Ansvvers to severall queries put forth to the despised people called Quakers, by Philip Bennett, who cals himself a minister of Christ, but is found a deceiver; answered by them to whom they were directed. Also, ansvvers to severall other subtil queries put forth by one Iohn Reeve, who lives in the City of London, who cals himself the last messenger and witnesse unto the true God, but is found a false witnesse, and a lyar, and a perverter of the right way of God. / Answered by Edward Burrough, and Francis Howgill, who are witnesses unto the truth against this subtil serpent-like generation.

ANSVVERS TO SEVERALL QUERIES Put forth to the deſpiſed people called QUAKERS, by Philip Bennett, who cals himſelf a Miniſter of Chriſt, but is found a Deceiver; Anſwered by them to whom they were directed.

ALSO, ANSVVERS To Severall other ſubtil QVERIES Put forth by one Iohn Reeve, who lives in the City of LONDON, who cals himſelf the laſt Meſſenger and witneſſe unto the true God, but is found a falſe witneſſe, and a lyar, and a perverter of the right way of God.

Anſwered by Edward Burrough, and Francis Howgill, who are Witneſſes unto the Truth againſt this ſubtil ſerpentlike generation.

London, Printed for Giles Calvert, at the black-ſpread-Eagle, at 〈…〉

ANSWERS to ſeverall QUERIES put forth to the diepiſed People called Quakers.

We having received a Paper which was directed to Rich. Roper, and to his quaking friend, which words comes from the dark carnall mind, quaking and trembling, which the Saints and holy men of God witneſſed, we own and witneſſe; therefore do we deny thee and all thy dark Divinations.

WHereas thou Philip Benett, in thy Note which thou haſt writen to Roper, in Anſwer to a Letter which he wrote to thee, wherein he charges thee to be a Lyar, and a falſe accuſer, and charges thee to bring any man to witneſſe what thou haſt ſpoken by them, whom, thou ſayes, denyed that Chriſt that dyed at Jeruſalem, and who they were that denyed that Chriſt that ſuffered at Jeruſalem, or elſe acknowledge thy ſelf to be a ſlanderer, and in thy Paper, thou gives no Anſwer at all to theſe words, but ſayes, thou called the Congregation to witneſſe, but doth not mention one in all the Congregation that will witneſſe it, whereupon the lye reſts upon thy head, and thou found to be the lyar, and the ſlanderer, and the falſe accuſer.

And whereas thou ſayes, thou haſt ſent Queries concerning that matter, thy Queries makes thee manifeſt what thou art, many of thy own Tribe and generation, if they ſaw thy Queries, would be aſhamed both of thee and of thy Queries; for hundereds there are in the world that knowes nothing of the true and living God, and yet would ſee thee and thy Queries not to be worth anſwering, yet leſt thou ſhould boaſt in thy filthy ignorance and darkneſſe, and for clearing of the Truth to the ſimple: Something in anſwer to them.

1 Quer. Whether was the VVord made fleſh, or the Son of God made of a Woman more or oftner then once?

Anſw. In this firſt Querie thou haſt manifeſted what thou art to all the children of Light, and where thou art, and what Spirit thou art of, a reprobate, a child of darkneſſe thou art; thou might have ſpared the other nineteen Queries, for in this Querie thy ſpirit is tryed, and in the eternall Light ſeen and known: Thou askes whether the Word was made fleſh any more or oftner then once, which makes it plainly manifeſt, that thou knowes not what thou askes, and that thou doſt not know nor cannot witneſſe the Word to be made fleſh once, but art one of the Antichriſts and deceivers which John ſpeakes of, that are entered into the world, which cannot confeſſe Jeſus Chriſt come in the fleſh, and therefore thou queries whether the Word was made fleſh any more or oftner than once, which Querie comes from thy dark polluted minde, who is out of the Light, and a ſtranger to the life, and without God in the world, amongſt the falſe Prophets, Antichriſts and deceivers which are in the world, and in the Light of Chriſt, which condemnes the world, yea, are all ſeen, known, and made manifeſt, and are turned away from by theſe who dwell in the Light, which Light condemnes thee and all thy generation eternally; and the Word made fleſh we witneſſe which dwells amongſt us, and we behold his glory as the glory of the only begotten of the Father, according to the Scripture, whereby we witneſſe thee and all thy generation to be in the ſorcery, and in the witchcraft, deceiving and betraying the ſouls of the ſimple, the Light of Chriſt in thy conſcience will tell thee ſo, for that thou muſt be obedient to, and witneſſe before thou witneſſe the Word to be made fleſh once, for thou art darkneſſe it ſelf, and the light in thy conſcience, if thou would let it riſe, will be thy condemnation, and when thou can witneſſe the Word to be made fleſh once, then thou wilt know whether the Son of God was made of a Woman any more or oftner than once: But thou art the Dragon that would devour the Manchild which the Woman hath brought forth, who ſhall rule all Nations with a rod of iron, and her child is caught up to God and to his Throne, thou, the Dragon, and thy Angels is caſt out into the earth; and therefore doſt thou perſecute the Woman which hath brought forth the Manchild, but thou art overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of his Teſtimony; and for thy other nineteen Queries, thou haſt conjured them up in thy black Art out of the bottomleſſe pit, which is to be turned into perdition, if thou had an ear thou might hear, or an eye thou might read, but thou art blind.

2 Quer. Whether did the Man Chriſt Jeſus the Son of God, ſlain, (in reſpect of Gods Decree and Efficacie of his death) from the foundation of the world really and indeed ſuffer death or diſſolution of ſoul and body, as upon the Croſſe at Jeruſalem, more or oftner than once.

Anſw. Here in this Querie thou Diviner is found adding to the Scripture thy divinations of thy own brain, whereupon the plagues of God is to be added unto thee, and poured upon thee, for as thou ſayes, the Man Chriſt Jeſus the Lamb of God, ſlain (in reſpect of Gods Decree and efficacie of his Death) from the foundation of the world. Oh thou lyar, let all people ſee where there is ſuch a Scripture that ſpeakes as thou ſpeakes here, but in the ſight of Chriſt thou art ſeen, and in the life comprehended, and art for condemnation. The man Chriſt Jeſus we own and witneſs, and the Lambs book of life, which was ſlain from the foundation of the world we witneſſe, the Lamb of God, which takes away the ſins of the world, we witneſſe according to the Scripture; praiſes, praiſes, eternal praiſes, be to the Lord God for ever, and thee to be the beaſt that makes war with the Lamb we witneſſe, and thou Anti-Chriſt which looks at Chriſts death at Jeruſalem alone, and cannot confeſſe him no otherwiſe but without thee, here thou art but equall with the Pope of Rome, for he confeſſes Chriſt dyed at Jeruſalem as well as thou; ſo let all thy Congregation ſee what they hold up that followes thee.

3 Querie Whether did the man Chriſt ever really and indeed ſuffer in his own perſon, for that end and after that manner which he did once upon the Croſſe at Jeruſalem, before the time, or ſince the time?

Anſw. Here thou full of all ſubtilty hath made manifeſt thy Poiſon and enmity, but with the Light of Chriſt thou art ſeen, and known, and with it condemned for ever; Chriſt Jeſus in his own Perſon doth, and ever did, ſuffer by thee, and ſuch as thou art, and by thy Generation he did ſuffer at Jeruſalem, and doth ſuffer where he is made manifeſt by you, after the ſame manner, and thou blind Phariſee and blaſphemer, would thou have Chriſt to have more ends in ſuffering than one?

4 Quer. Whether was not that death which the man Chriſt ſuffered once, and but once, upon the Croſſe at Jeruſalem ſo ſatisfactory for all the ſins of the Elect, as that the Juſtice of God, did not, doth not ſince require any ſuffering or working upon that account, either from ſinner or from Saint.

