But the profeſſed Teachers of England are not ſo, but they have uſurped a power to take Tythes, and ſet and forced maintenances of 100, 200, or 300 pounds, or as much as they can get by the year; for they not having received freely (as the Miniſters of Chriſt did) but have given a great deal of monies for gaining of their Art, no more can they miniſter freely. And they are more like to Heathens than to Chriſtians, they do not Chriſtian-like. Seek the Kingdom of God and the righteouſneſs of it, Mat. 6.32, 33. Mat. 10.11. in the firſt place, neither do they according to command, Enquire who is worthy: For their firſt and chief thing is, what place, or ſome great fat Parſonage that is vacant, is ſought after, and enquire what the people will give, and ſo make a bargain with them for ſo much by the year, to be paid at ſuch and ſuch times, and they are very loath to preach untill they have their maintenance made ſure unto them, and yet they will tell people to believe in God, and truſt God for food for their ſouls, when they themſelves dare not truſt God for their Bellies; and they make little conſcience who they be that they take wages of, believers or not believers, ſo they can but get it, they care not: and whether they be believers or unbelievers, if they do not put into their mouthes, they preſently go about to compell them by force, which is a ſhame to hear of in a Goſpel Miniſtery, the Miniſters of the Goſpel are aſhamed of ſuch practices, and what ever was received by any of the Goſpel Miniſters, it was freely miniſtred, and was to ſupply their preſent neceſſities, Phil. 4 10. to the 20. and not to ſtore up and ſpend upon their luſts, as thoſe Teachers do. Nay further, in the time of the Law, when Tythes was paid to the Leviticall prieſthood, there was a ſtore houſe, and the people were to bring it freely into the ſtore houſe, and the Prieſts were not to eat alone, Mal. 3.19. Deut. 14.32, 20 the end. 1 John. 10, 17, 18. but the ſtrangers, and fatherleſs, and widows were to come and be filled, that there might not be a Beggar in Iſrael, and the Prieſts were to miniſter freely, a figure of Jeſus Chriſt laying down his body freely, and when any did preach for hire, it was an horrible and a filthy thing, and the Lord ſent his true Prophets to teſtifie againſt ſuch, as in Iſaiahs time he cryed out againſt the Idol Shepheards, that ſought gain from their Quarter, as you may read, Iſai 56.10, 11. His Watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant, they are all dumb Doggs, they cannot bark, ſleeping, lying down, loving to ſlumber; yea they are greedy Doggs, which can never have enough, and they are Shepheards that cannot underſtand, they all look to their own way, every one for gain from his Quarter. And Jeremiah he was againſt the abominations in his time, and againſt the falſe Prophets and Prieſts, Jeremia the fifth chapter, The Prophets ſhall become wind, and the Word is not in them, thus ſhall it be done unto them, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it ſhall devour them; this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart, they are revolted and gone, your iniquities have turned you away, and your ſins hath with h • lden good things from you for among my people are found wicked men, they lay wait as he that ſetteth ſnares, they ſet a trap, they catch men; as a Cage is full of Birds, ſo are their houſes full of deceit, therefore are they become great and waxen rich, they are waxen fat, they ſhi • e; yea, they overpaſs the deeds of the wicked, they judge not the cauſe, the curſe of the fatherleſs, yet they proſper, ſhall I not viſit for theſe things? Shall not my ſoul be avenged on ſuch a Nation as this is? A wonderfull and a horrible thing is committed in the Land, the Prophets propheſie falſly, & the Prieſts bear rule by their means, and the people love to have it ſo, and what will ye do in the end therof? Again, read Ieremiah the 23 chapter, and there you may ſee how the Prophet was troubled becauſe of the pro • haneſſe of the Pri • ſts and Prophets, My heart within me is broken becauſe of the Prophets, all my bones ſhake. I am like a drunken man, &c. So both Prophet and Prieſt are prophane, but read all the Chapter. And Ezekiel the Lords Prophet, he crys • gainſt the falſe ſhepheards in his time, read Ezekiel 34. Chapter, Son of Man, propheſie againſt the ſhepheards of Iſrael, propheſie and ſay unto them, Thus ſaith the L • r • God unto the ſh • pheards of Iſrael that do feed themſelvs ſhould not the ſheepheard feed the flock? Ye eat the fat ye cloath you with the wooll, ye kill them that are fed but ye feed not the flock, &c read the chapter throughout, and there you may ſee the deceits and works of the falſe ſhepheards in thoſe dayes, and the Lords promiſe to gather his ſheep from their mouthes, and feed them himſelf upon the tops of the mountains of Iſrael. And Mica the Prophet of the Lord, who dwelt in the light of the Lord he was againſt the hireling, Prieſts in his time, as you may read in Mica 3 5. to the end of the chapter, Thus ſaith the Lord concerning the Prophets that make my people erre, that bite with their teeth, and cry peace, and he that doth not put into their mouthes, they even prepare warre againſt him, therefore night ſhall be unto you, that ye ſhall not have a viſion, and it ſhall be dark unto you that ye ſhall not divine, and the Sun ſhall go down over the Prophets, and the day ſhall be dark over them, then ſhall the Seers be aſhamed, & the Diviners confounded, yea they ſhal all cover their lips, for there ſhall be no anſwer of God, the heads thereof judge for reward, and the Prieſts thereof teach for hire, and the Prophets thereof divine for money, yet will they lean upon the Lord and ſay, Is not the Lord amongſt us? no evill can come upon us. Therefore ſhall Sion for your ſakes be plowed as a Field, and Ieruſalem ſhall become heaps, and the Mountains of the Houſe as the High places of the Forreſt. And as Troops of Robbers wait for a man, ſo the company of Prieſts murder by the way by conſent, for they commit lewdneſs, Hoſea 69. Read Mal. 2.1, 2, 3, 4, Here you may ſee the teſtimony of the Prophets of God againſt the hirelings and falſe ſhepheards, and greedy Teachers, and thoſe that did not miniſter freely were cryed againſt, and thoſe that did not bring their Tythes into the ſtore-houſe, they robbed God, as you may read Mal. 3 8.10 Will a man rob God, yet ye have robbed me; but ye ſay, Wherein have we robbed thee; in Tythes and Off • rings: Bring ye all the Tythes into the ſtorehouſe, t • a • there may be me • t in mine houſe, and prove me now herewith, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and poure you out a bleſſing, that there ſhall not be room enough to receive it. Now here you may ſee that in the time of the Law, they had a ſtore houſe, and thoſe that did not bring their Tythes thither, it is not ſaid they robbed the Prieſts, but they robbed God. But the Prieſts of England that take Tythes of the peoples, have no ſtorehouſe to put the Tythes in, neither are the Strangers Widows and Fatherleſs fed, but may ſterve for them, or go a begging, ſo they are not according to the law. And I do not read in all the Scriptures of the Goſpel-miniſters teſtimony, that ever any of the believers in Chriſt, did either take Tythes or pay Tythes, much leſs to go to law, and ſue people for any outward maintenance; ſo it is manifeſt, that the Nationall and Pariſh Teachers who take tythes, and ſue thoſe at law which do not (or for conſcience ſake cannot) put into their mouthes, are neither according to law nor Goſpel. And the Miniſters of the Goſpel did teſtifie againſt ſuch as went in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balam, for gifts and rewards, Iude 11 And ſuch falſe Tea hers, who privily ſhall bring in damnable hereſies denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themſelves ſwift deſtruction, & through covetouſneſs ſhal they with feigned word make merchandize of the people, whoſe judgment now of a long time lingreth not, and their damnation ſl • mbreth not, 2 Pet. 2.1, 23. and a Biſhop muſt be blameleſs as the ſteward of God, not ſelf-willed, not ſoon angry, not given to wine, no ſtriker, not given to filthy lucre, Tit. 1.7. And Paul ſpeakes againſt all covetous practices, and all ſelf-ſeeking, and againſt the love of money, And (ſaith he) having food and rayment, let us be therewith content; but they that will be rich fall into temptation and a ſnare, and into many fooliſh and hurtfull luſts, which drown men in deſtruction and perdition, for the love of mony is the root of all evill, which while ſome coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themſelves through with many ſorrows. 1 Tim. 6.8, 9, 10. All theſe Scripture examples that I have here ſet down, doth condemn the ſelf ſeeking Teachers in England and elſwhere, who ſo much mind earthly things, and the love of money, that if they do but hear of the death of any of their fellow prieſts, if their Benefits be larger than theirs, they long to be there, and ſtrive for the place, but if the Benefice be leſs, there is no ſuch ſtriving, and this is manifeſt amongſt moſt of the Prieſts, if they can but get forty pound or threeſcore pound a year more in another place, they will leave their own hearers and go thither, and ſo love money which is the root of all evill, which the man of God was to flye theſe things, and follow after righteouſneſs, godlineſs, faith, love, patience, meekneſs, 1 Tim. 6.11.

