THe good and blessed Day of the Lord is come, and the Heavenly Visitation of Life, wherein the Light of Righteousness is springing up unto ma­ny people, and many have received the blessed Visitation of the Lord, and are made partakers of his Heavenly Power, by which they are quick­ened and raised up unto newness of life, to serve him, and to fol­low him in truth and righteousness; and the blessed day wherein the Lord visited us, and the notable works which the Lord hath wrought, and his noble acts which he hath done, are not by us to be forgotten, but are recorded in our hearts, as things remarka­ble and considerable, to be remembred by us while we have a be­ing upon the earth, and that with fear and reverence in our hearts unto the Lord our God, who is great and mighty, whom we have known to execute Judgement in righteousness, to the judging and bringing down of that which was once exalted; for when the ac­ceptable Year of the Lord came unto us, Judgement was laid to the Line, and the Lord did arise to shake terribly the Earth, the loftiness of man was bowed down, and the haughti­ness of man was laid low, that the Lord alone might be ex­alted; and the Earth reeled to and fro, and was removed like a Shepherd's Tent, and the Light of Israel was as a fire, and the holy▪ One as a flame, to burn up the thorns and the thickets in a day; many faces gathered paleness, and hearts grew weak, and knees feeble, and many had their hands upon their loins, because of the great travel that was upon them, because of the mighty Power of the Lord which was made manifest in them, for the bringing down of that which had been exalted against him, and for the restoration of the oppressed Captive, that deliverance [Page 2]be known from the power of Satan, and from the bondage of corruption, that we being set free wherein we were held, might serve the Lord in truth and singleness of heart, and wait upon him, and follow the leadings of his Spirit, in the exercise of our hearts and minds in serving and worshipping the Lord our God; And so the God of Heaven hath revealed and made manifest the way of Life and Peace, the way wherein comfort and satisfaction to the soul is found, the Gate of Mercy, even the entrance to the everlasting Kingdom of Rest and Joy for evermore; which although it be strait and narrow, and a cross to the fleshly part, and earthly ground and wisdom, yet it is easie, pleasant and de­lightful living in the Spirit, and becoming little, even as a Child, for so must he become that enters in at the strait Gate, to eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradice of God: So we have found the way of everlasting peace, (through the rich mercy, and tender visitation of the Lord) walking in the Spirit, and living in that which mortifies the deeds of the flesh, be­ing subject to the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Here is rest to the soul; here is the sweet visitations of the Lord known, which are as the former and latter rain, to refresh the lowly in heart, and poor in spirit: Here waiting upon the Lord, the strength is renewed, and here the Lord speaks peace to people, even as they are in Christ the Power of God, growing up in him, who is the truth and the life, they are possessors of lasting peace which God speaks not to the wicked) which is the portion of the upright in heart; and as the Lord hath made manifest the way of peace, life and everlasting happiness, he hath also discovered the contrary, even the way of misery, darkness and destruction, the way which is broad, and many in the lusts of the flesh takes pleasure in it, following the motions of the flesh, and the desires of the carnal mind, resisting the motions of Gods good Spirit, and hating the blessed Light of the Lord Jesus Christ, and so spends away their precious time, and in this state, that is to say in the flesh, resist­ing the Spirit of the Lord, they cannot serve God, nor please him, nor worship him in truth, though they may professe him in words, and draw near him with their mouth; yet being in the flesh contrary to the Spirit of Truth, the ear turned away from hearing of God's Law, their prayers are abomination, their [Page 3]plowing is sin, their sacrifice is as Cains, not accepted by the Lord, no peace from God, no true rest, no satisfaction, no behold­ing the countenance of the Lord, nor no assurance of the Eter­nal Inheritance which never fades away, but an earnest of wrath, pain, misery, anguish and trouble, which will come upon all who live and dye in disobedience of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.

And so we see the Way of Life to all that believe in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and the way of death to all who live in unrigh­teousness, and are not changed by the power of God, and transla­ted from death to life, and from the Kingdom of darkness, into the Kingdom of the dear Son of God.

And these things are of great concernment unto us, and we see it is very needful to wait upon the Lord, and to follow the mo­tions of his Spirit, that we may feel his power to preserve us in his will, out of the evil of the World, that so in the power of the Lord our God we may war a good Warfare, and finish our course with joy.