Anſ. Here thou Jeſuite art pleading again for a Chriſt farre off thee, according as thy father doth at Rome, That Chriſt that dyed at Jeruſalem did not ſatisfie for thee who art an enemy to him, and doth not abide in his Doctrine, but acts contrary to his Commands, and art under the wo, which he cryed againſt them that were in the ſame ſtops where thou art, and from that wo thou ſhalt never fly; The death of the man Chriſt Jeſus which ſuffered at Jeruſalem we own and witneſſe; the ſame Chriſt that ſuffered at Jeruſalem we witneſſe made manifeſt, and the one God and the one Mediator we witneſſe and know; betwixt God and man, the Man Chriſt Jeſus, according to the Scripture: And here thou lyar art made manifeſt to all thy Congregation to be a lyar, who ſaid amongſt them, that we denyed that Chriſt that died at Jeruſalem, ſo let them all be witneſſes of thy lyes, & let thy mouth be ſtopt thou lyer, who art for the lake; and whereas thou queries whether the juſtice of God be not ſatisfied for the ſins of the Elect, here let2 Tim. 2. 10. Tit. 1. 1. 1 Pet. 1. 2. 1 Pet. 2. 6. 1 Pet. 5. 13. ſhame ſtrike thee in the face, that ever thou ſhould take upon thee to ſpeak to any people, and knowes not the Scripture; where doſt thou read in all the Scripture, that God doth require ſatisfaction for the ſins of the Elect, or laid any thing to their charge, let all people try thee here by the Scripture, and ſee whether thou be not a blind ignorant Sott, who doth not know what the juſtice of God requires, neither from ſinner nor from Saint, Iſa. 42. 1. Iſa. 65. 9. 22. Luk. 18. 7. Rom. 8. 33.

5 Quer. Whether you be reconciled to God by any other obedience, than that particular obedience which Chriſt performed in his own Perſon, and is mentioned in the Scripture, or by any other ſuffering or death, than that which Chriſt once ſuffered upon the Croſſe at Jeruſalem?

Anſ. Silence fleſh: would thou, (who art an enemy to God, and a child of diſobedience, in whom the Prince of the air rules) know how we are reconciled to God, and by what obedience, firſt own the Light in thy conſcience which condemnes thee, and be obedient to that, and then thou ſhalt know by what obedience it is that reconciles to God, for yet thou knowes no obedience, nor the death which Chriſt ſuffered upon the Croſſe, thou doſt not know, but art an enemy to the Croſs of Chriſt, and in the miſtery of iniquity, and in the dark power and man of ſin; what haſt thou to do to talk of obedience, who art reconciled to thy luſt, and ſin reigns in thee, and thou art blind in the broad way that leads to death, as thy fruits makes it manifeſt, who lives in ſtrife and envy.

6 Quer. Whether did not the Man Chriſt ſuffer as a publick Perſon in the Elects ſtead, or in their behalf, and for that end that none who believed in him might dye eternally?

Anſ. There thou blinde guide makes many replyes, but ſtill one and the ſame thing, but thou makes it manifeſt, that thou doſt not know the man Chriſt at all, nor his ſufferings, for death reigns in thee yet, that hath paſſed over all men that askes this Querie; for a publick Perſon Chriſt is not to •• ee, but a miſtery which thou knowes nothing of, and for the redeeming of the Elect from under ſuch mouths as thine, did and doth Chriſt ſuffer; and thoſe that are brought to believe denyes ſuch dumb Idoll ſhepherds as thee, who as yet doth not believe, and therefore ſhall dye eternally.

7 Quer. Whether the ſufferings of Chriſt now in his Saints, be all the ſatisfaction that is made to, or which the juſtice of God looks for, for ſins paſt, preſent and to come?

Anſ. There thou blaſphemer askes thou knowes not wha • ; is not Chriſt the ſame now as ever, and is not the ſufferings of Chriſt ſatisfactory where ever? What wilt thou have to ſatisfie, if the ſufferings of Chriſt do not ſatisfie, let all people take notice what a blaſphemer thou art, or what they can learn of ſuch a one as thee, who knowes neither the juſtice of God, nor the ſufferings of Chriſt in his Saints.

8 Quer. Whether was not that body of Jeſus which conſiſted of fleſh, blood and bone, and which was offered upon the Croſſe at Jeruſalem, the one and onely ſacrifice for ſin God accepted, and to which alone excluſively the Saints before under the Law, and the Saints ſince under the Goſpel, did and do look to be juſtified by, without any other works.

Anſw. Here again thou art replying thy former ſottiſh Queries, which riſes out of thy dark mind, concerning the body of Jeſus, as the devill did about the body of Moſes; let thy mouth be ſtopt here, for the body of Jeſus thou knowes not, nor what it conſiſts on; and the offering of it up thou knowes nothing of, but what thou knowes and heares by the outward Letter, that it was offered up at Jeruſalem; and the ſacrifice for ſin thou knowes not, and thou art none of the Saints, neither under the Law, nor under the Goſpell, but art without in the world, in the broad way, blind leading the blind into the ditch; and for thee the body of Chriſt is no ſatisfaction; and thou Reprobate, what haſt thou to do to talk of believing, for that is the condition of the Saints, they do believe and are juſtified, and their works thou knowes not, thou diſobedient one, upon whom God will render vengeance in flaming fire.

9 Quer. Whether there be not another righteouſneſs by which the Saints are juſtified in the ſight of God, than that which Chriſt works in them and by them?

Anſw. There thou accurſed art made manifeſt, who preaches another Goſpell, and would have another righteouſneſſe than that of Chriſt, here thou beaſt to whom the plagues of God is due, and upon whom his wrath muſt be accompliſhed, here thou haſt made thy ſelf manifeſt, thou who would have another righteouſneſſe than the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, which he works in the Saints and by them, and ſo thou would be juſtified and live in thy ſin, but thou art ſhut out from God for ever; and we witneſſe juſtification by faith, and the juſt ſhall live by his Faith.

10 Quer. Whether doth ſanctification or juſtification in order antecede holineſſe of life or juſtification by faith go before, or whether d • th not God love man, ere man loved God?

Anſw. Here thou dark blinde hypocrite hath ſhut thy ſelf out from the knowledge of God in any meaſure, oh that ever people ſhould be ſo blinde as to look for to learn any thing at ſuch a one as thee but ſin and filthineſſe; and what haſt thou been teaching them all this while, that neither knowes ſanctification nor juſtification yet, but art querying whether goes before, let all people judge if thou be not a teacher of laſciviouſneſſe, ſin and uncleanneſſe, and how dareſt thou mention a holy life, or juſtification by faith? which knowes neither juſtification nor ſanctification. And thee, man, which art Cain, God doth not love nor accept thee nor thy ſacrifice, and for juſtification by faith thou knowes nothing of it, which we own and witneſſe, 〈…〉 doth not love God▪

11 Quer. Whether the juſtice of God be not fully ſatisfied for all the ſins of the Elect, • re Chriſt appear to their ſouls, or holineſſe appear in their lives?

Anſ. Here • hou full of all ſubtil • y a • t comprehended, and with the Light of Chriſt thou art ſeen, and with the life judged and condemned, who would ſay ſin to the charge of the Elect, when the Scripture ſaith, VVho ſhall • ay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? It is God that juſtifieth, who ſhall condemn? The ſoul that ſinneth ſhall die. Thou ſorcerer, doth the Elect of God • in? Shall the Elect dye? To that in thy conſcience I ſpeak?

12 Quer. VVhether the holy lives, or holy works of the Saints be not excluded from the Act of juſtification, from the guilt of ſin?