Chriſt ſaid unto his Miniſters, Be not ye called of Men Maſter, Matth. 23.8. for ye have but one Maſter even Chriſt, and ye are Brethren, and they did not tranſgreſs, but did obey his commandements, for they were not called by the name of Maſter Peter, nor Maſter Paul, and the like, but Peter a Servant of Ieſus Chriſt, and Paul a Servant of God, an Apoſtle of Ieſus Chriſt, 2 Pet 1.1. Titus 1 1.

But thoſe who are profeſſed Teachers in England, are called of Men Maſter, contrary to Chriſts command and example of his Miniſters, and in this they are contrary to the Miniſters of Chriſt.

The Miniſters of Chriſt did teach the Doctrine of Perfection, and it was the chief thing and the very end for which they were given forth, as you may read Epheſ. 4.10, 11, 12, 13. He that deſcended is the ſame alſo that aſcended up farre above all heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave ſome Apoſtles and ſome Prophets, and ſome Evangeliſts, and ſome Paſtors and Teachers, for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Miniſtery, for the edifying of the body of Criſt, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſs of Chriſt.

And again, read Col. 1.28. where Paul witneſſeth to this, and for which he laboured, and others, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wiſdom, that we may preſent every man perfect in Chriſt Jeſus.

But the Nationall and Pariſh Maſters do deny this doctrine of perfection, and cryes againſt thoſe that preach it as blaſphemers, & they tell the people that none can be perfect in this world, and ſo they have denied the Miniſters work, and their preaching is in vain; for if they do not perfect them here, as the true Miniſters office was, as is plain in Eph. 4. then where will they perfect them, will there be any need of their Miniſtery in Heaven? Surely no, for there ſhall be no need of mens teaching there, but the Lord alone will give them light, Rev. 21.10. to the end. and all ſhal know him from the leaſt to the greateſt, and ſhall walk in his preſence, and rejoyce in his love, and praiſe his holy Name, and worſhip him in the beauty of holineſs for ever and ever.

