The great mistery of the great whore unfolded, and antichrists kingdom revealed unto destruction in answer to many false doctrines and principles which Babylons merchants have traded with, being held forth by the professed ministers, and teachers, and professors in England, Ireland, and Scotland, taken under their owne hands, and from their owne mouths, sent forth by them from time to time, against the despised people of the Lord called Quakers, who are of the seed of that woman, who hath been long fled into wildernes ... in this answer to the multitude of doctrines held forth by the many false sects, which have lost the key of knowledge, and been on foot since the apostles dayes, called Anabaptists, Independents, Presbyters, Ranters, and many others, who out of their own mouths have manifested themselves not to be of a true descent from the true Christian Churches : but it's discovered that they have been all made drunk with the wine of fornication received from the whore which hath sitten upon the beast, after whom the world hath wondred / by George Fox. Fox, George, 1624-1691. 1659 Approx. 1762 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 204 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2014-11 (EEBO-TCP Phase 2). A40196 Wing F1832 ESTC R18020 13044777 ocm 13044777 96882

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Early English books online text creation partnership. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A40196) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 96882) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 739:1) The great mistery of the great whore unfolded, and antichrists kingdom revealed unto destruction in answer to many false doctrines and principles which Babylons merchants have traded with, being held forth by the professed ministers, and teachers, and professors in England, Ireland, and Scotland, taken under their owne hands, and from their owne mouths, sent forth by them from time to time, against the despised people of the Lord called Quakers, who are of the seed of that woman, who hath been long fled into wildernes ... in this answer to the multitude of doctrines held forth by the many false sects, which have lost the key of knowledge, and been on foot since the apostles dayes, called Anabaptists, Independents, Presbyters, Ranters, and many others, who out of their own mouths have manifested themselves not to be of a true descent from the true Christian Churches : but it's discovered that they have been all made drunk with the wine of fornication received from the whore which hath sitten upon the beast, after whom the world hath wondred / by George Fox. Fox, George, 1624-1691. Burrough, Edward, 1634-1662. [32], 375 p. Printed for Tho. Simmons ..., London : 1659. "The Epistle To The Reader" signed: Edward Burrough. London the 9. Mo. 1658. Reproduction of original in Duke University Library.

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THE GREAT MISTERY OF THE GREAT WHORE UNFOLDED: AND ANTICHRISTS KINGDOM Revealed unto DESTRVCTION.

In Anſwer to many Falſe Doctrines and Principles which Babylons Merchants have traded with, being held forth by the profeſſed Miniſters, and Teachers, and Profeſſors in England, Ireland, and Scotland, taken under their owne Hands, and from their owne Mouths, ſent forth by Them from time to time, againſt the deſpiſed People of the LORD called QƲAKERS, who are of the Seed of that Woman, who hath been long fled into the WILDERNES.

ALSO An Invaſion upon the great City BABYLON, with the ſpoling of Her golden Cup, and delicate Merchandize, whereby She hath deceived the World and Nations: And herein is declared the ſpoyling of her prey, in this Anſwer to the multitude of Doctrines held forth by the many falſe SECTS, which have loſt the key of Knowledge, and been on foot ſince the Apoſtles dayes, called Anabaptists, Independents, Presbyters, Ranters, and many others; who out of their own Mouths have manifeſted themſelves not to be of a true deſcent from the true Chriſtian Churches: But it's diſcovered that they have been all made drunk with the Wine of Fornication received from the Whore which hath ſitten upon the Beaſt, after whom the World hath wondred.

By GEORGE FOX.

And the Merchants of the Earth ſhall weep and mourn over her, for no man buyeth their merchandize any more, Rev. 18.18. And they cryed when they ſaw the ſmoak of her burning, ſaying, what City is like unto this great City: And they caſt dust on their heads, and cryed weeping and wailing, ſaying, Alas, alas, that great City, wherein were made rich all that had Ships in the Sea, by reaſon of her coſtlineſs, for in one hour is ſhe made deſolate, Rev. 18, 18, 19.

LONDON, Printed for Tho: Simmons, at the Ball and Mouth near Alderſgate, 1659.

THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.

TO all the world to whom this may come to be Read, that they read with a good underſtanding, and hereby they may come to the perfect knowledge of the ground of difference between the Prieſts, and Profeſſors, and all Sects in theſe Nations; and Us, who are in ſcorn called Quakers, ſhewing that the converſie on our pa •• is juſt, and equal, againſt them all, and t ••• we have ſufficient cauſe to cry againſt them, and to deny their M ••• ſtry, their Church, their worſhip, and their whole Religion, as being not in the Power and by the Spirit 〈…〉 ••• ng God, as commanded of him or ever practiced by his Sain 〈◊〉 ut 〈◊〉 •• clareth the g •• und, and foundation thereof to be anothe •••• g, a •• ot the ſame, on which the true Church, and Miniſtry, an •• actice 〈◊〉 worſhip, and true Religion was builded in the daye 〈◊〉 Apo ••• es; And alſo this is an Invitation to all Sects, and profeſſio of People to come forth, and try if what they hold, and profeſſe be according o the Scriptures of truth; and to do this in tryall, by evident, and ſound Arguments, and by the beſt ſpiritual weapons they have, and to la •• •• e all this perſecution and unrighteous dealing, and ſtocking, and w •• pping, and impriſoning of us for ſpeaking againſt their Religion, and that they come forth in fair diſpute, to contend in the Spirit of meekneſs, for what they profeſſe, and practice, and to prove according to the Scriptures, their Miniſtry, Church, and whole Religion, that it is in, and by the ſpirit and power of God, or otherwiſe to renounce, and deny all their Religion, and the profeſſion, and practices thereof, that every man may be ſatisfied who it is that are in the true and right way, and of the true worſhip, and true Religion, and who it is that are not, and this is deſired by us who are called Quakers, and alſo a true account, of our firſt beginning and coming forth in the world; and of that great ſufferings we have ſuſtained, and how we have been carryed on and are preſerved to this day.

The Lord God everlaſting, who is true, and faithful, hath fulfilled his promiſe in us, and unto us, and we are gathered from the mouths of all dumb Shepherds, and out of the mouths of all Hirelings, who have made a prey upon us, and fed themſelves with the fat, and devoured ſouls for diſhoneſt gain; And we are come to the fould of Eternal reſt, where Chriſt Jeſus is the chief Shepherd, and he is the Shepherd, and Biſhop of our ſouls, that feedeth his Flock with living bread that nouriſheth us unto life eternal; he hath called us by his Name, and put us forth, and he feedeth us in green paſtures, and we are fed with hidden Manna, and lies down at Noon with his gathered Flock; and out of Nations, kindreds, multitudes, and peoples are we Redeemed to God, and are come out of the world, and out of great Babylon, and out of ſpiritual Sodom, and Egypt, where the Lord Chriſt was, and is crucified, and lyeth ſlain to this day, and a top of the world hath the Lord ſet us, on the mountain of his o n houſe, and dwelling; where we behold, and feel the life, and glory, & Crown of the world that hath no end; and the world that hath an end is ſeen over, and its Crown and glory is his footſtool that Reigns among us, And as for all that which this periſhing world brings forth, which men ſeek after only, Its reckoned our temptation, though all the ſons of Adam are ſeeking its glory, its Riches, its Crowns, its contentments, But of that birth are we which hath no Crown, no glory, nor reſt under the Sun, and a birth is brought forth amongſt us which is heir of another Kingdom, and poſſeſſor of ano •• er Crown, whoſe glorying is in the Lord, all the day long, and he is ou Refuge, our Rock, and our fortreſſe againſt all our Enemies, and what though the wicked arm themſelves, and the ungodly bend their b w, what though all ſorts of people from the Prince upon his T ••• 〈◊〉 he Beggar upon the dunghill, exalt themſelves againſt th d •• piſe •• ople of Lords inheritance, who for his Names ſake are ki ••• d all the ay long; what though the wiſemen bring forth their A ••••• nts, an what though the Rulers bring forth unrighteous Judgeme •• s again 〈◊〉 eed that God hath bleſſed; what though the revilers, and ſcorners open their mouthes; and reproachers, and revilers caſt out their bitter words as a flood againſt the remnant of the womans ſeed, that hath long been fled into the wilderneſs; and what then, if the Teachers, the Prophets, and the Elders, and the heads, and wiſe men of the world ſet themſelves to pray, and Preach, and Print againſt the choſen ſeed of Jacob; yet notwithſtanding all this, though this is come to paſſe, and hell open her mouth, and her floods break forth to overflow, and be much more increaſed; yet ſhall the King of righteouſneſs rule among his people, and his preſence will not forſake his choſen ones; But the Lord is with us, a mighty, and terrible one, and the ſhout of a King is amongſt us, and the dread, and terror of the Almighty covereth us, and it goeth before us, and compaſſeth us about; and the Lord is working a work in the Earth mighty, and wonderful, he is gathering the ſcattered, and binding up the broken hearted, and his people ſhall dwell in ſafety, and none ſhall make them afraid, and no weapon that is formed againſt them ſhall proſper, nor no hand that is lifted up ſhall prevail; For Sion ſhall ariſe out of the duſt, her beautiful garments ſhall be put on, and mourning, and ſorrow ſhall flee away, and her light is riſen that is everlaſting, and the Sun ſhall never go down, but his day ſhall remain for ever, and the night ſhall not again cover her brightneſs, nor the Sun ſet upon her habitations, the City that hath long laid waſte, ſhall again be builded; and the dwelling that hath long been without inhabitant, ſhal be repleniſhed; for the numberles ſeed of Jacob is coming out of Egypt, that will repleniſh the whole Earth, and the ſeed of Eſau ſhall become bondmen, and wherefore are you gathered together? and to what purpoſe have the wicked ſpent their ſtrength to oppoſe what the Lord is bringing to paſſe? ſhall not all our Enemies be broken to pieces, and will not the Lord grinde them to powder? will he not marr their beauty, and ſtain their pride? will he not bring down their crownes, and corrupt their glory, and ſtain it with his fire of wrath, and make them aſhamed of their wayes, and Doctrines? Hear this ye Prieſts, and howl, and lament for the miſery that is coming upon you, the Lord hath laid you naked, and made you bare, and you are ſeen as you are, and the Elect is riſen amongſt us which ye cannot deceive; but alaſs, wo is me, how have you cauſed the people to erre, and how have you led the blind out of the way, and how is truth fallen in your ſtreets, and you have daubed falſely with untempered morter, and have cried peace to the wicked, and condemned the righteous, and all this hath vexed the righteous ſoul, and the Lord will now ariſe, and is riſen, and you ſhall not reſiſt, and eſcape the ſtroak of his hand, which will come upon you, and bruiſe you as a milſtone, for you have cauſed the wicked to rejoyce and the righteous to mourn, and you have made ſad his heart, whom God hath not made ſad, have not you fed your ſelves with the fat, and clothed with the wooll, and hath not the peoples ſouls been ſtarved, and leanneſs been upon them all, your plants a •• dry, and barren trees that brings forth no good fruit, and your p •• ple are like a wilderneſs that is untilled and unploughed and undreſſed, and your flocks are like wild aſſes upon the mountains that is untamed, as rude as the Horſe, and mule, that knows no bridle and now it is ſeen what the end of your Miniſtry is, and what fruit it hath brought ſorth, the Lord hath taken notice, and he hath beheld, how you have loytered, and laid idle, and the Nations lies yet like fallow ground, that bears no fruit, and mens hearts are untouched with abſence of Gods word, and there is no ſound, true, and perfect ſence amongſt your people of the dealings of the Lord, nor of the operation of his ſpirit, but they remain in great blindneſs and ignorance, void of the knowledge of God, for ye have not cauſed them to hear his word, but you have told your dreams, and your falſe viſions, and you have ſpoken imaginations of your hearts, and not from the mouth of the Lord, neither have you ſtood in his Counſel, nor hearkened to his voyce, and therefore people remains unprofited; but what they and you know, its naturally, and not by the ſpirit of the Father, but as dry trees you are, not taught of the Father, and as rough goats in the nature of ſwine that is polluted in the filth of the world, and in the nature of dogs and Lyons, devouring another, and biting one another, and killing one another, which things were not in the Churches of Chriſt, and we have a great controverſie with you, and that from the Lord; we have tried you, ſearched you, and diſovered your foundation, and its not found, nor will not ſtand in the triall; we have fetcht your Line from the firſt original, and we have found out your beginning, and we find yours of that Race, which Chriſt propheſied of that ſhould come, which ſhould deceive many, having the ſheeps cloathing, but inwardly ravening, and which Iohn ſaw was come, and went out from the Apoſtles, and true Churches, which went from the truth, and went into the world, and had the forme of godlineſſe without the power; here began the Race in the Apoſtacie of the Churches, and when they Apoſtatized from the true faith, then came your original up, and the world went after them, and all that dwelt upon the earth worſhiped the beaſt, that hath reigned through all this time of Apoſtacie, which hath been ſince the daies of the Apoſtles; and we find your original goe no further then to the falſe bretheren, and falſe Apoſtles, which went out from the true Apoſtles, and run for gifts and rewards, and preached for filthie lucre, and through covetouſneſſe made merchandize of ſouls, ſeeking monie and gain to themſelves; I ſay we find your Original begins there, and your Line goes no further, and never came your firſt riſe ſo far as the true Apoſtles, you were not in your beginning of their life nor birth, nor cannot be reckoned from their Original, for you ſucceed not them; but you truely ſucceed the falſe Apoſtles, and falſ bretheren, which Chriſt propheſied ſhould come after his daies, & Iohn ſaw was come, and coming in his daies; and we find you of this ſtock and generation, and now you are diſcovered to be contrarie to the true Apoſtles, and agreeing with the falſe Apoſtles, in call, in practice, in maintenance, and in all things; and the Line of true judgement is laid upon you all, and you are meaſured, and found too ſhort, and weighed and found too light, and we wil deale truely with you in judgement; firſt we do hold controverſie with you as concerning your call, your Miniſtery, it agreeth not with, but is contrarie to what the Apoſtles call was; they were called by power from on high, and were made Miniſters by the gift of the holy ſpirit received from God, and their Miniſtrie was an abſolute gift from God, and not to be bought and ſold for monie, and they were anointed of the Father, by his ſpirit of promiſe, and to preach the Goſpel; but your call is at ſchools, and Colledges, in ſuch, and ſuch orders, which are attained through naturall induſterie, ſuch, and ſuch arts, and ſciences, and degrees, having been ſo many years brought up in ſtudying naturall arts and naturall Languages, this is your ordination and your call, having no reſpect to receive, or to wait for the gift of the holy ſpirit to be made Miniſters thereby, and this is different from the Apoſtles and true miniſters, and equall and according to the falſe prophets and deceivers.

Secondly, Againe you are not according, but contrary to the true miniſtry and Miniſters of Chriſt in practiſe; for they were led by the ſpirit of the Father which dwelt in them, and they preached the Goſpel by the ſpirit, and ſpake as the ſpirit gave them utterance, and went up and down the world through Nations, converting people to the knowledge of the truth, and what they had handled, taſted, ſeen, and felt of the word of life in them, that they declared to others, and preached the Goſpell, which they had not received from man, nor by man, but by the Revelation of Jeſus Chriſt in them; But your practiſe is not ſuch, but contrary, for the ſpirit of this world leads you, and it you follow in all your works, in your preaching, praying, and in your whole worſhip, in forme and tradition, what you have ſtudied for, out of books and old Authors, you preach to people, and what ye have noted in a book, that you preach by an hour-glaſſe, and not as the ſpirit of God gives you utterance; and you ſeek out and enquire after great benefits, and much money by the yeare, and where there is much Tithes and Gleab-lands, and ſuch like, thither and to ſuch a place you goe, and ſeeke after, to be Miniſters there, and there you remain 20. 40. more or fewer yeares as you can agree with the people, and while they will give you ſo much as will content you, and maintain you, your wives, and families as you ſay, & reſpect not whether any be converted to God by your preaching, but people remaines alwaies in blindneſſe and ignorance generally, and without the knowledge of God; for you preach other mens words, and what you have collected in your imaginations from the Saints words an hour by a glaſſe, leaning upon a ſoft cuſhion, and for money and and hire, preaching to the people, and this is your manner of practiſe, and Miniſtery, in theſe Nations, but thus did not the Apoſtles, nor Chriſts Miniſters; but the contrary; and by your fruits and works it appeares that you are not followers of that ſpirit that Chriſt and his Miniſters were guided by, neither are lawfull ſucceſſors of the Apoſtles, but by your fruits and practiſe you manifeſt that the Lord never ſent you, nor Chriſt never called you into his ſervice to be his Miniſters, for in all your practiſes and in your whole performances of worſhip you differ, and doth not agree, but are contrarie to what the practiſe and worſhip of Chriſts Miniſters, and Churches were in the daies of the Apoſtles; this I charge upon you, in the Name, and by the Authoritie of the Lord God, and am able to prove it againſt you, face to face, or otherwiſe to ſhew that you are not of the ſame ſpirit, but contrary to the Saints and Apoſtles of old, and ſo not true ſucceeders of them, nor lawfull Miniſters of Chriſt, as to all people it is, and ſhall be made manifeſt.

Thirdly, You diſagree and are contrarie altogether to the true miniſtrie, and to the Apoſtles, in reſpect of your maintenance and wages, for the wages which Chriſt allowed his Miniſters, was, into whatſoever houſe they entered, that was worthy, they might eate ſuch things as are ſet before them, for the workeman (ſaith he) is worthy of his hire, and the Apoſtles eat onlie of the fruit of the vineyard that they had planted, and of the milk of the flock which they kept; by a free gift of the people, which they had begotten to the faith, and to whom they ſowed ſpirituall things; it was but as a ſmall matter if they reaped their carnall things, yet as a free gift they would doe it, and the Apoſtle ſaid he would not make the Goſpel of Chriſt chargeable; And in this manner were Chriſts Miniſters and Miniſtrie in wages and gifts, upheld and maintained outwardly in the world.

But your practiſe and maintenance is not ſuch, but contrary, as is fullie made manifeſt, for you will have ſo much by the Yeare promiſed to you in Tythes, money, or Gleab-lands, or ſtipends, and of drunkards, and ſwearers, and prophane wordly people, who are not ſheep of Chriſts flock, nor plants of his vine-yard, you will have ſo much of each of them, and of every man, in ſuch a compaſſe as you call your pariſh, and if any either out of covetouſneſſe or good conſcience, cannot pay you, you ſue at Law, and caſt into priſon, for wages, and ſpoile their goods, and take treble, nay ſome times 5. double damage, and through violence and injuſtice, and cruelty are you maintained in ſuch a manner, and not as the true Miniſters and Apoſtles of Chriſt were, but in a way and manner quite contrarie as it is manifeſt, and ſo herein it is proved, that you are not lawfull ſucceſſors of the Apoſtles and Miniſters of Chriſt.

Fourthly, Againe you follow not the Apoſtles, and true Miniſters of Chriſt, but are contrarie to them in doctrine, as this following vollume will clearly manifeſt, which for this very end is collected from your own mouths and pens, that all men may ſee what you are, and what you hold and profeſſe, and being truely laid down, and anſwered, let your ſelves, and all ſober men compare your doctrines and ſayings with the doctrines of the Apoſtles, and they may ſee you agree not with them, but are contrary to them; and now friends to all you that profeſſe your ſelves to be Miniſters of the Goſpell, I do hereby declare unto you, in the name and authority of the Lord, that we have controverſie with you, and a great charge againſt you in all theſe things, in your call, in your practice, and in your maintenance, and in your doctrines, and our mouthes hath the Lord opened, and they cannot be ſhut, from declaring and crying againſt you, as ſuch whom the Lord never ſent, but are contrary to Chriſt, his prophets, and Apoſtles in all your waies, and practices, and the hand of the Lord is certainly againſt you, and his power and dread wil come over you, and lie upon your conſciences.

Now Reader, whoſoever thou art that reades this following volume if thy mind be ſober, and thy heart right towards God, thou may come to a good underſtanding of the ground and cauſe of this great controverſie, between the Prieſts and the profeſſors of this Nation, and us, who are in ſcorne called Quakers, for it is not unknown to Nations, of this great debate and battel, now for ſome yeares of continuance in this Nation, no man can be ignorant, what putting in priſons, and what perſecuting, and what preaching, and printing againſt us, and what reports and ſame hath been through this Nation for ſome yeares paſt; and the Quakers ſo called, have written, and ſpoken, and printed, againſt the Prieſts and their worſhips, and waies, and doctrines, and declared againſt them, as deceivers and falſe prophets, and ſuch as never were ſent of God; & on the other hand, thus have the Prieſts, and more abundantlie cried out againſt, and printed againſt the Quakers as hereticks, and deceivers, and witches, and all what they could ſay thats evil, and theſe things being not unknown, but publiklie brought to paſſe; therefore it will be good to diſcover unto every man, the firſt ground and cauſe of this great ſtrife, and the matter of it, and its beginning, ſo that all may know the certaintie of theſe things, and know they are not without good ground, and ſufficient reaſon on our part, to wit, that we have juſt cauſe to do, and ſtrive againſt that generation of Prieſts and Teachers, and that we doe nothing raſhly, and without ſufficient reaſon. It is now about ſeaven years ſince the Lord raiſed us up in the North of England and opened our mouthes in this his ſpirit; and what we were before in our Religion, profeſſion, and practices is well known to that part of the countrie, how generalie we were men of the ſtricteſt ſect, and of the greateſt zeal in the performance of outward righteouſneſſe, and went through and tried all ſorts, of Teachers, and run from mountain to mountaine, and from man to man, and from one forme to an other, as doe many to this very day, who yet remaines ungathered to the Lord, and ſuch we were, (to ſay no more of us) that ſought the Lord, and deſired the knowledge of his waies more then any thing beſide, and for one I may ſpeak, who from a child, even a few yeares old, he ſet his face to ſeek and find the Saviour, and more then Life and treaſure, or any mortal Crown ſought after with all his heart, the one thing that is needfull, to wit, the knowledge of God: And after our long ſeeking, the Lord appeared to us, and revealed his glory in us, and gave us of his ſpirit from heaven, and poured it upon us, and gave us of his wiſdome to guid us, whereby we ſaw all the world, and the true ſtate of all things and the true condition of the Church in her preſent eſtate; firſt the Lord brought us by his power, and wiſdome, and the word by which all things were made to know and underſtand, & ſee perfectly that God had given to us, everie one of us in particular, a Light from himſelfe ſhining in our harts & conſciences, which Light, Chriſt his Son, the Saviour, of the world had lighted every man, and all mankind withall; which Light in us we found ſufficient to reprove us, and convince us of every evil deed, word and thought, and by it, in us, we come to know good from evil, right from wrong, and whatſoever is of God, and according to him, from what is of the Devil, and what is contrary to God in motion, word and work; and this Light gave us to diſcerne between truth and error, between every falſe and right way, & it perfectlie diſcovered to us the true ſtate of all things, and we thereby came to know man, what he was in his creation before tranſgreſſion, & how he was deceived & overcome by the devil; & his eſtate in tranſgreſſion, & in diſobedience, & how he is drove & baniſhed from the preſence of the Lord, and the ſorrow and anguiſh which he is in, & to undergo; & alſo by the Light in us, we perfectlie came to know the way of Reſtauration, and the meanes to be reſtored; and the ſtate of man being come out of tranſgreſſion and reſtored, theſe things to us were revealed by the Light within us, which Chriſt had given us, and lightened us withall, what man was before tranſgreſſion, and what he is in tranſgreſſion, and what he is being redeemed out of tranſgreſſion, and alſo the Light which ſhined in every one of us, as to it our mindes became turned, and our hearts inclined, the perfect eſtate of the Church we came to know; her eſtate before the Apoſtles daies, and in the Apoſtles daies, and ſince the daies of the Apoſtles, and her perſent eſtate we found to be as a woman who had once been cloathed with the Sun, and the Moon under her feet, who brought forth him that was to Rule the Nations; but ſhe was fled in the Wilderneſſe, and there ſitting deſolate, in her place, that was prepared of God for ſuch a ſeaſon, which ſeaſon in the very end thereof, when the time of her ſojorning, was towards a full end, then were we brought forth, if any have an eare they may hear, ſo that all theſe things concerning man, and concerning the times and ſeaſons, and the changing and renewing of times, and all things that pertaines to ſalvation, and Redemption and eternal Life, needfull for man to know, all this was revealed, diſcovered, and made knowne to us, by the Light which was in us, which Chriſt had lighted us withall.

And we found this Light to be a ſufficient teacher, to lead us to Chriſt, from whence this Light came, and thereby it gave us to receive Chriſt, and to witneſſe him to dwel in us, and through it the new covenant we came to enter into, to be made heires of life and ſalvation, and in all things we found the Light which we were inlightned withall, and all mankind (which is Chriſt) to be alone and onelie ſufficient to bring to Life and eternal ſalvation, and that all who did own the Light in them which Chriſt hath enlightened every man withall, they needed no man to teach them, but the Lord was their Teacher, by his Light in their own conſciences, and they received the holie anointing.

And ſo we ceaſed from the teachings of all men, and their words, and their worſhips, and their Temples, and all their baptiſmes, and Churches, and we ceaſed from our own words, and profeſſions, and practiſes in Religion, in times before zealouſly performed by us, through divers formes, and we became fooles for Chriſts ſake, that we might become truelie wiſe; and by this Light of Chriſt in us were we led out of all falſe waies and falſe preachings, and falſe Miniſters, and we met together often, and waited upon the Lord in pure ſilence, from our own words, and all mens words, and hearkned to the voice of the Lord, and felt his word in our hearts, to burn up and beat down all that was contrary to God, and we obeyed the Light of Chriſt in us, and followed the motions of the Lords pure ſpirit, and took up the Croſſe to all earthly glories, Crowns, and waies, & denied our ſelves, our relations, and all that ſtood in the way betwixt us and the Lord, and we choſe to ſuffer with and for the Name of Chriſt, rather then all the pleaſures upon earth, or all our former zealous profeſſions and practices in Religion without the power and ſpirit of God, which the world yet lives in. And while waiting upon the Lord in ſilence, as often we did for many hours together, with our mindes and hearts toward him, being ſtayed in the Light of Chriſt within us, from all thoughts, fleſhly motions, and deſires, in our diligent waiting and feare of his Name, and hearkning to his word, we received often the pouring down of the ſpirit upon us, and the gift of Gods holy eternal Spirit as in the dayes of old, and our hearts were made glad, and our tongues looſed, and our mouths opened, and we ſpake with new tongues, as the Lord gave us utterance, and as his ſpirit led us, which was poured down upon us, on Sons and Daughters, and to us hereby was the deep things of God revealed, and things unutterable was known and made manifeſt; and the glory of the Father was revealed, and then began we to ſing praiſes to the Lord God Almighty, and to the Lamb for ever, who had redeemed us to God; and brought us out of the captivity and bondage of the world, and put an end to ſin and death, and all this was by and through, and in the light of Chriſt within us, and much more might be declared hereof, that which could not be believed if it were ſpoken, of the ſeveral and particular operations, and manifeſtations of the everlaſting ſpirit that was given us, and revealed in us; but this is the ſum; life and immortality was brought to light, power from on high and wiſdom was made manifeſt, and the day everlaſting appeared unto us, and the joyful Sun of Righteouſneſs did ariſe and ſhine forth unto us and in us; and the holy annoynting, the everlaſting Comforter, we received; and the Babe of glory was born; and the heir of the promiſe brought forth, to Reign over the earth, and over Hell and death, whereby we entered into everlaſting union, and fellowſhip and Covenant with the Lord God, whoſe mercies are ſure and infinite, and his promiſe never fales; and much might be ſpoken, but this is the ſum, we were raiſed from death to life, and are changed from Satans power to God, and gathered from all the dumb Shepherds, and off all the barren mountains, into the fold of Eternal Peace and reſt, and mighty and wonderful things hath the Lord wrought for us, and by us, by his own outſtretched Army.

And thus we became followers of the Lamb whither ſoever he goes, and he hath called us to make War in righteouſnes for his names ſake againſt Hell and death, and all the powers of darkneſs; and againſt the beaſt and falſe Prophet, which hath deceived the Nations; and we are of the Royal ſeed elect, choſen and faithful, and we War in truth, and juſt judgement, not with weapons that are carnal; but by the ſword that goes out of his mouth, which ſhall ſlay the wicked, and cut them them to pieces; and after this manner was our birth, and bringing forth, and thus hath the Lord choſen us and made us as an Army dreadful and terrible before whom the wicked do fear and tremble; and our ſtandard is truth, juſtice, righteouſneſs, and equity; and all that comes unto us, muſt cleave thereunto, and fight under that banner without fear, and without doubting, and they ſhall never be aſhamed nor put to flight, neither ſhall ever they be conquered by Hell or death or by the powers of darkneſs; but the Lord ſhall be their armour, weapon and defence for evermore, and they that follow the Lamb ſhall overcome, and get the victory over the beaſt, and over the Dragon, and over the gates of Hell; for the Lord is with us, and who ſhall be able to make us afraid?

Then having thus armed us with power, ſtrength and wiſdom, and Dominion, according to his mind, and we having learned of him, and being taught of him in all things, and he having choſen us into his work, and put his ſword into our hand, and given us perfect Commiſſion to go forth in his Name and Authority, having the word from his mouth what to cut down and what to preſerve, and having the everlaſting Goſpel to Preach to the inhabitants of the earth, and being commanded in ſpirit to leave all, and follow him, and go forth in his work, yea an abſolute neceſſity was laid upon us, and wo unto us if we Preached not the Goſpel, for when we looked abroad and beheld the world, behold it was altogether darkneſs, and even as a wilderneſs, and deſolate, and barren of good fruit; and death reigned over men, and no good fruit was brought forth to God, but leaves we beheld upon every ſoul; and all men and peoples were made drunk with the wine of whoredoms, and the Whores cup they had drunk, and was committing fornication with the great Whore, and ſhe reigned over the Kings and peoples of the earth; and the Antichriſt was ſet up in the Temple of God, ruling over all, and having brought Nations under his power, and ſet up his Government over all for many ages, even ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles and true Churches hath he reigned, while the woman hath been fled into the wilderneſs, and the man child caught up to God; Chriſt ſaid Antichriſt ſhould come, and put on the ſheepes cloathing, and be inwardly a ravening Wolfe, and John ſaw that Antichriſt was come in his dayes, and he went forth then from the true Church, and went into the world, and deceived the world; and ever ſince his Kingdom hath reigned over Nations, for then he begun to exalt himſelf, and it is ſixteen hundred years ſince; all which time Antichriſt that hath had the ſheepes cloathing, but inwardly a ravener, and hath ruled and reigned; and this we ſaw and perceived, in the very time of our birth and bringing forth; and we beheld Nations as a wilderneſs untilled, and mens hearts as the fallow ground unbroken up, and not plowed nor ſown with the good ſeed of Gods Kingdom; ſo that we ſaw all ſtates and orders of men corrupted and degenerated from what they ought to be, and from what God had once ordained them: As for the Miniſtry firſt, we looking upon it with a ſingle eye, in the light of the Spirit of God which had annointed us, we beheld it clearly (which formerly we had been ſtumbling at and much doubting of, that it was not the perfect Miniſtry of Chriſt for many years before) not to be of Chriſt nor ſent of him, nor having the Commiſſion power and Authority of Chriſt as his Miniſtry had in the dayes of the true Churches, but in all things, as in Call, practice, maintenance, and in every thing elſe in fruits and effects, we found it diſagree, and be wholly contrary to the true Minſtry of Chriſt in the dayes of the Apoſtles, and likewiſe we truely beheld it to be in Call, practice, and maintenance, and all things the very ſame in fruits and effects; with the falſe Miniſtry and falſe Prophets, and falſe Apoſtles, and deceivers of old; and this I do teſtifie, and am able to prove in the ſpirit and Authority of the Lord, that the publike Miniſtry as now it ſtands generally, is wholly degenerated from what the true Miniſtry of Chriſt once was, and differeth and is contrary in all things to what Chriſts Miniſters were, and agreeth, and is equal in all things with what the falſe prophets and deceivers were throughout all ages; and this I charge upon it, in the face and view of all men to whom this may come; for this we ſaw concerning it, in the beginning, and our firſt aſſurance. And as for other places and orders of men and callings we ſaw them alſo corrupted and degenerated, and evil and iniquity abounding among all ſorts of people, and blindneſs and darkneſs covered the face of the earth and of the world, and all people were in their tranſgreſſions, and making void the Law of God, and that it was time for the Lord to work, and to ariſe to eaſe himſelf of his adverſaries; and as for all Churches (ſo called) and profeſſions and gatherings of people, we beheld you as all in the Apoſtacy and degeneration from the true Church, nor being gathered by the ſpirit of the Lord, nor anoynted thereby, as the true members of Chriſt ever were, but to be in a form, and in forms of righteouſneſs without the power, and in Immitations without life, and perfect knowledge; ſo that all the practices of Religion we beheld without power, and life, though ſome had a ſencerity in them, and a zeal and a deſire towards the Lord, yet all people erred in Judgement and none were guided in Judgement by the Eternal ſpirit, and becauſe of the error in Judgement that made their zeal blind, and their performances of righteouſneſs not accepted, though acted in ſome ſincerity and zeal, becauſe they were not guided in practice, and led in Judgement by the ſpirit of the Lord, which onely leads into all truth, and none are in the truth but are who led onely thereby, ſo that we beheld all profeſſion, but as coverings with figg leaves, while the nature of tranſgreſſion ſtood uncondemned, & not crucified. Alſo then we ſaw not only the performance and practice in Church ſtate, and in Religious orders were corrupted, but alſo Goverment, and Magiſtracy, and all things in civil ſtate were not aright in the ſight of the Lord, nor as the Lord required, neither as he had ordained in the beginning; for Government we know as ordained of God, is to puniſh, and limit and terifie, all evil doers, and to preſerve and defend all that do well; and that mens conſciences are to be left free, to be ruled by the Lord alone, and guided by his ſpirit, and that outward power and civil Magiſtrates and Lawes (ſo called) ought not to be Lord or Ruler in mens conſciences, nor over them; but we beheld how unrighteouſneſs and iniquity, and ſin and wickedneſs was ſtrengthened, and encouraged in the Government, and by ſuch as were in Authority; and how the fear of God and the exerciſe of a good conſcience was abuſed; ſo that it was turned backward from what it ought to be; them that did well were puniſhed, and limited as tranſgreſſors, and the evil doers were ſet free, and not made afraid, ſo, that we could truely cry, truth was fallen in the ſtreets, and juſtice and true Judgement turned backward, and equity had no place to enter, and the innocent was devoured through want of true and juſt Judgement, and the needy was ſpoiled and made a prey, and thus it was framed, for no ſooner had we opened our mouthes, but the Magiſtrates begun to put us in priſon, and execute great injuſtice upon us, and became oppreſſors of the innocent, and laid grievous unjuſt burdens upon us, grievous to be born, and true juſtice and judgement was neglected, and wrong judgement brought forth, and good Government abuſed, and men in authority not ruled by the Lord, neither ruling for the Lord among men, and thus it came to paſſe upon us, through the corruption and degeneration in Government and Magiſtrates, which we ſaw to be, as it was fulfilled by them, to wit, not as the Lord required, nor as he in the beginning ordained it, but quite the contrary, and this we ſaw in the beginning, when the ſpirit of the Lord was poured down upon us, and power from on high was revealed to declare againſt all the the abominations of the Earth, and to make war againſt all corruption, in all orders, and places, and men.

Then being prepared of the Lord, and having received power from on high, we went forth as commanded of the Lord, leaving all relations and all things of the wo ld behind us, that we might fufill the work of the Lord into which he called us, and with fleſh and blood, nor any creature, we conſulted not, nor took councel of men, but of the Lord alone, who lifted up our heads above the world, and all fears and doubtings, and was with us in power and dominion, over all that which oppoſed us, which was great and mighty, and gave us power over it all, and to bind Kings in chains, and Nobles in fetters of Iron, and this is the ſaints honour, and the word of the Lord we ſounded, and did not ſpare, and cauſed the deaf to hear, the blind to ſee and the heart that was hardned to be a wakened, and the dread of the Lord went before us, and behind us, and terror took hold upon our enemies; And firſt of all our mouthes were opened, and our ſpirit filled with indignation againſt the Prieſts and teachers, and with them and againſt them firſt we began to war, as being the cauſers of the people to erre, and the blind leaders that carried the blind into the ditch, and againſt them, as the fountain of all wickedneſſe abounding in the Nations, and as being the iſſue of prophanes, for from them hath prophaneſs gone forth in all nations, and againſt them we cryed a loud, as being redeemed from their mouths who had made a prey upon us, as they do upon all that follow their waies, and in ſteeple-houſes we did viſit them often, and in markets and other places, as the Lord moved and made way for us, ſhewing unto all them and all their people, that they were not Lawfull Miniſters of Chriſt, ſent of him, but were deceivers and Anti-chriſts, and ſuch whom the Lord never ſent, and we ſpared not publikely and at all ſeaſons to utter forth the Judgements of the Lord, againſt them and their waies, and againſt their Churches, and worſhips, and practices, as not being of God, nor commanded by him, by which they deceived the world, and this was our firſt work which we entred upon, to threſh down the deceivers, and lay them open, that all people might ſee their ſhame, and come to turne from them, & receive the knowledg of the truth, that they might be ſaved, and this we did with no ſmal oppoſition nor danger, yea often times we were in danger of our lives, through beating, abuſing puniſhing, haling, caſting over walls, ſtriking with ſtaves, and cudgel , and knocking downe to the ground, beſides reproaching, Scorning, revilings, and houtings at, and ſcoffings, and ſlanderings, and all abuſes that could be thought or acted by evil hands and tongues, and often carried before Magiſtrates, with grievous threats, and ſome times put in the Stocks, and whipped, and often impriſoned, and many hard dealings againſt us, the worſt of tongues or hands could execute, ſparing life; of this all the North countries may witneſſe, and all theſe things are ſuſtained and ſuffered from people and Rulers, becauſe of our faithfulneſſe to the Lord, and for declaring againſt the falſe deceivers; for nothing ſave onely the hand of the Lord, and his power could have preſerved us, and carryed us through all this, neither for any reward outward whatſoever, or advantage to our ſelves, would we have expoſed our ſelves to that ſufferings and violence, and dangers, which befell us dayly, but the Lord was our exceeding great reward through all theſe things, and kept us in the hollow of his hand, and under the ſhadow of his wings, and gave us dominion in ſpirit over all our enemies, and ſubdued them before us, and though Rulers and people were combined againſt us, and executed their injuſtice and violence upon us, yet the Lord made us to proſper, and grow exceedingly in ſtrength, wiſdom and number, and the hearts of the people enclined unto us, and the witneſſe of God in many ſtired for us, for to that in all conſciences in our words and ſufferings, and waies, we did commend our ſelves to be known and approved.

And in the beginning we were but few in number, onely a few that thus were carried on and dealt with all and that had received the power from on high in ſuch a meaſure, and for ſuch a work; and no ſooner did the Lord appear to us, and with us, but the Devil and his power roſe up againſt us to deſtroy us, and it wrought in Rulers, Prieſts, and people, and all the waies and meanes invented by the Devil that could be executed by his ſervants were brought forth, to quench the work of the Lord, and to ſtop our paſſage in what we were called to; did ye but perfectly know, as we perfectly found the craftineſſe and policie, and wickedneſſe of the Devil, how to overcome this new borne babe? and how to root out for ever this plant, that was newly ſprang forth? it would make you admire and wonder with admiration; all the prieſts and Rulers were in an uproar, the Prieſts they petitioned to the Magiſtrates, and run up & down from one ſeſſions and Judicatory to another, & took wicked oathes and ſlandered the juſt with lies and reproaches, on purpoſe to incenſe all people againſt us, and the Magiſtrates gave forth warrants for the apprehending of ſome, and made their orders to break our meetings, and that we ſhould not meet in the night ſeaſon, and ſuch men might not paſſe abroad, and ſuch ſtirr and oppoſition vvas made againſt us, it can hardly be expreſſed or declared, there was uproars in ſteeple-houſes, and uproars in markets, and often haling before Magiſtrates, and abuſed, and threatned, and ſlandred, and all manner of evil done, and ſpoken againſt us, and great injuſtice, cruelty and oppreſſion acted againſt us, where ever we came, and all through the meanes of the Prieſts, who ſpared not to enact and conceive miſchief againſt us, and ſought dayly to the Magiſtrates for perſecution, preaching in their Pulpits, and praying againſt us, and ſetting daies apart to ſeek their God againſt us, crying with out ceaſing in publike and private, hereſie, hereſie, Error and blaſphemy, & that we were deceivers witches, and ſeducers, & ſuch like the worſt they could ſay and Imagine to ſtir up the hearts of people againſt us, and running often to the Aſſize and Seſſions, and Counts to complain, and in forme upon falſe oathes againſt us, and through them were the whole countries in a rage and madneſſe, Rulers & people often impriſoning and abuſing and reſiſting us with violence baniſhing us out of towns, and putting of us out of our Innes, and often threatning to burne the houſes over our heads, the whole company of rude people in a town, often gathering and beſetting a houſe or Inne about where we were entred to lodge, in our travels; we were often expoſed to dificult and hard travels and journies, giving our ſelves to the Croſſe, to take it up againſt all earthly, often drinking water, and lying in ſtraw in barnes, after a hard daies journey, and yet for all theſe things, the power and preſence of the Lord was with us, and we were carried on in much boldneſſe, and faithfulneſſe in courage, and without fear or doubtings, through the often hazard of our lives many waies in uproars by evil men, and in markets, and Steeple-houſes, and alſo in travels by robbers, and every way were we expoſed to dangers, and perrils, but through all & over all were we carried, and are preſerved to this day.

And after this manner it came to paſſe concerning us, and much more might be ſaid, but this is in ſhort declared how we were intreated, and dealt withall by Prieſts, Rulers, and People, through all the Northern counties of England in our firſt going forth, through which counties we firſt Journied out of Weſtmerland, through Cumberland, Northumberland and into ſome parts of Scotland, and Durham, York-ſhire, Lancaſhire, Cheſſhire &c. and in all theſe counties much oppoſition we had, and exceeing ſufferings, and cruell dealings from men of all ſorts, every Goal may witneſſe, in every county, how any of them ſeldome were without ſome of us, or our friends impriſoned in them this ſix yeares, and ſcarce one ſteeple-houſe or market in all theſe counties, but may witneſſe what beating, what bruiſings, ſtrikings and halings, and abuſings, and perils we have ſuffered and ſuſtained, and not one prieſt in all thoſe counties can cleare himſelfe from hatred and malice, and from envying of us, and doeing miſchief in words, and works, or thoughts, or deſires againſt us, nor ſcarce one Juſtice nor any officer of the peace, can be excuſed in all them counties from plotting and acting injuſtice upon us, and threating and enacting cruelty againſt us; And I call Heaven and Earth to record, and the Light in every mans conſcience, and do appeal to that in all ſorts and places of people, that by all ſorts of people we ſuffered evil, and unjuſt works and actions and words from them, and let the witneſſe of God in all mens conſciences in all the North, give teſtimony what dealings and cruelty we ſuffered, and how we have been dealt withall, and alſo of our patience, and Innocency under all what they have done to us.

But notwithſtanding, all what was acted againſt us, and ſpoken, ma •• hundreds of the honeſt and ſober people owned us, and alſo many rude and ungodly perſons were converted to the truth, I ſay many hundreds in all theſe counties in two yeares time, were brought to the knowledge of the Lord, and to own us, all which time we laboured, and traveled in patience, giving up our ſelves to live or to die, and to all manner of ſufferings and reproaches, and hard trials, that we might fulfill faithfully what we were called unto; ſufferings without, from open enemies, and from our own kindred and relations, and ſufferings within, for the ſeeds ſake, and we are well acquainted with griefs, yet in all our trials and afflictions, the Lord never forſook us, but his wiſdome, love, and life, and preſence increaſed in us, and with us.

Then in the yeare 1654 as moved of the Lord, we ſpread our ſelves South-ward, and entred into theſe South parts, and came the firſt of us into this City of London, in the fift Moneth that year, and laboured in the work of the Goſpel, in continuall ſufferings and oppreſſions divers waies, and were oppreſſed and gainſaid by the wiſe-men, and by the learned, and had in reproach and contempt by all the high and lofty and proud profeſſors, and we were ſet at nought and rejected by the fat beaſts of the South, and it is well known to thouſands in this City and South countrie, what oppoſition we have had from all ſorts of people, oppoſed in our own meetings, and ſcorned, and ſlandered by envious and reproachfull tongues, publikely and privately encountered withall by the wiſeſt of the City, and country chalenged, invited, and ingaged to diſputes by the high Prieſts and Church-members (ſo called) & written againſt, and printed againſt, by the chiefeſt of men, accounted wiſe and religious, which of any ſect, and who of all the wiſeſt in profeſſion, and the moſt zealous in practices of Religion, (ſo called) have not at ſome time or other beſet us, and encountered with us in high diſputes and controverſie, oppoſing of us to our faces, and gain-ſaying our doctrines, and practices, and denying of us, and reſiſting of us wholly, and crying againſt us to be deceivers, deluders and hereticks, and blaſphemers, and ſuch like, and that our doctrines were deceivable, & error, and factious, and what not, & that our practiſes were deſtructive to men, Lawes, and Government? theſe things in the worſt nature have been ſpoken againſt us without ceaſing, by the wiſeſt and men of greateſt parts and moſt Religious (falſely ſo accounted) for this certain yeares in the South, aſwell as in the North, beſides what loſſe have we ſuſtained other waies in the South, by beatings, and ſtrikings, and abuſes, and ſlanders, and falſe reproaches, and halings before Magiſtrates, and impriſoning, and all the like dealing from Prieſts, Rulers and people, as we did in the North, yea, the ſame hard dealing and cruelty from all ſorts of people we have ſuffered, and doe daily, as we did in the North; Inſomuch we are now accuſtomed to the yoke, and well acquainted with ſorrowes and griefes from all ſorts of people, and were not the Lord on our ſide our enemies would ſwallow us up quick, and we had been long ſince devoured by the teeth of the ungodly, ſo that I may now call to witneſſe all the Goales and priſons in the South, as in the North, and all the Magiſtrates and Judges, and Rulers, and all officers of the Law, what ſuff rings we have ſuſtained, and what cruell and heard dealing we have undergone, and what injuſtice, and unequal and falſe judgement hath been executed upon us in this five yeares time, which of the Goals may appear free, where ſome of us have not ſuffered the loſſe of our liberties unjuſtly? and who of any Juſtice of the peace, or any other officer, from the Judge to the Conſtable, that can clear themſelves from guilt in this matter, and that they have not had a hand in our unjuſt ſufferings? and to the witneſſe of God, in all people of all ſorts, through this whole Nation, and ſome other, I do appeal concerning this matter, how we have been dealt withall, & what we have ſuſtained in our perſons, and in our names, & how many acts and words of cruelty and in juſtice we have borne and ſuffered, and theſe Prieſts been as the fountain and cauſe of all this, and the formoſt in all this iniquity and injuſtice by all what they could do to incenſe the Rulers and people againſt us, by Preaching, and praying, and writing, and printing, for the ſpace of this ſeven yeares, yet notwithſtanding all this, the mighty power and preſence of the Lord have been with us, and preſerved us from dangers great and many, and carried us through trials and perplexities, and ſufferings, and not onely ſo, but he hath increaſed us in number; ſo that thouſands and ten thouſands have and may own us, and the truth which we give witneſſe of, & live therein? for the eyes of all people are beginning to be opened, and the deaf eare is unſtopped, and the way of life eternall is made manifeſt, and the Lord is gathering his flock, which hath been ſcattered in the cloudy and dark day, whilſt theſe falſe idle ſhepherds, (theſe Prieſts and Teachers I meane) have fed themſelves with the fat, and cloathed themſelves with the wool, and laid down in ſlumber, and not gathered the flock, nor fed them, but ſcattered them, and driven them away; and with force and with cruelty have they ruled over the heritage of the Lord; woe, woe, unto theſe ſheepherds, ſaith the Lord God, they ſhall be confounded and put to ſhame perpetually, and they ſhall be broken down and never builded any more, and the Lord will pluck them up by the roots, and they ſhall never again be planted.

And beſides all there Petitioning the Magiſtrates againſt us, and Preaching and praying againſt us, and all the evil & wickedneſs, in work, word, & deſire brought forth againſt us from time to time; yet here (ſober Reader) thou haſt a Catalogue and whole number of books Printed & written againſt us, and abundance of their Doctrines uttered againſt us, and in oppoſition to us, gathered up in this volume in a ſum, with our anſwers to them; and if thy heart and minde be ſingle, thou maiſt hereby underſtand, in meaſure, the difference in Doctrine between them and us, and compare each of them with the Scriptures, and ſee whether their Doctrines and Principles laid down as the ſubject of their books, or our Doctrines and Principles laid down in anſwer to theirs, be according, and agree with the Scriptures, and if thou be impartial in this buſineſs, and ſingle in this ſearch and Judgement, I doubt not, but thou wilt in a great meaſure ſatisfie thy ſelf, and be reſolved concerning their Prieſts, and Profeſſors of England, and us who are called Quakers, and then when thou thus haſt done, own and deny ••• ther them or us, as the Lord ſhall perſwade thee; for thou maiſt fully perceive we differ in Doctrines and Principles, and the one thou muſt juſtifie, and the other thou muſt condemn, as being one clean contrary to the other in our Principles; And I wiſh alſo, thou wouldſt meaſure us, and compare us in lives and converſations, and truely Judge whom of us, whether they, or we do the more follow Chriſt and his Apoſtles in practiſe and converſation; And in all things lay us and them to the line of true Judgement, and with an upright heart, Judge accordingly; for know this, there is not any Principle we hold, nor any work which we practice in our Religion and worſhip, but we are willing, and fully deſires we might be brought to the Barr of true Juſtice together, and in every particular, of Principles and practices, examined and tryed to the full, and each of us judged in truth and equity, whither it be they or us that are of the true Religion, and true faith, and true worſhip of God that the Apoſtles were in, and which of us it is that are in a wrong way, and in a falſe Religion, and falſe faith and worſhip, and in this we will joyn iſſue with them, in the ſight of the whole Nation, if they will come forth to triall; if what already is brought forth by them againſt us, and by us againſt them, for this ſeven years in diſputes, and in printing, and otherwiſe, be not ſufficient for all people to try us in, and judge us by, whether they, or we be in the right, and whether in the wrong. And now to all people in the Nation, I do appeal to that of God in all their conſciences, to judge between the Prieſts and Profeſſors, and all the Sects, and us, ye have heard their Doctrines, and ye have heard ſomething of ours, ye have ſeen their converſation; and ye have ſeen ſomething of ours, ye have heard them long, and ſomething of us ye have heard for a little ſeaſon, and now give your evidence, is it not with them as we have ſaid? are not your Prieſts in the ſteps of the falſe prophets and of the deceivers, and do not they ſeek for their gain from their quarter, as they did that Iſaiah cryed againſt? do not they Preach for hire and Divine for money, as they did which Micah cryed againſt? are not they ſuch by whom you have not been profited, as Jeremiah cryed againſt? let that of God in you anſwer to theſe things; and are they not proud men, and covetous men, and envious men, and heady high-minded men, and given to filthy lucre? and are they not ſuch as through covetouſneſſe makes merchandize of ſouls, and that by good words and fair ſpeeches deceives the hearts of the ſimple, ſuch as Paul and Peter declares againſt? And are they not ſuch as the true Prophets, Chriſt and his Apoſtles cried againſt? and doe they not bring forth the ſame fruits as did the falſe Prophets, and f lſe Apoſtles? I leave it to your conſciences to be the judge; compare them, and lay them to the line of true judgement, if you ſhut not your eyes, you may ſee it is thus; and have we charged them falſly, or have not we ſpoken the truth concerning them? we have ſaid they are falſe miniſters and deceivers, and not true Miniſters of Chriſt, and is it not ſo? let the light in your conſciences anſwer; we have ſaid they have run, and never was ſent, and that they have not profited the people at all; and is it not ſo? to the witneſs of God in you I do appeal, and let that juſtifie that we have ſpoken nothing but the truth; examine and try in all things that we have charged them with, and are they not guilty in all things that we have charged upon them? let the witneſs of God in you teſtifie to this; and what do you judge of them, are they not of that ſtock which Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, and ſhould be wolves in ſheepes cloathing, and ſhould deceive many, and which John ſaw was come in his dayes, and which the world went after, and the whole world run after them; are not they in the nature of wolves? devouring and tearing the Lambs of Chriſt? and do they not tear people by cauſing their bodies to be impriſoned and their goods to be ſpoiled? and do they not deceive many? and yet they have the ſheepes cloathing, the Saints words and their practices but inwardly are they not ravening? and doth not the world go after them, and hath not the world run after them for many ages; and is it not thus with them? And have they received the gift of the holy Ghoſt, or are they not made Miniſters by the will of man, and not by the will of God? do they not differ and are contrary in call, in practice, in maintenance, and in fruits and effects to the true Miniſters and true Apoſtles? and do they not agree, and are they not according to the falſe Prophets, and falſe Miniſters, and deceivers in their call, practice, maintenance, fruits and effects? ſearch the Scriptures, and lay them to that line and then let the witneſs in your conſciences judge and anſwer, and do not they prepare War againſt ſuch as doth not put into their mouths? and do not they feed with the fat, and cloath with the wool? do not they oppreſſe the Nation, and the Creation? and are not they ſuch whoſe Call, and practices and maintenance, and whole Miniſtry? hath a dependance upon Popery and doth it not all ſavour of Popery, and in the main and Principal parts thereof, were ordained by the Pope? this may be fully made manifeſt; And are not all Profeſſors, and Sects of people ſuch as have the form but are without the power of godlineſs? are not people ſtill covetous, and earthly minded, and given to the world, and proud and vain, even ſuch as profeſſe Religion, and to a ſeperated people? is not Profeſſors as covetous, and proud, as ſuch as doth not profeſſe? and are not they given to the world, and doth it not ſhew that they are unchanged nor tranſlated, but death Reigns among them? and is it not manifeſt that they have taken up the form, of the Apoſtles and Chriſts words and practices, and are without the life, and not guided by the ſpirit of Chriſt and the Apoſtles in their praying and Preaching? and are not your ſouls lean and ſtarved; to the witneſs of God in you all I ſpeak; which may teſtifie that many people have a ſhew of Religion without life, and therefore have not we ſpoken the truth of them, in what we have ſaid? in the day of Judgement you ſhall anſwer it.

And as concerning the Quakers, what do you ſay of them? you have ſeen their converſation; few Towns but ſome of them have been and are amongſt you; do not they fear God? and do not they walk juſtly and truly among their neighbours, and ſpeakes the truth, and doth the truth in all things, doing to all no otherwiſe then they would be done unto? and are they not meek, and humble, and ſober? and do not they take much wrong, rather then give wrong to any? and are they not ſuch as delights in the ways of the Lord, and do not they deny the world, and its pleaſures, and forſakes all iniquity more then your ſelves? and do not they take up the daily Croſſe of Chriſt to all its wayes and earthly glories? and do not they Preach in the power of God and reacheth to your conſciences, when you hear them? and doth not the light in you anſwer that they ſpeak the truth? and is not their Call and practice and maintenance the ſame as was the Apoſtles and faithful Miniſters? compare them with the Scripture, and then Judge in your conſciences; and do not they ſuffer many hard and cruel things, even all manner of evil ſpoken and done againſt them falſly for the Name of Chriſt? are you ignorant of their great ſufferings through this Nation? and what do you think, is their ſuffering for evil doing, or is it not for righteouſneſs ſake? what harm do they do, to any, by work or word? why are they reproached and mocked and ſcorned? and why are they put in priſons, and whipped and thus ſorely abuſed? is it for any evil doing, or is it not becauſe they are the ſervants of the Lord? compare their fruits with the Prieſts fruits, their converſation with the Prieſts converſation, and ſee whether be liker the Apoſtles; and theſe things I leave to you that you may come to conſider and judge juſtly of all things, for the Lord God is riſen and his light in peoples conſciences is ſhining forth, and it ſhall anſwer to what I ſay, in this world or in the day of Judgement, when we, and all mankind ſhall appear and come forth to tryal, and every mans work ſhall be tryed, and all ſhall receive according to their deeds.

And ſo gladly would we be made manifeſt to all the world; if that after the reading of this book any be unſatisfied ſtill in this matter, And if any, eſpecially of the heads and Rulers have doubts or Jealouſies raiſed in them, concerning us, and the Prieſts, and that they further would be ſatisfied and reſolved; for that end let any wiſe men propound for full ſatisfaction of all ſorts of people, that we (with the conſent of the chief in Authority that have power in this Nation who may preſerve peace and ſafety among people, and thereby to ſtop all Jealouſies) may freely and chearfully, four, ten, twenty, thirty, more or fewer of us; give as many of the wiſeſt and ableſt of the Prieſts and Profeſſors a meeting for diſpute, at any place in England, at what place, time, and for what continuance, as they ſhall aſcribe and conſent unto, and to diſpute, and controvert betwixt us and them any ſuch thing, and every ſuch particular as ſhall or may be objected, by any of the heads and Rulers, or other grave underſtanding men, wherein they are doubful betwixt us, and would thereof be ſatisfied, that by ſuch diſpute and opening of ſuch cauſes, objected, full, and real, and total ſatisfaction may be given to the whole Nation, and every particular man and member therein.

Otherwiſe, Let the Prieſts or profeſſors or any of them object what they can againſt us, in our principles, profeſſion, faith, and practice, and our whole Religion; And if they ſhall affirme and alledge any one or more things againſt us, that any principle we hold, or practice we profeſs in any part throughout all our Religion, are falſe Principles and falſe practices, and not according to truth, nor the ſcriptures, but ſhall affirme that our Religion is not the true Religion, nor we of the true Church of of Chriſt, and they ſhall have free liberty, to give their beſt proofe and reaſon for what they affirme, and alledge; yet by the ſtrength of Chriſt, and in the power and authority of God, and according to the ſcriptures we ſhall confute all their proofes and ſtrongeſt reaſons; and on the contrary we ſhall joine our Principles, doctrines, and practices, and all our Religion, and every part and particular thereof, to be the very truth, and agreeing with the ſcriptures, and according to that ſhall maintain by lawfull arguments, and plea, that our Religion and worſhip, and all that we profeſſe and Practice is according to the mind of the Lord, and juſtified of him, and that whatſoever is and may be ſpoken againſt us upon that account is utterly falſe, and to be condemned, and upon this we will ingage with them, and with any of our enemies, of what ſect and profeſſion ſoever, to the intent onely that truth may be manifeſt and embraced, and deceit and Errour diſcovered and denied.

And alſo, upon ſuch an engagement we ſhould agree to have the liberty, freely, and ſoberly to object againſt the Prieſts, concerning their Miniſtry, their call, their practice, their maintenance, and their fruits and effects, and concerning their Church, and principles, and worſhip, and whole Religion, and ſhall hear patiently all that can be ſaid in defence thereof by any or all of them, and ſhall prove by the ſpirit of the Lord, and according to the ſcriptures, that their miniſtry is not the true Miniſtry of Chriſt, nor they true and lawfull Miniſters of the Goſpel, but ſhal manifeſt by evident arguments, that their call, practice, maintenance, fruites and effects, are not according nor agreeing, but contrary and differing, to what the true Miniſtry was, and its call, practice, maintenance, fruites and effects were in the true Apoſtles, and among the true Churches, and furthermore by the Grace of God we ſhall prove their Church, their worſhip, and their whole Religion, in all parts thereof, to be degenerated from what the true Church was, and the true worſhip, and true Religion, in the daies of the Apoſtles, and true Churches of old, and theſe things ſhall we make manifeſt by faithfull and ſound arguments according to the ſcriptures, that all the earth may know, and all people perceive who is in the truth, and of the true worſhip and Religion, and who are in the contrary, and whether the Prieſts, and that which they profeſſe and practice for Religion, or the Quakers, and that which they profeſſe and practice for Religion, be of God and according to him, and whether are contrary; that the end of this long travel, and war and controvercy may be deſided and juſtly ended between us, and all people may be reſolved, and ſatisfied concerning us, and them that do oppoſe us.

And let all the Prieſts and profeſſors lay aſide and give over their houſes of correction, and impriſoning people, and whipping of them, and ſtocking of us, and dealing in this manner of violence and cruelty, as for years by-paſt they have done in defence of their Religion, and reſiſting of ours, and let them lay aſide their carnall weapons, and fighting againſt our perſons, and impriſoning of us about our Religion, and let them come forth in ſound arguments, the beſt they have, and let us ſee what ſpiritual weapons they have to reſiſt us, and defend themſelves, & let us try, whether their ſpiritual weapons or ours be the ſtrongeſt, and the moſt powerfull, and mighty, & let theirs that are ſo, prevaile againſt the other, be it ours, or theirs, and this is the way to try the truth, and to make all things manifeſt, and to deſide and end all the whole controverſies between us and them, which hath been great this many yeares, and let the truth be ſet up and exalted, where ever it is, and all deceit thrown down to the ground, and let us war with the weapons of the ſpirit, againſt errour and falſe religion, one in the other, but lets not hurt creatures, nor impriſon perſons, nor ſtock and whip creatures, and make them to ſuffer, but let us threſh deceit, and whip and beat that, and all falſe opinions, let us throw them down, where they are found, whether in them or in us, and let us fight with the weapons of the ſpirit, that are ſpiritual, & let them ſight no longer with ſuch cruel carnal weapons, and then let ſuch as get the victory, and overcomes, appear to be in the truth of the Church, and ſuch as falls and is overcome, be manifeſt to be in the error, and of the falſe Church and Religion, and let us love one anothers perſons, and let them act no otherwiſe towards our perſons, then we do upon theirs, and towards them, and let them take the liberty to deal with us, and our perſons, as we deale with them, and their perſons, and no otherwiſe.

And let ſuch, whether them or us, that cannot prove ourſelves to be the true Church of Chriſt, nor of the true worſhip, and true Religion, nor in the truth, but is found to be in the error, and out of the truth, let ſuch deny their worſhip and Church, and renounce all their Religion, and confeſſe to all the world, under their hands, that they are and have been deceived, and for ever hereafter ſtop their mouthes, and never profeſſe nor practice any more what they have done in ſuch Religion; And freely upon theſe Iſſues and conditions we will joine trial with them, let them appoint time, place, and profer terms at their own pleaſure, and then to all the world it ſhall be manifeſt, and to all people diſcovered, whether we have not good ground and ſufficient reaſon, to war againſt theſe Prieſts, and it may perfectly appear that what we have ſaid and written againſt them theſe divers yeares, have been upon a good foundation, and we have had ſufficient cauſe to ſpeak and write againſt them, as we have done, and none thenceforth ſhall have cauſe to ſay, or doubt, that what we have ſpoken and written againſt them hath been out of malice or envy, and without cauſe and good reaſon; but on the contrary all ſhall know the ground of quarrel is ſufficient and full of equity on our part.

And upon theſe or any equal tearms and conditions, would we, and are we willing to engage with theſe Prieſts, and all, or any one of theſe Sects, in a lawful tryal, in diſputes, or writings, for the tryal and ſearching out of the truth, and the true Religion; And were it not equal & reaſonable, that we had the ſame liberty among all theſe Prieſts, and in their Church and Aſſemblies freely to declare our minds, and to let forth our ſelves in what we hold and profeſs, without being violently haled, and beat, and whipped, and ſent to priſon, as we have been this many years; which liberty we do freely grant and allow among us to all, to query, or declare what is upon them, without ſuch violent dealing, or whipping, or ſending them to priſons and houſes of correction; and the ſame and no other do we deſire of others in this particular of freedom to declare the truth, and what we hold, then what we do and would allow to others; and that no weapon be uſed by them againſt us, nor dealing towards us, but the weapons of the ſpirit, the beſt they have, or can bring forth againſt us, and let them let creatures alone, and not hurt nor do violence to them, and no other weapons ſhall we uſe againſt them, nor deal with them by any other thing, but the weapons of the Spirit of God, which is powerful, and will bring down ſtrong holds; and as for creatures, we ſhall not hurt, nor do violence, nor impriſon them, and whoſe weapons are the ſtrongeſt, let ſuch overcome.

And ſuch as are overcome, is not the true Church; for the true Church of Chriſt which is builded upon the Rock, the gates of hell cannot prevail againſt, and who doth overcome, with ſuch let it be manifeſt that God of a truth is with them; and let them all ceaſe to defend their Church and Miniſtry, and Religion with priſons, and whips, and houſes of correction, for by ſuch things was never the true Church, Miniſtry and Religion defended, but onely the power and Authority of God preſerved them, and reſiſted all their enemies; and ſo it is at this day; and let all ceaſe to cry deceivers, and being afraid to be deceived; for if they be the true Church, all, or any of theſe Sects and Profeſſions of Religions, then if we be deceivers, and come among them, they cannot be deceived, if they be in the election; for no deceivers, nor the gates of hell cannot prevail againſt the true Church of Chriſt, nor againſt them that are elect, which the Devil hath nothing in; And if we be the true Church of Chriſt, and in the election, then if all the deceivers upon earth come among us, they cannot prevail againſt us, nor deceive us; for the elect cannot be deceived; and upon theſe tearms, we may engage with any people and Sect upon earth, therefore come to this, and joyn with us, take you the liberty to declare in ſoberneſs what you own and profeſs, & you ſhall not be perſecuted, nor your bodies nor perſons harmed by violence; and let us have that liberty to deelare in meekneſs and ſoberneſs, and in Gods Authority, amongſt you what we hold and profeſſe, and let us not be perſecuted, and dealt violently withall; and then let it appear whether we or our enemies hath a greater teſtimony, and more powerful in the hearts of people. And were not this a way full of equity for the tryal of all things? But doing contrary as you have done theſe many years againſt us, by violence and whipping, and perſecuting, it ſhewes you have not the ſpirituall weapons, nor the Authority of God with you, nor among you, and that is the cauſe of running to Magiſtrates, and putting in Goals, and whippings, and all violence, becauſe the Authority of Gods ſpirit is wanting amongſt you, which all the falſe Sects and falſe Churches, ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, have wanted, to defend themſelves and reſiſt their enemies; and ſo all ſects have been fighting one with another, and killing perſons and creatures, and defended themſelves, by priſons, and inquiſitions, and deſtroying of lives; and all this have been out of the power of God, and not in it, but by the power of the Dragon, and of the Beaſt, who hath cauſed all to worſhip, and them that would not, he hath had power to kill, and hath killed them, by fires, and tortures, and cruel deaths, and all theſe have loſt the ſpiritual weapons, and been without the power and Spirit of God; And what a Church is this of yours which hath need to be defended by Goals, and priſons, and whips and ſtocks, and violent dealing? this Church is not the Church of Chriſt, for the power and Spirit of God defends her alwayes, and not inquiſitions, and priſons and whips, theſe are Cains weapons, and not the weapons of the Spirit of God, whereby his true Church was ever defended; for becauſe Cains ſacrifice was not accepted, therefore he ſlew his Brother, and perſecuted him; and thus you that are of Cains ſeed do the ſame, upon the ſame ground, becauſe your works are rejected and theirs accepted, with which you deal thus; in this violent way of perſecution and wickedneſs.

And this is the proteſtant Church (ſo called) and her Miniſters, with whom I am now dealing, which ſeems to be the true Church, and more then the Church of Rome; for you Proteſtant Miniſters do deny and cry againſt the Church of Rome as a falſe Church, and her Miniſters to be deceivers (which in it ſelfe is very true) But yet your hypocriſie in this doth appear, and your double-mindedneſſe; for let me tell you while you cry againſt the Church of Rome as a falſe Idolater, and a perſecutor of the true Church, and againſt her Miniſters to be deceivers, and contrary to the Apoſtles, are not your ſpirits the ſame, and your works the ſame in nature (though not in meaſure) and in particular, this work of yours to impriſon people, and whip them, and put them in the ſtocks, and beat them, and abuſe their perſons and bodies, who doth but ſpeak againſt you and your Religion? is not this worke of the very ſame nature as the work of the Romiſh Church? ſhe to defend her Church hath Inquiſitions, and baniſhment, and many cruel tortures, & with theſe things her Church ſhe defends, killing and afflicting of peoples bodies, that doth oppoſe her Church and deny their Religion, and you have ſtocks, and whips, and houſes of correction, and putting great fines and taskes upon people, and baniſhing people out of townes, and ſpoiling their goods and caſting men into Priſon who doth oppoſe your Church, and deny your Religion, and is not this equal and juſtly according (in Nature) to the perſecution that is in the Romiſh Church? and what difference between the defence of the Church of Rome and your Church of Proteſtants? they have their inquiſitions, and you have your houſes of correction; they have their ſlavery in the gallies, and you have whips, and ſtocks; they have their divers torments, and cruel dealings towards perſons that oppoſe them, and upon their bodies in one manner, and you have your torments and cruel dealings towards us in an other manner, though not in the ſame meaſure, yet in the ſame nature; and what difference between you and them? And herein doth the hypocriſie of the Proteſtant Church and their Miniſters appear, in that they cry againſt and denies the Church of Rome and their perſecution and cruelty acted againſt others, and yet in nature and manner doth practice the very ſame upon us, as in England this day is witneſſed; And not onely in this particular may the Church, and Miniſters of the Proteſtants be condemned for hypocriſie, but alſo in many other things, even the moſt of their practices in their worſhip is of the ſame nature, and by the ſame ſpirit, which the practices of the Church of Rome is practiſed by and in; and not onely ſo, but it may be truly proved and made manifeſt, that the original and inſtitution of many of your Church practices proceeded from the Church of Rome, and the Church & Pope of Rome did ordain & inſtitute many of your practices, & great a part of your worſhip, which is performed in the church & by the Miniſtry of the Proteſtants (ſo called) & this in its time & ſeaſon I may make fully appear, and diſcover to the Nations, and I may ſhew in the particulars, what particulars of the worſhip & practice in the Proteſtants Church had their firſt rice and beginning and originall in the Church of Rome, though they are minced and degreſſed with diminiſhings & addings, according as their imaginations have guided them, yet ſtill they retaine the ſtrongeſt taſte and ſavour of the Church of Rome, and had their rice and original there, though in the performing thereof, they may be altered and changed in appearance and form, but are perfectly the ſame in ground and Nature, as ſpringing from the Church of Rome, and ſhee the mother of the Proteſtant Church, and of the practices of the moſt of her performances in worſhip, and this may be proved, as God willing upon occaſion, as the Lord moves, I may let forth my mind, and what I know in theſe things, and may ſhew though that the Church of the Proteſtants have diſſerted the Church of Rome, yet their Miniſtrie, its Call, and ordination, and its practice, and maintenance, hath a dependancy upon the Church of Rome, as being the original of that which is by them therein practiſed, though in ſome things deviated from the perfect form and practice thereof; And alſo the whole worſhip of all the particulars in relation to the Proteſtant Church, and Miniſtrie, and worſhip, hath a dependance upon the Church of Rome, as being the firſt original thereof, and though they cry againſt her and her Miniſters, and have denied her, yet is ſhe the mother and wombe in which was bred, and out of whom proceeded the Proteſtant Church, Miniſtry, and worſhip, and practices, and this may be manifeſt at full that the Proteſtants Church, Miniſtry, and worſhip, chiefly taſteth and ſavoureth of the Church and worſhip of Rome, and had their original out of her; And alſo further may be ſhewed, that the Proteſtant Church, and worſhips and Miniſtry, are not an other in nature and being, then the Romiſh Church, Miniſtry, and worſhip, but is ſprung out thereof as a branch out of the ſame root, the ground being one and the ſame though differing in appearance; for in her beginning and firſt diſſenting from the Romiſh Church, ſhe did not deny her in ground and being, as not being at all the Church of Chriſt, but onely in ſome particulars deſſented alwayes then, & to this day retayning divers of their practices in worſhip and Church government, which doth ſhew, that the Proteſtant Church is not perfectly another, nor her Miniſtry, and Government, and worſhip another then is the Romiſh Church; but is the ſame in ground and being, onely digreſſed and deviated in particulars; and this may be fully manifeſt in ſeaſon, that the proteſtant Church, & worſhip, & Miniſtry, is of the Romiſh Church ſprung as a branch out of her, not contrary to her, and againſt her; and all theſe things is the Lord diſcovering and laying open that Nations and peoples may come to behold the mother, of harlots, that miſtery of Iniquity, and all her children, and may ſee the ſtate and turning of times, and things, ever ſince the daies of the Apoſtles, and true Churches, and how that all theſe divers ſects, and all theſe Churches, falſely ſo called, are riſen up and ſprung out one of another, and coming from one ſeed and wombe, and though divers in appearances, and ſundry in practices, and profeſſions, yet are they all one in the ground and nature, ſprung from the mother of harlots, all of them, and being her children, and ſhe hath corrupted the Earth with her Fornications and Whoredomes, and made Nations and Kingdomes drunk with her cup of idolatry; But the Lord God is riſen and will plead with her, and give her double, and the holy Prophets & Apoſtles ſhal rejoyce over her, & this is coming to paſſe, and this have I ſeen from the Lord, & received it from him, & thus it came upon me to write.

THe waters have I ſeen dry'd up; the ſeat of that great Whore, Who hath made all Nations drunk, through her enticing power; And cauſed the whole earth, ſhe hath, her fornication cup to take, Whereby Nations have long time err'd, on whom ſhe long hath ſate; But Peoples many are and ſhall, and multitudes all may, And Nations be converted all, unto another way; And tongues they are confounded now, and kindreds they muſt mourn, And when this is all finiſhed, her whole ſeat then is torn; For theſe all be the great waters, on whom her ſeat hath been, And over whom ſhe hath governd', like as a ſtately Queen; For ages many by-paſt gone, ſhe hath her Whoredoms play'd, And Kingdoms hath bewitched, and her power have obey'd, But now her miſeries are ſeen, her witchcrafts are diſcover'd, And ſh no more ſhall men deceive; for day light is appeared: And the Bed woful I have ſeen, of torments great prepar'd, Whereon ſhe muſt be caſt, and plagues muſt not be ſpared, But wo to her, the cup of wrath, is fill'd her to receive, And as to others ſhe hath done, the ſame ſhe ſhall now have: And drink ſhe muſt of that full cup of Gods fierce indignation, And then ſhall all her lovers mourn, and make great lamentation, And I have ſeen that City great, once populous, rich, and fair, Laid waſte, and all deſtroyed, and her Merchants diſpair, Who thorow her have gotten gain, themſelves for to exalt, And from far come to traffique, but now they muſt lament, For fire in her is kindled, which muſt her all conſume, Behold her ſmoake aſcendeth, day and night, up to Heaven. The Antichriſt who hath put on, and cover'd with ſheepes cloathing, And long rul'd King, on Nations, Inwardly ravening; Who hath devour'd Gods heritage, and had a Kingdom great, I have ſeen him made war against, and truth give him defeat; Behold, the Whore, her fleſh is burnt, her beauty doth now fall, She that is all Harlots great Mother, whoſe daughters are Whores all, Behold the City great, who once made Nations rich and high, ſhe's fallen to the ground and burnt, and none more profit her by, Behold the Antichriſt once great, his Kingdom is ſubduing, The Lord alone for ever will rule, his Sons Kingdom is coming; And the woman that long hath fled, into that place of mourning, And reſted in the wilderneſs, ſhe is again returning, And her ſeed is again ſpringing, and ſhall repleniſh Nations, And the man-childe muſt come to rule, for ever throw gen'rations; And when this is all come to paſs, O then rejoyce and ſing, Ye Prophets and Apoſtles all, and heavenly children, When God hath you avenged, upon your enemies all, Then is the day of praiſes, for Saints both great and ſmall. London the 9. Mo. 1658. By a Servant of Chriſt Edward Burrough.

HEar are the Principles of Prieſts and Profeſſors and Paſtors in the Apoſtacy, which have got up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, that in this day are riſen againſt the Lamb, and againſt the Saints, which ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, the Beaſt hath had power, the falſe prophet and Mother of Harlots, which inwardly ravened from the Spirit of God, which hath had the ſheepes cloathings, and by that mens hath deceived the Nations, and got in the Kings of the earth, and cloathed them with the out-ſide, whereby the Kings of the Earth, and the Beaſt and falſe Prophet, Dragon, Devil, Mother of Harlots, and the great Whore hath joyned in one, together againſt the Saints, then overcame them, and caſt them into priſon, and drunk the blood of the Saints and Prophets and martyrs, but now ſhall the Saints and the Lamb have the victory, who kills and ſlayes with the ſword, which are the words of his mouth, agreeble to the Apoſtles doctrine who wreſtle not with fleſh and blood; now the Beaſt, falſe prophet and Mother of Harlots, Devil and Antichriſt, that drunk the blood of the Saints, that have the ſheeps cloathing, theſe are the killers with the ſword, the ſlayers with the ſword, the impriſoners and perſecutors, which was not the work of the true Apoſtles, true Miniſters that kept the faith and patience of Jeſus, the Martyrs ſuffered, the Saints ſuffered, the Prophets ſuffered, now theſe was in the ſpirit that gave forth the Scriptures, now the others got the Scriptures, Antichriſts, falſe prophets, Mother of Harlots, the Devil, the beaſt and all his names, which killed and ſlew with the ſword, theſe are inwardly ravening from the Spirit of God, the ſpirit of the Lamb, the ſpirit of the Apoſtle, who killed and ſlew with the ſword, which are the words of his mouth; ſo all theſe names in the whole Chriſtendom amongſt all that are called Chriſtians are got up amongſt them ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, which be gone out of the life, and faith, and ſpirit they were in which they had unity in, which was the bond of peace, which have had the words but ravened from the life, and ſo are all on heapes about the words, and giving one another names, ſo look in whole Chriſtendom and ſee what abundance of names there be, which ſhould be one family, and all theſe names, Horns and Crowns, and building up and throwing down, which is all a mark among them that have had the words but out of the life, which now the life is riſen which the Apoſtles lived in, which they ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles have been out of, in many names, and heaps in the Apoſtacy, now with the life is all this fathomed and comprehended, in which is the unity, which life brings people to know God, and unity with him and with Scriptures, and one with another, and all are one here, if there be ten thouſand times ten thouſand; And who reads over this book you may read things, and ſee things, which you never read nor ſaw Printed; did ever the Lambs worry the wolves? and did not the wolves get the ſheeps cloathing and ravened after the ſheep and Lambs, that they might get among them? pride and wildeneſs and pleaſure hath ſwallowed up people, teachers and Minſters, that if any be ſober, and ſtill, preſently he is a Quaker; and thus modeſty is eaten up.

A TABLE Shewing in what page the ſeverall principles and anſwers beginneth. SAmuel Eaton his booke called the Quakers confuted. Page. 1. Iohn Bunyan, Rich. Spenceley, Iohn Burton, Iohn Child their book book called, A vindication of a book, called ſome Goſpel truths opened. pa. 8. Doctor Gliſſons paper concerning James Parnels death. pa. 13. Georg Emmot who calls himſelfe a ſpiritual Quaker converted. pa. 14. Henoch Howet his book called the quaking principles daſhed to pieces. p. 14. Iohn Timpſons book called the Quakers Apostacy, from the perfect rule of the Scriptures diſcovered. p. 15. Richard Baxters book called the Quakers Catechiſm. pa. 27. A book called the Quaking mountebanck, &c. pa. 31. Elis Bradſhawes book called the Quakers whiteſt devil. pa. 32. Francis Blakes book called choice collections of Scripture against the practice of the Quakers, &c. pa. 33 Luke Fawne, Samuel Gellibrand, Joſhua Kirton, Iohn Rothwel, Thomas Underhil, Nathaniel Web, their book called a ſecond Beacon fiered. pa. 33. Iohn Toldervies book called the foot out of the ſnare. p. 34. Thomas Colliers book called the looking-glaſſe for Quakers. pa. 36. Iohn Deacons booke called a publike diſcovery of a ſecret deceit, pa. 39. George Willington, his book called the Gadding Tribe reproved. p. 43. Joſhua Millers book called Anti-chriſt in man the greateſt Idol. p. 45. Ralph Halls book called the Quakers principles quaking. p. 49. Richard Baxters book called a ſecond ſheet to the Miniſtry, juſtifying our call againſt the Quakers &c. p. 52 Thomas Higginſon his book called the Teſtimony of the true Jeſus. p, 55 Jeremiah Ives his book called Innocency above impudency, &c. p. 61. Francis Harris his book called, queries to the Quakers, &c. p. 65. Francis Higginſon his book caled, a brief relation of the Religion of the Northern Quakers. p. 66. Francis Fulwood his book called a true relation of a diſpute. p. 72. Thomas Weld, Rich. Prideaux, Samuel Hammond, William Cole, Wil. Durant, Ministers of New-caſtle, their book called the perfect Phariſee. p. 74. Thomas Pollard a member of the Church about Lichfield, his book called the holy Scripture clearing it ſelfe from ſcandals. p. 78. Ralph Farmers book called Satan enthroned in his Chear, &c. p. 82 Magnus Bine his book called the ſcornfull Quakers anſwered. p. 83. Robert Simpſon, Robert Purnil, Iohn Andrewes, Thomas Ewen, Brian Hanſon, Richard Moon, their book called the Church of Chriſt in Briſtol recovering her vail. p. 92. Jonathan Clapham and William Jenkin their book called a diſcovery of the Quakers doctrine to the Protector. p. 95. William Thomas of Ubly his book called a vindication of the ſcriptures and Miniſters. p. 104. Jeremiah Ives his book called the Quakers quaking. p. 110. William Dells book called a ſtumbling-ſtone. p. 113. Giles Firmin his book called ſtabliſhing againſt ſhaking. p. 154. Thomas Collier his book called a Dialogue between a miniſter of the Goſpel and an inquiring Chriſtian. p. 120. Iohn Billingſly his book called ſtrong comforts for weak Christians. p. 123. Immanuel Bourn his book called a defence of the ſcriptures, and the holy ſpirit ſpeaking in them. p. 127. Prieſt Gifford of Bedford his principle anſwered. p. 129. Tho. More his book called A defence againſt the poiſon of Satans deſign. p 129 Thomas Mores book called an Antedote, &c. p. 132. Mathew Caffin his book called the deceiving Quaker diſcovered. p. 139. William Jefferies his book called Antichriſt made known. p. 144. The agreement of 58. Miniſters of Chriſt (as they call them ſelves) in the county of Worceſter and parts adjacent. p. 146. Iohn Stalham his book called the Reviler rebuked. p. 150. Ralph Farmers book called the Great Myſtery of godlineſſe and ungodlineſſe. p. 172. Edward Boules his book called the duty & danger of ſwearing opened. p. 178. Samuel Hamond his book called the quakers houſe built on the ſands. p. 182. Prieſt Bennets Looking-glaſſe. p. 187. Thomas Tillam his book called the ſeventh day Sabbath. p. 190. Iohn Burton, and Iohn Bunion their book called ſome Goſpell truthes. opened. p. 205. W. P. His book intituled, according to truth, that Quakes not, trembles not nor quailes. p. 212. The Elders and Meſſengers of ſeveral Churches in Wales their book called an Antedote againſt the infection of the times. p. 214. A book intituled the Quakers cauſe, p. 216. Iohn Jackſons paper intituled ſtrength in weakneſſe. p. 217. A book intituled Hoſana to the Son of David. p. 219. Ellis Bradſhaw his book called the Quakers quaking. p. 223. Thomas Weld, Richard Prideaux, Samuel Hamond, Will. Coles, William Durant their book called a diſcovery of a generation of men called Quakers. p. 227. Worceſter-ſhiers petition to the Parliament, ſaid to be ſix thouſand. p. 223. William Thomas of Ubly his book called railing rebuked, or a defence of the Miniſters. p. 237. R. Sherloch his principles. p. 242. Iohn Wallace Prieſt of Kendal, William More Prieſt of Kellet, and Prieſt Walker their principles. p. 244. Gawen Eglesfield, and Ambros Dickinſon their principles anſwered. p. 245. Chriſtopher Wade his book called Quaking ſlain. p. 246 Henry Haggers book called the holy ſcripture clearing it ſelfe. p. 251. Thomas Leadger his book called a diſcourſe. p. 254. Thomas Leadgers Antiquakers aſſertions anſwered. p. 257. A book called a ſerious reveiw of ſome principles of the Quakers. p. 257. James Brown his book called Anti-chriſt in ſpirit. p. 259. Philip Bennet Prieſt of Cartmel his principles anſwered. p. 260. Adam Sands, Roger Atkinſon, R. Stoakes, their principles anſwered. p. 261. G. Johnſon, James Morriſon, G. Larcum their principles anſwered. p. 262. John Owen's Catechiſme. p. 263. S. Palmer and R. Hook their book called the form of ſound words. p. 264. Richard Baxters one ſheet for the Miniſters. p. 266. John Cole his book anſwered. p. 272. Alexander Roſſe his book called a view of all Religions, p. 272. Richard Mayo Priest of Kingſton his Doctrine. p. 274. Seth Buſhel Priest of Whitley anſwered. p. 279. Edward Price and Philip Langford their Principles. p. 279. Enoch Howet and Thomas Hodges their Principles. p. 280. Richard Heath and Daniel Gaudry their Principles. p. 281. Philip Taverner his book called the Quakers Rounds. p. 283. The Browniſts Principles. p. 284. John Turners Principles. p. 285. The Ranters Principles anſwered. p. 286. Francis Duke his book called, the fulneſs and freeneſs of Gods grace. p. 286. Enoch Howet his book called the Doctrine of the light within. p. 290. Prieſt Fergiſon his Principles. p. 292. Prieſt Jacus and Edward Briggs their Principles. p. 294. Ellet and Crab and Prieſt Fowler their Principles. p. 295. Lamb the Baptiſts teacher and ſome of his company their Principles. p. 296. William Greenhill Prieſt of Stepny his principles. p. 297. John Gilpin, Thomas Craſter, Thomas Sands, John Archer, Edward Turner, Prieſt Walker, their book called a relation of the Quakers ſhaking. 297 Thomas Collier, Nathaniel Strange, Thomas Glaſſeys their paper to all the Churches, &c. p. 299 Richard Baxter, &c. a paper called the judgement and advice of the Aſſembly. of the Aſſociated Miniſters. p. 301. The agreement and reſolution of ſeveral of the Aſſociated Miniſters in the County of Corke. p. 303. John Stillams book called margent notes. p. 306. P. Taverner of Weſt Drayton his book in reply to Edward Burrough. p. 308. Edward Skip his book called the worlds wonder. p. 311. Priest, Baptiſt, Tombes of Lemſter his principles. p. 317. A book called a form of ſound, &c. p. 319. Some of the Principles of the Prieſts of Biſhoprick. p. 321. Daniel Roberts teacher to the baptiſts in Reading his principles. p. 323. Timothy Trevers his Principles. p. 324. The Doctrines and Principles of the Prieſts of Scotland. p. 327. The Principles of 15. Prieſts of the Iſle of Weight. p. 361. W. S. his book called the Parſons guide. p. 369. Thomas Hodges of Soldren in Oxfordſhire his book called a Scripture Catechiſme. p. 369. Several Scriptures Corrupted by the Tranſlators. p. 373.
An ANSWER to many Principles held forth by ſome of thoſe called Miniſters, Teachers and Profeſſors in England, taken out of their ſeverall Books, with their names at them: And alſo ſeveral other Sayings and Writings of the Prieſts and Profeſſors of this Nation, gathered up together, and Anſwered.
Samuel Eaton (who calls himſelfe a Teacher of the Church of Chriſt at Stockeport in Cheſhire) In his Book called, THE QƲAKERS Confuted, ſent to the Parliament,

SAITH in his Epiſtle to the Parliament, then ſitting at Weſtminſter, That they are not to judge of Saintſhip according to the large charity of ſome who are truly good, &c.

Anſ. So here is another Doctrine then Chriſts was, who ſaid, The tree is known by its fruits, and by their fruits ye ſhall know them. And the fruits of the Spirit is known from the fruits of the fleſh.

Again, in the concluſion of his aforeſaid Epiſtle he begs a pardon of the Parliament, for the thoughts of his heart that he hath ſpread before them, and ſo puts them in the Popes place.

Likewiſe in his Epiſtle to the Reader, becauſe Richard Waller witneſſeth his Teacher within, and bids others to minde the Light within them; and that he was come off of all other Teachers, &c. he judgeth this to be deluſion; Contrary to John the Apoſtle, who ſaith, Ye need no man to teach you, but as the ſame anointing doth teach you, which is truth, and is no lye, John 2.27. And again in Heb. 8. Ye ſhall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, ſaying, Know the Lord, for they ſhall all know him from the least to the greateſt: for the Lord will write his law in their hearts, and put his ſpirit within them, &c.

Prin. He ſaith, he doth not believe that there is any ſubſtantiall, eſſentiall, or perſonall union betwixt the eternall Spirit and believers?

Anſw. Although the Scripture ſaith, the ſpirit dwels in the Saints, 1 Cor. 6. and he that is joyned to the Lord is one ſpirit, 1 John 1. As though the Saints had not union with God, which the ſcriptures ſaith they have.

Prin. He ſaith, It is palpably falſe, and blaſphemy to ſay, that Saints know all things, and have power to work miracles to the glory of God.

Anſw. Contrary to the Miniſter of Chriſt, John, who ſaith, But yee have anoynting from the holy one, and know all things, 1 John 2.20. And Chriſt ſaid, Greater things then theſe ſhall yee do that believe in me.

Prin. He ſaith, Though we believe that the ſpirit of Chriſt dwells in the Saints, yet we aſſert the ſpirit of Chriſt to be diſtinct from the Saints, &c.

Anſw. How are they led by the ſpirit, how are they led into all truth? And how are they ſanctified by the ſpirit, and their unity in the ſpirit? by which ſpirit they have unity with God; by which ſpirit the Saints worſhip him; And he that is joyned to the Lord is one ſpirit; He that hath not the ſpirit of Chriſt is none of his. And ſo they are diſtinct from it; but they are not ſo that have it, and be in unity with it, and one with another with God.

Prin. He ſaith, Although there be the ſame ſpirit in all the Saints that gave forth the Scriptures, yet all Saints have not the ſame inſpiration of the ſpirit, that the Prophets and Apoſtles had, ſo as that they ſhould be able to give forth infallible truths, and immediately diſcover the pure and clear will of God, as the Prophets and Apoſtles did.

Anſw. In this his Ignorance of the ſpirit, he hath ſhewed, and of the holy Ghoſt: And himſelf is the falſe ſpirit gone out into the world: For the ſpirit of truth ſhall lead into all truth, and bring to memory Chriſts words, and doth inſpire into them the things of God, and doth reveal to every one according to their meaſure.

Pr. The Spirit doth not communicate according to the capacity in the creature.

Anſ. Then there is none can divide the word aright; and God gives to every man as he will, and reproves the world, and leads the Saints into all truth.

Prin. He ſaith, they had not known the ſignification of the words of Chriſt, but by the Evangelists, &c.

Anſ. I ſay, he, nor none knows the ſignification of Chriſts words, by the Evangeliſts words, but by the Evangeliſts ſpirit, and the ſame inſpiration which thou ſaiſt, thou looks not for.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scriptures do give their own ſenſe, and is a ſtanding Rule, &c. And yet thou ſaid a little before in page 4. They are darke, and are left to you to give a ſenſe.

Anſ. Here then thou confoundeſt thy ſelfe; and the ſpirit of God is the ſtanding rule which leads them to ſpeak forth ſcripture, and not others words, and the Prophets and Apoſtles words, did not lead to ſpeak forth ſcripture, but the ſpirit.

Pr. He ſaith, They that have the anointing within them, had not an infallible judgement, &c?

Anſ. And John ſaith, They know all things; and bid them try the ſpirits, whether they were of God: And ſaid, they had the ſpirit of God, which ſpirit is infallible, and gives an infallible judgement, which ſpirit was to try the falſe Prophets that was gone out into the world.

Pr In ſome places thou ſaid, the Scriptures were dark, and hard to be underſtood;

Anſ. And here thou ſaith, it is plain, and eaſily to be understood, page 8. Mark thy confuſion, for the Scripture is not underſtood without the ſpirit.

Pr. He ſaith, there is an infallible judgement, which may be made from the Scriptures without the ſpirit, page 9.

Anſ. Who can judge infallibly without the ſpirit? Chriſt told the Phariſees (who had the Scriptures) They were of the Devill, and judgement they had neglected, and he did not own their judgement to be infallible. And the Apoſtle ſaith, what they knew who are ſeparate from the ſpirit, they knew naturally as bruit beaſts, Jude 10. & 19. hough they may ſpeak high words in hypocriſie. And there art thou with thy infallible judgement as thou ſaid, without the ſpirit (which is proved fallible) and there is no infallible judgement to be given that ſtands without the ſpirit; they that judges without the ſpirit, will judge amiſſe, and not infallible, as the Jewes did of Chriſt, and as the naturall bruit beaſts did which Jude ſpeaks of, there art thou.

Pr. And he further ſaith there in the ſame page, That the Scripture is to be judge of the ſpirit, and a light ſufficient to judge of Doctrine and manners, &c.

Anſ. The Jewes had not infallible judgement that had Scriptures, but ſtood againſt Chriſt the Light, and judged him to be a Devill, that judgment was not infallible, and that doctrine and manners of theirs was not right; which ſtood againſt Chriſt the light.

Pr. He ſaith, the concluſion is, that the Scriptures is the foundation of an infallible judgment concerning things contained in them, and not the ſpirit, page 10.

Anſ. So he hath thrown out God and Chriſt, and the ſpiritual man who was before the Scripture was, who was the cauſe of the giving them forth, and the inſpiring them through the Saints, which the Scripture ſaith, ſhall judge the world, yea Angels. And he may ſay upon this concluſion, that the world and the Devill hath the Judge, for they will get Scripture.

Pr. He ſaith, He that can bridle his tongue is not a perfect man.

Anſ. Which is contrary to the Apoſtle James, who ſaith he is, and ſo thou art out of James doctrine.

Pr. But the Saints have not Christ in the fleſh, page 12.

Anſ. Contrary to Chriſt and the Apoſtles Doctrine, who ſaid, they were of his fl ſh and of his bone, and ſhould eat his fleſh, and they that eate his fleſh have it in them.

Pr. He ſaith, Chriſt within ſufficient for all things to teach them, and to make them perfect as he is, and as God is. Now ſaith he, ſuch an having of Chriſt as this is, we aſſume not, nor dare not aſſume: And we declare againſt it as a Satanicall deluſion, and the Quakers are the poor creatures that confeſſeth this in them, page 13.

Anſ. And you that are not made perfect by Chriſt the truth, you remain out of truth, in the deluſion, and ſo you be out of the Apoſtles doctrine.

Pr. The Paſtor ſaith, That ſuch a voyce as comes immediately from God we have not heard, and ſuch an immediate inſpiration as this from God we have not received, nor do we wait for it, page 13.

Anſ. So ſhewing himſelfe to be of them that God never ſent: So you are as the Jewes that could ſay, Moſes heard the voyce of God, and the Prophets heard the Lords voyce. But their own eares ſtopt to the voyce. For Chriſt ſaid, Ye have not heard the voyce of God at any time. And ye ſay ye look not for it: and you that deny immediate inſpiration, have denyed the powers and the ſpirit, for that's immediate, and the Miniſters of Chriſt witneſſe it.

Pr. All that prayes by the ſpirit, and ſpeaks by the ſpirit, and doth not ſhew a miracle, theſe the Paſtor ſaith are Impoſtors, page 14.

Anſ. Which many prayed by the ſpirit, and ſpake by the ſpirit, did not ſhew miracles at the Tempters command, though among believers there be miracles in the ſpirit, which be ſignes and wonders to the world, as Iſa ſaith. But theſe are the Impoſtors that prayes, and ſpeaks, but not by the ſpirit of God.

Pr. Becauſe the Quakers ſay, that ſuch as preach and ſpeak, but not by the Spirit of God, are the falſe Prophets which the Lord never ſent, this the Prieſt ſaith is an evill deſigne, wherein lyes venome and poyſon.

Anſ. Which they were and are in the evill deſigne, that ſpoke not, nor preacht not from the ſpirit of God, and lyes in the venome and poyſon.

Pr. He ſaith, though Chriſt was then in heaven, and ſpake not, page 15.

Anſ. Contrary to the Apoſtle, who ſaid, he had ſpoken to him, and hath ſpoken to us by his Son, as Acts and Hebrews.

Pr. He ſaith, all that are brought to the faith of Christ, are not built upon an immediate voyce that comes from God to themſelves, nor to any others who are their Teachers. See page 15.

Anſ. Who ſhews he never received faith from God, which from him is given, which faith is immediate: through which faith they have acceſſe to God who is immediate, and he goes about to overthrow all Teachers made by the will of God, and by Chriſt, and the Revelation of Jeſus; for how can they be Miniſters, if they have not the Miniſtry revealed to them? So, he doth not know the Son that denies revelation, nor the Father, and denies themſelves to be any true Miniſters but by mans will, which is not immediate, which is the ſpirit, which miniſters of the ſpirit, and are immediate in the ſpirit, which thou art no.

P. He ſaith, That there may be much fallacy and deluſion in Revelation.

The Paſtor ſaith, That God did not intend immediate teaching, nor to give out an immediate voyce in after ages, which ſhould direct and guide men in the ways of ſalvation, page 16.

Anſ. Which is contrary to the Scripture, which ſaith, All the people of the Lord ſhall be taught of the Lord; and he that is of God heareth Gods word; and that is immediate, and lives, and doth endure for ever. And there is no fallacy nor deluſion in the Rev lation of God, but all fallacy and deluſion is out of it.

Pr. And he ſaith, Timothy had not his knowledge immediately, and yet he was in the faith. And he ſaith there again, the faith which was once delivered immediately from heaven to the Saints, cuts off all from having any faith more delivered from heaven, and of all other immediate voyces from thence.

Anſ. So he hath ſhut out Chriſt who is the Author of every mans faith, which every one is to look at Chriſt which was before Scripture was: That which was once delivered to the Saints, and given to the Saints, the Saints now muſt know their giver, and deliverer, and muſt know from whence the faith comes in this age, as well as in the other age. For if they have but words that ſpeaks of the Saints faith, how they had their faith delivered from God; If that the Saints now have not their faith delivered to them from God, as they in ages paſt, they have but words: And as the Devil had, and ſtood againſt the author of the faith, Chriſt the light and the truth, as the Jewes had of the Saints, but out of their faith, and ſtands againſt them that be in it. And Timothy had immediate teaching, for he had the teſtimony of the Lord, 1 Tim. and thou ſaiſt he had not immediate teaching.

Pr. He ſaith, there must not be waiting for an immediate word, but that word which hath been already to the Prophets and Apoſtles, which none have the word ſpoken as it was to the Prophets and Apoſtles, they muſt have it immediately, &c. pag. 17.

Anſw. The word that was ſpoken to Iſaiah, the Apoſtle felt immediately, which the Paſtor ſaith he did not; for there was no Scripture but came by immediate inſpiration. And the Word is immediate, and all the Miniſters of Chriſt preach the immediate word, and wait for it, and the outward written words with inke and paper are mediate.

Pr. He ſaith, but an overcoming of the body of ſin, ſuch as delivers from all ſin in this world is expreſly against the Scriptures, and made free from ſin, &c. pag. 18.

Anſ. Contrary to Rom. 6. Contrary to the Apoſtle to the Coloſſians, where he had put off the body of ſin. And contrary to Chriſt, who ſaves & cleanſeth from all ſin by his blood, blots out all ſin: And if Chriſt be in you, the body is dead becauſe of ſin.

Pr. He ſaith, that Chriſt is in heaven in his humanity, therefore not to be ſeen, not to be heard, not to be handled by us or any others that live upon earth, and they cannot give their own aſſurance, &c. pag. 19.

Anſ. So ſhews that they were never made Miniſters by him, who never ſaw him, nor heard him, ſo never handled the word of life from the Father nor the Son, nor ſaw it, nor heard it, ſo are the Paſtors that ſpoil the flock. And he is the earthly Adam and humanity, but Chriſt the ſecond Adam is the Lord from heaven.

Pr: He ſaith, that Timothy was commanded to preach, and yet had not heard, nor ſeen, nor handled any thing of Christ, &c. page 20.

Anſ. Contrary to the Apoſtle, who bid him to ſtir up the gift in him, and told Timothy he was in the faith, and he was to be ſtrong in the grace of Chriſt: And whoſoever hath faith, knows Chriſt to be the Author of it, and knows ſomething from Chriſt, and ſo thou thy ſelf haſt confuted.

Pr. He ſaith, that the Saints doth not ſee Chriſt, for the heavens contain him, page 20.

Anſ. And the Apoſtle ſaith, they ſate with Chriſt in heavenly places, ſo he is contrary to the Apoſtle: And Chriſt was in them, and walkt in them, and God dwelt in them, and Chriſt in you, except ye be reprobates?

Pr. He ſaith, the whole minde and will of Chriſt and God is left them in letters, page 21.

Anſ. And the Apoſtle ſaith, it is paſt finding out; the unſearchable wiſdome, and the ſecret things belongs to God, and are revealed by the ſpirit, and no man knows them but by the ſpirit.

Pr. And he ſaith, the Goſpel is the Letter, &c.

Anſ. And the Apoſtle ſaith, It is the power of God; and the letter kils, and many may have the form, and deny the power, and ſo ſtand againſt the Goſpel, which is the power of God.

Pr. And he ſaith, the Devill ſhews his ſpight and ſpleen in them who ſay they have the word, as it was in the beginning againſt the Scriptures, &c. page 22.

Anſw. That is not ſo; for they that have the word as was in the beginning, own the Scriptures, and are not againſt them, but are in that which fulfils them.

Pr. He ſaith, that all the Saints receive the ſpirit of Chriſt, yet never heard his voyce.

Anſ. This is confuſion, for who are the ſheep of Chriſt know his voyce.

Pr. He ſaith, they are uncovered, when commonly they have two caps on their heads: and the people are covered when they have a hat on their heads, &c. page 29.

Anſ. This is according to thy deceitful teaching and learning.

Pr. He ſaith, the Scriptures is the voyce of Christ to them, &c.

Anſ. And Chriſt ſaid to them that had the Scriptures, They never heard the voyce of God at any time, to the Phariſees, John 5. For there thou art un-put forth amongſt the ſheep, and they heard the voyce that gave forth the Scripture, and came to the life, and Chriſt at the end of them.

Pr. And he ſaith, there is an immediate voyce which ſpeaks within, which we have never heard, nor do we know it within our ſelves experimentally, and we believe and hope that we never ſhall know it, &c. page 30.

Anſ. And ſo ſhews that they never knew the ſpirit of the Father ſpeaking within them, but follows their own dreams and ſpirits, and ſtops their ear againſt that of God in them; and they bleſſe themſelves from that immediate voyce within, and calls it the voice of the Devil, which is the ſpirit of inſpiration, and the word of God in their hearts, which men muſt obey and do.

Pr. And he ſaith, to ſay Chriſt is within them, doing all immediately and infallibly within them, and ſo do ſay it is Chriſt and the ſpirit within them, and not they.

Anſ. Now this he calls a ſpirit of Deluſion: And the Apoſtle ſaith, I live, yet not I, but Chriſt in me. And he works all in us, and for us, after his own good pleaſure. And this was not a ſpirit of deluſion in them. And this thou art reprobated from, and found in thy own works.

Pr. And he ſaith, That which is within them is not eternal and infallible, when the Quakers asked him whether it was or no, and he ſaith nay; that which judgeth in them is not eternal, & infallible. He ſaith, they aſſert no ſuch things as that concerning themſelves, And he ſaith, though all the Saints have the ſpirit of Chriſt dwelling in them, which is eternall and infallible; yet that this ſpirit ſhould do all that Saints do, and ſhould ſay all that Saints ſay, and ſhould judge for them both for perſons and of things after an infallible manner; and that they ſhould neither ſay, nor do, nor judge any thing by any underſtanding of their own, but the ſpirit, all this we deny. Theſe are his words, page 31.

Anſ. Which is contrary to the Apoſtle, who ſaith, As many as are the ſons of God, are led by the ſpirit of God. And Chriſt acts all in them, and for them; and the fruits of the ſpirit, &c. and the ſpirituall man judgeth all things. And that is it which leads the Saints to devide and diſcern all things both temporall and ſpirituall, the ſpirituall wiſdome of God which gives them a ſpirituall underſtanding, which men muſt rule withall, but not with their own, that comes to nought; and you that have not that which is infallible to judge in you, know not the ſpirit of Chriſt, neither can you judge of perſons or things that have not the infallible judgement, nor have the ſpirituall man. Neither have you the word of God in your hearts, nor Chriſt which is eternall and infallible, all which the Quakers have to judge perſons and things.

Pr. He ſaith, that children are of the ſeed as to the Church priviledges, and externall Ordinances of a ſpirituall nature.

Anſ. (Mark his confuſion) But Chriſt ſaith, ye must be born again, or elſe ye cannot inherit the kingdome of heaven, and ſuch be of the Church.

Pr. He ſaith, If they can but deſtroy all formes, the power will fall with it; for the forme preſerves the power, page 37.

Anſw. Contrary to the Apoſtle, many have the form, but deny the power. The power preſerves the forme, ſees the end of forms, and deſtroys them, and brings to ſee before forms was, where forms is not. For the Apoſtles who lived in the power, denyed the Jewes forms, and Gentiles both, as we do now deny the Popiſh forms, and yours which you have invented and ſet up.

Pr. And an immediate teaching (he ſaith) of the ſpirit, and to wait for ſecret inſpiration of God, is to ſubject men to ſatannicall deluſions, &c. page 40.

Anſ. Contrary to the Apoſtle, who ſaid, holy men of God ſpake as they were moved by the holy Ghost, and they were to wait for the revelation, as in Peter, and all be in the Satanical deluſion that be not in the immediate teachings from the ſpirit: And every one that hath this ſpirit, and the leading of the ſpirit hath that which is immediate.

Pr. He ſaith, the Prophets and Apoſtles drew people to an outward word, &c.

Anſ. Now is that which lives and endures for ever, outward? and did not they bring them to Chriſt the power of God, which is the end of words, which is immediate?

Pr. He ſaith, Is not the Goſpel an external way, &c?

Anſw. No, the Goſpel is a living way which is revealed within, and is the power of God to ſalvation.

Pr. Are not they ſeduced (ſaith he) who are drawn off from the externall means by which the ſpirit is given, and faith wrought, to wait for the receiving of the ſpirit without any word to convey it to them? which ſpirit when they have it, is not the ſpirit of truth, but of deluſion, &c. page 41.

Anſ. The ſpirit and faith is not conveyed to any man, without the word, and they are ſeduced that reſts in the externall from the eternall, and the ſpirit is not given by external means, neither is faith wrought.

Pr. And he ſaith, They need not any mans teaching them, but as the ſpirit in the Scriptures teaches, and they need not that any teachings of man ſhould be added.

Anſ. And ſo by this he hath thrown out himſelf from being a Paſtor, and all other Paſtors and Teachers; and the ſpirit is not in the Scriptures, but in them that gave it forth. And the ſpirit which gave forth the Scriptures, which was in the Saints, opens the Scriptures again, and leads into all truth.

Pr. And he ſaith, there is an exceſſe in that Scripture which ſaith, Ye need no man teach you, but as the anointing teacheth you.

Anſ. And here he makes as if John did not mean as he ſpake, and would make John as falſe as himſelf (who ſpoke truth.)

Pr. And he ſaith, the Apoſtles ſayings to the Saints, And ye know all things, he calls it an exceſſive ſpeech, for no one knows all things but God, page 42.

Anſ. So contrary to John, and would make him a lyar, the Miniſter of God. So he is in the falſe ſpirit gone out into the world. Contrary to 1 John 2. who knew all things.

Pr. He ſaith, Outward teaching is the way and meanes whereby the deep, and profound, and neceſſary truths of Scripture come to be underſtood, but not immediate, page 44.

Anſ. So he hath denyed the ſpirit to open the Scriptures, immediate inſpiration by the ſpirit, and its teaching; and ſet up an outward in the room of it. Here his ſpirit is tryed again, gone out into the world. For ſalvation is immediate, and the means that brings to it, and none knows the Scriptures by outward teaching, but immediately by the Lord God.

Pr. And he ſaith, Ministeriall gifts are not now to be found in the world, ſuch as the Mininiſters of the Goſpel had in the Primitive time.

Anſ. Therefore no ſuch work miniſterial now as was then, nor any ſuch officers as P ſtors, Teachers, &c. as was then.

Anſ. He hath preached himſelfe to be one of the falſe ſpirits which went forth from the Apoſtles into the world: And yet he ſaith, Christ is with them to the end of the world. And yet ſaith, no hearing of his voyce, nor ſeeing him, nor handling of him; ſo he hath confuted himſelf, and hath ſhewed you he hath quenched the ſpirit among you all.

Pr. He ſaith, that the Apoſtle was ſilent in that point, that men muſt be endued with extraordinary gifts.

Anſ. Which the Apoſtles Epiſtles prove to the contrary, who ſaith, without faith ye cannot pleaſe God; which is a gift, and an extraordinary gift, and ſaith, He that hath not the ſpirit of Chriſt is none of his, which is an extraordinary gift. So you are another Miniſtry, and other Paſtors and Teachers, and that which is another gift then the Apoſtle, is not the gift of God.

Pr. He ſaith, How comes the Apoſtle to raiſe up a living to ſome perſons for preaching, when he ſaith, That they that preach the Goſpel, must live of the Goſpel? &c. page 48.

Anſ. It was contrary to the Apoſtle to preach to raiſe up a living for preaching; but ſaith, they were not to preach for filthy lucres ſake. But they that preach the Goſpel, live of the Goſpel, that is not as you raiſing Livings, making a trade of the forme, and denying the power, which is the Goſpel.

Pr. Here he cries out againſt gifted mens preaching, and ſaith, Paul prophecyed against them, page 49. and names them to be ſuch as have itching eares.

Anſ. As he is gone out from the Apoſtles, and ſo cries up his imagined gifts his own gifts, which the Apoſtles did not cry againſt, but ſaid, every one muſt miniſter that had received a gift, and thou art one of the itching eares gone out from the Apoſtles.

Pr. He ſaith, that their Synagogues (commonly called Churches) were not ordained for any ſpiritual uſes, as for ſerving God in them, &c. pa. 51.

Anſ. Which is contrary to all the profeſſed Teachers in the Nations, who ſay they are ordained for the uſe and ſervice of God, and cals them Churches; but to this I believe he will call his words back again.

Pr. And to break Chriſts command, be not of men called Master.

Anſ. He calleth it a civil honour, Phariſee-like, a teacher of the Phariſees. And here he hath proved himſelfe not to be a guide of the way, and the governor of a mans life, for that title, Maſter, belongs to Chriſt, and not to any man. Theſe are his words, and the ſignification which he gives of that title there. See page 52. And yet he dare preſumptuouſly take it, and plead for it (which Chriſt denyed in the Phariſees) and ſo impudently break Chriſts command, and ſo hath ſhewed that he walks out of his Doctrine, and is a tranſgreſſor, and no Miniſter, but an Antichriſt.

Pr. He ſaith, the Apoſtle never bred up any that they needed no man to teach them, pag. 53.

Anſ. And ſo giveth John the lye, who ſaith, Ye need no man to teach you, but as the ſame anointing teacheth you. And the Apoſtle, who ſaith, ye need not ſay every man to his neighbour, know the Lord, &c. and denies the effectual work of the new Covenant. But all ſhall know him from the leaſt to the greateſt, Hebr.

Pr. He ſaith, Paul denies perfection to himſelfe.

Anſ. Paul did not deny perfection to himſelf nor others; but his work was to the perfecting of the Saints, but your work is to keep men from perfection, and that hath been the Miniſters work ſince they apoſtatized from the Apoſtles. And yet Paul judgeth him again, and ſaith, as many as are perfect are thus minded.

Pr. He ſaith, there is a contradiction in the Letter, ſpeaking of the Scripture, page 60.

Anſ. Shewing that he doth not know to what condition i was ſpoken, for there is no contradiction in it: but in them that be out of the ſpirit, that gave it forth is the contradiction.

Pr. And he ſaith, there is a Perfection that reſpects Juſtification and not Sanctification, ſee page 61.

Anſ. Now there is no Perfection, but where there is Sanctification.

Pr. And he perverteth the Scripture of John, that ſaith, If we ſay we have no ſin, &c. And he ſaith, Whoſoever ſaith he hath no ſin, deceives himſelf. See pag. 62.

Anſ. So he wrongs Johns words, and puts he for we, and is charging ſin upon the Elect, and ſo himſelf is found a Lyar. For there is a time for men to ſee they have ſinned, and a time to confeſſe and forſake ſin, and a time to witneſſe the blood of Chriſt cleanſing from all ſin, and he that is born of God doth not commit ſinne: And here the children of God are manifeſt from the children of the Devill.

And Eaton, haſt thou been preaching and praying all this while and never yet heard the voyce of God? The night is upon thee, thou haſt no anſwer from God.

And as for the reſt of Eatons lyes, we let them reſt upon his own head, not being worth mentioning; the witneſſe of God in his conſcience ſhall anſwer in the day of his Judgement.

John Bunyan, Richard Spenceley, John Burton, and John Childe in their Book that they call, A vindication of a Book called Some Goſpel TRUTHS opened. Theſe Principles followes. And as for his Lies and Slanders, they will come upon himſelfe, they are his own Garments. And for the Scriptures which he quotes, they are owned, but not to cover the WOLFE withall.

IN his Epiſtle to the Reader he ſaith, The Quakers will own that ſalvation was obtained by Christ (this is truth ſaith he) And but a little before he ſaith, They do deny that ſalvation that was obtained by him, &c. And thus he hath ſhamed his Father of confuſion that taught him, the father of lies, who ſays and unſays, for ſalvation is owned by Chriſt and God, and no other.

Pr. Again in the ſame Epiſtle he denies Salvation is obtained by Chriſt within, and ſaith, the Scriptures doth not prove it, and calls it fighting againſt the Truth, &c.

Anſ. When as the Apoſtle ſaith, work out your ſalvation with fear and trembling, and that is within. And the ingrafted word is able to ſave ſouls, and that is within. And the Apoſtle ſaith, If Chriſt be not in you ye are reprobates: And that is not oppoſite to Chriſt without them, nor contrary to the Scriptures; And no one knows ſalvation, but who knows this Chriſt in you who is the ſalvation, and where he is within there is ſalvation, and ſo thou art one of the Reprobates, that can talk of Chriſt without, and denies him the ſalvation within.

Pr. He ſaith, the Quakers own Chriſt Jeſus revealed to them in ſpirit, (and calls it) Deluſion.

Anſ. And yet he ſaith, others are carried away with errour for not receiving Chriſt revealed in the ſpirit, and this is his patched up ſtuffe, comprehended with the ſpirit, and with it is judged, who finds fault with them that have it, and is againſt them that have it not.

Pr. He tells people of the hiſtory of the Word; As he ſaith, ſome have no other witneſs nor knowledge but the hiſtory of the Word, and the relation of others, &c.

Anſ. And yet he is againſt the Revelation of the ſpirit in the Quakers. But he is one of the Beaſts officers to fight againſt the Lamb, but it is to no purpoſe, who thus builds up and throws down.

Pr. Again, Bunyan is railing againſt the Prieſts, and runs up into the Pulpit himſelfe.

Anſ. And ſo the Wolfe hath got the Sheeps cloathing, and they can ſpeak of Chriſt without, who be reprobates, who have him not within.

Pr. He ſaith, The Lord Jeſus Chriſt is afar off in his bodily preſence.

Anſ. And yet he ſaith, the Lord is at hand. And the Apoſtle ſaith, he was in them. And Chriſt ſaid, he would dwell with them.

Pr. He ſaith, They were ſealed by Chriſts death at his offering upon the Croſſe.

Anſ. And yet Chriſt muſt come to ſave them at the laſt day: And the Saints witneſſed their ſalvation while they were upon earth, and ſaid Chriſt was in them except they were reprobates. And the Son of God was come, and gave them an underſtanding.

Pr. He ſaith, the Quakers witneſſe the teaching within, which he ſaith, the Apoſtles witneſſeth the contrary, &c. page 4.

Anſ. Why doſt thou wrong the Apoſtle, and put thy lyes abroad, when as the Apoſtle ſaid, and Chriſt ſaid, the ſpirit of the Father ſpoke in them. And the Apoſtle ſaid, the Law and the Covenant of God was in their hearts, and the anointing was within them, to teach them. But why fighteſt thou againſt the Apoſtles teaching, the Apoſtles doctrine, and Chriſts doctrine? Doſt thou not ſee thy weapon now fails thee? Thou haſt caſt thy ſelfe without, and hath not the Apoſtle and Chriſt corrected thee here now?

Pr. And to prove that the blood of Chriſt was ſhed before the world was, he brings a Scripture, which ſaith, the Lamb ſlain from the foundation of the world, &c.

An. Here all may ſee, whether this be a fit man to teach, or whether or no he be not one of the Novices, I leave it to all to judg his meaſure, who have a juſt meaſure; for the Scripture ſaith, ſince the world, and thou ſaiſt, before the world was.

Pr. He ſaith, That the ſon of Mary, God man is abſent from his Church.

Anſ. Contrary to Chriſts words, I in them, and they in me: And, I will be with you to the end; ſo one of the blinde Prophets contrary to John, who ſaith, we are in him, and that is true; and thou ſaiſt he is abſent from his Church: And the Apoſtle ſaid he was the head of the Church: but of your Church we believe he is not the head, but will grinde you to powder: And thy words and thy doctrine are corrected by Chriſt and the Scriptures. And Chriſt ſaid, where two or three meet together in my name, I will be amongſt them, and the Saints were fleſh of his fleſh, and bone of his bone.

Pr. He ſaith, To be juſtified by Chriſt is not to be juſtified by the ſpirit within, and that Chriſt within doth not work out juſtification for the ſoule, but muſt look out for ſalvation unto that man, that is now abſent from his Saints on earth, theſe are his words.

Anſ. Corrected by the Apoſtle, who ſaith, he works all in us, & for us, and yet thou ſaith that Chriſt is abſent from his Saints on earth, who is corrected again by the Apoſtle, who ſaith, Christ is in you, and contrary to Chriſt, who is the Saviour of the ſoul; and men are juſtified through faith, & that is within in the heart, which is held in a pure conſcience; and Christ is in the Saints, who is their juſtification, and the Apoſtle preached Chriſt in them, and where he is, there is juſtification; and who hath his light and receive him not, there is condemnation.

Pr. And he ſaith, The Quakers are deceived becauſe they ſay, Christ is within them, kept down by ſomething within them.

Anſ. Corrected by the Apoſtle, who ſaith to the Saints Chriſt is in you the hope of glory; and he was preſt down as a Cart with ſheaves; and Chriſt was in priſon, and they viſited him not, and hungry, and ye fed him not, and thou never knew Chriſt formed in thee, nor the reigning of the ſeed, which is the Heir of the promiſe of God: How was the Lamb ſlain from the foundation of the world bu among ſuch as thou art? And reprobates may talk of juſtification, in whom Chriſt is not, who witneſs him not within, he is not your juſtification.

Pr. And his principle is, that the place where Christ ſhall come to judgement, is at the mount of Olives, on the Eaſt ſide of Jeruſalem.

Anſ. Thou haſt put him far enough off from thee, and haſt not yet judged thy ſelf (and Chriſt is come to judgment) and ſo art one of the falſe Prophets, who bids people look for him beyond the Sea, loe here, be there: But who are come to Chriſt the light, the life, they need not go forth; who abide here are ſealed by the ſpirit, puts not off the good and evill day.

Pr. He ſaith, It is a deluſion of the Devill, and a dangerous doctrine to bid people follow the light within them.

Anſ. And they be in the dangerous doctrine, and the deluſions of the Devill that draws people from the Light within, and thus he doth oppoſe the foundation of God, the light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. And the doctrine of the Apoſtle, who ſaith, the light that ſhines in their hearts, muſt give them the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jeſus. So he is one of the Devils miniſters, oppoſing the foundation of God, drawing people from that the Apoſtles drew them too; for no one comes to the Kingdom, but who comes to the light within them.

Pr. He ſaith, That every man hath not the ſpirit of Christ within him.

Anſw And John ſaid, Every man that cometh into the world is enlightned. And Chriſt ſaid, I will ſend you the comforter, the ſpirit of truth, which ſhall lead you into all truth, and he ſhall take of mine and give it unto you, and he ſhall reprove the world of ſinne, the ſpirit ſhall. (Mark) all people, here is Saints, here is Diſciples, here is the world, get from under this how thou canſt, for under reproof thou art come, and that which doth reprove the world is manifeſt to them; and the wicked quencheth the ſpirit, but the Saints are led by it, and here are all men.

Pr. And again thou ſayſt, That it is a filthy errour to ſay, that that light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, will lead man to the Kingdome of righteouſneſſe and peace.

Anſ. Thus he is ſplitting himſelf againſt the Rock, and ſtriking againſt the foundation, which every man that cometh into the world being enlightned, that through it he might believe; and believing in the light, he might not abide in darkneſſe; and this he makes inſufficient, which he that doth not believe in the light is condemned: And thus the ſpiritual Sodomite and Aegyptian is blinde, raging about the door, and no man comes to the Kingdome of Righteouſneſſ and peace but by the light within, and ſo he is in the filthy errour himſelf, denying the light, and hating it.

Pr. Thou ſayſt, Chriſt is the light of the world, and yet not in every one that cometh into the world.

Anſ. So corrected by John, who ſaith, he doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world. And the light ſhines in darkneſſe, and the darkneſſe cannot comprehend t, and he that hates the light is enlightned, and will not come to it becauſe it will reprove him; that which doth manifeſt to man an underſtanding of reproof is within him, and that condemns him, hating it, and the Saints believed in the light, and they abode not in darkneſs which the unbelievers do, and ſtumbles, which the others do not.

Pr. And he ſaith, Chriſt was not in his Diſciples when he ſ id, I am the light of the world.

Anſ. And ſo is corrected by Chriſt, who ſaith, I in you, and you in me.

Pr. He ſaith, They that will come to juſtification they muſt go to Chriſts grave without, and to Mount Calvery (page 9.)

Anſw. And the Scripture ſaith, ye need not go up to heaven, nor to ſay, who ſhall go over the ſea for us, and bring unto us that we may hear it, and do it, but the word is nigh, in thy heart, Deut. 30. ſo corrected by the Scriptures. And the Angel ſaid unto them that went to the grave without, Why ſeeke ye the living among the dead, he is riſen; and the Saints ſits with him in heavenly places, and need not go to Mount Calvary for him.

Pr. H ſaith, The light wherewith Chriſt doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world is but a creature, and is not a ſpirit (p ge 10.)

Anſ. And John ſaith, all things was made by him (made by the light) in him was life, and the life was the light of men: And this ſhines in darkneſſe, and the darkneſſe cannot comprehend it, but all ſtumbling at the foundation of God, which was before any creature was made, who is the power of God, Chriſt Jeſus the light, and the Prophets and Johns doctrine they ſtumbled at, who ſaith the light is a creature, by which all things are made and created, and ſo art corrected by the Scripture.

Pr. He calls the light conſcience, and a poor dunghill creature that will convince of ſin.

Anſ. Which light was before conſcience was, or creature was, or created or made light was: He made the Sun, the Moon, &c. and the light was before theſe were made, and he is both life and ſpirit too; for that which convinceth of ſin is above the creature which checks him, and reproves him, and lets him ſee when he goeth aſtray from the Creator, and that's the light of Chriſt, with which all men may ſee their ſalvation, with that which lets them ſee their ſin.

Pr. He ſaith, The law doth not lead men to Christ, but under the curſe (page 17)

Anſw. That is to them that tranſgreſſe it. Solomon ſaid, the law was light. And David ſaid, the Law was a light unto his feet, and a Lamp unto his paths, and ſo led him from the curſe them that do it, which Chriſt is the end of, and redeems from under it.

Pr. He ſaith, It is not faith and works together that juſtifies in the ſight of God, but it is faith and good works that justifies in the ſight of men onely, and ſaith, Works will not justifie in the ſight of God. And he ſaith, that works is onely but to juſtifie their faith to be true before men.

Anſwer. Abraham was not juſtified to men only by his obedience, but to God, and where there is faith, there is juſtification, which works by l ••• : And the Saints faith and works was not only to juſtifie them in the ſight of men, for the work of God is to do what he ſaith; and his will, which who doth not are not juſtified in ſo doing: but to be beaten with ſtripes, who ſeeks to be juſtified by their faith and works in the ſight of men, are dead faith and works both.

Pr. He ſaith, They are no Chriſtians that doth not hold Christ abſent from his Church, but Antichriſts.

Anſ. Which is contrary to the Scriptures, which ſay, they are fleſh of his fleſh, and bone of his bone, and they are as nigh together as husband and wife. And thus he is ignorant of the great myſtery, Chriſt and the Church, which Chriſt is the head of.

Pr. He ſaith, That the light wherewith Chriſt (as he is God) hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world, is not the ſpirit of Christ, (page 19.)

Anſ. And ſo makes that which comes from God and Chriſt not ſpirit (as he is God) and thus the man is beating the ayre: He ſaith, Chriſt was God that lighteth every man, &c. And yet (ſaith he) not with the ſpirit; how then cometh men to be condemned, not believing it, and ſo thou haſt reproved thy ſelfe, and art blinde, and into the Ditch fallen.

Pr. And again thou ſayeſt, Though Christ as he is God doth give every man a light (which is conſcience) otherwiſe called nature.

Anſ. A d ſo thou haſt given thoſe new names to the light of Chriſt, contrary to the Apoſtles, as thou mayeſt read, John 1.2. John doth not tell us, that is conſcience or natural light, as thou doth; and the light which every man that cometh into the world is enlightned withall, which was before all things, and by it all things was made. So it was before any Naturals was, and is that which gives all men the wiſdome of God to order the Naturalls, ſo by the Scriptures thou art reproved.

Pr. And he ſaith, Chriſt will not give his ſpirit to the world.

Anſw. And Chriſt ſaid, he will ſend his ſpirit to reprove the world, and that is ſent to them; and that which doth reprove them i manifeſt to them in the world to their own underſtanding, and in them, which ſpirit leads the Saints into all truth: There is no man reproved, but it is within him manifeſt to his underſtanding; And if he quencheth the ſpirit that reproveth him, he is not lead by it, and that is the condemnation of the world, that light is come into the world, and men love darkneſſe, &c. And this thou calls not ſpirit. Now this is the condemnation of them whoſe conſciences are ſeared, and of them who have the created and made, and natural lights, the Sun, the Moon, and Stars, which light was afore they was.

Pr. And thou ſaith, The Scripture plainly denies that conſcience can juſtifie, though it may condemn. See page 23.

Anſ. Which is contrary to plain Scripture, where the Apoſtle ſaith, Rom. 2.15. Their conſciences either accuſing or excuſing. And again ſaith he, Herein do I exerciſe my ſelfe to have alwayes a conſcience void of offence towards God and towards men: And the light condemns which you call conſcience.

Pr. He ſaith, that the Goſpell is called the ministration of life, but not of condemnation. Same page.

Anſ. But they are condemned that obey not the Goſpel of Chriſt: And the Scripture ſpeaks of a ſavour of death unto death, and a ſavour of life unto life, and the Goſpel is ſo, the power of God.

Pr. He denies that Paul bid the Saints liſten within, &c. ſee page 25.

Anſ. When as Paul ſaid, that the light which ſhined in their hearts to give the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt. And it was the treaſure in the earthen veſſell; and Chriſt was within them. And the ingrafted word that was able to ſave their ſouls. And the hidden man of the heart. And he had revealed his Son in them, and many other Scriptures. And he ſaith, he ſerved the law of God with his minde. And yet thou ſaith, he did not bid any listen within. And he ſaith, the word was in their hearts to obey it, and in their mouths: And can they obey that, and not liſten within, and do that, and not have their minds ſtayed upon the Lord?

Pr. He ſaith, the light doth not ſhine in the conſciences of them that be loſt. See page 26:

Anſ. But John ſaith, the light ſhines in darkneſſe, but darkneſſe cannot comprehend it, and there is that of God in the children of diſobedience, and reprobates, as in Rom. 1. and 2 Chap.

Pr. And he denies that every man hath the light.

Anſ. Contrary to John, who ſaith, that is the true light which inlightneth every man that comes into the world, John 1.

Pr. He ſaith, It is a counterfeiting of the new birth for men to follow the light, wherewith men coming into the world are inlightned withall, &c.

Anſw. Which none comes to the new birth, but who comes to the light which every man that comes into the world is lighted withall; which believing in, is a child of the light: Believing and receiving comes to receive power to become the Sons of God.

Pr. He ſaith, To ſay that Chriſt is riſen within, there is no Scripture to prove it. See page 28.

Anſ. Doth not the Apoſtle ſay, Chriſt formed in you? And Chriſt in you the hope of glory? which hope purifies as God is pure. And Chriſt within, doth he not ariſe there before all waves be ſtill? and ſhall he not ariſe with healing under his wings? How ignorant of the Letter are the Prieſts grown, much more of the myſterie? Gal. 4. and Malachy.

Pr. And whereas thou ſaith, thou art confident, that while ſome would perſwade others that they have no ſinne, their conſciences will tell them they lye, ſee page 41.

Anſ. The Apoſtle told the Romanes that they were made free from ſin; and the Romanes did not tell the Apoſtle, that their conſciences told them he lyed, as thou ſaith.

Pr. He ſaith, the body of Chriſt is out of the ſight of all his Saints, &c. ſee page 47.

Anſ. And the Apoſtle ſaith, They ſate with Christ in heavenly places: and the Saints are fleſh of his fleſh, and bone of his bone, and the Church which he is head of is his body. And every one that eats his fleſh, knows his body given for the life of the world; and the body of Chriſt is not out of the ſight of the Saints that are in the Church: Therefore you Miniſters and Teachers that ſay Chriſts body is out of your ſights, are not Saints, neither are you of his Church which is his body; neither have you eaten his fleſh, nor know that which is given for the life of the world, but are out of the ſight of the Church which is his body.

Pr. And thou ſaith, they ſhall have a greater judgement without them, then they ſhall have within them, &c. ſee page 48.

Anſ. And the Scripture ſaith, If ye judge your ſelves, ye ſhall not be judged of the Lord.

Pr. And that place in Jude he brings, to prove that all men have not the Spirit, &c. See page 49. Where he ſaith, They walke after their own ungodly luſts, theſe be they who ſeparate themſelves, being ſenſuall, and have not the ſpirit, who went in Balaams way.

Anſ. Who ſhews that they went forth from the ſpirit, and turned the grace of God into wantonneſſe. And this doth not make for thee to thy purpoſe, but rather againſt thee, and the ſame ſpirit that reproves the world leads the Saints into all truth.

Pr. He ſaith, That God did not give the Law that people ſhould live in it, &c. See page 49.

Anſw. And the Scripture ſaith, that they that did the Law had life, and were juſtified by it: For do this and live (ſaith God to Moſes) and therefore thou wouldſt make God a lyar, who cannot lye; who ſaith, that God did not give forth his Law that men ſhould have life: Is not the Curſe and the Death in the tranſgreſſion of it? Chriſt is the end of the righteous Law, who is the light that doth enlighten every man that doth come into the world, which believing in it, he comes to be a child of Light: Which light thou blaſphemouſly calls conſcience or Naturall, which is Chriſt the Light, the foundation of God, which doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, that with the light they might ſee Chriſt who hath enlightned them, the foundation of God from whence light comes. And the Apoſtle ſaith, the law is ſpirituall, and juſt, and good; and he it was that was the carnall, and ſo thou art the carnall, not yet come to the Law which is ſpiritual.

Pr. He ſaith, He that will but obſerve the motions of that light which every man hath within him (ſay they) ſo as to obey and cloſe in with it, to follow it, ſhall undoubtedly ſave himſelfe from the wrath to come: Now this is clearly a great errour as thou ſaiſt. See page 50.

Anſ. Contrary to Johns doctrine and Chriſts, who ſaith, the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, is the true light, that men through the light might believe. Therefore be they enlightned; and he that believes in the light ſhall not abide in darkneſſe, nor in errour, nor in condemnation, but ſhall have the light of life. Saith Chriſt, I am the light of the world; And ſaith moreover, believe in the light before they be children; believe in the light, that ye may be children of the light: So every man is enlightned with a light before they be children, with the true light. He that believes in the light is a child of the light: he that doth not believe in the light, the light condemns him.

Pr. And whereas thou ſaith, The Law gives not life, nor juſtifies. See page 50.

Anſ. It is falſe, thou art miſtaken in the Scriptures, and rebuked with them. The Law gives life to him that obeys it, and lives in it: and he that doth it lives, and is juſtified, the doer of the Law, and not the hearer only; and it is righteous, and juſt, and good. But Chriſt Jeſus the Law, and the ſpirit of life, which is the end of Gods righteous Law, is the juſtification to life; Gods righteouſneſſe, who is the end of the other law. And the Apoſtle Paul ſaith, The law of the ſpirit of life in Chriſt Jeſus hath made me free from the law of ſin and death.

Pr. And thou would make it an errour to ſay, the Saints are ſaviours of the world: See page 50.

Anſ. The Apoſtle ſaid, when he writ to the Saints he ſhould ſave himſelfe and others, and this was by the power of Chriſt: And Jude ſaith, others ſaving with fear, but hating the garments ſpotted with the fleſh. Now thou art a deceiver, and not a Saviour both of thy ſelfe and others, and ignorant of the power and the ſpirit.

Pr. He ſaith, there is no ſuch Scripture as ſaith, the light within the conſcience. See page 52.

Anſ. Contrary to the Apoſtle, who ſaith, the light ſhines in their hearts, and is not there the conſcience? 2 Cor. 4. And Chriſt ſaith, they will not come to the light leſt their deeds ſhould be by it manifeſted, & they by it reproved, and this is not conſcience nor nature. And the Apoſtle Paul ſaith, Our rejoycing is the testimony of our conſcience, that in ſimplicity and godly ſincerity, not with fleſhly wiſdome, but in the grace of God, we have had our converſation in the world.

Pr. The new Covenant which God promiſed to write in their hearts, he calls that the law by nature, ſee page 52.

Anſ. And thus he is ſtumbling at the corner ſtone, and errs in his judgement; for that which orders nature is above nature, and all naturalliſts and tranſgreſſors do call it naturall.

Doctor Gliſſon's Paper concerning James Parnels death in priſon, which the Lyes that are in it are not worth mentioning, but upon themſelves will fall; but here is one of their lying ſlanders taken off as followeth, who ſtrikes at the Rock, ſplits themſelves, and the blood of that Innocent lies upon their heads.

Pr. IN the Preface he ſaith, That the moſt knowing part of theſe Quakers have received their principles from Rome, &c.

Anſ. It is falſe, for the Inſtructions which they have received is from Chriſt, who was glorified with the father before the world began, and before Rome was, or revilers either, which makes the world to rage. The corner-ſtone, the light, which lightens every man that comes into the world before it was, which makes the Beaſt, and the falſe Prophet, and the Pope, and you to arme themſelves againſt the Lamb and his light, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world withal: And the Prieſts Inſtructions have been from Rome, to ſet up their Schools, to make Miinſters, and Temples Eaſt and Weſt, with a Croſſe at the end of them, and the Tenth which they impriſon men to death for, and their preaching by the hour-glaſſe, and naming their Colledges and Maſſe-houſes by the Saints names. Your Inſtructions have been from Rome to do theſe things; but the Lamb ſhall have the victory, glory to the Lord in the higheſt for ever.

George Emmot who calls himſelf a ſpirituall Quaker converted. Who is turned with the Dog to the vomit, and gone in the way of Core, exalting himſelf, and gain-ſaying Truth, and gone in the way of Cain, into his firſt birth, & turned againſt the ſecond.

DId God ſmite thee for thy pride? Did God let thee ſee the falſe worſhips in the Steeple-houſes in the ſheeps cloathing? Did God let thee ſee the deceit of the tythes in the Prieſts? Did God let thee ſee the vanity of reſpecting of perſons, and honouring of the creatures? was thou turning from theſe things (as thou confeſſeth?) And art thou now turned to them again? By whom the way of truth comes to be evill ſpoken of. Is thy latter end worſe then the beginning? will not all thy words be thy burden, and fall heavy upon thee? thy time is not paſt George Emmot.

And as for all the reviles, ſcoffes, & mocks in thy Book, they are not worth mentioning, and raking in the duſt for among ſober people. Haſt thou turned the grace of God into wantonneſs, which had taught thee to deny the ungodly luſts of the world? and would have brought thee to ſalvation, and ſo forſaken the Covenant of the Lord God, the law in thy minde, and in thy heart, whereby thou might have been taught to know the Lord: But now thou art run out to Teachers that may be removed into a corner, that will poyſon thee. And do put ſome into co ners and Priſo s, becauſe they will not give them maintenance, and then they are them that put into priſons and corners.

That which brought thee to leave off thy ribbons and vanities, and luſts of the world, wa the grace of God which thou haſt turned into wantonneſſe, and publiſhed it to the Nation, ſee page 6. And thou art turned in to that the grace taught thee to deny.

Pr. He ſaith, The Steeple-houſe is a holy place more holy then a houſe, ſee page 8.

Anſ. The Pope hath taught thee this, and his Teachers and thou art gotten into the holy place like the Phariſees, and ſaies the Apoſtle defiled it: and thus you and your Popes doctrine is got up ſince you have apoſtatized from the Apoſtles, which Apoſtles brought the Jewes off the holy places thou ſpeaks of; and while you and them have been in theſe holy places, you have been in the unholineſs.

Henoch Howet his Book titled, The Quaking Principles daſhed to pieces by the ſtanding and unſhaken TRƲTH. He hath daſhed himſelf to pieces upon the Rock, as his torn Language in his Book diſcovers: And his Principles are here as followeth, which a great part of his Book is not worth mentioning, but turned back upon himſelfe, who muſt bear his owne burthen in the day, that burns as an oven, that his works are tryed, he ſhall remember, to the witneſs in him I ſpeak.

Pr. HE makes the Scripture to be the onely weapon whereby Christ overthrow the Devill, ſee page 3.

Anſw. Who bruiſeth his head, and was before Scripture was: Yet the Scriptures is for correction and doctrine, furniſhing the man of God in his place, and Chriſt the ſeed was before Scripture was: And all them that hath Scripture, and not Chriſt, cannot overcome the Devill, you and the Papiſts doing his work; for they that overcome him, it is with the power, and thoſe have the Scriptures of truth which the Devil is out of.

P . Here he ſaith, the Scriptures is the hope. See page 4.

Anſ. Which is contrary to the Scriptures which ſaith, Christ is the hope; and they that had the Scripture, ſtood againſt the hope Chriſt.

Pr. He ſaith, there is nothing in man to be ſpoken to, but man. See page 5.

Anſ. How then miniſtred the Apoſtle to the ſpirit: And Chriſt ſpake to the ſpirits in priſon; and Timothy was to ſtir up the gift that was in him: and the ſpirit of the Father ſpeaks within them, and the light it ſhines in the heart, which God hath commanded to ſhine out of darkneſſe. And the Son of God is revealed in me ſaith the Apoſtle. Here the Scriptures are for correction of thee, and reproof of thee, who ſaid, there is nothing to ſpeak too n man, but man; when the Apoſtle ſaith, that which may be known of God is manifeſt in man, for God hath ſhewed it unto them, Rom. 1. And the Apoſtle was manifeſt to every ones conſcience in the ſight of God, and that was of God which the children diſobeyed.

Pr. He calls that a darke deluſive light.

Anſ. Which John calls Chriſt the light, that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, which we ſpeak of, ſo he is fighting againſt the foundation of God that ſtands ſure. And thus the man is ſtriking at the Rock, and ſplitting himſelf, & is not come to John, but is as dark as the Phariſees & Heathen, whoſe darkneſſe cannot comprehend the light that John ſaith lighteth every man that cometh into the world, that ſhineth in the darkneſs, that is the true light, John 1. chap. So you that deny the light which Chriſt hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world withall; be the enemies of Chriſt, that will not that he ſhould reign over you, who are by him to be ſlain, and ſo that Scripture which he mentions there in page 10. ſtands for himſelf who gets his words, and calls him Lord, but doth not do as he ſaith, and ye all that be in darkneſſe ſtumble at the Scriptures, which ſee not the light that lighteth every one that cometh into the world.

Pr. H ſaith, They that deny the honour of men are Witches, and Wizards, page 14.

Anſ. Wilt thou ſay that Mordecai was a wizard, and had a familiar ſpirit, that would not bow to Haman? And the Apoſtle found fault with them that worſhipped the creature more then the Creator, who is God bleſſed for ever. And all the familiar ſpirits and wizards fell down and worſhipped Nebuchadnezars Image, which Daniel could not bend to their Image nor inventions.

Pr. And again thou ſaith, They that love God and love Chriſt keepeth his commandements, ſee page 14.

Anſ. And thou art bringing many Scriptures to oppoſe the commands of Chriſt, who ſaith, Be not ye of men called Master: So thou art ſeen not to be of the ſpirit of Chriſt, but the ſpirit that is gone out into the world, that is Antichriſt, and oppoſeth his Doctrine, who is the end of the Prophets, and was before Abraham was, and ſo hath given judgement of thy ſelfe, thou neither loves God nor Chriſt.

Pr. And here he accuſeth Paul, and ſaith, Paul ſaith, he is not perfect.

Anſw. When Paul ſaith, As many of us as are perfect are thus minded, and brings himſelf in the number, and ſpeaks wiſdome among them that are perfect, page 15.

John Timpſons Booke, called, The Quakers Apoſtacy from the perfect Rule of the SCRIPTƲRES diſcovered.

A True title to his Book concerning his own condition, as his Book doth witneſſe himſelfe in the Apoſtacy, whoſe work is to oppoſe the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world that John bore witneſſe of. So oppoſing the Covenant of God, of life and peace, and the foundation of God which ſtands ſure, Chriſt Jeſus, which he may as well ſay nothing, or do nothing. But the ſtone is ſet upon his head, and the foundation of God is layd, witneſſed by the Prophets, Chriſt and the Apoſtles, and the Scriptures are owned (by them in ſcorn called Quakers) (and the light it ſpeaks of) who out of the apoſtacy are come, and ſo from among the apoſtates. And as for the lyes and ſlanders in his Book, that are not worth mentioning, but they ſhall turn upon his own head, whoſe immodeſty hath diſcovered them.

Pr. In his Preface to the Reader He ſaith, It is an expreſſion of a darke deluded minde, to ſay that God is not diſtinguiſhed from the Saints.

Anſ. But God and Chriſt is in the Saints, and dwell in them, and walk in them; and he is a Reprobate, and out of the Apoſtles doctrine.

Pr He ſaith, We have broken the everlaſting Covenant of God.

Anſw. Becauſe we own the teaching of God by his ſpirit. and the light which doth enlighten every one that that cometh into the world, which is the covenant of God.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scriptures is the rule of life. See page 4.

Anſw. Contrary to Chriſt, who ſaid, the ſpirit ſhould lead them into all truth. And they that are the ſons of God, are led by the ſpirit of God. And the Churches was to hear what the ſpirit ſaith, for the ſpirit led them to ſpeak forth Scripture.

Pr. Again he ſaith, It is a contradiction, and a confuſed ſenceleſſe thing to preach the word of faith in the mouth, and in the heart, ſee page 6.

Again he ſaith, Moſt ſenſeleſs is this profeſſion of Chriſt in the mouth, and believing in him with the heart, God that made all things. Theſe are his words, page 8.

Anſ. It is not a ſenſeleſſe profeſſion to preach the word of Faith in the heart, and in the mouth; and to ſay, God will dwell in you, and the word is in the heart, and in the mouth. The word is God, and thou art ſenſeleſſe and fallen in confuſion in the contradiction, out of the Apoſtles doctrine; and the Apoſtle ſaith, Chriſt in you, and with the mouth confeſſion is made to ſalvation.

Pr. And he calls it a Notion, to ſay that Chriſt lighteth all, and therefore the light is Christ.

Anſ. So here he is kicking and ſpurning againſt the light Chriſt, that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, which is the Rock, the foundation of God, the corner-ſtone, which is fallen upon thy head, and all be in the notion that be out of it.

Pr. He ſcoffs at the Quakers, becauſe they ſay they have the word of God in them.

Anſ. Chriſt his name is called the word of God.

Pr. He ſaith, God bleſſing, or blaſting his owne Word to ſome according to the different ends intended by himſelfe, ſee page 9.

Anſ. Now the Word of God is not blaſted: God never blaſts his own Word, but it is they that are blaſted that diſobey the Word. For the Word of God doth its ſervice, and accompliſheth the end which it goeth forth for, and doth not return in vain: And it is the ſword of the ſpirit, and that is not blaſted. It is a hammer and a fire, and it lives, and doth endure for ever: So thou art blaſted, who ſaith, the Word of God he blaſts: and art to be cut down by the word of God for thy blaſphemy.

Pr. He ſaith, the Quakers are deceivers, becauſe we ſay that Chriſt is not in outward obſervations and formes. And John Bunyan ſaith, that he is diſtinct from the Saints, and would have him in the forms, &c. ſee page 13.

Anſ. And we ſay he hath triumphed over the Ordinances, and blotted them out, and they are not to be touched; and the Saints have Chriſt in them, who is the end of outward forms, and thou art deceived, who thinks to finde the living among the dead; and Bunyan is deceived, who ſaid, he is diſtinct from the Saints; and ſo you are a company of pittiful Teachers.

Pr. He ſaith, Every true Chriſtian doth believe that the holy Scriptures alone is to be the object of faith, &c. page 17.

Anſ. So he hath thrown out God the giver of it, and Chriſt the Author of it; for many have the Scriptures, and deny Chriſt the Author of faith, and object.

Pr. He asketh, Did you ever read of law and teſtimony in the heart, &c? ſee page 18.

Anſ. Yea, God ſaith, I will write my law in their hearts. The law was in Davids heart; the law was in the Apoſtles heart. The teſtimony of Jeſus is the ſpirit of prophecy, and that is in the heart. See Heb. 8. Rev.

Pr. He ſaith, The covenant of God is not to all in the Church of Chriſt, ſee page 19.

Anſ. Which is contrary to the Scriptures, for where the Church is, there is the Covenant, the head Chriſt Jeſus: And God ſaith, I will give him for a covenant to the Gentiles, thoſe are the heathen: And I will make a new covenant with the houſe of Iſrael, and with the houſe of Judah, and theſe are called the people of God. And therefore thou art in the fall in ignorance, and a man without underſtanding, and affirms thou doſt not know what; and ſilence would become thee better then to publiſh thy ſhame in print, for they are not in the Church of God, that be not in the covenant of God.

Pr. And he ſaith, The Scriptures is the ſure and perfect rule, page 20.

Anſ. And the Scripture ſaith, Chriſt is the Biſhop of the ſoule; and God hath all ſouls in his hand: And many have Scriptures, but their ſoules the Biſhop of them they know not, but they remain in death, and the life they want that gave it forth, and ſo are all on heaps about the Scripture one with another, and calling them the rule and the ſpirit; And the ſpirit of God that led them forth to ſpeak forth the Scripture, was the rule to the Saints and holy men of God: but they that be in the tranſgreſſion will kill one another about their words, and the ſpirit leads to ſee them again, and brings them into unity with them and God.

Pr. He ſaith, It is blaſphemy to ſay that Chriſt is in them as God and man, &c. ſee page 23.

Anſ. How are they of his fleſh and bone? And doth not the Scripture ſay, Chriſt in you, and God will dwell in you, and walk in you? And are not the Saints of his fleſh and of his bone? And are they not partakers of the divine nature?

Pr. He ſaith, It is a fancy to ſay the eternall word of God is in them, ſee page 26.

Anſ. Thou art in the fancy that the eternal word is not in, and witneſſed, and under the fire and ſword, and hammer to be hammered down. And ſo art corrected by the Apoſtle, who ſaith, Let the word of God dwell in you richly, The ingrafted word which is able to ſave your ſouls, and immortal word, which is immortal.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scriptures is the only rule of knowing God, &c. See page 26.

Anſ. Chriſt ſaith, none knoweth the father but the Son, who ſpoke among them that had the Scripture; and ſo he hath thrown out the Son, the rule of knowing the Father who reveals him. For many had Scriptures who knew not the Father, nor knew the Son, nor heard his voyce, as in John 5.

Pr. He ſaith, All thoſe that be without the Scriptures, are without all comfort, and hope, and God. See page 26.

Anſw. Here then is thy Doctrine, that none have comfort, none hope, none have God, but who have Scriptures. Abraham will tell thee otherwiſe, and Enoch, for thoſe knew God, and walked with him, and knew hope and comfort: and Joſeph and Jacob, and God was with them before the Scriptures was written: And Chriſt was promiſed before the Scriptures was written, and many have the Scriptures, and not the comfort, nor the hope, but ſtand againſt him as the Jewes did againſt Chriſt. And many may have the comfort, and not read Scriptures.

Pr. He ſaith, The onely judge of all errour is the Scriptures, &c. ſee page 37.

Anſ. So he hath thrown out Chriſt, and thrown out the ſpirit, and the ſpirituall man, and the Saints, and God the judge of all who was the Author of the Scripture.

Pr. He ſaith, The Apoſtle doth not ſay that God in theſe last dayes doth ſpeak, or will ſpeak unto us by his Son; but God hath already in time paſt ſpoke by his Son, and that ſpeaking is to theſe laſt dayes, and we are not to look for any other ſpeaking, or revelation, &c. page 39.

Anſ. And ſo by this thou haſt denyed the ſcriptures, and the authority of them, which is Chriſt Jeſus, and denyed the Apoſtles doctrine, and the new covenant where the law is writ in the heart and minde, and all taught of God. Thou haſt thrown down and laid waſte Chriſts commands, who ſaith, Learn of me. And the command of God, who ſaith, This is my beloved Son, heare ye him: And ſo art ignorant of the ſcriptures and the power of God.

Pr. He ſaith, It is abhorred dotage they are bewitched with to ſay, they witneſſe forgiveneſſe within, &c. See page 41.

Anſw. Thou ſhews thou never knew a Saints life, and that which cleanſeth from all ſin, and the teſtimony within of forgiveneſs of ſin; for where it is forgiven it is within. The Apoſtle ſaith, If Chriſt be in you, the body is dead becauſe of ſin. And many may ſpeak of Chriſt without them, and the body of ſin not dead: And ſo the Wolfe may get the form of godlineſſe, and the Devill may confeſs the ſon of God in words.

Pr. He ſaith, It matters not much if the ſenſe be in the Scriptures, where the words be there or no See page 47.

Anſ. And yet he ſaith, the Scriptures is the rule, and it is the word; and ſo by that means have all men run into their ſenſes, into confuſion from the words of the Scriptures, which is not to be added to, nor taken from, nor can it be broken, nor is it of any private interpretation; and the Scriptures are the words of God, and Chriſt is the word, and in him they end, and the ſpirit is the rule.

Pr. He ſaith, Doth not Christ approve of the Jewes opinion, in thinking that in the Scripture they ſhould have eternal life: And he ſaith, Chriſt refers them to the Scriptures to finde life. See page 48.

Anſw. When as Chriſt ſaid, They would not come unto him that that they might have life; and bid them believe in him whom God had ſent, who was the end of the Scriptures: And Chriſt did not approve of them that thought to have eternall life in the Scriptures.

Pr. He ſaith, to ſay that the light of Chriſt is not received from the Scriptures, it is an abominable thing to be aſſerted.

Anſ. But the light is received from Chriſt; and many had the Scriptures as the Jewes, but ſtood againſt the Light as you do now, and did not receive it, that had the Scriptures which teſtified of it: And the Light cannot be blotted out, but it doth condemn, and it leads to the knowledge of God, and to eternal life.

Pr. He calls it a fancy of an idle brain, to witneſſe the law of God written in the heart, that is different from the morall law, &c. ſee page 61.

Anſ. The Scripture ſaith, I will write my law in their hearts, and put it in their inward parts, and I will make a new Covenant with the houſe of Iſrael, not according to the old; And this is the Covenant with Iſrael, not according to the old, and ſo they be in the fancy, and idle brain that be out of the new Covenant of light, Chriſt, both Jews and Gentiles, and all falſe Chriſtians.

Pr. He ſaith, This I do deny, that the perfection of the whole law of God is writ in mans heart, ſo as to know it, and do it, as it is written in the Prophets and Apoſtles, &c. See page 64.

Anſw. Here thou haſt diſcovered thy ſelfe to be in the unbelief, and limits the Holy One, that God is not the ſame, Chriſt is not the ſame yeſterday, to day, and for ever: And none knows the Prophets and Apoſtles, but who have the ſame covenant as they had; and the ſame law and ſame ſpirit. And whereas thou art oppoſing thoſe as ſay the Word is within them, and the Light is within them, and the Spirit is within: And becauſe they ſay thoſe be in unity, and be one, which makes thee appear one offended, who muſt be ignorant ſtill. He that is ignorant, let him be ignorant ſtill; but the light in thee ſhall ſee they are one.

Pr. He ſaith, That none have ever had ſuch attainments of Chriſt a Redeemer, without the help of the Scriptures, &c. ſee page 65.

Anſw. Now Abraham, and Enoch, and Noah, and Adam, had the promiſe of Chriſt before Scripture was written: And the Goſpel is the power of God; and many may have the forme, and not the power, and eternall life is not in them, nor the power of God: For Chriſt is the power of God, who ſaith, Yee will not come to me that yee may have life, who was afore Scripture was, and all the Attainments is in him the Scripture ſpeaks of, and he is not attained to without life.

Pr. He ſaith, Where did ever any ſay that they went through the Law to Chriſt: This he judgeth, and ſaith, that they be ſtrangers to the life of God that ſay ſo, &c. See page 71.

Anſ. Contrary to the Apoſtle, who ſaith, I through the law am dead to the law, but alive unto God. And the law was our Schoolmaſter to bring us to Chriſt. And again he ſaith, The righteouſneſſe of the law is fulfilled in us.

Pr. He ſaith, All notionall light is from Chriſt whatſoever, &c. ſee page 72.

Anſ. Now notional is imaginations, and that is not properly called light, and therefore thou miſtakeſt, for light is not notion, but is the thing it ſelfe that is from Chriſt.

Pr. Here again he denies, that Chriſt hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world, with light ſufficient if they obey it, to lead them to eternall life, &c. See page 73.

Anſ. Yet thou ſaith, every one hath ſo much light as ſhall leave all men without excuſe before the great tribunall of Jeſus Chriſt. And yet thou ſaith, that which leaves them without excuſe is not ſufficient, and ſo would make God unjuſt and unrighteous; and the light is ſufficient, which doth enlighten every man in the world to lead them to eternall life, believing in it, and receiving it, which not believing is ſufficient to condemn them, who all believing in it ſhall ſee and receive their ſalvation.

Pr. He ſaith, It is a contradiction in it ſelfe, and a ſpeaking lyes in hypocriſie, to deny ſwearing, and calling of men Maſter, and to witneſſe the teaching of the Lord, and the ſpirit to guide into all truth, and to ſay the ſpirit is the rule.

Anſ. They be in the lyes and hypocriſie, and tranſgreſſors of Chriſts commands, that are ſwearers, and called of men Masters, and the ſpirit of truth which leads into all truth, is the rule and guide of men into truth, as Matth. 5. & 23 Chap. and theſe be the Antichriſts, contrary to him, that ſwear and are called of men Maſters; which Chriſt ſaith, ſwear not at all, nor be called of men Maſter.

Pr. He ſaith, Christ was in the world, and the world was made by him, and yet Chriſt was not in all parts of the world, &c. ſee page 76.

Anſw. And he is the light to the Gentiles and Jewes, and ſalvation to the ends of the earth: and yet he ſaith, that Chriſt is not in all parts of the world.

Pr. The light wherewith Chriſt hath enlighten every one that cometh into the world, he calls a little ſparke of reaſon, ſubject to errour and vanity.

Anſ. Which is Chriſt the light, the foundation of God which ſtands ſure, that which makes manifeſt all errour, and his fleſh ſaw no corruption. The greateſt part of his work in his Book is to ſtrike at the Rock and foundation of God; and there is no errour in the light, which enlightneth every man that comes into the world, neither is it ſubject to it, but condemns it, and thee that ſaith it.

Pr. He ſaith, page 79. All the light is to be underſtood in words, and an outward diſpenſation, &c.

Anſ. The Jewes had outward words and a diſpenſation, and yet knew not the Light Chriſt, by the words without life. Neither did they underſtand the diſpenſation of God.

Pr. He ſpeaks of an externall Miniſtry, &c. See page 80.

Anſ. That which led them to miniſter was not externall, and the externall reaches no further then the external, and that is of men, and by men; but the eternal reaches to the eternal, which reacheth beyond external.

Pr. John ſaith, This is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world: and he ſaith, this is to be underſtood with limitation: and ſaith, Chriſt was not in all ages & places of the world. See page 81.

Anſ. How was he the Lamb ſlain from the foundation of the world? And how did he miniſter to the ſpirits in priſon? and how ſpeaks he in the Law? and how is he the ſame yeſterday, and to day, and for ever: and that is the Devill in thee that would have a hold for thee to dwell in, that would limit Chriſt the light not to be in every man. That which darkens every man is the Devill, and that which lightens every man is Chriſt, without limitation, and he limits that which would limit him, and that underſtanding.

Pr. He ſaith, He knows not what the true light is, and eternall life, nor the eternall word, the everlaſting Goſpel, the light which gave forth the Scriptures, and the Judge of the world, and the kingdome of heaven within, and the law of the new covenant, and Chriſt within, theſe he ſaith, he knows not, &c.

Anſ. We do believe thee. And yet he goes about to oppoſe them, and knows not what they are, and ſo he fights like a blinde man, who knowes not the eternall word within, nor the Light, nor the everlaſting Goſpell which the Saints did, and doth know withi .

Pr. He ſaith, That infants and fools, and ſuch as are borne blinde, were never enlightned with the light of Chriſt, which he calls the light of nature, &c. See page 85.

Anſ. Which is contrary to Johns words, 1 John 9. who came for a witneſſe, to bear witneſſe of the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, which light is above nature, and contrary to Iſaiah, who ſaid, Fools ſhall not erre in the way. And a blinde man and an infant is inlightned with the light of Chriſt, for that is the Light in the blinde man that reproves his thoughts and words that be evill; which believing in it, he ſhall not be condemned, but hath the light of life, and becomes a childe of Light: And in Chriſt is light, and that is the life of men; and where there is life in an Infant, there is light.

Pr. He calls it a fancy and a pernicious errour to ſay Chriſt hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world, &c. ſee page 88.

Anſ. And thus he oppoſeth Johns doctrine: They be in the pernicious errour that deny that light that lighteth every man, according to Johns doctrine, John 1. who ſaith, this is the true light that enlightneth every man that cometh into the world, and the Phariſees ſtumbled as much at this true light as you do now, though it ſhined in their, and your darkneſſe, yet your darkneſſe cannot comprehend it, but it ſhall be all your condemnation that hate it.

Pr. He ſaith, The commands of Christ within (Chriſt and the light) is inconſiſtent with the Scriptures, &c. ſee page 89.

Anſ. Which is contrary, for the light within owns the Scriptures without: and yet he ſaid it was the gift of God, and the gift of God doth own the Scriptures in their place as they were ſpoken; and none knows the commands, and Scriptures, but with the light within, and they be in unity, and the light within gives the knowledge of them, 2 Cor. 4.

Pr. He ſaith, It is a fancy to ſay the Covenant of God is to all men in the world, and the grace of God hath appeared unto all men, &c. See page 89.

Anſw. Contrary to the Apoſtle, who ſaith, The grace of God which brings ſalvation hath appeared unto all men. And contrary to the Prophet, who ſaith, I will give him for a covenant to the Gentiles, a light unto the people, ſalvation to the ends of the earth, and a new covenant to the houſe of Iſrael and Judah; And they that do not believe this are condemned.

Pr. He ſaith, It is moſt deſperate and diabolicall to talke of a ſufficient light and grace in all to be ſaved, &c.

Anſ. And yet thou ſaith in page 73. of thy book, That every man hath ſo much light that ſhall leave all men without excuſe before the great tribunall of Jeſus Chriſt, and men ſhall onely be condemned for not doing things which they had power & light to do. And ſo thou confoundeſt thy ſelfe, theſe are thy words: And here thou ſaith, he hath not light ſufficient to ſave. Thou cal s this a fancy, and prodigious blaſphemy, page 92. and no man cometh to ſalvation but who owneth the light, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, Chriſt Jeſus the ſalvation. No man owneth his own ſalvation, but who owneth the grace of God that brings ſalvation to them all if that they will receive it, to teach them to live ſoberly, righteous, and godly, and deny the contrary: And this grace and light is ſufficient, for it brings ſalvation; for that which brings ſalvation is ſufficient, and thou art in the diabolicall doctrine that art out of this, and contrary to what the Apoſtle ſaith, and Chriſt, which enlightens all men, which ſays, believe in the light and ye ſhall not abide in darkneſſe, but have the Light of life, and become children of Light, and ſo is ſufficient; if not, they are condemned by it, and hear his Law.

Pr. He ſaith, The light of Christ we have made it the corrupt ſparke of reaſon. See page 92.

Anſ. But it is he that calleth it the corrupt ſpark of reaſon, contrary to John, who ſaith, It is the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world: And we do not make it the corrupt ſpark of reaſon; for there is no corruption in it, but it leads to true reaſon, and there is no true reaſon but in it; and thy corrupt ſpark of reaſon is out of it, and to be condemned with it.

Pr. He calls it an intoxicated notion and bewitching to ſay that Christ hath enlightned every one that cometh into the world immediately, &c. ſee page 93.

Anſ. So he would make the Light which John bore witneſſe of (to the chief Prieſts and Levites) which doth enlighten every man, &c. not immediate, and gives theſe ill-favoured names to them that do bear their teſtimony to it: But let him ſplit himſelfe againſt the Rock, and thou art in the intoxicated notions, and in the witchcraft that doth not own the light that enlightneth every man that cometh into the world, and art not a witneſſe of Chriſt, contrary to the Prophets and John, who ſaid, This was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, to which Light the Apoſtle bore witneſſe to Jewes and Gentiles, which thou a reprobate bears witneſs againſt.

Pr. And to bring all people to the light wherewith Chriſt hath enlightned them withall. Such he calls ſeducing, and ſending men to hell, and damnable hereſies.

Anſ. They bring men to hell, and are the ſeducers, and in the damnable hereſie, and corrupts the reaſon, that doth not bring men to the light that enlightneth every man that cometh into the world, and ſo to Chriſt, but denies it, and ſuch denies life and ſalvation.

Pr. He ſaith, That none can be ſaved by following the light of Chriſt Jeſus, which he calls corrupt.

Anſ. The light of Chriſt Jeſus is not corrupt, who doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world; that light which they are enlightned withall doth not corrupt, but lets all men ſee their corruption, which they are condemned not believing, in which believing in, they are ſaved; and no man ſees ſalvation, or hath ſalvation, but with the light which comes from Chriſt Jeſus the ſalvation: And all that hate the light are corrupt in their Doctrines and Principles, wayes and words, and ſuch be the Antichriſts.

Joſeph Kellet, John Pomroy, Paul Gliſſon, Chriſtopher Feak, John Simpſon, George Cocken, and Lawrence Wiſe, Their Principles laid open, in a Book put forth by them, called, A faithfull Diſcovery of a Treacherous deſigne of Myſticall Antichriſt diſplaying CHRISTS Banners. But yee may owne the ſinne of your weakneſſe who have publiſhed forth this BOOK.

Pr. YE ſay, God who commanded light to ſhine out of darkneſſe, &c. page 1.

Anſ. But ye do not ſay that the light hath ſhined in your hearts, to give the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt. And thoſe were the falſe Apoſtles, and D vills miniſters and meſſengers of Satan, transforming himſelfe into an Angell of Light, that drew people from the light within, which gave them the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt, from whom it came, which was the work of the true Apoſtles to bring people to the light within, that ſhined in their hearts, to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus; and told them there was the treaſure in the earthen veſſel. So in the falſe ſpirits that are gone out into the world are ye reproved, ye ſeven Prieſts.

Pr. Here they call it wine mingled with water, to ſay the light doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, which is Chriſt, which brings men off of their Teachers, and makes manifeſt ſin. This ye ſay makes the Scriptures unneceſſary.

Anſw. Which none knows the neceſſarineſs of the Scriptures but with light, nor ſalvati-vation, nor wine from water.

Pr. And they ſay, Doth not the light bring men off the glorious myſtery of the Scriptures? &c. page 3.

Anſ. We ſay nay, it brings them to it, the myſtery Chriſt Jeſus from whom light comes, it brings men off of the heathen to God.

Pr. And they ſay, that the light doth bring men off of the foundation of the Prophets and Apoſtles, &c. page 4.

Anſw. Which light is Chriſt, who is the promiſe to the Gentiles, the foundation of the Prophets and Apoſtles, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world. And none comes to the foundation, but ſuch as come to the light Chriſt, that hath enlightned him.

Pr. They ſay, They be all alienated and enemies unto God until faith, &c. ſee page 4.

Anſw. So they have denyed their Schoolmaſter, which is untill faith, which will keep them out of the alienation, which is the Law.

Pr. And ye call the light Chriſt, who hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world, a natural light, &c. ſee page 5.

Anſw. Contrary to John, who ſaith, it is Chriſt by whom all things was made before Naturals was, Sun, Moon, and Stars.

Pr. To hold forth Christ the light, who lighteth every man that cometh into the world, they ſay is to hinder the Goſpel, pervert the faith, and at once deſtroy all good that ever was done, &c. ſee page 6.

Anſ. That is unlike that it ſhould do ſo, that Chriſt the covenant of God, who came to ſave, which light doth lighten every one that cometh into the world, in which believing are ſaved, in not believing are damned; and none comes in to God, but who comes to the Light, nor to the Goſpel, and all mens works acted without the Light, are to be condemned and deſtroyed.

Pr. To bring people to the Light, Chriſt, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, is to bring them from the Mediator, and to draw men from eying his death, reſurrection, and interceſſion, &c. as theſe men ſay, ſee page 7.

Anſ. Here they are corrected, for none knows theſe things but who come to the light Chriſt, who hath enlightned them; for with the light they ſee their Mediator, and ſee his death and reſurrection: And they that come not to the light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, may ſpeak of theſe things, but cannot know them, the witneſſe in the conſcience ſhall anſwer in all men; for the light that ſhines in the heart gives them the knowledge of them (of the Mediator) death and reſurrection of Chriſt. And they ſay, not every man in the world is enlightned, and John ſaith every man is, and ſo here their ſpirits are corrected again: And I will give him for a covenant to the Gentiles, and for a new covenant to the houſe of Iſrael, and to the houſe of Judah: And they bring theſe words, Chriſt in you the hope of glory, to oppoſe Johns words.

Pr. You ſay none comes to God but by Chriſt, and yet doth not own him that doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world.

Anſ. And ſo are not like ever to come to him, though you may talk of him in words, as the Phariſees and Devils did, as all the apoſtate Chriſtians doth now, and yet not own his light, with it you are all to be condemned, Miniſters of Satan which are out of the light.

Pr. And you ſay, Far be it from you to ſay that Christ is equally God, &c. See page 8.

Anſ. And the Scriptures ſaith, He is the everlaſting Father, and his name is called the Emanuel, God with us: and his name is called the word, which is God, John 1.

Pr. And ye ſay, Whereby man ſees the God-head of God, but nothing of the myſtery of the Father, and Chriſt as Mediator. See page 9.

Anſ. Can man ſee the god-head of God, and nothing of the myſtery of the Father, and Chriſt the Mediator? Doth not he that knows the Son know the Father alſo? And hath not he that hath ſeen God, ſeen the Son? Is not the Son in the Father? Here your ſpirits are corrected: For the light that enlightens every man that comes into the world lets ſee the one, lets ſee the other.

Pr. You ſay, For a man to ſay the light Chriſt which doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, is pure, and juſtifies them that obey it, he justifies that which God condemns, &c. See page 9.

Anſ. As you ſay who are with it condemned; for the light is that which doth condemn and juſtifie both, and God doth not condemn it; for it brings into unity with him and peace, and all be condemn'd that be out of it, and none be juſtified but them that be in it, Chriſt, that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, which is the juſtification of life to every one that believeth in it; and every man receiving the light, receives his juſtification, and hating of it, receives his condemnation to death.

Pr. Again, Ye conclude the light of Chriſt is not pure before faith. See page 9.

Anſ. So have concluded you ſeven, Joſeph Kellet, John Pomroy, Paul Gliſſon, Chriſtopher Feak, John Simpſon, George Cocken, Lawrence Wiſe, that ye never knew Law nor Goſpel, nor Faith from Chriſt, nor God: For the law is light, ſaith Solomon, Prov. 6. and that is the Schoolmaſter untill faith: And the Law of God is pure, and the Law is juſt, holy, and good, and perfect; and what is juſt, holy, and good, is pure. And this ye ſeven have concluded not pure, the light in the conſcience before faith; And the Law is the Light and Schoolmaſter untill faith: And the Light is given to every man to believe, and while ye have the light believe in it: And ſo men have this light before they believe in it, and are children: And this ye conclude is not pure, ſo goes about to take away that men ſhould believe in, they having the Light, and then afterwards to believe in it, and with that they ſee the Author of their faith, Chriſt Jeſus from whence it comes, and ſo would deſtroy the foundation of God, the Prophets and Apoſtles which ſtandeth ſure; and ſo are yee found in the ſpirit of errour, and corrected, knowing neither law nor faith.

Pr. Again they ſay the Light (which is Chriſt) with which every man is enlightned that cometh into the world withall, they ſay doth not diſcover the ſinne of unbeliefe. See page 10.

Anſ. And did not Chriſt marvell at their unbelief, and ſee, and diſcovered the unbelief of the Jewes, of whoſe Father are ye; And doth not Chriſt the Light which doth enlighten every man withal, diſcover unbelief? And doth not the unbelievers hate the light, and know the light will reprove them which they ſhould believe in, that manifeſts their ſin? and yet you ſay, doth not diſcover unbelief, which is their condemnation, not believing in it, becauſe their deeds be evill, hating it.

Pr. And further ye ſay, That the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world bringeth in a legal righteouſneſse, &c.

Anſ. Doth not the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, bring in the righteouſneſſe of God? and is it not the righteouſneſs of God? So it corrects you that be in the legall righteouſneſs, and out of Chriſt, which enlightneth nevery man that cometh into the world.

Pr. Again you ſay, The righteouſneſſe performed by the grace of Chriſt, the Goſpel, teacheth to deny it. See page 10.

Anſ. Now is there any righteouſneſſe wrought by the grace of Chriſt, but what is by Chriſt who is the covenant of grace? and the power of God which is the Goſpel, which lighteth every man that comes into the world?

Pr. They call it conſcience, or a natural light, &c. page 11.

Anſw. Which light was before the word conſcience was; or a naturall light, the Sun, Moon, and Stars either; for all things that was made, was made by it. The natural light, or made light, are created lights. He made the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars, they were made: And here is the naturall lights to the natural eye. And the light that every man is enlightned with that cometh into the word, was before theſe were made, glorified with the Father before the world began, and before the name Conſcience was, or things was made, and then they was named, and the light doth exerciſe the conſcience towards God and towards man; which light cometh from Chriſt the Author of faith, which is held in the pure conſcience, who before the world began was glorified with the Father.

Pr. Again, the light which cometh from Chriſt doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, which diſcovers the evill, which will give thee power againſt it, man walking in it and yet brings to the reſt, to the Father, this they call free will, &c. ſee page 12.

Anſ. Which light brings out of the will of man into the will of God, to him that is not born by the will of man from whence it comes, in which light men do his will, and know his doctrine. So here they are corrected again; for the free-will and will-worſhip, is out of the light which is Chriſt, which John ſpeaks of: And they that hate the light are out of Chriſt, and are not made free from the wrath to come; but they that be in the light are made free from the wrath to come, in covenant with God. So you that would ſet up another light then Chriſt, are Antichriſt, in your own wils; for all wil-worſhip, and fained humility is out of the light in the tranſgreſſion.

Pr. Here they ſay, that God made a difference where there was none, ſee page 13.

Anſ. And the Apoſtle ſaid, they were all gone astray. And God puts a difference between the precious and the vile, judgeth righteouſly, and reſpects no mans perſon, and makes a difference in judgement. And they ſay, God checks and chides the wanderings of his people; and yet they ſay, God makes a difference where there is none, and you are to be checked and chidden.

Pr. Again they ſay, The children of God are all their life-time found groaning under ſin, &c. page 14.

Anſ. The Apoſtle tells you plainly, He that is borne of God doth not commit ſin, neither can he, becauſe the ſeed of God remains in him: and he keepeth himſelfe, that the wicked one toucheth him not; and they are made free from ſin: And here the Apoſtle corrects ye again; for thoſe are not groaning under, when the wicked one toucheth them not, but theſe reigneth over it.

Pr. Here they ſay, Who puts men to the light of the eternall word with which they are enlightned withall, puts men beſides the way of life, and puts men beſides the way of ſalvation. See page 16.

Anſ. None knows ſalvation but by the light which comes from the eternall Word, nor the way of life, which is Chriſt, which every man that cometh into the world is enlightned withall, and ſo the ſalvation to the ends of the earth.

Pr. Here again they ſay, That the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world ſhuts up the Kingdome of heaven againſt men, and takes away the miniſtration of the Goſpel, and d ſtroys the miniſtries of man, &c. See page 17.

Anſ. None comes into the Kingdom of heaven, but who comes into the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world; It opens the Kingdom of heaven, but it deſtroys mans miniſtration, and brings in the miniſtration of God and the Goſpell: And this light ye call law, or works, that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, which he that believeth in it hath ceaſed from his owne works, as God did from his, and comes to the end of the Law.

Pr. Again they ſay, the Scriptures are the means of faith.

Anſw. And ſo have thrown out Chriſt the author of it, and God the giver; and the Scripture is but the declaration of the Saints faith, and it ſaith men had faith before Scripture was, as inſtance Abraham and Enoch.

Pr. Again they ſay, As for the expected dictating the Scriptures by the ſpirit to us as to the writers thereof, it is groundleſſe, &c. ſee page 18.

Anſw. So ſhewing of what ſpirit you are, who with the true ſpirit are corrected, that have the Scriptures dictated to you, but not by the ſame ſpirit as the Prophets and Apoſtles had.

Pr. They ſay, Inſtruction in the Scriptures is the way of ſowing the ſeed in Children, &c.

Anſ. And the Scripture ſaith, the ſeed is the Word, and Chriſt is the ſeeds-man, which was before Scripture was; and yet it doth no good except they eat the book, and ſo confute themſelves. And many had the Scriptures, which ſtood againſt the ſeedſ-man as you do now, and the Devill out of the truth makes a cloak of thoſe things, who will not feed upon the Word.

Pr. So the light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, which we ſay is the Covenant of God, they ſay that is to break down the incloſed Garden. ſee page 20.

Anſ. This is that which confounds Babylon the great, and brings it into remembrance with God, and brings the great Whore into judgement. The Light which is the way into the garden of God, breaks down their incloſed garden, that from the Apoſtles have apoſtatized.

Pr. They ſay, that the power to juſtle out the forme is an errour, &c. ſee page 24.

Anſw. Which was the Apoſtles work to bring off the form into the power, the ſubſtance Chriſt, which was not an errour. But you being in the errour, keep people into forms out of the power, and ſo not in the Apoſtles work.

Pr. Again they here ſay, It is blaſphemy to ſay God is in all, &c. See page 30.

Anſ. And the Apoſtle ſaith, God over all, and in you all, bleſſed for ever, and through all, Epheſ. 4.

Pr. They ſay, It is not a tranſgreſſion though men pray not, nor preach not for many dayes, weeks, and moneths together, though neceſſity is laid upon them, &c. page 32.

Anſw. Contrary to Chriſts command, who bid them watch and pray; And contrary to the Apoſtles doctrine, who ſaid, woe be unto him if he did not preach the Goſpel. So where there comes a woe there is a tranſgreſſion: ſo likewiſe where Chriſts doctrine is denyed, and the Apoſtle, which ſaid, pray alwayes, but without wrath and doubtings; and lifting up holy hands, and pray for enemies. But you pray in the wrath, and hands full of blood, and perſecute friends, as your Gaols may witneſſe; ſo as Paſtor Eaton ſaith, you never heard the voyce of God: And Micah ſaid, Night is upon Prieſt and Prophets, that divine for money, and preach peace to the people, if they put into their mouths, if not, they prepare war againſt them. Such have no anſwer from God.

Pr. They ſay, That apparell is for distinction of qualities of perſons, &c. See page 36.

Anſ. That is but in the world; for that which diſtinguiſheth perſons is the Word, the perſon of Chriſt from the perſons of Adam in the fall, and who be in the tranſgreſſion, and who be out of it; and who be veſſels of honour and diſhonour; and your wearing of gold and coſtly apparell, it diſtinguiſheth you from the Apoſtles doctrine. And the holy women of old which was honourable, it was not the apparell that made them ſo to be, but the hidden man of the heart which was of great price to the Lord, which were brought to do the command of God: That honour which is in the world for cloaths and reſpect, God will ſtain, which ſtands in the luſt of the eye, and the pride of life, and the luſt of the fleſh, and there ſtands the worlds honour in tranſgreſſion.

Pr. They ſay, It is moſt true, the Jew inward deſires not the praiſe of men, &c. ſee page 38.

Anſ. Then all that deſires the praiſe of men, and reſpect to perſons, are not the Jewes inward by their own concluſion, but the Jew outward; And ſo Prieſt judge your work and fruit, how many Jews outwardly you have begotten; for that which begets the Jew outward, which hath the praiſe of men, and reſpecting of perſons is the outward Jew, and that which begets the inward Iew, is the Iew within who hath his praiſe of God, and Chriſt who was the King of the Jews, was not the reſpecter of perſons.

Pr. Again they ſay, It was not Christs command to give your Coats to the next beggar that asketh them. See page 42.

Anſ. Which the Scriptures ſay, he that hath two coats let him give to him that hath none; and the rich will give to the rich, and thus they affront the Scriptures: And God doth give wiſdome how to diſtribute, and to whom to diſtribute, and how to honour the Lord with the ſubſtance; and ſo ſhews your ſelves ignorant of Chriſts doctrine, in letting ſo many poor begge at your doors and in the ſtreets, and yet you will have boot-hoſe-tops, and double cuffs, and ribbons about you, who are more like Stage-players then Miniſters, that are not like to give your Coat to the next begger; which double cuffs and boot-hoſe-tops and ribbons you have got for tythes of poor people that have hardly a coat to put on; but they that obey Chriſts command, that have two coats gives to him that hath none:

Pr. Again they ſa , The Son of man is not come; and theſe are falſe Prophets and falſe Chriſts who ſay he is co •• at page 43.

Anſ. And ſo they •• ll John a falſe Prophet, who tels that the Son of God was come, 1 John 5. For we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an underſtanding: And you are the falſe Prophets and Antichriſts in the world that deny Chriſt come in the fleſh.

