Truth exalted, in a short, but sure testimony against all those religions, faiths, and vvorships that have been formed and followed in the darkness of apostacy ... by William Penn the Younger ...

Truth exalted, in a short, but sure testimony against all those religions, faiths, and vvorships that have been formed and followed in the darkness of apostacy ... by William Penn the Younger ...

Table of contents

Title page

TO Princes, Prieſts, and People.

TO Princes, Prieſts, and People.

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JEHOVAH, the everlaſting Power, that ſpans out the Heavens with his ſpan, and meaſures the Waters in the hollow of his hand, before whom all Nations, Tongues and People, are leſs than the drop to the Ocean, or the Sand to the Sea ſhoar; who ſaid, Let all things be, and they were, and by the ſame Word of his Might, preſerves them to this very day, is Holy, Merciful, and Juſt; and, as the moſt excellent part of the whole Creation, made he Man, the Image of himſelf, by inveſting him with that Righteous Principle, and innocent Life, which gave him Dominion and Authority over all his works, allowing him to eat of every Tree, ſaving that of Good and Evil, of which if he did eat, he ſhould certainly die. Happy had it been for Adam and his Poſterity, had he obeyed Gods Commands; but tranſgreſſion by diſobedience getting entrance, he ſoon died to his Innocent State, in which God created him, and became alive in the Dominion ſin had over him, being now as one without Law, in whoſe fallen State all Nations have been, and are, (let their Profeſſions ſeem never ſo great, and their Sacrifices never ſo many) that live in the diſobedient Nature, and ſo ſtrangers to that Immortality and life Eternal, the firſt Adam became dead and darkened to by his tranſgreſſion, and which the ſecond Adam raiſes to the knowledge and poſſeſſion of, by the power of his quickning [Page] Spirit; yet where the Devil (that ſubtile Serpent) hath not totally extinguiſhed the notion of a God, and the neceſſity of his being worſhipped, it has been rather his intereſt than diſ-ſervice, to put the ſelfiſh part of the Creature upon ſacrificing, wickedly inſinuating that none can be freed from ſin, and that the performing of Rites, Duties, and Ceremonies, is all God requires, and what is neceſſary to procure acceptance with him. Thus 'twas that murthering Cain became a Sacrificer, whoſe Sacrifice God rejected, becauſe offered in the fallen unrighteous and accurſed Nature. Such alſo were thoſe Generations who drew near to God with their Lips, and to whom he ſaid of old, What ſignifies the multitudes of your Sacrifices? I am full of burnt Offerings, bring no more vain Oblations; Incenſe is an abomination unto me; the new Moons, and Sabbath; Iſa. 1. 13, 14, 15, 16 the calling of the Aſſemblies I cannot away with, it is iniquity; even the ſolemn Meetings I am weary to bear them; and when you ſpread forth your hands, I will bide mine eyes; yea, when you make many prayers, I will not he [...] them; yo [...]r hands are full of blood: waſh you, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings, &c.

Therefore, O ye Princes, Prieſts, and People, the ſollid, neceſſary, and weighty Queſtion I have to ask you all in the dread & fear of the everlaſting, Holy, Lord God Almighty, (by whoſe eternal Spirit the ſence of your preſent State and Condition I perfectly have received) is this. What Nature, what Heart, what Spirit, and what ground is it in wch your Religions, Faiths, Works, Words and Worſhips ſtand and grow? Is it the Divine, not the fallen Nature? It is the broken, not the ſtony Heart? Is it the Contrite not the formal Spirit? Is it the Goſpel increaſing good, not old Adams corrupt thorney Ground? For this [Page] know, that no performances but by clean hands and a pure heart, from whence evil doings are put away, can give acceptance with the pure God.