Anſ. Thou dead beaſt hath made it manifeſt, that thou art a ſtranger from the life of God, and is excluded from the holy life of the Saints and their works, who art que • ying whether this be not excluded from juſtification: Oh that ever thou ſhould open thy mouth, or take upon thee to ſpeak of the Scripture; doth not the Apoſtle ſay, 1 Pet. 1. 18. For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as ſilver and gold, from your vain converſation, but with the precious blood of Chriſt, as of a Lamb without blemiſh and without ſpot, who verily was ordained before the foundation of the world was, but was manifeſt in theſe laſt times for you, who by him do believe in God, that raiſed him up from the dead? Now let all people read this Chapter, and try thee, who knowes nothing of Jeſus Chriſt, but as thou haſt heard of him, that he was crucified at Ieruſalem, and ſo thou art unredeemed from thy vain converſation, and ſo art not juſtified before God, nor never ſhall be, but thoſe that can witneſſe Redemption by the precious blood of Jeſus Chriſt, as all the Saints of God do, are juſtified; and by the ſame that they are juſtified thou art condemned into the lake for ever.

13 Quer. VVhether is that righteouſneſs which is wrought by the Saints every way anſwerable to the juſtice of God?

Anſ. There again thy blindneſſe is made manifeſt; is there any righteouſneſs but that of Jeſus Chriſt, and is not that every way anſwerable to the juſtice of God▪ but ſuch polluted filthy beaſts as thou would have another righteouſneſſe, as thou▪ ſpeaks plainly in thy ninth Querie, but all thy righteouſneſſe we deny, and the righteouſneſſe of Jeſus Chriſt we own and witneſſe, whoſe righteouſneſſe ſhall be revealed upon thee in flames of fire.

14 Quer. VVhether none be accounted righteous in Gods ſight, in whom there is any corruption, or failing, or who do not fulfill the Law, and anſwer every demand of juſtice?

Anſ. Here thou polluted beaſt hath made it manifeſt what thou haſt been driving at all this while in thy queries, which is, that thou would have corruption and filthines to be accounted righteous in Gods ſight, that ſo thou might lye and wallow in thy ſins & filthineſſe, but Iohn ſaith, that he that commits ſin is of the divell: for the divell ſinneth from the beginning, and for this purpoſe the Son of God was made manifeſt, that he might deſtroy the works of the divell, and thou man of ſin would have it to ſtand, but thoſe that loves God keeps his Commandements, and they are not grievous; and God doth not accept any where there is any failing, or who do not fulfill the Law, and anſwer every demand of juſtice, and he doth reſerve the unjuſt unto the day of judgement to be puniſhed, 2 Pet. 2 9. and chiefly them that walk after the fleſh in the luſt of uncleanneſſe, and there thou art.

15 Quer. VVhether a ſoul be justified before God by the non-imputation of ſin, and the imputation of the righteouſneſs of the Perſon of Chriſt to his Faith, or by a righteouſneſs wrought by Chriſt in the Perſon justified or to be justified.

Anſ. Here ſtop thy mouth thou ſorcerer, which art gathering up here a heap of confuſion, which is fit for nothing but to be turned with thee into the bottomleſſe pit, from whence it comes, wherein thou talkes of imputation and non-imputation, and of a perſon juſtified, and to be juſtified; thy language is of Aegyt, and in the myſtery of iniquity, thou ſpeaks it, which is condemned into the lake of perdition by the Light of Chriſt, and in the light thou and it art ſeen and comprehended; and as I told thee before, I own no righteouſneſſe but what is of Chriſt, and wrought by thee, which Righteouſneſſe ſhall confound thee and all thy unrighteouſneſſe and conjuration, and the ſame that juſtifies us ſhall condemn thee eternally.

16 Quer. VVhether Chriſt be in his Saints in reſpect of that nature wherein he ſuffered at Jeruſalem?

Anſ. Here thou enemy of Chriſt would know how the Saints injoy Chriſt here, the Scripture is fulfilled upon thee, the light ſhines in darkneſſe, and darkneſſe comprehends it not, when thou comes to own thy condemnation, the light in thy conſcience it will let thee ſee thy evill deeds, it will lead thee up to Chriſt from whence it comes, and then thou wilt know that nature that he ſuffered in; but now thou art in that nature that Iudas was in that betrayed him, and that they were in that crucified him.

17 Quer. How, and after what manner Christ, who in reſpect of his Divine nature is infinite and in all places, may be ſaid to be in a Saint, and not in Reprobate?

Anſ. What haſt thou to do to Qu • rie after the Divine Nature, who art the naturall man, that knowes nothing of God, but what thou knowes naturally as a bruite beaſt, and knowes not the things that be of God, becauſe they are ſpiritually diſcerned▪ and the manner of Chriſts Divine nature, which is infinite, is hid from thy eyes, for of that eye that thou ſhould ſee that with thou art blinde, and the manner of his being in a Saint thou knowes not, who art a Reprobate, and thou ſhalt find him to be thine eternall condemnation.

18 Quer. VVhether doth Chriſt now in theſe dayes aſsume or take upon him the form of a ſervant, and the ſeed of Abraham, that is our fleſh: And whether doth not this aſſumption cauſe ſuch a perfection of the Godhead and the Manhood, as that both of them are united together into one perſon?

Anſ. O thou dark beaſt and conjurer, who art querying with thy conjured words, that which thou knowes nothing of, and which is out of thy reach and comprehenſion; thou blaſphemer, doſt thou limit Chriſt to dayes, in taking upon him the form of a Servant, and the ſeed of Abraham? Is not he the ſame now as ever he was? And for the union of the God-head and Manhood, as thou calls it, let thy mouth be ſtopt, for with thee God nor none of his children hath any union, for God ha • h put an utter enmity, betwixt thy ſeed, thou ſerpent, and the ſeed of the woman, and the perfect union with Chriſt we witneſſe, who is the ſame to day, yeſterday and for ever, and therefore are we ſeparate from thee and thy generation.

19 Quer. VVhether is Chriſt now converſant upon earth, amongſt men, ſince his aſcenſion, as he was before, and in thoſe times wherein the Apoſtles lived?

Anſ. In thy Queries thy ſpeech bewrayes thee, thy language is the language of Aegypt, for in it thou makes it clearly manifeſt, that thou knowes not Chriſt at all, not in the leaſt meaſure, for where the firſt Principle of Truth is made manifeſt, it is the ſame that ever was, and never changes; and thou askes whether Chriſt be now converſant upon earth amongſt men ſince his Aſcenſion, as he was in the Apoſtles time▪ Doſt thou know what thou askes? Did he not appear to the Apoſtles ſince his Aſcenſion, in the moſt glorious manner that ever thou read; and is he not the ſame now as he was then? What would thou make of him, thou dark ſottiſh beaſt) ſuch a one as thy ſelf, who would be pleading for darkneſſe and ignorance of God, but praiſe and glory to him who hath diſcovered thee and all ſuch deceivvers as thou art.

20 Quer. VVhether did not Chriſt dwell among his Saints, after another and more viſible manner than now he dwels in his Saints?

Anſ. There again thou haſt ſhewed thy ignorance of the Scripture, and for thy word viſible, he is not, nor never was viſible to thee, nor to thy generation, for thoſe that did profeſſe the Scriptures, as thou and thy Generation doth, crucified him, and ſaid he was of the devill, as thou, and ſuch as thou art doth now; thou blaſphemer, where haſt thou a Scripture that ſaith, that Chriſt would dwell in his Saints after another manner? Did he not ſay, It is expedient for you that I go away, and I go and prepare a place for you, and I will come again and receive you unto my ſelf, that where I am there you may be alſo; and ye have heard how I have ſaid I go away and come again unto you, and if ye loved me, ye would rejoice, becauſe I go unto the Father; and Chriſt Jeſus ſaith in the 14. Iohn 12. Verily, verily I ſay unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do, he ſhall do alſo, and greater works than theſe, becauſe I go to the Father: But all theſe Scriptures is hid from thy eyes, and thou art one of thoſe that Iſaiah Propheſied on; and that Scripture is fulfilled on thee which ſaith, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart, that they ſhould not ſee with their eyes, nor underſtand with their hearts: Now bleſſed be the Lord that hath diſcovered thee, and ſuch blind guides as thou art. So we have Anſwered thy Queries in the eternall Light and life of God, and we have given judgement upon thee and them, which thou ſhalt eternally witneſſe, without roving or wandring, but thou who art out of the Light art roving, and wandring and ſtumbling in darkneſſe, who hath put forth theſe ſtumbling▪ Queries, which we have Anſwered lovingly and plainly, and in the Scripture Language and Termes, and with the eternall Light and Life of God, ſet thee in thy own place, which thou ſhalt eternally witneſſe.

