AS for us, our Kingdome is not of this world, and our warfare is not for earthly Crownes, honors or glory, but its spiritual and for a Kingdome without end; and our weapons are not carnal but spiritual, and mighty through God against spiritual wickednesse in high places, and all ungodliness and unrighteousnesse of men, and not against their persons or estates outward, (and we are them of whom Enock prophesied (the Saints) in whom the Lord God would come to convince all the ungodly of their ungodly deeds and hard speeches, and to execute his Judgments upon them, not by outward Sword to destroy Creatures; but by the Sword of the spi­rit of the Living God, who is come to destroy the works of the Devil.

And as for our Principle it is everlasting and Universal, without beginning or end, it is the foundation of God and all the holy Pro­phets, Apostles and Saints, since the Word began; on which our Faith, hope and beleif is sounded, as upon a Rock steadfast and un­moveable, against which the gates of Hell and Death cannot pre­vaile, for it is the same that was in the beginning, before Death, Hell, Strife and Wa [...]s (or enmity the ground of it) we see, or before disobedience transgression, confusion, or the hardness of heart we see even Christ Jesus the everlasting Covenant of Life and Peace, the Son of the living God, who is not come to destroy mens lives, but to save them, and he being come to us (and dwells in us) hath gi­ven us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and are in him that is true, and we know what spi it we are of, for being joyn­ed unto him (the Lord) we are one spirit with him, even the Lamb of God that takes away the sin, and destroys the wo [...]ks of th [...] Devil, the Author and ground of strife and mischeif, or Plottings, Mur­ders, Wars and confusion; and reconciles men unto God again and one unto another in true love & peace, (Mark) he destroys the Devil and his works, he takes away the sin, takes away the Nature, de­stroys the ground of enmity in men, kills the contrary Seed in the Root from whom the Wars and Fightings comes, breaks the Cock­atrice in the Egg least it should become a Serpent; This is our Savi­our, and our everlasting principle, that doth these things in us and for us, even Christ the power of God, and the Wisdome of God, the Saviour and not the destroyer of mens lives, who gives his back to the smiters, and his cheeks to them that pluck off the haire in all ages, in whom or what persons soever he was made manifest, so that we perfectly know what spirit we are of, and are not in doubt whe­ther this be the Saviour, or whether we should look for another; But we know and are assured that this is the son of God, and we are in him that is true (as we have said) who works all our good works in us and for us, this is the true God and eternal life, which was in the beginning before emnity was, who hath brought us and is bring­ing many (through the dayly Cross to the will of man) before strife was, or that Spirit that is afraid that every one that findeth him will kill him, (which was in Cain the killer and persecutor about Sa­crifice and Offerings) but we fear not their fear of killing or of Death (the fling thereof being taken away) which is sin (the emnity) the ground of the fear, of murder, of strife, and plottings of mischeif, and [Page 3] violence against Creatures, being redeemed up to God the Crea­tor of all, who hath made all Nations of men of one blood, that dwell upon the face of the whole Earth, who will rebuke them (even the spirit of Enmity and Pride the ground of strife and Wars.) That they shall beat their Swords into Plowshares, and their Spears into Pru­ning hooks, and not Learn War any more Isa. 2.4.

This hath the Lord God by his eternal power, through his Righ­teous Judgements, and everlasting mercys begun among us, who are a poor and afflicted people, whose trust is only in his name, and arme of salvation, and not in the arme of Flesh, for that which trust­eth in man and makes flesh his arme is a cursed as it is written; And this we do faithfully and impartially in singleness of heart declare un­to the whole world, that God by his Son in us, which is his power, hath taken away the nature and ground of Wars, strife and violence, and subdued it, which stood in times past between him and us, which hindred the good things, and hid his face from us, even peace, joy and comfort to our immortal souls, and hath created in us a new heart, and renewed a right spirit, in which we are justified in his sight and presence, and in which we beare good will to all people, and seeks the peace and well being of the bodys and souls of all people upon Earth, Jew and Gentile, bond and free, Barbarians, Turks, Indians, Greeks, Romans, English or any other, God hath made us all of one blood to dwell upon the face of the earth, (Mark) we are all of one blood, all the workmanship of one Creator, who hath appointed them times and seasons that they should all seek him, (though he be not far from every one of us, as it is written, Acts 17.26, 27. Amos 4.13, And saith the Prophet, he that formed the Mountains and created the Hills sheweth unto man his thoughts, and they that seeks God, seeks him that searcheth the heart, and tryeth the Reigns, who rebuketh the people and strong Nations that their Swords may be beaten into Plowshares, and their Spears into Pruning hooks, (Mark) he rebuks the strong Nations that are in the strife, enmity, and Wars, which is of the Devil the Author of strife, the Murderer and Lyer from the beginning, the destroyer of souls.