Come, anſwer me firſt, you Papiſts, whoſe Popes for many hundred years have ſat exalted in the hearts of Nations, (God's Temple) above all that is called God: What Scripture ever made a Pope, or gave authority to any one to lord it over the Conſciences of others, ſince Chriſt enjoyns that Chriſtians ſhould be Brethren? And by what warrantable Tradition can be make, diſpoſe, and depoſe Civil Empires? Whence came your Creeds but from factious and corrupted Councils, dyed in the blood of thoſe who refus'd conformity? What Scriptures of the Holy Prophets, and Apoſtles, or any Tradition for the firſt three hundred years, mention a Maſs-Book, ſpeak of Peter's Chair, and a ſucceſſive Infallibility, or that ſay a Wafer is corporially the fleſh, blood and bones, which ſuffer'd without Jeruſalem? And where did they adore Images, conſume many thouſands and millions in building, carving and painting outward Temples, after Jeruſalems (the Type) was deſtroyed, whilſt thouſands of poor Families languiſhed through extream poverty? When did they enjoyn Baby-Baptiſm, Churching of Women, Marrying by Prieſts, Holy Water to frighten the Devil, hollowing of Bells to ſcare evil ſpirits, making and worſhipping of Croſſes, erecting of Altars? And where did they command Bowings, inſtitute Muſicks, appoint Holy Dayes, Canonize Saints, chaffer and merchandize about Indulgences, pray for the Dead, preach or write for a Purgatory? And what Book or Chapter in the Old or New Teſtament, mentions the degrees of Popes, Cardinals, Arch-Biſhops, Deans, Prebeuds, Jeſuites, Franciſcans, Dominicans, [Page] Urſelines, Capuchines, Benedictines, with other ſuch like lazy Nuns and Fryars, for the edification of Chriſts Church? But above all, when and where did they authorize or indulge your Cruel, Perſecuting, Whipping, Racking, Inquiſition, Murdering Spirit? Whoſe Popes, Faith, Church-Government, and whole Religion, were founded, and are maintained by inhumane bloodſhed, as your own Hiſtories plainly manifeſt▪—Who gave life to theſe things but the Devil, who was a murderer from the beginning?

Thus have you Papiſts, through many Generations, received for Doctrine the Precepts of Men, Mat. 15. 9 who for much ſpeaking, and ſacrificing of your own Inventions, expect to be heard, whilſt in the luſtful, wanton, ignorant, and killing Nature, which has been alwayes ſhedding the precious blood of thoſe whom God in every Age raiſed to teſtifie againſt your Superſtitions & will-Worſhips; Therefore WOES from God Almighty to that Romiſh Whore, who has corrupted the Nations,Rev. 17. 3, 4, 5. Chap. 18. 6, 8. and ſits upon a Scarlet coloured Beaſt full of names of Blaſphemy, drunk with the blood of Saints, and Martyrs of Jeſus; the hour of her deſolation is nigh, and in the Cup which ſhe hath filled, ſhall it be fil'd unto her double; for ſtrong is the Lord God of Hoſts who judgeth her.