Theſe are matters of great concernment, and if you refuſe to anſwer them in writing, ſpare your tongues and ſpare your Papers, for I will henceforth neither hear the one, nor read the other.

Anſ. Thou ſaith, theſe are matters of great concernment; We ſee that that which makes thee manifeſt, and ſuch as thou art, and which layes thee open to poor ignorant people, which is deceived by thee and led into the ditch, and their ſouls kept in death by thee, to make this manifeſt is of great concernment, as theſe dark black ſtumbling Queries, and thy conjured words hath done▪ which thou haſt no Scripture for, as ambiguity, efficacy, excluſively, antecede, and non-imputation, aſſume, and aſſumption: Now let all people read and conſider what they do that holds ſuch as thee up, who is ſhut out from God, and ſhut out from the Saints life and language, and art ſhut out of the Scriptures, though thou makes a trade of them for mony, and deceives poor people, but thou knowes nothing of the life and power that gave them forth; So thou art to be condemned with the Light, and with the Life which gave forth the Scripture. Let all people read Deuteronomie 18. from the 9. verſe to the 15. There the Prieſts and the Levites which was ordained of God; was to have no inheritance among the people, but the Lord was their Inheritance, and they were to have it of that which was offered up to the Lord, and this is a figure of the everlaſting Prieſthood, which miniſters out of the everlaſting Treaſure; and the Lord God commanded Iſrael, that not to do as they did when they came into the land, nor to go after their abominations, as you may ſee, but gave Iſrael their land to poſſeſſe, that did hearken unto ſuch as the Lord had not ſent, which was abomination to him, and the Lord ſaith to Iſrael, Thou ſhalt be perfect with the Lord thy God, and in the 15. verſe the Lord thy God will raiſe unto thee a Prophet from the midſt of thee, of thy Brethren like unto me, unto him ſhall ye hearken; And ſo to the end of the Chapter, he that hath an eye may ſee, and the Lord is the ſame that he was, and he will not ſuffer the abominations that is committed in this Land, but is diſcovering the abomination of it; A horrible and a filthy thing is committed, which Ieremiah cryed againſt, covetous men preach, drunkards preach, ſwearers preach, lyars preach, ſtrikers preach, and proud men preach: Oh, wonderfull, where is your eyes? Try your Prieſts by the Scriptures, ſee if they be not found in the ſame Generation that all the falſe Prophets and the deceivers were in which the true Prophets of God cryed againſt, and diſcovered, and in the ſteps of the Scribes and Phariſees, that Chriſt cryed w • againſt; and ſee if they be not the Antichriſts and the Deceivers which are entered into the world, which Iohn ſpeaks of, which cannot confeſſe Chriſt come in the fleſh; but tranſgreſſeth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Chriſt, ſo hath not God, neither knowes him; but preaches for ſin, and againſt perfection, and denyes the Light which enlightens every one that comes into the world, and ſo keeps people in blindneſſe and ignorance, and out of the knowledge of God, and never any that followes them ſhall ever come to the knowledge of the true and living God, therefore all people ſee where you are, and minde the light in your conſciences, which is pure, and which teſtifieth againſt all ſin, and it will let you ſee all your blinde guides which deceives you, to be in ſin, and ignorant of God; for they deny that which ſhould make him manifeſt, therefore beware what you hold up, and give over going after them, to that in your conſciences I ſpeak, which ſhall witneſſe me eternally to ſpeak the truth, if you obey it, and ſhall condemn you eternally, if you diſobey it.

Theſe blind guides that are in this Land, denies the Prophets which Moſes wrote of, which is the ſubſtance of the Prieſthood, which was before, and here they are found in the ſame generation, in the ſorcery and in the witchcraft, which the Lord commanded ſhould be put out of the land, where the children of Iſrael went to poſſeſſe.

Anſwers to ſeveral other ſubtil Queries put forth by one Iohn Reeve who lives in the City of LONDON, who cals himſelf the laſt Meſſenger and Witneſſe unto the true God, but is found a lyar, and a perverter of the right way of GOD.

