I Being led by the Movings of the Spi­rit of the Lord in me, to be near Tadcaster, amongst Friends of Truth, who Worship God in Spirit. The 17th Day of the 10th Month, 1654. I came to a House in Newton, being accompa­nied with divers other Friends, where the People of God were met together, to wait upon God, whilst I there wait­ed, I was stirred in Spirit (to go to [Page 8]the World's People's Meeting-Place, in that Town, where they Worship an un­known God) as Paul was, whilst he waited at Athens, Acts. 17.16. And for speaking such words there, as are here­after expressed, was I by Robert Barwicke, called Justice, sent Prisoner to York-Ca­stle, and kept Prisoner from the time afore-mentioned, until the 16th day of the 11th Month following; at which time, in Weatherby, at the Sessions, I being called, an Indictment (as they call it) was read, wherein the Jury, for him called Lord Protector, did upon their Oaths present, that I Wilfully and Mali­ciously, with such like words, which they use in their Form, at such a time, came to such a place: By which Form, and through Ignorance, the Jurors, whom I pity, are led, as out of the Doctrine of Christ, in Swearing, so into the Work of the Devil, to tell Lyes, as I told them then: There was nothing of my Will in going thither, which was, and is my present Comfort.

The thing they charged me withal, was the same in the Mittimus, namely, That I uttered unto Master Clapham (as they called him) many Railing and Re­viling Speeches; as, Thou art a Hirelings, a [Page 9]dumb Dog, &c. and the like; only that whereas Robert Barwicke, called Justice, said in that Paper, called the Mittimus, that I spoke these words to him, Before he came forth of the Pulpit; therein being taxed to be a Lyar: These words before-mentioned, to wit, Before he came out of the Pulpit, were left out of the Indict­ment: Therein Deceit was manifest, al­though he had given it under his Hand and Seal in the Mittimus, That all that was there written was done in his pre­sence and hearing.

Now, Friends, to You and to the World, a few words: As concerning what is here Charged upon me, before any of these words were spoken to him, he proved himself, and was seen to be what was said of him, and to him; for before I spoke one word to him, he spoke to me, after he was come forth of the Pulpit: Then I asked him this Question, By what Authority dost thou speak? He could not answer thereunto: And so proved himself like the Watch-Men, Isaiah spoke of, Chap. 56.10. And also fled, like the Hireling Christ spoke of, John 10.13. before he was so called: Then I being moved to speak to the People, to direct them to the Anointing, [Page 10]their Teacher within them, the Way to Life; that Light wherewith Christ Jesus hath enlightned them: And minding that, they would have no need to fol­low such Hirelings, whereby their Souls might be deceived. And it being with me, even as it was with the Prophet Micah, Chap. 3.8. I was full of Power by the Spirit of the Lord, and of Judg­ment: For the Word of the Lord unto me, before I went, was, Tell them of their Sins: And so to every one, as they came before me, as I was moved of the Lord, I declared unto them their Con­dition; and their Portion, without Re­pentance, which they must find; which they called Judging. But as I told Ro­bert Barwicke, if he had been upon Earth, when Christ told the Jews, They were of their Father the Devil, he would have sent him to Prison. Therefore all you, who own this to be of God, be not hasty to speak or act thus, because it is agreeable to Scripture; for a bare literal Imitation will not carry forth in time of Trouble, neither will you find benefit by it: For it is only the Spirit of Truth that gives righteous Judgment; wait for the movings thereof. And on the contrary, you that talk of the Scrip­tures, [Page 11]Fear to speak evil of those who are brought into the Life and Practice of them, as the Holy Men of God wit­nessed; lest the Scriptures condemn you.

And now, further top declare how I was dealt with at that place, called Sessions: Robert Barwicke declared, Lawyer-like, That he could do no otherwise with me than he had done, seeing he had never seen my Face before. To which I answered, I had been with him upon Occasions, and often I had seen him, and he me. Then he said, I might not affront him. I answered, I might not suffer him to Lie, but tell him of it. Then, after saying what he could against me, he at down, saying, That he being concerned in the business, would leave it to them others, called Justices; who asked me, Whether I would sub­mit or Traverse? I answered, In the Will of God I was, and what he suf­fered them to do with me, they might. Then one of them asked me, What Call or Occasion I had to that place. I answered, The same the Prophet Amos [Page 12]had, to go into the King's Chappel, to cry against the Altar in Bethel; and Paul into the Synagogues, as his manner was, Acts 17.16. Robert Barwicke hearing this, rose up in great Rage, not heed­ing what he had said, That he would leave it to them; and begun to speak his Imaginations, Priest-like, wherein was no Truth; and to say, that he perceived and thought it was my Practice to di­sturb their Ministers, as he called them; and proceeded further, using these Speeches, Sirrah, Sirrah. Then I bid him see, if these words did not come from an envious spirit: But he went on with Threats, that if I did so any more, he would send me to the House of Correction, and have me soundly Whipp'd; where­upon these words were spoken, O Ty­ranny! Then he begun to take witness, that I called him a Tyrant; but they could not agree, and so left it: For one of them, called a Justice, said, I said, O Tyranny! Then they asked me again, whether I would submit or Tra­verse? I answered them as before. Then they concluded, that they should get no other answer. Then I asked them, What Law I had broken? And said, If I had broken a Law, they might lay the [Page 13]Penalty upon me: But they would not shew me any Law that I had broken. Then I asked them, If the Prophets were Railers? But they said, that they might not discourse with me. Then they caused me to be taken away. And thus were they suffered to act. And this is their time, wherein they rule over others to their own hurt: Herein they were seen, and taken notice of by ma­ny, both Officers, Soldiers, and others; the Event I leave unto Him, in whose Power I am, who is present.

The next Day, he who had the Charge of me, brought to me two Papers, called Mittimus's; whereby I was by the Court ordered back again Prisoner to York Castle, where I am in their Bonds, but at Liberty in the Spirit of the Lord: Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty, 2 Cor. 3.17. This is witnessed, Praises to the Lord God Almighty for ever­more. And all you, who are guided by the Spirit of the Lord, with whom I am one, Praise the Lord with me; who am a Well-wisher to the Souls of all: Known by the Name of

Now all of you, to whose hands this shall come, do not look upon it in Scorn, and take it ill, and hastily thereupon Reply, as it is usual with the People of the World, when they are spoken to hereof, What do you tell us? What will the wicked Ones of the World say, of Knowing, or Fearing, or Ser­ving God? We hope (will they say) that we Know, Fear and Serve God, as well as the best of you all.

Therefore in love to your Souls, I exhort you all to consider with your selves, whence have you this, to wit, the Knowledge of God, which brings into his Fear, with which he is served, as is required, Psalm 2.11. Serve the Lord with Fear: Who taught you it? Have you it any otherways, than from looking upon things without you; from Hearsay, or from the outward Declaration of Scripture, or looking upon your selves, and the rest of the Creation? And from thence conclude, That there must be of necessity some­thing above, or over all these things that are to be seen; from whence they had a Beginning, and have a Continu­ance; as also by Hearsay from Man, and the outward Declaration of Scrip­ture, that declares of him, from whence all these things were and are, that he is God? But what do you know of him? By this you may say (knowing that he made all things) he is to be Served and Worshipped by his Crea­tures: And you may say, That you Serve him, and Worship him, accord­ing as you have been taught, and ought; all this may be granted, and [Page 34]yet you all this while Strangers to God, yea, such as know him not.

Thus it was with the Children of Is­rael, whom the Lord complains of, by his Prophet, Isaiah 1.3. The Ox knoweth his Owner, and the Ass his Master's Crib, but Israel, doth not know, my People doth not consider: This People was not want­ing to perform outward Sacrifices and Services, as is mentioned in the 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Verses of this first Chapter of Isaiah; but the Lord asks them, To what purpose is the multitude of your Sacrifices unto me, saith the Lord? I am full of the Burntt Offerings of Rams; and the Fat of fed Beasts: And I delight not in the Blood of Bullocks, or of Lambs, or of he-Goats; when you come to appear before me, Who hath required this at your hands, to tread my Courts? Bring no more vain Oblations, Incense is an Abomination unto me: The New Moons and Sabbaths, the calling of Assimblies, I cannot away with, it is Ini­guity, even the Solemn Meeting; your new Moons, and your appointed Feasts, my Soul hateth, they are a trouble unto me, I am weary to bear them: And when you spread forth your hands, I will hide mine Eyes from you; yea, when you make many Pray­ers, I will not hear, your hands are full of Blood.

Now, although these were such Ser­vices, as they might have said, That the Lord did require of them; yet there was another thing that the Lord required of them, without which, these were not acceptable, as in Jer. 7.22, 23. For, saith the Lord, I spake not to your Fathers, nor commanded them, in the day that I brought them out of the Land of Egypt, concerning Burnt Offerings and Sa­crifices: But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my Voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my People, &c. And in the next verse it is said, But they hear­kened not: They might say, That they did his outward Commands, as these did, which he complained of by his Prophet Isaiah, before mentioned, which knew not God, nor did consider him; although he had, as in the first of Isaiah, and 2d verse, where it is written, I have nourished and brought up Children, and they have rebelled against me: For, Whoso knows and loves him, will keep his Com­mandments; this was and is the Sign and Token of such as know God, 1 John 2, 3, 4. And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his Command­ments; he that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his Commandments, is a Lyar: [Page 36]Now the Kingdom of God stands not in outward Sacrifices and Observances, but first comes inward, and there makes known what is to be done without, as Christ declares, The Kingdom of God comes not with outward Observations, nei­ther shall they say, Lo here, or lo there; for behold the Kingdom of God is within you, Luke 17.20, 21. And as the Prophet Jeremiah said, the thing which the Lord did require of them, was, to Obey his Voice; which if it had been on­ly his outward Commands, they might have pleaded with him, that these they had done; which the Lord by the Prophet asks them, what purpose they were to; and tells them, that although they did these things, yet his Soul loath­ed them: But the things that he ex­pected from them, and required of them, was these in the Verses follow­ing, Isa. 1.16, 17. Wash ye, make ye clean, put away the Evil of your doings from before mine Eyes; cease to do Evil, learn to do Well, seek Judgment, relieve the Oppressed, judge the Fatherless, plead for the Widow: Whereupon he would be reconciled unto them; and they, thus doing, should come to acquaintance with him, and receive good from him, [Page 37]as in the 18th and 19th Verses, Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your Sins be as Scarlet, they shall be as white as Snow; though they be red like Crimson, they shall be as wooll. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the Land; but otherwise they might expect from him, as in the 20th Verse, But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured wit the Sword: For the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