Again we ſay, you are them that come not in by the door, and draw people from the teachings of God, who draw people from the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world.

Pr. And you tell them it is naturall. See page 43.

Anſ. The light is the door which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, but ye blinde Sodomites are groping for the door, but cannot finde it, raging without, and would kill the juſt; but theſe keeps you that be in the Light, which is the door, and all be blinde; and they be made blind though they ſay they ſee that doth not ſee the light which lightneth every man that cometh into the world, by whom the world was made.

Pr. Ye ſay, The Apoſtles went out of their own Nation without money or two coats without a bag either, &c. ſee Page 44.

Anſ. Which of all you in your own Nation goes without your Stipends, or Augmentations, Tythes, or Gleab-lands? which of all you will go into your own Nation without this? So not going, have ye not all judged your ſelves by the Apoſtles practice which ye ſpeak of? and with your own words?

Pr. And ye ſay, that the greateſt part of the perſecution in the Nation is ceaſed, &c.

Anſ. Ye ſay ſo, that to perſecution are turned, whoſe fruits and perſecution hath more been ſeen within theſe late years, then it hath been for ſeverall ſcores, nay this hundred years paſt; and you are turned the perſecutors of them that will not put into your mouths that you do no work for, and for ſpeaking to you, as your Gaols bears witneſſe.

Pr. Again they ſay, To be called of men Maſter, and ſo to tranſgreſſe Chriſts command, is but a civill reſpect to their publique employment.

Anſ. Phariſee-like hath he ſhewed that he condemns Chriſts commands, and unlike Miniſters of him, but Antichriſts, that condemns Chriſts command, and calls it a civill reſpect in their employments. For you do not read of Mr. Paul, and Mr. Peter, &c.

Pr. Again they ſay, That is it which makes many eares to tingle, and is a deſolation to ſay God is coming to teach his people himſelfe, and to redeem them from all their Teachers, &c. ſee page 47.

Anſ. Now is the Prophets fulfilling, They ſhall not need every man to teach his neighbour or his brother. Now is people coming to hear the Son, who is the ſalvation to the ends of the earth, Gods covenant. Now is that coming which ſhall make your ears tingle; and now is people come to the anoynting, that they need not any man to teach them: Now is people ceaſing from men whoſe breath is in their noſtrils, and looking to Chriſt and the Lord, the ſalvation to the ends of the earth.

Pr. Again they ſay, That Satan transformed into an Angell of light, is helping on good motions and fair complyances with rules of right, to an ill end. See p. 49.

Anſ. That is like your doctrine, that Satan ſhould make uſe of good motions, and fair complyances, with rules of right: Now the rule of right and the good is out of his power.

Prin. Again they ſay, Why may not Satan helpe on Mortification, &c. See page 53.

Anſ. Nay, that which mortifies is out of the power of Satan; that goes againſt his power, and that brings down the death of Chriſt and his reſurrection, which they that be out of mortification knows not.

Pr. And the perſecutors when they have perſecuted the children of Light, which light doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, they ſay, they expoſe themſelves to ſuffering.

Anſ. And this light is it which torments them: So ſtriking at the Light, they ſtrike at the foundation, which we finde theſe ſeven mens work is to ſtrike at the Light, the foundation, Chriſt Jeſus, ſo Sathans Miniſters. And abundance of lyes is their Book ſtuft with, which is not worth mentioning, which will turn upon themſ lves, in the day of fire and judgements they ſhall feel their works: In their conſcience th witneſſe ſhall anſwer, and they that priſon the juſt in their own particular, turns againſt them that be in the covenant of Light, where the Priſoner ſhews himſelfe forth; for there is no perſecution in the generall: but firſt men have ſtopped their eares againſt that of God within them, and gone from the Truth in their own particulars, then they turn againſt them that be in the generall, and ſuch were alwayes called to be of the Devil, doing his work out of the Truth.

Richard Baxters Booke, called, The Quakers Catechiſme. His PRINCIPLES followes. And his Works which are to the Fire to be condemned: And as for his Lies, and Railings, and Brawlings, and Revilings, we turn them back to himſelfe; which for them, the greateſt will be his owne ſorrow.

Pr. HE ſaith in a Letter (at the beginning of his Book) to a friend, &c. To ſay that any is perfect, and without ſinne, is the Devill ſpeaking in man, &c.

Anſ. Contrary to the language of the Apoſtle and Chriſt, who bid them be perfect, and the Apoſtle ſpoke wiſdome among them that are perfect, and ſaid, they were made free from ſin. And it is the Devill ſpeaking in man that ſpeaks for ſin, while men are upon earth, and ſpeaks; for the Devill holds up him who makes men not perfect, which Truth makes men free again from the Devil, and ſpeaks in man, and ſays, be perfect.

Pr. He ſaith, Chriſt doth not condemn men for being called of men Maſter, and it is not the title, but, &c.

Anſ. Contrary to Chriſts words, who ſaith, be ye not of men called Maſter, for ye have a Maſter in heaven even Chriſt, and ye are all brethren. And thus he tramples upon the commands, and makes the commands of Chriſt of none effect, which is one of the marks that Chriſt gives to the multitudes to know the hypocrites by; and ſo doth not onely deny Chriſts commands, but teacheth men to break them: ſo crucifies Chriſt, and ſayes they are his Miniſters, but that's the Antichriſt that abides not in his doctrine, as in 2 John.

Pr. And he ſaith, people are toſſed up and downe like a bundle of feathers, and Novices, &c.

Anſw. How ſhould they be otherwiſe but be toſſed up and down by you, when ye deny perfection, of being perfect, and calls it the voyce of the Devil ſpeaking, that ſpeaks of perfection, and overcoming ſin? How ſhould you but be the men that toſſeth people up and down with every ſlight, and blown up and down with your windy doctrine that is not perfect, and ſo bring the Nations and people like unto waters? For all the unperfection is out of Chriſt in the firſt Adam in ſin and tranſgreſſion, and the Devill which is out of the truth; and all the perfection is in Chriſt the ſecond Adam, the covenant of God, out of ſin and tranſgreſſion, and ſo who are in Chriſt are new creatures; and old things paſſeth away, and all things become new. So in the ſecond Adam, in the Lord from heaven, above the earthly the firſt man, in the perfection out of the toſſing; that's your imitated Church got up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, not the true Church:

Pr. He ſaith, a true Church is guilty of injury, &c. See page 4.

Anſ. Contrary to the Scriptures, where the Apoſtle ſaith, the Church is the pillar and ground of truth, without ſpot or wrinkle, or blemiſh, or any ſuch thing.

Pr. He ſaith, God hath commanded a ſufficient maintenance in generall for Miniſters, and left it to humane prudence to judge what is ſufficient, &c. ſee page 7.

Anſ. By this he hath left the ſpirit to judge, and the wiſdome of God which acts by his commands, and ſo runs into earthly humane prudence. Therefore is there ſo much oppreſſion for Tythe and maintenance for Miniſters, and ſo much making havock, and priſoning and perſecuting for the ſame: And the power denied which the Apoſtles had to eate and to drinke, which Chriſt gave them; and ſo you run into the luſt for the money of whom you do no work for, and the earth; and whilſt they coveted after that, they loſt the faith; and that is the cauſe that people have loſt the unity, and run all upon heaps. Their Teachers have loſt the faith (through coveting and love of money) in which they ſhould have had unity with God, and one with another, and have pleaſed him, and had acceſſe to him, and have given them victory over the world, the Devill, enmity, and corruption.

Pr. He ſaith, all that come into the world are lighted with the light of nature. See page 7.

Anſ. For ſo he calls the light, which John calls the true light (which is Chriſt) that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, ſo is ignorant of Johns doctrine, and the Scriptures; a man not fit to teach, but is gotten up by an uſurped authority, and is not able to divide the word aright, but with the Scriptures thou art corrected, and the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world; the naturall lights were made by it, the Sun and Moon, and ſo forth: And men that are born blinde, are enlightned with that Light which was before the Sun was, before all things was made, which came a light into the world to enlighten every man, that all men through it might believe. Now all men may ſee how all men are mad againſt John, Chriſt, and the Apoſtles doctrine, that bore witneſſe to the true light, and Chriſt bid believe in it.

Pr. He talks of, and preacheth up an externall word. See page 8.

Anſw. Which the Scripture ſpeaks not ing of, nor the Prophets, nor Chrrſt, but ſaith, the word that lives, abides, and endures for ever: and of the Scriptures of truth that cannot be broken. And of Gods words, and Chriſts words, and that is not external, this is not agreeable to ſound words that cannot be condemned, but that is like his doctrine that knows not the eternal; but the Miniſters of Chriſt did not tell people of an externall word, but an eternall word; but you being made by the will of man, ſpeak to the people of an externall.

Pr. He ſaith, He hath not ſeen God in glory, nor any man, &c. See page 9.

Anſ. We do believe thee and the Prieſts have not ſeen him: but the Saints ſaw him, and Job ſaw him, and Iſaiah ſaw him the Lord of hoſts, and Steven ſaw him, and Abraham ſaw his glory, and the Apoſtle ſaw him, and beheld his glory, the glory of God. And you are as the Phariſees that ſtand againſt Chriſt, that enlightneth every man that cometh into the world, that Chriſt ſaid never ſaw the ſhape of God.

Pr. He ſaith, The word infallible, is the pillar of the Popiſh Kingdome, and the maſter-point of new Religion, &c. ſee page 9.

Anſ. Now thou that calls infallibility a Popiſh point, a new Religion: Thy Religion thou haſt manifeſted, and thy points that are not infallible; contrary to the Apoſtle who had many infallible proofs of the ſpirit of Jeſus Chriſt, & they who have not are none of his; and who have the ſpirit of Chriſt, have that which is infallible, and lets them ſee infallible proofs, as thou mayſt read in Scripture. And who have the ſpirit of God, have that which is infallible: And the Religion which is out of the fallibility, and out of the ſpirit of God is vain, and there is thine, and the Popes, as your fruits have declared, got up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in the apoſtacy fallible, but that which is in the ſpirit of God is infallible.

Pr. And thou ſaith, Thou haſt no ſuch revelation as the Apoſtles had as thou knoweſt of, and the Apoſtles were brought to ſpeak infallibly to the Church by an infallible ſpirit, and thou nor the Pope hath no ſuch infallibility as the Apoſtles had, &c. ſee page 10.

Anſw. We do believe you, for you are the falſe ſpirit, you and the Pope that went forth from the Apoſtles into the world, that Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, that inwardly ravened from the ſpirit, and went forth from the Apoſtles, and onely have had the ſheeps cloathing, and ſo are the ſpirits which the Apoſtles bids the Saints try (which went forth into the world) that had the true ſpirit, the record, the ſpirit of God; and they that have found the record, the ſpirit of God tries all your ſpirits, and findes you fallible, ravened from the ſpirit of God inwardly, onely having the ſheeps cloathing that hath covered the wolfe in you all, the devourer. And ſo we do believe neither yo or the Pope hath the infallible ſpirit, being the falſe ſpirits that went forth into the world, and led the world after you. That Nations are come to be like waters, ſo are you broken all into heaps, and ſects, and wants the infallible ſpirit in which you ſhould have unity: And ſo hath not the Son of God revealed among you who have not revelation as the Apoſtles had, which we witneſſe, who are come to that the Apoſtles were in, and ſo the Son of God reigns.

Pr. He ſaith, The holy Scriptures are the temporall word, &c. ſee page 11.

Anſw. Now ſee if this be not an undervaluing the Scriptures of truth, and the words of God and Chriſt, and the Prophets and Apoſtles, which cannot be broken, he calls it a Temporall word, which the Scripture teacheth no ſuch doctrine, but thy lying ſpirit.

Pr. He ſaith, The Goſpell or Word is the externall light flowing out unto us from the Son, &c. See page 12.

Anſ. Contrary to the Scripture, which ſaith, the Goſpell is the power of God unto ſalvation to every one that believes, ſo not temporall, not a temporal light. And the light which cometh from the Son of God, that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, that ſhines in peoples hearts, that gives the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus is not temporall, thou that ſaith ſo art in the deluſion.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scriptures are able to make men wiſe unto ſalvation without any more additions, and there is no more to be expected, &c. ſee page 12.

Anſw. Contrary to the Scripture it ſelfe, and the Apoſtles doctrine, who ſaith, through faith they are able to make wiſe unto ſalvation. So there is an addition which the Apoſtles adds, and all the Saints and true believers, which is the faith which thou art reprobated from, and ſo no Miniſter of Chriſt, in the un-victory, ſo in the worlds luſts.

Pr. He ſaith, The ſoule of man is a ſpirituall ſubſtance, &c. And Magnus Byne ſaith, the ſoule is not infinite in it ſelfe, but it is a creature: And Richard Baxter ſaith, it is a ſpirtuall ſubſtance. &c. See page 13.

Anſw. Now conſider what a condition theſe called Miniſters are in: They ſay, that which is a ſpirituall ſubſtance, is not infinite in it ſelf, but a creature; that which came out from the Creator, and is in the hand of the Creator, which brings it up, and to the Creator again, that is infinite it ſelfe; which the hand goes againſt him that does evill, in which hand the ſoule is, which is immortall and infinite; which hand is infinite, which brings it up to God is infinite.

Pr. He ſaith, Do not they blaſphemouſly make Chriſt an Idoll, that call our Temples, Idols Temples, &c? See page 15.

Anſ. Chriſts body was and is the Temple of God, who ended all outward Temples made with hands, and ſo that is no Idoll, but others are Idols, held up by you and the Pope, Jewes and Gentiles, that priſon the ſeed of God in your ſelves. And Stephen was ſtoned to death for denying the Temple, and for witneſſing the ſubſtance: ſo have you almoſt ſtoned many to death for denying your Idols Temples.

Pr. He calls that moſt ignorant and ſottiſh dealing to own Chriſts commands that bids be not called of men Maſter, &c. page 18.

Anſw. And thus he ſhews his ignorance and ſottiſhneſſe, and doth not read Mr. Paul, Mr. Peter, and they tranſgreſſe the doctrine of Chriſt; and he hath not the ſpirit of Chriſt, but is gone out into the world, where all the falſe ſpirits are oppoſing Chriſts commands, and the Spirits commands, and ſo no Miniſter of Chriſt.

Pr. He ſaith, All the Ministers ſince the dayes of the Apostles was to be ordained and called, which the Apoſtles were not, &c. See page 21.

Anſw. Doth not the Apoſtle ſpeak of them that uſurped the authority? Yes, we ſay that all of you and the Pope ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles are called by men, and made by men, who are the falſe ſpirit that went forth into the world, that ravened from the true, ſo have not heard the voyce of God at any time: So he hath not ſent you, but you have uſurped the authority being made by man: And as no prophecy of Scripture came by the will of man, therefore all as do get the Scripture in their own wills out of the holy Ghoſt, are made by man, ſuch are out of unity with God, with Scriptures, with one another, and all upon heaps about words, and ſuch men make and ſets up.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scriptures is Gods law, and a ſufficient rule for doctrine and worſhip it ſelfe, &c. See page 22.

Anſ. Now many may have the Scriptures; and if they have not the ſpirit that gave them forth, they do not worſhip God in the ſpirit; And they that have the Scriptures, and do not do the will of Chriſt, they know not his Doctrine: And the Law is light.

Pr. He ſaith, But I muſt tell you, that our Bells are not carnall, if they were, they would ſcarce ſound ſo well, or laſt ſo long, &c. See page 23.

Anſ. If they be not carnal, then they are ſpiritual, and in that all the world will judge thee, that they are things ſeen, and ſo they are temporall and carnall; and what is temporal is not eternal, nor ſpirit. The Apoſtle ſpeaks of carnall weapons, 2 Cor. 10.4. and carnall ordinances, Heb. 9.10.

And whereas thou ſpeaks of baptizing your Bells, &c? Have not many Bells in England been baptized? And was not the Pope the firſt Autho of it? And we do ſay that they are carnal and not ſpiritual, let them ſound never ſo well, and laſt never ſo long, though in many Towns you have made them to tune Pſalms; yet we cannot ſay that theſe are ſpirituall that can tune Pſalms, neither dare we, but do judge them that do ſay they are ſo. For the Scripture calls thoſe Ordinances, which were Ordinances of God once, worldly and carnal, and the Sanctuary is called a worldly S nctuary when the ſubſtance was come: And ſo we ſee, and ſay all your ſorts of Bells, though they may be tunes of Pſalms, yet they are carnall, and not ſpirituall, that is our concluſion; though indeed poor people being ignorant, may well, when ſuch as thou ſaith they are not carnall, when they be, yet they ſtir up the fl ſhly nature in people.

Pr. He ſaith, To ſay a man is freed from the body of ſin while on earth, is part of the Papiſts dung which they have taught you to feed upon, &c. page 24.

Anſ. Contrary to the Scriptures and the Apoſtles words, who ſaith, they were made free from ſin, which was before you or the Papiſts was. And contrary to John, who bids them try the ſpirits (who ſaith, the falſe ſpirits gone out into the world which are you and the Papiſts) he ſaith, he that is borne of God doth not commit ſin, neither can he, becauſe the ſeed of God remaineth in him, 1 John. And you are in the P piſts dung ſpoken of, who pleads for ſin; and thou art contrary to the Apoſtles and Chriſt, who preached perfection and freedom from ſin.

Pr. Again he ſaith, Chriſts Kingdome is an Hoſpital, and hath no ſubjects in it but diſeaſed ones, &c. ſee page 24.

Anſ. We read of no ſuch thing in Scripture, that Christs Kingdome is an Hoſpitall, and his ſubjects are diſeaſed ones. But they that follow the Lamb, in their mouth is no guile, nor ſpot, nor fault before the Throne of God, and are the elect which God layes no ſin too; and they are the faithfull, and called, and choſen that overcome the world, and his kingdome ſtands in power, and in righteouſneſſe, and joy in the holy Ghoſt, and is not an Hoſpitall, nor his ſubjects diſeaſed ones, for he heals them, and converts them, and waſheth them, and therefore thou art a Lyar, and a man that doth not divide the word aright. The diſeaſed, or ſuch as come unto Chriſt to be healed, them who comes to him he heales them of what infirmity ſoever it be, and cures them and cloaths them in the right minde. Therefore thou art co rected, and worthy of correction, and all the diſeaſed ones are in your Kingdom, phyſicians of no value.

Pr. What can keep the ſoule from the enjoyment of God but ſin, &c. See page 25.

Anſw. It is the unbelief in Chriſt the Light, and the offering, and in his blood that keeps from the enjoyment of God, who is the way to God, which the Light lets ſee that.

The Author of the Book called, The Quaking Mountebanke, &c. His PRINCIPLES followeth. His words are ſeen in the Light, and are condemned for the Fire: The day is coming that thou (whoſoever thou art) wilt ſuffer, and the witneſſe in thy Conſcience ſhall anſwer.

Pr. HE ſaith, the Quakers are no Conjurers, and yet he calls them Mountebanks, in his Libell called The Quaking Mountebank, &c. ſee page 5.

Anſw. They have diſcovered his works and fruits, and the Fire is over his head, and proves that he hath the Language of a Mountebank, by his revilings and raylings, which among ſober people is not worth mentioning. And the Quakers mountain is the houſe of the Lord, eſtabliſhed upon the top of all the mountains in the earth: And their Rock is Chriſt, which will ſplit all Mountebanks that make war againſt him in pieces: And now it is ſeen what is riſen againſt the Lamb and the Saints; and the mouths of the falſe Prophets are opened, and the Inhabitans of the Earth are drunk, and the Beaſt doth make War againſt the Lamb and the Saints, but the Lamb and the Saints ſhall have the victory. And Quakers are not Mountebanks, but the Lords children.

Pr. And this Mountebank calls the Quakers beaſts, that have the ſpirit of God in them feeling it, &c. See page 7.

Anſ. So that it hath diſcovered his ſpirit whether he is gone; and his words ſhall be his burthen, and the Lord will finde him out, though he have not put forth his name: And thoſe that know the minde of Chriſt, ſuch he calls Beaſts that do know the mind of Chriſt, and ſo hath diſcovered himſelf that he knows it not; but the Saints knows the minde of Chriſt, and ſpirit of Chriſt, and are the ſons and daughters of God.

Pr. Here he maketh the Steeple-houſe the Arke, and calls it the houſe of God, &c. See page 9.

Anſ. A place which Papiſts ſet up for Maſſe; ſo he ſhews his ignorance and prophaneneſſe againſt the Saints whoſe bodies are the Temples of God.

Pr. And the Mountebank ſaith, that the Quakers are not a kin to the Aegyptians, but yet he ſaith, they love darkneſs rather then light, &c. page 12.

Anſw. And thus his ſpirit is rebuked, and they that be in Aegypt love not the Light.

Pr. Again he ſaith, That Learning is the prime ornament of the ſoule. See page 13.

Anſ. And ſo hath thrown away the power, and Chriſt the Biſhop of the ſoule, who is its ornament, in which it hath its joy; and men with their Learning priſon the ſoule which is immortal.

Pr. And he ſaith, The Quakers are no Phariſees, &c. ſee page 16.

Anſ. And the Prieſts of Newcaſtle calls them Phariſees. Here is Gog and Magog in battell together againſt the Lamb, and the royall ſeed called Quakers: Witneſſe that which cannot be ſhaken, and the royall ſeed is a-top of their head.

Pr. He ſaith, The Quakers ſcorn to creep into houſes, &c. See page 19.

Anſ. Which doth not agree with the reſt of his company, who ſay they do creep into houſes. The Quakers are in the power of God, and in the authority of the Lamb, above all houſes, and into houſes creep not, but are upon the Throne: but you that be in the form that deny the power, creeps into houſes.

Ellis Bradſhaw's Book called, The Quakers Whiteſt Devill. His PRINCIPLES as followeth. And hath unvailed himſelfe in what ſpirit he is, and how he hath gone from the Prophets, and Chriſt, and the Apoſtles, fighting againſt the Rock. But the ſtone is fallen upon his head, which will grind him to powder, whoſe words ſhall be his burthen.

Pr. HEre he ſaith, We do utterly deny all their ways and doctrines who exclude all teachings of men. See page 5.

Anſ. Contrary to the Prophets, who bid people to ceaſe from men whoſe breath was in their noſtrils, therefore there is a teaching beyond it: And who comes to that, ſhall come to hear the Son: And the Apoſtles went to bring people off, to the end of the Prophets, and off of the Prieſts, and off the ordinances which the Prophets had eſtabliſhed in their place, and the Lord is come to teach his people himſelfe, where they need not ſay, know the Lord in the new covenant.

Pr. He ſaith, The Quakers ſpirit doth teach them to honour no man, &c. ſee page 6.

Anſ. That is a lye, for it teacheth them to have all men in eſteem, and to honour all men in the Lord: Yet they are convinced by the Law to be tranſgreſſors, if they reſpect mens perſons; and they are not to hold the faith of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt with reſpect of perſons as you do.

And whereas thou ſaith, The ſpirit of God doth not teach to judge before the time, &c. See page 6. And others ſay, the Saints ſhall not judge while they be upon the earth.

Anſw. But the ſpirit did teach the Apoſtle to judge, and his time was come: And he tels ſome, that they were of old ordained for condemnation, and their damnation ſlumbred not, and they went on to eternall judgement, and it is high time not to judge.

Pr. And this he calls a miſtake, to deny all thoſe that ſay they have faith in Chriſt, and yet their righteouſneſſe is not perfect, as the righteouſneſſe of Christ is perfect.

Anſ. Who hath faith in Chriſt is in the perfect Righteouſneſſe, and ſo you are in the miſtake that have a faith and a righteouſneſſe that is not perfect; for righteouſneſſe and faith which is the gift of God is perfect.

Pr. For to ſay, that he that ſaith he hath hope in himſelfe, and yet is not purified even as he is pure, is the hope of the hypocrite, &c. This he calls a miſtake, ſee page 8.

Anſw. And here he is corrected, and his ſpirit is corrected, being in the world, for the hope purifies as God is pure, but the hope of the hypocrite doth not.

Pr. He calls it a ſubtill deluſion that owns not the Law without in Tables and Books to try the ſpirits within, &c. See page 8.

Anſ. And the ſpirit of Chriſt within is the end of the Tables, Law, and Works, and Books: Therefore in this is diſcovered his own White Devill, and corrected by the ſpirit as he ſpeaks of; and the Law is now in the heart, the new Covenant is witneſſed and the Phariſees had the Law in Tables, as thou haſt Scriptures, and ſtood againſt the life, and in the ſub le deluſion as thou doth, who brings the external to try the eternal, which it is the eternal that tryeth the external, as Chriſt did the Phariſees, who told them when they wronged it; And ſo are you the wrongers of it, who hath not the eternall to try withall, ſo as the Devill who is fallen out of the power: And it was the eternal that led forth the Saints to ſpeak forth Scripture, and with that they are tryed and ſeen w o wrongs them, and wreſt them to their own deſtruction; and Peter was one of thoſe tryers who was in the Spirit of God, and could not read letters; and the Phariſees they had the letter without the life, and could not try.

Francis Blake's Booke called, Choice Collections of Scriptures againſt the practice of the QUAKERS, &c. His Principles follow.

Pr. HE ſaith, Repent and become ſinners, becauſe the Quakers ſay, they are made free from ſin by Chriſt, ſee page 6.

Anſ. Contrary to the Apoſtles Doctrine, who ſaid, repent, and forſake ſin, that they might receive the remiſſion of ſins, &c. And contrary to the Apoſtles doctrine to Simon Magus.

Pr. Francis Blake hath printed a Letter, which ſhews, that thoſe that are in ſcorne called Quakers ownes the blood of Christ. And John Bunyan ſaith, they deny it.

Anſ. And thus they are in confuſion; but the blood of Jeſus Chriſt the Son of God we own, but their Lies we diſown, and we witneſſe the repentance which cannot be repented of; but we ſay to you, Repent and turn from your ſins: And they that bid people repent and become ſinners, are Satans meſſengers.

Luke Fawnes, Samuel Gellibrand, Joſhua Kirton, John Rothwel, Thomas Underhil, and Nathaniel Webbs, in a Book called, The Second BEACON Fired. Sent to the Protector. Their thirſt is after blood and perſecution; over all ſuch ſpirits we ſee, there is that in them ſhall Anſwer it.

Pr. THey ſay, The Quakers Principles are Blaſphemous, Paganiſh, Antichriſtian, Anti-ſcripturall.

Anſ. Becauſe we hold out the foundation of God, Chriſt Jeſus, who doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world.

Pr. He calls this loathſome, poyſonous, and blaſphemous errour, &c. See page 3.

Anſw. You are poyſoning the people, and are of the Whores ſtock, who would have blood to drink, which drunk of the blood of the Prophets and Martyrs, and Saints, and ſo lies provoking the zeale of the Magiſtrate againſt them, as the Phariſees and Prieſts did in ages paſt; but that was the blinde zeale that perſecuted in all Ages, and they are Anti-ſcripturall, Antichriſtian, and Anti-miniſteriall that deny the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, which is the end and ſubſtance of the Scriptures; and who is in that, owns the Scriptures, and is not againſt them, and are the true Maniſters and Chriſtians; and ſo you are the Pagans and Heathens that deny the light that all men are enlightned withall.

Pr. They ſay that the Quakers are in an errour, to ſay, that none are the Ministers of God, and called of him, who are ſent forth by the authority of man, &c. page 7.

Anſw. So ſhews their ignorance of the Apoſtles doctrine and words; Not of man nor by man he ſaith he had received it, but by the revelation of Jeſus Chriſt, and ſo you that are made by men deny this.

Pr. They ſay, That is another errour of the Quakers, that ſay, he who is not infallible in his judgement, when he gives counſell and advice, is no Miniſter of Chriſt. See page 7.

Anſw. Now he that is not infallible in his counſell, and judgement, and advice, is not he in errour? And are not the Miniſters of Chriſt the Miniſters of the ſpirit? And is not that out of the errour which is infallible in counſell and judgement? And are they Miniſters of Chriſt that are fallable? and is not the power, the Goſpel infallible? You may well creep and go to the Magiſtrates for help, who denies infallibility, and ſo naturall men knows not the things of God with the earthly ſpirit of the world. I ſay that is infallible which muſt order all the Creation to the glory of God, by which they were made and created.

Pr. You ſay again, You are laying and ſpreading their errours and blaſphemies before the Magiſtrates, that they may ſtop their mouths. See page 9.

Anſ. Now you ſhew that you have not the ſpirit of Stephen, nor the Apoſtles (whom their enemies could not reſiſt) but the ſpirit of them that was againſt Stephen, &c. perſwading the Magiſtrate, and ſo your weapons ye ſhew are carnall, not the mighty weapons to pluck down the ſtrong hold, and ſpiritual wickedneſſes, which weapons are ſpirituall. Ye are fain to fly to the mountains to cover you, to hide you from the preſence of the Lamb which is now riſen: And where did ever the Apoſtles go to the Magiſtrates for help, and complain againſt Errors and Blaſphemy; and ſuch as did ſo, judged Truth to be blaſphemy, running to the Magiſtrates as you do now, who are apoſtatized from the Apoſtles; but many of the Magiſtrates are come to ſee you, and will not be your pack-horſes nor Executioners any longer. And your whole intent is to brand the light of Chriſt Jeſus, with the ſame expreſſions of Errour and Blaſphemy, as the Jewes did in Ages paſt, who are begging to the Magiſtrates with Petitions, provoking, ſtirring up the blinde zeale where it is, againſt Chriſt, where he is in his Saints, ſuch as keepeth his Teſtimony, whoſe thirſt is after blood and perſecution, who would ſtop the Preſſe that Truth ſhould not be publiſhed to the Nation: Shewing yee have not the ſpirit that is able to gain-ſay, nor able to contradict the ſpirit that is in the Quakers. Therefore do you beg with your Petitions and feigned humility, for the powers of the Earth them to ſtop: But where the ſpirit of wiſdome, and of God, and of a ſound minde is ruling, the intents of your minds are ſeen, ſuch as was then in all ages that brought upon heaps, and ſtirred up tumults, and made Inſurrections among people, and caſting miſts before Magiſtrates eyes, whereby they might be blinded, and turned againſt the juſt: For which cauſe brought Gods judgements upon ſuch as you, and Magiſtrates both, and rebuked KINGS for his Anointeds ſake.

John Toldervyes Booke called, The Foot out of the Snare. His Principles: And theſe whoſe names were ſubſcribed to the Book, viz. Thomas Brooks, Thomas Jacomb, George Cockayn, William Adderley, John Goodwin, John Tombes, William Jenkins, and Matthew Poole, Prieſts.

WHom the Prieſts, and his intent is to father the work of the imagination that was in John Toldervy, upon the ſpirit of the living God, and of Chriſt that is in the Quakers. But all their work and imaginations is with the Light, and the ſpirit of Truth judged, and him, and his Prieſts, and all them their feet faſt in the ſnare. And all that is in this Book which is contrary to the truth, and the Scriptures is judged; but all that is truth is owned: And here is ſome of their Principles as followeth. John Toldervy, and the reſt in the Book entitled, The foot out of the ſnare, he and they would lay all his actions upon the Light, but they ſplit themſelves againſt the Rock, and he himſelfe hath ſplit himſelfe upon the Rock, which made him recant again, and deny all his fooliſh actions, and ſo theſe great high Prieſts come off with ſhame.

Pr. He ſaith, the declaring againſt all ſin is nothing of the myſtery of the Goſpell of Chriſt. See page 3.

Anſ. Ignorant are you; for that which makes manifeſt ſin, is the light of the glorious Goſpel of Chriſt the myſtery, all his will-worſhips, and his will-actings, his ſelf-righteouſneſſe, and obediences, and motions, and fancies which he followed, the Prieſts would lay it upon the Covenant in the heart, and Chriſt within, and doth not clear the Covenant and Chriſt within from all thoſe actions which was deſtructive to the creature; which Chriſt the Covenant preſerves, and the creation, and brings the creature into the liberty of the ſons of God; and here your madneſſe and blindneſſe appears without diſtinction.

Pr. He ſaith, Not to call any one Maſter, nor to pull off the hat to any one, not to you any one, but to uſe the word thee & thou to a ſingle perſon, not to uſe any Complements or greetings to any, not to bow to any man, to honour the Creature, not drinking to any: and to pull off the points and ribbons from his knees, band-ſtrings and hat-hand, and buttons that was unneceſſary on his Coat, and other things, and burned divers books, &c. And call this that put off all theſe things which were unneceſſary, they calls it ſeduced perſwaſions, &c. See page 15.

Anſ. Now all theſe that have born record with thee, under the life are ye come, and judged, which abides and remains, and for ever with it judged: For to inſtance, as for not calling men Maſter, that is the command of Chriſt. As for the not faſhioning your ſelves according to the world in your former luſts of ignorance, that is the command of the Apoſtle: And as for the forſaking of gorgeous apparell, naughtineſs, and ſuperfluity; they are corrected by the Scriptures, and judged by the ſpirit: And as for drinking to one another, and tempting one another with Beer, and bowing the Hat, and reſpecting and honouring the Creature, which is earthly Adams honour in the Fall, which Chriſt receiveth it not, the ſecond Adam. And as for reſpecting of perſons, they that do ſo commit ſin, and are convinced of the Law as tranſgreſſors. And now ſee where thou waſt, and all the Prieſts in your ſeduced perſwaſions, and judgeth good of evill, and evill good: And thou and the Prieſts may ſee that all this that which thou did from thy own perſwaſions, is thy own will: But that which led thee from ſin, and from the world, to righteouſneſſe, was owned, that ſhall be recorded for ever againſt thee and all the Prieſts, and ſtand a witneſſe againſt you, though now thou art in the flower of thy age. And it will be hard for thee John, & the Prieſts, to get in that which ye have ſpread abroad; and the weight and the feeling the burthen of all thy words, and your words ye are not yet come to feel: But when the fire and the heat enters into your fleſh, that ye are ſcorched with the vehement heat, then remember every word that ye have given forth, comes pat upon you a burthen: From a lover of your ſoules, and a cheriſher of truth.

And John and the Prieſts, all the Actions which was done in thy will, and ſet forth in the ſame to the view of the world by the Prieſt which abuſed the power, and that which was of God riſing in thee to the ſight of the world, crucifying afreſh the Son of God, and ſo puts him to open ſhame: Thou wilt ſuffer, and the Prieſts, and that which was done in thy preſumption which abuſed the power of the Lord God, that was never accepted of the Lord God, nor never owned by the men of God. But there is a thouſand I do believe in the Nation that can ſee, and do ſee what thou and the Prieſts have recorded to the world, and are able to judge when the power moved thee, and when there was imaginations; and ſee that the Prieſts took thy part, and are one with that nature in thee which betrayed the juſt, even Judas like, and mind and take notice thoſe that Judas betrayed Chriſt to, as thou betrayed the juſt too. See what friends they were to Judas? and what friends they will be to thee after that Judas has done, and after that thou haſt done? now come to the juſt principle in thee. John, thy flight was in the winter.

And as for the word Thee and Thou ſpoken to a particular, ſhews they have forgotten the Latine books, that which they call their Learning; for is it righteous to call one many, or many one? That is a ſound ſpeech which cannot be condemned.

And all people upon the earth that have run out in their imaginations, whereby truth comes to be hurt; if they have done it willingly, the greater ſhall be their puniſhment, they ſhall be whipt however. But all you that have bent your wills, and given your ſtrength to the adverſary of God, whereby the way of truth cometh to be reproached: You are ſuch as turn his grace into wantonneſſe, as cauſe the way of truth to be evill ſpoken of, and ſuch ſhall have a reward according to their works, thee and you all.

Pr. They ſay, The faſhions of the world, and the Complements are not ſin to uſe them, &c. See page 45.

Anſ. Which is contrary to the Scriptures, which the Ceremonies commanded of God, to uſe them after the ſubſtance was come was ſin, much more the faſhions and cuſtomes of the world: Yea, but ſaith they, this brings us in our living, and by the other we loſe our livelyhood, ſo ye may ſee what minde is up in chooſing. And all the zeale in the wills which runs out before the Light guide, that is that which the Prieſts catch at to make their defence withall againſt the truth. But the Lord will reward them according to their works, who hath ſhewed mercy to Toldervy, and made him confeſs in another Book that which formerly the Prieſts and he had ſet forth, and vilified the truth, and ſo is publiſhed to the Nation, after the Anſwer to this Book called, The foot out of the Snare.

Such as deny the faſhions of the world, which the Prieſts are in, points and ribbons, double cuffs, and boot-hoſe-tops, and the honour of men which God will ſtain, and be called of men Master; Such things as theſe 8 great Prieſts juſtifies and inſnares people under them; and if any forſake them, they will ſay they are ſnared and deluded; and it is manifeſt who is their Maſter, and whom they ſerve, that the keeping Chriſts command is a ſnare to them; and becauſe we cannot call them Maſter, and keep Chriſts commands, therefore they rage, who tranſgreſſeth his command, and then ſay they are Miniſters of him, but your fruits are ſeen, and works, prayſed be the Lord, you eight Prieſts have diſcovered your ſelves who are the falſe ſpirits gone out into the world from the Apoſtles, and out of Chriſts command, Matth. 23. Where do you read Mr. Paul, Mr. Peter, and, &c. And where do you read that Paul and the meſſengers of Chriſt were hung about with poynts and double cuffs, and boot-hoſe-tops, and ribbons, and made ſuch a ſtir about doffing of hats, and thee and thou, as the novice Teachers do now, that are found in the luſts and faſhions of the world, which the Apoſtle declares againſt, and brought to ſound words which could not be condemned, and to obey the doctrine of Chriſt, not to be called of men Maſter: But you are the tranſgreſſors that abide not in Chriſts Doctrine, but are the Antichriſts, 2 John, which the Apoſtle ſpeaks of, that hath reigned from their dayes, but now diſcovered by the ſpirit, praiſed be the Lord God; and they know in their Latine originall, it is not proper to ſay you to a ſingle perſon, and they know to be called of men Maſter, is againſt the command of Chriſts in the tranſgreſſion, and ſo uſurping that authority which Chriſt forbids.

Thomas Collier his Booke called, The Looking-glaſse for Quakers. His PRINCIPLES followes. And as for all his Lies, they will be heaped upon his own head, and to his owne ſorrow.

Pr. HE calls James Nayler a lyar, becauſe he ſaid, That by which the just lives, is that by which the creature is justified. See page 2. And he ſaith, It is another righteouſneſſe, becauſe we witneſſe the righteouſneſſe of faith which is in the heart, which God is the Author of, &c. page 3.

Anſw. Now that which we ſay God and Chriſt is not the Author of (but gathered from the letter) is a dead faith and righteouſneſſe, and there is your juſtification that ſtands in the unbelieving ſtate and is condemned: onely ſpeaking of the Letter as the Jews did, of a Chriſt that is come, as they did of a Chriſt that was to come: & have not heard his voice, nor received faith from him: who is the author of it through which men is juſtified and cometh to have peace with God, and this faith is in their hearts.

Pr. He calls it a hearkning to the voice of Sathan, to hearken to the voice within, and ſaith, they cry the light within, the voice of Chriſt the true word, which he ſaith, is but their own lying fancies at the beſt &c. See page 4.

Anſ. Now to call the light within, the word within, Chriſt within, the word of faith within, which is to be obeyed and done, lying fancies at the beſt; here thou may ſee Collier, how thou divides the word not aright, and art ignorant of the Scriptures. And Chriſt ſaith the Spirit of the Father ſpeaks in you, is not this all Scripture, and if they hearken to this, do they not hearken to Scripture? and is not the Scripture fulfilled in this? And is thy voice all without thee onely in the letter? And judges all deluſion that hath any ſpeaking within them, and ſo hath judged thy ſelf from the holy men of God one of the dumb Prophets, and ſo contrary to the true Prophets and Apoſtles.

Pr. He ſaith, If the very Christ, of God be within thoſe that are called Quakers, he cannot come down from Heaven, &c. See ſame page.

Anſ. Here he ſtands againſt the promiſe of Chriſt that he ſhall come and dwell in you and walk in you, I will come again unto you. And he hath revealed his Son in me ſaith the Apoſtle. And this thou Thomas Collier, and John Bunyan is ignorant of plain Scripture; the Scripture it declares it, and the Apoſtle ſaid know ye not that Chriſt is in you except ye be reprobates, and the Spirit of the Father ſpeaks in you, and ſee how contrary thou art to the Prophets, Chriſt and the Apoſtles.

Pr. He ſaith, The Heavenly bodies ſpoken of in Cor. 15. are the Sun, Moon and Stars, &c. See page 6.

Anſw. Let all people read that Scripture and ſee if it hold forth that.

Pr. Again he ſaith, They abuſe the Scriptures, becauſe they ſay he that is born of God doth not commit ſin, &c. page 6.

Anſw. When the Scripture is witneſſed, as it relates, and ſpeaks. And he abuſeth it, when he gives private interpretations to it, and owns it not as it ſpeaks.

Pr. Again he ſaith, He that ſaith he hath no ſin deceiveth himſelf, &c. page 6.

Anſ. But the Scripture ſaith, If we ſay we have no ſin, &c. So he perverts the Scripture, for it is not he, for if he ſay (he) he may put it upon Chriſt, who is without ſin: and upon this account, he may charge the Elect, whom God lays no ſin too: and ſees no iniquity in Jacob, nor tranſgreſſion in Iſrael. And it is Colliers wicked eye that ſees ſin, in the Elect, they that are born of God: and thus he abuſeth the Scriptures, and is not able to divide the word aright; and therefore ſuch Spirits is to be kept out of Scriptures, with the Spirit that gave forth Scripture: For he that is born of God doth not commit ſin, and there is a time for men to ſee they have ſin, and ſinned, and a time to confeſs it and forſake it, and their is a time to witneſs the blood of Chriſt cleanſing from all ſin, and then a time to witneſs the birth born of God which doth not commit ſin, 1 John 4. Chap.

Pr. He ſaith, Here is a ſtrange conceit of a perſon that fills heaven and earth with his preſence, and dwells in the Saints blindneſs with a witneſs, &c. See page 8.

Anſ. Here thy ignorance hath appeared again: for all power in heaven and earth is given to him Chriſt Jeſus who is in them, at the right hand of God, who is in the Saints dwelling; and doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, but this to thee is a ſtrange conceit, and blindneſs with a witneſs. Thy witneſs is blinded with thy conceit, which ſhews thy ignorance of Scripture, and thy unskilfulneſs in the word, and doctrine; that all things is upheld by his word, and his power: and that there is no creature but is manifeſt in his ſight: For all things that was made was made by him, that he might have a name above every name: and that to his name ſhould every knee bow, and every tongue confeſs to the glory of God, and God will dwell in man, and it is he that ſeeth the heart.

Pr. He ſaith, Sin is in the Saints, &c. See page 10.

Anſ. Sin is not in the ſanctified, but in the unſanctified. And he that ſaith ſin is in the Saints, he is blinded, he is of the Serpent, and he and they be in the po lution themſelves which the Saints have eſcaped, and are waſhed and cleanſed, and ſo far as any one is ſanctified, it is from the ſin.

Pr. He ſaith, That we will not enter into the Kingdom by the Blood of the Covenant, that hath been often proved, &c. See page 10.

Anſ. And Francis Blake did publiſh it in Print, that the Quakers did witneſs the blood of Chriſt that cleanſeth from all ſin, and ſo thou Prints againſt us, and he prints for us, thou Prints that we deny the blood of Jeſus, and he Prints that we own the blood of Jeſus; and ſo ye are devouring the innocent betwixt you; and the blood of the ſeed we own, which cleanſeth from all ſin, which doth not you, which ſay ſin muſt be in the Saints, but make his blood of none effect which cleanſeth from all ſin.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scriptures ſhall be our judge one day, which we call the letter, &c. See page 11.

Anſw. And the Scripture ſaith all judgement is committed to the Son, and God will judge the world, and the Saints, and the ſpiritual man judges all things, and thus thou art ignorant of the letter, and this ſhall judge thee at the laſt.

Pr. He ſaith, That the Kingdom is not come, nor refreſhing from the preſence of the Lord, &c.

Anſw. Which ſhewes they are like unto the Phariſees unconverted, gazing here, and there, and Chriſt told them the Kingdom was in them; And they that are not turned to the light which comes from Chriſt the refreſher, whereby refreſhing might come; ſo are not come to repentance yet.

Pr. He ſaith, They that ſay they have no ſin makes God a liar, See page 12.

Anſ. Which the Scripture ſaith no ſuch thing, but ſaith on the contrary the Scripture ſaith many were made free from ſin: And if Chriſt be in you the body is dead becauſe of ſin; and they that are Chriſts have crucified the luſts, and all things are become new, and they that ſin and lie, are not in Chriſt the truth.

Pr. He ſaith, All that have been, are, or ſhall be converted ſince the Goſpel miniſtration are converted by the Apoſtles words, &c. See page 13.

Anſ. So he hath thrown out the ſpirit that doth regenerate, and Chriſt the way to the Father, the word that ſanctifieth, and Chriſt the power of God to ſalvation. Who ſaid they would not come to him that they might be converted; ſo if they get all the Apoſtles words and come not to Chriſt, they are not converted, and none are converted by the Apoſtles words, but who comes to the Life that the words come from.

Pr. And he oppoſeth and ſaith, It will be the Quakers fall, becauſe they ſay there is no other way to bring people to God, but by the light in them, &c. See page 14.

Anſ. Which is Chriſt the way to God from whence it comes, which is mans condemnation not believing in it, and ſo a ſaving light. For ſaith God I will give him for a Covenant, for a lgiht to the Gentiles that he may be my ſalvation to the ends of the earth, the light ſhall, and all that be not in the light are in the fall out of the Covenant, in the unſaved ſtate, and knows not their ſalvation, but as the Scripture declareth, and ſo there is death and deſtruction talking of the ſame of wiſdom, and keeping people out of the light.

Pr. And he ſaith. That Chriſt is not ſo the light of the World as he is the light of believers, See page 14.

Anſ. Chriſt is the light to the World, as to believers, and he that believeth in it ſhall not abide in darkneſs, but ſhall have the light of life: he that follows the light and believes in it ſhall have the light of life, and ſhall not abide in darkneſſe. He that follows not the light, but hates it, he abides in the darkneſſe, and the light condemns him, which the believer walks in, and believes in, and hath the light of life, which light is one and the ſame, which doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, believers and unbelievers.

Pr. He ſaith, That the Scriptures is the rule of the Saints; and he ſaith, the ſpirit is the guide to that rule, &c. ſee page 15.

Anſ. And ſo would have the Scripture to be before the ſpirit. Now the ſpirit was the Saints rule that led them to ſpeak forth Scriptures, and to let them to ſee to what condition they were ſpoken too, and ſo by that they came to the law of Faith; and they was not Miniſters of the Letter, but of the Spirit: So in this ye have proved your ſelves not to be Miniſters of the Spirit, but of the Letter, which the Spirit was before the Letter was.

Pr. He ſaith, That the time of perfection will be when Chriſt comes from heaven, and not before, till then the Saints muſt be warring, waiting, groaning, and mourning, &c. See page 20.

Anſ. And David ſaith, he had ſeen an end of all perfection (contrary to Collier) And the Apoſtle ſaith, they ſhould hunger no more, nor thirſt no more. And Chriſt ſaith, He that eateth his fleſh, and drinketh his blood, ſhall hunger no more, and thirſt no more. He that believeth is entered into his rest, ſhall hunger no more and thirſt no more. And the Apoſtles and Saints witneſſed Chriſt in them, and the Kingdome while they were upon earth, and the end of groaning and gruling which thou art in, that art out of this, and keeps people which are apoſtatized from the Apoſtle, from the Light which is the Truth.

John Deacon's Book, called, A Publique Diſcovery of a ſecret Deceit. His Principles follow. And as for the reſt of his Lies and Slanders in his Book, which are heaped up, they will fall upon his own head, and be his ſorrow. And all Liars upon the earth, that are given up to believe & tell lies, are comprehended with the innocency and truth, by which innocency is preſerved, and men and people ſhall heap to themſelves ſorrow by their owne lies and inventions. Nevertheleſſe the Scriptures of Truth are owned in their place to the condition that they were ſpoken to.

Pr. HE ſaith, That the light wherewith every one that cometh into the world is enlightned withall, is the light of nature, and reaſon, and ſenſe, &c. See page 5.

Anſ. Which is contrary to John 1.9. who ſaith, it was the true light by which all things were made; which as many as received him, he gave them power to become the ſons of God, which is beyond naturall ſenſe and reaſon.

Pr. He ſaith, That the worke of faith, and the growth of faith is by the naturall uſe of Ordinances, and calls it deceitfull ſophiſtry which denyes it, &c. page 7.

Anſw. Faith is the gift of God, and Chriſt is the Author of it. It cometh not by the naturall uſe of Ordinances: The naturall man receiveth not the things that be of God, which faith is the gift of God: And thou art in the ſophiſtry and in the poyſon, that ſaith, faith the work and growth of it, is by the naturall uſe of ordinances.

Pr. And he ſpeaks of a temporall expreſſive word of God, &c. ſee page 8.

Anſw. But the Scripture tells us of no ſuch thing as temporal word, but ſpeaks of the Word of God that lives and endures for ever, and ſo the other is but his own imagination:

Pr. He ſaith, The Quakers go about to picke forth the right eye of Chriſtianity.

Anſ. Becauſe they hold forth the light that lighteth every man that comes into the world, Chriſt Jeſus the Covenant of God which makes all the apoſtate Chriſtians blind: And your right eye muſt be plucked out that offends; and this the Chriſtians ſhall witneſſe when their eyes are open that ſees the light, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, the covenant of God.

Prin. He ſaith, The Quakers were never heard of till of late yeares, &c. See page 12.

Anſ. Which is contrary to the Scriptures, which ſpeaks of them before Moſes, by Moſes, by the Prophets and Apoſtles, and he bids them to worke out their ſalvation with feare and trembling: And now the great Earth-quake is coming amongſt you falſe Prophets and Antichriſts John ſpeaks of, and Harlots, and Apoſtates from the Apoſtle, compellers to your worſhip: And now are you comprehended, with the ſpirit of God are you judged, who are ignorant of the ſalvation wrought out with feare and trembling.

Pr. He calls them ſubtill deceivers and hereticks that queſtions the word Trinity, and ſays it came from Rome, &c. ſee page 13.

Anſ. Which he is juſtifying, and ſo he is turning to his Teacher the Pope, and Common Prayer-book, of whom he hath learned it; For the Scriptures have not taught it him: And the Son and the Father is in unity, and this we own that are called Quakers, and deny you and your Pope, and your Common-prayer-book, and your falſe Teachers got up ſince the days of the Apoſtles.

Pr. Again he ſaith, O incomparable hypocriticall lyars! Is not this the character Paul gives of a falſe prophet to ſpeak lyes in hypocriſie? becauſe we preach Perfection, &c. See page 16.

Anſw. It is agreeable to Scripture, Chriſts doctrine, and the Apoſtles doctrine, and the life of Chriſt: And we are made free from ſin, ſaith the Apoſtle: And again, As he is, ſo are we in this preſent world. And as many as are perfect are thus minded, &c. But this thou cals hypocriſie & lies; and thus thou art out of the Apoſtles & Chriſts doctrine and life, and like a mad man rages againſt them that be in it, and hath denyed thy owne work, the work of the Miniſtry, which was for the perfecting, and ſo art a Phyſitian of no value.

Pr. He ſaith, The enjoyment of immortality is not till they have put off the body, &c. See page 17.

Anſ. Contrary to the Apoſtles doctrine, who ſaith, Immortality was brought to light through the Goſpell, this was when they were upon earth, and the word of God was in them, and Chriſt was in them which was immortall.

Pr. Again he ſaith, They ſhall not have power over death and the grave untill the naturall death, &c. See page 17.

Anſw. Contrary to the Apoſtle, who ſaith, Oh death where is thy ſting! O Grave where is thy victory! And they were paſſed from death to life; And he that believes ſhall never dye, and ſuch hath power over death and the grave: And he that believes ſhall never dye, they have paſſed from death to life.

Pr. He calls them ſecret deceivers to grant perfect purity and perfection, &c. See page 18.

Anſw. Which is contrary to to the Apoſtles doctrine, who brought people to perfection and purity, and holineſſe, without which none ſhall ſee the Lord: And they were to ſtir up their pure minds.

Pr. He ſaith, To witneſſe perfect purity is an alluding to an enjoyment of heaven upon earth, and ſaith, this is as the world, &c. See page 19.

Anſ. Which is contrary to the Scriptures, who witneſſed the Kingdome of heaven in the Saints, and their converſation in heaven; and thou that brings to the contrary, art a deceiver, and grants not that other.

Pr. He ſaith, He dare boldly aſſert, that the Goſpell is not first made known by the ſeeing within, but by hearing tidings without, &c.

Anſ. Contrary to that which they call their Originall, which ſaith, the Goſpel is preached in every creature: And there is none cometh to hearing and ſeeing of the Goſpell, but it is with the eye within, that which is oppreſt: For the Jews that heard not, and ſaw not within, they ſtood againſt the Goſpel: And Chriſt ſaid, their ears were ſtopped, and their eyes were cloſed; and ſo they heard words, but the Goſpel, the power of God they could not hear, but ſtood againſt Chriſt; and ſo none heare but they that hear within; and he is not a Preacher of the Goſpel, which is the power of God, but he that preacheth to the inward eye.

Pr. He confeſſeth, That none of the Saints had ever a particular command; and then again he confeſſeth they had, and ſo he is in confuſion, page 26. He ſaith, It is a lye to preach the Kingdome of heaven within unbelievers.

Anſw. Contrary to Chriſts words, who told the Phariſees the Kingdome of God was within them, Luke 17. So in confuſion in Babylon, the ſmoak of the bottomleſs pit hath blinded his eye, which is got up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, the foundation hath been loſt among them inwardly raveners, which is the light Chriſt Jeſus, which enlightneth every man that cometh into the world, the rock of Ages.

Pr. He ſaith again, It is a lye to ſay that any come to the knowledge of the light of God by the light that ſhines in their hearts, &c. See page 28.

Anſ. Contrary to the Apoſtle, 2 Cor. 4. who ſaid, the light that ſhined in their hearts ſhould give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus, and ſo a meſſenger of Satan, the Devils Miniſter, one that draws from the light that muſt give people the knowledge, the witneſs in thy conſcience ſhall anſwer.

Pr. And again he ſaith, It is a notorious lye to ſay that Chriſt preached the Kingdome of heaven in unbelievers.

Anſ. Contrary to Chriſt, and contrary to Luke 17. who ſaid, the Kingdome of heaven was in the Phariſees, and ſo thou art an unlike man to be a Miniſter of Chriſt who art of the Letter ignorant, that knows not the kingdome in thy ſelfe, that knows it not in the unbelieving Phariſees.

Pr. He ſaith, The greateſt of the Apoſtles were never exempted from the remnants of ſin, and the Saints pilgrimage is a continual warfare to heaven while they be on this ſide the grave, &c.

Anſ. Which is contrary to the Apoſtle, who ſaid, they were made free from ſin; and ſaid, how could they live any longer therein? And ſaid, their converſation was in heaven, and they ſate in heavenly places, and they witneſſed the Kingdome wherein was joy in the holy Ghoſt: So this was the end of their pilgrimage then as he ſpeaks of, who ſhews he is ignorant of the Scriptures, and of the Apoſtles doctrine: And it is not a ſtrange thing that the Teachers of the world ſhould cry up imperfection and the body of ſin, who are ravened inwardly from the ſpirit of God that put it off, and gone forth from the Apoſtles and Chriſts doctine; but who are come to the ſpirit of God which they ravened from, puts off the body of imperfection and ſin, and ſo you have corrupted the earth with your windy doctrine; for what good hath their doctrine done, that teacheth people they muſt be in imperfection and in ſin while they be upon earth; they can but be ſo if they never come to them, and they are apoſtatiz d from the Miniſters of Chriſt, whoſe work was to the perfecting of the Saints, untill they came to the perfect man, which theſe apoſtates work is to deny.

Pr. He is judging the Apoſtle, and ſaying, The pricke in the fleſh which the Apoſtle received, was neither through the want or diſability of faith, &c. page 34.

Anſ. Why then did the Apoſtle cry out? anſwer me that. And the Lord ſaid, His grace ſhould be ſufficient for him; and his strength ſhould be made perfect in his weakneſſe: and is not weakneſs diſability?

Pr. He ſaith, That no man by that native light inherent in him had power to believe, &c. See page 26.

Anſ. The light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, he calls it native, and inherent: He gives theſe names to it, which is the light which doth enlighten every man, &c. there is power in the light given to believe: But now he that hateth the light, hateth the power, and ſo the light is his condemnation; The names he gives, as native and inherent, are his own out of the truth.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scripture doth not ſet forth a certain allowance for Miniſters, but it is left to humane prudence, &c. See page 12.

Anſ. So he is flown from Chriſts words and the Apoſtles, who with the wiſdome of God ſet down the Miniſters allowance, and did not leave it to humane policy in after ages for maintenance for Miniſters: For the humane policy will feed the falſe Prophets, as the Prophets, and Chriſt, and the Apoſtles declare of in Scripture, whoſe ſpirits is ſeen with the ſpirit that gave forth Scripture, gone out into the earth, who were covetous, and ſo idolaters, ordering with the earthly policy, which is humane and earthly.

Pr. He ſaith, Abrahams obedience was not an act of the body, &c.

Anſ. Which any may read the Scripture and ſee, and judge thee whoſe body is out of the action of God, ſerving him who is not of God.

Pr. He ſaith, God doth not work immediately now, &c. See page 43.

Anſw. So all the works of God are mediate now by his principle; Then none have the ſpirit of Chriſt by his concluſion, which is immediate, to work immediately; and none hears Gods voice, and none ſent from God, and Chriſt is with none of them then. For who are ſent from God hears his voyce; and who have Chriſt in them, they have that which is immediate.

Pr. He ſaith, He utterly declares (as others have done) againſt not praying or preaching, &c. unleſſe the ſpirit move, &c. See page 44.

Anſw. So here then, thou prays and the Spirit moves not, and preacheth, and the Spirit moves not: So then the ſpirit of errour is it that moves thee: And contrary to all them that gave forth the Scriptures, the Prophets and Miniſters of God, who ſpoke as they were moved by the holy Ghoſt. And thou art never likely to read the Scripture, but by the ſame that gave them forth, nor know them, nor none upon the earth, nor know God of whom they learned that gave them forth, and was taught of him, and ſo art no Miniſter of the ſpirit.

Pr. He ſaith, Not to preach, nor to pray but as the ſpirit moves; This he ſaith, in a ſort is to ſhut up the Kingdome of God from the ſons of men, and brings men to neglect their duty, and is the gap where the deluſion of Satan comes in, and draws men to ſluggiſhneſs. And how can glad tidings be known, unleſſe they be told, &c.

Anſw. Now they are all in the ſluggiſhneſs, ſhutting up the Kingdome of heaven against men, under the deluſion of Satan, and none can bring the glad tidings, but as the ſpirit moves them: And they who go when the Spirit doth not move them, they are they that run and the Lord never ſent them; who pray, or ſpeak without the moving of the ſpirit, they are out of the path of all the holy men of God.

Pr. He ſaith, It is the priviledge of the Bereans that is to try an Apostle, &c. Again he ſaith, They are to put up their ſupplications when the ſpirit doth not move them, &c. See page 45.

Anſw. Now ſee if God ever accepted that which was not moved from the Spirit: God who is a ſpirit never accepted that; and that which tries the Apoſtles is the light, and gives the Bereans to believe the Scriptures which the Apoſtle ſpeaks of.

Pr. And he ſaith, Far be it from me to imagine that the ſpirit of God moved the Apoſtles to preach when they did onely, and not at other times, and that they always waited in ſilence till then, &c. See ſame page.

Anſw. So he would make it that the Apoſtles preached when the ſpirit moved them not, and run without the moving of the ſpirit, and ſo would make them like himſelfe: And Peter ſaid, they ſpake as they were moved by the holy Ghoſt. And they that are the ſons of God, are led by the ſpirit of God. And the ſpirit ſhall lead them into all truth: And the ſpirit ſhould tell them what they ſhould ſpeak, and ſhew them things to come, and that was their guide and rule; and thou who ſpeaks, and not the ſpirit moves thee, art no Miniſter of the ſpirit, and ſayes, far be it from thee to imagine the Apoſtles preached onely when they were moved, and ſo doth not own the Apoſtles were the Miniſters of the ſpirit, with thy imaginations.

Pr. And the ſinging of the Saints in the ſpirit and grace, is not like the ungodly ſinging without the ſpirit.

Anſ. And ſaying, the grace of God hath not appeared unto all men; and all have not the ſpirit, which is contrary to Scripture. It ſaith, the grace hath appeared unto all men; and i'le powr out my ſpirit upon all fleſh. And the ſpirit that reproves the world, leads the Saints; and you that ſing Davids quakings and prayers, is not in the underſtanding nor grace, but diſtinct from the Saints, which muſt be turned into howling. How can ye give them the Pſalms to ſing then that have no grace?

Pr. And the Prieſts of Scotland ſay, Curſed is he that ſayes grace is free. Theſe are the Scottiſh principles, &c.

Anſw. And yet ye give the Pſalms to all to ſing, and yet ye ſay all have not grace, and all have not the ſpirit of God, and then can they not ſing in the grace, and ſing in the ſpirit. Is there any prudent reaſon or good underſtanding without the ſpirit?

Pr. He ſaith, We deny the Scripture to be the Word of God.

Anſw. The Scriptures are the words of God, and Chriſt is the word in which the words end.

Pr. And he ſpeaks theſe deteſtable words, and ſayes, Is not our tongues oyled with a ſpirit of confuſed deluſion, which is his own, &c. See page 5.

Anſ. Becauſe we ſay ſuch as pray or preach, it muſt be by the moving of the ſpirit of God; which they be not in, that are in the ſpirit of deluſion.

Pr. And he is oppoſing the commands of Chriſt, who ſaid, be not of men called Maſter, for ye have one Maſter, even Chriſt (who conquers death and hell) And he ſaith, Why may they not be called Maſter?

Anſ. It is his Maſter that teacheth him to be called of men Maſter, that is gone out of the truth; but Chriſt ſaid, be not of men called Maſter; and wo be to them that are, Matth. 23. And you are them that are made by the will of man that breaks his commands.

George Willington's Booke called, The Gadding Tribe Reproved. A right Title to his condition in his Book, who like a wilde Beaſt is gadding up and down; but the Lord rebuke ſuch ſpirits. His PRINCIPLES follow, &c.

Pr. HE himſelfe falls a judging others, and then he cries, Oh man! who art thou that judgeth another, &c. page 9.

Anſw. And doth not ſee the worke that he is doing himſelfe: But bids others they ſhould not judge, and falls a judging himſelfe, which is like all the reſt of his gadding Tribe, and how they run with their horns at the righteous, and puſh at the upright in heart: But the Lamb is above them all, and the wrath of the Lamb is kindled; therefore the Beaſts rage, who againſt the Lamb makes war; And where judgement is come through into victory, he may judge, and the hidden things of darkneſs is brought to light, and the counſel of the heart made manifeſt; and the Lord is come, and the ſpirituall man judgeth all things, which ſhews the counſell of his heart is not made manifeſt, nor his hidden things of darkneſſe brought to light, and the Lord is not come to him, and ſo cannot judge. And George Willington hath judged before his time, with which he is charging others, therefore his words ſhall be his burthen.

Pr. And his principle is, That he is juſtified by faith alone without good works, &c. See page 10.

Anſw. What, without the faith that works by love? haſt thou concluded thoſe works the works of Popery, which are the works of faith that works by love that gives the victory? How doſt thou gad now? whether art thou gadding now? Know, faith that works by love is owned, and he that believes is ceaſed from his works, as God did from his, and hath entered into his reſt: And faith gives victory overall the Popiſh murthering ſpirits and thine both and your works; which gives to have acceſſe to God, and their works is wrought in him.

Pr. He ſaith, Whilſt the upſtart ſect of Quakers do looke after the light within, he ſaith, we have a more ſure word of propheſie, &c. and ſo would make the ſure word of propheſie not the lihgt within. See page 12.

Anſw. Whoſe ſpirit he hath made manifeſt where it is amongſt them that are gone from the Apoſtle, who ſtands againſt the light within. For they that draw from the anointing within are the ſeducers, and they went forth from the Apoſtles that went from the anointing within. Art not thou and you all gadded, and the world from the anointing within you, and ſo ſeducing one another, therefore have you ſo many heaps of Teachers, and arming your ſelves, and making lies your refuge againſt them that are come to the anointing, which you are all gadded from, given judgement againſt your ſelves, who will not have people to own the light Chriſt Jeſus, who doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world; and none owns the anointing within, who owns not the light which you deny, which have apoſtatized from the Apoſtles; and the Quakers are riſen up in the night of apoſtacy, and diſcovers you all what you are in, and what you went from, and what hath been loſt ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles; and an Earth-quake is coming upon you that hath not been ſince the foundation of the world, out of which Earth-quake we are come into that which cannot be ſhaken. As the Quakers are not the Gadding tribe, but they have the anointing in them, and as it ſhall teach them, they ſhall abide in the Son of God and the Father.

But it is manifeſt that thou and the whole world is gadded from the anointing within you which ſhould teach you, and ſo are turned againſt the Saints and the Lamb: And have been the Harlots & the mouths of the falſe Prophets, blaſpheming God in his Tabernacle, and drunk the blood of the Saints and the Martyrs, and the Prophets, and made war againſt the Saints to overcome them, and have overcome them; but the Lamb and the Saints ſhall get the victory.

Pr. And thou tels us of a Creed and Catholique Faith, commonly called the Apoſtles Creed, which except a man believe this Creed and Catholique Faith he cannot be ſaved, &c. See page 16.

Anſ. Who taught thee all this language? Where did the Apoſtles teach thee any ſuch things as the Catholique Creed? The Apoſtle teacheth us no ſuch things as a Catholique Creed, didſt thou not learn this of the Pope who apoſtatized from the Apoſtles?

And the twelve Apoſtles taught thee no ſuch Doctrine as the Catholique Creed, and thou ſaith, they ſigned it. Nay, the Pope ſigns thee that Creed and the Sacraments, the Pope ſignes thee that: And we are come to the foundation of God, which was before the Pope was, and we gad not. Thou ſhouldſt not tell lies, to ſay they gad that come unto God, the Elect of God; Gods Elect and Chriſt the light is the ſalvation before thee and the Pope was.

Pr. And thou ſaith, Doth any forſake the Miniſtry to follow a new light, &c? See page 17.

Anſ. That Miniſtry that doth deny the Light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world (as this gadding Tribe of Miniſters, and Profeſſors, have done ſince the dayes of the Apoſtle, and do) ſo by denying the Light, they deny the foundation of God. The Light we own which every man that cometh into the world is enlightened withall, which is the foundation of God: and them deny to be any Miniſters of Chriſt, that denies the Light, that enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, and his Miniſters we own.

Pr. And thou ſaith do not forſake the Temple, and truth of God to follow the bleating of Jeroboams calves in Dan and Bethel, &c.

Anſ. Now whither art thou gadded? Art not thou gadded in this from the Apoſtles Doctrine, to the Temple, which the Apoſtles brought the people off from, where is thy light now? How ownes thou Chriſt, who keepes people to the Temple? and tels them of Jeroboams Calves in Dan, and Bethel? where is there any people gadding thither? whether haſt thou not loſt thy reaſon, and ſobrietie to publiſh thy madneſs to the Nation? And did not Chriſt ſay the Temple ſhould be thrown down, Mat. 24. And Stephen witneſſed againſt it, and was ſtoned to death: and thou art calling people to it; and your Popiſh Maſſe houſe which you call your Temple, you have ſet up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, is like unto the Idol ſet up at Dan and Bethel.

Pr. And he ſaith your Ancient Divines are them that have entered in at the door. &c. See pag. 20.

Anſ. How can you, and your Ancient Divines enter in at the door, when you deny the Light that doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, which is Chriſt the Door? Therefore it makes you to gad up and down without light in the dark. Now is the ſtone fallen upon you, and the rock you are ſplitting your ſelves againſt it. Now ſhall the Saints know the Song of the Lamb, rejoycing over the Beaſt, and the falſe Prophets.

Pr. He ſaith the written word the ingrafted is able to ſave the ſoul, &c. See pag. 21.

Anſ. The Ingrafted word is able to ſave the ſoul, but the letter the written words are not: The Phariſees had the written words, but ſtood againſt the Saviour of the Soul. And how art thou gadded here in thy Judgement? how art thou like to own the word that ſaves the Soul, when thou denies the Light?

Pr. He is stirring up the Magiſtrate to perſecute, his own mouth condemns him, who pretends love: &c.

Anſ. And thou that gads abroad in thy mind to ſtir up the Magiſtrate to proſecute, art not in the life of the Apoſtles nor Chriſt, but in the Spirit of the falſe Prophets, and Antichriſts, and one in that which all perſecutors come from out of the truth.

Pr. Again thou ſaith we ought not to Judge, &c. See pag. 23.

Anſ. Let all people that read thy Gadding tribe, ſee if thou doth not Judge, and ſo comes under Judgement, by thy own words. And the time was come to the Apoſtles when they went on to the eternall Judgement which we own, But this is not for ſuch as are crying up Temples and Perſecutors, nor ſtumbling at the Light: your meaſures are all too ſhort of your whole gadding tribe that be from the light that every man is enlightened withall that comes into the world.

Pr. Again thou ſaith the Apoſtles was to call the Miniſters of Chriſt mediately, and the Immediate call from God is not enough, &c. See pag. 24.

Anſ. So thou hath ſet up the Mediate, before the immediate, and judgeth the immediate and not ſufficient; But thou art corrected by the Scriptures, and the Apoſtle corrects thee who ſaith, I have not received it of man, nor by man: and bad others look at Jeſus the Author of their faith: And the Apoſtle doth not ſay that they was to call men mediately, he doth not teach ſuch Doctrine that their Miniſters was called mediatly, nor ſend them forth ſo, but it is thou that art gaded from the Counſel of God: and the Apoſtle confutes thee, who ſaid he was not of men, nor by men, and all that went forth from the Apoſtles, went forth by the immediate power of God, who was the Church of God, and by the power of that; But you are the mediate fallen from the Apoſtle, and made by the will of men; But now with the immediate you are all comprehended.

Pr. And thou brings many Scriptures to oppoſe Chriſts commands, and the Apoſtles Doctrine, which ſaith be ye not of men called maſter, &c. See pag. 28. For th ••• ſaith Chriſt doth not mean as he ſpeaks: for thou ſaith the meaning is not that it is unlawful to be called maſter.

Anſ. Here thou ſhewes whither thou art gadded; one that teacheth to break Chriſts commands. But the wo that is denounced in the ſame Chapter where the command is, belonges to thee. So an Antichriſt that teacheth to deny Chriſts commands and diſpiſeth his Authority. And one that calls him Lord, but doth not the thing that he commands: but it is not ſuch that enters into the Kingdom of God: and this thou ſhalt witneſs at laſt when thy words falls heavy upon thee.

Joſhua Millers Booke called, Antichriſt in man the greateſt Idol. Which is a fit Title for himſelf; who cals that Antichriſt, and Miſtery of Babylon that juſtifies within; Contrary to the Apoſtles Doctrine who ſaith we are Juſtified by faith in Chriſt Jeſus, which is in the heart. As for the reſt of his ſlanders and Lies in his book they are not worth mentioning, but theſe that follows.

Pr. ANd he cals them devout men that denyed the light that hath enlightened every man that cometh into the word, &c.

He ſaith the Quakers are the most ſaddest and deplorable Spectacles of revolted Profeſſors that ever I heard, or read of, ſince my knowledge of them, &c. See Pag. 2.

Anſ. The Quakers are revolted from you Apoſtates, that are inwardly ravened as the converted Jewes did that were turned to Chriſt; for the Jewes revolted from the Temple and the Prieſts, and turned to Chriſt, from the other Jews, and owned the Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, which you Revolters deny, that have reigned ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, and ſo are ignorant what we are come to, and the Apoſtles were in, and that which was before you and they was.

Pr. He ſaith the Angels of Light which are holy, and without ſin, may be devils, &c. See pag. 3.

Anſ. Which the devill fell from the Light, from the holineſs, and ſo he cannot tansform into that. And all holineſs intended which is not in the light; is as the Phariſees was in, and the whole world, and is condemned with the Light.

He ſaith ſalvation by the Light within is curſed, &c. See pag. 6.

Anſ. Contrary to the Apoſtle who ſaith, the light that ſhineth in the heart gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus. And contrary to John who ſaith, every man that cometh into the world is enlightened; And as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the Sons of God. and the power of God is the Goſpel of ſalvation to every one that beleeves in the light; And he that beleeveth in the Light hath the witneſs in himſelf: and the Apoſtle turned them from the Darknſs to the Light. And the word was in their hearts of Faith that ſaves the ſoul: and there was the glad tiding the Goſpel. And Prieſt Shaw ſaith the Goſpel is the four bookes of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. And the Apoſtle ſaith it is the power of God: and ſaith many have the form, but deny the power. So now here himſelf he hath curſed; So this ſame man is a curſer, as the Papiſts are. Both he and them are found out of the doctrine of Chriſt and the Apoſtles, who ſaith, bleſs and curſe not: And the Scotch Prieſts likewiſe are curſers, as in the Scotch Principles ye may ſee; and no one knows ſalvation but by the Light within, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, who is the ſalvation to the ends of the earth.

Pr. And he calls his Steeple-houſe St. Andrews. See page 7.

Anſw. Which never did Prophets nor Apoſtles give ſuch names to houſes, but the Pope who is his teacher.

Pr. He ſaith, It is an errour to ſay, that the light which every one hath that cometh into the world, is ſufficient to ſalvation, without the help of any other meanes or diſcovery, &c. See page 9.

Anſw. Contrary to Chriſt, who brought the Jewes off of all others helps to himſelf, who ſaid, Believe in the light while ye have the light; and they that believed in the light ſhould not abide in darkneſſe, And no man cometh to the Father but by me, ſaith Chriſt. For he was the way, the truth, the light in men, and the life, and there is no ſalvation by any other name but by him: And there is none knows the blood of Chriſt which cleanſeth, and the offering for the ſins of the whole world, but with the light which cometh from Chriſt Jeſus, who is ſufficient, who is the ſalvation to the ends of the earth; ſo he is the only means without any other help: And as the anointing in people doth teach people, they ſhall continue in Chriſt: and as they walke in the light as he is in the light, they ſhall have fellowſhip with the Father, from whence all helps comes; and Chriſt will dwell in man, and walk in man, and what need they have any more helps?

Pr. He ſaith, It is an errour to ſay, we are juſtified by that which Chriſt doth in us, &c. See page 9.

Anſ. Contrary to the Apoſtle, who ſaith, we are juſtified by faith in his blood; and the faith is in the heart, and the blood is in the heart that purifies it, and held in a pure conſcience: And the word of faith is within, Rom. 10. And faith gives victory over the world, and that which gives victory juſtifies; and Chriſt is within, who is juſtifi-fication, and ſanctification, and condemnation, either of them is found within, and thou art in the errour, and not fit to talk of theſe things which thou underſtands not.

Pr. Again he ſaith, It is an errour (if not damnable) to ſay Chriſt is the means, and that there is no other means of ſalvation, &c. ſee page 13.

Anſ. And Chriſt ſaith, No man cometh unto the Father but by me: and he is able to the utmoſt to ſave. And he ſhall be my ſalvation to the ends of the earth, ſaith the Lord. And ſaith the Apoſtle, God is in Christ reconciling the world unto himſelf. And he that hath the Son of God hath life, and the Father and the Son are one, and there is no ſalvation in any other.

Pr. He ſaith, That Chriſt gives light to no man under that name but believers, &c. See page 13.

Anſ. Contrary to John, who ſaith, he doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, that all might believe through the light: And contrary to Chriſts own words, ſuch as hated it, and would not come to it, and bids them believe in the light while they had it; and he that did not believe, was condemned already; and he that did believe, had the witneſs in himſelf.

Pr. He ſaith, It flatly contradicts the whole Scripture, to ſay, that the light wherewith Chriſt hath enlightned every man, &c. will ſave, &c. See page 14.

Anſw. Which God ſaith, I will give him for a covenant, for a light to the Gentiles, & new covenant to the houſe of Iſrael and Judah; and he ſhall be my ſalvation to the ends of the earth; and believing in it are ſaved, and not believing are condemned.

Pr. The wiſe heathen Philoſophers had a greater meaſure of light in them (which is the firſt Adam) then I can thinke any men have now, &c. See page 15.

Anſw. Which ſhews that he knows none of Chriſt the ſecond Adam, the quickning ſpirit. And he knows no new creature; For who are in Chriſt are new creatures. Nor none of Chriſt the Covenant of God, of light, of life, of peace, who was glorified with the Father before the world began, which is beyond the firſt Adam, and hath ſhut himſelf forth not to be as high as his Heathen Philoſophers: and many witneſſe Chriſt in them in this age, as in the dayes of the Apoſtles, which is above the Heathen Philoſophers.

Pr. The light which every man that cometh into the world is enlightned withall is Chriſt, he ſaith, this is the light of nature, and of reaſon. And ſaith, It is a damnable doctrine to deny all externall means of ſalvation, &c. See page 16.

Anſ. When as the Apoſtle ſaith, We looke not at things which are ſeen, but at things which are not ſeen. For the things that are ſeen are temporall, but the things that are not ſeen are eternall; and that which is to ſavation is eternall, and is not external.

Pr. He ſaith, Wh t word did Paul and Barnabas preach in the ſynagogues, but the Prophets, &c? See page 19.

Anſ. Nay, they preached Chriſt the end of the Prophets.

Pr. He calls that a monſtrous opinion for to compare them to the Heathen, who had not known there had been a God but by the Scriptures, and have no more knowledge but by it, &c. page 20.

Anſ. For the Phariſees had Scriptures (and here heathen men may get Scriptures) but know not the true God; for none knows the true God, but by the ſpirit of God, (and the Son of God reveals the Father) though they may have all the Scriptures: and the light that ſhines in the heart gives the knowledge of him; and this the Apoſtle ſpoke to them that had the Scriptures; and who are of faith, are of Abraham, and in the knowledge of him that knew God before the Scripture was written.

Pr. And he ſaith, That the Law and the Teſtimony is Moſes and the Prophets, &c. See page 21.

Anſ. Contrary to the reſt of the Prieſts, which ſay, it is the Old and New Teſtament; and he and the reſt of the Prieſts are contrary to the Apoſtle, which ſaith, The law and teſtimony is the light, and ſpirit of prophecy; which many may have the Old and New Teſtament, yet deny the light and ſpirit of prophecy, as Prieſts and profeſſors do now, who ſay prophecy is ceaſed. There they deny the practice of the Church, where edification, learning, and comforting is, prophecying all one by one, ſuch they priſon and perſecute; and they are not like to own propheſie, when they deny the light, which doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, who is the end of propheſie; and none owns Chriſt, who owns not propheſie: A Prophet is a Seer, and them that deny Prophets are all blinde, and in the dark, and are ſuch as have ravened from the ſpirit of God, and have killed the Prophets.

Prin. He ſaith, The Prophets are more certaine then any other Revelation. See page 21.

Anſw. Was not the Son of God revealed the end of the Prophets? Did not God reveal him which came in the volume of the Book to do the will of God? And ſo the Prophets and the Law, and types and ſhadows, which they that had the Prophets and the Law, and types and ſhadows, knew not the Son of God that was revealed, that was their end ſpoken of in the Prophets and Epiſtles, who is now revealed.

Pr. He ſaith, The Patriarks and Prophets were juſtified by conceiving Chriſt without, &c. See page 24.

Anſ. Now the Patriarks and Prophets had the ſpirit that did give them an evidence of him, and by faith they ſaw him, which is beyond a conceiving, by which they were juſtified.

Pr. He ſaith, Juſtification by works, and inherent grace we call Chriſt, &c. See page 25.

Anſ. We ſay Chriſt is the end, the ſubſtance, and who believes in him hath ceaſed from his own works, he is the end of gifts and graces; and mans own inherenting, and no one knows juſtification, but who receives the grace that brings ſalvation.

Pr. He ſaith, This juſtification by a righteouſneſſe within us, is mans grand Idoll, and Chriſts arch enemy, &c. See page 25.

Anſ. We are juſtified by faith in Chriſt Jeſus, and that is in us, in the heart, this he calls an Idoll, and Christs enemy, which he is the author of. So what doctrine this man teacheth contrary to the Apoſtle, erred from the Apoſtles; and faith it is that purifies the heart, by which we are juſtified by faith, and not by works, which throws down all Idols, and the enemies of Chriſt, which thou art one; and none owneth juſtification but who witneſſeth juſtification within, faith in the heart, and Chriſt being within, there is juſtification.

Pr. He ſaith, We miſerably wreſt the Scripture, becauſe we ſay, he that reſpecteth perſons commits ſin, &c.

Anſ. Now let all read that in James the Apoſtle, how that he that reſpects perſons commits ſin, and is convinced by the Law as a tranſgreſſor; ſo teaching men to tranſgreſſe the commands of God, contrary to the Apoſtles, who teach men to keep them.

Pr. He ſaith, Popery and vain philoſophy is the foundation of the Quakers Religion, &c. See page 30.

Anſ. Whoſe foundation is the light of Chriſt, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, which was before Popery or Philoſophy was, which you are in, as your books, naming of days, and Colledges, and Steeple-houſes, makes it appear.

Pr. He ſaith And to believe, or thinke our Juſtification is by ſomething wrought in us, is that Antichriſt whoſe name is myſtery, Babylon the great, the mother of Harlots, &c. See page 32.

Anſ. And the Apoſtle ſaith, we are juſtified by the faith of Chriſt Jeſus, Gal. 2. And faith purifies the heart, and is a myſtery held in a pure conſcience. This Juſtification is by the faith of Chriſt within, and this thou calls Antichriſt, and the myſtery of Babylon, who art there thy ſelfe, that be out of this faith that purifies the heart: For all the holy men of God were juſtified by their faith, and the faith is in the heart: And thy belief that is without thee, and faith in Chriſt, is like unto the Jewes, who ſtood againſt him when he was come. True faith gives victory over Myſticall Babylon and the world, in which men pleaſe God, in which is unity.

Ralph Halls Booke, called, The Quakers Principles Quaking. In it his Principles follows, and lies upon himſelfe turned, whoſe works are for the Fire, and to be burned.

Pr. HE ſaith, It is deluſion to give up to the light within to be the Judge, &c. (which is Chriſt) and calls it an obſcure kinde of chymiſtry, &c.

Anſw. Which the Apoſtle commands to judge themſelves; which they cannot judge themſelves but with the Light, by which they may ſee themſelves.

Pr. He ſaith doth the Light of nature (as he calls it) give liberty to women to teach? And ſo that he concludes, and calls groſſe and palpable darkneſs, &c.

Anſ. Contrary to the Apoſtles Doctrine, and the mind of God, and the Prophets, who ſaid God will pour out his Spirit upon all fleſh: and his ſons and daughters ſhould propheſie. So he is a limitter of the holy one; and a quencher of the Spirit, and in the darkneſs, and this is above the Light of nature.

Pr. He ſaith the Quakers blame every thing; and convinceth of nothing, &c.

Anſ. Are ye not all convinced of your hirelings, of your covetouſneſs? of your reſpecting mens perſons for advantage; and your teaching for filthy Lucre: and your gain from your quarters, and your love of money? Are not ye all convinced? Have not the Quakers convinced you all of thoſe things and of your pride, and ambition, and been corrected by, and reproved for this by Quakers and Scriptures?

Pr. He ſaith the Spirit of Light will be Judged by the Scripture, keeping to the Scriptures, &c.

Anſ. Which is contrary to the Scriptures, and the Apoſtles Doctrine. But he is there like to the Jews who had the Scriptures; yet they Judged the ſpirit of Light; But the ſpirit of Light ownes Scriptures, and the Scripture doth not Judge ſpiritual Light, and are not one againſt the other, but are in unitie.

Pr. And whereas he ſaith Noahs Ark was a true figure of the Church of God, ſo Noahs Dove is a clear Embleme of ſuch as through affection of new and unknown pathes do ſtray from the Church of God, &c. See page 1.

Anſ. Now you having ſtrayed from the Church of God which Chriſt ſaid are the falſe Prophets that ſhould come, Matth. 24. and John ſaw was come; and the whole world are gone after you. And ye have brought the Nation to be water, and your tongues are waters, and your multitudes waters, and your peoples waters; upon this occation is the Doves flying abroad, and hath found the Ark of the Teſtimony, and the Quakers hath found no reſt for the ſouls of their foot amongſt you waters, and the opening of the Seals, and the Tabernacle in heaven; For there is nothing but waters among you, the Doves finds ye all waters, not to ſet the ſoles of their feet. But according to the eternal Counſel and promiſe of God, how that the waters ſhould be abated and dryed up, and the people of God begins to inhabit: and the Kings of the earth ſhould not paſſe; and that which you call your Church hath been waters.

Pr. And whereas he brings the ſayings of Scripture that ſpeakes of Prophets, and paſtors, &c. and names places of Scripture to oppoſe Chriſts Command, which ſaith be ye not of men called master, &c. See page 7.

Anſ. Which is to no purpoſe but to manifeſt himſelf a tranſgreſſor that abides not in the Doctrine of Chriſt, that hath not the Father, and the Son.

Pr. And he ſaith the Prophecy of Malachy is upon us, who ſaith, curſed be the deceiver who do not bring in his Tythes, and offerings, &c. See page 9.

Anſ. Which we ſay the Prieſthood is changed, and the offerings is denyed, and he that holdeth them up is under the curſe.

Pr. He ſaith to take the Scriptures as ye ſpeak, brings in all abſurdity, as when the Apoſtle ſaith the prieſthood is changed, the commandment is diſanulled that took tithes; Then he ſaith he would prove that none had Faith to take the Scripture as it is ſpoken: for if they had it (ſaith he) as a grain of muſterd-ſeed, then they ſhould remove mountains, and heal the ſick, &c. See page 10.

Anſ. Now by this he hath ſhewed his Ignorance; for Chriſts words and the Prophets are true as they ſpeak, and the things they ſpeak of the fruits of the Faith as they ſpeak of is known, and the fulfilling of the promiſe; And that which the Apoſtle ſpeakes of Hebr. 7. the Prieſthood is changed, and the Law diſanulled alſo, and another Prieſthood is come in, not after the order of Aaron, but after the order of Melchiſedeck; without Father, without Mother, without beginning of dayes, or end of life. You run into all abſurdities, that gives your meaning to Scriptures, and private Interpretations have brought the world on heaps about the Scriptures; And who are in the Faith, are in the healing of the ſick, and removing mountains; and you who be out of the faith have brought whole Nations into ſickneſſes, and mountains and rough places.

Pr. He ſaith the priests work is changed in point of Adminiſtration onely; but in reſpect of the order, the prieſthood is not changed, &c. See page 11.

Anſ. Contrary to the Apoſtle who ſaid Chriſt came after another order, and not after the order of Aaron: but came after the order of Melchiſedeck. So the order, and all things pertaining to it falls, which Ralph Hall ſaith doth not.

Pr. He ſaith the matter is not changed in any one of the Ceremonies, only the manner of Adminiſtration, &c. See page 11.

Anſ. The firſt Covenant could make nothing perfect, ſaith the Apoſtle. The matter and t •• manner changed of all that pertained to the firſt Prieſthood: the matter and the manner fell down when the life came in, the ſecond Covenant where through the new, and living way was felt, whereby we enter in unto God, by the blood, and life of Jeſus Chriſt and the offering; And not by the firſt Prieſthood, firſt Covenant, Tythes, off rings and ſacrifices; ſo matter, and manner fell all; and Chriſt came out of another Tribe; that is of Judah: And not after the order of Aaron, but after the order of Melchiſedeck, and ſo after another matter.

Pr. And thou brings that concerning Jacobs paying a Tenth to the ſervice of the houſe of God: and why may not ye have Tenthes for the maintenance of the houſe of God (which is called the Steeple houſe) which was the Papiſts Maſſe-houſe. Now ſee what a ſutable meaſure thou haſt, &c. See page 16.

Anſ. There was a time when the Ark was maintained, and the Tabernacle, and the Temple, and the ſtore-houſe and Tythes; And there was a time when all theſe things are utterly denyed. So thou art a man that doth not divide thy work aright, but a workman that may be aſhamed of thy work. Look on thy book who art crying up Tythes and Prieſts, and thou ſaith the order is not changed of Aaron in the ſubſtance, contrary to the Apoſtle, and yet pleads the order of Melchiſedeck, and ſo art in confuſion. And as for the order of Melchiſedeck ye are as ſhort of that, as of Chriſt in whom Melchiſedeck ends.

Pr. H 〈◊〉 the beſt of Gods people have ſin enough to be repented of, and to be humbled for, &c. See page 19.

Anſ. Con •• ary to John who ſaith he that is born of God doth not commit ſin: neither can be, becauſe the ſeed of God remaineth in him; and he keepeth himſelf that the evil one touchet him not, and they was not to lay again the foundation of repentance from dead works; and ſaith the Apoſtle how can we that are dead unto ſin, live any long r •• erein? and ſo hou art ignorant of the Saints ſtate; for ſin exalts and doth not humbl , for that which brings down ſin humbles.

Pr. He ſaith he knowes not one in the Nation that ſues men at the Law, thoſe that will not put into their mouthes, &c. And again he ſaith if they ſhould not ſue at the Law ſuch as do not give them maintenance, they would ſin in doing ſo: for it were to uphold coveteous minds &c. See p. 19.

Anſ. Now this is to prove your coveteous deſires; And the Courts throughout the Nation will witneſs againſt thee: and the moſt ſuites that be in the Nation for one perticular thing is the Prieſts, and the Pariſhioners, becauſe for conſcience ſake they cannot put in their mouthes. Therefore are they worrying of them like Wolves, and deſtroying of them for their diſhoneſt gain which they do no work for. And do not the Miniſters of God the Apoſtles rebuke ſuch as went to law before the unjuſt, one among another? and bids them ſet up the leaſt in the Church to Judge ſuch things, and told them they ſhould Judge the world, yea Angels; and not to go to Law one among another about ſuch things. Then where art thou, and thy generation that ſaith it is a ſin if they do not go to Law? if the Miniſters do not ſue for outward things: let the leaſt in the Church Judge thee. How unlike the Apoſtles you are who kept the Goſpel without charge, and coveted no mans ſilver nor gold, who Preached the Goſpel, the end of the Law, and brought people from under it? And you bring people into it, and your inventions, but the day is come that you are ſeen, and the night is paſt to many, and none can you deceive, but who be in the night, but the Judgement is gone over your heads, the Judge of the world is come.

Pr. He ſaith it was imputed to Abraham for righteouſneſs his Faith: and doubtleſs Job was a perfect man in Gods account, and Chriſts righteouſneſs is imputed to us, &c.

Anſ. Yet thou ſ it none oth good no not one, and brings that Scripture in the Rom. comparing them that were in the Faith withall them that were gone aſtray both Jewes and Gentiles, See page 21. Now let all try, and Judge thee here and ſee thy falſe meaſure, art thou a man fit to ſpeak of the Saints and their Faith, who puts them that be a ſtray, Jews and Gentiles, Amongſt them that believe, putting no difference betwixt the precious and the vile, and ſo art not a man capable of true reaſon.

Pr. He ſaith Gods furnace is the grave, where all the remainder of corruption ſhall be conſumed, &c. See page 22.

Anſ. Now what differs this from the Papiſts who hold a Purgatory? And the Saints witneſſed, and ſaid, Now they were waſhed, now they were cleanſed, &c. while they were upon earth; and they were ſanctified through the obe ience of the ſpirit, & they were juſtified, and ſate in heavenly places, on this ſide the grave, whiles they were upon earth, and were made free from ſin, and was perfect.

Pr. He ſaith, That Paul diſclaimed perfection in himſelfe, &c. page 23.

Anſ. Who ſaid, as many of us as are perfect be thus minded (which wrongs Pauls words) And again he ſaith, We ſpeak wiſdome among them that are perfect.

Pr. He ſaith, If a man were free from ſin, he would be free from temporall puniſhment, and afflictions, &c. ſee page 23.

Anſ. Chriſt was free from ſin, and the Saints, and yet he was not free from temporall puniſhment and affliction: And ſo here he doth not divide the word aright neither.

Pr. He ſaith, If we attain to perfection here, we ſhould attain to a reſt here, and brings the Apoſtles words, who ſaith, doubtleſſe there remains a reſt to the people of God, &c. See page 24.

Anſ. And the Apoſtle ſaith there, He that doth believe hath entered into his reſt; and ſo he doth not divide the word aright, to know what ſtate and condition it was ſpoken to: And the Apoſtle ſaid, they were perfect (the Miniſters of Chriſt) and he hath perfected for ever them that are ſanctified; and ſo thou art not a ſanctified one, and hath denyed the offering that hath perfected for ever them that are ſanctified, and ſo hath denyed the Covenant that blots out ſin and tranſgreſſion; and the blood of Chriſt cleanſeth from all ſin.

Pr. But he ſaith, That doth not follow, that he that is dead to ſin, is freed from ſin. See page 24.

Anſ. So he is contrary to the Apoſtle, who ſaith ſo, He that is dead to ſin, is freed from ſin, and can live no longer therein.

Pr. He ſaith, The law of God is a ſtanding rule to the worlds end, &c. And thou that ſaith the Law is a ſtanding rule, hath denyed Chriſt the end of it. See page 25.

Anſw. But the Scripture and Chriſt ſaith, the Law muſt be fulfilled, who is the everlaſting covenant in the heart, Chriſt, and in the minde the end of the Law, which was before the Scripture was written, glorified with the Father before the world began; which many have the Scriptures, and yet from the Law of God written in the heart, and neglect that which brings into Covenant with God, by which the Scriptures is fulfilled; and ſo here again thou doſt not divide the word aright, and brings not people into that which doth fulfill Scripture.

Pr. He ſaith, Becauſe this light doth not lead us to cloſe with Gods Ordinances the Sacraments, he looks upon it as a deluſion of Satan, page 26.

Anſw. The Scriptures mentions no ſuch word; and the light was before your invented Sacraments was, and cannot joyn with them, but condemns them, but it owns the Scripture and the Ordinances of God.

Richard Baxter's Booke called, A Second Sheet to the Miniſtry, juſtifying our Call againſt the QUAKERS, &c. His Principles follow. Becauſe the Children of God cannot ſatisfie his ungodly luſts, therefore he is complaining to the Magiſtrates. So he is one of the Complainers and Murmurers.

Pr. HE ſaith, That Timothy was not to hold fast that which he had immediately received from God, but that which he had received from Paul, &c. See page 5.

Anſw. In this thou art contrary to the Apoſtle, who bid stir up the gift that was in him, and keep the faith (which Chriſt was the author of) and that would not contradict the Apoſtles words that was in the faith; and that which Timothy received from God, he was to hold faſt, in which he had unity with the Apoſtle.

Pr. He ſaith, The holy Ghost is to help us in keeping that which is committed to us, and not to reveal more. See page 4.

Anſw. Timothy could not know doctrine but by revelation, and doing the will of Chriſt. How art thou exalted, and would put lyes upon the Apoſtle, and limit the holy one, and ſet bounds to the Juſt, and be a Teacher of the holy Ghoſt, what it muſt not reveal? How art thou exalted in this above all that is called God, and ſits in the Temple of God blaſphemouſly? who would be a teacher of the holy Ghoſt, who muſt be the Teacher, and who tells what it muſt reveal, and what it muſt not reveal? Thou muſt be ſtopt for thy preſumption. If ye have nothing but what the holy Ghoſt hath given forth, the form of words, the Church of Rome hath the ſame, and all the falſe Prophets upon the earth, and Antichriſts, and Seducers, and the Devils, they get the Scriptures given forth from the holy Ghoſt, and holdeth theſe words in the unrighteouſneſſe, and ſtop, and reſiſt the holy Ghoſt, and ſay it muſt reveal no more: Theſe comes under the judgements of the Almighty, Gods decree is againſt them, and the Spirit, the holy Ghoſt doth lead into all truth, and doth reveal; and the Apoſtle bids the Saints wait for the revelation of Jeſus: And the grace was brought by the revelation of Jeſus, and the ſecrets are revealed to them that feare God, and the ſpirit reveals the things of God, and thou ſaith it reveals no more; which ſhews thou doth not know Scriptures, nor God, nor ſpirit.

Pr. Whereas thou ſaith, Ye have the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apoſtles, & Chriſts words, and ſo are not to look for new Prophets, and that would be a queſtion to the Church, and that would ſhew mutability in Chriſt. See page 6.

A. In this thou haſt ſhewed thy ſelf of what generation thou art; For there hath been the Mother, and the Harlot, that hath drunk the blood of the Prophets, and the Martyrs, and the Saints; and ſuch as drink the blood have the forme, and get the ſheeps cloathing, but cries propheſie is ceaſed, and revelation from heaven is ceaſed, onely they have a ſtanding rule, the Scriptures without; and ſo there they have their cloathing, the ſheeps cloathing, but ravened from the ſpirit, and ſo hath denyed the Church in which there is prophecy, and the ſpirit of God; for where that is, there is propheſie amongſt ſons and daughters, but not amongſt you apoſtates.

Pr. He finds fault with a man that will not believe except he ſee, as inſtance, a man will not believe they are Miniſters of Chriſt, except they worke miracles, &c. And a man will not believe there is a Parliament, or Holland, or France, or Spain, except he have been in them, &c. See page 6. & 7.

Anſw. Thou and thy wits are compaſſed, for Revelations and Prophecies are now ſpoken forth and witneſſed, and thou cannot believe, becauſe thou doſt not ſee; and thou art finding fault with others that do not believe, becauſe they do not ſee. Thou art ſeen and diſapproved, and ſo now in that thou judges others, thou art judged thy ſelfe, who art blinde and out of the life; and many may ſee there is a Holland, and other Countreys, though they have not ſeen them with an outward eye: And we believe the Miniſters of Chriſt, though they do not work miracles; but from them are you apoſtatized we do believe and ſee.

Pr. He ſaith, The Saints were not to forſake the aſſembling of themſelves together as the manner of ſome was, &c. See page 8.

Anſw. That was in the time of the Apoſtles before the apoſ •• cy: But ſince the apoſtacy, the Beaſt, and the falſe Prophets, and the murtherers of the Saints are got up, which aſſemble themſelves together, and deceive the Nations, and are breaking the Saints meetings which gather ther, that keep the teſtimony of Jeſus, and the ſpirit of propheſie, and overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and the teſtimony of Jeſus. And Chriſt who is the Rock, and his Church doth continue: but that which Chriſt ſaid ſhould come is come, the falſe Prophets that ſhould get the ſheep cloathing, and John ſaw was come, which went forth from them, which made war againſt the Saints and the Lamb; but the Saints and the Lamb ſhall get the victory: And we are come to the aſſembly of the Saints before you were apoſtatized; for your aſſemblies hath forſaken the Saints, your fruits declare it.

Pr. He ſaith, Becauſe they have the peoples conſent, and the Magiſtrates allowance, therefore that is true ordination, &c. See page 11.

Anſ. Balaam he had the peoples conſent, and the Heatheniſh Magiſtrates allowance, when he ſhould have curſed the children of Iſrael, and ſo this is no proof of ordination: And the chief Prieſts had the peoples conſent; and the Magiſtrates many of them which turned againſt Chriſt, this is no ordination to be Miniſters of Chriſt. And the Beaſt and the falſe Prophet ſhall riſe againſt the Lamb and the Saints, and yet they ſhall have ſheeps cloathing, this is no proof of their ordination from God, but all this proves it from man: But all who have their ordination from God, are not owned neither by people nor Magiſtrates in their wills; but who feare God, and are come to the ſpirit of God by that, to which they miniſter, and never went to the Magiſtrates for their allowance; and here again you are apoſtates from the Apoſtles, and in the ſteps of the falſe Prophets, whoſe ordination is by the conſent of the people, and your allowance from the Magiſtrates, who are from the allowance of Chriſt that he gives to his Miniſters, and the ordination of the Apoſtles, that was not from man, nor by man.

Pr. Thou bids us marke the Canon of the Holy Ghost in Timothy. See page 11.

Anſ. And there is no ſuch word as Canon in Timothy; and thou tells us of a Catholique Church, and we cannot finde any ſuch word in Scripture, that it ſpeaks of any ſuch word; but we perceive whom thou haſt learned theſe words of, what center and ſtock thou comeſt of, from the Pope, and not from the Apoſtles.

Pr. He ſaith, They have an un-interrupted ſucceſſion drawn from the Apoſtles, &c. See page 13.

Anſw. For your ſucceſſion is from the Pope, apoſtatized from the Apoſtles, ye are out of the Apoſtles Doctrine, in all your whole worſhip corrected, and reproved by Scripture. Did the Apoſtle ſet up a Temple, ſet up tythes, ſet up your Schools and Colledges? Is not the Pope the Author of all this? Are not yee his Succeſſors?

Pr. Thou ſayes, Ye are the Miniſters of Chriſt, becauſe ye have the Scriptures and books, and ſuch like, and you are not uſurpers of the authority, &c. See page 16.

A. Now there is never a one of you all that ever durſt ſay, ye have heard Gods voice immediately from heaven, or Chriſts voyce, or have the ſame ſpirit as the Prophets and Apoſtles, and Chriſt had, or immediate revelations from heaven as they had: So then you be in another ordination then they was in, and uſurpers of authority into your miniſtry, and intruders into thoſe things you never ſaw: And cannot any one be as good a Paſtor or Miniſter as you, ſeeing all your teaching is but from books and other mens writings? Why may not others learn the ſame books, and writings, and ſo come to be Teachers and Paſtors as well as you, ſeeing you have nothing but from Books and Writings, and old Authors? Why may not all that read thoſe be Paſtors and Teachers, and ſo then where be the hearers? and ſo with the life are you all judged. The ſpirit of God which gave forth Scriptures, which was before your old Books and Authors were.

Thomas Higginſon, his Book called, The Teſtimony of the True JESƲS. His PRINCIPLES follow, &c.

Pr. HE ſaith, The Word is not righteouſneſſe without the fleſh, &c. See page 3.

Anſ. The Word is righteous it ſelfe, and the fleſh righteous as it became.

Pr. He ſaith, Men are preſented perfect to God, and without ſpot, before any work done, or good whatſoever, &c. page 3.

Anſ. There is none doth the work of God but who believes; and he that believes overcomes the world, and his works are wrought in God, and he hath the word o reconciliation in him: And by this means of thine all the world is preſented perfect to God; for he is the offering for the whole world. But them that believe are partakers, and them that do not believe are condemned. Yet I ſay the Lord helps the unbelief of many, who is the Saviour of all men, eſpecially of them that believe; and men are not preſented to God while they do evill, and afore they are ſanctified and holy.

Pr. He ſaith, The inviſible things of God, and the eternall power and glory of God may be known by that of God in every man, but not his good pleaſure or purpoſe of grace, &c. See page 4.

Anſ. Is the glory ſeen, and that known, the God-head known? the inviſible things of God, and the eternall power, and not the good pleaſure of God, nor his purpoſe of grace? Doth not the God-head dwell in Chriſt and his fulneſſe bodily? And is not Chriſt the power of God? And he that knows God and his glory, and eternall power and God-head, Doth not he know the Son? Conſider that; For he that hath known the Son hath known the Father alſo, and grace and the purpoſe of God.

Pr. He ſaith, Man may know God, and his eternall power, and God-head, and glory, and yet know nothing of the myſtery of Chriſt, nor can that (which thou ſaith ſhews theſe things) lead unto the myſtery of the knowledge of Christ, &c. See page 4.

Anſw. Where the eternall power and God-head is known, his power, his glory, and the inviſible things of God, there is ſomething of Chriſt known, the myſtery. For, there is none knows the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son reveals him: And he that knows the Father knows the Son.

Pr. He ſaith, To ſay that Chriſt is within man, is to worſhip Angels, and not to hold the head Christ, &c. See page 5.

Anſw. Which none comes to witneſſe Chriſt the head, but who witneſs him in them, that the Angels muſt worſhip, that dyed, and ſuffered at Jeruſalem; and they that worſhip him in them, worſhips not the Angels; and they that are not worſhipping him in them, are worſhipping Men, Devils, or Angels.

Pr. He ſaith, It is a bewitching of the mindes, to preach Chriſt within the Saints, &c.

Anſw. Did not the Apoſtle ſay to the ſame Coloſſians, of worſhipping of Angels, not holding the head? Did not he preach Chriſt in them, the ſame Coloſſians? And he told them of intruding into things they never ſaw. Did not he ſay, Chriſt in you the hope of glory whom we preach? warning every man, that we may preſent every man perfect in Chriſt Jeſus. How doſt thou devide the word contrary to the Apoſtles and Chriſt Jeſus? and calls this Doctrine bewitching; and thou that preacheth another doctrine contrary to his, art accurſt.

Pr. He ſaith, To ſay (the light in every one wherewith Chriſt Jeſus hath enlightned them withall that comes into the world) is the way to Chriſt and the Father, and is the ſure word of propheſie which people are to take heed unto. He ſaith, this is to deny the perſon of Chriſt, as the object of faith, and the Scriptures as the rule of faith, and faith it ſelfe, &c. See page 8.

Anſw. In this thou haſt ſhewed thy ignorance; for none knows the perſon of Chriſt but with the light that comes from him: None knows the Mediator, none knows the Author of their faith, but with the light that comes from Chriſt: And none knows the Scriptures of truth but with the light: And Chriſt is the rule of faith, and author of it, and giver; And many may have Scriptures and not ſaith; ſo in this thou devides not the word aright, uncapable of dividing the word; and that is the ſure word of propheſie that ſhines in a dark place, which people are to take heed unto, till the day dawn, and the day-ſtar ariſe in their hearts.

Pr. He ſaith, To ſay that redemption & righteouſneſs is wrought within, is to bring Chriſt down from above out of heaven, or raiſe him from the dead, and to make the blood of Chriſt as another mans, &c. See page 9.

Anſw. Now Chriſt is not known to be the juſtification, but as he is known within, and redemption out of Adams ſtate in the fall. For he that believes hath the witneſſe in himſelfe, and ceaſeth from his own works, and enters into his reſt, as God did from his: For the world may profeſſe Chriſt without them; but if he be not within them, they are reprobates, and ſhall fall ſhort of the juſtification and redemption if he be not within them: And if they have not the Son of God, they have not life; and many will ſay, Lord, but doth not the thing that he commands. And one of thy generation of Profeſſors that writ againſt the Quakers, and ſaid, That the blood of Chriſt was corruptible (and ſo it was like the blood of another man) and thou ſaith it is not. Now we ſay, that blood which cleanſeth from all ſin is incorruptible; and they that witneſſe Chriſt in them, and juſtification and redemption, and need not ſay, who ſhall raiſe Chriſt from the dead, or fetch him from above, as thou ſays.

Pr. He ſaith, Obedience to the ſpirit within, and Christ a worker and a Law-giver in their conſcience, and a worker of it in their perſons but not as a Saviour: and what of God is felt or wrought in them, that they believe. While the unſpeakable righteouſneſs, opperation of life in Chriſt reſerved, with faith, liberty, joy and peace, &c. is hid from their eyes, &c. See page 10.

Anſ. Now can any be obedient to the ſpirit within, and to Chriſt a worker, and a Law-giver, and feel the work of God in themſelves, and believe it; and yet the unſpeakable righteouſneſs and the operation of life hid in Chriſt, and faith, and liberty, joy, and peace to be hid from their eyes? Can a man know all theſe things, and yet not know Chriſt to be a Saviour? here thou art judged, and thy knowledg; for he that knows theſe things, knows a Saviour; and let the righteous judge, whoſe eyes are open, how thou divides the word.

Pr. He ſaith, Faith holds things as true in Chriſt, though hid from ſenſe and feeling, &c. See page 11.

Anſw How cometh the juſt to live then if there be not a feeling in his faith? And how cometh he to have the victory then over the world? And how doth faith purifie if there be not a feeling? And how is it holden then in a pure conſcience if there be not a feeling? And how cometh he to have acceſſe to God through faith? And doth not the Scripture ſpeak of them that was in the faith, felt and handled the word of life? And was this without the faith of Gods elect, or ſenſe? Therefore in this thou may ſee in this how uncapable thou art to divide the word.

Pr. He ſaith, They that put ſpirituall working for the grace of Chriſt, they destroy Christ Jeſus. See page 11.

Anſ. They do not deſtroy Chriſt Jeſus, that put ſpirituall working for the grace of Chriſt, for the works of the ſpirit doth not deſtroy Chriſt; for where the works of the ſpirit are, there is the grace of Chriſt Jeſus; and none owns Chriſt, but who be in the works of the ſpirit, and his graces; and they deſtroyed Chriſt, and deny him that be out of the works of the ſpirit, and his graces are ſpiritual workings.

Pr. He ſaith, The ſight of the God-head without faith in Chriſt is the foundation of all falſe worſhips, &c. See ſame page.

Anſ. Can any ſee the God-head? have a ſight of the God-head? and not ſee Chriſt, and have faith in Chriſt? And who have faith in Chriſt, do they not ſee the fulneſſe of the Godhead dwells in him Chriſt. And was not their minds turned from that of God in them (which declared the inviſible things of him from the Creation, of his Eternal Power, and Godhead) which the Apoſtle ſound fault withall? Let all examine and Judge, and read the Scripture Rom. 1. and try.

Pr. He ſaith obedience to Chriſt within is a ſentence of the Law not of grace, and denying Christ overwhelming the afflicted in ſorrow without hope, and turning the feet of the lame out of the way. And bids beware of ſuch Doctrine, &c. See page 12.

Anſ. If people muſt beware of the Doctrine of the Apoſtles who hath told them, Chriſt was in them except they were reprobates, And Chriſt was within them the hope of glory, to whom he Preached; For they turn people out of the way who keep them reprobates without hope, and is a denying of Chriſt that Preacheth not Chriſt within, and a keeping people under the Law, which Chriſt is the end of, and where Chriſt within is, there is obedience which is the end of the Law, and there is grace.

Pr. He ſaith the Juſtification and redemption by obeying the Light within, appears to his underſtanding to be a myſtery of iniquity, &c. See page 13.

Anſ. Thy underſtanding muſt come to nought, for he that believeth is Juſtified from all things, and comes not into condemnation, and he hath the witneſs in himſelf. And that lets him ſee his Redeemer, his Mediator and Saviour the Light, which walking in it, he is cleanſed from all ſin, and ſo no myſtery of iniquity, for the myſtery of iniquity is out of the Light: none ſees Juſtification and Redemption but with the Light within, which comes from Chriſt who hath enlightened him.

Pr. He ſaith the Miniſtration of grace cannot he known by the Light which Christ hath enlightened every man that cometh into the world withall, &c. See page 14.

Anſ. Contrary to John who ſaith, as many as receiveth him to them he gives power to become the Sons of God, and no one knowes the Miniſtration of grace but by the Light which comes from Chriſt the Covenant of grace.

Pr. He ſaith none can know the myſtery of God in Chriſt with the Light in them, &c. See page 14.

Anſ. Which is contrary to Scripture, I will give him for a Covenant, for a Light to the Gentiles, he ſhall be my ſalvation to the ends of the earth ſaith the Lord. So this was the ſalvation, ſo it gives the knowledge of the Miniſtery of ſalvation, the Light that ſhines in the heart gives the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus, who is the myſtery that ſhines in the heart of them that believe in it; and them that do not, are condemed with the Light. And ſo they are reproved with the ſpirit of truth which leads the Diſciples into all truth, which ſpirit the world cannot receive, for they do not receive the Light, and ſo are not like to receive the Spirit of truth.

Pr. He ſaith the Light of Chriſt (in natural man) knowes nothing of the ſpirit, &c. And the Scripture was the Image of Chriſt without, &c. See page 14.

Anſ. Scriptures without are writings, and endures not for ever, but the power, Chriſt the power of God endures for ever; And who ever is in the Light, cometh to know Chriſt in the ſpirit, him who is the life. And it leads the natural man from his natural ſtate that believes in it, For all by nature are the children of wrath: who believes in it, it leads from the nature; and from the wrath, which who believes in it is made free from the wrath to come, and they that believe not in the Light are reproved by the ſpirit, and that which reproves them is manifeſt to them, and ſo they know it.

Pr. He ſaith to affirm the Light in the conſcience (which we ſay is the Light of Christ) the way or guide to Chriſt whereto onely to attend; is a darkſome, fleſhly, and moſt legal principle, and calls it grave wherein Chriſt is buried, &c. See page 15.

Anſ. Which is contrary to Chriſts Doctrine, who ſaith he that believes in the Light ſhall not walk in darkneſs, but have the Light of life. And he that does believe in the Light, hath entered into his reſt and come to the Sabbath, out of the grave and out of the legal and out of the fleſhly, and out of condemnation. And none comes to the Son Chriſt, but who comes to the Light which comes from him which he hath enlightened them withall.

Pr. And again he ſaith to ſay the Light in every man is Chriſt the Redeemer is a two-fold errour, &c. See ſame page.

Anſ. Contrary to John who ſaith this is the true Light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world. And he was in the world, and the world knew him not. So ſhewes himſelf to be one of the ſtock of the world that knowes not him that was, and is in them the Light of the world, and the world knew him not; which he that believeth in the Light hath the Light of life, and he that receiveth the Light, receiveth Chriſt the Redeemer. And he that receiveth Chriſt, receiveth his ſpirit. And he that receiveth not the Light that he is enlightened withall, receiveth not his Redeemer but hates him: it is his condemnation, and he is in the errour.

Pr. He ſaith the Light within was not given for righteouſneſs, neither could it reveal or give life, &c. page 16.

Anſ. Contrary to Chriſt who ſaith he that believes in the Light ſhall have the Light of life. So thou art unskilfull in the word and Doctrine of Chriſt, and Chriſt within is given for righteouſneſs; who reveals the Father and gives life, and they that have not Chriſt the Light within are reprobates.

Pr. He ſaith the Light within knowes nothing of the precious Goſpel Myſtery, See pag. 16.

Anſ. Contrary to the Apoſtle who ſaid the Light that ſhined in their hearts ſhould give the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus, and the Light within comes from the myſtery, and is of the myſtery it ſelf, and lets ſee the precious myſtery which none knowes but with the Light within, and ſo the God of the world hath blinded thy mind, and hath ſhewed thy ſelf that thou art of them that hates the Light, and ſhewes that thou comes not to it; for he that comes to it, comes to the myſtery, for the leaſt Light of Chriſt in man is of the myſtery, and comes from the myſtery.

Pr. He ſaith, to ſay Chriſt came to Redeem the Iſrael from the Law without, to eſtabliſh the work within, and law in the conſcience, in obedience unto which men come to be Redeemed, and the Law in the heart, thus to ſay he ſaith is an errour, &c. See page 16.

Anſ. Contrary to the Apoſtle who Preached the redemption, eſtabliſhed the Law in the heart, and Chriſt within who redeemes men from under the Law, who is the end of it, and the word of Faith in the heart, and they that have not this be in the errour, though they may talk of Chriſt.

Pr. He ſaith it is the Divinity of Sophiſters, and a blotting out of the glory of the grace of Christ, to ſet forth Chriſt as a law-giver, and worker in us, &c. See page 17.

Anſ. Which I ſay, none knowes him as a Mediator and a law-giver, nor an offering, nor his blood that cleanſeth them but as they know him working in them, and they be in the Sophiſtery of their Divinity that knowes not the glory of the grace of Chriſt working in them.

Pr. He ſaith a man ſhall not ſee himſelf dead and buried with Chriſt, and raiſed up with Christ by any work or obedience to Christ within, &c. See page 18.

Anſ. He that believes hath the witneſs in himſelf; and there is the work within, and that is the work of God: and Faith is wrought within. And this is contrary to ſelf, for over it, it gives victory, and teacheth to deny himſelf; So ſee how thou confounds thy ſelf; and he that believes is paſt from death to life, and they that are dead with Chriſt ſeekes thoſe things that are from above.

Pr. He ſaith again, the Light within is the ſpirit of the world, &c. See page 18.

Anſ. Contrary to Johns doctrine who ſaith he was in the world and the world knew him not, neither doth your ſpirits of the world know him now, and the worlds Spirit knew him not, and the world hates the Light, and darkneſs cannot comprehend it, though it ſhines in darkneſs. And here thou art medling with things that are too heavy for thee, and the corner ſtone falls a top of thee, and the Light that enlighteneth every one that cometh into the world, was before the ſpirit of the world was.

Pr. He ſaith that they that affirm the light in every man that condemnes for ſin to he Chriſt the Redeemer, have ſet up an Idol, &c. See page 19.

Anſ. Doth not Chriſt ſay, I am the Light of the world, which is the true Light, that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, who is the Redeemer and the Salvation to the ends of the earth, and he that receiveth it receiveth Chriſt. And is not this it that brings off of all Idols? And are not they ſetting up Idols, that are from the Light? And doth not Chriſt the Light come to condemn ſin in the fleſh? and is that the Idoll? How dare thou ſay ſo! he was manifeſt in the fleſh, to condemn ſin in the fleſh; and he ſaith, I am the light, and that is not an Idoll.

Pr. He ſaith, Chriſt comes not down in ſpirit into our perſons to redeem, but to manifeſt the redemption; and ſaith, he cometh the ſecond time without ſinne unto ſalvation, &c. See page 21.

Anſw. The Apoſtle bids them worke out their ſalvation with fear and trembling. And Chriſt brings not peace on earth, but a ſword, and judgment, and comes to make blind, who is the redemption, and makes it manifeſt by his ſpirit, and whoſe light doth condemn him that hates it, for he will not have that which manifeſts ſalvation; And whoſoever knoweth redemption, knoweth it to be manifeſt in him from Chriſt.

Pr. He ſaith, They who had the light within, and pierced into the inviſible things, and eternall power, and God-head, had but the wiſdome of this world, &c. page 23.

Anſ. And ſo he would make the light of Chriſt, the wiſdome of this world; which light cometh from Chriſt the wiſdome of God: the wiſdome of the world, cannot pierce into the eternall power and God-head.

Pr. He ſaith, The light within denies all things that God hath done for us in Chriſt, which hath no glory, but ſpreads a veil over, &c. page 25.

Anſ. Which none knows what God hath done for us, nor ſees the glory in Chriſt, but by the light which comes from him, who works all both in us and for us, according to his good will and pleaſure, and brings not to deny what God worketh in us; and they nullifie it that are againſt his light, and are againſt his glorious perſon; for the light that's within lets ſee his glory.

Pr. He ſaith, Obedience to the light within is another atonement, and a denying the atonement of Chriſt, and calls it a myſtery of iniquity. See page 28.

Anſw. VVhich none knows the attonement of Chriſt but by the light within, and all be in the myſtery of iniquity that be out of the Light which cometh from Chriſt the covenant of God to Jewes and Gentiles, and that gives them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ Jeſus. Mark! he ſaith, the light is that which gives the knowledge, and the Light within doth not ſet up another atonement; but they do that do deny the light within, ſet up another atonement then Chriſt.

Pr. He ſaith, To obey the Law within (which we ſay is the law of the ſpirit of life, which makes free from ſin and death) in this he ſaith, we agree with the Papists and Pagans. See page 30.

Anſw Now in this thou may ſee where thou art out of the Apoſtles doctrine: And neither thee nor the Papiſts, nor Pagans own us in this, that we ſhould be made free from the Law of ſin and death, while we be upon the earth: And here the blood of Jeſus is witneſſed, and the attonement, and the Father and the Son, and this is all ſeen with the Light within.

Pr. He ſai h, He began by faith to behold the love, joy, and redemption prepared for him, before any evill or good was done by him, &c. page 37.

Anſw. Doſt not thou ſay, thou beheld it by faith? And now is not the work good to behold by faith? And doth not that give victory over the evill? And doth not that do good that beholds by faith? And ſo what is not of faith is ſinne.

Pr. He ſaith, He is in heavenly places, and yet in the ſhadow of death with the earthly. See page 38.

Anſw. He that is in heavenly places is in Christ Jeſus, a new creature: And he that believeth in the light, ſhall not abide in darkneſſe; ſo comes out of ſhadows: And he that believeth, abideth not in the condemnation, and ſo comes out of the ſhadow of death, though they have ſate in the ſhadow of death before belief; and comes out of the earth, and ſo haſt proved thy ſelf not a true believer, which comes out of the ſhadows, and death.

Pr. He ſaith, To purifie the members, as reckoning it our redemption, our righteouſneſſe, all ſuch purity is ſin, blindneſs, and idolatry, page 40.

Anſ. And the Apoſtle calls Chriſt our redemption, and our ſanctification, and our righteouſneſſe; and ſo we can truly ſay Chriſt is ours, and no idolaters. And them that cannot ſay Chriſt is their ſanctification, redemption, righteouſneſs, and mortification, is in the idolizing and ſin.

Pr. He ſaith, The way to attain the ſpirit of Chriſt is not by waiting on the light within, &c. ſee page 52.

Anſw. Chriſt ſaith, believe in the light, that ye way be children of the light; and he that is a child of the light, cometh to the birth born of the ſpirit: And Chriſt doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world; And as many as received him he gave them power to become the ſons of God: And none hears faith, but who hears the light within, which is Chriſt within, who is the Author of it, by which the ſpirit is received.

Pr. He ſaith, That doctrine or ſpirit that calls to the Light within, doth but build up the worſhip of the world, &c. page 53.

Anſ Contrary to the Apoſtle, who ſaid, The light that ſhined in their hearts would give them the light of the knowledge of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus. And Chriſt ſaith, they that worſhip God, muſt worſhip him in truth; And he is the light, and he is the truth, that doth enlighteth every man that comes into the world, and this throws down all the worſhip of the world. And I ſay, none comes out of the worſhips of the world, and the doctrines of the world, but who comes to the light wherewith Chriſt hath enlightned every man, &c. that ſhines in the darkneſs, and the darkneſſe comprehends it not.

Pr. He ſaith, To believe in God as in the Light within men, redeeming from ſin, is to deny the witneſſe of the Son, and have neither Son nor Father, &c. page 54.

Anſ. Which I ſay, none owns the witneſſe of the Son, but who owns the Light which comes from the Son with which he is enlightned; Nor none knows the Father nor the Son, nor receives them, but who receives the light which Chriſt the Son hath enlightned them withall, nor knows God to be a Saviour but by the Light within.

Pr. He ſaith, They that ſeeke for righteouſneſſe by obedience to the light within, differs nothing from the Jewes, but onely in the copies of the Law, &c. See page 56.

Anſ. None ſees the obedience of Chriſt the ſecond Adam, the end of the Law, and copies of it, but with the Light within, which comes from Chriſt Jeſus, that brings in righteouſneſs, and ends ſin and tranſgreſſion, who is the end of the righteous Law, with which light man ſees the weakneſs and unprofitableneſs of it, and the types and the ſhadows of it, which Chriſt is known in the light within, who ends it.

Pr He ſaith, To reſt in hope that I am ſaved from ſin and wrath by the blood of Chriſt the head, and while conſcience condemns for ſin, this is to hope againſt hope, &c. See page 57.

Anſ. Such as are ſaved from the wrath by Chriſt the head, and his blood, they are ſaved from their ſins: And then they that are ſaved from their ſins, how can conſcience condemn for ſin, and the wrath come upon them for ſin; and they that are ſaved from the wrath, they are ſaved from their ſins: But where conſcience doth condemn for ſin, there is wrath; and he cannot witneſſe a cleanſing, nor ſalvation wrought out, nor ſaved from ſin, but is in the falſe hope, and not in the true hope which goes againſt hope, for the true hope is Chriſt within.

Pr. Whereas thou ſpeaks of Chriſts working and giving an example, &c. page 67.

Anſ. Yet thou and the reſt are offended at thoſe people that are called Quakers, who ſay Christ was their example. And ſo ye can allow what ye ſpeak your ſelves; but if another ſpeak the ſame words, it is an offence to you.

Pr. He ſaith, Such as preach redemption by the light in every man are not of God, &c. See pag. 70.

Anſ. The redemption of Chriſt the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world; And every man that cometh into the world that ſeeth his redemption, it is by the light, which he that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world hath enlightned him with, which is Chriſt the Redeemer, the Saviour, the ſecond Adam, the way to the Father, who ſhall make every tongue to confeſs him to the glory of God; but thou that hates the light art condemned.

Pr. He ſaith, Not the light in every man, but the words of the Prophets and Apoſtles, is that which leads to the Lord Jeſus, &c. See Page 82.

Anſ. Many may have the words of the Prophets, and the Apoſtles, but none comes to that which leads to the Lord Jeſus, but who comes into the light, and life that the Prophets and Apoſtles was in, which Chriſt Jeſus is the end of, who doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world. Therefore every man that cometh into the world muſt come to the light which Chriſt hath enlightned him withal, before he come to the end of the Prophets and the Apoſtles, Chriſt Jeſus the Lord of life and glory.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scriptures are the image of Christ; and he that ſeeks for God out of the humanity of Chriſt, he ſhall loſe both God and himſelf, &c. See pag. 82.

Anſw. The Scriptures are writings, and the writings will not endure for ever; and the image of Chriſt is the image of God. And all who be in the life that gave forth Scriptures, be in the image of Chriſt, which was afore Scripture was; and all that have the Scriptures out of the life that gave them forth, they have not the image: And he that is out of the truth may have the Scriptures; but he is out of the image, all are who be out of the truth; but who be in the truth, be in the image. And God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himſelfe. And who knows the Son, knows the Father: And he that hath found the Son, hath found the Father alſo. And he that ſeeks after God out of Chriſt, ſhall never finde him.

And as for the reſt of thy lyes and ſlanders in thy Book, and unſavoury expreſſions which are not worthy mentioning, upon thy own head they will come one day, and thy own words ſhall be thy burthen.

Jeremiah Ives his Booke, called, Innocency above Impudency, or the ſtrength of Righteouſneſse exalted above the QƲAKERS Weakneſſe and Wickedneſſe. His Principles are as followeth.

Pr. HE ſaith, It is a rare thing to ſee any of the ſeed of the Devill grown up to that degree of impudence to charge a man, that he hath done that which he never did do, &c.

Anſw. The ſeed of the Devill always ſaid that which was not true, ſo not a rare thing to finde them; for the Devill and his ſeed is out of the truth, and when he ſpeaks a lye, he ſpeaks of himſelfe, and ſo ſpeaks a thing that is not, and there thou art.

Pr. He ſaith, The Apostle in his Catalogue of the evils of the times, &c. page 1.

Anſ. Is it not better to call the Scripture a declaration (as they call themſelves) then to call them a Catalogue? and ſome of you vvill ſay it is a Hiſtory, and ſome a Catalogue; and again ye vvill ſay, it is the Word of God, which the Scriptures of truth is words; and God is the Word, and thou art in the evill time, out of the good, and thy time and day is evill.

Pr. He ſaith, The Quakers give that name (as quaking) to themſelves, and others do not give it them as a Nick-name, &c. See page 2.

Anſw. The firſt that ever I did hear them called Quakers, and the name given to them of Quakers, was one Gervaſe Bennet in Darby, a perſecutor called a Juſtice of Peace, though many years before the power of the Lord was witneſſed, yet I never heard them have that name of Quakers given, before that corrupt Juſtice gave it them, and miſnamed them ſo, and in ſcorn called them ſo, and thou art one of his Scholers; and Quaking and trembling we own, though they in ſcorn calls us ſo; and the ſalvation wrought out with fear and trembling we witneſs.

Pr. He ſaith, The Devill ſpeaks truth ſometimes, &c. page 2.

Anſ. Chriſt ſaith, he was a lyar from the beginning; and when he ſpeaks a lye, he ſpeaks of himſelfe, and hath no truth in him; and ſo he cannot ſpeak truth as it is in him; And the greateſt profeſſors upon the earth are there, of the Devill that ſpeaketh the words of truth, but not as they are in it, as ſo ſaith Chriſt to the Jewes, they were of their father the Devill, they ſpeak of themſelves. So they that ſpeak the Scriptures, not by the ſpirit, as was by them that ſpake them forth, they ſpeak of themſelves, as the Devill doth that abode not in the truth, but a lyar from the beginning; and thus the truth comprehended it: For it is one thing to ſpeak the truth in the truth, and to be in it, for he ſpeaks not of himſelf, but the truth in him; but the other all ſpeaks of themſelves, and there thou art (and ſo doth the Devill) and truth is not in him, nor them, and there with truth they are comprehended.

Pr. He chargeth us, Whether ever any gave worſe words to us then we did to others, &c. page 9.

A. To ſpeak truth is not to give bad words, to tell a Cain, he is a Cain; or an Eſau, or an Iſhmael, to be an Iſhmael; or a Wolfe, he is a Wolfe: and ſay the evil Beaſts are the evil Beaſts, that are worſe then the common beaſts. And to ſay, the greedy dogs that can never have enough, are worſe then the common dogs that are biting and tearing; and are worſe then the common beaſts that feed in peace, and eates their meate in peace. Now to ſpeak ſuch words and names as theſe are to them that are not ſo, that is a giving of bad names, wrong names: But the ſpirit that gave forth the Scriptures, it gave ſuch names to ſuch as was found in thoſe ſteps. It lets ſee now, and the whole Nation may witneſs, that friends may anſwer to his Challenge; and the Gaols and the Courts doth ſhew the greedineſſe of ſuch, and their perſecution, and their malice againſt the Lambs; and ſo the Saints in the ſpirit doth give them their proper names, to properties in their places, among which names thou art found.

Prin. He ſaith, Much of the Scriptures may be underſtood without the ſpirit, &c. page 12.

Anſ. The Scriptures was given forth from the ſpirit of God, and they are the things of God, and the words of God, and they are not known nor underſtood, but by the ſpirit of God again, for there is a ſpirituall underſtanding. Neither can they underſtand any of the Scripture of truth which cannot be broken but by the ſpirit of God within that gave them forth, which is of God of whom they were learned.

Pr. He ſaith Chriſt was not a Miniſter of the circumciſion, &c. See page 14.

Anſ. And the Apoſtle ſaid, they were circumciſed with a circumciſion made without hands; and the putting off the body of ſin, of the fleſh, they were circumciſed with the ſpirit; but who was the Miniſter of this Circumciſion? For the Apoſtle ſaith, it was the circumciſion of Chriſt, Coll. 2.11. And again the Apoſtle ſaith, We are the circumciſion that worſhip God in ſpirit, and have no confidence in the fleſh.

Pr. He ſaith, What man in his right wits would ſay a wilderneſſe was a City, &c. page 14.

Anſ. When the people have tranſgreſſed the Law of God, they are erred from his wayes, they are become a Wilderneſſe, and bears the fruit of brambles and bryars, and not ſeeing any way to get out, till the Lords mercy be manifeſt to them; which is further then the Law of juſtice. And thou haſt not ſeen thy wits end yet, nor ſeen the Wilderneſſe in thy heart fenced, though a City; and the children of Iſrael were called a wilderneſſe, in trangreſſion, though in Cities.

Pr. He ſaith, He can tell things to come without the ſpirit of God: And thou ſaith, the Phariſees could tell by the skies what ſhould be the weather, and the dayes ſhould bring forth, and this without the ſpirit of God, &c. page 15.

Anſ. That which gives to underſtand the Creation, and the altering and changing of the Creation, either in weather or dayes. It is the wiſdome of God, and his ſpirit by which all things was made, that knows theſe things in the truth; who counts the Stars, and numbers them in their kinde; who ſets the Sun to rule the day, and the Moon to rule the night. Now who underſtands theſe things, it is by the ſpirit of wiſdome who underſtands them aright; and there may be a wilfull rejecting, and a having theſe things in the form, yet not a knowing theſe things in truth, and ſo Chriſt calls them hypocrites. And a man may know things by the ſpirit, and go in the errour from the ſpirit, and then hold them in his memory.

Pr. He ſaith, Every man that cometh into the world hath not the light of Chriſt in him, &c. page 16.

Anſw. This is the true light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world; and it ſhines in the darkneſse, and the darkneſs comprehends it not. Now this light reproves where it is come to, where it is hated, and their deeds be evill, and not loved, it is their condemnation, and ſo is not that which reproves them, in them; which doth make manifeſt the heart, and are not thoſe that do quench the ſpirit, the wicked, and thoſe that are led by the ſpirit, are not theſe the good? And is not here both ood and bad? Thou art that darkneſſe that John ſpeaks of, that cannot comprehen the Light which ſhines in darkneſſe, like the Phariſees.

Pr. He ſaith, There may be a light to convince people of ſinne, and yet not within them.

Anſ. There is no people convinced of ſin, but they are convinced within themſelves and with the light within them; and it is the light that makes manifeſt to a man when he is convinced: It anſwers to ſomething, and reacheth to ſomething in their particulars, though the words be ſpoken without them from the Light.

Pr. That every man in the world ſhould not have his ſins pardoned, &c. page 17.

Anſw. Chriſt gave himſelfe, his body for the life of the world; he was the offering for the ſins of the whole world, and paid the debt, and made ſatisfaction, and doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, that all through him might believe; and he that doth not believe in the offering is condemned already.

Pr. He ſaith, It is an errour to ſay that every man hath a light within him, to teach him to worſhip God, &c. page 18.

Anſw. Every man that cometh into the world having a light from Chriſt Jeſus the truth: Every man that cometh into the world being in the light which Chriſt Jeſus the truth hath enlightned him withall, and walking in it, he ſhall worſhip God aright in the truth, and come into that the Devill is out of, and worſhip God in the ſpirit. But none worſhips God aright but who be in the Light which Chriſt hath enlightned every man with that cometh into the world; For who is in the light, is in the truth, for it is truth: And all other worſhips out of the Light is as the Devill is, and there thou art condemned with the Light.

Pr. He ſaith, That is the errour that he chargeth us with, that the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, it is an errour to ſay it is within every man, &c. page 19.

Anſw. Which he is ignorant of the Scripture: I will give him a covenant of light to the Gentiles, a leader unto them; and a new covenant to the houſe of Iſrael and Judah, and this Covenant was written in their hearts: And as I ſaid before, the light ſhines in darkneſs, and the darkneſs comprehends it not: And where the light ſhines out of darkneſſe, it ſhines in the heart. He that hates the light is enlightned, and he that loves it; and that, reproves the evil deeds of him that hates it which is within him, and it is in the Saints heart.

Pr. He ſaith, It is miſerable darkneſs to direct people to the Light within them, &c. page 26.

Anſw. Which was the Apoſtles doctrine; he was ſent to turn people from the darkneſſe to the light. And he told people, that the light that ſhined in their hearts would give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus. And Chriſt bids them walke in the light, and believe in it: and they be in miſerable darkneſs that doth not.

Pr. He ſaith, It is a known errour to ſay that a man was in hell, and in heaven, &c. page 21.

Anſ. Who in this ſhews his ignorance of Scripture; for it gives teſtimony of men that did witneſſe, that they had been in hell, in the nethermoſt hell; and witneſſed again they were in heaven, and ſate in heavenly places in Chriſt Jeſus; and ſuch were in heaven as is ſpoken of in the Revelations.

Pr. It is an errour to ſay they have perfection, and they themſelves not perfect, &c. And to ſay they have communion with the body and blood of Chriſt at the Gentiles Table, &c. page 23.

Anſ. There is many of the ſervants and children of God, whoſe meat and drink is the body and blood of Chriſt that comes among the Gentiles, and their Tables, to witneſſe againſt them, yet nevertheleſſe they have communion with the body and blo •• of Chriſt: And many may witneſſe Chriſt the perfection in words, though they are ot in it, as the whole world doth; yet who are in Chriſt, are in the ſpirit, and are perf •• t. So that it is one thing to be in the thing, and another thing to have ſight of the t •• ng, and another thing to profeſſe the thing without the ſight. Yet I ſay, the ſight that eeth Chriſt is perfect, and ſees perfection; and the faith is perfect, whereby he com th to the knowledge of the Son of God, and to the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſſe of Chriſt.

Pr. He ſaith, The writings of the Scriptures may be burned, but the Word of God contained in them cannot be burned, &c. page 34.

Anſ. If he had ſaid, the word that it ſpeaks of, or teſtifies of, he had ſpoken proper like Scripture: But to ſay, the Word is contained in the writing, and the writing ſaith it teſtifies of Chriſt the Word. And there is a proof to thee, that the Quakers are ſent of God, who ſpeak to thee of the Scriptures right as they are.

Pr. He ſaith. It is a lye to ſay every man hath the light of Chriſt, &c. page 44.

Anſ. Contrary to John, who ſaith; every man that cometh into the world is enlightned. And as many as receiveth him, to them he gives power to become the Sons of God: And he that believes in the light, ſhall not abide in darkneſſe, but ſhall have the light of life, and ſo it is ſufficient: And he that doth not believe, is condemned already; and he hath it to believe in, or to condemn him.

Prin. He ſaith, Thouſands ſtumble, becauſe they have no light in them, &c. Page 44.

Anſw. They are ſuch as hate it, and doth not receive it, which hath enlightned them, and not walking in it, and ſo is their condemnation; and it ſhineth in the darkneſſe, and the darkneſs comprehends it not: And ſo they are in darkneſſe, and there is the unregenerate ſtate.

Pr. He ſaith, The Phariſees were farre enough from having the Kingdome of heaven within, &c. page 45.

Anſ. Contrary to Chriſts words, who ſaid, it was within them.

Pr. He ſaith, It is a notion to ſay, the light of Chriſt is in every one, &c. page 47.

Anſ. Which is contrary to Johns doctrine. It is not a ſtrange thing to the Saints for theſe Prieſts and Teachers to queſtion the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world; for the Jewes, Prieſts, and Levites ſtumbled at it in the dayes of John, and it ſet them all up in an uproar as it does you; and they examined John, and queſtioned John, and he ſaid, This is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, that all men through him might believe.

Pr. He ſaith, None were ever baptized into the name of the Father, Son, and holy Ghoſt, that were not baptized with water, &c. page 52.

Anſw. Where was Matthew, or Mark, or Luke, or John baptized, and many more which the Apoſtle ſaid, he thanked God he had not baptized? &c. which he had begotten many. Baptizing is making diſciples to the Lord Jeſus, and Baptizing them into his name, that is his power, and he telleth the Saints that they were Baptized with one ſpirit, into one body, ſuch he tells that he thanks God he had Baptized but a few: but he told of the ſpirits Baptiſme, and brought the Saints off from things that were ſeen, and water is ſeen and its Baptiſme. And as for all thy rabble from thy contentious ſpirit, and railings, and unſavoury expreſſions, they will turn home upon thy ſelf; and thy own words will be thy burthen; and the witneſs in thy conſcience will anſwer in the day of thy Judgement.

Francis Harris his Booke called, his queries to the Quakers, &c. his Principles followes.

Pr. THou ſaith doth not theſe people that pretend to the light ſtumble at noon day as in the night, and there be no Goſpel Light, we mean of the revealed and written Goſpel Light in them? &c. page 9.

Anſ. The Goſpel Light is that which doth enlighten every man that cometh into world: and who hates it, neglects the Goſpel Light, and receives not the power from God which is the Goſpel, for that is the Goſpel Light Chriſt Jeſus that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world. The Light which every man that cometh into the world is enlightned withall is the Goſpel light, and they that walk in it ſtumble not; They ſtumble that be out of the Light which every man that cometh into the world is lighted withall, which Light is the way to the Father: and many may have the written words, yet out of the Goſpel Light and the power of God which is the Goſpel, as Rom. 1. which brings people to where the ſheep lies down at noon day.

Pr. He ſaith what did Chriſt mean when he bid people ſearch the Scriptures, or Peter when he called the Scriptures the ſure word of propheſie, the light ſhining in the dark place? and yet Scripture without is a dead letter, &c. page 12.

Anſ. And yet they call it the Light, and the word, which is a dead letter. Chriſts bids the profeſſors of Scriptures to ſearch it, that thought to have had life in it (not that they ſhould find life in it) but that they ſhould ſearch it and ſee how it did teſtifie of him who was the life; that was his end, and thoſe that was come to Chriſt the life; they was come to him the Scriptures teſtified of, as John 1. we have found him of whom Moſes and the Prophets writ: and thoſe were them that was come from John: the others were them that ſtuck in John, and came not to the life, but to the Scriptures to have had life in the Scriptures, and came not to him the Scriptures teſtified of, and perſecuted that. And Peter means as he ſpeakes; he tels them of the ſure word of Propheſy, and bids them take heed to it, as unto a light that ſhines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day Star ariſe in their hearts. He doth not ſay this is Scriptures without; which thou ſaith it is a dead letter, how can that ſhine.

Pr. He ſaith doth not this draw people to groſs Idolatry; to bid people to take heed to the light in you, which you call the pure Light of God; not the light of nature? And whether you do not delude people, by ſaying there is a pure Light of God and Christ in every man and woman by nature, &c. page 14. 17.

Anſ. The light which doth enlighten every man, &c. leadeth from all Idolatry: for all that be out of the Light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world; they be in the Idolatry. And every man that cometh into the light, the light which they are enlightened withall, be in that which was before any natural lights was: and the the natural lights are the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars. And they delude, and deceive people that ſay the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world is a natural light, and they keep people in the Idolatry; And ſo ſhut up the Kingdom againſt men, and go not in themſelves, nor ſuffer others; for all Idolatry is out of the Light.

Pr. He ſaith, to be carryed up to the power, and to the Spirit which reſembles fire, whether this be not Antichriſt like a Lamb; to call fire from heaven to come down in the ſight of men? And whether the power be from God or from Satan, that brings people into a trembling and ſhaking like Belſhazar, &c. See pag. 20. 21.

Anſ. That power was not of Satan that broke down the head of gold, the breſts of ſilver, neither was that power of Satan that made Belſhazar to ſhake and quake: and that power all muſt know, before the moſt High rules in the Kingdoms of men: and to be carryed up by the power, and the Spirit of God is not Antichriſt, nor is not as the beaſt which with his lying wonders cauſed fire to come down from heaven, for the power, and the Spirit of God fathomes all ſuch things; and ſeeth thoſe were the Spirits that were erred from the Apoſtles; and the life they lived in that did ſo.

Pr. He ſaith the moſt righteous man falls ſeven times a day the Scripture tell us, See page 22.

Anſ. The Scripture doth not ſpeak any ſuch thing as ſeven times a day, but it ſaith the Juſt man falleth ſeven times, and riſeth again, but the wicked falls into miſchief.

Pr. He ſaith ſuch as have faſted till their neighbours who lived nigh them have not known them; they have been as though they had been come out of the jawes of death: whether this be not as the Phariſees? and an occaſion to Satan? &c. page 24.

Anſ. What would ye have ſaid to David in his dayes, when that he faſted till he might number his bones? and was a ſtranger to all his acquaintance; was this an hypocrites faſt? and becauſe ſome now by the ſame power, are moved of the Lord ſo to do? Is this now like unto the Phariſees that appears to do ſo? Have not all Miniſters and teachers ſhewed their ignorance of the Scriptures, and the life that gave it forth, and to be ſuch as cannot divide the word aright, nor ſpeak a word in ſeaſon? But are rather ſuch as burthens the juſt, and oppreſſeth; whereby the poor groanes, and cries under: not to diſtinguiſh between the faſting of the ſervants of God, and you that appeared to faſt. So in this you ſhew you put no difference between the precious and the vile, and are not able to Judge of things that differs; ſo are Judged with that which doth put a difference in things that differ: and David was a wonder to his neighbours about him.

Francis Higginſon, his Book called, A brief Relation of the Religion of the Northern QUAKERS. His PRINCIPLES follow, &c.

Pr. HE ſaith in his Epiſtle, The great number that is fallen away from the Word of God.

Anſw. The falling away from the Word of God was before the Apoſtles deceaſe, and ſince the world is gone after you, and them that are fallen away; and ſo you put the Letter for the Word, the Scripture which are words, and ſo run into all opinions, into Sects; but now are people coming to the Light, and ſo to the Word Chriſt Jeſus, him by whom the world was made, before it was made, from you apoſtates, to the word and the Apoſtles are we come.

Pr. Again he ſaith, I do not detest Popery it ſelfe more heartily then I do your Religion, Quakers, &c.

Anſ. I do believe thee, for Popery it ſelfe is thy ſtock: The Tythes, the Univerſities, the Steeple-houſes, Maſſe-houſes, and ſo I know thou muſt be a friend to Popery, and deteſt us before thou canſt Popery, the Kingdome would be divided elſe againſt it ſelf, and then it were not like to ſtand: But Popery and you we ſee is come up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in the apoſtacy, and ſo with the power of God yee are denyed.

Pr. Again he ſaith, Beware of falſe Prophets, for there ſhall ariſe falſe Prophets, and falſe Chriſts, and if it were poſſible they ſhould deceive the very Elect, Math. 7. and Matth. 24.

Anſ. And Chriſt ſaid, they ſhould come, and they ſhould be inwardly ravening Wolves, but they ſhould be cloathed with the ſheeps cloathing; to his Diſciples he ſpake this, and before the Diſciples deceaſe they ſaw that they were come, the falſe Prophets and the Antichriſts, as in 1 John 2.4. which went forth from them, that inwardly ravened, that Chriſt ſaid ſhould come that had gotten the ſheeps cloathing, which the Apoſtle ſaw was come, that went forth from them: And in the Revelations he ſaith, all the world went after them. All the world wondred after the Beaſt and the falſe Prophets: And the Beaſt had power over all Nations, and Kindreds, and Tongues, and Peoples, and the falſe Prophet which the world went after, and theſe made war againſt the Saints, and overcame them. And ſo the falſe Prophets and the Antichriſts, you have had the ſheeps cloathing, but have been the wolves, ravening and devouring the Lambs: Ye could not have deceived, if ye had not had the ſheeps cloathing upon you: And ſo the Beaſt and his names, who have had power over all Nations, and Kindreds, and Tongues, and ſo the Beaſt and Whore hath been upon you Tongues, which makes you Orthodox men, which John calls waters: Here have been the beaſt and his names, who have had power over all Nations. And the mother of harlots, the great whore, wch all nations have drunk her cup of her fornication, that the inhabitants of the earth are drunk with the wine of the wrath of her fornication; and the Kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and ſhe ſits upon the waters, and the waters are Peoples, and Tongues, and Nations, and Multitudes. Now you have told long (the poor people) that the falſe Prophets are come but now, and the Antichriſts are come but now, and bids them come to Matth. 7. and Matth. 24. and ſo have ſhewed your ignorance of the Scriptures, which ſaith they were before the Apoſtles deceaſe, as in the firſt Epiſtle of John, which went forth from the Apoſtles, the falſe Prophets, Antichriſts, and falſe Spirits, which Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, which the world ſince have gone after them. Now have, and doth your ignorance of the Scriptures appear, and not to be men able to divide the word aright. The diſcerning now is riſen among people, that they begin to ſee and know who divides the word aright. And ſo all this hath been but for pretence, to bid people to go to Matth. 7. & Matth: 24. and ſay falſe Prophets ſhould come. Now we ſee you which John ſaid, they were come, and all that dwelt upon the earth went after them: And ſo ye have had the form of godlineſs, but the power hath been denyed; and ſo you have burſt into names and heaps, and ſects; but now is the vials, and thunders, and plagues, and trumpets ſounding and going forth, and the ſeven woes going out: And now are the Kings of the Earth, and the Beaſt, and falſe Prophets, and Antichriſts, and the mother of Harlots, and the Beaſt and his names, and horns gathering together, with the old deceiver the Devil, to battel againſt the Lamb, and the Saints of the Lamb: But the Lamb and the Saints have got the victory, and the rivers of living waters is opening to all that thirſt. Sing and rejoyce, let us give glory to God, for now is the marriage of the Lamb come.

Pr. Again thou makes a great pudder, that any one ſhould witneſſe he is equall with God, &c. page 2.

A. And in a Catechiſm of the Aſſembly of the Prieſts (called Divines) which they put forth to the Nation, in which they have laid down (for young children, and old men, and all to learn) That the holy Ghost and the Son is equall in power and glory with the Father. Yet if any one come to witneſſe the Son revealed in him, or come to witneſſe the holy Ghoſt in them, as they that gave out Scriptures; or witneſſe the minde of Chriſt, and witneſs that equall with the Father, that equality which you ſpeak of: You Prieſts deſtroy that which you have put forth to the Nation, and cry out horrid Blaſphemy. And thus ye confound that which you have ſet up, and kill that which ye have begotten.

Pr. He ſaith, I ſhall mention their errours. Firſt, they hold their ſpeakings are a declaration of the word Chriſt in them. 2. That the letter of Scripture is carnall. 3. That Jeſus Chriſt is come in their fleſh, that he is in them as man. 4. And that the Scriptures are not the written word of God. 5. That the ſoule is a part of God, or a Divine eſſence. 6. That they enjoy God here, and Chriſt here. 7. And attain to a state of perfection. 8. That ſprinkling of Infants is a marke of the Beaſt. 9. And our Church, and worſhip, and Temple are Idols Temples, and Beaſt-houſes. 10. And not to be called of men Maſter. 11. And the not ſpeaking to a ſingle perſon in the plurall number, &c. Theſe he calls Errours.

Anſ. All your Temples ſet up (imitating the Temple of Solomon built) ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, are Idols, for God never commanded them. And have not the Papiſts had them? And have they not been Maſſe-houſes, Beaſt-houſes, and are they not? Is God worſhipped in Temples made with hands? Is not he worſhipped in the ſpirit and in the truth? And the Scriptures are words of the Prophets and Apoſtles, and Chriſt; they are words, and ſo called in the Scripture; they are not called the written word, but words, and Chriſt the Word cometh to fulfill them: And all you that doth not ſpeak from the Word, if your Declaration be not from it, you are the ſpirits gone out into the world, apoſtatized from the ſpirit that was in the Prophets, Chriſt, the Word, and the Apoſtles, that doth not ſpeak from Chriſt the Word in you. And the Letter written in paper and inke; now paper and inke is not ſpirituall, but that which it ſpeaks of is ſpirituall: And (thou) to a ſingle, and you to a ſingle, makes it appear that neither thou nor you never learned your Accidence yet, neither are perfect of the Bible what it ſaith: For neither the Bible nor the Accidence teacheth to ſpeak any ſuch language as you to a particular. Therefore ye are pittifull men to go to inſtruct the Nations, & cannot endure ſound righteous words, and ſimplicity of ſpeech but ſtumble at it. And again, God will dwell in you, and walk in you, and your bodies are Temples of the holy Ghoſt: And Chriſt is in you except you be reprobates, ſaith the Apoſtle. And again, God breathed into man the breath of life, and he became a living ſoule; For that which came out from God was the cauſe that man became alive, a living ſoule, and is not this of God? And God who hath all ſoules in his hand, and Chriſt the Biſhop of the ſoule; And is not that of God which comes out from God? Is not that of his being? the ſoule which he hath in his hand, and ſo divine, and is not Chriſt in man? And doth not Chriſt ſay they muſt eate his fleſh? And ſo if they muſt eate his fleſh, is not his fleſh in them, and have they not the ſpirit? And how can any eate Chriſts fleſh, if his fleſh be not in them. And doth not the Scriptures ſay, that he was manifeſt in the Apoſtles fleſh? And how can ye call him Chriſt in man, without the man be there? And ſprinkling Infants, which the Scripture doth not hold forth, but a thing got up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, not witneſſed by Scripture, they cannot ſhew by the Apoſtles that it was one of his marks, but a tradition of men, an invention of men: and then they may all ſee (ſuch as ſay they have not a command to do it) if it be not a mark of that beaſtly ſpirit that is erred from the Apoſtles, who is out of the power? And Chriſt ſaith, be not yee of men called Master (it is his command) for yee have one Maſter even Christ, and ye are all brethren. So thou that oppoſeſt the commands of Chriſt, and teacheth men to practice the contrary, thou and you are Antichriſts, and ſhew your ſpirit of errour from Chriſts ſpirit. Now let all read and ſee if this man divides the word aright to people?

Pr. He ſaith, They have an unction, need not that any man teach them. And waiting for the Spirit to come down upon them, by inſpiration, and give them utterance; And he ſaith they ſit ſilent, and not whiſper among them. And they do not own Davids Pſalms to be ſung, See page 12, 13. theſe are errours ſaith he.

A. Was it not the Apoſtles Doctrine that they need no man to teach them but as the ſame anointing teaching them that abide in it? And was not they ſeducers that drew from it? 1 Joh. 2. And did not the Apoſtles wait for the receiving the Holy Ghoſt the Comforter, the Spirit of truth? And did not the holy men of God ſpeak as they were moved by the Holy Ghoſt? and ſo the Goſpel and the things of God was revealed to them; what they had heard, and ſeen, and was revealed to them, and ſpoke as the ſpirit gave them utterance; and prayed for a door of utterance, and others was to pray that they might have a door of utterance given to them when they was to Preach; And to ſing Davids Pſalms, without Davids ſpirit; people ſings not with the underſtanding: now in all theſe things have not ye ſhewed, and made manifeſt your ſpirits to be all the falſe ſpirits gone out into the world, from the Apoſtles Spirit, holy-mens ſpirit, that ſpoke forth the Scriptures as they were moved, and waited for the Spirit which led them into all truth, and revealed to them the things of God? ſo you that be out of this Revelation, and Preach againſt this, you have Preached up your ſpirits out from the Apoſtles; and declared your folly to all the Nation. And then becauſe they wait in ſilence, and not a whiſper among them; Is not that agreeable to the Apoſtles Doctrine and the Prophets? Is there not a learning in ſilence? And was not whiſpering forbidden by the Apoſtle? And doth ſuch things as theſe offend thee? and ſo thou haſt ſhewed thy ſpirit.

Pr. He ſaith they meet in the night, and they make their object of their teaching, of Miniſters and Tithes; and of the pure light that is in every man that cometh into the world. And for any man for to know what is in him, by looking at him, or upon him, or diſcern his ſoul; this he ſuſpects to be an evil eye. And he ſaith that the learned men and Ministers, and Phyſitians to be in the power of Satan, &c. page 16. 17. 18.

Anſ. Here again ye have made manifeſt your power, who are gone forth from the Apoſtles, into the myſtery of Iniquity, which hath wrought long ſince their dayes. And now is the power of God made manifeſt, which breakes down the myſtery of Iniquity; and raiſeth up the myſtery of godlineſs; that of this power, neither the learned men, Phyſitians or Miniſters, are able to Judge of it, but as they do own Chriſt the power of God. Formerly in the dayes paſt, as the learned Rabbies Judged of Chriſt, ſo do they Judge of the power now, ſo not ſtrange to us. And the Saints met in the night, yea till mid-night. And we do deny the Miniſtry that takes Tythes, and ſay the Prieſthood is changed, and the Law is changed by which is was made; and the Commandment diſanuled that gave tithes and the Prieſthood changed that took them. Heb. 7. And we ſay Chriſt is come a Prieſthood after the order of Melchiſedeck the ſimilitude, and likeneſs, who ends the ſimilitude and likeneſs: in Chriſt is the end of ſimilitudes and likneſſes, and wars in whom is peace. So no tythes paid to the ſimilitude and likeneſs: But all is to come to the Son, and to hear the Son, and honor the Son. I will give him for a Covenant of light unto the Gentiles and a new Covenant to the houſe of Iſrael, and the houſe of Judah. Among the Jews to whom Chriſt was promiſed, he told them he was the light of the world; and the Prophet ſaid he would give him for a Covenant of light unto the Gentiles. And Chriſt bid them believe in the Light, and they ſhould have the Light of life, and they ſhould not walk in darkneſs. And John ſaith if ye walk in the Light then have ye fellowſhip one with another, and the blood of the Son of God cleanſeth you from all ſin. So none cometh out of the darkneſs, and out of the ſtumbling: and have peace with God, but who cometh to the Light. And art thou offended at this object? Doſt thou ſtumble at this Light? at the door, the Rock, the corner-ſtone, ſplitting thy ſelf againſt it, but it is fallen upon thy head. Again the ſpiritual man diſcerns and Judgeth all things; And as face anſwers face, ſo doth the Spirit of the Lord in man: And man may diſcern by the Spirit of the Lord God, where the ſeed is in the Death, and where the ſeed is not, and where the ſoul is living, (in which the Lord hath pleaſure) and where it is in the death, as the Scriptures of truth doth teſtifie. The holy men of God diſcern it, and ye being ignorant of this, doth manifeſt that ye have neither ſalt, nor ſavour: nor handling, nor taſting, nor ſeeing, nor feeling; But what ye know, ye know naturally as bruit beaſts and ſo there is the evil eye not having ſpirits of diſcerning and ſavoury. How ſhould ye miniſter unto people, to their ſtates and conditions, if ye cannot diſcern their ſpirits which is in them? How are ye miniſters of the ſpirit? The natural man, though he have all the natural tongues, doth not receive the things of God, yet the natural man may get the letter: and if he have not the ſpirit that gave it forth, he is ot a Miniſter of the ſpirit, but of the letter, and c red from the ſpirit that the Apoſtles was in as you are, and you have made your ſelves manifeſt.

Pr. He ſaith the Quakers will have no Tooles taken out of the ſhops of humane learning to work withall, See page 26. again they call our Miniſters States Miniſters, or Priests; and ſome of them quakers go naked through the ſtreets, &c.

Anſw. How ignorant art thou here of Scripture? will not all people here judge thy ignorance, and your ignorance? which the Scripture lets them ſee that the Lord did make his Prophet Iſaiah to put off his cloathes, and go naked for a ſigne among the Egyptians, and Ethiopians, to Egypt, and Ethiopia; a figure of their nakedneſs: and if the Lord did make ſome ſignes among you, or have made ſome as ſignes among you to go naked; a figure of your nakedneſs; who are of ſpiritual Egypt, and of their root, and ſtock; And of thoſe ſpirits, falſe ſpirits that went out into the world from the Apoſtles. If the Lord make ſome ſignes as among you of your nakedneſs, how you have ravened from the ſpirit of God, and wants the cloathing of that, look upon your own ſhame; are they not Innocent people that go naked among you, and are an offence unto you, who ſees not your ſhame, that that may be covered? And are not ye State Miniſters made by men, and Schooles, and Colledges ſet up by States maintainance from the State, and Tythes from the State, out of the States allowance? And ye ſay ye never heard the voyce of God, nor Chriſts voyce immediately from heaven: whoſe Miniſters are ye then, but States Miniſters? and deny immediate Revelation, and inſpiration: How can we ſay ye are Miniſters made by the will of God, when as ye tell us ye never heard his voyce? Or how can we ſay you are Miniſters of Chriſt, and deny Revelation, and inſpiration, and immediate voyce from heaven, and ſo knowes not the Son and the ſpirit that reveals? As for your tooles that comes out of your ſhops of humane learning, The Quakers deny your ſhops of tools that comes out of the humane learning. And the Scripture gives no ſuch expreſſions as a ſhop of tooles that ever the Prophets; or A oſtles had a ſhop of tools of humane learning. But your ſhops of tools of humane learning hath come up in the Apoſtacy ſince the days of the Apoſtles, and theſe are your tools that you work withall in the Apoſtacy; And ſo ye workmen will fall out with one anothers work, and with your tools ſtrick at one another: Ye have had a ſhop, that inwardly ravened; that went forth from the Apoſtles; the falſe ſpirits that went out into the world, ye have had a ſhop of tooles with which ye have worked, and lived in your old A thors, and books, and ſtudies, and Fathers; and ſo burſt into many heads and heapes; and one deſtroying another about one anothers work ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles who have a ſhop of tools out of your humane learning. So all your tools ye have wrought withall ſince the Apoſtacy hath been taken out of the ſhops of humane learning which is earthly, this proves ye are apoſtates, and the ſpirits gone out into the world. And Luke ſaith the tongues of the Hebrew, Greek and Latin was ſet up a top of Chriſt by Pilate who crucified him. And John ſaith the beaſt had power over all tongues. And the whore ſits upon the tongues; and the tongues are waters. What hath the beaſt ſate upon our tongues? our Orthodox-men, our Schooles and Colledges? what doth the whore ſit on our tongues, Original, and upon our tools and ſhops that which is a top of Chriſt? It is not unlike but that the Beaſt may have power over all theſe. The earth was of one language before they built Babel, and when they imagined to build Babel, God confounded them into many Languages: And ſo the life is riſen, Chriſt Jeſus, which was before Babel was, and when Babylon is not; and before Pilate was that ſet the many Languages upon him. The life is riſen over them and you all, which life is Chriſt which breaks your ſhops to pieces of your tools of humane learning, and your tools both, which was before Babel was, and when Babylon is not: and ſo your glory is marr'd there, and your pride is ſtained. The life is riſen, Chriſt the life is riſen over you: The Merchants and the Tradeſ-men rages which hath long had your ſhops. Sing and rejoyce over them ye Saints.

Pr. He ſaith the Apoſtle ſaith, The laſt times are perillous, there ſhould be falſe accuſers, and fierce deſpiſers of them that are good. Again he ſaith, a Turke or an Indian will deny the light within him. Again, Chriſt is in heaven with his carnall body. See page 43. 45. 48.

Anſw. Chriſts body is a glorified body, and the Scripture doth not ſpeak any where that Chriſts body is a carnall body in heaven.

Again, the perillous times came before the Apoſtles deceaſe, they ſaw them that were falſe accuſers, and fierce deſpiſers of them that were good: They that had the forme of godlineſſe, but denyed the power, that ſhould be lovers of themſelves, and covetous, and theſe were crept up before the Apoſtles deceaſe; and ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles the world have been after them: That both covetous, and heady, and fierce deſpiſers have rul'd; they have been like Jannes and Jambres who withſtood Moſes, when the children of Iſrael were to come out of Aegypt. And ſo do you that crept up ſince the Apoſtles deceaſe, who are covetous and high-minded, heady, fierce deſpiſers of them that are good, have a forme of godlineſſe, but deny the power thereof, which are to be turned away from, and ſo keeps people in ſpirituall Aegypt and Sodome. Are ye not all covetous, and lovers of your ſelves? And do not you all deny the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, Chriſt the power of God; and ſo keeps people under your teachings all their life time, laden with their ſins & divers luſts while they be upon the earth, and the body of it? and telling them that there is no perfection here? That Miniſtry that toſſeth people up and down with your ſlights and wiles, and windy doctrine, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth; which truth is the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world. Are not ye fierce deſpiſers of them that are good? Hath not all the blood which hath been ſhed ſince the days of the Apoſtles, of the Martyrs and Saints been by the ſtock that you are in, who are the falſe ſpirits erred from the true ſpirit that the Prophets and Apoſtles were in, and gone out into the world from them, as ye confeſſe ye have not the ſame infallible ſpirit as the Prophets, Chriſt, and the Apoſtles had, and Eaton the Paſtor ſaith: And the Indians will not deny the Light, nor Turks neither, that convinceth them of ſin; for to the Turks and Indians was the Covenant promiſed as well as to the Jewes, for they are Heathen; and thus your ignorance appears of the Scripture of truth, and Miniſters of God, and with them you are judged.

Pr. Prieſt Coale ſaith, The light which he is juſtified by is a created light. Page 56.

Anſw. The Scriptures of Truth which the Saints declared, and Chriſt, never held forth ſuch a light as was created, as juſtified them; for the Saints are juſtified by Chriſt the light by whom all things were created. Light was not created, that was the Saints juſtification.

Pr. He ſaith, Who are waſhed from their ſins by the blood of Chriſt, and made Priests unto God; and in this ſenſe if they themſelves do not once become Priests, they will become companions of Devils for ever. See page 56.

Anſw. They that become Prieſts to God, and are waſhed by the blood of Jeſus Chriſt, are come out of the Devils power, and overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, and owns the light to be their juſtification, which thou denies.

Pr. He tells us of Pauls mediate call, and his extraordinary call of it ſelfe had not been ſufficient.

Anſw. The Scripture tells us no ſuch thing of Pauls mediate call; and Paul declares himſelfe (take Pauls owne words) not of man, nor by man, but by the will of God: and that was ſufficient; which call you are out of ſince his dayes, by men are ye called.

Pr. He ſaith, Chriſt doth not forbid, not ſimply to be called of men Maſter, &c. page 62.

Anſ. It was Chriſts command plainly to his Diſciples, Be not ye of men called Maſter, for ye have one maſter even Chriſt. And thus thou ſtands againſt Chriſts doctrine, and commands, and ſo a tranſgreſſor, and an Antichriſt.

Pr. He ſaith, Christs humane nature, &c.

Anſ. Where doth the Scripture ſpeak of humane, the word humane? where is it written? tell us that we may ſearch for it. Now we do not deny that Chriſt according to the fleſh was of Abraham, but not the word humane. And Chriſts nature is not humane, which is earthly, for that is the firſt Adam.

Pr. Prieſt Coals principle: He ſaith, His juſtification is not done within him, but without him in the Court of heaven.

Anſw. Reprobates may talk of Juſtification: Did not Chriſt work Juſtification without them upon the earth for man kinde, and brought righteouſneſſe? And where there is Chriſt made manifeſt within, is not their Juſtification wrought there from heaven within? Where faith is witneſſed within, doth not that juſtifie? and none knows Juſtification in truth, but where it is wrought within. See page 77, 78.

Pr. Again, Prieſt Coal ſaith, The life that he lives is a created life.

Anſ. So thou haſt ſhewed thy ſelfe a naturall man, not ſpirituall, nor a ſon of God led by the ſpirit of God; nor in the faith, and doſt not live by faith, nor a living in the ſpirit, ſo haſt manifeſted vain glory.

Pr. He calls trembling and quaking the ſhaking of the ſoule.

Anſw. The power of the Lord God cometh to ſhake down that nature which priſons the ſoul, &c. and ſets it free. And as for all thy other Complaints, Reviles, Railings and Lies will turn upon thy ſelfe, and they will be hard for thee to bear; and thou ſhalt cry out with Cain, when thou and you feel the burthen; who are cut of Chriſts ſteps, who is the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world; In the day of thy judgement thou ſhalt witneſſe, and the witneſſe in thy conſcience ſhall anſwer.

Francis Fullwood His Booke, called, A True Relation of a DISPƲTE. His Principles follows.

Pr. HE ſaith, The Scriptures are able to make wiſe unto ſalvation. Again, the Son in whom eternall life is, is onely found in Scripture, and they are they that teſtifie of him, and therefore eternall life is found in Scripture.

Anſ. Many had the Scriptures, but ſtood againſt the Son of God; and many may have the Scriptures, and not the Son of God. The Son of God is not Writings, Scriptures ſignifies writings: And many may have the Scriptures, and not have the Son of God, and ſo not eternall life: For the Devill hath Scripture, but hath not eternall life; for he that envyeth his brother, hath not eternall life abiding in him. So who have eternal life, they have that which the Scripture ſpeaks of, teſtifies of, it teſtifies of Chriſt the life, of the ſpirit, and ſo they are the words given forth by the ſpirit of God, and ſo are to be fulfilled by the ſame ſpirit again. And the Scriptures are able to make wiſe unto ſalvation through faith in Chriſt Jeſus. For they were not wiſe unto ſalvation, who had the ſpirit without the faith.

Pr. He ſaith, We attain our Goſpell another way then Paul did. And it is blaſphemy to tell us that what ye deliver is by revelation from heaven, &c.

Anſw. You have received your Goſpell another way then Paul did I do believe, who are apoſtates from them: And is it not blaſphemy for you to ſpeak, and preach that which ye have not received from heaven? & ſo ye have brought your ſelves under the curſe, and ſhewed another Goſpel. For whoſoever receiveth the Goſpel which is called the power of God, it is immediate, and by immediate revelation from God from heaven; And ſo your Goſpel which is of men, and after men is another, not the power of God, received from God; for whoſoever receiveth the Goſpel, the power of God, muſt receive it immediately, for the power of God is immediate; and that is the glad tidings to poor ſouls, that ſets the ſouls free, which is immediate.

Pr. He ſaith, We claim Tythes not by the Law of God, but by the Law of the Land, and Tythes ſeems to be Christs wages, and Melchiſedeck ſtill liveth to receive Tythes in Chriſt. &c.

Anſw. Chriſt is come, the everlaſting Prieſt-hood, who ends the true commandement that gave tythes, and the Prieſts that took them; which ends in him, Melchiſedeck that received tythes of Abraham, of whom Chriſt came according to the fleſh. And ſo Chriſt doth not any where to his Diſciples (who ended the true command that gave tythes) give forth his Diſciples an order to ſet up another Law in the Nations to give them tythes, the tythes of mens eſtates, and ſo you are none of the Order of Melchiſedeck, never come thither; but of the order of them which Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, who are inwardly ravened, which John ſaw was come, & went forth from them, the falſe ſpirit that went forth into the world, into the earth; and ſo ye have ſet up Tythes, and Temples, and Schools, and Prieſts by the Popes authority. Had yee not your Spiritual Courts not long ſince? And was not the Pope the firſt author of your Tythes? And are not you of that Order? (far off of that ſpirit that leads after the Order of Melchiſedeck) for ye are ravened from the ſpirit: For none comes to the Prieſthood after the Order of Melchiſedeck, but who comes to the ſpirit of Chriſt, and theſe are Kings and Prieſts to God for ever. So ye have received your Tythes after the order of that ſpirit that went forth from the Apoſtles into the world, into the earth, that inwardly ravened, and went forth from the Apoſtles, which the world have been after ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, and have had the ſheeps cloathing, but ravened and devoured the Lambs, and worried the ſheep, Miniſters, Prophets, and Saints: So your Order will all men comprehend (that be of the royall Prieſt-hood after the order of Melchizedeck) to be come of the Popes ſtock, for the Apoſtles and Chriſt did not ſet up Tythes.

Pr. He ſaith, Baptiſme comes in, in the room of Circumciſion, and it is called the circumciſion of Chriſt. Again he ſaith, that thee and thou is a cuſtome: So if any man be contentious, we have no ſuch cuſtome in the Church of God.

Anſ. Circumciſion is no where ſaid to be a type of ſprinkling Infants; and that ſprinkling Infants is no where ſaid to be the circumciſion of Chriſt. But the circumciſion without of men, was a type of the circumciſion within: And that the Apoſtle witneſſed the fulfilling of it in the ſpirit, and ſo denies the outward. And the baptiſme of John was a type of that within; And you to a particular, which is your cuſtome, which the Scripture doth not declare to us, that that cuſtom was in the Church of God. But the Apoſtle bid them keep to the form of ſound words, that could not be condemned. Now you to a particular is not a found word, as they can tell that have but read either the Bible or Accidence: And there is no Heatheniſh cuſtomes comes into the Church of God that will ſpot or wrinkle it, nor nothing cometh into it (that is the pillar and ground of Truth) that will be condemned.

Pr. And he tells us of a word Trinity: And he ſaith, the onely ordinary way to know Jeſus Christ is outward Revelation; and to attain to the knowledge of Chriſt is by the Scriptures; and he may be a Miniſter of Chriſt, though he be partly out of Chriſts doctrine, and though he be called of men Maſter. He ſaith, the Scripture tells us plainly, that Baptiſme is a Christians circumciſion. Again, He that ſaith that light which is in every man is ſufficient to diſcover and lead men to Chriſt, is under the darkneſs of his own fancy, having ſo far left the true light, the word of God.

Anſw. The light in every man which Chriſt hath enlightned him withall, loving it and walking in it, it is ſufficient to diſcover Chriſt and ſalvation; and they that be out of that, be in the darkneſſe and fancy. And as for the word Trinity, that comes from the old ſtock the Pope, the Scripture teacheth us no ſuch word. And none can know Chriſt by the Scriptures, they teſtifie of him; but none can know Chriſt but by Revelation; fleſh and blood had not revealed it to Peter; and the Son was revealed in the Apoſtle; and none can preach Chriſt (that deny revelation) in truth; and they that are Miniſters of Chriſt, they be in his doctrine; For when they are out of his Doctrine and his commands, then they are wrong Miniſters which miniſters not for Chriſt, but they preach themſelves, and are Antichriſts tranſgreſſors: And the Scripture doth not tell any where, that Baptiſme is a Chriſtians circumciſion, as ſprinkling Infants; but Circumciſion in the ſpirit, and Baptiſme in the ſpirit is all one, in which the o •• ward ends.

And as for all thy other ſilly expreſſions publiſhed to the Nation, it bad been better thou had kept ſilent, and all of you, then to have publiſhed your ſhame to the Nation. But your folly you muſt bring forth to make it manifeſt to all men, whoſe eyes are opening. Are not you in the Devils ſnare, who are out of the diſcerning? For you cannot tell what to bring people into; alack for you who are hung about with rags, and are not covered with the ſpirit of the Lord, but are all from that which we are in, and ſo haſt kept people in darkneſſe, and not turned them to the light, being all ravened from it, and ſo think there is life in the Scriptures, which teſtifie of the life: So I ſay ſearch it, and ſee if it do not teſtifie of the life: And every one of your words that ye have all ſpoken that have not been from the life, ſhall be your burthen, the witneſſe in thee ſhall anſwer it.

Thomas Weld, Richard Prideaux, Samuel Hammond, William Coale, and William Durant, Miniſters in Newcaſtle. Their Booke called, The perfect PHARISEE. Their Principles as followeth.

Pr. THey ſay, If they ſhall ſay that every man hath the knowledge of Chriſt by ſpeciall revelation, and that immediate by the ſpirit, that which it quite contrary to the common knowledge of thouſands.

Anſ. All that ever come to know Chriſt (you and all the people upon the Earth) it muſt be by revelation; for no man knows Chriſt but by revelation. And all that ever own Chriſt, they muſt own the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world to be the covenant of God; which light men are to believe in; which not believing in, they are reprobated. And thouſands and thouſands I do believe you, who have had the ſheeps cloathing upon the back of them, and ſo have covered the Wolfe with it; Neither you nor they never knew the revelation of the Son of God; and ſo never know the ſon of God untill he be revealed, and ſo hath not the knowledge of him. The Scriptures teſtifie of him, but they that had the Scriptures knew him not, but who was in the light, and in the Covenant; and ſo ye have all diſcovered your ſelves in the apoſtacy, apoſtatized from the Apoſtles ſpirit; and all to be the falſe ſpirits gone out into the earth, into the world for means, for maintenance, and ſo ye are all puft up in your pride; and ſo that makes all your doctrine to be ſo dry and ſo barren, there being no revelation among you, nor no immediate ſpeaking from God and Chriſt, but feeding people with the husk, with the outſide. And have proved your ſelves here to be but the Wolfe in the ſheeps cloathing, inwardly ravened from the ſpirit: But with it ye are comprehended; and if it had not been ſo, you would never have publiſhed your folly to the Nation. But the ſpirit of love, and humility, and meekneſs (which bears all things) comes to be known by the ſpirit.

Pr. For people to be led with a light within, this is to make the Scriptures uſeleſſe.

Anſ. No, this lets ſee the Scriptures in their place, and the fulfilling of them, which was given forth to be believed, practiſed, read, and fulfilled, not for men to make a trade of them, and call people from the Light within, with which they ſhould ſee the Scriptures; and none comes into Covenant with God, with their hearts and their minds, that they need not ſay one to another know the Lord, that they may be always living under mans teaching.

Pr. How clear (ſay they) the Scripture is, that faith cometh by hearing, and not by minding the light within.

Anſwer. Doth any man know Chriſt but by the Light within? And is not Chriſt the Word? Can any ſee without the Light, the Word? Doth it not make manifeſt? Nay, doth it not give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus? read 2 Cor. 4.1. from whence faith comes; and ſo faith comes by minding the light within, Chriſt, the author of it, and brings to look as him, and hear him.

Prin. And Multitudes were converted by thoſe faire Epiſtles written by the Spirit.

Anſw. None are converted but who be in the ſpirit that gave forth thoſe Epiſtles, though they may have all the Epiſtles: For that hath been the Papiſts and your convertings who hath had the Epiſtles, by the Epiſtles, out of the life, ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, and ſo made proſelites Phariſee-like; For that baptizeth, and that circumciſeth, for in that is the fellowſhip and the unity. People (as I ſaid to you before) may get the ſheeps cloathing as ye have long time been covered with, but inwardly ye have been ravening wolves, as your fruits have declared, as the Northern part of the nation may make it manifeſt. The witneſſe in all your conſciences ſhall anſwer for me, and let you ſee that your own words are your burden, and an heavy cry will come upon you when ye feel it, who now are fat, and full, and freſh, and luſty; but a day of requiring is coming, and inquiſition is made for the blood that hath been ſhed of all the Prophets, Martyrs, and Saints ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, and the priſoning, and the perſecuting by you and your off-ſpring got up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles; the falſe ſpirits that went out into the world, that are now ſtanding againſt the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world: So marks that you be inwardly ravened, and that you be the Antichriſts and the falſe Prophets, you are not like to own the light in every man who are ravened from it, and are turned againſt them that walke in the light, and keep the teſtimony of Jeſus. Here is the Beaſt and the falſe Prophet that makes war againſt the Saints, and overcomes them for a time; but the Lamb and the Saints muſt have the victory. And you (about Newcaſtle) Miniſters and Teachers, are like to a heap or dunghil, ſogged and mudded; but come to the witneſſe, elſe eternally you will be condemned.

Pr. They ſay, Bleſſed are they that heare the Word, and keep it; which is a word ſpoken and written, not the eternall word. It is a notion of the Word of God, to call the Word of God a Declaration. And the holy Scriptures is able to make men wiſe unto Salvation, to the Law and Teſtimony.

Anſ. To the Law and to the Teſtimony; The law is light, ſaith Solomon: And the teſtimony of Jeſus is the ſpirit of prophecy. And many may have the Old and New Teſtament, and yet be out of the Light, and out of the Teſtimony as you, and ſo out of the ſpirit of prophecy. For Iſaiah had the teſtimony before Matthew, Mark, Luke & John, and the Revelations was written, and bid them come to the Law and to the Teſtimony; and you that do not ſpeak according to that rule, it is becauſe you hate the light in you. And the Scriptures, Luke calls them a Declaration, who was a Miniſter of the Word, and the Scriptures are the words of God, and the words of Chriſt, and ſo not the Word, but the words which the Word Chriſt fulfills. So ye are men not capable, nor of a true underſtanding to divide the word aright, nor to ſpeak a word in ſeaſon to the wearyed, but do all lead the halt, and lame, and blinde out of the way; who for ſo doing muſt find miſery.

Again, they that hear the Word of God, they hear that which lives and doth endure for ever; and this Word is eternall which lives, and doth endure for ever, which they have within them; and with that they ſee the words, and letters, and writings, or outward Tables may be broken, but ſtill the Word remains. That ever the Miniſters of Newcaſtle ſhould ſay, that the Scriptures are able to make men wiſe unto ſalvation, and leave out faith; you are no more made wiſe then the Phariſees was with the Scriptures without faith: The Phariſees were not made wiſe unto ſalvation by the Scriptures without the faith, neither are you: But who are in the faith, they are made wiſe to ſalvation through the Scriptures, and comes to Chriſt the end of them; for it gives to ſee the Scriptures, and in it (in the faith) is the unity which Scribes and Phariſees, and Apoſtates are out of.

Pr. That a mediate call ſince the time of the Apoſtles; and that the Officers and Elders of the Church are to be ordained by a mediate way, the power without the perſon, government without governour is a meer fancy.