A Certain Writing is come to our hand, called an Epiſtle from the Mighty JEHOVAH, or Jeſus the onely LORD, and God of the Elect Iſraelites, from one, whoſe name is ſubſcribed Iohn Reeve Pilgrim, who cals himſelf the laſt Meſſenger, and Witneſſe unto the true God, unto which, for the ſake of the ſimple, we, (as one Spirit) are moved of the Lord of heaven and earth to write ſomething in anſwer, that ſo his folly may be made manifeſt, and his ignorance and blaſphemy laid open, unto the ſimple hearted, who have been long deceived by ſuch through their falſe voice, lo here, and lo there; Friend, to thee, who hath ſubſcribed this Writing, who cals thy ſelf the laſt Meſſenger, and witneſſe unto the true God, I Anſwer, The Lord of hoſts, and God of the Elect Iſraelites, doth not accept thy teſtimony and witneſſe; for thy ſpirit is made manifeſt not to be the Spirit which came from God, and which dwels with God, which bears true witneſſe unto God, but the ſpirit which is driven out from the preſence of God into the creation, and into the viſible world, and that is the living ſpirit, and bears not true witneſſe unto the true God, but is a ſpirit which beares witneſſe to the imaginations of thy own heart, which looks upon, and declares the living God, as if he were carnall, and a creature-like ſubſtance; and here the Scripture is fulfilled upon thee, thou thinks he is altogether ſuch a one as thy ſelf; and for the true God thou art no Meſſenger, nor haſt received any Meſſage from him, for thy ſpirit is known, and he never delivered his Meſſage unto it in any generation, but kept his ſecret ſealed up from it; and friend, here I charge thee in the preſence of the true ſpiritual God, that thou be-lies the Lord of hoſts, who ſayes thy Epiſtle is from him, thou uſes thy tongue, and ſaith, the Lord ſaith, When, ſaith the Lord? I have not ſpoken unto thee; & of that generation thou art which Ieremiah cryed againſt; and therefore let all fleſh be ſilent before the Lord, and call not thy own imaginations his Word, but thou who haſt a dream, tell thy dream for a dream, and he that hath the Word of the Lord, let him ſpeak it faithfully; and though thou call thy ſelf the laſt Meſſenger, and witneſſe unto the true God, yet I ſay unto thee, verily the Lord hath a Witneſs which was before thee, which hath been ſlain in the ſtreets of the great City, which the Lord will bring forth after thee, which will bear true witneſſe of the true God, & againſt thee, and thou who haſt been alive, ſhall be judged by him which hath laid ſlain, & he will eternally condemn thy teſtimony and meſſage; Friend in the light of Chriſt, which hath lightened every one that comes into the world, thou art comprehended, and ſeen, thy beginning, thy time, and thy end, and with it thy teſtimony and Meſſage is denyed, for thy teſtimony is ſuch, and if thou ſwear the Lord lives, thou ſwore falſly, and further, thou ſayes, by inſpiration of the holy Spirit thou was moved to preſent this Epiſtle: I anſwer, the language of the holy Spirit is like it ſelf, pure and ſpirituall, but thy language is carnall and ſenſuall, and ſo is thy ſpirit; the Saints which ſpake by the inſpiration and moving of the Spirit, curſed not that which God had bleſſed, as thou doſt, neither did they ſay the Elect was defiled as thou doſt, neither did they ſpeak of God as a carnall ſubſtance, as thou doſt, but ſaid that God was a Spirit, and here be thou a witneſſe againſt thy ſelf, that thou ſpeaks not by the inſpiration and moving of the holy Spirit, but ſpeaks thy imaginations, and lies in the Name of the Lord; and whereas thou ſayeſt in this confuſed age, there hath appeared variety of Spirits pretending to be ſent by the everlaſting God, yet they are at war with all their power to overthrow one another, that their own opinions may bear rule; I anſwer, Among the many pretenders thou ſpeaks of, thou art one; and it is true, you are at war with all your power endeavouring to overthrow one another, that your own opinions may bear rule, and though there be among you variety of opinions, yet by one Spirit you act, for the kingdome of the Devil is but one, and yet divided, and it is at war with it ſelf, and therefore it cannot ſtand, and you cannot overthrow one another, but one is appearing to overthrow you all, and all your opinions, for all you pretenders are made manifeſt by your fruits, and thereby men may try you, for nothing is to be gathered from you but opinions and ayery imaginations, ſome of you ſpeaking of a God, and Chriſt afarre off, to believe in, others of you ſpeaking of a God and of a Chriſt within, and afarre off to believe in, thus you feed people by your own imaginations, and ſome of you pretends Revelation, others of you denying Revelation, and thus you ſtrive to ſet up your own opinion, but you live all in one nature, and are of one generation, and he that walks in the light ſees you all, and comprehends you all, and judges all your opinions, and are redeemed out of all your vain im • dgination into the life of God, acting and ſpeaking as the Spirit acts and ſpeaks, and ſeeks to exalt Chriſt, and him to bear rule, that all opinions may be by him thrown down, and that by him people may be brought out of a confuſed age, into the land of r • ſt, and peace, and righteouſneſſe to ſerve the true Spiritual God, in the Spirit, and by the Spirit of his own Son; and further, thou ſayes, ſome there are takes upon them to ſpeak of a God, and of a Chriſt in the inviſible heavens, above the ſtarres; but are uncapable to demonſtrate how Chriſt by his ſpirituall Word lives in mens hearts, and how he reigneth viſibly in glory with his Elect Angels: I anſwer, there are not ſome but many, which lives in, and ſpeaks forth their own imaginations, upon God and Chriſt, and one of them thou art, thy ſpirit is tryed, God who is a Spirit, dwels in the Spirit of his Son, even in the high and holy place, and with him alſo who is of a contrite Spirit, and trembleth at his Word; but this by thy vulterous eye is not ſeen, neither can any demonſtrate how Chriſt dwels in the heart▪ but he who witneſſeth it through death, and where he reigns his glory is with him, and his Elect Angels, this I witneſſe, but to thy carnall eye it is inviſible, and by thy carnall wiſdome he can never be known, Chriſt and his ſpirituall word is not to be divided, though thy ſenſuall ſpirit would divide them, but by the flaming ſword thou that ſpeaks art divided from both, and ſhalt know neither but to thy condemnation; and further thou ſayeſt, others there are which ſpeaks of an eternall Spirit, or Chriſt onely in the conſciences of men, as if there were no Creator •• Chriſt at all viſibly reigning upon his Throne of immortall glory; I anſwer, They who talke of an eternal Spirit, or Chriſt in the conſcience by hear ſay, o • •• other mens words, without (as thou doſt) and doth not in life and power witneſſe it, from the Father within, made manifeſt, ſuch are denyed by them who witneſſe the eternall Spirit dwelling with the contrite heart, which Spirit is the Creator which dwels alſo in the high and holy place, and reigns upon his Throne for ever, and who do in power witneſſe this, ſees and judges all y • ur carnall imaginations, and conceptions of the living God in your carnall minds, where he dwels ſhall no unclean thing enter, but is without to be troden in the wine-preſſe of his wrath for ever and ever, and by him ſhall thy carnall conceptions be conſumed, even by the breath of his mouth, for he is eternall, and his Throne is eternall, and by the carnall eye ſhall never be ſeen; and further thou ſayeſt, there are, who through unbelief that ever any living creature had a beginning, they affirm there is no God or Chriſt at all, but periſhing nature, of this ſort are innumerable, witneſſe the lives and converſations of people every where; I anſwer, All who do witneſſe the eternall Spirit made manifeſt, to rule and guide all ſuch, doth deny and declare aagainſt, for nothing was without beginning but the eternall Word, which was the beginning of all things, and which will be the end of all things, even the deſtruction of the wicked, and the ſalvation of them that believe, who are born of the immortall ſeed, and redeemed out of the periſhing nature into the image of God, and ſuch do ſet to ſeal there is a God, who will reward every one according to his works, and beares witneſſe againſt them, who in their lives and converſations denies God, as all do who do not witneſſe the eternall Spirit of Chriſt ruling in the conſciences, but talkes of a God in imagination at a diſtance, and ſuch are innumerable, and ſaith in their heart, there is no God, and ſuch are the fools the Scripture ſpeaks of, and whereas thou beſeeches to conſider of theſe enſuing particulars; I anſwer, They are conſidered, and by them thy ignorance is made manifeſt, and thy folly diſcloſed, and thy blaſphemy, who cals thy ſelf the laſt witneſſe.

1 Quer. In thy firſt particular thou queries, Whether theſe men were ſort forth by the eternall Spirit to preach, which in the leaſt cannot demonſtrate what the onely true God is in himſelf; and how he is a distinct being from all living creatures, and how he reigns in the Elect by a created Word, voice of ſpirituall motion onely.

Anſw. Thoſe men were not ſent forth by the eternall Spirit to preach, who have not received it, and ſuch knowes not God, what he is, no • where he is, but in their imaginations imagines him to be like a creature, by being i • a creature by place or habitation, God is a Spirit, and he is not diſtinct from living creatures, for in him living creatures lives, moves, and hath their beings, and he is not far from them, nor diſtinct from them as he ſpake, who was ſent by the eternall Spirit to preach, he reigns in the Elect not by a created word, voice, or a created ſpirituall motion, for the Word which lives in the Elect, from which voice and motion proceeds, is not created, but is uncreated, even as God is uncreated, for God is that Word, and here thy ignorance appears, by calling the Word which lives in the Elect a created Word, or voice, or motions, and here be a witneſſe againſt thy ſelf that thou ſpeaks from darkneſſe, and not from light, which darkneſſe cannot comprehend the ſhining of the light, and this diſcovers thee more to be a falſe witneſſe, and not the true witneſſe of God, and therefore thy portion muſt be portion of falſe witneſſes, read what it is.

2. Quer. In thy ſecond particular thou queries, Is not this an infallible demonſtration to men, that a man is ſent forth by the eternall Spirit, if he have received a gift from the holy Ghoſt, to demonstrate what the true Creator was in his own diſtinct Eſſences, Nature and glory, from all eternity in time, and to all eternity, and wherein Elect men and Angels differ in their natures, and glory, diſtinct from their Creator in their Perſons.

Anſw. He that hath not received a gift from the holy Ghoſt in ſome meaſure, is not ſent forth by the eternall Spirit, or God of all truth, this is infallible, and ſuch knowes not what the Creator is, but by imagination, and carnall conceptions of him, and ſuch in the Light of Chriſt is ſeen, and by it judged, and among ſuch thou art, to that in thy conſcience I ſpeak, which will witneſſe me, he that hath received the holy Ghoſt, turnes people from the power of Satan to the power of God, and knowes the Creator, and the dwelling of him in the heart, for as the Scripture ſaith, the word is nigh, but let all fleſh be ſilent, he who is in time, knowes not him which was before time, and ſhall be when time ſhall be no more; he who knows the Creator which inhabiteth eternity, is redeemed out of time, into the Habitation of the Almighty, but this to thy dark minde and ſpirit is unknown, if ever thou know it, it muſt be through death, the nature and glory of the Elect differs not from the Nature and glory of the Creator, for the Elect are one with the Creator, in his nature enjoying his glory, which was from eternity unto eternity, he that reads let him underſtand, thy word diſtinct Eſſence, I deny, for the Elect is not diſtinct from the Creator, but lives by the dwelling of the Son in him, and with the Son the Father dwels alſo, if thou haſt an ear, thou mayeſt hear.

