Concerning persecution: which is, the afflicting or punishing that which is good, under the pretence of its being evil. Which practice is contrary to the very nature of mankind (so far as it is drawn out of the corruption and depravation) which would be good and do good, and have good cherished, and evil suppressed, both in it self and others. ... Yet this unhappy error will always be committed in nations and governments, until the proper right and just liberty of men's consciences be discerned, acknowledged and allowed. Likewise, there are some answers given to that common objection, against affording conscience in its due liberty, because evil persons may pretend conscience to escape the just punishment of their evil deeds. With a brief account of that supposed stubbornes, which by man is objected against the people called Quakers. ... By Isaac Penington the younger.
         Penington, Isaac, 1616-1679.
      
       
         
           1661
        
      
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             Concerning persecution: which is, the afflicting or punishing that which is good, under the pretence of its being evil. Which practice is contrary to the very nature of mankind (so far as it is drawn out of the corruption and depravation) which would be good and do good, and have good cherished, and evil suppressed, both in it self and others. ... Yet this unhappy error will always be committed in nations and governments, until the proper right and just liberty of men's consciences be discerned, acknowledged and allowed. Likewise, there are some answers given to that common objection, against affording conscience in its due liberty, because evil persons may pretend conscience to escape the just punishment of their evil deeds. With a brief account of that supposed stubbornes, which by man is objected against the people called Quakers. ... By Isaac Penington the younger.
             Penington, Isaac, 1616-1679.
          
           31, [1] p.
           
             printed for Robert Wilson, in Martins Le Grand,
             London :
             1661.
          
           
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         eng
      
       
         
           Persecution -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           CONCERNING
           PERSECUTION
           :
           Which
           is
           ,
           The
           Afflicting
           or
           Punishing
           that
           which
           is
           GOOD
           ,
           under
           the
           Pretence
           of
           its
           being
           EVIL
           .
        
         
           Which
           Practice
           is
           contrary
           to
           the
           very
           Nature
           of
           Mankind
           (
           so
           far
           as
           it
           is
           drawn
           out
           of
           the
           Corruption
           and
           Depravation
           )
           which
           would
           
             be
             Good
          
           and
           
             do
             Good
          
           ,
           and
           have
           Good
           Cherished
           ,
           and
           Evil
           Suppressed
           ,
           both
           in
           it self
           and
           others
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           contrary
           also
           to
           all
           Equal
           and
           Righteous
           Government
           ,
           which
           is
           for
           the
           
             suppressing
             of
             Evil
          
           ,
           and
           
             cherishing
             of
             Good
          
           ,
           and
           not
           for
           the
           afflicting
           and
           crushing
           of
           that
           which
           
             is
             Good
          
           ,
           upon
           pretence
           of
           its
           being
           Evil.
           
        
         
           Yet
           this
           unhappy
           Error
           will
           alwayes
           be
           committed
           in
           Nations
           and
           Governments
           ,
           until
           the
           proper
           Right
           and
           just
           Liberty
           of
           Men's
           Consciences
           be
           discerned
           ,
           acknowledged
           and
           allowed
           .
        
         
           LIKEWISE
           ,
           There
           are
           some
           Answers
           given
           to
           that
           
             common
             Objection
          
           ,
           against
           affording
           CONSIENCE
           its
           due
           Liberty
           ,
           because
           Evil
           Persons
           may
           pretend
           Conscience
           to
           escape
           the
           just
           Punishment
           of
           their
           Evil
           Deeds
           .
        
         
           With
           a
           brief
           Account
           of
           that
           supposed
           STUBBORNES
           ,
           which
           by
           many
           is
           objected
           against
           the
           People
           called
           QUAKERS
           .
        
         
           Given
           forth
           in
           love
           to
           this
           Nation
           ,
           that
           at
           length
           the
           true
           bottom
           and
           foundation
           of
           a
           
             lasting
             Peace
          
           and
           Settlement
           may
           be
           espied
           ,
           the
           Spirits
           of
           the
           Governors
           and
           People
           fixed
           thereon
           ,
           and
           that
           dangerous
           Rock
           of
           Persecution
           (
           whereon
           both
           the
           Powers
           and
           People
           of
           this
           Nation
           have
           so
           often
           split
           )
           carefully
           avoided
           by
           all
           .
        