Anſ. Since the dayes of the Apoſtles, that Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, and inwardly ravened, that went forth from the Apoſtles, the falſe-ſpirit gone out into the world, and the world hath run after them. They can ſpeak no therwiſe but of a mediate call; and their Elders and Members are made mediately, and ſo have all erred from the power and ſpirit of God (of that which they call a Church) and this is ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles. For all Elders and Officers of the Church of God (the pillar and ground of Truth) they are made immediately by the ſpirit: For the Church is ſpirituall, elſe how ſhould they ſee the things that are immediate, or behave themſelves in the Church of the living God, which is the ground and pillar of Truth, the Church, which is in God the Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. The power of God rules and orders people when there is no outward government: Nay, it ſtrikes down government of men and governors, as in the days of Daniel and Pharaoh, and in many other places of Scripture mentioned, the power of God ſtrikes down government and Governours out of it, and this is the power that is honoured which ſtrikes down falſe governours and Government and which is not a fancie as you ignorantly ſay.

Pr. And ye ſay Chriſt doth not forbid to be called of men maſter in the expreſſion of civil honour, and we will warrant a Pulpit from the Scripture, Ezra's example: and ye ſay they that ſtand praying in the Synagogues that are reproached as Antichriſt, &c.

Anſw. They that pray for mony, and Preach for mony, and get up a Pulpit and plead Ezras example, They might have pleaded the Phariſees had the chiefeſt ſeat; they are ignorant of Chriſt the Light, and the life, and the power; who came to put an end to Ezra, and the Pulpit both; who Preached up and down the mountains, and wilderneſſes and denyed the Phariſees praying, and all that are got up there without the power, and that is the Antichriſt that is got up in the long robe, and praying for mony, and pleads Ezras Pulpit; and ſaith it is a civil honour to be called of men master, and ſo ſlights and tranſgreſſeth Chriſts Commands, and calls it civil reſpect; theſe I ſay are they that have gotten the ſheepes clothing upon their backes, but inwardly ravened from the ſpirit of God, and deceives the world. But now their hypocriſie cannot be hid, but muſt come to light, and be publiſhed upon the houſe top, and give light to the whole houſe, and not under the buſhell, and the children of light ſhall ſhine that men ſhall come to glorifie their Father which is in heaven; and you Antichriſts in the Apoſtacy has got up in Ezras Pulpit which comes to end.

Pr. They ſay it is a civil reſpect to ſay you to one. Again Chriſt laid down the very reaſon why his diſciples ſhould take neither gold nor ſcrip, but wholly depend upon the means due unto them for Preaching, &c.

Anſ. When ſaw we the New castle Prieſts go out in this manner, without gold or ſcrip, and wholly depending on the Preaching of the Goſpel? Or when ſaw we any of them called Miniſters of England do ſo? go without a ſcrip, depending only upon Preaching the Goſpel? nay are not there Petitions flying up and down the Nations to the Magiſtrates for maintenance, enough to ſhame both Magiſtrates, and Church, and themſelves too, if they had any ſhame; that their flocks, and Vineyards would not maintain them; to ſhame all the people that ever they have Preached too, and make people ſo aſhamed of them to turn their backs on them. For they cannot ſay that they have lived upon the Goſpel, but they have lived upon the States, and what they have got by ravening, He that lives upon the Goſpel gets a flock and gets a Vineyard, ye are found in the Popes maintenance (which is tithes and offerings from men) and not in the maintenance of Chriſt which he allowed to his diſciples, whom he is with to the end of the world. Now theſe are States Miniſters made by man; and ſo have their allowance ſo put in, and taken out by men; ſo are out of the allowance of Chriſt which he gives to his diſciples whom he is with to the end of the world: which you may ſee ye are out of the ſteps of them; and will appear to all ſober people to be the Apoſtates, in the Apoſtacy ravened from the ſpirit of the living God; and the power the Apoſtles was in, who ſaid have not I power to eat and to drink; not great ſums of mony, Stipends and Gleab-lands, and tithes ſet forth by the Magiſtrates. And the Apoſtles often would not uſe their power to eat, though they had power. And never did any of the Prophets, or Apoſtles bring up their people they Preached too with an hour-glaſſe, no ſuch form or cuſtome, or when any ſpake within their hour glaſſe, they had a law to priſon, that is the beaſt that doth ſo, that quencheth the ſpirit, and is not the Miniſtery of Chriſt. And doth not many of you ſhake the glaſſe, and think the time long? And you could not tell when to give over, and you would run all into confuſion but for a glaſſe. And is not this carnal glaſſe your limit? See how ye can Preach without it, and ſo tell well when ye have done without a ſickneſs in your ſpirits, which muſt have a carnal to limmit them: which ſhewes man hath not power over his own ſpirit. And the power of God know s when to ſpeak, and when to keep ſilent. And ſo all your Preaching by the glaſſe, which is a limit of your earthly ſpirits, which went out into the world, forth from the ſpirit the Apoſtles were in which they Preached by, but that which ye ſtudy out of old Authours, the ſheepes clothing, ye ſell yearly by the glaſſe. Is that your meaſure? The Prieſts meaſure that he meaſures out to people? look in any ſteeple-houſe almoſt and ſee if the Prieſt have not a meaſure, or it may be two meaſures a day. Do not call this the weakneſs of the people; for many people are aſhamed of theſe things that you ſhould give them but two glaſſes a week. Now is it not more honour to lay by your glaſſe, and come into the ſpirit, and Preach by the ſpirit and ſo ſpeak as it moves, and gives utterance: and quench it not in any, and ſo that all may learn, and all may be comforted in your Church, and you to one is not a form of ſound words, ſo not civil but to be condemned and ſhewes you have not learned your accidence nor Grammar.

Pr. Such as trembles at the word of God; and works out their ſalvation with fear and trembling, is judged to be notorious, bringing back to the Covenant of works.

Anſ. Nay the power of God that wo ks out the ſalvation with fear and trembling brings off from the Covenant of works, and brings above all the powers of wickedneſs, and ſo that is it which brings the people of God to be perſecuted, and hated, to live in the power, and the ſeed of God: and no one knowes ſalvation but who knowes fear and trembling.

Pr. It is a deluſion (with you) for one to witneſs an Immediate call, and others to witneſs with them that they are ſo called.

Anſ. Was not the Apo tles and Saints written in one anothers hearts, and one anothers Epiſtles there? and called immediately, and witneſſed one another as it is now?

Pr. And ye ſay ſome of them go naked. And another to come and ſay he had a call Immediately from heaven to take away the Prieſts hour glaſſe. And of their mean apparrel. And the forſaking the world, though they neglect their families. And they run up and down in places and ſtreets, or Steeple-houſes to vent their Doctrine, &c.

Anſ. Theſe are the marks they give to us, whereby they give to their books the name of perfect Phariſees. And the Apoſtles Preached as they went up and down in Townes, and Markets, and Synagogues; and thoſe was not Phariſees, but thoſe was Phariſees that held up Synagogues, and Tithes, and Temple, and Prieſts; ſo ye have the mark of the perfect Phariſee. The name is entered into your bowels, and hearts. And as for any being moved of the Lord to take away your glaſſe from you, by the eternall power it is owned. And to take away your limmit, carnal limmit to your earthly ſpirits, that are gone out into the world from the Apoſtles, from the ſpirit. And if any have been moved of the Lord to go a ſigne among you, to put off their cloaths, to ſhew you are naked and want the covering of the ſpirit. And as for any going in mean apparell, and forſaking the world, and come off from coſ ly attire; was not this the Apoſtles doctrine? Are ye like unto the Apoſtles, the meſſen •• rs of Chriſt? or the meſſengers of Satan crying up the world, and its glory, and coſtly attire. And who are come to forſake the world, are come out of the ſinfull neglect of their families, into the wiſdome of God that preſerves the creation, and not deſtructive. And as ye are ſpeaking of Perfection, ſo far as men are perfect, they are perfect in glory, and changed from glory to glory, and witneſſe perfection upon earth, and ſee an end of it, as David did, who had out-ſtript all his teachers; but among all yours, that are kept under your teaching, there is no talk of perfection among you, nor your hearers, ſo fall ſhort of coming to ſee the end of it. And the one offering, and the blood of Chriſt, and the new Covenant, that perfects, blots out, and cleanſeth from all ſin.

And as for all the reſt of your unſavoury and hard expreſſions in your Book, the judgements and ſorrow ye will feel for them; and in the day you are judged, the witneſſe in you ſhall anſwer:

Thomas Pollard, a member of the Church about Litchfield, in his Book which he calls, The Holy SCRIPTƲRE clearing it ſelfe from Scandals. His Principles follows.

Pr. HE ſaith, It is a cavill to ſay thee and thou to a ſingle perſon.

Anſ. Which ſhews that he never learned Accidence nor Bible, the Language that the Saints ſpake one to another.

Pr. He ſaith, It is wickedneſse to call the letter of the Scripture, and what is gotten from the Scripture to be brain knowledge, page 4.

Anſw. The letter, paper and inke; the letters are carnall, and what is gotten from it is brain knowledge without the ſpirit. But the Scripture, the thing it ſpeaks of is ſpirituall, the Word is ſpirit, &c.

Pr. He ſaith, the Lord never ſaid to us as he ſaid to David, that you are after his heart, or any of your way, or that ever went in your way; and do not deſtroy all by your Doctrine. page 7.

Anſ. No, David had out-ſtript all his Teachers, ſo have we many of us, who have trembled as David did, witneſſing the new covenant Chriſt Jeſus, in which we need not ſay know the Lord: And who witneſſeth this, witneſſeth the Tabernacle of David built. Again, our Doctrine deſtroys but mens and tranſgreſſors, and doth not deſtroy the ſmoaking flax, and bruiſed reed, and we can ſay we are after his heart, and God hath ſaid we are after his heart.

Pr. He ſaith, And how people may finde rest to their ſoules, take the Law and Teſtimony. See page 9.

Anſw. They that had the Scriptures, and have the Scriptures, denyed the Light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and ſay, propheſie is ceaſed; ſo then they may ſay the ſpirit is ceaſed, it is all one: For the law is light, ſaith Solomon, And the teſtimony of Jeſus is the ſpirit of propheſie. Now cries the world, the Law and Teſtimony is the Old and New Teſtament; which many may have the Old and New Teſtament, and yet deny the Law and Teſtimony, which is the light and ſpirit of propheſie; for the Law and Teſtimony was before Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and the Epiſtles and Revelations was written, in the dayes of Iſaiah: And ſo they that be not according to the Law and the Teſtimony, they be out of the light and the ſpirit in the darkneſſe, though they have all the Scriptures which the Law and Teſtimony ownes in their places. And many may have the Scriptures given forth from the ſpirit of God, and yet not have the comfort and reſt to their ſouls till they come to Chriſt that the Scriptures teſtifies o .

Pr. He ſaith, Try the ſpirits whether they be of God, for many falſe Prophets are gone out into the world, page 11. And Satan transforming himſelfe into an Angell of light; and falſe Apostles and Ministers of unrighteouſneſſe transforming themſelves as the Miniſters of righteouſneſs. And he ſaith, If they bring another Goſpell and Doctrine then what is preached, receive them not into your houſes, nor bid them God-ſpeed.

Anſ. That which ye tell people is the Goſpell now which ye preach, is the 4 Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John you ſay, &c. As inſtance Prieſt Shaw of Aldingham in Lancaſhire ſaid ſo: Contrary to the Scriptures, which ſaith, the Goſpell is the power of God: And many may have the four Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John, &c. the forme, but deny the power, and ſo deny the Goſpel, which is the power of God: And ſo they that deny the power have put the four books for it; and they that have not the Father and the Son are not to be received into their houſes, as ſaith the Apoſtle John, for they would come in the form, and deny the light as you do: but he that hath the Son and the Father, he is in the power, the ſubſtance of the form.

Again, the Devill transformed himſelf as an Angell of light before the Apoſtles deceaſe, and the falſe Apoſtles, Devils meſſengers, and Miniſters of unrighteouſneſſe was got up before the Apoſtles deceaſe; and the falſe Prophets were gone out into the world, and the falſe ſpirits before the Apoſtles deceaſe, as in John; which ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles they have led the world after them, they have been received into houſes, and corrupted the whole earth, of whom you have been. Therefore the Apoſtles brought the Saints then to the annointing within them, and to the light that ſhines in their hearts, which would give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus, which light you bring from it: And now ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles have ye been carried away, ſwallowed up by ſuch as have not the Father and the Son; and the falſe ſpirits that went forth into the world, and the falſe Prophets, and Satan, who hath transformed himſelf as an Angell of light, and the Miniſters of unrighteouſneſſe, and falſe Apoſtles, which do confeſſe they have not the ſame ſpirit as the Prophets, Chriſt, and Apoſtles had, ſo are erred from the falſe ſpirits and falſe Prophets, who hath been deſtroying ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, and gone out into the world, and falſe Apoſtles; for the falſe Apoſtles, Satans Miniſters, transforming themſelves as Angels of light, the falſe ſpirits that went out into the world, and the falſe Prophets, theſe went all out from the ſpirit that the Prophets, Chriſt, and the Apoſtles was in. So theſe were the ſpirits that was to be tryed by them that had the anointing in them; you who now are ſeen and tryed by them that are come to the anointing in them to be gone out from the Apoſtles.

Pr. He ſaith, You put out the eyes of poor ſoules by bidding them to hearken to the light within, &c. page 14.

Anſ. The eye that ſees the ſoule is the light which cometh from Chriſt the Biſhop of it; and no one knows the eye of the ſoule, but who comes to the light within, and opens it, which cometh from Chriſt the Saviour of it, which gives him the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt, 2 Cor. 4. and lets him ſee his Saviour.

Pr. He ſaith, I do affirme that no man can have ſalvation by vertue of his obedience, &c. page 17.

Anſw. He that believes is ſaved, he hath ſalvation; he that doth not, is condemned already: and no man hath ſalvation but by believing; and where believing is, there obedience is to the Goſpel. They that obey it not are condemned, and neglect their ſalvation.

Pr. He ſaith, They lay in wait to deceive, who call the breaking of bread carnall, pag. 18.

Anſ. We cannot ſay that the outward bread is ſpiritual the bread which periſheth, the carnal; and we ſay Chriſt is the bread which is ſpiritual, and they deceive people which ſay outward bread is ſpiritual, and not carnal.

Pr. He ſaith, How ſhould we have known ſin, to be ſin; and righteouſneſs to be righteouſneſs, and a Chriſt that died at Jeruſalem but by the Scriptures; he ſaith nay we could not have known thoſe things. Page 21.

Anſ. That which makes manifeſt ſin, is light: and they that had Scriptures knew not Chriſt that died at Jeruſalem; but that they crucified him; And David and Joſhuah ſaw his ſufferings, and ſaw that Judas ſhould betray him: and they that had Scriptures knew not ſin from righteouſneſs they knew not the ſin of unbelief; they knew not Chriſts righteouſneſs who had the Scriptures and knew not the way to the Father, but turned againſt the light the truth as you do, which makes manifeſt ſin, and as the Phariſees did.

Pr. To ſay, The officers of the Church are inviſible its plain of the Father the Devil. Page 24.

Anſw. The holy Ghoſt made the officers of the Church overſeers, and that made the officers, the overſeers to be inviſible: for they ſaw with an inviſible eye; and ſo they was in the ſpirit, which is inviſible and not in the fleſh, elſe they could not be overſeers in the Church of God, and you are the viſible apoſtatized from them.

Pr. He ſaith that which is contained in the Bible is ſpirit and life. Page 25.

Anſw. That which the Bible declares of, is ſpirit and life which is Chriſt, which you are ignorant of that hath the letter, and deny the Light, and ſo ſaith life is contained in the letter.

Pr. He ſaith the Scripture is able to make men wiſe unto ſalvation, &c. page 25.

Anſ. Through faith it is: for the Phariſees and chief Prieſts had Scriptures, yet were not wiſe unto ſalvation (neither are you who deny the Light of Chriſt) and they are ſeducers, and evil men which the Apoſtle ſaw coming in which ſhould wax worſe and worſe, and have over grown the world with hardneſs, and prejudice and wickedneſs that have the Scriptures but have not been made wiſe unto ſalvation without faith in Chriſt Jeſus, which have been ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, who have had the Scriptures without the faith, and ſo out of unitie.

Pr. He ſaith Paul ſpake of ſome men that ſhould be puniſhed with everlaſting deſtruction from the preſence of the Lord and his glory, that obey not the Goſpel of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. See pag. 36.

Anſw. Who obey the Goſpel obey the power of God and comes to the ſubſtance the end of all the Scriptures; and obeyes the Light which Chriſt hath enlightned him withall. And ſuch as diſobey the power, diſobey the Goſpel, and ſo you have brought judgement upon your ſelves who get all the form, and put the form for the Goſpel: from the preſence of the glorious God and his power, doth the power puniſh them, which they diſobey, which power is the Goſpel. And thoſe was coming up before the Apoſtles deceaſe which have led into diſobedience, ſince the Apoſtles deceaſe; but now by the power of the Lord manifeſt that diſcovers it.

Pr. He ſaith Chriſt left us an Example, who is our example, &c. pag. 32.

Anſ. And yet ye are offended at others who ſay he is their Example: and would have none to own his light, ſo he is not your example that deny the Light Chriſt, but him that is out of the Light.

Pr. He ſaith for a perfection in glory to be attained to, on this ſide the grave, I utterly diſown. page 43.

Anſ. Where glory is in the leaſt degree it is in perfection, and who have not glory, and doth not attain to glory on this ſide the grave, they are in a ſad condition; For the Saints rejoyced with Joy unſpeakable, and full of glory, and they witneſſed the hope of glory within them while they was upon earth, and of that hope they was to give a reaſon that was in them, and they ſaw the glory of God, and the Father, and ſo came to be changed from glory to glory till they were come into the Image of God. And the Apoſtle ſaw before his deceaſe ſuch as would not endure ſound Doctrine; ſuch as was given to fables; and had the itching ears, and heapes to themſelves teachers, and thoſe forſook the faith, which ſuch have now ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles reigned, whereby none among them comes to be out of all teaching, that they need no man to teach them; and that they need not ſay know the Lord, and to ſee the glory of God. None comes into the everlaſting Covenant, into the power out of the form, and none cometh to know all things by the anointing in them, but they are all on heapes about their heapes of teachers, and itching ears, and ſo cannot endure the ſound Doctrin, that any ſhould come into the Covenant of God; that they need not to ſay know the Lord. That is the ſound Doctrine to come into the Covenant of God Chriſt Jeſus the ſubſtance of all the Prophets, glorified before the world began, to learn of him who is the way to the Father, the truth, and the life: and the heaps of teachers are all erred from him and the Apoſtles, and ſo from the true teacher Chriſt Jeſus who ſaith learn of me. And there people would deſtroy one another about their teachers, which Chriſt teacheth otherwiſe to love their enemies: and ſo there is men following their imaginations, and not the Lord; and reprobates concerning the faith, in which is the unity, and there are you.

Pr. He ſaith Paul did not commit the Church to the light within them: for he told them deceivers ſhould come, &c. page 39.

Anſw. Paul when that deceivers was come and falſe Apoſtles among the Church of the Corinthians, he told the Corinthians that the light that ſhined in their hearts would give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus; and ſo hear thou ſhewes thy ignorance of Scriptures, and of the Church, and of Pauls Doctrine, whoſe work was to bring them to the light within them, when the deceivers was got up, and ſo committed the Church to the light within them, and told them that that would give them the knowledge, &c. So they that draw people from the light within are the falſe ſpirits that the Apoſtle ſpeaks of that went out into the world before the Apoſtles deceaſe, which led the world after them, by whom the way of truth came to be evil ſpoken of, for the Apoſtle told them that the Light that ſhined in their hearts would give them the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus, and not their teachers without them, as you do, who bring them from the Light within them, and ſo act contrary to the Apoſtles.

Pr. He ſaith to bring people to the Light within is diſpiſing the word: again he ſaith the Light that is in a man is not able to lead him to happineſs, &c. page 50.

Anſw. No man cometh to happineſs but who cometh to the Light within which cometh from Chriſt the happineſs of all man kinde, the Redeemer, the reſtorer of man kinde, out of the fall, out of the firſt Adams ſtate to God, into the ſecond Adams ſtate, who is the Covenant of God with man in which they have peace. So in this Light ſtands every mans happineſs; and he that hath the happineſs, hath Chriſt the light within him; and the peace with God. And the light within which cometh from Chriſt the word is not againſt the word, nor Scriptures which are the words, but it ownes them, and with them hath unity; and no one ſees the word but with the Light within. And as for all the reſt of thy unſavoury expreſſions, and childiſh ſpeeches is not worth mentioning. And thou hadſt better have let ſilence have covered thee, then to have publiſhed thy nakedneſs to the Nation: for thy words will be thy burthen in the time of thy neceſſity, the witneſs ſhall anſwer in thee.

Ralph Farmers Booke, called, Satan enthroaned in his Chair, &c. His Principles follows.

Anſ. Which is a Title ſutable to himſelfe, diſcovered by the children of the day, who is his Seedſ-man, as to the Nation he hath declared: But them that be in the Truth, Love, and Peace, he doth not touch.

Pr. HE ſaith, We do not pretend to infallibility as you do, which is lying and hypocriticall, &c.

Anſ. We do believe you, that in the infallible ſpirit of God you are not, but in the falſe fallible ſpirit gone out into the world, that went forth from the Apoſtles, who had the ſpirit of Chriſt: And ſo how can you be Miniſters of the Spirit, and not the Letter, if ye be not infallible; For who be in the ſpirit, are in that which is infallible. This I ſay, none be Miniſters of the ſpirit, nor none be in the ſpirit, nor none have the ſpirit of Chriſt, nor the holy Ghoſt, nor the ſpirit of the Father ſpeaking in them, but who have that which is infallible, and in that which is infallible. And they be in the lying ſpirit and hypocriſie that be out of it, and all the falſe ſpirits that is gone out into the world: So ye do well to confeſſe that ye have not the infallible ſpirit, yee are not infallible, and ſo no Miniſters of the ſpirit: And how can they but delude people that are not infallible, and are none of Chriſts, which have not the ſpirit which is infallible, and are not Miniſters of the Goſpell, which is the power of God, which is infallible.

Pr. He ſaith, We are foretold that falſe Teachers that ſhall bring upon themſelves ſwift deſtruction, and evill men and ſeducers which wax worſe and worſe, deceiving and being deceived, ſhould come. And there ſhould come falſe Chriſts and ſeducing ſpirits, and the doctrine of Devills, ſpeaking lyes in hypocriſie, ſuch as deceive the hearts of the ſimple with their feigned ſpeeches, &c. See page 39, 40.

Anſw. Haſt not thou here brought forth thy ignorance of the Scriptures, which ſaith the ſeducers, and the falſe Chriſts, and the falſe Apoſtles, the Doctrine of Devils, and the feigned words, and fair ſpeeches, which deceived the hearts of people, came up before the Apoſtles deceaſe; and doth not thou in this ſhew thy ſpirit to be that ſpirit that went out into the world, not able to divide the word aright? but art telling people they are now come, when as the Apoſtles ſaw they was come before their deceaſe; which ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles all the confuſion hath been among them, and you that deny the light, are in diſtraction. And yet ye that be not infallible in the infallible ſpirit, but fallible, are crying to people they are come but now, and ſo grow until ye are worſe and worſe. And thee and the Prieſts of Newcaſtle, and many of the reſt of you are crying againſt ſuch as ſay Chriſt is their example; And yet many of you have publiſhed to the Nation in print, that Chriſt is an example, and the men are reſpected who ſpeak them, and not the words ſimply as they are in themſelves, and that's the partiall and the reſpecting of perſons, not the truth it ſelf.

Pr. He ſaith, If we will but acknowledge their Ministry and Church according to Chriſt; he will write a Recantation, page 53.

Anſ. Your Church and your Miniſtry hath made it ſelfe manifeſt not to be agreeing to the Prophets, Chriſt, and the Apoſtles; for you ſay you are not infallible, and you ſay you have not the infallible ſpirit: And you ſay you never heard the voyce of God immediately from heaven, which the Prophets, Chriſt, and the Apoſtles did. And how can you be Miniſters of the ſpirit, who are not in the infallible ſpirit, but the falſe ſpirit gone out into the world? but ſuch as are ravened from the ſpirit of God, and onely have the ſheeps cloathing, and ſo cannot gather to the Church in God, but make the Nations like waters. And ye muſt recant before ever you come into the Miniſtry of God, the Prophets, Chriſt and the Apoſtles was in, and to their Church, and to own the light that doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world.

Pr. He ſaith, The wiſe men of the Eaſt came to Chriſt by a Starre, &c. page 64.

Anſ. You ſay the Scripures brings to Christ: and the Jewes had the Scriptures, and came not to him (nor knew him not) who was out of the ſpirit that gave them forth; and ſo are you by your confeſſion, and ſo not come to him.

Pr. He ſaith, A man is not juſtified by that which is within him, &c. page 65.

Anſ. We are juſtified by faith, which is a myſtery held in a pure conſcience that purifies the heart, and this is within. And here again thou haſt ſhewed thy ſpirit to be that that went into the world, which was reprobated concerning the faith held in a pure conſcience, without which men are not juſtified. And ſo ye are broke into heaps, into ſects, and opinions, who are out of this faith which is a myſtery held in a pure conſcience, by which people have acceſſe unto God, through which faith they are juſtified; which you are out of, on heaps, in which is unity, and gives victory over ſin which you plead for while you be upon the earth.

And as for all the reſt of thy ſtuffe in thy Book, it will be thy own garment, and a heavy load and a burthen thou wilt feel it, whoſe nakedneſſe might have been covered by thy ſilence, but thy ſpirit muſt be tryed. I ſay the Lord forgive thee, for a heavy charge is come upon thee, and you: For in ſtead of ſeeking the peace of all men, you have made your ſelves manifeſt to be neither Miniſters, nor Fathers, nor Elders, nor ſober Chriſtians, but Wolves, that tears and rents to pieces. Indeed the ragged righteouſneſſe of men, the worlds cloathing which hangs on your backs ye may have; but the Elect, and the Saints, and the Lambs cloathing, the righteouſneſſe of the Saints, ye cannot touch, but the Lambs are in the fold layd down.

Magnus Byne, his Booke called, The Scornfull QUAKERS Anſwered. His PRINCIPLES follow, &c.

Pr. HE ſaith, Beware of falſe Prophets that come to you in ſheeps cloathing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. Believe not every ſpirit, but try the ſpirits whether they be of God, becauſe many falſe ſpirits are gone out into the world.

Anſ. Muſt thou ſhew thy ignorance of the Letter? So much a man unlike to divide the word aright? For Chriſt ſaith, falſe prophets ſhould come, & Antichriſts, that ſhould be inwardly ravening wolves, that had the ſheeps cloathing, that John ſaw was come before the Apoſtles deceaſe; which went forth from them, which all the world went after them: and they could not have deceived the world, if the Wolfe had not had the ſheeps cloathing upon them: So as you may read in the Revelations, how they ravened and devoured, and drunk the blood of the Martyrs, the Saints and the Prophets; And ſo you that are crying to the world they are come but now, are the deceivers of the world, as you may read Matth. 7. and 1 John 2.4. Revel. Chap. 13, 14.17, 18. and not men dividing the word aright. For now from them are people come, and coming to Chriſt the Rock, the foundation of God, and to that ſpirit which you ravened from; which ſtands ſure, before the world was made, out of the waters; For the Nations are as waters, and the falſe ſpirits, the falſe Prophets, and the mother of Harlots have ruled, and with the ſheepes cloathing have deceived the Nations; but now the Lamb and the Saints ſhall rule: For ye have confeſſed that ye have not the Infallible ſpirit, as the Prophets, Chriſt, and the Apoſtles had; ſo we ſay ye are ravened from it that they was in, and only have the ſheeps cloathing: For the Prophets, Chriſt, and the Apoſtles had an infallible ſpirit; which the falſe Prophets, Antichriſts, Devils, and Deceivers was always out of; and the mother of harlots, and Babylon, though they might get the ſheeps cloathing.

Pr. He ſaith, It is filthy blaſphemy to ſay, the ſpirit of Chriſt that dwells in the Son, dwells in man, and he muſt be infallible, and he muſt be perfect, and ſinleſſe: and ſaith, Let them alone to their Father the Devill, &c. See his Epiſtle to the Reader.

Anſw. He that hath not the ſpirit of Chriſt is none of his; and who hath the ſpirit of Chriſt, hath that which is infallible, and this is out of the ſpirit the Devill is in: And they that were not in the ſpirit, and are not in the ſpirit that dwells in the Son, though they have all the Scriptures, are in the ſpirit of blaſphemy, and there thou art that will blaſpheme againſt the Son: And the falſe ſpirits that be in the world are on heaps about the Sons, the Prophets and Apoſtles words out of the infallible ſpirit of thoſe that gave them forth, who was perfect and ſinl ſſ ; as in Rom. 6. they were made free from ſin. The Apoſtle ſaid they were perfect, and he ſpoke wiſdome among them that were perfect. And this you deny who are ravened from the ſpirit of God, and the one offering which perfects for ever them that are ſanctified, and ſo the unſanctified.

Pr. He ſaith, There is many wayes to Sion.

Anſ There is but one way to God, and that is Chriſt the Light, out of the Fall, into the Paradiſe to the tree of Life, out of the Condemnation; and that is the Light, the Covenant of God. Now with the light the way to the Father is ſeen. In the firſt Adam is many wayes, fighting about their wayes, and deſtroying one another about their wayes; which Chriſt the light, the way to the Father teacheth otherwiſe, to love enemies, and to do good to them, and to overcome evill with good, and heap coales of fire upon their heads; which way is but one which you are out of, who deny the Light in the many wayes, and names, horns, and heads, and images, which is the Beaſts number, who are ravened from the ſpirit of God, and are from the one way, Chriſt the Light, in which is unity.

Prin. He ſaith, The Scriptures may be underſtood by the helpe of Tongues, Page 12

Anſ. All Scriptures was given forth by inſpiration; and ſo without the ſame inſpiration it is not underſtood again. Pilate had the Tongues, and yet did not underſtand the Scripture, nor Chriſt the ſubſtance of it. And this you have ſet up ſince the apoſtacy, your Tongues, ye raveners from the ſpirit.

Pr. H ſaith, Tythes is not his infirmity, the Lord hath given him Tythes: And he doth take them as the Lord giving him maintenance and it is his liberty.

Anſ. Tythes to the firſt Prieſt-hood was allotted by God; but Chriſt the ſecond Prieſt-hood ended that Prieſt-hood and Tythes both, and the Prieſts that took them made by Gods law, and the commandment that gave them diſannul'd. And Chriſt is come, the everlaſting Prieſt-hood, not after the order of Aaron, but after the order of Melchiſedeck, the ſimilitude in whom the ſimilitude ends, Chriſt the end, the ſubſtance, the end of W r. So thou that takes Tythes art (out of the ſubſtance of Melchiſedeck, and the firſt Prieſt-hood that took Tythes) in the Tranſgreſſion, and in the Imitation, and the veil is over thy heart, and thy liberty is bondage in the unſanctified ſtate: But the ſanctification is in the Son of God, who ends types and ſimilitudes: And he it is that ſanctifies; And who preacheth the Goſpell, lives of the Goſpell, and the Pope hath given thee thy tythes by his command, and not by the command of the Lord, for Chriſt and his Apoſtles eſtabliſhed them not.

Pr. He ſaith, That the Scriptures are the ſure Word of God: and that the Scriptures are a precious light, page 17. Again he ſaith, The Son of God is the firſt principle of the pure Religion.

Anſw. The fulneſſe of the God-head dwels in the Son, and he is in the Father, and he is the Author of the firſt principle and the end of the Law, for he is all and in all; for many may have ſomething from him, yet cannot ſay he is come; but he that hath him, hath life eternall, hath the ſubſtance, the end of things. And the Scripture declares, and teſtifies of the light which is Chriſt; and many may have the Scriptures, but ſtand againſt the light, for they are them that teſtifie of me the light: So Chriſt is the precious light, and the Scriptures are the words of God; which Chriſt the word was before they was given forth, the word in whom theſe words of God end : So thou may ſee thy ignorance.

Pr. He ſaith, While we ſtay in Sodome, we crucifie the Lord of glory. And Chriſt is buried in us, &c.

Anſ. And John Bunyan a Teacher there fights againſt him; and thus they are not onely againſt the Truth, but one another. But he muſt know the ſuffering of Chriſt in the ſpirituall Sodome in him, and to ſee the ſeed that ſuffers there before it reign, and he reign with Chriſt in glory.

Pr. He ſaith; It comprehends our ſuffering in the fleſh after his example. Page 21.

Anſ. At this doth the Prieſts of Newcaſtle, and John Bunyan, and many others of the Teachers of the Nation rage: and here you are one againſt another; but Chriſt ſaith, why perſecuteſt thou me? And he was in priſon, and it is your work to put him in priſon.

Pr. He ſaith, He hath the tythes of two Pariſhes; and it is the old man that minds the athly things, page 23. Again he ſaith, and thoſe that take tythes are not Antichriſts: And the Scriptures is a choiſe veſſell of the Lords Sanctuary, and it is the letter and the hiſtory, &c. page 25.

Anſw. Well may people be all in confuſion, when ye ſay the Scripture is a Hiſtory. a Declaration, the Letter, a Veſſell, the choice veſſell of the Lords Sanctuary, a light, and yet the Word of God. Now is not this to break people to pieces? The Scriptures of Truth are the words of God, and it is called a Declaration and a Treatiſe: And the choiſe v ſſels were them that gave it forth, of mercy, and of honour; and they that take tythes, and pay them, they be out of the ſubſtance Chriſt, who is the end of Tythes; for he is the ſum of tythes, and all other figures that did pertain to the firſt Prieſt-hood, firſt Covenant, and all ſimilitudes: ſo thou taking tythes of two Pariſhes, it is the mark of the old man. For the Apoſtles did preach up and down in many Synagogues where the Prieſts was, yet they did not ſeek for the tythes that did belong to them, that did pertain to the firſt Prieſt-hood: They preached the Goſpel, and lived of the Goſpel, and ſaid, they were evill beasts, that did minde earthly things; amongſt whoſe ſpirits ye are found, judged by the Word, which is Chriſt.

Pr. He ſaith, He is called of men Maſter through mans courteſie, and calls them blinde and ſinfull, and in errour that ſpeaks againſt it. Again he ſaith, it is not oppreſſion in him to take tythes of two Pariſhes, &c. page 28. 30.

Anſ. Here under the woe of Chriſt art thou come; who ſaid, woe unto them that was called of men Maſter; and ſaid, be not you ſo unto his Diſciples, &c. For ye have all one Maſter, which is Chriſt, and they abode in his Doctrine. And we do not read of Mr. Paul, Mr. Peter, Timothy or Titus, or Mr. James or John; but among you the Apoſtates we read of ſuch titles. And to ſet up that which Chriſt (him by whom the world was made before it was made) came to fulfill and end, in the world which typed him forth, Chriſt the way to the Father, out of the world, and tythes in the firſt Prieſt-hood is not the way, they are oppreſſors that cries them up, and builders up of that which Chriſt ended, ſo tranſgreſſors; So have not the Son nor the Father: and they bring not the glad tidings, for the Gaols may witneſſe in the Nation, that glad tidings is not brought; and the Courts and the oppreſſed Pariſhes of which ye take treble damages of many people ye do not work for, and caſt into priſon; and ſo this is not the Goſpel, this is not the glad tidings, nor the Goſpel.

Pr. He ſaith, I finde not this power of binding Kings with chains, and Nobles with fetters of iron, which is the honour of the Saints, this Scripture I finde not fulfilled, &c. page 35. Again he ſaith, A Saint may be found in that which is ſinfull, though this man (the Quaker) will not allow of ſin. Again he ſaith, the people of God are more then conquerours in the Lord which gives them rest and peace in the midſt of their wars. Again, hope keeps the ſoul groaning and waiting all the while in the earthly tabernacle, &c.

Anſ. I know the power, and ſpirit, and ſword of the Saints that executes the judgments, to binde, and chain, and fetter Kings and Nobles, thou art out of it, which is now among the Saints; and that Scripture is fulfilled, yea in England among the Saints: And ſuch as are more then Conquerours, they ſee the end of Wars, and that which cauſeth Wars. He that is a Conquerour may be in the War; but he that is more then a Conquerour, he is in that which takes away the occaſion of Wars, and is come to that which was before Wars was: And he that hath this hope (which is Chriſt) he hath that which purifies himſelfe even as he is pure, and comes to witneſſe the Kingdome of God that ſtands in joy, peace, and rigteouſneſſe, and ſo is not always groaning in the earth, under the earthly tabernacle while he is upon the earth, but comes to know the body of ſinne put off, made free from the body of ſinne. And the Saint is not ſinfull, neither doth the Saints ever allow nor approve of ſin; he that allows and approves of that is out of the ſanctified ſtate.

Pr. Notwithſtanding thy paſſing the firſt and ſecond reſurrection (as thou ſaith) there remains a torment for thee at the laſt day, and woe, page 42.

Anſw. They are bleſſed that have part in the firſt Reſurrection, the ſecond Death hath no power over them, but are made free from wrath that is to come, and are paſſed from death to life, and are tranſlated into the Kingdome of the Son of God, and are in unity with the Son of God and the Father both, and ſo thou uttereſt forth lyes.

Pr. He ſaith, To declare againſt ſuch as are called of men Maſter, is a matter of his faith.

Anſw. They had not faith that were called of men Maſter, which Chriſt cryed woe againſt; nor the Jews neither have you who breaks his commands.

Pr. He ſaith, The Spirit that declares in the Letter, keeps me from vanity, frees me from the law of ſin and condemnation.

Anſ. The ſpirit that was in the Saints that gave forth the Letter, did free them from the Law of ſin and condemnation, and kept them from vanity. The ſpirit is not in the Letter, for many may have that, and not the ſpirit: and they are in the ſinne and vanity, and are not freed from the Law of Condemnation, none is, but who be in the ſpirit.

Pr. He ſaith, They are to feed the people who are ordained over a particular place, over which the holy Ghost hath made them overſeers, and they are covetous wretches and worldlings that keeps back their Tythes. And no more wages he receives then what the Goſpell allows. And he is a thief that keeps back the hire from the Labourer, and the Lord gives man tythes as a portion in the earth, &c. See page 57, 58, 59, 60.

Anſ. The holy Ghoſt made the Apoſtles overſeers of the Church, and the Elders. But that which hath made you overſeers hath been men, and the Pope, by your Schools and Colledges; ſo thus you deceive the people, by telling them the holy Ghoſt made you overſeers. For ye ſay ye have not the ſame infallible ſpirit as the Prophets, Chriſt, and the Apoſtles had (as witneſſe Samuel Eaton in his Book, and divers others) and Tythes was allotted by God to the Prieſts and Levites and people in the firſt Covenant and Prieſt-hood, and they were Robbers that kept it back. But Chriſt is come, the everlaſting Covenant, who ends Tythes and Prieſt-hood, and the firſt Covenant, and blots out the Ordinances. Therefore they that be covetous, will take them by violence from the people. But them that are come to the Goſpel allowance; freely ye have received, freely give: What they ſet before them, of that they are to eat, preach the Goſpel, live of the Goſpel; theſe triumph and trample upon the firſt Prieſt-hood, types, figures, and ſhadows, ſees the Prieſt-hood is changed, the Ordinances blotted out, the Commandement diſannul'd that gave them, Do witneſſe the one offering for the ſin of the whole world, and are of the royall Prieſt-hood: Such as theſe cannot pay tythes, covetous and worldlings may do it, and take them that are apoſtatized from the Apoſtles, ſet up by the Popes authority, by which the true ſeed is oppreſt; who went forth from the Apoſtles by a uſurpt authority, under whom you are ſheltred for your tythes; But now you are ſeen by them, who are come to the Apoſtles that you went from, and judged.

Pr. He ſaith, The Lord hath given tythes for the maintenance of the Miniſtery of this Nation.

Again he ſaith, This light within is turned into utter darkneſſe, page 62. 65.

Anſ. It was the Pope and the apoſtates from the Apoſtles ſince their dayes that hath given Tythes; from the ſpirit that the Apoſtles was in they are ravened that take them, for the Apoſtles took none, their fruits in the Nation declares it; which if they will not give the Prieſts Tythes, how they caſt them into Priſons, Dungeons, untill death: For Chriſts maintenance which the Apoſtles witneſſed; freely they had received, and did give again freely; and he that preached the Goſpell, to live of the Goſpell, and coveted no mans ſilver, goods, nor apparrel. But do not ye covet mens ſilver and goods, when ye take treble damages of them, and caſt them into priſon? Is not this the work of the Miniſtry of the Nation? Is not the over-flowing ſcourge of the Almighty gone over you? and the Rod and the Laſh come upon you all?

Again, the Light within hath led to the light of life, and leads to the light of life out of utter darkneſſe, in which thee and thy generation is ſeen that ſtands againſt the light. So all you Apoſtates are whelmed under in the apoſtacy ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, who are out of the allowance of Chriſt his wages and maintenance, the giving freely, which ſhews they have not received of God, but bought, and ſells, yea and after great rates too; and ſo are the Merchants that John ſpeaks of in the Revelations, and this cumbers the creation, yea Nations; Ye bring not the glad tydings to them, but burthens them; yee are ſeen and felt.

Pr. He ſaith, Away with your bodily, fleſhly, litterall trembling and quivering. See page 70.

Anſw. Habakkuk his lips quivered, Davids fleſh trembled, Daniel trembled, Paul trembled, Davids bones quaked; and this man the Lord regards that trembles at his Word, though caſt out by thee and thy generation in this age, as was in the dayes of Iſaiah. So thee and thy generation, who ſaith away with trembling of the fleſh, and bodily. Away with the power of God that throws down that which defiles the fleſh; ſo before fl ſh, ſin is condemned in it, and the powers of darkneſs wrought out of the fleſh. You muſt know trembling, thou and all thy generation, before the Devill be diſpoſſeſſed out of your earthly Tabernacles: you muſt all know trembling, and thou and thy generation have ſhewed your ignorance of the mighty power of God, the ſalvation that is wrought out with feare and trembling. And that power that threw down in all ages, the nature that captivated the ſeed of God, and defiled the fleſh, and darkned the underſtanding, the ſenſe and reaſon, and warred againſt the ſoule; ye have ſhewed your ignorance of that power that throws all theſe down, and that which defiles the ſpirit and the body, whereby the body, the ſoule, and the ſpirit comes to be ſanctified: And before this be ſo, ye muſt know a bodily trembling and ſhaking; and he cries away with it before ever he came at it, leſt he ſhould be tormented before his time; who is one of them who ever was againſt the holy men of God, but the power of the Lord God has overtaken thee, and with that are ye comprehended, and ye are in the preſſe, and your cluſter is full, and the ſickle is gone out.

Pr. He ſaith, The Prieſt-hood is changed, but not the Tythes aboliſhed by the coming of any ſubſtance; and they that keep back tythes of God, he hath preferred his mammon before his God, & is guilty of the ſin of Ananias: And denying to pay tythes is weakning the hands of the Ministers: and God in wiſdome hath required by an outward Law, in the abſence of the inward, for the maintenance of the Ministery by tythes or other maintenance, and ſo they owe a tribute unto God; and ſo they muſt pay tribute, and custome to whom cuſtome is due. Again he ſaith, custome, tribute, Tithes, &c. love will teach thee theſe things are due, therefore covet not anothers portion.

Anſ. When the Apoſtle had ſpoken of tithes before the Law to Melchiſedeck like unto the Son of God; and ſpoken of Tithes to the Prieſthood made by a Law, had a command to take them: he ſaith the Prieſthood was changed, the Law was changed, the command was diſanulled that gave them Tithes, the Son of God was come the end of the ſimilitude and the likeneſs before the Law. Now ſaith he of the things (for tythes were things before the Law, and in the Law) of the things which we have ſpoken this is the ſum, Chriſt a Miniſter of the Sanctuary which God hath pitched and not man. So there is the ſum of the things and the ſubſtance: and the plentious Redemption that leads men out of the earth, that brings them to lay down all at the feet of the Apoſtles, which is beyond tenthes which was to the ſervice of the Lord due; Here the earth cometh to be known to be the Lords; it is given up here, and man Redeemed out of it, of this glorious Goſpel are ye all ignorant; and ſo Tithes is not as Annanias, to be compared with Annanias, not now; and not as a tribute, but as a cuſtome, which ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in the apoſtacy, that the Nations have drunk the whores cup, there have been Queens and Kings that have made Lawes, that is gone out of the power of Chriſt which the Apoſtles was in, into the beaſts power, and made Schools to make their Miniſters, and have ſet up Tenths; So this cuſtome of the ſin, hath taken away the ſence of it, that people have been hardened that they have torn people, ſpoiled their goods, and caſt into priſon, and taken treble dammages, and kept them in priſon, and haled them before Courts and Seſſions, Aſſizes, and Benches; which is not like the Miniſters of Chriſt; for the law is changed of God that gave tenths, and ſince that was changed, the Law in the heart, and a new Covenant; And ſince the apoſtacy from that, men have got the ſheepes cloathing ravened from the ſpirit, wolves whoſe fruits declare it; who have deceived Nations, and the world, and have got up a Law from man, and a command from man, the Pope being the Author; and the Law of God is changed; and the command of God is changed that gave tithes, and they have got up this to take them, the Law of man, the command of man; and the Law of God and his command is denyed, ſpoken by the Apoſtle Heh. 7. which all that be in the wiſdom of God ſees over theſe things, and feels over them, and Judges you all, and executes Judgement, and is in the power and Authority to execute Judgement, and convince all, and are in the honour of Saints. So your Miniſtry, if Tithes fall, is weakened; but the Miniſtry of Chriſt came in, when Tithes fell, and that Miniſtry fell that held up tithes, and that Prieſthood which the Prieſts lips was to preſerve the peoples knowledge. So by the fall of that Miniſtry that took Tithes, the Miniſtry of Chriſt came in, is the riſe of this Miniſtry ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in the apoſtacy that is made by Kings, Biſhops, Popes, Schools, and Colledges? in the fall, this Miniſtry that takes tithes, (which Tithes falling ſay they, and ſaith thou the hand is weakened of the Miniſtry) it is not the power that ſtrengthens the hand but the earthly.

Now I ſay in the fall of this maintenance which weakens this Miniſtry, weakens you Miniſters in the apoſtacy, ye have ſhewed what ye are covered withall in the riſe of the Lamb, and his Miniſtry, in the Preaching of the everlaſting Goſpel, and the everlaſting Goſpel ſhall be Preached to them that dwell on the earth, which is the power of God: and though the Devil, and the beaſt, and the falſe Prophets, and the Kings of the earth do make war againſt the Saints and the Lamb, yet the Saints and the Lamb ſhall get the victory, and thats come to that the Apoſtles were in before you was, and ſo in your fall, this riſes.

Pr. He ſaith Christ without the Church, doth not comprehend all the Elect; and we are not elected, though we receive Chriſt becauſe we are elected in him, &c. Page 80.

Anſ. Thou art medling with things too weighty for thee, Chriſt is the Elect who God upholds, and the election obtains it, (the victory) and Chriſt knowes his, and ſaid he had other ſheep, and he knew all the Elect; and is the wiſdom of the Father, the Light, the Life, and the power of God, the offering, the ſacrifice for the whole world, the Redemption of man-kinde; and who receives him, and are in him, are the Elect; and out of their own works, and have poſſeſſed him, and his Image and glory; and are come to the throne of grace who is in all and over all; the ſalvation to the ends of the earth, and who are elected receives Chriſt, and are in him.

Pr. He ſaith thy denyal of ſin, and Satan, and Antichriſt to be, where they are in power and part is the old trick of the evil one, &c. page 83.

Anſ. Who are come into the Lambs power, they are come out of the power of the beaſt, ſin, and Satan; into the City, the midſt of the Paradice of God where no unclean thing enters; but the tree of life is the food, and they are a top of ſin, Satan and Antichriſt, and all thy tricks; and witneſs againſt all ſin.

Pr. He ſaith when the diſſolution comes, he bids farwell to all the Saints of God. pag. 94. Again if we ſay we have no ſin we deceive our ſelves; and the truth is not in us: if we ſay we have not ſinned, we make him a lyar. page 89.

Anſ. The Saints are in Chriſt and God; and at the diſſolving of the earthly or ſin, they do not bid all the Saints farewell; for then they come into unitie with them, with the Elect. And John doth ſhew there was a time to ſee they had ſinned, and a time to ſee they had ſin, and a time to confeſſe it and forſake it and a time to witneſs the blood of Jeſus Chriſt to cleanſe from all ſin, a time to witneſſe the birth of God born, which doth not commit ſin, and the ſeed of God remaining in them, that the wicked one could not touch them.

Pr. He ſaith the Saints are neither in the fulneſs of the Godhead, nor part: away with this Blaſphemy that ſaith this is, &c. page 92.

Anſ. The work of the Miniſtry was to bring people to the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the unity of the faith; to the meaſure, and ſtature of the fulneſs of Chriſt, and Chriſt will dwell in the Saints, and God will dwell in them; and thou ſaith they have no part of the fulneſs of the Godhead; and John ſaith of his fulneſs have we all received; in whom dwells the Godhead bodily. And ye be all in the Blaſphemy that be out of this part of the fulneſs.

Pr. He ſaith the Quakers knowes a man whether he be a Saint or a Divel, as ſoon as they ſee him, or hear him ſpeak, or act, and they are beyond all our forefathers; And the Apoſtle ſaith, what man knoweth the things of a man ſaving the ſpirit of a man that is in him: ſo we are not as Chriſt in this reſpect; and thou ſaith thou art as Chriſt in this preſent world: and no man can be without ſin in this houſe of clay, and ſaith I was ſhapen in iniquity and in ſin my mother conceived me; and my fleſh is ſins free-hold, &c. page 94. 95.

Anſ. Here thou haſt ſhewed that the Quakers have a ſpirit given to them beyond all the forefathers (which we do witneſs) ſince the days of the Apoſtles in the apoſtacy, And they can diſcern who are Saints, who are Divels & who are apoſtates, without ſpeaking ever a word, they that be in the power & the life of truth. And the natural man knows not the things that be in another man: but with the ſpirit within him may know what is in himſelf: but the ſpiritual man ſearcheth all things, yea the deep things of God. Here thou haſt made no diſtinction betwixt the ſpiritual, and natural; And as Chriſt is, ſo are we in this preſent world; and where Chriſt is manifeſt, he deſtroyes the ſin in the fleſh, where they come to be as he is; they come to be above clay and mortal, and fading, and ſo the fleſh comes to be put off which thou calls ſins free-hold, and the body of it, and cometh to be made free from the Law by the body of Chriſt; and this the Saints witneſſed while they were on earth; And the creature comes into the liberty of the Sons of God. And as thou was born in iniquity thou ſhewes thou was born in the unregeneration, there was ſome ſanctified from the womb, there is ſome children clean who are believers; he that can receive it let him; ſo thou art an ignorant man not able to divide the word aright nor canſt Miniſter unto the people, not knowing the condition they be in, unleſs they tell thee, and ſo apoſtatized from the Apoſtles, and not Miniſters of the ſpirit, that Miniſters to the ſpirit; for could not the Apoſtles Preach and ſpeak to the Jewes and Gentiles, unleſs they come and told them what condition they were in? or did all the Jewes and Gentiles come and tell the Apoſtles what condition they were in before they Preacht to them?

Pr. He ſaith the Light in man is imperfect, a weak, faint light, page 97. Again the light in the Gentiles is called a natural light. page 88.

Anſ. The light that every man hath that cometh into the world, is not an Imperfect light, a weak, or faint light, or natural light; but who are weak, go from it, and faint, and hate it, and diſpiſeth it, as Eſau, and run into the earth, And who believe in it, have the light of life; and receives it, becomes the Sons of God. And the light in the Gentiles which brought them to do the Law, was ſpiritual, not natural, which the Apoſtle ſets up to be the Circumciſion, and the Jew inward: and throwes out the Jew outward, and Circumciſion both: and this he brings to have the praiſe of God, which the Jewes had not in the outward, and this makes the Jew no Jew, and their Circumciſion no Circumciſion, and Judged them. And all profeſſors upon the earth that be from that that doth the Law in the heart, and the Jew inward, you be from that who ſtands againſt the Light of Chriſt that doth enlighten, &c.

Pr. He ſaith, If an hypocrite reign, his power is of God: and Saints are to yield to the power and it muſt be honoured, and have obedience from the Saints. Page 101. And ſo they that call them corrupt Magiſtrates are the filthy dreamers that Jude ſpeaks of. Pag. 102.

Anſw. Such as are turned into corruption, and are hypocrites they are gone from the higher power, which the ſoul ſhould be ſubject to, and its gone over them; and ſo for the Lords ſake the Saints cannot be ſubject to that power, but that power that brings down the hypocriſie, and the corruptions in Magiſtrates, and as they come to be clothed with the power of God, they are able to put a difference betwixt the precious and the vile, and that they own; thoſe are a praiſe to them that do well. The Jewes of old time could not obey the heathen Magiſtrates, bow to their gods, that feared God, that lived in the Law of God; nor to their Commands nor their power nor authority; nor the Apoſtles could not bow to the Authority of the Jewes, to their ordinances, their power that held them up, which Chriſt came to put an end to; which was held up by Magiſtrates: nor that among the Gentiles held up by Magiſtrates. For Chriſt was come to reign who had all power in heaven, and earth given to him. And ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in the apoſtacy the Saints cannot now bow to that which the Pope, and Kings, and Queens ſet up; though they call it a Supream power that commands the things, which who be in the power of God, that deſtroyes that which defiles the fleſh and the evil ſpeaker, and that is the dignity which the Saints own and live in, and ſpeakes not evil of, but they do that tranſgreſſe the Spirit of God, and goes from it as Jude ſpeakes of; therefore have the Martyrs, and Saints, and Prophets ſuffered ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles by the Beaſt, and the falſe prophets and the great whore which have been in the power of the Devil that went out of truth, and that the Saints was not ſubject to. But now Chriſt is come to reign, the Lamb and the Saints ſhall have the victory, and the higher power is owned, that is higher then all the tranſgreſſors upon earth, that reaches to the ſoul; and the tranſgreſſed principle of God in every man upon the earth: for the Beaſts power hath ſet up your Tythes, Temples and Colledges, and compeld men to worſhip, which the Saints could not, and therefore have ſuffered by it, that have worſhipped God in the ſpirit and truth, that the devil is out of; and ſuch was in the higher power.

Pr. He ſaith there is a kinde of Infiniteneſs in the ſoul; and it cannot be Infiniteneſs in it ſelf. Pag. 103.

Anſ. Is not the ſoul without beginning coming from God, returning into God again, who hath it in his hand, which hand goes againſt him that does evil, which throwes down that which wars againſt it; And Chriſt the power of God, the Biſhop of the ſoul, which brings it up into God which came out from him; hath this a beginning or ending? And is not this infinite in it ſelf, and more then all the world?

Pr. He ſaith the ſoul is a creature: and yet it is a noble power, and an Eſſence, and is the appetite, fancy, &c. Again he ſaith he knowes that the ſoul is a ſpiritual thing; and cannot be divided into parts and powers, as being one ſingle entire eſſence. Page 107.

Anſ. The ſoul being in the death in tranſgreſſion, ſo mans ſpirit there is not ſanctified, and the ſoul is in death: And fancy, and the appetite, and anger, and pleaſure, &c. which thou ſaith is taken for the ſoul uſually, and called the ſoul, are them that wars againſt it; ſo thou divides the ſoul into parts, which is one, and art ignorant of it, and yet thou ſaid it cannot be divided. So thou art in the Babylon, and confuſion. So the living of the ſoul, and the ſpirit ſanctified, that diligent hearkening is come to where the Counſel of God is ſtood in, his voyce heard, his hand felt, that the ſoul comes up into, that comes from him from God; thats living and Immortal, and gives a Creature its feeling, and ſencibleneſs through things: and ſo the Covenant of God comes to be received wherein the ſoul lives, the Biſhop of it which is immortal, and then the new creature born is known, whereby the ſpirit of man is ſanctified, whereby the God of the ſpirits of all fleſh is known. Now where the power and life guides up to God the Father of life, that works down, and directs the mind up to God where the ſoul hath the iſſue, the immortal, to the immortal, whereby light ſprings in Chriſt is known, the ſoul praiſeth God the Saviour; the low eſtate that God hath regarded and reached down to it. Now where the light is hated, that of God within tranſgreſſed (that doth pertain to the righteous Law of God, and anſwers it) the ſpirit of man is not ſanctified and mans underſtanding darkened the higher power is denyed, the ſoul comes into death, tranſgreſſing of the Law is known; the witneſs buried which ſhould guide the mind whereby the ſoul ſhould live in the diligent hearkening; thereby comes man to be defiled, and his ſpirit and body and minde, whereby he glorifies not God in his body and ſoul, and ſpirit, and glorifies not the God of the ſpirits of all fleſh; thereby he comes to be an alien and a ſtranger to the life of God, and his wayes and Covenant, and thou ſayes the ſoul is a ſpiritual thing, and yet a creature, an appetite and fancy. And every man that cometh into the world having a Light from Chriſt the ſecond Adam (though they be in the firſt Adam) the Biſhop of their ſouls; So every one being turned to the Light which Chriſt the ſecond Adam hath enlightened them withall, they ſhall ſee the Biſhop of their ſouls Chriſt the power of God, which is immortal, brings the immortal ſoul into the immortal God, Chriſt their ſanctification, who ſanctifies their ſpirits, and bodies, and brings the ſoul up into God from whence it came, whereby they come to be one ſoul: For in the luſts of the world, and the affections of it, is the war againſt it, and there is the powers of wickedneſs; the ſoul muſt be in the higher power, higher then the fleſh which ſtains the man, ſpirit and body, and powers of wickedneſs. So the light being turned to, he receiveth the ſpirit of God which ſanctifies him, the ſpirit of Sanctification in Chriſt Jeſus, the Sanctification and Redemption. So every man that cometh into the world having a light from Chriſt Jeſus the way out of the fall, the ſecond Adam; receiving the light they receive their Redemption, and Sanctification, whereby their ſpirits, bodies and ſouls are ſanctified.

Pr. He ſaith, The binding of Sathan ſhall not be by a perſonall reigne of Christ in a body. He ſaith, the Quaker denies the light written in Scripture: And he ſaith, when yee that pretend moſt love to Chriſt within, and light within, ye deny the Lord that bought yee: And the high talke of a Light within goes out for ever into utter darkneſs.

Anſ. The Light within, and Chriſt within; who owns this, and are come into it, owns the Lord that bought them, Chriſt and no other; and they that receive not this within, are Reprobates without him, and deceives him, yet talk of him as the Devils, falſe Prophets, and Deceivers: And they that go from the Light within, go into utter darkneſſe, and ſtumble, and do not know whether they go, and wants the garments, and the Lambs cloathing. And ſo the Light within, he that believes in it hath the witneſſe in himſelfe, abides not in the darkneſſe, nor in the condemnation, but hath the light of life. And the light within that ſhines in the heart, gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus. And who knows Satan bound, and falſe Prophets, and Antichriſts, and Beaſts, and mother of Harlots taken and caſt into the fire, and Chriſt reign, and know his bodily preſence, they know his fleſh, and are of his fleſh and of his bone, and his ſpirit, and minde, and power, who hath all power in heaven and earth given to him over the Devil, over the A tichriſts, falſe Prophets, Beaſt, and mother of Harlots reigns above their power, triumphs, tramples above their power, and this is known by the Light within. And now doth Chriſt reign in his Saints, and the Paradice of God is known, and Eden, where all things are ſanctified and bleſſed, and good; where there is no curſe, but bleſſing: and he that went out of this did tranſgreſſe, and diſobeyed, which brought the death upon all his poſterity, earthly Adam: But who are come in through the obedience of another, the ſecond Adam, Chriſt Jeſus, who became the Curſe, and tooke away the Curſe, who is the ſanctification, and brings the bleſſing and redemption; by whom and through whom are many entered into the Paradiſe of God, and have the right to the tree of Life. And they are not come into this, who are yet in the diſobedience, the unbeliever, and lyar, and reviler, and whoremonger, and Adulterer hates the light in the diſobedience, and cannot touch the tree of life, for the ſword turns every way upon them.

And as for all thy hard expreſſions and reviles in thy Book, they come from the Diſobedience, over which the ſword is that keeps it in awe, over whom goes the higher power, and that cannot touch, nor taſte of the tree of Life in the Paradice of God, in the Ancient of Dayes, thou ſhalt feel my words to be truth.

Robert Simpſon, Robert Parnell, John Andrews, Thomas Ewen, Bryan Hanſon, and Richard Moon, In their Book called, The Church of Chriſt in BRISTOL recovering her VAILE. Their Principles as followeth.

Anſw. It is a true word to you: And that you are recovering the vaile more then the life, and ſubſtance (that takes away all vails) as your Principles that follows in your Book makes it manifeſt.

Pr. YOu ſay, Now the ſpirit ſpeaketh expreſly, that in the latter times ſome ſhall depart from the faith, giving heed to ſeducing ſpirits, and doctrines of Devels: And alſo of your own ſelves ſhall men ariſe ſpeaking perverſe things, and draw many Diſciples after them: And they went out from us, it is manifeſt they are not of us, 1 John 2, &c.

Anſ. You have brought theſe words to ſhew your ignorance; for the Apoſtles ſaw ſuch as ſhould depart from the faith, and the falſe Prophets and Antichriſts that Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, John ſaw was come, and went forth from them before the Apoſtles deceaſe: And they went forth from the Church, and departed from the faith, in which faith the Church had unity, and this they apoſtatized from; which ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles they have had the ſheeps cloathing, and ſo got up an imagined Church with a vail on it (in the apoſtacy) and theſe were they that drew Diſciples after them, which cauſed the way of truth to be evill ſpoken of; and the ſeducing ſpirits, and the doctrine of Devills have been up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, which they ſaw come in before their deceaſe; and ſuch went from the faith, in which is the unity. And thus they be in the enmity, deſtroying one another, perſecuting one another, priſoning one another about Religion, and Church, Doctrine, and Scriptures, and Chriſts, and the Prophets, and Apoſtles words; which ſhew they be out of unity with God, with the Scriptures, and there you are; and out of the faith that works by love, by which they ſhould heap coals of fire on the heads of all the adverſaries. And ſo this is the dawning of the day, the ending of the night of apoſtacy; you who be of the skirts of the great Whore are ſeen, as you have manifeſted by your tale you have told to the world in your Booke, who ſtiles your ſelves, The Church of Christ, which is made up by the Letter. How want ye the life the Saints lived in that gave forth the Scriptures? Oh! ye want the covering of the ſpirit of the Lord God. And now are all your ſpirits and men departed from the Faith, and falſe Prophets that ſhould inwardly raven, that Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, that got the ſheeps cloathing, but inwardly ravening wolves, whoſe fruits ſhould declare them; which John ſaw was come, which went forth from them, which led the world after them; and the falſe Apoſtles, and Satans Miniſters and meſſengers, which the Apoſtle ſaw come up before his deceaſe: Theſe ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles have been the guides and leaders of the world, and Teachers, and gatherers of people into Names, into Heads, into Horns, whereby one hath been againſt another, that they have gathered people out of peoples; and brought people to a head, and not to Chriſt, and yet all have profeſſed themſelves Chriſtians: So they have had the ſheeps cloathing, but inwardly ravened from the ſpirit of God, and ſo have been Wolves cloathed with the ſheeps cloathing, tearing the Lambs to pieces, yea and many Gaots and Beaſts too ſometimes, which the fruits of this hath declared ſufficiently ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, and in this Nation: And theſe have deceived the world, and have been the wreſtlers againſt fleſh and blood, ſtrikers at the Creature; ſuch as have departed from the faith, ravened from the ſpirit, went forth from the Apoſtles, had ſheeps cloathing, ſuch have been the Teachers and gatherers into Sects, and Names, and Heaps; and every one will cry, his Church, his Church, and all againſt the light which comes from Chriſt where the Church ſtands. But now he is redeeming and recovering that which hath been loſt ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, in this night of the Apoſtacy. The light is come, the night is gone, the Lamb and the Saints are going on conquering, and to conquer. The Throne of the Lamb is ſet up; and all thoſe falſe Prophets, Beaſts, Antichriſts, and mother of Harlots, great Whore, and Kings of the Earth, and the Devill, are making War againſt the Lamb and the Saints.

Now are all the Antichriſts appearing, and are in armes, and riſing againſt Chriſt and his light. The Lamb is on the white Horſe, who ſlayes with his Sword, which are the words of his mouth, and the Lamb and the Saints ſhall have the victory. Glory in the higheſt, and rejoyce ye holy Prophets over her.

Pr. They ſay, The myſticall body may ſometimes be ſubject to diſtempers, and humours, and wants, page 1.

Anſw. Are you Judges? Can you judge of the myſticall body which the Saints are baptized into? Is their humours, wants, and diſtempers in the body which the Saints are baptized into? Is not the wants, humours, diſtempers in your body? Do you here in this divide the word aright? Diſtinguiſh things in the ground, and ſpeak aright of things; and yet ye would not be judged, and ſay Judge not; and is not myſticall, ſpirituall?

Pr. You ſay The Scriptures are the word of God.

Anſw. The Scripture ſaith it ſelfe, the Word is God; Chriſt, whoſe name is called the Word of God; and the Scriptures are words, the words of God, the words of Chriſt, the Declaration which the Miniſters of the Word ſet forth; which words ends in Chriſt the Word who fulfills them: And it is called the Scriptures of Truth which cannot be broken; and ſo ye do not ſpeak as the Church did that gave forth Scripture. And the ſpirit of God was the rule that led them to ſpeak forth the Scriptures, which brings to know the right uſe of them again.

Pr. They ſay, To call that light in every man Chriſt, is to ſlight Chriſts glorious perſon in heaven, and to nullifie it.

Anſ. In this have not you ſhewed your ignorance? And to be them that went forth from the Apoſtles, and ſo are hardned from the ſpirit they was in; which ſaid, Chriſt is all in all, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world; And none ſeeth the perſon of Chriſt in heaven but who be in the Light, that he hath enlightned them withall; yea, the Covenant of Light to the Gentiles and Heathens as well as Jewes, and ſo God is not a reſpecter of perſons. And all that be from this Light are now making war againſt the Lamb and the Saints, and the accuſer of the Brethren is caſt out, and the light which doth enlighten every man which comes into the world, is Chriſt.

Pr. They ſay, It is a deluſion for them that are in the light to ſee what mens inward ſtates are before God. page 29.

Anſ. Have ye given your ſelves a name of the Church of Chriſt, and is there not a ſpirit of diſcerning among you? Have ye not manifeſted here that ye are harlotted from the Church of Chriſt the Apoſtles was of? And how can ye miniſter, or teach people if that ye do not diſcern their ſtates, how they ſtand before God? How can you commend your ſelves to every mans conſcience in Gods ſight? How can ye preſent the ſoules of men to God, and ſee not their ſtates how they are in his ſight. How come ye to have fellowſhip in the Spirit? How can you or any Miniſter to the ſtate and condition that people be in, and ſee where they are, and doth not know how they ſtand in Gods ſight? in this how have you ſhewed your ignorance of the Scriptures, and the Epiſtles written to the Saints which ſpeaks to the ſtate and conditions the Saints were in? How have ye a name, but declared your ſelves dead from the life? How have ye ſtained your own glory, and marred your own beauty, and ſets your ſelves out of the ſteps and paths of the Church of Chriſt?

Pr. Simpſon he ſaith, If my heart deceive me not, I could wiſh that God would recover you out of the Devils ſnare. page 40. And ye ſpeak of breaking of bread, and Ordinances, and the Lords Supper, and Baptiſme, page 35.

Anſ. The prayers of the faithfull are acceptable that are in the ſpirit; but he that doubts, he knows not his own heart, and prayes without diſcerning, being out of that which purifies it: And for Baptiſme, and Ordinances, and the Lords Supper, and the bread that the Saints broke, ye have all been ignorant of in this night of apoſtacy ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles; who had ſpoken to the Corinthians, what he had received of the Lord, he delivered unto them: And as oft as they did eate that bread, and drinke that cup, they did ſhew forth the Lords death till he come, and they were to do it in remembrance of him. And afterwards the Apoſtle writ again to the ſaid Corinthians, & tells them, the light that ſhined in their hearts would give them the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Christ Jeſus: And ſaid, while we look not at things that are ſeen, but at things that are not ſeen: For the things that are ſeen are temporal (Bread, Wine, and Water are ſeen) but the things that are not ſeen are eternall; And bids them examine themſelves, and prove their own ſelves (and ſaid) Know ye not that Chriſt Jeſus is in you except you be reprobates?

Pr. He ſaith, He hath been a Preacher of the Goſpell at Briſtoll and Wells, and he hath not need to ſeek a proof of any man, page 43. And he ſaith, I am no Preacher to bid every man turn to the light within him, neither did I ever read or hear, that any of the Apostles or holy men of God preached ſuch a Goſpell. And they ſaid, Sarah Latchet (who was excommunicated, who had been one of them) it was fitteſt to ſend her to Bridewell.

Anſw. This was not the Miniſters of the Goſpels work to wreſtle with fleſh and blood, which is yours. And they in the ſight of God had witneſſes, and they could ſeek them; which thou ſaith thou needs not: And they turned people from the darkneſſe to the light; and Chriſt bid them believe in the light while they had it, that they might become the chilldren of the Light And the Apoſtles doctrine was, that the light that ſhined in their hearts would give them that light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus, and this thou never heardeſt of (as thou ſaiſt) And thy Goſpel that is not this, and agrees not to the Apoſtles, is another, and ſo accurſed: And the Saints was one anothers Epiſtles written in one anothers hearts, read and ſeen of all men; And thou haſt been a bad Preacher at Wells and Briſtoll, that knows not the Light.

Prin. They ſay, A man may be a Chriſtian, a believer, a converted ſoule, he may be in Chriſt, and yet not not have received the ſpirit of ſealing and establiſhing, page 53.

Anſ. This is like to the reſt of thy Doctrine who are out of it themſelves; they are not able to judge of the ſtate of babes, believers, converted ſoules which are in Chriſt: For they that are in Chriſt have the ſpirit; and they that are converted, are converted by the ſpirit: And he that believeth cometh to be ſealed with the ſpirit of promiſe.

Prin. They ſay, The light in every man is a notion, and yet they ſeeke God by prayer ſolemnly. And they ſhut up the Kingdome of heaven againſt men, that bid all men turne to the light within them, and from the believing on the perſon of Jeſus Chriſt, page 60.

Anſw. None opens the Kingdom of heaven to all men, but who turns people to the light which Chriſt Jeſus hath enlightned every man withall that cometh into the world. Nor none believes in Chriſt, but who believes in the light which Chriſt the light hath enlightned them withall, and ſuch have the witneſſe in themſelves, and can ſet to their ſeales that God is true: And they ſee their Sanctification, Juſtification, and Redemption; and none ever prays the acceptable prayer of the Lord, but who be in the light that cometh from Chriſt; and ſuch calls not the light a Notion, for all notions be among ſuch that be out of the Light, which Chriſt doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world withall: They are from the Rock, the Foundation, and Sanctification, and ſee not Chriſt. And this is not to deny Chriſt, but receive him, and believe in him. And all upon the earth be Antichriſts, that denies the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and be from it.

Pr. And as for your ſpeaking of judging, and not to judge before the time untill the Lord do come, &c.

Anſw. That was ſpoken to the Corinthians, who will bring to light the hidden things of darkneſse, and make manifeſt the counſels of the heart. Now the ſame Apoſtle ſaid to the ſame Corinthians, that God would dwell in them, and walk in them; and they were not to judge before the time untill that he did come. And he told them the Saints ſhould judge the world, and the world ſhould be judged by them. Now where the Lord is come, ſuch as have the Son, and the Father, and bring this Doctrine, they are to be received; and they know where ſin and tranſgreſſion is finiſhed, and where it is ſtanding: So if any man have an ear to hear this, and can receive it, let him.

And as for the reſt of the things in your Book, your ſilence might have covered your ſhame, for every mans words ſhall be his burthen. Therefore he that hath the word of God, and ſpeaks that that ſhall not be ſo, which now comes to be richly known, and is known among the Saints and Believers, the true Church which is come out of the Apoſtacy, ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, to that the Apoſtles was in.

Jonathan Clapham, a labourer of the Goſpell (as he ſaith) and William Jenkin: Their Book (called, A Diſcovery of the the QUAKERS Doctrine) to the PROTECTOR. Their PRINCIPLES, &c.

Pr. HE ſaith, I dare not ſay that I am infallible (as the Pope and the Quakers) And the Magistrate in this externall politick Kingdome is a Mediator, though he is no Officer nor Magistrate in the Spirituall Kingdome of his Church: And if this be received by Magiſtrates, that they have nothing to do with the worſhip of God, Chriſt is little beholding to them: Then they may protect the worſhip of Mahomet, as well as Chriſts. And yet yee ſay, That the Magiſtrate is the Officer of Christ. See his Epiſtle to the Protector.

Anſw. How is it then if the Magiſtrate be no officer of the Church, that you make uſe of Magiſtrates to priſon, to perſecute, to give you Tythes, and to quench the ſpirit when any thing is revealed to another that ſits by? Was not the Magiſtrates in all ages ſtirred up by the blinde Prieſts, and Prophets, and Teachers, to perſecute, and to priſon ſuch as they judged to be blaſphemers? And ſo did not all the Saints in all ages ſuffer, not as for Truth, but as for blaſphemy; yea by them that had the form, covered with the ſheeps cloathing?

Now the Magiſtrate that is in the power of Chriſt, he is beyond an external Kingdom, and ſees over the Kingdoms of the world; and that as he is a Help-Governour for Chriſt, he is a member of the Church, and he knows who worſhips God, and who worſhips Idols. And who worſhips God be in the power of God; He is in that which ſees over all externall Kingdomes, that's the higher power which the ſoul muſt be ſubject to, and that's the true Magiſtrate: And thou not being infallible, thou art not in the ſpirit, and ſo art not a Miniſter, and art not able to judge of powers that is not infallible, nor Magiſtrates, nor Kingdomes, nor Churches; For who is in the infallible, is in the ſpirit that Chriſt was in, and the Apoſtles and Prophets that gave forth Scriptures. But we ſay, that thou nor the Pope thy elder Brother (in the apoſtacy from the Apoſtles) are neither of ye infallible, nor in the infallible ſpirit that the Apoſtles was in; but ye are both erred from it in the apoſtacy, as your fruits declares, contrary to the Apoſtles.

Pr. They ſay, The Magiſtrates are to protect the Church from the ravenous Wolves: for yee to ſtop the freedome of the Quakers in your Dominions, and their Licenſe, and the Lord bleſſe your Highneſſe. See his Epiſtle to the Protector.

Anſw. Before thou ſaidſt they were not Officers in the Spirituall Church, and now wouldſt thou have them to limit and quench the ſpirit? and to be your Executioners, by telling them the Quakers ſeduce people? Ye have manifeſted your own ſpirits that yee have not the ſpirit to reſiſt their ſpirits, but are crying to the Magiſtrates. And did John bid the Saints call to the Magiſtrates, to the outward powers of the earth, to try Seducers, or did the Saints? And have not you manifeſted your ſelves to be them that cry, help men againſt Chriſt and the Saints? and cries to the mountaines to cover you; crying to the Magiſtrates, Help men of Iſrael, theſe are the men that will turne the world upſide down, and ſo go to the arm of fleſh? Have not ye here ſhewed your ſpirits to be them that ſhould come, who were inwardly ravened, which John ſaw was come, and to be the Wolves in the ſheeps cloathing, and the blaſphemers, ſuch as you cannot tear your ſelves, you would have the Magiſtrates to tear. But the Lord hath opened an underſtanding among many of them that they ſee you.

Pr. He ſaith, We dare not contest with the Quakers, they teach men by minding the light in the conſcience, to attain a morall righteouſneſs, that is the higheſt; and as if they had accompliſhed it wholly now, and not to be fulfilled in another world. See Epiſtle to the Protector.

Anſw. We do believe that you are not able to reſiſt the Quakers, who have appeared in that that cannot be ſhaken. Therefore is it not a ſhame to you to ſay you are a Church and Miniſters, and to ſay the Magiſtrate is no Officer in the Spirituall Church? And yet you to flye to the Magiſtrate, and tell him you dare not conteſt with the Quakers, and bleſſe him if he will but ſtop them? Think ye not the Magiſtrate will ſee you in theſe things? And the light which Chriſt the righteouſneſſe of God hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world withall, leads man from the end of the righteouſneſſe of the Law that comes to be fulfilled in all its righteouſneſſe whatſoever, and ſo the light is too heavy for thee, and hard for thee; and it is the precious ſtone thou ſtumbles at: And things fulfilled in another world, the Prophecies, the Parables, the Types, the Figures, the Shadows, the Gifts, the Revelations, the Diſpenſations, theſe things was in this world manifeſted: And Chriſt who is the end of all, who comes to him into the power of the world that hath no end. What is there, to fulfill there, in the world that hath no end. Things are to be fulfilled in this World, that hath an end: And thus thou haſt ſhewed thy ignorance.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scripture is the Word of God. And he ſaith, Chriſt is not properly the Word, but figuratively, page 3. And the Scripture is in more proper ſenſe without figure called the Word of God. He ſaith, without the Scripture we do not know how to worſhip God aright, and ſerve him, and therein attain to eternall life.

Again they ſay, God is not pleaſed to uſe this way of immediate Revelation now: Neither indeed is it the worke of Gods holy Spirit to diſcover things unto us now immediately, page 5.

Anſ. Chriſts name is called the Word of God properly, and not figuratively, and more properly then the Scripture, as in the Revelations. And the Scriptures are the words of God, and words which Chriſt fulfills (the Word.) So it is properly to call the Scriptures the words of God, and properly to call Chriſt his name the Word of God; and the Word that became fleſh, that is proper Scripture: And they that had not the Scriptures worſhipped God before the Scriptures was written, as Abraham and Enoch and others; and they attained to eternall life. And if people have all the Scriptures, and not the Spirit (which was before they was given forth) they want the ſtanding rule; they cannot know the Scriptures; they cannot worſhip God aright; they cannot finde eternall life; they have not unity with God, neither do they worſhip God aright; but who be in the ſpirit that gave them forth: And we do believe you, that immediate revelations now by the holy ſpirit of God revealing things to you im-immediately ye have not; and you ſay it is not the work of Gods ſpirit now, nor the way of God now, &c. You that have ravened from the ſpirit of God inwardly, have been the Wolves which Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, which John ſaw was come, which the world hath gone after you, and yee have burſt into Names, and Heads, & Horns, and Sects. And the power was given to the Beaſt, and the falſe Prophets, and the great Whore hath corrupted the earth: All Nations have drunk her cup of fornications, and the Kings of the Earth. So they have flown to the Kings for help againſt the Saints and againſt the Lamb, but the Lamb and the Saints ſhall have the victory. And ſo when you have been ravened from the ſpirit of God, it hath not been like yee ſhould attain to immediate Revelation by the ſpirit of God. But now who are come to the Lamb, are come to that ye ravened from, they witneſſe immediate Revelation. They are come to that the Apoſtles was in, the ſpirit of Chriſt, the ſpirit of God, they witneſſe immediate Revelation. Who are come into the feare of God, the things of God is revealed unto them; who are come into the ſpirit of God, it reveals to them the deep things of God. So you that deny immediate revelation by Gods holy ſpirit now, and diſcovering things to you immediately; you have ſhewed your ſpirits to be the falſe ſpirits, unclean ſpirits that be in the earth, like the Frogs that go out of the mouth of the Beaſt and the falſe Prophet, which was diſcovered by John, and revealed to John, diſcovered and made manifeſt; which now with the ſame holy ſpirit of God are you all apoſtates revealed and diſcovered to the children of the Light, to the Lambs and the Saints, who witneſſe the ſpirit of God which reveales the things of God to them, and immediate revelation. As ever the falſe Prophets, falſe Apoſtles, falſe Teachers, in their falſe propheſies and teachings did, who had gotten the form, and denyed the power, immediate Revelation by Gods holy ſpirit. And was it not they then that cryed to the powers of the earth for help againſt the Saints in all ages, which was diſcovered and judged by the ſpirit of God, and muſt go into the fire.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scriptures are able to make wiſe unto ſalvation, and they are a more ſure word of prophecy then any voyce that we can hear from heaven, page 6. And we will call them the Word of God whether the Quakers will or no, and we are to go to the Law and Testimony, page 7.

Anſ. In this ye are contrary to the Miniſters of the Word, who calls the Scriptures the words of God, and Chriſt the Word, and calls the Scriptures a Declaration and a Treatiſe, which Chriſt the Word came to fulfill. And the Law and Testimony which ye ſay is the Old and New Teſtament; which many may have, and yet ſtand againſt the Law which is light, as ſaith Solomon; and ſtand againſt the teſtimony of Jeſus which is the ſpirit of prophecy, and crucifie them that be in it, in the Law and Teſtimony, they that have the Old and New Teſtament, as witneſſe the ravening Wolves that have had the ſheeps cloathing, but inwardly ravened from the ſpirit; which Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, John ſaw was come, went out from the Apoſtles, which ſince the world have gone after them: And many may have the Scripture, and ſtand againſt the voyce from heaven, as the Jewes did him that ſpoke from heaven, which was more ſure; him that ſpoke from heaven who was the end of the Scripures, and comes to fulfill them. And the Scriptures are not able to make wiſe unto ſalvation, as you ſay, who leave out the Faith; but through faith they are.

Pr. Let the Quakers ſhew where ever Chriſt or the Apoſtles bid people looke to the light within them. And the Quakers ſay they write from the ſpirit of the Lord, and ſpeake from God immediately and infallibly as did the Apoſtles, and doth not this bring them under the curſe in the Revelations? page 8. And ſay the Letter is a dead and killing letter, theſe he calls wicked errours. And to ſay the light within is ſufficient, an old Popiſh argument.

Anſw. The light which every man that cometh into the world is enlightened withall, is the ſalvation to the ends of the earth, and ſufficient; for he that believes in it ſhall have the light of life, and come to witneſſe the Law of God in his minde and in his heart; and the new Covenant, which he ſhall not need to ſay, Know the Lord. And the letter of Scripture, paper and inke is a dead letter: And thou and you all that ſpeak and write, and not from God immediately and infallibly as the Apoſtles did, and Prophets, and Chriſt, but onely have gotten the words, you are all under the, Curſe in another ſpirit, ravened from the ſpirit that was in the Apoſtles, onely have had the ſheeps cloathing, inwardly ravening wolves; ſo deceived the World and the Nations, and have been held up by the powers of the world, the powers of the earth. And the Kings of the earth have drunk the cup of fornication, and they were like to maintain that which they have drunk. And ſo power hath been given to the Beaſt over all Kindreds, Tongues and Nations, and they ſhould make war againſt the Lamb and the Saints, and continue it till the words of God was fulfilled: And the Apoſtles told the Corinthians, that light that ſhined in their hearts would give them the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Christ Jeſus: And ſo all people upon the earth that have gotten a knowledge, and if the light that ſhineth in their hearts hath not given it them; what they know, they know naturally; in theſe things they corrupt themſelves. And ſo thou and you that be ignorant of the Apoſtles doctrine, the light that gives people the knowledge, and the immediate infallible ſpirit that the Apoſtle was in, and that the Scriptures was given forth from, are and the Pope together in another fallible ſpirit then the Apoſtles were in, comprehended with the ſpirit that gave forth Scriptures.

Pr. And what a dreadful Judgement is upon them that leave the Scriptures, to look to the light within them. Page 9. And many deceivers ſhould come into the world that confeſſe not Chriſt come in the fleſh, receive them not into your houſes. And the man Chriſt is teſtified againſt by the light. Pag. 13. and he ſaith they publikely deny the reſurrection of the dead body. And he ſaith, Chriſt in the fleſh his ſufferings was but an example and a figure.

Anſ. Chriſt ended all figures in ſuffering and examples, and paterns; yet he is the Saints patern, and example as the Scripture witneſſes, and there is no other example nor patern to be heeded but Chriſt alone, which they are to learn of, but to ſay he is nothing but a figure, for that thou, and you all will be judged: for he ended all figures and is the reſurrection, and the life both; and thy dead body ſhall live with my dead body, this is Scripture, and they that ſaid the reſurrection was paſt in the dayes of the Apoſtles, overthrew the faith of ſome. That which overthrowes the faith denying the reſurrection kept the ſeed in death, where it hath been in you all ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles; for who are of faith, are of Abraham, of Chriſt according to the fleſh; and ſo if the dead ariſe not, their Preaching is vain, and their faith is vain. So I ſay mortal muſt put on immortality, and corruption muſt put on incorruption: the firſt man was made a living ſoul; the ſecond was made a quickening ſpirit, there is earthly bodies, and heavenly bodies: and there Is a reſurrection of the juſt, and unjuſt, the one to eternal life, the other to condemnation. And the Judge is the man Chriſt Jeſus to Judge the quick, and the dead, who both dyed, and roſe again that he might be God of the dead, and the living. And the light which every man hath that cometh into the world doth not teſtifie againſt Christ; And the light doth not bring to deny the Scriptures but to own them; And none ownes them aright, nor Chriſt, but who are in the light which cometh from him. And all that do deny the light that doth enlighten every man, &c. are the wolves, and the falſe Prophets, and Antichriſts that have gotten the ſheeps cloathing, and ſuch cannot be received into the houſes of the Saints, that are from the light which every man is enlightened withall. And none confeſſeth Chriſt come in the fleſh, but who is in the light which Chriſt hath enlightened them withall. And ſo now is all Profeſſors, and teachers upon the earth; and Kings of the earth ravened inwardly from the light which Chriſt enlightened them all withall; ſtanding againſt the light, and the Lamb, and the Saints, that be in it; and are not to be received into the houſes of the Saints, neither to bid them God ſpeed, for they be out from God that be out of the Light which Chriſt the Son hath enlightened them withall.

Pr. And he ſaith Christ hath a humane reaſonable ſoul. Again, Chriſt the Eternal Son of God distinct from the Father Eternally; before he was made fleſh, his ſpirit was distinguiſhed from the Father and the Son from Eternitie; and not onely when he was manifeſted by deſcending on Chriſt in the likeneſs of a Dove, or by falling upon the Apoſtles like cloven tongues, &c. page 17.

Anſw. Chriſt ſaith he is in the Father, and the Father is in him, and he will ſend them the Spirit of Truth the Comforter that proceeds from the Father and the Son, and Chriſt ſaith he was glorified with the Father before the world began; and yet ye ſay, the Son is diſtinguiſhed from the Father from Eternity: and the Son ſaith he is in the Father, and the Father is in him: and you ſay the ſpirit is diſtinguiſhed from the Father and the Son from Eternity, and Chriſt ſaith it proceeds from him and the Fathers and he is the God and Father of the ſpirits of all fleſh, and the ſubſtance of all things; And is not a humane ſoul, earthly? for you ſay that Chriſt had a humane ſoul, and is not humane earthly? and hath a humane body, and is not a humane body an earthly body? Is not his body of the ſeed of Abraham according to the fleſh? and is not his body a glorified body? was not the firſt man of the earth, earthly, and had an humane body, the ſecond man the Lord from heaven? And is not the ſoul immortal which cometh out from God which is immortal and goes into God again? and is not humane, or earthly mortal? And are there not three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Spirit, and are not they all one? how then are they diſtinct, and three that bear record in earth, the ſpirit the water, and the blood, which agree, in one? And Chriſt ſaith. I and my Father are one; and I in the Father, and the Father in me, and he is in the Saints, and ſo not diſtinct.

Pr. He ſaith it is impudency in the Quakers to deny the word Trinity and three Perſons. And the Church ever denyed ſuch as denyes the Doctrine of the Trinity. Page 18. 19.

Anſ. As for the word Trinity, and three Perſons we have not read it in the Bible, but in the Common-prayer Book or Maſſe-book which the Pope was the Author of; but as for Unity we own, and Chriſt being the brightneſs of the Fathers glory, and the expreſſe Image of his ſubſtance of the Father we own; That we own which agrees with the Scriptures, and for that which the Scripture ſpeakes not; which men ſpeak, and teach for Doctrine their own words, that the Scriptures ſpeakes not, nor teacheth, ſuch the Scriptures ſhut out, and we deny.

Pr. He ſaith that is the weak, ignorant, dark, and the wicked Sect of the Devil, that maintains an equality with God; the ſoul to be one being with God or part of God. And ſaith (the Quakers ſay) there is no Scriptures ſpeakes of a humane ſoul, and the ſoul is taken up into God, and God is all, in all.

Anſw. The Aſſembly, or Synod of Prieſts put forth a Catechiſme, and ſay that the Holy Ghoſt and the Son is equal with the Father in power, and glory: and this they put forth that people ſhould learn it: what then if any come to witneſs the Holy Ghoſt, they come to witnes that which is equal in power and glory with the Father? what if any come to witneſs the Son of God revealed in them (which he that hath not him, hath not life) do they not come to witneſs him who is equal in power and glory with the Father? (this is your own Catechiſme) and is it blaſphemy to confeſſe your own words, that ye have given people to learn? God breathed into man the breath of life, and he became a living ſoul. God, who hath all ſouls in his hand. And is not this that cometh out from God, which is in Gods hand, part of God of God, and from God, and to God again? which ſoul Chriſt is the Biſhop of, and doth not thou ſpeak of a humane ſoul, an earthly ſoul, and is earthly, immortal and cannot die nor be killed? And is not that which came out from God, which God hath in his hand taken up into God again, which Chriſt the power of God is the Biſhop of, is not this of Gods being? And doth not the Scripture ſay, God is all and in all? And how doſt thou here devide the word of God aright? who ſhewes ſo much ignorance of the letter of Scripture.

Pr. He ſaith, It is a wretched doctrine to ſay men have not a humane ſoul in them, and to ſay that the ſoul is a part of the Divine Eſſence.

Anſ. Is not that of God that come out from him? and is not the earthly and humane of the ground? and is not that mortal; and is that which is immortal humane? And doſt thou ſay it is humane, and is not that earthly? And where doth the Scripture of the Prophets, Chriſt or the Apoſtles tell people of a humane ſoul; and of Chriſt having a humane body in heaven? and doth not the Apoſtle ſpeak of his glorified body?

Pr. He ſaith that God ſhould dwell in his Saints, and Chriſt inhabit in believers; how can this be? the heaven, of heavens cannot contain him, how much leſſe ſhall the ſtrait heart of man?

Anſw. The Scripture ſaith God will dwell in men, and walk in men, and Chriſt that fills heaven and earth is in you except ye be reprobates, and ſo in this thou haſt ſhewed thy ſelf one not able to divide the word aright, and the bodies of the Saints are the Temples of God, and God will dwell in them, and walk in them, and he will be their God, and they ſhall be his people.

Pr. He ſaith, Nor is it an eſſential in-dwelling of the Divine nature in Gods people, &c.

Anſw. Doth not the Apoſtle ſay the Divine nature the Saints was made partakers of? and God dwells in the Saints, and Chriſt in them, except they be reprobates? And doth not the Saints come to eat the fleſh of Chriſt? and if they eat his fleſh, is it not within them?

Pr. He ſaith God dwells not in the Saints as a perſonal union, &c. page 22.

Anſw. How comes the Saints then to eat of his fleſh and to be of his fleſh and bone, and God dwelling in them, and have unity with the Son and the Father, and to be of his body, which is the Church, and Chriſt the head.

Pr. To ſay a man is juſtified and made righteous (by Gods putting righteouſneſs into us,) and by righteouſneſs wrought in the creature, confounds Juſtification and Sanctification, &c. See page 25.

Anſw. The Apoſtle brought the people to the faith by which they was juſtified, that was in their hearts, for with the heart man believes unto righteouſneſs, &c. And the light they was to believe in, that was Chriſt. And the light that ſhined in their hearts gave the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus their Saviour. Now Juſtification by the works of the Law, was, do this and live: Circumciſe the children; if they did not, they was to be cut off: and they was to keep the Law, and the works of the Law, the faith of Chriſt ended: for it took away the nature that the Law went upon; now the Papiſts, and Prieſts be out of the works of the Law, or the works of faith that works by love, for they are ſlaying one another about Religion, though they pretend works, and this was ever out of the faith of Chriſt Jeſus to kill one another about Religion: Now the Apoſtles was in the works of faith, who neither priſoned, nor perſecuted any that was a contrary minded that did ſo, nor wreſtled not againſt fleſh and blood, but againſt the power that captivated creatures. And ſo all this work about works doth ſhew you and the Papiſts both be out of the faith that works by love, where love ſhould overcome all things, and bear all things. I do not meaſure Prieſts, and profeſſors, nor Papiſts by the works of the Law which the Apoſtles ſpeakes of, which the falſe teachers were bringing people to, in the dayes of the Apoſtles; Neither do I compare or meaſure Papiſts, or Prieſts with the works of faith that works by love, that becomes all, to all, for the winning ſome of them. Papiſts, and Prieſts and profeſſors will kill one another about their faith, which is not the faith that works by love; and contrary to the Apoſtles, and Quakers faith.

Pr. He ſaith our warfare cannot be expected to be over as long as we are in the body: and the beſt of Saints do not live free from ſin. Pag. 27.

Anſ. The Apoſtles ſaid they was made free from ſin, and the blood of Jeſus Chriſt the Son of God cleanſeth us from all ſin; and ſuch as witneſs the everlaſting Covenant of God, that blotted out their ſins, and tranſgreſſions. And they did witneſſe the one offering that perfected for ever them that are ſanctified; And the Saints did witneſſe the Kingdom of God which ſtands in righteouſneſs, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghoſt; and were new Creatures, and the old man put off, and they were more then conquerours. So thou art ignorant of the Scriptures, And it is the Doctrine of Devils that Preacheth that men ſhall have ſin, and be in a warfare ſo long as they be on earth, that is not the Doctrine of Chriſt which brings people to the faith, the which gives the victory, in which they have unity one with another, and pleaſe God.

Pr. He ſaith to witneſſe heaven within and hell within, and the reſurrection, is the myſtery of Iniquity. Page 31.

Anſ. Which ſhewes thou never knew heaven in thy ſelf, nor hell there, nor Chriſt the reſurrection and the life, which they are bleſſed that are made partakers of the firſt reſurrection, on them the ſecond death ſhall have no power. And the Scriptures doth witneſſe heaven within. And if Chriſt that was offered up the reſurrection, and the life, be not within thee, thou art a reprobate.

Pr. He ſaith, We ſhall have incorruptible, powerful, glorious and ſpiritual bodies; and yet they ſay Chriſt is in heaven with a humane body (which is earthly) See pag. 34. Again the ſpirits can enter into heaven, while the body is upon the earth, &c. And he ſaith the fourth Commandment commandeth the keeping of a ſeventh day: and he that breaketh the least Commandment and teacheh men ſo to do, is leaſt in the Kingdom of Heaven. Page 41.

Anſw. Have not all the Prieſts and teachers in England, denyed the Jewes Sabbath, the ſeventh day? and do not you work on it? And do not you meet together on the firſt day of the week? And do not you all teach men to break the Commandment there? And you keep markets and fairs on the ſeventh day; the Jewes Sabbath? ye meet together on the firſt day of the week: (which is the eight day and ſo not one in ſeven. And if the Saints-ſat in heavenly places with Chriſt Jeſus; And if the Saints in heaven muſt have a glorious body, and Chriſt an humane body (which I ſay is earthly) how doth this agree with Scripture, that ſays Chriſts is a glorious body? And is it an earthly body the Saints eats, when they eat the fleſh of Chriſt? And is not people in their firſt ſtate, in the earthly, before they come to witneſſe a ſpiritual body like unto his glorious body? How do you divide the word aright? and they that have the ſpirit of Chriſt, their ſpirits are in heaven, and they have unity with the Father.

Pr. We have no ſuch immediate converſe with God now, as to ſee him face to face, page 42.

Anſ. We do believe you have not, who are gone from the ſpirit that the Prophets and Apoſtles were in, ravened from it ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in the apoſtacy, and ſo are not in the counſell of God, and are out of his teaching and inſtruction, and ſo farre off of having fellowſhip with God; for who have fellowſhip with him, comes to ſee him; and you are not of Abrahams ſeed who ſaw God face to face, but are of the Phariſees ſtock, who never ſaw his ſhape, John 5.

Pr. And you ſay, In the laſt dayes falſe Prophets ſhould ariſe, and ſhew ſignes and wonders; and if it were poſſible they ſhould deceive the Elect. And the coming of the man of ſin is after the working of Satan, with all power, and ſignes, and lying wonders, &c. page 44.

Anſw. Chriſt ſaid they ſhould come, the falſe Prophets and the Antichriſts which John ſaw were come; yea, many Antichriſts were gone out into the world. And the Apoſtle Paul ſaw the man of ſin before his deceaſe, the coming of him with the lying ſignes and wonders; which ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in this night of Apoſtacy, they have rul'd and reign'd, the man of ſin with his lying ſignes and wonders; and theſe are not the true ſignes, but lying. And when they were ravened from the ſpirit of God they got the ſheeps cloathing, inwardly ravening wolves, which if it were poſſible, they would deceive the very elect; which went forth from the Apoſtles in the apoſtacy, and ſince, they have deceived the Nations, the wolves, the inwardly raveners, though covered with the ſheeps cloathing. And here theſe things have been among you in the apoſtacy: And the Apoſtates have reigned and rul'd, and have had the dominion ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles; But now (with that which ye all have ravened from) are ye made manifeſt and comprehended. So this man of ſin with his lying ſignes and wonders, who ravened from the ſpirit of God as the Devill did, who went from the Truth, is he that compels all his members to plead for the body of ſin while they be upon earth, and ſo to keep them out of the faith of Gods Elect, that gives the victory over the world: And ſuch he cannot deceive, nor none of his members, that ravened from the ſpirit of God.

Pr. He ſaith, The Quakers, the deſpiſing the faſhions of the world, contemning the honours and pleaſures thereof, and their ſober carriage and deportment among men, and willingneſſe to ſuffer; all theſe he calls wickedneſs. See page 49, 50.

Anſw. But it ſeemeth this practice, ſoberneſſe, denying the faſhions of the world, and contemning of honours and pleaſures thereof, and the ſober carriage offends him and the world, and the reſt of the Prieſts and Profeſſors, and to deny their luſts which they be in.

Pr. He ſaith; The Devill is not an Adulterer, page 51.

Anſw. Did the Devill abide in the Truth? And did not he go out of it? Are not all that go out of the Truth of him, Adulterers, who begets his own image? and is the foundation of adultery?

Pr. He ſaith, The light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, is a naturall light, or law, page 56.

Anſ. Which light is the end of the Law, Chriſt Jeſus, before any naturall light was made or created; for all things that was made, was made by him, and he doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, who is the end of the Law.

Pr. He ſaith, the light will not bring men to ſalvation, page 56.

Anſw. The light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, is Chriſt the ſalvation to the ends of the earth.

Pr. He ſaith again, The light is not ſufficient to lead men to ſalvation, page 60. And to witneſſe Sanctification within, and Justification there, is to confound juſtification and ſanctification. And grace, and juſtification is a created thing, and the ſight within is meer darkneſſe which the Quakers ſpeak of. See page 61.

Anſ. The light which every man that cometh into the world is enlightned withall comprehends all darkneſſe, and leads out of it, and there is no occaſion of ſtumbling in it; for as many as receives him, to them he gives power to become the ſons of God. And the light is not darkneſſe; but he that ſaith the light is darkneſſe, is out of the light, in the darkneſſe. And Juſtification and Sanctification within doth not confound it without, but is the ſame that is within as is without: And grace is the gift of God, and Sanctification both, Chriſt Jeſus, who was before any creature was created, and the grace comes from the Throne.

Pr. He ſaith, They are the unſtabliſhed people that are running after every way of errour, that owns the Quakers in theſe Nations, page 62.

Anſ. In that the Nation will witneſſe againſt thee; for them that own the Quakers, it's known that they have been the moſt knowingeſt, ſeeking people that have been in the Nations, and the moſt ſincereſt people; and none comes out of errour, but who comes to the Quakers light which they follow, which is Chriſt.

Pr. He ſaith, That Chriſt hath a humane created ſoule, See page 63. Again, and the light in the conſcience to be Chriſt is a falſe Doctrine. And the Quakers ſeeke to bring people from all other teaching but the light within them. page 65.

Anſw. The ſoule of Chriſt is witneſſed; But to ſay it is humane, earthly, and created (when the Scripture doth not teach us that doctrine) we cannot own your words, nor believe, but deny them. And Chriſt is the light in the conſcience, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, who was before any creature was; which he that receiveth it comes to him to be his Teacher, and feels him reign. And every man muſt come to the Light which Chriſt hath enlightned them withall, &c. who is the Covenant of God, to feel the Law written in their hearts, and in their mindes, to bring them off all other Teachers, whereby they need not teach one another, nor to ſay, Know the Lord.

Pr. He ſaith, Men may be called of men Maſter, and it is but a cavill to deny it. And they may deny to be called Father, as well as Maſter, &c. See page 68.

Anſw. Thou haſt in this denyed the doctrine of Chriſt, and ſlights it, who ſaith, be not ye of men called maſter; for yee have all one Maſter, which is Chriſt, and ye are all brethren. And thou haſt ſhewed thy ſelfe out of the Brother-hood; and there is a birth to be born, which can call no man Father upon earth, which thou art ignorant of.

Pr. He ſaith, There is lawfull reſpects of perſons, and it is ſaid God himſelfe is the reſpecter of perſons: and the Quakers overthrow all authority, becauſe they do not reſpect perſons, becauſe they deny that, page 71.

Anſw. God is not a reſpecter of perſons, as ſaith the Apoſtle, for his Covenant he gives to the Gentiles as well as to the Jewes. And the faith of Gods elect is held without the reſpect of perſons; and he that reſpects perſons commits ſin, and tranſgreſſeth the Law. And ſo thou divides not the word aright.

Pr. He ſaith, Falſe Prophets ſhall ariſe, and damnable hereſies, and many ſhall follow their pernicious wayes, by which the way of truth ſhall be evill ſpoken of.

Anſ. The Apoſtles ſaw them come up, the falſe Prophets that brought in the damnable hereſies, that was covetous, &c. and many followed their wayes. And the falſe Prophets goes from the light that Chriſt hath enlightned them withall, and raveneth from the Spirit, and gets the ſheeps cloathing, and through their covetouſneſſe makes a trade of that: and you are ſuch which cauſeth the truth to be evil ſpoken of, which are come up, manifeſt ſince the days of the Apoſtles.

Pr. And the Quakers are not to be received into their houſes, nor bidden God-ſpeed, and ſuch as creeps into houſes, leads ſilly women captive, laden with ſin, and led away with divers luſts.

Anſ. The Apoſtle ſaw ſuch as crept into houſes, and ſaw ſuch as tranſgreſſed the Doctrine of Chriſt, that was not to be received into houſes, and ſaw the deceivers that walked after their ungodly luſts, before the Apoſtles deceaſe; and ſuch as led people always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, as it is manifeſt now in the world, they are learning 40. 50. or 60. years, and yet there is a cry among them, that they muſt have the body of ſin while they be upon the earth, and live in their ſins, and none can be without it; and this is the height of your doctrine it leads too, which is now in the mouths of all people that be under your teaching that teach that Doctrine; and yet you will ſay, the work of the Miniſtry is for the perfecting of the Saints, to the edifying of the body of Chriſt, till all come into the unity of the faith unto a perfect man, unto the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſſe of Chriſt: And this work ye have denyed your ſelves to be in; but ſuch that are as Jannes and Jambres, how ſhould it be otherwiſe? that ravened from the ſpirit of God inwardly; that went forth from the Apoſtles, that be covetous, that keeps people alwayes learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. So you are them that keeps people from the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and keeps them in ſpiritual Aegypt, Sodome, and Gomorah, where they be always learning, having the forme of godlineſse, and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth; and this to you all will be a ſad cup at laſt.

And as for all thy lyes and ſlanders in thy Book which are not worth mentioning, they will come ſad upon thy ſelfe one day for the grievous lyes thou haſt uttered in it unto the Nation; which thouſands in the Nation that are not under the name of Quakers knows, and ſees the contrary to what thou haſt publiſhed; but they will fall upon thy own ſelfe, and be thy own burthen: And then thou ſhalt ſay, when thou feelſt thy owne works burn, thou hadſt better have been ſilent, and not have publiſhed forth thy folly, and made thy name to ſtinke, and brought thy name upon record, who hath made lyes thy refuge; but the haile is come, and coming, that will ſweep them away.

William Thomas, called Miniſter of the Goſpell of Ʋbley; His Book called, A Vindication of the SCRIPTƲRES and MINISTERS. His PRINCIPLES followeth.

Pr. HE ſaith, Christ directs to looke for life in Scriptures, becauſe they teſtifie of him; and that the Scriptures are the ground of Faith, and the Saints rule. And again, We are juſtified by Chriſt without us, and not within us. See his Epiſtle.

Anſ. The Scriptures many had, and ſearched them, and found not life in them, for Chriſt is the life; and if men have all the Scriptures, and have not Chriſt, they have not life. And ſo Chriſt did not ſay they ſhould have life in Scriptures; but he ſaith, they thought to have life there, and they teſtified of him: And they would not come to him that they might have life. How ignorant art thou of the Scriptures, and of Chriſts words, to divide them on this manner? And Chriſt is the Author of the Faith. And many if they have Scriptures, they have not the ground of faith, untill they have Chriſt the Author of it, and God the giver of it, which is able to make wiſe unto ſalvation through the faith which Chriſt is the Author of. For Enoch and Abel, &c. had faith before the Scriptures was written, and ſo before thy ground was. And the Saints had a rule before the Scriptures was written; for the ſpirit was their rule that led them into all truth, and to ſpeak forth Scriptures; that is the rule that mortifies, circumciſeth, baptizeth, and leads into all truth: The Word of God that fulfills Scriptures, leads into all truth; that is the truth that leads into all truth. Now the Scriptures cannot lead into all truth, but it teſtifies of that that doth ſo. And if Chriſt be not within people, they are reprobates: And is a reprobate juſtified? And if Chriſt be within, is not the Juſtification there, redemption and Sanctification witneſſed, Chriſt the ſame yeſterday, to day, and for ever?

Pr. He ſaith, We conſider how few there be in the Church that belongs to God. See his Epiſtle.

Anſw. This is your owne Church, which is not the pillar and ground of truth. For who be in the Church of Chriſt, the pillar and ground of truth (where there is not a ſpot nor wrinkle, nor blemiſh, nor any ſuch thing) they are them that belong to God; they are living ſtones built up together a ſpirituall houſhold, but this thou art afar off.

Pr. He ſaith, We willingly acknowledge we are fallible men, that may be deceived; and to finde infallible Teachers is against experience. None pretends infallibility but the Pope. See page 9. He ſaith, The Scriptures is the Well, and living Fountaine from whence living waters have been drawn this hundred or thouſand years, page 8.

Anſw. If every one that hath the Scriptures hath the fountain, hath the Devill the fountain? for he can bring Scriptures: Hath he the Fountain and Well of living waters? Nay we ſay, God and Chriſt is the fountain of all good: And ſaith David, all the ſprings are in him. And ſo many may have the Scriptures, and yet want the waters, want the fountain; which hath had them ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, which have had them this many hundreds of yeares in the Apoſtacy, the ſheeps cloathing, and have known no other Fountain but it, nor no other Well: So there hath all the leanneſſe of ſoules been among people, that they have not known the Fountain of whom they learned that gave forth Scriptures. And we do believe you that yee are fallible men, that ſay the Scriptures is the well and fountain of living waters, and you are not infallible. And it is contrary to your experience to be infallible: And we ſay the Pope is not infallible neither, though he be your Father, the Ancient. Yet we ſay, he and you are apoſtatized from the infallible ſpirit that the Apoſtles was in, in which we are come, with which ye are ſeen and judged. So not to have the ſpirit of Chriſt Jeſus, not to have the ſpirit of the Prophets and Apoſtles, not to be led by the ſpirit of truth into all truth; not to be in the ſpirit, not to ſpeak as ye are moved of the Holy Ghost. But to be ſuch as ravened from the ſpirit of God inwardly, and have gotten the ſheeps cloathing, ye and the Pope, and ſo have devoured Nations for this many hundred yeares, ſo have all been like ravening Wolves. For who witneſſe theſe conditions that they were in that gave forth the Scriptures, they witneſſe infallibility, an infallible ſpirit; which is now poſſeſſed and witneſſed among thoſe called Quakers, glory to the higheſt for ever. That your folly now ſhould be made manifeſt, the morning is ſpringing in, the night of apoſtacy is going. So I ſay the Devill, falſe Prophets, Antichriſts, Deceivers, Beaſt, mother of Harlots, none of theſe can witneſſe an infallible ſpirit, nor the Well nor Fountain, but the Letter; though they may get all the ſheeps cloathing, and come in likeneſſe of a Lamb or a Sheep to deceive people withall. But being out of the ſpirit that Chriſt, the Prophets and Apoſtles was in that gave forth Scriptures, they are not infallible as they were; but with that they are all judged out, which will anſwer that which they are all gone from where the key is known, and the Well was, and is in believers.

Pr. And the Scriptures is the rule; and the Quakers dream of the Light to be their Rule to walk by. Page 14.

Anſw. The word of God which lives, and endures for ever (which came to the Saints of old, which cauſed them to give forth Scriptures, and to write them) which fulfills all the words again, is the Rule: which word was ſpoken to the Saints before Scripture was written: which lets all people ſee that declaration and fulfils that declaration to them, Chriſt the leader of the people, the Covenant of God, who is the light and they are in the dreams that denyes it.

Pr. He ſaith, But Chriſt by his Magiſtrates hath appointed Tythes a maintenance for his Miniſters. Page 21.

Anſw. Since the dayes of the Apoſtles the Pope did give Tythes: and other Magiſtrates that followed him: and he hath had the tenths of the Tythes ſince this night of apoſtacy, and the reprobation hath been from the Apoſtles Doctrine. And many have had the ſheepes cloathing, but have been raveners from the life that they lived in, that gave it forth: ſo have not ſeen to what ſtate, and condition the Scriptures was ſpoken from, and to; being out of the life they was in, that gave it forth; And ſees not the ſubſtance Chriſt Jeſus who came to end the firſt Prieſt-hood, and the Miniſters that took Tythes tolerated by the firſt Covenant which the Apoſtle witneſſed the end of, an everlaſting Covenant and another miniſtry, and another maintenance to them: which ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, ſuch as are ravened from the ſpirit of God, have loſt the maintenance the Apoſtles and Chriſt gave; and ſo ſet up another, Tythes and a miniſtry; which is neither agreeable to Jewes, nor Gentiles; nor Chriſts, but more darker. But the night of apoſtacy is going over, the true Light ſhines, and the light of the living ſpringing in.

Pr. He ſaith, The immediate ſpirit excludes the word to be the rule. Page 38. And the word, and the ſpirit he ſaith are different things; And the Phariſees thought right, that eternal life was laid up in the Scriptures. Page 39.

Anſw. Chriſt told the Phariſees they would not come to him that they might have life: and he was the life, and he was the way, and no one cometh to the Father but by him: he doth not ſay he was ſcripture, but he bids them ſearch it, for it teſtified of him: and no one hath life but who are in him. And the word, and the ſpirit are one: and the ſpirit doth not exclude the word nor the Scriptures for they was given forth from it, and ownes them again, with it are they ſeen, given forth in time, fulfilled in time, cannot be broken, and the Saints, life is hid in Chriſt who ends them.

Pr. He ſaith, Men are ſaved but not by Chriſt within us. Page 42.

Anſ. How is mans ſalvations wrought out, but by the power of Chriſt wihtin? How is the old man deſtroyed, but by Chriſt within? How is the Juſtification felt, but by Chriſt within? And the ſeed Chriſt made manifeſt that ſuffered without; is made manifeſt within, there is redemption, and life. He that hath the Son of God, hath life, redemption to God out of the firſt Adam, and who feels Chriſt within feels ſalvation; and who doth not are reprobates though they may talk of him.

Pr. He ſaith, It is a fond ſigne to depend upon an unwritten word immediately within themſelves: and ſay from that word is the life manifested within. Pag. 43, And Chriſt is not come to them in the fleſh, and he ſaith Timothy had the gift of God freely; and Elders are called ordinarily, and not Immediately. This call ordinary is common to all Miniſters, to continue to all ages in the Church. Page 47.

Anſ. All they that have not the unwritten word in their hearts, which is immediate, knowes not the word of faith, knowes not the word of reconciliation: knowes not the Ingrafted word that is able to ſave their ſouls, knowes not that which lives and abides and endures for ever; knowes not eternal life, neither have they it that hath not the word, the immediate word within them; knows not the immortal ſeed. And ſuch be in the fondneſs, and have the Scripture and put that for the word, which is words. And ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in your Churches; your Miniſters, your Elders, your makers of your Miniſters, have been all mediate, and ſo it is ordinary as ye call it. But before the Apoſtacy, in the days of the Apoſtles we ſay neither Elders, nor Miniſters, was mediate: But that which made the elders, was the Holy-Ghoſt, to overſee; and that which brought them to miniſter was immediate: and ſo they was Miniſters of the ſpirit, and all Elders made by the mediate, is carnal, earthly, and their weapons are earthly, and their rule which they over-ſee withall is earthly. Therefore hath your Church broken into ſo many pieces: and they divide, and cannot hold together like earth, becauſe ye are not in an Immediate ſpirit. And ſo we do ſee it is ſo ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, neither your Elders nor your teachers are called Immediately. But only have the ſheepes cloathing, ravened from the ſpirit of God. And ſo are the wolves tearing one another to pieces about the letter, and your apprehenſions of it. And Timothy, which many of you ſay had not an immediate call, and yet thou ſaith, he had the gift of God. Doth not that which God gives to men, bring to do his will? And that which is given from God to man, is not that immediate, and perfect? And we do beleeve you, ye do not witneſs that ye are of his fleſh, and of his bone, that ye have not eaten it, nor drunk his blood: therefore do you ſay the Scriptures is the fountain of life, and have been this hundreds or thouſand years, which the Phariſees had Scriptures in their ages, and had not life: ye have had the Scriptures which ye call the well and fountain of life many hundreds, or thouſand years; yet though you and the Phariſees have all Scriptures, except ye do eat the fleſh of Chriſt, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you, neither you, nor the Phariſees; which fleſh is our food, and blood is our drink, which we do believe you, this many hundred of years ye have not eaten his fleſh, nor drank his blood: and ſo are not of his fleſh, nor of his bone; therefore cry ye ſo much againſt immediate, and infallibility.

Pr. He ſaith, The holieſt man that is, is not able to give an infallible Character of another man. Pag. 49. we do grant, that our Miniſters came from Antichriſt, and paſt through him. And he chargeth people for leaving their callings: and ſay that the Quakers are like to them that flie from the wrath to come.

Anſw. We do believe that your Miniſters came from Antichriſt, and through Antichriſt, for he was the Chanell; But the Quakers are neither of you, nor of Antichriſt, nor of the Pope: but they are of the Apoſtles ſtock, and of Abraham, and of Chriſt before the Pope was, Antichriſt was, or you was and ſo with the ſpirit of God and the Apoſtles you are fathomed. And the Quakers do witnes they are made free from the wrath to come, which the Phariſees did not that fled to John. And there thy meaſure is too ſhort; all may ſee it that be in the light, and thy ignorance of the Scriptures thou haſt diſcovered and ſhewed, and thou ſaith that the holieſt man is not able to give an infallible Character of another man: haſt not thou in this diſcovered thy ſelf to be no Miniſter of Chriſt or of the ſpirit? who cannot give an infallible Character of another man, how canſt thou miniſter to his condition? how canſt thou ſee where he is? how canſt thou ſee them that be turned from the darkneſs? and that be in the darkneſs, and diſtinguiſh the one from the other, and a holy man, from an unholy man, that canſt not give an infallible Character of any mans ſtate? How canſt thou know when men be in the ſpirit; and that they are Epiſtles written in one anothers hearts; not with paper and ink, but with the ſpirit of the living God? oh a divider of the word aright hath been wanting among you dark ones, thou may ſay right enough, your Miniſters came from Antichriſt, and through Antichriſt; And did not the Saints leave their callings?

Pr. He ſaith, It is a fancy to witneſs the righteouſneſs of Chriſt within us. Page. 61. and to maintain perſecution, he brings Ahabs ſlaying the falſe Prophets, and for the laying on of hands, he brings the practice of the Apoſtles. And to ſtop the liberty of conſcience, he ſaith must Saul be permitted to do what he will againſt Jeſus of Nazareth?

Anſw. Falſe Prophets are enemies, yet they are not to ſlay them; now the Apoſtles did not wreſtle againſt the fleſh and the blood, with the falſe Prophets, at you Miniſters do now; though Saul did before he was Paul, and ſhewed himſelf of your nature you be now in unconverted; And who ever be not in that ſtate to witneſs Chriſt in them manifeſt in their fleſh: and there condemning ſin in the fleſh; that they may through him become the righteouſneſs of God; they be in their fancies: And Chriſt deſtroyes the ground of all fancy, and brings to ſee where there is no ſhadow nor changing, and brings their conſcience into liberty, and waſheth it and ſprinckling it, where the Miniſtery of faith is held in it. And your laying on of hands, (ſince the apoſtacy from the Apoſtles) is not as the Apoſtles, who have not an infallible ſpirit, nor are infallible, (nor called immediately) as they were; none of them you lay on your hands can receive the Holy Ghoſt, who you your ſelves are not in the immediate ſpirit, nor infallible, nor called immediately. So all in the apoſtacy is from the Apoſtles hands, and calling; your folly is made manifeſt, the light hath diſcovered you, at which ye are ſtumbling; and every one is wreſtling againſt the Lamb, and the Saints that are wreſtling againſt the Light: and ſuch are Antichriſts that ſhall be ſlain with the ſword, the words of his mouth: and the Lamb, and the Saints ſhall have the victory.

Pr. He ſaith humane learning helpes to understand heavenly things. Page 70. Again Chriſt inlightens men no more wayes but one, to wit by a natural light. Page 71. And the righteouſneſs within is not that which justifies, and we are not freely juſtified, and ſaved, and redeemed (that is) through that Redemption, and righteouſneſs that is within us. Page 74. 75. He ſaith, We are justified freely, but not by the grace wrought in us.

Anſw. By grace ye are ſaved and that not of your ſelves, is is the gift of God; and this in the heart manifeſted before it be known, and poſſeſſed. And every one that knowes Juſtification, Redemption, righteouſneſs and ſalvation, this is all known within us, elſe people be in the firſt Adam, drove from God, not come to the ſecond Adam, not knowing ſalvation in the ground, Juſtification in the ground, Redemption in the ground. If Chriſt the righteouſneſs of God, Redemption, Juſtification, and ſalvation, the righteouſneſs be not felt within, and found within, they are Reprobates. And the Reprobates may talk of it without; but where that is, there is ſalvation, righteouſneſs, Redemption, Juſtification, &c. And Chriſt doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world him by whom the world was made before it was made, which light people are to believe in; which is not natural: which gives to ſee over the nature, before the natural was? for the natural lights are the Sun, the Moon, and Stars which may be ſeen with a viſible eye: which Chriſt the light, the Covenant of light to Jewes and Gentiles, the ſalvation to the ends of the earth, which doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, that all men through him might believe. Here is God no reſpector of perſons; he that believeth in the light, ſhall be ſaved: and he that doth not, is condemned. And he comes to be a Child of light, who believes in the light: and now ſhall the world be reproved, for not believing in the light, and humane learning is that which is earthly, and natural; that doth not open the heavenly: that which reveales the things of God, is the Spirit of God, beyond all the worlds wiſdom. For that you call humane learning, and humane ſoul, and humane body, is earthly, not heavenly, nor underſtands them. The earth is below, ſo they that are of the earth, and they that is from above ſpeak of the things above, and ſo they that are below meaſure by the earthly wiſdom below, and ſo that which gives to underſtand the heavenly things, is the ſpirit of God and the ſpiritual wiſdom; which is not of man, nor from man; for ſaith the Apoſtle neither knowes any man the things of God, but the Spirit of God.

Pr. And the righteouſneſs of Chriſt by which we are juſtified (he ſaith) is not within us: Again the Lord will poure out his Spirit upon all fleſh; but that is not meant that all ſhould have the ſpirit, for ſome have not the ſpirit, as in Jude. Page 79. He ſaith he deſires God to lighten with a better light then that which lightens every man, &c. and to lead them out of theſe groſſe deluſions. See page 80.

Anſw. You that are not juſtified by that Chriſt that ſuffered without, manifeſted within you ſhall never know Juſtification; if the Juſtification be not within, you are reprobates. And the Lord hath fulfilled his promiſe, by pouring out his ſpirit upon all fleſh, Sons, and Daughters, handmaids, old men though they quench it: And they in Jude, prove they had the ſpirit which went in Balaams, Cores, and Cains way, but they erred from it; where you are in the ſenſual ſtate, in the ſects, and ſeeing not the promiſe of the Father pouring out of the ſpirit upon all fleſh, Apoſtatized out of the life the Apoſtles was in, and the Prophets; manifeſt your ſelves to the whole world. And ſo you that ownes not the Light Chriſt Jeſus that God ſent into the world, and gave his only begotten Son into the world, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, that all through him might believe: but thou that deſires a better light of God then he, (to wit, Chriſt) ſhewes thy tempting, and Blaſphmy. For there is no other way to the Father but by Chriſt the Light of the world, that doth enlighten every one, &c. and he that doth not believe in that light is condemned.

Pr. He ſaith, And Chriſt doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, that is meant the Church. See Poſt-ſcript. Paul and Peter inſtructed by immediate Revelation, which we are not ſo preſumptuous as to expect. And he ſaith, Reproaches are cast upon the Miniſters, becauſe they are not infallible, and preach not by immediate inſpiration as the Apoſtles did. Poſt-ſcript.

Anſ. You that do not inſtruct and preach by the ſame immediate infallible ſpirit as the Prophets and Apoſtles was in, you be all in an uſurped authority, out of the ſpirit, run, and not ſent from God: For whom God ſends, he ſends immediately; and teacheth, he teacheth immediately, and they know his infallible ſpirit. And none knows the Scriptures of Truth of you all ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in this night of apoſtacy; but who are in the infallible ſpirit, and immediate, which the Prop ets and Apoſtles was in, which you from it are gone forth, and it is preſumption in you to teach without it. And ſo you are not reproached, nor the Pope that are the falſe Prophets, and Antichriſts that Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, and the Apoſtle John ſaw was come, that inwardly ravened, and have gotten the ſheeps cloathing, have the forme, but deny the power; who deny infallibility, and the immediate call, and the immediate Miniſtry, have denyed the power of God, and ſo keeps people alwayes learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, in the uſurped authority, which the Apoſtles ſtopt and rebuked before his deceaſe: And ſo you do not ſee the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, which Chriſt faith, I am the light of the world, not of Saints onely. And ſaith the Prophet, I will give him for a Covenant to the Gentiles, not a new Covenant to the houſe of Iſrael onely; and there he was prophecyed of before John came, the greateſt Prophet who was born of a woman, who ſaid, This is the true light that doth enlighten every man, &c. And when Chriſt was come, he ſaid he was the light of the world: And whoſoever did believe in him, ſhould not abide in darkneſſe, but ſhould have the light of life. And ſo ſince ye ravened from the ſpirit of God, and have onely had the ſheeps cloathing; ye have brought people upon heaps and Sects: and they that be not in the infallible, are they that reproach; for they be in the reproachfull ſpirit, which the ſpirit of God never did, which was immediate and infallible, which the Prophets, Chriſt, and the Apoſtles were in, which alwayes judged the reproachers, which was from the infallible ſpirit.

Pr. And thou ſaith, To the Law, and to the Teſtimony: and how that he gave ſome Apoſtles for the perfecting of the Saints, for the worke of the Miniſtry, for the edifying of the body, till all come into the unity of the faith, to the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the meaſure of the ſtature and fulneſſe of Chriſt.

Anſw. Thou, and you all that have denyed infallibility and immediate inſpiration and teaching, have ſhut your ſelves out of the Law and Teſtimony, and the work of the Miniſtry, which is for the perfecting of the body, and bringing them to the unity of the faith, to the knowledge of the Son of God, &c. For the Law is light, that is infallible and immediate. The teſtimony of Jeſus is the ſpirit of prophecy, that is infallible and immediate. And ye may have the Old and New Teſtament, and ſay that is the Law and Teſtimony; which the Law and Teſtimony was before Matthew, Marke, Luke & John, the Acts, the Epiſtles, and the Revelations was written in the days of Iſaiah, ſee Iſa. 8 chap. And that which perfects the Saints is infallible; that gift which was given to the Miniſtry is infallible and immediate; that which edifies the body of Chriſt is infallible and immediate; that which brings to the knowledge of the Son of God, is infallible, perfect, and immediate; that which brings to a perfect man, to the unity of the faith, is infallible and immediate, and perfect; that which brings to the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſſe of Chriſt, is perfect, and infallible, and immediate. And the infallible and immediate you having denyed, yee have ſhut your ſelves out of the worke of the Miniſtry in the Apoſtacy.

As for the reſt of the lyes and ſlanders in thy Book, will be thy own burden, which uttereth forth thy own folly, and it toucheth not the Saints, but falls off like duſt, they are of no weight. And the day is come that tries mens works infallibly, what is for the fire, and what not.

Jeremiah Ives, His Booke called, The Quakers Quaking. His Principles follows, &c.

Pr. HE ſaith, Have a care of ſlighting your watchmen, leſt the Lord remove them into corners.

Anſw. Chriſt the Teacher is witneſſed, who is the end of Moſes, the Prophets, the Covenant of God with his people, in which people know God if all their Teachers were removed into corners. And they that have their Teachers in corners, their houſes are left deſolate, from the Covenant of God they are ſtrangers. So in this thy ignorance appears of that Teacher that cannot be removed into a corner, who is the ſalvation to the ends of the ear h.

Pr. He ſaith, It is an errour to ſay the Light within is equall with Scripture, and Gods Word.

Anſ. Chriſt within is the Light (and he is above Scripture) and Gods Word which was before Scriptures was given forth.

Pr. He ſaith, Is it any more a Nick-name to call a man a Quaker that quakes by the power of God? page 3.

Anſw. Yes, if the power of God doth make that to quake and tremble, that muſt quake before the ſalvation be wrought out, and man come out of the Fall of Adams ſtate in the tranſgreſſion in the earth, and darkneſſe, corruption, and pollution, and death, he muſt know the power of God that ſhakes that which is to be ſhaken, before he knows that raiſed up that cannot be ſhaken; which the world is ignorant of, though they have the form of it. And the firſt nick-namer of the Quakers that ever I heard was a corrupt Juſtice in the year 1650, whoſe name was Gervaſe Bennet in Darby, that ever named the people of God with the name of Quakers, though the mighty power of the Lord God had been known years before.

Pr. He ſaith, It is an errour in thoſe men that will allow nothing to be called Gods Word but Chriſt, page 6.

Anſ. Chriſts name is called the Word of God; his name is above every name, and over all things he muſt have the preheminence, words and names. Yet I ſay, the Scriptures of truth given forth from the ſpirit of truth are the words of God: Gods words which Chriſt the Word fulfilled by him in whom they end, who was before the words was ſpoken forth.

Pr. He ſaith, It is an errour to ſay they are immediately ſent of God, and to have an immediate call from God to goe out of their Countries to preach the Goſpell, &c. Page 9.

Anſw. Thou, and all you that ſpeak, or preach, or go to people, but not by the immediate ſpirit, and a call from God, are them that run and the Lord never ſent you; and you profit not the people at all, as all the fruits in the Nation declares upon the houſe top. Therefore are yee wrangling, and envying ſuch as are immediately ſent from God, and left their Callings as the Saints did, and Prophets. I ſay none can preach the Goſpell upon the earth, but who is in the immediate call; for the Goſpell is the power of God, and that is immediate. The Prophets, Chriſt, and the Apoſtles which gave forth the Scriptures, they all ſpoke by the immediate ſpirit of God: and all that be not in that, they are not able to know the Scriptures, as that unſavoury Pearſival ſaith, he hath not the infallible ſpirit; yet he will bawl of the Scrip ur •• that was given forth from the infallible ſpirit. Though the Devill wandered from •• e tr th that compaſſeth the earth; though the Phariſees compaſſe Sea and Land; th ugh the falſe Prophets and Antichriſts have gone over Nations: Now all theſe may get Scriptures, but be out of the life of them: Such makes Proſelytes, Devils Diſciples, and Meſſengers: But ſuch as be in the power of God, and life that gave forth Scriptures, that comprehends and fathoms the world, they are in that which the Devils, Antichriſts, falſe Prophets, mother of Harlots, and all their proſelytes that have Scriptures out of the life, they be in that which they are all out of: Such are the Quakers, therefore doth all the world rage againſt them, who witneſſe that which cannot be ſhaken.

Pr. He ſaith, It is an Errour to ſay that every man hath a light within him, that wil teach him to worſhip God aright, page 18.

Anſw. Chriſt the truth who hath preheminence doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, which ſhall make every tongue to confeſſe him to the glory of God; which if they love the light which cometh from Chriſt the truth, who is the life, it will teach and direct every man to worſhip God in the truth, in that which untruth is out of. So every man having a light ſufficient to ſalvation, for it cometh from the ſalvation; Chriſt the power of God, the ſalvation to the ends of the earth. And this light will let every one ſee the Son of God beyond all externall meanes, wiſdome, knowledge whatſoever. It is that which darkneſſe cannot comprehend, this light which John bears witneſſe of, which is the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, which the Jewes and Levites ſtumbled at, which ſet all Jeruſalem up in an uproar, as it doth, the wiſeſt Prieſts and Profeſſors in this age. And no one upon the earth ſhall ever know Chriſt but by the light which he hath enlightned him withall. If he have all the Scriptures that ſpeaks of him come already, as the Phariſees had, that ſpoke he was to come; yet if they hate the light, they ſhall all be ſnared, and ſtumble, and fall, and ſplit themſelves upon the Rock. And ſuch as are now ſtumbling at the light which every man that cometh into the world is lighted withall, are the builders with the words, which ſaith, Chriſt is come, as the Phariſees did with the words, that ſaid, he was to come: And ſo both theſe builders reject the corner-ſtone, and ſtumble at the elect ſtone laid in Sion; and none ſeeth God but with the light they be enlightned withall. And all the preaching of the Apoſtles, the ſubſtance of it was to bring people to the Covenant of Light, both Jewes and Gentiles, to whom he was promiſed: And all upon the earth that be from this light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, they be in the errour, out of the Covenant of God, and ſtrangers from the covenant of promiſe.

Prin. He ſaith, It is an Errour to ſay, the letter of Scripture is carnall, page 22.

Anſw. The letter of Scripture (paper and inke) we cannot ſay it is ſpiritual; but that which it ſpeaks of is ſpiritual.

Pr. He ſaith, It is an errour to ſay they are perfect, and without ſin, page 23. And another errour to ſay, that none can come to God and Chriſt, but they that come to perfection.

Anſ. Whoever comes to Chriſt, and comes to God, he comes in the one offering which hath perfected for ever them that are ſanctified, & who ever comes to Chriſt, comes to him that is perfect; and without holineſſe none can ſee him: And they that pretend coming to God and Chriſt out of perfection, they be in the errour, and all ſin is errour, and who be in it be in the errour; which the Apoſtle ſaid, that they were made free from ſin, and had put off the body of ſin, and by the blood of Chriſt was cleanſed from all ſin; and by one offering he had perfected for ever them that are ſanctified. And ſo they that ſay men muſt have ſin while they be upon the earth, and that plead for it, they are not the friends of Chriſt. For who are the friends of Chriſt, be in his power, a top of the power of ſin, trample it under foot.

Pr. He ſaith, That the Scripture is the Word. And though Chriſt be the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, yet that light in every man doth not direct a man into the worſhip and ſervice of God, though it be the true light of Christ, page 35.

Anſw. Nothing can direct men into the worſhip and ſervice of God but the true light; for the light is that which doth let them ſee, and is that which doth make manifeſt, which every man that cometh into the world is enlightned withall; which he hating it, and not come to it, becauſe his deeds be evill, that will be his condemnation. And that thou ſhalt feel it heavy at the laſt, though now thou mayſt roar and rage for a time, yet the bond is gone over thee, the Chaine is ſet, and the ſentence is given.

Pr. He ſaith, It is an errour of ſuch as leave Water-Baptiſme, and breaking of Bread, page 38.

Anſ. Doth not the Apoſtle bring people off of thoſe things that are ſeen? And is not outward water, and outward bread the things that are ſeen? And are not theſe things temporall? though theſe things in their places and ſervice is owned. But who comes into the baptiſme of the ſpirit, they come into the one, in which all the other ends, the greater. For there was many come to John; but when they ſhould have come to receive Chriſt the Light, which doth enlighten every man, &c. they ſtood againſt him, as you do now. And Chriſt told them they received honour one of another, as you do now (a mark of the unbeliever) and the love of God was not in them, and the Word of God was not abiding in them; and they had never heard the voyce of God, nor ſeen his ſhape at any time. And there are you like unto the Jews, whoſe Table is a trap, ſticking in the outward things, ſtanding againſt the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and ſo ſtumbling at the Corner-ſtone, elect and precious: But it is fallen upon your heads, and will grinde you to powder, fight, buſtle, and do all all that ever you can do, it is upon you, and all your complements will do you no good. And none ſeeks the honour that comes from above, but who be in the light that doth enlighten every man, &c. And none honours the Son, but who be in the light that comes from him though they have all the Scriptures as the Phariſees had in their age.

Pr. He ſaith, Errour in life doth not prove errour in judgement, page 46.

Anſw. Who erres in the life, erres in the judgement: For all that erres in the judgment, they are from the life, from it erred. And all the Phariſees that had Scriptures; yet from the life being erred, they all erred in their judgement, and knew not Chriſt the ſubſtance of Scriptures: So all you that be in errour in life, you erre in your judgement, you all ſtumble at the light with which Chriſt doth enlighten every man, &c. And none be out of the errour of life, but who be in the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and out of the errour of converſation.

Pr. He ſaith, That the Quakers foam at the mouth, &c.

Anſ. It's a ſhame that ever men ſhould loſe their ſoberneſſe, and come to be a ſhame to all modeſty; that ſo many that do call themſelves Teachers in this Nation, ſhould publiſh ſuch odious lyes and untruths to the Nation: And how the Quakers have hung Ribbons upon one another, and given Ribbons to one another, as inſtance G. F. ſhould have from M, F. Oh! that ever modeſty ſhould be ſo loſt, and ſhamefaſtneſſe quite gone, which ſhould have been a garment to have covered impudency. That ever men, and Teachers of people, and profeſſors ſhould make lyes their refuge: But I ſay, the Lord forgive you, for all theſe things ſhall be your owne burthen; and a heavy burthen is come upon you, and coming upon you all in the Nation that truſts in lyes. But what if you ſhould ſee every man with his hand on his thigh, in paine to be delivered.

Pr. He ſaith, The Prophet that ſhall preſume to ſpeak a word in my name, and I have not commanded him to ſpeak he ſhall dye. See page 26.

Anſ. Here thou haſt brought thy ſelfe, and you all under thy own judgement, and given ſentence upon your ſelves, and all the reſt of the Teachers, that ſay they never heard the voyce of God immediately from heaven, nor immediate inſpiration, nor revelation: So ye all want the ſpirit of God, and are out of it that the Prophets and Apoſtles were in, and with it all judged. Though ye may run in pretence of his name (with the forme) and ſay ye never heard his voyce, but that Prophet ſhall dye thou ſaith. So thou haſt judged your ſelves, and there be all you Teachers in the apoſtacy ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles.

Pr. And Chriſt ſaid, many deceivers ſhould come in his name, and deceive many: and ſuch as ſerve not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt but their own bellies. And with good words, and faire ſpeeches deceive the hearts of the ſimple. See Title page.

Anſw. Chriſt ſaid in Matth. 24. and in Matth. 7. that falſe Prophets ſhould come, and Antichriſts, which before the Apoſtles deceaſe they ſaw them then come; and ſuch as ſerved not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt but their own bellies; which went forth from the Apoſtles, which in the Revelation, John ſaw the whole world gone after them, and thoſe got the ſheeps cloathing; and ſo with the good words and fair ſpeeches deceive, who was inwardly ravened from the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and ſuch have good words, and fair ſpeeches, but deceive the hearts of the ſimple: And gather people into forms and heaps, and ſects, and wayes, and opinions one againſt another, which are nothing but the Beaſt and his names, and all againſt the light that doth enlighten every man, &c. and ſo are making war againſt the Saints of the Lamb; but the Lamb and the Saints ſhall have the victory, who will ſlay with his ſword, the words of his mouth: And judgement is come through unto victory, and ſet in the earth: And ſo the Deceivers and Antichriſts are telling people, now is the laſt times; now are they come, and bidding them come to Matth. 7. & Matth. 24. which indeed Chriſt did ſay they ſhould come; but John ſaid they was come, whereby they knew it was the laſt time: And in the Revelations he ſaith, That all Nations have drunk the Whores cup, and the Kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the Inhabitants of the earth are drunk with the wine of her fornication; and the earth is corrupted, as ye make it appear, your fruits declare it. And this is that which hath brought the Nations to waters, and Peoples to waters, and Tongues to waters, and Multitudes to waters, which ravened inwardly from the ſpirit of God, yet have gotten the ſheeps cloathing to deceive the Nations. Such as drunk the blood of the Saints, the Prophets and Martyrs, did make war againſt the Saints, and overcame them: But now the Saints and the Lamb have the victory, glory to the Higheſt: And to that which they ravened from, are people now come.

William Dell's Booke, called, A Stumbling Stone. His PRINCIPLES followeth.

Pr. HE ſaith, The carnall Church is a great enemy to Chriſts Church: And they are offended at Chriſt, becauſe in him there was no humane nor earthly thing, page 13. He ſaith, It is the greatest errour that raigns under Antichrists Kingdom, to affirme that the Ʋniverſities is the foundation of Miniſters. And Peter undoubtedly taxeth the Ʋniverſities, with ſuch men to be falſe Doctors, falſe Prophets, out of which proceeds all the Teachers in the world in their Towns and Cities, under the whole Kingdome of Antichriſt, which have ſuch Doctors and Teachers in the Ʋniverſitie for the whole world, page 27.

Anſw. The reſt of the Prieſts and Teachers which are come from the Univerſities, and ſuch as have ſet up themſelves to be Teachers (as in this book ye may ſee) They ſay that Chriſt in heaven hath a humane body, and others ſay that he hath a humane ſoule; and thou ſaith there is no humane or earthly thing in him. And for as much as thy ſaying it is the greateſt errour under Antichriſts Kingdom, to ſay the Ʋniverſities is the fountains of Miniſters. That is a true word; it will be well for thee if thou be not catcht in this fountain among theſe errors, maintaining of them; for ſuch are they that quench the ſpirit, and ſpeaketh the Scriptures in that ſpirit which came not by it. And theſe are them that have deceived the whole world: And all ſuch as make Miniſters in their wils, quench the ſpirit, limits the holy one, deſpiſeth prophecying, makes a trade of Scriptures, which came not by the will of man, for the ſatisfying of their owne wils. And happy would Dell have been, if he had lived in what he ſpoke.

Gyles Fermin called Paſtor of the Church at Shalfor in Eſſex his Book called, Stabliſhing againſt Shaking. His Principles are as followeth, &c.

Pr. HE ſaith take away learning, and England becomes a dunghill.

Anſ. Peter, and John was unlearned men, yet was no dunghill.

Pr. He ſaith true teachers pleads hard for their peoples ears. The Quakers ſay we are not Miniſters, becauſe we Preach for hire, and are covetous and divine for mony; and the Apoſtles took wages, and maintenance, and ſaith they eat, and drunk, &c. and he ſaith the Lord did ever be team his Ministers honourable wages. Pag. 5. and he ſaith the labourer is worthy of his hire. Page 6.

Anſw. When the Apoſtle ſpeakes of taking wages, of eating and drinking to them that examined him, he ſpeakes this among the Saints, gathered out of the world, from among Jewes, and Gentiles. This was not ſpoken to ſuch as held up Temples Tythes, and Prieſts, but a gathered ſeperated people from them. And the Goſpel they Preached, the power of God, it opened the hearts of the people to give unto them, and not by an outward Law. And the great work of the Apoſtles was not to wrangle about their maintenance, as it is the great work of the Miniſters now, (in the world made by men) in our age: and ſuch as do Divine for mony, and propheſie for mony, And hire, was ever looked upon to be the falſe Prophets wages without the ſpirit of God that gave forth the Scriptures, and the falſe ſpirits in the earth; for the Spirit of God would never value, equal, or meaſure his gift with the earthly things And when the Apoſtle ſpeaketh of the labourer, is worthy of his hire, he ſaith who goes a warfare at his own charge; and they that was taught, they was to communicate every good thing to them, this ſtill was ſpoken among the Saints this was not ſpoken in Temples, and Synagogues, and them that took Tythes; for thoſe was warred againſt by them that was in the ſubſtance: and the warfare was to bring people to the ſubſtance; out of the firſt Adam, to the ſecond; and out of the ſhadowes. And that whereby the Miniſters had the double honour, it was in the life, and in the power: ſuch as meaſured not a gift with earthly things; which brought them to lay down all their eſtates at the Apoſtles feet; which was more then Tythes. But this Goſpel we ſee not among you, nor this power, the power of God; neither Preachers, nor hearers? and the Apoſtles did not bid the Gentiles, nor the Jewes that was in their forms and inventions, and traditions, that had Elders among them; he did not bid the people obey them that had rule over them: but they brought them from under thoſe Rulers, from thoſe Elders to Chriſt the ſubſtance the Elder Brother; and ſo who was in the life grown more then another, was the Elder; and he watched over the weak. And it doth make it manifeſt that you never received the gift of God whoſe work is thus to Jangle for outward things. For the gift of God which is perfect, would break through the unperfect, and raiſe up the witneſs to give freely.

Pr. He ſaith, No man can be a good text man unleſſe he have attained to the Languages which hath coſt us ſo much; and he cannot know the errours but by learning. And he ſaith he may thus ſpeak for the neceſſity of Arts without which men cannot be ſufficient Miniſters.

Anſw. None knowes, nor is made Miniſters of Chriſt by Arts, nor by Languages; let them get all the Languages upon the earth, they are ſtill but naturaliſts; and men learning anothers mans natural Language; and he hath learned but that which is natural and he knowes but that which is natural; what another natural man can ſpeak, and all their Arts is there. Now that which makes a Miniſter of Chriſt is beyond the natural: yea, all the natural Languages upon the earth; and ſeeth before they was: let it coſt them never ſo much, yea gold, and ſilver, a wedge of gold and ſilver to get naturals and the moſt precious things upon the earth, cannot purchaſe, nor make a Miniſter of Chriſt, that which makes them is the Spirit of God, nor none knows the Scriptures but with the Spirit of God, given forth from the Spirit of God. Nor none knowes the errours but by the Spirit of God. Now if all men upon the earth have Scriptures, in every one of their natural Languages: yet none of theſe knowes the errours, nor none of theſe knowes the Scriptures without, the Spirit of God from which they was given forth.

Pr. He ſaith, If the Magiſtrates could find out any other way for maintenance for Miniſters, they would part with tythes, which have been this many hundreds of years. Page 9. And there is many Miniſters will not take their Tythes but they compound with the people for their Tythes. And we dare not truſt the people for maintenance. But we ſee care hath been taken for us many many hundred years before we were born, &c. Page 10. And why doth not the Quakers charge us with idleneſs, as well as with taking wages.

Anſw. Are ye not all a company of idle fellowes, bred up at School in the filthineſs of the earth, pride, and filth: and when ye come out ye raven after great Benefices, and troubling Pariſhes, and ſtirring up the people to envy againſt one another, like a company of mad-men, and ſuing, and hailing people up and down to Courts for maintenance; Are not theſe the works of belly-gods? And is the Magiſtrate the Lord of the vineyard that he muſt allot Miniſters maintenance and the labourers? Hath not Chriſt told his Miniſters what they muſt have already? And was not the Apoſtles to go forth without any thing, and to truſt the Lord, and the people, which you dare not truſt them? And truſt to the Goſpel, which ye dare not truſt the Goſpel to maintain you? but you have a ſet Benefice, or augmentation, or a Magiſtrates power to give you maintenance before you go out to a Pariſh; Oh how are ye biting, and devouring one another for ſuch things as was not accounted of or, eſteemed among the Saints, who ſuffered joyfully the ſpoiling of their goods, by ſuch devourers as you are! And is that your deceit to compound with people for their Tythes? and is that your cloak then to ſay you do not take Tythes? and ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in the apoſtacy: ſince the power of God the Goſpel hath been loſt (hath tythes been ſet up) which men ſhould have Preached and lived on. So you that have had the form of godlineſs, denyed the power, (the Goſpel) ravened from the life of God: your Goſpel will not maintain you; and ye cry help Magiſtrate, help Law, caſt into priſon, ſummon up to Courts and this hath been your work for many hundred years for maintenance. And ſo all ſober men that ſtands and looks on are aſhamed of you. Thus the poor people are deceived with your falſe covers, wolviſh ſpirits, you have gotten the ſheepes cloathing upon your backs: but now is the vials, and hail ſtorms fallen upon your heads, which makes many of you gnaw your tongues, and now is the thunders coming out and plagues which makes many of you free your ſelves.

Pr. He ſaith, Falſe Apostles and deceitful workers, and Satan transforming himſelf into an Angel of light, &c. Page 11.

Anſw. Chriſt ſaid falſe prophets, Antichriſts the inwardly ravenors in the ſheepes cloathing ſhould come, the Apoſtles ſaw they was come before their deceaſe, which was devouring, as moſt of the Epiſtles declare of them, the Apoſtles ſaw them before their deceaſe: that made a prey upon the Saints; that ſerved not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt but their own bellies, now ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles hath the world run after them; and they have devoured the world, and they have gotten the ſheepes cloathing upon their backs: therefore have ye deceived the world. Now you have been the skirts, and the ſuburbs of this great City; the day hath declared you, your City is beſieged, and the Lamb and the Saints have conquered it: by whom the Saints have been ſlain, and their blood drunk? In which City hath a trumpet ſounded, and the piping hath been and the mourners have gone about the City. But now is come Lamentation, deſolation, and wo to her, and all her Merchandize, that hath builded up, and thrown down: whereby the world is brought into confuſion, the faith and truth, and life; and love being reprobated out of, and from that the Saints was in, that gave forth the Scriptures; that which the Apoſtles ſaw coming in before their deceaſe, which Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, hath ruled, and raigned ſince their deceaſe, until this day, that Chriſt hath come and made it manifeſt.

Pr. He ſaith the devil could not do miſchief in the Church where the candle is burning, and light ſhining: but he gets on his garbe: and the weakeſt of children are carryed about with every winde of Doctrine. pag. 17. He ſaith the prince of darkneſs is transformed into an Angel of light, he walketh in the Churches. pag. 18.

Anſw. The Church of Chriſt is the pillar, and ground of truth, which truth, the Devil is out of, and abode not in it: he walkes on the out ſide, and is not in the Church, and ſo children thou knowes not, that are heirs of the Kingdom of Chriſt and are of his Church, the pillar, and ground of truth. And the devil, and falſe prophets, and mother of harlots; though they have all the ſheepes cloathing; yet cannot get into the Church where the candle is, and the burning ſhining light: with all his Garbe as thou calls it. Let the whore be arrayed never ſo gorgiouſly, who hath ravened from the ſpirit of God, thats the Church, the pillar, and ground of truth that be in the ſpirit of God, the Candle is burning, and light ſhining; this the whore, and the Devil, and the wolves, and the falſe prophets, and Antichriſts, and beaſt, is out of raging on the outſide, in the earth? ſo the Church is the pillar and ground of truth, the Church of Chriſt and here the elect is known that cannot be deceived. And the Devil, and the Prince of darkneſs, though he transform himſelf into an Angel of light: yet he doth not walk in the Church for the Church is in God, the pillar, and ground of truth, and out of that he is, and all his Apoſtles, and his meſſengers and truth is a top of him, and them all, and with it are ſhut out.

Pr. He ſaith honour is the expreſsing of the inward reſpect that we hear to perſons, and many Scriptures he brings for bowing and for maſter, pag. 23. and ſo ſtumbles at thee, and thou.

Anſ. Which ſhewes he never learned his accidence, or Bible and is a tranſgreſſor of Chriſts commands, who ſaith be ye not of men called master for ye have one maſter even Chriſt and ye are all Brethren; and a tranſgreſſor of the Law, which they that reſpects perſons commits ſin, and are convinced of the Law as tranſgreſſors, and reprobate concerning the faith which is held without the reſpect of perſons. And though they bowed in the old time: ſeveral that bowed before the Angels: yet Chriſt is come by whom all things was made, the ſalvation to the ends of the earth; to whom powers, principalities, Thrones, and dominions muſt be ſubject: to whom Angels, and Thrones muſt bow; yea things in heaven, and things in earth, and every tongue confeſſe him to the glory of God, and every knee bow and there people comes into the unity, and there they hold the head.

Pr. He ſaith the Quakers light teacheth to forſake the Scriptures; and ſet up a ſpirit in man, which will not be examined by Scriptures. page 26.

Anſw. This is he which is out of the truth, ſpeakes it: for the Quakers have not received the ſpirit of the world, but the ſpirit of God; by which they know the things which are freely given of God, and know the Scriptures given forth from the ſpirit of God: and with the ſame ſpirit the Scriptures is owned again.

Pr. He ſaith, Paul ſwore after Chriſt, and the Angells ſwore, page 27.

He ſaith, I wonder Paul ſhould ſo forget himſelfe, and ſin ſo fearfully in ſwearing, &c. So the Quakers light that denies ſwearing, is of Satan, and not the light of Chriſt, page 28.

Anſw. Chriſt the Light (which Satan is out of) who is the oath of God, ends all oaths ſworn by Prophets or Angels whatſoever: And who ſwears be fallen into the condemnation of the Devill; and it is no where ſaid that the Apoſtle ſwore; but ſuch as thou art, matters not what thou ſpeaks. So that ſpirit that preaches for ſwearing is not the ſpirit of Chriſt, but is the ſpirit of Antichriſt, preacheth up that which Chriſt and the Apoſtles preached down, and preached Condemnation to them that did ſwear.

Pr. He ſaith, The light in the conſcience that takes them from the Law of God, is the light of Satan.

Anſw. The light Chriſt in the conſcience is the end of the Law for righteouſneſſe ſake: And that which keeps men from that which doth end the Law, is not the Doctrine of the true Apoſtles, but the falſe.

And the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, which is the ſubſtance, leads men off of all types, and figures, and ſignes: who comes to enjoy him, enjoys the end: who comes off of all outward Elements, as Bread and Wine, and ſuch things, to the ſubſtance it ſelf, to look at things that are not ſeen. For things that are ſeen are temporall, but the things that are not ſeen are eternal.

Pr. He ſpeaks of a new creature diſtinct from Christ, and ſaith while we live ſin lives. And ſaith, I deny that the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt whereby a believer is juſtified, doth dwell in him, page 36.

Anſw. Is not the new creature in Chriſt? He that is in Chriſt is a new creature, and is not diſtinct from him, and how haſt thou divided the word here? And Chriſt is juſtification, ſanctification, and wiſdome, and righteouſneſſe; and if he be not within ye, ye are Reprobates: And where Chriſt is, he is not without righteouſneſſe. Therefore they are not without righteouſneſſe, and wiſdome, Juſtification, and Sanctification, if Chriſt be within, that is within; for where he is, that is not wanting: And the Apoſtle ſaid they were made free from ſin: And let not ſin have dominion over your mortall bodies; minde, mortall bodies which ſin was not to have dominion over: And old things paſſe away, and all things become new. Sin is an old thing, from the old deceiver: So while any ſin is ſtanding, all things is not made new, and ſin hath its dominion.

Pr. He ſaith, He hath not read where a believer dwells in Chriſts righteouſneſſe, page 37.

Anſw. Every believer that is true is born of God; and he that is born of God doth not commit ſin: And he that dwells in Chriſt, dwels in righteouſneſs, and truth is that which ſin and the Devill is out of, which blots out ſin and tranſgreſſion, where the body of it comes to be put off.

Pr. And the light which teacheth men to ſay they have no ſin, is of Satan. And ſaith, The Quakers light teacheth them to deny prayer.

Anſw. The Apoſtles light taught them to ſay they were made free from ſin, they had put off the body of ſin, and their ſin and tranſgreſſion was blotted out. Little children their ſins was forgiven them that walked in the light, the blood of Jeſus Chriſt cleanſeth them from all ſin, taught them to know the ſaith that gave them victory over the world, that purified their hearts held in a pure conſcience. And this is the Quakers light which teacheth them the path of the Apoſtles; and it teacheth men to be holy, as God as holy, and perfect, as he is perfect. This was the light of Chriſt, and bid them to be as Chriſt is, and ſaid, as he is, ſo are we in this preſent world. And the light that guides the Quakers doth not teach them to deny prayer, but brings them to pray aright with the ſpirit, and with the underſtanding; which all prayers without it be in the hypocriſie.

Pr. He ſaith, We acknowledge there is a thouſand of perfect men in England, as perfect as children toſſed too and fro, page 40. But he ſaith, I deny that any man hath that perfect knowledge of Chriſt in this life, &c.

Anſw. Chriſt is in you except ye be reprobates. And the Scripture ſpeaks of ſuch as had both the Son and the Father. And all thoſe children that are toſſed too and fro, and are carried about with the windy doctrine, which hath gotten up in the apoſtacy ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, that are ravened from the ſpirit of God: Such their doctrines are windy, and doth not ſettle, nor doth not perfect, not doth not bring into the unity of the faith, nor the knowledge of the Son of God, the faith that gives the victory; nor to a perfect man, nor to the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſſe of Chriſt, which was the work of the true Miniſtry which was before the Apoſtacy. Nor none comes to the knowledg of Chriſt but by the light.

Pr. He ſaith, The Church teacheth to pray without ceaſing; but you bid ſtay till the ſpirit moves us, &c.

Anſ. The Church (prayes not without the ſpirit) which is the pillar and ground of truth. And ſuch as prays without the ſpirit, prays without underſtanding. And they that pray as the ſpirit doth move them, they know what they ought to pray for. So every man that cometh into the world, being in the light that lighteth every man, it will direct him to pray, and to pray aright, and to aske in the name of Chriſt, who is the way to the Father.

Prin. He ſaith, The Children of GOD never aſſumed to themſelves an infallible ſpirit.

Anſ. Did not the Apoſtles ſay, they that had not the ſpirit of Chriſt were none of his? and was not that infallible? And was not all the Scriptures given forth from the ſpirit of God, and is not that infallible?

Pr. The ſpirit of Chriſt is a ſpirit of wiſdome, and a rationall ſpirit. The light that brags of an infallible ſpirit, and cannot ſpeake ſenſe nor reaſon, is the ſpirit of Sathan, page 46.

Anſw. The ſpirit of Chriſt that was in the Apoſtles, which led them to ſpeak to the world, who was in their own wiſdom, knowledge, and underſtanding. It was fooliſhneſſe always judged with that wiſdome, knowledg, and underſtanding; for they miniſtred to the ſpirits in priſon. And Chriſt the Covenant of God which was promiſed to come, and ſhould ſay to the priſoners, ſhew your ſelves forth, who was accounted as a mad man by the wiſe Jewes; & the Apoſtles and Prophets likewiſe was as fooles. Was not ever the Saints judged by the world to be (by the ſenſe and reaſon) but juſt like mad men, and fools? Chriſt a mad man? the Prophets fools? and the Apoſtles mad, a babler? Who be in the ſpirit of the Prophets, of Chriſt, and the Apoſtles, with this generation are judged the ſame: So is the ſpirit of the Quakers, ſo tryed and known of all men, the witneſſe in all mens conſciences ſhall anſwer them.

Pr. Thou ſhalt not muzzle the mouth of the Oxe that treadeth out the corne: And they that plow in hope, and threſh in hope, are made partakers of their hope: And we are denyed of our corne, and are fain to go to the Magistrate, our nurſing Fathers. And ſo we threſh halfe a yeare, and can get no wages, then are we fain to goe to the Magiſtrate, page 47.

Anſw. How can you threſh or plow, and have not the infallible ſpirit? Can any get out the Corn, the Wheat that hath not the infallible ſpirit? Now we ſay, all them that hath not the infallible ſpirit cannot get out the corn; they may beat the ayr, they may get the ſheeps cloathing upon their backs, and go out, and beat the ayre; and ſo when their Goſpell will not maintain them, then they are fain to flye to the Magiſtrate and to the hills that muſt be beaten as chaffe, becauſe they cannot live of the Goſpel they preach; which doth not open the hearts of people, doth not get out the ſeed of God.

Prin. He ſaith, The Quakers light condemns ſuch as the light of Chriſt approves. And ſaith, Tell us what it is to walke holily, as the holy men of God did, &c. Page 49.

Anſw. Who walke holily, walke in the ſpirit that the holy men did walke in, that gave forth the Scriptures which is infallible: And none walks holily, but who are led with that, out of the ſelf-righteouſneſſe. And the light which the Quakers be in, is the light with which Chriſt doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, which cometh from Chriſt, and is one with him. And no one upon the earth owns Chriſt but who owns the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, which the Quakers are in (which thou calls a light from Sathan) And they muſt all come to the Quakers if ever they own the light; and if ever they own Chriſt the way to the Father, and come into the power of godlineſſe.

Pr. He ſaith, It is wretchedneſs to ſay that Chriſt hath redeemed them perfectly, and now lived in them the Lord of all things, by which they are the ſons of God, page 50.

Anſ. The Scriptures ſaith he is in all, and through all, who is God bleſſed for ever. And who are redeemed, are they not redeemed into perfection, into Chriſt? are not they redeemed perfectly? Are not they redeemed out of imperfection? And doth not Chriſt ſay, he will dwell in the Saints, who is Lord of all? And are not all they in the wretched ſtate that will not have him to reign over them?

Pr. He ſaith, The Miniſters of Chriſt received the Goſpell not by man, nor are taught it, but by the Revelation of Jeſus Chriſt, but we owne no ſuch Revelation as this, page 51.

Anſw. We do believe you who are apoſtatized and ravened from the ſpirit of God, having onely the ſheeps cloathing, and are the Wolves abroad in the world; which if it were poſſible ye would deceive the very elect: But the elect is kept in the arme of Chriſt, ye cannot pluck one of them out of his hands: His father and he is greater then all. And none knows the Goſpel, but who knows immediate revelation; for the Goſpell is the power of God unto ſalvation, and this is immediate. And ſo all you ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles are fled from the foundation Chriſt Jeſus that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world in the Apoſtacy, with it you are all ſeen, and fathomed over the world doth the light reach, anſwered with that of God in every one, the ſalvation to the ends of the earth; which light cometh to fulfill Scriptures. The Apoſtles were judged deceivers who came to bring the people to the ſubſtance the Scriptures ſpoke of, ſo they were judged deceivers.

Pr. If the Quakers ſay that the Ministers have not the ſpirit that the Prophets and Apoſtles had, then poſitively we ſay we have not. And if the Quakers ſay they have it ſo, then I ſay the Prophets and Apoſtles had it not, page 53.

Anſ. We do believe you, that ye have not the ſame ſpirit that the Prophets, and Apoſtles, and Chriſt had: Therefore doth it make manifeſt that ye be all on heaps about their words, and are fain to run to Schools and Colledges to be made Miniſters by men, and not by the ſpirit. And the Quakers witneſſe the ſpirit that the Prophets and Apoſtles, and Chriſt had, with which they own their words; with which ſpirit they ſee you who have gotten their words, and makes a trade of them, and are all on heaps about them, and falls out about Church and Miniſters.

Pr. He ſaith, The infallible ſpirit did not guide Iſaac when he bleſsed Jacob, for he miſſed the perſon, page 53.

Anſw. God with his eternall ſpirit did direct Iſaac what to do, for that ſtood in his counſell, though of that ſpirit thou have ſhewed thy ignorance and thy fallibility, and thy ſelfe, in whom the Devil is tranſformed into an Angel of Light; which Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, the falſe Prophets, and Deceivers, and falſe Apoſtles, which the Apoſtles ſaw was come, which ſince their dayes they have had the reign over the world. But now to that which they ravened from, and into the truth (the Devill abode not in) is the Saints com ; and the Lamb reigns that is the ſubſtance of the Scriptures, the end of the Scriptures, that hath domin ••• , Glory in the highest for ever.

And as for all the reviles, lyes, ſlanders, vilifyings, hard expreſſions in thy Book, they will fall upon thy ſelfe, and to thee they will be ſad, and thou ſhalt feel every one of thy owne words ſhall be thy burthen, and they ſhall come home unto thee, cramed into thee again; for thou muſt eat thy own dung; and drink thy own piſſe that comes from thee, for all that in thy book is but dung; in the day of thy Judgement the witneſſe in thee ſhall anſwer. All along thou haſt ſhewed thy ignorance of the ſpirit, that is poured upon all fleſh thats infallible, for whoſoever prayes, or hath a humility, or ſings, and not by the infallible ſpirit, they ſing not with the underſtanding, nor pray not with the underſtanding, And under the Judgement of God thou haſt brought thy ſelf, and all thy generation.

Thomas Collier his Booke called, a Dialogue between a Miniſter of the Goſpel and an Enquiring Chriſtian. In it his Principles are as Followeth.

Pr. HE ſaith that the Scriptures is the abſolute rule of Saints that are endued with the ſpirit and faith. page 7.

Anſw. Such as were endued with the ſpirit and faith, before the written Scripture was, they had a rule, and they knew the ſeed, and they knew the promiſes, and they knew Chriſt more then the Phariſees that had the Scriptures: nay more the the Apoſtates ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles that have the Scriptures, and the Epiſtles and Revelations. For by faith they ſaw the glory, they was in the Foundation, they ſaw Chriſt the everlaſting Covenant and that is the foundation ſtill, Chriſt Jeſus, him by whom the world was made, before it was made, and all that have the Scriptures, and have not him, they can do nothing. And that which ruled the Saints before the Scriptures was written, is the Saints rule after the Scriptures is written; to know the Scriptures what is written, and to know God of whom they learned that gave it forth, or writ it: with that they know to what ſtate and condition it was ſpoken. And the ſpirit is the record, and he that hath all the Scriptures, and wants the true record, which is the ſpirit, he cannot know all things.

Pr. And the Scripture is the New Testament of the Saints rule, and the rule of Judgement. page 10.

Anſw. The Scriptures given forth from the Spirit of God, people knowes not to what ſtate they were ſpoken; but as they come into the ſpirit that gave them forth. And beſides, the Epiſtles was written to the Saints in ſeveral conditions, according to their growth: and ſome of them grew higher then others, for ſome of them the day-ſtar was not riſen in their hearts, and ſome of them was children of the Day. So that, ſtill was the rule that led them to give forth the Epiſtles, and revealed to them the ſtates and conditions of the Saints, and to ages, and to generations, and to Nations, and the condition the world was in, and ſhould come upon it; that was the rule, and is the rule by which all theſe words are ſeen again: and there is the record of the Spirit of God. And he that hath found the true record the Spirit of God; with that he ſhall know all the Scriptures: and is come within the book where all things are written; and which writes all things forth, the ſpirit.

Pr. He ſaith the Scriptures is that word which makes the Devils to ſtand in aw, and tremble. The written word for after generations by which mens ſouls are brought to Chriſt. pag. 14 15. again that the Scriptures is the ſword of the ſpirit. pag. 16.

Anſw. The Phariſees had the Scriptures, which Chriſt ſaid was of the Devil, and was ſwallowed up in his power; and they ſtood againſt Chriſt the life, the ſubſtance. The Devil came with Scriptures (who is out of the truth) to tempt Chriſt the Word: but the Word, the ſubſtance of Scriptures hammerd down the devil, and Phariſees that had got the Scriptures, but were out of the life, that gave them forth. And they have the ſword that have the word of God which was before the Scriptures was given forth, and they be in that the Devils be out of. So if the Devil, and wicked men bring Scriptures; they hammer them under, and redeem the Scriptures out of their ungodly mouthes. And the written word brings no ſoul to Chriſt the life, but who comes to the life that the written words ſpeak of: and ſo it teſtifies of him the i e, that brings them to Chriſt that gave it forth.

Pr. God is willing that all ſhould be ſaved; but he worketh not all into a ſaving condition. page 21. He ſaith it is true, there is a ſpirit and life in the Scriptures. pag. 22.

Anſw. The ſpirit, and life is not in the Scriptures, but the ſpirit, and life the Scriptures teſtifies of, and the light Chriſt Jeſus (the ſalvation to the ends of the earth) doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world with a ſaving light. And the light which every man hath that cometh into the world is ſaving: but many hating the light, and not coming to it, which hath enlightened them; they neglect their ſalvation, and ſlight their ſalvation, and not believing in it, they walk in darkneſs and come not to the light of life. But they that believe in it, come to the light of life, and abide not in the darkneſs. And the grace of God which brings ſalvation hath appeared to all men, ſuch as turns it into wantonneſs, and walkes deſpitefully againſt the ſpirit of grace ownes it not for their teacher, but ſets up teachers according to their own luſts; ſo turns againſt that which brings their ſalvation and walks deſpitefully againſt it, and followes their own luſts, and tramples upon the Covenant of grace, and the blood of the new Covenant. And all that ſee the Biſhop of their ſouls, Chriſt Jeſus the Saviour of their ſouls, it is with the light that cometh from him, and God wils that all men ſhould be ſaved.

Pr. He ſaith to uſe Chriſts name to catch ſouls, when indeed it is but Jugling, and to ſtab him, and crucifie him a freſh. pag. 42. If Chriſt doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, &c. If this were truth then Chriſt died in vain, and in vain hath Chriſt ſpoke of himſelf, ſaying, I am the way, the truth, the life, the light, &c. pag. 45.

Anſw. Such as do not believe that Chriſt doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, are ſuch as mentions his name, and haters of the light that cometh from him, theſe be in the Jugling ſtate, deceivers of ſouls and people. And none ſees Chriſt the one offering, but with the light that cometh from him: nor none knowes the Saviour Chriſt Jeſus; but with the light that cometh from him: and that lets ſee the body prepared, Chriſt who was the ſeed of Abraham, according to the fleſh, the one offering, that ends all offerings; and his blood that is the attonement, which is the Saints drink, which who drinks it ſhall live, with which their conſciences are purged from dead works, to ſerve the living God. And none knowes the foundation of God that ſtandeth ſure, nor feels it, nor ſees it, but with the light which cometh from Chriſt the foundation, which breaks down all other foundations; which light that every man is enlightened withall gives him the knowledge of the foundation of God.

Pr. He ſaith, I do believe that there was never a Saint perfectly free from ſin here, but they ſhall have the body of ſin and death, which will be their burthen to keep them humble. Page 52. And it doth not appear that they do attain purification, or perfection, before the change of the body.

Anſw. That which is the true humiliation bears the ſin, and iniquity, which is Chriſt; ſuch as are not brought down with the Judgments for their ſinful actings, never knew the ſeed that puts off the body (from which all the roots proceed) in that is the true humility, and the righteouſneſs of Chriſt and the glory revealed. And the Saints witneſſed the body of ſin, and death put off, while they were upon the earth; and ſuch as was in Chriſt was new creatures, all things become new. And the Apoſtles ſpoke wiſdom among them that was perfect: and that was before the change of the body, as ye look upon. And the work of the Miniſtery was for the perfecting of the the Saints until they all come into the unity of the faith, (that gives victory) and to the knowledge of the Son of God; unto a perfect man: unto the meaſure, and ſtature of the fulneſs of Chriſt. This was the Miniſters work. Not as children toſſed up and down with every ſlight and windy doctrine of men, who lie in waite to deceive, So ye have tryed the work of your Miniſtry, and brought it to the Light.

Pr. He ſaith ſuch a trembling as a way to perfection, is to ſet it in the roome of Christ, beſide the truth, and ſlight and undervalue the word of God: and juſtifie trembling: let all men beware of this trembling. page 78.

Anſw. Who ever ownes the word of God, that reconciles to the Father, and hammers down, and brings out of the fall, and cuts down and burns up: they muſt know their ſalvation wrought out with fear, and trembling. And theſe ownes the word of God, and the words of God the Scriptures: and theſe owns this trembling: there is a cloud of witneſſes in the Scriptures and none will deny this trembling that ownes the ſalvation wrought out, or to be wrought out: but ſuch as be out of the truth; and that gets Scriptures (being out of the truth) and deny the power of God who are with it judged, thoſe that have the form, but deny the power; deny the trembling, ſo they deny the ſalvation to be wrought out with fear, and trembling, and none knowes the ſalvation but them that know trembling. And ſuch may ſay (that are the the Devils meſſengers) beware of this power that makes to tremble.

Pr. He ſaith the Scripture is truly the Miniſtry of the ſpirit to us. pag. 67.

Anſw. Thoſe were the Miniſters of the ſpirit that gave forth the Scriptures: And thoſe are the Miniſters of the Letter, that be out of the ſpirit that gave forth the Scriptures, and that cannot Miniſter the ſpirit.

Pr. He ſaith the Scriptures doth not ſpeak of a general Redemption of all, from the ſtate of ſin, and freedom from ſin. pag. 75.

Anſw. There is a general ſtate and redemption of all, and freedom from ſin by believing in the one offering the blood of Jeſus Chriſt; and unbelief ſhuts out.

Pr. He ſaith myſtical Babylon ſhall fall by the Kings of the earth. And many precious Saints ſhall destroy Babylon with the ſword. pag. 84. And he ſaith, I cannot apprehend that the Saints ſhall have the Government of the world. pag. 86. And the beaſt when he ariſeth ſhall give a mark in the right hand, &c.

Anſw. Chriſt hath all power in heaven, and earth given to him; who believe in him, and are in his power (who hath all power in heaven and earth given to him) have the government and are in the government the Lambs government: but the unbelievers are out of it. And that which ſlayes myſtical Babylon is not the Kings of the earth and the Saints that be on the earth, ſlay not with the carnal ſword: for they that kill with the ſword, muſt periſh with the ſword, here is the faith, and patience of the Saints. Their weapons are not carnall, but ſpiritual, mighty through God to the pulling down of ſtrong holds. And the Lamb ſlayes, and kills with the ſword, and takes them, the beaſt, and the falſe prophet and the Devil, and caſts them alive into the Lake of fire, where they ſhall be tormented for ever, that burns with brimſtone, who kills and ſlayes with the ſword which is the words of his mouth. And the Beaſt hath been long up, his marks, and his heads and horns with his names, but the Lamb and the Saints is trampling him to pieces under and over him getting the victory. And the everlaſting Goſpel is Preaching: and the witneſſes you are ignorant of: but are them that have been the ſlayers of them.

Pr. He ſaith, I do not profeſſe my ſelf infallible, but I ſhall freely give my apprehenſions. pag. 110. to contend earnestly for the faith which is the firſt unto Justification and ſervices of faith. pag. 111. he ſaith falſe Chriſts, and falſe prophets ſhall come. And to the Law, and to the teſtimony, &c.

Anſw. The Law is light, and the teſtimony of Jeſus is the ſpirit of propheſie, and men may have all the Scriptures of the old, and New Teſtament: yet being from the light, the ſpirit of propheſie; from the Light, and from the ſpirit; they know not the Law, and teſtimony. And we do believe thee, that thou art not infallible, but art onely in the apprehenſions, and before thou come to contend for the faith, and to know that by which the Saints are juſtified, thou muſt come into the Light that doth enlighten every man, &c. which lets ſee Chriſt the Author of the Faith. And falſe Prophets and Antichriſts Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, which ſhould get the ſheeps cloathing, and ſay, loe Chriſt is here, and loe he is there: Theſe Chriſt ſaid to the Apoſtles ſhould come, which before their deceaſe did come; which ſince their deceaſe the world hath gone after them. So every man that cometh into the world being enlightned, and having a light from Chriſt the Saviour of the ſoule; every man being in the Light Chriſt hath enlightned him withall. Every man with the light which cometh from Chriſt, with it they ſhall ſee a Saviour Chriſt Jeſus, from whence it comes: And the light ſhining from the Eaſt to the Weſt, and the coming of the Son of man, and receive Chriſt, and ſo come to the Rock. And ſo people having been from the Light which every man is enlightned withall that cometh into the world, they have been all brought on heaps. But now they are coming to the Rock. And thy words Thomas Collier ſhall be thy own burthen, and for them thou ſhalt receive judgement. And this is the word of the Lord God to thee, and thy time is not yet paſt.

John Billingſley, who calls himſelfe Mr. of Arts, Miniſter of the Goſpell, and Paſtor of the Church at Cheſterfield, in his Booke called, Strong COMFORTS for weake CHRISTIANS. His Principles follows, &c.

Pr. HE ſaith, He would have the Mayor and Aldermen of Cheſterfield to ſhew themſelves to be really affected to the cauſe of Christ and his bleſsed Sabbaths, &c.

Anſ. In this thou haſt ſhewed thou art one that keeps people in darkneſſe, and not a Miniſter of the Goſpel of Chriſt, and the new Covenant, but of the Law, and in the ſignes and ſhadows. For the Sabbaths, the Apoſtles did bring people off of them, and they met together on the firſt day of the week, and denyed the Jewes Sabbath; and ſtill it is your practice, and yet thou cryeſt up to ſhew themſelves for the cauſe of the bleſſed Sabbath: what blind and dark ſtuffe is this? For never did Paſtor or Miniſter of Chriſt preach up ſuch a Doctrine, as to ſtir up Aldermen and Mayors, and great men to ſhew themſelves zealous for the Sabbath: And thus thou haſt ſhewed thy ſelfe to be one of them the Apoſtles was afraid of, that obſerved the dayes which he brought the people off to the ſubſtance; which they met together on the firſt day of the week, which Chriſt roſe on, and ſo was a croſſe to the Jewes, who met together on the ſeventh day. And Circumciſion was on the 8th day, on that day Chriſt roſe.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scripture and the Spirit are unſeparable (which he calls the Word) Page 7. and that the ſpirit is alwayes in the Scriptures.

Again, He is in the gall of bitterneſſe, and bond of iniquity, who calls the ſpirit a dead Letter, page 9.

Anſ. Every one that hath the Scriptures, cannot ſay he hath the ſpirit that gave it forth; for the Devill may have Scripture, who is out of the ſpirit. And the Apoſtle which ſaid, the Letter kills, and was old, was not in the gall of bitterneſſe, and bond of iniquity. And the ſpirit was in them that gave forth the Scriptures: And the Scriptures are the words of God which ends in Chriſt the Word, who fulfils them.

Pr. He ſaith, Prize the holy Scriptures, through which is all our hopes of eternall life, communicated to us: And I wonder what any ſoule hath to ſhew for eternal life, but the Scriptures. So I call it Gods warrant. Page 13. And in the midſt of thoughts prize the Covenant of free grace: And if ye would have ſubſtantial comforts from the Covenant, do not lay hold of Covenant comforts. Page 12.

Anſw. Thou cannot ſpeak a word to the wearied, who art in the preſumption thy ſelfe, and to be brought down, who art applying the promiſes to the wrong nature. And many may have the Scriptures, and many have the Scriptures, and all ignorant of eternall life, untill they all come into the life as they was in that gave forth the Scriptures. For the Scripture communicates not the life, but God, of whom they learned that gave forth Scripture; it is it that teſtifies of eternall life. And the ſouls comfort is Chriſt, which it ſpeaks of.

Pr. He ſaith, The Apoſtle to the Philippians ſpeaks of Saints as Citizens, our trading is in heaven. Now Citizens great trading is Mercandize, as ſhips go from London to India, &c. So thouſands of ſoules go towards heaven, worth nothing, a poore empty creature. See page 15.

Anſw. The merchandize is in the earth, in Babylon, and there thou and you are all. The ſoule is worth more then all the world which goes to heaven; it goes richly, full of all attire and fruitfulneſſe, and not empty. Is not an empty creature, that which God breathed into man the breath of life, whereby it became a living ſoule? And he hath all ſoules in his hand, and Chriſt is the Biſhop of it, the power of God, and therefore it is not empty; for the Saints had the heavenly treaſure in earthen veſſells.

Pr. He ſaith, The Sacrament and Baptiſme is a moſt refreſhing cup, for we walke by faith, and not by ſight, page 18. I can ſay frequent mention is made of ſalvation by Chriſt, without mentioning any act of faith in us, &c. page 19.

Anſw. Sacraments and ſprinkling Infants called Baptiſme; who walks after them, walks after ſight, not by faith, for theſe things are ſeen; and they follow their owne traditions, and not the Scriptures for them, either ſprinkling Infants or Sacrament: And who walks by faith and not fight, comes off the things that are ſeen. For things that are ſeen are temporall, but things that are not ſeen are eternall, ſaith the Apo •• le. And he that believeth ſhall be ſaved, & he that believeth not ſhall be condemned (this is the doctrine of Chriſt to the Apoſtles) they are condemned already. And where the belief is, there is faith and ſalvation ſeen and known; but where belief is not, there is condemnation, there ſalvation is not known, and every one that is ſaved, believes.

Pr. I do not ſay that there is perfect victory againſt every corruption. But that grace will be eating out, and curbing ſin in the heart, page 21. And there is no peace nor comfort that is miantained without warring and conſtant combating, &c. Yea, peace and war againſt ſin are alwayes inſeparable companions, page 22. All true comfort hath its foundation from the written Word, they are fancies and flaſhes, rather then comforts from pretended immediate revelations, page 23.

Anſw. None knows true comfort but who comes to the immediate Revelation, that is to the ſpirit that reveals the things of God. If men have all the Scriptures, the written words, and not the word in which they end; they have not comfort, neither can they do any thing without Chriſt, neither have the wearyed reſt, neither is the Biſhop of the ſoule known, neither is the burthen and the old yoak gone off, though they have all the Scriptures; but as every one doth come to the life that gave forth the Scriptures, with which they ſee Chriſt the end, the ſubſtance of them, him by whom the world was made before it was made, theſe have comfort of the words. And the Scriptures are words, not the Word; and ſuch as are here comes to know peace and the end of war, and the occaſion of war taken away: And ſin and corruption is ſeparated from the precious, and contrary to the Juſt, with it it hath no unity. And there is no true peace untill they come into the Kingdome which ſtands in joy, in peace, in righteouſneſſe. Now where the body is ſtanding, and the root of ſin in the heart, not a perfect victory; The Circumciſion is not known that puts off the body; the victory is not known while the body ſtands; which the Apoſtle witheſſed the body of ſin put off by the circumciſion of the ſpirit which was in the inward man; and he thanked God through Chriſt who had victory, who was manifeſted in his fleſh to condemn ſin in his fleſh, that he through him became the righteouſneſs of God: And the life that he lived was by the faith of the Son of God. And ſuch as are made free from ſin, and dead to it, and cannot live no longer therein, theſe had the peace. And ſuch have not the peace where the body of ſin is ſtanding, and ſin in the heart, there is the war: But ſuch as ſtand in the faith which purifies the heart, and comes to witneſſe the Circumciſion of the heart, they come to have the heart purified, and the victory over the body as the Apoſtle declares.