3 Quer. In thy third particular thou queries, What that angelicall ſerpent was in his creation, which the Scripture ſpeaks of, and how he came to be caſt out of his glory, and how he overcame innocent Eve, and how he entered into her wombe, and changed her pure ſeed into his nature of unclean reaſon? And thou askes, What think you, Was not that man Cain the firſt murdering, lying devill that ever was? And is there any devill but proud, vain-glorions, unmercifull men and women?

Anſ. That ſame which ſpeaks in thee is that ſame ſerpent which the Scripture ſpeaks of, and if thou have the ſpirit of Moſes, thou knowes what he was in the creation; for Moſes ſaw his creation by that ſpirit which was before he was, and if thou know his creation in thy ſelf, then thou may know him without thee, but yet he lies under his vail deceiving thee, and is not deceived by thee; and by the ſame which thou lives in he was caſt out of his glory, even diſobedience, and he overcame inocent Eve even as he overcomes thee, by promiſing what he fulfilled not, and by preſenting that which was viſible, and ſo her minde was led out, as thine is, and by her conſenting, he entered and got power, and ſet up his habitation, which is now ſtanding in thee, and ſo ſhe became the likeneſſe of himſelf, her minde and luſt ſt • ayed into the viſibles, out from the Creator who is inviſible, and ſpirituall, and ſhe now lives under the curſe, and brings forth curſed children, ſuch as thou art who puts forth theſe queries, and this child was begotten by him who deceived her, and he is the father and prince of all you, who are wells without water, clouds without rain, and wandering ſtarres having no habitations in the heavens, the blackneſs of darkneſſe is reſerved unto you for ever, ye who ſpeaks great ſwelling words of vanity (that ye are the laſt witneſſes and Meſſengers, &c.) but you your ſelves are ſervants of corruption, and to the laſt part of thy querie: I anſwer, before Cain who is a lying devill was a child, he was a father, and if thou haſt an ear, thou mayeſt hear, the proud, vain-glorious, unmercifull men and women, who bears his image muſt with him be tormented in the lake which burneth (by the kindling of the breath of the Almighty) for ever and ever; and here thou art anſwered, though not to the feeding of thy wiſdome, but in the light by which thou art comprehended, which light will eternally condemn thee who hates it.

4 Quer. Thou queries What condition Adam was formed in, and how he came to fall from his eſtate, and what ſin it was they committed (Adam and Eve) and whereby the Elect and Reprobate are defiled.

Anſ. Adam was created in the image of God, and God breathed into him the breath of life, and he became a living ſoul, but eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evill, therein he turned from the Command of God and did dye, if thou haſt an ear thou mayeſt hear, and thou that queries haſt eaten of that tree, and thou ſhalt never know in what condition he was created in, but through the death: for a ſword is ſet at Edens gate to keep the tree of life, which will cut thee down, before ever thou know or can witneſſe his eſtate, and as for the Elect being defiled, here thou makeſt thy ſelf manifeſt, that thou never knew what the Elect was, for the Elect is born of God, and he that is born of God ſins not, and the promiſes of God are to the Elect, and election obtains it, and the Elect was never defiled: if thou haſt an ear thou mayeſt hear, that which is defiled ſhall not enter into the holy City, and here thou haſt manifeſt thy ignorance, and art that reprobate thou ſpeaks, which is ordained of old for condemnation, which is the tranſgreſſer which is caſt out, thou haſt no communion with the Elect, for thou art defiled and art without the gate, to be trodden in the wine-preſſe.

5 Quer. What that heavenly glory is, and where it is that the Elect wheat of Chriſt ſhall eternally enjoy, who are the ſeed of Adam, and not of Cain?

Anſw. What that glory which the Elect which thou ſpoke of in thy fourth querie ſhal inherit which was and is defiled, it is to be in hell, in utter darkneſſe for ever and ever, where all the unclean are, and thou would know where it is, it is without the gate of the City, among the dogs and whoremongers, and lyars, and deceivers, and whatſoever is defiled ſhall be trodden in the wine-preſſe of the wrath of God for ever and ever, where is weeping, wailing, and gnaſhing of teeth. But as for the Elect wheat of Chriſt, which thou ſayeſt is the children of Adam, thou ſpeakeſt thou knowes not what, the firſt man is of the earth earthly, and he begate his image, and that which is earthly ſhall never inherit, but are to have their portion with Cain, where thou art that hath uncovered thy nakedneſſe, but the Elect and the wheat ſhall be gathered into the barn, and they are not, nor ever were they defiled, but ſhall reign with the Lamb in the new Jeruſalem for ever and ever, where no unclean thing can enter, nor nothing that deſtroyes or defiles in that holy mountain of the Lord, if thou have an ear thou may hear.

6 Quer. VVhat that painfull and ſhamefull death in utter darkneſſe, and where it is, that is reſerved for the reprobate, who are the ſeed of Cain, and not of Adam, or bleſſed Abr • ham.

Anſw. Thou that queries ſhalt ſurely know, it is Tophet, prepared of old even for the King, the burning of it is as fire, the breath of the Lord doth kindle it, it ſhall be deſtruction for ever and ever, to that which hath given forth theſe queries, and it is to be ſeparated from God for ever among all idolaters, and adulterers, and liars, the unbelieving, the abominable, and the fearful, in the lake of fire▪ where the worm dieth not, nor the fire goeth not out; as for Adam thou knows nothing of him; the firſt birth that he begate was Cain, who ſlew his brother, who hath his portion with Cain, and not with Abraham, the promiſe was not to the tranſgreſſer, nor to Adam who eat of the tree of knowledge, the promiſe came upon; in the day thou eateſt thou ſhalt dye, he was driven from the preſence of the Lord into the earth in the curſe, the promiſe was to Abraham, in Iſaack is the bleſſing, not in Iſhmael; and here thou ſh • ws thy ignorance, but it is but like the former, when thou joynes the Elect and reprobate together, light and darkneſſe, and in Babylon thou art, but in that which was before Babylon was, thou art ſeen, and as for thoſe dark ſpirits thou • peaks of, who minde nothing but their luſts, condemning the glorious things of eternity, becauſe their carnall reaſon cannot comprehend them: ſee at home, for in the light of Chriſt thou art ſeen, that thou knowes nothing of eternity, but by thy dark imaginations, and naturally as a bruite, to the light of Chriſt in thy conſcience I ſpeak, which will let thee ſee it is ſo.

7 Quer. Are there not deceived perſons, and utterly ignorant of the true God, who judge men and women in darkneſſe, if they a • k them Queſtions about the needfull things of eternity: is it not becauſe they went before they were ſent, and ſo are of a bitter ſpirit for want of ſpirituall light to ſatisfie the • ender Chriſtian querier.

Anſ. All who dwell not in this light, which is pure and eternall, are ignorant of God, and never knew God, ſuch judging ſhall be judged, and by the light which ſees and comprehends all darkneſſe thou art ſeen, but the ſpirituall man judgeth all things, and he is judged of none, and all judgement is committed to the Son, and where he i • made manifeſt he ſpeaks, and judgeth righteouſly, and thoſe men and women who would be asking queſtions of eternity, and never came to the firſt principle to be guided by it, the light which leads to eternity, all ſuch men and women are in darkneſſe, and that minde which is in the earth and in the naturals ſhall never know; and therefore they are judged to be in darkneſſe, and darkneſſe cannot comprehend the light, Chriſt and his Diſciples anſwered and judged that ſpirit which would have had a ſign; and called them adulterers, and which ſpirit we witneſſe to the praiſe of God; and to thee that put forth the queries, I ſpeak to thee in the preſence of God, whether thou put them forth in ſimplicity and art ignorant, or would know, or in the pride of thy heart, and ſubtilty to tempt, the light of Chriſt will let thee ſee, but thou art rich and full, therefore thou muſt be ſent empty away, all who queries from that nature that would know, but never come to obedience, that is to be judged, & judgment muſt thou witneſs, and for a bitter ſpirit of envy that ſhall ſtand for thy ſelf, and that thou wants ſpiritual light is made manifeſt, which curſes that which God hath bleſſed, as I have ſeen under thy own hand, far remote from this City, and that thou haſt curſed them ſoul and body to all eternity, which thou never heard nor ſaw, let ſhame ſtrike thee in the face, and ſtop thy mouth, for thou cannot put a difference betwixt the precious and the vile, but curſes thou knows not what, and ſpeaks to that thou knows not: But as for them who have a deſire to know the way to the Father, we are ready to give an anſwer, and to impart of the gift we have received, and doth not break a bruiſed reed, but the fat we f • ed with judgement, and there thou art anſwered.