And many other things there is which they practice, which is contrary to the practice of the holy men of God declared of in Scripture, as their ſinging of Davids conditions in Rime and Meeter, his weeping, Pſal. 6. Pſal. 119, 120. Pſal. 51 1. Pſal. 45.1. Pſal. 66.1. Pſal. 131.1. his wailings, his roarings and cryings, his tremblings and quakings, his prayers, pr • iſes and propheſies, theſe they give to ſimple, ignorant, proud, covetous, and prophane people, and ſ • y they ſing to the praiſe and glory of God, as, O Lord I am not puft in mind, I have no ſcornfull eye, I do not exerciſe my ſelf in things that be too high, and ſuch like, when both Prieſt and people are puft in mind, and have ſcornfull eyes, they can ſcarce look one upon another they are ſo ſcornfull, and they do exerciſe themſelves in things that be 100 high, in medling with the Saints conditions, giving their conſtructions and meanings, and privat interpretations to the Scriptures: and thus they cauſe people to lye in the preſence of the Lord, and ſo they diſhonor God, and when they read the Pſalms, they keep on their hats, and when they ſing them they put off their has, and ſo worſhip the works of their own hands, when the Frieſt hath a Cap or two on his head, and ſo makes a ſeeming ſhew of holineſs and humiliation, when their hearts are full of groſſe hypocriſie and diſſimulation, Ia.m 5.13. Iſal. 35.10. Hoſea 8, 10, Now whereas it is written in the Scripture, If any be afflicted let him pray, if any be merry let him ſing Pſalms: this is owned and witneſſed; but who are thoſe that are merry? truly none but the ranſomed ones of the Lord, who are redeemed from the earth, and from the bondage of corruption, theſe can truly ſing the ſongs of deliverance, and they ſhall return to Sion with joy and ſinging, and everlaſting joy ſh • ll be upon their heads. But the Songs of the wicked ſhal be turned into howling and weeping, therefore take heed how yee take the name of the Lord in vain, and ſing with your vain minds without underſtanding, for the Lord will not hold him guiltleſs that taketh his name in vain, Exod. 20.7. Levit. 19.12.

Likewiſe their ſprinkling Infants, and ca • ling it an Ordinance of Chriſt, whereas neither Chriſt nor any of his Miniſters did practiſe any ſuch thing, therefore I do it deny. Now whereas Chriſt ſaith, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of ſuch is the Kingdom of God; verily I ſay unto you, whoſoever ſhall not receive the kingdom of God as a little Child, he ſhall not enter therein, and he took them up in his arms, put his hands on them and bleſſed them, Mark 10.14, 15, 16, but he did not ſprinkle water on their faces, and ſaid, he baptized them into his Church, but he ſets the child as an example for its innocency, and ſhewes that all muſt become as innocent as little children, for whoſoever doth not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he ſhall not enter therein. But what example is this for any one to ſprinkle wa • er on the innocent childs face, or what advantage is it for a proud, covetous, heady, high minded ſinfull carnall man, to take the innocent little child which is not capable of believing, what can his prayers, or any thing he doth, John 9.31. profit or advantage the innocent child. Read without prejudice, and let that of God in your conſciences judge.

There is one Lord, one Faith, one Baptiſm, and that one Baptiſm I own, which is not the putting away of the filth of the fleſh, but the anſwer of a good conſcience towards God by the reſurrection of Ieſus Chriſt, Eph. 4.5. 1 Pet. 3.21. Gal. 6.15. 1 Cor. 12, 13. Heb. 10 22. 1 Pet. 3. 21 For it is neither dipping or ſprinkling, or not dipping or ſprinkling that avails any thing at all, but a new creature: for that is not the baptiſm which is outward with the water, but baptiſm is that of the Spirit, having the heart ſprinkled from an evil conſcience, & the body waſhed with pure water, and as many as are baptized into Chriſt have put on Chriſt, and in Chriſt all are one, Gal. 3.27.28.

And for their Sacrament which they tell people of, I deny the Scripture knows no ſuch word as Sacrament, but the Supper of the Lord I own and witneſs, which is a ſpirituall eating and drinking of the Body and Blood of Chriſt; whereby we, being many, are one bread and one body; For the cup of Bleſſing which we bleſſe is it not the Communion of the Blood of Chriſt? John 6.56.63 John 8.12. the bread which we break, is it not the Communion of the Body of Chriſt? for we being many, are one bread, and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread; 1 Cor. 10.16. This bread is Ieſus Chriſt the light of the world, as you may read Iohn 6.35 I am the bread of life, I am the living bread that came down from above, he that eateth of this bread ſhall live for ever, and he ſhall not hunger; and they that drink of this cup ſhall never thirſt, but it ſhall be a Well of living water ſpringing up unto eternall life, John 4.14. But I ſay, That the things which the Gentiles ſacrifice, they ſacrifice to Divels, and not to God, and I would not that ye ſhould have fellowſhip with Divels, ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of Divels, ye cannot be partakers of the Lords Table and of the Table of Divels. 1 Cor. 10.21.

Now for a company of profane ſinfull people, as drunkards, ſwearers, lyars, ſcoffers, ſcorners, proud, lofty, John 8.44, 1 John 3 8. John 6.70. highminded ones, Whoremongers, Adultere • s, Covetous cruell oppreſſors, and the like, for theſe to meet, and eat bread & wine, and call it a communion, I do it deny, to be the Communion or Table of the Lord, but the Table of Divels. Likewiſe their ſtanding praying before and after their Sermons, as they call them, and their pulpit, and their taking a Text, as they call it, and add to it the divination of their own brain, and ſpeak forth their conceivings and not the word of God: theſe and all or moſt things that are uſed and practiced by them in the ſteeplehouſe or Idol-Temple, are contrary to the practice of the Miniſters of Chriſt, and they are to be turned away from, for they do not, neither ſhall they profit the people at all, for if they had ſtood in the councell of God, they ſhould have turned the people from the evill of their wayes, but they run and the Lord never ſent them, therefore they ſhal not profit the people at all. Jer. 23.32. Thus I have declared and laid open their deceits and contrary walkings to the holy men of God, and cleared the truth from their lies and ſlanders, and do deny them and all their way of worſhip, John 4.24. Col. 3.16. John 1.3. 1 Cor. 3.3. Phil. 3.3. and do own the worſhip of God in Spirit and Truth, and the Ordinances of God in Spirit, preaching, praying, and ſinging with the Spirit, and with underſtanding, ſinging with grace, and making melody in our hearts to the Lord, and Baptiſm and the Lords Supper, and the Scripture in the life and ſpirituality of them; and the Goſpel of peace and glad tidings, and the word of life and reconciliation, I own and witneſs, which ſeparates from ſin and joyns to the Lord, to be one with him in Sp • rit, where a I the children of God have union, even in the pure Spirit and love of God, and are written in one anothers hearts, not with paper and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, and are taught of God, and worſhip him in Spirit, and rejoyceth in his love and patience for evermore.