Come now, you that are called Proteſtants, however denominated or diſtinguiſhed, who profeſs the Scriptures for the Rule of Life and Doctrine, ſtand your Tryal by them; and firſt thoſe who are called Epiſcopalians, who date your Religion from the Martyrs: that thoſe who firſt proteſted againſt the darkneſs and groſs Idolatry of the Popiſh Antichriſt, were directed thereto, and ſupported therein, by the mighty Power of God, is not denyed; [Page] and that the Seals of blood they ſet to recommend their Teſtimonies to poſterity, are with us in high eſteem, I openly affirm and declare; But that you of the Church of England have any more to do with them (who now perſecute us) than had the Jews and Phariſees with Abraham, Moſes, Acts 7. 52, 59. and the Prophets, who crucified the Lord of Life, is as poſitively diſowned: for as they were out of the Life and Spirit of thoſe Holy Men, (though building and garniſhing their Sepulchres, and making great profeſſion with their words) inſomuch as that they ſlew thoſe whom God ſent in the ſame Spirit to preach a farther Glory, and to diſcover a more excellent way; ſo are you out of the Power and Spirit your fore-Fathers lived and died in, profeſſing their words, but perſecuting the ſame Spirit in others, and crucifying it in your ſelves: No wonder therefore you have made ſo little progreſs ſince the firſt dawning of Reformation, being not yet got out of the Borders of Babylons form, and altogether in her luſtful, proud, perſecuting and wicked Nature: For have not you Proteſtant Princes condemned that in others, which you have and do allow in your ſelves, contrary to your fore-Fathers Proteſtations? Did you not return ſevere Perſecutions, not onely upon the heads of the Roman Catholicks in Queen Elizabeth's time, who eſteemed it Antichriſtian in them; but even your fellow Proteſtants, who through zeal for God declared againſt your back-ſlidings? witneſs her ſeverity, and what followed in the Reigns of James, and the deceaſed Charles, but more particularly the many thouſands now of late that have been club'd, bruiſed, impriſoned, exiled, poiſened to death by ſtinking Dungeons, and ruined in their outward Eſtates, contrary to Laws, Chriſtian or Humane: Therefore well may I [Page] take up the lamentation and reproof that was of old, Ye make men offenders for a word, and lay a ſnare for him that reproveth in the Gate; Ye turn aſide the Juſt for a thing of nought, Iſa. 29. 21 and lay burthens upon the backs of the Righteous, whilſt evil doers paſs unpuniſhed; Amos 3. 10. You ſtore up violence in your Pallaces, Jer. 23. 17. and many are the oppreſſed that are amongſt you? Yet do not your Prieſts propheſie ſmooth things, Ezek. 13. 19, 20. that ſew Pillows under your Arms, and cry Peace? who provoke you to ſlay thoſe, Iſa. 56. 10, 11. by executing cruel acts that ſhould not die and preach ſafety to them that ſhould not live, like greedy Dogs, Shepherds that cannot underſtand, they all look for gain from their Quarters; Mic. 3. 5, 6, 11. they teach for hire, they divine for money, and You all judge for rewards; for all which abominations God is departed; Viſion is ceaſed, the Sun is gone down over you, and your day is turned into thick darkneſs; Therefore it is you deny the neceſſity as well as the preſent enjoyment of Revelation to any, though without it,Joh. 17. 3. as Chriſt ſaith, No man can know God, whom to know is Life Eternal; and place the ground of Divine Knowledge in humane Arts and Sciences, that thereby you may ingroſs a Function to your ſelves, and keep up your Trade of yearly gain upon the poor people; preaching ſin for tearm of life, thereby rendring invalid the glorious Power of the ſecond Adam, and indulging people in tranſgreſſion;1 John 3. 5, 6, 7, 8. Heb. 12. 14. Jer. 23. 32. though be that ſins is of the Devil, and without Holineſs none ſhall ſee God; Miniſters he never ſent, but were commiſſionated by men, void of the Holy Ghoſt, and therefore ye profit not the peoples a badge inſeparable to lying prophets, who run in their own name.