And now, according to these Scrip­tures, is the Lord's requirings of his People, and Answers to them: I witness, (Praises to the Lord God Almighty for ever-more; to whom alone be the Praise for ever; By whom I am moved to write this forth, for the simple One's sake) whilst I was looking without, and knew nothing, but from Hearing, Conceivings, and from the outward Declaration of Scri­pture without; notwithstanding all my Profession of God in Word and in Action, yet I knew him not, but lived in Dis­obedience, and under the Curse and Wrath of God, which I did rhen see, and sometimes feel, although I knew not then from whence it came, nor was not obedient to that which let me see it: But when it pleased the Lord, who [Page 38]separated me from my Mother's Womb, and called me by his Grace, to Reveal his Son in me; then, not consulting with Flesh and Blood, but giving up in obedience to his Commands, made known in me, ceasing to do Evil, and hearkening to the same that called upon me to forsake the Evil, to do well (for that is one in all) whereupon coming to see it my Duty, then the Adversary (within me) of my Soul's good, and the Enemy of God, which would have hindered me, in giving obedience to the Commands of God, and so to have distrusted his Love, did thus within me alledge, against my giving up in Obedience to his Will made known, If it were possible that thou could'st keep his Commands for the time to come, to be made known to be thy Duty, yet what wilt thou do for what is past? Then the Lord was plea­sed to make known unto me, by the In­fallible Testimony and Witness of his Spirit, which endureth, with plain Words within me, according to the Scripture fore-mentioned, Isaiah 1.18. That al­though my Sins had been as Scarlet, they should be as white as Snow; though they had been red like Crimson, they should be as Wooll: Whereupon I found Peace; this [Page 39]Condition being concluded upon, to be obedient unto him for the time to come: This was in the Day of the Lord's great Power, wherein he did render Ven­geance to His Enemies, and Fury to his Adversaries in me; whereby the Keepers of the House were made to tremble, as Eccl. 12.3. And in this Day of the Lord's great Power, looking upon him whom I had pierced, according to the Prophecy, which that day I witnessed fulfilled, Zac, 12.10. And I will pour upon the House of Da­vid, and upon the Inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of Grace and of Supplications, and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one who mourneth for his only Son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first Born. From the reading of this fulfilled, did arise Com­fort, and much Rejoycing; and no more remembrance of the Sorrow, for the Joy, that a Man Child was Born into the World, as John 16.21. Which then I came to see, ought to have ruled; which had been crucified in Sodom and Egypt with­in me: In which Day of the Lord's great Power and Love to my Soul, in raising up the Seed in me, which sins not, the Witness was manifest; and up­on [Page 40]the obeying of that in me which is Pure, which doth his Will, I found the Witness, and a Testimony of his Love; but upon my disobeying of that, and acting contrary thereunto, I found the Witness, and a Testimony of his Dis­pleasure: And so I came to witness, ac­cording to the Scripture fore-mentioned, Isaiah 1.19, 20. If ye will be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land; but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the Sword. Thus the Scriptures were plain and true to me, and needed no meanings, but as open'd by the Spi­rit. And thus I came to know, and do bear witness, according to Scripture, That which is to be known of God, is to be known within; which brings into the true Fear and Obedience of him, as in Rom. 1.19. Because, That which may be known of God, is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. And as the Know­ledge concerning God, which the World hath, doth arise from without; so like-wise doth their Fear, from what they hear of God, from Man, that he is Just, and a Rewarder of Evil Doers; and they conceive that it is thus, from the outward Declaration of Scripture, be­cause it so declares of him: And all [Page 41]this may be, where there is not any true Fear of God; for where the true Fear of God is, this Effect it works, as these Scriptures declare, The Fear of the Lord is to hate Evil, Pride, Arrogancy, and the Evil Way, and the froward Mouth do I hate, Prov. 8.13. And by the Fear of the Lord, Men depart from Evil, Chap. 16.6. Thus it is, whoso truly Fear the Lord, not only hate Evil, but depart from it; but many there be, which talk of Fearing God, and live in the Evil; such, who have their Fear towards God, only taught by the Precepts of Men, will plead for it; that it must be so, and it can be no otherwise, whilst they live here: And these do, as they did, whom the Lord complained of by His Prophet, Isaiah 29.13. For as much as this People draws near me with their Mouth, and with their Lips do honour me, but have removed their Hearts far from me; and their Fear towards me is taught by the Precepts of Men. And as the Lord then threatned, what he would do unto them, Therefore behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous Work, and a Wonder; for the Wisdom of their Wise Men shall perish, and the Understanding of their Prudent Men shall be hid. So it is now at this Day, those who have been [Page 42]every one in their own Way, and ac­cording to the counsels of their own Hearts, seeking into the Mysteries of God, the Sealed Book, to teach others the Way to Fear God; the Counsel of God is hid from such, and they are at Strife amongst themselves, about the Ser­ving of God; one saying, Thus; and another, So; one saying, Lo here; and another, Lo there; one in this Form, and another in that Form; and they are all in Confusion; and they, being out of the Fear of God, which is to hate Evil, and depart from it, whould lead others into Ways and Forms, without this: Pretending to Serve God; but they lead them out of the Way of Serving God, who do not lead them into the Holy Fear of him; for such only, as hate and depart from the Evil, do Fear and Serve the Lord right, as Psalm 2.11. Serve the Lord with Fear.

But these now in our Days, who pre­tend to be the Teachers of others the Way, whereby they may Know, Fear, and Serve God, are strangers thereto themselves; and although they pretend to be Ministers of Christ, yet are found to be Antichrists, contradicting Christ's own words, Mat. 11.27. Neither knows [Page 43]any Man the Father, save the Son; and be to whomsoever the Son will reveal him; but this way of knowing the Father they deny, who say, That none must expect now, in these Days, to know God any other way than by the Scrip­tures, which they call his Revealed Will and Word. And here they shew them­selves against Christ, in plain Words, (which is their common Practice) to contradict Christ's Way to know the Father; to wit, by Revelation; but Re­velations are to such as fear him; as Psalm 25.14. The Secrets of the Lord are with them that Fear him; which Fear they being out of, are Strangers and Enemies to; such who come to find the Fruits of the Fear of God, to know his Secrets; and here they must of necessity stand, to uphold their Kingdom, in de­nying Immediate Revelation; although it be the Way, and no other Way hath Christ left upon Record (thereof) in Scripture, for any Man to know the Father by, but by the Revelation of his Son.