Awake, awake, all people, awake to righteouſneſs and ſin not, 1 Cor. 15.34 Eph 5.14. R • m. 13.12. Luke 21, 27, 28. Iſai. 4. chap. 2 Cor 4.6. ariſe from your dead ſleep of carnall ſecurity, put off the works of darkneſs, and put on the armer of light, ſtand up from the d • ad, that Chriſt may give you light. For now is the Lord appearing, and ariſing in his mighty power for the redemption of Sion, and to put an end to ſin and finiſh tranſgreſſion, his day is dawned, and the glorious light of the everlaſting Goſpel is broken forth, and ſhines in the hearts of the Lords people: the Lord is gathering his ſcattered-flock together in this his day, where they have many years been feeding upon the dry husks, and running from mountain to hill, and from hill to mountain all this cloudy dark day. Now is the Lord coming to bring back again that which was driven away, and to ſeek and to ſave that which was loſt, and bring his ſheep into the fold of the the true ſhepheard, where the ſheep ſhall lie down in peace, and feed together in one fold, and the Lord alone will be the Teacher and Feeder of his Flock, and no ravenous beaſt ſhall pluck them out of his hand: for he is the good ſhepheard that will lay down his life for his ſheep, John 10 1 • and will not flye when the Wolfe comes to devour the Lambs, but he doth preſerve them all, and carries his lambs in his arms, and gently leads out all that are with young, all his tender babes he ſeeds with milk, and nouriſhes the tender plants with the water of life, and this is the Lord bringing to paſſe in theſe our days, glory be to his name for evermore, he is fulfilling his promiſes made of old, gathering his people into union and fellowſhip with himſelf, Jer. 23: 5 6, 7.8. Iſai, 55, 3.4. Pſal. 2.1, 2. Acts 13.40, 41 John 15.18, 19. where they ſhall all rejoyce together, and be one in the everlaſting covenant of love and life in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. And this makes the heathen to rage, and the world to wonder at the mighty works of the Lord our God▪ But it is no new thing to be reproached by the world, who knowes not God: For ſaith Chriſt, If ye were of the world, the world would love you, but becauſe I have choſen you out of the world, therefore doth it hate you. While we were of the world we were loved of the world, 1 Pet. 1.14. when we were alive in the old nature, and did partake with them in their wayes of worſhip, and in their vain converſation, being one with them in vanity, and run with them to pleaſures and vain delights, in vain and fooliſh jeſting, and idle and vain talking, our tongues being our own, and our wild natu • e not being tamed, but we could do as they did, and ſpeak our own words, and think our own thoughts, and do our own works, no knowing the Croſſe of Chriſt, nor bearing his yoak, but were at eaſe in the fleſh, and in the carnall liberty, feeding upon periſhing things, and created objects, loving the world and the things of it, and delighting in and loving the Creature more than the Creator. I ſay, when we were in that condition one with the world in moſt things, then were we eſteemed and loved of the world, and they ſpake well of us (if we did not croſſe their wills) but even then (though we could talk of God and Chriſt, and Scriptures) we were ſtrangers from God and Chriſt, Eph. 2.1, 2, 3. Gal. 1.15, 16. and from that pure life that the holy men of God lived in, that ſpake forth Scriptures, but then it pleaſed the Lord to manifeſt himſelf unto us, and revealed his truth within us, our underſtanding was opened by his pure light ſhining within, whereby we ſaw the deceits of the world, and their worſhip, and the hypocrifie and diſſimulation of profeſſors, Prieſts and people, and that their religion was but a ſhew and ſhadow, and meer outſide ſeeming colour, and talk of words and names, Iſai. 29.13. drawing neer to God with their lips, and mouthes, when their hearts were after the things of the world, and there was no life appearing, nor fruits of righteouſneſs from a true ground brought forth, but pride and ſelf-love, and covetouſneſs, every one ſeeking themſelves, and to advance themſelves by fraud and deceit, guile and hypocriſie, yea and all manner of wickedneſs we ſaw acted amongſt them, which did grieve our ſpirits, and w • s a burden to our tender conſciences, and we ſeparated from them, and could not partake with them, neither in their wayes of worſhip (as it is eſtabliſhed) nor in their converſations; but we ſeeing, in the light of the Lord, 2 Cor. 6.1. that they are out of the way, and their worſhip, doctrine and practices are contrary to the pure worſhip of God, and the doctrine and practices of the holy men of God declared of in Scripture, Tir. 1.16. as I have ſhewed before: We ſeeing theſe things, for Sions ſake we cannot hold our peace, but in love to the ſouls of all people, do declare and teſtifie againſt the world and the unrighteouſneſs of it, and againſt the deceits and hypocriſie of the Pariſh Teachers and Hirelings of theſe times, and againſt all the formall and carnall profeſſors, who in words profeſs God, but in works deny him; and for this cauſe are we hated, reviled, reproached, beaten, whipped, ſtocked, ſtoned, and ſent up and down the Countrey as Vagabonds, and abuſed and ſent to priſon, and this is manifeſt at this day in England, the war is begun already betwixt the Beaſt and the Lamb, but the Lamb ſhal get the victory; though all joyn hand in hand againſt the innocent, it ſhall all be in vain, they ſhall not prevail, Rev. 17.14. Mica 4.1, 2. Mat. 5.10, 11, 12. John 16.20, 21. Pſal. 30.35. 2 Pet. 1.19. Rev. 21.23 24 Heb. 11.26. but the Lord over all ſhall be exalted, and his kingdom ſhall be eſtabliſhed in righteouſneſs, and the Mountain of the Houſe of the Lord ſhall be eſtabliſhed in the top of the mountains, and it ſhall be ex • lted above the Hills, and people ſhall flow unto it, and though we now be perſecuted and hated, and troubled on every ſide, yet it ſhall not be long, for the Lord will plead the cauſe of the innocent, and though ſorrow and trouble may endure for a night, yet joy will come in the morning, when the glorious day of the Lord doth dawn within, and the day-ſtar doth ariſe in the heart, then ſhall darkneſs be expelled, and all the children of the Lord ſhall walk in the light of the Lord, and rejoyce in his preſence, and reproaches to us are great riches, for we know it is our portion from the worldly and carnall profeſſors, thoſe who have the name and form of godlineſs, but are not in the life, they are and were ever found perſecuters of the life where ever it did appear. As in the time of Moſes adminiſtration, when the Lord did appear darkly as it were, under types and ſhadowes, Mar. 23.31. John 5.35. John 1.14. and the people for a time were held under that adminiſtration. And in the times of the Prophets more light was diſcovered, and they ſaw through the ſhadows, and declared againſt them, and thoſe who were in the types and ſhadows perſecuted the Prophets. The Law and the Prophets were untill Iohn, and amongſt all that were born of women, there was not a greater than Iohn, for he was a burning and a ſhining light, and this was a greater light than the prophets, yet the leaſt in the kingdom is greater than Iohn. And in the admiſtration of the Goſpel, when the fulneſs of time was come, when Chriſt was manifeſt in the fleſh, who was the end of the Law and the Prophets. Thoſe who had the form of the Law, and the Prophets words, Mat. 26 3.4, Mark 15 15. Col. 1.20.21, 22, 23. they perſecuted Chriſt the life of the Law and the Prophets, as many do now in theſe our days, who have got the words of Chriſt and the Apoſtles, and cryes up names and words, as the Ordinances of Chriſt, and the Church of Chriſt, and the Miniſters of the Goſpel, and notwithſtanding all this, are perſecuting the appearance of Chriſt and his life that is now manifeſt in his people as it was in former times under the Law, thoſe that multiplied their Sacrifices and burnt offerings, but their hearts were far off, and the bond of iniquity was not broken, nor the oppreſſed ſet free, but they lived in their ſins, and ſo were teſtified againſt by the Prophet, as thou mayſt read, Iſaia chapter 1. The Ox knoweth his Owner, and the Aſſe his maſters Crib, but Iſrael doth not know, my people doth not conſider, a ſinfull Nation, a people laden with iniquity, a ſeed of evill doers, children that are corrupters, they have forſaken the Lord, they have provoked the holy one of Iſrael to anger, they have gone away backward: The whole head is ſick, and the whole heart faint, from the ſole of the foot even unto the head, there is no ſoundneſs in it, but wounds & bruiſes, and putrifying ſoars, they have not bin cloſed, neither bound up, neither mollified with oyntment. To what purpoſe is the multitude of your ſacrifices unto me, ſaith the Lord, I am full of the burnt offerings of Rams, and the fat of fed beaſts, and I delight not in the blood of Bullocks or of Lambs, or of he Goats, when you come before me, who hath required this at your hands? Bring no more vain Oblations, Incenſe is an abomination unto me, the New Moon; and Sabbaths, the calling of Aſſemblies, I cannot away with, it is iniquity even the ſolemn meeting: your New Moons and your appointed Feaſts my ſoul hateth, they are a trouble to me, I am weary to hear them, and when you ſpread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you, when yee make many prayers I will not hear, your hands are full of blood, waſh ye make you clean, put away the evill of your doings from before mine eyes, ceaſe to do evill, learn to do well, ſeek judgement, relieve the oppreſſed, judge the Fatherleſs, and plead for the Widow, &c.