From whence came wars, and fightings (let Gods witness answer) came they not from the emnity, Lusts, Pride and ambition, which wars against the immortal Soul, and is not he his own souls enemy, that lives in the Spirit of enmity against God, and them of his flesh and blood; and is he not in the disobedience to Christ Jesus, who [Page 4] saith Love your Enemies, do good to them that despitefully use you and per­secute you; And doth not Gods wrath abide upon the disobedient and rebellious, who obeys not his Commandments? Let all people up­on Earth consider these things, who profess Christianity, and see if you obey and follow him whom you profess in words, who is not come to destroy mens lives, but the Devil and his works, the Au­thor and ground of Strife, Wars and Confusion, and to guid the feet of all people in the way of peace.

So this is our principle, not as an Opinion or Judgement which may faile us, or in which may be mistaks or doubts, but its the infallible ground & unchangeable foundation of our Religion (that is to say) Christ Jesus the Lord, that spirit, Divine Nature, of way of Life, which God hath raised and renewed in us, in which we walk, and in whom we delight to dwell, and cannot but worship, and yeild obe­dience unto, even him which destroys all enmity, and reconciles to himself and in himself all things in Heaven and Earth, who by his power bringeth down the high looks, lays low the haughtiness of men (in which is the ground of strife and wars,) and exalts truth and Righteousness in the Earth, even his Kingdome over all, which is an everlasting Kingdome of peace, into which no uncleane thing, Dogs, Sorcerers, unbeleivers, or Hipocrites can enter, but only them whose minds are redeemed from the Earth, and the spirit of Enmi­ty and wickedness whose Robes are washed white in the blood of the Lamb.

So that if any be yet doubtful concerning us, or our principle in this particular, whether we have any secret intents or private reser­vations that if we had opportunity we would fight or raise outward force of the arm of flesh for our defence or preservation, and not any longer suffer such grievous oppressions and cruel provocations as these many years past we have undergone with patience, &c.

This we do declare, and that in and by the spirit of the Lord, that we are in our measures redeemed by the pretious blood of his Son Jesus Christ (the Lamb of God (that takes away the sin, and recon­ciles unto him and to all men) from that nature and spirit of enmitie from whence the wars and fightings comes, and we are taught, led, and guided by (and are possessors of a measure of the same spirit of Grace and Truth, that was in that person Christ our Elder Brother, that suffered patiently (the contradictions and false accusations of sin­ners) as a Lamb without the Gates of Jerusalem, of whose Resur­rection [Page 5] and life we are eye witnesses) even of his Majesty and glory, and the coming of his Kingdome with power (full of grace and truth) so that the tree being now made good the fruit is the same al­so; and a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit (to wit) wickedness, enmity, mischief, or violence against any of the children of men up­on the face of the earth: so we have not only the name or outward profession of Christ in words (as it is in the world) but we are made partakers of a measure of the same divine nature, and we are now (being regenerated raysed and renewed into his own image of truth and love, righteousness and peace) his of-spring, and he is our God and Father, who rebukes the strong nations, and makes wars to cease to the ends of the earth; Glory and honour be to him in the highest over all for ever.

And now as concerning the objection which sometimes hath been asked as a question, some thinking thereby to ensnare us, (viz,) VVhether or no we would fight if the spirit should move us, (&c.) To which we answer in the fear of God in the truth and simplicity of our hearts as it is in Jesus, that we do really and confidently beleive that the Lord our God (who is that good spirit that guids us in all Truth) will never move us to do that or those things again for which he hath rebuked us, and smitten us by his righteous Judgements, (and for which he will smite and rebuke the strong Nations) and not only so, but hath redeemed us from the very root, Nature, Spirit, and ground of the Enmity and curse from whence the wars and the fightings comes; So that to us, it seemeth as impossible for us to be found in such things (plottings fightings and violence) as for a good tree to bring forth evil fruit, or for one Fountain to yield salt water and fresh, for we have felt Gods rebukes because of that strong nature that dwelt in us, from whence envy, pride, wrath, malice and hart-burnings one against another sprang, and all manner of evil thoughts which defiles men proceeded; the which rebukes, reproofes and just judgements of God, have melted and broken our hearts, and taken out the stone (the hardness) and made them soft and tender towards God, and towards all people, and that love is now felt, shed abroad in our hearts which thinks no evil, much less can we act evill or mischief against any.

So that our kingdome and glory, delight, joy and peace is not of this world (but we are as strangers in it, as all our Fathers were) for if it had been so, we would long ere this have plotted and contri­ved [Page 6] to defend and preserve our selves from these many, great and cruel sufferings, which we these many years with patience have borne and endured, and shall yet beare and endure all things, in the measure of the love and charity which the holy God of all power hath endued us with, and made us partakers of, committing our cause and all things concerning us to him that judgeth righteously, who will plead for his seed with all flesh, in his own due time and season, even in the hearts and consciences of all his enemies that wrong and abuse his children; and what is done to us, is done to him, for we are his; and he careth for us.