But if they should yield to this, then their goddess Diana, their Forms, made by the Invention of Man, which they [Page 44]cry up to poor ignorant People, as of great Concernment, will not only be despised, but also their Learning will be in danger to be set at nought; by which Craft they get their Wealth: And as Demetrius, Acts 19. with the Workmen of like Occupation, then cryed out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians: So it is now with the Priests and Teach­ers, among the dead Forms, they cry out, Great is the use of Learning and Study, to gather the Scriptures to­gether, so that one may give the mean­ing, or make another plain; so they come to know the Secrets of God, which they conceive to be in the Scrip­tures: But the Secrets of God were and are with such as Fear him, which gave forth the Scriptures, as they were mo­ved by the Holy Ghost; and the same that gave them forth, the same opens them, and nothing else can, as the Scrip­ture declares, 1 Cor. 2.11. The things of God knows no Man, but the Spirit of God: No, but the Scriptures, to all such as are not led by the Spirit of God, are a Mystery, a Sealed Book; but those who come into the Obedience of the Spirit, that gave them forth, to such the My­stery is revealed, the Seal taken off: And [Page 45]such who gave the Scriptures forth, were the despised ones of the World; and such as are brought into their Con­ditions, are despised now, by those who make use of their Words to get Gain with, although their Conditions they Scorn and Deride in others, as they would have done by Moses, of whom it is left upon Record, Heb. 12.21. that Moses said, I exceedingly Fear and Quake: And Jeremiah said, Mine Heart within me is broken, because of the Prophets; all my Bones Shake, I am like a Drunken Man, and like a Man whom Wine hath overcome, because of the Lord, and because of the Words of his Holiness, Jer. 23.9. And when Habakkuk heard the Word of the Lord, his Belly Trembled, his Lips Quiver­ed at the Voice, rottenness entered into his Bones, &c. Hab. 3.16. And Paul was amongst the Corinthians, in Weakness, and in Fear, and in much Trembling, 1 Cor. 2, 3. And the Corinthians received Ti­tus with Fear and Trembling, 2 Cor. 7.15. Yea, those Conditions which the Lord Commanded, and he hath said in Scrip­ture, he would have respect unto such, they Scorn and Deride, by reason of their Ignorance and Malice: And so with them, to wit, the Priests and [Page 46]Teachers of the People in dead Forms, it is true, as it was with the Sadduces that Christ spoke to, Mat. 22.29. They err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the Power of God; for although the Lord commanded his Prophet, by his Word, Ezek. 12.17, 18. Moreover the Word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of Man, Eat thy Bread with Quaking, and Drink thy Water with Trembling, and with Care­fulnesss. And Jer. 5.21, 22. Hear now this, O Foolish People, and without Under­standing; which have Eyes and see not, which have Ears and bear not, Fear ye not me saith the Lord? Will ye not Tremble at my Presence? And the Lord by the Pro­phet Isaiah declares, Isa. 66.3. But unto this Man will I look, even to him that is Poor, and of a Contrite Spirit. and Trem­bleth at my Word: And in the next verse reckons up unto them their outward Sacrifices, which he did not at all ac­cept, but saith, He that killeth an Ox, is as if be slew a Man; he that sacrificeth a Lamb, as it be cut off a Dog's Neck, &c. And they which did all these outward Services, were such as did cast forth those which did Tremble at the Word of the Lord, as in the fifth verse, Hear the Word of the Lord, ye that Tremble at [Page 47]the Word of the Lord; Tour Brethren that bated you, and cast you out, for my Names sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: But be shall appear to your Joy, and they shall be ashamed. These that did thus, could have a fair pretence to say, Let the Lord be glorified; and it is the same now; for who are more Zealous for their outward Observances? They cry and say, Let the Lord be glorified, as tho' his Glory therein stands; and so cast out, and Reproach with open Mouth, those that see the emptiness of them, and come forth of the Form, into the Pow­er and Life, to Worship God in Spirit, which Service it is only that Glorifies him: But those who Worship only in the Form, cry out upon those that Fear God, and Tremble at his Word, and say, Wherfore should the Ordinances be lest? And so would make the Ignorant Peo­ple believe, That we who fear the Lord, whom the World in Scorn call Quakers, who have been made to Trem­ble at the Presence, and at the hearing of the Word of the Lord, as the Holy Men of God did, which Condition the Lord did require and accept; but those who take their Words, but are Strang­ers unto their Life, and the Power of [Page 48]the Lord, these I say cast Reproach up­on us, and say, That we deny and cast off the Ordinances of Christ Jesus: But the time is come, to our Joy, and their Shame will follow; when the Lord comes to lay open their Nakedness, and clear our Innocency, in these things (as he hath done for me) which Work hasteth greatly, Praises Eternal be to him alone, who hath let me see (by the Light werewith Christ hat en­lightned me, Who is the true Light, which enlightneth every one that cometh into the World, John 1.9.) As the Lord by the Prophet Jeremiah saith, Jer. 7.22, 23. I spake not unto your Fashers, nor command­ed them, in the Day that I brought them our of the Land of Egypt, concerning Burnt Offerings and Sacrifices; but this one thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my Voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my People, &c. And when Jesus Chrift was upon Earth, and spoke unto his Dis­ciples, and told them what they must do to come after him, he did not tell them, That they must Sing David's Condition, either, themselves or others, or Baptize little Children, or Infants, with Water, or take a Text, or place of [Page 49]Scripture, of another's Condition, and add to it their own Inventions; But these things said he unto them, Whoso­ever will come after me, must deny himself, and take up his Cross daily, and follow me, Luke 9.23. And in obedience to his Commands, we deny our selves, and take up the Cross daily that accompa­nies the same; whereby we are by him Baptized into that one Body, whereof he is Head; and we being many, do eat of one Bread, and drink of one Cup, not Carnal but Spiritual, where true Com­munion and Fellowship lies hid from the World, wherein we are altogether of one Spirit and of one Mind, even of the same Mind that was in Christ Jesus, ac­cording to the Apostle's Exhortation, Phil. 2.5.1 Pet. 4.1. And rejoycing in the same Spirit, Praises to our God for ever: And we Sing with the Spirit, and with the Understanding also, I Cor. 14.15. And with the same we Pray. But it is not so with the World's Teachers, who have their Form, or those who are accounted the best of them, that fetch in of the Saints Words but dare not, however cannot truly say, That they are given them by the Spirit of God; and their Singing is the like, not from the Spirit [Page 50]of God, but taking David's words, by which he declared the several Conditi­ons that he was was in; and these they put into the Peoples Mounths, which they do not understand, and these they Sing without understanding; and so instead of glorifying of God, they dishouour him; and this is one of the Practices used in their Church, as they call it, which is without in the World; but the true Church is in God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as in 1 Thess. 1.1.

Now these words that they Sing, are true, as they were spoken from David, who said, That he watered his Couch with his Tears; but it is not so with many: And the will Sing his words, who could truly say, That he was not puft up in Mind, and had no scornsul Eye; whenas too many are puft up in Mind, and have scornful Eyes, and the like: Thus the Leaders of the People, their Priests, in most places put such words into the Peoples Mounths, causing them to Err, and make them Hypocrites, in saying, They are as it is not with them; and so, by and in them is fulfilled that Scripture, Isa. 9.16, 17. But if any shall say, Doth not the Apostle, Jomes 5.13. Ex­hort, [Page 51] Is any Merry, Let him sing Psalms? Yea, and so it is with the redeemed Ones of the Lord, his Ransomed witness that Prophecy fulifilled, Isa. 35.10. and such come to find in themselves, according to the Apostle's Exhortation, being filled with the Spirit, Eph. 5.18, 19, 20. speak­ing unto themselves in Psalms, and Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, Singing and making Melody in their Hearts unto the Lord; gi­ving thanks always for all things unto God, and the Father, in the Name of our Lord Je­sus Christ: This is to be with the Heart, it is not so with the World, I know it; when they are Offering up their Scari­fices, both of Prayers and Praises, they with their Mouths and Lips may be pretending to Serve God, whenas their Hearts may be in another place far from Him, according to Scripture, Isa. 29.13. And after they have been Blessing God, and Singing to his Praise, as they pre­tend, How often in the same Mouth is Cursing? Which thing ought not to be, James 3.9, 10. Thus the Leaders of the People, by putting the Name of God in the Mouths of People, who are not in his Fear, they speak it without understanding, and so take it in Vain, whom the Lord will not hold guiltess.

And as they have no Scripture for this their Practice, to Sing David's Condition; neither have they and for Sprinkling or Baptizing (as they all it) little Chil­dren, Infants, with Water, nor any Command from Christ in Scripture to do that to any; for those who are got up in Imitation of the Letter, from John's Baptizing in Jordan those that con­fessed their Sins, Mat. 3.6. (or of his Baptism) yet he said, There was one to come after him, which was preferred before him, John 1.15 & 30. which was to Baptize with the Holy Ghost and with Fire, Mat. 3.11. And that he must Decrease, but Christ must Increase, John 3.30. This of Christ's being the true Baptism that was to encrease: The Apostle speaks but of One Baptism, in Eph. 4.5, and by One Spirit, not by any Outward Sprinkling or Dipping into Water, that the Saints were Baptized into One Body, 1 Cor. 12.13. This Outward with Water, is not the Baptism that is to Save us (whereof that of Noah's being saved in the Ark, was a Figure) but the answer of a good Conscience towards God, by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, according to 1 Pet. 3.20, 21. Many may come to the outward Baptism, to have the filth of the Flesh [Page 53]put off, but want the answer of a good Conscience towards God, by the Re­surrection of Jesus Christ: This I ha­ving a sight of, was, through the Love of God towards me, a means to keep me back from going into those other Forms in the World, that differed from the publick Profession that was in this Nation; I being let see, that I might get into them, and no change in my Life wrought: And these Cries were often in mine Ears, Born again, a new Creature; which Condition is now wit­nessed, Praises to our God for ever, by those who come to witness that Baptism of the Spirit, spoken of in Scripture, whereby they come to be Buried with him by Baptism into Death, Rom 6.3, 4. And to be made partakers of his Sufferings, wherein is Rejoycing, 1 Pet. 4.13. But this is not known by Water-Baptism, but by the Obeying of the Spirit of our God.

And as the World's Baptism is with­out, with Water; so is their Communi­on without, in Bread and Wine, which they call a Sacrament: For which, as now used by them, they have no Com­mand from Christ, nor any such Name given in Scripture to the outward Ele­ments. [Page 54]And though Christ did eat the Passover with his Disciples before he left them, yet he said, That be would not hence­forth drink of this Fruit of the Vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom, Mat. 26.29. Which Kingdom being Spiritual, it stands in that which is above all Carnal Things: For the Saints Communion and Fellowship is in the Light; 1 John 1.7. But if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light, we have Fellowship one with another; and their Fellowship was not only, One with another; but With the Father, and with his Son Christ Jesus, 1 John 1.3. And it is the same now; they who walk in the Light finds it so. But I know it is not so with the World, by their receiving Bread and Wine; for when I did receive that with them, there was a thirsting that with them, there was a thirsting to have re­ceived something of Christ with the Bread and Wine, but could get nothing, but came away empty. And after they have received Bread and Wine together, they are not thereby United into One; but too often live in Strife and En­vy, as formerly, without any change at all.

Neither have the Teachers of the World my Command from Christ, in [Page 55]Scripture, for taking a Text, or place of Scripture and to add thereto their own Inventions. But if any shall say, That Jesus went into the Synagogue, and there was delivered unto him the Book of the Prophet Isaih; and when he had opened the the Book, be found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because be hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the Poor, &c. Luke 4.16, 17, 18, 19. From this some may conclude in themselves, and say, That he took a Text, or place of Scripture, to speak from it. To which I answer, It was not the words spoken of another, or another's Condi­tion, but the Prophecy concerning him, which was then fulsilled; the Spinit of the Lond then being upon him, where­by he did preach the Gospel to the Poor, &c. As in the 21 st verse, He began to fay unto them, This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears. But which of the Teachers of the World can say truly, That they are, by the Spirit of the Lord being upon them, Anointed to preach the Gospel to the Poor, &c. as it was there written in that Prophecy of him, which he said was then fulfilled? But other ways, by Man they are appointed, and the Love of Lucre, with the Praise [Page 56]of Men, are the chief Motives to put them forward to speak: And so if they will follow Christ, let them follow him, and in plainness and honesty in this his Practice, take the Scriptures that speak of them, their Practive and Condition, as he did of his, which is fulfilled in them and by them; and then they may take the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, and open it in their Synagogues, and read to the People that place, Isaiah 56.11. where he speaking before of the Watch-men, saith, They are Shepherds that cannot understand, they all look to their own way, every one for his gain from his quater; taking this Scripture, and reading it to the People, applying it to themselves, that they are such as look to their own way, every one for his gain from his quarter; that Scripture the People may witness with them, to be true in them, and fulfilled by them.

And so they may turn into the Pro­phecy of Jeremiah, where they may read themselves unto the People; they being such as bear Rule by their Means, Jer. 5.31. And which steal the Word from their Neighbour; which the Lord us against. For although they will be taking the Scriptures into their Mounths, can they [Page 57]prove that the Lord dit ever speak by them? For their Trading with the Scrip­tures, is by Stealing from others; and as then, they did run, when the Lord did not send them, as in the same Chapter, verse 22. therefore they profited not the People; let them read that unto the Peo­ple: Wherein the People may see the cause why they have not profited by them.