And verily this is a matter of great weight unto us, even to have our hearts exercised towards the Lord in obedience to his Will, in what he requireth of us, that we may have a Conscience void of offence towards him: And so the day of the Lord God being come, and his Eternal Power made known in many hearts, by which many are raised to serve him, and obey him, yea to wor­ship him according to his own Will, and the leadings of his good Spirit; We are even constrained by the Power of the Lord to meet together in his Name and Fear, to wait upon him, and to worship him, and also to exhort one another in his holy Power, as the Spirit of the Lord directs; yea, and so much the more as the day appeareth: And this we find also to be according to the Scriptures of Truth, and practice of the Servants of the Lord in former dayes, who did not forsake the assmebling of themselves together, but met often, and sometime in one place, and some­time in another, as they were directed in the fear of the Lord: And they that feared the Lord spake often one unto another, and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a Book of Remembrance was written for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his Name: And they [Page 4]shall be mine saith the Lord, in the day that I make up my Jewels, and I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him: And this was in a time when the proud were called happy, and they that wrought wickedness were set up, and they that tempted God were delivered; yet even in such a time did they that feared the Lord speak often together, and also in the time when the Go­spel of Christ was published by the Apostles and Ministers of Je­sus, many were brought into the obedience of the truth, and were gathered from the Jews Worship and way of service, [and they, to wit the Jews, could plead more iustly for the Antiquity of their way of Worship, and their order in their Worship, than many who this day profess themselves to be Christians, and a re­formed Church] and in that time did they meet together, some­time in a Chamber, sometime in an house, and sometime in an upper room, as the Lord directed them, and as they had oppor­tunities; and gathered Churches which met at Houses, and waited upon the Lord, and exhorted one another, and might all speak one by one, as the Spirit of the Lord lead them, that all might hear, and all be comforted.

And we do not read that the Jews made a Law, (or the Romans ei­ther, who at that time had the Principality) that they should not meet above four together, or if they met five, or above, they should be fined.

Indeed the Jews who believed not, were bad enough, and perse­cuted the Saints from City, and halled out of Houses they that professed the Name of Jesus, and sometime scourged them; but they are evil examples to be followed, and it's pitty that any who profess themselves Christians, should do the like to any that meet together in the fear of the Lord, to serve him, and walk peacea­bly in godliness and fear.

And why may not more than four meet together lawfully to worship God, in the account of God and all just men? Why may not ten? Yea and why may not a bundred and more [...] Provided still it be to worship God, and serve him. And why may not also some come in amongst them who are unbelievers, that are igno­rant of the way of truth, that they may come to hear, and learn, and be convinced of all, and go away, and confess that God is [Page 5]there of a truth; and if there be more that come upon the same account, it is also approved.

Sure that was a great concourse of people, when the Disciples were met in one place, where three thousand were pricked to the heart at one time. Had it been justifiable in the Jews at that time to hinder such gatherings of people together, or such Speakers as were, who spake as the Spirit of the Lord gave them utterance? The Jews were very angry with them, and commanded them to speak no more in the Name of Jesus; but they obeyed God rather than man, and spoke boldly the Word of the Lord, and the Lord was with them, yea and filled their hearts with joy and comfort, though sometime they were put in the Stocks, and sometime in Prison.

So we do verily find both by the Testimony of the Spirit of God in our hearts, and also by the Testimony of the Scriptures, That our meeting together to worship the Lord, and to wait up­on him, is according to the mind of God, and also to the practise of the Saints in former dayes; and although we be of the suffer­ing-side, as the Saints were in times past, yet we are content in the will of the Lord to give up unto him in all these things: And surely if they that causeth us to suffer, did but diligently mind and consider their way and weapons which they go on in, and war with, they may find themselves to be on the persecuting side, and see the Saints did not so, neither war with such weapons; for the Saints weapons were not carnal, but spiritual, and mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong holds; for 'tis the spiritual Weapons that can and doth conquer the man of sin within, and can subdue every high thought and imagination, and bring under whatsoever is contrary to the Will of God: 'Tis the Eternal Word of the everlasting God that is quick and power­ful, sharper than any two-edged sword, which divides within, where no carnal Weapon can divide: And if any think we be not in the way of the Lord, let them come forth with spiritual Weapons, or with the best they have, laying aside all carnal Wea­pons, Club and Staffe, force and compulsion, for that will never overcome a spiritual Enemy; it may kill outwardly, but cannot kill spiritual wickedness; and coming forth with these Weapons, [Page 6]this is like men that profess Christianity, and would be far more comely amongst the sober and honest-bearted people, and far more like to the Saints, then halling out of houses by force with carnal weapons, and casting into prison for no other thing but owning the Doctrine of Christ, and meeting together to worship God.

And then this be offered as the prevailing Argument; There is a Law made lately, that will not allow you; and if you do, we must fine you, or we must take your Goods, or commit you to prison, or cause you to for­feit your Estates: Therefore we charge you give over, if not, we must proceed against you, and break your Meetings with carnal Weapons.

Oh! where is the spiritual Weapons, the power to convince gain-sayers, Gospel-Ministers that went forth without Club or staff; for say we, convince our Consciences, or else we dare not do it; for we may not disobey the Lord because of these things?

Obj. Well, then (say they) you will be ruinated; have you no wis­dom? will you spoile your selves with these things?

Ans. More is the pity, (say we) that we may not serve the Lord, and worship him; but such lufferings will be exercised up­on us by a people that profess themselves Christians, and reform­ed ones too: Well, say we, we must commit our cause to the Lord, and even give up all to him, who knows how to deliver on us by a people that profess themselves Christians, and reform­ed ones too: Well, say we, we must commit our cause to the Lord, and even give up all to him, who knows how to deliver the righteous out of all their trouble.

Obj. I but (say they) cannot you meet four, and no more?