Pr. He ſaith, James Naylor deſerved to be hanged, page 5. He ſaith, I tell my people they cannot be free from ſin, a perfect freedome from the being of corruption in them, while they are on this ſide heaven, pa. 9. And your ſpeaking againſt Miniſters, and ſpeaking in Markets is as bad or worſe as to bait a Bull, page 8. And he ſaith, The Steeple houſe is the Church.

Anſ. The Miniſters of Chriſt, and the Prophets of the Lord which ſpoke his word, which ſpoke in Synagogues and in Markets, in high wayes, and under the hedges, and upon the mountains, which diſturbed the world; and all profeſſors upon the earth that had the words of truth, which was out of the life, and diſturbed the Heathen that knew not God; And all ſuch Miniſters of the Letter that have it, and not the ſpirit that gave it forth, are diſturbed by the Miniſters that be in the ſpirit, that preach and ſpeak forth the ſubſtance of the Scriptures. And we know you, and do believe you (who ſaith, your people ſhall not be made free from their corruption; and tells them, the Steeple-houſe is the Church; and ſay the creature deſerved to be hanged) to be ſuch at inwardly ravened, which Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, John ſaw was come, and the whole world hath been after you that are wreſtlers againſt fleſh and blood, and ſtrikes at creatures, in ſtead of ſtriking at the power that captivates Creatures, and ſo have kept people under the bondage of corruption; and led people alwayes learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, and kept them in ſpirituall Aegypt, Sodome, and Gomorrah, in filthineſſe, and telling of them the Maſſe-houſe is the Church, the Steeple-houſes. Was it not a place for the Maſſe, ſet up for the Maſſe, with a Croſſe at the end of it? Look, is it not on yet? And is the Maſſe-houſe become thy Church? thou mayſt thank the Papiſts for that. Was not the Pope and the Papiſts the ſetters up of all your Maſſe-houſes, and Colledges, which have gotten up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, among you inwardly ravenors from the Church which is in God, and ſo have gotten up the Maſſe-houſe for your Church, and there ye do keep up people, telling them they muſt have corruptions while they be upon the earth? So ye are Miniſters of corruption, which is contrary to the Apoſtles, who ſaid they ſate in heavenly places, and had eſcaped the pollutions of the world; and they were children of the day, not of the night, and the true light ſhined: So you that are ravened from the ſpirit of God, have got up the Maſſe-houſe, got people thither, and telling of them they muſt have their corruptions, and they muſt have ſin, and they must not be perfect while they are on this ſide heaven. Now they can but have ſin, and can be but imperfect, if they never came at you, nor at your Maſſe-houſes. Now you are the Devills Meſſengers and Miniſters that preacheth up ſin, and corruption, and imperfection that people muſt be in, and have ſinne while they be upon the earth. But the Miniſters of Chriſt preached up perfection, to be perfect, and overcoming ſin, and made free from ſin; and the blood of Jeſus Chriſt cleanſeth from all ſin; and they had faith, which gave them victory, and the Circumciſion that puts off the body of ſin, and the new Covenant that blotted out ſin and tranſgreſſion. And ſuch Miniſters as you, that make a trade of Scriptures, as the Scripture it ſelfe, the Prophets, the Apoſtles, and Chriſt doth make you manifeſt, your fruits to be contrary to them that gave forth Scriptures. So with it are you diſapproved and judged with the life that gave it forth.

Pr. He ſaith, And it ſeemes to me to be no more ſin to bait a Bull, then any other recreation. And he ſaith, The Quakers came into the Steeple-houſe, and bid people to look to the light within them, and to tell him that he was an Antichriſt and blinde guide. And ſaith, I had rather be a hireling, ſuch as Chriſt hath hired in his Vineyard, and receive a penny, then ſome of the Quakers that go naked in the markets.

Anſw. The Quakers who be in the power of the Lord God, have been moved of the Lord God to go into the world among Apoſtates, who are ravened from the ſpirit of God, and ſo are the Wolves that tears and rends, and are ravening up and down for your Benefices; and would eate one another out if you could, and ſwallow one another like the fiſhes to the Sea. Are you contented every one with your penny from Chriſt? Are not you all fighting, and ſtriking, and ſmiting, and caſting into Priſons for meanes, for Tythes which ye do no work for? Is not Chriſt come, and hath found you ſmiting and ſtriking your fellow-ſervants, eating and drinking like Sodome, and living in pleaſure like the old world, ſome having two hundred, ſome three hundred pounds, ſome leſſe, ſome more; is here equall a penny? Are ye like Chriſts Vineyard dreſſers, Husband-men in the Vineyard? Bluſh, and be aſhamed! The ſtones are thrown now at Babylon, and daſheth her children to pieces: And Sion is building, and the Tabernacle of David is rearing up. Come up ye Saints and Prophets, the Lamb and the Saints hath the victory: And all thoſe upon the earth, and you all are the blinde guides and Antichriſts, who guides not people to the Light within, and bids them not look at that, but leads them from the Light within; ye lead them in the darkneſſe, and you are from the light in your own particulars, and ſo the blinde, guides for the fleece, for the earth, out of the Apoſtles Doctrine, and Chriſts, who brought people to the Light, and bid them believe in it; who told them, the light that ſhined in their hearts would give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus.

Pr. The Prieſts bear rule by their means, this is the meanes of the falſe Prophets ſaith he. If there be a burthen upon paying of Tythes, lay it upon God and the Magiſtrates, and not upon me, the Paſtor.

Anſw. Tythes to the ſimilitude Melchiſedeck, Tythes to the Prieſt-hood made by the Law of God; Chriſt is come, the end of the ſimilitude, the end of the Prieſt-hood, and diſannuld the commandement that gave Tythes: and all his Miniſters, Paſtors, and Teachers preached down Tythes, and preached up the ſubſtance, and preached down the Prieſts that took them, and the Law that gave them, and the authority, and the Magiſtrates both that held them up. And ſo you that have gotten Tythes ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, whoſe root and ground was by the Papiſts in the apoſtacy, are ſuch that burthens the Creation, and a griefe to all true Chriſtians that be in the life and the power, and the ſpirit that the Apoſtles was in before the apoſtacy.

Now if thou wert a true Miniſter of Chriſt, if the Magiſtrate would give thee tythes, thou wouldſt not take them; which is got up ſince the Apoſtacy came in, them that have got the ſheeps cloathing, but are ravened from the ſpirit of God. And doth not thou think that the Prieſts that were obedient to the Faith, if they would have turned again to the Jews Magistrates, doſt thou think they would not have given them tythes? And doſt thou think that any of them that was obedient to the Faith, that they took Tythes after they were converted to Chriſt and his faith, the ſubſtance? And doſt thou think that any that is out of the apoſtacy now, will take Tythes of the Magiſtrates now if they would give them? which were ſet up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in the apoſtacy? I will warrant thee they will dye before they will loſe their glory and their Crown: And they that preach the Goſpell, ſhall live of the Goſpell. And the Prophets propheſie falſly, and the Prieſt beares rule by his meanes. What, doth the Prieſt receive his gifts by the falſe Prophets means? Doth not the people love to have it ſo? And are not you all found fallen into this Ditch that are inwardly ravened from the ſpirit of God? The falſe ſpirits gone into the earth for money, and for tythes, for lucre, for means, for gifts, admiring mens perſons becauſe of advantage; yet covering your ſelves with the ſheeps cloathing, crept up into a Maſſe-houſe, and calls it a Church; and tells people, while they be upon the earth, they muſt have corruptions, and the body of ſin, and this is the work of your Miniſtry: So among the Lyars; Whoremongers, Sorcerers, Adulterers, inwardly ravened from the ſpirit of God, out of the Kingdome are ye found.

And as for all the reſt of thy rabble, and unſavoury expreſſions in thy Book, they are not worth mentioning: But in the day of thy judgement thou ſhalt feel thy owne words thy burthen, in the tryall of the Fire thy works will burn.

Immanuel Bourne, who calls himſelfe Paſtor of 〈◊〉 Church in Aſhover, in his Book called, A Defence of the Scriptures, and the holy Spirit ſpeaking in them, are theſe Principles following. And Prieſt Gifford of Bedford his PRINCIPLE.

Pr. HE ſaith, Christ himſelfe ſent his hearers to the Scriptures, as the chiefe judge of Controverſie, and of Faith.

Anſw. Chriſt did not put the Scriptures above himſelfe; he ſaid, All judgement was committed to the Son, and for judgement he was come into the world. And the Phariſees that had the Scriptures they could not judge of Faith, nor of controverſie, nor knew not Chriſt the Author of the Faith; nor none can judge but who be in the ſpirit that gave forth the Scriptures. And the Scriptures was given forth from them that was in the faith of Truth; but ſuch as be not in the faith, knows not the Scriptures, neither is it able to make them wiſe unto ſalvation without the Faith. For the Phariſees and chief Prieſts were not, though they had Scripture, and they judged and condemned the Author of Faith, that had Scriptures without the life; and ſo do all that are out of the life ſtill that have the Scriptures, judge the Author of the Faith, Chriſt Jeſus, who doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world: And the holy ſpirit ſpake in them that gave forth the Scriptures, and ſo they ſpoke it forth.

Now they that be from the ſpirit of God in their owne particulars ſpeaking there, knows not the ſpirit that ſpoke in them that ſpoke them forth; but ſuch are they that ſaith, The ſpirit ſpeakes in the Scriptures. Such are the Miniſters of the Letter, and not of the Spirit that gave it forth. And the ſpirit that gave forth the Scripture is that which judged of all conditions, which gave them the ſpirituall underſtanding. For people have not the ſpirituall underſtanding to judge, and to diſcern if they have all the Scriptures, unleſſe they be in the ſpirit that gave it forth: And ſo the Scripture it ſelfe without the ſpirit that gave it forth, cannot be the Judge of Controverſie, nor of Faith, but is a dead Letter in it ſelfe, but the ſpirit is it that gave forth Scriptures.

Pr. He ſaith, Chriſt within is inherent holineſſe: And George Fox profeſſed equality with God. page 20.

Anſw. Chriſt within is beyond all mens righteouſneſſe, or holineſſe, for he is the righteouſneſſe it ſelfe. And the Aſſembly of Divines gave forth a Catechiſme, preſented to the Parliament, for people to learn; wherein they ſay, that the Holy Ghoſt is equall in power and glory with the Father. Now every one that cometh to witneſſe the Son of God, and the holy Ghoſt that gave forth the Scriptures by your account, they witneſſe that which is equall in power and glory with God. And doth not the Aſſembly give forth this in their Catechiſme, that people ſhould learn? And is it blaſphemy for to come to witneſſe this which you have given forth, and the minde which was in Chriſt? Yet nevertheleſſe Georges words was not ſpoken as yee preach them; for his words were ſpoken beyond all creatures, and out of all creatures, and he did not ſay Geo: Fox.

Pr. He ſaith no natural man, that is darkneſs, is bound to look to the light within him to direct him to ſalvation; for it is in vain to look for light in darkneſs. Page 22.

Anſw. The light which every man that cometh into the world is enlightened withall, the ſalvation to the ends of the earth; which no man cometh out of darkneſs, out of his natural ſtate but who doth believe in the light; which was Chriſts Doctrine, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of the light: and he that believeth in it ſhall not abide in darkneſs. And ſo they come to ſee the ſpending of the night and the light ſhining out of darkneſs, giving them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus; and the light ſhining in the darkneſs which the darkneſs canno ••• prehend it. And no one upon earth ever ſees their ſalvation, but with the light •• ich cometh from Chriſt their Saviour, who doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world; that all men through the light might believe: he that doth not believe in the light, is condemned. And ſo he that followes the light ſhall not walk in darkneſs; and he that followes not the light walks in darkneſs. So with the light thou art comprehended to be a Miniſter of darkneſs; in the apoſtacy, keeping people from the light. And one of the falſe prophets ravened from the ſpirit, which Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, John ſaw was come, and the world goes after you, that tells people the letter is the word, and the ſpirit is in the Scriptures, which is contrary to Scripture, and them that ſpoke it forth, which ſaid the ſpirit of God was within them. And the Scriptures were words of God: and Chriſt the word, comes to fulfill the words; who is the word, who was before the words was given forth; in whom the words ends.

Pr. The Kingdom of heaven is within you, not as Chriſt is in every one, but the Kingdom of heaven is within you, or among you. Page 29.

Anſw. Chriſt is within except ye be reprobates; yea I ſay within all Profeſſors is Chriſt, in Chriſtendom, Chriſt is within them all, except they be reprobates. And if Chriſt be not within them all, they are all reprobates, but if Chriſt be within them all, the body is dead, and there is Chriſts reign, and his Kingdom, and no Babylon, nor Antichriſt where this is ſo. And the Kingdom of Heaven is within you ſaith Chriſt, yea in the Phariſees: and that is the Kingdom in man that never conſents to ſin; like a grain of muſtard-ſeed, like unto leaven, that leavens the new lump. And he that cometh to know that little Kingdom, and receiveth that little Kingdom as a little child, it makes the Kingdoms of the world become the Son of Gods Kingdom: and knowes that no unrighteouſneſſe, nor ungodlineſſe muſt enter into it.

Pr. And Chriſt ſpake to the multitude when he ſaid be not ye of men called Maſter, and call no man father upon earth; and did not bid the Apoſtles not to be called of men maſter.

Anſw. He ſpoke this to the multitude, and to the Diſciples both, and ſaid the Scribes, and Phariſees was called of men Maſter, who had Scriptures: whom he cryed wo againſt. And he ſaid be not you of men called maſter for ye have all one maſter, even Chriſt; and ye are all Brethren, this was Chriſts Command. But all ye Paſtors, and Miniſters (Bourn) and the reſt who are apoſtatized from the Apoſtles Doctrine, and Chriſts Doctrine, ye trample upon the Commands of Chriſt. It manifeſts that ye have the form of godlineſs, and denyes the power: and are not Brethren paſt from death, to life but are all on heapes about the Scriptures, Chriſts, Prophets, and Apoſtles words; and making a trade of them for your own ſelf-ends in the Apoſtacy; ſuch as Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, which John ſaw was come; which ſhould inwardly raven, which the world is gone after, But now with that which ye all ravened from are ye all comprehended. And Chriſt ſaith call no man father upon earth, where Chriſt is witneſſed, the ſeed of God raiſed up, no earthly man is his father, nor cannot call no man father upon the earth, according to the Command of Chriſt, he that is heire of the promiſe of the world that hath no end; of the ſecond Adam born not by the will of man: but he that is of the firſt Adam is in another ſtate, and ſtands againſt Chriſts doctrine, and is the Son of Adam in the fall.

Pr. He ſaith ſuch as pretend Chriſt within deny the blood of Christ his righteouſneſs for Justification.

Anſw. Who witneſs Chriſt within, they are not reprobates; Juſtification and Sanctification is poſſeſſed, the thing that was imputed to the believers.

Pr. And giving honour to men, &c.

Anſw. Chriſt the ſecond Adam receives not honour of men, neither doth he reſpect mens perſons, his enemies could ſay ſo: and they that received honour one of another was the Phariſees, the great Profeſſors, which was a mark of the unbelief: which Chriſt would not receive their honour, the ſecond Adam which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, will not receive the honour of men. Now he that receiveth the honour is out of the light, in the firſt Adam; is out of the power. And where humility is, which goes before the honour, there is no want of honour; for he cometh into the power that maketh him honourable in the hearts of all people, anſwering the humble principle in every one; a terrour to the evil doer; and here Magiſtrates that fears God, attain the honour that is without the reſpect of Perſons in the humility anſwering with the higher power the juſt principle in every man: ſo come they to be honoured in the hearts of all people in the ſight of God, and a praiſe of them that do well, which he that reſpects perſons, tranſgreſſeth the Law, and commits ſin; and is convinced of the Law as a trangreſſor, he that reſpects perſons is out of the faith of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt which purifies the heart, which is held in the pure conſcience, and gives victory over the world; which who are of faith are of Abraham.

And ſo for all thy lies, and ſlanders, and reviles, and unſavoury and bad expreſſions which are loathſome before all ſober people, and ſtincks; who hath publiſhed thy ſhame to the Nation in Print, it ſhall cover thy ſelf, and be thy own garment; and every word be thy own burthen, and lay a weight upon thee in the day of thy miſery, and calamity, and in the day of thy Judgement when thy works are tryed in the fire, the witneſs in thy conſcience ſhall me anſwer.

Gifford who is chief Prieſt at Bedford his Principle. He ſaid (openly) That faith was not perfect, &c.

Anſ. Faith is holy, and the gift of God, and purifies, and juſtifies, and is a myſtery in which is the unity, by which God is pleaſed; and this is perfect being the gift of God; and from this he hath ſhewed his reprobation, and his ignorance.

Thomas Moore in his Booke called, A defence againſt the poiſon of Satans Deſigne. Theſe are his Principles Following.

Pr. HE ſaith Chriſt Jeſus is perſonally abſent from a believer. And Chriſt is in, and to our hearts the hope, but not the poſſeſſion, nor do we poſſeſſe the glory. Again he ſaith, The grace of God which brings ſalvation to all men; instructs them not to look into themſelves or to any light or ſpirit in them. Pag. 5.

Anſw. Chriſt in you the hope of glory, ſaith the Apoſtle. And if the Saints ſate with him in heavenly places, they are not abſent from him. And if he ſay I in them, and they in me, ſo not abſent from them. And the Son of God was revealed in the Saints. And he that hath not the Son of God hath not life, ſuch may ſay they are abſent from him. But ſuch as have him revealed, have life, and he is not abſent. And ſuch as be abſent from him have not eaten his fleſh, nor drunken his blood; and ſo are not of his fleſh, nor of his bone. And they may talk of him, and ſay he is come, as the Jewes did that he was to come, and he not in them, and ſo reprobates. And the grace of God that brings ſalvation which hath appeared unto all men which is the Saints teacher, whoſe hearts are ſtabliſhed with grace, this is within them, which brings them to know the hidden man of the heart; and a ſtrength in the inward, and comes to look at the light within them; agreeable to the Apoſtles Doctrine, who ſaid the light that ſhined in their hearts, would give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus. And ſuch as have Chriſt in them have the poſſeſſion, have the ſubſtance, have the glory which was with the Father before the world began.

Pr. He ſaith there is none here hath yet ceaſed from their own works, as God did from his. pag. 9. And the Apoſtles received the laſt Revelation to be given forth immediately. And ſuch as ſlight the word, and call it a dead letter; and brings people to the light within them, a ſpirit within them, this is a ſtrange doctrine. And if there be not ſomething to be added, and given forth by men, and another manner of Preaching then by the Apoſtles, what need is there of Printing? &c. Page 15.

Anſ. He that believes hath entered into his reſt, and ceaſed from his own works as God did from his. And ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles there hath got up another Miniſtry by man of man, made by man (which is not as the Apoſtles who received it not of man, nor by man) And theſe ſtands againſt the light within, and the ſpirit of God within, which none knowes true teaching, nor true inſtruction, nor opening of the Scriptures, but as they come every one to the ſpirit of God in them, as was in them that gave forth Scriptures. And who be here, have the thing within them, as they had that gave forth the Scriptures; enjoying and poſſeſſing it; And theſe Fathomes the Apoſtates, out of the Apoſtles Doctrine, and witneſſe the Preaching as the Apoſtles was in, which all they ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, that ravened from the Spirit of God, be out of, and this doth not deny the Scriptures, but ſees them all in their place, and to what condition they were ſpoken. And the letter is a dead letter of it ſelf and gives not life to any, but who comes to the Spirit of God in their own perticulars, as was in them that gave it forth. For the Jewes had not life, though they had Scriptures, until they came to Chriſt, which the Scripture teſtified of.

Pr. He ſaith Chriſt is not natural.

Anſw. Yet ſome of ye ſay he is humane. And as for thy ſpeaking of his mortality; ye ſpeak, ye do not know what; Chriſt is the ſame to day, yeſterday, and for ever.

Pr. He ſaith, It is the Apoſtles ſence of them that ſerved their bellies they pretended to an inward light: and this is the Apoſtles ſence of belly who did cauſe diviſions contrary to the Doctrine they had learned, and here their belly maybe underſtood their minde, heart and ſpirits, or alſo their experience of theſe inward, &c. To rejoyce in any thing under the Sun, is oppoſite to the Apostles who had their converſation in heaven. Page 42.

Anſw. None comes to witneſs their converſation in heaven, but who is come to witneſſe Chriſt within them, the ſubſtance, the ſecond Adam who redeemes out of the earth, and the Apoſtle which brought the Saints to the light that ſhined in their hearts, &c. this was not a ſerving of Bellies that walked in the light, that light ſhining in them, and believing in the light Chriſt, out of whoſe belly flowed rivers of living waters, and ſuch made not diviſions, but were in unity in the light, and fellowſhip. But thoſe were they that made the diviſions that inwardly ravened, and went from the light, which Chriſt had enligtened them withall, and ſuch went from that which ſhould give them the knowledge, and enjoyed the earthly things; and ſerved not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, (that be out of the light which comes from him) but their own bellies. And they act contrary to the Apoſtles Doctrine; and rejoyceth in things under the Sun, which who doth, ſerves their bellies.

Pr. He ſaith yea, when enlightened by that heavenly light even from Jeſus, yet they are of themſelves deceitful, &c. pag. 44. And the light is ſomething elſe beſides the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus. Page 45.

Anſw. The light which every man is enlightened withall, &c. is not deceitfull, but leads men out of all deceit. And it is of God that gives them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, &c. and it is one, and the ſame that lets ſee to the begi ning, and ending; which comes from the beginning.

Pr. He ſaith, That none may expect to receive the word immediately from Chriſt as the Apoſtles; but mediately. Page 46.

Anſ. Such as receive not the word of God immediately from Chriſt as the Apoſtles did; they are not Preachers of the living word that lives and abides for ever. And we do believe you, that ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, ye have not received the word immediately from Chriſt as the Apoſtles did, but are onely Miniſters of the letter. And ſuch were they in all ages that cloſed their eyes, and ſtopt their ears, and inwardly ravened from the ſpirit. That marred the face of Chriſt above all men, who was the ſpiritual Sodom and Egypt where Chriſt is crucified. Theſe got Scriptures, but were from the ſpirit of God within, that gave them forth, and ſuch was the hypocrites that Judged all wayes the ſpirit of God that gave fo th the Scriptures, nd ſhut out of the Kingdom, in which ſpirit now ye are found in theſe laſt dayes.

Pr. He ſaith, That Chriſt aſcended without material blood, and the Apoſtle d •• •• t Preach both the word, and faith in the heart. pag. 50. and that the new Jeruſalem is 〈◊〉 come down from heaven. pag. 51. and a brief diſcovery of the wolves in ſheepes skins, &c. Page 57.

Anſw. The blood of Chriſt which ſatisfies the Father which the Saints •• ink, and his fleſh which they eate, which in ſo doing have life; is that which the world ſtumble at; which who drinkes it, lives for ever. And the Apoſtle Preached the word of faith in their hear •• and in their mouthes, and the word reconciles to the Father, and hammers down, •• d cuts down, and burns that which ſeparates from the Father; and over it gives victory. And the word material, the Apoſtle doth not call it ſo, but precious, and Jeruſalem is come down from heaven and witneſſed among the Saints, heavenly Jeruſalem and the Babes knowes their mother. And who are in Chriſt, and Chriſt in them, ſee it, poſſeſſeth it. But all ſuch as are againſt the light within, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, are the Antichriſts, the falſe prophets, the wolves which have gotten the ſheepes cloa •• ing; (which may deceive the world, but not the elect) as thy book hath declared hee. And ſuch Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, and John ſaw was come: and ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles the world hath gone after them. And they inwardly ravened from the light and ſo have gotten the Kingdoms of the earth into a profeſſion, and form which are now ſtanding againſt the Light within, and gathering againſt the Lamb, and the Saints that are in the light, and is the light, which they ravened from, making War againſt them, but the Lamb, and the Saints ſhall get the victory.

Pr. He ſaith, And the righteouſneſs of God wrought by Chriſt for us; which need not to be wrought over again in us. pag, 58. And that Chriſt our Juſtification ſhould be in us, that dyed, and ſuffered, that aſcended, this he cals a fancy, to fancy him in a particuler perſon. Page 59.

Anſw, Whoſoever hath not Chriſt within, are Reprobates; and whoſoever hath Chriſt within, hath the righteouſneſs. Now Chriſt that ſuffered, Chriſt that was offered up, is manifeſt within, and the Saints are of his fleſh, and of his bone, and eat his fleſh, and drink his blood; and not another. The Chriſt that ended the Prieſthood, ended the offering, ended the Temple, ended the Law, and the firſt Covenant the ſeed of God, Chriſt Jeſus, this manifeſt within; he that hath him, hath life, Juſtification, Sanctification and Redemption. And ſo Chriſt the ſame to day yeſterday and for ever, who is the hope, and the Author of their faith. And ſo all be in the fancy that be out of the ſtate of witneſſing Chriſt (that ſuffered) within them and roſe again: and who be in this, they be out of the fancy and ſhadowes: and comes to ſee where there is no changing, but poſſeſſeth righteouſneſs, glory, ſubſtance, the end of their faith, and Chriſt their hope that remains, that abides.

Pr. He ſaith, There is ſomething of God in man that will render the light which the Quakers ſpeakes of natural. Page 67.

Anſw. That which is of God in man captivated, viz. life and immortality; who are not come to the light, will not render the light (when he cometh to it through the Goſpel) naturall, which the darkneſſe now cannot comprehend though in it it ſhines, and that of God in man will not call Chriſt (the light) naturall which the Quakers ſpeaks of.

Pr. He ſaith, Yee may remember in the laſt times, falſe Chriſts and falſe Prophets ſhall ariſe, and ſhall bring in damnable hereſies, &c. and will ſhew ſignes and wonders, and if it were poſſible they would deceive the very Elect. And ſuch as follow ſtrong deluſions, and believe lyes, and be damned, who obey not the Truth, nor receive it in the love of it, page 68.

Anſw. Chriſt ſaid falſe Prophets ſhould come, Antichriſts ſhould come with ſignes and wonders, which the Apoſtles ſaw was come, which inwardly ravened, and went forth from them; which ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles they have got the ſheeps cloathing, and the world is gone after them, and have deceived the world by their lying ſignes and wonders, and have brought them to be all on heaps about Religion. And the damnable hereſie, and the lying ſignes and wonders, and ſtrange deluſions; yee may look into the whole Chriſtendome, among your ſelves, and your own ſtock of Papiſts: For none obeys the Truth, but who owns the Light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, which cometh from Chriſt the truth; and all falſe Prophets are from that, and all Antichriſts are from that, which hath reigned ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in the apoſtacy, and inwardly ravened, have gotten the ſheeps cloathing; which have made war againſt the Saints, and overcome them; but now to that which they ravened from, are the Saints come: And the woman hath been in the wilderneſs, and the man-child is brought forth to rule the Nations with a rod of Iron. And all ſuch now that inwardly ravened from the Light, are ſtanding up againſt the Lamb and the Saints: But the Lamb and the Saints have the victory, and the rej ycing over the Beaſt and falſe Prophet is come, who kills and ſlayes with the ſword, which is the words of his mouth: And the Saints which are with him, their weapons are ſpiritual. And none lifts up the Son of God, as the Serpent was lifted up in the Wilderneſſe; but as every one is in the Light that the Son of God hath enlightned him withall, and then they know him that draws all men after him.

Thomas Moor, In his Booke, called, An Antidote, &c. Are theſe Principles following.

Pr. HE ſaith, God doth not give the Revelation of theſe things now immediately, as he did by the firſt Apostles, nor in ſuch manner as he did to the Prophets of old. See his Epiſtle.

Anſw. All that have the Scriptures, and are Miniſters, and not by the ſame power and ſpirit as the Apoſtles was in, knows not the Scriptures; and all who be in it are in the immediate, and in that which reveals, and in that which fathoms all the Miniſters of the Letter, who ſaith, God doth not give forth now immediately as he did to the Prophets and Apoſtles: Since the dayes of the Apoſtles in the apoſtacy, ſuch as have ravened inwardly from the ſpirit of God, the time of Antichriſt, Beaſt, and falſe Prophets reign, and the mother of Harlots, who have had the ſheeps cloathing, ſuch immediate Revelation hath been hid from them; and ſuch ſhould continue untill the words of God was fulfilled, and the fulfilling of the Prophets: But now is the fulfilling of the words of God, and that come into, which the Prophets and Apoſtles was in, with which that is ſeen and known, and him that hath been ſlain from the foundation of the world.

Pr. He ſaith, To looke to the Light within, that is in oppoſition to looking at Jeſus. That the light in every man is naturall. And if yee turne your eye inward, ye ſhall preſently ſee their mover and teacher: and this he calls fooliſh and Antichriſtian. And ſaith, That no man hath in him, as of him, that light ſpirit and wiſdome in the inward parts. See his Epiſtle.

Anſw. All upon the earth that ever comes to the knowledge of the glory of God, they come to the light in them, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, which light was before any naturall lights was made or created; which light gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus; and this is of him, and from him: And all that be from this, be in the fooliſhneſs, and be in the drunken ſpirit drunkning. And all that ever comes into Covenant with God, to have Gods Law written in their hearts, they muſt come into the light which Chriſt Jeſus hath enlightned them withall, which brings them into him who is the life and knowledge of Chriſt, and there they ſhall finde their Teacher within them.

Pr. And he ſaith, To the Law, and to the Teſtimony.

Anſw. Many may have the Old and New Teſtament, yet ſtand againſt the Law and the Teſtimony, and put the Old and new Teſtament for it: For the Law is light, ſaith Solomon. And the testimony of Jeſus is the ſpirit of prophecy. And many may have the Scriptures, and ſtand againſt the Light, and ſay prophecy is ceaſed, as the world doth now, who are inwardly ravened from the ſpirit of God; and deſpiſeth prophecy, and ſo quencheth the ſpirit: And the light within doth not deny Jeſus: And none knows him nor owns him, but with the light that comes from him: And the Phariſees and the Jewes were oppoſite to Chriſt that doth en-lighten every man that cometh into the world; and was from that of God in their own particulars, their eyes cloſed, and their cares ſtopt, as you are now.

Pr. He ſaith, Take away the Word of the Lord as declared by the pen, and then what wiſdome is in them. Epiſt.

He ſaith, If a believer ſhould turne his eye into himſelfe to looke for counſell and direction, be may be led to walke in the fleſh as other Gentiles in the vanities of their minds, and follow their abominations.

Anſw. There is none upon the earth hears the counſell of God, or Chriſts teaching, but who are come to the ſpirit of God within, and to the Light within: And all people upon the earth, that are led from the vanities of their minds, and walking in the fleſh, they are come to the ſpirit within, and led with it; which all the Jewes and Gentiles was aſtray from, while they walked after the vanities of their minds, and then crucified the Juſt: And none hears the counſell of God, or comes into the faith of Jeſus, nor the grace of God that brings their ſalvation, but they come to feel it within, the grace in their hearts, and the word in their hearts, and the faith in the heart, there's that which purifi s. And all that be from the light and ſpirit of God within them, they are in the vanity of their own minds in the fleſh, out of the counſell of God, and the wiſdome of God which the Saints had, and was in before the Scripture was penned or printed. And the wiſdome of God, Chriſt Jeſus; them that had the Scriptures ſtood againſt the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, as all you do now, and never come into it; But as ye come into it that doth enlighten every man, &c. the wiſdome of God; which none cometh out of the ſin and the evill, but who come into that: And that is not oppoſite to the Scriptures without, but owns it given forth from the life in the wiſdome of God.

Pr. He calls Perfection a Deviliſh doctrine. That the Scripture is the abſolute rule, and medium of our faith, page 2. And Timothy did not receive his furniture and ſervice of the Goſpell immediately from the perſon of Chriſt. And he ſaith, If I had ſeen Chriſt as Paul did, I might have received the Word in the ſame manner immediately from the perſon of Chriſt.

Anſw. Timothy had faith and the gift of God; and Chriſt is the Author of Faith, and ſo that is received immediately, whereby hee was made wiſe unto ſalvation through faith, with which he knew Scripture, and ſo by that he was furniſhed. And we do believe thee, and you all, that ye have not ſeen Chriſt as Paul did, nor the Apoſtles: So ye be out of the faith, and ſhew he is not in you, neither do you ſit with him in heavenly places. Who ever receives faith from Chriſt, or knows Chriſt the power, knows immediately; which from God thou haſt ſhewed thy ſelfe a reprobate, and under the judgement of it thou art come. And the Apoſtle preached Perfection; and Chriſt bid them be perfect, as their heavenly father is perfect, and the Saints was to grow to perfection: And the work of the Miniſtry was for the perfecting of the Saints, till they all come unto a perfect man, to the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſs of Chriſt. And thou in this haſt denyed the work of the Miniſtery, that calls the Doctrine of perfection a devilliſh Doctrine. And the Scriptures is not the Author, nor the meanes of it, nor the rule, but Chriſt who gives it, and he increaſeth it; and Faith was before Scripture was given forth: And all they that gave forth Scripture had faith from God, and they are able to make wiſe unto ſalvation through the faith which is in Chriſt Jeſus. But them that have the Scripture, and deny the light that doth enlighten every man, &c. and hate it, have not faith, as the Phariſees had not; and ſo ſuch as the Apoſtle ſpoke of which was reprobate concerning the faith before his deceaſe, that had got the form of godlineſſe, are them that ſay, the Scripture is the Medium of Faith, and abſolute rule; but that which rules it, and increaſeth i , is Chriſt.

Pr. He ſaith, Chriſt his grace brings ſalvation, but not by any ſuch light or power dwelling in them. Page 6.

Anſw. The grace of God which brings ſalvation, that teacheth the Saints, is in their hearts, and ſtabliſheth it: That dwels within them, which brings ſalvation, is their Teacher; the grace of God which brings them every one to ſay, this is the Lord which I have waited for, where the everla ting life runs, and fl ws.

Pr. He ſaith, Such as cauſe diviſions are to be marked, that ſerves not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, but their owne bellies, their luſts, will, or light within them, page 12.

Anſw. The light which doth enlighten every man, &c. Chriſt Jeſus the ſecond Adam, leadeth men from their luſts and wills, and ſerving their own bellies, to ſerve the Lord Jeſus Chriſt from whence it comes: For ſuch as ſerves their own bellies are out of the light, in the tranſgreſſion, in the firſt Adam, in their own luſts and wills, where thou art among the Apoſtates deceivableneſſe, myſtery of Iniquity, which the Apoſtle ſaw was coming in, which ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles it hath reigned; but now with the light diſcovered and made manifeſt. And ſuch as have ſerved their bellies, and ſerves their bellies, which the Apoſtles ſaw coming in before their deceaſe, are now manifeſt, ſuch as deny the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, which is the ſalvation to the ends of the earth: Are not they caſting into priſons, and haling before Courts, ſuch as will not put into their mouths, that they do no work for, for their own bellies? and theſe cauſe diviſions among all people. Do not theſe ſerve their bellies? And are not people come to mark them what a diviſion they have ſet among people? yea for Tythes, and maintenance, and perſecuting, and priſoning for it, and haling before Judges and Juſtices, by Writs into Courts, and at Aſſizes and Seſſions? Doth not theſe ſerve their bellies, that makes all this diviſion, and not Chriſt? but they deny the light which doth enlighten every man, &c. and ſo deny Chriſt the Lord that bought them. And the light that every man hath that cometh into the world; and the light that ſhines in the heart, it gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus, and brings all off from ſerving their bellies, and leads out of the luſts in the fall, which came by Adam in the tranſgreſſion.

Pr. He ſaith, To ſpeak the Word of God immediately, and that which I ſpeak I ſpeak it immediately. I am ſtrengthened againſt that, and admoniſhed by God, to hold fast the form of ſound words. And that which is able to make men wiſe unto ſalvation through faith. And Timothy was to ſtir up the gift of God that was in him mediately, and the putting on of the hands, and the neglecting not the gift that was in him. And God hath publiſhed his laſt diſpenſation, and nothing more to be added or altered. page 15.

Anſw. It thou art ſtrengthened by God againſt ſpeaking his Word immediately; or if thou ſpeaks immediately, thou being ſtrengthened by God againſt this (as thou ſaith). In this thou ſhews thou never knew him; who ever is ſtrengthened of God, it is by his power, and that is immediate; who ever ſpeaks his word that lives and endures for ever, it is immediate. In this thou, and you all have ſhewed your ſelves to be Miniſters of the Letter, and not of the Word of God, which is immediate, which lives, and abides, and endures for ever, and is immortall and fades not away; and this thou and you ſpeak not immediately, and therefore have ye indeed put the Letter for it, that be from the Word of God in your hearts, not born again of the immortal ſeed, the Word of God. And whoſoever ſtirs up the gift of God in them, it is immediate, and by the immediate. And who ever holds faſt the form of ſound words, the Scriptures, they are made wiſe unto ſalvation by them through the faith, they are in the immediate gift of God; and gift which brought Timothy to lay on the hands upon the Presbytery, and ſee and divide the word aright, and kept him out of partiality, it was immediate, and the immediate Word of God that he was to preach in ſeaſon and out of ſeaſon: And ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles from this have you all been apoſtatized, and aſleep in the night of apoſtacy in the great City; though there hath been Pipers among you, and ſounding of Trumpets, and the voyce of th Brid •• d the grinding of Mills, and the light of Candles. And the time is coming that B •• ylon ſhall fall, and become the habitation of Devils, and the Saints ſhall rejoyce and ſing over her, &c.

Pr. He ſaith, It is not properly, and abſolute in a full ſenſe that God is manifeſt, or glorified in the fleſh of his Saints, page 29.

Anſ. The Saints are the Temples of God, and God dwels in them, and walks in them; and they come to witneſſe the fleſh of Chriſt, and they glorifie him in their ſouls and bodies, and the Lord is glorified in their bringing forth much fruit: And they witneſſe the ſeed, the one offering for ſin and tranſgreſſion to be manifeſt within, and ſuch are not Reprobates, yet witneſſe the one offering Chriſt Jeſus; and them that have not him within, they are Reprobates.

Pr. He ſaith, The body is dead becauſe of ſin, yea it is, yet in it ſelfe is but a wretched vile body, page 30. And Chriſt is in, or among believers the hope of glory. And that perſon Chriſt is perſonally abſent from the believers: And we do not poſſeſſe the glory of this glory Christ in us. page 32.

Anſw. I do believe you that are not come to the Light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, ye do not poſſeſſe the hope of glory in you, ye are ab ent from Chriſt, and do not feel him. But the Saints in the light receive Chriſt the hope of glory, and ſo he is not abſent from them, for they have unity with him and the Father, and knows a change in them from glory to glory; and witneſſe Chriſt in them as believers in the light, which walks not in darkneſſe, that have the light of life. And where the body of ſin is deſtroyed and put off, they glorifie God in their ſouls and bodies and ſpirit which is the Lords, and thoſe are not wretched.

Prin. He ſaith, CHRIST is abſent from us while wee are in the mortall body.

Anſw. Contrary to the Apoſtle, who ſaith, the life of Chriſt is manifeſt in their mortall fleſh.

Pr. He ſaith, Chriſt is in heaven with a ſpirituall body.

Anſw. And Prieſt Higginſon ſaith, he is in heaven with a carnall body. And thus ye are confuſed, and diſcerned, who are from the Light, and can ſpeak of the body of Chriſt by the Letter, and tell where he roſe by the Letter, as the Prieſts of old could tell Herod where he ſh uld be born; but Chriſts body is glorified.

Pr. He ſaith, The firſt Reſurrection we deſire not to account our ſelves to have apprehended, page 44. Such as magnifie their belly to be ſome eternall operation, and making it withall deceivableneſſe of unrighteouſneſſe in them that periſh, glorying in their ſhame, minding ſenſuall earthly things: All ſince the Apoſtle have not the Miniſtry of the Goſpell immediately, but mediately from the perſon of Chriſt in their believing through their word, page 46. And the Text ſaith, not the word of faith in the heart.

Anſw. Rom. 10. The word of Faith which they Preached was in their mouth, and in their heart, nigh them even in their heart. And all ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles we do believe you have not received the Word immediately from Chriſt, as the Apoſtles did, who have erred and apoſtatized from them. (So none are Preachers of the Word in the Truth, but who are Preachers of it immediately) and ſuch all are the falſe Apoſtles, and ſuch as ſerves not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, but their own bellies, which mind earthly things ſenſually, and are in the deceivableneſſe of unrighteouſneſſe, deceiving the people with the good words; forcing, and taking maintenance of people they do no work for, and keeping of them all from the immediate teachings of God, they themſelves being out of it, and concluding all under their own dominion, and ſhall all agree in one againſt the immediate teaching. And they that be out of the immediate teaching, is under the power of the Beaſt, and Antichriſt, and the great whore the mother of Harlots: And ſo they ſerved their bellies, when they went from the immediate teaching into the ſtrong deluſion, as ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles it hath diſcover d it. How are people all on heaps, out of the life, and ſpirit, and power of God? And ſo all that periſh in the deceiveableneſſe of unrighteouſneſſe, they are from the light which Chriſt doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world withall; for none periſheth who be in the Light. And the Saints witneſſed they were riſen with Chriſt; and them that were riſen ſought the things that were above, and not the things upon the earth. And they that know the firſt Reſurrection, and are in it are bleſſed, the ſecond death hath no power on them: and they are a top of Adam, and they are in Chriſt the reſurrection, and the life. And ſuch as be in the firſt Adam drove from God, and loveth to live in the Fall, looks not after the firſt Reſurrection, neither deſire to come into it.

Pr. He ſaith, The glorious bringing down of the Kingdome and glory is yet to be waited for even by the Diſciples all the time of this mortality. page 54. All believers are perſonally from Chriſt in their mortall bodies: and none of the Fathers ſaw the day of Chriſt as actually revealed, accompliſhed in their time.

Anſ. He that believes is born of God, and overcomes the world, and abides in the doctrine of Chriſt, and hath the Son and the Father, and the ſpirit of Chriſt, the life of Chriſt in the mortall fleſh: And the Kingdome of heaven Chriſt ſaid was in the Phariſees, and the Saints comes to, and poſſeſſeth the Kingdome: And the Kingdome of heaven is within them, is in righteouſneſſe, in peace, in joy in the holy Ghoſt, and in power, and they were changed from glory to glory; and they rejoyced with joy unſpeakable and full of glory; and that was in the Kingdome, and this was while they were upon the earth. And Enoch and Abraham ſaw the day of Chriſt, and David ſaw the betrayer, and whoſe feet ſhould be ſnared, whoſe eyes ſhould be blinded, and whoſe back ſhould bow down; and he ſaw Judas that betrayed Chriſt: And Iſaiah ſaw the ſuffering of Chriſt, and how God laid the iniquity upon him. And Iſaiah ſaw his name, and made his ſoule an offering for ſin. And Daniel ſaid the Meſſiah ſhould be cut off, but not for himſelfe, which the Apoſtles witneſſed fulfilled.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scriptures is the power of God unto ſalvation, page 59.

Anſw. Many may have the forme, but deny the power of God, which is the Goſpell. And the Letter doth not give life, neither is it the power of God unto ſalvation.

Pr. He ſaith, That Chriſt is distinct from every one of us, and without us in our particular perſons, page 61.

Anſw. The Apoſtle ſaid, Christ was in them except they were reprobates; and they were of his fleſh, and of his bone; and they eate his fleſh, and drank his blood, then it was within them; and he is diſtinct from none but Reprobates, who hates the Light.

Pr. Nor are we to wait for a further Revelation to us to be given forth, then the Scriptures. For the Word of GOD came not firſt to the Gentiles immediately, but to the Apoſtles, page 77.

Anſw. The Apoſtles that preached the Word of God, it was immediate to whomſoever they preached it, for they had received it immediately. For the Word it ſelfe is immediate, for it is the ſavour of death to the death, and of life to the life, and none knows the Scriptures but by the ſpirit that doth reveal them: So all that witneſſe the ſpirit of God, witneſſe the Revelation, and the revealing of the Scriptures to them by it, and the things of God, layd up for them that love God, which the eye hath not ſeen; which the eye may ſee the Scriptures outwardly. And none knows the Son of God, neither knows any man the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son reveales him. And ſo people may have the Scriptures, but not the rev lation of the Son of God by them. For the Phariſees had the Scriptures, but not the thing they teſtified of.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scriptures are the Word of God, and the key of knowledge page 79. and the opening of all things contained in the Scriptures.

Anſw. The Scriptures are the words of God, and that is his Word who fulfils them, Chriſt Jeſus, whoſe name is called the Word of God. And that which opens the Scriptures is the ſpirit that gave them forth, that is the key of David, who in the light ſaw more light. For the Phariſees who crucified Chriſt, had that which teſtified of Chriſt, the Scriptures. And you that be in the apoſtacy ſince the days of the Apoſtles; but ye want the key, and have taken away the key of knowledge: And all that dwells upon the earth, that ſtops their eares, and cloſeth their eyes againſt that of God in them, that doth deny the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, wants the key of knowledge.

Pr. He ſaith, He gives gifts unto men for the work of the Miniſtery, ſome Prophets, ſome Evangeliſts, ſome Paſtors and Teachers, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the edifying of the body of Christ, untill all come into the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, Page 81.

Anſw. And yet he ſaid before, Perfection was a devilliſh Doctrine, and a fancy: ſo out of this work, and this Miniſtry thou haſt thrown thy ſelf; For this work, and this Miniſtery hath been loſt ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in the apoſtacy; but now is appearing in the end of Babylon, the knowledge of the Son of God people are coming to, and the unity of the faith from among the Apoſtates, who have had the ſheeps cloathing, but all on heaps about it, being ravened from the ſpirit of God inwardly. Among whom the Proclamation hath been in the Steeple-houſes, and Pulpits, in Markets, Towns, Diſputes: No perfection, no overcoming of ſin; Perfection is a Doctrine of Devils, a devilliſh Doctrine, and a fancy, &c. And this hath been proclaimed among the Apoſtates in the apoſtacy ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, by the Beaſts authority, under Satans power, the deceiver of the Nations, where the mother of Harlots is; But I will reward her double, and ſhall take the Devill, and with him the Beaſt and falſe Prophet, and caſt them alive into the fire. Rejoyce ye holy Prophets over her, and Saints, who are come into the unity of the Faith, and to a perfect man, and to the knowledge of the Son of God. And the everlaſting Goſpel ſhall be preached to them that dwell upon the earth, and God ſhall be feared, and glory given to him. And none comes to the knowledge of the Son of God, the ſalvation to the ends of the earth, the Covenant of Jewes and Gentiles, untill they come into the light which Chriſt doth enlighten every one withall that cometh into the world, that gives him the knowledg of the Son of God, of the author of his faith, and the taſte of his fulneſs, and to become a perfect man.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scriptures is the meanes whereby the righteouſneſſe is revealed from faith to faith, page 82.

Anſw. The Phariſees had the Scriptures read every Sabbath, and the form of godlineſſe, denyed the power, and was reprobate concerning the Faith and the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt Jeſus. And God it is that reveals the faith, and gives the faith, and the righteouſneſſe; and many have the words, and yet not it; who hath it, hath the word in their hearts, and the ſpirit that gave forth the Scriptures, and ſeeth God the original of all good; and the Scriptures cannot reveal it, but they teſtifie of it: and all muſt come into the ſpirit, before they know revelation, or know the Scriptures either.

Pr. He ſaith, New Jeruſalem is not come down from heaven, and be will make all things new; not hath made, page 83. He ſaith, The body is dead becauſe of ſin, yet there is a remainder of the old man in the members, page 84.

Anſw. Where the body is dead becauſe of ſin, and that put off by the Circumciſion of the ſpirit; If the root be holy, the branches are holy alſo; and ſuch comes to glorifie the Lord in their bodies and ſoules which are the Lords, who hath redeemed them out of the ſin. So they that are Chriſts, have crucified the fleſh with the affections and luſts, and all things are become new. And the new Jeruſalem is witneſſed come down from heaven among the Saints; for who witneſſeth Chriſt, and know Chriſt, knows the Tabernacle of God, and knows the new Jeruſalem, and knows the place where there is no curſe. And many knows their Mother now, and that which had led captive, is gone, and going into captivity.

Pr. He ſaith, The Apostles gave the laſt and full revelation of the Goſpell to all Nations. And Timothy learned Doctrine mediately, and ſince none may expect to receive ſo immediately as Paul did, but all mediately, page 88, 89. Again, God now gives, and teacheth mediately and ſpiritually by the teſtimony of him mediately, page 90. It is a little neceſſary to ſhew the vanity of their pretence of immediate revelation from Gods ſpirit, page 91.

Anſw. All them be in a pretence, and in vanity that are from the immediate revelation of the ſpirit of God: And if all people have all Pauls Declaration; and if they have it not immediately revealed to them by the ſpirit of God as Paul had, they have not the comfort of Pauls words, neither have they the comfort of the revelations. And John ſaith, the everlaſting Goſpell muſt be preached to them that dwell upon the earth ſince the apoſtacy from the Apoſtles (mark that) And that which Timothy preached, who was in the faith, the gift of God, and ſpoke his word, and divided it aright, it was immediate. But ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles hath the immediate been loſt; and I know yee cannot expect it in the ſtate ye all ſtand in, inwardly ravened from the ſpirit of God, and truth. But now is the Saints come to that which ye ravened from, and the Apoſtles were in, who witneſſed the immediate teachings of God; and Gods teaching is immediate, and the teſtimony of Jeſus is immediate, which is the ſpirit of prophecy; but many have that which teſtifies of him, and be from the immediate ſpirit as was in them that gave forth the Scriptures. And all upon the earth that be from the immediate ſpirit of God, as was in them as gave forth Scriptures; and their Miniſtry be but mediate, and they be but in the mediate, they are all Miniſters but of the Letter made by man; and what they have it is but from man, and not from God immediately. Such have nothing but the ſheeps cloathing, and inwardly ravened from the ſpirit of God in them. And here is Babylon the mother of Harlots, and the Beaſt, and his names: but over all have they victory that be in the immediate, in that which the Apoſtles was in, and anſwer that in them all which they ravened from.

Pr. He ſaith, Even now, in the dayes of their adverſity, while the perſon of the Lord, the fountaine of their teaching, for whom they waite, is perſonally abſent from them, Page 92.

Anſw. All they that hate the light, ſees not Chriſt the fountain of teaching, and theſe be them that inwardly ravened: Such have their teachers in corners, and are in the dayes of adverſity, and eate not the fleſh of Chriſt, nor drink his blood, and are not of his fleſh and bone, and receives not his ſpirit. But all who wait in the Light which Christ Jeſus hath enlightened every man that cometh into the world withall: Every man that cometh into the world, with which light he hath enlightned them, their eyes ſhall ſee their Teacher that cannot be removed into a corner. Salvation they ſhall ſee, and dayes of adverſity ſhall end, and his guiding they ſhall know, and come to be in unity with Chriſt, and eate his fleſh, and drink his blood, and be of his fleſh and bone; which thouſands do witneſſe this, and the Prophet raiſed up, the end of the Prophets; and they that heare him not are to be cut off. And none lifts up the Son of God, but who be in the Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, and that brings him to underſtand the Scriptures, and the ſubſtance of them.

Pr. He ſaith, The grace of God that brings ſalvation, it is a fancy to ſay it is ſtirred up in them; but is a thing wrought in another for them: And to ſay the Word of the Lord is within, and the ſpirit within, is mens following their own brain, and viſions of their own hearts. And he ſaith, whereas they imagine of a light within them, all that knows God, ſhewes the light in them to be darkneſſe it ſelfe. See Poſt-ſcript.

Anſw. All that knows God, owns the Light within them, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus, which light ſhines in their hearts, And all that knows God, owns the Light that doth •• lighten every man that cometh into the world, Chriſt Jeſus, and believes in the Lig •• , and hath the witneſſe in themſelves. And all that be from the Light within them, be in the darkneſſe, and ſtumbles, which have been in this night of the apoſtacy from the Apoſtles Doctrine. And all Gog, and Magog, and the Beaſt, and falſe Prophets, and the Kings of the Earth are making war againſt the Light that doth enlighten every man, &c. but the Light ſhall get the victory. And all that be from the Word of God within in their hearts, and their mouths; though they ſpeak of the Scriptures without, yet they uſe their tongues, and follow their own dreams, and viſions of their own hearts and brains, and be from the Word of God that lives, and abides, and endures for ever. And all that ever witneſſe the grace of God that brings ſalvation, they feel it in their hearts, ſtabliſhing of them, and ſeaſoning of their words, and knows the throne of grace from which it cometh: And this doth not deny what Chriſt hath done, but owns him all along from the foundation of the world; and what he wrought, and what he did, and what he ſaid for us. And all upon the earth that have the Scriptures, and are out of the ſpirit that gave them forth, they are all in a confuſion here, and on heaps about words: And the Word of God within, and ſpirit within, it leads people from following their own dreams, and following fancies of their own brains, which all have done many hundreds of yeares paſt, in the apoſtacy, ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles.

And as for all thy lyes and confuſion in thy Books, they will be thy own burthen, and the witnſſe in thy conſcience will anſwer in the day of thy judgement; thou ſhalt feel a ſmart work thou haſt to go through, who art now in the pack, and body of confuſion, buryed under the body of iniquity. But thy folly is diſcovered ſufficiently to the Nation, and thy ſpirit is now tryed, who art one of the heads riſen up againſt the Lamb in his day, and his Light, but it is thy condemnation.

Matthew Caffinn, In his Booke called, The Deceiving QUAKER Diſcovered. His Principles are as followeth, &c.

Pr. HE ſaith, Nothing will cure the ſoule but the knowledge of ſalvation which is made known by outward meanes, becauſe the will of the Lord in order to ſoules peace and reſt was diſcovered by outward meanes. page 4.

Anſw. The Phariſees had outward meanes, Reading, praying, and expounding, and yet knew not the ſoules comfort and peace: For Chriſt bid them come unto him, that their ſoules might have r ſt, all that was weary and heavy laden. So if people have all the Scriptures upon the earth, hearing, and praying, and all the outward meanes, and be not in the power, which is the Goſpell, which is immediate, not outward, they have not their ſouls comfort and reſt: And if they be not in the life that gave forth the Scriptures; for the ſoule is in the hand of God, and Chriſt the Biſhop of it, and the Miniſter of the ſpirit watcheth for it; and they that hearkned what the Spirit ſaid, their ſouls lived, and this was not outward. But when men ſtop their ears, and cloſe their eyes to that of God in them as the Jewes did, and all the inwardly raveners, falſe Prophets, and Antichriſts in the apoſtacy, ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, ſuch hearken not diligently, and their ſoules live not. And all ſuch as deny the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, ſeeth not Chriſt the Biſhop of their ſouls, nor their ſalvation.

Pr. And he ſaith, The Quakers cry wait upon the light within you, and this is another report then that of the Scriptures. And he ſaith, I do not finde where it is ſpoke that God ſpoke in this people. pag. 5. And t •• Apostle which was to go to preach to all Nations, did not turne the people to a teacher within t em, to teach them all things. And the Apoſtle affirmes that they was to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, &c. and not their teacher within them. page 8.

Anſw. It was the Lord that ſpoke in his Prophets, by their mouths, and in his Son, and they were the mouth of the Lord. And where God dwels in his people, he ſpeaks. And the Apoſtles were to go into all Nations to preach the Goſpel, and preached the Covenant of God; which who came into it, the thing they preached, the Law written in their hearts, needed not any man to teach them, nor needed not to teach one another, ſaying, Know the Lord, as it had been in the firſt Covenant, people had been taught to know the Lord; and the Prieſts lips was to preſerve the peoples knowledge. But who are come into the Covenant of God, Chriſt Jeſus the ſecond Covenant, they are come into the treaſury of wiſdome and knowledge. And the Apoſtles told the Saints, that the light which ſhined in their hearts would give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus; and this is not another report then the Scriptures, but this is the Scriptures report; And John told the Saints, that the anointing which abideth in them would teach them all things; and the word was in their hearts and in their mouths, to obey it, and do it, and this was the Miniſters work: and to the hearing of Faith, which Chriſt is the author of, whereby they receive the ſpirit. And the Apoſtle brought the people to their Teacher within them, which is the Light, and turned people from the darkneſſe to the Light, and from the power of Satan unto God; which light ſhining in their hearts, it gives them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, &c. See 2 Cor. 4. Chap. Now light ſhines in the darkneſſe, they being turned from the darkneſſe to the light, it gives knowledge: So ſuch come from under the power of Sathan unto God; for while they be in the darkneſſe, they be under the power of Sathan, and nothing gives nor makes manifeſt the knowledge of the Saviour, but the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, which ſhines in the darkneſſe; and they being turned from the darkneſſe, and from the power of Sathan, ſuch the God of the world cannot blinde: But they in whom this light ſhines, and they in the darkneſſe, the God of the World blindes, and the light of the glorious Goſpel they do not know.

Pr. Saith Antichriſt, If you will believe in the Light within you, it will lead you to Chriſt. To wait upon the teacher within, there will be ſuch an eternall light that will make known all things. page 9. And the Quakers exhort all ignorant people in the world to depend upon a light within them. Wherefore be counſelled not to be carried away with ſtrange doctrines. page 11.

Anſw. The light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, is not a ſtrange Doctrine; the light to the Gentiles, the teacher of the Gentiles, the ſalvation to the ends of the earth, the new Covenant to the houſe of Iſrael and Judah. And this was a ſtrange Doctrine to the Jewes and to the Gentiles, though to them is had been promiſed: So this light ſhines in the darkneſs, and the darkneſſe not comprehending it, ſuch are ungodly wicked men, and they muſt be turned from the darkneſſe to the light, before they come to retain God in their knowledge, or come to that which muſt give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus. And all that come to witneſs their Teacher within, Chriſt, are poſſeſſors of the Prophet Chriſt Jeſus raiſed up, the teacher of this people according to the promiſe: And that is Antichriſt which keeps people from the light, and the falſe Apoſtles; for that was the true Chriſt, and the true Apoſtles that bid people believe in the light, and walk in the light, and brought them to the light within; and the true Prophet and Prophets ſaid, that he would give him a Covenant to the Gentles; and this is the true light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and all that denies this are Antichriſts and Deceivers.

Pr. He ſaith, How beautiful are them that preach the Goſpel, &c. not by the light within. And the word of faith cannot be ſaid to be in mens hearts and mouths. page 14. And the ſure word of prophecy ſpoken of in Peter, is the Scriptures which people muſt take heed unto, as unto a light ſhining in a dark place: and the Saints received the words of the Apoſtles not as the words of men, &c. Wherefore the Quakers ſuppoſe that God himſelfe is their teacher, and ſo erre, not knowing the Scriptures. page 17.

Anſw. They that preach the Goſpel which is the power of God, which gives relief to that which was captivated in every creature, they are in the light in their own particulars, with which they know the glorious Goſpel, and anſwer the light in every man that ſhines in the darkneſſe, and life and immortality there comes to the light, through the power which is the Goſpel, and this is that which is beautifull. And the word the Apoſtle preached of faith, was in the heart, and in the mouth, and is ſo underſtood by all the regenerate. But by all them that have only the forme, and inwardly gone from the ſpirit, knows it not, but are of this ignorant; they cry, how ſhould this be ſo? As the Jewes ſaid, how is it that thou maketh us to doubt? Yea, the Word was it that made them doubt. And the ſure word of prophecy, which people do well to take heed unto as unto a light ſhining in a dark place (mark) in the dark place, untill the day dawn, and the day-ſtar ariſe in their hearts. This was it that let them ſee that no prophecy of Scripture came by the will of man: and this lets them ſee that ſuch as went in Cains, Cores, and Balaams way, which were Preachers of the Forme, but wanted the power, but loſt the holy Ghoſt, and ſuch admired mens perſons becauſe of advantage, and came to be dead, twice pluckt up by the roots; which thoſe dead have long reigned, layd upon the earth, whoſe carkaſſes ſtinks, ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in the apoſtacy; ſo many may have the Scriptures, and quench the propheſie.

Pr. He ſaith, Chriſt is not yet ſo the Word, but be himſelfe testifies the Scriptures is the Word of God. page 21.

Anſw. Chriſt his name is called the Word of God; and the Scriptures are the words of God, which Chriſt the Word of God fulfills, in whom the words all ends: And ſuch as the light ſhines in the darkneſſe, and the darkneſſe comprehends it not, they are not like to ſee the ſpirit untill they be turned to the light.

Pr. He ſaith, They erre, not knowing the Scripture, when they affirme that the only means of faith is the immediate teaching of Chriſt dwelling in them. page 23.

Anſw. Could the Apoſtle preach Chriſt untill he was revealed in him, who is the Author of every mans faith? And the doers of the Law are juſtified, and not the hearers only.

Pr. The Quakers will not own the Scriptures to be the touch-ſtone to try the ſpirits withal. page 28. And the Scriptures are not the rule: Oh ſhamefull deceit! And George Fox ſaid, that he knew Christ come in him page 29. And this is the deceiving of many; and this cannot be till first the true faith of his coming be made voyd, which theſe men endeavour to do. page 29.

Anſw. The holy men of God before the Scriptures was, had a rule, and a touchſtone; and the Phariſees had Scriptures, but were out of the life that the holy men was in that gave it forth, and wanted the rule, and the touch-ſtone: But the Apoſtles that was in the life, and the ſubſtance of what they ſpoke, they had the rule, and touch-ſtone. And all in the apoſtacy ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, that are ravened from the ſpirit of God, have had onely the ſheeps cloathing; but have loſt the touchſtone, and ſo have deſtroyed one another about Scriptures, the Saints words, which was not the work of the ſpirit that gave it forth. And Chriſt is in you except you be reprobates. So reprobates witneſſe it not, therefore they ſtand againſt it, and therefore are againſt them that witneſſe it. And all the falſe Chriſts, and the deſtroyers of the Faith of people, are ſuch as draw people from the Light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and keeping them from witneſſing and receiving Chriſt in them, the ſubſtance and the author of their faith, and ſuch never knows him come in the fleſh, nor the ſpirit. And ſuch as witneſs Chriſt within them, receive the author of their ſaith, and deſtroy the faith of none. And the ſpirit was the rule of the Saints that led them to give forth Scriptures; and it lets them ſee in all ages who got the forme of godlineſs, who uſed their tongues, who lived in the ſpirit, who erred from the ſpirit, who run when the Lord had never ſent them, whom the Lord had never ſpoken to: and this was the rule, and this was the ſpirit of diſcerning, and this was the touch-ſtone to try withal.

Prin. And they ſay, they owne Chriſt that ſuffered, meaning the Spirit within. page 36.

Anſw. There is none knows Chriſt nor his ſuffering, but with the ſpirit of God within; for with the ſpirit of God in the Prophets, and the holy men, they knew Chriſt that was to come to ſuffer; with the ſpirit of God in the Apoſtles, they knew that was the Chriſt that did ſuffer; with the ſame ſpirit of God within people, they now come to ſee him, and enjoys him, and receive him the ſame that did ſuffer, which none doth that are out of the ſpirit. And the Phariſees that had Scriptures knew him not, who were gone aſtray from the ſpirit; nor the Gentiles, though they had Scriptures: Neither doth the Apoſtates, who are inwardly ravened from the ſpirit of God, though they have all the ſheeps cloathing, know the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, though they be for multitude as the ſands on the ſea ſhore; nor doth any know it, and receive it, but who comes to that which they ravened from.

Pr. He ſaith, That Chriſt is a diſtinct being from the Father. page 40. They that hold that they are now in the poſſeſſion of the Kingdome of Chriſt, and that they have eternall life now in poſſeſſion, perverts the right way of the Lord. Page 42.

Anſw. Chriſt is not diſtinct from the Father, for he and the Father is one; the Father is in him, and he is in the Father, and the Father and the Son dwells in the Saints who are out of the tranſgreſſion of his Doctrine; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life: and he that hath the Son of God, hath life eternall, really in poſſeſſion, and ſuch perverts not the right way of the Lord; but ſuch as have not the Son of God, they are all in the firſt Adam, in the crooked wayes, and crooked by-paths in the world, n witneſſing life, but ſtanding againſt the Light which ſhineth in the Darkneſſe, which their darkneſſe cannot comprehend; which are all the inwardly raveners ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, among whom hath been the apoſtacy and the Apoſtates, from w om the light of life hath been hid: But he that followeth the Light, he cometh to have the light of life: And he that receiveth the light, receiveth life eternall and to receive the Son of God: And he that receiveth the Son of God, hath eternall life in ſubſtance and poſseſſion.

Prin. He ſaith, Death which hath paſſed over all men is not a ſpirituall Death: page 51.

Anſw Thou and all you ſhall feel it as a ſpiritual Death before ye know life and immortality come to light, and the ſpirituall wickedneſs wreſtled againſt, whoſe weapons are ſpirituall, and not carnall, that wreſtles not againſt fleſh and blood, but ſpirituall wicke neſſes in high places: And that is it which cauſeth the life of all creatures to groan, and oppreſseth it, whereby life and immortality is hid from the eyes, and the power tranſgreſſed, whereby the ſpirit and ſoule of man muſt be ſanctified before he witneſſe thorow purification, before he come from under the death, and ſpirituall wickedneſſes: For ſin brings death, and that is the ſpirituall wickedneſſes that is to be wreſtled againſt, and tranſgreſſing the pure Law of God, the commands of God, brings death. And ſo he entertains the ſpirituall wickedneſſe which brings death upon his life, ſo comes oppreſſion on his body, and on his ſpirit, and his ſoule burthened and wearyed, and unſanctified, and polluted, which Chriſt gives reſt to, who is the Sanctification, and Redemption, and Juſtification; which the Law goes upon man, agreeable to that of God in him: but Chriſts body makes free from the Law, and redeemes from under it: So as the power of God, the Goſpel is known, and Chriſt known, the creature comes from under the bondage of corruption, and life and immortality comes to the light through the Goſpell, whereby the death is known, which who believes ſhall never dye, and the life is known, which ſhall never dye.

Pr. The Quakers deny Water-baptiſme, and ſlight it, and call it a carnall thing.

Anſw. Outward water is not ſpirituall, but it is a carnall thing as it is in it ſelfe; and it is the ſpirit alone that baptizeth into the body, which brings off of things that are ſeen, which are temporall, as the Apoſtle ſaid, while we look not at things that are ſeen; for the things that are ſeen are temporall, &c. and water is ſeen.

Pr. He ſaith, Falſe Prophets and Antichriſts ſhould come in ſheeps cloathing.

Anſw. Theſe Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, to his Apoſtles: And before the Apoſtles deceaſe, they ſaw they were come. And the Apoſtles ſaw before their deceaſe the Devill transform himſelfe into an Angell of light; and Satans Meſſengers and Miniſters come up, ſuch as had a feigned humility and will-worſhip got up, and the abſtaining from meats, neglecting the body; and ſuch as Jannes and Jambres, that crept into houſes, which had the ſheeps cloathing, the form of godlineſſe; and ſuch were the ſeducing ſpirits, the doctrine of Devills, which ran into the ſtrange deluſions, bringing in the damnable hereſies; which went in Cains, Cores, and Balaams way; and they ſaw the coming of the man of ſin; and the Apoſtles all ſaw by the ſpirit of God before their deceaſe, which Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, which inwardly ravened, which ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles the world hath gone after them. All this which Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, which the Apoſtles ſaw was come, and coming, before the coming of the juſt One: But the Juſt One now is come, who hath revealed it, the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world. Cain, Core, Balaam, falſe Prophets, Antichriſts, ſuch as goes into ſtrong deluſions, and brings in the damnable hereſies, and forbidding the eating of meats, and Marriage; theſe all inwardly ravened, an theſe all have been up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, and theſe have been covered with the ſheeps cloathing; and the falſe Prophets and Antichriſts, they inwardly ravened, and the Devill the man of ſin he went out of the Truth, and abode not in it; which Truth which he went out of, all they that have the ſheeps cloathing; and he, and they all can get Scriptures, but inwardly ravened and gone from the ſpirit of Truth in their own particulars, ſuch are the deſtroyers of the creatures, and of the Creation: But with that which they all ravened from, are they all manifeſt and diſcovered, which to that are now people come, and coming, which theſe inwardly raveners have had the ſheeps cloathing, which have been the Beaſt, and falſe Prophets, Devills meſſengers and Miniſters out of the truth, which have reigned ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, having had the ſheeps cloathing, which have long deceived the Nations. But now the Devill, Beaſt, Antichriſt, and falſe Prophets are all diſcovered with the light, and life, which they all went from, and the truth. And the place is ſeen where there is no Curſe; and the Beaſt, and the falſe Prophet is taken, that they ſhall deceive the Nations no longer, and is caſt into the lake of fire, under whoſe dominion thou art, whoſe words ſhall be thy burthen.

Pr. He ſaith, Let us minde the Law and Teſtimony.

Anſw. Then ye muſt all minde the Light; for the law is light, ſaith Solomon, then ye muſt all minde the ſpirit, for the teſtimony of Jeſus is the ſpirit of prophecy; which many may have the Old and New Teſtament, yet be from the Law and Teſtimony; for the Law and Teſtimony was before Matthew, Marke, Luke, John, the Acts, Epiſtles and Revelations was written, as in the 8. of Iſaiah, which the Prophet minded. And they that ſay the Old and new Teſtament is it, ſhews themſelves to be ignorant of the ſpirit, and ignorant of the Law and Teſtimony. And the Law and Teſtimony doth not deny the Scriptures, but owns them in their place, and ſees the fulfilling of them with the Teſtimony of Jeſus, they ſee Jeſus who was afore Scripture was, and comes to fulfill it.

William Jefferies, his Booke, called, ANTICHRIST made known. In which theſe PRINCIPLES are following, &c.

Pr. HE ſaith, Men are miſtaken in ſaying, the Romiſh Whore of Babylon is Anti-chriſt. And the chiefe City of this great Whore, the mother of Harlots is the City of Rome, the Pope, Cardinals, Biſhops, and Clergy. And the ſpirit of Antichrist denies Chriſt come in the fleſh, and ſay the light within them is Chriſt, when at the beſt it is but the light of nature. And this is the ſpirit of errour and darkneſſe, and their light is become darkneſs. See page 63, 64. 68.

Anſ. The light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, is Chriſt, and none can confeſſe him in Truth, nor ſee him, nor lift him up, as the Serpent was lifted up in the Wilderneſſe, but who be in the Light which cometh from him. And by this thou haſt overthrown thy ſelf; for them that confeſſe the light in them to be Chriſt (which Chriſt ſaith he is the light) theſe doth not deny Chriſt come in the fleſh. And the Devill may confeſſe the Son of God, and the Jewes may confeſſe him he is come, as the Apoſtates confeſſe him he is come: But none of all theſe knows him in the fleſh, confeſſe him come in the fleſh, or knows his fleſh, or the fleſh of the Son of Man, but who be in the Light that comes from him that doth enlighten every man, &c. which light was before any naturall created lights was made, glorified with the father before the world began: and in the light walking, it leads into the day where there is no night, which light is Chriſt the Covenant of God, and ſuch here cometh to know darkneſſe paſt. Now I ſay, neither Apoſtates nor Jewes, whoſe cares were ſtopt, eyes cloſed to that of God in them; and the Apoſtates that are inwardly ravened, having ſheeps cloathing, which are Babylon, which are the Harlot, who ravened inwardly from the ſpirit of God, brought the world after them, which was the mother of them all: None of all theſe can confeſſe Chriſt come in the fleſh, but onely from the Letter, for theſe knows not his fleſh; the Devill is out of the truth, and truth is a top of him. The Jewes eyes muſt be opened, and their eares unſtopt before they know his fleſh. The Apoſtates muſt come all to that which they have ravened from inwardly, before they come to know Chriſts fleſh, and are of his fleſh, and eate his fleſh, and confeſſe that Chriſt come in the fleſh, who is the offering, and the ſacrifice of the whole world that makes the peace between God and man, and perfects for ever them that are ſanctified. The top-ſtone layd a top of all ſin, and tranſgreſſion, Death, Hell, and Grave, bruiſed the Serpents head. Here is no Babylon, nor here is no Antichrist, and this the Quakers confeſſe with the Light within them. And all upon the earth are Antichrists, and knows not Chriſt, not Chriſt come in the fleſh, that be from the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and owns not that, but denies it. And all Sects. Biſhops, mother of Harlots, Antichriſts, Popes, Cardinals, and Clergy, Babylon, Romiſh Whore, which is gotten up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtle, inwardly ravened having had the ſheepes cloathing; they are not like, none of theſe that are ravened to own the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world. And ſo Babylon and ſo Harlots, and ſo waters, and ſo from the Rock.

Pr. And he ſaith the Whore will confeſſe Chriſt come in the fleſh. Satan transforming himſelf into an Angel of light, he maketh the fountain of waters bitter, the ſweet promiſes, the water of life; which maker glad the City of God like wormwood, and changeth the taſte of them. Page 72 74.

Anſw. Antichriſt, the mother of harlots, falſe prophets which went forth from the Apoſtles as in Johns Epiſtle. Theſe will confeſſe Chriſt come in the fleſh as ye do, and all Sects upon the earth; elſe ye could not deceive the Nations, but as ye get the ſheepes cloathing. So ye have brought the Nations, tongues, people, Languages and multitudes to be like waters; But theſe are the waters which now begins to grow bitter, for neither the Devil, nor Antichriſt, nor falſe prophets nor mother of harlots who are gone from the Truth, and are inwardly ravened, though they may have the ſheeps cloathing; they cannot touch the waters of life, nor the fountain to make them waters better that makes glad the City of God. For ye that inwardly ravened, which got the ſheepes cloathing, are as the Devil which went out of the Truth, get Scriptures, and their confeſſion of Chriſt is as his is, which ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles the world hath been after them. The inwardly raveners have gotten the Scriptures; who are out of the Truth which the Devil who is out of the Truth the deceivers of the Nations. And there the beaſt, falſe prophets Antichriſt, mother of Harlots, deceivers, man of ſin, Devils meſſengers and Miniſters, damnable Hereſies, their tongues are waters, their peoples are waters, their Nations waters, and multitudes waters: all on heapes about Scriptures deſtroying one another, about the prophets words, the Apoſtles words, Chriſts words, Miniſters maintenance. Now the Devil, the Beaſt, falſe prophets and Antichriſt is taken, and mother of Harlots, and caſt in the Lake of fire, and Babylon confounded, and the everlaſting Goſpel ſhall be Preached to every Nation, kindred, tongue, and people. And as for all the reſt of the ſtuffe in thy book, thy pack of confuſion, Babylons children, it will fall heavy upon thy ſelf, and be thy own burthen, and preſſe thee under; which in the day of thy Judgement thou ſhalt remember that I am a friend to all ſoules. There is neither Jewes that profeſſeth a Chriſt was to come, nor Chriſtians that profeſſeth a Chriſt is come; nor none upon the earth (though ye have all the Scriptures) knowes the fleſh of Chriſt, but who ownes the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world. For the Jewes knew not the fleſh of Chriſt, though they had Scriptures, (but crucified him) whoſe ears were ſtopt, and eyes cloſed to that of God in them: the Gentiles knew not the fleſh of Chriſt who was aſtray from the life of God, neither do thoſe called Chriſtians know the fleſh of Chriſt who are inwardly ravened from the ſpirit of God in them, though they have gotten all the ſheepes clothing, and talk Chriſt is come, and died at Jeruſalem, as the Jewes could ſay of him to come, and to be born at Bethlehem; yet they could not confeſſe him come in the fleſh, nor did not know his fleſh, no more do theſe Chriſtians know his fleſh, though they have all the form of godlineſs; But who cometh to the ſeed Chriſt himſelf, they know it in them, then they ſhall know the one offering (a top of all the worlds Sects) for the ſins of the whole world, which none knowes the fleſh of Chriſt, nor Chriſt, nor as God was in Chriſt, but as every one comes to the light with which they are enlightened: which who hate it, knowes him not, but it is your condemnation, and that ye ſhall all feel at laſt. So the one offering which is Chriſt is ſet over the whole world, and his fleſh the world knowes not, nor the Princes of the world, which where the ſeed is come out of the grave, it knowes him, the ſeed knowes him, and are of his fleſh, and of his bone, it is their meat and drink. And Chriſt is come now, who treads the wine-preſſe alone without the City, though all the Beaſts and falſe prophets and Antichriſts upon the earth riſe againſt him, yet the Lamb and the Saints ſhall have the victory, and the Nations ſhall be ruled with a rod of iron, and he that was dead, is alive again, him by whom the world was made is manifeſt, and he rules in his Saints and the Tabernacle of God is with men.

Pr. And whereas thou ſaith that Antichriſt will be a ſingle perſon.

Anſw. which is contrary to the Apoſtle 1 Joh. 1.18. who ſaith, even now there are many Antichriſts whereby we know it is the laſt time; and they went out from us, but they were not of us the Antichriſts which is againſt Chriſt.

The agreement of Divers Miniſters of Chriſt ſo called in the County of Worceſter and parts adjacent which are 58. in Number. Some of their Principles followes.

Pr. THey have ſought Gods direction out of the Scriptures which they call his holy word, and what is the greatneſs of their work, and edification and ſalvation of ſouls, &c. And do humbly bewail our too great neglect, who have not frequently, and earneſtly laboured in ſo great a work: and eſpecially that we have done no more in Catechiſing, and perſonally inſtructing, &c. Page 3.

Anſw. It was the Miniſters work before the Apoſtacy to go from houſe, and warn all both ſmall and great, yea with tears; this was the work of the Miniſtry in the Spirit; And they was in the ſpirit that gave forth Scriptures: and ſo brought people into the life that gave it forth, with which they was able to inſtruct one another, and to ſtir up the pure in one another. And the work of the Apoſtles, the Miniſters of the Goſpel and Chriſt was to bring people into the life that gave forth Scriptures, and into the ſubſtance Chriſt Jeſus that the Scriptures teſtified of; But you who are fain to ſeek in the letter for it, in the Scripture for it; and have it not from within, as they had that gave forth the Scripture and received it of God: ye are never like to beget to God; And when truth comes, as it did among the Phariſees, which came to end their forms, and their ſhadowes, the builders ſtood up, and rejected it in their forms. And now ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, ſuch as have had the Scriptures, but inwardly ravened from the Spirit of God, are ſtanding againſt the light Chriſt Jeſus that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world; And ſo ye may get people into a form, and cover them with ſheepes cloathing. Now Chriſt is come, Reignes and Rules, his Saints with him, all riſe up in armes againſt him, Kings of the earth, beaſt, and falſe prophets, the Dragon and his Angels; but the Lamb and the Saints ſhall have the victory, glory to the higheſt. And ſo that is but the blind zeal that is ſtirred up in the Apoſtates, againſt Chriſt in this age, as it was in the Jewes againſt Chriſt in their age. But Jewes muſt come to that which they cloſed their eyes, and ſtopt their ears againſt, and the Apoſtates muſt come to that which they ravened from, before they be ſtirred up in the pure zeal.

Pr. And you ſay aged men are commonly more ignorant then the yonger ſort, and our unskilfulneſs, and others unfitneſs for the work, &c. Page 7.

Anſw. Your unskilfulneſs, and ignorance of your old men that is the cauſe of that ye have been ignorant of the work of God, therefore is there ſo much ignorance among you and the old men; and this you may publiſh to your ſhame to the Nation. And who will be Catechized by unskilful men, and ignorant men? But this is it, that your folly might appear, and that ye might publiſh it forth, and ſet it upon the houſe tops, that all that run might read you 58. Paſtors and Teachers, and your young men as your old men.

Pr. You ſay ye receive the publike maintenance to this end that you may be enabled to lay out your endeavours for the good of the whole Pariſh from whence we receive it. And we are further oblidged in juſtice to do our beſt for their ſalvation.

Anſw. How can men that are ignorant, and unskilful, (and the old men are yet fooliſh) and your unfitneſs do good for the ſalvation of men, when that the old men are ſo ignorant, yea, more then the young? But it is the publike maintenance that enables you, which did not enable the Apoſtles; And that is the thing which you in the Apoſtacy have looked at; For take away that from you, and pluck down your Schools and Colledges: we ſhould have but a few Miniſters in England among you; a few inſtructers. So theſe are all made by men, ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in the Apoſtacy, and teaching for filthy lucre, and the love of money which he ought not, diſapproved of by Paul and Timothy. And take away but your publike maintenance, and few of you would be able to Preach the Goſpel freely; if this tryal, and proof was among you, to prove you, it would be found that your God was your belly, and him it was ye ſerved; and him it is that means, helpes; and enables; which Chriſt and God was the enabler of his Miniſters, and Prophets, and Apoſtles; whom the earth was his, and they truſted in him: in Chriſt by whom all things was made, that was made and Created.

Pr. It aſtoniſhed us many times (ye ſay) when we have talked with ſome of our hearers that they know ſo little of our Doctrine, which we have taught to them many years. It is ſad to us to hear many men that can talk ſo about matters of the world underſtandingly, that can ſcarce ſpeak a word of ſence about the matters of their ſalvation, or ſcarce give a reaſonable anſwer of a Queſtion of the Foundamentals of Chriſtanity. Page 19.

Anſ. Thus you have ſpoken to your ſhame and it is manifeſt that here is like people, like Prieſt, that ſhewes ye have not profited them at all: and it ſhewes that the Apoſtles words are fulfilled among you, the doctrines of men, the commandments of men, they periſh in the uſing of them; And who are greater in the world in ſtriving for the earth for maintenance, for Tythes, caſting into priſon, hailing before Courts, and Seſſions, then you that have called your ſelves Paſtors, and Miniſters of the Goſpel, which your fruits have declared to all the Nation? and ſo unlike the Miniſters of Chriſt, as your hearers are unlike Chriſtians (by your own relation) without reproving one another, which the Apoſtle reproved them that taught for filthy lucre: Chriſt reproved them that were called of men maſter, and reproved them that taught for money, and for meanes, and thoſe that minded earthly things, But how can ye reprove theſe things and live in the things your ſelves, one to reprove another, and be in the ſame thing himſelf; this will ſtinck among all ſober men, and ſet you all on heapes among one another, as ye are. So how can ye, or they know any thing of the foundamentals of Religion, or ſalvation, or your people either? that deny the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world. Chriſt Jeſus the foundation of God, the wiſdom of God, the end of the Prophets, and the Law, types, figures, and ſhadowes; ye have denyed the very key that opens to it. Therefore ye all come ſhort of the glory of God: and Teachers, and people are all fallen into ignorance; ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in the Apoſtacy: but now Chriſt is come, and coming to reign.

Pr. They ſay upon the ſad experience of mens ignorance, we have been brought to conſideration of our neglect, &c. And our hearts have been brought low to think how we have wronged Chriſt, least God ſhould require your blood at our hands. Pag. 19

Anſ. Repent, repent for ye have long deceived the people, and the blood will lie upon you, and the blood of many that hath been ſhed in the Nation, and have dyed in priſon, and whipt, and ſtockt, and beat through your means: the blood lies upon you all. Repent: the Judgement of the great whore is come. The Magiſtrates begin to ſee you, and you ſhall not ride upon them. And your ignorance and all your hearers, you may well cry out of them, Repent, and come to the light which Chriſt Jeſus hath enlightened every one withall that comes into the world, to give you the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus, out of the ignorance: which none cometh to the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, &c. but who comes to the light that ſhines in their hearts (yea in darkneſs) Chriſt hath enlightened them withall; Where it ſhineth out of darkneſs, it gives them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus. And all are ignorant, who are from the light, and wrongs Chriſt, and you have all wronged him that have denyed the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, who are inwardly ravened from it, and have had the ſheepes cloathing: and ſo have kept people in ignorance, blindneſs and darkneſs. But now the true light ſhines, the day of glory is dawning; Chriſt and the Saints is reigning, and have the Kindom, glory to the Lord for ever.

Pr. They ſay, Alas that any reaſonable ſoul ſhould be ſo bruitiſh, moſt of their lives is ſpent in ignorance, and worldlineſs, living in the fleſh, &c. Page 24.

Anſ. Here is the fruits of your Miniſtry. Are not ye aſhamed to manifeſt your fruits thus now to the whole Nation? Is this like a vineyard, that your people that you have taken maintenance of, and the Magiſtrates, that they ſhould give you maintenance all this time, and your people ſpend moſt of their lives, in ignorance, worldlineſs, and the fleſh? Is this like the fruits of the Miniſters of Chriſt, or the fruits of the falſe prophets, that have not profited the people at all? Did not the Apoſtles keep them from them that bewitched them, and would have brought them into the fleſh. And miniſtred to the ſpirit, got out the wheat, and the corn. And are not you aſhamed to publiſh ſuch a thing to the Nation, you 58. Miniſters. To ſay a reaſonable ſoul ſhould be ſo bruitiſh? can that which is reaſonable be brutiſh? that which is bruitiſh Warrs againſt the ſoul. But this is but to diſcover your Miniſtry, and what ye miniſter to, and that the ſoul ye are ignorant of it.

Pr. They ſay, Is it not pity that God ſhould have any reaſonable Creature that knowes not his maker, or his Lawes, or his own happineſs? Is it not pity, that after all that Chriſt hath done, and ſuffered for the world, that any that calls themſelves Diſciples, ſhould ſo little know him, and the ſalvation, and ſhould ſet ſo light by him. Pag. 26.

Anſw. In this you all Paſtors and Teachers have ſhewed your work; what doth not the creatures yet know their Maker? what are they heathen yet? what do not the creature yet know Gods Lawes? what worſe then the Jewes, heathen, and them that call themſelves the diſciples of Chriſt, and Chriſtians ſo little know him, after Chriſt hath ſuffered for them? what hath been your work all this while, what have ye been doing, what have ye had wages for, that they ſo little know him that hath ſuffered for them, and their ſalvation? and ſhould ſet ſo light by him how can they prize him, or ſee any light from Chriſt, when ye keep them from the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world? which none ſeeth ſalvation but with it; and by it; and none ſeeth Chriſt that ſuffered, but with it, and by it: and none cometh to ſee, and know Chriſts end, and the end of Gods Law, and prize him, and ſet much by him, but by the light. And doth not reaſonable creatures know the Law of God? Are not reaſonable creatures in the faith? are not the unreaſonable out of the faith now that knowes not their Maker, nor his Law, nor little of the ſuffering of Chriſt, or their own happineſs, and little know their ſalvation, and ſet light by Chriſt? Are not all theſe your fruits? Are not all theſe your hearers, that ye complain of to the Nation? Have not ye now diſcovered your ſelves in this that have the form of godlineſs, but denyes the power? that keepes people alwayes learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth? But ſuch as be led away by with diverſe luſts and laden with ſins. And now are ye complaining that your people ſerves the luſt of the fleſh, and the earth, not knowing their Maker, nor knowing his Lawes, nor their ſalvation, and ſetting light by Chriſt: this ye may complain of with ſhame, who are ſuch as crept into houſes before the Apoſtles deceaſe, and ſince ye have gone over the world; But now ye are diſcovered with that which gives to ſee the end of the Apoſtacy and Apoſtates, which gives to ſee before the world was made.

Prin. They ſay if the Goſpel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; whom the God of this world hath blinded their minds, of them that believe not, leaſt the light of the glorious Goſpel ſhould ſhine unto them; who is the image of God. And the people periſh, when viſions fail, &c. Page 28.

Anſw. Who believes not in the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, the God of the World blinds their mindes. Every one that cometh into the world is enlightned, that through the light they might believe. And every one that believeth in the light, hath the witneſſe in himſelfe, and abides not in the darkneſſe, but hath the light of life. And you that keep people from the Light that doth enlighten every one, &c. are the meſſengers of Sathan out of the truth; And the God of the world blindes the mindes of ſuch as do not believe in the Light that every man that cometh into the world is enlightned withall, that all through it might believe. And who believes in it that doth enlighten every man, &c. the light of the glorious Goſpell ſhines in them, which is the mage of God.

Prin. And you ſay, Viſions are ceaſed, and Revelations, and immediate Inſpirations.

Anſw. But I ſay, Repent every one of you, and come to the Light; for the burthenſome ſtone is fallen upon you, and all that ſtands againſt the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, ſhall ſplit your ſelves againſt the Rock, and be grownd to powder. And every one that cometh into the world, Teachers, Profeſſors whatſoever, muſt come unto the light which Chriſt Jeſus the ſalvation, that ſaveth the ſouls, hath enlightned them withall, before they come to life, or know the light of the glorious Goſpell ſhining in their hearts, or come to the end of the Law, or end of the Prophets, or end of the Revelation, or out of the apoſtacy, or out of the Jewes ſtate, whoſe ears was ſtopt, and eyes blinded, out of the Gentiles ſtate that goes aſtray after the vanities of their mind. So all you, and all upon the earth, Jewes, Gentiles, and Chriſtians of what ſort ſoever, muſt come to the light which every one of you is enlightned withall, before every particular comes to ſee their ſalvation or ſatisfaction; yea, the ſalvation to the ends of the earth, the glory of Iſrael, the light of the Gentiles, which the apoſtate Chriſtians have ravened from the ſpirit of God within them, have got the forme, but ſtands againſt the Light that doth enlighten every man, &c. ſuch have cauſed the way of truth to be evill ſpoken of, yea among other Nations of the Heathens. They have been hot, and broyled in their luſts, having had the forme of godlineſſe, and ſheeps cloathing; but all ſtanding againſt the Light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, ſmiting, ſtriking their fellow-ſervants. (Now the Lamb is come, and the Saints to reign with him.) Such their portion muſt have with the hypocrites, who to every one will give a reward according to their works. And the Lamb, and the Saints ſhall have victory, him by whom the world was made before it was made, glorified with the Father before the world began. Now is the ſeed Chriſt come to reign, and the Juſt have preheminence. And I ſay to you all Subſcribers to all theſe Books, Prieſts, Profeſſors, Teachers whatſoever, your patience would have better covered your ſhame and folly then your haſt, extreams, and raſhneſſe, But your folly muſt come forth, that to all men it might appear.

Abundance more of Stuffe is in it which is not worth mentioning, whoſe words ſhall be your own burthen, the witneſſe in all your conſciences in the day of your judgement, when your works are all tryed with fire ſhall anſwer, to a friend of your ſouls, and your goods eternall; but judges your fruits, words and actions, for the day of the Lord is come that will try every mans work.

John Stalham, who calls himſelfe a Servant of the great Biſhop of Souls, who watcheth over a Flock at Terling in Eſſex, In his Booke called, The Reviler rebuked. Theſe are ſome of his Principles following.

Pr. HE ſaith, Immediate Ruptures and Revelations ſeduceth ſimple peoples mindes, &c. And the perverſe Principles of their ſelfe-adorning light. And the Quakers deny all externall worſhip of divine Authority, as not to be found among us: And let Learning be advanced among pious men, for God hath his witty, and learned ones. And the life of their Religion is the rule of the holy Scriptures, the glory of the bleſſed Trinity. See his Epiſtle to the Protector.

Anſw. The life of Religion is the ſpirit that gave forth Scriptures; for all that have the Scriptures, and be out of that, be in the feigned R ligion. And the Scripture no where ſpeaks of a Trinity, but the Papiſts, who be apoſtatized from the life of the Scripture. It ſpeaks of Father, Son, and holy Ghoſt, and the water, ſpirit, and blood; and the learned ones upon earth never knew Chriſt with all their naturall learning. And if one get all the Naturals upon the earth, and the Scriptures in all the naturall Languages, and one ſupream power of a Nation tollerate all theſe Languages to be the Originall, and they have the Scriptures in all theſe Languages, theſe are witty ones; but theſe knows not God nor Chriſt by all this, though they have all the Scriptures, while they are from the ſpirit of God that gave forth Scriptures: For that which brings to know God, is by the revelation of the ſpirit of God, the light which doth not deceive the minde; but their mindes be deceived that be from the light. And all worſhips that be in the ſpirit, and in the truth, that gave forth the Scriptures, called the Old and New Teſtament, that we own, and is owned among the Quakers. For God who is a Spirit, who led his ſervants, and Prophets, and Son by his ſpirit to ſpeak forth the Scriptures, which Chriſt the Son is come to fulfill, who ſaith, they that worſhip God, muſt worſhip him in ſpirit, and in truth, and that among the Quakers is owned. And the light which cometh from Chriſt leadeth from perverſe Principles, and adorning ſelfe, for it leads out of its righteouſneſſe; But perverſe men ever ſtood againſt it in all ages, and ſo ſpurned againſt the foundation, and overthrew themſelves.

Pr. He ſaith, The ſpirit ſpeaking in the Scriptures. And them that ſay they have no ſin, a gracious heart will ſlight and deſpiſe. He ſaith, the Kingdome of God is not within them, Luke 4. And he ſaith, The ſoule prepares it ſelfe for death. See Epiſtle to the Church.

Anſw. Such as had gracious hearts, never deſpiſed him that had no ſin, but the ungracious did. As for example, all the Phariſees againſt Chriſt, and againſt the Apoſtles, and Saints, and the holy men: And the Apoſtle which told the Romans, they were made free from ſin; and they that were dead to ſinne, how could they live any longer therein? he ſlighted them not, but encouraged them. So we finde thee not to be a Miniſter of Chriſt, and have proved and tryed thy ſpirit to be of ſuch as ſay they are Apostles, and are not; And the ſpirit ſpoke in them that gave forth the Scriptures, ſo they were declared forth. And men may have the Scriptures, and not know the ſpirit that ſpoke in them that gave forth Scriptures: So that is the cauſe that all people be on heaps about the words, and ſaying, the ſpirit ſpeaks in the Scriptures, which ſpoke in the holy men of God that ſpoke them forth, and learned of God the Father of ſpirits. So who have not it, the ſpirit, have but Letters, and are Miniſters of the Letters, and not of the Spirit. And the Kingdome of heaven is within you, ſaith Chriſt in Luke 17. to the Phariſees, and thou ſaith with, or among them. And I ſay, that is the Kingdome within them which never conſented to ſin, and in you all, which one day ye ſhall witneſſe; which the gazer, and obſerver abroad, his eye and eare is cloſed, and ſtopt too, which he muſt come to, before he be as a little child, and know the leven that levens up the new lump; and knows the Kingdom, which is like unto a grain of muſtard-ſeed; and where the diligent waiting is, the ſoule comes to live, and the everlaſting Covenant felt. And thou that brings ſouls to be prepared for death, thou art more like to do that, then to preſent them to God, a ſlayer and executioner, ſo not a ſervant to the Biſhop of ſoules, where the ſoule liveth, and rejoyceth, and comes out of death, and magnifies God the Saviour: And ſo all the Miniſters of Chriſt their work is to prepare ſouls out of death, for life.

Pr. He ſaith, The Bible is the ſoules phyſick: And people muſt depend upon the ſpirits ſpeaking in the Scriptures. He ſaith, the perſon of Chriſt is not his man-hood: and the naturall light the Quakers call Chriſt within, and nature grace. And he ſaith, The body of ſinne is in the believer till he lay down the body. Epiſtle.

Anſw. The ſouls refreſhment is Chriſt, and Phyſitian Chriſt. Many may have the Bible, and not know it, and the Scriptures, as the Phariſees had. The ſoules Phyſitian is that which the Scriptures ſpeaks of; which many may have the words, the Bible, and yet have not the thing it ſpeaks of; and they that have the thing it ſpeaks of, have both. And many holy men had their ſouls Phyſitian before the Scriptures was written and printed: and they that had the ſpirit that gave forth Scriptures, they had the ſouls Phyſick; and they know all the ſprings is in God, and the Lord, who in his hand was the ſouls: And ſuch as are in the ſpirit they depend upon that, and they come to ſee the Scriptures by the ſpirit given forth from it; and ſuch comes into the unity of the ſpirit, and the light which is Chriſt within, by which all things was made and created, was before the naturall Lights was, and Nature: For all the Naturalls that was made, was made by the Light Chriſt Jeſus, the wiſdome, who is the wiſdome of God, by which all things was made, with which wiſdome we ſee over the naturall Lights, and over Nature. And the grace (that comes from the Throne) that brings ſalvation, which is the Saints Teacher, teacheth not to call Nature grace. And he that believeth is borne of God, and he overcometh the world, and entereth into his reſt, and ſhall never dye. And he that believeth hath victory, yea while he is upon the earth, he cometh to witneſſe the Circumciſion that puts off the body of ſin, and makes free from it, which the ſynagogue of Satan cannot witneſſe.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scriptures are the Word of God, page 4. And the Spirit is given by the Letter. And he ſaith, the ſpirit proceeds from that which is put within the Book or Bible. page 5. And I judge them that pretend the ſpirit without the Scriptures. And the Scripture is a more ſure rule then viſions and revelations. pag. 7. And God that gave the letter, gives the ſpirit with it, and by it. page 9.

Anſw. God gave the ſpirit before he gave forth Scriptures: And the Devill and wicked men may get Scriptures, but they have not the ſpirit, nor none have it, but as they come to feel it given from God, as it was given to them that gave forth Scriptures. And ſo people are to finde the ſpirit of the Father ſpeaking in them, as it did in them that gave forth Scriptures, then the ſpirit anſwers to the ſpirit that gave forth Scriptures; then there is an unity with the words, and with God of whom they learned; which many may have the Bible, and not know the ſpirit that ſpoke it forth, but be erred from it: And the Scriptures are the words of God, of truth, God ſpake all theſe words. He that adds to theſe words, the words of God is pure. Chriſt is the Word, his name is called the Word of God, who was before the words were ſpoken forth, who comes in the volume of the Booke to fulfill the words: And the ſpirit was before the Scripture was given forth; for it led them to ſpeak it all forth, the words of God, as they had learned of God: So the ſpirit comes not by the Letter, but the Letter comes forth from the ſpirit. And many had the Scriptures, and knew not the Revelation, and judged the Revelation of the Son of God, and judged Chriſt who was come, the end of the viſion, which was for an appointed time. So therein thou haſt concluded thy ſelfe to be among them that have the Scriptures, and ſets up that beyond the Revelation of the Son of God, which is the end of Scriptures; which none knows the father but the Son, and he to whom the Son reveals him, though they may have all the Scriptures. And the things of God is revealed by the ſpirit of God.

Pr. And he ſaith, The Scriptures is the rule and the guide of Saints. And ſaith, the old adminiſtration of the Covenant of grace is aboliſhed. page 13. He that underſtands, Matth. 11.2 27. of immediate revelations onely, ſhuts out all mediate revelation by the Scriptures, and falſely accuſeth the Lord of the Scripture. page 14. And the Apoſtle ſaith, not that the ſpirit reveals the deep things of God. If we ſhould deny the Scriptures to be the rule, we ſhould deny the Scriptures of God. page 18.

Anſw. The Saints rule was the ſpirit that gave forth Scriptures; and the Word of God which fulfills the Scriptures, without him they can do nothing, if they have all Scriptures. And the ſpirit of truth ſhall lead into all truth. And none knows the Scriptures, nor God, nor can be a Miniſter of the ſpirit by a mediate Revelation, but a Miniſter of the Letter; for who are Miniſters of the ſpirit, are immediate, and are in the immediate revelation of the Scriptures to them by the ſpirit that gave them forth; and theſe miniſters to the ſpirit, and brings people to God the Father of ſpirits, that they may know what to reveal to others they miniſter to. And all they that have the Scriptures, and not the ſpirit that gave them forth, they are on heaps about words, and wants the rule. And the Covenant of grace, which is the end of the old Covenant, is witneſſed and ſtabliſhed, and cannot be aboliſhed, which ends the decaying Covenant. And as for aboliſhing the Covenant of grace, thou doſt not know what thou ſpeaks of. And the Apoſtle ſaid, the deep things of God was revealed by the ſpirit of God; & no one knows the Scriptures and the things of God, but as God unto them doth reveal by his ſpirit; which in this thou haſt ſhewed thy ignorance of that ſpirit guided the Saints to God the Father of ſpirits, which revealed unto them the deep things of God, with which ſpirit again the Scriptures are known. And the ſpirit which always rules the Saints, and guides them up to God, and to ſpeak forth the Scriptures. They did not deny the Saints words ſpoken before them, but was in unity with them in the ſpirit, and ſo came to the ſpirits of juſt men; which none doth but who are come into the Saints rule that gave forth Scriptures. And ſo people have had the Scriptures, but inwardly ravened from the ſpirit, thou and the reſt of thy fellows, and have been all on heaps about words, and ſo voyd of the revelation that they were in that gave forth Scriptures. For all are unlearned upon the earth that are not in the immediate inſpiration as they were in that gave forth the Scriptures, and in the tongue of the unlearned, like the Aegyptian Sea.

Pr. He ſaith, Printing was a rare invention, and it was the gift of God. page 21. And onely Gods ſervants preached by the written Copies, and ſince by the printed volume. page 22.

Anſw. That which is invented, and men have invented, it is not the gift of God; and men only preaching from the Copies written, and ſince by the Volumes printed. in this haſt thou ſhewed that you have had only the ſheeps cloathing; and that hath been it which hath made you Miniſters: For they that were the Miniſters of the ſpirit, their only preaching was not from copies and volumes, that did not make them Miniſters, but what they had received from the Lord, that they declared forth, and was not Miniſters of copies and writings only. But the copy and writings of the Scripture, had you them in the life that gave them forth, you would have gathered people into the unity; which being ravened from it, you bring them all upon heaps.

Pr. The letter or writing of the ſpirit of God is the Law, and touch-ſtone. page 23. He ſaith, the Scriptures is the ſpirituall ſword. page 26. And the Scriptures is the ground of all Saints actions. And have not I written unto thee excellent things in counſell and knowledge? page 32.

Anſw. The Phariſees had Scriptures, and had not the ſpirit that gave them forth; ſo they wanted the Word of God, the ſword of the ſpirit, and they ſtood againſt the ſubſtance of the Scriptures. And they had Scriptures, but they were out of the Saints actings; for they turned againſt the Juſt: And ſo doth all upon the earth that have the Scriptures, but out of the ſpirit that gave them forth, they are out of the ground of the Saints actings. And none knows the excellent things written of knowledge nor counſell, but who be in the ſpirit that gave forth Scriptures: Though they have the Scriptures in their own knowledge and wiſdome, yet they underſtand not the excellent things written, but as they come into the ſpirit that gave them forth. So thou art a man not dividing the word aright; and many may have the Scriptures, yea the whole world may have the Scriptures, and not being in the ſpirit that gave them forth, they break into Sects among one another. And the Devil may come with Scriptures, but hath not the ſpirit to fight withal, who is out of the Truth.

Pr. He ſaith, Women are excluded from ſpeaking, though endued with more then ordinary gifts, and they are not allowed to teach. page 34. And the Canon of the Apoſtles is the key to open the Scriptures. And the ſure word of prophecy is the Scriptures. page 38. which is a more ſure word then an immediate voyce from heaven. He ſaith, the word which the Apoſtle ſpeaks of to the Romans, in the mouth, and in the heart, is the Goſpell promiſes without, Deut. 30. And the Scripture, Books, & Chapters, is the light that ſhines in mans heart, and the new Creature is too narrow for a rule. page 44.

A. The new creature is ſubject to the Law of God, for he is in Chriſt who is the end of Law, Types, Figures, Shadows, Parables, and there is rule, direction, counſell, wiſdome; and the old man cometh to be ſubjected, which is not ſubject to the Law of God, and here comes the bleſſing and the peace of the Iſrael of God, who walk according to the rule of the new creature; for he walks in the life that gave forth Scripture, which the old man walks out of. And he may ſay, the Scriptures is his rule, but he is not ſubject to the witneſſe of God in himſelf; nor owns not the light which Jeſus Chriſt hath enlightned him withall, but doth the evill, and loves the darkneſs, which light is his condemnation. And the law is light, and the Teſtimony of Jeſus is the ſpirit of prophecy. And many may have the old and new Teſtament, and ſtand againſt the light, the ſpirit of prophecy within. And many may have the Scriptures, Books, and Chapters, and ſtand againſt the Light Chriſt Jeſus, that doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world: And ſo put the Letter for the Light, and walk from the light in their own particulars, which ſhould lead them into a new life: Such comes not to know the new life, nor the bleſſing of the Iſrael of God. And the woman (the Evah) muſt be ſilent, for ſhe was firſt deceived; and the woman Jezebel, that calls her ſelfe a Propheteſſe, that muſt not be ſuffered to teach, or to uſurp authority; But Chriſt in the male, and Chriſt in the female, is beyond the firſt Adam, or Evah, or ſhe that calls her ſelfe a Propheteſſe, or the great whore that reigns over the Kings of the earth, there is all their languages under: Chriſt in the Females ſhall comprehend this as well as in the Male, and give judgement, and the daughters ſhall prophecy as well as the ſons. And ſuch as limit or quench the ſpirit in the Males or Females, are them that are apoſtatized and ravened inwardly from the ſpirit of God, and deſpiſe prophecy, only have the ſheeps cloathing (ſuch as thou and you) and knows not the ſpirit, but are ravened from it, the ſpirit of God that hath power over all fleſh, and ſo makes your ſelves ignorant of it, & are ſuch as quencheth it in others. And the ſpirit of God in the Apoſtles being witneſſed, it opens the Scriptures, is the key, lets to ſee what hath been ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, and rul'd, and reign'd, and had the dominion, the Wolfe in the ſheeps cloathing; which have deceived the Nations, and ſuch as have led the world, and brought them all upon heaps, and have never heard the voyce of God, and have publiſhed it in the Nation in print, nor the voyce of Chriſt, and have not the ſame infallible ſpirit as the Apoſtles had, and no immediate revelation nor inſpiration as they had: ſo theſe have taken away the key of knowledge from among people ſince the days of the Apoſtles; and as for the word Canon, ye may go to the Papiſts. The Apoſtles ſhewed the fulfilling of the Scriptures, that Chriſt was come, and the Apoſtles ſaw what Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, which inwardly ravened, went forth from them, which the world hath gone after; which now we, with the ſame ſpirit the Apoſtles was in, which you all ravened from, do ſee ye, and what hath reigned ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles. Now is the fulfilling of the Prophets; And the word was in the Apoſtles, and in the Saints, yea the word of faith, and this comes to fulfill the Scripture, this word of faith which was preached in the heart, and in the mouth; and which was promiſed before. And the light was in the Apoſtles heart that ſhined, and the ſure word of propheſie that did let ſee, and foreſee, was in the hearts of people which led them to give forth Scriptures, and that which fulfills the Scriptures, the propheſie, is of Chriſt, who ends it; and the ſpirit led them to ſpeak it forth, the ſpirit of propheſie: which many may have the Scriptures, and not have the more ſure word of propheſie; And many may have the Scriptures as the Phariſees had, and ſtand againſt the Revelation of the Son of God from heaven, which is ſurer, for he was before Scripture was, who ends the Scriptures. for many may have Scriptures and be out of the life, and not know him, the Revelation of the Son of God; as the Jewes did not, and ſo ſay the Scriptures is more ſure then Revelation from heaven, ſo more ſure then the Son of God who is greater then all; and the Scripture was given forth by Revelation, and none knowes it but by Revelation.

Pr. He ſaith Chriſt doth not give to every man the light that leadeth to the Father, and there is not in every man that redeeming light, which leadeth to the Father. And it is falſe to ſay the light which John ſpeakes of, is a ſalvation light; he ſaith the light in every man is but the candle light of natural underſtanding. pag. 56. And the light which every man hath, is a low common benefit, and no drop of this immortal ſeed. pag. 57. 58. Nor is the light which every man hath, his Mediation. And I call the light which every man hath, natural. pag. 59. And the light which every man hath, teacheth nothing of the way, truth, and life of Jeſus Christ. pag. 60. And the light which is in every man is oppoſite to Scriptures, pag. 61. This is the light which is in every mans conſcience which is but natural. And the Apoſtle ſaith he warneth every man, and teacheth every man that he might preſent them perfect in Chriſt Jeſus. But he ſaith the Apoſtle did not warn every man: he did not levell the Saints light with every mans. page 62. It is not meant that every man is enlightened, but the Church. Page 63.

Anſw. I am the light of the world, and doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world ſaith Chriſt the life. So the light which every man that cometh into the world is enlightned withall, wil let them ſee the life which it cometh from, will let them ſee their ſalvation Chriſt Jeſus, will let them ſee their Mediator, will let them ſee the truth, for the light is truth, which cometh from Chriſt the truth. And the light is Chriſt the way, the truth, the life that enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world. In him was life, and the life was the light of men, in him by whom the world was made, which light was before any natural lights was; the Sun, Moon and Stars are natural lights; and theſe was made by Chriſt the light, who doth enlighten every man, &c. which men having a light from him by whom the world was made, by whom all things was created, who was afore any things was created, Lets them ſee before any created light, natural light, made lights, which gives every one the knowledge of life: which lets every one ſee the ſalvation to the ends of the earth; which lets every one ſee the Covenant of God that love it, and believe in it, they come to the life Chriſt, him from whence the light cometh. The light is of the immortal ſeed of Chriſt Jeſus, one with the Saints light, the Saints believe in that the world hates, and receives that which the world hates: ſo it is the worlds condemnation: it is the condemnation of them that hate it. And ſo was he promiſed a Covenant to the Gentiles, aſwell as to the Jewes and ſo doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, according to Johns witneſs and teſtimony, to the Prieſts, and Levites which came from Jeruſalem to examine him. So the Prieſts now examine us in this age and profeſſors which the Quakers are witneſſes of, and bears teſtimony to, which Paul warned every man, and taught every man, that he might preſent them perfect in Chriſt the light. So the light is one with the Saints light, that condemnes the unbelievers. And the light which every man that cometh into the world is enlightened withall; that through it he might believe, and who believes in it, and receives it, he hath the light of life, and they become the Sons of God; and who hate it, it is their condemnation: and they are againſt Scriptures, but the light is not againſt Scriptures, but ownes them. And ſo the light is not ſo low as ye eſteem it, for it was before any thing was made or created: as for the word Trinity, there is no Scripture for it: without ye finde it in the Common-prayer Book. And the light in the converted ſhines out of Darkneſs in their hearts, and gives them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, &c. And the light in the unconverted ſhines in the Darkneſs, and the Darkneſs comprehendes it not.

Pr. He ſaith that the light without the Scriptures is no light. Pag. 64. And to call the light that doth enlighten every man the word of God, is contradiction. And there was no light before the Scriptures, which is now revealed in Scripture. pag. 64. That God is light, not the light in every mans conſcience. pag. 68. And the best light that every man hath, is but created. Not one man in the world knowes God till he finde him in Scripture. pag. 69 The Lord Chriſt the Eternal Son, the Eſſential word of the Father, is more in Scripture, then in every man; or any man. pag. 70. They that ſpeak from the Scripture rightly underſtood, ſpeak more from Chriſt, then they that ſpeak from the light within them.

Anſw. The light was before Scripture was given forth: the light was before the Created lights was, and makes manifeſt all created lights: for all created lights, was created by it, and all that ever had the Scriptures, and are not in the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world; the light by whom the world was made, He knowes neither the word of God, nor Father, nor Son, nor Chriſt, nor the Lord, nor Scripture; and the word, and the Father, and the Son, and Chriſt, theſe are to be found in man, the Lord ſearcheth the heart, and is not to be found in the letter; but it teſtifies of theſe things. And they that ſpeak ſo much of Chriſt from the letter, which gives not life becauſe it ſpeakes of him; and are from the light within them which cometh from Chriſt which doth enlighten every man, &c. they ſpeak as the Devil doth; and the Phariſees preaching a Chriſt is come, as they did he was to come and ſtood againſt the light that doth enligthen every man that cometh into the world; and ſent their Prieſts, and Levites to examine John, as they do now who be profeſſors, and Prieſts. And many may have the Scriptures, and yet be from the light, and deny the light; the Devil who is out of the light may bring Scripture, and he hath not the light; And that is light, and that is the word which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world. So he is all, and in all, and through all, God over all bleſſed for ever, which ſhall make every tongue to confeſſe, and all ſtand guilty before him that hate it, and ſay he is righteous. And Chriſt which is called the word of God which doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, is not contradiction. And many may have the Scriptures, and yet never know God, till they come to the light which comes from the Son who reveals him.

Pr. He ſaith Christ ſaveth by the declaration, or by Scripture; and makes the Declaration ſaving.

Anſw. Chriſt is the Saviour, and that the Scripture declares of and ſpeakes of; and many may have the Scriptures, and declaration and reject Chriſt as the Jewes did, and all do, that deny the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, from their Saviour which is not Scripture.

Pr. And to ſay the light in every man gave forth Scripture, and will open Scripture to us is palpable darkneſs, and contradiction to Scripture. page 74.

Anſw. All be in the utter darkneſs, and know not the Scripture, until they come to the light, that every man was in that, gave forth Scriptures, for the light lets them ſee to what it was ſpoken, and Chriſt the end of them.

Pr. And to ſay every mans light is the ſure word of propheſie, is an old fable, pag. 75. No man ſhall be able to ſpell out a ſillable of the Goſpel, by all that is written in mans heart. And the univerſal light, layes waſte the free grace of God, ſo never was it every mans light, or free gift. And the light in every mans conſcience is a bill of condemnation, diſcovers no ſalvation. pag. 76. And that which Adam had before the fall was imperfect.

Anſw. The light that every man is enlightened with, is Chriſt Jeſus the gift of God; the Covenant of God, the way to the Father, that all through the light might believe in him who is the way to the Father, out of the firſt Adam, the ſtate in the fall, who fell from that which was perfect, and ſo became unperfect. And the light which every man that cometh into the world is enlightened withall, which ſhineth in the darkneſs, will be his condemnation if he hate it, and a ſure word of propheſie to him he ſhall finde it, and condemn him for all his faults, and it was found in the heart which brought them to know God that gave forth S ripture. He goes unto fables when he goes from the light: which all ye, and the world is in the fables. And the light which every man is enlightened with that cometh into the world, doth not lay waſte the grace of God: but he that is in the light, ſeeth the Covenant of grace, and receives it. And all that deny the light tramples the new Covenant under their feet. And the light which every man is enlightened withall, is the light of the Goſpel; which all men ſhall be Judged according to, and it is it that diſcovers the Saviour, which doth condemn.

Pr. He ſaith the light is an imperfect light; and it is mixed with darkneſs. And if the Saints ſhould ſay they have no ſin, no darkneſs, they are more dark, and ſinful. page 78. And every man is in Christ while he hath ſin in him. p. 79. and the light in every man is none of the ſix principles in the Hebrewes. Page 81.

Anſw. The S ints witneſſed the darkneſs was paſt, the true light ſhined; they was not in the night: and the S ints was made free from ſin; and the night was over, and they were children of the day, not of the night. And the light is perfect which doth enlighten every man, &c. And all lights that was made, was made by the light Chriſt Jeſus that was before any thing was made; this is it that diſcovers them, and le s ſee them, and this is perfect. And all be in ignorance that be out of it. And who be in Chriſt, doth not commit ſin, is a new creature; old things paſſe away the old man and his deeds. And in the light which every man is enlightened withall, all the principles in the Law, in the Prophets, in the Hebrewes, ends: for it was before any words was ſpoken forth glorified with the Father before the world began.

Pr. He ſaith no man will ever be ſaved by his beſt obedience to the light which doth enlighten, &c. pag. 85 Chriſt hath ſatisfied, and merited for a certain number of ſinners their deliverance. Page 87.

Anſ. No man is ſaved, or doth witneſs ſalvation, but who are in the light Chriſt Jeſus doth enlighten them withall. And who are in the light, they are in obedience of faith, and they neglect not the Goſpel, nor the hearing the voyce that ſpeakes from heaven. But who hate the light, they neglect the Goſpel, and him that ſpeakes from heaven, and doth not come into the obedience of faith, but be in their own works, in the dark, without light. Chriſt is the offering for the ſin of the whole world, not for the ſins of a people, but the ſeed Chriſt the ſecond Adam, overthrowes all the ſins, is the offering for all the ſins that was brought in by the firſt Adam, and reconciles to the Father, and is the reſtorer; and nothing ſhuts out, but the unbelief in the light, for Chriſt ſaith believe in the light. And ſo Chriſt is the offering for the ſins of the whole world, and not for ſome only.

Pr. He ſaith Chriſt the ſuretie payes the elects debt. Pag. 103.

Anſw. Chriſt is the ſurety for all that dwell on the earth that believe in him, as he doth enlighten every man. And God layes no charge of ſin to the elect, for it is not poſſible that they ſhould be deceived. And the cauſe of all bringings into Sects is that people be out of the light, and ſo out of unity, and ſeeth not the Saviour, the Redeemer, the ſubſtance of all types, figures, Parables, the end of the Law that goes upon the man of ſtrife. And ſo being out of the light, out of the unity, out of the Covenant with God; In the light is the Covenant of God.

Pr. He ſaith the whole ſoul and body of Saints and every faculty of the ſoul, and member of the body there is ſome preſence of ſin in them all their dayes. Page 113.

Anſ. The Saints are ſanctified, and waſhed, and cleanſed, body, ſoul, and ſpirit, and they are made free from ſin, and then can live no longer therein; and the body of ſin is put off; And they witneſſed the darkneſs was paſt: ſo then the works of the true light ſhined, and the day was come, and they was of one ſoul, And they witneſſed as he was, ſo was they in this preſent world. And he that is in Chriſt is a new creature. And where Chriſt is within, the body is dead becauſe of ſin. And he that is born of God doth not commit ſin. And the Saints was upon the earth, when they was made free from ſin, and not all their dayes ſin in them, as thou ſpeakes of.

Prin. He ſaith ſin dwells in the Saints; if any Saint think otherwiſe he knowes not himſelf: and if he be one really ſanctified, he is under a ſtrong deluſion, and drouſie dream Page 119.

Anſw. He that is ſanctified is ſanctified from ſin, and waſhed, and cleanſed, and he that is out of this ſanctification is in the drowſie dream; For who are in ſanctification, are in Chriſt the righteouſneſs of God, and they are awakened to righteouſneſs, out of the fall, in the ſecond Adam, and drowſineſs, and dreames, and deluſions that come in the firſt Adam. And ſin, and drowſie dreams, and deluſions dwells in them that pretend that they are ſanctified ones, and not really.

Pr. He ſaith it is a Popiſh Tennent that ſanctification is wrought within men and Juſtification, or a believers being justified from ſin, and ungodlineſs, and not in it; but the mystery of iniquity lies in this qualification. pag. 120. And they that are juſtified by their ſanctification, it is a falſhood. And that none are juſtified but Saints perfect in holineſs, is a notorious contradiction. Page 121.

Anſw. He that is the ſanctification, is the juſtification, and ſo by their ſanctification are they juſtified; it is one and the ſame, that which ſanctifies, juſtifies. And every man that cometh into the world having a light that cometh from Chriſt the ſanctification, redemption, juſtification; but them that be not in the light, are with it condemned. And ſuch as be in the light, they come into perfect holineſs, and their ſins are not imputed to them; But them that doth not believe in the light, the ſpirit of truth that leads the believer into all truth, reproves them for their unbelief, and their righteouſneſs, and their judgement, and ſo doth not juſtifie them, but reprove them. And the juſtification within, roots out all Popery, and all contradiction. But to ſpeak of juſtification, and ſanctification without, and not manifeſt within, ye are yet in the firſt Adam (in the Popery, where ye muſt have a Puratory to cleanſe) and not the righteouſneſs of Chriſt within, and ſanctification within and Juſtification. So ſuch be reproved that can talk of it without, ſanctification without: ſo there is the old Adam, in the ſin and tranſgreſſion. And all falſhood is among them that can talk of juſtification without them, and not witneſſe it within them; For who witneſſe Chriſt within them, they witneſſe juſtification there, and ſanctification; for Abraham believed, and it was im uted to him for righteouſneſs; and his belief was within, and he ſaw Chriſt his glory. And ſuch as believe they come to witneſs the imputation; But ſuch as come again to witneſſe that they are nearer then when they did believe; and to witneſs that they have received Chriſt within, is the end of their belief, there they witneſs the righteouſneſs it ſelf without imputation, which is the ſubſtance, that which the promiſe ends in, and all the fathers hoped for, who ſtood in the imputation, and all the believers in him: But Chriſt being come, the end of mans belief, the righteouſneſs it ſelf; here is a juſtification alone, without the imputation, Chriſt the righteouſneſs of Gods bleſſing, and glory for ever. And a believer that is j ſtified, he is a new Creature, and is paſt from the death which came by the ſin; comes to enter into his reſt where ſin is not. And all the falſhood and the contradiction is without the poſſeſſion of juſtification and ſanctification which reprobates talk of it in the myſtery of iniquity, and unbelievers in the myſtery of iniquity; which have the ſheepes cloathing the outſide, the clothing of the Saints, yet ravened from the ſpirit inwardly; Theſe have not been like to own juſtification within, or ſanctification there, that inwardly ravened from the ſpirit of God: which all muſt come to that which they ravened from, and they themſelves before they feel the juſtification, ſanctification, Chriſt within them, and have received the ſubſtance, the thing the Scripture ſpeakes of: which not believing in the Light, and going from it; though they get all the ſheeps cloathing, yet are they not thereby juſtified; though they get all the good words, and the forme of godlineſſe, and obey not the Goſpell, the power of God; for none obeys the Goſpell, but wh obeys the Light within. And who are juſtified it is by the faith of Christ Jeſus, and without faith they cannot pleaſe him; And who are in the Faith, are the believers in the Light, and ſo the Juſtification and the Faith doth qualifie from their old nature, and mindes.

Pr. He ſaith, They are not juſtified becauſe they are new borne, nor for their believing. page 122. And I can ſay I am crucified with Chriſt, and yet I have a corrupt rotten heart, and an old lying heart (as before he ſaith) and Christ lives in him, and there is a body of ſin and death dwels in him: And the life that he now lives in the fleſh, is by the faith of the Son of God. Page 124.

Anſw. Where Chriſt is within, the body is dead becauſe of ſin; and where the ſaith of the Son of God is lived in, it gives victory over ſin. And the life of Chriſt is out of Adam, in the Fall, in ſin and tranſgreſſion; And the Circumciſion comes to be witneſſed that puts off the body of ſin. And where the life of Chriſt is lived in, the new Covenant is there, the new heart, rotten, corrupt, lying is put off, the old man and his deeds, with his deceitful luſts. And he that believes is borne of God, is juſtified, and he comes into the faith by which he pleaſeth God; and he that doth not believe is out of the faith, and it is impoſſible he ſhould pleaſe God, and is out of that which ſhould juſtifie him.

Pr. He ſaith, Christs works in us are not to be joyned with our faith in Chriſts works, for that brings into the wilderneſſe. page 131. And to ſay that men are juſtified no farther then they are ſanctified, is to deny Protestant doctrine, &c.

Anſw. Men are juſtified by the believing, and in the faith, and by the faith, and in believing they overcome, and have victory; and there is Mortification, and Sanctification, and Redemption, and Juſtification, all poſſeſſed together in the one which is Chriſt, and this to the particular ſatisfaction. And all Proteſtants or whatſoever that have a Juſtification and Sanctification, and they in the unmortified ſtate, unſanctified, they are out of the faith that purifies, out of the belief that is born of God, who hath paſt from death to life, and ſo is out of the ſubſtance that juſtifies, and is without Chriſt, and ſo are reprobates; but where Chriſt is within, there is Juſtification, Sanctification, and Redemption. And they are they that blaſpheme the Tabernacle of God, and them that dwell in Heaven, that call good evill, and evill good; and leads into ſnares, and into the wilderneſſe, that go about to confound the Justification, but ſplit themſelves upon the Rock that denies the Light; and Chriſt is the offering for the ſin of the whole world, who doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, that all men might believe in him, the offering, and they are juſtified in him from all things which the Law could not do. And here is the Covenant of God to the Jewes and Gentiles, the light of the Gentiles, the glory of Iſrael, the new covenant to the Jewes, the Law in the heart, and in the minde, by which the people ſhould not need to ſay, Know the Lord; for all ſhould know him from the leaſt to the greateſt, the ſalvation to the ends of the earth, where the way of redemption is the way for the ranſomed to walke in, in which the fools ſhall not erre in it; in which way there is no wilderneſſe, nor ſlippery places; but the path of life, the way of the Juſt, and of holineſſe, and the way of Sanctification, and the way of Redemption and Juſtification.

Pr. He ſaith, Chriſt was a ſinner by imputation. page 132.

A. The Scripture doth not ſpeak ſuch kind of words; but that he knew no ſin, no guile was found in his mouth: A Lamb without ſpot or blemiſh, though it pleaſed the Father to lay the iniquity upon him, by his ſtripes we are healed. And by the one offering, perfected for ever them that are ſanctified, made himſelfe an offering for the ſins of the whole world; who breaks down the partition wall bewixt Jewes and Gentiles, ſlayes the enmity among men, reconciles in one unto the Father by his body, his death upon the Croſſe. Of his body are all the Profeſſors, Proteſtants & Papiſts upon the earth ignorant of, this ſeed that breaks the enmity; therefore be all in the enmity one among another, having ſheeps cloathing, but the ſheep in you is not put forth; but the Wolfe is ravening abroad againſt the ſheep, tearing them where the ſeed is riſen.

Pr. He that throws off imputed righteouſneſſe, may go ſhift for his juſtification where he can get it: and Chriſt ſhall profit him nothing, though he be in faith or love, and ſelf-denyall. page 133 And it is not the work of Chriſt in us that juſtifies and reconciles our perſons. I can detect this for an errour, that Chriſts works in us, is that which juſtifies our perſons before God. page 134.

Anſw. Chriſt works in us Faith, and is the Author of it, and by faith is every one juſtified in the blood of the ſeed, the fleſh of Chriſt the Lord from heaven, ſhed for the ſins of the whole world: And this faith in this blood of the ſeed, not of the firſt Adam, nor the Beaſts, but the blood of the ſeed Chriſt, the precious blood which is the life of Saints, and his fleſh which is the food of Saints, which whoſoever eats it, and drinks it, hath life in the Son of God, and lives in him as he lives in the Father. And this is wrought within, and no one knows it, but as it is wrought within by the faith in the blood of the Lamb ſlain from the foundation of the world, the great ſacrifice for the ſin of the whole world, overthrew Death and Hell, bruiſed the Serpents head, Devill, and ſinne, the ſacrifice for the whole world, the blood ſhed upon the Croſſe for the ſins of the whole world. The blood of the ſeed, which is the life that cleanſeth, and this blood is felt within, for it purgeth the conſcience from dead works to ſerve the living God. And here is the great myſtery of God, and the wiſdome of God, which covers all the wiſdome of the earth, the knowledge and the wiſdome of the underſtanding ones of the earth. The ſeed and the blood of the Lamb ſlain from the foundation of the world, which ſacrificed and offered up, the body prepared, who fulfilled all types, figures, offerings, ends them and all other bloods, whom Death and Grave could not hold, dead, raiſed again, ſet at the right hand of God, manifeſt in the Saints, and in the midſt of his Church, ſinging praiſe, was dead, and is alive, and lives for evermore, manifeſt in the Saints. And he that hath him hath life, and he that hath not him, hath not life. And whoſoever witneſſeth Chriſt within, they witneſſe the end of Imputation, they witneſſe the thing it ſelfe, the end of their belief, and they poſſeſs the ſanctification, and ſuch comes to know faith and love. And ſuch as may have all the Scriptures, and preach of Juſtification and Sanctification without them, and not within them be as the Jewes, be as the Witches and Reprobates. They are reprobate that witneſſeth not Chriſt within them, nor Sanctification there, nor Juſtification there, and ſo witneſſeth not faith, and love, nor the faith that works by love, and they be in the errour and ſhifts thou talks of, and Babyloniſh; and none comes to witneſſe the reconciliation, but who witneſſe Chriſt within: So out of Juſtification and Sanctification there; if he be not within, they cannot witneſſe reconciliation: If they be not believers in the Light of Chriſt, they cannot witneſſe juſtification, but condemnation. B t in the light, in Chriſt, Chriſt received in them juſtification, ſanctification, reconciliation is received, Chriſt Jeſus the Light, that which reconciles to the Father.

Pr. He ſaith, The body of ſin is the naturall body, conſiſting of fleſh and blood, and bones, and the living ſoule is immortall. page 140. And ſin will dwell in the houſe, untill the houſe be pluckt down over its head, which is the naturall body. And there is not one Saint that is abſolute free from the in-dwelling and working power of ſin. page 140. To plead for Perfection is inherent holineſſe, and to ſerve under Antichriſts colours, and to make voyd the ſuffering of Chriſt. He that holds the Saints perfectly fulfilling all the Law, in all degrees of obedience and conformity to it in this life before death, hath drunk Antichrists cup. page 144.

Anſw. The Saints after they witneſſed the body of ſin put off, and made free from ſin, they glorified God in their bodies, ſouls, and ſpirits. And ſo the body of fin is not the creature, for that cauſeth the creature to groan, before it cometh into the liberty of the Sons of God, that cauſeth the body of ſin, the cloathing that comes upon the Creature, the old man, which cometh by tranſgreſſion, the firſt Adam, that leads out of tranſgreſſion, brings the creature into the liberty of the ſons of God, and ſo who is in Chriſt is a new creature; And old things paſſe away, and the body is the Temple of God, a holy Temple; And the living ſoule is immortall; yet many of thy generation ſay it is humane, that is earthly, yea, that Chriſts ſoule was humane, as ye may ſee in this Book, in the reſt of your Principles, of them that call themſelves Teachers and Paſtors, whoſe ſoules are in death, and life; And immortality, not come to the Light, through the power of God which is the Goſpell, and ſo have ſh wed your ignorance of the ſoule. And whoſoever witneſſe the perfect holineſſe, and preacheth up that, they come from under Antichriſts Kingdome. They that preach up Imperfection, they weare Antichriſts livery, and his colours, and ſounds the Trumpet of Antichriſt; and who be in the righteouſneſſe, are in the perfection it ſelfe, without a thing meritted by man in his will. And who loves God, keeps his Commandements, and to him and them they are not grievous: And this was the ſeed that kept the Commandements of God, that Antichriſt, Beaſt, mother of Harlots, and falſe Prophets made war againſt, as you may read in the Revelations: But this ſeed is a burthenſome ſtone (unto yo all) t at keeps the commands of God, that loves God; and they that be born of God doth not commit ſin: And the naturall body which is fleſh, blood, and bone, is not the body of ſin, it was never read ſo in the Scripture, that that was the body which was to be put off; for the Saints had bodies, after they witneſſed the body of ſin put off, and made free from ſin.

Pr. He ſaith, That R. F. is againſt the doctrine of ſin continuing in the godly till death, page 148.

Anſw. That doctrine of Sin was never preached up by the Apoſtle, that it ſhould continue in the godly till death, I ſay it continues not in the godly; for the godly are like God, out of ſin; it continues in the ungodly, that is not like God. And he that is in Chriſt, is at the end of the Law, and the Precepts, and the Statutes, and the Ordinances, and the Commandements, and is in the ſubſtance, Gods righteteouſneſſe.

Pr. He ſaith, The Letter is no dead letter, and it hath life in it ſelfe. And if there be but this letter or Miniſtry, it is Chriſts two-edged ſword. page 153. 155. It ſerves unto his deſigne of ſearching hearts. And the Apoſtle would take people off from the conceit of perfect attainments. pag. 162. And may not filthy hearts transform themſelves in the fancy of perfection, as the Devill into an Angell of light?

Anſw. The Devill transforming himſelfe into an Angell of Light, or into a ſimilitude, is like unto all the filthy hearts who fancy perfection without them, not within th m, and ſpeaks of Chriſt without them, not within them, as the Devill did; But the Doctrine of the Apoſtle, who preached Chriſt the Covenant of God, and brought people off of that which made nothing perfect, to that which was perfect, and bid them be perfect, and of one minde; and he ſpoke wiſdome among them that were perfect, ſo he did not bring the people from it, but to it: And the Letter it ſelfe is dead, as it is of paper and inke: And all Miniſters of Letters and Books written in paper and ink, and ſpeaks from letters of paper and inke, and have not received from God what they preach, are Miniſters of the Letter, and they are the Miniſters of death, though they miniſter all the Letters written in the Scripture, and have onely but the ſheeps cloathing, and begets not to God; but only making Proſelytes as the Miniſters did in old time, as the Jewes did, But they that were Miniſters of the Spirit, that gave forth the Scriptures, they have the ſword of the Spirit, which the Jewes, the Miniſters of the Letter had not: Nor they that be out of the ſpirit, though they have all the Scriptures given forth from it; they that be out of the ſpirit, be out of the ſpirituall weapons And that which ſearcheth the heart, is that which gave forth the Scriptures, which led all the holy men of God to ſpeak them forth, who is the Lord, the ſearcher of the hearts; which ſpirit owns all the words of the Scriptures of truth declared forth from the ſpirit; but the ſpirit was before the Scripture was given forth.

Pr. He ſaith, Men that are redeemed from all earthly worſhips perfectly juſtified before God, ſincere in their ſanctification, yet they are in concupiſcence, and blemiſhes, and conflicts. page 166. And the Word of God doth not abide in them that ſay they have no ſinne. page 179.

Anſw. Who are redeemed out of all earthly worſhips, and ſanctified, they are redeemed from the blemiſhes, from the conflicts, from the concupiſcence, and by their redemption they come to witneſſe the Kingdome of God that ſtands in righteouſneſſe, peace, and joy in the holy Ghoſt, out of the conflicts; and who are in the ſpirit, they are in that which mortifies ſin. And the Word of God it makes clean where it dwels, they are ſanctified by the Word, and made clean: It comes, and finds the ſin, and takes it away, and makes clean, and hammers it down, cuts it down, burns it up, reconciles to the Father, which ſin and iniquity ſeparated from.

Pr. He ſaith, Sacramentall water, and ſprinkling Baptiſme and water, &c. ſhewes our being ingrafted into the body myſticall. p. 176. 178. which conſiſts of a ſigne of a thing ſignified.

Anſw. Sprinkling Infants is a ſigne of your own making, and Sacramentall water which the Scripture doth not hold forth, but it is a thing preſumed above what it written. And that ſigne, a tradition, doth not bring into the body myſticall, but leads from it, neither doth any elementary thing; But that which baptizeth into the body is the ſpirit, whereby all cometh to be one: And that baptizeth not into an elementary body, but into a glorious body, the ſpirituall body. For there is lying ſignes come ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, which is out of the Apoſtles practice. You can ſhew nothing for your ſprinkling with your Sacramentall water; but the Baptiſme that the Scripture declares of, and the ſpirit is owned in its place.

Pr. He ſaith, Bread and Wine are ſpirituall Inſtitutions, and is not carnall in a ſenſe as ſet in oppoſition to ſpiritual Inſtitution: and that is not meer carnal bread and wine after Chriſts institution to be uſed, nor an ordinary bread and wine. And he ſaith, In the Lords Supper is Chriſts body, and it is his blood. page 188. And this is my body and blood, the word of a Command, do this. page 191. And Chriſt fed not the ſoules with wheat bread, and red wine, &c.

Anſw. By all this what differ ye from the Papiſts? have not ye laid their foundation, and layd their ground? Bread and wine, is but bread and wine, a temporall thing, a thing ſeen, and may turn to aſhes; but the body and blood of Chriſt will not do ſo. And the bread is not ſpirituall, and the wine is not ſpirituall, but is a thing ſeen, and viſible. And who eats the fleſh of Chriſt, and drinks his blood, hungers no more, and thirſts no more; but who eats temporall bread and wine, hungers more, and thirſts more. And Chriſt did ſay, as often as ye do eat this bread, & drink this cup, ye ſhew the Lords death till he come. And that which the Apoſtle had received of the Lord, he delivered to the Corinthians: As often as they eate that, and dranke that, they were to do it in remembrance of him, ſhewing the Lords death till he come. But then ſaith the ſame Apoſtle to the ſame Corinthians in his laſt Epiſtle; Examine your ſelves. Know you not that Chriſt is in you except ye be reprobates? And ſaid, while we looke not at the things which are ſeen; for the things that are ſeen are temporall: So bread and wine are things that are ſeen, are things temporall, but the things that are not ſeen are eternall. Now bread and wine is but bread and wine, not ſpiritual after conſecration, it is but the ſame bread as it was before; and it is no nearer the body of Chriſt after they have conſecrated it, then it was before. Who is in the life and power of God, that gives every creature its being, and cauſeth every creature to come forth, is in the life and vertue of all creatures, and the being of all creatures, and the wiſdome of all the Creation, that is ſpiritual: He giveth every creature its being, and cauſeth every creature to come forth, and gives the ſenſe and feeling of all creatures that is ſpirituall. And there comes up the ſoule to be known, and the ſeed CHRIST, his body, and his blood.

Pr. He ſaith, The worſhip of God in the ſpirit ſtands out of mans will, and they must waite in the light to feele the Spirit; but let all loſt ſouls beware of this counſell: And to bring people to the commands of the Spirit is oppoſite to the Scripture Letter. page 204.

Anſw. All true worſhippers of God that he ſeeks to worſhip him, is in the ſpirit, in the truth, that which the Devill is out of, and in the ſpirit that gave forth the Scriptures; that is that which mans will is out of, where all poor ſouls comes to worſhip God aright, and magnifie God, and glorifie God, and to pray in the ſpirit, and to ſtand in the counſell of God. For no prophecy of the Scriptures came by the will of man: It was that which led them to ſpeak forth Scriptures, which was beyond mans will: So mens will getting the Scriptures, which no prophecy of it came by it, they cannot worſhip God in the truth, nor in the ſpirit, but in their own wills: But who be in the ſpirit and truth that led them to ſpeak forth the Scriptures, that learned of God the Father of ſpirits, and God of all truth, this is not will-worſhip. Now will-worſhip is among them that have the Scriptures given forth by the ſpirit of God in their owne wills, which no prophecy of it came by it: and can ſing, pray, preach, read in their own wills, and be out of the ſpirit that gave it forth; they are in a will-worſhip, out of the worſhip of God in the ſpirit: And ſuch are oppoſite to the Scriptures, and cannot agree with the letter of the Scriptures, that are fighting about words, falls into ſects and heaps about the words; which the worſhip of God is in the ſpirit that gave forth Scriptures, which learned of God the Father of ſpirits, owns all the Scriptures in their places, and nor oppoſite to it.

Pr. He ſaith, Never was Pſalms ſung as they ought to be, but had ſome muſicall tune or Poetry. page 205. And the holy Ghoſt made overſeers and Elders over the Church, but that was not immediate. page 207. That no man can read out of Scripture that Paul was free from covetouſneſs, &c.

Anſw. Paul ſaith, Let not covetouſneſſe be once named amongſt you as it becometh Saints. And no covetous one ſhould enter into the kingdom; and hee ſaith, it is idolatry. And the Apoſtle lived the life of the Son of God through the faith, and witneſſed he was made free from the body of ſin, and had victory over it, thanks God, and ſaid, there was no condemnation to them that were in Chriſt Jeſus; and Paul was in Chriſt, where there was no condemnation, which covetouſneſſe is out of. And the holy Ghoſt is immediate that makes the officers in the Church. It is the ſame as was in them that led them to ſpeak forth Scriptures. And the holy Ghoſt that leads men to ſpeak forth the Scriptures, and makes Elders and overſeers in the Church, theſe are not made by men; but theſe ſee the fulfilling of the Scriptures, and comes into that which fulfils it, and are in it. And your ſinging your Pſalms, and your Poetry, and ſetting them in frame and a muſicall way, theſe are come up ſince the Pope, as Tunes, Organs, ſince men have ravened from the ſpirit, and gone from that, they got up this Poetry, and turned Davids conditions into a Meeter, and given them to a people who are ignorant of Davids conditions: And Pſalms are ſpirituall ſongs, and all are ignorant, when they are from the ſpirit of God that led the holy men of God to ſpeak forth the Scripture; with which ſpirit of God, all the Pſalms, and Spiritual Songs, and Hymns are ſeen, which from it was given forth, and all the Scriptures, and in that is the ſinging in the ſpirit. And the Miniſters maintenance which the Apoſtle ſaid, Have not I power to eat, and power to drinks? And as Chriſt ſaid, freely ye have received, freely give. This was not ſpoken to the Heathen, nor Jewes nor Gentiles, who were unconverted, but ſpoken among the Saints who was a Vineyard, and ſpirituall things ſown, and to ſuch as they were made partakers of their hope; which hirelings and thoſe that taught for filthy lucre, the love of money, that minded earthly things, that ſeek for their gain from their Quarter, that beare rule by their means, was all out from this, judged with the Prophets, Chriſt, and the Apoſtles, to be ſuch ſpirits, and have got the forme, and taught for the earth, and made the earth a Wilderneſſe, and ſuch got not out the Wheat, nor plowed but in vain, which is the plowing of the wicked which is ſin. So there is a great difference between them that Preach the Goſpel, the glad-tidings to all nations which relieved the oppreſt: for the oppreſt b ing relieved, immortality comes to the light, and life through the Goſpel: the wheat was gotten out, the ſpiritual things ſowen the vineyard planted, the flock was known, the milk was known, the corn gotten out: among ſuch ſome uſed their power to eat, ſome did not, (mark) that power that did not oppreſſe, that did not hurt. But all you that preacheth for Tythes, and will take money of them that ye do no work for, by a Law, and caſt into priſon if they will not give it, and take treble dammages; you bring not the glad tydings to the Nations, you are the oppreſſors of the Nations, of the Ju t; and are not helpers, and relievers of the oppreſſed: and ſo have made manifeſt your Apoſtacy: and to be Apoſtates out of the Apoſtles Doctrine; and out of the Goſpel the power of God, which the Apoſtle was in. But now ſhall the Goſpel be Preached that gives liberty to the oppreſſed, and ſtrikes down all the oppreſſors.

Pr. He ſaith, God ſends either mediately, or immediately: and he ſends by mans Miniſtry mediately, pag. 211. He ſaith, they pretend to no ſuch call of an Apoſtle, an officer in every Church as Paul, &c. pag. 213, And ſome are converted mediately ſent by man, with their mediate call. Page 214.

Anſw. All who are converted, are brought into the mediate, and converted with the immediate: there is none converted upon the earth, but it is with the immediate Spirit of God that mortifies. And all Miniſtry that is ſent of God, and from God, and called of God, where that ſpeakes to them, it is immediate, for whoſoever hears his voyce, it is immediate and powerfull. And all Miniſtry of man, ſent out by man (which is mediate) never converts any ſouls to God, for the ſoul is immediate, and mediate reacheth not to the immortal ſoul; but the immediate Miniſtry reacheth to the immediate immortal ſoul, and ſo Preacheth the immediate Goſpel to it the power of God. And all Miniſters that are ſent forth in the power of God; who are moved of God to ſpeak to any by the power of God, and the eternal Spirit of God, by the Holy-Ghoſt, that is immediate, and not of man, and that begets unto God, and converts them; that is immediate, not mediate, and they do as the power of God moves them which is immediate, and that is for God in that place. And they ſhall feel the Spirit of God in them witneſſing with that power, and the Spirit of God in another that ſpeakes to them. And the power of God is eternal, where it moves it is one, and the ſpirit of the Prophets, ſubject to Prophets. And all you ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles that do not not pretend to ſuch a call as the Apoſtles had, and to be ſuch officers as the Apoſtles in every Church; which we do believe you have not: you have ſhewed that the Holy-Ghoſt hath not made you overſeers; And you have declared your ſelves to the world to be ſuch as inwardly ravened from the ſpirit of God: and all to be but Miniſters of the letter, not of the ſpirit, and ſo onely have the ſheepes cloathing; So ye are ſuch as have brought people, and Nations to be all on heapes, and like waters: not made overſeers, as the Apoſtles was, not having the call as the Apoſtles had, ſo not by the Holy-Ghoſt, as the overſeers was by, not in the immediate power of God, as the Apoſtles was called withall, and was in; and ſo not Preachers of the Goſpel as the Apoſtles was, who was immediate, therefore theſe things have been wanting, the Holy-Ghoſt to make you overſeers, and the ſpirit the Apoſtles was in, which would cool and quiet all the ſpirits of the people. For want of this are ye all on heapes about Scriptures; But the Holy-Ghoſt opens it again to overſeers. And ſo ye that have ravened from the ſpirit of God inwardly, there is no talk among you to have the call as the Apoſtles had, and to be overſeers (as they were) over your Churches that we do believe, your fruits declares it. But the ſpirit it is witneſſed which the Apoſtles was in, which hath diſcovered you and your Church glory, be to the Lord God for ever.

Pr. He ſaith immediate teaching in the leaſt degree of God immediately is contrary to Daniel 9. and Timothy. And ſaith I am yet to learn the promiſe of immediate teaching of God. pag. 216. And women are excluded from this kinde of propheſie. 218. He ſaith Miniſters, paſtors, teachers having the grace of God, gift of propheſie, called out among Brethren to office, to overſee a flock, as Biſhops, of the Lords inſtitution: theſe are not ſo taught immediately. Page 220.

Anſw. All Biſhops, overſeers, officers are taught immediately that are of God, by the the ſame ſpirit, and the power that the Apoſtles was in, and owned, and allowed, by them: for the Holy-Ghoſt is immediate that gives them to overſee: and all who feels the grace of God, and turns it not into wantonneſs, feels that which is immediate. And ſuch as have turned the grace of God into wantonneſs, and walketh diſpitefully againſt the ſpirit of grace, and ſet up a heap of teachers after their own luſts, they are gone from the immediate grace of God that brings ſalvation. And all the teachings of God in the leaſt degree, is immediate, which brings them to open Parables, ſpeak forth Parables to the nature that is a top of the witneſs, that ſpirit is immediate, though they take a mediate Parable or compariſon, yet that ſpirit is immediate that gives them to underſtand the Parable aright. And the gift that was in Timothy that he was not to neglect, was immediate, whereby he came to diſcern on whom he was to lay on his hands, and on whom he was not, ſuddainly to lay upon any man, that was immediate. And that which brought Daniel to underſtand by writings in books was immediate; and that which brings to underſtand the Scriptures is immediate. I will pour out my ſpirit upon all fleſh, your ſons and daughters ſhall propheſie, and that is immediate, and propheſie is not to be quenched in the daughter, as well as in the ſon, in the male, and the female is one. And we do believe thee, and you all, who are Apoſtatized from the Apoſtles Doctrine, in the Apoſtacy, ravened inwardly from the ſpirit of God, ye are yet to learn the immediate teaching. So are the Antichriſts ſtanding againſt the light which Chriſt Jeſus hath enlightened every one withall that cometh into the world, the Covenant of God in the heart with which all people ſhall come to know the Lord, and be taught of God, that they need not ſay know the Lord.

Pr. He ſaith I conclude that immediate teaching did not onely furniſh men for a teachers or Miniſters function, but mediate wayes alſo. pag. 211. And the Quakers think it a lie againſt God to ſay the ſpirit is in the Letter, and Scripture, and is given by it, and makes a jangling about immediate teaching Page 222.

Anſw. There is no one is furniſhed for the work of the Miniſtry of God, but who is in the immediate Spirit of God, which is to Miniſter to the Spirit. And there is no one made a Miniſter of God by the mediate; but by the immediate, For who hath the ſpirit of God, the ſpirit of wiſdom and underſtanding, to ſing in the ſpirit, or pray in the ſpirit, it is immediate. And all that be out of that be in the earthly, ſenſual, and Devilliſh, periſhing knowledge, and that underſtanding muſt come to nought, and wiſdom muſt be confounded, and as for the word Function, it is thy own, and muſt come to nought. And the ſpirit is immediate that led the Saints to give forth Scripture. And the ſpirit is not in the letter, but it was in them that gave it forth. And them that have not the ſpirit in them, that was in them that gave it forth, and are diſobedient to that, are them that ſay the ſpirit is in the letter. And ſuch ſay that the teachings immediate is jangling, that be from the ſpirit that is immediate, ravened from it in their own particulars, ſuch are never like to beget to God: but are the Miniſters of the letter, not of the ſpirit; and by that which the Devil, and they are out of, are they comprehended who be in the jangling, and in the lie.

Pr. He ſaith Chriſt took up a Bible, and Preached on a text. And as for uſes, points, tryals, and motives, you muſt go to Titus 3.16.

Anſw. Chriſt who came to fulfill, took the book, and read, and ſaid it was fulfilled. He did not take a Text as you do, and lay half a year in it, as ſome of you: and have ten ſhillings a day for your pains, or more, or leſſe; but he ſaid it was fulfilled. And that place in Titus there is no word of motives, nor points, nor tryals nor uſes, as you pretend: though he who was in the faith did ſtudy to divide the word aright, in whom was the gift of God which was perfect. This is not like your divination of your brain, for money, which ye ſell weekly, nor your taking a text, and laying half a year in it; And thou hath ſhewed your ſelves to be the novices.

Pr. He ſaith, Though the righteouſneſs be wrought in us by the strength of Chriſt and be found in us that are ſanctified: yet as to Juſtification of a perſon Paul would not be found in it for a world. p ge 229.

Anſw. The righteouſneſs of Chriſt fulfilled in us, and be found in the righteouſneſs of Chriſt, that was the thing the Apoſtle ſtrove after (not in his own righteouſneſs) in that which ended the Law. And that righteouſneſs which is wrought in us by the ſtrength of Chriſt is Chriſts where ſanctification is witneſſed, this is Chriſts who is the end of the Law, and in this was the Apoſtle found, and ſtood for, which was out of the world.

Pr. And honour all men. And the fifth Commandment he brings for bowing the knee, and he ſaith putting off the hat is but a token of reſpect. Page 234.

Anſw. Honour all men, that is to have all men in eſteem, all men are had in eſteem, for Chriſt hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world, that they might all through this light believe, and he that doth not is condemned; and that will bring all men to ſeek the honour that comes from above that love it; but if they hate the light, they ſeek the honour that is below, that is of the firſt Adam in the tranſgreſſion, and that's the hat. But Chriſt the light that doth enlighten every man, &c. receives not honour of men; and the light of Chriſt which every man hath, &c. will not receive the honour of men. Now he that receives the honour of men, is of the firſt Adam, from the light in the tranſgreſſion. Earthly Adam looks for honour of the earth, theſe are the marks of an unbeliever. And the fifth Commandement doth not ſpeak of bowing the knee. And Jacobs bowing, and Davids bowing to Saul, &c. There is a time the elder muſt ſerve the younger. And Joſeph and Abrahams bowing before the heathen, and the reſt of bowings which thou ſpeaks of in the Scriptures, the old Teſtament. Chriſt is come, to whom every knee muſt bow, and tongue confeſſe to the glory of God; and not the Angels bowed down to, nor worſhipped. So ye have ſhewed whoſe Miniſters ye are of, that are crying up bending and bowing the knee, is not this like kiſſing of Baal, and bowing the knee to Baal? Now Chriſt is come, to whom every knee muſt bow down to him. And as for Maſter, ye have thrown your ſelves into that tranſgreſſion; (for Chriſt ſaith, Be not yee of men called master, for yee have one master even Chriſt, and ye are all brethren) and excluded your ſelves from among the brethren.

Pr. He ſaith Swearing is a part of Gods worſhip. pag. 235. And Chriſt was far from overthrowing the worſhip of God, And it was the formall part of an oath, when the Apoſtle Paul ſaid, God was his witneſs. pag. 238.

Anſw. Chriſt who ſaid God was a ſpirit, and would be worſhipped in ſpirit, and in the truth, ſaid, ſwear not at all, who was the oath of God that ended oaths; but ſaid, in all your communication let your yea be yea, and nay, nay, for whatſoever is more cometh of evill. And the Apoſtle was ſo far from ſwearing, who in the doctrine of Chriſt abode, as he ſaith above all things my brethren ſwear not at all, not by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath. Neither did any of the Apoſtles, though men that were in ſtrife ſwore, and their oath ended the ſtrife among them; and they ſwore by the greater, that is the true oath; But Chriſt, in whom is the peace, the covenant of peace, where ſoules comes to be one, and hearts one, who are the true brethren in him, are in the oath of God, the end of all oaths. For God when he could not finde a greater, ſwore by himſelfe that did not change, concerning of his Covenant with men that doth not change, in which men come to have peace with God. And ſo men ſwear by the greater, whoſe oath ends their ſtrife and controverſie. But God could not finde a greater, ſwore by himſelfe concerning of his Son the Covenant of God, which ends the ſtrife among men, and between God and man, and is the peace on earth, and good will towards men. Now the ſwearing of the Angels, the ſwearing of the Prieſts, the ſwearing of Jacob, and Joſeph, and David, and Solomon. Chriſt is the end of all theſe, the oath of God, in which their faith ſtood; and to which all the Angels muſt bend and bow to him that ſaith, ſweare not at all. But your ſwearing now is not like to the Jewes, for they ſwore by the Lord, not ſwore by the book of the Prophets writings; neither did they ſwear by the Tables in which the Law was writen. Neither did the Apoſtles nor the Saints ſwear by the Epiſtles nor Chriſts words after they were wri ten, and recorded: Now this is worſe then the Jewes, for they were to ſwear by the Lord from whom the Law came; they were to ſwear by the Lord of whom the Prophets learned, and not by the Tables, nor by the Prophets words. Now the heathen was to ſwear by Moloch, and to ſwear by Baal, and kiſt Baal; and the children of Iſrael to ſwear by the Lord, not to ſwear by any Writings or Declarations of the Prophets, or Moſes: Neither do we read that the Saints ſwore by the Epiſtles, or the Revelations, or Matthew, Marks, Luke or John, and kiſt it: For the true Chriſtians that wi neſſed Chriſt the end of the Prophets, the end of Moſes, a greater then Solomon, Him by whom the world was made before it was made, before Abraham was, which reigns over the houſe of Joſeph, and Jacob, to whom the Angels muſt bow, ſaith, ſwear not at all: This is my beloved ſon ſaith God, heare ye him.

Pr. He ſaith, A believer hath both the riſe and furtherance of his faith and evidence from what is written. And if the Scripture be a dead letter, and the word in the heart be one with the Scripture, then that in the heart is dead. page 246. Let them tell the world how the Scripture is the Declaration without contradiction, and yet the word in the heart. page 247.

Anſw. The Scripture as it lies, and is in it ſelfe, is a dead letter; but as the word is felt in the heart that gave it forth, then it is its own words. Now to them that be from the Word within, the dead mind, the dead letter. And ſo the words themſelves there gives not life to that, but as the words is raiſed up within; as it was in them that gave it forth: and that is it which gives life, and that ſees the Scriptures, and the fulfilling of them; and then that knows the Scriptures that cannot be broken, and in that the words ends, the word Chriſt: And that's it that gives life to all people, and ſaves the ſoule, which the Letter doth not, as it is in it ſelfe, without one have that which gave it forth, and that is not dead. And a believer, the author of his Faith is Chriſt, and the giver of it: And if he have all that is written, and be not in the light Chriſt, who is the author of his Faith, he wants the foundation of God that ſtands ſure, Chriſt Jeſus, that all the Fathers and holy men of God reſt in, in the faith before any Scripture was written, in him ſtood their faith, the foundation of God, Iſraels glory, the light of the Gentiles, this is that which fulfills all Scriptures, and ends the faith, the ſalvation. And the Miniſters of the Word that comes to fulfil the words, thoſe Miniſters of the Word, they took in hand to ſet forth in order a Declaration of the things wrought among them, which had a perfect underſtanding from the very firſt, of what Chriſt both ſaid and did: And ſo this Declaration was given forth to be read, believed, fulfilled, and people to enjoy the thing it ſpeaks of, that which the Apoſtles preached to Jewes and Gentiles, the new Covenant, the one offering, the blood of Jeſus Chriſt, him the end of the firſt Prieſthood, that Abraham ſaw, and David ſaw, and Moſes had the type of, the Prophets wrote of. Now who enjoyes him that theſe all ſpoke of, ſaw, and preached, they have the end, the comfort of the Scriptures. And here is the Declaration ſeen, and known; and here is the ſubſtance poſſeſt, and here is the words of God, and here is the Word of God that fulfills the words, which word was before the words, in which word the words end, and are all ſum'd up into.

Pr. For to ſay Chriſt and faith is not to be found in Scriptures, He ſaith, I hope no humble Saint will pin his faith upon this, &c. And they crying up thee and thou to a particular, &c. pag. 247.

Anſw. Chriſt was before the Scripture was written; and Chriſt is life (not found in a dead letter) nor faith, and he is the end of the Scriptures, and the ſubſtance of them; and many had the Scriptures, and could not finde faith in them, nor Chriſt, nor life. And Chriſt told the Phariſees he was the life, the Scripture teſtified of him, but they would not come to him that they might have life, who is the end and ſubſtance of the Scriptures, by whom the world was made. And as for the words thee and thou, and you who are ſtumbling at it, ſhews they have never learned their Accidence or Bible. So ſhort o the language of the ſpirit that teacheth to ſpeak ſound words that cannot be condemned, who are ignorant of the literall knowledge.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scriptures was breathed forth by the ſpirit of God; but we receive the ſpirit another way then they did as gave forth the Scriptures, and the Scriptures was given forth immediately: but thus the Scriptures comes not to us, nor the understanding of them. We have Books, and Canons, and printed Tranſlations in the Mother Tongue. page 248.

Anſw. All your Books, and Canons; and if ye have all the Scriptures printed in all the Languages of the world, and if ye have not the ſame immediate inſpiration that gave them forth, ye underſtand not the Scriptures. And we do believe you, that ye have not an immediate inſpiration as they had, nor do not receive the ſpirit as they did that gave forth the Scriptures, who are ravened from it; But who ever knows the Scriptures of truth, it is by the ſame ſpirit as gave them forth; with this, and by this is the Scriptures of truth, the excellent words known again to what ſtate and condition they were ſpoken.

Pr. He ſaith The ſpirit is in the Letter, or the whole Scripture. Page 254. And they that writ forth the Scriptures were imperfectly holy; but Gods Word was holy. To conclude the ſpirit is in the Letter, and given by it, daily experience demonstrates it. And they that owns not the ſpirits dwelling in the letter, have loſt their faith of the ſpirits preſence, and runs to other Goſpels and Doctrines, the ſpirit of errour is in all mens Doctrines that have not the ſpirit in them. page 255.

Anſw. The holy men of God that gave forth the Scriptures as they were moved by the holy Ghoſt; but the Apoſtle ſaid they were holy, and we ſhall believe him before we believe any of you apoſtate Teachers, which ſay they were not holy. And the ſpirit was in them that gave forth the Scriptures, received of God the Father of ſpirits, and dwells in God: And they that be from the ſpirit of God within which gave forth the Scriptures, are ſuch as follows their own ſpirits, and uſeth their tongues, and gets the good words, the ſheeps cloathing, deceives the hearts of the ſimple, and tels them the Spirit is in the Letter; which never did none of the experienced Saints ſay the ſpirit dwelt in the Letter; But did conclude the ſpirit dwelt in their hearts, the faith in their hearts, the light in their hearts, the word in their hearts, the anointing within them, God dwelt within them, Chriſt within them, the Law in their hearts, the witneſſe within them, the ingrafted word that ſaved their ſoules; the gift within, the hidden man in the heart, ſtrength in the inward man, the holy Ghoſt moved them, the ſpirit of the Father ſpoke in them, this led them to ſpeak forth Scriptures: And theſe never ſaid the ſpirit was in the Letter, as all the filthy dreamers ſay, who are in the ſenſuall ſeparation from the ſpirit of God, and in Cains, Cores, and Balaams way, turning the grace of God into wantonneſſe, ravened from the ſpirit of God inwardly, but wolves in ſheeps cloathing; Theſe are ſuch as have got the good words, but deceives the hearts of the ſimple, makes a trade of them, tells people the Spirit is in the Letter; and that is them that ravened from the ſpirit of God in their own particulars, and ſo they deceive people, and keep them from the ſpirit of God in their particulars; But the ſpirit that gave forth Scriptures is witneſſed, by which that is known, they cannot deceive any longer: who are reprobates concerning the faith, which crept into houſes before the Apoſtles deceaſe; which have kept people always learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, led away with divers luſts. So have kept people in ſpirituall Aegypt, and Sodome, and Gomorrah, and have been guarded with Magiſtrates and powers of the earth all over the world: But now is the Light breaking forth, and ſhining, that ye are all diſcovered. And ſo they have ſet up other Goſpels, and loſt the Faith, that tels people the Spirit is in the Letter, when the ſpirit and the faith was in them that gave it forth, and is to be in all them that knows it again, and knows God the giver of it.

Pr. He ſaith, He that is borne of the Spirit, is borne of the holy Word written. page 257.

Anſw. He that is borne of the ſpirit, is borne of that which gave forth the Scriptures, of the Word, which was before the Scriptures was given forth, which lets them ſee the end of the words: ſo cometh to dwell in God of whom they learned that gave forth Scriptures.

Pr. He ſaith, If ſetting the Scripture in the heart of every man be nothing elſe, but telling people they have a light of conſcience within them, and ſtirring up that light which every man hath that cometh into the world: They delude poor people, who never heard that light called Scripture before. page 257.

Anſw. Them that never heard the Scripture outwardly, the light that every man hath that cometh into the world, being turned to it, with that they will ſee Chriſt, with that they will know Scripture; with that they will be led out of all deluſion, come into covenant with God, with which they will come to worſhip God in the ſpirit, and ſerve him, and that is more then conſcience.

Pr. He ſaith, The light which John ſpeaks of, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, is a dim light, and it is a piece of the myſtery of Iniquity, as ſubtile as any Antichriſt, to ſay that the light ſhines in the darkneſſe, and ſhineth out of darkneſſe, the light of Chriſt for ſalvation. page 261, 262. He ſaith, Christ in you, the light in every man, is a poor, baſe, beggerly ſcrap. Page 264.

Anſw. And the lig t which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, is Chriſt the ſubſtance, the righteouſneſſe of God, and not beggerly; but all the beggarly, they be out of the light, and it is not dim, but all be in the dim that be out of him the Light, that with which he hath enlightned them. And all be in the myſtery of iniquity, and are Antichriſts, that ſeeth not the light that doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, where it ſhines, and where it ſhineth out of the darkneſſe. This the true Miniſters, who be in the ſpirit that gave forth the Scriptures, Miniſters of Chriſt within witneſſed and ſaw. And John was not antichriſt, nor Paul, who ſaid, Light ſhined in darkneſſe; and who ſaid, light ſhined out of darkneſſe; and who ſaid, this was the true light that lighteth every one that cometh into the world. Now ye are all ignorant of the Prophets before John, who ſaid, I will give him for a Covenant, for a light unto the Gentiles, and a new Covenant to the houſe of Iſrael, and to the houſe of Judah; mark! here was every man; and John the greateſt Prophet born of a woman, ſaith, this is the true light that lighteth every one, &c. Chriſt Jeſus, him by whom the world was made before it was made, in whom is life, and the life was the light of men: and the light ſhined in darkneſs, and the darkneſs comprehended it not.

Pr. The law written in every mans heart doth not condemn all ſin, nor the branches of it, not originall ſin, nor unbelief. pag. 266. He ſaith, To ſay that every man in his firſt ſtate is naturall, and every man in his firſt ſtate is as a beaſt, is a contradiction. And I every where deny the naturall light of every man; but I deny the higheſt degree of light to be here attainable: And the Saints light is not to be ſeen while we are under the Sun. And he ſaith, he knows he is more brutiſh then a man, and hath not the knowledge of the holy. pag. 272. And the light that ſhineth in the Scriptures, I profeſſe my ſelfe to know nothing; the least degree of it is above the higheſt degree of the light that every one that cometh into the world is enlightned withal. pag. 273.

Anſw. The light which every one that cometh into the world is enlightned withall, was before degre s, and ends degrees, and is not natural; for it was before the naturall was made, or created; and this bears not witneſſe againſt the naturall, the Sun, Moon, and Stars, but ownes them in their places; And the light which every one that cometh into the world is enlightned withall, which comes from Chriſt the Son, they not believing in it, it is their condemnation. And that which doth make manifeſt ſin, is light, and doth reprove, is light; yea, all ſin, branches, and roots, and originall, and unbelief, that which doth make it manifeſt is light; and where this light is that makes all this manifeſt, there is the law in the heart, and new Covenant written, the law and the ſpirit of life that makes free from the law of ſin and death. And the light which every man is enlightned withall, they believing and receiving it, they come into covenant with God, they come to know the Law of God in their hearts; that is the law of God in their hearts; the light which doth enlighten every man, &c. And every man is in his firſt ſtate, in the tranſgreſſion, many are worſe then Beaſts, and brutiſh; and what they know they know naturally, as bruit beaſts: And thee, and all of you, who are ravened from the ſpirit of God inwardly; what ye have known, it hath been naturall, as bruit beaſts; for ye are gone from the Spirit that ſhould give ye to know and underſtand, and ſo that is no contradiction. And we do believe thee (who looks for the light in the letter of Scripture) thou art brutiſh, and ſaith the light of Scripture is higher in the leaſt degree, then the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world. Alack for thee, the light which doth enlighten every man, &c. was before Scripture was given forth. And the Saints that do receive the light that doth enlighten every one, &c. receives Chriſt the perfect light, and doth receive God, and Chriſt, the ſubſtance, the end of degrees. And thou ſhalt never ſee the Saints light, while thou art looking at the Letter from the life within, which was in them that gave it forth; and the light ſhined in the hearts of them that gave forth the Scriptures.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scripture light, that is a ſtanding rule for our faith, and there is preſent light in it to guide men to ſalvation, and ſo are not immediate revelations and teachings. And the knowledge of Chriſt and eternall life is given forth in the letter. page 283.

Anſw. They that had Scriptures knew not ſalvation, and they knew not the rule, being erred from the ſpirit of God. And none knows ſalvation, but by the immediate teaching and revelation of Chriſt Jeſus the Son of God, the ſalvation. And if men have all the Scriptures given forth from God, they themſelves are not able to make men wiſe unto ſalvation without faith, which Chriſt is the Author of, who is the ſubſtance of what the Scripture ſpeaks of, and ſo they are not able of themſelves to guide men to ſalvation. Neither are they a rule of faith, but Chriſt is the Author of Faith, and the Spirit is the rule that gave them forth; and all that have them, and is not in the Immediate, knows them not, neither the Goſpell. And none knows eternall life, nor Chriſt (which is the Autho of life and faith, which was before Scripture was) by the Scriptures, but as they come into the life that they was in that gave them forth: And there is the life found, Chriſt found, Chriſt ſeen, him by whom the world was made before it was made; for the life, was in them that gave forth the Scriptures, by which they knew God, and eternall life, and Chriſt the Saviour, Abraham, the Prophet, and Moſes; So the life muſt be in all now, before they know Scriptures, or Chriſt, or God.

Pr. He ſaith, If the letter declares of Chriſts fulfilling, then we ſhould need to know no more of Chriſt then what for ſubſtance is in the Scriptures, then there is no need of immediate teachings. page 284. He ſaith, new Apoſtles, and doctrine diſcovered of a righteouſneſſe within them, and that is their juſtification. And this is as the ring-leaders of the Jewes among the Galatians. page 286. And the ſalvation which is to be wrought out with fear and trembling is not the ſame as made Moſes and David, Habakkuk and Paul tremble. page 287.

Anſw. The power of God is one, which threw down Paul, ſhook Habakkuk, and Moſes, and David, whereby theſe all came to know Chriſt; which power, who cometh into it, and into the infiniteneſſe of it, which raiſeth up the ſeed which is Chriſt, whereby the ſalvation is known, and wrought out with feare and trembling. And when ye all come to know this power that works out the ſalvation with fear and trembling, your reproaches will be laid aſide, for reproaching of ſuch whoſe ſalvation is wrought out with feare and trembling. And righteouſneſſe within, and ſanctification within is a new Doctrine to you that are inwardly ravened from the ſpirit of God ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, and ſo from the ſpirit of faith, from the hearing of faith; which they that drew the people to the Circumciſion without, went from the hearing of faith within, by which they ſhould be juſtified. So they that are come to the hearing of faith, they are come to the juſtification, and ſanctification within, and looks not to the Circumciſion and Baptiſme without: So this is an old doctrine, and not new, but to you Apoſtates. And though the Scriptures declares of Chriſts fulneſſe, and if people have all the Scriptures, that ſpeaks and declares of his fulneſſe (which you ſay you need know then no more of Chriſt then what for ſubſtance is in the Scriptures, and ſo no need of immediate teachings) we believe you; But none knows the fulneſs of Chriſt, but who comes into the immediate teachings. Your mouths may be full of Scripture, and uſe your tongues about the aints words, and running up and down, and the Lord never ſent you, ſaying, Thus ſaith the Lord, in Chap. and Verſe: And it is ſufficient that the Scripture ſpeaks of his fulneſſe; yet I ſay, you, nor none upon the earth never knew his fulneſſe, but as ye come to the light wherewith Chriſt hath enlightned you withal, in every one of your own particulars, though ye may have all the Scriptures; for they that knew the fulneſſe of Chriſt, and they that gave forth the Scriptures, had the ſpirit of God in them: So muſt every one that knows it, and them again.

Pr. He ſaith, If the Scriptures be a rule for thee and thou, then it is a rule for reſpect to ſuperiours: And keeping on the hat ſhewes the pride of the heart, and a lying ſpirit. He ſaith, they have not a growth of Perfection in this life, but a preſſing on. page 290. And he ſaith, the Prophets took Texts, and raiſed motives. And he ſaith, he that believes not our poynts from Scripture, ſhall be damned, that hee muſt tell him from Chriſt. page 299.

Anſw. Who are ſtanding up againſt thee, and thou, and the Hat, ſhewes the pride of their hearts, and be out of the humility, looking for an earthly honour, which before the honour is the humility. Nay, the Scripture is not a rule for the reſpecting of perſons, neither is the faith of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; they that do are out of the faith, and are convinced by the Law to be tranſgreſſors, and committers of ſin, and ſo out of the Law, and Faith, that reſpects perſons. And David, he ſaw the end of all that perfection, ſo he was paſt the growth of it, when he ſaw it end. And the Scriptures, and Chriſt, you know not, who are not come into the immediate teachings, nor have no need of that; who ſaith, the Scripture it is ſufficient that declares of Chriſt. And the Prophets did not take Texts, and raiſe Motives, and Uſes, and Reaſons, and lay in them halfe a yeare together, and ſell them for money, as ye do now ſince the days of the Apoſtles in the apoſtacy; But now I am come to reckon with you, and you ſhall have a portion, a reward according to your works: And I will ſlay you with the ſword, the words of my mouth, ſaith the Lamb. And your Poynts, and Reaſons, and Imaginations, which ye fetch out of Scripture, is but to lead people under condemnation, and keep them from the immediate teaching, and the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world: And James Parnells blood who dyed in the Priſon, that righteous man, his blood lies upon you, and that ſhall lye upon your heads ſparkling, and from under it ye ſhall never come, but ye ſhall own it. And the ſpirit of God levels down all the proud and lofty hearts of men, by which people are brought into unity with God, and one with another.

And the firſt day of the week which ye call the Sabbath, ye never read it in the Scriptures as a ſtrict command among the Apoſtles.

Pr. And the Magistrate is not to levell the Laws with the light in every mans conſcience. Again, If the Magiſtrate be in the Light, and diſcern into the minde of Christ, and underſtand his law. Is he to compell all the Nation, and Common-wealth, to come to the practice of his light? page 308.

Anſw. The Magiſtrate of Chriſt, the help-government for him, he is in the light and power of Chriſt, and he is to ſubject all under the power of Chriſt into his light, elſe he is not a faithfull Magiſtrate. And his Lawes here are agreeable and anſwerable according to that of God in every man; when men act contrary to it, they do evill: So he is a terrour to the evill doers, diſcerns the precious and the juſt from the vile, and this is a praiſe to them that do well.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scriptures is the more ſure word of prophecy that ſhines in the darke heart untill enlightned by the Law. And every mans light, &c. is the ſhimmerings of the law, and not of the Goſpel light: and it is the voyce of the ſpirit of unbelief that ſaith, the ſpirit and the power is not in the declaration. See his Appendix.

Anſw. The ſpirit and the power was in them that gave forth the Declaration, and many have the Declaration, and wants the ſpirit, and wants the power, as the Phariſees did; as all you Apoſtates inwardly ravened from the ſpirit of God, have had the Declaration, but not found the power in it, nor ſpirit in it, and ſo are in the unbelief, and are all on heaps about it: For if ye had found the power and the ſpirit in it, ye had been all one, and quiet before now about Religion; yea, whole Chriſtendome, in power, and in the ſpirit, and in the bond of peace, and in fellowſhip one with another, and the Scriptures, and the ſpirit, and God. And the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, every man being in the light which hath enlightned him, he ſhall feel the word of prophecy; he ſhal feel the light ſhining in his heart; he ſhall feel the Day-ſtar ariſe there in his heart, he ſhall ſee that no Prophecy of the Scriptures came by the will of man, but holy men of God ſpoke them forth. He ſhall ſee that many may have the Scriptures, yet quench the ſpirit & deſpiſe prophecying; he ſhall ſee the Scripture is but the Letter declared forth from the ſpirit of Prophecy, by the Prophets, and the ſpirit of God in the Son, and in the reſt of the Apoſtles. And the light which doth enlighten every one, &c. is the end of the Law, and all ſhimmering lights, and it is the light of the Goſpel. And none knows the Goſpel, the power of God, Chriſt Jeſus, but with the light that cometh from him. And here cometh every man into his particular comfort; And that is the voyce of the unbeliever like the Phariſees, that thought to have had life in the Letter, and would not come to Chriſt the life, the ſubſtance of Scriptures, but ſtops his eare to the light of God in him.

Pr. He ſaith, Let all know, that the worke within is not the ground and purchaſe of true peace: And that God is more pleaſed with that which Christ works without for them, then that which he worketh within them. And thoſe that Peter ſpeaks of, that had eſcaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of Chriſt, yea cleane, and yet are in the naturall ſtate, firſt, and last. See Appendix.

A. Them that have eſcaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledg of Jeſus Chriſt, and are clean, are out of the naturall ſtate, for they have eſcaped out of that ſtate which they were in firſt. And ſuch as witneſſe their Sanctification & Juſtification wrought within them, they witneſſe in this they pleaſe God, by the faith in the blood of the Son of God. Now they feel not the comfort, nor the benefit, but by the faith of Chriſt Jeſus, the one offering, in which God is pleaſed withall, which is acceptable, which is Chriſts offering, his ſacrifice, his fleſh, his blood, his life, his mind muſt be manifeſt, and received within, before they come to Juſtification, Sanctification, and Redemption, and the ſerving of God in the new life. And herein is God glorified, to believe in the onely begotten Son of God; and here they honour the Son in believing in him whom the Father hath ſent. And ſo they that feele not Chirſt in them, are Reprobates.

And as for all the reſt of thy lyes and ſlanders, and ſtrife, and confuſions, who would ſet one againſt another; all cool, and quiet ſober ſpirits will ſee thy confuſion, and ſo thy words ſhall be thy own burthen, and the lyes torn upon thy owne ſelfe. And no man ſhall eſtabliſh Sion, nor lay a ſtone there, as he is in himſelfe; but the Elect makes up Sion, and the living ſtones, where the elect and precious ſtone is in the midſt (which is Chriſt) laid in Sion. And all thy Babyloniſh wayes, actings, doings, and the reſt of all thy Brethren, and who are begotten with the ſame ſpirit of the great Whore, that inwardly ravened from the ſpirit of God, which long hath had the ſheeps cloathing upon your backs, who all come from one Popiſh flock, are comprehended now by the ſpirit of God which ye all ravened from inwardly, with it are ye all fathomed. And how the Whore hath been arrayed with the ſheeps cloathing, and hath had power over Kindreds, Tongues, and Peoples, and Nations, and Multitudes, and brought Nations into waters, and Peoples, and Tongues, Multitudes like waters, which have drunk the blood of the Prophets, and the Saints, and the Martyrs. And ſo thou art flattering the Authorities of the earth, and crouching under them, out of whoſe mouth goes the unclean ſpirit; But that is ſtirr'd and ſtirring, and riſing in people, which ye all ravened from, and went from, with which ye are all comprehended.

And the judgement of the great Whore is come, and her garments ſhall be plucked off, and that which ye all ravened from, high and low, ſhall anſwer the judgement, and it is ſet a top of you all. For ſuch as ravened from the ſpirit of God inwardly, got the ſheeps cloathing, but turned againſt the Saints, and the woman fled into the wilderneſſe; but now the Lamb and the Saints ſhall get the victory. Though now the Beaſt, and falſe Prophets, and mother of Harlots, and the Devill, and the Kings of the Earth ake war againſt him; He that was dead is alive, and lives for evermore. The Lamb ſlain from the foundation of the world, who rides on conquering, and to conquer, who ſlayes with the ſword, and kills with the ſword, which is the words of his mouth. Now wo to the Dragon, and falſe Prophets, Beaſt, and mother of Harlots, and them that worſhip the Beaſt, the unclean Spirits, Woes, Vials, Thunders, Plagues, Earth-quakes is come, and coming upon you: And he is manifeſt and come, that treads the Wine-preſſe alone without the City; who is the Wonderfull, Counſeller, the Prince of Peace, whoſe name is called the Word of God. With him are the Saints ſinging victory over the Beaſt, and the falſe Prophets, great Whore, mother of Harlots, Babylon, Antichriſts. Babylon is fallen, the Lamb and the Saints ſhall have the victory. The body of witch-craft in it thou art found, that all that reads thy Book, that be in the ſpirit of diſcerning, may ſee; whoſe body is redeemed, and reigns over thine in the glory and victory.

Ralph Farmer, his Booke, called, The great myſtery of Godlineſſe, and Ʋngodlineſſe. In which theſe PRINCIPLES are following, &c.

Pr. HE ſaith, The ſoule is of an immortall, and ſpirituall nature. And GOD hath made man to ſerve him in an outward and viſible way of worſhip.

Anſw. Chriſt ſaith, God is a ſpirit, and they that worſhip him, muſt worſhip him in ſpirit, and in truth, and is the Spirit without, and viſible, the Spirit that makes all that is contrary to bend, in that is God worſhipped? And others that ſay they are Teachers (as ye may ſee in this Book) ſay that the ſoule is humane, yea the ſoule of Chriſt, and thou ſaith, the ſoule of man is immortal, and a ſpiritual nature. Now the ſoule that gives the ſenſe and feeling of all things, is ſpiritual, and immortal, as it comes out from God, which is in Gods hand, whom Chriſt is the Biſhop of, the noble Principle that guides it, is the light and life.

Prin. He ſaith the eternal word enlighteneth all men with the common light of nature.

Anſw. The light which every man that cometh into the world is enlightened withall; is not natural. For the light was before any thing was made, and all things that was made, was made by it which lighteth every man that cometh into the world; though he be in the firſt Adam, in the ſin, and transgreſſion: which light to him doth make it manifeſt, which cometh from Chriſt the ſecond Adam, the way to the Father who was glorified with the Father before the world began: to reſtore that which the firſt loſt, and this is the obedient Son; and the other the diſobedient one, which brings the death upon him, and all his poſterity and all his houſe. So the ſons of Adam in the transgreſſion may ſay, and do ſay, that the light which Chriſt (the ſecond Adam, the Redeemer, and the Reſtorer, the ſalvation to the ends of the earth) doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world withall, ſay this is natural. And ſo that is to deceive people to keep them from the light, with which they might all ſee their ſalvation; and come to receive Chriſt by which they might have power to become the Sons of God.