They may likewise read unto the People what the Lord by the Prophet Ezekiel said that the false Prophets did, Chap. 34.3. They seek for the Fleece, and feed not the Flock; this they may read, and this the People who are not blind­ed may witness to be their greatest Care, for to get the Fleece, more than to seed the Flock.

They may turn unto the third Chap­ter of Micah, and read in the 11th verse, of Priests that taught for Hire; and such as put into the false Prophets Mouths, then, they cry'd peace to them, as in verse 5. but he that put not into their Mouths, they prepared war against him. These Scriptures are fulfilled in them and by them; they teach for hire, and such as will give them their desire, they speak Peace to such, and will call them good Christians; [Page 58]but such as cannot satisfie their desires, seeing them to be no Ministers of Christ, and so cannot maintain them, by acting against their Consciences; against such they do prepare War; either by Suing them at the Law, or Smiting with the Tongue, as Jer. 18.18. and with some of these they make War, against such as cannot give them their Wages, because they are not of Christ's setting down, agreeable unto Mat. 10. and Luke 10. Read these places, and there you may see the Wages that Christ appoints his Disciples.

Further, if they will imitate in Read­ing a Scripture belonging unto them, then they may read Mat. 23.67. Who love the uppermost Rooms at Feasts, chief Seats in the Synagogues, Greetings in the Markets; and to be called of Men, Rabbi, Rabbi. And as the Scribes and Pharisees did bid others observe and do such things as they did not themselves, and laid heavy Burdens upon others, but they themselves would not touch them, as Mat. 23.3, 4. So it is now with the Priests of England, the People may wit­ness with me, that these Scriptures are true in them, and fulfilled by them: Woe from Christ was and is their Por­tion. [Page 59]And in the 11th verse of the Epistle of Jude, they may read where their Portion is set down before their Practice: Woe unto them, for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward; which is manifest at this day by their Persecu­tion, and Suing Men at Law for their Wages.

And the last place that I shall now de­sire them to read, is, 2 Pet. 2.1. where the Apostle saith, But as there were false Prophets also among the People, even as there shall be false Teachers amongst you. And in the 3d verse thus, And through Covetous­ness shall they with fained words make Mer­chandise of you, &c. This is their Practice, and is manifest to most Men, that their exchanging of Place and People is, Mer­chant-like, to get Gain; for the better some way, if not always for the more Money: And for their often exchanging, fained words they do not want, saying sometimes, that they are sorry to leave them; others, that they do not see that Fruit of their Ministry which they de­sire; and thereupon they do and may exchange; as one did, to wit, Priest Sinclare of Slingsby, near Malton, in York­shire; who having, within a few Years [Page 60]time, been at three Places, or Livings, as they are called; being come unto the fourth, I asked him the cause Why and How they could so often exchange? He answered, That they might, when they did not see that fruit of their Mi­nistry that they desired: As if it were to see a change of Reformation in the People, as he pretended then. But unto me it doth plainly appear since, that it was fained; and that in his Conscience will witness with me, that it was his own Earthly Profit, more than the Peo­ple's Good: For this I know, that in respect of the People's Wickedness, he had as much cause to exchange, as be­fore, Little Fruit or Reformation of Life doth appear; the same fained excuse he might have, if he knew of a greater Living: For where he is now, is near, if not more than double the value of that he left; and there he had continued longer than at two places before. And thus it is with most, if not all of them, when they exchange Place and People, it is for the greater Profit; Self is in it commonly plain to be seen: And herein they go from Christ, and do not take that way to come after him, that he hath set down, Luke 9.23. If any Man [Page 61]will come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his Cross daily, and follow me: But their way that they pretend to fol­ow him in, is in pleasing themselves, and to have their Wills at Liberty, and rule over others: And although Christ Com­mand, Those that will find Rest to their Souls, to take his Yoak upon them, and learn of him to be meek and lowly in Heart, Mat. 11.29. Yet these Pretenders are not so; for, Who more Proud or Impatient than they? Or, greater Pat­terns of Pride in the Parish, than their Wives and Children in most places? I leave to all who have any Eyes to see, and behold, and judge, as there is just cause. If any shall say, Pride lies in the Heart, I know it; but as the Tree is known by its Fruits, even so the Heart may be known by its Fruits; for the Image of its delight is set up within, be­fore it be set up without; this or that thing which they desire, or see others have, the Heart thinks is Good or De­cent, and it would have the like: And are not they, to wit, the Priests, their Wives and Children, such as follow the Fashions of the World, in using needless things, which are to satisfie the vain Mind, and the lustful desires of the [Page 62]Heart; and the Apostle's Exhortation they are out of, 1 Pet. 1.14. and so shew themselves to be in Ignorance, and lust alive, many contending for the continuing of Sin, and the Devils Kingdom.

These Scriptures fore-mentioned, be­ing by the Priests practised, are recom­mended unto them for to read unto the People, which they ought in Plainness and Simplicity, as it doth concern them, to take them to themselves, and acknow­ledge that they are their Conditions, and that they are the Men that have done these things and are guilty; and there­upon forsaking, and no more practising that horrible and filthy thing, that hath been committed in this Land by them, to bear rule by their means, to seek for their Gain from their Quarter, to Teach for Hire, and other-like Practices heretofore mentioned, committed by them; they not only (as they come to see it) simply confessing it, but honestly forsaking it, then they shall find Mercy; but if they cover and hide their Sins, they shall not prosper: And this I was moved by the Spirit of the Lord to write unto them, that they may not plead Ignorance. Now you are warned of the Evil that [Page 63]shall follow, whilst you have time, prize it, and return unto the Lord, lest you remember this when it is too late, which is from him, who is a lover of your Souls: And this word is to you, O Priests.

And in the mean time (until your Priests come unto this Honesty, as to confess and forsake these filthy Practices) all you that profess your selves to be Christians, and own the Scriptures, search the Scriptures, and see if these things be not so; and if you find that it be so, and that your Teachers are such in their Practices, as the true Prophets, Christ and his Apostles spoke against, then take heed, I warn you from the Lord, how you joyn with them, to hold them up in their Sins, lest you partake of their Plagues. Now you are forewarned of the Evil, know that the Light is arisen, that discovers their Ways and Deeds of Darkness in their Practices; therefore come forth from amongst these wicked Men, who fear not God, but live in these wicked Practices fore-mentioned: And this word is to you, O People.

Object, Now if any shall say (as they must if they will but speak Truth) We [Page 64]know it is so with the most of them, but if we leave them, How shall we do for Teaching? They have Learning, and they are most likely to know the meaning of the Scriptures.

Answ. The Scriptures were not given forth by the Learning, Wisdom, not Will of Man, as in 2 Pet. 1.21. The Prophesie came not in old time by the Will of Man, but holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost: And in the fore-going verse he saith, Know this first, that no Prophesie of the Scripture is of any private Interpretation; and that nothing but that which gave them forth, can open them: And so in vain it is for you to go to such, as say, They are not guided by the Spirit that gave forth the Scrip­ture, nor do therewith speak, when unto you they do speak of the Scriptures; nay, their Fruits, their Lives and Con­versations will Witness it against them, if they should affirm it with words: This know likewise, many of those who gave forth the Scriptures, were Unlearn­ed Men in the World's Learning; nay, from the World's Learning they did not speak them forth, but from the Mouth of the Lord, by the movings of his Spi­rit, [Page 65]which the World's Wisdom cannot reach; for Man by this Wisdom knows not God, nor the things of God: We read that Jacob and David were keepers of Sheep, and Elisha was a Plowman, that Amos was an Herdsman; and they said of Christ, How knows this Man Let­ters, having never learned? John 7.14, 15. Peter and John being brought before the Rulers, Acts 4.13. The Rulers per­ceiving that they were Unlearned, and Ignorant Men, marvelled; and divers of the Apostles were Fishermen; and Paul, tho' a learned Man, yet was a Tent-maker, Acts 18.3. And what things formerly he accounted gain to him, he accounted loss for the excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord; and he did account them but Dung, that he might win Christ, Phil. 3.7, 8. which Excel­lency, even the Knowledge of Christ, he received not from Man, but by the Grace of God appearing unto him, which revealed the same within him, Gal. 15.16. And thi [...] same Grace which appeared unto him, was and is the Saints Teacher, and whoso are obedient unto it, it teaches them to deny Ungodli­ness, and Worldly Lusts. Pilate, who crucified Christ, writ over his Head, in [Page 66] Hebrew, Greek and Latine. The King of the Jews, John. 19.19, 20. And these Tongues many may understand, who know nothing of the things of God, neither can they receive them, for they are spiritually discerned, 1 Cor. 2.14. But these Tongues are Natural, and a natural Man may have them; and they do not tech any to depart from Wick­edness; but the Grace of God being obeyed, doth; which is witnessed, as in Scripture is declared, Titus 2.11, 12. The Grace of God that bringeth Salvation, hath appeared to all Men; teaching us, that de­nying Ungodliness, and worldly Lusts, we should live Soberly, Righteously and Godlily in this present World. This their Teacher was the Grace of God, which is near every one, within them; and the Church of God now witnessing the Teachings thereof, come to the Promise, even the Word which is within, in the Mouth, and in the Heart; the same which the Lord did give to the Children of Israel, Deut. 30.11, 12, 13, 14. For this Commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it, far off; it is not in Heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to Heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and [Page 67]do it? Neither is it beyond the Sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the Sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the Word is very nigh unto thee, in thy Mouth, and in thine Heart, that thou mayst do it: Which doth agree, and is one with that, Rom. 10.5, 6, 7, 8. where the Apostle speaking of Christ being the end of the Law, for Righ­teousness, to every one that believeth; For Moses describeth the Righeousness which is of the Law, that the Man that doth these things, shall live by them; But the Righteousness which is of Faith, speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine Heart, Who shall ascend into Heaven, that is, to bring Christ down from above? Or, Who shall descend into the deep, that is, to bring Christ up again from the Dead? But, what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, in thy Mouth and in thy Heart: That is, the Word of Faith which we Preach. And in Heb. 4.12, 13. The Word of God is quick and powerful, and Sharper than any two­edged Sword; piercing, even to the dividing asunder of Soul and Spirit, and of the Joynts and Marrow; and it is a Discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart: Neigther is there any Creature that is not manifest in his Sight; but all things are naked and [Page 68]open before Him, with whom we have to do. Thus the Scripture testifies of the Word of God; it is quick, and hath Power in it: That within, which lies under­neath in all, whilst they are in the Fall; this is that which with a still low Voice, as if it were behind one, Isa. 30.20, 21. when they turn out of the Commands of God, to act Wickedness, tells them in secret, that such a thing they ought not to do; and this rises up in them, when they do Evil; as when they tell a Lye, or when they think evil Thoughts, Hate or Back-bite, and tells them they ought not so to do: Yea, I do appeal to any, who have but any Knowledge of their Conditions, whether they have not found something within them, time after time, check them for Evil Deeds, and that hath plainly shewn them, that they ought not to have done so as they did; when as they did Swear, Lie, were Drunk, or have been wrathful or envi­ous against others; when such deeds have been done by them, then they have cryed for Mercy, and said, They had done wrong: Now something there was within them, that let them see plainly, That they ought not to have done so, although they did not know [Page 69]what it was; here Light shined in Dark­ness, but the Darkness comprehended it not: And so it was with me many times; for there was that in me which did check me secretly, when I did tell a Lie for my Profit and Pleasure, but I did not know what that was; yea, many a time, after I had done such a thing, as to tell a Lie, I should have been troubled in my self for it: And there was something in me that would have brought it to remembrance again, a good while after, as fresh as though it had been then spoken; yea, things which I did in secret, which none knew of without, to tell of them, such things were raised up again into the re­membrance, even my secret Thoughts, and evil Intents, could not be kept, but these things would have been brought to remembrance, that such a thing thou didst, at such a time, in such a place; and such Thoughts thou didst think, which were evil: All things that ever I did, were laid open by the Righteous Law of God within me; yea, the Judg­ments and Wrath of God were shouwn me by the same to be my Portion: And I did not know any way how to get free from the same. And although it were many times shown me, that such [Page 70]a thing I had done, and thereupon the Wrath of God was shown likewise to be the Portion thereof; yet notwith­standing, I did still run into the same, although I was condemned in my self for it, not knowing what it was which did condemn me; so this was in a time of ignorance, as to the knowing what it was; yet there was that in me which cleared the Lord, when he did arise to Judgment in me: And if he had Eter­nally Condemned me, my Condemnation had been just, for my disobeying of what I knew: So that I know that the Lord will be Justified when he arises to Judg­ment, and all Mouths shall be stopped: for my Condemnation was not, in the Day of Account, for what I did not know, but that such things were made known unto me to be my Duty to have done and I did them not; neither shall any be Condemned for what they know not, but for what they know, and do not obey: This is the Condemnation, that Light is come, yet Men love Darkness ra­ther than Light, John. 3.19. This was true, I witness.