Come and tell me now, ye of the Church of England, that ſay the Scriptures are your Rule, where do they own ſuch Perſecutors, falſe Prophets, Tythmongers, denyers [Page] of Revelation, Oppoſers of Perfection, Men-pleaſers, Time-ſervers, unprofitable Teachers, (witneſs the abominations of the Land) Extollers of humane Learning, as the only way to know God; Admirers of Univerſities, (ſignal places for idleneſs, looſeneſs, prophaneneſs, prodigality, and groſs ignorance;) and where do we find the Prophets, Apoſtles, and Servants of the Lord, to live in worldly pomp, poſſeſs hundreds and thouſands a year, be called Lords of their Brethren, and exerciſe Civil and Spiritual Juriſdiction over the Bodies and Souls of Chriſtians in their dayes? Whence came your Forms of Prayers, and Church-Government, from the Scriptures of Truth, and the practice of the Primitive Chriſtians, or the Maſs-Book, and Popiſh Canons? Where is it that Maſs-Houſes are called Churches? and what preſident do you find for Litanies, Reſponſes, Singing, Queriſters, Organs, Altars, Bowings, Surplices, ſquare Caps, Hoods, Rockets, Fonts, Baby-Baptiſm, Holy Dayes, (as you call them) with much more ſuch like dirty traſh, and foul Superſtition? Are theſe your Scripture Doctrines, and this the Spiritual Worſhip of Holy Jeſus, his Apoſtles, and the Antient Chriſtians? Stand up and anſwer me ye Members of the Church of England; but are they not the off-ſpring of that Idolatrous Popiſh Generation, amounting at beſt to will-Worſhip, which is abominable to the God of Heaven, who is now breaking forth in vengeance, to thunder down and conſume all the fair Buildings, and pleaſant Pictures of Babyloniſh Inventions? Therefore from you may I expect an Anſwer to the Queſtion I ask'd the Romaniſts, In what Nature and Spirit is i [...], O Princes, Prieſts, and People, you hold and profeſs [Page] Religion, and Worſhip towards God? Is it the Divine and Heavenly One which is pure and perfect? Are you Baptized by the Holy Ghoſt, and with Fire; Crucified through the daily Croſs to the World;Act. 19 2, 3, 4, 5. Col. 3. 2. born again, and your affections ſet on things above? But alas poor Souls! are you not at, Have mercy upon us miſerable ſinners, there is no health in us, from ſeven to ſeventy? And as in truth it is, to the ſhame of Religion, and deſtruction of humane Society; How do you abound in evil? Equalizing, if not outſtripping Papiſts & Heathens (againſt whom you proteſt in words) in all kinds of impiety: Therefore woe unto you Proteſtants, Iſa. 15. 11, 22. Amos 6. 3, 4, 5, 6. that are mighty to drink ſtrong drink, that give your Neighbours drink, and put the bottle to them that they may be drunk; that put far away the evil day, and cauſe the ſeat of Violence to come near; that lie upon Beds of Ivory, and ſtretch your ſelves upon your Couches; that eat the fat of the Flock, and drink the ſweet of the Vine; that anoint your ſelves with the chief Ointments; that chant to the ſound of the Viol, and invent to your ſelves Inſtruments of Muſick, but conſider not the afflictions of Joſeph. How ſport you away your precious time, as if ye were born not to die, at leaſt never to be judged? O what Swearing, what Uncleanneſs, what Drunkenneſs, what Prophanation, what Vanity, what Pride, what Expence, what Patching, what Painting, what laſcivious Intrigues, what wanton Appointments, what publick unclean Houſes, what merry Masks, what luſtful inſinuating Treats at your Playes, Parks, Mulberry and Spring-Gardens, with whatſoever elſe may pleaſe the luſtful eye, and gratifie the wanton mind? Is not this your caſe and practice, ye Gallants, young and old, Men and Women? And by theſe courſes, have not Debts [Page] ſurprized your Eſtates, Poverty Plenty, Diſeaſes Health, Debauchery Chaſtity? Whole Families ruin'd both in Soul and Body; yea, ſuch a deluge of Intemperance has ſo overwhelmed the Nations, that hard it is to light upon ſobriety and virtue. Well my Friends, when I ruminate on theſe things, my heart affects mine eye, and grief overcomes my Soul for yor ſakes; Repent therefore, O ye Proteſtants, or elſe know that for all theſe things God Almighty will bring you to Judgment; and in the day that his Indignation ſhall be kindled, your Religion of words ſhall fly away,Mat. 7. 21. and your Lord Lord cryings ſhall be rejected, becauſe you were ſtrangers to the Spiritual Nature (though bablers of the Name) of true Chriſtianity, and therefore ſhall ye periſh by the Sword.