Now you people of all ſorts, who makes a profeſſion of God, and call together Aſſemblies, examine your ſelves truly, and ſee if you be not in the condition of thoſe whom the prophet cryes againſt: Mat 7.22, 23. Are you not revolted from the Lord? Are you not a ſinfull people, laden with iniquity, a ſeed of ev • ll doers? Have not you provoked the Lord to anger by your unrighteous walking? Are not you corrupted with ſin from the ſole of the foot even to the head? Can you deny theſe things? Nay, I have heard ſome of you confeſſe this in words. Then to what purpoſe is your Sabbaths and your ſolemn meetings, as your calling of Aſſemblies, your dayes of humiliation, as you call them, and your Lecture dayes, and your long prayers, who hath required theſe things at your hands? It is all burdenſom to the Lord, and he cannot away with it; it is in quity, even your ſolemn meetings, and your prayers are abomination, and the Lord will not hear them, for your hands are full of blood, you are full of envy. Mat. 23 14. Deut. 32.29. Iſal. 47.7, 8, 9 Luke 11.49. Oh when will yee lay theſe things to heart, and conſider and depart from iniquity, and relieve the oppreſſed, and undo the heavy burdens, and plead the cauſe of the innocent, and not ſend to priſon nor perſecute the his innocent ſervants: It is not your ſaying Lord, Lord, nor your hypocriticall prayers, nor outſide holineſſe that will avail you, nor cover your nakedneſs in the day of the Lord; therefore ceaſe from your ſin and your ungodlineſs, and learn the wayes of righteouſneſs, that your ſouls may live, Iſaiah 55.1, 2, 3.