And as the Word of God is thus Quick and Powerful, and searches the Heart, the Secrets thereof; rips up, lays [Page 71]open, and brings to remembrance things done in the dark; and so lets every one see the just Judgments of God to be their Portion, for acting contrary thereto. So the same which thus Checks and Re­proves for Sin, the same being hearken­ed unto, and obedience thereto being yielded, the same will remove the Judg­ments, and cleanse from Sin; and in­stead of Judgment, pour in Healing Ver­tue, as Hosea 6.1. Come, and let us return unto the Lord; for he hath torn, and he will heal us: be hath smitten, and be will bind us up: This is witnessed. And by obey­ing the same, their ways come to be cleansed, as Psalm 119.9. Wherewithal shall a young Man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto, according to thy. Word. If any say, That none can have their Ways cleansed: Yet, David, the Prophet of the Lord, said, That by taking heed to one's Ways, according to the Word of the Lord, a young Man may cleanse his Ways: And in the 11th verse de­clares where this was, Thy Word have I hid in my Heart.

Obj. But if any shall say, Is Christ, the Word of God, in Men?

Ans. I answer with the Apostle, 2 Cor. 13.5. Examine your selves; know ye not [Page 72]your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be Reprobates? But this may be hid from many, to know that he is there although it be so: Light doth shine in Darkness, although the Dark­ness do not comprehend it; and so it is a Mystery hid, as it hath been to know Christ within: Many that have expected Salvation from Christ, have been chiefly looking without them, and have not minded him; as is this Mystery, which hath been hid from Ages and from Generations, but now is made manifest to his Saints; to whom God would make known what is the Riches of the Glory of this Mystery among the Gen­tiles; which is Christ in you the Hope of Glory, Col. 1.26, 27. And that Mystery the Apostle found Revealed in him, by the Grace of God, Gal. 1.15, 16. So that when it pleased God, who separated him from his Mother's Womb, and cal­led him by his Grace, and revealed his Son in him, that he might preach Him unto the Gentiles; this was the true Christ, which he thus preached unto the Gentiles, whom the Lord was pleased by his Grace to reveal in him, as in plain words is here expressed. And this is Christ which we now preach, even the same as the Apostle preached; and who­soever [Page 73]preaches any other, let him be accursed; for we preach not our selves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and commend our selves to every Man's Conscience in the sight of God: For God, who command­ed the Light to shine out of Darkness, hath shined in our Hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the Glory of our God, in the face of Jesus Christs, 2 Cor. 2.5, 6. And so it is now, the same Light that hath shined in our Hearts, from God the Father of Lights, whereby we have re­ceived the Knowledge of God in the Pace of Jesus Christ; the same we de­clare to others, that they may come to the like Knowledge with us; and Rom. 1.15. That which may be known of God, is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

So turn within, to that which is Pure of God in you, to be guided by that which will lead you out of the Deeds of Darkness, into the Light of the Lord; and walking in it, you will come into the Land of the Living; and no more to be led to look for the Kingdom of God (in outward Observations) which I declare to be within; and the Scriptures witness with me, and so we agree: But whilst I knew nothing but from Men, [Page 74]I did not know It to be there, although the Scriptures so declare, as Deut. 30. Rom. 10. Heb. 4. That the Word is within; and that Christ is within, as Col. 1. Gal. 1. Rom. 10. And when the Pharisees demanded of Christ, when the Kingdom of God should come, he answered them, and said, The King­dom of God comes not with Observation; neither shall they say, Lo berk; or, Lo there for, behold, the Kingdom of God is within you, Luke 17.20, 21. Within the Phari­sees, while they were looking without, and observing things without, to get thither, as it hath been the Practice, of many Professors; but he tells them, It was within them, and did not stand in Ob­servation; cross to their Expectations That which keeps only in outward Ob­servation, leads into Consusion and Trou­ble; one saying, Lo here; another, Lo there; one says, This is the Way; ano­ther says, Such a Way is the Way: So they differ about the Way, and come not to the end. But the Kingdom of God is not Meat and Drink, but Righteousness, and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost, as in Scripture is declared, Rom. 14.17. And as Christ compares it, Luke 13.20, 21. Whereunto shall I liken the Kingdom of God? It is like unto Leaven, which [Page 75]Woman took and hid in three Measures of Meal, till the whole was leavened: And so it is, That of God in the Creature, Mankind, as he is under the Curse, and in the Fall, is to him little, when com­pared with the great Lump of the cor­rupt Nature, which hides it: And That of God lyes low, under-neath, as even hid by the other, that it cannot be discerned by it; but yet it calls inward­ly, with a small still Voice and calls af­ter them, when they run into Wicked­ness, and tells them many times privily. That they ought not to have done such a thing. Now, I say, that although this be low, this Voice within, yet it is heard sometimes; and when obeyed, then it brings a cross upon that desire that would be running out into the Evil; so the Desire in the Mind cannot have the fiberty, which formerly it had, to act the Evil; and so Sin dyes. As when the vain Mind would lead forth the Creature, either for Profit or Pleasure, to tell a Lie, That of God within, which is pure, says, Lie not. Now that being obeyed, then that which would tell the Lie hath not the liberty, which former­ly it had; and so, instead of Lying, there is speaking the Truth; and so [Page 76]Sin dyes. Thus the Leaven, which is pure of God, working, and being obey­ed, the contrary will be purged forth, and so the little Leaven will leaven the whole Lump.

For the Lord hath not left himself without a Witness in Mankind, where­by he makes known what his Mind and Pleasure is; and this shews what is Sin and Evil Deeds; and although it be not hearkened unto, nor obeyed, yet it is there: But this, where obeyed, brings into Christ, the Promised Seed; who, by his Power, hath bruised the Head of the Serpent; and doth bruise his Head, and break down his Power, and will overthrow his Kingdom of Darkness: This is witnessed, Praises to the Lord for evermore, by those who are Obe­dient to that Light of Christ, and his Power, within them, which checks and reproves for Sin: So the contrary Power, which formerly ruled, is dis­obeyed and trodden down within; and so the Seed of the Serpent, which was Head, even the Head thereof, comes to be bruised by the Seed of the Wo­man; this is witnessed through the War­fare: For as the Enmity between the two Seeds is placed by the Lord, so the [Page 77]Victory is obtained by joyning with That of Him, where his Power will be witnessed, according to his Promise, But in vain it is for any ever to expect the Victory, who will not enter into the Warfare, so as to have the Serpent's Head broken; who will not joyn with the other Seed against it, so as to have Sin to dye; who will not deny them­selves of their Sins, but give liberty to their Lusts; for there can be no dying of Sin, until there be a dying of that which brings it forth: For, as the Scrip­ture declares, God made Man upright, but they have sought out many inventions, Eccles. 7.29. But he was not so created in the many Inventions, but in the Image of God, Gen. 1.26. The Evil was of Man's finding out; for the Lord com­mands, Such a thing thou shalt not do, Gen. 2.16, 17. Now, although the Com­mand was, Thou shalt not eat; Man through Temptation aspiring, thinking to be High, fell Low, acts contrary to the Command, and so broke it: The Transgression of the Law is Sin, 1 John 3.4. And as Sin came at the first, by break­ing the Command of God, so whilst there is a running on, to be guided by that which at the first brought Sin, [Page 78]there can be no dying of Sin; but adding Sin to Sin, and filling up the Measure of Iniquity: But as there is a hearkening, and giving up in obedi­ence unto that Divine Light within, which checks and reproves for Sin; then the other part, which leads forth the Creature unto the acting of Sin, comes to be denied, and so Sin will dye.