Ans. We say, We may not limit the Lord, neither in the things of God must we order our selves. And again, if some could stoop to that, it would not serve neither.

Obj. Then (say they) you must be forced, and then you, or some of you will yeild, and then we will boast over you with those.

Ans. But we say, that force with carnal Weapons, by pains and penalcies, as it was not the way of the Lord, nor the practise of the true Christians, so neither doth it effect the end, for it will never make men truly religious, neither will it be for the bet­ter in the end to them that go about so to compel; no, nor yet any comfort in the mean time; for there is a Prick that meets with the Persecutors now and then, which stops their furious driving, and gives them no ease in their Way; as it was vvith Saul while he persecuted the Saints and brought them bound, both Men and Women, that believed in the Lord Jesus; and he is not a good example in that to be followed; for he made havock of the Church, entering into every House, and halling men and women, committing them to prison, having Authority from the Chief-Priests, and being ex­ceedingly mad against them, (Acts 8 3. Acts 26.10, 11.) as he after­vvards confessed; and as he vvent to Damascus with Authority and Commission, he vvas struck dovvn for all his Authority, and heard a voice saying to him, Why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And it will be very hard for all such vvho persecute the Children of the Lord, the Lord will smite them one vvay or another; if they be not smitten to their Con­version: But if the Lord smite them often, and they still go on to sin more and more; he will ease him of his Adversaries, and avenge him of his Enemies, and smite them vvith an irrecovera­ble stroke.

Obj. And if it be objected, That these were Jews that did not pro­fess Christ, that thus persecuted the Christians, and it was evil done of them; but we are a Reformed Church, and we do it in zeal to Christ, that people might be all of one way, and the Law doth allow us to it.

Ans. 'Tis ansvvered thus: The Jews had a zeal for God which vvas not according to knovvledge; and they had a Law also, by which they judged the Holy One that he ought to dye; but al­though they supposed they did God service, and for the defending of the Law, yet indeed they fought against God, and they had as [Page 8]much to say for their vvay of Worship, it being ancient, and they vvhich differed from them, their vvay vvas but nevv in ap­pearance: I say, the Jews might plead for their Way far more groundedly, than many novv; especially people vvho neither live in their Way of Worship, according to the Jews under the Law, no nor yet according to the Saints in the Primitive times; And those that profess themselves Christians, and yet persecute the Innocent, they are far more guilty than the Jews vvere, inasmuch as they both profess more Light, and also vvalk so quite contra­ry to their ovvn Profession; yea and to the example of Christ, vvhom they profess (and the true Christians) who said, Love your Enemies, pray for them that persecute you; not persecute them that pray for you: Neither had the Saints such Weapons to bring people into their Church, as is now used, but spiritual ones, migh­ty through God, and vvent forth in his Power; this brought peo­ple to be of one heart, and one vvay, and to serve the Lord with one mind, which force, vvith carnal Weapons, vvill never accom­plish, to bring people to be of one vvay.

Obj. And as it's said, But some will yeild, and then we will rejoice in that.

Ans. 'Tis answered, That's a bad Work to force people, and compel them to deny that vvhich God hath made manifest to them to be truth; and the greater is their sin that so do. 'Tis said, that Saul compelled some to blaspheme against the Name of Je­sus, when he raged so against them; but he afterward confessed it as a great sin: And though some did so, or do so, yet that is no confirmation to the persecutors, that they are in the Way of God; no, nor yet a true Testimony against the persecuted, that they are not in the Way of God; neither doth it truly convert men at all: Indeed force and compulsion may make some men conform to that outwardly, vvhich otherwise they would not do; but that is nothing of weight, their hearts are never the better, but are rather worse, and more hypocrites than before, for force doth but make Hypocrites at the most; for it is God alone by his powerful Word of Life operating in the hearts of people, that [Page 1]changeth them, and reneweth them in the Spirit of their minds, and brings them into the true Service and Worship, even to draw near him with their hearts, and to worship him in Spirit and Truth, and it's out of man's power, and that which God doth not require of men at this day, to force by penalties and carnal Weapons to this or that Worship, and is absolutely against the practice of the Saints, and the Spirit of Jesus, as also against Christ's Royal Law, which is, Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye unto them: Now let every man make it his own case, He saith his way is the way of God, and anothers is not: Well then, would he be forced to leave his own way, and to go to the other, vvhich he is not satisfied of to be according to the mind of God, especially when nothing is offered to convince his Conscience, or perswade his mind and understanding, but force and compulsion: Surely no man would be so dealt with in his own case.

Obj. But if it be said, We have Power and a Law, and we are wise and learned men, and we would not be forced from our Religion, but we would force people to ours.

Ans. This hath no weight in it at all; for you ought to put your selves in the same capacities as them you deal with are; and to consider your selves in their condition; they are as strongly (it may be more) perswaded in their Consciences by the Spirit of God, that their Way is right, than you are of yours. Well then, (weighing these things) would you be forced? Would you have others to deal so with you, if you vvere in their condition, and they in yours? Let God's Witness answer in all Conscien­ces, and see if these vvays of forcing in matters of Conscience to God-wards, be not quite contrary to the practice of the Saints, and to the Royal Law of Christ.