Again, read Iſaiah 66.1, 2, 3. There you may ſee how the Prophet declared againſt the Temple, and the Sacrifices, which were outward, Thus ſaith the Lord, Heaven is my Throne, and the Earth is my Footſtool, where is the Houſe that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my reſt? &c. He that kitleth an Ox is as if he ſlew a Man, he that ſacrificeth a Lamb, as if he cut off a Dogs neck, he that offereth an Oblation as if he offered Swines blood, he that burneth Incenſe as if he bleſſed an Idoll; yea, they have choſen their own wayes, and their ſoul delighteth in their abominations. Conſider and let this judge you, who have forſaken the wayes of the Lord, and have choſen your own wayes, and delights in your abominations, Mat. 15.8, 9, the Lord wall plead with you. And Jeremiah cryed againſt thoſe that truſted in lying words, that lived in oppreſſion and ſin. Thus ſaith the Lord of Hoſts the God of Iſrael, Amend your lives and your doings, and I will cauſe you to dwell in this, Truſt yee not in lying words, ſaying, The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord are theſe: For if ye throughly amend your wayes and your doings, if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his Neighbour, if ye oppreſs not the ſtranger, the Fatherleſs and the widow, and ſhed not innocent blood, then will I cauſe you to dwell in this place, Jer. 7.3, 4, 5, 6, 1 Cor. 1.14. 1 Cor, 1.30. Mat. 7.12. 7. Let this judge you all that truſt in lying words, crying the Church of Chriſt, and the Ordinance of Chriſt, and the Miniſtery of the Goſpel, and ſo makes a great noiſe and talk of words, for theſe things are not known to you while you live in the old nature; but if yee throughly amend your wayes, and put off the Old man with his deeds, and put on the New man Chriſt-Jeſus, then ſhall the Church of Chriſt be known, and all the ordinances of Chriſt lived in, in the life and power of them, but not while you live in ſin.

And again, Mica. 66.7, 8. the Prophet Mica he ſaw through the Figures, and ſaw the upright and juſt life which the Lord required, as you may read in Mica 6.6, 7, 8. Wherewith ſhall I come before the Lord, and bow my ſelf before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with Calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleaſed with thouſands of Rams, or with ten thouſand of Rivers of Oyl? Shall I give my firſt born for my tranſgreſſion, the fruit of my body for the ſin of my ſoul? He hath ſhewed thee, O man, what is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do juſtly, and love mercy, and towalk humbly with thy God. Theſe examples. I bring, that you may ſee how the Lord did ſend his Servants and Prophets to cry againſt deceit and hypocriſie, and againſt thoſe that made a profeſſion, but were out of the life and poſſeſſion. And thoſe whom the Lord thus ſent, they were hated by thoſe whom they declared againſt in the time of their teſtimony: And afterward another generation comes, and cryes up their words, as the Prophets in the time of their propheſie, they were hated, but after their death another generation gets their words, but ſtill perſecuteth alike. And this was manifeſt in the dayes of Chriſt, Heb. 8.1. when he was manifeſt in the Fleſh, who was the ſubſtance of Moſes Types, and the end and life of the Prophets; he was hated by the Jewes, Chief Prieſts, Scribes and Phariſees, who had gotten the words, and painted themſelves with Moſes and the Prophets words, and cryed up the Prophets, building their Tombs, and garniſhing the Sepulchers of the Righteous, and condemned their forefathers for killing of the prophets; and yet theſe were them that crucified the Son of God, Matth. 12.2. who was the life and ſubſtance of thoſe things which they upheld, which were outward and typicall, but though they made a fair ſhew and large profeſſion, and were zealous for their Sabbath, and ſtrict in their obſervations, yet they lived in their ſins, and Chriſt ſaw their hypocriſie, and cryes wo unto them, as you may read Matth. 23. Wo unto you Scribes and Phariſies hypocrites, for ye make clean the outſide of the Cup and of the Platter, but within they are full of extorſion and exceſſe. Thou blind Phariſee, cleanſe firſt that which is wihin the Cup and Platter, that the outſide may be clean alſo.

Wo unto you Scribes and Phariſees hypocrites, for ye are like unto whited Sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, Mat. 26.3, 4. & 27, 26 Acts 2.41. Acts 7.48, 49. to the end. but are within full of dead mens bones and all uncleaneſs: Even ſo ye alſo outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocriſie and iniquity.

Wo unto you Scribes and Phariſees hypocrites, becauſe ye build the Tombs of the Prophets, and garniſh the Sepulchers of the righteous, and ſay, If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the Prophets; wherefore ye be witneſſes unto your ſelves that ye are the children of them that killed the Prophets: Fill ye up then the meaſure of your Fathers. Ye Serpents, ye generation of vipers, how have ye eſcaped the damnation of Hel • ?