Pr. The meaſure and degree it muſt be without thee. And it is a cheating to tell people of God within, and Chriſt within, and a word within, and they are without; which he calls a myſtery of meer confuſion, and emptineſs. Page 27.

Anſw. The degrees, and meaſures was in the Saints which ſpoke forth Scriptures, and knew the Scriptures; But thoſe that have the Scriptures, and are from their degree, and meaſure in themſelves, are without them. And Jeſus Chriſt is within except ye be reprobates. And where Jeſus Chriſt is within, the word is there and God is there; And this is the great myſtery of godlineſs. And where the power of God is ſet, the Croſſe of Chriſt is felt: for the Croſſe is the power of God. And if it be not the ſame Chriſt as did aſcend, it is Antichriſt, it is againſt him, and falſe: which now many hundreds, and thouſands do witneſs Chriſt within, him the Apoſtles preached; who have their Joy, and reward; who do poſſeſſe that which they long looked for. And all that ſtands againſt Chriſt within and God within, and the word within, and the Croſſe within, the power of God; they be reprobates, and in the myſtery of confuſion.

Pr. The Apoſtle bid Timothy to Preach the word in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon, &c. not immediate Revelation. pag. 32. And the time will come, they will not endure ſound Doctrine, but after their own luſts they will heap up to themſelves teachers, having itching ears, turning to fables, immediate Revelations. Page 35.

Anſw. There is none can Preach the word in truth, but who Preach it immediately and by the immediate ſpirit, and knowes immediate Revelations. And all that be in the Faith as Timothy was, they be in the immediate Revelations, the gift of God. But the Apoſtle ſeeing ſuch as would not endure ſound doctrine, would get up teachers after their own luſts, as covetous, and minded earthly things, and evil beaſts, that ſerve not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt but their own bellies. Such the Apoſtle bid Timothy, and Titus examine before they Miniſtred, prove them, and lay hands on no man ſuddainly and keep himſelf clear, not preferring one before another. And ſuch as went into their own luſts got up heaps of teachers; loſt the immediate Revelation, and the immediate word of God, and erred from the faith that purifies the heart and gives victory: in which people have unity. And ſuch now that are got into the luſts that cannot endure ſound doctrine, loſt the Revelation, and ſpeaking the word immediately have ruled, and reigned: of whoſe generation thou Farmer art. And people have heaped to themſelves teachers after their own luſts; and that is the cauſe of all the ſtrife, and wars amongſt them: and teachers denying the immediate Revelation; and Preaching the word of God immediately have declared your ſelves to be the falſe prophets openly to the Nation, that never heard the voyce of God, nor Chriſts voyce; nor the voyce of the ſpirit, nor Miniſtry of the ſpirit, which all ſ eak immediately, And the Apoſtle ſaw them come up before his deceaſe. Therefore he chargeth Timothy to Preach the word in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon; which word is immediate; And ſo ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles (ye have reigned) of Timothy, and Titus; and transformed your ſelves as Apoſtles, as the Miniſters of Chriſt, and gotten the form, the ſheepes cloathing, the outſide; but no immediate Revelation, we do believe you really it is ſo. So you are all Miniſters of the letter in your own luſts, for the word of God is immediate. And ye are ignorant of the grace of God which is brought at the Revelation of Jeſus; And ignorant of the Son of God who reveals the Father; And ignorant of the ſpirit of God which reveals the deep things of God, to the Minſters of the ſpirit. But Revelation is ceaſed ſay you, and the reſt of your generation do diſcover it. And thou ſayes they went after the fable , itching ears, immediate Revelation. Nay they that went from the immediate Revelation and turned into fables they had itching ears, as all whole Chriſtendom may, witnes the itching ears, how are they itching abroad, their ears without and cannot endure ſound Doctrine; and all inwardly ravened from the light which doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, whereby with which every man might ſee the Authour of his faith, in which is the unity. And how have you broken into Sects, and heapes, and into fables, and heapes of teachers after your own luſts, and there burning after them, and broken wedlock with Chriſt: and ready to burn, and priſon one another about Miniſters maintenance, Churches, as whole Chriſtendom diſcovers it. But I ſay it is better to marry then to burn.

Pr. He ſaith, That this God who is the Creator, is eternally diſtinct from all creatures. pag. 53. That Chriſt being God onely in one mans perſon, remains a diſtinct perſon from all creatures and Angels. Page 55.

Anſw. This is contrary to Scripture. The Saints bodies are the Temples of God, and he will dwell in them, and walk in them, and he will be their God, and they ſhall be his people, and this is to them that witneſſe the new Covenant and Chriſt in you the hope of glory; and he is within you except ye be reprobates. And them that eat not his fleſh, and drink not his blood, have no life in them: and they that eat his fleſh, have his fleſh in them. And the Saints are not diſtinct from him, for they ſate with him in heavenly places, and he is in them, and they in him; And Chriſt in you the myſtery, the hope of glory, and he is the head of the Church, and ſo not diſtinct.

Pr. He ſaith God is diſtinct in his being, and bleſſedneſs from all Creatures; And that God who is the Creator is eternally diſtinct from all creatures. Page 62.

Anſw. God is a ſpirit, and he dwells in his Saints, and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him; In him we live, and move, and have our being, who is in all, and through all, and over all, God bleſſed for ever. And the ſpirit of the Father ſpeakes in the Saints, and he makes his abode with them; And the Saints have fellowſhip with the Father, and the Son, ſo not diſtinct; ſo theſe keep people from unity with God, and out of his knowledge, which the knowledge of God ſhall come to cover the earth, as the waters cover the Sea. And while any are ſeparated from the Lord it is their miſery; and diſtinct from him they are from the Spirit of God in their own particulars, and are not Saints; But ſuch as come to walk in the ſpirit, they have fellow-ſhip with him, and lives in his preſence, and ſeeth his face, and behold his glory, and ſtands in his Councell, and hears inſtruction, and they are one; he that ſanctifyeth, and they that are ſanctified are all of one. And ſo God was in Chriſt reconciling the world unto himſelf, though ſin and iniquity had ſeparated, who breakes down iniquities bonds, and brings light, life and immortality to the light, through the power which is the Goſpel, whereby fellowſhip and unity comes with God, and not diſtinct, and his bleſſing and bleſſedneſſe felt; for they that have unity with God, they have unity with his bleſſing, and they that have fellowſhip with God know his bleſſedneſs.

Pr. He ſaith if any man that cometh into the world have a ſufficient light within him to lead him unto ſalvation, then there is no abſolute need of a Saviour, and this is to offer violence to Chriſt. Page 73. 74.

Anſ. Every man having a light from Chriſt the Saviour of the ſoul; him by whom the world was made before it was made, which none ſees the Saviour but with the light which comes from him. And none ſeeth the offering, and the blood of the offering; but with the light which cometh from him, the blood of the ſecond Adam the Lord from heaven. And all that doth deny the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, knowes not Chriſt nor ſalvation. But they being from the light, and out of the light which Chriſt hath enlightened them withall, they are out of the truth as the Devil is. And ſo he can confeſſe Chriſt without as they do, not within: now none ſeeth ſalvation, the Saviour Chriſt Jeſus but with the light which he hath enlightened them withall, that is within.

Pr. That the holy Scriptures is the rule of knowing God.

Anſw. The Phariſees had the Scriptures but knew not God, knew not Chriſt, nor none doth but who be in the life that they was in that gave forth Scriptures, with which they learned of God the Father of life, and ſtood in his Councell.

Pr. He ſaith, Chriſtian, wouldſt thou have another righteouſneſs then that of Chriſt wrought in thee? I know thou wouldſt, and muſt have, if ever thou be ſaved, then the righteouſneſs of Chriſt wrought within thee for thy ſanctification, but to rely upon another righteouſneſs for thy juſtification, the righteouſnes of Chriſt without thee. p g. 70. And it is a blaſphemous opinion and filthy puddle for to ſay the righteouſneſs of Chriſt within. And I had rather be a Papiſt, then a Quaker.

Anſw. The righteouſneſs within, ſanctification within hath been loſt ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in the Apoſtacy amongſt you and the Papiſts; And they that witneſſe a righteouſneſs within, ſanctification within they are not in the blaſphemous opinion, raking in a puddle. And I know, that thou hadſt rather turn to the Papiſts, then to the Quakers: for they was your root which ye came from (the Papiſts,) who firſt erred from the faith, and ſo loſt the righteouſneſs within, and juſtification and ſanctification. And I ſay, none comes to witneſſe ſalvation, and to be ſaved, but who witneſs Chriſt within, their ſanctification, and juſtification, and redemption, and the others are reprobates. And all upon the earth that can talk of a righteouſneſs without them, and ſanctification, and juſtification without them, and a Chriſt without them, and not within them, they are reprobates; for Chriſt is the righteouſneſs of God, and the ſanctification and the juſtification of man from the Law, and its works, who ſtands between God, and man. So he is the redemption, who Redeemes man out of the fall, which he fell into; and he doth ſanctifie him, and he doth juſtifie him, and this is all found within: and this not being, found within, he is reprobate. And ſo none are ſaved but who witneſſeth this within. They have the letter, (the wolves,) the ſheepes cloathing, the ravenors inwardly from the Spirit of God, and thoſe are them that denyes it within.

Pr. He ſaith, The ſpirit ſpeaketh expreſly that in the latter times ſome ſhall depart from the faith, giving heed to ſeducing ſpirits, and Doctrines of Devils ſpeaking lies in hypocriſie, having their conſciences ſeared as with a hot Iron forbidding to marry, and abſtaining from divers meats. Page 73.

Anſ. Before the Apoſtles deceaſe he ſaw theſe things come up: and the ſpirit ſpeakes this, mark! it ſpeakes expreſtly. Now ſince the Apoſtles deceaſe the things have been fulfilled; the faith hath been departed from the unity among all Chriſtians hath been loſt, in all Chriſtendom, on heapes have they all run, deſtroying one another about the Scriptures, Churches, Miniſtry, yea for maintenance, from the ſpirit ye have departed to ſpeak, ſo out of the unity of it, which is the bond of peace, which ſhould have kept peace in all Chriſtendom, and all the Profeſſors of Chriſt, it ſhould have kept them in peace, and in it is the unity. From that ye have ravened, you and the Papiſts, and all Sects upon the earth. So ſome forbiding of meats, and forbiding to marry, whoſe conſciences are feared as with a hot iron. The Devils Doctrine, ſpeaking lies in hypocriſie, and giving heed to ſeducing ſpirits, you are the ſpirits that inwardly ravened from the Spirit of God, that deny immediate Revelation, and hearing the voice of God immediately, theſe are the ſeducing ſpirits, and keepes all people in the burning and heating luſts, from the marriage of the Lamb, all the ſeducing ſpirits doth that deny Revelation, immediate inſpiration, hearing the voyce of God immediately from heaven now as ever. And therefore their fruits declares they are burning one againſt another, deſtroying one another about their Religion, and Miniſtry, their conſciences ſeared as with a hot iron, tenderneſs loſt, and gone, deſtroying people, and caſting into priſon for their bellies, for maintenance, for Tythes. So ye have got up your Church which was a Maſſ-houſe and Tythes, and ſprinkling Infants who have had the time of compelling others to worſhip. But the day is breaking, the light is ſpringing, life is riſing, and glory is appearing, your Torment is coming, and you can be no longer hid.

Pr. He ſaith, Beware of falſe prophets, there ſhall be falſe prophets among the people, which ſhall bring in damnable hereſies, denying the Lord that bought them, bringing upon themſelves ſwift deſtruction, and many ſhall follow their pernicious wayes, by reaſon of whom the way of truth ſhall be evil ſpoken. As Jannes, and Jambres withſtood Moſes, ſo do theſe reſiſt the Truth: but they ſhall proceed no further; for their folly ſhall be made manifeſt to all men, as theirs was.

Anſw. Chriſt ſaid Antichriſt ſhould come, falſe prophets ſhould ariſe, to his Apoſtles before their deceaſe, they ſaw they was come, as Peter and John declares already in the world, whereby they knew it was the laſt time, and they went forth from them, (the Apoſtles) and in the Revelations the whole world went after them, that the Nations come to be like waters, and the peoples waters, and their tongues waters, and multitudes waters; ſo many followed their pernicious wayes, by whom the way of truth hath been evil ſpoken of by you and them both, And they brought up the damnable Hereſie: and are as Jannes, and Jambres, being men of corrupt minds, and are Reprobates concerning the faith; But they ſhall proceed no further, for now is their folly made manifeſt, and ſhall be made manifeſt to all men. Doth not the very heathens cry out againſt Chriſtendom, of the hardneſs of their hearts, and of their unrighteous dealings, of their actions, and cauſeth the way of truth to be ſpoken of by you that are called Chriſtians! Is not the damnable Hereſie among you? Are not you run into all heatheniſh wayes, to ſet up Temples and Tythes, and Prieſts, and Schooles, and Colledges, and never heard the voyce of God, as ye confeſſe, as may be ſeen in this book? Is not all this trumpery, and traſh come up, and fables among the Papiſts, and you ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles? And do not you deny the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, The grace of God which brings ſalvation which hath appeared unto all men, to bring every man to a teacher? And doth any one know the Lord that bought them but who owns the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world? Doth not all deny the Lord that bought them that doth deny the light? Doth any ſee the Lord, and his blood that bought them, and purchaſed them, but with the light that cometh from him? And are not you all as Jannes and Jambres that withſtood Moſes to have kept the people in Egypt? Are not you all denying the light that doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world? And was not all them that inwardly ravened, got the ſheeps cloathing; which Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, which the Apoſtles ſaw was come, went forth from them, the whole world went after, are not all theſe in the witchcraft, Sorcery, Inchantment, Negromancy, wizards, familiar ſpirits, witches that doth deny the light, that doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world? Hath not Babylon, the mother of Harlots, Beaſt, falſe Prophet, unclean ſpirits, Dragon, and Antichriſts, and deceivers, all theſe been up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles? And the great whore that deceives the Nations, dreſt with the ſheepes cloathing, and hath not this been the myſtery of Iniquity, which hath ruled ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles? That cryes propheſie is ceaſed, and ſlayes the Prophets, and none can keep the commands of God, and made War againſt them that keep the commands of God, and calls the Scriptures the teſtimony, and the Law, and makes War againſt them that have the Law in their hearts, and the ſpirit of propheſie? and haſt not thou manifeſted thy ſelf to be of this number, and of the ſtock of the great whore, that hath drunk the blood of the Saints and Martyrs and the Prophets?

Pr. Art not thou crying to Magiſtrates, Help; ſtop the mouths of Blaſphemers? In page 23. And ſtirring up the zeal of the Magiſtrates, and ſhewing them the zeal of the Jewes Magiſtrates; how they did tear their clothes off at blaſphemers in thy page 31. And ſaith thou could rejoyce that they would breath ſuch an ayre throughout all the Engliſh Quarters and wouldſt not that the Quakers ſhould have Countenance from the Magiſtrates.

Anſw. Now thou haſt made thy ſelf manifeſt, that thou haſt not the ſpiritual weapons: And thou maiſt well deny immediate Revelations; was it not in all ages ſuch as pretended themſelves to be Miniſters, that had not the life that gave forth Scriptures, that called to the Magiſtrates, to ſtop the mouthes of Blaſphemers? was not the mouth of the Prieſts againſt Chriſt to the Rulers at the Counſell, And againſt the Apoſtles, and againſt the Prophets? And is it your mouth now to your Magiſtrates in the Apoſtacy ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles? But do you think that the Magiſtrates will let you get a top of their backs, and gallop upon them, to be their executioners? If ye be Miniſters that have the Spirit of God; ſtop the mouthes of the gain-ſayers, for never did the Apoſtles, nor the true Church wreſtle againſt fleſh and blood; But they ſtruck at the power that captivated the Creatures, to the intent that the Creatures might come into the Libertie of the Sons of God. But thy fruits hath ſtunck about thee, and your fruits; how Barbarouſly the Saints have been uſed among you, (and true Chriſtians in the ſpirit) and ſo them that make War againſt the Saints, are ſuch that inwardly ravened from the ſpirit, and ſo got the ſheepes cloathing, and turned againſt them that had the Spirit of God: ravened from the Spirit of God inwardly, loſt the ſpiritual weapons, and had onely the ſheepes cloathing, and that would not carry them out in the time of need, and ſo was fain to flie to Magiſtrates, to the carnal weapons: and ſo by this means in all ages the righteous have been ſlain by them that had the Scriptures; but from the ſpirit that gave them forth, and all the Saints upon the earth have been ſlain by them that have been from that of God in their own particulars, which now that is awakened by which men come to be turned unto God. And ſo you now that do deny the light that doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, that preach, men ſhould have ſin while they be upon earth, and the body of it, and imperfection are ſuch as have led people captive all their life times, with the form of godlineſs without the power; And keepes people in ſpiritual Egypt, Sodom, and Gomorah in filthyneſs, and darkneſs, where Chriſt was crucified by them whoſe ears were ſtopt to that of God in them, and that was ſpiritual Egypt. And ſo are all you that be inwardly ravened from the Spirit of God in your own particulars: yet having a form of godlineſs, denying the power, you are from that of God ravened inwardly. Ye are like to be reprobated concerning the faith, ye are not like to lead people to the knowledge of the truth: but like to keep them in the divers luſts, laden with their ſins, and alwayes learning, never able to come to the knowledge of truth; there is all the witchcraft, and ſorcery, and inchantments, and familiar ſpirits; and ſuch doth deny the light which doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world.

And as for all thy lies, and all thy ſlanders, and reviles, they will be thy own clothing: and wear thy own garments thou muſt; and they will cover thee in darkneſs in the day of thy judgement, when thy works are tried with fire, the witneſs in thy conſcience ſhall anſwer, I am a friend to thy ſoul. And thy ſhame, and folly and wickedneſs thou haſt publiſhed to the Nation, which all ſober people ſee thy folly; and thy ſilence had been better to have Preached thee a ſober man. But novices, and fools muſt utter their folly. And the Truth is gone over ye, and thou ſhalt feel it one day when thou and thy works are tryed with the fire. And Eternally ſhalt thou witneſſe •• ey are Judged, and condemned.

Edward Boules, who calls himſelf a Teacher of the Goſpel at Yorke, in his Book he calls, The duty and danger of Swearing, opened as he ſaith, in a Sermon preached at Yorke, the day of ſwearing the LORD MAYOR. This is the Title of his Book which he directs to Stephen Watſon, Lord Major, the Aldermen and Common Councel of that Citie; whoſe work is to teach them to break the commands of Chriſt, throughout his Book, in that which he calls a SERMON.

Pr. FIrſt, he ſayes, Christ brought down the rigteouſneſſe of the Scribes and Phariſees, and how that the Phariſees wreſts the Scriptures, or made the Scriptures to bend to their own righteouſneſſe.

Anſw. This is your own condition, and the Papiſts, who cannot own the Scriptures as they ſpeak; but you will make the Scriptures bend to your own wills, and wreſts them as the Phariſees did, and as you and the Papiſts do Chriſts words, who ſayes, Swear not at all, and you ſay ſwear. How now, Edward Bouls, who makes the Scriptures bend now? Thou teaches men ſhould ſwear, and Chriſt ſaid, Ye ſhall not ſwear at all, and ſo art an Antichriſt, and againſt the Doctrine of Chriſt, and teacheſt thy own tradition for doctrine, and makes the commandement of Chriſt of none effect. He that's againſt the doctrine of Chriſt, is an Antichriſt, and ſo the Papiſts and Proteſtants, and Phariſees all are found ſwearers out of Chriſts Doctrine, that ſayes, ſwear not at all, and yet in your pride will make a trade of his words, and a talking of his words to get money by.

Pr. Thou ſayes, Chriſt came not to deſtroy the Law; and it hath deceived ſome to ſay, Swear not at all. The Scriptures muſt not be taken in generall termes; for Paul ſaid, he became all things to all men: And Chriſt, and our Saviour his intent is this, that we ſhould not ſwear as we were wont to do, for the word Generall, not at all must be interpreted: ſo that you ſee it is the ſcope and circumſtance of this place, that this Swear not at all be interpreted, vain and unneceſſary cuſtomes, and abuſe of ſwearing among the Jewes: and it is not unlawfull to ſwear, but to all men not onely a liberty, but in juſt caſes a duty of ſwearing, and part of divine worſhip, not Ceremoniall or Mutable, there's no ſhadow or type in it. An Oath is for confirmation and the end of ſtrife, it gives the laſt peale to all differences, and gives a great honour to God, and is the proper end of worſhip, and conſequently a great honour.

Anſw. They are deceived that breaks Chriſts commands; for when he ſays, ſwear not at all. He ſayes, in all your communication let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay, for whatſoever is contrary is evill. So he layeth down no other Doctrine that men ſhould practice then not to ſwear at all, but yea, yea, and nay, nay, them that goes any further, go into the evill; whatſoever is more is evill. So minde theſe 3 things, and the Apoſtle becoming all to all men, yet not without the Law of Chriſt [Mark] the Law Chriſt, which was Swear not at all, ſo ſtill that's agreeable to Chriſts words; the Scripture is taken generall, and Chriſt ſaid, It hath been ſaid to them of old time, thou ſhalt performe the oath of the Lord. Chriſt ſaid ſo, that comprehended time that was the end of that old time where had been the ſwearing; But I ſay unto you now, Sweare not at all; and ſo it was not the frivolous oaths that was among the Jewes that ſwore, but it was true oaths that Chriſt brought them off, the oath that was to be performed to the Lord, which Chriſt the oath of God ended, who comprehends time, and told them the danger, if they went any farther then yea and nay: And ſo your interpreting the Scripture, which are the private Interpreters, is but to wreſt them to your own earthly wills; and that which oppoſeth the commands and doctrine of Chriſt, brings not honour to God, is not a part of his worſhip, nor is not divine, but in that which is out of truth (for none worſhips God but who is in Chriſt, who ſayes, ſweare not at all, who is the end of the Law and the Prophets, and Oaths) and is but one of your dark conſequences, and ſo it is not mens duty in any caſe to ſwear; for the duty of man is to keep the commands of Chriſt, and there is none that is juſt that will ſwear, that obeys the commands of Chriſt; but ſuch ſwears who are unjuſt, and they be out of that which gives the laſt peale, and ends all differences, which ends all oaths, and all ſtrife, and all controverſie, which is Chriſt Jeſus the covenant of God; for ſtrifes, controverſies, and differences is without the covenant of Light and Life, Chriſt Jeſus, the oath of God; and ſo thou art not a Miniſter of Chriſt, that brings people back to the Law, and tells them it is lawfull to ſweare: Here the Papiſts and thee art one, both oppoſing the commands of Chriſt, which would make people believe it was the frivolous oaths among the Jewes that Chriſt brought them off, and not of the true oaths, and ſays it was not a ſhadow. I ſay yes, it made peace, and ended the ſtrife amongſt men, the oath of God that was ſworn by the Lord; but Chriſt the oath of God ends the ſtrife, and ends thoſe oaths that men were to ſwear by the Lord: So it was typicall and ceremoniall, and was to change, and was mutable; for Chriſt that comprehends time, ſayes in the old time the oath muſt be performed to the Lord; but I ſay unto you now Swear not at all: So that was to be changed, and it did type forth ſomething. There you may ſee the ſubſtance of it, Chriſt the oath of God, in which men have peace, who ends the ſtrife between men and God, who makes all things new: And ſo they that bring men to the ſwearing, bring men into the evill; And they that bring men to the Law and Prophets that ſpeaks of ſwearing, brings men from Chriſt who is the end of the Law and Prophets into the old time.

Pr. The ground and occaſion of Oaths yet remains, and ſo a uſefulneſſe of Oaths for the ending of Controverſies, which must be establiſhed by Oaths for the ending of humane ſocieties. The Apoſtates taking for granted, that the Christian Religion did forbid all Oaths, it is falſe and ridiculous; for the Prophet ſaid, every tongue ſhall ſwear: And thou ſhalt ſwear by my name, Deut. And men verily ſwear by the greater: And men and Angels have made uſe of Oaths to confirme the truth, and avenge falſhood. I ſee not how ſwearing by any creature can be exempted from idolatry: He that ſweareth muſt do it righteouſly in a lawfull juſt matter Thoſe that ſwear falſely are highly guilty of offence against the God of truth. Can a Blackmore change his skin, or a Leopard his ſpots?

Anſw. Chriſt who hath ended oaths, who ends controverſies amongſt men, and brings them to peace one with another, and with God, and ends the Law, and fulfils it, and doth not break it, and ends the Prophets who ſware, and Chriſt is the end of the Law to every one that believes; and your humane ſocieties, which be of the earth from the ground, amongſt whom is the oaths, the ſwearing, be out of the doctrine of Chriſt, and knows not the end of the Law and the Prophets, and they be the Apoſtates, and falſe, and ridiculous, apoſtatized from Chriſt and the Apoſtles doctrine, that ſwear, and teach men ſo, and are not the true Chriſtians: and ſo you that will ſwear, will forſwear, which be out of the truth; for the truth Chriſt ſaith, Swear not at all: And the Apoſtle ſayes, above all things my brethren ſwear not at all. So you be the falſe brethren apoſtatized from the truth, and are come to be as black as the Aethiopians and the Black moors, and the cuſtome of the ſin of your ſwearing doth take away the ſenſe. And men and Angels ſwearing, and the ſwearing by the greater: And to the Lord every tongue ſhall ſwear, and performe their oaths to him; and they were to ſwear by the name of the Lord.

Now Chriſt, to him the Angels muſt bow; and as the people had ſworn by Baal, ſo the Prophet brought them to ſwear by the Lord to change their forme, to ſwear by the Lord as a true oath, and perform it to him; But Chriſt the end of the Prophets and the Law, as I ſaid before, and the true oath; for ſaith he, It hath been ſaid to them of old time, thou ſhalt performe thy oath to the Lord; that was a true oath, not a falſe oath, let all take notice of that. But I ſay unto you now, ſweare not at all: So he came to end the true oath Chriſt, the oath of God. And ſo though the Angels, or men in ſtrife, or Prophets, or Moſes, the Law ſaid ſwear: Yet Chrſt, who comprehends time before the world was made, who came to end that old time, ſayes, Sweare not at all, but yea and nay in all your communications, and whatſoever is more then theſe cometh of evill. And many men are undone by theſe falſe oaths, and by ſwearing: And you that call your ſelves Miniſters of the Goſpell, and teach men to ſwear; and Chriſt ſays ſweare not at all, have brought another Doctrine, and ſo are to be accurſed.

And again, do not you ſwear by the Bible, by the Prophets, and Moſes, & Chriſts, and the Apoſtles words? and ſwear by the Evangeliſts, and Chriſt ſays, ſwear not at all? What a perverſe generation of people, of men, are ye Profeſſors and Teachers and people? What an unchriſtian ſpirit have you? And ſee, have you not brought the judgement upon your ſelves to be the Idolaters? For the true oath was by the Lord among the Jewes, and you ſwear by the Evangeliſts, and the Bible that tells you you ſhould not ſwear. Did ever the Prophets ſwear by Moſes words? or Moſes by Enochs? or the Apoſtles by the Prophets or Chriſts words? Now is not this a frivolous oath to ſwear by the Bible, which ſayes, ſweare not at all? And worſe then the Jewes that ſwore by the Temple, who was to ſwear by the Lord, and to performe the oath to him? Which that oath Chriſt ended, and brought men out of ſtrife, and the earth into peace with God to the beginning, to the glory which was with the Father before the world was began, who brings the peace on earth, and good will towards men. And do not you that ſwear by the Bible, ſwear by all thats contained in it? like as the Jewes ſwore by the Temple? and ſo hath not the Bible judged you? Here Chriſts words and the Apoſtles that tells you ye ſhould not ſweare, and yet you ſwear. And if yee ſay the Prophets, and Moſes, and Abraham, and Jacob, and Joſeph, and the Angels ſwore, and men of Strife ſwore; Doth not Chriſt and the Apoſtle tell you he is the end of the Prophets, a greater then Solomon? David called him Lord Before Abraham was; reignes over the houſe of Jacob and Joſeph, to him the Angels bow, ſayes ſweare not at all. This is my beloved Son, hear him, is the end of the Law and the Prophets to him that believes, which hears him; But it ſeems you will not hear him that are the ſwearers and forſwearers: And the Apoſtle brings that concerning an oath is the end of controverſie among men of ſtrife; and men ſwear by the greater: Yet they ſware by the Lord, he brings the example, not that men ſhould ſwear; but ſhewing how God could not finde a greater, ſware by himſelfe concerning his Son, who is the oath of God, the end of Oaths, and the true oath that men ſwear that ends the ſtrife: He brought peace on earth, and good will towards men, that ended that oath, and brought men to unity to God, and one another, out of the Earth to the beginning.

Pr. That Oaths are to be performed if the Scriptures were ſilent: The Law of Nature and Nations would ſpeak loud in this point, becauſe of the particular miſcarriages in humane Societies: Therefore ſayes the Lord, Mine oaths ye deſpiſed, and my covenant ye have broken. It would be a great diſhonour to the nature of an Oath, if it ſhould tye any man to diſobey the commands of God. Governours are ready to thinke it their great ſecurity to eſtabliſh themſelves by Oaths.

Anſw. The commands of Chriſt, let the Law (as ye call it) of Nature and Nations cry never ſo loud for ſwearing, who ſtabliſh themſelves by ſin and trangreſſion in the earthly humane ſocieties, the commands of Chriſt forbids ſwearing: And I know that the Law of Nations, and the Nationall Laws have ſworn by ſeverall Heathen gods and Idols, as the Jewes ſwore by the Temple, and you by the Evangeliſts; and Chriſt ſayes, ſwear not at all, and his Apoſtles. And here's great out-cries for oaths, but here is a cry from the Lord Chriſt, ſayes ſwear not at all: And oaths was in the Covenant, which Covenant was to change (mark that) Oaths deſpiſed, and Covenant broken. This was the firſt covenant in which were the oaths that was to change and decay; which Chriſt came to end both Covenant and Oaths, and bid them ſwear not at all, and took away the firſt covenant, that he might eſtabliſh the ſecond. And ſo as the Jewes brake the firſt covenant, and deſpiſed the Lords oath which was to ſwear by himſelf, who is the greater, and to him to perform it: So you deſpiſe his covenant, his Son, the everlaſting covenant, that ends oaths, and the firſt covenant, that are teaching men to ſwear, and ſo there is ſwearing and for-ſwearing. The lamentable work and doings as you may ſee in your Courts, how they will ſwear a man hath ſo much when he hath not halfe ſo much, as the Writs and Indictments, and all their bad ſtuff declares it. And ſo you that ſwear do break the commands of Chriſt; though it was the command of God in the old time to ſwear, yet it is the command of Chriſt who makes all things new, ſwear not at all.

And the Governours that are eſtabliſhed by Oaths are out of the doctrine of Chriſt, that eſtabliſh themſelves by that which Chriſt denies, and ſo eſtabliſh themſelves out of the power, command, and authority, and doth not hear the Son, and are not the true chriſtians, but are apoſtatized from the true Church, hath onely his name, but are dead to the life.

Now Chriſt that takes away oaths, and ſhewed the danger of them that went into oaths, more then yea and nay in all their Communications, bid them ſwear not at all, and that they went into the evill that did, he eſtabliſhed a way; by two or three witneſſes every word is eſtabliſhed: So they that would have any more then yea and nay, may take the order of Chriſt, minde the order of Chriſt, two or three witneſſes, that yee may eſtabliſh every word: And this is a way for all Tradeſ-men, and Magiſtrates, and all whatſoever, that they may follow and practice the commands of Chriſt, yea and nay in all their communications; and if they will have any more, two or three witneſſes, that every word may be eſtabliſhed: And ſuch are the true Chriſtians, the true Brethren, that abide in the Doctrine of Chriſt, they are not tranſgreſſors, but hath the Son and the Father, which the other hath not; and that's a practice for all true Chriſtians, Cities, Countries, and Magiſtrates upon the earth.

Pr. Thou ſaith, Thoſe that be engaged take oaths, and they muſt be circumſpect in taking of it, and this is the word thou adds: And you my Lord Major and Sheriffs under the bond of an Oath ſhall execute your office.

Anſw. The command of Chriſt, the doctrine of the Apoſtles, engageth men they ſhall not ſwear, and doth not engage any to ſwear, nor Chriſt who is the end of the Law and the Prophets; but you Miniſters of unrighteouſneſs, and falſe Apoſtles, teach men to diſobey and tranſgreſſe the commands of Chriſt, which are the falſe Prophets and Antichriſts; which Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, John ſaw was come, went forth from them, the Apoſtles, and ſince the world is gone after you, and ſo you have taught the world to ſwear, and men to ſwear, and Chriſt and his Apoſtles teach them not to ſwear: And ſo here's the Land mourning becauſe of oaths, among boyes and girles it's become common in your Streets, Courts, and Houſes: Swearing, for-ſwearing, and profane ſwearing, and that which is out of the command of Chriſt is profane; for they bewitch people, that draw people from the command of God. The Apoſtle inſtances Circumciſion which Chriſt ended; and what are they that draw people to thoſe things which Chriſt forbids, but ſuch as would not have him to reigne; but Antichriſts which hath been from the Apoſtles: And ſo you and the Papiſts are one here, doing what you do by an oath; and the Apoſtle ſaith (which you are apoſtatized from) Above all things ſwear not at all, neither by heaven, nor by earth, nor by any other oath [Marke] [this was to the brethren, true chriſtians, true believers, ſuch as obeyed. Chriſts doctrine] for he tells them the danger, leſt ye fall into condemnation. Let all your communication be yea, yea, and nay, nay, what ever is more, is evill: Not by heaven, nor by earth, nor by any other oath. Now there was true, and falſe, and prophane, whatſoever was comprehended in theſe words, Not by any; but keep to yea and nay in all your communications. Now tell the Apoſtle he doth not mean as he ſpeaks, give him the lye, pervert his words, and Chriſts words, who ſayes ſwear not at all, and ſayes, he meanes profane oaths: And Chriſt brought the people off the true Oath which was in the old time, that was performed to the Lord, a profane oath was not performed to the Lord; that's not meant of that, but that as was ſworn by him. Christ ſayes now, Swear not at all; and ſo they that break the oath, break the covenant, the true oath; and ſo they that ſwear now, do not own the new covenant, which ends the true oath and covenant in the old time; The profane oaths, they were judged by them that lived in the firſt covenant, and they did not type out any thing, but a true oath did which ended controverſies among men; which the oath Chriſt ends, which is the peace between God and man, and reconciles them to God and one another. Theſe be true brethren, true chriſtians, that's come to yea and nay in their communications, and cannot ſwear by heaven, nor by earth, nor by any other oath, leſt they come into the evill; but yea and nay in all their communications, leſt they come into condemnation: So you that teach men to ſwear have brought them into the evill, and a great out-cry to break the commands of Chriſt, and under condemnation. He that teacheth them to ſwear any oath whatſoever, caſt behind your backs the commands of Christ, and doctrine of the Apoſtles: And the Apoſtle that bid the Saints keep to yea and nay in all their communications, and ſwear not at all, ſaid, if yee will have any more, take two or three Witneſſes.

And for all thy other confuſion, and thy perverting and wreſting of Scriptures, to bring people into the condemnation and evill to ſwear, is not worthy the mentioning, and will but come upon thy ſelfe in the day of thy condemnation and judgement, thee and all upon the Earth that are departed from the Apoſtles ſhall witneſſe how ye have tranſgreſſed the commands of Chriſt, and teach people to tranſgreſſe them, and to ſin, have hath brought them into the evill and condemnation: So repent, and while ye and time, prize it.

Samuel Hammond, In his Book called, The Quakers Houſe built on the Sands. A very fit Title for himſelfe and the reſt of his PRIESTS. Theſe are ſome of his Principles following.

Pr. YOung men and women having ſome convictions and awakenings of the Law, and have followed the light of an awakened conſcience, and ſit down before they have cloſed with Chriſt, and there be not a diſtinction between the righteouſneſs imputed, upon the account of the blood of Chriſt, and the righteouſneſs inherent wrought in us by his ſpirit: and this inherent righteouſneſs they confound the attainments brought forth by the Light in every man, not being able to diſtinguiſh the working of Satan.

Anſw. Inherent righteouſneſſe is a word of thy own and the Papiſts inventing, and thou art a man that cannot diſtinguiſh between the workings of Chriſt, and the workings of Satan. For the light which every man that cometh into the world is enlightned withall, which brings men and women to know the Law, and the convictions of it, it brings them to the end of the Law, Chriſt, and to ſee that appear that cannot be ſhaken, and the Righteouſneſſe imputed to a believer that is within felt: For he that believes hath the witneſſe in himſelfe, and feels it there; and the blood of Chriſt is felt within, juſtifying and cleanſing the conſcience from dead works: And the righteouſneſſe of Faith is found within, and that righteouſneſſe which is wrought within is found within, and no man ſees this but with the light which Chriſt hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world withall, and this Light is that which confounds all thy attainments for Chriſts righteouſneſs, and his blood and ſpirit are all one which juſtifies and ſanctifies.

Pr. They dream of a perfection to obey the light within, and this is deluſion; they are not able to diſtinguiſh, between juſtified freely by grace which is the favour of God upon the account of Chriſts ſatisfaction, and the grace that wrought by Chriſts ſpirit in the ſoul: that natural light within, being improved, they call grace the work of God upon the ſoul, leads into Covenant of works, then it is no other then to tread in the Papiſts ſteps; ſo this is deluſion, and the ground of their deluſion is their not diſtinguiſhing between ſaving light given forth by Chriſt in converſion, and the light of conſcience that every man hath.

Anſw. None come, to the perfection out of the deluſion, but who comes to the light within, and followes that; it gives him the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt; the Covenant of grace is one, that which was wrought without is within in the ſoul, for Chriſt in you, &c, and he is the Covenant of grace, of light, of life, and of peace: and none knowes him without, nor Juſtification by grace, but who knowes it in the heart, and it is the one and the ſame thing, it is not another grace, nor another Covenant, nor another Chriſt, but the the ſame Chriſt in you: the Saints are in his ſpirit and in his mind and are of his fleſh, and of his bone; And thou who art ſo full of thy deluſions; Art out of this, and thou alwayes have been in the dreams, and never knowes perfection, till thou come to the light within. And Gods work in the ſoul leads to the end of the Covenant of works, who works all in us, and for us; as ſayes the Apoſtle, who works faith, grace, commands the light to ſhine out of darkneſs ſhines in the heart to give the knowledge of the Son; and ſo thou art in the deluſion and the Papiſts doctrine, that knowes not this within, but calls it the Covenant of works, doſt not thou tread in their ſteps, and have crept up in their great Maſſe-houſes, and the light given forth by Chriſt in converſion, and the light in the conſcience is one, and it is not natural, it was before natural was, it exerciſeth the conſcience towards God, and towards man in them that love it; but in them that hate it, they are not converted, but they live in the many wayes out of the one way to God; for he thats the Covenant of light is the Covenant of grace; and thus thou art blinding people with many things.

Pr. The owning not the imputation of Chriſt as the matter and formal cauſe of Juſtifications is damnable doctrine: to make our reconciliation to God to be wrought by our improving the light within, and renewing the image of God in us is damnable doctrine, to take men off from going to the fulneſs of Chriſt at the right hand of God, and ſend them to look to a light within, which they ſay is in every man, is a damnable doctrine, this is to forſake the fountain of living waters and dig to themſelves broken Ciſternes: dangerous principle is that of perfection by improvement of the light within.

Anſw. The imputation to a believer is owned; and this imputation is within, for he that believes is born of God, and hath the witneſſe in himſelf; now Abraham believed, and the Romans, and to ſuch the imputation was ſpoken in the belief; and Abraham ſaw his glory, who is Chriſt Jeſus the righteouſneſs it ſelf; and the Apoſtle ſayes ye are now nearer then when ye believed, and again he ſayes, Chriſt is in you, and God will dwell in you, and walk in you, ſo ſuch as hath Chriſt in them, they have the righteouſneſs it ſelf, without imputation, the end of imputation, the righteouſneſs of God it ſelf Chriſt Jeſus; No man knowes the reconciliation, and his reconciliation made with God, but by hearing and doing the word of God, thats in the heart and mouth, which divides thy bad words [Hammond] and thy bad thoughts [thats the word of God] and cuts them down, and Hammers them down, and burns them up, thats the word that ſanctifies and reconciles to God, and makes clean, and the word is Chriſt, called the word of God, and Chriſt is the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and that is it that renews man into the image of God; for the light that comes from Chriſt is the Image of God, the light of the glorious Goſpel which is the Image of God, and ſo this is within, and thou that knowes not this within, and feels it not, thy lips are polluted, and art in the damnable doctrine, and the light that ſhines in the darkneſs, and thou cannot comprehend it; and indeed thou art too proud, high and loftie, and thou muſt be brought down, the Lord God will abaſe thee; and no man comes into the image of God, and renewed, and hath reconciliation with God, but which comes to the Light which Chriſt the Word hath enlightened him withall, and thats within, and they that believe in it have the witneſs in themſelves, and they that do not, the light condemns them And the light that every man that comes into the world is enlightened withall, doth not take them from Chriſts fulneſs at the right hand of God; but the light lets ſee him lifted up, and there's none upon the earth comes to Chriſt at the right hand of God to receive of his fulneſs, but who comes to the light which Chriſt doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world withall: thats the eye, the light with which he ſees Chriſt, and in that he receives him, and comes to be engrafted in him in the Vine Chriſt Jeſus. And ſo thou that drawes men from the light within which Chriſt hath enlightened every man that comes into the world withall, thou drawes them from Chriſt at the right hand of God, that they cannot receive this his fulneſs, and ſo thou takes away the key of knowledge from people, who art in the doctrine thats damnable, thats from the light, to be condemned; and none comes to the Fountain of living mercies, but are all broken Ciſterns, that are from the light within them, which comes from Chriſt the Fountain of living mercies which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, that with it all might come to ſee the Fountain and believe in it, ſo they that do not are condemned; And no one knowes perfection, nor comes into the perfection of Chriſt, but are in the dangerous eſtate, where thou art which doth not come into the light which doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world; for the imperfection comes by the firſt Adam and Eve, and the Devil going out from the truth; the perfection comes again by Chriſt to deſtroy the Devil, death and his works, and ſanctifies man and reconciles man again to God; which doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, that in the light all men might ſee the perfection of God Chriſt Jeſus; which none doth but ſuch as come to him, the Light.

Pr. That there is ſo much light in every man that will reveal Chriſt, and ſave them that believe in it: and that an Indian hath it, and to ſend to this to lead to perfection, and to neglect the Fountain of wiſdom at the right hand of God, is a ſoul-deſtroying principle.

Anſ. The light which every man that cometh into the world is enlightened withall, is ſaving to them that believe in it, t ey are ſaved, them that do not are condemned, and this leads to perfection, the light, to the Fountain of wiſdom, Chriſt Jeſus the light of the world, to know the Biſhop of their ſouls; and all that are not come to the light in their own particular, which comes from him that doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, their principles are deſtroying, which are thine that ſtands againſt the light, thou art Antichriſt kicking againſt the light, with which Chriſt hath enlightened thee wi hall; no man knowes a Saviour, nor ſees ſalvation, but as every man comes to the light, wi h the ſame light they come to ſee Chriſt the light and Saviour, to ſave them from their ſins, and that light is ſufficient; I will give him for a Covenant of light to the Gentiles; and I will make a New Covenant with the houſe of Iſrael and Judah, them that had the old; (and heres all the world,) and he ſhall be my ſalvation to the ends of the earth; and the Gentiles was heathen: call them Indian or what thou wilt, I will give him for a Covenant to the Gentiles, a leader of the people, which many Gentiles have found their leader the Covenant of light; and in this light, Jew and Gentile are one, and in unitie if ye walk in the light as he is in the light, then have ye followſhip one with another, and this breaks all your Sects, the Covenant of light Between Jew and Gentile, and brings them to one in believing in the light.

Prin. That light that is in every man is the Reliques of the firſt Covenant of works which cannot reveal Chriſt as Mediator.

Anſw. The light which every man that cometh into the world is enlightened withall, which is Chriſt by whom the world was made, ends the Covenant of works; the creation was made by him, and he was before it was made, ſo he is not a created light; But that by which all things was created, and thou art in thy works, the Covenant of works, and thy created lights that calls the light that enlightens every man that cometh into the world (Chriſt Jeſus) a Covenant of works, or natural light, which was before the Covenant of works was, or a natural light was created; which ends the Covenant of works, and thou art to be judged for thy words, and with that light every man ſees the Mediator, believing in it, if not, it condemnes him.

Pr. That all the light they have is but the light of a natural conſcience, and that is a blurr'd one too. Nay how comes it to paſſe that in old England we ſee ſo many hundreds, that manifeſt no other light but a natural conſcience; and New England, that have converſed with the Indians, and never ſaw the leaſt breaking forth of the light.

Anſw. The light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, by whom the world was made, was before natural conſcience was, or natural light either, or the blurr'd light as thou cals it; And many of the Indians do ſhew forth more in their converſations of the light then you do; and as for old, England what have you been doing all this while, if you ſee ſo many hundreds manifeſting no other light but a natural conſcience? But how ſhould they manifeſt it, when you keep them from it: your work is to keep them from the light within; But now there's thouſands that are manifeſting the light on the houſe top, by which the world was made; which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world; and you Miniſters of Satan out of the light and truth, are them that ſtands againſt it; for the Devil that went out of the light and truth, who ſowed his ſeed in the hearts of people: he would not have them to own the light in them; and he would confeſſe a God without him, and ſo he teaches them in whom he ſowes his ſeed not to have the light within them, the ſeed Chriſt, the tree of righteouſneſs, the root of God.

Pr. I charge the Quakers to ſhew one Scripture that bids look to the light within, the old trick of Errour, the righteouſneſs of faith doth not direct people to look for a Chriſt within, this Scripture bids weary laden ſouls, go to Chriſt, is this to the light within them? I am amazed at their ignorance.

Anſw. The righteouſneſs of faith brings people to look at Chriſt within; and what abundance of ignorance haſt thou ſhewed, who hath been a teacher of the people theſe many years, and ſhews how contrary thou art to Chriſt and the Apoſtles in doctrine, for in 2 Cor. 4. the Apoſtle tels the Corinthians, the light that ſhined in their hearts to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus, this was the work of the true Apoſtles, when the falſe Apoſtles, and Devils, Miniſters and meſſengers was got among them: for the Devil is out of truth, and ſo are his meſſengers, and they will draw people from the light within, and blind their minds that they ſhould not come to the light within, to ſee the glory of God in the face of Chriſt, from whence it comes; ſo thou doſt conclude thy ſelf among the Devils Miniſters, and falſe Apoſtles and meſſengers, and no wearied ſoul that is burdened, that comes to Chriſt who is the ſouls reſt, but firſt comes to the light within, which comes from Chriſt who is the ſouls Biſhop, with which light they ſee him, he ſhines in their hearts, it gives them the knowlege of him, and the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus; and thou that leads them from the light within, leads them from Chriſt and the glory of God who ſhould ſave them from their ſins, and give them eaſe reſt and peace.

Pr. I ſaid looking to the light, and living upon the light within, will lead men to Hell; and going to, and living upon a muddy puddle of natural light. That Chriſt is the light in all in a ſaving manner, I deny; for Chriſt to be the righteouſneſs of men in Juſtification differs; and to ſend a man to live upon a light within, it not to ſend him to Christ; and if he live upon it, upon the light as it is Juſtication, it is a plain Covenant of works.

Anſ. There's no man lives but in the light which comes from Chriſt the light by whom the world was made, in whom was light, and this light is the life of men, and this light and life is manifeſt in us; for he that hath the Son of God, hath light and life: he that receives not this, though he be enlightned, hath not life that hates it; ſuch as lead people from it, go from it in their own particulars, they lead people into hell, into its gates, it prevails againſt them; but who be in the light, the gates of Hell cannot prevail againſt them; and believes in it, they are not condemned, and ſo they live in the muddy puddle, and goes into the naturall light that denies the light within, which Chriſt hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world withall, they live not upon the life, but in the muddy puddle of darkneſſe, and are Antichriſt out the light, and are againſt it in their particulars, and againſt them that walke in it, and ſuch are unlike the Miniſters of Chriſt: Every man that cometh into the world is enlightned with the ſaving light, and he that believes in it is ſaved, he that doth not is condemned. There's no one comes out of the coven nt of works, but by the Light within, which Chriſt the covenant of God hath enlightned him withall: And there's no one lives out of the covenant of works, but who lives in the Light; and who lives in the Light, lives in Chriſt, and Chriſt in him. I in you, and you in me; and who hates this Light, they live not in Chriſt, it condemns them, for they be in their owne Covenant o works. Who believes in the light, hath entered into the rest, and ceaſed from his owne work as God did from his: And righteouſneſſe and juſtification is one, where Chriſt is known, and felt in man, they are both felt in one; For Chriſt the righteouſneſſe of God, and the juſtification, and Chriſt in you, and ſee if thou canſt read this; who ſayes they differ?

Pr. What warrant have you to go out to the Quakers? Shall a man go hear the Jewes and Popiſh Maſſe, becauſe Paul bid try all things? No, no.

Anſw. Paul bid us quench not the ſpirit: and where the ſpirit is not quenched, they may try Papiſts, Jewes, Proteſtants, who quenches not the ſpirit; but who quenches the ſpirit, and draws people from the light within, they draw from that they ſhould ſee withall, then you ſtuffe them up with old Authors, and lying ſtories, as you print abroad.

Pr. Chriſts revealed Will is the word of Reconciliation.

Anſw. The Scriptures is not the word of Reconciliation; But Chriſt is the word of Reconciliation, who reconciles man to God, and ſatisfies the Father, and gives men peace with God, and this the Scripture declares. And as for the Miniſters of Newcaſtle, who hath perſecuted the people of God becauſe they met there, and baniſhed them out of their Town, this doth not ſhew the ſpirit of Chriſt, nor the love of God among you, but the works of the Phariſees and Cain: And thou never knew the Goſpell that denies the Light of Chriſt that hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world withall, but found among the Monkiſh-holineſſe thou ſpeaks of, and the Phariſees and the Papiſts; for the Phariſees, the Papiſts and you do not own the light Chriſt Jeſus that enlightens every man that cometh into the world, ſo with the Light you are all comprehended and condemned in one body: Not to be true believers that believes in the true Chriſt the Light, who bids people believe in the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, that all men through him might believe, that's the end, that he that doth might be ſaved, and that he that doth not might be condemned.

Pr. Thou ſaith, The Saints laid down their eſtates at the Apostles feet.

A. Now you Prieſts ſay you are Miniſters of Chriſt and the Goſpel, and you are fain to caſt men into Priſons becauſe they will not put into your mouths. Now all people may ſee that you have a contrary power to the Apoſtles; for when did a people, your hearers lay down all at your feet? N y, you are fain to caſt into Priſons, hale before Courts a hundred, or two hundred miles, and take treble damages. Now do you not think that moſt people begin to ſee you apoſtatized from the Apoſtles, and the power that they were in, with which you are fathomed, and with the life the Apoſtles were in are you judged.

And whereas thou ſpeaks of Circumciſion, and tells people, that they that are circumciſed cannot be ſaved; the Quakers bring no people to circumciſion but that of the ſpirit, which puts off the body of ſin, which you ſay they muſt have while they be upon the Earth, and ſo hath ravened from the ſpirit of Circumciſion; and ſuch keeps people in the covenant of works from the ſpirit within that puts off the body of ſin.

And as for all the reſt of thy torne confuſed Stuffe w ich is given forth from thy v in thoughts, it is not worthy the mentioning; But in the day of thy judgement, the witneſſe in thy conſcience ſhall anſwer it, and all thy Works is fewell for the Fire.

Prieſt Bennets Looking-glaſſe. Theſe are ſome of his Principles following.

Pr. JAmes asks the queſtion, Can one fountain ſend forth ſweet water and bitter? He ſayes, it's a new fancy to ſay there's a light in every man which will guide him to ſalvation. He ſayes, there is a fancy of perfection.

A. One fountain cannot ſend forth ſweet w ter & bitter, and yet it's bitter to them that be in the tranſgreſſion; for the righteouſneſſ of God being revealed to the wicked, is a terrour to him; which the righteouſneſs of God being revealed to the Saints, is their joy and the truth; which ſpeaking truth to the dec ipt, it's bitter to him, but to the Juſt it is not; and the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world Chriſt Jeſus, the ſalvation to the ends of the earth. Thou art in the fancy that ſtumbles at this corner-ſtone; and this light that enlightneth every man, is the perfection of beauty, and they that be out of this, be in the fancy of a perfection, where thou may ſee thy ſelf and the Phariſees that ſtood againſt Chriſt [the Light, the covenant of God promiſed to Jewes and Gentiles] though they had Scriptures, them thou art like, that art now at the Light ſtumbling at which they did, ſo a mark of an unbeliever, one that hath the forme, but denies the power, and art not a Preacher of that which people ſhould believe in, that is the Light.

Pr. The Scriptures are the Lanthorns of Iſrael: The Scriptures are the wiſdome of the Croſſe.

Anſw. The Word of God is the Lanthorn of Iſrael, as ſayes David; and Chriſt Jeſus is the wiſdome of the croſſe; Chriſt the wiſdome of God, and the croſſe of Chriſt the power of God: And Abraham had a Lanthorn, and Enoch and Abel, before Scriptures was written forth.

Pr. Thou ſaith, The corruptions of the damned in Hell ſhall never be deſtroyed; and it would be good newes, if the Quakers ſhould go and preach to the ſpirits in Hell. And thou ſayes, David would open his mouth in darke ſayings of old.

Anſw. The Scriptures, and Davids words to thee that art in darkneſſe, they are dark, but not to them that be in the Light. And the Quakers have been among the priſoners that be in Hell, and miniſtred to that, and the corruptions ſhall go into the Fire that hath no end; and they that do wickedly, and forget God, ſh l go into Hell and Death, an Hell ſhall go into the lake of fire, and there's more in theſe words yet then thou canſt receive: For God is the ſalvation of all men, but eſpecially them that believe. But I muſt tell thee, thou and thy fleſh is for the fi e thou art ſpeaking of; And when thou art burning in it, remember thy judgement in thy life time, and what thou didſt: And the end of Ezekiel is known, and the Prophets, and Moſes, Chriſt Jeſus the Saviour and Redeemer of the world.

Pr. That a naturall man may preach the Goſpel in the Hiſtory. And thou brings Judas for an example. Thou ſaiſt, Chriſt ſaid, deſtroy yee this Temple, and I will build another.

Anſw. That which led Judas to miniſter was not naturall, for the ſame condemned him when he went from Chriſt: And a naturall man cannot preach the Hiſtory of the Goſp ll truly, for he cannot receive it; but naturall men are giving other meanings to it, & that brings all the confuſion in the world about the Scriptures; For Judas was made partaker of the Miniſtry, and when he went to the Prieſts from Chriſt, then he was condemned. And Chriſt did not ſay, Deſtroy ye this Temple, thou perverts his wo ds. Neither did he ſay, he would raiſe up another of Lime, and Stone, and wood, which you dark Prieſts of the world blinde peoples eyes withall; but he meant the Temple of his body in whom God dwelt, which the outward Temple was a figure of.

Pr. That it's an abſurdity to ſay the Light is in every man to teach him.

Anſw. The light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, which is Chriſt Jeſus, is the Teacher: and he that believes in it receives Chriſt, and it teaches him that hates it to ſee his evill deeds, to ſee his evill wayes, and he hates it becauſe it reproves him, becauſe his deeds are evill, and ſo hates Chriſt, and hates his Teacher, and ſets up Teachers without him, and doth not come to receive the anointing within him, and ſo that light is his condemnation, and ſo he ſees not Chriſt the head.

Pr. Thou ſaith, The Ministers may receive a courteſie, and the Scripture thou brings for it is, the earth ſhall help the woman.

Anſw. The courteſie the Saints received, which was from them whoſe hearts was opened, that the Lord had opened by his power that is not condemned; But your taking Tythes of people you do not work for, and caſting into Priſon till death, for not giving it you; How are you like the Apoſtles, or like the Miniſters of Chriſt, or like the woman thou ſpeaks of, the Church that was perſecuted? Now you perſecute, this ſignifies ſhe was perſecuted; And you perſecute for meanes, and hale up and down in Courts and Seſſions, and will take treble damages, treble tythes of them you do no work for, and ſo you will not ſtand to the courteſie of people, nor wait for the power to open their hearts; but are in a power that will take it by compulſion, and by violence away from people: So you have given judgment againſt your ſelves, and are not of the number of them the Lord opened their hearts that miniſtred to their neceſſities, and ſo unlike the Miniſters of Chriſt that received the courteſies of the people, whom the Lord opened their hearts.

Pr. Thou ſaith, When people have no guide but what is within, and that this principle be rooted, it will turne all into Babel. And thou queſtions, whether it be not a principle of ſedition to ſay, that every man hath a light within him.

Anſw. All people in the world runs into Babel and Babylon, and are building up, and throwing down, and ſo goes into confuſion about Law and Goſpel, Prophets, Chriſt, and the Apoſtles words, when they be from the ſpirit within, of truth, to lead them into all truth, and up to God the Father of Truth, of whom they learn that gave them forth, and with that ſpirit are they ſeen; in which ſpirit is unity, which is the bond of peace. And the light which doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, leads all men out of ſedition; and they be in the ſedition that denies it, and ſayes to the contrary, and in darkneſſe, and cannot comprehend it, as John ſayes; which ſays, this is the true light that enlightens every man that cometh into the world. And Chriſt ſays, Believe in the light. And the Prophets ſaid, God gave him for a Covenant of light to the Gentiles, and a new Covenant to the Jewes, and he ſhall be the Leader of the people, and ſalvation to the ends of the earth; and every man that comes into the world is enenligtned. He that believes is ſaved, and he that believes not is condemned already.

Pr. Thou queries, When the Act of the Commiſſion for the Miniſtry was repealed, ſince Chriſt ſaid, he would be with them to the end of world. And thou ſaiſt, It is not ſaid ſimply, they ſhall teach no more every man his neghbour; but it is added, Know the Lord. Thou ſaiſt, that every man is enlightned onely with a naturall reaſon, and the elect are enlightned with a ſaving knowledge. Thou ſaiſt, I bring John 4.23. to overthrow all outward worſhip. Thou ſaiſt, You can praiſe God with your bodies and ſpirits.

Anſw. The 7th of Matthew, & Matth. 24. Chriſt ſaid, falſe Prophets ſhould come, and ſhould be inwardly ravening wolves, having ſheeps cloathing; and John ſaid, they was come, Chap. 2. & Chap. 4. And in Revel. All that dwelt upon the earth went after them, and ſuch killed the Saints. When they had gotten a head they killed the Saints and the true Miniſters, and they that were of the falſe killed the true: and ſince thoſe dayes the falſe hath reigned, which hath wreſtled with fleſh and blood, priſoning, killing the creatures, and warring againſt them, and not with the Principalities, and ſpirituall wickedneſſes, and powers of darkneſſe, and ſuch hath been out of the power, the Goſpell the Apoſtles were in, hath killed them that kept the teſtimony of Jeſus the ſpirit of Prophecy. And it is ſaid plainly, Heb. 8. They ſhall not teach every man his neighbour, nor every man his brother, ſaying, know the Lord, for they ſhall all know me from the greateſt to the leaſt, ſaith the Lord: And ſo thou perverts the Scriptures, and art judged by them, for it, that belies them.

And the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, is the ſame Light that the Elect lives in; which the world not believing in the Light, Chriſt Jeſus the Elect, and covenant of light, and life, and peace, promiſed to the world, they are condemned already; but he that believes in the Light is ſaved, ſo that ſaving is ſufficient. And Chriſt ſayes, they that worſhip the Father, muſt worſhip him in ſpirit and in truth: Not at Jeruſalem, not at Samaria, nor at the Mountain. So ſay I, not at your Maſſe-houſes, with a Croſſe at the end of them, which the Popes ſet up, and you ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles. So they that worſhip God, muſt worſhip him in the ſpirit and in the truth. Truth doth not change, neither doth the Spirit, and theſe be them the Father ſeeks to worſhip, and hath found many: And Chriſt overthrows the outward worſhip at Samaria and Jeruſalem, and the Mountain, and ſo do we at your Papiſts Maſſe-houſes, and tell you God is worſhipded in the ſpirit and in the truth; and thoſe are the true worſhippers that God ſeeks to worſhip, and that will ſtand when Maſſe-houſes, Samaria, and Jeruſalem is down, the ſpirit and the truth that remains.

In the mouth of the wicked praiſes is not comely; And as for your ſinging Davids conditions, or the Saints conditions given forth from the ſpirit, when you confeſſe you are not in the ſpirit as they was that gave them forth: So then judged with it to be ſuch whoſe mouths the praiſes are not comely, that be in another ſtate then they where that gave Scriptures forth.

And Adams ſtate before the Fall thou knoweſt not, but art found in the ſteps of the Phariſees and Papiſts: As the Phariſees got words of the true Prophets and Moſes out of the life, ſo the Papiſts and you have got the words of Chriſt and the Apoſtles, and be out of the life, and perſecuting them that be in the life, as the Phariſees did, and killing the juſt, the juſt being impriſoned in your own particulars, as it was in the Phariſees. And you with your dark eyes have looked upon the Scriptures ever ſince the apoſtacy, and ravened from the ſpirit of God the pure eye, and ſo with that you are comprehended, felt over, and ſeen over, and with that ſhall the principle of God in you all be anſwered, that you are apoſtatized from the Apoſtles in life, and power, and doctrine, and ſo are in heaps about their words, out from that which is the ground of communion, the bond of peace.

And all thy confuſion in thy Book, is thy own garments, who with it is for the fire, the witneſſe in thy conſcience in the day of thy condemnation ſhall witneſſe it.

Thomas Tillam, his Booke called, The ſeventh-day-Sabbath. His Principles anſwered as Followeth.

Pr. ALl ſacrifices did type out Chriſt, but the Sabbath did never type out Christ, and therefore never to be aboliſhed nor changed.

Anſw. Ezekiel ſaith, the Sabbath ſhould be for a ſign which is ſpoken of among the Statutes. Cha. 20. and the Apoſtle ſayes let no man Judge you in meats or in drinks, or in reſpect of an holy-day or of the new Moon, or of the Sabbath day, which are all ſhadowes, [mark] of good things to come, but the body is Christ, Coloſ. 2.16, 17. Now they are called ſhadowes here, the Sabbath called ſhadow, the body is Chriſt, and Ezekiel calls them ſignes, and ſuch as reſt in thoſe things in the ſhadow, may beguile people in a voluntary humilitie, and worſhip ing of Angels, intruding themſelves into thoſe things that they never ſaw, not holding the head, and neglecting the body to the ſatisfying the fleſh; which would live in the ſignes and the ſhadowes, for the Sabbath in the beginning it was not a command to men to keep it, as to Adam and Evah; you do not read it was a command given to them, but in the tranſgreſſion and fall, when the children of Iſrael came out of Egypt, then to them the Lord gave the Sabbath as a ſign, the Lord ſaid unto Moſes ſpeak to the children of Iſrael, and ſay, nevertheleſs keep ye my Sabbath for a ſign between me and you, in all your generations. Now in all the generations of the Jewes, in the firſt Covenant here was a ſign between them and the Lord, and he that defiled it, was to die the death. Now the body is Chriſt the end of the ſign, and the ſhadow Chriſt the ſanctification, ſo he that goes from Chriſt goes from the reſt, from the ſanctification, and he dies, for he that hath not him hath not life, he ſhall die the death, and ſhall be cut off from the people; ſo when the children of Iſrael came out of Egypt, then was the Sabbath given to them as a ſign, not commanded to Adam and Evah, the Scripture doth not declare it before the fall, but given to the children of Iſrael after they came out of Egypt, who received the Law, added becauſe of tranſgreſſion; upon the tranſgreſſors: to ſuch was given the Sabbath as a ſign amongſt them that had the offerings; and ſuch was to keep it, and to ſanct fie it, but before the fall, when the Law and power was in man, before the tranſgreſſion, there was no mention of a Sabbath to keep it; Now Chriſt came which was the end of theſe offerings, and the end of theſe Sabbaths, which are the ſhaddowes, for the Apoſtle ſayes (except any will dare tell him he lies) he ſayes the body is Chriſt, and who are not Judged concerning ſuch things, in reſpect of Sabbaths and meats and drinks, but are come to the body Chriſt which ends all thoſe things and before thoſe things were, to him by whom all things was created and made Chriſt, the ſanctification; and are come to him in whom there's reſt; as the Jewes was to reſt upon the ſeventh day, is come into Chriſt the body, the head, the ſubſtance, they are come into the reſt, the ſanctification and the glorification who was glorified with the Father before the world began; where no changing nor ſhadow nor variableneſs is, need not have a ſhadow nor a ſign or change, who is come to the body, Chriſt the ſubſtance, now if thou ſayes Chriſt was a ſign: yes, but he ends the ſign and ſhadowes, to the unbelievers he was a ſign, as the people of God was ſigns formerly, to ſuch as ſtood in outward things, ſo Chriſt the body the end of the ſhadow, the head known and felt, him that is Lord of the Sabbath, Chriſt, which is a myſtery; ſo they that be out of him be out of the life, and dies as they died that went from the Sabbath; ſo do they that turn from Chriſt the ſouls reſt and peace and life: and this Sabbath was to be obſerved in the Jews generation for an everlaſting Covenant, and he that did any work upon the Sabbath day was to dye the death: now this Covenant which ſtood in ſhadows and types Chriſt came to take away, The End; and he that believes in Chriſt hath entered into his reſt, and ceaſed from his own works as God did from his. And the Apoſtle ſaid, the firſt Covenant was to decay, as in Heb.

Pr. Thou ſaith, Such as obſtruct the Goſpel-priviledge of Gods Sabbath, rectified by the Son, and obſerved by the Saints.

Anſw. But did ever Chriſt or the Apoſtles give a command to the Jewes that they ſhould obſerve it ſtrictly, as it had been in the Law before the ſubſtance was come, the body which was Chriſt? Nay, you read no where that among them the Apoſtles preached the Goſpel, that they laid any command upon the Saints that they ſhould keep the Jewes Sabbath day, but t ld them they were ſhadows, and the body was Chriſt, and ſaid, Let no man judge one another in ſuch things. Now are you not come under the judgement of ſuch things? and ſo the Lord of the Sabbath that ends the types in him, and in the Saints, and ſo are come to him who is the ſubſtance, the body and head Chriſt Jeſus. Read Coloſ. 2.

And ſo whereas thou ſpeaks of changing of Lawes or Sabbaths, this thou mighteſt have charged on the Apoſtles, who told the Saints no where of keeping the Sabbath-day, but told them they were ſhadows, and told them ſuch as was there was in their will-worſhips, neglecting the body; for the body and ſubſtance was Chriſt, and ſuch were intruders, and ſo thou art comprehended to be one of the intruders into thoſe things thou never ſaw, which will puff up thy fleſhly minde, not holding the head and the Lord of the Sabbath. The Son of man is come, and the Saints go not about to blot out the name of the Sabbath; for the pure Sabbath, the ſanctified day was a ſigne and a figure of the pure Chriſt, the ſanctification, by whom the day was made, and which day the people was to reſt, and the beaſts, which was to be ſanctified, the pure day, the pure Chriſt, who was before the day, was the ſanctification in which all the Lords people have reſt, who is Lord of the Sabbath, before the day was made, fulfills the type, the ſhadow, the ſigne, the body is Christ, the head is held: So you that are running to obſerve dayes and times, are them that the Apoſtle ſpeaks of, that he was afraid of, that his labours he had beſtowed in vain, and ſo gone from the body into the ſhadow and the ſigne. Neither do you keep it as you ought to do, and profeſſe a Sabbath; your Horſes and your Cattell is doing work, drawing you to your worſhips; your making fires through your Congregations, your bearing burthens, your gathering your meat on that day as you call your Sabbath. Now to all people you are diſſemblers to what you profeſſe, and pretenders to a thing to which you are not faithfull; and ſo by the Law according to your own judgement, to be cut off, and to dye as Sabbath-breakers; for they were not to make a fire, gather any meat, beare any burthen, Oxe or Aſſe, man-ſervant or maid-ſervant, or ſtranger, but was to keep holy the Sabbath of the Lord, if they did, the Law took hold of them; for ſixe dayes they were to labour, and do all they had to do. Now the Law being received by the diſpoſition of Angels: So now the Law, the firſt Covenant, the ſhadows, types, and figures, ye may run into thoſe things from the body, and ſo neglect the head, and neglect the body, and go into the Signes, and ſo come into the will-worſhip, and the worſhipping of Angels, intruding your ſelves into the things you never ſaw, neglecting the body to ſatisfie the fleſh, by which your vain minds are puffed up. Now the enemies of the Sabbath are ſuch as neglect the body, the ſubſtance, he that's Lord of the Sabbath.

Pr. And whereas thou ſayſt, they had eaten the bread of Christ, and they had turned the heel againſt Chriſt. And thou ſayes, the Quakers, ſome Notioniſts, and others are againſt it.

Anſw. Our reſt is in Chriſt he body that ends the ſhadow, that ends the ſignes, who is the ſubſtance of the ſhadows and ſignes, and thoſe Notioniſts are of thy ſelfe, and ſo the Saints reſt is in the ſubſtance Chriſt, the end of the ſignes and ſhadows, who was before the ſigne was, the day was, in him is reſt. Here all men reſt from their works, and every ſoule that believes hath entered into his reſt, and hath come from ſhadows, ſignes, and types into the body Chriſt that ends them, and holds the head, and out of the will-worſhip, worſhipping of Angels, and ſatisfying the fleſh, for ſuch are blinded as concerning the body, and come to be judged about the dayes, and they hold not the head; But ſuch as are come to the body and head Chriſt Jeſus, to whom all Angels bow; for they that neglect the body will ſatisfie the fleſh, and live in ſignes and ſhadows, and will-worſhip, and intrude into thoſe things they never ſaw, and worſhipping of Angels, which come to be judged in reſpect of dayes, which is but ſhadows; and ſuch as are in thoſe things ſatisfie the fleſh, and keeps them from the body Chriſt, and the head holds not; and they that will reſt in a ſhadow after the ſubſtance is come, the Son of man, the Lord of the Sabbath, ill reſt in that which decays, and a falſe reſt.

Pr. And whereas thou ſayſt, A filthy ſhift of Gods Sabbath, to ſay Christ is the Sabbath.

Anſw. This Sabbath was reſt, and they were to reſt on that day, and it was a ſigne, and given as a ſigne and ſhadow, and in the firſt Covenant; But Chriſt the ſecond Covenant, the perpetuall and everlaſting reſt, the ſoules reſt of his people. Come unto me and yee ſhall have reſt; and ſo he is the end, the ſubſtance of the ſigne and the ſhadow, who was [as I ſaid before] before the day was, in whom is a reſt for the people of God; for the Sabbath being given as a ſigne, wherein all Strangers, Servants, Beaſts, Horſes, Oxen, Aſſes, and all Cattell whatſoever might reſt upon the day, it was given forth, ſanctified, and given to be a ſigne, for the whole Creation being burthened, both horſe, man, cattell, ſervants, and all things was burthened, and man-kinde was oppreſſed by tranſgreſſion: So the Sabbath was a ſigne of reſt, yea to the ſtranger, to all that was within the gates, a figure of the reſtauration, and the ſanctifier Chriſt Jeſus, which deſtroys Death and the Devill, and the power of Death, and his works, who is the cauſe and the Author of the burthen of the whole Creation, and of mankind. So the reſt, the Sabbath was a ſigne of its reſt from their labours, Chriſt the reſtorer, and Redeemer, and Deliverer of all the whole Creation, and bringing it to unity and reconciliation again to God, who is the reſt both to man and beaſt; and the Stranger ſhould reſt within the gates of the Sabbath, within Chriſt. And much more is to be ſaid of theſe things, which this is but a touch of, that which is further in the words, which might be declared.

Now as for the ten Commandements, amongſt which the Sabbath is ſpoken, he that covets, he that ſteals, he that commits adultery and kills, he that ſets up graven Images, he that covets his neighbours houſe, wife, or goods, or any thing that is his, or commits Adultery, is from that principle of God in his own ſelfe; ſo the Law was added upon him: He that's led with the ſpirit doth not tranſgreſſe, nor doth not oppreſſe, nor doth not covet, nor ſteale, nor beare falſe witneſſe, and ſo love fulfills the Law, and his Commandements; And he that believes comes to Chriſt, the reſt, before the day was, by whom they was made; and ſo Chriſt telling them what was done in the old time, for following the Oath the Lord, he brings them now not to ſwear, into himſelfe, the Covenant of God, he brings them to the Covenant of God, the oath of God, and ſo into himſelfe who is the Reſtorer, before dayes was, as I ſaid before: And the Apoſtle likewiſe brought them off from Circumciſion without, which was an everlaſting Covenant, as well as the Sabbath was a ſigne, he brings them off of that to the Circumciſion within, and ſo to that that anſwers the power, the life of God which hath been tranſgreſſed, where love is felt in the heart, that remains, and ſo the thing comes inward; for as it is ſaid, he that believes hath entered into his reſt. And ſo Chriſt came not to break the Law, but to fulfill it every tittle, who is the reſt of his people, yea and gives reſt to to the Creation, deſtroys the oppreſſor of it, and the foundation of the oppreſſor; and ſo he was the Lord of the Sabbath that fulfills it, for the Sabbath was in the Law, and Chriſt is the end of the Law to every one that believes; he that is in Chriſt before dayes was, profanes no day, is in his reſt, and will give reſt to his creatures, will not oppreſſe any thing at all, and comes in the wiſdome of God by which they was created, to order and uſe them to Gods glory.

And whereas thou ſayes, that Adam being in honour, did not abide a night, and brings Pſalm for it, which doth not mention Adam, nor night nor day; And I ſaid before, thou who art in the ſhadow, art intruding into things thou never ſaw; for thou never ſaw where Adam was before he fell, and therefore art corrected and judged.

Pr. And thou ſayes and confeſſes, The Jewes Sabbath was given to the Jewes for a ſigne.

Anſw. The Apoſtle will tell thee that the body is Chriſt: If the Sabbath be a ſigne to the children of Iſrael, it was a ſigne of ſomething to them; for the other ſignes given were ſignes of ſomething, and ſo ſomething thoſe ſignes did ſignifie forth, which thing did end them. Sabbath ſignifyeth reſt; for the earth ſhall enjoy her Sabbaths.

Pr. And thou ſaith, That the inventions of mens hearts have blotted out the remembrance, of the Sabbath day, they firſt caſt it out of Paradice, and ſhut it out till Moſes time. And thou ſaith, the Sabbath was not at all a type or ceremoniall.

Anſw. What is a ſhadow is a type, and a ſhadow and type is ceremoniall; when the ſubſtance comes it ends, and in him is no ſhadow, as in Iames the firſt, who is the body before the dayes was; and thou never read that the Sabbath was ſpoken of from Paradice untill Moſes, and then it was given unto him for a ſigne through the generations of the Congregations of the children of Iſrael, not to gather meat, make a fire, bear burthens: So who comes to Chriſt the body, the end of the ſigne, the reſt, who was before dayes was, bears no burthens, gathers not their meat, makes not a fire.

Pr. Thou ſaith, It's an abſurd confuſion, that we must offer ſacrifices if we will keep a Sabbath.

Anſw. Thou ſhalt offer ſacrifices made by fire of a ſweet ſacrifice unto the Lord on a Sabbath day, Numb. 28. Now offerings was a ſhadow of Chriſt the offering, and the Sabbath was a ſhadow; and ſo if yee will obſerve one, you muſt obſerve the other, and ſo deny the body, the ſubſtance Chriſt, the one Offering, and ſo that is ceremonial.

And thou ſaith, the Law juſtified the Diſciples, and brings Deut. 23. for plucking the ears of corn upon the Sabbath day, which ſpeaks nothing to the thing, and doth not mention the Sabbath day: And ſo Chriſt the end of the Law who comes to fulfill it, who is the Lord of the Sabbath, that the Diſciples followed, in whom they had reſt, ſaw over the day and the ſhadow to Chriſt the ſubſtance, which forbade them not gathering the meat on that day, the Sabbath, the ſhadow that was the Law; But Chriſt the end of the Law and ſhadows, the ſubſtance, the Diſciples as was in him plucked the ears of corn on that day; and ſo Chriſt did not break the Sabbath, but came to fulfill the ſhadow, and was the ſubſtance, who was the end of it, the Lord of it, and therefore might do what he would being the Lord of the Sabbath, what had any to do to queſtion him.

Pr. And whereas thou ſaiſt, the cripple carried his bed on the Sabbath day, which the hypocrites ſpeaks againſt our Saviour for.

Anſw. The Law ſayes, thou ſhalt not beare a burthen on the Sabbath day. Now Chriſt the end of the Law, and the end of the ſhadow that fulfills it, and is reſt, often gives reſt upon that day: Yet not a breaker of the Sabbath, but a fulfiller, and convinces the gain-ſayers, with this; Which of you having an Oxe or Aſſe fallen into a ditch, would not pluck him out on that day: And the Circumciſion was to be on the eighth day, on which Chriſt roſe, and on which the Saints met in the circumciſion of the ſpirit, in the ſpirit which circumciſes, which puts off the body of ſinne, which hath laden them in; which ſpirit they have reſt, and are led withall up to God the Father of ſpirits, and ſo comes to know the firſt day and him, before it was made.

Pr. And thou ſayes, and brings the Apoſtles words, Men eſteeming one day above another, and another esteeming every day alike.

Anſw. Now the Apoſtle here did not lay any burthen upon the Saints, or tell the Saints of the Sabbath day, nor burthen them concerning it; that, if they did not keep it, they ſhould dye, as the Law ſayes, but that every man be fully perſwaded in his owne minde, and not to judge one another in ſuch caſes, but that every man ſtand or fall to his own master. Now theſe words were ſpoken among Saints, who was leading from meats and drinks, and dayes, to the truth, to the body Chriſt; and ſo he judged that judgment as was judging one another about the dayes, but brought every one to the truth in his own particular, wherewith he ſhould ſtand or fall to his own Maſter: For about ſhadows and ſignes untill they come to ſee clearly, there's the weakneſſe of the meats, of the dayes before they come to ſee him which was before the dayes was, the Lord of the Sabbath, and the everlaſting offering, where ends the judgement, in which they have peace.

Pr. Thou ſaith the Apoſtle ſayes, Ye obſerve meats and drinks, and dayes, and moneths and yeares. And thou ſaith, Will any be ſo bold as ſay hee doth reproach the Sabbath?

Anſw. The Apoſtle doth not t ll the Galatians that was running into Circumciſion and dayes, that they was to keep the outward Sabbath; for Circumciſion was an everlaſting Covenant as well as the Sabbath to the Jewes, throughout all their generations: So they that draw people to Circumciſion without, and to dayes, they draw them from the body [mark his judgement] and the Apoſtle was not a reproacher, and was out of the nature of a reproacher.

Pr. Thou ſaith, Let no man judge you in meats and drinks, and in reſpect of any Feaſt, new Moons or Sabbaths, which are ſhadows of things to come, but the body is Chriſt; But in this bold abſurdity ſome will caſt off the Sabbath, the ſeventh day.

Anſw. The Apoſtle ſayes, the body was Chriſt, and the Sabbath was a ſigne and a ſhadow of good things to come: So then this fulfils Moſes words, the body is Chriſt, the Sabbath a ſigne: So the good things being come, Chriſt, it ends the ſhadow, the the ſigne, that is the ſubſtance; and roſe on the firſt day on which the Saints met, and the Apoſtle doth not call that a Sabbath, nor doth not eſtabliſh the other Sabbath among the Chriſtians, nor bid them keep it, that ye read of no where; For if that had been obſerved as it was in the Law time, the ſeventh, which ſignifies perfection, the Apoſtle would have ſpoken of it ſome where; for thoſe things that were obſervable was often ſpoken in Law and Goſpell, and this being no where ſpoken of, nor to the Saints as that they ſhould keep the ſeventh day as a Sabbath, for offerings was on that day, and offerings changed; and the offerings being changed, the Law alſo changed, and the offering cam , Chriſt Jeſus, and the Law came within, and the Circumciſion came within: And Chriſt the reſt, who is the Lord of the Sabbath, and the reſt for the people of God; and he that holds up Sabbaths, Offerings, holds up Circumciſion and Works, and ſo keeps people from the body and the head in the ſignes and ſhadows, and ſo the works of the Law, which the Law commands.

Pr. And thou ſaith, Sixe dayes thou ſhalt labour, and do all thy works of ſin, but the Sabbath day thou ſhalt not ſin, thou nor thy ſon, thy daughter, thy cattell and ſtranger within thy gates.

To keep thy Son, Daughter, and Stranger from ſin, as for the poor Cattell they are not capable of ſuch a reſt.

Anſw. In the ſixe dayes thou was to do that which was juſt, and that which the Law commanded, which was juſtice, and to do to all men as thou wouldſt be done to. Not to covet, ſteale, bear falſe witneſſe, nor kill; the ſeventh day was the reſt, that ſignified Chriſt Jeſus the end of the Law, the reſt. If any man can receive this, let him.

And the Sabbath-day, that all ſervants, ſtrangers, cattell, ſon and daughter might reſt upon it the ſeventh day, the ſigne, the ſhadow, which Chriſt the body ends, was a figure, and a ſigne, and a ſhadow of the reſtauration of the Creation to the reſt, whereby the Goſpel might again be preached to every creature under heaven. This is a touch of the thing, more might be ſaid in it.

The Sabbath was everlaſting to the ſtate wherein it was, and Circumciſion was everlaſting to the ſtate wherein it was through their generations, and it was in the firſt covenant, ſhadows, types and figures; but the body is Chriſt that came to do the will of God, which ends them all, and ſanctifies man, and brings him to reſt and peace with God before dayes was.

Pr. And thou ſaith, J. E. was inſtructed in the Old Teſtament, which is able to make wiſe unto ſalvation through faith; therefore be inſtant in ſeaſon and out of ſeaſon. Now the onely morall ſeaſon the Scriptures enjoynes us is the ſeventh-day ſabbath, never changed till the little horne aroſe. And the holy ſpirit in the Apostles highly approves us in our fulfilling the Royall Law [which as to the ſeaſon of worſhip] is none other then the ſeventh day-ſabbath.

Anſw. They who are made able and wiſe to ſalvation, they know the Scriptures through the faith, they ſee the ſubſtance of them Chriſt Jeſus; and they ſee while Moſes was read, the vail was upon their hearts'; for the Sabbath was the ſigne, type, and circumciſion, and this was in Moſes, and this was the ſigne read, the ſhadow was read, the type was read, and the figure read, the vail over the heart. Now as the ſeed Chriſt the body comes to be known, the ſigne, the ſhadow, the type is ended, the body is known that doth the will of God, that brings people to the reſt. So who knows the Scripture that is able to make wiſe unto ſalvation (mark that word) through the faith that is in Chriſt Jeſus they have ſalvation, which are able to make wiſe unto ſalvation that teſtifies of it; and ſo Chriſt the ſeed, the body takes off the vaile of mens hearts, that ends the types, figures, and ſhadows: And ſuch as come to know the fulfilling of the royall Law according to Scriptures, he comes to the body Chriſt, in which the Law ends to every one that believes; and ſo they as be in dayes, Sabbaths which Moſes ſpeaks of, was a ſigne, and Ezekiel and the Apoſtle ſaid was a ſhadow, they be not yet come to the body which is Chriſt, that was before any dayes was, who is the ſanctification and reſt of his people, and who are in him that is the truth, worſhips God in the truth and in the ſpirit which never changes; but ſhadows, ſignes of a thing is not the thing that's ſigned too; for ſignes and ſhadows will change, but the ſpirit and truth doth not change, in that is God worſhipped.

Pr. And thou ſaith, It cannot be that horne, except he change your times alſo, and that he had no time to change but the ſeventh-day-ſabbath, and the Sabbath is perpetuall a rule of righteouſneſs.

Anſw. Chriſt made all things new, he ends the Law, and brings it in the heart; he ends the Covenant, and changes things as was in the old time, changing circumciſion, offerings, Prieſts, and ends the Sabbath, which was perpetuall to the Jewes in that generation among the types, as the Covenant was, and Circumciſion, and the Law was a rule of righteouſneſſe for them; but Chriſt who is the end of the Law comes to redeem them that are under the Law, and ends their covenant, and ends their ſhadows, and changes thoſe times, him by whom time was made; and ſo thou that knows not the time in his hands ſhews thou art not in the time that are in his hands, and ſo not of the body of Chriſt.

Pr. And vvhereas thou ſaith, No other time but ſimply the ſeventh part, must from week to week be devoted to Gods worſhip; for whenſoever the ſeventh part of time is altered, the morality muſt be deſtroyed.

Anſw. They worſhipped God that ſaid the body vvas Chriſt, and the Sabbath day vvas a ſhadovv of good things to come, and ſo they that vvorſhip God muſt vvorſhip him in ſpirit and in truth; and in that vvhich all figures and ſhadovvs, and ſignes doth end in the ſpirit and truth before they vvas, and not one day in ſeven, a ſignification of reſt, ſanctification, the Lords ſigne he gave to the people in tranſgreſſion. Before tranſgreſſion ye do not read it was to men given, as a command to the firſt Adam, but of the earth, earthly; But who comes to the ſecond Adam, the Lord from heaven, he by whom the world was made, comes into that that all types, figures, ſhadows ends, and ſo doth not deſtroy nothing of the Law, but comes to that which ends it.

Pr. And thou ſaves, It's a great ſtumbling block as to believers in Chriſt, becauſe Chriſtians violated the Sabbath.

Anſw. Chriſt is the body that ends the ſhadows and the ſignes, and fulfills the Law, him who was before the world was made, in him are the Chriſtians, the body that ends the ſhadows and the ſignes, in whom the vayl is come off of their hearts; and ſo Chriſt did not break the Law, but fulfilled it, and in him that fulfills it the Saints met, who met together in him, and gathers together in him; Who is the body, they are the members, he is the head, who is the Church, in whom he is in the mids of.

Pr. And thou ſaith, So that to produce the world of wonder, manifeſt it is that night was the beginning of time.

Anſw. That's falſe; the beginning of time was God and Chriſt, and times and ſe ſons are in his hands, and God is Light, read that who can.

Pr. And thou ſaith, Thou ſuppoſeſt it will not be queſtioned in Moſes time.

Anſw. This was while Moſes was read, while the body was not come, Chriſt Jeſus, that ends the ſigne, the ſhadow, the type, and blots out the Ordinances and Commandements that held them up, from which vaile the Apoſtle brought the People to the body Chriſt Jeſus, where no ſhadow was, nor changing. Now dayes are changing, but Chriſt doth not change which is the body: And you that hold up the ſigne, the ſhadow, the type, the figure, you hold up the dead, and come not to Chriſt the life, the body, the Sanctification it ſelfe before dayes was, by whom they was made.

Pr. And thou ſayſt, The unthankfull Christian ought to ſanctifie the Sabbath.

Anſw. Here thou brings them into dayes from the body which is Chriſt, and ſo brings them into dayes, and ſhadows, and types, where the vaile is over their hearts, and the falſe Chriſtian may run into ſignes and dayes that be out of Chriſts life, and the Apoſtles; But who be in the life of Chriſt and the Apoſtles, that be in the body, out of the ſignes and ſhadows, and offers up the ſpirituall ſacrifices, ſuch be in the reſt, and have the High Prieſt, the everlaſting Prieſt Chriſt.

Now if ye have the Sabbath, ye muſt have the offerings, the Prieſt to offer, and your Altars, and to offer upon that day; which the Chriſtians that witneſſed the body Chriſt Jeſus, the one offering, comes in the volume of the Book to do the will of God, this ſubſtance that the ſhadow and ſignes, and figures gave forth, ends them all, and brings people to ſee to the end of the ſhadow, to Perfection, Chriſt Jeſus.

Pr. Thou ſayes, We ſhould not grudge to give God every first day as an addition to Gods ſeventh-day-ſabbath.

Anſw. The Prieſts call it a Sabbath, and you call it a firſt day, and you would have a Sabbath beſides. Now this is your cover, but the life takes away all your ſhadows. 'Tis true, the Saints did meet together every firſt day on the week; And the Saints do ſo, though they do not ſay it was a command: And ſo the Apoſtles that brought people off their obſerving of dayes and times, and told them the body was Chriſt, and the Sabbath was a ſhadow of good things to come. Thou mayſt ſay the Apoſtle was the little Horne that changed times, we finde no where he commands the Saints to obſerve it; but brings people as you may read in the Romans, from the Law, being juſtified by the Law; for if they keep the Sabbath, they were juſtified, it not, they were condemned: So Chriſt the body, the end of types, figures, ſignes and ſhadows is the Juſtification without, the works of the Law, and the Sanctification it ſelfe, and ſanctifies man to God, and ſo the Chriſtians no where, as you may read through the Epiſtles, did obſerve the dayes, the ſhadowes that was believers in Chriſts that ownes the body.

Prin. Thou ſayes ſince the bleſſed Creator celebrated the ſeventh day, Man thinks to be wiſer then his Maker, in altering and diſobeying, pretending ſpiritual obſervances; poor worm, duſt and aſhes, who in expounding his own Law, ſums up all in this; be ye therefore perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect, that is in quality not in quantitie.

Anſw. He that is perfect, as his heavenly Father is perfect, is perfect as he is perfect; if thou or any have an ear to hear, let them hear, and lay away thy qualities and quantities, and take, the words as they are, and all that are come into Chriſt, are come into life from the duſt and aſhes, and are the ſpiritual men. But him that talkes of celebrating dayes, and Sabbaths are celebrating ſignes and ſhadowes, and be in their own works from the body of Chriſt, and keeping others, and ſuch, if they do not all the works contained in the Law, are accurſed.

Pr. And thou ſayes Chriſt confirms the ſeventh day Sabbath, and aſſures us it ſhall continue every jot and title, and Paul ſayes he establiſhed the Law, which cannot be ceremonial, therefore let ſuch as ſlight the ſeventh day Sabbath, take warning and make ſure work that it be not broken, in no point of the Law, which every jot and title is eſtabliſhed by Chriſt, and his Apoſtles; when the Lord of the Sabbath, and the Saints endeavoured to obſerve every jot and title of it to the •• d of the world, and our Redeemer particularly ownes the Sabbath, above all other dayes by his works, and Miracles and great wonders on that day, and God forbid that Saints ſhould ſide with evil ſeducers, and reproach our Saviour for putting on his glory on that day, but rather let that Sabbath be celebrated.

Anſw, Chriſt came not to break the Law, the Apoſtle ſaid the Law was good in its place, and he eſtabliſhed it, yet the Apoſtle ſayes that the Sabbath was ſhadowes and the body was Chriſt, and he brings them to the Law in the heart, in the mind, and there he eſtabliſhed it; and Chriſt did not come to break one jot, or title of it, but [Mark] to fulfill it, and he ſaid not one jot, or tittle of the Law ſhould be broken until fulfilled: and Chriſt which is the reſt to the Jew, which had the Sabbath day a ſign of reſt (Chriſt) the reſt give the people reſt on that day often, that was bound, that was burthened, or that was wearied of that day, and Chriſt that did give them reſt on that day, and the Apoſtle which eſtabliſhes the Law, which was good in its place, neither of them doth bid keep the Sabbath day; he doth not ſay the Sabbath day muſt be kept, after him the Apoſtle no where commands it, but ſayes it was a ſhadow, and the body was Chriſt; and ſo them that came to the body Chriſt in the dayes of the Apoſtles was come to the end of the ſhadowes, in that age in their dayes, and for example thou may ſee it, for ſome did obſerve a day, and ſome did not, and they was not to judge one another about thoſe things; and Chriſt giving reſt on that which the people was to reſt on, was a figure of the everlaſting reſt, and of the Reſtauration: who did the work of God on that day, and gave reſt to the burthened on that day; that ſignifies an inward reſt, that Chriſt was the reſt and Lord of the Sabbath, and of reſt both to the people of God, and them that celebrate the Sabbath day, muſt celebrate a ſign and live in the ſhadow, and keep them from the body, and ſo from the Church which Chriſt is the head of, and who are celebrating Sabbaths muſt alſo bring their offerings, and then they muſt have the firſt Prieſthood to offer, and deny the body that doth the will of God, the everlaſting Prieſthood and the one offering, and holds with the firſt Covenant that muſt decay, in which thoſe things ſtood: and deny the everlaſting Covenant, and he that blotted out Ordinances, and ends types and ſhadowes: and ſo Chriſt is the end of the Law to every one that believes in every jot and title and print in it, and ſignes and ſhadowes that was held up by the Law, Chriſt is the end of that; yet the life of the Law, the power remaines, though the outward changing ſhadowes and things end, the body is that that ends them all.

Pr. Thou ſayes the Sabbath was honoured with the converſion of ſouls on this day, and the day before did they break bread together.

Anſ. Was that the Sabbath day that Chriſt and his Diſciples brake bread together on; did the Apoſtles, and the Saints eſtabliſh the Sabbath day, when they ſaid it was but a ſhadow, and brought them to the body which is Chriſt?

Pr. Thou ſayes the Sabbath is mentioned with new Moones, and ſacrifices, that the Actions, Baptiſme, and breaking of bread, are the ſignes of a Chriſtian Sabbath; its high preſumption to alter the word of God, in calling every day the Lords Sabbath; and honouring any other day as the Sabbath. So if we be followers of God as dear children, and take the ſpirit to be our guide, we muſt honour the Sabbath withall holy devotion.

Anſw. The Sabbath is mentioned with new Moons, and ſacrifices but the Apoſtle ſayes they were ſhadowes of good things to come, when this is come, which was before the ſhadowes was, which is the body Chriſt which was before dayes, new Moons, or ſacrifices was, the body, who be in that ends them all: and to that the Apoſtle brought people, and not to the dayes; now there was ſome brought them to obſerve dayes, and he was afraid of them that did obſerve them, and he brought them to the body Chriſt, to whom all the Angels did bow, for they as did obſerve the dayes, new Moons, and Sabbathes are worſhipping of Angels, neglect the body which is Chriſt, and this was for the ſatisfying of the fleſh, and now what art thou ſatisfying, which art teaching to obſerve dayes, ſignes and ſhadowes which the Apoſtle brought people off, to the body and to the head Chriſt Jeſus? and to worſhip God in ſpirit, and brought them into that, that ended all ſhadowes; for the devil will lurk in a ſhadow, or a type, or a ſign, or figure, and creeps into thoſe things after the ſubſtance is come to keep people from the body, and they will perſecute ſuch as will not bend to the ſhadow and come from the ſubſtance; and breaking bread and baptiſme, is no ſign of the Sabbath day, of the Jewiſh Sabbath day; the Sabbath was a figure of the reſt, and ſanctification of the Creation, and breaking of bread among the Saints was a figure of the bread Chriſt, which the Saints eat, and live for ever: and the word of God cannot be altered, and the word of God cannot change, man may alter, but the word of God cannot be altered, but abides and lives for ever.

And the Saints which comes to the body Chriſt, comes to honour him who ends the Sabbath which is a ſign, and a ſhadow, and ſuch honors God the Redeemer and Creator and Chriſt by whom all things was created and made, and which are the dear children of God the Apoſtle ſpeaks of, he did not bring them into dayes, and to obſerve Sabbaths, and ſignes, but brings them to the body Chriſt the Lord of the Sabbath; and doth not ſet up that which thou cals devotion; in holding up the Jewiſh Sabbath, which was a ſign, on which they ſhould reſt; the reſt of the creation, and the reſt of all man kinde, cattel, and beaſts, that God would reſtore, and redeem all things by Chriſt who is the word, and gives reſt; and is the ſanctification, and gives reſt to the whole creation.

Prin. Thou ſayes, this is the time of Gods worſhip obſerving the ſeventh day; Chriſtian look well to thy walkings, ſee that thou make all things according to the pattern in the mount.

Anſw. They that worſhipps God they come into Chriſt, the truth, the body which ends the ſign and the ſhadow: and the end of Moſes who made a pattern which was a figure of that which was to come, and he made it at the command of God, and the Chriſtians are not to make the pattern, which was ſhewed to Moſes in the mount, for while Moſes is read, the vail is upon the hearts of Chriſtians, and all people whatſoever, and the ſign, ſhadowes and figures: the body is not ſeen, nor come to, which is Chriſt; And Paul, and the Saints, the true Chriſtians worſhipped God in the ſpirit, and in the truth, who witneſſed they was in the body, that ended the ſhadowes, and types, and Moſes, the Law, and the Prophets, Chriſt Jeſus him by whom the world was made, before it was made; and a pattern is not the thing, there is the thing the pattern is of, and that ends the pattern and lives in the thing, and they need not have the pattern, for the pattern was made of a thing that was to come.

Pr. Thou ſayes if the Apoſtle of the Gentiles who was the rejecter of the ceremonies, did constantly celebrate the ſeventh day Sabbath, then much more them Apoſtles among the Jewes, there's not a plainer precept in all the Scripture, then Pauls practice herein, for the ſeventh day Sabbath: if we tread in the steps of Paul, he was but a man, and ſometimes a very angry man, and he ſtrictly requires all believers to follow his example, as he followed Chriſt, and certainly in obſerving the Sabbath: and Paul reaſoned with the Jewes on the Sabbath day; and Chriſts custome and Pauls was to go into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day, and was there difference betwixt Chriſts preaching and Pauls? and where is the difference between Chriſts obſerving the Sabbath and Pauls?

Anſw. The Apoſtle never taught the Chriſtians, Neither Jewes nor Gentiles to celebrate the ſeventh day, nor never mentions it to them to keep it not in all the Epiſtles: there's not ſuch a thing; but tels them, they were ſhadowes, the body was Chriſt, and Chriſts and the Apoſtles going into the Synagogues and temple on the Sabbath dayes, was to fulfill and ſhew the fulfilling of the types, and figures of him, and brings to the ſubſtance of the ſignes, types and ſhadowes, not to hold up dayes, times, offerings, but to bring them to the body Chriſt; as Coloſ. 2. and ſo Paul and Chriſt doth not diſagree, for he Preached Chriſt the end of the Law, and the ſubſtance, and though Paul went among the Jewes and circumciſed and did ſeveral things, went into the Temple, yet tha was not to hold up the Temple, or to hold up the offerings, types, and ſhadowes, but to bring them to the ſubſtance. And mind, what the anger was, as Paul was in, and Paul followed the ſubſtance, and was more then a man, there was more in him then a man; Paul nor the Apoſtles no where commands the Saints to obſerve the Jewes Sabbath day, though he went into the Jewes and conſented to many things to the intent to bring them out of them, not to keep them in them, but to bring them to the ſubſtance, and that was the end of Pauls going into the Jewes Synagogues, and Temple, to bring them out of the ſhadowes, types, and ſignes, to the ſubſtance, and the end of Chriſts going thither, was to bring them to the ſubſtance of which was typed forth that people might believe in him who was the body, which was before heaven or earth was, who fulfils every jot and tittle of the Law, and to him did the Apoſtle bring the people, to this body, which types, ſignes and ſhadowes, ſigned, ſhadowed, and typed forth, which the body of them all is Chriſt; and in thy principles thou art confuſed; and ſo who followes the Apoſtle comes to the body out of the ſign, and the types, and figures, and ſhadowes which as every believer followes, comes to the body, and from the obſerving of ſignes, and ſhadowes, Sabbath dayes to Chriſt the Son, the end of them all.

Pr. Thou ſayes fancy is no fewel for a Chriſtian faith.

Anſw. Fancy and fewel is out of a Chriſtian faith; which thou art in that is got among the ſignes, types, and ſhadowes in the fancy, and ſo from the body Chriſt.

Pr. And thou ſayes if the Lord be thy God; thou muſt obſerve the ſeventh day Sabbath. And thou ſayes its Antichrist that perſwades to change the day, And thou charges them to do no manner of work on that day; And thou ſayes it is not ceremonial, but was before Jew or ceremony had a being.

Anſw. The Sabbath was not before Adam was, and the Apoſtles ſerved the Lord God, that had the Law of God written in their hearts, he was their God, and they his people, which witneſſed the end of the firſt covenant; which ſtood in ceremonies, and ſo ſhadowes, and ſignes are ceremonies, and the Sabbath was ſpoken of, before ceremonies was, thats true; but not as a command then, but when ceremonies came up in the dayes of Moſes, the Sabbath was given as a ſign amongſt the other ſignes, and a ſhadow amongſt the other ſhadowes, and he tels you plainly, if you will believ him, the body of all is Chriſt; and this Sabbath, which was before ceremonies wa given among them that had the ceremonies, a day of reſt; for cattel, man and beaſt, ſtrangers, and ſervants, which the body of this ſhadow and ſign is the reſt, that gives reſt to all the Creation, man and beaſt, ſtranger and ſervant, and ſo reſt to the whole creation.

And the Apoſtle was not Antichriſt that ſaid the body was Chriſt, & the Sabbath was ſhadows, and brought them off of days and off of ſigns, types and ceremonies, and the firſt Prieſt-hood, firſt covenant and offerings, and brought them to the body Chriſt, that ended them all, and takes off the vayl that's upon the hearts of people while Moſes was read. Now they be the Antichriſts that be ſetting up ſignes, ſhadows, and brings people from the body which is Chriſt the ſubſtance, & are keeping people in the obſerving of a day in which people ſhould have reſt for a day, cattell reſt for a day, ſervants reſt for a day, not minding the ſubſtance, the body of Chriſt, who reſtores the creation into unity as it was in the beginning; and gives reſt to man and beaſt, ſervant, ſtranger, and cattell, and is reſt to them all. They that are come to the body knows the ſubſtance, the end of the Sabbath days work.

But then again thou ſayes in thy charge, Ye may not do any worke on that day. How is it then that ye make fires through all your congregations? How is it you keep Markets on the Sabbath day, which God commanded? How is it that Oxe and Horſe bear burthens on that day, and you both? How is it that you gather ſticks and make fires on that day, and gather your meat on that day, in which meat was not to be gathered on that day, and he that gathered ſticks was ſtoned to death? And how is it that ye profeſſe a day, and do not obſerve it according to the day, are ye not all hypocrites in this, profeſſing that as ye do not practice? for by th Law ye ſhould be ſtoned to death, ye ſhould dye all. And how is it that you Profeſſors likewiſe, that profeſſes the firſt day to be the Sabbath, and yet will not go to your worſhips, abundance of you, except you be drawn with horſes? Why pollute you the Sabbath day? ye are all polluters according to your own words: And why gather ye your meat, and make fires on that day? Keep it according to the Law, & be not diſſemblers and mockers of God and man. If ye will keep a Sabbath, go according to Scripture and the law of God.

And the poor creatures muſt bear a burthen to lug you to your worſhips; and yet if a poor man be found but carrying a loaf of bread, or a burden of ſticks to make him a fire, he ſhall it may be fined for it. Now by the Law of God he ſhould be ſtoned to death, and your horſes ſhould do no work on that day; And you will fine ſome for going to a Meeting of the Lords people, yet you muſt have your Horſes and Coaches, and Coachmen, and put them to labour to draw you to your worſhips, and ſo here is your confuſion. And ſo are judging one another in dayes, which was not the Saints work, Nor the Apoſtles, who witneſſed the body was Chriſt, and met together in him who was the end of dayes.

Prin. Whereas thou ſayſt, The Sabbath is perpetuall, and fenced above all other Lawes.

Anſw. If it had been perpetual; the Apoſtle would not have ſaid it was a ſigne, and the body was Chriſt; but the Jewes that had the types, to them it was perpetuall, it was highly to be obſerved; but Chriſt that ends the Law, ends that, and the things that's in the Law, the ſhadow and ſigne that's in the Law, who was the body of it.

Pr. The Jewes received the lively Oracles from Mount-Sinai. Whether was it given us to be broken or kept, ſlighted or obſerved? If to be kept and obſerved, then we muſt either deny the ſeventh-day-ſabbath to be one of Mount-Sinais lively Oracles, or deny Stephens Doctrine delivered to the Jewes. We muſt ſanctifie this lively Oracle of the ſeventh-day-ſabbath.

Anſw. Stephen he preaches Chriſt the end of the Law, types, figures, and ſhadows, the ſubſtance, and ſhewed the Jewes that they had not kept the Law, in which was the ſhadows of Chriſt, and ſo Chriſt is the end of the Law, and the Signes, and the Similitudes, and the Dayes.

And Stephen ſaw the end; Hagar or Sinai is a Mount in Arabia, and anſwers to Jeruſalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children: Now read where you all are; But Jeruſalem above is free, which is the mother of us all [now mark] us all, who are come to the body Chriſt the end of the ſignes, ſhadows, and figures. Jeruſalem below had types, had figures, had ſhadows, had ſignes, when that reſteth that is in bondage: Hagar with her children, and here you may come to know the Allegory of theſe two Covenants; and ſo who is come to the Son, to the body, is come to the end of all ſhadows, and before any ſhadows was.

And Stephen held not up the ſhadows, but preached Chriſt the end of them, onely he judged the Jewes that had not kept it, which Chriſt is the end of it to every one that believes. And Stephen was a believer, and they accuſed him for ſpeaking againſt the Law and Moſes, who witneſſed the end of it.

Pr. Thou ſaith, There is a conceit, that the Diſciples in aſſembling on the firſt day, did celebrate the Sabbath: And they were ſo far from believing as Chriſt was riſen, that it ſeemed to them as idle tales. The firſt day was finiſhed before they believed, and ſo they could not have faith to do any ſuch thing.

Anſw. The Scriptures ſpeaks no ſuch thing, and tells us no ſuch conceit, that the Diſciples did celebrate the firſt day to be the Sabbath; but this is thine and your imaginations got up among you that owns not the body Chriſt, that ends all ſignes, types, and ſhadows. Chriſt, who was before dayes was, and who lives in him doth not celebrate dayes.

Pr. Thou ſaith, John intends a ſingle day, it's much like it was the Sabbath day; and he ſpeaks of the Lords day, Iudgement-day, and this he calls the day, and this day he muſt ſhew unto John in the viſion. The ancient Chriſtians who call it the Lords day, did never terme it the Sabbath; But religiouſly celebrated the 7th. day with it.

Anſw. Iohn doth not call it the Sabbath-day, nor the Chriſtians did not celebrate the Sabbath with it, but ſaid the old was ſignes and ſhadows, the body of them was Chriſt; But ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles and the Apoſtacy, ye have wanted the body Chriſt, and yee have fell into the dayes; for Chriſt ſaw thoſe as ſhould come up, and draw people into the dayes. And the day of the Lord is light, and in the day of the Lord was Iohn.

Pr. Thou ſaith, Old things are paſſed away, and all things are become new.

Anſw. Then the Sabbath was a thing, and it muſt paſſe away; and it was a reſt, and muſt have a new reſt: and the Sabbath was in the old time given as a ſigne, and a command, and given by God to be kept ſince the Fall.

Pr. Thou ſaith, There remains therefore the celebrating the Sabbath to the people of God.

Anſw. But the Scripture, the New Teſtament doth not ſay ſo. The Apoſtle ſayes, there remains therefore a reſt for the people of God, ſuch as come off the ſignes to Chriſt the body, the ſoules reſt, there remains in him a reſt for the people: And ſuch as celebrate the Sabbath, reſt in the ſhadow, and doth not come to the body Chriſt, and ſuch are not the Believers that do enter into the reſt Chriſt: And ſuch as reſt in the ſigne and ſhadow, and there remains, celebrating the Sabbath, come not into the body Chriſt the reſt of Gods people.

Pr. Thou ſayes, Chriſt rested, or ceaſed from his great worke, and entered into his reſt, and this is laid down as a Goſpel-reaſon why the Sabbath remains to the people of God. And hee layes the Believer under a double engagement to ſanctifie the ſeventh-day-ſabbath.

Anſw. Chriſt ſpeaks no ſuch thing, nor the Apoſtles neither, that they ſhould ſanctifie the ſeventh day, he ſpeaks no ſuch thing to the believers; But the Apoſtle brings them off of the ſhadows, off the ſigns, and ſhews them the body of all, and he doth not mention a double engagement; and the Sabbath the Jewes was to reſt on, which was death if not kept, was a figure of the redemption, Chriſt Ieſus the reſt, who was put to death on the ſixth day. Man was made on the ſixth day, and he was put to death on the ſixth day, and he was crucified through the means of them that had the ſhadows, the outward day, the outward reſt, from which day they ſhould have come, from the ſignes and ſhadows, to the body Chriſt, who was the reſt and reſtauration of the Creation.

Pr. And thou ſaith, To hold forth the paſſage over of that reſt which prevented the women of the application of their ſpices, that was the Sabbath, and I am ſatisfied the ſeventh day is the Sabbath day.

Anſw. Now though the women did reſt on the Sabbath-day, and came with their Spices on the firſt day, there was many of them did queſtion whether this was the man that ſhould redeem Iſrael, and ſo that's no ground at all to hold up the Jewes types and ſhadowes, for Peter denyed him, therefore that's no ground; But what did they do after the Holy Ghoſt was come to endue them with power from on high? And what ſayes Paul, he brings them off from the ſignes and ſhadowes to Chriſt the body, though there's much more to be ſaid to this; for while the queſtioning ſtands, the queſtioning part doth pertain to the ſhadow and types, which the body ends, and with that is felt and ſeen, there's no changing, nor ſhadow, nor variableneſs, nor altering, and that overthrows the queſtioner, unbeliever, ſtumbler: The great ſtumbler was the Jewes that's reſting in the ſhadows, types and ſignes, they ſtood againſt the body Chriſt Jeſus.

Pr. Whereas thou ſaith, The ſeventh-day-ſabbath is one of the lively Oracles Iſrael received from Sinai, given to us. O Chriſtian! Remember it, and love it, in thy boſome.

A. Here thou wouldſt bring the Children from her Mother above, which is Jeruſalem, to Jeruſalem below, and Sinai, and ſo to Hagar into the ſhadow, and the Chriſtians witneſſed the end of the ſhadows and Sabbaths, and witneſſed the body Chriſt Jeſus and Ieruſalem that's above, and come to Chriſt the end of the Law, and into God by him, from whence the Law came, and ſo Chriſtians cannot put ſignes in their boſomes, no type, ſhadow or figure in their boſome, that have Chriſt within them, and cannot touch the Doctrine, Commandements, Ordinances of men, which have a ſhew of wiſdome in the Will-worſhip; and that which the Jew, the outward Jew, had types, ſhadows and figures; the Jew inward witneſſed the ſubſtance, which is the true Chriſtian, the Law in their hearts, and circumciſion there, and the end of the Law comes into, and enters into the reſt Chriſt Jeſus, that is not an outward ſeventh day; but entered into his reſt, ceaſed from his works as God did from his; which man enters into his reſt, and ceaſed from their own works, the type, the figure, the ſeventh-day-Sabbath: Do no worke, thou nor ſtrangers, nor the Cattell, and ſo the Sabbath was a reſt from all: This was a type, and God gave them the Sabbath for a ſigne, who hath ceaſed from his own works, enters into his reſt, a figure of the reſtauration of the creation (of Chriſt) the reſt, the Reſtorer, Redeemer, and Saviour that brings peace on earth; And ſo they that believe hath entered into him, into the reſt Chriſt, the rest to all wearied ſoules, and helps all creatures upon the earth, man and beaſt, and deſtroys the cauſe of all oppreſſion, and ſo many is come from Hagar: And though the ſeventh day the Law was a rule among the Jewes a true type, yet the Apoſtle that preaches Chriſt the end of the Law, brings people to the body, Chriſt.

Pr. Thou ſaith, Circumciſion nor Ʋncircumciſion, but keeping the commands of God (viz.) of ſanctifying GODS Sabbath. And thou ſaith, The ſeventh Angel ſounded forth the Ancient of glory, the Lords Sabbath, ſwearing that time ſhould be no longer.

Anſw. Circumciſion was a command of God, and ſo was the Sabbath, and they that love God, keep his Commandements. And did not the Apoſtle bring people off of circumciſion, and off of the ſignes and ſhadowes, the Sabbath days, and told them the body was Chriſt? And was not Offerings and Sacrifices the commands of God? Now they that love God, keep his commands, and thoſe are believers that have paſſed from death to life, and hath come to the end of the Law and the Prophets. And the Angell in the Revelations, makes no mention of a Sabbath there; but many are come to witneſſe him to whom the Angels muſt bow down to, and ſaw the end of time, and the beginning of time, and the ſupper of the Lord, and the Reſt, and the Temple of God with them, and heavenly Jeruſalem come down from above.

Pr. Thou ſaiſt, It cannot be but Gods people muſt bethink themſelves of this Doctrine delivered by Stephen to the ſanctification of the Lord of the Sabbath.

Anſw. Stephen no where mentions the Sabbath day in his Examination, though he judged the Jewes for not keeping the Law vvhich they had received, but perſecuted the Juſt one: ſo he preached the ſubſtance, Chriſt, the end of the Lavv, and ſaid they had not kept the Lavv, but turned againſt the Juſt, and perſecuted him; he did not eſtabliſh the Jewes in their Ceremonies, ſignes and types; But Stephen brings them to the ſubſtance, and ſo God that gave forth the Law vvith types and figures, and ſhadovvs in it to the vveak capacity of people in their tranſgreſſion, ſent his Son to redeem them from it, and to end the types, figures and ſhadovvs in the firſt Covenant, vvho is in the nevv and living vvay; vvhich is no changing and ſhadovvs, no variableneſſe nor altering, no turning.

Pr. And thou ſayes, Sin is double on the Sabbath-day. And thou ſaith, I conceive a Sabbath dayes journey is ſo farre as a perſon may ride to go without toyl to a meeting: So where there's no law, there's no tranſgreſſion, and the extent is left to the conſcience.

Anſw. Hovv novv, muſt the Beaſt bear a burthen? Where doth the Scripture ſay that thou vvas to ride upon the Sabbath day? Do the Beaſts vvork then? He ſayes, Thou ſhalt do no manner of work: But ſixe dayes ſhalt thou labour, and do all thou haſt to do. And you that make Sabbaths, and ſet the up old Sabbaths, and do not keep it according to the Law of God, with the Law of God are you judged and condemned, if ye do not fulfill it in every point; and they that believe Chriſt is the end of the Law, to them he is the body, which is the end of the ſhadow.

Pr. Thou ſayes, That the Jewes that were not to make a fire on the Sabbath day, this was mentioned of the Ceremoniall Law, and ſo concerns not Christians, and ſo not in danger of ſtoning. The revealed will of God, that we ſhould not turne our foot to the defiling the Sabbath. When the ſixe dayes is done, be ſure thou do not turne thy foote to pollute the Sabbath.

A. And doſt not thee confound thy ſelfe in this, and turne thy foot to pollute it, and ſayes, it is the Ceremonial Law that commands it? and they that gathered ſticks and made a fire were ſtoned to death: Did not they pollute it? And doth not thou ſay it doth not concern the Chriſtians, & they was not in danger of ſtoning? And ſo haſt not thou taught them to break the Law and the Sabbath both, and pollute it, and ſo hath overthrown all thy doctrine in thy Book, and confounded thy ſelfe? And doth not he that goes out and gathers ſticks and makes a fire, turn his foot from the Sabbath? For he that went out to gather ſticks, broke the Sabbath day, and was curſed, and ſtoned to death: For no fire, no me t, no burthens was to be borne on that day of reſt, a figure of the everlaſting reſt, wherein no meat is gathered, no fire is made; no burthen is born, and there is no turning the foot, but all walking in reſt and peace, and ſo I finde thee neither in Law nor Goſpel.

Pr. Thou ſayſt, But to be ſure, the Law was made for Chriſts Diſciples. Whoſoever boasts of a Light within, and ſpeaks againſt this Law of the Sabbath, hath no light in him. And thou ſaith, Quakers will not admit of this Royall Law as a rule of righteouſneſſe, but perverts the Scriptures, which ſayes, The Law was not made for a righteous man.

Anſw. The Diſciples of Chriſt, the Law was not made for them that came to witneſſe Chriſt the end of the Law; for they ſaid plainly, the Law was not made for the righteous: And Chriſt is the end of the Law to them that believe for righteouſneſſe ſake. And the Quakers witneſſe Chriſt the end of the Law, for their rule of righteouſneſs, and do not pervert the Scriptures but are the believers in him who ends the Law, and before it was, and is the body which ends types, ſhadowes and figures, and they that draw people under the Law, and the types, and ſhadowes, and figures from the light within, doth not know Law nor Goſpel; for the Law is light, and the Goſpel is the power of God, and ſuch as witneſs Chriſt the end of the Law, witneſs the end of the Sabbath.

Pr. Thou ſayes among all Gods Lawes, none ſets the ſoul more at liberty then the fourth lively Oracle.

Anſw. And yet thou ſayes men may make a fire, and not be ſtoned, and ſo thou teaches to break it, and thy Horſe may bear a burden, and ſo doſt not thou pollute it here, and deſtroy thy own ſoul by thy own Judgement, but I tell thee; Chriſt is the Biſhop of the ſoul, who ends the Law, and brings the Law within, into the mind, and heart, ſo now the ſoul being ſubject to the Higher power; the power by which all the changeable things is held up by: that power remaines when all the changeable fails, and decayes and ends, and the ſoul witneſſes that, and the body of Chriſt the power ſtands.

Pr. The Sabbath was intended to righteous Stephen and all his followers, and is deſigned to all perſons, to whom the Supper is joyned; the Sabbath is a precept, ancient and univerſal both for Adam a publike perſon, and for all his poſteritie, but none can ſanctifie the Sabbath ſaving Chriſts diſciples.

Anſw. Stephen ſuffered death for witneſſing againſt the ſhadowes and witneſſing the ſubſtance, and the Apoſtle no where joyns the Sabbath, with the Supper, but Stephen ſaw Chriſt the body in whom was the reſt, in whom he entered, and the Saints that come to ſup with the Lord, and is ſupping with him, comes into the body which is the end of all types, and ſhadowes and ſignes, which are Sabbaths, and hath ſeen them flee away, and are come to the beginning, before the world was made, him who was before ſignes, ſhadowes and types was.

The Sabbath was not given to Adam in the beginning who had the dominion over all creatures living, but given to Adams poſteritie in the fall a ſign, when they came to receive the Law of God; the types, and ſhadowes and figures, which they was to reſt on, a ſign of reſt. But when Chriſt came, who gives reſt to the day from the inward burden that men were bound; the Apoſtle that Preached him who was the body, Preached the end of the ſhadowes, types, and figures, that took off the nature, which cauſed the oppreſſion and tranſgreſſion, and ſo the Diſciples which was in the reſt Chriſt, in the body they was in the ſanctification, and the Apoſtle no where ſpeaks that the Diſciples did ſanctifie the ſeventh day and bid people do it, but thou doſt not ſanctifie the ſeventh day, that bids people make a fire, and ſo art a breaker of it, and Preaches up that people ſhould break that, which thou affirms ſhould be kept holy.

Pr. Thou ſayes there's already many ſignes of diſpleaſure upon Sabbath breakers, againſt the Oracle of God: labouring wtih all their might againſt it, in the Birth upon Quakers: yea, the Galileans were great ſinners, but I tell thee except you repent ye ſhall all likewiſe periſh; and thou compares them to the ſow wallowing in the mire that goes from the Sabbath of the Lord.

Anſ. This thou mighteſt turn upon the Apoſtles who brought the people off from types, figures; ſignes and ſhadowes: to the body Chriſt, and to the end of the Law, and told them all things muſt become new, [Mark] all things become new, what, wouldſt hold up any old thing, what a new Sabbath then? and hath the Quakers been perſecuted as thou cals examples and ſignes for witneſſing the body Chriſt is he perſecuted? They go in the wallowing mire like ſwine, and like the Prodigal feeding upon the husk, as goes into the ſignes and ſhadowes, and from the body Chriſt the life the ſubſtance, and comes not to the reſt the body and holds not the head, and ſo they ſatisfie the fleſh, and runs into the mire and wallowes there, and are ſatisfying it, and ſuch are the intruders worſhipping Angels; will worſhippers, without the body.

Pr. Thou ſayes the ſeventh day is a perpetual royal reſt eſtabliſhed by precept and preſident: for Gods praiſe and Saints priviledge, the unchangeableneſs of the ſeventh day Sabbath.

Anſ. It was ſo to the Jewes in their generation; perpetual to them in the generation where they was and ſo was circumciſion, and ſo was the offerings; but Chriſt by whom the world was made, came to end the offerings, who is the reſt to weary ſouls and takes of all burdens, is the everlaſting reſt, and reſtores the creation and ends the Jewiſh ſignes: given as a ſign and ſhadow of the body, Chriſt, him by whom the world was made before it was made, and ſo he changes the covenant and Prieſthood, ends the Law, ends the ſhadowes; the body Chriſt, who believes in him are entered into his reſt, and there's the Saints priviledge.

Pr. Thou ſayes when will the the new Moons be gone that we may ſell corn, and the Sabbath day that we may ſet forth wheat. All the Diſcipline of the Goſpel cals for ſelf-deniall: as this weekly duty of the holy Sabbath; The Chriſtian complains for want of ſpiritual injoyments with Chriſt and acquaintance with Chriſt, the Sabbath opens the door of the Holy of Holies, and is as a ſpring of the ſpiritual joyes.

Anſ. In the time of the Law and Prophets they was crying up new Moons, and Sabbathes which were ſhadowes, types, and ſignes: But the Saints denyed themſelves and was come to the body, and did not ſet up weekly duties of the Holy Sabbath, but ſaid they were ſhadowes and came to ſee the end of Sabbathes, and new Moons, and witneſſed the body Chriſt; before the day was made in whom is the reſt: and the Chriſtian complaining for want of ſpiritual enjoyments and acquaintance with Chriſt; are ſuch that is among thee; that is in the ſhadowes; and come not to the body Chriſt in whom there's Communion and life, for the body is the light of the world: the body is the life given for the life of the world in whom there is reſt, yea to them that had the true Sabbath, which was the ſign which they was to reſt on: a ſign, a ſhadow is of ſomething that is to come, therefore the ſign and ſhadow is not the thing; and they that lives upon the ſign, and ſhadow and cryes up them, keepes from the door of Holies where all the ſprings of Spiritual Joyes are in, which all the ſignes and ſhadowes and types, and figures ended in Chriſt before they was; in Chriſt by whom the world was made, before ſhadowes and types was. And a great deal more confuſion is there in thy book not worthy mentioning, but will fall into the mire, and the dirt with thy ſelf, therefore now thou haſt time prize it, and give over deceiving the people; for thou art wallowing in the mire thou ſpeakes of, and would bring people thither into the ſhadowes from Chriſt the body, the ſubſtance and Life.

John Burton and John Bunian, cals themſelves Miniſters of the Goſpel in their Booke called, Some Goſpel truthes opened. Their Principles are as Followeth.

Pr. THey ſay, To witneſs Christ manifeſt in our fleſh, is to deny Chriſt come in the fleſh, and ſaith, that Chriſt ſaith he ſhall be abſent from his Apoſtles touching his body.

Anſ. Contrary to Chriſt who ſaid that they might eat his fleſh, and contrary to the Apoſtle who ſaid that they were of his fleſh and bone, ſo they do not divide the word aright, and to witneſs Chriſt within, is not to deny him come in the fleſh, but to witneſs him, and ſuch are not abſent from him.

Pr. And they ſay, Others have been depending upon ſomething that they call the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt within, and Chriſt within them; and this they ſay is oppoſite to Chriſt without, and this they call the ſpirit of the Devill.

Anſ. Which is not agreeable to the Apoſtles doctrine, but contrary to the Apoſtle, who ſaid, he was manifeſt in his fleſh to condemn ſin in the fleſh, that he through him might become the righteouſneſſe of God, and this is not oppoſite to Chriſt that dyed at Jeruſalem; but it is the ſame that's manifeſt, and not the ſpirit of the Devill, but that which deſtroys him; For the Devil and Reprobates may talk of him without, but the Apoſtle ſaid, that Jeſus Christ was in them (that's the Emanuel, God with us) except they be reprobates, and none knows righteouſneſſe but within.

Pr. And they ſay, This is one of the Devills lyes, to deceive, to bid people follow the light.

Anſw. That's contrary to the Prophets, Chriſt, and the Apoſtles, who bids them walk in the light; and Chriſt, who bids them believe in the light. And I will give him for a Covenant of light, a leader of the people. And Chriſt ſaid, I am the light, he that followeth me ſhall not walke in darkneſſe, but ſhall have the light of life: And that's the Devill and the Lyar that leads people from the Light, for he abode not in it.

Pr. They ſay, Faith is not perfect in reſpect of its degree and meaſure in us.

Anſw. The faith of God is the gift of God, and it is p rfect in us in it's meaſure and degree, though thy meaſure and degree is not perfect; and here thou haſt tryed thy faith and thy gift which is not perfect, for the gift of God is perfect.

Pr. And yet they ſay, The worke of this faith is for purifying and justifying, and not perfect in the degree and meaſure of it in us.

Anſw. Can an unperfect thing purifie and juſtifie? And doth not the Scripture ſpeak of one Faith that gives victory? And doth not the Apoſtle ſay, that faith abides? And can that abide which is not perfect? And Chriſt ſaith, He that hath faith as a grain of muſtard-ſeed ſhall remove mountains, and is not that perfect? Now here all men may ſee if you who call your ſelves Miniſters divide the word aright. We ſay, faith is perfect in the leaſt meaſure and degree, the righteouſneſſe of faith, Rom. 10. And it is that with which men pleaſe God, which faith works by love, and ſo brings off the works of the Law by which faith men are juſtified, which is in the heart.

Pr. They ſay, It's a manifeſtation of the deluding of poore ſoules to hold forth a crucified Chriſt within, riſen within, aſcended within, and Scriptures within, and ſaith, this is a new Goſpell.

Anſw. If Chriſt that's crucified be not within, and Chriſt that's riſen be not within, I ſay that you all are Reprobates; and if the Scripture be not within, which was ſpoken forth from within, you all want the ſpirit that gave it forth, and Chriſt the ſubſtance of it; and you have not eaten his fleſh, neither are you of his bone, and this is not oppoſite to Jeſus Chriſt without, that dyed at Jeruſalem, but the ſame; for who eats his fleſh has it within them, and this is not a new Goſpel.

Pr. And they ſay, Falſe Chriſts hath a new falſe faith to apprehend this crucified Christ within.

Anſw. Which is contrary to the faith of the Apoſtles which preached Chriſt that's crucified within, and not another, him that was raiſed up from the dead, was riſen, that Lord Jeſus Chr ••• within, the ſame yeſterday, to day, and for ever, by whom the world was made, glorified with the Father before the world began. It was he that was manifeſt in the Sa nts that was, and is, and not another, for the other is the Antichriſt.

Pr. And they ſay; It is a Scripture of the Devills making to apprehend this crucified Chriſt within.

Anſw. Now I ſay, if there be any other Chriſt but he that was crucified within, he is the falſe Chriſt, and the Scripture holds forth this, and the Devill never made it, but he and his meſſengers are againſt it; And he that hath not this Chriſt that was riſen and crucified within is a Reprobate, though Devils and Reprobates may make a talk of him without.

Pr. They ſay, The light of revelation renders Gods Chriſt odious.

Anſw. None knows the Son of God but by revelation, and with the Light, and they are them that renders Chriſt odious that be out of the light, of revelation of the Son, as the Phariſees did, as now the Beaſt and falſe Prophets doth, in making war againſt the Saints in light, and the Lamb; but the Lamb and the Saints ſhall get the victory, glory to the higheſt: They that walke in the light are not oppoſite to Chriſt, but to the Beaſt and the falſe Prophets, but are in unity with the Son, and with the Father.

Pr. And they ſay, What a ſad doctrine is that which ſaith, follow the light with which Chriſt hath enlightned all which cometh into the world.

A. This is contrary to the Apoſtles doctrine; which was to go into all Nations to turn people from darkneſſe to light, and preach the new Covenant to Jewes and Gentiles, the ſalvation to the ends of the earth, a leader of the peeple; and contrary to the Apoſtles doctrine, which bid the Saints walk in the light, and they ſhould have fellowſhip one with another, and ſo not ſad, but fellowſhip; but thou and you that are Apoſtates are from this light gone, and that which doth make manifeſt is light, and with it are you that are apoſtates from it, ſeen, and ſo follows not the light that every one is enlightned with that comes into the world, and ſo be out of unity one with another, and fellowſhip with the Son, and with the Father, and be out of his covenant, all on heaps in the apoſtacy, that walks not in the light, but calls it a ſad doctrine, to bid others to follow it. Ye children of the light, ye are the light of the world, let your light ſhine before men, that they may glorifie your Father which is in heaven, like lamps burning; for ye are as a City ſet on a hill that cannot be hid. And Chriſt ſaith, he that followeth the light ſhall not walk in darkneſs.

Pr. They ſay, It is a rendring of the Scriptures odious, and Law, by telling of the Scripture within, which Chriſt never taught, nor his Diſciples; but God hath given them up to a reprobate minde.

Anſw. Was not all the Scriptures from the ſpirit within? and was it not there before it came out? And muſt not all upon the earth have the ſpirit within that gave it forth, before they can underſtand the Scripture without, given forth from the ſpirit of God within others? And was not the Apoſtles and Chriſts preaching of the Scripture within, the Law in the heart, and the Word in the heart. And the Kingdom within, and the ſpirit within leading into all truth, the ſpirit of the Father ſpeaking in you, and Chriſt within? and is not this extolling Scripture of truth? and are not all they reprobates that have Scripture without, and not within?

Pr. And they ſay, But this is the Devils deſigne by pretending that people may attain a more excellent way, following what is made known to them from the Light withi them.

A. I never read ſuch a Doctrine that the Devill taught, that any ſhould follow that which the light made known within them, and I know he did not; for he is out of the light, and that which it makes known within; for the light which ſhines within makes known the glory of God in the face of Ieſus Christ, whereby men come to be changed from glory to glory, till they come into the image of God, and this the light makes known within, 2 Cor. 4.

Pr. And they ſay, God hath a Chriſt diſtinct from all other things whatſoever, whether they be ſpirits or bodies.

Anſw. Gods Chriſt is not diſtinct from his Saints, nor his bodies, for he is within them; nor diſtinct from their ſpirits, for their ſpirits witneſſe him: And God was in Chriſt, reconciling the world to himſelfe, who is the head of every creature. And there is not any creature but it's manifeſt in his ſight; and he is in the Saints, and they eate his fleſh, and ſit with him in heavenly places.

Pr. They ſay, They are deceived that thinke to obtain ſalvation by the conviction of the Law which they call Chriſt, page 37. & 39.

Anſ. Chriſt is the end of the Law, and who follow him are not deceived, but comes to witneſſe the Law of life, and him revealed in them; and they are deceived that calls the Law without by Chriſt, that doth convict, and gives it that name; But who followes Chriſt the end of the Law hath the righteouſneſs of God revealed in them from ſaith to faith, which the juſt lives by, and Chriſt revealed in them, as the Apoſtle witneſſed whereby they have eternal life

Pr. And they ſay the Quakers would obtain ſalvation by the obedience of Chriſt the Law which gives the knowledge of ſin.

Anſw. The Quakers obedience is Chriſt Gods righteouſneſs the end of the Law, which makes them free from the Law of ſin and death: Chriſt the ſeed, the ſecond Adam.

Pr. They ſay, Now every man that cometh into the world receives a light from Christ, as he is God which light is conſcience, and this will ſhew a man that there is a God, and diſcover the eternal God which ſome falſly cals Chriſt.

Anſw. Chriſt ſaith I am the light of the world, and doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world; as ſaith John, and doth not ſay that (its conſcience for the light was before conſcience was; which ſhewes thy ignorance; Not knowing what conſcience is) for conſcience was ſince the world: but light was before the world was made, and he that evil doth, hates the light; and ſo conſcience is ſeared, and ſo light condemnes, and the light which every man that cometh into the world is enlightened with, is Gods Covenant to Jewes and Gentiles, and ſalvation to the ends of the earth, ſo you have given Chriſt a new name, that cals him conſcience: contrary to Scripture, and is conſcience eternal that may be ſeared: and will that ſhew that which is eternal? will conſcience blot out ſin and tranſgr ſſion (Chriſt will) Gods Covenant that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, which light believing in it, they ſerve Chriſt the Author of their faith which faith is a myſtery held in a pure conſcience.

Pr. And they ſay that every man hath not the ſpirit of Chriſt, and he brings Jude to prove it.

Anſw. That proves that they had it, but went from it, and the ſpirit that leads the diſciples reproves the world.

Pr. John Burton ſaith John Bunian is furniſhed with ſpiritual gifts, which gifts the Miniſters of Chriſt muſt have whether learned or unlearned; as to humane, and John Bunians preaching he ſaith is not by humane art; yet he ſaith, Chriſt is humane.

Anſ. The Scripture hath ne ther taught John Burton nor John Bunian this Language, To ſay this knowledge is not humane, and yet to affirm Chriſt is humane is to ſay thy knowledge is not from Chriſt, but we ſhall try his gifts whether they be from God, and whether or no he divids the word aright, and whether they be agreeable to the Scripture, which fils up his book with mentioning the word humane twenty times over, which humane is from the earth, to ſay Chriſt is humane thy knowledge is from the ground earthy, and he hath no Scripture for it, he ſaith that the ſoul is immortal.

Pr. And he ſaith it is the Devil to keep people to live and die in their ſins, and he that cryes free grace through the death of the man Chriſt Jeſus; that ſinners doth attain to eternal life, and deny his own righteouſneſs, this he ſaith is a notion, and ſaith he is empty of ſanctified grace.

Anſw. The grace that comes from Chriſt it ſeaſons the heart and the words are ſanctified, and this is not a notion, but all be in the notion that ſpeak of the thing, and be out of the grace and ſalvation, and you that believe people muſt have ſin, whilſt they are upon the earth, are them that keepes people in their ſins, and ſo hath judged thy ſelf to be the Miniſter of ſin, as thou maiſt read the fruits in thy own book.

Pr. John Bunian ſaith he that confeſſeth Chriſt come in the fleſh, and was crucified, taken from the Croſſe and riſen, he that believes this is not Antichriſt.

Anſw. The Pope and all the prophane people in Chriſtendom called Chriſtians will confeſſe this in the form without them, and they that denies the power, for Chriſt is the power of God; and that I ſay is Antichriſt, he that hath not Chriſt in him is a reprobate, and ſo would make thy ſelf, and all Profeſſors, the Pope and all hirelings not to be Antichriſt, and are all on heapes one amongſt another: thats a mark of Antichriſt: though they may have all in the form, Chriſt and the Prophets words: which denyes the power, yet confeſſe Chriſt without; he that denyes the power, denyes Chriſt, and ſo he is Antichriſt who denyes the light which Chriſt hath enlightened him withall.

Prin. Man at his coming into the world he hath conſcience, but he hath not the ſpirit of Chriſt.

Anſw. Man at his coming into the world hath a light from Chriſt, him by whom the world was made, which is more then conſcience, but he that hates the light abids in darkneſs, and ſo is not like to receive the ſpirit, but is reproved with it.

Pr. They ſay them that are carried away by the convictions of conſcience are miſinformed by the devil.

Anſw: This light that doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, which he cals conſcience, teaching and miſinforming by the devill, is the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, that through it they might believe (and is not conſcience) and he that believes hath the witneſs in himſelf, and that all might hear the Son and confeſſe him to the glory of God; and therefore are enlightened who was glorified with the Father before the world began; and Chriſt bids them believe in the light, which believing in, hath the light of life, but he that believes not is condemned already; and them that hate the light are them that are informed by the devil.

Pr. Now they ſay he converts a new birth, perſwading them it is wrought by following the light, and this he ſayes is like Baals Prieſts.

Anſw. Thats contrary to Chriſt who ſaith I am the light, and he that followeth me ſhall not walk in darkneſs: but ſhall have the light of life; he that believes in the light ſhall become a childe of the light, and this is far above Baals Prieſts, and all that hates it, hates Chriſt, and theſe are Baals Prieſts that hate the light.

Pr. And they ſay that the ſpirit of Chriſt convinceth of ſin, and yet they ſay all hath it not, and yet it ſhall convince and reprove the world.

Anſw. Now its one thing to be reproved, and another thing to receive that which doth reprove, for the believer in the light is led with the ſpirit of truth into all truth, and he that believes not in the Light, is with the ſpirit of truth reproved.

Pr. They ſay for one to be convinced of his ſins againſt the Law, and have ſome power againſt them; theſe they call miſerable blind Phariſees.

Anſ. Them that was blind Phariſees tranſgreſſed the Law of God, lived out of the power, and that which convinced of the tranſgreſſion of the Law: ſo they ſaid and did not, and wo was pronounced againſt them, and ſo judgement came to be neglected, and the doers of the Law was juſtified and not called blind Phariſees; and that was in (its) place, but Chriſt is the end of the Law for righteouſneſs ſake to them that believes, and thoſe was not called blind Phariſees which followed that which ſhewed them the tranſgreſſion of the Law; for thoſe was the doers.

Pr. They ſay the ſpirit ſhall convince all men and women ſufficiently of that righteouſneſs which Chriſt fulfilled.

Anſ. That which doth convince of righteouſneſs, all men and women as thou co feſſeth, if they believe in the light, which Chriſt hath enlightened them withall, it will lead them from their own righteouſneſs, and be their teacher, and come to be taught of God.

Pr. They ſay the light convinceth of ſin againſt the Law, but will not ſhew a ſoul a Saviour or a deliverer.

Anſw. Thats contrary to the Apoſtle, who ſaith the light that ſhined in their hearts will give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt, who is the Saviour, and he ſhall be my ſalvation to the ends of the earth, covenant to Jewes and Gentiles.

Pr. They ſay the light will not ſhew a man his loſt condition, righteouſneſs, blood, death, reſurrection and interceſſion of Jeſus Christ.

Anſw. There's nothing makes manifeſt but light; Nor none knowes the blood, death, righteouſneſs, and reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt but with the light which comes from Jeſus Chriſt who hath enlightened, every man that cometh into the world, and thats it ſhall give all men aſſurance that he is raiſed from the dead; the light of the body is the eye, that lets ſee ſalvation.

Pr. They ſay Chriſt went away into heaven, from his Diſciples and ſo not within them.

Anſw. Did not he ſay he would come again to them, did he not ſay he was in them, I in you: and did not the Apoſtle ſay Chriſt was in them, except they were reprobates, the hope of glory; was not he revealed in the Apoſtle and ſo in him, and did not the Apoſtle Preach Chriſt within, and you Preach Chriſt with out?

Prin. They ſay that thoſe believers that are in the body now at this day are abſent from the Lord.

Anſw. Doth not the Apoſtle ſay that Chriſt is in them except they be reprobates, and he is in them the hope of glory, and they have fellowſhip with God, and God will dwell in them, and walk in them, and he that believes, believes in him, in Chriſt, ſo not abſent

Pr. And they ſay he is abſent from them, as touching his fleſh.

Anſw. Doth not the Apoſtle ſay that they are of his fleſh, and of his bone, and he that eats not his fleſh, hath no life in him, and they fit in heavenly places with him, and he that eats his fleſh hath it within him.

Pr. They ſay that there is not any heaven within, into which the man Chriſt is aſcended; for can any man contain a man four foot long?

Anſw. Chriſt is a myſtery and is not he to be revealed within, who is a myſtery, he who did aſcend to be revealed, and made manifeſt in his Saints, in fleſh and ſpirit, that did deſcend, which is now manifeſted, that the world wonders at, that is aſcended far above the heavens, who is the Saints life, living bread, and drink, and where ever uſed the Miniſters of Chriſt any ſuch expreſſions, as thou doth, which ſhews that Chriſt is yet to thee a myſtery?

Prin. They ſay, Stars falling from heaven is profeſſors falling from the faith to the earth.

Anſw. This is fulfilled upon you all who have given Judgement upon your ſelves, and ſo from the faith in which is the unitie, in which men pleaſe God and hath victory over the world, and this you may read ſince the dayes of the Apoſtle who are fallen all down into the earth for mony, and ſtipends.

Pr. They ſay that God hath given aſſurance to all men, and commands all to repent every where, in that he will Judge the world in righteouſneſſe by the man Chriſt Jeſus.

Anſw. That every man that cometh into the world is enlightened by Chriſt the light of the world, him by whom it was made, who will give them a reward according to their works that denyes his Light and are found in the works of da kneſs.

r. They ſay, That the end of Chriſts coming is, that the people of God ſhould ſhine as the ſun, and the cauſe that hinders them for ſhining is the body of death.

Anſw. The righteous and the Saints comes to witneſſe the body of ſin put off, and thanks God who hath given them victory, and comes into the ſecond Adam, the Lord from heaven, out of the firſt Adam, where the ſhining ſtate is witneſſed, the holy mount of God, the city that cannot be hid.

Pr. They ſay, If a mans obedience flow not from the faith, it is but ſin in the ſight of the great God.

Anſ. And yet they ſay, faith is not perfect in the meaſure and degree.

Pr. And they ſay, Four times that Chriſt aſcended away from his Diſciples, and was not in them.

Anſ. And Chriſt ſaid, I in you, & you in me; and he would come and dwell in them, and make his abode with them, which the Apoſtles came to witneſs, and ſate with him in heavenly places.

Pr. They ſay, that the man Chriſt that was crucified, his body is now in the preſence of his Father, abſent from his people, as touching his bodily preſence.

Anſw. Doth not the Apoſtle ſay he is the head of the Church? And doth not the Apoſtle ſay, they are of his fleſh and bone, and ſit with him in heavenly places with Chriſt. And Chriſt ſaith, they muſt eat his fleſh, and he is in them.

Pr. And they ſay, that Chriſt is abſent from the Saints in the world, its clear.

Anſw. When the Apoſtle ſaith, Chriſt was in the Saints; and Chriſt in you the hope of glory. And the Apoſtle ſaith, he hath revealed the Son in him: And he that hath not the Son of God hath not life: And after the ſame Chriſt which was crucified and riſen, came to be manifeſt in his Saints, and not another. And ſo the Saints come to feed upon his fleſh, and drink his blood which is their life, which body Chriſt gives for the the life of the world, and which blood appeaſeth the wrath of the Almighty. And as for the reſt of John Burton, and John Bunians lyes and ſlanders, they are not worth mentioning, but the Scriptures are owned. And Iohn, art thou finding fault, becauſe men wears no hatbands, and eats and drinks bread and water, and caſts by their pride? Now thou mayſt ſee who thou haſt taken part with, and who is the ſcoffer, and ſheweth thy ſelf, and who is thy Maſter, ſhort of all good: And as for all your bad names, and miſconſtruing of Scriptures, it will come upon your ſelves; and thou haſt ſhewed in all thy Book that thou art not able to divide the word aright, nor an inſtructer of Babes.

Pr. And thou ſaith, that Chriſt dyed for the ſins of the elect.

Anſw. And the Scripture ſaith, he was an offering for the ſins of the whole world; and who ſhall lay charge to Gods elect whom he juſtifies.

Pr. And thou ſpeaks of God deſtroying men for their ignorance, and they ſhall finde no favour in the day of judgement.

Anſw. Whereas the Scripture ſaith, in the time of ignorance God winked at, but now he commands all men every where to repent, and every man that cometh into the world is enlightned: And the ſpirit of truth ſhall reprove the world of ſin, of righteouſneſſe, and of judgement, which leads believers into all truth? And the grace of God which brings ſalvation hath appeared to all men, but they turne it into wantonneſſe, which is the Saints teacher: And this ſhall make every tongue to confeſſe to the glory of God, and every knee to bow at his name; which is the Emanuel, and ſo none ſhall plead ignorance, as thou ſaiſt, who art in the ignorance thy ſelfe, but inexcuſable becauſe convicted, and haſt rejected the tender mercies, who haſt lifted up thy ſelfe againſt the Saints and the Lamb; but a ſtone is ſet over thy head that ſhall grind thee to powder, and the Saints ſhall have the victory; and the Kingdome that is an everlaſting Kingdome, the witneſſe in thy conſcience ſhall witneſſe againſt thee for all thy hard ſpeeches, and let thee know that you and thou had better have been ſilent, then to fight againſt the Lord, the Lamb and his Saints, that's the word of the Lord God to thee and you all. When ye are judged, the witneſſe in all your conſciences ſhall anſwer.

W. P. his Principles, in his Book intituled, according to truth, that quakes not, trembles not, nor quailes.

Pr. THey ſay, If the Apoſtles had been put to preach upon a ſhort Text, or methodically, as by a long practice in the Church, it is expected from us that they might oft times have ſtudyed for it.

Anſw. In this you have ſhewed your ſpirits, and made manifeſt you are voyd of the revelation from God, and your ignorance of the Scriptures; for the holy Ghoſt ſhall not ſpeak of it ſelfe, but take of his: And the Apoſtles, what they had ſeen and heard they declared: And Chriſt, what he had received of the Father, he declared; and the ſpirit, that which ſpeaks in the Church, and it ſhews the fulfilling of the Scriptures, and it keeps not people long in Texts, as the world doth, that wreſts Scriptures up and down, and keep people in ſects; and ſo there is the ſpirit leading into all truth, and the ſpirit of the Father ſpeaking within, and the holy Ghoſt that moved men to give forth Scripture, that teacheth to divide the word aright, which is the ſpirit of prophecy in the Church, not ſtudying.

Pr. They ſay, Every man that hath the ſpirit in ſome meaſure, doth not attain to the great height and degree that they did that gave forth Scriptures, that therefore may not lawfully and infallibly teach as they did.

Anſ. Every man that hath a meaſure of the ſpirit of God in the leaſt meaſure or degree, it is infallible, and ſo far may they teach infallibly, and know Scriptures; but they cannot know all Scriptures, but as they attain to the full meaſure of the ſpirit of the Prophets and Apoſtles, and to the meaſure and ſtature, and fulneſs of Chriſt: and if they do not attain to all this, they are not able to know all the Scriptures; and the work of the Miniſters of God was to bring people to this, to the meaſure, and ſtature, and fulneſſe of Chriſt, and ſaith, Let every one miniſter as he hath received the grace; And take heed of any of you going beyond your meaſure, and them that deny the grace of God appearing to all men, cannot miniſter.

Pr. They ſay, The greateſt part of profeſsors in the viſible Church were, and are always earthly minded, nor can rightly value ſpirituall and heavenly things.

Anſ. In this you and your Miniſters hath ſhewed your fruits like Balaams, which withers and are earthly, ſuch as Jude ſpeaks of that ſeparateth themſelves, ſenſuall, and had not the ſpirit, but went forth from the Apoſtles, that are got up ſince the days of the Apoſtles, Church and Miniſtry, like Prieſt like people, and to be ſuch as was coming up before the Apoſtles deceaſe, as he ſpeaks on in Timothy, which minded earthly things; like Teacher, like People, that preach themſelves thorow with many hurtfull luſts, while they coveted after money, they loſt the faith, and ſo came people to be all on heaps (out of unity) in the earth, being out of the faith of Gods elect: ſo this is all in the apoſtacy ſince the Apoſtles.

Pr. And he ſaith, That he is not a hireling that takes wages. The wages are allotted to him for his worke.

Anſ. But do not all you preach for hire? and is it not for hire you preach? Now the leaſt in the truth may ſee you. Is there ever a Prieſt in the Nation but he is hired to work, or if he have it not, he will not ſtay? Now to prove that you do preach for hire, where many Steeple-houſes in many Pariſhes that hath no Prieſt, thither you go not, becauſe there is but a little Benefice, and they have ſoules as well as others; and where there is agreement for ſo much a year, thither you go, is not this for hire? and ſo the Prophets words fulfil'd, the Prieſts preach for hire; and all theſe great ſums of money which has lifted you up, and gathered a great deale of it out of poor mens labours, this hath been the undoing of you all (and Nations) and many poor people becauſe they cannot put into your mouths; but now is God come to judgement upon you all in the apoſtacy, apoſtates.

Pr. And thou calls the Steeple-houſe a Church.

Anſ. Which is the Church which is come up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in the apoſtacy; for the Church is the people of God, the elect ſeed, which Chriſt is the head of, who in the midſt of this Church doth ſing praiſes, which is the pillar and ground of truth, without ſpot or wrinkle. Whereas the Steeple-houſe you call your Church will ſpot, wrinkle, and blemiſh, and decay, and fall down, and wicked men may prevail againſt it; but the gates of Hell cannot prevail againſt that Church which is built upon the rock.

Pr. And thou ſayſt, Thou doſt not ſpeak in that degree of the holy Ghoſt as the Prophets and Apoſtles did that ſpoke forth Scriptures.

Anſw. Then thou muſt take heed of exalting thy ſelf above thy meaſure; for thou canſt not know Scripture, but by the ſame degree of the ſpirit the Prophets and Apoſtles had.

Pr. And he ſaith, He hath no command in Scripture to ſprinkle Infants, and he holds it not abſolutely neceſſary, & he hath no command in Scripture againſt it, and he hath a commandement of the Governors, and ſo he is ſubject to every Ordinance of man.

Anſw. An ordinance of man that is not of abſolute neceſſity, conſider what it is, and that which the Scripture no where commands, nor thou haſt no example for it, conſider what that is; and to ſay the Scripture no where forbids it, it forbids all the traditions and doctrines of men: ſo that is judged by the ſpirit of God that is ſet up by men.

Pr. Thou ſaiſt, The Lord may give with the outward waſhing the ſpirit to the childe.

Anſw. Can man receive the ſpirit of God by following traditions of men and outward things? Was not they all from it, and from the ſpirit? and doth it not judge them for ſetting up ſuch things God never commanded?

Pr. And he ſpeaks of Davids Pſalms given to the world ſutably.

Anſw. The world muſt repent and be in the ſpirit, for it lyes in wickedneſſe, before they can know Davids ſinging; for the Prophet ſaith, their ſongs muſt be turned into howling, and Davids condition is not the worlds.

Pr. He ſaith, men may reſpect perſons in their places.

Anſw. That's contrary to the Apoſtle, who ſaid, God was without reſpect of perſons, and that the Gentiles ſhould be accepted as well as the Iewes. He that doth righteouſneſſe is accepted with God; who holds the faith of Chriſt it is without reſpect of perſons, it is in the unity, and they that be out of that, be out of the unity: So thou haſt pleaded for that which art out of his Doctrine. He that reſpects perſons commits ſin, and is convinced of the Law for a tranſgreſsor, as ſaith the Apoſtle. W. P. thy works are tryed and weighed, and found too light, and condemned for the fire, the witneſſe in thy conſcience ſhall anſwer; but now in thy ſecurity thou art aſleep, but the wrath of the Lamb ſhall finde thee out.

And as for all thy lies and ſlanders thou heaps up in thy Book, they are not worth mentioning, but will come upon thy own ſelf, for they are thine own covering, which is judged, the witneſſe in thee ſhall anſwer.

The Elders and Meſſengers of the ſeverall Churches of Ilston, Abergevenny, Tredingnoge, Carmarthen, Hereford, Bredwerden, Cledacke, and Liangors, Meeting at Brecknocke, whoſe Book is Titled, An ANTIDOTE againſt the Infections of the TIMES. Which hath ſhewed your ſelves full of poiſon, and ſuch as infect the Times, but with the ſpirit of Truth ye are comprehended and judged. Your Principles are as Followeth.

Pr. YOu ſay, you are conceived in ſin, and brought forth in iniquity, Pſal. 51.1.

Anſw. David doth not ſay, you who were conceived in ſinne, but (I) and W. P. ſaith, John was ſanctified from the womb; and the Scripture ſpeaks of ſuch as were ſanctified from the womb, and children that were clean: And ſo you do not ſpeak as Elders and Meſſengers of true Churches, or men dividing the word aright; but you are one againſt another, though you are all againſt them you call Quakers that be in the truth.

Pr. They ſay, They obſerve the deſigne of Satan to caſt down the walls of Sion, and to remove the living stones thereof from the ſure foundation, the rock of ages, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and draw them to build upon the ſands.

Anſw. Is this like that the Elect ſhould be deceived? living ſtones ſhould be drawn from the ſure foundation, the rock of Ages, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt? for theſe living ſtones to be built upon the ſand, and drawn from the Rock of Ages? this Doctrine doth not ſound like men of underſtanding; For the living ſtones are the ſpirituall houſhold, and the royall Prieſt-hood; and there's the foundation that ſtands ſure, the Rock, the Devill is out of, and the gates of Hell cannot prevail againſt it, you in your Notions let living ſtones alone, for none can pluck them out of the Fathers hand.

Pr. And they ſay, No man can redeem the ſoul of his brother.

Anſw. Solomon ſaith, the fruits of the righteous s a tree of life; and he that wins ſouls is wiſe: And he that ſaves a man from his evill wayes, ſaves a ſoule from a multitude of ſins. Again thou ſaiſt, No man, the greatest of men can redeem the ſoule of his brother. Ye ſhould not have left out Chriſt the Saviour, the Redeemer, the man Chriſt Jeſus, the elder Brother: ſo you are a company of blinde Paſtors, contrary to them that gave forth Scriptures.

Pr. To ſay heaven and glory is in man, which was before man was, they are ſottiſh and blinde.

Anſw. There's none have a glory and a heaven but within them, which was before man had a being.

Pr. Wherefore take heed of depending upon any righteouſneſſe within you, or any righteouſneſſe done by you.

Anſw. This is a ſtrange Doctrine, that men muſt take heed of any righteouſneſſe done by them, or within them: This is contrary to Scripture, which ſaith, the kingdome of heaven is within, that ſtands in righteouſneſſe, peace and joy in the Holy Ghoſt, and the fruits of the ſpirit is righteouſneſſe and goodneſs, and this is that which ends the righteouſneſs of the Law; and he that doth righteouſneſs is righteous and Chriſt the righteouſneſs of God is with them.

Prin. Man hath received a light from Chriſt as a creature: but not as a Redeemer.

Anſw. Thats falſe; For whoſoever hath received a light from Chriſt hath received a Redeemer, and a Saviour, and he that doth believe in it is ſaved, and he that doth not is condemned.

Pr. And they ſay, If you love your ſouls beware of ſuch deluſions, leaſt ye periſh eternally, that ſay it is the true light that enlightens every man that cometh into the world; following it, it is ſufficient to bring men to heaven, which light is natural reaſon and conſcience.

Anſw. The light that every man that cometh into the world is enlightened withall, cometh from the ſalvation Chriſt which is the way to the Father, whoſe throne is in Heaven, and Chriſt ſaith believe in the light, that ye may become the children of the light, and he that believes in the light ſhall not come into condemnation. All men is enlighened, that through the light they might believe, ſo you are not able to divide the word aright, and all that be from this light are lo here, lo there: and ſo are in the natural reaſon and conſcience, which the light is not; the light was afore they was.

Pr. They ſay none ſhould never have known a Juſtification nor a Sanctification, if it bad not been written.

Anſw. I do believe you had not, but hear you have laid aſide the Holy Ghoſt: how knew they before they gave it forth; hear thou haſt denyed Revelation of the ſpirit, for though a man has all the writings, yet he knowes nothing of God, but by the the Spirit of God, nor ſanctification, nor juſtification which is Chriſt, and the light which comes from him.

Pr. You ſay, You are, fallen into the laſt times propheſied of by Chriſt, and you are to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the Saints.

Anſw. The faith delivered once to the Saints ye are out of, in reſpecting perſons, and are Apoſtates from it; and the laſt times which Chriſt ſpoke of ſhould come, which John ſaw was come, when the falſe prophets which Chriſt propheſied of was come, which went forth from the Apoſtles which ſince their days the world went after them; and now from them is the Lord God bringing his people to the rock of ages, into the faith they are out of.

Pr. Fooliſh man would have his righteouſneſs in himſelf.

Anſw. Every one that hath Chriſt hath the righteouſneſs of God wrought in him, and none owneth the righteouſneſs of Chriſt but who owneth the light that enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world; and they are fooliſh that know not this, and the righteouſneſs of faith in them.

Pr. It is blaſphemy they ſay and colourable pretences to witneſs an infallible ſpirit in them.

Anſw. The ſpirit that leads the Saints into all truth, is infalliable and that ſhall reprove the world, and he that hath the ſpirit of Chriſt, hath that which is infalible, and he that hath not the Spirit of Chriſt is none of his; but are in the colourable pretences.

Pr. They ſay, The Scriptures is the quick and powerful word.

Anſw. Many may have the Scriptures and the form, and deny the power, and the Scriptures are words of God, and the word is God; and this word is in the heart, which led them to ſpeak forth Scripture; And many Scriptures they bring to oppoſe the Doctrine of Chriſt, who ſaith be not ye called of men Maſter: for ye have one Maſter even Chriſt, to whom every knee ſhall bow, and every tongue confeſſe to the glory of God: will men receive worſhip, when Angels would not receive it, but bad them worſhip God?

Pr. They ſay, They rail and cavil at the lawful maintenance that God hath ordained for them.

Anſw. God hath ſuffered the beaſt to make havock and ſpoil the Saints goods: but where doth God ordain that you ſhould take (Tythes) and treble damages, Eaſter reckonings, and Mid-ſummer dues, and that you ſhould ſue men at the Law, and caſt them in priſon till death, where did God command this? they that Preach the Goſpel ſhould live on the Goſpel, and they bring glad tidings to people, and this is not glad tidings to caſt into priſon till death, and hale up and down to Courts and Seſſions for outward maintenance: if theſe men bring glad tidings let the ſpiritual judge, or whether they do not make their folly manifeſt to all men that can but read the Scripture.

Pr. They ſay, Such as truſt in their own inherent righteouſneſs compaſſe Sea and Land to make proſolytes.

Anſw. It was ſo in the dayes of the Phariſees, it hath been ſo ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, ſince the beaſt and the falſe prophet got up, who deny the light that doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, Gods righteouſneſs (Chriſt) and ſuch as denyed the light had the form, and ſuch gather people into the form of Moſes, the Prophets, Chriſt and the Apoſtles words; eſtabliſhing their own righteouſneſs, and denying the righteouſneſs of God, the light that doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, and all you that doth deny the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, hath troden the blood of the Covenant under foot: and you tell us of humane and inherent righteouſneſs, which the Scripture tels us no ſuch words: and as for all the reſt of the lies in the book, we let them go home again upon their own heads, and every word ſhal be their own burthen, and that in your conſcience ſhall witneſs; and the Scriptures are owned by the Quakers, and denyed by you, but owned for your own ends that deny the light.

A BOOK Entitled, The Quakers Cauſe. But no name is found in it, but is a Book of darkneſs, railing, and lies, is come to light, and becauſe ſome who leave father, and mother, and wife, therefore he rages who is out of the Light and Doctrine of Chriſt. And the Principles are as followeth.

Pr. SUch as forſakes husband and wife to do the will of God; this he cals a breaking of relations.

Anſ. And thus ignorantly ſpeaks evil of thoſe things he knowes not. Thus ignorant of the command of Chriſt and the Scriptures, but hath ſhewed himſelf to be a member of the world, and not of Chriſt, who ſaith he that doth not forſake father, and mother, wife and children is not worthy of me.

Pr. He ſaith, Becauſe he ſaith thou to God, it doth not follow that he ſhould ſay thou to his earthly father, to ſpeak to God as he doth to man.

Anſw. Now minde what proud fleſh would have of whom thou haſt learnt to ſpeak you to an earthly man or to a particular perſon, which the Scripture hath taught no ſuch Language, nor (the accidence) that which teacheth thee to give more to man then to God is the ſpirit of the world, but the Spirit of God teaches to ſpeak righteouſly, and when there is but one, not to ſay as of many, and ſo there is thou to one, and you to many; And ſo here is the form of ſound words that cannot be condemned: now you may ſee where your Original ſtands, which cannot endure the form of ſound words.

Prin. He ſaith, To be juſtified by grace which is Chriſt in them, this is a kind of Popery.

Anſw. Contrary to Scripture and the Apoſtles Doctrine; Before the Pope was, and them either, which ſaith Chriſt was in them, who are juſtified by faith; and faith was in the heart, and juſtified in the ſpirit, and who witneſſe the ſpirit, the ſpirit of grace; and by grace ye are ſaved, and that which ſaves, juſtifies, and being juſtified by grace, and thou that art of the Pope, and in the Apoſtacy denies this.

Pr. To ſay, Chriſt is within, is never to mention Chriſt without.

Anſw. There's none knowes Chriſt within, but he knowes him without, the ſame yeſterday, to day and for ever, and there's none knowes him but they know him within revealed of the Father, which is beyond fleſh and blood.

Pr. And he ſayes, To run upon new birth: ſelf-denial, light within, Christ within man, if this be not a kinde of Popery, and a fair gate for Rome, he is deceived.

Anſw. Light within, Chriſt within, new birth, ſelf denial is out of your works and Romes, which was the Doctrine that the Apoſtles held forth and the Saints witneſſed Chriſt within, light within, and new birth: ſuch were they that came into the the Kingdom of God, over the Kingdoms of the world; and becauſe ſome have been moved of the Lord to go naked among you, a figure of your nake neſs and want your cloathing, at which you rage; that you may appear more naked of the ſpirit of God. And as for all thy lies and ſlanders and hard expreſſions in thy book, though thou haſt hid thy name, yet truth will bring thy works upon thee, and make the witneſſe in thee to anſwer; who, and which is for the fire, and to thee this ſhall be thy burden who art like a man that ſcorns and ſcoffes, and thou hides thy ſelf.

Pr. And thou ſayeſt, That good woman called which went naked.

Anſw. Thou haſt juſtified her to be good, and thou canſt not ſay that that which was good, called that which was good beaſtly or bad that went naked, which was your figure, then thou talkeſt of higher power and honour of men, like thy brethren the Phariſees, and not like one that knew the higher power, which reſpects no mans perſon, and the good women are thoſe that fear God, that have the adorning of the hidden man of the heart, that hath the Aray of Sarah.

John Jackſon, Entitled, Stength in weakneſs. His Principles are as followeth.

Pr. ONe thats kept groaning and waiting for the adoption, for the adverſaries aſſaults and conteſts within her; and yet ſhe's in the kingdom, thou ſayeſt, and union with Chriſt and ſpiritual Son-ſhip.

Anſw. Spiritual Son-ſhip, and in the kingdom, and yet groaning for adoption: how haſt thou brought thy ſelf to the light to be judged? for the leaſt in the kingdom was greater then John, he thats in the kingdom is in righteouſneſs, peace, and joy in the Holy-Ghoſt, and thou ſayeſt in the Kingdom of grace groaning, that is but a notion of the Kingdom that keeps them groaning for adoption.

Pr. And as thou ſayeſt falſe prophets, and Chriſts, and d ceivers many ſhould come: if it was poſſible to deceive the very elect.

Anſw. Yea Chriſt ſaid they ſhould come to his Apoſtles, which before their diſceaſe they did come and went forth from them, which Chriſt ſaid ſhould inwardly raven: and get the ſheepes cloathing, which ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles all the world went after them as thou may read in the Revelation, and now are people but coming from them to the Rock, and now ſhall the everlaſting Goſpel be Preached to them that dwell upon the earth, over the heads of the beaſt, and the falſe prophet and they ſhall be taken, and the Lamb and the Saints ſhall have victory.

Pr. He ſaith, I hope you will not condemn the generation of the righteous becauſe they are not perfect.

Anſw. That which condemnes is righteous, it condemnes that which is not perfect, and that which is righteous is perfect, and the generation is righteous and not to be condemned.

Pr. A ſon or daughter thats tranſlated into the kingdom of the dear Son, hath filthineſſe pollutions of fleſh and ſpirit to put off, and the members to be mortified.

Anſw. How is he tranſlated into the Kingdom of the dear Son of God or grace if he have that before mentioned to put off, and what is he tranſlated out of, that when he is tranſlated into the Kingdom he hath filthineſs of fleſh, and ſpirit, and members to put off and to mortifie there, after he is tranſlated into the kingdom, the which filthineſs of fleſh and ſpirit, and unmortified members comes not into the kingdom: for they are mortified in their paſſage to it, for no unrighteouſneſs enters into the Kingdom, and as ſaith the Apoſtle, nor no unmortified thing comes into the Kingdom of God; for it conſiſts of joy and peace in the Holy Ghoſt, and unrighteouſneſſe and all filth of fleſh and ſpirit, and unmortified, is without it.

Pr. It is the comforter that convinceth the world of ſin, but all men have not the ſpirit neither are they convinced ſo, of their unbelief.

Anſw. Every man that cometh into the world is enlightened that he may believe in the light, and he that believes in the Light receives the Comforter, and he that believes not in the light, the ſpirit of truth reproves him for his unbelief, for his righteouſneſs and his judgement, and I ſay the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world is ſufficient believing in it, and ſhall have the light of life, and ſhall not abide in darkneſs, and come to the rock Chriſt, and all being in the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, ſhall in the light ſee their ſalvation, to the ends of the earth; and need not ſay, lo here, or lo there: and as for all the wrangling ſtuff in thy book, what he ſaid, and what ſhe ſaid, and what ſayeſt thou, a garment to cover, you had been better ſilent and not have laid open your nakedneſs to the Nation, I ſay unto thee this ſtuff, and buſh will burn in the fire, and the witneſs in thee ſhall anſwer, which ſhall witneſs me, and judge thy contentious ſpirit, which ſhewes you are far from the Kingdom, and ſilence had Preacht more, and the patience, then the ſtrife which ſtands in ſelf juſtification, and to juſtifie that o be mortified and put off which never came there; And all men that doth not believe in the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, the ſpirit doth convince them, and is manifeſt to them, and in them.

A Book, Title Page called, Hoſanna to the Son of David. But the Book is nameleſſe, and ſo reviles and rails, and hides himſelfe in the darke; and his intent and drift in his Book is to make the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, a Covenant of works, or Law without; which Chriſt the Light is the Covenant of God, the end of the firſt Covenant and its works, and end of the Law to Jewes & Gentiles, in which they have peace one with another, and with God. And ſecondly, he goes about to make the Comforter above Chriſt the light, that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world; which Chriſt the light ſaith, that he will ſend to them, that hath the light, the Comforter, and he ſhall take of his, and give to them, and not ſpeak of himſelf; which Chriſt had not ſpoken of himſelfe, but as he heard and ſaw of the Father, he ſpoke. And the reſt of his Principles are as followeth.

Pr. THou ſaiſt, The lying murtherer, he hath ſent forth his Inſtruments, which goes under the name of Quakers, and diſguiſed with piety and purity to preach the everlaſting Goſpell: and they hold forth a light, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, what it doth in every man, and what it is in every man; and how it will lead men to purity and righteouſneſſe, and from drunkenneſſe and taking Gods name in vain, and check them when they do wrong, and make manifeſt all ungodlineſſe and worldly luſts, and it will bring to worſhip God. Theſe things among others are the ſcope of the lying murtherer, and bids them believe not every ſpirit, but try them whether they be of God or no; for many falſe Prophets are gon out into the world.

Anſw. The falſe Prophets and Antichriſts came up, which Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, came up in the dayes of the Apoſtles before their deceaſe, and went forth from them into the world, which ſince the world went after them, and they had the ſheeps cloathing, but ravened from the ſpirit, and ſo broken into ſects and heaps one amongſt another, which made war againſt the Saints and overcame them; but then again the Beaſt and falſe Prophets, and the Kings of the earth, the Devill and the Dragon ſhould make war againſt the Lamb and the Saints; but the Lamb and the Saints ſhould get the victory over the Beaſt and the falſe Prophets, Devil and Dragon, and the everlaſting Goſpel ſhould be preached to them that dwell upon the earth: So it is not a ſtrange thing to us that the whole world ſhould be ſtanding againſt the light, and againſt the Saints and the Lamb, but their garments they cannot touch; and ſo wickedneſſe hath budded forth into a rod; but he is brought forth to rule the Nations with a rod of iron, which was dead and is alive: And ye diſcern not the times, like Prariſees; and the light which leads men from the world, their luſts, and taking Gods name in vain, and all ungodlineſſe: You never came into this, the Devil never came into this, nor none comes into it but who be in that which the Devill is out of. Nor none ſees the ſalvation which is to the ends of the earth, but who be in the light that John bore teſtimony of, the witneſſe in thy conſcience ſhall anſwer it, and condemn thee for thy hard ſpeeches; and the light by which all things was made, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, it is the end of the Law, and before a naturall Light was, and changes men from their naturall eſtate believing in it, into the Covenant of life and peace with God. I ſay the Law of God that came by Moſes, is above conſcience, much more Chriſt the end of the Law, that doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, the righteouſneſſe of God. And the Devill is out of piety and purity, who is the lying murtherer, and never brought people to the light within, who himſelfe is out of it, and he cannot diſguiſe himſelf nor thee neither from the children of Light.

Prin. And the light ſimply conſidered, makes not any thing that is done good or evill.

A. Did not Chriſt the light teſtifie againſt the world that their works was evil? and doth not the light make manifeſt evill? And is not he that hates the light reproved, and ſo with it condemned? And doth not the Scripture ſay the Law is light? And doth not that make evill of that which is evill, and own that which is good, and judge it? Nay, and doth it not grieve the ſpirit of God? Them that act contrary to the Lord, did not God bring evill upon them that did evill? Is there any evill in the City, and I have not done it? Though it was evill to them, yet it was juſtice, for they went from that of God in them firſt: And doth not Chriſt the light diſtinguiſh between the good and the evill? And doth not Chriſt make that which is good to be good, and that which is evil to be evil?

Pr. He ſaith, The law of faith did not make voyd the law of works, but eſtabliſhed it.

Anſw. That's contrary to the Apoſtle, that ſaid, the Law was changed, and the firſt Covenant was to decay; So with it their outward works, whereby the Law of faith came in, which works by love, where the boaſter is excluded, and the Law of life witneſſed; and there comes the living in the ſpirit, which makes free from the Law of ſin and death.

Pr. He ſaith, Neither the new man nor the renewed man is endued with the principle of light and life, according to the image of him that created him.

Anſw. In this thy ignorance of the Saints conditions thou haſt ſhewed; for they was in the image of God, of him that created them; and they was not in the fleſh but in the ſpirit. And the Apoſtle tells them, that they was renewed, and the light that ſhined in their hearts was to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus; And the Saints had put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created them: And he that believes hath the light of life; and if they have not the ſpirit of Chriſt, they are none of his: And God will dwell in man, and walke in man, and Chriſt in them the brightneſſe of the Fathers glory, the expreſſe image of his ſubſtance.

Pr. The naturall man retains not the things of the new Covenant.

Anſ. That is while naturall men are from the light and that of God in them, there is that in the naturall man, hearkning to that, which will bring him to do the thing contained in the Law, which ſhall be juſtified before the Profeſſors of the Law, and not doers of it; which is one with that ye profeſſors acts contrary to; But no man can know the things of God, ſave with the ſpirit of God: So naturall mans eyes is in that which is naturall, from that which is ſpirituall; but there is that in the naturall man which anſwers the Law of God which is ſpirituall, though he be ſold under ſin; and as he comes to ſee the ſeed (Chriſt) he ſhall ſee the end of all that. A naturall mans eſtate, and the Law of ſin and death by the faith in Chriſt, and ther's our juſtification and life, though the other things are owned where they were in their place.

Pr. Man is not able to diſcern the things of God till he be born again.

Anſw. And the Scripture ſpeaks of diſcerning the eternall power and God-head, and that was a thing of the ſpirit of God: And the Apoſtle ſaith not, that they were born again; and yet I ſay, that none knows the things of God, but the ſpirit of God, and that which may be known of God is manifeſt in them, which God hath ſhewed unto them; for that of God in them was of his ſpirit, who is the God of the ſpirits of all fleſh, which brings them to diſcern his eternal power and God-head.

Pr. He ſaith, That the light by which all things was made, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, is not the powerful word of faith.

Anſw. Is not the word, Chriſt, the Author of Faith, by which all things were made and created? Is not that the powerful word of faith? Is not he the Author of it, which faith that comes from him gives victory over the world? And is not the Son of God him whom the Father hath ſealed, that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world? And whoſoever believeth in him ſhall not periſh, but have eternall life, and are ſealed. So every man in the light ſhall ſee the new Covenant and the Mediator, before he hath power to become the Son of God; and there is prophecy before the Son is born, and openings from the Lord, and thoſe are things of God.

Pr. No man can ever ſee God who is inviſible, with the light by which all things were made, and calls it a little light.

Anſw. This is contrary to John, who ſaith, he that walks in the light ſhall have fellowſhip with the Son and with the Father, and ſo ſees him; and it is not a little light by which all things were made and created.

Pr. The unction in every man is not the light.

Anſw. It is far from the Apoſtle to ſay, that the Unction in men is the light. If the Unction be Chriſt in the man, it is light; and every man that comes into the world he muſt receive the light that Chriſt hath enlightned every man that comes into the world withall, before he can receive the unction; and he that hath the Unction, hath the light of life.

Pr. The ſure word of propheſie the Apoſtle ſpeaks of is the propheſie of Scripture, or Scriptures.

Anſ. Doth the Scripture ſhine in a dark place untill the day dawn? Are they them that muſt be taken heed unto, as unto a light? Can any ſee the Scripture, and know the Scripture, but with the light within? Cannot a Cain, or a Balaam, or Core bring Scripture that is gone from the ſpirit of prophecy within, and then put the Letter for it.

Pr. They know not abſolute perfection that are admitting of meaſures and degrees: Nor come to the day, nor the bright morning-ſtar is not riſen.

Anſw. Did not the Apoſtle ſpeak that they were children of the day, and night was over, and knew the whole body, and yet ſaid he would not go beyond his meaſure? And doth he not ſpeak of the ſtature, and meaſure, and fulneſſe of Chriſt? And were not they come to perfection, and ſpoke wiſdome amongſt them that was perfect?

Pr. He ſaith, The evill done can never appear to be evill by the light.

Anſw. Doth not the light make it manifeſt, and reprove the evill done, and condemn it?

Pr. He ſaith, It is not in the power of the light to call any thing that's done good or evill.

Anſw. This is contrary to Scripture, that ſaith, whatſoever doth make manifeſt, and reprove, is light; and there's power in that that doth make manifeſt and reprove, and call that which is evill to be evill, and that which is good to be good.

Pr. He ſaith, The light convinceth man not, for not believing in Chriſt.

Anſw. It condemns him, and convinceth him, and reproves him.

Pr. He ſaith; The light or law as he calls it will convince a man of ſin, and there leave him inexcuſable before God.

Anſw. Chriſt is the end of the Law for righteouſneſs ſake to every one that believes in the light, and ſo comes to witneſſe the Law of faith and of life; the hope, and the promiſe of this brings from under the Schoolmaſter to the Son-ſhip, and to know and ſee his ſalvation, which none doth but with the light.

Pr. He ſaith, That Scripture in John is miſapplyed, which ſaith, that Chriſt doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world. And ſaith, it meddles with none but the children of the new Covenant.

Anſw. This is contrary to Scripture that ſaith, one loves the light that doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, & the other hates it: He that hates it, it condemns him, and he hath it, (to the other the light of life) and he is a Covenant, a light to the Gentiles and to the Jewes, whether they own it, or believe in it, or receive it or not; he is ſo nevertheleſſe, according to the promiſe of God, and it is the covenant of light which doth enlighten every man believing in it, and he ſhall not need to ſay, Know the Lord; for he ſhall finde the Law in his minde, and the Law in his heart, and the Saints witneſſed the light ſhining in their hearts, and that gave them the knowledg of the glory of God, and they are paſſed from death to life, and from darkneſſe to light; and the unbeliever abides in darkneſſe, and in the death, and the light ſhines in the darkneſſe, and the darkneſs doth not comprehend it, and there thou art; and ſuch know nothing as they ought to know, but naturally as bruit beaſts.

Pr. He ſaith, The light in every man which cometh into the world, will not open all Scripture, nor lead men out of the fall to God the Father, and to eternal life.

Anſw. The light which doth enlighten man that cometh into the world, is the ſubſtance of all Scriptures, and the way out of the Fall up to eternall life, out of the firſt Adam, and is the life, and that opens all Scriptures, and that all Scriptures ends in; man being in the Fall, in the firſt Adam drove from God in the ſin and tranſgreſſion; Chriſt the ſecond Adam, which doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, who is the way again to God is he who bringeth in righteouſneſſe, life and immortality, and finiſheth ſin and tranſgreſſion, and ends the Prophets, types, figures, ſhadows, and opens and lets ſee all Scriptures.

Pr. He ſaith, The light tumbles men into the grave, and roules a ſtone upon them, and tumbles them in tranſgreſſion, and he ſhall act against the annointed ones of God, and againſt the Lord.

Anſw. Nay, the light leads men out of tranſgreſſion, and from wallowing in their blood, whereby they have life; and leads them out of the graves, and from under their ſtony hearts and rocks, whereby the new Covenant of light is known, and the new heart which is pure, with which God is ſeen; and the light which every man that cometh into the world is enlightned withall, will prick them that perſecute the annoynted ones, and act againſt the Lord, though they kick againſt it.

Pr. He ſaith, To what purpoſe ſhould Chriſt be preacht dead and riſen, to be believed on for life if the light be in every one.

Anſw. Man-kinde being in the fall, Chriſt being made manifeſt to witneſſe that he ſhou d come, and made manifeſt to many witneſſes when he was come; and John came to bear witneſſe to the true light, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world. Then theſe witneſſes that did believe that Chriſt was come, was to go into all the world, all Nations, Jewes and Gentiles, and preach the everlaſting Covenant of God to them, which was promiſed, and was witneſſes of his Reſurrection: And to turn people from darkneſſe to light, and the power of Satan to God; and then told them the light that ſhined in their hearts would give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God. And the Law was in their hearts, and the Word was within them, and the annointing; and ſuch had the gifts for the worke of the Miniſtery, for perfecting the Saints, for the edifying the body of Chriſt, till they all come to the knowledge of the glory of God, and to a perfect man in Chriſt Jeſus.

Pr. He ſaith, Christ is without his Saints in reſpect of his bodily preſence.

Anſw. How then are they of his fleſh and of his bone, and eate his fleſh, and drink his blood? And how have the Saints his minde and ſpirit, and he with them, and they with him, and ſit with him in heavenly places; and he is the head of the Church, how then is he abſent? Ye poor Apoſtates from him, who feels not Chriſt with you, but he is with the Saints, and they feel him.

Pr. He ſaith, Salvation and faith are the gifts of God diſtinct from Chriſt.

Anſw. They are all of him, and from him, and with him: And how is he the Author of Faith, in whom it ends, from whence it comes?

Pr. He ſaith, The light which diſcovers ſin and iniquity in mans heart, is not Chriſt the light, the door.

Anſ. The firſt Adam was the door where all ſin and tranſgreſſion entered: Chriſt the ſecond Adam, the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, ſaith, I am the door, the way, & the life which finiſheth ſin and tranſgreſſion, and brings in everlaſting righteouſneſſe, and the way of life out of death, which Light diſcovers ſin.

Pr. He ſaith, To call Chriſt the light, the gift, the door, the way, is to take the Gardiner for Chriſt as Mary did.