And now if any subtilty of the Serpent should arise in any, and boast it self over us, because we have declared the nakedness of our hearts, in simplicity and truth in Gods sight, and in the sight of all people in this perticular, and say now they have declared that their principle is not (or leads not to fight) or to destroy mens lives, or to resist or strive with flesh and blood with carnal weapons, &c. But to be patient in whatsoever is laid upon them without plotting, mis­cheif, or doing violence against any, though it be done to them; Therefore we now may use them as we list without fear of oposition or violence again from them for they are ingaged by their everlast­ing Principle, not to do violence or plot mischeif, or shed any mans blood, but to indure all in patience whatsoever is said or done against them &c.

To which we reply, and that from the spirit of the Eternal all pow­erful God of truth; Wo be to that man, people or Nation that shall seek advantage against us hereby, or take occasion to harme us, be­cause of our harmeless principle, (which is of God and for his sake) & of our good will to all people; No prosperity from God shall be to that people, man or Nation (in that state,) and it were better for that man or people, that they had never been born, or that a Milstone were hanged about their necks, and cast into the depth of the Sea, that should thus contrive and act against us, to offend his little ones the Lord hath said it. But they shall prosper that favour this Sions cause which God hath redeemed through Judgement, for the Eter­nal God hath sworn by himself and will performe it, that this people only shall prosper of all the Familys of the Earth, (who fear his name and tremble at his word) and he will gather unto them (in one) thou­sands of thousands from the four quarters of the Earth and they that bless them shall be blessed, and they that curse them shall be cursed, [Page 7] for the Lord of Hosts is with us, and the God of Iacob is our refuge, which breaketh the Bow and snapeth the Speare assunder, and burn­eth the Chariots in the fire, that makes disolation (and will make disolations) in the Earth for his Elects sake; Therefore be still all ye sons of men, and know that he is God, for he will be exalted in the Earth (and over all flesh,) who maketh the wars to cease unto the ends of the World: This is our God whom we serve and worship in the spirit and in the truth, before whom all things are open, naked and beare, who searcheth the heart and tryeth the Reigns, from whose sight, knowledge, presence and righteous Judgmen [...]s, the un­godly cannot hide, but shall be fully rewarded for all their doings, in that day which the eye lids of the morning light, will be unto them as the shadow of death.

For our unchangeable principle is the Royal Law which God hath written in the heart, and is an everlasting light (the truth) which light­eth every man that cometh into the World, which reproves for sin and transgression and the ground of it, and all that live in it (in their own Consciences,) which lets them see their thoughts, words, and Actions, whether they are good or evil, setting before all people life and death, and the ways of it, & its their condemnation that dispises the reproofs and are disobedient unto it, but to them that take heed unto it, love & obey it, it leads them in the ways of righteousness truth and uprightness, through the midst of the paths of Judgments to the Fountain of life and love, in which there is no enmity, but everlasting salvation and peace, where the holy Mountain of the Lord is felt known and witnessed, in which there is no hurting nor destroying, into which God Almighty is gathering his Seed, out of every Nati­on kindred, people, and language upon the earth, that all his people may sit and live under their own Vine, where none can make them afraid. This is the high-way of holiness, which God hath prepared be­fore the face of all people, into which all that are saved must walk, (as it is written) in the light of the Lord, Isa. 2.5. and in every Nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted of him, but to the wicked (that despise his Counsel) God saith, What hast thou to do to take my words into thy mouth, seeing thou hatest to be re­formed.

And now if any that hath been at our meetings, o have come at any time (as many doe) to see our manner, or that may be by some called a Quaker should be (which we have never yet known among [Page 8] us) found in any plotting against any men or people whatsoever, to contrive mischief, danger or hurt either to body soul or estate, any way under any pretence whatsoever, we do utterly (in the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour) deny that part or spirit in all men upon the earth, as that which our prin [...]iple (the everlasting foun­dation of God) and our spirit have no fellowship or unity with, but is judged of God and of us his people, to be of the seed of enmity unreconciled to God and man, or at best a blind zeal, and not accor­ding to the true knowledge of the living God or of their own spi [...]its. Luke, 9.55, 56.

So we being clear in the sight of God concerning these things, (and many other false accusations and evil surmisings, reproaches and aspertions) do freely commit our cause and all that we are and have, body soul and spirit, into the hands of our God to whom alone vengeance belongs, who will repay it to all his adversaries, and will not at all acquit the wicked nor condemn the innocent, but will reward every man according to his words and works, in whose will and power we rest and remain in patience, which is our sanctifi­cation, wherein we are satisfied, having that joy and peace (in the land of the living) where none can make us afraid, Halelujah Amen.