Obj. Besides, though it be said, But we judge we are in the right, and our way is the true way.

Ans. It's answered, You may be mistaken, many hath, that have had thoughts their way was right; and while you have not the infallible Witness of God's Spirit with you, to testifie to your Way, peradventure you may err as the former Forcers have done; and then you cause people to sin, if you could force them to blas­pheme, and to deny, as Saul did; for if he that turneth a sinner from the error of his vvay, (who hath erred from the Truth) doth save a soul, and hide a multitude of sins, then they that force people from the Way of God, and cause them to err, doth bring souls into death, and so bring innocent blood upon them­selves, yea the blood of souls, which will be a great weight in the day of God's account.

Obj But if it be further said, How then? how must we do (there is so many wayes) that people might be brought to one way to serve God?

Ans. Do what God requireth of you, and no more, and then we shall never suffer by you, nor under you; Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God, this is better than the fat of Rams: 'tis better than all the outward sounds and ceremonies, and bodi­ly exercise, while the heart is far from the Lord. And if you judge you are in the right, and your way is right, come forth then with spiritual Weapons, mighty ones, in the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and let us see you shine forth in his Image; let this be your covering, your white Robes, even the Righteousness of Christ, which is the righteousness of the Saints, and lets see your meekness, patience, gentleness, and good example your readiness by word and deed to convince gain-sayers in the power and go­spel of Christ; your love to Enemies, your self-denial, your sub­jection to the Cross of our Lord Jesus; Oh this would reach our hearts, then God's Witness would answer to you, and this would answer the good part in all; and this is the way to bring people to be of one mind in the truth; this is God's way, this is the way the Saints walked in; this is the way we love and desire; and this also would be of good report amongst all good people; but the con­trary [Page 11]force and compulsion, with a hasty, froward, proud, envi­ous spirit, with Staff and Club, and carnal Weapons, and Stocks, and prisoning of people, against whom there is no occasion, but concerning the Law of their God, and matters which are really of Conscience to God-wards; We say, this will never be justifi­ed by the Lord, nor effect the end neither; nor be of good report amongst sober people, nor answer the good part in people: And moreover, the Lord God of Life will turn his hand and power against them, that so turn their hand and power against his peo­ple for obeying him, and exercising their Consciences towards him, in waiting upon him, and worshipping him according to that which he hath made manifest to them; and such will be more in­excusable for persecuting now, than the Jews were in former dayes; for then the Saints met together, and professed the Name of Jesus, which the Jews did not say they believed in. Besides, it was in appearance such a new way, and so different to the Law and manner of Worship which the Jews had, that they had some seeming colour in their way; but now for they that professe the Name of Christ, and the Scriptures of the New-Testament, and the Saints practise, and Christ's commands to be obeyed, for these (all things considered) to persecute people for owning the com­mands of Christ, and for practising the same things (which they cannot but read) the Saints practised, and to hall people, and commit them to Prison for meeting in the Name of Jesus, to wor­ship God and to wait upon him; yea, and to be so far from che­rishing such, as to act the very parts of them that made havock of the Church, and halled out both men and women, and was exceedingly mad, and caused some to blaspheme, and committed to Prison for the same things; it doth appear to be great evil, and to be even sin against knowledge, against their own Professi­on as Christians, and cannot be parallel'd with any of the Saints, but with the Persecutors, who hated and evilly entreated the ser­vants of the Lord in former ages, who never could accomplish their end, though they caused many to suffer; and now to put all out of doubt, and to give all who opposeth the people of God in the way of God, an absolute answer, that they shall not be able to accomplish their end, and therefore it vvould be far better to [Page 12]be quiet, and to mind the Royal Law of Christ, lest they by act­ing contrary, do bring innocent suffering, and blood upon their own heads, and incur God's heavystroke of displeasure against them, yea and a fire be kindled in their own bowels, and a worm which shall not dye, and a dart strike through the heart and liver, and so the end be as bitter as Wormwood, and as sharp as a two-edged Sword; these are Instruments of War which the Lord hath in his Quiver, which is reserved for the day of Battle, when God pleads with all flesh by fire, and by his sword, when the slain of the Lord shall be many, when he will rain snares upon the wicked, fire and brimstone, and grievous tempests; this is the portion of their Cup: But indeed we do desire the conversion and salvation even of our persecutors; and therefore to put all out of doubt, as is before said, that there is no prevailing against the Lord nor against the Sion of the Holy One, in whom the Lord is: We say, the living God of Heaven and Earth hath made manifest unto us the Way to Life, and called us to walk in it, and united our hearts together, (as many as lives in his Power) to serve him, and to wait upon him, and to meet together to wor­ship him in spirit and truth; and we are perswaded to obey the Lord, and believe in the Lord, that he will strengthen us in his Way and Will unto the end: For our strength is in the Lord (and not of our selves) who hath called us to follow him through good report and bad report, and not to deny his Way because of sufferings, but to endure in patience, and let the Lord plead our cause in the hearts of his Enemies.