Anſw. Chriſt the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, we do not put him for the Gardiner: We know him, and as many as receives him, he gives them power to become the ſons of God, and this thou ſayeſt is not uſed power, but prerogative authority, and thus thou art wreſting Scripture: So thou ſhould have been more meek and low in thy heart, and then thou wouldſt have bridled thy tongue, and ſo have learned of Chriſt, and ſo come to the light, the ſure foundation, out of the errour of thy wayes, and have kept in the footſteps of the flock; and if thy tongue had been ſhorter, and thy bridle ſtreigher, then wouldſt not thou have mixt the Covenant of God with mans ſpirit, and have compared it to the Law of works, which Chriſt the light which doth enlighten every one that comes into the world is the end of: And mans ſpirit in the Fall is polluted, and his body; but as the light is believed in, and the minde changed; his ſpirit is ſanctified, and his body, and ſo comes to be a childe of the Light, and his ſpirit witneſſeth with our ſpirits that we are the Sons of God: And none owns the Door, Mediator, the Life, the Way, but with the light which Chriſt doth enlighten every man that comes into the world withal, which light is the door, the way, and the life.

Ellis Bradſhaw, His Booke, called, The Quakers quaking. Principles which he directs to the PROTECTOR. His Principles are as Followeth.

Pr. HE ſaith, That Chriſt who doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world by an immediate illumination, not the Elect themſelves to bring them to ſalvation.

Anſw. Doth not Chriſt ſay, I am the way, the truth, and the life? And he is the Door, and no man cometh to the Father but by him, and learn of him. This is my beloved Son, heare ye him, ſaith God. And is not he the new Covenant in the heart, by which men need not ſay, Know the Lord? And there is no other name by which men can be ſaved, but by the name of Chriſt, who doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, that all through him might believe: And he that believes in the light, abides not in darkneſſe, but hath the light of life; and they that believe not in it, but hates its the light is their condemnation; and the light that doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world is the ſalvation, though men neglect it, which the Elect walk in, which condemns the unbeliever, which is immediate; and no man ſees ſalvation but who comes to the light.

Pr. He ſaith, The Word that was made fleſh is viſible, and the Word is the Letter, and they never received the ſpirit of life from it, and that's the Quakers errour.

Anſ. Such as had the Scriptures, which was the words of God to them in old time, and the ordinances the Apoſtle calls carnall, which the Jewes ſtuck in, and would not come to him that they might have life, not to Chriſt; And ſo if men have all the Scriptures, and have not Chriſt, they have not life: For the Devill he may have the Scripture, and hath he life therefore? And the power of God, Chriſt, his name is called the Word of God. The Word of God lives and endures for ever, and the Spirit is not in the Letter, and the Letter is not the Word which was made fleſh, and they be in the errour that thinks ſo, for the Word is inviſible.

Pr. Paul adviſeth not onely to the Light within, but is bidding them bring his cloak, books and parchment, and give attendance to reading.

Anſw. The Apoſtle did tell the Saints, that the light that ſhined in their hearts might give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, and bids them walk in the light: And Chriſt bids them believe in the light, and they ſhould not walke in darkneſſe; and there is no other name under Heaven by which men can be ſaved, but by the name of Chriſt; And the Scriptures none ſees the ſubſtance of them, nor the fulfilling of them, but who walks in the Light, whom God ſpeaks to by his Son, who is the end of the Prophets, and there is the true reading and knowing of all books and p rchments; which none knows the Scripture, but by the light which comes from Chriſt, in whom they end.

Pr. And again thou ſayſt, there is more words then one.

Anſ. God is the Word, and the Scriptures of Truth are his words, which Chriſt fulfills.

Pr. He ſaith, They have fellowſhip with the Father, but not in the like meaſure of the gifts of grace the Apoſtle had.

Anſw. Then you are not like none of you to underſtand the Apoſtles words, nor to be judges of them; but as you do come into the like meaſure and gifts as they was in, elſe you will not be able to judge of their conditions, nor know their words.

Pr. He ſaith, There is no man justified through the faith in Chriſt that owns the Scriptures to be but a dead letter; But that ownes them to be the Word of God, in which there is ſpirit and ſpirituall life, as words of eternall life.

Anſw. The ſpirit and the life is not in the Scriptures, but was in them that gave it forth, and many have the Scripture, and not the ſpirit of life. The Devill may get Scripture, and therefore hath he ſpirit and life who is out of it? This is like the Phariſees that thought they had had life in the Scriptures, but would not come to Chriſt the life which the Scripture teſtified of; and the Scriptures are words of God, but many have the words, and deny the Word it ſelfe: and none are juſtified that hath the Scriptures, and out of the life that gave them forth.

Pr. He ſaith, It's a ſottiſh Doctrine to direct people onely to the Light within, and what an abſurd thing it is to tell our children of the Light within their conſcience, and to bid them obey and follow it; that light and word that's in their hearts and mouths, and ſo fully neglect the teaching of the Scriptures.

Anſw. Is not this Souls zeal, kicking againſt the pricks, who had Scripture? And this is not the neglecting to teach the Scriptures, nor the Apoſtles doctrine, to bring people and children to the Light within, and the word in their hearts and mouths to obey and do it, which was the Apoſtles doctrine; and they are ſottiſh that be out of it; and they were them that made Proſelytes, that brought not people to the word within, nor to the light within, but from it.

Pr. He ſaith, The Apoſtle thought to do many things against the Church, and thought he ought to do ſo, and the light within did not inform his conſcience.

Anſw. Did not Chriſt ſay it was hard for him to kick againſt that that prickt him, and was not that within him that pricked him?

Pr. And thou ſayſt thou art too ignorant of the ways of God, and witneſſing the meaning of his ſpirit.

Anſ. We do believe thee, therefore you had better have been ſilent, and have hearkned to the Light within thee, and the Word within thee, and the word of faith and wiſdome; which none hears the word of faith, but who comes to the light within.

Pr. Thou ſayeſt thou art too much troubled with carnall thoughts and vain imaginations, and addicted to the world.

Anſw. Thoſe dictates are not like to own the light within, word within. It is not a ſtrange thing that thy ſpirit ſhould ſtand againſt the Apoſtles doctrine, that is, light within? Cor. 2.4.

Pr. Thou ſayſt, It is a diſparaging the Scriptures to direct people to the light within, rather then the Scriptures, to direct them to eternall life.

Anſ. The Scriptures many may have, and be from the light and ſpirit of God that was in them that gave it forth; which none hath eternall life, but who comes to the light within, and the ſpirit that was in them that gave forth the Scriptures, and to you this is the word of the Lord.

Pr. Thou ſayſt, The light within is groſſe darkneſſe, and what darkneſse and blindneſſe is there where the Scriptures are not minded and known?

Anſ. The Apoſtle who did direct to the light within, did not call that groſſe darkneſſe nor blindneſſe; but turned people from darkneſſe to light, from the power of Satan to God: And Abraham and Enoch was not in groſſe darkneſſe and ignorance, who had not the Scripture to minde, which was in the ſpirit and faith as they were in that gave forth the Scripture, who comes to witneſſe the ſame ſpirit as was in them that gave forth the Scriptures, they ſhall come to witneſſe the Covenant of God written in their hearts, and ſhall not need ſay, Know the Lord, and ceaſe from man whoſe breath is in his noſtrils; and they that comes into this, owns the Scripture without, and be in Abrahams faith.

Pr. He ſaith, The elect may be deceived, and fall from their own ſtedfaſtneſs for a time, and come under the death and power of Satan.

Anſw. The elect ſeed is in the grave, which it is not poſſible to deceive, and the elect ſhall be brought from under all the deceivers, and death and bonds, and the gates of Hell they ſhall come over, and on top of them, although the ſeed hath been in captivity; and it is not poſſible to deceive the Elect, it is the world that is deceived, that which hath led captive ſhall go into captivity. Eve, and the firſt Adam may be brought into tranſgreſſion; but Chriſt the ſecond Adam, the ſeed in you all you muſt know which is that which bruiſeth the Serpents head, and the ground of all deceiving, and ſo the Elect may lye under for a time, and ſuffer; but the election ſhall obtain, and not him that wills, nor him that runs, but come over to the crown of honour and glory.

Pr. He ſaith, Satan deceives men into bringing them to a ſelf-denying poſture.

Anſw. It is not the Devill that brings men to be humble, and to deny themſelves; that which teacheth ſelf-denyall is Chriſt; that which keeps out of ſelf-denyall is the Devill, for that he went into himſelfe out of the truth.

Pr. He ſayes, They can never be clear of a degree of blaſphemy that hath the ſpirit of God in them, and ſpeaks againſt Miniſtery, Magiſtrates, and Ordinances, and bid people liſten to the light within them, and to the ſpirits teaching, and that they are all taught of God.

Anſw. They that witneſſed the ſpirit and light within were taught of God, and were moved of the Lord to declare both againſt Miniſters, Magiſtrates, and Ordinances that ſtood againſt Chriſt the power of God, and theſe were called blaſphemers, which were not, the Scripture declares it; but owned the power that ended all changeable things, which upon all the heads of the tranſgreſſors and blaſphemers came, which power was a praiſe to them that did well.

Pr. He ſaith, That Scripture may be bought and ſold they ſay, and it doth not profit; but the Light within is of an eternall nature, an infallible guide: So obeying it, they ſhall be ſure of perfection and eternall life. Now he ſaith, thoſe that ſay ſo are the poor ignorant and unſtable ſoules.

Anſw. Cannot yee buy and ſell the Scriptures, and your Sermons, and Prayers? And can any have the comfort of the Scriptures, and an infallible guide, perfection, and eternall life, and the ſoule eſtabliſhed, and come out of ignorance, but who comes into the light and ſpirit of God within that gave forth the Scriptures, with which they came to know God the Father of ſpirits, of whom they learned that gave forth the Scriptures, and ſo come into the ſpirit, and the bond of peace and unity with the Scriptures, with God, and one with another: And the ſp rit of God doth not bring men to diſlike of Scriptures nor Miniſters of Chriſt, But to ſee what eſtate and condition they were ſpoken forth too.

Pr. Thou ſayeſt, The meaſure of Chriſt muſt be ſo, that you ought to lay downe your lives for the brethren, and love one another, much more to lay downe your eſtates.

Anſw. When was there a Prieſt in the Nation that did lay downe his eſtate for the love of Chriſt or his brethren, but he had a ſelfiſh principle in another thing? Or when ſaw you a Prieſt lay downe his eſtate to ſave others out of priſon; but he is rather caſting into priſon till death becauſe they cannot give them Tythes? The Apoſtle doth not ſay, have not we power to take Tythes? But have not we power to eate and drinke? And they that preach the Goſpel, live of the Goſpel. And they bring glad tidings to them; but that is not glad tidings to caſt into priſon, and hale before Courts; and they that preacht the Goſpell lived on the Goſpel, that opened the hearts of people without mens compelling power.

Pr. He ſaith, You muſt not give eare to the Quakers, for they tell you your Miniſters look for their gain from their quarters, and are Hirelings, and this he ſaith is deceiving, and the depth of Satan, and a lying malicious ſpirit.

Anſw. The Prophets ſpirit was not a lying and malicious ſpirit that cryed againſt them that ſought for their gain from their quarters, and ſaid they were Hirelings, in which ſpirit is the Quakers, and ſees you walke in the ſame ſteps, and take away your gain from you, and your hire; and you are ſuing in the Courts, and haling up and down, which ſhews your ſpirits to be the falſe ſpirits the Apoſtle ſpeaks of which went out into the earth.

Pr. Thou ſayſt, Above all things beware of covetouſneſſe.

Anſw. If you had heeded that, you would have been better examples to the Nations about you; but in covetouſneſſe you are ſwallowed up, and ſo are excommunicated out of the life of the Prophets, Chriſt, and the Apoſtles was in, and ſo your reward from him you ſhall have. And you are finding fault that the people are covetous, and thus complains to the whole Nation: You ſhould have complained of your ſelves for being out of the power of God that ſhould have ſtruck downe that, and that you are not in the life and power the Apoſtles was in, and it hath not ſuch an effect with it as the Apoſtles had: So you have manifeſted and ſhewed your ſpirits to the Nations, and ſhewes you want your covering. And the Apoſtles did not write abroad to the world, that they and their Church was covetous, and ſend it to the Magiſtrates, and complained to them, had not they here diſhonoured their power of the Church, if they had done ſo, and ſhamed it, as you do yours?

Pr. He ſaith, Many falſe prophets are gone out into the world, believe not every ſpirit; and Satan transforms himſelf into an Angel of light.

Anſw. Theſe things the Apoſtles ſaw come into the world before their deceaſe, the Devil transforming himſelf into an Angel of light, and falſe prophets and falſe ſpirits gone out into the world, which ſince the days of the Apoſtles all that dwelt upon the earth went after them, the falſe Prophets and the Beaſt: but who hath their names written in the Lambs book of life before the foundation of the world; and the Apoſtle when Satan was transforming himſelf into an Angel of light among the Corinthians, he brought them to the light, in them which would give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt; and John ſaw they was come which Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, the falſe Prophets and falſe ſpirits, who bid them not go after them; and John told them they had the annointing within them, to teach them, and needed not any man to teach them, but as the ſame anointing taught them; and they ſhould continue in the Son, and in the Father, where no falſe ſpirit was: theſe falſe ſpirits, Prophets & Antichriſts wch Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, which John ſaw was come, and went forth from them, has drawn tongues, peoples, multitudes, and Nations to be waters, and there is the fruits of them, as Revel. 17.18. And now are people but coming from theſe waters, and falſe ſpirits to the R ck, and theſe are them that draw the Nations to waters; As has turned againſt the Saints and the Lamb; But the Lamb and the Saints ſhall have the victory; nevertheleſs theſe falſe prophets, beaſts, Antichriſts, falſe ſpirits, all inwardly ravened from the true ſpirit, hath had the ſheepes cloathing, elſe they could not have deceived the world, and led the world after them, and could not have brought Nations to waters, and herein hath been the beaſts power over all kindreds, tongues and Nations, and his heads and names in the Nations and among the tongues, yet all theſe heads and Names hath agreed together in one againſt Chriſt the light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world; and the Devil, beaſts and falſe Prophets, which made War againſt the Saints and overcame them; but the Saints and the Lamb ſhall overcome them, and the Devil ſhall be taken, and with him the beaſt and the falſe Prophets, and Babylon confounded, and the Lamb, and the Saints have victory. rejoyce ye Saints and holy Prophets over them, the Lamb and the Saints ſhall have the Kingdom and power over all kindreds, tongues and Nations who are redeemed from them, and from the earth, to reign with Chriſt, and a top of the Devil and his Angels, which cannot get into the ſeed.

Pr. He ſaith, It is a boast of the Quakers to ſay that they have the eternal Spirit of God in them, and ſaith they may properly uſe the word you to one, and taking off the hat is reverend, due, and honour, and he muſt not quench the ſmoaking Flax, but be courteous, and cuſtome to whom cuſtome, and to the Law, and to the teſtimony.

Anſw. He that hath not the Spirit of Chriſt is none of his, and thats Eternal; and he that ſaith you, to one, ſhewes he hath neither learnt accidence nor Bible, and the hat is the honour of men below in the earth; Adams honour in the tranſgreſſion which Chriſt the ſecond Adam ſaith I received not honour of men; how can ye believe that receive honour one of another, and ſeekes not that honour that is of God onely; and ſo the mark of an unbeliever and the Apoſtles did not obſerve the Jews cuſtomes nor the heathens cuſtomes, for if they had, they needed not have been perſecuted by them. Courteous is good, and to do one another good; but how is this practiſed amongſt you when you caſt into priſon theſe that cannot put into your mouthes, and you do no work for them? Where is your courteouſneſs? here; they break not the bruiſed reed nor quench not the ſmoaking Flax, that owneth the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and theſe neglect not their ſalvation, but they that deny the light that enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, neglects their ſalvation, and ſuch be they that breakes the bruiſed reed, and quenches the ſmoaking Flax, and that brings to own the Law and teſtimony, which many may have the Scriptures, and not the Law and teſtimony; for the Law is light, and the teſtimony of Jeſus is the ſpirit of propheſie, and this was before the New Teſtament was written, as Eſay the eight, and that was before Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John or any of the Epiſtles was written; and as for the reſt of thy lies, ſlanders and hard ſpeeches, they ſhall fall upon thy ſelf, and be thy own burthen, the witneſs in thy conſcience ſhall anſwer me in the day of thy judgement; And they that have not the Eternal Spirit are none of his.

Thomas Weld, Richard Prideaux, Samuel Hammond, William Coles, and William Durant, their Book called, A diſcovery of a generation of men called Quakers. In it are their Principles as followeth.

Pr. FIrſt, That the ſoul is a part of the Divine Eſſence.

Aſw. That which comes from God, which God hath in his hands, which Chriſt is the Biſhop of, is of God, and Divine and immortal, which many of the Prieſts ſay is appetite, luſt and pleaſure, and the ſoul of Chriſt, ſay they, is humane, which is earthy, and ſo you that are come from one mother are not agreed here among your ſelves, and people begins to ſee you, the time hath been they knew not which of you to believe, but now they believe in Chriſt, who is the Biſhop of their ſouls.

Pr. There lies a Myſtery of iniquity for to ſay, The world calls them ſo, by ſuch and ſuch names, or gives them their Chriſtian name.

Anſw. There are names given by the heathen, the heathen outwardly, which men are called, there is a new name which the world knowes not; written in the Book of life; here is the new man? known, after God in rigteouſneſs created and true holineſſe; Now who is this new man? and this new name? the world may call him by the old; So it is not a myſtery of iniquity to ſay the world calls him ſo.

Pr. It is a ſinful neglecting of their families to wander up and down; And the forſaking of apparel changeable, he calls it monkiſh holineſs.

Anſw. When people runs into tranſgreſſion from the life of God into the earth; Then comes up the luſts of the eye, the luſts of the world, and the pride of life, which leads them into all the faſhions of the world; which is not of the Father but of the world; Now the luſts and the affections muſt be mortified, which have outwardly tranſgreſſed the pure principle of God within, whereby the minds hath gone out into the creatures, and things without, whereby it falls under the creatures, and ſo comes to worſhip the creatures thereby more then the Creator, who is God bleſſed for evermore; being gone from the Principle of God in their own particulars, that is it which mortifies the world, when men turn to it; and this brings off all the luſts of the world, and exceſs, and affections, and profeſſions, whether they be ſuch as thou cals monkiſh, or notioniſts, or whatſoever, it brings into the poſſeſſion, into the life which mortifies; for this which thou calls monkiſh holineſs, is like unto your own, who have not the ſpirit as they lived in who gave forth the Scriptures; ſo all holineſs which ſtands out of that, is ſelf righteouſneſs; And the Apoſtles and the faithful in all ages that wandred up and down, did the will of God, ſpoke the word of God, were commanded and moved of the Lord, forſooke all for Chriſt; Chriſt did not teach men ſin; And he that doth not forſake all, is not worthy of him, Houſe, Lands, wife, children, whatſoever, he that eſteems any of thoſe more then Chriſt, he lives ſtill below, he lives ſtill not given up, he is not worthy of him, and they that do not forſake all and come out of all, are in the ſinful neglect of the family of the Lord of heaven and earth, and they ſtick below in their own cieled houſes, habitations, neſts, holes and rocks, falling into the mountains, and there garniſhing the Sepulchres, and living in all faſhions, cuſtomes, honours and pleaſures of the world; And the Prieſts work hath been this, to teach the people to keep in the luſt, and not to forſake and come out of all their luſts to Chriſt who are not worthy of him, and if any do, they look upon them to be ſinful neglecters of their family; which wiſdom was before all things were made, and is the preſerver and finiſher of all things, and not the deſtroyer, but tha it rebukes, and in this are men ordered to Gods glory.

Prin. The Quakers deny the imputed righteouſneſs, prayer, baptiſme, Church-government, Miniſtery.

Anſw. That ever ye five that are called Miniſters ſhould ever thus publiſh your lies to the Nation! The higher powers, the one government, the Church, the Pillar and ground of truth; The Miniſtry that is in the ſpirit, that Miniſters to the ſpirit in the priſon, baptized with the ſpirit into the one body, prayer in the ſpirit, the Lords Supper, who dwells in the Saints and walkes in them, and Sups in them, the Goſpel the power of God, imputed righteouſneſs to the believer; Abraham believed, and it was accounted to him for righteouſneſs, and Chriſt come, and Chriſt in you, who is the end of the belief, who is the juſtification it ſelf, and righteouſneſs it ſelf, nigher then when they did believe; And ſo here is juſtification it ſelf without imputation the righteouſneſs of God, here the belief ends; And all theſe things are owned according to the Scriptures; but all ſuch teachers that be in the earth, and teaches for money and means, we deny; and baptiſeth, and ſells your prayers, and Preaching and Supper for mony, we deny.

Pr. Will a diſcerning of the Goſpel myſteries, prove a power to diſcern the ſtate, and condition of ſouls, what it ſhall be to all eternity? is not this a large ignorance?

Anſw. The Miniſters of the ſpirit did watch for the ſouls, the Prophets and Apoſtles knew its ſtate, and knew Chriſt the Biſhop of it; and ſaw when the ſoul was in death, and ſaw when God had pleaſure in it, when it lived, and ſaw the ſoul in Gods hand, for who have the myſteries of the Goſpel, which is the power of God, which gives liberty to the captive, to the ſoul, and all that is imputed in man; this is glad tydings to the Juſt, this is a true work-man, that divides his work aright, and is not aſhamed of his work, of his building, but preſents the ſoul to God, and knowes when it is in death, and when it is living; And ſo who are come up into the Biſhop Chriſt, they are one ſoul, they know the hand of God which the ſoul lives in (which is the power) and ſo knowes it from eternity to eternity; And ſo ye Prieſts which do not diſcern the ſoul and its ſtate to eternity and from eternity, ye are not in the myſtery of the Goſpel which gives liberty to it, neither have ye it; for ye are ſtumbling at the light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, which comes from Chriſt the Biſhop of the ſoul, & ſo your darkneſs cannot comprehend that, and ſo what fellowſhip hath the light with darkneſs? it is not a ſtrange thing; It hath no fellowſhip with it, for your darkneſs cannot comprehend it, though it ſhines in your darkneſs; So for you to talk of Saints judging the world, and medling with ſuch things, who are to be judged with the Saints, who are that darkneſs that cannot comprehend the light that ſhines in you, who have not light to comprehend the Saints that be in the light, who have the juſt weight, meaſure, and balance, who are the Judges of the world, reaching, meaſuring, anſwering, agreeable to that of God in every man; And are ſtumbling at ſuch as are become the Sons of God, Adopted Sons and heirs, and of the fleſh and bone of Chriſt, and of his mind and ſpirit, who are in the poſſeſſion of the Scriptures, the durable life of the Saints, which makes you (darkneſs that cannot comprehend the light in your own particulars) to rage; which none comes to witneſs Sons-ſhip, heir-ſhip, Sons of God, but who comes to the light in their own particulars, and receives it, and with it comprehends darkneſs, It expels it away, ſees over the night, and are the children of the day. And you five Prieſts have ſhamed your ſelves that do not know the ſoul from eternity to eternity.

Pr. It is blaſphemy to ſay the ſoul is a part of the Divine Eſſence.

Anſw. Ye may read in this Book how the reſt of the Prieſts that are called Miniſters, ſome of them ſay Chriſt is humane, the ſoul is a creature, ſome again ſay it is part of the Divine Eſſence, it is immortal; and again, it is appetite and pleaſure, and in this now is their confuſion made manifeſt; The ſoul is that which came out from God, and is in Gods hand, which hand goes againſt him that doth evil, and tranſgreſſeth againſt the Principle of God that is in him, which goes againſt the luſt, which Wars againſt the ſoul, which hand the ſoul being in, praiſes God, the hand felt, the power felt that turns againſt that which Wars againſt it; here the ſoul magnifies God, and the ſoul rejoyceth in God the Saviour, the ſoul praiſeth God, here is Gods pleaſure. The living Lord taketh pleaſure in the living ſoul, and appetite and pleaſure are humane; theſe are not immortal, which the ſoul is, and ſo you five have judged your ſelves to be blaſphemers who ſaid the ſoul was part of the Divine Eſſence, and yet 'tis blaſphemy to ſay ſo.

Pr. Chriſt is to rule as a King; but in all he doth not.

Anſw. Thoſe and you that hate the light will not hear him, nor have him to rule over you and them, ſuch are for the ſword, and to be ſlain before him.

Pr. And the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, is not ſufficient to ſalvation, nor gives a light ſufficient to bring to the Goſpel, know the Mediator, and that light which hath enlightened all men withall, is not the way, but a created light by Chriſt.

Anſw. The light which doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, all lights were made by it, and created, and this is the eye of the ſoule, which gives to ſee Chriſt the Biſhop of it, from whence it comes; and this light is the Covenant of God which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and this light doth let ſee the Mediator, the ſalvation, the Goſpell: And all that be from the light are out of the truth; they that went out of the truth, the god of the world hath blinded their eyes, leſt the light of the glorious Goſpel ſhould ſhine in them, which is the image of God. So created Lights were created by it, and none knows the truth but by this light; and all mens profeſſions be but from that nature, that be from this light which hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world, which all men muſt come into, before they come into unity with God: And none can know the Mediator nor Chriſt by the created and made lights, which were made by the light Chriſt; but as they come into the Light by which they were made, that gives them the wiſdome of the Creation, and lets them ſee how they were made; and ſo they that hate the Light, receive not the ſpirit of God, but remain in their natural ſtate; and what ſuch know, they know as naturall, from Books, Authors, and Studies: So men come not to the Author of their Faith, Chriſt, who hates the Light.

Pr. How ridiculous is it to ſay, Chriſt dwels in all, ſo in all.

Anſw. Chriſt is the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world; and the Scripture ſaith, Chriſt he is ſearching the hearts of the wicked, and trying their reins, and bringing to them their thoughts to the light that ſhines in the darkneſſe, and the darkneſs comprehends it not. He was in the Saints, and the Saints were in the light, ſo he is in all, over all, and through all, and blindneſſe, darkneſſe comprehends it not, who fills heaven and earth. If thou goest to the utmoſt parts of the earth he is there; if thou goeſt to the deep, and to the nethermoſt hell, he is there, where wilt thou flye from his preſence? Have not the holy men of God found this? Are all ye Miniſters of the Letter ſo ignorant of the Letter? ſo ſhort, and come ſhort of the ſtate that gave it forth? And I ſay, ſuch as ſit under the ſhadow of darkneſſe ſhall feel if they do but hearken & liſten; and ſuch whoſe hearts be bad, ſhall feel him ſearching of them, and knocking ſuch as go down to the nethermoſt Hell, and to the utmoſt parts of the earth, they ſhall feel him if they never ſtirred forth, preſent, and ſhould not need to wander for a habitation, but ſhould feel their hab tation. Such then ſhould come to know their ſoules progreſſe, which is an inward travel, before it come into its Biſhop Chriſt the reſt, him by whom the world was made before it was made, and was glorified with the Father before the world began.

Pr. And it is an errour to ſay, that the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, juſtification, ſanctification, and redemption, that this is all within.

Anſw. If Chriſt be within, if not they are Reprobates; and reprobates can talke of Chriſt, and them that be out of the truth and the life, they can talk of Chriſt, and bring the Scriptures; but who have Chriſt within, they have ſanctification, redemption, and juſtification, they have the wiſdome and power of God; for Reprobates are talkers without, for he that hath Chriſt hath all the other, redemption, ſanctification, wiſdome, righteouſneſſe is ſpoken to man, and the work is known within as he comes out of the fall of the firſt Adam.

Pr. Its errour to ſay the light that diſcovers ſin, juſtifies.

Anſw. The light which is the Covenant of God that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, diſcovers ſin, makes it manifeſt, blots it out, juſtifies, ſanctifies, redeems, and condemns them that hate it.

Pr. It's an errour that the light within men will bring men to the feare of God, and lead men to juſtification, ſanctification, and righteouſneſs.

Anſw. None comes to Juſtification, to Righteouſneſſe, who are out of the fear of God, nor to receive his righteouſneſſe; but who comes to the light within, which comes from Chriſt the righteouſneſſe, the wiſdome, the juſtification, and ſanctification; and ye be in the errour that be not in this Light that leads too, and lets ſee it.

Pr. Perfection in holineſs cannot be attained in this life, for Adam was under ſuch a Covenant, he had no Mediator upon the breach of the command.

Anſ. God ſaid to Adam, the ſeed of the Woman ſhould bruiſe the Serpents head, Chriſt, the Promiſe, the Mediator made the way, which was the way in again to God of mans redemption, and got down the Serpents head which got up in tranſgreſſion, that Chriſt the head ſhould bear rule; that the ſeed of the woman ſhould have dominion, the ſecond Adam, the ſeed Chriſt Jeſus, the Lord from heaven. Perfection is not to be attained to by the life ye live, untill ye come to the principle of God in you; but the life that David lived in ſaw an end of all perfection: And all who come to Chriſt the ſecond Adam, they come to perfection; and all who attain to him, they attain to perfection in the life of God out of the firſt Adam; but who deny the light that enlightneth every man that cometh into the world, and reſt in the firſt Adam; the life they live in, denies perfection, and never owns it in the life they live in; But who comes into perfection, comes into Chriſt a new life out of Adam in the Fall, in tranſgreſſion. All Phyſitians to ſick men are to make them perfect; And do yee ſay, make none whole, make none perfect, make never a man perfect? For being made whole, they are made perfect, for ſin wounds; for the Miniſtery of God was to bring people to the perfect man, to preſent them perfect. Theſe were Phyſitians of value and of worth, whereby the body, ſoule, ſpirit and all were cured, and they glorified God in the body and ſpirit.

Now yee that ſay they ſhall not be perfect, and that none ſhall be without ſin upon the earth, no perfection in the life we live in; Theſe are Phyſitians of no value, yee are not worthy to have the name of Phyſitians, Miniſters nor Teachers, Thomas Weld, Richard Prideaux, Samuel Hammond, William Cole, and William Durant; for yee are pleading while men be upon earth they muſt have a body of ſin, and he that ſaith otherwayes is a deceiver, and ſo ye keep them in their wounds and ſores, putrifying and imperfect, and not makers up of the breach, and binders up of the wound; And the Lord ſaith, Though their ſins be as red as crimſon, I will make them as white as wool, and will blot out ſin and tranſgreſſion. And this tender love and kindneſſe of the Lord, and mercifulneſs to ſinners & tranſgreſſors, hath the Lord made manifeſt amongſt them which the world in ſcorn calls Quakers; and it is not a ſtrange thing that you would not have people to forſake the faſhions of the world, who are thus hung about with ribbons and cuffs, and ſcarfs, and your double Boot-hoſe-tops, and more like unto Stage-players then Miniſters.

Pr. Perfection is a fancy, thoſe were not words of true Phyſitians who brought men to a perfect man, to the growth up in perfection amongſt the perfect ones who ſpeak wiſdome. They ſay, It is no where ſaid that the Law is fulfilled in any Saints in this life.

Anſw. They that love God keep his Commandements. Chriſt is the end of the Law to every one that believes, and who be in him be in the end of the Law; And all that dwell in love, dwell in God, and love is the fulfilling of the commandement; who are of the ſeed of God keep the words of God, which the Beaſts and falſe Prophets ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, who have inwardly ravened and turned againſt the royall ſeed of God, and keep the Commandements of God; and ſo none of you that raven from the ſpirit of God cannot keep Gods commandements, though ye have all the Saints words; for the Saints witneſſe the end of the Law, and witneſs perfection and a perfect man, and ſpoke wiſdome among them that were perfect, and growing up to perfection.

Pr. That Chriſt gives to every man a ſaving light, we utterly deny.

Anſw. He is the true light that doth enlighten every man that comes into the world (ſaith John the Miniſter of God) and he is ſalvation to the ends of the earth, and they that hate the light, neglect their ſalvation, and turns the grace of God into wantonneſs, and denies the Lord that bought them; And every one that hath heard and learned of the Father cometh to the Sonne; and none heareth or cometh to the Father, that cometh not to the Son; But who comes to the thing that is tranſgreſſed in them, and the light that every man that cometh into the world is enlightened withall, nor hears nor learns of the Father, nor comes to the Son but by that, and the light that lighteneth every one that cometh into the world is the ſalvation to him that believes, and he that doth not, it is his condemnation.

Pr. But how dare theſe men lift up themſelves in their blaſphemous pride, to ſay they are pure as God.

Anſw. Doth not Chriſt ſay; Be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect, is that blaſphemy? and to be holy as I am holy? is that blaſphemy? whoſe Miniſters are you, is not this the work of Chriſt and the Apoſtle, without Holineſs ye ſhall never ſee God, and as he is ſo are we in this preſent world?

Pr. The word of God is contained in the Scriptures.

Anſ. The Scripture ſaith God is the word, and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him, are ye not more like void of reaſon, then Miniſters, whoſe ignorance thus appears of the Scriptures? which ſaith God is the word, and the Scripture is the words, and Chriſt is the word who fulfills them.

Pr. The Scriptures were given forth, ſome more darkly, ſome plainer.

Anſw. They which gave forth Scripture, and they that be in that in which it ends, to them the Scripture is not dark; but ſuch as be from the Principle of God in their own ſelves, they be darkneſs, ſo darkneſs happens to them, which blinds their minds, and the Scriptures was not given forth darkly, but in the light; but you who be from the light be dark.

Pr. The Apoſtles ordained them elders by a mediate call: and we are convinced clearly of a mediate call to the work of the miniſtry and of the word.

Anſw. That which made the Officers and overſeers in the Church amongſt the Saints, before the Apoſtaſie, It was the Holy-Ghoſt; which holy men ſpoke Scripture from, that made them Overſeers, that was not mediate but immediate, that did overſee in the Church of God; And we do believe that you Elders and Members called Miniſters are all mediate, and your order and Goſpel ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles who are ſuch as Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, inwardly ravening forth from the Spirit of God, and have got ſheepes cloathing; which ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles they have walked after you, who have deceived the world and Nations. But we ſee, that the falſe Miniſters, the worſhippers of the Beaſt, Antichriſt and the deceivers, among whom is the Devil to deceive, is now taken, with the falſe prophets, the Beaſt and Antichriſt the Mother of Harlots, and confounded and caſt into the lake of fire, and the Lamb and the Saints ſhall have the victory; And the Goſpel is immediate, and he is curſed that Preacheth another, the word I ſay is immediate, it lives, abides and endures for ever, and the Miniſters that are in the ſpirit are immediate, and theſe are furniſhed with the myſteries of the Goſpel, and their calling is immediate, and the Overſeers of the Church which the Holy-Ghoſt makes, are immediate, and all that be in the life that gave forth Scripture (which nones knowes the Scriptures but by it) they are all immediate; that which doth convince of ſin is immediate; But now your mediate Calls, your mediate Miniſtry and Overſeers, knowledge, Word, Goſpel, and people, Church are mediate, we do believe you, all this is ſo amongſt you ſince the dayes of the Apoſtaſie from the Apoſtles Doctrine, power, life and ſpirit which they were in, with which ye are judged, and who are in the life they are in that gave forth Scriptures; which you are ravened from; and are not like to talk of immediate.

Pr. The Scripture is the Word and the Rule.

Anſw. The Scriptures are the Words of God, and Chriſt is the Word in whom they end; and the Word of God is the end which fulfills all Scriptures, which came to the Prophets, which the Apoſtles Preached, which they diſcerned and ſpoke forth the words, and the fulfilling of the words; which the Scriptures of truth cannot be broken, but fulfilled by Chriſt the word: and the ſpirit is the rule that gave forth Scriptures, and that led the Saints into all ruth.

Pr. Thomas Caſtel went naked in the ſtreets of Kendal, and Thomas Holmes of Kirkby Steven.

Anſw. This hath been a figure of your nakedneſs; who are Egypt ſpiritual and the Ethiopian black, and the Prophet Eſaiah did not put off all his clothes (ſay they) conrary to the Prophets words; and he was to go among all the tranſgreſſors in Ethiopia and Egypt, a figure of their nakedneſſe; ſo ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles and the Apoſtaſie ye have gone from the ſpirit of God, inwardly ravening from that, ye have wanted the cloathing with the ſpirit, ye have had only the outſide, the ſheepes cloathing, but have been naked of the life, ſuch the Lord hath moved his ſervants to give a true ſign amongſt you, and not a lying; who have their cloathing of the ſpirit, which ye want; which ye ſhall witneſs the truth of the Lord God in the ſigne, if ever ye come into the true cloathing of the ſpirit of God.

Pr. And ye ſay Christ did not mean as he ſpeak, when he ſaid, be not ye called of men Maſters.

Anſw. Which ſhewes they are none of his Miniſters which trample upon his Commandments, and teach people that it is lawful to break them, ſhewing the lawfulneſs of them to be called of men Maſters; ſo as for their calling of men Maſters, ſtanding praying in the Synagogues, their long robes, ſalutations, their Tythes and their Pulpits, theſe are the works of the perfect Phariſees, which all people may look upon their fruits, their works and practices, and ſee the very image, and that they have their very garments and places, according to their condition, fruits and works; and as for all the reſt of their hard ſpeeches, lies, ſlanders, villifyings and railings which they have poiſoned people withall, will be their own burthen, and fall heavy upon them, and turn upon their own heads; Their way is compaſſed, their bounds is ſet and their limits, and in this the day of their accompt, every one ſhall feel his words to be his burthen, And their patience had been better then to have uttered forth their folly, and publiſhed it to the Nation; But the day is come that tries every mans work; and a witneſs is riſing in people, the morning is broak, the Sun is riſing, the day-Star is riſen, that lies people do not make their refuge, neither do feed upon them, nor upon any thing, but what comes from God, but the living bread that comes from God above; which who eats of it, lives for ever; Many have their bread and their water, that hunger no more, nor thirſt no more.

The Worceſterſhire Petition to the PARLIAMENT, which are ſaid to be ſix thouſand.

Pr. HE hath made a Law commanding all people to whom we Preach the Goſpel to allow us a ſufficient maintenance, that we may not be hindered from or in his work.

Anſw. The Scriptures and the Apoſtles did not ſpeak of any ſuch thing, that Chriſt did make a Law for them, commanding all the world to whom they Preached to allow them a ſufficient maintenance, that they might not be hindred from or in their work; What! will maintenance hinder them if they have it not? was not this the command of Chriſt to give freely as they from him had received freely? and then if any ſet meat before them they might eat it; But if this Law commanding all the world, a ſufficient maintenance and allowance to the Apoſtles and Diſciples had been firſt (which they might have been ſure of maintenance) this had been the way to have clogged the the peoples minds, & have brought them into trouble; which the Goſpel was otherways, glad tidings; but if the Apoſtles had not Preached to the world without this law which ye ſpeak of, w ich commands all the world to give them ſufficient maintenance, what a condition would all people have been in? But they that had received freely, was to give freely, ſo you have manifeſted your ſpirits to be the deceivers of the people for means, That ever 6000 people ſhould ſay he made a Law commanding all the world to whom they Preach the Goſpel to allow them ſufficient maintenance; When Chriſt ſaith they were to Preach as they went, as the diſciples went, and they were to Preach if they did not receive them; and they were to go into all Nations; yet the Apoſtles did not plead a Law where they came that they were all to maintain them; no, they were in faſting often, and would not uſe their power to eat among many people, though they had power yet they would not uſe it, and ſo the maintenance did not hinder the Apoſtles from their work, for they Preached often in faſtings, and ſometimes their own friends communicated to them when they were up and down among the heathen in other Nations Preaching; the Apoſtles did not plead a Law to the Nations whom they Preached to, and thus they brought glad tidings, keeping the Goſpel from charge: are not you ſix thouſand men aſhamed to Petition for a maintenance for your Miniſters, that you ſhould publiſh in a Petition your nakedneſs to a ſupream power of a Nation, that you are not able to maintain your Miniſtry, that the Churches are not able to maintain their Miniſters? doth not this ſhew your beggarlineſs, and to be of the ſeed that is begging bread? which the Scriptures ſaith the righteous are not forſaken, nor their ſeed begging bread; and in this have you not ſhamed your Miniſters that they have no better vineyards, plowes, and flayls, or did ever the Apoſtles or their hearers when they came into a Nation Petition to the powers of the earth for means?

Pr. And ye ſay where any man will not do juſtly, and pay the labourer the wages he owes him, The Magiſtrate muſt ſee justice done, or elſe I know not what he hath to doe.

Anſw. The Apoſtles Ambaſſadors and meſſengers of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt which were to go to all the Nations to Preach the Goſpel, they had not a Law at the Magiſtrates hands to give them wages, hale their hearers before them to give them wages, or put up Petitions before every Supream of the Nation before whom they came, this was not the work of the Apoſtles, meſſengers and Diſciples, who were to go into all Nations to Preach the Goſpel, when they had Preached the Goſpel to the Nation, they did not Petition to the Supream powers of the Nation, Powers or Principalities or Kings for maintenance from their hearers as you do now; Oh! this ſtinks and ſhewes it is out of the power which the Apoſtles, diſciples and meſſengers of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt were in.

For they would have made their Goſpel to have ſtunk, if they had come into all Nations to Preach the Goſpel, and then after they had Preached it, if their hearers would not have given them maintenance, to have Petitioned to the Supream authority of the Nation, and have haled their hearers into Courts, to Aſſizes, Seſſions and Benches, would this have been glad tydings to the Nations, or trouble to the Nations? and have been but deceivers, and pretenders of glad tydings, and bringers of trouble to the Nation, and ſeekers of themſelves, and for themſelves? and not to do the work which the Lord Jeſus Chriſt ſent them about, Preachers of the Goſpel that live of the Goſpel, might uſe their power and would not, and the power of God is the ſame now as ever it was, and it tries all the ſpirits that are gone out into the world which have Apoſtated ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, out of the Apoſtles power; and now with the power the Apoſtles were in, are they comprehended, which are gone out of the power which the Apoſtles were in.

Pr. And ye ſpeak of Jonas temptation and yet of your comfort in your ſtudies.

Anſw. The power that Jonas was in, ye are far off, or them that are to divide the word aright, but ſwallowed up in the great temptation of the world, pride and covetouſneſs, in that are ye drowned, and hard heartedneſs, as the Goales in the Nation are your witneſs; ſuch as cannot give you maintenance, and ſuch as are moved of the Lord God to come and ſpeak to you, by you are caſt into Goal, which ſhewes that you are in another power then the Apoſtle was in, who ſaid quench not the ſpirit, and the Prophet was in, who ſaid Limit not the holy One; and denying propheſie; ſo now your power and authority to your Miniſtry with the ſpirit of the Lord God is fathomed, and you to be out of the ſpirit the Apoſtles were in, and to be ſpirits that are gone out into the world and into the earth and fall, and ſo you uſurp the authority, and uſurp the Miniſtry, in uſurping the authority as your ſelves may ſee, read the Scripture of the Prophets and Apoſtles, and there read the fruit of your Miniſtry and Actions, try them by plain Scripture.

Pr. Ye ſay that the Miniſtry hath no power to put you out of the Vineyard, but to perſwade others to do it.

Anſ. Are the Miniſtry in the Vineyard of God, and have they no power, have they no authority there in the Vineyard? Are the Magiſtrates then to put them into the Vineyard, and to take them out? And all them that are labourers in the Vineyard muſt perſwade to put into the Vineyard, do not you in this ſhew your ignorance of the Apoſtles Doctrine, and of their work, who rebuked, ſtopt the mouthes of gain-ſayers, had power to ſilence, had power to try ſpirits, had power to judge, had power to defend? Now have you not in this (if you be Miniſters) diſhonoured your power and authority; and have ſhewed that you be out of the power, and to be them that cryes to the mountains fall on us, and hide us from the glorious preſence of the Lord, which is ariſing to ſhake terribly the earth.

Pr. So if the Miniſters maintenance be taken away, there is little likelihood of a Miniſtry long.

Anſw. It ſeems the maintenance hath been that which hath cauſed them to Preach, and held them up, ſo take away their maintenance, down falls their Miniſtry. But I ſay the power will ſtand, and the Adminiſtration of the ſpirit, and the hearing of Chriſt, and the teaching of God, if men take away all their maintenance, and caſt them into priſon for ſpeaking; But this holding up of Miniſters by maintenance is that which came up before the Apoſtles deceaſe: which taught for filthy lucres ſake and through covetouſneſs made merchandize of the people, through the love of money they erred from the faith, and pierced themſelves through with many hurtful luſts, and admired mens perſons becauſe of advantage, and taught for gifts and rewards, theſe were come up before the Apoſtles deceaſe, now theſe Teachers admired mens perſons, taught for filthy lucre, the love of money and covetouſneſs, which the Apoſtle ſaw before his deceaſe, which ſince the world run after them; take away their money and their lucre, and their gifts, ſee how long theſe will Preach: Now have you ſhewed your Root, your off-ſpring is found out. Now the Apoſtle Preached, and the Miniſters ſtood up which judged the Root from whence ye are ſprunge, for your Root was come up before the Apoſtles deceaſe: And now try ye, if maintenance be taken away, there is no likelihood the Miniſtry will ſtand long; And we ſay ſo too, we know it, take away your maintenance, down falls the Preacher. Therefore with Petitions are you troubling the Courts and Magiſtrates for your livelihood, which if ye were true Miniſters ye would be in the work, in the Vineyard of God, and would be aſhamed of ſuch things, and with the power of God, cover your nakedneſs, and not be Beggars, and Petition for outward things, ye diſhonour the power of the Lord God, and cauſe his name to be blaſphemed among the heathen. And ſo for ſhame let your mouthes be ſtopt for ever, for ſaying you are Miniſters. The power would open the hearts of people if ye were in that, and make them to give you, that there would be no want; And then the Goſpel would be Preached and you live in that, and glad tidings be known to all Nations, and men would not be combered about Courts, and put in priſon by you, whom you do no work for.

P . Ye ſay ſhall men have leave to Preach, railing against Chriſts Miniſters and Church? reproaches to the world, and hath Gyles Calvert owned his name at them? and ye ſpeak of y ur liberty of the Pulpit; But that the Pulpit ſhould be Satans Oracle; as Apthecaries ſhop keeps open poiſon ſo Gyles Calvert doth for ſoul-poiſon.

Anſw. This is not the way by railing, to ſtop poiſon; but your Pulpits have been like ſhops of poiſon even to poiſon Nations; for have you not poiſoned many people and made their minds envious, and moſt of your ſtuff hath been railing one againſt another? which had ye been Miniſters or ſpoken the truth in the love of it, it would have preſerved people in peace and unity, and not have ſought your ſelves.

And Gyles Calvert (as you call) an Apothecaries ſhop, hath been a place whereby many of your actions and fruits have been diſcovered, and made manifeſt, not againſt the Church of God, not againſt the Miniſters of God and Chriſt, not againſt the Magiſtrates that live in the fear, and life, and power of God, but againſt the injuſtice and the perſecution; and the apoſtates gotten up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles as ye confeſſe, if your maintenance be taken away, the Miniſtery will fall. Now the power is that that cauſeth people to miniſter to any that miniſtreth to them, not by compulſion, but freely, and this is acceptable and pleaſing to God, which the Lord loves. And ſo all your poyſon of your Pulpits, as Satans oracles, hath been like ſuch a thing; for the Pulpiters are them which have cauſed the great perſecution and impriſoning for ſpeaking to them; and becauſe they will not give them maintenance, and ſo quenching the ſpirit, and that which quenches the ſpirit is not of God; for in the true Church all may propheſie one by one; and if any thing be revealed to him that ſits by, the other muſt hold his peace, that all may learn and be comforted. The ſpirits of the Prophets are ſubject to the Prophets; And this was the order in the Churches of God, before the Apoſtles deceaſe: But ſince their deceaſe amongſt you that are apoſtatized from them, this is diſorder, and ſets you all on an uproar and confuſion; So your Church and Pulpit is more like Satans oracle, then the Church of God; and you have been in your Pulpits more like womens ſcolding to the Cuck-ſtool, which you ſpeak of, then men that preach the Goſpel; as the Pariſhes may witneſſe how they have been burthened with your rayling againſt other people which have not been preſent with you: And when any of them have come to you, you have cryed take them away, they diſturb you. Is not this worſe then womens ſcolding; for women will ſtand and ſcold one with another, but ye will ſcold behind their backs, and cannot endure to ſpeak to their faces, but cry to priſon with them.

But the Rod is gone over you, and you are come under the ſcourge, the whip and the laſh for your evill words, which have corrupted your manners, when ye ſhould have been preaching the peaceable way to the Kingdome of God, ye have been bringing people to ſtrife, throwing them into priſon for ſpeaking a word to you, that cannot give you maintenance, which you do no work for. But the ſentence ſpoken in Matth. is coming upon you, ye caſt into Priſon to death becauſe they cannot give you maintenance, therefore ye are far ſhort of viſiting them which be in Priſon; And theſe covers will not cover you, and all your hard ſpeeches which you have vented forth in your Book, which is not worth mentioning; but they will come upon your ſelves; for every one of your words ſhall be your burthen. Now fools may ſubſcribe their hands to things they know not, and go with a multitude to do evill; but wiſe men conſider and ponder the things before-hand: So all your Petitions, the holy Scriptures of the Prophets, Chriſt and the Apoſtles, read and try them, whether ye have ever an example amongſt any of the Miniſters of the Goſpel, that ever put up a Petition to any ſupream of a Nation; or that Chriſt ever gave them any ſuch command, that his Diſciples ſhould go and beg with a Petition to the ſupream powers of the Nation for maintenance? Have not you in this diſhonoured the Goſpell and Chriſtianity, and ſhewed that you are not of the royall Prieſt-hood, nor of the royall ſeed, nor everlaſting Covenant? nor you Miniſters to them that do freely give, which have freely received? but to be ſuch whoſe ſpirits be in the earth: And you Petitioners are not able to maintain them; which all Magiſtrates that ſtand in the fear of the Lord God will judge, and ſo ſee that you have ſhamed your ſelves, your Miniſtry and Church, and that you are not a Vineyard, that you have not a Flock to give you milke, to give you fruit, but they muſt be fain to give you fruit: And the Magiſtrates muſt be fain to give your Miniſters milke, and ſo ſhewed the ſloathfulneſſe of them that have plowed, and are not made partakers of their hope, but have loſt it. In vain have they plowed and threſhed, and not got out the Corn. And in all this have not you ſhewed your idleneſs, that ye have not laboured & got a Vineyard, and threſht and got no corne; and have not plowed and ſowed the ſeed? And will not the Magiſtrates ſee you in this? and have not they wronged you in maintaining you in idleneſſe? Will not the Magiſtrates ſee that they have done ſo to you in this, and become pack-horſes no longer, and executioners, who hath executed your malice upon them you do no work for, neither have hired you? and caſt them into priſon when they have ſpoken to you to repent and fear God? and ſo it's time for the Magiſtrates to do juſtice, and execute the Law upon you idle vagabonds.

William Thomas, a Miniſter of the Goſpel at Ʋbley (called) in his Book called, Railing rebuked, or, a defence of the Miniſters. His Principles are as Followeth.

Pr. HE ſaith, His Epiſtle reflects upon two ſorts of perſons, and how many falſe Prophets have riſen.

Anſ. The work of the Miniſters of the Goſpel was not to reflect upon perſons, or ſtrike at creatures (as thou ſayeſt) two ſorts of perſons; but they ſtruck at the power which captivated the creature, to the intent that the creature might come into the liberty of the ſons of God: And ſo thou that art reflecting upon perſons, doſt ſhew a marke of thy ſelfe to be a falſe Prophet; in ſtead of ſpeaking of the power, thou art reflecting upon perſons; and this reflecting upon perſons was never the way to beget to God; but that which ſtrikes at the power which captivates creatures, reacheth to the witneſſe in priſon, and brings people into unity with God and one another in the ſpirit, which is the bond of peace.

Pr. To love the Word, for the good parts, that in regard of the Chriſtian is a dangerous thing, and in regard of the Word of God, a diſhonourable thing.

Anſw. Where the good parts are not in the Chriſtian, that is a diſhonourable thing to the Word, and cauſeth the Word of God to be evill ſpoken of: As the whole Aſſembly of you Miniſters have done by your bad converſations, earthly, covetous, impatient ſpirits, that cannot endure any ſhould ſpeak but your ſelves in your places, ſo by you hath the Word of God been diſhonoured, and not honoured; for the Apoſtles did write that they were to ſhew themſelves Patterns and Examples to the Flock of God in life and converſation, that the Word of God might not be evill ſpoken of. Now where the Word is evil ſpoken of, and the bad parts in a Chriſtian proceeds, this grieves the righteous, and cauſeth the truth to be evill ſpoken of, and the Word makes them veſſels of honour in whom it is.

Pr. Now when Christians leave the Word and Sacraments and Sabbaths, it is a dangerous pride, lifting up the Light within, as they do.

Anſw. The Chriſtians that denyed the Sabbaths, and witneſſed Chriſt the ſubſtance, the reſt, ſaid, The light that ſhined in their hearts would give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt. And they lifted up Chriſt the Light, and they walked in him the Covenant of God, and of light to the Jewes and Gentiles come; which who walk in it, are in peace with God, and unity one with another, and have the light of life and reſt, and all be in the dangerous ſtate that be out of that. And as for the word Sacrament, there's no Scripture for it, but one of the Papiſts common words, and the Light brings off it, and the Jewiſh Sabbath.

Pr. Buy the truth, and ſell it not, not pleading for ſufficiency of a common light, and leaving their Callings as the Monks, and their books flying abroad, their wings unclipt, and no mention of eternall ſalvation from the wrath to come. And he ſaith, he loves the word Sacraments, Sabbaths, and Miniſtry.

Anſw. Chriſt came to put an end to the Jewiſh Sabbaths, and the Apoſtles preached their end, and forſook all for Chriſt, and ſo to revile ſuch as are in the ſame power, and to call it by the unſavoury expreſſion, Monkiſh, thou and yee are more like to that, that tells us of Sacraments, which is from the Monkiſh holineſſe. And for ſpeaking of clipping the wings of our Books that flies abroad, that's another unſavoury expreſſion, and ſhews that ſpirit, that it is not able to reſiſt that ſpirit that gives forth the Books. As for the Word and Miniſtry, that thou haſt ſhewed thy ſelfe againſt, though thou profeſſes the Scripture to be the Word: And thoſe are the words of God, which Chriſt the Word fulfilled, and this the Miniſters of Chriſt witneſſe; And ye never read that the Miniſters of the Goſpell ſaid they loved the Jewiſh Sabbaths, and held up the Sabbaths; thoſe were the Miniſters of the Law that held up the Sabbaths which Chriſt the Reſt came to put an end to, by which the world was made before it was made, glorified with the Father before the world began. And you ſell the Truth, and take the world, which deny the Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, which is ſufficient to him that believes in it.

Pr. We exerciſe and order our preaching for the getting of money and maintenance: And the greetings in the Markets, is but that which humanity requires, nor to be called of men Rabbi, elſe Chriſt would not have taken it. Muſt a Miniſter loſe the members of his Church, and the maintenance of his place both at once?

Anſw. Chriſt ſaid to his Diſciples, they ſhould know the falſe Prophets by their fruits, and ſaid be not ye called of men Maſter, to his Diſciples, for one is your Maſter, even Chriſt, and denyed the Phariſees greetings in the Market, which thou calls humane right: And the Apoſtles ordered not their preachings to get money by them; but they laboured to keep the Goſpel without charge, and the Miniſters of Chriſt brought the people off the Jewes Aſſemblies, and their maintenance both: And yee that be found out of the Apoſtles Doctrine in the apoſtacy, ſuch as come from you, that you do no work for, how can you expect that they ſhould give you maintenance? or how can you in righteouſneſſe take maintenance of them that you do no worke for? So if ye loſe the members, will ye take the maintenance? which of the Apoſtles did ſo? Nay, is it not the way to gain members, to deny the maintenance? Is not that the way whereby the power of God may be known that raiſeth the ſeed of God, whereby the hearts of people may be opened, and whereby the ſeed is known? And the Apoſtle declared againſt ſuch as taught for filthy lucre, and made merchandize of the Word, and that which thou calls humanity, which is your earthly right, ſeeing your converſation is in earth, and not in heaven.

Pr. It cannot be concluded that there is a light in every man teaching unto Chriſt, and unto ſalvation. And if Christ put a light in every man that cometh into the world, to guide him unto the Father, and unto life. I deny that to be true; for that's a naturall light which is onely the light which Christ the Word communicates to all men. Nay, the light that all men have, though it ſeem to make them to know God, as God, yet it is not ſufficient to make them to know that there is a Father or a Son, or the holy Ghoſt, that there is a Goſpell. And ſaith, I am the light of the world, that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, that is both Jews and Gentiles. And he that walks in the light ſhall have the light of life. Now here lyes the deceit.

Anſw. The light which every man that cometh into the world is enlightned withall, the C venant of God to Jewes and Gentiles, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world; which they that walk in the light, walk in Chriſt, and come to ſee before any naturall light was; And he that walks in the light ſhall not abide in the darkneſſe, but ſhall have the light of life; and with the light he ſhall know God, he ſhall know the Son, he ſhall know the Goſpell, he ſhall know the holy Ghoſt, and that light is not naturall. And he that knoweth God, knoweth the Father; and none knows him but with the light of Chriſt Jeſus who reveals him; for God is the Father. And I will give him for a Covenant, a light to the Gentiles, a new Covenant to the houſe of Iſrael and Judah, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, a leader of the people, a leader of them from death to life, to God, out of the fall, the firſt man Adam, a bringer in of righteouſneſſe, peace and joy, and truth, and grace to all that believe and receive him; but them that hate the light it is their condemnation. The light, Chriſt, the Covenant of God is the leader of the People out of the fall, out of all deceit unto God, and it is ſufficient; It is the end of the Prophets and the Apoſtles teaching, the fountain of life, in which every one ſees life.

Pr. Hath every man a light ſufficient to bring him to God, when none comes to God but by Chriſt? If there be a light ſufficient within for the enjoyment of life, For direction to the Father the fountain of life; the holy Ghoſt ſaith, Ye ſhall teach no more every man his neighbour, ye need not that any man teach you. He doth not ſpeake abſolutely and ſtrictly.

Anſw. Jewes and Gentiles who witneſſe the new Covenant of God promiſed, the Law in their hearts, it is abſolute, they need not ſay to one another, Know the Lord, in the Covenant of life and peace with God, in him by whom the world was made before it was made; But they that have theſe words in a form, are they that ſet to themſelves heaps of Teachers: And the teachings of the Apoſtles to all Nations were Ambaſſadors of this Covenant, declaring the ſubſtance to the bringing of people off all Teachers, that they needed not be taught by any man to know the Lord; and the light Chriſt which doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, is ſufficient to guide to eternall life, and he that believeth in it ſhall not abide in darkneſs, but ſhall have the light of life, and ſhall come out of condemnation; and he that hates it abides in darkneſſe, and knoweth not whether he goes: And it is ſufficient to let every man ſee his ſalvation; For I will give him for a covenant of light, ſaith God, he ſhall be my ſalvation to the ends of the earth, the Covenant of light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world.

Pr. What Chriſt and the Apostles ſaith, ſwear not at all, neither by heaven, or earth, or any other oath. They did not mean as they ſpoke, but that men ſhould ſwear; and they did not ſpeak againſt all ſwearing: And the Quakers may bluſh, for it is, as if God ſhould ſpeak as he meant by Moſes in the Law.

Anſw. Chriſt and the Apoſtles meant as they ſpoke, to what ſtate and condition they ſpoke, the words was truth to that ſtate, if it was by parables, or patterns, or figures. Now Chriſt being the end of Oaths and Types, ſaith, Swear not at all, who is the Covenant of God, the end of the Prophets, of Abraham, of David, of Solomon, of Jacob, of Joſeph. Oaths and ſwearing, and Angels which muſt bow to him, who ſ ith, ſwear not at all. And the Apoſtles preached this Covenant, this Oath of God, Chriſt Jeſus; and the Apoſtle that was in the Doctrine of Chriſt, bid them above all things my brethren ſwear not at all, but in all your communication let your yea be yea, & your nay, nay, for whatſoever is more cometh of evill. And they ſpoke as they meant; for they came into condemnation that broke the doctrine of Chriſt. Now Apoſtates, and Hypocrites, and falſe Brethren may ſwear, that be out of the light, the Covenant of God, that have the form of godlineſſe, and denies the power, and ſuch be Antichriſts, againſt his doctrine, and wreſt the Scriptures to their own deſtruction, and ſay that Chriſt and God, and the Apoſtles did not mean as they ſpoke; which God did mean as he ſpoke, when he ſpake to Abraham: And Chriſt meant as he ſpoke, when he ſaid ſwear not at all: And the Apoſtle meant as he ſpake, my brethren, above all things ſwear not at all.

Pr. We are Ministers under the new Covenant, and have the allowance of the Goſpel; and the tythes being onely deſigned unto us, we may with a good conſcience take it. And the tythes are not in themſelves Ceremoniall. Abraham paid tythes to Melchiſedeck. If there be not a maintenance ſetled out to the Miniſtery, we know we cannot ſubſiſt to do ſervice to their ſoules without a worldly ſupport, a ſufficient maintenance. They call us greedy dogs, becauſe nurſing Fathers and Mothers have provided for our nouriſhment a maintenance for us. To work or to beg are two ſtraits, whereof the world might be aſhamed, but eſpecially the Saints.

Anſw. The world would not be aſhamed, nor the Saints to ſee you work, who have taken the peoples bread for whom you do no work, and the Saints do witneſs againſt you. The Prophets, Chriſt, and the Apoſtles declares ſuch to be greedy dogs, that can never have enough; And Chriſt came to put an end to tythes before the Law, to Tythes in the Law, to a Prieſt-hood made by the Law, which had a command to take Tythes, who is a Prieſt-hood for ever after the order of Melchiſedeck, who was the ſimilitude and likeneſſe (and not after the order of Aaron) who continues a Prieſt for ever: And ſo when the firſt Prieſt-hood was ended, Tythes and all ended, and the command that gave them; and the Prieſt-hood, and the Law which was made when Chriſt reigns over the houſe of Jacob, who aſore Abraham was, I am, that Abraham paid tythes too, the ſimilitude and likeneſſe, which Chriſt is the end of; here the Rock, and the ſubſtance. This is my beloved Son, hear him (ſaith God) who was in the boſome of the Father: So they that know him, come to preach the Goſpel, and live of the Goſpell; who breaks down the earthly part, and opens the hearts of people; who breaks down the earthly part, and reaches to the ſeed. And as for your nurſing Fathers and Mothers, ſuch as give you maintenance, elſe you could not continue your Miniſtery without a worldly ſupport, That is it which hath held you up long, and who are fain to fly to the old worſhip, among whom the Tenths were payd, and ſo roving up and down in ſheeps cloathing for your owne ends to get maintenance; and if that falls, your Miniſtry falls: And your nurſing Father and Mother was the Pope, the Pope was the Author that ſet forth your Tenths at the firſt, ſince the apoſtacy from the Apoſtles, and the Apoſtles doctrine hath been loſt: Therefore that life the Apoſtles were in, is people now come to, by which ye are ſeen and comprehended: And a worldly ſupport is not that which holds up the Miniſtery, but Chriſt which is with them to the end of the world; and they that preach his Goſpel, live of it, and they are far above ſhaming the Saints or the world either, for maintenance; but ye have both ſhamed your ſelves, and the Saints are aſhamed of you, and many of the world, and your own hearers are aſhamed of you, and will not juſtifie your practices; and ſo yee have ſhewed your conſciences who take the tenths, that you are not exerciſed with the light, neither be in the myſtery of the Faith which gives to ſee the end of all changeable things: And are not you begging with your Petitions for more maintenannce? with your Petitions flying up and down for Glebe-lands and Augmentations to the powers of the earth? and ſending for Writs, ſummoning up to the Courts people that you do no work for? and this hath been the end of your fruits.

Pr. He that ſcorns to make uſe of the labours of men for his improvement in the things of God, ſhewes himſelfe proud; If there be occaſion to make uſe of humane Authors, which we offer to our Hearers.

Anſw. Humane Authors are from the earth, from the fallible nature, to mixe and mingle that, with that which is received from God, he ſhews that he hath not diſcerning, and makes that not ſufficient which he hath received from God; and this is contrary to the Apoſtles, what the Saints of the Lord had delivered, they did not mixe it with mens enticing words of wiſdome, neither did they ſpeak it in the words which mans wiſdome taught, but which the holy Ghoſt did teach them: Therefore this is to teach from mens labours or humane Authors; for mens Labours, and the humane authors invented come out of that nature which priſons the ſeed of God; and ſo that is not agreeable to that which is received from God; but every ones words there ſhall be his burthen; and ſo humane authors are not to be mixed with the word of God, for the word is pure, & nothing is to be added to, or taken from it, he that doth ſhall be proved a lyer, and the higher power is not humane nor fallible.

Pr. Paul and Pe er were inſtructed by an immediate revelation, which we are not ſo preſumptuous to expect, or to make the Ap ſtles condition our condition, humane learning wil not acquaint us with the mind of God, yet being ſanctified, it is a great aſſiſtance to that end.

Anſ. Are not ye in the preſumption & uſurp authority to preach or to teach that have not the immediate revelation, as the Apoſtles had, but have got their words, and uſurps the authority, and are out of their power, is not this uſurping? Are not all who be not of the power, in the words of the Apoſtles, ſuch as are to be turned away from by the command of the Apoſtle? And are not all who be of God and in the power & the life that the Prophets, Chriſt, and the Apoſtles were in, the immediate revelation of God? Can any know the Scriptures, or the truth given forth from the ſpirit of truth, learned of God the Father of truth, but by the immediate revelation which is the ſpirit of God, which reveales the things of God? And thou ſpeakeſt of ſtudy and prayer, can any dvide the word aright or pray aright, but in the ſpirit? and where that is, is not there immediate revelation from God? and this thou calls preſumption to be in the revelation as the Apoſtles were in, which it is preſumption to meddle with their words, and not to be in the condition they were in, that is perſumption, and to uſurp athority, and ſo ye are them that are got up ſince the daies of the Apoſtles, ravening inwardly from the ſpirit of God that they were in, & have ſheeps cloathing, which Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, Iohn ſaw was come, & went forth form them, which ſince the daies of the Apoſtles, the world have gone after you, all but who have their names written in the book of life before the foundation of the world, & keep Jeſus teſtimony; And humane learning doth not help in the way and things of God as it is in it ſelf, but as the ſpirit doth open through all things, and beyond all things, and comprehends all Languages, and ſees before languages were, that is it that miniſters to the ſpirits in priſon, and that is not called humane learning which ſees over languages and beyond languages, and comes to have power over tongues, languages and ſpeeches, and ſees before they were.

Pr. Coſtome hath made it the civility of our language, to ſay you to one, and not to ſay thou to a Superiour, except it be a Familier, It is no great fault to reſpect mens perſons, and the Scripture onely makes men wiſe to ſalvation; And it is a pernitious error in placing juſtification and ſalvation in righteouſneſſe within.

Anſ. That the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt might be fulfiled in us, and where Chriſt is within, there is ſanctification, and there is juſtification, & there is ſalvation known; for there is no ſalvation known nor felt without, but firſt it is found within; Faith evidenceth it, the ſpirit witni ſing, the ſpirit comes to witneſſe it, the light ſees it, & this is within; And ſo they that have theſe words of righteouſneſſe, of ſanctification of Juſtification without, & not within, are in the error, & none knows them without but firſt they know them within: and you to a ſuperiour, and Thou to a familiar. Is not God the Superiour, the ſupream? and doſt thou ſay You to God? doſt thou eſteem man higher, in a place beyond God? is not this ambition and pride and preſumption and fooliſhneſſe, muſt thou not come to be judged here, and be humbled for your miſcariages? and Thou to a familiar, a perſon of low degree, canſt thou ſpeak more familiarly to God then to man, Thou to him, and You to man, is this righteous and ſound ſpeech that cannot be condemned? Doſt thou not in this ſhew that thou never learned the Accidence or Bible he that reſpects perſons, commits ſin; doſt thou reſpect the poor and the rich in thy words, and is by the law reproved to be a tranſgreſſor, and is out of the faith that is held without reſpect of perſons; And as for the reſt of all thy lies and hard expreſſions in thy Book, they ſhall come upon thy ſelf, and to thee be a heavie burthen; And the day haſtens upon thee apace, to the witneſs of God in thy conſcience I ſpeak, which will let thee ſee that it had been better for thee, if thou had never opened thy mouth, then to have opened thy nakedneſs to the Nation; and this is not the way to convert ſouls, to rail; for railing never converted any, but brought them into a form out of the power, and ſo encreaſed knowledge, which was their ſorrow.

R. Sherlock, His Principles as followeth.

Pr. HE ſaith, They do not attain the knowledge, and underſtanding of the Goſpel by the ſame means as the Apoſtles did, ſaith he we Preach the ſame Goſpel, as the Apoſtles preached, but do not attain to the knowledge and underſtanding of this Goſpel by the ſame means.

Anſw. That which the Apoſtles received, they received from God; ſo ye receiving it not by the ſame means, have received it from men, and not from God.

Pr. He ſaith, The Apoſtles were eye witneſſes, and underſtood by immediate Revelation from God, inſpired with the gift of the ſpirit, more then any man could hope for ſince, and he ſaith they do not pretend any ſuch gift, nor depend upon any ſuch immediate miraculous Revelation from Heaven.

Anſw. Then all may ſee now in this what ye have received, that hath been from man which is not from Heaven immediate, nor the gifts of the ſpirit, nor received the Goſpel by the ſame means the Apoſtles did, who are not the eye witneſſes, as the Apoſtles were, neither have ye attained to the ſame knowledge and underſtanding as the Apoſtles did, nor received it from heaven; now let all people queſtion, whether it is the ſame Goſpel, which is not received from Heaven, nor immediately, nor by Revelation; for the Goſpel is immediate, which is the power of God, Rom. 1. they are in the ſame power, underſtanding, knowledge, and immediate Revelation from Heaven, that the Apoſtles were in, that underſtand the Goſpel, and they that be in another, cannot underſtand that Goſpel; ſo he confeſſeth to the Nation in his anſwer to ſome Queries, and in his diſcourſe upon the holy ſpirit, that they have not the ſame knowledge, gift nor immediate Revelation as the Apoſtles had; ſo he hath made himſelf manifeſt, and the reſt of the Prieſts, that he is in the Apoſtacy, not to have the Goſpel the Apoſtles had.

Pr. He ſaith page 11. An external means enables them to open the meaning of the Goſpel.

Anſw. An external opens not the eternal, this all may judge that is in the fear of God, and that is it which keepes them from being deceived, and ſeduce: the external which opens the eternal, he ſaith ſo, which is falſe; for the eternal opens the external, and the Goſpel is eternal, and that which reacheth to the ſoul which is immortal, and all they are ſeduced and ſeducers that thinks and ſaith the external muſt open the eternal.

Prin. He ſaith, Learned men are them which muſt give the ſence of the Scripture.

Anſw. Pilate was a learned man, and had Hebrew, Greek and Latine, and knew not the ſence of the Scripture, which crucified Chriſt; And the learning of God is that which knowes the Scriptures by the ſpirit that gave them forth, and not the confounded natural Languages; and the Querie to him was, whether any was to be called Maſter, his Anſwer is, Maſter is a Title of civil honour, a Phariſee, a tranſgreſſor of Chriſts commands, Mat. 23. that tramples upon Chriſts command and his doctrine, and makes the doctrine of Chriſt uncivil, and this is your Lordſhip and your uſurped Authority, who would lord it over Gods heritage, but he is throwing you out as dung upon the face of the earth.

Pr. He ſaith, The Phariſees paid Tythes when they neglected the Law of God.

Anſw. Do not all you ſo? Is not this your condition that takes Tythes, whoſe fruits in the Nation make it manifeſt, and the Apoſtle ſaid the Prieſthood was changed that took Tythes, and the Apoſtles denyed the Phariſees that took them; but you take them by compulſion, and carry to priſon till death if you cannot get them, and in this you are worſe then the Phariſees and firſt Prieſthood that took Tythes, which denyed Chriſt was come in the fleſh.

Pr. He ſaith, That children are of the Kingdom of God, and yet they muſt be born again before they can enter into the Kingdom of God, page 17. and ſprinkling of Infants is Baptiſme.

Anſw. Which there is no Scripture for, he ſaith Chriſt commanded both his diſciples and them to take and eat this, and yet they never heard his voyce.

Pr. He ſaith, To give an anſwer without imagination, or conſequence, is without reaſon or Judgement.

Anſw. There is a reaſon and a Judgement out of imaginations and conſequences to be given, which is in truth, and out of the doubtful diſpute.

Prin. He ſaith, While men be upon the earth the body of ſin is not wholly ſubdued.

Anſw. Contrary to the Apoſtles doctrine, who ſaith they were made free from ſin, and this is to deny the Circumciſion which puts off the body of ſin; this is to keep out of Chriſt the ſecond Adam, in the firſt Adam, in the fall.

Pr. He ſaith, The contents of the Goſpel are things of the ſpirit of God attained by an external means, and the Apoſtles was called of God immediately, which he ſaith no man muſt hope for ſince.

Anſw. Then you have all followed your own ſpirits and are found amongſt the number of the falſe Prophets, and them that ran and the Lord never ſpake to them; and the things of the Goſpel and of the ſpirit are not attained by an external means.

Pr. He ſaith, We muſt not look for an immediate extraordinary miraculous teaching from the Lord.

Anſw. Yet he ſaith all men are taught of God; what confuſion is here? the grace of God which brings ſalvation hath appeared unto all men, and teacheth us, and this he calls an outward teaching by the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Is that which brings ſalvation outward all in the truth may Judge this and try thy ſpirit, and the teachings of the Lord is not mediate, but extraordinary, above all yours, which are men got up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles.

Pr. He ſaith, They ſhall teach no more every man his neighbour, ſaying, know the Lord, but they ſhall all know me from the leaſt to the greateſt; and he ſaith again, the moſt knowing man hath not attained ſuch a perfection of knowledge in his gift, as not to need teaching.

Anſw. So he is one that believes not in the promiſe, they that love, are of God, and they that loveth knoweth God, and they that loveth not God, knoweth not God, here are the ſpirits of the world made manifeſt, and the ſpirit of God in his Saints, from thy confuſion; ſo them that know God are taught of him.

Pr. He ſaith, The anointing within people, is a meaſure of ſpiritual wiſdom.

Anſw. And yet they attain to the Goſpel by an external means, and it is onely all they that give heed to ſuch ſpirits as theſe, that go from the anointing within them, that did not take heed to the anointing, ſo going from the eternal means to the external means, and from the immediate to the mediate, with which they are now tryed which the Apoſtle ſaw come in, which hath been ſince over the world, but now made manifeſt.

Pr. He ſaith, Sprinkling of Infants is Gods Ordinance.

Anſw. For which they have no Scripture, but a tradition which hath been taught men for a doctrine by them who cannot ſhew where God commanded it.

Pr. He ſaith pag. 31. For the ſpirit within we are not ſo blind folded to follow the dictates thereof, and we draw men from the ſpirit within; It is humane learning that diſtinguiſhes the naked Truth, whereby it is clearly ſeen, and calls them blind that ſaith otherwiſe: and cannot diſtinguiſh perſons from houſes, he confeſſeth it is contentions to go to Law.

Anſw. Here he hath given Judgement upon all the Prieſts the reſt of his fellowes, who in moſt coaſts of the Nation are troubling people for Tythes, and their maintenance, and you are blind-folded who leads people from the ſpirit within who are ravened from it, and hath the ſheepes cloathing in the humane learning, which is from the earth, from the ground, and that cannot diſtinguiſh the naked truth, and with that the Phariſees could not ſee Chriſt, as you be, that cannot ſee the light which hath enlightened every man that cometh into the world, nor the Sons of God who are led by the ſpirit.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scripture was given forth in the Hebrew, Greek, and Latine which we truely ſay is the Original, and to attain ſpiritual wiſdom by depending upon miraculous Revelations from heaven, is attempting the good Spirit of God.

Anſw. And here he is contrary to the Apoſtle, what he had received from the Lord he declared, and David waited upon the Lord, and all the Prophets of God for Counſel and teaching and Revelation, and this he calls a Temptation, which no one knowes the Son but by Revelation, nor the Father, nor the Scripture, not a Hebrew, nor a Greek, nor a Latiniſt, but they that think to find it out by natural Languages, are in the temptation from the Spirit of God which reveals the deep things of God, which to all you inwardly raveners, is miraculous; and as for the reſt of thy confuſion and lies, it is not worth the mentioning, but ſhall cover thy ſelf, thy Judgement, the witneſs ſhall anſwer and manifeſt thy cloathing.

John Wallace Prieſt of Kendal, William Moore Prieſt of Kellet; Prieſt WALKER. Their Principles as followeth.

Pr. THey ſay, That the Devil is transforming himſelf into an Angel of Light, and this is to oppoſe the Light of Chriſt.

Anſw. The Light which every man that cometh into the world is enlightened withall, is that which Satan is out of, and you that be out of the Light, which Chriſt doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world withall, in you may Satan transform, who tranformed before the Apoſtles deceaſe, which ſince their deceaſe it hath been him that hath made this work among all creatures, which you be under his power, ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in the night of the Apoſtacy, and he hath been the cauſe of deſtroying people, which be out of the Light, in which is the unity; To ſing without the ſpirit, to ſing words made ready to their hands as the Jews could, whoſe ſong might be turned into howling; and to ſing in he ſpirit, there is the melody made to the Lord, where hymnes, Pſalms and ſpiritual ſongs are known; but to ſay that Chriſt and the Apoſtles ſung Davids Pſalms turned into Meeter as you do now, a thing made ready to their hands, this would make as though the Apoſtles and Chriſt could not ſing without Davids Pſalms, and would put every one beſides the ſpirit; for Chriſt was Lord of David, and the Apoſtles Preached the end of David, in that they ſung: and every man that cometh into the world having a Light from Chriſt, and that which may be known of God is manifeſted within man, though Jewes and Gentiles be from it, it guiding all minds, it will bring them to ſing in the ſpirit, as David, Solomon, Chriſt, the Apoſtles, and the Saints; and in this let all make melody to the Lord in their hearts, all having moving and breath from the Lord. So let all praiſe the Lord in the ſpirit, and in it unto him ſing, who in him moves, and lives, and have their being.

Gawen Eglesfield, His Principles as followeth.

Pr. THat his call into the Miniſtery is mediate.

Anſw. So is not a Miniſter made by the will of God which is immediate; nor a Miniſter made by the ſpirit, which is immediate. Mediate is naturall, and the naturall man knows not the things of God, for they are ſpiritually diſcerned.

Pr. And he ſaith, The Law is not changed that gave tythes.

Anſw. The Law of God is changed, and the Commandement diſannul'd, though the Pope ſet up another Law ſince the apoſtacy from the Apoſtles.

Ambroſe Dickinſon, His Principles as followeth.

Pr. HE ſaith, That there is nothing within man, but what puts him on a Covenant of works.

Anſw. Firſt, there is faith within man, and there is Chriſt within man, that works by love, and God will dwell in man, and walk in man, and the Son of God is revealed within. Doſt thou liken all theſe to things without in the Covenant of works which ends them all, and was before they was?

Pr. He ſaith, There is no knowledge of Christ in this generation but by the Scripture.

Anſw. Many may have the Scriptures, and not know Chriſt; they will not give the knowledge of Chriſt, that which comes from him, and ſhines in the heart, doth give the knowledge of Chriſt the light. And the Jewes had the Scriptures, but had not the knowledge of Chriſt, as you that doth not know the Light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, the eare being ſtopt to that of God in you, and eyes cloſed; and it is not the ſpirit; and the letter of it, cannot give life.

Pr. John Stockdale ſaid, the Scriptures muſt try the ſpirits.

Anſw. The ſpirit was before the Scriptures was; and the Jewes had the Scriptures, yet knew not Chriſt, but crucified him, and that muſt try the ſpirits that gave forth Scriptures.

Pr. He ſaith, The ſpirit and the Scriptures are one and the ſame thing.

Anſw. Scriptures are writings as the Prieſts and profeſſors ſay, and Chriſt was before it was given forth which owns it, and is when it ends, and is fulfilled.

Pr. Prieſt Heywood in Lancaſhire ſaid, It was blaſphemy to ſay that the Church was in God.

Anſ. Contrary to the Apoſtle, 1 Theſ. 1.1. who ſaid, the Church was in God.

Prin. Again he ſaid, It was blaſphemy to ſay, that God dwels or walked in his Saints.

Anſw. Contrary to the Apoſtle, 2 Cor. 6.16. Eph. 4.6. which ſaith, God will dwell in you, and walke in you; and ye are the temples of God.

Chriſtopher Wade, His Book called, Quakery Slain. His Principles are as followeth.

Pr. HEe ſaith in page 3. Oh horrible! to ſay the infallible ſpirit muſt open the Scriptures.

Anſw. Which hath ſhut himſelfe out of the ſpirit that gave forth Scriptures, and muſt open them again, in which is the unity, and that is infallible; and he that hath the ſpirit of God, hath that which is infallible; and he that hath not the ſpirit is none of his; ſo out of the infallibility where thou art in the horrible ſtate.

Pr. He ſaith, It is whimſicall to ſay, Chriſt, God and man, fleſh and ſpirit is in them.

Anſw. Contrary to the Apoſtles Doctrine, who ſaid, they were of his fleſh and of his bone; and Chriſt in you, and he would walk in them: And he that hath not the ſpirit of Chriſt is none of his, and they are of his fleſh and of his bone, and Chriſt in you the hope of glory.

Pr. He ſaith, It is a Devilliſh doctine not to forſake quaking and trembling.

Anſw. So in this thou mayeſt ſay, it is Devilliſh doctrine to ſay, ſalvation muſt be wrought out by trembling and quaking; ſo thou ſheweſt thou never knew ſalvation; for before men have ſalvation wrought out, they muſt know trembling and quaking; and ſo thou haſt ſhut thy ſelfe out from Moſes and Davids condition, and ſuch as the Lord regards and trembles at his word.

Prin. He ſaith, Fleſh and bone cannot be a meaſure in one, and a meaſure in another.

Anſw. Whereas the Apoſtle ſaith, we are of his fleſh and of his bone. Here thou art contrary to the Apoſtle, and that was more then one that had the fleſh of Chriſt and his bone, and his ſpirit.

Pr. He cries, Oh Luciferian pride to ſave ſouls!

Anſw. What good doth all your preaching do? Here thou ſpoileſt all the reſt of the Prieſts, and ſhews thy ſelfe to be contrary to the Apoſtles, who watched for the ſoul, and ſaved ſouls, that turned people from a multitude of ſins.

Pr. He ſaith, God the Father never took upon him humane nature.

Anſw. Contrary to the Scripture, who ſaith, God was in Chriſt reconciling the world unto himſelfe, and art ignorant of the great myſtery, God manifeſt in the fleſh, and his name is called the everlaſting Father. As for the word Humane, which is from the ground, it comes from thy own knowledge which is earthly; and Chriſt took upon him the ſeed of Abraham and David according to the fleſh, and this is Scripture-Language.

Pr. He ſaith; The holy Ghoſt is a perſon, and that there was a Trinity of three perſons before Christ was born.

Anſw. Thou knoweſt not him that is in the Father, and the Father in him, glorified with the Father before the world began: And the Scriptures doth not tell people of a Trinity nor three perſons; but the Common-prayer-Maſſe-book ſpeaks of three perſons brought in by thy father the Pope, and the Father, Son, and holy Spirit was always one.

Pr. He compares immediate revelation from heaven like unto the falſe Prophets dreams. And again he ſaith, the Scriptures is the word of God.

Anſw. Here he fights with the reſt of his fellows, who ſaith, Scriptures ſignifies writings, and writings are not God; but the Scriptures of truth are Gods words, which Chriſt, the Word, fulfils: They are not the word of God which thou haſt blaſphemouſly affirmed, but Chriſt is the word of God; and they be out of the feare of God and the ſpirit, and knows not the Son nor the Father that denies Revelations, but are among the falſe Prophets and falſe Dreamers.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scriptures are the Word, except you dare to deny Chriſt is God. And he brings a Scripture, Let the word of God dwell in you richly.

Anſw. So he makes the Scripture Chriſt, and God, and he doth not ſay, let Chriſt dwell in you, but means the Scripture and God dwels in you: And the Apoſtle ſaid, Let Chriſt dwell in your hearts by faith, and God will dwell in you; but thou ſaith, Chriſt doth not dwell in them perſonally. Doth not Chriſt dwell in his Saints, as he is in the perſon of the Father, the ſubſtance? and are not they of his fleſh, and of his bone?

Pr. They that hear the Word of God do not hear the Son, the holy Scriptures are the mediate Word of God.

Anſ. Now all people, where ever did you read of a mediate word of God? Doth not the word of God endure for ever, and is it mediate? And that he calls God heavenly Father, and never heard his voyce, nor his Sons, and denies immediate teachings; and he that knows the ſpirit that gave forth Scriptures, hears the Son.

Pr. He ſaith, God limits the ſupream holy one by the inſpired writings of the Apoſtles; and that is his third diſpenſation of his minde to men: And he ſaith, they are taught by inſpired Scriptures, which is mediate; not by Letter, which is litterally, the Letters or Letter.

Anſw. Inſpired Scriptures, and yet mediate, the teſtimony of Jeſus is the ſpirit of prophecy; and the Spirit inſpires, which the Letter doth not; and Gods teaching is by his ſpirit, and the holy one is not limited by the words of the Apoſtles who fulfils them, and many words the Apoſtles ſpoke which he did not write.

Pr. And he calls the Devill the tutor, to ſay, not made Miniſter of the Letter.

Anſw. So we ſpeak the Apoſtles words, and he makes the Devill the Apoſtles tutor, who ſaid, the letter killeth, but the ſpirit gives life, who was not a Miniſter of the Letter, but of the ſpirit, ſaid, and ſayes this, that makes the Devill the Apoſtles tutor, which is a lye, and his own; and the Devill is the Tutor of the Miniſters of the Letter, and not of the Spirit; who can run into it, who is out of the truth.

Pr. He ſpeaks of a morall Law.

Anſw. Which he hath no Scripture for, the Scripture ſpeaks no ſuch thing, but darkens counſell by his words.

Pr. He ſaith, The Scripture contains the mediate inſpired teachings, written word of God, that was and is God.

Anſ. Which the Scriptures ſay, the heaven of heavens cannot contain him; and God and Chriſt was before any written words was; and the mediate teaching of the whole Scripture-letter he ſpeaks of, which he calls God and Chriſt; and all the mediate teaching is carnall, and the Scriptures doth not continue the immediate teachings of Gods inſpiration, but teſtifies of thoſe things.

Pr. He ſaith, The written word is the ſword of the ſpirit. And he makes another rule, beſides the Scripture's, falſe.

Anſw. Which we ſay is the ſpirit that gave them forth, whereby peace is known upon the Iſrael of God; And the Phariſees had the Scriptures, but had not the ſword of the ſpirit, the Scriptures teſtifies of the ſword of the ſpirit.

Pr. He ſaith, It is a lye to ſay the Saints ſhall judge the world.

Anſw. So he would make Chriſt and the Apoſtles lyars, and would take the judgement from the Son, and make Chriſt at a diſtance from the Saints, ſo he is ignorant of the Saints and Chriſt both, and knows not the time of the Saints judging when the Lord is come; but ſtands in the counſels of his own heart, and in the hidden things of darkneſſe.

Pr. He ſaith, No Saint can be a judge of the world.

Anſw. Contrary to Cor. 6. where the Apoſtle ſaith, Do ye not know the Saints ſhall judge the world? And they abide not in the truth that affirms it as thou ſaith; ſo haſt ſhewed thy ignorance, and one of them that is judged by the Saints.

Pr. He denies the Son of God to be revealed in man onely by adoption, and cries againſt equality with the Father.

Anſw. And that is contrary to the Apoſtle, who had the Son of God revealed in him. And the Aſſembly of Divines gave forth a Catechiſme, which children, old and young was to learn, and ſaid, the holy Ghoſt and Son was equall in ſubſtance, and power, and glory with the Father; What, then all that have the Son and the holy Ghoſt, hath that which is equall in power and glory with the Father. In this thou haſt not onely judged thy ſelfe, but all the Aſſembly of Divines at Weſtminſter, 1649.

Pr. It is a falſe thing to ſay Chriſts perſon is in man.

Anſw. Which is as much as to ſay, none are of his fleſh or of his bone, nor eate it, nor had not his ſubſtance.

Pr. For denying all meritorious works that caſt men out from enjoying any thing from G d for their ſalvation.

Anſ. And nere they are turned to the Pope, who are in their own meritorious works, out of the faith that works by love.

Pr. And there is no other way to ſalvation but by meritorious w rks.

Anſ. And there is no man attains to ſalvation by his own meritorious works in his will, but they that attain ſalvation comes to the light which Chriſt hath enlightned them withall.

Pr. He calls that Satanicall, to ſay, as he is, ſo are we in this preſent world.

Anſ. Contrary to John, who ſaith, as he is, ſo are we in this preſent world, ſo thou haſt denyed Johns words.

Pr. That God doth exclude all works wrought in man and by man, by what ſpirit ſoever.

Anſw. So here is thy ſpirit tryed, and works are totally excluded without any diſtinction, and ſo the works of God and Chriſt his Son are excluded by thee; and the Apoſtle bids them worke out their ſalvation with fear and trembling; which he oppoſeth, and gives another ſenſe to it; and the works of God, Chriſt, and the ſpirit are not denyed by us, as thou doſt by the Devill which is in thee.

Pr. To be juſtified by Chriſt alone, he calls it a juſtified ſelf-quaker.

Anſw. There is no man ſelf-denyed and juſtified in the ſight of God, but by Chriſt alone: And they that are not juſtified by Chriſt alone, are in themſelves, and it's juſtification.

Pr. It is againſt the Scriptures to ſay men muſt be without ſin, and that men muſt be perfect.

Anſw. That's contrary to the Scriptures, for they mention that there was juſt men, perfect men, and holy men upon earth, for they that gave forth Scriptures were holy men; and Paul ſpoke wiſdom amongſt them that were perfect; and Joſeph was a juſt man; And the blood of Chriſt cleanſeth from all ſin, and are perfected by the one offering for ever (mark the words are) and he that is borne of God doth not commit ſin.

Prin. He makes people believe, that falſe Prophets and Antichriſts are come but now.

Anſ. Which Chriſt ſaid ſhould come in Matth. 24. which John ſaw were come, 1 Epiſt. 2. And in the Revelation he ſaw the world go after them, which he is one of them; but the Quakers own but one Chriſt, which is the ſeed, which is now riſen on top of them all, and witneſſe the Lamb; He that was dead, is alive, and lives for evermore.

Pr. That the Quakers are of the Devill.

Anſ. And it hath been the Devill in him that hath teſtified againſt the Quakers, and ſo makes his Kingdome divided againſt himſelfe; and it is Chriſt that is in the Quakers, and hath appeared, that cannot be ſhaken, whom he calls Belzebub, like ſome of his old Fathers, but his reward will be according to his works.

Pr. H ſaith, No other people upon the earth go about to ſave ſoules but the Quakers.

Anſw. So he hath judged himſelfe and all the people upon the face of the earth to be deceivers of ſouls, and not ſavers of ſouls; but the Quakers are ſo (the preſervers and ſavers of ſouls) and yet he calls them equivocating, deluding hypocrites, which he hath proved himſelf, and all others to be ſo, except Quakers.

Pr. He denies, and ſayes that the Saints bodies are not Chriſts body.

Anſw. And how are they Chriſts? how dwels he in them? and how are they of his fleſh and of his bone then? and how bruitiſh are you become in the knowledge? hath not he bought them with a price? and are they not his?

Pr. He ſaith, That neither Gods Eſſence, nor the heaven, nor Chriſts perſon was in Peters holy body.

Anſw. But the Apoſtle ſaid, God will dwell in you, and walke in you, and Chriſt in you. And again he ſaith, our converſation is in heaven. And here thou art ſtriving againſt the Apoſtles Doctrine; and the Beaſ is blaſpheming againſt the Tabernacle of God, and they that dwell in heaven; And thus thou wrangles with the Apoſtle, who ſaid Chriſt was in them; and is not his power that which thou calls his eſſence?

Pr. He ſayes, There is not whole Chriſt God and man, in men.

Anſw. Then how muſt men grow up in the meaſure of the fulneſſe of the ſtature of Chriſt, and Chriſt and God will dwell in man, and walk in man, God that made all things, and Chriſt by whom all things were made.

Pr. He ſaith, It is a ſhame for the Quakers to ſay, as he is, ſo are we in this preſent world.

Anſ. Which is the Apoſtles words, and the Apoſtle was not aſhamed to ſpeak them, but thou that lives in the power of darkneſs art aſhamed to hear them.

Pr. He ſaith, Chriſt had not appeared unto the Saints in his ſecond coming to them, much leſſe in them.

Anſ. Contrary to the Apoſtles Doctrine, 2 Coloſ. And Chriſt ſaid, he would dwell in them. And the Apoſtle ſaid, the ſon of God was come: and Chriſt ſaid, he would come again to the Apostles, which he did according to his word; and God did dwell in them, and walk in them: and John in his Epiſtle ſaid the Son of God was come.

Pr. And he ſaith, The Saints are not as Chriſt is.

Anſw. So he denies Johns Doctrine, who ſaid, as he is, ſo are we in this preſent world.

Pr. And he ſaid, The righteous man ſins ſeven times a day; and that David nor no man living is juſtified in the ſight of God at any time, ſo long as he was a living man upon earth, and that the Proph ts were not made free from ſin.

Anſ. And there is no Scripture that ſaith, a righteous man ſins ſeven times a day; and David ſaid his ſins were removed from him as far as the Eaſt is from the Weſt, and yet thou ſaith, David was never at any time free from ſin, of having ſin in him while he was upon the earth. And God ſaid, I have found David a man after my owne heart fulfilling all my will. So here he was juſtified: And the Apoſtle ſaid in Rom. 6. that they were made free from ſin, and were juſtified by faith in Chriſt Jeſus.

Pr. He ſaith, Paul was not made free from all ſin.

A. Yet Paul ſaid he had kept the faith, he had kept that which purifies and gives victory over ſin, and yet he goes about to diſprove Pauls words, and ſaith, Paul had ſin when he had finiſhed his courſe: ſo his great work is to prove the Saints ſinners, which they witneſſe againſt him, and charging Job, Paul, and David with ſin, which God juſtified, and ſaid, Job did not ſin with his mouth. Though Paul did cry out of the body of ſin, yet he found victory over the body of ſin, and knew the redemption which the creatures waited for, the liberty of the Sons of God; and ſaid, they were made free from ſin, in Rom. 6. and they were juſtified from all things; and by the one offering for ever he had ſanctified.

Becauſe the Quakers own the light Chriſt, and are come into the ſpirit that gave forth Scriptures, and heard the voyce of the Son of God, and denies all them that ſayes, they have not heard the voyce of the Son of God and Chriſt to be in them, Therefore he ſaith, they have forſaken the truth, becauſe they deny them that have the forme, and are out of the life, and deſpiſes, and denies the power that ſhakes that which is to be ſhaken; for no one knows ſalvation but by the light.

Pr. He ſaid, God did not come in his ſpirituall Eſſence with his Son on the earth. And he ſaith, that God the Father was not in his ſpirit with his ſon upon the earth.

Anſw. And the Scripture ſaid, the fulneſſe of the God-head dwelt in him bodily; and the Father is in the Son, and the Son is in the Father, I in thee, and thou in me: ſo he was not alone, but the Father was with him.

Pr. He ſaith, The Quakers are lying deluders in ſaying the Kingdome of heaven is within them.

Anſw. That's contrary to Luke 17. which ſaith, the Kingdome of heaven is within you.

Pr. And he hath not heard of any other people in the world taught immediately by Christ, but the Quakers.

Anſw. And the two witneſſes which he calls them, he brings againſt truth, which oppoſed truth in London: So ſhewing what he and all people are taught by a mediate uſe of the Scriptures, all may judge where that is; and the Devill rules ſuch that be from the immediate; and all that are not taught immediately, are not taught by God, nor by his ſpirit.

Pr. This ſort of people that are for immediate Revelation, and it is dangerous for any man to truſt to immediate Revelations, and preach Chriſt within man, and the two Witneſſes preached Chriſt without. And this he ſaith is a helliſh ſnare to pleaſe every mans pallate.

Anſw. And thus he may charge all the people of the Lord who were taught, and are taught of the Lord: And thus he fights againſt them that were taught immediately, and his teachings and mans teachings are mediate, and they are in the ſnare that be out of the immediate teaching; and all that know God and the Son, are taught immediate by the ſpirit that is immediate. And ſo it is not a very ſtrange thing that he ſhould give forth ſo many ill-favoured railing expreſſions, which his Book is ſtuffed full withall againſt the people of God, whoſe work in it is to charge the Elect with ſin, but we ſay, the Lord rebuke him.

Pr. And he ſaith, The Saints are not any time without ſin, even when they were borne of God.

Anſ. So not knowing the creatures coming into the liberty of the ſons of God, nor the birth born of God.

Pr. And ſaith, Sin is in the ſaints for their humiliation.

Anſ. Contrary to the Scripture, which ſaith, Chriſt is their humiliation, and bears their ſins, and deſtroys it; which humility is not like mans, being brought down by ſin, for ſin exalts.

Pr. That the inward man, and the power of God in man, never brings the outward man ſo ſubject as to be without ſin.

Anſw. This we ſay, God wrought ſalvation by Chriſt alone, without mans works; and who believes in him, are ſaved, and who doth not, are condemned; and the power of God and Chriſt ſubdues the ſin in man, and deſtroys it, that man becomes the Temple of God.

His Query is, Whether God could not have ſaved man without Chriſts dying.

Anſ. God can do what he will, who was in Chriſt reconciling himſelfe to the world; and Chriſt did not ſave the world without God. And thou haſt ſhewed in thy Book ſtuffed with lyes, how thou haſt been tormented, and of the filthy ayre come out of thee; And the Devill was in thee, and thou ſaith thou art ſaved by Chriſt without thee, and ſo hath recorded thy ſelfe to be a Reprobate, and ignorant of the myſtery of Chriſt within thee; for without that thou doſt not know ſalvation: And theſe before mentioned be thy Principles which thou to the Nation hath publiſhed in print, and all ſober people may judge thee; as for thy lies, they are not worthy mentioning, neither are they worth reading of them, but upon thy own head they will fall, and a heavy weight and burden thou muſt bear, who goes about to ſow diſcord among the brethren, but the accuſer of the brethren is caſt out, but the witneſs ſhall anſwer me in the day of thy judgement. Chriſtopher Wades Principle in his book called Quakery ſlain irrecoverably, who himſelf hath ſlain irrecoverably, and the ſame judgement wherewith he judgeth us, he hath brought upon himſelf, and the Quakers are recovered out of his ſnare, and hath taken him in his own, and hath chained him and bound him.

Henry Hagger's Book called, The holy Scripture clearing it ſelf. His Principles in it as followeth.

Pr. DAvid never boaſted of perfection, nor Paul, nor John, and ſuch as ſay they are free from ſin, it is their whole work to carry away poor ſouls from truth

Anſw. There is none comes into the truth, nor no ſoul comes out of the deceived eſtate, but who comes out of the ſin, and is made free from it, as the Apoſtles ſpeaks of to the Romans, ſuch as ſerved God in a new life, was made free from ſin, and God ſaid, Job was a perfect man and eſchewed all evil (mark all) and David ſaid he had ſeen the end of all perfection, and Paul ſpoke wiſdom among them that were pe fect, and ſaid the life that he lived was by the faith of the Son of God, though the Apoſtle had cryed out of a body of ſin, ye the ſaith he was manifeſt in his fleſh to condemn the ſin in his fleſh, and through Chriſt he hath victory and witneſſed the Circumciſion that put off the body of ſin; and ſaw where there is no condemnation.

Pr. The Scripture is the ſure word of propheſie, and the Scripture will bring men to the knowledge of God.

Anſw. The ſpirit is the rule that gave forth the Scripture, and the Word of God gave them to diſcern and to ſavour, who ſpoke the word of the Lord; and who ſtole their word from their neighbour when the Lord had never ſpoken to them, where the ſpirit was in the priſon, where the ſpirit was out of priſon with whom they had unity, and who had the form of godlineſs but denyed the power, and who was the falſe ſpirit that went out into the world, and the Antichriſts and the falſe prophets, and ſuch as was turned from the faith, and ſuch as lived in the faith, and ſuch as quenched the ſpirit, and deſpiſed propheſie, and ſuch as deſpiſed the holy One, and ſlaughtered the ſeed of God, and ſuch caſt the law of God behinde their backs, this was the ſpirit and the Word of God which was the rule that led them to diſcern and ſavour, to try and taſte and handle, this was the touch-ſtone, and this was the rule, and this brought them to the knowledge of God, and they that had the Scriptures had not the knowledge of God without this, nor the propheſie, as the Phariſees that had Scriptures yet knew not Chriſt.

Pr. To the Law and to the Testmony.

Anſw. Yea, as we ſay, to the Law and to the teſtimony, the Law is the light, the teſtimony of Jeſus is the ſpirit of prophecy: but it is tryed in this our day, the Letter is the Light, amongſt the Miniſters of the Letter, againſt the light, and they ſay propheſie is ceaſed, and ſo puts the Old and New Teſtament for it, and brings Iſai. 8. for the Law and teſtimony which was before Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, but this, is that their ignorance may appear.

Prin. And likewiſe he ſaith, There is not a juſt man upon the earth and ſinneth not.

Anſw. Read the words above in the 12. verſe, be not juſt over much, neither make thy ſelf overwiſe, now mark this, juſt, this wiſe man upon the earth which doth good and ſinneth not; that was the eſtate of the Law which Chriſt is the end of, who is a greater then Solomon, who is the juſt and righteouſneſs it ſelf, and makes men free from ſin.

Pr. I do not affirm that any man can have ſalvation, by vertue of his obedience, and thus you put out the eye of poor ſouls, and bids them hearken to a light within them.

Anſw. The eye of the ſoul is the Light which cometh from Chriſt the Biſhop of it, and he that believeth is ſaved, and there is his obedience, and he that doth not, is condemned already, and he hath the promiſe of life and ſalvation that believes in the Light.

Pr. He ſaith, the Commiſſion of Chriſt holds to the end of the world, who gave ſome Prophets, ſome Evangeliſts, and ſome Paſtors for the perfecting of the Saints, and the edifying of the body of Chriſt, till all come to the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, and to a perfect man in meaſure and Stature and fulneſs of Chriſt.

Anſw. Have you not all denyed this work, Paſtures? Teachers, Prophets perfecting of the Saints and bringing to a perfect man? ſaying that none muſt be perfect while they be upon earth, and to the unity of the faith which both you, and your teachers be all of heapes about it, and that none muſt witneſs the meaſure and ſtature, and fulneſſe of Chriſt, and the knowledge of the Son of God, that none muſt have him revealed; have you not denyed Revelation, how have you been in this work toſſing people to and fro like chaff, and carrying them about with every wind of Doctrine? and that is your wind that is not perfect, that is not in the ſpirit that gave forth Scriptures, and there lodgeth all mens ſubtility, cunning, and craft within lying and waiting to deceive; this doctrine was coming up before the Apoſtles deceaſe, which ſince in the world hath reigned, which all the heapes of Profeſſion in all Chriſtendom diſcovers it how people are toſſed to and fro, and changed about, and every one ſtands againſt perfection, and overcoming ſin while they be upon earth, ſo throwing themſelves out of the work that the Miniſters of Chriſt were in, ſo from it Apoſtated, and hath denyed the Miniſters work which is the perfecting, and you cry no perfection.

Pr. He ſaith, They call breaking of bread carnal; faith comes by hearing of the Scriptures, and it is the way to teach men to Christ to convince and convert ſouls, how ſhould we know ſin to be ſin, or righteouſneſs to be righteouſneſs but by Scripture? Scripture hath been a fit rule to walk by, and guide into truth and peace.

Anſw. Breaking of outward bread is not ſpiritual, for the Papiſts they ſay it is ſpiritual, and you ſay it is not carnal, what differs Prieſts and Baptiſts from Papiſts, and you ſay it is not as other bread is, and thus you deceive people, and make them believe a lie, and the Phariſees had Scriptures and knew not the way of truth and peace, nor was not guided in it, neither any upon the earth, Except they be in the life, that gave it forth, and the Phariſees had Scriptures read every day among them, and hearing not the word that they heard that was in them, that gave forth Scriptures, they heard not the word of faith, and the word of faith they have not, neither hath any upon the earth; for faith comes by hearing the word, the word Preached, not by hearing the Letter: he that hath the Word of God may ſpeak it dayly, for they were Miniſters of the Letter which begot people into a form, and they were more ten fold the children of the Devil then they were before there was any Profeſſion, after they were got into Profeſſion: and all upon the earth do not know righteouſneſs to be righteouſneſs, but as they have the life that gave forth Scriptures; for the Phariſees, chief Prieſts and Jewes had the Scriptures, and read them every Sabbath day among them, and they knew not righteouſneſs to be righteouſneſs, Jeſus Chriſt the righteouſneſs of God, neither did they know ſin to be ſin, for they crucified the Lord of life, they denyed the light, the Covenant of God, the Covenant of light, the Jewes whic had Scriptures, ſo none doth know ſin to be ſin, but as they do by the light which comes from the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, that makes it manifeſt, and Abraham and Enoch knew ſin before Scripture was.

Pr. Again he ſaith, Try their own hearts by Scriptures.

Anſ . They that tryed their hearts, it was by the ſpirit of the Lord that ſearcheth them, which led them to ſpeak forth ſcriptures; for before Scriptures were given forth, there was that in the heart to try it, which led all holy men of God to ſpeake forth ſcriptures, if all men upon earth had the ſcriptures, and have not that which gave it forth, they have not that which will try the heart; for the Phariſees had the ſcriptures, and they could not try their own hearts, and ſo they turned againſt the light as the world do now; that have the ſcriptures, for that is it which brings to ſtand approved of God, and tries their hearts with it.

Pr. He ſaith the overſeers of the Church are viſible.

An. That which doth overſee and maketh to be overſeers was the holy Ghoſt, before the Apoſtles deceaſed, which was inviſible, but ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles men have made officers by the letter, & ſuch are viſible, therefore have all men come into divers formes, out of the unity, and have loſt the bond of peace.

Pr. Likewiſe he ſaith, That which is contained in the Bible, is ſpirit and life.

An. This is as much as to ſay that ſpirit is in the letter, and life is in the letter now hadſt thou ſaid, that which is declared of, is ſpirit and life, theſe words had been true, and the letter it ſelfe death, and the life was in them that gave it forth, that is ſound; now the people have it among them as a general word, that the Bible is a Hiſtory or a treatiſe, or a catalogue, or calls it the letter, theſe are the common words among profeſſors and preachers: now we ſay they are the words of God, and a declaration of the Prophets, Chriſt and the Apoſtles; and Chriſt is the word in whom they end, & that is agreeable and according to ſcripture which cannot be broken, and ſound words.

Pr. And the words was confirmed to them by ſignes.

A . Them that had the ſcriptures knew not the word, by ſignes and wonders they were declared, and ſignes and wonders ſhewed unto them that had the ſcriptures, from the word, now to them that had the ſciptures, which the word to them had ſhewed maricles, when they deſired a ſigne of the word, he told them that had the ſcriptures no ſigne ſhould be to them but that of Jonas.

Pr. And they ſay thee and thou to a particular is a proper ſpeech, but it is not a ſin to ſay otherwiſe, and ſo not to give offence to Jew nor Gentile, but you is the nationall ſpeech, and the Devill ſaid thou, and Cain ſaid thou, and this was the bad mans language as well as the good.

An. Though the Devill and bad men got the forme of true words, yet the forme of ſound words is to be held faſt, and though Paul ſaid, give no offence to Jew or Gentile, yet we do not find that Paul ſpoke out of the form of ſound word , as you to one, and becauſe it is a nationall forme of ſpeech, and ye not come into the forme of ſound words, which hath profeſſed both Scriptures, Chriſt, and the Apoſtles, which ſhew they never learned either, nor comes into the practice of either; you to one is not righteous, and all unrighteouſneſſe is ſin: for one to ſay thou Henry Hager, art many men, would not thou ſay they ſpoke unrighteouſly? now Judge thy ſelfe.

Pr. You call all men dead and carnall in the ſerpents Nature, in what forme ſoever if they differ from you.

Anſ. All that be not in the light that inlighteneth every man that cometh into the world which is the way to the Father, Differeth from us: ſuch be dead, ſuch be carnall in the ſerpents nature: for none comes to the life, but who comes to the light, in what forme ſoever they be in, and ſuch as differ from us, differ from Chriſt, for none comes from under the Serpents head and nature but who comes to the light.

P . Likewiſe he ſaith: But for a perfection in glory to be attained on this ſide the Grave, I utterly diſalow.

A . We do believe thee, but a perfection in the glory is attained to, while the Saints be upon the earth, for they were changed from glory to glory, ſo there is a perfection in the leaſt glory, and that glory which the ſaints was changed from into glory, was not glorious, but as it was in the perfection in the le ſt degree or meaſure as it is in it ſelfe, and ſo for the reſt of thy lies and ſlanders, and unſavoury expreſſions which are not worth mentioning, will cloath thy ſelf, and they cover not thy ſhame but make it manifeſt: they ſhall be thy own wounds in the day of thy indignation: the witneſſe within thee me ſhall anſwer, and thy ſilence had been better, then to the nation to have uttered forth thy folly, and whereas thou ſpeakeſt of the Church, that to thee is a miſtery, which is the pillar and ground of truth; but men have gathered together a forme in the apoſtacy, and the ſeed in the grave ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles: but now is the ſeed riſen which treadeth ſuch out and down that are gathered together in the words of ſcriptures, but out of the ſpirit that they was in, that gave it forth, and that is the ſeed with which all the promiſes is to, he doth not ſay it is to the viſible Church, but to the ſeed, and who are of the ſeed are of the Church of Chriſt which is the pillar and ground of truth, and ſo it is not the running up and down the ſcriptures, from place to place, and bringing people chapter and verſe, and telling people what the prophets ſaid and did, and what the Apoſtles ſaid & did, & ſo to be approved of in the ſight of men, but ſuch are approved of in the ſight of God, as be in the life that they were in that gave forth ſcriptures, and be in unity with the Saints that gave them forth, with Chriſt the ſubſtance of them, and with God.

Pr. He ſaith, An Vnlearned queſtion to ask , whether your Baptizers caſt out devils and drink any deadly thing, and it not hurt you, and whether the houſe where you meet was ever ſhaken, and where he did give the holy Ghoſt to you.

Anſ. This is to ſhew that you are not belivers nor in the power that the Apoſtles was in, and as for your ſaying rhe Apoſtles ſpeaking, wicked men ſhould grow worſe and worſe deceiving and being deceived, now ſince the daies of the Apoſtles, who ſaw thoſe things come up, thoſe wicked men being deceived and deceiving, now ſince their daies it is manifeſt, that they have grown worſe and worſe, till they have grown all to heaps; and killed one another about religion, the whole Chriſtendom can witneſſe it, ſuch as have had the forme of godlineſſe but denyed the power, out of the power and life that gave forth the ſcriptures and out of the bond of peace in the poyſon, one poyſoning one another, & out of the holy ghoſt that gave forth Scriptures, and out of the healing, and the belief that caſt out Devils, and the devill the murtherer, but he hath been your teacher to murther one another about your Religion, which did not Chriſt teach, but to love enemies, and to ſave mens lives.

Thomas Leadger his book called a diſcourſe, his principles in it as followeth.

Pr. HE ſaith, Such be in an error that ſets up a light within above the ſcripture or equall with the ſcripture, and knowes no Chriſt but a Chriſt within.

Anſ. The light Chriſt by which all things were made and created, glorified with the Father before the world began, which the ſcripture teſtifies of, is above the Scripture before the Scripture was. They that be not in this Chriſt within, are reprobates, in which the ſcripture ends and teſtifies of, and ſo it is Chriſt the ſame to day, yeſterday and for ever that the Saints come to witneſſe within them, not another Chriſt, neither many Chriſts. And they that profeſſeth a Chriſt without them, have a Chriſt without them, and another Chriſt within them, here is two, for if it be not the ſame Chriſt that ended all types and figures and ſhadowes If it be not him that is within, they have not the poſſeſſion, the ſubſtance, nor the comfort of the true Chriſt, but who hath not Chriſt the end of the tipes, ſhadowes & figures in them, they are among Ante-chriſts and falſe Chriſts, and they that have the forme of godlineſſe can confeſſe a Chriſt without them, and notwithin them.

Pr. Again he ſaith, The Saints have a glorious light within them, but imperfect, and it is an error to ſay they have an infallable light within them, that they muſt follow which wil ſhew them all things, and to Judge of Scripture that it must be fulfilled in them, and theſe are them that are brought up in darke places of the earth that are as Sauls that goe to the witch and not to the Law and teſtomeny.

Anſ. None comes to the Law and to the teſtimony, though they have the old and new Teſtament, but who comes to the light in them for the Law is the light and who comes to the ſpirit within them, which is the ſpirit of propheſy & all that goe from this, they goe into darke places of the earth, and ſuch are they that goe into the pathes of Sau, l to ſuch ſpirits that goe from the light within them, and the ſpirit, that is the teſtimony of Jeſus, and the light, and the glorious light of the Saints which they are inlightened withall is Chriſt which is perfect, and they are changed from glory to glory, and ſo the light which thou ſaiſt the ſaints are in, and yet not perfect, and yet glorious, minde thy words, conſider thy meaſure, thy Judgement, the infallible light which every one that comes into the world is inlightened withall, is the leader of the people and the light they are to follow, and it is the way to the Father out of the way from the Father that is in the firſt Adam in the tranſgreſſion, which light is Chriſt the ſecond Adam that every man that comes into the world is inlightned withall, and they who follow this and believe in it, and walketh in it, abideth not in darkeneſſe, but have the light of life, and the light within, and the ſpirit of God within, that gave forth the ſcripture, is the tryall of the ſcripture of truth, for men without that may wreſt the words, and wrong tranſlate them; ſo the light within, the ſpirit of God is the Judge of the ſcriptures and knowes ſcripture which gave it forth, and is the rule and ruled and led them to ſpeak them forth, and is the rule that leades them again to open them again, and to lead into all truth, as ſaith Chriſt.

Pr. He ſaith, That which they ſet up above the ſcriptures is heatheniſh, and the ſcriptures is the ground of Faith, without it faith cannot act, and faith hath no bottom to reſt upon but ſcripture, and ſcripture is more then faith, the ſure word of Propheſy, the balme of the conſcience, it ſatisfies doubts, heales wounds, diſcerns the thoughts.

Anſ. The Phariſees and the chief Prieſts, they were not healed except they came to Chriſt, they found no reſt for their ſoules, though they had the ſcripture, yet they came not to Chriſt the light, which was before the ſcripture was given forth, The Phariſees had the ſcriptures, they had not faith, ſtood againſt the author and the ground of it, Chriſt, ſo they had not faith, the Phariſees had the ſcriptures but it was Chriſt and God that ſhewed them their thoughts, ſo the ſcripture knew not their thoughts but who are in the ſpirit that gave forth the ſcriptures, it is that which ſhewes mens thoughts Enock & Abraham had faith, and had not ſcripture, all are heathens that are not in the light which was before ſcripture was written, though they have all the ſcripture, and the holy men of God acted in the faith, in obedience to it before the ſcripture was given forth, and they were all in the faith that gave forth the ſcripture, and they did not act as from the ſcripture but from the ſpirit of whom they had learned who is the author of faith which the Juſt lives by, and God and Chriſt the ſubſtance of the ſcripture.

Pr. And the ſcripture is an infallible rule of worſhip.

Anſ. The Jews and Phariſees they had the ſcripture, and the Apoſtates ſince the daies of the Apoſtles they have had the ſcriptures & been out of the life that gave it forth, they want the rule which is the ſpirit, in which God the father of ſpirits is worſhipped, & that was the rule which all the holy men of God was led by to give forth ſcripture in which they worſhipped God, for the Phariſees had the ſcriptures & not the ſpirit which gave them forth, that worſhipped they did not know what, they wanted, the rule, the ſpirit of God that was in them that gave forth the ſcriptures, in which they ſhould have worſhipped God, ſo ſaw not the ſubſtance the ground of faith, and author of faith, Chriſt Jeſus.

Pr. They will not put off their hat , they write thee and thou one to another, they will not ſay maſter.

Anſ. The honour of the hat, the putting of it off, is an earthy honour of the earthly Adam in the fall, in the tranſgreſſion, which Chriſt the ſecond Adam the Lord from heaven not of the earthly, comes to redeem man out of the ſin and tranſgre ſion, receives it not, he will none of it, but have the honour that comes from above, & cometh to ſtain that honour below, and ſees it a marke of an earthly honour of Adam in the tranſgreſſion, and not of the ſecond the heavenly, and as for thee and Thou, you to a number, and Thou to a ſingular, who ſtumbles at this, ſhews they have neither learned Accidence nor Bible; ſo ſhort of the ſpirit that ſpoke the ſound words that connot be condemned, and ſpeaks proper which is the plant of renown, and as for being called of men Maſter, which Chriſt ſaith be not you, ye have one maſter, even Chriſt, you are all brethren, they be in the error that ſlight his commands and tramples them underfeet, and hypocrits that after they have trampled his commands under foot, and after makes a profeſſion of his words, Thomas Leadger thou profeſſeth thou eſteemes the ſcripture highly, above ordinances, above Angels, and is not this ſcripture which ſaith, be ye not called of men Maſter, and Chriſts command? yet thou denyes ſcripture and trampleſt them under thy feet.

Pr. The ſcripture is the lanthorne of obedience, and it directs men to Jeſus, and he cals the ſcripture the word of God, the ſum of truth, and they could not have knowne there had been a Chriſt, or a mediator, or grace, or glory, or worſhip, or father, or ſpirit, or light, but as it is declared in ſcripture.

Anſ. I do believe you who are got up ſince the daies of the Apoſtles in the Apoſtacie inwardly ravening from the ſpirit of God, you had not known there had been a father or ſpirit or grace or worſh p, if the ſcripture had not declared it, but they that had not ſcripture, had faith, had the Ho y Ghoſt, had the Father, knew the Father, knew Chriſt, knew the ſpirit, they that had the ſcripture, the Phariſees knew not the father, knew not the holy Ghoſt, nor the Redeemer, but reſiſted (as it was in Steven, knew not father nor Chriſt the author of it, knew not him that was borne of the ſpirit. Now they that had the ſcriptures knew all theſe things that had the ſpirit that gave them forth, they that had the ſcriptures, and not the ſpirit knew not theſe things they that had the ſpirit of error that were in heaps about the ſaints words, now they had the ſcriptures, the Phariſees walked in darkeneſſe had not Davids Lanthorne to their feet, and ſo could not ſee Chriſt as David did, ſaith the Apoſtle their table was their trap, there they ſtruck David that had the life that gave forth the ſcriptures, who had the lanthorne to his feet, and had not they a lanthorne before the ſcripture was written? Abraham, Enoch, what led them all to give forth ſcripture, are not all they that have the ſcripture, and out of that that they was in, that gave them forth, out of the light, and out of the Lant-horne? and they had a rule of obedience before the ſcripture was given forth, the word of God, that lives and abides and endures for ever, that is the word of faith in which the ſcripture the words of God ends. And man had the ſcripture and knew not Chriſt that was from the life that they were in that gave forth the ſcripture,

Pr. The Goſpell is the ſcripture.

Anſw. Many may have the Scripture and deny the power of God which is the Goſpel, many had the Scripture and the form, and ſtood againſt the Son of truth, Chriſt Jeſus, the power of God, the Goſpel; And as for thy other lies and ſlanders which are not worth mentioning, which comes from thy drunken ſpirit, when the ſpirit is awakened that ſuffers by it, thou ſhalt feel every word of thy own, thy burthen, and thou that doth ſet the Scriptures above Chriſt and God, and the ſpirit, art a heathen.

THOMAS LEADGERS Antiquakers Aſſertions. His Principles in it as followeth.

Pr. HE ſaith, The Divine nature is without mixture of ſin, but it doth not destroy wholly, the ſinful nature that is in us, and the being of ſin dieth not until the body die, and ſin hath been in us to humble us.

Anſw. Sin is that which doth not humble, but lifts up, That which humbles people, which brings down the ſin, Is the humilitie which bears the ſin and iniquity, which is Chriſt, And the Saints were made free from ſin while they were upon the earth, and had the body of ſin put off, And the Divine nature they which have received it, knoweth it, and have eſcaped the pollutions that is in the world, and the luſt of it, and ſo the Divine nature deſtroyes ſin in its being.

Prin. Again he ſaith, The Scripture is a quickening ſpirit, the wiſdom of God, the power of God unto ſalvation, the words of the bleſſed Scriptures every Line of it I have had (ſaith he) the righteouſneſs of God revealed in my ſoul, I have had the love of God, the grace of Chriſt, the Communion of the Holy Ghoſt manifest in me, but I trample upon all attainments, the higheſt, as dung.

Anſw. Many had the Scriptures, and ſtood againſt the wiſdom of God, and ſtood againſt the power of God, yea, killed and perſecuted the Lord of glory, of life; They that had the dead Letter without the life, and many got the form and denyed the power, and denyed the quickening ſpirit, and the Spirit of Chriſt doth not bring to trample upon attainments, not the love of Chriſt, nor the righteouſneſs of Chriſt, the love of Chriſt, the grace of Chriſt, the righteouſneſs of Chriſt, this was never eſteemed on as the dung, trampled upon as the dung, ſuch as was tranſgreſſors was as dung, and they trampled upon the love of Chriſt, the righteouſneſs of Chriſt, but who comes into this, tramples upon their own notion.

Pr. He ſaith again that perfection is a golden dream, and the Scriptures is the word of God.

Anſw. Perfection is over all dreams be they never ſo golden, and it ends them all, and is above them all: and Chriſts name is called the word of God, and the Scriptures are the words of God, which Chriſt the word of God by which all things were made came to fulfill.

A Book called, A ſerious review of ſome PRINCLES of the QUAKERS.

Pr. NO man hath reaſon to ſay that the ſpiritual ſubſtance is in the creature, the Divine Eſſence is ſubject to change as is the ſoul of man, and every one is enlightened that comes into the world by the light of Chriſt, and this he cals a natural light, and that ſome perſons are come up out of the fall, is an errour: I do not own a perfection without ſin, and it is an errour to ſay there is any perfection without ſin.

Anſw. All erring is in the fall, and that which is come up out of the fall is come out of the errour into the ſecond Adam where no errour is which many witneſs, for all errour is in the firſt Adam in the fall, and in him that tempted. And the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, by which the world was made, which was before the world was made, by which all things was made and created, in whom is life, and this life is the light of men; which men being in the light which they be enlightened withall, they coming by the light to him from whence the light doth come, they come into the perfection out of ſin; for all ſin and imperfection is in the firſt Adam in the earth; And perfection is in the ſecond Adam, Chriſt Jeſus, who bruiiſeth the Serpents head, the Author of imperfection. And who be in him, are in a perfection without ſin, and there is no ſin in the perfection, nor any errour in the perfection of Chriſt, and all who be in the unreaſonableneſs are gnorant of the ſpiritual ſu ſtance, and power of God, and Holy Ghoſt the ſpirit of truth, the Spirit of Chriſt, the nature that dwels in the Saints, which all this is ſubſtance and not ſhadow, and the Divine power, and the power of the Lord God, and G d doth not change nor his ſpirit, nor the ſoul, nor his power; ſo read thy ſelf: God doth not change, in his being, neither doth that which comes from him, that which he hath in his hand, and in his power.

Pr. H ſaith, That which is imperfect can be reconciled to God, and that they are poor blind creatures that ſay the light doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and needeth no light and diſcovery to help, and the Scripture doth no where call Christ the word, but the Scripture is the word, and ſo theſe poor creatures erre not knowing the Scripture; to ſpeak in the ſingular number is non-ſence, and they that tranſlated the words (thee) and (thou) might have tranſl ted them you.

Anſw The ſpirit gave to ſpeak the proper Language, ſingular and plural; and ſpake ſuch words as cannot be condemned. And if tranſlators that be out of that, tranſlate the words given forth from the ſpirit into what form ſoever they will, yet the ſpirit will finde it out, and the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, by which all things were made, made lights, and created lights, Chriſt Jeſus the light, whi h doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, need not have theſe outward lights or diſcoveries, they were all made by the light, which light was before theſe were made, and they which are come into the reconciliation with God, are in perfection out of the imperfection, from under the wrath; and the Word reconciles, hammers down, cuts down and burns up, that which is contrary and ſanctifies, and makes clean, and Chriſt Jeſu his name is called the word of God, the Scripture ſaith ſo, and they ſay that the Scriptures are the words of God, which in Chriſt the word which was before they were given forth comes to fulfill them, and that which is imperfect is done away.

Pr. To ſay that God is ſubſtantially in man, as Eſſentially one with him, can be no other but the man of ſin, the Devil himſelf having transformed himſelf into an Angel of Light, and if it were poſſihle would ••••• ve the very Elect.

Anſw. The Scripture ſaith that God will dwell in man, and walk in him, and the Saints had unitie with the Father and the Son, and all that hates the Light which Chriſt the Light hath enlightened them withall, hath not the Father, and the Son, in ſuch the man of ſin reigns, and in ſuch the Devil may transform; but the Elect he cannot deceive, the Elect hath the victory and Dominion which were elected in him before the foundation of the world, glory for ever, and as for all the other words in thy book, they are not worth mentioning, they will be thy own burthen, they will fall heavy upon thee in this day when thou ſhalt ſhalt give an accompt to God.

James Brown, His Book called, Antichriſt in ſpirit. His expreſſions and Principles as followeth.

Pr. THat the light in every man is a certain guide and rule in all things, this is the means whereby Scriptures are ſlighted.

Anſw. No one knows nor owns the Scriptures but as the light of Chriſt that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, doth guide and teach them the light of Chriſt within, which gives them the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus (and Scriptures) and to ſee the Scriptures, and doth not ſlight them.

Pr. To witneſſe God and Chriſts glorious reſurrection, and heaven, and the happineſſe of new Jeruſalem, this is lookt upon as an errour.

Anſw. Chriſt within, who is the reſurrection, the glory, the kingdome of heaven is there; and David who witneſſed him was in hell, he was upon the earth too, and he that witneſſed the new Jeruſalem, and that happineſſe was upon the earth: And they that have all theſe words, not poſſeſſing the life, they have no comfort in what they ſpeak, nor in what they profeſſe; and the babes and the children that are free, knows their mother that is from above.

Pr. If there be no outward meanes but light within, what need of the Scriptures.

Anſw. The light, Chriſt within, was in the Saints before the Scriptures was given forth, and that was it which was their guide to give forth the Scriptures, wherein they walked, and did not ſtumble; and that is it which gives to ſee the Scriptures again to what condition they are ſpoken, and the uſe of them.

Pr. The day is not yet dawned, nor the day-ſtar, the bright, and morning.

Anſw. The Apoſtle tells the Saints of the Day-ſtar, and they were children of the day, and the night was over, the true light ſhined, and the darkneſſe paſt: Though ſome indeed were not come to the day-ſtar, and the light ſhined in darkneſſe, and the darkneſſe comprehended it not. Where darkneſſe rules, there be the works that are out of the light, and among ſuch as have apoſtatized ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, the day-ſtar is not riſen to them, they ſee it not; but amongſt the children of light it is ſeen, and they that ſee it not, are comprehended. The day-ſtar is riſen, and they are children of the day.

Pr. And them that bring people to looke at the light within them, are as Corah, Dathan, and Abiram.

Anſ. All that go from the light within them are as Corah, Dathan, and Abiram amongſt the Lords Prophets, exalting themſelves, and perſecuting.

Pr. All men are not ſo taught of God as they ſhall be at Iſraels return.

Anſw. All men are taught of God that be in the Covenant, whether Iſrael heare or not.

Pr. I know that many of the Quakers are temperate, ſober, ſelf-denying people, but this is but the tything of hearbs.

Anſw. It was the Doctrine of the Apoſtle, who preached Chriſt the end of tything and hearbs, and ſelf-denyall, ſoberneſſe, temperance was not called the tything of hearbs, for the ſpirit that gave forth the Scriptures brought to this.

Pr. And the light within is darkneſs, and I never read of the Churches of the Saints that ſpoke by two.

Anſw. The Apoſtles doctrine to the Corinthians was, that they might ſpeak by two or three; And the light within, which is the light of Chriſt, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, the darkneſſe cannot comprehend it, though it ſhine in it, till it ſhine forth in the heart, to give the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt.

Pr. And that the Kingdome that is in the Saints is in the Phariſees, I deny.

Anſw. The ſame that is in the Saints is in the Phariſees in the meaſure, though it be but as a grain of muſtard-ſeed, which is like to the leaven, little.

Pr. The state of ariſing from ſin to grace is never called a reſurrection.

Anſw. They that ariſe from ſin to grace out of the firſt Adam into the ſecond Adam, comes into the reſurrection, the ſecond death ſhall have no power over them, and the Saints comes to judge the world.

Pr. Such as truſt to a light within them, forſake the holy oyle, the Lords ſpirit that ſpeaks in the Scriptures.

Anſw. The Lords ſpirit ſpoke in them that gave forth the Scriptures, who had the holy oyle, the light within them: And the ſpirit ſpeaks not from the Scripture, but by that which gave it forth, which is the Author of it.

Pr. I deny that any have a light within them to attain to the meaſure of God and Chriſt as they that have the writings.

Anſ. None attains to the myſtery of God but by the light which comes from Chriſt the myſtery, though they may have the Scriptures.

Pr. They that will not put off the hat, but ſay thee and thou to people, this is a ſin of their own deviſing.

Anſ. Thee and thou is proper language, and a forme of ſound words; the hat is earthly, Adam that's earthly, his honour which the ſecond Adam never lookt for, but gives this mark to know an unbeliever by, who ſeeks it, and looks for the honour below.

Pr. Is it not a ſhame for a boy to ſay thou to his Father, thou to his Mother?

Anſ. Jephtha's daughter thou'd her Father the Judge of Iſrael, and he did not look upon it as a ſhame. And the children of God thou'd their Father, and the Lord never rebuked them for it, as we read in Scripture.

And as for all the reſt of thy lyes and ſlanders in thy Book, they are not worth mentioning, but to redeem truth from them; and that none at all may make them their refuge, for they ſhall feel it if they do, at the day of judgement.

Some of Philip Bennets Principles, called Miniſter at Cartmel in LANCASHIRE.

Pr. HE ſaith, That none knew another to be the child of God.

Anſw. Which is contrary to the Scripture, 1 John 3. Ye are the ſonnes of God. And the Apoſtles knew others to be the children of God; as the Miniſters of God doth now.

Pr. Again he ſaith, That he did not know why God did make a difference amongſt men, &c.

Anſw. So is ignorant of the Miniſtery, which puts a difference betwixt the precious and the vile.

Pr. And he ſaid, None can give a reaſon of the elestion, or know the elect of God.

Anſw. And ſo is out of the Apoſtles Doctrine, who ſaid, they were elected before the foundation of the World, and ignorant of the Scriptures, which ſaith, Chriſt is the Elect.

Pr. Again he ſaid, He would never exhort people to take heed to that of God which is made manifeſt in them.

Anſw. Contrary to the Apoſtles Doctrine, Rom. 1. Cor. 2.4. Coloſ. 1. 1 John 2.27. Rom. 10.8. which brought people to the light within them, and to the Son within them, Chriſt within them.

Some of Adam Sands His Principles.

Pr. HEe ſaid, He hated that which may be known of God made manifest in man, which God hath ſhewed unto him who ſaid, that was the Quakers foundation (And it was told him it was the Apoſtle Pauls words, and ſhewed him the place in the Bible to read, and bid him ſee it) he ſaid again he hated it.

Anſw. So he is found in the nature of the Jewes and Gentiles that went aſtray, who were not like to retain God in their knowledge, while they are Reprobates from that which may be known of God made manifeſt in them, and hate it; Neither art thou, nor no Profeſſor upon the earth, like to receive God or Chriſt, Spirit or Faith, while thou hates that of God in thee.

Pr. And he called thoſe with him brethren and ſervants of God; and yet a little before he ſaid, they had no grace in them.

Anſw. Contrary to the Apoſtle, who ſaid, the brethrens hearts were ſtabliſhed with grace: And the grace of God which brought ſalvation appeared to all men, which taught the Saints, which you have turned into wantonneſs.

Pr. And he confeſſed, That they were more and more ignorant of God, and blinder and blinder every day then other.

Anſw. We do believe it. How ſhould it be otherwiſe with you, who ſay ye are brethren, and have no grace in you, and hateth that of God in people? But the grace of God which brings ſalvation hath appeared to all men, which lets them ſee ungodlineſſe: So in that the Lyar ſpeaks in thee; for that which lets every one ſee ungodlineſſe is the grace.

Roger Atkinſon, Reader at Turver Chappel in Lancaſhire.

Pr. THat the letter of Scripture was God (and it was asked if the letter, paper, and inke was God) and he ſaid it was God, and brought 1 John to prove it. And again he ſaid, The letter was the Word of God.

Anſw. The Scriptures of truth they are the words of God, and were all learned of God, and are writings; and Chriſt the Word comes to end all theſe words, and all ends in him, ſo the Scriptures are not God; but they were holy men of God which learned of God that ſpoke them forth, for he was afore Scripture which gave them forth.

Richard Stoaks, called Miniſter at Grayrig-Chappel in Weſtmerland.

Pr. HEe ſaid, That the Scriptures is God. He ſaid, that the Scriptures is a God. And after he ſet his foot upon it, and ſtampt upon it, and he ſaid, It was but Hebrew Copies, and Greek Copies, and were not the Scriptures, and ſaid they were not true, before near an hundred people.

Anſw. And yet a God, and they God; which the Scriptures of truth are the words of God; and the carnall man, and the Devill (which is out of the Truth) may get Scriptures; but the word, Chriſt, that fulfils them, ſtand againſt. And the Scriptures of Truth are not God, nor a God, but are his words that cannot be broken, and muſt be fulfilled by Chriſt the Word.

George Johnſon Prieſt of Orford, ſaid,

Pr. THat the light which John bare teſtimony to, is the light of Nature.

Anſw. Which is contrary to the Scriptures; For the light which doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, was before any naturall lights or created lights were.

Pr. That the Americans were never ordained for grace and ſalvation; and that the grace of God had never appeared to the Americans.

Anſw. Which is contrary to the Scriptures, which ſaith, The grace of God which brings ſalvation hath appeared to all men, &c. And I will give him for a light, a Covenant to the Gentiles, a new Covenant to the houſe of Iſrael and Judah, and that he may be my ſalvation to the ends of the earth. And many in America have received truth and ſalvation.

Pr. That none can be free from ſin, nor perfect whilſt they live upon the earth; and that none is able to keep the commands of God.

Anſ. So he hath denyed the one offering, and himſelfe to be out of the love of God, and the Circumciſion in the ſpirit, which puts off the body of ſin, and the blood of the new Covenant.

Theſe be the Principles of the Prieſts of Orkney.

Pr. JAmes Morriſon ſaid, that Chriſt which is within men is a Devill: and all who ſaid they had Chriſt within them, were Devils and Witches, and ſo bid the people take notice of it.

Anſ. Contrary to the Apoſtle to the Coloſſians, who ſaid, Chriſt in you the hope of glory. And to the Corinthians he ſaid, Chriſt is in you except ye be reprobates. And they be in the witchcraft and of the Devill that have not Chriſt in them, and reprobates, and this was and is the doctrine of the Miniſters of God.

Witneſſed by Luke Liddall, Souldier, with all the reſt of the Prieſts hearers.

G. W.
George Larcum, His Principles as followeth: Prieſt of Cockermouth in Cumberland.

Pr. HE ſaid, He would come to Chriſt, and never own the light within him.

Anſw. None comes out of tranſgreſſion to the ſecond Adam, but who comes to the light within, which is the way to the Father, and that is it which gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt, which comes from him.

Pr. George Larcum ſaid, I would to God I had power, thou ſhouldſt be ſeverely puniſhed.

Anſw. Here thou haſt ſhewed thou art limited, and thy weapons and thy Armour, and art not a Miniſter of Chriſt in the armour of God, the ſhield of faith, nor ſhod with the Goſpel; but ſuch is the Prieſts and falſe Prophets, who got the Magiſtrates into the forme, that denyed the power of God, on their ſide, that they might be ready to help the falſe Prophets againſt the truth when ever it ariſeth.

Thomas Warwicke, Prieſt, came to the meeting of thoſe called Quakers, on a Green, and ſtruck John Grave, and plucked him off the Green; and his wife ſtruck and beat ſore, and drew blood of friends. And the ſame Pri •• t ſaid, If the Law were rightly executed, thou might not ſtand there, it would cut off all your necks.

Thomas Dentham Prieſt, called me out of the meeting to him, and ſaid he would ſtand to prove his practice, and then he went his way, and bade the people take me away, hang me; and at his words the people did beat me, and pulled the hair off my head. John Grave, witneſſe.

Anſw. You ſhew your ſelves not to be Miniſters of Chriſt, ut to be ſuch that ever was out of the Saints life, who was found in the ſpirit of murderers, and perſecutors of him you are, that is out of the truth, would drink the bloud of the Saints, this is the mark of the Beaſt and falſe Prophets, that would kill creatures, and wreſtle with fleſh and blood.

Pr. That the Devill is a Minister of Chriſt in ſome ſenſe.

Anſw. Chriſt the ſeed of the wom n bruiſes the Serpents head, and deſtroys death, and him that hath the power of it, and deſtroys the works of the Devill, and judges the Prince of this world, and takes him, together with the falſe Prophets and the Beaſt, and caſts them alive into the lake of fire, that he ſhall deceive the the Nations no more, and ſo he will not ſuffer the Devill to miniſter; and thus the Devill and his Apoſtles are bound under with the Truth, which he is out of.

Pr. The Scribes and Phariſees were Ministers of Christ in the ſame ſort as Moſes was, when Chriſt commands to hear them, though in a lower degree of manifestation.

Anſ. The Scribes and Phariſees were not as Moſes; for Moſes was in the life and light, with which he ſaw Chriſt: The Phariſees had the words of Moſes, and the Law and Prophets, but out of the life that Moſes was in and the Prophets, though got up in Moſes Chair, they ſtood againſt Chriſt, and ſaw him not as Moſes did, whom Chriſt cryed woe againſt: So they were not the Miniſters of Chriſt, but againſt him who was the end of the Prophets.

John Owen, who calls himſelf a Miniſter of the Goſpell, his principles as followeth, in his Catechiſme which he gives forth, 1657.

Pr. ALl truth concerning God and our ſelves is to be learned from the holy Scripture, the Word of God.

Anſ. There was truth learned before the Scriptures were written, and the Scriptures of truth are the words of God which ends in Chriſt the Word; and there is no truth learned, bu as the ſpirit doth lead into all truth, which comes from Chriſt the truth, which was before the Scripture was written: And the ſpirit of truth leads into all truth of the Scripture; And many has the Scriptures, but knows not Chriſt the Truth, but as the ſpirit leads them, and reveals them, and ſo he hath thrown out Chriſt and the ſpirit.

Pr. There is one God in three perſons, &c.

Anſ. Where doth the Apoſtle tell us of three perſons, but tels us of Father, Son, and holy Ghoſt; but thou, out of the Maſſe-book, and old Common-prayer-book, who are the mutterers about three perſons.

Pr. I am conceived in ſin, and borne in iniquity.

Anſw. Then thy Parents were not believers, ſo children unholy; for by nature children of wrath, that is in the unconverted ſtate, in the tranſgreſſion, unbelievers; for they who by nature are children of wrath, are not borne of the believers; for the unbelievers are ſanctified by the believers, elſe were their children unholy, but now are they clean.

Pr. We have not kept the Commandements of God, but are all ſinners and tranſgreſſors of them.

Anſ. We do believe thee John Owen, and the reſt of you, who call your ſelves Miniſters of the Goſpell, and yet have not kept the ten Commandements, and would conclude all men in with you to be ſinners and tranſgreſſors of them. Nay, John was ſeparated from you, who ſaid, He that loves God, keeps his Commandements. But what, are not you falſe-witneſs-bearers that calls your ſelves Miniſters of the Goſpel, and coveters after other mens goods, houſes, &c? Are not you committers of Adultery and ſtealing? Are not you murdering men in holes for goods like a troop of Robbers, as the company of Prieſts did in the day of the Law and Prophets? Do not you live in diſhonouring your parents and God, and taking it to your ſelves? And do not you all come ſhort of keeping the Sabbath, bearing of burdens, making a fire, gathering your meat when you ſhould be at reſt? Are not you all taking Gods holy name in vain both in Pulpit, Town, houſe, Alehouſe, Streets, Market-houſes, and naming Chriſts name in your iniquity, ſo not held guiltleſſe? Are not you all making Images, and graven Images, and hanging them up in your Steeple-houſes, and ſignes, and houſes, and gardens, and high wayes, and things above, and things that are beneath? And do you think that people do not believe you, when you tell people in your Catechiſm, that you have broken all the ten Commandements, when we ſee your fruits have declared it? And are you not aſhamed to ſet forth ſuch a Catechiſme, who ſay you keep not the Commandements?

Pr. The Sacraments are the ſeals of the Covenant of grace.

Anſw. It's God that ſeal's the Son, and ſent him into the the world, and not outward ſhadows: And as for thy word Sacraments, the Pope was the Author of them in his Common-prayer book. And as for the reſt of thy work in thy book of Catechiſm, is like unto the old Doctors of the Jewes that broke the commands of God; that loves him not whom Chriſt cryed woe againſt.

S. Palmer, and R. Hooke, who ſay you are the ſervants of Chriſt, your Principles which followes, in a Book called, The forme of ſound words; And who directs their Book to the Friends, Neighbours, and Pariſhioners of Gedling and Sowdham.

Pr. THat henceforth ye be not children toſsed too and fro, and carried about with the ſleights of men; which is in reference to falſe Prophets, of which this Land is now full. You ſay. That a man cannot be made free from ſin, and cannot keep the Commandements of God perfectly.

Anſw. Are not you in the toſſing too and fro, and toſſing people too and fro? And are not you the falſe Prophets which Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, which John ſaid was come, and the world hath been after you, who tells the people that they cannot keep the commandements perfectly? Contrary to John, who ſaith, he that loves God keeps the commandements of God. And the Beaſt made war againſt them that kept the Commandements of God; and herein is the love of God perfect.

Pr. You tell people of a Sacrament, a Creed, and three perſons.

Anſw. Which the Scripture tells no ſuch thing, But the Common-prayer-book doth, and ſo you do not teach the form of ſound words in your Catechim.

Pr. Out of the Scriptures we may learn the knowledge of the true God.

Anſw. That which gives the knowledge of the true God is the ſpirit that gave forth the Scriptures; for the Phariſees that had the Scriptures knew not God.

Pr. The ſtate of man in this life is three-fold, Creation, Corruption, Regeneration.

Anſw. In Regeneration the life is changed out of that life which is in the Fall: So Regeneration and Corruption is not one in the new life.

Pr. A man by his own power cannot get into regeneration, for they are dead in ſins and treſpaſſes.

Anſw. Some are ſanctified from the womb, and ſome children are holy, ſo all are not dead in ſins and treſpaſſes; for they that are ſo, are but unbelievers.

Pr. All men have not ſalvation by Chriſt, and there are many that have no ſhare in ſalvation purchaſed by Chriſt.

Anſ. This is contrary to Scripture, which ſaith, that he is the offering for the ſins of the whole world, and the Saviour of all men, and eſpecially of thoſe that believe; And they that turns the grace of God into wantonneſſe, denies their ſalvation; and they which hate the light which enlightens every man that cometh into the world, hates their ſalvation to the ends of the earth.

Pr. The Scripture is the Word, and God is in his Word, and God in the Scripture offers Chriſt: God in his Word offers Chriſt, which you call Scriptures.

Anſw. The Scriptures of truth are the words of God, and Chriſt the Word comes to fulfill them; and God was in them that gave forth the Scriptures, and Chriſt was in them who gave forth ſcriptures, and the Scriptures teſtifie of him; and the Scripture doth not ſay that God is in the dead Letter, Paper and Inke; but his power ye are ignorant of, and errs, not knowing Scriptures, and the Scriptures are not God.

Pr. You ſay, That God works inwardly by his ſpirit, and outwardly by his Word, and our faith is ſummed up in the Apoſtles creed.

Anſw. Chriſt is the Author of the Faith; and the Apoſtle doth not tell us of a Creed, the ſpirit and the word are one, and they are inwardly known, ſanctifying.

Pr. The rule of Chriſtian obedience is the Law of God.

Anſ. That which is the end of the Law is a Chriſtians life and rule, who comes to the obedience of faith, in which they pleaſe God, and are juſtified, which no fleſh by the works of the Law is juſtified.

Pr. Brethren, be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one minde. No man is able to keep the commandements of God, we break them daily in thought, word and deed, in the beſt of our duties we are unprofitable ſervants.

Anſ. Here is your confuſion layd open; them that were perfect had a new minde, and their deeds wrought in God, and their thoughts were changed that witneſſed repentance, and they kept the commands of God; and their fruits are of the ſpirit and of faith, which are not unprofitable; But your works and fruits, who are out of the faith, and out of the ſpirit of God, are unprofitable, who breaks the Commandements; but they that love God, keep his Commandements.

Pr. Chriſtians muſt attend upon Gods Ordinances and Sacraments, to know their duty toward their neighbour, which Sacraments are the ſeal and the covenant.

Anſw. The Apoſtles tell us of no ſuch ſignes, ſacraments, nor ſuch words; but that which fulfils Law is the Son of God, which brings him to do his duty towards God, and towards his neighbour, which is Chriſt.

Pr. There are two Sacraments, and the Covenant of grace is to all that believe and receive Chriſt; and the two Sacraments are Baptiſme and the L rds Supper, which are viſible ſignes.

Anſ. The Scripture doth not any where call them viſible ſignes, nor ſacraments; and the Covenant of grace is to all, whether they believe, or not believe; receive, or not receive; and the Scripture doth not call Baptiſme and the Lords ſupper Sacraments.

Pr. Becauſe Infants of the Jewes were circumciſed, therefore are children baptized: Chriſt hath ordained this Sacrament as bread and wine, and the Sacrament is the food of the ſoul.

Anſw. This is a Popiſh doctrine; that which feeds the ſoul is immortall, and that is the ſouls food which findes reſt in Chriſt the bread of life, the food for the ſoule; And the Scriptures doth not tell us that the bread and wine is a Sacrament, and the Scripture doth not tell us that Circumciſion was outwardly a type of Baptiſme outwardly, but of the inward; and you bring a Scripture which is the 23. of Luke and the 43. verſ. and ſaith, that it ſaith, that the ſouls of the wicked are cast into Hell, which that Scripture ſpeaks no ſuch thing.

Pr. We are not to ſeek for happineſs in this life.

Anſw. The Saints were, and are made partakers of the heavenly riches, and of Chriſts fulneſs, and of his unſpeakable joy, and full of glory, in Chriſts Kingdom, which is in them, who are upon the earth; and for the reſt of your lies and confuſions is not worth anſwering.

Richard Baxter, His Principles in that which he cals one ſheet for the Miniſters, which is two ſheets, in whoſe mouth is found a lie, as in his Title Page is to be ſeen. His Principles in it as followeth.

Pr. THat we are hated of all men for the Name of Chriſt who are but Miniſters, who gave ſome Pastors, Teachers appointed for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Miniſtry, for the edifying of the body of Chriſt, till we all come to a perfect man, To Diſciple Nations, Baptize and Teach them, ſo cut down the Miniſters, the Pillars, and the buildings will fall.

Anſw. In the ſteps of the Miniſters of Chriſt you are not found, but in the ſteps of the Scribes end Phariſees, called of men Maſters, in the chiefeſt ſeats of Aſſembles, in your long robes, uppermoſt Roomes at Feaſts, cauſing the Miniſters of Chriſt to be haled out of your Synagogues, and thruſt out, and haled, and perſecuted and priſoned, which are in the generation of the Serpents that ſhould fulfill Chriſts words, Mat. 23. And the work of the Miniſtery, and Paſtors and Teachers, you throw your ſelves out of, who have received their gifts from Chriſt; you who deny perfection while men be upon the earth, or coming to a perfect man, you are not with them that edifie the body of Chriſt, but throw your ſelves out of that work, and you are not them that are for the perfecting of the Saints, for none are the Miniſters of Chriſt, and haled for his ſake, but who brings people to a perfection, out of imperfection, and to a perfect man, and theſe are the Miniſters that were haled by theſe Prieſts that had the Law, and Tythes, and Temples, and Synagogues, that made nothing perfect, but your Temple, and Tythes and Syagogues hath been invented by ſuch that went forth from the Apoſtles, whoſe ſucceſſors you are, that had the form of godlineſs, but denyed the power, and ſo they denyed that which was perfect, and this you have held up ſince the Apoſtles in the Apoſtacy, whoſe work and Miniſtry and Foundation is to be overthrown with the power of God, which hath been that, that hath drunk the blood of the Saints and Martyrs ſince the dayes o the Apoſtles, but in the riſing of the Lamb and the Saints you are all overthrown, and rejoyced over, and ſlain with the ſword which is the words of his mouth, though you all beaſts, falſe prophets, Antichriſts may riſe in battel againſt him, the Lamb and the Saints ſhall have the victory; you have been the Pillars that have held up Antichriſts Kingdom in the uſurped Authority, out of the power and life the Apoſtles were in, who were ſent to Preach and Baptize, whom you baptize and then Preach, which is quite contrary to all reaſonable men who have quite loſt the true underſtanding; For firſt they muſt be Preached to before they be Baptized. Did not John rebuke the vipers, & asked them, who had forewarned them to flie from the wrath to come, and bid them bring forth fruits meet for repentance, and think not to ſay you are of Abraham, for God is able of theſe ſtones to raiſe up children unto Abraham, now where is your meaſure you Prieſts?

Pr. He ſaith, I Send thee to open the eyes of the blinde, and to turn them from darkneſs to light; How many millions of ſouls would theſe wretches ſweep away to hell if they had there will while thouſands are in damnation for want of the Light?

Anſ. You all Prieſts and Teachers who cals your ſelves Miniſters ſince the days of the Apoſtles, who inwardly are ravened from the ſpirit of God, are turning and have turned all people from the light to the darkneſs, and ſo have kept thouſands and millions of ſouls in damnation, and turning them and keeping them in the path and way unto Hell, who are Satans meſſengers and Miniſters, ſtopping the eyes of people from the Light, and their ears from hearing of it, and this hath been the work of your Miniſtry and hath been ever ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, as this day, the people of the whole Nations have witneſſed, and may witneſs. Now Chriſts Miniſters were ſent to turn people from darkneſs to light, and to bring them to perfection, to a perfect man, out of that which was not perfect. Satans Miniſters who went out of Truth, and ſo are his Miniſters and meſſengers whom he ſends out from his Authority is to turn people and keep people from the light to the darkneſs; And this hath been your fruits, and your works as your Pulpits and the Nations declares. So brings not people into unity and fellowſhip one with another; which is in the light, but ſe s people at enmity one with another, and keeping them from the light, who are with it condemned.

Pr. The enemies of the Miniſters of Chriſt are playing the Papiſts game; That it will be eaſier for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement, then for them to deſpiſe the Miniſters of Chriſt. Touch not mine anointed, and do my Prophets no harm, and the enemies do reproach the Miniſters of Chriſt, which is the Devils game, and the Sects are againſt the Miniſters of Chriſt, and do the ſame work the Drunkard and Whoremongers doe, &c.

Anſ. This thou haſt brought upon thine and your own heads, though thou art blinde and ſeeſt not thy ſelf, and all D unkards, Whoremongers, and Idolaters, the proud and covetous joyned with you called Prieſts, againſt them called Quakers the only Miniſters of Chriſt not made by men, but by the will of God; Is not all Sects joyned with you againſt them; Are you not reviling them, and railing upon them in your Pulpits, and is not this the Devils game you are doing? And if any come amongſt you to prove you, either in ſeaſon, or out of ſeaſon, you are they that cannot endure ſound doctrine, nor able to reſiſt their ſpirits, or ſtand againſt them, but cries, take them away; ſo they are beat and knockt down in your ſteeple-houſes, ſent to ſtocks or priſon; are you not like Sodom and Gomorrah in this, and like the Phariſees, and the beaſt, and the mother of Harlots, and falſe prophets which John ſpeaks of, which takes the blood of the Saints, doing their game? Hath not the Lord reproved many of you, yea, and Magiſtrates both for harming his Prophets, yet you go quite contrary to Scripture which ſaith, Do my Prophets no harm; And is not this the Papiſts game, to priſon and to perſecute, and was it not the Papiſts game to ſet up your Maſſe-houſes which you call Churches, and their game to call out and to perſecute and make a Law, and decree that none ſhould ſpeak to them in their time, of Preaching, reading, or ſinging Maſs? and are not you quenching the ſpirit, when any are moved of the Lord, to ſpeak to you, was not this the Papiſts game, which you are now doing? Did ever the Apoſtles hale any out of the Synagogues, but were ſo done unto themſelves, but the Jewes game, and the Papiſts game, and your game are like one another here, Unlike the True Chriſtians, Chriſt and the Apoſtles, who wreſtled not with fleſh and blood, ſtriking at the creatures, but at the powers which captivated creatures, to the intent that the creatures might come into the liberty of the Sons of God: ſo you that are ſtriking the creatures, wreſtling with fleſh and blood, are playing the D vils game, like your mother from the beginning; Was it not the Papiſts game to ſet up all your Schools and Colledges, and give your names to them, and your Houſes, and ſet them in the figure of the Temple, and when altered you them? Do you not go on in the Papiſts game, was it not the Papiſts game to ſet up Tythes? and are not you playing the ſame gaine in taking them? was it not the Papiſts game to ſet up your hour-glaſſes, and preach by the houre, and marking with your Croſſe, and ſetting your God-fathers and God-mothers? and are not many of you playing this game yet? what game are you playing in your Steeple houſes, but the papiſts have taught you it? The Papiſts were perſecutors, & ſo are you; they haled out of Synagogues, & ſo do you; they took tithes & ſo do you they preached by the hour-glaſſe, & quenched the ſpirit, & ſo do you; They preached for means & gleab-lands, & ſo doe you; They had the croſs on the top of ſteeple houſes, & ſo have you in many places; they had Trinity Colledge, Emanuel Colledge, and Chriſts Colledge, & ſo have you; They named the Saints daies, & ſo you follow them; they called their houſes by the name of Trinity, Jeſus, Emanuel, and their Maſſe-houſes by Peter, and Paul, and Mary, and ſo do you. Is not this the papiſts game? do not they called Quakers deny this game, and you both, and Chriſt thou art ignorant of, who is come to reigne, and rule, and teach his people himſelfe.

Pr. Miniſters are ſpurring on the Magiſtrates, to caſt out the bad and ſcandalous Miniſters; Have not Lawyers and Phiſitians an eaſier life, and more honourable in the world then the Miniſters? and have not the miniſters been the principall inſtruments to pluck downe Deanes and Chapters, Biſhops, &c? We miniſters breake our health and all our wordly intereſts for you. And I had rather be a ploughman or the meaneſt tradeſman, but for the greateſt neceſſity and the truths ſake.

Anſ. Have not all you Miniſters in this manifeſted your ſelves? did ever the Apoſtles fly to the Magiſtrates, or ſpur up them to caſt out ſcandalous Miniſters? had not the Apoſtles authority and the ſpirit and power to caſt out, reprove and rebuke in the Church? Had they not denyed their power if they had gone to the Magiſtrates and falen on the mountaines, which is the papiſts game, and not the Apoſtles? was it not the ſoldiers that were the cauſe of pulling down your Railes and Surplices, and your Deanes and Chapters and Biſhops, was it not the Magiſtrates work? but have you had a hand in it, have you killed and taken poſſeſſion? have you put out Biſhops, and got into their places, who are in the Biſhops & Deanes and Chapters maintenance? will you needs make your ſelves ſo foul and odious to all people? were not many of you tradeſmen and ploughmens ſons, poor men, and yet now gotten up into great intereſts, and takeing great ſums of people, of many whom you doe no worke for? How can you for ſhame ſay you leave your wordly intereſt, when you are but running into them when you come to be Prieſts and miniſters? who are the proudeſt people in the pariſh in the glories and vanities of the world and honor of it but the prieſt, and his wife, and his children? Are not you worſe then Lawyers and Phiſitians, taking the peoples money, & yet cannot make them perfect men, but ſay they muſt not be perfect. The Phiſitian is to make one perfect, doe they take money of people they do naught for? are they not aſhamed to doe ſo? but you take money of them you doe no worke for, are you not worſe then the Lawyers who are bad? doe you not take money of ſuch people you do not worke for, and ſue them and caſt them into priſon? Are you not the unreaſonableſt men upon the earth? and this is the Devils game you are playing; and doe you not live in more honour in the world, greater gain, and no worke done for it, then any people in the Nation againe, as the Goals in the Nation may witneſſe your fruits.

Pr. All nations that are of the Chriſtan world are for the miniſters to this day, and they that are not, are the dry branches that are out from the Church. Oh how have I beſought the Lord that he would convert you to remember them that hath the rule over you, they that hath ſpoken the word of God and rules well, are worthy of double honour.

Anſ. You are apoſtatized from thoſe Elders among the Apoſtles, and from the Apoſtles in an uſurped authority, Miniſters made by the will of men at ſchools and Colledges, not by the will of God, as the Apoſtles were; ſo your honour muſt be defaced, and you are the dry branches cut off from the true Church, your Church and Miniſtery, both wanting the vertue and life of God among you; ſo broken into heapes, and ſects and names among your ſelves, wanting the unity and bond of peace, the nations have gotten the names of Chriſtians, but are dead, are from the life, and your prayers are as the Phariſees, you being found in their ſteps, as Matth. 23. read you all. You ſay none muſt be perfect upon earth, how then converted? who are converted are converted into Chriſt, who is perfect, out of the firſt which is not perfect.

Pr. The enemies of the Ministers are the fore-runners of the heavy wrath of God, and the Jewes were quite cut off from the Church and made vagabond upon the earth, they mockt the the Meſſengers of God, untill wrath came upon the people, Miniſters are either their Fathers or Nurſes in the Lord, their ſins killed, and grace is quickned by the miniſters meanes.

Anſ. It was the forerunner of the wrath of God upon the Jews, that they had Temples and Tithes, and ſtood againſt the Miniſters of Chriſt, it is ſo to you, as it was with them that ſaw not the ſubſtance, that now ſtands againſt the light and fight againſt it. And was not Railers, envious men, and perſecutors alwaies the vagabonds? and are not all you vagabonds from the life of the Apoſtles, as the Jews were from the Law of God? and are not you all on heaps about words and ſcriptures, ſhewing you are without life? and is not the wrath and plagues of God and over flowing ſcourge come upon you who are thus ſtanding againſt his Miniſters in this his day, that are ſent among you, cages of unclean birds, who the people comforts not, their ſins kills not, their grace quickens not, keeping the people in their ſins, telling them they muſt have the body of ſin, while they are upon Earth, they are crept into houſes before and ſince the Apoſtles deceaſe, diſperſed over the Nations of the world? Are not you mocking the meſſengers and miniſters of Chriſt? hath not the wrath come upon you? many of the people ſtricken dead for ſo doing? you that are out of & Apoſtatized from the Church of the Apoſtles, that are perſecuting and mocking the Miniſters of Chriſt which in ſcorn are called Quakers, who are ſent freely amongſt you, not for Gleab-lands, Tithes, Eaſter reckonings, nor Midſomer dues; nor like unto you that puts the Papiſts out of Gleab-land, Tithes, Eaſter recoknings and Midſumer dues, and gets into them your ſelves that puts Papiſts out of their Maſſe-houſes & run into them your ſelves, ſo in this you are not like the Miniſters of Chriſt, the Apoſtles, who ſeeks not theſe but them, but you are ſeeking theſe, not them, but are putting them out, this cauſeth plagues to come upon you; and ſo it is Papiſts and drunkards, and them that are now called miniſters which are ſeeking the peoples means, not the people, which makes the true Miniſters of Chriſt odious, which are in ſcorne called Quakers, who ſeekes not theirs but them, and you are neither the true Fathers nor the true Nurſes, but in the Apoſtacy from them, and kicking againſt that which pricks you, going in Sauls ſteps, who went with Prieſts that had Tithes, who were ſtrayed from the life, ſaw not the ſubſtance, as you Raveners from the ſpirit of God have ſet up Tithes, who ſee not the ſubſtance, you harden your ſelves, not hearing the voice, from whoſe eyes repentance is hid, poſting on for your earthly intereſts and meanes, poſting to Courts, Seſſions, Aſſizes, Benches, and this is the work you are doing, and poſting on in the Nation, as the Courts Seſſions, and Aſſizes declares, your hurrying the people thither, ſeeking theirs not them, your ſpirits are tryed at Courts, Seſſions, and Aſſizes, to be the falſe ſpirits that went forth into the world, which Peter, Jude, and John ſpeakes of, which went forth from them, and ſeperated themſelves, which ſince the world went after you, who have been in Caines, Cores, and Balaams way.

Pr. Tradeſmen and princes labours preſerves health, but mine conſumes it.

Anſ. Here thou haſt ſhewed that thy labour, work, and miniſtry is not of God, that preſerves health and ſtrength, for the work of the miniſtry is to bring into the ſaving health, and preſerve it, and not conſume it, as thy worke doth, that they may honour God with their ſubſtance, and ſerve him with all their ſtrength.

Pr. The law gives Tithes ſay the prieſts, and allowes We may forbare working, and we are content with food and rayment; and to give away our tithes, if the people will allow us food and raymet for us and our children, as is fit to make them ſervicabl , yet the Q akers call the miniſters covetous.

Anſ. The Jews prieſts who were made obedient to the faith which had a commandement, while they were under the Prieſthood to take Tithes according to to the Law, but the miniſters now turne again from the faith to the Law, and ſaies the Law of God gives it them, and ſaies the Tythes are not the peoples but the Lords, Did not the Apoſtles cut off tithes afore the Law and in the Law, the prieſt-hood and law both? and have not you here ſhewed your ſelves Apoſtatized from the Apoſtles, ſo in the Apoſtacy, who have ſet up a Law, the firſt author whereof was the Pope, and ſay the Law gives it us, and you would not leave tithes unleſſe the people would make a bargain with you to maintain you, your wives and children, was this the work of the Apoſtles Miniſtery? what ſhameleſſe words are theſe, what, ſet your ſelves thus that all people may view your folly? what the Apoſtles did give was it upon this condition the people ſhould give them food and rayment for it? D d not the Apoſtles ſay, he that wil not worke let him not eate? but from the whole practice of the Apoſtles you are apoſtatized, and is not your covetous practiſes diſcovered through all the Courts, Seſſions, and Aſſizes in the Nations, you poſting up thither, and ſuing, and cauſing them to go thither you doe not worke for what is this but covetouſneſſe and unrighteouſneſſe.

Pr. That the Quakers ſay, that the prieſts are perſecutors like the prieſts and phari, ſees of old, but they ſhall be taught one day to know, that if the Magiſtrats ſtop their mouthes, he does no more perſecute them, then a thiefe when he is hanged, &c you ſay, you wiſh all the Lords people were prophets.

Anſw. This is a lye found in your mouths; for you ſay prophecying is ceaſed, this you ſound abroad all the world over as farre as you can. This ſhews that you are not able to ſtop their mouths, nor reſiſt the ſpirits of them whom you ſay, it will be no more perſecution for the Magiſtrate to ſtop their mouths, then to hang a thief. And thus to all Magiſtrates that feare God you appear with ſhame; and all may ſee what you crouch for under the mountains, for blood, Jezebe like, and makes the Magiſtrates your pack-horſes and executioners of your malice; but the Lord God of heaven and earth in his wiſdome is opening the eyes of many; that moderation appeares in ſuch in whoſe hearts the feare of the Lord is placed, that tries many of you, and turns many of you to your own weapons, to ſee what weapons you have, and they finde you but wreſtlers againſt fleſh and blood, ſtriking at the creatures, not at the power which captivates them, to bring them out of it into the liberty of the ſons of God. The true Miniſters work was to beat down blaſphemers errours, falſe Prophets, and ſtop the mouths of gain-ſayers: Rebuke, exhort, teach, inſtruct with all authority, cut off occaſions with ſpirituall weapons: And this power had they in the Church, and cryed not to the Magiſtrate, take them away, they diſturb me! Oh ſhameleſs! ſhame thy ſelfe before all the people in the Congregation! This was not the work of the Miniſters of Chriſt to do ſo; And this authority in the Church before mentioned, had the Miniſters of Chriſt to ſtop the mouths of Gain-ſayers, ſilence falſe Prophets and blaſphemers. This power and authority they had from God, and looked not at men to help them; but they which apoſtatized from the Apoſtles, the Beaſt, the falſe Prophet, the mother of Harlots that deceived the Nations, that be out of the power of the Apoſtles and Chriſt, & have their power from men, all the falſe Miniſters upon earth are ſeeking to them to ſtop blaſphemers as they imagine, being but contrary to their mindes, while they themſelves are the blaſphemers, as weighed and judged by the Scriptures and ſpirit of Truth. And the Magiſtrates work, the power which he receives from God, is to puniſh prophane open ſins, and the Miniſters work is to bring people from under that occaſion.

Pr. The Magiſtrates ſets their guards at our doors, and lets in none but who they pleaſe. Let the Kings of the earth ſhew an uninterrupted ſucceſſion, giving them right to their Crown, and I will ſhew a more undoubted ſucceſſion to the Miniſtery. All the Chriſtians in our Pariſhes are our Flock, we undertake to prove the truth o ſuch Churches.

Anſw. Your hurch is guarded with carnall weapons, and the ſucceſſion of your miniſtery is like unto the ſucceſsion of earthly Kings Crowns, which are all made by the will of men: And the Magiſtrates have been but your ſervants, and through ignorance have quenched the ſpirit; and your work hath been to deſtroy the order concerning edification, practice and doctrine of the Apoſtles in the true Church, which ſaid, let all ſpeak one by ne. If any thing be revealed to another that ſits by, let the firſt hold his peace. The ſpirit of the Prophets are ſubject to the Prophets. From this you are apoſtatized, and have gotten a law to ſtop the practice of this in your Church-apoſtacy, whoſe doors many of them you keep with clubs and ſtaves, leſt any ſhould be moved from the ſpirit of the Lord to ſpeak amongſt you from the Lord. And your Pariſhes and Flock which you undertake to prove to be a true Church; alack for you, that people ſhould be ſo impudent to ſay theſe are pillars and ground of truth, or the Steeple-houſes be the pillars and ground of truth? A company of Drunkards, Swearers, covetous, proud perſons, given to pleaſures you are, like them that ſaid they were Jewes, and were not, but the ſynagogue of Sathan, a neſt of unclean birds.

Pr. We expect not perfect unity, till we have perfect knowledge and holineſs.

Anſ. Have you cryed up your ſelves to be the miniſters of Chriſt all this while, and have not perfect knowledge, perfect holineſſe, perfect unity? The leaſt unity is perfect in the ſpirit, and the leaſt knowledge, and the leaſt holineſſe in the ſpirit, and this you acknowledge you have not perfect unity, perfect knowledge, perfect holineſſe, and this hath been the cauſe you have kept all people ſince the Apoſtles in blindneſſe, out of the unity in that which is unholy, who ſay you have not the perfect knowledge, for the leaſt of holineſſe is perfect, and in the holineſſe is the unity, in whith is the perfect knowledge, though in the leaſt degree, and this thou haſt confeſſed you have not, and we doe believe you, and ſo out of thy own words thou and you are proved unſanctified; for who are ſanctified, have perfect unity, perfect knowledge, perfect holineſſe.

Pr. I uſe notes as much as any man, when I am la y or buſy, &c.

Anſ. This is it which holds up your lazy minds, which you gather out of books, ſelling it again by the hour-glaſſe, and make that day you call ſabbath, your market day, ſelling both prayers, and preaching, who have not the ſpirit of the Lord to lead you to ſpeak as it moves, and to lead you to all truth as it did the Diſciples, ſo it is lazyneſſe indeed that hath ſet up your notes, and reads them by the glaſſe for money, and who have learnd ſeven years out of books & Colledges, and then gather up out of your authors & books in notes, and thus make a trade of them, and then te ls the people you are ſent, and it is the word of the Lord, which it is but the reading of books, and yet you tell people you never heard the voice of God if any aske you; & thus deluders are judged out of their own mouths, who have a law, if any are moved of the ſpirit of the Lord, while they are reading their notes, or ſpeaking before or after, none to ſpeake againſt, what they have gathered out of their books and ſtudies, which was not the works of the true miniſtry, but the worke of thoſe who were out from the true ſpirit, and ſo were miniſters of the letter, and old authors, and notes.

Pr. He ſaith, They are unmercifull men that ſay, more glorious dayes are appearing, and that the Saints ſhall rule the world.

Anſw. In this thou haſt judged thy ſelfe, and there need no more words be ſpoken to it. And the reſt of thy lyes and ſlanders in thy Book, which are not worth mentioning, they will fall upon thy own head.

John Cole, His Book (printed 1658.) His Principles in it as followeth.

Pr. IT's a common thing for the young Harlot to ſay, minde the Light within.

Anſw. The light which doth enlighten every man which cometh into the world, all Harlots draws from, and be out of it; and ſuch may beget proſelytes, and father them upon God, which are not in the Truth; but the day is come that all things are made manifeſt, and by it doth appear; and the light which every man which cometh into the world is enlightned withall, is the offence to all the evill doers who be out of ſalvation and the Covenant of God, and none ſees ſalvation but by it.

Pr. The young Harlot can but mend evill old Adam by her exhortations and inſtructions, and doings, and threatnings, and ſhe doth fright ſome to her obedience.

Anſ. The Harlot is in that which evill old Adam is in, in the tranſgreſſion; and ſo they which be harlotted from the ſpirit of God, cannot mend and inſtruct the tranſgreſſor, they themſelves being in the tranſgreſſion: They may tell them of the Saints words, and ſpeak them, as the Devill doth, who is out of the Truth; but thou John Cole art fallen into the earth, and there art quarrelling.

And as for the reſt of the ſtuffe in thy Book which is not worth mentioning; but when thou feels the root and tree burn and fall into a fire about thee, and thee in it, then remember thou haſt not that which doth not ſavour withal, as thy confuſed, childiſh work do appear, which in print thou haſt publiſhed to the world.

Alexander Roſſe, his Booke, which he calls, A view of all RELIGIONS. His Lies and Principles.

Pr. GOd is not in the quaking of the body.

Anſ. Was it not God that made the body of David to quake? and Daniel, and Habakkuk, and Job? and the mountains quake at the giving forth of his Law. And doth not God ſay, He doth not ſhake the earth, but heaven alſo? Now doſt not thou manifeſt thy ſelfe to be one of them that caſt them out that tremble at the Word, and tells them that God is not among them.

And as for Alexander Roſſe his lies and ſlanders, in ſaying the Quakers ſaid Chriſt had failings, and diſtruſted God; which thouſands of thouſands that can witneſſe to thy face thou art a liar, it is a ſufficient proof to them that thy book is made up of ſuch ſtuffe, of lyes, which is thy view from the Creation. And the reſt of thy Book is much like unto that, and the falſe prophets ſtudying a divination of their owne brain, to get money by, we deny; but ſuch as divide the word aright we own; and all that pray and preach, and ſing for money, and make a trade of the Scripture to get money by, we diſown; but ſuch as pray and ſing by the ſpirit we own, and all your Readings for money we deny; but who reads freely we own, and all your Seremonies we do deny, and are come to the ſubſtance Chriſt Jeſus, before the world was made.

Pr. The leaves of a tree are not the fruits thereof, and yet without them the fruit would not proſper.

Anſw. Art thou a fit man to give a view from the Creation of the World, who erres thus in Naturals? For pluck off the leaves of the Vines, and ſee if the grapes will not proſper? Art thou a fit man to give a view of Religion and blaſphemy, and errour from the Creation, who art not able to give a true view of the Naturalls?

Pr. Thou ſayeſt, It is horrid blaſphemy to ſay the Scripture is not the Word of God, and to ſay the ſoule is a part of God.

Anſw. The Scriptures are the words of God in Exodus, and the four Books of the Revelations, but Chriſt is the Word in whom they end; and it is not horrid blaſphemy to ſay the ſoule is a part of God, for it came out of him, and that which came out of him, is of him, and rejoyceth in him.

Why wilt thou lye, in ſaying the Quakers deny the Word? wee ſay, it ſanctifies them.

His lies. Chriſt is not aſcended into heaven; That there is no Heaven, nor Hell, nor Reſurrection of the body; That we have no Sacrament nor no Trinity.

Anſw. As for the word Sacrament and Trinity is from the Pope, and the Maſſe-book, the Biſhops Common-prayer; but Unity and the Lords Supper is owned; and Heaven, Hell, Chriſt, and Aſcenſion, and Reſurrection is owned by the Quakers, as the Scriptures declares it: And your old Maſſe-houſe, with the Croſs atop of it, which you call your Church, that the Beaſt hath ſet up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, with his lying ſigne at the end of it, the Popes Croſſe; And Chriſt did come to deſtroy ſelfe, and reconcile into one; and Chriſt forbid men to be called of men Maſter, and ſaid the Phariſees did ſo, and Magiſtrates are owned in their place; But all ſuch Miniſters that teach for filthy lucre, that ſerve an Apprentiſhip at Schools and Colledges like Tradeſmen, ſuch we deny, ſuch are not fit to ſtudy nor expound Scripture; for they bring people into heaps and into blood, as their fruits in whole Chriſtendome declares it; but the Prophets, Chriſt, and his Apoſtles and Miniſters, their practices are owned, and Elders, and their honour, but the honour of the falſe Prophets and Apoſtles is defaced by the true; and the Scripture doth not ſpeak a word of ſprinkling of Infants, but the Baptiſme of the ſpirit is owned; and all your prayers in your Maſſe-houſe, Phariſee-like, and your ſongs in the Temple ſhall be turned into howling; but that which is according to the ſpirit of God is owned, and private and publique inſtructions are owned who be in the ſpirit of God; and Davids Pſalms in their place are owned, and the Saints ſinging with underſtanding alſo we own.

Pr. They ſay, The Church is in God, therefore God is not in the Church they may ſay.

Anſw. This is like thy reaſon, and thy meaſure and weight, the Church is in God, and God is in the Church; and where two or three are gathered together, He is in the midſt of them.

Pr. He ſays, We ſpeak againſt Tythes and Clarks wages for ſaying, Amen, and this thou ſayeth is an abſurd opinion.

Anſw. Tythes before the Law, and in the Law was owned, that they ſhould give the tenth of the ſpoil and the tenth of the earth, for the ſervices hat were required, widdows, ſtrangers, fatherleſs and Levi who had no portion therein, that there might not be a beggar among them, this tenthes preſerved them from beggars, and this was the Law, and Melcheſedeck before the Law took the tenth of the ſpoil, who was without father or mother, and Chriſt the end of the Law, who put an end to all ſpoils and Redeemes men out of the ninth and tenth parts of the earth to God, and here the day of ſalvation is known to Reign upon the earth, for man tranſgreſſed, being drove from God in the earth, hen the Law came, that was over all tranſgreſſion, and led out of it, by that Law was they to offer up the tenth, and Melcheſedeck before the Law had the tenth of the ſpoils, but Chriſt who ends the Wars, ended the ſpoils, who is the heir of all things, and the tenths, the Covenant of God, who reconcils all things in one, things in heaven, and things in earth, and this the Apoſtles Preached, who was in the power of God, brought men out of the ninths of the earth and tenths to, and brought men out of the occaſion of the Wars in that which ended, who was the power of God; but they which went forth from the Apoſtles into the earth, that had the form of godlineſs and denyed the power thereof, which lead the world after them, ſet up ninths and tenths, unlike the Miniſters of the Goſpel, who brought them out of the ninths and tenths into unity, with the power of God, and the Son, and to reign upon the earth; and them that took Tythes now, are unlike them that took Tythes under the Law, or afore the Law, who met them with bread and water that Abraham gave the tenths of the ſpoil to, and who now have no ſtore-houſe for widows, ſtrangers, and fatherleſs, that there need not be a beggar among them; ſo you who are called Chriſtian Prieſts, are worſe then the Jews, who cannot get their tenths without priſons, Courts and writs, and treble damages, and caſt into priſon untill death for them; this is called the Chriſtian practices in our dayes, who are Apoſtated from the true Apoſtles and Church, and from the power of God they were in, but the maintenance that Chriſt ſpeaks of to his Miniſters is owned, but all that make a trade of the Prophets, Chriſt and Apoſtle words, who laid down their lives for ſpeaking them forth, we deny; and the Apoſtles did not give a Clerk wages to ſay Amen, but that came up ſince the Apoſtles dayes, and judged by the ſpirit of truth, and whoſoever will make Alixander Roſſes lies their refuge, are in a ſad condition, in his book called, A view of Religion, which he and his lies are condemned to the fire and Lake by the power of God, glory in the higheſt, rejoyce over them ye Saints.

Richard Mayo, Prieſt of Kingſton, his Doctrine, And PRINCIPLES as followeth.

Pr. THat the Light within is the light of Nature which teacheth to do all things that the Law commands, and to deny all things that the Law forbids.

Anſw. That which teacheth to do all things the Law commands and deny what the Law forbids, is above nature, that is it which keeps nature in its courſe, that it ſhall not be of a fire; but we ſee thy nature is gone out of its courſe; and is all of a fire among you Prieſts and profeſſors.

Pr. That God ſet up a dim light in every man.

Anſw. The light that God ſet up in every man is not dim, but men grows dim when they transgreſſe the light, which God hath ſet in them, to give them the knowledge and feeling of himſelf.

Pr. He ſaid the Devil was the power of God, and that Chriſt was made manifeſt to deſtroy the power of God, and to deſtroy him that was the power of God.

Anſw. The devil that went out of the truth, went out of the power of God, and Chriſt was manifeſt to deſtroy the works of the devil, and not the power of God, though Chriſt came to put an end to all figures, types and ſhadowes, Prieſts, firſt Covenant and Temple; Chriſt, who is the power of God, did not come to deſtroy the power of God, the power of God is not divided againſt it ſelf and the devil that went out of the truth, the power of God went againſt him: ſo he is not the power of God that went out of the truth, that tempted others out of the truth to tranſgreſſe and to ſin, by which came death, by which the devil hath the power of death, that went out of the truth, ſo is the power of death, which Chriſt the power of God deſtroys death, and him that hath the power of it.

Prin. Mayo ſaith, To ſay the Goſpel is the power of God is but a Metapohrical ſpeech.

Anſw. The Apoſtle doth not ſay ſo; for the Apoſtle ſaith the Goſpel is the power of God unto ſalvation, to every one that believes, in plain words, Rom. 1. Chapter.

Pr. He ſaid, That Lanthorn and that Light ſpoken of in the Pſalms, which was a light unto Davids path, was not meant Chriſt the word.