Now as for you Separatiſts of divers Names, although I ſhall not diſallow the Zeal that once you had, yet muſt I on God's behalf bear my Teſtimony concerning you; Therefore be it known unto you all, that you are teaching and receiving for Doctrines the Traditions of men, running and ſtriving in your own Spirits, compaſſing your ſelves with the ſparks of your own fire, Iſa. 50. 11. being not yet come to ſtand ſtill and know that Will done on Earth which is done in Heaven; You tell people, Chriſt Jeſus has ſuffered and ſatisfied for ſins paſt, preſent, and to come, and though never ſo corrupt, vile, and polluted in themſelves, yet reconciled to, and juſtified in the ſight of God, by his Perſonal Righteouſneſs imputed unto them, and not from a Work of Grace or Regeneration in the Creature; therefore no wonder at your vehement cries againſt a ſtate of perfect ſeparation from ſin, as being a dangerous Doctrine, who preach acceptation with the Holy God, whilſt in an [Page] unholy ſtate; You generally ſcoff at Revelation as being ceaſt; moſt of you alſo abetting God to have ordained a Remnant abſolutely to Salvation, & conſequently making ſin as well as torment unavoidably neceſſary to the major part; whereby the Glorious God of Mercy is repreſented more infamouſly unjuſt than the worſt of men; Doctrines of Devils indeed, and grounds of all looſeneſs and Ranteriſm; and tho pleaders, & fighters for Liberty of Conſcience when oppreſt; the greateſt Oppreſſors, when in power, not minding the end of Gods loving kindneſs: but becauſe of your wanton neglect, is your day darkned, and your Sun ſet, and grovelling you are in beggarly Elements, imitations and ſhadows of the Heavenly good things, relating to the diſpenſation of the ſecond Covenant, hoping by your many duties to be heard, and find acceptance, whilſt very ſtrangers to the covering of Gods Spirit, and ignorant of him (whom to know is life Eternal) from the Revelation of his Eternal Spirit, and Operation of his Mighty Power, but from the conceivings and apprehenſions of other men, and Books well reputed, whereby Gods Grace and Light have loſt their Office of leading and teaching: and thus true Counſel becomes darkned, the Fountain ſhut, the Book ſealed, and you in this ſtate ſtrangers unto God, ſo that you periſh for want of ſound knowledge; for I declare and teſtifie on the behalf of Gods everlaſting Way to Life, and againſt you all, that you are yet in the mans ſpirit, which works not Gods Will and Righteouſneſs, being found helpers of the mighty againſt that pure and unchangeable Principle of Light, Grace and Life, in which God only did, does, and will reveal and manifeſt himſelf unto the Sons and Daughters [Page] of men, for which cauſe you are yet in your ups and downs,Gen. 12. 3. Gal. 3. 8 toſſed to and from, not knowing the Rock of Ages, and Foundation of many Generations, which is that only Holy Seed, wherein the Duties and Performances of all Nations only can be bleſſed, and from whence proceeds that Pure, Righteous, and Immortal Birth, to whom is the promiſe of an everlaſting Inheritance, but are ſticking in your own imaginations, and patching out a peace unto your ſelves from your Duties, Performances, and the imitations of weak times and ſeaſons in ſome periſhing Obſervations, that no way relate to the Nature of the Pure, Rom. 14 19. Mat. 11 23, 24. Spiritual and Internal Kingdom of Peace, Righteouſneſs and Joy in the Holy Ghoſt; Therefore well may I ſay, as once of old, Wee unto thee Capernaum, which art exalted unto Heaven; for if the mighty works that have been done in thee, had been done in Tyre, Sidon, or Sodom, they would have repented in Duſt and Aſhes, and would have remained unto this day. Wherefore O ye zealous Profeſſors, who in the Spirit of a man are ſtriving to comprehend the Myſtery of God,Joh. 1. 9. unleſs ye repent and believe in that Light wherewith Chriſt hath enlightned every man, that you may obtain to the true diſcerning of the Spirit and Nature in which you live and worſhip, that ſo you may come to witneſs the Work and Will of God, It ſhall be more tollerable for them in the day that God ſhall judge the ſecrets of men by Jeſus Chriſt; Rev. 3. 9. God will make them of the Synagogue of Sathan, who ſay, they are Chriſtians, and are not.

Therefore unto you Princes, Prieſts, and People, whether Papiſts or Proteſtants, or any other ſeparated way, that are in your Idolatry, Superſtition, Carnal Ordinances, and will-Worſhip; whoſe Faith in, and fear towards [Page] God, are grounded on other mens apprehenſions, perſwaſions and precepts, and not from the teaching of God's Holy Spirit or Grace; to you all am I conſtrained to ſound forth & proclaim, That unto us, the moſt deſpiſed, afflicted and forſaken by all the Families of the Earth, is a Child born, unto us a Son is given; We call him Wonderful Counſellor, the Mighty God, the Everlaſting Father, the Prince of Peace; Iſa. 9. 6, 7. c. 49. 6. of the increaſe of whoſe Government there ſhall be no end: this is he the Prophet ſtiles, A Light unto the Gentiles, and for Salvation unto the ends of the Earth; unto whom John Baptiſt bore this certain record,John 1. 7, 8, 9. c. 8. 12. That he was the true Light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the World; who alſo gave this teſtimony of himſelf, That whoſoever followed him ſhould not abide in darkneſs, 1 John 1. 7. but have the Light of Life, and the Blood of Jeſus, (ſaith the Beloved Diſciple) ſhall cleanſe you from all ſin. 1 Cor. 15. 47. John 6. 51, 52, 53 Iſa. 42. 6. This is the ſecond Adam, the quickning Spirit, the Lord from Heaven, the New and Spiritual Man, the Heavenly Bread, the True Vine; the Fleſh and Blood that was given for the Life of the World; the Second Covenant; the Law writ in the Heart and Spirit, Jer. 31. 32, 33, 34. John 14. 6 1 Cor. 1. 20. Ezek. 34. 29. Gen. 3. 15 put in the inward Parts; the way in which the Fool cannot err; the Truth, before deceit was; the Life that's hid in God, eternal in the Heavens, glorified before the World began; the Power, the Wiſdom, the Righteouſneſs of God; the Plant of Renown; the Royal Seed that bruiſeth the Serpents Head; in ſhort, That Grace which hath appeared unto all men, Tit. 2. 11, 12. teaching them to deny ungodlineſs and worldly luſts, and to live Godlikely, and ſoberly in this preſent World. He ſtands at the Door of every Heart, and knocks, if by any means he may be heard and have admittance, whereby God's Promiſe may be fulfill'd, That God will dwell with [Page]Men; and my Teſtimony is, That a Remnant have obey'd this Heavenly Voice, and now walk in this pure Light in which God Almighty is known to tabernacle with them:Rev. 21 3. Therefore in the fear of God Eternal do I cry aloud unto you all, who are wandering in the by-paths of mens Inventions, Traditions and Precepts, to empty your hearts and minds of thoſe unprofitable Gueſts, that better entertainment than a Manger may be had to receive this Lord of Glory;Deut. 18 18, 19, 20. Jer. 17. 10. John 4. 29. The mighty Prophet all muſt hear or die, who ſearcheth the Heart, tryeth the Reins, and is able to tell you all that ever you did:—This is the Quakers Chriſt, and Son of the Living God, whom we are not aſhamed to confeſs before Men, as that Glorious Light, which ſince we have believed and walked in, according to our diſtinct meaſures, we have not onely received a perfect diſcovery of all the will-Worſhips, Pollutions, and vain Faſhions, or Cuſtoms that have been brought forth by, and ſtands in, the dark, luſtful, and apoſtatiz'd nature; but as we have continued in a holy watchfulneſs, to obſerve and obey its Righteous Dictates; Gods mighty Power we have, and do experience to ſubdue and redeem therefrom;Heb. 9. 14. ch. 10. 22. yea, that Spiritual Blood is ſenſibly felt to ſprinkle and cleanſe the Conſcience from dead works.