Obj. And if any say, Why will you not swear? And why will you meet, seeing there is a Law against you

Ans. For these two things, we say, We dare not disobey the Lord for fear of punishment or suffering outwardly; and we meet together in the Name and fear of the Lord,

1. Because the Lord God of Life requireth it of us, that we should meet in his Name and Power, and wait upon him, and edi­fie one another in his love and life, and in our meetings waiting upon the Lord, we have the Presence of the living God of Life with us, and the feeling of the virtue of his love in our hearts; and he lifts up his countenance upon us, yea and comforteth us by his [Page 13]free Spirit, whereby we know and are assured, that it is accor­ding to the mind and will of the Lord, and that he speaks peace unto us: And this being the real truth, let all the honest-heart­ed judge how we can in Conscience leave that which God requi­reth of us, in obedience to which we have God's presence with us, and do that which man requireth of us, contrary to the truth, in observing of which we should fall into condemnation, and feel God's anger, and the Testimony of his Spirit against us, to judge us, which would be greater sufferings in the inward man, than all the outward sufferings which we may meet with; for in these being faithful, the Lord comforteth our hearts.

2. Again, We meet together to wait upon the Lord, because we fear the Lord God, he hath placed his fear in our hearts, and and we know him to be great and mighty, a great King above all Kings, and a great God above all Gods, that is able to do what­soever he will in Heaven and in Earth, and in the Kingdomes of men, and we know he is worthy to be worshipped, and to have the heart given up unto him, for he hath power to change the heart, (which men by all their force cannot do) and to give true and lasting peace, which the World can never take away; and his fear being in our hearts, we account him Lord and Ruler in our Consciences, and worthy to be obeyed in heart, soul and spirit: And because we fear him more than man, we are bound in duty to obey him, for he hath power over both soul and body, which man hath not; for man can but kill the body, he hath not power to kill the soul, neither hath he power to redeem the soul; neither can man convert the soul by any force or penalty outwardly; therefore man doth but labour in vain, for he can neither kil nor cure the soul; but the Lord whom we fear, hath power, and is able to kill, and to make alive: And because vve fear him more than man, therefore we chuse to obey him rather than man, & to meet in God's fear. And this being our condition, let the sober-heart­ed judge, Hovv can vve deny the Lord vvho hath all Povver, and hath quickned us, & redeemed our souls from death, & go to obey man contrary to Christ's Doctrine) vvho hath no povver over the Soul. Surely as vve stand in God's fear and counsel, vve may not do this evil, and sin against our God.

[Page 14] 3. Again, We meet together to wait upon the Lord, because God hath made it manifest to us, and perswaded us, that the Way in which we walk, is according to his mind and will, and we look not for direction in our Religion, by mans Wisdom or Will, how we should serve and worship God; for we know it's God alone by his Spirit, that leads people in the exercise of the true Religi­on, as it is written; I the Lord teacheth thee to profit, and leadeth thee in the way in which thou shouldest go; and so we are content with our Religion which the Lord hath led us into, and in the exer­cise of it we have God's blessing, filling our hearts vvith love and joy, peace and satisfaction, in which our souls are comforted, and vve look not for another Religion contrary to that which vve are in; but our hearts are fixed, vvaiting upon the Lord, and we re­ceived it from the Lord, and not upon any such terms, as to con­tinue in it till man made a Law against it, or spake against it, and no longer; but even as the Way of Truth vvas made manifest to us, so to press on in it unto the end: And vve see the Wayes and Religions of men to be so changeable, sometimes one vvay, and sometimes another, that it appears to us, as if men received their Religion but till Orders of another sort of men to the contra­ry: And vve see many people so ready to part vvith their Religi­on, and take up another, that gives us just ground to believe they found not the Presence of God vvith them in their Way and Ex­ercise: And so it's but loose vvith them, and they can leave it up­on occasion, rather than suffer the loss of any thing for it; and this makes us prize that vvhich God hath made manifest to us, the more because vve receive Refreshment from the Lord, in the ex­ercise of our Religion, besides if vve had been voyd of the true Religion till this day, vve should have been as unstable as others, tossed about vvith vvinds of doctrine, and have knovvn, no true rest to our Souls; but it is vvell knovvn that vve vvere of the same mind, that vve are novv, in the time of the former Povvers, and vve received not our Religion from them neither, but from the Lord our God, neither vvas our Religion or vve in the exercise of it, confirmed by any Lavv or Decree of theirs, but on the contrary did suffer much hardship under them, and by them, [Page 15]whom they cherished at that time in the Religion which they al­lowed, and they then said, theirs was the right way, and they stockt and prisoned many who were contrary to them; and now others say they are in the way, and useth force and such like to them that differ from them. One said the Law is on our side, and we are in the right; the others say, The Law is on our side, and we are in the right, and you must conform, or suffer deeply. We say, None of these things can per­swade our Consciences; but come forth in the Power of the Lord, as good examples, with spiritual Weapons, if you will perswade us; for we cannot with a safe Conscience leave our Religion which the Lord hath led us into by his own power, upon these things, but must rather give up to suffer in the Will of the Lord; for we know plainly, it is God alone by his power, that doth bring people into the true Worship: And this is according to the Scriptures of Truth, and also to the Service which is now allow­ed; for 'tis said in the Collect for that which is called the thir­teenth Sunday after Trinity, Almighty and most merciful God, of whose onely gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudible service: Now then, if it come onely by the gift of God that the faithful do true service unto God, then they that would force people from serving God according to his gift given them, would force them from the true and laudable service of God, and to make them act contrary to the gift of God, and un­avoidably lead and force people from the true Worship of God, into hypocrisie, and a false, feigned, lifeless and heartless Wor­ships, in which the Lord takes no pleasure. And so this being truly considered, we can put it to the Consciences of all that fear the Lord, to judge whether we can with a safe Conscience leave our Religion which God hath led us into, and the exercise of it, according to the gift of God, by which onely true service is done to God, in which also we find acceptance with God through Je­sus Christ, and go to a Religion in the will of man, contrary to the gift of God, by force and compulsion, where we could not act affectionately with our hearts, nor yet find the blessing and presence of God with us, acting contrary to the gift of God: Truly it is in our hearts and consciences, as the truth of the Lord, that we may not [...]affly do it.