Anſ. Why then doth the Apoſtle bring often Davids words, to prove that David did ſpeak of Chriſt; And ſpake of the ſure mercies of David, the everlaſting Covenant of light, and in his light ſhould ſee more light, and called him Lord? and David ſaw his fleſh that ſhould ſee no corruption, and ſee his reſurrection, and many other Scriptures might be brought to prove this.

Prin. He ſaid, The Scriptures was the ſeed which the ſower went forth to ſow, Mat. 13.

Anſw. The ſeed is that which the Scripture ſpeaks of, which Chriſt ſaid is the word, which many have the Scriptures, which knowes not the ſeed nor the thing it ſpeaks of, nor the ſeed that is ſown which is the word, as inſtance the Jews and you Chriſtians, which put Scripture for it; for if the Scripture be the ſeed, it is ſown already, it is printed, and what need you go out to ſow it.

Pr. He faith, That Paul in the 5. of the Epheſ. 18. Exhorts the Epheſians to follow a light which was not the light of the Goſpel, and it is ſaid in plain Scripture, in ſo many words, he could not prove that any of the Miniſters of Chriſt doth exhort the Saints to follow a light which was the light of the Goſpel.

Anſ. We herein ſee his confuſion who confounds himſelf; and Paul and that in the Epheſians which he ſaith was not the light of the Goſpel, let all people read, who bids them not be drunk with wine, but be filled with the ſpirit; And this is the light of the Goſpel, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, which darkneſs cannot comprehend, where the God of the world hath blinded the minds of the Infidels, leaſt the light of the glorious Goſpel ſhould ſhine into them, as the minds of all the Prieſts of the world doth appear, to be blinded, with the God of the world, that the light of the glorious Goſpel which is the image of God, which ſhines in the hearts of believers, which they do not behold, and though the light ſhines in darkneſs, there darkneſs comprehended it not; therefore they rage like the Jewes, and are profeſſing the Letter as the Jews did, ſtanding againſt the light, with which Light they are comprehended which was before ages was.

Pr. He ſaith, That Paul perſecuting the Saints was a righteous thing in the ſight of men and he ſaid, that he denyed that any doer of the Law is juſtified, ſo as to be ſaved.

Anſw. Paul perſecuting the Saints was not a righteous thing amongſt righteous men that was in the righteouſneſs of God, for Chriſt the righteouſneſs of God ſaith, Paul why perſecuteſt thou me? now Pauls perſecuting was juſtified by them which were in the ſelf righteouſneſs, out of the righteouſneſs of Chriſt, and ſuch that be in that righteouſneſs may juſtifie thee and thy perſecution; and the doers of the Law are juſtified, and who are juſtified are ſaved, and Chriſt the end of the Law they come to know ſalvation it ſelf, who redeemes from under it; ſo I through the Law, am dead to it, and know it a School-Maſter, and the righteouſneſs of the Law fulfilled in me.

Pr. That a man may be a righteous man, and not a godly man.

Anſw. A righteous man in the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt is a godly man, who have the righteouſneſs of the Law fulfilled in him, but a righteous man in ſelf-righteouſneſs is ungodly.

Pr. That a man may be juſtified by God, and yet condemned by his own conſcience, and justified by his own conſcience, and condemned by God.

Anſw. A man that is juſtified by God is not condemned by his own conſcience, for the myſtery of faith is held in a pure conſcience, in which men are juſtified in the ſight of God, and a man that is condemned in his own conſcience, is not Juſtified in the ſight of God, that which condemnes is the light, and that is the cauſe of condemnation, the hating of it, and not believing of it, and that is the cauſe the conſcience comes to be ſeared, whereby comes condemnation, and that in the Romans, proves no ſuch thing which thou layes down.

Pr. That every believer hath not the witneſs in him.

Anſw. That is contrary to Scripture and the Miniſters of Chriſts Doctrine, which ſaith he that believes hath the witneſs in himſelf, (mark he) and after he believes, he comes to be ſealed with the ſpirit of promiſe, and can ſet to his ſeal that God is true, and comes to believe the record of his Son, which is the ſpirit that recordeth all things.

Pr. That the Goſpel is not the power of God.

Anſw. The Goſpel is the power of God; in this thou art contrary to the Miniſters of the Goſpel, which ſaid, the Goſpel was the power of God to ſalvation to every one that believes, and in this thou ha t proved thy ſelf to be an unbeliever.

Pr. He would make Chriſt ſpeak blaſphemy; leaving out half his words.

Anſw. That is falſe thou couldſt not make Chriſt the power of God, the light, the life, the truth, ſpeak blaſphemy in leaving ou many of his words, for all blaſphemy is out of the truth, and the power of God, and in the power and life of God there is no blaſphemy.

Pr. That a man may perſecute Chriſt in the Saints, and be a righteous man, and that the Scriptures ſaves inſtrumentally.

Anſw. A man cannot perſecute the Saints, and be in the righteouſneſs of God, or the righteouſneſs of the Law, but they that perſecute Chriſt, are in their own ſelf-rightrouſneſs, and the Scripture ſaves not inſtrumentally, but as men be in the faith; and men knowes not ſalvation, but as they be in the Life that gave it forth, and Chriſt the Saviour it ſpeakes of, and there's the inſtrumental ſaving that the Scripture owns, for Chriſt asked them that had Scriptures how they could eſcape the damnation of hell that were out of the life of it.

Pr. They that did not ſware broke the Law of God and man.

Anſw. They that ſware are not come to Chriſt the end of the Law, and they are out of Chriſts Doctrine and the Apoſtles, who ſaid ſware not at all, not by heaven, nor by earth, nor any other oath, but let your communication be yea, yea, nay, nay, leaſt thou fall into condemnation, for whatſoever is more then this cometh of evil; ſo all ſwearers are in the evil, falſe brethren fall into condemnation, out of the Doctrine of Chriſt, and breakes his command, and are none of his Miniſters.

Pr. He did believe in a Chriſt that died at Jeruſalem, but not in a Chriſt within.

Anſw. He that believes not in a Chriſt within, doth not believe in a Chriſt at Jeruſalem, and he that doth not believe in a Chriſt within, and Preach Chriſt within, is a reprobate, and out of the Apoſtles Doctrine, Col. 2. 2 Cor. 13. and he is not in a true belief of Chriſt without, who believes not in a Chriſt within, but is in the Devils belief and believes as the Devill doth.

Pr. That if there be one grace within, it is created, and he believes not in any created thing.

Anſw. The grace that is within, that ſtabliſheth the heart, is brought by the Revelation of Jeſus, the loines of the minde being girded up, knowes it, the grace by which they are ſaved, which brings ſalvation, which is ſufficient, this comes from the Creator; which grace teached us, ſaid the Saints, to deny ungodly luſts, and to live ſoberly.

Pr. That light which Chriſt hath inlightned every man with, is carnall and darkeneſſe.

Anſ. The light which Chriſt hath inlightned every man that is come into the world with all, was before carnall or darkneſſe was, and believing in it, it leads every man from darkeneſſe & his carnall eſtate, into vnity with God; for no man ſees his carnall eſtate and darkneſſe, but by the Light which makes it manifeſt and the light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, is that which all profeſſors in all ages ſtumbled at, that were without life.

Pr. He knew no ſcripture that the world was in the heart of man, and that it was non-ſence.

Anſ. Thou art ignorant of Solomons words, who ſaith, 3. Eccleſ. he hath ſet the world in their hearts that they cannot find the beginning or ending of the worke of od, and here thou haſt ſhewed thy ſelf of the bottomleſſe pit, without the beginning or ending of the work of God, and he is in the nonſence, that is not in the beginning or ending of the work of God.

Pr. That men cannot be ſaved that have no other light.

Anſ. The light which hath inlightned every man that is come into the world, is the Saviour, and no man is condemned, but for not believing in that Light and no man is ſaved, u who believes in t at light.

Pr. That there is no perfection attainable in this life.

Anſ. There is no perfection but in wickedneſſe in the life of Adam in the tranſgreſſion, and there men live in ſin, and hath it in their body, and carries a body of it, which came by the devil, ſin and tranſgreſſion, but Chriſt, the ſecond Adam, that deſtroyes the devill the power of death, and death and his works, who ſaves men from ſin, and blots out the ſin and tranſgreſſion, and redeems from the Earth, and who are in Chriſt the ſecond Adam, are in perfection, and in that which is perfect, and makes free from ſin, and the body of it, and death, and him that hath the power of death, and comes to be perfect as their heavenly father is perfect, and the work of the miniſters of Chriſt, was to the perfecting of the Saints, and thou that doſt deny perfection, have denyed the miniſters of Chriſts work, who preach Chriſt within, and preached every one perfect in him.

Pr, That the ſcripture is the word of God.

Anſ. The ſcripture is the words of God, as you may read, Exod. and Matth. Revel. and Chriſt is the word of God, in whom the words end, before the words were ſpoken forth, and man without the ſpirit cannot interpret ſcriptures.

Pr. That the miniſters of this nation, are the miniſters of Chriſt and the Goſpell, and that it is a ſin to deſpiſe them.

Anſ. And the miniſters of this Nation, or no where elſe, are not the miniſters of Chriſt of the Goſpel, that denie the light that enlightneth every man that comes into the world, and holds up ſwearing, neither are they the men that are to interpret ſcripture, they cannot ſee without the light, which inlightneth every man that comes into the world, before it was made, who is the end of the Prophets, with that they ſee the Prophets words, and the end of them, and ſo ſuch afore mentioned are to be turned from, that turns from the light, and it is no ſin to obey the Apoſtles commands, 2 Tim. 3. to deny them which come up ſince the Apoſtles deceaſe, having the form but denies the power.

Pr. That they may lawful y ta e Tithes of the people.

Anſ. And you that takes tithes of the people, are of the Popes tribe, got up ſince the daies of the Apoſtles, which ſaid the prieſt-hood was changed that took the tithes, the Law was changed by which the prieſt-hood was made, and the commandement diſanulled that gave tithes, and Chriſt the ſum, the end of all ſimilitudes which comes before Abraham was that paid tithes, Heb. 7. the ope is your author in taking tithes ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in the Apoſtacy, and Chriſt is the end of the Law.

Pr. Richard Mayo ſaith, That it is not unlawfull to ſay You to a ſingle perſon.

Anſ In this thou ſheweſt thou never readſt the Accidence or Bible, and it is unlawfull to ſpeak unrightouſly, and to ſay there is many when there is but one to call one many (you one.)

Pr. That Ministers may exhort men to walke by the light of Reaſon, as well as the light of the Goſpel.

Anſ. No man walks by the light of reaſon, but who be in the faith, are in the light of the Goſpell, and all other reaſon is as the beaſts of the field, that which makes men reaſonable is faith, and all that be in the faith are in the light of the Goſpell, and this is one, which all unreaſonableneſſe is out of it, in the tranſgreſſion, for none are in the reaſonableneſſe, but ſuch as comes out of tranſgreſſion, and ſuch as be reaſonable walkes by the light of the Goſpell.

Pr. That the Goſpel it ſelfe is but a dead letter.

Anſ. The Goſpel it ſelfe is the power of God, that which the letter ſpeaks of, which many may have the letter, the form, and deny the power of God, and ſo have not the Goſpell,

Pr. That the Goſpel is no more the power of God then the roſe cake that lay in his window.

Anſ. The Goſpell is the power of God preached in every creature, more then a roſe cake; that gives every creature its living and being? for it relieves the oppreſſed, turnes againſt the oppreſſor; ſo is called glad tidings, for the Goſpell is preached unto every creature in heaven, which is the power of God, which turnes againſt that which bondageth, to wit, the corruptions, and ſo gives liberty and freedom to the captives, and this is glad tidings which is the power of God, and is more then any Creature, and all the creatures, that which gives liberty and freedom to all, is glad tidings.

Richard Mayo further ſaith, It was no matter to him if the devill was the originall of Tithes, if the Law of the Land would give it him, he would have it.

Anſ. We doe believe thee, his ſervant thou art, thy ſeared conſcience and hardneſſe of heart diſcovers it, but the miniſters of Chriſt and the Goſpell never preached nor held forth ſuch doctrine, nor would never act any thing from that which the Devil was the originall of, which thou doſt ſay thou would take tythes though he was the originall of them, if the Law of the Land would give it thee; he hath been the originall of them, and the Popes Lawes firſt ſet them up, whereby the Saints goods are ſtrained and ſpoiled and made havock of, and art not contented with the ſpoyling of their goods, but you bring their bodies into your prieſts den; and thus you eate up people, and ſwallow up the needy for a thing of nought, as they did of old, your as fore-fathers did tranſgreſſe for a paire of ſhoos.

Pr. He ſaith, Cain was no vagabond after he had built a City, and he ſaid, there was no ſcripture as that the Apoſtles had no certaine dwelling place; and that the ſteeple-houſe was the Church.

Anſ. This is contrary to ſcripture; for Cain was a vagabond, though he builded a City, and diſobeyed the command of God, and loſt his habitation in God, ſo all great men upon the earth, though they build a City, and are Lords, and Earls, and Dukes, and Princes, and Kings, if they doe diſobey the command of God, and doe not dwell in him, they have no habitation, but are all vagabonds; and Paul had no certain dwelling place, 1 Cor. 4 11. and yet he had a habitation in God, and was no vagabond, and the ſteeple-houſe is no Church, but the old Maſſe-houſe ſet up ſince the daies of the Apoſtles, ſince they loſt the true Church, Theſs. the 1.

Prieſt Buſhels Principles. Theſe words were given forth by Seth Buſhel Prieſt of Whitley, as follows, the 25 day of the firſt moneth, 1658.

Pr. MEn are not converted by the light within them.

An. If Chriſt be not in you, the body is dead, and he is light within: And the light that ſhines in the heart gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus. And none are converted but they that be in him, and by him within; and the light that ſhines in the heart, gives the knowledge of converſion and unconverſion; and there is none comes to converſion but by it, the light which is Chriſt.

Pr. He ſaith, That he denies that the light that lighteth every man is Chriſt, as John ſpeaks, 1 John.

Anſw. In this thou haſt denyed Johns, Doctrine, who ſaid, he is the true light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world. And as many as received him, he gave them power to become the ſons of God: and thus thou art ignorant of the Scriptures, much more of the power of God.

Pr. He ſaith, The light which every man is enlightned withall never converted any man to God.

Anſ. Here thou goeſt about in thy Doctrine to prove that Chriſt never brought any to God, who is the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, who is the way to the Father, that ſaves men from ſin, and deſtroys death, and he that hath the power of it, and brings men into that the Devill is out of. Thou, with the light and thy Doctrines art comprehended and condemned; and no man is converted to God but by the light which hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world.

Pr. He ſaith, That the light which lighteth every man is the broad way.

Anſw. Here people may all ſee this Prieſt a Miniſter of darkneſſe and wickedneſſe; for the light which doth enlighten every man is Chriſt Jeſus, who is the way to the Father, and leads people out of the broad way, which is come up by Adam, ſinne, the Devill and tranſgreſſion, which all be in the broad way that deny the light.

Hereford, the 8. day of the firſt moneth, 1658. theſe words were ſpoken in a meeting by Edward Price and Philip Langford, which is their principles.

Pr. PHilip Langford ſaid, Paul was not freed from the act of ſin whilſt in this life.

Anſw. And Paul thanks God he was made free from the body of ſin, and ſaw where there was no condemnation; and thus he wreſtles and fights againſt Paul, who ſaid he was made free from ſin, and could live no longer therein; and the body of ſin was put off, and their converſation was in heaven.

Pr. We do affirme, that they that be in this faith that turns from ſin, be ſubject to ſin, the act of ſin, whilst in this mortall body.

Anſ. This is confuſion and contradiction, and not ſound doctrine; for faith that purifies the heart from ſin, over it gives victory, in which men pleaſe God, and have acceſſe to him, by the which they are juſtified whilſt on earth, and by the faith the juſt lives; and the life the Saints come to live which gives them victory over the world, is by the faith of the Son of God.

Pr. Prieſt Price ſaith, faith in Chriſt Jeſus purifies not from the in-dwellings of ſin whilſt in this body.

Anſ. In this the Scripture hath corrected thee; for it ſaith, faith purifies the heart; that which purifies, takes away ſinne: Sinne, which being unclean in its ſelfe, makes unclean.

Pr. He ſaith, The guilt of ſin may be taken away, but the act of ſin may remain.

Anſ. A ſilly man, one of the old Doctors the Scriptures ſpeaks of. Doſt thou act ſin, and doſt not thou feel the guilt of it? Thou brings the whole world upon thy head, the principle of God in them all will witneſſe againſt thee: And aske all the Thieves that are condemned to the gallows, and the Drunkards, and ſuch as act ſin, ſuch as profeſſe Scriptures, which are not in the life of it, whether or no they have not a guilt upon them for acting ſin; but this is one of the blinde Prieſts principles, none but mad men will believe them, wicked lyers againſt that of God in their own conſcience, and thus they preach up the Devills doctrine of Lies.

Pr. Edward Price ſaith, that all men ſhould be judged by the Scriptures, and that the Scriptures is the power of God.

Anſw. The Scripture ſaith, Chriſt is the power of God; And the Apoſtle ſaid, the Letter kills; and all judgement is committed to the Son, ſaith the Miniſters of Chriſt. And the Scriptures are the words of God, and Chriſt is the Word, and Judge, in whom the words end, whom thou haſt thrown out, and ſet Scripture in his room: And as for the reſt of his words, they are not worth mentioning.

Enoch Howets Principles.

Pr. THe doctrine of perfection in the creature is a lye.

Anſw. The doctrine of Perfection in the creature is Chriſt, who deſtroys the Devill and his works, and bindes the ſtrong man, and ſpoyls his goods, and takes the poſſeſſion of it to himſelfe, and the creature is a perfect creature out of tranſgreſſion: He that is borne of God doth not commit ſin, being the ſeed of God remains in him, and that is the doctrine of Perfection in the creature, and Chriſt makes all things new; and thou that cannot witneſſe any thing made new, art in the old things, crying up imperfection, and that is perfect that brings men to confeſſe their ſin, and that is in the creature.

Thomas Hodges, Rector in Oxfordſhire, Batchellor in Divinity, ſaith,

Pr. THat the holy Ghost ſpeaks in the Scriptures.

Anſ. Here all may ſee his ignorance, whether this man be fit to be a Rector who is thus corrected with the Scriptures, which ſaith, that the holy Ghoſt moved in them that gave forth Scriptures, which led them into all truth, and did not ſay, the holy Ghoſt moved in the Scriptures; but ſaid, the letter was dead, and did not give life. And thus he Rects into darkneſſe, in telling the people the holy Ghoſt is in Scripture, when the Scripture never gave forth that ſpeech, but ſaid it was in them that gave it forth; for many may have the Scriptures, and want the holy Ghoſt, as the Phariſees.

Pr. To the Law and to the Teſtimony, and thou ſhalt not make to thy ſelfe any graven Image that is in heaven or in earth.

Anſw. I ſay to the Law and to the Teſtimony, before Matthew, Marke, Luke & John, Epiſtles and the Revelations were written, The law is light, the teſtimony of Jeſus the ſpirit of prophecy, as in the dayes, Iſaiah the 8. And you have told the people that it is Old and New Teſtament; which the new was not written in his dayes, in the dayes of Iſaiah. And why do you make likeneſſes of things in heaven and in earth, and hang up in your houſes, and ſignes, yet thou ſaith we ſhould not make them, for it is a breach of Gods command: Of whom have you learned to make all theſe Images of things in heaven, and things in the earth, ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, but of them that went forth from the Apoſtles, of whom ye are of, the Popes tribe.

Richard Heath, Prieſt in Shrewsbury: His Principles as follows.

Pr. THat the drawing people to a light within them, you draw them from God t themſelves, from the inſtruction of the ſpirit.

Anſw. Here thou art an unlike Miniſter to the Apoſtle, who brought people to a light within them, Cor. 2.4. and told them, that the light that ſhined in their hearts would give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt; And ſo none comes to the knowledge of the ſpirit, but ſuch as comes to the light within (and from themſelves) though they have the Scriptures as the Jewes had.

Pr. If we Miniſters ſhould ſend people from all other lights to the light within them, they ſhould then turne them from light to darkneſſe, from God to the power of Sathan.

Anſw. None comes to God, but who comes to the light within, from the power of Satan and darkneſſe; And God will dwell in man, and walk in man, and make his abode, who is light, and the end of all other lights before they were: And yee that turnes people from the light, turnes people into darkneſſe, the power of Satan, and there keeps people under his dominion, from the light Chriſt Jeſus that hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world, with which they might ſee their Saviour.

Daniel Gaudry, Prieſt of great Billing in Northamptonſhire. His Principles as followeth.

Pr. THat the Saints are partly ſinfull, and failing in their beſt works, and ſubject to continuall lustings one againſt another.

Anſw. The life of the Saints is Chriſt, not ſinfull at all; and they are ceaſed from their own works, and are true believers; and the works of faith are not ſinfull, nor the works of the ſpirit which the Saints are led withal; and they come into Chriſt in whom they have peace, and not luſt one againſt another, but live in the ſpirit in which there is unity, in which is the bond of peace; and the luſting one againſt another is in the tranſgreſſion of the ſpirit of God: So who be in Chriſt, be in peace; and who be in the world be in trouble, in wars; but who be in Chriſt, be in him who was before Wars was, inward or outward, of whom thou art ignorant.

Pr. The blood of Chriſt cleanſeth from all ſin; the guilt of it inſtantly and perfectly from the ſtain and power of it gradually.

Anſw. Where ſin is, there the guilt of it is felt at that inſtant; but whoever feels the ſin, ſhall feel the guilt of it; and the blood of the ſeed cleanſeth, it makes free from that which the Law takes hold of; And the blood of the ſeed it cleanſeth from ſin, the power and ſtain of it, and then the guilt is gone of it; and where this is known, the ſeed that deſtroys death and him that hath the power of it, which is the Devill, the fulneſſe is known which is above degrees, that which degrees ends in.

Pr. It is the tang of Popery that a man may fall from ſaving grace.

Anſw. The grace of God that appeared to all men which brings ſalvation, is ſaving, and ſuch thee and many Papiſts turns into laſciviouſneſſe and wantonneſſe; That which brings ſalvation is ſaving: So you are turned to be murderers of one another about Scriptures, which was not the practice of them who lived ſoberly, righteouſly, and godly, who deny the worldly luſts and ungodlineſſe, but their hearts were eſtabliſhed in grace which was their Teacher; but you and Papiſts that live wildely and ungodly, unrighteouſly in the luſts of the world, that from the grace (and the ſaving grace) are fallen, your fruits, your actions daily declares and ſhews it; and ſo you be talkers of grace which is turned into wantonneſs among you and the Papiſts both, your unſeaſoned hearts and words makes it appear.

Pr. We ſhall not ſee Chriſt as he is till he comes to judgement, then and not before we ſhall ſee him. And then he adds, Every man that hath this hope purifies himſelfe, which alſo argues that he is not pure and perfect, but onely in hope.

Anſw. You, where you are, ſees him not, nor know him not as he is, we do believe you; but the Saints, the true Church whom he is the head of, whom he is in the midſt, and in whom he is: (And Chriſt told his Diſciples, they had known him, and) they knew the Son, and had the Son, and they had the Father alſo; and he that had not, had not life: And they had handled and ſeen, and hope in it ſelfe is pure, and that is it which purifies man, and makes him pure, as God is pure. The hope now is pure in it ſelfe, a diſtinct thing, and that is to make man pure as God is pure.

Pr. God may juſtly require his due of man, though man cannot give it.

Anſw. God requires no more of man then he gives.

Pr. That the Quakers ſends men to the light within them to be perfected, which is no better then darkneſſe,

Anſw. Thou that ſendeſt men to any thing, but not to the light within them, thou keepeſt them out from Perfection in utter darkneſſe; And none comes out of utter darkneſs to perfection, but by the light within them; and ſo growing up in the light, they grow up in that which is perfect, and ſo in the fulneſſe which is Chriſt, which is the perfection of God.

Pr. Christ ſaves his people from the guilt of their ſins here in the ſtate of juſtification: The ſtate of the beſt Saints here, are imperfect.

Anſw. Who are juſtified are ſaved from the guilt of ſin; and who commits ſin feels the guilt, and cannot ſay they are juſtified in the committing of it; for he that ſaves, ſanctifies, redeems, and deſtroys the Devill and his works, and death where he hath power, where he keeps up his authority: And if the beſt Saints here are imperfect, then they are not brought out of Adams ſtate in the tranſgreſſion; for a Saint is one that is ſanctified, and one that is redeemed, and one that comes to know the works of the Devill deſtroyed, and waſhed, and cleanſed, and ſanctified through the name of the Lord; and that which juſtifieth takes away ſin and it's guilt both; For as it is written, he ſhall ſave his people from their ſins, and from the guilt, and from the wretched ſtate.

Pr. Surely they cannot be perfect here or hereafter in equality, but onely in quality.

Anſ. Chriſt makes no diſtinction in his words, but ſaith, Be ye perfect, even as your heavenly Father is, and be ye mercifull as he is; And as he is ſo are we. And that which is perfect and mercifull, as he is perfect and mercifull, is in equality with the ſame thing which is of God and from him.

Pr. The Saints they were come to the ſpirits of just men made perfect, but not on earth.

Anſw. The juſt mens ſpirits that led them to give forth Scriptures was the ſpirit of God, and that was perfect; and was while they were upon earth; the Saints were come to (which was Chriſt the end of all words) and ſo to God the Judge of all the Earth.

Philip Taverner, called Preacher of the word, in his Book called, The QƲAKERS Rounds. Theſe are his Principles as followeth.

Pr. WE diſtinguiſh between the Eſſential word, and the declarative word, we own Chriſt to be the Eſſential, and the Scripture to be the Letter.

Anſw. The Scripture tells us that Chriſt is the word; the Scriptures of truth that was given forth from the ſpirit of truth, were the words of God, in whom they end in Chriſt the word; and you talk of a declarative word, and the Scripture you call a Hiſtory; and you call it a Creed, and you call it a Catologue; and theſe Titles and names you have given to the Scripture of truth, the words of God, which as I ſaid before was the Scripture of truth the words of God given forth from the ſpirit of God which ends in Chriſt, and doth not ſpeak of a declarative word, but you in your nicity.

Prin. There is a two-fold comming of the Goſpel, the one in word, the other in power.

Anſw. The blind people here thou wouldſt make believe that the word was not the power, which the word and the power is one, for Chriſt the word, and Chriſt the power of God, his name is called the power of God, and he that Miniſters the word, Miniſters the power of God and the Goſpel.

Pr. The Saints that ſtood upon mount Sion that followed the Lamb; thoſe Saints that was without guil before the throne of God, is to be underſtood in the juſtification and not in ſanctification, that is ſpoken of in the Revelations 14.

Anſw. Here thou haſt manifeſted thy ſelf to be an accuſer of the Brethren who are juſtified, and ſaid to be without fault; now who are juſtified, are ſanctified, and are juſtified; it was ſaid, in their mouths was no guile; they were not defiled; and now theſe that have no guile, and are juſtified, and were not defiled with women, ſuch are ſanctified; ſo that thou Judgeſt of things that are too mighty for thee; and medles with things that are two weighty, and brings Judgement upon thy own head; whoſe meaſure is meaſured and weights are tryed; and thou art of them that art found too light.

Prin. He that is born of God ſins not, after the ſame ſort as them that are of the Devil.

Anſw. He that commits ſin is the ſervant of ſin, and he that commits ſin is of the Devil; and he that is born of God doth not commit ſin, for he cannot, becauſe he is born of God; born of that nature which cannot ſin; and thoſe who doth ſin is of the Devil, is of the ſame nature of their father; but he that is born of God doth no commit ſin at no rate, for he is of the ſame nature of his father.

Pr. As John ſaith; as he is, ſo are we in this preſent world, that Scripture, ſaith he, cannot be ſo in the latitude of it.

Anſw. I believe you, for from the men of your generation, it was not given forth but them that are the Sons of God underſtands it as it is, and believes it as it ſpeakes.

Pr. Christ was holy from his conception, ſo are not we, ſaith he; but we are ſanctified; in time, Christ was holy, and ſo are not we, for there still remains the in dwelling of ſin in us.

Anſ. And ſome was ſanctified from the womb, and ſome children was holy that were born of the believers, Chriſt in the male and in the female, is as he was in his eternal generation; and is the ſame and remains; and is the ſanctification, ſanctifies the unſanctified Sons of Adam in the tranſgreſſion, and who hath that without, and not within, are hypocrites, and Chriſt changeth them and makes them like himſelf.

Pr. That the Saints are compleat in point of juſtification, and not in ſanctification.

Anſ. They that are not compleat in ſanctification, they are not compleat in juſtification, for they are one; they that are compleat in the one, are compleat in the other; and ſo farre as a man is ſanctified, ſo far is he juſtified, and no farther; for the ſame that ſanctifies a man, juſtifies him; for the ſame that is his ſanctification, is his juſtification, and his wiſdome, is his redemption; he that knows one of them, knows all; he that doth not feel one of them, feels none of them at all, for they are all one.

Pr. Faith juſtifies onely inſtrumentally; neither doth it justifie instrumentally as a worke wrought in us by the ſpirit.

Anſw. The man is blinde, he is angry there, and fretting himſelf about things that are too weighty for him, about things that he knows not; For faith is the gift of God which purifies the heart, which brings people to have acceſſe to God; In that, and by that which purifies men, men are juſtified, and in that's vertue, by the hearing of that, men receive the ſpirit; ſo that this is confuſion, and contrary to the Scripture, and confuted by it; for ye are juſtified through faith, and by the ſpirit, and that inſtrumentally from God, in which men pleaſe him, and without which they cannot; therefore that is inſtrumentall, and in that they have victory, and in that they have unity one with another, and in it have acceſſe to God: But ſaith he, faith doth not juſtifie inſtrumentally by any vertue that is in it any more then is in love. Love and faith is one, without faith there is not love: Love is the fruit of faith, flows from it, without it there is not unity, and without faith there is no victory, and without victory there's no love, and it juſtifies and is wrought by the ſpirit.

Pr. A perfect conformity to the Law of God wrote in the ſtrength and power of grace, the ſpirit working all in us and for us, and all this is no more then the righteouſneſſe of the Law.

Anſw. That's the end of the Law that brings to the righteouſneſſe of the Law, and to a perfect conformity to it, and fulfills it; that's the ſeed Chriſt in the male, and in the female, by whom grace comes by Jeſus Chriſt, which brings to live in the righteouſneſſe of it, which is the righteouſneſſe of faith, by which the ſpirit is received, which works all in people, and for them, who ends the Law.

The BROWNISTS Principles.

Pr. THey never heard Gods voyce from heaven, nor ſee his ſhape: And yet they affirme, they have the ſame power and ſpirit that the Apoſtles had, though much below; and yet they have the Word abiding in them.

Anſw. You that never heard the voyce of God, nor ſee his ſhape, you have not ſeen him who is a ſpirit, nor his power, nor his Word abiding in you; for who hath the ſpirit of God, and the power of God, and the Word of God abiding in them; with the ſpirit of God, with the power of God, ſees Gods ſhape; and who hath Gods Word abiding in them, hears the voyce of God; for God is the Word, and God will dwell in them, and walk in them.

Pr. That they are brought to the Church that is in God, the pillar and ground of truth, where there's neither ſpot nor wrinkle, nor any ſuch thing.

Anſ. And yet you never heard the voyce of God; and how can you be brought to the Church that is in God, and never heard the voyce of God? for none comes to the Son, but through the drawings of the Father; and none knows the drawings of the Father, but they heard his voyce. The Jewes that came not to the Son, Chriſt told them, they had not known the voyce of God; and none come to him, but whom the Father draweth.

Pr. We do not look for any ſuch thing as revelation from heaven, or ſpeaking as they are moved, or waiting for the power as the Apoſtles did, we ſay we do not looke for any ſuch thing.

Anſw. This ſhews that you have not received the grace; for the grace comes by revelation, and you have not received the Son; for the Son comes by revelation; Nor you have not known the Father whom the Son reveales; You are not come to the holy Ghoſt whom the Saints witneſſed, that led them to ſpeak forth Scriptures, which no propheſie of the Scriptures came by the will of man; ſo you are among thoſe men that have the Scriptures in their wills, and wants the thing that the Scriptures were given forth by, that is the holy Ghoſt, for holy men of God were moved to ſpeak them forth, who learned them of God, and ſpoke them forth as the ſpirit gave them utterance; Therefore how can ye ſay, that you are come to the Church in God, and waits neither for the power nor revelation as the Saints did, and were in; for if you have all the Scriptures, and have not that, you have not revelation, and have not the holy Ghoſt; for the Scriptures are not known but by revelation, and they are revealed by the ſpirit that gave them forth: And though men have all the Scriptures, yet the Son is not known but by revelation of the Father.

Pr. The Scripture is the Goſpell, the Scripture is the Light, the Scripture is the Word.

Anſ. The Scriptures are the words of God given forth from the ſpirit of God, learned from him: The Goſpel is the power of God, the Scripture declares it. A man may have the forme, and deny the power, and ſo deny the Goſpel; Chriſt is the light of the world, the life and the light of men by whom the world was made; and many have the Scriptures, but denies the light, the life and power of it, Chriſt Jeſus, who is the life, and power, and the authority of them.

Pr. That they knew no law of God againſt praying and preaching by an hour-glaſſe; and that the Apoſtles did performe the Ordinances of God at ſet times; and Daniel and David prayed cuſtomarily, and how this can be ſaid to be will worſhip, and to be ſeen of men, we ſhall leave it to the Lord.

Anſw. The Lord judgeth it to be will-worſhip, that which limits the holy one to an hour-glaſs; and the ſpirit of the Lord that taught the Saints to pray never limitted it ſelfe to an hour-glaſſe: ſo you by an hour-glaſſe pray and preach as the Papiſts with their beads, ſo that that limits the Lord to a ſet time, thoſe are traditions and vain cuſtomes of the heathen, and traditions of men, which alwayes the ſpirit limitted; which ſpirit gave freedome to the juſt in every one, which ſaid, quench it not, nor limit it; but knock down vain cuſtomes and traditions of men, which was ſet up by men, which had quenched the ſpirit in themſelves, and would limit the holy one in others, and ſuch were alwayes judged of the Lord, and them that had his ſpirit to be Idolaters, and in the will-worſhip, and not in the ſpirit, which are got up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles.

John Turners Principle.

Pr. THat light which convinceth a man of ſin was a wicked conſcience.

Anſ. The wicked conſcience doth not convince of ſin, then Satan were divided againſt Satan: That which doth convince of ſin, is not wicked, nor ſin; but the ſpirit of God, the light of Chriſt Jeſus, that convinceth of ſin; and the Elect hath faith; where faith is, there is obedience.

The Ranters Principles.

Pr. CHriſt without comes to deſtroy Chriſt within.

Anſ. Chriſt is but one, and it is the devill that he deſtroyes and his works, the Anti-Chriſt and not the true Chriſt, the ſeed in male and female, and it is the falſe Chriſt he deſtroyes in the male and female, and he comes to end the types and figures and ſhadowes that people might live in him, the end of the types, and figures and ſhadowes, the ſubſtance.

Pr. And the woman that Paul ſpeaks of that is forbidden to ſpeake in the Church, but muſt learne of her husband at home, is the whore that drinks the blood of, the Saints in Revelations.

Anſ. That is falſe, for the woman the Apoſtles ſpeaks of there, that muſt learne in ſilence, and muſt be in ſubjection & aske her husband at home, is in the ſtate of Eve, who muſt not teach, but learne in ſilence, as alſo ſaid the Law, for ſhee was firſt found in the tranſgreſſion; now the woman here hath a husband to aske at home, and not uſurp authority over the man, but Chriſt in the male as in the female, who redeems from under the Law, and makes free from the Law, the man may ſpeak, Chriſt in the male and female who are in the ſpirit of God, are not under the Law, but the whore who drinks the blood of the Saints, is gone, from her husband from under the Law, to aske the whore-maſter that doth drinke the blood of the ſaints, which Chriſt the ſeed judgeth upon to whom he gives judgement.

Pr. And the outward creatures which God had made, and created, and bleſſed are the ſerpents meat, as the old Ranter of Briſtow, when he was gnawing a peece of plum pudding, ſaid he was eating the ſerpents meat.

Anſ. The Serpents meate is duſt, and he goes on his belly, and ſo hath proved him ſelfe to be a ſerpent, who eates his meat; which the children of God, the ſeed doth not, and Chriſt who eate of the bread, he did not eate the ſerpents meate, he did not call it ſerpents meat, and that is curſed and judged that doth ſo.

Francis Duke his book intituled, The fulneſſe and freeneſſe of Gods grace; his Principles are as followes.

Pr. GGod made man perfection of parts in this life, but not perfection in degrees.

Anſ. Perfection of parts is perfection of degrees, for where there is a part there a degree, ſo in this thou medleſt with things that are too heavy for thee.

Pr. That God did elect that drop of humane ſeed to be perſonall God man, as the text is; the ſeed of the woman ſhall bruiſe the ſerpents head.

Anſ. The elect is Chriſt, the ſeed and Chriſt the ſecond Adam is not humane, for humane is earthly, ſo thou erres in thy judgement, for as Chriſt the ſeed ſaies, he that is born of the fleſh, is fleſh, and he that is born of the ſpirit is ſpirit, and the election obtaines it, and he that is of the earth is earthly, but he that is from above, is heavenly.

Pr. Men may obey imperfectly, but truly.

Anſ. Truth is perfect, Chriſt is truth who is perfect, and they that obey truly, obey perfectly, for perfect obedience, and true obedience is one.

Pr. The ſeed of the Serpent and the Devils ſeed remaines in the beſt of men in this life, for without this ſeed of the Devil iſſuing in humane nature, it is not capable of Eternal life.

Anſ. This ſeed of the Devill hinders men to be capable of eternall life, and ſuch as are ſanctified from the wombe, was capable of eternall life, and ſuch as were made free from ſin and the body of death, and ſin put out of them could not ſin, becauſe the ſeed of God remaineth in them, and witneſſed redemption, the works of the Devill deſtroyed, and Chriſt manifeſted in their fleſh, condemned ſin in their fleſh, and Chriſt in them, the body being dead becauſe of ſin, which was borne of God, and they did not commit ſin, they were paſt from death to life, for ſin brought death, and where the Devill had the power of it which went out of truth, but the ſeed having deſtroyed death, and him that hath the power of it, which is the devill, and God the God of all peace have bruiſed Satan under the faints feet, ſuch is a top of the ſeed of the devill, and they are capable of eternall life, and tells thee thy doctrine is a lye.

Pr. Man may believe truly, but never rightly.

Anſ. He that believeth truly, and is in the true beliefe, believes rightly, and he that believes truly is borne of God, and he whoſe beliefe is falſe, and not born of God, it is as his that is out of truth, which is not right, which the true beliefe in truth is over him, in that the Devill is out of; & all his generation that ſtands in an outward beliefe.

Pr. The will of man remaines in good men and bad men in heaven, and in hell, and in earth.

Anſ. Theres noe propheſie of the ſcriptures came by the earthly will of man, but that mans will be ſubdued, & denyed with the Croſſe and power of God, whereby he that doth the will of God abides for ever, but he that doth his own will abides not ever, and fleſh and blood enters not into the kingdom of God, and they that goe downe into Hell, go down into their owne wills and wilfulneſſe, but he muſt be born againe before he can enter into Gods Kingdom, he that is borne of the fleſh is fleſh, and will perſecute him that is born after the ſpirit, for theres the two wills and earth is their footſtool.

Pr. The Saints affirme themſelves that they are all unclean things, and their righteouſneſſe as filthy rags.

Anſ. The Saints are cleane, and are ſanctified, and are waſhed, and are cleanſed, now are you clean ſaith the Lord, ye were ſuch, and ſuch; and the ſaints rightouſneſſe is Chriſt, ſuch as never will grow ragged, which was before the world was made, which was before rags, and ragged righteouſneſſe was, this is the Saints, righteouſneſs, and true believers, and the ſaints are not unclean things, for it is the unſanctified that be unclean.

Pr. The Saints have a twofold righteouſneſſe in this world.

Anſ. The righteouſneſs of the Saints is one Chriſt, and is in one in God, from whence all righteoſneſſe comes, and the true believers righteouſneſſe is Chriſt Jeſus, the end of the Law.

Pr. Thou ſaiſt that, James envies thoſe that brag of their faith without works, thou ſaiſt, the Lord attributes that to the eye, which is not proper, the eye is the light of the body, but yet the eye hath no light in it ſelfe to enlighten the body; ſo he attributes that to the eye which is not proper to the Light

Anſ. James did not envy, for envy was of Cain and of the devill, and of the wicked one, he did not envy them whoſe faith was dead without works, and Chriſts ſpeech was proper, who ſaid the light of the body was the eye, and without the eye the body hath not light, looke of it either inward or outward, tis proper within, and proper without, for when the eye is blinded within, the body is full of darkeneſſe, when the eye is blinded without, the body is darke, and he wants the light, and the light of the body is the eye, that being ſingle the body is full of light, and that is perfect.

Pr. That God redeemes his church with his blood, yet bleeds not.

Anſ. Here againe thou cavelleſt with the Apoſtles words, and art a perverter of the Scriptures, who art with it corrected, the Apoſtle ſpeak of the blood of God, and the blood ſhed, and the conſcience ſprinckled with the blood.

Pr. Juſtifying faith, ſimply conſidered in it ſelfe, as to juſtification of a ſinner, is but 〈◊〉 dark body till it hath received Chriſt, and his righteouſneſſe.

Anſ. Where & juſtification is, & juſtifying faith, there is Chriſt and his righteouſneſſe felt, for he is the juſtification, and this is not a darke body, neither juſtifying faith, nor juſtification of a ſinner, but thou art the darke body, that thoſe hath ſo judged, for it is all one.

Pr. It is but perfection of parts, but not of degrees that people attain to, beware you dream not that y u attain to perfection of degrees, as the Quakers do, for when you ſo think of your ſelves that is the hour and power of darkeneſs, and fall into temptations and abominations.

Anſ. Where perfection is in parts, theres degrees, and that which is perfect keeps out of darkeneſſe, out of the temptation and abomination, he that ſpeakes of perfection of parts, and not of degrees, he doth not know what he ſpeakes of, but is in a dreame, and the hour of tentation and the power of darkeneſſe, and in the tentation and abomination, and doth not know what he ſpeakes of, for perfection of parts is perfection of degrees.

Pr. The Saints inherent righteouſneſſe, is but imperfection of parts, as filthy rages!

Anſ. Where doſt thou read of the word inherent righteouſneſſe, but the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt wrought in us, is not filthy rags, but that which thou pretends to work in thy ſelfe, by dreaming imaginations, is filthy rags and not true righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, which is without rags, but where doſt thou read of inherent righteouſneſſe but of thy father the Pope.

Pr. Job had too high eſteem of his uprightneſſe wrought by the ſpirit of Chriſt in him, who alſo aſſiſted him to perfect patience.

An . A man cannot be too high eſteemed in uprightneſſe, wrought by the ſpirit of Chriſt in him which will aſſiſt to perfect patience, and thus thou confoundeſt thy ſelfe.

Pr. If Job had hanged himſelfe, he might have ſaid in this caſe, it is not I but my deep, diſtemper which ſtrangled me.

Anſ. Thou wicked lyer of thy Father the Devill, the murtherer, had Job conſented to the wicked one with his mind to have done the thing, then it had been Job, and this is not comparable to Pauls ſtate, he ſaith it was no more he but ſin that dwelt in him, who did not conſent with his mind, ſo thou art no true meaſurer, but a falſe meaſurer, for to ſay it had been the infirmity of the members, but not Job, yet there is the eye which was before the word Job was, which the Devill hath nought in, ſo both thee and thy meaſure is judged according to Scriptures which came not by the will of man, which is of no private interpretation.

Pr. That the written ſcripture is a more ſure word of prophecy, then the excellent ſpeech from heaven to Jeſus upon the Mount, as your Quaking doctrins, which is bottomed, upon the Light within, which neither you nor no man elſe knowes what it is.

Anſ. The voice that ſpake upon the Mount, the excellent ſpeech was the ſame, and was to them that gave forth Scriptures, now the written ſcriptures many may have, and deny the ſpirit of propheſy, and knew not the light ſhining in the dark place, untill the day dawne, and the day ſtar ariſe in their hearts, and the Quakers light within, which thou nor no man elſe knowes what it is, as thou ſaiſt, then why doe you judg of things you do not know? we do believe that your darkeneſſe cannot comprehend it though it ſhineth in the darkeneſſe, but where light hath ſhined out of darkeneſſe & ſhins in the heart, it gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus, but all that be in the light, & walks in it, have followſhip one with another, and knowes what light is, and comes to life, Chriſt from whence the light comes, which you nor no man knowes what it is, which are ravened from the ſpirit of God and ſo knowes not Chriſt the light.

Pr. The Scripture is the ground of Faith.

Anſ. The ground of faith was before written Scripture was, God and Chriſt Jeſus who were the givers of Faith, and the authors of it; as Abel, Enoch, Abraham had Faith before that which you call your ground of Faith was written, but I ſay its able to make wiſe to ſalvation through the Faith in Chriſt Jeſus, who is the author of it, thou goeſt about to lay an other ground then God and Chriſt Jeſus that gave forth to them that ſpoke forth the ſcriptures of truth.

Pr. You call a light within, and tell us it is Gods word, and calls the thing everlaſting word and ſpirituall, King, and Chriſt, and this lye is the ground of your faith.

Anſ. The word is light, and Chriſt is light, and the everlaſting word, and King, and he rules the hearts of the Saints, and is in the midſt of his Church, and dwels in his people, and in them he makes his aboad, and all that be not in this, be in the lye, and be not in the true foundation Jeſus Chriſt.

Pr. When Chriſt told the devil, that man ſhould not live by bread alone, but by every word that procedeth out of the mouth of God, that was believing the ſcriptures; and this, the word of God in the ſcriptures was the ground of Christs faith, and ſo to all that were his.

Anſ. Many may have the Scriptures, and never hear the voice of God, as the Jews in the fift of Iohn & they ſaid they believed the ſcriptures, though they were out of the true belief, but receiving the word from God, is, as they that gave forth ſcriptuers, which man lives by, & not by bread alone, & ſo knows him which was before ſcripture was given forth, and for ſaying that the ſcripture is the ground of Chriſts Faith, he was afore the ſcripture was writ, and fulfills their words, and is the author and finiſher of the ſaints faith, which was before the ſcripture was given forth, him by whom the world was made, and is the author of the Saints Faith that bruiſed the ſerpents head under his feet, which was before ſcripture was.

Pr. For the Lord Jeſus Chriſt himſelf who was perſonally God-man, ſimply created nothing, yet you would have your light, called Chriſt, to be a Creator.

Anſ. God was in Chriſt, and they are one, the Creator, the Father in the Son, and the Son in the Father, and Chriſt in you, and God in Chriſt, the Creator the maker of all things, and God will dwell in the ſaints the Creator, he creates in them right mindes, new hearts new ſpirits gives them underſtanding and knowledge, to know him which is eternal life and wiſdom, to walk in his waies which are perfect; where Gods dwelling is in Saints, there is light, and they have fellowſhip one with an other in it, and with the Son and the Father.

Pr That although the eſsence of God be within, yet it no way conducts to the happineſſe of man.

Anſ. Man feels not the happineſſe, but as he is in the power of God, in which he hath communion with him, and thou ſpeaks thou doſt not know what.

Pr. Iohn ſaid, he had heard and handled Chriſt and looked upon him, but your Idoll Chriſt your light and everlasting word, you ſay is within, ſo that you nor any man elſe can ſay what it is, except whimſies.

Anſ. Thou that haſt not handled, ſeen nor heard Chriſt nor felt him within, art in the Idols whimſies and blaſphemy, for we witneſſe that Chriſt, and hath handled him and ſeen him, and heard him, and knowes the everlaſting word, and him within, which torments thee and thy ground, and thy ſeed, becauſe he cannot reign, but Chriſt is come to take poſſeſſion, to doſtroy him and his works, and reigne; and none ſees this, bu they that own the light within, which comes from Chriſt the King.

Pr. By letters and witneſſe without, we will oppoſe your lying light within, there to maintaine againſt the beſt men whatſoever, your light within is a lye, for you ſay the light within, is Christ, I deny the ſcriptures are a witneſſe to beare to your light within, which is your Idol, and this word of God within to be no more nor leſs then a lye.

Anſ. The ſcripture beares witneſſe to the light within, for I know thats thy work and the devils which is out of the light which is the truth, to oppoſe it, who rules in the Children of diſobedience, but cannot rule in the children of light, and the ſcriptures ſaith Chriſt in you, and God will dwell in you, he is light and they are light, the light that ſhines in your hearts to give you the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus, and this the Scripture bears witneſs to, as in Cor. 2.4.2.13. and the word is nigh thee, in thy h •• rt, and in thy mouth, Rom. 10. and as for all the reſt of thy ſtuff, confuſed parſell of ignorance in thy book, as this before mentioned, which is not worth ſetting pen to paper, but for the ſimple ones ſake it is given forth, for the day is appeared that all your works are ſeen and come to light, praiſes and glory to the Lord God the Higheſt for ever; in the day of thy fulneſs thou haſt been in the miſchief of iniquity, but in the day of thy poverty, when the witneſs of God ſtirs and riſes in thee, and judgement enters upon thee, then remember when thy works burn, and thou in the fire, what thou didſt in the world, in thy life time againſt the Saints and the elect, and ſpoke of things thou couldſt not know nor weigh, but were too heavy for thee, and how thou acteſt againſt the light of Chriſt within, which would have led thee to ſalvation.

Enoch Howet of Lincolne, His Principles in his Book as followeth, as he cals the Doctrine of the Light within.

Pr. I Have taken upon me as my duty to forewarn all men of the Doctrine, that teach men to look at the Light within them.

Anſw. We do believe thee, here thou art not only Ante-Chriſt, but Anti-Apoſtle, thats againſt him, who taught people to look to the light within them, and told them that the light that ſhined in their hearts to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus, and this is the Doctrine which thou forwarneſt all men of, and ſaid it is thy duty, ſo thou mayeſt ſee whom thou ſerveſt, that turns men from light, and warns people of the Apoſtles Doctrine, in that all may Judge what thou turns them to, and whoſe duty thou art doing, and whoſe meſſenger and Miniſter thou art, them that be in the fear of God, ſee thee.

Pr. To look to the light within, is to look at his deceitful heart, and it will offer thee darkneſs for light, and its evident, if thou look to that which thou cals the light within, he brings thee to take councel of a corrupt heart, the prince of the Aire, the prince of darkneſs.

Anſw. The light that ſhines in the heart, that thy darkneſs cannot comprehend it, is not the Prince of darkneſs, nor the Prince of the air, nor the deceitful corrupt heart; but by the light within is all diſcovered and made manifeſt, for its the light within that diſcovers a mans thoughts, a mans councels of his heart. And Chriſt within is light and that the Apoſtle bid the Corinthians examine themſelves, and prove themſelves, and know not they their own ſelves how that Jeſus Chriſt was in them except they were Reprobates? Now where Chriſt is within, there is light; now Reprobates cannot endure to hear it talkt of within, but cals it blaſphemy, corrupt heart, and deceitful heart, and ſo forth; and the Apoſtle told the Saints that God would write his Law in their hearts, and put them in their minds, & the law is light, and God would dwell in them, and walk in them, and where God is, there is light, and in him is no darkneſs, and the Saints are his Temple, and this Doctrine the light within, its thy work and Miniſtry to teach and warn all men againſt.

Pr. To look at the light within, leads men to look at a judgement here in this life, and to take off men from eternal judgement.

Anſw. There's none ſees the judgement in this life, nor the eternal judgement, but with the light within; for the light makes manifeſt, what muſt be judged, and what muſt not. O that thou ſhouldſt be ſo blind! and who judge themſelves ſhall not be judged.

Pr. The people which depended upon light within fell into ſhameful enormities, and when they pretended the light within, they pretended an Angel of light which cozens us, which at the best is but a broken ciſtern, the Epheſians were ſometimes darkneſs.

Anſw. They are the broken Ciſterns that cannot hold the water of life, and they are under the pretended Angel of light, that deny the light of Chriſt within; and ſhameful enormities that be from the light which makes manifeſt all thoſe things; and though the Epheſians were darkneſs, yet the light ſhined in the darkneſs, and the darkneſs could not comprehend it, John 1.

Pr. The light within drawes from the expecting of the aſſurance of Chriſt by working in our hearts, the children of diſobedience; ſo that we wait not upon God for aſſurance, but to truſt to the light within.

Anſw. None comes to aſſurance of Chriſt Jeſus, but who comes to the light that ſhines in his heart, which Chriſt Jeſus hath enlightened him withall who is the way to him; none comes from under the power of the Prince of the Air out of the diſobedience, to the thing he had diſobeyed, but who comes to the light within, which ſhines in his heart, which gives him the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus, and there is none knowes the working of Chriſt but by the light within.

Pr. When they were prickt in their hearts, the Apostle did not bid them look to the light within them.

Anſw. Did not the Apoſtle bid them repent? And was not there ſomething in them that did give them to underſtand their trangreſſion who might repent, and come to receive remiſſion for their ſins by Chriſt the light, who lightened every man that cometh into the world, which ſhines in the darkneſs, and the darkneſs comprehends it not, which light ſhined forth, it gives the light of the knowledge of God in the heart, and that which pricks them is within them.

Pr. To look at the light within puts us by the experience of the created word.

Anſw. The light within brings to look at Chriſt, whoſe name is called the word of God, by whom all things was created, and the light within gives experience of him, which is beyond all created experiences that are changeable; and the Scripture doth not tell us of the created word.

Pr. To follow the light within, the natural man that is ſaid to lead to perfection, drawes from and puts us from waiting upon the commands of God.

Anſw. No natural man comes out of his natural ſtate to perfection, to know the commands of God, that which diſcovers all theſe things to him is the light within, which comes from Chriſt, and brings him to know the Covenant of God; who are kept from the light within, are kept from perfection, and the commands of God, and the Covenant of God, and Chriſt.

Pr. There can be no reproof for breaking of a Law if it were not written.

Anſw. Adam broke the Law before it was written, and was reproved.

Prin. Light within, and watching in that light to bring us to perfection will be a vain watch.

Anſw. None ſees perfection, nor none comes to the true watch, but they who come to the light within, which doth manifeſt that which muſt be ſtood againſt, and not received, and all watches are vain that be not in the light within, for they will put evil for good, and good for evil; darkneſs for light, and light for darkneſs, that watches not in the true light that ſhines in their hearts, which makes manifeſt.

Pr. Let us leave leaning on the light within for direction.

Anſw. Then you turn your ſelves from the Apoſtles doctrine, the light that ſhines in your hearts, to give you the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus, 2 Cor. 4. and you turn into darkneſs from that which ſhould give you the knowledge.

Pr. To look to the Light within drawes us from or puts us paſt the blood of the new Covenant the application of it.

Anſw. There's none ſees the new Covenant; Chriſt Jeſus, to Jewes and Gentiles the covenant of light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and the blood of it, he that ſees this, his eye is opened, and is a believer, for who ſees the blood of Chriſt and his righteouſneſſe, and comes to the blood of Chriſt who hath enlightned him, he comes to life; and none doth come to life, but who comes to the light which Chriſt hath enlightned him withall: For in him was life, and the life was the light of men; and the light ſhines in darkneſſe, and the darkneſſe comprehends it not, though all things were made by him; And them that live in the darkneſſe, hate the light, and do not believe in it, and ſo they are condemned by the light.

Pr. That this doctrine, the light within, draws us from Chriſt.

Anſw. None comes to Chriſt, nor is drawn unto Chriſt but with the light, and that's within, and gives them to know what they are come from, and what they are come to, for it gives them the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus.

As for all thy other works of darkneſs in thy Book, they are not worth mentioning; but whoſe meſſenger he is, the day doth bring him to light, the witnes of God in his conſcience ſhall anſwer in the day of his condemnation and judgment, who is under the ſpirituall wickedneſſe, and in whom is the high places of it, who ſtands againſt, and denies the doctrine of the Light within, the ſaints and Apoſtles hath judged him to be a meſſenger of Satan, a falſe Apoſtle, a Miniſter of unrighteouſneſſe out of the light, the truth, as you may read in the Corinthians; for the true Meſſengers, Miniſters, and Apoſtles of Chriſt Jeſus made by the will of God, brought people to the light within, that ſhines in their hearts, and told them, that the light would give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus.

Prieſt Fergiſon, his principles as followeth, who is a Teacher in Kent, confeſt to Ambroſe Rigge.

Pr. THat the ſcripture was the Law and Teſtimony.

Anſw. This is contrary to the Scripture, for the Scripture ſaith, the Law is light, Prov. 6. and the teſtimony of Jeſus is the ſpirit of prophecy; and the Law and Teſtimony was before Matthew, Marke, Luke and John, the Epiſtles and Revelations were written, as in the 8 of Iſaiah.

Pr. That the Scripture is the rule of life and doctrine, and that it was the Word of God.

Anſw. Adam, Abel, Enoch, Abraham, and the holy men of God had a rule for their lives, before the Scripture was written, the ſpirit was the rule of their lives, that led forth Saints to ſpeak forth Scripture: And they that have the Scripture, and not the ſpirit of Chriſt, they are none of his; and the Jewes had Scripture, but wanted the rule of life. Nevertheleſſe the Scripture which was given forth from the ſpirit of God, is profitable for Doctrine; and the Scriptures of truth are the words of God, learned of God, and not the word, and Chriſt the word before the Scriptures were given forth, by whom the world was made, is the word of God, who fulfilled the words, the Scriptures in him ends, who was before they were ſpoken forth.

Pr. That the Scripture is the way to God, and that the Scripture was the ground of Faith.

Anſw. The ground of faith is Chriſt; the Apoſtle bids the Saints look to him which was the Author and finiſher, not the Scripture, but Chriſt the Author of their faith, the ground of it: And Abraham, and Enoch, and Abel had faith before Scripture was written: ſo who hath faith, are of Abraham, and they witneſſe Abrahams ground; and the Jewes had Scriptures, but had not faith, nor the ground: ſo your faith that hath no other ground but Scriptures, is like unto the Jewes: And Chriſt is the way to God, who was before Scriptures were written, who fulfills the Prophets, Abraham and Davids words; and the Jewes had Scriptures, but ſtood againſt the way to God, Chriſt Jeſus the light, as all you doe that ſtand againſt the light; And Abraham, and Abel, and Enoch had the way to God before the ſcripture was written, and Chriſt Jeſus is the way to God. Chriſt ſaith, I am the way, to the Jewes, who had ſcriptures.

Pr. That there is no perfection to be attained to, while people live upon earth.

A Then by thy doctrine Chriſt is not attained to while man lives, which is contrary to the Apoſtles and Chriſts own doctrine, who ſaid, I in you, and you in me: and Chriſt in you the hope of glory; and then none abides in the Vine by thy account, which is Chriſt, and none bears fruit to the glory of God who abides not in the Vine; and who abides in the Vine, abides in the perfection of God; and thou art contrary to the Miniſters of Chriſt, whoſe work was for the perfecting of the ſaints.

Pr. That Juſtification and Sanctification differs.

Anſw. Juſtification and Sanctification is one; for Chriſt who is the juſtification and ſanctification is one, and it is thou that differs from him.

Pr. That the word of faith in the heart ſpoken of, in the 10 h of the Romans, is the Scriptures.

Anſw. The Apoſtle doth not ſay ſo; for many had the ſcriptures, and were under the Law, and knew not the word of faith, the gift of God.

Pr. He ſaid, the Scripture leads into all truth.

Anſ. This is contrary to Scripture; for the Scripture ſaith, the ſpirit of truth ſhall lead you into all truth; this is the promiſe of Chriſt, and Chriſts words: And Abraham had his leader, and Enoch, to Chriſt and to God before the Scripture was given forth. Oh that ever men ſhould be ſet up to be Teachers, that are ſo blind concerning the Scriptures, and receive ſo many thouſand pounds a year for teaching: And the Jewes had ſcriptures, and were not led into all truth as you Chriſtians are now; therefore are you all in heaps about them, wanting the ſpirit to lead you into all the truths of them.

Pr. He ſaid, That Chriſt and the Father, and the holy Ghoſt are not one; but they are three, therefore diſtinct.

Anſw. This is the denying of Chriſts doctrine, who ſaith, I and my Father are one; and the holy Ghoſt proceeds from the Father and the Son, and he was conceived by the holy Ghoſt, and they are all one, and not diſtinct, but one in unity; that which comes out from him, leads the Saints into all truth (that ever was given forth from the ſpirit of truth) and ſo up unto God the father of truth, and ſo goes back again from whence it came.

Pr. It is blaſphemy to ſay the Son is one with the Father, and not diſtinct from him.

Anſw. The Father and the Son are one, the Son is in the Father, and the Father in the Son, ſo that which is in him, is not diſtinct from him; and they blaſpheme that ſay the Son is not in the Father, and deny Chriſts doctrine.

Pr. He ſaid, The Father is a diſtinct incommunicable being from the Son, and the Son a diſtinct incommunicable being from the Father, and the holy Ghoſt a diſtinct incommunicable being from the Son.

Anſ. The Son is one, and in unity with the Father, and not diſtinct, but equall, and thought it not robbery: The holy Ghoſt is in unity with the Son and the Father, which proceed from them, and they are one in unity, and not diſtinct. Thy doctrine is droſſe, and you Prieſts are not fit to judge in ſuch things as they are, they are too weighty, and too heavy for you.

Pr. He affirmed, That the Scripture is the power of God, and that the Scripture is the Goſpell.

Anſw. The power of God leads them to ſpeak forth the Scriptures; and the power of God is Chriſt, and the power of God endures for ever; but Scripture is writing, and doth not; and the Goſpel is the power of God, ſaith the Scriptures, and doth not ſay that the Scripture is the Goſpel; for many had that, and witneſſed not the glad tidings, and ſo thou art here diſtinct from the Miniſters of the Goſpell, and art not a Miniſter of it, the power of God, but puts writings for it; which power of God was before writings were.

Pr. He affirmed, That the Father was the Creator, and not God.

Anſw. This is contrary to the Scripture: For in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth; the Father and God is one, the maker of all things; for God the Father that made the world ſaith the Apoſtle, Gal. 4.6. One God and father of all.

Pr. He ſaid, That Chriſt was not his rule, but the Scripture was his rule.

Anſ. I do believe thee that Chriſt is not thy rule, ſo life is not thy rule, wiſdome is not thy rule, truth is not thy rule; and ſo Chriſt not being thy rule, thou art ignorant of Scriptures, and knows them not; for he who is the ſubſtance of the ſcriptures, is not thy rule; ſo thou knoweſt them not, neither art ſubject to them.

Pr. He ſaith, That God juſtifieth them that are not ſanctified.

Anſw. He that is juſtified is ſanctified, for he that juſtifieth, ſanctifieth.

Pr. And another Prieſt ſaith, That Chriſt was not the reſurrection of the body.

Anſ. Chriſt is the reſurrection and the life, and the Saviour of the body, who brings the creature into the liberty of the Sons of God.

The Prieſts of Lancaſhire, their Principles.

PRieſt Jacus the foreman of them ſaid, the letter and the ſpirit were inſeparable.

Anſw. Contrary to the Apoſtle, 2 Cor. The letter kills, and the ſpirit gives life: And we are Miniſters not of the letter, but of the ſpirit: ſo the ſpirit that ends the letter, was before the letter was; and men may have letter, and not the ſpirit, and deny the Miniſters thereof; And the Apoſtle ſaid, they were one anothers Epiſtles written in one anothers hearts, and not with paper and ink, but with the ſpirit of the living God, & ſo you are contrary to the Miniſters of Chriſt; and if every one which hath the letter, have the ſpirit, what need you teach? your teachings are at an end, for the ſpirit will open to you the ſcriptures.

The Profeſſors Principles at Weſtmerland, Edward Briggs the leader of them, ſaid,

Pr. IT was hereſie and deceiving the people, to bid people believe in the power of God.

Anſ. Then they muſt not believe in Chriſt who is the power of God; and it is not hereſie nor deceiving of people, to bid them believe in the power of God which is Chriſt, and they are in the hereſie and deceiving ſtate, that do not believe in the power of God; and deceiving people, and keeps them all in heaps under the power of the Devil, and ſo to believe in that, which is the cauſe of peoples deſtroying and perſecuting one another.

Pr. And others of the Profeſſors ſaid, That God had no hand in working out his ſalvation.

Anſ. This is contrary to ſcripture, for God was in Chriſt reconciling the world to himſelfe; And God is the Author of ſalvation, who ſent his Son into the world to be a Leader, a Captain, a Teacher, and a Redeemer, and a Covenant: And there is no name by which men muſt be ſaved, but by this Name.

Ellet and Crabs Principle, who are Baptiſts.

Pr. THat it was blaſphemy for any one to ſay, he was juſtified by a Chriſt within him; and that if they ſhould looke to a light within, they ſhould not have peace an houre.

Anſ. If Chriſt be not within you to juſtifie, you are Reprobates, for he is juſtification and ſanctification both; and the light within, you looking at that, it will not let you have peace, but let you ſee your works, actions, deeds, thoughts and words which you have acted and ſpoken. Now the Saints peace is in the light which is within; for the light is Chriſt, the Covenant of God.

Prieſt Fowler of Reading, his principle.

Pr. HE ſaid, That the Scripture was the foundation of foundations.

A. Here thou haſt thrown out Chriſt who is the tryed ſtone, and the ſure foundation, and not the ſcripture; but the ſcripture declares of it by the Prophets and the Apoſtles; and no other foundation can any man lay, but what is laid, Chriſt Jeſus, and ſo thou haſt laid another foundation, and ſo art contrary to the Prophets and Apoſtles, and thy work will come into the fire; For God layd the foundation of the waters, which is not Scripture. God laid the foundation, that all the loſt ſtate of men, the ſons of Adam that be in the tranſgreſſion, that all might come to build upon him the foundation, Chriſt Jeſus; when wiſe men are turned backward, and the ſoothſayers and inchanters are gone mad, and the chaffe ſcattered, and all makers of trades of Chriſt and the Apoſtles words, Babel, and the builders fall, the foundation of God remaines, Chriſt Jeſus; who are built on him are ſure, and doth remain.

Pr. Prieſt Goodgroom and the Prieſt of Ware affirmed and ſaid, the Scriptures were both the writings and the thing ſignified.

Anſw. By this the Scripture is Chriſt, and God, and ſpirit, and life, and ſaviour, and Devill, and Hell, and errour, and blaſphemy by your Principle and Doctrine, which is all falſe, which is not errour, nor blaſphemy, nor heaven, nor hell, nor Chriſt, but declares of theſe things. How have you led people in the ditch ye blinde guides? their wallowing in their ſins in the mire, and crying out of them, and then you tell them they ſhall never be made free from them while they be upon earth, making a trade of ſaints words.

Prin. That Chriſt juſtified perſons, ſecluding and ſeting aſide the new birth and worke of ſanctification.

Anſw. Juſtification ſets not aſide the worke of ſanctification, nor new birth, but is one with it; for juſtification is ſanctification; for they who are juſtified, it is by Chriſt, who is the ſanctifier, and who are in him, witneſſe the new birth; for as many as receive him, Chriſt, who doth enlighten every one that comes into the world: And as many as receive him, to them he gives power to become the ſons of God. And thoſe which hates the light which they be enlightned withall, which is their condemnation: For this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world; but m n love darkneſſe rather then light, becauſe their deeds be evill.

Prin. That the Letter is the Word: and denies that any were converted by a light within.

Anſw. The principle of God hath been tranſgreſſed within, ſo comes unconverſion going from God, and the higher power added upon the tranſgreſſor, the Law, which who had it, had the types, figures and ſhadows, which made nothing perfect; but the bringing in of a better hope, which hope is Chriſt within; and none is converted to God out of types, figures and ſhadows, out of tranſgreſſion, Adams ſtate in the fall, and knowing the renewing of the inward man, life and immortality come to light; but as they come to know the light within, Chriſt, who is the way to God, and who is in him, is in converſion, tranſlation and regeneration, in a new life ſerving God; and the Scripture or Letter is not the Word, Chriſt is the Word; And they that had the Letter, killed him who was before the Letter was, who were the blinde Prieſts and Phariſees, like your ſelves.

Pr. hat Chriſt ju tified ſinners as ſinners.

Anſw. Chriſt juſtifies them as they have been ſinners, and come from it, in the faith; for by faith are they juſtified, and faith purifies them from their ſin; but them that hate the light which Chriſt hath enlightned them withall, they are condemned by it, and that is the worlds condemnation, the light, in which light the ſaints witneſſe their Juſtification, and ſee Chriſt the Author of their Faith.

Lamb in the City of London, the Baptiſts Teacher, and ſome of his company, their principles as follows.

Pr. HE affirmed, That the Scripture was the Kingdome of heaven, and that the ſc ipture was the light of the Lamb.

Anſ The kingdome of heaven is within people, as in Luke 17. And the Phariſees had Scripture, and knew not the Kingdome of heaven within them, but were gazing for it without them; as thou, who art gazing without, and ſaith, the ſcripture is it, when the ſcripture doth but declare of it, and tells people it is within them, and ſaith, Chriſt is the light, and the ſcriptures is a Declaration of it.

Pr. Two of the Baptiſts ſaid, That the light which doth enlighten every one that comes into the world is a naturall light, and Chriſt was a naturall man.

Anſw. The light which doth enlighten every that comes into the world, is Chriſt the Covenant of God, which was before the Sun and Moon and Stars was, which were made by him, which are naturall lights; and Chriſt is not a naturall man, nor was not; for a naturall man receiveth not the things of God, but they are fooliſhneſſe unto him; and the things of God, Chriſt did receive, and they were not fooliſhneſs unto him.

Two Baptiſts affirmed, The Quakers denyed the Scriptures, becauſe they did not ſpeak with a book in their hands.

Anſ. This is ignorance; for a man may ſpeak the Scripture, and have never a book in his hand; and though he do not name Chapter and Verſe, which is ſet up by mens wits; which the ſpirit that gave them forth did not ſet them in a frame to pleaſe mens wills withall. And the Quakers do not deny the Scripture, becauſe they do not tell people Chapter and Verſe, and hold a book in their hand, but are come into that it ſpeaks of, which are come into that which cannot be ſhaken: And here the blinde ignorance of the Teacher appears, who can get no further then the Chapter and Verſe, and Book in the hand; this is like the horſe which can finde the paſture again when he hath been there: So when he hath ſeen Chapter and Verſe, he can finde it again; this is not like them which gave forth Scriptures, which be learned of God, and what they had received of God, afterwards recorded; which now you and the Prieſts fall out about, and are in heaps, and have no unity with it nor God, nor one with another, and would tear one ano hers fleſh to pieces about it; and here your ſpirits are tryed.

William Greenhill Prieſt of Stepny who makes a trade of the Scripture, his principle as followeth.

Pr. THe ſcripture is the Divine word and wiſdome of God.

Anſ. Thou haſt thrown out Chriſt in this, and put ſcripture in his place, and given the ſcripture his name, who is the Word, as in the Revelation, Whoſe name is called the word of God, who is the wiſdome of God, and this the ſcripture teſtifies of, as in the Corinthians; Iohn, and the Revelations.

Pr. William Stanly a Tutor to children ſaid, That ſome had a priveledge to ſin, and yet were free from the condemnation of the Law by the ſufferings of Jeſus.

Anſ. But none have a priveledge to ſin from God, but from the devill; for it is contrary to the Law of God; for the Law doth not tolerate any ſuch thing, nor the Son of God, who was made manifeſt to deſtroy the Devill and his works, and to condemn ſin in the fleſh, ſo no one hath a priveledge to commit ſin, but from the Devill, and it is no priveledge to ſin, from God.

A book called, the Relation of the Quakers ſhaking, thoſe whoſe names are at it, are Iohn Gilpin, Thomas Craſter, Thomas Sands, Iohn Archer, Edw. Turner, Prieſt Walker.

WHo are like unto Jannes and Jambres who reſiſt the truth, being men of corrupt mindes, who blaze abroad in the Nation to make truth odious, and to poſeſs the hearts of people, by ſome that turne from truth: firſt Iohn Gilpin who by truth was made to confeſſe his ſin, and had openings, and then turned from it again, and turned to the perſecutors, and this Gilpin was theſe mens convert, which was moſt of them, all the greateſt perſecuters in the North, which after Iohn Gilpin had turned from theſe people called Quakers, to theſe men whoſe names are to the book, he turned drunkard, being drunk, a warrant was granted out for him, by a juſtice of peace and yet theſe men whoſe names are at this book, ſtiled this man one of their high converts, but according to their works their reward will be.

Iohn Gilpin ſaid, While he was with the Quakers, he never found ſuch effects among the Miniſters of England, as he did amongſt the Quakeres, of the diſcovery of his ſin, in perticular, of his Covetouſnes, which had a great long root in him. And this all theſe men whoſe names are in the book, tearms it to be of the Devill, and this is their judgement, becauſe Iohn Gilpen run out in his imaginations, therefore that which diſcovers to a man all his ſins and his covetouſneſſe, that is of the Devil too. O! no my friends, you have wrong judged, and you will fail at laſt, whom you have judged, and what you have juſtified, that which diſcovers your ſin and filth, and covetouſneſſe, that which diſcovers the Devill which is the author of it, that is the light and life of Jeſus Chriſt, and ſo in ſtead of ſaying the Quakers are ſhaking, you are ſhaking yourſelves, and your foundation made knowne, not to be the foundation of Jeſus Chriſt, And the light that diſcovers ſin; and when the true thing did convince and work in Iohn Gilpin, then his imaginations run out, and you, and he, calls it deluſion to hearken to the voice within, and yet you and Iohn Gilpin ſaith, that he was in ſome meaſure raiſed to believe, that God would deliver him and yet it is deluſion, to hearken to the voice within.

Anſ. What confuſion is here amongſt you and your convert, doth any believe or come to deliverance or faith, but who heares the light within, and who heares the voice within, and beares witneſſe within? doth not he that believes hearken to the witneſſe in himſelfe, and hath he not it there? and is not faith in the heart, and any deliverance is it knowne, but what is known from that within? and thus you poor deluded creatures are glad to truſt in lyes, and make them your refuge.

Pr. He ſaith, He began to conſider how he had offended God, by his neglect of the uſe of externall meanes, reading, hearing and prayer, and rejecting the revealed will of God in his word, and hearkening to the voice of God only within.

Anſ. Is reading and praying in the ſpirit externall meanes? is this your judgement all you Prieſts, and teachers and great profeſſors found in this book? can any pray but in the ſpirit, and Read the ſcriptures, and know them againe but in the ſpirit, and is not that eternall? can any man know the revealed will of God, and his word, but it muſt be by the ſpirit? is not the word in God, is not Chriſt the word? his name is called the word of God, and can any know theſe things but by the voice within? which voice is the ſpirit, the ſpirit of the Father ſpeaking in believers, the ſaints, which led them to ſpeak forth Scriptures, ſo when that voice was neglected, then was Iohn confuſed, as you are all now that ſpeak againſt it, that whatſoever filth and durt you run into, you will father it upon the voice within, or the light, and Chriſt within, but you are comprehended and ſeen, who are now flown to your external meanes you tell people of, and your prayers and Reading are external, we do believe you, who be all out of the ſpirit, but if ever any of you come to know God, and true praying in the ſpirit, you will deny your principle, and we do believe your meanes is external, and your prayers externall without the ſpirit of God; and this Gilpin who had been thus covetous & grievous ſinner, whom the Lord ſmote, that he came to be almoſt a diſtracted man, after he had got a little eaſe from under the judgement, his flight being in the winter, he goes to the Prieſts and profeſſors, which be here mentioned in this book, enemies of all righteouſneſſe, and preſently turns a drunkard, and a Juſtice of the peace granted a warrant to ſet him in the ſtocks, and ſo he paſſed away about thirty miles off to Cacebie, and this is Gilpins Lord, who was convicted, by the truth, of his covetouſneſſe, and his ſin, who run into his imaginations, whoſe latter end is worſe then his beginning; And this is the convert of this many perſecuting profeſſors and teachers, who to their ſhame have publiſhed it, which comes a top of their own heads, and truth is cleare, and filth is wiped away, and wiping, and the refuge of lies is flying away that people ſhall not make them their refuge, and thoſe perſecuting profeſſors and Prieſts take occaſion to ſpeak of one James Miler, in whom the Lord did open true propheſies, and mighty things to him, in ſome things his minde runned out, and that he condemns, and yet theſe wicked men will go tell the Nation of it, ſo what will they have more of a man but his life, for abundance they have caſt into priſon, and again theſe perſecuting profeſſors and Prieſts hath publiſhed in one of their books to the world of one Hugh Biſbrowne of buggery, who had ſome time come to the Quakers meetings, but was turned from them, and durſt not meet them, for he had been judged by the Quakers, before ſuch things were heard of him by them, and yet theſe filthy men will villifie truth with ſuch things, that they might make it odious to the world, but the ſober people ſee all theſe things is but their envie, and again theſe perſecuting profeſſors and teachers hath put in their book that they have publiſhed to the world one Cotten Croſland, and they ſay he was a profeſſed Quaker, and that he knew higher things then the Miniſters, and that he hanged himſelfe, and he was buried in a Croſſe way, and a ſtake was driven through him, that paſſengers might take heed of Quaking. This man I ſaw him once at a meeting, & another time in the rude multitude he was amongſt the Quakers, the firſt time he ſaid little, & the ſecond time he ſpak ſomething amongſt the rude multitude, which the Quakers did not own him, and he raiſed a grievous lye agianſt G. F. and ſaid, he ſaid he was Chriſt, which was on a market day among the market people.

This is the third time that ever I ſaw him amongſt any of the Quakers, and he told G. F. he had witneſs to prove it, and G. F. told him, he was Judas, And he went away, and after a while hanged himſelf. And Chriſt in the male, and female, if he ſpeak he was Chriſt the ſeed, and the ſeed was Chriſt, but he did not ſpeak it, as a creature, and here's the Prieſts, and Profeſſors Quaker, which turned againſt the Quakers, and would have betrayed them, but Quaking we own, and trembling, which you all muſt do, before you know your Salvation wrought out with fear and trembling; And a many lies you have gathered up together and ſtuffed up your book withall, and make them your refuge, and think the world will refuge under them, but a lack for you, people begin to ſee it was nothing but envy in you; And it was known that Gilpen was never no long Quaker, though the Devil was made to tremble in him; And the Lord will reward you according to your work. The witneſs in your conſcience ſhall anſwer it in you all in the day of your Judgement.

Thomas Collier, Nathaniel Strange, Thomas Glaſſeys; who cals themſelves ſervants of Chriſt in his Paper to all the Churches, called Saints, through the immortal ſeed. Anſwer; The Churches and Saints who be of the immortal ſeed hath viewed your paper and your principles in it As FOLLOWETH.

Pr. YOu ſay, You have taken upon you to ſpeak to God, though duſt and aſhes, and yet you ſaid, you are Saints through the immortal ſeed.

Anſw. Thou haſt forgotten what thou haſt written before in thy Preface: who hath taken upon you to ſpeak to God, though duſt and aſhes, yet ſays through the immortal Seed; ſuch as be Saints though the immortal ſeed, are not duſt and aſhes; for the immortal ſeed lives and abides and endures for ever.

Pr. You ſay, You have been bewailing Congregation-iniquity, family, iniquity, perſonal-iniquity; and cloſe-iniquity; for by your Search you have found Sion full of unſoundneſs from the crown of the head to the ſole of the foot, all puterified ſores, and now call upon them that tremble at the word of God, to come to us.

Anſw. You have caſt them out that tremble at the word of God, and made them your by-word, and written and Printed againſt them, and the Lord hath appeared to their glory: and what, Saints, cloſe iniquity, family iniquity, Congregation iniquity, and perſonal iniquity, and Sion from the head to the foot all full of putrified ſores, and no ſoundneſs from the head to the foot, and now do you call to them that tremble at the word of God, whom you have caſt out whom in ſcorn you have called Quakers? will you now turn Quakers? do you begin to be aſhamed?

Pr. O come and ſit down in the dust, and weep bitterly before the Lord for your abomination, you have but as it were playd with God, you have not trembled at his preſence; you have been wanton before him, and have forgotten what manner of men, and women you were; and thought no more of your prayers: O how often have you mocked God; how doth the world canker your affections, while you have been aſleep, in the lap of this delia?

Anſw. Thou haſt even ſhamed thy Church, doſt thou call them Saints through the immortal ſeed, and ſay they mock God, and are aſleep in the lap of this delila? and the world hath cankered their affections? thou haſt ſhamed thy Church, and called them Saints through immortal ſeed, and yet they muſt weep bitterly for their abominations, and ſit down in duſt and aſhes, are theſe like Saints, ſanctified ones, of the immortal ſeed? or like tranſgreſſors the unſanctified ones; not worthy to have a name to be called Saints; for ſuch as mocked God, and was in abominations, muſt lament for it; was not ſanctified, nor was not come to know the immortal ſeed: but the Saints and the immortal ſeed, reigned over all mockers, and ſuch as was cankered with the world, and mocked God, and was in their abominations, they came to reign over all that in the wiſdom of God, with which they ordered the creation to his glory, you call your ſelves ſervants of Chriſt. If your people be cankered and mockers of God in the abominations, you have laboured in vain, and ſhews you have not profited them at all, but are the falſe teachers.

Pr. Thou ſayeſt you have reigning abominations, cruelty to ſervants and children, exating labours; taking no time to counſell them, we have mourned that we have had ſo great a hand in this treſpaſſe, and not born teſtimony againſt our Miniſters.

Anſw. This hath been your condition, your fruits hath declared it, therefore it is time for you to repent, and amend your lives and doings, and turn to the Lord; for while you have time, prize it, for you that have ſtood againſt the Light that doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, are not of the Church of Chriſt, for none comes to it, but through the light.

Pr. Though ſlaviſh fear, had ſtopped our mouthes, until the mouth of iniquity, hath almoſt devoured the poor Church of Chriſt.

Anſw. The Church of Chriſt is the Pillar and ground of truth, it cannot be devoured by the mouth of iniquity, the gates of Hell cannot prevail againſt it; but through your mouth of iniquity, enmity, and envy, you have almoſt ſlain your ſelves, who is againſt the tru h turned: who hath been ſlaviſh for it; but againſt it mad in your blind zeal, the mouth of iniquity hath been open in you with all the world, againſt the truth, but with it, in a great meaſure it is ſtopped.

Pr. The evils hath been ſo ſtrong that they have wreſtled all weapons out of the hands of Saints, and Ministers, that have been formed againſt them.

Anſw. Theſe have been pitiful weapons, that you Miniſters and Saints have had in your hands, that the evil wreſtled them out they have been carnal not ſpiritual; for the ſpiritual weapons the evil cannot wreſt out of the hands of Saints, and Miniſters of God; but with them they are plucked down, his holds and high places and ſpiritual wickedneſſes; the evil dares not come nigh the Saints weapons, which are ſpiritual.

Pr. You ſay, We deſire no longer to reſt in a teſtimony of words, but take an effectual courſe that ſin and ſinners may be purged, out of the houſe of God; we deſire the Church would ſet ſome days apart wherein they may bewail iniquity and pollution, that Miniſtering Brethren would without reſpect of perſons, from houſe to houſe, night and day bear their teſtimony to flie from thoſe abominations.

Anſw. The Church of God you cannot, which is the Pillar and ground of truth, which Chriſt purchaſed with his blood without ſpot or wrinkle, or blemiſh; and the houſe of God you know not, who talkes of purging of it, who is eſtabliſhed a top of all the mountains; and all your abominations, and pollutions, and reſpecting of perſons, is out of the Church and the Law both, tranſgreſſors of it, and it is time to begin to ſtir up your ſelves and turn from the evil of your wayes, and turn to Chriſt the Light, who hath enlightened you, that you may bear teſtimony againſt your ſelves, and your Miniſters, and lightneſs and abominations in your own families; and do not ſay it is the houſe of God, and the Church of God, but amongſt your ſelves; and we do believe it is but the teſtimony of words who have denyed the light, and ſo denyed the power.

Pr. They may deliver themſelves from the blood of ſouls, having declared the whole counſel of God.

Anſw. Can duſt and aſhes declare the whole Counſel of God, and cankered ones, and pollutions and abominations, can ſuch declare the whole Counſel of God ſuch be out of it, for they that come into the counſel of God declares that and come out of pollutions and cankered with the world, to him by whom the world is made, who is perfect, and makes them perfect who declares his perfect will and counſel.

Pr. Another evil we thought to have ſpread before you, but wanting opportunitie ſhall now omit, and that from Chard, we have laboured in vain, that which hath been brought forth hath been to little purpoſe.

Anſw. This you may ſpeak to your ſhame, and ſhew forth your own nakedneſs that you have laboured in vain, and that which you have brought forth hath been to little purpoſe, in this the Church of Chriſt believes you, who hath been them that hath beaten the air: and why do you Print abroad that there is another evil among you which you have not laid open, had you not been better have held your tongues; except you had mentioned it? is not this Hams ſpirit who lays open one anothers nakednes to the world in Print? but how can you do otherwayes who hath denyed the light that hath enlightened every man that comes into the world, which comes from Chriſt Jeſus; and ſo wants the covering; and as for all your dirt, and droſſe, and dung which is not worth mentioning in your Epiſtle, and confuſed words which you ſet forth, thinking to your glory but it is to your ſhame, had you been in the life that gave forth, Scripture, which the Saints was in that was of the Church, you would have covered your nakedneſs, and would not have ſaid pollution was in the Church, and in the houſe of God; but for all theſe things you are judged, and you and your Epiſtle, and your words to be unſavory, and is judged with the life of God that gave forth Scripture, and them that be of the houſe of God, and the Church of God, where no pollution is, nor comes, nor canker; the witneſs in your conſcience ſhall anſwer it in the day of the Lord.

By us Richard Baxter, &c. Paſtor of the Church at Kederminſter. In their Paper called the Judgement and advice of the Aſſembly of the Aſſoſciated Miniſters. In it their Principles, as followeth.

Pr. THat ever there ſhould be ſo much to do among Christians, yea the leaders of Christs flock, and to bring them to ſo clear a duty, that after all there labour there is no more done.

Anſw. Ye have been them that God never ſent, and found to be ſuch as Chriſt cryed wo againſt, and ſo you have not profited the people at all, And you have not been the leaders of Chriſts flock, but been ſuch as turned againſt them, that hath been your duty; ſo therefore be all the people on heapes.

Pr. That all men must know that we are Chriſts followers if we love one another, for he that ſaith he loves God, and hates his brother, is a liar.

Anſw. In this poor men, you have judged your own ſelves; for is not debate, and ſtrife, and vain glory, and perſecution and priſoning found among you? Cain turning againſt his brother Abel, and ſlaying and killing him, whoſe blood cryes for vengeance upon you? ſo it is a proof that you are out of the faith that works by love, in which is the communitie and Love with God, and one with another; And ſo in ſtead of making up breaches, you are wounding, and bringing confuſion, being out of the faith and life that Chriſt and the Apoſtles were in, ſo in heapes about their words.

Pr. It is not our buſineſs to change mens minds, from infidels and hereſie, to the faith, but to bring the Churches of Chriſt to underſtand each other to be true Churches, which take the holy Scriptures for our Rule of your faith and lives, and believe it to be the infallible word of God, and this Rule is Divine, ſo our faith is Divine, had we but a humane Rule, we could have but a humane faith, proud men thruſt their opinions into the Churches Creed.

Anſ. Your buſineſſe it is true, is not to change men form infidels and hereſie, and to bring them to the faith, ſo not into the unity, for you bring no people into that, nor to the Faith, and you bring no Church to know one another in the faith, and the Churches of Chriſt knowes each other to be a true Church, and you whoſe buſineſſe is not to bring men off hereſie to Faith, know not the Church of Chriſt, which is the pillar and ground of truth, built upon Chriſt who is the faiths author, and the ſcriptures which ſignifies writings, as you ſay outward writings, paper and ink, is not infallable, nor is not divine, but is humane, and a humane knowledge from it men get; and ſo writings, paper, and ink, that is not infallible, nor the ſcripture is not the ground of Faith, but Chriſt who was before ſcripture was written, that the ſcripture tells you ſo, and ſaith God is Divine, and the ſcriptures are the words of God, which Chriſt the word ends, who is the author of the faith, and Abraham and Enoch had a rule; and had faith before ſcripture was written, and the ſpirit is the rule that leads people into all truth, ſo ſaith Chriſt, and you that put the letter for the ground of your faith, your rule, paper and ink, that will come to duſt, it is humane as you call it, and give it that which the ſcripture doth not. And as for your creed, that you have learned of your Father the Pope, the ſcriptures tells you not that, nor doth not teach you the word humane, neither, ſo you and the Papiſts hath creeped into the Apoſtles words, but be out of the life, who are proud and covetouſs

Pr. That its Hereſie to ſay there is an other Rule of Faith then the ſcripture, if any are proved to teach any doctrine contrary to Scriptures, the Miniſters and paſtors do their parts to correct and reſtrain them.

Anſ. You by your judgement have judged your ſelves to be corrected by the Miniſters and paſtors; and are to be corrected by the true Paſtors, and to be reſtrained by your own judgement: who hath taught contrary to the ſcriptures; for the ſcriptures ſaith Chriſt is the author of Faith: and Faith is the gift of God, and you ſay ſcripture is the rule of it, and Abraham and Enoch and Abell will tell you they had Faith before they had the ſcripture, which you ſay is your rule: ſo have you not thrown out the true rule of Faith, and the giver of it, and put up the words in the place? & ſo are ye not corrected here by the true paſtor, Chriſt the author of faith? and Faith the gift of God did not ſay ſcriptures was the ground of it; but bid looke to Jeſus the author of it; and the Apoſtles did not turn them to the miniſters to correct them that did oppoſe them, or did not believe them, nor receive them as they ſpoke, or as went from them; And all they be in the hereſie, that have not Chriſt the author of their Faith, which was before the the ſcripture was given forth, though they have all the ſcriptures, and be not in the life of them that gave it forth, in which was the unity, and therefore you being out of this faith and unity, and from the author of it, put the letter for the rule, be all on heaps about the Saints words, being out of the life that they had that ſpoke forth the ſcriptures; and then after, was written and printed; and ſo ye Wolves in ſheeps cloathing put that for your rule of your dead Faith; and have no other, and are killing and mangling one another about it, and ſo death and deſtruction talks of the fame of the ſcriptures, and knowes not the author of Faith, nor that there had been a Faith, had not the ſcripture declared it, the Prieſts confeſſe it.

Pr. We deny not to teach people, young miniſters to stop the mouthes of ſlandrous adverſaries; to cure jealouſies of diſtempred minds, we all are ready in every Proteſtant Church, to give men a full account of our faith, in plaine confeſſion: but with this proteſtation, that onely that the holy ſcriptures is the rule of faith: if any thing in our confeſſion, be found diſagreeable to that rule, we are ready when we underſtand ſo much, to diſowne it, and to Correct it.

Anſ. How do you ſtop their mouthes in haling them before Magiſtrates, and caſting them in priſons, is this your ſtopping? is not this your worke? let the Goales witneſſe, the houſes of correction witneſſe how you have ſtopped their mouths, and convinced gain-ſayers, now that which is truth and ſpeakes plainly to you, ye call that adverſaries or ſlanderers. Now it is not a ſlander to call a Lamb, a Lamb, a Dog, a Dog, or Swine, Swine; But to ſay a Lamb is a Swine, a Dog is a Sheep, that is a lye; or a Wolfe is a Sheep, though he hath got on a ſheeps cloathing on him, and is covered with them, and therefore would be called a ſheep that he may deceive; and would not be called a Wolfe, though his fruits declare it. His reviling, devouring, having ſheeps cloathing, caſting into Priſon, and yet is offended if ye call him not a ſheep, or a Miniſter of the Goſpel of Chriſt.

Nay the truth, the Lambs, the Sheep cannot do ſo, but they muſt ſpeak the truth to you; and though you do devour them, and tear them, they will not tear you again: And though you Wolves have on the ſheeps cloathing, which caſt into priſon becauſe they will not feed you. Did ever the Lambs do ſo, the Miniſters of Chriſt? Were not they fed in his paſture? followed him, and knew his voyce, and did not want? But how have you cured the jealouſies and diſeaſed mindes all this while? Yee have wounded them, made them ſick, and filled them full of jealouſies; therefore are the people broken into heaps and ſects, that's the fruit of jealouſies one of another. And how have you been ready, you called Teachers, apoſtatized from the Apoſtles, to render to every Proteſtant Church a full account of your faith in plain confeſſion, when many hundreds have been moved of the Lord God to come in thoſe places called Churches, and asked you a queſtion, cry take him away Mngiſtrate, to priſon with him, he hath broken the Law, neighbours? and this hath ſhewed your faithleſneſſe: And many have been moved to come to the Steeple-houſe, and look the Prieſt in the face, and he hath cryed take him away, I cannot go forward, I cannot ſpeak as long as he ſtands there; and here you have ſhewed your faithleſneſs again, wanting the weapons, the ſhield of faith.

But you ſay again, they muſt own the holy Scriptures to be the rule of faith: So then not Chriſt, not God the Author. What rule might Abraham, and Abel, and Enoch own, was not God the author of their faith? And is he not the ſame now? Had not the Phariſees the Scriptures? had not they the rule that ſtood againſt Chriſt the Faiths Author, and the rule which the Saints looked at? Are not they that are of faith, of the faith of Abraham, which was before Scripture was written? Is the Scripture the ground of theſe? Nay, the ground of this is that which was before Scripture was written, and they were in the faith that ſtood in God that gave it forth, and the Scriptures; and ſo here you be corrected by the Scriptures, and your Churches both. For all may ſpeak one by one in the true Church; but this authority you have thrown down, who are ſuch as preach for the fleece, and the filthy lucre, and gain from their Quarters, called of men Maſters, ſuing for Tythes, going to Law about earthly things, which did not the Apoſtles, but rebuked ſuch: And ſo you are corrected by the Scriptures, and you are judged with the life of the Prophets, Chriſt, and the Apoſtles, and both Church and Miniſters are departed from it.

The agreement and reſolution of ſeverall of the aſſociated Miniſters in the County of CORKE, for the ordination of MINISTERS. Their principles in it as followeth.

Pr. TO miniſter the ſpirit it is not promiſed to teach any thing, but what Chriſt hath ſpoken. John makes it an infallible tryall of ſpirits, to convince gainſayers, and ſtop their mouths.

Anſw. Many may have Chriſts words, all that ever he hath ſpoken; and if he hath not the ſpirit of Chriſt, he is none of his: And gainſayers may have Chriſts words, that gainſays the ſpirit, and the light that comes from them: So the ſpirit tries ſpirits that gave forth Scriptures, and lets men ſee whether they pervert Chriſts words; for Chriſt ſaith, the falſe Prophets would get the ſheeps cloathing, therefore could Antichriſt and the falſe Prophets try ſpirits. Nay, they put them to death that were in the ſpirit, they did, that had the ſheeps cloathing; and the ſpirit of Chriſt, who hath it, can tell who wrongs Chriſts words: And why did not the Miniſters of Ireland which had Chriſts words, Prophets & Apoſtles, ſtop the mouth of Edward Burrough, and Francis Howgill, but ſuffered them to be baniſhed out of the Nation, or cauſed them: You looked upon them to be gainſayers, which be the ſervants ot the Lord; and yet you were not able to ſtop their mouths, though you had all the ſheeps cloathing, neither were able to reſiſt their ſpirit which ſhews your ſpirit; And that you are not fit to ſend forth Miniſters, nor make Miniſters, nor try Miniſters; and the Apoſtle doth not ſay, that the Letter is the onely rule or tryall; but if people have not the ſpirit of Chriſt, they are none of his, and have not Chriſt in them, they are reprobates. And we do witneſſe the ſpirit is come, whereby we are Miniſters of that, not of the Letter: For the ſpirit that once eſtabliſhed Circumciſion, the ſame ſpirit ended it again. Now the Jewes that tryed by the Letter, judged the Apoſtle to be a deceiver. And thoſe that have the ſheeps cloathing, and have not the ſpirit of Chriſt Jeſus, they are crying loe he is here, and loe he is there.

Pr. You tell us of a Sacrament, and that the world lies in wickedneſs, in groſſe Aegyptian darkneſſe, and falſe Apoſtles and Jezebel, making her ſelfe a Propheteſs to teach and ſeduce, and men loving preheminence, and to be called Maſters.

Anſw. In this ſtate you are called of men Maſters, loving preheminence, Jezebel-like, uſurpt authority, ſetting up your ſelves to teach, keeping your faſts, perſecuting and baniſhing the righteous in the ſteps of the falſe Apoſtles, ſpirituall Aegypt in groſſe thick darkneſſe, rejoycing with the world that lyes in wickedneſſe, telling people of your Sacraments, which you had from your Father the Pope, and the falſe Apoſtles your fore-fathers, who were got up before the Apoſtles deceaſe, and ſo you are judged with the life of the Apoſtles and Chriſt, and them that be in it; which ſhall anſwer the witneſſe of God in you all. And the wickedneſſe of the world declares your fruits, that you have not profitted the people at all. And your Iezebels doings hath declared it ſelfe, and your loving preheminence, being called of men maſters, which the Apoſtle judged, and Chriſt cryed woe againſt. Theſe marks are found in your fore-heads, that all may read you to be out of the life of Chriſt and the Apoſtles, that can read Scripture.

Pr. Ʋnleſſe ſome Preacher of righteouſneſſe be then living to warne the ſinfull world of their wickedneſſe.

Anſw. Such as warne you and the ſinfull world of their wickedneſſe, who are the Preachers of righteouſnes, you baniſh, there is your fruits.

Pr. The pureſt grain hath its chaffe, the beſt needs a fan to cleanſe them, the beſt needs a Nathan, all fleſh is liable to flie-blows. To runne without office and power argues preſumption.

Anſ. The wheat that is gotten out of the chaffe, hath not its chaffe, that comes into his Garner: And ſuch as are cleanſed, need not the Fan to cleanſe them. Them that are borne of God they do not commit ſinne, for the ſeed of God remains in them, that they cannot. And all need not a Nathan, all are not adulterers, and the fleſh of Chriſt is not fly-blown, which ſees not corruption: And the Saints of Chriſt are of his fleſh and his bone; and you run without the power that the Apoſtles were in, ſo you judge your ſelves to be the preſumptuous ones.

Pr. The keep are apt to wander, ordinary Miniſters receive their Miniſtery from the Lord. Paul choſen immediately by God, Stephen mediately.

Anſw. In the cloudy dark day the ſheep wandered, who were made a prey of by you who ſeek for the fleece, Ezek. 34. But the Lord will ſeek them, and gather them, and feed them a top of the mountains; And the ſheep of Chriſt heares his voyce, and follows him, ſo ſaith Chriſt, ſo they do not wander. And they that receive their Miniſtery from the Lord, are above all you ordinary Miniſters of the world made by men. And Paul was made immediately, and all the Miniſters of Chriſt and God that be in the ſpirit, it makes them immediately; But all you ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles that have got the ſheeps cloathing, and ravened from the ſpirit of God, are mediate.

Pr. Such be in the ſelfe-conceit that are againſt Ordinances and Sabbaths.

Anſw. Every one that is in the ſpirit of Chriſt ſees him who hath blotted out the hand writing of Ordinances, and triumphed over them, cannot touch them, and ſuch as are come to the body of Chriſt, ſees the end of new Moons and Sabbaths. And ſuch as be out of the body, and doth not ſee that, are crying up their Ordinances and Sabbath, which the body of Chriſt comes to end, who is the ſubſtance and end of them, and before they were. Now Antichriſt cries up that which the Apoſtle preached down, who be blinde and ſees not the body, and ſets up Sabbaths of their own making, and keeps Markets and Fayrs on that day, which the Lord commanded, and call it Saturns day, which was the Iewes Sabbath, which was given to them as a ſigne, but the body is Chriſt.

Pr. Vice may be nouriſhed with the milke of vertue, the Goſpell Miniſters; and we finde that the harveſt is great, and the labourers are few: We conclude with a few words to the readers of our principles and intended practices.

Anſ. The Readers have viewed your practices and principles both, and tell you that they are corrupt, the milke of vertue doth not nouriſh vice. This was not the Miniſters of Chriſts language; the milke of vertue nouriſheth the babes; and the Labourers that have been ſent amongſt you from the Lord God, you have baniſhed out of your Nation: But if one come in his own name, him you, will regard and receive; but if one come in the Name of the Lord, him you put out; ſo you will not have the Lord, nor his Chriſt to reign, neither his ſervants to labour in his Vineyard.

Pr. Ministery is like a mighty tree, whoſe fruit the Lord hath appointed for the healing of the Nations.

Anſw. But your Miniſters and the Papiſts hath been them got up ſince the days of the Apoſtles, that brings Nations all into heaps, and into blood, and doth not heale the Nations, but wounds, and burthens, and kills, and caſts into priſon, as this your fruit declares it, who caſts into priſon ſuch as you doe no work for.

Pr. To the Law and to the Testimony, pray to the Father of lights that he would enlighten us with his truth, and ſhew us the way that he would have us to walke in; and pray for us who watch for your ſoules, as thoſe that muſt give account.

Anſw. The teſtimony of Jeſus is the ſpirit of prophecy: And the Law is light; and the Law and Teſtimony was before Matthew, Marke, Luke and Iohn, and the Epiſtles were written, and the Revelations, which outward Books you call Law and Teſtimony; which the Scripture ſaith, the testimony of Ieſus is the ſpirit of propheſie; and the Law is light, Prov. 6. Are you them that are the makers of Miniſters, and Miniſters, who watch for the ſoules of people, and yet do you bid people pray to the Father that he would enlighten you with his truth, and ſhew you the way that you may walke in it? How can you preſent ſoules to God, that doth not know the way, and are yet to be enlightned, and yet to have the way ſhewed ſo you, that you might walke in it? Is this your concluſion of all you Miniſters in Ireland? Now I ſay, Chriſt hath enlightned every man which comes into the world, which is the way, and though your darkneſſe cannot comprehend it, and yet you pray that he would enlighten you. When John ſaith, he doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and that is the true light: Have you the light to ſeek, and the way to ſeek, and truth to ſeek, and yet watchers for ſouls? And the ſoule, you that are called Miniſters ſaith it is humane; yea, the ſoule of Chriſt, the ſoule of man is appetite, and luſt, and pleaſure, and humane, from the earth, from the ground; Is Chriſts ſoule from the ground? and appetite, luſt, and pleaſure wars againſt the ſoul, in them that be in the unreaſonableneſſe. You that have the light to ſeek, truth to ſeek, and way to ſeek, are in the earth, and ſo gives the ſoule the name of that which comes from the ground. Now the ſoule is immortall; God breathed into man the breath of life, and he became a living ſoule. It is that which came out from God, who hath all ſouls in his hand, that's his power; which hand goes againſt him that doth evill. And Chriſt the power of God which is immortall, is the ſouls Biſhop, which is immortall, from whence it hath its nouriſhment, and the immortall, which is able to ſave the immortal ſoul.

And as for all the reſt of your ignorance and non-ſence in your Book, which comes from your confuſed earthly ſpirit, who are found in the nature, ſpirit and ſtock of your Father the Pope, who hath apoſtatized ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles; with all the reſt of your ſtuffe, which is but fuel for the fire, in that day of your account, the witneſſe in all your conſciences ſhall anſwer it.

John Stillom, his Book called, Margent Notes. His Principles as followeth.

Pr. HEe calls it the Quakers adoring their own light, magnifying the light of nature: The Church is aſhamed of your doctrine and walking, ſaith he.

Anſ. The Quakers light is Chriſt the truth, in whom they worſhip God; which light was before naturall lights were; and this the Church owns, and is not aſhamed of, in which ſtands the Doctrine, by which light the Church is gathered up unto God the Father of light; but the imitated Churches in the Apoſtacy are aſhamed of it.

Pr. Not any man knows him, ſpeaking of Chriſt to be God, till he finde him in Scripture, and ſaith, as deep things as the ſpirit hath revealed, they are all in the Scripture.

Anſ. Many knew God, and knew Chriſt, and yet had not written Scripture to tell them of thoſe things, as Enoch and Abel; and many again hath Scripture ſpeaking of God and Chriſt, and yet doth not know God and Chriſt, and doth not finde him in Scripture: As inſtance, the Phariſees knew not God and Chriſt which had the Scripture, and had not life, untill they came to Chriſt the Scripture ſpeaks of and many things the ſpirit did reveal which was not written in the Scriptures, and was ſpoken to the Saints.

Pr. John meaneth not that there was any ſubſtantiall truth neceſſary to be known to ſalvation, which is not revealed in the written Word; but the ſpirit that ordered the Copies and myſteries of the Goſpell to be contracted within a narrow compaſs of lines.

Anſw. Many knew their ſalvation as in the dayes of Noah, Enoch and David which had not the written Scriptures: And though people have the Copies that ſpeaks of the Goſpel, of the myſteries of the Goſpel put together, and compaſſed and contracted into lines, yet they do not know the Goſpell, nor the myſteries of it, nor the Word, though they teſtifie of theſe things; and the Phariſees did not that had Scripture; which Scripture doth not tell us of written words, but that the Word is Chriſt and God, which was in the beginning before words were given forth; And Goſpell and ſalvation, and the myſteries of it is known by the Spirit and the Light which come from Chriſt Jeſus, which none knows it, but by that.

Pr. Stillom adds, not onely heart riſing propheſie, n r breaſt-propheſie in the minde, but written downe in books. The Apoſtle excludes not heart-propheſie, ſo he includes Scripture-propheſie; but till the day-ſtar did ariſe in their mindes by the reading and heeding of the Scriptures, that is plain meaning.

Anſw. The Scriptures were given forth by propheſie, and the ſpirit of it, and no man knows but by the ſame ſpirit; and the Apoſtle did not exclude heart-propheſie; and the Day-ſtar doth not riſe in the heart by mens reading and heeding the Scriptures in their own wills, and having them in books written down; but as men do come to the life and ſpirit as they were in that gave them forth, and heed that, with that they heed Scripture, and knows Scripture, and with that they know the Day-ſtar, and Chriſt who is the end of them; and ſo men muſt come to take heed of the light that ſhines in a dark place, before they know the Day-ſtar ariſe: For the Jewes had Scripture, and did not heed that; for the ſpirit within of propheſie doth not deny any tittle of the Scripture without: And in thy Principle thou haſt confounded thy ſelfe, who ſaith, Not heart-propheſie, heart-riſing, breaſt-propheſie; and yet thou ſayeſt the Apoſtle doth not exclude heart-propheſie. And thus thou with new names, and thy words darkens counſell and knowledge; but the children of light with truth ſees thee.

Pr. The Father, Word and ſpirit is to juſtifie the word Trinity, not to make the holy Spirit and the Saints one perſon.

Anſw. The word Trinity is not in the ſcripture, but in your old Fathers book, the Canon book, the Pope; and the Father, Son, and Spirit are one, and the Saints are in the ſpirit; and who are joyned to the Lord, are one ſpirit. And the Scripture doth not tell us of three perſons; but as I ſaid before, the old Cannon book of thy Fathers, the great Apoſtate, the Pope.

Pr. The light that Adam was qualified with before the Fall, which every man hath a ſparke of ſince the fall, was and is given from the Creation by things that are made.

Anſw. The light Adam had before the Fall, did not come by the Creation, nor by the things that are made; If it were given from the Creation, it comes by nature. This word is contrary to Scripture; for God made man in his image, and placed him over all the creatures, and gave him an underſtanding capable of his Law, and to know dominion; but when man loſt his dommion, he tranſgreſſed his Law; and that light that he had before the fall, was of God, from him that made all things.

Pr. The Scripture is the meanes of regeneration. If the blinde lead the blinde, what will follow? it is proof ſufficient againſt abſolute perfection in this life, as Adam and the Angels.

Anſw. The Scriptures, them that had them, and out of the life that gave them forth were the blinde, and what followed then: And though Adam and the Angels fell; who is in Chriſt the perfection of God, he ſhall never fall, as alſo ſaith the Apoſtle.

Pr. He ſaith, It is ignorance that ſaith, the light that makes manifeſt ſinne, condemns ſin.

Anſw. That which makes, manifeſt a mans ſinne, and, he hates it, that condemns him; And he is ignorant that ſees not Chriſts doctrine, and believes not in it.

Pr. To deny that ſinne dwelleth or remaineth in all the Saints upon earth, hath been the Quakers doctrine, the conſequence whereof is to diſclaim all godly ſorrow for ſin dwelling in them.

Anſw. It is the Quakers Doctrine to deny all ſinne dwelling in the Saints upon the earth, and to know Chriſt who deſtroys the Devill the author of all ſin, and the Saints comes to witneſſe their joy and pleaſures for evermore over their ſin, and the body of it put off, and a Kingdome which ſtands in joy and peace in the holy Ghoſt, and the godly ſorrow, before they come to this; and they do know victory over their ſin, and Chriſt he had the godly ſorrow, who had no ſin, and that many of the Saints knows.

Pr. His Word is not his ſpirit.

Anſ. The Word and the Spirit are one, which was before the written words were declared forth, in which word they all end, given forth by the ſpirit of God; and the Word lives and abides, and endures for ever, and that is ſpirituall; And ſo the myſtery of Iniquity is found in thy Doctrine who art blinde, and reads blindly, not with the ſpirit which was in them that gave gave forth Scriptures. And ſo thou art found a falſe Prophet in the ſteps of the Phariſees, one of the Maſters that Chriſt ſets the woe on their heads, who art ravening with the ſheeps cloathing upon thy back to deceive; but now the Lambs and the Sheep have diſcovered thee, who is got up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles into their words, not into their life, with that judged. And whereas thou art offended, becauſe Edward Burrough ſpeaks Chapter and Verſe, the ſpirit that gave forth Scriptures will lead to ſpeak it all over again without offence, but to the evill doers.

Pr. And if your teacher cannot but be publique, how will you finde him in ſo private a place as your beds?

Anſw. The ſpirit that leads to ſpeake forth publiquely, or to miniſter to themſelves and others, the ſame is a private Teacher to them on their beds, as he did David, whom the Lord inſtructed in the night ſeaſon: And that which the Miniſter of the Spirit doth miniſter unto, is a private Teacher to every particular in his owne particular. And the annoynting which abideth in people, John ſaith, was their Teacher, and they need no man to teach them, but as it did teach them, and they ſhould continue in the Son of God and the Father. And here was publique teaching and private, which thou blind canſt not ſee.

And as for all thy lyes and heap of confuſion ſhall upon thy head ſtand, which thou wouldſt blinde people withall; For the Son is riſen, and the miſt is gone, and going; in the day of thy judgement, the witneſſe in thy conſcience ſhall anſwer.

Philip Taverner of Weſt Drayton, in the County of Middleſex, his Principles as follows, in a Reply to to a Book to Edward Burrough, whom he in ſcorn calls QƲAKER.

Pr. WHo art thou that judgeſt another mans ſervant, ſuch who Lord it over the faith and conſciences of their brethren, a ſpirit wholly diſowned by the Apoſtle. Not that we have dominion over your faith, and in this ſin is that of Chriſt to be underſtood. Call no man your Father upon earth, neither be you called of men Maſter; that is, have no mens perſons in admiration, as to count them your Oracles in the things of faith.

Anſ. Such as ſerve the man of ſin, are to be judged that are the ſervants of ſin, that hath been ſervant to the man of ſin. We judge that man & ſervant both, and ſuch as are ſpoken of in the Romans, to judge another mans ſervant in the truth, ſtanding and falling to his Maſter, every one in his meaſure, ſuch we do not judge; but every one ſhall ſtand or fall to his Maſter, who are ſcrupling about meates, and drinkes, and dayes, that the life is leading them through ſuch things, and you that be called of men Maſter, its a great Oracle amongſt the people ſo counted, and you do both Lord it over mens faiths and conſciences both, therefore hath ſo much blood been ſhed through you, and ſo many caſt into priſon by you who are Lording it over mens faiths and conſciences, Phariſee-like called of men Maſter, who would have dominion over the Apoſtles faith, as you who are called of men Maſter, would have dominion over the Saints faith, who are admiring mens perſons becauſe of advantage, to help you. And this people ſee ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, how you and the Papiſt have Lorded it over mens faiths, your Jayles, inquiſition and priſons may witnes it, how you would Lord it over mens faith, and conſcience that cannot give you Tythes, you will caſt them into priſon, are you not here Lording it over mens faiths? doth not your practices ſhew it, and ſo another ſpirit then the Apoſtles that is in you, who are got up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, and ſuch as are born of God and begotten of him cannot call any man father upon the Earth, which is born of the immortal ſeed, heirs of the world which hath no end.

Pr. We through patience and comfort of the Scriptures have hope.

Anſw. Who hath Chriſt in him, in whom the Scriptures ends, and he hath the hope hath the comfort of the Scriptures, who was before the Scriptures was given forth, Chriſt Jeſus, who hath not him, hath not comfort.

Pr. The Scriptures is able to make wiſe unto ſalvation.

Anſw. Not without the faith the Scriptures are not, for the Phariſees had Scriptures, and was not wiſe unto ſalvation, and was out of the faith, and knew not Chriſt the ſalvation.

Pr. Fear hath its rice from faith and hope in God, by the means of Chriſt which is made known in the Scriptures.

Anſw. The Scriptures teſtifie of faith, of God, of fear; but people receive not hope, nor faith, nor God, nor fear, from the Scriptures, but from God, as they did that gave forth the Scriptures, who feared him; for many that had Scriptures, were out of the true fear of the Lord, and called Chriſt a devil, and was from true hope and true fear, though they had the Scriptures given forth from them that were in hope and fear, but their ears and eyes was ſtopped to that of God in them, and ſuch are never like to receive God and Chriſt until their ears and eyes be open, to that of God in them.

Pr. If we ſay we have no ſin we deceive our ſelves, and the truth is not in us, and there is not a juſt man upon earth that doth good and ſinneth not, and in many things we offend all, and the state is not attained in this life, but that men ſhall be growing under weakneſſes, the highest attainments of Saints, is but a ſpark, but the dawning of the day, that highest enjoyments is not to the attainment of deſires.

Anſw. The truth it is that lets men ſee they have ſinned, and lets them ſee they have ſin, that is within them, and it brings them to confeſſe it, and forſake it, and the blood of Jeſus Chriſt, the Son of God, cleanſeth from all ſin, then he that is born of God doth not commit ſin, neither can he, becauſe the ſeed of God remains in him, here in the children of God are manifeſt, and the children of the Devil, which makes him to roar, in whom he hath no habitation, he that is born of God which doth not commit ſin, nor cannot, becauſe he is born of God, he is not born of the Devil, nor by the will of man, nor fleſh nor blood. And Solomon ſaith, in Eccleſ. 7. ſpeaking to the juſt man, that doth no good under the Law, where no fleſh is juſtified, ſaith the Apoſtle, but he that comes to Chriſt, the juſt, the end of the Law, his faith gives him victory over ſin; and the word, whereby he becomes dead to it, and comes to the end of the Law, which faith the juſt lives by, by the life, and the faith of the Son of God, & the Apoſtle ſaith in the Epiſtle to the twelve Tribes, in many things we offend all, Mark, in the many things, we offend all, but we are come to the one thing, Chriſt Jeſus, the end of the many things and in him there is no ſin. And who is in him ſins not who put an end to the many things that muſt end and change, and the Saints was come to the day, and the children of the day, further then a ſpark; And they witneſſed the night was gone, and ſome again was not come to the day-Star, that was according to their growth. And the Saints again was made free from ſin, Rom. 6. And had put off the body of ſin, by the Circumciſion of the ſpirit, Coloſ. 2. And they was compleat in Chriſt, and they witneſſed the Kingdom of heaven, that ſtood in joy, and peace in the Holy Ghoſt, and ſo not groaning alwayes, and the Saints witneſſed the Marriage of the Lamb and Chriſt in them, and their bodies the Temple of God, and the end of their deſires, and ſo was not alwayes deſiring, but they witneſſed their bread from above, which they that eat of it, ſhould hunger no more, nor thirſt no more.

Pr. The Light which is in every man is but darkneſs, being compared with a Revelation of Chriſt in the Saints, our Juſtification hath its riſe from what Chriſt hath done and ſuffered for us, not from what he hath done in us, Juſtification and Sanctification are ever diſtinct in their nature, diſtinct one from the other, Juſtification is not Sanctification, nor Sanctification Juſtification, but two things real diſtinct in their nature.

Anſw. The light which every man that cometh into the world is lightned withall, is Chriſt, and this light reveals Chriſt, and the Saints light, and this light is condemnation to the world which hates it. And no man knoweth juſtification, but as he knoweth it wrought within, from Chriſt, and no man knowes the ſeed that was offered, the ſacrifice of the whole world, but as he knowes it within, through the faith, and who are of the faith they are of Abraham, they are of the fleſh of Chriſt, the fleſh of him that ſuffered, and if men have not Chriſt within them, they have not juſtification, and though they may talk of him without, and have him not within, ſuch are reprobates, that hath not Chriſt within them, reprobate from Chriſt, from juſtification and ſanctification both, but are of the generation that cauſed him to ſuffer, and juſtification and ſanctification are one, not diſtinguiſhed the one from the other in their natures, but are one in nature, not two things really diſtinct in their nature, but really one, for Chriſt our ſanctification, and juſtification, he that ſanctifies and juſtifies, they are one in nature, which is Chriſt, which is ſanctification and juſtification both, and thou art rebuked which makes two of them, and diſtinct, when its but one thing, the ſame that juſtifies, ſanctifies.

Pr. If the fulfilling of the righteous Law in us be Juſtification, then Chriſt died in vain, Juſtification is the direct oppoſite to condemnation, that which makes a change in the heart of the creature, is ſanctification and juſtification, faith doth not ſave nor juſtifie by vertue of any worth or excellencie found in it, nor merely becauſe Chriſt is the object of it.

Anſ. He that fulfills the righteouſneſs of the Law in us, is Chriſt the juſtification hereby men come to know him, that he redeems them from under the Law, and they are led by the ſpirit; And they know he is their interceſſion, and died not in vain: and he ends the Law, who fulfills it. And he is the juſtification to every one that believes. And this is known in us, that do believe to the juſtification of it, whereby a tittle of it is ſeen not to be broken, whereby the body of Chriſt is ſeen, which makes free from the Law, and Chriſt is the light that condemns him that hates it, that will not come to it becauſe his deeds are evil, nor believe in it, and that is the condemnation of the world, that light is come into it, and men love darkneſs rather then light, becauſe their deeds are evil. And he that believes in the light is juſtified from all things that the law could not juſtifie him, and comes not into condemnation, but lives in that which doth condemn; ſo theſe are one, and not directly oppoſite, that doth condemn the unbeliever, and juſtifie the believer. And people are ſaved through faith, and juſtified; and faith is the gift of God, and there is an excellency in it, and a worth, becauſe it comes from Chriſt, and God who is the Author of it, in which faith men pleaſe God, and are juſtified and are ſaved through faith, and by faith, as the Scripture witneſſeth.

Pr. Faith doth not ſave nor juſtifie by its vertue, but of the gracious good pleaſure of God which hath appointed faith.

Anſw. That which God hath given to men which is his gift, in that faith there is vertue, and the grace is known with which men are juſtified and ſaved, and there is vertue in the gift of God, and ſo through this faith he knowes the purpoſe of the Lord, and his counſel, and Chriſt is the Author of this faith, and no man is juſtified but through faith that is received, nor wiſe unto ſalvation, but through faith in Chriſt Jeſus.

Pr. The Miniſters in England in many places, are no better then Wolves in ſheeps cloathing, and the miniſters taking what the States allowes them of particular perſons, this is not preaching for hire, divining for money.

Anſ. The Miniſters which are ſo called, in England, hath gotten the name, but are found the Miniſters of unrighteouſneſſe, and are wolves indeed in ſheeps cloathing, out of the lives of the Apoſtles; for how are they tearing the lambs before courts and into priſons for ſpeaking to them whom they doe no work for? what greedy dumb dogs are theſe, how do they whorry the people? and where is there any one of them, if the people doth not put into his mouth, that hath the ſheeps cloathing, but he will teare them into his courts and dens, his priſons; how unlike the Apoſtle are theſe who would not uſe his power o ten times to eate, and thy ſelfe is found in the number of them; and doth not the States and particular men ſet you out ſo much a year for your preaching? and is not this preaching for hire, and divining for money? doe you not know how much a year you muſt have? and is not this preaching for hire? and if they doe not give you money, you will not divine, ſo much a yeare, and yet will you make people believe that you are not diviners for mony, and preachers for hire? alack for yee, you cannot be hid, and are not you here judged with the life of Chriſt and his Apoſtles to be the hirelings that will fly? whoſe ſheep are none of your owne, that care not for the ſheep, except you make a prey upon them, to all people who are in the feare of God; your lives are diſcovered contrary to the Saints, let the ſtates and the great men take away your maintenance, and we ſhall find but a few diggers, threſhers, and planters among you, a company of idle men; ſo the judgement of the Apoſtle is come upon yon, that thoſe that would not work, ſhould not eate.

Pr. Christ made uſe of the Scriptures to reſiſt the devill.

Anſ. In Chriſt the ſcripture ends, and the Devill who was out of the ſcriptures, left out of the ſcriptures, ſo Chriſt bruiſed his head, who was before ſcripture was; and as for all the reſt of thy ſtuff in thy book, it is not worth mentioning, and it will come upon thy own head, the witneſſe in thy conſcience ſhall anſwer it.

Edward Skip Teacher, who ſaid that he is a ſervant in the Goſpel ſervices, his book called the Worlds wonder, in it his principles, as followeth.

Pr. WHo ſaith there ſhall be falſe Chriſts, and falſe Prophets, and ſhall ſhew you great ſignes and wonders, in ſo much, if it were poſſible they ſhould deceive the very Elect.

Anſ. Chriſt ſaith falſe Prophets ſhould come, Mat. 7.24. and John ſaw they were come, 1 Iohn 2, and 4. cap. they went forth from them, in the Rev. all that dwelt upon the earth went after them, and when they had gotten a heads they killed the Saints, then power was given to the beaſt over all tongues, Kindreds and Nations, and that which whored from the ſpirit of God, ſat upon the beaſt, and all Nations drunk of her cup, and ſhe hath corrupted the earth, and made the inhabitants drunke, and the Kings of the earth hath committed fornication with her, and the woman fled into the wilderneſſe, and the man-child caught up unto God, and ſhe ſits upon the waters, and the waters are people, and nations, and multitudes, and tongues, and there hath been the myſtery of Babylon, with all their merchandize, which hath decayed the nations by their lying ſignes and wonders, and again the Judgement of the great Whore •• ould come, the man-child ſhould be brought forth into the world to rule the nations with a rod of Iron, and ſhee ſhould be taken and caſt into the fire, who hath ſat as a Queen, and had ſeen no ſorrow, and the beaſt ſhould be taken, and with him the falſe prophets that ſets up the lying ſignes and wonders, and wi •• him the devill that deceived the Nations, the man of ſin, that the Apoſtles ſaw coming up before his diſeaſe, in the Theſsal. Theſe ſhould be taken and caſt alive into the fire, and the lamb and the Saints ſhall have the victory, that they ſhould deceive the nations no more, for the elect it is impoſſible they ſhould deceive with all their lying ſignes and wonders which they have got up ſince the daies of the Apoſtles; And Chriſt ſaid they ſhould come, which the Diſciples ſaw was come before their deceaſe, which ſignes the world hath been after them, which hath not been poſſible to deceive the Elect; for the El ct over all that, Reignes, for Chriſt ſaid they ſhould come, to his Deſciples, which deſciples before their deeaſe did ſee he was come, amongſt whom thou art found, and over thee and them, now hath the lamb and Saints victory, and the Tabernacle of God is with men.

Pr. I have preſented to thee my New-yeares gift, and deſire thy judgement towards it to me. And thou ſaiſt, The Lord who hath delivered thy ſoul from under thoſe obſervances that thou mights ſtay and direct an unſtabled ſoule of thoſe horrible deluſions and myſterious deceits, for falſe Apoſtles, tranſlating themſelves into Apoſtles of Chriſt, deceitfull workers, and Satans Miniſters, transforming into the Miniſters of Righteouſneſse.

Anſw. In this thou art among the falſe Apoſtles and miniſters of unrighteouſneſs, deceitful workers, falſe Apoſtles, transforming your ſelves into the Apoſtles and Chriſts words, and miniſter of unrighteouſneſſe, transforming your ſelves into the true miniſters words, whoſe ſoules is under the horrible deluſions and miſterious deceits, under the obſervances o the world, who would beguile the ſoule, that is not ſtabliſhed, but light is broke forth, that few you can deceive, and thy New-years gift is judged, and proceeds from Cain, and is his ſacrifice from the earth, for t e Apoſtles ſaw ſuch as was transforming into the falſe Apoſtles and falſe miniſters, he brings the ſaints to the light that ſhined in their hearts, to give them the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt Jeſus, which you deny; to the falſe transformed into their words, and judged with their ſpirit, which brought people to the light within, and you bring them from it, ſo from that which ſhould give them the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chri •• Jeſus.

Pr. The Devil is called the Prince of darkneſſe becauſe he lives in the darkneſſe, as to the apprehention of divine love, an enemy to all the Image of God, which is light and purity, and the devil transformed himſelfe into the likeneſſe of God, under a faire pretence, heavenly words, ſelfe-denyall actions, righteous converſations.

Anſw. This is like your fruits, who hath deceived the people, but is your divine love to the devill, who is out of truth? doth not Chriſt come to deſtroy him, and his works, and there is none that can apprehend the divine love of God, but who be in the truth? And the Devill cannot transforme himſelf to be like God, not in his image nor in his righteouſneſſe, that is out of truth, and his converſation that is out of truth is altogether unrighteous, and is but in the pretence of ſelfe- enyal , but is not the thing, though he and you may get the words that be heavenly, and ſtands againſt the light and Image of God, and purity it ſelfe, for all you be of the devil that doth deny the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, for you come not into the truth which the devill is out of, nor into the pure converſation which is in heaven, and purity.

Pr. Thou ſaiſt, Thou haſt many occaſions offered by the Quakers upon thy poor weake and ſinfull heart; the Lord hath filled my heart with moderation in giving my own once uncomfortable experiences.

Anſ. We believe thee, that thy heart is weak and ſinfull, and a weak and ſinfull heart, is not filled with moderation, and thy experiences which are uncomfortable, are not the experiences of the Saints, for the Saints experiences are comfortable, and their heart is a pure heart, that is filled with moderation, and the Quakers will torment all ſinfull and corrupt hearts, for ſuch the Lord is againſt, and ſo be his Saints; not to take his words into their mouthes.

Pr. Thou ſaiſt, Thou hateſt hypocriſie when thou liveſt in the light, life and power of the firſt Adam, and becauſe the Quakers ſay they know my conſcience better then my ſelf, I ſee they are acted through deluſion; I am able to to ſpeak this truth from my own heart, which is better known to me. I do know that a naturall man may make a large progreſſe in the Goſpel profeſſion and converſation, and that which the Quakers call back-ſliding, is my turning to my God.

Anſ. In the light, and life, and power of the firſt Adam, as he was in the beginning, thou art not, in which he was in before the fall, and the Apoſtles knew the ſtate and condition of Jewes and Gentiles and people, better then they did themſelves, and ſo doth the Quake s that be in their ſpirit, and this is not deluſion, and thy owne heart, yet thou doſt not know as thou oughts nor the truth, but firſt thou muſt come to the light that doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, which is the truth, and a naturall man doth not make a progreſſe into the Goſpell, nor doth not come into the converſation of it, whilſt he lives in the naturall eſtate; and thy God thou art turned too, which is the God of the world, as all hirelings and diviners for money, and teachers for filthy lucre did that went forth from the ſpirit of the Apoſtles, and prophets, and Chriſt, and back-ſlided from them, and ſo went from the true God, and thou ſerves the God of the world for love of thy benefice, and ſee if thou will not look upward, and downeward, and curſe thy God.

Pr. I would have all the world to obſerve how that the Quakers that Anti-Chriſt hath caſt that blindneſſe upon their underſtandings, for their reproving men ſharply, and rebukeing them, crying woe to the hypocrites, its the devils policy to keep cloſe to the ſcriptures. I uſed arguments to people to look for the glorious way, and diſcovery of the divine light and power to be brought forth among all the children of the moſt high, O myſtery, Babylon of this deluſion.

Anſ. Hears thy confeſſion, for the ſpirit of God, where it is, doth rebuke, reprove ſharplie, and tell them that are hypocrites, the woe is to them, and the Quakers ante-chriſt cannot blind them, they are come from under his power and authority, but you are them that cannot feare reproof; and the Lord may ſend a man as he did Philip to ſuch a place, and he not know what he ſhall do, nor whom he ſhall ſpeak to, till he come to ſuch a place, and the devil is out of the life that gave forth ſcriptures, though he and you may pervert the words, who may get them, but not own them as they ſpeak, and thou calls good evill, and evill good, for the children of the moſt high doth waite for the moſt glorious diſcovery of divine light and power, which deluſion and myſtery Babylon is out of, and ſo the Quakers is come to that which ante-chriſt is ravened from, with that they comprehend him.

Pr. And thou ſaiſt, Theſe people that thou calleſt the Quakers, will ſend moſt rayling accuſations againſt the pillars of the Chu ch of Chriſt.

Anſ. That is falſe, but antichriſts Church and his pillars, which are waters, which you call tongues, which is your originall, that Iohn calls waters, the Quakers do judge according to truth, and declare it in full power and majeſty, and can make it good, which you call rayling, which they deny, for a company of greedy drumb dogs can never have enough, that will priſon and peſecute men till death, for ſpeaking to them, and for meanes, ſuch as are apoſtatized from the true church, and is a falſe Church, who hath transformed themſelves into the true Churchs words, but now the true Church hath diſcovered you to be the falſe apoſtatized from the true, and reigned ſince the daies of the Apoſtles.

Pr. I ſee no conviction the Quakers hath wrote by their ſpeaking, or any ſubjection of fear, or love or any ſuch thing wrought by them, and to tell ſuch that be praying, reading, or in meditation, to ſay it is the power of the firſt Adam; O myſtery of deceit, the deceitfull unfolding by antichrist, to ſay that Chriſt ſayeth the houre is coming, now is, that neither at this mountain, nor as Jeruſalem ſhall the Father be worſhipped, but he that worſhips him, muſt worſhip him in ſpirit and in truth.

Anſw. Thouſands in the Nation may witneſſe the work the Quakers hath wrought, and thouſands are convinced of you to be the gain-ſayers of the truth, and the ante-chriſt come up ſince the daies of the Apoſtles, and all your praying, reading, and meditations, is but the firſt Adams ſtate in the fall, where the myſtery of deceit is, for yet you are not come to own the light, Chriſt Jeſus, the ſecond Adam that doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, and ſo you be the ante-chriſts, ſtanding againſt Chriſt the light, the truth, and ſo are not come into the worſhip of God in the truth and in the ſpirit, but are crying up at your Maſſe-houſes, is God worſhipped as the Jewes did the Temple, and Samaria the mountaine at Jeruſalem, which Chriſt ſaith not at Samaria, nor the Mountain, nor Jeruſalem, nor the Temple, but in ſpirit and in truth, and ſo we ſay, not at your Maſſe-houſes, nor at Samaria, nor Jeruſalem, neither, not the Mountain, but God hath ſeeked us to worſhip him in ſpirit and in truth, and therefore you rage that hate the light.

Pr. They reckon their perfection and happineſſe to be deprived of all, the ſpirit doth neither ſo act or ſo teach, and I was kept from this temptation, and they that are overcome by it, are brought into bondage, a vaine deceitfull waiting for a power, when the Apoſtles ſaith ye muſt pray without ceaſing and not quench the ſpirit, the Theſſalonians, they muſt ceaſe from their owne words, and wait for the immediate ſtriving and working of the ſpirit, as they fancy it.

Anſ. This thou calls fancie, who ſaith the ſpirit of God doth not teach men, nor ſo act, to be deprived of all things; Yes, I ſay to thee thou muſt be deprived of all things before thou come to happineſſe; and thou art in the bondage, and in the temptation, that hath not forſaken all things, and come to Chriſt the on thing, and thy praying and propheſying, and not waiting for the ſpirit and power, for to pray withall, art in the fancy, and following thy owne Spirit, and out of the perfection of Chriſt.

Pr. It is blaſphemy to ſay we must fill up the ſufferings of Chriſt.

Anſw. And ſo thou art unlike the Apoſtles, an haſt not drunk the cup of the wrath and judgement of the Almighty, and that you muſt drink before you come to know the eed of God come from under all the power of wickedneſſe in thee, and that is the world And Chriſt who bore the ſin of the whole world, felt it, and was under it, and was offered, and over it all, and makes his enemies his footſtool.

Pr. The falſe interpretation of the enemy, he ſaith that every mans work muſt be tryed with fire, what ſort it is, and you ſhall hardly gain a ſpeech of one ſort or other, ſometimes from the Quakers, and this thou cals dumb devill.

Anſw. And thus thou ſheweſt where thou art, who hath not known a time to be ſilent, before thou dideſt know a time to ſpeak, and the dumb devill hath been found amongſt your ſelves, your Prieſts; for when many of the Quakers have been moved of the Lord to come to ſpeak to you in your Pulpits, you have proved the dumb devils, turned your backs, and have gone your waies, and ſpoken never a word to them; and thy works and all mens ſhall be tryed by the fire, and that is not perverting ſcripture, as alſo ſaith the Apoſtle, and thou never haſt paſt through the wrath of God, but it is yet to come, and the ſufferings of Chriſt thou knoweſt not.

Pr. And it will be a lye and deluſion, for the ſpirit when it ſanctifies the hearts to go about to tear their hearts out of their bodies, when Davids bones was broken, and his fleſh would ſcarce to cleave; it is far from me to think that this was under the apprehenſion of wrath; ſhall a man think that he ſuffered for his ſanctification?

Anſw. The ſpirit of God teares out the old hearts, and ſo before men be ſanctified throughout, he muſt know ſuffering, and his wretched ſtate; yet Sanctification, that brings him peace in the end, and life. And Davids condition thou art ignorant of, and knows not; for he was ſenſible of the wrath before his ſins were removed, as far as the Eaſt is from the Weſt, and he had joy and peace; but trembling and quaking is become a mock and ſcoffe amongſt you, for there is a trembling and rejoycing, and there is a trembling in the ſorrow.

Pr. When the Quakers are commanded many times to go, they have not that leiſure to dreſs them, this is a hard Maſter ſurely, not Christ, therefore by Satan, for the Lord is not wont to do things ignorantly to deceive his ſervants, and they are brought to faſt from all manner of food three nights and three dayes, most feeble wretched creatures contrary to the Law of nature, ſo they are not capable of bearing the glory of God, ſo Miniſters of Antichriſt, and they are made to deny their callings, and poſſeſſions. I would eat more then I deſired, becauſe I would give no offence.

Anſw. In this thou haſt ſhewed thy ignorance of the Scriptures, and Chriſt, for he that is on the houſe top, let him not come down to put on his cloaths; And they that went on his meſſage were not to take two coats: And when they went on his meſſage, they did not goe to dreſſe themſelves with boot-hoſe-tops, and double cuffs, and ribbons, and rings, as the Prieſt doth; and what God doth, it is in his wiſdome, beyond the ignorance of man-kinde, and they that receive it muſt be in his fear; And Chriſt is not a hard Maſter, as thou thinkſt, becauſe ſome goes, not dreſſing them in their apparell, which goes to do his command; but thou who art wicked and ſloathfull, hath ſo judged with the wrong and falſe judgement, and many of the Saints have faſted till they might number their bones; and Chriſt faſted, and this was not contrary to the Law of nature, and did not make them uncapable of receiving the glory of God. Neither was it Antichriſt: and thou who art of him, canſt eat and drink more then thou haſt deſire, becauſe thou wouldſt not offend others, and that is contrary to the Law of nature. And the Saints forſook their callings and poſſeſſions, and the world; but you Prieſts runs into great poſſeſſions, which you get out of poor peoples labours; ſo like the falſe Apoſtles and Antichriſt, not like Chriſt and his Apoſtles.

Pr. They have a gloſſe put upon Chriſts words to his Diſciples, when he bids them that they ſhould take no care what to ſpeak, it ſhould be given them in the ſame hour. And of their g ing naked, I never knew the minde of the Lord diſcovering by any of his ſervants, neither under the old nor new Covenant. And theſe dreamers go to a place, and doth not know what to ſay till they come to the place.

Anſw. Philip was ſent to a place, and then it was told him what to ſay, when he came to it: And he was not a dreamer, but thou art, who goes without a command from God, and runs when he never ſent thee, and follows thy own ſpirit And they that ſpeak as the ſpirit gives them utterance, and moves them, and takes no thought, but it is given them in the ſame hour; and thou that art out of this, art in the gloſſes. It was the minde of the Lord for Iſaiah to go naked, and to ſtrip himſelfe in Aegypt and Aethiopia, as many are moved of the Lord to go naked among you ſpirituall Aegypt and Ethiopians, and to put off their cloaths; which is a figure to you, that the ſheeps cloathing muſt be taken off of your ravening wolves backs.

Pr. Thou ſaiſt, For the preſent thou doſt not apprehend any thing more, but that the Devill ſhall transforme himſelfe into an Angel of light. And there are hardly a people to be found that cry out more againſt ſin, and the appearance of ſin and unrighteouſneſs, then they do, as far as I know, or have heard, to declare them to be carried forth as Miniſters of righteouſneſ .

Anſw. Thy apprehenſion is vaine, and judgement falſe; for the Devill tranſformed himſelfe into an Angell of Light before the Apoſtles deceaſed, and ſo is transformed into you who have the words, but out of the life; for the Devill could not transforme into the Apoſtles, while they were in the life; and you are Antichriſt, that are crying out againſt ſin and unrighteouſneſs, and lives in it; but the Quakers are the ſins enemie, and the ſoules friend, which are the Miniſters of righteouſneſſe, and declared ſo to be in all your conſciences, to be in the life of all the Prophets, Apoſtles, and Chriſt, and do ſee that you be transformed into their words, but out of the life, with that judged.

Pr. I am perſwaded the Quakers do not tell a lye, that Satan he will either chooſe to do ſome things, as healing ſome infirmity, and turning water into wine, and the like, this is a deceitfull way enough, that all the belly-gods in England may become Quakers, this labour of mine may make thouſands to refuſe their errours and deluſions, becauſe it can be done through a great light that is in Antichriſt.

Anſw. The Quakers are in the truth, and out of the lie, and ſee you are in it, for Antichriſt is turned from the light, and the Devil is not he that turns water into wine, and heals the ſick and infirmities, nor Antichriſt, but the true Chriſt; where did you read that they turned water into wine, or heal the ſick? therefore thou, and you by your deluſions and errours, your labour is to deceive thouſands; And thou haſt cleared the Quaker from being in the errour or deluſion, for thou ſayeſt, they dare not lie, then they are not of the Devil, who is the ground of all error and deluſion, and you Prieſts are the greateſt belly-gods in the Nation, for you devour up the tenthes of the N tion, of poor husband-men, and ſo you cannot endure the power that makes to tremble, ſo cannot endure the ſalvation.

Pr. What if one of theſe Quakers ſhould be ſent to a blind leader of the people, and a man is not able to reply a word and it may be a good Scholar.

Anſw. Them in ſcorn you call Quakers hath been moved by the power of the Lord God, to come againſt ſuch as thou art, leaders of the blind, and though you have been great Scholars, and when you have not been able to reſiſt their ſpirit, but found naked from the ſpirit of the Lord, you have cryed to your Rulers and Magiſtrates, to help take them away, caſt them into priſon, and there hath been your weapons, and Antichriſts Court and Fort, and the wolves in the ſheepes cloathing, ſtrong againſt them that be in the Apoſtles and Chriſts power, and life and doctrine, and now you are diſcovered.

Pr. The crucifying the Son of God a-freſh, that is, Christ without, or elſe in the heart of another, not in his own that doth it, and thou ſaith thou ingages thy affections to the ſeekers, becauſe of their attainments.

Anſw. He that crucifies Chriſt a-freſh to himſelf, firſt crucifies him in his own heart, before he crucifies him in anothers heart without him, and it is the affections that thou art joyned withall to people, and not with the ſpirit, to the notional attainments; for hadſt thou been in the ſpirit, thou wouldſt not have writ ſuch a book as this is againſt the truth, or affections above, or anſwered the principle of God in the ſeekers, or minded the life in them, or in thy own particular, in which you might have lived in unity with God and Scripture; but whither art thou turned now, to thy great fat Benefice? and didſt ſteal ſome words from the ſeekers, and ſell them to poor people to make a trade of them.

Pr. Thou ſayeſt thou wouldſt have all people take a right way in oppoſing the Quakers, with a ſtrong underſtanding in the Scriptures to reaſon with them.

Anſw. All your underſtanding and your reaſoning, if you get all theſe Scriptures in it, yet you are not able, being out of the life that gave forth Scriptures, not to reſiſt the ſpirit of the Quakers, which is that which was in them that gave forth Scriptures, though you may gain-ſay and oppoſe like Cain, Core, and Baalam, but wo unto you.

Pr. I ſhall give my conſent, if the Quakers tranſgreſſe our Lawes they might have double puniſhment, and if you will not believe the truth that comes from them, I hope you will believe it as it comes from the mouth of God; with ſpeed forſake the Quakers ſociety, wholly, publike and private.

Anſw. Here is thy confeſſion again and judgement, and thy unjuſtice, wouldſt thou have double puniſhment inflected upon them that breakes the Law? and doſt thou ſay that the Quakers are the mouth of God, and if you will not believe the truth as it comes from them, believe it comes from the mouth of God, and yet muſt people wholly forſake the ſocietie of the Quakers, publike and private and call this overcoming ſtrong queſtions? This is the ſtrengthening of ſtrong queſtions, overcoming you that be in the deceit, who are to be Judged.

Pr. That God is all, and in all.

Anſw. The Scripture ſaith ſo, God is all and in all, and through you all, and over you all, bleſſed for ever, and this is not to juſtifie any prophanneſs nor wicked actions, but it is you that would not have the Lord to have no Roome in your hearts, that would not have him to be in people, nor have him there to Reign.

Pr. I have ſometime told the Quakers that I did conceive the deſign of Antichrist was to bring them in the end to work all manner of uncleanneſs; I now judge, they be carryed from one degree to another to act righteouſneſs.

Anſw. Here thou confounds thy imagination, and hath ſhewed thou haſt followed thy own ſpirit, and thy falſe propheſie is come to an end, and proved thy ſelf to be a dreamer, for they are in the righteouſneſs, which comprehends thee.

Pr. Thou ſayeſt, The Lord doth not regain any of our age to walk ſo they that are called the Anibaptiſts, and yet thou ownest them.

Anſw. Doſt thou own that which the Lord doth not require, and do they practiſe that which the Lord doth not require? and ſo thou haſt given Judgement upon tny ſelf, and them both.

Pr. I having alſo Communion with my former ſocietie, which is broken of through the myſterious working of Antichrist, I would have ſpared my pen for a few lines, but for the ſake of a very few in the Nation, and I have not time to write one line, from firſt to laſt, twice, expect not from me an army of reaſons and arguments.

Anſw. Thou hadſt been better ſpared thy pen and tongue both, then have written from that which thou haſt written, whoſe Communion is with the myſterious working of Antichriſt, and there is but a few in the Nation but will ſee thy work is but fuel for the fire, and abundance of ſtuff thou haſt in thy book, which is not worth mentioning, but will fall upon thy head, In the day of thy judgement, the witneſs ſhall anſwer.

Prieſt Tombes Baptiſt of Leo-Minſter. His Principles as FOLLOWETH.

Pr. THe words Joh. 1.9. [enlighteneth every man] are meant of a natural life or light.

Anſw. Chriſt that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, this light is not natural, neither is he natural that is called the power of God; who was before all natural light was made, Sun, Moon and Stars, and ſo this light that doth enlighten every man that believes in it, and is their condemnation that doth not believe in it that is above all natural, for the light that doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, is that all men might believe, that is not natural life or light, but of the Divine nature, which is above nature, for in him was life, and the life was the light of men, and is the ſalvation to the ends of the earth: and in this thou haſt ſhewed thy ignorance, and doſt not Preach that which people are to believe in.

Pr. Thou ſayes the Ministers of Chriſt may ſeek what they ſhall have by the year, and are not to go up and down to Towns, and eat and drink, what is ſet before them, as thoſe did, Luke 10.7.

Anſw. We do believe ſuch Apoſtate Miniſters from the Doctrine of Chriſt and his Apoſtles as you are who have thrown aſide the Doctrine of Chriſt, & trampled it under your feet, and ſees up your ſelves in great Benefices, which lives in a Town, doth not go up and down to eat and drink ſuch things as are ſet before them; but how are you then thoſe that Chriſt ſaid he would be with to the end of the world? and how do you then obſerve all things that he hath commanded? for lo I am with you to the end of the world, and they were to obſerve all things that were commanded; and how are you here out of Chriſts doctrine, and are you not the wolves among the ſheep, with ſheepes cloathing, deceiving the world, but not the ſheep? And how are you them that Chriſt ſaid was to go into all nations? and Io I am with you to the end of the world, and this is not your work as you ſay, and ſo judged out of the Apoſtles practices and Chriſts Doctrine.

Pr. Thou ſayes, That in the 1 Cor. 9.14. is meant of natural food, which is to be obtained by civil Lawes, and our declaring againſt ſuch Shepherds as in Iſai. 56. doth not touch thee, and that thou haſt received the Goſpel from the Epiſtles of Paul, and that thou ownes not Revelations, tremblings and quakings.

Anſw. The Saints did not by civil lawes, or the Lawes of the Nation, nor the Miniſters of Chriſt, get maintenance, neither doth the Scripture then brings ſpeak they did, [read it over again] and let all ſober people read it, & the Goſpel thou haſt received from the Epiſtles, the Epiſtles doth not give thee the power of God, and the Goſpel is the power of God, here thou haſt ſhewed thy Miniſtry is of the Letter, and of man, and not from God, for the Goſpel is the power of God to ſalvation to every one that believes, Preached to Abraham before the Epiſtles was written, and thats everlaſting, not received from Epiſtles: and Paul an Apoſtle, not of men, nor by men, but by the Revelation of Jeſus Chriſt; and thou that denyes Revelation denyes the Son of God, and the grace that was brought by Revelation, and denyes knowing the Father; for none knowes the Father, but whom the Son reveals him, and thou haſt denyed the ear of God, and the Lords ſecrets; for the ſecrets of the Lord are with them that fear im, they are revealed to them; and thou that denyes trembling and Quaking hath denyed thy ſalvation, and the Apoſtles Doctrine, and denyed thy ſelf to be a Miniſter of Chriſt; for the Apoſtle ſayes, work out your ſalvation with fear and trembling, and thou that denyes trembling, denyes ſalvation as is wrought out by it; And Eſa. 56. doth judge thee, for thou art one that ſeekes thy gain from thy Quarter, a greedy dumb dog, can never have enough, as witneſs thy Eggs, and how thou didſt hale before the Juſtice for not paying of them.

Pr. Thou ſayes, Thou doſt not uphold ſuch as Mic. 3. ſpeakes of.

Anſ Art not thou one that Divines tor money, and prophecies for money, Preaches for money? and if people will not put into thy mouth, thou prepares War againſt them, as I ſaid before, witneſs thy Eggs, and give thee Eggs, thou wilt ſay they are good Church-men, and ſtop thy mouth with Eggs, but if not, thou haſt them before Magiſtrates.

Pr. Thou ſayes, If any of the Church joyned to me, leave me becauſe I take maintenance, it will be their ſin.

Anſw. The true Prophets left the falſe prophets, and the true Apoſtles did the falſe, as taught for covetouſneſs, and means, and declared againſt them, and ſuch as goes out from the ſpirit, goes into the earth, and ſuch as comes to the ſpirit, comes from the earth: and teaching for gifts, rewards and hire as thou Tombes doſt, upon whom is thy old garment.

Pr. Thou ſayes, Thou denies an abſolute perfection of degrees in this life.

Anſ. In this thou haſt denyed the work of the Miniſtry, which is for the perfecting, and doth none come to perfection in a degree of perfection? doth none come to Chriſt who is perfect? doth none come to the ſpirit? who comes to the ſpirit, comes to be perfect; for who comes to the ſpirit and to Chriſt comes to that which is perfect, who comes to the Kingdom of heaven in them, comes to be perfect, yea to a perfect man, and that is above any degree, and thus thou art blind and ignorant of that wich the Scriptures declare.

Pr. Thou wouldſt have it proved that they are falſe prophets that declare the true Prophets words.

Anſw. They that make Merchandice of the true Prophets words were the beaſt, falſe prophets and great Whore, but they that ſpeak freely as they had received, was the true Prophets and true Apoſtles, and ſuch in all ages was diſtinct each from other, known by the ſpirit of the Lord, who had received from the Lord what they ſpoke and declared freely, and who had got the Saints words, and had not received them from the Lord, but ſpake them forth for money, theſe were diſtinct one from another.

A Paper I have received, the Title of it is, A form of ſound words, containing the firſt Principles of the Oracles of God, framed for the uſe and benefit of the Inhabitants of two adjacent Pariſhes in the County of NOTTINGHAM. Their principles in it as followeth.

Pr. WHen for the time you ought to be Teachers, you have need that one teach you again, which be the firſt Principles.

Anſw. How can you teach the firſt Principle of pure Religion, when you deny the light that Chriſt hath enlighten every man that comes into the world withall? And this may whole England witneſs, and ſo your Doctrines that you have taught them, and commandments are ſuch as periſheth, being not men ſent of God, ſo have not profited the people at all.

Pr. And you ſay, Falſe teachers, this age is too full of: and that you may henceforth, be no more children toſſed two and fro, and you intreat to except a word from us your Miniſters; for what profiteth a man to gain the whole world and loſe his own ſoul.

Anſw. Who hath toſſed people more up and down then you, and carried them about with your windy doctrines, and ſo the multitudes of the falſe teachers, the world have been too full of you ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles; who is more for gaining the whole world then you, that calls your ſelves Miniſters? hath not and doth not your fruits declare it to the whole Nation, in priſons, there lies your fruits, for where may people ſee the Prieſts fruits but in priſons; And how your Congregations be all on heapes, when any comes in the Name of the Lord amongſt them, and hath ſhewed that your Exhortation hath not profited the People at all.

Pr. We intreat you to take heed of that dangerous deceit, in hoping to be ſaved by your own works, or in any thing in our ſelves.

Anſw. He that believes hath ceaſed from his own works, ſo not ſayed by them, and he that believes is ſaved, and this belief is within him in Chriſt. And the ingrafted word is able to ſave the ſoul, and Chriſt the Saviour revealed and manifeſted within.

Pr. Out of the holy Scriptures Old and New Teſtament, which it the word of God, we may learn the true knowledge of God.

Anſw. The Jewes had Scriptures, and did not know God nor Chriſt, nor did not know themſelves; And the Scriptures is not the word, but the words of God, and ſo you teach Pariſhes, and your children to lie, as you may read in Exodus, God ſpake all theſe words, and ſaid. And whoſoever ſhall add to theſe words, Revelations. and Chriſt ſaith my words. And would you make people believe the Scriptures were but a word, when they ſay they are words. And Chriſt is the word, as in the Revelation. And ſo that which brings to the knowledge of God is the ſpirit; And the Son reveals him, Chriſt Jeſus, who is the light which doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, and every man that comes into the world receiving the light, Chriſt will reveal the Father to him.

Pr. There is three perſons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. And we intreat you to take heed of the natural Popiſh conceit.

Anſw. The word three perſons is the natural Popiſh conceit, which is out of thy Father the Popes Canon-books, where thou haſt learned it, but Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt, that is ſound Scripture, but thou canſt not take it as it ſpeakes, but thou muſt add three perſons to it, ſo brings the plague upon thee.

Pr. There is many that have ſhare in that ſalvation purchaſed by Chriſt.

Anſw. Chriſt was the offering for the ſin of the whole world. And he gave his body for the life of the whole world. And he came a light into the world, and doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, he that dyed for the ſin of the whole world, was an offering for the ſin of the world, that all through this light might believe. And ſo many are condemned for not believing, that which they ſhould believe in condemns them.

Pr. God works faith in us inwardly by his ſpirit, and outwardly by his word.

Anſw. Here thou goeſt about to make the ſpirit and the word not one, is not the word ſpiritual, and Chriſt called the word? who is the Author of the faith, which myſtery of it is held in a pure conſcience? and is not this word of faith in the heart?

Pr. The whole word of God in general is ſummed up in the Apoſtles Creed.

Anſw. Where haſt thou been for the word Creed, but out of the Maſſe-book, and Popes Canon-book, not out of the Apoſtles Epistles. And the Apoſtles Epiſtles declares of the word, and the Saints writings, and ſaith it was in the beginning, and ſaith the Letter kills, for the Jewes had Letter, and did not find the word in it, but ſtood againſt it, and you have the Letter the Apoſtles words, but you do not find the word in it, it ſpeakes of the word, the word was in the beginning, and in the heart, before the words.

Pr. Brethren be perfect, be of good comfort, no man can be made free from ſin in this life, Gods children have ſin in them.

Anſw. The Devils doctrine is, that men ſhall not be perfect while they are upon earth, and all his Miniſters; but you that ſay they muſt be perfect and yet muſt have ſin, that makes them unperfect. And the children of God that was born of God, did not commit ſin, neither could they, becauſe the ſeed of God remained in them, and they were made free from ſin, and had put off the body of ſin, as in Romans the 6. and John the 3.

Pr. No man is able to keep the commands of God perfectly, we break them dayly in thought, word and deed. And in all our beſt duties we are unprofitable ſervants.

Anſ. Here you ſhew that you do not love God, for who loves God, keepes his Commandments, and love fulfills them: and all your beſt duties and deeds be but unprofitable ſervants, in that we do believe you. So your Preaching is unprofitable, praying unprofitable, ſo you judge your ſelves out of your own mouths, ſinging, inſtructing, praying, all is unprofitable, and they are the ſlothful ſervants, who are Reprobates to every good work, but the Saints that prayed, Preached, ſung in the ſpirit, ſuch was profitable, that loved God and kept his Commandments, which you that do not love God, do not keep his Commandments; So your fruits are unprofitable that keeps not the Commandments of God. And there is your mark, that you do not love him.

Pr. The Law is a rule for a believers life; we must attend unto the Sacraments.

Anſw. Chriſt is the end of the Law for righteouſneſs ſake unto everyone that doth believe, ſo Chriſt is the rule who ends the Law to believers; And thy Sacraments muſt go again to the Common-Prayer Book, to the Maſſe-book, the Scripture doth not teach us thoſe words, as Sacrament and Creed, but the old Maſſe-book, thou art running to it, and ſo leaving the Scriptures, So thou art judged with the life of God.

Pr. Who are ordained, lawfully, or called to the Miniſtry.

Anſ. Your ordination and call is by men, contrary to the Apoſtles and Chriſt, who ſaith, not by man nor of man, and Chriſt ſaith, pray to the Father that he may ſend labourers into the vineyard, and ſuch you perſecute; And thou ſaieſt there is two Sacraments in the Goſpell, which the Apoſtles tells us of no ſuch thing, but the Pope in his Maſſe-book.

Pr. We may not learne for to ſeek for happineſſe in this life, theſe words I command thee this day ſhall be in thy heart to teach thy children and to talke of them in thy houſe.

Anſ. Theſe words hath ſpoken long in your hearts, therefore have you led the world in wickedneſſe, but the children of God findes happineſſe in this life, being changed from the old in this life, for they find God, and they finde Chriſt, and find reſt for their ſoules; And who is in Chriſt is a new creature, and ſuch hath happineſſe.

Pr. This forme of ſound words taken out of the beſt and ſoundeſt Catechiſmes that we could meet withall, and our mouth is opened boldly.

Anſ. This is your forme of unſound words, and if this be the beſt ſtuff you can find, out of your beſt Catechiſmes, it is pittifull, durty, darke ſtuff, and you had better have kept your mouth ſhut, If this be your Catechiſmes, they are for the fire, the children of light who are come into the light comprehends and ſees the Cathchiſmes and you both, and you are to be Catechiſed, and if you will but read over the Prieſts and profeſſors Catechiſme, you may learn ſome thing out of it.

This is a ralation of ſome perticulars and principles, affirmed by ſome of the Prieſts of Biſhop-rick, at a publike diſpute in Branſpirth Caſtle upon the 21. day of the 7th, moneth 1658.

Pr. JOſias Dorker affirmed, that immediate Revelation or inſpiration is not to be expected in theſe daies.

Anſ. Then you are from the ſpirit, that ſaith ſo, which the ſpirit of God doth reveale, you are them that have ravened, the falſe prophets and ante-chriſt, that inwardly ravened from the ſpirit of God, having the ſheeps cloathing, in the darkneſſe, the King of the bottomleſſe pit hath been your king, for the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords is not known but by revelation, for none knowes the Son, but the father, and he to whom he doth reveale him, that ſhowes that you be out of the feare of God, for where the feare of God is, God reveales his ſecrets, but the feare God is now witneſſed, and the Son of God is now witneſſed, and revelations is now witneſſed, in our daies as it was in the Apoſtles, but not amongſt you, who have inwardly ravened from the ſpirit of God, which hath Apoſtatized from the Apoſtles.

Pr. That it is needleſſe and alſo diabolicall (that is to ſay diviliſh) to expect any ſuch thing now.

Anſ. And ſo you be in the diabolicall diviliſh, that expects not that now, which was in the daies of the Apoſtles, and be out of the feare of God, and the ſpirit which doth reveale, and the Son you know not, which ſaid to them, the Phariſees, that knew him not, they were of the devill, and ſo he is known by revelation.

Pr. That they had the ſcripture and the Goſpell (as he confeſſed) not from God, but from men.

Anſ. You know not the ſcriptures, nor no man upon the earth, but as from God and the ſpirit, as they did that gave them forth, who learned them of God, and ſo, who knowes ſcripture, muſt know revelation and the Goſpell, for they are known not, but by the ſpirit which gave them forth.

Pr. That the Bible was the Goſpel.

Anſ. The Goſpell is the power of God, which was before the ſcripture was written, preached to Abraham, & many may have the Bible, but the power of God; the Goſpell, glad tydings which is to the ſalvation of every one that believes; and the ſcripture is a teſtification of the Goſpell, of the glad tydings, and it is not called the power of God, and Chriſt is called the power of God, and the Goſpell; and many had ſcripture, but would not come to Chriſt, the power of God, and ſo not to the Goſpell.

Pr. That the fleſh of Chriſt is not in them.

Anſ. The ſaints eate his fleſh, and they that eate his fleſh, hath it within them.

Pr. That Chriſt had and hath a carnall body.

Anſ. And Chriſts body is not carnall, but ſpirituall, the firſt man was of the earth earthly, the ſecond man is the Lord from heaven heavenly, and is a glorious body, and the ſaints are made like unto his glorious body, therefore the firſt ſtate is carnall, the ſecond glorious, ſo there is a naturall body, and there is a ſpirituall body.

Pr. That Christ is now in heaven with a carnall body.

Anſ. Carnall indeed is death, ſaith ſcripture, and it ſaith that corruption muſt put on incorruption, & mortall immortality, ſo Chriſts body that is in heaven is a glorious body, a and not carnall, nor of the fleſh corruptible.

Pr. That Chriſt hath a carnall humane body, united to his divinity.

Anſ. And carnall humane is from the ground, humane earthly, the firſt Adams body, and Chriſt was not from the ground, let all people read what thou ſaiſt, but he was from heaven, his fleſh came down from above, his fleſh which was the meat, his fleſh came downe from heaven.

Pr. That Timothy retained his miniſtry, not from God, but from Paul.

Anſ. Timothy did retain his miniſtry from God, and knew the gift, that which he did retain from Paul was not as man, but Timothy was in the faith which Chriſt was the author of, and he had the gift, which every good and perfect gift comes from God, and this was not by man, nor of man.

Pr. That there it as much difference between a body and a ſpirit, as there is between light and darkneſſe.

Anſ. Chriſts body is ſpirituall, and that which is ſpirituall, does not differ from the ſpirit, and ſo there is a ſpirituall body, and there is a naturall body, and there is a ſpirituall man, and there is a naturall man, and each hath their body.

Pr. Henry Liver ſaid, that they knew no ſuch thing at propheſying by immediate revelation or inſpiration in theſe dayes.

Anſ. Then thou never knew the ſcriptures, for none knowes ſcripture as I ſaid before, but by the ſpirit of revelation, which doth reveal the words, but by the ſpirit of propheſie, marke which ſpirit lets ſee into the words, and he that hath not the ſpirit of Chriſt is none of his; and he that hath the ſpirit of Chriſt hath immediate revelation, and propheſie, and the ſpirit of God is immediate, and it doth reveal, and the Goſpell is immediate, which is the power of God.

Pr. Richard Franckling ſaid, they had it by ſcripture.

Anſ. And it was the ſpirit that brought them to give forth ſcripture, which things of God was revealed to them by it, and the ſcripture does not reveal the ſpirit, but the ſpirit the ſcripture.

Pr. That the light which lighteth every man was not ſufficient to lead up to Chriſt.

Anſ. The light Chriſt, that doth enlighten, every man that comes into the world, that which he doth enlighten them every one withall, which they are to believe in, is ſufficient to lead up to Chriſt, for they that doe believe in the light, becomes the children of light, paſſes from death to life, from darkneſſe to light, and comes out of condemnation and ſhall never dye, and ſo it is ſufficient, that he that doth not believe in the light, by it is condemned, for this is the condemnation, that light is come in to the world, and men love the darkneſſe rather then the light, becauſe their deeds be evill, and ſo you and they that love the darkneſſe rather then the light, becauſe your deeds are evill, and will not come to it, becauſe it will reprove you, are them that live in the forme of godlineſſe, and denyes the power, and teaches people to ſay, that the light is not ſufficient that every man is lighted withall that comes into the world, that all might believe, which not by it are condemned, and the light is ſufficient to lead up to him that comes from him.

Pr. That Grace was not conveyed from the Lord to any man, without the ordinary outward meanes.

Anſ. The Grace of God hath appeared to all men, which teacheth the ſaints, and the grace is brought by the revelation of Jeſus, as ſaith Peter by revelation, and the grace is the gift of God, and not attained by an outward meanes, by mans will, and they that turne it into laſciviouſneſſe, the grace of God that hath appeared, are them that deny the Lord that bought them, which goes from the grace, which is the ſaints teacher, which brings ſalvation.

Pr. That the ſcriptures is that onely which they are to have recourſe unto, to inform the mindes of people from.

Anſ. Before the ſcripture was written or given forth, Abraham, Enoch and Abel had that to inform their minds, and let them ſee Chriſt and the Jews had ſcripture, and knew not Chriſt, they had the teſtification, and did not come to him they teſtified of, and ſo had not life, ſo that which is to inform the minds of all people is the ſpirit and the light which Chriſt hath enlightned them withall, and ſuch their eares and eyes muſt be open to that the ſpirit of God in themſelves, before they hear his voice, which ſpirit informes their mindes to God, and then they ſhall come to know the operation of the ſpirit, which many may have the ſcriptures, and not know that, and that which is to teach people is the grace Chriſt, and God, and the light and life, and that it is which informes the mind to know ſcripture.

Pr. Prieſt Dorker ſaid, That the word of God was the ordinary outward meanes, and that the ſcripture is the word, they all affi med.

Anſ. The word of God is not outward nor ordinary, but extraordinary, it is that which lives, abides & endures for ever, and the ſcriptures are to be fulfilled & that which doth fulfill them is the word, and the ſcriptures of truth learned of God the Father of truth, are the words of God, not a word God ſpake all theſe words, and ſaid, in Exodus, and my words, ſaith Chriſt; and whoſoever ſhall add to theſe words, ſaith Iohn in the Revelations: and ſo the words are the ſcriptures of truth, that cannot be broken, Chriſt the word fulfiles them, who was in the beginning, before the words was ſpoken forth, who is and remaines to the words end, who fulfills them in whom they end.

Daniell Roberts Teacher to the Baptiſts at Reading in Bark-ſhire did affirm.

Pr. THat Baptiſme of water, (that is to ſay) Elementary water doth waſh away ſin.

Anſ. Here thou puts water in the roome of Chriſts blood which cleanſeth from all ſin, and what need of that, if water doth it, outward water can but waſh the outward.

Pr. That God had committed all judgement to the ſcriptures.

Anſ. That is contrary to the Apoſtle, who ſaith, God will judge the world by the man Chriſt Jeſus, according to the Goſpell, and that is the power, and all judgement is committed to the Son, (marke) to the Son, and the ſaints ſhall judge the world, and he is in them.

Pr. That the new Covenant is the words of Christ and the Apoſtles, and every one that hath the Bible in their houſe, have the new covenant.

Anſ. The New Covenant is Chriſt the ſcriptures ſpeaks of, and the Jewes had the ſcriptures that ſtood againſt the Covenant, and many may have the Bible, and not in the thing it ſpeaks of.

Pr. An other Baptiſt ſaid at the ſame time, If they had not had ſcriptures, they had not known how to walk nor order their converſation.

Anſ. How knew thoſe to order their converſation, and walk before ſcripture was given forth; the life which led them to give forth the ſcripture, did order them to walke acceptable to him, for the Phariſees had the ſcripture given forth from the life, but being out of the life, their converſations were not ordered by it.

Pr. Daniell Roberts affirmed, That he knew no other ſpirit, then what was in the ſcripture, and that he carryed it in his pocket.

Anſ. The ſpirit is not in the ſcriptures, but in them that gave it forth, and that the ſcriptures teſtifie of; which many got the ſcriptures, but wanted that which gave it forth, and ſo were not in unity with the ſcripture, nor one with an other, nor with God, and this is wanting in all Chriſtendome (ſo called) the unity of the ſpirit, in which is the bond of peace, for many have the words, but not the ſpirit.

An anſwer to Timothy Trevers his principles propounded by way of queries.

Pr. FIrſt, That the light in every man, as in every man, teacheth not the way to the Kingdome of God, nor giveth the hope of eternall life.

Anſ. The light in every man which doth inlighten every man, doth teach the way to the kingdome of God, and no other way it teacheth but to the Kingdome, and though men hate it, and will not come to it, becauſe their deeds are evill, yet that is the teacher in all men that gives them the ſenſe of tranſgreſſion, and an underſtanding of reproof, and knowing if they come ſo that, they are reproved, and there is the kingdome in men, and that is it which lets all men ſee the moſt high reigning, and ſhall make every tongue to confeſſe Chriſt to the glory of God, and is that which gives every man aſſurance, that God hath raiſed Chriſt from the dead, who hath inlightned them, and that is it which gives every man the hope of eternall life, and in the light it is received.

Pr. That the ſeed to whom the promiſe of ſalvation is made, is, or hath been ſinners.

Anſ. The promiſe of God is to the ſeed, which hath been laden as a Cart with ſhaves by the ſinner, which ſeed is the hope Chriſt, that purifies even as God is pure, and here is the creature come to know its liberty amongſt the ſons of God, and the ſeed Chriſt never ſinned in the male nor in the female, in the Jew nor in the Gentiles, and of this myſtery was the great high profeſſors ignorant of, that ſtood at a diſtance from the Gentiles, that Chriſt had no room among them, though they talked of him, but in the ſtable, in the manger, and in their mouthes, to talke of him with their lips, and ſuch Chriſt calls graves and Sepulchres, and whited walls, and the wall is not the ſeed, but the ſeed is Chriſt, and not the Sepulchre, nor the grave; ſo this promiſe is not unto ſeeds, as many, but to one, the ſeed, which is Chriſt.

Pr, That there is no man doth poſseſs the Kingdom of God, whileſt he is in the mortall body.

Anſ. In this thou art like Nebuchadnezer, who muſt graze like the Oxe, thy mouth downeward, who knows not the moſt high ruling in the children of men, and God will dwell in you, and walke in you, and where God dwells and walkes in men, they are his temples which is holy, there is his Kingdome, his power, his authority, and the Tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell in them, and walke in in them, and this is the ſtate of thouſands; that be in the new covenant, that knowes the power of God, of the moſt high, his law put in their mindes and hearts, and they that doe not know that they are the Temples of God, and God dwelling in them, and walking in them, they are worſe then the Corinthians.

Pr. That he that doth not preach the death and Reſurection, and the man Chriſt Jeſus, that roſe from the dead at Jeruſalem, preacheth not the Goſpell, whatſoever elſe he doth declare.

Anſ. He that preacheth Chriſt, muſt preach that Chriſt that dyed at Jeruſalem, for he is the ſame to day, yeſterday, & forever, & the Lamb ſlain from the foundation of the world, which ſeed, Chriſt, breaks the Serpents head, and deſtroyes death and the Devill, that went out of the truth, and death being deſtroyed, the captivated one comes out, by the power which is the Goſpel, and the priſoner of hope ſhews himſelf forth, and then the covenant of light & life is felt, and peace with God, but the Reprobate, Devill, death, and deſtruction, anti-chriſt, Beaſt and falſe prophet, may talke of Chriſt without, and he not within felt, ſuch are then the Reprobates, and thou ſaying the ſeed is not in all men, firſt know it in thy ſelfe, he is not in the man of ſin, that is to be deſtroyed, who hath blinded thy mind, and hath taken poſſeſſion of thy heart, and ſo firſt judge thy ſelfe.

Pr He that doth not expect the Reſurrection from the dead, of his owne perſon, as Chriſt roſe from the dead, litterally underſtood, hath no true hope of Eternall life borne in his underſtanding

Anſ. The Saints riſing is in Chriſt, and he is the Reſurrection, they are of his fleſh, and of his bone, and of his ſpirit, and the Saints are of the fleſh of Chriſt that ſaw no corruption, and of his bone, and hath the hope of eternall life promiſed of the Father, and now the fleſh of Chriſt, the Jewes did not know, that were the Idolaters, and fornicaters, for Chriſt according to the fleſh was of Abraham, who came out of all that Idolatry and generation of Fornicaters, and in this the ſaints riſe, live, and remaine with Chriſt for ever, and ſuch come to know the reſurrection of the juſt, and unjuſt according to the ſcriptures, the one to eternall life, and the other to condemnation.

Pr. That Chriſt by his death overcame him that had the power of death, and thereby made way to life.

Anſ. But how is death overcome in thee, when thou doſt not ſee the kingdome of God in thee, and ſaith it ſhall not be whiles men are in their mortall bodies, and how ſhort art thou of the Holy Ghoſt, and the power, and the joy, and the righteouſneſſe, which the Kingdome ſtands in? and Chriſt which overcame death, he is the life, and the way to God the Father of life, which doth inlighten every man that cometh into the world, that by the light they might ſee it, and believe in it, that they might be children of light, and come to the light of life, which they that doe not believe in it, with the light are condemned.

Pr. That the unchangableneſſe of Gods purpoſe, of his love, is the onely ground of mans obedience, & ſtability, or continuance in obedience, not mans obedience the ground of his ſtability.

Anſ. Mans ſtability is Chriſt, the light the life, the foundation of God that ſtands ſure, the hope in him that remaineth, the faith given to him of God, the ſeed comes to be knowne, the Son of God in the male and in the female, which abideth in the houſe for ever, which is the heir of the promiſe, and there the unchangeableneſſe of God is knowne, he that doth not change is ſeen, that is appeared, which cannot be ſhaken, that ſeeth an end of all changeable things, and variableneſſe, and turnings, and here is the obedience felt.

Pr. God hath ordained to eternall life every one that are or ſhall be ſaved before they had a being in this world, but none come to poſſeſſion of this ſalvation but through the obedience of the ſpirit.

Anſ. The ground of mans belief and obedience is Chriſt, who doth inlighten him, to the intent that he might believe and obey the truth, and who knowes the ſeed, knowes the election, before the world was made.

Pr. That the ſeed of Iſrael are men, and not onely ſomething in man, that the ſeed of the Serpent are men, and not onely ſomething in man.

Anſ. If the ſeed of Iſrael be men, then by thy account the ſeed of Iſrael is the ſeed of the Serpent, for they are men; and Chriſt who came to deſtroy the work of the Devill, and him that hath the power of death; it is not ſaid he came to deſtroy all Iſrael, and all men upon the earth, but thou errs in thy judgement, and in thy underſtanding; for I know it is the ſeed of the Serpent that ſpeakes in thee, that puts no difference between the pretious and the vile, and when Iſrael thought Chriſt had called them ſerpents, many of them were converted to the faith; their outward creatures were not deſtroyed; thou talkes fooliſhly, and given up to the Devils power, and who works wickedneſſe and miſchiefe, and if men be the ſerpents ſeed, as thou doth ſay, who ſhall be ſaved, for the Serpent and his ſeed muſt be deſtroyed; and if men be the ſeed of the ſerpent, then muſt the ſeed of the ſerpent obey the ſpirit, muſt not the ſpirit deſtroy him, and the brightneſſe and breath of the Lord conſume him; and it is men whoſe lives Chriſt came to ſave, that are captivated by the ſeed of the ſerpent, and redeemed and turned from the power of Satan, to God; and thou muſt be threſhed, and feel the weight of the Lords hand, before thou beeſt humbled; and what haſt thou to doe to talke of ordination before man had a being in the world, and would make men like thy ſelf, and ſay they are the ſerpents ſeed, which man is not ſo, as he is man, and we and thouſands do witneſſe election and ſalvation before the foundation of the world was laid, and are come into that which comprehends time and being, which are ſince time, in which power the elect reignes where ſalvation is known.

Pr. The woman that the Serpent deceived, her ſeed breakes the Serpents Dominion.

Anſ. The ſeed of the woman doth bruſe the ſerpents head, where ever he is found in any male or female, that Chriſt may riſe in the male and in the female, and this ſeed is a top of thy head, and thou haſt no power but to reach to his heel, and thou art the houſe of darkneſſe, and the ſeed is yet in Egypt, not come forth yet, and there is a ſtrong man muſt bow himſelfe, and them that keep the houſe muſt tremble, and hath kept thy heart from the Lord God, and hath carryed it a whoring abroad, and a ſtronger he is, then he that keeps the houſe, that ſpoiles his goods and takes poſſeſſion, who comes to rule, and will rule and reigne.

Pr. That the manifestation of the ſpirit is given to every man in the Church to profit withall, and not to every man in the world.

Anſw. The manifeſtation is given to every man to profit withall, without diſtinction, I will power out my ſpirit upon all fleſh, for the ſpirit of truth ſhall lead the Saints into all truth, and he ſhall reprove the world, and that which doth reprove the world, is manifeſt to the world.

Pr. That no man hath received a meaſure of the ſpirit of Christ, but ſuch as doe believe in Chriſt, and that no man doth believe in Chriſt, but ſuch as Chriſt is revealed to in time; and that he is revealed to none, but by the manifeſtation of his ſpirit.

Anſw. The true believers that believe in Chriſt the revelation, knew him in time and out of time, and the unbelievers are reproved.

Pr. Which of the people of God, Prophets, or Apoſtles, did direct all people to a Light within them for their inſtruction and guide, before the manifeſtation of the ſpirit unto them, or the worke of Regeneration wrought in them.

Anſw. The Prophet ſaid, I will give him for a Covenant of light unto the Gentiles, and a new Covenant with the houſe of Iſrael, and with the houſe of Judah will I make, and write my Law in their hearts, and put them into their minds; and this was in generall, directed to them before they was converted, and Regenerated, and this light was to inlighten the Gentiles, whereby the priſoners ſhould come out of the pit where there is no water, and the new Covenant was held to the Jewes before they were converted, that all may ſee who can read but the outward letter; and the Apoſtle was ſent to turn people from darkneſſe to light, and Iohn the higheſt Prophet borne of woman, ſaid, that was the true light which did inlighten every man that cometh into the world, which he was a witneſſe of, and ſhined in the darkneſſe, and the darkneſs comprehendeth it not; and Chriſt directed the Phariſees to the kingdome of heaven in them which were not converted; read the pearl, and the loſt piece of ſilver, read the talent, and the pearle hid in the field, read the ſlothfull ſervant, his talent, and then read thy ſelfe how blind and ignorant thou art in the things of God, and be ſilent, that thou may come to know the Lord, and his feare, that the witneſſe of God may ſtir in thee, that thou may do righteouſly in the fight of God and men, leaſt the judgement of God be upon thy head; for thou art manifeſt to all that be in the light.

THE DOCTRINS & PRINCIPLES OF THE Prieſts of Scotland, CONTRARY to the DOCTRINE OF CHRIST and the APOSTLES. Here all may ſee, The Prieſts of Scotland, and their Church, and their Perſecution, againſt the Saints, and Lambs, Servants, and Children of God, which the Lord moved to go among them, to viſit the Seed of God, in that dark wilderneſs-Country, who has been as Sheep among Wolves. Alſo, How pure Religion is turned upſide down, and vain Religion got in its place. And the pure Doctrine of Chriſt and the Apoſtles, which ſaith, Entertain Strangers, Love Enemies is loſt among you; In ſtead of entertaining ſtrangers, and loving enemies, they Impriſon and Perſecute, and have made their Church unſavoury: And the Teachers fruits declares to be falſe, who are wreſtlers againſt fleſh and blood, and ſtrikers at creatures which Chriſt and the Apoſtles did not. George Weare. John Hart. William Grey. William Lowry. William Mitchell. Richard Iſamaell.

FIRST, Theſe Presbyterian Prieſts of Scotland, which Excommunicate and puts out of the Synagogues, knowes not the Father and the Sun, John 16. ſo no true Chriſtians; for how can they be true Chriſtians that knowes not the Son of God, nor the Father?

Secondly, They are no Miniſters of Chriſt; for Chriſt ſaith, When they curſe, bleſſe ye; ſo they be out of Chriſts doctrine and teaching, not bleſſing but curſing, and giving forth curſes, and all the people muſt ſay Amen to their Curſes.

Thirdly, They be out of the Apoſtles doctrine, who ſaith, Bleſſe and curſe not, Rom. 12.14. ſo are no Miniſters of Chriſt that curſeth, and gives forth their Curſes, to the people to ſay Amen to them: and here they are ſhut out of the Apoſtles doctrine, and Chriſts, all people mark, and take notice, them they are that curſe; which the Apoſtle ſaith, Bleſſe and curſe not; theſe are the Curſers and not bleſſers, that Excommunicate you out of the Synagogues.

Hugh Archball Prieſt of Stravan. John Hume Prieſt of Leſmabaga. William Hambleton Prieſt of Glasford. James Durram Prieſt of Glaſgow. John Caſtaires Prieſt of Glagow. Francis Ard Prieſt of Diſcert. Matthew Mackel Prieſt of Bothell. Henry Foreſide Prieſt of Lingiah. James Neſmith Prieſt of Hambleton. Robert Semple Prieſt of Loſmahaga. Thomas Garony Prieſt of Edenbrough. John Burnet Prieſt of Hilbride.
Hugh Archballs Doctrine and Principles, Prieſt of Stravan in Anandale, Theſe are his Principles, as follow.