Obj. But if any shall say, Is there this Light in every one?

Ans. The Scriptures declare of Christ, I am the Light of the World, John 8.12. And John, the Fore-runner of Him, saith, That he was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light, that was the true Light, which lighteth every Man that comes into the World, John 1.8.9. And Christ, who was the true Light, compares the Kingdom of Heaven unto a Man travelling into a far Country, who called his Servants, and delivered unto them his Goods; unto every Man, according unto his several ability, Mat. 25.14, 15. And the Apostle Paul saith, The Grace of God, which bringeth Salvation, hath appeared unto all Men, Tit. 2.11. Who can this deny, but that there hath that appear­ed unto them, which if hearkened unto [Page 79]and obeyed, would have redeemed them from the Evil of their Ways, they com­ing into the Obedience? So this Light, wherewithal Christ Jesus hath enlight­ned every one that comes into the World, doth shine in the dark. Under­standing of the Creature, Mankind, al­though the Darkness does not compre­hend, it, as John. 1.5. Light shines in Darkness, and the Darkness comprehends it not: Yet, notwithstanding, as John 3.19. This is the Condemnation, that Light is come into the World, and Men love Darkness ra­ther than Light, because their Deeds are evil: All which I witness, according to these Scriptures: That there was a Light, a Measure of that which was pure of God in me, which appeared unto me, which did convince of Sin and Evil Deeds; time after time, this did shine into my Understanding, although the Darkness was such in me, that this Light could not be known by it, Yet it was there; and this Light was my Condemnation in secret, when contrary thereunto I acted. That which in the first place did convince of Sin and Evil Deeds, did af­terwards rise up in me, and condemn me: And this all must witness, all that will not be obedient thereunto must be [Page 80]slain by him; yea, all his Enemies that will not have him to Reign over them, Luke 19.27. Therefore in vain it is for any to expect him to be their Saviour in their Sins, for he was not given by God for that end; but to Save his Peo­ple from their Sins, Mat. 1.21. But if any shall say, Is this possible ever for any to be saved from their Sins whilst they are here? And may say, If any say, We have no Sin, we deceive our Selves, 1 John 1.8. I Answer, doth not the same Apostle say, 1 John 3.9. Whosoever is Born of God, doth not commit Sin, for his Seed re­maineth in him, and he cannot Sin, be­cause he is Born of God: Here is men­tion of a Seed remaining in him, which cannot Sin, because he is Born of God. Now this doth the Scriptures reconcile, which seem to be at odds, to know the two Seeds in Mankind; what Seed that is that doth Sin, and what Seed that is that doth not Sin, neither can Sin; for this know, and this you may likewise feel within, As there is one Seed that calls upon, and leads forth the Crea­ture for to act Wickedness, so there is another that could never consent there­unto, but was burthened by Transgres­sion, yet did reprove in secret; and if [Page 81]it had been hearkened unto, and obeyed, then it would have been exalted in Men, and set above the other, and so have ruled in the Creature; and the Creature being therewith guided, would be kept from Sin; for he that doth Righteousness, is Righteous, even as Christ is Righteous; and the other which committeth Sin, is of the Devil, 1 John 3.7, 9. And for this purpose was the Son of God manifested. that he might destroy the Works ef the Devil; and to take away Sin; as in the 5th verse, which is seen and witnessed, to be the end and purpose of God sending his Son; but first he must be known to be Judge, to condemn Sin in the Flesh, as the Apostle declares, Rom. 8.3. For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak thorow the Flesh, God sending his own Son, in the likeness of sinful Flesh, and for Sin, con­demned Sin in the Flesh: And this is by Christ's Appearance, who said, Mat. 10.34. Think not that I come to send Peace on Earth: I come not to send Peace, but a Sword. And he says, John 9.39. For Judgment am I come into the World: He comes first to break their Peace, who have been at quiet and asleep in their Wickedness, before he speak Peace un­to them; and so every one must know [Page 82]him, as in Isaiah 33.22. The Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Law-giver, the Lord is our King, and he will Save us. And whoso doth not know him thus, knows him not savingly at all.

Therefore all you who do not know God any otherways but by hearsay, and are only looking upon things without, your Ignorance I pity; and in love to your Souls, as I am moved of the Lord, I have written this unto you, for to in­form your Understandings, where you are to wait to hear the Voice of God, and the same obeying, your Souls may live: Therefore, every one in particular, turn your Ear, the Ear of your Soul within, hearken, do not you hear some­thing within you, calling upon you to cease from the Evil of your ways, and to do the Good? Which being hear­kened unto, then you will find Judgment from the Righteous God of Life to pass upon the Enemies of your Soul's good; and from the same you will find Com­mands go forth, to let you know what you are to do, which will be contrary to what you have formerly delighted in; so your desires will be crossed, when they are running forth into the Earth, to delight in fading Objects, or any [Page 83]manner of Wickedness; and so you will come to find a Law come forth from another, which formerly you have not known, so as to obey; and as Obedi­ence is given thereunto, you will find that arise up in you, for to Rule over whatsoever would not it should Reign, and then Salvation is near: Thus by de­grees, by a living Faith, and Obedience to the Commands of God, made known by that his Light within, you shall come to find him, Judge, Lawgiver, King and Sarviour.

Therefore none expect to know God, otherwise than he is: The Children of Disobedience must know him to be a just Judge, rendering unto every one according unto their Works, as the Scriptures declare of him; such as do not cease to do Evil, and learn to do Well, but Rebel against him, must be devoured with the Sword; read Isaiah 1. & Rom. 2.6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. where the Apostle saith, that God will render unto every Man according to his Deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing, seek for Glory and Honour, and Immortality, Eternal Life: But unto them that are Con­tentious, and do not obey the Truth, but obey Unrighteousness, Indignation and Wrath: [Page 84]Tribulation and Anguish upon every Soul of Man that doth Evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile. But Glory, Honour, and Peace, to every Man that worketh Good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile. For there is no respect of Persons with God. Therefore what is said unto the Priests, is said to the People of all Professions; Search the Scriptures, and see where you do find your Condition in the Scriptures; whoso lives in Wickedness, being guided by the wicked One, Woes, and the Plagues of God they may ex­pect, as the Scriptures declare, Isa. 3.11. Wo to the Wicked, it shall be ill with him, for the Reward of his hands shall be given him. First, therefore thou that lives in a Profession of God and Christ in Words, and acts not the same in Deed and Truth, read Mat. 23.5. but these things dost to be seen of Men; this was their Pra­ctice to whom the Wo was due, Mat. 23.27, to 37. Read, You that have got the Prophets, Christ's and the Apostles Words to talk of, and Paint your selves outwardly with a Form of Godliness, but deny the Power thereof, and Hate and Persecute those who live in the Life of what you Profess; the Woes, the Dam­nation of Hell, you may read there to be [Page 85]your Portion, unless you Repent: You Hypocrites, consider betime and Repent, that you may escape it: And in the next place, you that would have the good word of all, this may be accounted Wisdom so to Conform; but it is that Wisdom which is from beneath, from the Serpents Seed, to which the Curse is; therefore thou that wouldest have all to speak well of thee, read Luke 6.26. Wo unto you, when all Men shall speak well of you: This may seem strange to others, as it did unto me, whose desire is to have all to speak well of them. Now, this is not to encourage any for to walk so, as to give any just occasion for any to speak evil of them; but on the con­trary, as Christ doth Exhort in the next Verses, to Love your Enemies, do good to them which Hate you, Bless them that Curse you, and Pray for them which Despitefully use you: Yet this I know, and so all others find it, as they come to walk up in Obedience to that which is pure of God in them; it is so cross and contrary unto that which guides the World, even all Men of what Profession soever, being guided by another Seed, they cannot have their good words as for­merly; the Enmity between the two [Page 86]Seeds, that is the cause; therefore thou that hast the good word of the wicked, question thy Condition, thou hast great cause, lest thou art not under the bles­sing of God, but under the Wo of Christ.

And thou whose desires is to get Wealth by Fraud and Deceit, Lying and Dissembling, and may call this a provident Care for thy Self and Family; thou Infidel, that darest not trust God, but acts contrary unto that of him in thee, that tells thee in secret, that thou oughtest not so to do; read Hab. 2.9. Wo unto him that coveteth an evil Covetousness to his House, that he may set his Nest on High.

And all you who live in the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eye, and Pride of Life, which things are not of God, read 1 John 2.16. Lusting after strong Drink, not only to be Drunk themselves, but to make others Drunk, read Hab. 2.15. Isa. 28.1. Wo to the Crown of Pride, to the Drunkards of Ephraim: So others from the Lust within, let the Eye loose after Beauty, fine Apparel, and the like; all these pro­ceed from one Root, the Unrighteous Seed within, to which the Plagues and Woes of God are due, and the King­dom [Page 87]of God it must not Inherit, there­fore let none deceive themselves with vain hopes, but read 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. Know ye not that the Unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God, &c. but such (if they Repent not) must be for the Lake, and the Wine-press of the Lord's Wrath without the City; with whatsoever worketh Abomination, or telleth a Lye, Rev. 21.8, 27. & 14.19, 20. Therefore all People of all Professions, consider your own Condition, your Life and Practices, take the Scriptures, search and see where you can find out your own Condition, and amongst whom, whether amongst the Godly or amongst the Wicked, and that you may take and read the Portion laid down in Scripture, belonging unto your Practice.