But if any should object and say, Your Religion is but new, or of a late standing, ours is a hundred years old, or thereabouts, since Po­pery was brought from having the upper hand in this Nation; for they forced, but they were out of the way; but ours is a reformed Church.

'Tis answered, That though the name or denomination by which we are distinguished from other people, be but of late years, which was cast upon us by some that mocked us, because of the Power of the Lord, which caused many to quake and trem­ble; yet the Life in which we live, and the truth which we profess, is ancient, and the practice in which we are exercised in the wor­ship of God, is according to the truth and practise of the Saints of old: And so it might be said of the Saints, and of Paul when he was converted, and turned from the Jews Worship, that it was a new Religion; but it was the mighty Power of God that chan­ged them, though many in that day opposed them▪ And so we say, Force now, with Prisons and carnal Weapons is of the same nature as it was formerly, in the Papists and others; for they said they had a Law, and they were the true Church, and they for­ced about Religion, and killed many; and now here is but the same Argument, The Law saith so and so: Therefore we see the same Nature forcing now, as formerly, as it's said, He that was born after the flesh, persecuted him that was born after the Spirit; even so it is now.

And for being of a hundred years standing, this adds no strength to it at all, for the Jews Religion was far more ancient, and yet being in the persecuting nature, and resisting the Holy One and the Just, though they professed God with their mouth, yet that would not cover them, nor will it cover people now, to profess God with their mouth, while they are found in the Na­ture, steps and practise, of them who persecuted the Saints and Servants of God in ages past.

And for that which is said, That we are but of late years; We say, Men are not true Christians by Generation, neither by an outward Profession, but by an inward change in the heart, wrought by the Power of God in the Regeneration. And so if [Page 17]it be but a few years in comparison, since we, or any of us were changed and turned to the Lord, yet it was in the time when the Lord was pleased, and saw good to visit us; and we can truly say it was an acceptable day and time when we were turned from darkness to the true Light and from the Power of Satan to God: And we are glad of it, and can say, Blessed be the Lord for it if it had been but yesterday, that any of us were renewed in the Spi­rit of our minds to God; for it is matter of joy to us, that the Lord hath gathered us in our day and time, from off the barren Mountains, into his Fold, to wait upon him, and to receive teach­ing and satisfaction from him: This is far more to us to know the Lord changing us in our day, and bringing us to know the things that pertaineth to our everlasting peace, than to have a large Profession of the Saints words, and yet to be out of the Saints Life, and out of the way where true peace and rest is found to the soul; and so the Lord having manifested his Truth to us, and brought us into the Religion in which he manifests his pre­sence to us, we are content to wait in the Will of the Lord, and may not forsake our Religion, nor the assembling of our selves together, because man saith to the contrary, but walk according to the gift of God, by which onely it is, that true and faithful ser­vice is performed unto him.

4. Again, we meet together to wait upon the Lord, that our Consciences may be kept clear towards him, that we may have the answer of a good Conscience towards God, which if we should walk contrary to that which the Lord hath made manifest, here would be shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience; for so it was formerly, if any forsook the Lord and his Truth after they had tasted of his good Word, if they fell away from that which they had once known and professed of the Truth and Gospel of Jesus, they made shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience, and then they could not have the answer of a good Conscience, nei­ther had they peace with God; and what remained if they con­tinued so, but a certain fearful looking for of Judgement and fie­ry indignation, which will devour. And therefore we knowing the preciousness of the answer of a good Conscience towards God, do prize it, and esteem it as a Jewel of great worth, and we [Page 18]may not forsake the way of the Lord, wherein we have the an­swer of a good Conscience (because of outward force) & go into that in which we should suffer anguish, & have a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and a sting in our own consciences; therefore we can put it to all who fear the Lord to judg of, if it be not safe for us to abide in the way of the Lord, and to be faithful to him, though we may meet with sufferings in this world.