         
           By
           
             Isaac
             Penington
          
           the
           younger
           .
        
         
           London
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Robert
             Wilson
          
           ,
           in
           
             Martins
             Le
             Grand
          
           ,
           1661.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           The
           PREFACE
           .
        
         
           THere
           hath
           been
           an
           Enmity
           in
           the
           Seed
           of
           the
           Serpent
           against
           the
           Seed
           of
           the
           Woman
           ,
           from
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Promise
           even
           until
           now
           .
           God
           in
           mercy
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           hath
           given
           unto
           him
           since
           the
           Fall
           ,
           a
           Seed
           or
           Principle
           of
           Life
           ,
           in
           the
           Light
           and
           Strength
           whereof
           he
           is
           to
           war
           against
           and
           subdue
           the
           Corrupt
           Principle
           ,
           and
           so
           be
           freed
           from
           the
           Curse
           ,
           and
           become
           Heir
           of
           the
           Blessing
           .
           Against
           this
           Principle
           all
           the
           Powers
           of
           Darkness
           fight
           (
           even
           in
           every
           particular
           man
           and
           woman
           )
           until
           they
           be
           overcome
           and
           subjected
           there
           :
           And
           against
           those
           in
           whom
           this
           pure
           Principle
           reigns
           ,
           all
           the
           Powers
           of
           Darkness
           in
           the
           world
           fight
           also
           ,
           striving
           to
           make
           it
           miserable
           ,
           and
           to
           bring
           it
           into
           death
           and
           captivity
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           keep
           up
           the
           content
           and
           happiness
           of
           the
           Corrupt
           State.
           All
           the
           Nations
           of
           the
           Earth
           have
           alwayes
           warred
           against
           the
           Principle
           of
           God
           and
           the
           People
           of
           his
           choice
           .
           In
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           the
           Jews
           were
           the
           object
           of
           the
           Envy
           and
           Hatred
           of
           all
           the
           world
           :
           in
           the
           times
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           the
           Jews
           in
           Spirit
           were
           hated
           and
           hunted
           ,
           in
           that
           day
           and
           hour
           ,
           not
           only
           by
           Heathens
           ,
           but
           also
           by
           such
           as
           were
           Jews
           according
           to
           the
           Letter
           ;
           and
           ever
           since
           the
           Apostacy
           by
           Christians
           also
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Letter
           ,
           who
           are
           as
           great
           enemies
           to
           the
           Spirit
           &
           Power
           as
           ever
           the
           Jews
           were
           .
        
         
           Now
           all
           the
           Misery
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           as
           it
           at
           first
           came
           by
           departing
           from
           the
           Principle
           of
           Life
           ;
           so
           it
           hath
           been
           ever
           since
           continued
           by
           mens
           joyning
           with
           the
           Principle
           of
           Death
           and
           Corruption
           ,
           to
           oppose
           and
           withstand
           the
           workings
           of
           the
           Principle
           of
           Life
           ,
           both
           in
           themselves
           and
           others
           .
           VVhat
           man
           is
           there
           that
           hath
           not
           in
           him
           a
           Witness
           against
           that
           which
           is
           Evil
           ?
           But
           where
           is
           that
           man
           ,
           who
           joyns
           with
           this
           Witness
           in
           him
           against
           the
           Evil
           ,
           and
           not
           with
           the
           Evil
           against
           this
           Witness
           ?
           Oh
           how
           doth
           God's
           Witness
           reprove
           for
           Sin
           ,
           making
           the
           heart
           (
           which
           is
           not
           sensual
           and
           brutish
           ,
           but
           seriously
           considers
           its
           latter
           end
           )
           sad
           because
           of
           it
           !
           This
           is
           God's
           way
           of
           making
           the
           creature
           weary
           thereof
           ,
           of
           weaning
           him
           from
           it
           ,
           delivering
           him
           out
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           so
           rescuing
           him
           from
           the
           Wrath
           and
           Everlasting
           Burnings
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           portion
           and
           inheritance
           of
           the
           Wicked
           .
           But
           who
           is
           it
           that
           doth
           not
           strive
           to
           stop
           ,
           silence
           and
           suppress
           this
           Witness
           in
           himself
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           enjoy
           his
           lusts
           ,
           ease
           and
           content
           in
           the
           flesh
           ,
           by
           keeping
           the
           sight
           and
           remembrance
           of
           the
           Evil-day
           far
           from
           him
           ?
           And
           if
           he
           can
           do
           so
           ,
           then
           he
           rejoyceth
           
