice, he will Will Teach you to lay afide all your Diflemtling and 1653. Hypocrifie, whereby you have deceived your felves ^•V^' and others, profelFing Godlinefs in Words, but de- nying it in Power, and you will find Power given in from the Lord, to become what you Profefs in Reality and Truth, and to profefs no more but what you are, that God may have Glory by you, and take Delight to dwell in you •, for this is the Day of your Vifitation, if you will own it 5 the Day of Salvation from all Sin and Unrighteoufnefs, the Day wherein all the Children of the Lord fhall be taught of the Lord, and great ihall be their Peace, in Righteoufnefs Ihall they be eftabliihed, and they Ihall be far from Oppreffion, Ifa, 54. 19^ 14. Many of you have had great Travel, and gone through ma- ny Sorrows to find Reft, but have found none : Ma- ny Prayers and Tears, but no anfwer of Peace : Ma- ny Days of Seeking, but have not found him whom your Souls thirft after : And all this, becaufe you have been feeking the Living among the Dead : He is not to be found in the World, nor Formal Wor- Ihips, nor in Humane Wifdom and Learning ^ but he is only fo be found as he reveals himfelf freely, to thofe who patiently wait for him in Spirit. Dear People, To you that love the Lord above all earthly Things, and yet have not your Minds directed where to wait for him, to you I fpeak, to your Souls that lie in Death till they hear the Voice of the Son of God : He is near you, who is the Way to the Father, look not out, he is within you : That which I know declare I unto you, and the Way I know, where I have found my beloved, my Saviour, my Redeemer, my Hufband, my Maker, who hath fet me above all the World, my Sins, my Fears, my Sorrows, my Tears, into his Love, to live with him in Spirit for ever^ but dying daily to all vifible Things, Praifes, Praifes to my Father for ever. The Night is far fpent, the Day is at hand, come out of Darknefs all that love the Lord, into his marvellous Light, where you ihall fee what you have been, and what you are ( 64 ) i6$^. are redeemed from, that you may live and Praife l/>PO the Lord^ for it is the Living that praife the Lord, and not the Dead: Arife, come out of Death, come away, and let us rejoj'^ce together in his Love, in the Life of our King, even fo, Amen^ And you that are fo much offended at Perfection, and being cleanfed from Sin, I leave thefe Queries with you to confider. 1. Whether any unperfe[f One committing Sin, be the Image of God, Tea or No ^ 2. Whether any can witnefs the Work of Redemp* tion compleat in them by Chri/}, while they commit Sin^ and are overcotne with the Temptation of the Devily Tea or No ^ 7,. Whether any unpcrfeU. and unclean One that lives in Sin, JhaJl enter into the Kingdom of Heaven^ Tea or No ? And if not. How JhaJl one dying in Sin : And where /hall he be made Perfe^i and Clean, feeing the Tree muft lie Oi it falls : And whether you own a Furgatory, Tea or No? 4. Whether a Chriftian hath ground to believe^ that he may be recovered by the fecond Adam into that E- flate in which he woi created^ and which he lojl in the firfl Adam, Tea or No ? 5. Whether God created Man and Woman Terfe^, without Sin, and able in h^ Power fo to have flood, if they had not for fake n his Power, and confented to the Wifdom of the Serpent, Tea or No ? 6. Whether God and Man be vhoHy reconciled, till Man be brought into that j!}ate -jgain. Tea or No ? 7. Whether all thofe that ^-^th by their Life and Do' Urine labour to perfwade Ft :>le to abide in that con' dition of Sin, Imperfedion u d Separation from God (which Chriji came to dejlroy, and fo to unite Man to God again) be not Minifiers 0] Antichrilf, and for the Upholding of the Kingdom of the Devil, Tea or No ^ (65 ) DlSCOYE'Rr OF THE WIST>OM which is from Beneath^ AND THE WISDOM "which isfromAhove : O R^ THE Difference between the Two Seeds, 7he One after the Flelli, the other after the Spirit. WITH THE True Worlhip of God after the Spirit, and the Falfe Worfhip of the World,who lives in Outward Forms, ufeth Cufioms and Traditions, not knowing the Only True GOD, that tlU^elletll In t|t0 &atut0, and rules by his Spirit of Power, which caufeth them to differ from the World, and^thofe that have the Form of Godlinefs, and want the Power thereof. Alfo the Subtilty of the Serpent, ruling in the Hearts ^ of the Children of Difobedience, difcovered. And a C A L L to Repentance to all that run on in Blindnefs, Darknels and Ignorance 5 and the Judg- ment that is due to all thofe that vv^ill not take Counfel of the Lord, but turn the Grace of God into Wantonnefs. Written by a Servant of the Lord, whom the World fcornfully calleth a ^aker, who is Prifoner for the Teftimony of the Truth at Jppleby in WeftmorUndy whofe Name is James Nayler^ Lonion^ Printed in the Year, i6;3 and 1656 j And now Re-printed, 17 15. J? A ( 66 ) A Difcovery of the Ti^ijdom from Beneath, and the Wijdom from Above. I. The Wifiom from beneath^ which leadeth into Bondage, and the Wijdom fro7n above ^ which leadeth up inta f erf e^ Liberty^ where there is Freedom and Com'' munion with the Father and the Son. DEar Friends, all inind your Guide within you,even the pure Light of God, which bears Witnefs a- gainft all our ungodly Wa7s,ungodl7\Vords,Thoughts, Works and Worlhips, which are after the World, and leads you without from the Lard your Guide, for what ftands in outward Things, devifed in the Will and Brain, which is the Serpent's Seat, is accurfed from God, kept out of the Kingdom, where the Earthly Will hath Liberty, leads out to vifible Things, and feeds upon Duft, which is the Serpent's Meat; But you, who defire to be ied with that which is Eter- nal, lay afide all your Wifdom, which is natural^ for the natural Man receives not the fpiritual Things of God; for that Wifdom fliall never know God, which ftands in the Will of Man, but darkens the pure Light in you, and oppofeth it. And if you a-* bide in the pure Light within, you Ihall fee, that whatever the Light of Chriil: makes appear to be E- yil, and to he call: off^ then the other, which ftands in Man's Wifdom, makes a Covering for it, that it may abide ftill. And thus the Flefh lufteth againft the Spirit, and that Wifdoi^ which arifeth cut of the Earth, oppof- eth (67 ) eth that which is from above, and calls Evil GoocI, iS'y^l and Good Evil 5 and the Woe being npon that Nature, C/^C^^. you can have no Peace while that ftands. And from hence comes all your Troubles and Darknefs within you, becaufe that Eye which is open to the vifible, offends. And here you are ihut out of the Kingdom, which confifts in Righteoufnefs, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghofi:: But were that Eye pluck'd cut, and you turned within, to fee v/ith that Eye that is fingle, then the whole Body would be full of Light :. And abiding in that Light, it will fliew you a Path which leads to Purity and Holinefs, without which none fhall ever fee the Lord: And it will let you fee a Law written in your Hearts, even the righteous Law of the New Covenant, which is a Book fealed to all the Wifdom of the World, and none can read it but by the pure Light that gave it forth ^ which Light, as it arifeth in you, it will open all Parables, and read all Scriptures within you, in your Meafure. And fo you will come to the Unity with all Saints I in Meafure, and fo come to Chriit the Firft-Born, even to the innumerable Company of Angels, and to the Spirits of jufl: Men made perfect, and to God the Judge of all, where no Serpents Wifdom fhall ever come. And that Law being laid open, will be a Limit to the carnal Mind when it would run forth ^ * and the Judge v/ill appear, who will pafs truejudg- ment upon all things as they are within you, and a Separation will be made between the Precious and the Vile in you, and you will be brought to difcern what leads to Obedience, and what leads to Difobedience. And here is your true Teacher, whereby all Jljall be taught of God, as faith the Scripture: And minding this Light, it will fhew you a Crofs to be daily taken up^ whereby all the unruly Nature mull be crucified, for all mufi: be brought fubjed to the Yoke, even the moft Rebellious and Stiff-necked in you 5 for he will tread upon the Necks of Kings^ and that which hath captivated the Pure in you mufi go into Captivity 5 , for now the Lord is rifen to difquiet the Earth, and F 2 " them (68) j6'y7. them that are at Reft, yea, J^o to them that are at WV^E^fein Sior2\ for he is rifen who is to rule all Na- tions with a Rod of Iron, and to deliver theOppref- fed, and to fet open the Prifon-Doors, and to fet the Prilbners free, that they may ferve Him, and praife his Name, even the Name of the Lord, Holy and Pure, Blelled for evermore. And, Dear Friends, be faithful in what you know^ take heed of making a Profeillon of what you are not, and foyou be found Diffemblers before the Lord- but keep low in Meeknefs and Patience, ftanding in the Will of God in all things. And all thofe Ene- mies that will not that Chrililhould reign over them bring theni before the Judge that they may be flain, even upon thatCrofs that is daily to be taken up, for the Crofs is to the carnal, wild, heady, brutifh Na- ture in you, which lies above the Seed of God in you, and oppreiTeth the Pure. Now giving this up to be crucified, makes way for that which is pure to arife, and guide your Minds up to God, there to wait for Power and Strength againfl: whatsoever the Light of God makes ma nifefi: to be Evil, and fo to caft it o^^ and fo you fhall fee v/here your Strength lieth, and v/ho it is in you that worketh the Will and the Deed, and then you Ihall be brought into a PoiTeirion of what you have but had a Profeiiion, and find the Power of what you had but in Words, v/hich is hid from all Profelhons in the World, and is revealed no other way, but by the pure Light of God dwelling in you, and you in it. Take heed of fearchin? into the hidden Thins^s of God by your own WifcJom, which is carnal, tor that hath God ihut out of the Kingdom, and fcparated it ixovA him, and the Things ot God and his Kingdom are hid from it, and it is appomted lor utter Dark- iiefs, acciirlcd f ronii Himi, aiui doth oppole Him in all Things: And m all Ag^s, the Wifdom of the great Men of the Earth have pcrfecuted the pure Wildoin of God, and accounted it FooliOinefs 5 and God hath faid this Ihall come to nought. And abiding in the pure ( 69 ) pure Light of Chrifl: within, you fhall fee that fame 16 '^7* Wifdom in your felves, will be confulting and lead-^>'V"N^ ing you any way, rather than to wait on the pure Light. And this hath been a Tempter from the Be- ginning, and hath eaten of the forbidden Fruit, and that which hath eaten of the Tree of Knowledge, niuft not tafte of the Tree of Life 5 but ihall furely die. And the Flaming Sword is to this Wifdom: therefore turn )^our Minds within, and wait for a Wifdom from above, which begins with the Fear of the Lord, which is pure, peaceable, gentle and eafie to be entreated. And if you keep your Eye to this, you ihall fee, as this grows, which is pure, there will be a Death to that which is fenfual and carnal, and of the Serpent ^ and as you grow in this pure, you will grow in the Knowledge of Chrift within 3^01]. And this is not to be attained by feeking with- out, Lo^ here and Lo^ there ^ but only by keeping your Eye within to the Invifible, and giving dili- gent Ear to that Voice that fpeaks to the Soul and Spirit, for the Miniftry of Chrift is to the Spirits in Prifon, not to the outward, but to the inward Man, which is led captive and imprifoned by that Serpen^ tine Wifdom that rules in the outward, and by which it is kept in Death ^ which once coming to hear the Voice of Chrift, it is raifed from Death to Life ^ And then that Scripture is fulfilled. The Bead hear the Voice of the Son oj God^ and they that hear JhdU live. And this being once reftored to Life, is that which hath Fellowfhip with the Father and the Son 5 yea, it is one with them. And this is that which, as it arifeth, overcomes the World in you, gets theVid^ory and obtains the Crown: for it is the promifed Seed, and Heir of all the Promifed in this Life, and that which is to come : But there is no Agreement between this and the Seed of the Serpent, for where-ever the Serpent's Wifdom feeks after this, it is that he may flay it ^ but God hath hid it from him, and doth hide it out of the Serpent*s gight. But th^t Seed fees the Serpent where he is, F 8 and ( 70 ) i65^. and'doth judge him, and condemn him, and bruife ji^^VN^his Head. How deep are thy Counfels, O Lord! paft finding out ! 11. JU labouring and ftrivlng by Forms, Cufloms and Tra- ditions^ come fhort of that Worjhip in Spirit and in Truth. The two Ways which Men walk in, viz. The Spiritual and //;^ C a r n a l, the Difference betzmxt them j and how you may know them by their Fruits, A L L Men and "^''omen that mate a Profefnon, and go under the Name of Chriftians, and . iay you love Jefus Chriit 5 Mind him whom you i profefs, that you may be taught by Him in all your I Bph.4.i4«\\rays and Worfhips, and do not fuifer your felves to be deceived any longer by fair Speeches, and flattering high Notions, hj which you have been blinded for m.any Years, and led on to vvorlhipGod in outfide Forms and Cufloms, after the Traditions and Commandments of Men, which, by imaginary Imitations and Confultations, they have fet up for their own Ends, and have made Laws to bind the People to obferve them, contrary to that Light ihin- ing into the Confcience (the Throne of Chrift) and 2!^. ^^^ the Pradtifeof Chrill: and his Apoftles^ and fo have l^iark 7. made the W o r D of G O D of none EfFedt by their ^^^ Traditions. But neither they nor you have known I Joh.24. ^j^g ij-gg Qoi^ who is worfhipped in Spirit : for who- ^ J * ^^'^ foever finneth hath not ittn Him^ nor known Him. 'He that faith, I know him, and keepeth not his Com- mandments, is a Liar 5 nor have you Fellov/fhip with him, nor an Anfwer of Acceptance from him, though you have been Worfhipers in your formal Cufloms all your Time, and have many times af- flided your felves from Morning till Evening, yet no Anfwer, ( 71 ) .. And herein, how much you have refembled thofe i6^?i four Huijdred Worfhipers in Elijah's Time, if ever '-^^'VNJ your Eyes be open, you will fee. But the living j Kin^^s God is not as the Dumb Idols to thofe who know 18.26,290 Jiim i for whom he accepts, he anfvv^ers, and hath done in all Ages, and they are brought into UnionPfal. 6$. with him, and know him, and how he will be wor-4>5' (hipped; not by Hear- fay, but from him ^^om,}^^^^^^]' And their Worihip is not an Imitation by the Let-xg, 19/ ter, but they are all taught of him, every one inira.54.13' his Meafure, and they walk find worfhiphim by his^^^"^^* ^°* Word, and the Word is nigh them, in their Hearts t^^j,^ j^- and in their Mouths, by which they are guided, and 14. they know his Voice: But thefe are Sheep, fuch as Gen. 4.5, are born again, of the Spirit, not after the Will ^/Pro-^S'S" Ma?7, but after ih^ Will of God. ^ hA]'2J But there is a Generation, whofe Sacrifice God 13, 14/ doth not accept, whofe Prayers are Abomination, Pro. 3.32 and whofe Ploughing is Sin, who pollute all theyJ^^^ 3-^ meddle with, who are hated of the Lord, whom^^Jj. ^^^ Chrift prays not for-, for they, their Sacrifice, and^S,^^. all they do are accurfed from God. And thefe are in the firfl: Birth Children of Wrath, and Enemies to God. Now, all People, try your felves, whether you be in the firfl: Birth, or you be born again : There is a^ n < i' firfl: JdaWy and there is a fecond Jdam 5 and they ^ *^' ' who are in the Firfl:, bear his Image 5 and thejr who are in the Second, bear his Image; And as is the Earthly, fuch are they that are earthly; and as is the Heavenly, fuch are they that are heavenly. And thefe are contrary the one to the others the one be- ing from above, the other being from below j the one the Seed of God, the other the Seed of the Ser- f)ent, and an Enmity is put between them by God,Gen,3.i5« and there can be no uniting them in one; for what Concord hath Chrifl: with Belia/^ or the Believer and the Unbeliever ? The firfl: Man is of the Earth, earthly ; minds earthly Things, lives in the Sarth, delights in the F 4. Earth, ( 70 i6^^. Earth, lufts after the Earth, covets, contends and O^'VNJ fues for it; for hisTreafure is in the Earth, and his ^ Heart is with it : for it is his Portion, and his Thoughts, Words and Wifdom are all imploy'd a- bout it, plotting and forecafting how to compafs it, and fetch it out of the Hands of others, to heap up : but is never fatisfied, but is a Servant to it *, it is his Life, his Joy ^ if it be taken from him, hisCom- Exod,$.2.fort is gone: it is his God, and he worihips it, and would have all to worlhip him, becaule of the A- bundance of it that he hath got together-, for he knows no other God, nor greater Happinefs than sTheff. what he fees with carnal Eyes. And this all his A- 2.4. £lions witnefs; and thus is he exalted above all that Gen.2.i7.is called God, and oppofeth God in all his Commands. Mat.'A^'^^^^" God faith. Thou Jloalt not eat of the Tree of JO. * * Knowledge ^ for if thou doft thoufhalt die : The Ser- Exo.2o.<5,pent faith, Tou tnay eat of it, and not die^ but Vive better •, be a^ Gods. When God faith. Thou Jhalt Luk. 4. '^^not bow dozvn^ nor worfhip any Creature in Heaven or 6>7>^» Earth : for 1 am jealoufe of mine Honour^ and will not have it given to any Creature r^ but will vifit that Sin to the third and fourth Generation \ he faith^ Thou /halt bow down and worfhip me, and thou fl)alt gain by it, and be received into the Kingdoms of the Earth, and the Glory of thcin, (for there I am Prince) (Uid I will bejiow great Things upon thee : But if thou wilt not, I make a Decree, fign it with my own King^ HeR, ^. ^tidfet all my Servants to att it, that all thy SeedfhaU be cut off out of ivy T)o7rnnions in one Day, And thus to oppofe God, and feek to deftroy his Seed where it appears, hath been his way from the Be- ginning, and is his way at this Day. And here are all you Haters, Envyers and Perfecutors, and you are doing his Work, and you are adled by him who. was a Murtherer from the Beginning. The fecond Man is the Lord from Heaven, and he iCor.i^.^'^^t bears his Image minds heavenly Things, and 47. delights in heavenly Things ; for he is fpiritual. Col. i.i5.aiid judgeth not according to outward Appearance 5, ( 73 ) for the evil Eye that offends is pluck'd out ; that i6'y7,. Eve which leads into invifible Things^ and there is '^v^^pO an Eye tuniM inward, which pierceth into the hid- den Treafure which is eternal, which the natural Pfal. 25. Eye fees not. And having once got a Sight of the i4« true Riches, he cafts away all his Idols and Idol- Worfliips, and whatever is perifhing, and treads up- on all that may hinder his Enjoyment thereof, tho' they have been never fo dear unto him ^ now it is become bafe, Drofs and Dung, that he may obtain Phil. 3.8. the invifible Riches: And then the Firit born, whofe Heart is in the Earth, calls him a Fool and a Mad- Miin, and thinks it ftrange that he will not ferve the World, nor the Times, for Money, nor have Mens Perfons in Admiration becaufe of Advantage, nor obferve the Heathenilh Cufloms for Fear of Men5judei6. but is made to declare againfi: them in open Streets ^^s 14. and Markets. And then that Nature which livcs^^' in thefe Things, takes up Stones to caft at him, and cries againfi: him in Tumults, Jzvay with him^ it is vot jit he fhould live^ for he breaks all Cufto?ns ani Traditions^ which we and our Fathers have lived in fo many, Tears^ and turns the World up- fide dawn : But being blind, they cannot fee that the Lord is in him, who counts all the Cufl:oms of the Heathen vain, and overturns Kingdoms and Nations at his^£^si6. Will, and thereby makes way for Him to reign, 20, 21/ whofe Right it is. The Old Man worihips a God at a Diftance, but ^nows him not, nor where he is, but by Relation j joh.2.4. from others, either by Word or Writing. And as^' 3. 6.' he receives his Knowledge of him from Men, fo hisl^^^^9*^3« Worfliip towards him is taught by the Precepts of Men •, and if Men, on whom he depends, command him to go to Steeple-Houfe, he goes 5 if they com- ip.and him to pray, he prays ^ if they command him to fing, he fings^ if they bid him hear, kneel^ fit, fland, faft, or feaft^ he doth it. And here he hath Fellowlliip with Men, and doth as his Neigh- Jipuis do, or with thofe he calls Brethren, if he be got (74) 1^1^' got into a more ftridl Form 5 but as for any Com-f ^/^V^^i^mand from God binding to thefe, or any Commu-^ nion with God, or Anfvver of Acceptance from him, upon every Performance, he looks for no fuch thing now in thefe Da3^s , as though God was not now the fiime to his People that he hath been in all Ages. And thus in vain doth he woriliip, receiving for l<\zt*i'^*6.Z)o[lrines the Commandments of Men, and fo uphold and plead for a cuftomary Worfnip in a Form of Heb. 6. 1. Tradition, which he is refolved to praclife as long as he lives •, but as for any other Fellowlhip with God, or Knowledge of him, or overcoming the Bo- dy of Sin, or growing up toward Perfedion, he looks for none while he is here: But he hath fet up his Stand as far as he intends to go, and if any go any further, or witnels any more than he knows, he accounts it Blafphemy, and cries out againft it, as a thing not to be fufFered, and with carnal Wea- pons would force all to his Way : but who have Eyes open, fee him to be blind. The New Man worfhips a God at hand, where he Joh.4.24. dwells in his Holy Temple, and he knows him by 2 Cor. 6. his own Word from his Dwelling-Place, and not by I Cor 6 ^"^^^^^o" °^ others. And thus the Holy Men of 1 p. ' ' God always knew him 5 for Abraham did not know Gen. 12. him by what he had fpoken to Noah^ nor the Pro- i?2. phets by what he had fpoken to Abraha?n^ nor the ^x^'j^^* ^'Apoftles by what he fpoke to the Prophets, nor the i^^ Saints by what he fpoke to the Apoftles ^ but he 2 Pet. I. that belie\^eth hath the Witnefs within himfelf, and ^9' thereby fets to his Seal that God is true ^ and there- 9^^' ^•'^'^ fore Chrifl: exhorts to have Salt in your /elves ^ and j^. ^ ' the Apoftles exhort the Saints to iKiait for the Ap^ 14. -16, pear a nee of Chriji in the mf elves, and to wait for the 4. 22. Day Star arifing in their Hearts-^ and they knew "^^'^•^^•themfelves to be the Sons of God, by the Spirit that Rev. 2. 7,^^ had given them^ and fo doth he that is born of II. the Spirit: and by the fame Spirit that witneffeth 17? 29. God dwelling in him, he is taught how, and where, and after what manner he will be worihipped 5 and he ( 75 ) he knows what he worfhips, and he worfliips inSpi- i6^:^i rit, and he prays in the Spirit, and fings in the Spi- L/^NPO rit and with Underftanding alfo, and not in Form and Cuftoin •, and he hath an Ear open to hear what the Spirit faith, by which he is taught when and how to pray, tofing, to fafi: or feali:, and hefeafteth of fat Things, whereby the Soul is nouriflied, and feeds not the Luft, he feafts the inward Man, and Rom. 8. not the outward 5 for all is fpirituah And fo grows 29. in the Spirit into near Communion with God, and^^^^*^* getting Victory over Sin, the World and the Devil. And as he comes into Purity, he is changed into the the Image ot the Lord, from Glory to Glory^ and all by the Spirit. The Natural Man is carnal, and knov/s not the i Cor. 2. Things of God, but what he knows naturally, as ^^* brute Beafts, and therein he doth corrupt himfelf, and doth ufe all his Knowledge for corrupt Ends *, he boaitsof Learning, and Tongues which arenatu- Jude ic< ral, and thefe he ufeth to defraud, opprefs, and o- ver-reach the Simple, to revenge, fue, covet and heap together things that are for Corruption, and with the fame natural Knowledge and Tongues, he fteps into the Throne of Chrift, and judges of the pure invifible Things of God, comparing fpiritual Things with carnal, and thinks none knows more than he: but knows nothing as he ought to know ^^at. 20, yet with this Knowledge, and that Power he hath ^'^^' got in the Earth, he fits as Judge, and condemns the .^. * ^^' Innocent, and lets the Guilty go free: for being fpi- i Gor. 2, ritually blind, he calls Evil Good, and Good Evil,<^, 8- and his Seat is in the Powers of theEarth, and there J^p-^*^^' he fits as Lord from the Beginning, bearing Rale by l^f^' ^' his Means. And here he ezercifeth his Authority Col. i.itj. in the Heathenifh Nature, under the Power of the Rom^ 8.' Prince of the Air, who hath the Powers of Dark- ^9' nefs 'j but blefied be the Father, who hath hid the l^^^' ^' glorious Things of the Kingdom from him, andaCor.so hath appointed that thjs Wifdon^ of his fliall come 18. to nought, Eph. 4. The ^3> H' ( 76 ) ^ 165;^.' The Spiritual Man is begotten by the Spirit, of the \y\^^ immortal Seed, into the Image of the Father, he knows the Father,and is known of liim, not by Relation of the Creature, but by the Indwelling of God in him, and he , in God, according to that Meafure of Light reveal" * ed in him. And he ftands in the Will of God, im- proving that he hath freely received of God, where- I by he grows in the Knowledge of the Father and the Son, from Grace to Grace, from Faith to Faith, till he come to the Unity of the Faith, and Knowledge of the Son-fhip, unto a perfed Man, unto the Mea- fure of the Stature of the Fulnefs of Chrifl. And Sanding faithful in the leail Meafure, and waiting therein, the Light of Chrift under the Crofs, and not looking out, he is kept in Peace, from the craf- ^ ty and fleighty Dodtrines of Men, whereby they go Job. <. 2,bout to deceive. And as the Light grows, there 22.27,*3o.is a Difcerning of Things that differ, to chufe the iGor.6. Good, and refufe the Evil : and as the Son arifeth, ^>3« the Judgment is brought forth : for all Judgment is committed to the Son, and fo the Saints come to judge the World 5 yea, Angels, and are made able to try the Spirits, whether they be of God, or no. And that old Serpent is judged by whom formerly they have been deceived : and fo that which is bora I Joh. 5. ^f God, overcomes the World, Sin and the Devil, 4, 5. and is kept out of all Uncleannefs, in which the carnal Mind corrupts its felf. And thus Judgment is brought forth unto Victory, and the Unjufl: and Uuclean is judged, and condemned, and kept under within and without. The Firfl: Man is proud and lofty, exalted above Gen.2i.9.his Brethren, a Self-Lover, lives to the Flelli, and Gal. 5. follows the Lufls of the Flefh in all Things, and 19, 20,21. brings forth Fruit to the Flefli in all Things^ as Lying, Swearing, Whoring, and all Manner of E- vil, and for a Covering, makes a Profeifioa of God- linefs, but performs nothing but for Self Ends, and to be feen of Men *, but as to Uprightnefs, Holinefs and Purity, he is ^n Enemy, a Hater, a Perfecutor, a Scorner, ( 77 ) a Scorner, a Railer, unreafonatly Covetoas, would i6^?. have all the Earth and Heaven too, would live in ^>'*V'NJ Pleafure all his Life, and yet die the Death of the Num. 23. Righteous, would be an Oppreflbr here; and upon 10. I fuch lies all the righteous Blood that hath been flied \ from the Firft, till this Day. j The Second Man is humble and lowly, meek and 'full of Love to all, honours all Men according to Jam. 2.1, God, without Refpecl of Perfons, would have all 9* I to come to Life, ftaads in the Wifdom of God, J which is pure and peaceable^ is willing to be a Fool I to the World and Serpent's Wifdom, content to fuf- fer Wrongs, BufFetings, Perfecutions, Slanders, Re- viling, Mocking, without feeking Revenge, but bears all the Venom the Serpent can caft upon him with Patience, and thereby overcomes him and bruifeth his Head, and is made perfect through Suf-Gal. «5.22. fering, and counts it Joy, and rejoyceth in the Crofs, 2 Cor. 4, and Lofs of all Things that are vifible, but looks at t"^' ^^' that which is eternal, for he knows he cannot have both ^ for to be a Friend to the World, is the Enemy of God. Now, all dear People, judge your felves, if you will but deal faithfully with your felves, there is that within you, that will tell you whence you are, and from whether of thefe Roots all your Adions pro- ceed ; for if the Root be holy, the Branches and Fruit will be holy alfo. And by the Fruits you bring forth, you may know the Tree, whether you be ot the firft Birth, or you be born again : and un- lefs you be born again, you cannot enter into Kingdom of Heaven. You have long time takea Things upon Truft from Men, and have been led blind, and brought forth Fruits unto Death, and have been Servants to Sin and the Devil 5 let the Time paft be luificient to have wrought the Will of the Fleih. And now approve your lelves the Chil- dren Oi God, in your Actions, for by your Fruits you ihall be judged. God is holy, and his Chil- dren C 78 ) 16^^. ^i*en Tiear his Image. Oh ! redeem your Time ^ prize' t^'VN^your Souls, and mind that which is eternal. III. How the Suhtilty of the Serpent works in the Chil- dren of Difobedience ^ and how he rages where he fees the Image of the Prince of Feace appear^ to /mother and Jh angle the Holy Child Jefus, OThou fubtil Serpent, why doft thou fo rage at the Voice of the Lord, when he fpeaks in his ^°^*3*^°'own, whom he hath redeemed > And why art thou fo mad againft his Image, where it is renewed and doth appear, in whom he hath begotten to himfelf? Thou haft long uttered thy Voice in open Streets, by blafphemous Swearing, Curfing, Lying, Slan- dering, Railing, falfa a^ccufing. Scorning, and all Manner of evil Speaking, and haft brought forth thy Image in thy Children, in Perfecuting, lulling. Stoning, Mocking, Imprifoning, Covetoufnefs, Drun- Icennefs, Whoredoms, Thefts, and all m.anner of evil Works and Deeds of Darknefs : thou haft long reigned as King on Earth, and in earthly Hearts and Horn. 8.7.carnal Minds, and there haft ftiewed forth thy En- 2 Theff. mity againft God , and \n fuch thou art exalted a- '^'r^' bove all that is called God, and haft got thy Will i?'^* upon them, and haft brought them to fall down a:l\, 9, and worihip thee : for that thy i^-ide looks much 13. after. And as thou haft divers Colours, fo thou ^ <^- 13* lookeft for divers Kinds of Woriliip ^ and where thou appeareft in greateft Glory, there thou lookeft for greateft Worihip. And thofe who will obey thee herein, to them thou giveft large Promifes of great Things in the World, and they ihall be advanced in thy partial Kingdom : But there is a Seed thou couldeft never bring to fall down before thee, tho' - 'thou haft often attempted it, and divers ways^ _^, . fometimes by great Threatnings, even to dcftroy Eith.2.0. ^^^^ ^i^QJe Seej at one Blow, as in Human to Mor- decai^ ( 79 ) decaiy and all the Seed of the Jews^ becaiife he 16^;^ would not worfhip thee ; and fometimes by great ^^''S^O Promifes, and large difTeinbling Proffers, as unto Chrifl: the Son of God, ihewing him all the King- doms of the World, and the Glory thereof, faying, Mat. <5, All this will I give thee, if^ thou wilt fall down ani ^' 9« worfhip me. But this Seed is that which is appoint- ed to bruize thy Head, and lay all thy Pride in the Dull. And the Voice of this Seed is terrible to theeGen.3.15. where it fpeaks \ for it never fpeaks good concern- ^ Kings ing thee, but Evil. And this Seed is Chrift, who '^^^\l\ rifen in his Saints, to difcover and deftroy thy^.s. ^' Kingdom, by the Sword of his Mouth, and by the Rom. 8. Brightnefs of his Coming \ for he fpeaks Death to <^- thee where he fpeaks, and declares thy Kingdom to^^^'^'^^^ be Death and Darknefs, and thy Works to be dead Works \ and that all thy Ways lead to the Cham- bers of Death ^ and that Hell, Death and Deftruc- tion are the Portion of all whom thou deceiveft, and leadeft on in the Broid Way. But where-ever ^the Seed of God appears, it holds forth Life, and leads into the Way of Life, Works, and Words of Life and Power : for it is the Light of Life^ and . leads to Life eternal. And as this Light arifeth, it difcovers thee, not only within, but alfo fees thee where thou art in the World , and is brought to lay thee open to others, and all thy deceiveable Work- j q^^^ 2. ings, and to judge and condemn thee. And this is 15. & the Son, and where he is he is the Light of the Jforld, 6. 2,2» zudijudgeoftheirorld'^ for the Father hath com- mitted all Judgment to the Son, and he judgeththee in and by the Saints. And now thou feefi: plainly, that if he do but fpeak, and the Creature hear and believe, then he ^ will difcover all thy Subtilty, and redeem from un- der thy Power, by which thou haft deceived the Na- tions, and ruled over them for many Generations. And therefore now thy Defign is to flop his Mouth, ^^^'^d^' that he^ may not fpeak under Pain of Iniprifoning,Revf 12, or Killing the Body in whom he fpeaks. And if 13, '15/ that (8o) 'ii55?. that will not prevail, then thou perfv/adeft People l-^^V^^ not not to believe That it is He that fpealcs in his own, calling it Blajphemy for any to confefs Him to fpeak in thein, or dwell in them now. Job. 9.22. O thou curfed, crooked, v/inding Serpent! More K ^'24. fubtil than all the Beafts of the Field I This was th/ way amongft the profeffing, wife, knowing Jews^ when this Seed firft appeared in Fleih, to make thera believe, That it was not He who was the Chrift, the Saviour of the World ^ he was too poor, too plain, and of too mean a Stock to be King of JJvael: We know this Man from whence he is, a Carpenter's Son, and his Kindred are with us, and none believe on this Man but Sinners, Women, and Children, and a poor People that know not the Mat.2i. L^^^ ai-jj they areaccurfed : But when Chrift comes, Joh. 7. ^hen the Rulers will own him, and believe in him. 48, 49! Thus hj perfwading them to look for great Things at a Diftance, a Chrift to come, who would appear more glorious to their carnal Eyes, thou prevailed ft in them to Crucifie the Son of God, and Redeemer of the World. But now that the Hiftory of Chrift being come, and hath fuftered, and is rifen again, is generally believed, now thy Ddign is, To perfwade People that it is a thing paiVd long fince, and fet'ft them on to cry out againft the Jews^ for killing of him, and yud.ti for betraying of him i and thus fet'ft one oi thy Children to cry out againft an- Mat. 21. other, making thefe believe, That they are in a 35> 3<^* better Condition than their Fathers, when they are all found in one and the fame Work, Killing fome, Imprifoning others, Mocking, Stoning, Beating, and fhamefully Intreating others^ and to keep them on in this Work, perfwadeft them. That it is not Chrift Gal. 1.16. they perfecutc now^ for Chrift is in Heaven, and fits Mac. II. at the Right Hand of God •, and how can he be in 27* his People now ? He doth not appear in any now, I Cor. 2, ^^ fpeak in any now^ neither is there any Revela- Heb. i4 2. tion. It was fo in the Apoftles Time, and the Saints of ( 8i ) of Old witnefTed fach things^ but it is Blafphemy J 6^ 7^ for any now to confefs him in thefe Days. vXVN-f And thus thou beguilefl: carnal Man, led by car- nal Reafon, to look for a carnal Chrift, like them- felves, who can but be in one Place, or Perfon; as though God had now fonnd fome newW^ay to fpeak to his People, and not by his Son: And all this is to put out the Light, left thou fhouldeft be c'lfco- vered -, for thou ruleft in Darknefs, and by Dark- nefs keepeft thy PofTeirion, ainongftthofe whom thou haft blinded. But w^here Chrift is revealed and known, he is knov/n to be fpiritual, and not car- nal, not limited to one Place, but filleth Heaven Col. 2, and Earth, is all, and in all his 5 but not feenby^^"' the carnal, though he be the Light of the World :^^ ^^' ^* for the Gcd of this World hath blinded the Eyes of pfal. 58, the World, that thej^ cannot fee him, for he is a4> $• Myftery to them, and hid from all their carnal Wif-^^^^* 4- dom, neither can they hear his Voice, for they are ' not of his Sheep, but are as the deaf Adder -, but to them only in whom he dwells he is known, they hear his Voice, and are taught by Him alone, and will own no other Voice nor Teacher, and they know him to be the fame Chrift Yefterday, to Day andJ^^' io» for ever^ the fame who, when he was to afcend,^* '^* faid to his, If I go away, I will come again, that qq\^ x.27. where lajn^ there may ye be alfo\ the fame who faid, 2 Cor.i^- 1 will come and make mine Abode with you ^ the fame 3- who was in the Saints the Hope of Qlory^ and thofe ^°^' ^^'^^ who have him not in them are Reprobates. The fame Chrift who fpoke in Pj/// and the reft, and they knew his Voice where-ever they heard it, and did obey it, though they fufFered for it ^ for he was their Light, their Life, and their Way to the Father. And by believing and following him, they were led out of ail the Ways of Death and Darknefs, Mat. n; up to God into Purity and Holinefs. And thus 27. were brought to witnefs their Redemption by him;^?^'-^'^^* And he is the fame now, to thofe who know him,]^^^ ^^^ in all things according to the Msafure received^ he&'iQ,^,^, G reveals (8. ) 16^^. reveals liimfelf now to be the Eternal Son of God in t> And thus thou, who by Sin at firft didft ftamp th}'- Iniage on the Creature, and fo v^^ork I a Separation betwixt God and Man: So by Sin thou upholdeil: thy Image and the Separation •, for Sin is Dan. 12. 1, begotten by thee, and thou art the Father of it, and ^ 2. s4« it bears thy Image, and the Glory of thy Kingdom I Hands in Sin and Filthinefs, and thou and thy Chil- dren delisht in it. ' But woe unto thee and thy Kingdom, for the Day of thy Torment is upon thee ^ for now Michael our Prince, who ftands up for the Children and Peo- ple of God, is arifen againfi: thee, who will break thee and thy Image in Pieces, and thou dial t be cafi: out of Heaven, and thy Angels into the Earth, and thou ihalt be chained in the Bottomlefs Pit, and fhalt deceive the Nations no more^ for thou art dif- covered, and the Beaft and the falfe Prophet, by whom thou haft maintained Wars againfi the Saints, Rev. 20. and you fhall all be caffc into the Lake that burneth, ^^' there to be tormented for ever. ly. A ( 85 ) ' _ U^^'-s IV. ui Caution to all who fhaU he found Verfecutors^ per- fecuting the Righteous^ not fuffering that Spirit to fpeak^ which boldly and impartially f peaks without SIavifl)nefs^ being carried up above, fears not him who can kill the Body^ and can do no more-^ but fears GOD. TAKE heed, ye Men of the Earth, how you contend againfb the Lord, and hotv you fpeak Evil of the Things you know not^ why do ye ima- gine a vain Thing againit the Lord, and againft his Anointed ? By your Rage you (liew your felves to be Heathen. He that Jits in Heaven fhaU laugh ^ //;^Pra.2.i,2 Lord Jhall have you in DerifiGn-^ He will fet up his .J^''^l^'^\ King upon his holy Hill of Sion, without your Leave, job ''9." 4' Did ever any ftrive againft God and profper? He 12. will break you with a Rod of Iron, and dalh you in Pieces like a Potter's Veffel. Be wife, take heed, fear and tremble before the Lord, left his Wrath kindle againfi: you, and you be confumed in his An- ger. Wo to him that ftriveth with his Maker-, let I-' 4i- 9 the Potiheards ftrive with the Potftieards of the^'"*^^-^- Earth: Shall the Clay queftion the Work of the Pot- ter ? You forget your felves while you are contend- ing againft the Mind of God ^ you are exalted, and have forgotten that you are but Duft, and muft to Duft again. You are not made to oppofe the Lordlfa. 2. i in his Works, but to humble your felves before him. ^^'^^'^3 And know this, all ye proud Ones of the Earth,^^ 21 ^ That God is now exalting his own Son, to be Kingif^'p, 5^ alone upon the Throne of David, and of the In- creafe of his Government and Peace there /hall be no End: for he lliall order his Kingdom himfelf in Judgment and Juftice for ever; but wo unto the Proud at that Day, for the Day cometh that fhaU burn as an Oven, and all the Proud, and all that do mckedly, fhall be a^ Stubble: And the Day that G 3 cometh c i' ( 86 ) ' i6'^7, roineth Ihall burn them up, and leave them neither "/VNJ Root nor Branch-, yea, who may abide the Day of [flal. 3. 2, his Coming ? And vi^ho fhall (land when he appears > FojT he. is like a Refiner's Fire, and Fuller's Soap, and ihall fit as a Refiner and Purifier with Silver, and ihall purifie the Sons of Levi. All you mufi: pafs through the Fire, and all your Drofs and Tin niuft be ronlumtd , your high Looks and great fwel- ling Words will be found Drofs, and are for the Fire. You that go about to limit the Holy One of If- j fob 21. ^^^^A what he fiiall do, and how he mufi: make hiin-- ft2» felf known to his Creatures, and by whom. God will never come your Way, for your Ways are not his Ways, nor your Thoughts his Thoughts^ for the one are contrary to the other. O vain Man, fiiall he that contendeth with the Almighty infi:nicl him,! |ob4c, 2.He that.reproveth God, let him anfwer it. What r art thou that quefiiions the Work of the Lord, or his Way i^ Thou art of that Brood that came to ask Chriil,. by what Authority he did thofe Things hij> Father had fent him to do-, and becaufe thou muil not enter into the Secrets of God by thy Serpents Wifiiom, thou wilt forbid and . perfecute them in whom it is revealed, as they did., Now wouldeft thou but look back, and fearch the Scriptures, thou Ihouldcfi: find. thy Generation all along from Cain to thy felf,; fQr.all.Pejfecutors are of that Serpent's Brood. .. r .,. . ' It may be thou v/ilt ov/n, all that Generation to be of ^ Cai/7^ till it come to thy felf, and then thou ^ wilt deny that iho\\ art any ofthat Brood, and 3rct art ' found adting in the very fame things. And herein thou difFerefl not at all from the refi:; for they Gen. 4. 6. would all deny it, even from the Firfi: : for when Mat. 23, God asked Cai/2 where his Brother was^ he faid he ?9j3^>3i']<:ne\v not -^ Am 1 my Brother's Keeper^ whenas he had fiain him. And the Scribes, Phariiees and Chief Priefls garnifhed the Sepulchres of the Prophets, whom their Fathers flev/5 and faid. Had we lived lij ( 87 ) theirDdjs, we would not have kills i them x^ and at T<55'?J that very time were they confulting to kill the Son L/^^'N^ of God, to whom all the Prophets bare witnefs. But as the Devil was a Murtherer from the Beginning ^ fo he was a Liar from the Beginning. But though thou wilt not own thy ^qM to be of the Devil ^ jQt thy Adtions declare to thy Face, before Men and Angels, that thou art not of God. Did ever any that were of God, forbid any to fpeak in the Name of the Lord Jefjjs, whom he fent to declare his Will > Did they ever imprifon any for it^ Did they ever beat, flone, mock, revile or hate any ? Did they ever raife Lies, Slanders, or falfe Reports of any? Or feek falfe V/itnelTes againft them ? Did they ever opprefsira. i^\^* the Stranger, becaufe he was a Stranger, and fend them to Prifon when they found them, becaufe they knew them not, though they never did x^iitin. Harm ? And then, to make way for their further Oppreiiion, to have their Agents abroad, to feek out any who will witnefs any thing againfl them \ and fo lay Snares and Traps for the fimple and harmlefs Man ? There were of thy Generation in lfaiah\^\\v.Q^ and and God plagued them for it, as faith the Piophetjli^* 29* The terrible Ones are brought to naughty and the'^°'^^* Scorners are confumed-^ and all that watch for Iniqui- ty are cut off^ that /nake a Man an Offender for a Word^ and lay a Snare for him that reproves in the Gate. Now all you that will be found in this Pradtice, Take heed, repent betimes, the Righteous God will judge righteoufly, he is no Refpedtor of Perfons, Hof. 5; u and he knows all your fecret Plots, and who they are againft. You may hide Things from Men, but wo unto them that dig deep, to hide their Counfel from the Lord 5 and their Works are in the dark, and they fay, J^ho feeth us ^ and Tf^ho knoweth ? iVcUi. Surely your turning things npfide-down, fhall be i7; efteemed as the Potters Clay, and God will over--^^* ^7'^2, turn, overturn you, and bring all your plotting {1*^^29!^' Wifdom to naught. Oh ! Confider, what is become x^', 14! of the Perfecutors of Old ? Did not God find them / Q 4 outj ( 88 ) i6'y'^, out, and plague them for it? And dofi: thou think .UOir^J to tfcape his Hand ? Thy Thoughts are vain, and will deceive thee, the Lord will fet a Mark upon thee, that thou art a Ptrfecutor of the MeiTL^ngers of Ifa. 30. 8, the Lord j Go to, faiih the Lord, write it in a Beaky 9, ic, 11. that it 7nay be for ti/h'e to come^ for ever and. ever^ That rh^ n a rebellious People, lying Children, that will not hear the Law of ti?e Lord, which fay to the Seers, See not, and to the Prophets, Provhefie not to us right Things J fpeak unto us fmooth Things ^ pro' phefie Deceit, Nov/ fee if it be not To in thefe Days ^ he that fludies out Eloquent Words, to pleafe the Ears of Men, and can talk againllSin in Words-, but when they have done, join with the Wicked in his wicked W'ays, as, Pride, Covetoufnefs, OppreiHon, Drun- kennefs, Rioting, and fuch like, and fc become Men- Pleafers. Thefe are Prophets mofl: fit for them that love their Sins, and would not have their Minds Micah 2. crofs'd. Micah faith in his Days, That a Liar, and ^'' one that vvill prophefle of Wine and flrong Drink, is a Prophet inoft fit for this People : And thefe Pro- phets Ihall never fufFer Perfecution, nor ever turn any from their Sins. But if any come with a true MeiTage from the Lord, and declare his Judgments to com.e againfl; all Sin and Filthinefs, and witnefs againil all the Ways of the Wicked, both in Word Afts 22, ^^^^ Praclice : Then, away with fuch a Fellow from 22, the Earth, it is not fit he fhould live, for he judg- eth ail but himfelf 5 Send him to Prifon, or into his own Country out of our Coafts: What hath he to do here ? Or, who fent him ? Or, what is his Authority? I love him not, for he never fpeaks Good Kin'^.22. c>f us, but Evil. O Friend! DiuiT: thou but know 8. "^ '^ whom thou flrivefl: againft, thou'dit tremble before Him, // ii hard for thee to kick againfi the Pricks^ thou art not againfi Man but God. 2 Pet, I. And this know. That no Prophcfy of Old came 2J- by the Will of Man, but againfl the Wills of all Men in the World, both he that was fcnt, and they to * ( 89 ) to whom he was fent. But who hath refifted his l^^^. Will > For there is a Neceffiry laid upon fuch as are ^>^'W3 fent by him •, and wo unto tliem if they go not. And they who are thus fent are no Hirelings, nei- ther do they come with U^hat will you give me ? but they mufi: witnefs forth freely what Chrift hath re- i Cor. 9. vealed in them, thougli they fiifFer for it. But this ^^-i i7« Call is not known to Babylon's Merchants, who buy,^^^' ^^" fell, and trade for Money ^ neither is it known to ' the World, for if it were, they would not hate and perfecute it; But they that are fent by God have i Cor. 2. been hated in all Ages, and it is the fame now, elfe ^' how fhouldthe Scriptures be fulfilled ^ but, O Man! take heed what thou doeft •, thy Power is limited, though thou knoweft it not: thou canft but kill the Bod}'', and the Soul fhali live-, thou canft but im-^l^^* i<5- prifon the Body, but the Spirit is at Liberty out of ^^' thy Reach. And therefore Chrift bids his, not to fear fuch, who can go no further. And it is fo, for they who are kept clofe in Obedience to Chrift, are kept out of the Fear of Man: K;/-, faith the Lord,/,(f- venlam he that comforted you \ who art thou, that thou Ifa. ^u fhouldefl: be afraid of a Man that Ihall die, and the ^2> ^3» Son of Man that Ihall be as Grafs, and forgetteft the Lord thy Maker, that hath ftr tched forth the i Heavens, and laid the Foundations of the Earth, ' and hath feared every Da}^ becaufe of the Fury of the Opi)refror, as if he were ready to deftroy^ andlfa.^i.if. where is the Fury of the Oppreflbr > But^ (aith the Lord, / have put 7ny Words in thy Mouthy and have covered thee with the Shadow of my Hand. Behold, I have taken out of thy Hand the Cup of my Fury^ and thou [halt no 7nore drink it again -^ but I will put it into the Hand of them that affli^ thee, which fay to thy Soul, Bow down, that we may go over thee- and thou haft laid thy Body as the Ground, and oi //7^ira.i4.iQ. Street to them that go over. Therefore take heed, you that tread the Poor and Helplefs under your Feet^ Repent, repent, your Day is coming en a» pace, wherein the Lord will avenge the Poor, on hiin that (9o) i£5^. that is too flrongforhim: And how canfi: thoa ^i^V'^ftand at that Day, when thou llialt become weak as another Man, and no falfe Pretences will be accept* ed > Thou muft be judged according to thy Works, Good or Evil. Oh ! That you had Hearts to humble your felves before the Lord, that ye might find •^ - Mercy at that Day, for why will you perilh thro' your own Will > V. ji Call to the Wor/J, to Repentance ; and the ciirfei Condition that Men lie Jn^ prof effing much^ hut praBiJing juji nothing but Pride^ Wantonnefs^ Covet- oufnefs ^ and yet cover themfelves with large Fro- feffions^ and call them/elves Saints, JFo^ Wo to all them who profefs the Truth, and live in Un right e- oufnejs^ and that turn the Grace of God into Wan-* tonnefs* A L L People, Repent and turn to the Lord, from the Evil of your Doing, for the Lord Ifa. 3. io,is.at.hand, who will judge the World, and give e- ^^' very one according to their Doings, whether they 2 Their.i*. ^^ Good or Evil ^ yea, he is coming with ten Thou- 7, 8, 9. fands of his Saints, to be avenged on the Heathen, and I Jdh. 3.6. them that know not God. Now, all that lix^e in Sin and Fiithinefs, it plain- ii ^Y appears you know not God •, for if you did, you . durft. not heap Iniquity, and live in your Lufts, heaping up wrath againfl: the Day of Wratli, where- in the Lord will appear as a confuming Fire againil all Ungodlinefs of wicked Men. ] God is againfl: you, you difTembling ProfefTors, who adorn the Outfide to be feen of Men, but the Infide is full of Deceit, ferving God in outfide jKlat. 23. Forms and Notions, but your Hearts are not up- |$>26, 27, jjgi^i; ^i^h Him s you are in the Earth, and Earthly- r ' inmded' ( 91 ) mindednefs, in your Covetoufnefs, which is Idola- 16')^, try. And God abhors the out fide Worfhip^ whent/V\> the Heart is not upright with him; and Chrift calls fuch, ff hired Walls^ Painted Sepulchres, Hypocrites, Mat. 23, Serpents, a Qencration of Vipers^ Children of thezi- Devil'-, and the Woe is tofuch: How canyouefcape the Damnation of Hell > God is agninft you, you proud and luftful, wan-Ifai. 28. ton Ones, who make it youj: greateft Care to deck ^2, 34* your felves in your proud Attire, inventing New Ways and Faihions to make your felves glorious in the Sight of Men, that they may bow down and worihip you, and fet you above the Commands of God \ but know, That you are but Daft, and God -will lay fuch Honour in the Daft 5 for He is rifen tolfa. 2. 10, v/hom all V/orlhip is due; and now wo to all the ^i> i?* Idols of the World, your lofty Looks Pnall be hum- ^.;^* ^*^* ^** .bled, and your Haughtinefs bowed down; for now *^ " ' jthe.Lprd will exalt the Humble and meek Ones, that you have trodden upon -, he will feek that which is ^loft, but will deftroy the Fat, and feed the Strong Ezek. 34, with Judgment. Repent, you lofty Ones, andturii'^- to the Lord, and humble your felves before Him, ^^^'•^•^'^' that you may be hid in the Day off his fierce Wrath, Jeft he take you aw'^ay, and there be none to deliver. God is againft you, you Drunkards, v/homakeit your Trade to pour in Strong; Drink, abufiiig the Creature to fatisfie your Luiis, which God hathlfa. 28. ^iven to be u fed moderately, and not in Riotouf- ^> 3-; - ;iefsj you Ihould be reiifonable Creatures^ butyouri?^^ ^•^* THorfe may teach you, who will not drink when he ^* ^* ^"' ;hath enough. And herein you Ihew your {t\vt^ worfe than Brutes,' and they ihall rife up in Judg- ment againft you, and condemn, you. Wo toyou jfa. 5. u, that are mighty to drink Wine, and Men of Strength Heb/2/' to mingle ftrong Drink. Wo to you that rife up^Sji^- early, that you may follow ftrong Drink, and con- tinue until Night, till Wine inflame you. The Woe is upon you that put the Cup to his Neighbours Mouthg to make him drink, that his Nakednefs may appear ( 9^ ) . 1^5'^. appear, and fiiameful Spewing coxier him. And this ^>^'VX; is your Glory, which is your Shame, and you tell your Companions: You Ihew your felves to be the Gen. 9. Children of Hafn, the Father of Canaan^ who was 22, 25. accurfed for fuch Pradlire : And the Curfe is upon you, while you live in this^ therefore repent, and Jive no longer in your Filthinefs, your Healths are Abomination to the Lord, and you are ignorant of his faving Healfh. The Wants of the Poor cry in the Ears of God againfi: your wafteful Pradtice, and you muft account for your Stewardfliip. God is againfl: you, you Swearers, who make it Pro. 19. yourPradice to take theNAME of God in vain, and 29« live in open Breach of his Commands: You who ?^^*|'^^*are not alhamed to prophane the Holy N A xME of 10/ ' ^^^ in open Street?^ and Houfes where you come, Zach. ^.S.the Curfe is upon the Land for your fakes ^ and be- Mar. 5. caufe of Oaths the Land mourns, and God will not TamVi2 ^^^^ ^^^^^ guiltlefs. Repent, repent, the Curfe is pfa.p.'iy] towards you, you prophane Ones, who regard not Jer. ^. 7. the Commands of Chrift, who faith, Swear ?2ot at aU^ but let your yea be yea^ and your nay nay ^ for whatfoever is more cometb of Evil, How is he your Redeemer, and how will you ftand before him at . the Day of Judgment, whom you now fo openly contemn, in difobeying his Commands!* O Repent, the Day is at hand when it will be too late ! God is againft you, you Scorners, who take De- Ifa. 18. light in Scorning your Brethren, you fliew your Fol- 14,15, iS.]y to all, whofe Children you are, you that fit in the Seat of the Scornful ^ God doth fcorn j^ou, he who. fits in Heaven laughs you to Scorn. You are Luk.6.25. proud, and puffed up, and have Scornful Eyes, yoii that raife falfe Reports againft the Simple, and tell them to make your felres and others laugh, that Ifai. 14. are Scorners like you. The Lord will laugh at your 11,12. Calajnity^ and mock when your Fear co7neth\^ Your ira.28.22. Laughter Ihall be turned into Mourning: Wo to them that now laugh, for they Ihall mourn. You forget 3''our felves what you are , Take heed, be not Mockers, ( 95 ) Moclcers, lefl your Bands be madeflrong, and when i6$^l you cry there be none to deliver, take heed, repent V/\rs/ betimes^ How long will you Scorners de Tight in Scorn-^Vro, 1.22. ing, and Fools hate Knowledge ? Ceafe your Sports ITa. 57. 3» and Paftinies, ye wanton Ones, making your felves4> 5« merry in your Sins. Your idle prophane Talking and foolifh Jefting, your unclean filthy Words are Abomination to the Lord \ and every idle Word mufi: be accounted for : your Revelling and Riot- ing, Carding and Dicing, and all your invented i Cor. 10. SportSj fitting down to eat and drink, and riflng 7^ up to Play, which is Idolatry, and ths Wrath of ^^^•^^•^^» God is againfl: fuch Pradtife ^ for Man was not madep^y^i^^ to fulfil his own Lufts, but toferve the Living God, 4, 5. who made all things for himfelf, and the Wicked J^^ 21. for the Day of Judgment, and they are referved |,°* againfl: the Day of Wrath and Deftrudion. And 21. though Hand join in Hand, the Wicked lliall not go unpunifhed. Repent, take heed, fearch the Scrip- tures, if ever the People of God ufed any fuch Pra- dife, or fpent their Time after that manner ^ but laboured to redeem the Time, and had their Flefii crucified, with the AfFedtions and Lufls \ for they who live to the Flefh, cannot pleafe God. God is againfl: you, you covetous cruel Oppref-Pro. ii.i. fors, who grind the Faces of the Poor and Needy, taking your Advantage of the Neceifities of thelfa. 3. 15. Poor, falfifying the Meafures, and ufing deceitful Weights, fpeaking that of )^our Commodities which Ifa. $.8,9. is not true, and fo deceiving the Simple, and here- by getting great Eftates in the World, laying Houfe to Houfe, and Land to Land, till there be no Place for the Poor, and when they are become poor thro' your Deceits, then you defpife them, and exalt your felves above them, and forget that you are all made of one Mould, and one Blood, and mufl: all appear before one Judge, who is no Refpedor of Perfons, a^s 17. nor doth he defpife the Poor ^ and what Ihall your 26. Riches avail you at that Day, when you muft account ^^^* '• ^* how you have gotten them, and whom you have pp- f 9+ ) T^'p. bpprefled? Yea,- JFo to him that covet eth an Evil Vy^/X^ Covet oufnefs to hk ctxin Houfe^ that hu'ildeth a Houfe Hab. 2. ^ith Oppreljion, the Stone in the Wall^ and the Beam in II, 12. the Timber [hall cry out again fl him. ' ' The Fathers coinmit Cruel t}^ and Oppreilion in heaping together, and the Chilrlren commit Filthi- Mat. s''. ns^s in fpending it u])on their Lufis* And thus the 32. Children eat up the Sins of the Fathers, and fill up the Aieafure of their Fathers Iniquit3^ And thus you make an open Gap for the Wrath of God to break in upon you. Oh ! Repent, and turn to the Lord, that there may be one found to ftand in the Gap, and make up the Breach, left the Wrath of God break in upon you, and burn like Fire, and there be none to quench it ; for the Day of the Lord is at hand, that you mufi: all be v/eighed in the pure . Balance of the Sanduar}^ and nothing will be Weight Pan.5.2^.but what is pure and holy. Truth from the Heart 5 no Deceit or H37^pocrifie will be Weight, no Idola- Rev. 22. ^fo^s. Proud or Covetous, no Swearer, Lyar, Drun- 13. kard or Whoremonger will be Weight, no Scorner, Railer, or falfe Accufers, no Muitherer, nor envi- ous Perfecutor, no Fornicator, nor Unclean Ones, nor any that liv^e to the Flelh can be W^cight, but will be found v/anting : And then Woe unto you, for 37"our Kingdom mufl be taken from jou^ and given to them who will bring forth Fruits that God may have Glory. Now, all ProfefTcrs and People, ccnfider your Conditions J you have long been Hearers and Pro- Mat.3.10. feflbrs, but what have your Fruits been } Herein is my Father glorified^ that ye bring j or th much Fruit. But now, 3^ou rmitlefs Trees, you mud be cut down, I Cor. 3. and cafi: into the Firc^ for all Mens Works mufi: be i^ ^ tried by Fire ^ and and then wo unto you, who have taken Plea fu re in Sin \ Repent, and turn to the Lord betimes, that you may find Mercy, for your Deftruction is of your felves. VL The (95) VI. The Curfed Condition of Conceited Ones, who are wife in their own Eyes. WO unto you that are v/ife in your own Eyes, and prudent in your ou^n Sight, you thatl^a. 5. 21; think to underftand the Spiritual Things of God byJ^^^*'^" your carnal Wifdom ^ and becaufe God will not ^e-J^^g jq, veal his Secrets to your Terpentine Wifdom, there- fore you fpeak Evil of it where it is revealed, tho* you know it not: Your Wifdom is of the Earth, and feedeth upon Duft, and Duft is the Serpent's Meat. By your Wifdom you can over-reach your Brethren, opprefs the Poor to get Riches, to make your felves great in the Earth, and thereby LW // ira.6'5.25; over your Brethren •, by it 3^ou can go to Law, and and begger your Brethren for Trifles, to fulfil your own Wills 5 by it you can deceive the fimple and harm- lefs Man, and make him your Laughing-fliock when 3^ou have done \ by it you can contrive Mifchief on j^j^^l^ 2* your Bed, and when the Morning is come you puti, 2,3. it in Pradife againft thofe whom you envy. And do you think that ever God will reveal him- felf to this Wifdom any other ways, than in Wrath from Heaven againft all Ungodlinefs and Unright- eoufnefs of this Wifdom ? Nay, the Secrets of the Rom. i. Lord are with them that fear Him, but there is no i^' Fear of the Lord where this Wifdom ruleth ; But you are pufF'dupin your vain Mind, and think you know much^ whenas you know nothing yet as you ought to know ^ Tor (faith the Apoftle) ixiho is a imfe Man among ft you ^ and endued with Knowledge, /^/ /^i-W Jam.3.i3» Jhew, out of a goodConverjation, his Works with Meek' nefs of Wijdotn. Your Works that proceed out, Ihew plainly what kind of Wifdom is within, that Wifdom which brings forth Pride, Scorning, Light- ( 96 ) l6$7. nefs and Wantonnefs, Svvearing, Lying, Covetouf- t/y>Jnefs, Self- Love, Envy, Hatred, Deceit, Backbiting, Job 14. 4. Slandering and Evil • Speaking, Lufl: and Excels, Strife and Cortention, Perfecution, or any other unclean or filthy PracHfe, doii^g toothers that which you would not have them to do to you^ that Wif- , dom is of the Devil, and not of God. Now this is the Wifdom the World drives after, and fo highly extols, and by which you think toat- ,]i . tain to the Pure and Invifible Things of God. And thus theWifcloii) of the Serpent, which rifeth out of the Earth, and feedeth on Earth, would be climb- ing up to the hidden Things of God, and To would be Heirs of two Kingdoms. But faith the Apoftle, Jam.3.14, //"k ^-^^^^ biner Envy'ings and Strife in your Hearts^ 15, 16. glory not^ and lie not a gain ft the Truth. This Wifdom defcends not from above, but fs • earthly, fenfual and devililh: for vohere Envy and Strije ;^, there ^ Confufwn and every evil Work. But that Wifdom which is from above, is, fir ft, pure. Jam,?. 17. then peaceable, gentle and eafie to be entreated^ full of Mercy and good Fruits, without Partiality, with- out Hypocrifie. Now you, who think you are 'the Men forV/ifdom, try your Wifdom by thefe Marks fet down by the Apoftle, v/hether it be given you from above, or it be of the Serpent, arifmg out of the earthly Part within you : Is it fuch a Wifdom as fhews forth, of a good Converfation, the Works of Meeknefs ? Is it pure ? Is it peaceable } Is it gentle and eafie to be intreated ? Is it full of Mercy and good Fruits ? Without Partiality and without Hypocrifie ? If it brings forth thefe Fruits, it is from above, and God will own it, and reveal his Secrets to it, even the hidden Things of God. But on the contrary, if it be that Wifdom that brings l^jjj forth bitter Envyings, and Strife, and every evil ' ' Work, Vain- glorying, and Lying againll: the Truth, the >\poille faith plainly, It is n t of God^ but is earthly, fenfual and devil'ifl) j and this Wifdom mufl never enter into the Kingdom, but is of the Serpent^ curfed (97) curfed aliove all Creatures, more fabtil th:in all the !<^t?. Beafts of the Fields eating the Forbidden Fruit, the ^^'VNJ judging of Good and Evil by carnal Knowledge, creeping into the Earth and earthly Things, all for the Belly-, feeding on Duft, and delighting iathings that perilh and fade away, painted on the Outfide, decking thee with Pride, curioufly invented (Serpent- like) by this Wifdom, and feeding thy Lulls with curious devifed Difhes, Dives-Vike, devi/ing and plotting to get Riches right or wrong: Co that you can but keep within theCompafs of the Laws of the Nation, never regarding to be guided by that pure Law of God within, written in the Heart, which Heb.ic. would lead you in all Things, to do as you would i^* be done by. I^om. 8.7. But the Wifdom of Men is not fubjed to the Law of God, neither can be, for it is Deatli to it ^ and you deceive your feh^es, who do think to find out theMyftery of the Things of God by this Wifdom, for God hath hid it from your Eyes. And the i Cor. i. World by Wifdom knows not God, for God hath ^^> 21. turned their Wifdom into Foolillinefs^ ^na, faith Chrift, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and M:xxk n. Earth, that thou haft hid thefe Things from the V/lfe'^'^^^ and Prudent^ and revealed them to Babes. God hath -l^^.* ^' hid them in Chrifl, and none come to Chriri: but^'^' Babes, fuch as are of the New Birth, not Fleih and Blood, but of Water and the Spirit^ fuch onl'/ enter into the Myftery of the Kingdom, by the Door in^'^^^* ^3. all, the ftrait Way through the Crofs, where your'^' Serpents Wifdom would not willingly come 5 for if it do, it muft be flain, and you muft become Fools for Chrift's fake, that you may be wife-, you niufl: Job S. 2S. enter as a little Child, or elfe you cannot come there, for it is revealed to Babes only. Your Wifdom that 3'ou fo much boafi: on, muft be crucified and die, and a New Wifdom muft be given you from above^ which begins with the Fear of the Lord ^ for the Eear^ of t he ^ Lord is the Beginning of jy"ifdom, and to praclile it is Underflanding. And when you once H come i6'y'^. come to own til is true Wifdom, which is of Gocl, O'^V'N-^ then you {hall fee the World, who did fo highl}?- ap- plaud you for your Wifdcin before, will now call you Fools and Madmen -, for that Wifdom which 1 Cor. I. they do applaud Ihall be caft behind thee: And then ^9,20, 21. thou (halt witnefs the Scripture fulfilled, when God hath dcflroyed the Wifdom of the Wife, and brought I Cor. I. to nought the Under ft anding of the Prudent ^ Where 25,27. is the Wife ? Where is the Difputer of this World ^ & 2.6^,7,8.pQj. ^j^g World by this Wifdom knows not God, nor ever Ihall do^ For God hath chofen the fooHjh Things of this World to confound the Wife^ and weak Tfnngs to confound the Mighty, And then thou ftialt fee that Wifdom not to be of this World, neither of the Princes of this World, which come to nought ^ but the Wifdom of God, which is a hidden Myftery, which none of the Princes of this World knew : for if they knew it, they would not perfecute it where it is. But the Knowledge of this Myftery is the I Cor. 2. free Gift of God, given only to them that fear and i4> !$• love him, given without all natural Helps whatfo- ever *, For the natural Man receives not the Things of the Spirit of God, for they are Foolijhnefs to him \ tieither can he know them^ for they are f pi r it u ally dif cerned : But the fpiritual Man judgeth all Things, and he himfelf is judged of no Man ^ for he that is in the Spirit lives above all the Earth and earthly Wifdom, and fees all the World, where they live, but no carnal Wifdom ftiall ever fee where he lives, for CoK 3, 3. his Life is hid with God in Chrifi from all Vultures Eyes, and venomous Beafts. A LAMEK. ( 99 ) LAMENTATION (By One of England^ Tro^phets^) OVER T PI E Ruins of this OpprefTed Nation. TO BE Deeply laid to Heart by Parliament and A r m y, and all Sorts of People, left they be fwept away with the Befom of De- ftruction, in the Day of the Lord's fierce Wrath and Indignation, which is near at hand. TFritten from the Movings of the Lord in JAMES NAYLER. O ENGLAND ! How is thy Expedation fail- ed, now after all thy Travels ? The People to whom Oppreifion and Unrighteoufnefs hath been a Burthen, have long waited for Deliverance, from one Year to another, but none comes, from one Sort of Men to another. Haft thou looked for Reformation, but all in vain ? For as Power hath come into the Hands of Men, it hath been turned into Violence, and the Will of Men is brought forth inftead of Equity. And this they feek to eftablifh by a Law, to which all mufi bow H 2 that ( lod ) t6^^ that are under them, or the7 mull be judged as Of^ •.s^^/'NJ fenders : fo that which Ihould be for the Deliver- s aiice of the Simple from the Hand of the Oppref- for, is turned into a Snare to entrap the Righteous, And he that turns from Iniquity is made a Prey to . the Wicked, and none lays it to Heart through the Nation •, for all Hearts are full of OpprelTion, and all Hands are full of Violence. Their Houfes are filled with Oppreihon, their Streets and Markets a- bound with it ^ their Courts, which fhould afford Remedy againfl it, are wholly made up of Iniquity and Injuflice, and the Law of God is made alto- gether void, and Truth is trodden under Foot. And Plainnefs is become odious to theProud, and Deceit fet on high : And the Proud are counted happ/, and the Rich are exalted above the Poor, and look to be worfhipped as God:, which if they refufe, a Snare is laid, and Bonds and Imprifonments are ap- pointed for them, as not worthy to breath in the Air 5 and no Law, Equity nor Juftice can be heard for their Freedom. And this is not done by any open Eneni}^ •, for then it^ had not been fo flrange unto thee ^ but it is done by thofe who pretend to be againft Oppreffion, and for whom, under that Pretence, thou hafi: ad- ventured all that is dear unto thee, to put Power in- to their Hands ^ And now thou crieft to them for Help, but findejpi: none that can deliver thee. O Fooliih People ! When will ye learn Wifdom? When will ye ceafe from Man, who is Vanity, and the Sons of Men, who are become a Lye ? Are not thefe the choicefl of thy Worthies, who are now in Power? Hath it not been the Top of thy Dcfires and Labours, to fee ir in their Hands? And are not they now become vi^eak as other Men, and the Land ftiil in Travail, but nothing brought forth but Wind ? How is the Wifdom of the Wife turned info Folly, arjd the Underilanding of the Prudent hid? Hnwis he who f^emed valiant for general Free-^ dom, tallcu into a particular earthly Intereft, and hath ( lOI ) Iiath no Power to help himfelf > Would any have he- 16^7. lieved that thefe fhould have fallen in the Pit, and'-'^VN^ fluck in the Mire, as they who were before them, whole Names are made a Reproach in the Natini ? How have thefe cried out for the Kingdom of Chrift to bear Rule in his Church andConfciencesof his own, above the Wills of proud oppreifing Tyrants -, yea, and have been Inflruments to execute God's Decree upon fuch as have withftood the Freedom of the Righteous Seed ? But now, what is brought forth by them more than Words ? Do not the Members of Chrift lie ftill under the Power of the Oppreflor, caft into Holes and Prifons for the Truth's fake, and are denied that Liberty the}'" allow to Thieves and Mnrtlierers, though the Breach of no juft Law can be laid to their Charge 5 neither will they let them come to Tr3^al, left by their own Law they fhould be forced to free them, and how long fome have lain upon this Account, you are not ignorant > Wo is me, for you Rulers ! How are you fallen from what you have profeffed, when you your felves were Sufferers under fuch Bondage ? And now is it nothing to you, that your Brethren, that have been one with you againft Oppreffion, now periih under the Hands of the fame Men, from whom you are fet /ree> And do not the ikme Men judge us now for OiFenders ? And doth it not concern you, to fee what is theCaufe, why they thus vent their Envy againft the Innocent ? And their Lives and Liberties are taken away in clofe Holes and Dun- geons, when it is your Duty, and in your Power to fee them have Juftice, according to the Law of God^ which you profefs, and not after Mens Wills. And if you know the Offences for which they thus fuffer, how is it. That that which Chrift doth com- mand, and the Saints did pradtife, is now become fuch hainous Offences, that nothing will ferve but perpetual Imprifonment in clofe Holes, without Hearing or Tryal } H 3 And ( 102 ) 16'^^, And that you may fee for what thefe defpifed ^-OT^ Ones do fufter under you, confider their Crimes ^ whereof the greateftof them is, That fome of them are moved to go into the Idols Temples, to difpute and reafon with them who uphold the Idols Wor- ihip •, and to call the People out of it unto the "VVorlhipin Spirit. And though this feem a hainous Crime to you, yet it was the Practice of the Apo- ftles and Saints, as is in plain Scripture. Others fuffer, becaufe thty cannot break the ex- prefs Command of God, To give that Worlhip to. proud Men, which God Almighty hath forbidden to give to any Creature in Heaven or in Earth, but only to Himielf. And here may all the Heathen Rulers .condemn 37'ou, who never imprifoned or fined Cbrift nor his Saints for this •, though the Scripture faith, They refpeded no Man's Perfon, nor did they bow down, nor give Worfhip to the Creature, though the Devil, the Father of Pride, tempted to it then, as well as now. Others fuffer for Confeffing the Name of Cbrifl^ and witnelfing Him in them, in their Meafure, as they find Him manifeft in them to overcome Sin, the World and the Devil, and reconcile them to God. And this is calltd jBAt//?^;^;;;;', and fo proceed- ed againfl", though the Saints have alvv^ays witnefled the iame, and it ftands in Scripture fcr a Witnefs ggainft 3^ou-, And faith Chrift, He that denies me before Men^ Mm will I deny before my Father, And thus the Pradife of the Saints was, and is counted Blafphcmy^ by the Profeflbrs of the World. Others fjffer for denying to fwear at the Com- mands of Men, after the Cuftoms of the World, when Cbrift faith, Svoear not at all, for what is more than yea and nay cometh of Evil. And the Apoflle warning the Saints, above all things not to Swear by any Oath whatfoever^ which all that have entred into Chrift have denied, for he is the Oath and Cq- venant of God for ever. Others ( loa ) Others fufFer, becaufe they are moved of the 16^5. Lord, to go into the Streets and Markets, to declare tXVN^ againfl: all Manner of Sin which abounds there, and to call all to Repentance, and to declare the Great Day of the Lord at hand, and his Wrath to be revealed upon fuch abominable Pradifes-, and a Snare is laid for him that reproveth in the Gate, and they fufFer as Difturbers of the Peace «, but what Peace is this, which is diflurbed by the Cry- ing out againft Sin > But Drunkards, Swearers, L^ars, Ballad- fellers, are fufrered in the Streets and Markets, and are not counted Difturbers of the Peace : Is this the Saints Peace, which ftands in Righteoufnefs, or the World's Peace, upholden by the Man of Sin ? Others, whom the Lord hath called to leave Houfes and Land, Wives and Children, Fathers and Mothers, and hath, in Love to poor Souls, fent them out, to declare his Love to the World, and the glad Tydings of the Gofpel freel}^. Thefe are taken under the Names of Wanderers and Strangers, becaufe they have no earthly Poflefllons amongft you. Some of them by your Law you imprifon ; fome you whip out of yourTowns^ fome are beaten ftoned and fhamefully entreated, though they afkcf you nothing, neither are free to receive any thing from the World, if they would give them ^ but do wait on their Father for Food, who fends them their Journey. And thus you entertain Strangers contrary to the Practice of all the Saints in all Ages, and the Com- mands of God and the Apoftles, who warned, ^2ot to forget to entertain Strangers^ for feme, thereby have entertained Angels unawares. But as the Men of Sodom did compafs Lot^s Houfe, who had entertain- ed Strangers, fo do thefe encompafs the Houfes where thefe are, threatning to pull down the Houfes, and dafh their Brains againfl the Stones in the Walk And this is done when fuch are with them who go under the Name of Mtsgifirates and Minijlers^ and H 4 the ( I04 ) i6')^. the Innocent are h.-^led out, and fent to Prifon, tho ' C/W? nothing can be charged againft them, but as Stran* gers, who have no Habitation among them. And for fuch Offences as thefe, do the poor, de- fpifed, little Ones of Chrifl: fufFer the worfl Sort of Imprifcnments that can be invented in dark Holes, under Tyrants, who will not i'uffer their Brethren to vifit them. And all this, while all manner of Sin at Liberty, and Drunkards, Swearers, Lyars and Whoremongers, and fuch like Men of B^llal^ are become the fitrefl: Men to be fet up to witnefs a-» gainft the Innocent^ and many of thofe who fit to judge them are guilty of divers of the foremention- ed Crimes themfelves. And thus the Wicked are fet up, to make thq . Righteous Offenders for a Word, who are none in 1l)qq(1 •, nor can they be convicted of the Breach of any juft Law. And this is not done in fecret, that 3^ou know not of. Oh, you that bear Rule in this Nation, ought to relieve, for then might you have an Excufe; but it is done in the Cities, County-Towns and Courts, where Juftice ought to relieve fuch. And j^ou know this, and are f\hv\t\ but it is that you may be left without Excufe at the Great Day of Account, which is near at hand, eveii the Day of Sio?t\ Recompence, which hath long been trodden under Foot by the Earthly Powers. And now will j^ou profefs your felves to be Ghriftians, the Scripture your Rule, or fo much as talk of the Pradlice of the Saints, when fuch Works as thefe are found aniongft you, which were acted by the Heathens and formal Profeffors, againfl the Saints -, but never pradtifed by the Saints againft any, neither have you any Ground for them in Scripture. Oh ! How will you appear before the Almighty, whofe ProfefFions and Practices are fa unfuitable, and Juftice and Mercy is talk'd of, but not brought forth } Woj Wo, Wo untQ you, who have not ufed your X^ower to relieve the OpprelTed ! Po you thus re- quite ( ^05 ) quite the Lord, who hath fet you free from your j6^v Enemies, and hath fet you to rule for him over his O^VN^. People ? Is this according to yourPromifes made to him in the Day of your Fears, when you were little in your own Eyes ? And now that he hath fet you free, and you are exalted, ihall His poor, fimple, little Ones fuifer in Bondage under you, as under the Tyrants and Bilhops before you, and you not once fay, They are our Brethren^ nor your Hearts pity them? 'Are you Building your Houfes, and letting your Nells on high, and Sion lies Wafte, trodden upon ? Wo is me for you, you high Ones I How are you fallen from the Tendernefs I have feen in fome of you, when you were Sufferers with the People of God } [But now the Sufferings of the Saints are made a Talk at your Feafls, to fill your Mouths with Laughter *, and you can eat and drink, and rife up to Play, and flretch your felves upon your Beds of Eafe ^ hut the Afflidions of your Brethren are not laid to Heart. Wo to you that are at Eafe, while the Simple are enfnaredby their Enemies! God is highly difpleafed with you, and He will not eftablifli you, who have negledled Mercy and Juftice: Hearken, OyePriefls! And give ear, O Houfe of the King ! For Judgment is toward you, who have been a Snare upon Mi/pah^ and a Net fpread upon Mount Tabor, to catch the Innocent. You have not been careful to relieve others, when you had Power, neither Ihall you de- liver your own felves at that Day." You are feek- ing to be high, but you fliall find -one above you, who is angry with the Proud, and will bring down the Mighty from their Seats, that he may relieve the Opprefled, and let the Prisoners go free, and the t-amb Ihall take the Kingdom. How are you deceived, who have fometimes been the Wifdom of the Nations, that you have pulled dovyn others, and fet your felves in the fame Height ? How has your Judgment failed you, to think ( io6 ) i^J?- think. That all this Shaking and Overturning hath ^-O/*^^ no further End, but to fet up Flefh, and to exalt one Man to rule over the Confcience of another, by his own Will, where Chrift fhould reign as King for ever ? Do you herein, as you would be done by ? Do you not ad contrary to the Scriptures, andPra- dtife of all the Holy Men of God, who^durft never fit in the Throne of Chrift, perfecute or imprifon any for Confcience i Oh, That you had taken Counfel at the Fear of God ! Then had you flood in your Places, and Jhould have known his Secrets; and that his Intent is, only to Exa/t His Son in Spirit^ in the Fall of proud Flejh, So ihould you have ufed all your Power to make Way for his Kingdom, and you alfo to have caft down your Crowns at his Feet. So Jhould you have been eftabliflied in his Power, A Terror to the Wicked, Removers of Oppreffion, and Makers up of the Breach, and your Names ^ Blef- iing to Generations. But now that Oppreiuon is found with you, inafmuch as the poor, defpifed, lit- tle Flock of Chrift hath fuffered under j^ou, as un- der thofe whom the Lord removed before 3''ou, when it hath been in your Hands to relieve them ^ and you have not done it. And you that have fo much cried up the Kingdom of Chrift in Words, and yet have been bold to limit him in his Kingdom (the Confciences of his feints) therefore above all the reft, you fliall not efcape unpuniftied : for the Lord looked, That you, who have feen his Love and Pity to you, in fetting you above your Enemies and Fears, ihould now have had Pity on your Brethren, and walked humbly before him. And for that End He put Power in your Hands, and removed thofe that were before you, and left none to oppofe you, that you might freely act in Mercy, and Judgment, and Righteoufnefs, But fe&ing you have forfaken the Lo'rd and his Work, which to you- ward was good, and are become exceeding high, and cruel as others, and the Poor are not delivered by yau from the Hand ( I07 ) Hand of the OpprelTor, and him that is too ftrong i6$^. for him ^ neither have you cheerfully gone on in ^>^'^0 Unity in the Work of the Lord, and his" Will, but ftand up in your own Wills, opposing the Delive- rance ot the Righteous Seed : Therefore now will I arife, faith the Lord, who have long holden my Peaces for I am full of Jealoufie for Sion, who is trodden upon, and I will appear for her in themidft of her Enemies ; And I will gather the Out-cafts thereof, who have not been regarded, but have been fcattered by you, as the OiF-fcouring of the World. And as you have fcattered, and not pitied, fo (hall you be fcattered, and none fhall pity you : for the World's Ontcafts are my Jewels, and I will bring them to poflefs the Gates of their Enemies ; even by the Word of the ALMIGHTY fhall this be accomplilhed. The Day is near at hand. - Wherefore awake, all you to whom Oppreffion is a Burthen, whom the Proud have trodden upon; and you have been as People without Hope 5 neither have known any Way to look for Help, for every Man hath become vain. Now arife up out of all your earthly Expectations, and ftand up to meet the Lord our Righteoufnefs, who is rifen to deliver his Peo- ple, the Promifed Seed, who is in Covenant with Him, and to gather them from among the Heathen^ and them that have made a Prey upon them, be- caufe they have not known Him, who will fave them. And now look no more to the Arm of Flefti for Freedom, for therein hath been your Woe ^ But wait for the Deliverer out of S/0/2, the Ancient of Days, and GOD of I/raefs Seed, who hath let you fee the Emptinefs of all created Helps, to which your Eyes have been looking, that you might re- turn, and complain to Him only, who is the Foun- tain, from v/hom all his find Pity. And ( io8 ) . '16'yOi, And now a Word to the Wife amongf!: you • t/'V'NPforaffnach as the Lord hathfhewed me. That there is a Seed amongfl: you, whofe Hearts are not whol- ly hardened, nor have wilfully flopped your Ears againfl: the Cry of the OpprefTed, nor have been confenting to the Cruelty that hath been adted, and is intended againft the Innocent. To you I fay, Arife, and deliver your felves from the Guilt of OpprelFion, and Cruelty of thefeMen, and hum- ble your felves before the Lord, that you may re- ceive Wifdom from Him, and Boldnefs, to declare againfl all Violence and Injuflice. And fet your felves to deliver the OpprefTed to the utmoft, that you may be hid, and have a fure Houfe^ and be eflablifhed. Take heed, that you walk not by Example of others, but in the LIGHT of Chrift, which guides the Confcience 5 and that will keep you ten- der-hearted, in Bowels of Mercy to all. And let it not feem ftrange to you, to fee others wholly fet on Mifchief, but confider, Could ever any of your cruel OpprefTors believe, though God hath always fent to warn them before the Judgment come, that thereby he might le^ve them without Excufe, and be clear when he comes to take Vengeance. But they have hardened themfelves againft all Reproof 5 and marvel not to fee it fo at this Day ; for the Seed of the Proud is but One in all Ages, Where- fore Mind the Fear of God, and His Law, and confent not to any thing becaufe of a Multitude, but for Righteoufnefs and Equities fake. And hav- ing Righteoafnefs before you, fear not the Face of any, nor the Reproach of Men •, but be valiant for the Truth, the Glory of God, and Freedom of every opprelTed One ^ And Vidory is before you, if you be faithful. And the Lord God Almighty blefs, profper and guide all the Faithful among you, to keep clear out of all the Confultations of the Wicked, that you may ( 109 ) tnay never confent to any thing but what is of i6')f. God^ warranted in the Scriptures, and pradifed by C/v^Ji; the Saints^ that you may no longer reft in a Pro- feilion of what the Saints were, and adt the con- trary, but that you may come to be guided in all Things, by the fame Spirit, kept out of all the Wifdoui of the World, and the Fear of God be a- mongft you. "Written fro7n the Movings of the Lord in One that pities the Ruins of the Nation^ for %»ant of Right eoufnefs^ Juftice and Mercy^ James Nayler, Weftmorland, the^th Month, 1653. A Feti7 I. rno> A Few WORDS Occafioned by a Paper lately Printed, S T I L E D, j4 T)iJcourJe concerning iT^^ Qu a k E r s. Together With A CALL to Magiftrates, Minifters, Lawyers and People, to RET ENTA NCE. Wherein all Men may fee, That the Doclrine and Life of thofe People whom the World fcornfallr calls ^udkers^ is the very Dodtrine and Life of CHRIST. Written for the fake of the Simple-minded Ones> who are willing to follow Chrifl: under the Crofs> and to deny all things to be his Difciples. ^j a SsrvarJ of the Lord, reproached by the World^ and. Carnal ircrjlnpers^ under t he Name of a Qu aker, James N a y l e r. To the Reader. Friend, MEeting lately with a Printed Paper ^ piled, A Difcourfe concerning the Quakers ^ and find- ing-7nany Things in it deeply refieUing on the Spirit of the the Lord, Jent into the Hearts of Men^ to reprove anl \f)%%. convince them of Sin, and reproaching his holy People, t>^Y>J whom he hath called out of the World ^ and that it wof fcattered abroad into many Hands, andfo might prove a Stumbling-Block to weak Minds : I was moved to fend it to a Friend in the Weft^ who, for the fimpU Ones Jake, hath given forth a fcwThings^ that Truth may appear. And if there be any, that by Reading this, fhall be brought to dij cover Truth from Err or ^ or to lay to Heart their Conditions, and how they have hitherto trifled away their precious Time^ there is another Pa' per, now in the Prefs, from the fame Hand, which wiU Jhew forth the True Light that guides to God, and opens the Scriptures, removes the Doubts about the great Power of the Lord, manifefted in ihaking the Earthly Part of thofe He brings to him/elf plainly declare the Deceits of the Falfe Prophets cf the Worlds end let the Magiflrate fee the Bounds of his Autho- rity. There is another Paper come forth, by the Author of the former Difcourje^ occafioned by Jom,ething writ in Anfwer to it, by one who faith he is none oj thofe G. Bait- called Qiiakers \ and yet the Difcourfer chargeth aU"^^^ ^ ^^^ Things he faith on Them.. But the Paper fufficiently^^^^l^ bewrays the Author'^s We aknefs, and its own Folly. , Read without Prejudice, that thou mayft receive Inflru^ion, and not increafe thy own Mifery, A, p. A Paper being come to my Hand, which is full of Deceit, under Pretence of Religion, and a Form of Profeffion, ftriking at the Life of all Re- ligion, which is, Obedience to all the Commands of Godiri the Spirit : And under Pretence of theLetter^ v/hicli hti calls the Word, he goes about to reproach, and fcorn, and flight the Teachings of Chrifl in the l55>t. the Spirit, whereby he rules in the Confciences of ^-''^V'^o his Saints, and by which Light he reveals the Fa- ther in them, and thereby declares himfelf to be the Eternal Word and Witnefs within His : which Word fir ft was known within them, a free Gift of the Father, without any Letter or Humane Learn- ing, and then declared out in the Letter. But they who (as the Jews) think they have Sal- Job. .5.39. vation in the Letter, are Enemies andPerfecutorsof / Gal. 3.29. them who have the Eternal Witnefs of Salvation in the Spirit; And from that Spirit hath this Paper its Foundation j for God having put the Enmity between the Carnal and the Spiritual Seeds, there can be no Agreement. Now, though I abhor flriving for Mafterhood in Words or Writing \ yet for the fake of the fimple Ones, who, not yet having the true Judgment and Salt in themfelves, to difcern of Spirits, are fub- jedt to take great fwelling Words of Man's Wifdom I Cor. 2. for the Power of God unto Salvation: I am there- 5>^* fore moved to lay open fome of the Deceits in this Paper, that where Truth and Simplicity is in the Heart, it may more clearly judge of Truth from Deceit. The Paper is intituled, A Difcourfe concerning the QUAKERS. Pfal. {^9. It is no new Thing, for the deareft Servants and 12. Children of God to be a Difcourfe, a Reproach, a 3^* ^^* Taunt and By- word, a Wonder and a Scorn to Fools ^^' ' and wicked Men ^ and to have the Belly-God and Drunkard to make Songs of their fad and afflicted Conditions ^ and to be called by Nick-Names, fuch as 69.12.it pleafeth lfl)mael\ Brood to cafl: upon them, to ]oh. ic. be called Devils^ Deceivers^ Heret'icks^ Franticks^ ^°' Madmen, ^jakers^ and fuch like : But it is that the fame Scriptures may be fulfilled in the Saints, that were in Chrift their Example 5 As they have Luk. 25. ^^fi^ jinto me^ Jo will they do unto you. If they keep 2*' my Sayings^ they will alfo keep yours, Jj they have called, the Good Man of the Boujc Beelzebub -^ how much more them of his Houjhold, Thou ( 113 ) Thou Tayft, It's plainly foretold. That In the hifl j6'^^: Bays Jh all be the great eft Deceivers^ and worji of Hy- o'^S^'N^ pccrites, Men extraordinarily inf^ired with a Spirit of Lyes and Delufion, It is above Sixteen Hundred Years flncethofe were foretold, and thef have had fo long a Time fince, to broach their Deceits, and ftrengthen themfelves in the Earth, that the Deceit is now grown a Mon-Rev.i3.i, fter, and hath got many Heads and Horns •, Rtli- gions and Forms one at War with another, ftriving , with Words and Weapons, who iliould be great- i eft. But now that Chrift is rifen in his Saints, t0 2The{r. ; reveal this Man of Sin by his Light, and to de 2. 7, 8. ftroy him with the Sword of his Mouth, all Forms ^|^k« B^- of Religions, the Beaft and the falfe Prophet, Oog^^^^^.\ and Magog are joined together to ftrike at this Light. 26, 27. And no Wonder, for that deceitful Spirit knov/s. That that Light which difcovers him in one Form, i will difcover him in all. And now the Devil would pafs Judgment upon that Light, which is come to judge him where he is, and fo fet any whom he . can prevail in, to caft Reproach upon it, under many odious Names, that fo he may keep People at Luke 6. a Diftance from fo much as owning it ^ or he^^' knows, it any own it, there he is difcovered, and difowned. And this is his Way in all in whom he fpeaks, to cry out againft thofe that walk in the Light in ge- neral, calling them Deceivers^ Hereticks^ Hypocrites^ A£ls 24. I Deniers of Scriptures and Ordinances^ and many U- ! fuch Words, as he thinks may make the Truth moft^' ^* ^^' i odious to others, but not once Ihew in what par-^ ticular: Such ^alk contrary to the Scripture, for the Deceit knows. That if it come to Tryal, it felf will be found that which walks contrary to the Scripture 5 for the fame Light that gave out the Scriptures, leads not contrary to it. And now who will be the greatefl: Deceivers > y/'hether a poor, defpifed, persecuted, reproached People/ whom God hath called out of the World's I ' WaySj ( iH ) 16'y'^. Ways, Words, Works, Worfhip, Riches and Plea- C/^VN^fures, and lo are become Strangers and Wanderers to and fro, feek'ing a City whofe Builder and Maker is God, Heb. 11. 26, 27, 28. And for this their Obe- dience being count-^'d the Ojffcourin^ of the World^ I Cor. 4. 9, 10, II, 12, i:^. and fuffering all with Patience, as the Saints did, <;vht) declared this in Scripture i or they who profefs that Scripture wliich witneiTeth thefe Things, but ftill are in their Lufts, Tir.i. 16. Pride, Covetoufnefs, Exaltations over others, living Mat. 23. ]j]^^. f^^ Swine in the Earth, dilFering from the iJj 14. World in nothing, but only in Notions and long Piayers, whereby they appear to be greater Decei- ,; vers than the World, who proFefs nothing but what they are? And for the worfi: of Hypocrites, for they who profefs the hightft Things, and moft like to Saints, which they live not the Life of, nor are , fanctified as they were, whofe Conditions they pro- J fefs. Thefe are the worft of Hypocrites. | And for the great Train thou fpeakfton, wouldft not thou have beeii offended at thofe many Thou- Mat. 14. fands that followed Chrift and his Difciples, when ^^* they preached the fame Gofpel, if thou hadft lived then ? They v/ho were of thy Spirit were as much difquieted at it then, as thou art now. Thou iayeft, // hath been an old ProjeB of the Devil, to defiroy the Letter, the fupr earn Authority of the Scripture, Thou art blind, who fayfl That the Letter is the fupream Authority of the Scriptures \ for that which John 14. gave it forth in Parables to the Serpents Seed, and 26. opens it again in the Saints, as they grow in their Meafures, and opens the Scriptures in and to all, is the Supream Authority of Scriptures, which is not the Letter, but the Spirit, 2 Cor. :?. 6. And they who wait to have the Scriptures fulfilled in them by Chriff, go not about to deftroy the Letter, but to eftablilh it. And for the Judgments of Men thou talkfl: of, what is their Judgments worth? Where the Pradice is ( 115 ) IS wanting, God is not ferved with Words. There 7/^ Which of the Saints did witnefs any other Knowledge of Chrifi after his Afcention, but as he vv^as revealed in Gal. i.i6« them ? And all that know him in Spirit, know him Col. 1.17. within them. And is there any Chrifl, but one?^^^^'^^' becaufe thou fayft. They know no other Chriji, but a VJ^^ ^, Chrifl within them ^ and thou that knowfl no 10. Chrifl but without, ye know him not, but by hear- 15. 4« fay: And then art not thou that Notionift thou^^7-23. fpeakfl on ^ Read thefe in the Margin, and fee who^^^'^j'^^^* denies the Scriptures, and the Saints Conditions. Ezek. 38. And thou fay ft, That their ^akings are eltheng^ 20. Co ^nt erf sit, or ^omc from the Power of the Devil, & 22. iS I 2 How ( ii6 ) l6'y7. Row ! Art thou not afraid to fpealc againfl the iX'Y^^Holy Ghofl: ? S arch the Scriptures, and thou (halt Hag. 2. 6, find, that God hath faid, JU F/eJh /J)aU quake and tremble before him. And the Holy Men of God do Ezra lo.i. the Earthly Part in thee ftands unihaken, knowft Mat. 12. jjot, and therefore fcornft it. But its no new thing '^^^ for this Generation, to render the Works of God to be of the Devil. Thou fayfl, The'j will go w Rags -^ dofi: thou now fpeak Truth ? How many haft thou feen deny whole Cloaths, to go in Rags? Art not thou infpired with the Lying Spirit, thou fpokeft on before? But it Ifa. 2.2C. may be thou art difpleafed that they piil] off their & 31.7. Pride, as Gold and Silver ^ that which they do in Obedience to God, thou wouldft render it only as a Shew. But fee what Spirit that is thou fpeakeft from. And why art thou offended at a medn Diet, or Dan. ic. pumfoing the Body^ as thou callft it ? Did not Daniel 2, 3. refufe all pleafant Meats for three full Weeks. And Pial. 6<), David afflicted his Soul through Fafiing, and it turn- ^' ' ed to his Reproach with fuch as thou. And why art thou oifended ? They fhould care for no more than Meat, Drink and Cloaths, whenChrift forbids Matt. 6. his to Care for fo much. And the Apoftle exhorts, 3^o>'^i33i Having Food and Rayment^ be therewith content. And 3^' . why art thou offended at Self denial^ and taking up g, * ' the Crofs to their own Lufts ^ Doth not Chrift fay, Heb.i2.'5.^ But he that believeth, hath the Witnefs in himfelf, 1 John 5. in Spirit, and not in the Letter. And for Trying ^o* and Judging, it is not the Literal, but the Spiritual Rom. 8. j^i"^^^ ^l^^j judgeth all Things, and no i^ifible Thing I Cor. 2. can judge him. Thou wouldll: have them to fufpect 15. ' * this Light, thofe who have no light to walk by, but what they, by their Wifdom and Learning, have gathered out of the Letter, have caufe to fufpedl: it, but they who have the intailible Light of Chrifi:, by which all is tried, and judged, and difcerned, and Judgment brought forth into YiiXoxy in themfelves by ( 125 ) ty ir, they have no Caiife to fufped: It, but wait i^^^. to walk in it. L/^/'KJ Thou art offended, that they fliould fay, They ^ xheff. pray a/way s^ have the Bapti/m of Fire, eat the Flejh 5. 17. and drink the Blood of Cbrifi ^ that they were once as 2 ThefT. others. Hypocrites. MatV.ii. Now why wilt thou thus wrangle, that the Com- joh.'d.^q! mands and \^romif^s of Chrifi: Ihould be witnelTed, fulfilled in th^S/iints now, as they have been in Scripture witneiled ? Doth not the Apoftles exhort, to pray always without ceafing ? And are any bap- tized into Chrift, who are not able to witnefs the Baptifm of Fire and the Spirit, for Water-Baptifm a- vails not unto Salvation ? And doth not Chrift plainly fty, that whofoever eats not hn Flefh^ and drinks not h^ Blood, have no Life in them ^ And have i;ot the Saints witnefTed a Time, wherein they Rom, 5. were 111 the World, without the true God ? 2u Ana thou fay eft, They can give no Scripture Ac- count of the Eft ate they are now in ; and yet doft blame them for owning the Scripture fulfilled in them in thefe Things^ but that Nature could never be fatisfied with Chrift, nor any of his, nor any Account from them 5 though they could not con- vince them of Sin, ytx, they would tempt, hate, and perfecute even till Death, if they had Power. Thou v/ouldeft make People believe, That thefe deny the Rule of the Gofpel, and the Divine Infpiring of the Holy Ghoft, the Injullwle Rule of aU Obedi- ence and Worfhip, and Judgment cf all AEiions : But come to Tryal, and fee, whether rhey that own the Light of Chrift in Spirit, and follow ir, or they that call it an Ignk fatuus, deny the Rule of the Gofpel? And whether they that witnefs the fame Rom. 8. Spirit, and the Infpiration of it, without Humane 516, 7) 9« Helps, i.cttcr or Lear'ung, as the Saints in all Ages ^ Cor.12. have don'-, cV'-rv one in their Meafures, of that free j^^^l^yer, Gitt given to profit wirhai -^ or they th?t would make People Otiieve, That all fuch Divine infpira- tioub aiid GiUii of the Spiiit were now ceafed, and now ( iH ) i6<^7. now the Letter is all the Spirit they muft loot fof, ^'^^'^^'^^ dtny the Divine Infpirations of the HolyGhoft, the infallible Rule of all Obedience and Worfliip, and Judge of all Adiuns > And for the Denying of Ordinances, thou fomuch Mat.i^.p.^'^^^g^^ them with, if it come to Tryal, they will be found only to deny your Traditions, Temples, and Humane Inventions, never commanded by Chrift, nor pradtifed by any that ever he fent, and Chrifl: never annexed the Piomife of his Prefence to that which he never commanded. Rom. 6.2. Thou art offended, That they fhould be fet free 7, 1 8, 22, from, or have Sin taken av:ay jron? thenj. 1 Joh.3. Kovv thou Iheweil plainly whofe Kingdom thou S>9>io» wouldeft uphold 5 and thou fayeft, That by denying Sin to be in them^ they overthrow Repentance \ But here thou Iheweft thy Blindnefs : for he that for- fakes his Sin, doth eftabliih his Repentance^ but he that returns unto Sin again, overthrov/s it. Heb.6. 8. Thou telleil of being godded with God, but fee 2 Cor. 7. what Spirit that is thou art led by, who darefbtake ^°' the Name of God fo fcornfuUy in thy Mouth, to cafi: as a DeriiTon upon others. Heb. 10. Thou art offended, That thofe fldoitld witnefs Per- 14. feEiwn '^ And is it not the End for which Chrift Eph. 4. came into the World, fuffered, and fent out his Mi- John 17 23 Samts, which is, to Ut free from Sin, and bring to Rom. 8. Perfection, which Chriil: commands, and which the 10. Scriptures witnefs in the Saints } But tliere is no- thing more oppofed by the Devil au-d his Infi:ru- ments, than to have the Work of Man's Redemp- tion perfected. Thou i ay eft, The many ridicule//^ Vradijes of their Franticks^ would be too much to relate. Ana hereby thou wouldeft rentier them as vile as thou canft to others •, but the Ways of Chriil were no worfe for ilich as thou frying he was mad : for the ( »^5 ) the Ways cf God have alwayfi been counted Mad- 165 5* nefs and Folly to that Generation. "What thou in- ^/"W tended in tliat Word many, I know not ^ for where nothing is mentioned in particular, I cannot An- Iwer. But for thofe thou namefi: are thefe ; They will net put ojf the Hat to any^ not to a Ma- gi ft rate. That they think it a fpecial Badge of their FrojeJJion to fay and zvrite Thou and Thee, and by no means fay Sir or Mafter to an\ \ and that fome will not an/wer^ or fpeak to any ^{eflion : And thou quarreleft at fome for Forfaking the Jfovld^ and giv- ing over their Callings. lanfwer-, When wilt thou ceafe wrangling at their Obedience of the' Commands of Chrift, wit- nelTed in the Scripture ^ Haft thou nothing among all thofe many ridiculous Practices thou telleft on, to chargeon them, but what are according to Scripture ? Where doth God require putting oft Hats, or worfhip- ping ^nj Creature, Magiftrate or others? And|^l3t^^^,^^ why may it not be a Badge, if thou fo calleft it, of Jam.2.1,9 their Profejfion, to ufe the Scripture Language ?P^'^!'4o4- And where dod thou find any other Language inl'^^^^*^^^ the Scripture, but ThouoiThee to a particular, what- ^^ foever he was that was fpoken to ? And no wonder that thou flumbleft, that any fhould witnefs the Authority of the Scripture, when its taken for fuch an Offence with thee, to witnefs the outward Lan- guage, which all Holy Men of God have ufed in Scripture ^ and )7'et thou calleft the Scripture a 6'/^/?i- tng ^uk\ but thou wilt neither make it thy Rule, nor liuter them that would. And for refufing calling Aiafler, is it not the Com- ^^^^^' 23« mand of Chrifi: ^ And dofh thou deferve the Name 7> ^> ^^° of a Chriftian, who wonldefl: make it an Offence to obey his Commands, becaufe itcroileth tliy Pride? And for their Silence ^ Is there not a Time to fpeak, and a Time to be fllent > And, was not Chrift asked manyQueftions, andanfwered nothing? And doth not the Scripture fiy, Anfvoer not a /^^^/eccI. ^^7 according to hii Folly I And when Chrifi did apfwer the C 126 ) j6'y7. the Tempters, it was either with Silence, or con- ^^''^^'''^ trary to what they would have had. Matt. 27, And for forfaking the World -^ Muft not all that ^2' will come to Chrift forfike the World > And were Luke 14. ^1^^^, j^Q^ jj^ ^l^^jj. Calling, who left their Ships, their Matt. 10. Fathers, and Receit of Cuftom, and Wife, and Chil- 37. dren, and Lands, to follow the Commands of Chrift > O thou Enemy of all Obedience to Chrift ! Doft J thou reproach that which thy carnal Heart will not fuffer thee to follow ? Thou Ihalt find it true, that whofoever will not forfake thefe for Chrift's fake, cannot be his Difciple ^ but it feems, the nearer to Chrift that any come in Obedience, the greater is thy Malice to fuch, thou fheweft thy Generation. And art thou not aihamed when thou hafl done, to charge thefe with difclaiming Scripture-Light > Thou loveft to talk of the Scriptures, but art ah Enemy to the walking in them. Thou fayeft, Of ihefe unclean Birds, thou hafl heard oj none that have returned to the Ark. By which, if thou meaneft your Temples, or car- nal Ordinances, I tell thee, they make a bad Re- turn, who have known the Lord in Spirit, and wor- ifhipped in Spirit, if they return into Forms and Ca- ftoms again to be made perfect. Thou fayeft, Separate not between Word and Spirit^ between Graces and Ordinances : But the Apoftle doth Gal. 3. 3. feparate between the Miniftration of the Letter and 2Cor.3.6.of the Spirit^ and he that cannot diftinguiih be- tween the Graces of God's Spirit, and your outward Forms you call Ordinances, he knows but little yet as he ought to know. Thou tellefi: of Fraying^ and Mourning for Sin, be- wailing the Heart, Reading the Word, and Meditating in it Night and Day^ and thou fayeft, it' s impojfible for fuch an one to faU into this Condemnation of the I Devil : But I tell thee, though thefe ma}^ be done, ' and in as much Zeal as the Pharifees did them; 3ret if there be Pride, Envy, Covetoufnefs, Self- Lovcj Exaltation, Slandering, falle Acculing, De- ceit, ( 1^7 ) ceit, DifTimulation and Hypocrifie, and fuch Ifke fS'y^. which are the Works of the Devil, all thy outward O^VNJ Pretences fliill not keep thee from the Condemna- tion oj- the Devil y for it is that which leads out of the Works of the Devil, that brings from under the Condenination of the Devil. Thou puttefi: much upon Church-Ordinances, but fee if tho:i beeft diftinguilhed from the World, o- therwife than in Notion and thy own Conceit, whif h will deceive thee, and all the Covetous Op- prdfors in the World in the Day of Tryal ; There- fore prove thy felf, if thou be a Saint, fandtifi d, Jude i. come out of the World's Plea fares, Riches, Way,, John ijp and Worfhips, and Falhions, as they were wh')fe^' ^^' Condi> ions thou tilkefl on ^ or elfe thy Crying the Temple of the Lordy will but ftand thee in little Itead: which, if thou dealeii plainly in, and letteft Truth fpeak in thee, thou wilt fee a great Diftance between a Saint's Life and thine, as between a Saint's Spirit and thine, which is plainly difcovered. Thou fayeft, // is obfervable. That where Churches are^ thefe Owles dare not appear, Thefe reproachful Names befeem that Spirit from whence they come ^ but which of them h ive re- fufed to come, where they have been fent, for Fear of your Churches ? Or, what Corners are they in, except it be fuch as you have ftiut up in Prifons or Dungeons ? Do not thefe that are at Liberty meet in the mid ft of Common Streets and Fields, where God calls them, and many of the mofi: confcienci- ous of your Church own them, and frequent their Meetings^ others, who have the Fear of God before them, dare not perfecute them in Word or Deed ? But the Day i^ come that all Spirits 'muft Ihew themfelves. Thou advifeft to do all according to Scripture. It is good Advice^ but doft thou, that teacheft Mat.y.ia*^ another, teach thy felf ? Doft thou as thou wouldeft be done by in all Things ^ Doft thou forfake Pride ^nd Covetoufnefs, v/hich is Idolatry, and not to be fo / ( 1^8 ) i6^:^. fo much as named among Saints> Dofi: not thou V^'^^^'feek great Things for thy felf? Having Food and Jer.4$.5<5.Rayment, art thou therewith content > Art thou Jam. 4. 4. out of Love with the World, which is Enmity with God > Doft thou not take Thought for to Mor- row for Food and Ray men t ? Haft thou crucified the Flefh, with the Affections and Lufts, and put ofF the Body of Sin ? Art thou not a Scorner, Re- Jam.u27. viler and falfe Accufer •* Doft thou feed the Hun- Mat. 15. gry, cloath the Naked, and let the OpprefTed go 10, II. freg > Haft thou forfliken all to follow Chrift > Art f J^- ^' thou hated of all Men for the Name of Chrift > & \. 37. Haft thou denied to be called Mafler ^ Art thou Rom. 6. come to Tea and Nay in thy common Occafions > ^^' . Doft thou love the Brethren with the fame Love J '^/^* ^'Chrift hath loved his withal? Art thou fet free las 24. from thy Sin and raih Paiiions > Doft thou hold thy 16. Faith in a pure Confcience, void of Offence towards I ioh.2.6. Qfj a„j j\j^„ e Doft thou walk as Chrift walked > And many other the Commands of God, fet do'.\^n in Scripture, in which the Saints walked, as is plain in Scripture ^ which if thou walkeft in, there thou doft all according to the Scripture : But if thou takeft but fome Part of Scripture, given out by the Holy Ghoft, and pervert the fame to fit thy Form, and pleafe thy own will, and not crofs thy Lufts, Profits and Greatnefs in the World, and for the reft, either let them ftand by, or wreft 2T>et. 3. them by fubtil Meaning^ and Expofition, to bring 16. them to bend to thy difobedient Mind. Shall not Rev. 22. Qq^ ^j-j J ^Y^QQ o^jf^ ^y^(\ plague thee for thy Adding ' and Diminiihing, Altering and Changing That, which was perftctly given forth to be read and ful- filltd as it is ? And whereas thou wouldeft charge the Light of Chrift, Ihining into the Confcience, which teacheth into Oneur fs, to be the Caufe of all the Errors in the World, it is falfe ^ for the Light of Chrift i§ but one, and all that are led by it, v/alk after ( 129 ) Chrifi as he walked : but the Caufe of all fuch Er- i<^??. rors comes from the Serpent's fiibtil Twining and ^^'V^VJ Wrefting the Scriptures, every one for their own Rom. 8. Forms^ Ends and carnal Traditions 5 but none of 14. them will own it, to live the Lite oi it as it is, and fo have it fulfilled in them, as it was in thofe that fpoke it forth. Thou fayeft. Be Jure the Cbriff, the Faith, the Hope^ the Baptifm^ the Worjhip he that which is in Scripture^ Now that Chrift, which the Saints witnefled in Scripture, is the Light of the World, given to en-Joh. 8.12. lighten the Gentiles, and lighteneth every one that ^- 9» cometh into the World x, which Light is in the Saints,^ ^'^^ and whofoever walks in it, hath Fellowlhi]) with God, and one with another, and thereby are cleanf^ ed from all Sin, in which Light all the Holy i Scriptures were fpoken forth : which Light thou deniefl to be equal with the Scripture, hut fcorneft and reproached with Nick-Names, as Ignk jatuus^ ' a Natural Light ^ making it plainly appear, that thou art one of thofe the Scriptures fpeak on, v/ho hate the Light. And the Scripture Faith is that by which the [oh. ^.20. Saints overcame the World, Sin and the Devil, and i John 5.] gets the Victory: which Faith thou, in this Paper, 4, 5* canft not own, but denieft, and wouldefi: reproach it in them, in whom it hath overcome Sin, and brought up to Perfedion. And he that hath the Scripture Hope, purifies lumfelf, even as he is pure. And the Baptifm of Chrift is with the Holy Ghoji i Joh.3.3. and with Fire:, which thou in thy Paper fpeakefl Mat. 3. : fcornfully of in others that own it, ^^* \ And the Script ure-U'orfl)jp is not in Idols Temples, joh. 4.24. . Forms and Letters^ but in Spirit and in Truth ^ and God feeks fuch to worfhip Him. And thou rankeft up a Number of Ranters^ No* tionijh, Papijfs^ and fuch like, that are moil odious to People, and with thefe thou putteft in thofe called K ^uakers^ A r 150 ) 5^'?5. fakers, and tellefl: of their Opinions 5 tut tliofe W^\^'\J thou fo called, deny all their Opinions, and live in the Light and Practice of Scriptures ^ but thou, when thou art proved, wilt be found more in Opi- nior^i than Practice : And thou that denieft the infal> lible Spirit to be in thee, art but in Opinions at the bell. And for the Purgatory thou fpeakef^ on, thou that f^yed^ None can ever be perfeUed^ and fet free from Sin vohilj} they are here, thou talkefl: like them that own a Purgatory ; but they who are redeemed, and fet free from Sin by the Lamb of God, own it not, but have received the Earneft of their Eternal Inheritance. 1 Pet. 3. And for the Word Baptifm, which is v/ith Water, 2i« (but not that of the Spirit, the Anjmer of a good Conjclence) and Ohferving of Holy Days, Firft clear thy felf, and then find fault with them that deferve. Thou talkefl: of Paying and Praying for thefe 5 but the Spirit of Scorning, Slandering and Deceit, and the Spirit of Pity and Prayer, cannot ftand in one ^ and where the firfl is, I cannot own the Latter to be, Thou fayeft, Praife the Lord, that hath delivered out of the Snares of Satan \ and it is true, they who lam-^.n ^^^ ^^' can delight in nothing elfe but Praifes, but ^ 'whilfb thou committefl: Sin, thou* art in his Snares, and a Servant to him. T . Thou fay e if, Work out your Salvation with Fear '^*^* and Trembling, but {cox m^x Quaking, and fayelf, it is from the Power oj the Devil -^ but it is in this as in all thy Paper, thou wilt own the Scripture in Notion and Letter, but fcornefi: and perfecutefl th© Power and Practice of it. AND now. Friend, a Word to thy prefent Con- dition, as thou art revealed. Thou art in the World, in thyileihly Will, Pride of Heart, and ralli Anger, exalted above thy Brethren, and the Spirit of Per- fecutionacts in thee^ thou deniell to walk anfwer- able ( I?I ) ' able to a Light in thy Confcience, which would 7 6 «r: lead thee out of thefe Things up into Obedience, ^^""VN. Love and Meeknefs? And thy Love to the Detdsof Darknefs, makes thee, hate the Light. Ifpeak'to that in thy Confcience^ which Ihall eternally wit- nefs ine at the great Day of the Lord, vi^hen all Secrets fhall be laid open, where thou fhalt Account for all thy hard Speeches, againft the Spirit ;X)f God in his People. Wherefore repent, and take heed-how thou fpeakefl Evil of the Things thou knowefl not, or oppofe the fpiritual Kingdom of Chrift in the Confciences > of his own poor defpifed little Flock 5 but turn in thy high Mind, and fee what thou haft been doing,, and who thou ftriveft againft : If; he fall upon thee, he ■^will grind thee to Powder. Let not thy high Mind fcorn that which may be for thy Eternal Good. Search the Scriptures, and fee if an}^ of the Holy .Men of God ever aded fuch things. . Now thou hafl Time, prize it, left thou harden' ijhy felf- againft God, and fo be for Deftruclion eternally^; j Thou knoweft not what Spirit thou art of,: thj,$Jam.e;toT ^: know not, but where thou liveft, Lknow, and'wb^t Spirit ads in thee; Oh, that thou, kiievv^ eft. -in ^/tjiis ' i thy Day, tl^e .JfTJiings. that, belong,. to thy ^^^^ j '"l- ' Peace !- .;•';. ^ : ,./.\;;. . ...,-:^ gl c a,^ ' J ,_ ^^ .. ., .rnoh^nodW a'm'hs jNayxe-k* ( ^p ) j4 Call to Magijlrates^ Mintjlers^ Law- yers^ and Teople to Repentance. GcnA.26yf"\ Manahd W6man, how art tliou fallen from thy 27. K^ Maker, and from the Eftate wherein thou waft " created > And how doft.thou lie in the lofs and in the ■ifall^ How long wfll it be e're thou enquircft after the ' Lcrd,who is holy and pure? And you People of E/jg- land^ how long will it be e're you leave ofl^yourout- Rom. I. ^^^ formal culiomary Worlhips, and feek the Lord 2^ 3, in truth of Heart, bringing forth FruitsofRighteouf- nefsand Holinefs, according to what you j)rofers ', that •; the Lord, who hates difTembling, may be honoured, not in V/ords, "but in Lite, Power and Practice > Doth not your Adions declare ^gaiinfi: you before Jer. 28. Men and Angejs, that you' are out of the wny, and in the Curfe, Children of the Night, and bring forth the Fruits of Darknefs, and Death, and not ira.56.1c/unro God ? And you who fay, you are the Teachers Y' ^ of the Nation, How long will it be e're vou look at 14.* * -yourowii ways?" Is not all manner oF filthinefs a- Exod. 3.4: niongft you, wkichyou Ihould lead the People out of? Is there .not among you Drunkennefs, Gluttony, Whoredom, and Sporting, fitting down to Eat and to Drink, and rifing up to Play , Swearing, Lying, flBac3c4)iting,falfe Accuftng^Raiiing, Slandering, Con- tention, Strife aiid Envy ^ Yea, are not the beft of you given to Pride and Covetoufnefs, which is Ido- latry ; fulnefs of Bread, and abundance of Idlenefs > A.re not you Hirelings, and Teach for the Fleece > Do liot you contend for Money with your own ■Hearers, and fue them at Law for it 5 yea, altho' they cannot fatisfie your Dem.ands, without ilnning Ifa. 9. i5>again[f the Light in their own Confcience, and fo ^^* fin againfl: God > Are you not bitter, and Perfecu- tors of any that come to difcover your Lewdnefs, crying crying on t to the Magiftrate to uphold yon in your 16'^ 7, beaftly Ways, and to flop the Mouths of all thofe ^^^^V^ whom God hath fent to witnefs againflyou? And^-"^^^^^ ^^^ many more Works of this nature is ainongfl you, j^o\^-i. i^^ which the pure All-feeing God hath Ihewed unto his 3, 4. People, to be aJTiongll: you, and therefore it is that ^'ii<^ha 3. they come out from you, left they partake with you*^* of your Sins and Plagues. But are not you blind,Prov.2i.3 leaders of the blind, when you neither fee thefe to be the works oj Darknejs^ nor thofe that follow you.^^'^- !• 23* Woe unto you that devour Souls for Money and "^' Gain, the day of your Account is at hand. O Re-Jer. ^.28, pent, the blood of Souls is upon you. Did ever God^'^* 3- i4» fend forth fuch a Generation of Teachers amongft-^ 8%** his People, who are not taught themfelves by him to forfake fuch ways as thefe which you walk in } How are you Enfamples to the People to follow ? The Leaders of this People hath caufed them to err, and they that are led by them are deftroyed -, and here- by Priefl: and People are at a diftance iiom the Job 13.10 Lord. O you Rulers of the People, who are ^Qt up to judge between a Man and his Neighbour, ought npt Luke 20, you to judge for God, and not for xMan ? Ought not?,^' ^ you to be Men fearing God, and hating Covetouf^^.^^* ^ * nefs, not judging for Gifts and Rewards? Ought not ex'ocI. 18. you to countenance and encourage them that do 22. well, and be a terror to them which do evil, and be ^^"^* ^%' a terror to them which do evil? Juftice isfo. And^' ^* ^• he that is of God, and bears his Sword, turns the edge of it againfl all Sin and Wickednefs, Injuftice and Oppreffion, and fo fets up Juftice and Judgment in the Gates, that the Poor may be deli ver'd from Prov. 29 him that is too mighty for him, and that the caufe^* ^4» of the Fatherlefs, Widow and Stranger may not fall, but hath an Ear open to the cries of the Poor and Kelplefs, who hath but little Money, and few Prov. 10. Friends ^ that a poor Man may not be afraid to ap- ^* pear in a good Caufe, againll the greateil OpprefTor jpa, . ^, iiithe Nation. 7.* * * ]v 3 And 'T^'?'?. And ought not you to judge without refped to '^"^^^'"^ Perfons, or without feeking relped toyour own Per- jaiii2 9' ioiis, Worfnip or Honour from Men, but only to advance J uftice, Eqjity and Righteournefs, which is of God, that fo yon may be honoured by the Lord ^ for true Humility is Honour, and he that honours ^-ov. I'j'tj-ie Lord, him will he honour •, and fuch have been ^* honoured in all Ages, though they never fought it *rov, 22. from Men. And when Juftice bears Rule, the Righ- teous rejoyce, and the Land is in Peace, and Wick-< ednefs is made to blufh and be alhamed, and the Wick- ed arefcattered from about fuch Rulers. O you that Rule in the Nation, is it fo ? Nay, is it not quite i contrary ? O what a height is Iniquity grown unto? fa. 2. 21, Doth not all manner of Sin abound even in open Streets •, as Swearing, Drunkennefs, Covetoufnefs, and Oppreffion? Can you pafs on the Streets, and not hear the cryes of it ? and although there have been Laws for retraining of fome of thofe Abomi- nations, j^t how are iYay flighted, fo that poorPeo- pie get not the benefit by them ? Nay, is it not too plain, that they who ihould reftrain others, are ma- ^ ny of them guilty of the fame themfelves? Shall a. $. 2a, j,^^^ jj^^ hoxa viiit for thefe things ? The cries of the poor opprefTed ones are come betore the Lord^and he is rifen to avenge him, of him that is too llror.g for him. Chron. O when v/ill you fee ? Hath not want of Ju- ! ^.21,22. i^j^^ call: Kings from their Thrones, and overturned Nations ? And is not the Lord Overti^rm/i^y over- turnings cvcrturning ^ O return to the Lord, and have a care to ufe your Power fo, as Xo make a way for purity and holinefs, that the Kingdom of Chriil may be fet up, and Reign, and that the "^tt^ of God ma}^ have free liberty to come out of Sodom and E- gypt^ to ferve the Lord, without fear of Man, out of all Forms, and Cuftoms, and Magician-Imagina- tions, into the power and purity of the Spirit, Ceafe from Perfecuting and Imprifoning the Inno- cent, for crying out againii the abominatiojis of th^ Times^ ( 155 ) Times, and letting the guilty go free, leaft the decree i5^7. go forth againfl: you, and the Wrath of God burn O'^v^vJ like Fire, and there be none to quench it. Hath ^^^-^-^ 4- God put Power into your Hands, to oppofehis oivri work ? And you lofty ones of the Earth, who have gotten much of the Creation into your hands , and have thereby fet your Nefts on high, and are be- come Lords over your Brethren. Were the Creatures Pfal. 52. made for that end, to fet your Hearts upon them, 9) lo- to heap together out of the reach of the Poor and Needy s, and he who can get the greateft Ihare, ihould become the greateft Man^ and all that have little, fhall bow down and worihip him, and fo break the comrnand of God, which faith, Thou fhalt not bow dovon nor worjfnp any Creature in^^^^' ^^ Heaven or in Earths Are you not fallen froin the"^* Eftate wherein you were created ? for it was not fo from the beginnings for he who made all things good, made all Men of one Mould, and one Blood, toGen.i.^i. dwell on the face of the Earth ; and gave them power over the work of his hands, not to henp them ^"^'^'^ • together, to fet your Hearts upon them, but to ufe them to his Service, who made all things for him- ^"^o^* ^^^ felf, and the wicked for the day of Evil. ^' You that live in your Pride, painting your felves in your coftly Apparel, inventing new U^ays and^^^* ?^' Falhions, to make you feem glorious in the carnal^' Eyes of others, that they may worfhip you^ for this is that which the Heathen worfliip, who know Gal. 4.8. not God \ and this is that you look for, which An- ^"^^^^ ^7* gels dare not take to themfelves ^ but Haman-Wke^^^'^Q^ ^^ you rage if you have it not, and bear an Evil Eye ^. to them, who cannot give that to you, which be- longs to God alone. But the hand of the Lord ihalHra. 2. iS. be upon all the Idols of the World ^ you have forgot that you were but duft, and m.uft to duft, andP^^^-7»V God will honour himfelf, in laying all Honours-^T'^ ^' in the duft. which Men it^k to themfelves, and is ' not of God alone. You luftful ones, which Hve^^^l^^ ^. cf the f^t qf the Earth, v/hofe care is only to fatif- 3. K 4 fie ( 156) i6^7. fie the Flefh, and the Lufts thereof, your curioqs I ^;j^j^^^' devifed Diihes, Dives-like •, Is this the end for I j^^" * 'which you were made> You are fitted for deftrudi- I on, your Day is coming, the cry of your Iniquity ^ James 5. is gone up before the Lord -, the Cries of the Poor j 4'^' which yoa have oppreffed, whofe labours you have fpent upon 3^our iiifts, the rufl of your Gold and Silver doth witnefs againft you. Repent, repent, cafi: off your gorgeous Apparel, and gird you with Amos 8. mourning ^ let your Songs of Mufick be turned in- 3* ^^* to howling j your Banqueting and Feafting, into Fafting, for the Lord is wrath with you, and the Fire is begun already. Break off your Sins by Re- pentance, and yonr Iniquities by Ihewing mercy un- to the Poor ^ and turn to the Lord with all your heart, from all your evil doings, if fo be that you ^^'P^'^'^'uiay find Mercy ^ that you may be hid in the Day of Iiis fierce wrath, which is po come upon all the workers ot Iniquity : For he will bring down the Mighty from tht^.ir Seat?, that he ma}^- exalt them of low degree. O take heed how you contend with him^ Did ever any do it and profper? Siiall the -^^^'•^^•^•Clay fpive with the Potter ? If he fall upon you, he will break you to powder. And 3^ou Lawyers, ouglit not you to plead the caufe of Equity, between Man and Man for Equity fake, without refpect to your felves or others, but only to Truth it felf, that a jufl: Caufe may be owned in whomfoever it concerns ? But is not the t Tim 6.^'^^^^^ Caufe fure to fall, if the Party have not Mo- j^^ * *ney to fatisfie your demands, which are many times very unreafonable^ and you who Ihould inftrudt people in the ways of Truth and Peace, do not yoi^ hy your Wifdom teach them Lyes, and Strife? Do not you advifeyour Plaintiffs, as you call them, to dechre in Bills, things that are not true, and make fmall offences feem very great by falfe gloffes? For fay you. We may Declare what we will, and Prov^ ^ ' ^^*for, Ivnow before^iand, that fcarce gne thing of ( 137 ) ten can be proved, neither is true? Is this the way i6^;. to mike up the breach, and prejerve 'Peace and Truth l/^C^ amongft People ? O miferabie fall from God, when that Law which ihould before preferve in peace, is ufed to aggra^'-ate ofFeiices beyond Truth, and fo make diftc'rences greater. And do not you delight to fiih in troubled waters? and the greater diflen^ tion amongll the People, the more is your gain. Are not your Purfes filled, and your Eftates raifed ^^^^- ^^* in the mines of the People ? And are not thofe Laws j^[^j^ ^^ ^ which ought to be ufed to preferve People from Op- prelfion, *by abufing, made the undoing of whole Families, impoverilhing Tov^ms andCountries? The Law, as it is now ufed, is fcarce ferviceable for any other end, but for the Envious Man, who hath much ^* ^' ^^' Money to revenge hiuifelf of his poor Neighbours, which may be never did him wrong. Is there any a])pearing for the Poor againft the Rich, although his Caufe bejuft, but by deceit, delays, and expen- ces, the Remedy is worfe than the Difeafe , fo that they are made to figh and groan under oppreifionjira. ^. c. and their cries are come into the Ears ot the juft God, who is now arifing to avenge them. And now. Woe to you that feem to b^ Eafers of Peoples Burdens, but make their Opprelhons great- J^^^- 5* 4. er, even grievous to be born 5 and by increafing of contentions, h^ve taken away the Key of Know- ledge: For what Knowledge hath x\iq If^orkers of Iniquity, who devour the Poor to fatlsfie their own Lujfs ^ the woe is upon you, for the juft God hath Hab.2. 9, JJja/cen hps hand at your difkoneft gain , Woe unto hint that coveteth wifh an evil covetoufnejs to his Houje, ^hat he 7nay fet hk Isejl on high. Woe unto him that Y^- ^2- huilds te Houje by OppreJJion, and ejiab/ifieth the Ci- ^^* ty with Iniquity j how are yon gone out of the right way ^ and how is the Caufe of the Poor bought and fold for Money i Were you thus made at the firft? Are you not in the inventions? Is this the end for which we came into the World ? Are you not in the Earth, and in the Fall, and in the Curfe, and at a ^iftance from the pure God, who is Holy and Juft, and ( 138 ) i6'^7. and loves Righteoufnefs !^ How long will it be e're ^>^V*VJ jou will enquire after the right way, or loath your Ezek. i8.jpg|^^5 f-Qj, y^^^ filthinefs > O Repent, Return to the Rev. 2. <,»^^^^f f^om whence you are fallen^ for what will you do in the end thereof? Shall not Jufi:ice xrom on high take hold on you, who have flighted Juftice upon Earth > Your Day is at hand ^ Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right ? V/hy will you de- ftroy your Souls for Money ? and what will you give in exchange for your Souls ? or fhall all your gain redeem you? Do you adl: according to the Mat. 19- Law of God, which faith, Thou fh alt love thy Neigh- i*^' hour aj thy f elf ? Do not you prize the accurfed things, before the love of God, or your Neighbour ? Let your pradice witnefs. And you People of the Nation, that have feen the hand of God againft the Prince and People for Jude 25. thefeand the like abominations, and you yourfelves Zech. 3.2. are efcaped, as Brands plucked out of the Fire ^ have you at all turned to him who hath fmitten you ? or are you bettered hj correction } or have you made your peace with the Almighty? Although you have feen War, and the Sword reaching to the very Soul, are you not every one to your own Power, gather- ' ing Fuel to that Fire, which hath been burning in the Land, and hath confumed thoufands, which ft^iould have been as a Warning unto you, who are Hof. 14. ef(:^aped^ to return to the Lord from the evil of your '' ^* doings ? But are not 3^ou ftill making the breach wider between God and the Nation, as though you were left for no other end, but to fill up the mea- fure of Iniquity that is yet behind, that the juft God may fweep the Land with the Beefom of De- ftrudion ? O when will you ceafe to provoke the ira# 14.23. Lord by your Sins ? Where is your Redeemer you have profefled fo long in Words and Forms ? Can you v/itnefs him in your Works? and what hath he Luke 6. redeemed you from? For faith he, Why call you me ^?* Lord^ and do not the things which I jay ? Is he your Lord, and you Servants to all manner ot filthinefs ? And notwithftanding that you have feen his won- ders ( M9 ) dersin theNation, yet do not you exceed all that ever i^^^. went before you, in Pride, Covetoiifnefs, Drunken- L/^V^kJ nefs, Swearijag^ Envying, Qnjjrrelling, Backbiting, Slanc^ering, falfe Accufing, Self-love, and Deceit in all manner of Merchandize, and Tradings falfe Weights Mich. 6. and Meafiires, Sayings, Proteftings one towards ano- I ther, in your bargainirg fpeaking things that are not I true, and hereby to over reach your Brethren, and get difhontil gain. How many falfe Oaths, and idle I Words are fpent about every Bargain in your Mar- kets, and open Streets, without biaHiing, or being alhained ? yea, it is able to break the hearts of any who know the pure God, to know it, and hear it •, pfai. 31, for it is come to fuch a height of deceit, that none 17. * can truil: his Brother ^ for Lying, Swearing, and For-fv^earing, it abounds in the Nation-, and yet )^ou will profels your felves to be the Members of Jefus Chriif: And had Jefus Chrift ever fuch a Body ^^i^* i* I as this? nay, all that are Members of him, are ot^'^' I one Heart, and one Soul. And you talk of a communion of Saints^ Had I^^- 32. ever the Saints fuch a com.munion as this, to defraud ^^* one another for Money ^ and profefs a Redeemer, and are Servants to the Devil, and your own lufts, in all the motions and temptations thereof, and are led Captive at his will > But what Redemption is this you witnefs, fo long as Sin, the partition Wall, is between God and you, ftands ftill whole in your wills ', you will be Drunk, Swear, Lye, and com- Rev. 21. mit Adultery, di^fTemble, and fatisfie your Lufls in ^7- all things, and fay we are redeemed to commit all thefe abominations, and live in them, under a pre- tence of a Proieiuon, and going to the Idols Tem- ple once a Week : Did ever Jefus Chrift redeem fuch a People, or dwell in fuch a People > Thofe whom he hath redeemed, he hath freed from the fervitude pf Sin, by feparating them from Sin, and reconci- ling them to God, from whence they are fallen by Sin^ for God and Sin cannot dwell in one. And to fuch he laith, B^je h/y, for I am holy: And asjoh.2.2^ he Pfal. 115 5- Gen. I. 27- ( HO ) 1^5^. he is the Lamb of God who taketh away the fins of the t^/Vx) world : Now fee, how is your Sins taken away, when the 'Kingdoin of Dirkiiefs doth wholly rule in you, and leads you into works and ways of Darknefs } Are you reconciled to God, and have you fellowfliip with him ? Are not you yet Grangers I Joh. 3. ^o him, and worfhip an unknown God > For he 6, ^ that corjim'its fin^ hath not fee n him^ neither knoton hinty and fo worlhip they know not vvh^t, in for mal and fuperftitious Worfhips. O blind People, who have Byes and fee not^ How long will it be e're you turn 3^our Eyes within, and look into your own flanding, or rather into your fall, and how you fi^h under the curfes and wrath of the Almighty ? and how far you are from Purity and Holinefs, and that eftate wlierein you were made in the Image of God 5 and wait to fee that I'enewed in you, and you brought up out of the fall and a feparation, to be one with God 4nd Chrift, that you may know what you worfliip, and find acceptance > But are you not fo far from that, that if the Image of God feem to be renewed in any, and they begin to turn from thefe, and the like abominations, to ferve the living God in purity and holinefs •, and they refufe to partalce with you in 2 Pet. 4. your Pride, Covetoufnefs, Drunkennefs, and ex- 3>4» cefs of Riot, and deny your vain Heatheniih Cu- ftoms, Faihions, and Worlhips \ are not fuch objed:^ of your Qwvy and hatred ? and are they not abufed by you, buftetted, fcorned, mocked, flopped, and called moft reproachful Names, even in Ways and Markets, and in your Streets, when yon meet with them, though they never fpeak word to you, but -^ bear your reproaches with patience } So that he that ^/ departs from Iniquity, makes himfelf a Prey to this Generation. Do not you plainly fhevy forth the Serpent's Seed in you, which is at enmity with the Seed of God, v/here-ever it is brought forth ^ and fo you Ihew your felves to be adted by the Devil, who wa? a Mur-i dereiT J ( hO cierer from the beginning ^ And when the Judgmehts j6i^* and "Wrath of God appears in the Land, Is it not ^^T^ hecaufe of j^our Iniquities ? Do not you, like v/icked J^|^^ ^' Ahitb^ charge an innocent People, v/ho cannot par- take with you in your wickednefs ^ declaring, that thofe who are harmlefs, to be a caufe of troubles in the Nation, and fay, They are about to raife a new War^ but never look at your own abominations, for which the Land mourns, and the wrath of God Hof. 4-3 is againft it, ready to deftroy it, but ftill harden your hearts in your wickednefs? And as though all this were too little, have you not added this wick- ednefs now, that God in Mercy hath called fome out of all thefe evil ways, and fent them to declare againft thefe abominations which the World lives 2 Pet. i* in, both Priefts and People, not only in word, but 4, 5> St in Life and Practice, and hath given his Power to ^^' go along with them : And are not thefe called by you Devils, Witches, Sorcerers, Conjurers, Jefuites, and the like ? Are they not fome beaten, fome fto- ned, others fliamefully entreated and Imprifoned? Are they not brought before Rulers, and Governors, for the confeifing the Name of Chrift > And all this you do unto them, not for any Evil you can charge upon them \ but for the Name of Chrift and his Pow- er that goes along with them, in fhaking down the Kingdom of the Serpent, and bringing his Eled out John 40 of ail the Heathenifli Cuftoms and Worfhips, to 23, 24* Worihip God in Spirit, and him only, and not Men, nor the Idols of the World. And now, are you not blind, who have profefTed the Scriptures fo long, and cannot fee them fulfilled now in this Generation ? Are not thofe of the fame brood, who called the good Man of the Houfe Beel- Mat. io» zehub^ and how can they do lefs to them of his 25* Houihold ? Do not this Generation beat fome^ ftone ;f^at. iq. and ihamefully entreat others, that bear witnefs to 22. the Heir? And hath not Chrift faid, Te Jhall be hated of all Alen for my Names fake. Tbcy fhaU fpeak all manner of evil ojyoufalfy ^ They ihall feparate out of ( H2 ) i<55:g. of your compan)^ reproach you, and caft out your ^--^ '^' Name as evil^ and you fhall be brought before Ru- Kev.5.ic.j^j.g^ for a Teftimony againft them^ and for my names fake: And the Devil ihall caft fome of you Mat. 24. into Prifon, that you may be tried-, and 3rou fliall 9« have Tribulations ten Days ^ yea, the time comes, that they that Kill you, fhall think they do God fervice: And thefe things will they do unto you, becaufe they know not the Father, nor the Son : And the Scriptures muft be fulfilled -^ and thofe who have Eyes to fee, may fee them now fulfilled, 2 Cor d. ^"^ fulfilling, and they who fee it, have lliare in ir, ^^ 'and rejoyce, and witnefs God faithful, and his Word 5 but v/icked Men, and Perfecutors, have been blind in all Ages j for the God of this World hath blinded their Eyes, and hath thereby made them fit Kom. i.S. for his own work, and his work is to oppofe the Lord in all things. Now, all People, fee where you are, and what €al. 4.29. you are doing •, where you live, and whom you ferve 5 for if 70U live to the Flelli, you cannot pKafe God •, for as always he that was born after Joh. 3.31. the Flefli, perfecuted him that was born after the Spirit \ even fo it is now. O be no longer deceived, fee whether ye be in the firft Birth, or Born again : 2 Pet-j. That which is of the firft is of the Earth, Earthy, 2* and minds Earthly things, feeds upon Duft ^ and this is the Serpent's Seed •, and here are all your en- I Joh.3.9. vious Haters, Perfecutors, Covetous, Scofters, and fuch like^ and here will you be found, your aclions witnefs it, you cannot deceive God ^ you are under the Curfe, and they be the curfed Fruits you bring 1 John 5. forth, and thty are for the Fire. But the fecond ^' brings forth no fuch Fruit , for he that is born a- gain, is born of the Spirit, and brings forth fruits of the Spirit^ he is born of God, and brings forth fruits unto God ^ fruits of Love, Mecknefs, Gentle- nefs. Patience, Temperance, and fuch like : There was never a Perfecutor of this Birth, for they are called out of all occalioiis of ftnfe, coateniion, and perfe- ( H3 ) perfecutiofi', for that is all about things of this 16^^, "U^orld, and Forms, and Cufloms that periA. But ^>'^V^^ they who are brought into the fubftance, cannot ^^^^^'^P^^f* contend about fhadows^ for there all Difputes and ig. I'ain janglings ceafe-, for as they are ruled by one Spirit, fo they are led by one Spirit, into one God, where God, Chrift, and the Saints are one eternally 5 but this Godlinefs is a Myftery to all the World. Now try your felves, for by your fruits you are known, and ihall be judged ^ wherefore all People look within, and judge your felves, reform the in- Coh2»iu iide, looking without to be feen of Men keeps you Hypocrites, and you have 3^our reward : But the i John i. true Seed of the Jews, who are of the Circumciflon 3.&6, 7, made without Hands, in the Heart, fuch feek not praife of Men, but of God , neither are they known of carnal minded Men, nor owned of them, nor have fellowfhip with them, but are raifed up out of the fall to God, to live with him in Joy, and i Cor. i<«- Peace, and Righteoufnefs, which Men talk of who 20. live in the ilefh, and in the fall, who are not recon- ciled to God ^ and there can be no Reconciliation to God, while Sin ftands, which made the firfl: fe- paration ; O People be not deceived. The Stumhling^Bloch removed from "weak Minds. OYe Raging Prierts ! who have fet your felves againfl the mighty Power of the Lord in his own, whereby he is manifeffcing his Works, his ftrange Works ^ his Adts, his ftrange Adts^ making his Servants Signs and Wonders amongR the Hea- then, and them that know not God, nor his Power, whereby he is choofing that which feems fooliih- nefs, to confound the wifdom of the Wife ^ which you who fland in your own Wills and Wifdom, know nothing of j But in this, as in other things, out I ^^4. C H+ ) r^5f4. out of your Envy againft the Truths take occafion \/Vn^ to la}^ Stumbling-blocks in the way of others, where- in you plainly appear to be in that Generation, who will neither enter into the Kingdom your felves, nor would fufFer others. You who take oc* cafion to Preach and Print againft the Truth, be-* caufe the Lord hath caufed fome of his Servants to go along your Streets in Kendal^ and Kerbyfieven^ as figns of his Wrath to come upon that Pride and fulnefs that Priejfts and People live in *, and this^ you who never knew what it was to obey God, con- trary to your own Reafon and Wills, (for who act fuch things, a£t contrary to their own Wills) cry out on us a deluflon and madnefs, thinking there- by to make the Truth odious to others : but it is that the Scriptures may be fulfilled upon you, as it hath been on your Generation before you, who counted always what the Prophets, Chrifl: and the Apoftles did Madnefs, and called them mad ftllows. But now all you who fear the Lord, and believe his word, take heed of the deceit of thefe Men, and mind not what they fay, who have fet them felves to fpeak evil of the things they know not ^ but fearch the Scriptures, and there you Ihall find, that the mighty God, (who hath power over all Flelh, and what he commandeth none muft difpute by their Reafon (though it feem never fo fooliih, and again fi: their wills) but mufi: obe}'-) hath always before his Great Judgments, which he has been about to bring on a People or Nation, made fouie of his deareit Servants to pafs and ad as Signs to fuch Nations of what was to follow, and was fo ufual among the Prophets, and them who knev/ the word of the Lord \ that the Prophet //^7/j/; fpeaking in the name of the Lord, faith, Behold I and the Children whom the Lord hath given j?ie, are for Jigns and j or won' ders in Ifrael^ from the Lord of Hojls which dwelleth in Mount Zion^ Ifa. viii. 1 8. And if ye fearch the Scriptures of the Prophets, ycu Ihall fee in what flrange ancl foolilli things to the ( H5 ) the Wifdom of the World they were aded in ; as in j6^^', I/a, XX. the Prophet was to go three Years Naked »-/"VN^ for a fign what the Lord would bring upon Ethiopia and jE-)pt^ Now had thefe Men liv^ed in his days, they would have cried that up as a Delufion and Madnefs, and not as the word of the Lord, as they do at this day \ for they neither know tlie Lord nor his Word, who ftand in their own Wills. And read the 6,th of EzekJel^ and fee what a Sign he was to both the Koufes oi Ifrael znd Jud ah -^ a ftrange thing to the Wifdoni of Man as ever was. Alio read the ph of Ezekiel^ and fee what a Sign he was to be, and what folly he was to adt as to their Wif- doni, and that in the inidfl of the City. Likewife Ez e hie I xVi, to 17, 18, and \(^vcrjes\ and xxiv. 16. to the end of the Chapter -, and many other of the dear Servants of God, who were not only to declare the word of the Lord from his inonth, but alfo to be Signs to them to whom he was to Prophe« cy, that fo he might leave them all without excufe. Now thofe who then were Priefts, and Ihould have been Teachers and Leaders of the People to fear God, and hear his Word, and obferve his Signs, and Re- pent, that the Judgments might be prevented^ they were the only Men that hated, reproached, perfecu- ted and called the Prophets, Chnftand his Apoftles Madmen and Deceivers, becaufe of thefe things, which into their Wifdom could not enter, and llir- red up the Rulers and Ignorant People againit thern, that they might pat them to Death, as it is at this ^ Day. But thefe in our Days are more inexcufable than all that ever went betore them ^ inafmuch as they had no Scripture to fliew them that the Lord had commanded fuch Signs formerly ^ but thefe have the Scriptures that witnefs to the fame thing 5 which Scriptures they make a Trade on, and cry up in words, but are ignorant of that Spirit b^ which they were adted that gave them forth ^ and > txivj and perfecute that obedience that was aded in them, in whom it is now acted 5 a^nd they might as L well ( h6 ) 16^4. well cry ont againfi: 1/ai ah for 3. Madman, tecaufe C/-y-0 he went Kaked at the word of the Lord ^ and the reft of the Prophets and Servants of God for adt- ing fuch weak and looiifh things to their Wifdom, as they did, as againft thefe for obeying the Lord in the fame or the like things whatfoever, for God is not tied to any Rule to walk by, bat his own will, and where he conrimands, no, Wo to him that acts in his own will, and faith it is the word of the Lord. Wlierefore all ye that fear the Lord5take heed of being flirred up by thefe Men to fpeak evil of that you know not, but confider that the Priefts have been al- ways the movers and perfwaders of the People a- gainil: Ch-riii and his Kingdom, and Power in his Saints^ and infiead of being forward to lpepior delpil^d ones, in the midfi of all " their Enemies. Eternal Prahes to Thee, who art cur Wifdom, for Ever. f» N. CHUKCH- CHURCHES Gathered againfi: CHRIST and his Kingdom : O R, A PETITION Anfwer'd. Wherein is plainly fhewed how the Petitioners go about to take Christ's Kingdom, Care of his Servants, and propagating of His Gofpel out of His Hands , and would put it into the Hands of the Powers of the Earth, contrarjr to the Words of Christ, and Pradfice of all the Saints in Scriptures, laid open, that all who fear the Lord, may fearch the Scriptures, and with- draw from the Tents of thefe Wicked Men, and their Covetous Practifes. Alfo a Word to thofe to whom this Petition is preferred, that above ail they meddle liot in the Kingdom of Christ, for all that have done it, or ihall do it, Ihall be broken to ])ieces, for he alone will Reign, and all Fleih (hall cail their Crowns at his Feet 5 even fo Jwe/2, Written by one whom the W<)rld knows by the Name of J a m e s N a y L e r. Ifa. iiv. 1 >. Bebold they fhaUfurely gather together^ but not by 7ne, whofoever Jh all gather together againjl thee Jh all j all for thy fake. Printed firfl: in the Year 1654, and now Reprinted in 17 1 5* La To ( hS ) To the Supream Authority of this Na- tion, the Parliament of the Com- monwealth of England : The Hum- ble Petition of divers Congregated Churches in the Northern Counties. Sheweth, f B~^ H AT our Confciences hear m witnejs in ths a fight of Gody how often we have poured out ML our Souls on the behdlf of this prefent Far* iinment, and how we J} and fill waiting at the Throne of Grace, to hearken what the Lord zmll fay unto /^ (for truly our Hearts tremble jor the Ark oj God. ) And feeing Divine Providence bath called together Jo many oj hii precious Servants^ who have Jo ojt made mention of his great Nufne (we had a/moft /aid, more deeply than ever any other Parliatnent hath done) we are carried out with the greater hopes, that God will at lajl work out fome eminent thing jor hk glorious Name and Gofpe\ and that our Eyes [hall never fee the contrary : For this end (moft Honourable) we bad been your Petitioners long e^re now^ had not too much fear of pre fuming given a check \ but now^ leaji our continued file nee, f)ould be interpreted as a confcnt to the manifold clamours oj too 7??any, not well ajfeBed to the Godly Miniftry and their fubfifle nee, we dare no longer hold our peace, but are pre ft in our Spirits to take humble boldnefs, lo acquaint your Honours^ what it is that makes your Petitioners lament before the Lord and you, J. The f warms of horrid Errors arifing out of the hottomlefs Pit, that injeEl and even darken this our Horizon, flying in the face of Chrift himjclj, Im Per- J OK,, hi6 Ojfices, h^s Merits^ his Scriptures, his Ordi- nances. hi^ Sabbaths, his Saints, and whatever is dearejl unto him j and all this without controul-, car- rted ( H9 ) ried xjohh a high Hand and a daring hrovo^ affronting i^^4, the godly Minijhrs and faithful Servants ofChrift^ /;? './V^J their holy Worfhip : The lea/} of which Errors in time fa ft, would have made our hearts to tremble^ but now the commonnefs of them hath almofl bereaved t^ of all j fenfe. 2. The Heaven-provoking Vrophanenefs^ the hideous Athcifm abounding in the La nd, and (infome of thefe dark parts) running apace to flat Heathenifm \ one main ground of aU which being (as we humbly con- ceive) the want of able and painful Minifters^ the continuance of the old ignorant prophane ones^ and the bold intrufion offcandalom ones^ eje^ed by the late Commifjioners for propagating the G of pel in thefe Nor- ther n Counties (for whofe Godly endeavours we have caufe to blefs the Lord) but their Commifjion expi- ring^ the) are boldly now re-entred (as the unclean Spirit in the Gofpel^ after hii ejeEhion) more wicked than before, 3. The fubtil undermining that Soul-faving Ordif nance of the Miniftry^ and crafty defigns again ft the mo ft able and faithful Mefjengers ofChrift^ who are now madefigns and wonders in Ifrael ^ and this not only by the bafer fort of Men (which doth not trou^ tie us) but by fome of eminent place, ^ who??; Ged and all good Men expe5iJhould rather be their Prote5iors 5 and that (which ts yet more obfervable) the more zealous and eminent fuch Miniflers are^ they are by Men of corrupt Minds the more oppofed andfhot at^ when the generation of idle Drones^ andfcandalo//s ones round, about thein^ are never molefled : And how long the jealoufie of our God will bear this contempt (for what J s done to his faithful Amhaffadors, is done to himfelf) we humbly leave to your wife Confiderations, 4. And (that the Ephah of the je Servants of Chrifts Sufferings might be filled up) their daily bread is alfo grudged at^ threat ned to be taken from them-^ though iheje are the Aden (your Honours well know) who break unto m the Bread of Life : And if it were only their Verfonal Lively-hoods which is endan^ered.