And do not meddle with others Conditions laid down in Scriptures, nor the Promises that were made to them (so as to apply them to your selves whilst in your Sins) that did Fear and Serve the Lord, who when they witnessed the same fulfilled in them, they were made to rejoyce with Trembling, Psalm 2.11. which is now witnessed by many, Praises to the Lord our God for evermore, who hath arisen to our [Page 88]joy, although we be such as are cast forth and reproached, as they were, who did Fear before the Lord, and Tremble at his Word, by such as did pretend to Glorifie God, as in Isa. 66.5. This Scripture, we whom the World in Scorn call Quakers, of which Name I am not ashamed, being one whose Flesh hath been made for to Tremble, and Bones to Shake, at the Judgments of the Lord, and at his Word, as the Holy Men of God did, read Ezra 10.3, 9. Job 4.14. & 21.6. Psalm 119.120. Jer. 23.9. Dan. 10. Hab. 3.16. These and such like Scriptures, we who wit­ness them true, and to have been ful­filled in us, and in obedience to the same Power are kept, can read with Comfort, from the Testimony within our own selves, wherein we may and do rejoyce in Persecution and Suffering for Righteousness sake, which none knows, but as they are guided by the Righteous One, wherein is our Happiness, that al­though we be numbred amongst the Transgressors of Men's Laws, yet we suffer not as evil Doers; for who goes under the name of Quakers, and suffers for evil Doing, are neither owned by us, nor know our Joy; who suffers as [Page 89]Christians, herein can Rejoyce, in as much as we are made Partakers of Christ's Sufferings; and can and may read 1 Pet. 4.13, 14, 15, 16. Our Sufferings being for the same that the Prophets, Christ, and the Apostles, practised; to wit, for speaking against Formal and False Worships and Worship­pers, and against Sin in Plainness, even in their publick Meeting-places, as they did, as in 1 Kings 13.1, 2. By the Word of the Lord the Prophet cryed against the Altar in Bethel, Jeroboam standing by. And by the Word of the Lord, Amos prophesied in the King's Chappel in Be­thel; and in plainness speaks of the Judg­ments of God to befall Jeroboam, Amos 7. But this was not from the Letter, the out­ward Declaration of Scripture, that they spoke; but from the Movings of the Spirit of the Lord in them, as Prophesies came, 2 Pet. 1.21. And the Father and Mother of Jesus found him in the Tem­ple, amongst the Doctors, both hearing them, and asking them Questions, Luke 2.46. And the Apostle Paul, an his man­ner was, went into the Synagogues, and Reasoned with them three Sabbath Days together out of the Scriptures: And in­to the Synagogues he went at three se­veral [Page 90]places; to wit, at Thessalonica, at Berea, and at Athens, read Acts 17. for which he was then Persecuted. And it is the same Generation in Nature now, which Persecutes for the same Practices; as then, He that was Born after the Flesh, persecuted him that was Born after the Spi­rit; even so it is now, Gal. 4.29. And so all that live in Persecution, Hating and Envying, and in Pride, Covetous­ness, Drunkenness, Swearing, Lying, or any such like Wickedness, take the Scriptures, and look who they were that did such things, and what was to be their Portion. And this use you may make of the Scriptures, Search them, and see every one where you can find your own Condition; for this I know, and so you shall find, That if you do apply the Promises to your selves, which do not belong to that Condition which you live in, that will do you no good at all in the time of trouble: There­fore all consider betimes, now whilst you have time, and now that you are warned.

And all People, of all Professions, cease from looking at your Profession, and see whose Work you do, and what Fruit it is that you bring forth; whe­ther [Page 91]it be the Works of the Flesh, or the Fruits of the Spirit of God, which are different, as the Scripture declares, Gal. 5.19, 20, 21, 22, 23. Now the works of the Flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, Fornication, Uncleanness, Lascivi­ousness Idolatry, Witcheraft, Hatred, Vari­ance, Emulations, Wrath, Strife, Sedition, Heresies, Envyings, Murders, Drunkenness, Revellings, and such like; of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance; against such there is no Law. And be not deceived, God will not be mocked; for such as you sow, such shall you reap: If ye sow to the Flesh, then ye shall reap Corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap Life Everlasting; which is witnessed, as in Scripture declared, Gal. 6.7, 8. There­fore with Bowels of Love running forth towards your Souls, I exhort you all to consider, whose Will it is that you are doing, and what it leads into; For the Will of God is your Sanctification, 1 Thess. 4.3. Therefore take heed, I charge you all in the Presence of the Lord, and by [Page 92]his Spirit, how you go on in any Wick­edness, and lay the blame upon God, and say, When the Lord will, it shall be otherwise: It is not his Will that any should go on in their Wickedness, but that all should turn from their Wick­edness, and Live; but your Destruction, I do declare unto you all, to be from and of your selves, running on your own Wills, working the Works, and de­lighting to live after the Flesh, which brings Death, as the Scripture declares, Rom. 8.13. For if ye live after the Flesh, ye shall dye; but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the Deeds of the Flesh, ye shall live. And the Lord is not wanting on his part, for to bring to Life; but by the Spirit of his dear Son he calls upon every one, for to return from the Evil of their Ways; and as Obedience there­unto is given, the Deeds of the Flesh come to be mortified, and so they come to witness Life. But if any say, Hath every one the Spirit of Christ? I answer, with the Apostle, Rom. 8.9. If any Man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his; that is, such as do not live up to the Spirit of Christ, so as to enjoy its Indwelling: For a Manifestation of the Spirit is given to every Man to profit with: [Page 93]And so every one, as they stoop down in Obedience to that of God in them, which is pure, which rises up within them, and shews them Evil Deeds, and calls upon them to depart there-from; they owning this to be of God; from thence this Fear comes to be placed in the Heart, that they dare not act contrary thereto, but the same they obey; and so him serve and worship, who is a Spirit, and is worshipped in Spirit and Truth: Which, that you may all do, is my Desire and Prayer to the Lord for you all; by whom I have been moved to write this forth; unto whom I have cleared my Conscience, and unburdened my Spirit, in the informing your Under­standings in the way of his Worship; who is God over all, and Blessed and Praised for evermore: Hallelujah to the Highest.

FRom the time of my being commit­ted Prisoner by Robert Barwicke, as is expressed in the fore-part of this Book, I continued as Prisoner, (but several times, at my own and Friends desire, had liberty to visit Friends in the Coun­try) and at the Assizes, held in the 7th Month of the Year 1655. when I had been between thirty and forty Weeks a Prisoner, I was called, and was tryed, and cleared accordingly, as is hereafter mentioned.

Being called before William Steel, Judge, it was said, That I stood there [Page 120]Indicted since the last Assizes; the In­dictment being read, it was demanded of me, What I said to it, Was I guilty or not guilty? To which was answer­ed to this purpose, That what I said, I should not deny, (there being put into the Indictment, that I wilfully and ma­liciously uttered forth such words as they read) the truth was, that I spoke such words; but that such words were spoken from my own Will, or Malice, that I denied; and said, That was their Con­dition, which put the words in. Then the Judge asked, What I said, as to the Substance of the thing? My answer was, What I spoke, I should not deny. Then he asked me, If I would be tried by God and the Country? My answer was, The Lord he is my Tryer, and what he will suffer the Country to do, I am satisfied. Thus I, with other three Friends, who had been called at the Assizes before, and could not say, neither Guilty, nor Not Guilty, (true words and false be­ing mixt together in our Indictments) were to come to our Tryal before the Country; and the next day, being called and set in the midst, amongst those there Arraigned for Fellony and Murder: A Jury being chosen, and they being [Page 121]about to swear them; I spoke to the Judge, to put him in mind of what passed between us the Day before, how that he asked, If I would be tried by God and the Country? And my answer thereunto being, That the Lord he is my Tryer, and what he suffered the Country to do, I am satisfied; but that their Swearing is not allowed, but for­bidden by Christ; and in testifying against it, I clear my Conscience: Not­withstanding this, they called for Evi­dence against me; but not any appearing, the Jury gave in their Verdict (as it is called) that I was Not Guilty. Then I appealed to that of God in all their Consciences to judge, how I had been dealt withal; who had been between thirty and forty weeks a Prisoner, and none for to lay any thing to my charge: But they would make no answer to that, but hasted to take me away. Af­ter, some said, I might recover Damage for my Imprisonment. But I answered them, I had not so learned of Christ, for to render Evil for Evil.

NOW, Whereas mention is made be­fore of my being cast into Prison at Alisbury; it was for my going into a Steeple-House at Newport-pagnel, where standing quietly until the Priest had done his Preaching, who had been tel­ling in a bemoaning manner, that The Devil cast Fiery-Darts, and Hand-Grana­does (as it were) into the Soul: It being made known unto me, as I stood by, that he knew not what the Soul was, which he said the Devil did such things to; so words were spoken unto him, to this purpose; Man, thou hast been speak­ing much as concerning the Soul, it were [Page 125]needful for the People's Satisfaction, thou mightest declare what the Soul is; but instead of answering this needful Question, he put it off, with saying, That he would Di­spute with me there the next day: But there being present one Thomas White, a Man in Commission to have done Justice, he threatned for to send me away to Prison, which he did early the next Morning; and whilst I was there, in the House of Correction, I received Intelligence how that at the Sessions in Yorkshire, there was a Bill of Indictment preferred against me, to this purpose in it; How that at a Meeting where I was, at North-Allerten, I intended or endea­voured to put one Thomas Mann, Priest of that Town, into a Well: So opening the Bible, it opened, and I read these Scriptures, Psalm 119.85. The Proud have digged Pits for me, which are not after thy Law: And in the 69th Verse of the same Psalm, The Proud have forged a Lie against me: The Pits were the Goal and House of Correction in Alisbury, which I was put into for doing nothing else but what was agreeable to Scripture; and the Lie which the Proud had forged against me, was what they had laid to my charge in Yorkshire; for true it was, [Page 126]I went to the Priest in Buckinghamshire, but in Yorkshire the Priest came to me, with a salse Accusation in his Mouth, at his coming, using words to this purpose, How now Roger? Thou says I Preach false Doctrine: It being denyed, and he being put to Prove what he said, otherwise he would be found to be a false Accuser, put it off, with asking, What was the false Doctrine he did Preach? So by his coming, a great Tumult was raised, in­somuch that my Life was much in dan­ger to have been taken away; but by the Power of God, and the endeavour of some Friends, who bestirred them­selves, and got me forth of the Throng, I was preserved: There was a Well in the place; so the wicked not being sa­tisfied with what was done against me, forged a Lie, viz. That I intended or en­deavoured such a thing as to put the Priest therein: So after my return into Yorkshire, I was arrested, by an Attachment forth of the Sessions, for to Answer at the next Sessions; but I not having had any Summons given, nor any word left at my House for my former appearance, I could not own to the Bayliff that his proceedings were agreeable to their own Law, and so could not give him his Fee, [Page 127]which he said was Two Shillings; so he cast me into Prison, as by the Mittimus fore-mentioned is expressed; so coming to the Sessions, neither Priest nor Bay­liff (which I heard preferred the Bill of Indictment against me) appeared a­gainst me, but were to be questioned for their own Miscarriage laid to their Charge (as I heard) so I being called, and none appearing against me, for to lay any thing to my Charge, by Procla­mation I was cleared, and the Bayliff who was the cause of my being sent to Prison, at that time much reproved: I was three. Weeks and more a Prisoner, upon the account afore-mentioned,