           and
           maketh
           merry
           over
           the
           Testimony
           of
           the
           Witness
           in
           himself
           ;
           and
           when
           he
           hath
           so
           far
           prevailed
           ,
           then
           he
           is
           in
           a
           good
           capacity
           to
           persecute
           others
           ,
           who
           hear
           and
           obey
           the
           Voice
           and
           Testimony
           thereof
           in
           themselves
           .
        
         
           That
           which
           is
           to
           redeem
           the
           World
           out
           of
           Misery
           ,
           is
           the
           Power
           of
           the
           Gospel
           :
           and
           precious
           is
           the
           Peace
           which
           comes
           thereby
           ,
           after
           the
           work
           of
           the
           Spiritual
           Sword
           (
           with
           the
           trouble
           thereof
           )
           is
           finished
           .
           O
           how
           blessed
           would
           the
           Principle
           and
           Power
           of
           Life
           make
           the
           World
           ,
           might
           it
           but
           have
           its
           free
           course
           therein
           !
           O
           how
           happy
           is
           that
           man
           ,
           who
           bears
           the
           Condemnation
           because
           of
           Sin
           ,
           follows
           the
           guidance
           of
           the
           living
           God
           ,
           and
           waits
           for
           the
           day
           of
           his
           Salvation
           !
           O
           the
           sweet
           inward
           Peace
           of
           Spirit
           which
           is
           enjoyed
           after
           the
           storm
           ,
           and
           after
           the
           Judgment
           of
           that
           which
           is
           to
           be
           judged
           and
           destroyed
           !
           And
           that
           which
           makes
           one
           person
           happy
           ,
           the
           same
           must
           make
           Nations
           happy
           .
           There
           is
           no
           true
           settlement
           nor
           abiding
           security
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           setled
           and
           abiding
           Principle
           .
           God
           is
           arisen
           to
           shake
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           it
           can
           settle
           no
           more
           upon
           the
           old
           foundations
           :
           yea
           ,
           the
           same
           God
           hath
           shriveled
           up
           the
           old
           Heavens
           ,
           and
           they
           can
           no
           more
           be
           stretched
           forth
           again
           .
           
             Behold
             ,
             I
             make
             all
             things
             new
             ,
          
           saith
           the
           Lord
           in
           the
           days
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           when
           he
           stretcheth
           forth
           the
           Arm
           of
           his
           Power
           :
           And
           who
           is
           he
           which
           shall
           venture
           to
           establish
           the
           old
           Heavens
           and
           the
           old
           Earth
           ,
           which
           the
           Lord
           God
           is
           removing
           and
           causing
           to
           passe
           away
           ,
           and
           abolish
           the
           new
           Heavens
           and
           the
           new
           Earth
           ,
           which
           the
           Lord
           God
           hath
           created
           and
           formed
           and
           is
           establishing
           ?
           O
           that
           men
           knew
           the
           place
           of
           Wisdom
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           be
           wise
           and
           not
           fight
           against
           their
           Creator
           ,
           from
           whom
           their
           strength
           comes
           ,
           and
           against
           whom
           their
           strength
           cannot
           prevail
           .
           O
           that
           men
           could
           see
           how
           industrious
           they
           are
           to
           keep
           up
           Misery
           ,
           and
           to
           keep
           out
           Happiness
           .
           The
           eye
           of
           man
           (
           in
           the
           fallen
           and
           corrupt
           estate
           )
           cannot
           see
           aright
           :
           and
           mis-seeing
           ,
           how
           can
           he
           chuse
           but
           mis-aim
           and
           mis-act
           ?
           and
           mis-aiming
           and
           mis-acting
           ,
           how
           can
           he
           attain
           his
           end
           ?
           But
           the
           Lord's
           Counsel
           shall
           stand
           ,
           and
           he
           will
           fulfill
           all
           his
           pleasure
           in
           every
           heart
           and
           throughout
           the
           Earth
           .
           Happy
           is
           he
           who
           is
           weaned
           from
           himself
           ,
           and
           begotten
           in
           the
           Light
           of
           Life
           which
           is
           incorruptible
           ,
           he
           shall
           stand
           and
           be
           blessed
           ,
           when
           all
           flesh
           falls
           before
           the
           Breath
           of
           the
           Lord
           and
           becomes
           miserable
           :
           and
           the
           fall
           of
           all
           the
           fleshly
           will
           ,
           wisdom
           and
           strength
           hastens
           apace
           ;
           happy
           is
           he
           who
           is
           delivered
           from
           them
           before
           the
           day
           of
           their
           ruine
           ,
           which
           is
           nearer
           than
           man
           is
           aware
           of
           ,
           or
           can
           believe
           .
        