^ it L % were UW) 16^^. were more tolerable \ hut we could fny^ ifs their t^^''"^ V/ives^ it's their poor Children that muji in this cafe Juffer 5 not only vohilft the Minifler himfelf lives, but be expofed to extremities when he is dead. Do not all Men fee (ye Rulers in Ifrael) that the Widows and Father lefs ofJIini/iers, are commonly left poor enough after their deceaje, even now when they enjoy aU their prejent Jleans, bow much more when it is diverted or fhortned? And yet this is the time^ when all other Mens Properties with an height of tendernefs (as things inviolable) are pleaded for \ and mujl only the Minijier's Propriety be ft ruck at, which not only the Law of Man, but the Lord Jefus himjelf hath ap- pointed as a jufl Reward of their Work. Thus your Petitioners having (as your Children) opened the burthen of their Hearts into their Fathers Bofoms, do humbly crave leave briefly to tender thefe few Suits following, 1. That abominable Errors may not go up and down with an Jf'hores jorehead, and thifs affront the Lord Jejus and his Truth, but that fome fpeedy and effeQ- lidl Re fir dint be made of that bold Vending^ Printing and Pi caching, whatever the Prince of Darknefs fhall blow into corrupt Minds *, Jhall the Father of Lyes have as much liberty to dandle his Brats, as the Fa- ther of Light to promote his God- born Truth ? Remem- ber (ye honourable Servants of the Lord) what terms of deteftation the bleffed Holy Ghoft himjelf gives to fuch like Errors, calling them Gangreens, Cankers, Delufions^ damnable Herefies, pernicious Errors, Do^ Urines of Devils, 0 let your holy Zeal be kindled a- gain ft fuch deadly Things ^ as deftroy the Faith of fome, fmite Chrift on the Face, and give him the Lye 5 God can make you wife to divide between Er- rors that deftroy Faith and Holine/s, and fome f mailer differences among the Saints* 2. That a fpeedy courje be taken, that idle, profane ignorant Men may no longer abide in the Miniftryy and lead Souls along to Hell with them/elves^ but be caji cHt as unfavoury S.alty fit for tpe D^n^hil ^ the Spads ( 15^ ) Spale and the Flail being fitter for Juch Men than \6%a,. Fulpits ^ and that Godly and able Minijiers be invejhd L/'VNJ in their Places^ and bold Intruders already eje[ied (there being too many of fuch in theje parts) maj with feme jr own of Author iiy be depofed : And J or. thefe ends^ may it pleafe your Honours that fo me godly and approved Co?JtmiJfioners^ with the ajfiftancc of fome able G of pel Jiinijfers 7nay be appointed for propa^ gating the Gofpel in thefe dark 'Northern Counties \ for the late Parliaments Comm'tjjion in like cafe^ pro- ved the great eft BleJJing that ever the North haf the happy effect whereof zve tajh more and more daily^ and had not their Commijfwn fo foon expired^ all places might have been well provided for e're now. g. That the Mini/try and the truly zealous and faithful Minipers may be owned by you, as the Lord owns them, that all the IV or Id may fee your cordial and refolved Adherence to Chrifts cafe in them, for he holds the Stars in his right hand : Confider we be-^ feechyou (mofl Chriflian />JJe?nbly) their work is un- pleafing to fiefh and blood, the Miniflry having ever been known to be the Bulwark again ft the Inundation of Error and Profanenefs, and this fets the Ungodly iVorldwith fo much fpight and venom againji them,the more need have they of your tenderefl Encouragement ^ as their nurfing proteSing Fathers, It is well known to your Honours, that thefe faithful Witnejfes prophefiel in fackcloth all the time of the late Prelates cruel per- fecution, it is but a very little time fince their Tokes were taken off, and nov? again to be fo foon forced to their old mourning attire, will feem harflo in the eyes of all them that love the Gofpel : Remember who it is that faith. He that defpifeth you, defpifeth me^ and how God hath thrown to the ground here in England before your Eyes, that proud and lofty Generation the Prelates^ who fo ill intreated his faithful Ambajfa- dors. Laftly, Seeing the Lord himfelf of eld made fuch certain and plentiful provifion for the Priefts tender the Lawy and Chriji him/elf afirm.s the Labourer is L 4 worthy ( ^50 165:4. worthy his hire under the G of pel, and the great Jpo- W^^r^ }\le fo largely and profejjedly difputes for it, i Cor. 9. And feeing Minijhrs fnuft be Men given to Hofpita- lity, and therefore muft (befides their necejfary main" tenance) have wherewithal to do it : And alfo-lefl the want of f efficient ??idinte nance fhould lay them open to the contempt of their Ferfons and Doilrine, and put them upon temptation to hang upon the favour of their carnal People, in a Man-pleafing way, or he forced off their Gofpel employment to attend on Food and Raiment : And laflly, left their poor Widows and Fa- J therlefs be driven to extremities when they are dead^ ^ they being able to lay up nothing for them while they lived. It is therefore our humble Suit, that fpecial and fare Care be taken for their certain and comfort- able Maintenance, and not fo much to attend to the loudnefs of the cry of fuch as, call for re7noving the prefent way of Maintenance, as to try the ftrength of their Reafons, and the f cope and end that 7nany drive committed the keeping of theinfelves to God in all things ^ and if thefe you call Minifters, were of the fame Spirit, they would be of the fame Mind ; but all are not Minifters of Chrift, who are fo called; but thofe who are of the fame Spirit and Mind with him in his Ways and Sufferings. And therefore he feeing that many falfe Teachers ihould arife, cloathed like Sheep, and come in his Name, and Ihould deceive many ; and left any of his own fhould be deceived by them, he gives them a fure way to try them, and that is, by their fruits^ laith he, you Jhall know them. Now you that call your felves Churches, and thefe you Petition for godly Minifters, to you I fliall according to the Rule of Chrift and his Apo- flles, lay down fome few of their Fruits, whom Chrift and his Apoftles did deny 5 th^t if you find the fame Fruits in thefe you call godly Minifters, you may no longer call them godly, whom Chrift: and his Apoftles deny as ungodly *, and for Ihame never call your felves Churches of Chrift, if you will not give up your felves and Minifters, to be tryed by the Rules of Chrift and his Apoftles, not in words wrefted, but in Life and Pradice. Chrift bears witnefs againft fuch as brought forth thefe Fruits, that were Hirelings, and them that were called of Men Minifters, them who faid and did not, that laid heavy burdens on the People, that had the higheft place in the Affemblies, the chief Names at Feafts, greetings in the Markets, cloathed like Sheep, but raven and devour like Wolves. Feter bears witnefs againft fuch as had hearts exercifed with covetous pradices, that could not ceafe from Sin, that with fained words made Merchandize of the People, who had forf^iken the right v/-\y^ and run greedily after the way oi Ba- laam^ who loved the wages of unrighteoufiiefs, who promife liberty to others, but they themfelves are Servants to corruption, Vaul bears witnefs againft fuch ( 155 ) fuch as were lovers of them felves, covetous, proud, 165:4. boafters, blafphemers, falfe accufers, incontinent, L/VVl fierce defpifers of them that are good, traytors, heady, higli minded, lovers ot ph nib res more than lovers of God, having a form of godlinefs, but de- nying the power thereof^ and they led captive fuch as were laden with fin, and divers lufts, evcr learn- ing of them, but never able to come to the know- ledge of the Truth, for they refift the Truth, and are Men of corrupt Minds. Jud" bears witnefs againft fuch as fpeak evil of the things they know not, but what they know, they know naturally, as brute Beafts, who are like Cain for Cruelty, and Balaam for Covet oufnefs,feed in g themfelves without fear, murmurers, complainers, living in lufts, and their mouths fpeaking great iwelling words, having Mens Perfons in admiration becaufe of advantage, as thefe do who flatter great Men for felf-^nds. Now if you find thefe Fruits brought forth, by thefe whom you Petition for with fo much Zeal, then judge whether you be guided b}^ the fame Spi- rit, by which Chrift and his Apoftles did fee thefe, and give warning of them •, or by that Spirit that did uphold thefe, whom Chrift cries woe unto 5 and though you and they may think light of thefe things, through a light Mind, yet thefe are Marks which Chriil and his Apoftles did difcover Deceivers by ^ and they who fee by the fame Light, know them by the fame Fruits now •, for the Devil can profefs Righteoufnefs, but live the life of it he can- not ^ and if you will believe Chrift, you muft know fuch by their Works, and not by their words ^ and if you uphold fuch, you fight againft Chrift, and it will avail you but little to call your felves ga- thered Churches, when you are not gathered into his will, but ftrive to uphold what he comes to caft down i for they that gather not with him, fcatter abroad. Another thing why you Petition, is the fwarms of horrid Errors, which you fay have darknedyour borjson* But ( 156) i654- But now tale heed you that are fi> foon darlcned, V-/VVIand are fo far miftaken in calling them godly Mi- nifters, who upon tryal are fo far unlike God in their pradice^ I fay take heed left you be as far miftaken in that you call Errors j for Truth hath always fufl^ered under the name of Error, by fuch Profeflbrs as hai^e run to the Earihly Powers to fulfil their envy, as it is at this Day, and will plain- ly appear upon trial : But iuppofe they be Errors indeed, yet fee how far you err from the pradice of all the Churches of Chrift, who never cried to the Earthly Power to excommunicate Errors, but in the Spirit and Power of the Lord did they proceed againft them,and did feparate from them ^ and Chrift did never leave it to the Magiftrates to judge of Er- rors and Blafphemies, but hath referved it to him- " felf, and them in whom he is, even the judgment of all Spiritual Things, that concern his Kingdom ^ and he bindeth and lofeth at his Pleafure and Will, and not at the Will of Men, nor Earthly Powers ^ for he alone is King in his, and will caft out what- ever offends. And whereas you fay your Godly Minifters are affronted in their ' 4y Worihip •, I anfwer, where the Minifters are ^^-vily, and the Worfhip hol}^ there the Spirits of the Prophets, are fubject to the Prophets 5 and if any thing be revealed to one that fits by, the firft muft hold his peace, and not for- bid him to fpeak, and fuch count it no affront^ for who fpeaks by the Spirit of God, it will abide the Judgment ^ but they who fpeak Lyes in the name of the Lord, would have a Law made that none ihonld difcover them 5 and none but perfecuting Priefts did ever go about to ftop the Mouths of any that God had opened. And though you call it an Error to Difpute and Reafon in the Synagogues againft the falfe Worihip, yet the Apoftles ufed it as a Means to bring out of Error, and fo it is at this Day, as many can witnefs, and none but fuch as live in, and teach Errors, will cry out againft it , for Truth will ( »57 ) Will al)ide the Light, and defend yt felf in the Face i^^4, of all the Errors of the World, without a Shelter v^'VN? from eartjily Powers. Anothei" Thing that moves 70U to Petition, is, Prophanenefs and Atheifm abounding in the Land, and you conceive the Ground is, want of able and painful Minifters, and the bold Intrufion of fcanda- ]ous Ones. I anfwer^ if you will own none for able Minifters, but fuch as turn their Hearers from Prophanenefs, and are not fcandalous, that is, walk not contrary to Chrift and his Apoftles, (for fuch as do are fcandalous) then muftyou deny all the Parifh Teachers in England^ as doth plainly appear both by Prieft and People, to all who are not blind ^ and that the Magiftrate needs to reftrain Prophanenefs in the Church of Chrift, was never known in the Gofpel. And how the Teachers in this Nation have deferved what they have devoured, let any wile Man judge ^ who have their Hearers yet in Pro- phanenefs, and Hand in need to be reflrained by an Outward Law^ whom they fay they have baptized into Chrift and his Church, and call them Chri- ftians and Believers. And you that talk of propogating the Gofpel, by Commilhons from Men, are Enemies to Chrift's Authority, who hath and will propagate his Gofpel himfelf bj'- his own Power, and whom he will give Commiifion to, and not leave it in the Power of Men 5 neither did ever any of his feek to the Magi- ftrate for any fuch thing. And here let all thePra- difes of the Churches of Chrift witnefs againft you, who, UzzahA\ke^ dare not truft God to uphold the Ark of his Covenant with his Church without the Arm of Fleih, And tor the great Good, which you fay the North received by the laft Comrnilhon for propagating the Gofpel, and what Reformation it hath brought forth, the North can witnefs (though fome love to Praife themfelves) and though you call it their God- 1/ ( »58) 1^54. Ty Endeavours, 3^et I am fure none of God's etef ll/^V^J endeavoured the like. Another thing that moves 70U to Petition, is the Undermining of that Soul-Javing Ordinance (as you call it) of the Minijhy, But what a Miniftry you petition to uphold is plainly fliewed before. And for thofe you call Ordinances^ there is not one of them that is pradlifed by you as they were pradifed by Chrift and his Apoftles, and therefore are no Ordinances of Chrift, nor is the Soul faved by them, where Prieft and People live in Sin. And whereas you fay, The more eminent the Minifters are, the more they are opprefTed. I anfwer, The more zealous and eminent any are in a way con- trary to Chrift, the more they are to be declared a* gainft by the Servants of God. Another thing you fear is. That the dailjr Bread of thefe you call Minifiers fhould be taken from them, and you fay thefe are they who break unto you the Bread of Life. Now bluflifor Shame to call your felves Churches, or to fay that thefe break un- to you the Bread of Life, who are afraid to want Food for their Bellies; for they whom Chrift fent to break the Bread of Life, are commanded to take no Thought what to eat or drink, or what to put on^ but have the Fathers Care tor them, which whoever knows, doth not fear Want : but thefe make it appear they neither know Him, nor live on his Care. And all may fee what a God thefe Men ferve, who dare not truft him for daih^ Bread. And whereas you fay, That all may fee, that their Wives and Children are left poor enough after their Death when they enjoy all their prefent Means. Here be v/itnefs againin your felves, how unlike to the Miniftersof Chrift thefe be, who had no certain Dwelling Place, but thefe can fpend one or two Hundred Pounds a Year upon Pride and Fulnefy, and leave their Wives and Children poor when they die, when many of them, who are forced to main-^ tain ( ^59 ) tain them, have nothing but what they lahourhard i6U' for their Wives and Children: but he is blind who u^V>0 cannor fee the Curfeof God upon what is forced by Violence from the Poor, to feed their Luft. And whereas you fay, It is their Propriety which Chrilt Jefus himfelf hath appointed them. I anfwer> That isfalfe^ prove where ever Chrift appointed Ty/^^i-, or any fet or forced Maintenance, or any thing from the World, as by Help of Earthly Magiftrates^ but they who reaped their Spirituals freely,^ did give them Carnals freely, and not by Conftraint. And here it appears to all, what Seed thefe have fown, who have nothing to reap, but mufi: familh for Bread amongft their Churches, unlefs the Magiftrate help to compel them. Now whether thefe be the Churches and Minifters of Chrift, or of the World, let all who read the Scriptures judge, and bear wit- nefs againfl: you, and your Miaifters and Churches. And now your Fruits are thefe: Firft, That Vrinting and Preachings and Venting of that which you call Error may be flopped. A Way by which your Fore-fathers did long uphold their Beaftly Kingdom, and the Papifts before them ; for if none might print or Ipeak againfl: it, then all your De- ceit might go for Truth undifcovered, as it hath done many Years ; But the Day is come, and you cannot be hid any longer, blefTed be our God for ever : and here witnefs againft your felves, that you have not that Truth that is able to defend it felf againfl: all Errors printed and preached whatfo- ever, which did never fetk to the Powers of Men to protect it. And whereas 3''ou fa}", Shall the Father of Lie^ have as much Liberty to da/^d/e his Brais, as the Fa- ther of Light t{f promote his God born Truth. I an- fwer, All ij> not Lies that you caij Lies,- bur he that is of the Tiuth will do as he would be done by 5 then ht orhers have the like Libeity with you to Preach and Pri. r, ^nd fo the Ljcs will ccire to Light, and be ailcoveied by the Light ^ for God is able ( i6o ) 165^. able to defend his Truth, and difcover the Devil's ^^^V^^ Brats. | And for damnable Herefies, and Doctrines of De- I vils, Gangreens, Cankers, and fiich like Words, as 1 you ufe, and would cafl them upon others ^ let thofewho abide not in the Doctrine of Chrift, and Pradife of the Saints in Scripture without wrefling, bear thefe Names (for to them they belong) and it will be found among your felves. Your fecond Suit is, That the Gofpelmay be pro- pagated by Commiilion from Men. And now let all the Scriptures and the Pradife of the Saints wit- nefs againfl: you, who are about to take the Propa- gating of the Gofpel out of the Hand of Chrift, and would give the Power to Men. Oh ! blulh for Shame to call your felves Churches, and would thrufl: Chrift out of his Kingdom, and give it to Men, when it only belongs to the Lord of the Harveft to fend forth Labourers, and to propagate his own Gofpel. Here you are they who fmite Chrilt on the Face, and give him the Lie, who faith, He alone will be King in his own, and will be with them to the End of the World. O blind People ! Where would you have him to have his Kingdom, when you would have the Magiftrate to limit him, v/hom he Ihall fend to declare his Will > And fo would have Minifters made by the Will of Man, which all the Holy Men of God did ever deny ^ for no Pro- phefie of Old ever came by the Will ot Man ^ and the Apoftles faid they were not made Minifters by the Will of Man, but by the Will of God. Here you are againft Chrift, the Prophets and Apoftles, and have not any Ground in Scripture tor what you defire, but the whole Scriptures witnefs againft you and your Petition. Your third Suit is, That the Miniftry, and the truly zealous and faithful Minifters may be owned by the Parliament, as the Lord owns them, and to Inew their Adherence to Chrift's Cafe in them, for he holds the Stais in his right Hand. I anfwerj The ( I6I ) The truly faithful Miniflers are owned of the Lord, i<5T4. and difowned of the World : nor did they ever Pe-^>^VN^ tition the Powers of the World to own them, for they are not of the World, nor can the World own them. And here is Ch rift's Cafe clearly feen in them, whom the World could never own, and fuch Stars he holds in his right Hand, and they fear not that any fhould pluck them cut of his Hand ^ but for fuch as you call faithful Minifters, who dare not trufi: the Lord for Bread, and who walk contrary to the Commands of Chrift, and Pradlice of all that ever he fent (as hath been ihewed concerning thefe) fuch the Lord owns not, but denies-, and fuch run to thq Hills for Safety, and are iff>holden by earthly Powers, and the Cafe of Chrift is not feen in thein^ who feek to the World to own them ^ nor doth he hold fuch Stars in his right Hand, for they v/ander from him, his Commands and Protedlion, to whom is referved theBlacknefs of Darknefs for ever^ and not being able to fee the Power of Chrift in keeping his, they dare not truft him. ; And whereas you fay, That thefe Minifters have always been a Bulwark againftErrors and Prophane- nefs. I anfwer. Let the open Propbanenefs that abounds in the Places where they live witnefs a- gainfl them-, and if they be the Bulwarks againd thefe Things, then why do you cry out to the Par- liament to ftop Error and Propbanenefs ? And whereas you fay, That thefe faithful WitnefTes pro- phefied in Sackcloth all the Time of the late Pre- lates. I anfwer. Let all the Natioo witnefs, which or them have not prophefied in as great Livings as they could get, and in Pride few exceed them. And for the late Bilhops youfpeakof, thefe are in the fame Nature with them, inveighing the Poor Servants of God, that witnefs againft their Deceits, ftirring up the Powers of the Earth to perfecute as they did. And as thefe are found in their Steps, fa fliall they fall as they did ^ for God hath feen the Pride and Oppreilion thefe have ufed to his People. M and ( i62 ) T<5^4. and he Is come to vifit them, and to free tliem out U'^VNJof their Hands, and you lliall not efcape. Your laft Suit is. That ipecial Care be taken for a certain and comfortable Maintenance for thefeyou call Miniiters •, and your Reafons are thefe : i. From the Provifion for the Tribe of Levi, 2. From the Words of Chrift, The Labourer is worthy of his Eire* 9. From the Words of Faul, 4. Becaule they muft be given to Hofpitality. 5. Left want of Means fhould lay them open to Contempt of Perfon and Dodrine. 6. Left they fhould be put to hang on the Favour of carnal People. 7. Left they Ihould be forced off their Gofpel Employment to attend on Food and Rayment: and laftl}^, Left their Wives and Children ihould vv^ant when they are dead. To the firft 1 anfwer-, Levi was one of the Twelve Tribes, and had no other PoileiTion among his Bre- thren; for the Elei^en Tribes had the Poffeijlon di- vided ainongft them, and therefore muft needs pro- vide tor their Brother, or he muft perifh, and God commanded he ihould have it for the Service he was to ferve: But there is no fuch Command concerning thefe, who have their PoiTeirions, and Liberty to improve them as others have. To your 2d. Chrift did not fpeak this to any Hireling, but to thofe who were to te?ch freely, and were to take no Thought what to eat or ^Yinlz, or wherewith to be cloafhed ^ and to fuch he laid. The Workman is wor* thy oj his Meat : But they v/ho can take not only fcr their own Lives, hut alfo tor their Wives and the Generation a^ter them, havefhut themfelves out from thefe Words, and ironi the Care of God for them, and have betaken themfelves to their own Care, To your 2^. For Shame take not Paul xo plead for your forced Maintenance, who coveted no Mans Silver nor Gold, nor did eat any Man'sBread for nought, but wrought with his Hands, left he ihonlrl II akethetjofpei chargeable : nor had he any- certain Dwellinc Place: and none are more unlike Faui ( 16? ) Vdu! than tliofe you call Minifters, who would have 7,5^1. their Maintenance from the World by a Law, which ^^^V'Ni^ Faiil never did, nor any other that ever Chrift fent. To your fourth, Becaufe they inufl be given to Hofpitality. I anfwer, God hates Robbery for Burnt OiTerings 5 you that would have a Law to take by Force from the Poor, that which is their own Labours, under Pretence to put it into the Hands of your Minifters, to give to the Poor ^ who when they have it, fpend it on their Pride and Luft, till they leave nothing for Wives and Children. The Lord judge between the Poor and you, and deliver the Poor out of your Hands. And for thefe you call Minifters, they love the Poor like Jiida^^ who would firft have all in their own Bag-, and how they would relieve the Poor out of it, may appear by the Poor that are fued by them for their Tythes, and i^X. Maintenance, who fufFer the Spoiling of their Goods, and are in Wants, but the Prieils live in all Fulnefs. To your Fifth. Let all People jndge, if thefe be not they v/ho bear Rule by their Means, when their Riches mufl: keep them from Contempt in their Per- fons and Dodrine : And let all judge if their Do- ctrine be that of the Prophets, Chrift's and the A- poftles, who were poor Men, and did never main- tain the Authority of their Dodtrine from Contempt by their Means, but by the Power and Spirit of God. And here let all the Scriptures witnefs againft you, and your Dodtrine that Hands in outward Means. To your 6th: All may fee what Spirits thefe Men are of, who would rather be maintained by Force than Favour : And fee what Minifters thefe are, v/ho preach up their People for Saints and Be* lievers, but dare not truft them tor a Livelihood, but then call them Carnal. And all fee, if thefe walk as Minifters of Chrift, who never asked any Maintenance from the World, nor carnal People 5 M 2 but ( 1^4 ) t^<^-. "but did firfl fow Spirituals, before they reaped C/NTS^Carnals. To your 7th -, The Apoflle wrought with his^ HaiK^s to fupplf his Wants, and yet did not leave the Gofpel Iniployment ^ nor did ever any whom Chrift lent leave it for want of Food; but covetous Men and Belly- Gods dare not trull God, though none ever wanted that did. To your lail : Let all judge, how thefe walk in the Commands of Chrift, who faith, Jake noThought for to Morrow^ fuffic'ient for the Day is the Evil thereof : But thefe hold it not fufficient to care for their whole Lives, but for the Generation to come. And here you are raced out of the Care of God, the Command of Chrift, and Practice of all that ever he fent forth : And thefe are they who never knew God in Spirit, v/ho dare not truft him for theif Bellies. And in your Conclufion you fay. That un- fetling their Maintenance, will deftroy Mainteil- ance and Miniftry both at once : And you fay, God can make them, to whom you Petition, wife todifcern on Perfons and Things. I anfwer^ There is but little Wifdom cf God in them, who cannot difcern by wliat Spirit: this Petition is carried on, though it go under the Name oi Gathered Churches 5 and alfo what Minifters thefe are, who are refolved to ftand no longer than fetled Maintenance : But blefled be the Father cf our Lord Jefus Chrift, who' is difcovering you and your Foundation, and hath raifed, and is raifins him un fuch as will declare his Will to all to whom he fends them freely, whom he hath fet free from eartlily Pleafures, and hath Ihewed them a better Inheritance that never fades away ^ Praifes to his Name for ever I And all you who are delivered from tlie covetous Pradifes of thefe Men, and their Deceits, and are come into the Teachings of Chrift, Praile the Lord for ever * ( i65 ) I yl Word to thofe to "whom the former PETITION is preferred, AN D now a Word to you Rulers, to whom the Petition is preferred , that you. may not (through the flattering of Men of corrupt Minds, who have Mens Perfons in admiration becaufe of advantage) do anv thing againfl: Chrift or his King- dom, in the Confcience of his Saints. And foraf- much as you are refolved to make a Declaration to give fitting Liberty to all that fear God, and for preventing fpeaking Evil again!} Magiftrates, and M^giftracy, and for preferving Peace among fuch as fear God, among themfelves, without impofing one upon another : And to difcountenance Blafphe- mies, damnable Herefies, and licentious Pradtices: Firft for them that fear God, they have a Liberty piirchafed for them by Jefus Chrift, which the World knows not, and they ufe not this Liberty for an occafionto theFlelh, but inthe Service of Chrift j and take heed how you judge of this Liberty, or the fitnefs of it, by your Wifdoms, for they have it given of God, and not of Man ^ and woe to them who go about to reftrain it : And for the fpeaking evil of Magiftracy, he that bears the Sword of God, none tl}at fear God dare fpeak evil of fuch Dignity, but ?LfQ fubjett for Confcience fake ^ for he that rules in that Power that is of God, is one with that in the Confcience, and that in the Confcience owns him, and bears witnefs to him that it is the Power of God, and for Confcience fake he is fubje6t ^ and they who fear God, need no Law to forbid them to fpeak evil of Inch a Magifiracy ! But if you conti- nue in Place for Magiftrates fuch as rule not by this Pow^r that is of God, bur by their own Wills, and M 5 contra;::y ( i66 ) T/5^4.. contrary to the Mind and Law of God, punilh Ky^V'^^ them that do well, and let the guilty go free ^ and you think to make a Declaration to limit the Spi- rit of God, thit it ftiall not declare againft fuch, and declare his Wrath againft fuch Oppreinon and Injuftice :, then take heed what you do, tliat you be not found fighters againft God to your hurt. And confider, Did ever any prevent the Judg« ment of God, by going about to flop the Mouths, or perfecute them whom the Lord lent to declare it, but have haftened on the Wrath, till there was no remedy? And can the true Prophet of the Lord fpeak any good concerning Jhab^ but evil, though 400 falfe Prophets flatter him, to his own Deftru- dlion } Nor could any wicked Rulers believe till tlie Judgment came, and it was too late ^ and fuch as love their Sins, which is the caufe of Wrath, hate them whom the Lord fends to forewarn of it, and fo haften on their own mine. And for your preferving Peace am.ong them that fear God ;, let it never be faid that fuch fear God, who are not at peace among themfelves, without an outward Law to compel them, for fuch are in the Flefli, and carnal, and the Law is for fuch^ but who live in the Spirit and fear of God, againft fuch there is no Law, for they are guided by the pure Lav/ of God v/ritten in the Heart, which keeps them at peace, out of the Luft from whence all Strife and War arifeth. And whereas you fay, Without impofing one up- on another: I anfwer, thofe who fear God, will not impofe one upon another ^ but take heed that under this pretence,^ you go not about to flop the Mouth of any whom God Ihall fend, to call out of the Idols Worlhip, for now is Chrift arifen in his Saints, to difcover the Man of Sin, who fits in the Temple of God, fhewiiig himfelf that he is God, whom Chrift muft difcover by thebrightnefs of his coming in his Saints , and woe to them who go about to op- pofe him in this Work j for though Gog and Magog ( i67 ) may gather together, yet the power of the Lord t^^4. fliall break them to pieces. And for your difcoun- L/VN^ tenancing of Blafphemies and Herefies, be not too forward herein, fince yoii know but in part : But confider it is not long fip.ce what you now own for Truth, went generally under the name of Blafphe- my, and Herefie, even by thofe who are now Petiti- oning againft others, and by many of them it is holden fo yet, and know that God doth notalvv^ays reveal his Secrete to wife -and great Men firfi, but to Babes. And you know not how foon fome of you may own and fufFer for that Truth, which you now think to be Blafphemy and Herefie, and then it will nor ft^em Evil to you, that you have forborn to perfecute it : But when you fee Men break out into licentious Practices, then you have a fure ground to go on to fupprsfs them. This I am moved to write unto you, not that you or all the Powers of the Earrh Ihall be able to flop what God is bringing to pafs, but that you may be warned not to do that againft the Truth, under the name of Blafphemy, which you may re* pent afterward, when it is too late : He that is Wife, let him be Warned, and happy is he 5 but fome will not, but are for confufion. So in love to your Souls, I have cleared my Confcience, and the Will of God be done, who is blelTed for evermore. M 4 The J ( i68) l/^Y>J _ — The Condition and Portion of the People of jl England^ who have long flatterM themfelves " with the Church, Miniftry and Ordinances; but upon Trial, are found to be the Syna- gogues of Satan, Perfecutors of the Truth, and Enemies of the Gofpel of Chrift. T^he hyon hath Roared^ Tremble all you Beajls of the Field ; the Trumpet hath founded^ let the Beajl -prepare himfelf to Battel j for the great Day of SionV Recu?npence is at hand^ and woe to all her Enemies, I Have heard a Voice of Woe and Terror to come upon all the Inhabitants of the Earth-, Repent all you Inhabitants of the Earth, the Sword of the Lord is furbiihed againfl: you, to make a grievous Slaughter. Howie, Woe and Mifery all forts of People, who have preferred your own Wills, Lufts, and PleafareSjbefore the pure Law of God. Howl you Sodomites^ and Belly-gods of the Earth, who have given up your felves to fulnefsof Gluttony, and all excefs of Riot, feeding without the fear of God, fporting in the day time, living like fed Horfes, fpending the Creatures upon your Lufis, which were never made for that End. Woe unto you ye fat Swine, the Sins of iS^^^;;^ are found among you, and the Plagues of Sodom are nigh at hand. Woe unto you, for now is the Lord come to require his Corn and his Wine v/hich he gave to feed the Poor and Hungry, which your Lulls have devoured, the Wants of all poor in the Nation cry out againft you, you have exceeded all that ever went before you, and you Ihall exceed in Mifery. Woe unto you Proud Luftful and Lofty ones that are lifted up in your own Eyes, and have fet your felves above the fear of God, which teacheth Humility j you plain- ( 1^9 ) ly appear to he Children of the Devil, who is the 16^4. Father of all Pride and Self exilation, yon bear L/^'^^ the Imige of the Serpent, you fpx:kled ones, who have p:iinrt;d yo'ir felves in the various Colours, to make your felves feein glorious in the Eyes of others, that they inay bovv to and Woriliip you. "Woe unto Thou that haft fet thy felf in the Seat of God, thou art weighed and found wanting, thy Pride is for the Fire, and thy Honour for the Dafl:, for now is the Lord coming to enqiire after his Wool and Flax which he gave to cloath the naked of all forts, with which thou haft decked thy felf, and fpent it upon thy Lufts, thereby to fet thy felf in the Seat of the Almighty. Woe, woe, woe unto thee, thou that art exalted as high as Heaven,yea as into God's Throne, but thou flialt be caft down to Hell, the Lamb is ri fen to rule the Nations. Woe unto the covetous cruel OpprefTors, who live upon duft, you grind the face of the Poor, and opprefs them that are fal- len ^ your Meafures you have filled, and you have heaped up abundance againft the Day of Wrath. The Fire of the Almighty is kindled, and it fhall never be quenched till it hath devoured and burnt up you and your heaps, and made you a Curfe to the Generations that Ihall come after. Woe unto the envious Serpents that feek to devour the Inno- cent, that make a Prey upon them that depart from Iniquity 5 you are the Brood of the Serpent^ that are fulfilling what is fpoken of you, and you now fhew the Enmity that God hath put between the two Seeds ^ now thy Rage is feen,and the Seed is inanifefted, whofe Heel thou art bruifing who fhall bruife thy Head •, thy Time is as fhort,as thy Rage is great. Rejoyce all ye that fufFer it, that the Scrip- tures may be fulfilled. Wo unto you Scorners, you Sons of Hagar, you Sons of Bondage, to the works ot the Devil, Scorning, Backbiting, falfe Ac- cufing, Slandering, and Evil fpeaking ^ 70U are brought forth by the Egyptian Woman, and are in ( 170 ) ^ l/^5f4, Egyptian Darknefs, and you cannot fee that yon are t/W^in the Works of the Devil, and by him you are put on to act againfi: Chrift in his Saints. But now is the Son of the free Woman brought forth, to whom the Heritage belongs, and you Ihall be caft out among the Heathen, and Ungod- ly, and Judgment is coming upon you, in which you Ihall not be able to fland. Woe unto you Swear- ers and Lyars, under whofe Tongues lies the Poyfon of Afps, which you vent out as you are moved by your Father the Devil againit the Holy and Dreadful Name of the Almighty, the Land is filled with thisGsneration, and hath long Mourned becaufe of you ^ who can pafs in Streets or Mar- kets that fear the Lord, and their Hearts not be broken to hear it ? Do not all places abound with vain Oaths, and Lying Idle Words > Was ever Nati- on like to this in thefe things ? So that any who will not ufe thefe Idle Words and Oaths, is known in the Streets as they pafs, and not efteemed worthy to live in the Nation 5 and thus not only with the common fort, but alfo with many that are in place of Authority to puniih fuch things 5 and yet thofe are not afraid to call themfelves Chriftians >. Shall not the Lord be avenged on fuch a People as this ? Woe unto you that live upon deceit in your Weights and Meafures, by your flighty words arifing from the Serpent's Wifdom, which makes a Prey on the Simple ^ and when you have got great Eftates, you fay God hath given you them -, you are fet up a- bove them who are made Poor by your means ^ now is the Lord come to fearch you out, and you Ihall reflore for your Theft four fold. Woe unto you that have had Power in your Hands to reftrain thefe things ^ but inftead ol ufing the Sword to fcatter the Works of Lniquity, have turned the edge of it againft fuch as the Lord hath called out of thefe things, and fent them to call others out, leafl: they partake of the Plagues that are to come upon thofe ( ^71 ) thofe who are found in them. Woe, woe unto you i<^?4- Blind Guides-, who 'have called your felves Ch rift's ^^'VNJ Seedfmen, and now that the Lord of the Harveft is come to look for Fruits, htre is no better Fruit to Reap but fuch as thefe, and that among fuch as you call Saints, and the Churches of Chrift. And now that the Heir is appearing^ you are ftirring up the Powers of the Earth how to de» ftroy him, leaft you be called to account for your great Care to feed your own Bodies, and heap up carnal Things, and the little Care for the Souls of Ch^-ift's Flock, Now flial] you not efcape, your Day is near at hand. Who could have belie- ved that England would have brought forth no bet- ter Fruits than thefe, now after iuch Deliverance, as no Nation elfe can witnefs. O tell it not among the Heathen, left you ftrengthen the Hands of the Enemy, and occafion the Wicked to blafpheme the Name of the God of Hofts, who is reported to be amongftus, and hath fubdued all our Enemies, and delivered us thus far. Awake, awake, all forts of People, can you fay you have not had Power in your Hands againft thefe Abominations, but now that you have not proved faithful in your Promifes to the Lord in the Day of your Fears ^ therefore is the Lord coming to call to account all forts of Diffemblers and Oppreflors, and by his own right Hand to get himfelf the Yiclor}''. And now woe unto you that have known to do well, and had it in your Power, but have not done it ; woe unto you that have taken Counfel at your own Wifdom, and Multitudes, and not at the Spirit of the Lord, and have ftrengthned your felves by your Hiches. Woe untoj^'ou, fruitlefs Trees, you have long ■ been digged and pruned, but no Fruits brought forth, you have long cumbred the Ground. Woe unto you that are at eafe in S'lon ^ Howie, Woe and Mi- fery^ tremble ye Women that are at eafe, ftrip you, make you bare, put off your Pride, and put •pn AjQies ^ turn your Mufick into Wailing, your fecifts ( 172 ) j^^A, Feafls into Fading and bitter Lamentation, and I i^^Y'V^ "^^^^ ^^^ Lord, if there may be hope for your SouJs in the Day of his fierce Wrath that is coming upon the Earth. While you, have Time, improve it. y. N. j4 iVord from the Lo r d ^ unto all the faitblefs Generation of the JVorld^ and to aU "who defire to knoiso "what Faith and Hope isoe live in^ and "what Faith and Hope ^we deny. THAT Faith we Own and Witnefs, is that which ftands in Jefus Chrifl:, the Everlafting Covenant of Light, who is the Light of the World, and hath enlightened every one that cometh into the World, and this Light we believe and follow j and by this are we led out of all the Ways, Works and Worfhips of this dark World, and the efFe(5l of this Light we witnefs by Faith •, and by this Faith ^ve deny all v/ho fay this Light is not fiifficient, without the Teaching ^of Man to guide in all the ways of God, and all fuch we deny, for thofe are they who know not the Voice of Chrift, and there- fore hear a Stranger and Hireling, who heap up Teachers having itching Ears who cannot endure found Dodlrine ^ and in this Chrifl: we believe, who is our Life and Salvation j and all them and their Faith v/e deny, who fay they have Faith, and their Lives is not the Life of Chrifl:, but live in Sin, and worldly Pleafures, and fay they cannot be faved from their Sins in this World but in part, and this Faith we deny, and theni, for thefe deny the End of Chrifl 's coming in the Flefh, who cannot l^elieve he is able to fave to the uttermoft all that come cdme unto Mm •, and this Faith is Reprotafe, and 16^4^ thefe deny the Lord that bought them, and have t/YNJ. made Ship^^rack of Faith and a good Confcience, and make the Blood of Chrift of no elTedt to them who are not cleanled by it ; and all them and their Faith v/e deny, who fay they believe and know the Will of God, but they have not Power to do it, for is not that Chrift in which the Saints believe, the great power of God unto Salvation in all that believe ^ and who hath this Chrift, hath Power, and in him we have power to do i\\Q Will of God ^ but thefe are they that know not Chrift nor his Power, but run into Notions and Forms, but deny the Power, and from fuch we turn away ^ for fuch know not him in them, who is greater than he that is in the Worlds but are willing to ferve Sin, and be led Captive at the DeviFs Will, not minding the Light and Power of Chrift to be guided by it, and then would feem to caft the Fault on God, as though he had given a Chrift that was not able to fet free till after Deaths and thefe put him to open Shame, whofe Faith and ProfelHon we deny. And we deny all who fay they have Faith in Chrift^ and yet their Righteoufnefs is not perfed ^ but this Faith we witnefs, which receives the Righ- teoufnefs of God, even the free Gift of Righteouf^ nefs by Jefus Chrift; and this is perfed:, which is the Righteoufnefs of Faith: And all who have not this Righteoufnefs, are in the falfe Righteoufnefs, which IS not perfed^ and thefe are Ihort of the Righteoufnefs of God, and would eftablifh their own Righteoufnefs. And thefe are the Boafters, who would juftifie themff Ives and defpife others •, iDUt by the Righteouf- nefs of Faith is Boafting excluded : And here is no Juftifying of Self, but denying Self and Self Right- eoufnefs, and exalting the Righteoufnefs of God, which is perfedt, which is in Chrift Jefns, who is made unto us Righteoufnefs andSandification. And by this Faith we deny all who fay they have Chrift, and ( 174 ) 1^74- and have not thisRighteoufnefs-, but whofe Right* li/V^U eoufnefs is imperfed, that Righteoufnefs we deny, and witnefs that Chrifi:, in which we are made the Righteoufnefs of God in Him: And this Chrill is our Righteoufnefs and Perfection •, and this Faith we own and witnefs, which is not a Talk of Faith^ as the World's Prof eiTors, who fay they have Faith^ but are dead in Sin, and cannot witnefs the Work of God in them ^ but that Faith we own, which is lively, by which the Work of God is witnefTed in us, working out Sin, and by which we are His Workmanihip, created in Chrift Jefus unto good Works. And this is our Faith, by which we over- come the World, and the Devil : And all you we deny, who have a Profeilion in the World, and in whom the Works of the Devil are brought forth : And their Faith and Hope we deny, who fay they hope to be faved^ but live in Sin, making a Profef- fion. And this is the Hope of the Hypocrite, which fhall perifh, and not the Hope of Chrifl', for he that hath this Hope of Chrift, purifies himfelf, e- ven as he is pure : And this Faith and Hope we own, which purifies the Heart, and enters into the Place of Holme fs within the Vail v but that which is without Holinefs, we deny, which is not in Chriil but in a vain Mind. And we deny all who fay, they have Faith and Chrift, and y^t their Word and Light are without them. And the Word we witnefs, which is nigh in the Heart ^ and this is the Word of Faith whijh the Apoftks preached ^ and he that hath this Faith, hath the Word, which is Christ the Light, not in Letter, but in Spirit. And all them we deny, whofeLaw is only v/ithout , and that Law we witnefs, which is fpiritual, writ- ten in the Heart j and this Law is perfect, and en- dures for ever : And the cliangeable Laws we deny, and all whofe Law is without, we fee to be in the Ola Covenant of Works-, which made nothing per- fect ^ and r he Self- Righteoufnefs, which is as lilthy Rags. And by the Light of Chrift are we convin- ced ( 175 Ced of that Righteonfnefs not to be of Faith, there- i^^4. | fore they whofe Faith and Works fiand here, them ^-•^'VN^ we den}", and fee them all worihi])pIng out of the New Covenant, in the Oldnefs of the Letter, whofe Law is without, their Light without, their Church without, their Baptifm, Prayers and Singing with- out, their Righteoufnefs without, and fo their Faith tvithout ^ all which we witnefs in Spirit, in which we worlhip in Newnefs of Life : And by this Spirit we do fee all that are without God and his Righ- teoufnefs, to be in the World, and Strangers to the Covenant of Grace, whofe Faith and Worfhip we deny, and God denies ^ for he feeks fuch Worlhip- pers as worfhip in Spirit and Truth. And this Faiih and Worfhip we own, not known to the World, and therefore hated. To all the jVorld's Trofejfors and Teofle^ that you may fee "where you are^ and Recent. TH E word of God is not known to the World, nor Worldly Wifdom ^ he that hath the Word hath Life, he that knows the Word, knows God, and here's Life manifefl:, and the W^ord hath quick- ened him, and raifed him out of Death and dead Works ^ he that hath but the Letter heareth the found, but knows not where or what it is 5 and as he received it in the Air, he declares ir, and Death fpeaks light words without Power, and dead Works and Lightnef:, is brought forth, and the power of Death reigns, and the Life of that is but an Imita- tion, and not the Lite it fclf j the Chaff (but not the ( 176 ) iS'yd.. the Grain) tofTed in the Wind, and the Prince of fy^^'SJ the Air is fed, and Rnleth, and here Vanity is ex- altedj the light Mind is fed with airy notions, who would be Wife, but the wild Nature is at liberty, not fnbjed: to the Yoke, but kicks againfl: the Pure, and the Obedience is not, and the Crofs is defpifed 5 but the Nature who feeds here, whofe End is for Deftrudion, and for the Fire, for that Nature knows not the Living Word, but the Letter, and is with- out God in the World ^ but he who hath the Word^ hath God, and is come into the Covenant by which all things ftand ^ for he is come to that which was in the Beginning, out of the Fall, to the firft Fruits, and witnefleth the Word Spiritual, Invifi- ble. Powerful, Pure, and Sharp •, a Divider and Difcerner, by it he is Sandtified and made Clean, by it he is Eftabliflied, and Unmoveable, and is fed daily , it is his Life, Joy and Delight, and the Word is not to be fetch'd from above, nor from helow ^ neither is it to feek it in a Chapter, or a Steeple- Houfe, but is nigh in the Heart, and in the Mouth, by which he is kept at all Seafons. It is his Counfellor, and he enquires at it, as at an Oracle, and th reby he is brought to live the Life of God- linefs, and from which is fpoken Words of Life and Power to others, and he fpeaks not his own Words, nor brings forth his own Works-, bat hath ceafed from his own Works, as God did from his, and is entered into his Reft, and is come into the Eternal Sabbath, and is comprehended into the Word which is Chrift, and is no more his own •, for now Chrift fpeaks in him, ads in him, and works in him the Will and the Deed ^ now Chrift and be is one. Mar- ried to him, and Chrift is his Head, and Husband j and now the Head fptaks, Prayeth, and Praifeth, and Prophefies, and is uncovered ^ and here is the Church of the Firft born, the Pillar and Ground of Truth, where the Woman mnft be covered, and kept Silent, and is not to fpeak in the Church, is not to ufurp Authority, but is to be in fubjectionj and ( 1/7 ) and 5f fhe would knew any thing, let her ask of 16^1. her Husband at Home, and he is to her a Covering ^/VNP of the Eyes for ever. N )w all you Priefls and People that talk of thefe things without you from the Letter, this is a Para- ble to you, and you read the outfide in the Lf tter, and from that you Imagine, and Co fet up a Form or Likenefs, or Image of thofe Things^ and here you worlhip, and for this you contend, and would coitipel all to worfliip your Image you have fet up, and you go about to perfecute and deftroy all tha& will not worlhip and bow down to it with yon 5 but it is the Form you have, but not the Subftance, and you put the dead Letter for the living Word, and your Meaning of it, arifing from the Brain, and Wifdom from below, and natural Learning. .Thus^ you declare and call it Prophefying, and put off your Hats, which is carnal, but the Head you know not^ and it is the Woman that fpeaks, and the Head is covered, and io you diihonour your Head, and honour your felves^ neither are you fubjed to jrour Head, but your own Will rules in you, and you live in the Pleafures of the World, and are become wanton, and have fet your Eyes upon ma- ny Lovers, and you are adulterated fiom your Husband, and live not with him, ncr is he_ a Co- vering to you, neither can you witnefs him in you, nor you in him^ nor is the pure Seed of God brought forth in you, but the Seed that is accurfed 5 neither is the pure Language brought forth in you, kit as to God you are fmitten with Barrennefs, and bring forth nothing but Words^ Winds, Shews and Shadows, Imitations, Inventions, Imafinations^and Conceptions, and you never look to bring torth better Fruit, neither come to Holinefs and Perfec- tion, and your firft Fruits, and that Eftate where- in you were created ^ and you will not know you are departed from your firft Fruitfulnefs, and have loft him in whom your Life ftood, and m whom your Fruits were found, and are become Widows, '^ N and t6>4. and defolate, as to your firfl: Husband, and have t/VN,^ been running after other Lovers, and worfliipping under every green Tree, and the Holy Faith is de- parted from you, and you are doting upon the j^gyptian and the Ajjyrian forWifdom and Strength, vvhofe Fleih is as the Fleili of Horfes, and have h^tn as fed Horfes, living in the Lull of the Fleih, as it is at this Day. Now, all People, /tand ft ill a -while, and fee from v/hence you are fallen, and the Caufe of all your Unfruitfnlnefs, and return to your firfl: Husband, from whence you are fallen, that you may bring forth your firfl: Fruits ^ for till then, ail you do is Abomi- nation unto the Lord, and he cannot accept it : for what you bring forth is the Seed of the Adulterer, and of the Whore, a Generation of Evil -Doers. And yet you make a Profeirron in Outfide, as to Righteoufnefs and Holinefs, but the Power to adt Righteoufnefs you have not, but in your Actions brought forth the Image of the Devil : for all Sin bears his Image, and he is the Father of it. Let no Man deceive you through fair Words , he that Sins is of the Devil, and is doing his Work : And upon this Image, where it is, the Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven in Flames of Fire. Here is your Portion, you V/orkers of Iniquity. J. iv: A Brief ( ^79 ) A Brief Manifeftation of the Ground upon which we ftand^ to thofe who deiire to know it. With a Declaration^ why We cannot Repair the Idols Teyn^les^ nor give ^ay4Vages to a Clerk. To thofe who are called Papifts, (and others) voho defire to knoiv our Ground. nr^HE Ground on which we are, is that upon JL which the Prophets and Apoftles, and all the Holy Men of God ever were ^ and on that Founda- tion are we bnilded, Jefiss Chrift Hinifelf, v/ho is the Light of the World, which hath enlightned every one that co?neth into the World, being the chief Cor- ner Stone : Which Light of Chrift is one in allCon- frienres, by which v/e are led out of all the Ways of Darknefs into the Light of Life ^ which Life is in the Spirit, contrary to all the former Lufts and Pleafures, which we lived in while we walked in the Fleih, after the Courfe of this World, iollow- ing the corrupt Pradifes and Precepts of Men. And iri this Light, which leads us out of all our own Ways and Wills, is the Crofs of Chrift revealed, who came not to do his own "Will, but the Will of Him that fent Him; which Crofs is not carnal but fpiritual, contrary to that Nature which makes carnal CrofTes, v/ho are out of the Light and Do- dlrine of Chrift in their own Wills and Imagina- tions, whofe Life is in the World, and their Wor- fhip in thefe carnal Things and Rudiments. But by this Crofs are we crucified unto the World, and N 2 all ( i8o ) (;, 16^4. all carnal Worfhips, and they to ns: So we being '\/^Vvjdead to that vv^herein we were held, vi^. The Rudi- ments of the V/orld, by this Light and Power of ChriiT: are we raifed up, to ferve the Lord in New- nefs of Life and Spirit, not in the Oldnefs of the Letter. And this Light of Chrift, by which we are lead into this fpiritual Knowledge and Worfliip of God, is the Condemnation of the World, who walk contrary to it, nctwithftanding all their car- nal Worfliips^ and this Light is that in all your Confciences, which Ihews your Evil Deeds. Concerning the Repair of Idols Temples. IS this your Reformation, you that rule in this Nation, who fay you have denied the Fope^ and put down the Biiliops i^ And are you repairing the Idols Temples, which your Forefathers have con- fecrated to their Idol Secondly, Do you as you would be done unto by others, when you fpoil their Goods to repair your Idols Temples, which they cannot do ^ nor wor- lhip therein, but fin againft God ? Thirdly, Do you deal like Chriftians, to force them to repair your Idols Temples, when you will 'not allow to fpeak a Word of Truth therein from God, but beat, Ihamefully entreat, and hale them to Prifon ? Fourthly, Did ever any Believers, after they were called out of the Jewifh Synagogues and Temples, return back again to Repair them , or Wor-- fhip in them becaufe of Conveniency? Fifthly, If Jeroboam the Son of Ncbat made IJrael to fin, in drav.'ing them from the Temple at Jem f ale m^ v/hich was but the Figure, to worfhip at his high Places, then how far do you exceed him, who draw N 9 People ( i82 ) 1654. People from the Spiritual Subftance, the Temple "' made withoat Hands, to worihip in your High Places, which Chrift hath forbidden ? Concerning. CLERKS IVages. WHereas we are fued at Law for Clerks Wages, which they* call Church- Dues^ the Church of God we own, and what is due unto it v/e may not deny 5 but for any fuch Officer in the Church as a Clerk^ to fay Amen^ or to learn People to fing Da- vU^s Experiences, Prayers and Tears, ^c. we fin4 no fuch Officer appointed by Chrift, ever maintain- ed by his Saints in his Church ^ but have been fet up fince by the Pope and Bifnops, both which we deny, and all their Officers, fet up in the Will of Man, contrary to the Example of Chrift and his Church ; fuch we dare not maintain. And though v/e fuffer the Spoiling of our Goods, yet it is not as Evil Doers, but following the Example of Chrift and his Church herein, denying the Pope, Bifhops, and all their Rabble of Officers they have fet up with- out Chrift, and contrary to him in their Inventions. And it is not the Love of Money or Riches that n:oves us to it, the Earth is the Lord's, and the Fiilnefs thereof : nor do we it in Oppofition to any Authority, but in Obedience to Chrift we do it, and dare not maintain fuch as he never fet up ^ for v/e find in the Scripture, when he afcended he appointed Officers in his Church, and he gave fome Apoftles, and fome Prophets^ and fome Evangelifts, and fome Paftors and Teachers, and thofe were for the Perfeding of the Saints y but we find not that he gave a C/er/z : And therefore may not own what Chrift never gave, nor add Officers to his Church, iv'hich he never appointed •, bat if either the Magi- firatts, or ye who call your felves Minifters, or your Ckika, can Inftance in the Scripture, any fuch Officei! ( isn Ofiicer in t1ie Church of Chrifl appointed by Him, 1^5:5:. or his Appftles, or any that he ever fent, we Ihall V/'VV willingly own and maintain them : but not being convinced by the Law of Chrift, or from the Scrip- ture, we chufe father to fufFer the Violence of Men, and follow Chrift, than to make Shipwreck of Faith and a pure Confcience 5 and {0 deny Chrifl: for pleafing of Men, and faving our Eftates. T O OLIVER CROMWELL, l/2to whofe Hands the Sword of Jufiice is Committed^ that lender thee all may he Godly and ^lierly Go- verned-^ a Tenor to the Evil Doer s^ and j or the Encouragement of them that do well ; and to the Army, and to all that are in Authority^ that you may 7nore fet up God in your Hearts and Confci- ence s^ and give Liberty to that of God in all Con- fcience s, that his People may ferve him^ uoith.wt Force or Fear, freely, in Spirit and Truth , that the Lord may blejs you, and efiablifh you^ and you may be fo far Honoured, as to perform -what in the times of your Troubles you did then promife in the prefence of God, that his People fhould have Li- berty of Confcience, To you all I am moved of the Lord to write^ as foUowetb. IT being a Matter of the greateft Concernment to every Man's Confcience that loves Chrifl:, not to uphold any Miniftry, under any pretence whatfo- ever, which is not fent by Chrift. Therefore take heed, as you tender a pure Con* fcience, to give Liberty herein, that there be no forcing to uphold any one Soul that fay they are Minifters J but that every one herein make proof of N 4 J>is (i84) i^^-j. "his Miniflry, and fo (hall every Man's Reward he U^^^^>J as his Work. And you Magiftrates Ihall not need to meddle in this thing, feeing God never required it at your hands, to iporce a Maintenance, neither under Law nor Gofpt^l. But it any fay this will open a gap to all Sin, and make Men Heathen. I Anfwer, it will be the only way to cat down Sin, as will appear to any reafonable Underftanding. Firft, a Law being made to Panilh Sin without exception, this takes hold qi the Heathen, and the Hypocrite fhall not efcape, under what Form foever ^ and Liberty of Confci- ence being given, you will prefently fee into whofe Hands to commit the Execution of that Law ^ for who hath not a Principle of God to guide his Wor- Ihip without conftraint, can never execute any jufi: Law for God, but for Self ends. And fo you Ihould choofe Men fearing God, to bear the Sword of God. And till then, make what Lav/s you will to pre- ferve Innocency, yet by theni the Innocent is fure to Suffer 5 for how can he whofe Confcience is for- ced as to the Worlhip of Go(\^ ufe a good Confci- ence towards Men, or own a pure Confcience in an- other, to preferve it, who hath made Shipwrack cf it himfelf And for making Heathens, I fay it will but dif- cover Heathens that are hid •, for he that hath not a Principle of God in himfelf to carry him on in his Worlliip, without forcing, is a Heathen, and knows not God, and his Worfhip and Prayers are Abomination to God, and he that forces him, is guilty with him, for fuch were never forced, but admonillied, till they came to be won by the Word, or without the Word, by a Godly Converfa- tion, and till then to be ordered (or forced) to the Law of the Magiftrate made for fuch, is in vain, till the Promifed Seed be owned to guide in the Works of the Spirit, for without that, the Law or Pariih preaching will not order fuch, as is ma- mfell in the Nation, and h^th been for many Years ; and ( »85 ) and fiich being declared to be Heathen, would be J6'y$, aihamed, and being Convinced in their own Con- U^'VVJ! fciences, might come to be Saved, which now pafs under the Name of a ProfelFion. But if it be faid this is the only way to root out the Minifters of Chrift, I Anfwer : It's the only way to manifeft the Miniiters ot Chrifl, from the Minillers of Antichrifl: j and it will root out none but fuch whofe Care is firft for their Bellies, who mind Earthly Things, whofe Miniftry ftands and falls by Carnal Things, who would be fure of Wa- ges before they do their Work ^ yea many of them have taken Wages thefe forty or fifty Years, but yet no Work done, nor any brought out of Sin 5 and thefe cry the Workman is worthy of his Wa- ges, and call for Wages from fuch as for whom they do no Work : But thefe are none of Chrift's Work- men, who feek for their Wages from the World, for His He fends freely into the World, who never asked any thing of the World ^ but firft planted a Vineyard, then eat the Fruit of it ^ firft Sowed in Hope, and then were Partakers of their Hope ^ and where they had fown Spirituals, and the Seed came up, there they Reaped Carnals, and fo lived of the Gofpel, and not of the World. And I Demand of an}' one who owns the Scrip- tures, to prove a forced Maintenance either under the Law or Gofpel, but they were freely to bring it. But who art thou that fayeft the Times are not fo now ? Thee I deny, and thy Miniftry, which follows the Times, and not Chrift, nor the Saint's Practice in Scripture ^ ftop thy Mouth for ever be- ing counted a Minifiier of Chrift, who art not con- tent with his Allowance, as his have always been, I for God is not changed, nor his Worfliip, nor Wor- I fhippers. But if you fay this will foon bring the 1 Miiuftersto be Poor, I fay you know not God, nor his Care for his, who fo -argues ^ for never was the j Righteous, nor that Seed begging Bread, againft - that defponding Mind do I Lear Witnefs, who was ( i86 ) l^S^?. fent out without Bag or Scrip, or Money, into the i I Anfwer, Houfes of God they are not. Convenience is the befi: you can plead for them^ and of all Men; 3''ou who ftay in thofe Houfes, have leafl: Caufe to find fault with fuch as go out, feeing they leave you the Houfes you fo much efteem of, wholly to your felves, with all that belongs to them, and you have them for Re- pairing, and they that go out, betake themfelves either ( i87 ) either into the Fields, Private Houfes, or fome con- i^5^. venient Place, not Chargeable to you. (-/^VNJ 9. That there be no tbicing any to Swear, who make Confcience of an Oath, feeing the plain Commands of Chriil and his Apoflles do.fo often iorbid it ^ which fome dare not break for ^11 the World, who are come unto the Everlaiiing Oath and Covenant of God, and into the Vra&ciCQ of the Saints, which never ufed any fuch things. But if any fay, how fhould true Evidence be had in mat- ters ot Controverfie between Man and Man,that true Judgment may be given i^ I Anfwer, God appointed Witnefles in fuch Cafes, but never forced them to Swear. In the Old Covenant, where Swearing was an Ordinance, how much more now, when Chrift hath faid. Smear not at all? But if any fay Men will not matter what they fay, if they be not for- ced to Swear. I Anfwer, fuch will not matter what they Swear neither, were it not for fear of an outward Law *, but if you make an equal Punilh- ment of falfe V/itnefs, as unto Imprifonment, Pu- nifliment, and taking away Life or Eflate, or whatever fhould by the Law befal the Perfon ac- cufed, (which is but Juft) you fhail foonhave thejn more afraid to Lye, than ever they were to for- fv^/ear, and hereby come to cleanfe the Land of all falfe Accufers, and Accufations 5 Su^earing, and forfwearing. Thus in Faithfulnefs to God, and in Love t^ you, with whom I have Served for the good of thefe Nations, between eight and nine Years, count- ing nothing too dear to bring the Government into 3'^oiir Hands (for the Liberty of free-born Men) as many can witnefs with me herein. And now my Prayer to God for you is, that you may lay down all your Crowns at his Feet, who hath given you the Vidory ^ that fo the Lord being kt up as King in every Confcience, all may be fubjedl: for Confci- ence fake •, and fo God may be honoured by you, and the Hearts of his People praife him on your behalf. ( i88 ) 1^55. behalf. And fo to you I have unburthened my Con- i\^\^^ fcience herein , and let none be ralh in Judging, but fearch the Scriptures, and fee if I have not laid before you the Saint's Pradtife, by the fame Spirit by which they were guided. J AMES NaYLER. ^ Tf^ord to you Magistrates who Jhould Rule for God in thk ATa- tioUy "which youJhaU TVitneJs at th^ dreadful T>ay of j4ccount^ to be Love to your Souls. THAT you all wait on the Lord, and in his Light, the Spirit of Judgment, to receive from God who hath fet you in your Places, that with it you may come to difcern and judge of the things that differ now in this Day, when God is getting himfelf a Name in the Earth, that fo you may be one with the Lord in his Work, and not againfl: it, that 3^ou may anfwer the end of your Calling, an4 fo come to give your Account with Joy, and receive your Reward with fuch Magiftrates of which you read in the Scripture, who never ufed their Power againfl: God, nor his Work. That you all take heed how you believe Report^ from Self-Ended Men guided by Corrupt Principles againfl; the Truth, who would render it odious, to ellablilh their Deceit wherein they live, and fo you be found fighters againfl: God^ you having feer^ what he bath done to thofe who withftood him be- fore you, and they are taken away, and you are fet up : (Oh! that you faw the Hand by which it is done.) Now this God requires at your Hands, that you ( i89) jou flop not his Work, nor hinder hU Spiritual l6^t. Kingdom, thereby thinking to Eftablifh your own, ^-^^VX^ for which you fte he hath overthrown Kingdoms ^ neither think to flop the Truth, by putting the Bo- dies of fuch where it is rifen, into Holes and Pri- fons, for hereby you Ihall but (Pharaoh like) make it fafter to grow, and encreafe your own Plagues, which all that love God, would have his Creatures to efcape. But if any of you do fo much own Juftice, as with an honeft Heart you fay, you would not have a Hand in oppofing the Truth if you knew it, but what you do is to ftop Error 5 and you hear many loud Cries againft this way, and it's every where Evil fpoken of ^ and fome fay we are fent from Rome, that we are Jefuites, Francifcan Fryers, and the like. To fuch Magiftrates I fay, you have us in the Nation, and our Accufers, and we have done nothing in Corners •, let us be called before you, and our Accufers, and if fo we be proved, let ua Suffer, but if not, why Ihould this Reproach lie upon the Truth, to be a Stumbling-block to you. But if it be faid, though we be free-born, and have been Friends to the Truth, and to the Common- wealth, yet now we are turned Seducers, and teach Errors, &c. To that I fay, you have the Scrip- tures, which ihew the Saints Lives, wherein they Taught and Walked, wherein Errors was Judged, This I fay without boafting, for clearing the Truth; let us and our Accufers come face to face before you, and he that cannot own the Scriptures, and the Saints Pradice therein declared, as they ftand, without wrefting, thereby to be tried, their Life> and their Dodrine, therewithal let him be Con- demned ; and let the Life of Chrift, and all that follov/ed hinij Recorded in Scripture, be witneiTed again ft fuch, that they are erred from the Doctrine of Chrift, and the Pradtife of the Saints, and there- fore are Antichrifts, and their Sayings (hall not cover ( I90 ) 16$';. cover them. So may you come to fee the Truth t^^'N-) cleared, and that time not Evil fpent. But for thofe of you, who are fo fet in your Purpofes againft us, as that you will not give Li- berty to Innocency to clear it felf before you, (and fo keep you clear of Innocent Blood) and that becaufe of Hars, and Bowiug, and fuch things, as Godly Magiftrates never required, nor they that follow the Lamb cannot perform, but depart out of the Faith, and defile their Confciences ^ and which things are not againfl Juflice, Righteoufnefs, Mer- cy, the well being of the Nation. I fay to fuch a Magiftrate, the Day is coming on apace, that thou fliait fee and confefs to the Everlafting Words of Chrifl:, That it had been better for thee that a Alii- flone had been hanged about thy neck^ and thou caft into the Sea \ than to have been one of the number that is rifen to oppofe the Kingdom of Chrifr, and to offend his Little ones •, though all tho-u canfl do, ihall not hinder his Work. He that can receive it, let him. J. N. The Royal Law and Covenant of Go t>^ IVhat^ and "where it is^ and who are in it y and "who are Reprobate to the Faith. A S many as are led by the Spirit of God, they -c jk. ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ of God, who are begotten of the Royal Spirit, not of the Earthly, but of the Heavenly, a Seed feparated from the World, to ferve in Spirit, who have the Royal Law written in their Hearts, and the Royal Worihip in Spirit and Power, which are of the Royal Priefthood, of which the Spirit of the World makes an imitation, from the Letter, ( 191 ) Letter, the Words fpoke by them who were of the i^5^. Royal Seed, but know not the Spirit, therefore fet ^^VN^ up the Earthly Spirit to Worfhip, contrary to the Royal Law, which is Spiritual and pure for ever 5 and this Spirit would Rule over the Spirit of God, which makes a profeiTion of the words given forth by the Spirit of God. And fuch are you as make Laws which ftand in refpedl of Perfons, where Self is eyed, and would be honoured. And by the Roy- al Law are you condemned, which denies refpedl of Perfons, and leads to do to all Men as tliey would be done unto 5 and upon this foundation ftands all the Law and the Prophets. So you who profefs the Law and the Prophets, Words, and fet up refpedt of Perfons, by the Law and the Prophets words you are judged, and your partial Evil Thoughts, Ja?nes 2. And your Pro- fcffion Ihall arife in condemnation againft you, and from all that ha\^e the Faith of Chrift are you con- demned ^ which Faith cannot be where refped of Perfons is, John v. 44. James 2. becaufe it ftands in God, who refpeds no Man's Perfon ^ fo from the Foundation of God you are found out, and by the Royal Law are you condemned. And all you that count the Proud happy, and defpife the Poor, are againft the Royal Law : And all you who do not as you would be done unto, are Againft the Royal Law. And all you that fay and do not, whofe Heart teacheth not your Mouth, are out of the Royal Law, and not guided by that Spi- rit, nor of that Priefthood, nor doth thofe Lips preferve Knowledge, but all fach darken Counfel by words without Knowledge, and know not the Royal Law of God. And all who take the Saints V/ords to plead againft the Saints Life and Practife, are againft the Royal Law, and the Royal Priefthood, and by it are Judged and Condemned •, and by it are feen to be perverters .of the Scriptures 5 uiing them to draw into the Imitations and Traditions, thereby making the Royal Law of none effkl; ^ which Law is 16'y'^, is written in the Heart, which is before Traduion ^^^-y-Nj was, which Law you make void, v^^ho receive not your Law and Light there, and Chrifl: is not your Law-giver, whofe Law is Spiritual, and fo is his Priefthood, and fo is his Judgment, and his King- dom Royal, and who are United there are the Ro3r. al Diadem, joined to the Lord in Everlafting Cove- nant, Married in the Spirit, where is no Jiffohi- tion, but fruitful for ever. But all you who refpedt Perfons, caft the Royal Law of God behind your Backs, and trample it under your Feet, and make it of none efPecl. And all you that refped Perfons, are TranfgrefFors, and committers of Sin, and judged with the Royal Law of Liberty, which faith, So /peak, and fo do, and Tbou [halt love thy Neighbour as ihy fclf \ and if you do fo, you do wtll •, but if you do refpedt Mens Perfons, ye commit Sin, and are convinc-ed of theLaw asTranfgreffors. And you that refpedhim that wears the gay Cloathing, and Gold Ring, and defpife the Poor, ye are the Partial, and thejudgers with the Evil Thoughts, and fuch are nor Heirs of the Kingdom of Promife, but the Poor Defpiied, Rich in Faith^ who are in the Law of Liberty, re- fpecl: no Man's Perfon, but it conviaceth all that do. And who are in the Faith, without refpedt of Perfons, for who are in refpedt of Perfons, are out of tile Faith of our Lord Jefus Chrift ^ and fuch are Reprobate concerning the Failb^ being filled with Unrighteoujnefs, projejjing they know Gnd^ but in Works they deny hint^ Worlhipping and Serving the Creature, more than the Creator. James Nayler, To ( ^95 ) To all T^ain Janglefs^ Imitators^ and Licentiom ^erjons^ isoho are not guided by the Same Spt^it that gave forth the Scriptures. The Old Serpent^s Voice^ or A n t i* Christ difcover'd, oppofing Chrift in his Kingdom. By one who defires the Redemption of Souls ou^ of Satan's Wiles, James Nayler. c EASE your vain Janglings, you that take the -^^ Scriptures to Contend with againft the Truth, but live in your Lufts ^ witli a vain Mind do you contend about the Scriptures and Saints Conditions, but you have nought to do with them, you unholy- Ones •, for Holy Men of God fpake them forth, as they were moved by the Holy Ghoft ^ and the King- dom of God confifts not in Words, but in Power. Now all you who talk of the Scriptures and Saints Conditions, but live not in them, you are (hut out of the Scriptures and Kingdom of God, and are in the Kingdom of the World, whofe Kingdom is in Words, but not in Life and Power, who faith and doth not. You have long covered your felves by talking of the Scriptures, and profelfmg other Mens Co77dirio/2s -, but now the Truth is appeared, and your Deceit is laid open, and your Covers are too narrow, for Words can no longer hide you, for the Righteous O Judge i^55' y^Jj^^ is rifen, to Revv^ard every one after their W/'^r-s^ Works, and not after their Words. And you UW/t' ers o£ Iniquity of all forts, you are fhut out of the Scriptures and Kingdom of God, you that live in your Hearts Lufis, and in your own Wills. And you Unholy Ones, what have you in ih^ Scriptures ? they belong not to you, for they were Holy Aien that fpoke them forth. And you that are led by your Carnal Wifdom and Reafon^ and not by the mo- vings of x\iQ Holy Ghofl, what have you in the Scriptures^ for they were given forth by the mo- vings of the Ho!) Ghofi -^ and they condemn you and your ways, who are not guided by the fame Spirit that gave them forth. . -^^A J^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ them to plead for Sin, and live in it, what have you to do in the Scriptures, who ufe them quite contrary to the end for which they were given forth } for they were given forth by Holy JHen, from the Holy Spirit, for Ho/y Ends^ and they condemn 3^ou and your Praclife, and 3^ou are fhut out of them, who would ufe them to up- hold the^ DevlPs Kingdom, and your own Lulls. You envious Scomers^ Backbiters, and falfe Accu- fers, you are fhnt out of the Scriptures, and they condemn you. Swearers and Lyars, the Scriptures have fhut you out, and by them vou are condem- ned. You Drunkards, Gluttons, W Doremongers, and Unclean Ferjons, what have you to do to talk of the Scriptures, which Holy Men gave forth, they witnefs againil: your filthy PracHfes. You Covetous and Proud OpprefTors, you are out of the Scriptures and Saints Conditions, and are found amongft the Heathen ; You Fighters, Quar- rellers and violent Perfons, who live in Strife and Contention, fuing one another for Carnal things, yoM a»'e Condemned by the Scriptures, and tliut out of them. You wanton Lufciul Ones who live to the Flelh in your Sports and Pieafures, you are W^it- nefled dgainft b}^ the Scriptures, and have no right in them; And you Hypocritical Pioieflors of^all forta ( »95 ) Sorts and Forms, who have got the Saints Words t^-^T- and Worlliip in Notion and Form, hut live not the'^-^^v'"^ Life of Saints, nor led by that Spirit that gave fo^th^the Scriptures, and by which the Saints were guided ai^d fanclified, you have nought to do with the Scriptures, they were not given out to Imitate and Jangle upon, but to be fulfiiled: Not to talk on and live in the World's Ways, Words and Gu- ftoms, and Fafhions in your own Wills^ Lufls and Pleafures, for they that fpoke them forth were come out of the World, and did witnefs againft all the Ways and Worihips of it •, and they did not Trade with other Mens Words from the Letter, as fome oi you do •, nor did they worfhip by imitat- ing other Mens Practice, but by the Eternal Spirit were they guided into the Spiritual Worfhip, and by that Spirit did they fpeak forth the Scripture to the World, to formal Profeilbrs, and to fuch as had denied the World, and had given themfelves up to be guided by the Holy Spirit in Holy ways : And they fpoke their own Conditions, and their own Meafures, holding forth to others, what they had received of God, and not what others had recei-^ ved ^ and their Kingdom flood not in Words, but in Power. And here are you fhiut out of the Scriptures and their Conditions, who fay and do not, and your Kingdom is in Words, and not in Life and Power ^ you Hypocrites, and Formal Imitators, who Wor- fhip by what you imagine and conceive from other Mens Words, but have it not from the fame Spirit that they had, you are fhut out of the Scriptures, and they Witnefs againft you and your imagined Ways and Worfliips. You that Preach, and Pray, • and not by the movings of the Spirit of God, you are fhut out of the Scriptures, and your invented Words and long Prayers are condemned by them to be Heatheniih^ and all your Ordinances, your Sing-, ings and Sacraments, which are not in the fame Spirit, are condemned by the Scriptures •, and what- O 2 ever ( 196 ) T^^^. ever 7011 do in ^'^our Woriliip to Gad, and not irt ^*^*^v^^^ the Power and Guiding of the fame Eternal Spirit^ the Scriptures witnefs againft you and your Wor- fhip, and declare you to be led by the contrary Spirit, which is not the fame, and you are among the Heathen, who worfhip in vain, and receive no acceptance from God, for you receive for Dodlrines thr Comjriandments of Men, and your fear towards God is taught by the Precepts of Men, and not by the Spirit, and what you have is by Tradition-, and here you are fhut out ot the Scriptures •, wherefore ceafeyourtatling of other Mens Conditions out of the Scriptures, and fee what right your fclves have in them 5 and mind to lee what you are, and what the Saints were, and apply your ov/n Conditions ta your fclves, and not other Mens, nor the Promifes that belong to others. And eeafe your Stealing, you Thieves, that have found out other ways to climb up, and not in at the Door by which the Saints have always entred, for all that come in at the Door witncfs againfl you 5 and your ftealing Words and Forms, and by that Spirit that leads ni at the • Door, are you difcovered to be Thieves, and Judg- ment is coming againil yon, and you Jhall reftore four- fold for ail you have ftolen, and fhall be brought to Poverty for all your Riches, and your fir It, lliall be laft of all. And you Hirelings and Pariftt Mafters, who bear Rule by your means over your Hearers, what have you to do to talk of tlie Scriptures, as to declare the Statutes of the Almighty, iince you hate to be reformed, or to come into their Condition that gave them forth : you Trade in the Letter for Gain, but are not conformable to them that fpake it forth 5 it was not given forth by any that made a Gain of it for Carnal Ends to get Ric hes ^ no, they that gave it forth bare witnefs againft your Generation, to be Hirelings, Covetous, Proud, Boafters, greedy dumb Dogs, Idol Shtpherds that could never have enaugh. Belly- Gods, fuch whofe Teachings never brought any ( 197 ) any to the knowledge of the Truth ; ravening 16';'^, Woives in Sheeps Clothing, who had the Form but ^^^VV^ not the Power. Now what have you to do with the Saints Conditions in the Scriptures, to talk them over to People for Money, you are Ihnt out of them 5 ceafe your ftealing that which war other Mens, and take your own in the Scriptures, which are the "Woes and Plagues pronounced againll your Genera- tion, by them who gave forth the Scripture, and Sell that to your Hearers, for the Saints Conditions you are Strangers to, and you have no Inheritance in them, but are found without, amongft them who profeffed the Letter, but were Enemies to that Spi» rit that gave it forth ^ and you are found doing the fame Works now, ftirring up the Powers of the Earth againft them in whom that Spirit is mani^ fefl: -, as did your Fathers, fo do you, and fill up their meafure, that upon you may coine th^ Sufferings of all the Holy Men of God. And here you are (hut out of the Scriptures, and are ignorant of that Spirit that gave them forth, and the ends for which they were written^ and you take thofe Promifes that were given to Holy Men, and you apply them to fuch as live in lilthinefs ^ and thofe Scriptures that were written to warn People from Sin, you take and wr eft to make Peo- ple believe that they fhall never be fet free from Sin while they live^ and thus being ignorant of that Spirit that gave forth the Scriptures^ you are led by a contrary Spirit, and fo contradid the Holy Spirit ^ and God in Wifdom hath hid the Myflery of the Scripture from that Spirit that afts in you, and hath lliut it out, and you with it. And hence it is, that when you meddle with the Scriptures, you are in fuch confufion, and fet one Scripture a- gainft another, and then twine and wreft, and add to your ov/n invented meanings to reconcile them again ^ but they who are guided by the fame Spirit that gave them forth, fee your folly, and that the Scriptures are at unity, aqd fo are all that come O ?, into T^^"). into them, to live the Life of them m their mea- ^^^^^^^^ fares, but you are without the Life of them, and your Kingdom (lands in Words and not in i^ower, and therefore is confufed, and you lead into con- fufion all that follow you. Wherefore all you that fear the Lord, mind not Words, but the Power, and believe not Men, becaufe they run rambling up and down the Scriptures, but fee v/hat right they have in them, v/hich is no more than they live the Life of them, for while you follow thefe, you are kept out of the Kingdom of God, and feed upon Words and Wind, but the Kingdom of God confifts not in Words, but in Power and Life. "The Old Serpent'' s Voice ; or^ jflntlchrifl di f cover edy oppofing Chriji in bis King-* dom. Joh. 8,12. T ^^^ the Light of the T^orld, faith Chrift, he that Job. I. 9. J. follows 7ne fndu not walk in Darknefs^ but JJ) all have the Light of Life-, that is, the true Light which en light net h every one that cometh into the World. Saith Antichrift, Chrifl: is not the Light of the iVorld^ nor doth he enlighten every one that com.eth into the World, for that Light which lighteth every one that cometh into the World, is not the Light of Chrift, but a natural Light, and is not fufficient to lead out of Darknefs into the Light of Life.- Ifa. 42.6, Saith God, I give thee for a Covenant to the Be o- ^' p/e, for a Light to the Gentiles^ and to them that fit in Darknefs^ that thou mayeji be my Salvation to the |i ends of the Earth. ij^^s I.. g^ii-ii Antichrifl, The Gentiles, and they that fit ''^^* in Darknefs, have not the Light of Chrift given to them, nor doth this Light reach for Salvation to the ( »99 ) the ends of the Earth, but only to fuch as have 16';^. heard the Gofpel, (which is the Letter) and whom V>^'Sj I have taught to underftand the meaning ot it by my Study and Learning. Saith John, He that cofnmits Sin is of the Devi /^'^ John ^, and for thi^ purpofe was the Son of God mamfefi^ to"^' deflroy the works of the Devil. Saith Antichrifl, you may commit Sin and be of God, for Sin (which is the Work of the Devil) is not to be deftroyed in this World, but in the World to come, for all muft have their failings while they are here. Saith Paul, Chrid gave Km f elf for his Church, ^ph.';,2<^^ that he might fanUifie and clcanfe it, and prefent it 2<^) 27. ''to himfelf a glonojfs Churchy without f pot or wrinckle^ or any fuch thing, and that it JJjould be Holy without blcmifh. Saith Antichrifl, That's Error for any to witnefs to fuch Attainments in this World, that any lliould be Holy, Glorious, Sandified, without fpot or wrinckle, or any fuch thing, for all muft be fub- ject to Sin while they are here, and be made Holy and Glorious after Death. Saith Paul, Chrifi hath by one offering for ever H^^» io» perfeBed them that are fandified, and that we mayl^\ ^0 prefent every Man perfcB in Chrijl Jejus , and for gph^ri V, that end did Chriji Gift and fend out his Minifters 12, 13. for the perfeUing of the Saints^ and to bring them up i .Toh.2.<5. to hU meafure and fulnefs, ^ J^^* ^" Saith Antichrifl, Chrifi hath perfeded none, nor [ pet. i, never fh all any be made perfect: while they live, 15, for Perfection cannot be attained to till after Death in another World. Saith John, He thi t faith he abideth in Chrijl^ ought himfelj alfo to walk even as he walked ^ herein we may have boldnefs in the Day of Judgment^ be- caufe as he is, fo are we in this World 5 and oi he which hath called you is Holy, fo be ye Holy in all manner of Converfation. O 4 Saith ( aoo ) K^^:^. Saith Antichrift, That's Error for any to witnefs t./'V^^that Holinefs that was in Chrift ^ for it's fuffirient that he was Holy in his own Perfon before he af- cended, and if you can but believe in that Holinefs and profefs it, though you never come to pofTefs it, 3^et it's fufficient to cover all your Sins paft, pre- sent, and to come , and it were high Prefumption for any to feek to be partakers of that Holinefs that was in Chrift, or to be like him, for he was the Son of God, and do you look to be Sons of God > That were high prefumption, for you muft bear the Image of the firft JJam while you live in this "World, and 37'ou muft be conformable to the Image of Chrift in another World, after Death. Saith Chrift, God is a Spirit, and he will be wor- Ihipped in Spirit and in Truth, for he feeks fuch to worihip him. And you (that contend about Pla- ces and Forms) worlliip you know not what. And Joh, 4.21, faith Pau/, the Word is nigh in the Heart within, 22, 23.^ 3j^f| Qo^^ whom you are to v/orihip, is within 5 ^^^I^* g^"*and Chrift (the Ordinance whom the Father Or- I Cor. 3. dained for the way to his worihip, and of whom ail the outward Ordinances were Types) is within, and is the fubftance of all Ordinances. Saith AntichriJT^ You muft come to the Houfe of God, which is the Churchy for it's convenient, and was builded for that purpofe •, and the Letter is the word in the Bible, and not in the Heart ^ and expounding and preaching this Letter, by the help of Learning, and fprinkling Infants, and finging David's Conditions in Ryme and Meter, putting off your Hats when you Sing, thefe are the Ordi- nances, and this is the Worihip, which is without, in Forms and Cuftoms, and not that vvhich is with- in in Spirit. I Cor. 14. Saith Pau/^ You may all prophefie one by pne, 3j>3'2>33« that all may learn, and all may be comforted ; and if any thing be revealed to one that fits by, let the firft hold his Peace, for God is not the Author of Cpnfufion, but of Peace j and the Spirits of the Prophet^ ( aoi ) Prophets are fubjeft to the Prophets, as in all the 16';%. Churches of the Saints. ^ V^V^J Saith Antichrift, That was the Order in the pri- mitive Times, but that Prophefying is now ceafed, and none Ihall now prophelie but fuch as are Men of Learning, and have been at the Univerfity, and have Tongues, and ftudy to fit them for that Pur- pofe, and have received Orders either from the Bi- lliop, or are approved by fome appointed by Autho- rity: And thefe ihall be Mafters, and bear Rule in every Pariih, none ihall reprove or contradidt what they fay in Publick, nor fpeak any thing till they have done (notwithftanding whatever be revealed to any that fit by) for we have a Law, and by that Law all that do fhall be imprifoned, and proceeded againil as Difturbers of the Peace, And though it A£lsi7.2. was the Manner of Chrift and his Apoftles, to go into the Temples and Synagogues, difputing and al- ledging againft them, who held up outward Forms of Worfliip and Idols Temples, and thereby gather- ed People out from them, into the inward Worfhip in Spirit i proving that to be the Worihip of God, and denying all other Worlhip, yet thefe Times are not as thofe were 5 for now People are all baptized and Believers, and do profefs Chrift to be come, fufFered and afcended, and what need any further ? And we do not believe, that any now have the fame Spirit that Chrift and his Apoftles had, nor the fame Commands ^ for they had an immediate Call from God, v/hich none now have \ and though they have never fuch a Call, yet let them not trouble u$ in our Devotion, but keep them with their own Difciples', for we care for no fuch Company ^ and we do not come at them, and therefore why Ihould they trouble us, and come to draw our Hearers from us, and from the Manner of Worfhip we and our Fathers have lived in thefe many Years ^ and they are ill fufFered ii) the Nation, to fow Divifion be- tween the People and their Miniflers, by telling of ( ^^^ ) j6$'^, ourTythes and Set-Maintenanoe, and that we ought iy^\f'\^ to preach freely as the Apoftles did. And thus they feek not only cur Undoing, but our Wives and Children after we be dead. Heb. 8. Saith God, I will make a New Covenant with lo, II. you^ an^ y-QU fj^^ii jiQt; teach one another, faying, Joh. 6.45. jj^^^jy the Lord ^ for all/hall know me from the leafl to the great e^^ for I will write my Law in their Hearts^ and put it in their inward PartSy and they JJjall be all taught of God, Saith Antichrift, Your Law is the Letter without and not in the Heart, neither fhall any know God, or his Will, but by this Rule without in the Letter, of which I am a Teacher, and by my Meanings and Expofitions of it, fhall you come to know, all that is to be known of God, and his Will in this World, for the immediate Teachings of God are ceafed, and Jiever any heard the Voice of God fince the Apo- liles, nor need any to look for it any more, for this Teaching of mine is all that ever will be, and it is to continue to the End of the World 5 and all tliat deny it, or to be ordered hj it, are Hereticks, and are not to be fufFered to live in the World. Mat. 23. Saith Chrift, Call no Man Mafier upon Earthy net- ,_§, 10, Mother be ye called Mafier 5 for one is your Mafter^ even ChriJ}, and ye are all Brethren -^ and if any Man will be great eji among you, let him be Servant to all-^ for it is the Heathen that exercife Authority^ but with you it fhaU not be fo, Saith Antichrift, That was fpoken concerning the Pride of the Fhar'ifees *, but you call me Majler^ for I do not delight in it (in Pride) jQi it is fit there fhould be Diftindtions of Perfons amongft Men, for thereby are People governed ^ and its the Fafliion of the Country, and hereby you fhow your Breeding and Manners^ and though God did forbid us to bow to, or worihip any but Himfelf alone, or to Jam. 2. have the Faith of Chrift in Refpe^ oj Ferjons^ for ^^* ^^» their Pride or Riches , yet this is not as theirs was, foy ( 205 ) for this is but a Civil Refpedt in our Bowing and i6$'y. Worlhipping, and it's but to differ them that are w/^VV. Rich from the Poor ; and how can the7 bear Rule without it ? And it's decent, and of a good Report in the World, and the Cuftom of the Nation ^ and its a Reproach for any to deny it. And as tor Re- ligion and Obedience to God, it confifts not in fuch trivial Things as thefe are, that may be done or un- done. Saith God, Thou [hair not covet -^ aniCovetoufnefs ^^\^^ t, ^, let It not be once named, amongji you, as becometh Col. 3. 5. Saints^ for it is Idolatry 5 and let your Converfation be Heb.i3.$. vPithout Covet oufne/s, and be content with fuch things as you have, for He faid j / will never leave thee^ nor for fake thee. Saith Antichrift, Thou muft live by thy Wits, that God hath given thee, and this is not Covetouf- nefs, but a provident Care •, and he that wil] not provide for his Family is worfe than an Infidel s and if thou fi:andefi: to wait upon God, and doft not help thy felf by thy Wits, both, thou and thine may be poor enough •, therefore firft lay up for thy felf and Children, that you need not fear want, and then take thy Reft, and thou mayeft have Time to ferveGod, and thy Riches need not hinder thee, but further thee in his Service. Saith Chrift, Islo Man knows the Father hut /^^Mat. iio Son, and he to whom the Son reveals him. And 725,270/ thank thee, 0 Father! that thou haft hid thefe things from the Wife and Frudent^ and revealed them to Babes. Saith Antichrift, That was in the Time of Chrift and his Apoftles, and then none knew the Father, nor the Things of the Kingdom of God but hj Re- velation, but now all Revelations are come to an. End, and none need to look for them any more ^ for it is now only they that have Wifdom, Prudence, and Learning, that know God, and the Things of his Kingdom, as much as is to be known in ihefe Days, ( 20+ ) 165; T' Days. And all that would be wife, or religious, or ^^VNJ would know any more than their Neighbours, muft come to them to learn ^ for they have Books and Studies, and the Judgment of Ancient Fathers and Philofophers, how the}^ came to know the Things of Go That were to look for a Miracle *, but there is a mediate Call now, by which all are called by Commiiilon from Men j and fuch are called as are found fitted for that Pur- pofe, and have Learning, are able toanfwer School- Queftions, and have Logick, and Philofophy, and can difputej and refolve Doubts and Qiieftions, and they to whom God hath given all the Povver now, think it not fit to chufe or fuffer fuch as God and Chrift did chufe, as Filhermen, Heardfmen, and Ploughmen, and fuch like, who have not Learning, and the Original Tongues : for when God did chufe fuch in old Time, he fnrnilhed them with his own Spirit inftead of Learning-, but what a ridiculous Thing would it be to look for fuch Gifts now, when all are Believers, and here are fo many Learned Men in the Nation to chufe out of ? And here is no; need of fuch extraordinary Calls or Gifts in thefe Times, as was then ^ for when Chrift afcended^ he gavg Gifts unto Men, and appointed Ofhcers, and left ( 205 ) left it tlieiri to appoint others ; and fo one to ap- 165^.^ point another to the End of the World : And He ^-/VV; himfelf is fet down at the Right Hand of God in Heaven, and meddles not with it j and fo the Apo- files made Bilhops, and the Bifliops became Popes, and the Popes made Cardinals, and they inferior Bifhops, and thofe became Lord-Biihops, and thej made Parfons, Vicars and Curates, and they are now become Minifters, Paftors, Teachers ; and fo my Minifters can derive their Ordination by SuccefTion from the Apoftles ^ and what Matter is it for the Er- rors of the Pope and Biihcps, that's not as they were Minifters, but Men ? Saith Chrift to his Minifters, Freely ye have re-u^t, icb ceived^ free/y give ; ma^e no Frovijion for your Jour- 8, 9, 10. ne^y neither take Thought what to eat or drink, ^,, Luk. 12. what to put on\ for the Life is more than Food, and^^^^^^^^^ the Body more than Rayment \ and your heavenly Fa- ther knows what ye f! and in need of \ and the Workman is worthy of his Meat, Saith Antichrift, It's true, they that received freely might well preach freely, but thofe free Gifts are now ceafed, and none come now to the Mini- ftry fo eafily, but are at great Charge (they, or their Friends,) in Learning at Schools and Univer- sities •, and if they muft, when they hai'e been at all this Coft, preach freely, then who will bring up any to be Minifters ? And now they come to the Knowledge of the Myftery of Godlinefs by much Study, and they muft have Abundance of Books j and all this cannot be done with Preaching freely. And beCdes, in thofe Times of the Apoftles they muft needs preach freely, for there was no Believing Magiftrates, to eftabliih them in Tythes, or fuch Benefits as is now *, and if they would have had fuch things then, there was no Law to get them by ^ but we have ours eftablifned by a Law, and by the Law of the Nation do we demand them, and not trom the Apoftles Example j and whofoever de- nies ( 206 ) 16$^. nies to pay them, denies the Law and the Magi- ►V'V'N; ftrate, and therefore deferves to fufFer by the Law 5 ! and though fiich fufFer the Spoyling of their Goods, yea, the treble Value oi their Tythes, yet they fuf- fer as Evil Doers. Deut.4.2. Saith God, Thou JJ^ a It not add anything to the Words Pro. 30.6./ W/ co?n?nand thee, neither Jhalt thou diminiJJ) any Rcv.2.18. thing therefrom-^ for every Word of the Lord is p^re, and he that adds thereto /ball be reproved^ and found a Lyar ^ and he that adds to the Words of this Book, I will add to him all the Plagues written therein i, and he that takes ought therejrom^ 1 will raze his Name cut of the Book of Life, Saith Antichrift, The Scriptures are a My fiery, and are given out darkly, and none can nnderftand ^ them as they are given out, for the Scripture is not to be taken as it fpeaks, but according to theMean- \ ing of it \ which Meanings are known to none but \ the Learned, and are found out by comparing one I; Scripture with another \ and by adding to them, or I taking from them, they come to be reconciled, and I the Meanings found out, which cannot be by any i other Means '- And therefore they who are to expound \ the Scriptures, mufi: have the Help of Learning, \ Books and Studies^ and by comparing the Judgment \ of Learned Fathers one with another, the bell: Ex- li poiitions of Scripture are found out, and owned, \ and all the refi: refufed. And this cannot be clone but by adding or diminifhing •, for none can infal- libly fay what is Truth, but every one mufl declare it as he conceives and imagineth of it. ^att.^. Saith Chrift, /;/ the Old Time it was f aid. Thou ^^M^^^^fha/t not for/wear (for in the Old Covenant Swear- ?^' 37- i;^g in Truth was an Ordinance of God) but I fay, jain.5.i4« ^-^^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^n . j^^ ^jy^^ j^ j^jgre than yea and nay cometh of EviL And the Apoftle, who was come in- to theN^w Covenant, and did witnefs the Oath of God fulfilled, faid. Above all things, my Brethren^ Swrar not any Oath whatjocver, lefi ye jail mtoTemp^ I at ion * Saith "( 207 } Saith Antichrift, You may Swear the Truth, and i6'y1. 3rou will be believed the better; and for petty Oaths, L/^V^ its not fo great a Sin, and what needs fo much Striclnefs? And if God fhould take Vengeance for every Oath, who fliould be faved > And what is become of all your Forefathers, who were not fo fcrupulous ? Are they all damned ? And what if you • be commanded to fwear by the Powers of the World, will you difobey them becaufe Chrift forbids it? For though the Apoftle forbids the Saints to fwear at all,, yet Paul faith. Men verily fwear by the greater^ ani an Oath to them is an End to all Strife. And thus Antichrift brings the Pradlife of Men, who live in the World's Culloms, to be binding to the Saints •) as though Paul^ by bringing a Compa- rifon from the Pradife of Men of the World, did contradid the Commands of Chrilt, and the reft of the Apoftles/ And thus the Serpent, who deceived Man at the firft, by contradiding what God had faid to Adam^ doth ftill keep Man in the Fall by the fame way-, And this is that Man of Sin, and Son of Perdition, which oppofeth God in what he faith, that thereby he may plead for Sin. And thus he letteth, and keeps from the Obedience to God, yea, and will lett till he be taken out of the Way : but he is now re- vealed b^ the Brightnefsof the Appearance of Chrift2 Theff. in his Saints, and can be hid no longer, and fhall2, 3. be deftroyed by the Sword of his Mouth. Now confider this, Prieft and People, that op- pofe the Kingdom of Chrift:, and plead for Sin, fome by Preaching and Printing, fome by perfecuting with Clubs, Stones and Prifons, fome by Railing, Lying and falfe Accufing, fome by Mocking and Scorning. And now you are difcovered by the Light of Chrill: in all who are guided by it, to be thofe whom the God of this World hath blinded \ and you know not what Spirit you are of, neither can you fee what it is that adb you thus in Rage againft the ( 2o8 ) ^^11* the Appearance of Cbrift in Purity, and moves yoa ^*yy'\^ to ftand up for the Kingdom of Sin, againfl: thofe whom Chrift hath fent out to cry out againfl it, and to foretel the Deftrudion of it, and all that up* hold it : Wherefore, Repent, and turn in your Eye to that in your Confcience which is the Light of Chrift, to let you fee what you are doing, and whom you ftand fcr, that fo )''ou may be led no longer by that Spirit of Oppofition, but may caft down your Crowns at the Feet of the Lamb, who is now arifen to t:ike the Kingdom, left he take you a- way with his grievous Stroke^ fur if he fall upon you, he will grind you to Pieces. Fear the Lord, ye Heathen, who call your felves Chriftians, but know not God and his Power : Repent, while you have Time, now you are difcovered and warned* A SALU- SALUTATION T O T H E SEED of GOD: And a Call out of Babylon^ and Egy^t^ from ainongft the Magicians, where the Houle of Bondage is, and the Imaginations rule above the Seed of God, the Caufe ot all Blindnefs and Con- demnation. Alfo that which is perfedt made manifeft, even Ever- lafting Righteoufnefs, which endures for all Ge- nerations, who will receive it, and believe there- in, which is Sions Glory, Christ with his Life and Power made manifefl: in mortal Fleih. With theZ^^^tohim,fet forth moftly for fuch as groan for Freedom from the Power of Sin \ but may be ferviceable to all who love his Appearance. Alfo a Teftimony from Chrift, what he is in tin's World, and where he is: Written to fuch as are imagining fuch a Chrift as they would have, but cannot receive the fame that is from the Begin- ning, and in his own way manifefl. Alfo a Suit to fuch Rulers, Magiftrates, andGover- nours, as have not wholly hardened their Hearts, and ftopt the Ear againft the voice of the Spirit, that they may hear, and their Souls may live,and- be eflablifhed a Blelling to the Nations. Written in Love to all your Souls, by him who is called James Nay/er. We have found him whom our SohI loves : And greater is he in us, than he that^s in the Worll London: Printed firft in the Year, idjj. and now Reprinted, in 1715, P A V^io ; A Salutation to the Seed of GOD : j4nd a Call out of Babylon, and Egypt, from amongjl the Magicians^ "where the Houje of Bondage is^ and the Inia- ginations Rule above the Seed of God. ARISE, fliine forth, thou Seed of the Co- venant, to which the Promife is, forth/ C lory is come ^ and with Judgment is the Lord arifen to Redeem his Chofen, and all that turn to him fhail be covered with Righteoufnefs, even that which before the World was, and above all the World is, which is perfect for evermore. Put off your Rugs you that have covered your felves with your Wifdom, and let that which is impe fvct h: done away. How long will it be e're yoii hearken to the Lord, that you may partake of the b{ ft, and leceiveoi the Lord freely, that your Souls may be fatisfied, that no leannefs there may be, nor riying out of wants. Can the Lord be pleafed with t[at llighteoufiiefs, which that of God in your Coiifriences declares to beimperfedt? Or will he ac- cept ihat which is nr.ne of his ov/n ^ Confider of this, you Profefibrs o\ the Nation, who pray, and Weep and feek, but find not that which gives Peace, nor reconciles you to God. Without Fanh inChrift it's impolFible to be well-pleafing to God, who is your Peace •, and that's not Faith in Chrift that lays hold of an imperfect Righteoufnefs, for that's your own; But thar's the Righteoufnefs of God, which by Faith in Chrifl alone is freely received, and and the leaft meafure is perfedl:. This is the Gift i^^?. that comes from above, which takes up the Crea- V\^0 ture above all other. That which we have received we declare, and we can do no other, for in him is our Glory, and this is and will be our Boldnefs in the Day of Judgment, That as he is, fo are we in this World, herein is our Love perfected in him, becaufe we are of him, and one with him, in his Righteoufnefs^ and that meafure we have of it is freely ours without upbraiding, and an Inheritance we have in it, wherefore we leave all to follow him who is our fulnefs, and cannot but call to all who love their Souls to come to us, knowing his free- nefs. And your Labour is to no purpofe, you who are kindling fparks, with which v/e have lain long in forrow, and we know the end of yourLaoour, and your Fruit is curfed, though in the fweat of your brows you bring it forth ^ all you that fay you mud: do what you can, and Chrifl: will do the reft ; you muft do fome, and Chrift muft do other fomej this is your own way, and not the way of God ; for here the linfy-woolfy Garment is feen, which is forbidden^ for in the way of God, Chrift is all, in all i but here is part in you, and part in him, (as you imagine) and you are two, and there is Sin, for while you live. Sin lives, and if we fdy we have no Sin, we deceive our felves, and have not the Truth in us : But where he alone lives there is no Sin, for the Life of Chrift is the Death of Sin, as it is manifeftj and for this purpofe we know he was manifeft to take away our Sins, and in him is no Sin, for by the appearance of his Life art- we tranflated into his likenefs, which is our boldnefs, and he that hath this Hope, purifies himlclf even as he is pure ^ for we fee him as he is, our Life, our Hope, our Strength and Way, v/hich is pure, and perfect ^ and as he is, fo he makes our way perfect j and this is our peace, that we have nothing but what we have received, and it is his own, and he P 2 cannot ( ill ) 1655:. cannof denyhimfelf, who is Faithful, and with hid ;Fairhfulnefs are we made Faithful to him^ and the lea ft meafure of him which comes from above, is prefent Power ^ and in him we move and have our being, where nothing is impoffible. The Day of l)is Power is come whereby we are made willing, in whofe Will his People ever took plea- fure ^ and v/batever he doth is good for us, and his wonderous Works we fee, which have been told of, how with his own Arm he takes the Kingdom ia ^s, which lo much we talked on when we did not know him, nor his Power, but (with you) put the good day far off us to another Generation, when the Lord vv^as near us, though we did not know him, but looked for the Kingdom of God without us, which was within us unregarded, therefore diet we fit down in forrow, being out of that way, where reft v/as placed, and did not fee him who was afore oraained for good Works, wherein we Ihould walk, in which by him we fhould be exercifed, theufore we could never come to be fatisfied, but our Confcience ftill accufing us, in our beft per- formances, yea, Fears and Doubtings were our beft Condition^ y^t were we like the Falfe Prophets fpeaklrig Peace one to another, where God had not fpoken Peace in our Confciences ^ thus healing the Hurt deceitfully, as the World at this day is doing, crying Pc.-ace, v/hen the Bonds of Iniquity are ftill Hand :ig, and you are Servants in Lvil Works, v/here the Pri'.ct of this World is Ruler and Guide; And whutl ear e can you have while that Kingdom ftands^ aid you in it? And this Kingdom muft ftand till hid .-^ower be known wuo is appointed to take it, and bi.d the Prince of ir. Wherefore come out of Death all that will have Life, and make no longer Covenant with it. How can you prevail (who take the Serpent's Counfel) to overcome the Devil's Kingdom ? And this you do, who fearch into the things of God with your fallen Wifdom J fo are you kept in labour to no purpofe, never (^13 ) never can get from under the Works of Condemna- i6?5r. tion, therefore you conclude, None can ever come U^V%^ to be wholly free while they live, and fo make the Blood of Chrift of none efFeft, which we do Wit- nefs doth clean fe from all Sin, and he faves to the urtermoft all that come unto God by him ^ the thing which Hagar^s Seed doth moft oppofe, and feoff at, bat that wherein we triumph above the World, and Image- makers, That our God is a Saviour from that which none can be free from who are without him, though they make many likeneffis of him from the Letter, the Form without the Power, 'tis to no pur- go (e. Take notice you feveral forts of Worfhippers, who Worfhip a God afar off whom you know not \ which if you did, there would not be fo much contention about him, what he is, and the way of his Wor- Ihip : Nor can 3''ou know him till he be revealed in you 5 nor can he be known in you, but as you come to be cleanfed, for with him dwells no un- cleannefs. Thus you that plead for your Sins, plead againft your own Souls, which cannot be fatisfied but by his prefence, who is not feen prefent where Sin is {landing. And by Unbelief do you cut your Souls off, while you fay you can never be cleanfed till after you be dead ^ here hath the Devil deceived you, and fo far prevailed with you, to enter into Covenant with him, while you live to ferve him. And being blinded, this you know not, that you have made Covenant with Hell and Death, which by God is curfed and troubled : That I know and own, that troubles your peace, and fets you on feeking ^ but the way you feek is from another Principle, which is felfilh, and Ihall never obtain Peace for you. ^ He that troubles all that's out of his way, guides and gives peace to all in his way ^ the fame is z Spirit the World knows not, blows where it lifteth, therefore never found but in his own way and will ; You who feek him in the will of Man, there P 9 cannot I ^^* cannot find him ^ nor can your Minifters made hy ^y'VN; the will of Man tell you of him, where he is, or the way to him ; for the New Birth is not Born of that Generation, nor of that Will, nor of that Seed is it begotten, therefore not known to them •, there- fore^ they themfelves, with all their feeking, not having found him, can do no lefs than tell you, that he will never appear more to his People, that which is written is all the Word, and what others have feen is all the Knowledge that any need ever to look for, while the World continues ^ and what others have done, that's all you have to talk on for your Righteoufnefs. Ana thus the way of God's walking and working in his People, is wholly excluded from the face of the Earth. ^ And a Faith you have devifed and fet up befides it, if not wholly againft it , fo that now to witnefsgood Works is counted Popery, (though all that come- to God are fore-ordained to walk therein, and to that end new- created.) Thus are not Men afraid to deny the Work of God and his Righteoufnefs, and yet fa)'- you are his Workman4liip, and that you are in God and Chrift, but out of his Works, and mufl be in the Works of the Devil, yet God is your Father -, Yet in this confufion none muft tell you, that you are in Baby- Ion^ for then you fay they judge you ^ nor that they that teach you thus are Minifters of Anti- chrifl, for that you call railing ^ though to fuch the Spirit of Chrifl hath ever ufed it. Thus hath the Devil fet up his Work, and fenced it with the name of the highefl Faith in the World j and who is under this Faith^though they Sin,yet they fay, they can never fall finally, nor totally, (though the whole Man be found in the adtion) nor is your Sins like others, becaufe you fay you are Belie- vers, though both they and you are in one adion and nature. So that Faith which you profefs is become a defence for Sin : But our Faith is that which overcomes Sin, and fo to the good Work is pot ( 015 ) not Reproliate, And thus you fet up a ProfeiTion 1^3:^ without Power. But did you mind the Light of C/N^NJ Chrift that never changes, by it to be taught in Spirit, thefe Deceits would foon be difcover\j, and you could not walk in Darknefs. By which i^ight we fee that he that commits Sin is of the Devil, and is fallen from God, whatever be his Profeflion j and there can be no greater Fall than to fall (from that which Ihould keep him) into the Devil s Pow- er, to a6t according to the Devil's movings, and to bring forth his begettings, and fach we know are - his Children. With the Light we fee that he that is in the way of God is in Holinefs, and he that is not, is in the Way of the Devil 5 and that he that's in Cod, is out of Self, and there Sin is blotted out ard for- gotten^ but he that's in Self, is in Si , though he be Praying, or Plowing: With it we fee th'Li^e of Chrift is pure, and who lives any other Life it's pol- luted, though never fo finely covered : With it we fee the Way of God is perfed, and you, whofe way is finful, are in the way of Condemation. With the Light we fee him that hath not the Word abiding in him, hath not Life, though he knows the [Letter and can preach it 5 ' and that he that hath not that Faith that overcomes Sin (in its meafure) hath not the true Faith, and that he that hath not heard his voice knows him not, and he that hath not feen him, hath no fellowihip with him, and whofe Heart is filthy can do neither. With the Light we fee that who is in the Work of God, is in the good Work, and he that is not, is in the evil, and whatever he doth is abominable : And that he that hath not the Righteoufnefs of God hath his own, which is impertecl;^ but who hath that of God, hath th^t which prrfcdly fatif- fies both God and Man, fo far as with it the Crea- ture is covered. With it we fee him that hath Faith without this Work, to be as a Body without a Spirit, which can P 4 do (oi6) 16^5. do nothing, and that Faith is vain that's without S^^Y^ Power. And as we fee with that which is Eternal, fo we ju^ge, and the World receives not our Tefti- mony, becaufe the carnal Mind is Enmity, and cannot be fiibjed, nor can the natural Man receive the things of the Spirit-, only thofe who mind the Light of the Spirit, difcern and own our Teftimo- ny, and receive our Witnefs and his Power who is True, and fo become willing to follow that Truth that leads to Freedom. How long have you talked of being a willing P ople in the Day of his Power? but do vain words fave you while you are in the Power of Darknefs, and your own Wills ftanding ? Are you a willing People for God, when you fee with the Light of Chrift in yjur Hearts, what you ought to do, and what you ought to forbear, but your own Wills withftand it, and lead you into Covetoufnefs, Plea- jures, and Wantonnefs, and Selfiihnefs, contrar)^ to it ? And what Power is this which ads you in thefe ways of L^nrighteoufnefs, for which your Hearts condemn you? This is the Power of Dark- nefs, whi^h the Light of Chrift in your Confciences bears Witnefs againll. And thus you have got "Words inftead of Power and Life ^ and you think Salvation is in them, crying, the Ordinance of God. But did God ever ordain a Talk without Power and Life ? Is not Chrift the Ordinance, and the end of all Ordinan- ces, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life ? Is there any Ordinance without him in the Gofpel> Or will he accept your Performances which ye have taken on you from imitation of others which he leads not to in Spirit ? Is not he that Commands and he that gives Power one, who in Spirit gives out his Will to every Generation, v/hich they who followed Imitations only would never own, nor could he ever own their Service, whofe Fear and Worfliip is taught by the Precepts of Men, and not by his Spi- rit within? Is not he the Sabbath, Circumcifion, Baptifm* ( 21? ) Baptifm, the Supper? ^c. are not all thefein him? i6%%. And doth not he Minifter all rhefe in Spirit to e- C/\'>J very one that comes to him > and fo the Shadow is fwallowed up in the Subftance tlie end of all Sha- dows, which is Life indeed, bu* the Figures are not the Life, nor can any have the Life but who comes to the end of them \ for the outward makes no- thing perfed, but the inward doth, all that come unto it, and abide in him. When will you be weary of your vain Imagina- tions ? Qf a Day to come wherein you muft have Ppvyer ? How long have you been deceived with thefe vain thoughts ^ Was not this it you talked on, twenty, thirty, forty, or fifty Years fince, yet now farther off from it than ever. And are not thefe vain Words, though you cannot bear it to have them fo called ^ When will you be afhamed of your vain ProfelFion, you that run to feek God in the High-places amongft the Hirelings, running from God, to feek him where he is not ? And is not this vain ProfeiTion when nothing is brought forth but wind, nor is he found by you in that wherein your Fruit i^ ? Thofe who had the Form and not the Power, could never find him therein : Then how fliould you fpeed any better that joyn with them who have nei- ther ? For in fuch a Form you Worlhip as in which God never appeared, but Chrift and his ever wit- neffed againft, and doth to this Day, yet will not you be inftrudted but in your own Wills and Ways you will ftand, though you find nothing but emp- tinefs in it ^ and yet you talk of being a willing People in the Day of his Power ? But when will you have it prefent who abide in that way where both Will and Power is rejecled. Free-will thereto, you have not, but to follow Satan, who hath begot a Will in you that God never Created, contrary to God in all things ^ and where that Will rules, it will not own his Power, therefore is the Day of his Power put afar off txoni you j but the Will of the Devil ( 2'8) 1^5?. Devil and his Power is prefent, and afls you at his VV\^ pleafure, and you are offended that any fliould witnefs being fet free from it. Thus you are fuffered to pleife your vain Minds, the Day to talk on, hut the Night and deeds of Darkiiefs you muft walk in, elfe your old Mafter is highly difpleafedj and if any call you to the Light, he fays it's Delufion : And as for freedom from Sin, or the way to Perfection, that's mofl: dan- gerous Herefie and Delufion. And thus he makes you mofl: afraid of Freedom, leafl: any of you Ihould believe in the Son which leads to it ^ for the Devil knows, if he can but keep you from believing it, you are fure from ever coming to it 5 for as is every Man's Faith, fo fhall be his Freedom. Thus you {land a far off, and cry take heed of Delufion and Deceiving, when you have nought but your Sins to be deceived of ^ nor can you fay you have ought in you that is pure, but that which you deny in your Confcience, which is a Witnefs againft vou ^ and this is the cry of all who are deceived aLraily, in all Forms in the World : But thefe who have the Spirit, that can try all things, wax bold as a Lyon, and will not receive nor hold faft any thing but that which is good, that none can take from them. The Heathen were ever afraid to be fpoiled of their Idols, and fo are you of your Images you have fet lip, and formed from others, every one accord- ing to your own Wills. If Shadows and Likenefles could Save, then would it be found in thefe Nati- ons, who have of all forts, and ftatures, tall and as with Heads of Gold fome of them, which you zea^ loufly Worfhip, and compel others alfo who know no better. And this is that they ferve for, but they cannot Save you, only they ferve you to con-v tend about, and keep ycu doing, leafi you fhould wait upon God alone,andbe faved from your Sins, and then the Devil's Kingdom would be broken, where- fore ( ^^9 ) '. fore he feeds you with a ProfelFion, and Form with- i«3. and hear not, and Hands which never handled the Word of Life ^ yet would you he teaching others that which you never faw nor heard, and to this Teaching you would limit others. ?aul was fent to open the blind Eyes, yet waj he fent to thofe who had Eyes as you have, with which they could fee to ftone him and whip him, and Ears to hear him, and call what he faid Here- fie and Blafphemy, as you do, and as ever the Car- nal judged of the Spiritual, who have not an Ear to hear what the Spirit faith. O unwife People ! You have but one thing that lets you fee your Evil, yet will you not turn to that for Teaching •, that Eye you love not which letspu fee your Darknefs. You cry, you have nothing that's good in you, yet will you not own that which lets you fee it is"fo. And thus you keep Co- venant with Darknefs, though Death and Deftruc- tion be the End of it , but the Light which fhines in Darknefs you regard not, that's far beyond your Comprehenfion, nay, it's the leaft Seed in you (which we know is the Seed of the Kingdom) trod^ den under Foot by the Kingdom of the World : therefore nothing elfe leads out of the World, but that whofe Kingdom is not of it, and with this Seed is the Covenant -, which Seed you know not, who take Pleafure in the Flelli, that's of another Kingdom, to which is no Covenant but Death and Hell s yet you talk of Abraha?n, and his Covenant and Promife, but that in Abraham, in which the Covenant was eftablilhed, was that which led him out of the World, wherein he became a Stranger and Wanderer, as that Seed ever is, which you call Vagabonds, perfecute and imprifon, you that have Rule in this World, Ihewing that you are not of that Seed that entertains Strangers, nor in that Coveri- ant,where all are Strangers and Pilgrims in thisWorid 5 nor do you own that which would divide you irom ^ this 167^. this World, being uncircumcifed in Heart, which i-y^V^ to be is the Seal of Abraham's Faith. And fo yoii, whofe Life is^ in the Earth, are far oiF from Abra- hams Bofom, Faith and Covenant, which is only to his Seed, not to the Seed of Evil Dotrs^^ not to Seeds which are many, but to One, '.v-hich isChnft. So in the World, out of Chrifl": and out of Chrift, out ot God's Covenant-, for his Promifes are all Yea and Amen to them that are in Chrift Jefus, but not to them that abide in the World. They who own him as King cannot want thePro- mife, neither can you have it who abide in the World ^ therefore you apply the Words, but want the Life, which is the Power ^ nor can your literal Promifes fuit your Condition, nor fave you from Satan's Power-, but as all others, who think Salva- tion to be in the Letter j fo do you deny the Lead- ing and Guiding of the vSpirit, in which the Power- is, therefore the Light you will not follow, neither can you believe it to be fufficient ^ and he that de- nies the Light, cannot own the Lord of Life. So you are ignorant of God and his W^ay, in which he makes himfelf known to his People; And fo take up your Reft in outward Obfervations, fetupanc up- holden in the Wills of Men, and for fuch Tradi- tions you are zealous, and ftrongly contend for them, but the Law of God written in your own Hearts you make of none EfFedt, while you deny to be rul- ed according to it : Yet you fay. We are in the New Covenant^ when you are in the Old Traditions^ and what you know is from others. But the leaft in that Covenant knou's him and his Prefence, and wit- nefs him true according to his Promife, ever mani- fefting his Power, to undertake for us againft all our Enemies, a prefent Help in Time of Trouble, and we know him in whom we have believed, where he is, and the Way to Him, having feen th'^ Glory of his Kingdom, and the Po vers of the Eternal "World, the Houfe wherein are many Manfions, yet the lowcft Place is pure, fof which the Lord alone prepares ( 22? ) prepares his People and their Way, which the Crea- i6')f. lure cannot do of himfelf, only Chrifl: doth it where L/^/'^ felf ivS denied, and felf-Will •, for b)^ the Will of Man comes no Promife, nor obtains that Will any Per- formance. , So he begets both the Will and the Deed, which you know not where your own Wills are fianding, by him not forgotten, who in your Wills make a Profeffion, and in the fame Wills contend for it, with which you can fight, and fue, and trade in the World, and heap together, and what you will you pray and ask for, and grudge if you be not fatif- fied. But if you compafsyour Defires in that Will, the Luft catcheth the Gift, but you forget the Giver, So that Mercies become a Curfe to you, which to thofe who in the Will of God fi:and are a Bleffingj which Will of God is to keep the Heart and Eye to the Creator and Giver : And if you receive not the Giver, the Gift is nothing that fatisfies, becaufe the Virtue and Fulnefs is wanting, whereby the Gift is fandified. Thus is God prized and praifed in his own Will, a Sacrifice for ever accepted : Therefore Chrifl: mufl: not be offered up in his own Will, but in the Will of the Father, Matik 26. 39. And in that Will he had Power to lay down his Life, and to take it up a- gain. Thus he is become our Example, whom we delight in the fame Will to follow ^ which you that read this in the Scripture with your own Wills can- not : therefore to you the Crofs is preached, which mufl: be taken up e're you can follow the Example of Chiifl:. ^ This is the (tumbling Stone and Rock of OfFenca God hath laid to prove you, who fay you love God, and f^y, Thy Will be done in Earthy but love your own Will better, as your Practices witnefs to your Fa. e daily, when his Will is your Sandification, but yV urs is Pollution, and to live in Uncleannefs, a- gainii which he hath given Teftimony, witnefs that ill all your Confciences which is pure, declaring daily ( ^H ) j6^1. daily to your Faces that he confents not to your ly'V^NJSins, nor takes Delight in your Deftrudion ^ and here God's Love is tendered, and your Love is tried. God fo loved the World that he hath given his Son a Light into the World, that whofoever believes and follows him, fliall not abide in Death and Dark- nefs, but Ihall have the Light of Life. And this we know, who love his Appearance, and that ha hath loved us fir ft ^ and in that Loi-e we follow him, and call ro all to come to it. ^ But how do you anfwer this Love of his, who abide in the Love of the World, where the Father's Love dwells not, nor with his Light will you be led out of the Love of the World, to where his Love dwtlleth, thereof to be Partakers ^ 3''et vou will talk of it where it is not ^ and thefe vain Words cannot fave you. God is Light, and in him is no Darnefs at all, and it we walk in the Light, as he is in the Light, then have we Fellowlhip with him, and the Blood of Chrift: cleanfeth us from all Sin. But what's this to you who walk in Darknefs, not cleanfed > Nor do you believe that ever 3''ou can be wlnlll you live ^ yet would you not be called Unbelievers, tho' that Faith that purifies the Heart you do not own 5 3>/, fay you, voe believe v:e p)aU be cleanfed ajtr, icc be dead, in another World : So your Faith muft work hereafter, but is dead at prefent •, fuch a Faith as never was profefled by any true Believers you read of in the Scriptures : But that Faith we witnefs which overcomes this World, and this is prefent Power, as the Saints have found it, and born wit- nefs of it, That God was faithful, who had g.ven them a Meafure, above which no Temptation bcfel them ^ but 3^our Gift is to come, fo Temptaaon prevails for the prefent, and you cannot own them where it does not. Thus you put far from yoj the good Day of the Lord, and his Power, which r.ow is prefent where he is received and bel'.ved*, and by fuch he is praifed, who by Faith are redefined from the Pollutions of this World (the Ilrange Land whereia ( 225 ) wherein they were captivated) into Freedom, where i6^<;. Sions Song is fung, which you cannot learn whilil i>'*^r>J unredeemed. And here fee your Praifes, which arife from a vain Mind in your own Wills and Imitations, but not from a Soul redeemed, cjuickned,^ and fet free from the Power of Sin and Temptation : fo your Praifes are not living Praifes, nor from a living Principle of the living God, but from that Prin- ciple where Death reigns, and the Seed of God is in Prifon •, fo you praife you knoiv not vv^hat, who are ftill unredeemed from Bondage: But where Re- demption is witnefTed, there that Seed is raifed, the Bonds of Death are broken, the Way of Life^ is found, and this being known in the Life, then with Underftanding God is praifed, and ivith the fame Spirit which he hath raifed, v/hich only v/ith God is accepted, without refpect of Perfons: And here the Works of God praife Him, and in his Saints he is glorified, and admired in all who are raifed above the Graves, who are in him, and fte his W^ork. And this Church is rightly gathered, who out of Sin, Death and Darknefs is brought inro God, who is holy, v/ith v/hom dwells no unclean Thing. Here are the pure Praifes, v/here the Sons of God fing together, having the Pfalm given of the Fa- ther •, thefe Praifes are pure which from him come, and to him return freely, but this is not known to the Sons of Bondage, nor believed by you ; there- fore you fit down in a Shadow empty, and Form without Power,and the Prefence of God you know not, who take your Reft in flelhly Forms, that Eye can- not fee him, nor know him. Thus ii\ your Sins you periih, for want of His Knowledge, v/ lo is our Life Eternal, and to you is freely tendered, but by your Unbelief denied, and fo his Love rejeded.^ All you that are in the W^orld, who lie in W^ick- ednefs, God fo loveth you, that he hath fent his Son into the World to you^ a Witnefs againft the W^orld, and the Deeds of it^ that they are Evil ^ O but ( .26 ) 1^-;^. "but all that own and follow him into the good Wort t^^V'VJ he leads them, and out of the Evil he keeps them -, and that by his Light, which in your Confcienceslhines in the midft of Darknefs, which you comprehend not with your dark Minds, nor fenfual Wifdom, yet a faithful Witnefs is it againfi your Deeds of Darknefs, declaring your End, and Death upon your Life, and Sorrow and Howling upon your Laughter, condemning your vain Pleafures and In- ventions, with which you fpend your precious Time, which fhould be redeemed, and not fpent unprofita- bly, Which with the Light the Saints and redeemed Ones are led to, to redeem the Time. And this is our Diligence and Delight in 5 but yours is to fpend it, (hewing a contrary Nature and Leader, a contrary Deiiglit in a contrary Kingdom, with whom you are joined, and to whom you are fafhioned according to the Courfe of this World, and the Prince and Power of it, which rules in his Children, where Dif- obedience is born and brought forth. And thus you are united into that Nature w^hich the Devil is the Prince of, and Wrath and Woe the End of, and fo God isjuflified herein, that you who defpifc tlie Riches of his Light in Chrift Jefus, fhould be left in Darknefs, therewith to be guided, and in Chains referved till the great Day, in which you fhall be jiidgod by the Light now denied, with 3'onr carnal Reafon, Prudence and Wifdom, from which God hath hid the Things of hisKingdom, in all Generations, and that is Darknefs, even your Wifdom and Prudence which you judge withal, which is mofi: fought and prized by you who deny the Light of Chrift- and tin's Wiidom when it fpeaks calls Light Darknefs, and Darknefs Lights fo did they ever who with it judged. And this is your Condition who deny the Light of Chrifl, and fay it's not fuflicient, but prefer your Cnin])rehenficns and Imaginations above it, and that was ever it with which People refifled the Counfel of God ag iinft themfelves ; And this is his Counfel, and ( "7 ) and all yon know of him, that which is manifefl: in i^^T. you, which moves againfl: Sin and Wickednefs, and ^-'''VN^ would lead out of it if you did it follow. The fame that condemns you for Sin when you have done it, the fame would lead out of it, and prevent it before it be adted, and fo keep out of Condemnation. And now honeftly confider, if you have not fuch a Counfellor, who is with you at all times, and faith- ful to you in fhewing the Evil, to which you are un- faithful, when you forget it, and turn from it to your felf ends ^ and the righteous pure Way he iliews you with the Light in your Confcience, which you rejedt for earthly Pleafures, and know when you do it ^ yet will you pray that God will {hew you his Way, and make you wife to Salvation : but when he- hath freely done it, you v/ill not walk in it, nor own fuch Wifdom, becaafe it comes contrary to your own Wills ^ yet you will fay, The Wifdom of this World is 'Pooliflinefs with God, yet will you not own that which is Fooliihnefs to the World, to guide you out of it, tho' there be nothing elfe appointed to do it, but that which is contrary to it ^ thus in Words you confefs him, but in Works deny him, and his Counfel : yet you fay, Wherein do we deny him ? Do not we profefs his Name and Covenant^ an A wait for his Right eoufnefs thereby to he faved ^ I fay, it ferves you to talk on, therewith to cover you, while you are ferving the other Matter, the Devil, and the World ^ but his Covenant you put far from you, his Name, and his Righteoufnefs whereby we are redeemed. What Covenant have you, who deny the Light of Chrift to guide you ? Was not he given for an everlafting Covenant of Light, both to Jem and Gentile ? And in his Light all that knew him were guided, according to the feveral Adminiftrations both of Law and Gofpel. And when they turned from his Light in Spirit, to Mens Teaching frojii the Letter, then they fet up carnal Worfhips inftead of fpiritual Obedience, then they became wife in their Q. 2 Q\Sl\ ( 2.8 ) i6s:sf. own Eyes, and zealous for their Cuftoms, but by* V/V^' him was rejeded, who is worfliipped in Spirit. And with you it is the fame now, though you cannot fee nor believe it, no more than they did when they were told of it by them who in the Light walked, and flood in his Counfc], which all Errors difcoverj they made the Law of God void through their Tra- dition, walking after their Fathers •, fo do )rou that Law God hath v/ritten in your Heart, by follow- ing your Companions and Learned Rabbies^ they faid,' and did not, and fo do you alfo ^ nay herein you exceed them, whn have a higher Profeliion, but lefs Praftice : they did not believe him come, who is to fulfil allRighteoufnefs for and in all that believe and follow him j but this Chrift you pro- fefs, and the Scripture that fo witnefTes of him, yet are you farther from it than ever they were, both in Praclife and Opinion •, they kept to the Letter in Forms of their Worihip, though they had loft the Life and Power, but you have left the Letter, and lead one another in your Inventions : So that you, have no plain Scripture for your VVorlliip perform- ed hy you in your Idols Temple. And for your Opinion of God's Righteoufnefs you far exceed them : They put it from them to another Genera- tion, waiting for him to come who was appointed King ot it, alking when it fhould come, fhewiog a Dcfire to fee it*, but you have put it wholly from you into another Vv^orld •, and if any have found it^ and its Power and Purity, and bear v/itnefs of it, whereby the Body of Sin is cleftrojed, and the Soul freed, and the Creature redeemed from com- mitting Sin, your Faith believes it to be the greatefi Blafphemy in the World 5 nay, you dare not come iitar it, lefl you fhould be infected, but confult how to baniih it out of the Nations, as an Error not to. be tolerated in the World. Thtis you profefs a Redeemer, but he niufl be a Man whofe Redemption mufl be of another World, and there mufl he work his Work, but the old Work ( 229 ) of the Devil mull ftand in this World; yet the T^^s^. more to blind you, and that you may the more V^^'VN^ blind others, he fets you on talking, That Chrift is your Righteoafnefs, when you never knew him fo in you, who is ftronger than the God of this World to bind him, and take you out of his Kingdom, and break that Covenant, whofe Faith is, That you muft be fubjedt to him whilft 3^011 live in this World, which is fuch a Faith and Covenant as none ever profefled who believed in the Name of Jefns, at: which every Knee bows who hath his Name, and he that bears that Name departs from Iniquity, and bears Tejftimony to his Righteoufnefs, here in this World, in the midft of the untoward and unrighte- ous Generation of this dark World, that fo God may be glorified in his Creatures, by his Light fliin- ing, and his Righteoufnefs reigning, above the un- righteous Principle of the Devil, which he hath be*? gotten in the untoward Nature; but in fuch the Devil is denied and difowned before the World, where God is obeyed ; and fuch are his Servants, Sons and Daugh- ters, who obey him and wait upon him, that they may bring to light what he works in them, even that which none elfe can work but he alone that is pure, nor can any bring it forth but by his Power. And thus his Works Praife him in the Gates of the Wicked, where the Floods of Ungodli- nefs do mofl r^^ell and rage, even then in his People doth this Kingdom fland in Righteoufnefs and Peace, and Joying in Holinefs. And this we witnefs to be that Covenant, and that Power by which we are entred into that In-? heritance which is Eternal, and are made Partakers of the Divine Nature; which Nature is righteous, merciful and juft, meek and patient, faithful and diligent to the Obedience of the Crofs, Long-fufFer- ing, full of Love, Moderation and Temperance, and in all Things thereby are transformed into his Holinefs, fo far as we are entred into, and abide m this Coveiiant, fo that we can truly fay. Here HE Q, 3 ' i^ ( 330 ) K^*?^. IS all, and Self is nothing, but abhorred becaufe it L/^VN^ is polluted, the Eye being now open that's only ta- ken with Affection to that which is Holy^ and with this Eye we fee you, your Name, your Covenant and your Righteoufnefs, all which lie under the Power of Darknefs. Is not that Light which is in yon become Darknefs, who have your Way to feek without you > What Name is in you, when the Ser- pent's Seed is ftill unbruifed, wlio is Head and rules in you > Where the Name of Jefus is, the Devils tremble and bow, as God hath appointed, and they that know his Name do witnefs. What is your Righteoufnefs, who bring forth that which is im- perfedt, which with the Light of the Covenant is condemned;^ Is this the Righteoufnefs of Jefus, which doth not fatisfie God and Man, being wit- neffed b}'- that in theConfcience ? And now you may fee what it is you profefs in this World, and in what ftead it will ftand you in the Day of Evil, which is condemned already with that in your Confciences: But you ufe to fay, That the Righteoufnefs of God you look for hereafter^ to be covered with it at the Day of Judgment^ but not in thii Life. I fay then, what's this you are now do- ing, which you arc here Preaching, Preffing and Pradifing, whofe is this Righteoufnefs > Is it either God's, or your own Self-Righteoufnefs ? Which if it be God's, it endures for ever, but if not, it's A- bomination, whatever it feems to you, whofe Eye is blinded, and fo profefs, and pradife, and prefs an abominable Sacrifice, and know not that you do Evil j for this I fay. Better no Righteoufnefs than that which is not God's, for fuch is Spiritual Wickei- Tiefs in Heavenly Places, and th^ long Prayers of fuch are Abomination, and they receive the greater Damnation, and of fuchCbriH: faith, Vuhlicans ami Harlots take the Kingdom before them. But you fay, Mali we not pray then ? I fay, wait for the Spirit of Prayer, which only is heard, and without which none know what to pray for ^ and with that Prayer which ( 2?I ) which helps the Infirinities, and gives the Under- i^'y'y. Handing : Only fuch are anfwered in what they ^./Y^O pray for. What Effed: hath thy Prayers which are jibomination ? Doth God hear a contrary Spirit ? Thou that delighteft in Wickednefs, God will not hear that Prayer, that^s out of the Covenant, and thou art in that Nature that God hath curfed from him, and it's in vain for thee to blefs it. And this is the Caufe why nothing you do is accepted, be- caufe it is performed in the difobedient curfed Na- ture, and there is Cains Sacrifice^ and Efaus Prayers and Tears, And you that abide in that Nature, are of thofe who faid, Jf^hy have we fafled and prayed^ and thou haft not regarded ? You call, but receive no Anfwer: But did you but mind that in your Conlcience which is pure, you would fee how often he hath called to you, and checked you for Sin, but you have not anfwered : There might you read the Caufe why you call, but he doth not anfwer 5 as he hath faid, Be caufe I called^ and you would not anfwer^ therefore when you cry^ I will not anfwer. And thus it is with you who obferve the outward Worfhips, but mind not the Spirit which is given to profit withal in theWorfhip^ and though all have a Meafure, yet you that hide your Talent, cannot Pray with the Spirit, nor with the Under- ftanding ; and fo your Fellowfliip is with the Fprm, but not in the Power -, with Men in Words, but not with God*5 and fo your times are in your own Hands 5 and you have refolved them before hand ; and you have a time to Pray, and a time to Play 5 a time to abltrain from your Lufts, and a time to fulfil your Lufts J a Day to abftain from the World, and a Day to conform to the World •, and thus not being guided with that Spirit which is before all, to lead and bring you out of Time, you are ftill in Obfervations, and your Times of Religion, and your Times in the World ^ your Cuftoms in Reli- gion, and your Cuftoms in the World, are both in your own Will, and corrupt Nature, and fo your Q, 4 Prayers T^^t- Prayers sre Abomination, and your Plowing Sm : ^^^"V^-^Biit the limes of Sons and Daughters are not in their own Hands ^ and this we have learned of Je- fus in Spirit not to pleafe our felves, nor be Men- pleafers, but to be obedient to another Principle, which m.ov^es contrary to the Will of Men, for him we Witnefs, who is not born after the Will of Man, but which the Fleihly Will of Man could never own, who by the Wills of Men ever fuffcred, where he is Born into the World ^ and the fame this Day is mani: 'ft, a Seed contrary to the Seed of Evil- Doers, and a Righteoufnefs that exceeds the Righte- oufnefs of the World, that which is amongfi: the greatrft Profelfions ; and this is that Holinefs with- out which none lliall fee God. But, fay you, This is that Righteoufnefs we Be- lieve in, and by which we are juftified, by that Blood which was llied at Jerufalem^ and by that Obedience that was in him, and by that Holinefs^ but that the want of his Righteoufnefs in us, or that want of Chrifi: or his Blood in us can hinder ^ cur Juftification, that we deny, and look upon it to be HereiTe and falfe Dodrine^ for it is Chrifi with- out us hat hath fatisfied for Sin, and not Chrifi: in US', and his Blood without us, and his Righteouf- nefs without ns^ and his Faith and Patience, Meek- iiefs and Sufferings, Hope, and Love, and Obedi^ ence, &c, it's thefe without us that whoever Be- lieves in lliall be Saved, and by this Faith the Un- godly is jufiiified. To v/hich I fav. He that believes not in Chrift wlio Suffered '^tjerufalcm, ^ and his Obedience and Righteojinefs, and that he bare our Sins in his own Body on the Crofs, and trod the Wineprefs alone, and alone v/as well-pleafing to the Father, and that in him alone Redemption is placed, and wrought by ^ him, v/ith much more v/hich may be truly laid of I him^ I lay, wholbever believes not this, cannot be lark i6. Saved, neither can he, without Faith in him, ever ^» come to receive Chrifi within him, Working and WunefV ( ^^5 ) Witneffing the fame in Spirit, as is declared In the 165;^. Letter : Nor can he come to Witnefs him that's L/^VN^ greater in him, than he that's in the World, giving him Vidory over the Devil, Sin, and the World, becaufe God hath placed all Power in Heaven and Earth in him ^ and v;ithout Faith in him who is that Power, none can come to it, nor receive it, but in him whom God hath freely given it 5 nor can any have him, and be without it, all the Promi- fes of Life and Salvation being in him Yea and Amen, But now you that malce the receiving of him to ftand in a bare confeiling with the Tongue, when the Heart believes not unto Righteonfnefl-, and that this is that Faith, a perfwafion from the Letter, or from the Knowlerlge of others, that Chrift died at Jeviijalemj and rofe again, and from thence con- clude, that all fhall be Saved, and are true Belie-. vers, that profefsthis Faith,though they come not to the Fellowfhip of his Sufferings and Refurredion in themfelves, nor to Witnefs his Life manifefl: in their mortal flelh, nor the Body of Sin put off, nor to be' wailied with the Blood of Chri[l,nor Baptized into his Death, to be dead with him to Sin, and alive with him to Righteoufnefs, and true Obedience to the Fa- ther, as true Believers Witnefs in their meafures. I fay, you that fay that a bare Perfwafion or outward ConfelHon is that Faith that juflifies the Ungodly without Chrifl: in them •, Then what are you doing when you fay, Stand off me, for I am more Holy than thou, and are gathering from them, who all believe with this Faith as well as you, only they differ from jom in other Pradifes, and fome open Sins, and the like ? And why have not the greateft Drunkards, and Swearers, or Whore- mongers, as good right to Chrifl: and Church Fel- lowihip as you have ? Or why do you hinder them from that which you call the Seals, or Sacraments, feeing that Faith in Chrifl is the ground of interefl: in him, to all that belong to Chrilt? Do ( 234 ) 1^5^^. Do not you according to your own Principle ex- O^^V'VJ elude Believers even of the fame Faith with you? And who are thofe Unbelievers you tell on who are Condemned? And to whom do you preach Faith in thefe Nations, feeing you can find none in them who are come to underftanding, Papift, nor Prote- ilant, but they believe this with you, That Chrifl died at Jcrufalem? If hereby they be juftified be- fore God, how dare you charge any thing upon them, or feparate from them, if God have owned them ? Alfo many Hundred Thoufand Pounds a Year may be fpared, which are fpent under this Pretence, as to make People Believers, when all they Preach to are Believers already, and have that Faith that juftifies the ungodly in your Opinion ^ And whofe is the Righteoufnefs People are exhorted to bring forth ? If the Righteoufnefs of Chrifl: that's necef- fary to Salvation be only without them *, then whofa is that you call for within them ? But if you fay, they muil have fome of the Righteoufnefs of Chrift within them, and the reft without them, then why do not you defcribe a mealure, that People may know how much to look for within, and v/hen they come to an end of their Labours ^ and how much they mufi: do before Chrifl: will undertake to do the refl-? Or if Chrifl: hath done all, how much of it nmfl: they do over again before they come to their refl:, and to be accepted ^ and difl:inguiih what it is that mufl: be brought forth from within, and what mufl: be believed without, but not enjoyed within, that fo People may come to fee what is Chrifl: s and what is Selfr Righteoufnefs, and where they are, that they may avoid the one, and receive the other ? But thus you lie in Confufion ^ from which by that Faith which fl:ands in Jefus, we are freed, and have received his Righteoufnefs to which we are obedient, by which we are purified, by bringing forth that which he begetteth, as formerly we were defikd by bringing forth th^t which was begotten by ( 255 ) by the Devil, and fo through obedience of the Spi- 165:5;. rit our Souls are purified, and we become conform- \/VnJ[ able to him that's gone before us, who received Light and Obedience, and Power from the Father, and Co became the firft Fruits unto Perfedlion and Holinefs, through whom we receive Power for Obe* dience, Grace tor Grace, hy which we are Saved, and our Life is in him, and our Obedience, and lie is all in us, which we receive of the Father, who hath wrought all our Works in us, and fo ordains Peace for us , yea beyond all that you know, or can believe, who know not Chrift in you. So you have fet up a Rebrobate Faith, that you cannot but be Servants of Sin while you live in this World, »nd fo are to every good Work Reprobate. But you ufe to fay. You have that, which Chrifl ^id in his own Perfon, evidenced to you, that he did it for you particularly, which Drunkards, Swearers, and the like have not. I fay your Evi- dence is but in Words and Conceit, who know not Chrift in you, no more than theirs is : You are perfwaded and hope it is fo, and fo are^ they alfo, but neither of you bring forth the Fruits that are his. But you fay, you bring forth better Fruits than i Drunkards and Swearers. I fay, the beft Fruit that's brought forth in either, which is not the Work of God by Chrift in you, is but Self-Righte- oufnefs, and all your Self adings on Performances in your own Wills is no better. But you (^y^ you do what you can, and God accepts the Will for the Deed, but fo do not thofe who are openly Wicked. i fay, God accepts no Will but his own, and this he begets by his Spirit m all that wait upon him in the Light of Jefus, and with fuch he that begets the Wii], begets the Deed alfo j and it is no more what we can, but what he will, with whom all things are pof- lible, and we can do nothing, neither do wedefire to do any thing, of our felves, yet can we do all things that he wills, through him that is in us, fo the Will ' ^ of ( 2^6 ) i^J?. of God IS done in us by his Power (in our meafures) (•VNP as it is in Heaven, and this is perfedt Righteoufnefs, where Chrift is all, and the Creature nothing. And as for your doing, and others not doings I fay every one hath that Opinion of hiinfelf, that he is not fo bad as others, and with this the Devil deceives you, to keep all in his Kingdom. And by this Opinion of j^ours none is to be Condemned^ who hath any worfe than hiinfelf in his doings ^ for this mufl needs follow from the beft to the worfl, unlefs you defcribe how fir it muft go, and no farther ^ and then muii you needs fhut out fome who have endeavoured as much againfx Sin (in their own fl:rength) as ever you did in yours. I have known a Drunkard (lied more Tears, fet flronger Refolutions, and make more Vows againfl that filthy Sin of Drunkennefs, than ever I knew the greateft ProfefTor do againft his fecret Covet- oufnels, which is Idolatry : Nay, the highefl: Pro- fefTors can plead for it (though not under thatj Name) and make a Trade on it, which the other is; afhamed to do for his Drunkennefs. Now if God had placed Righteoufnefs and Ac- ceptance in doing what one can ©f himfelf, then why Ihould not the firfi: of thefe be accepted as well •as the latter 5 feeing he Prays, and Weeps, and doth what he can (without Chriif) to overcome it ? And thus many People in the World, who know not Chrifi and his ftrength in them (which alone is ap- pointed by God to overcome Sin for all that receive hiu]) I fay, you are all in confafion, labouring to no purpofe, one condemning another, thereby to get Peace to your felves, but all under the Curfe, and fo is the Fruit you bring forth, becaufe it is not in Jefus, and he in you, in whom the Father hath placed Fruit and Acceptance, Peace and Re- conciliation, to whom all Ihall confefs for ever. And now to all honeft Hearts, in whom a Seed of God hath place, who are thus fcattered in this Jjody of confuiion, having loll the way of Truth, Peacej ( 2^7 ) Peace, and Righteoufnefs, fo that you cannot come 165:^^ to that which makes perfect, but are at a lofs with ^^'^V^N^ all you can do, and are condemned with that in your Confcience, that you are not covered with the Righteoufnefs of God, but are found Naked and Mi- ferable. I fay, that which Condemns you who are out of the Way, is the Light that leads to the Way, for whatfoever makes manifeft is Light *, fo that which makes manifeft your Darknefs, is that Light that (hines in Darknefs, to lead out of Darknefs, that Condemns you while you are in it. But that v/hich cries Peace in Darknefs, is the Prince of Darknefs, to keep in Darknefs. That which con- demns the World, is the Light of the World, given to lead out of the World all that believe and follow it ; and fuch are juftified by the Light,^ that their Deeds are wrought in God, and by him ^ which Light reproves the Evil Deeds not wrought by him. I fay this is the Light of Chrifi: given into the World, that whofoever believes and follows fhall not abide in Darknefs, but have the Light of Life. Now read all the Scriptures and fee if there be any other Covenant but this Covenant of Light, and this is the Life v/hich is the Light of Men, which Darknefs comprehends not, nor the World knows not, in which alone the Power is placed, which whoever receive, become the Sons of God, as the Father hath appointed, which he will not al- ter, the Covenant, for all the World : therefore all that are out of the Light, are out of the Covenant where God hath placed his Power. And if you would give your Goods to the Poor,and your Bodies J to the Fire, it's tc no purpofe, becaufe you are out of this Love of the Father. Therefore all are firft called to believe in the Light e're they can be ac- cepted: For without Faith it is impoliible to pleafe God, or be lound in his Work, or receive his Power ^ fo all 3''cur Labour brings not forth that which is. accepted, but with the Light is condemned, that it is ( .38 ) 1(5^^. IS not perfeft, and ^o you fit down in Sorrow, nof* O^'V^^ vrithftaiKling all your Labours which are out of the Light, where God hath promifed no Peace, nor Power ^ for God doth not manifefl: his Works in the Darknefs, but in the Light, that all the Chil- dren of Light may fee and Praife him who doth all for his own Glory, which the Children of Dark- nefs fee not, who are out of the Light of Chrift. So fuch talk of what God hath done, and what he will do, but know him not at prefent, nor his Power, working all their Works in them. Therefore this I fay to all who defire to know him^ that you fland flill in the Light of Jefus, that you may come to fee the Life and its movings, and the power of Death, and its movings •, that you may fee what Spirit works Obedience, and what Spirit works Difobedience •, fo Ihall you fee what's done in the Bod)^, if the Eye be fingle, then is there no place for Darknefs, but it is difcovered. So with the Light you come to difcern each Spirit, and each Principle, and their feveral Workings ; and that the one is the Power that Works in the Light, which Works to Obedience ^ the other is the Power that Works in Darknefs, and Works to Dif- obedience. For the Devil the Power of Darknefs,whoWorks in the Children of Darknefs, that they all maybe Dam- ned who will not receive the Light, but God hath re- ferved the Light pure, and therein placed his Power, that fo none may fail who Believe in it^ and here is the BleJfing and the Curfing, the Eledlionand Re- probation, the Light and the Darknefs •, both which the Light difcovers as it arifes in all who in it be- lieve and wait. And if you abide in the Light, you will fee none can Curfe what God hath Bleiled, nor Blefs what he hath Curled. For as the one of thefe leads up to the Life from whence it comes, all that believe and follow it, fo the other down to Death all that abide in it •, for none in the Light did ( 239 ) did ever perifh, nor out of it was ever Saved, what- 1^5^* ever is their Profeffion. Kyy^S^ In the Light is the Power, and the Power in the Light, for this is one in Chrifi: Jefus 5 and in this Light if ycu keep waiting, with it you fhall fee the Motions of Sin which are after the Flefh, work- ing in you, drawing your Minds after them to obey them 5 and you fhall fee at the fame time the Mo- tions of the Spirit in the meek Principle, drawing you to the contrary. So that if you be not rafli to follow the Motions of the Flefti, but of the Light take Counfel, you fhall fee every Word and Action difcover'd to you, in the Light, of what fort they are of, from what Root they arife, and what they tend to ^ and here you come to the Knowledge of Sin, and who begets it in the Creature, and the Knowledge of Righteoufnefs, and who begets it in the Creature ^ and here in plainnefs you come to fee your Father, and whofe Children you are, even his whom you obey 5 for if you bring forth the Works of the Devil, which he begets in you, then are you his Children 5 but if you deny the Works of the Devil, and bring them to the Light, then God gives you Power to bring forth what he will beget in you in the Light, and Men feeing that Work of God brought forth into the World, thereby is God glorified : And this is not only a talking of God, but a living to him in your meafure, and here fliall you grow up (in the Obedience) in the Knowledge of Chrifi:, and learn him of God, and the Way to him ^ fo every one that hath learned of the Father cometh to me, Joh/i vi. 44, 47. j4/jd none can come to me^ except my Father draw them ^ So fhall you fee the Law written in your Hearts, which difcovers Luftand Uncleannefs-, even in your Hearts in the firft Rife of it \ and you will come to fee that this Law is pure and muft be fulfilled, and when ycu fee none of themfelves can fulfil it in its Righteoufnefs and Purity, then is way made for for Chrifi J and fo the Law is the Schoolmafter to lead ( 24-0 )t l6$'y. lead to him where the Righteoiifnefs is placed, and I/'VN; Power to fulfil it, who is the End of it for Righte- ournefs to every one that Believes. And as your Minds are kept to this Law that God hath written, to Ihew Sin and Evil, you will come to fee the Power that Sin hath got over you, and that you are wholly Polluted and Sold under it 5 then will you fee the great Tranfgreffion, and the Fear of God will appear in you, and fo your Hearts will grow tender in his Fear, whicii is but the beginnings of the Knowledge of God and his Wifdom : And fo waiting in the Light, you will come to fee Openings and Breathings after Chrifl: Jefus, in which abiding and waiting low in the Fear you will come to fee fome Openings and Promifes of the Father's Love to that Seed which is breath- ing in you after him, and fome hopes of Pardon of Sin in Chrill: Jefus, and fo come to fee the Law and the Prophets Prophefying, v/hich Condition many have come to, and then have lofi their Condition hy the Minds getting out of the Fear, and Fleih exalting into the Promife, and fo come to get the Wound healed before Death be flain, and fo lofe that little Communion they had with God afar ofF, but never come fo far as to the Waliiing through] r, nor to the Marriage, but the Light Mind gets into this, and tattles it out to others, and calls it Expe- rience, yet never came fo far as to fee Chrili and the Father, yet after thefe doth the World wander, notwithffanding they live in the fame filthijiefs as they did formerly ♦, yet fay they, I have affurance fo many Years fince, and the Promife of God is fure, and his Covenant cannot be broken, but can- not fee that the Condition is lolf, and the Seed is Buried (under the Earthly Pleafures) to which the Promife was •, for the Vromifc is to the Seed iMch ii one, not to Seeds, vohich is tnany. Gal. iii. \6. Not to the Fleilily Man which is now got up, but to the Spiritual Seed, which isMeekand Lowly, which God Teacheth and BUfleth, and the Creature that ( mO that turns to it is BlefTed, becaufe of that meek 16'y'^^ Spirit into which they are turned, and fhould be for^^^^V^^ ever, if in it they did continue t, for to it is the Covenant which cannot be broken, therefore all that depart out of it, it will not follow , for then fhould not the Covenant ftand fure in that Seed which is but one, one Heart, one Mind, one Soul, one Spirit •, and whofoever receives this Unity of Faith, fhall find this Covenant fure: But this was never placed in the Worldly Seed, but in the Spiri- tual ^ fo the Carnal is Death and Hell, that's its Covenant-, but the Spiritual is Life and Peace, that's its Covenant 5 and each Covenant ftands fure to them who are in them. So that Creature who was fometimes tender and lowly Minded, and that Seed. awakened to which is the Promife, not waiting in the Promife till it be performed ^ the Creature turns into the World where the Curfeis, and there inherits, yet is the Covenant fure to the Seed, and all that abide in it-, and this all Witnefs who have waited in their meafure, though he that turns from it is Condemned. And if you abide Faithful waiting in tlie Light, you will be fo far from turning into the Liberty of the Flefh, that you will fee every vain Thought and Imagination judged, in the firfi: motion, and the Ground of all Sin you will fee laid open, and fo come to fee the Ax laid to the Root of the Cor- rupt Tree, that hath brought forth Evil Fruit, which is Johns Miniftry, and the Baptifm of Re- pentance, and fo be led on to him who fulfils all Righteoufnefs } And that Kingdom you will hear preach'd at Hand, which confifts not in Words, but in Power \ then vain Babblers you will come to fee and avoid, and be brought only to prefs after Righteoufnefs, and fo fee your Light grow and fpring up to the burning andihining, 'till the Day- itar arife in your Hearts ^ then will you ceafe to put God and Chrift afar off you, and wait to fee Chrift in you the hope of Glory •, and fo come to R fee ( H^ ) i5^7. fee Chrifl: in you the Light, fthe Way, the Truth, L/^/XJ and the Life -, and not to have your Light and Life to feek in a Book without you, nor from Men, but Chrift your Life in you, made manifeft in j^our Mortal Bodies ^ and fo coming to the Son, and to fee him revealed, by him come to have the Father revealed alfo, and fo come to the Knowledge of God, which is Life Eternal, even God in his Tem- ple, where he is Worfhipped in Spirit and Truth 5 and this Truth in you, and this God in you, then lliall ye kn^w that your Bodies are the Temples of the living God, as he hath faid, / will dwell in them^ and walk, in them^ 2 Cor. vi. 16. And that the Spi* rit of God divellcib in you, i Cor. iii. 16. By which Spi it he is Worlhipped, and by the fame Spirit you are Taught, and this is not known by hear- fay, nor got by imitation, nor taught in the ima- ginations, but through Death it is learned, only in thofe who in the Light are guided, and by the Spi- rit kept, in the Fire, and in the Water, where Death is flain, Faith purified, and the Body clean- fed and purged from its Drofs and Filthinefs, Pa- tience given and proved, and all the Gifts and Gra- ces of God which vain Minds talk on, but know not but in Words, thefe to be waited for in the Liglit, received in the Faith, and proved in the Patience, to the bringing the Creature wholly to rely upon God in the worfi Condition, even at their Wits ends, when all the World fails and becomes Enemies, then to fall into the Defence of God alone, or when the World Tempts with the greatefl: Plea- furcs, then to deny all lor the Love of God-, this is foon talked on, but none can have it, but who have received it in the fame way of Obedience that Chrift hath gone before , and leads in Spirit and Power alibis after him,who believe in hisLight,and follow it : Then may you fay, follow us as we fol- low Chrift, and walk as you have us for Examples ^ till then you are but Imitators, and out of the Life ( H? ) Lifeand Power, andfo lead one another into Forms i<5^ Is he the fame that was from the Beginning, whofe Kingdom is not of this World > And do you look for him after another manner than he hath appear- ed > Is he not the fame yefterday, and to day, and for ever ^ How hath the Enemy of your Souls de- ceived you, and kept you fpending Hours and Days talking of him what he was, and what he will be at a diitance without you, but know not him at hand what he is, fo that when he would appear in K 2 you C 244 ) t6^>. you to lead you out of the World, you know net V^r\^his Voice, nor will yoa obey him in Spirit, becaufs he is not come in your Form, nor Teacheth after your Will, and in your Way, fo is he now as much fet at nought by you Builders as ever he was, and yoa cannot receive him in your Hearts, nor is there any room for him in the Inn, farther than to take on and exprefs as a Covering for your Pride and Earth- ly Pleafures, let that of God in your Confciences be juJge, betwizt God and you herein, how you re- ceive the Son of his Love, the defpifed one, fearch your Hearts therewith and fee: Can you receive hin?i who is fet as a Sign every where to be fpoken a- gainfi: f' Will you bear his marks in your Body? Will you take up his Crofs daily, and bear his Re- proach > Will you own him in Whippings, Stonings, Mockings, and Temptations, and to be counted the filth of the World and ofF-fcouring of all things for his Name fake ? Can you be willing to be accounted" Fools, that his Wifdom may be manifefl: in you? Will you bear his Reproach in Stocks, and Prifons, and Dungeons, and to be numbred amongft Tranf- grt ilbrs ? Will you confefs him before Men to the lols of your Eflates, and to the calling out of the Synagogues? Will you own him in leading you through the lofs of all your unjufl: Gain and Op- preliion in your Tradings, or will you follow him to 3''ea and nay in all your Occafions? Shall nothing ieparate you from the Love of God in him who is rejected of all the World? This is our Chrift, and this is his Condition in this World as ever it was^ and this is his Glory to carry his People through all thefe things, and above all thefe into the Eternal Kingdom of the Father, and them prefent perfedl without fpotor wrinkle, or any fuch thing ^ and this is he whom the World cannot receive, nor all you who arc in the World's Pleafures can fee any come- linefs in him, nor beauty, that you ihould defire him 5 that Eye is blind that jangles about him afar off ( 245 ) off in the Carnal Comprehenfions and Senfual Wif- 'SA-.O dom, it's the Eye of Faith that feeth him prefent i^5J« (in the meafure) and leads to follow him, and he that Believes hath the Witnefs in hinifelf, where- with his Glory is feen in the Eternal the fame to all Generations that will receive him who is the Light of the World, yet not of this World nor his Glory, from whofe Root fprings Righteoufnefs, Mercy and Judgment, who is Meek and Lowly, a Man of Sor- rows, acquainted with Grief, v/ho takes no Pleafure in Unrighteoufnefs, to fet up Pride, but (hakes. his Hand at the Gain of Opprefllon, who ftrikes at your Life in all Unrighteoufnefs, and that's his Witnefs in you, which calls you out of thefe vain things, that with his Light he might lead you out of the World, there to commune with you about your Backflidings, and fhew your Tranfgreilions^ and the Everlafting Covenant of the Father's Love, even the Eternal Liheritance which none can come to, but who receives his Witnefs in the Light, a Crofs to all the World's Lovers, and its Glory. So if you can receive him you may, if not, this I fay to you, your Expectation will fail, who look for his Appearance in the Worldly Glory, or after your Imaginations, who judge him to be like your felves, or fuch a one as you would have him, who have changed your Glory for fading things, and fo ima'* gine of him alfo. Do you think the Lamb hath changed his Glory, becaufe the Beaft is got up into his Seat > Nay, his Glory is the fame, though you have changed your God, and have bov/ed down to the Prince of this World, and his Glory, and hath committed Adultery therewith, yet God is the fame and changes not. Wherefore come down you paint- ed Harlots, you Adulterers and AdulterefTes, whofe Minds would uphold Carnal Delights, and yet pro- fefs the Name of the Lord Jefus, you are an ill Sa- vour to the Nations whom the Lord is about to ga- R ^ Iher, ( h6 ) i($">'). ther, who fay you are the People of God, but live \y^r^ vvorfe than the Heathen, you are the Enemies of God, and your Profeifion ftinks in his Noftrils ^ will he accept your Words, when your Lives Preach Re- bellion openly, and have begot a Faith in one ano- ther to believe that God will accept you herein, and a Chrili you look for conformable to your Kingdom of Pride and Worldly-Glory, Self-vvorlhip, and Re- fped of Perfons, whither you have followed the Heathen into that Principle where Man errs, thi- ther are you gone out of the Faith of Chrift, which ftands not in refped of Perfons, neither can you Believe who receive Honour one of another, fo your Hope jhall perifh, and your Sorrow and your End fliall come upon you in one Day, except you re- turn, though now you put it afar off,yet fhall you fee that vain words fliall not Save, where Light and Life is denied. And you whofe Unity ftands in the vifibles, and by them are gatheied together, and there you re- ceive and know one another, and that you make the Door to receive into your Church, and without it no Communion, whofe Knowledge is outward, and your Worfnips outward, as in Words, or Wa- ter, Bread or Wine, or any Carnal periihing things, though good in their Time and Place, to them who in their Place could ufe them ^ yet were they not given as the Subftance, but as the Shadows ^ not in the place of God, but in way of Obedience to God, as many other Carnal things, which in their Place and Time were not to be omitted ^ as. Temple, Cir- cumcifion. Sacrifices, Brazen-Serpent, which were good, till fet in the place of God, and till they who had them, fet them up againfl: Truth and Righte- oufnefs, and became as bad, if not worfe than they that had them not, yet BleiFed themfelves in their Evil ways, becaufe of them, and excluded all elfe. Then the Lord departed out of them, and left them empty and defolate, and his next Appearance cried them ( H7 ) them down without, and fet np the Subflance of i^^T- them within, fo that God hath pulled down what t/'VNJ he himfelf did fet up, though good in their time ^ yet if Carnal, the Carnal Mind would get into them, and Adulterate from the Maker ^ as you may read in the Scriptures how many things he hath laid waft upon that account, even at h^' Appear- ance in fome of his Sons and Daughters, even iLch things as he had faid fhould be Signs for Ev.