THis Plea of Trespass, that is fore-mentioned, which I was commit­ed to Prison for, that I was to answer Henry Sowtheby in, was for the Tenth of my Hay and Corn that Year Growing, which he claimed right to, being an Im­propriator: And he cast me (or by his means I was cast) into Prison, before a good part of the Hay was got, or Corn near ready to cut: Notwithstanding these his Dealings, he openly confessed how Honest I had been, and that he believed that it was for Conscience sake that I could not pay it; and that it was true, I had of­ten paid him his Rent before the time it was due: For in the time of my Ignorance, [Page 129]of the Root from whence Tythes were, I had a Lease of him for seven Years, and did perform giving 1 l. 6 s. 8 d. Yearly, for the Tythe of my own Land; but after I writ to him to this purpose fol­lowing, and gave it him before he cau­sed my Imprisonment fore-mentioned; Henry Sowtheby, unto thee formerly I paid a Composition, Yearly Rent, for Tythes of Lands in my Possession, in the time of my Ignorance, from whence Tythes were; but finding in Scripture, that they were the Lord's by his express Command, read Levit. 27.30. and he gave the Tenth unto the Children of Levi for an Inheritance, for their Ser­vice which they served, even the Service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, as Numb. 18.21. And with the Levite, the Stranger, the Fatherless, and the Wi­dow, were to eat, and be satisfied, as in Deut. 14.29. But seeing that none of these things are performed, by them that receive Tythes in England now, as then in Israel: And lastly, finding in Scripture that the Priest­hood being Changed, there is made of necessity likewise a Change of the Law, as Heb. 7.12. denial is made of them, that not any Right or Due thou hast unto Tythes, by the Law of God, as is seen by

IN the Year following I was ordered in the Movings of the Lord's Spirit, for to visit Friends; the former part thereof I passed through the Eastern Coun­ties up to London, and returned thorow the middle Counties: Then before the middle of that Summer, I passed into Scotland about that time when King Charles the Second came into England again; and after my passing through se­veral parts of Scotland, amongst most of them few Friends that were then con­vinced of the Truth, them to strengthen for to stand in the day of Tryal, then approaching; for then many did expect we should soon have been brought un­der, either to have denyed our God, or under great Sufferings; and then was a time of much Wickedness and Lewdness, much of God's good Creatures consu­med in Drinking and Fires making, Ringing and Rejoycing, because of the Coming of the King: Notwithstanding all that Lewdness, which was then alost, by the Lord's Power, I and a Friend with me, named Samuel Watson, passed and had little Interruption, and so re­turned forth of Scotland into Cumberland, and visited several Friends in that Coun­ty, [Page 131]and so returned into Yorkshire before the middle of Summer: About the time, and after King Charles the Second returned into England again: But there were some who could not be content therewith; amongst others, some of them called Fifth Monarchy Men, who, as I understand, expect Christ to come for to Reign Outwardly in Person upon Earth; and some few of them, being stirred up in a forward Zeal, without a true Knowledge of what Spirit they were of, did rise in London, whereby a great Disturbance was occasioned; then pre­sently Proclamation was sent forth, and we who were called Quakers, were rec­koned with Ranters, and them who made the Disturbance, and so were numbred amongst the Transgressors, though Innocent: Then by the Procla­mation we were not to enjoy our Meetings for to wait upn God, under any Pretence of Worshipping (or to that purpose were words in it) as for­merly; but if we did, which many durst not neglect, then we were to be Apprehended, and had before Justices of the Peace, and there we were to have the Oaths of Supremacy and Alle­giance prosered, which if we refused, [Page 132]then by the Proclamation we were either to find Sureties for good Be­haviour, or go to Goal until the next Assizes: To this purpose was the Sub­france of the Proclamation, as I remem­ber: By this means we were hunted for, and sought out at our Meetings by wicked Men, who were glad of such an opportunity; and this gladded the Hearts of the Wicked, and made the Hearts of the Righteous sad for a time; but the Lord comforted, and made His meet together with boldness (although some few did faint) and with boldness we were carried before the Magistrates, and could not Obey their Commands, nor own that we were of Evil Behaviour, by entering into Bonds for the Good Behaviour, and to take the Oaths, and so break the Commands of Christ Jesus, who saith, Swear not at all, Mat. 5. And so we were sent to Prison to York-Castle: There were committed upon that account, between four and five Hundred, and some of us, I and others, were continued a Quarter of a Year's time or more; but the Lord cleared or more; but the Lord cleared our Innocency, and they set us at Li­berty in the Lord's time, therefore it is good to trust in Him.

Presently after this, the King consent­ed to that Act of Parliament, which they made against us; That was to this purpose, That if we, to wit, the People called Quakers, did meet together, upon pre­tence of Worshipping of God, to or above the number of Five, we were to be apprehended, and be proceeded against for the same, by Fines and Banishment. But this dismayed not many, although many (for meeting together to wait upon the Lord, as for­merly, in obedience him) were Appre­hended, and Fined; and some, as I have heard, in London, where their Cruetly was grear, were haled forth of their Meetings, and cut by rude and wicked Persons; and one died of Wounds that he received; others, by Magistrates, were Sentenced to Banishment; but the Lord disappointed them. But as for me, I was not cast into Prison upon that Ac­count, but was called before the Magi­strates: But herein was and is may Com­fort, that I did not see that I neglected my Duty in meeting amongst the Lord's People, for fear of Man. And after a time, the Rulers they forbore pursuing that Act, and we had our Meetings much quieter than could have been expected; and Truth did [Page 134]spead; and Desires in People, after the know­ledge of the Way of God, encreased; and the Lord God gladded the Hearts of his People, by letting them see now, by this Power, the Wicked were chained. And then the Bishops, they set them­selves by their Power, to terrifie the Lord's Host, the Followers of the Lamb; but prevailed not, (Praised be the Lord) but the Lord's Mercies were multiplied upon his People, both Inward and Outward.

After this, it pleased the Lord (for the Trial of this People, and that his Power might be ma­nifest) to suffer the Powers of the Earth in the following Year, to make another Act against our Meetings, more strict and cruel than the former; the Substance whereof was to this purpose, (to wit) That if we, namely, those People called Quakers, should, after the first Day of July, 1664. meet together above the number of Five, under a pretence of Worshipping God; we should for the first Offence, according to the pleasure of them in Commission for Justices of the Peace, pay a Sum of Money, under Five Pounds, or suffer a time of Imprisonment, not exceeding Three Months; for the Second Offence the Pre­nalty was doubled; and for the Third Offence, they were either to pay One Hundred Pounds, or to be Banished into some of the King's Fo­reign Plantations; and if they within Seven Years time should return without Liberty, then to be proceeded against as Felons: And the like Pe­natly they were to undergo, in whose Houses or Grounds such Meetings were kept. But Praised be the Lord, all this prevailed not, nor terrified the Lord's People; neither durst they neglect their Duty: For even the First Day of the Week, after this Act took place, at my outward Being, [Page 135]where there might be above a Hundred Friends of Truth, and others, there was no Molestation from without. But upon the 8th Day of the Month following, I being with several other Friends, met together in Sherif-Hutton, for to wait upon the Lord; the sence of God's Goodness to me and his People being upon my Spirit, and I being kneeled down, and expressing the same, as the Spirit gave utterance: There rushed in one rude Man, with some Soldiers, who haled me forth; and that Man, with the Constable, had me before one Sir Thomas Gowre, who was a Parliament Man, and in Com­mission to do Justice; who asked me, If I spoke any words amongst the People? Or to that pur­pose. My answer was, as is afore expressed. And after I expressed the same, he said, That was a Transgression of the Act. My Wife stand­ing by, and hearing him say so, thought in her Mind, (as she said since) If that were a Trans­gression of the Act, for me to express the Sence of God's Goodness upon my Spirit, she was well content, that I should suffer for it; or to this effect things passed. So the next Day, he and George Mountain, being in Commission for to do Justice, by their Warrant, commited me, and a Friend, named John Hicks, (at whose House the Meeting was) to Prison to York-Castle, for the space of Eleven Weeks and Five Days.

The Cruelties of Men were much seen, in pur­suing this Act, in several parts of the Nation, espe­cially in and about London, Sentencing many for Banishment, and Banishing some; but they were much restrained of what might be intended; for that Summer, that many might have been sent away, there was Wars by Sea, and the Pestilence very hot about London; which I believe did, as the Lord saw it good, put a great stop to them [Page 136]in sending many away, who were Sentenced for Banishment; although many of our dear Friends in that common Calamity the Lord took away by Death, that all might be humbled, as as shown me at that time, when I was Prisoner the Se­cond time upon that Act in York-Castle,, which was thus occastioned: I being at a Meeting of Friends of Truth, namely those People called Quakers, at Bishop-Wilton, in the East-Riding of Yorkshire, upon the 14th Day of the 3d Month, 1665. the Consta­bles came with a Warrant, and there with took us, (our Meeting being, as they said, an Unlawful Meeting) and the next Day had us before Tobias Jenkins and Liebard Robinson, in Commission to have done Justice, who committed me, and nine­teen other Friends, to Prison for three Months. In all these things the Lord's Support was much seen, by those that Feared Him; and the Prosecu­tors of the Act, who thought to have wearied us, grew weary in many places; and Meetings became very quiet for some time; and Truth prevailed exceedingly: Blessed be Lord for ever, whose work it was to Strengthen His, and to give them Courage and Comfort every way.