         
           
             I.
             P.
             
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           Concerning
           PERSECUTION
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           BEcause
           men
           ,
           generally
           ,
           in
           Persecuting
           know
           not
           what
           they
           do
           (
           neither
           whom
           it
           is
           they
           Persecute
           ,
           nor
           how
           they
           sin
           against
           God
           therein
           ,
           nor
           what
           danger
           they
           are
           exposing
           themselves
           to
           ,
           and
           what
           misery
           they
           are
           drawing
           upon
           themselves
           thereby
           ,
           both
           in
           this
           World
           and
           for
           ever
           )
           even
           as
           Christ
           said
           concerning
           the
           Jews
           ,
           who
           were
           Persecuting
           Him
           even
           to
           Death
           ,
           
             Father
             forgive
             them
             ,
             for
             they
             know
             not
             what
             they
             do
             :
          
           and
           afterward
           to
           
             Saul
             ;
             Saul
             ,
             Saul
             ,
             why
             Persecutest
             thou
             me
             ?
          
           Therefore
           ,
           in
           love
           to
           those
           ,
           who
           are
           at
           unawares
           running
           into
           this
           great
           Error
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           find
           the
           good
           Hand
           of
           God
           stopping
           them
           therein
           for
           their
           own
           good
           ,
           are
           these
           things
           following
           concerning
           Persecution
           Written
           ,
           wherein
           are
           manifested
           ,
        
         
           First
           ,
           
             What
             it
             is
             that
             is
             Persecuted
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           
             Who
             it
             is
             that
             Persecutes
          
           ,
           or
           is
           the
           Persecutor
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           
             The
             Nature
             of
             Persecution
          
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           
             The
             Grounds
             or
             Causes
             of
             Persecution
             .
          
        
         
           5.
           
           
             The
             Ways
             and
             Meanes
             of
             Persecution
             .
          
        
         
           6.
           
           
             The
             Ends
             of
             Persecuting
          
           ,
           what
           men
           aim
           at
           therein
           ,
           or
           rather
           what
           that
           Spirit
           in
           men
           ,
           which
           puts
           them
           upon
           Persecuting
           of
           others
           ,
           aims
           at
           thereby
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           
             The
             Colour
             or
             false
             Pretence
             of
             the
             Persecuting
             Spirit
             .
          
        
         
           8.
           
           
             The
             Blessedness
             of
             the
             Persecuted
          
           .
        
         
           9.
           
           
             The
             Misery
             of
             the
             Persecutors
          
           .
        
         
           10.
           
           
             The
             Way
             and
             Meanes
             whereby
             men
             may
             come
             to
             avoid
             this
             great
             evil
             of
             Persecuting
             others
             .
          
        
         
           Whereunto
           (
           in
           the
           Last
           Place
           )
           are
           added
           ,
           
             Some
             sad
             Effects
             of
             Persecution
          
           ,
           to
           kindle
           in
           men
           a
           Desire
           of
           avoiding
           so
           great
           an
           Evil
           in
           its
           self
           ,
           and
           so
           Pernitious
           an
           Enemy
           ,
           (
           to
           all
           that
           is
           good
           in
           General
           ,
           and
           Particularly
           to
           the
           Peace
           and
           Welfare
           of
           Mankind
           )
           as
           the
           Persecuting
           Spirit
           is
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             
               What
               or
               Who
               it
               is
               that
               is
               Persecuted
               .
            