^, yet their abufecaufed the Servants of God to cry them down : fo your Carnal Things wherein God and his Power, and Righteoufnefs is not, your fetting them up inftead of Chrift, makes them odious to all that know Chrift, and they cannot fee that v/hich be- longs to God given to any Creature and be filent : But you will fay, they are Gourmands of God, and there is no Scripture for taking them away 5 I fay, thofe Carnal Things are but Comfnands, as Circum- cifion and the PafTover were, and many other, yet were they taken away without Letter, by that Spi- rit that gave them, when they wereabufed 1, what Letter had Hezekiah to take away the Brazen Ser- pent, and break it in pieces } What Scripture had Paul to cry down Circumcinon ivhen he faw it abufed, though he had circumcifed ? What Scrip- ture had Faul to deny that he was fent to Baptize, when he faw them abufe it, and fetting it up above Chrift, and many other things which by the Spirit of God was removed, when Idolized ^ for which the literal Obfervers who denied the Spirit's Teach-^ ing, counted them Blafphemers, as you do now j and fo by fuch they Suffered for holding forth the Subftance, and denying the Shadows, to fuch as Idolized them, though otherwife Shadows had been Lawful ; Nor do I judge any that do it in Obedi- ence, and fo come up above it \ but all you that ftick in thefe outward things, contending about Dipping , or Sprinkling, but negledl the Pow- ^r and Life ^ you are the Jews of thefe days, who R 4: fl;riv§ ( H« ) t6^'). ftrive about outward Wafliings, fome for young, iy^,'"^ and fome for old ^ but in the mean time, all out of the Power, and in the World, in your own Wiil^ and World 1}^ Pleafiires and Profits, Pride and Co- vetoufnefs; fome for Free will, others not, but all in your own Wills: And thus while you are about thefe things received by Tradition, the Law of God written in your Hearts is made of none efred, nay you cannot own it, that there is any thing there to guide or give the Knowledge of God ^ fo you have a Form of God, but the World hath Power over you, and in you, and fo are become a Reproach to llcligion 5 wherefore come out of the World and the Power of Darknefs, and come to the Guide of the Spirit of Truth, that you may be fet free to the Lord, from the Rudiments, which God is departed out of, and follow the Lamb whitherfoever he go- €th ^ then fhall you fee him feparating you from the World in the Subfiance of Truth, in Mercy and Righteoufncfs, before you be hardened in your Wickednefs, and your Forms be left to you defo- late, and a flrange thing come upon you, which is iecn concerning fome of you, who will not now own his Appearance who before all Form is ? Will it not be a itrange thing to fee you, who above all have cried out for Liberty of Confcience, and a- gainfl; Pc'ifecucion, who have been Perfecuted for Confcience fake, to fee you become the mofl fubtil Perfecuters that ever were in the World? You in this Generation, be not grieved to hear of thefe things, for God is bringing flrange things to pafs, which you will not believe,"' though it be told you ^ but when it is come upon you, remember you have heen told, for the Lord is gathering his Seed out from the Heathen where it hath been fcattered, and who will not be gathered, fhall be Icattered ^ and who will not come into the Kingdom of the Lamb, muft be left amongftthe Beafis^ and when Man de-. incs the Spirit of God to lead him, he is no better ^ who r ( 249 ) who bath blinded that E)^e that forefees the Evil, 1^5:5:.' Ihall fall into Mifchief e're he be aware. L/VNJ And you Rulers, Magiftrates, and Gov^rnours, who have the Sword of the Lord in your Hands, to Rule in Righteoufnefs and Judgment, there is one thing needful for you to mind, that you know the Lord to be your Judge and Law giver in particular, without which you cannot Rule for God, nor as deferving the Name of Chriftians: the Heathens ex- ercifed Lordlhip in their own wills, and there is , but one thing that differs jou from them •, if you Rule for God, and after his will, fo as to give way that he may fet up his Kingdom in the Soul, who hath fet you up to Rule amongft Men : And you cannot Rule for God, unlefsyou be Ruled by him 5 but if you have received his Law written in 3''our Hearts, and hi§ Judgments there, and his Power and Authority, and your Souls fubjedt thereto for Con- fcience fake, even to that Power that is of God, to come under it, and the Principle of Everlafting Judgment and Righteoufnefs, to Reign in you, and Rule you, and with that Power and Authority up- on you, and with you, you go forth to judge his People, and the Heathen : then you Rule with God, and for God ^ and with his Power and Authority which you have received, and to which you are joined, are you juftified before the Lord God, for whom you judge 5 and his Law in every Confcience fhall anfwer to your Judgment, that it is juftandof God 5 and fo to that Power of God and his Authori- ty (hall every Soul be fubjed, not only for Fear, but alfo for Confcience fake, fo you become Mini- flers of God to others •, but if you depart out of the Counfel of God and the leadings of his Spirit, and get up into the Seat of thofe that went before you, and take Counfel at your felves and your Policy, to eftablifh your Wills as a Law, and have not refpedt to the Law written in the Heart 5 but contrary to ity fet up refpect of Perfons and Places inftead of Judgment ( 250 ) i^'}^» Judgment and Righteoafnefs. Then it muft needs ^^'^^^^be that all who have refpedt to the everlafting Law and Power of God in Spirit, muft faffer by you, as WitnefTes againft you, as the Prophets, Apoftles and Martyrs have done againfl: your Forefathers, till the Lamb's Teftimony be finifhed, and ended againft you alfo^ yet are not we defpifers of Authority herein, no more than they were, who in fubjedion to that Power ordained of God, fuffered by the wills of Men, vv^ho ihould have defended them, by that Power, from the wills of Men, who are not fubjedt to that Power of God ^ fo by Men who de- ny that Power that is ordained of God, to Rule in themj by thofe do fuch fufFer as obey hat Power, yet are the Innocent ever accufed, to be againft the Power, who are but againft Mens wills, in obedi- ence to the Power, and this is no new thing in this World : But our Judgment remains fure, and to that Power we appear, which no Man's Will can al- ter i to which all fhall confefs, and every Knee bow, when he fliall Judge, who now Suffers. And ' if they fhali depart into everlafting Punifhment, who doth not Minifter to him in Prifon, then what will your Doom be who caft him into Pri- fon, now that he is come into the World ^ And if the not knowing of him will not Excufe fuch as do not Minifter to him , then v/hat Excufe for you who call him Vagabond, Stranger, Deceiver, De- vil, ^c. and think no Pl-^ce bad enough to caft the Body into, in whom he is > And if into ever- lafting Fire with the Devil and his Angels they muft go, who do not vifit him in Prifon ♦, then what way will you efcape, who will not fufFer any of his Brethren or Servants to vifit him, though they be moved to come from far to do it ^ And though you may read all this in the words of Truth, from his own Mouth, Mat, 25. yet I know 3''ou that are in your own wills, can no more believe ihefe words, than the Jews and their Rulers , tho' you you know it is he that fpoke thofe words, and con- 165?. fefsit to be the word of the Lord, which the J^wsly'^W^K) did not know, fo your guilt is greater. And though our Freedom is in the Lord, and we look not for it from Men ^ naj^ though fome of you the more you be warned, the more you harden your felves againfl God 5 yet while we are moved of the Lord we cannot be filent, if by any means fome of you might turn to the Light, and fearch your ways therewith, and fo be joyned to him, and eftablifhed in his Power, which is the defireof our Souls for you. That with the Honour of God you may come to be Honoured, which none can have who feek for Honour from Men. So you vvho defire to fee into the ways of God, Confider thefe things following. Did ever any that Ruled for God, feek for their Honour from Men , or doth God Honour fuch j or did ever any want Honour, who fought the Honour of God only, and not their own ? Is not the Spirit of Meeknefs, Juftice, and Mer- cy, without refpecl of Perfons, the Spirit of the Living God, which being in a Magiftrate, be is mofl like God, which makes him everlaftingly Ho- nourable here, and hereafter ^ which is true Honour and Authority ? Is it not want of this Spirit that hath made Ru- lers Contemptible, and laid them open to Plots, Murthers, and the Lufts of Seditious People in all Ages, which the Spirit of God keeps out of, and makes their latter End a Blefiing to following Ge- nerations } Was not Perfecution ever Blind, or did ever the Princes of this World know the Lord of Life, by whom he hath fufFered in all Ages, though they have been always warned of it before they did it 5 or did ever the Innocent Suffer but under the Pretence of Oifenders ? Was ( 252 ) i^j5'' Was not Chrift and thofe in whom lie was moQ; ^y^VX^feen, Pilgrims and Strangers in the Earth, fuch as you now call Vagabonds and Wanderers, Whip and Imprifon, though they ask you nothing, nor ever are beholden to the World, wherein their Reft is not ^ which God forefeeing, hath commanded all that own him, to entertain Strangers ^ and made a Law for it, which you have a Law againft } Levh, 2ii. 34. Heb, ill. 2. Is it not the principal End of Magiftrates, to judge the Caufe of the Strangers, Poor, and Helplefs, to Relieve the Oppreffed, and Set the Prifoners free, t!fc? And how you do this, let that of God in your Confciences Judge for him, 'till he appear to plead the Caufe of him that hath ^^no Helper in the Earth, Love Love to the Loft, And a Hand held forth to the 11 E L P Lf E S S? 71? Lead out of the 7)arh Wherein is plainly held out Divers Particular Things, as they are learned of Chrifl ; and are moft needful to be known of All, who profefs Godlinefs. Set forth chiefly for the Direding the Simple in- to the Living Way of Truths as it is in Jefiis Chrifl the Righteous, that therein they may come to the Life and Power of that which the World hath in Words ^ which being received^ fatisfies the weary Soul, and makes the Creature well- pleafing to his Maker. By One that fought the Redemption of Zion'j Seedy and a Lover of the Creation of God, who wof called in Derijion by IfhrnaeFi* Seed, A Quaker, JAMES "^NAYLER. We have found him whom our Souls love : And greater is he in us, than he that's in the World. 16 $6: London : Printed in the Year, 1656. and now Reprinted, in 17 15. ( ^5\ ) ^ T A B L E of the Jeveral T arti- cular s following. Concerning the Tall of Man. Concerning Light and Life* Concerning Right eoufnefs. Concerning the Word. Concerning Worfljif. Concerning Error^ Herefie^ &c. Concerning ¥aith. Concerning Hope. Concerning Love. Concerning Judgment* Concerning Terfeciion. Concerning Government^ or Magiflracj* Concerning Obedience. Concerning Good Works. Concerning Election and Reprobation. Concerning the New Birth. Concerning the Bapttfm of Chrifi^ from that the World h calls. Concerning the Lord'*s Supper. Concerning Redemption. Concerning Jujltficationj Sanclification and Mor- tifcation. Concerning the Law. Concerning Chrijl Jefus. Concerning the Mtntjir^ of Chrijle Concerning Free-Will. Concerning the Rcfurre^ion. Let ( ^55 ) Let him that reads underftand. Finends, THE Things following^ which I have declared of^ are not Things oj Alan^ nor by Man did I receive the my but by the Revelation of Jeji/s Chriji, which is contrary to the Wifdom and Will of Man ^ nor to the Wifdom and Will of Man do I commend them to be re^ ceivedy for the Natural Mans Wifdom receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, therefore would de- vour that which is born thereof : So to that Wifdom I appear not^ being a lig ht thing to me to be fudged, thereof : But if any one knows the Gift of God, and a Meafure of that Spirit which cpeneih the Bofom of the Father^ and reveals his Secrets unto Babes^ the leafi Meafure of that (if not clouded with the Imaginations) will favour thefe things, and tofuch they may be pro- fitable. So to the Light of ChrijU that which changeth noty in every one^ I appear to be judged and difcerned, which is one in the Male and in the Female^ for there^ in alone both thefe things , and all other that proceed from that Root^ make for gathering Creatures together into that one Name and Seed wherein all the Nations of the Earth are bleffed, as therewith they are gather- ed into the one Word of Faith , and Power of Life, to believe and f peak the fame things in the godly Con- verfation, which leadeih to the End of all Rents^ Schifms, Here fie s and Errors, SeUs and Divifions, to be baptized into that one Name^ where the Fulnefs of God is, Bleffed for ever. So whoever thou art who ft alt read thefe Particw /ars following, or any thereof, and fl: alt find any thing which for the prefent thou can ft not receive , be not ha fly in judging that which yet ihcu knowef} not, nor kick againd that which comes contrary to thy Will, left thou pia far from thee in thy Will^ that iMch there' imtb (^56) l6'y6, with thou can!i not call again, and the Bay of thy Vi- ^y^^T^fitat'ion pafs over unawares^ and in the Evil Day thou be made to cry ont^ How have I hated Inftrudion, and refifted the Day of Healing ! And this know^ That no Prophejie of old ever came by the Will of Man, nor by the irill of Man could be received'^ but by thofe that flood in their own Wills was ever refifled \ andfo will it he in thefe things^ un* lefs with the Eye that never changeth thou readeji them^ which if thou knoweft fuch a thing in thee, and ft and- eft fingle therein^ in the meek Spirit, not lifted up a- bove thy Meafure, thou wilt come to feel how that of God in thee anfwers to the things of God^ as Face an- fwers P'jcei and find them to agree with the Life of the Script uresy though for the prefent forne things ap- pear darkly ^ for to that Seed (which is not of this World, which favours jpiritually^ and judgeth not ac- cording to outward Appearance) is my Service. And to that of God in every Confcience am I manifefl, if therein I be received ^ however a good Savour am I unto the Lord^ in them that are Javed, and in them that perifl), at that Day when it fhall appear that I have not handled the Word of God deceitfully, though with the Swine that feed on the Husks^ th^s may bs trampled on, and I fought to be renty if to fuch it come^ to whom Ifsnd it not. Concerning ( ^57 ) Concerning the Fall of M a n. IN the Beginning God made all things good, fd did he Man, whom then he made in his own I- inage, and plac'd in him his own Wifdom and Power, whereby he was compleatly furnilh'd with Dominion, Power and Authority over the Works of God's Hands, knowing the Nature and Ufe of each Creature, by that Image God had placed in him of Himfelf who in that State was the Son of God, whofe Seed was in himfelf. God alfo placed the Tree of Life in the midft of the Garden, and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and both of thefe were good in their Place, but the Tree of Know- ledge not good for Food ^ therefore did he that made it, forewarn of feeding upon it, as that where- in Death was, as in the other Tree was Life. And herein was the Blelilng and the Curfe, the Life and the Death, the Obedience and the Difobedience, E- lection and Reprobation 5 and thefe were good in their Place, whilll: Man ftood in his Place, guided by that which placed him in the good, and fore- warned him of the Knowledge^ and gave him Power againft it, whilfi: he (tood in that Will which had fet all thefe Things in their Place, which Will was free for God, and from Sin , and the Will of God and the Will of Man agreed, and fo at Unity with all the Creation. But when Man looked out into the other, where he prevailed who abode not in the Truth, v/herein the Difobedience was received in, of that which was contrary to the Will of God to feed upon, then he joined to that which was contrary, wherein the W^eaknefs v/as, and the Death, Dark- nels and Blindnefs, as to the Things of God, and to 'that which freely Man had received of God 5 but S when t6$6. when he grew fuhtil within hiinfelf, and wife to do U/S'^^'EvjI, he loft the Will that was free to wait upon God in his Wifdom and Counfel, freely to be carried forth by him^ and Co from the Uprightnefs and In- nocency, and pure Wifdom, and fpiritual Power, which God hath phired in his Heart, he fell, and in- to the Self Inventions which he had chofen in the contrary Will, and fo entering into the forbidden Thing, became accnrfed, lofi: the Senfe of the Mea- fnre of God's Grace, his Plonour and Likenefs, in which he llood above the Creation, and fo became brntifli in his Underilanding, and as to the Things of God, for the Senfc of the Seed he had loft, where- in the Eledxion, the Wifdom, the Authority, and all Hsppincfs, prefent and eternal, did confiil: j and fo bev ame led by another Seed, wherein God had left Emptinefs of Himfelf, which was raifed up for Dif- hohov:r. And liere it is that Man hath lofl his Do- minion over the Devil, by letting him in, which otherwife had never Power further than to proffer or tempt, which now being got in, with a Shew of God and Godlinefs, into the Temple of God, the principal i'art in Man, and Mm having joined in with him, now is become his Captive, in whom he makes Havock, beguiling him of the Life of Sim- plicity and GodlineJ}^ and perverting his ways, as to the End for which Man was made-, yea, the Mer- cies tbat God gives to that Creature, he being above and Ruler in the Heart, are turned to the Luft, that The F^://o/is Carnal and feif-ended, and to that Luft and felf- -^•^"^Y ended things, the Man's become a Servant, yea, hath ^eUas\he^^ loft his Dominion, as he is brought to ferve the pxniculir Cre.iturt, over which he was Ruler. Pience it is u touched that Men become Servants, and are captivated, fome ^'"J^^.'^l^^^vvith Covetoafnefs, fome with Pride, fome with Luft ^J '' ''^''and many other feveral Ihings, which are become Lords in the Heart of Man, whereb)'" he is hurried with all Eagern.^fs out of all Moderation, hunting after Vanity and Folly 5 yea, wliat vain Toys and fooiilli Trifles hath led away the rieart of Man from the ( 259 } tiiepureWifdom of his God, till he fcarce knows any i6'^6. End of running after changeable Things, Gluttony ^-/'V%^ and Excefs in Diet, yet not fatisfied^ Foolery in Apparel, without all Stay or Stop, being wholly fallen from that which is unchangeable (the true Sa- tisfaction and Honour) and the further Man goes in this State, the more Emptinefs and Darknefs comes in upon himfelf ^ and being fallen under the earth- ly Principle, he is covered with thick Darknefs, fo that the Mind of God he knows not, nor his ov/n woeful State he fees not, the God of this World having blinded the Eye which lliould fhew him his Mifery, and the Ear being ftopt, which fhould hear the Voice of the Souls Shepherd, whereby he (hould be quick- ned, his Eye and Ear being led out to carnal things, and thofe captivated, fo that the Voice of th^ Spirit he knows not. And To being become heart- blind, cannot receive the Way in Spirit : and whatfoever is fpoken to Man in this State, in Love to the Soul which lies in Death, the Serpent being above upon the Earth, feeks to catch into the Imaginations, and the Creature being led to confult with him there, in the Flefh, he beguiles the Creature of the Simplicity^ and fo keeps the Creature in felf, that he regards not the Seed of God, which fuffers under all this Death and Darknefs, fo long as the Creature will but hearken to him, and liis lying Promifes, he will lead him from one thing to another in things without, but never to fee that from whence he is fallen. Therefore to all in this State, Chrift and all his Minifliers preach'd Repentance, that all might turn their Minds from thefe dead Works to the Zf- ving God, who is a Spirit, known in Spirit, and fo worlhipped, whofe Kingdom is zmthit?^ and whofe Light is in the midfl of all this Darknefs, though the Darknefs comprehend it notj but as many as repent of their following this way of Self-wifdom and Knowledge, and come to fland flill, to fuch he Ihowshis Salvation, and his Kingdom near at hand, which the Serpent^ whilft they follow him, doth S 2 put ( 26o ) 1656. put afar ofF. And as the Mind is ftaid to wait for ly^/"^ the Kingdom of God in Spirit, the God of the World comes to be denied and refifted \ and as the Mind is itaid in the Light, from hearkening to the Earth- If, fo that Soul that lies in Death, comes to hear the Voice of the Son of God, and to receive Life and Strength from the Word, whereby it is raifed out of the Grave, and appears above the Earth, to receive from the Father the Dew of Heaven, where- by it is nouriihed and refrelhed. And as Man be- hohls the Seed growing, fo he comes to fee the New Creation, ard what he loft in the Fall, and fo isre- ftored by the Power of the Word, the Son of God, into his Dominion, Power and Purity, made able to reflftthe Devil, to chufe the thing that is good, and delighr in it^ as before he delighted in the contrary : fo comes Man to be reconciled to his- Maker in the EternalUniry, beyond what is to be expreiled ^ the Wifdom and Power received from aboi^e, whereby the Heart is fei free from Corruption, and made able to efcape the Pollutions of the World, and to run the Pure Ways with Delight, which is the glorious Liberty of the Sons of God, the Refurredion in Chriilfrom the Dead in Jdam, and the Entrance in- to the Everlafting Reft. And now all, who find your felves fallen from your Dominion, that Meafure of God which he placed in Man, from which he received Power and Wifdom over the Evil One : And now find your felves led Captive v^ith the Evil One, into the Ways of Death Sin and Evil, fothat Corruption hath got Dominion on you, and over you ^ never look to be reflcred by that which leads out, for that which ads in the Fleih is only Evil, and will lead you from Mountain to Hill, and fo keep you doing without, in Self, with- out Lite and Power, healing your felves in falfePer- fwalions, v/hich will not ftand in ftead in the Evil Day, nor reconcile to God, to be accepted in any thing you do 5 lor that is the firft Man with his Righteouinels: But to that from which you are faliea ( ^6i ) fallen muft you look, and return into that from 16'^ 6- which you are gone out, that by the Light that's t^'VX^ in the midft of all this Darknefs and Death, you may be led in again by the Blood of theCrofs, thro' the Fire and Sword, into the Garden of God, where he plants and feeds, into which the Old Man, with his Will and Works, cannot enter, nor he whofe Leader is any vifible Things for by the Spirit from whence Man is fallen and gone out, by the fame muft he be led in again 5 and that Seed which Man hath finned againft, muftmake the Attonement, or perfect Peace, to which the faid Promife is, which is free, and fets all free, as they are born thereof : So that which leads out into the Knowledge is the Fall 5 but that u^hich leads into the Simplicity of Life, which is' manifeft in the Spirit, and not in the Knowledge of the firfl: Man, that leads to the Re- furredion of Life j for it is the hidden Wifdom that God ordained before the World unto Glory ^ fo to the hidden Man of the Heart muft you look to find it, which is not corruptible. Concerning Light and Life. Go D is the Life of every Creature, though few there be that know it, for the Darknefs fees him not nor his Life, though the Children of Dark- nefs have got words in the Scripture (which v/ere given forth from the Light) to talk of, yetfuch know not God prefent 5 for the firfl Beginning or Ap- pearance of God in the World is by Light 5 God faid. Let there be Light ^ a?2d it woj fo. And this Light God faw that it was good. That which was in the Beginning with God, v/as the Word, by which all things were made and feen, and without this was nothing made that was made, nor any thing Skd\ to be good J and Darknefs was over the Face of all the Waters, till the Light, which from the Word came, who is the Life, which Life is the Light of S I ' Men: ( 262 ) i6';6. Men ; So none can fee the Life but with the Light, C^'^V"^ which from the Life comes, which to the Life leads all that come. So this that was in the Beginning jis given to keep in order all the Creation ^ Thar isgood^ but the Darknefs comprehends it not, though it Ihine in it^ lb all that abide in the Darknefs are deftroyed, not difcerning the Life, to order and govern the Creation in the Light. So all that go out of the Light, go into the Dark- nefs, and there the Life and Image of God is loft, and there is the Fall ^ and all who there abide, are referved in Chains of Darknefs, not knowing the Life which breaks the Bonds and Chains of Iniqui- ty, and operb the Grave and Prifon Door. And here the Soul being iii Death, breathing after the Light, but Darknefs is got above ^ in the Darknefs is the Creature led into Seds, Opinions and Errors, after the Imaginations to feck Life ; but further, it runs here to thefenfual Wifdom, further into Death and Darknefs, till the Creature be fo blinded in the Underftanding, that bethinks and imagines he doth God Service, when he is ading againil the Life of God, both in himfelf and others 5 fg cojncs the Crea- ture of God, and his Life, wherewith God did fur- nilh him to do his Will, wholly to be lofl, and the Golpel hid that ihould recover him again, the God of this World having fo blinded the Mind, and thereby fo far alienated him from the Life of God, that he neither hath Power and Life to do the Will of God, nor receives the Light to know where to have it. In this Condition of Death, and without the Life of God, fhall the Creature never be with- out Profeffion, or fome Conceit or other, to keep ia a vain Hope of Salvation. . And here is the fole Ground and Caufe, why we have fo many forts of Forms, and Opinions, and Ways to VVorfliip, but none that do good, nor live in what they fay, becaufc all have loft the Life of God, which is only able to bring forth the Righte- 9ifJn(^J\ pf God. And Self having got the Fornig ( ^^3 ) into tlie Imagination, dhove the Life, cannot receive i6';6. the Light that's hid and condemns it. So all the l/^y'^ World lies in Darknefs, yea, ibick Darknefs is up- on all the Seas, and the great Depth is cover'd with grofs Darknefs ^ and from thence is the Imagination fpr«ad over all, fo that none can witnefs the work of God, neither know the beginning nor end there- of; and this is the caule of Condemnation, and it refts upon all who are out of the Life of God : And no other way there is appointed of the Father, to come out of this Condition, but Chrifl: Jefus the Light and Life of Men, who is the Light that is in the World, though the World know him not-, which Light fliines in Darknefs, but cannot therewith be comprehended •, which Light is the Revealer of Darknefs, and manifefts the Deeds thereof: And the firfl: appearance of this in the Creature, fhews the Darknefs, and Captivity that is in the Darknefs 5 till which the Creature nei^er comes to fee the wret- ched Condition that Man is in, who is without God the Life 5 nor till then will the Creature be willing to ftand ftill to fee God's Salvation \ but is full with vain Hopes, Conceits, and Imaginations , and the Vail is over the Heart, and what God hath there written is not feen-, and fo being whole, needs not the Phyfician. And with this blind Heart the Crea- ture reads the Scriptures, and fteals the Promifes that the Children of Light fpoke of, who had the Life, whereby the Seed was raifed out of the Grave, to which the Promife is ^ but neither know Law nor Gofpel 5 neither came fo far as Mofes^ yet boafting of Chrift. But when the Light is minded, the Creature comes to fee Death reigning, and Self alive without the Law with that Light which was given to keep out of the Pollution and Defilements, and fo to keep clear and unfpotted. With that Light, that is feen and judg'd, v/hich hath pafs'd over the Life and de* fil'd Man, and that which hath gendered to Bondage is feen, and the Hardnefs of Heart cometh to be S 4 felt, ( ^2^4 ) T^^5' felt, and the Caufe feen, even the greit Tranfgref- ^/VNJflonof the pure Law ^ and fo com:s the Fear of God to take hold of the Man that hath lived out of the Life of God, and taketh pleafure in Unrighte- oufnefs^ and^the Creature then finds Trouble with- in, even where the flrong Man did keep the Houfe in peace 5 and abiding in the Light, the Caufe and End of it is fQen ; and dwelling in the Fear, ffif- dom is received from above to depart from the Ini- quity ^ and in departing from the Iniquity^ there is a coming nearer to God ^ ih the Light grows and fprings, as there is a coming nearer to the jufl Paths of Life. And as the Light arifeth the Citation is f"^n, and how the Fnmity hath fpread over, and how the Luft hath defiled it, and how that which was planted as a Vineyard, is become as a Wilder- nefs for Birrennefs, grovvqi over with Thorns, and Bryars, fturdy Oaks, and tall Cedars, for want of the Vine-drefTer 5 and where the Lilly fliould grow, it's grown over with Weeds, Thiiiles, and Nettles ^ fo that GOD walks not there, becaufe of the great Abomination-, and that is the Caufe of all your V7oe, even his Abfence. And v/hen you fee this, the Lamentation begins in the Houfe of Laughter, even after him trom whom you have fallen^ and as you follow the Light^ and come nearer to the Lord, from whence it comes, you will fee that is only your own wills and ways that have feparated you from the Holy One. And with the Light you will come to fee how often you have been moved by the Spirit of Light, from your Evil vrays, and that the caufe why you have been thus long in the Fall, hath been in Sell-will and World ly-pleafures, whereby the Life hath fuffered 5 never till then come any to fee hnn whom they hiwe pierced,, nor to lament over him, nor to lee what it is that opprefTeth the juft ^ nor to hate that which God hates, 9:-'u love that which he loves in any meafurc ^ Lai joy ns with that which deftroys the Soul irom the Life^ and it makes a Profeliioii, a Prayer ( a6^ ) a Prayer againft it in words, and that's the Pha- i6'y6. rifee and Hypocrite, who with the words deftroys L/V>J the Life, who makes a ProftlFion above the Life, but not in the Life ^ and this is he that climbeth up fome other way, then the Life, which is the Door, to which the Light leads , And in this ftate are all the high-minded lofty Ones, whofe mouths fpeak of great things, fwelling words of Vanity (for fo are Words without Life) ejnpty Brafs, gi- ving a pleafant found to the carnal Ear, but can- not evidence the Life, and the Works of it 5 who hav^e the Saints words prefent, but their Righteouf- iiefs is as far off as Judea^ Corinth^ ThejJalonica^Scc. And thefe are they, who in words confefs God, but in works deny him ^ who have a large Faitk in words, but to the good Work Rebrobate 5 for none can be of any true Judgment concerning the Work of God^ who are Strangers to the Life that works it. Concerning Righteousness. THAT Righteoufnefs, which God accepts, is but one, which is his own, perfedly fulfilled and manifeft in the World in Chrift Jefus the Light and Saviour thereof 5 which Righteoulnefs is not of the World, nor manifefl: to the World, nor in the World receiv'd, nor can the World Inherit it^ but only they who Believe in the Light of Chrift, which God has given into the World, to lead out cf the World, to Chrift, ivhere God's Righteoufnefs Js. Tho' there be many Talkers of this Righteouf- nefs, yet none Inherit it farther than by Faith they receive the Son of Righteoufnefs ^ and with him his Righteoulnefs is freely imputed, being put into the Creature, a free Gift from the Father^ and with this Righteoufnefs is the Creature made Righteous, even as he is Righteous, even as the Meafure of Light from Chriit is receiv'd, and no farthers and whofe Life is kept in the Meafure of him, as he is, fo ( 1k(, ) 1^5^. fo are we in this prefent "World, and not of this K/^\r^ World, even as he is not of this World ^ and here- in is Boldnefs in the Day of Judgment, in that which is perfed : And all that is againfl: Perfection is Self J and with the Righteoufnefs of Chrift, de- nied in the Light \ which condemns all Self-actings, under what pretence foever. So who abides in that Righteoufnefs, abides in that which denies Self, and the World ^ and fo lives in obedience to that which is contrary to Mens wills, and fo every where Evil fpoken on \ for the will of Man worketh not the Righteoufnefs of God •, but this Righteoufnefs is wrought in th^ Creature, in that Obedience which is contrary to the will of th$ Flefli : And in the Faith by the Eternal Spirit, is the new begetting, both of the will and the deed \ and fo the x\t\^ is born both of the Spirit and Life. And fo far as any have this Righteoufnefs, he doth not lie under Sin, nor give place to the Devil ;, but it is as a Breaft-plate againft all AfTaults, on the right Hand and on the left \ and all who have not this, are they who have that which will not ftand in ftead in the Evil Day. So jom that fay, Your Righteoufnefs k a^ filthy Rags^ why do you abide in that > God's Righteoufnefs is not fo , Wherefore ceafe from that, and own that which is perfed; even that everlafting Righteoufnefs, in which all his Saints have been gathered into himfelf j who can receive nothing but what's his own, and it muft be yours alfo, elfe can you not be receiv'd in it. In vain do you plow Wickednefs, and fow Iniquity, and think to reap Righteoufnefs. So with the Light you may fee what works in you, and to what you yield your felves Servants, to that you bring forth while you live, that will go \vith you ; But if you own no Works in you, but what God works ^ you ihall have no Righteoufnefs but what is perfedt, even the le^ft meafure of it. And (.67) And as you obey unto this Right eiufnefs^ you i6'y6. Ihall fee the Spiritual Man raifed, and living, and Ky\r^> the Bonds of Death broken, and that living which gives power over Hell and Death ; then may you fay. The Spirit is Life becaufe of Righteoufnefs: And your dead ProfeiFion will be judged with the Life, as it arifet, ::nd is fcen to be Fruitlefs. But this is Blafphemy in your own Eyes, who have made Chrift s Right eoujnefs a Cover for your Abomination^ What WickedDefs now is fo vile in thefe Nations, but the Righcoiifnefs of Chrift is made a Cover, and Men blels themlelves therewith in the greateft Abomination ? And this hath its be- ginning at the Head of the Deceit, and is gone over all the whole Body. For to cover your Wick- ednefs, Pride and Covetoulhefs, have your Teach- ers invented this Faith, That it's fufficient to Be- lieve in a Righteoujnejs you read of in the Letter, (though you be not obedient to it in Spirit.) But you that are not Servants of Righteoufnefs^ are no Servants of C/;r//?'s, and his Works •, and your Faith, without his Works, will be little worth to Salvation-, and even as it faves you out of Sin, fo will it fave you out of Condemnation, and no farther.^ And this, that in your Confcience will witnefs, if you take Counfel at it: No further than you find the Power of his Righteoufnefs working in you, and you owning it in obedience and fubjedion, and joyning to it againft all un righteoufnefs, no more of it you can Inherit, nor be made the Righteouf- nefs of God in Him. And at that Day when he comes to feparate the Precious from the Vile, then will you fee in what ftead your notions of Righteoufnefs are, when the Worker of Iniquity is found, and judged with Chr'ifi\ Righteoufnefs^ of which you have been boafting in W^ords, without the Power of it : By the Power and Purity of it lliall all the workers of Iniquity be Judged and Condemned. So, deceive not your felves^ He that works Right ^ai^nefs is Righteor/s^ even ( 268 ) i6'y6, even as he is Righteous 5 but he that talks of this, ^yv^\J and commits Sin, is of the Devil, and with him muft Inherit, by whom he is acted and guided 5 for God's Righteoufnefs will not mix with, nor cover Deceit, nor was it ever given for that purpofe ^ but as it is obeyed, it reveals and deflroys Man's Righteoufnefs and Unrighteoufnefs, as it is revealed from Faith to Faith, by which the Juft Live, and the Unjuft Pe- rilh and pafs into Death. And all who have Chriji's Right eoufnefs can witnefs this eifed, to kill and make alive, as by Faith it is received 5 and this is Zions Righteoufnefs that goes forth as Brightnefs, and the Salvation thereof as a Lamp that burneth, that the Gentiles may fee it, and its Glory, and the Heathen beafhamedof their Abomination. Be afhamed 3'-ou Heathens , who have hid the Lord's Righteoufnefs under your Pride and Cove- toufnefs 5 who have exalted the Idols of the World, and bring forth to the Oppreflbr, who have bowed down to the God of this World, and his begettings are in all Houfes, and AfTemblies j and the Name of the Lord you have polluted before all the World ; yet will you lean upon the Lord, and fay, the Righteoufnefs of Chrift, the Righteoufnefs of Chrift^ in that you have more diihonoured his Righteouf- nefs, then all that ever were before you 5 and the Name of a Chriflian is become a reproach in all the World, becaufe of ymx unfaithfulnefs to his Righ- teoufnefs For this will he plead with you, and will take from you the Covering, that you may appear, and he will bring forth his Righteoufnefs to your confu- Hon, and his own fhall witnefs him in the Gate, and his Work Ihall praife him openly ;, fo Ihall all Sin- ners be afraid, and fearfulnefs furprize the Hj'^po- crite, when God fhall openly own his own Righte- oufnefs, and Judge the Wicked after the Works of their Hands. €o/t- ( ^^9 ) Concerning the Word, T^ H E Word is that which was in the Beginning, and was the Beginning of all vifible Things, and that by which all Things were made, but it felf is invifible 5 which though it be the upholder of all vifible Things, yet can no vifible Thing re- veal it ^ yet doth it reveal the ground and ufe, and end of all vifibles. And as without it, wa4 no- thing made that wa^ made , fo without it, is nothing feen, as it w^as made, nor any thing can be guided, nor ufed in its pure place •, but whatever Man med- dles with, not having the Word in him, to guide, order, and fandlifie, the fame he defiles, and it is polluted as to him. Nor can this Word be compre- hended in Heaven, or Earth 5 without this Word can no Holy Scripture be read with profit,^ for it opens the Scriptures of Truth, and the Scriptures declare of it, yet cannot the Scriptures, nor all the Writings of the World comprehend it, nor declare the depth and extent of it, which is beyond all Ge- nerations ^ yet it is the Teacher and Guide of his own in all Generations ^ and in all Generations of Saints hath been known in meafiire, more or lefs immediately , though it hath no Place in the World's Profeffion. So hearing of a Word, but not knowing it. Men fay, The Letter is it. But who hath the Word,hath that which comprehends Death, and Hell, and the Grave 5 that which binds and chains Satan, over- comes the World, gives ifiues of Life and Light, whereby the new Creation is known, wherein dwells Righteoufnefs •, and this every one hath, fo far as he hath the Word abiding in him 5 but fo hath not every one that hath the Letter. Nor can any Man's Will change the Word, for it is contrary to all Mens Wills ^ nor can any Man's Wit open or expound this Word, which confounds the Wifdom of l6$6. of the Wife, and brings the underfiaiiding of th^ C^YnJ Prudent to nought 5 that hides from the Wife and Prudent, and reveals to Babes ^ and the Word grows and increafes within the Babes, but fo doth noi the Letter 5 and as it grows, it Sandtifies all that liave it, but fo doth not the Letter: And it's a Fire and Hammer to all that have it, but fo is net the Let- ter : It is quick and powerful, to the dividing af- funder the joynts and Marrow, the Soul and Spi^ rit, where-ever it is, fo is not the Letter. And the Word is a reproach to every Carnal Mind, even to them who only profefs the Letter. Whofoever have the Word, with it are wafhed and cieanfed, and tranflated from the World, and conformed to God, fo far as they have it ^ and it reconciles to God all that have it ^ but many have the Letter, who know not God, but are in the unclean Cuiloms, and Fa- Ihions, and Ways of the World, not changed, nor reconciled. None can keep the Word, and his Sins both, but the Letter without he may, for where-ever the Word is known, the new Creature is witnelTed, who is Created to walk in Righteoufnefs •, and who hath the Word, fees all, who fay they know the Word and walk not in Righteoufnefs, to be Lyars, and do not the Truth ^ and with the V^^ord of Truth are fuch cafl: out, and judged to be thofe who diiho- y nour the Word, as though it were a polluted thing, or could dwell with pollution ^ which is a fire to burn up all uncleannefs, where ever it is ^ and where Sin ftands, the Word is not known. But iuch, reading of the Word, (which came to the Saints, in obedience to which they were waihed and purified, in which they were begotten again) they finding that the Saints had this Word, but fuch Readers only not knowing it, they fay the Letter is it, which doth but decTare of it : And fo their Word hath not Power in them, to overcome the Devil, and break the Bonds of Wickednefsj whereas the Word of God is not bound, bat free, and Twn and fets free all that obey it, and have it abiding i6$6. in them , which breaks down the Seat of Sin, and Lr^.-^J raifes up and quickens the Seed of God, which lives in the Life of God, (which through Sin, Death hath pafTed over) and alio quickens the Mortal Body to newnefs of Lite. So that the old Life and the Word cannot ftand together in one Body^ nor doth the old Man, who lives in that Life know any Word, but the Letter ^ and the Life of that he knows not ^ but in the Imagination fearches with the fallen Wifdoni for that which God hath in his Wifdom hid Irom it •, and in this is all the Dark- nefs ^ to this Man the Scriptures are fpoken as 2 Parable and Myftery-, which in that difobedient Wifdom cannot be found out : So is the Simplicity deceived with Meanings, Addings, and Wreftings, which are all in that Man that cannot enter, in whom the Word dwells not, nor can any thing fuch do, be accepted, becaufe it is not from the Word, for all that comes not from the Word, by the Word is condemned not to be the Work of God -, for all that God made, he made it by the Word •, and it was feen in the Light, to be good, which was made with the Word. And here all flood in the reconciliation to God ^ but when Man went out from the Word, then he went out from the Good, and fo with the Light was feen to be in the Evil, and fo was accurfed irom the fame Word againft which he had Sinned •, and fo long, as out of that Word he ads, all is accurfed, being Self, and not God that works it. And fo Man being gone out into the World, the Light of the Gofpel is Preached to turn Man again to know the Word, that coming to the Knowledge thereof in his Heart, and having his Mind flayed thereto, in the Light, he may come to fee the Pov/er of the Word working in Spirit, working out the unclean Nature, and the rebellious Will, and working in the pure Nature in the Crofs, flaying the Carnal Man with all his Affedions 5 and fo through ( 272 ) 'i6')6' through death thereof raifing up thenewM^n, ma^ ly^^V^NJking a new Creation, in Chrift Jefus, with Power unto good Works from the Eternal Word : And this God owns when he is the Mover thereof, and Work- er alfo, and the Creature only Servant therein, in the fame Power. And this is not a Self- taken- on Performance from the Letter, but is in the Eternal Counfel and ftrength of God, commanded, moved, and per* formed in God's Will and Time, and contrary to <^ the will of the Flefh, whereby the will of all Flefh is fubdued, even all that is come in fince the Be- ginning, till all be feen in the Light to be good, and the work of God ^ and fo his works praife him, from a good underftanding of the Spirit and Power of the Living God. And with the living Word, is the living Soul witnelFed, and the Life of Chrift made manifeft in the Mortal Body, and the Crea- ture comes to have Fellowlliip in the Life, and is transformed thereinto, and united in one 5 and this is the Word of Reconciliation, which unites God and the Creature in Spirit 5 which whoever knows, needs not go forth for Wifdom, Counfel or Strength, againft all the Powers of Darknefs, nor Wiles ot the Enemy, but by diligent taking heed to the Word which is nigh in the Heart, from thence finds the ifTues of Life ^ Spiritual Strength, and Power agaiufl: the Spiritual Wickednefs, which all who run out for Help, lie under and become Servants of. Concerning Worship. TH E Worlhip of the True and Living God (lands out of Man's Will, and Knowledge, Wifdom or Prudence, as in the natural j for God is a Spirit, and in Spirit he is Worihipped ^ not with Mens Hands , nor with Bodily Exercile, farther than by the Eternal Spirit the Body is exercifed -, nor doth it Hand in Meats and Drinks, nor divers Wailiings, ( ^73 ) Wafliings, nor Carnal Ordinances taken on by Tra- 16^6, dition, or Imitation of others, but as every Crea- i>VN^ ture is moi'ed by the Spirit of the living God, who is that Spirit, who will be ferved with his own a- lone, not with any thing in Man, which is come in fince the Fall ^ fo the imaginations. Thinkings, and Conceivings are Ihut out •, dl Man's Ways, Man's Times and Forms, National Cuftoms, Man's Decency, and Orders by Men devifed and added, are all fhut out, and condemned with that Spirit in which God alone is Worfhipped, and his People taught his Worlhip, and the manner of it ^ and the Times are in his Hand, whofe the Worlliipis. So that before any can rightly worihip God, they mufi: wait to know his Spirit, that leads to know him and his Worfhip, and the matter, and manner 5 for all who do the fame thing only as to the outward Performance, do not Wordiip Gody becaufe they Worfhip not in the Spirit and Power of God himfelf : So that all who would fo Worihip him as to be accepted,you muff know the Light, and in it wait to know what God calls for at your Hands: For it is not what Men appoint you to do, or not to do, that will acquit you before the Lord. For this know, that God made Man for himfelf, and for his Service, and the living God is not as the dumb Idols, that People Paould imagine a way to Serve him, as may beft fuit with the Falhion and Cuftom of a Nation, or a People : But he that made Man, hath given him a Life for himfelf, to improve it in his Service^ and a Light hath he gi- ven wherev/ith to fee the movings of this Spirit of Life, v/hich ever moves after the will of God, be- caufe it is of him ^ and fo where it is awakened, it ever draws the Creature towards God , the Mind^ Will and Affedions, and Love of God is in it, and who walks in the Light, fees this ^ but the Crea- ture running before this, or without this, there comes all the dead Works and Worlhips, And the ground of all this, arifethout of Darknefs and Dif- - . X - obedience 5 (^74) l6')6. obedience^ for when the Creature hath been out, in V/VV) the World, and unrighteous ways thereof, doing that which is Evil, then that in the Heart con- demns for the Evil, and negled of Good ^ then the fame Mind runs to ad a Worfhip to get Peace, when both the Evil and the Worlhip is in one na- ture, and fo the Prayers become abomination, as the othejr I'v^as, for he that regards the Iniquity, God will not hear his Prayers, nor accept his Worfhip 5 that's Cai/2's Sacrifice, and E/au's Prayers ^ but ei- ther mufi: your Worlhip be performed in one that never Sinned, or it cannot be accepted with the pure God. So that the way to be well-pleafing to the Fa- ther, is to wait in the Light, till you fee fome- thing of the Spirit of Life, which is in Chrifi: Je- fus, moving in yt)u, and then to that joyn, in its Power to Worlhip ^ and that being of God, he can- not forget hinifelf •, and that is done in the Name of Chrift^ which is done in his Light, and Power and Wifdom, and Strength •, and whatever is done in his Name, is not denied of the Father ^ and fo far as any are in him, fo far Sons, and fo far ac* cepted in him, without whom you can do nothing, nor be refpeded ^ nor did ev^er any Warfhip in this nature, but they found acceptance, and the Know- ledge thereof i and you v/ho know not this to lea-d and guide you in your Worlhips, are worihipping you know not what, nor with what ^ and though you fay, that God works all your works in you, and that it*a his Work and Worfhip you are about, 3^et when it comes upon Tryal, he v/ill not own it for his, which the worker of Iniquity hath wrought. For the Evil worker hath not only his Hand in the deceitful works of the unrighteous Mammon, but in the deceitful works of Worlhip too. For did he not^ deceive in Worfhip, to hide his Wickednefs, with pretence of Godlinefs, and long Prayers, he ' I'ould not keep People in any Peace in his wicked ways. So they v/ho jojn to him herein, receive the greater r ( 275 ) greater Condemnation : For the Falfe Worfhippers 16^6. were always greateft Enemies to ChriO:, and ^o Xo^^^^^T^ their own Souls 5 and woe to him that hideth his Sin thus. So all who defire to Worfhip in Truth, you mufi know the Truth, even the Spirit of Truth, to lead Into all Truth ; which Spirit of Truth takes of Chrift, and teftifies of his Life, and Power, in th^ Creature Worlhipping, who believes in the Lights and fuch know they are in him, and he in them, who is True, in whom they Worfhip the Father of the Truth, and fo God is ferved with his own 5 and no farther than this is known, can any worlhip God in Spirit, which the Light doth maiiifeit. So you having received a Light from Chrift, in that wait, till therein you find the Spirit's leading, ad- ing, and ordering ^ and here the leaft in the Light, is in God's Service, when du him you are waiting in Spirit, and fuch as abide in the Light, v/aiting upon God, in the Light, are kept from ferving the Prince of Darknefs, and having yonx Lo3ms girt, and yourLight burning,you are always ready to know the Voice, and anfwer it v/ith Obedience, and then you ferve Gcd, and not Men, I'/hen 3^ou have a Command from the living God, not t'dHQw by Tra- dition from Men •, for in vain do all worlhip, v/hofa Fear and Service towards God is Taught by xhQ Precepts of Men^ for all the Children of the Lord, are Taught of the Lord : And they are the Sons of Gcd^ who are led by the Spirit of God. And fuch hearken to the Lord and know his Voice 5 and what they fee and hear, that they do, and do not offer the Sacrifice of Fools. But do not you offer the Sacrifice of Fools, who have been worfhipping all your time, and yet have his Worfhip to learn?* And are but ftill asking, it this be the right Worfhip, and have it ycx to dif- pute ? (if not confident in a falfe way, which is much worfe) and fuch are you who are fighting and contending for fuch a manner of Worlhip as Chrift T 2 never ( ^7^ ) j6'^6. never ordained, nor his own never pradifed^ as you ^"^•^"V^may fee, if 3^011 compare your National Worlhip with the Saints Pradice •, which is changed in every Particular, and that by Men and Councils, under pretence of Decency and Conformity, or fomething that ftands in Mens Will, which God never Com- manded. But you may long Worlliip here, and call it God's Worlhip, e're he own it by anfwering you^ yet was Nebuchadnezzar never more zealous for his Image, than you are for this, if you had but his Power; yea, them who have found the Everlafting way of Chrift, and an Anfwer from God in it, fuch would you force to bow to your Imaginations, where you know not God nor his Prefence with you therein ^ nor can you ever find God in that way which is not his own, nor is that his own, which Generations of Men, and Councils, have altered, and added to, and changed from Time to Time, as may moil fuit their Cufloms and Countries ^ To that each Nation hath its different manner of Worlhip, but all cut of the Counfel of God, agreed on hy the Councils of Men. And all you who are gone out in any thing froni Chrifl: the true Pattern and Example, you are gone into the Imaginations of Men, and fo are become Servants of Men, and not of God, herein. For God is Pure, and fo is his Way and Worfhip, and with- out his Command cannot be changed in the leaft jot, but by him is denied, and is become Will-Wor- fliip, and not God's Worlhip : For it is not the Name that makes it God's Worlhip, for all pretend to Worfhip God; but it is the Mature of ix^ which mufl: be in the Spirit and Will of God, contrary to the Will of Men, and their Wifdom, wherein Men in all Ages have performed the Idolatrous Worihip, and {^t up Likenefles inftead of True Worlhip, tho' being Heart-blind did not know it, but ever looked upon all to be out of the way, but thcmfelves. And this is your work, who at this Day i^tt up an Imi- tation from the Letter of what other Men have done, hut have not received your Command ap.d Power ( 277 ) Power in Spirit from the Lord, and to you it will be i<5^(5. faid, Tf^ho hath required thefe things at your hands ^ O^VV> For all the Saints have their Commands in Spirit, and all that know the Command in Spirit, know it is Life Eternal, and gives Life to fulfil the Com- mand, and fo the Worfhip is Spiritual ^ and the Heart, and the Mind and Soul is united in it 5 and fo being in one there is no Idolatry, nor Likenefs, but in one is the Command, Power, Life, Will, Way, and Worfhip \ but all you who have taken on the Saints Practice to perform the like, hut not called, commanded and furnifhed in Spirit, you want Power, and Life, and fo even in the time of your Worihip your Hearts are going out after Carnal Things, and there is the Spiritual Idolatry : For whatever j^our Minds are in, that is your God you worihip, and the pure God owns no fuch 5 for it's Truth in the inward parts he feeks for, wherein none of you can worfhip who know not the living Word in your Hearts, to keep them up to God in your Worfhip, that Worihip is not in the Will of God. Concerning Error, Herelie, }3c. IT is not Error to forfake the Opinions of any Natural Man whatfoever, nor to withdraw from tue Church of Ronie^ as they call it, nor from any who have reformed fome things fince the time of Popery, but yet are not come to the true Founda- tion of the Apoflles, though they call themfeh^es National Churches, or Gathered Churches whatfo- ever. But the Error is to err from the Spirit of God and his Teachings, and that Church which by its Teaching alone is gathered into God, out of all the Ways, Worfliips, Sedts, and^ Opinions of the World, Convocations and Councils, that are not in God. And the Church fo gathered into God, is the Pillar and Ground ur Stay of Truth, where the T i Spirit (ayS) 1656. Spirit alone is Teacher^ and all that are gone ont ^^y^"^^ iiom this Church, and Teaching, are in Error, where all the Scds, and Opinions, and falfe ways and worlhips are, and their Teachers, who have erred from the Spirit of Chrifl, and the Saints Teacher and their practice ^ and are gone after their Pr^de, and Covetoufnefs, and filthy Lucre ; Here lies the Vv''or]d's Teachers, though they do not know from whence they are erred, becaufe they never yet came in the right way ^ nay, who never yet came fo far as Balaam, who had the word of the Lord from his own Mouth, and knew it, and yet his Heart erred after Gifts and Honour. So thefe preach againft Balaam, but cannot fee themfelves in the fame Er- ror, ever fince they were promoted to Honour, and Gifts, and Mafteriliips, and great Livings, by the Pope, U'ho received his Power from the Beaft, and gave of it to all his Adherents, to caufe fuch as dwell on the Earth to worfhip them ^ but fuch whofe Names arc written in the Book of Life, who have Suffered to this Day, and do Suffer, becaufe they cannot bow to that Pov/er, nor worfiiip it, nor accoiding to its likencfs •, and under pretence of Herefie and Error do thefe always Suffer, by fuch who are erred, and with the Spirit of Error do Judge, which Spirit hath filed all the Innocent blood iince Jk/ to this day, though the Error was ever in the Perfecutcr. So tliat there is no Error from the Spirit of Chrifi and his Teachings, and all who are gone from that, are gone into Error, whatever they pretend. And that which leads from that Spirit is the Mother of Confufion, and vain Janglings, and Contention, difputing about the Things of God, but are gone out into the World, where all the deceived ones are, Antichrifcs and feducing Spirits which deceive the Nations with Inchantments and Witcheries, which none can fee, till to the Light of Chrift, and his Spirit they return, which only leads out of all Er- l-ors, as it is believed and followed. For no Spirit ( ^79 ) can lead out of Error, but that Spirit which never 'i6'^6. erred 5 and whoever is led out by any other, is erred ^-/*V%-? already, though unknown, to them who are fo de- ceived. For Error could never truly judge of Error, nor Darknefs of Light, though it will be doing, to Ihew Enmity. So Error cries, Take heed of being deceiv'd,which is deceived already ^ but the Spirit of Light fearcheth out that Deceit : But who walks not in the Spirit and Light of Chrift is blind, and knows not by what he is led, nor whither, and ftumbles at the Light which Ihould judge hisBlindnefs, and become his Leader ^ and fuch an one, though he be in Error, yet knows not whence he is fallen, who never knew the right way 5 as many at this day, who are talk- ing of Blindnefs, but themfelves in the Pit, and niufl be, till they own the Light to lead them out of it, which never erred, which is of God, even as they who received it are of God : And they that were of God, knew that all that would not hear them had the Spirit of Error ^ and thereby they knew it, and the Spirit of Truth, And whatever that be which leads out into the ¥'^orld\ Conformity, and pleads for it, or any thing that is come in by the Fall, that is the Spirit of Error : But that Spirit which teftifies againft all that is in the Fall, and convinceth of it, and leads out of it, that is the Spirit of Truth, and comes to teftifie of the Redeemer Chrifl: Jefus, who is to fet us free out of it 5 which all that live in, live in Error. So ail v/ho defire to know the Spirit of Error, you muft turn to the Spirit of Light, from whence you have erred 5 for no other thing lliews the Error, but that which reproves the fruit of Error 5 that which reproves for Sin, is that from which Man has er- red, the faithful and true Witnefs, which is the beginning of the Creation of God, to which all inuft give an account, and which alone is appointed fox a Li^htj and Leader of the People that fit in T 4 Darknefs, 165^. Darknefs, to fhew the Darknefs, and the way out K^V^ of it : So, to that which was in the beginning all muft come, that with the Light, from which Man hath erred, you may know the ways of Error, and the way of Truth. Concerning Faith. HE that has living Faith, which is in Chrift, lives hj it-, and the Life that he lives is above all the World, and the Powers of Darknefs^ and the leaft meafure of that Faith is perfect, and hath prefent Power againft ail the Affaults of Satan, if in it the Creature abide faithful, and run not to other Helps, and fo lay himfelf open to diftruft ^ for it is the gift of God, whereof whofoever re- ceives a meafure, he hath a meafure of the Son, a-? bove which the Father will not fuffer any Tempta- tion^ for the true Faith lays hold upon God's Righ-. teoufnefs, ag^iinfl which no Unrighteoufnefs can prevail^ which Righteoufnefs is received by Faith in Chrifl Jefus ^ v/herein the Creature fo believing ftands armed againft all the fiery Darts and Tempta- tions of the Devil , with God's Righteoufnefs, feen in the Light, and wrought in the Spirit, where- by the Creature becoines God's Workmanfhip, Cre-i ated in Chriil: Jefus unto good Works, by which he becomes free from the Evil •, dead to Sin, but alive to God's Righteoufnefs, waiting in Faith, to fee it reveal'd through obeciience thereto, from Faith to Faith ^ as it is written, The Juft ff)ciU live by Faith \ and this is the living Faith, which jSurifieth the Heart, unto the Life of Godlinefs, and fo reveals the Righteoufnefs of Faith for an Inheritance, ever- lafting Righteoufnefs, ever growing and fpringing, whereby the Creature grows into the Knowledge of God, with him to walk by Fcpth, out of the Know- ledge of all the World, tranflated out of the Plea- sures and Kingdoms of it, into the Kingdom of the Son ( ^8i ) Son of God, where the reproach of Chrifl: isefteem- i/^^<$. ed great Riches^ laying hold upon the mviflble, L/'W^ which the World's Faith cannot reach, which carries them no higher than viflble reafonings and confult- ing with fenfiial Wifdom, and carnal Helps, and fo brings nothing to perfedion, becaufeit fees nothing tliat is perfedt ^ but the living Faith fees him that is invifible, and lays hold on the meafure of God made manifeff in Spirit, which meafure of the Spi- rit is that which in the Faith works out the old, and works the new, both will and deed, whofe Work is perfed, to kill, and to make alive. But the World's Faith is not of this Nature and Power, who hear a thing with the outward Ear, and fo fet themfelves to believe, or not to believe it, in their Wills or outward Perfwafions, from o- thers, or in tlieir own Imaginations i, and as their Imaginations, Thoughts, and Conceiving change, fo their Faith changes alfo^ and fo it cannot be ftedfaft, becaufe it ftands not in the meafure of God known in the Heart, which changes not ^ and this Faith ferves not God, nor can it pleafe him, nor doth it fee him that's invifible. And fo not {land- ing in that which is contrary to the will of Man, and Power of Sin, it lies under the wills of Men, and Power of the Prince of this World ^ and as the World and Time changes, fo doth that Faith, but can never lead out of the World, and all Time, up to the Redeemer of the Soul. And to all who are in that Nature, the living Faith that ftands in that which is of God in a pure Confcience is a My fiery, not known nor received, and fo cannot be improved, which is the true Faith, which is the gift of God, which none can receive but in the Spirit. So the Faith of Chrifl, and the Faith of the World, are two, and have their feve- ral Effedls, and Fruits •, the one profefTeth Freedom and Redemption in the Imaginations and Compre- henfions, but is a Servant of Sin 5 and the other !iath the living Faith v/hich gives the Life of Free- dom, ( 2^2 ) 165:6. dom, and fo as is their Ground and Root, fo is their WV Fruits and EfFe(5ls ^ and the one of thefe is againft the other. For that Faith which ftands in Chrifi:, believes in Purity and in Perfection, and Holinefs, and flays Sin, and by that Faith alone the Juft live, and Ju- flice and Righteoufnefs is brought forth to Light in the Godly Converfation ♦, but the Faith which ftands in the Imaginations and Wifdom of Man, which be- lieves Salvation without Holinefs of Life, that ([:xys the juft, and keeps alive the unjuft ^ and this Faith they had, which believed the Scriptures, and the words of the Prophets, and that God was their Fa- ther ^ but not having the word of Faith in their Hearts^ thefe flew the Son of God, and fet the Mur- therer free : And as that Faith, which is dead, works Death, fo that Faith which is Living worfc- eth Life. And a profeffion of Faith without Right- eoufnefs, is like a Body without Life ^ and like as a living Man is known by his Adions, fo is the li- ving Faith by its Fruits. And as the Man cannot live without Adtion, no more can Faith in Chrift without Righteoufnefs ^ thefe are unfeparable, there- fore it is called the Righteoufnefs of Faith •, where the Heart believes unto Righteoufnefs, there the Mouth confefleth to Salvation, without Hypocrifle or Self Righteoufnefs. And fo God's Righteoufnefs is received in the Heart by Faith, and by Obedience thereto brought forth into the World, aWitnefs againft all the U"n- righteoufnefs of the World ^ and fo the Righteoufnefs of God is preached through Faith, in all whofe Faith ftands in Chrift Jefus : But that is a dead Faith which brings not forth the Life of Chrift in- to the World, and that's the Reprobate Faith which is to the good work reprobate •, and he that errs from the Righteoufnefs, errs from the Faith alfo which is held in a pure Confcience j and he that makes a fliipwreck of a good Confcience, and puts that away, makes fliipwreck of Faith alio. And And in the Eternal Light is all your Faith feen i6'y6. and judged to be without Chrift, and without Foun- ^-y^VN^ dation, who are out of the Light and out of the Life. And your Faith is feen to be the fame with the Scribes and Pharifees, who believed the Scrip- tures, and thought to find Life therein, but did not believe in the Light, and fo would not come to Chrift, that they might have Life, So all your Faith, which is out of the Light, which from the Letter you have formed, is a Faith fet up in your own Wills, and not that v\^hich is given of God : For that Faith that is the gift of God, believes in the Liglit, and follov\^s it, and fo leads to the Life ^ and t]]is Faith that ftand in the Light and Life, is the Living Faith^ and never without Works, which Works are Love, Meeknefs, Patience^ Mortification, Sanliification, Jufiification^ Sec. The Works of God in Chriftjefns, in which God's Workm>anfhip is feen in the New Creation, received in the Faith, and in- the Obedience, to which the Soul is purified, and Vidory witneiTed over the World, Sin and Death, But you who believe not in the Light, are Enemies to this Faith, and yet you get the Words of the Scripture, given forth from the Light, and fo your Fa'th ftands in the Wifdom of Word^, into which you have been fearching with your Wifdom, but not in the Power of God and his Work : So you are they who fay and do not, whofe Pradice could never iuit your Profeilion. '■ ' " ':^ Concernino- HOPE. HOPE is a Gift of God, aud is pure, and ftands in that which is pure, fhewing the Purity of Ouu, and his Righteoufnefs in Chriit Jefus, the Be- holding whereof flays the Soul from joining to the- wicked One, when he tempteth, becaufe he fees in the Light a better Work to ferve^ i^o that until the Time of that Work being fully manifeftj the Hope is ( ^8+ ) 1^5^^. ,' IS as an Anchor to ftay from following the unclean ^i^^'W) One, and fo keeps out of the Sin, and fo makes not afhamed, even then in the Time of Want it hopes againft; Hope. When that Life of Chrift is not yetfeen in its full Power, 3ret is it evidenced in the Hope, which is wrought in the Patience and Experience, whereby the Love appears and the Faith v/orks, whereby God's Righteoufnefs is revealed, and the Son is feen, who is the Redeemer ^ and he that hath this Hope in Him, purifies himfelf even as he is pure. And this is that Hope that enters within the Vail, into the holy Place, where the Life and Im- mortality is brought to light, which the mortal Eye nor carnal Senfes cannot approach to. And this is the Living Hope, which hopes to the End, that Chrifl: and his Righteoufnefs may be revealed, to take away Sin, and to fave from it, and out of it ^ and in Hope of this, the Children and Babes of Chrifl wait in the Obedience of the Spirit, not fafhioning themfelves after the Lufts of Ignorance •, but as he who hath called to that Hope is holy, fo in his Holi- nefs is their Converfation who are in his Hope. But the Devil hath begotten another Hope in his Servants who believe him, and are adted by his Spirit, which ftands in another Ground, and brings forth another Fruit, and that is, That though they he Servants to Sin (for that muft be concluded in all his Covenants and Graces) yet there k Hopes of SaU vat ion • and fuch Hopes as may not be judged falfe nor queftioned, although the Witnefs of God in the Confcience doth teftifie to the contrary, yet it muft not be heeded, left they be deluded. So that where the Devil is become Teacher, a tender Confcience is to be refifted, as the greateft Error and Fooler}^ in the World : And that, to wait for the Teftimony or I Witnefs within, is to deny Chrift at "Jerufalem, and the greateft Blafphemy that can be fpoken of ^ and to wait for that Myftery that hath been hid from Ages (to wit,) Chvift within the Hope oj Glory^ is to, deny the Perfon of Chrift, and his Blood and Suf- fer- ( .85 ) ferings. And many fuch Imaginations hath Satail iS'yS. begot in Peoples Brains, to fcare them from mind- W^^^ ing the Light of Chrift within ^ that fo he may keep the Heart in Darkiiefs, and his Seat there undif- covered. So he fets them to look for the Kingdom of Chrift without them, and a Spirit without, and a Light without, and a "Word without, and Righteoufnefs without, and in that to hope ; while he dwells in the Heart, and there in Darknefs upholds his King- dom of Sin, and Seat of Unrighteoufnefs all their Life, and feeds them with a Hope after they are dead, by a Profeffion without Power, and Life and Spirit, and Truth in them, to order them and their Converfation aright, towards God and Man in their Generations. And this is the Hope of the Hypocrite, that mufl: perilh in the End, and come fhort of Sal- vation, v/hofe Hope is not in God, nor gives a Being in Righteoufnefs , but he hath a Hope, and lives in the World without God and his Hope. And this not the Hope of Chrift, which lives in Sin and hopes for Salvation ^ but this is his Hope in Chrift that hopes to Freedom and Perfedion, which never comes fhort of its End, in all that wait in it. And this Hope only is it that maketh not alhamed^ but you may be afhamed of your Hope, who are found in your Sins, and encouraging your felves therein, that you Ihall not die. That's the Devils Hope, which hopes not Freedom from Sin, as much as Freedom from Hell. And with this Hope would he make God a Lyar, and par- tial like himfelf, that he fhould find fome in Sin, and fave them, and others in Sin and condemn them. But who knows Chrift, and hopes in him, hopes in Righteoufnefs^ and therein to ftand in the Day of Judgment 5 and therein to live in this Evil World above it, and all the Unrighteoufnefs of it : And the End of the Lively Hope, is no lefs than God's Righteoufnefs to attain, and live in, as it is received 5 and only fuch can give a Reafon of that Hop2 ( 286 ) t6'y6. Hope that is in them, who fandlfie the Lord God Ky\'SJ in their Hearts, and have a good Confcience, and fufFer for well-doing ^ which unreafonable Men, who live in the unreafonable Nature, cannot do, whofe Hope is not an Helmet of Salvation againfl: Sin, yet would have it for Salvation againfl: Hell. And this is the unreafonable Hope in unreafonable Men, for which they can give no Reafon, but in their own Wills and Imaginations: For is there any Reafon why you fhould Hope to be faved by Chrifl-, who will be the Devil's Servants, to yeild your Members Servants to, and delight in his Wickednefs while you liv^e, and yet be faved by Chrifl'sRighteoufnefs when you die ? This is a Hope that ferves you to talk on, to feed your felves in your Vanity^ but will be in the End like the giving up of the Ghofl:. But who is begotten in the lively Hope, are begot- ten into an Inheritance Incorruptible and Undefiled, whereunto they are kept by the Power, in Hope through Faith, unto Salvation from Sin, the thing that he that's begotten of God longs and hopes for : which Hope ihall not fail. Concerning LOVE. THE Love of God is but One, and in One, nor can any receive it, but who receive that One, the Son of God : And this cannot ftand with Self, or any changeable Things for God is that Love, and none can dwell in it, but as he dwells in God : fb it's pure and perfedl. As the Creature comes to live in God, as he is, into his Image and Likenefs^ fo with the pure Light his Love is feen, and fhcd abroad in the Heart, whereby the Power of Faith worketh, to the overcoming all that is contrary to God. So the Love of God abounds, and who dwells in it worketh no III^ but the Work o^ Love fulfils the Law of God, which is upon all that's gone out from him, into the World and Self-ends, which hath ( aSy ) been received in the Loi^e of carnal Things, and fo are j6'yS. gone into the Enmity againfl God, fetting the Af- t-/VV7 fedion on changeable Things ^ for whofoever will be a Friend to the World, is the Enemy of God 5 for the World's Love arifes from the Spirit of the World ; but the Love of God is a Fruit of God's Spirit, and none hath the Love of God, but who hath that Spirit from which it fprings, which is Eternal, Unchangeable and above all carnal Things, nor can Time or carnal Things quench it, for it en- dures for ever. And herein it differs from all the World's Love ^ nor can any one have this Love, but from the Fountain of Love; even the Manifeftation of God's Love fhed in the Heart, wherewith he firft loved the Creature. And this being known and feen in the Light, from thence is the Spring of Love, which runs out to the whole Creation of God, and for the fame End •, for as the Love is One, fo the End is but One. Now God fo loved the World, that he gave his Son into the World, a Light to condemn Sin in the Flelh, that the Righteoudiefs of God might be ful- filled in the Creature, in walking after the Spirit, and denying the Works of the Flelh. And this is the Love of God to Sinners, to condemn Sin, and take it away by the Light and Life of Chrifl-j and to all that love with this Love, this is the End of it : But with this Love is all your Love condemned, whofe Love ftands in Fafhions and Cuftoms, Feaft- ings and Riotings, Sports and vain Pleafures, or any thing in the Fleih that s in the Fall-, and in flatter- ing one another in your Evil Ways, or in Refpedt of Perfons, or any other thing that hath an End, for the Love of God is without End, in Love to the Soul and Body, as Go'd hath made if, but in Hatred to all that is come in fince, which hath defiled it. So that this Love of God confifts of Reproofs, Judgment and Condemnation againft all that defiles the Creation, and againft the Creature who yeilds to ( 288 ) i6$6, to that Pollution 5 and this is pure Love to the \^/^\r^ Soul, that deals faithfully therewith, in declaring its Condition •, and that was the great Love Chrift ihewed the Jews, when he told them they were Hypocrites^ Blind Guides^ Lyars, and faid, Wo unto ye^ ye Serpent s^ ye Generation of Vipers^ hozv can ye ejcape the Damnation of Hell ? And many fuch-plaiii true Words he fpoke in Love to them. And that was the Love of God in Pj^/, which faid ioElywai^ 0 fuft of all Suhtilty, and all Mif chief thou Child of the Devil, thou Enemy of all Right eoufnefs, wilt thou not ceafe to pervert the right Ways of the Lord ? For all the Love that can be fhewed to any Creature is to deal faithfully and truly with them, a^ they are feen in the Light ^ and he who doth not fo, loves neither God nor them (as will be found in the Day of Judgment) and fo are out of God's Love, and imagining a Love which is of another Nature, and with this Love, you who are out of the Love of God, flatter one another in your Evil Ways and changeable Opinions \ which Love is grounded in carnal Things, and fiands in your own Wills. And therewith, when you will you love, and when you will you hate^ but neither know Love, as it is in God, nor Hatred, whofe Love and Hatred ftands in changeable Things ^ fo your Love and Hatred pe- rifh, which ftand not in God. But who knows the Love of God, tramples upon ail your Love and Hatred, and fees an End thereof. And fuch fee your Blindnefs, who fay, Tou would have all iKon by Love^ but know not whereot you affirm 5 whofe Ways are not God's Ways, nor your Thoughts His; For, faith he, I will redeem Zion with Judgment, and with the Spirit of Judgrnent and Burmng will I zvajh away the Filth thereof : But you who are in your Filth would have all flattered therein. So that Love is i^(^n to be filthy which fpares Filthinefs, which defiles the Temple of Godi ; but that is pure, which purges away the Filth, and con- demns the Unclean, and all that love it j for the Love 89 ) Lbve of the Devil may be won with ferving of 16^6. him, and flattering him in bis Ways, in them in ^^^V^SJ whom he is 5 but what is it worth ? So may one have the Love of all the World, and their Friend- fhip, but woe unto that Friendlhip which is got by fparing God's Enemies, that is Enmity againlt God, Therefore, faith God, let Love be without Dijjimula^ tion ^ abhor that which U Evil^ cleave to that which is gooi\ and that Love is it, which uncovers Sii7, which condemns Sin unto Death, and covers it with Righteoufneft-, Otherwife (faith the Scriptures) he that covers Sin jlnill not pro/per. And faith James^ Jam, 5. 20. He which convert eth d Sinner from the Error of his Way, fhallfave a Soul, and ffjall hide a Multitude of Sins. And faith Solomon, Open Rebuke is better than fecret Love : Such Wounds are pre* cious to them that know what Love is j but he that fpares MensWiclcednefs, hates God's Righteoufnefs. And fo with the Light is t^Qn God's Love, and the Devil's Love \ and each loves his own Works, and fo do their Children in whom they reign ^ for who- ever loves the One, hates the other , and he that ferves the one, hates the other 5 and fo the Servant pleads for his Mafter, whom he loves. Concerning Judgment. TRUE Judgment (as it is known to Men) is a Gift from the Spirit of God, fet in the Heart of every one who dwells in the Light of Chrift •, which Judgment palTeth upon all that's in the Creature, contrary to the Life of God : And fo as it is received, fprings up with Light and Salva- tion, to the redeeming of the Heart from all Un" cleannefs, condemning all that which is contrary to Purity, that God may be feenin his Dwelling-Place with his Righteoufnefs. And fo ha is faid to redeem Zion with Judgment^ and her Converts with Righte* oufnefs 5 and to purge away the Filth of the Daugh- U ter ( ^90 ) 16") 6. ter of Zion^ with the Spirit of J'uclgment and the Spt- ^''^^^^^rit of Burning. And if there be a dwelling in the Light, this Judgment ceafes not, till the Throne of Chrifl be cftablilhed in the Heart in Peace \ for this is his Judgment, and is upon all that ftands up a- gainft his Kingdom. And this is theCaufe why the Enemies of Righteoufnefs love it not, but have turned it to Gall and Wormwood ^ which the Righ- teous delight in and love, who are redeemed and failed therewith, and knov/ it to be the Promife firfl: to be received ; PV, faith the Lord, / wiU make Judgjnent to reft for a Ligh of the People ; which being received, his Righteoufnefs is near to be revealed. Therefore his Judgment muft pafs before, upon all that's unrighteous, and none can hai^e his Righte- oufnefs, but who receive his Judgment. Therefore y faith the Lord, / have hewed them by the Prophets^ Ihavefuiin them by the Words of my Mouthy and my "judgments are as a Light that goeth forth. And for this End is Judgment given to the Saints of the moffc High. And, faith the Lord, the righteous Man ^fhaU judge them after the 7nanner oj Aiidtercjj'es^ and af- ter the 7nanner of Women that J]?ed Blood, becaufe they are Adult ereffes^ and Blood is in their Hands : thtAS will I caufe the Lewdnefs to ceafe out of the Land, Therefore is Ezekiel fo often commanded to judge them, and caufe them to know their Abominations. And Jeremiah was full of th^ Fury of the Lord, and he was weary with holding it in. And Micah was full of Power, by the Spirit of the Lord and of Judgment, to declare to Jacob his Tranfgreiiion, and to Ifrael his Sin. And fo in all Agts he placed his Judgments in his Servaiits,. v/ho are to judge the Heathen, and fuch as know not God, therewith ^ and fo man}^ as did believe it, and receive it, did repent and found Mercy, and the reft were hardned. •^ And this Judgment is Eternal, and frail ftand in Heaven, as it is pafled upon Earth. And this v/as conmitted to the Apoflles as a Dodlrinej and whom they ( 291 ) they bound, were bound •, and who by it they loof- iS'^S, ed, were loo fed : Therefore did all the Saints love ^-'^'VXJ Judgment ^ for it is the Minijlration of Chrift^ mi- niftred out upon all that's againft Chrift, and that which is againft Chrift, is againfl: the Soul : fo this Judgment muft begin at the Houfe of God \ but where the Devil keeps the Houfe, he rejeds it \ and {•SiixXx Solomon., The IJngoily fcorneth Judgment^ and Evil Men underjiand it not ^ So^ faith he, there is that is dejlroyedfor wn u of Judgment 5 and he that hath not Judgment is blind, and fees not that thk E* nemy reigns, which will reign till Judgment be brought into Vi^lory^ and fet in the Earth 5 but when Judg- ment is laid to the Line, and Righteoufnefs to the Plummet, then the Covenant with Hell and Death muft be difannulled. So all tJiat are in this Cove- nant, love not that which breaks it. And this is your Cafe, v/ho hate Reproof, who when you are told of your evil Hearts, where Sin lives, and your curfed crooked Nature, you fay, Who made thee a Judge ^ And many fay, You could like what we fay, but we judge People. So you are they that hate Judgment, and would not have the Miniftry of Chrift to go on-, for who hath the Spi- rit of Chrift, hath the Spirit of Judgment^ and who ferve that Spirit, muft fafFer it to fpeak and judge in them -, and all that oppofe it fhali be con- demned by it. Therefore faid David, The Tongue of the Righteous talketh Judgyjient, the Law of God is in his Heart, his Steps Jhall not flide-^ but the Wickei feeketh to flay him. So, for uttering the Judgments of God againft the Wicked, have the Juft ever fuiFered 5 and for the fame do you now hate them, and condemn them y and you are in the fame Nature and Covenant that ' your Forefathers were in, who fhed the innocent Blood-, and you would have joined v/ith them had you lived with them, whatever your Deceit may fay to the contrary. And you are found in the fame Oppofltion to the utmoft Power you have, a- U 2 gainft ( 292 ) l6'y6, gainH: the Spirit of Judgment now, as they were V*^/^S^ then ^ and the Caufe is the fame now as it was then, both they and you living in that which is for Judg- ment, Fire and Condemnation : Therefore you can-* not receive their Teftimony, who have judged and condemned that Evil, which you love and live in^ And for this Caufe Cain flew his Brother, and fo do all his Generation. And with that which you hate fl-iall you be condemned, and Ihall not be able to ftand in Judgment, which is the Saints Delight, in which they are united to God, as he hath faid, / will betroth ye unto me for evet\ in Right eoufnefs and in Judgment •, which Righteoufnefs and Judgment mull condemn the Wicked, So who hath Chrift, hath him in Judgment and Righteoufnefs, and love him, his Judgment and Righteoufnefs^ but who is married unto the World, cannot love that which is his Con-' demnation for fo doing. Concerning Perfection. GOD isperfed, and fo are all his Works and al! his Gifts ^ and whoever receives his Gifts, re- ceives that Vv'hich is perfedt. And by receiving and joining to that which is perfed, is the Creature gra- dually made perfed. And no further than the Crea- ture is in this Perfection, can any be united to God, nor appear in his Sight, nor be bleffed, but are gone out from what was in the Beginning, and fo are not delivered out of the Fall, nor redeemed, and have no more of Chrifl:, than what they have of Perfec- tion s for Perfedion is of Chrift, and Imperfedion and Sin is of the Devil. And thefe are two Con- traries, and come from contrary Grounds, and bring forth contrary Fruits, for he that is of God is of Perfection, and believes Perfection, but who is of the Serpent cannot own it, nor believe it, being blinded by the God of this World, Coi T^9T) Gdifent his Son into the World, to preach VerfeUion\ iS^^- even the Fcrfe^ion in the Image of the Father, that K/^^'K>\ all who will believe may inherit it , And all that be* lieved him, believed Perfedion. And when he had left a perfect Example in all things, he afcended, and gave Gifts to Men, feveral forts of Gifts 5 all for the perfecting of the Saints, that all might come up to one Faith, to a perfed Man, to the Meafure of the Stature, and of the Fulnefs of Chrift, that £0 he may be an Everlafting Redeemer, perfeding the Work of God in every Generation of them that believe in his Work and follow him. And this all his Minifters improved to the fame End, and preached and prayed. That they might prefent every Man perfeB in Chrift Jefus^ from whom they had received the Gift, And all that believed them, believed Perfection, and prefled after it, as the End of their Faith •, knowing, nothing lefs than Perfection could give them perfeQ: Reft and Redemption. Now fince the My fiery of Iniquity entred, there is another Miniftry gone out into the World, who hath taken up an Imitation inftead of Gift, and Jiave begotten another kind of Faith in the World, wholly reprobate as to Perfection, preaching againft it with all the Power they have, holding it forBlaf^ phemy, and calling it a DoSrine of Devils^ and the like. And thefe would be called the Minijlers of Chrifi^ that fo they may not mifs of their End 5 for did they come in his Name, whofe Work they uphold, he knows they might run in vain. Thus they deceive all, who receive them by their Words 5 but who mind the End of their Work, may eafily fee as much Difference as is betwixt Chrift and Be* Hal, The Work of Chrift is, and ever was, to re- new Man again to his PerfeCt State ^ but the Work of Antichrift is, to withftand it, and each hath his Minifters fuitable xo their Ends intended. Chrift's End is to perfect, the Devil's is to keep imperfeCt, ^nd in Sin. And each Minifter hath their Faith, U I Hope, t6^6. Hope, and other Gifts fuitable, one pure, the other |/V\^ polluted. And according to each Faith, fo it is to all that believe them and follow them ^ for the Faith of Chrift is a Shield, and gives ViQ:nry over Uncleannefs, Sin and Evil ; but the Devil V Faith lets in, and believes it mull be fo : For had not the Devil firft brought Man ro believe him, rather than God, he could not have polluted what God had perfeded. And the fame Way he ta^res to keep up his Work, by which at firft he wrought it. So none can come to know a New Creature, but who believe Perfection in Chriil 5 nor can any come to God, nor Chrifr, nor God's Righteoufnefs, but who comes to believe Perfedion attainable in Chrift. For all who are in the imperfed and polluted Righ- teoufnefs, are in your own Righteoufnefs 5 for the leaft Meafure of God*s Righteoufnefs is perfed, and all come into Perfection who become true Servants to it, and thereby becoir.e.free from Sin. So by your Unbelief you deftroy your Souls, who are in your own Works, which make nothing perfed. And fo, meafuring your felves with your Selves, cuts you off from Chrift, as meafuring your Faith hj y cur own Ability^ fo ftanding in that Covenant which makes nothing perfed, but the coming in of a Better Hope doth. And this all know, whofe Faith ftands in what God is, and not what we can flo^ in Eyerlafting Righteoufnefs, not in what we have to work : the one being Righteoufnefs by Faith revealed, a Gift put into the Believer ^ the other, an imitation of the fame in Works, but not the Power : And {uch are you, who read a Verfe, and fee therein what the Saints did, and then fet your felves to do the like, but know not that Righteouf- nefs, revealed in you in the Faith which they had, which was wrought in them by the Lord, before! they brought it to light ^ and fo did not work of themfelves, but believed on him who worketh the Will and the Deed of his own good Pleafure, who 14. one is well-pleafed wich his own Work, and with € ( 295 ) all who are Servants to his Work, to bring it to i6'y6. light to his Praife, whofe Workmanfhip fuch are. l/^\^\) And they who are found herein, have his WitnefTes in the Light, to prove their Works, that they are wrought in God, and not of felf, felf-will, nor for felf-ends, i]or in felf- time, nor in felf-power. And all that know this perfedt Will and acceptable Work of God, know it begotten and brought forth in Self-denial, in all things; and not of us, but of him that is perfect : Andfo makes oar Way perfed:. And this is the Covenant that makes perfect all that come thereto^ and felf being denied in the Work, Boafting is excluded by the Law of Faith, which receives the free and perfedl Gift. And for this Canfe the fir ft Covenant was found faulty and difanulled, becaufe it made not the Co- mers thereto perfect, as pertaining to the Confci* ence, nor did exlude boafting ^ no more doth your imitations from the Letter, for the Light in your Confciences witnefieth your imperfedion therein, and your works are condemned before they be wrought, and your Miniflers tell you your Righte- oufnefs is not perfect, yet they call for Righteouf- nefs, and yet fay, your bejl k but as filthy rags: And they call for Prayer, and yet tell you, that you muil be Sinners while you live, and that the Frayers of the Wicked are abomination to the Lord. So the abominable Sacrifice is preached, and per- formed ^ and Perfedion denied by all thofe Priefts and People who have not received the gift for per- fecting. And of this fort, are they who have their Preaching to ftudy and to feek at other Mens mouths, or from the Letter, but have, it not from the mouth of the Lord, freely given, the perfed: gift for perfeding the Saints. So what they get, that they Sell ^ for none can give freely but who fo receives ^ nor can any perfed others, who have not the perfed gift themfeives. So you that talk of Perfedion, you muft firfi: fcnow a free gift from above, Perfedion is not U 4 from ( 296 ) j^'yS. from below, where you have your carnal Imagina- U'^Y'>J tions, and.Reafon, and Wifdom, and Prudence, gotten by your Learning and Studies, whereof you boafi:, and wherein you exalt your felves above your Brethren, for that Self exaltation came in by the Devil, and Perfedion is hid from it, and all that live therein \ neither can it be Bought or Sold, nor procured with all the Induftry of Man, only fuch obtain it who wait in the Light, till the}?- re- ceive the free gift of Righteoufnefs, and be indued with Power from above : Not they who hear a thing in the notion and then declare it , nor who fee a Work done,and go to do the like *, for none were more like to have been able Minifters than the Apa- ftlesin this, who had i^en the mighty Work of Chrill:, and heard Him and his Dod:rine-, but thefe were not fit for perfecting the Saints, till they had received the fame Spirit from above : Therefore were they commanded to Vv^ait at Jevufalem till there- with they were indued *, and then they were made able Minifters, not of the Letter, but of the Spirit -^ and their Teftament in the Spirit^ and not old in the Letter^ for that of the Letter kiils^ but the Sfi^ rlt perjetis. And fo all that ever bear the Teflament in Spirit^ Preach and believe Perfedion, but that Teftament of the Letter being without, cannot perfedt the Co- mers thereto : For the Light, Faith, Hope, Love, Patience, t^c. are gifts Spiritually given for per- fedting, and cannot be had any other way but ia Spirit^ freely given, and freely received, which gifts you know not, nor the effect of them, who are in the literal Miniftration ^ but in your vain Ima- ginations and Comprehenlions, are judging you know not what, and limiting the Spiritual Cove- nant of God to the Literal 5 and becaufe you who are in the Letter (fearching with your Wit) can find no Perfection, therefore you will judge the Spiritual Covenant alfo: That fo the Devil may for ever keep People from the coming in of the better Hope 5 For ( 297 ) For if the firft Covenant made nothing perfe£!:, nor 6j'^6. the fecond neither, what hop^ is there for People, L/^y\J feeing no Imperfedion nor Uncleannefs can enter into the Kingdom of Heaven? Concerning Government, and Magistracy. THere is no jufl: Government but what is of God, and in whomfoever He (having called them) placeth his Power and Authority^ which isjuft, and Righteous, received in the Light, and from the Anointing of Jefus, and the fubjedion to his Spiri- tual Power in the Soul, whom the Father hath ap- pointed King and Governour of all things in Hea- ven and in Earth : And none can defer ve the Name of Chriftian Governours, but who by him are go- verned, and do receive his Authority, with fubje- dion thereunto in Spirit, Therefore faith the Apo- ftle. Let every Soul he fubje^ to the Higher 'Power. And he that will rule tor God, muft firft fee that his own Soul be fubjed to the Higher Power, and muft know one higher than he ^ and fo himfelf co- ming under that Power, then with that Power and Authority upon him he goes forth to Rule with God, for God ^ ►and having fet up his Kingdom in his Heart, he goes to make way that his Kingdom may be ttt up in others-, that all may bow to his Authority wherewith he is Anointed from Above, and to which he is become fubje6t for Confcience flike. And fo his Government being according to that in every Confcience, every one that minds that in the Confcience, Ihall witnefs him and his Government to be of God, and fo he that reftfts, fhall receive to himfelf Condemnation^ witneffed by that in the Confcience : And all who own not that in the Confcience which is pure, to obey the Lord therein, the Sword of the Lord in the Hand of his Minifter Ihall ( 298 ) j6$6, (hall be upon fuch, and that of God to which he is C/V"N^ fubjedl, even the anointing he hath received, fhall inftnid him in the Spirit of Meeknefs, Wifdom, and Judgment, to jfind out the TranfgrefTor, and lay the Sword upon him ^ and fuch fnall not bear the Swctd in vain, but a terror to the Evil-doer fhall be, without refpect to the Perfons of Men, or any other thing, but only to the Law of God, which is one with that in the Confcience. So is Chrift honoured as Law-giver, and Judge, and King; and with thisHonour he Honoureth fuch Rulers in the Confciences of all liis People, and be- fore all the World , and though the World knows not the Authority of fuch, nor from whom they have it, yet all that fear God do^ and are made to confefs them before God and Man : And fo I/aitib was made to confefs to Cyrus^ whom others counted a Heathen ^ for it is the Authority in the Perfon that is Honourable, where-ever it is placed. So Mo/es was dreadful in this Authority, though other- wife but a Shepherd, and the meekeft Man in the World. And Samuel a Poor Man, 37'et this Autho- rity made the Elders of Betkelem to tremble at his coming when they heard thereof Nay, it is too much to inftance in particulars •, for all that ever Honoured God in this, he Elonoured them, whofe Names are a Bleifmg to this Day, and their Memo- rial fhall not rot, for when fuch Reign, the People rcjoyce that delight in Righteoufnefs ^ thejufl: are bold, and Righteoufnefs flourifhes in the open 1 Streets, and Wickednefs is^afhamf d, and is hid, " and the Innocent clap their Hands for joy that the Lord reigns, and their Governours are of them-f felves. When Chrift ruleth in all, then he makes his Officers Peace, and his Exadors, Righteouf- nefs. ^ But if it be faid, Muft not Men own wicked Ma-. giftrates ? I fay, they are to be owned and obeyed jn all things, as they are appointed by God ^ for God limits them, and hath fet bounds to them, thougii though they know it not*, and fo far as they com- i6')6. mand the Will of God, they are to be obeyed for '^-^^"S.^ Confcience fake •, but when they are contrary to God, and command that which God forbids, and forbid what he commands, then God is to be obey- ed, ana Man denyed tor Confcience fake ^ for none can be obeyed for Confcience fake, who command that which is contrary to the Law or Light of God in the Confcience •, though many do deny the Lord, and conform to fuch -, yet who are guided by the Spirit of God, which keeps the Confcience clean, never could, but in all Ages have fuffered violence from fuch, to keep their Confciences void of of- fence^ for fo it mud be when Rulers themfelves deny obedience to God in Spirit, then all who walk after the Spirit, muft needs fuffer by them. And here is the ground of all Perfecution that ever was, when Governoars are out of the fear of God, and ftand in their own wills, and walk after the Flefh, then that Seed rules, which perfecutes him that is born after the Spirit, and fo the Enmity getting up, Snares are laid for the Innocent, to make him an Offender for a word, who is none in- deed : And from this ground have the Lambs been devoured always as evil doers, but ever innocent, yet never wanting Accufations, as Hereticks, Ring- leaders of Seds and Seditions, Blafphemers and the like 5 thit fo the DeviUnay the more blind the World, leafi they fliould fee bis Envy, and their Innocency. And in the time of fuch Governours hath the Lamb born Teftimony in much Patience, Meeknefs and Long-fuffering, bearing all the venom and tnvy that the Serpent could cafi: out upon him (where^ he was manifeft in the Creature) for a Witnefs againfl all fuch Rulers ; that his long-fufFering might lead them to Repentance, and leave them without Ex- cufe in the Day of his AVrath ^ and againft fuch is he finilhing his Teftimony at this Day. And a blinder Generation never was in any Age, who have run ( goo ) 1656. run from all Tendernefs, fo far into that Wifdom> VV'^J- that many are grown wholly paft feeling 5 Imprifon* ing, Whipping) and Torturing their Brethren. And as every Generation of that Seed grows more fnbtil, fo (in the things of Chrift) more blind and deaf. So that it's rare i^to find one, who hath an Ear to hear oppreffion •, but not one, whofe Heart is perfect to deny the World's favour, to bear witnefs againft the ground of Oppreffion : So the juji Man perifheth^ and none lays it to heart \ nor can any lay it to heart, whofe hearts are filled with felfilh Paf- Hon, and felf-will 5 for none can Rule for God, whofe heart is not Ruled by God \ but when the Lord rules in the heart, then the Jull reigns, and the Caufe of the JufI: is heard, and he that rules fof the Juft, rules for God, and with God, over the Un- jufl: 5 firft in himfelf, then in all the World ^ other- wife though an unjufl: Judge may hear the Caufe of the Poor in forne cafe, or time, yet it is not for God, nor from obedience to the Spirit of Judgment, which is of God,the Heart being filled with Self-End s. So that he that is a Self-Lover, or Proud, or Co- vetous, or refpedis Gifts, or Rewards, cannot rule for God, nor can he that refpeds Perfons rule for God, nor with God, who is no refpedter of Per- fons, but only hath refpedt to fuch as walk in obe- dience to that juft Principle of himfelf : Nor can fuch as feek for Honour from Men, rule for God 5 for fuch are out of the Faith of Chrift, and in the unreafonable Nature, feeking the Praife of Men, and fo cannot have the Praife of God •, for the Friendfliip of the World is Enmity with God, and he that feeks the one, lofes the other. And fuch as are out of the Fear of God, cannot rule for God, for fuch are fubjedt to be drawn with Fear or Fa- vour of Men, from the juft Principle of God, out of which none can rule tor God. And herein is the clear difference betwixt Hea^ thens and Chriftians. The one exercifes Juftice, an4 Judgment, and Rightegufnefs, , which is of God, and ( 3^1 ) and in his Will, wliereby they rule over all unrigh^ j6'^&, teoufnefs of Men of corrupt Minds, and Principles ^-'VV whatfoever, and ftand in the Authority of God, a Terror to the Evil-doer : The other exercife Lord- fhip over Mens Perfons, in their own wills, which they fet up in their Selfifli Principle, in carnal Po- licy, who lay the Sword upon the juft, as on the Dnjuft, if he bow not to their wills ^ which who ftands in the Will of God may not do^ and io they that abide in the fear of God, do ever fufFer by fuch as are out of his fear. And though thefe be fet in their Places by the periniffion or appointment of God, yet not knowing him, who ordereth all things, to order them, though they are reftrained from Evil, or made to do his Will, yet have they no re- ward, nor fhare in it, not doing it in obedience of God, nor from a Principle of Equity, net knowing Chrifi: guiding and leading them therein •, they are no Chriftians, whatever they may call themfelves. And to fuch as thefe who mind not that Light or Law of God to govern withal, hath God fent his Servants to teflifie to their faces of their depar- ture from the juft Principle, (and fo cannot pleafe God with his Government, yet did they never Plot againft them, nor murmur) which if they did hear, they rejoyc'd to fee them eftabliftied as a Bleifing to the Place and People, which the People of God, ever feek to God for ^ but if they hear not, then they are made to mourn that God fhould be grie- ved, and his Creature loft, efpecially in fuch a place by which God may be fo diftionoured, and a Na- tion or Town plagued from the Lord for his fake who hath the Sword of God in his Hand, and fuf- fers Sin, but Punifties the Innocent, both which the Lord will revenge^ and feldom but the Place where it is done taftes thereof, which fuch as rule with God, and for him, prevent^ yea, by fuch the Peace hath been lengthened after the Judgment hath been pronounced. So when the Righteous reigns, God is honoured. C 302 ) j6'y6. honoured, and good Men rejoyce^ but when Wiclc- u^VXJednefs gets up in the Magiftiate, then the Lord is diihonoured, and the glory departs. Concerning Obedience. Spiritual and Living Obedience, is not that of Man's Way and Will, wherein Men and Wo- men (in the firft Birth, and Wifdom therein) read the Scriptures, and there find what the Saints per- formed in the Spirit and Power of the Lord Jefus, and from that fet themfelves on work to do the like^ and fo make an Imitation inflead of Obedi- ence, and fet up Self-works infi.ead ot Chrilx s works ^ and obey Self-righteoufnefs, inftead of God's right- eoufnefs^ and fo cover themfelves with filthy Rags inftead of everlafting Righteoufnefs. But all who will know true Obedience, muft firll: know a Mea- fure of God's Spirit in the Light of Jefus, and there- in moving and drawing towards Chrift Jefus, v/here- in the Faith is, which lays hold on God's Righte- oufnefs which is in Chrift Jefus, and by the moving of his Spirit in the Light, the Truth is feen, and the Obedience that is one in Chrift Jefus the fecond Adam, And as the Creature is joined in the Light to that Spirit of Chrilt, and in Believing, there is the Life of Jefus made manifeft , quickening the Bodj" unto that one Obedience, which is con* trary to the Will of Man •, and the Mind being kept Spiritual in the meafure the Seed is raifed, and the new is born, of that Spirit-, to v/hich Seed the Pro- mife, and Power is, wherein the Creature is joined Heir with Chrift Jefus, who is God's Righteouihefs 5 and fo in the Faith is the glad tydings of good things preached to the Soul, and by the Power of the Goipel preached to the Creature ^ the Righteouf- nefs of God is revealed from Faith to Faith, and the Juft lives in that Faith, and Chrift is manifeft for ( 503 ) for Obedience to the Faith: And all that are in this i6'y6. Faith, are in the one Obedience, which is in Chrift u^'VNJ Jefus, which he learn'd of the Father for us^ that in that Obedience many may be made Righteous, and all that learn Chrifi:, learn his Obedience j which was not what he faw or heard from Men, but what he faw and heard of the Father ^ not in his own Time or Will, but in the Father's, could he do an3r thing, but what he fee the Father do, in that Work he was found, doing the fame, as he was taught of the Father in his Obedience to him ; not what the Scribes and Pharifees did, though they fate in Mofes's Seat, nor what the World approved, but what was contrary to all the World, and con- trary to Ws own Will ^ only fubmitting to the moving of ths Spirit of the Father that dwelt in him, by which alone he was guided and furnifhed to every good work. And all that believe in him, and follow his Light, he leads them by degrees into the fame Knowledge and Obedience, out of all carnal Knowledge, Power, and Obedience ^ and by Faith the Creature is made Partaker of his Obedience, and the Power thereof from Faith to Faith. And all that have learned him. As he ^, Jo are they in this prefent World^hoih. in Love, and Life, and Power, and Spirit •, and in all this in the meafure as he is learned , and as any come to the unity of the Faith in him, to a meafure of his fulnefs, fo the Obedience is but one, the Power one, the IVay one, and the Son one, and the Father one. And this is not any thing from tvithout, but in Spirit it is learned and obtained, and the Myftery of it is hid from all who are without, and the Miniftration of it is Spiritual within,where- by that Obedience is known, which is to the Truth, through the Spirit, which is in Life, and not in Imitation ^ but in the Will of God, and not in Self- will ^ which Obedience ftands not in any thing feen from Man, or by Man done, thereby to imitate or do the like, but it ftands in Chriftjefus, and in his own ( 904 ) I6'y6. own otedience to the Father, feenin the Light, and l^^y^\Jin the Fath received, whereby the Believer is made one in it, and it in him ^ that as the fame Father calls for the fame Obedience in Spirit, fo in the fame Spirit doth the Believer offer up himfeif, and all he hath in the fame Power and Obedience in Chrift Jefus : And fo as the Creature by Faith partakes of that one Obedience, in the fecond Adam, he is made Righteous, and no farther ♦, even as all are made Sin- I - ners, as they partake of the difobedience of the firfl Adam, and no farther. And who knows to partake of this Obedience, knows the Eternal Spirit in which all the Children of God have been taught, and enabled to this one Obedience, in their feveral meafures, ever fince the World was, which is not Works by them done, but the everlafling Righteoufnefs of God, obeyed in that Spirit, according to the motions thereof feeil in the Light of Chrift, which none know who are heart-blind, and who minds the motions of the Fleili, and obey them, their Mind being gone out to carnal Pleafures, the Call to this Obedience is not by them heard •, neverthelefs the fame carnal Spirit that leads out into the World, teaches to make an imitation of this Obedience, and ^o deceives the Simple, by fetting up a Likenefs without Life^ and fo glories in appearance, but not in Heart. And the Witnefs of God in the Heart or Coufcience of fuch, teftifying to the face of fuch, that their Obedience is not perfect nor accepted ; they con- clude, that there can be no perfect Obedience at- tained in this Worlds, th^y not knowing the mighty Powerful working of God in Spirit, which worketh in them perfectly who believe and walk in the Light ^ whereby fuch become his Workmaniliip in Chrift Jefus, wrought into his Obedience, and his Obedience into them, in their meafure, till they be- come of one Heart, one Mind, one Soul, one Spirit, one Fleih and Bone, and Blood, and one Obedience, and one Life, that it is no more we that live, but Chrift (305) Chrifl: that lives in us 5 and the Life that we now 16'^^i live is by Faith in the Son of God. And though O^'^V^ the fulnefs of this Obedience is not attained at once, yet tbe leaft meafure of it is perfed, and accepted ; andjfo accepted in him, in whom it is wrought, as the Obedience of a Child is as pure, clear, and willing, as the ftrong Man's , even fo is the new Birth in Chrift Jefus, according to what Gocl requires there- of, who never requires, but what he gives -, and ne* ver gives, but what isperfedl^ and what he perfedl- ly accepts, which gifts are all in his Son -, and in him, the leafl: is accepted 5 and every one that therein exercife themfelves without mixture. Concerning Good Works. AS there is but one Chief Good, fo there is but one Principal Worker of Good in Heaven, and in Earth, who by the word of his Power, made all good in the Beginning ^ and in this good Work and Will was Man made in the Will of God -, in his Image and Goodnefs he flood ^ but falling from this ftedtaftnefs that was in God, and betaking him un- to Self, thereby to become Wife, he became Subtil and Proud in himfelf, feeking to be as God, for which he was cafl out from God,his Power,Love, and Goodnefs, and being fallen into the dark Imaginations of his own Hearty and finding himfelf under the Curfe (whereof the Light of Chrifi: in the Confcience is a Witnefs) he hath fet himfelf to make a likenefs of God, and Chrifi:, and God's Worfhip, and good Works, Faith, Hope, Patience, Love, t^r. but be- ing under the Powers of Darknefs, neither knows God, nor his Work ^ but is deceived by the Prince of Darknefs, and fo doth pleafe himfelf with an Imitation of God, and his Work, but without Power 5 and fo, as he imagines, is doing good: But the Teftimony of God in his Heart, bears Witnefs againft him, that his Work is not perfedt, ncr ac- cepted. X He ( 5o6 ) 1656. He alfo imagines that he is Redeemed, but is ftill ^y^V^ under the commanding Power of Satan, ledCaptiv^e at his will ^ who that he may the more ftrongly bind him, he leads him fometimes in>to a feeming Wor- fhip, that fo he may not ib much furpe<5t his wa7, nor be too much troubled at his other unrighteous pradices ; So that the worft of Men in this State, have a Worihip ; and each fort think they are right, though there be but one way, and they all without it-, and each in their thoughts, are not fo bad as others 9 but have their feveral pretended good works, though there be but one good work to make Men good, and they all out of it in their own works. And it is no fmall work to deceive the leafl: of thefe who are thus conceited, though Men of greater Wit and Parts (as they call them, which is bat a higher deceit) may lead them from one deceit to another y yet all the World's Wifdom cannot bring them into the good work, nor the way v/herein it is wrought. Only fuch who mind the Light of Chrifl in their dark Hearts, which manifefts to them the evil deedsj and reproves them for them, and can believe it to be the Light of Chrifl:, and thereto take heed to fol- low it cut of the World, and carnal- mindednefs, and in that Light v/ait, till the Living Word they come to receive in their Hearts, only fuch come in- to the good Work and Will of God : For without the Word v/as nothing made, nor without it can any be Redeemed : For it is the Word of the Lord, heard and received, that quickens the Dead, and raifes to Life that v/hich is de-^d in the TrefpafTes and Sins ^ and the Spiritual Man being quickned, the Power of the Word brings forth in him the Work of God's Righteoufnefs, which was from ever- laftifjg^ which, in the meafure thereof, confirms the Creature unto God in Righteoufnefs, v/ho loft his Imagt^ in Unrighteoufnefs ; and fo is the Crea- ture lenewed in the Spirit of the Mind, and inward Parts, to receive Wifdom and Power in the hidcien ( 5°? ) Man, how to efcape the Evil, and refift it, and to i^^^. bring to Light what God begets in the Heart, and O^V*S;^ fo the New Creature is feen Created in Chrift Jelus unto good Works, to walk therein, as was fore-or- dained of God. And as the Believer is found diligent in the Light waiting, and in the Spirit obedient to this Work, in this Work he comes ftill more to learn God's Power and Teaching, and Chrift's Obedience, and God's Wifdom and Care over him, in leading into the Sufferings, and Tribulations, Tryals, and Temp- tations, and the Faith and Fellowlhip with Chrifl therein ^ in which, if the Creature ftand, not a Hair can fall, but he is fure to come out more pure than Gold 5 and fo in all this Work, he grows in the Knowledge of Chrifl:, and his Sonfhip, tov/ard the Meafure, and Stature, and Fulnefs of the Perfect Man, into the likenefs of God: And thus the Saints were made conformable to God, by his mighty working, whereby he wrought powerfulljr in them, after his good pleafure, contrary to their flefhly Pleafijres. And what is thus wrought, is good, be- caufe it comes from the Fountain of all good 5 and* this is not a new Work, but the everlafting gooa Work of God, manifefl: to the Creature, and through the Creature to the World, by which God is glori- fied, who is the Father and Author, and Finiiher thereof in every one that truly Believes. And this is no felf-work, nor can it be wrought in any but where Self is denied, and a Crofs to Self taken up ^ fo Boafting is excluded, the Creature ha- ving nothing but what he hath received, neither by his own Will nor Deed, but by believing in the Light, and in obedience of Faith. And with this Faith and Work are all the World judged, who are in their own Works ^ and all that are without Works, whofe Faith is dead , are to every good Work reprobate : And whofe Works are their own, their Prayers are abomination *, where the Works come not from this one everlafting Work and Work- X 2 ings. ( 3o8 ) ^'l6'y^. ings. For though there be many Works.as to the Crea- Ky^^/^^ tures Obedience and Meafure, yet they all compleat but this one Work of the Creatures Redemption, and God's Praife therein, the beginning and end of all. And of this Work of God is all the World igno- rant, who are preaching, preffing, and ading their I ' good Works, (as they call them) but all their Works do not manifeil: a Power that brings them out of Sin, and the World's Conformity, and Service there-^ of in his Ways and Worihip^ but every good Work of God in his Saints, who become obedient to his working, as they fubject to bring forth the good Work and Will of God ^ every Work begets the Creature nearer to God, and into his Likenefs and Nature, and this is the reward of good Works to every one who are exercifed therein, that thereby they are wrought out of the World's Likenefs and Conformity, and fo out of their Friendlhip, till they fufFer all manner of evil for the Name of God, and the nature of his Works that is in them, which is oppofite to the World's Works, and the World to them. And fo their Name being caft out as Evil among Men, they are received into the Love of the Father of the Work, for which they are hated of the World ^ and fo the reproach of the World be- comes great Riches to all who love God, and are o- fcedient to his Work, which none who ftand in their own Wills can inherit. And fo Self- Works, and God's Works are mani- feff in the Light. The one is, that which Men f^e, or hear, or imagine, and fo fet themfelves to imi- tate the fame in their own Wills and Ways, which they have ( onceived in their fallen Wifdom, and Earthly Mi2ids,not in Spirit, new born, bat in the old- nefs of the Letter, or Traditinnfrom Men : But God's Works are thofe which are from everlafling, before the V/ ill of Man, or the \yorld's Cufloms, and there- fore mufl conform to neither : But every one who into this Work will coine, mufl: deny the World, and ( 309 ) and tlieir own Wills, and all that is in them mufi: i6'^6. bow, and conform to the motion of the Spirit, and t/VX^ to its workings, which is ken to fuch as in the Light dwell, and in its Way and Time mufi bring forth the Fruit of the Spirit in due feafon^ not the Works of the Fleili, nor to the Flelh ^ but the working of the Spirit to God, in the fight of God ^ and the Praile of fuch is not of the World, who bring not forth to the World ^ but of God, who bring forth to God , and the World praifes its own. Concerning Election, and R e- PROBATION. THIS is that Dodrine which is Sealed from all the World , nor can any one know it, or re- ceive it truly who are in the Reprobate State ^ though many be difputing about it in the dark, which none know but the Children of Light. So, as one who had obtained favour to have this My- ftery revealed, I fhall according to permiffion write a few words, as, it is received in Jefus,yet can be re- ceived by no Man's Wifdom, nor any who only are born after the Fleih •, but who knows what it is to walk in the Spirit, fhall witnefs me herein. And I deny all of that Spirit who would foolifhly charge God to have concluded the condemation of fomePerfons before they come into the World j and though they feek after God, yet they cannot be Sa- ved, becaufe God hath purpofed the contrary : And on the contrary, fome are concluded to Salvation, though they live and die in their Sins. And this is the Spirit of the World, which knows not the Secrets of God revealed in Spirit, and therefore judge carnally from the Letter, from the Figures, and Shadows, but know not the uprightnefs that lies in the My ftery •, for behig without; lb they ima- X 3 gi^^^* ( 3IO ) ^ i6'^6. gine. But none "know the purpofe of God, ac- L/'V^^ cording to Election, but who come to fee that the Eledtion and Reprobation are in the two Seeds , that after the Flelli, and that after the Spirit ^ and he that can judge of thefe two, he knows the two Vef- fels, ordained to honour and difhonour : And as every one is found in thefe, fo is God's purpofe touching them. Now in the Fall all are in the difhonour, and fo Children of wrath under the Curfe, and Heirs there- of, and fo without God, or the Promife 5 and fo not having the in-dwelling of- God, no VefTels of Honour, biit reprobate concerning God. Now in Chriftjefus is the Eledtion, and the Eled Seed, in whom the Eledtion is obtained, and in whom alone it is eftablifhed ^ and in the midft of all the diiho- nour his Light is tendered to lead out of the Dil]io- nour, the Curfe, and the Fall : And whofoever he be that will believe in his Light, without refped of Perfons, he leads out of the World, and to the cleaning and purging the Body, Soul and Mind, till the VefTel be changed, from the oldnefs of the Will, and AfFedlions and Lufts of the Flelh, till the newnefs of the Spirit be witnefTed, and fo the Crea- ture in Heart and Mind is brousht out of theFlefh, wherein the difhonour lodges, and which is prepa- red for diflionour ^ and is brought to live in the Spirit, where the Luflsof the Flefh are not fulfilled, and fo the Yeflel of Honour is v/itnelTed, prepared for the Mailer's ufe ^ who while he lived in the Flefh, was prepared for difhonour, and fitted for defirudtion, not knowing the Mailer, nor his ufe^ though God with much iong-fuffering endures fuch VefTels, that he may at his pleafure ihew his wrath thereon, who will not own the Mercy fhewed in his Son. And for this purpofe had he long endured Pharacb, fulfered his oppreffion, till he was fit to fhew his Power 'upon him, who had long been fet- ting himfelf above the Seed of God. As alfo he did the Amoritcs^ till their Iniquities were full j and ' ' fo fo do many at this day, who proceed to one i^^i^* Wickednefs after another, till they fill up their mea- t-z'VVi fure, that he ma)'- make known his wrath upon them that will not own his Seed. And fo ihall it be with all, who own not the Light of Chriil:, and whofe Day of Yifitation is paft I fuch have a meafure of Sin to fill up in the other Seed, which they {hall not pais. And for this piirpofe* is that Seed raifed up, and prepared, that he may Ibew his Power upon him who doth not retain the Knowledge of God, that they all might .be damned, who take pleafure in unrighteoufnefs^ ferving the Creature more than the Creator, whole Hearts are filled with all Lafcivioufnefs, and Fleihly Lufts ^ and thefe are the Veflels of Dilhonour. But if any Man purge himfelf from thefe, he fhall be a Veilel unto Honour, fanctified and meet for the Ma- iler's ufe, and prepared unto every good work, which they who live in thefe things are to the good work reprobate, to God, and to the Faith of God. And fo here is the Eledion and Reprobation, they that are after the Spirit, and they that are after the Flefh ^ and they that are after the Flelh are not the Seed, but they that are after the Spirit are account- ed for the Seed, and thefe have obtained, but the reft are hardened. And fb there is no unrighteoufnefs with God, but the unrighteoufnefs is with Men, who reject the Counfel of the Lord againfl: themfelves, and chufe to abide in that which God hath curfed, and where- in all that continue will be hardened to their own deilrudion, notwithffcanding all their Endeavours, and Labours, Prayers and Tears that are in this na- ture, it's not accepted : this being the Seed which God hath put the Enmity betwixt it and his own Seed, it cannot be well pleafing to him. For againffc this he hath placed his difplealure, but in the other Mercy, wherein he is well pleafed for his Mercies fake : So it is not of him that willr, nor of him that rms-i but of him that hathfhewed mercy , and this X 4 Mercy ( 3^^ ) 1656. Mercy hath he fet above all his Works 5 fo he that ^./'"V^*^ ftays in the World cannot obtain it, but the Light which leads out of the World, leads up to it ; and whofoever comes unto him, he will in no wife cafl ofF^ but who comes not to him, are caft off al- ready5becaufe they will not come to the Light of Life« So read your Condemnation, you vain Bablers, who fpend youy time with difputing about Election v/ith your reprobate minds. When ye find that the Light of Chrift condemns you for3^our Lufts and Earthly Delights, and the Spirit of God moves in you againft your Evil Deeds, but you will not be obedient thereto ^ but you flill harden your Heartsagaiuft the Light, that is the reprobate State, and that is the Spirit of God that ftrives in thee a- gainft it, which would not thou (hould'ft die in it ^ then let that of God in thy Confcience, judge if thy deftrudion be not of thy felF, whofe way is reprobate from God ^ and let that of God in thy own Confcience, which reproves thee for thy wickednefs, be a witnefs againft thee that God delights not in thy Deftru- dion, but rather that thou ftiouldeft Repent: and fo hath given thee his Light to reprove thee, and lead thee to Repentance, fhewing that he hath not concluded thy Condemnation before thou waft Born : And let the fame Light v/hich checks thee for thy Sin, and lets thee fee in thy Heart, that the Righte-? ous God hath appointed a Day wherein all fhall re-? ceive after their doings, be a witnefs againft thy vain thoughts, that God hath not concluded to ^uit thee in .thy wickednefs, nor do thy fcififli I- inaginations make thy Sins any lefs in God's Ac- count. And fo the Righteous Judge of all the Earth will proceed to do Righteou fuels: And there- fore to make way for the fame, hath he placed his pure Light in the Htart of every one that will mind it, which will clearly fliew you all, whether you be in the Eled Seed, or in the Seed of Evil- doers ; and this Light is that which being believed, ^nd followeda doth reveal the Eiettjoa and Repro- bation s. ( ?I? ) bation \ and without it, none know who is Eledled 1656. or Reprobated, nor can judge thereof: But if the »v>'V>0 Light be minded, it will reprove the Reprobate and his way, (which is contrary to God in his own Heart) for his own works, but whofe work is wrought in God, with the Light is jufiified. Concerning the New Birth. rriHere is the Old Man, and a New Man, which JL are known in the Light, and their feveral Births, and their feveral Natures, and Kindreds ac- cording to that whereof they are Born: That which is of the Earth, Earthly, Fleftily, Carnal, and Cor- rupt^ this is the State of the Old Man, and ail that are in that State are fallen from God, and his Co- venant, and are in the Curfe, and wholly blind in Heart, as touching the Myfteries of God, yet iri the fenfual wifdoni of the Flelh, make Profelfion of God and his Gofpel : But being heart-blind, neither knows God nor his Power, but is alienated from the Life of God, and led Captive in the dark at his Will, who is the Prince of Darknefs, and v/hatever he doth is curfed in this State. And in this State did Cain Sacrifice, but could not be accepted 5 for he was out of the ftate of well-doing, or well-being, yet would have been accepted. And in this ftate Efaii fought theBleffing, and wept for it, but could not obtain it : And in this ftate came Nicodemus to Chrift, but could not enter into the Kingdom in that ftate, nor knew the New-Birth, though he lo- ved Chrift, and believed him to be fent of Gor] • and this is that ftate David fpeaks of, when he faith, IJ I regard Iniquity^ God will not hear my Prayer, And in this ftate you all are, v/ho are worftiipping in your carnal minds, and fenfual Wifdom in the Fle'ih. But that which is Born ot the Heavenly, is Hea- venly, Spiritual, Eternal, and incorruptible, which i«j the ftate of the New Man, which of Gcd is be- gotten ( 3H) l6$6, gotten of the Divine Nature ^ and as is his Nature, vS^^O To is his Works ^ and fo his Delights are Spiritual, as he is Spiritual 5 for as is the Man, fo are his Works ^ and as is the Tree, fo is its Fruit: And fo he that is born of this Seed, is born of God ^ and he that is born of God, Sins not, in whom that Seed remains, And all who remain in this Seed, and it in them, this hath the Promife and Power that puts off the Old Man with his Deeds, Lufts, and AfFedlions ^ and fo the Body of Sin being put off through the Body of ChriH:, the Redemption is ivitneffed 5 and as the Creature pafFeth from the Old to the New, fo they pafs from the Death to the Life ^ for the Life is in the New, and fo the Victory is received in the New, over Sin, the Grave, and Hell, which the World's Birth talks of in their fallen Nature, but cannot receive the Power and Vidor)^-, whereby to enter into that Kingdom, nor to fee the glory of it, and fo takes up their reft, and delights in vifible things, and fo encumbers themfelves with that, the end whereof is deftruction ^ which thofe who are born of the Spirit tread upon, and cannot fet their Minds upon, nor bow unto, nor be con- formable to fuch Vanities. And fo thofe who are of the Heavenly cannot have communion with the Earthly, they being contrary-minded in all things. So that which is Wifdom to the one, is Foolifhnefs to the other, and ever was. So the Spiritual S^d could never worftiip the Heathen Gods, nor can it bow to their Imaginati- ons 5 for that Seed which is of God, leads the Heart up to God I, and that which is ot the Earth, to Earthly things ^ and fo thofe that are the Children of God, are led by his Spirit of which they are born ^ and the Children of this World, by the Spi- rit of this World, are captivated into the World's Ways, andFaihions, and love of it, wherein is the Serpent's Seat, and Kingdom wherein he rules, and wherein his Power is feen in all who are difobedient to the Light of Chrifl: the Heavenly Man, fo being givea, ( ^^5 ) given up (becaufe of the blindnefs of their Hearts) i6'y6. to his Power, which is always in the dark, in fuch ^-/VNJ he brings forth his Enmity againfl the Babes of God born after the Spirit, Children of the Light, of the Immortal Seed, who bear the Image of the invifible God, and have the Spiritual Worihip, into which they are led and guided with the Eternal Spirit, of which the}'' are born ; which can no lon- ger ftay in any Form of Worfhip than God ftays therein ^ but by his Spirit is led to follow him into whatever he goes, and out of whatever he departs 5 which thofe who are born after the Flefli, and fee but the out'fide^ and Form, and there abide when God is departed, fuch are become the Seat of Satan, where he fits and perfecutes fuch as follow the Spi- rit's Teaching, into its feveral Miniflrations : And therein hath the Serpent beguiled the Creature, by getting into fomewhat of the Form once ufed with the Saints (whilft God dwelt therein) and to that adds inventions of his own, called Decency and Or- der, and the like, and with this hath deceived the Creatures, fo as to ferve his Ends, to fhed the blood of their Brethren, under a pretence of Error and Blafphemy, and denying Ordinances, and Worfhips, and as being Leaders of dangerous Se6ts and He- refies, denying Government, turning the World up- ilde down, and the like. »So that the Children of Light have been ever numbered amongft Tranfgref- fors, but were never fo, further than to tranfgrefs the Wills of Men, to obferve the Will of God : yet none of thefe did ever fufFer as Well-doers in the World's Account, but as not worthy to live in the World, being born of a Principle above the World, which the Natural Man knows not. So he that is born after the Flelh perfecutes him that is born after the Spirit, as it is at this Day, thinking they do God Service, becaufe they know not the Father, nor the Son, but live in Darknefs, not owning that whereof the Children of Light are bornj fo become ;heir Enemies. And i6$6. And this is your State who refift that Meafure of l/V^ Light that fhiiies in your dark Hearts, that ihews your evil Deeds. So being againft the Light of the Spirit, you are Enemies to all who are born of that Spirit. And fo far as you fee the Ground and Root of your Difobedience to the Light in your felves that reproves of Sin, fo far you may fee the Ground of your Enmity, and no farther. And until you join to that Light, you cannot be one with that Seed, but hate it *, for that which is born of the Will of the Flefh, is in Enmity to that which is born of the Will of God ^ and that which is born of God, hath Enmity againft the Evil of the World, , and Conformity to it. And with the Light are joix \ judged to be of the Flefh, who love the things of the Fleih, and mind them, and who conform to this World are of it ^ whatever you profefs to the con- trary, the Light will find you out: which Light leads above all thefe things, up to the Father of Lights 5 which Light is one with all who are born of the Spirit, but a Witnefs againft you who are born of the Flelh. So they that are in the Flefh cannot pleafe God, that in your Confcience is witnefs, the Light which is the Condemnation of the World. Bat who is bora of the Spirit, with fuch he is well-pleafed, the Te- ftimon}^ of their Confcience bearing them witnefs in the Sight of God, that they are his Children, and born of him, and their Envy, and Reproach, and Suffering from the World, for teftifying againft the Deeds thereof, are as a .Cloud of Witneffes, that they are not of it, for it loves its own, and fo the Enmity is feen, put between the Seeds ^ that of the Serpent feeks a Word, or a Form without, whereby to murther and deftroy the Creature which God hath made, under a Pretence of ferving God, but the Seed of God ftrikes at the Head of that Enmity, and Rcot of Sin, but ftves the Work of God a-i live. Concerning ( 3^7 ) Concerning the Baptifm of C H R I ST^ from 'what the JVorld Jo calls. IN the World there be many Sorts and Forms of Baptifms, but in Cbrift there is but One, and that is that of the Spirit ^ and this is the Baptifm of Chrift, and all that are baptized with it, are baptized into his Death, buried with him unto the World, its Ways and Worfhips, Loves and Friend- fhips, and to all that is in them which would conform or bow thereto ^ and through this Death is the Seed of God raifed^ up out of the Grave, quickned by the fame Spirit which raifed Jefus from the Dead, And all that are baptized with this Spirit (and the Old Man dead and buried) they are raifed a Spiri- tual Seed unto God, holy and zealous of good Works, being begotten again of another Natiire from above, which is but one^ and all, as they are baptized here- in,^ grow into One in God the Father, and the Son Jefus Chrift. ^ And fo the Saints were all baptized by one Spirit into one Body, out of that Nature in which all Differences are, Sedls and Opinions, and fo come to put on Chrift, which is but one: for a9 many oi are baptized into Chrift^ have put on Chrift^ and hk Love^ Mind and Affections ^ and fuch know a further Prize than Contentions about Elements of the World, or Waihings without ^ neither do they ftand laying again fuch Foundations, as ftand in Times, and Seafbns, and Cufloms, and Perfons as the World is contending about, who are in the many Baptifms, and many Fafhions, fome contending for hp) inkling Infants^ fome for Dipping them ^ feme for Sprinkling them over again, and fome for Dip- ping them over again, ivhen they are grown ^ and are in fuch a Confulion of Words, and many outward Ceremonies, that they keep themfelves difputing and jangling about from the Letter, in an Imita- tion C 318 > i6';6. tion of Joh/i'^s Miniftry, calling it the Baptlfm of Kyy^s) Chnfl, tho' out of the Spirit and Power of Chrift, or Joh/2 either ^ yea, fo far from the Power, as not to come to the Form of either. And this EfFed this hath taken in all who are gone out into the World, in thefe Imitations and Imagi- nations, that fomany Baptifms, fo many Religions and Sedts^ and every Sedt-Mafter and his Followers, fet themfelves againft all other in the Way they have conceived to be right, and to that Wa}'- muft all bow, or elfe no Agreement, though never fo near in other things: nay, fo zealous they are for their Likenefs, that if any come not into it, though the Spirit of God be in them, and they themfelves con- fefs it, yet he mufi: not (peak in that Creature in their Churches, without bowing to their Forms of Water, which are all different one from another 5 though the Spirit of God be but one, and cannot be limited to any vifible Form or Rudiment of the World. And thus the Form is fet above tlie Power, and not the true Form neither ^ but as Men have conceived from the Letter, by the Counfels of their own Brainy fome in the Popifh Councils, fome fince, but none from the Mouth of the Lord : And therefore they are fcattered in their Imaginations and Baptifms. But they who are baptized with the Baptifm of the Spirit, are baptized into one Body. But all that are without, who aie tht- near eft, are in the Error, not knowing the Scripture nor Power of God herein •, for all who have not their Law, Guide, and Rule in the Spirit, are in thatGenera- ' tion who have erred, and ioft the Saints Guide •, and fuch are fcattered, with what they from the Letter imagine, into Diviflons. And this was that which Faui C3.W getting in a- mongfl: the Churches in his Time, fetting up Sects, and the Perfon by whom they were baptized •, puft up for them, and againft the other Aportles,.fome of Piu/^ fome of Peter, Sec. Which Puul feeing, thanks God he baptized 210 more of them, and 1 . plain]/ plainly fays, Chri/f fent him not to baptize^ hut to 16 $6. preach the Go/pel^ tho' he could ufe it, untiLhe faw C/^^N^ them make an Idol of if, thereby to make Divifions and Parties, and to piifF up one above another, as it is now ufed at this Day, yea, far more, for it is now made the Key to let in, and (hut out of that they call a Church •, yea further, fome fay none can be faved without it, but all that have it are Believ- ers, and ihall be faved : And fo fet it in the Place of Chrift. But others are more moderate, who finding itpra- dlifed in the Letter, they fay It is anOrdinance^ and that they who praBife it not^ deny an Ordinance of Chrift, To fuch I fay. All that is in the Letter, is not ordained there to be taken up by all that read it 5 for the Saints had their Call to their particular Miniftrations in Spirit, and not in Letter : for elfe they had not witnefTed Differences of Adminiftra- tions, but the fame Lord : But by the Spirit they were led from carnal Adminiftrations, and through them, not flicking in the Letter. What Letter had Paul to deny Circumcifion, which the Letter faid fhould be as a Sign for ever ? Or, by what Letter did he declare. That he wof not fent to Baptize ? Did he deny an Ordinance of Chrift in either of thefe, and divers more Rudiments, which were Commands in the Letter, which he preached and pradifed in Spirit, putting an End to the Shadows of Things to come, and leading to the Body^ as is plain. Col. 2. Further I fay, if it were fo. That all that was done in the Letter, was to be taken up, then the Form thereof muft not be changed, if the Letter be the Rule : But not any that I know at this Day are called of God into the Form, as John did it, who had a Call from Heaven. So you that have your certain Dwelling Places, and live in your worldly Eftares and Faihions, are out of this Call. But the Apo- ftles baptized into the Name of Chrift Jefus with the Spirit, that they might receive the Holy Ghoft. But if you fay, ^ome had it not in right ¥orm and Manner ^ not ( 3^0 ) i<^^^. nor by Verfons rightly called and qualified^ 8cc, I fai^ ^■i*'^*^^^'^^ Nor can jhey have that from you, who are not called out of the World, but live in its Friendfhip, ProfeiTions, Fafhions and Cuftoms, in which the Saints never lived after they were called to teach, Baptizing. So you do but add another falfe Form to what they had before, but ftill out of the Power, nor any Change of Faith or Qualification, onlv in that thing of Water over again, differing in ibine Circuinftances, as you have conceiveG from the Letter, but fl:ill, witli the refi of ProfelHons, in Covetoufnefs, Pride and Contention, vain Words and Heathenifh Cufloms, and Manners of the Na- tionsin which you live •, you that can live in Law- Suits and Revenge 5 you that Swear at Mens Wills, and To deny the Commands of Chrift and his Apo- ff le, who fay. Above all things^ Swear not at aU 5 you that can uphold the High Places of Fopery, which yet remain in the Land, and fuch a Worlhip therein, as Chrift never commanded, with Tythes, and Offerings, and all rhe reft of Popilhlnx^entions, whereby Chrift is denied to be come in the Flelh, the everlafting Prieft, and fomething fet up inftead of his Way, like unto the Jewilh.Priefthood, which is not it neither, but an imagined Thing from Men of corrupt Minds, ^c. You who can do thefe things and much more of that Nature, rather than you will fufter the Lofs of all Things, you are far unlike thofe you would imitate, or thofe they bap- tized. And was Baptifm in your Manner as great a Crofs to you now, as it was in the Time of the perfecut- ii]g JeiDs^ or as thefe other wdghtier Things are 1K)W, we Ihould find few to contend for it, as for the other Things : For did you know the right Ends of that Miniftration of Water, you would know that it was a Forerunner of Chrift s Baptifm and Kingdom, and a Witnefs to all Men, That the Jews C.-tino'iies, and Heathenifh Prayers and Worihips, vv iivrein they were grov/n into Divi/ions, were to have ( 521 ) have an End, and the Spiritual Miniftration and t^t<^. Baptifm was to be fet up in the Doiviitaljof Carnal ^^'VNiJ Ordinances and Elements, of all which they were to repent, for the Kingdom of God was at hand, even within all that would believ^e it ^ who did deny all the Jews Worlhips, Circumcifions and Or- dinances without in the Letter, and preached the Myftery and End of them in Spirit ^ hut your Bap- tifins, which come not to an End, of Tythes and Offerings, and Jewilh Ceremonies, and Gentiles al- fo, that Baptifm we deny; for herein v/as the Crofs of Chrifl, and the Power of God maiiifefl ; for they fufFered for this all the Envy that the Jeirs and Pro- fefTors could do unto them, who upheld the fame in the Letter, but denied th« Power and Spirit 5 which could they but have bowed to their Ceremonies out- ward, the Crofs of Chrift had ceafecl, and then the Power of Chrift had ceafed alfo. And the fame is now ^QQii of you at this Day, aud the fame Crofs 5 for could but thofe whom Chrift had called out now bow to your feveral Forms of Baptifms and "t^^or* fhips of yours, that are zealous for them, and bow to Mens Wills, and worfhip the Perfnns of fuch as are zealous for their Pride, and Wilfnlnefs, we fhould not fuffer by you, but the Offence of the Crofs would ceafe, as it is ceafed to all who preach Bap- tifms, carnal Ordinances, Refpedt of Perfons, Con- formity to Mens Wills, and the World's Cuftoms and Manners, who preach up Pride, Sv\^earing, and Lnperfedion and Sin for Term of Lite, ^c\ I fay to you, who can conform to the Ways of Men, and pleafe them, The Crofs of Chrift is ceaf* ed, and fo the Power alfo •, and therefore are you ever preaching againfl: the World's Ways and Wickednefs, hut never able to lead out of them ^ like thofe vdio minded earthly Things, who vi'^ere Enemies to the Crofs of Chrift, ever learning and teaching, but never able to come to the Knowledge of the Truth, that makes free, to thofe the Crofs and Sufferings are ceafed, and they and the Powers of the Earth are Y one ( 5^2 ) IS^S. ^^^ againd fnch as tate up the Crofs, to follow t/V'>oChrift in the Way of the Spirit ^ and fuch being without in the Letter, are become fpiritually blind, and fo cannot fee that the Appearance of Chrift v/as ever crofs to all who were got into the Rudi- ments, pleading for Ontfides, but had loft the Pow- er, wherein this Generation exceeds, having loft both Power and Form alfo. And to you I fay of all Sorts of Baptifms, as the Apoftle fkiih of Circumcifion, Jf^e are the Baptifm^ who iKiorfhip God in the Spirit^ and rejoyce in Chriji Jejus, and have no Confidence in the Vlefh^ though we might have Confidence in the outward Wafliing, being that we have had it from fuch as gathered it from Tiadition, and yours is no more. But this we have learned, 'Ihat it k not Baptifm zvhich is out- tvard in the F/e/hj but that is Baptifm which is in the Spivit, and not in the Letter ^ whofe Vraife is not of Men but of God \ whereby v/e are baptized by one Spirit into one Body; and as many as are baptized into Chrift, are baptized into his Death, and have put hi in on, and are become New Creatures. And this is that which availeth to fave us, not the Wafl)- ing the Fief h^ but the Anfwer of a good Confcieneeto^ wards God by the Refarreciion of Jefus. And this Baptifm we witnefs, that whofoever is therewith baptized liiall be faved^ but for other Baptifms, which Men are contending about from the Letter, we fee the End thereof and what they bring forth. But which of you can ihew, that yoa come in the Power and Spirit of Johns Baptifm ^ or have a Call from God thereto ? For that an}'' have Power from the Letter, to take up and impofe it upon others (yea, though it were the true Form) that I deny \ for that they who are not fent to bap- tiz-5 that the leaving the outward Water, and go- ing on to the fpiritual Baptifm, is a Slighting or Contemning of an Ordinance of God, that I deny alfo: For this might as well have been charged a- gainft Faiil^ who denied it ia his Tims, and preach- ed ( 3^3 ) cd Baptifm in Spirit in its ftead ^ the fame thing i6')6, for which we are accufed (to deny an Ordinance of'-^''V'N^ Chrift) whom he hath not fent to dip or fprinkle in Water, but to preach the Gofpel of Light and Life, and the fpiritual Baptifm of Chrift Jefus, to •the bringing all that receive our Tefiimonj into one Body, hy one Spirit, not making Diviiions a- bout carnal Things, for to us the Day is come, and the Shadows fly away. And your Baptifm we judge, and the End of it which hath not led you out of Tythes and Offer- ings, Swearing, Suing and Contention, out of the World's Worlhips, Manners and Refpeds of Perfons, and to fuffer theLofsof all to. witnefs Chrifl:; That Baptifm we fee to be out of the Faith of Chrift Jefus, and not worth contending about 5 for he that is in the World without it, is as good as he that is in the World with it, if not much better ^ for that : Baptifm which preaches not Repentance from all the J Ways of fallen Man, and Manners there let up, is none of Johns ; And they who walk in the Fleih, ■ are none of Chrift's. So with the Light of Chrift, \ if you it mind, you will fee your felres out of the true Baptifm, both as to the Matter, Manner and the End, who are crying up Ordinances in the Worlds which lead not out of the World ^ and when the World comes to Judgment, that Baptifm will not fave you from the World's Portion. But this I fay to thofe, who would know the Truth herein, as we have received, we do not de- fpife any Ordinance of God, which he hath called any of his People to in any Generation 5 nor dare we take a Tradition ujlon us, which God hath not required at our Hands, left we keep People m that which God is departed out of ^ and it be fiid to us. Who hath required it at your Ha/hls ^ But God hath fhewed us a more excellent Way, The Light is com.e, and therein have we found Chrift Jefas, the Guide of his People, and the Leader of Ages, even by the Spirit of Truth, which leads into ail Truth, even y 2 into ( 3H ) 1 6 ^6. into all that God requires ^ the Obedience to whicf^ O^/'NJ is better than Sacrifice. And to diredt People to this Spirit are we fent, that Chrift may be all in all, who gives Power in the Creature to perform what he leads into 5 that thereby all that believe in the Light, may learn him, who begets the Will' and the Deed alfo, who is the Author and Finifher of their Faith, who look to him alone, and to his • Light, that all maj fee their Righteoufnefs to be of him alone. And by this which we have received of him in Spirit, do we all fee you, who read what the Saints have done b^^- Call from God, and from that fet your ft Ives to do the like, to be in the Imitation, and Self-Righteoufnefs, and Will-Worfhip both in this, and all other Things, into which you are not led by the Lord, and by a Call from him : For this I fay. That the Father hath given his Son for a Leader and Guide to all Ages, and into and out of what Forms he pleafes, in his Way and Time in e- very Generation, And therefore it is, That all who know his Will hereiij, cannot endure that any vifible thing fliould be fit up, to limit his Leading in Spirit, or his J People from following in Spirit. So no Form we deny, into which Chrift leads in Spirit •, But all Forms we gquj^ that are impofed by Men to keep People from following the Spirit-, for thofe only are the Children of God, who are led by the Spirit of Go'd, to whom they, v/ho are led by the Letter, were ever Enemies : for it is the Spiritual Miniftra- tionthat gives the Knov/ledge of God, and his Glo- ry and Power, and not the Literal 5 for he that is born after the Fleih, hath his Way in the Vifibles, but he that is born after the Spirit, hath his Food the jj World knov/s not of, and therefore becomes his E- ■ nemy. And in that State you are, who fet up the Shadow to oppofc the Body, v/hich is the End of the Shadow 5 and take the Letter to oppofe the Spi- rit, which is given to declare the Sufficiency of the Spirirs ( 5^5 ) Spirit's Teaching alone •, and fo pervert the Scrip- 16^6. tures out of their Place and End, which are fet to '.-^^ teflifieof Chrift, the Life and End, to fet them in the Place of Ghrift, and think to have Life in them. And this is the Error of the Wicked, who are : gone into the World, fenfual, not having the Spi- rit. And in this State, wherein the Spirit leads not, both Scriptures and Ordinances, and all other the Gifts of God, are abufed, wrefted out of their Places, and made unprofitable. And therefore you that take up from the Letter, cannot bring forth their Fruits, who were fpiritually called into their feveral Miniftrations ^ Therefore your Ordinances are left to you defolate, you and they in the World together, out of which God is leading his People in Spirit, to get himfelf a Name, in fuch a Wa/ as is Foolifhnefs to your Wifdom, yet the hidden Wifdom cf God to the Children of Light, whohavg believed therein. And you that ufe great fv\^elling Words, crying,' that We deny an Ordinance of God, To jou I fay, To laegled that which is altered from what God or-^ -dained, both in Call, Manner and End, is no neg- lecting an Ordinance of God. i. God never called any to teach, but firfi: he called them out of the World, and their Habitatioi-is there, to follow Chrift, as into the Wildernefs, which were Prophets and Apoftles called immediately. 2. And they did not baptize Believers over again with Water, who had had it, becaufe they had it not before in their Faihion; but they went to difciple L^nbelievers ; neither did they lay it upon all, as of abfolute Necef- fity, but could forbear tn cafe it was idolized. 7,. Their Miniftry and End was to gather all into One, out of all the Shadows and Ceremonies, and Fafhionsof the World, to follow Chrift alone, as he walked, bearing his Crofs daily, fuffering the fpoiling of their Goods joyfull}'', and their Lives unto Death, fat;her than to conform to any but him alon?, for y I . whoft rS'yS. whofe fake they v/ere hated of all Men •, which Mi- V/v*^"iftr7 3^1^ £"^? how your Baptifms anfwer, let your Pride, and Pleafures, and Conformity to the World, in their Fafhions, Manners and Worfliip, and upholding thereof-, at your Law- Suits, and Contentions about carnal Things inanifeft, and your Rents and Divifions about outward Forms of i Baptifii s and Worfhips, and upholding that in o-^ thers which you know is Falfe, by Tythes and Offerings, whereby Chrift is denied, and the Popifh Inventions held up, with much fuch like^ I fay, let thefe Things judge you before all Men, and the Light in your Confciences anfwer thereto, un- til the Lord appear to judge your Unfaithfulnefs herein. Concerning the Lord's Suppei\ THIS is the Thing that the World's ProfefTors are contending about 5 and indeed, is a great Myftery to them who have not yet feen the Lord, for bringing them into one Body and Blood, Mind and lieartj and Soul and Spirit : Rut fince the My- ftery of Iniquity began to work, the World's Teach- ers and ProfeiTors having lofl their Indwelling in the Body of Chrift, are run out into the Imagina- tions ^ and are fo far from the Life of this, as that they liave loft the Form, and the firft Inftitution of the Shadows, as it was by Chrift perform4ed, gnd therefore are fo far from being made one in the Blood of Chrift, that they are fhedding one an- others Blood about the Form, which they are all out of (and have loft it, and the Power alfo) aj^ held forth by Chrift, as they fate at Meat and did €at the Pafibver, and drink of the Cup he gave them •, and fo often as they did eat and drink there- of, they were to do it in Remembrance of Him, Ihewing his Dtath till he came. *" And ( 5^7 ) And this Myftery was that the Apo files received i6><5. of the Lord, in the Pnritj of the Church, before O^Y^. thejr ran into Confufion, the3r who did continue ftedfaftly in the Apoftles Dodrine and Fellowihip, breaking Bread and Prayer, daily breaking Bread from Houfe to Houfe, did eat their Meat with Glad- nefs and Singlenels of Heart, in the Fear and Fa- vour of God. And this v/as to be done at all Sea- fons, when they eat and drank ^ in tlieir Eating and Drinking ]they were to do it to the Lord, and to have Communion with his Body, and Ijis Blood; and for that End were to keep themfelvespure from all pollution : yea, when they were to cat with Gentiles, they were to partake of the Table of the Lord as is plain, i Cor. x. and therefore they were to keep their Confciences pure from things offrred to Idols ; for they could not partake of the Table of the Lord, and eat that which was Sacrificed to • Devils 5 though, in forae Cafes, they might go to Feaft among Unbelievers ^ yet whether they eat or drank, they were to do it to the Lord, as at his Table, and not at the Table of Gentiles, whofe Feafting is in the Luft, and fo their Meat the}^ Sa- crifice to Devils, and eat not to God i and fo do all who eat to the Luft : To keep from which, there is no other thing can, but to eat in remembrance of Chrift's death till he come ^ who, when he is come, he takes the ordering and government of the Crea- ture himfelf upon his Ihoulders. and fo ever keeps them out of the Luft in all they do. And fo is the Creation reftored and reconciled to God in Chrift Jefus at his Appearing. The Apoftle exhorted that both in their Eating and Drinking,^^. They jlould do all to the Glory of God, and warned of the contrary, as Jiide^ who faw fome crept in a- mong the Church, who did turn the Grace of God into Lafcivioufnefs, walking after their own Hearts Lufts, whereby they defile the Flelh, living in Sen- fuality, not having the Spirit to order them, they fed themfelves wit;hQUt fear, and theC; were fpots Y 4 in ( 3^8 ) i^-j^. in their Feafis-, who being once enlightened, and 'VV^ again giving way to the Liifts and Excefs, they be- came twice dead, plucked up by the roots, yet had they great fwelling words. And of fuch like, are many Fi^amples at this day, who have, had fomething quickncd in them to hope for the appearance of the Lord ; but fulnefs and excefs having overtaken them, for want of eat- ing alwa3''s in fear, they are become dead again to any hope of his appearance at the prefent ^ and have put his Coming afar off into another World , yet are contending about the Shadows or Figures of his Coming, as they have im.agined : But are become reprobate from the Faith, as to his appearance, and plucked up by the roots. But the Lordjefus commanded his Difciples, to {hew forth his death till he come^ and they know- ing this from the Lord, gave Example and Warning to thofe who were convinced, that in all fear and rnoderation, they might wait for his appearance ^ who at his Coming would bring to light the hidden thingf^, and maniieft the Counfels of the Heart, and all its deceits, and .become the Worker in them ^ and then they fhould have praife of God ^ and thefe things were transferred to the Apoftles in a Figure : So they exhorted the Believers, to whom the Lord ■was at hand, to let their moderation be known to all Men, the Lord is at hand , which they knew, all who get up into the liberty of the Flelh, Riot- ing and Excefs, will put afar off, as it is at this day with many, who are in Obfervations outward, who have a day to go into the Idols Temple, and there to eat Bread, and drink Wine in a Self- So- lemnity, once a Month, or three times a Year, or as they imagine, fome affirming the Body and Blood of Chrift ro be in the Creature after Confe- cration (as they call it) fome faying : Nay, but it it is Spiritual after Confecration: Others faying, It is ftill Carnal, and not changed, becaufe of words 5 ^nd one imagines the Body of Chrift real in it, ano- ther^ C ^^9 ) ther, not real, l>ut by Faith, (as they fay:) But, i6'y6. 