5. Again, we meet together in the fear of the Lord, and own the doctrine of Christ to live in it, because we are per­swaded in the fear and power of the Lord God of life; who is our strength, that nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which we have in Christ Jesus our Lord; the love of God is so comfortable, and his favour is so refreshing to us, and the testimonie of his spirit is so satisfactorie in our hearts, that we are perswaded, nothing will be able to separte us; our strength is in the Lord, and he is all-sufficient to keep us through all, by his mighty power; unto the end waiting up­on him, and abiding in his power, he is able to save to the ut­termost; and this were the Saints formerly perswaded off, that nothing should be able to separate them from the love of God, & they met with many hardships & were oftentimes cruelly in­treated, & shamefully handled as the Scriptures declare; yet through all the Lord was with his people, and comforted their hearts in their following of him, and the love of God a­bounded to them and in them, and they were Conquerors through him that loved them. Now if any at that time de­nyed the truth for fear of man, or any other thing, they came to suffer in there hearts, and to feel sorrow in their inward man; for when iniquity enters into the heart, it darkens the understanding, and also the creature loseth the sence of the love of God; and if there be not repentance, and a returning unto the Lord, Iniquity grows more strong, and love grows cold in such, and the heart grows worse and worse, and is hardned by degrees against the Lord and his people, and then there is a separation from the love of God, & the feeling, and earnest of sorrow and tribulation upon every one that doth evill; therefore we are perswaded that it is safe for us to wait [Page 19]upon the Lord in the way which he hath made manifest unto us, that so we may receive the power to renew our strength, that we may walk on in the path of life, and nothing separate us from the love of God which we have in Christ Jesus. Shall tribulation, or affliction, or principalities, or powers separate us from the love of God? Shall force by carnal weapons, or Prisons cause us to deny that which God hath made manifest unto us? Is there Powers against us, Thrones against us? well, this is safe for us, to abide in the counsel of God, that we may always feel his love in our hearts; and if we suffer, let us suf­fer here, because of our faithfulness to the Lord: If we must go to Prison, let us stand in the power of God, that his love, and life, blessing, and heavenly presence may be with us: Better to suffer outwardly in prisons, and holes, & have the love and presence of the Lord with us, then to disobey the Lord, and walk contrary to his gift, and so suffer inward anguish and sorrow of heart, and something separate us from the love of God, and then who can speak peace to us, if the Lord speak trouble; but if the Lord speak peace, it's no matter though man may speak trouble; though the wrath of man may rise high, yet he that doth whatsoever he will in heaven and in earth, he on make it to turn to his praise, and the rest of it he will restrain; and blessed are they that have the Lord with them, on their side; he speaks peace to them in the midst of all, his love refresheth our hearts, and so to put all out of doubt, we are perswaded in the power of the Lord, that no­thing will be able to separate us from the love which we have in our Saviour; and here it is good to a bide, and not to give one foot back, to give any ground unto the enemy, but to continue where the love of God is with us, and his blessed pre­sence with us, comforting our hearts, which people doth not find with them in disobedience, walking and acting contrary to what the Lord hath made manifest to them; and so we can put it to the Consciences of all people who have any sence of the love of God in their hearts, Whether it can be safe for us to forsake the Way of peace and rest which God hath made manifest unto us, and in which we have the Love of God with us, and to go into a Way by force, into which the Spirit of the Lord doth not [Page 20]lead us, where we shall find anguish and sorrow, and something separating us from the Love of God, and where God would not speak peace to us, but trouble; surely we are perswaded to abide in that which the Lord hath made manifest to us, and our faith is in the power of God, that nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God.

6. Again, we are perswaded to continue in the Way of Truth, meeting together in the fear of the Lord, to serve him, because we find the Lord requireth of us to bear a faithful Testimony, and witness to his Name and Truth, which he hath made known to us at this day; and though man require the contrary, and would force us to yeild, yet we may not deny the Lord and his Truth, but must bear witness to his Name in obedience to his Will; for we are not our own, but the Lords; neither must vve serve our selves, nor do our ovvn Will, nor the Wills of others, vvhose Will is not according to the Will of God; but we must serve the Lord, and be faithful to him; and vve see vve cannot serve tvvo Masters, nor cannot be partakers of the love of God, if vve be in the love of the World, and follovv after the lusts of it; and if vve love any thing more than Christ, vve should not be true Disciples and followers of him.

And if it be objected, Why cannot you do as men would have you? What, God knows your hearts, and you may keep your hearts to your selves, and conform outwardly for all that.