8 Quer. It is not an infallible demonſtration unto them who have a diſcerning ſpirit, that tha • man hath no commiſſion from the true Spirit to preach or ſpeak to a people, when for fear of his ignorance being diſcovered, or for fear of loſing his hearers, he ſhall counſell them to ſtrike cloſe to the Word of God, or to hearken to the light within them in their conſciences, without what that is in the conſcience, or what will be the iſſue of it, if men be obedient to it, or diſobedient to it: and to beware of falſe Prophets, and not thinking in the leaſt himſelf to be that falſe prophet, and thus borrowing Scripture language which we are the true Meſſengers of the Goſpel, doth he not in his power hinder his hearers from reading the glorious things revealed unto, the two laſt witneſſes, and ſo thou ſaith, it is clear that the Spirit is not in them which was in Paul, who gave them leave to try all.

Anſ. Here thy infallible demonſtration is made manifeſt to be fallible and lying, when thou laies that down to be a ſign of them that have no commiſſion from the Spirit, and not to have the Spirit, becauſe they exhort them to cleave cloſe to the Word of God, and to minde the light which ſhines into the conſcience of every man, which is the light of Chriſt; here thy Spirit is tryed, that thou haſt not the ſame commiſſion as they had, who ſpoke forth the Scripture, and ſo thou Preaches another Goſpel, for the Word of God endures for ever, and by the Word which is eternall, and which was in the beginning, who tryes all things, who ſearches all things, comprehends all things, and judges all things, he that cleaves not cloſe unto, that builds upon another foundation; and by the Word which endures for ever, thou art ſeen, not to have that word, neither knowes what, nor where it is, neither hath cleaved to it, and ſo art raced out from the life, from the foundation, and the Apoſtle who had his Commiſſion not from man, nor by man, he exhorted thoſe he had preached to and wrote to, to take heed to the ſure word of Propheſie, as unto a light that ſhined in a dark place, and to wait in it, till the day did dawn, and the day Star did ariſe; and for diſtinguiſhing of that in the conſcience what it is, he that is not ſeparate from the darkneſſe knows not how to do it. But this I ſay unto thee, as we declare unto all, the Light which ſhines into the conſcience is the light of Chriſt which he hath enlightned every one withall, and it is ſpirituall like himſelf, and eternall, and it leads out of ſin, and declares againſt all iniquity, and he that comes to own it, and to be guided by it, it leads out of ſin to know the Croſſe of Chriſt, which is a Miſtery to thee, and it leads to the eternall Word, which was in the beginning before ſin was, and it will judge all thy imaginations and vain conceivings, and it leads to the inheritance incorruptible out of corruptible; if thou have an ear to hear, thou may hear, it is that which will let thee ſee thy vain frothy imaginations, which thou hath of God, and will condemn all thy vain imaginations, and hating it, it will be thy condemnation, and there is the iſſue of it, and all ſuch as ſteals other mens words, and the true Prophets words, and never knew the life that was in them, all ſuch we deny, and ſhut them up within utter darkneſſe, where they, thou and both are, and for the glorious things that thou and thy partner, which call your ſelves the two laſt witneſſes, it is manifeſt that your myſteries are as in thy book, and thy queries, where thou puts Elect and reprobate together, and as for tryall of ſpirits, we give liberty and exhort all that may try, and we direct them to that to try by, which is is infallible and eternall, whereby they may ſee and comprehend thee and all who have not the Spirit. But that they ſhould try, who hath nothing to try with, let all ſuch be ſilent for ever, for none underſtands the Spirit but the Spirit with which we ſee thee, and all who ſtands in their imaginations ignorant of, therefore ſtop thy mouth in the duſt, and be ſilent.

9 Quer. Doth not they that ſpeak to a people that declares againſt all appearances, which are contrary to his way, diſcover himſelf unto a true diſcerning Spirit, not to be of the Lord, unleſſe they can demonſtrate a ſpirituall Commiſſion that he hath received from heaven, by voice of words through the glorious mouth of the Lord, ſo that no mortall man can diſprove him, though few for want of underſtanding receive him.

Anſ. The way that leads to the Father is but one, which is Chriſt, and he that declares from him, made manifeſt in him, declares againſt all Sects, and Opinions, and that which thou cals appearances, and the way is one, and the Tru • h one, where there is no rent nor diviſion, and he that dwels in the life hath diſcerning, and he that witneſſes the annointing diſcernes, he is able to judge and diſcern, and in that thou art ſeen, who would ſit on the throne, but thou muſt come down and lick the duſt, duſt is the ſerpents meat, and they who had their Commiſſion from God, and hath their Commiſſion from God, now they were made manifeſt to every mans conſcience in the ſight of God, and this we witneſſe, this the Scripture witneſſeth, and he that believes hath the witneſſe in himſelf, and the father bears witneſſe, and they witneſſe the voice of the Lord, which is ſpirituall ſpeaking to them, and they declare from that which is ſpirituall to the conſciences of gainſayers, and this is witneſſed; but thy voice of words is carnal, and is denyed, and who art thou made manifeſt unto, that which is mortal cannot diſcern and diſprove thee, but that which is immortal can, and they who are guided by the immortall denies thee, and will receive none of thy teſtimony, becauſe it is not the ſame which the holy men of God witneſſed, and doth now witneſſe, which voice ſhakes the wilderneſſe, and rents the rocks, and makes the earth to reel to and fro, but to thee this is a myſtery and ſealed.

10 Quer. Again he that ſpeaketh of an inviſible ſpirituall God, or Chriſt living in the conſciences or ſpirit of men, thou ſayeth, he questions the truth of all the Scripture records concerning the life, death, and reſurrection, and aſeenſion of the bleſſed body of Chriſt into the throne of his immortall glory; and d • th he not que •• ion whether the conſciences of the Saints being ſprinkled with the blood of Jeſus, which died without the g •• es of Jeruſalem, are purified from the pollution of the fleſh and Spirit, doth he not queſtion the reſurrection of the ſouls and bodies out of the eat • h at the laſt day.