5n this they all agree, that they return back into U^^^vJ the Pleafures of the Flcfh, and Falhions of the World, there to eat and drink the reft of God's Crea- tures, to fpend on their Lufts •, and it will be fo with fuch as do not difcern his Body in their Eating, who is the Life and the Upholder of all Creatures, and filleth all things in Heaven and in parth 5 which they who flick in Obfervations ne- ver knew 5 and with fuch he is alw::ys to come, or pa ft. But the Carnal Eye, which fticks in the vifibles can never fee him prefent to order the Creation out of the Luft, and therefore it is that all the Crea* tures of God are turned to feed the Luft, in that State, as is feen in all the World's Profeflion, and therefore accurfed : The more Riches, the more Pride, the more Fulnefs, the more Luft, in that State where Chrift is not difcerned prefent. And fo their Eating is not the Supper of the Lord, nor doth he Sup with them in the New, but in the Old Luftful Spirit fuch become the Table of the Devil, where the Creatures are Sacrificed to his ufe -, fo he keeps them in obfervation of a Day from the Letter, which they think is Worfhip, but he bears Rule in their whole Lives by his Spirit ; and fo much of the Creation as is in their hands, is ufed at his Will. And hence is all Lafcivioufnefs, Wantonnefs, Strife, Fighting, Suits, and Violence, Sports, and Vanities, too many here to mention, all which the Creation is fpent upon, (given not to that End) for which they Ihall account, who are in that State, v/hen (hall be required his Corn, and his Wine, his Wool and his Flax, which he hath mad? for his ufe, and to be ordered by his Son, who is the Ful- nefs and Vertue of every Creature, which all know v/ho come to his Supper, where the Father and the Son are come in, and Sup with the Creature, vvhich • ■ ■ all I ( 350 ) 16^6, all the Imitators and Obfervers of Times are igno- UOPV rant of, whofe Contention is about Oatjfides, and I Shadows. I And for the falce of fuch who are lofl: in this thing, and troubled in mind concerning it, what I have received of the Lord, that I ihall declare unto you, which all ihall witnefs to, who come to par- take thereof, as the Truth is in Chrilt Jefus. If you intend to Sup with the Lord, or fliewt he Lord's death till he come, let your Eating, and Drinking, fo oft as 3rou do it, be in remembrance of him 5 and in his fear, that a Death you may witnefs to the Luft and Excefs, which is that which flew him from the Foundation of the World ^ and is the great Enemy of his appearance ^ and that by which he is Crucified Spiritually in the great City which is called Sodom and Egypt, For all you that live in Pleafure on the Earth, and are Wanton ^ you that nourilli your Hearts, as in the day of (laughter, you have condemned and killed the Juit, and he doth not refift you ♦, and you mud know a death to this, before you can Sup with the Lord, or he with you : But if you eat in re- membrance of him, and fo come to die to that which flew him, then do you fliew the Lord's Death till he come 5 and when he comes, he (hall not find you Eating and Drinking with the Drunken, nor beating your Fellow-Servants. And this is known from the Lord in the Eternal, Light, to be the true End of the Snpper of the Lord, that at his coming they may be found fit to receive him i which they who feed without fear to deny, and crucifie afreih to themfelves. And therefore in another place, fpeaking of his coming, he warns them to take heed, leit at any time in eating, their Hearts be over-charged with Surfeiting, and Drunkennefs, and Cares of this Life, and fo that Day come upon them unawares, and fo become a Snare unto them ^ for fo it is to ail who are in that State, when he Ihould appear unto them. ( 35^ ) them, and they cannot receive the Day of his Vifi- t6^<<. tation, whofe Hearts are gone out into thefe Carnal t/W Things. And this he knew, that till that Man be Born, which lives not by Bread alone, that M ,n that lives only upon the Creatures is foon drawn into them, and fo to f(>rget his Coming, who is the Ma- ker thereof, who is the Sandifiei thereof: And fo orders the outward Food as unto God, and not to Carnal Things^ the Mind grows thereby, and fo to the pure all Things are pure : But where the pure is not, all things are defiled, when they are not fan- dtified by the Word and Prayer ; and therefore are to be received in fear ^ and therein remembring his Death till he come, v/ho is the Word and Power, which at his coming refcores all tilings to God, which till then are fubjecl to be ufed to the Lull, which was the thing Chrift in tendet Love to his Difciples, before his departure, warned them a- gainft, knowing that their Nature would draw to the Earth' ward, not yet being fully changed, nor having Chrift born in them to keep them , and for all this his warning and leaving this as a figa how foon they had forgot the Promife of his Co- ming, till he renewed the remembrance of ity ma- king himfelf known in breaking of Bread again after his Refurredion 5 and fo charging them to wait for his coming at Jerufalem^ the Promife of the Father, of which he had told them before his Death j which they were to fhew fo oft as they brake Bread till lie came \ and after he was come to the Apoftles, they condefcended for their fakes, who were weak in the Faith, to whom he was not jet appeared ^ and to thofe did break Bread froin Houfe to Houfe, and eat with iinglenefs of Heart to Chrift, and not to the Luft •, which was another thing th:ia the World's Obfervation of Bread and Vv^ine, or Wafers in the Idols Temple, where the Lord's De:-th is not ihewed till he comt , where fome are Hungry, and feme are Druakeiii where tho ( 33M t6$6, the Covetous, the Proud, the Lyars, Swearers^ y^V^ Whoremongers, Fighters, Scorners, and all evil I Workers meet, to eat Bread and Wine fo often ^ Year, and return into the corrupt Lufis again; j which is not to Eat the Lord's Body, nor his Sup- I per, nor at his Table, but the Table of Devils. And this you (hall all know, that you who do this for an Hour, or a Day, and then feed without fear, not (hewing the Lord's Death till he come, you are they who eat Judgment to your felves Ijerein; And all your Will-Worfliip will not be found at that Day to be an Ordinance of Chrift, as you have limited it j nor can you know his coming to your Salvation. And of this fort are you who now fay, The Lord delays his coming, and have put it unto another Generation ^ if not, till Doomf- 2ay, as you call it ^ and fo have fettled your felves in your Worldly Pleafures, and high Notions, with the drunken fpirit eating and drinking, and beating your fellow- fervants, mocking, whipping and im- prifoning them at your will and pleafure, having forgot his coming •, which if you did remember to fhew forth his death fo often as you eat and drink till he come, you fhould not have been found in blindnefs and oppofition to his coming, (as to your felves) nor perfecuting him now who is come in others ^ nor fhould your Table have been made a fnare unto you, that that day ihould overtake yoi^ unawares, (as it is feen at this day) upon whom the Words of Chrift are to be fulfilled . Concerning Redemption, TH I S is that which many boaft on, and glory in, who never knew what it is to he Redeemed farther than in words, and imagination thereof ^ nay, there are few who are come fo far as to know what it is to want Redemption, and what the Pro- mife is to, and wherein only it is feen and recei-? ved, (355 ) Ved, for there is a Seed in which the promifeof Re- i6'^6, demption to the Soul is , but thou who takeft de- ^-•OPv^ light in Sin, and pleadefl: for it, art not in that Seed. Thou that canfi: talce pleafure in the flefh, and fafhion thy felf thereto, art of another Seed, who art at liberty in the World, to conform thy felf thereto in thy own will and way, and time, who art at liberty to do what thou lift, and when thou lift, and as thou lift : Thou feeft no need of Re- demption who art at eafe in Sin, nor Phyfician wha are not Sick ^ and fo a talk of Redemption little changes thy Condition in that State, who art of this World, and obtains that thou loveft, and there- in takeft Pleafure -, building a Seat, and bleffing thy felf therein, laying up thy Treafure here below 5 he that redeems IfraeVs Seed is no glad Tydings to thee, tvho fpeaks woe to all in that State. But if thou findeft fomething in thee, that in all thefe Worldly delights cries Vanity, and Empti- nefs, and can find no fatisfadlion therein, nor can Conform to this World, nor take pleafure in Wick- ednefs, that cannot plead for Sin, but cries woe to thee becaufe of thy Wickednefs, and mourns becaufe of the abominations of thy Times, wherein thou haft followed the World's Cuftoms, and foolifti Fa- Ihions 5 if thou find that in thee, that cannot take delight in decking the outfide with Pride, norwor- Ihip the Creature , nor bow to any but God alone, but condemns thee if thou do fo: If thou find that which breathes in thee towards God for Life and Strength againft all thefe Vanities, and all other Evils , That which would have thee follow God out of all the World ^ I fajr, if fuch a Seed thou find in thee, though it be the leaft of all Seeds in thee, yet that is the Seed of the Kingdom, to which the Promife is ^ and no farther than that Principle is raifed to reign in thee above all that is contrary to ir, no further art thcu redeemed by Chriii I ( 3?+ ) 5.1656. Chrift Jefus : for that''s the ""^ PI ant of God's renown^' -''"V^^the Liilr among the Thorns | which with the cares the Seed, ^f this World, and the deceirfuh^iefs of Riches, and jei in a, Pleafures, is choaked, that it may not bring forth rvo-fold to Godf who hath placed it in thee for himielf, '.nfe j the that therein he might teach thee to profit, and from ^^'^^^l^^-' thence thou mighreft receive Wifdom and Strength, [grnsandY^^i all that is needful for thee in thy meafure to he Seed of which thou art called. ,braham. And this lying opprefTed and vailed under thy e. B(?//e- Ly^g and Pleafares, is the caufe thou knoweft not Ti??^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ Father, nor the Son, for to this Birth he :sems. is revealed, though thou talkft of Redemption, yet he chil' thou knowefi: not God, nor his Povver, nor Life, nor ^renofthe^^Q^Q^^Q with thee to guide thee out of the Evil, ^' re count' ^"^ ^° §^^^ ^^^^ Victory over the Prince of this d for the '^orld, and his Dominion ; but art captivated at l''eed. his will, to do his works, and Co under condemna- tion that he is in ♦, and the talk of Redemption doth not deliver thee from his Temptations •, but into it thou falieft, and commiteft the Sin that is of his moving, and fo art of the Devil 5 but that which is of God fuffers for thee 5 Death and Capti- vity, and Bonds of Iniquity being over thee ^ and fo thou canft not have Power, nor the Promife, nor Salvation, which in the Seed is placed, which is not of thee, nor with thee, while thou art in thefe delights, but againfl thee, and thou ilnning againfl: it ^ gnd fo art not of the promiC^d Ssed, but an Enemy to it, and by thy Luil^. and Pleaflires, and felf will, art in Pharaoh's State, and Nature, relf fl- ing the Seed of God, and ait in the Houfe of Bon- dage, and doftnot pit};^ nor regard the cries tiiere- ot, which cries againlt thy Piide and Excefs, Envy and Wrath, and ail thy Wickednefs, by which thou oppreffeil: the Seed of God in tliee, (in that State where Death reigns) for which the wrath of God comes upon the World of iniquity^ who are Ene- mies to that Seed which is of the Covenant •, and are not joyn?d to it, (but to tlie contrary, in tha con- ( 335 ) contrary Nature) to which all who are joined in iS'yS. m the Light, come to partake of God's Love, and \y^\r\^ Life therein by Jefus Chrift •, who took upon him that Seed after the flefh, not the Seed of the Evil One, nor the Nature of Angels, but the Seed of A- braham^ to whom the Promife is. And all who know this, quickned and raifed by the Spirit of Jefus, know the Plant of God's re- nown, of God's own Planting, in which the Fruit is found ; and fuch know where to wait for a fup- ply of all Wants, and Counfel in all Straits ^ where the Law is received that is Spiritual, and the Righteoufnefs of Faith, revealed from Faith to Faith ^ from which God's Righteoufnefs is manifefl: in the World , not of Self,nor Self-works, nor of that corrupt Seed, but of the Heritage of Faith, a free gift. And in this Seed Men are redeemed, and the Saints have Fellow ihip with the Father, and the Son in the Light, and all the Gifts and Graces, whereby that Creature becomes free from the Law of Sin, that they may be Married to Chrift, in him to ferve the living God, fet free from the Service of Sin and Satan : And this is their Freedom, even their Righ- teoufnefs, which is everlafting, as the Soul is re- deemed out of the Pit of Corruption 5 for where this Seed is raifed up, there the Creature receives from God of his fulnefs ^ but where the Soul is in the Grave, the Curfe is betwixt, upon him where the Sin is, and the Trefpaffes, by which it isflain: But where this is raifed, and the Immortal Birth born, the Creature is bleffed of God for the Seed's fake, throughout all the Nations of the Earth, for in this is God worihipped, but where Death reigns, the Sacrifice is an Abomination, for they that are in the Grave cannot praife God ^ it's the living that he accepts, and not the dead. And this I fay to all 3^ou who find fuch a thing as is Holy, thus moving in you againfi your Lufts and Worldly Pieafures : Take heed, and do not de- ceive ^ C 336 ) 16^^. ceive your feU^es with a talk of Redemption, while Vy^V^NJthis is in Prifon, and not brought above all your Lufts 5 but in the Light of Chrift wait, which htsi you fee this, that you may fee his Power in Spirit to raife this to reign above all in you that is con- trary, and fo Ihall you reign with it over all the World, and its wicked ways^ but if you have found this breathing towards God, and you have no re- gard thereto, take heed, left he that gave this for thy Salvation, take it away from thee in wrarh^ and leave thee to thy Lufts without reproof 5 (For his Spirit will not always ftrive with you) and then it had been good you had not been born. And this hath befallen many after many reproofs and motions to good, who now are left to fill up their meafure with Greedinefs-, who now glory in their fname, and boaft of their filthinefs •, and this Day is coming upon many more, who now little mind the meafure of God's Grace moving in them, but live in the AVorld's Luft, finning againft the^'r Confci- ence for felf-ends, and yet pleafe themfelves with a talk of Redemption : As the greateft Profelhon now fet up by many, is to make the Rede:f>^ition ot* Chrift a cover for all Licentioufnefs, and Fleihly Liberty, and fay they are to that end redeemed •, which Redemption the Son of God needed not to come from Heaven to purchafe for them, Man be- ing thither fallen, by Nature fubjed thereto; but all who know the Redemption of Chrift, by his pre- cious Blood, are Redeemed from the vain Conver- fation received by Tradition, into the holy Con- verfation of him that hath called them to be H )ly, as he is Holy, and not Yain, as the World is Vain. And this is the true Redemption to all that know it, whereby Chrift hath received Redemption for us, who were Traufgreifors, even to purge the Confci- ence from dead works to ferve the living God. And for this end he gave himfelf for us, to Redeem t^ fro77i {ill Iniquity^ and purtfie unto him/elf a pecu- liar Feoplc zealous of good IVorks : Who harh redeemed (3?? ) T'^deemed us to God by his Blood, out of Kindreds, \6^S. Tongues, and finful Nations, from amongft Men, U^^VNJt. to follow the Lamb, and not the Worldly Luft. And all whofe Redemption leads not put of this World, will fail you, when you look for another^ rnd this all that are Redeemed know ^ but who live in the Luftare blinded with the god thereof, as the Light in. every Confcience (hall teftifie, that he that lives to the Flefh is not Redeemed. So with the Light of Chrifl: which lets you fee your Tranfgreinons, fearch your Hearts, that you may fee if the juft Principle that moves to Righte- oufnefs be not opprefled, and burthened by the Seed of the Evil-doer, and that Nature which loveth Carnal Delights^ and fo you be lead Captive to do the works of Satan ^ then what Redemption have you farther than a Talk ? Like a Man that hath a conceit of eating, but ftill hungry : So you conceit Freedom, but ftill ferve Sin \ and while Servants of Sin, you are free from Righteoufnefs \ as he that is a Servant of Righteoufnefs is free from Sin-, for it is an eafie thing to conceit Righteoufnefs and Re- demption 5 but he that doth Righteoufnefs is Righte- ous, even as he is Righteous : But this is not feen, while the Seed of God is opprelTed, and not re- garded. Concerning Juftification, Sandificatioiij and MortificatioiL THE Wifdom of Men in the Fall finding thefe feveral words in Scripture, hath in their Ima- ginations run them into Divifions, and feparated that which is in one, and cannot be divided in the PoflelTion •, for it is one Spirit that worketh all thefe, where he is prefent, according to the meafure re- ceived. And this is the Juft One, who by Faith livi^s in the Creature, ahd the Creature in him. and ( 338 ) i6J. v/hat others did, but want their Spirit and Power to perform the fame ^ This was the Self-righteouf- nefs, and is the Self-righteoufnefs which is by the Letter of the Law, taken on without the Spirit of Life, which is in Chriftjefus. And here is the weakneis of the Law taken on through the Flefh, but the power of the Law, to fach as receive it in Spirit and Life ^ for the Law is fulfilled in Spirit, and not in the Letter^ and fo in Chrifl-, and not in Self ^ and fo by Faith, and not by Works *, even by the everlafting Righteoufnefs of God, freely given and received by Faith, and revealed in the Creature from Faith to Faith in eve^ ry one that believes j and not by works of the Law which the Creatures fee in the Letter, and fet themfelves a doing, who are Carnal, and fold 'un- der Sin, not quickned by the Spirit of Righteouf- nefs •, for the Letter of the Law gives a knowledge of Sin 5 but the Law in the Spirit gives not only the knowledge of Sin, but the knowledge of God, and his Righteoufnefs in Chriftjefus, for fulfilling the Law, which is Life Eternal, according to his Promife, 1 will write my Law in your Hearts, and put it in your inward parts, and you Jhall all know me^ from the great efi to the leaji. So all you who read the commands in the Letter without, from thence you may fetch your own Condemnation, but from thence can you net fetch Power for Obedience, tojuftification of Lite. From within is the Life in Spirit, and not in the Letter. And here is change of the Lavv^ to that which is Spiritual, the Priefthood Spiritual, the Temple Spi- ritual, the Altar, the Circumcifion, the OfFering,the Blood, the Oracle, the Anointing, the Wafhings, and the whole Worfhip, which was without, and could make nothing perfedt, changed and become Spiritual, and within j to the better hope, being Z 4 more ( 344- ) 6i$6. more perfeCl than that without could be , for he is t/'V^' perfed. Now the Law was added becaufe of Tranfgrellion till the promifed Seed iliould come, of whom it is Prophefied in Types and Figures ^ which Seed is Chrill, the end of the Law to every one that be- lieves, without refpedt of Perfons ^ and fo it is in the Spirit. A Law hath God written in the Heart, whereby the TranfgrefTor is condemned in his own Confci- ence, and this Law is upon the firfi Man, who is the TranfgrefTor, and hath Power over that Man as long as he lives, judging, reproving, and condemn^ ing ; and Prophefying of one that is to come to fulfil the Law in every one who minds the Light, and fo is a School- ma fter, to bring to Chrift, and till he come to fulfill it, who is the end of it, there is Condemnation upon the Creature ^ becaufe the pure Laiv of God is broken -, and this is teftified by . the Light in the Confcience, a witnefs againfl the Old Man and his deeds, which is contrary to the perfedl Law of God ^ and fo by that which is per- fed is he condemned who is imperfed:, where the Image of God is loft, and Death reigns, becaufe of Trefpafles and Sins. For God did not give a Law to condemn his own Work, but the Work of the Devil. And where the , TranfgrefTor is, there is the Work of the Devil. I And the Law hath power over that Man as long as the TranfgrefTor lives. And all his Works are by the Law condemned, until the Refurredion of the Seed, and the Image of God be witnefTed, and all things fubdued to him, who is the end of the Law, hj yvhom the fruits of the Spirit are brought forth,, againft which there is no Law, And fo by his Re- furredtion, and the vertue thereof, that which is of God in thf^ Confcience is anfwered, and fo the Crea-= ture faved from the condemnation of the Law of God, which refpects no Man's Perfon ; But hath s:efpe(2 ( 345 ) r^afpeftto his own Seed, but condemns all who are i6';6. in Death, and where Death reigns. t/"V'NJ So the Law that lays hold upon all TranfgrefTors, we witnefs to endure, Spiritual, Juft, and Good ; given forth againfi: the firft Man, and his Works good or bad, (as People call them) yea, though he fet himfelf to do the works of the Law never fo zealoufly, yet a witnefs of condemnation the pure Law of God is againfi: him in his Confcience, until the promifed Seed and Birth thereof be born, which is not of the will of the firftMan, nor after the Fleih, but after the Spirit, after the will of God (one with the Law) and by his Grace, who fhews the Mercy and glad Tydings. Now Ifrael after the Flelh, who received the Law in the literal Mi- niftration and carnal Ordinances from them, was Chrifl: to come.^who was made of a Woman under the Law, to Redeem them that were under the Law, if they did believe. Even fo now Ifrael after the Spirit, who re- ceive the Law in the Spiritual Miniftration written in the Heart, fuch (hall witnefs the Child born of the Royal Seed, Heir of the Promife, even of God's Righteoufnefs, for the fulfilling of the pure Law of God, for that end given forth ^ Whereof there are many Witnefles at this day, who have patiently waited in what God hath written in their HeartSj ^Q^n with the Light of Chrift •, who have therein received the Faith of the Gofpel, and the end of that Faith, even God's Righteoufnefs revealed from Faith to Faith, whereby the pure Law of God is fulfilled in many, and fulfilling in others, who abide in their meafure of Faith which God hath dealt to them, walking in the Light, not after the Flelh, but after the Spirit ^ and fo by the Law of the Spirit of Life^ which is in Chrifl: Jefus, fee themfelves fet free from the Law of Sin and Death, and fo witnefs the Gofpel, which you cannot do, ivho caft the Law of God, and his Light behiijct your backs, and in you? vaio, Mind fay you aro liOt ( 346 ) i6'y6. not under it 5 in the Day of Tryal you will ^y^V"^ be found under the Condemnation thereof, and that in every Confcience Ihall witnefs thereto, at that Day. Concerning Christ Jesus. THIS is he whom the World much talk of, tut few there be that know him, thought it be He by whom all things were made, who is the Life of all Creatures, the Beginning of all Creatures, who was before all Creatures, without Beginning of Days, or end of Life, a Priefl: for ever, and a King, of whofe Dominion there is no end •, by him Kings Reign, and Dominions are call down, though they know him not where Self is ftanding, who is hid- den from the World's Wifdom, and the depth of Prudence cannot find him out 5 yet doth he reveal himfelf to fuch as walk in his Light, which is con- trary to all the dark' Paths of the World, nor can the Will of Man walk therein, but who deny them- felves, that they may learn the way of the Lord, to fuch he freely reveals his way for their return, that he may bring them down from the Seat of Exaltation, and make known to them their Begin- ning, and from whence they are digged, that they may fee him that bears up the Pillars of the Earth, and hath laid the Foundation thereof^ who hath fet the World in their Hearts, fo that they who flood not in his Counfel ^ cannot find out the beginning , nor the end of the Work of God ; yet will vain Man in that ftate be imagining touch- ing him, and from whence he had his beginning who is the Eternal Word, before all time, glorified in the Heavens with the Father, who in time was manifeft, which Word became Flefh, and dwelt a- mongft us, and took upon him the form of a Ser- vant, and was made in the likenefs of Men ^ and being found in falhion as a Man, he humbled him- felf ( 34-7 ) felf, and became obedient to the Death, that he i6^^. might become a living Example to all Generations, v/VS^, which no Creature could be, the whole Creation be- ing in the Fall, and having finiihed the Work, and offered up himfelf for Man's Redemption, given him of the Father to do, and for which he was be- gotten, he afcended far above all Heavens, to pre- pare a Place for all that follow him by Faith in his Light *, and that from thence all fuch as wait for him, may fee his Appearance as a Saviour. And only fuch know him for their Redeemer, who know him for their Judge and Lawgiver, who love him, and keep his Commandments \ to fuch he (Tomes, and the Father alfo, and make their Abode with him. And this is He who is the Light of the "World, and lighteth every Man that comes into the V/orld, ^vho ftands at the Door and knocks, and if any hear his Voice and open, he will come in and fup with him -, and fuch know him, and he knows them who hear his Voice, by which they are quickened out of the Trefpaffes and Sins, and the Seed of God raifed over Death in Man, but where Death reigns, Chrift is rejeded, and the Wifdom by which he Ihould be known is Foolifhnefs. So, if you defire to know him who is not of this World, but who is before the World was, a Witnefs againft all the World's Ways and Wickednefs, then mind that Light in 3''ou which thus witnefFeth ^ for as Chrift is, fo is his Light that leads to him ^ for that which bears Teftimony againft the World, is not of the World, even as he is not of the World, and fo leads out of the World, to him who is not knov/n in the World ; for the World by Wifdorn knows him not. And as thou followeft the Light out of the World, thou wilt come to fee the Seed, which to the World's Wifdom and Glor}^ is cruci- fied ^ to which Seed are all the Promifes, and where- in is all the Knowledge of God and Chrift. And as that Seed is raifed, and Man born thereof, therein is ( 348 ) \6'y6, IS the Father revealed, and his Powrer and Godhead V^VN; in his Son Jefus Chrift, which in him dwells, and without him is not rei'ealed, but being known is Life Eternal, and Eternal Power, and Eternal Glory and Riches, made manifeft in the Light •, for as 3^ou know this Seed raifed by the fame Spirit that raifed Jefus Chrifl: from the Dead •, fo fhall you fee him, to whom all Power ^nd Judgment is commit^ ted in Heaven and in Earth, and for whom, an^^V^ with the Beams of his Glory : And to all who are yet in the Night fhall he appear, if you look to- wards the Place of his Rifing, which is not, Lo, here, lo, there ^ but within you, in your Hearts. And all who are come to the fure Word of Prophe- fiej as to a Light that fhines in a dark Placed to which you do well to take heed, till the Day dawn, and the Day-Star arife in your Hearts, you fhall fee the Sun arife, where the Day-Star appears in your Hearts, if in the Light you wait that fhines in the Darknefs ^ and you ihall feel the Virtue and Life of him, and receive thereof to live in the fame with him ^ and you fhall fee him as he is, and know him to be the Son of Righteoufnefs, whofe Arifing is with Healing in his Wings, and whofe breaking forth is upon all his Enemies which over the Seed have reigned •, whofe fpiritual Weapons are migh* ty through God, to the Pulling down Strong Holds, cafling down Imaginations, and every high Thing that exalteth it felf againfl the Knowledge of God, and bringing into Captivity every Thought to the Obedience of himfelf, and having in Readinefs to revenge all Difobedience, when your Obedience is fulfilled. And tlras the Saints know the Son with his Lights his Power and Dominion over all things in Heaven and in Earth, who rales in Righteoufnefs in the Hearts of his People, trampling down Satan under their Feet, which Son of God Hypocrites call, Lord, Lordj but the Devil they ferve and obey ^ and tho' fuch have got the Words of the Lord, and Chriil, and Jefus, yet they know not his Light, his Power, his Kingdom and Dominion, over Sin and the De- vil in them, tofet them free therefrom, by his Light and Life ^ nor this Blood of Chrift to waili them from their Pollutions, and to prefent them without Spot or Wrinkle, or any fuch thing. And fo you hayg made the Name of Chrifl a Reproach among the T^5o7 ■■■■ 16?^. the N-^-t'ons, who call him a Redeemer, hut live In ^•'VNJ i^oa.-r Sins: So as fiich as profefs not the Syllables of Chriit and Jelus, even from a Principle of God within them, many of them become your Judges, as io Moderation, Faithfalnefs and Honefty. Nay, it is manifeft amongft 3^ou, thai the Name of Jefus, which gives the Saints Vidory over Sin, 37'oa know not, who have it in Words, and there- with make a Cover for your Sin, your Priae, Luft , and Excefs. What Covetoufnefs, and ah Maiu.Lr of Unrighteoufnefs is covered over with a Profelfion of the Name of Chrift, which redeems from thofe things all that know him ? For none know Jefus further than they know a Saviour from Sin, and not a cover for Sin, and live in it 5 for the rromife of the Father is, He Jhall fave his People from their Sins. And the Children of the Promife know this to be fo without a cover or meaning to live in Sin. And none know Chrift, but who know the Anoint- ing, and fuch need no Man to teac'i them, but as the Anointing teacheth them all Things that are true, if they abide therein, and there is no Lye in it. But who fay they know Chrift, and are redeem- ed, and commit Sin, not keeping his Commands, are Lyars, and fo abide not in the Truth and A- nointingi andfo are of the Devil, and not of Chrift 5 for he that abides in Chrift, fins not, for the Name of Jefus Chrift is Power over all Sin, as it is known, and the Creature baptized into it by Faith. So all that know Chrift, know the Seed, the Promife, the "Word of Life, the Covenant, the Heritage, the Righteou fneft, the Kingdom, the Power, the Glory which is not of this VV^orld, and the Father of all ; which you that commit Sin have not feen. Nei- ther can any fay, That Jefus is Loid, but hy the Spirit j fo you whol'e Knowledge is without, an- other Lord ruleth within. Co;uer/2' ( 351 ) Concerning the JMtniJlry of Christ. TH E Minifters of Chrifl: are ever called out of the World, and contrary to the "World, con- trary to their own Wills, and the Wills of allFlefh, for fuch have the Word who are begotten of the Word, and fuch are begotten contrary to the Will of Man, and through fuch came the Scriptures, which came not by the Will of Man, but hj the Spirit, and fo are of no private Interpretations, nor are his Minifters of any private Call, but 9f him- felf, who hath all Creatures in his Hand, to choofe whom he will, to go on his Meilage, nor would he ever Send by any whom the Kings of the Earth did choofe, nor the Powers thereof, but fuch as they called and fet up without his immediate Call, were ever the great Enemies to fuch as he fent. And this is evident in all the Scriptures, and in all Hiftories fince, that whenever the Myftery of Iniquity had fpread over, andDarknefs had paf- fed over his Seed, and his People had broken his Covenant, and loft his Word, then he in love to his People fent out fome immediately, who had his Word in them, to bear Witnefsto the Lord, againft all their Backflidings and Self-ways, and formal Worfhips, and to fuch the World's Minifters, or rather Mafters, were ever Enemies, and fought to fiir up the Powers of Men againft them, to devour them, under the Name of Blafphemers and Here- ticks^ ^nABeJiroyersoflForJhip, ^nd Feace-Breakers and Enemies to Authority, when they were fent of God to teftifie againft their falfe Worftiip, and break the Peace of the Wicked One^ who keeps his Houfe in Peace till a ftronger than he comes. And this you Ihall find recorded through the Scriptures, and all Hiftories of Perfecutioii in all Ages, and at this Day. And you fliall never find that ever any of thefe could join in with the World's Worfliips, but ( 35^T 1^5^. but cried them down, their Prieffs, their Prophets, C-^^v^^v^ their Days, their Times, their Places, their whole Worfhip, who were gone out into the World, from the Word and Spirit, for which they were envied of them who were therein, and fuch as they had de-* ceived thereby 5 for the World ever loves its own, but he that is of God teftifies againft the World, and the Deeds thereof, that they are Evil, therefore hated thereby for the Truth's fake. And as the Minifters of Chrift are ever called out of the World, and the Things thereof, fo they are not careful for the Things of the World ^ but he who is their Minifler, is their Maintainer, whom they preach. And fo they that preach the Gofpel live of the Gofpel : So never any of his fought to the People for Means, nor bear Rule by it, nor fought for their Gain from their Quarter j nor taught for the Fleece, preached for Hire, nor propheiied for Money, for Pieces of Bread, norHandfuls of Corn^ none of ChrifL's Minifters ever lived in Parfonages^ nor lived upon Tythes, nor ever went to Law with their Flock for carnal Things ^ they never loved to be called Maflers of their Hearers, but Servants y they were never approved, or commilfionated by Men to whom they were to preach, but fentofGod to preach to fuch as fought him not , and amongft fuch they in all things approved tbemfelves to be Minifters of God (that the Miniftry be not blamed) in much Patience, in Afflidtion, in Neceiiities, in Diftrelles, inStripes» in Imprifonments, in Tumults, in Labours, in Watchings, in Fallings, by Purenefs, by Knowledge, by Long>^fufFering, by Kindnefs, by the HolyGholt, by Love unfeigned, by the Word of Truth, by the Power of God, by the Armour of Righteoulhefs on the Right Hand and on the Left 5 hy Honour and Diihonour, by evil Report and good Report, as Deceivers and yet true, as unknown and yet well known, as dying and yet live ^ chaftened^ ibrrowful, poor, having nothing, wandering up and down, having no certain Dwelling-Place. And in ( 35? ) in this State their Care was^ that they might keepr 16^6. the Gofpel without Charge, and yet they were ever! L/^VN^ hated by luch as were approved of Men, who ftir- red up fuch as they preached to for their Hire, to' perfecute them that preached freely 5 yet mufi: they not ceafe, but preach freely, to fuch as are fo far from hiring them, as they would rather devour them than hear them, yet will hire and hear them of their own choofing. And this muft be, that the Grace of God may appear to be free, and he be found of them that fought him not. And this was ever his Way, who will be taught of none, nor fhall any chufe for him, by whom he fhall fend, nor fhall any whom he fends ever want, nor take Care for ought afore-hand, that they may follow their Mailer, and be as their Lord, who fhall feed many, br,t feek to none for Food, but what God gives : for it is not like that they fhould feed others with everlafling Food, who dare not truffc God for carnal Food ^ for God will not have fuch as are of his Family^ and his Minifters, to take Care for Food and Rayment, nor wherewith to feed othewj^j for who love the Word in them, in which all Fulnefs is, need not ftady what to fay, nor have a Divination to make, what to preach, like them who have not the Word in them, but what they fteal from another, or to fetch out of the bottomlefs Pit by Divination and Witchcraft, who can have Words in their own Times and Wills, againft whom they will, and to flatter whom they will ^ who cry Peace to fuch as put into their Mouths, elfe they prepare War againfl them, who mind Earthly Things, whofe God is their Belly, who talk againfi Pride, and live in itj againfl Covetoufnefs, and live in it ^ who preach againft Sia, but cannot ceafe from Sin. And fuch as they are, fuch are their Hearers, who in Words confefs Chrift, but in Works deny him. And thefe are they who for their Pride, Pleafures and carnal Ends, have changed the Lord's Worlhip from what it was, both in Matter and Manner, Means and A a Main- (3547 i6^^. Maintenance, and fo have fcattered the Lord^s Peo- trf^'^V^a^ple into Setts and Opinions, Forms, Cullorns and Traditions in every Nation, as may befi: fiiit their wicked Wills ^ for xvhich they pretend Decency, Or- der and Neceillty, fo that they are not found in the Way of God, nor Form of true Worfhip, as the Scriptures will own without wrefting. And now the Lord is appeared in the true Way, as Chrift left it v/irh his Difciples, to gather his own from ofF all thefe Mountains where they are fcattered, all the Idol-Shepherds are gathering againfi: him to Battle, of all forts, not willing to hear of the living Way, which is but one, in which there is no Rent, Sedt or Error, but Chrift IN all 5 nay, one can fcarcely grieve a Town-Teacher worfe, than to tell him of the Apoftles way of Preaching, their Call, their Spi- rit, their Wanderings, their Wages, their W^ord, and way of walking in this World, and amongft their Hearers, as is declared in Scripture without a Mean- ing, or Iibert^i:o change it according to the Times. Nay, though all their Parifh be Believers (as they call them) jQt can they not believe they Ihall get their W^ages from them without a Law to compel them, fo that though they have begot a larger Faith in their Hearers than the Apoflles ever taught, (to \yit} Thai though they coinmit Sin while they live^ yet they may befavei and fet free when they die ^ Yet have not they fo much Faith themfelves, as to be- lieve, they will pay ihtm their Wages, without it be forced from them, that which none of Ch rift's Miniftcrs ever did, either in Law or Gofpel. So we may not f:iy that tliefe are Minifters of Chrift, or like them, if we will fpeak Truth, and take Chrift's Kule to judge hy^ who faith, By their Fruits you, fbaU know them. Nor Ihould I have fpoken thus much of them in this Place, did they but call themfelves the Mini- fters of Men, made fo by them, and fo upholden and maintained^ but fuch as call themfelves Mini- fters of Chiift, and walk fo far unlike Him and His ill ( 355 ) in all things, I fay, to fuch as are found in thefe li'yS. things ; your ways teftifie to your Faces, and be- C/N^NJ fore all Men, that you are no more like the Mini- fters of Chrift, than they that wilked in your Steps before you. So, fearch the Scriptures, and fearch your Hearts with the Light of Chriftj and know your Portion, and count me not your Enemy for telling you the Truth ^ however, I have cleared my Confcience in Love to your Souls, though fuch as are deceived through blind Zeal and Envy cannot receive it. Concerning Free-will. THere is no Will free for God, but that which is turned againft (and free from) Sin, which Will Man loft in the Fall, when he let in the Will of the Devil, and entered into it 5 wherein Man became in Bondage. And all that Man in that State knows of the Free-will, is by that which moves in him a- gainft tlie Will of the Flefhand of the Devil, which is feen in the Light of Chrift. And this is accord- ing to the Will of God, whereby he willeth notthe Death of the Sinner. God calls Man to be willing and obedient, and this Will of God is manifeft, ac- cording to the Spirit, which is free, always moving contrary to the Will of the Fleih, which is in Bon- dage to the Devil. And this will that is free, only thofe who abide in the Light do feel the Moving of it prefent in the Spirit ^ and as the fpiritual Man is quickned by the Word of God, and Man born of that which is not of the Flefh, nor of the Will of it ^ fo is that Will fcen again in Man which is free, wherein the Creature is made free from the Will of the Fleih, which is Bondage. So the fpiritual Maa hath the fpiritual Will, which is free, and that is iTom above. And the carnal Man, which is from below, his Will keeps in Bondage, v/ho is contrary to God in all things j but who is begotten again of Aa 2 the ( 356 ) i6';6. the Word from above is free-born (when he is born) O^'VN/vvho is born of the Spirit^ for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty •, but where the Spirit of the World rules, there is Bondage • for as is the Man, fo is his Will. So with the Light of Chrift, which ihews you the Thoughts of the Heart, if you diligently mind it, you may fee the two Motions of the two Wills, each contrary to the other *, the one after the Flefh, the other after the Spirit. So whether of thefe Wills thou art Servant to, that thou may ft be faid to have, and to the other thou art an Enemy ^ for no Man hath Free-will further than he is joined to it, though he that is in his own Will, may feel the Will of God contrary to him, and that Will he is in; yet can he not come to it, until he owns that which leads him to take up the Crofs to his own Will, and in the Crofs to his own Will is he born, who hath the Will of God, wherein God worketh to will and to do of his good Plea- fure, in the Male and in the Female, even the Plant of God, who hath the Will of God, the Mind of God, as in meafure he it forms in the Creature. So Man hath not Free-will further than' he is free born from above, of the Seed that finneth not, and the Growth in that Seed is Man's Freedom ^ but while this lies under the earthly will and felf ^ thereby it is denied, though the Free-will may often move in the Creature to Holinefs, and be felt in the Light of Chrift, as a Tender of Healing-, yea, and would lead to Kolinefs and Healing, where it's mind- ed and obeyed, for that will vv^hicb is of God only, leads to God ^ by which Will we are fandiiied and faved. But ^rou that ftand in the Will of the Flefh refiftit, and fo 3''ou vs^ill not come to Chrift, that you may have Life; for the Will of God, which is Life, is free, and freely tendered in Chrift Jefus . to every Creature ^ and in the Light, which reproves the Evil Deeds, it is feen : but they that refift free Grace, refift Free-will ^ for that's free Grace which ihews a Man his Sin, and reproves for it, which would ( 357 ) would lead to God, calls to be willing and obedi- j6'y6, ent, and to deny allUngodlinefs and worldly Lufl:s,L/VV> and fo to live Godly, righteoufly and foberly in this Evil World. And that's Free-will, which wills not that thou fhouldeft commit Sin, which Willis, that thou fhouldeft not die. So Man's Deftrudion is of himfelf, and Self-will, by which he refifts the Will of God-, but Salvation is of the Will of God which is free, and in the Meafure of God's Gift is this Freedom found and enjoyed. So that in Chrift I have Free-will, but in the Flefli is Bondage. Therefore the Flelh muft be denied by all that will own Free- dom in Will or Deed 5 for none have Free-will but who in the Light of ChriiT: have learned to deny their own Wills ^ and fuch know, that in the Firll Man is neither Will nor Deed that is free from Sin, nor for God, and his Work or Worlhip ^ for God hath concluded the whole Man under Sin, that the Gift of Grace might appear to be tree, that all might Glory in the Lord, and the whole Treafures be found in Him, to whom every Tongue fhall con- fefs, when the Glory of Man fhall come to an End, to his Praife who is blefled for evermore. Concerning the Resurrection. IJm the RefurreUlon and the Life (faith Chrift) He that belie vet h in ?ne though he zaere dead, yet fhall he live ^ and whofoever liveth and believeth in me fhall never die, BlefTed is he that knoweth and believeth in him, who is the JirJ} RcfurreuHon, for on fuch the fecond Death fhall have no Power, let the Day qometh, in which all that are in the Graves Jhall hear the Voice of the Jitdge^ and fJ) all come forth, they that have done good unto the Re/urreEiion of Life, and they that have done Evil unto the ReJurrelVion of Con^ demnation. Think of this, you wicked Workers, who live and die in your Sins, and jti pleafe your felves with talking of the Refurredion, and what a glorious A a 5 Day ( 358 ) i^^^. Day It will be , a woeful Day to you v/ill it be, who l/VNJare found in your Sins, and in the Love of the World, you ])xo\)h^ne B/aus^ and curbed Nimods, and proud Hamans^ v/iio rrample upon the defpifed Seed of In- nocency, you muil not then flop the Mouth of Truth any longer, but Right mull be heard and pafs, as to the High, fo to the Low ^ you Hypocrites, who confefs God i Words, but in Works deny him, what will this e to you, when your fair Covers muft be taken away, and by your Works you muft bs judged? Will he fay to you, Becaufe you have been great Talkers of me, therefore your Deceits fhall not be laid open ? Or, 1 will fir ft make you clean before I judge you^ but all others will I judge as I find them ? You that are pleading for Sin while you live^ and Holinefs when you are dead, you will not then find it as you have conceited, but as you are found, A terrible Day will this be unto you who die in your Sins^ and this the Children of Light know, whom your envious Minds are accufing, as though they de- nied the Refurrection, though you fee them prepare ing for it, by caftingofF theDeeds of Darknefsand Works of the Flefn, and all the ungodly Ways of tliQ World, the Pleafures and Vanities thereof, and efteeming more of the Crofs of Chrift, and the Re- proach of the World, counting that greater Riches than the prefent Glory of the World, and Friend- fhip thereof x But were our Hope only in this Lite, we were of ail Men moft miferable, who have denied all thefe things for the Lord, that in him we might be found at that Day, in whom we look for a better Refurredtion 5 which did not we fee to be an unfearchable Reward, we have an Opportunity to return : But a better Country we defire, and we know that a City is prepared for us, whofe Maker is God, a durable Habitation in the Heavens, which fucli who lore -the World cannot receive : And therefore in j^our carnal Hearts imagine carnal Things, comparing Heavenly things with Earthly, andpraifii^g the prefent World, ^nd conforming to { 359 ) It, loving and vvorfhipping the Creature mare than i6$6. the Creator ^ therefore hath God appointed a Day, C/VNi? wherein he will judge the "World in Righteoufnefs, and give a juft Recompence, when the Lord himfelf fliall defcend from Heaven with a Shout, and the Voice of the Arch-Angel, the Qiiick and the Dead to judge, and the Dead in Chrift fliall rife firft, as faith the Scripture : wherefore Bleffed are they that d^iif in the Lord^ but woe to jow who die in your Sins at that Day, v/ho neither live nor die in the Faith of Chrift^ but you are they who live and d'lQ in that Faith that you cannot be fet free from Sin while you live ^ for this is not the Faith of Chrift, nor did ever any of hisprofefs it, or die in it. But believed in him that is able tofave to the utter mojl ad, that come to God by him. So as is your Faith un- clean, fo fhall you be in your Refurredion ^ for all that die in that Faith, die in their Sins. But to fuch bufie Minds who are faying, Horn a re the Dead raifed ? And with what Bodies do they come ^ I fay, to fuch the Apoftles Words are very fuitable. Thou Fool^ that which thou- foweji is not quickned^ except it die : So to fuch I fay. Go to the Figure, and read if thou canft with all thy cu- rious Wifdom, which is Fooliilinefs with God, for to fuch the Parable is, but the Myftery is fealed with the Sons of God ^ nor can any ever know with what Bodies they fhall arife •, but who comes to the Flelh of Chrift, and difcerns his Body, the Sight whereof, in the Life, flays the Serpent, and opens the Myftery, till then curled is he that, by his Earthly Wifdom, prefumes to reveal that Vv'hich God hath fealed and hidden from the Serpent's Wif- dom. So you that are wife in your own Eyes^ you may read i Cor, 1 5. and you may fee the Apoftle fpeaks plain Words to that Purpofe •, and if you cannot underftand his Speech, neither can you do mine : yet do the Sons of God (who are born of the incorruptible Seed) believe, and in meafure under- ftand the incorruptible Body that ihall never wax A4 4 old: ( 36o ) r6'y6. old : Therefore do give up the corruptible to te iyY^ tortured by the Wills of the wicked and bloody Per- fecuters, for the Honour of him who hath called us thereto, by whom the inward Man is daily renew- ed, though the outward Man perilh, and from whom we have AfTurance, that when this earthly Tabernacle is diflblved, we Ihall be cloathed on from above •, which Cloathing we fee by Faith, not by what the Carnal can fee or comprehend 5 for that which is feen is temporal, but that which is not feen is E- ternal , and all Flefli is not the fame, nor are all Bodies earthly, for there are Heavenly Bodies, and there are Earthly Bodies ^ yet cannot the Earthly reveal the Heavenly, nor judge of them 5 even fo is the Refurredtion of the Dead : He that hath an Ear let him hear •, but Flefh and Blood cannot in- herit the Kingdom of God, neither doth Corruption inherit Incorruption., And this I fay to all, who defire to attain the Re* furredion from the Dead, and to be counted worthy thereof, Confult not with Fiefli and Blood about it, nor feek to comprehend it in thy Reafon, left thou lofe it, and become brutifh in thy Judgment 5 but in the Light wait, which lliews the Old Man's Deeds, that out of Darknefs thou mayft be led, to obtain the New Birth and Firft Refurredtion in Chrifl, and as thou becomeft conformable to the Image of the Heavenly : So Ihalt thou fee the Re- furrection, the Power and Purity thereof: but the woeful Eftate of the Wicked, who die not in the Lord, who are talking of the Refurredtion, but the Old Man ftill living, fo live, and fo die, that Re- furredtionis to Eternal Deftrudlion. Hearken all you bufie iVIinds, whofe Ear is open to Mifchief. How ( 36i ) How S I N is Strengthened, AND How it ^ OVERCOME. THAT Sin is in the World, and that all are thereby become Children of Wrath, is ge- nerally believed and confefled by all^ but how Sin is ftrengthened in Men and Women againft God and their own Souls, or how it is overcome, few there be that have learned or mind to know \ yet for their fakes that do, I do here declare fome- what of that which 1 have received from him, who is faithful and true in all his Teftimony. And this I find, That as Sin got rooting at firfl through Luft, fo till this day it hath its iirength, by the Defires going forth to afFed or luft after fomething, whether Spiritual, or Carnal, above, before, or befides what that Eternal Spirit by which Man was created, doth communicate to him, or beget in him ^ for the Eye of Mankind being blinded by the God of this World, which Eye Chould look unto God for all ^ there is an Eye of Unbelief open, which looks into the vifibles, and gives occafion for the Luft to conceive in the Mind, AfFedtions and Defires, afte* fomething which the Spirit of God leads not to, for the obtaining where- of, all the pQV/er and Wifdom that is in Man is fet on work, and this becomes Sin both in the Defires and Actions ^ and the more it is followed , the ftronger it it 5 for whatever is hereby obtained, be- comes a Treafure of Wickednefs, laid up in the Ha- bitation of the wicked one, whereby the Luft is in- ^reafed, and the Seed of God burthened and buried, whereby ( 362 ) 1657* whereby the Creature becomes daily more mifenfible, i/^^^^ of the Will of God, and the movings of that pure Spirit which fliould keep the Creature alive to the Creator, and draw the Mind wholly up to the Fa- ther, on him alone to wait for a fupply in all things, both for Soul and Body. And every Defire that fprings from this Root being fufFered to go forth, defiles the Man, and brings in that which opprefTeth the Juft, until by continuance Man grows into the nature of the en- mity, and the imaginations of the heart be wholly evil, and that which |hould give the knowledge of God buried, and in many that which fliould give the knowledge of Sin alfo, whereby Man becomes paft feeling, utterly dead in Sins and Trefpaffes heaped upon the juft againft the Day of Judgment, which becomes by cuftom as natural to commit, as for the Ox to drink water ^ yea with greedinefs doth Man in this condition hunt after his own deftru- ction, having dam'd up the way of Life in himfelf by often tranfgrefling it, and is become degenerate from the nature of God, having received in, and willingly joined to that nature of Satan, which as a leaven hath and doth work into its own nature all that receive it, or yield unto it, whom as they grow therein, there fprings up Fruits of the fame Root and Nature, which they bring forth in his time and opportunity,v/ith liking and delight, being furnifhed with all fubtilty, to colour them over, and plead for them, being in Covenant and Agree- ment with Sin, fome in one thing, and fome in another, every one pleading the allowance of that Sin with God which moft fuits their lu^s, pride, profit or pleafure, credit or efieem in che World, or fome felf-end, and at thefe they take counfcl, and not at the Spirit of the Lord, to know what is Sin, and what is no Sin, but none will believe that they can be fet free from all Sin by him who teftifies againft alt Sin in Spirit j and in all this the Man of Sin hath bis ( 5^5 ) his Kingdom by confent, for they being willing to 1^57^ keep Covtnant with him in one evil, are guilty of C/^TO all. Now the way to overcome all this, and him that I hath his Power therein, is by Faith in Chrifi: Jefus, the Light, and Life, and Way to the Father ^ for without Believing there can be no Vidory •, but in the Faithful following of him, and patient bearing his Crofs, and enduring his Sufferings, comes the Enmity to be (lain, and Captivity led Captive, and Man fet at liberty in the holy Seed, to ferve the Father in Spirit and Life again. And firft, Chrift as he is the Light of the World, mufl: be believed, for fo he comes to manifeft and reprove the deeds of Darlcnefs, and to make a repa- ration between the Works of God, and the Works of the Devil in the Mind and Spirit of the Creature, and to let them fee what Spirit doth exercife their Minds and AfFeftions, and the Fruits of each Spi- rit, and the moving and working of each Spirit feveraily, without which none can rightly know v/hat is to be deftroyed, and what faved •, what to joyn tOj and what to war againfi: ; for by this Light alone comes Man to the knowledge of Sin iq himfelf, in the ground and root of it, and every motion thereof ^ for though the Letter, or fome- thing without, may fhew what is Sin by its Fruits when it is brought forth, yet it is the work of the Spirit to difcover fpiritual Wickednefs in its firft motion, which is the only place to kill it e're it become Sin 5 and this Light mufl be believed, and diligently minded all along, for fuch is the fubtilty of the Enemy, having got pov/er over the Will and Senfes of Man, that he will fet them to war againfi: the Creature, and deftroy the Creation^ rather than that of his which defiles the Creature, And this cannot be avoided any other v/ay bat by minding \he Light of Chriil, to feparate that which is but tc be cleanfed, from that which is to be dellToyed, ^^Ithis Man cannot do without the Spirit, n being f ^n* a Spiritual Work, though he never fo much feelcs '^^^V>J after it. And here is the Caufe why many are Icept at hard Labour all their time, and never come clear out of Sin ^nd Uncleannefs, even not believing in that which hath the power to feparate and lead out of theEvil,but without thefingle Eye they are at work in the dark, and fee not a clear feparation in the Body. And hence it is that fome deftroy them- felves, in feeking to deftroy Sin, not minding the Light of the Saviour, is led by the Deftroyer, fight- ing againft that which Chrift comes tofave ^ whilft he that comes to deftroy lies hid in the dark: But he that believes in that which manifefts all things, reproves all things, and judges all things, with that Light fliall be led what to war againfl:, and what to joyn with all along in the Work, for he alone is the Covenant of Light, and given for a Leader, which whofoever believes and follows, ftiall not err in Judgment or Pradlice, but unbelief therein, is the caufe why there are fo many blind Guides, and many People die in their Sins. And thus he is the Way of God, and is to be believed in, (to wit) as he manifefts the works of the Devil apart from the work of God, condemning the one in the Flefti, and juftifying the other in the Spirit : and as he manifefts every Spirit with its workings, motions and ends, the ground and ofpfpring, whence they come, and whither they return, that thereby the Creature may know who it is that exercifes his Mind and Members, and to what Spirit he yields himfelf in his obedience and |i fervice, and fo may come to know the ufe and end of all his Works, what to chufe, and what to re- fufe 5 what to juftifie, and what to condemn in its firft motion, before it be brought forth or formed in the Womb, that Judgment may be kept on the head of Tranfgreilion, and Liberty proclaimed t* the Juft. ,ind ( 3^5 ) And for want of Faith and feeling of this Way i6$y. of Chrift, it is that fo many perifh in Sin, and yet iy\r^ feem to ftrive againft Sin, even becaufe they cannot believe that to be fufficient to fave from Sin, which manifefts Sin in the ground, and condemns it in its firft motion, which if they did but in Faith joyn with him to condemn Sin in the ground, tempta- tion, and motion, it would die and wither, and not be able long to live or prevail : and if it for a time fhould prevail in the Members, yet not to condemnation, for I have found a great difference between Sin condemned in the Creature (though not yet wholly dead) and Sin lived in, and pleaded for; for if thy Life and Judgment be in that alone which condemns Sin, then art thou dead to Sin, and alive to Chrifl: 5 and it is no more thou that Sins, but Sin that yet remains in thee, to which thou art dead, to which thou doft not confent, like, nor approve of, nor any way add any llrength thereto 5 but thy faith and love, delight and ftrength is in him^ which condemns it : he that truly is in this Faith and love, by the working thereof (hall all his Enemies perilh, and by that Faith and Love fhall the juft live in that Creature, and he in him con- demning and killing Sin till it all be done away, and the Creature of God found alive in him alone, who without fpot will prefent him to the Fa- ther : for this I have found, that that which ma* nifefts Sin in its firft motion, judges it there, and condemns it there, hath the only power to kill Sin e're it be committed, and fo hath only poiver to fave from condemnation \ for this you fhall find, that as Chrift doth not live to Juftification, where he is not believed and juftified, loved, followed, and confefTed, fo Sin doth not live to condemnation where it is hated, condemned, and denied 5 for where that Spirit of Wickednefs is feen in the Light, and feparated from, and judged apart from the Crea- ture, thf; Creature joyning in Judgment with the Juft, there Sin will whiter, and Satan flee, for there ho ( 3b& / 16^7. he hath no Kingdom, nor a hiding Habitation ^ for ^-'"'V''^ the Light being minded, and Judgment having free paflage and confent, it fearcheth out his hidden things, and Judgment pafTcth upon all his deceit, root and ground, v/ith his Fruits -^ fo is the ftrong Man fpoiled, and his fluff, by Faith in Chrift, and not hy ftrength of the Creature, but by believing the juft, and denying the unjuft. For according to every Man's Faith, fo fliall he receive from God : Now he that believes Salvation, and that cleaves to, and lives in fome Sin, and pleads for it, and believes he muft do fo, his Faith flands in an unclean thing, and an unclean thing will live by that Faith, and bejulLified by that Creature ^ and in his juftifying any thing that is unclean, therein is the juft condemned ^ and the juft being condemned which fhould give dominion over the unclean, the wild Plant hath its liberty to grow until it overfpread the Plant of God, and cover the Man, wholly flop the ear, and blind the eye, and hardens the heart againft every motion to good, or check for evil ^ and let not this Man look tor good Fruit, but after his Faith who fo Believes. Alfo, on the contrary, He that feels a ftrife in himfelf between the clean and the unclean, and fees the one reprove for Sin, and t' : ather plead for Sin, and believes in that whicli ib pare, clean and juft, which condemns the Unjuft and Unclean, that Faith ftandsin that which is pure, and the My- ftery ot it is held in a pure Confcience, and that pure Faith being followed, will purille the Heart, and cleanfe the Hands from unjuft bctions 5 and by that Faith the juft lives, and grows and fprings, and brings forth, and the pure Plant fprcads and covers the Earth with the Knowledge of God, his holinefs and purity, and all grace in the Heart, which becomes as a working leaven, till it hath wrought out the unclean Nature, and conformed the whole Man to himielf 5 and this is a W'ork of the holy Faith, which none can receive, but who believis believes in Holinefs •, for none can bring clean Fruit j6^ out of an unclean Faith. Ky^^sTs^^. And this further, for the encouragement of fuch as honeftly indeed would be rid of their Sin, and fet free to ferve God in Holinefs v^ithout deceit, thou feeling in thee the moving of that which is Holy, bearing witnefs againft that which is con- trary to Holinefs, and condemning it, and thee for joyning with it in all thy converfation : I fay, in that believe, for that is all thou knoweft of Chrift in thee ^ and believing and following it, thou wilt feel it making a feparation in thy inward Man, be- twixt that which Chrift comes to fave, and that which he comes to deftroy ^ for this is he that comes from Above, to fet before thee Life and Death di- vided, that thou joyning to the Life, and believing^ mayfi: be faved from Death : And as thou art faith- ful to this Spirit which condemns Sin in the flefh, fo thou wilt feel warring againft, and working . out Sin daily, to which if thou clearly joyn, de- nying that which it condemns, then art thou one Spirit with him in his Work, and art no longer in the Fleih, nor to be condemned with that Sin re- maining in the Flefh, but art one in him that con- demns Sin, and Self in Sinning, till Sin become exceeding iTnfiil in thy Eyes, as it is in the Eyes of God^ and as thou groweft in love and liking with that pure Spirit, its Law and Leadings, fo thou wilt become dead to the Law of Sin, and it will lofe its power in thee, not being minded, loved and ferved, thy mind, love and fear being exercifed in that which condemns it ^ and here that Faith that works by love takes the Victory, and not thy ftriving in thy own ftrength only from a fight of Sin by the Law, for by the works of the Law thou canft not be juilified, but by the working of Faith in Chrifl Jefus, that Spirit ^ and as thou feelefi: his v/orking in thee, and thou one with him therein, in his V/ork thou art juftified, and by beholding of him in this Faith, thou wilt be changed into his likenefs ( 368 ) j6$j, likenefs hy his mighty Power working in thee, L/^V^\Jeven by that Spirit to which thou art turned : And as he grows in thee, and thou in him, thou wilt feel that Power arifing which will make thee able to anfwer a good Confcience, and give lading Peace, and fo by his Refurredion fhall be faved from Con- demnation, from which thy own Works will not fave thee, and this Work will go on with joy, if thy Heart be honeft ^ for feeing him that is Holy fet before thee condemning Sin, and his Holinefs and Beauty in all his motions doth fo delight the honeft Heart, to fee fuch a Glory and Beauty near thee, that it makes the way eafie after him for the joy that is fet before thee ; for in all thy Tribula- tions, Tryals, and Temptations, this Faith will pre- fent him before thee-, and this made the Saints of old endure the Crofs, and defpife the fhame, and bear the reproach after him joyfully, following the Lamb in all his leadings. So thou that loveft Holinefs, it is near thee ^ Power over Sin and Satan is near thee : Salvation is at hand ^ go not forth to feek that abroad which thou haft loft in thy own Houfe^ he is thy Salvation that condemns Sin in thy Bofom ; he that reproves the Wicked is with thee : he that is pure is thy Peace: he that neverconfented toSin, but ftands a Witnefs againft it : if thou have fuch a Spirit in thee, thou haft the Spirit of Chrift the Saviour. So take heed unto him, to beliei^e in him, and to mind his leading, and to follow him ; if thou part not from him, he will be thy everlafting peace, and over-ruling power to fubdue thy Sins ^ and by him fhalt thou tread down ftrength with eafe and de- light, and ihalt be able to fiy with fuch as were come to the fame Spirit, Greater u he that k in thee^ than he that is in the World ^ and only that Faith that fees him hath power to overcome the World ^ for he that beholds his Glory, treads the World's Glory under his Feet *, for wharfoever is feen in him, doth fo fa-r exceed all other things, that it takes th@ ( 3^9 ) I the Mind ont of all other delights, and leaves them k^s*?- empty ^ fo that things in Heaven, and things in^^/'VN^ Earth, Principalities nor Powers are able to fepa- rate thee from the love of him, how much more wilt thou leave thy delight in Sin, when thou com- efl: to delight in him ! His love will conftrain thee, who loves purity, and hath found it, for this is Joy indeed, and Love unfpeakable, when the Soul finds that Treafure in his own Houfe freely given, which he hath long been feeking abroad, and could never purchafe, neither with Life nor Eflate. And the more thou beholdefi: him, the more will his Glory and Love appear ^ for as tliou in the Light beholdefl: the pure motions of the Holy One, thou wilt come to fee what thou art without him, and what thy Wants are, without which thou canft not be happy, and that thou canfl not have a laRing Peace till with his Vertue thou be filled, and with his Glory covered, and with his Power armed a- gainft every Temptation 5 'all which he v/ill make thee Heir of with him, as thou mindefl: to be faith- ful, and hearkens to his movings, to obey them ia all things, who thereby will lead thee his Vv\ay hy which he obtained all this Glorj^ and Power, and this Inheritance from the Father *, in which way thou wilt find a crofs to all thy own ways, and to the World's Spirit in all things ^ which will be eafie it thou keep thy Eye fingle to him who is fet be- foi-e thee therein, his Glory, and the gaining there- of: But if thou look back into the World, thou lookefl: into Temptation without him, and there the Spirit of the World prefents thee with Lofs, and not with Gain, fetting before thee what thou muft fore- go, with all the Hardihips and Impoifibilities that may be, but no Power to bear it -, but keeping the Eye to him, thou hafl: always Power and Peace be- fore thee in thy Way, the Hope thereof will be as an Anchor, and the Faith a Shield^ and the Love will give thee Life to undergo all the Tryals for his fake, bearing his Crofs daily, which muli part thee and thy Sins, and cruelty the Worldly Spirit with B b the (37^ i6*>7« the Lull: thereof, and kill all that yet wars crgainfl IW^^^ thy Soul, and keeps thee from thy Inheritance •, wherefore it is called , The great Power of God unto Salvation. And as thou becomefl: faithful thereto, thou wilt feel the Fruit of that Holy One fpringing in thee, moiling to be brought forth in thee towards God and Man, thy Faith will grow, and Prayers with ftrorg cries to the Father ^ as the Spirit fees thy waiits, thy Love will fpring and move in thee, and bring forth towards God and Man upon all occa- iions-, which if thou willingly ferve in its finalleft motion, it will increafe , but if thou quench it in its movingj, and refufe to bring it forth, it will wither and dry in thee, not being exercifed. And it is the like of Gentlenefs, Meeknefs, Pa- tience, and all other Vertues which are of a fpring- ing and fpreading Nature, where they are not Quenched, but fuifered to come forth to his Praife in his will and time, who is the Begetter thereof, and to the comfort of his own Seed, and crofs to the World : And if thou be faithful daily to offer np thy Body as a Sacrifice^ to bring forth his I- mage, Name, and Power before his Enemies, then what he moves thee to bring forth fhall be thy In- heritance, and will daily encreafe with ufing •, but if thou wilt not give up for his Name fake, but would hold the Treafure, and efcape the Reproach, then will it be taken from thee, and given to hiui who v/iil yield the Lord of the Vineyard hif Fruit in due feafon ^ for that which the Father freely be* gets, he will have freely brought forth, that the iliining thereof in the dark World may praife him. What a Glory is it to fee Peace ihine in the midft of War, Love in the midft of Hatred, Meeknefs m the midfl of Strife, rigliteous Judgment in the midft I . of Wickednefs, Innocency in the midft of Violence and Opprelfion -, as a Lilly amongft Thorns, fo is that of God amongft the Men of the World ^ and therein doth his Nature and Beauty appear in his Temple, to which ail mull confefs, and praife him therein* This ( 371 ) This IS the Glorious Day which many- have tallced 1*5 5*7* on, and thofe only are the Children of it, in whom ^-^^>^0 the brightnefs Ihines forth •, that which God begets in thee is his Son, confefs him in the mid ft of his Enemies, and thereby is the Father glorified, and his Son crowned : But if thou deniefl him to teftifie againft the World, he will deny thee his Life to Re- deem thee from the Evil of it^ the breaking forth of the Son is the beginning of the good Day, when that which fo long hath codemned thee for Sin, comes to fhine forth freely in a6ts of Righteoufnefs, then fhali thy Darknefs be turned into Light, thy Condemnation into Peace, thy forrovv for Sln^ to rejoyce in Holinefs ^ and this will be a good Day to thee, even the Day of the Lord's Righteoufnefs and Redemption to thy Soul, and a witnefs to all Men of the appearance of the juft one ^ which Teftimo- ny whofoever refufeth to bear, all his Religion will prove in vain, and confifts in Words without Power. There is a way in which the barren becomes fruit- ful, and a little is more ferviceable to God than he that hath great Riches for himfelf ^ you that fee your wants are nigh it, and the lowly Mind will foonefl follow it •, and for the honeft hearted it ia prepared, who feek to ferve God, and not your lelves. If you take heed to your own wa3rs, and make nothing in your Minds, you mull: not create that v/hich nmft ftand before God, for he will be ferved with his own begettings in you. Take heed therefore that you make nothing to your felves, nor murther that which he freely be- gets, but let your Minds be always Heavenly, wait- ing with Patience in that which lets you fee your wants therewith, that your Hearts may be open al- ways upward towards God the Father of every good gift •, and you being hid in the Heavenly Mind from that Nature which compafTeth the Earth in its comprehenfions, and v/ould compafs Heaven alfoj and waiting in a crofs to that Mind, as you come into the patient ftilnefs, you will feel the begettings B b 2 of { ( 370 1 6 57' of the Father moving in you to be brought forth? K/^sn^ to which you mull become Servants, fetting alide all fubtilry, and that which is hafty, and whatever is your own, or hath an end to your felves, and in the pure Mind behold what way this moves its ap- pearance againft the Worldly fpirit, that with your whole hearts and might you may bring it forth in its own Image, without reafoning or confulting with any thing of your own, or any thing of this World, for this arifeth in a contrary nature to that which is one with tlie World, bears another image and fruit, and hath another glory in its appear- ance, in which the Father alone is glorified, even in this his Son of his own free begetting^ and here- in is the Father glorified, that he be brought forth with his fruits into the World, who thereby isknowri how far he is above and contrary to the worldly fpirit, both in the ground, root, and off-fpring. And whofoever will give up themfelves to ferve him herein by his increafe, Ihall become rich tQ- ivards God, and increafe in ftrength daily againft the World, and hy bringing forth, and hy his beau- ty in holine fs, ihall become glorious and beloved in the 27ght of the Father, whofe image and begetting they bear, v/herein they fhail become Heirs of the eternal glory. But if you look into the earthly mind, there the worldly fpirit meets you with his counsel, and con- fulting and reafoning therewith, you take counfel in the Night, from which the counfel of God is hid, his work, the end and glory thereof^ and inftead cf that, you will beprelented with the pleafure and glory of this World, which ftand in vifible things, and is pleafing to the vifible eye and fenfes, which glory the god of this World fees into, and leads into, in which his wifdom and knowledge ftands, which cannot enter into the invifible Glory and Treafure. And in this Spirit that knows not God, nor his works,, but feeks his own gloiy, will you meet with the Thief and Murtherer, Sons of Dark- iiefs, who will perfwade you ftrongly to murther ( 373 3 tlie pure motion, and not to bring it forth ^ or elfe t^^t. fo to bring it forth as that the Image thereof may^^'^V^V be fo mar'd, as not to bear its clear and perfect Teftimony againfl: the World's Kingdom, Power and Glory ; And this you cannot avoid if you look back into his counfel, and confult with your own reafon- ings, wherein arifes thoughts, cares and pleafures out of the World, which cumber the Mind, choak the Seed, and cover the Peirl with earthly affedions and lufts, which continual!}'" harden the Heart, and ftrengthen the will againft the Innocent, and fo flay the Juft Spiritually, for want of bringing forth in its time, and according to its motion ^ which when you have rejected, you cannot beget again of yourfelves, nor in your own wills, though you may procure the likenefs from another Spirit in that na» ture which refifts the Truth, and corrupts the Mind, and brings forth in its own will, as fome have done, who having difobeyed the ftill motion of the meek Spirit, and looking for high things, God hath given them up to a lofty Spirit, and ftrong workings in '4 contrary Nalure, who now have a Power where- with to refifl that v/hich lirfi begot them out of the World, and a moving Spirit which draws towards the World again, which being got into the Place of God (as God) makes them believe that their return is of the fame Spirit that called them out, to which they yielding the fame obedience, thenceforth with- out fear, become the fame they were, if not feven fold worfe, v/ithout all hope of recovery ^ ?ind this difobedience becomes as Witchcraft. Wherefore in the fear of God watch with all dili- gence, hearken in the fimplicity of your Hearts, and take heed that you flip not any time of hear- ings, nor prove falfe in your conception or bringing forth, but that both Calling and Election may he made fure to you, not only by being in the know- ledge of it, but alfo by bringing it forth, that it may be your own for ever •, for that which you bring forth is your Inheritance, and none can take i|; from yQi:|^ but you have power therein againfl all B b 5 CQU- ( 374 ) i6$i. contrary Spirits, which whilft it is but In the nio- t/^VNJ tion, will lirongly tempt, and feek the life thereof to ilifle -5 but being brought forth, it is before you, and only To it is put on as a Breafl: plate, and be- comes a defence, which being begot, and not brought forth, it withers and becomes ,as dry Bones in th^ Womb. Therefore, as you mud give your Minds wholly to hearken, fo mufl: you give your ftrength wholly to obey : and when you feel the pure to move in you, with your whole ftrength ferve it, and bring it forth, give up your Bodies a Sacrifice for his fake whom you have not feen, that his Life may be made manifeft in your mortal fiefh, and through you to the World, that he may be feen in his brightnefs to you that love him, and before his Enemies, then is the Body for the Lord, and not for Fornication : But if you reft in the knowledge of this Myftery, and bring not forth to Life, with that knowledge you commit Fornication, and teach others to coni- init Fornication alfo j this knowledge in the difo- bedient Mind becomes the Mother of Harlots, and Fornications of the Earth, with which the Kings of the Earth are deceived, but none thereby ever joyned to God. For it is not the hearing of the Truth that puri- fies the Soul, but the obedience of Truth which makes the VelFel fit for the Mafter's ufe, who in his ufing, and its obedience, makes it a Veflel of Ho- < pour, and glorifies his Son therein, in your Bodies to do the Father's Will in the World, whereby thq Father is glorified in the Son, in whom he Ihines : forth, as the Father begets him again in you, and ^ you in him, (who u^as with the Father before the World was,) of his own nature and good will, which as you receive again by Faith and Obedience, you will be changed into the fame Lnago and Nature, 3nd to delight only therein, being born of the fame Spirit^ as he that is born of the Flelh, delights in •Jbe things of the Flefh* The ( 575 ) >fThe LAMB'S War/ AGAINST THE MAN of SIN; The End of it^ the Manner of it^ and "what he IVars againji. His Wea^onSj his Colours^ and hk K'lng^ donif \And How all may hno'w ^whether they he in it^ or no ; and ^whether the fame Chrifl he in them^ that is^ "was^ and u to come ^ and their Faithfulnefs or Unfaithfulnefs to him* THE Lord God Almighty, to whom belongs all the Kingdoms in Heaven and Earth, doth nothing therein but by his Son, the Lamb, by him he Creates and Governs ^ by him he Saves and Condemns, Judges and Juftifies-, makes Peace, and makes War, and whatfoever he doth, he is at his right hand in all places, who in him hath long fuffered the burthen of Iniquity, and oppref- lipn of Wickedntfs th^t hath abounded for niaay B b 4 Qz-aQ^ (376) ,;. i^H'^ Generations, till it be come to the full meafure, as ^'^ in the days of old : and now his appearance in the l^air.b (as ever it was when Iniquity was full) is to make War with the God of this World, and to plead with his Subjeds concerning their revolt from him their Creator, who ordered their beginning, and gave them a Being, and their breaking the Order that was in the beginning, and giving up their O- bedience to the Worldly Spirit, and the inventions thereof, till they become fo far one v/ith it, as that it hath not only defiled their Souls and Bodies, blinded their Eyes, ftopt their Ears, and fo made the Creature utterly unprofitable to God, and unfit for a Tem.ple for him to be worlhipped in, or to hear the Voice, or underftand the Mind of the Eter^ nal Spirit, by which they were Created, but that they are alfo become open Enemies to every check and reprcof of that Spirit which fhould lead them tb'tjod, and doth teftifie againfl their evil deeds, and are not afraid to fpeak againft it as a thing not- worth the minding, nor able to lead them in the way of^ Truth. Thus hath God loft the Creature out of his Call and Service, and he is become one wi;h theJS^od of this World, to ferve and obey him in ways that dodefpite to the Spirit of Grace ^ and nc\w ufe the Creation againft the Creator. Now a-f gai^ift^ this evil Seed, and its whole work brought forth in that nature, doth the LAMB make War, to take vengeance of his Enemies. The End of his War is^ TO Judge this Deceiver openly before all the Cre- ation, Ihewing that his ways, fafhions, and cuftoms, are not whctt God ordered for Man to live in, in the Beginning, to bind him, and to redeem him out of his Captivity, all who will but believe in the Lamb, and are weary of this Service and Bondage to his Enemy, and who will but come forth and give their Names and Hearts to joyn with him, and beai? ( 977 ) bear his Image and Teftiinony openly before all i(5^7.' Men, and willingly follow him in fuch waysL/^V'V} wherein the Father hath given him yi(5tory over this Pov/er, for himfelf, and all that follow him, to redeem tliem to God ^ and the reft who will not be- lieve and follow him, and bear his Image, them to condemn with the Deftroyer into everlafting de- ftrudlion, and to reftore all things, and make all things new, as they were in the beginning, that God alone may rule in his own Work. Ihe manner ofhk War /x, FIrft, That he may be juft who is to judge all Men and Spirits, he gives his Light jinto their Hearts, even of Man and Woman, whereby he lets ail fee (who will mind it) what he is difpleafed with, what is with him, and what is againft him \ what he owns, and what he difowns, that fo all may know what is for deftrudtion, to come out of it, left they be deftroyed with it, that fo he may fave and receive all that are not wilfully difobe* dient, and hardened in the pleafures of this World, againft him •, all who are deceived, who are willing to be undeceived \ all who are captivated, who are willing to be fet free^ all that are in darknefs, and are willing to come to light. In a word, all that love Righteoufnefs more than the pleafures of Sin, that he may not deftroy them, nor they fight a- gainft him, and know it not, but that he may re- ceive them, to be one with him againft that which hath mifled and deceived them ^ and as many as turn at his reproof, he doth receive, and gives them Power in Spirit and Lite to be as he is, in their meafure, but all in Watching, and Wars againft that which hath had them, and now has the reft of the Creation in Bondage, that he may reftore all things to their former Liberty. What ( 378) ^yy^ W'bat they are to war againjl, ANd that is, whatever is not of God, whatever the Eye (which loves the World) lufts after ^ whatever the Flefh takes Delight in, and whatever fiends in Refped of Perfons Cas faith the Scripture) the Luft of the Eye, the Luft of the Flelh and the Pride of Life, thefe are not of God^ and whatever the God of the World hath begotten in Mens Hearts topradife or to plead for, which God did not place there, all this the Lamb and his Followers war a- gainft, which is at Enmity with it, both in them- felves, and wherever they fee it •, for in the Work of God alone is his Kingdom, and all other Works will he deftroy. So their Wars are not againfl: Crea- tures, they wrefile not with Flefh and Blood which God hath made, but vvith fpiritual Wickednefs, ex- alted jn the Hearts of Men and Women, where God aloiie fhould be, and pleaded for, by which tliey become Enemies to God, and their Souls are deftroy- ed. Indeed their War is againft the whole Work and Device of the god of this World, his Laws, his Cur ftpms, his Fafhions, his Inventions, and all which are to add to^ or take from the Work of God, which was in the Beginning : This is all Enmity againft the Lamb and his Followers, who are entered intQ the Covenant which was in the Beginning 5 and therefore no V/onder v^hy they are hated by the god of this World, and his Subjeds, who come to fpoil him of all at once^ and to deftroy the whole Body of Sin, the Foundation and Strength of his King- dom, and to take the Government to himfelf, that God may wholly Rule in the Heart of Man, and 24an v/holly live in the Work of God. What their Weapons are, AN D as they war not againft Mens Perfons, fa their Weapons are not carnal, nor hurtful to any of the Creation ^ for the Lamb comes not to deftroy Mens Lives, nor the Work of God, and there? i ( 579 ) therefore at his Appearance }n his !Siibjefl:s, he puts 16^7.' Spiritual Weapons into their Hearts and Hands -, i^/^y\) their Ai niour is the Light, their Sword the Spirit of the Father and the Son, their Shield is Faith and Patience, their Paths are prepared with the Gofpel of Peace, and Good- will towards all the Creation of God ^ their Breaft-Plate is Righteoulhefs and Holi- nefs to God, their Mnids are girt with Godlinefs, and they are covered with Salvation, and they are taught with Truth. And thus the Lamb in them, and they in him, go out in Judgment and Righte- oufnefs, to make War with liis Enemies, conquering and to conquer, not as the Prince of this World in his Subjeds, with Whips and Prifpns, Tortures and Torments on the Bodies of Creatures, to kill afid deftroy Mens Lives, who are deceived, and fp be- come his Enemies ^ but he goes forth in the Power of the Spirit with the W^ord of Truth, to pafs Judg- ment upon the Head of the Serpent, which doth deceive and bewitch the World, and covers his own with his Love, whilll he kindles Coals of Fire on the Head of his Enemies ^ for with the Spirit of Judgment and with the Spirit of Burning will he plead with his Enemies 5 and having kindled the Fire, and awakened the Creature, and broken their Peace and Reft in Sin, he vv^aits in Patience to prevail to re- cover the Creature and flay the Enmity, by fuffering all the Rage, and Envy, and evil Entreatings, that the Evil Spirit that rules in the Creature can call upon him, and he receives it all with Meeknefs, and Pity to the Creature, returning Love for Hatred, wreftling with God againft the Enmity, with Prayers and Tears Night and Day, with Fafting, Mourning and Lamentation, in Patience, in Faithfulnefs, in Truth, in Love unfeigned, in Long-SnfFering, and in 'all the Fruits of the Spirit, that if by any Means he may overcome Evil with Good, and by this his Light in the Sight of the Creature, that the Eye may come to be opened, which the god of this W^orld hath blinded, that fo the. Creature might fee what it ( 38o ) 1^5:7. it IS he thus hates, and what Fruits he himfelf l/^VV? brings forth, that the Creature may be convinced he is no Deceiver, but hath with him the Life and Power of Innocency and Holii^efs, in whom he rules. And this Preaching hath a Power in it, to open the Eye of all that are not wilfully blind, becaufe they love the Deeds of Darknefs, and fuch are left with- out Excufe for ever. And thus he in his Members inany times wreflles, and preaches to the Spirits in Prifon, with much long fuffering towards the World, a Nation, or a particular Perfon, before he gives them up, and Numbers them for Deftrudion ^ yea, fometimes, till their Rage againfl him, and Cruelty exercifed upon his Members be fo great, that there be no Remedy, as in the Days of Old, 2 Chroa* 36. 15, 16. A;jd thefe Tru'its are his Colours he holds f of th to all the Worldy in fuch oi he reigns in, AS they come to obey him, he covers them v/ith Love, Gentlenefs, Faith, Patience and Purity, Grace and Virtue^ Temperance and Self-denial, Meeknefs, and Innocency all in white, that follow him, in whom he is, who walk themfelves as he walked, in all things conforming to God, with Bold- nefs and Zeal, owning the Lamb to be their Leader, with him teflifying againft the World, That the Deeds thereof are Evil, themfelves the mean while covered with his Righteoufnefs, againfl: all the Storms and Tempefts that they mufi: be fure to meet with- jil, who bear that Teftimony which the Lamb hath ever born, in whom he appeared to the convincing of the World -, that he is the fame that ever he was from the Beginning, that all that will believe and love Holinefs, may fee where it is to be found, and come forth to him, and be faved, that the whole World become not as Sodom in the Day of Wrath, which ever comes upon a People, or a Nation, after Chrift hath thus appeared, and been rejected thereof. What ( 3Si ) 'What his Kingdom is. t^^VX^ THE Power, the Glory and Compafs of it is not comprehended with mortal Underftanding, which was before all Beginnings, and endures for ever, who orders and limits all Spirits in Heaven and Earth, who rules in the Rulers of the Earth, and in all heavenly Places, though many Spirits know him not, till they have felt his Reproof for their Re- bellion againft him ^ his Sufferings are free for Loves fake, which is naturally in him to the Creation, be- ing his Off-fpring, for which caufe he becomes meek and lowly, that he may bear the Infirmities of the Creation, which doth no way take from his Power, who is equal with the Father, but doth manifefl: his Power to be unlimited, in that he beareth all things, his Dominion he hath amongft the Heathen, and his Hands are in the Counfels of the Kings of the Earth, and there is no Place where he is not, who defcends below all Depths, and afcends far above all Heavens, that he may fill all things. But hisKingdom in this World, invv^hich he chief- ly delights to walk, and make himfelf known, is in the Hearts of fuch as have believed in him, and owned his Call out of the World, whofe Hearts he hath purified, and whofe Bodies he hath walhed in Obedience, and made them fit for the Father to be woriliipped in. And in fuch he rejoyces and takes delight, and his Kingdom in fuch is Righteoufnefs and Peace, in Love, in Power and Purity, he leads them by the gentle Movings of his Spirit, out of all their own Ways and Wills, in which they would de- file themfelves, and guides them into the Will of the Father, by which they become more clean and holy ^ deeply he lets them know his Covenant, and how far they may go and be fafe, he gives them his Laws and his Statutes, contrary in all things to the God of this World, that they may be known to be his before all his Enemies-, if they keep his Coun- fel they are fafe, but if they refufe, he lets them know C 382 ) i^T> l^now the Corredion of the Father, his Prefenre is ^-^'^VN^ great Joy to them of a willing Mind^ but with the Froward he appears in Frowardnefs^ the Kifles of his Lips are Life Eternal, but who may abide his Wrath > The Secrets of the Father are v/ith him, and he maketh all his Subjects wife ^ he makes them all of one Heart, and with Himfelf of the fame Mind j hij: Governnient is wholly pure, and no unclean Thing can abide his Judgments. As an3r come into his Kingdom the}^ are known, and their Change is to be ieen of all Men -, he keeps them low in Mind, and a meek Spirit doth he beget in them ^ and with his Power he leads them forth againft all the Enmi-* ty of the Evil One, and makes all Conditions com- fortable to them who abide in his Kingdom. Now thefe are the laft Times, and many falfe Chriil's there muft appear, and be mademanifeftby the true Chrift, with their falfe Prophets, falfe Ways and ialfe Worlhips, and falfe Worfhipers, which though they be at Wars one with onother, yet not the Lamb's War. Now feeing he hath appeared, who is from Everlafting and changeth not, here is an Everlafting Tryal for yon all, all forts of Pro- feflors, whether you profefs him from the Letter or the Light ^ Come try whether Chrift is in you, mea- iure your Life, and weigh your Profeillon with that which cannot deceive you, which hath flood, and will ftand for ever, for he is fealed of the Father. Now, in Truth to God and your own Souls, prove your Work in time, left you and it perifti together^ Firft, fee if your Chrift be the fame that was from Everlafting to Everlafting, or is he chajiged accord- ing to the times, in Life, in Death, in Peace and Wars, in Reigning, in Suffering, in cafting out and receiving in ^ and if you find the true Chrift, then prove your Faithfulnefs to him in all things: Doth he whom you obey as your Leader, lead you out to War againft this World, and all the Pride and Glor}^, Faihions andCuftoms, Love and Plea- fures, and whatever elfe is not of God therein > And (3^3 ) And to give up yaur Lives unto Deatli, rattier than i^^yl knowingly to yield your Obedience thereto > Doth t-/'W? he juftifie any Life now, but what he juftified in the Prophets and Apoftles, and Saints of Old ? Doth he give hisSubjeds Liberty now to bow to the god of this World, and his Ways, in things that he hath denied in the Saints of Old, and for denying whereof many, both then and now, have fufFered ? Is he at Peace in you whilft you are in the Flelbly Pleafures, or whilft you have Fellowfliip with the unclean Spirits that are in the World? Doth he not lead out of the World, and to ftrive againfl: it in Watchings, Faftings, Prayers, and ftrong Cries to the Father^ that you may be kept, and others delivered from the Bondage and Pollutions of it ? Is his Kingdom the fame in you ? And doth he give out the fame Spiritual Lav/s againft all the Laws and Cuftoms of the Man of Sin in you, as he hath done in his Subjects in all Ages? doth he beget in your Hearts a New Nature, contrary to the World's Nature in all Things, Motions and Delights like himfelf, whereby he works out the Old Nature that inclines to the World, and can beat peace there- in. And now your Peace is wholly in him, and that which crucifies the World to you, and you to it, is your Joy and Delight? Hath he called you out of this World, to bear his Name before the Powers thereof, and put his Teftimony into your Hearts, and the fame Weapons into your Hands as were ufed by the Saints oi: Old againft the Powers of Darknefs, whereby you have Power given to o- vercome Evil with Good ? And many other Fruits you may find, which he ever brought forth in his Chofen, v/hereby they were known to be in him, and he in them ^ for which the World hates them. By all which you may clearly know, if he be the fame in you to Day, as he was Yefterday in his People, and for ever ^ for he changeth not, nor conforms to the World, nor the Will of any Crea- ture, but changes all his Follov/ers, till they become in (3^0 l^5^7' ^^ ^^^ things like himfelf ; for they mufl: bear his C/^'^V^ Name and Image before all Men and Spirits. Now if you profefs the fame as was, and is, and is to come, the fame for evermore, the fame Chrill-, the fame Calling in )'ou that was in all the People of God, then prove your faithfulnefs in anfwering and obeying : Uho is it that fees not that Wars are begun > and to whom hath not the found gone forth* The Children of Light have piiblijTied the Gofpel of Light throughv)ut the World, and the Prince of Darknefs hath fhewn his enmity againfl it •, the Lamb hath appeared with his Weapons as before-mentioned, in much long fuffering, and the God of this "World hath appeared to withftand him with his Weapons, and hath prevailed unto blood with much eagernefs , and the Lamb hath prevailed onto fuffering with much meeknefs and patience, each of them in their Subjects, in whom thefe con- trary Spirits adl one againit another 5 and now fee what part you take, who hath hired 3^ou, and whofe Work are you in, or are you idle, looking on > Or are you gone out with the Beaft of the Field, and regard nothing but your Bellies and Pleafures ? Doth it not greatly concern you to try your States, fee- ing all muft come fpeedily to an jiccount for their Lives and Service > Are you fuch as fpend your Time and Strength in Watching and Praying to the Father of Spirits for your felves and the Peo- ple of God, that they may be kept in the tim.e of Temptation, and aifaultsof the Evil one, who feeks his advantage on the weak Brethren •,^ and for your Enemies, that they may be delivered from under his Power, who are captivated by him at his Will, to fulfil his Lulls and Envy, and fatisfie liis Wrath upon the Innocent. And do you deny your felves of your pleafures, profits, eafe and liberty, that you may hold forth a chafl converfation in the power and life of gentle- nefs, meeknefs, faithfulneis and truth, exerciilng a Conlcience void of offence towards God, and ail /jr Men- ( 3«5 ) Men, that thereby you may fhine forth in Righte- i^s"?* oufnefs, fo as to convince your Enemies whom you L/'W> pray for ^ thus following him who laid down his Lite for his Enemies. Is this your War, and thefe your Weapons? Is this 3'-our Calling, and are you faithful to him that hath called you hereto, fo as you can by no means bow to the God of this World, nor his ways, though it were to fave your Lives or Credit in the World, or Eflates, and yet can ferve the meanefl Creature in God's way, though to the lofs of all > I befeech you be faithful to your own Souls herein: Do you find nothing in you that calls or moves this way, or reproves the contrary } If there be, are you not fuch as quench the Spirit, and put out your own Eye, and deny the Lamb's Call againft your own Lives ? and if there be not, then are you not dead Members, cut off from Chriff, and all your Profeffion is but a Lye, and without Chrift you are in the World? O that you would prove your own felves^ for there be many deceit- ful workers at this day of his appearance, who do the work of the Lord negligeniiy and deceitfully, and many do their own work infiead of his ^ and many are called, and for a while abide, but in the time of hardihip prove deceitful, and return to ferve in the World again, and take pleafure therein ^ others are called and convinced, but come half out of the World, even as far as they can do it with- out lofs or fhame, but keep their Covenant there- with ftill, in what makes mod for their gain, or Earthly Advantage or Credit : Others^have an- fwered their Call, and been faithful in the Covenant of the Lamb againft the Prince of this World, fo far as they have feen^ but not minding the watch againft the Enemy, and not keeping low in the fear, and zealous in the light, have fufFered the Simplicity to be deceived, and are led back to the old beggarly rudiments of the World again, and take that for their perfedtion and growth, which once they had vomited up ^ and thefe exped great C c things n^ 165:7. things in their work -^ but they are Hinder than iyy^ the reft, and more to be pitied, becaufe of the Sim- plicity that is deceived. Many other grounds there be that bring not Fruit to perfedion,. who are not found faithful to him that hath called them therein^ fo that now the truth is, that many are called, but few chofen and faithful ^ many are afhamed at the Lamb's appear- ance, it is fo low, and weak, and poor, and con- temptible, and many are afraid, feeing fo great a Power againfl: him ^ many be at work in their imaginations, to compafs a Kingdom, to get power over Sin, and peace of Confcience, but few will deny all to be led by the Lam*b in a way they knew not, to bear his Teftimony and Mark againfl: the World, and fuffer for it with him. Now de- ceit hath taught you to fay, and may be you think it alfo, God forbid but you ftiould fufFer with Chrifi: till deaths but com.e to the trial in deed and truth ^ Doth not he fufFer under all the pride and pleafures of tbe flefh, by all manner of excefs, by all manner of cufloms and fafhions, not of God, but of the World?* Is not all againfl him that is tiot of him and the Father ? Is not the Luft of the Eye, and of the Flefh, and pride of Life, his Op- prefTois? And do you that live in thefe things, and fafhions, and plead for them, fuffer v/ith him by them, or \Var with him againfl them ? then would you be weary of them, and not pradife nor plead for them againft him : This you will find true in the end, you cannot fufFer with him, and ferve his Enemies. 3^58. (T^-^^^ y^^ ^^^^ ^' Eafe, and in your Pleafures and \^ Profits, and cover your felves with Worldly Glory, whilfi: Chrifi: Jefusis glorified in his Temples with Moc]vings,Stockings,Stonings,Whipping,and ail manner of Evil Intreatings 5 caft into Holes, Pits and Dungeons, having none on Earth to take his part, nor plead his Righteous Caufe, nor once to take notice of his Innocent Sufferings j but v;ho as will. (387) Xvin, may tread down his precious Life in the t6^2l. open Streets, without refiftlDg 5 and this for no '^/'^y^ other thing, but tor teftifying again ft the deeds of the World, that they are Evil ; the Pride and Op- preifion, falfe Ways and falfe Worihips, never fet up by him but in the Will of Mt?n, and fo main- tained againft him, which he inuft judge with a contrary appearance, e're he come to his Ki) gdom^ And do you fufFer with him ]\ 'dn, who have a Heart confenting to thefe things, if not a Hand deeply in them-, fecret or open, either in this cruelty ading or contriving, or in curfed and fcornful Speeches condemning them that bear v/itnefs, as a fooliih ignorant People, and that they bring theii? Sufferings upon themfelves, by their own wills, and fo fhoot your poyfoned Arrows one way or other againft that Spirit which leads, and hath ever led fuch as do not refill and difobey him, into the fame Teftimony, and fo in fecret you become worfe than open Perfecutors. Or it may be fom.e few be come as far as ■Piiate, who wafhed his own Hands, while* others Ihed the innocent Blood 5 and thefe are few indeed, who thus far will openly confefs the jufi: and inno- cent Lord before his Accufers, in what VelTel he is thus honoured. But will the beft of thefe ftand in Judgment as Sufferers with him^ Or will he know you at his ap- pearance, by this mark ? Are thefe his Steps you follow ? Or is this his Image, or Power, War or Weapons ? Will this Suffering bring you to reign with him, or he in you to your peace? Or will this Crofs crucilie you to the World, and the World to you > Do you walk as he walked, or hath he left you fuch Example to follow ? Search the Scriptures, and read the Life of them, and your own Lives, with the Light of Chrift Jefus, and ceafe to Blaf* pheme any longer, in faying you are Chriftians, while in Chrift you are not, but in a contrary Spi- rit, and contrary Life. And your Fellowfliip is C c 2 noe ( 388 ) i^$8. not with htm in SufFering, but with them by whom ^*^^VN; he Suffers. Were ever Chriftians at their eafe and worldly delights, whilft Chrift hath not where to reft his Head •, thrufi: out of your Meeting-places, Towns, and Markets, and every AflTembly, if he do but te- ftifie againft the Evil thereof > Are you afleep in the World, and doth it not awaken ycu, to fee or hear how fudden a return that bloody Spirit hath made, lately in part caft out > and with what Power he is now entringy like to exceed feven-fold what he hath this many Generations, making daily havock of the Lambs > Is it a time for you to Riot in, to fatisfie your Lufts, to eat and drink^ and rife np to play, and fpend your time and ftrength (ma- ny of you) fo as modeft Heathens would blufn at, and then lay you are Chriftians, and fuffer with Chrift. Surely were you Members of that Body, ©r fenfible of his Sufferings herein, you would not add thereto a greater weight, norjoyn to his Ad- verfary the Devil, whofe works thefe are, but on the Lord's part every one up and be Armed in the Light J with the Armour of the Lamb (as before men'- tioned) to withftand tliefe and other the Tempta-^^ tions of his Enemy, and in Sufferings witnefs a- gainft them. Do you not daily read of fuch a Te^ ftimony in the Scriptures, born againft the murderer by the Lamb ? How long fball it be eVe the Life of what you profefs, be i^ten in the face of your Converfation, Teachers, and People? When will you Teachers ap- prove your felves as the Minifters of God, and Suffer- ers with Chrift, (as faith the Scripture which you profefs) in much patience^ In affiitlions^ in n^ceffi- ties^ in diftrejfes\ in ft ripe s above meafure^ in prijons^ frequently^ in deaths often^ in tumults, in labours^ in watchings^ in hunger, in fafiings oft, in cold and nakednefs, in poverty, in long fuffe ring, and love un- feigned, in honour and difl)Gnour, in evil reports and good reports^ as deceivers (yet true ) as unknown^ forrov*^ ( 389 ) fvrroxmng^ chaff gned^ poor^ having nothing, yet co- i^^8. veting no Mans Money, making it your Rezvard to L/'VNiP ^eep the Go/pel without Charge^ and much more of this felf-denying Nature, which is the Armour of Righteoufnefs the Minifters of Chrift put on, and with fuch Weapons they went out to fight with Beafts, and Belly gods, Falfe Prophets, greedy Dogs, Hirelings, and all forts that went after the error of jB^/j^;» for Wages, Gifts or Rewards. And by thefe marks of Chrift they were ever to be known from BaaPs Priejls, and fuch as the World called and fet up in the will of Man, and in the Spirit of Chrift did openly War again!?: them with the Sword of h^ Mouthy and do to this day, even to the day of Judg- ment. In whom the Scriptures are fulfilled, whi-ch cannot be broken. Now why will you not meafure your felves with this Meafure, feeing this only is fealed to all Gene- rations of God's Minifters, (witnefe the Scriptures.) Nay, why are you fo exceedingly blind, and wick- ed above meafure^ that if you be found in the con- trary Nature, Life and Pradice, and God fend fome fo warn you thereof, and hold forth the Lamb's Teftimony againft you, you prefently fuffer the Evil One to get up in you, and in rage and mad^ iiefs (not minding this to be Obedience to God in them, and his Love and Faithfulnefs to your Souls) feek to caft fome of thefe things before-mentioned upon them ; and fo your Revenge turns to their double honour, and doubles a Witnefs againft your lelves, to your own Condemnation, and that you have not tfie Spirit of Chrift in you. And fome of you exceed in this, above year fore-fathers , for who^T) the Lambs of God have a Lamentation ^ yet muft God be juftified when he comes to Judgment, for you will be found far off the fuiFering with Chrift, though with your Lips you honour him. Surely he that hath a living Confcience, may mpch admire how you get over thefe Scriptures in your teaching of others^ and not to wound your; C c 2 fc'lvtS, I '^ 590 ) 111658. felves, or pierce your Hearts with Fear, and your iji^^W; Faces with blulhing, who are found fo abfolute in contradidion thereto, in Converfation, and unlike in your Lives, in the fight of ever}'' open Eye. Or how you can muzzle )rour Confciences while you pafs A'-our Prayers, that your own Mouth do not Condemn yoa? It's no wonder why you are fuch Enemies to the Light withiu. Every one that doth Evil hdteth the Light, And you Hearers of all forts, how long will it be e're you hearken what the Lord faith to your Souls } who is no Refpeder of Perfons, but every ane that bears not the Image of his Son in well- doing, he hates, though with Cain you Sacrifice, or with EJau you praj^with Tears. That with the Light of Chrift in your own Hearts you may fee how the World's Lufts have fpoiled Jrour Souls of that Hea- venly Image, and hath Captivated your Minds into its felf, and likenefs, and how you lie dead in Sin, covered with Earth, and daubed over with the words of Men. Oh! that you would awake, before Wrath awaken you, and put on the Armour of God, not relying any longer on Men that beat the Air, to fight your Battels, againft him who is got into your Hearts 5 but that your felves, as Soldiers of Chrift, may all come toufe the Spiritual IVeapons againft the Spiritual Wickednefs exalted in the Tem- ple of God, fo that you can neither fee nor ferve God therein, being filled with Wicked and worldly Cumbrances. That's the Spiritual Weapon which Captivate^ every thought to the Obedience of Chrift, and this is the true Warfare, and is mighty through God, to caft down the ftrong holds of the Man of Sin in you •, and having in a readinefs to revenge all Dif- obedience •, knov/ing that he that will not be led by the Spirit of God is for Condemnation. And only thefe Weapons are effedtual to cleanfe the Heart of all that exalts it felf againft the Life and Knowledge -of God, and to make way for his Appearance ; which ( 391 ) which no Man's words who is in the fame Evils hath 1^78. Power to do-, for this Power is only in Chrift hisL/^^NJ Light and Life. And only blefled are they who feel and find this Treafare working in the Earthen Veflel, fuch fhall approve their own Work to God, and have praife thereof, not of Men. So ftiould you come to fee what others have faid in Scripture, concerning the Lamb of God^ who takes away the Sins of the World, and favingly feel the Power of his Crofs, of his Death and Refurredion, and the everlafting purity of his Life, and that Eternal Love the Father bears thereto, an everlafting Inhe- ritance to all who Learn him, and attain his Ap- pearance, whofe Beauty is blefled for ever. Called, Chofen and Faithful are the Servants and Subjeds of Cbriji's Kingdom y in whom at this Day, he maintains War againft the Prince of this World, the Beaftand his Seat, with the Falfe Prophet, and all that ferve under his Dominion, and obey his Laws which he hath fet up. Now you that cry. The Kingdoms of this World are become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of hii Chrift 5 See that it be Truth in you, and that you Lye not within your felves. The Lamb^s War YOU muft know, before you can witnefs his Kingdom, and how you have been called into his War, and whether you have been Faithful and Chofen there or no. He that preaches the Kingdom of Chrift in Words, without Vidory, is the Thief that goes be- fore Chrift. So take heed that your own words Condemn you not, but mind your Calling, and how you have Anfwered, and whether you have been faithful in that whereunto you have been cal* led, THE WAR-, Chrift hath a War with his Ene- mies, to which he calls his Subjects to ferve him therein, againft all the Powers of Darknefs of this World, and all things of this old World, the ways and faihions of it will he overturn, and all things will he make new, which the God of this World h^th polluted, and wherewith his Children hath C c 4 Cor- ( 392 ) 1 6 ^8. Corrupted themfelves, and do Service to the Luft, 't/V^^and Devourer*, this the Lamb Wars againft, in whomfoever he appears, and calls them to joyn with him herein in Heart and Mind, and with all their whole might. And for that End he Lights his Candle in their Hearts, that they may find out every fecret Evil that the Man of Sin hath there Treafnred up, even to every Thought and Intent of the Heart, to caft out the Enemy with all his fluff, and to fubjedt the Creature wholly to himfelf, that he may form a new Man, a new Heart, new Thoughts, and a new Obedience, in a new Way, in all things therein to Reign, and there is hit Kingdom. Now many are called to tliis War, but few are Chofen and Faithful. They that are faithful in their Calling, them he choofes, and in them he Reigns, and with them he makes War againft his Enemies on every fide, under what colour foeveB they appear, if they be not Subj^dts to him, all in whom he Reigns are at War with them in Chrift, and the Sword of his Spirit he hath put into thei|r Hands, his Word into their Mouths, whereby they are at Wars with all the World, and the World with them, and he that's faithful will make no Peace nor Agreement, neither will he bow nor yield Agreement , till there be a fubjedion to Chrift. Theje are faithful to him that hath called ^hem. So you that are much in Words, prove your own felves 5 if you be in his Kingdom, or of his Subjedq, then are you at work with him in this his Day, wherein he is coming in Thoufands of his Saints to take vengeance into his Hands, and infiidt. it upon liis Enemies. Now you who are afleep, and at eafe in the flefii, are not of his Kingdom •, for by fufFering in the flefh doth he make "War, and Hays the Man of Sin. You that are at peace in the World's Ways and f aihions, invented and maintained by the Man pf Sin^ C 595 ) Sin, yon are not in his Kingdom, for he hath gi- 16^8. ven an Alarm againft all thofe things, which hath ^^^*V*V^ caufed the Dragon to whet his Teeth, and all the devouring Spirits are ftirred up, their Lord's King- dom to defend, every one with fuch Weapons as they have, againft the Lamb in his Kingdom, in what VefTel foever he Reigns j and he is but one in all his, againft all thefe. Now you that are making Peace where thefe things are upholden, you are talfe-hearted, and be- tray the Lamb, as that of God in you Ihall witnefs, you are at Peace-making with his Enemies. But fay you, God h Love, and we are Commanded to Love all, andfeek Feace with all. Zee. I fay. Is God's Love in you otherwife than it hath ever been in Chrift, and all his Saints, whom the World ever hated, whom God loved^ and in whom he Teftified againft the World unto Death, and un- to Bonds, ai:|d Perfecution, were not they in God\ Love ^ Did not they keep his Commandments!* Will you take their words in your Mouths, and Con- demn their Lives by your Pradtifes } The Lamb's War is not againft the Creation, for then fhould his Weapons be Carnal^ as the Weapons of the Worldly Spirits are. For we War not with Flejh and Bloody nor againft the Creation of God, that we Love, but we Fight againft the Spiritual ' Powers ofWickednefs, which Wars againft God in the Creation, and Captivates the Creation into the Luft which Wars againft the Soul^ and that the Crea- ture may be delivered into its Liberty, prepared for the Sons of God, And this is not againft Love, por everlafting Peace, but that without which there can be no true Love, nor lafting Peace. Love to God and Man conftrains us to be faith- ful in this War. Nor is God's Love to that Seed of Bondage, nor did he ever command you to feek the peace of it. For the Love of the World is Enmity zjsirh God^ as faith the Scripture. And ( 39+ ) • i6')8. And were you not fallen into Self-Love which is ty^WP utterly blind (as to the Love of God) you would fee a great difference between the Creature, and that which keeps the Creature in Bondage, and out of the Love of God *, can you Love that, and not hate the Creature, and God alfo ? This all who fight in the Lamb's Battels know, who are in the True Love. Doth not the Spirit of Pride, Glut- tony, Drunkennefs, Pleafures, Envy and Strife, keep tliat in Bondage which thou Ihouldeft Love by the Command of God > Doth not the Creature groan to be delivered from the Vanity, Cuftoms and Fafhions of this Generation ? Is not the whole Time of Man taken up in fervice of the Lufts and Inventions which the Man of Sin hath found out j Inventions in Meats and Drinks, Inventions in Ap- parel, Inventions in Worfhips, in Sports and Plea- lures, t!fc. Is not the whole Creation Captivated under this Spirit of Whoredom, and fo Man's whole Life fpent in vain > So that Men and Women come into the World, and depart out of it again, as though they were made for no other End but for Vanity and Selfiflinefs. Scarce one of TenThou- fand knows any Call from God to any Service for him, or hath an Ear to hear his Voice ^ but if any do hear, and obey, they all conclude him deceived, and are ready to devour him, becaufe he Teftifies againfl: the Evils which deftroy Mens Souls, and make void Man's Service to his Creator, and de-? vours the Creation. And can you Love this Spirit, Bow and Conform to it, or fuffer it to reign in your felves, or your Brethren, and you be Silent, under a pretence of feeking Love and Peace, and obeying God's Com- inand^ and boaft in high words about Chriji's King- dom^ counting it a low and foolifh thing in fach as ifaithfully and zealoufly bear Teftimony for God, and againfl: thefe Evils ? And will not God find you out, and your Deceit and Unfaithfulnefs in your (Jeneration j fliall not God break your Peace, and difanul ( ?95 ) difannul your Covenant, which you are making i^^g; with the World, to fettle your felves in Eafe and i^^Os) Pleafure, and bring you out with true Judgment, where it fliall be feen what Nature your Love is of, whofe Kingdoin you are in, and whom you love and ferve. \ The Day is dawned, and the Sun is rifen to many that (hall not fet, nor Ihall he ceafe his Courfe, un- til he have tightly divided between the precious Seed, and the Children of Whoredoms and Deceit. And now the holy Seed is called forth, to appear in its Colours againft the Man of Sin-, and with the Sword of hk Mouth doth he make War^ and with the Spirit of Judgment and the Spirit of Burning^ doth he confume the filthy and unclean Spirits. And all that are faithful have their Armour on ready. Day and Njght to follow the Lamb, as he moves, count- ing notlikig hard to undergo, fo as they may but have Hopes of Reconciliation betwixt God, and the Creature that is fallen to the Prince of the World, and led Captive at his Will. And this is Love in- deed, to lay down all for fuch as are yet Enemies. Go on and profper in the Name of the Lord, and in Righteoufnefs make War 5 and all that are zeal- ous for Truth and Purity fhall fay Amen : But the Slothful, the Lukewarm, and all unclean Perfons, Ihut themfelves out, as not for this Work, nor wor- thy to be counted Faithful nor Chofen. ^Warning to fuch "whofe Hearts are 'prepared to receive luftruSlion^ to lead out of the JVays oj ^eath. PErilous Times are come, now is the Earth and the Air corrupted and filled with Violence and Deceit, Ungodlinefs abounds eyery where, Satan is Jooled ( 396 ) ' 1^58. loofed and gone forth to deceive. Multitudes of Spl- X/Wi^rits are fent abroad, and have Power given to enter all that dwell in the Earth, who inhabit in dark Places, who love not the Light. Wo to the World ! Wo to all who have treafuredup Wickednefs inthem- felves •, for now will Satan feek to his own, and his VefTels will be filFd, filFd with Wrath, fill'd with Pride, filFd with Luft, Covetoufnefs, and all man- ner of Unrighteoufnefs. The Fulnefs of the Gentiles is at hand, and every Bottle muft be fill'd, that the Potter may dafh them one againfl: another, Wo to the Drupken Nation, whofe Vomit is in the Streets, Streets fiU'd with Pride, filFd with Oppreflion and . Deceit, Lying, Swearing and Curfed Speaking, vo- 1 mits outicpenly, and not alhamed^ Vanity and Folly is become a Glory, Wickednefs fhines, it ex- ceeds in Boldnefs ^ it's not found in a Corner, but in the Broad Places of the Streets ^ fo that none can look out without Danger of letting in the DeviL Oh \ what is now to be feen in the World, in which there is not a Temptation : fo that no Safety is to | him that looks out, for Sin lies at the Door, ready I to enter: Wo to every City that is without a Watchman ! Thefe are the Perilous Times when eve- ry Houfe is befet with Danger : Thefe 3re the Evil Days, the lafl Times, wherein Iniquity abounds. And now where the Watchman is blind (Enemies to .the Light) that Houfe will be fill'd with Evil Spi- rits, Legions of Devils may enter, and inhabit in Darknefs, Proud Spirits, lying Spirits, dilTembling Spirits, flattering Spirits, deceitful Spirits of all Sorts, and thefe being got in^ work in the Veflel according to their feveral Natures, the Works of their Father, holding forth his Image to all that look out, tempting to get into others, to enlarge his Kingdom^ and fo the v/anton Look comes to be de- ceived, Luft looks out, and Pride calls and holds out an Objedt to the Eye, which being let in, it conceives v/ithin, and grov/s till it be able to bring forth of its own, and become a Tempter to others. So Vanity calls out of the Devil's Treafu- ( 397 ) ry to all that pafs by-, fpiritual Whoredom cries a- i^^&J loud in the open Streets, to entice the Simple, and ^-/'VNJ defile the' Virgin, with Eagernefs feeking to pollute the chaft Spirit, and corrupt the Mind from God. Now thefe are the perilous Times, wherein Sim- plicity is taken in the Snares of Subtilty. Oh ! what Baits are laid out where the ftrongMan keeps the Houfe within ? With an impudent Face hath the adulterous Mind fet her felf to deceive, Entice- ments to the Eye, Words of Witchcraft to the Ear, Where Satan hath got a head, how doth he open his Mouth in Blafphemy againft the Holy Spirit, and Its Fruits of Humility, and Purity, and Godlinefs, Plainnefs and Truth, blafpheming the holy Truth of Scriptures, turning them againft thefe Fruits of Holinefs^ and to plead for that which deftroys thefe Fruits, and brings forth contrary Fruits. What pleading for Pride from Scripture ? For Re- fpedt of Perfons? For falfe Worfliips > For Coi^et- pufnefs ? For Ezcefs and Riot > For all deceitful Dealings and Works of the Fleih from Scriptures > The deceitful Worker having, through Subtilty, got the Words of Scripture, to deftroy the Life thereof, and fet up a Life contrary thereto, as though they now allowed what they formerly condemned. And thus the Whore holds forth a gilded Cop, but fiU'd with Abomination and filthy Lufts. And this is done with fuch Craft, as it is impoflible for any (who go out from the Light within, to lend either Eye or Ear to that without) to efcape the Snare, and not to have that which fhould be for their Welfare, turned into a Trap, by that Spirit which, where it enters, turns all the Mercies of God into Lalcivioufnefs, as it is at this Day in all where he is entered. How are Riches become a Trap to the Rich, to captivate them into Pride, Idlenefs and Vanity 1 How is Dives^ Table become a Snare to caprivare into all Excefs and Wantonnefs, and hardens them agamll: the Lowly and Meek. This is the greatcfi ot Cuifes, and it now abounds, and feeks ( 398 ) 16^8. feeks to enter and fpread. How is Trading be^ VS^^^ coigie^ a Trap, to captivate Men into deceitful Deal- ing, and vain Cuftoms and Fafhions, to ferve the adulterous Eye and Vanity : fo that not one Trade, ainongfl many, wherein a juft plain Man (who is come to Yea and Nay, and cannot ferve the Vanity of the Eye and the Pride of Life) can live, but if he will keep his Confcience pure, he muft become a Prey, Thefe are Evil Times indeed ! Where can the Innocent go out, and not a Trap laid to bring him into Bondage and Slavery to fome of thefe Spirits, to captivate the Confcience or deceive the Simplici- ty ? What Traps in Laws, which ihould defend the Simple ? Traps in Courts! Traps in Teachers ! Yea what is it, wherein there is not the Snare of the Fowler to him that goes out > Wherefore novo he a- lone is blejjedy who looks not out for a Guide^ who lends not an Ear to the Wicked^ nor walks in the Coun- fels of the Ungodly^ nor ft an is in the Way of Sinner s^ but delights in the Light of Chrift^ to excrcife hps Mind Day and Nighty in that Law which God hath written in his Heart. He only fiiall efcape thefe pe- rilous Times, and not be polluted, his City fnall be - Safety, who ftands on his Watch, his Houfe fhail not be fiird with Thieves, thefe Evil Spirits Ihall not lodge there ^ they are prepared for Darknefs, and have Power in them that hate the Light, and their Habitation muft be in defolate Veflels, where- in God walks not. Watching in the Light with Diligence, Faithful- nefs and Patience, keeps the Enemy out, and kills that of his Seed that is within, where it is not wholly dead ^ for while the Root of Pride and Lull: is within, it is fed by fetching in of its own vvith- out •, but the faithful Watch fufFers him no PalTage out nor in. And fo he that watches for Iniquity is cut off, and the Seed of the Evil-doer is kept in Captivity, and the Devil cannot come to relieve his own j fo if a Mans Enemies be thetn of h^ own Houfe Houfe (as it is with all till they be dead and buried) i6^8J yet a iaitnful Watch in the Light will keep from O^^WI being betrayed therewith^ or kept in Captivity ^ though the Tempter, with all his Wiles and Subtil- ty, feek to draw out the Mind, that he may come in to ftrengthen his own ^ yet in the Light he can- not enter : He that dwells in the Light dwells in God, and hath Immortality for his Defence \ and who feels the Power of Meeknefs, Truth, Peace, Love, Patience, and holds this in his Mind and Heart, and will not be tempted from it, he holds the Head. This is he that is given of the Father to be Head to the Church that is in God, who dwells in the Light, he is Head over all Principalities and Powers, and all fpiritualWickednefs. This is the Saviour, and that Name and Nature to which every Knee muft bow, and every Tongue confefs. He that puts on Truth and Righteoufnefs, puts on Immortality and Eternal Life and Freedom. This is our Houfefrom Heaven, and hath Power tofave upon Earth, and to take us up to Heaven, to be with God for ever ^ in whom is the Kingdom, Power and Glory over all, bleffed for evermore. So Holinefs is come down from Heaven, and the Light of the Son is arifing, and begins to fhine ^ and now all unclean Spirits get to their ftrong Holds. An unclean, luftful, covetous, proud Heart, that hath got the Words of Truth, is become a Habita- tion of Multitudes of Unclean Spirits, and hath Covers for them all : So thither they flock a pace, snd in the Light they are feen making Head againft the Lamb, the Temples of God to defile, holding forth Whoredoms of all Sorts, to entice the Simple to come out from their Strength ^ but he that keeps within is fafe, and the clean Heart is God's Habita- tion, and fuch as walk in his Light are them that are faved ^ and fuch are fit to ferve God againil all thefe Whoredoms, who are inhabited with^he chaft Spirit and clean Minds, they cannot bewitch: So the Lord alone is become the Salvation of all that receive 1658. receive him, and the Separation is making dailW V/^V^ and them that are faved of the Nations walk in the Light, and thick Darknefs covers the Unclean, and fuch love the Deeds that are evil, and fee not De- ftrndion in their Way : And the Fool delights in . his F0II7, Babling and Vanity^ and thinks he is as Rich as he that hath the Trealure of God in a clean Veflel ^ and the Whore wipes her Mouth, and faith Ihe is right, though the Heart runs ftom God all the Day long. And fo the Scriptures are fulfilled upon that Generation, that it may pafs away out of the Sight of the Lord, and his holy Ones for ever, into the Place out of which the Deceiver came, and the Deceived with him. And this the Father of Lights (hews to his own, as they come out from amongfl- them 5 Glory to his Day for ever, and Ho- linefs without End. J.N. TO THE RULERS- BEHOLD, you Rulers, and hearken proud Men and Women, who have let in the Spirit of the World into your Hearts, whereby you are lifted up in the Earth, hear what Truth faith. You have gained Riches, and you feek worldly Glory, an evil Covetoufnefs to your felves. And thefe Idols being fet up in your Hearts to be wor- Ihipped-, you rage, and wonder why the Children of Light will not worfhip your Gods you have fet up, and fall down before the Glory of the World in you, fo you are angry : But why are you foblind^ to ( 401 ) to thinlc that fuch, who have f^enied to bow to the i^^'S, fame Spirit and Pride in themfelves, and have (thro' w^VN^ the Ciofs) obtained Power from above, to call: out the lame Idols out of their own Hearts, and can they bow to them in another ? Nay, the Day is come, and the Children of Light have found the Living God to worlhip, and thtre is none b( fides him to us. And now in vain is the Idol prcrached, we cannot worlhip with yon ; however you be tor- mented, it is of God to familh the World's Idols, and he alone will be worlhipped, who is mighty to fave 5 what have we to do any more with Idolatry? Pride cannot fave us, nor can the World's Glory preferve in the Hour of Temptation, though we Ihould bow thereto ^ we cannot trufl in uncertain Riches, nor may we takeCounfel at Silver or Gold, Flocks or Herds: We have proved your Idols, and know what is in them, and we have fou^ui (hem Deftroyers and not Saviours^ whatever your Glory promifes 3''ou (v/ho moft feek it) we know in its right Hand is a Lye, Flattery and Falihood, and all who love it come Ihort of the Glor}?' of God ^ Humility is our Glory, and he is our Sivioor who faith, Learn of me^ jor 1 am lowly ^ and ye JhaU find Refl for your Soiih. And this we have^proved, and we "find his Words Trurh, and ail Loftinefs a Lye: So having found the Tuith, the Truth hath made lis free ^ free from Pride, free from Vain-Glory, free from that Spirit that puts it on, and would have it worlhipped, free frojn the Manner of the Gentiles, who exercife Lordlhip in that Nature, which is out of the Light and Doctrine of Chrift. So the Truth having made us tree, in that Li- berty we ftand fafi:, and may not be intangLd a- gain with your Yoke of Bondage, nor the Manners of the Gentiles ^ and then you lay its our Pride and Stubbornnels ^ and many fuch Atcafations you cafi: on us. Alas! what Darknefs is this ? Ana how have you loft your Judgment ? Whar, is Alordecai become prouder than Haman with you ? Is he proud D d who ( 402 ) 1658. who denies to Worlliip Pride, and he that wotild Bd C/V^worihipped free? Is not this to put Light for Dark- nefs, and Darknefs for Light, to condemn the In- nocent to hide the OfFendor ? Come down to that of G.^d inyourConfciences, and let that judge, and let Pride be feen and afhamed where it is: And then you plead Scripture, and fay. Let every Soul he fuhjed to the high"-^ Power, and be fubjeEh to e- very Ordinance of Man for the Lord^s fake, 8cc^ Now this we fay alfo, and own the Scriptures, but Man's Pride is not the higher Power; in Humility we find a Power above Pride, higher than Oppref- lion, higher than Mens Wills, higher than the Lufts of the Eyc-^ yea, higher than all that in Man would exalt againit it: So we deny the lower, that we may fubjedl our felves to that which excelleth, which is ordained of God ^ and to every Ordinance of Man ar^^ v/e fubject for the Lord's fake^ but ihould we bow to the Spirit of Pride, we Ihould betray the Lord^ and give his Honour to another, and that is not for the Lord's lake ^ and what is againft him for his fake, we deny, and with him fuffer under it, as WitntiTes for him againft it. So we give Qtfar his due, and Honour to whom it belongs, but all Glory and Worlhip to God alone, to whom it is du . But you fay. That Warfhip we plead for is Civil not Religions-, but where do you read in Scripture of Civil W -rlhip ? We find, Honour all Men in the Lord, and tnat which is in the Lord is Religious 5 and that whicli is not in the Lord is Idolatrous. Is there any thing honourable in Man but the Image of God, which is fpiritual ? And if any honour that ci God m Man, is it not on a religious Ac- count ? And yet you fdy for Confcience fake, and not religious : So your Diflindions will not gain Worlhip from them v/ho know God and his Image, and tht Beaft and his Image in their feveral Ap- pearances ^ and by this are they known for ever. He that is from above, feeks not honour froui Man, but ( 4°? ) but that Honour which is of God alone ^ God's Pre- iS'yS, fence inhira makes him honourable in the Hearts of W Gladly would we fee Humility appear in you, and behold you co- vered with the Spirit of God, that in our Souls we might be fubjedt thereto, and fo in the Lord honour you: But Ihould we bow to your Gold and Silver J^^ce, your coftly Apparel or earthly Riches ? To that of God in you all we appeal, if we ihould not worihip Idols, and break the Law of God, for which doing, how fhould we be ezcufed before God at the Day of Account, let fuch as fe^r God more thaa Man judge. J. ^. OYou Rulers and Teachers of thefe Nations, to which Chrift Jefus hath fhewed fo much Favour as to honour thefe Nations with his firft Appearance, now after fo long a Night ^ and that from hence the Sun-rifeof Righteoufnefs Ihould Ihine forth inClear- nefs to the World, over the Head of all Idolatry, falfe Worihips, corrupt Laws, Violence and Opprellion, and all the numberlefs Number of vain Cuftoms, Pride and Excefs, in which the whole World lies in Vyickednefs, and with which the holy pure One is Dd 5 burthened, ( 4o6 ) 76^8. burthened, and hath been grieved thefe many Years, againft i^-sW> which he is now arifen in many ot his Servants, openly todeclare, nor on" V here, but ia moil Parts of the World, and fhould you be the I^icn now to I'et your felves againft th'ib Work, by evil inrreat- ing fuch as are called thereto, and are found therein, which your Teachers do not go about themfelveo. What will you anfvvcr the !Lo"d tc the";.-, rhirig. ? \s there no need of this Work at Ho ne or abroid ? Is your Streecs and Markets clear,and your Worlh'p pure ? Where can the pure Eye of God look out, and noc behcud Ini- quity and Provocation ? Do you look for his com-ng, and evil entreat hi^. Servants, whom he fends to prepare his Way before hiir ? Would you have him to find you as Soiom at his Coming? If you fee th -fe Evils abound in the World, why do you (bt your felves againft fuch as call to Repentance wnere thefe things moft abound ? Are your Streets and Temples prepared for the pure God to walk and be worfhipped in with delight, wh m a mortal Man who hath but Modefty in his face cannot behoiu but be grieved with the excefs of vanity and deceit fhewn openly there- in ? Is the way prepared in your Streets and Temples for the Lamb, when a Lyon cannot pafs for Briars and Thorns, and o- ther fruitiefs Trees tearing, and haling, andbiuinng? Did you love him in Truth you would alfo hate that v>^hich would grieve his Holy Spirit at his coming in your fekes, and i;i others, and you would hinder none that come in his Name who feek to make an end of Sin, feeing nothing elfe hinders his appearance, nor nath caufcd his departure from the Children of Men ; and you that call your felves Mlhifters of Chrift, had not the Spirit of flumber poffeffed you this would be your work ; did the Holy Spir't dwell in your Houles, and look out at your Windows, you could not be hlent till you had driven Ini(^uity into a corner, and made Pride to blulh, and Lying, Swearing, and all curfed Sp. aking, afraid to utter its voice in the Streets, that the pure Eye might blefsyou, and the Holy One delight to walk in tfee Open Streets of your greateft Meetings ; fhould not this be the work or the Minifters of Righteoufnefs, and Meffengers of Chrift Icfus, rather than to petition the Rulers of the World againft iiich as are found in this work, to the utmoft of your Power, hindering it both at Home and Abroad, neither going about it your felves, norfutlcring them that would ; were you leen to be .diligent in this work you Ihould appear to be fuch Servants as truly wait for your Lord's coming in Peace, andnotin Wrath, and that you had received the earneft of the Spirit which travels for the delivering of the Creation from the bondage of Corrupt tion, and the glorious Liberty of the Sons of God, and the Joy • ;ind Peace of the King of Righteoufnefs at his coming over the whole World. Jhefe were Written in Oliver Cromwel'^ rime, tohim^ his J{uJers and Teachers, and publifijed in 1658. and the former of thera then Primed, mi novt I{eprinted,> MESSAGE FROM THE Spirit of Truth, UNTO THE HOLY SEED, Who are Chofen out of the World, and are Lovers and Followers of the Light. By James Nayler. L 0 NT> 0 N: Printed in the Year 1658^ and now Re-printed, in iji^^ D:a 4 TO (4o8) TO THE READERS. YOU Lovers and FcUovoers of the Light ^ tn you a thj^ MeJJage Jent^ in it abide, that, the Glory of the only Begotten of the Father you may behold^ and he changed frnjn Glory to Glory : Fill not your tieads^ but feel the Life of what in ihi^ following Pa^ per ^ declared. For i ho ugh the Thirf, the Boa/fer^ the Proui and Exalted Ones have, or may cover them^ felves with like Words, yet this Birth never wai, isy crjjjall be brought forth, but by the efp-^ujed Virgin 5 . Pure, Chafte, and Spotlefs^ true and abiding Innocent cy\ far di Rant from all feigned Purity^ which many being puffed up in their vaifi Minds, have, or may in- trude into things they know not, and Jo deceive the Simple by 2 voluntary Humility, and Worfhipping of Angchr Theje hold not fa ft the Head which gives the Life to every Member-, he that is without beginning cf Days^ pr end of Life \ by who7n, and for whom all things were made -y to him /J) all every Knee bow, who filleth all [n^ ally of whofe, fulnejs we have received Grace for Grace ; who in thefe following Lines Salutes the whole EleB of God every where, plentifully giving forth of the Great Myftery of Godlinefs, hidden from Ages and Generations, now made manifeft to the Meek and Upright in Heart, who in the unfeigned Lov^. Mde, vdliich endures for Ever^ A ( 409 ) A MESSAGE FROM THE Spirit of Truths unto the Holy Seed. DEAR Friends, Brethren and Sifters, of the Seed of Abraham^ Partakers with him in the Holy Call, and who in his Faith wait for that Glory and Inheritance Immortal, which every one of you fhall receive at the appearance of the Great God, and his Son Jefus Chrift, to you all be Peace, Truth, and Love encreafed, wherein you may be eftablilhed to the end of your Calling. That which is fet before me in the Spirit of Truth, and for which my Soul travels and breaths after in the whole Creation (but efpecially in you who are already called thereunto) I am moved to impart unto you, thereby to ftir you up earneftly to prefs on towards the appearance of that to which you are called in one, which is no other than what hath been holden forth from the beginning, even the only begotten of the Father, filled with Grace and Truth ^ for the obtaining whereof, you that are faithful have denied the delights of this prefent World, and do daily undergo the enmity thereof. Of whofe appearance many of you have received a certain Hope which cannot be fhaken, and a Mea- fure of him fome are come to in the fame Spirit, who have feen, felt, and handled of his appearance, 5fnd have received of his fulnefs, wherein alone you ( 4'^ ) 1 6 5; 8. excel, and are able to hold forth that Life in the iy^\r\J Power of Obedience, Meeknefs, and Fc ar, which no Form nor Knowledge without is able to bear or bring forth, which is that alone wherein I rejoyce in you •, and not only fo, but find caufe in Heart to magnifie that goodnefs and glorious Power of God, already manifeiled in you, and through you to the World, whofe Praifes will daily increafe, as his Vertues appear in you ^ which that you, and all the number of called ones may increafe in, and grow to the Stature, and full Appearance of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift^ is the full defire of my Soul, and that which will give us an afliired Joy and perfedt Peace in one, when Knowledge will yanilh, and that which is in part fhall be done away. Wherefore you that have received the Spirit of Prophecy, and that Light out of Darknefs, which lets you fee what manner of one the Son of God Uiuft be at his appearing in Spirit and Power, Holi- nefs and great Glory. I befeech you that none of you fit down at reft in this fight, nor be you puffed up therewith, as though you had already attained, leiT: thereby the Enemy prevail to exalt you above what is meet, and fo others, lefs in Wifdom, who are more lowly in Spirit, ilep in before you, and obtain that Crown and Glory to which you were called-, and fo while you feed on the Knowledge you lofe the Life 5 but that every one wait in the Light to feel the Power and Life of the Son of God mani- fell in your Bodies, giving you Victory over your own Spirits, and raifing you up out of Death inta the Life of the Prophecies, that you may all know the true Worlhip in Spirit, and what you bow unto, that henceforth you may be Servants of Righteouf- nefs, begotten and not made, which only hath tood able to fatisfie your thirfting Souls, that you may all feel the only begotten ot God in Vertue and Power, working mightily the work of the Father, and deftroying the work of the Devil in every par- ticular. (-4" ) ticular, for hereunto were you firfl called, that you i6$^i flioulci inherit Eternal Life and Power, the truQiy^'^K} Riches of Grace in Righteoufnefs, and to receive a Kingdom that cannot be moved, but that is able to keep you ^gainfi: all aflaults of the Enemy, which Riches is God's only begotten, in whom is received of the perfect fulnefs of God, which is only able to fatisfie all Fears, and fupply all Wants, in all who attain to his Appearance. And further, I befeech you that you fatisfie not y^UT felves only with a feeling of this working in yoU, but thai you diligently attend an entrance thereinto, that you ma}^ put him on whom the Fa- ther begetteth and formeth in you, that your Souls may be bathed and anointed therein. And not on- ly fo, but that you bring him forth before all Men, even him the only begotten Son of God in Meek- nefs, Long-Suffering, in Patience, in Righteoufnefs, in Godly Holinefs, and all his Vertues j the living Image of him by whom he is begotten 5 that it may appear to all Men whofe you are, and who poflef- fes the Veflel, and what he is that appears therein ; that it may be feen and confelTed that God is in you of a Truth, revealed m his only begotten -, for this is he, to whom at his appearance every Tongue fhall confefs, and every Heart be ftruck with fear 5 though the form of his Beauty, and vifage of his Glory hath (amongft falfe Births and feigned Pro* felFion) been more marred than any Man's 5 who in- ftead of bringing forth into the World the only be- gotten of God, to convince and condemn the World of all ungodlinefs, and fave them from it, have brought forth the conceivings of their own brains, and the Child born to them is no Saviour, but their Birth hath left them in the World, and one with it, who are now turning the words of Chrift againfl his works, and their power to withfiand his appear* ance in others, who is the fame which was, and is, and is to come to all Generations. So ( 412 ) l^^S. So that inflead of holding forth that Spiritual ^^OOO Power of perfed: Redemption from above, to fave his People from their Sins, and fet them at liberty from the bondage of Corruption, to ferve God in the new Man, the Son of Righteoufnefs, of Peace, and Holinefs, God's Image, there appears, the Son of Wickednefs, in every form, at liberty, and pleaded for, the Image and Power of all Unrighte- oufnefs and Ungodlinefs, preached and fet up ^ fo that the very Faith and Hope of God's appearance in their Generation is deftroyed. So thefe not wait- ing in Faith, fingle in the begetdngs of God from above, to fee in patience that formed, born and brought forth, but mixing with their Reafonings and Wifdom from below, have not attained his appear- ance, but have turned the Truth of God into a Lye^ his Glory into Shame •, wherefore God hath given them up to believe their own concievings : And you hath he called into that glorious Hope and powerful Faith, wherein you now flandj and them he hath left to be Heirs of the corruptions of this World, which they have minded more than himfelf 5 where now many of them are the great Oppofers of his appearance, who were once called to bear a meafure of his Teftimony in Spiritual Life and Power. And now, dear Friends, the called of God you are, unto the Day of his Coming, whofe Light hath ihined out of Darknefs, giving you a Knowledge in this great Myftery and Hope, and a Power you have received from above, whereby you are come nearer the Day than thofe before you, and many have denied the World and their Inheritance, that you might ftand iingle in liope thereof. Now the Day is yours if you be watchful, and faithful there- to, that you mix not with the Earthly Seed, nor bring forth a talfe Birth, but that your Hearts be iing]e, and open to receive him from above, the Heavenly Seed in the will of God, and not of your felves J the Sou of Righteoufnefs, the Father's Glo- ( 4^3 ) ^5^ who liath the living Image and Power of God, 1^5:8. to mnke all Sons and Daughters of the moft High, O^V>J[ conformable to Himfelf, and Heirs with Him of the fame Kingdom, Glory, and Power; even as many of you as fo receive Him, as to put Him on as He is, and fo walk in Him as the begotten of God, Children of the moft Holy, whom he hath counted Worthy of fo high a Calling, as to receive his Name, Power, and Glory, and to bear Teftimony what he is before all Men, and to hold forth the Power that you have in his Name and Image, above all Names and Forms, in Heaven or in Earth ^ and this with all Diligence, Meeknefs, and Fear, leafi: Satan de- ceive you of that iimplicity that is in him, and fo you come fhort of his Glory, and others be called. l>^ow cjuit your felves as the beloved of God ♦, call off every vveight which would hinder your attain- ing him, that in the Light is fet before you -, cruci- fie every affedion after the Earthly, and put aivaj all the Cares and Pleafures that would choak this Seed, and whatever would mix in your Minds, or plead for a place in your Hearts, let it be to you as an accurfed thing, that the Bleffing of Abraham may come upon you, and through you to manifeft to all the World, and that the Holy Nameof Chrift may be glorified in you, which hath long been pol- luted through fuch who have profefled it in a con- trary nature. For this is he to whofe appearance in the World every Tongue fhall be made to confefs, and the Angels of God fhall worlhip him, for he is the Glory of God, and Power ot Righteoufnefs in Hea- ven and in Earth, God's Love and good will araongft Men, and in him is the Father revealed, whom no Eye luith feen. You that have received him, and hold him forth, are the Light of the World, let him Ihine to the glory of your Father ; it's you that hold forth the loandation of Faith ^ he being lifted up will draw all Men to him : hold him forth clearlj^j as you receive him from above, and there is ( 4H ) tS^S' IS that in every Confcience that will anAver to hi^ (>^00 appearance, for God bath not left him without wit* nefs : So that he that believes not is condemned al- ready in himfelf, becaufe he believes not m that only begotten of God, whom tlie Father hath fent into the World. If he doth not that Work in you, which none other can do, then how fhould any be- lieve or confefs that it is he. But at his appearance his Works Ihall declare hun, and leave all without cicufe. His Righteoufnefs, his Meekncfs, his patient Suf- ferings, his lowlj-Mindednefs, his Faith and Obedi- ence to the Father, his Love and tender CompalHon towards all Men, being richly furniftied with all manner of Godlinefs, fhall declare him whofe Image he bears, and whofe Son he is, and from whence he comes, for the Earth hath not thofe Fruits, Power and Glory : Thus iliall he be glorified in his Saints, and admired in all them that believe, and receive his Teflimony : And in this Birth you Ihall not only fave your felves, but hold forth Salvation to all that hear thereof. Wherefore as you profefs that Holy Calling above others, fo in fear of God take heed what you bring forth, be fober and watch diligently in that which is from above, leaft the Enemy prevail to mix fome- what of your own to hold forth in his Name, that hath not the Nature, Power, nor Purity of the Son of God, and that being above fpoil you of his ap- pearance, and mar the true Image, which you will find the envious One feeks to devour upon all occa- iions, that alone having power over the Head of the Serpent ^ wherefore fee that you be covered with him alone, as he is from Heaven. But above all things, I befeech 3^ou put him on as he is the Son of God's Love, and fo hold him forth towards all Men, but efpecially towards the Bre- thren ^ fo much the more as this being that which the Enemy hath caft long upon the Children of Light (to wit) want of Love, taking his advantage while (4^5) while the way hath been preparing thereto, and the 1658. Sj>irit of Judgment and Burning hath pafTed on the »,^^V"\i old Building, a time of lorrow, and pulling down, dreiling the Houfe where Love fhould dwell 5 fo that though the root of the Matter was in it, yet could not in that time fpring forth towards others, nor indeed be fully Ihed abroad in the Heart, while that is there which God hates ^ which Love many have now received, and it is full time to bring forth, him fo begotten in you, leaft any felfillinefs appear in bis ftead, and fo prevent you of that which is moft excellent : But that you all may put him on, as he is manifeftfrom the Father's bofom, and that you be clothed therewith, from Heaven, fo plenti- fully, that you may have to call over a Brother's Nakednefs, a Garment of the fame Love, who came from above to lay down his Life for his Enemies, and of the fame Power, who can forgive Sins, and Offences, above feven times a day, beholding each others with that good Eye which waits for the Soul and not for the Sin, which covers, and overcomes the Evil with the Good, that with him you may be perfed in Love, judging, and receiving one another in the increafe of God, and not in that which is for deftrudti^n, giving more abundant honour to him that lacketh, that in the Body '^e no Schifm, nor defile one another, nor keep alive a Brother's Iniquity, nor blot out the Name, and appearing of the Holy Seed in the leaft, but keep the Lord in your Eye, and the Evils fhall die and vanilh away from amongfi: you, and the appearance Ihall be the Lord's, and to him Ihall the gathering of the Na- tions be ^ hungry Souls ihall fee, and be fatisfied with his likeneis, and all that behold his beauty Ihall conte.s unto him, and in him fhall the upright Heart delight, for at his comidg fhall he efiablilh the Throne of Righteoufnefs, and meafure every appearance, and correct every faife Judgment, and that which enfnares the fimple will he caft out, for by the Power of his appearance Ihall every thing be tried, (4i6) 16^8. tried, and Peace proclaimed in the name of Righfe- t/^'^X^ oufnefs alone, for that which is not like him, will not be able to ftand before his appearance. But we know that when he appears, we iliall be' like him 5 he that hath this hope purifies himfelf even as he is pure, that he may be feen in him at his coming. Now dear Friends, is jcur found gone forth to the ends of the Earth, and God hath made you famous amongft your Enemies, in that you have begun to confefs his name, and nature, and that he is in you whom many are looking for here and there 5 and now the Eyes of People ard Nations are upon you to fee your end, and now vonr glory is in putting him on, and covering you with him, a Lamb v/ith- out blemilh, before God and Man, that in him you may obtain good report, unreprovable, and holy, fb Ihall you flop the way of the Deflroyer, and put an end to all falfe conceptions, and revive the hope of J/rael. Let his Innocency be your Armour, and pnt your Trufl in his Truth, for your Salvation. The time is full come for you to declare what he is to you^ with boldnefs, with a conftflion beyond words ^ for this appearance ot him in Love is that which Ihall judge all LikenelFc's, and try all Spirit?, Adions, • Judgments, and Appearances, and by this ihall you all be meafured, whar" Spirits you are of, and all Spirits in the World, for he ihall cring every hid- den formed fained thing to light, at his coming 5 and whatever hath not this love in it, is not his, nor begotten of God-, but he that hath this love is begotten of God, and hath him, the Farhei and the Son, the end of the Law and the Prophets, the Sub* fiance and Life of all Knowledge, Fai'ti and Works, the root and ground of ever}^ good Gitt 5 for herein are we made perfect in Love, that we may have boldnefs in the Day of Judgment, becaufe we have put him on, and dwell in him, who is Love 5 and as he is, {o are we- in this World. But he that loveth not, is not made perfect in Faith, in Knowledge, in judgment. ( 417 ) Judgment, having not learned Chrifl: herein, there- i<5?8. fore by this he -.nuft be Judged himfelf. Soblefiedis heV^^V*^ that judges nothing before the time, who condemns not himfelf, wherein he judges another ^ all Judg- ment being committed to him that can lay down his Life for his Enemies. Therefore happy are you if you have him on firft, for when he appears his Judgment is true, and ihall ftand, when all that hath come before him ihall pafs away, for him alone hath the Father fealed. So dearly beloved ones, my Soul breathes towards you herein, that in all your feveral Gifts and Admi- niftrations, this Son of God be your Eye and End, the Beauty and Glory of the Father, that the hope thereof to attain, may flay you in all Tryals and Temptations, knowing that in him alone is your lafting Peace, and that which doth now befal you in all your afflidions is to fhake all other appear- ances, that way may be made for him alone, whofe Image and Life none can judge nor condemn. And the pay is come, that happy is that Man who hath nothing elfe to glory in^ and this know, that the appearance of God in his own begotten, is your glory ^ and if any Man boaft himfelf, and not here- in, when he is weighed therewith he will be found wanting, the found thereof will not fave him. As the fame Spirit from whence this comes^ Tnoves in any one, Jo let them fend, it a* broad amongji the called ofGod^ to be reai and known. GOme forth you Children of Light, com'e forth, depart out of the World, touch not the un- clean thing, that the Holy One may make his ap- pearance amongll you ^ make liaft to the Day of your God. If he (hine forth Salvation is with you, but he cannot appear in that Heart where the World is retained. If you be like the World it will own you 3 but that Image which it receives not, is your E e cverlaft^ (4i8) i6j^. everlafting glory and beauty. So mind what works ^n/V^^^ in the Veilel ^ for now muft every Child appear like his Father, and muft bring to light of what Spirit he is begotten 5 and only bleffed is he that comes in the name of the Lord, with Power and great Glo- ry, that which the World is alhamed of, is that with which the Son of God is glorified, and again muft be glorified, he that bears the Iniquities of Men, and is fiU'd with reproach, and yet appears without Sin, is our Saviour. And a Lamb without fpot muft take away the Sin of the World; his ma- nifeftation deftroys the work of the Devil ^ in a Body prepared he delights to perform the Counfel of God, and to bring hidden things to light-, that he may fpcak Myfteries to the wife therein, and hold forth a way to the fimple, leading out of the fnares of fubtilty. WherVore all that love his appearance, and feek the face of Redemption, love that which prepares his way to his^appeafance in his Temple^ that which breaks down tm will of Man, and as a fire goes be- fore him 5 which is that Baptifm with which all that will receive him muft be Baptized into death. So when forrow, anguifti, ^nd tribulation comes up- on you, rejoyce, and fly not. This comes to de- ftroy nothing but deftrudion, and to kill that which keeps %ou from eternal Life, and to prepare a way for your Peace, and a place for everlafting Righte- oufnefs to dwelliin you.