Here you may ſee that Chriſt deals plainly with them, and doth not wink at ſin, but reproves them ſharply: And it was no railing, as ſome call it now: for he ſaw their deceit, and they were in rage and envy againſt him, and the Chiefe Prieſts and Rulers took counſell againſt him, and crucified him; but notwithſtanding all this, did not put a ſtop to the work of the Lord, but he appeared again unto his Diſciples, and filled them with his Spirit of power, and they went and preached the Goſpel, and cryed down the Temple-worſhip, and the Ceremonies of the Law; and for this they were hated, Acts 8.2, 3. and perſecuted, and ſome were ſtoned to death by ſuch as upheld the Temple and the outward commands, and Saul amongſt the reſt made havock of the Church, and perſecuted them from Citie to Citie. And thus in the Apoſtles time they were perſecuted by ſuch as had the form of godlineſs, but were ſtrangers to the power and life of godlineſs. But I do not read in all the Scriptures that ever the Chriſtians did perſecute any who were Chriſtians indeed; ſo that perſecution is a mark of the Beaſt, and of Antichriſt, and it was ever blind. After the Apoſtles time many there was that got the form of truth, 2 Tim. 3.1, 2 3, 4 5, 6, 7, 8, 1 John 2, 18. and in the Apoſtles times the Doctrine of Antichriſt crept in, which now hath over-ſpread a great part of the world, and darkneſs hath long been over all Nations; and though ſome have born the name of Chriſtians, yet far they are from the Chriſtians life, and theſe now in our age have gotten the Scriptures: and as thoſe in the days of Chriſt had gotten the form of Moſes and the Prophets words, ſo theſe have gotten the form of Chriſt & the Apoſtles words, but are far from Chriſt and the Apoſtles life: and as they then in that generation did did condemn their fore fathers for killing the Prophets, Luke 11.47, 48. and yet did perſecute Chriſt the Life, ſo theſe now in this generation do condemn their fore fathers the Jewes for crucifying of Chriſt, and yet are found in rage and malice, and perſecution againſt the appearance of Chriſt in Spirit in his Saints now: yea thoſe who have been looked upon as godly men, and preached and prayed for the pouring forth of the Spirit upon ſons and upon daughters, and that the Lord would teach his people himſelf by his Spirit thoſe things have been ſpoken of and talked in this generation by Prieſts and People. And now when the day is come, and the Lord hath poured forth his Spirit upon Sons and Daughters, yet becauſe it is not in their way, and in their time, and according to their expectation, therefore they cry out, and perſecute, and revile and ſpeak againſt the Lords light and appearance within, as it was formerly by the enemies and oppoſers of Truth, and theſe cry out againſt freedom from ſin, and againſt perfection, as a blaſphemous Doctrine; but it is that which the Lord is bringing to paſs, Heb. 10.16, 17, 18. Rev. 21.27. 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. gathering his people into his everlaſting Covenant, where ſin and iniquity enters not, but is for ever ſhut out of the Kingdome and Covenant of God. For theſe Teachers and People in theſe our dayes, who cry up and profeſſe Chriſt without, and a Church and a worſhip without, and a Law and Light, and Word without, and their Rule and Ordinances without, and their Teachers and all other things without, are but in in the ſtate and condition, (nay they are ſhort) of thoſe who upheld the Temple-worſhip and Ceremonies of the Law, which made nothing perfect, though there was in the firſt covenant Ordinances of Divine Service, and a worldly Sanctuary: For there was a Tabernacle made, the firſt wherein was the Candleſtick, and the Table, and the Shew-Bread, which is called the Sanctuary; and after the ſecond veil the Tabernacle, which is called the Holieſt of all: And other things as you may read, Heb. 9. the holy Ghoſt thus ſignifying, that the way into the Holieſt of all, was not yet made manifeſt while as the firſt Tabernacle was yet ſtanding, which was a figure for the time then preſent, in which were offered both Gifts & Sacrifices, that could not make him that did the Service perfect as pertaining to the conſcience, which ſtood onely in meats and drinks, and divers waſhings and carnall ordinances impoſed on them untill the time of reformation; and in that covenant and admin ſtration there was an outward Temple, and a Law, and Sabbath, and Circumciſion without, and Prieſts that did offer up Sacrifices and Burnt Offerings, whoſe lips were to preſerve knowledge; but nevertheleſs there was a diſanulling of all theſe things for the weakneſs and unprofitableneſs thereof, Heb: 7: 18, 19. Heb: 10.1. Heb. 8.7, 8. to the end. for the Law made nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better hope, by the which we draw nigh unto God, and all theſe things were but as Types and Shadowes of better things to come, and of a new Covenant, in which ſin and iniquity ſhall be done away: For if that firſt covenant had been faultleſs, then ſhould no place have been ſound for the ſecond, for finding fault with them he ſaith, Behold the dayes come ſaith the Lord, that I will make a new Covenent with the Houſe of Iſrael and with the Houſe of Judab not according to the Covenant that I made with their Fathers in th • d • y when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the Land of Egypt, for they continued not in my Covenant, and I regarded them not, ſaith the Lord, for this is the Covenant that I will make with the Houſe of Iſrael after thoſe days, ſaith the Lord I will wri • e my Law in their hearts, and put my Spirit in their inward parts, and I will be to them a God, and they ſhall be to me a people, and they ſhall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, ſaying, Know the Lord; for all ſhall knew me from the leaſt to the greateſt, for I will be merciful to their unrighteouſneſs, & their ſins and iniquities I will remember no more.