And to you all muſt I declare, That by no other way did I ever receive the knowledge of the leaſt evil, or ability to conquer it, than in this univerſal Light, who is given for a Captain and a Leader out of all the by-paths and petty perſwaſions of men, through judgment that purifies, and the Red Sea of Troubles, Tryals, and Afflictions, unto the Reſt which is pure and undefiled; This is Gods beloved Son, hear ye him; For I proclaim, another way there [Page] is not to eternal Life and Peace, than this everlaſting Goſpel which now is preached; for the time is come that the Angel of his Preſence is flying through the midſt of Heaven, having this antient Goſpel to preach to them that dwell upon the Earth, and are in their Earthly Nature, Wiſdom, and Worſhips, Crying with a loud Voice, Fear God, and give glory to him, for the hour of his Judgment is come: Rev. 14 6, 7. Therefore away away with all your own wayes, works and Worſhips that are grounded upon mens Command, and fallible apprehenſions, whoſe breath is in their noſtrils; and no more do homage according to ſuch preſcriptions, but fear and dread the living Lord God of Heaven and Earth; For if the Righteous ſcarcely be ſaved, where ſhall the ungodly and ſinner appear? 1 Pet. 4 18. But woe, anguiſh, tribulation and ſorrow ſhall come upon every Soul that remains in ſin.

Therefore be warned ye dark and Idolatrous Papiſts, ye ſuperſtitious and looſe Proteſtants, yea zealous, yet carnal Profeſſors, to come out of all your own Wayes, Works, Worſhips, Nature, Spirit and Practice; In ſilence and fear to wait in this glorious Light which God Almighty has diſplayed, and raiſed us contemned Quakers to walk in, and teſtifie of, in theſe laſt Ages; that by believing therein, and circumſpectly adhering thereto, you may come to experience the riſing of that eternal Power which overcomes and removes tranſgreſſion, that hath ſo long ſeparated between you and your God, hereby ſhall you receive ſound Judgment and Heavenly Wiſdom;—This will not deſtroy, but fulfil the Spriptures of Truth, and ſo ſhall you know the Baptiſm that's from above, and eat the Heavenly Bread, and drink the Spiritual Wine at [Page] Chriſts Table, in his Kingdom, which the Saints of old ſaw the coming of before they taſted of death;Luk 17 20, 21. For the Kingdom of God is within;—Here all old things, Covevenant, Signs, Ordinances, and whatever periſheth with the uſing, ſhall be done away; and the everlaſting unchangeable Subſtance witneſſed; and no more ſhall you profeſs Religion, or perform Worſhip from the imagining and tranſgreſſing nature, but from a certain ſence of Gods own Operation; ſo ſhall your Faith ſtand in that Power the Gates of Hell can never prevail againſt: For this I once more am neceſſitated to declare, by vi [...]ue of the ſound knowledge given me of God, that whilſt you are fulfilling the luſts of the fleſh, and walking after your own will and imaginations, you are altogether ſtrangers to the yoak, to the daily Croſs, and ſelf-denying life, but are yet the corrupt Ground, and evil Tree, which bring forth evil Fruits,Job. 4. 8 Gal. 6. 7, 8. Thorns, Briars, and ſowr Grapes; Be ye undeceived, God will not be mocked; ſuch as you ſow, ſuch ſhall you reap:—