^ For truly Friends, in the threlhing floor muft the Altar be fet up, and where God anfwers by fire, there muft his Houfe be built : And as many as look to tfee end of this, may not defpife Corredion, nor faint under the hand of Re- proof. That is good which brings down into the depth, where the wonders of God are learned, for he that will labour in God's Vineyard muft know every Seed, and its Root^ what feeds it, and whatfamilheth it, and the ground of every Weed, and caufe of every Curfe. This many may fee, when it's come to a Tree^ (419) Tree, fcrancheth, and brings forth fruity tut then 1^5:8. it's ftrong and powerful, and not eafily pluck'd up, C^'^VN,^, feldom got down without fire, and much forrow, therefore blefTed is that Eye that's lowly and dili- gent, which fees every feveral appearance, that he may flay the Seed of Wickednefs e're it bud, and not fuffer the enmity to take root y for he that fuf- fers divers feeds fhall have forrow therein •, and he that fowes amongft Thorns and Briars muft reap Trouble ^ and where this kind is fufFered to grow, there is torment to themfelves, and trouble to others, for how ihould theThiflle change its nature > So all that defire Peace, prepare a Place that the feed thereof may grow alone, and the Sun thereof may arife and Ihine clearly, that nothing may grieve his Holy Spirit, for Jacob muft dwell alone, and not be numbred among the reft of the Nations, neither hath the Lamb fellowftiip with the Beafts of the Field. Now as you have feen the Image of the Earthly, and felt his power and inclination to earthly things, captivating your Minds downward, to things below ^ even fo muft you bear the Image of theHeavenl}^ if he reign that comes from above. Till then think not you are perfect, nor have attained to the Refur- redion of the Dead. For this I know of him, in whom your Life is hid, that as he arifeth, he fliall as ftrongly lead your Minds into the Heavenly, as ever you were captivated with the earthly. So he that can read the figure, rejoyce in hope concerning him that is to come ^ yet let none glory in the fight of this knowledge, but prefs into the life thereof, that God may be feen and glorified in you. For as he that hath gone much out with his Mind, and hath drank in abundance of the Earthly, is become the moft fubtle, felfifli, and hard, and filled with all unrighteoufnefs, till he become incurable^ even fo he that returns in, and drinks abundanrl3r of the Heavenly, doth become Simple, Innocent and Harm- lefs^ feparate trom all ungodlinefs, uU he become E e 2 incor- ( 4-20 ) i6^8. incorruptible, and receive Power to attain the Son t/'VX^of God vvhofe inriage declares the Father, from whence he is ^ for he thait hath feen the Son, liath feen the Father^ and he that hath the Son hath the Father alfo. So dear Friends, behold the end of your Calling, and glory of your Profeflion, your Life in this World, and Eternal Inheritance ^ tor the which to attain, we endure all things, for which Sufferings, and Patience, we have a cloud of Wit- nefles. So we follow not Fables and Fancies (as fome fup- pofe) but every one as he is proved herein is able t© let to his Seal, even to the day of the Lord, with them that are gone before, whofe Spirits herein are perfeded. Wherefore dearly belov?d of God, for his name fake I befeech you, be 7?ealous for his appearance, and with Meeknefs and Fear inftrudt the Ignorant, who oppofe themfelves -, comfort the weak ^ in all things leading with a Life that cannot be blamed, knowing how manifold your Labour of Love is doubled, in everlafting Glory, as he comes to be made manifeft to the World. And the Lord God of Power ftrengthen all your Hand by the appearance of his Love , that by the ihedding of it abroad in your Hearts, you may be able to overcome the World, and willing to give your Necks to the Yoak of Chrift, and to bear the burthens of the weak, till the Brotherliood arife, and the Body of Chrift be perfedted in one ^ that none of you fuffer an €vil Eye or Ear, which delights to behold the weak- jiefs of others 5 but that your whole delight be to wait for the appearance of God in all, and to be- hold his face m them, rather than their failings. And as this arifes in every Particular, it ihall be a fure Token to you for good, and that you are paf- fed from the love of Evil, unto the love of God the Father, and the Son. And what you delight in Ihall be your inheritance. And as you grow herein, fo fhall he whom you love to fee, delight to make his appear-r ( 4^1 ) appearance amongft you, and to walk'in you^ and 1^58. you (hall net feek his face in vain, but with his ^-/V\i> likenefs fhall be fatisfied, and Ihall praife the beauty of his appearance. Thus in honour preferring one another, you fhall know, that the Power of Love is a Miniftration of J^ife, to that which is to be beloved. Who will be on the Lord's part > Now in this Day of Darknefs, when Iniquity is growing fo the full, and the Man Child is to be born above it ? And who will give up the VefTel to bear his name againft the enmity that is now arifing> And who will be glorified with the Lamb ? Blefled and Happy is he that is found worthy to follow him out of the World, bearing his reproach. To as many as re- ceive him, he gives power to become the Sons of God. But he that will bear his Name, muft receive his Nature, and himfelf alfo fo walk, even as he walk- ed : his Name is Power over Sin, and the World ^ So the Servants of Sin, and the World cannot bear it^ he that bears his Name, muft bear it in his Life, and Power, leaft he blafpheme. Of Flelh and Blood it is not born, nor by the Will of Man is ii: manifeft, it's he that's born again who hath his wit- nefs in himfelf, that muft bear his Name before the World for a witnefs againft them, who hath that life in him which teftifies againft the deeds thereof i but who bows thereto betrays him, an4 proves falfe in his Teftimony. Mo/es inhisHoufe, made all things in likenefs of the Pattern, fo it became a Tabernacle of witnefs to all the Nations (of the true God therein) and againft all their falfe Gods, and falfe Worfhips 5 and herein was he faithful to him that called him, and to all that beheld the Pattern he preached God's prefence, dwelling in the Tabernacle made with hands. How- much more muft he that bears the Name of Chrift, follow the Pattern, and fuit his Example, holding ibrth a Tabernacle of witnefs, and preaching the P e ^ prefence ( 4^2 ) i65^8. prefenceof the true God therein, and againfi: all the t^/->j World, their falfe Births, falfe Ways, and Worihips, herein proving faithful to him that hath called there- to ^ and to all thaJt behold him, holding forth that Holinefs is his Habitation here on Earth, as it is in Heaven, bearing a lively Teftimony thereof, by the Tabernacle ofwitnefs, conformable to the Heavenly Example in all things. And to this end Chrifl: de- fcended, walked, and fuffered on Earth, leaving an Example to all that follow his fteps 5 wherein, as in a lively Oracle, God is found, in all that's builded after his Image, and feek in his Name and Nature, for the Immortality that dwelleth therein. Now God was not to be found in the Tabernacle of Mo- lech (though fought never fo earneftly) but in the Tabernacle of witnefs, built according to the Pat- tern ; neither is he now to be found in the Image of the World ^ or is his Name born in that Nature, though profeffed never fo zealoufly. Therefore let every one that nameth the Name of the Lord de- part from Iniquity ^ the Seed of Evil-doers bears not the Teftimony of Chrift, but againft him. Did they Blafpheme, who faid they were Jews and were not ? How much more do they who profefs the Name of Chrift, and are out of the Vine, in a contrary Nature > ^ Wherefore all who aim to hold forth in Life to his appearance, and to attain his Coming in Purity and Glory, muft be diligent in the Heavenly Light, ever rninding the way and moving of the Holy Spi- rit, him that is from above, that his form you may fee, who hath the Heavenly Image, and the Holy Power-, that fo beholding him with open face as in a Glafs, you may be changed into the fame Image, and formed thereafter, from glory to glory, hy the powerful working of the fame Spirit 5 until the Ta- bernacle be built conformable to the Heavenly Ex- ample, and Holy Pattern, in Body and Spirit, that as he is, fo may you be in this World, that God inay appear in his Temple j that aa the Image of the ( 4^3 ) the Earthly appears in the World, fo the Image of 1^58. the Heavenly you may bear, a witnefs againft them. 'w/V\ And by drinking in the Communion of that Holy Spirit, and Power from above, you may become as able, zealous, and willing to hold forth the Hea- venly in Holinefs, Meeknefs, Purity, Patience, v Love, Long-fufFering, Faith, and Obedience to God, and all the fruits of the Spirit, as the Sons of the World are to hold forth the earthly, in Lufts and Pleafures, Strife, and Envy, Cruelty, and Op- preffion, and all manner of the works of the flefh ; that you may as truly and really give up your Bo.? dies. Minds, and Strength to fuffer with Chrift, that he may be manifefl: and magnified therein, in your mortal Bodies ^ as others who are without God in the World, do give themfelves to adl: accord- ing to the Principles and Power of the God of thi^ World, his unrighteous Ways, Worfliips, and Fa- ihions, and all his curfed Courfes, and the whole Body of Sin, and Myftery of Iniquity born in them. And where the Tabernacle is thus edified, and the Temple thus cleanfed, there is a VefTel of Honour, fit for the Mafter's ufe ; that being filled with the Holy Ghofl, God may dwell on the Earth, and take up his refl therein, his Tabernacle being with Men, the appearance of the blelTed Day, fo many Souls hunger for, and Abrahams Seed longs to fee, which the God of this World ftrongly oppofes, in all whofe Minds he hath blinded, and whofe Spirit he polTef- feth in difobedience to the Heavenly Light, for which the wrath of God remains upon that Genera*? tion, till this day, and lor ever. Wherefore all you who wait for the Kingdom of God, and love his appearance, whofe coming again is without Sin, abide within, and wait in that Tem- ple where the witnefs ^rifeth againft the World, that in Faith and Patience you may be counted worthy to receive that witnefs, that it may arife and cover you, and that in bearing it you may E e 4 come ( 4H ) 't^5^8. Gome out of the World, being conformable to him^ L/VV^who fufFered without the gates 5 bearing his re- I proach, and you bear his Name. Touch not the un- clean thing, and he wid receive you for himfelf, in you to appear and be glorified. Rife up againft the Powers of Darknefs. You that have received the earneft of this Spirit : hath he not faid, I will dwell in you, and walk in you } Wherefore come out from among them, and be you feparate. This is the Joy that is fet before you, to wit, his appearance, and that Glory, for the attaining whereof, we endure the prefent Sufferings, and Reproach^ not to be compared therewith, for Glory, Immortality, Eter- nal Life. Oh ! Friends, who (hall be found worthy at his coming, and in whom may he appear, and not confume them ? for our God is a confuming fire ^ even in his Holy Te. pie is he known, and with clean Hands will ht tak^ 'ip his reft, and in the pure Heart fliall he bp [ech ^ elfe who m^y dwell with everlafting burningj) ? and who may abide that Bap- tifm wherein every one Ihall be feafon'd with fire at his coming. WHAT 1(559- WHAT THE ^y^r^ POSSESSION OF THE Living FAITH IS, The FRUITS thereof, AND Wherein it hath been found to differ from the dead Faith of the World, in the Learning and Following of C|^R|ST in the Regeneration. WITH A K Opening of Light to all Sorts of People that wait for the Kingdom of GOD. AND A CANDLE lighted, to give the Sight of the Good Old Way of God, from the Ways that now enfnare the Simple. — , Written by James Nayler in the Time of his Im^ pri/onment in Bridewell. LO NT> 0 N: printed in the Year 1659, and now Re-printed^ in 171$. (4^6) The Heads of the Particulars contained in the enfuing Treatife. 'HAT the PojfeJJion of the Living Faith '•w ts. IL Who they he that are under the Lam^ ani who they he that have made void the haw againfi themr^ felveSy and rvho they he that are under Grace. III. Of the Way of Life^ from the Knowledge that devours the Life. IV. An Opening of Light to all Sorts of Rulers and Feople^ that rvait for the Kjngdom of God. y. A Candle lightedy to give the Sight of the Good Old Way of Gody at his comings from the Ways that now enfnare the Simple. yi. T^he Living God glorified in his Temfle^ the true WorJhipperSy that worfhip Him in Spirit and in Truth. V|I. To the Ranters, yilL ^Deceit difcovered by its Fruits. What ( 4^-7 ) ff^hat the Poffeffion of the Living Faith is^ and the Fruits thereof &c. FOrafmuch as a right Faith is the only Ground of Man's Eternal Happinefs, and the only thing which gains the Creature an Entrance to- wards his Creator, and without which it is impof- flble to pleafe God ^ though much hath been faid of it already, yet I having found by learning the true and living Faith, which hath the living Power, different from that Faith which is dead and without that Power \ and feeing that fo many at this Day are at Eafe in a dead Faith, and their Souls in the Grave, in tender Love thereto I am ftirred up, to declare fomething of the Faith of Chrift, which I have found only effectual to Salvation and Reconci- liation with God. And fomev/hat the rather in re- gard the Enemy hath fpread fo many falfe Reports of me, touching my Faith in Chrift Jefus, which here I Ihall declare in Plainnefs, for the fatisfying of Simple Minds, who defire to know Truth rather than to reproach it ^ and for thofe who feek Occafi- on, I chufe rather to bear their Reproach who are in that Nature, than contend therewith: for m,y Work is not with Flefli and Blood, nor is it in my Spirit to ftrive with any about Words, that ftir up Striv- ings and Contention, and edifie not^ but with God I ftrive daily, and to that of God in all I feek to be manifeft, which refifts not Evil, but feeks to over- come it with good, waiting for the Kingdom of God in all, and the Souls Redemption out of Death, and the Seed out of Bondage, and where that is not eifedted (4^8) l^^9. effe£i:ed in Meafure, I look not to be owned, nor ^>^VN>my witnefs received, though it be not of my felf, but of Chrift Jefus in me. And firft 3 Faith, or Belief I have found in the World, of which I ihall fay little in this Place, hav- ing found indeed little in it to the Salvation of Life. It's a literal Faith, grounded upon the Hiftory of the Scripture touching God and Chrift, and what Chrift did in that Temple which the Jews deftroyed at Je- rufalem. Sec, But do not know him in Spirit, nor believe him as his Name is IMMANUEL to all Generations, and fo doth not neceflarily work the Believer into a Conformity to him in his then walk- ing, by his coming again in the fame Spirit and iPower, working in them the fame Will, Mind and Affections, and Obedience to the Father in their Meafure which were in Him the Example, Author, Worker and Finifher of the true and living Faith. And of this Faith (being fomewhat drefled by the feveral Opinions of Men) are all the unclean Spi- rits, living in whatfoever Abomination is to be men- tioned in the World, all Sed:s and Opinions, or whatfoever may be found in all Colours in thefe Northern Parts of the World, with this Faith they are covered, and this is their Strength, and here they take Comfort to themfelves, againft all Reproof within or from without, though living openly in the greateft Whoredoms againft the Spirit of Holi- nefs, either carnal or fpiritual, that can be men- tioned, even at a Diftance from Chrift in his whole Life 5 yet they believe Chrift came to fave Sinners, of which they are chief; and they that are whole need not the Phyfician, t>c. As if the greater their Wickednefs is, the nearer to Chrift they be- lieve. And by this Faith, he that came to fave Peo- ple from Sin, and to lead out of Sin, both by Ex- ample and Spirit, is made a Cover for all Fikhinefs of Flefh and Spirit, and to ftrengthen the Heart of Wickednefs againft the Life of Holinefs, fome in one Sin, fome in another 5 but with this Faith do all Sorts ( 4^9 ) Sorts ftrengtlien themfelves, and harden their Hearts 1657. againft the Light of Chrift, and that Spirit which C/^/SsI ifeproves the World of Sin^ and convincethof it, and would lead out of it. And hence it is that the Wit- nefs of God, which is holy in all, is trampled under Foot in all, and little regarded in any, but by this Faith believed on in none to be the Way to the Fa- ther, though the World have no Light but it, nor is there a Promife of Life in any other. And this to me appears to be that Faith of the Devil, or dead Faith the Apoftle fpeaks on, Jam, ii. though more hardened in it againft God's Fear, for the Devils when they believe tremble at it. So this Faith I leave, being judged already by its Fruits, with the Light of Chrift in every honeft Heart that loves Holinefs. And of that Faith I {hall fpeak fomething, in which I have found a Meafure of the Life of Chrift made manifeft in my mortal Body, in which Life alone is h e true and eternal Union and Atonement with the Holy God, into whom no unclean Thing can enter. And this is not a Notion of what was done in another Generation, paft or to come, Hun- dreds or Thoufands of Years diftance, but that which leads to the Beginning of the Work of a New Crea- ture at this Day, and a New Birth fpiritually be- gotten, and born and brought to light, without which none can fee the Kingdom of God, nor enter therein. And this Faith doth not work by the Com- prehenfions of Brain-Knowledge, that becaufe I could here conceive or declare of Chrift Jefus, from the Beginning to this Age , in Words or Thoughts, that therefore I have learned him, or know him as I ought to do, or am grown up in him to a perfect Man; and fo to deceive others by declaring and boafting of what God hath not wrought in me, as a Man may eafily do, and deceive his own Soul, and bewitch others alfo, hy leading them out of their Meafures of God's prefent Work in them : But of the living Faith, which now worketh powerfully in ( 430 ) i^^9« in Spirit hy Love thereto, the Myflery whereof is ^^VN^holden forth in a pure Confcience, working out the old Leaven, purifying the Heart, and making all things new, judging, and killing, and crucifying with Chrift in Spirit the Works of the Flefh, and calling our every thing in me that is not of God, and renewing in me the Things of God in their Or- der, by his Mighty Working in me, in which the Soul is railed out of the Grave, and the dead reflor- ed to Life, adtually and not in Conceit. Of the Grounds and Workings of this living Faith I fhall fpeak fomething. And though the Foundation of this Faith or Be- ginning of it was, that I did really believe, in that which Chrift did and fulFered at Jerufalem^ and that there in that Body he bore the Sins of the World, and fatisfied the Wrath of God for Sins paflr, and overcame Death, Hell and the Grave, and made way for the S^ed to arife in all, through the whole World, who would believe in his Light, which then Ihined through him to all Men, wherein he might be feen to be the Wa}'', the Truth and the Life appar- rent, openly triumphing over all that had paffed a- bove the feed. And much more might be faid of him there iiniflied, all which I did believe accord- ing to Scripture, which was as an Opening of me to receive him from Heaven in the fame Spirit and Power ; without which I could not have received the Gift of the Holy Spirit, God having fo pur* pofed from the Beginning, that the Covenant of E- ternal Life and Power fhould be received no other Way but by Faith in him, who in the Fulnefs of Time was there manifeft in Flefh, for the taking away Sins pafl:, and making a Way for the Re- furredion of Life over all, to fave from Sins for Time to come. The Effed of which Faith, Vhen in the Light I firft received it, did turn my Mind out of all my Sinspaft, and took my Mind out of thern, and turn- ed me towards God, and Holinefs of Life I then be- lieved (431 ) Heved to attain in that Faith, and receive Power 1659^ therein, to grow up in him to the Meafure of the W^vSl Stature and Fulnefs, which then I faw no lefs Faith could fave me, than the perfed: Faith of the Son of God, which before I had not received, but then re- ceived with fuch Gladnefs of Heart, that it fet my Face and Delights out of all Sin, towards the Per- fection in Chrift, in which I then believed, which was the Joy then fet before me ^ yet was not the Work done and finilhed in me already, though (I having received the Faith and Hope of the Son of God, and was turned from all my former Sin, and my own Righteoufnefsj fo that) if I had depart- ed this Body, I had died in no lefs Faith than the holy Faith of Chriftjefus. And fo being turned to his Spirit, out of the "Works of the Flefli, I was turned from my Sin^ and fo from Condemnation ; yet v/as there a great Work to do in m.e, before I could witnefs Freedom from the Body of Death, and the Root and Ground of Evil removed, and the Seed raifed to reign, and the Soul brought into the holy City, theRefurredtion of theDead, and Fellow- Ihip in the Father and the Son, ^c, and that glori- ous Liberty of the New Creature, and all things to be of God in me, as the Scriptures do witnefs : So this Faith did not work me into a Conceit ot my felf, glorying in Knowledge, and fo to become a Teacher of others, what I had conceived below the Life, but it led me down, into the Obedience of the Spirit of Light, to wait therein for the Refurredtion of Life. And I came to fee in that Light, that the Motions of Sin did ftill work from the old Ground and Root, and that muft be removed by the Power of Chrift, working in Spirit, and my Obedience and Watchful- nefs therein was required 5 and that without Obedi- ence to this Faith I could not come to perfedt Vic- tory over the Enmity, nor to the glorious Liberty of the Sons of God : for though this Faith had turned my Heart towards Chrift, and given me Hope to at- tain him, jet I had not then learned him, nor was he i^^9- he yet formed in me. So was I led in the Light of CyVNjChrift, to fee what I had of this Treafure in the Earthen VefTel, which I found to be in me very lit- tle, and that Seed the leafi: of all Seeds •, fo I became little 'n my ownEye,and that which told me the Truths tho' 1 had been high in my own Thoughts formerly. And fo to the Word of the Beginning, or thefirft Principle of the Doctrine of Chrifl: I was lead, that with that which teacheth Chrift, I might learn Chrift in ever}'' Meafure of him, as I grew therein ; So was I brought to know him that w-^.s maue under the Law, and to the Foundation of Repentance from deadWorks, and to the Doctrines of Baptifms, and to Eternal Judgment. Then came I in Truth and Life to fee what they were doing, whom the Apoflle ex- horted to work out their own Salvation with Fear and Tremblings after they had fully believed what Chrifl: had done for them at Jerufalem in that Body, and many other Scriptures did he open to me, as I learn- ed him, which before to me was^ a Myftery, while I learned them in Meanings without the Life of Chrift, which then were opened by the Revelation of Chrift Jefus, as they came to be fulfilled in me, being led by the fame Spirit in that Work of Faith. Then came I to fee, that I through the Law muft be redeemed from the Law, and that my Redemption from it muft not be by making it void, bat by ful- filling of it s and till then it had Power over me, and Sin took Occafion by it to ftrengthen it feU in me 5 But as I came to grow in the Spirit and Power of Chrift, I was in him brought through it, it in him fulfilled, and I dead to it as it came to be fulfilled ^ and the Words of Chrift I found true, / came not todeftroy the Law ^ but tojulfil it 5 and it iseafier for Heaven and Earth to pafs avvay, than one jot of the Law to pafs away till it be fulfilled ^ and I needed not a Meaning to that Scripture, but a fulfilling thereof in Chrift Jefus. And the School-mafter that brings to Chrift I learned, and Chrift formed, and the Heir under Tutors, before I knew the Liberty of the ( 433 ) the Son of God, or perfed Freedom ; and then I 1(559. faw the Scripture could not be broken nor wrefted ^ '-^^V"sl blat it muft be learned in the Life of it to Salvation, which tlie Unlearned wrefl: to their own DeRrudion, by Meanings without Life, and that it was of no private Interpretation •, but this one Spirit mufl; o- pen it all in the Fulfilling thereof, and this Faith in Chriftjefus only was able to make wife untoSalva* tion of Eternal Life. And then came I clearly to fee Chrifl Jefus fet be- fore me in all things that I was to go through, in that Faith which I had firfl: received, and that the Attaining of him was the Hope of Glory, and no Hope without Him : And this Hope was an Anchor in all Hardlliips and Temptations, which were not a few I was led through-, but all were counted little while I flood in this Faith, for the Hope that was in me to win Chrift. And I clearly faw, that not- withftanding my firfl: Faith, in what he had done at Jerujalem \ yet if I did not continue therein, to follow the fame Spirit in Obedience thereto, believ- ing therein, in all its Leadings, hoping to attain to Chriftjefus the End of that Faith, in daily growing towards his Stature and Fulnefs, but had turned a- fide, or fate down fhort of the Leadings of that Spirit in the Way, I had made void my Hope of Glory, the Work of my Redemption, and that v/hich Chrift did at Jerujalem (as to me) and had denied xnj firft Faith, and could not have been fa ved from Wrath to come. That being the End of that Faith committed to me, that therein I might faith- fully , without doubting, follow him in Spirit through all Tryals and Temptations, of which way he was a perfed Example in his Walking in the Flefh at Jerufalem, that through the Scriptures I might have Hope, feeing he went the fame Way be- fore me there, in which he now leads, and that therein I might fee Him to be the fame to all Gene- rations, as he was there, and in his Saints that fol- lowed him. And as they exhorted one another Ff to VJW7 16^;^. to look unto him in their Travel, who was the Art- ^^'^^'^^thor and Finifher of their Faith, and to confider him as an Example, who endured fuch Contradidi- oijs of Sinners againft himfelf, left the^ Ihould be weary of Suffering, and faint in their Minds, and fo their Faith and Hope was ftrengthened,» So alfo I looking to the fame in him, and alfo in them after him, my Faith and Patience might be doubled, and my Obedience made without doubt- ing, and my Hope firm unto the End, which End was the winning Chrifl in me the Hope of Glory^ the great Myftery of Faith, which is hid from all till the Revelation of Chriftjefus. And To when the Saints and Apoftles had Chrift revealed in them, they were able Minifters of him, and had the My- ftery opened, and preached it without Doubt, that Myftery of Godlinefs which was great, yet hid from the World, but to them without all Controverfie, God manifeftinFlefh, not God Flefti, but manifeft IN Fle{h 5 which Myftery of Faith they held in a pure Confcience. And fo I knew my Faith to be the fame Faith once delivered to the Saints, and the the good Fight of that Faith I came to know , and that Faith which overcomes the World, which liath the Promife and Inheritance of Eternal Life, which all that go back from deny the Faith of Chrift, and fet up a Faith without Chrift, v/hich is not the Faith of Chrift: And fo in the Learning of Chrift, I came to fee the Faith of Chrift from Faith to Faith, and alfo x}At Faith of Devils \ the Living working Faith, and the dead Faith without Works : And I find, that it is not the Faith of Chrift, to believe that Men could never be perfect, nor over- come the Devil or Sin ^ it was never the Faith of Chrift, to make void the Law of his Father unful- filled in him 5 it was never his Faith to revenge E- vil, but to overcome it with Good^ It was never his Faith to relpedt Perfons, or that we could com- mit Sin, and not be Servants of Sin \ it was never his Faith to fue^ contend^ fight, cr perfecute any ^ to ( 435 ) to judge for Rewards, or preach for Hire, or any i6'ygl way to ferve the Mammon of this World, it was ^.-^VNJ^ not his Faith to obferve his own Will, his own Times, or the World's Cuftoms, but to obferve his Father in all things, and only what he received from him that he did, and could do nothing of himfelf, he never owned them to be Children of God, who faid and did not. And many fuch like things as thefe were never by him believed, but is the World's Faith to uphold them in Sin and Lufts, who are Enemies to the Faith of Chrifl: which prefents perfect to God by working cut fuch Evils i all which I came to fee, not by Man, but in the Revelation of Chrift as in his Faith I learned him, growing into his Faith, into him and his Life therein made manifefl: in my Bod}^ •, So I fee what is his in Truth, as the Truth is in Jefus, and what is the World's, and but called his to oppofe him 5 and I fee that which loves the things of this World to be none of his Love, nor that hisjoy that takes pleafure in carnal things, nor that his liberty which is in the works of the flefh, nor that his Peace that is in Sin, nor that his Patience that feeks its own revenge, nor that his glory that's in Pride, nor that his Worfhip which ftands in carnal things, nor that his Honour that's fought of Men, nor that his Knowledge that's after the Flelh, nor that his Fear that is taught by the Precepts of Men, thefe are in the World, and not in him, but have only got the Name to be his, but are Enemies to his Life, and were never begat of his Father, nor learn- ed in the Son ^ all which and much like ftufFlcame to fee the deceit of, by that Truth and Simplicity I found in Chrijfl:, contrary to the will of Man. And fo in the Life of Chrift I have learned to know the growth of the Faith of Chrift, and the riches of it, and the end of it, which is Chrift Jefus in all its workings ^ and I alfo knew the World's Faith, its Uncleannefs, whofe end is not to attain the Holinefs of Chrift in Life, but would live in Ff 2 (436) i6'5'9. tlie World's delights, and have Chrift for a cbver!^ X/''>^r^ and be faved by the Righteoufnefs of another, which they have no mind to walk in themfelves 5 and fo that Faith works not by Love, which'loves not the Life of Chrift, but are Enemies to his Crofs, mind- ing Earthly Things, and this is the Earthly Faith 5 but the living Faith works by Love to Holinefs of Life, and therefore purifies the Heart, and the My- ftery of it fiands in apareConfcience within them- felves that have it, and not in telling and compre-^ hending what was in another, for the Devils believe the Holinefs that was in Chrift, and can Preach it, but cannot Inherit it, becaufe they love not to live the Life of it, and by this I know them both for ever, and all that prove them in the Life of Chrifl Ihall witnefs with me •, the end of the one is the Life of Chrift, in which himfelf walked, and the fame obedience of the fame Spirit to the fame Fa- ther by the fame Power, according to the propor- tion of Faith received from God, which Faith is from above, and fo lays hold on Heavenly Things for its ftrength, and fo brings forth Heavenly Fruits : The other profeiTeth and promifas great Things, but ends in the World and minds Earthly Things, and doth not purifie the Heart, nor believes ever to at- tain the Life of Chrift, his ftature or fulnefs, but counts it an Error in fuch as prefs after fuch attain- ments, and fo the end of the converfation of one is Chrift Jefus to hold forth in Life and Power, the fame yefterday, and to day and for ever , The end of the other is a Liberty to Sin here while they can take any Pleafure in it, and Sanfl:ification and Sal- vation when they are dead. And according to the end of each Faith fo it works, for it's impojiiblefor him that cannot believe Holinefs, to work Holinefs ^ but according to each Man's Faith fo muft he inhe- rit in this World, and that which is to come. And in the workings and attainments of this li- ving powerful Faith i have found feveral meafures' according to iny growth theiein, from the V/crd of ( 457 ) t(he beginning of Chrift, or the firfl Principle of 165:9. Chrift, and the fulnefs, and ftatureof Chriftj asbe-^-/^^'^ twixt a Babe and a Man grown in ftrength, and^^^*^'^* much working in Spirit I found betwixt Faith re- ceived of X^hrifl: Jefus, and Chriil learned in me 5 for though I received the Faith of his fulnefs in what he wa? at Jerufalem^ in his flelh there at once, yet had not I fo learned him in Spirit and Life in my mortal Flefh, nor put him on at once, but in the Light of Faith I faw I was fo to run as to win him before I could put him on, wherein I came to fee and know my felf begotten again in him by Faith towards God, who is the way to God, in which way I came to fee the begotten of the Father manifeft in meafure in me in the pure Image of a Holy Child, feparate from the flefhly finful Seed, or Chrift formed \w me as the Scriptures witnefsj and when I did behold his pure Image and his pure Mind and Nature ^ fo far contrary to my own, jtx. then was not he in his Kingdom, nor all things put un- der his Feet ^ nor could I fay that Jefts was then Lord in me, but by the Spirit's working by this Faith I had received, and in hope thereof, was I made to endure the lofs of all things, and to deny all things that ever this Holy Spirit did War againft in me, which might any way opprefs this Holy Plant, or hinder its growth, owning his Judgment in the Light, upon what ever was in my Heart or Affedi- ons but him alone, though never fo much gain in my account in the World ^ which Judgment being owned and confented to againft my felf, and all my feif-Lovers, therein was I parted from them in Judgment, and fo then were they fubdued hy the powerful workings of that Spirit, and pat under his feet, and I fet free from them, to arife with him above them, being brought froni under them -^ and this was not done all at once, but in order as he ap- peared in the Light to manifeft every particular Evil : And as that Faith I had received wrought by Love to him, a confent in iiiy Spirit to his juft Judg- Ff 3 ' meni ! ( 438 ) i6S9' nient upon them, and I made willing to give them L/'Y^^jup to the fire, and to come out of them, and joyn to him in the execution, leafl he fhould confume me with them, as it muft have been had I flayed in them •, and here I toand the benefit of the Light which goes before his face to prepare his way, and the Salvation of Faith which faved me through hope of him, that I was not deftroyed in my Sins ^ which Faith and Hope gave me an entrance within the vail, or a liiding place in him while the indigna- tion was over, which was to pafs upon the Man of Sin. And fo a voice was heard in the Wildernefs call- ing out of Sin, into a way I knew not, but as the light of his Covenant led me in the Spirit, turning my Heart tovv^ards him, that he might not fmite the Earth with a Curfe at his coming ^ in which way e're I came into the Kingdom of Chrift, my pure reft, I met with many Hardlhips and great Travels, and many Temptations and Tryals within and with-* out, but the greateft Enemies were yet within me, which would upon ever}^ hardfhip be tempting with unbelief to deltroy this Faith and Hope, which was ail that I had fet before me to encourage me to en- dure fuch Hardlhips, and to follow the Light in a way I had not known, and to walk in the Clouds to meet the Lord, and to leave my former Know- ledge and Wifdom, and Glory and Riches, to go in a way I had not walked^ and to abide fuch aflaults on every hand -, every foot the World which I was called cut of ready to overtake me and compafs me about, and to turn me back again into what I had feen and enjoyed, behind me, ever feeking to per- fwade me that I iliould never attain to him that was fet before me in the Faith and Hope •, then came I clearly to fee, that though I had received the Faith of Chrift as a Ihield in this War, by which I was faved that the wrath of God took me not a- way in thefe Temptings, and Murmurings, and Reafonings and Doubtings which did arife in the fiefhly ( 4-39 ) Seflil/ part, yet was not I at prefent brought to 165:9. enjoy the piirchafed PofTeiHon, though I had heard ^/vSj and believed the Gofpel of Salvation, and was Seal- ed with the Holy Spirit of Promife till I came to be built up with Chrift for an Habitation of God through the Spirit. And I found by daily experience that my Salva- tion was not compleat fo lon.'^ as my Soul was fub- je6ted under any Earthly Lull or Paffion, nor the War over, but as by the mighty working of God in me by that Spirit thefe came to be fubdued under the feet of Chrift, and the Soul fet above it with him to reign in the Heavenly place ^ fo was my Sal- vation nearer than when I believed, for the Soul is not fafe while Sin lives, or the Flefli lulls, for that wars againft the Soul, and every Sin wounds it, and this fnall all know who are not i^ft feeling, whatever their Faith be touching Chrift Jefus, or what was wrought in another, whilfl: Sin defiles the Soul it is not fafe, nor the honeft Heart hath Peace and Reft, for the Reft and Peace is placed in the Holy City where comes no unclean thing, into which the Soul enters not till that all Righteoufnefs be fulfilled upon Earth, and the Soul fingled from all Corruption, and have put on Immortality, and Death fwallowed up in Vidory, when the fting is taken away, which is Sin, and the ftrength of Sin, which is the Law, which is not taken away but where it is fulfilled, there only Grace reigns through Righteoufnefs •, and this I found to be Truth, as the Truth is found in Jefus, as I came to learn him and put him on by Faith which I had believed 5 and I faw the folly of fuch as would make void the Law by talking of Faith and Grace, where Sin is yet Handing, and the Soul taken captive therewith, which I had often fought peace therein to my felf, but could not inherit liberty to my Soul any ether way, but as it came to be purified in obedience through the Spirit. F f 4. And ( 440 ) 1(5^9- And this Work was not wrought in me by the ^•^^V>w^ knowledge of Chrifl: after the Flefh, but as I came to learn him in Spirit, for Spiritual Wickednefs had taken my Soul captive, and by the Spirit it muft be fandtified and fet free. And I came to fee that if I had been in his Company here on Earth as long as his Difciples v/ere in the Flefh, and feen as much as they dici, and heard from his own Mouthy I fhould have been fhprt of this work as they were, in whom the Child was unborn when he went away in the Flefh, and they knew not what Spirits they were of, until he came again to them in Spirit and was revealed in them 5 then could they preach the Refurredion of the Dead and the Soul's Redemption,, and defired to know him no more after the Flefh, when once they had received him in Spirit, but Preached Chrifl v/ithin the hope of Glory, who till then looked for an outward Kingdom and Glory, until they had received hisPromife, He that dwel- leth with you fhall be in you, I will not leave you comfortlefs, I will come unto you^ the World feeth ine no more, but ye fee me, and becaufe I live, ye Ihall live alfo ^ at that day ye Ihall know that I am in my Father, and you inme,and I in you: And this was his Prom.ife, which they received, v/hom the World fceth no more, whofe expcdations are ^carn^I, neither can any fee the Kingdom of Hea- ven but who are born of this Spirit, and Heirs of this Life, and he that hath the Son hath Life, and he that hath not the Son hath not Life, but the wrath of God abides upon him, whatever he may fay he believes 5 and none hath the Son but as they re- ceive this Spirit, and are led by this Spirit, and born thereof. And this I found alfo, that the Son of God doth iiot appear in (works of Righteoufnefs,) but as he conforms them to his own Image, whicli he hath al- ways born in this World, as faith the Scripture, When he fhall appear we Ihall be like him, who fhall <:bange our vile Bodies and make them like his glo- rious ( 440 rious Body, from Glory to Glory by the fame Spi- 165:9.' rit ^ And herein we have boldnefs in the day of U'^VN^ Judgment, becaufe as he is fo are we in this prefent Worlds And this is not obtained with thoughts of believing without, but by a lively working of his Power, which works out the Earthly Image and Na- ture, and conforms Man to the Heavenly in that Spiritual Birth which is not of Flefh and Blood, nor could Flefh and Blood ever difcern it in whom it was, but ever hated it in whom it hath appearec in all Ages ^ which is of a lliining nature where il is begotten of the Father, and cannot be hid v/her< it is formed, but by his Fruits gives Light to the World contrary to the World's ways, Ihewing of his coming^ to Judgment againfl the deeds of Dark- nefs; And this Heavenly begetting of the Father is to be holden forth in that clear Image of the Father, according to every feveral meafure as he grows therein without mixture, that all maj^ fee that he is not of this World, who alfo takes them out of this World as he grows in any, or they in him, forth of the World they mufl: go bearing his i-eproach, that the Scriptures may be fulfilled, they are not of this World, even as I am not of this World, and this is the V/orld's Light and Condemnation, even his ComJng. And fo I find that Faith which joyns to the World where it is, and doth not overcome the World, is not the Faith of Chrift, nor lays hold on the Pov/er of Chrift, though Faith may believe the Hiftory of the Scriptures concerning Chrift, which Faith Aone fets not up the Kingdom of God in the Heart, nor cafts out the World there ^ nor faves the Soul from the pollution of the World through Luft, and fo is but a Notion of Salvation, and not the Power of Salvation, as faith the Scriptures 5 Whofoever is born of God overcometh the World, and this is the Vidory that overcometh the World, even your Faith -, and the Faith which works not $hus, is lilje aBodj without a Spirit, which is dead ^ Bus ( 44-0 i679- But the living Faith that ftands in Chrift Jefus, IXVVI that Spirit purifies the Heart and Confcience, and makes toward God in Chrift the Example of all good things, overcoming v/hatever would let the appearance of Chrift in his Temple, or hinder the bringing forth his Vertues, which are believed to be in him, to the utmoft of whatever he hath received of the Father for fuch Believers, who believe not in a Lye, but in the Truth and Power of God as it is in Chrift Jefus, and hath been declared in Scripture, not for adifcourfe, but for an inheritance of Life, of whofe fulnefs we all receive according to our Faith, till his coming, and we be compleat in him, and he in us •, and fo not come fhort of the Glory of God, the end of our Faith and Converfation, that to the World he may be manifeft in Life and Power to be the fame that ever he hath been, though he hath appeared in feveral forms, yet one in Spirit to make up a compleat Body. And therefore we find thofe who were of this Faith witnefTed Chrift prefent (which the World's Faith could never receive under any Form or Pro- feffion, but counted it Blafphemy, and that Spirit the Spirit of the Devil.) And fo IJaiah witnefled this Child Born to them that fo believed in his time, who was the mighty God, the everlafting Father,6^^. whofe Name they knew to be Immanuel^ and this was before he appeared in that Temple d,tjerufale7n^ and Ezekki was called the Son of Man before that time alfo ^ and Taul faid he v/as revealed in him, and fpoke in him, and wrought in him, and in his flefh •, that which was behind ^ of the afflidions of Chrift was to be filled up for his Body's fake which is the Church : And to whom he forgave any thing in his time, he forgave it in the Perfon of Chrift j and many more might be noted who confeiTed the fame Chrift in them prefent, both before and after his time at Jerufakm^ which Teftimony could never be received (by the wifdom of the World) in his Servants before nor then, nor lince to this dajr, foy ( 445 ) for the God of this World being King in the Heart, 16^9. and having blinded the Eye of the Mind thatfhould Cy^VN^ lee his Spiritual Glory through the light of the Go- fpel, he perP^rades the World that he is either paft, or to come, but never prefent •, and as many as are brought to confefs him before Men find it fo at this day, who are hated of all Men for his Names fake, that the Scriptures i^ay be fulfilled, and his Tefti- mony finifhed. And this Faith whit h confefleth him prefent, is that which the World cannot bear nor receive, who will preach him themfeives at a diftance, what he was and will be, but this Faith cannot reach his coming at prefent in any meafure to receive his ap- pearance now, nor v/ill this Faith ever give an en- trance into his Kingdom upon Earth, nor the Holy Reft, nor is this the Faith of Chrift (that puts him thus afar oiF,) which fills with all the fulnefs of God. And hy what I have learned, this is clear to me for ever without any more Controverfie, That the Faith that admits of Sin is not Chrift's Faith, nor hath any fliare or pofifeffion in him ^ that Faith which is not Holy came nor from God, and fo can- not build up to God 5 that is not faving Faith that doth not fave from Sin, but is deceiving Faith which deceives the Soul, and fuffers Luft to defile it and deftroy it, and fo brings it under Condemna- tion, by believing Lyes, and fo letting in Sin upon the Soul by confent^ perfwading that it cannot be otherwife ^ and fo gives the Devil Yi6tory, and the World Victory, and the Flelh Vidory, and Sin Vi- ctory over the Soul, which fhould give the Soul Victory over all : And what greater deceit can there be to the Soul than this is? And therefore for ever that which I have feen 'and learned do I de- clare openly, that this is the deceiving Faith, and indeed rather unbelief than the Faith of Chrift, which makes way for the God of this World to feigiijand adl: in things contrary to the Life of Chrift ia ( 4H ) i6')9' 11^ the Creature, and the Life of the Soul 5 and that t/^V^N^ Faith which gives way to the leaft Sin is not the Faith of Chrift, whofe Work and Coming is to de- ftroy the works of the Devil, and redeem the Soul from Sin, and the leaft meafure of that Faith that fiands iu his Life overcomes the World and Sin in that meafure 5 and he that commits Sin goes out of that Faith, and ads againft it. And a Lying Faith I have found that to be v/hich perfwades the Soul of freedom from Con- demnation, but gives it not freedom from Sin which is the caufe of Condemnation, and all fhall witnefs this with me now, or hereafter, that where Sin hath Power, there Death hath Power, and the Grave and Hell and Condemnation have Power alfo, for thefe are the Wages of Sin j then fliall you fee you v/ere deceived who believed the contrary ^ and may not fuch truly be faid to be paft feeling indeed, who can commit Sin and feel no Condemnation for it already > And this is the efFed of their falfe Faith, to har- den themfelves againft the faithful witnefs of God in their own Confcience, and the feared Confcience hath made jQiipwrack of the Faith of Chrift, and the Dodrine of Devils preaches the Faith of Devils to give way to the v/orks of the Devil, which all Sin is from the leaft to the greateft, and he that pleads for it is a Father to it, and he that commits it a Servant, and may look for the Wages thereof if he repent not, notwithftanding he believe the contrary. And many may feel this Truth at this day, who have a long time believed with this Faith, deceiving their own Souls day after day, believing thej^ Ihall not be condemned, when they are condemned al- ready in their own Hearts, and feel the weight of Sin daily prefTmg their Souls, and burthening the pure Confcience, and the fear of Death and Sin keeps their Souls ftill in Bondage, and lies upon them all their Lives, and yet they will farce them- felvea ( 445 felves to believe contrary to Holy Faith and a good iS^gl Confcience that they are Saved and Redeemed, and V^VNw? thus make Ihipwrack of faving Faith and a good Confcience, by believing a Lye contrary to their own daily feeling, no other thing to encourage them therein but this perfwafion, which fuits well with fuch as take pleafure in unrighteoufnefs 5 which perfvvaifion comes not ot God, but is condemned by that of God in themfelves ^ and this is the ftate of many at this day, though fome there be whofe Con- fciences are feared, and feel not this witnefs living in them, yet their damnation flumbereth not, though they have loft their Calling and Eledion alfo. And this have I learned in Chrift, that there is 3 great difference both in efFedl and nature betwixt that Faith which is the gift of God, and that Faith which Men make to themfelves 5 for that which is the gift of God is of his own nature, clean, pure and perfed as are all his gifts, and fo it works natu- rally the work and will of God in all who receive it freely, and mix nothing with it to darken it or ^ flop his working, and by this Faith I am faved from Sin and Condemnation, and begotten to the Father thereof in Chrifl Jefu§ ^ which Faith is not of my felf, but is the gift of God, to perfed Holinefs in the fight of God, and whatever is done in this Faith is not Sin 5 and whatfoever is againfi: this Faith, or not of this Faith is Sin, and brings Condemnation, and this Faith approves not of it. And if I ad: no- thing doubtingly nor againft this Holy Faith, in this Jfaith I am juftified in my own Heart, and my OW0 Confcience kept clean, and I approved in God's iight, and I have boldnefs through the obedience of Faith in the day of Judgment, that it is not my own work, but the righteoufnefs of Faith which is in Chrifljefus, and this efFed hath faving working Faith, and this is its Nature and Grace. But another Faith I have found which is not fo in nature or effect, being not freely received from above^ 1^5:9. above, but is feigned,) and hath its ground here he- t/^VN^ low, and its ends alfo : The Earthly Man in his wifdom from the Letter, Reafon or Comprehenfions, fets up an Opinion or Image in his Mind touching God or Chrift, or Religion, Worlhip, Doctrine or Manners, or any other thing, and then looking up- on the likenefs of it in the reafoning part, gathers ftrength to believe it mufi: needs be fo, and fo forms a Faith in himfelf: And though this Faith be not perfect when he hath formed it and made it with all his ftrength, but many things in Scripture and the pradtife of the Saints (but efpecialiy th:^t of God in his own Confcience will not fuit with it) yet the ftrongMan being above in the ftrength of his Com- prehenfion, forceth a Faith againft all thefe, and caufes all to bow under it. So this Faith brings not forth the Birth of Chrift, nor his pure Image and Life, neither in Matter of Worlhip nor Manners^ but what he may imitate Chrift and the Saints in Worfliip, and keep the World and efcape the Crofs, and fave his Life and Credit and Glory there, that he will conform to, and glory in, and for the reft, he believes it concerns not him now, in all things at this Day fo to walk as they did. And as this Faith is not perfed in Worftiip, fo in Practice alfo ♦, for that Evil he is not addicted to he condemns in all, but that which is in his own Heart and Eye, and brings him Profit and Pleafure, that he will cover, and believes it may ftand with true Belief at this Day, though formerly it could not. And this is the Faith made after Man, and not after God, and ferves in Refpeft of Perfons, Times and Things^ but bows not all thefe for ever to worftiip in Spirit, nor brings them under the Footof Jefus, that Spirit, but being earthly by Nature, hath earthly Eft'eds 5 and God doth not own that with his Power, nor goes forth with that which Man makes, but with his own Gift, which is good and perfed in every Meafure thereof. And this alfo I have learned in Chrift Je- fus,' and declare to ail that feek Faith in him. That I never t never received any Meafure of this Faith of Chrifiin i6')^. vain,but whatever I adted or fuiFered therein^from the t^^VN^ leaft Meafure to this Day, in it I prevailed againft whatever the Light of the Spirit led me out of there- in, and a Shield I have found it, and a Growth in it towards Chrifl Jefus in every Work of it, where- in I have flood fingle to the End, however tempted or tried before the End appeared ^ yet in the End of that Faith I was ever a Conqueror through the Spi- rit, and whoever proves it to the End in Singlenefs of Heart, ihall be Witnefs with me herein, with a Cloud of Witnefles that have gone before, who by this Holy Faith have prevailed over the Powers of Sin, and entred into the holy Reft, who have not fought their own Kingdom, but the Kingdom of Chrift. And only this pure Faith, which works towards the Appearance of Chrift in all Adions and Suffer- ings, is that which orders all things in their Place and Time, and fits all Relations for his Appearance therein to glorifie God ^ for God is not glorified in any thing upon Earth, but in whom the Son ap- pears, who is the exprefs Image and Glory of God^ and in whom alone he reveals himfelf, and the Glory of his Judgments and Mercy, the Grace and Truth of God is in his Face in whomfoever he appears. And fd every Meafure of the heavenly Faith w^orks towards the heavenly Appearance, and the earthly Faith to the Earthly Appearance : And fo Faith in God is that which works effedtually by Love, to the Image and Life of God in this World, which is feen only in his Spiritual Begettings, v/hich being believ- ed in, and fet above, fhines forth in every Meafure Ihewing the Virtue and Glory of the Spirit of God* But the feigned earthly Faith admits of fome earth' ly Thing in the Heart for its End, in Love to which it works Difobedience to the Spirit, and fb comes Ihorr of the Glory of God ^ for it cannot hold forth the Fruits of the Spirit to glorifie God, with an earthly Lover in the Heart , nor can one Faith VJW) 16')^^ Faith ferve God and Mammon. So he that loves the l/^\r\J Things of this World is God's Enemy, whofe Faith withftands the Appearance of Chrift in his Actions or Sufferings, and fo withftands the Glory of God; which therein Ihould be manifeft to all Men : And this is that Faith which ever of Old hath put him afar off, yet gets the Form and Words to withftand the Life and Virtue : And of this Sort they are, of whom the Apoftle fpeaks, having a Form of Godli- nefs, but deny the Power of Godlinefs, who ever were th.' greateft Enemies to the Coming of Chrift, being not of the Faith of Chrift, nor of the Spirit of Chrift, but being from below, withftand his coming from above, to be brought torth in his Vir- tue, or worfliipped in his Spirit, this is Antichrift. And this Spirit and this Faith it is that wreftsthe Scriptures to feduce from Chrift, and deftroy the Way of his Coming*, and to that End, what Chrift really commands to be brought forth of his Life and Virtue in real Appearance, this Spirit ferves him- felf with a Meaning, inftead of ferving Chrift with real actual Obedience ^ and fo his Birth is a Mean- ing inftead of the Life of Chrift, and this he fets to oppofe that Life, left it fliould be born into the World, As for Inftance ^ when Chrift faith in the Scriptures, He that Jm'iieth thee on the one Cheeky offer him the other ^ and he that fues thee^ a?id takes thy Coat, forbid him not thy Cloak alfo \ and he that takes away thy Goods, ask them not again : Refifl not Evil, but overcome Evil vnih Qod-^ and love thejn that hate you. And many fuch like Commands, which Chrift means really and indeed, and led an Example in himfelf •, and whoever receives the fairu; Spirit, it moves to the fame things, as it grows in any, and being obey'd will bring forth the fame Fruits, to glonfie the Father thereof to all genera-^ tions^ which Spirit waxeth not old, nor in its Fruits barren, where it is really recti v^jd in the faith there- of, and obeyed. But faith this other faith in the earthly Spirit, Chrijt did not mean as he /poke, yoi^ ?nuji (449 ; fnuji not take it literally^ thofe Words muji have a i6'y9* Jpir it ual Meaning: And this fpiritual Meaning of his is to devour the Life of this O'^edience, both in the Letter of Chrifl: and Spirit of Chrift, and to fet up a fubtil Meaning, v/ithout the Life of Chrift, and contrary to his Example j and this he will have to take Place in all, both againft the plain Words of Chrift, his Example in his Walking, and the Work- ing of his Spirit in others. And if he cannot de- ftroy this faith and fruit before it be brought forth, then his Work is to render hiin a high Blafpheiner, in whom this Child is born, and brought forth to light, and counts it high Prefumption for any to witnefs the Life of Chrift in them, by bringing it forth into the Worlds yet himfelf v/ill preach Chrift in him, and the Life of Chrift in him, and the Spirit of Chrift in him, and his Body the Tem- ple of God, ^c. becaufe he finds thefe Words in Scripture : But if any worfhip in that Temple, fo as to believe and obey unto Life openly, that he cannot own without a Meaning inftead thereof. And ^o he fets the Form to deny the Power, and Chrift's Words he wrefts to deny his Coming. And how long this Faith hath profeffed him to come (and his Life and Giory at his Coming) in its own car- nal Comprehen lions, man}'- may witnefs •, but is never like to receive him in the fame Life, and Spi- rit, and Power in which he ever appeared. And fo to that Generation is he ever to come, but never prefent, further than to make a Cover for Sins paft and prefent, and an Encouragement for Sin to come. And thus the Devourer turns the beft of things into a Lye, in all that believe him, that he may keep Chrift and the Soul from their prefent Union, which he could not long do but by confent of the Creature, there being that Gift of God in every one which daily draws towards him, where it is not quenched hj believing Lies, whereby fuch as receive not the Truth in the Lov« of it come to be damned, as it was in the Days of Old. And a ftreight PalTage I Gg have ( 45° ) 'i6'yg* have found into the Way of Truth and Life, which Ky^-^ mifleth all his fubtle Pretences ; and I have ^etn his Words true, who faith, Few there be that find it^ the Enemy being every Way ready to meet them that feek with a Shadow^ Meaning, or fome Deceit to believe inflead of the Subftance, handling the Words of God deceitfully, ufingthe Gifts of God to withftand the Life of the Giver, and turning Grace intolafcivious Liberty. And thus have I learned in X}\e Light of the World, That in my turning towards him at his Reproof, when I knew him not, and believing in his Light whom I had not feen, I found that Faith given, which did declare theRighteoufnefs of God in him, wherein he perfectly walked upon Earth, both in do- ing and fuffering, which being turned towards, I found the Propitiation that God had fent forth, through Faith in his Blood, to declare his Righte- oufnefs for the Remitting of my Sins paft, that God might be juft, who would not have pail: by my Sins paft, had he not accepted his Sufferings •, nor have I had Liberty from Sin paft to have followed him, nor could I have h^tn accepted therein, but in the Faith and Hope of the fame Righteoufnefs j fo God was full in Juftifying, and his forbearance magnified to me therein. And in turning to this Righteoufnefs of his, declared 'in the Light of Faitli and Hope, my Face was fee towards God's Righteoufnefs in Chrift Jefus, to be attained for Li(e and Salvation for time to come to walk in. And fo being turned to- wards God, all my Sins paft were behind me, and God's Righteoufnefs before me 5 and fo from hence- forth was I to be found in God's Righteoufnefs, walking in a Meafure of it, and hi the Faith and Hope of the Fulnefs of Chrift, and Attainment of God for mine Inheritance. And this great Redemp- tion I found in Chrift Jefus at that Day was in fuch things as thefe following: At. fir ft, His calling oi' me with his Light •, his holding forth to me his Lite and Suffering, which v/ere fu holy, that I could not but contefs. ( 45^ ) confefs to them, his turning me towards the fame 16^9. in Hope thereof by believing, his begetting a Mind L/V^J in me towards that fame Life, and the Encreafe of his Light that Way to lead me, and the fetting of me free from the Wrath of God, for all my Sins of Ignorance paft, which elfe had laid upon me as a Weight or Chain, binding me that I could not have walked in the Way of his Light, 6^V. But I do not fay. That if I turned to commit Sin again, that that Sin was cafl behind iny Back alfo *, I learned otherwife, I found that Sin then be- fore my Face greater than the reft, and flood in my Way to God, and ftop'd me from following his Light, or growing in his Life, that I could no way efcape it but by repenting of it^ and receiving the jull Sen- tence of Condemnation in my Self, and bearing his Indignation, till he that wounded me for it healed me again ^ which I never found, but as I turned from the Evil with my whole Heart, and accepted the Punifhment, till the Advocate did arife tointer- ceed, whofe Blood I had trampled on, and whofa precious Life I had pierced, and his holy Spirit grieved, by turning away from his Leadings. Nor do I fay. That all my Sins, which formerly I had committed, of which I had been convinced by the Light of the World, when I was in the World, before I believed it to be fufficient, that they were wholly taken away, as my Sins of Igno- rance were ^ for this I found, That God in this was juft and merciful : merciful, in that he did not lay them all at once before me, left they fhould have preft me down, that I could not have followed the Light, nor gotten any Strength^ but muft needs have perifhed under them, had he not fpared. And juft I have found him alfo ^ for as they were not committed all at once, againft the Light of his Spi- rit ^ fo he hath at one time or other vifited for them, and laid them before me^ yet not all at once, nor no way fo heavy as thofe committed after I believ- ed, and gave up my felf to follow the Light, and Gg 2 yet ( 450 •'i6^9- yet to an Account he hath brought me' for them^ ty^*VN^ And coining to feel the Terrors of God, I have learn- ed to fear and love, and have found the Ground and Rife, and Deceits of that Faith that believes Chrift to have taken away the Sins of Believers, paft, pre- fent and to come, with which many at this Day make merry over the Witnefs of God, and thejuft is flain in them, and that Scripture I have learned without a Meaning, If we fin imlftUy^ after we have received the Knowledge oj the Truths there remains no more Sacrifice for ^in\ hut a certain fearful look- ing for oj "Judgment^ and fiery Indignation to devour the Adverfary • though none know how but he that comes to it in the fulfilling, and then fhall be feen, he that's born of God fins not, and he that believes is born of God, but he that fins, turns his Back both on the Faith and Birth that's towards Chrift, and becomes adverfe thereunto in his Work, v^'-hatever he fays he blilieves. And this I have found an ever- laftiiig Truth, whatever Men believe or im.agine. That no longer than a Man keeps his Face towards the Light of God, no longer is his Sins caft behind his Back, whether they be Sins paft, prefent or to come, but if he turn from God's Righteoufnefs, his ov/n Iniqui-'ies will rife and meet him, both New and Old, and in vain do fuch believe, the}'' are then blotted out of God's Sight, whofe Eye fhews him his Vv^ay, in v/hich he then walks-^ and con- demns him for it in his own Heart. Nor was the Ground and Root of Sin removed, ^o foon as mj Mind was turned by the Light from Sin towards God, but the Motions thereof I found, and the Luft feeking to go forth to its Objects, to bring in to conceive Sin again afrefh:, that Ground waa but removed, as I grew in Chrift and he in me, and as I came to learn him, that was in the Beginning before Sin was, who wasleatned in faithful following and fervmg of his Spirit, in Watchii/g, in Failings, in Prayers, and in all fpiritual Wreftlings, as I came to be led into with the Light, in which Warfiire I came ( 453 ) came to fee the Hardfliip of him that will bea Soldier i<^?9' of Chrift Jefus, and the Baptifms into his Death, O^V^J the flothful Servant and the faithful, and their Re- ward, and the Parables and Figares of the Kingdom opened, as that Spirit grew in me which interprets the Scriptures in the Life, and opens thefealed M7- fteries thereof in their Seafon, as they come to be fulfilled. And fo I came to the Gift of the Scrip- tures by Infpiration, which only profits to the per- fecting of the Man of God, which the Man of this World not having learned, wrefts to his own De- ftrudion, getting the Words of them in the earthly Part, before they be fulfilled in his Heart through the Spirit, and fuch receive them not by Infpira- tion, nor the Gift of the Holy Ghoft. And in this Journey I have feen the flothful Ser- vant overtaken with a Fault, which he had once call behind him, and never intended to join to a- gain, of which the diligent Servant is kept free-, and I have feen the Wages of each Servant accord- ing to his Diligence, in that which he hath of God enrrufted in him, and not by his own Strivings, in the Thoughts of himfelf, his Worth or Wifdom. And in diligent hearkening and obeying of the Spi- rit, have 1 found the right Faithfulnefs towards God, though getting Knowledge be highly efteemed with Men, and I have found that, as I have the Spirit manifeft in me to profit withal : So the Times of my Profiting are only in his Hand, and iny Waitings upon him when he moves not, is my realonable Service, and a profiting Time to me as if he moved, though I fee it not. And this- I found a great Crofsto my hafty Will, which indeed is the true Worfliip in Spirit, which, when I knew not this Spirit to hearken and bow to, and obey and obferve in all things as his Will leads, I wor- fhipped I knew not what, and my Fear towards God then was taught by the Precepts of Men, and I was not taught of the . Lord, not being born of that Spirit ; And fo ^11 thaChildrsnof the Lord are Gg J taught ( 45+ ) l659» taught of the Lord, and as many as are led by the VyV Spirit cf God, they are the Sons of God. Thefe Scriptures I then could read, and underftand with- out Meanings, not by that which my Wifdom taught me, but which the Holy Ghoft taught me ^ and the Scriptures, thus learned and received, was no more a Notion to be loft, but a Poflelfion ^ and I came to have an Inheritance therein amongft them that are fanclified in all Ages, and no fubtle Man could either fteal them, or change them, or any way beguile me of the Truth of them, by wrefting them, nor take a^'ay my Comfort I had in them, my Comfort and Fellowihip therein being in the fame Spirit and Life that gave them forth ^ and the Word of God thus grew and endureth for ever, and the Spirit of Truth, that leads into all Truth, en- dures for ever, and the Seed of God is one there- in to all Generations, and that is one which per- feds the Spirits of all juft Men, and God himfelf is Judge over all, and Leader of all, by his own Be- getnngs in all that enter into this Reft of the Faith- ful, V. hich remains to all his Children, out of which ' falfe Faiths and Difobedience fhut thtmlelves. And that which declares the Righteoufnefs of God for Remiffion of Sins paft, and tor an Inheri- tance againft Sin for time to come, have I found to be Faith without Falfhood, which Righteoufnefs thonghin the Faith and Hope beyond declaring, yet inherited but as the Virtues that are in Chrift Jefus come to be received in the Life of them. And that Faith which hath not that Righteoufnefs for its Ground and End, and the Virtues, and feveral Mea- fures of the Growth of Chrift for its Life and In* <:reafe, That I have found upon Tryal to be a feign- ed Fancy, after Man's Mind, and not after God s Meafures. And he that faith he hath Faith in God, and is v/ithout the Hope of this Righteoufnefs for his Inheritance \ or faith he hath Chrift further than he hath his Virtues, for his Life and Growth to- wards this Inheritance, when he comes to be weigh- (455 ) ed with Truth, will be found too light to ftand in 16'^^. Judgment, or abide the Fire, or to dwell with ever- L/^' lafting Burnings ^ the Tryal of that Faith will leave him without Faith : then fhall it be read as it is written, l^'he/2 the Sopi of Man comes jhall he find Faith on the Earth, Who they he that are under the La^w^ and "who they he that have made void the Laist) againji themjelves^ and who they be that are under Grace. GRACE reigns through Righteoufnefs, and the Law through Tranfgreffion ^ and he that fays he is from under the Law, and the TranfgrefTor a- live, he makes void the Law againfl: himfelf, but is under it in the Account of God. For the Seed or Image of God being fallen, the TranfgrefTor is above, to whom there is no Grace nor Life promifed, who hath no true Obedience but for Self-Ends i upon this is the Law added till the Promifed Seed arife, and a Schoolmafter the Law is till it bring to Chrift, who of the Woman is made under the Law, who takes upon him the Seed after the Flefh, the Soul to Redeem from under the Tranf- greffor, that the natural Plant of God may grow. So who can witnefs the Teachings and Chaftizings of the Lav/, to bring him fo low till he corne under the Seed, fo as the Seed be fet above the Head of the TranfgrefTor, and have bruifed it, and fo taken away the Strength of Sin, there the Strength of the Law is taken away alfo •, And as the Soul is raifed up through the Law, the Law being fulfilled by the Seed thro' the Spirit, fo it arifes above the Law, into the Kingdom of Grace, which reigns thro' Righteouf- nefs, '^nd not by making void the^Law ^ for the Grace Gg 4 " is (456) \6$g. is to the Seed, and the Law to the Tranfgreflbr : And jjtyV^^ ^s thefe reign in the Creature, fo is he under the Law or under Grace, for the Law hath power over theiMan of Sin as long as he lives, then is the Seed of the Pro- mife in bondage* but he being dead by which the Seed is held Captive, the Seed rifes under Grace, which as it rifes through the Law fulfills it, and being fulfilled it lofes its iirength, as Sin dies, and fo hath no more Power, the Law being the flrength of Sin till it be fulfilled by the Seed through the Spirit 5 fo he that is dead to Sin, is free from Sin, and under Grace : And he that cafts off the Law while he is alive that Sins, makes void the Law a- gainfi: himfelf. So he that's under Grace is dead to Sin, and dead to the Law which is the ftrength of Sin, and Sfii hath no more Dominion over the Soul, the Power of it being fubdued, which was the Law unfulfil- led; but where the Law is made void, the ftrength of Sin yet remains, and the Law will overtake them in the end- And he that learns this in the Death and Refurredli- on, and eternal Life,ihall in this work learn what the TranrgrefTion is, and how the Law is added upon him, and how it is the flreagth of Sin in him, but not in the Seed, and what it is that makes the en- trance through the Law, and how Grace comes to abound where Sin hath abounded, and to reign through Righteoufnefs unto eternal Life. So where the Tranfgrefi()r is flain, there the Law is at an end and fulfilled , and the Plant of God brings forth, againft which there is no Law, but the Law is againfi: the Man of Sin, and the Man of Sin againfi: the Lav/ as long as he lives, and Power it will have over him, and one jot of it will not pafs away till it be fulfilled : And he that would caft off the Law and make it void, is far from Grace, but "in him that fulfiileth the Law, doth Grace and Truth abound. 0/ ( 457 ) Of the JVciy oj Life^ from the Know^ ledge that devours the Life. WOuldefl: thou know the Way of Life from that Knowledge which devours the Life ; then be no longer as the wild AfTes Colt, but take up the yoak of the Son, in whom thou fayeft thou believeft, that the Life of Faith thou maylltfcel and know, for only in the Obedience is the Life made fure to thee of what thou believeft, and thereby is Faith and Knowledge made perfect. But until thou attain'fl Power for obedience of Faith,thou art dead, and know'ft but words, in which thy Faith ftands without Life, which accomplifhes nothing, but will arife to condemn thee when thy time is out. Therefore in all thy feeking, fnind that which worketh in a lowly Mind, calling thee into the O- bedience of what is there made manifeft in the be- gettings of the Father, and not in the conceivings of the Brain, but in the Son ^ for in the Brain- knowledge the Boafter Rules who glories in the wifdom of words, but not in the words of life ^ but in the Obedience of the Son is the Father known and glorified in fuch as walk in the Spirit and not in the^ wind, whofe praife is of God, and their jives hid with him from all knowledge, but what is Revealed in the Obedience of the Son : So from Man you may learn the knowledge of words, but the knowledge of life is only in the begotten of God 5 fo Jthat he that hath the Son hath Life, not of the difobedient Nature, for the begotten of God is con- formable to him that begetteth him in all things through Obedience. So feeling thy meafure of the begettings of God^ in it be obedientj, ^nd feek not to be above it in any thing. (458) Tl6$^. thing, left the Enemy thereby get power in thee to ^^^VN^pufF up thy Mind in thy Knowledge above thy Life, which devours the Life. Therefore as thoa feeleft Faith, Love, Meeknefs, Gentlenefs, Patience, or any Godlinefs move in the Spirit, therein become obedient with ail diligence, and thereby fhalt thou know the Power thereof a- gainft all the contrary motions in thy fleih, fo Ihalt thou learn the Salvation of Grace unto Life Eternal, which thou canft never attain by talking or any other way but in the Obedience thereof, fo Ihalt thou not receive the grace of God in vain, nor words without the working Power of Life, where- by the living Knowledge of the Myftery of Godli- nefs will daily encreafe. For by Obedience of the Spirit is the Soul puri- fied from its Darknefs and Pollution, and made fit for the further manifeftation of the hidden Myfle- ry, and the receiving the fulnefs thereof, and walk- ing therein ^ and fo by the Holy Ghoft thou fhalt be able to confefs Jefus Lord over all Powers in Hea- ven and in Earth, the opener of all fecrets, and only revealer of the Father who begetteth, by whom thou becomeft wife in thy Knowledge unto Salvation, not unto vain babling, whofe words ihall rife and Condemn them who glory therein. But thoUjif in Spirit thou hearkeneft diligently and obey eft, fhalt know that he who fometimes fpoke by the Prophets, doth now fpeak by his Son, the ever- lafting Power of Godlinefs, the only begotten of the Father, and in all things like unto him, in v/hom he is made manifeft ^ and the Prophets have Prophefied of Glory to come, but the Son declares the Father in this prefent Life, according to the meafure of him formed -^ and as he arifes in ful- nefs he opens the Heavens, and gives the Inherit tance thereinto. 4/f ( 459 ) ^n Opening of Light to all forts of Rulers and Teo^le that wait for the Kingdom of God, that you may not oppofe him in his j^ppearance^ nor fet up another to Reign upon Earth in his fie ad. DO 70U fay you feek God, you Rulers and Peo- ple, will you feek his face upon Earth ? Or would you fee his appearance to reign in Righteouf- nefs? Or can you lejoyce to fee him manifeft in Flelh } Or do you love his Image who is the' Father of Lights from whom you look for the Son from Heaven ? Then be not carnally-Minded in your ex- pectation, leall you know him not in his appear- ance who is a Spirit, and fo oppofe him as your Fathers in the flelh ever did, except you be born of the Spirit you cannot fee the Kingdom of God. The Father dwells in the Light and changes not, and the Son is the Light of the World in his own Image, by whom he changes all things that are out of him, and overturns Shadows and Cuftoms, and makes the World new , and in Spirit and Power is his Kingdom upon Earth, though veiled from flefh and blood, but revealed in Spirit to fuch as defire to know and worlhip him : And. no Man could ever fay that Jefus was Lord but by the Holy Ghoft. So with the Light of the Spirit alone v hich fees through the Veil is Jefus known to be Lord and King tor ever, with which you rmj all fee what you fet up to be Lord and Ruler in your felves, or over others. You that chufe Rulers, Judges and Ju- ftices. Mayors and Conflables, &'c. Do you fee through the Veil to chufe Jefus in Spirit to Rule over you, or over others ? Is that Eye open which knows the Holy Gholl, and who are filled there-. with. ( 46o ) t6^9. with, that you may chufe him to Rule in hisKing- ^•VN^dom? Da you feek for that Spirit to chufe withal fay which alone Jefus is known to be Lord ? Then it is plain you feek God's Kingdom in the face of Je-. fus Chrift who is that Spirit, which tuming to, caufes the Veil to be taken away from all Hearts, and will change you alfo into his Image by that Spirit, as faith the Sctiptures. So there were none to be chofen for Judges, Kings or Rulers in IJraeW Common-wealth, but who had of this Spirit and Undlion put upon them, and then the Lord reigned over them in his Anointed, whe- ther King, Prieffc or Prophet, Man or Woman , but when they chufed Rulers like other Nations, then they rejeded (not Samuel) but the Lord, that he Ihould not reign over them. Now you that fay you feek the Lord to rule over you, and fay Thy Kingdom co?ne^ mind what you chufe to rule in you or over you, and with what Spirit, leaftyour Praclife oppofe your Prayers, and make void your daily expedtaclion ^ do you chufe after the flelh as other Nations do, or d.0 you chufe after the Holy Ghoft? If you chufe after the flelh, then you fet the Veil betwixt you and the Lord, and God's Kingdom and his Image you cannot fee, and fo you rejed the Lord as other Nations do ^ but if you look through the Veil unto that which is within the Veil, then (hall the Veil be taken away from all your Hearts, and you ihall fee him amongft you whom you wait for, and him alone fet up and worftiip, and chufe him alone to reign over you, who is near you, at hand to all that put not his Day afar oiF. So if you ma^e Rulers like all the Nations, then after the flefli, they that are Rich, they that are Proud, they that are full of Earthly Glory, ^c. Here is the Earth fet above, then the Veil is before your Eye, and you fee not the Lord, nor do you fet up Jefus to be Lord by the Holy Ghoft: But if that Eye be open in you, that can fee through the Veil of of Earth, and all this deal of flefli and darknefs to 1659. that which is within the "Veil,even the Holy One in U^VN^ his Temple, him to chufe and fet above in your Minds, then your Eye (hall fee the Lord's anointed and the King in his Glory, and he ihall rule whofe right it is in every Heart, and your Gcvernours fhall be of your felves, and alLviolence fhall ceafe, and fliakings of Governments, the Government be- ing upon his Ihoulders who is the Prince of all your Peace in the great and in the fmall, who fhall reign in Righteoufnefs, and judge the People with Equitj lor God and not for Rewards, to whofe Authority every Knee fnall bow, and every Tongue confefs for Confcience fake, his Name being written in every Heart will then be read, whcfe Kingdom is everlafi- ing, and in Spirit and Power he Reigns, and in Spi- rit is Worfhipped in Heaven and in Earth, who fills all things with the prefence of his Glory, and his Kingdom is near to all that can believe, it's within you^ faith Chrift, and he rules where he is not known (though not to Salvation) who is made of the Seed of David after the flefh, by the Word of God to all Generations, a King for ever according to Promife, whofe Kingdom the Eye which the God of this World hath blinded is putting afar off, who fees not the Light of his Glorious Gofpel though he be not afar off, but him in whom all things have Life and Being, either to Salvation or Condemnation, and this is the Condemnation that Light is come al- ready into the World, which Men who love their evil deeds fay is to come, and fo look for that with- out, who is a Spirit within, and therein hath ever reigned more or lefs, but now his Day is arifing over all the World, whofe found is gone out to the ends of the Earth, and his Light arifeth in every Heart, to Life or Condemnation, and fomeit leads into reft, and others it pricks to the heart, and they kick againft it, and will not have it to rule there- in, and to this day he is rejected of the Builders, who is the firft-born unto God in Spirit, blelTed over all. And ( 462 ) j6'y9' -A.nd now all forts of People who in Truth wait t/V^O for the Kingdom of God upon Earth, with that which in you is of him, you may all fee (if you keep that Eye fingle) when he draws near v/ho is to Rule, and when he is put afar off in his Govern- ment here below : when you behold in any manner of Authority, fuch a Spirit as is for God alone, looking to that of God in every Man without re- fped: of Perfon or Riches, and with a fingle Eye feeks to find out where that meafure of God is tranf- greffed in any, or where it is opprefied by any, and with that meafure of God in himfelf feeks to fet Judg- ment upon the head of the Tranfgrefibr,and to fet free the innocent Principle of God in all, which will not lead any to evil •, thenisthejf^dgment oi God and for God, and that of God is fet above in all, this is he that's born ci God ^ here the Kingdom of God is near^ and as this increafes, fo God draws near, and his Kingdom encreafes, and that of God in you ail will anfwer thereto, and rejoyce thereat, v/hich waits for him, and that which is upright in every Heart ihall fay that is the Judgment of God, and in that VefTel is God on his Throne, according to the meafure of that Spirit ^i^t up in Judgm.ent, fo is Jefus Lord by the Holy Ghoft, known and bowed to. But on the contrary, in what place of Authority foever it be, in which the Innocent comes for Judg- ment againfl the Opprelfor ^ who is too Ifrong for him, and fo feeks to Juftice to plead his Caufe and to deliver the Seed of God that is burthened •, And when he comes his Caufe is not heard, but is thruft away (if not further enfnared) becaufe he cannot op- prefs that of God in him more, either by bowing to fonjething of vain Cuftoms or Worihips never fet up by God, nor owned by his witnefs for Confci- ence fake^ Or elfe becaufe he cannot hire his Judg- ment by feedii^g a Covetous Spirit which is for Re- wards and not for God, t'nat he Judges, and fo the IriJioceat Soul is not relieved at this Throne, but fent away as an Offender, from that place where he (463 ) he fhould be eafed and juftified with the Judgment l6$^. of a free Spirit, for juftice fake, doth not that of Wn^. God in you all teftifie againft this, that Judgment is here turned backward in that VefTel, and that Jefus is not Lord therein ? So the innocent Heart is fadned but not faved, and the Kingdom of God put afar off, and the Scepter of Righteoufnefs not feen. Wherefore Rulers and People, who fet up Flefh inftead of the Holy Spirit to rule over you, the wills of Men, the pride and glory of this world, or any vifible thing here below born after the flefh ^ fee v/hat you chufe, and what 3''ou put afar off ^ and with that Spirit you now chufe you will never fee the Kingdom of God, nor be able to fay in truth that Jefus is Lord j It's by the Spirit of Holinefs, Meeicnefs and true Judgment, and Works of Reghte- oufnefs that Jefus is known to Reign, and therein ftands the fight of the Kingdom and Lordlhip, in every Heart, in every Court, and in every place of Judgment to all Generations, which you deny in chufing the Man of this World after the flelh to rule in you, or over you therein •, and yet you fay 3^ou look for him, and thy Kingdom come daily, but deny him in the fimplicity of his lowly Spirit to rule for his own in all, as all your Rulers ever did, as you have read in words, and now may read in deeds, the World by Wifdom knows not God, fo that Spirit chufes its own to rule, but cannot re- ceive him whom you fay you look for. And how fhould any one who fees the Kingdom of God, and where the fimplicity of ChrifL is above, own that Kingdom, or worfhip that Spirit, and not betray the fimplicity of Chrifl, and give his ho- nour to another. And if in the meeknefs of Mind you did but weigh this, you could not think it fo ^ llrange, why fo many at this day (who have recei- ved the Kingdom of God in his lowly juft and righ- teous Spirit) chufe rather to fufl'er death under that Spirit of this World, than to bow to v/orihip it, or confefs that due theretOj which belongs only to Je- fus C 4647 1 6$ 9. fus the Lord, neither would you fay it was otfti- Sj^\^>j nacy or contempt of Authority rather to fuffer by the will of Man, than to rob the Lord of his Glory, and deny Chrift in his Kingly Uffice, and fet up an- other in his place. And herein true Wifdom may fee, that in fo do- ing we relift not that Power which is ordained of God, nor the Perfon, but that Spirit we teftifie a- gainft, by fuffering under, which God never anointed for a Ruler, holding forth tlie anointing as we hai^e received for a witnefs againiT: him, in the Spirit of Meeknefs, confeiling our King in v/hom we receive Power to fnffer 5 fo to us he is come, and by the gift of the Holy Ghoft we can fay he is Lord : therefore to us there is but one Lord, though there be many fo called, whether in Heaven or in Earth, yet have we but o^ne in all, both in Heaven and Earth, and him we know wherever he is by the gift of the Holy Ghoft, and to him in Spirit we co^fefs and bow, and the fruits of his Spirit are manifeft with the Light of the World, teftifying againft all the works of darknefs in all the Children of his Kingdom. And to us he is born who is from aboi-e the holy Child, wonderful in Counfel and Strength, whofe Heavenly Power and Vertue takes our affedions from all Earthly Objeds and Worlhip, whofe Name is Immanuel^ and it is written in our Hearts, and filed abroad in the World in our Lives, and Chrill Jefus is the end of our Converfation, him alone to put on, abQ*/e all to Preach, by walking in him as we have received of that liveljr Image of Holinels and Truth, the anointed of God, and fo we confefs him, before Men, who is the right Heir, in what Veffel foever he appears, and the Praife v/e give to God where this Treafure is found in the^arthen Veffel, and the hope of all our glory is Chrift v/ith- in, and the increafe of his Government is Chrift within, of which there is no end, and with that Spirit is all Righteoufnefs eftablifhed, the Kingdom of God upon Earth, and Eternal Life. ^ And ( 4^5 ) And where this is not feen, chofen and fallowed, 16^9.' ^ there Men rule in their own wills, and where Mens ^^^"sT^ Perfons and Riches are refpe6led in chuling fuch, there the fame is refpeded in Judgment by foch^and the Law of God is perverted, and the Sword of Ju- ftice which ihould defend the Caufe of the Innocent is laid by, and the fift ofWickednefs lifted up againft that which is tender of God in every Confcience^ and when this rules the righteous Seed mourns in fecret, but Wickednefs reigns openly : And this is and ever was the ftate of the Kingdom of God, and the Kingdoms of the Gentiles -^ the one rules in the Spirit of Holinefs, and the other exercife Lordfhip in their own wills, chofen and fet up not by the Holy Ghoft, as you may read in the Scriptures con- cerning IfraeTs Commonwealth, who when they wanted the ruling of this Spirit they fold themfelves under their Enemies, but when this was their Judge ^ they had aSaviolr chofen after the Spirit, not af- ter the Flelhj whoever was the Inftrument, the Spi- rit was their Saviour. Mofes was a poor wandring Shephered, yet in this Spirit a God to Pharaoh^ and Saviour of Ijrael -^ Sa* rniiel a poor Man who received no reward foi Judg- ment, and when they went about to chufe another alter the manner of other Nations, they rejedted God, who then gave them a King in his wrath: Ba- vid a poor Man, not chofen by the outward appear* ance, as Man looks, but by the Heart, and the dire- dtion of the Spirit, he was the Shepherd of Ifrael^ and his Seed of the fame Eledion hath the everlaft- ing Kingdom of Promife to all Generations. Elifl-)a 3 Plowman, yet by that Spirit was he brought to fee the Chariots of Ifrael2Lr\d. Horfemen thereof. Debo* rah a Woman, yet a Judge and deliverer to IfraeL And too long would it be to inftance in all Ages how he hath fet up his Throne and faved his Peo* pie in this Eledlion^ not of Wifdom, Riches, or ^ Worldly Glory, but the poor of this World, rich in Faith, Heirs of the Kingdom of Promife, v/hich Hh you i6';9. you fay you look for, but cannot fee nor receive ^^^^V%^ while you chufe after the flefli, as the World hath ever done, who ftillhave bent all their Wifdom and Religion to keep the Heiroutof his Kingdom, whom they have been looking for after the flefli, but not believing in the Light, to give them a fight through the Vail to him that is born of theSpirir, have re- fifted the Holy One, and chofen the murtherer, as did your Fathers, fo do you always refift the Holy Ghofl:, and as it was, fo it is, that which is born of the fieih is flefh, and chufes after the flefh, and worfliips after the flelh, for it can fee no further, it cannot fee the Kingdom ui God, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit, and chufes after the Spirit, and worfhips in Spirit, and thefe are contra- ry Kingdoms, and he that's born afer the fleih perfe- cutes him that's born after the Spirit, ever did and ever will do, for the Scripture cannot be broken, which hath fo fiid and is now fulfplled. And now you that are called Chriftians, you read and Preach of this King Chrifl: Jefus and his King- dom, what a One he ever hath been in his appear- ance upon Earth, by whom he hath been received, and by whom rejected, and after what manner he hath ever fufFered, and by what Power he hath reigned in all Ages, and this you will confefs in words, but will you now receive him to reign in )^ou ? Or can you own his appearance where it is fet up in others,and not be offended therewith, is that Eye open that knows him, or can you delight in him who was ne\'er like the World in his walkings > W'as not he ever Poor as to this World, and there- fore rejeded of the Rich and Learned ^ lowly, and rejeded of Princes and them that were high > Was not his Work ever to change Shadows, and Forms, and Religious Traditions itt up in Mens Minds a- bove the Life of Truth, and leadings of the Spirit, and to fet up Spiritual Worihip and Obedience in 5ts place > And therefore by t]v^ builders ever re- jected and condemned, and his new v/ork was ever foolilh- ( 4^7 ) , foolifhnefs to the wife, wherefore he bore the re- 1679. proach thereof with Patience 5 was he not ever meek l/^/^\J and innocent, and harmlefs in his Converfation to- wards all Men as a Lamb-indeed, feparate from Sin- ners in Life, yet feeking to fave them out of Sin with the daily giving up of his Life, ^c. So he was, and fo he hath ever appeared on Earth 5 now can you receive your King as he was, you that wait for him ? Or do you think he is changed ? Is he now become proud and lofty in liefh after the World, cruel, and covetous and hard-hearted, fubtle and crafty to deceive the flmple, ftrong and violent to trample on the helplefs> Doth the glory of his Scep- ter now ftand in Meats and Drinks and fine Appa- rel or great Earthly PofTelllons? Doth he now come to take up his abode and delight in thefe things > Who ever hath come to take the Minds of his Peo- ple out of thefe things up into the Heavenly Trea- fure ? Doth he now delight in earthly. glory, flrife and exaltation ? Are the Weapons of his Warfare now become carnal, wherewith he overcomes his Enemies > Doth he now come with Haling and Beating, Whips and Prifons and cruel Tortures to take the Kingdom of Peace, who hath fuflered fuch things formerly from, the World himfelf, and will he now turn Op- preffor of that which is tender in Confcience, and grind the face of the Poor, or pervert the Judgment of the Needy > Should he now be feen in works of this nature, were this to appear the fecond time without Sin unto Salvation, as he is promifed ? Sure the Vail is thick over that Heart who fees not that this is not his Kingdom, Power nor Glory, nor his Image, who is the fame yefterday, to day, and for ever. Yet is this Nature above in many, and chofen to Rule over many, who fay they wait for his King- dom, that Eye being darkned with lo'/e of tne World, which ihould give the true light of his co- ming, the carnal Mind thinks God to be like him- 'felf i But did you but honeftly look into j^our own H h 2 Hearts, (468) i6'^g. Hearts, with that Eve which puts a difference be* t/'Wtvveen things that differ in your felves, to know- each motion of each Spirit, and each Power, and the end and nature of its working, the Earthly* and the Heavenly, you would foon be able to judge of tbefe two, which fo far differ in their Fruits, and are fo contrary in all things, and to own the rigiit Heir in his Kingdom. But while 3''ou fuffer the God of this World to Iceep his Throne in your Hearts, by letting him cap- tivate your Minds and Affections into Earthly De- lights, it is not like he will fuffer you to chufe a- right, nor receive another to reign in you or over you, the Eye of the Mind being blinded therewith, the Light of the Gofpel cannot fhine into the Heart by which you fliould chufe, and which gives the knowledge of God in the faceofJefusChrift, nor that Treafure be feen or received in the eartlien Veifal, as King^ither in your felves or others ^ but the wife in Heart know what they wait for, and when they fee him the}?' rejoyce with the py of his Kingdom, which confifls nor in carnal things, nor comes with outward obfervations, but whofe coming is within, and whofe Kingdom confifts in Righteoufnefs, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghofl ^ bleffed be our King for ever, and blefled are they who put not his Kingdom afar off. And therefore you Rulers and People of all forts high and low, this word is to you, and this day is to you the day of the Lord, arife and receive your King into his Kingdom, that he may receive you, and eflablifhyou therein , the Lord is at Iiand, he is near to all that call upon him in Truth and Right- eoufnefs. To you Princes, Judges, Juftices, Mayors and Conll:ables, and afl forts of Rulers who are in the Place to Govern, the Lord is at hand, he is near 3''ou all, the Kingdom of God is within you, the Principle of God is within you, with which (if you mihd it) he will break the yoak of the Oppreffor within ( 4^9 ) within you and without you by the Sword of Juftice, 1659. that's his Kingdom upon Earth, put it not afar off, CXVN^ let it arife in your Hearts, fet it up above the will of Man, let it fhine in your Hearts, let it fpeak in your Courts, that which is of God in you all, which Judges juftly and with equity ^ lay by your Will, your Pride, your Covetoufnefs, and all that's above that Spirit of Meeknefs in your Minds, and make room in your Hearts for the Holy Ghofl:, that there- by Jefus may be Lord in you, and over others, that you may know him to whom Judgment belongs, to be in you •, you need not fay whoJJoall afcend into Heaven^ to bring down Cbriji from above, or who Jh all defcend into the deep to bring up Chrijl again from the dead, for he is nigh you, and you may feel his witnefs in Spirit, and his Word is in 3^ our Hearts, the Word of Faith, the Word of Righteoufnefs, that therewith you may all know him, who ftand- eth in the Congregation of the mighty, to Judge among the Gods, who Judges not unjaflly, nor ac- cepteth the Perfon of" the Wicked, but that with him you may deliver the Poor and Fatherlefs, and Judge the Caufe of the Stranger, wherein they are opprefTed*, that's his Kingdom, and that's the Word of Faith and the Word of Righteoufnefs that leads to it. And if this be fet up in your own Hearts, to love it more than Gifts and Rewards, Perfons or Earth- ly Glory, then is the Lord near you, and his King- dom is above the Earth in you, and your Work will be to fet it above the Earth in others, and fo the Kingdom of your Father, who begets this in your Hearts, his Kingdom comes, as his Will is done upon Earth as it is in Heaven, where all obey him, there is the Kingdom his, the Power is his by which you Judge, and the Glory is his of your Righteous judg- ment, now and for ever if you therein abide , And thus Ihall you be of the obedient Children to that of yonr Father in you begotten, who fay and do, who pray and pradife, and not like the J^cribes and H h 3 Pharifees, ( 470 ) i5^9- Pbarifees, and Laivyers, who faid and did not, who V^V^V^iriade long Prayers, but devoured the poor and needy, and Judged not the Caufe of the Stranger, but laid heavy burthens upon others, and bowed not thereto themfelves, who could not believe in the Light, nor receive Chrift within them, though he told them the Kingdom of God was within them, and his Word had no place in them, who were filled with Pride and Willfulnefs , fo they had loft the Key of Knowledge, the Key of Bavidy to open to them the way into the anointing, whereby to know David's Lord to reign in Spirit, which hath the Promife of David's Throne for ever 5 So when they loft this, the Kingdom departed from IJrael^ and the Pricfthood alfo ^ and he fet up his fign to the Gentiles, preaching the Kingdom of God to them that were afar off, and they that were not a People came to the Kingdom oi his anointing, and that great Myftery that had been hid from Ages was opened thereby to the Gentiles, which was Chrift in thera the Hope of Glory, and Kingdom of the Father. Arid now you that are called Chriftians, and are making great Declarations, what a glorious King- dom the Kingdom of Chrift will be at his coming, and what Holinefs and Righteous Government, and irnwY high things and great glory you look for, &c. But above all the reft how are you eftranged, who are gone out again fiom the anointing to look for this without you, while you rejedl: it within you? Was Chrift within them that great Myftery that had been Iiid from Ages, which by the hearing of Faith was opened to the Gentiles, and was the Hope of Glory to them (even Chrift \yithin them, whom the Apoftles preached, warning every Man and teach- ing every Man that they might prefent every one perfect in Chrift Jefus, the Hope of Glory within them, which Faith the Jews not receiving, loft their King and Kingdom I) And is your Hopes without y uu, as the Je\vs was ? Is that the Hope the Apoftles preached \ ( 470 pnached to the Gentiles, or that which enters with- i6^9' in ':he Vail? Is their not a Vail drawn over your* ^^ Hearts again, whilfl: you read this in the Scriptures? And have not you loft the Key of Knowledge, who are gone out ?from the anointing in your Hopes ^ Have you not loft the Key of David, which fhould let you fee David's Lord, in which the Kingdom of God h eftablilhed for ever ? Did God fwear this to David after the Flelh, or to Ahrabam after the Flefh, or to any after the Flefh ? Then how is his King- dom everlafting ? Or why did he fay the flelh pro- fits nothi\)g ? And why did the Apoftle fay, they defired henceforth to know no Man after the flefh, no notChrift himfelf ? Flejh and Blood pajjeth avcay^ but this Kingdom is everlafting *, fo he whom the Apoftles preached in Spirit by the receiving of the Holy Ghoft, wherein they were to grow up to the meafure of his ftature and fuhiefs, him you reject in Spirit, to be the hope of your Glory and King- dom, and wait for a Government after the flelh, and foftiut up the great My fiery of Godlimfs which was opened, and the Kingdom againft your felves, which Myfiery is not after the flelh, but God mani- feft in flelh, Chrift within the hope of Glory -^ and this Myftery was ever fhut with carnal expedations, but opened in the Spirit, as it v/as, fo it is, who denies the Spirit to be Lord, fliuts up the Kingdom. Wherefore arifeout of the flefh, you Rulers and People, and receive your King, long hath he been rejeded and thruft out of the Throne of Judgment, for which you have no Peace nor Eftabliihment 5 "Why will you not turn to him who calls you in Spi- rit, what a fliame is this that you are called Chri- ftians, and know not your vinointing, viz, Chrift in you? What Chriftians and without Chrift, Chrift not come ? What do you Rule withal, and difcern with,and judge with ? Are not all thofe reprobate who know not Chrift in them? But if you know ajuft, a Holy, a Righteous Principle of Spirit in you that is of Chrift-, fet it up, and you fel up Chrift, bow H h 4 tp ( 47^ ) T^^9' ^^ the Holy Ghofl and you worfhip in Spirit, and l^/'V^vj thereby you lliall fay that Jefus is Lord, fet up his Light in j^our Hearts, and his Day will arife to 7011 all, for there muft the day dawn, and the day- ft or a- rife in your hearts^ which will give the Knowlwdge of God near you, and true Judgment near you, and that which Rules over Spiritual Wickednefs near you, which all muft bow to who receive the King- dom of God ^ honour God in your Hearts, fit hiui up in your Hearts, let him be [udge in your Hearts, and firfl receive his Light and Judgment there, be- fore you pafs Judgment upon others, left you in judging others before Men, condemn your felves be- fore God. Dji;/rf"had little thought he had done that, when he faid, he that bad taken his Neighbours Lamb Jhould furely die-^ and you may foon do the like, it you go out from the Spirit, and Judge, before you receive Judgment in your own Hearts, and fee all be clean there firft, then is your Scepter eftablifh- ed in Rightcoufnefs, and your Judgment in Truth, which is the Scepter of the Throne of David in Spi- rit, which condemned David in Flefli, and will con- demn you in the Flefh if you Sin againfi: it •, and that is his Kingdom, and he is King for ever, who in Spirit condemns Sin in the Flelh, and for this end is he manifed:, that the Righteoufnefs of the Lam 7n,iy he fulfilled in all who walk not after the Flefh^ but after the Spirit^ which comes in his Name who went away after the Flelh, that the Kingdom might come. And if you receive your Authority and Judgment in this right Principle of God, it will Judge for God in all, your felves and others, and it will fit you to be Mediators betwixt the Offender and Suf- ferer in ail, and you will fee v/hat it is which tranf- • greffeth, and what is tranfgrefFed, and the nature of every offence to pafs an equal Judgment accord- ingly, and this is of God, and he loves it ^ and where that of God is preffed not to clear the Op- preffor, but to Judge the OpprelTorj and fet that of God ( 473 ) God which IS innocent free ^ and here with that of i6'y(^. God in your felves you Judge for that of God in all, ty'VNJ and fet that of God above the OpprefTor in all, which OpprefTor is not of God in you, nor in others, but is to be Judged, and for the Law and for the Sword ^ but againfl that of God the Law is not. And here is God's Kingdom already near, and not afar off, where God is all in all, and the Right- eous reigns, and the Power that is ordained of God, the Soul is fubjed: to for Confcience fake towards God in Heaven and Earth ^ and that of God in e- very Confcience fliall anfwer to your Judgment and Authority, and God fhall fet you up therewith as a terror in every Heart above the Evil- doer, the Mur- therer c^nd Traytor, and the Arrows of the Al- mighty fhall ftick in the Hearts of all that feek to undermine this Government, for the Kingdom of God it is, in which he Rules, who cannot forget himfelf, nor hath this Kingdom been taken from any who received it thus, till they go out of it themfelves, by fufFering or fetting up another to rule, above that meafure of this Jufl and Innocent Principle of God. And if you receive this Kingdom from Heaven in the love of it, then fhall you receive your Judgment from Heaven alfo, and your Law to Judge by, and God Ihall make you rich towards him in Righteous Judgment, and towards his People, and a difcerning Spirit will he give you in this iinointing, to know hard matters that are hid from fleih and blood, which you fliall receive in fecret, and bring forth openly, and all fliall hear and fear, and praife the Lord for you ^ and you (hall no more go to the Hea- then to learn Judgment, whom the Lord hath re- moved far from him, nor fliall you uphold thofe Laws by which the Servants of God have fuffered formerly in the Times of Popery •, nor fhall the Sta- tutes of Omri be kept and obferved, nor follow the ways of the Hoiife of JerGboam^ for you have feen what Qoi hath done concerning them, that you may ( 474 ) i6'y9* may fear to follow them ^, But you fliall have your ^>^V^^Laws from the Law-giver Chrifl: Jefus, and your Judgment from the Father of Lights, whofe Mini- fters you then are,to whofe Sword that of God in every Confcience fhall anfwer, which is written in every Heart, and which every Heart ihall fear to offend, 'j when .they hear that the Lord hath ra'jfed him up Judges as at the fir fi^ and CounfeUors as at the begin- nings and the Heathen Ihall hear and fear, and come to you to learn Judgment, and Righteoufnefs Ihall arife from amongft you to the ends of the Earth, and the break of God's day lliall be with you firfl:, as to you it is firfl: tendred, if you be not found un- worthy to receive him^,and he lliall make you as a Head in Counfel, and the firfl: born of all Nations unto God fliall you be, if you receive him, wherein the blefllng of God is bound up by an Oath, and his ftrength upon Earth to all Generations. And this is the Love of God to you all once more, the Rulers of thefe Nations, from thehighefi: to the lowefl:, that Love might open 3^our Hearts which the Earth hath Ihut and fealed, that you might come to a feeling of your everlafting efta- blilhment, and that your fears may ceafe in an endlefs Union betwixt Chriit your King, and your own Souls, to the dread of all j^our Enemies, and Eternal Praifes lift up to him indeed, who hath fcattered your Enemies many a time for you, and all their dark Plots brought to light, that you may love the Light wherein is your Salvation, and not Plot in darknefs againfi: his innocent ones, as your Enemies do, but with Hearts open and naked receive the Truth, which condemns all the deeds of dark- nefs in you and in them, leafl he bring your Plots and fecret Counfels againfl: the innocent upon your Heads, as he hath often done to your Enemies, for he will avenge the Poor, though long he fufrer with them and in them^ and this is now feen concerning you, as was formerly feen concerning them, of which they were warned in words, and witnefl^ed againft ( 475 ) in Sufferings long before it came, who are now bro- 1^5:9. ken as a Potters VelTcl, and cannot be made whole, ^y^V^sJ but whatever they do, breaks them more : And now are you warned and invited in Love, who fees before you this day what God hath done concerning them, and fufFered concerning you. And I am bold in the love of God to fend this to you all wherein there is a Seed of God, and I know there is that of God in you which v/ill anfwer to the truth of this ^ and the Scriptures witnefs with me alfo : fo I am not alone, but by two infallible Witneffes every word is eftablifhed, either to Life or Condemnation 5 and my Prayers to God is and and iliall be as long as this of God in me hath breath- ings, that you may receive the Kingdom of God which is near you, through that Spiritual Light and Key that opens the Door of yourentra.i- r there- into, that you may come to be eftablifhed in the Covenant of God and not of Man, and that you may not refiffc the Holy Ghofl, as hitherto you have many of you done, nor kick againft that which pricks you at your Hearts v/hen you are told here- of, left you be broken in the end, fo as you can ne- ver be healed, which is near at hand, to be broken or eftablifhed, as you receive God or refufe him, who hath long waited upon you that now are, and with much Patience is he finilhing as large a Tefti- mony of his Long-Suffering and Forbearance among you, as ever was fince the World began, though it be little feen where the Light is rejected, which the longing of my Soul is, may be for the leading to Repentance, that you may be eftabliihed after all thefe fhakings, in that Vv^hich cannot be fliaken, otherwife the moft miferable Woe that ever was will come upon you, your Profeifion of Chrift being the greateft that ever was fincc the beginning 5 And his Opprellion anfwerable, under which he fiiffers in all places of the Nations, for a Teftimony that the kingdom is near you, whether you will receive him or ( 476 ) i659- or refufe him^ whofe Life in meafure is now mani- ^-O/'^Ofeft in mortal flelh, and the Light thereof arifeth in every Confcience to Lead or Condemn. W Jl Candle lighted^ to give the fight of the good Old IVay of God at hvs Comings from the Ways that now enjnare the Simple. A Voice in the Wildernefs cries alond to all you who are talking of the Lord's coming, Pre- pare his way, make h^ paths ftrait ^ make way for thejuft to come to Judgment, make him way in your Streets, he comes not in a Corner, nor is he feept in the fecret Chambers, but openly in the Streets of your great Cities, where Iniquity is com- mitted openly, whofe Cry hath gone up before the Lord, and he comes to fee whether it be fo indeed as the Cry hath been \ and behold here is no room for the feet of his Servants to pafs, in whom he comes 5 the ancient Paths of Peace are broken up, the Sea hath broken its Banks, it rages and fwells exceedingly, and the good old Ways are grown like a Wildernefs, they are fiiied with heaps of Rubbilh, ib that the Stranger cannot pafs v/ho hath no Habi- tation in the Earth, our Streets are become as Sodom which God overthrew, who can fee and not lam.ent } How are the Paths of the Juft devoured }, How are Bryars and Thorns grown over the Way of the Righteous, v/liich takes hold of the upright what way foever he turn, if he come againft Sin i* So the Innocent cannot pafs if he come in the Name of the Lord ; AH have freedom but the Heir, and fuch as he fends before his face to prepare his Way ^ Swearers, Lyars, Drunkards, and all deceitful workers are be- coipe Free-men, have free paflage, and every o.ne brings ( 477 ) brings forth without Fear •, but he that departs from i^T9» Iniquity, and teftifies againft it, is befet about with t/'^^*^ them all, as a Sheep in the Bryars, what way fo- ever he turns, his Bonds arc encreafed. How is true Judgment driven into a Corner, and Wicked- nefs come into the Streets, which rifes up without Fear againft him that reproves it 5 for Violence hath got into the Seat of Equity, and hath fram- ed Mifchief by a Law, and hath turned Judgment backwards. Should not Truth have its Way amongft you Pro- feflors, and righteous Judgment pafs upon its Ene- mies where they are found, and plead its ownCaufe againft Iniquity ? But he that lettethftands in the Way with his Weapons, to devour him that is more righteous than himfelf, and no Man is able to reftore to the Upright his Path 5 or can he redeem his own Way but through Blood ? Shall he condemn Iniqui- ty, and not be a Prey ^ Or, ftiall he reprove Sin in the Gate, and not be taken in their Drag ? And when the Innocent is caught in this Net, to whom fhall he cry for Relief, and not encreafe his Bonds ? Or, who will plead his innocent Caufe, and not be- tray him > If he would appeal to Juftice, he can- not come at it, nor doth Judgment fit in the Gate 5 Is there Help in the Houfe of the King, or will the Houfe of the Prieft plead his Right ? Or to whom may he commit himfelf with Safety, ivhofe Life and Faith is held in a pure Confcience ? Or in what Court can he appear without OiFence > Are not Snares laid in lower Places, and on the Mountains a Net fpread ? And do not thefe daily catch Men > Search, if there be a Man left that is valiant for Truth upon Earth, who for Fear or Favour will not wink at Oppreffion, or that dare faithfully ftand by him that comes in the Name of the Lord to reprove Sin openly ^ who is he that hath not laid Riches or Honour, or fome Piece of Earth in his own Way, to ftop his Feet from the Path of Uprightnefs? And fo is every Man's Arm become too Ihort to relieve the ( 478 ) i<$5^9- ^^^ Opprefled, or to open the Way wherein the In* t/VV^nocent may ferve his Maker without Fear? Or, the thejuft to proclaim the Holineis of God without Danger, in the Way that God lliall chufe, and not Man ? Or for Judgment to come forth into the open Places, where Wickednefs is mod a6ted ? Or for the lively Witnefs of theLamb toarife againfthis Enemy, in the good old Way that he hath chofen to all Generations? Ah! How are the Ancient Paths forfaken of Men? How have you left the good old Way of God, and chofen Ways of your own againft your own Souls ? How long will it be eVe you try your Ways with the Truth, that you may return to him who is come to require the Paths of Judgment, and Right- eoufnefs and Truth, that thp Meek may pofTefs his Inheritance of Old, and that God may walk in his own Seed, as he hath laid, / will dwell in ihem^ and. walk in them -^ who comes as the Lightning. Behold, you who are crying againft New Ways, You fay, It was never weU fince there were fo many new Ways 5 you are the Men, and your Ways are the Thing you complain of, and why there are ^o many of your Ways is, becaufe Babel is confounded, and many Heads and Horns are lifted up, to fulfil that Number, as it is written of them, to withftand the Way of the Lamb, and to fight agaiaft God's Ap- pearance in his Heritage i who all are fet againft the Way of God as at this Day, which is but. one to all Generations. Was not this his Way of Old, which is now rejeded, and which is become fo odious in yourEyts? Was not this of Old the pure Path, which you now fay breaks your Peace? Search the Scriptures, which teftifie of God and his Way in his Servants of Old, and how he then pailei in his redeenieu Ones, chofen VelTels for himlelf, to make his Power known againft Oppoiers •, as you may read in the Scriptures ; trace th? Steps of his Ser- vants in whom he walked, and fee how far 3''ou have erred at this Day. Was Was not tills his Way in Jere?mah, who led him 16^9. into the Gates of Jeru/d/em, and through the Streets ^>^V"S^ thereof, through him declaring againft Sin there a- bounding, and to pronounce Judgment to follow : Did not he lead him into their Temple, and therein told them who went thither to worfliip, That tbey tntjhd in a Lye^ who cried the Temple of the Lord^ but had made it a Den of Thieves by their wicked Ways ^ Did not he lead him down to the Houfe of the King, and there told him. That if he would not amend his Ways^ hk Houfe fhould become a Defola- tion ? And which of the falfe Prophets did he not reprove openly by him ? Was not this his Way then ? And what became of them that would have ftop'd him } Did not he fpeak Words in Amos againfl: the Wickednefsof their King, Priefts and Worlhips, that the Land was not able to bear ? Did not he lead Jonah through the Streets of Nineveh ? And in which of the Prophets did not he thus walk in, and fome received him in his Way, and turned from their own Ways, and found Mercy ^ and the reft that re- jected him, were deftroyed in their own Ways, in which they blefled themfelves, as at this Day ? Now read thefe, and read what you now oppofe in your Streets and Steeple- houfes, and Markets, and let that of God in you be judge, if you be not of fuch as now fay. Depart from us, we will have none of thy Ways ? Alfo, fearch your Gofpel, if you can receive his Way therein,which changes not ^ Did not he come in Chrift, and in his Apoftles, as a Wan- der to and fro, without a certain Dwelling-Place, to preach Repentance and Amendment of Life, and the Light of the World, from City to Village, from Place to Place 5 which Way you now call Vaga- bonds ? And did not he enter their Temples and Sy- nagogues, Schools and Markets, and all their Places of Worihip and Concourfe, where Sin or falfe Wor- Ihip were aded, and there difputed, and teftified a- gainft their whole Way, and called them to the Way of God, And this was his Manner of walking in them i6$9. them, even in Times of their Worfhips, and in the V/^'"V^ greateft AfTembly of Meetings and Markets, which to you is become as Gall and Wormwood, and you call it Difturbance and Peace-breaking. Was not this his Way in fuch as knew their Bodies to be his Temples, and in whom he walked, and fpoke the Words of Life, and Judgment, and Truth, his Way, by which he overturned the World, leav-^ ing all without Excufe againfl: the Day of Wrath, which was to follow where he was rejected 5 his way hy which he called many Thoufands out of falfe Worfhips, in which they were fetled (as you are) and their Souls deceived : But this was his Way to Salvation, which was not their Way (as he hath faid, AlyWays are not your Ways) yet was there no other way for them to be faved ^ which is the fame at this Day to all that receive his Coming, and to all that refiit the Holy Spirit in his Temples •, As did your Fathers fo do yoUy \^\X.\\ Stephen^ to fuch as worfhipped God in outward Obferrations, but de- nied his Way and Worfhip in Temples made with- out Hands : Thefe refifled the Spirit that fpoke in his Saints, thefe refifted the Holy Ghoft, refifled the Way of God, as you do ; Read and confider, Stephen was full of God, the Spirit fpoke in him 5 they refifled him, they called him a Blafphemer, they ftoned him by a Law : Here was God's Way and their Way \ now try your Ways, whole Work is to reflft the Spirit and Light within, which hath filled the Hearts and Mouths of his Servants to cry againfl Sin. Mind what you refill:. Had not God come in this his own Way, to feek and to fave by his Appearance in fuch Veflels, as he had prepared of Old for that End (whom in time he filled with himfelf, as they ftood in need, in all Conditions to pafs with him through all Hardlhips and crooked Ways of the wicked World, from Place to Place feeking a Seed to himfelf) what had be- come of the Saints of Old, which were covered with Darknefs, till he came thus to appear to them, holding (480 holding forth his Light, and his Life and Glory In iS'y^. VefTels prepared, to Ihew forth his Virtues, and the ^^^'"^ Riches of his Grace, not only in declaring in Words, but alfo in Power, to fufFer for his Name long and hard Tryals, with much Patience and Meeknefsj in all which they became Signs to the World, and lively Witnefles of God to his own in every Con- fcience, whereby the Seed of God in many gather* ed Strength, to arite out of Darknefs and come to Judgment, and by their Sufferings waxed confident in the Faith , That it was the Eternal God that they had feen preached, and that was in them who thus fulfered, and did not receive their Words as the Words of Men, but of God, who was with them, and in them in all. And this his way was not only to receive fuch as came to him, but with Danger of Life went into their AfTemblies and publick Places, to bring them out of the Claws of the Devil, wJio beat fome in their Synagogues, haled Tome before Rulers, cafi: fome into Prifon, who fufFered great Afflidlions to bring Souls from under this dark Power, and in all this God was afflidted with them, and by his own Spirit brought them out. And this was his way of Ranfoming and Redeeming, and of bring- ing to Sio;i^ as )'^ou may read of Old ^ and thus by his Spirit, and by his working in them, did he work Wonders and Signs, and was a Witnefs againft the whole Body of Sin, overturning falie Ways and Worfhips by a way they knew not, nor did the World know it was he, until he had brought to pafs his work upon them, having thus gathered out his Seed from amongil: them, who then fought to flop his way, as you do at thisDay, but what was their End > ^ And in this way were the Churches of Chrift ga- thered, even by Blood and Sufferings, and Tumults, and Beatings, and Mockings, and Whippings, and all Manner of cruel Ufage, Fighting withBeafts af- ter the Manner of Men, and by the patient Suf- ferings of Chrift, in them were many recovered out li of ( 4^2 ) i6^ How are the Scrip* tures fulfilled upon you, and his Witnefs doubled a- gainfl: you manifold over, above all your Forefa- thers, of whom you read ? And yet you fay you are innocent, you are no Perfecutors ^ but for Li- fcerty of Confcience •, they were Perfecutors that fo ufed him in the Prophets and in the Apoftles, and in Qpeen Mary\ Days, that fo ufed the Martyrs, ^c. But ye cannot fee your Work of the fame Na- ture, and as if Qiieen ^/^a-^s Laws were not fufficient for you to accomplifh your Ends, with many Ad- ditions^ thereto, are you in much Fury driving on to Deflrudlion, yet having trimmed your own way, you fay, we are Chrijiians^ and have a Gofpel'Mim- ftry of godl^ Alen, &c. But what Chriftians > Did ever Chriftians count it a Breach of their Peace^ to reprove Sin in the Gate, or where-ever it is com- mitted ? Did Chriftians ever caft into Prifon, or count it Diforder to difpute in their Synagogues in the Tims of their Worihip ? Did they ever make a Law to whip Strangers, who afli them nought ? Or^ -to force People to Swear againft their Confcience? And many fuch things are now done, which in the Time of the Apoftles, the Heathen came far ihort of, which now are filling up againft him, whofe coming is ever as a Stranger in the Earth, and what Hedgings here is at this Day, to keep him out from his own, is plainly to be feen, and that he fhould not have Liberty to feek up his loft Ones in High Ways, and Hedges, Markets and Steeple-houfes ^ How have you heightened your Walls higher thaa your Fore fathers ? And what daubing is at this Day againft the v/ay of God, from which your own ways cannot fave you> For the Way of God is perfect, and will endure to all Generations, where- in the upright walk, and Sinners fall in Oppofition thereto. But how fhould you know his Way, who deny his Light within, feeing they that rebel againft the Lights (4S5) Lights never knew the Paths thereof? You are they 16^9. who have erred in your Hearts, and therefore have V^VV not known his "Ways, and how fhould you have Peace, or enter into his Reft 5 for you that deny his Light, and refift his Spirit in your Hearts, muft needs be offended at his Coming in your Streets : So you have fet your felves againft Iiirn, and he hath fet himfelf againft you, as at this Day ^ and therefore it is not with you now, as it was when you were in the Work of making him way to walk •in Tender Confciences •, and you will find him arife more to crofs your Ways, as you feek to flop his Way. You have begun to walk contrary to him, and he is beginning to walk contrary to you 5 and unto yoi;i is he become an Enemy^ So take heed what you do, for till you return he v/ill watch over you for Evil, and not for Good ; And the more you trim your own Ways, to withfland his Way, the more will he difcover the Blood of the Innocent in your Skirts before the Sun, till all may fee you are no Chrifliians, nor what you profefs, but open Ene^ mies to God and his People, and your Hands full of Blood. Wherefore be not rafh, you lieady People, you that are but looking for hisComing in outward Ob- feryations, are Witnefles againft your felves, that his Way you have not yet learned, though you have read of it, yet you know it not , and will you ap- point him a Way, and call it his Way, and will he own it, who comes in a Way you have not known, nor can believe if you Ue told it ? It would be your Wifdom to ftand ftill every one, and ceafe from your own Ways, and wait in the Light, which only gives the Knowledge of him, and his Way ^ which Light fhines in the Heart, as faith the Scriptures, and the Kingdom of God is within you, and he whom you oppofe is a Spirit, and comes in a fpiritual Way, to cut down fpiritual Wickednefs. So to jbe Spirit of Light turn, that you may fee to pre- li 3 V^T^^ ( 4^6 ) 165? 9- V^^^ ^0 ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ his own Way, and not to fet L/'y>0 your Way to oppoie hiiHj that he fliould break you to Pieces. 27:?^ Living GOD glorified in his Tem^ )ji;fi declared it, and the Saints v/ere begotten of God^ andmadePar- takers of the Divine Nature, and confefTed the Fa- ther and the Son in them, and that the Son of God v/as com^e, and had given them an L^nderflanding, which they that looked for him to come v/ithout underllcod not, who beat him in their Synagogues, l^i 4 and ( 488 ) i6$ What Spirit wilt thou fay this is which hath conformed fo many at this Day, who were amongft you like Wolves^ to devour others, now to fuffer the Spoiling of their Goods, and Torturings of their Bodies, and taking atvay their Lives without feeking the leaft Revenge? Wilt thou at that Day fay, Thou had'ft thought it had been the Spirit of the Devil, as many of you now do, though in 3^our Confciences otherwife convinced ? Alas tor thee, how art thou wept over at this Day ! And what a Lamentable Sorrow have many of the Lord's Servants for thee, whom thou haft caft in Holes and Prifons for their Obedience to God, and Tellimony of ^ their Confcience towards God in them, whofe patient Sufferings under unpa- rallel'd Cruelties, are no more valued with thee than if they were Dogs ? And this hath gone thro'- put thee, from the leaft to the greateft, till there be very ( 490 ) 1^79- very few left which are not wholly hardened, fo 4>^V^»^ that to hear of thefe evil Dealings, exercifed upon the innocent do no more enter your Hearts than the Rain enters a Rock : Wherefore our Souls are trou- bled for you, and our Hopes concerning your Heal- ing grow daily lefs, and our Sufferings in the Lord Jel'us daily greater, having to the Full, and what will you do in the End thereof ? Or, whojn iliall we take to witnefs for you ? Or, may you be compared with any that ever hardened themfelves in tliefe Ways, and efcaped Deftru^ioit, 4hat our Hopes might revive and our Prayers not ceafe > Did ever . any thus deny the Life of what you preach in Words your Selves, and v/hich fome of you have in Mea- fare felt and fufFered for, and have been anfwered in by the Lord, and your Eyes have i^een the Ven- geance of the Almighty, and how dreadful it hath heQU both upon Kings, Priefts and Rulers for refift- ing ? Ah ! How much better had it been for you never to have known thefe Things, which you have feen, read and preached, than now that they Ihould be fulfilled upon you to the uttermoft ? How well had it been for you, had you been as thofe you call Hea- then^ rather than to profefs Chrifl, and thus a6t a- gainfi him at his Coming, even in the fame W^ay your felves preach him ? Alas! alas! What hath the Innocent done, why he is thus ufed among 3^ou^ Doth he cry againft Sin, againft Pride, againft Faife Worfhips, againfi: corrupt Rulers, corrupt Teachers, corrupt Law- yers, ^V. And with much meeknefs bears his Wit- nefs againfi: thefe Evils in you, for a Teflimony of Light to your words, whom he hath lifted up in Wrath, and Zeal, and Judgment againfi the fame things in the Perfons of others ? And will not this arife againft you of which you are WicnefTes all in one Generation ? But fay '11 thou he breaks the Peace, and breaks our Law, and is unmannerly, cfc. But was he not ever fo accounted, and is he not nov/ in the fame way he ever walked ? What v/ould that Peace ( 491 ) Peace do for you (could you keep it whole) which 165:9^ is broken by reproving Sin and Deceit? Is there any W^VNJ Peace to the Wicked from God? And will he keep that Law which will not give him liberty to Heign in his Temples, and to lead his People by his Spirit ? Or will you plead that Law againfl: him in Judg- ment when he comes to deal with you, who fhould know his Law written in your Hearts to limit you, and not your Laws to limit him, nor your manners muft not bind the Confcience where he is known to be King ? And this you know is Truth, and have pleaded it againfl odiers, and now cannot own it 5 will the Laws of Chrid: and Manners of Chrift, of which you read in Scripture, agree with your Government and Peace, who calls for his Kingdom to come aniongH you, and profefs to rule according to Scriptures? How will this ftand at that day when you muft not be your own Judges, nor by your own Laws ^ And why is he counted your Enemy, feeing his appearance now is in Love, to give you Light out of this (for your Eternal Salvation) againfl which he will certainly come in Judgment to Con- demnation ? Have you not heard of the Love of the Father to the World, who fent his Son to lay down his Life therein for a Light to the World, that who- joever helievcth therein might not be condemnei^ Can you read and confefs this Life laid down in the Prophets, in Chrifl, in the Apoflles, in the Mar- tyrs, and in all in whom this Righteous blood hath been fl^ed from Abel to your time; and can you not fay they were blind Prieds and People who could not fee this innocent Sufterer in his feveral appear- ances? And what will you fay of your felves, feeing the fame Teflimony is before your Eyes, but nol: received? Was ever his Sufferings fo increafed in fo little a time, and for fuch little foolifh things (as your felves call them) which though they feem lit- tle, yet much innocent blood hath been flied, and this Life is laid down daily in many? And why Ihould you count that fo little, which your Bre- thren ( 495 ) i,i659« thren count dearer than their precious Life > Is there iyy^^any thing makes it fo but the tendernefs of the one, and hardnefs of the other > But fay you, they are guilty of their own blood to fufFer for fuch foolifh things, but who is their Executioners ? Do not you fuffer Fools daily, they fhall witnefs againft 3rou, that there is fomething in it more than folly > Have you not read. That God chufeth the foolifh things of the World to confound the Wife^ and bafe defpifei things to bring to nought things that are^ and weak things to confound the mighty ^ And can you Read and Preach this and not fee it fulfilled, nor under- ftand without a meaning ? Then take heed how yoa call that fooliih which God hath chofen for a Wit- nefs againft the murtherer in the Wife Men of the World > Will you call that foolifhnefs, whereby the Myfteries of God come to be manifeft, and that which he hath chofen to declare himfelf in openly in his Temples and his Worfhip, his Service, and his Suffering long in Meeknefs, and the Devil in his Temples, with his Servants, his Pride, his Rafhnefs and Cruelty, and to lay each open to the fimpleft Heart by their Fruits, which have been long cover- ed with words, but now every one that knows a Wolf from a Lamb, may fee and cannot be deceived ^ Will you call this little which difcovers fo great a depth of Deceit fo clofely hid, and open the painted Sepulchres, and fearches the Heart of the Deceitful, laying it open to 37'our felves and others, which elfe you could not have known nor believed if you were told it ? Could many of you have believed the Prince of Pride had Ruled in you, till you fee him act you in Cruelty on your Brethren, becaufe they cannot Worihip you ? Or could you have believed that the Murtherer had been there, till you pro- ceeded to caft into Prifons your Brethren, and keep them there till death for thefe little things '> And thefe things fome fufFer under you for a witnefs, and the reft are fpared (though that Spirit would have none to live) that the Scriptures may be ful- fiile4 ( 493 ) filled, Satan fhaU cajt fome of you into Vr'ifon^ &c. \()%^» And are not thefe things manifelllf laid open to ^ysT^ your lelves, and all that are not willingly blind, and alfo the contrary Spirit of Chrift Jefus where thefe things are patiently endured ? And will you call this foolifhnefs, which thus leaves all the World without excufe, and prepares all for righteous Judg- ment ?" Many had little thought thefe little things fhould have opened fuch great Secrets, or this Folly have confounded fuch Wifdom, when a fubtle Spirit hath been fome years getting Knowledge, and words, and Religion to make himfelf fair without, that o- thers may believe him to be a fuffering Saint, and one of thefe little things arifes in his way, which difcovers him to be a devouring Wolf in a mo- ment ; may not the Wife then truly fay. The Weak- nefs of God. k greater than the Wifdom of Men \ ani God hath chofen Foolijh things to confound the Wife, And now the Scripture is fulfilled to your face whether you (feeing) can perceive or no, and the Rock of Offence is laid, and the Stone of Stumbling tho' he be refufed \ And he is come whom we have looked for, in thoufands of his Saints, and the Head over his Church, and his Body or Church he is preparing daily, that the Father's Will may be done in Earthy and that he may take vengeance of them that know him not, nor will receive his Teftimony, who will not believe his Light that now ihineth, but take pleafare in Unrighteoufnefs, though he be Gome after their own Preaching, and many are his Witneffes at this day ^ glory to his brightnefs, and let the Son arife and Reign for ever, in whom alone the Scriptures are now fulfilling, and the Builders rejedt him, and the Wicked make a Prey upon him where he turns from Iniquity, and the fpoiling of Goods is fufFered joyfully, and the ha- vock is made of the Church, and he is taken from Prifon, and from Judgment, and the reproach of many he bears, and the Back is given to the Smiter, and he that fues at the Law for the Coat, may take the ( 49+ ) 1 6 5^9- the Cloak alfo ^ and he that would have the Hat, ^/V^'take the Head and Body alfo without refilling^ and Prayers and Tears is ihed for them that hate and defpitefuUy ufe him, and Goods are taken away and not asked again, and this is our beloved, and this is his Voice, and his Sheep know it, and follow him, and thus it is written of him, and thus it is now read. And Glory to him that Liveth and Reigneth for EveVy who was, and ii^ and is come. T O T H E RANTERS- WOE unto 3^ou Ranters of all forts! the Day of your Torment approacheth, your Cup is almofl: full, your Time draws near an end, you are fed, you are grown full for the flaughter, your fwel- ling is reached up to Heaven, and the burthen of the Innocent and Jufl: one in you cries on high 5 above all People you have dealt evil with the Lord, and treacheroufly betrayed the tender proffer of his Spirit, you have murthered the Babe in the Womb, and he hath not reiilled, but intreated ^ How many gentle reproofs hath he viiTted you v/ith? And with what Love and Faithfulnefs hath he followed you from one of jowx Evils to another, calling to you in fecret, in feafon and out of feafon, before the ad of your wickednefs, in the act of it, and after you have done it*, if by any means he might have overtaken you and prevented your Ruine^ and won you ag^in, that he might have done you good, and faved you from the paths of the Deftroyer, all whicli is written where it cannot be rooted out a- gaiiift the day of vcng ance, although you have done what you can to (top the moutli of God's wit- nefs in you, and to ftifle the Jufl: leall he Ihould re- prove (495) prove yon, or give you Light in your dark "by- i^T9- . paths, wherein you have walked towards the Lord,^-^^^''^ as wild Colts and fed Horfes, refufing his Teach- ings or Corrections, flrengthening one another a- gainft the faithful witnefs of Truth when you have been wounded therewith, and have belyed the Lord, and faid it is not he, and if it be he let him make me better, and I cannot niake my felf, and if the Devil be in me let him cafi: him out, and that Sin and Righteoufnefs is all one to God, and many of you openly denying God, And much more fuch Blafphemies out of you have proceeded, all which the Innocent Lamb hath born ilnce the day he firft invited you, and the Juft Lord, who is in the midffc of you hath feen it, and of you he will take re- venge for the Innocent Ones fake, whom he will eafe of his Enemy. Oh ! the terrible Day that I have feen approach- ing towards you, and the mifery that is coming nigh, v/hen you Ihall be dealt withal, as you have done againfl: the Meek and the Holy Seed, which hath ftirred in you unto Life, which you have be- trayed and murthered for your Lulls, treacheroufly have you dealt, and treacheroufly will you be dealt withal ^ then ihall you know that there is a God of Power and Judgment, when you fhall be as a mad Bull in a Net, and the Fire of God underneath you : then fhall you chufe Death, and it ihall flee from you, who have refufed the way of Life and puft at it ^ and you who have fcorned theLight ihall know Chains of Darknefs: Ah! how have you mocked at Reproof, the Lord hath heard your light Anfwers, and. hath born your Mockings, and you have made him to ferve under your Lulls, he is opprefled and grieved, and broken with your Whoriih Hearts, and 3^ou have made heavy the burthen of the meek and lowly, againft whom you have fported, and have not confidered that all this is againfl: your own Souls, and to make (Irong Bonds for your own Necks, which you mufl: know and feel when the Juft arifes ( 49^ ) rS'yg, arif^s to plead againfl: you for all th^t is wntfe'nl l/^VV^againft you. Verily, dread is upon me when I be-' hold your end, and the way you have to go, and how few there are to be faved ^ Alas for you, how- have you heaped deceit, and filled your Veflels with that which the pure God abhors > You have eaten and drank your own Damnation while you have ferved your Lulls ? You have chofen Deceit rather than Truth, and therewith ihall you be deceived when you look tor reft : you have got words, and fought out cunning ways to ftop the way of Judg- ment in you, therefore is your Cup become full for Condemnation from the Lord God of Power, you are filled with the Names of Blafphemy againft the inoft High, yea, it is written, He hath marked you out^ he hath Jet him/elf again II you^ and while yon are building a J fall of jaljhoody is he preparing de- ftru^ion^ and is watching over you for evil and not for good, and your Wall you have made of cunning deceits wiUfiand betwixt you and Salvation, and keep you from finding the place of Repentance, And you high-minded Profeflbrs alfo, who have gotten the wildom of words, and have preached high things of God and Chrift, which in you is not wrought nor fulfilled, but is a Lye ; this will be re- quired at your hands with Truth, and your own words ihall arife againft you in Judgment, and when you fhould come to him that jhould anfwer in your behalf, your Wifdom and Knowledge, which you have got in that Nature which hath op- preffed him, will ftand in your way, as thick Dark- nefs, which you cannot remove nor pafs ^ then Ihall you curfe your God, v/ho hath itt you on Preaching Words above Life, and lyes, by which the Spirit of Truth in you and others have fufFered and been de- nied, and God's Witnefs lies wafte, and hath been re- filled in its gentle Calls, Motions and Reproofs 5 All which by a juft Hand and unrefiilable,wiilhe bring on you in that Day when Chains of Darknefs hath compafTed you in the Horrible Pit. Deceit ( 497 ) deceit difcovered hy its Fruits^ YOU that call the Children of Light Blafphe- mers, and Seducers, and many evil Names yoil give out to People againft then% becaufe theyPrea';"h Chrifl the Light of the V^orld, and Chrift for Righteoufnefs and Perfection, ^c. Hear what Blafphemy, and Seducing and Deceiving is, and who are the Deceivers. They were Blafphemers who faid they v/ere Jewi and were not, and this was Blafphemy in God's ac* count. To profefs in words, zvbat they were not in works ^ Rev. 2. 9. And they were Blafphemers who faid, He that wrought the works of Righteoufnefs was o\ the Devil ^ Mark ^. 22^ 28, 29, 50. And Ja^nes faid, They Blafphemed that Holy Name by which th^ Saints were called, who drezv them before judgment Seats, and OppreJJed them^ Jam. 2. 6, 7. And Saul Blafphemed -in perfecuting for Confcience towards Chrill. Now this God calls Blafphemy, Faljly to take upon them the Name of a ]qw^ feeing //;^ Jews were to be a Holy People to the Lord, and to bear his Holy Name before all the JVorld in Righteoufnefs and Truth, and the fruits of his Spirit •, which Name they Tpho had not the Life did B'ajpheme^ by taking the Name of a]e\v. And Chrift calls it Blaff^emy, to condemn the jruits of that Spirit to be of toe DeviL And the Apoftles call it Blafphemy^ To hale before the Judgment Seats, and perfecute the Poor that God had chofen out of the World, Thefe were the old Blafphetners in God's account , and their Chil- dren be in the fame Heps till this day, • and therein the Truth finds them, and uncovers them. So come to your Rule, and be tried as you are m Deed, and not in Words, in God's account, ?^\\^ K k not ( 498 ) 1 6 5? 9- ^'^^^ in your Own: This is the B /a fphe my ^ to fay ^ K^^^^T^ Tou are Chnjiians^ and are not ^ to fay, Tou are in Chrijf, and are not \ to fay, you are of God^ ard do the Works of the Devi/^ that old Murtherer and Per- fecutor ^ to fay, Such as do the Works of God are Blafphemers^ and to opprefs your Brethren for Con- fcie nee fake. And this Blafphemy exceeds your Fa- thers, by how much the Name of Chrifi excels the Kame of a Jew, Will you bring forth the abomi- nable Fruits that God hates, and cover them with the Name of Chrift, and Father them upon the Spi- rit of Chrift, and fay you are in Chrift, and Re- deemed, and Baptized into him, and have Commu- nion in him, and get up Likenefies and Im.itations from the Letter to cover you with, in a nature con- trary to Chrift ^ And is not this the Height of De-. ceit and Blafphemj'^ } What is the Name of Chrift, and the Redemption of Chrift, the Death of Chrift, the Baptifm of Chrift, the Refurredion of Chrift, the Communion of Chrift, and the Words of Chrift become a Cloak for the Works of Wickednefs ? And doth not this Blafphejue his Name, his Words, bis Spirit, his Or« dinances, and his People, and all his Holy Things, and caufe them to be Blafphemed amongft the Hea- then, and throughout t\\Q World > But to Preach Chrift the Light of the World, and to Confefs him in us, io far as we feel t\\Q Power, his Spirit taking us our of the Power of Sin, and Conforming us to himfeif, and to oring forth the Fruits of his Spirit iu Truth mA Righteoufnefs ^ this doth not Blafphcme^ but in fuc'' he is Honoured, who ihew forth his Virtues and Wc/'k ID his Spirit, fuch exalt his Name ^ This was VauV^ work when he had left off to Blafpheme. Now come to your Rule and be tried, it tells you who are Chrift's, and who are Antichrifts, Decei- vers, and Blaiiihem.ers, and they are known by their V/orks and not by -their Words^ Ix faith, They that ore ChvifVs have crucified the flejh with the uffcclions and lafis : And if Chrifl be in you ^ the Body ps dead bceaiije I ( 499 ) hecaiife of Sin : And as many as "have been Baptized 16'^^. into thrift, have put on Chrtfi : And as you have re- \y\^^ ceived Chrift Je/us, Jo tioalk in him : And he that faith he abideth in him, ought himfelf fo to walk^ even as he walked: and ye are all one in Chrift Jefus* And if any Man be in Chrift, he is a new Creature^ and all things are of God: And he that faith he knows Chrift, and keeps not his Commandements, is a Lyar • And this is the Blajphemer, who coiners himfelf with the words of Truth, but is an Enemy to the Life. Now here is the Teftimony of Truth, lay it to the Teftimony of your Lives, and meafure your felves therewith, and we will meafure our felves therewith alfo -^ And let Truth judge the Deceiver, and Lyar, and Blafphemer by his Fruits, and where he hath his Seat. What will Truth fay where Co- vetoufnefs is found ? Have fuch Crucified the Aifc- dions ? Have Proud Men Crucified their Lufts > Have Wanton Ones Crucified the Fleih > Have Swearers,, Lyars, and curfed Speakers put oft the body of \Sin? Or is it dead where thefe Works are alive, where there is Envy, Strife, Suits and Contentions > Is this to put on Chrift, or to be all one in him > Where Flattering, Scorning, Back-biting and Slan- dering is, and the YefTels filled with fuch Wicked- nefs, are all things of God ? And are fuch Baptized into his Death, or planted into his Refurredion? And are not they BIdfphemers who Perfecute others for Confcience towards God ? But to Preach Chrift: to be the Light of the World, and the Hope of Glory in the Saints, our Lite, our Righteoufnels and Perfedion, and to Suft^er tor it, is not B/af- phemy. Now here is your Meafure, and v/ith Truth are you meafured, weighed, and tried ♦, Your Baptifms, your Communion, your Redemption, your Death and Refurredion, and your Life Eternal , And in the Light you and we are feen, and with the Life thereof you are found (who bring forth thefe fruits) to be under the Power of Sin, unredeemed, and out K k 2 of ( 5°^ ) tS'yg. of Chrift the Life, deceiving your own Souls, and i^yy^^ others, of the Righteous Inheritance amongft them that are Sandtified, and blafpheming the holy Name of Chrift, and grieving his holy Spirit, by pfofef- fing that in his Name which you have not, and by your evil deeds ad under his Name, whereby it is polluted, which was not given for a Cover to fuch Works. In this Holy Name of Chrift hath God placed his Covenant and Life, and inthefe Holy things did Holy Men and Women meet v/ith God, worfhip him, and dwell with him in Spirit^ as his Houfe, in wliich he v/as feen and walked ^ And are thefe now* become a cover far a Den of Thieves, a Habi- tation and Hiding for all the abominations now adcd in the World ? Is not this the height of Rlaf- phemy and Deceit, thus to prophane hisrHoly Nam.e, and turn it into a Lye, as though all thefe abomi- nable things were therein, or that he owned fuch as live in them? Now Viy your Words and your Works in the true Ballance, and weigh them with the Words of Life and Power of his Name, and meafure of Truth and Honefty, and lye not againfl the Truth ^ But you * that are under the power of thefe v/ickednefles, and in bondage thereto, v/ho fee (and are not afhamed to fa)'') you cannot but commit thefe abomj'nations while you live, do not h^-e againfl the work of Chrift, in fayirg he hath Redeemed you, when you are jet in this Bondage^ neither count his Blood an nnholy thing, in faying 3^ou are wafhed, nor his Work imperiect, nor mix it v/ith the work of the Devil 5 but give to each his own, that thereby they liiay be known, and in what Nam^e every thing is wrought •, For now is Truth come to try you, and he is appearing who v/ill iiave his ov/n, and nothing but his Ovvn, under what pretence foever. Now is the Heir of Righteoufn>^rs come to feek tjie fruit of his own^ ftand ftill you that ufe thofe high words againft otherSj and fee how the Lord is dealt with auiongft ( 50I ) ainongfl you at this Day ^ Did not he plant a Holy i6'y9' Vine to bring Jorth to himfelf of his own Nature '-^^'^rvJ and Image ? And have you let this be over-run with Weeds, while you have been afleep in your Sloth and Idlenefs, Cares and Pleaiures of the World, till all be filled with Bryars and Thorns^ and corrupt Plants that now are fpread and bring forth ? And now the Lord is come who is the Light of the World, to feek Fruits of his own, and will you hold him forth thefe curfed Frnits, and cover them with his Name, as though they were his, and feek to force them upon him, whether he will or no, and fall violently upon him if he deny them > Now if this be not fo, what means this > That when any one in his Name is fent to reprove Sin in the Streets or Markets where it abounds, and in the Name of Chrift to declare againfl falfe Wor- Ihips, never fet up by him (which hath been his manner in all his appearances) and to call for what is his own, and to deny the works of the Devil, that prefently all is in an uproar, and a tumult raifed , pulling and beating, and haling to Prifon, beaten in Markets, beaten in your Synagogues, fliamefully intreated in your Streets, and all for no other offence, but becaufe he calls for his own, and denies what is not of him? Doth not thisBlaf- pheme that Holy Name by which they are called, and which your felves profefs > Teacher cries away with him, and Tumult cries away with him, its not fit he fhould live. And what ufage he receives from you in his Members is openly feen, and God is daily bringing your works to Light. Now let the wife in Heart, who can difcern the fiens of the Times, read, if the Parable be not ful- filled upon you Husbandmen •, and will you gild this Cup over with fine Words, Forms and Profef- flons, and call them Deceivers and Blafphcmers, who in love to your Souls, and obedience to Chrifl tell you of it, and tefiifie againil: it, in all long- fli/Iering and patience ? Who will be found the De- |i[ k 3 cciver.s ( 5°^ ) 1 659' ceivers, and the deceived, when your gilded covers ^yV^ come to be pulled off, and you mufl: drink of the Cup your felves as you have filled : And this is cer- tainly near at hand to come upon you, and you are hailing towards it apace, your Cup is almoft full, and with the Light are you feen ; Hath not the Lamb fet up his Teftimony againfl: you almoft in every Place of the Nation ? How many Towns have you in which the Innocent have not fufFered vio- lence for crying againfl Sin, in the Name of Chrift, calling for the fiuir^ of Righteoufnefs ? How many Prifons have you that do not fpeak your Cruelty > How many Counties have you in which Innocent blood hath not been flied, which daily fpeaks ? How many of your Synagogues have the Children of Light born witnefs in againfl your evil ways, wherein they have been beaten, haled, pulled and punilTied? And all this you drink up as a thing of nought, and are yet thirftier than at firft? Are thefe the works of Chriil, or of the old Mur- therer ? Wherefore ceafe to Blafpheme, for you are mea- fured by that wliich will not lye, and with your ov/n Rule are you found in the works of the old Deceiver, and the old Perfecutors^ and in their Op - pofition and Blafphemy againfl: the Holy Spirit, where it teftifies againfl your evil deeds. So feeing you are found in the works of the old Perfecutors, and in their nature, take to you their name, for that is Truth, and will be your Inheritance amongft them ^ and ceafe to Blafpheme the Name of Chrifl, by taking it upon you to cover thefe abominations, and hide your Sin from your own Eyes, and fo de- ceive yoor own Souls, and others that are blind 5 but who comes in the Name of Chrifl, comes in the Light to prove you openly, a'nd fees you, and gives Light in the Life of Chrifl: for all to difcern be- tween the Lamb and the Wolf, by their Nature, and not by their Cloathing, Chrifi ( 5^5 ) Chrifl: IS the Holy Anointing, wherewith all that j6^q. are in him fee out of thefe Things to be lead, and 0''V>^ every Appearance of his, from Cai/2 the firfl: Mur- therer till this Day, declares thefe to be the Works of the Devil, and by Works of a contrary Nature do witnefs againft them : In which Life he is the Light of the World, who though he be inthemidfl of God's Throne (feen fo to his own) yet as a Lamb flain amongft thefe unclean Beafts, ihining forth in the Life of Meeknefs, Holinefs, Patience and Longfuffering, enduring all things from his Ene- mies. Which Light and Life, though to the Wif- dom of the wife World it appears poor, bafe and contemptible, and therefore by the Builders reject- ed I yet it is full of Grace and Truth, and hath Power with God over the Devil, and all thefe his Works, and by Faith in his Name, and by the Vir- tue of his Nature, all that are in him bear their Teftimony againft the World's Works and Nature ^ for in that Name is God's Covenant of Life and Peace, and the Ark of his Strength and Safety in the great Deftrudion that is to come upon the World for thefe things : And he is ever at the Arm of God*s Strength, and fits at his right Hand in heavenly Places, and with him to gather and fave his^ Eledl from the Ends of the Earth, and by his Sufferings to redeem them from under thefe ungodly Powers, and to break the Bonds of Iniquity. And therefore they who are gathered into this Name, hold it as a holy Power, and dare not blafpheme it, but fay. Let every One that naweth the 'Name oj Chriji depart from Iniquity \ which Name to fuch is Salvation, and Strength and Righteoulhefs, Meeknefs and Peace. Ah, blind People, that have Eyes and fee not ! What is become of your Profeffion of Names, your Forms and Ordinances ? And how is God departed out of all (as to you) and your Houfe is become de- folate, and where Light, Truth and Peace fliould dwell, its become a Habitation of Devourers, a Place K k 4 of ( 5^4 ) i(55r9' of" Owls and Dragons, and Night Birds and Beafis iy^^T^ol Prey > Such Spirits rule in all your holy Things, in which you truft ^ You cry the Name of Chrift, but fee nor, nor is your Eye anointed^ you cry the Name of Jefus, but are not faved from your Sins j you cry Chrift is your King, but have not Peace, you cry great is the Lord with your Lips, but the Devil prevails in your Hearts, and carries you cap- tive at his will, contrary to the Will of the Lord ^ So you have got the words of Saints, but the Life you have loft^ Sheep in Words, but Wolves in Na- ture, and fo are in the gall of bitternefs againft fuch as retain the Power of what you profefs. Now are not thefe vain words you truft in, which do not fave? This is the Deceiver you tell on, who make? People believe in a Lye, and now he is found in your ownbofoni-, blelTed be the day which hath brought his works to light, glory to God for ever- more. Wherefore let not your own Thoughts de- ceive you, and lead you to caft upon others that which in your felves is found, but leave your vain and evil thoughts of others, and Judge your own felves with the light of Life, and meafare your Works with Truth, and not with Thoughts ^ Did not they that perfecuted the Prophets, think they did God fervice ? And they that perfecuted Chrift thought the fame^ and they that perfecuted the A- poftles and Saints of old, hnew not that they perfe- cuted Chrift Jefus, but thought they did well to pu- niih Kereticks andBlafphemers ^ and they that flew the Martyrs were of the fame Spirit, and fo of the fime Mind. And now come to your felves and your thoughts in this your work, which is the fame at this day, and many of you have the fame thoughts, though fome of you aft clearly againft wh;^t you fee, and fo exceed all your fore-fathers ^ and now fee who are Deceivers and Blafphemers, and where the Lamb is led to the flaughter. Ah! you Teachers of thefe Nations, fhould you thu^ haye. ufed your Liberty you had given of God from ( 5^5 ) from under the dark Power that ruled (in part) in 16^9. the Biiliops, under which fome of you lufFered > Was L/^VXl it not then in your Hearts, that if you had but li- berty, you would go on to tlie rooting out of the re- licks oH Popsry, and Idol "Worfhips, and Perfecuti- on ? Should you not have gone on with finglenefs of heart, as you had liberty, to the end ? Then had you been faithful to God and the Nations^ then had you been Ji- openers of the Holy Paths for Me?? to walk in^ and breakers ofOppreffion^ and Men fhould. have called 'jou the blefjed oj God-^ then had you not inherited this curfed thing fet up by your Fathers the old Perfecutors and OpprefTors (whofe Children you are now found to appear) then had you not been at this day found fighting for their fat Benefits which fpued them out % fuing your People for Ty thes, Pigs, Geefe, Smoke-penny, and fuch like trafii,haling poor Ptople to Priibn, and fpoiling their Houfes and Lands for your Bellies 5 you had been at this day in a more honourable work than raking in thefe Dung-hills : The Lord (liould not have needed to have called your own hearers from under your elbov/s, and fent them againft you into your Meetings to declare yourfhame openly, and to cafl: this dung in your faces, laying open your deceitful works and worfhips, which fall fo heavy upon you, that you have not ftrength left to fiand before the guilt thereof, nor have any de- fence, but either to fly, or cry out to the Earthly Powers to help you againft him who is now become your Adverfary. It was not thus v/ith you while you were fufFerers for ftanding faithful to what you then knew of God's new work. I appeal to that of God in your own Confciences, if then a filly Boy or Girl, or Man or Woman had asked you a queftion concerning your Doctrine or Manners, if you would have ufed either your het to fly, or your hand to finite, or cried, amay with him •, Officer^ take him to Fy'ijony Magijlrate^ 7nake a ham againft htm. Queen Marys Ads were then abomination to you 5 you had ihen another Weapon, even a meafure of the Spirit to ( 5o6 ) i6'yg. to inform the weak with meeknefs, and to convince ^^O^^VJ grain- fayers: But then you were fufFerers your felves for your Confcience, and fo the Cafe is changed with you, and the Spirit alfo, as far as the Suftlrer is from the Perfecutor •, Only here the Deceiver keeps you bhnd, in that you keep the old form you then had, but pofTelTed with another Spirit^ fo your flick- ing in the Form hath deceived you of the fufFering Spirit, and the Power of Meeknefs, which had you been led by the Spirit of the Lamb, you had been at this day in the fellowihip of his fufFerings, not Tor- menters of thofe that are. Have not I heard fome of you inlpublick declare, That if a Church had Perfecution in it for Confcience fake upon any ac-» count whatfoever, it needed no further Tryal to prove it to be of the Devil, and not of the Church of Chrift. But lince the fame Perfon (though no mean one of account amongfi: the finefl: fort of Teachers) hath commanded them to Prifon, who came but into the Synagogue, and fpoke not one word. Alas for your Souls ! how are you fallen un- der the curfed thing, that you fhould be they who are left to fill up the meafure of what the Billiops came fhort of. Ah! how are you to be pitied ? V/ill not your cutting them off rife againfl you, and will not God avenge their Blood upon you who have con- demned their Perfons, but juftifie the things for which they were cut off, hy adding manifold there- to in the fame nature. God is Judge this Day, and his Light in your Hearts, how you have dealt with him and his Inheritance, by which you fhould have been led out of thefe things, into the Kingdom of God, but are now found in the work of gainfaying, fuch as are coming out of Darknefs into Light, 'neither ejitr'mg your fdves^ 7wr fujfer- ing them thiit would ; fo let Truth for ever ftand upon the Head of the Deceiver and Blafphemer, and kt fuch. as are feduced by them., be therewithal delivered. And bleflfed be the Lamb for- ever, whofe Life is this Day become a Light to divide the Sheep. . from the Wolves, that he may come to Judgment, A Door DOOR OPENED T O T H E Imprifonecl SEED ; O R, Captive Souls in the WORLD: And the Way of Freedom, by the Spirit of Truth, fent out into the World in Love to the Sheep that have long been loft. Which may ferve any who fimply feelc the Life of what they profefs, and may Ihew the feigned and falfe in Heart, the Caufe why they are Ihut out of Truth's Power. Wherein the Eled Way is opened to the Blind, with Encouragement to enter and walk therein. Alfo the Fruits of the Free-born cleared from legal Performances, and the Children of Bondage Ihewed the Nature of their own Works. Chriftjefus known to be King in his Temples, thro the Power of the Holy Ghoft, and Sword of the Spirit difted up againft the Man of Sin in true Judgment. ^--^ ^ L^ ^ By James Nayler. If you know the Truths it fhall make you free, London : Printed in the Year, i65$>. and now Jleprinted, in 17150 ( 5oB) jd Door opened to the Imprifoned Seed in the JVorld^ and the Pl/^ay of Freedom hy the SPIRIT of Truth, fent in^ to the JVorld in Love to the Shee^ that have long been loft. ALL Men in the fallen State, through Sin and Tranfgreifion, have that Spirit in them, which Lulls againft God, and that Seed in tfiem, and growing up with them, which daily feeks to enfnare their Souls further into Wickednefs and Vanity, and to encreafe their Separation from God, by drawing in Iniquity, and filling the Temple, where God ftiould dwell and be known, with the ac- curfed Things which God hates and cannot behold, fot this evil Seed being fubtle and froward, prevails over them, and leads out the Mind into many feve- ral Temptations, prefenting them with delight unto the carnal Part, and outward Senfes, whereby the Seed of God becomes vailed, and hid from the Crea- ture 5 fo that Man knows not that Word of Life by which he was created, nor can he come to be guid- ed by it in himfelf, till the Head of this evil Seed be bruifed, through believing in that Light which comes from the Life, by which the World was made» And this is that Rock which follows Man with its unchangeable Teftimony, bearing witnefs only to that which is of himfelf, and againft all the ways of that evil Seed, calling and reproving the^ World becaufe thereof: which Call as many as receive and hearken to by Faith, come to receive the Word of Life, wherein Power is received to become the Sons of God I which Power of Life, as it arifes in the Promifed Seed, the Head of the evil Seed is bruifed, an4 ( 5^9 ) and he comes to be brought under, who had talcen i^^9. the Soul Captive at his Will to every vain and evil L/V^ Work : and fo as the Creature comes to be redeemed from under the Power of Darknefs, fo he comes to be guided in the Light of that Life, by which he was created ^ and that Light which before reproved him for his Deeds of Darknefs (following him from One to another, condemning him in all, being turn- ed to by Faith and Obedience) now becomes his Leader out of the World, to the Son of God, in whom God's Righteoufnefs is revealed from above to Juftification 5 which Righteoufnefs being received and abiding in, Sin is remembred no more. And thus Man being changed into that divine Nature which changeth the inward Man, comes to love that Light which before he could not, for no Man can love that which is of God, until he hath received God's Love. Now the Light of the World, is God^s Love to the World •, for God fo loved the World when it was in the Power of Darknefs, that he gave his Son into the IVorld, a Covenant of Light, that whofoever followeth him fhould not abide in Darknefs, but Ihould have the Light of Life. Now God's Love ftands in Chrift, the Light of the Worlds that's his Covenant with the World, which whofoever rejeds and receives not, is out of God's Love, and in the Enmity out of God's Covenant^ neither can he in that State believe that God's Love is in it. And this is the Caufe why Men fpeak evil of the Light, who love their evil Deeds, and cannot receive it as God's Love, and the Way to Life, to fuch it is Con- demnation^ not that it was intended thereto 5 but Men loving Darknefs rather than Light, it becomes Condemnation : But to him that believes, and is obedient, to him it is precious j for who follow it out of the Evil World, receive the Nature of Sons, and the Love of the Father, which the World can- not receive, and the Power of Godlinefs, and Trea- fure of Eternal Life^ and this is not given to any till ( 5IO ) j6$g. till they come out of the World, as he is not of the t/'VN^ World, for therein ftands God's Covenant with A- br^harnsSeed for ever. So God's Love to the World (while Men are in that corrupt nature) and the Witnefs of the Spirit of Truth, is to reprove the World of Sin, and teftifie Condemnation againfl: the deeds thereof •, but to fuch as have received it, it's a Leader, Comforter, and Saviour ^ and this is the caufe why the one loves it, tho' the other hates it, each Nature fpeaking that ftate in which it ftands towards God, and as it hath obtained from him in Chrift Jefus, Love or Condem- nation^ and he that will not receive God's Love that calls him out, mufl: abide under the power of that Seed which God hates ^ and this is he that feeks to murther him that is in God's Love, the evil one ha- ving power to blind that Mind v/nich denies the Light fo far, till he cannot fee that the Murtherer is of the Devil, but thinks he is doing God fervice ^ and this in the end hath ever befallen fuch Profef- fors as reject the Light of the World, for he that walks in Darknefs knows not whither he goes^ but God is Light, and in him is no Darknefs at all, nor hath Darknefs any fellowihip v/ith him : Here is known the Children of God, anc' the Children of Darknefs^ he that loves the Light, brings his deeds to the Light, and hath felLowlhip with God in his deeds, and works the v/ork ot God •, and he that denies the Light, works in Darknefs, and cannot be- lieve the Power that is in the Light, being under the power of Darknefs. And therefore he that is born after the flefh, knows not him that is born after the Spirit of Light, nor can judge of his ways, which are ftrange, and wonders in his carnal light, neither knows he by what Power and Love that isj by v/hich he over- comes the World, and takes pleafure in denying the Pleafures thereof, and vanquiiiieth ali its Vanities out of the Heart and Mmd, and can no more re- joyceinthe World, nor make merry with its mirth, , ', but ( 511 ) bat rejoyceth in the Truth, and is made glad with 1659. that which faves him from fuch Folly 5 the Wicked l/V^. know not the Life of the Righteous, nor the Spring whence hk Virtues arife, nor the Power of his Change, nor the End of all his patient Sufferings and Tryals, but fland wondering at it as Folly and Madnefs, that Eye being blinded by the god of this World, which Ihould give the Sight thereof, and the Soul being in Bondage under the Prince of Darknefs, -wherein it cannot inherit immortal Treafure. And this mufl; be, till there be a denying, and coming out of the World, to receive that Inheritance of Divine Light and Underftanding, which none can receive nor be one withal, but as they come out of the World, from under that Seed of Enmity which feeks to pervert all the right ways of God, and wreft all his Gifts to Man's Deftrudlion as far as it can prevail. Now this Deftroyer, or Seed of Enmity againft the Life of Man and his Salvation, is kept from that fuddain effeding his Purpofe upon the Creature in whom he is Head, by no other thing but the Patience and Long-fufferings of God, who willing that none of his Creatures Ihould perifh, but that if by any Means all might hearken to the Truth, and fo re- cover themfelves out of the Snares of this fubtle Deceiver and be faved : wherefore he doth many times long bear and forbear with much Patience, ftriving by the Spirit of Truth with Man, checking and re- proving, and warning him even many times, at that very Inftant when the Ad of Sin is committing; And if the evil One have got fuch Power in the Cre- ature, that he will not fufFer him to mind Reproof before, nor in the Act of Sin, then afterwards when the Heat of Temptation is cooled, then he Ihews the Evil and Danger of fach Wickednefs, that fo he might preferve Fear in him, againfi the next Temp- tation. And thus (in many) he keeps back Deftrudion a long time^ fo that fome are long e're the Wicked One ( 5»^ ) 1^5:9. One get them to fill up their Meafure: And fome ill ly'V^S^ that time of God's patient Forbearing and Long- fufFering, come to Repentance, and turn to that which reproves, and are faved 5 and others go on to Deftruction, which fwiftly they draw upon them- felves, after once the Spirit hath ceafed ftriving and reproving ^ for then the Fear is loft, and the evil One hath his Libert}'- at his own Will (the Creature being given up of the Lord, and the Spirit of Truth departed from them, being left to Deceit, who have dealt deceitfully with the Spirit of Truth, having only a Form of Godlinefs, without the Power , fot the Power of God is in thar Spirit, and in that Life which is known by withftanding the evil One^ which is hid in fuch in whom Deatli reigns ; only fuch who are born of the Spirit, have the Life and Power, and know its Strength and Virtue uato E- ternal Salvation ^ the reft are left to their own Thoughts and Notions. And here is the Caufe of that ftrcng Contention v/hich hath ever been betwixt the Children of Light who are born of that Spirit of Truth, and have their Light and Strength in the inward Man •, and the World's Profellbrs, whofe Expectation ftands in fomething without them, which others have fpokeii of, who had it in them. And fo not knowing the Power and Myftery of the living Faith, which is hold en in a pure Confcience, which only hath Power to bring out of the World's Darknefs, they are kept Captive therein, contending againft the Spiritual Light ♦, and fo while they are in the World go about to comprehend and meafure that Spirit of Truth, which the Worla cannot receive, neither knoweth, thinking that Spirit of Light and Life to have no other Operation in fuch who are Ld out of the World, and born thereoi:, and in whom Chrift lives, than they find it to hive in themfelves, who ftum- ble at it, and are aifobedient and unbelieving in Heart 3 whenas indeed to us that believe, it is elect and ( 5'3 ) and Precious who come to it for all fapplies^ but to i^^g- he Wifdom and Profellion of the World, it is a ^^''^V^Si^ Rock of offence, and flumbling iione, yet is it the Head of the Corner ^ and in them who revile it and rejed it, it is become all they have in them that is good, true and faithful towards God, or their Souls, as their Hearts in fecret do witnefs to them, and leaves them without eicufe many times. For even they that rejed: this Light and Spirit, have nothing elfe that can Ihew them fo much as one of their thoughts, or divide to their underiland- ing the evil from the good, either in Thought, Word, or Adlion, or that can really fliew them what is of God really, and what is of him, who, doth but fhew himfelf to be God to deceive v/ithal, and is not f, nor without it can they perceive the fe- veral motions of every feveral Spirit that is in them, to receive the good, and deny the bad ^ nor caa they know the feveral roots of Life and Death, which plant to pluck up, and which to feed on ^ and how can fuch labour in God's Vine3'''ard ? And indeed, without obeying this Light the Body is a Houfe of Darknefs, and a Habitation of every de- ceitful Spirit, and the Heart defperately wicked, and no Man knows it, but he in whom the Light of Truth fhineth ^ and he that declares to Man his thoughts, his Name is the £^r.7 of Ho/Is. Thus is he the Head of the Corner, which the Itumbier can- not comprehend in his wit, and To rejeds him, without whom there is no building, nor working the Work of God. And therefore, you Sons of the darknefs of this World, mind in your felves what it is you fet your felv'es againll:-, is it not that Light which would li- mit and chain the Evil one in you, that v/hich con- demns you for every evil work, fecret and open, which will not let you be proud and wanton, and luftful > That which in your own Hearts teftifie a- gainft you for deceit and falfhood towards God, and tov/ards Men, deceit in Religion, Hypocrifle and L 1 Falihood, ( 5M ) 165:9' Fallhood, making a Form of what ^^-ou are not? ^^^'^V^^^ Deceit in your Dealings with Men, in your Tradings and Speakings, and feveral Adings, both as Rulers, Priefts and People, without refped of Perfons, nor any other thing, but hath refped only to that of God in you, which is of his Nature, given to you to guide Man in the Light of God, out of all the ways of the deceiving Spirit ? And now he that comes to you with this Dodrine, comes near you, being manifefl: in Spirit to that of God in your own Hearts, you are pricked there- with, and then the evil one is ftirred up in you, to fight againft that which is Truth in your felves, and anfwers to the Truth which is fpoken to you, by another without you, from the fame Spirit of Truth, which by you is rejeded 5 And thus you joyning withhini that rifes up in wrath againfi: the Truth in your felves, and denying that which lliould chain and bind the evil one, you deny the Lord of Life, and give ftrength to the evil one to crucifie the Juft in you, and quench the Spirit of Truth, and weary the Lord withftriving, till you be given up wholly to the Power of Darknefs, who Xvill then keep you feeking Salvation without, whilfl: he is heaping up evil within. For that Vv'hich (eeks to devour your Souls is with- in you, whilft he is leading you out to feek Salva- tion ^ and that which condemns you, is in you ., Sin is within before it be aded, fo ivAid Salvation be v/ithin before you be cleanfed ^ though the old Deceiver hath taught People to think they are Sa- ved by believing God only at a diftance, who neither know nor worihip him in the Spirit and Truth, nor are their Bodies his Temples, nor can the Holy One dwell or walk in them, becaiife of uncleannels, but their Vei&ls being filled with the Powers of Dark- nefs, and the Heavenly Place with Spiritual Wick- edncls, hath canted God to depart irom the Chil- dren of Men for this uncleannefs^ and yet the Lyar fpeaks Peace, and Preaches Salvation, and the Crea- ture (515) ture believes fo, being tilled with Darlcnefs: But the i^^9. Children of Light receive not this Dodtrine, who tXV>J fee an«.i feel, and cannot be content with Words, but with Power. A talk of God fatisfies not the Soul of a good Man, till he feel hisPrefence and Power j God only without, and the Devil within, is not the Saint's Faith nor Salvation •, but God in them, and the Devil cafi: out, is their glory and ftrength, and they are bold through the might of his Spirit in them, to war daily againfl: the Prince of this World, becaufe they know him who is greater in them, than he that is in the World. And this is the Faith that overcomes the World ^ and he that's born of the Spirit, hath the Father and the Son, and he that hath the Devil is his Enemy, and knows him not whence he is, but judgeth him aft.