Pr. THat Christ hath not enlightned every one that comes into the world.

Anſ. Which is contrary to Johns doctrine John 1.9.

Pr. That Christ doth enlighten none but thoſe that do receive him.

Anſ. Contrary to John 3. ſpeaking of them which hate the light, and are enlightned and will not come to it, becauſe the light will reprove them; ſo he that hates the light is enlightned, and will not receive Chriſt.

Pr. That it is blaſphemy to ſay, that the true light doth enlighten and condemn the world.

Anſw. Contrary to John 1.9. & 3.19. that ſaith, This is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. And this is the condemnation of the world, that light is come into the world.

Pr. To ſay, that which reproves for ſin is from Heaven, is blaſphemy.

Anſw. Contrary to John 16.8. which ſaith it is the ſpirit that reproves, which comes from the Father, and the Son, which is from Heaven.

Pr. He cryeth up a natural light, as Sun, Moon and Stars, and the light of Chriſt was before theſe was made, and ſaith, it is blaſphemy to ſay, they that did the things contained in the Law was bleſſed in the deed, and the Apoſtle ſaid the doers of the Law was juſtified; and ſaid he would leave the Friends that ſpake to him, to the mercy of the people.

Anſw. Upon which they ſtruck bitterly with books, fiſts, and ſtones, to deſtroy, but that ſome moderate people and Souldiers ſtayed the Perſecution.

John Hume Prieſt of Leſmahaga, His Principles as follows who got into a Steeple houſe, and ſhut the door upon him; thus he taught the people.

Pr. THat which was to be known of God, was manifeſt by the the things that are created.

Anſw. Contrary to the Apoſtles doctrine, Rom. 1.19. For whatſoever may be known of God is manifeſt in them, for the inviſible things of him from the Creation of the world, are clearly ſeen, being underſtood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and God-head, ſo that they are without excuſe. So with that of God in them they know the inviſible things from the foundation of the world, and with that they ſee the God-head.

Pr. That God was to be known by the things that were made, as the Sun, Moon, and Stars.

Anſw. But Jeſus Chriſt ſaid, Mat. 11 27. No man knowes the Father but the Son, and he to whomſoever the Sun will reveal him, and the heathens know not God, nor the Jewes had not ſeen his ſhape. And his ſervants and workmen did throw water, ſtones and lime, and perſecuted, and dirtted, and abuſed the people called Quakers, and threw a pan full of water in a Souldiers neck, and he the ſaid Prieſt never reproved them; and theſe be the fruits of him, and his own Family, in ſtead of gravity: well may the whole Pariſh be out of order, when his own Family is thus. So he is one that is reproved by the Apoſtles doctrine. 1 Tim. 3. which ſaith, If you cannot rule your own Family, how can you take care for the Church of God?

Henry Foreſide Prieſt of the Pariſh of Lingiah in Dunbarton-ſhire, ſaid in his Preaching to the people.

Pr. IF they had any Chriſtian zeal they would ſtone them whom they call Quakers.

Anſw. It is the blinde zeal that ſtones, not the Chriſtian zeal, that have the life of Chriſt; for the Chriſtian zeal is to pray for them that perſecute, Mat. 5.44. and not to ſtone them, & to love enemies: it was the Jews zeal that took up ſtones to ſtone Chriſt John 8.59. they ſtoned Steven. Acts 7.5.8. and ſtoned the Apoſtles, Acts 14.19. In this the Presbytrians have proved their Chriſtianity to be out of Chriſt and the Apoſtles.

Prin. If Paul and the reſt of the Apoſtles had been alive, they would have ſtoned the Quakers.

Anſw. Here all may ſee his work to be the envious man in Cains way, Jude 11. who would murther, and wrongs the Apoſtle, who never taught nor intended any ſuch doctrine, but ſaid, Overcome evil with good, Rom, 12.21. and love bears all things, 1 Cor. 13.7. Now ſee whoſe Miniſter this man is, that cannot bear, but would have them ſtoned, and would have the Apoſtle as bad as himſelf, which Apoſtle ſaid, Chriſt was his example, who laid down his life for his enemies, Rom. 5.8. who ſuffered the contradiction of ſinners, we will render evil to no man, but ſay the contrary, the Lord Jeſus forgive them, Luke 23.34. and the Apoſtle ſaid, they wreſtled not againſt fleſh and blood, Eph. 6.12. but them and you that ſtone, do ye not wreſtle againſt fleſh and blood? But if the Apoſtles would have ſtoned, would they not have wreſtled againſt fleſh and blood? And if the Apoſtles ſhould have ſtoned all that were contrary to their minds, & bidden the people ſtone them, & told them it was Chriſtian zeal, what work would they have made? as the ſaid Henry Foreſide, called Miniſter, doth, where would have been long ſuffering? Gal. 5.22. and loving enemies? Mat. 5.44. and where would he have had any to have converted? and who would have been perſecutors? and who would have prayed for perſecutors? ye may ſee what a pit ye are fallen into, and how ſhould they have convinced gain-ſayers, Titus 1.9. and loved them when they had ſtoned them. And this is the Presbyterians zeal of Scotland, and not Chriſtan zeal, who would ſtone, and ſtir up his Congregation to do ſo; for Chriſt, who is cloathed with zeal, Iſa. 59 17. ſaid, Love your Enemies, but ye are cloathed with madneſs and folly: And the Apoſtle that was in his zeal according to knowledge ſaid, Overcome evil with good, Rom. 12.21. and vengeance is the Lords, and he will repay it, Rom. 12.19. and love bears all things; but his blind zeal cannot bear any thing, but cryes ſtone them out of the way, and ſo wickedly and deviliſhly calls it Chriſtian zeal, which is falſe, that is, the Devils zeal. Now the Apoſtles wreſtled not againſt fleſh and blood, but againſt the powers of darkneſſe, Eph. 6.12. but the Presbyterians called miniſters are ſtriking againſt fleſh and blood, whilſt ye would ſtone them, whilſt that time ſpirituall wickedneſſe lies within you. So ye Presbyterian-Prieſts are as a troop of robbers that would murther in the way by conſent, Hoſ. 6.9.

James Dorram, called Miniſter of Glaſgow, his principles.

Pr. THat the believers, even the reall godly, are not without ſin in this life.

Anſ. Here is one that is charging the elect, and laying ſin to the elect that God juſtifies, Rom. 8.33. that in the godly there ſhould he ſin. Sin is out of the godly, in the ungodly, which turne the grace of God into wantonneſſe; and what good doth his preaching doe them, if they muſt never be without ſin whilſt they are upon earth, they can be but in their ſin if they never preach to them: But the ſcripture ſaith, He that believes is borne of God, and he that is borne of God cannot ſin, becauſe his ſeed remaines in him, 1 Iohn 3.9. But this is of another world to him, who is called James Dorram Miniſter of Glaſgow, Miniſter of darkneſſe, who puts no difference between the children of God and the children of the devill, 1 Iohn 3.10. They would have ſin whilſt they are upon the earth, and it is darkneſſe, but the Apoſtles ſaid they were made free from ſin, Rom. 6.22. whilſt they were upon the earth.

Pr. Chriſt being ſinleſſe, ſeparates him from all others.

Anſw. Chriſt being ſeperated from ſinners, Heb. 7.26. who are in Chriſt are ſeperate from ſinners and ſin both, 2 Cor. 6, 17. But this James Dorram hath made the offering of none effect, Heb. 10.14. which hath perfected for ever them that are ſanctified; And hath made the blood of Jeſus of none effect, which cleanſeth from all ſin 1 Iohn 1.7. And he hath made the everlaſting Covenant of none effect which blots out all ſins & treſpaſſes? And he hath made the faith of the Son of God of none effect, which purifies the heart, and gives victory over the world, Acts. 15.9. 1 Iohn. 5.5. Thou doſt herein preach and hold up ſin, and doth not preach it down; and yet thou ſaiſt thou preacheſt not to hold it up, and yet thou preacheſt they muſt have it whilſt they are upon the earth; here is confuſion in thy tongue, Prov. 17.20. Thou ſhouldſt have preached it down, and have brought them to a Church where there is neither ſpot nor wrinkle, nor blemiſh nor any ſuch thing, Eph. 5.27. if thou wert a true Miniſter, but your Church is full of ſpots, and blemiſhes, and wrinkles, whilſt ye are preaching up zeale to ſtone people, and ſin while they live, as Henry Foreſide and Iames Dorram doth.

Pr. God be thanked the ſcripture ſpeakes nothing for freedome from ſin and perfection.

Anſ. Thou thankeſt God that thou maiſt live in thy ſin and imperfection, and art glad of this thy falſe hope, but thou art a lyar, thou art out of the truth in this, for the ſcripture ſaith they were made free from ſin, Rom. 6.26. and they preached wiſdome among them that were perfect, 1 Cor. 2.6. and he hath perfected for ever them that are ſanctified, Heb. 10.14. So the ſcripture ſpeakes of freedome from ſin and perfection, and be perfect.

Pr. That the condemning power of ſin is taken away.

Anſw. The believer doth not ſin, 1 Iohn 5.1. 1 Iohn 3.9. but he that the believer overcomes commits ſin, 1 Io. 3.8: & 1 Io. 5.5. & if the believer commits ſin, who overcomes the believer? and ſo he that commits ſin is under the condemning power of ſin which thou ſaiſt not: which thou and all other ſhall witneſſe

Pr. The believer is not in ſin as the unbeliever is, he ſins not as the unbeliever doth; and in an other place he ſaith, the Law is the ſame to the believer, that it is to the unbeliever.

Anſw. Here any may read thy confuſion, but I ſay unto thee, he that believeth doth not commit ſin, but the unbeliefe is ſin, Rom. 11.20. and Chriſt is the end of the Law to every one that believes for righteouſneſſe ſake, Rom. 10.4. and yet thou puts both believers and unbelievers under the Law.

Lodowick Simerell prieſt of the new pariſh of Munckland, his Principles and Doctrines.

Pr. THat it is blaſphemy to ſay that the light in man, which reproves of ſin, is the light of God, is perfect is the gift of God.

Anſw. Contrary to ſcripture, contrary to Chriſts words, and contrary to the Apoſtles words is thy doctrine and Principles, for every gift of God is perfect, Iſa. 1.17. Iſa. 49.6. Iohn 1.3. Iohn 4. For Chriſt is the gift of God, and he will give him for a Covenant of light to the Jewes, and Gentiles, which doth enlighten every man that commeth into the world, which every one that doth truth comes to it, which every one that doth evill hates the light, and will not come to the light becauſe the light will reprove him; and ſo, This is the condemnation of the world, that light is come into the world, and men love darkneſſe rather then light, becauſe their deeds be evill. So this light is perfect, which doth reprove every man of ſin, and is from above, and it is the gift of God, and thou art blind and in darkneſſe that comprehends it not: And the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, Chriſt Jeſus the gift of God, him by whom the world was made, this light was before any naturall light was made, Sun, Moon, or Stars; for all things that was made, was made by the light, which came a light into the world, that all through him might believe, for he that believes not in the light, is condemned already, and he that does believe in the light hath the witneſſe in himſelfe, to ſet to his ſeale that God is true, and the ſpirit of truth that doth reprove the world is perfect, & of God.

The light which every one that cometh into the world is enlightned withall, is not conſcience, for the light was before any thing was made, or conſcience named: So the light is that which exerciſeth the conſcience towards God, and towards man, where it is loved, and the voice heard; but where it is hated, and the voice not heard, the conſcience is ſeared, and the light is their condemnation, whoſe conſciences is ſeared, which light was before conſcience was.

The Prieſt would not have thee and thou to be to a ſingle perſon, and ſo is the man that would not indure ſound words, that cannot be condemned, thee and thou was the language between God and his Saints, and one another, and you is to many, and thou was to one, and this was the language between Jeptha and his daughter, and between the Saints and the Kings, this ſhewes, thou haſt not learned the Accedence nor Bible, nor art come to the forme of ſound words.

Iohn Caſtaires, called Miniſter of Glaſgow, his principles.

Pr. THis is naturall folks duty to pray to God and worſhip him, although they ſinfully keep themſelves under a ſinfull neceſſity to ſin againſt God through ignorance.

Anſw. This hath been your worke to keep people in ignorance, which you may be aſhamed of. A naturall man cannot worſhip God, for he cannot receive the things of God, nor a ſinfull man, but worſhip the Devill, for he that commits ſin, ſerves him, and he that ſerves ſin, ſerves the devill, and worſhips him, Iohn 8.34. And Chriſt ſaid the Phariſees ſhould receive the greater damnation, for their pretended long prayers, Mat. 23.14. and ſo he did not juſtifie them in their long prayers, but rebuked them, and ſaid, Wo unto them who draw near with their lips, when their hearts were far off, Iſa. 29.13. And they that pray and worſhip God, muſt pray in the ſpirit, 1 Corinthians 1 Corinthians 14.15. and worſhip in the Spirit, which the Devil is out of, John 4.21.

Pr. If the first Command be in force, and if it be in force negatively, it is alſo in force, poſitively, thou ſhalt have me for thy God, and oughteſt to worſhip me, and if they pray not as they ſhould, let them anſwer for it, for it is not ſin of it ſelf.

Anſ. The children of Iſrael that the Commandments were given unto, knew God, but the Heathen knows him not: here all may ſee what meaſure thou meaſures withall. And further thou ſayeſt, if they pray as they ſhould not, and yet not ſin, is praying as they ſhould and as they ſhould not, one? by this to call upon God with their lips, and the heart not right, and the prayers and ſacrifice of the wicked is juſtified, Prov. 15.8. and if any pray as they ſhould not, are they not condemned for it? and if in praying as they ſhould not, be not ſin, then they do as they ſhould.

Pr. If folks ſhould not pray becauſe they are uncapable, then a believer not finding himſelf in a good frame, may let his prayers alone.

Anſw. A Believer is a babe of God, and his cry is right, his prayer is right, and his groan is right, 1 John 5.1. And every man that cometh into the world, being enlightned, and coming into the light which hath enlightned him, 1 Iohn 1.7. in that he is to watch and pray, which leads him beyond naturals, which will be accepted in the degree, but he that hates the light, his prayer is not accepted, but is in the hypocriſie.

Pr. The Apoſtles bad Simon Magus, an old witchcarle, pray; and now is there any reaſon to ſay we are bidding folk ſing, when we bid them pray, although they be groſly ignorant?

Anſw. The Apoſtle bad him Repent, Acts 8.22 and he was ſenſible he had ſinned: and that which makes a man ſenſible of ſin, brings him to pray aright, and turns him from witchcraft, and ſo thou doſt put no difference between the precious and the vile, Ezek. 22.26. the accepted and unaccepted.

And Henry Foreſide, who would have had his People to ſtone the Quakers, and calls it Chriſtian zeal, he would have his wall up that he might live in ſafety, who murthers, and would be preſerved in the murtherous eſtate, and would have the powers of the earth to be his Executioners and pack-horſes, but the Lord is opening of their eyes, that they will not execute their malice, though he is ſtirring up the people to do ſo; ſo all may ſee this is not the work of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, but the work of the Murtherer, and one that makes himſelf drunk with the blood of the Saints, Rev. 17.6. till he reel again in his madneſs. And Chriſt called them that took up ſtones to ſtone him, of their Father the Devil, for doing his luſt, John 8.44. And thou who would have the people to ſtone, and calls it Chriſtian zeal, thou haſt manifeſted thy Father, and to be of the Devil, who was a Murtherer from the beginning, but you are the Serpents and vipers that would kill to fill the meaſure of your Fathers, Mat. 23.32. and perſecute from City to City, and hale out of the Synagogues, John 16.2. that all the righteous blood, ſhed from righteous Abel, might come upon you, Mat. 23.35. and you are they that kill the bodies of the Saints, and are ſhedders of the righteous blood, (Mark, the righteous blood) that the righteous blood might be upon you. And Cain ſlew Abel, becauſe Abels ſacrifice was accepted, and his not, Gen. 4. So it is about the Sacrifice, and worſhip, ye would murther and ſlay: So ye are in Cains way, a company of vagabonds, whoſe Sacrifice God hath no reſpect unto; if we were enemies, you would not teach the people to ſtone us, if ye were Miniſters of Chriſt, but love us, Mat. 5.44. And do good to us. If the Apoſtles ſhould have taught the people to ſtone all that were contrary to their minde, and Chriſt ſhould have taught his Diſciples to ſtone all that were contrary to their minde, and tell them that were Chriſtian zeal; but ye may ſee Chriſt nd his Apoſtles taught another doctrine, Love your enemies, and thou teacheſt to ſtone them, contrary to Chriſt and his Apoſtles, we do conclude it to be the Doctrine of the Devil, and not the Doctrine of Chriſt, who are in ſcorn called Quakers. For the true Chriſtian zeal never taught to ſtone, but were ſtoned.

The Prieſts called Presbyterians ſummoned ſome people called Quakers to come be ore them, and they came into the Steeple-houſe where they met, and James Naſmith Prieſt of Hambleton bad them remove, or elſe he would make them remove by Club Law, and they asked the Presbyterian Prieſts for their accuſers, and Francis Ard one of the Prieſts ſaid, they were both accuſers and Judges; now whether this be equity, that the ſame ſhould be both accuſers Judges, that ſummons; and when they have ſummoned, accuſed, and judged, ſaith, they will make them remove by club Law: whether theſe be not bruits, and beaſts, and not Juſtices, and are not fit to Judge, nor to have the name of Miniſters, and Judges that will remove people by club law; and the ſaid Quakers could not own them as Judges, nor doth not look on them as men of equity, but would have had them to have given them a meeting in any place, whereby the truth might be cleared, which they had ſcandalized and come to light, which they refuſed, and that lawful witneſſes might hear, but they did refuſe, and cauſed them to be put in priſon by the hand of a Bayliffe, by name Naſmith.

And this is the Authority of the Presbyterian Prieſts, who hath ſummoned with club Law, but it is denyed by the Apoſtles Doctrine, 1 Tim. 3. they muſt not be ſtrikers, nor falſe accuſers. Theſe are the Presbyterian Prieſts of Scotlands weapons, club Law, which is contrary to the Miniſters of Chriſt, they ſaid, We wreſtle not againſt fleſh and blood, and they muſt not be strikers, Eph. 6.12. and after they had violently the thruſt them into priſon, after their wills were ſatisfied with violence, they thruſt them out again, there ye may feel the Spirit of wickedneſs.

And theſe Presbyterian Prieſts, (are people) petitions the Magiſtrates, with a pretence, they might not be guilty of others blood; which pretence is in their Petitions, to take away their fear, that their wicked p ace might not be diſturbed, not regarding their blood: witneſs James Naſmith Prieſt, who would make them remove by club Law. So their Petition is but flattery and deceit, in pretence of not being guilty of their blood, in whoſe heart it is to ſhed blood, as witneſs Henry Foreſide Prieſt, who ſtirred up the people in zeal to ſtone them.

Thoſe Presbyterian Prieſts that ſet up club Law and perſecution againſt the Quakers, who would not have any to receive them into their houſes. So this is abominable Doctrine, contrary to the Apoſtle, whoſe Doctrine you have troden under your feet, who ſaid, Be not forgetful to entertain Strangers, for thereby ſome have entertained Angels unawares, Heb. 13.2.

And they ſay again, They have no certain dwelling places. Here theſe Presbyterians with their club Law and Excommunications, which ſay the Quakers have no certain dwelling places, they may inform againſt the Apoſtles, which had no certain dwelling places, and againſt Chriſt, who had not whereon to lay his head, Luke 9.58. and againſt Abraham, who had not a foot of ground, Gen. 12. but Cain built a City, the vagabond, of whoſe ſtock and off-ſpring you are, Gen. 4.17. and ſaid David, Let their Children be vagabonds, Pſal. 109.10. and ſo this is fulfilled upon you.

And you Presbyterian Prieſts with your club Law, who would club thoſe people ſcornfully called Quakers away; you would have an Order from the Juſtices, that none ſhould receive the Quakers into their houſes, and ſtop them of their liberty; and this is contrary to the Law of the Nations: And this is damnable doctrine, wherewith ye poiſon the people, and ſtirs them up with madneſs and folly. And in ſtead of teaching of them peace, you teach them ſtrife, and in ſtead of loving one another, you teach them to fight one with another.

And Henry Foreſide Prieſt cryes ſtone them. And James Naſmith Prieſt cryes for club Law. And William Hambleton Prieſt of Glasford ſaid to Andrew Brown, if the Lawes were right, they would chop off all the Quakers heads: by William Hambletons words the Law is wrong, becauſe it doth not fulfill his purpoſe and envy.

Here all may ſee that you are doing the Devils work, hunting after blood, whoſe envy, madneſs and folly appears to all men; what ye cannot do your ſelves, ye exhort the people to do; and what ye and the people cannot do, ye Petition the Magiſtrates to do, that all unrighteous blood may come upon you, Mat. 23.35.

Alas for you, ye poor ſilly Prieſts, and mad Presbyterians! Is this your work to ſet people to ſtone, and cry up club Law, and Law to chop off their heads? is this the way to convert them? is not this the Popiſh way of converting them? ye ſhould go to convert them, inſtruct them, convince them, love them, heap, cols of fire upon them, Mat. 5. Rom. 20. Overcome evill with good, Rom. 12.21. Pray for them, Mat. 5.44. No cry you, chop off their heads, begging by petitions that none may receive them into their houſes, ſtone them, fall upon them by club law, that your folly and madneſs may be made manifeſt; and yet impriſon them, and ſuch as receive them into their houſes: As for inſtance, ye cauſed Iohn Hart of the heads of Glasford and Jennet Hambleton widow of Weſtmanies, to be impriſoned for entertaining them into their houſes. Here ye have proved your ſelves to be the Wolves the ſheep are ſent among, Mat. 10.16. that are ravening to devoure them; which is one of the markes that ye are the falſe Prophets Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, Mat. 7.5. And another haling out of the Synagogues, and Excommunicating, and ye never ſhew for what; which practice ye are in, which is a work of darkneſſe.

And upon this bargaine that the Magiſtrates would grant them an order, that none ſhould receive them into their houſes, and that they might not have their liberty, and their ſervants would be much refreſhed, who cry ſtone them, let us have a Law againſt them, and if the Laws were right, they would chop off their heads, and make them remove by club Law; but how was theſe Prieſts the Magiſtrates ſervants at Dunbar Fight, when they excomunicated and curſed their now being army and Magiſtracy? but now they would be their ſervants, if they would execute their wills upon the innocent: Surely theſe things cannot but ſtink to all Magiſtrates that feare God.

Theſe are the ſervants and ſervers of the times, that the Prophets calls inchanters, Lev. 19.16. and for their own falſe ends; ye can never read that the Apoſtles nor Chriſt did ever teach any ſuch doctrine that the people ſhould be ſtoned, or have their heads choped off, or driven away by club law, which ſhows you are Apoſtates, from the Apoſtacy, and of the Jewiſh nature.

The Synod at Glaſgow, in the ſecond moneth, did ordain concerning theſe perſons in Clidedale, formerly Excommunicated who are called Quakers, that no other people in other pariſhes ſhould bargain with them, or ſuffer them to come within their houſes, or have enrertainement for money: Upon which the people perſecuted and ſtoned them, and haled them out of their houſes in ſeverall places, viz. Three of them people called Quakers, were in the night time between 10. and 11. houres, drawn by force out of an Inne, in the Town of New-mills in Aire-ſhire, and ſtoned out of the town into the Fields to ſhift for their lodging. And others, three ſeverall times were beaten, ſtoned, and ſhamefully intreated, and perſecuted in Strawan. And others at Lithmahaga. And others ſhamefully abuſed in the Town of Kirkantillough. And others ſtoned at Kilbride. And others pittifully ſtoned, beaten, and abuſed; and ſome blood ſhed at Glasford: And at many other places much harme hath been done. Theſe be the Prieſts fruits, the bloody presbytery, who would have them ſtoned, and their heads chopped off; ſome of the Magiſtrates did ſtop the people for abuſing of them, ſo that the prieſts malice was not altogether ſatisfied.

Andrew Brown and Iohn Lowcock of Glasford, were caſt into priſon, for asking him a queſtion when he was Catechiſing, and admoniſhed them when they were far abſent, and if they come before them, they will caſt them into priſon; this makes them peepers and mutterers, to admoniſh them when they are not preſent, and is this like to change them, or do they intend to change them, who admoniſh them when they are out of hearing, and did Excommunicate them when they were in priſon? what an unmanly part is this wicked, diveliſh, envious, and unchriſtian Miniſtry.

And Iohn Hart went to a ſteeple-houſe to heare the prieſts admoniſhment, for the Prieſt ſaid he would admoniſh him, and he went to heare him, and when he had admoniſhed him, he ſpake to him, and bid him prove himſelfe in the doctrine of Chriſt, and they who he admoniſhed out of it, and then gave them a bill of divorſment: but the Prieſts went to the Court, and got a warrant from the Juſtice, and ſo caſt him in priſon, and when he was in priſon, Excommunicated him, and ſaid he diſturbed him; And here his deviliſh wicked art and doctrine appears, which ſhewes him of Cains ſtock, where is nothing but perſecution, murther, and envious-ſlayers, vagabonds, and curſed ſpeakers that went on in the way of Balaam, or Core; that makes merchandize of the people through their covetouſneſſe, and feigned words to the people; And gives forth their Curſes in their Congregations, and all the people are to ſay Amen, to them as followeth.

The Prieſts firſt curſe that all the people were to ſay Amen to.

Curſed be all they that ſay Grace is free, and let all the people ſay, Amen.

Anſw. And ſo they curſe the Apoſtles, and the Apoſtles doctrine, and all that witneſſe to it, who ſaid, The free grace of God which bringeth ſalvation, hath appeared to all men, Titus 2.11. and was the Saints Teacher; Theſe things the Apoſtles commanded to teach with all authority, Tit s 2.15. but the ungodly men turne this grace of God into wantonneſſe, of old ordained for condemnation.

Ye are the raging waves of the Sea, ſending and fomeing out your own ſhame, whoſe fruits wither, neglecting the common ſalvation, Read Jude. Ye are like to Sodome and Egypt, clouds without water, who run greedily after the wages of Balaam, going on the way of Cain, and ſhall periſh in the gain-ſaying of Core, and walking deſpitefully againſt the ſpirit of grace; and they that turne the Grace of God into wanttonneſſe, denies the Lord that bought them, 2 Pet. 2. Jude 11.

Ye are the trees without fruite, wells without water, carryed about with tempeſts, curſed ſpeakers; teaching the people to ſay Amen to your curſing the Apoſtles doctrine, and ſo willingly ignorant, that your damnation may be juſt, that your madneſſe and folly might appeare to all, and ſo ſenſuall having not the ſpirit, waves of the Sea, wandring ſtars, reſerved for darkneſs of blackneſs, read Jude.

The grace of God which bringeth ſalvation hath appeared to all men, Titus 2.11. So that which brings ſalvation and hath appeared to all men ye Curſe that which is the Grace of God, which ye with your damnable doctrine, and doctrine of Devills, curſe them that witneſſe it, 2 Pet. 2. 1 Tim. 4. upon whoſe conſciences the hot Iron hath come, hardned them that went to the doctrine of Devils, went to them that did not hold forth the Saviour of all men, but eſpecially them that believe, 1 Tim. 4.10. Theſe things command and teach, let no man deſpiſe thy youth.

Now they that went to the doctrine of Devills, from the Saviour of all men, but eſpecially them that believe, and from the grace of God which hath appeared to all men, which brings ſalvation; are they which have turned the grace of God into wantonneſſe, ordained of old for condemnation, which is the light, Jude 4. Such be in Caines way from the command of God, Cores way from the truth, and Balaams way from the ſpirit, thoſe be the clouds and tempeſts upon whoſe heads comes the Woe.

The Prieſts ſecond curſe, which all the people were to ſay Amen to.

Curſed be all they that ſay the Scripturs is not the word of Gods and let all the people ſay Amen.

Anſ. Here they have curſed Luke, who calls the ſcripture a Declaration of the word Luke 1.1. and Acts 1.1. where it is called a Treatiſe; and they have curſed their own company, who ſaies the ſcriptures ſignifies Writings; and they have curſed John, who did not ſay the ſcripture was the word, who ſaid, In the beginning was the word, Iohn 1.1. and the ſcripture is words, as Revelations the laſt, he that addeth to the words; and Chriſt his name is called, The word of God; Rev. 19, 13. And the ſcriptures are words, not a word, Exod. 20. and which words Chriſt came to fulfill.

The Prieſts third Curſe, to which all the people were to ſay Amen.

Curſed be all they that ſay Faith is without ſin, and let all the People ſay Amen.

Anſ. Faith is the gift of God, and the gift of God is without ſin, Epheſ. 2.8. Faith is that which gives the victory, John 3.4. And that which gives victory is without ſin. And here they have curſed the Apoſtles and their doctrine, who ſaith, Faith is without ſin, and Faith is precious, 1 Pet. 1.7. and that which is precious is without ſin. Faith is the gift of God, and the gift of God is perfect, and that which is perfect is without ſin, and gives victory over ſin: Without Faith a man cannot pleaſe God, and that which men pleaſe God in, is without ſin, Heb. 11.6. And ſo ye have curſed the Apoſtle and his doctrine, the juſt and that which is pure, that by which they were healed, through Faith they were juſtified, Rom. 3.28. and what is not of faith is ſin, Rom. 14.23. So what is of Faith is not ſin, and what is righteous is not ſin, and the Scripture ſpeakes of the righteouſneſs of Faith, Rom 4.13. Faith is not of ſin, but what is not of Faith is ſin, Faith gives victory over ſin, 1 John 3.4. in which Faith man is juſtified, and hath peace with God, Rom. 5.1. and it is a myſtery held in a pure conſcience, 1 Tim. 3.9.

The Prieſts fourth Curſe, to which all the people were to ſay Amen.

Curſed are all they that ſay every man hath a light ſufficient to lead him to Chriſt, and that within him, and let all the People ſay Amen.

Anſw. Here they have curſed the Apoſtles doctrine, who ſaid God would dwell in them, 2 Cor. 6.16. and Chriſt in you the hope of glory, Col. 1.27. and God is light, 1 John 1.5. And they have curſed the Prophets, who ſaid, I give him for a Covenant, a Leader of the people: I will dwell in them, and walk in them, ſaith God, Jer 31.31. Heb. 10.16. and he ſaith, I will ſend you the Spirit of truth, and it ſhall lead you into all truth, John 14.17. John 16.13. And I will be their God, to rule them and they ſhall be my people, Jer. 31.33. Thy curſes are but winde, for we are redeemed from the curſe; and the Apoſtles ſaid, the light that ſhined in their hearts was to give them the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Cor. 4.6. and they that are led by the Spirit of God are the Sons of God, Rom. 8.14. & the light to guide our feet in the way of peace, and he that hath the Son hath the Father alſo; And if any bring another doctrine, receive them not into your houſes, neither bid them God ſpeed, 2 John 9.30. You have here ſhewed your ſ lves in the curſed eſtate, out of the Apoſtles rule, the ſame Spirit of truth that led the Diſciples into all truth, that ſhall reprove the world of ſin, John 16.8.13.

The Prieſts fifth Curſe, to which all the people were to ſay Amen.

Curſed be all they that deny the Sabbath day, and let all the People ſay Amen.

Anſw. Here thou haſt curſed thy ſelf, and all the Apoſtles, and all the Saints, and their own generation; haſt not thou and thy owne g n ration denyed the Sabbath day, the Jewes met on, which is the Sabbath day according to the Scripture? do not ye meet tog t er upon the firſt day? and was not Chriſt crucified on the ſixth day? and did not he ariſe on the fi ſt day? and did not the Saints meet together on the firſt day? and not keep the Jewes Sabbath day? do not you work upon it your ſelves, and keep markets and Fairs on it? but as it is ſaid before, we are Redeemed from the curſe.

Th ſe are the particular ſentences whereupon Matthew Markell, and the reſt of the Prieſts preſent with him, did Excommunicate thoſe people called Quakers, in the pr •• ence of many witneſſes, and he required his hearers to ſay Amen to every particul r ſentence.

JOHN HƲMES Prieſt.

Pr. THey who have not the Scriptures, knowes not the Attributes of God by the light of nature, but the Scriptures declare the great myſtery of the three perſons in Trinity, which they who want the Scriptures knowes not.

Anſw. Thy Principle is a lie, and who had not the Scriptures knew God and Chriſt, as Abraham and Enoch, and the Scripture doth not declare of the three perſons; nor of the Trinity, and the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God.

Pr. That the Scriptures reveal the great myſtery of Election, the great works of the Creation, and the work of Redemption.

Anſw. There thou haſt ſet up the Scripture in ſtead of God, and before God and the Son, for it is God that doth reveal to babes and ſucklings, Mat. 11.25. and God did reveal by his Spirit, 1 Cor. 2.10. and God ſhall reveal, Phil. 3.15. and the things of God are hid from the wiſe and prudent, Mat. 11.25. that have the Scriptures; the Jews had the Scriptures: and God reveals his ſecrets to the Prophets his ſervants, Amos 3.7. no man knows the Father ſaving to whom the Son ſhall reveal him, Mat. 11.17. now the Son reveals, and the Father reveals, and the things of God are revealed by his Spirit, 1 Cor. 2.10. the Jewes had the Scriptures, and knew not the Son, 1 Cor. 2.8. nor the Father, as in John, nor the things of God by a natural light, as they call it; the Iews had the Scriptures, and did not know the Election, Iſa. 24. becauſe they were from the Spirit. So it is God that reveals the Son, and Redemption and Election, and not the Scripture, the Scripture was given forth from them that had the Revelation from God.

Pr. That we and the Papists and Jeſuites, and Priests, do agree all together, that the Scripture is the word of God that liveth and endureth for ever.

Anſ. I do believe that you and the Papiſts and Jeſuits, agree all in one; but ye did not agree with the Apoſtles and Miniſters of the word, for the Miniſters of the word calls the Scripture a Declaration, as ye may read Luke 1. and ye do not agree with them that ſet forth the Acts, that called it a Treatiſe, Acts 1. likewiſe ye do not agree with ſome of your own, who ſay the Scriptures ſignifies writings, and writings will not endure for ever, ſo ye are Babylon, and do not agree with Chriſt, and ye do not agree with Iohn, Rev. 22. who ſaith the words; nor with Moſes, nor God, who ſpake all theſe words, Exod. 20. In the beginning was the word, and the word is God, and the word liveth and abideth for ever; but the Scripture is words, and the Scripture cannot be broken.

John Naſmith Prieſt of Hambleton, his Principles.

Pr. THat the ſoul of man is a reaſonable ſinful ſubſtance.

Anſ. How can that which is ſinful be reaſonable? and if that which is unſinful be reaſonable, and ſinful be reaſonable both, then they are one in unity. The Lord will take the ſoul for an offering for ſin; doth the Lord take that which is ſinfull for an offering? Iſai. 53. ſee how thou and the Prophet agrees here; But what is that ſoul that the wicked is not able to kill? is it not that which God hath in his hand? and this is a lie, to ſay that which is reaſonable is ſinful, of one that puts light for darkneſs. God breathed into man the breath of life, and he became a living ſoul, who hath all ſouls in his hand, and the ſoul is immortal and Chriſt the Biſhop of it is immortal, and God hath it in his hand which goeth againſt him that doth evil, whoſe hand is immortal, but man tranſgreſſing the commands of God, the ſoul lies in death; ſo Chriſt is the Biſhop of the ſouls, ſo they that came to know Chriſt, their ſouls rejoyced in God their Saviour, Luke 1.

Pr. That the evil Spirits are both ſinfull and reaſonable.

Anſw. This is a lie, for reaſonable is not ſinful, and unreaſonable is ſinful, 2 Theſ. 3. they have not the faith: and if the evil Spirit be reaſonable, and the good reaſonable, they are both one, who then is unreaſonable? If the evil Spirit be reaſonable, thou puts no difference between the precious and the vile; thou haſt the Mark of a blinde guide, and a falſe Prophet in thy forehead.

Pr. That one of them Quakers is worſe then the Devil.

This is a lie with his ſtrange wonder, for there is nothing worſe then the Devil, whoſe children you are; for when he ſpeaks a lie he ſpeaks of himſelf, and he is the Father of it.

Henry Foreſide Prieſt of Lingiah in Dunbarton-ſhire, His Doctrine and PRINCIPLES.

Pr. THat God commands all every where to repent, to the end that they ſhould not have it to ſay but they were warned, but not that he would give them grace to repent.

Anſ. Here thou makes God that he does not intend that he ſpeaks, and ſo thou would make him unrighteous; though the Lord commands all men every where to repent, Acts 17.30. who hath made all Nations of men of one blood to dwell upon the Earth, and all being concluded under ſin and unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all, Rom. 3.9. For both Jews and Gentiles all were under ſin, and none of them did good, no not one. And Gods intent is, that when he calls men to repentance, they ſhould repent, when he calls them, and many did repent; and you are not fit men to be Miniſters of Chriſt or God.

Now if God command all men every where to Repent, and, as thou ſayſt, does not intend they ſhould Repent, thou and you go about to make God unjuſt: Firſt the Lord he deſireth not the death of a ſinner, but that he ſhould turn from his wickedneſs and live, Exod. 33.11. Now in the turning from his wickedneſs he lives, but in going on in his wickedneſs he dies; ſo Repentance was Preached from dead works, to ſerve the living God, Heb. 6.1. and Chriſt came to call ſinners to Repentance, not the righteous; for the whole needs not the Phyſitian, but the ſick, Mat. 9.12, 13.

And as for ſaying, God did not intend to give them grace, though he calls them to repentance: That is a lie, and unrighteous doctrine, for the grace of God hath appeared to all men, which brings Salvation, Titus 2.11. and ſo as he calls them to repentance, he gives them grace, that grace which brings ſalvation, which men are juſtified by; ſo it is ſaving grace that brings ſalvation, and teacheth to deny ungodlineſſe.

Now they that live ungodly, turns the grace of God into wantonnes, Jud. 4. and theſe are the wells without water, in Cains way, Balaams way, & Cores way, Jud. 11. ſpeaks the high words in hypocriſie, and theſe are they that ſeparate themſelves from the Apoſtles, ſenſual, having not the Spirit, Jude 19. and are of old ordained to condemnation, who ſeparated from the light, which turns the grace of God into wantonneſs; ſo theſe are they that neglect the common ſalvation, it was the charge of the Apoſtle to Timothy before his deceaſe, 1 Tim. 4.2. 2 Tim. 4.7. Then told him perillous times ſhould come, and Doctrines of Devils, and men ſpeaking lies in hypocriſie; he ſaid unto them, that they ſhould truſt in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, and eſpecially of them that believe; 1 Tim. 4.10. But the Devils Doctrine leads them from their Saviour and from the grace, 2 Tim. 4.1. And they that are not in the Doctrine, are from the light, which Chriſt hath inlightned them withall, Io. 1.9: And have turned the the grace of God into wantonneſſe, and pernitious waies, and drawes others from it, and we do conclude that to be the Doctrine of Devills, which ſaies God calls all men to repent, and intends not to give them grace, nor would not have them to repent: as thou Henry Foreſide doth ſay, for it was the charge of the Apoſtle to Titus to ſpeak ſound words, and ſound Doctrine, and could not be condemned, Titus 2. and told him that the grace of God which brings ſalvation had appeared to all men, which taught them to deny ungodlineſſe and worldly luſt, and to live godly, ſoberly and righteouſly in this preſent evill world, theſe things ſpeak and exhort with all authority, Tit. 1. But as I ſaid before ungodly men that turne the grace of God into wantonneſſe, are of old ordained to this condemnation, and this is the condemnation of the world, that light is come into the world, and men love darkneſſe rather then light, becauſe their deeds are evil, Io. 3.19. he that loves the light, the light is his Saviour, but he that hates the light, it is his condemnation.

Pr. That the two parts of the Church muſt be prophane and godleſſe.

Anſ. The Church is the Pillar and ground of truth, 1 Tim. 3.15. The Church of the living God; for the ungodly are out of its grounds, and that which is ungodly; the pillar and ground of truth, there is no ungodly in it, and the Church is without wrinkle or ſpot, holy, without blemiſh, Ephe. 5.27. and the Church is in God, 1 Theſ. 1.1. That which is in God is in the light, and out of the ungodly.

Pr. That God before the world was, had ordained one little part of the people for eternall life; that ſin, or doe all the evill they could, they could not looſe that which was ordained for them.

Here thou goeſt about to make Chriſt a lyer, for he that commits ſin is the ſervant of ſin, Io. 8.34. ſaith, He that commits ſin is of the Devill, ſaith the Apoſtle, and thou wouldeſt make God partiall, and haſt taught a doctrine contrary to the ſcriptures, For God is no reſpecter of perſons, Rom. 2.11. Who will give to every one a reward according to their works Pſalm. the 62.12. And he that workes iniquity muſt depart curſed from Chriſt, Mat. 7.23. and Mat. 25.41. And he that ſinneth after he hath received the truth, there remaines no more ſacrifice for ſin, but a fearefull looking for of Judgement, Heb. 10.27. And the elect doth not commit ſin, and who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect, Rom. 8.33. and the Elect is Chriſt, Iſa. 42.1. who was elected before the world was, he that is borne of God doth not commit ſin, neither can he, becauſe his ſeed remaines in him, 1 Io. 3.9. And he that commits ſin is of the devill, and never knew God, ver. 6. And here is the children of God manifeſt, and the children of the Devil, 1 Io. 3 10. And God hears not ſinners, and them that regard iniquity, Pſal. 66.18. Io. 9.31. Prov. 15.8.

Pr. That the great part of the world was ordained for Hell, that repent, or doe all that they are commanded to doe, they would not obtaine ſalvation, becauſe God had Ordained them to Hell.

Anſ. Then he was asked wherefore he preached; His anſwer was to ſave the elect: he was anſwered again if it was ſo; there was no need of that, ſeeing they could not be loſt; Then he was asked before he preached to them that were ordained to Hell: he anſwered, to make their damnation hotter; it was anſwered them again, that they had ſmall friends of them, and they could not make is hotter, ſeeing they were ordained before: the Prieſt aforeſaid was asked, who had the blame that men went to Hell.

His anſwer was, Seeing ye deſire to know, I ſhall tell you, there is one part of the blame in man, and another part of the blame in the Almighty, that men went to Hell.

Anſ. In this here is confuſion, thou ſaiſt, God hath ordained them, thou ſaieſt God has done it, (then marke) then thou ſayeſt, there is part in man, and thou ſayeſt before it was in God, now if it be in God, as thou ſaiſt, that he hath ordained them to hell, repent or doe all that they are commanded to doe, thy preaching is needleſſe: and thou cannot adde to Hell hotter or colder: Therefore thy preaching is done and ceaſed: And thou ſaiſt part of the blame that men goe to hell is in God; here thou wouldeſt make God unrighteous, who deſires not the death of a ſinner, God is not to be blamed in any thing he doth; but praiſed, and righteous in all his judgements, and God is not to be blamed, for God is truth, ſo let God be true, and every man a lyer, Rom. 3.4. thou wicked one, mans deſtruction is of himſelfe, Hoſea 13.9. and God wills not the death of a ſinner, but rather that he would repent, ſo no fault in God, who ſaith let the unrighteous man forſake his unrighteouſneſſe, and he ſhall live, ſo let the righteous man forſake his righteouſneſſe, and he dies, Ezek. 18.22. So my waies are equall, the Lord hath no pleaſure at all that the wicked ſhould dye, but that he ſhould return and live, ſo mans deſtruction is of him ſelfe; And whereas thou ſaiſt, God hath ordained a great part to Hel, what makeſt thou of Chriſt who came to be a Saviour of the world? Io. 4.42. he doth not ſay the Elect onely, but to ſave the world, and not to condemn it, and God ſo loved the world (marke the words) Je. 3.19. he doth not ſay, ſo hated it, that he gave his onely begotten Son into the world, that whoſoever believed in him ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life, and he came not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might have life, but they that hate the light and doe not believe in it, are with the light condemned; but thou ſayeſt otherwiſe, that he condemns a great part of the world, and he doth not ſay he loves the Elect onely, but God ſo loved the world, and God was in Chriſt reconciling the the World to himſelfe, 2 Cor. 5.19. he does not ſay the Elect onely; and he through death hath deſtroyed the power of death, the Devill, Heb. 2.14. and thou art to be reproved for thy judgement, for thy unbelief, for thy righteouſneſſe, for thy ſin, becauſe of thy unbelief for thy judgement, becauſe the Prince of this world is judged, Io. 16. & ſo Chriſt doth not ſay I am the light of the Saints, of the elect onely, but I am the light of the world, Io. 8.12. and ſaith, that light is come into the world, & this is the condemnation of the world, that light is come into the world, and men love darkneſſe rather then it, becauſe their deeds are evill, Io. 3.19. So its unbelief that ſhuts out, Rom. 11.20. So the gates ſtand open night and day, and every one that doth evill, hates the light & will not come to it, becauſe it wil reprove him, and he will not come in to the gate, for he that comes to the gate comes to the light, & he that comes to the light comes out of condemnation, & comes to be a child of the light, he that hates the light wil not come into the kingdome of God; And for thy ſaying, God hath ordained a great part of the world to Hell, let them repent, and doe all that ever he hath commanded them; he that doth the things that Chriſt commands, enters the Kingdome; he that repents his mind is changed, and whoſoever believeth ſhall not periſh, and this command is generall, Io. 10.28. through the whole world, therefore thou with the Devills Doctrine, ſhuts up the Kingdome of Heaven againſt others, and wilt not goe in thy ſelfe, who ſaies let men repent, and doe all that ever they can, they muſt goe to hell, when God wils not the death of a ſinner, but rather that he ſhould turne from his wickedneſſe and live, Ezek. 33.11. but he is mercifull and judges not as thou doſt, whoſe eyes are blinded, and hands full of blood, ſo I ſay, whoſoever repents, and doth the things they are commanded they ſhall be ſaved, and that which thou ſayeſt to the contrary, we conclude to be the Devills doctrine, and whoſoever reſiſts the thing that is commanded, that will be their condemnation, but hates the light which was before the world was, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, that all through him might believe, for he that believes in the light ſhall not abide in darkn ſſe, Io. 8.12. ſhall not come into condemnation, ſhall come to be a child of light, Io. 12.36. and they ſhall have the light of life, and ſo the light is ſufficient to ſave them, and condemn them, that believe not, Jo. 3.18.14. Ia. 4.12. and every one that cometh into the light that they are enlightned withall, ſuch come into the election, and into the covenant of God, and evill conſciences thou maiſt frighten, them that hates the light, which is their condemnation, but the elect thou can neither ſave nor deceive, thanks be to God Chriſt reigns, who will give to every man according to his works, who doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, not believing is condemned, and ſhut out, and ſuch turne the grace of God into wantonneſſe, and are ordained of old that hate the light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, & ſuch be in Cain and Balaams way, perſecutors and murtherers, & turnes the grace of God into wantonneſſe.

Pr. From the words of Jude, 4. they were of old ordained; from theſe words he ſaid, That God had predeſtinated one to life, without any cauſe in the creature leſſe or more, and the other wicked man to Hell, without any cauſe in the creature leſſe or more; and both wicked men, And before thou ſaid part of the cauſe that God caſt into hell was in the man & part in God; In this 7th. principle and doctrine thou ſaiſt there is no cauſe in the creature, that God caſts into hell & cond mns him, & in the other thou ſaid, there was part blame in man, & part in God & 〈◊〉 s the devils doctrine, a lye found in thy mouth, & thou haſt wreſted, perverted, & wronged that ſcripture in Jude who ſaith, there is no part in man cauſeth condemnation, that all may ſee that you are lyers, he ſaith, they were ungodly, they turned the grace of God into laſciviouſneſſe that brings ſalvation, that denyed the Lord that bought them, Jude 11. 2 Pet. 2.1. They were covetous, made merchandize of the people, through fained words, ſo no covetous nor Idolater ſhall enter into the Kingdome of God, 1 Cor. 6.9. and all they deny the Lord that bought them, but who owns the light that comes from him, which doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, and none ſees him, but with the light that comes from him, and they goe in Cores way, and gain-ſayeth the truth, who goe from the light that Chriſt hath inlightned them in the particuler, and he that gain-ſayeth the truth, there is a fault in him, and they goe in Caines way that are from the command of God, who ſaid if thou doſt well, ſhalt thou not be accepted? and if he did not well, ſin lay at the door, now theſe were of old ordained unto condemnation, which turned the grace of God into wantonneſſe, were in Caines way, Cores way, and brake the commands as Cain did, in Balaams way, erred from the ſpirit, and admired mens perſons becauſe of advantage, which Balaam did, and loved the wages of unrighteouſneſſe, and ſo theſe did not doe the things they were commanded, Cain he did not do the thing that he was commanded, nor Core that offered ſtrange fire, and his company, Num. 16. So theſe of old were ordained for this condemnation, which condemnation is the light, Io. 3. light foreſees them and ſees over them, and condemns them, when they ariſe and goes out from the ſpirit of God in them, and here all may ſee, here was fault worthy of condemnation, and thoſe were they that ſenſually ſeperated them ſelves from the Apoſtles, and had not the ſpirit, Jude 19. in their daies: which were covetous, which went for the gift and reward, which were like raging waves of the Sea, which were ſpots in feaſts of charity, feaſting, feeding without feare, 2 Pet. 2. Which admired mens perſons becauſe of advantage, and ſpoke the high words in hypocriſy, Wells without water, Trees without fruit, raging waves of the Sea, foming out their own ſhame, clouds without water carryed about with tempeſts, ſpots in the feaſts of charity, like unto Sodom and Gomorah in filthineſs, which goe from the light that does convince them, ſo there is the ſelf-ſeparation, and there is the condemnation that comes over them, the light; and theſe are they that ſeperated from the Apoſtles; which ſaid love your enemies, Mat. 5.44. Which are men gone into the world, which be in Caines way in envy, in Cores way gainſaying the the light, they are like raging waves of the Sea, foaming out their ſhame in their pulpits, ſo you are the men that ſeperates from the Apoſtles, that be in Cains way, who be out of the life, and ſacrifice the Saints were in, that would murther, and Cores way that gainſayeth the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, ſo againſt the common ſalvation, and ye be like Cain foaming and raging in your Pulpits, and would murther all that are contrary to you, whoſe Sacrifice God accepts, and yours he does not, and God would have accepted of Cain, if he had done well, Gen. 4. So God is mercifull and a juſt God, but Cain he did not well; Therefore wo went out from God againſt him, and ſo there was fault in him and not in God, which was the cauſe of his condemnation: ſo you that be in Balaams way; for the wages of unrighteouſneſs, admiring mens perſons becauſe of advantage, Ye are out of the faith that is held without reſpect of perſons, Iam. 2. and ſo ſeparated from the Apoſtles, to whom Chriſt ſaid, Freely ye have received, freely give, and you will not give freely, who are rageing and foming, without you have augmentations, ſtipends, gleabe Lands, or Tythes, great ſumes of money, gifts or rewards from great ouſes, ſo you deny the light that enlightneth every man that cometh into the world, ſo gain-ſayes the common ſalvation, Jude 1. You gain-ſay the truth, that doth enlighten every man that cometh thto the world, ſo in Cores way you are, and would have the perſons of the Saints murthered, ſo in Caines way, as ye confeſſe that ye have not the ſpirit that gave forth the ſcriptures, ſo in the ſelf-ſeparation, and ye deny the the light that enlightneth every man that cometh into the world, which is the Lord, Iohn 8.12. And ſo denies the Lord that bought you, 2 Pet. 2.1. And ſo are for condamnation, who are of that ſtock that ſeparate themſelves from the Apoſtles, ſenſually, having not the ſpirit, who are in Cains way, that would kill and murther, and out of the Apoſtles way, who ſaid love your enemies; who are in Balaams way, for gifts and rewards, and admiring mens perſons becauſe of advantage, to them ſpeaking high words in hypocriſy, and out of the Apoſtles way to whom Chriſt ſaid, Freely ye have received, freely give, Mat. 10.6. And out of the Prophets way, who ſaid, come without a price, Iſa. 55.1, 2. And ye will have the price, or elſe you will not come, let all that can read Iude over, and ſee if there was not cauſe in man of his condemnation, & not in God; and ſo have not you proved your ſelves in the Doctrine of Devils, and in lyes, and would make God unrighteous, and the Apoſtles unrighteous? for there was fault in Cain, fault in Balaam, and fault in Core, and fault in Sodome, and fault in them that turned the grace of God into wantonneſſe, which were of old ordained for this condemnation, Iude 4. Which condemnation is, that light is come into the world, and men love darkneſſe rather then light, becauſe their deeds are evill, and ſo the Apoſtles taught that there was fault in man, as ye may read Iude, and thou haſt taught there is none; ſo then thou art unrighteous, who would make God and the Apoſtles unrighteous, like thy ſelfe, let all that feare God judge of it, who are now come to the judgment Seat before the Almighty God, who have been them that erred from the Apoſtles Doctrine, with it is judged, and are judged, and you muſt have a reward according to your works, and he that comes to life, comes out of his wickedneſſe, and not the wicked man enters into the kingnome of God, Rev. 21. and the promiſe is to the ſeed, and he that works iniquity departs from the ſeed, Gal. 3.16. And the Election obtaines it, Rom. 11.7. Not him that wills, nor runs, But God that ſhewes mercy; And whereas thou ſaiſt the wicked man is ordained to life, without any cauſe in the creature leſſe or more; This is juſt the Devils Doctrine againe, and to bring every one to hide his Talent, and none neither to watch nor pray; for that is in the creature, that brings him to lay a ſide wickedneſſe, and to depart from ſin and iniquity, which lets him ſee it, and covetous and drunkenneſſe, ſoe through the obedience of the Spirit, and that is in the Creature that brings him to confeſſe his ſin, and forſake it, whereby mercy is ſhewed; the power of God worketh in us ſaith the Apoſtle; And as they had been ſervants to unrighteouſneſs, ſo came to yeeld themſelves ſervants unto righteouſneſſe, Rom. 6. How comes the commands of God to be obeyed, if there be not ſomthing in the creature that cauſes him to obey it? For thou ſaiſt without any cauſe in the creature; why were all theſe expreſſions ſpoken in ſcripture, that they ſhould obey all things that Chriſt commanded, Mat. 28.20. And all the ſtatutes and Ordinances ſpoken of in the ſcriptures, if there be not ſomething in man to cauſe him to obey it: but thy intent is to make God unrighteous who reſpects no mans perſon, but gives to every man a reward according to his works, Rev. 2 23. The one as well as the other, and all ſhall appear before the judgement of Chriſt, 2. Cor. 9.10. He will judge the world in righteouſneſs, but there is ſomething in the creature; for every man that cometh into the world being enlightned, whereby he is capable of obeying or diſobeying, and not believing comes to be condemned, and in believing he is ſaved, he hath the witneſſe in himſelfe, Iohn 3.8. 1 Io. 5.10. For he that commits ſin is the ſervant of ſin, Io. 8.24. And there is no reſpect of perſons with God, but whoſoever doth righteouſneſs is accepted of him, Acts 10.34, 35. The Apoſtle ſaid, He perceived God was no reſpecter of perſons, but whoſoever doth wickedly be hates the light, and is condemned, but whoſoever doth the truth, cometh to the light, Joh. 3.21. and ſo out of condemnation, ſo thou teaches another Doctrine, ſo as I ſaid before, The promiſe is to the ſeed, the ſeed is Chriſt, and Christ all and in all, 1 Cor. 15.28. And all ungodly and wicked men are ſhut out of the Kingdom of God, where no wicked men enters, one nor other, and man muſt be turned again from wickedneſſe before he enters, Rev. 21.8.

Pr. He being asked what he would do with Quakers, and he ſaid if he had been a civil Magistrate, he would have thought it good ſervice to have cut off all their heads.

Anſ. There ye may all ſee if he be not of Cains ſtock, and what an envy proceeds out of his mouth, and unchriſtian Spirit, and how would he convert them if they were out of the way? and how would he convince them, who would cut off their heads? hath not this proved the Quakers to be in the truth, and he out of it, and is not the command of Chriſt, that ye ſhould love your enemies? Mat. 5.44. Now ye may ſee, he is out of the command and example, but followed the example of Cain the murtherer, and doth not his envy ſhew as much againſt the Magiſtrates as againſt the Quakers, becauſe they will not execute his malice, and ſlay them for him, and be his executioners, and was not theſe Prieſts as mad againſt the Magiſtrates, (as they are now againſt the Quakers) at Dunbar fight, and would not they have had their heads off? let their Pulpits witneſs, though now they admire their perſons becauſe of advantage, Jude 16. Who cannot hold in, but their ſhame muſt be uttered forth, who would ſlay the perſons of men as Cain did; ſo woe from the Lord God is gone out againſt you, who are envious, and ſtrives to make the people envious, but the life of God is riſen in the hearts of his people, with which they ſhall ſee you all, and the Quakers be out of the way of Cain, who be in the light of Chriſt Jeſus the Saviour of the ſoul, in which they come to have a habitation in God, the Saviour of all men, eſpecally of them that believe, 1 Tim. 4.10. So you that be out of the light be vagabonds, though ye have great habitations in the earth, for Cain built a City, yet a vagabond, Gen. 4.

Pr. It was asked him of a foreordained number to deſtruction, and for what Chriſt wept over Jeruſalem. He ſaid as he was humane he mourned, and his Godhead decreed them to Hell.

Anſ. This is a lying doctrine of the Devil, for after many of them of Jeruſalem came to be converted, as ye may read in Acts 2. And many of the Prieſts came to be obedient to the Faith, for all being gone aſtray both Jewes and Gentiles, Rom. 3.9. concluded under ſin, the pure, the eternal tendered over them; who had ſtopped their ears and cloſed their eyes to that which was pure of God in them, that they might have come to that which is pure, and have been gathered under Chriſts wings, Mat. 23.37. who is pure, and ſo have been converted and healed, and have heard with their ears, and have ſeen with their eyes. And as for the word humane, that is not Scripture language, it ſpeaks not that Language, & there were converted many thouſands of the Jews, and they were pricked to the heart, when that the Apoſtle ſaid, that was both Lord and Chriſt whom ye have have crucified, Acts 2. (mark ye) here thou may ſee thy ſelf to be a lyar; for here was of the Jews and of Jeruſalem, that he had wept over; thou ſayſt he had ordained them to Hell (as he was God) which were converted afterwards; ſo thou would make God unequall, that the Son is not in the Father, and divideth them, that the Son ſhould weep over them, and the Godhead decree them to Hell, and did not Chriſt command his Apoſtles that they ſhould not depart from Jeruſalem? and was not the mighty converſion at Jeruſalem? ſo hath not Chriſt wept over Jeruſalem, and after was there not a mighty converſion there? And thou ſayſt he condemned them as God to Hell; There thou may ſee thy ſelf in the Devils doctrine, 1 Tim. 4.1. Many thouſands were converted at Jeruſalem, which Chriſt wept over, before the Apoſtles departed from thence, where he gave them command to ſtay, to ſee thy Doctrine is damnabl and thou errs from the Scriptures, let thy mouth for ever be ſtopped: and are not ye, found in the ſteps of them, Mat. 23. that Chriſt gives the mark of blind guides to the multitude, unto the Diſciples, which marks were ſuch as the multitude might take notice of, and I believe the multitude will take notice of, and know you; firſt ye bind heavy burthens upon mens ſhoulders, ye are ſayers and not doers; and all their marks they do to be ſeen of men, Mat. 6. they love the uppermoſt rooms as feaſts, and the chiefeſt ſeats in the Aſſemblies, greeting in the Markets ſtands praying in the Synagogues, called of men Maſters, they were ſwearers, they ſhould ſcourge you in their Synagogues, and perſecute, do not ye put out of your Synagugues? Chriſt ſhould ſend Prophets and wiſe men among them, and they ſhould perſecute, and put out of the Synagogues, Mat. 23.34. They ſhould ſhut up the Kingdom of Heaven againſt men, and do not ye do ſo that do deny the light, that lighteth every one that cometh into the world? do any come to the Kingdom, but who come to the light, which every man that cometh into the world is enlihtned withall? may not the multitude take notice of theſe things, called of men Maſter, ſtand praying in the Synagogues, having long Robes, ſalutations in the Markets, uppermoſt rooms at feaſts, puts out of the Synagogues, and ſwearers, and Chriſt ſaid, ſwear not at all, Mat. 5.34. And be ye not called of men Maſter, for one is your Maſter, even Chriſt, and ye all are Brethren, now here is the marks of the blind guides, as ye may read, Mat. 23. Are they not a company of ſwearers, and will they not ſwear for their own advantage? and were not the Prieſts alwayes envious, and falſe accuſers, provoking the Magiſtrates againſt the Diſciples, againſt Chriſt and againſt Jeſus? did not the Prieſts ſay Jeſus ſhould die for crying againſt them, Jer. 26. And were not the Prieſts at work, when any of the Saints were murthered, to ſtir up the multitude againſt them, or the Magiſtrates? was not the chief Prieſts and Elders ſeeking falſe witneſs to put Jeſus to death? Mat. 26.39. And did not the High Prieſts ſay he had ſpoken blaſphemy? it was Pilate that put him to death, did not the chief Prieſts perſwade their multitude to ask Barrabas Mat. 27.20. and crucifie Jeſus, and did not they mock him? ſee how the Prieſts were alwayes buſie for blood, that all the righteous blood might come upon them, ſhed upon the earth, Mat. 23.35. And did not the Prieſts give mony to Judas to betray Chriſt? and did not the Prieſts give large money to the Souldiers to tell a lie, and ſay his Diſci les ſtole him away by night? Mat. 28.11, 12, 13. had not Paul authority from the High Prieſt to perſecute? Acts 9.1, 2. and ſo get you your Authority from the Magiſtrates, and the people their Authority from you to perſecute, and would not the chief Prieſts have murthered Paul afterwards, when he was converted? Acts 23. Acts 2.7. did not a company come with ſwords and ſtaves from the Prieſts with Judas o take Chriſt? Mark 14.13. as a troop of robbers wait for a man, ſo doth a company of Prieſts murther in the way by conſent, and have not ye conſented together? Hoſea 6.2.

Pr. That Christ ſcorned men when he bad them be perfect, becauſe he knew it was impoſſible for them.

Anſw. This is wickedneſs and impudency to ſay Chriſt ſcorned men when he bad them be perfect. This is Antichriſt and the Devils doctrine, for to ſay that Chriſt did command that which men could not come to, for Chriſt nor God commanded nothing, but what ſhould be attained unto, and it will be attained unto, and hath been attained unto; Chriſt ſaid, be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect, Mat. 5.4. he knew that they might be perfect if they come into the Kingdom of God, for there no unperfect thing muſt enter, Rev. 21. and ſo he did ſpeak that which he knew people ſhould come into, but they ſhould come into it, if ever they came into the Kingdom of God, what is this to thee which cannot love enemies, for they that love enemies, ſhall know perfection, and perfect love and patience have its perfect work, Jam. 1.4. the Apoſtles ſpeak wiſdom to them that were perfect, but not the worlds wiſdom which comes to nothing, 1 Cor. 2.6. and the work of the Miniſtry was for the perfecting of the Saints, till they all come into the unity of the faith, unto the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, and unto the meaſure and ſtature and fulneſs of Chriſt, Eph. 4. and they ſhould not be any more toſſed to and fro with the windy doctrines of men, nor cunning craftineſs wherewith they lie in waite to deceive, and there art thou toſſed up and down with every wind, and far off the work of the Miniſtry, when thou ſaiſt blaſphemouſly, Chriſt ſcorned men, when he bad them be perfect; Chriſt did not ſcorne them, but thy doctrine, it is imperfect, and thou and you that tranſgreſs and abide not in the doctrine of Chriſt, thou and you are Ante-chriſts, as ye may read, 2 Io. 9.10.

Pr. When it was asked him, of the words that Peter ſpake of, concerning them that brought in damnable Hereſies, and denyed the Lord that bought them, he ſaid they did but think the Lord had bought them, but they were not bought, but they thought they had been ſo.

Anſ. Here thou again with thy damnable Doctrine, doſt goe about to make Peter and Iude lyers, who ſpeakes contrary to ſcripture, and perverts their Doctrine, and the words of. Peter are thus, even denying the Lord that bought them; 2 Pet. 2.1. and the words of Iude 4. denying the onely Lord God, and our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and thou ſaiſt the Lord had not bought them, but they thought he had bought them, wo and miſery, man, will be thy portion, that thou ſhould ſo wickedly pervert the Apoſtles Doctrine and the ſcripture, Acts. 13.10. and bring in ſuch damnable Doctrine, and devilſh doctrine, and ſpeaks ſuch lyes in hypocriſy, whoſe conſcience is ſeared with a hot Iron, 1 Tim. 4. it is time for people to turne away from you, who have ſo long deceived them.

Pr. Concerning theſe words of Ezek. 18.28. If the righteous man turne away from his righteouſneſſe, his former righteouſneſs ſhall be no more remembred; and he ſaid the meaning of that ſcripture was, they thought they had been righteous, but they were not, but ſuppoſed it had been ſo.

Anſ. Here in this thou art a miniſter of unrighteouſneſſe, thou goeſt about to make God a lyer, and the Prophets, and perverts the ſcriptures, for if he forſakes his righteouſneſſe and commits ſin and iniquity, and treſpaſſes, he ſhall dye and not live in the righteouſneſſe, but if he forſake his ſin, treſpaſſes and tranſgreſſions, in the righteouſneſſe that he hath done and doth, he ſhall live; ſo Gods waies are equall, Eze. 18. And thou ſaies they thought they had been righteous, but it was not ſo: And the Lord by the Prophet ſaith it was ſo, that they ſhould live in their righteouſneſs, & dye if they depart from it, and tranſgreſſed, here thou art a diminiſher from the prophets and Apoſtles words, whoſe name is diminiſhed out of the book of life, read Rev. 22.19.

Pr. He denyed that Chriſt dyed for all men, but for the Elect.

Anſ. Contrary to Iohns Doctrine, who ſaith, he is the propitiation for our ſins, and not for our ſins onely, but for the ſins of the whole world, 1 Iohn 2.2. and ſo it is the unbeliever that is ſhut out; and not believing in the light that men are enlightned withall, with which light they might ſee the one offering, who taſted death for every man, Heb. 2.9. and doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, that all through him might believe; and they that believe not in the light are condemned, Ioh. 3.18. but beleving in the light, ſhall come out of condemnation, and he is the Saviour of all men, but eſpecially of them that believe, 1 Tim. 4.10. and the grace of God which brings ſalvation hath appeared to all men, which was the ſaints Teacher, Titus 2.11, 12. and they that turn it into wantonneſſe, ſhall with it be condemned, Iude 4. & they that ſet up a heap of teachers, 2 Tim. 4.3. after their own luſts & went out from the Apoſtles doctrine, before the Apoſtles deceaſe, 1 Io 2.19. and have turned the grace of God that brings ſalvation, into wantonneſſe, ever ſince, and ſaith it hath not appeared unto all men, which brings ſalvation, which is ſaving grace, and Chriſt Jeſus doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, that they might believe and walke after him, and ſaith, they that follow him ſhall not abide in darkneſſe, but ſhall become the children of light, and have the light of life, Io. 8.12. Now ſay they that hate the light, it is not ſufficient, it is not a ſaving light, but they ſhall find it ſufficient to condemn them, and their unbeliefe, for not believing in it; for believing in it, they come to have the light of life, Iohn 8.12. and Iohn 12.36.

Pr. He being asked who were hirelings, if they were not that did take hire? his anſwer was, they were hirelings that did not take hire, and to prove it, he brought that ſcripture in Philippians of them that preached Chriſt of envy and ſtrife.

Anſ. Now all may ſee what doctrine he brings, to pervert or wreſt the ſcriptures, Philip. 1.15. to prove them hirelings that doe not take hire, that in the Phillyipians doth not prove that they were hirelings, neither did they take hire, ſo that for his purpoſe makes nothing, though for this purpoſe he brings that ſcripture, but that his folly and darkneſs might appeare, and be made manifeſt by the light, for now to it his deeds are come, who is unfit to talke of the ſcripture.

Pr. He ſaid it was the cleare marke of the Devill to goe up and downe from place to place to preach as the Quakers doe.

Anſ. Now here in this he may charge all the prophets, Chriſt and his Apoſtles, which went up and downe from place to place, Heb. 11. that this is the marke of the Devill, but this is too manifeſt to bring to light, and diſcover the Presbyterian prieſts of Scotland, who lies in Dens and Corners, and fat benefits, and there ſtick in the earth, & are crept into houſes, who ſay it is the devills marke to goe up and downe to preach, but this is that they may manifeſt themſelves to be judged by the practice of Chriſt & his Apoſtles, that their folly might appeare unto all men, Luke 9.5.8. Heb. 11. likewiſe the Presbyterian Prieſts are turned like Ranters, who ſaith whatſoever man doth, God hath a hand in doing of it, whether good or evil, if a man commit never ſo much ſin, and live never ſo wickedly, he ſhall goe to heaven if he be ordained there to come; how was God grieved when David ſinned? the Lord was angry, the Lord was wrath; when the children of Iſrael ſinned againſt him, it grieved the Lord that he had made man, when all fleſh had corrupted his way, Gen. 6.6. and thou and you goe about to make God the author of ſin, and ſaith God hath a hand in it, whatſoever a man doth here, againe you and thou be in the doctrines of Devils, what ſhall we ſay that God is the author of ſin? God forbid, Rom. 6. they that tranſgreſſe the commandements 〈◊〉 God, provoke him to anger, and though God created the evil, Iſa. 49.7. yet his commandement was to man, that he ſhould not goe into it, Gen. 2.17. Gen. 4.7. Eze. 18. but when he did, he tranſgreſſed the command of God; ſo he who ſaith if ye murther, God is the author of it, if ye perſecute, God is the author of it, if ye doe unrighteouſly God is the author of it, you that murther, perſecute, and doe not righteouſly are of him that kept not the command of God, of whom ye are, Io. 44. that would perſecute and murther, thou art gon out of the command of God, and joyned with the devill, 1 Io. 3.8. that went out of the truth, the devil he went out of his eſtate, and the woman hearkned to him, and went out of her eſtate, and man to the woman, Gen. 3. The Jewes went out of their ſtate, when they perſecuted, Mat. 27.25. Cain went out of his ſtate, when he murthered, Gen. 4. the Chriſtians went out of their eſtate, ſince the daies of perſecution, who had the name of Chriſtianity; Cain went out of his ſtate when he murthered, and Balaam went out of his ſtate when he coveted the wages of unrighteouſneſſe, and admired mens perſons, Numb. 22. Jude 11. Core went out f his ſtate when he gain-ſaid the truth, Numb. 16. Iude. 11. the falſe prophet, and the Anti-chriſt which is the beaſt, and the mother of Harlots went forth from the ſtate of the Apoſtles, 1 Io. 2.19. which hath been ſince the daies of the Apoſtles, and ſo all wars and fightings and adverſaries, is becauſe of being out of the truth, fallen out of it, Iam. 4. there is pride, and Lucifer, Iſa. 14. and that is it, that is of old ordained to condemnation, Jude. 4. and to be kept down and to be condemned everlaſtingly, and there the time that ſhall be witneſſed fit for the fire, and death and Hell; and the falſe prophet, and the Dragon and the Serpent caſt into it, Rev. 20.14. but leaven is known that leavens into the new lump, 1 Cor. 5.7. the everlaſting fire that burns for ever, Mark. 9.46. how are the profeſſions, formes, and religions fallen from the ſtate, and loſt the ſtate, and out of the ſtate that Chriſt was in, the prophets were in, Abraham was in, David was in, Moſes, and the Apoſtles was in: and remaines in a forme of their words, 2 Tim. 3.5. and murthers them that enjoyes their life, and perſecutes them; The devill abode not in the truth, Io. 8.44. Adam and Eve abode not in the truth, but tr nſgreſſed, Gen. 3. Cain abode not in the truth when he murdered Abel, Gen. 4. The Jewes abode not in the truth, but crucified the juſt, James 5.6. The anti-chriſt, and the falſe prophets, ſince the daies of the Apoſtles, and the beaſt abode not in the truth, 1 Io. 2.19. that made the war againſt the ſaints, Rev. 13. And here is the murderers, envious, and perſecutors warring and fighters, and their ſacrifice God never accepted, Gen. 4.5. in all ages: and theſe are them that perſecuted thoſe that was in the truth, whoſe ſacrifice God accepted; to the witneſs of God in you all I ſpeak; that you may ſee your fall from the truth, out of the prophets life, Chriſts life, and the Apoſtles life; ſo be out of the commands, and fallen from God, and ſay that none can keep the commandements that is the word that ſhall ſtand for ever, ſo ye are they that loves not God, Jo. 14 13. 1 Jo. 2.4. but are of the beaſt and falſe prophets that makes war againſt them that keeps the commands of God, Rev. 22.11. ſo that which ſaith none can keepe the commandments, is fallen out of the truth, and the commandements of God, 1 Io, 2.4. Io. 8.44. And to him the truth is death and the commands of God in which the ſaints live, to whom the commandements are not grievous, 1 Jo. 5.3.

Thomas Garwine Prieſt of Edenborough his doctrine and principles.

Pr. That the Child that is not ſprinkled with outward water is in a damnable ſtate, and worſe then an infidell.

Anſ. Now here he and the reſt of the Presbyterian Prieſts of Scotland may ſay Abraham was in a damnable ſtate, Iſaac was in a damnable ſtate, Jacob was in a damnable ſtate, and Joſeph was in a damnable ſtate, and David was in a damnable ſtate, and John the Baptiſt was in a damnable ſtate, which were not ſprinkled by a Prieſt with outward water, nor named by the Prieſt, ſo thou and you with your traditions, that ſay a Child is in a damnable ſtate, if ye do not ſprinkle it with water; and the Apoſtle bids them not look at the things that are ſeen, and you are in the damnable ſtate, and the damnable doctrine, teachers of lies; and many ſimple people have been deceived by you, and given over to believe you, but God hath taken the vail off their hearts: that you begin to be ſeen: and their ſalvation ſhall they know ſtands not in elements, as though you, with your ſprinkling Infants with outward water, could bring out of the damnable ſtate; Oh ye deceivers, did not the Apoſtle ſay, they that were. Circumciſed, Chriſt profited them nothing? Gal. 5.2 ye have long deceived people with your beggerly rudiments, and elements, and doctrines, and traditions, Col. 2. hatched up at Schools, and never commanded of God; and ſay, if people will not obſerve your traditions, or your elements which you call (a Papiſt word) Sacrament, and periſhing, they not obſerving it, are in a damnable ſtate, and worſe then the Heathen and Infidels; an Infidell is an Heathen, one that knows not God; But your generation ſays it is blaſphemy to ſay any hath known God, & hath ſeen God, and ſpoken to God: ſo they themſelves have concluded to be Heathen: The Heathen know not God: The Heathen obſerves traditions; and they that know God cannot obſerve the traditions of the Heathen: but obeys the Apoſtles doctrine, and touches not, taſtes not, nor handles the traditions of men and Ordinances which will periſh, ſo not ſaving; ſo they that obſerve not traditions are not worſe then Heathen: but they that obſerve traditions are as the Heathens, and be out of the Apoſtles doctrine in their own traditions and rudiments, and are offended at thoſe that will not touch them. Robert Semple Prieſt of Lasmahaga: came to George Weare of Saffield to reaſon with him, and he laid down theſe following things for his doctrine and principles: His firſt doctrine and principle was to prove the lawfulneſs of being called of men Maſter; ſtanding praying in the Synagogues, going in long Robes, and he mentioned Ezras Pulpit of wood upon which he ſtood, and read the Law to the people; and for the reſt he ſaid nothing, for his mouth was ſtopt concerning theſe things, being found in the ſteps of the Phariſees, Mat. 23. we do grant that Ezra had a Pulpit of wood, but you proſeſs your ſelves Miniſters of the Goſpel and Presbyterians, and are ye fain to run to Ezra, in the Law for a Pulpit? now you have ſhewed your ſelves what you are; and brought your deeds to the light; but the Prieſthood was made by the Law of God: ſo were you never; That Prieſthood changed, and the Law changed alſo by which it was made, and Pulpit and Tythes ended; and Chriſt the everlaſting Prieſthood witneſſed; ſo thou and you have proved your ſelves no Miniſters of the Goſpel, Chriſt Jeſus, the power of God, and the wiſdom of God, the everlaſting Prieſthood, who is the end of Prieſts, Pulpits and Tythes, that was true in their place. So you that have got up another Pulpit, Tythes, Temple, like Readers of the Law, and not like Miniſters of the Goſpel, and Prieſts, are ſeperated from the Apoſtles in the deluſion, and from Chriſt the everlaſting Prieſthood, Heb. 7. and are them that Jude 19. and 2 Pet. 2. ſpeakes of, That ſeparates themſelves having not the Spirit that they were in who witneſſed againſt Pulpit, Tythes, and Prieſthood, and witneſſed Chriſt the everlaſting Prieſthood, which Pulpit, Tythes, and Prieſthood ye are crying up, and ſo Antichriſt.

George Weare bad him prove his practice for ſprinkling of Infants, and whether or no they were not to believe before they were Baptized. He ſaid the promiſe was to Abraham and his ſeed; George anſwered him, it was not to ſeeds, as to many, but to thy ſeed which is Chriſt. Robert the Prieſt ſaid, That ſeed Chriſt, was natural, contrary to the Apoſtles doctrine, Gal. 3.16. who ſaid Chriſt was the power of God, 1 Cor. 1.14, 15. and Chriſt the myſtery, Col. 1.2.7. The firſt man is of the earth earthly, the ſecond man is the Lord from Heaven heavenly, 1 Cor. 15. the ſpiritual man judgeth all things, 1 Cor. 2.15. The ſeed of the woman bruiſeth the Serpents head, Gen. 3 15. and the promiſe is to the ſeed, and the ſeed is Chriſt the power of God, And Chriſt the ſeed is the ſpiritual man and ſo not natural, but the Prieſt ſaid the ſeed is natural. Now let all ſee in this whether he be not given up to deluſion to ſpeak lies in hypocriſie, 1 Tim. 4.1. to delude and deceive people for diſhoneſt gain, Ezek. 22.13. Which ſeed he and all the Presbyterians ſhall find ſpiritual to judge them, and bruiſe the heads of them, and break their wicked cords and bonds of iniquity which they have laid upon the people, Mat. 23. Eze. 34. Acts 15. The day is at hand that their judgement is come; by that man whom God hath ordained, Acts 17.31 and to judge the world in righteouſneſs, & to give to every man a reward according to his works, Pſ. 62.12. Rev. 22.12. who ſhall give to him an account of every idle word that they ſhall ſpeak in the day of judgement, Mat. 12.36. And William Kenedie came to George Weare and promiſed him that he ſhould have a publick hearing, he hearing what the Prieſt and the reſt of the Elders charged him withall: And when he came they would not give him a hearing; and ſo found them truce-breakers that are to be turned away from, 2 Tim. 3. and ſuch as creep into houſes, and be of themſelves, boaſters, proud high minded, as James and Jambres, who have a form of godlineſs, and denys the power, which are to be turned away from: And after that the ſaid Prieſt did excommunicate George Weare in another pariſh without any hearing, nor would not let him know for what they excommunicated him, which was a work of darkneſs to make the peoples minds envious againſt the juſt: upon which George Weare went to their meeting place to read a paper to him, to ſhew why he denyed him; and two Prieſts, Robert Semple and John Hume being there, bad the people to knock down that excommunicated (Swinger) which is in Engliſh (Rogue) upon which the people did obey the Prieſt, and did beat and knockt George Weare down to the ground; and might have murthered the man, had not the Lords mercy been ſeen, ſo they be in Cains way, in envy; Gen. 4. Jud. 11. And George got up again, and the prieſts bad the people ſtrike him; and they did beat him, and pluckt him by the hair of the head; and the prieſts bad beat them away; and they did ſo. And after the prieſt ſummoned George to the Court; and told the Bayliff he would prove it by the Scripture, he muſt be ſtoned to death; now here is the murthering Jewes nature, that ſtoned the Prophets, and ſtoned the Apoſtles; and ſtoned Steven, and took up ſtones to ſtone Chriſt, Mat. 23.24. Joh. 8.59. Acts 7.58. And bloody Butchers, man-ſlayer, no Miniſters of Chriſt: did not the falſe Prophets go alwayes with the beaſt to war? Rev. 13. Rev. 16. againſt Saint and the Lamb; and did not the chief prieſts ſtir up the rulers againſt Chriſt, and had not the prieſts a hand to murder? and was not the prieſt at the examination of Steven, and the Councell gave order that he ſhould be ſtoned to death? and did not the prieſts ſtir up the Rulers and Magiſtrates, though they themſelves did not often do it, which had not the power, but they ſtirred up the Magiſtrates to do it? And they came to be their ſlaughterers, to execute their malice, and be their executioners; ye do not, ye may ſay, it is the Magiſtrates which ye ſtir up to do it. It is not ſaid, the prieſts did ſlay & crucifie Chriſt, but Pilate, but the prieſts had power amongſt the multitude to perſwade the multitude to ask the murderer, Mat. 27. (which had murder in their hearts) and Pilate did the thing; and did not God overthrow Jeruſalem, and deſtroy the power of the Magiſtrates there, and prieſts both & hath not God done it in many ages for executing the Prieſts malice, and their envy againſt the juſt, and his anointed? have not ye many examples ſee downe in the ſcripture, which ye may all take notice of it? Therefore take heed all ye Magiſtrates how you execute and avenge the malice and wickedneſſe, and envy, of any one againſt the juſt: for the envy of the envious, and the wickedneſſe of the wicked ſhall ſtay himſelf, Pſal. 34.21 and the righteous ſhall ſee it. Therefore you that are called Chriſtian Magiſtrates, execute no , neither be ye executioners of their madneſſe, and envy of thoſe who calls themſelves miniſters of Chriſt. That would have you to ſlay, to ſtone, to ſtock, to priſon, and to put to death them that be contrary to them; Thoſe be murtherers, in Cains way, man-ſlayers, wraſtlers againſt fleſh and blood, and not Miniſters of the Goſpell, which ſaith, love enemies; and render to no man evil for evil, Mat. 5.44. and this differs from the Scribes and Phariſees, who loved their owne, and perſecuted others, and ſtoned others, and drew the Magiſtrates to doe it, which ſaith the Miniſters of Chriſt, we wreſtle not with fleſh and blood, but againſt principalities and powers, and ſpiritual wickedneſſes in high places, Eph. 6.12. Now thoſe Miniſters that would have the perſons of men ſlain; are like Cain and Jezabel, the beaſt and falſe Prophets, that ſlew Abel, Gen. 4. 1 Kings 21. the perſons of men ſtoned, impriſoned, and put to death, are as the Jewes Prieſts, and thoſe Magiſtrates that executes their malice are as the Jewes Magiſtrates, unchriſtian Magiſtrates. And ſo thoſe are they that are wreſtling, ſtoning, ſtriking, and impriſoning againſt fleſh and blood. And in the mean time ſpirituall wickedneſſe rules among them, And rulers of darkeneſſe in high places, where fleſh and blood are wreſtled againſt; ſo in this ſtate both Miniſtry and Magiſtracy are blind, that be out of the feare of God; They turn their ſword backward, whilſt they are executing the Prieſts malice, and the Prieſts will ſtrengthen the hands of evil doers: and provoking to ſlay, and againſt fleſh and blood wreſtling, and doe not profit the people at all, and ſtires up the multitude againſt the juſt; That he may keep himſelfe in his place for his own ends, and admiring the Magiſtrates perſons, and mens, becauſe of advantage, Iude 16. and reſpects their perſons, which ſhewes they be out of the faith, Iam. 2. which gives victory over the world, 1 Iohn 5.4. and out of the doctrine of Chriſt and the Apoſtles; now the Magiſtrates is for the puniſhment of evill doers, and for the praiſe of them that doe well: which walkes in the life, which he that doth evill goes from; where the rulers of darkneſſe and ſpirituall wickedneſſes are: and this Magiſtrate he can ſee, he turnes not the ſword backward, he anſweres that of God in every one; and is for a praiſe to them that doe well, 1 Pet. 2.14. ſo every evill, doer acts contrary to that of God in them; now a Miniſter of Chriſt wreſtles not againſt fleſh and blood, but againſt ſpirituall wickedneſſes in high place; ſo every one that doth evil acts contrary to that of God in him, ſo the higher power goes above him, Rom. 13.1. So the higher power is above him and before he was, all power in heaven and in Earth is given to the Son of God, Io. 5.22. above all the powers of the earth, that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, Io. 1.9. but they who does evill, goes from the light, and ſo the higher power goes againſt him. The Magiſtrates that be in the power, is a terror to the evil doers that acts contrary to the light wherewith every one that cometh into the world be enlightned, The Magiſtrates be in that power which goes over him, and is a pr iſe to them that be in the light, and the Miniſters of God is to bring from under the occaſion of the Magiſtrates ſword.

George Weare being with his friend ſtanding in the field neer Foord meeting houſe, as they call it, he neither ſpeaking nor acting any thing againſt any man, but ſtanding in the fear of the Lord with his friend; Wlliam Lowry and Iohn Hambleton called juſtices, commited him to priſon, where they lay twenty and three daies; and here is his innocency preached.

The originall righteouſneſs was before the fall; The originall of ſelfe righteouſneſſe was that which fell, and is in the fall; that tranſgreſſed.

And in the Catechiſm which is tollerated by the generall Aſſembly, and in the Catechiſe of Scotland called, a ſhort Catechiſm; They ſay that the word of God is contained in the ſcriptures.

Anſ. And the ſcriptures are writings; and it ſaith, God is the word Io. 1.1. 1. Kings 8.27. Solomon ſaith the heaven of heavens cannot containe him, & you ſay he is containned in the ſcriptures with his writings; & you ſay there is three perſons; & the ſcripture doth not ſpeak of three perſons & the Jews had the ſcriptures & knew not Chriſt the word of God; Then ye tell people of an outward ordinary meanes, by which Chriſt communicates the benefit of Redemption; The word Sacraments; the ſcripture doth not ſpeak of three perſons, & Sacraments they are Papiſts words; of them ye have learned them; the means of ſalvation is not ordinary or outward; but Chriſt is the ſalvation, who is eternall, Heb. 5.9. and they that come to him come to the end of the outward, Col. 1.27. ye ſay the Sacraments are the Effectuall meanes to ſalvation; and ye ſay againe, they are not as they are themſelves: (ſo here is confuſion) but onely by the bleſſing of Chriſt & his ſpirit in them. How doe ye differ from the Papiſts? for they ſay he is in them; and ye ſay his ſpirit is in them and where his ſpirit is, is not he? Oh blind, are ye found out? goe ye home to your Mother the Papiſt; where Chriſts Spirit is, he is. And ye ſay your two ſacraments is Baptiſme and the Lords Supper. The ſcripture doth not call Baptiſm and the Lords ſupper two ſacraments; which names you and the Papiſts adore and worſhip which you have given to them; againe you in your Catechize call the firſt day in the weeke the Sabbath day; where did ever any of the Miniſters of Chriſt or the Chriſtians, unapoſtatized call it ſo? are not you come unto the breach, and guilty of your own judgement? of the third commandement, when ye give another name to the ſcriptures then they give themſelves, in calling them the word, & calling Baptiſm and the Supper the Sacraments? Exo. 20. Moſes ſaith God ſpake all theſe words, when he gave forth the commandements (marke words) and the words of Chriſt are ſpirit and life, Io. 6.63. God is the word, Jo. 1.1. and Chriſt is the word, Rev. 19.13. and the word became fleſh, and dwelt among us, Io. 1.14. And them that had the words of the ſcriptures, which cannot be broken, Io. 10.35. the Law and the prophets; they knew not Chriſt the word before they be brought to the light that Chriſt hath inlightned them with, and they be brought to the ſpirit. Io 5 37. Io. 8.19. Can the whole world ſay the Lords prayer in truth, or was it taught his Diſciples, or to the world? doth not people draw nigh to God with their lips that ſay it, Iſai. 20.13. and are not in the light which every man is lighted that cometh into the world withall; can ye ſay the Lords prayer, which is forgive us our treſpaſſes as we forgive them that treſpaſſe againſt us, without hypocriſy? how do ye for give them when ye would have them perſecuted, & would have them ſtoned? you that be teachers of the people; & how do ye love your neighbours as your ſelves? and fulfill the Law and the prophets, Mat. 7.12. to doe ſo as you would be done by? To ye Presbyterians of Scotland, I ſpeake that be teachers, whoſe principles is to ſtone, chop off heads, and perſecute them that be contrary minded to you, would ye have thoſe that be contrary to your mindes ſtone you to death, chop off your heads, imrpiſon, and baniſh you, and perſecute, and excommunicate you? This is the Law and the prophets, to do as you would be done by: as others ſhould doe to you; ſo doe unto them: but Chriſt who is the end Of the Law and the prophets, Rom. 10.4. ſaith his doctrine is to love enemies, Mat. 5.44. and ſaith, if men perſecute you, pray for them, and bleſſe them that curſe you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that perſecute you, and deſpitefully uſe you, you may be the children of your father which is in heaven: who makes the Sun to ſhine upon the evill and the good, and the raine to deſcend upon the juſt and the unjuſt, if ye love them that love ye, what reward have ye, the Publicans and Phariſees doe ſo, and the apoſtatized Chriſtians who are got into the formes of words, but out of the life of the Saints of Chriſt and the Apoſtles, and there they are ſaluting their brethren onely, but ſaith Chriſt, be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect, which you ſtand againſt; ſo ye are they that have denied the one offering which hath perfected for ever them that are ſanctified, Heb. 10.14. And makes the blood of Chriſt of none effect; which cleanſeth from all ſin, and the new Covenant, which blots out all ſin and tranſgreſſion; and all upon the earth profeſſors and worſhippers, that call your ſelves Brethern, and Chriſtians, and offerers, of what ſort ſoever, that have but the name, before thou offers be reconciled to thy brother, goe leave the gift at the altar, and be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift, Mat. 5.24. then will the Lord accept thy offering, and all upon the earth that prayeth; ſo that ye doe forgive others that treſpaſſe againſt you, as you would have the Lord forgive you your treſpaſſes.

Oh how is the beauty of the Church of Presbyterians marred, and diformed! oh how are they become Cages of uncleane birds, Synagogues of Sathan! oh how are their Teachers become envyous men and murtherers, of Caines ſtock, in whom the eternall life is not abiding, That would ſtay, ſtone, and chop off heads of ſtrangers ſervants of the Lord God, and Sons, and Daughters, and excommunicate and put out of their Synogogues; theſe things have I ſpoken unto you, that ye ſhould not be offended, Io. 16.2. they ſhall excomunicate you, yea the time cometh that they that kill you ſhall think they doe God good ſervice; theſe things will they doe unto you, becauſe they neither knew the Father nor me. Theſe things have I told you before; that when the time comes ye may remember that I told you of them, Io. 16 4. ſo the ſayings of Chriſt are fulfilled by you that excommunicate, and put out of the Synagogues of the Jewes, ye are like, and theſe are their marks; that they neither know the Father nor the Son of God, Theſe Temples, Pulpits, Prieſts, that are ſet up, ſince the daies of the Apoſtles, are amongſt the falſe prophets that Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, Mat. 7. Mat. 24. and John ſaw was come, 1 Io. 2.18.19. and 1 Jo. 4.1, 2, 3. which went forth from them, which all the world went after, Rev. 13.3. And theſe excomunications, from you are, that none ſhould buy nor ſell, but ſuch as worſhip the beaſt, and receive his markes, Rev. 13.14. And it was the Beaſt that would kill and deſtroy, and the Dragon, and the fall prophets, them that kept the teſtimony of Jeſus, Rev. 12. here is the patience and faith of the Saints; that by the blood of the Lamb that overcomes, that have teſtimony of Jeſus, and kept the commands of God, ſo the Jews excomunications which had the true Temple, true Tithes, and true Prieſts, which had the figure, the Type, Chriſt being come the ſubſtance, Heb. 10.34. the everlaſting Prieſthood, Heb. 7. the everlaſting Covenant, and the one offering, Heb. 10. ſo them that went from the prieſthood went to Chriſt; The Jewes did excommunicate them out of the Synagogues; now they did not know the Son nor the Father that did excomunicate, Jo. 16. though they had the figures and Types of the Son of God. They held up their outward things; and ſaw not the Son of God the ſubſtance when he was come, ſo theſe knew not the Son of God nor the Father that excommunicated and put out of the Synagogues; which Chriſt bad them that was to be put out of the Synagogues, not be offended at thoſe things; he told them before they came to paſſe, That when theſe things come to paſſe ye may remember that I told you. Now thoſe are they that Chriſt ſaid ſhould come; and the Apoſtles ſaw was come, that went forth from them; which hath got up Tithes, and Temples, and Pulpits, and prieſts, and the Prieſts are excommunicating out of their ſynagogues, and theſe muſt neither buy nor ſell with them, nor eat, nor drink, nor have nothing to do with them, except they will worſhip the beaſt, or his image, and fall down to him; and this is the worſhip of the Beaſt got up ſince the Apoſtles: who apoſtatized from the true Church, and went forth from them, which all the world wondered after and worſhipped, and received his mark and his image; They that buy and ſell, and will let others do ſo with them, that are of them that make war againſt them that keep the teſtimony of Jeſus, and the commands of God, and againſt the Saints and the Lamb; but the Lamb and the Saints ſhall have the victory: But the Lamb of God, the ſeed of God is riſen; the beaſt and the falſe Prophet is taken, which hath long deceived the Nations, Revelations 2. The old Dragon, the Serpent, the murderer, the deceiver, the devourer, the Mother of Harlots, Babylon which hath made all Nations drunk with her fornications, which hath corrupted the earth, Rev. 14. which the beaſts, and the falſe Prophets that deceives the Nations, and the Antichriſt, the falſe Prophets; ſay they are come but now: Theſe are deceivers of the Nations; that ſay they come but now; for Chriſt ſaid they ſhould come, and John ſaid they were come before his deceaſe, whereby he ſaid he knew it was the laſt time; and in the Revelations he ſaid, all the world went after them, and all Nations have drunk of the wine of her fornications, and the Kings of the earth have committed fornications with her, Rev. 17.2. (mark the word have) and the falſe Prophets ſay they come but now, and now is the laſt time. And theſe are the deceivers of the Nations that ſay ſo. Now are people but coming from them; and now is the judgement of the great whore come; and now is the vials of wrath to be powred upon her that hath corrupted the earth, and now ſhall they go into captivity, Rev 13. Rev. 1.4. and 18. And now ſhall people come to that which the falſe Prophets, the beaſt, and the Mother of Harlots went from, all theſe heads and horns, and Crowns, will turn againſt others with their tongues, Language; and Babylon, that hath been amongſt them; and now is the ſeed of God riſen, which overthrows all the excomunicators upon the earth, both beaſt and falſe Prophets and Jews both, which ſeed of God brings to ſee to the beginning. Glory to the higheſt for ever; and Jewes and Gentiles, beaſts and falſe Prophets, and is at the top of them all, and the corner ſtone is laid.

John Castairs, and James Durram Prieſts of Glaſgow when the Faſt was appointed by the Engliſh, they kept their Houſes, and cauſed their ſervants to work, and took notice of all thoſe that countenanced the Engliſh Faſt, and the firſt day they preached, then after they ſaid it was neceſſary that a day of Humiliation ſhould be, and that all people ſhould be humbled for the powers they ſaw now ruling in the land, for they were giving liberty and tolleration to all ſects, and blaſphemies, as Anabaptiſts, Independants, and ſaid that the Baptiſts denyed all worſhip and Ordinances, as they were and ought to be according to the Eccleſiaſtical Government, which Government is the true hedge of the Church of Chriſt.

Lodowick Simerell Prieſt of Munkland he ſaid before ſeveral perſons that no true Juſtice had been, or was ſince thoſe enemies came to this Nation, neither would be until the Lord remove them in his own time: Henry Foreſide Prieſt of Lenyey, and if Paul had been alive he would have ſtoned the Quakers; and it was Chriſtian zeal to ſtone them; and many friends are ſtoned and beat, and blood is ſhed: thoſe that ſtoned the Apoſtles and Saints, and haled them before j dgement-ſeats and Magiſtrates; and the chief Prieſts had a hand in putting Chriſt to death, perſwaded them ſo to do, and the chief Prieſts had a hand in ſtoning of Stephen to death, and the Prieſt had a hand in caſting Jeremy into the dungeon, and into the ſtocks, and ſaid he was worthy of death; and the high Prieſt Ananias was examined of Paul, and Peter and John was examined by the Prieſt, was put out of the Temple by the Prieſts and Rulers, & charged no more to ſpeak in that name, and ſuch were theſe who had a form of godlineſs but denyed the power, and ſuch ever ſtirred up the people to blood and tumults againſt the harmleſs, and innocent in the truth; Therefore come to the light you that have taſted of the power of the Lord God, that with it you may ſee and judge how the Prieſts blinded the Magiſtrates by flattery, and ſo truth came to be their enemies.

How do you receive ſtrangers, ye Presbyterians of Scotland, and obey the commands of God, and the Apoſtles commands, which was, be not forgetful to entertain ſtrangers; for ſome have entertained Angels unawares: when as ye would have the ſervants of the Lord priſoned, and ſtocked, and ſtoned to death, or their heads chopped off? ſo you are them that be in Cains way, vagabonds from the Spirit of God, now a vagabond hath not a habitation in God, but wanders from the witneſs of God in him, like Cain who built a City and called it after his Sons name, Heb. 13.2 Gen. 4.

I am the light of the world that lighteth every one that cometh into the world ſaith Chriſt the Saviour of your ſouls, every one going from the light ye be enlightned withall, ye are vagabonds, and have not a habitation in God; and ſo goes into Cains way, envious and would ſlay; Balaams and Cores way, which are with the light condemned; and like unto thoſe Jewes, That haled out of the Synagogues, That Chriſt ſpake of that goes in long Robes, and are called of men Maſter, but Chriſt ſaith, be ye not called of men Maſter, for one is your Maſter, even Chriſt, Mat. 23.

Chriſt ſaid they that went in long Robes, loved the chiefeſt places in the aſſemblies; ſhould hale out of the Synagogues, and they that do theſe things be gone from the light, Joh. 3.19. Joh. 16.2.

All this perſwading of corrupt Magiſtrates to perſecute them that reprove ſin in the gates, in the Steeple-houſes, ſtreets and high wayes, is, becauſe men have a ſelfiſh end, and a private intereſt to themſelves, both profeſſors of Scriptures and teachers, and them that doth perſecute hath a ſelfiſh honour, and an intereſt to themſelves, and ſo the ſelfiſh Profeſſors, teachers, Magiſtrates that perſecutes for them; they have a form of godlineſs, but the witneſs lies ſlain in them, and they matter not for that riſing: for in that riſing all the deeds, words and actions comes to light, and then, if the witneſs of God ariſe in them, they will not be offended at ſuch as reproves ſin in their gates, Markets, Steeple-houſes and Streets; for all upon the earth, while they are from the witneſs of God in them, they are corrupted, and they may get the form of godlineſs, the form of Chriſts, the Prophets and Apoſtles words, and live out of the power, and be in the Religion that is vain, for none upon the earth comes to the power of godlineſs, but firſt they muſt come to the witneſs of God in them, and there is none upon the earth that ever comes to the firſt principle of the pure Religion, but firſt they muſt come to the witneſs of God in them. There's none knows the Scriptures given forth from the power and Spirit of God, which was in the Saints, but firſt they are brought to the Spirit of God in their own perticulars. Come all you officers and Souldiers, now after ye have eaſe and have overcome your enemies without; take heed leaſt you ſit down in your eaſe and fulneſs, and fall down into the earth, and fleſh, and feaſtings, and fulneſs, and pride, and ſo corrupts the earth, and your ſelves, and not come down to the witneſs of God in you; whereby the enemy of God and of your own ſouls might be ſlain, that you might come to find reſt and peace in God, after your outward wars, and ſo come to the inward wars, which takes away the cauſe of the outward, whereby you may all come into true underſtanding, to anſwer that of God in every one, for them that do evil, act contrary that of God in them, to ſuch the ſword is a terror, and a praiſe to them that do well; which is led by the Spirit of God, up to God who is pure, out of the evil: and all Magiſtrates ſwords upon the earth, ſhould reach to that which is pure in every one to the ſoul, ſo it takes away that which wars againſt it, that breaks the outward; ſo comes the ſoul to be ſubject to the higher power thats above the tranſgreſſor, which all the Magiſtrates and Rulers upon the earth muſt give an account to; and there is none upon the earth that comes to worſhip God in the ſpirit and in truth, but who firſt come to own that of God in them; and there is none upon the earth that are like to retain God in their knowledge, nor his Covenant, while their minds is reprobated from that of God in them.

There all may ſee the Covenant of grace to all men, and the Covenant of light, and life with the Father, he gave him for a Covenant of light to the Gentiles, to the Heathen, I will make a new Covenant with the houſe of Iſrael and Judah the people of God, I will write my Law in their hearts, and their minds, ſo ſaith Chriſt, the Covenant of God, I am the light of the world, and doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world that all men through the light of the covenant of God might believe, it is the covenant of God, that every man that cometh into the world is enlightned withall, and every one that hates the light wherewith they are enlightned withall, hates the Covenant, and the light condemns him, and here all men, may ſee the free grace of God that brings ſalvation hath appeared to all men, The grace of God that brings the ſalvation, the turning the grace of God into wantonneſs, and walking deſpightfully againſt the ſpirit of grace, they neglect their ſalvation, and bring puniſhment and condemnation upon them, as its written in Jude.

Concerning election, and what is elected, the grace of God which brings ſalvation hath appeared to all men, to the clearing Gods Juſtice, and the fault is in man for his condemnation.

There is a precious thing in theſe Scots, but there is a filthy, beaſtly durty thing lyeth over.

A Book I have received out of Holland the Title of which is called A Catechiſm of Chriſtian Religion, Printed at Amſterdam by Iohn Frederick Stationer at the ſigne of the Hope 1639. The principles in it as followeth.

Pr. OUt of the Law, they ſay, they learne they ſhould love the Lord God with all their ſtrength, and mind and ſoule, and their Neigbour as themſelves.

Anſ. Now theſe words are ſaid, but where theſe words are performed, the commandement is knowne, and God is loved, and his Neighbour as himſelfe, ſo loves the Creation, the work-manſhip of God, but where theſe words are talked of, and not done, and they ſay they have not power, then they be out of that ſtate as the Jewes was in that came out of Egypt, which had the power and ability to anſwer the law of God, to which the Law was committed, and God is equall and righteous, and commands nothing but what is equall and juſt, and meaſurable and reaſonable, according to that which men may performe, and ſuch as he gives the Law to, he gives power, but if men tranſgreſſe the Law, they abuſe the power, and ſuch were not juſtified, and may ſay they had not power, but that is falſe, that is a lye.

Pr. They ſay, They are not able to keep the word of God perfectly, that is to ſay, to love their Neighbours as themſelves, and love God; for man is prone to evil-hatred by nature.

Anſ. That which brings men to keep the commandements of God is beyond nature, to order nature and to rule nature, and above nature, and it is to ſubject that which is prone to evil, and that nature that the law goes upon; ſo he that lookes into the law and loves God, is turned from the evill nature, for the evill makes the nature corrupt; man in the beginning, which had the law of God within, the commandement, man in the fall had the commandement given to him, and there he had power, as man had in the beginning, the Law and the power; but they both tranſgreſſing abuſing the power, ſo became unrighteous, not to make God unrighteous, or a hard task-maſter, to lay more upon a man then he can doe, as the corrupt wills of men, and the ſlothfull ſervants look upon God ſo to doe, as to command them to do the thing they cannot, ſo to make God unreaſonable, they that love the darkneſſe, and the pleaſures and the luſt more then God, and ſo have not regard to God and their Neighbour; for man in the beginning loſt his uprightneſſe, by tranſgreſſing the Law, and ſo the Devils ſeed comes to be ſowed in mankind, and the Image of God loſt, and the Image of the devil is ſet up in man, and ſo comes darkneſſe, hardneſſe, miſts, dimneſſe, and blindneſſe, and death reigned from Adam to Moſes ſo then came the Law by Moſes that went over all tranſgreſſors, anſwered the principle of God in all men that was tranſgreſſed, and the Lord that gave man the Law gave him power and ability, who ſaith his waies was equall, and righteous, and they then to love God with their ſtrength and their ſouls, and their neighbour as themſelves, and ſuch were preſervers of the creation, and lovers of the workmanſhip of God, but ſuch as were tranſgreſſors was deſtroyers and defacers of the workmanſhip of God, and not lovers of God nor their Neghbour.

Pr. That the anger of God is moſt dreadfull for the ſins wherein they were borne.

Anſ. Then you are not the believers which were borne in the ſin, nor of believing parents, if you do owne the Apoſtles doctrine, for the unbelieving is ſanctified by the believing, elſe were their children unholy, but now are they cleane, ſaith the Apoſtle the Miniſter of God, if you can believe his doctrine, and beare it, and receive it; but if you do object and ſay, borne in ſin and tranſgreſſion, and all by nature the children of wrath, yea I ſay this is the eſtate the Apoſtle ſpeaks of among unbelievers, Jewes and Gentiles gone aſtray from the life of God, from the Covenant of promiſe; but who came into the life of God, and the covenant of promiſe are believers; the believing wife or the believing husband ſanctifies the unbelieving, elſe were their children unholy, but now are they cleane, he that can receive this, let him, this was the Apoſtles Doctrine.

Pr. Becauſe the Juſtice of God requires that the ſame nature of man which had ſinned, do it ſelfe make recompence for ſin.

Anſ. All that makes the recompence for ſin, is he that never ſinned, Chriſt, the ſecond Adam, and not the firſt, ſo in this your blindneſſe and darkneſſe hath appeared, and it is not the ſame nature that hath ſinned, that deſtroyes it, but it is Chriſt that cleanſeth the nature of Man that had ſinned and deſtroyes ſin it ſelfe, that is to ſay, the Devill that hath defiled the nature of Man, and ſo Chriſt is called the ſanctification, Juſtification, redemption, cleanſing of mans nature, blotting out of the ſin and tranſgreſſion.

Pr. Salvation is not offered to all men who periſhed in Adam, but onely to thoſe men who are grafted in him by true faith.

Anſ. Salvation is purchaſed to all men that periſhed in Adam though they do not believe it, for he is the Saviour of all men, eſpecially of them that do believe, and an offering for the ſin of the whole world, mark, the world, and doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, that all through him might believe, and he that believes not is condemned by Chriſt the light, the life, the ſacrifice, the offering, that through death, that which in them was the power of death, the Devill, he deſtroyed: and his power, and ſo entred into his glory, all that believe in him have life, and all that doth not and receive him not, hath not life, but are condemned through unbelief. Now if if you ſay that in Adam all dyed, I ſay yes, and in Chriſt all ſhall be made alive to the Juſtification of life, I ſay yes, as in Adam all dyed, as in Chriſt they come to be made alive, ſo them that are the believers are the holy, ſo the believers children; a new creation, a new generation, new creatures out of Adam in the fall, the believers paſſed from death to life, that came by Adam and ſo in that is a cleane creation and holy generation.

Pr. All things contained in the Goſpell is ſummed up in the Apostles Creed.

Anſ. The Apoſtles doth not tell us of a creed, but the Popes Canon-book, and common prayer book, and many things the Apoſtles had to ſay, which was not lawfull to utter, and many things Chriſt had to ſay, they could not beare, but the Goſpell is the power of God, and that the ſcripture ſpeakes of, but doth not ſay the Epistles is it.

Pr. God hath manifeſted himſelfe in his word, that theſe three diſtinct perſons are one.

Anſ. The word, nor the ſcripture doth not tell us of three diſtinct perſons, but it tells us of Father, and of Son, and of Holy Ghoſt, but indeed as I ſaid before the Popes canon book, and Maſſe-book doth ſo, for the Holy Ghoſt is not diſtinct from the Son, and the Son is not diſtinct from the Father, but they are all in one.

Pr. Having our chief hope placed in God, being aſsured that nothing may with draw us from his love.

Anſ. Yet you ſay you are not able to keep the commandements of God perfect, then you are drawne from the living God, and you are from the chiefeſt hope, Chriſt, for who loves God keepes his commandements, and ſuch have the chiefeſt hope, Chriſt, in which the commandement ends, here the love goes forth out of the pure heart, but is not riches your hope? and doth not riches and the glory of the world, and the faſhions thereof, drew your hearts away, and your love, and hope ſtand in them, and hath taken up the poſſeſſion of your hearts more then God? therefore who keeps them not perfectly, keeps them not at all.

Pr. You ſay Chriſt hath ranſomed your bodies and your ſoules from ſin, and by that one ſacrifice of his body he hath redeemed you.

Anſ. Are your bodies redeemed, and your ſoules that are immortall, and your ſpirits ſanctified, and do you glorifie God in your bodies, ſoules, and ſpirits which is the Lords? and is there not ſin in your bodies, and are not your ſpirits corrupted? now who witneſſes redemption of the body and ſoule from ſin, theſe are out of the firſt Adams ſtate, and are the holy ones and theſe be in the end of the law, and that which fulfills the Law Chriſt Jeſus, but now if you come to ſay that you have ſin in your bodies, and the fruits will ſhew it ſelfe to perſecute, or envy, rage, malice, pride, or ſuch wickedneſſe, this ſhewes not the fruits of Redemption.

Pr. You ſay, That God in Chriſt hath put out the remembrance of your ſins, and of your corruptions within you, wherein you muſt fight all your life time.

Anſ. Whilſt the ſins you are fighting withall are not blotted out in your own particulars, this is not the life of the Saints, they are not fighting all their life time, but come to the kingdome of God, witneſſing ſin and iniquity blotted out, & the everlaſting covenant of peace and life with God.

Pr. You ſay, You are righteous before God through faith, though your conſciences accuſe you for your treſpaſſes againſt the commands of God, being prone to evil, yet notwithstanding imbrace the benefits of Chriſt, as if you never had committed any ſin or corruption, and this is as if you your ſelves had perfectly compleated the obedience.

Anſ. Where the conſcience accuſes it is impure, and that the true faith is out of, for the myſtery of faith is held in a pure conſcience, and that is it that receives Chriſt, and which is not prone to evil, nor tranſgreſſeth the commands of God but you are out of the perfect obedience, and out of the faith both, and are in the corruption, & are not the lovers of God, nor come to Chriſt the end of the commandements which is loved in a pure heart, and whereas you talke of conſcience accuſing and yet faith, that is your ignorance, for faith is held in a pure conſcience, the conſcience doth not accuſe, but the unſanctified.

Pr. Not that we pleaſe God through the worthineſſe of our faith, for our works, the best of them, are imperfect, in this life defiled with ſin.

Anſ. It is faith that brings men to pleaſe God, which Faith comes from him, and gives victory over that, men have lived in, and not pleaſed God; ſo faith there is a worthineſſe in it, it is the gift of God, by which men pleaſe God, and have acceſſe to to him, and they are juſtified, and through it they overcome and ſubdue mountaines, and raiſe the dead, your beſt workes being imperfect, and defiled with ſin in this life, then they are not wrought in God, but out of him in the darkneſſe, they are works of darkneſſe, unperfect, defiled with ſin; are not the workes of darkneſſe to be condemned for the fire, and to be out of the Law and Goſpell? but the works, the Saints works that are in the Faith, wrought in love are perfect, wrought in God, created to good works, theſe are diſtinct from the unperfect, defiled with ſin, and theſe good workes the Saints witneſſed when they were upon the earth, which is the works of Faith which works by love.

Anſ. Infants that are baptized belong as well to the covenant and Church of God, as they of full age, they by baptiſm being grafted into the Church of God, ſo diſcerned from the children of Infidels, ſo this baptiſme ſucceeds Circumciſion.

Anſw. Then by this all Chriſtendom that are baptized are the Church and grafted into the Church, Papiſts and Proteſtants and all; and how is it that your Church is ſo much in confuſion then? for you ſay they are grafted into the Church of God, and in the Church of God there is no confuſion, it is the Pillar and ground of truth, without ſpot or wrinkle, and how is it there is ſuch killing one another in this Church, Papiſts, and Proteſtants, Lutherans, and Calviniſts ſo called, how is it they are not of one body broken into ſo many heads, now the baptiſme of the ſpirit brings all into one body, in which ſpirit is the fellowſhip and the unity, which ſpirit is the bond of peace; and Circumciſion outwardly was a figure of Circumciſion within, and that it typed forth, and baptiſme without typed forth baptiſme within, and many may run into the outward water, that doth decreaſe, and doth not come to the body of Chriſt the light, as you may read in the fifth of John; for none are grafted into Chriſt the body but who comes to the light John bare witneſs of.

Pr. You ſay though Chriſt he in Heaven, you on Earth, and you are fleſh of his fleſh, and bone of his bone.

Anſw. And yet before you ſaid your conſciences accuſed you, and your beſt works in this life were ſinful, imperfect, and you could not keep the commands of God; now this is confuſion, who are of the fleſh and bone of Chriſt are with him, and fits with him in Heavenly places, for their converſation is in Heaven.

Pr. We are grafted into Chriſt by the Holy-Ghoſt now, according to his humane nature on earth.

Anſw. Humane nature is from the ground, this is old Adam, but Chriſt who according to the fleſh was of Abraham, and of David, the Scripture doth not tell us of humane nature, for humane is from the ground, but Chriſt is from above, and though he were a Lamb ſlain from the foundation of the world, yet his nature was not corrupted, nor his fleſh ſaw no corruption, he that is made of the duſt is humane, he that is the Lord from heaven is not humane, ſo you erre in your underſtandings that doth not diſtinguiſh.

Pr. Teaching the Goſpel and Eccleſiastical diſcipline by which the heaven is opened to believers and ſhut againſt the unbelievers.

Anſ. Chriſt hath the key which opens to believers which doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, that through it they might believe, and they that do not believe in the light which Chriſt hath enlightned them withal, heaven is ſhut to them, light condemns them, and they neglect the Goſpel upon whom the wrath comes, which Goſpel is the power of God; and as for the Eccleſiaſtical diſcipline it is got up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles in the apoſtaſie, which ſhuts up the Kingdom of Heaven againſt men, that which they ſhould have believed in; that is the light Chriſt hath enlightned them withall which is the key.

Pr. And ſuch you ſay that be wicked men, the Sacrament is to them forbidden, and ſhut out of the Congregation.

Anſw. Do you not call baptiſme Sacrament, and hath he given them it, and did not you ſay they are grafted into the Church by baptiſme, and cannot Judas take the ſop? but for the word Sacrament, that you may look in the old Canon Book, the Maſſe-Book, and ſuch as you like, you give your Sacrament as covetous and proud, and lovers of gold, and ſurfetted with the cares of this life, and drunk with it, and ſuch as are in ſuperfluitie, and yet ſuch you will give it to; and common outward drunkards you will keep it from, now are not all thoſe forbidden and out of the Church of God, read and judge your ſelves, and amend your lives, and repent that you may come into the ſpirit that baptizeth into the body of Chriſt.

Pr. You ſay Christ hath redeemed you by his blood, and renewed you by his ſpirit to his Image.

Anſ. And yet your works before were ſinful, and you brake the command of God; now this ſhewes ſtill that you have but the form, and unrenewed in ſpirit, unchanged, unconverted, and not in the Image of God, and not in the thankfulneſs of God out of a pure heart.

Pr. To mortifie the old man is to be ſorry for your ſins.

Anſw. A man may be ſorry for the ſin he hath acted, but that which puts off the body of ſin is the ſpirit, and purifies the heart is the faith, and that that cleanſeth from all ſin is the blood of Jeſus, and that that blots out all ſin and tranſgreſſion is Chriſt the Covenant of God, and Chriſt within manifeſt in the fleſh, condemns ſin in the fleſh; ſo having him within, the body is dead becauſe of ſin.

Pr. Thou ſhalt not make to thy ſelf any graven image, the likeneſs of any thing in Heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or worſhip them, or bow down to them, thou ſhalt not take the name of the Lord in vain, &c. and remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day, for ſix dayes thou ſhalt labour and do all thou haſt to do, but on the Sabbath thou nor thy ox, ſervant or stranger ſhall do no manner of work.

Anſw. Do you not make graven images and Pictures of things in Heaven, and of things in the water, and of things in the earth, and ſo make ſimilitudes and repreſentations and adore them, and ſet them up in your houſes? and is not this quite contrary to the commands of God? and hath not the Papiſts been your examples for theſe things, and not the Apoſtles? and do ye not take the Lords name in vain dayly in your ſtreets, and markets, in your buying, and ſelling, and take the Lords name in vain, when you call upon him with your lips, but your hearts be in your covetous practices, and full of hatred, envy, pride, voluptuouſneſs, ambition, ſelf-honour, and deceit? and this is taking the Lords Name in vain, to call on God with your lips while your hearts be after this manner, do your ſervants, or ſtrangers, or cattel reſt on the ſeventh day? and do you not keep Markets and Fairs on that day, the Lord gave to the children of Iſrael after the fall of Adam for a ſign of the reſtoration of the Creation that neither man, nor ſervant, nor family, nor ox, nor Aſſe ſhould work on that day, but reſt? ſo it was a ſigne, the Apoſtles ſaith the Sabbath day was a ſhadow of good things to come, which was Chriſt, the good thing who reſtores the Creation and giveth the liberty to Horſe, Aſſe, Ox, and all the Creation, unto man and ſtranger and ſervant, and Redeemes man up into the image of God, and renewes it, which hath been loſt, and ſo is reſtoring of the Creation, and gives reſt to his people and all the Creation, and deſtroys the Devil, death, and all his works, Chriſt who is the reſtorer gives reſt to the Creation, who was before dayes was, by which all things was made.

Pr. You ſay, Thou ſhalt not do no murther, thou ſhalt not ſteal, nor thou ſhalt not covet thy neighbours goods, houſe, or ſervant, nor any thing that is his, his wife, or ox, or Aſſe, &c.

Anſ. Do you do no murther? that was the Law without; do you fulfill it in Chriſtendom? then you do not murther the juſt principle of God in your particulars; do you not quench the ſpirit in people, and ſuffer it not to have liberty? do you not do murther to the juſt of God in you, in your own particulars? and ſo, then ſtop it in the general, for opening its mouth with all your force and might? and are you not murtherers there, and do you not ſteal by Sea, and Land, and cozen and cheat and wrong one another? nay, do you not ſteal the words from your neighbour, and the Prophets and the Apoſtles, and Chriſt, which you never came into the life of; is not this called theft and robbery? for you have not received it from the Lord God, as Prophets, as Apoſtles, as his Son did, and ſervants did; ſo all your profeſſion, Church and Miniſtery ſtand in the robbery, and have not received it as they did, as the true Apoſtles and Prophets did, and Miniſters did, ye all ſtand in the robbery; and do not you covet your neighbours goods, Oxen, Cattel, and ſervants, and wife? and one getting from another goods, and getting ſervants one from another? is not this out of the love in which the Commandment ends, where there is ſerving one another in love; and is not all covetous Idolaters out of the love ſhut, in which the Commandment ends, and hath not this been the practice in the whole Chriſtendom, coveting mens goods, ſervants, cattel, and that which is not his? is not that out of the Law and Goſpel, and out of a pure heart where the Commandment is done and known, and that which it ends in, is in Chriſt, and love keepes the Commands of Chriſt, they that love do not covet, and they are not Idolaters.

Pr. We are not to make any images to be tollerated in the Churches, and Chappels, or figures of things made, for it is not ſeemly for God will have his Church be taught by living Preaching.

Anſw. How is it that your Churches ſo called, are ſo full of Pictures and images of Males and Females repreſenting a figure of Adam and Eve, the Apoſtles and Chriſt and your houſes and ſigns of fiſh in the Sea, and Lyons and others creatures upon the earth, and of things as you imagine in heaven, are not all theſe your inventions, your works and inventions, you have learned of the Papiſts and they from the heathen, not from the Apoſtles? and you have daubed your Churches, and them flouriſhed with your Pictures, theſe things you call your Churches, but the Church is in God, which the gates of Hell cannot prevail againſt, but a ſhowre of rain, or an earthquake, or a great wind will prevail againſt your Church, and the devil may come with his carnal weapons and throw it down, but the Church of Chriſt the Pillar of truth is that the devil is out of.

Pr. You ſay a man may ſwear before a Magiſtrate, and that this kind of ſwearing is ordained by Gods word, therefore well uſed of the Saints, and it is not lawful to ſwear by the Saints or other creatures.

Anſw. Here ye be out of the Doctrine of Chriſt who ſaith ſwear not at all, and out of the Magiſtrates ſtate the Apoſtle ſpeaks of, and out of Chriſts Doctrine and the Apoſtles, and hath broken the commands of Chriſt and the Apoſtles Doctrine, which ſaith ſwear not at all, ſo you wrong Chriſt Jeſus, and the word of God you deny, and though Abraham ſwear, and Jacob and Joſeph ſware, the Prophets and Moſes ſwear, David ſwore, and the Angels ſwore, and men in ſtrife ſwear by the greater, and the oath ended the ſtrife and controverſie amongſt men, yet Chriſt ſaith before Abraham was I am, he reigns over the houſe of Joſeph and Jacob, he is the end of the Prophets, he is the end of Moſes, he is the end of men of ſtrife, and brings peace on the earth, the Angels muſt bow down to him, that ſaith ſwear not at all, who was before Abraham was, and David called him Lord, who was greater then Solomon and this is my beloved Son hear ye him; now which of you hear him? they ſaid in the old time perform thy vows to the Lord, this was the old time, the day of Abraham, David, Prophets Moſes, Solomon, but Chriſt who was before all time, by whom all things was made, the oath of God ends the time, and ſaith ſwear not at all, ſo doth his true Miniſters and the Apoſtles, above all things my brethren ſwear not at all, neither by heaven, nor by earth, leſt you fall into condemnation, now here were true brethren that kept the doctrine of Chriſt and the Apoſtles, and his commands, which ſwearers break which are got up ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, which are the falſe brethren Apoſtatized from the true, ſo now the fruits of falſe and true brethren are ſeen, who keep the commands of Chriſt, and walk in the Doctrine of the Apoſtles and who doth not.

Pr. You ſay, That in the fourth Commandment God doth command that the Miniſters of the Goſpel, and the Schools of Learning ſhould be maintained, and that on the Sabbath frequent ſtudiouſly, Divine Aſſembles, hear the word diligently, uſing the Sacraments.

Anſ. Your Schools, your Sacraments, your Sabbath, your Studies by men, you have made theſe, ſince the Apoſtles, your Miniſters at your Schools, and not by the Lord, but among your ſelves Apoſtatized from his ſpirit, for the Apoſtles had not Shools, and the Apoſtles ſaid let no man judge you in meats or drinks, new Moons, and Sabbath dayes, &c. for the body is Chriſt, and he brought them off of theſe ſervices to Chriſt, the ſubſtance, the body, who ended the Sabbath days, and the offerings upon them, who was before dayes, who is the reſt for his people, and did not bring people into dayes, but into Chriſt by whom all things was made, who was Lord of the Sabbath, and ſuch meet on the firſt day of the week, and are taught of God, and out-ſtrip all your Teachers made in Schools, and learnings of men, and ſo not of man, nor by man but the outward Schools are of men, and by men.

Pr. You ſay, The fifth Commandment injoyns you to yield obedience to the faithful commandments of them that be over you; and the Catechiſme.

Anſ. The fifth Commandment brings that men ſhould obey the command of God, not of men, nor the Catechiſme, nor ſuch ſtuff as is in this Catechiſme, but who are come to Chriſt the end of the Commandments, the end of the Law, him by whom the world was made, and was before it was made (is enjoyed.)

Pr. You ſay, The meaning of the ſeventh Commandment, Is that you ſhould live temperate, modeſt, and chaſte, and holy in Wedlock.

Anſw. Is this ſo, have you not broken Wedlok both with God and man, and loſt the chaſte Virgin ſtate? and ſo gotten up into intemperate, immodeſt, unchaſtneſs, into uncleanneſs and filthineſs, and ſo ſhew by your fruits that you neither come to keep this Commandment, nor to Chriſt the end of it?

Pr. You ſay, The eighth Commandment doth not only forbid robbery but covetouſneſs after other mens goods, evil witchcraft, devices to ſeek after other mens goods.

An. Then are you not all found in this ſeeking after other mens goods, and endeavouring by force, and hath not this been many of your practices both by Sea and Land, of many people in the whole Chriſtendom, and been found in this witchcraft as you ſay as you ſpeak of, and is not all this to be judged with the ſpirit of the Lord God to be out of his commands, and out of the love of God and Chriſt the end of the Law, there-repent and amend all your wayes, doings and lives, that you may return to the Lord, and find peace and reſt in the time of need.

Pr. You ſay, The ninth Commandment ſaith bear not falſe witneſs againſt any man, and you ſhould ſhun lying, and not falcifie any mans word, nor backbite nor reproach, and ſhun all careles kind of lives, &c.

Anſw. How is it then there are ſo many falſe witneſſes, backbiters, reproachers, raſh condemners men living in ſuch careleſs kind of lives and deceit among you? which is the devils works, this is all out of the commands of God and the Law, and ſhort of Chriſt the end of it, and the fruits of this now hath ſhewed it ſelf.

Pr. You ſay, No one that is converted unto God perfectly, obſerves and keepes his Commandments.

Anſw. Then no man loves God amongſt you, nor are you converted neither are you of the ſeed of the woman that keepes the commands of God, neither are you the children of God that Johns ſpeaks of, that keepes the Commandments of God, that love God, neither, are you the believers, for Chriſt is the end of the Law to them that believes.

Pr. You ſay, There is no man in this life able to keep the Law of God, and why then ſhould Gods Law be ſo exactly and ſeverely.

Anſ. The law of God is juſt, is not ſo exact, nor ſo ſeverely, but is juſt and equal, and righteous, and perfect and good, and not as you look upon it exact and ſevere, now Chriſt the righteouſneſs of God is the end of the Law, and the man that loves God keepes his Commandments, and comes to the end of the commandments, that is, love out of a pure heart.

Pr. You ſay Christ teacheth you to call God Father in the beginning of your prayers.

Anſ. Chriſt taught that to his Diſciples which were his children, his ſheep, but that was not ſpoken to the world that did not believe in the light that enlightens every man that comes into the world, for the Phariſees could call him Father and Lord, but did not the things he commanded them, and ſuch Chriſt ſaid were of the devil, and ſuch their prayers he rebukes; the Diſciples could pray this in truth, ſo you muſt be born again of God, not committing of ſin when you call God Father, like him, elſe you are Baſtards, begotten of the wicked one children of the tranſgreſſor ſons of the Sorcerer: the Prophet ſpeaks of children of God diſtinct from ſuch that call him Father in the tranſgreſſion, applyed to God which he hath not begotten, the birth in the tranſgreſſion, the tranſgreſſors birth, that is a Baſtard, a falſe conception.

Pr. You ſay, Forgive us, as we forgive them that treſpaſse againſt us.

Anſw. Is it ſo, do ye do ſo, and would you be forgiven no otherwiſe, but as ye forgive others that hath treſpaſſed againſt you, would you have God forgive you no otherwayes who treſpaſſeth againſt him, but as you forgive the treſpaſſes againſt you (mark) whether you would have as you ſay, and whether here be not juſtice, and whether you can witneſs you are forgiven that doth not forgive others? whether you have the aſſurance within you?

Pr. You ſay, The particle Amen means the things ſure out of doubt for your prayers is much more certain heard of God, then you feel in your hearts, that you unfeignedly deſire the ſame.

Anſw. Amen or ſo be it, for the promiſe is to the ſeed, yea and Amen; which fetches up the ſeed out of time who hath been in priſon in time and brings it by the power of God thither where there is no time, and there is yea and amen, and the Lord accepts no prayer from the corrupt heart or ſuch whoſe works are ſinful, their beſt works are ſinful, for the praying is in the ſpirit, the Lord accepts, and Preaching, ſinging, hearing, and taſting, diſcerning, handling, and feeling the Lord knowes the mind of the ſpirit where it groans, which ſpirit guiding the man, it gives him an underſtanding of the ſignification of it, and ſo every man being reproved with the ſpirit if he hears it and be at unity with it, and turn to it, it will bring him to turn to God, and be at unity with God, and here his prayers be acceptable to him, and ſo every man being enlightned that comes into the world, every man being turned to the light Chriſt hath enlightned him withall, he is turned to Chriſt from whence it comes, which brings him to know Chriſt, and to ask in his Name, who is the way to the Father and is in the Father, who is God Immanuel Chriſt Jeſus, and ſo forth to the end.

Robert Tuchin, Iohn Barnes, Edward Buckler, Robert Dingly, James Croſſwick, Iohn Martine, Vincent Sparke, Joſhua Tompkins, Simon Pole, Tho. Clarke, William Harby Martin Wells, Wil. Bignall, Rich. Beminſter Mathew Hearne: Their Princples are as Followeth who are Teachers in and about the Iſland of Weight, and theſe 15. Prieſts are in the rear of the Army of Babylon againſt the Lamb.

Pr. THat the good tidings, which the glorious Goſpell of Jeſus Chriſt brings to ſinners was first heard at Jeruſalem.

Anſ. The Go pel which is the power of God which is the glad tidings to ſinners, was preached to Abraham, before ever it was heard at Jeruſalem, and the ſhepherds in the field received the meſſage of the good tidings of the glorious Goſpell from the Angell, which was ſent to them of the Lord; who ſaid, Behold I bring you good tidings of great Joy, and this was before the Goſpell was heard at Jeruſalem, and all the Fathers and Prophets, that heard the power of God, they heard the Goſpel; for the Goſpel is the power of God, glad tidings to the ſeed, and great joy to the poor captives, and this Goſpell was preached to Adam, the ſeed of the woman was promiſed to bruiſe the Serpents head; and that was, and is, the power of God, the glorious Goſpell, but as for ſuch as knowes no Goſpell in manifeſtation, nor apparation, but onely the ſcriptures which doth but declare of the Goſpell, they ſhew that they are without, in the world, and hath no other knowledge of the Goſpell, but naturall knowledge, which is not unto eternall life, nor can edefie the body of Chriſt, which is immortall.

Pr. The good tidings, which the glorious Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt brings to ſinners, was a great mercy to the Jewes, a very gratious diſpenſation to us ſinners of the Gentiles.

Anſ. The good tidings, the glorious Goſpell, is in it ſelfe a mercy to all; but onely a mercy in manifeſtation, and opperation to them that doe receive it, whether Jews or Gentiles, and it is a judgement and a condemnation, to all that do not receive it both Jewes and Gentiles. But as for you fifteen Prieſts, you have included your ſelves among the ſinners, ſhewing that you are yet unconverted to the pretious faith, which brings out of all ſin and gives victory over it, and who are converted are changed and renewed from being ſinners, to be righteous, and theſe are not ſinners of the Gentiles, (as is manifeſt you yet are) but they are believers of the Gentiles, who are made righteous in the righteouſneſſe of the ſecond Adam, who hath quickned them from death to life, and from ſin to God, but upon ſuch that do remaine ſinner of the Gentiles, and receives not the Goſpell which is the power of God, the diſpenſation of it is judgement, and condemnation, and this ſhall the teſtimony of God in every man give witneſſe to.

Pr. Darke we are ſince the cloud of ſin overſhadowed our minds, our brighteſt notions are ſtained, our light eclipſed by nature, we are Chained up into a Cave of darkneſs; taking meere notions to be things ſubſtantial, and ſubstance to be ſhadowes, and as our eyes are dim and can not ſee much, ſo our ſloath is great and heedleſsnes inexcuſable, our ignorance of God may be charged on the want of meditation in all men, the ſinnes of teachers being teachers ſinns: Admit the Miniſter be ſinfull, ſhal the people deſpiſe his doctrine? Scripture is Scripture though uttered by Sathan.

Anſ. The Miniſters of Chriſt Jeſus who were called and ſent of him, were light in the Lord, and were tranſlated from darkneſſe to the light, and from Satans power to God, and the cloud of ſin was not over them, for that was removed, and they were as a City ſet on a hill, and were the light of the world, and their mindes were ſpirituall and inlightned and not over-ſhadowed with the darkneſſe nor with the cloud of ſin, as it is with theſe 15. Prieſts, whoſe brighteſt notions are ſtained and their light eclipſed by nature as they confeſſe, but thus it was not with Chriſts Miniſters, for their knowledge was in the ſpirit, and what they knew was in and through the ſpirit, and they were changed in nature, and their light which was Chriſt was above nature, and beyond nature, and not eclipſed thereby, neither were they chained up in a cave of darkneſſe but were as candles lighted, and as a city ſet on a hill that could not be hid, and they delivered forth to the world the pure truthes of the Goſpell of Chriſt, which were not ſtained nor polluted, but pure and holy; And in that you take notions to be ſubſtance, ſubſtance to be ſhadowes; this is your great ignorance and blindneſſe, but thus doe not the true miniſters of Chriſt, neither are their eyes dim, but the Lord is the light, and this promiſe is fulfilled to his miniſters whom he hath ſent; the Lord is become their everlaſting light, but to you his promiſe is not fulfilled whoſe eyes are dim and ſloth, great and heedleſſnes inexcuſable; as it was with the falſe Prophets and Dreamers of old, whom the Lord never ſent, and thus it is with theſe 15 Prieſts, according to their own confeſſion; but the Miniſters of Chriſt were not ſo, neither were they in ſin, nor in ignorance, but had received the knowledge of God, and were known of him, and if the Miniſter be ſinfull, he is not ſent of God, but hath run and never was ſent, and his doctrine is diſpiſed, and not profitable, for ſcripture in the mouth of the Devil, is but a temptation, no more is the doctrine of ſinfull men, as taught by them, for if the miniſter be ſinfull, he cannot convert ſinners to God, nor turne them from darkeneſſe to light, nor from Satans power to God, which is the work of the true miniſter that have received the gift of the Holy ghoſt; as its manifeſt theſe men have not by their own confeſſion.

Pr. We are preſented with a neceſſity of acknowledging that the Light of the moon with us is as the Light of the Sun, and the Light of the Sun as the Light of ſeven daies.

Anſ. How doth this confeſſion of yours anſwer to your laſt? let all wiſe & ſober people judge, how confuſion hath uttered forth it ſelf; what, your light eclipſed, & you chaind up in a Cave of darkneſſe, and your eyes dim, and yet the light of the Son with you; as he light of ſeven daies; is there any thing in both theſe confeſſions, except ignorance and a heape of confuſion and plain contradictions, that all may ſee your owne confuſions out of your own mouthes? But who are come to the fulfilling of the promiſes of God where the light of the Sun is as the light of ſeven daies, ſin and iniquity is blotted out, and tranſgreſſion is done away, and life and immortality is brought to to light, and the glory of the Lord is revealed, and they that are in this promiſe, are come out of the Apoſtaſie, and out of the beaſts kingdome of darkeneſſe, where you yet remaine as its manifeſt, for you be ſuch as Chriſt ſaid ſhould come, and as Iohn ſaw were come, who went into the world and deceived nations, but now the nations are gathering from you againe, into the fellowſhip of the myſtery of the Goſpel, which Goſpel, that hath been loſt (I meane the receiving of it by the Holy Ghoſt, and the preaching of it as the ſpirit of God gave utterance) for many generations, but that goſpell againe is to be preached, and it is going forth to nations, tongues, and people, and great Babylon ſhall be confounded, and all her merchants ſhall weep and lament for her fall.

Pr. We the unworthy Ministers of Chriſt whoſe names are under written, having waited upon God in a way of earneſt prayer, have jointly agreed to communicate our thoughts &c.

Anſ. They that are true miniſters of Chriſt are not unworthily ſo, nor in the unworthineſſe, and being unworthy, to what purpoſe do ye waite upon the Lord? for who are in the unworthyneſſe, God doth not heare nor regard, nor give his anſwer to ſuch, and ye having no anſwer from God, you muſt needs agree in your thoughts, but have you nothing to communicate to your people, but your thoughts which are vaine? how ſhall thoughts convert any to God, or eſtabliſh any in him? and your prayers that are in darkneſs are not accepted of him; for who are heard of the Father, are in Chriſt Jeſus, and are new creatures, being changed from death to life.

Pr. Our deep ſence of the ignorance of our hearers puts us upon your prayers to God, and Counſell one to another, what further courſe to take.

Anſ. Indeed a ſad complaint may be taken up concerning this matter, for ignorance abounds, and many other grievous evils, in your Church, and amongſt your hearers, ſhewing that your Church is not the true Church of Chriſt, nor you Chriſts faithful Miniſters; but where or what is the ground of this ignorance that is amongſt your hearers? is not the Miniſtry in a great meaſure the cauſe thereof, and doth not the blind lead the blind, and have not you been unjuſt and unrighteous in taking money and wages of People for teaching of them, and yet they have not received knowledge but continues in ignorance? and as for your prayers and councel, the Lord takes no notice thereof till you purge your ſelves of your iniquities, and how ſhould you profit the people, and bring them to the knowledge of God, while as yet your ſelves are ſhut up in a cave of darkneſs as you do confeſſe.

Pr. Speaking of your children you ſay; do not they come into the wo ld with ſouls naked as their bodies? nothing but filth upon the one, and nothing but ſin upon the other.

Anſw. It is manifeſt then that you are unbelievers and have not received the faith of Chriſt, but are your ſelves in an unconverted eſtate; for the Apoſtle ſaith concerning the believers children that they were holy, If you can receive it, you may, but as for the ſoul that is immortal, for God breathed into man the breath of life, and made man a living ſoul, and ſin came by diſobedience, and that ſeparates between man and God, who is pure, and hath all ſouls in his hand; but as for you who are in a Cave of darkne s, the myſtery of the ſoul is from you hidden, but you confeſs it is by your means that ſin is conveyed to your children, yea, take it to your ſelves it is your work, and the Lord hath no hand in it, not in ſin, nor in making ſinners, and it is manifeſt you are out of the power of God, remaining in iniquity, and are our of the Covenant of reconciliation.

Pr. For ſending children to us, we ſhall briefly offer the duty of it in theſe particulars, we are to feed the Lambs of Chriſt as well as the ſheep they are part of our charge who are to watch over ſouls.

Anſw. What are children now the Lambs of Chriſt, and were they in the laſt, having nothing but ſin upon their ſouls, being begotten and born in ſin? ſinners are not the Lambs of Chriſt, but children of wrath, the Lambes of Chriſt are ſuch as are regenerated and born again, and as for feeding the Lambs, how can ye do it, who are taking ſubſtance to be ſhadowes, and ſhadowes to be ſubſtance? the bread of life ye know not which feeds the Lambs and the ſheep, but how many ſheep and Lambs is found in your flocks? do not they by their fruits the rather appear to be in the nature of of wolves and ſwine? let their fruits witneſs againſt them, and as for your charge, who committed any charge to you? and as for watching over the ſoul, the ſoul is immortal, which you watch not for, but for money and hire, and caſting People into priſon if they will not give it you, and cauſing the ſervants of the Lord to be perſecuted, theſe and ſuch like are the fruits of the Prieſts of England, which if you watched for the ſoul, It would be otherwiſe with you, but who can gather grapes on thorns or figgs on thiſtles?

Pr. We ſhould be full of affection to our ſelves if we deſired to work upon our hearers, and our Authority in Preaching is marred by unholy living.

Anſw. We do believe you, and it is manifeſt to the whole nation; that your unholy living marrs your Preaching; for unholy men have not received commiſſion from the Lord to Preach his word, ſo you have run and not been ſent, and there is no poſſibility of working upon your hearers by words who gives them ſo evil examples by your practices, by your unholy lives: and no Authority of Gods preſence can be in your Preaching to convert ſinners, till you repent and come to live holily and like God, and this confeſſion of yours hath ſhamed you for Chriſts Miniſters never made ſuch a confeſſion but they witneſſed the Authority of Gods preſence in their Preaching, whereby they wrought upon their hearers, and they anſwered their Preaching by a holy converſation, and did not marr their Preaching by unholy living as ye confeſſe ye do.

Pr. Sad one day will be the account of ſleepy watchmen, blind ſeers, and dumb dogs, that cannot bark to fright the wolves or warn the ſheep.

Anſ. Then look to your ſelves, for blind ſeers are ſuch as doth not convert the People who ſpeak imaginations of their own hearts and not from the mouth of the Lord, and uſeth their tongues, when the Lord hath not ſpoken unto them, and Preaching for hire and devining for money, and ſeeking for gain from their Quarter; and that cryes peace to them that puts into their mouthes, and prepares war againſt them which doth not, ſuch are blind ſeers, ſleepy watchmen and dumb doggs, of whom you ſpeak, whoſe account indeed will be ſad one day, and theſe are the wolves that muſt be frighted that do put on the ſheepes clothing, but inwardly are Raveners and devourers, which went out from the Apoſtles in the dayes of John, and which Chriſt propheſied ſhould come, of whoſe generation you are, and not of the generation of the ſheep, who ever were perſecuted, and the Lord is beginning to affright you and to gather his ſheep, and this is the Lord fulfilling in his day.

Pr. Many Congregations still continue waſte none compaſſionate to tell them of the fire and brimstone from heaven for their ſins, how many ſhot off a few Pot-guns againſt their groſs ſins, and then lick them whole with ill applyed promiſes, but the blood of the People, ſhall be required at their hands.

Anſw. Many Congregations are waſte, and ten thouſands of People are as a wilneſs untilled or unploughed, or unplanted, in the way of Righteouſneſs, and the guilt of this will be laid upon the Teachers, who have long been teaching and well paid for the work; and yet left whole Congregations waſte, but it was not ſo in the Apoſtles days, nor among their Churches who were in the faith of Chriſt Jeſus, but when the wolves in ſheeps cloathing entred, then began Congregations to lie waſte, which has continued for many generations, even while the Beaſt, and the Whore hath ruled over the Nations; all Nations hath laid waſte and been void of truth to the Lord, and who is it except your ſelves that doth ſhoot Potguns againſt their groſſe ſins, and then lick them whole? is it not common to cry Peace to them that puts into your mouthes, and to prepare War againſt them that does not? and is it not common amongſt you to apply Juſtification by Chriſt to People that are unconverted, and unrenewed, and you apply the promiſes to that birth that is not heire of the Kingdom? and this is ill applyed, and though you may cry againſt their unholy lives, yet your ſelves being unholy, this is but hypocriſie, and ſewing Pillowes under Arm-holes; and the blood of People will God require at the hand of ſuch Teachers and ſuch Shepherds.

Pr. The moſt faithful Meſſengers of Chriſt will acknowledge they came ſhort of their duty.

Anſw. They that are faithful meſſengers of Chriſt, have the anſwer, well done thou good and faithful ſervant; where did Paul, or John, or Peter acknowledge they came ſhort of their duty? hath not thou ſlandered the ſervants of the Lord, thinking them to be like your ſelves, and falſly accuſing them that you may ſeem Juſtified who are falſe meſſengers and comes in his name, when you have no Commiſſion from him? and you come ſhort of every good work, but thus it is not with Chriſts true meſſengers, for they fulfill his will that ſent them: and it is the Lord that worketh in them whoſe they are, and whoſe duty they perform by his ſpirit.

Pr. The beſt of us have ſtammering tongues in this great work, and often times we do it coldly and by halves, like Pellipher we ſee but with one eye, like Milkes, hear but with one Ear; like Ʋnicorn puſh against ſin but with one horn, place not good Preaching in large ſpeaking, Judge of a Minister by his brains not lungs, by his heart not throat.

Anſw. This is confeſſed to your own ſhame, who doth your work coldly and by halfes: it ſhewes you have not the ſame ſpirit that was amongſt the Apoſtles, who were zealous, and faithful in the work of the Lord, and not coldly nor by halves as you do: and they ſaw with their eyes and heard with their ears, and their hearts God had opened, and they were a terror to all unrighteouſneſs where ever it appeared: and the way to Judge of a true Miniſter is not by his braines, nor Lungs, nor throat, but whether he hath received the Holy Ghoſt, and whether they have the ſame ſpirit that was amongſt the Apoſtles, and whether the preſence of the Lord be with them, and effects his own work thorow them? theſe are the ſigns of Chriſt Miniſters to Judge them by, ſo you have miſſed the true Charecter to Judge juſtly, and your Judgement is falſe, and it ſhewes you are not guided by the infallible Spirit of God.

Pr. We muſt attend to the words of the Miniſter though himſelf be fruitleſs; in which ſence we may be ſaid to gather grapes on thorns and figgs on thiſtles, unſanctified Miniſters may poſſibly convert and comfort ſinners: though our candle be in a dark Lanthorn, and the Saints know not what God is a doing.

Anſw. Chriſt ſaid either make the tree good, and his fruit good, or the tree nought and his fruit nought, and none can gather grapes on thorns or figgs on thiſtles, but you ſay the contrary and are pleading for fruitleſs Miniſters that they ſhould be attended to, but the Apoſtle exhorted to turn from them that had the form of godlineſs but not the power, and judge in your own ſelves how your words agrees with Chriſts and the Apoſtles, they appear to be quite contrary; And unſanctified men, are not Chriſts Miniſters, nor Chriſt ever ſent unſanctified Perſons, and they that run and were not ſent, ſhould not profit, nor did not profit the People at all, could neither comfort Saints nor convert ſinners: but you are pleading for unſanctified Miniſters and for ſinful Miniſters, and ſaith that People ſhould not deſpiſe their Doctrine; Yea, the Doctrine and words of unbelievers are diſpiſed and rejected by the Saints, and though thou ſay Scripture is Scripture though uttered by Satan, yet I ſay Scripture in the mouth of Satan is temptation and not edification; and it is true your hearts are dark, and minds are dark even as a dark Lanthorn, we do believe it, and the light in you ſhines in darkneſs, and is held in the dark Lanthorn, and no light in you appears unto the dark world; but unholy lives and unſanctified ſpirits, and you know not what God is a doing who are unbelievers, but the Saints hath the mind of Chriſt and knowes what God is a doing; for his ſpirit dwels in them, but you have ſhut out your ſelves that you are ignorant of God and what he is doing, but Chriſts Miniſters their light ſhines among men, and their good works are ſeen, but you have ſhewed your folly and ignorance to all the world.

Pr. But what if ſome what in the lives of Ministers, contradict the word they preach; diſorderly teachers are pretty well purged out, if any continue, it is the fault of them that do not bring their wickedneſſe to light, that ſuch may be rooted out, who make the offering to be abhorred, the ſins of the teachers being teachers ſins.

Anſ. The true Miniſters of Chriſt, their converſations were in heaven, and their good works and holy lives were agreeable to the word they preached on; but diſorderly teachers are not purged out; to preach for hire, is a diſorder, and to cauſe people to be put into priſon, and to be perſecuted, and to be whipped, and to have their goods ſpoiled, theſe are diſorderly practices, and ſuch are diſorderly teachers, many of which there is yet unpurged out, but now the Lord God is ariſen to try and to purge, and to bring wickedneſſe to light, and to condemn the ſins of teachers, and teachers for their ſins, and ſuch ſhall be rooted out, whoſe offering is abhorred of the Lord, becauſe iniquity lodges in their hearts, and their lives are unſanctified contradicting in their practices, what they preach in words, ſuch are hypocrites whom God will judge, and the Lord will utterly root you out in his ſeaſon, you that are diſorderly, and out of the order of the true Church of Chriſt.

Pr. We do not thunder in our Pulpits, nor lighten in our converſations as we might, our thundrings are no more heard by glorifying Chriſt then their Halilujahs are by us.

Anſ. You want the word of the Lord which is terrible, it is not in your mouthes, but the words of your own imaginations, and your words anſwer not to the witneſſe of God in the peoples conſciences, but you are like the dreamers the Apoſtle ſpeaks of, whoſe converſations are bad examples to all that looke upon you, your unholy lives gives an ill ſavor, and doth not enlighten any man in the way of truth; and Saints, that are glorified doth deny you, and heares you not, excepting to give their witneſſe againſt you, neither do you know what the Saints Halelujahs are, who rejoyceth over the whore that hath made all nations drunk, but of theſe things are you ignorant, and you are ſhut out from the aſſembly of them that can ſing Halelujah to God and the Lamb for evermore.

Pr. It is treaſon to undertake an Embaſſage without commiſſion, I ſent them not, yet they run ſaith the Lord, not knowing why, nor whether, they can tell no tidings for climing on high with the Ape, they do but ſhew their owne deformity.

Anſ. There is none more guilty then your ſelves of this treaſon, and out of your owne mouthes will the Lord judge you, where is your commiſſion, and what is it? any other except ſuch as the Pope gave to his miniſters? having your degrees in your ſchools and attaining from one art and office to another, till at laſt you profeſſe to be attained to the miniſtry, but this is not Gods way of Commiſſionating, but antichriſts way, and the Lord God is riſen who will confound it, for the Lord hath not ſpoken to you, neither hath he revealed his glory to you, you have neither ſeen his ſhape nor heard his voice, neither is the tidings you bring effectual to convert ſinners, for you are climed up another way, and enters not in at the door, and the Ape is truly your figure for your deformity appeares to the ſaints, and all the children of light does ſee you and your originall which came up in the falling away of the true Churches, when anti-chriſt took the Throne, and the man of ſin got up into the temple, which for many generations amongſt you hath ſhewn himſelfe to be God, and hath been worſhipped as God.

Pr. The complices of Corah, Dathan, and Abiram, who uſurps the Priests office were deſtroyed, a warning-peece for ſuch as uſurp the miniſterial function uncalled, and unordained, let them take heed, when they perſume to vent their illiterat, rude incoherence, and blaſphemous ſtuff.

Anſ. This belongs to your ſelves, ye men of unholy lives, who hath uſurped to the miniſtry uncalled and unordained of the Lord, & by his ſpirit, and you may take warning at Chorahs deſtruction whom the Lord ſhall as ſurely deſtroy with the fire of his jealouſie, for while the beaſt hath had power over nations, and the whore made Nations drunk, all this time hath your authority been exalted, by which you have been ſet up and your miniſters without the life that the true miniſters were in, and without that call and ordination which they had, for you are of man and by man and your effects not the worke of the true miniſtrie of Chriſt, but are left deſolate, and are deſolate of the preſence of God, being your ſelves unlearned in the doctrine of Chriſt, venting your imaginations, out of the truth, and out of the power of God, and there ſtands your miniſtrie.

Pr. Vnſanctified miniſters may poſſibly convert to God.

Anſ. No, he that is unſanctified is out of the power of God, and the word of God abides not in him, and he runs and is not ſent, and it is not poſſible that ſuch can convert ſinners, who are themſelves unconverted from their iniquities.

Pr. That ſome learned Chriſtians have been able to ſquees the greateſt mysteries of our Religion out of the writings of ſome Heathens.

Anſ. This is the ſum of your principles you 15. Prieſts, and here is the ſum of your ignorance and wretchedneſſe diſcovered, and the vanity of your Religion, whoſe foundation is the writings of heathens, and the heathens that knew not God, out of their writings is your religion made up as you confeſſe, this is the whores Religion that ſits upon the beaſt, that the world hath long wondred after, and not the true religion which the Apoſtles and true Churches were in, and they are no Chriſtians, no Saints, nor true Chriſtians that goes to the writings of Heathens to ſquees out myſteries, they that do ſo, are the Chriſtians in the Apoſtacie who are falne from the life of righteouſneſſe, ſuch as you and thouſands are at this day being without the ſpirit, and without Chriſt, therefore you run to the Heathen for knowledge and ſhames true Chriſtianity, and true Chriſtians, in reputing the heathen wiſer then your ſelves, who are faine to run to their writings to make up your myſteries, and ſuch is your religion, deceit and vanity, and the myſterie thereof ſtudyed for out of the heathens writings, this is Chriſtianity in the Apoſtacie; and the Religion apoſtatized from the life of true Chriſtianity, for the true Chriſtian Religion, the foundation thereof is Chriſt, who is the myſterie of God, and of life, and ſalvation, and the myſteries of our true Chriſtian Religion which we live in, that are come out of the Apoſtacie, are revealed to us by the ſpirit of the father that dwells in us, & is in all that are in the true Chriſtian Religion, who denies the Heathens and your Apoſtatized Chriſtians, and are come into the myſteries of eternall ſalvation, which is not ſqueeſed by imaginations of men, but revealed by the ſpirit of God, the great myſterie Chriſt in us, and the myſterie of the Kingdome, all this is made manifeſt to us, and to true Chriſtians whoſe Religion ſtands in the power of God, and not in the tradition of men, nor fetched from the Heathens writings, and this Religion will ſtand for ever, but your Religion and myniſtries, and Church will the Lord confound, the author of whom is the heathens writings, and how then ſhall it ſtand, it is out of the bottomleſſe pit, and ariſeth out of that; your Religion and myſteries, and thither ſhall it be turned into the pit that hath no bottome; oh how have you blinde leaders led the blind, that have been profeſſing to teach Chriſt this many years, and faith in him? and have you taken ſo much money of the Nations? and do you now tell us that the greateſt myſteries of your Religion are ſqueeſed out of the heathens writings? oh ye unrighteous men, blind leaders, the Lord God Almighty is now riſen, and the Nations can no longer be ſatisfied with this Religion, but the Lord is a gathering out of your mouths, and you muſt howl and lament, all the Idols dumb ſhepherds, and they ſhall be confounded, and the ſoules delivered, of which they have made a prey, for the ſoules of men have been the merchandize of Babylons merchants, they have bought and ſold the ſouls of men, they have blinded the eye of it and troden it downe, and the immortall ſoule hath not been reſpected otherwiſe then to make merchandize thereof to get gaine thereby, there has been many traffickers ſince the daies of the Apoſtles, that have made merchandizes of ſouls, but the judgement of the great Whore is come, and of Babylon the Mother of Harlots, and the Lord God and the Lamb will plead againſt her, and the jawes of the wicked ſhall be broken, and their hearts ſhall utterly faile in the midſt of them, and the Lord will reveal his righteouſneſs from heaven, and by his judgements ſhall he be known in the earth a mighty God and a dreadfull, and his dread and terror ſhall take hold upon your conſciences, come down and ſit in the duſt, for the Lords controverſie is againſt you; he will bruiſe you with an Iron rod, hee'l break you: as a potters veſſel, and his hand ye ſhall not eſcape, for ye are but like Bryers and thorns in battel before him, and like the ſtubble in which the fire is kindled, and you will be as the droſs in time of purging, and at reprobate ſilver, the Lord God hath ſaid it.

W. S. His Book called, A Parſons guide concerning of Tythes, and the Law of Tythes.

Pr. ANd he ſaith be ſuppoſes, That taking away Tythes from Miniſters, but not taking away Tythes from other men, &c.

Anſw. The Law, that hath ſet up Tythes, ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, as hath the Pope, the falſe Church, the Whore, which the true Church ſet up none, among the Apoſtles, and ſo they muſt be taken away from men as well as Miniſters both, for they have been ſet up by the Popes Law, and not by the Law of God, ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles, but by the falſe Church, the Whore, ſet up their Tenthes, and keepes People in the ninthes of the earth, withall their images, for the true Prieſthood that took Tythes, where was the ſtore-houſe, and all the figures and Types and ſhadowes, and took the Tenthes of the earth, where was a ſtore-houſe, for all Widowes and ſtrangers to come and fatherleſs, and be filled within their gates? but there is no ſuch thing among the Popes Church, not in Chriſtendom, no ſuch ſtore-houſe for Widowes and ſtrangers and fatherleſs, but the Widowes and ſtrangers and fatherleſſe begs up and down at the Maſs-houſes doors, who ſets up all his lying ſignes and wonders, who hath Tythes in the earth, that takes tenthes and keepes People in the ninthes of the earth, but God hath diſcovered them, and the falſe Church that ſet them up, and their Law ſince the true Church went into the wilderneſs, and the Apoſtles that Preached Chriſt, which witneſſed the ſeed of God, which ended all the figures and Types and ſhadowes, and the tenthes and ninthes, and Prieſthood, and all Types, and figures, and ſhadowes and bowings; brought to the beginning to know the Election before the world was made, and ſo they witneſſed Redemption, and brings up out of the earth, into the everlaſting Prieſthood, and Covenant out of the ninthes as well as tenthes, all offered up to God, for ſignes was ſince the fall given to man, and Tythes ſince man was driven into the earth: ſo man who comes to Chriſt the Church, comes out of the earth to the beginning to reign upon the earth, and ſo the Papiſts are them which lead the People into the earth, with all their earthly Images ſet up by the earthly, ſuch as went forth from the Apoſtles which hath ſet up Tyths ſince the Apoſtles and bring People quite into the earth with all their earthly Images; and the Apoſtle brought them up out of the earth, and the Redemption out of Types figures and ſhadowes, and out of Tythes to the Election before the worl was made, and ſo into the everlaſting Prieſthood, now the falſe Prophet, Beaſt and Antichriſt, great Whore, this woman, falſe Church which went forth from the Apoſtles, brings People into the earth, from the life and Election both, that none there is aſſured of it, but brings them into Images, and into lying ſignes and wonders, and into ninthes and tenthes, and there doth Nations ſtick in the earth, out of the Image of God, and this hath been ſet up by the Beaſt, Dragon, Whore, falſe Prophets who had the ſheeps cloathing, out of the ſheeps life, and now with that ſeen, and with that judged.

Pr. And thou ſaiſt, Tithes by our Law were counted an Eccleſiasticall inheritance, oblation, obvention, offrings, this was called meere ſpirituall as were offered to God and Holy Church.

Anſ. Here thou haſt drunken the whores cup, ſince the Church went into the wilderneſſe, and doe men hold their eſtates by the Eccleſiaſticall Lawes, ahd eccleſiaſticall inheritance? indeed a Popiſh ſuperſtitious inheritance, and ſo you may ſee from whence your inheritance comes now, and who hath given it you, which the Church of Chriſt never required any ſuch thing, but ſet up ſince the daies of the Apoſtles hath theſe things been, your oblations, obventions, offerings, and this hath been your C er, to ſay they were offered to God and holy Church, and thou ſaiſt, Tythes the tenth part hath been given by the Law, to the Miniſters of the Goſpell.

By the Eccleſiaſticall it hath been given to Clerks and Vicars, and parſons, and his Curates, by his Eccleſiaſtcal Laws, and thou ſaiſt our Lay-men by the Common Law could not have had their inheritance deſcendable and grantable of Tythe as of other temporall poſſeſſions, neither wil they paſſe by the ſame words in grant, as other temtemporall poſſeſſions will do. Then men doe not hold their temporall poſſeſſions by the Eccleſiaſticall Lawes; but by that which you call your, common Law, ſo all theſe Laws ſince the daies of the Apoſtle, the Pope, the whore, the falſe Church was the author of, got up ſince the daies of the Apoſtles, ſet up by them that went forth from the Apoſtles into the earth, and there keeps people in the lying ſignes and wonders in the earth, under the falſe Prophets, and muſt give them their Tenths, and put into their mouthes, and they live in the ninthes, though they have no ſtore-houſes for widdowes, Fatherleſſe, and ſtrangers, and this is done by the corruptible myſtery Babylon, got up ſince the daies of the Apoſtles, and their Church, by us ſhe is judged, and all their Eccleſiaſticall Lawes and Government, with them that be in the Law of Chriſt, and the Law of life, and the Church book, and his power, that witneſſe the judgement of the great whore is come, and the Lamb and the Saints have victory, who are come into the power that the Apoſtles were in, and theſe witneſſed the marriage of the Lamb, Chriſt Jeſus, in whom there is no ſhaddow of his turning, him by whom the world was made before it was made, who was glorified with the Father before the world began, who ends the firſt Prieſthood, and his Tithes and ſtore-houſe, and redeemes men out of the earth, up to God, from whence they have been drawn, to know the word of life, which was in the beginning, by which all things was made, and who be in it, be in the life, and the word of wiſdome by which all things were made, and created with which wiſdome they know how to uſe all things againe, to the glory of him that created them, and in this men glorifie God, in their bodies, oule, and ſpirit, which is the Lords, amongſt whom the bleſſing of God is felt, who in his kingdome reignes, and the life and power of God dwells.

Thomas Hodges Bachellor of Divinity, Rector of Soldren in Oxford-ſhire, his principle in a book called A Scripture Catechiſm, as followeth, where he goes about to confute Errors, who confuts himſelf among them.

Pr. THou ſaist, What Godly heart without ſorrow ſhould ſee Chriſts witneſſes propheſie in ſackcloath?

Anſ. In ſtead of your ſorrowing, you are them that kills them, and perſecutes them, and priſons them, as many have propheſied in ſackcloath, and aſhes on their heads in this Nation amongſt you the falſe Church, in sheeps cloathing, ſince the woman went into the wilderneſſe; ſo inſtead of ſorrowing, you perſecute, and ſo conſutes thy ſelf, and thou art finding fault with the Papiſts and Biſhops of Rome, and ſpeaking of their Errors, and found in them, did not they ſet up the Tithes and the Maſſe-houſes, and the Colledges where thou waſt made a Miniſter, and give you the names of Rectors and Curates, and your means to your Colledges, and old Maſſe-houſes? art not thou found in them and among them, their errors, falſe Church, great whore, ſince the true Church went into the wilderneſſe, among them that drinks the blood of the Saints, with ſheeps cloathing, having not the ſpirit, as the ſheep had, nor in the nature, ſo in the Error?

Pr. Thou ſaiſt, The Scripture ſpeakes of God after the manner of men.

Anſ. The Scripture ſpeakes of God after the manner of the Spirit, and to the ſpirit, whereby men might receive him, and know him by the ſpirit, which naturall men cannot.

Pr. Thou Queries to know, whether the Holy Ghoſt be a diſtinct perſon, and the worſhip of God in three perſons.

Anſ. Art thou going about to confute the Papiſts errors, and hold them up, and juſtifying of them which the ſcripture doth not, Mat. 28. but the Papiſts common prayer book, and old Cannon book ſpeaks of three perſons, but the ſcripture ſpeakes of Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt, and thou ſpeakeſt of Chriſt, but yet are not come to the Light which Chriſt hath enlightned every man which comes into the world withall, and thou ſpeakeſt of Adams being the Image of God, and yet art not come to Adams ſtate as he was in the beginning, ſo therefore knowes not redemption, and knowes not predeſtination, nor election, but found in Adams ſtate in the fall and reprobation, thou ſpeakeſt of Ordinances, and yet art a tranſgreſſor of the commands of Chriſt, who art called of men Maſter, and an imitator of the Phariſees doctrines; thou ſpeakeſt of the Church, but art found one of thoſe that are dreſſed with the whores rags, ſince the true Church went into the wilderneſſe; thou ſpeakeſt of the Magiſtrates, yet not in the higher power, which goes over all ſin and tranſgreſſion, which anſwers the tranſgreſſed in every man upon the earth; thou ſpeakeſt of Dogs, and evil workers, ſeducers and Hereticks, who are doing their work, as your Goales and priſons may witneſſe in the Nation and whole Chriſtendome, the fruits of Dogs and evill workers, and ſeducers, and hereticks, which was not Chriſts worke nor the Apoſtles; Thou ſpeakes of the Common wealth, but yet art out of that which is the generall good to all men, Chriſt the light of the world, who is the ſaving health, all power in heaven and Earth is given to him, in whom men have wiſdome, by which all things was made and created, to order the things by the wiſdome by which they were created; thou ſpeaks of Souldiers, and yet art not come to Iohn, a man ſent from God, but art one from the Colledges, the Papiſts houſes ſince the Church went into the wilderneſſe, and men made by the will of man, who have been ſet up by the dragons power, ſo art not come to the Light that Iohn came to bear witneſſe to, that did enlighten every man that comes into the world, ſo art ſhort of rectifying ſolderie, who ſtops up the eye by which they ſhould ſee; thou ſpeakeſt of the error of the Quakers, who art found in the error thy ſelfe, not come to ſee that which muſt be ſhaken, before that do appear which cannot be ſhaken, nor come to the trembling of the Devills, not knowing the ſtrong man bow himſelfe that hath kept the houſe, who is at peace, who is the author and ground of the error, and not he that is ſtronger then he that kept the houſe, made the Devil tremble & ſhake the Earth where he hath had his foundation, yea and the heavens alſo; thou alſo ſpeakeſt of the firſt birth, whoſe habitation is in the earth, and propriey there, who made me a divider of mens inheritances, me who am the end of the Law? for the Law is juſt among you to devide to every man his right, but I who am the end of the Law, redeemes you from under the Law, and out of the earth, but you who are found in this firſt birth in the earth, have ſet up your tenthes, and keeps people in the ninths, your greedineſs of it your preſence declares, thou ſpeaks of mine & thine in collections, ſo ſelfe you are found in, and your coldneſſe incollections, the blind and lame, Fatherleſſe and widdowes, the ſtreets in London declares you, and the countries abroad, yet you are all Chriſtians and baptized, and you weare rings and ſcaries, and points, and others crying for bread, thou ſpeakeſt of buying and ſelling, &c. who art arming thy ſelfe to hold up the honour of the beaſt, which was ſimple words ſpoken, and as for your buying and ſelling the fruits of the great whore hath declared it ſelfe, made merchandize of ſouls, and all other things, out of the Law of equity, which who acts in, acts in the will of God; thou ſpeakeſt of good morrow, and good evening, and would blind the world, though thou broughſt ſcripture for it, and makes them believe it is the Quakers error to ſay the contrary; the morning is good, and the evening is good, and all is good that God created and made, as it was in the beginning, but by tranſgreſſion they come to be vile and evill, going out of the truth, as things were created; and ſtanding, in the truth are all bleſſed; thou ſpeakeſt of giving of thanks, and craving a bleſſing, and yet you ſay you muſt have a body of ſin whilſt you be upon earth, ſo your thanks and your bleſſings, is from the unclean lips, in the mouth that bleſſes and curſes, and ſo proceeds from the bad fountain; thou ſpeakeſt of Chriſtian Magiſtrates, and higher powers, and thou ſpeakeſt of ſaluting and honoring, and bowing downe before men, who art not come to Chriſt the power of God, who hath all power in heaven and earth given to him, being not come to the light that doth enlighten every man that comes into the world, and hath all power, who ſubjects all Magiſtrats to himſelfe, who doth enlighten them to ſee him, and you are not come to the Angels ſtate, that ſaid to Iohn, ſee that he did not bow to the Angel, but worſhip God, Iohn who ſaw all the World worſhipping the beaſt; in the old time they had bowed to the Angell, but Chriſt is come to whom the Angels muſt bow, and who is in him, hath life and worſhip, and that is honourable which is in the truth, for who honours God, God will them honour, but honour to a fool is not ſeemly, but like ſnow in ſummer, and thou ſpeaks of Chriſts Freemen, and thy chooſing it rather then to ſerve Idolatrous Maſters, and theſe Freemen that have choſen their freedome, and cannot ſerve you, Idalaters, who are ſpirituall Egypt, to worke in the earth for you, to make you brick to ſet up your building, you perſecute them as Idolaters, you Impriſon, who have the forme of godlineſſe and denies the power; who will talk of the words but deny the freedome, thou ſpeakeſt of, one ſitting and an other ſtanding to ſerve at meat, and put yonr ſelves among the Phariſees, and doth not Chriſt ſerve the children at the table who is the Maſter? but in the world there is the Lord-ſhip and exerciſing authority, and doth not know their own brethren; as Paul to Philmon, but Maſters and ſervants as the Scriptures declares is owned; thou ſpeaks of Cains and Abels offerings, you who are the perſecuters and ſlayers, and priſoners of the juſt, offerers up of the Earth, and are the City got up ſince the true woman went into the wilderneſſe, but the City of the living God is known againe, and you are judged, and your falſe Church. Thou ſpeakeſt of ſalutations and ſaluting enemies, how do you ſalute thoſe that you impriſon till death for your Tithes? what a ſalutation is that? and cauſe them to be whipped and impriſoned for ſpeaking to you, this is like Judas ſalutation to Chriſt when he betrayed him, and not the ſalutation of the ſaints. Thou ſpeaks of calling daies by other names, then the firſt, ſecond &c. yes you and your mother the Papiſts Church, and the heathens, contrary to the Jewes, and true Apoſtles and true Chriſtians, call them Moonſday and Sunſday and Friday after the name of the great Idol in England, and Wenſday and Saturnſday, and this is contrary to the ſcripture and the form of ſound words, and contrary to the Law of God, which Judges the heathen, and every day is the Lords; and many names you give to your Moneths, which the heathen is fain teach you, thou ſpeaks of Interpreting the word, and giving ſence and meanings, and thus with your Interpretations, and ſences and meanings, you have brought whole Chriſtendom in heapes, your f uits declare it to be out of the Scriptures, to be out of the Spirit that gave it forth, ſo your own ſpirits give the meaning in which lodges the Envy, and ſerve your own bellies, but it is the ſpirit that leads into all truth and not you; thou ſpeakeſt of ſingular and plural, as though thou neither knew Scripture nor accidence thou ſpeakeſt of the Miniſters going without gold and ſilver, braſſe, or purſe or ſcrip, &c. yet you will not go without augmentations, tythes and gleab-lands, amongſt them you call brethren, your baptized People, and thou ſpeakeſt of taking a purſe, and ſcrip and ſword, and ſelling his garment to buy one, Chriſt did ſo to fulfill the Law, and bids them put it up again, and ſaid it was enough, who ends it, ſo are out of the faith and patience of the Saints; thou ſpeakeſt of good men, and calling them good; yes, I ſay ſuch as be full of the Holy Ghoſt and of faith; but wicked men, wolves and beaſts would have this title, perſecutors, warriers and devourers, in ſheepes cloathing, therefore is that angry which is exalted above all that is called God, who ſits in the Temple of God, that man of ſin in you all, who cannot have that given to him which is given to God, by them that is in the deſerning; Thou goeſt about to prove the word Land-Lord, and would thruſt that in the Scripture which the Scripture ſpeaks no ſuch word; but the Law of righteouſneſs which comes from God, which is equall and juſt, and the Prophets, to do as you would be done by; thou art ſpeaking of the Angels that ſaid, nay, they would tarry all night in the ſtreet, and yet went in, the Angels are ſervants, and their time is not come, and they may ſay nay, and yet after ſee their time they muſt go in, thou ſpeakeſt of perfect, and yet in your Doctrine ſay, none ſhall be perfect while they are upon the earth, and hath denyed the work of the Miniſtry, ſo Profits People not at all, and thou ſayſt who can underſtand the error of his wayes, and that which thou doſt thou alloweſt not, and ſin remains in a man, then there the Devil hath a habitation, and there is death; but he that believes is paſſed from death, and ſo from the ſin, and that which gives a man to underſtand his error, turns him from his ſin; ſuch as comes to know the annointing within them, that teaches them that continues in the Son of God, and in the Father, theſe knowes all things, but ſuch as be in the tranſgreſſion, not denying themſelves, know not the error of their wayes, as you may ſee your ſelves what you have run into, whoſe fruits are come to Publike view.

Pr. Thou ſpeaks of Chriſt ſpeaking in the Synagogue, and falſe Chriſts, and falſe teachers in corners and chambers and Miniſters muſt prove by Scripture, for with that they convince the Jewes.

Anſ. Chriſt went into the Synagogues, and the Apoſtles to ſhew the fulfilling, and he who was come to fulfill that which they had in the Synagogues, and the Apoſtles ſhewed them out of the Prophets and the Law that Jeſus was the Chriſt, and the Apoſtle was not a falſe Chriſt nor a falſe Teacher, who Preached in his own hired houſe, nor the Saints that met in ſeveral houſes, which were come off of the Jewes and Synagogue, but they are the falſe Teachers and falſe Chriſts that deny the light that doth enlighten every man that is come into the world, which Chriſt hath enlightned them withall, and they are them that draw People into corners, and Chambers and deſerts, and ſay lo Chriſt is here, lo Chriſt is there, that are gone and ravened from the light in their own ſelves that Chriſt hath enlightned them withall, and ſuch are the corrupt trees that cumbers the earth, whoſe fruits hath ſufficiently declared themſelves, who are to be thrown down into the fire, who will be condemned with the light which they have ravened from, in their own particulars, and to you that is the word of the Lord, in the day of thy viſitation the witneſs in thy conſcience ſhall anſwer it; and as for all the reſt of thy ſtuff, to the Papiſts, who would make People believe thou waſt not found among them, and their errors in this book, firſt come out of the Papiſts work, before thou find fault with them and cry againſt them, art not thou one of them that kills and takes poſſeſſion? but the time is come you are all comprehended, you and the Papiſts found in one bond, one cord, one City againſt the elect, but he is over you all ſet, and the Judgement of the great whore is come, which is got up ſince the true women fled into the wilderneſs, and the man-childe caught up to God, but now is the man childe come again to rule the Nations with a rod of Iron, and the Lamb, the bride, the Lambs wife is known, and the myſtery of iniquity is diſcovered, and the myſtery of godlineſs is revealed, and the Saints ſhall have victory, the beaſt and the falſe Prophet ſhall be taken, and caſt alive into the lake of fire, and the old Dragon; and the everlaſting Goſpel ſhall be Preached to them that dwell upon the earth, to all Nations, and kindreds and tongues, which is the power of God, which brings People into unity with God and Scriptures, and the myſtery of God is revealed, and the myſtery of iniquity diſcovered, and he that was dead is alive again, and lives for ever more.

SEVERAL SCRIPTURES Corrupted by the TRANSLATORS.

Jude 14. BEhold the Lord cometh with ten thouſands of his Saints, in the Greek it is, in ten thouſands, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

Heb. 1.3. Expreſſe image of his perſon, gr. Subſtance, or Subſiſtence, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

Heb. 2.16. He took not on him the nature of Angels, in the Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , which is by true interpretation, he doth not take hold of Angels; as for the word Nature, which is in our Engliſh Copies, there is nothing for it in the Greek.

Mat. 3.11. In Beza his Latine Teſtament, and our Engliſh Copies, it is rendred, I indeed baptize you with water, and from the word with water, is the act of Sprinkling pleaded for, in the Greek it is, I dip, plunge, or baptize you in water, in it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

Col. 1.23. In the Latin and Engliſh Copies 'tis thus, which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; in the Greek it is, in every creature, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

Luke 16.15. In the Latin and Engliſh Copies it is, that which is highly eſteemed among men, in the Greek it is in men, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

1 Cor. 15.31. In our Engliſh Copies it is, I proteſt by your rejoycing, &c. Now I proteſt is added, for there is nothing for it in the Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

1 Cor. 2.6. We ſpeak wiſdome among them that are perfect, in the Greek it is, in them that are perfect, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

Rom. 8.29. In the Engliſh and Latin Copies it is, that he might be the Firſt-born among many Brethren, in the Greek it is, in many Brethren, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

Mat. 28.19. In the Engliſh and Latin Copies it is, baptizing them in the name, in the Greek it is, into the name, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

Mat. 6.7. In the Engliſh Copies it is, for they think they ſhall be heard, for their much ſpeaking, in the Greek it is, in their much ſpeaking, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

1 Tim. 3.16. In our Engliſh and Latin Copies it is, great is the myſtery of Godlineſs, God was manifeſt in fleſh, juſtified in the Spirit, ſeen of Angels, preached unto the Gentiles, in the Greek it is, preached in the Gentiles, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

Rom. 11.2. In the Latin and Engliſh Copies it is, wot ye not what the Scripture ſaith of Elias, but in the Greek it is, in Elias, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

Heb. 1.1. God, &c. ſpoke to the Fathers, by the Prophets, in the Greek it is, God ſpoke to the Fathers in the Prophets, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

Hath in the laſt daies ſpoken unto us, by his Son, in the Greek it is, hath ſpoken unto us, in his Son, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

Rom. 15.6. That you may with one mind, and one mouth glorifie God, in the Greek it is in one mouth, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

Rom. 1.19. In the Greek, Latin, and Engliſh Copies it is, (ſpeaking of the Gentiles) that which is known of God, is manifeſt in them, or made known in them, though ſome dare ſay, and do ſay, among them.

Amos 3.6. Shall there be evil in a City, and the Lord hath not done it? this is the Engliſh Tranſlation; in the Hebrew it is, ſhall there be evil in 〈◊〉 •• y, and ſhall not the Lord do ſomewhat?

Heb. 5. laſt. Strong meat belongeth to them that 〈◊〉 full of age: in the Greek it is, Strong meat belongeth to them that are perfect, 〈…〉

Iohn 8.6. In our Engliſh Copies it is, Jeſus ſ oo ed down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not, as for the words, (as though he heard them not) they are added by the Tranſlators, for there is nothing in the Greek for them, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

Iohn 1.14. The word became fleſh, and dwelt amongſt us, in the Greek it is, in us, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 : By true interpretation it is, the Word became fleſh, and pitcht his Tent in us.

Heb. 10.20. In the Engliſh Copies it is, by a new and living way, in the Greek it is, of late ſlain, and living way, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 properly ſignifies, recens mactatus, lately, or of late ſlain, ſaith Leigh and Paſor, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

IF any one want Light, let him look upon the Law and the teſtimony whether they ſpeak after this meaning; If he do not this, he ſtumbles and ſuffers hunger, and if he ſuffer hunger, he is not patient, but blaſphemeth his King and his God, then looketh he upward and downward to the earth, and behold there is trouble and darkneſs, vexation is round about him, and the cloud of error, and out of ſuch adverſity ſhall he not eſcape, even like as in time paſt it hath been ſeen well this is the old Tranſlation, Iſai. 8.

New Tranſlation thus. To the Law and to the Teſtimony, if they ſpeak not according to this word, it is becauſe there is no light in them; and they ſhall paſſe through it hardly beſtead and hungry, and it ſhall come to paſſe that when they ſhall be hungry, they ſhall fret themſelves, and curſe their King and their God, and look upward, and they ſhall look unto the earth, and behold trouble and darkneſs, and dimneſs of anguiſh, and they ſhall be driven to darkneſs, Iſai. 8.20.21, 22.

Old Tranſlation, Prov. 23. when thou ſitteſt at the Table with a Lord, order thy ſelf mannerly with the things ſet before thee; meaſure thine Appetite, and if thou wilt rule thy own ſelf, be not over greedy of his meat, for meat beguiles and deceives.

New Tranſlation thus: When thou ſitteſt to eat with a Ruler, conſider diligently what is before thee, and put a knife to thy throat if thou be a man given to Appetite; Be not deſirous of his dainties, for they are deceitful meat, Prov. 23.1, 2 3.

Old Tranſlation, Amos 3. Cry they out Alarum with the Trumpet in the City and the people not affraid? cometh there any plague in a City without it be the Lords doing?

New Tranſlation thus: ſhall a Trumpet be blown in the City, and the People not be afraid? ſhall there be evil in a City, and the Lord hath not done it? Hoſea 5.6.

In the firſt Chapter of the Heb. 3. in the new Tranſlation it is ſaid, who being the brightneſs of his glory, and the expreſs Image of his Perſon.

But in the old Tranſlation it Reads thus: being the brightneſs of his glory, and the very Image of his ſubſtance.

The 2 Cor. 2. Chapter the laſt verſe, in the Engliſh it is, we do not corrupt the word, but in the Latin it is, we do not ſell the word for money.