          
           
             The
             Persecuted
             in
             all
             Ages
             ,
             is
             that
             
               which
               is
               born
               after
               God's
            
             
             Spirit
             ,
             Gal.
             4.
             29.
             
             He
             that
             is
             new-created
             in
             Christ
             Jesus
             ,
             who
             is
             formed
             in
             the
             Image
             and
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             (
             which
             is
             contrary
             to
             the
             Image
             and
             Spirit
             of
             the
             World
             )
             and
             who
             followes
             Christ
             in
             the
             leadings
             and
             teachings
             of
             his
             Spirit
             (
             which
             is
             out
             of
             and
             contrary
             to
             the
             course
             ,
             fashions
             ,
             ways
             &
             customs
             of
             the
             world
             )
             This
             is
             the
             man
             that
             is
             Persecuted
             in
             all
             ages
             .
             He
             that
             is
             of
             another
             Spirit
             &
             Principle
             than
             the
             World
             ,
             &
             so
             cannot
             be
             as
             the
             World
             is
             (
             being
             made
             otherwise
             by
             God
             )
             nor
             walk
             as
             the
             World
             walks
             ,
             nor
             worship
             as
             the
             World
             worships
             ,
             being
             taught
             and
             required
             of
             God
             to
             do
             otherwise
             ,
             This
             is
             the
             man
             who
             is
             afflicted
             ,
             reproached
             ,
             hated
             ,
             hunted
             ,
             persecuted
             .
             And
             so
             the
             Apostle
             laies
             it
             down
             ,
             not
             only
             as
             a
             thing
             to
             be
             in
             his
             Age
             ,
             but
             in
             after
             Ages
             also
             ,
             2
             Tim.
             3.
             12.
             
             
               Yea
               and
               all
               that
               will
               live
               godly
               in
               Christ
               Jesus
               ,
               shall
               suffer
               Persecution
               .
            
             Men
             may
             talk
             of
             Christ
             ,
             profess
             Christ
             ,
             worship
             Christ
             according
             to
             the
             way
             that
             is
             set
             up
             in
             Nations
             ,
             and
             avoid
             Persecution
             ;
             but
             come
             under
             the
             new
             Principle
             ,
             come
             into
             his
             life
             ,
             live
             Godly
             in
             Him
             ,
             become
             really
             subject
             unto
             the
             Power
             and
             direction
             of
             his
             Spirit
             :
             then
             there
             is
             no
             longer
             avoiding
             of
             Persecution
             .
             That
             which
             comes
             into
             the
             Life
             of
             Christ
             ,
             comes
             presently
             into
             a
             proportion
             of
             Suffering
             from
             that
             which
             is
             contrary
             to
             His
             Life
             .
          
        
         
           
             2.
             
             
               What
               or
               Who
               it
               is
               that
               persecuteth
               ,
               or
               is
               the
               Persecutor
               .
            
          
           
             The
             Persecutor
             ,
             in
             all
             Ages
             ,
             is
             that
             which
             is
             after
             the
             flesh
             .
             That
             Spirit
             and
             Principle
             in
             man
             which
             is
             from
             beneath
             ,
             puts
             the
             men
             in
             whom
             it
             is
             upon
             Persecuting
             the
             other
             Principle
             ,
             and
             the
             persons
             in
             whom
             it
             appears
             :
             Or
             more
             plainly
             thus
             ;
             That
             which
             is
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             which
             Loves
             the
             world
             and
             present
             state
             thereof
             ;
             that
             which
             lies
             in
             the
             darkness
             ,
             is
             in
             unity
             with
             it
             ,
             loveth
             it
             ,
             and
             the
             corrupt
             wayes
             thereof
             ;
             that
             hates
             the
             Light
             ,
             and
             Persecuteth
             the
             children
             of
             the
             Light
             ,
             who
             are
             witnesses
             against
             and
             reprovers
             of
             the
             darkness
             ,
             John
             3.
             20.
             
             
               He
               that
               was
               born
               after
               the
               flesh
               persecuted
               him
               that
               was
               after
               the
               Spirit
               .
            