^r the flelh and outward appearance •, but the Child of Light wars not after the fieih, but after Gofl, that he alone may have the glory, v/ho is all in them that they have to glory in, who gives their Souls the Holy Victory. And now, were not you wholly blind in your Minds, and paft feeling, you could never fit down fo befotted, as to believe you are Saved, while you are daily captivated in Sin, and led many times to do that which you know you fhould not, and this by the power of Lull in you, entiling and. leading you into every Temptation, and caufing you to fall into many hurtful Evils, v/hich gather lirengthand rooting daily in you, heaping wrath and venge- ance, by adding Sin unto Sin, which mufi all be accounted for in the end thereof, when you have fil- led your Veffels to a full Meafure : And can you fay you are redeemed from the Devil, while he hath this Power in you, that you are not able to relift him, but are led captive at his will, contrary to all fear of God, or power of Righteoufnefs? Are your Bodies redeemed to God, and are yau Members of Chrift, whilft you yield your Members unto unright- eoufnefs? Or* are you Saved who are Servants of LI 2 Sin> (5^6) t659- Sin > In what ftands the Life and Power of yoor C/V**0 Redemption, of your Faith, and of your Salvation, feeing nothing can (land with God but that which brings forth to him ? Is not he in the bonds of Ini- quity, who is bound to bring forth Iniquity > Is not he 3 Servant of Sin, in whom it reigns > Is not he the Child of Bondage, who is bound to bring forth what the evil-one begets in him, and to ferve him in what he moves him unto ? Mind this, you who are born after the fleihly Spirit, who a6t ac- cording to his will, who worketh in your fleih to bring forth unto death. Doth your Profeffion fave you, who are not turned from dead works? The Foundation of Repentance is not yet laid in you, and therefore Death reigns over you, contrary to the Life that Ihould bring forth to God •, and this is the Servant of Sin's State, and Spirit of bondage, and not the Heirs fiate, who inherits God's Righte- oufnefs, and brings forth thereof unto that Spirit which pleafeth God, as you bring forth to theflelh, and pleafe the World : And thefe two Seeds are within, and are at enmity and difagreement, and there can be no concord betwixt them, no more than between Light and Dajknefs •, and their feveral fruits are made manifeft with the Light, which condemns the one, and confeileth the other to be of God, and wrought in God. And as many as are quickned with the Spirit of Life, have the feeling of this before they bring forth the fruits thereof into the World, and are come to the difcerning of things that differ in nature and effed, by the tafling and handling of the Word c-f Life, and knowledge of that Eledion which was be- fore the World was, by which they are made able to judge the ground and end of every motion in them, or to them ^ whicli abiding in, they need not Man to teach them, neither can they be deceived ^ which jnakes them with boldnefs bring forth openly fuch Words and Works as are begotten in them by the Word of Life;, which ihcws the whole World to lie in ( 57 ) . . in Wickednefs, and makes it manifefi: in the Light 1^5' 9. of Life, by whom the Prince of this World is^^^V'N^ judged and condemned, and tthe fecrets of Hearts made mawifeft, according to the nature of every feveral Spirit which comes up to the day of thQ Lord's appearance. And to this Spirit of Truth muft an account be given by all flelli living t, for this is he that lives to all Generations, and is un- changeable in his witnefs againft the evil Seed, into whatever form he transforms himfc^lf, in Words and Profeliion 5 j^et is th^re no agreement betwixt their feveral Natures, be they in one Perfon, or be they in a Family, or be they in a Nation, there is not a- greement -^ nor can any one Perfon, Family or Na- tion ferve them both 5 but whoever ferves the one, hates the other, and condemns him : So he that ferves Deceit, condemns the Jul!:, and fo condemns that which fhould fave him, and muft judge him in the end. And here is the caufe of that flefhly Li- berty which fome have got (for the prefent) where the Witnefs is flain ^ and alfo of the horror of Con- fcience, where the Jnft appears toward Judgment ^ the unliable efl:ate of fuch who are not faithful: But the everlafting Peace and Power in fuch where the Jufl: hath Dominion, and the prefent Sorrows of fuch who are diligent in waiting and wreftling to the end of the World, from the beginning of the Work Chrift Jefus, through Faith and Patience ^ And all thefe are comprehended with him who hath learned Chrift, by being laithful to that Spirit of Truth, fent in his Name, to teftifie what is of him in every Veilel, and what is of the Spirit that luft- eth againfthim, and keeps the Creation in Bondage. And this is that one way to Life and Salvation, holden forth freely by the Spirit of Truth, fent forth by the Father in the Name of Chrift Jefus, who hath its feveral operations in feveral Yeftels, according as he finds them towards God , in fome he is a Condemmer, Jn fome a Leader and Teacher towards Godj in fome a perfedl: Juftifier in the fight h 1 I of ( 5i8) i(^'t9. of God prefenting tliem, who alfo gives feveral ^^"^V"^ Gifts, and Power to fuch as receive this Teftimony oF Jefus Chrift ^ jQi is he but one in all, unchange- ably Juft, Equal and H0I7, who by the Power of his Word changeth all things that are changeable, and bringeth all thi ,gs to the beginning, before Peo- ple, Nations and Tongues were divided, wliere Man lives by the Spirit of a pure Life. I\[o'w all that defire to he fet free from this Bondage hefore-mentioned^and from that Law of Sm and ]Death that hath itsfirength inthefiefhly part^ ddigently mind to feel in your J elves ^ as foUoweth. THE Spirit of Life which is in Chrift Jefus, by whom the World was made in the Beginning, Iiath a Law that is Spiritual, proceeding from him- felf-, which Law gives Light in Spirit to good and bad, teilifying againft the Power of Sin and Death ^ which Light, as many as receive by Faith and Obe- dience, are brought thereby under the Law of Life, which whoever is faithful in, are led in fuch ways, whereby that part in Man in which the Law of Sin hath its Power, is crucified and flain, and the Seed of the Covenant thereby comes into Dominion 5 for by the Man of Sin the Soul is kept in Bondage, while the Strong Man keeps the Houfe, whofe {i:rength is in fuch things as the Carnal Mind takes Pleafure in j which things the Law of the Spirit calls them from, who mind it in the Light thereof, and leads to exer- cife the Mind in Spiritual things, and to feed on the Word of Life, whereby the Inward Man is ftrength- ened, and made to grow up in the Stature of a Spi- ritual Man, filled thereby with Spiritual Power, Life and Virtue, to bring forth Fruit unto God, and to live ( 519 ) live to him, as the other lived to the Flefli and 16^:9. brought forth unto Death. L^''V%J Thus the Spirit of Life draws with the Light, and faith, Come^ to all that mind its Voice •, and as ma- ny as Obey, he changeth and feedeth with the New Life, whereby they become New Creatures, Born of the Spirit : And the Fleflily Spirit it draws, and faith. Come, holding forth vifible Idols to take the Carnal AfFedtions, and to Captiv^ate the Mind from the Spirit of Life into Carnal Obje£ts, who promife much to the Eye of Earthly Wifdom, and have a likenefs of a Subftance in them, but the End is Death, and their whole Life is in Captivity to Vanity, and Separation from God : And here are the Children of Freedom, which are in Chrift Jefus, made manifeft to the World, by their coming out of it ^ and the Children of Bondage manifeft, who cannot deny to ferve it ; and betwixt thefe two is no agreement : For he that is a Servant of Sin, is free from Righte- oufnefs, and the Servant of Righteoufnefs is free from Sin-, and as he that is in the Flefli cannot pleafe God, neither can he that is it the Spirit pleafe the World : Thefe are Children of feveral Kingdoms, and feveral Natures : And he that's Born after the Flefh hath that fpirit which lufteth envioufly, and feeks to devour the Creation 5 and he that's Born a- gain after the Spirit of Life, is brought into the Reftoration, as in the Beginning, and bringeth forth to God the Fruits of Eternal Life and Salvation ia the Creation. And as by the Creatures yielding and con Tenting to the Subtil One, the Life is loft, and the Evil Seed gets Strength in Man to rule and bring forth after the Power of Darkneis ^ fo by the Creatures believ- ing in the Light, and by yielding to the Motions of the Life of Holinefs, and the Law thereof, comes the Evil Seed to lofe its Strength and Feeding, which is upon Carnal things ^ and that Life which is by Faith comes again to be renewed in the V^ffel, and L 1 4 arifes ( 520 ) T^^9. arifes through the Spirit, and Reigns ahove Deaths l/^rf'^Jand the-Righteoufnefs and Virtue of that Life is not of the Nature of Flefh and Blood, but of God ^ and is made manifeft in the Earthen Yeflel, by the Life and Power of tJie Spirit, againft the Will of the Flefli, and the Lulls thereof: And thus comes Man again into the Reftoration and Redemption of the ' Body, into the free Service of that Spirit and Life, of whom he is the Oif-fpring, and for which, and hy which he came into the World ^ and here is true Reconciliation and Peace with God, and no Condem- nation, but Unity in the Spirit and Life as the Fa- ther and Son are One, the Luft being flain, theEn- ^ ticer denyed, and the Accufer caft out, and all things become New, and all things of God ^ here is no more the Houfe of Bondage to Sin, but the glorious Liberty of the Sons of God ^ that Nature being quickned that is Spiritual, it doth not feed on Carnal Pleafures, but upon God 5 fo the Inward Man becomes a Natural Branch of the Holy Root, and a Plant of the Living God, bringing out freely ivhat the Root fends forth, in which God is glori- fied, and the YelTel made Honourable, and the Soul filled with Peace and Fatncfs, and hath no more Sorrow and Death to opprefs it ^ And the Light and Life which is in Chrift Jefus, manifefl in the Spirit of Truth, is the firft and lafi: in this work ; and here is feen ho"vV unnatural Man, driven from God, is become to that pure Life which gives him breath and being, and v/ould preferve him from - deftruclion, who is fo wholly fallen from it, and become contrary to it, in nature and judgment, that of all things in the world it's the greatefi: crofs to be guided by that Light which arifes in him from that holy Life, and daily calls him in Spirit tliere- into, being degenerated into a contrary nature, more fubtil and felfifh, is willing to joyn with the Enemy thereof in any way againft the pure Light that's in himfelf, to revile, reproach, murther, and turn it into darkneft, bj covering it with deceit ^ though ( 5^0 though Man in this ftate hath nothing in him but i^^9. it, that is of the Nature of God, Holy and Jiaft, or v'Y^ that will call him from the Paths of the Deftroyer, into the way of Life, or bring forth through him any Fruits of obedience, or Spiritual V/orlhip that God will own 5 nor hath he any other thing in this World that is always prefent with him, to give him to fee when he is inticed with his Lufl, and tempted to Sin, nor the way how to efcape the Temptation ^ yet is Man fo exalted in the contrary- nature, that he hath forgotten his Creator, and lifts up the heel againfi: the reproof of his Spirit, tram- pling upon the lowly motions of the Holy One, and the Law which out of his mouth proceeds, count- ing the Light and virtue of his Lite to be a low and contemptible thing, not able to fave. Thus doth loft Man daily defpife the Spirit of Grace and Truth in the inward parts, and refifls the Holy Ghofl againft their own Souls, and denies his pure and fingleeye, and holy movings by which the Ho» ly Men of God fpoke, faw and difcerned in all Ages, as the Scriptures do teftifie ^ all which is loft as to that Man who is exalted above the pure Light and lowly Spirit, in which God meets Man to teach him the knowledge of the Truth. And therefore you Teachers and People of all forts and Se6ts, who fo violently have fet your feives againft the Light of the Spirit within you, and within others, when it calls to you tor a return to it ; How long will you kick againft that which pricks you at the heart for your contrary walkings, and diilembling Profeifions ? Why will you not be ftill and commune with it in your own Hearts, that you might come to a true feeling, and difcern what nature it is of, and from whence it is, and what way it works, and againft what > And alfo what nature that is in you, which it chiefly condemns and works againft, and from whence that is ? That fo with the Light of Truth you might come to judge things that differ in the ground, and in the ' end. (522) i^J9» end, that you might fo come to walk in the Light, ^>^''V^ in Judgment, and in Truth of Heart towards God and Man. And let the fingle Truth of God with- out mixture anfvver thefe things following feelingly in you. What is the caufe that while you are profefiing to feek God and ferve him, you fhould be fo unwilling to ferve him in that which is of his own Nature, and to worlhip him in Spirit and Truth, in your ownYefTels, whcfe Bodies Ihould be the Temples of God, who is not worihip'd in Temples made with hands, nor in a nature contrary to himfelf ? Or will the talking of what he is or was in others, in whom he was known to walk and fpeak, deliver your Souls from the Power of the Prince of Darknefs and De- ceit, that is in your felves, unlefs you can by Faith receive him in you alfo, as they received him, and feel his Power ovtrcoiiiingand calling out him that hath you captive at his will, againft your Faith and Confcience? Or, v/ill God be found in you, or ac- cept your Worfhip, whilfl: his Temple is poflefled with his Enem}'', and a contrary nature acts you therein ? Can you meet with God in any thing but that which is Holy, who hears not the Prayer of him that regards iniquity ? Wherefore your firfl work fhould be to know him in you whom God accepts, tor he alone muft pre- fent you to the Father, who appears without Sin ^ tmderfland what I fay, he that appears without fin, elfe you are reprobate in God's fight ^ there is no hope v/ithout knowing Chrift in you the everlafting Prieft, to ofter up upon the Altar of Atonement. Holinels mufi make one in Spirit •, and though by the height of your Minds, he that is without Sin be- low and little in you, yet without me you. can do tio- things lliith Chrift Jeflis, mind what he faith, you can do nothing : Then what are you doing who are not in the Holy Spirit ? Can you Worihip by Tradi- tion, or be Saved by the Letter ? Will you make Chrift a Lyar, who faith, Without me you can da nothing .<* ( 5^5 ) nothing ? I am the Light of the World -^ every branch i6'y9 (faith Chrift) that abideth not in me, is cafl out^ O'^VN^ and withereth, and ii for the fire. Mind this, you that rejea Holinefs in Spirit, and Light, from the Holy Spirit in you : Are you not cut ofF, who are not in that which is Holy^ are you not withered and for the fire? Are you not caft out, who have no abiding-place in that which is Holy ^ Have you Power and Knowledge in you to do ^vil, but not to do well } Are you not cut off from the true Vine, and planted into a wild Vine of ^contrary nature ? Your corrupt Tree is known by its Fruits, v/hich bringsforth, but not to God, nor froin God, who are cut off and withered, without Chrift and with- out God in the World, who would teach you and make you free \ here is your lofs and nakednefs ma- nifeff, and the ftiort Bed, and the fhort Garment, who have not the Holy Spirit to cover you, nor bear you harmlefs. Now, will you fay, you hope you are born again of the Spirit, and are baptized into the Spirit, and walk in the Spirit, and woriliip in the Spirit, and then are gone out for Salvation and Light, and fpeak evil of that Light within, as not able to bear you up againfl: him that is of the World ? Now your Hope is not an Anchor, nor your Faith in that which overcomes the World, as the Saints do. Who- foever is born of God^ overcomes the JVorld : And, he that is begotten of God^ keepeth himfelf that the evil-one toucheth him not. Now mind, Where is he that keepeth himfelf> And where is the evil-one? Let Truth anfwer in you, if there be any knowledge of God in the Houfe. Is not that he who gives you Light, that would keep you from the evil-one ? And ihould yoii not be one in Him that would keep you from evil? Who is your Keeper ? Ye Watchmen that are blind, do not you watch in vain, who know not the Lord to keep your City, elfe how ftiould the evil-one have his liberty in and out without a pov/erful refilling > Confider ( 5H ) i6^9« Confider in your felves, Where is he that gives you t/V^to fee when the evil-one toucheth you, and when he tempteth but toucheth not ? What nature is he of that doth this for you > And where is he I* Is he not Light and Underftanding, and is he not in you > And is he not of a contrary nature to the evil-one that tempteth > And doth he not fhew you tlie Temptation, before you confent thereto (if you mind him ^) Then what is the caufe that the evil is committed, feeing the Light appears againfl: him ? Is it not becaufe you joyn to the evil one, and like his motion better than his that teftifies it to be evil. And fo you deny the Holy-One and the Juft, and become one with the evil one ^ and then you i^^y^ The Light is not able, when yoii have denied it, and have not been faithful to joyn to it in counfel and ftrengt]i, but have given your flrength to the con- trary ^ but they that are born of it, do not fo ^ but when they are ihewed the evil one and his temp- tation, be it whatever it be to, or under what pre- tence fcever, if the Light teftifies againfl: it, then is their diligence, watchfulnefs and fobriety, ufed a- gainft it in the fear of God, lefl they fliould be drawn from the Light and enticed 5 and with all their power they io3''n in obedience to the way of the Light, fo that there is a v/ar and vvreftling e're the thing be over^ and being refilled ftedfaft in the Faith, he flees, and the Glory returns to God who dwells in the Light. And if at any time the evil- one prevail, the Creature comes to fee the caufe to be in himfeif, and not in God, and for it is hum- bled and warned ^ and this he comes to fee when the Temptation is over, and the Enemy fled, and he is come again into coolnefs with God in the Light, which while the Darknefs was up, and the Enemy in the Houfe, he law not. And thus is Experience gained through Tribula* tions and Trials, which they who endure not, come not to learn of God, but fall under Temptation to evil, through unfaithfulnefs to the Light, and fo are ( 5^5 ) are Captives at his will who tempts to evil, and 16^9. the Enemy ot all Righteoufnefs reigns over all the ^.^^^-^^^ Members, leading out the Eyes, Ears, Hands and Heart to Iniquity and Vanity, and the Tongue to plead for it, againft every reproof^ having denied the reproof of the Spirit of Truth within your felves, it cannot be received from others, for in that Houfe the contrary Spirit wholly reigns, which turns away the Ear from hearing of Knowledge, and the Heart from good under Handing in Spirit. And this is the caufe why you are kept without the feeling of God and his Power, and knowledge of his Word, and the myfteries of his powerful Counfel are hidden from you, which he reveals to the faithful, who have overcome through Faith and Patience, in whom Satan is fubdued and trodden un- der foot^ for in whom this devoureris above, what- ever God gives or reveals to the Creature, the De- ceiver is ready to pervert it quite to a contrary end, that God never intended in the giving thereof, and to lift up a wrong Nature, and exalt a contrary Spi- rit, which God hates, and this is evident by the Light of Truth throughout the World. What are the Gifts of God which the Spirit of the World a- bufes not > If God gives Wealth, where that Spirit is above, how is the Creature puft up therewith a- bove the refl of his Brethren, as though he were no more of the fame mould and blood, but as God would he be worfhipped-, If he gives Beauty, it's turned into Lufl:, Pride and Wantonnefs, begetting and deceiving adulterous Eyes -, Wifdom is turned into Folly and Wickednefs, fcorning the Simple, and over-reachir.g the Plain-hearted, and fuch as have moil: of it, are but moft able to compafs their corrupt ends 5 When God gives Grace, it's turned into Lafcivioufnefs, and God's long forbearance into hardnefs of Heart 5 Religion and Profeihon into a Cloak for Sin and Hypocrifie ^ Fafting and Praying, to accomplilh Mens felf-ends againfl fuch as they would iwallow up, ^c. And 165:9. And not one thing that God can give, which this l./^V'NJ evil one will not fubvert and turn againft the Giver, fo that though God be free in himfeif, and good and plentiful in Mercy, yet he dorh not fo Ihew hinifelf to fuch in whom the ftrong Man keeps the Houfe, who makes the Creature thereby but more wanton to kick againft his Creator, and pufFs him up to forget his Maker and Feeder ^ and fo a fruitful Land maketh he barren, for the Wickednefs of them that dwell therein, which from the beginning was not fo. Neither is it fo with the Children of Light and Counfel ^ who have the Giver in their Hearts above the Gift, where the pure Counfel fits to order the Gifts, where every good and perfedt gift is brought forth in its own nature, form, and manner, unde- filed, or disfigured with the Spirit of the World j but the Springs run forth from the clean Fountain, and the Plant and Fruit is Holy like the Root, where the Spirit is clean, and the Flefli undefiled, and e- very thing as it comes from God, as in the begin- ning, and the old Man put off, and all thiiigs of God^ there every gift of God is known by its fruits, and nature, and ends, in fuch VefTelsf, The Gifts of j God return to God by glorifying him here on earth, where Riches bring forth good and merciful Works, and not Pride and Vainglory -, Wifdom flands up againft Opprefiion, and not to deceive 5 and througli Grace doth Righteoufnefs reign unto Life Eternal 5 j their Religion is pure, and unmix'd with the World, but feparated from it, whereby the Sons and Daugh- ters ©f God are known in the Streets, by his Ydrtue and Comelinefs put upon them by him, with which they are covered over, as a Garment, even with all the Fruits of the Holy Spirit of Faith and Truth, which is in Chrift Jefus, who is Lord over all in fuch Veffels ^ and thefe are the VefTels of Honour fit for the Lord to fhine through againft his Adverfary (the World's Spirit) in Fruits that cannot be con- demned, being not defiled in the Veile]^ but mani- feft T5^7 ) fell: as they come from above, anfwering to that of 1659. God in every Heart, in which the evil one hath lyY^ neither part nor power-, thefe are Sons of God with- out rebuke, in the midft of an unclean Generation Ihining as Lights^ and this alone honours God, which is of God ^ and this anfwers the end of Man's Creation, and God's Bounty, who is rich in fuch, till they come to be filled with all the fulnefs of God, which he with-holds not from fuch 5 but from the unclean and flothful, fuch who defile the Flelh with Lufts, from fuch he with-holds his riches and fulnefs i therefore the World knows not the Sons of God, nor whence they are, nor whither they re- turn, who follow Chrift out of the World, never returning thither again, but to teftifie againfl it, whofe Veffels are no more filled with Luft, and the Spirit of this World to bring forth thereto, but are filled with the Holy Ghoft, who hath made them new Creatures for himfelf to walk in, and fhine forth in Fruits of the Spirit. And now you wild Colts, and barren earthly minded Profeifors, who have filled 3''our Veffels with wantonnefs and deceit, and all forts of Flefhly Minds-, in vain do you hunt about with your old Bottles, and think to retain the Heavenly Treafure, you gad about, but to no purpofe in the fight and efteem of God, for you are in the wrong work, while you are in the World's Nature^ and in the old Creation ; your Words and Ordinances are emp- ty of the Life of God, and his Fruits you cannot bring forth nor receive, till you be renewed; no- thing you can do will avail you but anew Creature ^ your old Veffels are full of the old Wine from the wild Grape ^ and that's above in you which defiles the pure Conlcience, fo God with holds his Gifts from you, which abound in his new Creation, and you know nought of it but what condemns you; fo you fight againfl: it, and fr/^ there is nothing now perfedt, and fo would condemn the new with the ©Id, and judge them alike; and thus you err, not knowing ' C 5^« ) 16^9. knowing the Gift of God, nor the Works of his iy^Y^sJ Hands, which are all perfed, as he is perfedt, who walks not in the defiled Temple, nor lies in the bo- fom of Harlots, who are out of his power and per- fedt way of a Holy Life ^ Therefore Your Work WDuld profit you mofl:, to take the Candle of Truth, and fweep the Houfe at Hjme, and caft out the old Leaven, and whatever is of the World, and wait in that which works in Spirit a- gainft the old, till therewith all be made new ^ and the new VelTel which wnll not receive the old, nor mix with it : that is it which will hold with the new, which God will fill with himfelf ^ there »he Seed may fpringand not be hindred, and the Lilly grow without being choaked ^ There the Lamb may be fafe from the Fox, and the pure from pollution j which can never be, while your Covetous, Proud, Luftful, Earthly Minds are alive in you, or ought that therewith you have treafured in, or grows up in that ground, the Plant of God is more pure and tender than to grow amidfi: fuch pollution. So to ^ Judgment you muft firfl come, snd own your Con- demnation upon ail the old, before yo'd can receive of the new, or it grow in you. What agreement hath the Spirit of Meeknefs with the Spirit of Pride > Contentednefs with Coveroufnefs? Holinefs with Luft? Chrifi: with ^t-Zi^/? Light with Darkneis ?* Read and underlland, here is the caufe why you have fought and laboured many Years, and many of you further ofi-'thenat firft, but none have found Freedom indeed, nor that Refi: where the Thief and Unclean come not to devour. Conhder thefe things while they are near you, lefl: your Hearts harden in you through-unbelief, and the deceit of Lufis: And if you will come, then refufe not him that calls and gives you Light in the Dark, but faithfully manage the Watch and the War on his behalf with all your Power, till all be brought under his feet, which he teftifies againft in you, and do not anfwer the Truth (when he calls) with deceit and (5^9 ) and excufes, left he turn away from you, and call 1^5" 9." others more worthy. If you fay the World holds t-W'N^ ydu back, then it's time you fhould not delay to break thofe Bonds that are grown i^o ftrong already, they will be ftronger every day, and what will the end be> Confider and iinderftand like Men, and fay not, you have not ftrength^ but turn with that ftrength with which you have long ferved the World, and you will find God (that gave it you) the better Mafler ^ and the Redeemer is ferved with lefs vigor than tlie Spirit of Bondage 5 and do but faithfully gi\^e the ftrength you have of God unto the fervice of God in the Light, and he requires no more than he gives ^ it's deceit that makes thefe Ex- cufes, and not a willing Mind ^ and were you in the fear of God, thefe words you would not utter againft your felves a witnefs ^ for thefe are net the words of Children of Love, nor obedient Servants, but of fuch as are without. Therefore in truth of Heart confider, what fiate you are in, and who is your Father, and hath Power in you, who thus fpeak ^ Canyon do evil vv'ith both Hands, live to your Lufts, ferve the World, com- pafs the Earth for your Profits and Pleafnres, with Power, Wifdom, and Delight ^ and have you not Power to do well } Now ihould you fie your ftrcng captivity, and how you are degenerated from God, and the end of your Creation, with your Vv'hole firength, and become altogether reprobate to God's Service ^ and for this ihould your Hearts be fmitten with forrow, did you love God or his true Worfiiip, and that evil Tongue you w^ould bridle, and your Eyes you would limit from Vanity, your Ears from Pleafure, and your Hearts from Deceit, that fo you might only hearken to the Light, if by any means you might come to hear the Voice of him that's ient into the Worlds to call you from under the Power of Satan unto the living God, by preaching Light to you who fit in Darknefs, and are dead while you livcj neither can you be quickned till M m you 1659. you hear the Voice of the Son of God, which the '.^''^V^O Deceiver keeps you from in your Worldly Pleafures, long Prayers, and a lying Profelhon, taking the Saint's words to cover you from true Judgment, but have not their Spirit nor Power to live their Lives 5 nor are you Plants of that Root and Nature which brings forth to God, as lie is, in whom there is no change; And this is not the Sacrifice that God ac- cepts, which is brought in the unclean VeiTel with- out his power and renewed ilrength. Wherefore that Nature which is become fo wholly unprofitable, Ihould be denied its will, and its way ftopt-, and to that Seed you fhould die which rules in that ftrength you have, and runs to and fro to fcek for it felf, but feeks not God firfl^ and to that v/hich is pure mufl you turn, and therein wait for the Anointing, and the riflng of the Holy Seed; for it's the mofl: Holy that's anointed to rule in you, e're you can know Chriit in you-, and without Cbri/1 pu can do nothing 5 and that Seed which is neither willing nor able, is not he, but is the Seed of the evil doer, as is manifefl: by his fruits, which mufb be denied, his Thoughts, his Words, his Pro- feffinn, his Prayers, his Lufis, his Sin, and his Righteournefs, for it's all of one nature, and ftands up m you to withRand the coming of the %tt^ of the Covenant, Chrift Jefus the Life of God, and Light of Men, which hath God's Power which was in the beginning, God's Righteoufnefs, and is to all Generations-, u^'honi the Heavens mafl: receive until the end of all thefe things, and the reilitution of the Creation to God, till which you cannot know his appearance in you without Sin, who died for Sin. Whofe Light (as is before declared) Ihev/syouhis Law, and the Spirit of Prophehe lellifies of him to eome, whole way before his face mud: be prepared (if you have Ears to hear and underfcand ,) and ail your crooked, untoward wanton ways mult be made flreight, and your hidden fubtle ways made plain ^ and the Refiner's fire nraftpafs throiigli yourHonfe, and (550 and take hold on all that will burn, till it be con- i6^^. fumed ^ for till the filth be purged out, and an end ^^r\r^ made of Sin, God dwells not in his Temple, nor is everlafting Righteoufnefs brought in for an Inheri- tance to Eternal Life. And here will you come to learn the firfl: Principle of pure Religion and the Dodrine of the beginning of Chrift, and the foundation of Repentance from dead vvorks laid in 3'-ou, then will you fee what kind of Treafure your wanton carelefs Minds have treafured up in your VefTels, and your deceitful and unprofitable words and works, you will then fee, by that v/hich will not lye^ then will you find that all will fail but Truths and what you have gathered hj craft and deceit, will fland in no ffead, but v/ill deceive you : Truth in the inward parts muft be your fcajr, if any you find, for to that Rock you will be forced to fljr, in the end for refuge, when all t\[Q is weighed and found too light to abide the Trya), though now it be lightly ef^eemed, and yoii fay it's not able to fave^ it's that Light within that muft give you the knowledge of God in the face of Jefus, nothing without will make your Peace, but that which works in you, that mufl cleanfe the Houfe of your Adverlary, and ordain Peace for you. And this is that which made the Holy Men of God, who have gone before you in this Regenera- tion, to preferve a clean HouTe and a pure Confci- ence, above all that the World can afford or pro- mife, knowing that in the day of Tryal all will prove a Lye, but what is Tnuh in the inward parts 5 and that none are true Worfhippcrs, bnt v/ho Wor- fnip the Father in the Spirit and^in Truth : and the whole myflery of Faith and of Godlincfs is learned within, and holden in that which is pure^ and the pure in Heart only fee God, and have heard and learned of him-, and fuch are Sons indeed, who are born of the Spirit, and led by the Spirit, and filled with the Spirit^ and thefe have Power^ Light and Mm 2 *^Under- ( 53^ ) \'^'y9' Underftanding to do well, who have that of God ini ^^V>J thein, which is Holy, and that Spirit which the Devil is not able to refifl: ;, and every Child of God hath this in their meafure, by which they refift the tVorld and overcome it, even that which is born of God ; that only overcomes, which is faithful and will not for- get himfeif : BlefTed only are they who have of this in them in the evil Times, which God cannot for- get, nor fuffer to be tempted above meafure, fuch oaly have that Eledtion, for whofe fake the Spirit (or Soul) is Saved; And in this only doth the Crea- ture find favour in the fight of God in the Day of Vengeance, when God arifeth to plead with all the Earth for their wiclcednefs^ a Seed Ihall be Saved^but that is not it which faith and doth not. And therefore think of this, all you who mock at a pure Confcience, and rejed that of God within, and fpeak lightly and reproachfully of itj did you know whom you reproach, and againfl: what it is you fport your felves, you would rather gnaw your Tongues than utter a word againfl: it^ you would change your Minds, and feck it with thofe that fell all, that they may find it ^ though it be little in you, (as to you) fo that yoU dare not truft to ir^: yet all that have proved it, pri2;e it as the great Power of God to Salvation ♦, and whether you can receive it or no, yon hai'-e no Election but what is in it : In this did Noah find grace in the fight of God, when the Earth was corrupted; a/id '^oah walked with Godj and was jit ft and per feci in hk Ge- Tieration^ and in that which was jufi: and perfect he was Saved ^ and in the Righteous Seed which was grieved with the uncleannefs of Sodom^^ was Lot fa- red. Now if you can read your Election you may, it's only that which was before Sin was, that is grieved at Sin, and teftifies in Man againfl unclean- nefs \ and this Seed ftands Eledt before the World was, if you can receive it, and make it lure, you may, but you which fiy, you have not Power to do well, and deny his Call, caunot do lU He ( 553 ) He that calls out of Sin, and the Soul that is if>'^9' vexed becaufe of Sin, is little and lowly in you •, ^>^^V^ but the God of this "World is lofty, flrong and pow- erful in you, and hath lifted up your Hearts on high, to feek great things far above that pure Prin- ciple of truG Light and Underftanding, which God hath ehofen and eieded to himfelf, and wherein he will commune with Man, and teach him hi>s fear and knowledge, and give him renewed itrength, and of his Spiritual Power, and Salvation from Sin. And now your lofty looks are too high for this door, and the day of this fmall and fimple one you defpife^ thefe Waters are too flill for you to drink on, and to l^ay and wait for great things where Co little is feen, you have not faith ^ fo )rou out-rua your reft, and the Poor in Spirit take theKingdon^ before you, to whom the EIe(3:ion and Bleffing be- longs. Now confider, you that are Lofty, Rich and High- minded, mind the Calling of God and his Eledlion j Hath he eleded the Rich in Notion, and High in Profeiiion, the Proud and the Wanton > Hath not he ehofen the Weak and Poor, Foolifh and Contemp- tible to confound all this > But he doth not confound the Eledion, the Poor, Lowly and "Meek ^ the Pure and Holy in Heart and Soul he doth not confound nor Ihut out, but he that is Pure, Meek, and Holy, calls ; and the Soul that is Meek, Lowly, and loves Holinefs, it anfwers in all Converfation, obtaining Grace tJ and betake your Telves to a changeable thing, which the Eledion is not, nor he that calleth thereunto : For the Eledioii hath been preferved in God, when all the World clfe, ProfeiTions and People have been deceived, defiled, deftroyed and changed. And that is it which is always pure (as God is pure) and changeth not •, and he that goes out from this, doth not make it fure tohimfelf, by well-doing 3 For the Election is in the Light and Power of Holinefs, and Truth, vv^hich they that fay and do not, are out of, . Therefore return from off the Mountains, you that have lifted up your felveson high without God, xvho have a Form without the Power of God, and feel after that which is Pure, Lowly and Juft in you, for God is a Spirit, and in the Spirit and Truth is he known and ferved, and there is his Counfel received, in that which is Truth in your inward parts : feel that which never finned near you, then you draw near to God in Spirit, and keep there, and wait and hearken (what the Spirit faith, u'hich never finned) with that Principle in you which would not fin, with that wait upon the Holy Spirit, and mind his motion continually, and be obedient thereto, that you may once come to ferve the Living and not the Dead, that you maybe able to fa}^, your Redeemer I'lveth^ and that you knov/* him, and have heard his Voice that is Holy, as God is Holy, that is lowly and Meek ^ and that you have learned, and do always learn of him, and are joined to him, that you may become conformable to him that liveth and finneth not : And this Appearance v/ill be your daily Salvation and Peace, and dally growth and eiicreafe in God, and miake this fure to you in that Principle which would not fin for gain^ ing t}-)^ whole Woild ^ fo Ihaii 3''ou not lofe your E- ledtion nor your Calling, but an entrance thereby Vv'ili be daily miniflred into the Kingdom everlaft- ll^gs ( 555 ) ing, which is in Chrift Jefus the Light, and Truth, ^6$-9> and Power of God. ^-''VV, But if you go out to any other thing for Help or Counfc;!, then that Spirit which is Pure, which is Jufl, which is Meek and Lowly as God is, which is Righteous by Nature, and fprings in 3''ou to bring forth Fruit of it felf, to God alone, in that Prin- ciple which is pure and clean, then you go from the Fountain of Living Waters to dig for your felves, and into your own Works, and what you bring forth is your own Righteoutnefs, and not that which is revealed from above, to all Generations of God eled:ed ^ And you v/ill go through your Work hard beftead, and when 3^ouhave brought it forth, it will not fatisfie that in you which hungers toward God, only it will puff up that Nature which is felfifli, and exalt that which is too higli already to receive Life from God *, and this RighteouFnefs God accepts not, nor is it everlafting to all Generations, which is brought in by Works and not by Yertue of the Divine Nature fpringing freely in you from an E^ ternal Spirit, which thofe who are entred into Reft, and keep the Sabbath Holy, are freely fed with, and covered over, who are ceafed from their own works, their works being wrought in God, and in him are brought to light, where the Holy Child is born, and the Son of God manifeft, through that Spirit which the World neither Teeth nor knoweth, which gives to fee and inherit God and godlinefs in a clean Nature and VefTel. Which Birth if you defire to be born of, then ceafe from flelh and blood, and whatever that can do for you within and without, tliat is defiled, and in that which calls and convinceth you of Sin, wait and be faithful, till you find a Life and Defire quickned in you ^ which can favour or delight in nothing, but that v/hich is as God is. Pure, Juil and Holy, and loaths whatever is contrary, and cannot joyn to it in Thought Word nor Adtion ^ for this is the Life v/hich quickens you, if ever you feel M m 4 it (536) t5t9. It move and breath in you, and its Spiritual Birth, ^^•^VN^ which as it grows in the Veflel, is to be Heir of the Heavenly Treafure, which though at firftit be weak as a Child without underftanding or full ftrength y and you not knowing what way it is ever like to come to have all the Power and Dominion in you, by reafon of the abundance of corruption that is above in you, and the ftrong bonds of iniquity that rules in your fiefh, which all war againft the refur- rection of this Innocent Birth, and by which the ftrongMan keeps the Houle, with much fubtilty and Spiritual Wickednefs, againft the pure and flm- ple Life; yet if you do but abide in that which firil gave you light to the quickening of it, and be obedient thereto, it will bring you a way you know not; and though you may come through great Tra- vels and Temptations, and many fiery Tryals and Tribulations, where you may be fitted and win- nowed, yet Ihall not one grain of that pure Seed perifh and fail in the way, for that Spirit of Light and Truth will lead you in his Light and in his Truth, vyhich liath been tried in that way for many Generations; for Chriil Jefus, the Light and Sah vation of Ages, hath overcome the Devil and the XVorld, and all the Power of Darknefs, for all that are fanctified ; and now is come to do it in ypu, tliat you may inherit the purchafed Pofrelfion, and ilt wiih him in Heavenly Places alio : So that your work is Faith and Obedience, and Patience towards him who is that Spirit and Light in you ; and to him mufi: you give up Life and all, who will con- found your corrupted Wifdom, and blind his Ad- verlary, that he may ^/i;^ Li^bt to them that are yet tinder the Jhadow of Deaths and build up in you the way of Peace; and you ihall no more live by your "U^orks and Gifts natural ; but becaufe he liveth in you, fhall you live alfo ; and your Life will be that which is begotten of God which never dieth ; and this will he do for as many as give up them.felves wholly to him,whofeLight leads out of Sin j this is the Kin§ ( 557 ) l^ing of Saints, and Hoi/ Life, if yoa will receive 165:9. him, he hath the Power of God. V^.^^J But you that pray and profefi, and feek abroad, and cry for help, but know not him who hath Help in his Hands for you, in him alone to wait, that in all Things you might obferve him : You worfhip you know not what, nor where, and while in Words you talk of God that liveth, in Works you deny him, and give your Strength to the Dead, and not to the Living. Should not every Man know his God liveth in him, and go to his own God for Life, according to the Manifeftation of the Spirit of Truth given to profit withal in every Creature to God- ward ? And this God that liveth, who is jufl holy and true, fhould you hear, and know, and Larn of, not of dead Forms, but the Power of the Spirit of Life, whofe Word giveth Life, to as many as have that Ear open, to hear the living Spirit, and can favour the living from the dead. Now whatever you look to for Life and Salvation, which is not in this Spirit and Power, it s that which kills and devours your Strength to no purpofe ^ for nothing gives Life but the Spirit, it's the pure Spirit that feeds the hungry Soul with Bread of Life •, and to that you Ihoulcl give up all you have and are ; in hearkening and obeying fpend your Time, and all your Strength to encreafe in the Life that's Bread indeed. But when you give your Strength to Cuf- toms and Forms, and carnal Rudiments, vain Plea- fures and Delights, and fet your Minds on thefe vi- iible Things, then you fpend your Strength for that which is not Bread, and Labour for that which pro- firs not to Life eternal, nor can carnal things give an Entrance into the moftHoly ^ but in that which is pure ihould you wait, that he may open to you the Door of Life ^ I am the Door, the Truth and the Life, faith Chrifi: Jefus, v/ho is not carnal, who is pure clean and lowly, and meek in Spirit, who i§ i/i you except ye be Reprobates j and if any Man have hot the Spirit of Chrijf, he is none of hts. Mini ( 538 ) ^6^9. Mind and confider well the Spirit of Chrift in ^-''''^^^''^' you, that's he that's lowly in you, that's meek in you, that's juft and holy in you : mind this Spirit in you, and then whither will you run, and forfake the Lord of Life ? Will you leave Chrifi: the Foun- tain which fhould fpring in you, and hunt for your felves ? Should you not abide within, and drink of that which fprings freely, and feed on that which is pure, meek and lowly in Spirit, that fo you might grow fpirituaLMen into the fame Spirit, to be as he is, the Sheep of his Pafture? for as is your Pafture, fo are you filled. High carnal Minds feek high Things, and fo they grow lofty and proud, and fuch God refifts, and kseps them afar ofi'^ but the Poor in Spirit feek Truth and Meeknefs, and are fed thereof at the Table of the Lord ^ meek, and lowly and juft, and faithful are all his Houfliold, who feed and fup with him. Now mind and confider your ways, who are gone out unto the Mountains to worfliip and feed your felves, you may read of If- raefs Sin in going out from the Temple, in which the Lord had faid he would dwell, and be enquired of, and they built Altars without him, and there called upon him, but found him not, for which he rejected their Worihips, and their Temple alfo. And where hath Chrift faid he will now be worfhipped? Is it not within ? For faith Chrift, The truelforjhip- jpers worfhip the Father in Spirit andinTruth \ mind ity ProfeiTors, not at "jerujalem will he be inquired of, but in Spirit and Truth ^ and the Body is the Temple, as he hath faid, / will dwell in them, and walk, in them ^ and I will put my Law in their inward Farts J and all fhall know 7ne^ from the leaft to thw greatejh Not in Temples made with Hands doth the Godhead dwell, whofe Off- fpring we are j not in your High Places and Steeple-houle Churches, but in that which fprings of him. Can you read this, and underftand it aright ? In that which fprings of him is the Godhead and Power known, but the High minded are too far off it to feel it, it's the poor and ( 559 ) and lowly in Spirit that are near it, and he that is 165:9. become as a little Child can only underftand it, who wO/^, is not too great in his Tlioughts to hearken to that which is little and pure in him 5 by Birth and Na- ture that rprings of God, and not the Height of that Mind which hath Notions, but not the Nature, Life and Sonfhip, begotten and born of God. A fandified Life and Veflel is God's Off fpring ^ but he that faith and doth not, is not born of Truth, but of Fornication and Fallhood : So read your Birth, and Nature, and Kindred, with the Truth: It's not the uncircumcifed in Heart, nor theBaftard, that's God's Ofr-fpring and Child of his Love, but the Pure and Clean in Heart, Mind and Spirit, hath his Image. And if you look to be godly, youmufl know this in you, elfe you are without God in the "World, having neither feen him, nor known him whom you feem to worfliip, but are alienated from him in your Minds, and in your Members, and in your whole Strength : fo that you have neither Power nor Underflanding to do well, being taken Captive of a contrary Spirit in all your Abilities of Spirit, Soul and Body, your Wifdom perverted, and Underflandings darkned, and parted from the Root, whofe Off- fpring Man is. And now this ihould be your Return, to fink down to that which is holy and pure in the Light, and to that give up your v/hole Man, and all you are and have; and no more confult with your Wifdom, nor follow your own Underflanding, but let that in you that's pure and fimple, lead you, and thereto bow and bend, and confefs ^ and this will be your Refto- ration to God, to give all you have to the Holy, who when he hath befooled your curfed Wifdom, and brought down your high Conceits, and bound the flrong Man, and tied the Colt to the Vine ^ then will he arife in Power, who is meek and holy, and rule in your Strength, Parts and Wifdoni, having purged the Enmity out, and renewed j^our Abilities., ^nd you will ha^e all reftored again manifold, aH lie . ( 54° ) 1^5^ 9* ^^^» ^"^ clear, and able, by the Power of the Holy IW^V^ One, who will reign and govern therein 5 and you fliall know the Lord, whofe OfF-fpring you are, to be both Root and Head, and all in you. And you ihall fay no more, I am weak and can do nothing, but all things through him that gives you Strength: For the Devourer ihall no more pervert it, but ihall hs the Holy One in the midft of you, if this you can believe and receive : And you Ihall no more, as you have done, fow for the Devourer, nor bring forth unto Blafting, but your Fruits Ihall arife to God, who will receive them with good Will ^ and your Prayers Ihall not return empty, when he hath bent you for himfelf, and taken away the Accurfed thing from amongftyou. And then will you know the Lord's Redeemed, and that Seed which is eledled and bleffed, which brings not forth as other Men, and you will fee that all who defpife the Day of fmall Things, negledt their own Mercy (to follow the Teacher of Lies) who turn not at his Reproof, who is holy, and therefore worlhip without Power. Then will yon know the Life and Power of Re- demption, and Sandification, and Juftification, and renewing of the Holy Ghofl: in you, when your Strength is redeemed to God, your Wifdoui redeem- ed, your Hearts, Tongues, Eyes and Ears, and all you have redeemed unto God, into that which is holy, to be guided and exercifed in all your Conver- fation, poffelfing your VefTels in Sandtification. Here 33 that Renewing of the Holy Ghoft known, which fandtifies and juftifies through the Redemption of the Body and Mind, and Reconciliation which is in Chriftjefus, who is not known to be Lord but by the Holy Ghoft ^ that Spirit of Truth which leads in- to all Truth: which Truth is a witnefs in you, a- gainfi: you, who fay you are redeemed to God by Chriftjefus, when another Lord rules in you, and leads you Captive into Sin, by which Chriftjefus is denied and fufFers in you, and by which you ^re feparated from God, and in a Nature contrary to him ; ( 54-' ) film : Wherefore to that muft you come wticti 16^9.* changeth your Nature, and not your Words, and ^^yST^ Forms, and Teachers only, but which begets another .Seed, and kills that which is begotten of Whoredom and Luft, which is after the Prince of this World 5 that God may be ferved in his own Spirit, in his own Truth, of his own Nature, of his own Beget- ting, holy as he is holy in every Meafure and Growth thereof i that fo the leafl of his Children may be known to be of him, and feparate from the World, in Soul and in Body, coming out of the World, bearing his Image and Reproach. And as many as honeftly defire to be Heirs of this Holy Power and Kingdom, patiently wait till you feel that move in you which is of that pure Nature, and having felt it alive in you, rejoyce in it with Hope and Faith, and keep therein, and be not dif- couraged, becaufe of the Littlenefs of it in your prefent Sight, neither do you judge and meafure it tliereby ^ for you know not what Power it hath Xvith God, and how precious it is in his Sight 5 and what it will obtain for you at his Hands in the time of Need, you have not yet proved, nor can you, while you have Things greater in )^our Thoughts than it to run to : The Power of Holinefs and Truth in the Inward Parts is not known but in the Depth, Whpn the Fire of Wrath comes upon all vain Hopes, and Hypocritical Confidence, when all that is with- out a Man is removed far away -, when all Relations, Friends and Acquaintance are become farther off than Strangers, and whatever thing the Creature feeks to for Comfort, turns againft him, and adds to his Grief 5 then is known the Power of Holinefs and Truth in Heart with God, and a clean Confci- ence will fpeak Peace 5 and none can take it away from you, if you abide but in it : He that hath proved it commends it to you, who have been ftript tii all, that ye might learn and know the Treafure of Life, and Holinefs with God. Wherefore judge not that which is holier and lower than your felves, but i 1659. tut let that which is juft and holy, judge that U^^V'X^ which is above it in you, which is not of that Nature. The Caufewhy it is fo little efteemed in you, is, becaufe you are fo great in the rontrarjr Nature 5 and the Proud defpifcs the Poor, and the Rich un- dervalues him that is better than himfelf. And this you will find in you, if 3^011 meafure with that which God efteems and weighs all Fleili by (to wit) By that which is his own, and as he is in every Creature-, fo do not you judge the mofi: Holy, but believe and obey •, for the Time for you to judge is not yet come, till the moft Holy and Juft King ap- pear to be King in you, and you in him. So keep in that which is holy and juft-, and grow in him, that he may rule in you, and arife through the Death of his Enemies, to be greater than the great- eft, greater than the World, and the Prince of it, which is the Devil, wherein is all Unbelief, falfe Fears and Doubting, and Exaltation againft the Ho- ly One ; and as thefe Tov/ers fall whica are lifted up againft the Lord; fo his Way will become a Plain, and Truth will take his Place in you as King and Lord, which God loves, which the L'nbelief is out of and againft -, and as tfiePure arifes, ycu will find a Change in your Mind, in your Nature, in your Judgment, and in your Government, and you will come to know that your Kingdom and Power with the Higheft ftands in the Anointing of the moft Holy, and tlie Kingdom of God is within you, and the Poor take it. So you muft not fix your Faith upon that which feems great and ftrong in you, becaufe it is fo, nor becaule it is likely, nor becaufe it promifeth great things 5 but believe in that v, hich is moft holy, true and juft in you, that to the Anointing of the moft Holy you may come in your particular, and he will bring you into the Aftenibly of the Sandified, where the Holy One reigneth over all 5 for it's he that is fent into the World that lies in Wickednefs, I to T^^i ) to gather them one by one into San6Hfication, there- i<5^9- in to prefent unto God as many as receive him, who <*/^'^VJ is without Spot or Blemilli. And all the World take notice of this, where-ever It comes ^ this is He whom the Father of Lights hath now fent into you that are in the World, the Holy One of God, fent to call you and give you Light, who faith, I am the Light of the World .• Hear him, and believe, that you may become Chil- dren of Light and Truth. This is the glad Tidings ^ and Gofpel of [efus Chrift, who is preached to you in the World. Profeffions and Forms, would limit the Holy One to themfelves, and exclude others ^ but God's Gift is free in Chrift Jefus, and his Ten- der is to all Men, ixiho would, have all Men to bs faved^ and come to the Knowledge of the Truth ; none he excludes, but who will not receive his Gih^ his Son, the moft Holy which calls you, who thro' the Preaching of the Gofpel is come near you ^ 3^63, he is in you with his Light, giving you to fee the Way out of Darknefs, which no other thing could do for you ^ and without Money or Price you have Iiim : If you receive him, and keep his Sayings, and obey his Movings^ He will dwell in you, and take up his Abode, and you fhall know that the Fa- ther hath fent him to call you out of the World, into the Light of Life. If you deny him, he will deny you ^ if you receive him, the Father will love you, and Power from above will be given to become the Sons of God. Wherefore mind that Spirit which calls you out of Sin, out of the World, and gives you Light to fee what is Sin and Deceit in your own Hearts ^ hearken to that which is holy, and would nor have you do Evil, that's of the Holy Oiu^^ . and the mod: High in you, believe in him, and fol- low him ^ believe not them who would make you believe you have him not in you, who are pail feel- ing in themfelves, and have already rejcdfed him ^ but you who feel him, abide in him, who is holy ^ in you, againfi: all Unholinefs a Witnefs : cut not your ( 544- J ^6$^, your felves off through Difobedience and Unbelief, ^"^^^^^and he will in no wife caft you our, but will en- creafe ^''our Light through Obedience, and piirifie your Souls, and cleanfe your Bodies, and work in you mightily in Truth to Salvation ^ and you Ihall fee that his Working is pure and good, and that which none elfe can do for you. And this is the Lord your Right eoufnefs^ though yet you know him not as he is. And if you will receive the mofl Holy, this is jT'our Time, and the Day of your Vifitation by him, whofe Light is now rejeded of the Builders of this World, and the Wifdom of the Wife will not know him, nor fuffer him to rule above their carnal Rudi- ments \ nor to be all in their Hearts^ to guide with his Light to Salvation. So to the Oat-cafls he is preached, who are afar off, and have not fought him , you is he feekiiig with his Light, if you re- jedt him not, he will make you to lee Light who have fate in the Region of Death, and grofs Dark- nefs hath covered you. Wherefore hearken to hiin that faith Come^ and feel that Spirit that draws, that you may anfwer his Love fretly, as it is freely tendered \ and know Him by his Holineis, 'that it is He, and let his unchangeable Wifnefs in you, in the Night and in the Day, perfwade your Hearts that He is the Lord who changeth not ^ and he that declares unto A^Ian his Thoughts, his Name is the Lord of Hofts, And you that withftand his Appear- ance in Spirit, and tell People that this is not to preach Chrift, and yet profefs Chrift in you, tell me what Chrift is in People, if not Light and Holy Life, and a faithful Witnefs againft the contrary in all in whom he liveth ^ And by what other thing may he be known in Spirit, Lite and Power, if this be denied ? Elfe let the Mouth of Antichrift be ftop'd, that the Simple may pafs on the right and living Way, free from fuch who will neither enter the Kingdom themfelves, nor would fulfer others, who have always reliited the Holy Gholl:. m ( 545 ) The Fruit of the Tree-horn cleared from Legal performances^ and the Children of Bondage /hewed the Mature of their Works. CHildren of this World, who have the Form hut not the Power of Godlinefs, and have got No- tions of Life, but not the Nature and Spirit there- of, in your dark Thoughts from an unfruitful Spi- rit you judge the Children of Light •, and when you fee us ading in the Life of Chrift Jefus, then you fay we are under Legal Performances, and that we think to be faved by our Works, and that we do it to merit, and the like ^ but you are greatly mi- ftaken in your felves, and are not in that Spirit which doth fee us, or can judge the nature of our works, nor our end therein \ wherefore be filent, and hear what is faid to you, if you have an Ear to hear withal: for though your felves be dead, withered branches, cut off from the Tree which is good by nature, and there abide, yet it is not fo with fuch as are born again and ingrafted into the good Olive 5 for he that is really born of God, knows two feveral Seeds and Natures, which fpring and bring forth from feveral Roots, and after their fe^^ vera! kinds. Nqw the one of thefe is in Bondage With its Branches, and brings forth unto felf, from fome outward Obfervation, or literal Command, or fome- thing that is carnal or vifible fets on Work : And being thus fet on work, to do things contrary to your Life and Nature, you go hardly through it ; and if you attain the outward Performance, the Boafter gets up to glory in what you can do, who doth all for Self-Ends^ and fo look for Reward above N n ~ fuch (546) t^'yg, fuch as you think cannot do as you have done. jTow t/'VN^you who have gone no further, but wearied your felves herein, and found nought but Bondage, are turned back into Liberty again ^ and you judge as you have found in your felves 5 fo you fay all good Works are from the Spirit of Bondage, boafting a- bout Merit, and the like. But you Ihould not judge the Children of Light after the Flefh, your Meafure will not reach that Birth; for he that's born of God, is a Branch of another Root and Seed than you know, which hath another Nature inclining to God from whence it is, as the other inclines to the World, whence it is. And as the Natural Man doth Evil naturally v/ith Delight, his Root and Life being fo ^ fo the Spiritual Man (in his Meafure) doth Good naturally, after his Root and Life, which is his Pleafure and Joy to bring forth from the good Root, that v/hich is good by Nature 5 as it is the Delight of the other^ to bring forth that which is evil by Nature: For as is the Heavenly, fuch are they that are heavenly 5 and it s no Bondage for the Heavenly to bear heavenly Fruits, but to the earthly Man it is, being againft his Nature : wherefore faith Chrift, Either make the Tree good and his Fruits good, or the Tree evil, and his Fruits evil. So good Trees, evil Trees and fruit- lefs Trees, are known to be of feveral Natures, and for fev'^'ral Ends. So this is but your ownDarknefs that thus thinks, and with evil Thoughts you judge amifs. Willyoa fay of fuch as are really planted into the living Vine, that their Fruits, which freely fpring from thence, are legal and Bondage, and that we think to be faved by our Works, and by our own Righteouf- nefs, ^c. } Nay thefeare the Fruits of fuch who are faved already, and the Righteoufn^fs of God is given to us who are ceafed from our own Works, whofe Works are no more legal but fpiritual, free and not bondage-, and he that's in Chrifl: is fruitful in good Works, and free therein by Birth j and he thai ( 547 ) that atides in Chrifi:, fins not, nor is his Seed of i^^9« the Evildoer. Could you underftand this, you^/V*^ would not condemn the Fruits of the Living, with fuch as are dead while they live, whofe Fruit is withered, being broken oft from that which is good hj Nature, and planted into that which is v/ild by Nature 5 but the fpiritual Man you cannot judge, his Fruits nor Freedom, his OfF-fpring nor his End, whofe Fruits judge all fruitlefs Trees, yet is he judg- ed of no Man *, and its as hard for you to do good, who are accuftomed to do evil, as the Leopard to change his Spots , but it is otherwife with fuch as are changed already, born of the Light, and Heirs by Birth, and right Nature, to everlafting Righte- oufnefs and Truth 5 it's hard for fuch to do Evil, being againfi: Nature, Seed and Sonfliip v/hich is in God. And though this you cannot believe, yet he that's born of Faith can, and the leaft Child of God can read it in his Meafure, v/ho knows the old A- dam and the new ♦, and as in the firft all are in Sia and Bondage, fo in the fecond are all made righte- ous and free to God's Work ^ and in the fecond is knov/n the new Creation, wherein dwells Righteouf. nefs, as God hatli faid, / will dwell in them, and walk in them : And wiii you call this Self-Righteoufiiefs, v/here all things are of God, and all things new > Is this Legal and Bondage ? And if any Man be in Chrift, all things are of God, ^ndit'sGodthat zvor^- €th in us of his good Fleafure to zvill and to do 5 and this is not the Spirit of Bondage, but good Will and Pleafure v/hich God worketh freely in us. So you reproach what God v/orketh by the hearing of Faith, and not by the Letter, which Righteoufnefs wrought in Abraham^ which was in God before Abraham was, which is wrought from Everlafl:ing, and Eled of God in Chrift Jefus before the World was, and is a free Gift to all that by Abrabam'sF^ith come out of the Worlds to him who is not of the Worlds which you that abide in the World inherit not, who are in felf 3 and feeking your felves in what you do to Nn 2 God ( 5^8 ) . J 6 5^ 9- Gad or Men, Hovo can you believe^ faith Chriff ? l/S^^ And you that look for Rewards, are not in that Spi* rit which worketh freely. So you look for Rewards and Honour ^ Teachers and People are all for Re*- wards, Honour and Refpe£t of Perfons^ and in that Kature is all the Bondage, pretended Merits and Re- wards, in this Nature out of the Faith of Chrifl: Jefus, who went from Place to Place doing Good freely, and preaching freely \ and fo will all do who are born to true Freedom, as he is free, whofe Life you fpeak of, but know it not by Birth and Virtue, which is naturally Good, as the firft (or fallen) Man,, is naturally Evil. And the Bondage is in that which is againft ths Pure Nature, and not that which is free-born , and the Law is upon theTranfgreffor, and him that is degenerated into that Nature which is carnal and fenfual^ and if this Man do any thing as to God, it is from fomething that is laid upon him, not in Spiiit, but from without ^ and this is legal and in Bondage, which is not in the free Spirit, which doth b)^ Nature the Things contained in the Law. And little it is that fuch would either do or knoiy were there not a Law or a Letter, a Heaven or a Hell to put them upon Works. And here is the Bondage and Fear that hath Torment ^ but with the Spiritual Seed it is not fo, who are begotten and born of God in Chriii Jefus, in whom they receive freely as the Branch of the Root, and what he fends forth through them are Fruits of the Spirit, againft which there is no Law, and this is not legal, but Spiritual and free, who are a Law unto themfelves^ and 'there is no Lavi^ againft the Seed, but it is added upon the Tranfgrelfor becaufe of Sin, till the Seed be come V And where the Seed is born and rules, that Creanire is not under the Law, Letter nor Traditi- on, no- Bondage, but led by the Spirit, and bora of that Nature which was before Tranrgreflion v/as, fcy which the Fruits of Righteoufnefs are brought to light, hj the Working of the Holy Ghoft, who worketh ( 549 ) worlceth the Will and Deed of his good Pleafure; 165:9. and with the fame good Will and Pleafure it isL/V^ brought forth without Bondage or Conftraint. And in whom the Bonds of Iniquity are broken, the evil World ended, and all things become new, and all things of God, there dwells not Self-Righ- teoufnefs, nor Spirit of Bondage^ but that is the New Creature, which is in Chrifl: Jeius created un- to Good Works, and not in felf 5 and the Heavens new, and the Earth nev/, wherein dwells Righteouf- nefs, as it is in Chrifl: Jefos, revealed from God in Spirit and Power, without the Law manifeft, to which the Law and the Prophets bear Witnefs, hav- ing foretold what Glory and Freedom fhould be re- v-ealed in the latter Days at the Seeds appearing 5 and the Holy Scripture teflifies of this Life and Power, but is not this Life, biit the Spirit gives this Life and Freedom, that it may be of Grace freely, and the Glory of the Lord, who is that Spirit. And here is the Boafter and Self excluded, and all fruit- lefs Trees condemned, and feen to come fliortof the Glory of God, of whofe Works he is not either Root or OfF-fpring. And before you can judge of this Freedom, or the Nature of the Works that fpring thereof, or inherit the Power that brmgs forth this Righteoufnefs, you man own the Judgment of Him that coiidemns the Man of Sin in you, and receive him for your Law- giver, which will br^ak you off from the World, and would have you to deny the Forms and Images, and bring you from under its Power, that's he that breaks the Houfe of Bondage, and fets the Righte- ous at Liberty, to bear the Fruits which are of God. And thuo hath Chrifl: fent his Servants to feek the Lofl:, and to gather them from among Bryars and Thorns, and bring them to Zion one by one. And as they were gained out of Sin, fj the Devil's King- dom fell, and grew weaker by every Servant he loft, and Chrifl's Kingdom encreafed, until the Kingdoms gi this World become the Kingdom of Righteoufnefs, N n 3 where- ( 55° ) i6^9- wherein the Righteous King reigns ♦, And out of t/VVJ cruel Mockings, Scorning and bloody Perfecutions, they gathered the Loft, and gained them to God 5 yea, fometimes pulled them out of the Fire, fiich have been their Faith and Zeal for Chrift, and his. Holy Kingdom, and their Stedfaftnefs to that Work to which they were called and hired • and the Fury of the Adverfary, and his oppofite Power againft him in his Servants, hath often reached unto Blood, rendering Evil for Love to their Souls. Wherefore take heed to your felves, you that name the Lord, and call him Mafier ^ depart from Iniquity, and obey the Good. This is his Work ^ if you be his Servants, he hath called you to Holi- nefs, as he is holy^ and that you turn from the "World, and repent of his Works who is the Prince of it, and deny him and them openly and in fecret. If you will ferve the Holy One, you muft bear his Mark, and open your Heart to him, and your Mouth for him, as confidently as the Servants of Sin do for it, that your Light might ftiine againfi: the Darknefs of this World, in the Face of the per- I'-erfe and crooked Generation ^ that it may appear to all Men, That the Ways of the Lord and the W'crld are not one, nor their Servants one, nor their Words one, nor their Garments one, nor their Table one : in all things bearing his Lnage and Glory a- bove his Adverfary, that it may appear whofe Fa- mily you belong to, and what is his Glory who hath hired you, and what is the Work of your Lord in the World. And herein may all People, 'as in a Glafs, fee 3^our felves, and what you are to God in this his Day, and what againft him. Thefe are the two Mafters, v/hich Chrifi: tells of, wliich none can ferve, but the one he hates who ferves the other : So now, who hath hired you } Whom do you ferve, and v/hom do jou hate ? Is it the World you ferve ? Then you hate Chrift : Is it Chrift ? Then you deny the World. And thefe are plain Things, and you may read ( 551 ) read as you go, if you will, whofe bufinefs 3^ou go iS'yf. about, and whofe hand you ftrengthen. If youL/^V>^ commit Sin, and plead for it, then you war againfl: him that is manifeft to deftroy Sin : And if you fay. Sin muft live in you while you live, then while you live the Devil muft have a place and power in you, and a Kingdom as long as yon live ; and if you be- lieve to overcome Sin, then you wait for the King- dom of God, which confifts in Righteoiifnefs, and believe to fee it, and feek it daily with your whole heart ^ for it is not words which take the Kingdom^ but Power of Faith againft the evil one. Neither is it Forms and Profellions, or any out- ward thing that can vanquifli the Devil ^ for he is a Spirit, and by a Spiritual Power muft he be refifted •, and the Weapons muft be Spiritual and mighty through God, which cafts down his Seat in Man ;^ though many are led out from Form to Form, and deny that Power of God in them, and obey the Pow- er of Sin in them ^ not knowing that Power which lays the Ax to the root of the evil Tree, out of which all the evil fpringSj and thefe are manifeft to be fuch as are not hired : Whatever your Forms may be, which you chufe and change, you are but in the Market-place at the beft, not yet come into the Vineyard of God, till you be fet on work a- gainft Sin, to pluck up and cut down every evil thing that offends in the Kingdom of God, with his Spiritual Light and Power 5 which Kingdom is within you 5 and that which offends is within you, and that which is offended is within, and that which is loft is within, and there to be fought ^ and the Pearl, and the Seed, and the Word, and the Law of the Spirit of Life, and the Covenant is within 5 and this is not feen nor believed, nor can it Ihine forth till the Houfe of God be fwept, and the Fruit of Darknefs denied, and the Light of Chrift turned to, and the Juft obeyed, which gives to fee the unjuft, and Power againft him, when the ground of Dark- nefs is removed by the working of Faith. N n 4 And (55^ ) rj5^9- "^"^ ^^ many as be called to this Wprlc, and en- iyV'^J tred into it in Truth and Faith, muft not be idle, h\$: obey the Spirit of Life^ till the Houfe be clean- fed, and the unclean wrought out, and the Pure ex- alted, and then is the reft holy •, and then you will find your reft within you, and your God near you, and your Souls to dwell at eafe with God in your own Habitation, whofe Temples you are, if this you obtain by Faith in him that calleth and quick- eneth you to Holinefs ^ and the Fruit is the Lord's, and fo is the Seed, and the fafety for ever, to all, and in all that abide therein. And this is not felf- works, nor felf-will, but pure Faith and Obedience to the Seed (or living word) of God, (which in you wars againft the World, and e- very felfilh flefhly Luft and Delight,) which is the Seed of the holy Covenant, which Seed is Chrift, the Holy and Juft One, if you can receive it. This is he that makes clean and keeps you fo, as many as obey and walk in him, and from his Spirit re« ceive your Law, which Spirit giveth, you his Life to inherit here on Earth ^ if you walk in the Spirit, you Ihall not live to the Flefh. And in this Life and Knowledge truly learned, is anfwered that common Objedion which the Spirit of the Wor^d makes againft the holy Life and Kingdom, faying. If it v/ere polTible that we could live without Sin, then vve need no Saviour, yea the fame that cleanfe§ the Houfe muft keep it fo ^ and he that's the death of Sin, is the life of Righteoufnefs, and the fame light and fear of God which leads to the putting off the old Man with hi^ affections and evil works, leads to put on the new Man (and fo to walk in Chrift) v/hich is renewed after the Image of him that Created him, v/here Chrift is all in life and guiding^ and the good Alan keeps the Houfe, not the ftrong Man , and how can that Man fay he needs no Saviour, who can do nought without him, whofe Righteous Life is both Food and Rayment, and his Light their Armour daily, againft the Eyi| ■ ' ' ia ( 553 ) in this World in every thought, word and work? ^6$g. And in whom this is not fo, Chrifl: is not all ., aiiJ^^^^VVI in whom it is fo, they are compleat in him, and dS not fay they have no need of him, but confefs him in them their Head and Glory ^ and this is the King- dom of God upon Earth, and the King in his King- dom, which you that refift in your Faith and Pra- dice, deny the Lord, and his Power, and his Faith, and his Prayer, which is, Thy Kingdom come, thy Will be done on Earth as it k in Heaven^ where no Sin is. And this further, to all you that in words pro- fefs Jefns Chrifl: to be your Lord and Mafter ^ let it be in Truth and Righteoufnefs, that you may have his witnefs thereto, who is pure and clean, and can- not joyn to Evil, but is an open witnefs againfl: e- very appearance of it 5 and fo are all his Servants, wliom he hath hired ard fent into the World *, in what Place or Employment foever you are in, if you be his Servants, you are chiefly about his work, and not your own. Now his work is mani- fefl: in every appearance of his in this World j it is againfl Sin, and to defl;roy the works of the Devil out of this World, mind this, to deftroy the Works of the Devil out of this World, that fo the Kingdoms of this World may become the Kingdoms of Chrifl: Jefus, and the mofl: Holy On^ may rule and bring forth fruits therein. Now his Servants are known by this, that they ftand for the Kingdom of Chrifl: in this World, and his Works, and againfl all the works of the Devil in this World, that Chrifl: may deftroy and bring down, and make an end of Sin in this World 5 and the Servants of the Devil are known in the contrary, by being in his work, which is to keep Sin in this World while People live, and this is the flrcngrh of his Kingdom 5 take away Sin, and take away his Kingdom here, and his Power here, and his Place here •, for where he is refifted he flies, but where he is received he fets up his Throne, and takes pleafure in his Servants, and they in his works •, which is 10 eAcreaie deceit and vanity in them^ (554) ^ 1^5:9. them, and to fill their Hearts with every Lufl: 5 and iy\r^ro ftrongly carrying oat their Hearts thereunto, that they have no delight in that which is contrary, nor can believe that ever any can receive Power in the Spirit of Chrift againft him, or fuch redemption as to overcome him, and be freed from him in all his works in this World : And here is an agreement with Death in your Faith, and a Covenant confef- fed with Unrighteoufnefs. And you that are in this Mind and Belief, you are not hired of Chrift Jefus the Righteous, nor have you received his Faith, which is pure, as he is pure ^ and believes unto Righteoufnefs, and unto Victory, and not unto Sin : and that's his Faith, which overcomes the World, and the Prince of it, and refills the Devil, fiedfaft in the Faith, in hope of Vidtory in the end^ and this Faith Chrifl's Ser- vants confefs openly, which Faith the World can- not receive, but confefs the contrary openly-, and fo you are kept Captive at his will, and you believe you mufi: be his Servants while you live here in this World : And this Faith you confefs openly a- gainfl the victory of Chrifl: ^ and herein you are taithful to your own Mafler whofe works you do, and plead for, and confefs his Faith, which none of the Servants of Chrifl ever confefTed fuch a Faith, that they mufl needs ferve Sin as long as they live ^ for the youngefl and the weakefl Servant of Jefus Chrifl, that know themfelves hired of him, they know his work is to dellroy Sin out of the World* and to fubdue the Devil, and to this work they are fet in themfelves, by Faith and Power, which is in Chrifl Jefus the Lord, and they labour in Hope, ha- ving their Hearts turned in them, and their Faces; fet towards Holinefs, and from the World, and are fet on their way out of the World, which is Chrifl the Life that's Holy, and Light that's Pure ^ and to this the Mind is kept in all their Travels and Tri* bulations, and Temptations, which work in them by Faith in Chrift, more Hope, and more flrength daily 5 ( 555 ) daily ; and every Trial that happens to them in the i6'yg, way, gives experience and renewed ftrength againll: ^/VNl their Adverfary the Devil, while they keep.clofe to Chrift in Faith and Love •, and though they feel the Devil in the fenfual part to be ftrong and powerful, and paft their ftrength at prefent, yet they yield him not the Kingdom for thaf, but into the Faith and Hope and Patience of Chrift Jefus they fink down, waiting for the refurredion of that Life v/hich never Sinned, but was opprefled and grieved when Sin took his Kingdom, and there wait for the appearance of Ci'rift without Sin to fave them from that power of Death which wars in their own Members, to bring forth Sin in this World ^ and this is to be true in their Service^ and faithful, who wait for the Kingdom of God within them, and Righteoufnefs thereof, and the coming of their Lord, with their Minds girt up with --lolinefs, and Hearts ftedfaft, not to confent to th; leaft work of the Devil, if it would gain the whole World in the appearance of the fenfual reafon and wifdom. And if thefe be overtaken with a fault, it is not willingly, but as Servants of Chrift they ftand a- gainft it to the utmoft they then fee ^ and Sin being a work of the wrong Mafter, they abhor it, and themfelves for it, and deny it, and will not plead for it, or feek to hide it in them, but confefs it^ and cannot have Peace till it be cleanfed out ^ and thefe are the little Children who have an Advocate with the Father, to whom Sin is as Death, and dare not fpeak a word for it, but againfl: it in themfelves and in others, and thefe appear againft Sin openly, and confels to him that is hoi}'-, with all their hearts and words. But what a difference is there betwixt one of thefe, who when they either fee it, or are told of their offence againft the Lord, are broken before the leaft reproof, into tears or forrow, condemning them- felves for it, and it in themfelves openly 5 and you y/ho when you are reproved for Sin, v/hich is both open ( 556 ) i6$^. open and known, yousfet your felves with all youf ^^^V'V>ftrength and wifdom to plead for it, and like the Devil, bring the letter to ftrengthen your felves a- gainft jufl reproof, and with Hearts full of envy, and Mouths full of repjioach, you ftand up, feeking to enfnare them that reprove you, in love to Chrift's Kingdom, and 3''our Souls, and to recover you out of the works of Satan, that his Kingdom might fall in you, and fo he have fewer Subjects left in -his power, and you be added unto the Kingdom of Chrift, by being brought under his Commands, through de- nying your old Mafier, and confeffing and condem- ning his evil works ^ for a denying of the Devil and his works there muft be, e're Chrifl: will receive you. And thus it is that Chrift hath taken his King- dom out of the hand of his Adverfary in the World, hy fending his Servants into the High-ways and Hedges to gather his Creatures out of the Devil's works, by true reproof, and teftifying againft them where-ever he led them, for which they were torn and fcratched, and evil entreated by that Evil Spi- rit in whom it had Power, as you now do, who rife up againft reproof. Chrifl ^ejus known to he King in hk Temfles^ through the Tower of the Holy Ghofl^ and Sword of the Spirit^ lifted up againfl the Man of Sin in true judgment. YOU who look for the Kingdom of Chrift Je- fus; It ftands not in Obfervations, Words and Forms, but in the Power of the Holy Ghoft, in Judgment, in Truth and Righteoufnefs j If yovi would ( 557 ) Would know his appearance to Sal vat ion J wait for i6s9» ^ it without Sin, in that Spirit and Power which is ^^^VSi? holy, to judge and condemn Sin 5 this is his King- dom with Men, if you can receive it, that he be known in his Spiritual Power in the Bodies of holy Men and Women, to dwell and walk in a holy Life, a witnefs againft all Sin by the breath of his mouth and Sword of his Spirit 5 and therein that he hath Power and confent to judge all contrary Spirits within and without, and all contrary Actions ^ And whatever oppofes him in this his Kingdom is Anti- chrift, which denies Chrift in his Temples and Houfe, whofe Houfe and Temple is the new Crea- tion of holy Men and Women, and in whom he fpeaks, dwells and v/alks, as faith the Scriptures ^ in whom he judges the Prince of this World, and all his out'goings in the Children of Darknefs, and in his own Temples fhev/s forth his Nature and Vertue a witnefs againft him and all his works •, and he thas would let this, is Antichrift, who fits in the Tem- ple of Chrift to refift the Holy One, and cannot receive the Judgments of Chrift againft Sin in his Temples, nor his witnefs againft Sin to Salvation, but cries, do not judge, when Truth fpeaks, and the Spirit of Chrift teftifies againft Sin in true Judg- ment-, and this is he that lets Tind withftands the coming of Chrift without Sin, who withftands him in his Temple, and denies his righteous Judgment againft Sin, and Blafphemes, and fays it is not he 5 nor is he now on Earth, nor fpeaks in any body now againft Sin, but faith. Thou muji not judge^ lej} thou be judged-^ and fo through deceit would turn Chfift's words againft his work, who faith, 1 will redeem Zion with Judginent ; and Chrift did not fpeak thofe words to fave Sin from Judgment, when he faith. Judge not^ that ye he not judged^ nor to flop the mouth of Truth and Righteoufnefs ^ for then had he contradicted himfeif, who in another place commands them to judge righteous 'Judgment ? And he is manifeft to deftroy Sin, and not to fave Sin^ ia (558 ) i6^9' in whomfoever he is manifeft ; and for this end he I^'^VN; liveth in his People, which Antichrift would make as though he lived not, nor heard or fpoke, but as a dumb Idol would he make the living God, for Peo- ple to talk on, or fet up a form of him, to make void his prefent Life and Spiritual Power in his Peo- ple, that he Ihould not Ihew forth his Vertue, and give forth his Laws and Judgments by the mouth of his Servants, againft the works of his Adverfary, where ever they appear in his Eye.^ Therefore you J?rofeflbrs of Chrift in Words and Forms, feek his Kingdom^ in yon, and take heed that your Forms withftand not his Powerful appear- ance in Spirit ^ His Kingiy Authority ftands in his Heavenly holy Nature and Vertue in Spirit, and not in perilhing Rudiments and Shadows without. Read in Smptures how often Antichrifi: hath decei- ved People, by turning thefe outward Forms, to let the Spiritual Power, and fo have kept People in v/ords without Life, oppofing Chrifl: in his King- dom : So in the iirft place mind to know his Spiri- tual Nature and Yertue, and what hath Power a- gainfi Sin, in word and in deed ^ therein is his Kingdom, and there is his Glory, and therein he reigns. So take heed how you let that Spirit, which go- eth out againft Sin in Judgment and in Vidtory, in the lealt: of his People •, and this know, that his Kingdom is Spiritual and within, and Holjr, and there are his Teftimonies, Laws and Judgments, which he fends out by the mouihs of his Servants as he fees fit ♦, and it's againfl: the works of the Evil One he teftifies in Judgment and Vertue, for that is his Nature, ard to that end he appears on Earth to deilroy the Devil and his works, through the Sword of his Spirit ^ and none will let this but AatiLhrni: and his Servants, whofc works are evil, and (o vvouio Ibp the Mouth of Truth, and Voice of Chriii: Jefus. So ( 559 ) So you may come to know his Voice from his i6s9' Temple, when you hear Judgment from the Spirit Ky^r^ of Truth paffing againft Pride, and Luft, and all the works of the fielh, and to deftroy them out of the World ^ this is his voice from his Temples in which his Throne is, his holy Kingdom and Power, and that's the voice of Antichrift who would let this, and fays, thou nmfl not judge when Sin is judged^ and fo with the words of Chrift would fave the works of the Devil from fhame and deftrudion : And now there be many Antichrifts in this work to withftand the word of God in his Temples, and who fet the Letter againft the Spirit to keep up Sin, and to filence the Word of the Holy Ghoft thac comes out of his Houfe againft it: And here are the Children of the holy God known, and the Children of this World-, the one feeks to cut down Sin, the other to fave it 5 and both profefs Chrift in words, but the end of their work makes them manifeft. And yon that are talking of Chrift's appearance^ where will you allow him a Place to rule in, if not in the Heart and chief place in Man, therein to judge and govern, and fpeak, and give out his Laws ? Will you allow the Evil One to utter his voice open- ly in Man, in Swearing, Lying, and Curfed fpeak- ing, and every evil work, and muft Chrift be fllent and dumb thereat in his Vellels when he fees it ? Is not this his Priviledge in his redeemed ones, as the other hath his Power in his Captives, that in them he may judge Sin as openly, as in the other it is aded? And this is the reafonable Service of hischo- fen VefTels, to give up their Bodies that he may fpeak and adl, and Ihew forth his Vertues and Life, and Power therein, againft the Spirit of the World^ in his YefTels ^ and were it not for this, none of the Holy Men of God need to have fufFered nor been hated, but for the words of God fpoken by them, as Chrift hath faid, // is not you that fpeak, but the Spirit of your Father that [peaks in you j and this is the voice which the World knows not, and fo would ( 5^0 ) i6'y§. would flop it, and fays it is not the Lori^ notlcnow- ^•Srwing that Juftice and Judgment are the habitation of his Throne in the Hearts and Mouths of his People. What ! muft not the Spirit of Truth in whom he Xivts, judge Deceit and Falihood where it lives? Muft not that which is Holy judge the Unclean ? Muft not the Lowly one judge the Proud^ the Chafl one judge the Luft } Muft not he that is Spiritual judge all things ? Muft not Saints judge the World? What a Nation would you have this to be who would root out Judg- ment, and yet profefs Chrift in you ? Is Chrift in that People where there is no Judgment againft Sin ? What, none to Judge Pride and Excefs, Lying, Swearing, and curfed Speaking, falfe Ways and falfe Worlhips ? Would you have all Sin to pafs openly without re- proof ? Is the Land wholly become as Soiojn^ Mind what was their words to Lot in this cafe ; This one Fellow came in to fojourn^ and. he will needs be a Judge 5 whofe Righteous Soul was vexed daily with their unclean Converfation* So would you have Sin to go openly in the Streets without reproof and Ihame? Where is the Holy One? In v/hom doth he dwell, who k oj purer Eyes than to hehold Iniquity^ Is Chrift a King? Is he a Judge ? Is he pure and clean in Heart ? Doth he Live ? Can he fee Sin and be lilent, where he hath a Mouth to fneak by ? Did he ever take up his abode in People where none would allow him a Habitation and a Mouth to fpeafc hy ? Mind his walking aforetime in his Servants, and what he did and fi^oke in them, and againft what : And is he not ftill a God of Judgment at hand againft his Adverfary, though fuch as know not his Voice put him afar off ? So you who fay you are for Chrift and his King* dom, mind whofe Kingdom Sin is in, and whofe work it is to defend it from Judgment, and miftake Scripture to plead for it^ that is he which condemns the Juft, who would clear the Guilty ^ and that is abomination to God, andwithftands his appearance-, and you that yield your members thereto, are not for ( 5^1 ) for Chrift, but againft him in his members, who 16^9] have yielded themfelves Servants of Truth •, and L^^>r\). fuch as 3rou, were they who flew the Jufi: One, his Prophets and Apoftles (in whom the Word of God fpoke againft Sin) yet they had the Scriptures, and ferved Sin. Wherefore if you love the appearance of Chrift Jefus, you muft not love Sin, but in that Principle which would not Sin, feel him that fufFers becaufe of Sin, and yet is without Sin, and againft Sin; and if to him you come, whofe appearance is in that which is Holy, Juft, and True, and therein joyn to him, you will love that which condemns Sin, by which he is grieved and oppreiTed •, and then are you for Chrift, when you can feel and fuffer with him, by that which he fufFers \ and you ^ will then fee that nought is it that is offended at Sin being judged, but he that is guilty thereof. Grace Received^ ^?^i Grace T HE Grace of God is that which brings Salva- _ tion to Man, all Men being in Darknefs, as they are in the World without God 5 fo the Grace of God is tendred to all without refpedt of Perfons; And that's it in every Man which gives him a fight of Truth in himfelf, which God accepts in every Man, who would have all Men come to the Know- ledge thereof, that they might be faved. Now this Grace of God is one in every Man, and doth not fpare the evil, nor deny the good in any, out of re» fpect either to Perfons, Wifdom, Strength or Riches xvhich are of this World, but hath refpedt to the Truth of Spirit in all, and their obedience thereto 5 therein to teach and lead to Salvation, and the true Worfni]) of God in Spirit, which leads to Life eter- O o nal. ( 56M t6^9- ^^% ^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ftrengthening that which is of God*s VVN^* begetting in Man, and quickening the Soul which by Sin hath fufFered ^ and this it doth by condemn* ing Sin in every motion, that it may never arife a- gainfl: the holy Seed, and alfo by miniftring Com* forts and Promifes, and Power in Spirit to the Soul in the way of its arifing above the Power of the Son of Wickednefs, ftill miniftring Light and Un« derftanding in the hidden part to the Soul that hates Sin, opening that Eye daily through the obedience of Truth, which the God of this World hath blind- ed, and purifying the Soul by putting off the body of Corruption, and blinding him that faith he fees, but knows not the way out of Sin, miniftring the Law upon him. And this is the miniftration of free Grace to every Soul that receives it j and this it worketh powerful- ly in all that abide in it, through the Spirit of Chrift Jefus ^ and this Grace (as faith the Scripture) hath appeared to all Men, yea, and doth daily ap- pear in all who truly wait in Spirit for its appear- ance, and gives to all fuch a fight of Truth in themfelves, teftifying with or againft every mo- tion in their Hearts, according as it ftands in the fight of God, whether it be good or evil, whereby the Confcience doth accufe or excufe, even as God Ihall Judge them by Chrift Jefus: So that there is no caufe in this Grace, why. any are not Saved thereby from Sin and Condemnation, but being rejeded of fome, it becomes their Condemnation ^ and the fame Grace which faves him that receives it in Faith and Obedience, condemns him that re- jedls it in his difobcdience ; And this is the Grace of God that changeth not, which appears to all Men, but only reigns to Salvation through Righteoufnefs, wherein it is believed to be fufficient and obeyed, in the Truth therewith made manifeft. So that is the Grace of God, which is of God in Man, miniftring in Spirit Light to the Soul in the midft of Darkncfs, miniftring Life to that which is Dead (56? ) Dead in Sin -, leading Man through the Vail of Death 16'; 9. up to God, from whom the Grace hath appeared, C/^'^ and of whom it is^ and the Light thereof is Judg- ment, and difcerning in every one that receives it to be led with it in Judgment, and Condemnation to fuch as turn it into lafcivioufnefs, denying the Life thereof, and the Truth that leads thereto, and fo cannot be faved through it^ but he that receives it^ and joyns to it in Spirit, becomes one with it, and by his daily finking into it in CoUnfel, grows in him, and he in it, until it becomes a Habitation and Cover for him againft all Evil, and fo he be- comes gracious in words and works, daily receiving of Chrift's fulnefs Grace for Grace. And he that hath received of this Grace, and is faithful therein, cannot minifter of it to ftrengthen the TranfgrefTor, who loves his Sin, (and fo is un- der the Law) nor cafl the Pearls before Swine 5 but to fuch as are heavy laden and weary of Sin^ to encourage them againft Sin and Temptations, which all that turn from the Devil muft exped to meet with ^ and Judgment it minifters to the wicked, that therewith he may know his Condemnation with the Light of Truth, which is their Condemnation in whom Grace is denied to reign. He being come into the World who is full of Grace and Truth ; bu£ the Kingdom of Grace is Salvation to them in whom it reigns through Righteoufnefs unto Eternal Life, hy Jeiiis Chrift the Lord, So he that receives the Teaching of Grace, comes therein to the leading of the Spirit, and fo becomes free from Sin, is no more under the Law, but under Grace 45 but the Law hath power over him that walks after the flelh, and every appearance of Grace is witnefs againft him, by declaring him to be un- der the Law of Sin and Death, and not in Covenant with him that appears againft Sin in the Power of Grace and Truth, which is Chrift Jefus the Lord. Oo a i^ f^^ ( 5H ) >VS.' ' ■ • — ' A Few WORDS In Aiifwer to the RESOLVES Of fome who are called Indefende^it-Teachersj Whoje Gofpel and Miniftry appears to defend upon Tytbes ; or as full a Main- tenance Jecured to them by a Car- nal L A w, (Vi appears from their own I^Iouths^ in their '^udcr^ments^ and De^ fires to the prefent Rulers, deli- vered as foUoweth. By James Nayler. FIR ST (fay you) we judge a Parliament the beft EiKpedient for the prefervation of thefe Nations* Anfw. The befl Expedient for the preferving of the Nation, is for all People in the Nation to turn to God, that by his Light you may be led to Repent- ance and Newnefs of Life, that that may be done away in every Heart, for which the wrath of God comes upon Nations and People ; and whilft People are out from the Light of Chrifl: in their own Hearts, fuch are looking to tbie Hills and Mountains for Safety ( 5^5 ) Safety and Peace, whilft Wrath and Lufi: encreafes 1659,1 in your own Hearts, and it is to be feared that will Cy"VNJ deftroy you, while your Eyes are abroad for Safety. 2. And withal we dejire all due Care betake;?^ that the Varliament be Juch as may prefervethe Interejl ofChriji and his People in thefe Nations, Anfm. The chief Interefl: of Chrifi: in thefe Na- tions, and elfewhere upon Earth, is his Spiritual Dominion in the Confciences of People. And that there he be confefTed t^e abfolute King and Law- giver, to whom alone ever)r Heart is to bow, and €very Tongue confefs, and that the Wills and Laws of Men ufnrp not Authority therein, but that he by his Spirit exercife the Confcience in all things to God and Men. And this is his Intereft which he is now demanding, as his Birth-Right in his People, both from Kings, Parliaments, and fuch as were called ^roteSors^ and whoever rules amongft Men 5 which being denied him, his Wrath hath been kindled in their Kingdom. And it greatly concerns all that come into Authority, as they look to ftand before him, that this his Intereft be preferved, and this Intereft of his People alfo^ which is to have free Li- berty to obey him in their Confcience in all his Spi- ritual Motions, though never To much contrary to Flelh and Blood : And if the Parliament be fuch, it jnuft not be made up of Old Perfecutors nor New, but by Men of feeling, Fearing God and tender in Confcience ^ and above all they muft take heed of lending an Ear to the wicked Counfel of fuch Teach- ers as ferve not the Lord Jefus Chrift, but their own BellieSj which have been the Caufe of all the Blood and Perfecutionthat hath been Ihed in this our Ge- neration, who never ceafe to provoke the Magiftrates to eftabiifh Mifchief by a Law, chiefly againft this Intereft of Chrift and his People, of which Num- ber you appear to be in your following Defires. 3. As to Magiftrates Power in Matters of Faith and Worfhipy we have declared our Judgments in our late Oo 3 Con-- T659. ConfeJJion^ anl we heartily prize our Chriflian Li' f^/^V*^ berty •, yet we profefs our utter Diflike and Abhor* rence of an univerfal Toleration^ as being contrary to the Mind of God in hii Word, Anfw, What your Judgment in your late Confef- fion was, I know not, but you might do well to Ihew your Judgment in Plainnefs, what this univer- fal Tokration is which you diflike and abhor ^ whe- ther it be that you abhor, that any Ihould be tole- rated but your own Sedt, or fuch as are too near you to teftifie againfl: your Errors ^ If this be it (as like it is) then it is too felfifli to be found Judgment, or fafe Counfel to be followed, being againft the Rule of Chrifl:, Do unto all Men as you wouldbe done vnto : Or would you have Toleration to none but fuch as are in the true Power of Spirit, ^nd true form of found Words written in Scripture ? This were to v/ipe out your felves, and bring in thofe a- gainft whom you profefs your Enmity (in your laft Particular) to wit, the Quakers, who at this Day have both Power of Spirit and Letter againft you, both as to your Call, your whole Form of Worlhip, and the Manner of your Hire, being fuch as no true Minifters of Chr ill ever pradtifed, wherein the ^z^^- Aers and you differ ? Or do you only intend againft Toleration of open Prophanenefs, which none that love Chrift or his Intereft will plead for > In this I am one with you, but if by Univerfal Toleration you intend that the Magiftrate fhould limit the Spi- rit of Chrift in any of his Creatures, becaufe his Way is not your Way, but againft falfe Ways and ' Worfhips, as he moves them to bear his Teftimony, as in former Times he hath done in the true Prophets and Minifters againft the Falfe, then is your Spirit feen to be the fame that theirs was, who ever fought to ftop the Mouth of Truth, leaft their Deceit Ihould be laid open 5, and that is that which ever was a- gainft the Intereft of Chrift, and the Mind of God in his Word \ and it will not be an eafie thing for Men to Ijmit the Holy Spirit in its Movings, or to meafure ( 5^7 ) meafure a Way to him, whofe Way you know not, i6$^. Flefh and Blood muft be filent, which would fill a V/V^> Cup to another, which you would not drink your felves, and the Spirit muft fpeak, e'reyou can know either Mind or Word that is in God. 4. Jf^e judge that the taking away Tythes for the Maintenance ofMinifters^ until as full a Maintenance equally fecured^ and as legally fetlcdy tend much to the DeflruEiion of the Minijhy and Preaching of the Gof* pelinthefe Nations. Anfw. This is your Judgment, and you may be believed herein, being now upon the Mark you aim at, and the Price of your Calling and Preaching ia thefe Nations 5 and you do but here declare in Words, what all the feeing People in thefe Nations did foreknow was in your Hearts 5 But the Word Gofpel you cannot bring in with this carnal Stuff, that's taken from you, and muft no longer cover you. What ! will the Gofpel be deftroyed for lack of Tythes, or a Maintenance fecured from a for* cible Law i* Blufti for Shame ! It was never known, that forced Hire, or Agreement before-hand, had ever the leaft Place in the freeCofpel-Miniftry •, this cannot ftand with a fpiritual Call nor free Gift 5 nay, it exceeds the L^gal Priefthood and falfe Prophets, and goes beyond Balaam in Error. What ! either Tythes, or as full as Tythes fo fecured, and by the fame Law? Muft Papifis Laws up ftill, or elfe the Gofpel falls } This is none of Chrift's Gofpel that thus depends, nor is this the Hire of his Servants, whofe Reward it is to make the Gofpel without Charge ; Was it ever known, that any of his Seed came to the Earthly Powers, to beg their Bread, or to take it by Force ? Doth he thus maintain his Fa- mily ? Doth not fuch a Servant fhame the Matter's Houfe > Yea, Friends, all who know the Power of his free Grace, and the Riches of the everlafting Gofpel, deny your Gofpel that will not fill your Bellies, but muft be kept from Deftrudion with pe- iriflung Food, by a forcing carnal Law •, that is not Oo 4 th? ( ( 568 ) 1^79- the Gofpel which is the Power of God, nor was the ^*-<"V^^ Mini iters of the everlafting Gofpel fo maintained. Search the Scriptures and be afhamed, and flop your Mouth from ever pretending your felves to he Mini- fters of the Spirit, or of the Letter, who are gone out from both, and neither will own your Words and Pradice herein, nor indeed no Part of your Wcrfhip, as it now flands (as will be eafily made apparent by plain Scripture upon a fair Occafion) but are gone after Times and Rewards, as your Fa- thers have ^one for many Ages, who to the Letter are not yet come^ and yet would be maintained by* a Law contrary to Scripture or Saints Pradice. And therefore the Parliament, if they be fuch as would preferve Chrift's Interefl: (as you fay) they mull npt force the Lambs of Chrifl to Main- tain Wolves in Sheeps Cloathing^ who are now "known by their Fruits, which is Chrift's Rule and Command to know them by. And thi? is againft his Literefl, and the Intereil of his People, to be thus forced againil Scripture and a pure Confciencej for the Scripture tells of a Minillry which minded Earthly Things, whofe God was their Belly, who were Murmurers and Complainers, running greedily after the Way of Cdi;? ^nd Error of Balaam. (Mark) Cai;i and Ba/aam are put together, and thefe are a- gaiiift Chrift's Intereil and his People^ And if they who had the Form of Godlinefs without^ the Power, were to be turned away from, then by what Lav/ muft thofe who are cut of both be maintained as Chrifl 's Miniflers, under Pretence of the Gofpel De- flruction ? I know that without forced Maintenance and Fulnefs of it, and good Security, the National Mmiflry would fall, which hangs thereon, it being their FurMio??^ as they call it. And fo if any fee the Work worth it, let luch hire them , and fetting them on Work upon that Account, it's fit they fhould pay them whom they labour for. But that (uch as have received the Miniftration of the free Spirit of Life, which is in Chrifl Jefus^ iliould b^ ' ^ ' forced (5^9) fprced againfl: his Law in their Confciences, to main- i^59« tain fuch as are out of the Dodrine of Chrift, and ^>^V^ can do no work for them, but againfl: them ^ or that at all this is to fecure Chrift's Interefl:-, or that the Defl:rudion of the Gofpel of Truth depends there- on ^ that is utterly denied, as a falfe Judgment, and abfolutely againfl: the Kingdom of Jefus in his Tem- ples, his Law in their Hearts, and his Divine Power and Spirit, by which he upholds all Things pertain- ing to Life and Godlinefs. And this were the only Way for the next Parliament, or Power, to run themfelves againfl: that Rock againfl: which fo ma- ny before their Eyes have been broken, and few there be in this Nation, except fuch as have hard- ened their own Hearts, and blinded the Eye of a Eure Mind, but they have feen it. Wherefore take eed you Rulers, (if it be not too late) how you meddle with Chrifl:'s Kingdom, but kils the Son, and yield him his Kingdom in tender Confciences ; touch not the Apple of the Eye, which fees that to be Sin and Evil, which yet you do not, of which 3''ou have often been warned. But if you will make Laws, let the Scriptures be your Rule without, and the Spirit of Cbrifl: within, enlightening the pure Cunfcience, that fo you may become tender-hearted in the Fear of God, that the Edge of your Sword may be turned againfl: open Wickednefs, being touch- ed with a true Senfe ot what grieves the Spirit of Chrifl: in your felves, being joined to the Lord in one Spirit and Life. And this will be 3^our Wifdom the Inrerefl: of Chrifl: and his People, and from thence you v/ill receive better Counfel, and truer Judgment than that which would flir you up to perfecute and force tender Confciences againft their Faith and Knowledge received of the Lord Jefus, in Matters of his Worlhip, to ferve Men of corrupt Minds, having Hearts exercifed with covetous Pra- cti.es, who cannot ceafe from Sin, and flirring up Nations to devour one another to accomplilh their own Ends. And had not the Powers of this Nation faid ( 57° ) f ^59' ^^^^ ^ Confedracy to fuch Teachers, and taken off H>^V>J their Counfel again, which once God had difcover- ed to be againft them, and fet them free from, then had they been eftabliihed in Peace in their right Authority, and Chrift in his; and far from Op- preffion had they been, had they abode in God's Teachings, their Hearts had been kept tender, and that Eye open which would have given them a Sight towards the Helplefs, who have been wafted through the OpprefTor, from v^om they fliould have been fet free, whofe Blood now lies upon the Nations, for which is now Enquiry making. $, It is our Defire^ that Countenance he not given unto, nor Truft repofed in the Hand of Quakers, be* ing Verjons oj Juch Princip/es that are deftruBive to the Go/pel^ and inconfifient with Peace and Civil Society. Anjxa, As for your Defire that we (liould not hare the Countenance of Men, we fay, the Light of God's Countenance is much better, and we cannot look for both while Men take your Counfel 5 and our Truft is in God, in whofe Hand we are, and not in our own, and from Men we may not feek Repofe : Better it is (for the prefent) to fuffer with Chrift than to reiga in your Kingdom, or be honoured with your Glory. So in Patience ftands our Peace with God, even whilft pur Names are caft out as Evil with Men. But for your Accufation of our Perfons and Principles, to- be deftrudive to the Gofpel and Civil Society, take that back again to your feives, our Perfons we boaft not in, but our Principles are Truth, grounded up- on the Light of Jefus, and Leadings of his Holy Spirit, and whatever is contrary we condemn \ and this we certainly know will never be deftrudive to.* Chrift's Gofpel, only your Gofpel it will deftroy, whofe Foundation ftands not upon the Power of the Spirit of Jefus, but upon Tythes, or fome fetled Maintenance carnal, as full, as fecure, by a carnal Law, elfe it is liable to Deftrudion, as your felves confefs. And this know, th^t your Gofpel that fliuft ( 57» ) mufl needs be deftroyed if Tythes fall, Js not that 1659. Gofpel which the Apoftles preached; for that Gof- WNJ5 pel begun moil of all to flourifh when Tythes went down, the Priefthood that received them, and the Law that gave them •, which you may read of in the Apoftles Epiftle to the Hebrews (which Law never took Tythes by Force, as the Papifts Law did.) And now you have often faid, That whofoever preaches anothor Gofpel^ let him he accurfei ^ So take heed that your own Words condemn you not, and your own Weapon pierce not your own Bowels ; for the Lord hath heard your Words. And this we know, That the Gofpel of Chrift, which the Apoftles preached, was upheld by the Power of an endlefs Life, by which they were alfo made able Minifters, and did not fall when Tythes fell, but then fo much the more flourilhed into fuch Bounty, that the Publi- fliers thereof, who had nothing, did in it enjoy all things : Which Gofpel both your Words and your ^ Adions declare daily you live not on ; but like Men who have loft the Counfel of God, you adfc both contrary to Law and Gofpel. Was not this the Counfel of God in the Time of the Law, when the Priefts had only Tythes to live on, that then they fhould have no Magiftrate to force them, but freely they were to bring their Offerings, that fo he might engage the Prieft to himfelf, who was his Portion j and then they never wanted, while they kept the Word, and their Lips preferved Knowledge to the People. But when the Priefts forgot God, then like People, and then they juftly wanted, as God had faid. And would you now have the Magiftrate to make a Law to take Peoples Goods^ and give to fuch as do not firft beget People to God ? Is this to live. on the Gofpel, or to eat of your own Fruits, as thrift's Minifters do and ever did > Thus may the Magiftrate do for a while againft the Lord, and opprefs the Innocent, to feed the Fat and Idle, but the Account is at hand, in which it will be faid, l)ii I require it at your Hands ? Am not I of Fower to ( 570 1 6 5^ 9* '^ tnalntain my own Servants^ who have the Hearts of iXVV^ all in my Hands ? Or^ what Laws will you make for me^ who never made Ufe of any in this Cafe^ but the Law of Love, to be fu /filled in a free Spirit^ for in the Houfhold of Chrijt is no Strife about carnal things ^ And that Principle is deftrudive to the Gofpel of Peace, which admits of Strife about their Bellies, or framing Mifchief againfl: another by a Law to fill themfelves. And whereas you fav our Vrinciples are inconfijl- ent with Veace and Civil Society, to you it is faid. Whom have we made War with (after the manner of Men ?) Though aftjsr Chrift and his Servants we war againfl: fpiritualWickednefs daily, both in Teachers and People, not to defl:roy their Bodies and Goods, as ours have been defl:royed daily, and are appoint- ed to Death upon all hands ^ yet we have Peace with God in this. That our Hearts are with him for Mer- cy and Salvation, to fuch as yet feek our Defl:ru6ti- on and hate us without Caufe, except tefl:ifying a- gainfl: Sin and falfe Worfhips be the Caufe \ and our ijociety is in that which is truly Civil, and civil we are when we are amongfl: our own, and towards the Creation of God ^ and if at anytime we be amongfl wild Beafl:s, and fuch as are in the wanton and un- civil Nature, we have little Society with them, fur- ther than to reclaim them, or to tefl:ifie againfl: them as we are moved of the Lord : And if this you call uncivil, or becaufe we cannot obferve your Cu- ftoms of Pride and Fafliions of Vanity •, then we account it better for us to endure your Reviling and Reproach, than the Eternal Judgment of the Lord, who hath called us out of thefe things. And now you pretended Teachers, you are found out of Chrift's Dodtrine, and you have not yet re- ceived his Teaching, who faith, Take no thought for to inorrow what you floaU Eat, or for Cloathing what to put on ^ nor are you taught of him who faith, Seek firft the Kingdom of God, and the Righteoufnefs there- of^ and all thefe things JhaU be added unto you : ^ow GUI ( 573 ) out of this Faith yoli are found, and fo out of the Faith of Chrift, and untaught you are of this Teach- ^-"^"^^^"^^ er^ and how lhould|>"ou teach others 5 and your Foundation is not the Foundation of God, who fay firft T3''thes, or fomething as full made fure^ and then you will build, and your Gofpel will ftand, or elfe it will be deftroyed ^ fo your Foundation is fandy and dirty, and not the Foundation of God which ftands fure, on which the Prophets and Apoftles were Built, who never took Tythes, or fet Maintenance to live on ^ but the Apoftle faid. The Friefthood wcu changed^ and of neceffity there mujl be alfo a change of the Law, So thefe called not for a Law from Man, nor made Fleih their Arm, nor Carnal things their fupport, as you do ^ fo of this Error you mufl Repent, and come to the Spirit they were taught by, and depend upon God albne, and not on the World \ elfe ceafe calling your felves Independent^ or faying, Tou are fent out by Chrifl J ejus ^ who hang upon the Earthly Power for Food and Safety. T O T H E Gathered Churches. Give Ear you gathered Churches, fo called^ in England and. Ireland, and hear what Truth faith of you con^ cern'ing your dealing towards God \ for the Day hath dif covered you : And God is coming to enquire for h^ own amongfl you, WAS not there a Plant planted amongfl: you once, a tender Plant, which had a little rooting in a tender Ground, which began to appear out of the Earth, more in Beauty than all the Wild Trees of the Forefl: 5 it alfo did begin to Bloffom, and fome tender Grapes did appear 5 and the Roots and Branches began to fpread. ( 574 ) fpreacl, and to bend towards him that planted it, {^^\) and made its appearance towards Heaven ^ and there was great hopes of a Blefling intit, and that it would have covered the Earth with its Comelinefs that was beginning to be put upon it 5 ilifomtich as the Oaks and Cedars, and all the reft of the Trees, the Briars and Brambles, began to envy its Appearance, and gathered in Counfel againft it in great Strength: But the Maker thereof, feeing it bending to him, in that ftraight undertook to make Room for it, cut- ting down fome, and plucking up others by the Roots, even of the talleft and ftrongeft that with- ftood its fpreading, until he left fcarce a Briar to hinder the Fruitfulnefs thereof. Then he looked that it fhould arife, and fpread, and bring forth Fruits, according to its own Nature, Tender and Good 5 and this was that which bare the Name of 'tender Qonfc'iences^ and indeed did fo prevail in ma- ny, as nothing was to be compared with it, nor va- lued like it, whofe Fame was fpread in the World. But now ftand ftill, and behold what is become of . this Plant, and what the Fruits are you bring forth, and how you are turned into a Degenerate Plant of your felves, fince the Lord took away Kings, Bi* (hops, and all the whole Body of Oppofition j com- pare your Spring and your Harveft together, and fee what was fown, and what is now to reap amongft you for God. Come to your Faith, and come to your Fruits, and try if they be of that Nature whi'^h was fown and planted, which is from above \ or have they that Life or Power ^ or have they that Heavenly Image ? Are you not conformed to this prefent World } And have you not that Beaftly mark of Pride, of Cove- toufnefs, of felf Love, and other Works of the Flelh ? What Teftimony hold you forth this Day from Hea- ven againll the Wickednefs that abounds in your Streets, openly ^ that you may be known to be from above, and not of this World, to all that pafs by^ that they may believe who cannot receive a feigned JProfeC* ( 575 ) Profeflion tliat is without Works of Life, nor Fait^i in Words without Fruits > By what will you hQK^\'\$ known not to be of the World, but to be on the Lamb's part this Day of Battle > And what marks of his do you bear in your Fleih, by which his Ene* inies may be judged in themfelves, of all their ungod- ly Ways, and hard Speeches, which a ProfeiHon without Life hath caft upon him thefe many Years? By what are you manifeft to every ones Confcience > And by what fhall the Unbeliever fay, God ii in you of a Truths and fall down before his Righteous Power ? Have you his lively Image upon you in Truth and Righteoufnefs in the Streets? Or, can you fay indeed. The Lord your Redeemer Liveth, and Reigneth in you, in the Face of your Adions > Hath he redeemed you from all Iniquity > Or are you prefented without Spot > Or doth your Faith fay, that ever you fliall while you live ? Is not all Hope decayed, and many of you gone back from what you once were, many Degrees? Alas for you! Is this the Faith of God, which by the Flefh is thus overcome > Or, are thefe the Fruits of the Heavenly Plant > What is become of your Lord's Money, and how is your Gold become Drofs } Is there not a more precious Witnefs trodden down under all this ? And doth not the Pearl lie co- \'ered under all this Earth > Is there not a Holy One of another Nature \ and feel you nothing moving to bring forth better Fruits? I know there is a Meafure of the Grace of Chrift in you : Why is it you are fo gone aftray from his Counfel, and erred in your Hearts from his precious Life ? Why will you not hearken to that which once was drawing you out of the World, for which you did bear the Crofs and Re- proach thereof? Were not you once they that were called the Spiritual Men and Women, and became a Scorn becaufe you profefled the Obedience to its Mo- ving > And what way did it then lead you, and into what was it turning you ? Were you not then hated for his Names fake ^ and did it not lead you down into Meeknefs and patient Sufteriiigs ? And could you not Hot then rejoyce, in that you were counted worth j^ ^'^y^ to bear his Reproach openly, in hope of his Appear- ance to plead your Innocency. How did you then begin to preach and pradice Lowlinefs of Mind^ and Pride began to become a Shame, and Covetoufnefs Abominable , and a Spiritual Man, who had a tender Confcience, who could rather Die than defile himfelf with vain Cuftoms, was not fuch an one a Jewel in your Eyes > And in his Sufferings you could feelingly Ihare. Did not that Spirit lead you out of your old dark Forms of Worihip which you received by Tradition > And did not your Light and Life arife as you remov- ed by following thereafter ^ and did you not leave them in darlcnefs that came not out with you ? And none was able to withftand that Spirit by which you then fpoke and walked whilft you were going that Way ^ but your Adverfary was forced to betake him- felf to Carnal Weapons. And did not your God then fave you by his Spirit, and by weak means fcatter the Mighty, that he might make way for this Plant to grow ? But what way did you then take ? Let that of God in you be witnefs. Did you not loon grow into Eafe and Carelefnefs, and fo let the Spirit of your old Enemies overtake you, and many of thofe things by which your Confciences were then oppreJP- fed, are you yielded to, and the Worldly Spirit you have fuffered to befet you, and enter you again ^ which hath turned your Faces into the World's Riches and Glory, with which you are covered at this Day, and foon left oft to follow that Spirit that led out of this, which the Lord feeing, was grieved: But for his Names fake, not willing his Work (hould fall, did call another People to his Light, and many from far whom you then counted not a People, are come to the Brightneis of his Riling, to follow his Spirit; and what is now become of the Children of the Kingdom? and what is the Fruit of that Vineyard? Are not you now the great Oppol'ers of that Spirit, and of the Light within : Undervaluing it as though it were not worthy to be a Leader, nor able to keep in ( 577 ) in the Paths of Safety? Ah foolifli People ! Have you 165:9. well requited your Redeemer > Or, did his Leadings O-'VN^ deferve this from you > While you followed him in Spirit, the Huftand of your Youth : What Evil found you in his Light while you hearkened to it ? Com- pare your way then and your way now, and be wit- nefTes againft your felves for ever. What is this you have done? How is that Spirit become your Enemy, that then was your Leader ? Was he your Enemy till you changed your Way, and returned back into the Love of the World, in whichhisSpirit could not joyn with you, nor own you, nor change with you > So him that doth not change you have left j and Te- llifie againft his Light fince you have received the Spirit of the World. So Darknefs cannot compre- hend the Light, nor fuch receive him,^ who have changed their God like 3^ou? The Guide of your Youth is now as an Adverlary in your Way, tefti- fying againft you in your own Hearts 5 fo you would flop his way in the Hearts of others. If this be not fo, let him be witnefs, whofe fpirit Condemns Sin in the Flefh, with all its Motions, in every one where his Light is minded ^ which will truly let you fee (as many as with Faith and Diligence hearken thereto) what way you are going, and what hath befallen you fince you became refifters of that Holy Spirit in its Temple, and have fet up Idols 5 and how the Spi- rit of the World hath prevailed to cover you with its own Vanities, and Fading Glory, till you have nothing left to feparate you from the World but a Form, without the Life of the Saints. And now you having fufFered the Plant of Life to be covered with the Earthly Spirit, and having fold your felves under the FleChly Power for want of a Stedfaft and Faithful Watch in the Spirit of Life, which did once redeem you in Meafure ^ now is the fame Spirit coming over you in the'Powers of the World, ready to rife up againft your Form alfo (which is all you have left) under which you muft either joyn or fuftlr. And when this comes upon P p you, ( 578 ) you, to whom will you cry for Help? Or where will WVNJ you leave your Glory ? Or how will you do to fave your Sanctuary in which you truft? If you look to the God of this World, you may eafily have his Fa- vour, but then you muft take upon you his Form ^ and then what mull become of your own you have trufted in, and fo cryed up for a Sanctuary ? And if you cry to the Lord, will not his Light in your Confciences tell you, that he was once your Re- deemer, while you would own his Spirit in you for a Leader, and that it was not he that fold you, but your Iniquities, and chufing other Gods, and letting in the Worlds Idols into his Temple^ and denying him therein, that hath now overtaken you again ^ and will not the fecond Evil be worfe than the firft? When every Sacrifice comes to be faked with Fire, then will you know what it is for the Salt to lofe its Savour : Then will fuch be feen to be blefied, v/ha have fait in themfelves, and who have not turned their Light into Darknefs, nor denyed the Lord that bought them : Then Woe to the VefTel which is filled with that which will not abide the Fire. And this Day is near at hand to eome upon him that believes, and him that believes not. And at that Day, that which you have been filling the Veflel with will be a heavy Burthen, though plea- fant in the heaping up, with which you have oppref* fed the Juft, and darkened that Holy Light that would have Ihined in your Hearts, v/hich once was arifing to have given you the knowledge of God in Purity ^ which gives to fee the Odioufnefs of all Ini- quity, and a Way out of it^ which Spirit, had you retained, you would not have Slain the Juft, nor ta- ken Pleafure in Unrighteoufnefs, nor been filled with Ungodlinefs, like the World, as at this Day your Works are found to be, nor Oppofers of the Spiritual Light that leads out of the W^orld. For in the Light, which now you Oppofe, dwells no Wickednefs, nor Unrighteoufnefs 5 no Covetoufnefs, Fornication, Ma- lice, Envy^ Deceit J Hatred, Pride, Defpight, Luft, nos ( 579 ) nor Oppreffion, nor Fleflily Pleafures inhabit in the Lights but by it are judged and condemned, and U^^VN? call out : For it is the Houfe of God, who dv/ells in the Light, which fees all thefe to be vile Affedions, to which they are given up, who are Children that difobey the Light and deny it, and take pleafure in thefe deeds of Darknefs, on whom the Wrath of God abides-, on which Works the Fire will take hold, and whofe End is to be burnt : Which Works you have feen to be Evil by the Light, while you were led by the Spirit, and did condemn tHem in others^ and Preach againfl them ^ and do the fame things* and plead for them now in your felves, and now having no Excufe to cover you, you rage when you are told thereof in found Words : But your Teachers you will hear, which are of your own, and one with you herein, who feed the Ear, but ftarve the Soul. And now when you hear of thefe things from fuch as love your Souls, take heed to your Spirits, that nothing arife as in the Days of G//^ .<• For the Strong Man hath had a Time to fortifie himfelf within you, and he will rage if his Kingdom beentred. Where- fore hearken not to that which is above in the high Mind, but return to that Spirit which is lowly, and link down into Meeknefs, and take Counfel of that Spirit which receives Truth in Love, and abides the fearch v/ith Patience (and in whom there is no Guilt there will be no Wrath) for we do not this to fi:ir up the Evil, but to overcome it with Truth. And as many of you as upon true fearch are juftified in the Light of Life, with fuch we rejoycc, and are one, and feek Unity herein, in one. Teftimony of Life 5 and for fuch as have put on a fair Covering, and a large Garment above, but thefe Evils are feen in the Skirts of it ^ this is not to difcover any thing which true Love can hide, but that fuch might fee with that by which they are feen, and mourn in fecret with thofe that mourn for them in fecret, feeking the way to return. But for mofl part it is too plain a Truth to need a fecret fearch to be feefij for its come P p a ~ into (5So) into the Streets, and in the Places of 3roiir Worfhips, U^^/'^V^and in your daily Imployment-, it is found in all thefe. So Wickednefs being come into the Streets, Truth may not creep into a Corner to reprove it ; Nay, its high time to cry aloud, not to fpare the Whore ^ for with an Impudent Face hath ihe back- flided from her Youth, and hath decked her felf with the Attire of an Harlot. Is not Pride become a Glory openly amongft you > And to deceive Souls hath got the Name of Decency, and covered under the finefl Forms of Rtiigion ^ and the Scriptures of Truth which forbid it, wrefted through your fubtilty to plead for it, againft the Light in your own Confci- ences^ and how can Humility hold her Peace there- at? How are our Honourable Men and Women, who were once covered with Grace, and lovely in the Beauty of Holinefs and Modefty, bedaubed with Rib- bons, Lace, Babies, and foolifli Vanities not worth the Naming, and too many to mention^ And how car} Wifdom but utter her Voice againfl: fuch Whore- doms, and call her Children from the Paths of ^he Defiroyer ? And to that of God in you all we ap- pear, what Spirit that is which is offended therein-, or can he that glories in fuch Folly hear Wifdoms Voice? See what Spirits you are of. And if you be the Churches of Chrift, or if any of you be fenhble of his Suffering, who hath long fuffered under ail this filth, then ftrip your felves thereof, and come forth to his help againfl: this height of Wickednefs that is now growing to the full, and hath f':nced its way againft all Reproof and Teach- ing, {o that nothing is now left but the Life to finifli its Teftimony againft it unto Blood-fuffcring, which now is at the Door. Wherefore, if any of you be on the Lamb's Part, who now hath a Controveriie with the Whore, then come take up his Crofs and follow him, and fliew forth his Life a Witnefs in you) Bodies againft all this Wickednefs. If you be baptized into him, put him on ^ and if you have re- ceived him, walk in him openly: For bis coming is not not in the fecret Chambers, to witnefs agauifl Wicked- nefs that's come forth in the open Streets, nor in the L/^V*vJ Defert to teftifie againft his Enemy that rules in the Places of greateft Concourfe^ but in Streets, and Markets, Temples and Synagogues, where thefe Whoredoms are aded, there he utters his Voice, and by his precious Life witnefles againft them, as in the Days of old in his Saints, fo now is it. Glory to God for evermore, whofe Day is World without End^ which whoever comes to, muft give up their Bodies as a Sacrifice, Holy, and the}^ only are acceptable at his coming, and fit for his life. Glory for ever. Wherefore be not fo deceived, to think that long Preaching and Praying againft thefe Evils in your Words, with the Power thereof ruling iti your Hearts, captivated within, and covered therewith without, hath Power to overcome this fpiritual , Wickednefs, or make it aftiamed in the Streets, or drive it into a Corner, which you pradice your felves openly , for it's the Life of Chrift that's crofs to all this, and the Lamb muft take the Vidory. Therefore in the Fear of God, turn to the Spirit from whence you are gone, that his Light may give you the knowledge of God in your Hearts, and what you have of his Power to fave you from this Evil Generation, by redeeming your Minds out of thefe Vanities, your Hearts out of the World, and your Bodies and Eftates to himfelf, as a Sacrifice freely given up to bear his Teftimony in your Bodies, and in your Eftates, againft the Evil that now abounds, to the Convincing of fuch as are out of the Ways of God, by his walking in you, by the fteps of his Spi- rit which will fliine forth as a Light in your Lives, if you become obedient thereto, forfaking your own Ways to be led thereby. And let not your high Thoughts deceive you, nor truft in lying Wordsj for you are no further redeemed than you have this Power given from above, and this Treafure in the earthen VelFel^which gives Life from the Dead 5 This is the Riches qf his Grace, which faves by Faith, and Pp 3 the I 5^^ ) the Gift of God, Glory and Life Eternal. And he W'NJ that faith, he is redeemed, or fet free, and yet is led Captive in his Mind into thefe Evils, and walks in them, is a Lyar before the Son, and Blafphemes the Holy Name of Chrill:, and caufes it to be blafphem- ed through the World. But he that is baptized into Chrift, and all this filth buried, and that Life that delights in it mortified, and covered with his lowly Spirit, having received the Gift of God, and put him on, and walks in him, honours him, and him that fent him, and hath Fello.wihip with the Father and the Son, led by the Spirit out of the World, through his Sufferings, his Death and Refurredion ^ and fuch know the Life of Chrift, and Gift of God, to whom it is given not only to believe, but to fuN fer for to fpread his Name and Power, and to preach his Truth and Righteoufnefs, and to hold forth his Vertue, as it is in him, according to the Meafure of him received in fpirit, not adding nor diminifhing; And this is tb.e true miniftration of Life, and Gofpel- Light, which calls to the limple with Power, and which is manifeft to that of God in every Confcience, and that lively Faith which is known by its Works, which contains the Glory of God for its Witnefs. But a Faith there is, which to this Life is Repro- bate, which ftands not upon the Foundation of Righ- teoufnefs, but ftands in lying Words without Fruits of the Spirit to glorifie God, or evidence the Sub- ilanceinLife, and v/hofe Converfation is not in Chrif}, yefterday, to day, and for ever ^ but Glories in fwel- ling Words, and Conceiving of what Chrift was and v/ill be-, putting him afar off, but to da}^ hear not his Voice, nor bear his Image; and thefe are they that glory in Words, but not in Power, v/hofe Faitla doth not overcome the World, but gives way to the Devil, always promifing great things to come, but themfelyes Servants to thefe Corrupt things, and this is Faith without Works. And with this Net are many eafily caught, v/ho being convinced in their Underfianding of a Form nearer ( 58? ) nearer the Letter, and having got Words fuitable thereto, then are received Church-Members, andV^v'^Si^ prefently having changed their Opinion, become new Believers, and Teachers of others, as though they had attained fome great thing, not minding to prove their new Faith by the Light of Life, and truly to tr}^ it, what Life is in the New, more than in the old, by its powerful working in the Veffel ^ whe- ther it be that Faith which purifies the Heart and Hands, which Myftery ftands not in feigned Words, but in a Pure Confcience, purging the Veflel, and fitting the Temple of God for his coming, by the Spirit of his Son, which Faith opens as it cleanfes, drinking in the New through the Death of the Old ^ by which the Juft Lives, which gives the Knowledge of God in the Face of Jefus, not in vain Words, and who are gathered into it are gathered by the living Faith, which worketh and conforms to Chrift, within and without, to live his Life, and manifeft his Life to the World, in their Mortal Bo- dies, and to bear his Name and Nature, his Marks and Sufferings in their Converfation before his Ene^^ mies, fhewing him to be the fame to day, blefled for evermore ^ and fuch are baptized into his Likenefs in Death and Refurre6lion in a true meafare. But who are gathered by Words without Power, and a Faith without this Holy Life, fuch may run on heaps, fwell high, and make many Heads and Horns, yet all make but one Beaft, and their feveral Names ferve but to make up his Number, to which they do arife, all againfl: the Lamb: But his Life and Power they cannot reach, neither can they read his Name, nor bear his Mark, who are not redeemed from the Earth : But the Whores Heart, and the Beafts Image is their Mark, which now is come into the open view, and cannot be hid : That being the whorifh Heart which loves the things of this World ^ and thats the Beaft which bears her, whofe Life is in them, and Lulls after them, ftriving and fighting for them, ^nd whofe Glory ftands therein, and to be covered Pp 4 there- ( 584 ) therewith, fo that you need not dive fo deep with C/^Y>Oyour dark Wifdom, to find whofe you are, for the Light is come which gives the Knowledge of God (and who are his Temples, and in whom he walks) and in the Face oF Jefus this is known in every Con- verfation, by which Light God hath Ihined in the Heart for that purpofe : And the Power of the Beafl is feen by the Light in all Confciences, his Image and Mark appearing out of his Temple, wherein his Seat and Kingdom is^ fo that he that runs may read each Head, and their Mark ^ and they that are Chrift's have crucified the Fleih, with the Affections and Lufts, and have put on Chrift, and walk in him, and his Face is feen, and in fuch only are the Fruits of the Spirit manifeft^ and they that have denied the Spirit, its Light and Leadings, are Enemies to its Life, and in fuch the Fruits of the Flefh are ma- jiifefl:, and can be no longer hid. And all you who have followed your own Spirits, and denied the Light of Chrift, by the Light in e- very Confcience are you made manifeft, not to be fpiritual Men and Women ^ which Light judges Pride, Covctoufnefs, deceitful Dealing, and all your wanton Pleafures and vain Cuftoms, and fhews them to be Works of the Flelh. So the Light denies you, and you deny it before Men ♦, and fuch are found a- niongfl: your Churches ^ and the Light hath laid you fo naked, that the World fees you, and hath Power over your Holy Things, to trample them un- der Feet, faying, What ii their Projcjfwn worih ^ They are as proud and covetous^ See, as we are 5 and can lie and dijjembh' as ethers^ and we will never more truj} them for their FrofeJJions. Thus is your Pro- feiUon covered v/ith Reproach, becaufe you have de-? Tiied the Spirit^ and have covered your felves with that which Spiritual Men count Drofs and Dung, and/)''ou are not found of tender Confciences. And to that of God in your Confciences are we manifefl:, that this is Truth 5 and to God Almighty, that this is not to upbraid any one, 01: tp glory in Wicked- y ( 585 ) rtefs, but in Obedience to the Spirit of God, who hath quickened us out of thefe things, and in Love f> This is all our Souls long to fee at prefent, that you would but diligently mind how you are parted from him, and what is the Caufe, and where he now appears that you might follow him, that he might lead you into Life. We preach not our felves, but Chrift Jefus, that Spirit whofe Appearance in Spirit changes Sha- dows, Forms, LikenelTes, and carnal Ordinances, and makes all things New at his Coming, which with the Flelh is defiled. And though we would not have you to leave any thing in which you have formerly found any thing of God, till he lead you out of it, yet we would not have you to forfake him who led you therein, and therein was found of you ^ but him to follow where-ever he goes : Will your carnal Things be any more to you than the Temple, and Circumcifion, and the Jewij7j Priefthood, when God had left it for the Wicked- nefs that was covered therewith ? What then became of them that flayed therein, crying, The Temple of the Lord ^ Did they not then truft in lying Words > And was it ought but a Den of Murtherers, ftrength- eriing themfelves with the Notion of God's Ordi- nances againft the Life of Chrift, who came in an- other Appearance, though they knew it not then, no more than you do now } Therefore ( 59° ■) Therefore take heed what you do at this Day, I^VN^when all are looking for th€ Kingdom of Heaven, fome one way, fome another^ but mofl: fee that Righteoufncfs is departed from amongfl: Men of all Forms and Profelfions, and the Earth is got into Mens Hearts, aud hath :^ird them with Violence^ Pride and Oppreifion. Now your Work fliould be, and all that love his Appearance, to watch diligent- ly (not, Lo here^ Lo there, but) where RighteouP' nefs arifes as the Lightning ^ in what Form foever he comes, Righteoufnefs is the Life and Pov/er. And now take heed how you fet up your Form to oppofe this, where-ever it begins in the leaft to arife, left you oppofe God ^ for God s Kingdom confifts in Righ- teoufnefs, and thro' Righteoufnefs doth Grace reign. And this we further fay to you inTendernefsand true Love, That if you once fee that Power of Righteoufnefs arife in any fort of People whatfo* ever above you, which by the Light of the World in your own Confcience condemns your Converfa* tion, take heed how you then oppofe it, or ftay in your Forms which have it not in them, from join-* ing to it, lefl your Temple become a Habitation of Murtherers, as theirs v/as ^ for fo will it befal fuch as will not follow the Lamb where ever he goetbj they war againft him^ for as he departs he will draw away that of his own from all that will not come with it, to him, where ever he fetsuphisEn* lign : And then your Ordinances being left empty of that Spirit, what muft enter inftdad is eafily to be difcerned. And as you feel a Spirit of Strife and Envy, Lufl andEarthly-mindednels, and of all the Works of the Flelh, begin more and jnore to pre- vail in you and over you, then remember what we in Love to your Souls have warned you of, which we dearly defTre may never come u\.m you^ to the Full, but that that Eye may be minded in you, which would lead you out of the World, to fee the Rifing of the Son of Righteoufnefs, where the ho- neft in Heart ihall meet in Spirit, and find Healing. ' J- N. (591 ) 1 6 661 To thofe "who were in Authority^ "whom the LO RT> is now Judging^ that they may Recent and find Mercy from GOI). O Mm of England, whofe Day is over, andwhofe Time is pafTed away from you> and you are now left as Men in Defolation and Darknefs ! You had a large Day and Time to have done good, and to have anfwered Goer's Requirings of you, and your Engagements to him, and fo to have laid up Treafure with God againft the evil Day, which is come from far upon you 5 and you had a large Time and a great Power in your Day, to have made you Friends of the unrighteous Ma7nmon\ by doing juft- ly and (hewing Mercy therein 5 that fo you might have had a Habitation in the Day of Adverfitys And in your Day the Heavens were fair, and the Son gave you his Light, Ihining upon you through many Clouds that feemed to arife, over which he fent you Light, that in his Light you might have walked and feen Lights And his Vifitations and Rifings towards you was often, and his Appearance was lovely towards you^ even a calm Sun-lhine after a ftormy Tempeft, and as warm Clearnefs after Rain, to the foftening of the Earth, and to make it fruitful, that he might have received of his Til- lage, a good Savour from the Fruit of his Labours^ and have bleiTed you. But, O People \ You would not hear nor regard in that Day, when his Work was good to you every Morning, and his Mercies upon you all the Day long •, but you grew high and lofty in your felves, and proud in your Minds, and felf- conceited and felt ended, and hardened your Hearts againft ( 59» ) i^^^o. againft his tender Witnefs in your Confcience, and t^'^V^^vvalked rebellioufly againft his good Spirit in your own Hearts, and he could not caufe yon to hear; but you grew paft feeling of any thing that is called God in you. Then you daily waxed Fat, and Fulnefs'increafed, and Pride gendered into your Hearts, and you grew wanton, and kicked againft him that bor'^vmi, and made light of his ^Bjicfejs in pow confctences. Thus was your Ear ftop'd towards God, and yoa wholly loft from all that he might fpeak unto you in Spirit, or Counfel, or Fear , and from the Way of his Teaching and Reproof you were utterly gone, and had removed your Hearts far away from hear- ing his Voice ^ for you had filled them with Pride and vain Glory, and your unjuft Gain had made many of them even as the nether Aliil-ftone j foyou became unmoveable in your Way. Then did the Lord raife him up Servants that would hear, and gave them his Light, to fee what you were doing againft the Lord your God, who had redeemed you out of all Adverfity, and had raifed you up out of a low Eftate, and had done for you exceedingly •) even to win you as a People to himfelf: And alfo what God was a-doing againft you, becaufeof this your contrary walking towards him ', and that he would certainly bring you down before your Enemies, if you did not return and humble your felves before him. And thefe he fent amongft you with his Word, riling early, and fend- ing them to fpeak his Mind exprefly what he mind- ed to do ^ and it could no longer flumber : but you would not hear^ neither would you believe ^ but the fame which had ftop'd your Ear, and hardened your Hearts in your own felves from feeling, that had wrought too fuch Hardnefs, Dulnefs and Un- belief, till God's Word could have no Entrance in- to you ^ nor his Servants Liberty to walk amongft you to publifh it ^ but 'you begun to queftion in your Unbelief, whether it was the Word, and in your ( 593 ) your Pride to fcorti it^ and in the Hardnefs of i66oi your Hearts then 7011 begun to perfecute the Meflen- ^-^^V^-^ gers of the Lord, which he fent with ir to you for your Good, and many Hundreds fufFered in all Parts of the Nation upon this Accoui^t, till there was no Hope of your hearing or obeying the Voice of your Return. Then did the Lord raife up Signs and Wonders a- mong you, if by any Means he might appear as ons to be feared or obferved by you : And he ftrip'd fome of his Children and fent them among you ^ and Ibme he cloathed in Sackcloth, as mourning over you *, and fome with Aflies upon their Heads he fent into your Affemblies of Worfhips, and your AfTem- blies in your Feafts and of your Falls, v/hich were all abominable to him, while you walked in your own "Ways, and would not hear his Voice ; butthefe you ufed worfe than formerly, and your Rage en- creafed in Stocking, Beating, Whipping and impri- foning, until the Cry of Opprefiion was fj great that there was no Remedy 5 and then tlie Lord arofe and Ihaked you in Pieces, as a mighty one in his Anger, and broke you with fuch a Breach fo as you could not be healed, nor be a Power any longer 5 and fo hath brought the Wheel over you, and from far, without Help, hath he caufed the Rod to bloffom. And the jufl Lord Is now feen in the midfl of you, and which of you is able to ftand before Him in Judgment, or to condemn Him in the thing he hath done 'j and Captivity is taken Captive before Him 5 and you that did imprifonare iraprifoned ^ and you that fought to make your felves dreadful by Op- preffion, now know not where to hide your felves from the mighty Day that's coming upon you from the God of the whole Earth. And now this is the Word of the Lord to 3^ou, all you ilurdy Oaks, and tall fruitlefs Trees, whom the Wind of the fierce Wrath of the Almighty hath thus fhaken : Hear the Rod^ and who hath appointed ir^ Q,g and I I 594 ) i<55o. 2nd Low before the terrible Judge of all Flefh, and C/'VN^feek not to fave your felves with your former Con* fultations, with that Spirit in which you have always rebelled againfl God till this Day, and in whofe Counfel you have wrought this great Evil to pro- voke the Lord, and in which you have ever rejeded his Word in your felves and others 5 neither truft to your Friends, to make Flefli your Arm, yet farther to provoke the Lord to 3^our utter Confufion-, nei- ther truft in your Prayers or Performances, or ought you can do, while you are in that Rebellious Spirit of Difobedience to God's Witnefs in your own Con- fciences : for verily, God will not hear you, while you are unwilling to hear him. And now for this he is come near you at laft to Judgment, and he hath brought near his Righteoufneis, that you might fee it and lay hold on it, and make Peace therewith now at laft for your Soulsj that you may be faved ^ And your Return muft be flrfi: to that Spirit againft whom you have finned, there to make Peace. And now fpend not your Time in vainTalks, and vainPradifes, and fo flill ferve that Evil Spirit that hath all along betrayed you of your Obedience to God 5 but wait to feel that Spirit, which calls you to mourn apart, every one for the Evils of his owa Heart againft his God, and let that be minded which leads to Repentance tov/ards God firft, that if by any Means you may find a Place for Repen- tance, which will be hard for many of you to do, you have fo long diffembled with God, and betray- ed his Witnefs in you through Deceit^ for this is the Tru!h to you all, li you find that from the Lord in Spirit, that will let you fee the Evils of Provocation, and give jon Power to put it off^ whatever it be, you will find Favour with God therein for your Souls : Biit if you find not that Spirit, you v/iii find fmall Peace with God ^ and then that which Men can do for you v/ill be little available , fos it is for v/ant of Hearing and Obe- dienee ( 595 ) dience towards God, that all this Evil is come j66o, upon you , which muft be turned to e're it can beu^V^ taken everlaftinglf off: for if you had hearkened I to his Light in your Confciences, and his Word had had a Place in your Hearts to Obedience when you were yet tender, then would it have kept you in his Fear •, fo that you durft not have coveted that curfed thing, with which you hid and covered that Jufl: Principle in you, and blinded your Eyes with the Riches and Spoil of your Enemies ^ nor durft you have fet up what you had cafi: down, and got into their Eflates, and fo into their Pride by un- righteous Gain, whom God had cafl out ^ Then had you not provoked God by thefe things to your utter Ruining : Or if after this was entred upon you, you had hearkened to his Reproof, and pur this off your lelves with his Spirit, then had he not brought this terrible Befom to fweep it away from off you, and from within you, who hath left you no Place to hide your Glory or your Richer where his Hand Ihall not reach, and his Eye find them out. And there is now no Hope for Agreement with God in your felves, nor that he will ceafe his Anger againft you, till you return to that from which you departed, that the fame Spirit may be confeiled, and Glory given thereto, by putting off, in his Counfel and Motion, that which was put on in your Counfels againft that Spirit, and his Light in your own Confciences •, and alio in many others, whofe Souls were troubled and grieved tor you in that Day. And this the Lord God looks for, that Glory be given to the Jutt in his Sight, and in the Sight of all before whom his Name hath been blafphemed. And this is now the Work of this your Day, while you have a little Time, and for this he waits and forbears, that he may be gracious to your Souls for his Name's fake. And it is not a Time for you to lleep and fit at Eafe, nor fpend your dq 2 Tim$^ ( 596 ) i66o. Time in Vanity, nor feek to hide that which God U/VN^ is refolved to deckre openly, nor with flefhiy Coun- fel feek to fave that which God will deftroy. It's Time now at laft to fee what that felfilh Spirit and its Counfel hath done for you, and repent of it, by following whereof all this Evil is come upon you, for your Authority hath vomited you out, your Glory hath left you naked, and your Riches cannot profit you in this Day of Wrath from the Almighty. This was I moved of the Lord to write' to you. J. AT. A Letter, to King Charles II. O KING! GO D hath in thefe Nations a People gathered by himfelf into his Light, who are known to himfelf better than to Men, and therefore have we fuffered by Men under, all the Powers that have rifen- in this Nation ever fince God called us to- wards niiiifelf, by his Eternal Light and Spirit. And though we receive not our Laws from Man, yet are we not without Law as ro our God, but have one Law- giver, even Chriftjefus our Lord, our Life and our Head, blefled over all : And from his Laws we may not depart. 