It's ansvvered, Nay, vve cannot, because God requireth it of us, to bear vvitness to his Name and Truth; and vve may not deal doubly or deceitfully in shevving that before men, vvhich vve are not in our hearts to God for the people that God hath form­ed to himself, must shevv forth his praise. And though it be true, that God knows the heart of every one, yet he looks for fruit also to be brought forth, that hee may be glorified. It is re­corded in the Scriptures, that there vvere many occasions sought against Daniel, but they could find none against him, except it vvere concerning the Lavv of his God; and they that hated him, consulted to get a Decree, that none should ask any Petition of [Page 21]God or man for thirty dayes, save of the King; if he did, he vvas to be cast into the Den of Lyons: and the Decree vvas sealed accor­ding to the Lavv of the Meades and Persians. Novv it cannot be denied but Daniel might have prayed to God in his heart, and his evil-vvishers have knovvn little of it; but he vvas taught by the Lord to pray openly, and to confess unto him, that he vvas great, mighty and povverful. And so though the Decree vvas sealed, he (as if he regarded it not) went and prayed to his God three times a day upon his knees, vvith his Windovv open, and his face tovvards Jerusalem, and so held forth his Testimony, and bore vvitness to the Lord, that he vvas vvorthy to be sought unto, and that he vvas not to be limited (by an outvvard Decree, though a strong one) from praying and calling upon the Name of the Lord, and the Lord vvas vvith him; and though he suffered the adventure of being cast into the Lyons Den, yet the God of Heaven vvas his Preserver, and he held forth a precious Testimony, and God vvas much glorified; for it was said, yea and proclaimed through many Nations, that all should fear and wor­ship the God of Daniel, for there was no other God that could save in such sort.

And also the three Children that vvould not bovv, though the King had commanded it, that vvhen the voice of the Musick was heard, all should bow to the Image which he had set up; yet they vvould not obey, for it vvas contrary to the Lavv of their God, and great Wrath vvas against them, and the Fornace vvas very hot, yet the Lord saved them, and they bore a precious Testimo­ny to the Lord in obedience to his Law, and the Lord was much glorified, and vvas proclaimed through many Nations to be the onely and true God, and the King himself did praise and honor, and extol the God of Heaven, all whose Works are Truth, and his Wayes Judgement, and those vvho vvalk in pride, he is able to a base.

But now if any should say, These were Heathen Kings, and so not to be obeyed.

It's answered, They are more excusable therefore, than those that in words profess themselves Christians, and Scriptures, and the Saints practise, and yet are found persecuting those who live in the Power of the Lord, and forcing by pains and penalties, not according to, but quite contrary to the practise of the Saints, whose Words they profess, and are found in the very steps of them who persecuted the Saints and Servants of God, as the Scrip­tures testifie; and are so far from the Doctrine of Christ, as to forgive trespasses, and to do as they would be done unto, and to love enemies, and to pray for them that persecute them, that they do absolutely trespass against them who give them no just occasi­on, and do to others as they would not be done unto, were it their case, (and let God's Witness judge) and doth even hate and cruelly handle their Friends, who wish them well from their hearts, and persecute them who pray for them. And surely, for these things will the Lord visit, and in the mean time we find that the Lord requireth it of us, to be faithful to him in what he hath made manifest unto us, that we may bear a true Testimony, and faithful Witness to the truth, and for the Lord, that he may glo­rifie himself by us; for we are not our own, but his, who hath formed us, and called us to follow him.

And therefore let the wise in heart-judge; Can it be safe for us to lose our Testimony, and to cease following the Lord, and living in that which he hath made known unto us to be his mind and wil concerning us, in which we have the Arm and Power of the Lord with us, and him to take our parts, and to go to that which he hath not called us unto, where vve could bear no Testimony for him, (for he that goes from the Truth which God hath made ma­nifest, loseth his Testimony) where fruits would be brought forth unto death, and not unto life, and the hand of the Lord wil turn against such; for them that honor the Lord, he will honor; but they that slight his Counsel, and despise his Will, shall be light­ly esteemed; all which duly considered, we cannot (as we live to God) but bear witness to his Name, and hold forth that Testimo­ny which the Lord hath committed unto us.

7. Again, We are given up to obey and serve the Lord accor­ding to that which he hath made known unto us, because no man [Page 23]must give an account unto God for us, or answer for us in his day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be manifest, and he wil reward every one according to their deeds: But we must stand before the Judgement-Seat of Christ; to receive a portion from him, and not others for us: Therefore we may not deny the Lord because of Force, Pains, Prisons or Penalties, because they that so force us, will not answer for us, though weight enough may be upon themselves; yet that would not free us if we should forsake the Way of the Lord made known to us: And let all people in soberness judge what reason there is that others should force us from that which we believe, to that which they believe, and yet if we perish by that means, they can neither help us, nor answer for us: Is it not therefore meet, that we should live in that Way in which we dare dye, and give up all unto the Lord in, and not be forc'd out of that Way in which vve have peace and love, and the presence of the Lord vvith us, into a vvay vvhere pain and anguish would fill our hearts, and leanness and emptiness vvould be upon our souls; and yet they that forced us from our good Ha­ven and safe Harbour, where we lay at Anchor safe from the storm, would neither bring us to any sure resting place, nor yet preserve us from the Winds and Storms, and terrible Tempests; but we must by reason of such a force, unavoidably suffer ship­wrack: We say, We may call Heaven and Earth, yea Angels and all just men, to bear witness to our Cause; yea, and the Eter­nal God of Life, in whose hand is the breath of all living, to judge between us and our persecutors in this matter.