Wherefore I intreat, adviſe, and warn you all, before the day of your viſitation be ſhut up, in the eternal withdrawings of God's Love, and revelation of his dreadful endleſs Vengeance, O ye Idolatrous, Superſtitious, Carnal, Proud, Wanton, Unclean, Mocking and Perſecuting Princes, Prieſts and People, to repent; Return, return, believe and obey this Light, which manifeſts and reproves all your evil deeds, that in it you may know your Redemption from the captivity of ſin effectually wrought. O tremble and quake with the Prophet Habakkuk, Hab. 3. 16. you who ſcoff at Quakers, that you may all reſt in the day of trouble.

[Page] But if you ſhall ſtill go on to rebel againſt the reproofs and inſtructions of this Holy Light, and deſpiſe and perſecute the Children of it; be it known to you all, that before the brightneſs of its Glory ſhall your ſhadows vaniſh, your imitations fly away, your beggerly Elements melt, and you die in your ſins.

Nor ſhall we be ſollicitous what your intentions are concerning us, well knowing him in whom we have believed, to be much greater in us than he that is in the World, 2 Tim. 1, 12. 1 John 4. 4. who in love hath call'd us out of it, and we doubt not will by his everlaſting Arm of ſtrength defend and preſerve us over all oppoſition, and by us exalt his Name, Truth, and Salvation unto the ends of the Earth.

Therefore let the Winds of Imagination blow, the ſtorms of Perſecution beat, and the Sea of raging malice foam;Hab. 3. 17, 18. Yea, though the Fig-tree ſhall not bloſſom, neither Fruit be in the Vine; though the labour of the Olive fail, and the Fields yeeld not their meat; though the Flock be cut off from the Fold, and there be no Herd in the Stalls; though Nations ſhould combine againſt us, and multitudes aſſemble themſelves to our overthrow;—Yet, be it reported to the Nations, and let it be told unto the people, that we ſhall ſtill confide and rejoyce in that everlaſting Holy God Almighty, Lord of Hoſts, and King of Saints, who hath gathered us; and therefore is by us over all Things in Heaven, and things on Earth, bleſt and renown'd for ever.

THE END.

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§

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Truth Exalted; IN A ſhort, but ſure, Teſtimony againſt all thoſe Religions, Faiths, and VVorſhips that have been formed and followed in the darkneſs of Apoſtacy.—And for that Glorious Light which is now riſen, and ſhines forth in the Life and Doctrine of the deſpiſed Quakers, as the alone good old way of Life and Salvation.

Preſented to Princes, Prieſts, and People, that they may repent, believe, and obey.

BY WILLIAM PENN the Younger, whom Divine Love conſtrains in a holy contempt to trample on Egypts glory, not fearing the Kings wrath, having beheld the Magiſty of him who is Inviſible.

London, Printed in the Year, 1668.

Information about this book

Title statement

Truth exalted, in a short, but sure testimony against all those religions, faiths, and vvorships that have been formed and followed in the darkness of apostacy ... by William Penn the Younger ...

Penn, William, 1644-1718.

Edition statement

1668

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Text Creation Partnership,

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Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2005-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A54235

ID [STC]

Wing P1389

ID [STC]

ESTC R23056

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

12747367

ID [OCLC]

ocm 12747367

ID [VID]

93286

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Early English books online.

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A54235)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 93286)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 797:36)

Source

— Truth exalted, in a short, but sure testimony against all those religions, faiths, and vvorships that have been formed and followed in the darkness of apostacy ... by William Penn the Younger ..., Penn, William, 1644-1718..

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18 p.

[s.n.],. London :: 1668.. (Marginal notes.) (This item can be found separately at reel 797:36 and together with Wing C56 and P1301 at reel 376:17.) (Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.)

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