'And by his Law in our Con- fcience, and the Power of his Spirit in our Hearts, are ( 597 ) are w^ ordered and guided to walk holily towards i6SqI our God, and harmlefly towards Men, as the Saints O^'VV? of Old witnefTed in Scripture, however they be minded towards us ^ and by the Virtue of the Lamb and not of Flefh and Blood, are We made to give our Goods to the Spoil, and our Bodies to the Tor- tures of cruel Men, rather than defile our Confci- ences, or Sin againft any one of the leafl: of the Commands of our Lord and Law-giver Chrifi: Je- fus ^ who by the Light of his Eternal Spirit doth dail3r lead us out of the Evils and Vanity of this prefent World, and having begotten us into his own Guiding, he doth not fufFer us to fubjedt our felves to any Thing whatfoever is not fet up by himfelf, nor to worlhjp the god of this World, nor obey him in Commands or Cufloms -, but the Exer- cife of our ConfcieKces he hath redeemed wholly to himfelf, and by his precious Blood hath fprinkled them, and made them tender and pure : So that we may not worfhip falfe gods, nor the true God in a falfe manner ^ nor may we worlhip Men, nor fol- low the Cuftoms of Nations, Kindreds or People, or Languages •, but the Spirit of Truth it felf we muft follow: Nor may we break Chrift's Commands in Swearing, when Men command us ^ but muft o- bey him who faith, Swear not at all : Nor may we join to, or uphold any Worfhip whatfoever, but what the Spirit of Truth it felf leads us into, though many have fought to force us thereto : Nor may we leave the Miniftry of Chrift, and that Maintenance which the Gofpel allows of, to maintain a Prieft- hood v/ith Tythes, and fo go back from Chrifi to the Law, that the Apoftle faith is difannuUed, Heb. 7. And for fuch things as thefe, concerning a Ten- der Confcience, and the Law of our God, have we fufFered grievous Perfecution, and not for any Un* righteoufnefs done by us againft any Man's Perfon or Eftate, nor have we fuffered by any juft Law of Q.q 3 the ( 59M i66o, tlie Nation, tut by the Wills of Cruel Men, and as t/VNJa Prey to every Man's Luft hath been our Liberties, Lives and Eftates, and the Rulers that have been to this Day have not faught our Deliverance, but have dealt Treacheroufly with us, and the Lord, whom we ferve, hath feen it, and reproved it, and 3'et we are not fet free^ but at this Day v/e live in the Ac- count of the Rude and Envious People, as a People appointed to Death and Defolation ^ and the whole Body of Ungodlinefs, and Rage of Wickednefs is upon us daily, and with Cruelty falls upon us in our Perfons and Eftates, and our Peaceable Meetings to Worlhip the Living God. And as to all thefe things, we are laid as the Mire in the Street, for every rude Boy to run over, and we have not found help from Man, as to all the Powers that have been till this Day fince we were a People ^ nor do we fpealc this becaufe we look for help from Man 5 nor indeed can we expedl that from Men, until Men own the fame Principle of God to rule in them to which we are fubjed, which is the Sori of Right eoufnejs^ and leads all into Rigiiteoufnefs, Truth and Peace, that his Light do follow, who is known to us to be King of Kings, and Judge of the Judges, though Flelh and Blood fees nor his Kingdom. And now, O King, as we have been moved of the Lord, in Bowels of Love, and with much Plainnefs of Speech (after the Spirit of Truth, and not with vain Complements) to lay thefe things before all the feveral Powers that have rifen hitherto, with feveral other Evils which our God hath fent us to teftifie a- gainil (both in Rulers, Teachers and People) fo we have done ^ and for that we have fuffered alfo for a Witnefs againfl: them, as it is at this Day : So the fame God hath now after a v/hile put into our Hearts to lay thefe things before thee (O King) that thou mayfi not be Ignorant to what we are called, and for what we Suffer: And in this we rejoyce^ That we feel Love to thy Soul even while we are thus doing 5 and ( 599 ) and if many fhould be moved hereto of God, take i66q. heed of being wearied therewith, nor count it Cla- ^^''V^ mour, or Trouble, as they that were before thee did, and fo let up Prejudice and Evil Thoughts in their own Hearts againft the Innocent ^ for this we fay unto thee, and affirm in the Name of our God, that the more any are (truly) moved by the Eternal Spi- rit to warn thee of thefe things (or any other Evils that may any way grieve his Holy Spirit) fo much doth the Lord (of thy Life, and true and everlafting Peace) double his Love unto thee, and ihew his Wil- lingnefs to flay thee from that which hath rem.oved Kings, and broken Kingdoms : And this we know to be of God, and by him in us towards thy Soul and Eternal Welfare. And though we cannot Swear, and Unfwear, Covenant and Uncovenant with eve- ry Change that comes, as Men do that know not . the Everlafting Covenant and Decree of God-, yet this hath God fealed in our Hearts, To feek the Good of all Meriy Plot againft none 5 but fludy to live quietly^ and Exerc'ije our Confcience falthjuUy towards what- ever Government our God /hall fet up\ de firing that all Men in their Day may fo ufe their Power ^ oi they may give Account to God with Joy^ and not leave their Names for a Curfe and Reproach among Men\ for this we know. That God is now at Hand, to give a jpeedy Reward to every Man^ oi fhall be the Work of his Day. Wherefore, O King, feek the Fear of the Lord, and not Pleafure -, do Juftice and Judgment in this thy Day, Relieve the Helplefs Opprefled, and break the Yoak of Bondage that lies upon the Poor, and bring [udgment into the Gates, and let not Juftice be fold, leaft the Meek of the Earth Cry to God a- gainft thee : Verily God is nearer this Nation to a- venge than many can believe, though he hath done Wonders in this Generation that many Generations have not feen, and is trying all forts of People with the Teftimony of his Appearance: BleiTed are they whofe Eye is open to difcern the Signs of the Times, Q.q 4 for ( 6oo ) i/^6o. for a Work is God working in the Earth, and hp V'W will cut it fliort in Righteoufnefs for his Eled fake, ' which daily have waited upon him who is BleiTed for ever. O King, fpend not thy time in Flefhly Pleafures, neither ftrive after that Glory which will fade away ^ but apply thy Heart to God, and wait to feel his •Spirit in thee, giving thee Light and Underflanding to guide thy Ways before him -, for only BlefFed is he who Rules hy his Power, and who is Taught of God fliall be eftablilhed in Righteoufnefs, and be far from Oppreffion 5 and only fiich Ihall be called the Blefled cf God to all Generations : Read, and Re- member the Righteous and the Wicked. From one of thofe whom the JFor/d calls Quakers, James Nayler. Written the 3d Day of the 4th Moth, I (56c. A N A N 1660. ACCOUNT FROM THE CMdren of Ught, ( To them that Ask) In feveral Particulars, why we have been kept from joyning to, or wor- fhipping in, thofe Forms at Law, and Forms of Worfhip, that have been impofed upon us againft our Confci- ences, in thefe late Years ; for deny- ing whereof we have (many of us) fo deeply fuffered v/ith our Lives, Liberties and Eftates. Alfo, what we own as to thofe things, and can be obedient to for Confcience fake, according to Truth, and the Practice of the Church of Chrift, and the Holy Scriptures. For our rejoycing is thisy the Teflmony of our Confci- ence s^ that in Simplicity and Godly Sincerity^ not with F/eJh/y Wi/dom, but by the Grace of God, we have had our Converfation in the World, 2 Cor. 1. 1 2. Xuondon: Printed in the Year i66o^ and now Re-printed, in 171 50 ( 602 ) 1660. A N ACCOUNT FROM THE Children of Light, &c. Forafmuch as many have defired to know the ground in Parricu/ars, of our differences in Faith and Wor- (hip towards God \ and infome things as to the out- ward Forms at Law, which Men have fought to im- pofe upon m in thefe late Tears : And alfo what we would defire therein. Therefore is this written fol- lowing, ton^'ards the fatisfying of every honeft defire who loves the Kingdom oj Chriji, A L L Kingdoms and People ought to be the Lord's and his Chrift's, and come to be JL guided and governed hj the Law of the I John 3. Spirit in their Confciences: Which Spirit, or Anoint- 27' ing all muft wait for, even from the King on the Throne to the lead Place of Government, that with Ifa. 5. 6. it all may knov7 Judgment, and to do Juftice, which 1^6.^^' is of God 5 that He may be known to be the Anoin- '^'' ' ter of Kings, and to judge among the Judges, whofe Right it is of Old ^ and God hath given it to his Son hj an Everlafting Covenant, that in Him all Nations. and Kingdoms of the Earth (hall be bleiled, even Ifa. 6. 9. through and under his Righteous Government : For God the Father accepts neither Laws nor Govern- ments if the/ are contrary to his own, and not of him, or from him ^ becaufe, for him were made all Creatures that move, not only in Earth but in Hea- ven ven alfo-, and no flefh Breathing, nor Spirits, Men 16^0. or Angels, have any true Power but as they receive O^'V^^J it from him, and fo ufe it to him and for him. But ^^^' -'^^ if they rule by Injuftire and Oppreflion, for the time the Lord {hall fuffer them, and not for him, they fliall not be eftablifhed in Peace-, and when their meafure Ihall be fulfilled, the Almighty fliall remove them, and their Names fliall remain a Curfe to thofe that come rfter *, for God will plead the Caufe of his own Seed, and overturn and fhake Na- tions and Kingdoms, until the Inhabitants of the Earth know that the Heavens do Rule^ and the Stout Dan.4. 26 hearted confefs, that the Head of every Man is Chrift: And that Gad hath fnade this fame J^/z/i" Afts 2.96. (which Men have rejeded ) both Lord and Chriji • which in his time he will fhew to be the blejjed and only ^ '^^^^' ^' "Potentate^ King of Kings ^ and Lord oj Lords ^ who^'^' only hath Immortality^ dwelling in the Light ^ where he fits at the right Hand of Power, till God fliall make all his Foes his Footftcol. Now this is that we wait for in every Appearance and Face of Aurhority that comes up, to wit, the Face of Jefus our Righteous King and Saviour, in whom is no Violence nor Oppreliion^ who when he comes to rule, we know, will be Tender cf the Tender in Confcience, and Meek towards the Poor in Spirit ^ and with Righteouihefs will he Judge Ii^» ii» 4« and Rule in the Earth, to deliver the Helplefs from him that is too hard for them, who will drive Wick- ednefs from his Throne, and the Workers thereof into a Corner ^ but will gently deal towards all that Travels with Righteoufnefs, and put the Lambs of Truth in his Bofom, for he loves Righteoufnefs andira.40. it hates Iniquity ^ therefore hath God called him his Anointed, and will give him the Heathen for his In-^^^* 4'^* 7 heritance, and the zitmoli Parts of the Earth for his ^* FofjeJJion, and a Priefl: to God he is to all Genera- tions: In his Bays ft) aU the Upright Re Joyce, for he]er23. ^.6 fhall v/alk fafely in his Upright nefs, no Net fhall then be fpread on the Mountains^ neither fliall he that ( 6o4 ) 1660. that turns from Iniquity be made a Prey, for under t^^'^V'K) him {hall every one ferve his God without Fear in Luk. 1.24 Holinefs of Life and Godlinefs of Converfation. Now this is he we wait for, even the Beloved of Ifa. 9. 6. our Souls ^ and we know his Birth is come to the Nations, and his Morning towards the People^ yea, to the wife in Heart, who are yet afar oiF, hath his Star appeared, and we know his Breaking forth to thefe Iflands, as the bright Sun after the ftormy Rain^ even fo Ihall he be after the Shakings, he fhall be as a Covert from the Tempeft, as Rivers of Water in a dry Place, and as the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land j even fo Ihall he be who Jfa.32.i,2fhall reign in Righteoufnefs, and by whom Frinces Ecci. 10. jjj^n j-i^ig £^ Judgment, This is the Royal Seed, and ' ^^* he that is of him is the Son of Nobles, his Princes eat in due Seafon, for Strength and not for Wan* tonnefs. Thus fhall the Laud be blefTed, who is found worthy to receive the Anointed of God to rule in their Borders. And this is he whom we have preached to all the feveral Governments that have rifen ever fince God revealed him in us, and the Glory and Peace of his Kingdom *, and we have patiently waited, and in great Sufferings have our Souls travelled, to fee if by any means we might fee any willing to receive his Anointing, and to be born of his Spirit, to go- vern by his Power, and v/ith his Gounfel to order and be ordered, that through him they might be eflabliihed of God : and we have looked through the Veil of Flefh in all Sorts of People, and could not bow thereto \ and by many contrary Spirits have we been evilly entreated, becaufe we could not own them for his fake, whofe Kingdom we feek to be fet up in Rulers, Teachers and People. And thus have we gone feeking the Righteous One through Parliaments and Protedors (fo cal- led) Prieffs and Rulers of all Sorts 5 but his Govern- ment we have not found, nor with his Righteous Judgments have we been judged among them \ but ( 6o5 y we have been fhamefully entreated for his fake, and 1660'. hare born his Reproach becaufe of his Spirit in us, ^y^^r\^ and his Kingdom in our Confciences j and many times ifa. 69.!'9. have been tried, fome to the Lofs of Eftates, and others Lam. 3, of Lives, to fee if they could provoke, or drive us H» from his Faith in our Confciences, or tempt us any way to deny him, and own them in their corrupt Wills : And though we have fufFered under every feveral Power and People, yet have we not ceafed to warn them in Love, with much Fear and Plain- nefs, that if by any means they might have re- ceived his Teftimony, and nothaveperifhedin their Gainfaying ^ for our God, in whom we trufted, Ihewed it to us, that they fliould not profper, nor be eftablifhed without him, his Spirit and Anoint- ing, to whom he hath given the Government of all Beople, that Ihall be bleffed by him ; yea, all the ^^v. 21; Nations of them that are faved muji walk i/i his ^^* Lights and receive his Counfel for their Stability, and hi^ Anointing for the Strength of their King- doms. And this is the Caufe why we have chofen rather to fuffer under every Power that hath rifen againft ws, than to Join in with them, becaufe we have not Ifa. 5.21; heard the Voice of the Holy One in the midft of them, neither hath his Spirit in them been the Strength of their Counfels, but they have fought to jer. 17. 5. make Flefh their Arm, and to ftrengthen their King- • dom with Flattery and Deceit, and not with Truth, and they have fought to make themfelves dreadful by Violence, land to rule with Cruelty, and not with the Sword of God, which is Judgment and Ju- ftice \ and have fought Honour from Men, and not Jq}^^ . ^. from the Lord, and their Covering hath been vain Glory, and not the Spirit of God. So with the ifa. 30. i. Light of Chrifl: we faw their Foundation, and their Building, and that they could not ftand long in God's Sight, and that all that joined to them mujft fall with them ^ and that the Woes that are written of fuch muft certainly overtake them. And ( 6o6 ) j66o. And this is the Caufe, and no other thing, why Ky^'^r^'J we have hitherto born our Teftimony pgainfi them all, even becaufe they would not join to the Lord, nor hear his Voice in their Day, but the more he called after them by the Mouthes of his Servants, the more they were hardened, and tb<^ more pro- voked him to their own Conf^fion. So it hath not been Prejudice to any Man's Perfon, that hath kept us at a Diftance from them, or their Commands j for we can truly fay we have waited without Pre- judice, if by any means we could have CeGu any of them feeking the Kingiom of God, that therein they might have been eflablifhed ^ yea, we have the Witnefs of Truth in us to this Day, how glad our Souls have been before the Lord, when we have but felt the lead Ten dernefs in any of them, arifing from the Spirit of Jefus, or the leaft Confeffion from his Light in them. And fometimes we have felt fome Tendernefs in fome of them, when they have been low, little and in Fear, in which we had fome Hope and Glaclnefs, to hear the Voice of Simplicity and Truth (though but brokenly) fo that we could then have faid, They were not far from the Kingdom of God : But turning away the Ear from the Spirit of Truth in them, and confulting with flefhly Wifdom, and car- nal Reafon likely to make Wife, and to accomplifh their felf-Ends, how foon hath Truth fallen in them, and Blindnefs and Hardnefs of Heart come over them again worfe than before, which being fhewed us of God, we could not but deny them alfo to be of God. Thus in general an Account is given to you that afk a Reafon, "Why we have not yet owned any Power that yet hath rifen, fo as to join to them in all things. Now to you who defire to know in what Particu- lars we have differed from thefe Gc/ernments that yet have rifen fince we were a People ^ v/e might lay our Lives, Pradtices and Sufferings have openly declared (6o7) declared it, through the moft Parts of thefe Nations, 1660I and in moft and greateft of our Differences ^ yet ^m/^'^^J for the better fatisfying of fome that know not fo much as others^ and to take away all Occafion of Offence, from all that would not oppofe the Way of Truth if they knew it, and to leave without Excufe the wilfully Ignorant, and Perfecutors of the Way of Chrifi: : I (hall inftance in fome things, and alfo fhew our Warrant for fo doing, both by Scripture, and the Pradife of the Holy Men of God in their Generation^ it being that fo many are yet Ignorant and Unbelieving, concerning the prefent Leadings of the Spirit of Truth in them, which is chief Leader and Corner-Stone in us, by which we Rom.8.14 walk towards God, and towards Men in all thefe^^J*5*i^» Things. And as to that firft. Though God hath laid it up- on us, as matter of Confcience, tobefubjed to what outward Government, or Governors foever he ftiall fet up over us in outward Things 5 and alfo that with all Willingnefs of Mind a ready Sujedion be rendered to every juft Command, not for Fear only, but even for Confcience- fake ^ and that in all things we fhould feek the Safety, and Honour, and well- being of fuch Governors, to the utmoft of our Power, even as we look to account to God for it, of whom the Powers that be are ordained ^ yet hath he begotten us unto himfelf alone, and to the Leadings of his own Spirit in all things concerning Faith and Worfhip, as to Matter, Manner, Time and Place : This is to be done and performed iingly ^^t. i;,^ as to him, in the Leadings of Jefus, and in the Power of his Spirit alone, elfe will he have no re- gard thereto. And for this Purpofe hath he given the Spirit of his Son into our Hearts, to be our Light and Leader in all thefe things 5 to which 2 Cor. lo. Leadings and Movingsthe Father requires Obedience ^« in all things pertaining to our Confcience^ that mull: be the Throne of Chrifi alone, and there will he fway the Scepter of Eternal Life, and anfwer his People ( 6o8 ) J 660. People in all things, and be their Savionr, Gttide> ^^''^V^Vand Law- giver in ail things that are jufl: and holy. So that if at any time their Teachers have left the Way of Life, and would lead People after them^ yet hath he through Faith and a tender Confcience, preferved a Seed out of Error to himfelf in fuch a Day, by which he hath reproved and made mani- feft the Folly of fuch Teachers. And to this the Scriptures do fully teftifie, as in the Days of the Ifa. 28. 7. Prophets, when they erred in Vifion, and b^id not Jer. 23. the Word in them, and fo caitfed. the People to trr^ h'^Q^'2-A' through their Lies and through their Light nefs^ then had he Men of enlightned Confciences, to fend to reprove their Brutifhnefs, though othcrwife they themfelves were neither Prophets nor Sons of Pro* phets, but may be aHerdfman, or a gatherer of Sicca- Ch.7. i4.«?^7r Fruit, a Plowman or a Shepherd, orfomefuch Jer. 23. which England^ Pride would call MechanickFeUows % l^a. 1.9. ygt in thefe was a Seed preferved, elfe the Land might have become as Sodom^ and not one have known the Lord nor his Word. And as it was in the Days of the falfe Prophets, fohath itbeenfince the Days of the Falfe Miniftry ^ by which many have fufFered fince the Days of the Apollles, for te- ftifying againil fuch as have erred in Spirit, Fonn and Doctrine, from Chriil: Jefus and his Apoftles* And this hath been from the indwelling Power of Chrift in them, and his precious Light Ihining in their Hearts and Confciences, that they have thus beeil preferved, and enabled to bear the Teftimony of Chrift, againfl falfe Worihips and Worihippers 5 and fo it is at this Day, in all who keep a pure Con- fcience towards God in all bis Word and Worihip, that his true and fpiritual 'Worfhip might not be wholly loft out of the World. Alio if at any time thoir Kings and Rulers forgot God, or Kings arofe who knew not God, and then would lay upon them Laws and Connnands, which were not jufl: and lawful for them to i\o^ then by the Light of Chrilt in a pure Confcience they were enabled ^^ 609 ; enabled to withftand them, even unto Death -, As ^66o, that of Mordecai and the Jcws^ who would rather '•-^^'^NJ all be deftroyed, than bow to Haman\ Pride at theHefterg. King's Command : Though Sa'^/^Ws People would have faid this is but a Civil Things and Duty and Good Manners^ and the like ^ yet God's Law in their Confcience they preferred above all that the King commanded contrary thereto; yea. Life and all would they lofe rather than defile their Confcience towards God, or deny his La^v there, though no Law without had forbidden fuch a thing : Yet in other Cafes did they appear true and fubjedl to the King, for Alordecai's Truth faved the King's Life not long before, though from Man he had little Re- ward for it. Likewife might beinftanced thatoFDj^/Ws Pray- ing contrary to the Decrees of the King, his Coun-j^ > lei of Prelidents and Princes ^ and that of the three Dan! 3! Children againft the fierce Command of Nehiichad- nezzar^ in denying to worfhip at his Will and Plea- fure. Likewife that of the Apoftles, when the Ru«^£^g ^^ lers and Priefls aifo charged rhem ftraitly not to 28,29.* preach any more, their Anfwer before Authority w^as, U^e ought to obey God rather than /den. Yea, it would be too long to tell how many godly Men and Women, upon the Account of a pure Confcience not only hazarded their Lives, but loft Life and all for the Teftimony of a tender Confcience, as might be inflanced. But this may be faid for all, That if they would but have denied the Law of God in their Confcience, and conformed to the Wills of Men, and their Laws, not one of all the Prophets, Apofties, or all the Holy Men of God need to have fufFered Death or Spoil, So now in that any of us by the fame Spirit of Chrifi:, and from his Light and Law hi our Con- fciences, are moved to go teftifie againfl falfe Pro- phets, faife Worfhips, and declare the way of Truth to all People againlt them to their Face. And if Rulers have been id oppofite to this, as to make R r Laws K 6IO } 1660. Laws again ft it, and to command us to ho\r and WN^ worfliip at their Wills, which for Confcience fake to- wards God we could not, for which we have fuf^ fered the Spoiling of Goods, long and heavy Im- prifonments, Ihameful Uiings and Lofs of Lives al- io: I fay, In this we have a Cloud of WitnefTes, even the Lord Jefus our Captain, and the whole Body of Martyrs, who have all gone before us in the felf fame Obedience of Faith and Spirit, and have fufFered the fame or fuch like things, from Rulers and Teachers that knevw' not God in their Days, and all of them in their Days were counted Offen- ders, Hereticks, or Dtfpifers of Authority, or fome fuch Reproach was cafl: upon them, by their Accu- fers and Perfecutors, for obeying the Law of their toh. 16. ^^^ ^^^ their Confciences, whom the Rulers of the 2^5. Darknejs of this World have not known^ nor can know, till they believe his Light in their own Con- fciences. So iris not for new things, nor ftrange Opinions which was never in the World before^ for which we fufter, (though to the W^orld they feem new and Urange) bat tor the very fame Works of the fame Spirit of Light and Truth, which hath often appear- ed in a poor contemptible People, and hath as often received the fame Meafure, from them who profefs in Words, but in Works deny him \ by fuch have we fufrered, who read, and partly preach the fame in Words, which this Eternal Spirit in us now work- eth '^ ?AyKi by fuch who with Words garnifh the Sepul- ehers of thofe whom their Fathers flew, are we counted great Offenders, forbeing found in thefam>8 Way and Practife, and in Obedience to the fame Spirit, -in that Meafure as we have received it. ^o we have this added to the Teftimony of a good Confcience towards God and towards Men, That wc fuffer not for Evil- doings though as Evil-doers ^ (to wit) The Prattife of Holy Men and the Scriptures of Truth, which will own us herein, and ftand on our Parts agaiiiil all our Adverfaries and Accufers. And this (6ii) tills Will be proved fo when we come to Particulars, j66o] wherein we differ from the Ways and Worihips of (^^^''NJ thefe prefent Times, and for which we are fo much hated and perltcuted. And we know that it will not be found harmful to the Bodies, Eftates, or Well-being of any Chriftian Neighbourhood, nor of any other People in theNa* tions, to pradlife thofe things wherein we differ in Civil and Temporal Things, nor hurtful totheSoula of any, in the things wherein v/e differ in Religious or Spiritual Matters, from the feveral Opinions and Forms of Worlhips that are or have been fet up in thefe Nations^ as we fhall make it plainly appear, if either Spirit of Truth, or Scripture of Truth, or things equal may be received on our Parr. Now we fhall mention fome Particulars in which v/e differ for Confcience fake from fome of the Forms, Tra- ditions, and Commands of the Men of this prefent Age, and the Powers that have ruled therein, un- der whom we have therefore faffered as Evil doers. ^nd firfl^ as to thofe Things ipjhich fome call. Civil. AN D indeed it may be wondered at hj any moderate People, that in a Nation called thnjfia/?^ any Man fhouid fuffer fo much, as to be called an Offendor for fome of the things that I muil mention upon this Account (efpecially they being laid upon us by the Spirit of Chrift, as Matter of Confcience) and by a People fo highly pretending for Liberty of Confcience. As it hath been laid upon us by the Spirit of Chrift, to ufe the fame fingle Language to all Sorts of People, which is ufed in the Scriptures, and all the Holy Men of God therein have ever ufed^ that is to fay, THOU to any one Perfon, and Toj^. to more than one ^ a Language found and true to God Rr 2 and (6iO 1660. and Man, which the Spirit of God firft fpolce and "-^^"^''"^'gave to Man, and of Man received it again without Offence, and never fince gave to Man any other Form of Speech, as we may read in the Scriptures of Truth. And in this >ve differ from fome Sorts of People, and for it have fufFered as great Offen- ders, and have undergone very grievous Cenfures divers of us, though it hath been laid on our Con- fciences from the Lord, 3''ea, the Scriptures alfo 2 Tim. I. command the Form of found. Words to beholden faft. 13' Now why thofe who profefs the Scriptures for their Rule, ihould perfecute us for ufingthe Language of it, may be thought itrange to the Hearers there- of ^ yet for this we fuller for a Teflimony againft them. Alfo it hath been laid upon us by the Lord to call Men and Women by their own Names, which their Fathers have given i^ them, to be known by a- mongft Men ^ And thougli in this we differ from fome Sorts of Peopls, who can give flattering Titles to fome People initead of their Names, and reproach- fully mifcal others inftead of their Names, yet herein we are owned hj the Scriptures of Truth, and the Practife of all the Holy Men therein, who never refufed their own Names to take a proud Title, but owned their Names that God had given them. And faith the Scripture, Let me not give Job 32. flattering 'Titles to Man^ for in fo doing my Maker 21,22. would foon take me away. And if you refpeU: Per- Jam. 2. y^/^j. yoi^ commit Sin, and are convinced of the Law a^ Evil doers s yet for this we have fuffered alfo by this Generation, as Evil-doers and Contemners of Authority, though we know, that to call a Man by his Name contemns not his Authority, nor do we it for that End, but in Obedience to Truth, and for Confcience towards God. Alfo tiiat about our HATS putting of, which hath been fo great an Offence to many ^ this alfo hath been laid upon our Confciences by the Lord, and we dare not difobey him therein to pleafe Men, though ( 6i3 ) though fometimes it hath been faid, That if wezoould 1660, but put off our HatSy we Jhould not go to Prifon \ l/^V^ others have faid, when we came before them for Judgment and Juftice, Tou fi all have no Jajlice, un- lefs you put off your Hats , yea, fome have hazard- ed their Livts herein, yet dnrj[l not difobey God hertin, though they liave fuffered long therefore \ and loft their Rights for want of Juftice ^ yet vve have not dared to difobey our God herein, but have valued our Peace with him and a pure Confcience above all Sufferings and Profits herein. Now, this is beyond all the Perfecutors of Old, tliat Men Ihould fuffer for their HatS|, yea, even Nebuchad- nezzar in his greateft Heat of Perfecution, madeD^n.^.ai. not that an Offence, to keep on their Hats more than their other Garments •, but with their Hats on, as well as Hofe and other Garments, they were bound and caft into the Fire *, nor do we find in all the Scriptures Precept orPradifeof that thing, yet for this we have deeply fuffered, in divers Parts of this Nation. Thus would People and Powers drive us from the Obedience of our God in a pure Confci- ence, and inftead thereof caufe us to fubmit to a vain Cuftom, for which we have no Warrant, nei* ther in Scripture nor good Example-, but faith the Lord, le jhaU keep mine Ordinances^ but the Cuftoms Lev. 18. of the People are vain and abominahle^ you fhall not 30. defile your felves therewith. So we obey God rather than Men, and by Men who profefs God fuffer for fo doing. This alfo hath been commanded us of the Lord, and laid upon our Confciences, not to Swear at all, jer. 23. upon any Occafion whatfoever ^ and becaufe of this io» we have forborn to fwear, when Men have called us thereto, whether to fwear at any Change of Govern- ment, or whatever it hath been, we may not Swear at all. And for this we have deeply fuffered alfo, as Contemners of the Law, though we have not de- fpifed Government, but have confented to what juft thing was requir^^d of us in Truth of Heart, with- Rr 9 out (6i4) 1660. out Swearing. And for this we have the exprefs O^^V'^J Command of Chriftjefus, who hath faid, Swearnot Mat.^.34..^^ ^^^'-^ ^"^ his Apoftie faid, Above all things my Bre- Jam. 5. 1 2. ^^-''^^'^j Swear not, leji you fall into Condemnation, And we have alfo the Pradife of the Followers of Chrift, who refufed to take an Oath •, for to fuch as receive Chrift there is the End of Swearing, and divers other Things, which before Chrift came to end them, were Ordinances of God, but Chrift the Covenant everlafting hath ended all Swearings of Men whatfoever, and forbidden they are in his Name upon Pain of Condemnation. Further, in the Time of Mofes, whenSwearing was in theJifruz'/Z^ Church, it was not to be forced upon them, but they might Swear or not, as the Cafe required, with- out any carnal Puniihment to force them to fwear, nor was it required of Witneffes to fwear betwixt a Man and his Neighbour, two WitnelTes were to e- ftablifh th- Matter before the Judge ; but I never read of thofe two required to fwear, that was as to a Man's own Particular ; as when a Man had taken a Pledge, and it was fl:olen from him, then an Oath was to be taken of that Man in his own behalf, that he put not his Hand to the Stealing of it, and then he was not to repay it again 5 but if he would repay it he needed not fwear : So he was not forced. And except in this Cafe, and in the Tryal of Jea- loufie, Namb,^,\<^. I find not an Oath required by any Judge in Mofes^L^w. So thefe who make us Oiien- dcrs for denying to fwear, exceed the Law of Alo/es and contradid the Law of Chriil:, by whom Swear- Xev. 19. ing at all is exprefly forbidden -, for faith Chrift, It Mat - '■ ^"'^^^' ^^^^' ^'^^^ ^^ ^^'^^^ ^f ^^^ ^^'^'^' IhouJJjait not for- '^'^^''fwcar thy felf, but Jhalt perform unto the Lord thy Oaths. So here WdsAIo/es"s Time, and Swearing to the Lord commanded in Truth ^ But (faith Chrift) I fay unto you^ Swear not at all-^ and he is greater than Mo/es, whofe Time is without End. Further, As to the Adminiftration of the Laws of thefe Nations in thefe late Years, there we have feen (6^5 ) feen many Things which in Confcience we cannot lo^o. join to, being Ihewed to us to be out of Truth and W^ Equity, and not Helps, but Burthens to the Nations. Now as to our felves, fo many as walk in Chrifl: Jefus, we have one Judge and Law-gi\^er ap- pointed to us for that End by the Father-, And we irmy not go to Law one with another, as Men being come to Chrift Jefus, the End of Luft, Pride, and Strife, which we have found to be the Caufe of Fightings, and Suits at Law 5 and if any thing of that Nature would arife in any of us, by our Judge and Law- giver it is judged, and we are faved. And it is laid upon us by the Spirit of Truth not to feek to avenge our felves of fuch as feek to wrong us, '^^^^' ^♦" but to love our Enemies, and pray for them that de- fpitefully ufe us, and perfecute us: and fo to fuiter for Peace fake •, for to Peace we are called towards all Men, and under the Prince of Peace is our Go- vernment, who are all in Unity of Spirit and Life in Chrift Jefus. But when Men hale us before Judgment-Seats, or caufe us to appear at their Courts of Law, then we meet with many things among them there which for Confcience fake we cannot bow to, nor uphold, finding them not only againft the Rule of Chrifti- ans, but out of the Way of common Honefty as Men, yea, many Things againft Truth it felf, and this we cannot ferve for Law, which is againft Truth. As when they fend a Writ to appear at their Courts in a Man's own proper Perfon, and in Obedience thereto we have come (may be) two Hundred Miles or above, and tendered our Appearance accordingly at the very Day appointed, then they have with Violence and Reproach thruft us out of their Courts, becaufe we did appear in our own Perfons, and not in another Man's Perfon, whom we have not known. A.nd for this have we fufFered much Damage and long Imprifonment, as Contemners of Authority and * Law. Now this we cannot own as Honefty and Truth, and plain Dealing as Men, to let go all Rr 4 Talk ( 6i6 ) 1660, Talk of Chriftians, the Heathen v/oulJ not do this l/^/^v to us. Alfo when our Adverfliry puts up a Bill of Charge againft us, drawn up in a Form without Truth, fiii'd with faife Accufations, as though our Offence amounted to Hundreds or Thoufands of Pounds Wrong or Damage, when with the Truth of Chrift in our Confcience we know, that we have never wronged that Man one Penny in our Lives, but that it is the Enemy of Truth and Peace, even that Old Accufer of the Brethren, which now works in that Creature to fpoil our Goods, or take our Lives or Liberties from us ^ then we are not fuffered to return an Anfwer in the Fear of our God and in Plainnefs and Truth of ExprefTions, as the Spirit of Truth Ihall move in the Simplicity of our Hearts : And fo with the Spirit cS Truth to deny the Lyes and falfe Accufations of the Adverfary : But we inufi: be forced to give unreafonable Sums of Money, to another Man, to anfwer in our ftead, who for ought we know may, inftead of reproving thofe a- bjininable Lies excufe them, at leafc as a Form at llci. c;9. 4. Law. And thus our Teftimony againll: Falihood is ^'^•^^•^"^-obriructed, which the Spirit of Truth requires of ^ /* "' usj and v/e mufl pay Money to have that juftified as a Form of Law, which we know to be a Form of Prov. 12. Ti«^s : And we cannot leave the Truth to ferve this 19522. Deceit 5 and if the Truth was no dearer to us than Prov. 29. fQ g{yQ fj- up |-obe betrayed^ yet it feems unreafon- ^^' able fo us, as Men, to give our Caufe into the Hands of him that knov/s it nor, further than we inform him, and then have no AiTurance whether he will fpeak our Words or his own ^ an4 fo bring us under the Guilt of that Falihood. This appears to us very unreafonable and dangerous, and below the Priviledge of a Man, as a Man, much m.ore as Pfa, 40,4.3 Chriftian : So we rather chufe to faffer innocently under it, keeping our Confciences clear, than con- fent thereto^ and fo eftablilh Mifchief under Pre- tence of aL^w, PjdL 54. 20. and denj^ our Tefti- ino ny ( 6i7 ) m^ny for the Truth, to which we are called, and for 16^0. whxh we fufFer in all thefe things, U''^r^J Alfo, if any of us be filed at the Exchequer or Chancery^ and appear and take a Cop]^ of the Bill, ' and go to the Judges with a true Anfwer thereto^ they will refufe it becaufe we cannot fwear, though they will Ihew us no written Law for fo doing, but tell us it's a Cuftom, and this Cuftoin is preferred above his Law who faith, Swear not at all -^ and for this many have been imprifoned, it being put upon us, either to deny their Cuftom or Chrift's Com- mand : So we chufc to fufter by Men for a Seafon, 'rather than defile our Confciences. If we be fummon'd to do Service for the Country, on a Jury, and be willing to do the Service faithful- ly, as to God and Man, yet becaufe we cannot fwear, many are fined, imprifoned, and their Goods fpoiled, and reputed unferviceable in the Nation, when we would freel}^ ferve the Country, fo as we might not therein deny Chrifl: our Saviour. If one of us be fummoned to appear at a Court for a Witnefs, that would tellifie the Truth before God from a good Confcience, and in the Fear of God, and according to his Law, viz. In all things Deut. 19. that if we Ihould wrong any Man whatfoever thro'i<^j i7jiS> our falfe Teftimony, that it's Juft the fame lliould ^9> 20. be done to us ♦, yet becaufe we cannot fwear (be the Adion never fo great) our true Teftimony is refufed, and we thruft away without Judgment, and threat- ned to caufe us to pay what they fay the Party is damnified for our not Swearing : and all this we muft fuffer for obeying Chrift's Commands. If one of us fhould buy a Piece of Land, or have fome fallen to him by Inheritance, and come to the Court Baron to take it up, they will not let him take it except he fwear, and fo break Chrift's Say- ings : Or if a Man purchafe, or have an Inheritance within a Cuftomary Court, it's the fame, and they will turn us oiF without it, if we will not fwear contrary to Chyifi'e Commands. And thus is the Evil (6i8) 1660. Evil Cuflom of a Court preferred before Chrift's K/^Y^ Commands, a good Confcience, and a Families whole Eftate and Livelihood. If a Man bind an Apprentice in this City of Lon- don^ and give a great Sum of Money with him, and the Apprentice ferves his Time honeftly and truly, and have his Mailer's Teftimony thereto, yet is he denied his Freedom, if he cannot fv/ear for Confcience fake, and fo muft lofe Money and Ser- vice, if he be faithful to Chrifl. If one of us fhould die inteftate, they will not fuffer our own Wife or Children to adminifter on our own Goods, unlefs they will fwear againft their Confcience, and the Law of Chrifl:^ or if we make a Will, and make Wife or Children Executor, they are denied to prove the Will, whereby they are to enjoy their Eflates, but by breaking that Command of Chrifl: in Swearing. Likewife when fome of us have been arrefted to appear at fuch a Court fuch a Daj^-, and have fimply given Bond to appear ^ and when the Appearance hath been made at the Day exprefTed by the Party fo bound, neither the Appearance would be taken, nor the Bond delivered, but a further Snare, becaufe another Man appears not for us, whom we never "kn^v/^ nor had ought to do withal, Alfo about Marriage, which we know to be an Ordinance of God from the Beginning, and being ordered in the Counfel of God, and the Bed not de- filed, is honourable, but 1Fhoremo?7gers and Adulter' ers God will judge. So as any are moved of the I Cor. 7. j Lord into that State, we fay the Counfel of the 39' Lord is firft and chiefly to be minded, and the thing weighed in his Fear, that it be done only in the Lord, that it be not taken on lightly, ralhly, nor chiefly for any earthly Ends, but in the Moving and ordering of the Almighty Creator of Man and Woman, who only knows their Spirits, fo to join them as they may be one in Flelh and Spirit, and may lead a godly and peaceable Life. And this is God's (6i9) God's Ordinance, and thofe whom God joins toge- 1660I ther, faith Chrift, let not Man put Juch afunder 5 and C/'VNJ this we fay is the chief thing to be abferved, viz. That God join them 5 and that Notice be given to the Parents, or fuch as have the Overfight of each Party, that (as much as may be) all may be done in Love and Unity in the Will of God openly. And this we have found from God in iSpirit, and this we find in Scripture, to be the Ordinance of God to his Saints of Old, and their Liberty m the Lord, which God never altered, which v/e keep for Confcience fake, and may not break. And lefl any licentious Perfons ihould abufe this Liberty, to fatisfie their Lufts, and then not live as Man and Wife during their Lives, and theMagiftratesnot know of them, and fo they efcape the Sword of Juftice, we have Freedom in our Spirits to acquaint fome of the next Magiftrates with our Intents, and thereby confefs our felves liable to the jufl Cenfure of the Magi- ftrate, with others, in Cafe of Mifdemeanour, and all this we have done e're coming together as Man and Wife 5 which is as much as the Ordinance of God, or any Reafon can iufi:ly require ^ yet have fome of us fufFered in this Cafe by the changeable Laws of Men, who fome of them have fought to iinpofe one Sort of Priefts oh us as an Ordinance, others Juffices as an Ordinance, and others another fort ot Priefls again. So for denying thefeuncer-/ tain Rules of Men, and keeping the Ordinance of God that was in the Beginning, we fuffer by all of Mat. 19c. them as Evil Doers, jtx have they not one Charge 8. againfl: any of ns, who have been joined together to this Ordinance of God, as to Breach of Mar? riage, or Mifdemeanour therein •, for we hate put- Mat. 19. ting away, and come to that which was in the4> 5- Beginning. Thefe with many other things there be, as touch- ing the outward Laws, whereby both our Lii'-es, Li- berties and Eftates, become a daily Prey to mercilefs Men, from which hath been manifeft fuch imprifon- ing t66o, ing till Death, fuch Perfecution and fpoil of Goods, t^^'NJ as many Generations to come may admire to read of, though in this Generation it's little regarded or minded, unlefs it be by feme few, whole Hearts God hath tendred, that have not been fo Cruel in their Places as others. Now let none fay, that becaufe we cannot bow to fuch Unrighteous dealings of Corrupt Men, or their Corrupt Cufloms, or Corrupt Laws^ That therefore we are a People that would have no Law, nor Ma- giftracy at all, as fome have falfly accufed us : For of this we are clear before the Lord our God, what- ever Men may accufe us herein; tbr the Law of God Rom. 8. 2 we own in our Confcience, eve; The Law of the Spi" rit of Life^ which is in Chnfl Jefr^ our Lord and Law giver, by which we are Taught, to keep our Confciences Void of Offence rewards God^ and towards Men, by which we are freed from under the Power of the Law of Sin and Death. And by this Law of God in our Confciences, we are alfo taught to be fubjedt to every Power God fhall fet up over us, by which teaching we know that the Powers that be, are ordained of God. And by the lame Law of God in our Hearts and Confciences, by which we are made to fuffer, rather than to obey that which is Unjufl, by the fame Law, and upon the fame Penal- ty^ are we made to be fubj«ct and obey every Jufl and Wholefom Law of Man, for Confcience fake : Therefore, as the Ordinance of God, we obey, and own Authority in the Nation ^ and the Ruler of the Num. 14. People as the Minifter of God, for Good to fuch as do Well, but a Terror to every Evil doer, without refpedt of Perfons ^ fo we being guided by the pure Law of God in our Confciences, are fubject not for Wrath, but for Confcience Jake -, for he is not a Ter- ror to them that do Well, and Obey God in their Confciences: But if any do Evil, let fuch fear. For he is the Jlinilfer of God, and bears not the Sword in Vain, And for this Caufe we pay Tribute to whom it belongs, and Fear to whom F«^r, Honour to whom Honour j (6ai) Honour 5 and from this we exempt not our felves 1666I more than ether People in the fame Nation *, but de- U/W^ fire rather to be Examples to others with all dili- gence, not rpeaking Evil of Governments as many do, which will flatter to their Faces 5 but feeking to our God for what Authority he fhall Ordain, that under them we may be godly and quietly Go- verned, without refped ot Perfons. Therefore we might fay, as to all the feveral Ru- lers that have arifen in thefe Years, fince we were a People in God's Light, which of them have we Re- viled or fought to Supplant, or what Juft Law, Old or New (which hath been according to Scripture or a good Confcience) have we denyed or tranfgrefled? Though from the Evil and Abufe of all, God hath by his Eternal Light, and the Power of his Spixit, pieferved us to this Day, Glory to our God for ever- more. So our Confciences are clear towards them that are fallen as to that thing, by whom we fo much fuflPered in their Day. And now in God's dread and fearweare, and in his pure Counfel alone, we defire to be found towards you that are now come up into the Seat of Govern- ment, that if by any means, we might not be any occalion of Offence, or hardening of your Hearts, by our difobedience or denying any of your Laws, which are jull:, wholefom and good, and according to God's Truth in Scripture: Nor, that on the con- trary we might Provoke our Pure-ey'd and Zealous God and Father to difpleafure againfl: us, by yield- ing to any thing whatfoever, or obeying what is a- ny way againil his Spirit in our Hearts, or the Light of Chrift in our Confciences. And this at prefent is our ftreight way, fet before us to walk in towards God, and towards Man ^ and therefore the defire and travel of our Souls is great at this Day, That you might be one with God in your Laws and Commands, that fo, under you we might be Godly and Quietly governed, within and vv^ithout. But if yet, it muft be fo, that your diftance be fo great, that with one Heart ( 6ia ) i66o. Heart we cannot ohey you both^ then whether Is it ^^^^^^ better, to obey God or Men (with. the Light of God ^ ^^^in your own Confciences) judge you ^ Therefore, if we cannot keep Peace with you, we chufe to keep .. I. our everlafting Peace with God, and that faving Faith that's held in a Pure Confcience : And our I Tim. 3' Prayers to the Father of Lights are, for the whole Bo* ^' dy of Chrift's Church, and every Member thereof, that our Hearts may be kept fingle to him alone, whatever we flifFer from Men for fo doing. ^o'w to thoje Things "which Jome call Reli gious. T HOUGH in our felves we make no fuch dif- ference, it being that our Confciences are to be exercifed in the Light and Spirit of Clirifl: in all we do, tov/ards God, and towards Man ^ and every particular Adlion towards Men, God requires that it be done as to him, and to his Glory, and not in our own Wills, nor in Mens Wills, nor after their "Wills, Manners and Cuftoms, and Commands, but in the Will of God alone, revealed in Chrift Jefus in Spirit, and in his Motion and Leadings^ which if we mifs in, and ferve either Men or our felves there- in, and not God, we are accountable to him, as though we had erred in that which the W^orld calls Religion: Therefore, whatever we do to God in Chrift, to us is his Service and pure Religion, and undefiied before God, if we keep but our Confcience unfpotted from the World ^ though it be but in vi- James i. fitij]g a Fatherlefs Child, or a Widow, in their Af- 27. flidion, or any other thing which the Spirit of Truth, j , Jultice and Mercy Jeads us to, and required of us. ] But as the Worfhip of God it feif, hath relation jrohn4»23to him alone, who is a Spirit, and will be worfhip- 24-ped in Spirit, and in Truth, betwixt him and every particular particular Creature only known, in Matter, Mea- 16^0. fure and Manner, Time and Place. And knowing ^^^^J^'^^ that the only wife God, who ruleth in the Kingdom ^^ * ' of Men, and giveth it to whomfoever he will, and (many times) fetteth up over it the Bafeft of Men, without controul, if he pleafe to deal in Judgment towards any Nation ^ yet this hath he referved as an Eternal Scepter in the Hand of Jefus our Lord, and by an Everlafting Covenant concerning him. Thou art a Kbig for ever, over the Holy People (or Saints) and his Throne is eftablifhed in their Con- fciences by a perpetual Decree, to all Generations ^ therefore was it never known, that ever he trufted or titled any Earthly Prince, with Lord over the Faith and Confciences of his own People: This was ever the Son's Prerogative above the Kings of the Earth, and he alone is to be Judge and Law-giver, and Correc- Ifa. 11. i; tor, and Leaden in that Inxufible Spiritual work of 2« Worfhip towards God, for he only knows the Way, and None co7nes to the Father but by him. It's true, the Pope hath taken upon himfdf fuch an Authority, under pretence of the Apoftles, even over the Faith and Confciences of People, and with it hath Ihed much innocent Blood, which lies upon his Seat, and his Line, till God comes to enquire for it, and for that end hath fet up Inquifitions, ^c. And others after, and from that, have erredled Courts and Synods, with their Fines and Prifons, and Tor- tures, to force the Faith and Confciences of People, and they pretend the Apoftles alfo for this Work. But this we know, that the Apoflles were no fuch Men, nor ufed any fach Weapons, but deny them therein, both iht Pope, and they that are rifen fince, and exprefly deny to be Lords over God's Heritage, or over their Faith ^ neither did they preach them- ielves Lords and Mafiers, but ChriJ} jefus alone '^^2 Cor. 4. Lord, and themfelves Servants for Jelus fake, as 5. both their own Words and Practice doth Teliifie ^ 2 Cor. i. for faith Paul, Not that we have Dominion over your '^^^ Faiths : And faith Peter, Not for filthy Lucre, neither ^ ^^' 5- 3 J 660, ^ behg Lords over God's Heritage^ but a4 Examples t/Vv; to the Flock, ^o we know that from Veter they had it not, nor from Pj///, nor from any of the True Miniders of 2Cor. 10. Chrifl:, for their Weapons were not Carnal, but 8pi- 4- ritual, nor did they wreHle with Fleili and Blood, Eph.6.i2|^^^ with Spirit: So all they can get from the Apoftles, either in Word or Pradice, is this, That if they be troubled with Errors, or Prophanenefs in their Churches, then if they have the Spirit and Power of the Lord Jefas, then to deliver luch a one iCor.4« up to Satan, for the Deftrudtion of the Fleih, that 5* the Soul may be laved in the Day of the Lord ; And this is not to Goals or Gallows, or Inquifitions or Tortures, or Fires ^ now, had they this Spirit and Power, they would know that which would con- vert in deed and Truth, and not make Hypocrites, or elfe Kill them^ but the Falfe Church having not thefe Weapons, nor this Spirit and Power, is build- Mic. 3. 10^^ with Oppreirion, and upholden with Blood : And in her are found the Blood of all the Holy Martyrs of Jefus, as faith the Scriptures j yea, even now is flie drunk with Blood, ReveL 18. 24. and 17. 6. So now, this is the thing we fay as to the Wor- fhip of our God, and to the Order of it ^ in all things it belongs to Chrift Jefus our Lord, and to Col. I. iSj^jj^ 25 fQJg King and Lord thereof, we commit our felves, even the whole Man, Soul and Body, as to all things of that Nature ; And though there may arife Power after Power, and feek to itpp us of this Liberty and Freedom, by acting Force and Violence upon our outward Man, yet are we free by Birth in Chrift Jefus, and our inward Man they cannot bind ^ nor can we ever, while we abide in that Seed, give up the Right of Chrift unto any of them 5 but this rhll.2. lowe teftifie in all we do, or fufFer, Ibat the Right is Chrijrs^ over our Conjciences^ and over our WorPrAps^ and to him alone we confefs before Men, and he hath the Name in us : And though for a time, or tim.es, we yet fufFer, yet we know the End uiuft come, and the ( ^^YT the Lamb miift take the Kingdom; and we know J 6 So. hini that is true and Faithful, whom the Father ^^^V"^ hath fealed, and anointed to be Head of the Church ^^^ ' which is his Body, and to him muft the Nations ac-joh. 6. 27 count : And therefore we fay to all the feveral Pow- Col. 1. 18 ers that come upon us, we may not deny the Lord in our Confciences, to bow to, or worlhip in what Men fhall fet up or command ^ but he that faves us Mat. 1.21 from our Sins, he fhall lead us in our Worfhip, and to him we mufl give the Obedience of Faith, who gives us Faith and Power by his Spirit to obey, and who hath wrought all our works //? us and for ^x, Piiil»2. 13 and by whofe virtue it is we live, and bring forth to the Praife of God^ and we are not our own, nor Servants of Men, but we are bought with a Price, i Cor. 6. that we may ferve him for ever, by whom we are^^* redeemed, and by whom all Men, without refpedt of Perfons, mud eternally be judged, or jufHfied. Therefore we fay, this is a Priviledge that no Man ihould be hindered of (to wit) the Liberty of his Confcience towards his God \ but that an L^niverfal Liberty for all forts of People to worfhip God, ac- cording as Chrift fhall open Mens Eyes to fee the Truth, and as he fliall perfwade their Hearts by his Spirit \ feeing no Man without Chrift can do any thing in this cafe, acceptable to God^ neither can one Man Worfhip in the Meafure of another, but in his own ?vleafure, as he receives of God in Chriil Jefus, Faith and Strength, and Spirit, for it mufl be in Spirit, and of Faith, elfe it is Sin in God's fight, Rom, 14* whatever Men think thereof. 23. And this is jufl and equal in the fight of God, and all reafonable Men, and that which I know no underflanding Man or Woman would be limited in, feeing all have immortal Souls from God, and to him alone muft account for them, and not to Men j that fo every Soul may ftand and fall to his own Mafter in this cafe, feeing none can ^dVQ his Brother, Rom.i 44 when he hath mifled him, nor account to God for himj therefore he is no Wife Man who will leave the S f Light ( 6a6 ) 1660. Light of Chrifi: that once knows it, to follow ano- L/'V'-N^ ther Man's Opinion: And feeing every Man would have this liberty for himfelt, Why fhould he go a- bout to deny it to his Brother? How is that juft or e- qual ainongft Men ? And how doth it anfwer the Law of Chrift, asChriftians, who hath commanded, Tvlat. 7.12 That all things, Whatfoever you would that Men [hoiild do unto you^ do ye even fo to them^ for this is theLmv and the Prophets. Now if you be not come fo far in equity, as to anfwer the Law and the Pro- phets, how will you anfwer Chrift, you that profefs him in Words. And were it not that Nations and Men were drunk, and bewitched with the Forni Is not this in EfFe6l to fay, Depart from our Naticns, we will have none of thy Ways^, nor [hall any under our Government^ or that will fol- low our Teachings obey thy Spirit^ if we can flop them by our Fozver ^ Is not this to withftand his Appear- ance, and refifl: the Power that you profefs to rule for? Do you not read in the A^ls of the Apoftles and Paul's Epiftles, what Labour and Suffering they un- derwent, to bring People out of carnal Rudiments and Ordinances of Men, and to bring them to the Worfliip in Spirit and Truth alone, both as to Time, Place and Order > How did they Run in Hazard of their Lives into Temples, Synagogues, and fet Places of Worihip, to bring them out of Temples made with Hands, to worlhip where the Spirit Ihould lea.cj (634) i66o. lead them, without Refpedt of Places ^ that fo the KyVKJWoTds of the Lord Jefus might be fulfilled, who Joh. 4. had faid, Not in the Temple, nor in the Mountain^ 21 , 24. but in Spirit and Truth jhould the Fat her be wor/hipped j Aas 7.48. and did not Stephen lofe his Life for telling therii, That i A£ts 17. Q^j ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ U^or/d dwelt not in Temples made I with Hands , and Paul fuffered for the fame Telti- \ mony : And they told them, The moft high God could not be voorjhipped with Mens Hands, nor carnal things, but in Spirit and in Truth, And how often were they tumulted and beaten, and their Blood ftied for this Teflimony againft the beggarly Rudiments and carnal Ordinances of Men, both of Jews, who had their Ordinances from the Letter, and alfo the Gen- tiles, who followed their Cuftoms \ that out of all Carnal Things they might bring them, to fol- low God in Spirit, and therein alone to ferve him. And while j^ou profefs all this in Words, will you te the Men that will deny the very fame in Works ? And iliall you be guiltlefs } Shall not both Jews and GV-;?/j7f J rife in Judgment againfi: you, and condemn you who act againft Knowledge, Scriptures and your own ProfejTion ? And is it not fo with your Rulers and Teachers of this Generation ? What Force and Cruely hath been ufed to bring People back to your Idol Temples made with Hands, there to worihip, and no where elfe, and to repair them, and to bow to the Cufioms of Men there fet up, for which there 2s neither Scriptures nor Example ^ even too many to mention, what Imprifoning and Tormenting of the ipiritual Worfhippers of the Living God hath there beenin thefe laft Days for thefe things ? What - Sufferings have fome gone through but for teftifying againft thefe traditions carnal, and faying the^ Church muft be in God, and that every one muft come to be led by the Spirit alone in all their whok Worfhips, and fo give the Kingdom and Leading of his People to the Leading of Chrift his Spirit again, in all things pertaining to Worihip, Life andGodli- nefs? Hath not this been a dangerous thing in this Age ( 6?5 ) Age to bear this Record of God in Chrift, or fo to 1660. become his Witnefs ? How many have lofl their Li- WOgTsf berties, their Eiiates, and feme their Lives for this Teftimony in Word and Pradtice, which reconciles to God in all his whole Worlhip ? And yet the fame is read and Preached every firft Day among them that do thus againft fuch as live the Life thereof for Tefus fake. Thefe are not the Works of Chriftians indeed, in the Apoftles Sence, but of fuch as know not God, nor the Word of R':Conciliation. How many have fufFered in this Age but for re- proving Sin in the Gate, as Curfing, Pride, Ly- ing and Swearing, ^c ? How have fome been bea- ten, puird and haled, and drag'd through Streets and Kennels, and before Judgment-Seats, and toPri- fons for no other things > How many have wofullj fuffered but for Preaching Repentance through Streets Towns and Markets, in the Name of the Lord, and by the Call of his Holy Spirit ? How many Hun- dreds have been imprifoned for Preaching the ever- lafting Gofpel of Jefus freely, in Towns, Temples, Streets and Markets, and from Houfe to Houfe, which v/as the manner of God's MelTengers in the Name of his Son ever to do, and for which the}?* fuffered ? How many have had their Cioaths rent off their Backs, and been fhamefully beaten till they have been left for dead, and afterward carried to Prifon, for but afking a Queftion, or fpeaking a Word in a Steeplehoule, wliile (or after) a Man hath been fpeaking things doubtful, or not true 5 though this was the Way of Old, in which the Servants of Chrift walked, and by which he gathered the Chur- ches into God in Spirit, and out of falfe Worfhips: And it was the manner of the Apoftles to enter into Synagogues and Places of Worihips, both of Jews ^nd. Gentiles on their Sabbath Days, and openly diipute there with them before their Hearers, and then thofe whofe Hearts God touched, left their carnal Worihips and clave to Chrift in Spirit, which is now become a greater Offence \o this Generation, than 1660. than ever it was either to yenrs or Gentiles 5 for I ^•^/'V? never read that fimply for fo difputing, they either beat them or haled them to Prifon, though they went fometimes three Sabbath Days together into one Synagogue^ yea, the fiery Jews, who were fet on Mifchief againfl: that \Vay, yet this they could fufFer in their Synagogue, as is teflified J6is 17. 2. and faith the Scriptures, this was his manner. And in Afis 18. 4. it is faid, He recfoned in the Syna* gogue every Sabbath Day at Corinth^ where he con» tinued a Year and iix Months, teaching the Word of God among them, Ver. 11. Kow hath not this been the great OflFence of thefe Days ^ yea, I may fay the chiefefi: Crime which the Servants of Jefus Chrifl have fuffered for in this Age, and fcarce none, either Ruler or Teacher is able to bear it once, which they could bear a Year and above, among JezQs and Heathens, So that this Way of Chrift, by which the Churches were ga- thered and called in the Apoftles Time, is become more abominable in the Sight of thofe that call themfelves Chriftians, than it was either to Jews or Heathens, And when neither Laws of Jews, Gen- tiles nor Heathens^ nor fuch as were made in Times of Fopery^ would anfwer their Wills againfl: tliis, then they made new Laws of their own againfl: this Practice, which themfelves read, believe and preach. And this we cannot own, that Men fhould with- fiand that in Works which they profefs in Words, and feek to impofe it upon others, who ferve God therein by the Spirit of Jefus, and then call them- felves Chriftians, and fay the Scripture is their Rule who cannot bear it in them who pradlife it in Obe- dience to Chrift Jefus. And this is that we contend for in all our Suffer- ings, and Actings in the Simplicity of our Hearts, that our Lord and Mafter Jefus Chrifl may have his Prerogative Royal reflored to him, over his Bodjr the Church, and every particular Member thereof, his Lordihip and Maflerlhip given to him alone of all ( 6^7 ) all his Children, from the leaft to the greatefl, and i^^o.' that none elfe force it, or require it from him , but t/'VNJ that his Headlhip alone over his Church, his Lead- ings, and the Seat of his Judgments in every re- deemed Soul and Confcience, may be reftored to him, and that He may have both Name and Au- thority therein, and that none may prefume to take his Authority to themfelves, while they give hiin fair Words, and call him Lord, Lord, but neither do his Will in their own Confciences, nor fufFer them that would. This I fay, is that we feek now at the Hands of Men that are called Chriftians, which by his own precious Blood and Sufferings he once purchafed out of the Hands of the old Perfecutors, and gave it as an Inheritance to his Seed after him to all Generations, to call him Head and Lord in them and over them, in all things pertaining to Worfhip and Confcience, as the Scripture of Truth is evident. And this we fay in his Behalf, and in the Power of his Name, Where-ever he fends us, that though his Adverfary of Old hath ftriven to take this his purchafed Poflelfion from him, and now fits where he jer. io# ought not, commanding Confcience over his Sub- 2, 3, jects, compelling and forcing, to obey his Traditions and Laws, from carnal Precepts and Traditions of Men i yet we fay the Right is Chrifl's alone, and the whole Kingdom of God in every Confcience he hath purchafed with his Blood and great Sufferings of Old. Therefore we fay to all forts of People, Look to him, and walk in his Light, all that look to be faved ^ for we fay, He is a Great and Mighty One, who though he hath been as one gone a far Journey for a Time, yet he is returned, and hath feen how his dear Servants have been entreated, and his little Children fpoiled of their Birth- right, be- ing deprived of their Liberties ^ and now Strangers would rule over their tender Confciences, and feek to defile them with Idolatry, which is againil their Spiritual Birth and Breathing ^ and fo would rob him ( 6^8 ) l66o. him of his Authority, and Scepter of his everlafl- Xy^Y^ing Dominion, for which he will tread Nations in his Wrath, and People in his hot Difpleafure, even iot ZiorCs fake the City of his Glory, and he will fpoil the Spoiler, and lead Captivity Captive, and fo will he make way for his Inheritance, to come into their Habitation of Reft. And this we fay to all People, G IV E UP^ fear God^ and give Glory to h^s Name^ for the Hour of h/s Judgments is come ^ and he will have Dominion as of Old, and his purchafed PofTefTion as in Antient Days •, but efpecially to you who are called Chrifti- ans, and mention his Name, and call him Lord, and profefs the Scriptures in Words, which teflifie of him, his Sufferings, and his Purchafe through his Precious Blood, and the Eternal Anointing of the Father, fworn unto him by an everlafting Cove- nant, That He alone (hall fit on the Spiritual Throne over the Houfe of David for ever, that he may with his Spiritual Leadings gather the Out-cafts of Ifrael^ and prefent to God all the precious among the People. Have you not read, you prcfeifing Priefls and Rulers, That it is He alone that is the lC3i. '^'^,^. Light of the Tfor/d, and that God hath given him for a Witnefs to the People, a Leader and Comman- 'Luk.i.79.der ♦, that it's He that is appointed for a Light to them that fit in Darknefs, and in the Shadow of Deathy to guide their Feet in the Way of Peace. Did God ever fet any at the Right Hand of Power but He alone, that he might make his Foes his Foot- ftool^ of whom he faith, when he brings him into Heb.i.6.the World, Let all the Angels of God z^orfhip hi?n^ Have you not read. That it's he alone that purgeth the Confcience from dead Works? And will you not fuffer^ him to reign or govern therein > Hath not he quickened every living Soul, and created a-new every free Spirit > And would you take and keep the Kingdom therein out of his Hand, and rule there for another or your Selves, with Force and Cruelty > . Is not this He for whom the Sabbath was made, and ( 639 ) and all the Ordinances under Heaven fpeak liis Do- 1660, minion ? And will you now read this, and profefs, ^v^V'S^ and withiland him in the Confciences of his tender People, and deny him to rule in his Church alone ? Have you not read what God hath faid of him and his Enemies in the fecond Pfalni j nay, are not all the Scriptures his, and teftifie to him alone, as Head over all, and Ruler in all his Saints > And as you have heard, read, and profefled his Dominion more than Heathens, and yet go on to keep it from him, fo to you is his Appearance, to feekhis own of you ^ And if you perfift to deny him, it's you muftdrinfc the Cup firft, that the Heathens may hear and fear his Name from far, and his Rifing appear to all the Ends of the World, That it's He alone who is from Everlafting, at whofe Name every Knee muft bow, and Tongue confefs to the Right of his Inhe- ritance. And this further I lay before you People of this w Nation, who have long been crying for Peace and Settlement in the Nations, and in your Religion, and you cry out of fo many Divifions, and fo many Religions : I fay to you all, How fhould you be o- therwife, when you will not come to the one Reli- gion that is of God, as it was in the Beginning, and is clearly manifefted by Jefus Chrift, for the Bringing all into God again, and reconciling. all Sorts of fcattered People, who are fcattered in the Imaginations and Cuftoms of carnal Spirited Men, from God and the one good Thing, into many - Things, Rudiments and Traditions, wherein you can neither be reconciled to God nor one to another, for how is it like that ever that Religion can recon- cile to God, which fets you a killing one another to uphold it ? Are you like to obtain Peace in that Spirit which in your Hearts is the Caufe of Enmity and War? Or obtain Unity from that Root which hath thus fcattered you in its Fruits andOff-fpring ? This is like the falfe Propliets of Old, who would j^^^^j^ ^^ bite with their Teeth, and cry Peace. Nay, ( 640 ; i66o. Nay, this is not the Way of Settlement or lafl- \y^>n^ ing Peace, That you muft have in Returning, and making Peace with the Spirit of Jefus : you muft kifs the Son, and fo make Peace ^ for this hath been feen concerning you of thefe Nations, That if you own not the Light of Chriffc in Spirit and ' Truth, that he may lead you out of thefe many Things which are not of God, and reconcile you to il God in Spirit and Truth, there to worihip him a- ^' lone who is a Spirit, you will e're long be in Blood, either amongft your felves, one againft another, or elfe in the Blood of the innocent Lambs of Chrifl:, 1 which will not be for your Peace with God -, for He that hath letted your Peace and Settlement is not yet taken away, nor his Power, who is that Old Murtherer and Divider of the Nations, People and Tongues, about Faiths and Religions ^ and with which a Fire hath often been kindled ♦, nor can his Col. 2.14, Power be flopped but by the Spirit of the Lamb i5,i6,\7!of God, which takes away Sin, and breaks down 20,21,22. jj^g Wall of Separation, which is made about Heb. 10. Qj.jiinances, literal, ceremonial and traditional, ^^' which can never ceafe but as Men turn to the Spirit of the Lord Jefus, that with the Light of Peace and Truth, you may be led into Peace, Truth and Unity, that Wrath may be done away,^ and the Ground thereof, and you and your Religion may be fetled on the Foundation of Truth, Chrijl Jefus the chiej Corner Stone •, and not upon Days, Times, Meats, Drinks and Apparel, and other things which will perifli v/ith theUfing-, and fo will they that Worihip, and not in the Leadings of Chrift a- lone, and God will Ihake the Idols of Peoples Minds, and all the Glory of Flelh, that He a- lone may be Exalted in the Earth, as He is in Heaven. So if you will have Peace you mult come to the Son of Peace-, and if you will have Eftablilhment, you muft come to the Foundation of the Prophets and Apofiles of God ; For I fay, many have been about ( Hi ) aLout to build a Houfe for God to dwell in with 1660. carnal Things and Rudiments, and this they would '^^V'N^ limit him to (and his People) who is a Spirit, and his Houfe mull; be built of fpiritual Men and Wo- men, who like living Stones mnfl grow up in his own Light and Virtue into a H0I7 Teinple in the Lord 5 in ivhich you mufl: be buikled together for an Habitation of God through the Spirit, Efb. 2. 20, 21, 22. And this is God's Houfe built by Chrift a- lone, which is elect and precious, not with Gold and Garments, or Obfervations of Perifning Things, but of Redeemed Souls by the Blood of Jefus out of their vain Converfation, and gathered into the Spirit of Truth and Life, and Power toworiliip God, who is a Spirit, in Spirit and Truth •, and this is God's Houfe at this Day, and fuch v/as his Houfe in the Apoftles Days, who dwells not in Temples 7?iade with Hands^ as faith the Apoffles, nor with Mens Hands is worihipped, but by him that's poor in Spirit, and of a broken and contrite Hearty to him will I /^^/^, Ifa. 65. 2, faith the Lord, and there will I dwell ^ and the Bo- dies of his People are the Temples of the living Godj as he hath (aid, I will dwell in the m^ and walk in them, and Izsoill be their God^ and they /hall be my Peoph^ 2 Cor. 6. 16. And until you come to this Building of God in your felves, God will not dwell with you in Peace, but all 3^our Buildings will he confound, and not accept your Sacrifice, and then the Devil will enrage you againft God's Houfe and Spiritual Building, even his poor defpifed People, them to deftroy ^ like Cain when his Sacrifice was not accepted in his own Will. But ii you turn to the Lord, who is that Spirit, then will he caufehis Light to fhine in your Hearts, to give you an Heavenly Underftanding, and he will put his Spirit in your inward Parts, and fill you with heavenly Power, and will let you fee the live- ly Lnage of Truth and Peace ^ and he will take a- way x\\Q Vail of the Covering that is fpread over Ifa. 2^.7,8 all Nations, from which arifes all their carnal Com- ^f^^^'^-B* Tt prehenllons'^^'^''^* ^42 ) i66o. prelienfions and carnal Worfhips of the Invifible L/W?God, and he will alfo fwallow up Death in Vidory^ which now worketh in the Nations, to kill one an- other about Religion and Worfhip without Spirit and Life : So will you come to be taught his true Worfhip, who is a Spirit, and become true Worlhip- pers in Spirit ^ and fo grow up in his Knowledge, and he will own your Worfliip, whom as yet you Joh. 5.37. have neither heard his Voice at anyjlme, riorfeen his Shape, And Chrifl: faith of fuch Worfhippers, Ton. worfhip you know not what 5 but the true Worfhip- pers worlhip in Faith, and know what they wor- ihip, zn^fuch the Father is now feek'tng to worfhip him^ faith Chrifl: Jefus, 'John 4. 22, 2?, 24. And this is the thing, O England! that concerns Luke 10. *^T Peace with thy God in this thy Day, who art 42. * cumber'd with many things about Worlhip, but & 10. 4ijnegleds the one thing needful for thy everlafi:ing 42' Peace and Eftabliiliment, and to bring thee into that Worlhip in Spirit, without which God cannot ac- Jam.i.27.cept thee, and that Religion which is pare and un- defiled in the Sight of God, which will keep thee unfpotted of the World ^ which till thou turnefl: to, thou wilt be working againft the Spirit of God, through the Darknefs of Enmity, that is in thee, and he will certainly work againft thee, except thou repent. J. N. R. H. Tart (^45 ) — 1 6 So. Part of His Anfwer to the Book^ called^ The Fanatick Hijioryj (So far as concerns himfelf) Which "was faid to he ^uhlijhed "with the approbation of divers Orthodox Di- vines^ (fo called) and dedicated to the King by Richard Blome. Printed in the Year, 1660. i^ Anfmr to the Efijlle dirscted to KJ'^^g Charles* Friend, THOU feemefl to dedicate thy Book of falfe Accufations to King Charles^ and wouldeft put it upon him, (as Matter of Duty) to be Patron there- of ^ but it is Wifdom in all Men, but efpecially in Rulers, to know what they father, or take upon them to defend, in this Day, when the Old Lyar and Murderer is at work in the Earth, feeking, and creeping into every feveral Government, to ftir them up that are in prefent Power, by falfe Accu- fations to perfecute God's innocent People ^ yea, what Power hath rifen in this Age, which hath not been by flattering Titles tempted hereunto, and alfo o- vercome, by a fort of Teachers and People vvhichpj-Q^^,!^; are not the Children of Peace, nor have v/rought Peace in thefe Nations^ or the Rulers thereof ^ but Tt ^ Blood ( ^44 ) i66o'. Blood and Cruelty: And if King Charles looks to ^^Ot^^^ be eflablilhed in Peace, and Truth, and Righteouf- nefs, which is the Anointing of God, then he mufl 20. 8. not Patronize Lies, nor Countenance Wickednefs 12. and Envy, whichistheSubflance of thy Book which ^^*thou wouldefl: have defended, and againfi: a Harm- * left) People, whom thou wouldefl: have him fuddenly to rtftrain, and that under Pretence of defending EccL5.8.the Faith of Chrift. But, Friend, to reflrain People from following the Light of Chrifl: in their Confci- ences, and his Truth in the inward Parts, is not to iTim. 3. defend his Faith ; which Faiths a My fiery ^ and held 9' in a pure Con/cience. And they that follow the Jam. 16. x.amb, are led by his Spirit and Truth in the in- ^^* ward Parts : And this the Eternal God of Heaven Joh.4. 24. a"<^ Earth requires, and leeks fuch to worlhip him, Plal. 2.< And thus to reflrain is not for the King's Safety, nor the Work of his Sword , nor are you the Friends of his Eflablilhment in God's Peace, v/ho would put him upon it to pleafe your bloody Spirits. But to Horn. i3.refl:rain open Prophanenefs, and to be a Terror to 3» Evil Doer Sy and to preferve People from the Fifi of Amos 5. Wickednejsy and io deliver the Poor and Helplefsfrom ^* hnn that n toojirongfor him^ and to bring Judgment into the Gates^ and make ir free for all Sorts of Peo- ple, without Refpect of Perfons or Opinions, that ^ the Evil doer may be puniihed, and th^ Well-doer encouraged in every Corner of the Nations, that when God comes to enquire for innocent Blood or OpprelUon, it may not be found, nor Violence in the Lind. This is that which God looks for at the Hands of Ifj. $. 7. Kings and Rulers, that they bear not the Sivord in vain. And this you cry not for, by which his Au- 32. 7. thority may be owned of God, and fubjected to for Coniciencu fake-, but you would have that of God in the Confcience ftiiied, and reftrained, and then what is all Obedience worth towards God, or Men, or Rulers^ but to follow any thing that is x^t up, and be true in Heart to nothing ? Ami many fuch Spirits ( 645 ) Spirits will be found in this Nation, if ever King t-^^o. Charles ftand in need to prove them further than bj^ V/V>J Flattery or Self- Ends, as thofe have found th^t were before him. And whether it will be his Wildom to fall upon the tender L-'.mbs of Chrift, and feek to reftrain them from following their Leader, and fo procure his Wrath for pleafing thefe Spirit.*-:, ht the Wife in Heart judg.^, who have duly ohferved God's Appearance, towards fuch a Work all along in this Age. And whereas thy Complaint is, That if his Ma- jefly put not jorth his Royal HarJ of Power, fuddairi' ly to reflrain us, we are fo numerous and. f educing, that we will (in a little time) dejufe ourPoyfon over the better Part cf his Kingdom^ which none but a E.egal Authority can fifle, I fay then, what is herome of j^onr Spiritual Weapons? Have not your Teachers told People of the Strength of Truth, and the Power o][ Godiinefs? Have you loil both (may Wifdom fay) and run you 2 C\ now to the Arm of FleiTi, to get Errors flijlcd (as4>'>' you call them) or elfe your Hope is loff, and your^P^f*^' Faith fails you > Did ever any of Chrifl'sMinillers ^^' "^'^ leave their fpiritual Weapons, to run to the Arm of Fleih, or a carnal Weapon, to Hop Seducers? I fay. No 5 this they never did, but with fpiritual Wea- pons they wreftUd and overcame Spiritual Wicked- nefs, and with them cut down Herefies, Blafphemies and^ falfe Worfhips, and cleared the Churches of Chrift of them, and drove them down before them in the World ^ for none could refift the Spirit by which they /poke, of all the falfe Priefts and falfe Aa.^i Worihippers : but being put to the worft, they cried (as you do) to Rulers and People, Help us, or all will be overrun • hor they that turn the World upfde down are come hither x, (mind your Cry.) And \hen the Rude Multitude run on Heaps upon them, and made Tumults often, and fell upon them with s'taves ^^' and Fifls, and ailaulted the Houfes that entertained them, as you do, and fo haled them before Rulers ^^ I v/ho ^or. 2: ( 646) i^(5o. who took their Part herein, and put them inPrifon, i^^^N^ and often whip'd them, unlefs it were fome that were fo noble, as not to heed the Cry of the Multi- 25.i$,i6.tude5 but would hear their Caufe, and give them leave to fpeak, before they would fentenre them that were accufed. And .this was the Nobility of Hea- then Kings and Rulers •, and do not you feektomalce England's Rulers worfe than them > ' Beware left Hea^ thens rife up in the Day of Judgment againft them who are called Chriftians, and condemn them. And in this your Cry for Help, ^againft fo con- temptible a People (as you count them) you (like filly Women) do but difcover your Weaknefs and Worthlefnefs ^ and if God open the Eyes of King Chiirles he will fee it. What ! Have you preached and w re ft led your felves out of all Hope and Faith, that either you muft have fuddain Help from him, or all is loft and over-run ? Surely it may be faid, you have been bad Watchmen and idle Shepherds, who have loft all if fuddain Help come not from another Hand. Now if any had come againft you v/ith carnal Weapons, then had you had fome Ex- cuiein crying to" the Earthly Powers ^ but in that nothing bat Spirit comes againft Spirit, and yet you have \o?z the Day. This doth clearly manifeft. That the Power of God you have not in you, but have loft the Kingdom of the Moft High, and fo are ! ThefT.?, become unreafonable Men, v/ho would have two :. Weapons againft: one, and another to do your Work fvH' you, and yet are unwilling to forego your Wages -, yea, this Advantage you have had divert i Years, but have not prevailed therewith. And whereas thou i^zjt^ Thy Book is of great Conjcqiicnce \ and fo thou prefumefl: to make King Charles the Patron of it : And then afkeft Pardon for x^wj Prefumption when thou haft done. I fiy thou haft need, the Subftance of thy Book being made up of falfe Accufations, gathered up oat of Books formerly written againft us, which have been di.^proved b]7Aafwers feveral times over : And ( 647 ) And to thefe thou haft added fome New Acciifations, 1660" as falfe as the Old, and fpied out the Failings ofl/'y^ fbme few, who have mourned before God, that ever they Ihould Sin, and give Occafion to the Enemy of God fo to blafpheme. And many things which were done and fpoken by others, who are not of us, nor ever were : And of this is thy Book made up, as any may fee who read it, and our feveral Anfwers to the Charges therein, many of them of feveral Years ftanding, againfi: thefe falfe Accufa- tions, which have moft of them been Printed over* and over, and prefented to the former Powers that have rifen, and as often anfwered : So there needed no more to be faid, than hath been, were it not for the fakes of fome, who may yet be Strangers to your Way of Dealing towards us, under every Pow- er that hath been. NowDifcretion will iliy, that to make another Man the Father of fuch a Work, to which he is a Stranger (but efpecially a King) is Prefumption indeed, Raflinefs and Folly, and needs a Pardon. And whereas you now fay. That ;2o;7e but a Regal Authority can flifle •, It's true, you have tried Par- liaments and Protestors (as you called them) and Parliaments again 5 And to make them then Work for you, your Priefts ufed thefe Arguments to them, (to wit) That in the late Wars they had expofed Lives, Liberties^ Eftates and Relations, with all other per- fonal Advantages^ in maintaining the jufl Proceedings of FarliamentSy and from them you then claimed our ftifli^g-t ^s the Price of your Prayers^ Vurfesy Hazards, Lojfesy Banijhment and Blood, as may be read in the iVeflmorland Petition againfi: us, which thou haft Printed in Page 197, and 198. And was not this Power that which you then called the cotn- monEne7ny, in the fame Petition, /?. 200. which you now cry to,and would put him upon that Work againft us now, as Defender of your Faith, 6^ But this is that you may co- ver your felves with your Shame and Env}^ that both King and People, and Parliaments, may fee what a Generation you are, that will run under any Power to get your bloody Ends-, but indeed true to none^ for if it v/as true, that you were fo Faithful to that Parliament, with your Prayers, Purfes and Blood, as there you Plead, then is your Faith but iievv^, which now you v/ould have defended 5 but if not true, then how great deceivers, and how little to be truiled, or defended, in your Cruel deflgns. . The Ki/!g that fahhj ally Judges ihe Poor, his Throne JhaU be eftahlilhed jor ever. But If a Ruler hearken to Lies, all his Servants are Wicked, Pro v. 29. 12, 14. And to thee, who haft fet forth this Book of Mif- chief, I fay v/ith the Scriptures, Lay not wait (0 wicked Ma/i) againfl the dtvelling of the Righteous^ fpcil not his Rcfling Place. For a Jaft Man falleth feven times, and rifeth up again-, but the Wicked fhall fall intoMiJcbief, Prov. 24. 15, 16. fee alfo i^li A 7. 8. J. iv: In JlnJ^jj€7^ to the Book. HE Day is come that the Scripture is fulfilled, which the Lord fpoke by his Prophet, Ifaiah 44. 25:. That he will make the Diviners Mad-, and that The Prophets fiall be afhamed, every one of his Vifion, Zachv n . 4. The which doth now evidently appear, and their Folly is made manifeft unto all, that will fee and behold it, according to 2 Tim, 3. 9. And is not this manifeft Madnefs and Folly in them, called Orthodox and Divines, to prefent unto the King ( 649 ) King their Packet of Lies, which have been feven i6<$o. Years told over, and fo long fince difproved and ^y^^/^lj confuted, as may be feen in a Book called SauPs Errand to Bamafcus^ Sec. Printed in the Year 1655, and in feveral other Books fince. It already hath been, and is now inanifeft nnto all Men of foberUn- derftandings, that thefe Men, falfly called Orthodox and Divines, have had no Defence, eithei* to vin- dicate theinfelves, or difprove the People called ^takers : But this refuge of Lies, which they firft prefented to the Parliament fitting in 165:2, and likewife to other Parliaments which have been fince that time, and to the two Protectors, and now to this prefent King is directed \ and you prefumptu- oufly charge him to be the Patron to it, requiring him to defend thofe Lies which you falfly call the Faith. But this we know, according as it is written, Vrov. 29. 12, 19. That If a Ruler hearken to Lies, nil his Servants are wicked-^ but a Wife King fcattereth the Wicked, and bringeth the Wheel over them, Thefe pretended Divines, are fuch as have bowed and crouched under every appearance of a Power, and by Flatteries i^QQm to cleave unto them, that they might uphold, maintain and fatisfie their God, which is their Bellies : Thefe v/ere of them which faid, That Oliver Cromwell wa^ the Light of their Eyes, and the Breath of their Nofirils : So that now with Ihame they might rather Confefs that they are Blind, and Dead (from the Light and Life of God) than to multiply Lies in their accuftomecj manner, as formerly. Thefe alfo were of them that faid, Oliver Cromwell was Mofes, who had led them into a Sight of the Good Land-^ and that Richard his Son was Jofhua, which fhould lead them into the Fof- fejfion. But we, with many more, do fee that their Hope is falfe, and their Faith alfo proved vain, and that they are not yet in the Land of Fromife^ for there no Liars come. And thofe former Rulers hearkening to their Lies were deceived by them, v;hich v/as the Caufe of God's Judgments, and utter Deftrudion (650) t66o, Deflruftion coming upon them 5 which while they V^VN^put into the Priefts Mouths, they cryed Peace unto them, calling them Mqfes, Aaron^ and "^ofhua 5 but when they ceafed, and could not put into their Mouths, then they cryed out, that Mofes and Jojhua were Tyrants and OppreJJors : And fo will they do unto the King now, who are feeking to cleave unto him by Flattery and Deceit ^ which if he deny to be the " Patron and Defender of their Lies, will be apt to cry as much againft him. So that he, or they, are bleifed, whofe Ears are not open to their Clamours, hnt whofe Hearts are joyned to the Truth, and who are led by the Spirit of God as their Inftructor^ for fuch fhall difcern Hypocrites, and falfe hearted Men under every pretence of Flattery or Diiiimulation ; for the FoUy of thefe begins to be manifejl unto all Men. 2 Tim. g. 9. Now as in anfwer to the Hiftory, concerning John To/dervey, aflerted by a company of Priefis, ^s Brooks^ Cocking^ Goodwin^ Jenkins^ Jaco?nb^ Alderry^ Tombs and Vool^ whom themfelves fay, that they have but perufed a Part, as Page 99, and yet pretend to wit- nefs the whole \ whofe witnefs is difprox^'ed and de^ nied by the faid John Toldervcy^ both by his own Book given forth from him, and by his Life and Converfation, being now ( Jince his return jrom his outgoing ) a living Witnefs, not againft, but for the Way, Do6lrine, Principle and Practice, which the People called fakers do live in, againft thofe Lies publiflied abroad concerning him. And as for thy Charge thou haft againft J. Naylor^ through the Everlafting Mercy of iny God, I have 3''et a Being amongft the Living, and Breath to an- fwer for my felf, though againft the Intents of ma-^ ny cruel bloody Spirits^ who purfaed my Soul unto Death (as much as in them lay) in that Day of my Calamity, when my Adversary was above, and wherein I was made a Sign to a Backfliding Genera- tion, who then would not fee nor hear what now is CQming upon them, but rejoyced againft this piec^ of (651 ) of Dull, and had little pity towards him that was 1660, fallen into their Hands; wherein God. was Jufl: in V*Y^U giving me up for my Difobedience, for a little Mo* ment, as a Father to corred ^ yet iliould not they have fought to aggravate things againfi: me, as thou doft, for it was a Day of .deep Diftrefs, and lay fore upon my Soul, and the Merciful God faw it, who though he was difpleafed for a Time, yet his thoughts were not to caft oiF for ever ( but extend Mercy ) as it is at this Day, Glory be to his Name, from my delivered Soul Eternally. And in that Day there were many Spirits flock'd about me, and fome whom while the Candle of the Lord Ihone upon m.y Head, I ever judged and kept out from me, who then got up and acted, and fpoke feveral things not in the Light and Truth of God, by which they v/ho fought occafion againft me then was ftrengthned to afflict this Body, and he that watches for Evil, in thee and fome others, makes ufe on ftill againft God*s Truth and Innocent People; v/hofe Mouths the God of my Mercy flop, and fo finifti the Trouble of my Heart as to that thing, for my Soul hath long dwelt among Lyons, even among them that are fet on Fire, Jfhofe Teeth are Spears and Arrows^ and their Tongues a Jharp Sword, /peak- ing mi/chievous things to Jhed Blood. But O Man, or Men, whoever you be, whofe Work it is to gather the Failings of God's People in the time of Temptation, or night of their Tryal, and aggravate them, and add thereto the Wickednefs and Mifchievous Lies of your own Hearts, as thou haft done in thy Book, and then come oat with thofe againft God's Everlafting Holy Truth it to Reproach ; i fay, you are fet on work by an Evil Spirit, and you do but Ihew your felves to be Enemies to God and his Children 5 and it is our Sorrow, that any of us fhould give fuch Spirits occafion to Blafpheme \ and it hath been trouble of Soul to all the People of God, that have ever loved Righteoufnefs, when they have thus occafion ed the Joy of the Wicked, or tQ (650 i66o> to feed the Man that watches for Iniquity, and feeds t^W>on Mif chief : Yet know this, you that are of that brood, God will not caft off his People 5 though he be fometimes provoked to corred them, even before their Adverfaries (which is a Sign to them ) yet is his Anger but for a Moment, and his Favour iliall Return as Streams of Life -^ then fhall the Food he taken out of the Mouth of the Viper, and the Prey from between the Teeth of the Devourers ^ and God will feed them with their own Vomit, and the Poy- fon that hath long lain under their Tongues Ihall be bitter in their own Bowels. Thus will God certain- ly P/ead with Z'wns Enemies, m he bends her Sons for himfelf^ and God will make up her Breaches : And this hath my Soul feen, Jacob's Captivity reflored, and the diggers of the Pit are fallen therein , neither hath he fmitten him as he fmote them that fmote him, nor is he flain according to the flanghter of them that are flain by him ^ but this is all, His Fruit to purge away his Sin, So he that had long watched for iny faltering then got advantage againlt me ^ yet had I then Power to bear his utmoft Envy, through Chrifi fefus, whom I then confejjed before Men, who then was my fupport in all, and under all, and who is over all, blefled for ever of all who have proved him in the Depth. But that which was, and is the Sorrow of my Heart, is the advantage the Enemy then took againft the Name of Chrift, his Truth, and his deipil'ed People, in that time of Temptation, which is that which thou art now purfuing with Hatred and Lies, as That I woi fufpe&ed to have a Woman in bed with ^^c, the Night before I fuffered at V>x\[io\, when there were fix or feven Perfons in the Room that Night, and a Man (to wit ) Robert Rich in bed with me. Bat this, and feveral other falfe things thou hafi: written in thy Book, of which 1 am clear before the L ord, fo they touch me not at alU nor fliall 1 here mention them againft thee in particular ^ but to God alone I look, in his time to be cleared from all Often - \ ( 65? y Ofrences in his fight, who only knows my Heart in 16^0- this thing, in whofe Prefence I can fay, that no- L/'VNJ thing is more Odious and Burthenfome to my Soul, than that any ot the Glory or Worfhip which be- longs to God, or to Chrift, fhould be given to Flefh and Blood, in my felf or others: And how it was with me at that Day many talk of, but few know^ fo the Judgment of fuch I bear, defiring that none in judging me, might have condemned themfelves in God's Sight, whofe Counfels are a great Beep^ and ihe End of Jm Work paft findi/ig out^ till he himfelf reveal them \ but in the End he will be juftified of all, and in all he doth, that all Flefh may be filent before him. And however my felf, or any others may be left to themfelves, to be tryed in the Night, yea fhould any utterly fall, or whatever may be adted by any Man or Woman, that is not juflifiable in God's Sight, yet in vain dofl thou, or you, gather up Sin, or watch for Iniquity, to cafi upon the Light which Condemns it in every enlightned Confcience, and there will clear himfelf to be no Author nor Aclor therein ^ and I know by the Spirit of Jefus, which I have received, and which worketh in me, that this is not his Work, nor his Seed, nor in him that loves his Enemies, thou art not \ but the Old Accufer of the Brethren it is that worketh ftrongly in thee 5 and in the Light which thou reproacheft, art thou feen to be The Man that makes Lies^ and carries Tales tofjed Blood, Ezek. 22. 9, 12. [ The reft of this Book, in anfwer to the Priefis Old lying Stories againft Truth and Friends, not being fo material to be inferted, is here omitted.] ( 654 ) jl U^ord of Reproof to the Minifxers of the Mdtion^ ^whoje Kingdom is already Jhaken and divided agamft it [elf [py'^- ceding the difiinSlion of The True Mi^ nifters — from the Falfe. Writ by G. W^. and jF. N. in Reply to jT. Be-Mck'] JBeing a Word to the /aid John Bewick, and the re II of his Brethren the Hireling Priefts, voho are in his Way, WHETHER are 3^ou now run for a Refuge and Defence for your Tythes, and fet Main- tenance? Doth all your old Grounds fail you that formerly you have pleaded? Are you driven out of Scripture, of Chrift and his Apoftles , out of all the; Law of God there, and out of Law of Nations and Countries^ and would you now fly to Mclchijedeck for Help? What! Is there no Scripture Command that will own you in your Yearly Stipends ^ and are you afraid of Mens Laws failing you ^ and are you now fled from all your former Pleas, and think you to find help from Mekhifedeck ^ Did you not for- merly plead Divine Right, and told us, ^^j the Scriptures you would prove it ^ and then being dri- ven out of all Commands, or Examples in Scripture, then you pleaded the Cuftom of the Country, and National Law •, and by that in Oliver\ time you took Mens Goods, and cafl: them into Prifon, and made Havock and Spoyl abundantly ? And then many of you would not plead Scripture at all \ but by Cu- ftom and Humane Law you would have it. And dare you no longer depend upon that ? And dare you (655) iibw thinic Melchifedeck will {land you in flead, or j66q, own you in your Work and Trading, any moreVy^VN^ than the Prophets and Apoftles? What ! Are ye of the Order of Melchifedeck now, who but a while a* go inuft needs plead the Order of Levi? And then, when that Order and your Manners would not ftand together, then you pleaded the Order of Nations. And now thou J. B, in thy Book, wouldft make People believe. That you are after the Order of Mel- chifedeck, and that Tythes were yours before they were given to Levi, and that he had them but for a time, by afpecialCommand, till you came ^ and then you were to come up after the Order of Melchifedeck, and fo you muft now enjoy them for ever. Sec, ^ But now you muft be tried in the Light, whether you be of that Order or no, as well as you have been tried with the Order of Levi -, And if you be found of his Order, then we will grant you to have Right to his Maintenance (if you will be but content with it) for we muft needs think it meet, That Children Ihould inherit tl^e Right of their Fathers. So if you be Melchifedeck's Children, you will do his Works, which were to relieve the weary Soldier with his own Bread and Wine ^ fo you may expedt his Reward, if they be free to give it you, as A- bram was of his Spoils : For we never read that it was the Order of Melchifedeck^ to ravine about after outward things, nor fued People for Hire, nor fpoiled their Eftates, nor caft them into Prifon, nor any way fought after Gifts or Rewards: Nor do we read that he ever required or received any yearly Tythes of any People or Parifh, either Sheaves, Beafts, Swine, Fowles, or the like, which was to relieve their Families, from any Creature, but as he was the Frieft of the moft High God, not called nor made of Men. So he was maintained by him, and not by Men, and he was like to him^ that called him, a bountiful Man ready to give, ready to blefs and to relieve others in their Way-, as ap- pears in what he did to Abra?n and his Army in th§ 1660. the Way, he met them with Bread and Wine, and •W^"^ gave them freely, and afked them nothing again, and fo he received freely Tythes oi Abrajns Spoils; but never can any of you prove, that he had the Tythes of Jbrarns Edate, Stock or Tillage, nor ever demanded, or fued, or took by Force any Part of any Man's Goods upon any pretence what- foever. So here is Me /ch if e deck's Order •, if you be of it, and his Children, then yoii will own it, and it will ^, own you, and we fhall own it alfo in you. And in this Order we find him. who was of thatPiieflhood, Chrifl: Jefus, a Priefi: for ever after his Order, who to us is an Example for ever;, and all that walk contrary we deny, who faid, lis more blejjed to give than to receive^ who was bountiful in feeding o- thers, but for himfelf he had not whereon to lay his Head. This was after the Order of Melchlfedeck^ and all his are after him for ever ; and thei'^fore none of his Minifters did ever require any thing for themfelves but what was free, not covc^ting any Man's Gold, Money or Apparel, nor evei in the leaft did mention Tythes to themfelves, or m,ake any Yearly Bargain about Carnal things whatfo-- ever, but Preached free/y and Received freely^ or nothing. And this in Scripture we find to be the Order of Melchifedeck^ and the Order oj Chrift and of his Jpoft/es, if you can receive it. But on the Contrary, when we fee a Sort of Men who never heard God's Voice, running and enquiring who can get the greatefl- Yearly Stipend, Tythes, or Augmentations, and tearing Peoples Bodies and Eflates, if they get it not, according to the Ha- i^ock that hath been made by thePriefts of this Na- tion in thefe late Years, this was never the Order of Melchifedeck^ Chrift or his Apoftles, nor the Order of Aaron neither, who had a Law for Tythes, but the Order of £//'s Sons, who were Sons of Be- lial^ who knew not the Lord, and therefore fent their ("^57 ) their Servants to take it by force, as now hath been j66o] done, to the Spoiling of many Families. O'^V'NJ So you are found further from the Order of Mel- chifedeck, Chrifl and his Apoftles, than from the Order of Lev'i^ as far as the Priefthood and A'lini- ftration of Chrift, exceeds in Bounty and Freeiiefs the Miniftration of Mo/es -^ fo far are you come ' Ihort in your Orders and Manners, in this covetous Pradtife after Earthly Things. And you are i^i^QXi to be after the Order of thofe who mind Earthly Things, which the Apoftles foretold of, who were coming up in their Time, who ferved not the Lord Jefus Chrift, but their own Bellies, and made Merchan- dize of People in their Times through covetous Pradifes. And this hath been the Order and Manners of you, as your Pradifes have proved in thefe late Years, to the Ruining of many Families^ and fo your Manners have declared your Order and Defcent, none that ever were from above doing fuch things. So it's in vain to feet to cover that with Words, which is fo monftroufly broken out into contrary Adions : the Sheeps Cloathing can no longer cover your various Natures. And for this End hath God Idt you to your felves, that your Praclifes may ex- ceed, and fo make you manifeft to the full. And thus hath he left you, that the more you feek to cover your felves with deceitful Words, the more you give Occafion lx)r People to mind your unan- fwerable Lives, which are become fo boundlefs in Covetoufnefs, Pride and OpprelTion, that neither Chrift, Melchifedeck nor Mojcs can own you therein, nor will anfwer what you do. So that when you have done what you can, you mufl be driven back to her that brought you forth, who ride* upon the Beaft ^ for no other Power will own you, nor bear you in your Praftifes. O unreafonable Men, what nnreafonable Work have you made in thefe late Years in this Nation ? What Begging and Petition- ing have you made to every feverai Power, to en- U u large 1^60. large your Benefits? what thrufting out one another C/VN; out of great Livings to get in your felves: And when you have got in, what Havock have you made of the Peoples Eftates, and flill cried to the Earthly Powers for more Maintenance ? What Suing and Calling into Prifons of poor People ? How have you curfed the great ones that were over you when they would notferve your turn, and ftirred up Wars againft them, till all have been as Heaps by your Means ^ How have you flattered fuch as would feed you, while they had Power, and when they fell, then you have reviled them, and crept under the next, and flattered them alfo ^ and all for Tythes and Augmentations, and the like ^ which thou callefl: the Golden Oil. And yet you would have us believe you are not covetous, nor preach for Lucre. And you do deceive with your feigned Words fuch as are not able to judge between your Words and your Pradifesj and fo the Blind lead the Blind, and you hate the Light that difcovers you ^ and we can truly fay. That it is not becaufe we have wronged, or falfly rendered you, that you thus hate ns above all Men ^ but for the Light that is in us, and the Truth that makes you manifefi:. And we have Gods W^itnefs with us and in us, that we hate not your Perfons, but your ungodly Practifes, and fo much the more are we made to tefl:ifie againft you, as you feek to cover your felves with wrefl:- ing the Scriptures, and taking the Name of Chrifl:'s Minifters upon you, but walk in fuch Ways as none of his ever walked in : And in Faithfulnefs to God and godly Men, we cannot allow you neither Mel- chijedeck^ Chrifl nor his Apoftles, nor any of their Words to cover you, until you come into their Liv'es, and leave your Devouring and Covetous Pradifes. And could ;ft thou bluih, thou hadfl: never had a Face to have quoted fuch Scriptures in this thy Book, and laid them upon the falfe Prophets and falfe Teachers of Old, whilfi thy felfart found in the (659 ) the very fame Steps: So that Modefty cannot but I6^c,' admire how thou couldeft pafs tlirough them, and ^./VXI not be wounded in thy Confcience, and made a* Ihamed 5 what a Forehead have you gotj* Or that ever thou Ihouldeft lo much as mention one Scrip- ture of the Apoftles, or any Minifters of Chrift under the Law, to prove Tythes due to a Minifter of Chrifl: under the Gofpel ? A thing which none of them ever owned, or To much as mentioned, other- wife than as to deny them: What a reprobate Senfe are fbme Men now given up to ? Or was ever Truth fo perverted contrary to the Life and Practife thereof > And as for Me/chi/edeck, whom thou v/ouldefl make thy Refuge, he will not own you, nor ferva your Turn, who only received Tytlies of the Spoil of what was taken by the Sword, and that but once, and that not by Command nor Demand, but by a free Gift, upon his Feeding the Soldiers firfi: with Bread and Wine freely. How this will afford you an everlafting Law, to demand the Tenth of Peo- ples Labours and Eftates, by which they ihould re- lieve their Families, and not finding them fr^e there- in, to take it by Violence ^ they are blind indeed, who fee you not therein, your falfe Ground and falfe Covers. And whereas you Teachers ufe your Tongues for your great Tythes and fet Maintenance ^ and the more to prevail upon doubtful-minded People, you take the Apoftles Words, and by putting your Mean- ings on them, make fome People believe, that when they fpoke of Living on the Gofpel, they meant Tythes and Augmentations, ^c. We fay, Alas ! de- ceived Men, you cannot deceive us therewith, for we in Plainnefs tell you, That the Practife of the true Prophets and Apoftles, gives the true and open Meanings of their Teachings and Writings, and to that muft you come before their Words can own you, or we allow you their Words, as to have part or PolTeffion in them 5 for we know the true Mini- U u 2 fters ( 66o ) i6(5o. flers of Chrifl "preached not for their Bellies, nof i'^''^'^^"^ their Mafterftiips, nor fought themfelves, nof ever named Tythes, as belongiiig to them, in any Cafe, nor was ever Augmentation in the Bargain to any People, as to their Preachmg and Gofpel, nor did they claim a great Houfe to dwell in, bur in all things laboured to follow their Lord and Mafter, who had no PofTeirion in the Earth, for which they left what they had of their own, to be as he was, and preached freely as he did. And this Teflimo- ny is given of them in the Scriptures of Truth, That they wandered to and fro, in Hunger, Cold and Nakednefs, having no certain Dwelling Place. And this was their Reward, namely. To make the Gofpel without Charge^ that it might be as free to others, as they had received it of God : And they never handled the Word for Gain, nor taught for filthy Lucre, nor made Merchandife with it, as. What will you give me ^ Judas-like ^ nor had they Great Houfes to live in, and great Tythe-Barns to lay up earthly Treafure, nor any way exercifed Covetous Pradtifes,but had whole Churches, to which they had not been chargeable at all. Now for Men to take fuch Mens Words, to cover their Covetous, Cruel and Ravenous Spoil and Iin- prifonments, would be as the taking a Sheep's Skin to put on a Wolf's Back, and then fay he is a Sheep, which might deceive the Sheep, but could not change the Wolf's Nature. Wherefore we cannot fee the Holy Men of God fo abufed and be filent, as to have their Words fo wrefied, quite contrary to the Life thereof, and their Godly Innocent Lives fo wrongea, as to bereprefented as Men of fuch Man- ners and Behaviour. So let them alone, and their Holy V/ords and Godly Innocent Lives 5 Abufe them not by taking them into your Mout-hes, foas to reprefent them to be Men of your Order and Be- haviour. And Melfh'jjedeck and Chrift, caufe not their Names to be evil thought on, by making People believe believe them to be Fathers or Authors of fuch Spoil 1660, or Bondage to poor People, or of the trueGofpel be- '--^^^''NJ ing fo chargeable. This is charged upon you all, ?is you will anfwer him in his Day, wheu he conits in all his H0I7 Ones, whom wicked Men have be- lied 5 and in the mean time be afhamed of your comparing your felves with them, and confounded in your Abufe of the Holy Scriptures, and of the Holy Mens Lives ^ for the Light is come from on high, and Guile is found in your Mouthes, and Earthlinefs in 3'our Minds. And you that call your carnal Maintenance of Tyrhes and Augmentations the Golden Oyl (as thou doft in thy Book) are feen, in the Light of God, to be wholly ignorant of the true Anointing, which Ihonld give you Sight in your felves, and fo cannot lead others out of the World. And it's no Wonder that you fo oppofe the true Light, your Lamp muft needs be Darknefs, when Earthly Things is your Oyl; your Gold muft needs be Drofs, and your Prize below the Mark of Election, and Corruption carries the Drought in your Ballance, whofe Golden Oyl is Earthly things. You are feen to be the Men who have in you the falfe Meafure, and Bag of de- ceitful Weights. How is the Holy One prized in you } How is the Invifible difallowed } And how have you put the Price upon carnal Things, whofe Gold is become Profs and Corruption, counted Gold ? Are you the Lights of thefe Days ? Or can your Eye lead to immortal Treafure ? Or, fhall you be the Men who muft rev^eal that which hath been hid from Ages, at whole Appearance they that find him count your Gain Lofs, your Gold Drofs, and your Oil Darknefs, Death and a Stink. And know, you earthly minded Men, That the true Light is rifen on his Children, vvho is the Fa- ther of Lights^ though your Eye be yet in the Earth, and your Minds carnal, calling Good Evil, and Evil Good, putting Light for Darknefs, and Darknefs for Light, as Earthly Minds have ever L^ u 9 done. 1660. done. And it's in vain for you to deceive fuch t./^rf^'V^with CI: ff and Drofs, and Corruption, by your calling ;• Gold, or by wrefting Scriptures to feed loch with a Lye-, for in us the Truth is become Judge and Law-giver, and hath redeemed us from Lying Tongues : Glory and Praifes to the Truth everlaftipg ! And we know that Ty thes were the Maintenance of the Jews, Levites and Priefts, but never of the Chri^ ftians, by any Command or Example of Chrift our Head, who gave his Life to aboliili them, and that Priefthood, and many other Yoaks of Bondage, which tht Jews Religion lay under ^ and having triumphed over them all, fenr out his Servants in his own Spirit, to proclaim Freedom freely •, and they gathered Subjects into his Kingdom, whom he Redeemed without Money, to ferve him freely : And of him we are, and his Glory we may not give to another Spirit, nor receive^ another Gofpel, that genders to the Earth and to Bondage. And for this it is we fuffer Spoil to this Day, and not for Covetoufnefs, nor in Defpight to Men, nor in Oppofition to any Law of Men, but for his fake alone, whofc Precious Blood hath redeemed us into a better Covenant and Kingdom \ and wo to us, if we give up to pleafe Men, or fave our felves. And fo being laithful we pleafe God, and therein we have Peace, and he pleads our Caufe, and lifts up cur Heads through all, and is with us through good Report and evil Report, and we have Glory and Joy in his Reproach, and triumph over the Enmity that for his fake comes upon us from all forts of Earthly Minds j and we are made to contend a- gainfl: many beaflly Spirits, that feek our Deftru- ction ; yet may not we give up his Right and our Fi eedom, which with his precious Life he once pur- chafed for all his, of which Inheritance we have a Part, through the Light of his Grace, by which he hath called us to Freedom in Him, as our purchafed PoffeiTion, which the Spirit qf the World woul4 drive ( 6(.^ ) drive us from, to ferve the Spirit of Bondage. And 1660:, fo here is a Reafon of the Hope of Life that is in U'^V^J us before all Men. And we know affuredl}^, That as long as our God (hall fufFer Men to hate us, and reproach and fpoil us for this, we being faithful fhall not want the Lamb's Power, to withftand all your deceitful Words and Works of Cruelty, and not be tainted with your Enmity, nor give up the Right of his Kingdom, but in perfedt Peace be kept therein, till Righteoufnefs arife to reign, and judge for the Meek of the Earth, who are found faithful to his Coming, Uu 4 MILK V^Wl Milk for Babes, AND Meat for Stro7ig Men^ Treated of. THAT A Feafl of Fat Things, AND Wine well refined on the LEE S, They may come to be made Partakers of. Written by J a m e s N A y l e r, in the time of his Confinement in Prifon, but not publilhed till 1661. Come Young Men and Maidens, Old Men and Babes, and drink abundantly of the Streams that run from the Fountain, that you may feel a Well-fpring of living Water in your felves, fpringing up to Eternal Life^ that as he lives (even Chrift Jefus) from whence all the Springs do come, fo you may live ulfo, and partake of His Glory that is afcended at the Right Hand of the Father, far above Principalities and Pov/ers. To. ( 665 ) To you tender hearted ones, who have felt the 1661. Call of the Father's Love, who now fee more Defi- 'U^^T'sJ rablenefs and Beauty in Innocency and Meeknefs, than in all the Mountains of Prey, or felf conceited Exaltations arifing from the airy Knowledge: My Soul is with you herein ^ and in that which hath given you the fight of this Excellency, wait /ow, and diligently hearken thereto, until the thing it felf fpring up, which naturally hath this Riches in it, which cometh from above, and yet is felt far below all Fleflily Affections, High Thoughts, and Hafty Defires, and by thefe is vailed and hid from you j fo that you cannot come to the Life and Spring of it, but as you deny thefe, and put them off, by fink- ing down through them, all thefe Earthly Founda- tions and Ends, to rife up ; For under all thefe your Beloved fufFers, while thefe are above in your Minds, and through the fall of all thefe muft he arife, and over all thefe take the Kingdom, e're you come to have a quiet dwelling place in him, and he in you. So under all thefe muft you pafs, and into the like- nefs of his Death you mufl come, and be planted therein, that the Fellowfhip of his Sufferings you may feel, and partake of his Meeknefs and Patience therein, who beareth all things ^ and your Faithful- nefs with him therein mufl be throughly proved : In which Faith and Patience you fhall learn him whom you Love, his Reproach without, his Temptations withi72, even fuch Tryals as cannot be declared to another, fhall you learn in him, v/ith his Love, O- bedience, Patience, Meeknefs and Long-fu,fFering un- der all ^ and how through all thefe he arifeth, in which Refurredion he chaineth his Enemies, and takes them Captive whofe Captives you were 5 and thus fhall you have fellowfhip in his Refurreclion, wherein you fhall attain to the Refurredion of the Dead, and the Inheritance of Eternal Life. But dear Children, who feek this to attain, think it not firange, whe.n for the attaining hereof you come ( 666 ; i66i. come to be rejefted of all, denyed, condemned, con- ^-'^VX; tradided, and tempted with all manner of Spirits and Evils 5 AfTaults within and without, with Fears and Dread, in Weaknefs, Watchings and Fallings, with Tears of Sorrow Night and Day ♦, to be led into the Wildernefs, and there tempted, tryed in the Night with great Temptations, and fee no way out 5 led on a way you know not, a way of Wrath and Terror, and paffing by the Gates of Hell, and none to pity you, nor take your Part ^ Chaftened a- lone, that you may be proved to the uttermoft : And when this you come into, then faint not, nor look back, but lift up your Head through all, and fenpw, that now he deals with you as with Sons and Daughters of his Love : Take heed you murmur not, nor meafure him with your felves, nor repine at the Rod 5 caft not your Evil Eye upon the Inftruments, who, or what they may be ^ for that will beget Wrath in your Minds, and then you will lofe the Life you aim at, and fufFer in vain 5 but in the greatefl Floods keep your Eye to your Beloved, re- tain Patience and Meeknefs in Long-fufFering, with Faith : Let thefe be ever in your Heart as the End of all 5 and ftill believe, that all that befalls you is but to wafte that which would hinder you from being joined unto him you fo highly Prize. So in all things keep with him, let his Joy be Strength unto you in all, and the Appearance of his Beauty will refrefh you in the New, as the Old doth wafte; and with him make War againft the Enmity, and let his Love quench all Wrath that would arife •, let him be your Ihield of Faith 5 and whatever you are led into while you retain him fingle in your Minds, it fhall be profitable to the End expedted; but Jf^ith- out him you can do nothing : So if you Pray to the Father, let it be by him : In all your wreftlings, his Meeknefs, Patience and Long-fuffering, with Faith, prevails much with God. Jf you refift the Tempter, let it be in him ^ its his Good that only hath hath Power to overcome the Evil ^ and here is your i66i. ftreijgth in all, if you hold him fledfaft in your ^^^'V^. Minds i in the Fire and in the Floods he will be with you, and be your Power and Peace, and make your way through all. Though at fome times the Clouds may be fo thick, and the Powers of Darknefs fo flrong in your Eye that you fee him not, yet love him, and believe, and you have him prefent •, you Ihall feel his Pati- ence calling you down out of the Storm, and his Meeknefs moving you to follow him who hath gone the fame way before in all his Saints. This is your beloved, who now goeth before you, hear him alone j then are you Faithful, when you look for no other to be with you in all, nor to redeem you out of all but him whom you love : So that though the Temp- ter ihould tender you relief fome other way (for herewith he will prove you, if he fee he cannot drive you from the meek and patient One by Sufferings and Threatning^ then will he flatter and promife^ to draw you from him) yet this is your faithfulnefs, that you abide till Meeknefs and Patience bring you out. For whatever you own for your Redeemer out of trouble, that muft be your Lord and Mafter, and you its Servant : Wherefore take heed you own none tor a Helper, but him whom you look to inherit; fo he that makes Flelh his Arm, inherits the Curfe^ '^ and the Earth cometh over him, and he muft ferve it ; But ftay you in the Meeknefs of Chrifl:, his Peace and Patience, and receive the earneft of your Inhe- ritance in the Day of your trouble^ and when you come out, none Ihall be able to take it from you, nor any contrary Nature fliall be Lord in you, nor over you ^ but He in whom you have trufied fhall reft upon you, and his Glory fhall cover you, and he fhall become your Life and Leader for ever. And being faithful in this tryal, you Ihall learn Chrift, and find out the Wiles of Satan, and per- ( b65 ) 1661. fedly feel what he hath of his own in you, to work W^^ upon, even by their prefent working in your Minds 5 For that which thinks Sufferings hard, and Time long, that is not to be trufted , for it will work in the Reafonings a diftruft, and tempt to look out for Freedom and Eafe by fome vifible Help y or if it cannot prevail to hunt about for Freedom, yet if any Carnal Way be opened, it will form a fair Pre- tence as though it were of God, which is not of God •, and this feeks to betray you from the jufi: and faithful One, and would part you from 3^our chafi waiting upon him whom you love, taking his ad- vantage by your hafte, wearinels and weaknefs in the Journey. But that which only minds to be obedi- ent to God in Suffering and Ading with Faith and Diligence, hearkening with all LongfufP'ering, Meek- nefs and Patience, what he faith, thinking it a grea- ter thing to obtain Counfel from him, than Eafe from another 5 believing that no other can give an expected End but him, to wit, an Inheritance in that you wait for^ and therefore count nothing dear that you may win him, thinking no time long, nor any thing hard to endure, for the Joy and Beauty that is fet before you : This will never deceive you of the Redemption of Truths your Beloved and Re- deemer, and Lord, is One, and you fhall not be put to your flight fhifts as they that go out from that Spirit are ^ for you fliall feel and fee your Redeemer in the midfl: of you, and with his Body fhall you rife and live, and you fhall not be ranfomed with Silver or Gold from the Hand of the Oppreflor, but by the precious Blood of Chrifl:, as a Lamb without Spot 5 not with any corruptible thing, but his Long- fufFering, Faith and Patience, his Love and meek Spirit Ihall fet you out of all Darknefs, and above all Fears •, and your Freedom will be perfedt, and In- heritance large, when all that would not flay upon him alone, are confumed in the fiery Tryals, which hafte, eafe and diftrufl:, will never bring to an End § till which you are not fit to be joined to him you love. (669) -love in Ever-living Obedience and Everlafting i66i. Praifes, the Portion of all who have waited on U'^V^ Him, and have found him faithful in the End. And having learned this Myftery of Godlinefs, and found the Worth of it, you having found his Way perfedt and pure, and him faithful to fuch as walk therein, you may be able to dired the Simple and Unlearned in the defirable Way to Refl:, and your Words have in them a Manifeftation of Life, and quickening Power is with you, and this Ihall be your Everlafting Strength, that 3^ou are redeem- ed with that you fo dearly loved. And this you fhall feel in the Way, That the more diligently you wait upon him in all Conditions you pafs through, even fo the more do you receive him, by drinking in of that heavenly Virtue that is in him, who is the meek and patient OnQ ^ and by fupping continually with him, and he with 3^ou, will you come to be filled with him, that all Hafte, audlmpatiency and Diftruft will be overcome by him, till he be come your whole Life ^ and all your Thoughts, W^ords and A6lions have their Rife and Being therein ^ fo that Self be feen no more, nor that appear in which Death or Condemnation have any Entrance or Power. And this fhall you find to be the Houfe from above and Heavenly City, in which the Holy Spirits live and walk, and have Communion as they come to be perfected , of which the Lamb is the Light and Salvation, into which none enter, but who through his Meeknefs and Long-fuffering are Ilanfomed, and by Faith therein Redeemed. Who being thus builded, fee no more Sorrow nor Fear of Falling, the Foundation being everlafling, eledl and precious, and every Stone therein tried in the Fire, and in Faithfulnefs chofen for that End. So with all Diligence fink down to feel the Elec- tion, not minding that which boafts in high Words before it be tried, but v/hen it comes into the Fire, wiil ( 670 ) i66i. will not ftand patient in theTryal, but thfougli that t/V%J being given up to Death, feek for that which lies under in the SuiFering, which calls you down from every high Thought; To him come down into the ' low Valley, who bears all things without Complain- ing, that with him you may fufFer, and with him you may obey, and in all things he may be with you, and you with Him. This is the Election, make ^ him fure to your felves in Life and Death ♦, fo Ihall you be changed by him : And though you go down , into a low Eftate with him, he fliail raife you fpi- ritual i though you are Town weak, yet Ihall you be raifed in Power ^ if you rife not but with him, as he raifesyou^ if you call: not oiF the Yoak, nor fly the Crofs, nor heal your own Wound ^ though your Wound be Mortal, yet the Cure is Immortal ^ though you go down in Shame and Reproach, yet raifed in Glory, and covered with immortal Honour and Eternal Life, with Power and Strength to ful- fil the Will of God, and the Anfwer of a good Con- fcience; through this Baptifm and Refurredion you fhall attain, and fo become One in Spirit with him that dwells in the Light, in Death, in Suffer- ings, in Patience, in Faith and in Obedience, which otherwife no mortal Man can approach to, there being that to be fulfilled which the Light requires, which the firft Man hath not in Power, fo by that Law (his Life he muft lofe) which hath Power over the Tranfgreflor as long as he lives, and cannot be joined toChrill: till to that Law he be dead ^ So the Firft which is earthly the Law kills becaufe of Sin and Want of Obedience ^ but he that is born again of the Spirit, lives becaufe of Righteoufnels and Obe- dience. So the Boafler is excluded, being conclud- ed under Sin, that the Mercy may arifeinthe meek Principle over all, to fulfil alL The Light faith, Love thy Neighbour as thy felf : This the firft Birth cannot do, fo the Boafter is ex- cluded, and the Law lays hold on that Life, which wants this Love, and the Creature muft give up that (671) that to Death, that he imy come to the meek Spi- j66iI rit, for the Power of that Life and Obedience thatt^^V'V) hath Righteoufnefsin it , and the Creature drawing his Mind and Affedions, and Faith from the Firfi:, who hath Words witliout Power, and giving thefe to the fecond, the firft falls, withers, and dies in that Veffel, and as the Mind is diligent in the fecond, he rifes in the Faith, and Chrift raifeth the Power of Obedience in that Veffel, and fo as he rifes thro' the Law, he brings forth Fruits above the Law, againft which there is no Law. So he in whom the Covenant is, and hath the Power of Obedience to Righteoufnefs, puts an End to the Law : So he be- ing denied, dead and buried, whofe Life arofe thro' Difobedience, who is the Tranfgreffor, and becaufe of whom the Law was added, that Law becomes dead alfo. He that fulfils the Law is he that gave it forth, and is the End thereof, in whom by Faith you live, and inherit this Righteoufnefs, as you put him on through Death who is this Life. So be- ing faithful in the Light, fhall you learn him that kills and makes alive, that cafts down and raifes up, that condemns and juflifies, and fo fliall know the Way of Death and the Way of Life^ and who that is that is hardned by the Law, and who fulfils if, and the Life and End of both •, and you will fee the Caufe and End of all the Tribulations, Earth- quakes and Thunders, and feveral Voices, Clouds, Smoak and Darknefs, and great Temptations, and the Tryal of your Faith hexein will be as that of Gold, and will bring to inherit the Knowledge of God and Eternal Life, and Power to judge the Prince of the Air, and over the Myftery of Iniquity, and to deny the God of this World, with all his Snares and Traps, wherein the unlearned Profeffors are caught, and held Captive at his Will, though fome of them have a Knowledge and Form of the Truth, taught from what others have thus learned, ail which you ihall judge and have Power over, and all Miniftration under the Son fhall with this be compre- ( 672 ) r66i. comprehended, whether Angels ot Spirits ; even he (•^."^O that is faithful and diligent unto the End of this great Tribulation, fhall be made white, and have Judgment committed to him, and the Kev of Dj- vid's Houfe, to bind and lofe, and fliall fit in the Lamb's Throne of Judgment and Righteoufnefs in Heaven, and the Grave nor Hell fhall have no more Power, nor Ihall his old Iniquities have any more Power over him, the Strength of Sin being dead. Wherefore, Brethren, In the Light be faithful, when you come into this Condition ^ take heed of Unbelief, and hafte not out of it, left you tempt the Lord of your Life, and grieve his meek Spirit, and provoke him. to leave Chaftening, and fo your Spot remain, and you prove but Bollards, and not Free-born Children of his Kingdom, Power and Glory i and fo in time your Old Iniquities overtake you again. For whatever of the Old Man comes out of the Fire unconfumed, dead and buried in this Baptifm, will be a continual Canker, feeking to eat, and an Enemy, daily waiting his Opportunity upon all Oc- cafions to get up, and overfpread the pure Plant of Innocency, and fo ipoil you of your Belov^ed, and fo make void all your Sufferings paft, and bring in the old Evils like a Flood upon you, as it hath be- fallen many at this Day ^ but be faithful to the End of all Iniquity, the Root as well as the Branch : So fhall your Righteoufnefs arife clear and unfpotted, and your old Sins ihall therewith be buried, and never rife again, neither to accufe nor reign. And this is your Vidory over Death. And this know (whatever others imagine, let none deceive you) That though the Evil Seed be fown when Men fleep, and take Root with Pleafure, and fpringnp with Eafe and Delight, yet the End there- of is Bitternefs and great Tribulation -5 but the pre- cious Seed is fown with Tears, conceived in Sor- row, and brought to light with Sighing, Nights of Watching, Days of Mourning, and with much La- bour bour of Spirit, and Travel of Soul, muftyoucome ^66t. to fee your Defire, for though the World have con- ^«^^«'^^ ceived a Faith in the Air, and fo bringeth forth nought but feveral Sorts of Winds ftriving upon the Earth, without Foundation, and fo builds no- thing to Perfection •, yet with you it muft net be fo, for to you the Light is fprung up, which leads to the Foundation of God ^ and you have received a Faith that gives you a Sight of the Stone which the Builders fee riot ^ and to you it is given, not only to believe in him, but to fufFer for his fake in the Behalf of him ; and fo to run as to win him; fo to ftrive as to obtain him, his Name, his Power, his Nature ^ for this is that your Souls groan for, to pollefs and inherit his Power, his Love, hisMeek- nefs, his Patience in all Tribulations, his Faith in all Fears, and to have the Power of his Grace and Virtue living in you, whereby you may be Men of able Spirits, rightly furnilhed to every good Worlc, and againft all Evil, that in him you may over- come when you are tried, and be more than Con- querors. And your Work is to war againfi: what- ever would keep you from coming to this Founda- tion and Corner ilone. And it is not beating the Air that v/ill fight your Battle -, for it's againll all Deceits you arc to fight, and airy Notions, and all Spirits that would pofTefs 3^ou vrith Words and Forms, without the Power of Righteoufnefs, and whatever lies under the Power of Sin ^ the true Light gives you to fee the curfed Deceit that lies in all this, and that thefe are the fubtil Paths of the Deflroyer ^ and nothing lefs than Victory over Sin and Subtilty will fatisfie your Souls. So that it's only Life and Power that can give you Peace j and therefore yours is Work, and not vain Words-, and that which ftrikes at the Root of Sin is your beli Weapon. So it is not Fleih that profits you, it's the Spirit that muft quicken through Hardihip, that which Eafe hath flain, e're you come to per- fect Peace, Xx For J 6 61, For though the Scriptures fpeak of a Cbi/d that fs \y^/^\J Heir of all things^ and gives this Inheritance to all in whom he is formed, whofe Name is Wonderful in Counfel and Strength 5 yet is not this brought forth without hard Labour and Travel, and the Pangs of Death gone thorow ^ for when you come to the Lord for Counfel, and feel that there is two man- ner of Seeds in the Wom\ then will jyou fee that great Work is to be done e're you come to reft ^ There is the ftrong Man to be bound, before the Babe can reign •, and ftrongly is he afmed with all Manner of Wiles to fave himfelf ^ and it's not Words and Thoughts that will caft out the Mother and her Son, which muft not inherit : And this mufl: be done, or all is in vain* He that is born of Flefli is in Bondage to things here below *, this cannot in- herit Immortality, for Sin hath Power in him ^ and die he muft, that the Son of Righteoufnefs may arife to Life in you, and bring your Life to Light with him, as he appears 5 and though the Light be above the TranfgrefTor, yet the Son is lowly that gives it. So being faithful in the Light, which from the Son comethy which condemneth all the lofty Ways of the Firft born, you will be thereby led into Ways lowly, to crofs your Life in the Firft Birth, through Watchings and Faftings, and great Tribulations (in- to which the Spirit will lead you) whereby the falfe Birth muft be familhed ^ for there is nothing for the Luft to live un, nor for that Wifdom to walk in that loves it felf, or feeks its Eafe and Pleafure. Then be faithful to your Guide, however he ftorms that is to be deflroyed. And v/ith all Diligence prefs into that which calls in the wandering Mind, and give heed with Watch- ing and Wreftluig to get abiding therein, which as you are faithful therein, it will be enlarged, till it become a Habitation for your pure Alinds to dwell in, and take up its Reft, which hath been toft to and fro as in a Wildernefs^ and by killing in ( 675 ) in the Watch all that would draw you out, and i66j: finking down into this Meeknefs and ftedfafl Low- Cy'V^J ymefs, you will come to feel the Plant of God that brings forth this Meeknefs and Holinefs, and Springs of Living Virtue ^ and there will you meet the Lord in his Kingdom on Earth, where he delights to walk, as in a Garden •, for in thefe things he de- lights, and in fuch as delight therein 5 and there wait to feel his Fellowlhip, and receive his Counfel in Purity and Coolnefs, in which he will let you fee whatever it be that would break his Covenant with you, and whatever leadeth out from the Eternal Life ^ and will, with his Spirit, lead you out to war againft it 5 in which fpiritual War being faithful^ you Ihall not fail of Vidlory, till every Cumbrance in your Minds be cafl out, and fo Heavenlinefs be« come a quiet Habitation, that in the meek Spirit you may feed upon the Heavenly Food, and not^ 'v have that ravenous earthly Spirit to fteal and de- vour it from the Soul. And as you get an Entrance into this heavenly Manfion, fo diligently watch, and in the Light ftand armed againft the Thief, and keep out what- ever of his v/ould enter into your Affections or De- fires, under what Pretence foever , for if it enter into your Aftedlions, it will fteal away your Minds from this pure innocent Plant, and this is Adultery, Treachery and Whoredom, which you muft wreftk againft in the Power of his Love. And with Willingnefs of Mind to put off all the Old Idols out of your Affections, whatever hath any Place there ^ for by the Entrance of that through Luft, hath the Son of Righteoufnefs fuffered, and the innocent been flain^ and until that be condemn- ed and caft out, which hath come over the jufl: in your Affections, the Son of Righteoufnefs arifes not into his Kingdom, who muft give you the Entrance into this Holy Habitation, and muft fulfil all Righ- teoufnefs before the full Enjoyment be : which Work you ftop, whilft you retain the Unrighteous^ hav- X% 2 ing ( 676) i66t. ing a Seat in yotir Heart unconclemned and caft out, 0^^"NJ And hence it is that many feek to enter, hvtt are not able, the curfed thing not being caft out, which can have no Place in God's Kingdom, with which the Juft hath not Commanion, nor the Temple of God with Idols. And this I fay to you, which is a learned- Truth in this Journey, That if you either retain your Old Lovers, or fuffer any thing now to enter your Af- fedions, or draw out your Minds from this pure Plant of Righteoufnefs and Truth, you fliall in no wife in that Stare enter into the Kingdom of Hea- ven 3 for this is the Way, and mufl: make your En- trance: Therefore fight againfi: v/hatever would draw 3''oufrom it, and with Violence break through it, and take the Kingdom 5 for only he that hath been faithful in the Baptifm of yoh.i, in order to fulfil all Righteoufnefs, Ihall receive Power to pr.^fs into the Kingdom. And when you come here, yon will find violent Powers to keep you out, which tvith the Lamb in War mufi: be overcome violent- ly ^ for the ftrong Man having got a PoiTelfion with* in, is not eafily bound and caft out, for it is a fpiritual Wickednefs, and in high Places, with which you are to wreftle: Therefore a heavenly Virtue contrarj'^ thereto, and of a greater Power mufl: give you your Victory. So prefs into the Heavenly Spirit with its Power^ to overcome the Earthly Spirit v/ith its Powers^ flrive earneflly in the meek Spirit, to obtain a Meafure of Faith and Patience, larger than the Temptation, and that will endure to the End of it, a Meeknefs and Love to cover all Strife and Wrath, a Long-fuffering tofamilh all Hafte, and that which feeks its own Eafe ^ and foin all things with Deflre, drinking in of tlie Heavenly Virtue from above, whereby you may become flrengthned with all Might to ftand all Affaults of the Enemy, within or with- out 'j and fo in the Crofs come to put on Chrift Je- fus, the ?reat Pcv/er of God unto Sahation, and Well- { ^11 ) Well-fpring of Eternal Life and Glory; which is i<^^t.*^ done by finking down into the heavenly Feeling, ^^'VV/ contrary to the Will of the exalted Life, whereby you will be overfhadowed from above, from whence the Saviour is looked for, to overcome Things be- low. And as you come into the Feeling of thefe Vir- tues, hold them fail, till he come who is the Ful- nefs, and with that you have, wreftle againft what* ever would .draw out your Minds from it; for with that of him mufl: you make War againft whatever is contrary thereto. And as you are faithful to 'abide therein, you will feel every high thing fall before you; for that which cleanfeth the Veflel of all corrupt Things^ is your Weapon, and that which fprings up in a contrary Nature to the cor- rupt, is your Life; the Beholding whereof, as it a- rifeth, and keeping your Eye conflant in the Faith and Hope of Attaining to his Fulnefs, will make your Work the Work of Love, your Obedience de- lightful, and all your Sufferings eafie, and your Lofs of your former Glory will, in that Eye, ap- pear great Gain. And this is your acceptable Ser- vice, and that Faith which Works by Love, which avails much wi|:h God, and being followed, o- vercomes the World, and fets free from it in all Things. So with the Light mind to be led down into that Life that is not of this World ; come to him that feeks not himfelf, who hath not his Reft in Things on Earth, who is rejected of Men, denied of his own Kindred, and forfaken of all ; and as you come to him, you will come to be proved, whe- ther you can forego all thefe for Him alone, and that he may make his Appearance in you, and cover you with himfelf, his Contempt and Reproach, and his patient Power to bear all; for it's he that can bear all things, that Ihall never be moved; And he that thus overcom.es, fhall know the white X X ? Stone, ( 678 ) T^^T. Stone, and that Rock which breats^heHatiaiTs, but U'^'V^J builds the Houfe of God. But in all your Journey take heed of the Adulter- ous Mind, for it fecretly devoureth the precious Life : wherefore take heed of that which looketh cut, give not way to that Eye not for a Moment ^ for if you confent to it upon any Pretence whatfo- ever, you enter into a Covenant therewith againft the Holy Seed, to deftroy the chafte Mind ^ but whether it be rough or fmooth, yet hold it as an Enemy ^ and that which if it get in by confent, mull be got out by SuiFering double to the Delight it brings with it: But if as an Enemy you withftand it, by conftant and patient Refiftings, it will fly, and grow weaker upon every AlTault, and he that giveth you Vidory will grow more in your Efteeip and Delight. Wherefore think it not ftrange (fo long as any of the old Leaven is within, unpurged out) That the nearer you draw to God in the lowly fufFeringMeek- nefs, the deeper you fink into Tribulation, and 3^our Sufferings encreafe upon the Flefhly Part, for that is the Sons Way to Perfection j and the won- drous Works of the Father are learned in the Deep ; for b}'' the Hand of God upon you (being faithful in Suffering to the End) Ihall you fee the old Foun- dation of the World, the Root and Off fpring of all Wickednefs, how it came to be laid, and how th^ Lamb was flain, and what he is^ and the Founda- tion of God Ihaii you fee and feel, upon which the Saints were raifed up, and built in the Spirit^ and how all the Chaff, Hay and Stubble comes to be clean fed off^ for his Fan is in his Hand, and the Words of his Mouth are a confuming Fire to that Nature, which refineth the Gold and quickenetfi the Soul, and divideth the Clean from the Unclean. And the nearer you draw to God, the nearer will h^ draw to yoti inRighteoufnefs,and Judgment, and Truth, to make an End of Sin, and bring in ever- lafting ( 679 ) lading Righteoufnefs, and to eliablifli you in his i66i- Inheritance, who appear in his Temple through the '-/V^ Refiners Fire and Fullers Soap, the End of all Sufferings, and Entrance into everlafling Joy, Pu- rity and Peace, and Weight of Eternal Glory, to which there is no other Way but through Af- flidion. But as you come down to the Foundation of God, watch with all Fear and Diligence, that nothing exalt you, or lift 3^ou up in Mind, Conceit or Com- prehenflon, above that Foundation you are builded upon 5 for many Temptations of Hafte, will prefent themfelves with Fears and Diftruft, to get you from off the Foundation of Life: But if you keeplowlj^, ftedfafl and faithful thereto, by it you Ihall be raifed out of the Pit, and fet above the Earth. And for that End it is laid within you, that in Spirit you may be built thereon in Order like the Corner- flone, a New Man, not the fame that goes down 5 and none knoweth the Way of his Rifing, but as }ie keepeth to the Foundation, and mindeth the Head of the Corner, which as you diligently mind, you fhall know the fure Foundations of the Koly City, even from the Word of the Beginning of Chrifl, as you grow to Perfedion, not laying again the Foundation of Repentance, and of Faith to- wards God, the Dodtrines of Baptifms, of the Refurredtion of the Dead^ and of Eternaljudgment. And as with the Foundation of Life and Power you come to be edified, you will be led out of the Dominions of Death, where you fhall learn wherein it hath its Power, and by what it reigns, and how it captivates the Seed, and how its Bonds are bro- ken, and with what he is taken and chained, who hath the Power of Death •, and fo come to fee what binds and v/hat loofes, kills and makes alive ^ the Life of the L^w, the Life of the Prophets, and the Life of the Apoftles, as they pafTed before you, will you come to know, their Inheritance therein to poilefsj and with them in Spirit have Fellowfhip, Xx 4 as 68o ) i66t. as they pafTed the Time of their Pilgrimage here, ^'''V^ that to the Life of Chrift you may come, for the fulfilling of the Word of God, which endurethfrom Generation to Generation ^ This being the End of all the Travels of the Souls of Righteous Men ^nd Women here below, which that they might attain the fulfilling thereof, and fo return in Peace to him that made them, cloathed on with their heavenly Houfe, for which Prize they counted a.11 things Lofs here below, calling oit the Earthly Pleafures, and killing every Affedion thereto, eftranged therefrom in all their Walking whilfl they are here, knowing that the Loi^e to the Earthly Things is the Enemy to their Spiritual Afcending, and that the Earthlj Adulterous Spirit daily hunts to devour the precious Life, and to keep the Soul in Things below, pre- lenting daily its carnal Delights, and Opening the Paths of the Deflroyer, with Pleafures to the carnal Eye, which whofoevcr joins to, cannot afcend into the Heavenly Inheritance, but with the dark World daily go downward, v/ho are degenerated from the Life of God, and eftranged from it even from the Womb : So that they in that State are never able to attain the Knowledge of God, nor in Truth and Righteoufnefs to call him Father, nor to fay they came out from kim, nor ever to him can return; this they being willingly ignorant of, That as no Man hath afcended up to Heaven, but he that came dou'n from Heaven, fo no more fliall any Man fo afcend, but he who is born, not of the corruptible Seed, nor begotten by the Word of God, which liv- eth and abideth for ever. But with you it is net fo, who feel the heavenly Motion, draiving your Minds out of all earthly De- lights, the Tafte of the Heavenly Life overcoming the Earthly in your Affections ^ fo that to the World you die daily ; 3^ou feel fomething guickned in you, that cannot feed on Earthly Pleaiures, but hungers after Righteoufnefs, and fees a Beauty in Kolinefs, nnd thirfts daily after the Heavenly Virtue. So to ....... ^j^^^ ( 68i ) that fink down into its Likenefs, which is yet in i66i. Suffering, and hunger and fufFer with it, and join C/V"S? to it in all its CounfeU fo that in it you may be raifed , for that is it which is on the Foundation of God, and coming to him as a Living Stone, you will be built on the fame Foundation, the fameSpi- rit being your Head, by whofe arifing all the Vails will be done away, the Vail of Death, the Vail of the Law and Prophets, and the whole Mj^ftery of Gpdlinefs will be unfealed, and the Way to Heaven opened by him, even the flain Lamb, who hath his Power from the midfl: of the Throne of God, even for you, if you join to him in his Suffer- ings and Afcendings, who maketh the Way betwiit Heaven and Earth, and keepeth it open in all them who mind him, therewith to pofTefs the VefTel in Holinefs and Fear towards God^ fo that nothing fliall hinder your Prayers from coming to the Throne of God, nor the Dew and Bleffing of Heaven from falling upon the Seed. And here is Heaven opened, and the Way of Grace and Salvation, for the Wayfaring Man here on Earth to walk in •, in which if you wholly exercife your Minds, you (hall not err, nor fhali any thing be able to hinder you from receiving Gifts from the Father, fo long as nothing of a con- trary Nature flops his own from arifing to him in Praifes, and you with it. So let nothing cut off your Communion with God in that Meafure you already have received, but let the Breathings of your Souls and your Hearts be continually open towards him, and therein yo.u ihall not only receive, but become faithful Impro- vers of what you have, by the Blefling that is in the Covenant, th^t is with all that love him that dwell in the Light : For where the Converfation is in Heaven, there the Earth becomes fruitfuL^ Wherefore give all Diligence^ that nothing en* tangle your Aifedions here below, or flop your Heavenly Alind from its conflant Afcending ^ foip that which would is the Spirit of Bondage which ''' ' ■ '' ' hath ( 68i ) J 66 1, liath got Power, ty letting fome carnal Thing in C/V*<*^ upon you, to prefs you down : Which Spirit waits upon you continually, to oppofe the Heavenly Life, and get above it in your Minds, and fo as a weight befet you in your Way, left that which comes from Heaven Ihould have free PafTage through a clear VefTel to Heavenly Seed, free from Cares, Cum- ^ brances and Earthly Pleafures, and from Earth to the Heavens 5 for it's He that comes from above, which declareth to Man his Way and his Wants, prefents his Prayers, and receives the Anfwer 5 and by him alone doth God work all his Works in you, and for you, in Heaven and in Earth. Now if you join to another, and give youi Strength of Heart and Mind to his Enemy, then the Work of God ceafes, the Way being ftop'd -, for the Adulterer, the Covetous, the Idolater, the Wanton, the Slothful, or whatever of that Nature you join to, your Confent giveth him Strength to flop the Way ot Life : And this is your Condemnation, witnefTed with the Light 5 And herein had Death it's Power at the firft, which can be no Head, but where he is hearkened to, let in or obeyed (but being refifted, flies) but being let in, he feateth himfelf in the Heavenly Place, with much Policy and Power, and is not eafily got out, nor feen to be what he is. So when you feel your "• Way darkned, or Affections grow cold towards Heav^, then take heed with all Diligence in the Pure Light to fearch, for your Enemy hath got fome . Entrance, which by faithful and Patient waiting in the ^Light you will come to fee, and through the Power of the Crofs to kill that Life, and caft out that in which it wa^ conceived, for that mufl not abide in the Houfe with him, that is Heir of the ' iHeavenly Inheritance, but is an Enemy to his Coming ^ for it is he that letteth, till he be taken out of the way, which while he is in the way, dulls the Affections, and clogs the Heavenly Mind, that it cannot afcend. Wherefore that which you have ^received of the Holy One, his U n c t i o n, holcj fafi ( 683 ) fafl till he come, and with it ftand Armed againff i66u whatever would enter, to lead out to any outward O'^VN^ Obfervations •, but with all ''Diligence obferve that which you have of his in Spirit, which the Adver- fary fe^ks fo much to draw you forth from, left you Ihould encreafe your Lord's Money, and here- in you maintain your daily Watch, and war with that you have of Life and Power, and not with that you have not : So are you faithful Stewards, and are accepted in what you have, and not inwhat you have not ; for the VV^orld is in Darknefs, and fo wait for they kno'w not what, and have no Ground for their Faith, nor Power to prepare his Way to his Coming, further than Words of others, or their own Conceivings, but are not in him that h true ^ but you are in him that is true, who have his Light received, and are in it to obferve his Ap- pearance in all things ; and the Meflenger of his Covenant you know, who goeth before his Face to prepare his Way, turning )^our Hearts from every Evil Way, and out of the Paths of the Deftroyer, that you may be fruitful upon Earth, that fo he may receive you into himfelf, when he cometh to finite the Earth with a Curfe, which that which brings forth Bryars and Thorns is nigh unto, whofe Seed is not of himfelf, his Root and OfFfpring, but U begot in the Adulterous Mind. For the Mind feeding from v/ithout upon any Knowledge, Form, or Obfervation ( but what the Life leads to in Spirit and Power) is the Ground of the Myftery of Iniquity, and the Woman of Witch- craft, which hunteth for the precious Life of the Holy Child, feeking to drav/ your ftrength of Af- fedions from him after the Harlot, that fo he may fall and die daily in your Hearts and AfFedtions, while the Luft goes out to another, covered with fome fair Pretence, whereby the Worldly Spirit ga- thers ftrength daily, as you ftiall feel who are watch- ful and diligent in the Spiritual War, fo Ihall that Truth appear to 3''ou ^ That as your Love waxeth coldj ( 684 ) i^^T. cold, fo will Iniquity abound, with an unrefiftable t/VV; Power, whatever you think to the contrary, which is not in the Life ^ Or whatever you believe without that Faith which works by Love to tlie Life of Truth: So let your wre&ling be into the Power and Life of God^ and thereon feed, and your Lifp ihall indure for ever, and your Strength ^nd Virtue fhall be daily renewed. But you read of fome who had the Form of Knowledge, and of the Truth, hut be- ing out of the Life of Truth, held the Truth in Un- righteoufnefs ^ and fuch when they knew God did not glorifie him as God in Life : So he gave them up, who became yain in their Imaginations, who retain- ed not the Life in the Knowledge, turned the Truth of God into a Lie: So that Knowledge could not keep them from being filled with Unrighteoufnefs, which flood not in the Life and Power of Righte- pufnefs, and who received not that Truth in tjiat Faith which loves to live the Life of it. Wherefore let your Food be in the Life of what 3^ou know, and in the Power of Obedience rejoyce, and not in what you know, but cannot live, for the Life is the Bread of your Souls, which crucifies the Flefh, ^nd confounds that which runs before the Crofs* So let your Labour and Diligence be in that which prefTeth into the Heavenly Being, and feek- eth a Conformity to Chrift in obedience of what you Believe, and hearken in love to that, not in that mind which would fave your own Lives, nor feed you where you ^re-, but in love to that which fepa- rateth you from felf-life, and changeth you into his |l.ife whom you wait for from above ^ fo in receiving his Commands in that which loves to be like him in Life, your Faith works by Love, and his Com- mands are joyous through Love : That Faith work^ eth Obedience, Quicknefs and Willingnefs, it work- eth out the Old, and worketh into the New* 5 and fo through the Hope of that which you Love, and Obedience of Faith, the Entrance is made with the ^ife, into the Holy Kingdoipj an4 the Immortal Glory ( 685 ) Glory is put on. Which in the Light is feen, and in i66t. the Life is obtained, as with the Word of Faith the C/^VS^ reparation is made, and the firfl: Birth put oiF, whofe Life is without the Vail, and is for Death, with that Life who makes the entrance through his Blood, and through his Fleih, a Living Way, a V/ay of Life, a New" Way to all who are feeking the Door in Old Ordinances and Traditions, and outward Ob- fervations, feeding their Minds with thinking or talking of what others did long fince, or what may be done in times to come, and fo are in Times, but out of that Life which endures for ever, and only hath the Promife of the Father, and Power to make the Entrance to him, from whom all the World are dri- ven, who are in the Luft, and in that Nature which loves it felf, and worketh Iniquity ^ yet wearying themfelves to find the Door, without the Light of that Life which is not of this World. And as you mind only to feed on the Plant of Life, you will come to know the Work of the Father in his Vineyard, and who the faithful Labourer is, and what mu ft be his Work^ and the flothful Servant, and what his Work bringeth forth ^ and the Caufe why the Field of the Sluggard is over-grown with Evil Fruits, and why his Vine bringeth not Fruit to per- fedion. For you will find many Plants befides the Tree of Life, all which feek to be fed and ftrengthen- ed in the Mind and AfFedions, and many grown Trees tall and ftrong, which have got faft rooting, fpread and bring forth abundantly after their feve- ral kinds •, and all thefe prefent themfelves to the Eye of the Mind, to be fed from thence, which is as the Feet fetching Food from far, without which they cannot live long, but muft pine away and fall, as they die in the Affections, and as the Mind is withdrawn trom fuch objedts as they are fed withal. So the Work of him that is faithful is to number thefe to the Axe, and to the Fire, and not to fuffer thefe any place in the Mind, how ftrongly foever they tempt, and try every way to fpread Root to keep ( 686 ) l66i, keep Life-, that fo through the Death of thefe, the tWVNi> Vine may grow alone in the clean AfFedtions, and holy Mind, and honeft chafte Heart, which is the Good Ground, and where the pure Plant will bring forth of it felf in all, where it is not cumbred with that which is contrary to it ^ which contrary Fruits all that mind the Light may fee : But the Sluggard not being diligent to dig up the Root, as well as to condemn the Fruit, therefore they are daily grow- ing, and the Good Ground is cumbred with them ^ and fuch know what they fhould do, but are not able to abide therein, their Life being loft in the midfl of this Wildernefs, and over^grown with Wild Plants. But you being diligent in your Watch, you will fee that the Caufe of all your Troubles and Confu- lion (when you come to the true labour indeed ) is not for nothing ^ for 3^ou will find many Plants of feveral kinds ( for tj(ie World is in the Heart of A'lan, and the Heart in the Earth, as he is driven out from God. ) And every kind hath its feveral Life, which lives have their feveral Feedings, all which you may feel in the Light, by their temptings to lead out your Minds ^ and though they are of feveral Mo^ tions, and live upon feveral Objeds, yet the leafl: of them being fed by Confent in your Mind, will over- run the Vine, and in time bury it, by growing up in your Affections : wherefore all muft come down, that Truth alone may rife in your AfFedions, and the Word of Life have place in your Hearts, who is purer then to dwell in the Adulterous Mind, and whofe Eye cannot behold Iniquity, who hath no Commu- nion with Darknefs, nor Fellowfhip where any Idol ftands in the Temple. So this is your Faith in your Labour, even that which overcomes the World, and fuffereth nothing thereof to take place in your Minds, but with the Spirit of Life to watch, and wrellle againfi: every Lull:, and kill every Affection that v/ould go out for Food 3 for whatever goes our, betrays the Innocent 5 and 1 6»7 ; and every Pleafure of the Fleih, as a Canker, doth 1661I eat out the Life of the Holy and Juji One \ but by ^^'V^ Faith the Juft lives \ and in faithfulnefs doth he judge, and make War againfl: all his Enemies, in every one who are exercifed therewith. And in this Work mind what you follow ; follow nothing raflily, but prove all things with the Fire 5 and that which will not endure the Temptation, and bear the Crofs, is the Adulterefs who will look out every way for Eafe 5 and the Serpent will prefent many likely ways to her under fair pretences, which fhe that would live at eafe, will haftily hearken to 5 and if you hearken to her, you will betray the Work of Life, which is bringing forth in hard Tra- vel and Labour, which is flain in the Birth, where eafe and floth is confented to \ and with living at eafe and pleafure, hath the Life been (lain from the beginning of the World, and hath been kept under \ij her Sorceries, who fares delicioufly upon Earth 5 and by confenting to her Pleafures hath the Eledion been loft, and covered with the Seed of Wickednefs, which God hates, which Wars after the Flefh, and Lufts after the Fleih, to ftrenghthen it felf above the Holy Spiritual Seed 5 but minding to make that fure to you which calls in your Mind, and being o- bedient thereto, it will lead down by the Power of the Crofs, through that which is above, to the feel- ing of the Eledion ^ and a feparation being made betwixt that which God chufeth in his Working- Power, and what he condemneth, you will come thereby to know to v/hat to joyn, and from what to withdraw, that you may be workers together with him, and not againft him, which the fubtil one will lead you to do, till with the Light the feparation be made; and fo joyning to it in Faith and Obedience, the Eledtion will arife, and by diligence thereto it will be made fure. And once feeling the Innocent to m.ove under the OppreiTor, give your felves no reft until the Strong Man bow^ tor with great Plagues upon that Nature, and i66t. and with a flrong Hand againfl that Will, muft the C^-VV^Seed of Promife be redeemed from Under his Power, which like Pharaoh^ if he get but reft, will not let Ifrael go from under his Power 5 and if you keep with the Spirit, and hearken low, it will let you fee what muft be the Plagues you muft pour upon him, till he be brought down, that a little Child may lead him, and reign over him \ and he that was op- prefled by the Beaft, may ride upon him : And as that Nature got head and ftrength by having its Lufts fulfilled, fo it muft be fubdued by having its Lufts famifhed 5 which if you be not faithful to the Seed of God herein, you fell your Birth-right, and betray your own Redemption, and are found deceit- ful Workers againft God and your own Souls. Wherefore run not with that which is in hafte," but lie down in that which is Meek, Lowly and Pa- tient^ that which is willing to wait the Father's time, and feeks to obtain by the Obedience of Faith, and not in the Will that would have in its own Hand : For a Nature there is which runs out for help, and raveneth abroad to be fatisfied, which God will fa- mifh;, and this will feek to lead the Mind, if it be followed, and will hunt about and murmur if it be not fatisfied : This goeth about the City, but enter- eth not ^ and this muft ftiffer Hunger, and ieel the Lamb's Wrath, and Pkgues upon the Head thereof, what way foever it turns, till it bow and come un- der, which it will not till it be pined with Famine, and wearied upon the Mountains of Prey \ then fhall the Lion lie down with the Lamb, and the little Child lead to reft, and wo ravenous Beaft ftiall take his feeding from him. But in this work take heed you be not betrayed with that Spirit, for it is very fublil, to run to the one hand or the other, either into the Eagernefs and Hafte, which is its fi^ft way after Convincement •, Or elfe, when it gets not its ends there, then into Sloth and Idle Carelefnefs, and both thefe keep it alive in Strength above the Seed j but a ftraight Way there is betwizt thefe, in which the tJie Seed arifeth, which is a Diligent, Watchful, Pa- i66r. tient Meeknefs, feeling the Godly Principle moving '>>^VN^ and following it in Faith and Obedience in all things, without Hafte or Ends, further than what is opened in the Life of Obedience, conftantlf diligent leafta- ny thing (lip out of the Mind, which is freely given either for Practice or Teachings for onl^ the dili- gent Mind holdeth the true living Treafure j but the flothtul and aifobedient are leaking VefTels. So as wife in the Light, prove your Freedom, from that Nature which is high, and fierce, and hafty, or any way above the Meeknefs, for therein fiands your perfect Redemption, to know that you are rot Servants to that Nature^ for it's the fame that hafteth into the greedinefs after Worldly things, and Fears, and Diflrufts, if it hath not in its Sight and PofTeiiion what it Lufts after; which being con- vinced of an Inheritance in Heaven, would have that alfo in all hafte by Sights but not through Faith, Patience and Obedience; which if it may not obtain into its own Sight, and in its own Way and Time, it will be ready to faint and diftruft, and this will never ftrip himfelf of all, in hopes of an Inheritance it hath not fcen; fo this is in Bon- dage, and not to be Heir: But the Jnft live by Faith, whofe Birth is free from this World, and your Re- demption for the other into the Leadings of this, which will bring to the Inheritance of the purcha- fed PofTeiiion. Wherefore prove your Freedom in all things, that you may not Glory in vain, but in the Liierty of Sons : Do not fay, JH things are Lawful^ all things are Pare, &c. And fo fit down and fay, Tou are redeemed^ andhave right to all -^ but firft pafs through all things, one after another, as the Light leadeth you ; and with a true meafure fee, if you be from under the Power of any ; when you have proved this throughout all things, and found 3'^onr Freedom, then may you fay, AU things are Lawful^ and know what is Expedient, and what Edifies your ftlves and Y 7 others, 1661, Others, and the reft to reign over, without Bondage V^YNJ thereto: And this is the Liberty of the Sons of the New Creation, Born again, not in Bondage^ whofe JLiberty is glorious above all vifible things^ and thefe are the Pure, to whom all things are Pure, who have proved all things with that which is Pure, and hold i'aft only that which is Good, and the reft are free from. And this ever mind, That whatever Freedom you obtain through the Sufferings and Patience of Chrift in Spirit, you part not with it to pleafe the Fleih, but hold it as your everlafting Pofleillon puichafed for you, not with Corruptible things ^ fo that which is dearly purchafed, let not lightly gO; but^remem- ber J/rae/, who was redeemed out of E^ypt with much Hardihips, and many Signs and SuiTerings, but fcon in halle got up that which faid, Let us re- turn back ogain\ and this grieved God above all: And this you will find ready to rife upon every fur- ther hardihip and want, as it was with them. Where- fore ftand faft in that which you have proved to be Liberty indeed, and by no means look back nor han- ker to that which is behind, to let it overtake 3^ou again: Remem*berL(?