             So
             it
             was
             formerly
             ,
             so
             it
             is
             also
             now
             ,
             saith
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             Gal.
             4.
             29.
             
             Now
             there
             are
             several
             sorts
             and
             ranks
             of
             these
             ,
             as
             some
             in
             the
             way
             of
             open
             prophaness
             and
             wickedness
             ,
             some
             more
             civilised
             ,
             and
             of
             a
             more
             gentle
             ,
             noble
             and
             considerate
             spirit
             and
             temper
             ,
             some
             more
             religions
             and
             devout
             in
             worships
             
             (
             though
             not
             rightly
             principled
             and
             guided
             ,
             but
             turned
             aside
             to
             some
             inventions
             or
             other
             of
             the
             earthly
             spirit
             ,
             all
             which
             are
             pleasing
             to
             the
             earthly
             spirit
             .
             )
             But
             all
             these
             ,
             though
             they
             are
             different
             one
             from
             another
             ,
             and
             agree
             not
             well
             among
             themselves
             ,
             but
             are
             full
             of
             dislikes
             one
             toward
             another
             ,
             yet
             they
             all
             agree
             in
             this
             ,
             to
             wit
             ,
             in
             a
             willingness
             to
             have
             that
             persecuted
             and
             subjected
             ,
             which
             is
             of
             a
             contrary
             spirit
             and
             nature
             to
             them
             all
             .
             They
             are
             all
             against
             this
             more
             or
             less
             ,
             though
             not
             all
             against
             it
             in
             the
             same
             degree
             of
             heat
             and
             vehemency
             .
          
        
         
           
             3.
             
             
               The
               Nature
               of
               Persecution
               ,
               or
               What
               it
               is
               to
               Persecute
               .
            
          
           
             Persecution
             is
             the
             opposition
             of
             the
             flesh
             against
             the
             spirit
             .
             The
             fretting
             or
             dashing
             of
             the
             earthly
             spirit
             ,
             or
             spirit
             of
             man
             corrupted
             ,
             against
             that
             which
             is
             born
             of
             God.
             The
             fighting
             of
             the
             unregenerate
             and
             unrenewed
             spirit
             in
             man
             ,
             against
             the
             spirit
             of
             man
             renewed
             by
             the
             regenerating
             power
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God.
             The
             fighting
             ,
             the
             opposing
             of
             this
             spirit
             against
             the
             other
             ,
             is
             Persecution
             .
             What
             ever
             any
             man
             does
             in
             his
             own
             will
             ,
             according
             to
             his
             own
             wisdom
             ,
             and
             after
             the
             inclination
             of
             his
             own
             heart
             ,
             against
             another
             who
             desires
             to
             fear
             the
             Lord
             ,
             (
             who
             waits
             on
             Him
             for
             the
             counsel
             and
             guidance
             of
             His
             Spirit
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             Obey
             and
             Worship
             Him
             aright
             )
             is
             Persecution
             .
             The
             Principle
             of
             God
             teaches
             to
             fear
             the
             Lord
             not
             according
             to
             the
             fear
             which
             is
             taught
             by
             the
             precepts
             of
             men
             ,
             but
             according
             to
             the
             fear
             which
             God
             puts
             into
             the
             heart
             ;
             it
             teaches
             likewise
             to
             worship
             the
             Lord
             ,
             not
             according
             as
             man
             invents
             and
             thinks
             good
             to
             prescribe
             ,
             but
             as
             the
             Lord
             instructs
             and
             requires
             ;
             it
             teacheth
             likewise
             not
             to
             conform
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             but
             to
             deny
             it
             ,
             and
             come
             out
             of
             it
             :
             Now
             the
             hating
             ,
             opposing
             ,
             and
             punishing
             of
             that
             which
             is
             thus
             taught
             ,
             because
             of
             these
             teachings
             and
             its
             obedience
             thereto
             ,
             this
             is
             Persecution
             .
             The
             rising
             of
             the
             heart
             against
             such
             ,
             is
             Persecution
             in
             the
             heart
             .
             The
             reproaching
             ,
             scoffing
             at
             or
             speaking
             evil
             of
             such
             ,
             is
             Persecution
             with
             the
             tongue
             .
             (
             So
             Ishmael's
             mocking
             of
             Isaac
             ,
             Gen.
             21.
             9
             ,
             10.
             is
             called
             Persecuting
             of
             him
             ,
             Gal.
             4.
             29.
             30.
             )
             The
             smiting
             ,
             fining
             ,
             imprisoning
             ,
             of
             such
             ,
             &c.
             in
             relation
             to
             any
             thing
             that
             they
             do
             from
             this
             Principle
             ,
             is
             Persecution
             with
             the
             