This is the new Covenant propheſied of the dayes of Jeremiah, Luke 4.21 A &s 2.16, 17 Exod. 34.1. Exod. 31: 14, 15, 16, Exod: 40: 12, 13. 1 Chron: 17.12. Gen. 17.10, Exod. 37.29. 2 Cor. 3.3, 1 Cor. 3.16, 17, Rom. 2: 28, 29. Matth. 12.8, 1 Cor. 10.1, 2, 3, 4. Mat. 10.28, 29, 1 Iohn 2, 27. Heb: 4, 12, Rom: 10.8. 1 Cor: 6.11, Heb. 9: 13, 14 and was ſulfilled in the days of Chriſt & the Apoſtles, and is now fulfilled, and fulfilling, in theſe our dayes; and as in the old covenant the Law without, written in Tables of Stone, and the Sabbath was without, and the Prieſts were without, whoſe lipps were to preſerve knowledg; and the Temple was withont, circumciſion and many other things were without, and the anointing Oyl, theſe things were outward, but did not make the comers thereunto perfect as pertaining to the Conſcience, they did but cleanſe the outſide. But in the new Covenant the life and ſubſtance is within: the Law is written in the Tables of the Heart, and the Spirit is within to teach them; and their Bodies are the Temple of God, and Circumciſion of the Heart with the Spirit, and the Sabbath (or reſt) is witneſſed, which is Jeſus Chriſt, who is the Reſt and the Rock and Refuge to flye unto, and whoſoever doth come unto him, and take his yoak upon them, and learn of him, they ſhall find reſt to their ſouls: And the Anointing is within, and the Word of Life and Reconciliation, which is as a ſharp Sword to cut down all ſin and all the luſts of the fleſh. This word is within, nigh in the heart, and in the mouth, and by this Word of Life and power within, were the Saints and holy men of God purified and cleanſed, and their conſciences purged from dead workes, and were created anew, to ſerve God in the new life of Righteouſneſs, and it is the work of God within that doth make perfect from ſin, Eph: 2.10: Rom: 8.2: 2 Pet. 1.19, 21; even the law of the Spirit of Life that Paul ſpeaks of, that made him free from the law of Sin and Death: And from this Word and Spirit of Light within, was all the Scriptures given forth, and all words or writings that are ſpoken or written, are to bring to the Word and Spirit within: For whatſoever was written or ſpoken by Moſes or by the Prophets, Chriſt or the Apoſtles, John 4.24 1 John 1, 7, being ſpoken and written from the Spirit and Light within, they are all to bring out of all Shadowes and Figures, Luke 17.20, Col: 2, 20, 21, 22. Heb: 9.9, 10 Heb. 10.1 Luke 15.16, Iſaiah 55.2, Luke 24.5, Jer. 2.13. Ezek: 3 4, 5, 6, Mica 6 6.14 Mat 7, 22, 23. Mal: 3, 5, John 3.17, 20 and carnall Obſervations to the worſhip of God within in the Spirit, where the Saints union and fellowſhip is in the Spirit and Light within. So all you, both Prieſts and People, in this generation, who are ſeeking the kingdom in your Obſervations, whoſe worſhip and Ordinances, and Light, and Word, and Rule, and other things, are without. I ſay unto you, your worſhip is but carnall, and all that which you practiſe it doth not cleanſe you, nor make you perfect; you are but feeding upon the husks, you are ſpending your labour for that which doth not ſatisfie, and ſpending your money for the which is not bread, you are ſeeking the living amongſt the dead, you are ſeeking water among the broken Ciſterns that will hold no water, you are as the woman that ſought the loſt Groat without, you are as ſheep without a Shepheard, ſcattered upon the mountains, but find no reſt, you are hungry but are not ſatisfied: Nay, I know there is a cry within you for purity and holineſs of life, and notwithſtanding all your talking, and your obſervations, your preaching and your praying, you are condemned in your ſelves for your unrighteous walking: and this is the condemnation of the world, becauſe light is come into the world, and yet men love darkneſs better than light, becauſe their deeds be evill.

Therefore take heed of deſpiſing the light within, 2 Pet. 1, 19, John 1.5. John 8, 12, 1 John 3, 5, but take heed to, and mind the light that ſhines in your dark hearts, and reproves you for your ſin, that out of tranſgreſſion ye may come and follow Chriſt in the light, which whoſoever follows, ſhall not abide in darkneſs, but ſhall have the light of life; John 14.6. Acts 4.12. John 1.9. for God is light, and he out of his love hath given his Son for a covenant of light unto the people to lead them out of darkneſs, and to ſeparate them from ſin, and to joyn them to the Lord, and there is no way to life but by the Son of God, there is no other name under heaven given by which any man can be ſaved, than by the name of Jeſus, who is the light of the world, and doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, and this light is true and pure, and teſtifies againſt ſin and evill, though you act ſin never ſo cloſely, that none in the world can accuſe you, yet this light within you doth ſtand a witneſſe againſt you, & condemn you, and though you may alter and change your wayes, and be toſſed to and fro by mens changeable Doctrines, yet this light of Chriſt within you doth never change, but doth reprove you for ſin and evill, & make manifeſt darkneſs & the deeds of darkneſs, Eph, 5.13. that is the light; or all things that are reproved are made manifeſt by the light; whatſoever makes manifeſt is light, that which tels you that lying is a ſin, and ſwearing is a ſin, and whoredom & drunkenneſs, and pride and covetouſneſs, that which doth reprove you when you act any evill, that is the light that I ſpeak of, and do direct your minds unto, to wait upon God in the light for teaching, and power over ſin, and as you have many years been ſeeking without, and talking of Chriſt and Saviour without, but have not found peace nor freedom, but are alive in your ſins, and laden with iniquity; ſo now turn in your minds to the light of Chriſt, and there wait for the appearance of Chriſt in you, 2 Tim. 3.6, 7, Col: 1.27, 2 Cor: 4.10, 11. 1 John 3.8, 1 John 5.12, 29. 1 Cor. 3.17. Eph. 3.17. Rom. 8.10, and for his life and power to be made manifeſt in your mortall bodies to kill and ſlay ſin, and to purifie your bearts, that your inſide may be clean by the pure power and life of Chriſt within, that ſo your bodies may be Temples of God holy and pure, that God, who is Light may dwell within you; and Chriſt Jeſus, who is light, may appeare within you: For he is not known in power to kill and deſtroy the workes of the Divell but as he is known within, and where he is witneſſed come in the fleſh, there is peace abiding in him; but while you live in your ſins there is no peace; and as you love that little light within you, 2 Cor. 13, 5, Iohn 14, 27. Iſal. 48.22. Mat. 13.31, 32 1 Iohn 2.27, Iohn 3.19, 20, 21. 1 Tim: 3.9. Ezra 3.19. Pſalm 1.6 which at firſt is but ſmall like a grain of Muſtard-ſeed, but waiting in patience, and bringing your deeds to it to be tried by it, it will grow and ſpring in you, and fill your hearts with joy, and teach you continually; but if you hate this light, and run to men for teaching, and live in your old nature, where the curſe and wrath is, this light will be your condemnation, and truly this I ſay unto you, That if ever you own God, or his truth as it is in Chriſt Jeſus; or if ever you own a good conſcience, where the myſtery of faith is held, you muſt own this light to be your guide and teacher; ſo take warning in your life time, and let not the love of God be tendered to you in vain, leſt you periſh in your ſins.