Anſ. Here again, thou haſt made thy ſha • e and thy ignorance manifeſt and knows not ſo much as the Letter of he Scripture, Paul in Apoſtle of Jeſus Ch • iſt, notby the will of man, and Miniſter of the everlaſting God, he witneſſed the Son of God revealed in him, and he •• i • , kn • w ye 〈…〉 Chriſt • s in you, or elſe you are rep ••• ates, and • h • i • t is no • divided, and he tha • is joyned to the Lord is •• e Spirit, and 〈◊〉 my Father are one, •• d w ••• e Chriſt dwells the Father dwells, and if thou have •• e •• to hear • hou may h ••• , and if the ••• e Spirit be not in you that raiſed Chriſt 〈…〉 he ••• d, you are 〈…〉 , and he that declared theſe things ſpeak of a ſpi • i • ua • l Chriſt, and an invi 〈…〉 God, and who •• all aſcend up to heaven, the word is nigh, in thy mo • t •• and 〈◊〉 heart, and this is the ſame Chriſt that ſuffered without the ga • e at Jeruſalem, and no other wh •• h Paul travelled till he was born in them, if thou have an ear th • u may hear, and the Apoſt •• did not queſtion the Scripture records, for they ſpoke it and recorded it, and th • y witneſſed the life of Chriſt, and his death, and reſu • rection, and a • c • nſion, and witneſſed him aſcended above thrones, and dominions, and to ſit at the right hand of the Father, and witneſſe the ſame Chriſt made manifeſt in us, and his reſurrection, not becauſe Paul ſaid ſo, we have ſeen it, and are witneſſes of it, the ſame that ever was, the ſame that did aſcend, the ſame did aſcend; this is a riddle unto thee, and ſeven ſeals is upon it, and thou that queries ſhall never ſee them opened, and they who had Chriſt in them, and the Father, the Son ſupping with them, they had their conſcience ſprinkled, and none elſe for his bloud thou knows not, and ſo I ſay unto thee, thou art not ſprinkled, nor thy conſcience purified from dead works, and they who know Chriſt in them, and no more after the fleſh come to know his reſurrection, he is the reſurrection, he is the firſt and the laſt, who knows him riſen, and have ſeen him witneſſe the firſt day and the laſt, what ſpeaks thou of a laſt day, that never came to the beginning, and ſo thy ſoul lies in death, and in chains, and in utter darkneſſe and therefore lay thy hand upon thy mouth, and ſee where thou •• t, and the Spirit that gave forth the Scriptures thou cannot witneſſe.

11 Quer. If after death there is no bodily reſurrection, for the ſpirits of men to poſſeſſe an immortall glory to eternity, or to ſuffer an eternall devill like ſhame, according to their deeds, whether good or evill. Is it not one of the vaineſt things in the world▪ to diſcourſe of God, righteouſneſſe, unleſſe it be for earthly gain amongſt men.

Anſ. There is a reſurrection both of the juſt and of the unjuſt, the juſt into everlaſting life, and the unjuſt into everlaſting ſhame and contempt, and every one ſhall receive according to his works, whether they be good or evill, but this a myſtery hid, for none knowes it, but through death, but what knowes thou who art yet alive in ſin, what ſhall be in the reſurrection which is after death, which whoever comes to know the reſurrection, knowes the e • d of all things; therefore it is not taking their words, nor thy own imaginations, that is faith, nor if thou know Chriſt no nearer than Jeruſalem, nor no nearer than above the ſtarres, thou knowes not where, but through thy dark imaginations, this is not to Chriſt riſen from the dead, ſee therefore what haſt thou ſeen in thy ſelf: But thou art dead whiles thou lives in that nature, and at the reſurrection contempt and ſhame will be thy portion, and turn in thy minde to that which ſhews thee ſin, and witneſſe the body and ſin deſtroyed within, and then, and not till then, ſhalt thou know how it is in the reſurrection.

12 Quer. Thou raiſes a queſtion from Pauls words to the Athenians, thou was before condemning them that ſtole other mens words, and here thou haſt ſtolen a Query, and thou askest what think you did that ſpiritual Creator, dwell and live in the Athenians conſciences or did his glorious perſon viſibly appear in the higheſt heavens.

Anſ. The Athenians to whom Paul ſpoke worſhipped the work of their own hands, as • his generation doth their own imaginations, and that God whom ignorantly they worſhipped at a diſtance, which God lived in Pauls conſcience, Paul declared unto them, and they looked as thou doſt carnally, thinking God to be carnal and at a diſtance, but he • aid he, was not at a diſtance from every one of them, for in him they lived, moved, and had their being, and this was the God which Paul preached of, which Creator, we witneſſe, lives in the high and holy place, and with him alſo that is of a humble and a contri • e ſpirit, and trembleth at his Word.

13 Quer. And thou ſayeſt, what think you, can there • e any living Spirit without a body, or perſon to diſplay its life, in, or from, and muſt not the Creator of neceſſity be a glorious perſonall ſubſtance, and thou ſayeſt doth not theſe men that worſhip an in • inite Spirit without any bodily f • rm, living in mens conſciences, onely gl • ry in a God of their own imaginations, inſtead of honouring the onely Lord of all life, the man Jeſus, yeſterday, to day, and for ever?

Anſ. That which is not poſſible with men is poſſible with God, which God is a Spirit as Jeſus Chriſt ſaith, and a ſpirit hath not fleſh and bone, nor a created body, but diſplays it ſelf as it pleaſes, contrary to thy will, and the will of all men; and thou who would by thy reaſon • y the Creator with a neceſſi • y to a perſonal being, are void of the knowledge of God, and led by thy corrupt reaſon, which ſhall never know God, and all thoſe who worſhips God in ſpirit, worſhips an infinite Spirit, which Spirit inhabiteth eternity, and lives in the conſciences of the Saints, and this is not to glory in an imagination, but a witneſſing of the ſame eternall Truth, which he Saints witneſſed which ſpake forth the Scripture, for they witneſſed Chriſt dwel • ed in them, and the ſame God they w • rſhipped, whoſe temple they were, and not another, and we the ſame witneſſe, and this to the honour of the Man Jeſus, who was yeſterday, to day, and for ever.

14 Quer. The eternall Spirit, Creator, and alone everlaſting Father, which dwels eſſentially in the glorified body, as our Lord Jeſus his eternall Son, and virtually reign • in all the Saints, Elect men and Angels, be record between me and you world without •• d, whether this Epiſtle ſhall not be ſent to you, and all the choſen that ſhall peruſe it, principally for the eſtabliſhing of your tender ſpirits upon that eternall ſpirituall Rock Jeſus Chriſt God and Man in one diſtinct body, or perſon glorified, and ••• ly honoured with all ſpirituall praiſes from Elect men and Angels when this world is conſumed into aſhes, and all time or times is ſwallowed up into eternity or eternities.

Anſ. The eternall Spirit, which is the everlaſting Father, which thou ſaith is eſſentially in the Son, thy word eſſentially I deny, and thy voice, yet Chriſt and the Father is one, and the ſame Spirit that dwels in the Son dwels in the Father which is one, I and my Father is one, the ſame dwels in the Saints, thy word virtuall I deny, the ſame that dwels in the Father and in the Son, the ſame dwels in the Saints, not diſtinct nor divided, for he that hath ſeen the Father hath ſeen the Son, and he that hath the Son hath the Father alſo, and Chriſt is divided, I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfect in one, and he that is joyned to Chriſt is one ſpirit, and not diſtinct nor ſeparate: if thou have an ear thou may hear, and that eternall Spirit, which is the Father and the Son, which dwels in the Saints, is judge of thee, and by that Spirit I judge thee, that this Epiſtle came not from him to none of the choſen, for they who are choſen deny thy voice, and what doſt thou ſpeak of Elect and Angels, with whom God dwels, when in thy fourth Querie thou ſaid, they were defiled, and the holy Ghoſt ſaith, he dwels with no uncleanneſſe, and ſo ſpeaks confuſion and Babylons language, which is the land of thy nativity, from whence all theſe things have been ſpoken by thee, and all that ſhall ever be eſtabliſhed with thy declaring, or thy Epiſtles, ſhall be thrown down, for the Rock ſhall beat thy image to pieces, and therefore leave off thy ſpeaking of him, and of thy diſtinct body, and of his glory, for when he ſhall appear in his glory, inſtead of thy praiſes, thou ſhalt howl and lament, and wiſh the mountains to cover thee, and he who is out of time ſhall conſume thee to aſhes, who ſtands in time and in the airie philoſophy and imagination, and thy great words eternity and eternities ſhall ſtand thee in no ſtead; for that which is eternall was before thou was, and ſhall be when thou art brought down to the pit with all thy imaginations: And ſo that thou might not glory any more in thy ſhame, we have anſwered thy Queries, and for the ſimple ones ſake, that they might not be ſtumbled by thy ſtumbling Queries, who dwels not in the Light.

FINIS.