             hand
             ,
             or
             lifting
             up
             of
             the
             power
             either
             of
             a
             particular
             Person
             ,
             or
             of
             a
             Magistrate
             against
             such
             .
          
        
         
           
             4.
             
             
               The
               Grounds
               of
               Persecution
               ,
               or
               what
               are
               the
               things
               that
               cause
               the
               one
               Spirit
               and
               Principle
               to
               Persecute
               ,
               and
               the
               other
               to
               be
               Persecuted
               .
            
          
           
             The
             Grounds
             and
             Causes
             which
             expose
             the
             one
             to
             Persecution
             ,
             and
             kindle
             the
             heat
             of
             Persecuting
             in
             the
             other
             ,
             are
             chiefly
             these
             three
             ensuing
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             enmity
             of
             the
             birth
             of
             the
             Flesh
             against
             the
             birth
             of
             the
             Spirit
             .
             There
             is
             enmity
             in
             the
             Serpent
             against
             the
             Woman
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             seed
             of
             the
             Serpent
             against
             the
             seed
             of
             the
             Woman
             .
             That
             which
             is
             born
             of
             the
             corrupt
             Principle
             cannot
             endure
             that
             which
             is
             born
             of
             the
             pure
             Principle
             .
             That
             which
             walks
             and
             worships
             in
             the
             will
             and
             according
             to
             the
             inventions
             of
             man's
             wisdom
             ,
             and
             in
             shadows
             and
             fleshly
             Forms
             pleasing
             to
             the
             flesh
             ,
             cannot
             endure
             that
             which
             worships
             in
             Spirit
             and
             Truth
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             contrariety
             of
             that
             which
             is
             born
             of
             God
             and
             drawn
             out
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             to
             that
             which
             is
             of
             the
             flesh
             (
             or
             of
             corrupt
             man
             )
             and
             left
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             this
             is
             that
             which
             incenseth
             ,
             and
             draweth
             forth
             the
             enmity
             in
             the
             corrupt
             Principle
             .
             
               They
               are
               not
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               even
               as
               I
               am
               not
               of
               the
               World
               ,
            
             John
             17.
             16.
             
             
               Therefore
               the
               World
               hateth
               them
            
             ,
             v.
             14.
             
             They
             are
             of
             another
             Spirit
             ,
             of
             another
             Image
             ,
             of
             another
             Make
             ,
             of
             another
             Heart
             ,
             of
             another
             Desire
             ,
             of
             another
             manner
             of
             Carriage
             and
             Demeanor
             ,
             of
             another
             Principle
             ,
             &
             have
             other
             Ends
             in
             all
             they
             do
             ,
             then
             the
             World
             :
             And
             their
             whole
             course
             and
             conversation
             (
             being
             in
             the
             Light
             and
             in
             the
             Love
             ,
             &
             in
             true
             Purity
             of
             Mind
             )
             reproves
             the
             world
             ,
             which
             lies
             in
             the
             darkness
             and
             in
             the
             enmity
             ,
             and
             walks
             in
             the
             wickedness
             .
             And
             how
             can
             the
             world
             bear
             this
             ,
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             all
             their
             height
             glory
             and
             greatness
             ,
             to
             be
             continually
             reproved
             by
             a
             poor
             and
             contemptible
             Generation
             ,
             as
             Gods
             choice
             in
             the
             world
             have
             for
             the
             generality
             of
             them
             always
             been
             ,
             even
             looked
             upon
             by
             the
             world
             as
             the
             off-scouring
             thereof
             ,
             as
             not
             fit
             to
             be
             suffered
             to
             have
             a
             being
             in
             it
             ,
             but
             rather
             as
             deserving
             to
             be
             scowred
             off
             from
             it
             ?
          