/'s Wife^ and the Wrath of God will ever be upon that Mind which looks back into Old things, which are judged in the Light, and led out of with the Life : Wherefore ftand lingle in your Minds to follow nothing New nor Old, but what the Holy Spirit leads into^ tor the Work is a Work you know not, nor the Way do you know, but as it is learned in the Obedience by which the Soul is pu- rified and cleared hj purging out the Old Earthly Leaven, which hath darkned the Temple of God, and God's Work is not feen in that Nature. Wherefore give all diligence to the Spirit's Motion and Leadings, what it moves againft, and what it leads to ^ for now will God make all things New; A New Creation^ New Heavens^ and New hdrth^ and New Heart and Mind^ and a New Law, a New Man to walk therein imih hk Maker with chearjuinejs. as the (r69i ) the Old Bonrls are broken hy the Spirits Leading, and j^6t. to ferve in newnefs of Spirit. And as you mind the U/V*^ pure Leadings of the Spirit, and willingly follow and obey, you will come to know your Creator in the Davs of your Youth, and how he made the Worlds hy the Word of his Holinefsv and how he is your Father, and in what ^ and how he begets you again into the Heavenly Delights,- who was gone out from him, and drove into the Earth with your Hearts and Affections, and fo (hofe will- lead out ftill further from God, it you look into_ them, but can nevek come into God again, but muif die, and be changed by the Spirit ^ and the New Creature is accepted of God, the New Heart and Mind, and Spirit, which is renewed after God, by following of his Spirit who createth him. And this Work will be darkned to your Under- ftanding, if your Minds come not clear out of the Old, into the New: For Wrath will arife, and Con- fufion will be to that Mind which is double, where the Eye is not flngle, kept forward in the Belief of the Spirit only, but looks back into the lofs, and to that which is dying and condemned-, there is the Smoak, and Darknefs, and Torment, and Tempta- tions, being enticed back into the Old : But if the Eye be fingle, the v/hole Body is full of Light, and the Faith arifcth to endure to the end of the World, and to look to the beginning and finifhing of the new Wnrk of Regeneration. And ftanding iingle to God herein, though the World pafs away with Thun- dernig, Earthquakes, and a mighty Noife, yet Ihall ye no1: fear nor faint, abiding in the meek, patient, and faffering Spirit, and the leadings of that which endureth all things to win Chrift: And coming out of Bak/, yon ihall not fall with her, nor be dark- ned with the finoak of her Torments, as ail that a- bide in her muft, and of her Plagues muft partake ^ but the pure Mind rejoyceth over her in the midft of all. Yy ^ AN ( 69M An "Epijile to Tr tends. DEAR Friends, dwell in the pure Power of God, and in the undefiled Life walk towards one a- nother, and teel one another in harmlefs Hearts, and in the bowels of our Lord Jefiis Chrift judge all ftraightnefs in your felves, rather than one another ^ How good a thing is Unity of Spirit and Mind > And how precious is that Soul that feeks Peace with felfdenyal } God is near you who feeth all your Works: But evil Thoughts break your Peace, and grieve God's Holy Spirit : But that is the Child of bis Love, and Son of hisBofom, that feeks nothim- felf, but can lay down his Life for another ^ O feel that Spirit and Life, my dear Friends, and wait for his Appearance, who is that Life in whom he comes with Power; thy Peace iTiall be as a River that is clear and broad, which fhall not be dryed up; but thou llialt drink into Eternal Reft, and Quietnefs fliall fill thy dwelling, and the God of Peace and Holinefs will delight in thee, and in the end thy Fruit Ihall break out, and thou Ihalt not long be hid, but thy God in whom thou delightefi:, lliall cover thee with his Glory, and make thee to fhine in his Light ^ and the Lamb fhall fpeak out of his Temple, and ihall be confefled to^ but the felf- enc'eci Spirit will wither, and that which lifts up it felt will fall to nothing 5 and Back-biters, and "U hilperers, and they which carry Tales to make Debate, will God thruft away far from hun, and the Meek Ihall enjoy his Inheritance alone, who hath fought his Praife from God, and not from Men: Therefore take heed to your Spirits in God's Fear^ and - ( 693 ) and keep the Unity and Covenant of God, and i^^r. grieve not God's Spirit, nor provoke any to Wrath. '^^"^ And again I warn you all in the bowels of Jefus Chrift, fpeak not Evil, nor think Evil of Brother or Sifter i for if you do, you cannot be gniltlefs be- fore God, nor ftand before the Enemy in the time • of Tryal^ for evil Thoughts will eat out your Peace and precious Life, and devour your Strength, and make way for many Evils to enter and prevail upon you. Even the Lord God of Eternal Power pre- ferve you all, who hath called you, and given you a Name amongft the Living •, for in him is mv Hope and Confidence concerning you all,^ for the Adver- fary is near you •, but to him that is true and faith- ful I commit you all, whom many of you have known from the beginning ; and as you dwell and walk in his Power and Life of Holinefs, Love and Peace, God will keep you from all Evil, bear you, and lead you into growth and Improvement of what he hath committed to you, and in Faith and Peace you will be kept from running to the Hills to fave you, or for making a Refuge of Lies 5 but with the everlafting Truth will you all be girded and armed with the Word of Life, againft all Wickednefs of Flefh and Spirit, within and without. And God Eternal Crucifie the World to you all, and throughly crucifie you to it in every AfFedion, and out-going of the Mind, fo that )''ou may all witnefshim come who is the End of the World, and Eternal Life, and in him walk in the linglenefs your Minds as free- born Children, redeemed into perfed: Liberty with him. And dear Friends, meet often together, and fo build up your felves above Vifibles, that you may enter into Peace and Life everlafting: The Day of God haftes on apace, which will try every Man's Spirit, and every Man's Work, of what Nature it is, and none will be faved, but who are of God ^ and fuch he receives unto himfelf, who are bailded up to him in that which is from above: But the wander- Yy 3 iiig ^ &9+ I P j66i. ing and unftable Spirit he will fliut out, and puriifli iyW?with Perdition from his Prefence evermore. Wherefore dearly beloved in my Soul, above what I can write, this I lay upon every one of you in particular, and Warn you, That you Prove and Examine your felves herein, what Spirit you are of, and what is your Freedom herein 5 and note that Spirit which fteals your Minds .into earthly Things, and wandering Thoughts, for that is.not of God, but is of this World, and Works after the Power of the Prince cf the Air^ and in this Spirit all have fellowlhip with the W^orld, and are in the Power which works againft God and the Lamb ^ nor can s I ^ any in tliat Spirit ferve God, nor have fellowlhip ' ' with him in the Light ; for it is Carnal and Devililh, and ihut out from God the Father of Light, and fo becomes a Vagabond, wandering chaffie Spirit, not capable of God's Counfel nor Service 5 nor can you have Fellowlhip with the Brethren in the Light and Power of Truth, fo long as this reignerh and is followed by you 5 and [0 this muft be judged in eve* ry motion of it, that it may be fubdued and put under ^Fcotj lefr you bemg once enlightned, become wandering Stars from God's Prefence for Ever. So be 3'-ou faithful to God who judgeth you, and gird up tfce^Loyns of your Minds, and wait for ftable heavenly Spirits, that you may be Born thereof, and Rule therein over your felves, and fo overcome the World, that you may walk at Liberty in God, and in Chrift Jefus whom he hath fent, and herein is Life Eternal, and Reft to your Souls, what ever befalls you, and only blefled is he that enters thereinto 5 and it is the Faithful that enters, and in Faith and Obedience is the Covenant kept, which keeps quiet the Mind, and in perfect Peace in all Conditions, the purchafed PofleiTion of every re- deemed Soul, through the Blood of Jefus. So God cover you all w>h his Spirit, being baptized into Death- and the Almighty arife amdng you, and judge every evil Root in its firft MotioUa and give you I I, ( 695 ) you the Knowledge of himfelf in Love, and build i66v you up above all Strife and Enmity, and fill you ^v'^Y^v^ with his Grace, and feafon your Hearts therewith, and make himfelf your Delight, and Blefs you all, and Encreafe you i, my dearly beloved ones, to whom bowels of dear Love runneth, even unto the leafl of you all, in your innocent fimple Defires I am one with you all, befeeching my God for you all, that not one of you that ever have tafted of the Call or Power of God, may be lofi:, or offended, or driven away-, God Eternal build you up into his Life, and give you an Inheritance in him that feeks the Loft, and brings back that which is gone aftray. Dear Friends, read me hear, and feel my Bowels to- v/ards all that are tempted, or fallen^ and Treafure up Mercy againft the Day to come-, even as ye look to be forgiven, fo forgive one another unf^ignedly, and keep your felves feperate from the World, and every Pollution: O fear not the World, neither Co- venant Willi Man, nor idiY^ A Coniedtracy^ but Fear the Living, Powerful God of Heaven and Earth, who is a Sanduary to every clean and faithful Heart 5 and to him 1 commit you all, who is over the World, and worketh in you, to make you eternally Hap- i:>y, that you may be his Sons and Daughters for ever, to whom give Thanks and Praife for evennore, Amen, Tou are often in my Remembrance, J.N. Thh Epiftle woi given forth fince the foregoing Booky about the 'yth Day of the ^th Months 1660. Yy 4 His ( 696 ) His Lafi Tejiimony^ faid to he delivered by him about two Hours before his T^eparture out of this L>ife ; feveral Fi tends being p'ejent. THERE is a Spirit which I feel, that delights to do no Evilj nor to revenge any Wrong, but delights to endure all things, in hope to enjoy its own in the End : Its hope is to outlive all Wrath and Contention, and to weary out all Exaltation and Cruelty, or whatever is of a Nature contrary to it felf. It fees to the End of all Temptations: As it bears no Evil in it felf, fo it conceives none in Thoughts to any other : If it be betrayed it bears it 5 for its Ground and Spring is the Mercies and For- givenefs of God. Its Crown is Meeknefs, its Life is Everlafting Love unfeigned, and takes its King- dom with Intreaty, and not with Contention, and keeps it by Lowlinefs of Mind. In God alone it can rejoyce, though none elfe regard it, or can own its Life. It's conceived in Sorrow, and brought forth without any to pity it ^ nor doth it murmur at Grief and Oppreffion. It never rejoyceth, but through Sufferings j for with the World's Joy it is murti.ered. I found it alone, being forfaken^ I have Fellowfliip therein, with them who lived in Dens, and defolate Places in the Earth, who through Death obtained this Refurreftion and Eternal Holy Life. Ke died in Peace with the Lord, at $oam (or Home) in Hunt'ingtonfhire^ and was Buried at Kings Rippon in the faid County, the latter end of the Year i66a. about the 44th Year of his Age. SEVERAt4 ^Efiflli (h7) — — — — ^ u-^v^i SEVERAL tfiks and Tapers T O Rulers, Priests and People, Never before Printed. To them of the Independent Society^ S^fis Grounds why I deny you to he a Church in Chrifi^ though in the Times of Ignorance I walk^ ed with you in thefe Things ^ rvorjbipping I knem not what, HAving received the Light of Chrifl: by which the Man of Sin is revealed, with all his de- ceitful Workings, in Teachers and People profelUng to be like the Saints and Holy Men of God in Words and Form, but deny the Life and Power thereof J and being by the Light commanded from fuch to turn away, in Obedience thereto I am moved to declare the Caufe why I have withdrawn from you for fome Years ^ and now am moved to declare againftyou, and your Ground, Power and Spirit to deny, by which you are aded in Ways contrary to Chrift, the Apoftles and Holy Men of God, as in Scripture is witneffed, and that in thefe feveral Particulars* I. Your ( 698 ) 1. Your being gathered into an outward Cove- t/^^^'N-Miant^ in a Form of Words, whenas the Believers were gathered into the Unity of Faith by one Spirit, into the Invifible Covenant Chrift Jefus, and there they knew one another in Spirit, and them received, and not only in a Form of Words, nor did they fhut out any that telieved for fuch things ^ and here you are gathered in your Inventions, ^ad/fof byme^ faith the Lord. 2. Your worfhipping in the Idols Temple, build- ed for Idolatry, and flan d s conftc rated to that £nd to-thisDay •, out of fuch the Apoftles called all that believed, to worlhip in Temples made without Hands, and they met in other Places, after they were called out<» and faid God did not dwell in Tern* pies made with Hands, " ^r-Your Ghufitig a Man to divine to you, al- ways from a Text of another Man's Words, or wliich he hath not received from the Mouth of the Lord, taking Hire for it, being called Mafier^ and you calling him Mafter^ which both are forbidden by Chrift. And here you are out of the Dodrine and Faith of Chrift, which refpeds no Man's Perfon, and amongft the Heathens and Cuftoms of the World. 4. Your Sprinkling Infants upon the Faith of o- thersj but the Saints Baptifm was upon their own Faith ^ for with the Heart they believed, and with the Tongue confeffed to Salvation, and the Baptifm hy which they were faved was not the Wafhing away the Filth of the Flejh^ but the Anjwer of a good Con fete nee through the RefurretTton oj JefiAs Chrijh 5. Your Leading People to Ung Djy/i's Conditions in Rhymes and Metre, in the Invention, and not in the Spirit : And fo you join with the World to make Songs of his Words, but his Condition you know not, but are Enemies to it, where it is witnef- fed^ and finging in Words what you are not in Life, you are found Lyars, and lead others to lie alfo J ( 699 ) alfo5 biit die Saints fung by their Gifts, and hot o- thcr Mens Words, as you do. C/S/^ 6. Your not holding fafi: the Form of found Words, the Language of the Spirit, always lifed by the Holy Men of God, as the Scriptures do witnefs. And here you err from the Practife of Cbrift, and all the Holy Men of God, and are with the World in the confufed Language of Babel^ Teing and T^/^- ing one, and Thouing another, after jowt own Wills and palFionate Humours, obferving Times, Places and Perfons herein ^ and here isunfound Words, and nor '-ifter tbe Spirit. 7. Your Perftcuting, Stocking and fhamefully en- trcatir^g the Innocent, for coming into your Idols Temples ^ yea, though they never fpeak a Word therein: which none of the Church of Chrifl ever did, but fuffered the fame from the World. And here are you iu the wicked World, and out of the Saints Pradife. 8. And many other things I cannot own you in, as yoiir Hunting, Coiirfing, keeping Dogs for your Pltafure, Bouls, Shuffle Board, or fuch Sports ufed by the Heathen •, but never by any of the Saints, for they were redeemed from thefe Vanities, and prayed that their Eyes might not behold VanitieSj and waited to redeem the Time they had fpent in the Luftsof the Fleih. Alfo your vain Laughters, wan-^ ton Jeftings : but they who know Chrift, know him a Man of Sorrows, and acquainted v.'ith Grief ^ but the v/icked are as Chait, who (hall not ftand in Judg- .ment. Befides I may inflance your Backbiting and falfe Accufing your Brethren, Slandering before 0- thers, for that 3''ou never /poke to the Face. And this is not Charity nor Order. And the whole thing you call Worlhip, which you perform every Firft Day in your Idols Temple, not one thing perform- ed by you, as was byChrift, and thofe he lent. 9. Your Limiting the Holy One, no more to fpeak to his People but by the Letter, which Limit- ing we deny, having heard the Voice of the fame Liv- ( 100 ) Living God that ever was, who fpolce to Abraham t^yVJand his Seed, and not only I, but Hundreds in the Nation, in whom that Seed is raifed up, Ihall wit- nefs againft you. And while you are in thefe Things, I cannot own you to be a Church in Chrift ^ nay, you are proved to be no Chriftians, for they who were called of Men Maftersy or upheld fuch as were fo called for their Teachers, were no Chriftians^ who flood praying in the Synagogues, had the Chief Place in the Af- ieinblies, whom our Lord Jefus Chrift cried wo a- gainft, were no Chriftians, and who haled out of the Synagogues, flocked, beat and imprifoned, were 110 Chriftians \ who lived in Sports and Gaming, Backbiting and Slandering, were no Chriftians ; who had the Faith of Chrift in Refped of Perfons, were not Chriftians •, for Chrift taught the Way of God truly, neither did he refped any Man's Perfon. And here you are found out of Chrift and his way, and according to your works you are judged, and not after your words ^ and by the Light are you proved, who fay you are Chriftians, and are not, but are fuch an Affembly as the envious Jews yj^tx^^ who aded thefe Things againft Chriftians. And tho'you may fay. That God vi your Father, as they did, yet your Works prove you to be of another Generation \ for whom you obey, his Children you are (He that hath an Ear to hear, let h'lm hear,) It is the Life I own, and not the Words only, for only that differs from Hypocrites. And here your Spirit is proved and tried, who have a Name, but are dead : for that is not the Spirit of Chrift, that is found out of the Dodrine of Chrift. And your Power I deny, with the Light you are feen and comprehended, and with the Light condemned, who are found out of theDo- drine of Chrift : Therefore I do deny you in the Light, which is one in all your Confciences, which will me witnefs eternally at the dreadful Day, when the Book of Confcience is opened (tho' now feared \) And then you Ihall fee this to be Truth, though now I ( 701 ) now you harden'your felves againft it ; but it is that the Scriptures may be fulfilled upon you, that you C/^V'NI may ftumble, fall and be broken, as they did who aded fuch things before you •, and their Plagues you Ihall witnefs, whether you will hear or forbear, un- lels you repent. A Lover of your Souh^ James Nayler. Some Queries annexed. T. Whether the Fewer of Be live ring up to Satan fiands in the Power of our Lord Jefus Chrijf^ or in the greater l!^ umber of Voices ^ 2. Whether it be he that walks in the Spirit ani Tower of Chrift^ withdrawing from him^ that hath the Forniy but denies the Power, or they that have the Form^ but den) the Power, cafting out of their Synagogues or Meeting Places ; whether of thefe Deiiverings up^ are ajter theCounfelof God^ and Example of the Saints in Scriptures ? 7,, Whether it be he that is found in Satan^s Work^ and pleads J or it^ that be to be delivered up to Satan^ or he that is found in the Work of Gody and denies the Work of Satan ? 4. Whether any who have not the fame Infallible Spi- rit and Power of the Lord Jefus Chriji, to judge with- al^ can give any up to Satan, or doth the Scripture war- rant any fuch thing ^ %, Whether that Judgment by which any is jufily delivered up to Sat an^ be Eternal i^ yea, or nay ? 6. Whether Ajjemblies (tho" never fo great, or what- ever they pretend) who have not this Spirit and Power^ have not cafi out fuch as Chrifl hath received; and here the Blind caji out the Children of Light ^ whafe Eyes Chrih hath opened. 7. And are not thefe Scriptures, Ifaiah 6<5. 5;. John 16. 2,^. now fulfilled upon th^ Generation, that a&s fuch things now^ which Lkrifi andihe Prophets foretold? Ta { 70 2 7 To a Convinced Backjlider. Fribnd, THOU" fayeft, That which at firfi called thee out of the World's vain Cufloms and Worfhips^ waj a-Net'^ and thou bids me, Leave my Nets and follow thee, I fay. Truth it is, that the Net of the Kingdom hath been caft into the Sea, and many have been caught by it, and upon tryal fome are found fit for the Mafters ufe, and fome are caft back into the Sea again. But iliould I leave that which called me out of the World, and feparates me daily from its vain Cuftoms, and Crucifies me thereto, to follow thee therein, I Ihould be L^nfaithful to the Spirit of Chrift, deny my Calling, and make his Crofs (to me) of none EfFed •) and in joyning to that again which he hath freed me from, I fhould di^ny my Redemption and purchafed PofiriTion, and fall to that again which I had vomited up ; Which lat- ter Evil, the Lord hath fliewed me to be more ioath- fome than the firft, in his Sight. And whereas thou fayefi:, The New Creature can- not be defiled : Then are all the Saints Exhortations to perfeverance, of none Ef^edl and Needlefs, and he that Stands need not take heed leaft he Fall. Was not David, of whofe Seed Chrift came, a New Creature, and Anointed after God's own Heart 5 and was not David defiled with finning againft God > O Friend, take heed of fuch Conceits, tor it is the Voice of Prefumption, above the Fear of God which • fhould keep the Heart clean •, and there the Vefiel is defiled already: But the true Child is preferved by daily Fear and Obedience, keeping on the Armour of Lights and by the Power oi the Crofs, is the Spirit of the World daily kej t out, never more to be received nor bowed to, however it be transform- ed j \ 1^6 } ed 5 and here is Faith to him that hath Uderftand- , iug. O^'^Nl And though it be true, That he that abides in Chrift Sins not ^ fo it is as true. That he that goes forth again into the World is fure to be defiled : And (faith Chrift) If a Man abide not in me, he ii cajl forth. Read and Underftand with that which is Meek and Tender, What Spirit thou pleafeft, him thou ferveft. And Friend, thou fhould not have condemned that which at firft called thee, toward a Kingdom which is not of this World. > Hfs "Efiflles to Triends. EPISTLE L To Triends at Lincoln. A LL Friends about Lincoln^ in your feveral 1 657, Jl, Meafures wait, that by the Everlafting Un- moveableTruth of God you may be taught and Guid- ed, as it is in Chrift Jefus^ that by the Spirit of the Lamb yo«i may walk, and have your Converfa- tion ordered unreproveable before all Men, that the Truth of God be not blamed amongft the Wicked through your means, and fo the Difpleafure of God reft upon you : Wherefore all take heed to that pure innocent Spirit by which you are called ^ that with it you may be kept clear out of all forwardnefs in the Will and Eagernefs of Spirit, by which the E- nemy takes occaiion to prefent his Falfe Do&rine, to perv' rt your Minds from the Simplicity that is in Chrift Jefus, and fo to exalt the felfifh Mind into the Imaginations, thereby to i^^t up the Admiring of i6jj, of Perfons and Things outward in the Vifible Eye; Wn^ whereby the Mind is drawn away from the Invi/ible Power ^ and fo the Seed fufFers by your Minds be- ing captivated from the Simplicity, and being got into the Thoughts, and exalted againft the Know- ledge of Chriftj fo is the Creature mifled and be- trayed, which would not otherwife be overcome of the Enemy : So all keep low to him who is not of this World, whofe Kingdom and Glory ftands not in Vifibles, nor Changeable things, but in Righte- oufnefs, Peace and Joy in that Holy Spirit which you have received, that in due time you may all come therein to be fealed, even with the fame fpirit of Promife. And all take heed that you be not fliaken in your Minds at the appearance of Satan's Wiles and Temp- tations, who mull be revealed (at the Brightnefs of the Lamb's Appearance) whofe coming is with ma- ny Signs and Lying Wonders, thereby to take a- way ail who are not flayed in that Spirit that can- not be fhaken, nor taken with his Baits and Won- ders, but are only taken and affedled with Righteouf- nefs, Meeknefs and Innocency^ fuch as are there flayed, and Love thofe things, Ihall not be moved : But the Adulterous Generation, whofe Minds are out of the Covenant, cannot ftand. So to the Mea- fure of the Spirit of God all take heed, that you may have the Feeling of the Juft Principle to ftay your Minds in this Hour of Temptation, and hav- ing done all, to ftand ; gird up your Loyns and have your Lamps burning: And the Mighty God of Power preferve you all to himfelf out of all Deceit. James Nayler. London 8th Day 3d Month, 1655. EPISTLE ( 7^5 ) EPISTLE 11. To all Friends at London. DEARLY beloved in the Father and in the Son, in whom my Soul is knit in everlafting Bonds of Love, the Streams whereof run forth to- wards you in fervent Prayer to my Father, and your Father -, That you may be all kept in that Light and Life by which you are called, and which you have received from above ^ that with it your Minds may be all flayed in your Meafures, from clofing with that out of which your Minds hath been called, and that you may not be Ihaken in your Faith and Stedfaftncfs by any Temptation that is, or Ihall be fuffered to appear unto you for your Tryal 5 but that you may all endure the Tryal in the Patience, Faith and Long-Suffering of the Lord Jefus Chrift, who for that End have received a Meafure of him, that you may thereto give up to be guided in all AfTaults, and led through the greateft Darknefs, and that none of you make any Likenefsin your Thoughts, to follow them, feeming like to make Wife, or good for Food, which is all done in that Nature which is Impatient, and ftands not in the Counfel of God 5 but that you all ftand in that which is not of Flefh, armed againft Self, and its feeking, which leads out from the Suffering, and betrays the Juft in the Bat- tle by taking flight to fave its Life, and fo lofes the Life whom the Vengeance of God will purfueto Eternal BefiruUion^ that he may Avenge his Seed up- on the Head of the Deceitful Worker, and Treacher- ous Dealer gone out from the Life of God. Where- fore all Friends take heed to your Spirits, and keep your Dominion in the Life of Chrift^ and therein feel your Authority over all that would Ihake off the Yoak, and .cannot Joy in the Crofs ; Hearkea Zz not ( 7o6 ) j6')'y. not to unprofitable things, neither lend an Ear to ty^''>Jthe Wicked ^ ftand you ftill armed in the Covenant of Promife, till the Myftery of Iniquity be revealed againftthe Workers thereof^ for this muft be perfed- ed for your entrance, that you may be proved in all things, .that your PoflejFion may be of Faith alone ; and being found ftedfaft in your Tryals, you Ihall not only lave your felves, but as Eyes to the Blind fhall you be before your Enemies, and your good Savour fhall go forth to the Nations, and many Peo- ple Ihall call you. the BlefTed of the Lord, and from tar fhall the defire of the Nations come, and yoa fhall be as when the Sun rifeth upon the Earth, as Fruitfulnefs in the Wildernefs, and as the breaking forth of the Barren Womb, fo fhall you be to them that are yet afar off, and to them that are near^ Rejoycing, Surely I fee the Eyes of the beloved ones in the Nation turned towards you, and your Fame is fpreading as a Child of Beauty, and Hope- ful is your Appearance to fuch as have feen and heard of yon, even fo, Amen, Let their expedation be double Fruit on your behalf, and your Reward in your Bofom. J. N. IFake field the 9th Day of the 4th Month. EPISTLE III. To the Churches of Chriji in the North. DE A R Friends and Brethren, whofe Hearts are touched with the Love of God, and have betii awakened out of the Carelefnefs of the Flefh : In :hat which hath called you abide, with your M:.ids fingle thereto, that the Plant of God you may fee fpringing above the Earth, wherein you may receive, as from a Lively Oracle, Counfel, Wifdom and Strength, every Particular ^ and the Springs of Life open, whereat to Urink as you pafs out ( 707 ) out of the World 5 and the clear Water of Wafhing you may know, that fo an Entrance may be mini- O'VN? fired abundantly. to your Souls, that to the Domi- nion you mav cdme^ and know what ir is to rule well, every one in his own Hoiife; that none of you feek to know, as 'the World doth, that to your Know- ledge may be added what arifeth from the Life; fo you Ihall never wither, but ihall flouriih through Obedience: Take heed to your Spirits, that the Earth get not above, and the Mind be defiled, for then you lofe your Authority, and Darknefs and Death will prevail in you above the Pure; and fo having left the Life, that Mind hath not whereon to feed but what is behind-, as a Pafture over eaten, fo doth Leannefs overtake the Soul, and Poverty as aa Armed Man: And this from the Lord Ihall be the Portion of fuch as mind earthly things. So in the Name and Power of the Lord Jefus Chrift, I warn you all to take heed to your felves, and that you ftir up that which is Pure, which you have received of God, that you may keep out of the Curfed thing that is contemptible, that no ill Savour be fent out to trouble the Minds of God's Flock, whom he hath called to Purity and Peace; that as the Lord hath been pleafed to call you, as a firfl: Fruit, and hath fet up his Standard amongft j^ou, and your found is gone out throughout the Nations, and from thence hath he fent out his Meflengers to them that are afar off; fo that your growth may appear, and the Glory of the Lord may be your Reward, and none may ftep in before you and take your Crown; So keep your Garments unfpotted in the Prefence of God, and before all his Saints; live in Peace, and love to bear one another's Burthen, and let none pleafe himfelf ; and the Mighty God of Power pre- ferve you fpotlefs in your Meafures, to his everlaft- ing Praife, Amen. Wrixttn from London, to the Churches of Chrifl i?i the North, hj him rohofe Hea.rl T 1^ • u enlarge i towards ym in the Lord* J • -tN , • Zz 2 EPIS- iyv^\J I (708 ) EPISTLE IV. For Friends in the City of York. (t Friends and Brethren^ N the Fear of the Lord, ftand armed againfl: all Deceit and Divifion, and come down and feel after the Spirit of the Lamb, to be miited in that which changeth not after the Vifibles, where the Knowledge is outward, for there is the Ground of Seds^ and Seat of Exaltation, which refpedteth the Perfon who is known in the outward found, and the fame puffs up for one, and againfl: another, and there is the Simple defpifed, and the Lamb trodden upon, and Innocenc}'- Suffers, and that which fliould cover you being defpifed and flighted, the Schifm enters, the Judgment of the Lamb being lofl:, and the Still Waters refufed ; Wherefore every one mind to keep low in the Innocent Principle, that in the Humble Spirit you may all Worfhip, and bow before him who is defpifed and forgotten, when you are above in the Extreams: So with Meeknefs receive the Voice of the Spirit, as being ingrafted thereby ^ and that which doth not, is feen in the Lamb's Light to be above, and not in the Refl where Righteoufnefs and Peace kifleth each other. So dear Friends, feel that Spirit which is quick in hearing, peaceable in receiving, and willing in obeying, for that is the Spirit beloved of God, and all being joyned thereto, the Cords of God's Love fo Unite as not to be bro- ken J and there (hall no difobedient Spirit hide its Head in a formed Power: So all mind that which Suffers, and doth not refifl: nor feek it felf, for that Ihall for ever reign ^ when the Sanduary is cleanfed Obedience fhall be your Life, Meeknefs and Innocen- cy your Refl^ the Dew fliall fall for your Growth, Butter ( 709 ) Butter and Honey fiiall you all Eat at the Table of the Lamb, that you may grow Wife in Knowledge, t^'^V'^,^ and your Savour may be fweet among the Flock of the Valleys, amongft w^hom you are beloved for the Father's fake. So every one look to that which is low, and exalt that which is eafily trodden on ^ fo fhall you make up the Breaches, and find even Paths to walk in, the Spirit of Peace {hall reft upon you, your Walls Ihall be Salvation, and your Gates Praife, J. N. EPISTLE V. For Friends to "wait to know Bread in their own Houfes^ that they may live thereby. FRIENDS and Brethren, to whom the Eternal Covenant of the Father's Love hath been t^n- dred, and his Light you have received, in it wait to have your Minds flayed, and your Hearts opened "towards God, who hath given you the Light, that therewith you may all fee the work of your Redemp* tion begun, and the Spirit working, and its Power, and you joyned to it in the Faith and Obedience, whereby your Souls may be purified, and your Bo- dies wafhed from the Dead Works, that the Water of Life, and the Blood of the Covenant you may come to be fenfible of, and the Effed of it, and that which is Born thereof (contrary to your Carnal Wills) in the hidden Underftanding \ for out of the Sight of the World, and in the Faith of this, Life is feen and felt, its Joy and Power that carries the Creatures above the Vifibles : that with the Invifi- ble Being you may have Fellowihip in the Church of Saints, which is in God the Ground of all Truth and true Worlhip and Acceptance, that to the Foun- Zx 3 taia tain you may all cqiiie, to that Bread which is one^, l^VNJthat none of you have his Food to feek abroad ^ but to the Reft of the Lord you may all come, unto the Everlafting Sabbath/ every one to fee your Manfion^ and this know every particular, thou art not called to feek thy Food abroad, and from others, as the Heathen and the Prodigals do, who are' out from my Father's Houfe, v/ ho are always wanting and murmuring, and complaining, but to partake of his Fulnefs, from his Mouth who is the Feeder and Fuln&fs of all things, whofe Honour is, that He be only waited on, and who delights in filling the Hun- gry Souls with good things-, and for this end hath he fent out his Servants to cry and call to all, to come to him who hath made ready in abundance, even Everlaftiug Riches : So all mind, that to him alone you feek, and upon him 3^ou all wait, that you all may have Pov/er oyeyyoyr Wills, and that contrary Spirit which leads out from God, upon ivhich the Curfe and Want is ^ far this I fay, you fhall receive in this his Da.y according to the Works done in the Body, and as the working of the Spir|t that v/orketh in you, whether of Obedience or Dis- obedience, as that Spirit is whom you Obey fo is your Reward: So Ihall all Flelh be made to juftifie God, who wdrketh of his own Will,-' and in the O- bedience to his own Spirit, in all whb believe and wait upon hini, in Light ^nd Peace ; But Hardnefs or Heart, and Blindnefs of Mind happens to all whofe EyeS areabroad^ out from the Covenant of his Promife, and fo ihall every one receive at his Hand, who is no refpedtdr of Perfons. So all wait, with your Loynsgirt^' and your Lights burning, that at his coming you may all be found in his- Work, every one acc©*ding as he hath called you, that with the Light you iriay all know what it is that commends you to God, and juftiiies you in his Sight, from that which jufiifies Self in your Thoughts, but with the Light is Condemned in God's Sights that, fo you may not run in vain, but obtain that which will ftand ( 7" ) fland at that Day ^ that you may every one in par- ticular, know that which cannot be deceived nor 'w^^'V^ overcome, that in the Hour of Temptation you may Rejoyce, and through the Tribulation you may en- ter into the Kingdom, and fo nothing be able to moi'e you in the Way, or lead you afide ^ but as you go along you may learn Chrifl: in his Sufferings, and Watchings, and Faftings, and Temptations, and Stedfaftnefs and Patience, in Faithfulnefs and Obe- dience ^ that as you have received Chrift, you may be able to walk in him, and his Power, above all that is behind you, and fo come to know your Strength, and where it is: And fo all come to make proof of Chrift, and his Power and Wifdom in the Light, to fee him working in you the Will and the Power, in the Male and in the Female, whoexercif- eth your Hearts in Innocency towards God, and one towards another, and all Men : And this you fhall all find, that as you abide in your Meafures fo you grow herein, and fo come to feed on the Life, when others, whofe Minds are abroad, feed upon the Wind 5 which if hereto you take heed, no Leannefs of Soul there fhall be, nor Darknefs of Mind ^ but the Leaft (hall be as David, when Jejfe's Root you come to feed on. Dear Friends, my Defires and Prayers to God for you are, that you may abound in his Knowledge, which is Life indeed, and that you may not always be Learning, Complaining and Wanting 5 but that with the reft of the Saints, you may be able to de- clare his Power in its Life and Working, to the Re- demption, Freedom and Fulnefs thereof, above all created things. So be diligent now the Day is come, that none of you be found Idle, nor a Sluggard, nor Vain and Light, nor Bufie-bodies in things without, nor wandring from your Habitations, nor Prodigal proud Boafters •, but in the Work of God you may all be found diligent, leaft the Bonds of Iniquity^ prevail againft you, and draw you back again into the World, out of which your Hearts have been turned, Zz 4 and ( 715 ) and fo the Candle be put out, and the Spirit quench*^ K^^st^'^ ed, and fo you be left in his Power whofe Work it is to blind the Eye, flop the Ear, fear the Confcience, and your latter end be worfe then your beginning: Wherefore, in tendernefs unto you all I Warn you, be- fore you be overtaken •, and the Mighty God of Power preferve you all Watchful and Diligent in your Mea- fures, to his Praife who hath called you. James Mayler. EPISTLE VI. T*o the Called of God isoho believe in the Light y to walk therein. DEARLY beloved, and Children of the living God of Life, and Servants of the moft High, and all who love the Light and Appearance of the Lord Jefus, that which is rejeded of Men, and the World cannot receive, but to you is become precious and beloved , in which Appearance you fee the Way of Death and of Life, the Will of God and the Will of Man, and the Effeds thereof, by which you are led to count it great Riches to ^tny your felves, and fuffer the Will of him that hath fhewed this Mercy, whereby you are turned from the World s Ways, and have owned this Light of Chrift to be your guide out of Darknefs, and many of you have obtained Mercy, to be faithful thereto^ and have obtained a good Report through Reproach with your Brethren of the fame Houlhold, that have gone be- fore in the like Faith, and are found worthy to fuf- fer with Joy, what you are called to in your feveral Meafures and Places : So in that which you have re- ceived all abide, even as he hath called you with the Holy calling, that you may feel his Arm, and knour his C 7^3 ) ^ his Power, and in what Principle it worketh, and how far his Covenant reacheth which he hath willed O^VX^? for Salvation, that therein you may be kept fafe and clean, and that you may be found a willing People, hearkening and diligent to anfwer hisCall, and obey in the Light wherein you have believed, that the Righteoufnefs of Faith you may all come to inherit, wherewith all your Nakednefs fhall be covered, with Ins Skirts who hatji loved you, and therein will lov^ you more, and reyoice to make you glorious therein, even the Praife of the whole Earth, for his Righteous Names fake, wherewith he will cover you, and in which he will keep yoii out of the Expedation of ungodly Men, who lie in wait for your Slipping. So all be faithful herein, which is your Beauty and Comelinefs, and wherein indeed God hath made you lovely to behold in your feveral Meafures of himfelf : And trul}^ in this my Heart exceedingly rejoyceth in you, to fee that God is preparing you for himfelf, as with you to pro- voke the Nations to Life \ yea verily, my Soul is bound up with you, and my Love I leave with you, ia the Bowels of the Lord Jefus, that therein you may all live in one. And my Prayer to the Throne of Glory is for you. That you may all be kept without Blemiih, everyone having Salt in your felves, that your Sa- vour may be fweet through the World, and that you be notblemiihed thro'Carelefnefs and Coldnefs, and fo Death get in amongft you, and fow Divifionsand Rents through Want of Improving the Life of Love. Wherefore be ftedfaft in the Faith, every Particu- lar, and arm your felves in the Light againfl: the whole World, and the Power thereof ^ yea, even that of it which lies in any of you*- Bofoms, and againfl: that which would enter again, make no Co- venant therewith, no, not for an Hour ^ But the Covenant of Light and Life dwell in, and you Ihall never be driven to the earthly gods for Help, nor beg your Bread from any other than he who hath cal- led led yon, and given 3^ou an £3^6 to wait upon Km, L/^'X^ that he might fill you with his Riches. So all take heed you clofe with nothing haftily^ but firfi: afk Counfel in the Light, and there ftay and wait for an Anfwer •, but me:ifure not him a Time or Way in your own Thoughts, for then you tempt him, and you cannot hear his Voice, and the Enemy thereby will feek to harden your Hearts. Meet often together in the Spirit and Power of the Lord Jefus Chrift, and therein mind to be ga- thered into the Fountain of Love and Knowledge , that therein you may love one another, and from thence fend forth Love to all the Creation, which 270W Love he is Vifiting. And herein iliall you be bleifed, and become like your Father, heavenly in Mind, and Soul, and Spirit. And having found him thus in Spirit and Power, dwell together with him therein, that I may read you in one, who is blefTed for ever. James Islayler* EPISTLE VII. To Friends^ to he diligent in Meetings. DEAR Friends and Brethren, in the Upright- nefsof your Hearts walk before the Lord every one in his Meafure of Life, with the Eye Single to him who hath called you out of Darknefs into his Prefence v/ho dwells in the Light. So before his Face fee you all walk, with the Heart fixed perfedly for him and his Truth you have received, VVitnefTes therein, againfi: all the World's Deceits of Man's Heart within and without, that Innocency and Meek- nefs may preferve you in all your Ways in the World, and in the Eternal Unity amongft your felves meet often together, and fuffer a Word of Exortation one from another in the Spirit of Meeknefs. Love one another i 7^5 ; another unfeignedly, and know one another in that which is pure, that therewith you may be gathered (>^V%; out of the World, up to God, from whom the (3ift comes, that every Day 3^ou may grow nearer to him who is your Head, that, with the Living, as you be- hold him, you may keep Death out from paihng over you : fo Ihall you be kept fweet and cool, and your Failures frefh and green, feeding in one, that you all may growftrongin one, and there receive Power for the Obedience of the Faith you have received : And the Mighty God of Power preferve you all Lambs in Love, and unfpotted in the World, till his Appearing for whom you wait, your Salvation, but the World's Condemnation ^ torwhofe fake you now fnfFer, and are not aihamed, the Lord, blefled for evermore. J. N. EPISTLE Vlll. Concerning Love and Judgment. Friends^ HE that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is Love, and he that dwelleth in Love, dwell- etli m God, and God in him. Herein is Love made perfeS:, v/ho are as \iq is in this World ^ here is Bold- nefs in Judgment ^ there is no Fear in this Love, no Torment in Judgmemt. But if any Man love the World, or the Things that are in the World, the Love' of the Father is not in him, but the Love of the World : which Judgment torments ^ for all that is in .the World, theLuftsjDf the Fleih, the Luft of the 'Eye, and the Pride of Life, is not of the Fa- ther'. "Thefe are in the World, and lie in Wicked- li^^,, which cannot ftand in Judgment, who have fear rin Judgment^ who are tormented in Judgment, whofe (7iO whofc Life is in the World, in the LufT:, in the Plea- t/'V^Jfure, in the Pride, in the Excefs, in the Eafe and in the World's Nature : Thefe are not of God, whofe Love to thefe things is greater in them than the Spirit which calls them out of the World j fuch can- not endure Judgment, cannot ftand in it without Torment, Feararifes, Torment arifes within, which makes them fly Judgment, and cry out againfl: it ^ which God loves, which the Sons of God love, who are redeemed therewith, who have denied the Spirit of the World, which is to be tormented, and have received the Spirit of Adoption, through the Spirit of Judgment, and the Spirit of Burning, and are purified, and fanclified, and baptized into Chriftje- fus, and have put off the World in great Tribula- tion; Such love Judgment, and are able to ftand therein, and to dwell with Everlafling Burnings that which condemns the Wicked, the World and the Spirit thereof^ fuch love^ who love God, who love his Appearance in Jefus Chrlft, who is a conjuniing Fire^ which is Love everlafling to his own Seed, not of the World, nor the Luft thereof 5 but that vv^hich ftrikes at the World's Life, Vanity and Glory, which cannot ftand his Appearance, whofe Day barns aj an Oven^ before whom the World s Glory and the Fafliion of it pafleth awaj', that he may. bring forth his Sons and Daughters in another Image and Life which the World loves not, but hath Tor- ment in Judgment, tut the Redeemed rejoyce there- in. And who is it now that cries. Away with Judg- ment^ and who hath turned it into VV^ormwood > Such as have their Life in the World, whofe Delight is in that which will be burned, who are for Con- demnation,, who are difobedient to him thatcalleth them out of the World, who deny the Light of the World, fent to convince the World of all Sin, and lead into all Truth j fuch cannot ftand injudgmentj what Bold nefs can fuch have therein, who are con- demned already, for Unbelief in the Light and Dif- obedience ( 7'7 ) obedience thereto. Fear and Torment muft needs a- rife and drive them away, and as ChafF muft they ^>XW be, that the Scripture may be fulfilled. And thefe cry out for Love, who cannot ftand in Judgment, who iland in the Enmity •, who love the things of the World, are in the Enmity againft God, and whofe Life is therein, what have you to do with Love ? You mufl firfl deny the Enmity, and give up that Life that ftands therein, through Obedi- ence to the Light, which is God's Love to the . World, that through the Crofs of Chrift, and by the Spirit of Judgment and Baptifm of Fire, all the Bonds of Iniquity, which keep you in the World, in the Enmity and out of God, may be broken, and you brought out free, born of that Spirit which the World hates and condemns, which condemns the World. And fo through Death of that Life which holds you in the World, in the Enmity, under the Law, under the Wrath, you may come to enjoy God, who is Love, whom without Holinefs none can fee to their Comfort. God's Love ftands not in Man's Will, nor can any who ftand in the Will of Man either give or receive it, only to thofe who have no other Lovers in the World, he gives Himfelf : whofo loves Chrift's Life, as to Hate their own, whofe Hearts can join to no- thing but what is of God. And this is that true Chaftity and true Charity, which all muft learn with the Lofs of the World's Gain, e're God be en- joyed as a Husband. And who hath obtained this Treafure in his Veflel, muft poflefs it in Holinefs, or lofe it 5 he cannot let the Harlot in and be un- defiled, nor give it out to the Nature which he hath denied to obtain it, and not betray it and lofe it, which is only retained in Holinefs alone. So he that dwells in the Light calls to all in Love 5 Come unto me ^ faith Chrift, anddrink and eat freely : This is Love, but do all hear ? Do all obey > Do all come ? Do all inherit ? Do all own Corredion > Are all of God > Do not many eaft off' Judgment, and dtipife Re- ( 7iS ) Reproof ? will not hear the Rod, and yet v/ould have U^VNJ the Love ? Whom I Jove, I rebuke, faith the Spirit, and chdflen every So/2 thai I receive. This is God's Way ; fo you who reject it, rejed Love, and not it you. Ah ! filly People, how are you deceived ! Doth he that fees you fail in the World and in the Ciirfe, where you have not Power to do well, as your felves eonfefs, but to do Evil, and comes and cries Peace to you there, and fits down with you in that Form or Fellowfhip, doth he bring you Love, or hath he the Love that is of God in him, who flatters you here? And doth he who hath the Sword of Judgment, and faithfully ufes it to part you and the World in which the Enmity flands againft God, to bring you out into Sons Freedom, doth he hate you, or is he your Enemy > Is not this to put Enmity for Love, and Love for Enmity, as it is at this Day with all that love the Things of the World, and are kept Captive therein, when Truth comes to pafs upon them where you are? And you fay you are come to the Son and to Freedom, ^e. and you are all in Love, as you fay : But when Judgment from God is fent amongfl you, and falls upon that which is of the World where it finds you •, then a Fire kindles amongft you, and you have Torment, and your Love leaves you 5 which fhews your Love is not of God, wiiich loves Judgment, where Mercy rejoyceth, whofe Love hath not Torment norFear. Now the Day tries yourSonfhip, yourFreedom and your Love ^ For Judgment I am co?ne into the World^ faith the Son : And are you come to him and can- not ftand therein ? Are you Froe-born who are in that Mature whereon the Fires kindle? Is your Love that which bears all thiugs, who are tormented in Judgment, and driven into Heaps of Confufion and Fear, fpeaking you know not what ^ Is this the Voice of Sons, which cries, Avoay with Judgment ? Is this to receive Corredion ^ Is this the Son's Free- dom, ( 7'9 ) dom, or of his Nature ? Nay, this is to Icick againfl: that which pricks you, wherein you plainly fliew O^'VI you have not learned your Sonfhip of the Father, after Chrift Jefus •, nor known him formed in you, who bears the Chaftifement of Peace, hut have got your Knowledge another way, than in Learning of Chrift, and your Love is not obtained through the Fire, with the Lofs of all that is to be confumed, which God hates, nor are you born of that Spirit of Chrift, to whom all Judgment is committed in Hea- ven and Earth, nor do you know the Key of David. Now honeftly fearch your Houfe with the Candle which God hath lighted, and when you find the Truth in your inward Parts, then fhall you fay, Jbere is no love but in it ^ and that the World's Love ftands in that which God hates, and is a Lye, and pierceth the Soul of all that ferve it, or let it into their Bofom. And for this we may not join in your Love, though we love you, in that which is beloved of the Father, wherein alone we can have Boldnefs in the Day of Judgment, and in that Life alone, in which Love is made perfect, which none can inherit further than they become as he is in this World, walking as he walked, dwelling in God who is Love without End. EPISTLE IX. To fome that "were Buchjlidden. TH E Child is born who is not of this World, and many are called to bear his Teftimony a- gaiiift the World, who are no more of this World, nor the Spirit thereof will they receive, nor be in Bondage thereto, who have received the Spirit of Freedom, even of the Father and the Son, in which they are begotten out of the World, and the Love thereof. Now ( 7^0 ) Now what are you about to do, who have been t/VS^ called, and once enlightned to fee the Vanities of the World, and the Evils of its Cuftoms and Fafhi- ons. Ways and Worfhips, and have been touched with Judgment for your Conforming thereto, and now are turning back to fettle and build therein, and there to take up your Refi:, feeking to get a Peace to your felves in that which Judgment h^th once entred upon you, fhall this your Building ftand ^ Shall not your Peace be broken ? Afk your own Hearts, if they condemn you not herein, and of Unfaithfulnefs to his faithful Witnefs in you •, I know God hath not left himfelf without a Witnefs in you for Judgment, which fometimes doth arife, and caufe Fear in you, and lets you plainly fee you take not Counfel of his Spirit, but of your Plea- fures and Profits in the World, and by them are you led, and not by that Spirit which calls you to bear his Teftimony againft them. And do you fee this Deceitful Dealing in your own Spirits towards Chrift, and that your Hearts are not upright in his Teftimony againft the Evil of this World. And will you cover all this Deceit with Conceits, Words and Notions, and feek to build you a Place of Peace above all this > Willyou thus heal your Hurt deceitfully and know it > And fhall this ftand before God ? Shall not Judgment a- rife in due time, and your Hurt appear again ? Is not this worfe than all your former Sins of Igno- rance, which you now add knowingly > Alk your own Hearts, if they fear not the End of this Deal- ing towards God and your own Souls. You are feeking Reft, but not in the Sabbath of God, but in the World, you deny the firft Days Work, (to wit) That which feparates Light from Darknefs. So you are far from the Sabbath of pure Reft^ fo your Reft ihall fpue you out : it's unclean, and your Building Ihall tall upon your own Heads. The Foundation is polluted and mixt with the World, your Garment Ihall roc j it's defiled with the Fleih, and and all your Notions and Conceits as Hay and Stub- ble and ChafF, fhall burn in the Day when he Ihall ^^W^^ arife to Judgment, Whom you now betray for the World, and to get your felves Eafe and Pleafure, your Eafe fhall flay ydu, and your Pleafure pafs a- way with Bitternefs of Soul, when your own Work Ihall fet you on Fire, and all your airy Notions and high Words, and all your Knowledge yon have got in that difobedient Nature, fhall become Fuel^ and all your Fears Ihall fall upon you to the utmoil:, be- caufe you have wilfully made a Path for your felves to err, and fought to hide your Way from the Light, thereby to ftop Judgment in your Hearts, and that Equity Ihould not enter, who have denied him that called you, and have with holden your Body from him that made it, left he ihould have purged you, and have drawn away your Shoulder from his Burthen, left you fhould have born his Teftimony againfl: the World's Lufts and your own, who have cad off his Yoak, and proclaimed Li- berty to your felves in that which grieves the Holy- Spirit. Therefore, as you are joined with the World a- gainft the Judgment of the Juft, who comes to re- liore all things, fo with the World will be your Por- tion, when the Juft comes to judge the World, and when all comes to be reftored in the Covenant, yoU v/ho have not kept Covenant will be caft out : then fhall you know, that whoever denies the Light is a Child of Darknefs, notwithftanding now your Con^- ceits cover you. Ag nnft whom do you ftrengthen your felves, when you fay, Jf^e fljall have Feace^ notwithdanding the Witnejs in our Confcience /peak not Peace ^ And when you call that the Spirit of Bondage, that would have you free from the Evil of the World and Ser- vice of Sin, do not you fpeak this againft the Lord and your Life > Do not you herem rife up againft the Juft and Innocent, and to flop the Mouth of him that is faithful, that the Wicked may efcape unreproved and live? Have you any thing elfe that t^'^V'^VJ will lliow you your Hearts Deceits? And is he be- come your Enemy, becaufe he will not flatter you therein ? Doth not he fpeak Pea'^e freely to the O- bedient, though he never prophe/ies Good of the World, in its corrupted Ways > Shall you profper who feek deep to hide your Sin from his Reproof > and will you be found Children of the Day, who feek to hide your Ways from the Light ? Whofe Image do you bear, who are like the World, except in Opinion or Notion? And who can fo far conform unto it, as to procure its Love, and efcape theCrofs which fhould crucifie it to you ^ Are you like Chrift, becaufe you profefshim, when you cru- cifie every Appearance of him to your felves afreih ? Will you boaft in the Saints Lines to make you a Cover, whilfl: that lies crucified in you which fhould lead to their Lives? Will not you be found the Se- pulchers that appear well without, but Death and dry Bones within ? The Babe flain, that is not of this World, and his Life buried in the Earthly Minds^ and the Grave garniftied with his Words ? Shall he who fteals his Neighbour's Afs be condemned four- fold ^ and lliall he that flays the Innocent, and fleals his Garment go free ? The Holy Men of God travelled in Sorrow, to bring forth what God begot in them, and not their own Conceiving", and when they brought it forth it Was contrary to the World, and could not bow to it, nor join with its Ways, but held forth another Image. So their Covering was with the Spirit of God, and with the Reproach of the World. And in Obedience to that Spirit they fpoke as it moved 5 in which Words you take Liberty, and relift the Holy Spirit, and call their Lives Bondage. Now afk'your own Confciences, if you be not they who glory in Words without the Life, in Appearance but not in Heart ^ But this is feen amongit you, That the Blood of the Slain cries fo loud, that few dare look within his cwnHoufe : So you make ado with- out km) out, to flop it for a Time ; but hy what is done within nmft you be judged in the End. C/*VNA Are you the Reftorers of the pure Paths for the Simple to walk in, as in the Beginning, e'rethegod of this World caufed Error hy his Ini^entions ? Or, are you the Makers up of the Breach, wherewith he hath broken in upon our Forefathers, in the Days of Darknefs, Error and Superilition ? When will your Pradice preach Redemption from all thofe Va- nities, and your Lives declare a Liberty from his Bondage of Corruption, and to things that perilli with uiing > Doth not the Creation groan becaufe of Pride, and the OpprelFion that is uled to uphold it, in its Becking and Bowing, and falfe Worihips and Cuftoms? And are not Mr^n and Women wholly in Bondage to things that God never fet up, nor com- manded 5 becaufe they pleafe the Spirit of this World, with whom you are turning back to wor- Ihip, and call it your Liberty. So your Liberty is in that which lies in Corruption, and your Glory in that which is unreftored, the End whereof is Death $ But the Sons of God are they that are led by t\\Q Spirit of God, whofe Glory is hisLikenefs, and their Subffance is Eternal Life. EPISTLE X. For Friends to, he Tender and Compajjhn* ate one to another. B Dear Fnefids^ E tenderly afFeded towards one another, asBre- __ thren in the Lord, and often remember whofe Spirit it isyouprofeft to have upon you, and whofe Image you are to bear before all Men j but efpecial- ly towards all that love Chrift Jelus, and bear his Teftimony this Day, and his Reproach 5 And that you feek to fupport the Weak, and recover fuch as Aaa 2 ( 7H ) are tempted, flialven or fallen: feelcing all Occafidns t/Y^^ to reftore and forgive one another, and to blot the Remembrances of Offences out of your Hearts, and remember the Bonds, with which the Lord Jefus hath bound us all to this, who laid down his preci* ous Life for his Enemies, whom we were, and are if we receive not this Spirit in the Life of it, there- in to walk towards one another •, he cannot live in us elfe, but fufFers in us as in the World. And re- member how the Father accepted his Son's Atone- ment for us, and forgave us much at the Beginning, which we had done againfl him when his Life we knew not, but opprefled it in us. And this Ihould bind us to do the like for all Souls ^ for they are his, as we were his when we knew him not .^ but efpeci- ally to evtry Brother or Sifter, for this is pleafant in his Sight, and in his Houfe it is his Honour and Anointiijg, wherewith his Children are anointed in- to Tendernefs, from thehigheft to the loweft. And that Spirit where he lives feeks not felf, but feeks the Loft, and to bring again to God. So prove your own felves, if Chrift be in you, and the anointing makes foft and gentle, and melting the hard- nefs makes Peace and Onenefs. And this is his Glory and Work above every Spirit, and his Name above every Name ^ that as he is juft and pure, and fepa- rate from Sinners, yet is he tender to feek, and to fave, and ready to forgive above all other, thereby turning away Wrath. And for this he is loved of God and Men who are reconciled thereby 5 and pleafing it is to God that he walk in you, and you in him, in whom Wrath is quenched, and Forgive- nefs received. And dear Friends, this is our Peace, and his Glo- ry is upon us if with this Spirit we be covered, and armed againft the Adverfary who waits for Evil, and to divide and keep in Divifion, and to keep the Evil in mind, that it fliould not be blotted out ^ and there Wrath abides as a Spark in fecret, and the Fire is ready to kindle, more than to forgive. And where ( 7^5 ) where this is fo, it cannot be long till it will break out, where Peace is denied^ and there Satan gets his ^-/'VNi^ daily Advantage : Andy faith Chrift, it U impojjible but that Offences will come -^ wherefore he faith, Take heed to your/elves ^ and if thy Brother trefpajs again jl thee^ rebuke him^ and ij he repent forgive him-^ and if he trefpafs again/} thee /even times in a Day^ and feven times In a Day turn again to thee^ faying^ I repent^ thou fh alt forgive him. And if you forgive not Men their Trefpaffes, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you your Trefpaffes, So look at God in what you do to Men herein, for to him you owe it, and much more: If you know God and your felves you . know this, and for want of this Satan hath got Advantage at this Day, and the Enmity eats as a Canker, and Pride gets up, and Wrath is heavy and devours, though many fee it not 5 yet it is feen and felt by fome, and lamented and feared, who fee it fpread over the Tendernefs in many, where Love did abound at fir ft ^ and how little a thing will now give Occafion of Wrath to work high^ yea, many times when no juft Occafion is given. t And this is the Advantage that Satan hath got in this Time of Tryal, which hath tried many, and Ihaken many. Oh! that it might once be truly faid, That we had all taken Warning, and gotten ftrength by it in the beft Things and moftpleafing to God, and which might moft honour him before all Men, and double the Bonds of pure Truth, and live in all his called People, who bear his Name 0- penly^ and that we might all be found in his Na- ture, and no Appearance elfe feen, that fo the Ad- verfary might be wholly without his Hope within and without. And fome breath after this more than any outward Glory, and many lament the W^ant ot it ^ which if we all feek it, our Reft will then be truly Glorious, yet again, in one Heart and Mind, as at the Beginning. And this is longed and believed for, with Defire of Heart, that none A a a 3 may ( 7i6 ) may come fhort of Seeking and Obtaining the L/^/"NJfame. And you that have the Word of God, which is the Sword of the Spirit, take heed how you ufe it, and be not rafh in your Words, nor unadvifed ^ but take Countel at that which leads to do to another, as yo'j would be done to, that you may nfe your Power for Edification, rather than for Deftrudion^ you may bind or ioofe here on Earth who have the Word. This Power is given from above, abufe it not, to bite or devour withal, left you be devoured ther'^of, and Wrath kindle againft you, who reje6t Mercy, and chufe it not rather than judging one another, in things where Mercy might take place amoi;gft Brethren. And 37'ou may bind a Brother or Silier under a Treipafs, v/ho hath trefpafTed a- gainft you, and caufe them to fufFer much, and give Satan Adv^.utage againft them above their Strength 5 but this I am fure God delights not in, on your Behalf, though yuu may fay it is juft, and an E\e for an Bye -^ yet iur^^ly if God had fo dealt with )^ou, your Debt had remained upon you ^ and the tiii;e will come, that he that hath liiewed no Mercy muft have Judgiuent without Mercy. And for that End hath God ihew^d us Mercy and For- givenels, that we fhould walk in it towards the Brethren, and be like him. And fome are tried that all may fear, and know by what you ftand 5 and ii God doth but leave you to your own Spirits, you will appear but as other Men, and High-mind- ednefs, and Hard-heartednefs againft your Brethren, is the Way to provoke him to do it, that as you have done, fo you receive. And this will certainly come upon all, who in the Forgivenefs of God abide not, though fome Mens Sins go before to Judgment, and fome follow after ^ and happy is that Man whofe Iniquity is covered, and puts on that Spirit towards the Bre- thren and Fellow-Servants, which hath Power to keep it fo. I fpeal; ( 7^7 ) I fpealc not this to hide the TranfgrefTor, or keep the Evil One from Judgment, where ever he is feen^ ^-/Wl for that will defile you: But to preferve the Bro- therhood from him that now feeks Occafion, that no Place be given to him, but that all may be done in that Spirit that hath the Power and effeclnal Working together, and heal and fave through Judg- ment, making an End of Sin, and the Remembrance of it, and in Peace fowing the Fruit of Righteouf- nefs in him, alone that makes Pe^ce, not kindling the Fire 5 but with Fear to be defiled pulling out of the Fire, putting a Difference in this Cafe, which none can do but who have received the Power of Forgivc-nefs from above, and walk in it. And fuch indeed have put on the Lord, who would have none defiled, nor any loft for Want of Compailion ^ mi in whom Sin is covered. Wrath is put awiv, and Mercy hath taken its Place, and fuch love Mercy and Salvation ^ but they in whom Wrath and Strife is above, take heed and glory not over another, which will bring your ftlves under greater Con- demnation. EPISTLE XL ^ot to Jirive^ hut overcome hy Suffering. CHILDREN of God, feek a Kingdom in you, thatFleih and Blood ftrive not for, nor cannot enter therein^ a Kingdom undefiled, and that fadeth not away, hid from that which feeds on earthly Things, a Heavenly Kingdom, bearing Heavenly Fruits, and where heavenly things abound ^ where- in the Heavenly Spirit rules, guides, and brings to'-th Fruits of it felf. Heavenly Fruits, the Fruits of Grace and Meeknefs, and of a lowly Mind, che Fruits of Peace and Gentlenefs, and Forbearance a- mongft your Selves. Thefe are Heavenly Fruirs, Aaa 4 and ( 7^8 ) and the Virtues of the Tree of Life, and that which WVNP the Loftinefs of Flefh and Blood looks not for, nor doth efteem, which loves the Praife of Men, and to be known in that which this World can fee into with the outward Underftanding : But wait with Patience to feel that quickned, which is fown in Tears, and {i:)rings up with Joy, out of the Sight of the Natural Underftanding, that that alone may bear you, and therein all your Fruit may be found, and fo come to the Knowledge of the Tree by its Fruits : and let the i.ife open the Underftanding (and not the Notion, or a Sight) That is the Hea^ venly Learning ot Chrifl: Jefus the Righteous, full of Grace and Truth j but ftriving to get up to the Knowledge of Heavenly Things in Notion and Form, before the Thing it felf be born gnd brought forth. This is the wrong Way to learn Cbrift, and the Way of the World, that vails the Life i for this Know- ledge ftands in the fenfual Part, to exalt and pufF lip the Mind above the Meeknefs and Lowlinefsthat is in the Spirit of Chrift Jefus, and beguiles the Soul of the Simplicity in which it fhould feed, and fo a Tree mdy grow high, and hard, and ftrong, yet Fruitlefs and out of the Power, got above the Poor, above the Innocent, out of the Feeling of the Suf- ferer and Man of Sorrows where he is ^ and the End of this Growth is not in the pure Reft, for the higher any pne grows here, the more doth that wi- ther and die in them, which is foft, and tender and melting, which makes onej and is the true Fold for Lambs, where the Lyons muft lie down in the End, if they come to reft, and that Eye put out which looks to be great among Men, that comes not into the Reft, but hath Strife in the Mind, Strife in Words and fecret Smitings, which defile the Reft, and lead into the Divifion and Separation ^ but the little Child leads into the Reft, and that which is lowly gives the Entrance, So feel that which is lowly and meek to arife a- boy^ felfj that which ftills all Strife at home in youi ^ ( 7^9 ) your Minds, and gives Peace in Temptation and Tribulation •, that's a foft and tender thing in you, t/VNJ that is the Peace-maker, that's bleft of God. And this is firfl: felt under the World, under the Strife, fufFering by the Strife in Patience, to bring to the End of the Strife and the World, and in the End of it, and all Exaltation, he comes to arife over the World and the Enmity, who is not of a ftriving Nature, but lives by Hope, and believes to fee to the End of all things under which he fuffers, and to out-live every Temptation by Suffering. And fo hy an everlafting Life comes over the World, and to reign over all things that are not of that Eternal Nature 5 but not to join with the Evil. And he that in the Particular is born of this, hath overcome the World in himfelf, and knows how to walk towards his Brother in that which hath Power over the World and out-lives all, whereby he can fufFer therein, and brings forth its own undefiled into one to refl, ever aiming in all Miniftrations at the Kingdom of Truth, Peace and Holinefs, which is the End of all Gifts and Callings amongft the Brethren, and is only obtained as that arifes in all which fufFers by the World, but is not of the World, which he that is Chrifl'sMinifter comes to turn Men unto. And this Seed all fhould know, which is beloved of the Father and Heir of the Everlafting Kingdom^ who ftrives not by Violence, but entreats ^ who feeks not Revenge, but endures all Contradidions from all againft himfelf, to the end he may obtain Mercy for all from the Father. And this is the Seed of eternal Peace, and the eternal Peace-maker, which was fore-ordained of the Father, and hath Power to endure all Things, and fubdue ^11 Things by over- coming. So this feek in your felves and all Men, and in it feek one another as Brethren. This is that which j§ perfect} and is never to be done away, neither can ( 73° ) cm it he overcome of the World 5 Wrath cannot W>^ enter it, Pride cannot enter it 5 it ftrives for no- thing but to live its own Life, which the World ftrivcs not for ^ nor can any that are of it ftrive with it •, the worldly Spirit feeks not that Cxovvn, v/hofe Life is to fufFer all things, to be meek, and low, and poor, and rejected 5 reviled, contemned of all the World, bearing the Reproach of all that's above that of God in all. And little ftriving in the Will of Man is there for this Kingdom, or the Crols that belongs thereto, which no exalted Mind can bear nor Glory in. And this is the Righteoufnefs that exceeds the Scribes and Fhanfees^ and ProfefTors, and that tvherein they cannot enter \ nor can any reign in this Kingdom, but who can bear the Crofs which leads to the Crown, and hath a Habitation in that ivhich cannot be moved with Change nor kindled with Wrath. This the Heritage of the Meek, and the King- dom which only belongs to the Poor in Spirit and Pure in Heart, where the Hardnefs of Heart is bro- ken, and melted, and Self dead, many Spirits de- firs to look into it •, but few to live the Life of itj It's only for the Heirs who are born through Sor- row, and flain with Eafe^ to whom Fleih and Blood is an Enemy, and with the Eye that looks cut lightly efteemed amongft Men. James Nayler. EPISTLE ( 7^1 ) — — ty^v^sJ EPISTLE XIL Exhorting to Mercy and Forgivenefs. Dear Friends, MT N D whereon you feed, and in what you grow, and keep all low in your Minds, that the Vit rue of Meeknefs you may feel, and know the Strength of it with God ^ take heed, of the Know- ledge above the Life, and of getting Words of WiC- dom, and therewith fet your felves above the Meek, and defpife the Weak, and fo become ftrong Trees without Fruit, which God will overturn by the Roots : But every one feed in a clean Spirit, and therein know the Power of the Word of Life in your felves, which as it palTeth breaks the Rocks, and melts the Hardnefs in every Heart, and melts you all into one Heart, as one Mm, all into one Mind in Chrift Jedis, that you may be knit in one Body, and one Spirit, and one Head, the Lamb over all, glorified over alU having come through the WorlJ, and through the Law, now know the Power of Love in your felves, as it is in Chrift, and the Mercy Seat and Forgivenefs of God ^ even as you have received of the Lord freely, fo do one to ano- ther freely, that you may be fealed therein ^ that there be no evil in any Heart unblotted out before God, that he may walk in you all in pure Peace and Mercy, and that all may know into whom you are begotten^ and with the faving health of God you i may be all covered, and the Weak ftrengthened and comforted, that none be driven away for want of Com.palUon, but that fuch be vifited with the fame you have received, or would receive from God for your felves: and thisisBrotherly-kindnefs, as God is kind : And all know the Vertue of a Healing Tongue, and ( 73^ ) and how to ufe it ; and often remember, ye were E- U'^VN^ne lilies to God, and Ignorantly did that which you ihould not ^ and in that State God fought you with much Patience and LongfufFering towards yon, and v/ith great Forgivenefs were you gathered into his Love and Mercy, that he might lead you an Exam- ple towards your Brethren, for all Souls are his : How much more fhould you be tender to furh as are al- ready called, and ferve tbem as Brethren who have but received the Truth in belief thereof, and are turned towards God, bearing their Teftimony in that Faith againft the World, though in much Weaknefs ? Yet of luch be tender, and feed them wirh Milk, as the Lord hath fed yo'i •, fo do with much Fear and Gentlenefs, leafi: the fame be driven out of the Way, and give no advantage to the Enemy •, andfet jiot your felves above rhem with that which you have received from God: But feek the Life of God in all, to fet up over all ^ and let that be the chief thing you aim at in all, for the Lord's lake, lead- ing them the way of Meeknefs and Fear which is in God, and in the pure Wifdom, putting a difference betwixt Weaknefs and Wilfulnefs, and betwixt the Brethren and the World 5 and as your Hearts are found Perfed to the Seed (of the Word of God ) here- in, God will make you wife to Salvation, Nurfes and Fathers Ihall you be called, and a Blefiing will be in your Hand on whom ever you lay it ^ and you will grow in Grace and Mercy as you come to feel this rife i: on, and in the Knowledge of Salvation, and the Powv r of God's Arm you will feel you have to gather withal unto God, and he will write his Name of Peace upon your AfTemblies, and buUd you 2S a City without Breaches. EPISTLE \ Tin ' — — C/^NTS^ EPISTLE XIIL To fome Friends in the Northern Parts. Dear Friends^ MY Soul Siilutes you all, in the Breathings of Eternal Love, which we have in the Bowels of Jefus Chrifl, who is the Holy One, and full of the Father's Love, Truth and Mercy^ and in him we drink into the fame Eternal Spirit, and of his Fuhieis we all receive enlargednefs of Bowels towards every Living Soul, whom God hath quickened ia the Life towards himfelf. And truly Friends, it s in that Life that the Remembrance of you arifes ia my Heart, amongfi: the reft of the Living of my Father, whofe Faces I have not feen for many Days, though often I have felt Defires thereunto ^ y^t your Remembrance is fweet to me for the Truth's fake, whofe Teftimony you bear before all Men, and are not afhamed ^ and fome of you have flood in it from the Beginning, in which I fee you prefent, and feel you in Spirit and Life, which I have in God. Dear Hearts, it's by the arifing of the Almighty we have Unity and Strength ^ the Morning of our Light he is in us, and his Rifing is our Glory and Crown, and he is the Father ot all our Righteouf- nefs, in the Harmkfnefs of our Hearts: How often doth he revive us with New Life, and refreih us with the Streams of his pure Virtue, and is more in cur Hearts many times than Tongue can utter : And then he brings to a fight one of another 5 and then in what Glory itands nis beloved Lambs in the Ejq one of another 5 and how doth his tender Spirit make our Bov/els Earn towards one another^ Thus doth the Lord often ior us, and lays us in his Bofomi together, and removes all Evil far trom us, and then then (hews us the Spiritual Relation that we are in, IWV^ in him. Friends, In this you are near to me in God^ I can fpeak it, to whom be Glory for ever^ and here I have a Senfe of divers of you when I was under the Mountains, and when my Adverfary had Domini- on : Verily I cannot forget you in thofe Parts, and your tender Hearts which I felt in that Day, yea, well could my Soul feed the Hard and the Tender^ and he that delivered my Soul, hath written you in my Heart, never to be forgotten : And God will bring his People all into a Clean and Peaceable Land, and ieed them with Life everlafting^ and thereto I commit you all, dear Children of God, that therewith you may be armed againft whatever Evils may afTault you in this evil Time, and Gene- ration, that knows not God. And when I was in the Norih^ it was 'in my Heart to have feen you, that I might have rejoyced with you in God's Holy Fear^ but on a fudden was I brought back to this City, and here I wait the Will of our Father, to do or fuiFer, to whom be all Fear and Obedience for evermore. Tour dear Brother^ EPISTLE XIV. Exhorting to JV^atchfulnefs. BLESSED for ever be the Father of Light, who hath called you out of the World, and hath given to you a Teftimony to finiih in behalf of Chrif} Jefusi that through you he may manifeftly declare him to the World, in the true Savour of God, wherein you are the fir ft Fruits to his Glory, as you you die and arife in him : And fo the Son is the Light of the World. So I befeech you, let your^/W) fhining be in the right Nature, and your rifing be as you are Born of God, and covered with the lame Spirit and Life by which you have been begotten towards him: That none of you may be founa falie Witnefles of his Coming, when you are proved with Fire, when nothing will abide with you but what you are in his Nature ; That's all you have of the Treafure of God, even what ycu are in him, who worketh in you again R: the Fkfh and the World 5 as many as abide in the feeling of his Meafure, and therein receive him as Head over all. But it yoa receive any thing above him, in your Minds, which is not of this Nature, then you Opprels him who is Meek and Tender, which hinders his arifing to walk and dwell in you. Wherefore dear Friends, Watch againfi: all fie{hl3% felfifli, hafty Motions ; take heed what you receivg into his Temple, leafl: yoi%DefiIe it, and he leave you De folate and in Darknefs. Becaufe of Evil Thoughts, Covetoufnefs, and Pride of Heart, is his Spirit grieved 5 every felf End, in whatever you do or fufFer, is an Enemy to his Life, he fufFers hj whatever is done deceitfully to^ wards God or Man ; and if you give way to Wrath you deny his Kingdom. ^ yea, you that have tafled of him, you know in Meafure how pure his Way is iii all things^ and I pray God you may all grow there- in, being fo much the more diligent, as you fee your Adverfary feeking by all means to darken that Glo- ry of your Holinefs in Chrift Jefus, that Spirit^ to whom I commit you all, that in the Holy Bowels of his tender Love yoa may know one another, in whatfoever any of you ihail meet with from the World, in this way of your Pilgrimage ^ that your Unity in him nothing may be able to break. EPISTLE ~--^-—MB« II I I 'lll~' T T^r- — r ^""^ EPISTLE XV. To And what is that all manner of Difobedience and Malignity which they encourage againft Lawful Au- thority, feeing you accufe them with thefe things ? W'hat Difcontents have they liad a Hand in, as to ftrengthen j and what are the Words they have fpo- ken ( 759 ) ken againff the prefent Government; and what are 1^5:8. thofe Combinations and Infurredions they encou-t>'VNi rage, feeing you charge all thefe things upon them ? And what Plots have any one of them been found in fince this prefent Government, againfl: which ma- ny have been, and Opportunity hath not been v/ant- ing, feeing you fay they have all Plots. O Men, be afliamed of your Words: Are not they known in England, to have been Men who generally did ad- venture Lives and Eftates, with thofe u^ho are in prefent Government, purchafing their Freedom as Men, with great Lofs; and now feeing they cannot feek it that way. Do not they fit down and fufter, in the way of Chrift, all that Man hath Power to injflid: upon them, holding forth the Name of Chrift in a Pure Confcience for a Witnefs againil: them, for Repentance to Salvation, and not for Deftruction 5 and a Witnefs there is in every Confcience of the Truth hereof, though all Men ihould be iilent, or fet themfelves againft it. And for the Blafphemies you tell on, Herefies and Sedition, What are they ? Bring them forth into open View, and let the Scrip- tures of Truth judg thereof: And if therewith (with- out wrefling) you can convince us thereof, then you ihew a Spirit fuitableto Scripture, and one with Scripture, and your felves as Men of God \ and de- ny that Spirit of Murther that calls Chrifl a Devil, and his Servants Blafphemers and Hereticks-, but was never able to convince them thereof before the Face of Truth : Yet with fwelling Words of Accu- fation ftir up Men to take away their Lives, faying. If they were not fo, we would not have delivered them to Death, or Perfecution : And if like fober- minded Men of Spirit, you had done this, to have proved before you had pronounced, the Heat of this fiery Matte* had been quenched in yoiir own Bofoms e're it had been kindled, or come thus far Witnefs againfl you to your Hurt -, and when it comes to re- turn again into the Veffel from whence it came^ VQU v/iil know it had been good it had rotted eVe it Bbb % had K 740 ; i(<3;8. had rifen •, though now the Innocent bear it till its t-/^/%; time be falfilled. You accuie them for killlrg the WitnefTes^ What •with crying againil Sin, which hath ilain the Wit- neflis, and vvath preaching to yon amendment of Life, calling you to the Witnefsof God in you ^ and this is known to be our chief Work in 0/d England^ and New^ and through the World; and this is that End they aim at, which you call their Mifchievous End. But Friends, it's your Pride and Fulnefs, and the Lulls of yourflelhly Wills that fiaysthe Witnefs of God in your ftlves, and your exalted Wifdom a- boi-e and againft the Spirit of Truth and Meeknefs^ where Sodom and Egypt is,t here lies the W^itnefles Slain, which they who are come out of come not to kill. And you fa}^ // the Lord have given them Com- mjfton to kill the Wiincjjcs. Doubtlefs the Lord hath given them CommiiLcn (but not to killliis Wit- ntffes) for had not they Commillion from hnn, and Power alfo, little Hope could be to go about this Work againft that bloody Spirit which is now in the j W^orld, which hath (lain the Lord of Lite, murthered the Prophets and Apoftles, and martyr d his MelF;^n- gers, under the Name of ^m//V/vx, in all Ages ^ and from which no other can be expedtd novv% had they not Commillion from him, who hath alfo put on them the fame faffering-Spirit, who love nut their \ Lives unto Death, to which you are made io confefs, faying, Jhey regard not their Lives ^ though you c^ii this the Spirit of the Devil, asPerfecutors ever have done, who are too mad in Zeal without Knowledge to mind what they do, or againfl whom, as at pre- fent you are feen to be, though the Witnefs of God fometimes forces you to contefs to the Truth ; and this is born witnefs to by them, and not ilain. And now fee what a Work you are found in againli i\\Q Lord, who are flaying his WitnrfUs, for which you are accuffng others, and as if the Lord had given them Ccmmilficn to kill his Witnefks, Is not this horrid Blafphemy? Then fee what you are do- ( 741 ) ing, who are about to kill tlie Bodies of f^jch wliofe 1^3:8. Commillion is from the LQrd : Surely had jrou thel/^V'Vl Spirit of Children (were the Meffage as bad in Trnth as you would make it, by falfe Accufations) fhould j'-our work be to contrive their Death who come with his Commiirion to preach amongd you : Hath fuch a thing as this been known, that a Child lliould a ife againfl: the Rod in the Hand of his Father, and fay, If I can but deftrcy it I iliall have Peace > This is your AVork, and tliis you fend in Counfel in- to 0/J Enghnd^ faying, Ferfecute them with the fe- iKvcft Cenfines^ fo the If rath of God would, be appeaf- ed towards England. May not all that ever heard what you once fled from, out of En^iland, fland a- mazed at this return? Alas, for 3^our Lofs and Dark- nefs^ Did ever any of your foregoers in this way appeafe the Wrath of God, by following this Coun- fel > What became of that perfecuting Power which your Eyes once faw, and from which you fled, their Rulers and their Teachers, who taught them this very fame way, and they took it as you do } They that flayed behind, bearing the Crofs from which you fled, can tell you : Though when you left that Authority, they efteemed theujfelves as fafe in that way as you can, and was as confident to fettle their Peace with perfecuting the Puritans (then fo called) as you with killing the ^takers (now fo called.) O Men, Fear the Lord God of Power, and take heed what you do in the height of your Pride, and h^at of your Cruelty^ the Hearts of fuch as love your Souls are wounded with your Counfels and Act- ings ^ and read the Scriptures, and fee if that way did ever lead but to Delblation and Ruin ^ and you are grown to a great height in a little time, and your encouraging others to go on with confidence in that way, and your gladnets at it where you hear of it pradifed, fhews your Hearts are hardened; and the Heart never hardens in Cruelty but where its filled with a Corrupt Treafure: It were better that B b b 3 you ( 74^ ) 1658. you fhould Condemn it in your felves, than Wrath .W^v^ fhould rip it up and reward it. And in your Papers you pretend great danger to ' be overcome, and fay, There n more danger of thefe than the King of Scots, or all the Popilh Princes in Germany, &c. What ! overcome with a People that bears no Weapon againft you but the Sword of a Suffering Spirit : What Fear is this that befets you, and what do you fear will be overcome without Hands ? Do you fee where this fear arifes, and is not that within you that caufes it > Is it not the Spirit of this World within you exalted where it ought not, which is now afraid the Witnefs of God fhould arife in you and 3^our People, which hath long fufrered under falfe Pretences, and feigned Worfhips, Pride and Covetoufnefs, and the whole Body of Wickednefs: And ye being awakened to the Light of Chriftjefus, it would arife and Tefti fie again ft you, to the overturning of the Throne of Iniquity, which is framing Mifchief by a Law, and lay your Honour in the Daft, that He alone may be exalted in you, u-ho hath no Fellowfhip therewith. This is feen to be the Caufe of your Fears, and the Danger you are in to be overcome, and the Caufe of Confer deracy, .and calling to fuch as fear your Fears, for more help to ftrengthen you againft the Burthen- fome Stone ^ and a Bad Caufe you have undertaken againft the Lord God of Power, to withftand the Day of your Vifitation^ and as badly Ao you ma- jiage it, to fet Briers and Thorns againft him in Battle, which he will make his way through with Fire : It was better Counfel to kifs the Son, e're his Wrath wax hot againft you, leaft the Smoak thereof wholly blind you 5 for he is near you who will over- come you, or condemn you, who hath begun to work a ftrange work among you^ and in a ftrange way to your Wifdom, is he turning your infide outv/ard to be feen of all Men, fo that a Wolf muft no longer be called a Lamb, nor the Bramble the Vine, v/ith any who are not wilfully Blind, but can judge of ( 745 ) of the Tree by its Fruits, and with bafe and foolifh ^6$^. things in your Eyes, this is coming to pafs; and^^'^V^^ that which you count the Work of the Devil mufl difcover the Devil in whom he is, and the Lamb ia whom he is, and each muft have his Name after his Kind and Nature, that Truth may pafs an even Judgment. Your Words are, that The Spirit of God fhoull Rule in his People-^ ani^ fay you, He that -k in them is flronger than the Spirit that is in the World ^ and here you pretend to fet Spirit againft Spirit in tryal for Victory-, but in Works you deny this, betaking your felves to the Arm of Flefh, making Whips, Prifons, Raniihment, cutting off Ears, and framing Laws to fhed Blood, your chiefeft Strength ^ thefe are not Spirit, nor Spiritual, but Carnal and De- vilifh, never ufed by the Spirit of Chrifi to over- come Evil, or Herefies : Will you fay you are God's People, and his Spirit Rules in you, and is the Stronger 5 and will 3^ou Murther and fhed Blond under this pretence ? Is the Spirit of God, and his Strength, to Martyr and Mangle his own Workman- fhip } Hath he no other way to overcome the Devil ? What a God would you make of him in your dark Minds > Doth he give fome of his Servants Commif- lion to come amongft you, and doth^ his Spirit rule in you to kill them for obeying his Commiffion ? Shall the Judge of all the Earth do this thing to his Creatures? Is not this the higheft kind of Blal]ohe* my, and ftiall his Holy Spirit be guilty of Innocent Blood? Nay, God is not divided againft his Crea- tion, no more than Satan againft his own Kingdom. He that kills the Body becaufe of the Spirit of Er- ror that he fays is in it, fhews his Power can go no farther : But he that hath Power to confound the Error and fave the Life, he is the Saviour to whom the Creature belongs, who comes to fave his own and flay his Enemy that is therein •, and here is read the Mark of the Lamb and the Mark of the Beaft : But the Lamb muft have the Vidory, and thofe that Bbb 4 ., War ( 7H ) l<<58. War witli him, over the Bloody colnur'd Beaft, and C/^'^V^rhat Spirit that rides thereon^ and had 7011 follow- ed the Lamb, and ftood with him in Suffering when you fled before this Spirit, then had you overcome it, and not taken it with you, which now hath over- come you above meafure, with more eagernefs de- vouring in yon, than ever in rhofe from whom you then fled, as both your Works and Words manifeft j fuch outraging, falfe and bitter Words in your Let- ters, as the Gates of Hell carnot exceed: And you tell of the Adfii-gs or Munjter being remembred by you ^ hut fiiic ir is for Imitation, for your Cruelty to thofe few who have come amongft you have not come Ihort thereof, and yet you are not fatisfied with Blood, and when in Rage you do this are not alhamed to fay, That they who bear all your If rath are they that make the Migiflrate a Man of Bloody and Contemptible : And thus every way you load the Oppreiled with your Evil Deeds, and Evil Words, who mufl: bear all from you to haften a Teftimony againfl: you. But O Men confider, you are fallen tspon a poor helplefs defpifed People, who have few among Men to plead their Caufe, but every where hated of Men, yet in time you will find, that you are itumbled on the reje^^fed Stone \ take heed leaf! he fall upon you who mufl: firfl: finiih his Teftimony, and you fill up your Meafure. that he may be clear of your Blood ^ wherefore deal not proudly, for ve- rily, yet a little while and Judgment mufi: arife to the Meek, and Power to the Weak, and Wifdom to Fools, (as to the Wifdom of x\\q World ) to Compre- hend with all Saints^ what is the Breadth and Lengthy and Depths and Heighth^ &c. and to fearch out the hidden things of Efau j and the Days are coming upon all Flelh which you will not believe, who are fetled in your own Wills and felf Confidence. Wherefore, Men, be fober, and in the Fear of the Lord God of Power take heed what you a6t in his Kame-, for he is zealous for it^ and pretend not his Spirit to Ihed innocent Blood with, for it is holy and . ( 745 ) and pure, and the Virtue and Power of it flands not in Carnal Weapons, nor is it known in hard and ^^/^y\I cruel Hearts^ there his Honour comes not, but where the Heart is broken into Tendernefs, and the Will of Man lifted out, and ften to be Vanity, there he dwells aud makes his Power known, and the Weapons of futh are mighty through him, but not to filed Blood, but to judge and difcern of Spi- rits and Powers of the Darknefs of this World, and to cut down that which is exalted in the dark Hearts of Proud Men, and to open the Eyes of the Blind therewith. And now how weak is your Shield become already in his Sight ^ And how narrow is your Covers you have fent over to England^ to hide your Ihameful Thing you have in hand. You fay, The JunHure is great betwixt thofe you call Hereticks and rZ?^ Jefuits^ when it's open to the View of Men, That their Head at Rome, and your Head is all in one Counfel, and in one Spirit againfl: them \ however, like Herod and Pi/ate, your Horns may feem to divide amongft your felves^ do not they there tofs them, and torinent them with- out Caufe (as you do) from Prifons to Inquifitiohs, and fo to Bedlam } And though they know not what to judge of them, yet they vyiil have their Blood : And will not foberminded Men foon Judge betwixt v/hom the Juncture is in this Cafe, and your Cover will fhame you. You fay, One of them prefs^d much for a Confe- rence With one of your Teachers^ but fa}^ you, the Quaker was quickly weary. And prefently you fay, Thxt unlefs your Court do make a Law, to banifh them, and not to return upon Pain of Death, you cannot be rid of them. What a Pit of Darknefs is this you are fallen into (may wife Men judged) Can one of your Teachers fo quickly weary out one, and might not then all your Teachers rid you of Six (for that is all the Number you tell on from England ) In a more Noble way, and more fuitable to the Autho- rity of the Spirit, and Power of Chrifl: Jefus, than to ( 746 ) to cut their Ears, and banifli and kill them > How ^VX; fiiameful is your Glorying here ^ Or how doth this Covering hang together, to be believed for a Truth with Men of Underftanding > In your Letters you would have People to believe. That the Spirit in thofe you thus Torture is but the Spirit of the Devi!^ and much weaker than that Spi- rit in you *, for yo'^. are the People of God, and that is the Spirit of God which rules in you^ Sec. And yet a fence/e/s Fear pojfejj'es you^ that unlefs a carnal Law be made to kill the Body^ you cannot overcome the Spirit. And this way you miftake for Vidory, notwith- fianding their Cominillion be from him whofe Spirit you pretend rules in you. What Stuff is all this, iv^hen Judgment comes to pafs upon windy Words > "What a Boaft of the People of God, having the Spi- rit of Go.^ in you, and the Strength and Greatnefs of that Spirit in you, and the Ruling of that Spi- rit in you ^ and yet no Power to overcome and vanquifh your Adverfary, but what you have from the Murtherer ? May not the leaft Child of true Light fee your Shame through all this Glorying, and that you are Men yet under the Power of the Spirit of this World, and never 3''et came to know a Victory over that Spirit in your felves > and how are you like to judge the Spirit of the Devil in an- other, but like all the bloody-fpirited perfecating Men, call Evil Good, and Good Evil, Darknefs Light, and Light Darknefs ^ And it can be no other while the Murtherer is exalted, for there the Devil is his God and Father, who doth his Works hj Lying and Murthering, ^c. And you that are there, are {cen to be out of the Power of Chrift Jefus, which binds the ftrong Man, and are in that Nature which is fierce, and cruel and devouring *, which Nature ifliies out of the EvilTreafure, corrupt and perverfe Words, calling Rogues, and Emiffaries of Satan^ and Diabolical^ and fuch like Reproachful Language, ill becoming the Mouth of any Chriftian, and with all that ( 747 ) that know the Fruits of the Spirit, this is favoured to come from a Root of Pride and Difdain^ and as t/^VN^ it's from a bad Father, fo ir begets the like in fuch as are under you, and have not Power to judge it in y&a. And, Friends, you have a great Fight to go through in your felvcs, to overcome all this, and the Father of it 5 which you muft do e're you Glory in a Spiritual Vidtory in your felves or others. Alfo your unlimited houndlefs Slanders, that all may judge that hear them, that they cannot be true, fliew that you have not Power to bridle your Tongues to Moderation, which is fet on Fire of Hell ^ as to fay, they caufe all Difcon tents, all bold Speech againft the prefent Government, encourage all Combinations^ all Infurredtions, all their Religi- on to fpeak and write Rebellion, and they have all Plots, &€. As though they had all of thefe things^ when in Truth you can prove none of all thefe things. O Men, without Shame or Meafure, what "Words are thefe you utter ! How deep is Truth buried in you, that you Ihould not hear its Voice, to flop your Mouths, and ftifle this fhameful thing ere it came out ! You fay, JFas there ever State fo void of Reafon to fuffer fuch things ? Which things they fufFer not, as that of God in them can witnefs ^ and they are void of Reafon indeed, if they go from that which in them felves they knov/ to be true, to believe what Envy fpeaks to the contrary \ and fo leaving their own Light to be led blind to kill the Innocent to appeafe God's Wrath, as you feem to teach them. Friends, This Is bad Counfel, and it's not unlike but you will find fome ready to take it, who as your felves are too raih to mind either Way or Leader. And all your Wrath muft be born, as it comes upon the Helplefs, Simple and Defpifed for its time, who often lament for your Souls, more than for v/hat you have Power to inflidt upon iJbeir Bodies, and ( 748 ) and in Hearf could wifh that you werefo wi/e as to V^^'V) take into your Bofoms again this fhameful Thing: And if you can come to a little Coolnefs in your felves alone, and fink down therein, and more feri- oufly inquire at the Spirit^ which in fecret calls you to do as you would receii^e, if perad venture God may give you a Feeling within your felves from what Root this hath rifen, that there you might con- demn it, e're it go any further, and own the Day of your Vifitation and Salvation. And this is the worft they willi you, wliom you fo fear, and their Lives feek, who are leeking your Souls in the Sight of God. J.N. T*c? if Z?^ P A R L I A M E N T of the CommoH^ weahb of England. AS I was paffij.g down the Borough of South- wark not many Days ago, I faw the great eft Abominanons acted that ever mine Eyes beheld, in fever.il Places In the open Streets Men upon Scaffolds, by two, three, four or fivr; on a Scaffold, tranf- formed into feveral Shapes, lifting Wickednefs up on high, and acting fuch abominable Folly in Words ' and Aciions, in the Sight of the Sun, as might make any- tender H-art, fearing God, to tremble at the Sight of. And this was in many Places of the Streets openly, befides what was within the Houfes, where feveral Trumpets were founding to gather vain- minded People thereto •, which wounded my Heart to fee, that ever furh things ihould be tolerated un- der your Government, for whom God hath fo wrought, that you might reform thefe Evils , And though I was moved to declare againft them in the Name and Power of the Lord openly, yet am I not clear thereof, till I have laid it before you. And | / this ^ ( 749 ) this I am to Hi/ unto you, That as you look to ftand before God, fo do you fpeedily and effedually O^'W) remove thefe Abominations out of God's Sight, throughout your Government and Dominions, that his righteous Soul be no more grieved therewith ^ for he will not give you Reft, unlefs you quiet his Spirit herein, by rooting out both fecret and opea Appearance of all fuch ungodly Sights of Vanity and Folly out of the Land, with all other ungodl/ Sports and Pageants, which if you fet your felves to do, with a perfect Heart, God will anfwer you therein, and be for you, if you will be for his Spi- rit, that it be not grieved nor opprefTed through your Negledt j And alfo thereby you will give a fure Teftimony to all the good People of thefe Na- tions, by Publifhing your EfFedlual Law againft it, that your Hearts are fet againft all open Wicked- nefs, and are refolved to drive it out of the Land^ Root, and Branch and Remembrance; which if you do, all that love the Spirit of God will love you, and join to you, and the Wicked Ihall hear and fear the Lord and you : So fhall you be a Means to chanfe the Peoples Minds from Vanity, that they may re- ceive better Things. And this is to bear the Sword for God, and work Reformation in Truth and Righteoufnefs, and fcatter Wickednefs ; the neglect whereof caufes the Nation to ftagger, and Wrath to encreafe. And without this Reforming the God of Peace will not dwell with you, nor eftablilh you, for his Pure Eye cannot behold Iniquity, nor dwell with Folly. From one who fee ks your Peace with God, and one with onother^ James Naylen 3omQ riW) Some Confiderattons needful to he taken into mind by juch as are in ^lace^ to Eale the Opprefled^ Reform Abufes, and Set the People in their Right Freedom, fo as it may be for the Ad- vantage of the TRUTH, as it is in the Kingdom and ^ower of Christ Jesus. I. TF any be moved of God to come into your X Places of Worfhips, to fpeak the Word of the Lord to the People, or to Ihew your Teachers their Error from the Truth of Chrift's Worfhip, and prove it fo before the People, by Scripture and Plain Words of Truth, do you ferve Chrift Jefus in counting thefe OfFendors, and Making or Executing Laws againfl: them as Diflurbers? And would not this \^'ay you take have withftcod that Way hy which the iVliniflers of Chrift were fent out to ga- ther his own out of all falfe Worfhips, and by which the Churches were gathered by the Apoftles, whofe manner was, to dilpute daily in their Syn^^ gogues, Schools and Market Places, as you may read in the Scriptures. And now you that call this Misbehaviour, and Peace-breaking, and feek to flop it, do not you withftand the good old Way of Chrift, by which the Churches were gathered ? And though you profefs the Apoftles Words, 3^et deny their Lives andPradtife, and the Way of their Mi- niftry ^ and is not this to Fight againft the Liber- ty of Chrift, andTeftimony of Scripture, andChri-' ftian Freedom ? 5, Is K 75^ ) 2. Is he worthy the Name of a Miniu:er of Chriff', who when any come to him in this Way of Chrift, Search the Scriptures and other Hiftories, and fee if this hath not been the W'^ay that the Light hath broken forth from under all Sorts of falfe W^orfliips, though it was ever condemned with falfe Worfhipers under evil Names and Reproach, as it is at this Day. 3. Did ever Chrift Jefus require it at the Hand of any Magiftrate to interpofe with his- carnal Weapon betwixt his Minifters, in any thing about his Spiri- tual Kingdom ? Oi\ did ever any of his Minifters feek fuch a thing from them? Is not this to deny the Judgment and Power of Chrift in themfelves, who is the only Judge and Lawgiver to all his own Servants, in whom he is known ^ who need not go out for Judgment or for Defence^ and to betake themfelves to fuch a Way as he hath not appointed. And is not this a Shame to their Calling, That they who fhould be your Teachers, and have Power with God for you, Ihould come to you to be regulated in Spiritual Matters, or defended one from another > Have not thele loft the Government of Chrift Jefus in themfelves 5 and his Salvation ? Let Truth Judge thereof ( 75^ ) thereoF, after the Practice of Chrift's Miniflers re^ l/^.^'VJ corded in Scripture. 4. Would not you ronnt that an idle and bad Hufbindman, who hath Ground enough toTill free- ly, and doth fo manage it as it will not find him Bread ? Would you think it your Duty, to make him a Law to take b}' Force his Neighbours Encreafe^ who hath no more Advantage of the Earth than , him (elf > If this feems unequal in Carnals, take heed hriw you force it in Spirituals, as touching your Miniftry *, but as they fow let them reap, and as his Hope is that threflieth, fo let him partake of his Hope 5 and if his Gofpel will not keep him, it's time to give ox-er, his dead Work doth more Harm than Good. What Fruits is the Lord of the Hari^efl: like ' to receive, where the whole Encreafe will not main- tain him tiiat tills theGround? Read, and deal by Chiifl: the Lord as you would be dealt with, and d:ny him not the Liberty of Ordering and Keep- ing his own Servants, if you lock for Freedom in him. 5. In Truth and Plainnefs, 3S you will an- fwer before the Lord for what you do, have you aiiy Order from Chrifl Jefus in Spirit, or from the Scripture (were you the chitfeft of his Diiciplt^s) to go any further in Appointing ChriiT: a Mijiiliry, than to Pray to the Lord of the Vineyard^ to fend forth faithful and painful Labourers into h^ Harveji'^ And is it any lefs than taking upon you the Royal Prerogatii-e of Chrift Jefus, for Man to {<\Y, This fhall have Liberty to Preachy and the other fhdU not ^ the Latter being more conformable to ChriR; than the former!^ Take heed what you do herein ^ and feeing ycu fay Jefi^ is Lord^ let it be fo, and feek not to Itop him of his Right, left he be ang'-y, he is able to fend out, and mamtain his own S.-ivants, and he that comes to Man for want, Ihamcs his Mafter. 6. Seeing that which is called the Gofpel is be- come fo chargeable in this Nation, in refped of great V 753 ; great Sums of Money, ^c, that Yearly are paid to uphold it, left it fliould fall ^ which Charge is to the ^.>^W> Undoing of whole Families, and Lofs of the Lives of fome who are imprifoned till Death for want of Payment thereof. May not the OpprefTed People therein look upon it as a fpecial Mercy from Chrift Jefus, who is taking off this heavy Burthen, by ^ai- ling and fending out his Meflage of good Tidings, hj the Mouthes of fuch as will go freely without Hire or Reward, as in the Beginning, whom he firs with Power to turn People from their Sins, which thofe that Teach for Hire have not. And now let Truth judge in all in whom it is, if fuch as wirh- fland his Free Gift and Tender, do not deny the Gofpel as it was in its Freedom in the Beginning, and ftand up for that which doth fo much Burthen the Nation, and hath brought forth fuch bad Fruirs. And do not fuch withftand the Manifeilation of the Power of Chrift, in his managing his own Work freely, and taking clear awaj'- the Ground of that Cruelty, and heavy Burthen from his opprefTed People, without which Power the Nation cannot be eafed of that Yoke, nor fet free. 7. Can ever the People of this Nation be made free as Chriftians (as you have promifed) fo lung as they are forced to Maintain a Sort of Teachers with their Eftates and Labours, which they are perfwad- ed upon good Ground, both by Demonftration of the Spirit and Teftimony of Scripture, that they are out of the Dodrine of Chrift, and way of his pure Worlhip, and in the Steps of the falfe Pro- phets and falfe Apoftles, whofe Ways both Chrift and the Scriptures witnefs againft, and are ready to make Proof of it before you, if they can be ad- mitted upon equal Terms Face to Face with them^ which if they be denied, are they not denied Chri- ftian Freedom, and fought to be kept in Bondage to that which is againft their Faith and Confcience, which ought not to be bound, but fet free ? Ccc 8. Have r75T7 8. Have the tender Cc. "^iences of this Nation ti^'^VN^ that Liberty promifed to them upon Engagement > Or, Is the Reformation intended by the Honeft- hearted brought forth, whilfi: People are forced a- gainft their Faith to repair the Idols Temples, with their Crofles, and Images and falfe Worfhips, Paint- ings and Pidorings, and other Vanities of Bells, Fonts and Glafles, to pay Clerk-Wages and Eajiev' Reckonings, and Tythes of Eggs, Pigs and Geefe, and all other Things never ufed in the true Church of Chriftjefus, but brought in ihrough Popery, and cannot be bowed to by any who truly make Con- fcience to follow either the Power of Chrift or true For:T of F^ripture in his Way of Worlhip. And what Ficfdora hath the People of God obtained by 3^oui Reir.ovir g KiiJgs andBiihops, who are fought to'be kept in Bondage to thefe fame things under grea*- Suftering? 9. Seeirig there is no Confidence to be put in Flefh and Blood, bu* as it comes to be ruled and order- ed in all things, National and Religious, by the Spirit of liuth in the inward Paits, wherein the K'igdom of God is in Men on Earth ^ and feeing no other Spirit can beget brotherly AfFedion and cveilaiiing Peace, and lead and give Power right- ly to je/orm what is amifs •, then ought not all, who defire the Peace and Freedom of the Nation^ to fetk it firft from thence, by giving the Spirit Li- berty to be Lord in every Confciencei* Or can you Jay any Foundation of Freedom that will ftand, till the Spirit of Chrift be fet free, and owned as Head and Lawgiver in your felves firft, and then lay no Bonds upon it in others ? And thus all confelfing and Bowing to the King in his Kingdom, he will not have Occafion to dalh you into Pieces 5 as he hath done fo often, for going about to fet Bounds to his Authority in tender Confciences, who will not be bound. And if the Nation be found worthy thus to re- ceive him into your Houfej who is King of Truth ^n4 I 755 ; and Peace, then will he for you cafl: out the Evil One, who is the Author of all Strife and Envy, iv^'XJ Wars and Divifions, which are up in the Hearts and Minds of fuch wherein Chrift rules not, who are daily waiting for Evil one toward* another, and want but Opportunity to put it into Adlioi? which you cannot but be fenfibleof: which hath bc-n and will be, until the Powers of the Earth are wil- ling that the Heavens ihould rule ; and thofe wl o pretend to rule for Chrift be v/illing to be ruled hy him in themfelves, and fuffer him to reign in others. And further, Ccnfider your prefent Work, wl'o are Profelling the Coming of Chrift, and his King- dom, but where will you have him to reign ? And who muft be his Suojeds, while the Earthly Powers would not fuffer him to have the Ordering of fuch in whom he lives, neither in Matters Religious nor Civil, not fo much as to the Hat on their Heads, or Words of their Mouths, or Manner of their Wor- ihip ? So that the Name of a King he is allowed, but his Place and Authority is with flood by the Spirit of the World, which would fuffer none to conform to Chrift Jefus, but to the World's Cuftorns, laying the Penalty of carnal Commands upon fuch as follow on to obey his Spiritual Movings ^ as in not Swearing, and many other Things which might be inftanced. 10. Confider your Promifes to God and the honeft People of this Nation, in the Day of your Fears and Weaknefs; was it not then in your Hearts, That if ever the Lord gave you Power, you would fet free the OpprefTed People, efpecially fuch as male Confcience of their Ways towards God, and that Cruel, Proud and Covetous Men Ihould nor be in any Place of Power, to Lord it over any tender Confci- ence, fo that many fober People believed you here- in. That you would not have fuffered a corrupt felf ended Man to have born an Office through the Nation •, but fuch as would have a6ted freel r for God ^nd his People for Confcience thereto, and not Ccc 2 for for Gifts and Rewards ^ and that all Popijh Unrigh- t/^V*^J teous Laws and falle Worfhips ihould have been ut- terly lOoted out; and to the Spirit of the Lord Je- fiis alone, and alter the Scriptures of Truth, you would have come to have laid the Foundation of ail, as in the Beginning before theApoflacy, both as to Law and Gofpel, which you not doing when you had Power, the Simple hearted, who were drawn in by thefe fair Pretences, and had no other 1-i.ds IP all their Actings and Suffering with you, bur fighteoiis Freedom towards God and Man ^ fuch btrgun to leave you, and return home, as Men dif- appointtd of their Expedation ^ and were brought to fee what was in Men, and tlMr Error in Look- 31 g at Fltih and Blood. Others cried out to the Army, who then fetmed much to condemn you for your >^eglfcd: And one of them took upon him the Title ot Protetior 5 and you were caft by ^ and he had Power to have done Good^ to whom many Criesot Opprelfu.n came ^ v/hich awhile he anfwer- ed with gooa Words, and fometimes with Tears : But inftead of taking away the Ground thereof, he fought to make hib own Houfe ftrongj and for that End v/ere fuch thruft out from their Places, as would not betray their Confcitnce and Truft. And fuch were put in Places as would become any thing he would have them. And as he grew high, fo the Cries of the Oppreiled were ihut out at his Doors 5 and then many were fent from the Lord to warn him againfi OpprcfTion, and to fpeak to him the Word that now God hath fulfilled ^ who waited many Days at his Gates, but were Ihut out, and often alufed by his Evil Servants*, and when they could come to fpeak to him, as he went to take his Pleafure abroad, they were thrufl from him in his Sight, and he fuffered it many times. And when he did hear them, he would not believe ^ but faid How fhaU I knoix) it is the Word of the Lord ^ tho' the Light in his own Confcience did witnefs thereto. And thus he rejected the Counfel of God againft himfelf, till ( 757 ) till his Day was over. In which time the Innocent deeply iufFered, and feme of your felves tafled a ^'"''^^^'''^ little fhereof^ and fome of you ieemed fenfible of your N^gledt, and proinifcd, That if you ever came in Power again, what you would then do; but many could not beh'eve that ever you Ihodld, fo ftrong had he made himfelf 5 But an Arm hath wrought which none can i^t, and you are in Place again, who have been ready to renew your Pro- mifes, to fet th^ People free, both as Men and as Chriftians; which the Lord hath heard, and ftirred up ma^ y of his Opprefled People, to lay their Oppreffions before you, to try you : For a lliort Work will the Lord make, for his Name's Cd]ie and his OpprelTed Seed. And now take heed to jrour Spirits, and confider you are called and fet before the Living God, and his Eye runs through you, who is mofl: Pure and Juft, and will own nought in you but that which is Truth in your Inward Parts. And as you intend to approve your felvesin his Sight, or receive Power to quit your felves of your Engagements to him and his People ^ So to that be faithful, for there only will he give you of his Counfel in fecret, and in the hidden Parts will Fie teach yoa his Wifdom^ if you will hearken thereto ^ and in Spirit mud: you receive his Strength, and not in Flefh and Blood i And he that fearcheth your Hearts, and declares to Man his Thoughts, his Name is the Lord of Hofts. And take heed of making ^ny other thing your Arm or Counfellor ^ fo fhall Truth teach you. And take heed of corrupt Men, and their fubtle Coun'* fel 5 you have fQen the End of that which is eila" bliflied therewith: And take heed of ihutting out the Word of the Lord, or defpifing the Counfel of his People i or Oppi*eifing, or fuffering to be op» prefTed by others-, fuch as are tender in Confcience^ for fuch are nearer the Lord than you are aware ofa And as their Hearts are open to his Movings, fo is his Ear open to their Cries 5 and in all their Afflic- Ccc 3 tions (75^) tions he is afflifled •, for the Living God is in them, OVV)and it is he that bears them up under OpprelFion, though OpprefTors cannot believe it, and if they b& opprefled he is grieved, and will plead with you. And now feeing you pretend to do the Work now indeed, and to bring forth perfed Freedom for all Men, as tor your felves^ and to that End feem to draw the People of God near you again, and have called fome of them, that they would prefent their Burthens and Opprellions, which grieve the Spirit of Cbrift in them •, and you appear as though you would accept of found Counfel from fuch in whom Truth fpeaks, and have been preferved in the Na- tion, by iuffering with it, this time wherein fo many have betrayed it ; So that God hath not wholly left the Nation. And thefe you now feem to give ear to, who indeed know beft what Oppref- lion is, and the Way of God in removing it, with whom God hath been in it, and is with them, Glory for evermore ! And now if you will hear what Truth faith to you in thefe Confiderations, concerning you and your Laws, You are out of Courfe, and gone out of the Right Way of Gods Law and his Gofpel ^ and thofe who fhould eafe the People of all heavy Burthens, are become tbemfelves a Burthen too hea- vy to be born, and are become Devourers, and not Relievers of the Helplefs, as you will hear, if you will indeed hearken to the Opprelled ^ for in the Place of Judgment is Wickednels, and in the Place of Righteoufnefs there is Iniquity, and the horrible Thing is committed in the Land, which God hates-, the Judges thereof judge for Rewards^ the Priefts thereof preach for Hire, and the People who know not God love to have it fo ^ And through this doth the J ift fuiter Oppreliion, and the Spirit of the Lord is grieved. But if you will undo the heavy Bur- then, this is the Way, if 3'^ou can receive it. As to your Laws, come to the Law of God, and ^ what is written by him 3 that obferve for a Rule without. ( 759 ) Without i and let the fame Spirit of Truth in you, and fuch as fear God, and hate Rewards and Gifts, ^^^'VN^ have the Executing of it freely, for A Gift blinds the Eyes of the Wife % and that which is freely of God alone, hath his Blefling and Power to ( ut down the Man of Sin, and make the Wicktd afraid. So may the Land be cleanfed of open Wickednefs, and Sin made ailiamed to appear in your Streets and Mar<* kets, which is now become bold, and the Proud are counted Happy. And this God requires, To punifh all known Sin by his Law, which refpects no Man"*s PerfoUj neither oppreffing the Poor, nor fparing the Proud. And for theGofpel, fuch as have it are not made Minifters by the Will of Man, nor by the Law of a carnal Commandment, but by Chrift and his Power, being fent out by him who is the Lord of the Har- veft, who is with and in them^ whom the World cannot receive, neither knoweth. And as many as have this Treafure in their Earthen Veffels, have the Word of the Lord, and are free-born thereof, and will never trouble you, nor burthen the Nation with Hire, Glebe-Lands, Tythes and Augmentations, nor great Houfes to dwell in, nor burthen them- felves with fuch things \ but he that is in them will lead them, and feed them as Pilgrims and Strangers upon Earth, as his Minifters ever v/ere* If you can believe the Scriptures then receive fuch, and deny them who dare not truft him as to a Maintenance % So {hall his Servants be known, the true Worfliipers of Chrift reftored as in the Beginning, and the Land eafed of its Burthen ^ and that will fall of it felf» which hath been fet up, and holden up without Chrift and againft him. And this Freedom the Children of Light wait patiently for^ which if you deny them, it will come another Way. Rejedt ■ not Truth, leaft you be rejected thereof. Ccc 4 A ( 7&0 ) Warning to the R u l e R s. In the Year, 1659. Wherein a Jufl Liberty of Confcience is ^leaded^ IT is not the Spirit of the World, nor theWifdom of Fleili and Blood, that God will honour with fetting the Nations free-, but the Spirit of Chrifi Jefus God hath chofen and appointed to make free, and whom the Son m.akes free are free indeed. So if you intend to make good ycur Promife to the Nations, then muft you work with that Spirit which God will own, elfe God will not work with you, nor cwn your Work^ but will overturn it, till he come to be owned, whofe Right it is. So if you look to do the V/ork of God, wait for his Spirit in your felves firft, to work you into Obedience to his Will and Fear ^ and have refped to that Spirit a- lone, which refpeds not Per Tons, but Truth in all Perfons. And if you know the Truth to be Lord in you, the Truth fhall fet you free, in your felves firft, free from the Spirit of Bondage, free from the Spirit of this "World, which would be Lord above the Spirit of Chrift, and woiihipped above Chri/1:, and againft his Commands. This miufl: you die to, that you may live unto Chrift, and become hisDif- cipjcs, all taught of him, and he alone worihipped, and your Hearts circumcifed^ fo as to hear his Voice, who calls to all that will own him. To do to all Men cus you would be done unto^ this is the Law and the Prophets 3 and this muft you receive from the 17^1 ; the Law-giver in Spirit, if voa will aft for hiin, 1^59. and call out all your Old Vopifh Laws, which have \yy^ been made out oi the Truth, to uphold corrupt In- terells ^ for upon that Foundation muft you build no Houfe for Chrift Jefus that he will own as his. And come to the Scriptures of Truth, which you have been long faying, fliould be your Rule, and lay them amongft you, inftead of old Popijh Sta- tutes, and corrupt Counfels, and err not from it, nor fuffer not any to wreft it by Subtil ty, but waits for the Spirit of Truth to lead you into the Truth thereof J and there is no Bondage in that Law, nor in that Spirit which gave it forth ^ and fo the per- fect Law of Liberty (if into it you look and do it) you will be bkfled in your Deeds, and he that will not own Mens Laws, made by the Spirit of the World, will own his own, and his own Spirit he knows and owns, who rejects the World's Spirit, and its Self-Ends hates, and will blaft and confound. And if here you would begin faithfully,^ your Way to Peace would open to you in the Spirit of Truth and Judgment, and an ealie thing would you find it with God, to eftablifh Freedom, and flop the Mouths of all unreafonable Men, which no other Spirit ihall ever have Power to do, but that which leads you to do as you would be done to. So if you will a61: Laws for Chrift, you muft be- gin with the Law and the Prophets, and with them prove your lelves, which is Chrift's Rule to walk by. Would you have others to compel your Con- fclences in your Worfhip, or Lord over your Faith to God } If not, then doit not toothers-, for that's out of ChrilVs Dodrine and Scripture Rule, which faith, Whdtjoever you would that others Jhould do un- to you^ do ye fo unto them ; Jhis ii the Law and the Fro- phets. Examine your felves, and let Truth judge ycu^ Are you all of one Opinion touching your Worfliip ? And would you have your Faith bound to another's Opinion, wherein you difier, contrary to (760 i^'ig. to yonrConfcience> If not (^s none that ferve God ' VVV^ more than Man would) Then feek not to bind an* other. Here a the Law arid the Prophets, faith Chrifl, Jefus if you will hear his Voice. And if you fay, But the greater Number of you are of one Opinion ^ is this a fafe Rule for you to walk by ? Did not the greater Number crucifie Chrift, and cry, Away with Him ? And doth that prove you infallible in Judg- ment, or give you caufe to think fo, feeing Chrifl faith. They be few that find the Way of Life ? And if you go by the greater Number, and not by the Spi- rit of Chrift alone? Is not that to leave Chrifl: Je- fus, and his Work, and betake your felves to the Arm of Fleih ^ let Truth in you all judge > The Scripture faith not, Follow not the greater Number^ but follow the Commands of Chrift 5 who faith. All things liohatfoever you would that others fhould do unto you^ do you even jo to the^n 5 This is the Law and the Fro* pheis. Now you are like to be tried, whether you will own Chrifl:'s Commands, or your own Interefts and Opinions •, and if you own Chrifl: Jefus, then with his Commands fliall you flop the Mouthes of unreafcnable Men, who would have others bound aiid themfelves at Liberty. When fuch come to you to get a Yoke for the Confciences of others, afk them it they will firfl: take it up themfelves, and be bound to their way whom they feek to bind, which they denying, fhew themfelves in the unrea- fojiable Nature, wnich would not do as they would be done unto, thefe deny the Law and the Prophets. And if they fay, theirs is the true Way, and there, forcthty would bind all to it. I fay. That is yet to prove, and the more to be fufpected, by their fecking a Carnal Law to uphold it, contrary to Chnitb Doctrine, which ihi^ Way of the Gofpel needs no:, nor ever uied. And it is not fafe to judge of thi^i^d that differ b}^- the hearing of one Party, bat let both have equal Liberty before ji^xx^ and the Scripture and Words of Chrifl: judge , And he that is is denied of this, hath not his Freedom as a Chri- ^(^^q, ftian. And he that would compel others to main- \yy^ tain his Teacher, or his Meeting Place, and other outward Things, which he calls Worfhip, fee if he will firfl: be compelled to do the fame to them in their way of Worfhip. And this is the Law and the Prophets, and equal and reafonable Freedom \ and this will quench the Fire of unreafonable Spirits, and flop their Mouthes who feek to bind heavy Bur- thens and lay on others, which themfelves will not bear ^ as the Oppofers of Chrift's Kingdom have e- ver done, which comes to fet free from all their Bondage. And when you have herewith ftop'd the Mouths of thefe unreafonable Men, and fhewed them their Nature, and how far they are erred from Chrift's Doctrine, and how far they are Ihort of the Law and the Prophets, then 3'^ou may be at reft for them, and fo have an open way to Chriftian Liberty for all 5 and let him that will have an Hireling Teacher, hire him-, and he that can receive a Free Teacher, receive him freely •, and he that will have a Clerk, hire him ^ and he that will worfhip in the Steeple- Houfe, repair it ^ and this is Reafonable in the fight of all Men, and freedom of Confcience, and none forced, nor have Caufe to complain of another. And if any fay, this will caft down all Worfhip and Ordinances, ^c. I fay, Not fo, for it cafts down nothing that i6 Confciencious, only it leaves every Form free from Ptrfecution, to ftand of it idf, and nothing will fall tnereby, but wlat is our of the P(vvc;r'^ot Chrift Jefus, and is upholoen by Carnal Laws and Armot Flein, and not by his Spirit, which is the Faife Wormip which hath crullied io many before you Iv .eeki.sg to uphold it, and will break all who rake it upon them to uphold, under the Name o[ Chrift's vVoilhip -, for his own Worlhip he will have the Honour to uphold, and to the Powers of the Earth he hath not given it , nor hath he at any ( 7^4 ) , any time committed that Charge to Men, to fend , ^9* out Labourers into his Harveft, or to provide for hia 1 Servants, his own Houfe hath Bread enough in it, who is Lord of all 5 all that he lays upon the Pow- ers of the Earth is, not to touch them, nor do them harm: And he that faith he is a Servant of Chrift, and comes to the Worldly Powers for Relief fhames his Mailer, and his Houfe, and Chrifl: will not own fuch Servants ^ and he that faith he is fent out by Chrift, and wants a Place to preach in, and comes to the World for a Place, is a Lyar, and is not fent out by Chrifl:, bur runs unfent for your Gifts and Rewards, whofe Work is not with God 5 and who faith he is fent out by Chrifl:, and then feeks to Men to be approved, or elfe be filent, fhews he is not ap- proved of God, nor his Mouth opened by him, which thofe that have, none can fhuf, who have the Liv^- ing Word. So mind thefe things, and burthen not your felves with that which is too heavy for you to bear. Will you tell of making the Nation free, and will not fuffer Chrifl to have the freedom to fend out his own A/TeflTengers, widi his free Meflfage, free- ly-, and fliali they nut be fufFered to declare his Will, unleis they come to you for Hire or Appro* bation, after the Will of Man? What freedom is it you talk on, who would bind the Word of God, and limit the Holy One ? So take heed what you do a- gainft the Heir, and Free-born, who is arifen to work a New Work in the Earth, and to undo what the Will of Man hath been doing without him, and to exalt the Spirit of Truth over the Head of De- ceit and falfe Worfliips. Wherefore Men be ftill, and Fear the Lord God of Power, and wait to feel jiis Spirit in you moving, and what he is about to do, that you may ferve the Son in Fear^ and think not that you can do any thing in his Work, but as he worketh in you of his , own Will, and not of the Will ot the Flefli, nor of the Will of Men j and it is vain for you to think to c 765 r to biiild upon the Old Foundations, which are not i^^9^ of God's laying -, for with the Life of Truth are they VVVI feen to be out of Courfe, and not that on which the Prophets and Apoflles were built, and therefore re- jeds the Corner Stone, the Lights and fo the Light hath reje£led them, and difcovered their Foundation, and made them naked and bare to all that are fpiri- tual Men 5 and in vain do you Labour, asthofe be- fore you have done, who have thoughts to mend and repair the Old, your thoughts are not God's thoughts, who is about to make all New, by the Spirit of him by whom the World was made •, in vain do you La- bour to piece the old Garment, or mend the old Bot- tle, your Rent is ftill the worfe, your Priefthood and National Worfliips is too far gone ont of God's good old Way ever to be mended j they mull be let alone, and to the Beginning mull you come, and to the Foundation which was laid, which is Chrift Je- fus, as in the Apoftles Times, before the Apoftacy and Popery, and if to that you look with a fingle Eye, you will fee your National Worfhips wholly out of the good Old Way in every Particular •, and where nought is Right how can that be repaired but by making New, as it was in the Beginning. And for your Laws, if you will fay you will be Chriftians therein, then muft you not look back to what Laws were made by Popilh Kings and Queens, and Self interefled Men, which have in them refpedt to any other thing but the Kingdom and RighteouC- nefs of Chrift Jefus, in all Coniciences -, and all thefe you muft caft by, and to the Pure Law of God muft you look, which refpedts no Man's Perfon, but is fpiritually Juft and Holy, which anfwers to that of God in every Confdence, and that muft you fet 0- ver all, your felves and others, that every one may be fubjed thereto for Confcience fake: Then is your Power of God, and he that Refifts receives Damna- tion in his own Confcience : But by refifting an Un* juft Law Men have not Damnation, for this were to V 7^° 7 1^59- ^^ conclude under Damnation the whole Army of U^WJ Martyrs, who in all Ages have fought the Lamb's Battle againft the Beaft and his Mark ^ and this were to condemn your felves in your prefent Work. And this confider, it is not meerly the Nature of a King, nor of a Bifhop, by which the Innocent People of God have fuffered ; but by that Lordly oppreffing. cruel Spirit, and corrupt Ordinances, laid upon pure Confciences •, and this is evidently feen of late, that in fix or feven Years laft pafi: hath been more innocent Sufferings, and open Oppr-iuons, than in many Years before : This is known to be true, though you being now got up above the Feeling, have not an Ear to hear the cry thereof ^ yet if one had told fome of you of it, a very little while ago, when you were either in Sufferings your felves, or fear of it, then it would have been better received hy you -^ fo foon doth Man"*s Heart deceive him, whofe only guide is not the Exerc ife of a Tender Confcience in the Light of Chrift Jefus, towards God and Man : Wherefore, if you will do ought a- gainfl OpprelTion, then in Truth and Faithfulnefs Condemn the Spirit and Power of Oppreifion, and Nature of it, and not the Name under which it works, leafl it be worfe in you than in thofe before you ^ for hitherto it hath exceeded and got Strength in every one who have overturned others, pretending Reformation and Freedom, whofe work hath been to fet fafe them felves and their Interefis (as they thought) but let the Yoke lie heavy on the Neck of the poor Helplefs^ and your Hearts are viewed al- ready in this thing, and are not found Upright in the fight of God, as the Light of Chrift in you ihall Witnefs, when he vifits for Unfaithfulnefs and breach of Promife ; and God is drawing away the Expec- tations of his People from you, who feels you cool- ing rather than quickning to that one thing moll needful and acceptable in the fight of God, to wit, breaking the Pov/er of the OpprelTor, and eafing the Spirit spirit of Jefus Chrift, who hath fo long fufFered in i6lo. his defpifed Members, who for his fake have given L/^VV3 up their Bodies and Eftates, and have been laid as the Streets for the Opprcflors to go over, and have been a Prey to the Proud and Covetous Teachers and Rulers of thefe Times laft paft : And this fhould have touched your Hearts with CompafTion towards them, and a true Z^al for God ^ and you Ihould not have delayed their Deliverance, nor fpared that curl- ed Thing by which the Innocent have thus fufFered, that fo you might have cleared your felves of the Blood that hath been fhed, and Lives loft in Prifons, and the Havock that hath been made of Eftates, and Ruin of whole Families 5 and this will lie on you till you purge the Nation thereof, for God is Juft, and the Blood of his Saints is precious to him, though little efteemed with Men ; And to this Cru- elty you Ihould have put a Stop with your whole Heart, and not in the leaft feemed to uphold that Spirit by which it is and hath been done, neither in Teachers nor People ^ fo would you have mani- fefted to all Men, in the light of God, your Inno- cency as to what hath been done againft the Juft in this evil Time, and fo the Spirit of Chrirt Jefus in his Prifoners would have been eafed, and would have lifted up their Souls to God in Praifes, and in Prayer for you ^ whofe Prayers God hath re- fpe£t to, who have been faithful to his Intereft and Kingdom this Day, which all Self ended Men and Teachers have betrayed, hy turning with Times and Powers after the Commandments of Men^ and not after the Lord Jefus ^ and thefe are feen by the Children of Light, to be flocking and creeping to you now, as they have done at every change, to co- ver them, and Strengthen their Hands, and remove their Fears which Guilt hath brought upon them, and to juftifie them in their evil and deceitful Deal- ing againft the Life of Truth and Faith ^ which you dping, you condeipn the Juft and clear theGuil* i^S9> *y> ^"^ ^^'^^ ^^'^ Quench the Spirit of Juftice in W^ you, and bring a Load and Darknefs over it, and the Lord will not be with you, nor give you Power to do what you hai^e promifsd in his Sight, which was in the Hearts of fome of you to do, when you came in Place ^ for if you keep not out the accurfed thing from you, God will not be with you, but againft you. And this thofe know, who know the Living God. Therefore in- the Dread of the Lord God, take heed to your Spirits, and ad not after the Wifdom and Will of Man ^ for you are not to adt for Man, but for God. And this you cannot do, but as you receive the Spirit of Truth from above, Judgment and Mercy to teach and eftabliih on the Earth, with- out refped to any changeable Thing. And take heed how you refpedt Perfons, or feign- ed Words and ialfe Pretences ^ but keep true Judg- ment, as God is jaft^ and Mercy, as he is merci- ful. And this is after God*s own Heart, and for God, and anfwers that of God in all Confciences, and gives the Kingdoai and Glory to the Juft and Merciful ; then Chrift reigns, and the Righteous re- joyce, and the Mouth ot Iniquity is ftop'd, and Fear will fall on the Hypocrite, and good Men fearing God will draw t >wards you, not to beg of you for their felf Interefts, nor load you with their Wickednefs, but to add to you of the Sttength and Power of the Lord God, who dwells with luch as ^ fear him. And this is the Kingdom of God with Men, which if you will not feek to fet up firft in your felves, and then in every one that comes before you for Judgment, then are you not for God, but tor your felves 5 and God v/ill divide you, and overturn you, till he find fuch to chufe as are willing that he a- lone fliould Reign, by the Power of Truth, in their Inward Parts. And r^^'-^- V 1^7 ) And take heed of putting away the Wealc with i^^o. fair Words, when they cry for Relief againfl: fuch C/'^TV as are too Strong for them, and bearing with great Ones like your ielves^ and fo the grieved in Spirit depart from you without Help, and fo cry to the Lord againfl: yoH, who will hear them, and mark your doings againfl: the Day. This was his way who had once Power to have done good to the Op- prefled, before you, and might have fet the People free, as he often had promifed, as you have done; and now its your time to perform, flip it not, leafl: Deceit harden you, as it mufl: needs do if Truth alone take not Place : And feek not your Honour from Men, nor Strength from Flefh^ but hold fafi: Truth, Judgment and Mercy, that the Lord may firengthen and honour you : But if you forfake thefe Sin lies at the Door, which when it's finiflied brings Death and Shame, as your Eyes have feen. O that you had Hearts to Underfl:and. And remember how it was with Oliver Cromwell^ after he had taken upon him the Work of fetting the Nations Free, but did it not ^ but infl:ead there- of, fought all ways to eftablifti himfelf, and his Houfe, out of all fear of being removed, or Ihaken j and to this End gathered to him the Arm of Flefli, ajid the Strong, and caft out the Weak and Poor. And how often hath God fent his Servants to Warn him, and call him to Repentance, whom at firft he put off with good Words, but little elfe 5 but the Lord, not willing to give him up, fent them ftillj which after, when the Mefli'.ge came near, and wounded his Confcience with Guilt, Then he ftiut them out with Guards, and they were puftied away from his Doors and Gates, and evil intreated, and imprifoned, and worfe intended, till there was no remedy -^ and you have feen what God hath done in the End. And now take you heed of dealing fo towards God and his People : But take heed to your Spi- Ddd rits. / / 1 65 9- J^i^s, for the Heart of Man is deceitful when he l-/^V'>Jis exalted. So mind the Spirit of Meeknefs and . Truth, to guide you^ and do the Work you have engaged to do without delay, with your whole Heart. And if any be moved to come to you from ' the Lord, take heed of fhutting it out, or fleight- ing it, as hath been done, leaft you reject the Liv^ ing Counfel of God, and he ceafe from you : And you will foon be tryed herein, for a ihort Work is God making in the Earth, that he may Exalt the Son of Truth and Righteoufnefs. He leaves Men without Excufe. F I N I S. ERRATA. TN the Book, Page i^.line. Iaft,delc hereafter, p.37.1.24. for dear^ r. hear. p. 47. 1.12. r.how little, p.jj.l.-^i.r. into the. p.Si.\.i^.rxarnal Eye. p.S6.\.^Aormth r.f/.p.f o4.1.rp.join the Paragraphs^and \.2o.T.andought torelieve fucb.pA'^'^.\.2S. dele and be a Terror, ^c. being printed twice. p.i84.1.35.r.6y the Law. p.240.1.29. ^Oi' wanderer vponder. p.2i^y.\»^^.r.the Shadows. p.277..1.33.for/fj,r.b*j. p.2/'8- 1. 2ps. Error but in going. p.285.l.23.for to^r.for .\.2^.r. net for. p.301.1. 35. r. a- venge. p.'}o2A.2p.T.tfew Birth. p.3o^.l.i5.r. undeceive, p. 309.1.i5>.r. whohath.p. 33iJ.34.t.t£7,r./<7.p.343.1.33.r.tf Cfo4ngf.p.4io.l.3(^.f.OTtfd£',r./?/gHfJ.p.42o.l.24.r. ijr-_j. „ .^Q 1 _ I.. .1 .^ 1 __ _ iL- ^^ _ . ^-« I .O-.ri..'. ^^T.^1 r>Q Ihii is. p» 732 1.25. delef'/. p.7^\.\.s.{or haver. had. 1. ^, for feed^^t, feci, p.762, 1. 15. dele the 2d not. p.y66.\. ^,ior Nature^ r. Name. r TABLE OF THE BooKSj Epistles and Papers Contained in this Volume. In the Introduftion. i A A^ Eplji/e to the Serious Reader^ containing an A\ //^/;^r//j/ Account of the mofl Remarkable A. 3l TranfaUions relating to l.Ws Life. p. i 7mo fhort Vapevs of ConfeJJions» 8cc, p. xxv A Letter from William Dewfberry , p. xxvi To alt the dearly helovedVeople of God. p. xxvii To all the Feople of the Lordj everywhere, p. xxxi A TeJJimonyto Chriji Jefus^ to the Parliament, p» xxxv His ConfeJ]ions and Anfvoer tofome "Particulars, p. xxxvi To the Li/e of God in AU. p. xxxix Another Paper of ConfeJJion* p. ilix In the BOOK. D Ivers Particulars of the Perf editions £?/ James Nayler by the Priefls of Weftmorland. Pag. \ The Examination of\, N. upon an Indi^ment of Blaf- phemy at the Sejpons at Appleby. p. i r ui Letter of J. NV tofome Friends in Yorkfhire, giv- ing an Account of the Proceedings at Lancafter- ^ Seffions againft him and G. F. p. i y ■/Truth cleared from Scandals: Being ], N'x Anfwer P and Declaration^ touching fome Things charged up- on him. Sec, p, 20 { Ddd 2 An A TABLE 1^/7 Bpijlle to fever al Friends about Wakefield, p. 2^ Jo all dear Friends in Holdernefs, ^c. p. 30 The Power and G/ory of the Lord fhining out of the Norths or the Day of the Lord dawning \ wherein the True Light is ho/den forth, to all who defire to walk in the Day, Jf^ith a Warning to the People of England, ^c. P. 35 — The Way How all Flefh may come to know the Lord i and Fear Him^ &c. P* 53 ^A Word to the Seed of the Serpent, &c. p. 58 ^ ADifcovery cf the Wifdom which is from beneath, and the Wi/dom which is from above, &c. \\ 6$ — I. The Wifdom from beneath^ which leadeth into Bondage, and the Wifdom jrom above^ which leadeth up into perfcB Liberty, &c. p. 66 —II. All labouring and fl riving by Forms, Cujioms and Traditions, come JJ?on of the Wor/Inp in Spirit and in Truth. The two Ways which Men rpalk in, viz. 1 The Spiritual and the Carnal, Sec. p. 70/ —III. How the Subtilty of the Serpent works, p. 7^/ —IV. A Caution to all who fhaU bejound Perfecutors, ^ perfecuting the Righteous, &c. p. 85 ^^ —V. A Call to the ^cr Id to Repentance, 8cc. p. dd 9 — ^ Warn- A TABLE -^A Warning to fuch whofe Hearts are prepared to receive Infiruclion, Sec. p. 995^ To the Rulers, p. 400 A Meffii^e from the Spirit of Truths unto the Holy Seed J &c. p. 407 jrhdt the FoffeJJton of the Living Faith /V, the Fruits thereof^ and wherein it hath been found to differ from the Dead Faith of the Worlds 8cc. p. 4.2$ ^-UIjo they be that are under the Law, and who they be that have made void the Law againji themfelves^ and who they be that are under Grace. p. 455 — Of the If ay of Life^ from the Knowledge that de- vours the Life, p. 457 — An Opening of Light to all Sorts of Rulers and Peo- ple that wait for the Kingdom of God, 8cc, p. 45-9^ — A Candle lighted, to give the Sight of the good old If ay of God at h^i Coming, Sec. p. 47^ — The Living God glorified in his Temples^Scc, p. 486 — To the Ranters. p, 494 — Deceit difcovered by its Fruits, p. 497 A Door opened to the Imprifoned Seed, or Captive Souls in the World, and the If ay of Freedom by the Spirit of Truth fent out into the Jforld, in Love to the Sheep that have long been loft, 8cc. p. 507 — To all that dejtre to be/et free from Bondage, p. 5 1 8 — The Fruits of the Free Born cleared from legal Pev' for mane es, and the Children of Bondage fhewed the Nature of their Works, ^ ^ P* 545 — Chrijl fefus known to be King in his Temples, p. 'y'^S — Grace received and Grace rejeUed. p. 561 A few Words in Anfwer to the R.efolves offome who are called, Independent-Teachers, ^c, p. 564 To the Gathered Churches, p. 575 To thofe who trere in Authority, whom the Lord is now Judging, Sec, p. 59 1 A Letter to King Charles 11. p. 59^ An Account from the Children of Light, 8cc, p. 601 — As to thofe Things which fo me call Civil. p. 61 r — To thofe things which fome call Religious. p. 6 2 2 Part Fart of Hk An fixer to the Book called^ The Fanatick Hiftory, (fe far as concerns himfelf) p. 645 A Word of Reproof to the Alinijiers of the Nationy whofe Kingdom is already fj^aken and divided again ft it f elf p. 65:4 Mil/z for Babes and Meat for firong Alen treated of See, p. 664 — An Epiflle to Friends p. 6^2 — Hii La ft Teftimony, and Death. p. 696 His Epiftles and Papers never before Printed, — 'T^O //;^;« ^/ /fe Independent Societ}') p. 697 — X To a Convinced Backflider. p. 702- His Epiftles to Friends. —I. To Friends at Lincoln. p. 705 — ir. To Friends at London. p. 705: — III5 To the Churches of Chrifl in the North, p. 705 — ly. To Friends in the City of York. p. 708 — v. For Friends to wait to knov) Bread in their own Houfes^ Sec. P« 709 —VI. To the Called of God, who believe in the Light ^ to walk therein. P« 712 — VJI. To Friends to be diligent in Meetings, p. 714 — VIII. Concerning Love and Judgment. V* l^S — TK, To/ome that were backjTtdden, p. 719 — X. For Friends to be tender and compajjionate, p. 7 2 5 — Xr. Not to ft rive ^ but overcome by Suffering, p. 727 — Xll. Exhorting to JJercy and Forgivenefs, p. 751 — XIII. lofo77ie Friends in the Northern Parts, p. 75 ^ — XIV. Exhorting to Watchfulnefs, p. 754 — XV. To watch againft the Enemies Wiles, Sec. p. 73^ Something in Anfwer to two Letters fent from New- England, 6^V. V' li'l To the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England. p. 74B Some Confederations needful to be taken into nilnd by fiich as are in Place toeafethcOppreffed^ Sec, p. 7$'o A framing to the Rulers ^ in the lear, 1659. p. 760 His His Controverfal ^ooks not Reprinted in this CoUeHion^ in the Tears^ ^^55 and 1656. A True Difcovery of Faith, In AnCwer to ^ohn I^eynef't ^^'i'^. A Difpute between him and the Pariih Prieft of ChefterfelL An Anfwer to the Book called, The perfe^ Pfurifee. A Difcovery of the Man of Sin.— A 2d Anfwer to the Priefts of Newcaflle, Satan's Dellgn di covered ;— In Anfwer to ThomM Moor, A Second Anfwer to T. Mookj his Defence, An Anfwer to a Book cal]ed,the ^xkers Catechifniy by ]{,Baxt&r, An Anfwer to Twenty Eight Queries, fent out by F. HxrrU, The Boafter bared, and his Armour put oif ; in Anfwer to J^noch Horoeu A Difcovery of the Beaft ; — In Anfwer to T. Win\erton. A Fool anfwered according to his Folly ;— as^ainft G, Emmou The fecret Shooting of the Wicked reproved ; In Anfwer to J. ^achfon. Something further in Anfwer to ^ohn fadfon's Book. A Vindication of Truth, as held forth in a Book, intituled, Love to the Lojt ; againft T. Higgevfon. 1656. Foot yet in the Snare,— difcovered, in Anfwer to 5F. ToUervey, A Publick Difcovery of open Blindnefs ;--In Anfwer to f, Deacon, Deceit brought to Day-light ; In Anfwer to T. Collier, Weaknefs above Wickednefs, and Truth^above Subtilty : — In Anfwer to ^. Ives, Wickednefs Weighed ; In an Anfwer to — EUU Bradjhaw. The Railer rebuked ; in a Reply to -— E. Bradjhaw, The Light of Chrift and the Word of Life ;— . In Anfwer to Matthew Caffin, Antichrift in Man, Chrift's Enemy: — In Anfwer to ^o//?. MiUer, An Anfwer to feme Queries, put out by one fohn Fendarves, About Eighty Six Sheets. ,••♦ T'.VIJBB _*'<:■ mm IP' » i'w-"iiwnwwf