           
             The
             Light
             ,
             whereof
             the
             Children
             of
             Light
             are
             born
             ,
             and
             
             which
             they
             hold
             forth
             (
             or
             rather
             ,
             which
             God
             holds
             forth
             by
             them
             )
             condemns
             the
             World.
             The
             evenness
             ,
             sweetness
             ,
             and
             straitness
             of
             their
             conversation
             and
             practices
             condemns
             the
             unevenness
             ,
             crookednes
             &
             perversenes
             of
             the
             spirit
             of
             the
             World.
             The
             integrity
             ,
             seriousness
             and
             spirituality
             of
             their
             worship
             (
             with
             the
             living
             power
             and
             presence
             of
             God
             ,
             appearing
             among
             them
             )
             condemns
             the
             deadness
             ,
             formality
             and
             hypocrisie
             of
             the
             worships
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             who
             draw
             nigh
             to
             God
             with
             their
             lips
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             manifest
             ,
             that
             their
             hearts
             are
             far
             from
             Him
             ,
             being
             ensnared
             ,
             and
             captivated
             with
             Vanities
             and
             Self-interests
             ,
             and
             love
             of
             the
             World
             and
             earthly
             things
             .
             Indeed
             the
             whole
             course
             ,
             and
             manifestation
             of
             the
             Light
             and
             Power
             of
             God
             in
             them
             ,
             is
             a
             continual
             upbraiding
             of
             the
             principle
             and
             ways
             of
             darkness
             in
             the
             men
             of
             the
             world
             .
             And
             how
             can
             the
             men
             of
             the
             world
             forbear
             making
             an
             unrighteous
             war
             ,
             even
             a
             war
             of
             Persecution
             against
             that
             which
             invades
             their
             territories
             and
             makes
             war
             with
             them
             in
             Righteousness
             ?
             Can
             darkness
             chuse
             but
             fight
             to
             save
             its
             own
             dominions
             ?
             It
             must
             put
             out
             the
             Light
             or
             it
             cannot
             save
             its
             own
             ,
             but
             will
             be
             losing
             ground
             daily
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Because
             of
             the
             Children
             of
             Light
             leaving
             and
             coming
             out
             of
             the
             world
             .
             They
             were
             once
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             others
             ;
             Of
             the
             same
             nature
             ,
             of
             the
             same
             spirit
             ,
             of
             the
             same
             corrupt
             will
             ,
             of
             the
             same
             corrupt
             wisdom
             ,
             walking
             in
             their
             way
             ,
             worshipping
             according
             to
             their
             worships
             ,
             approving
             and
             observing
             their
             customs
             ,
             fashions
             and
             vanities
             .
             But
             when
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             called
             them
             out
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             created
             in
             them
             that
             which
             could
             hear
             his
             voice
             and
             was
             willing
             to
             follow
             him
             ,
             then
             they
             left
             all
             these
             and
             stood
             Witnesses
             (
             in
             God's
             Spirit
             which
             called
             ,
             and
             in
             that
             life
             which
             was
             begotten
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             fear
             ,
             love
             and
             power
             of
             that
             God
             who
             quickned
             them
             )
             against
             all
             these
             .
             And
             this
             mads
             the
             world
             ,
             in
             that
             they
             were
             once
             of
             them
             ,
             but
             left
             them
             .
             Had
             they
             staid
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             been
             still
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             the
             world
             would
             have
             loved
             them
             ,
             as
             it
             doth
             the
             rest
             of
             its
             own
             :
             but
             departing
             from
             the
             world
             ,
             travelling
             towards
             another
             countrey
             ,
             subjecting
             themselves
             to
             another
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             testifying
             against
             that
             Spirit
             which
             formerly
             led
             them
             and
             still
             leads
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             against
             those
             ways
             and
             practices
             wherein
             formerly
             they
             walked
             ,
             and
             wherein
             the
             world
             still
             
             walks
             ;
             this
             fills
             the
             worldly
             spirit
             with
             rage
             against
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
             5.
             
             The
             Wayes
             and
             Means
             of
             Persecution
             .
          
           
             The
             Wayes
             and
             Means
             of
             Persecution
             ,
             are
             very
             many
             .
             Who
             can
             want
             Instruments
             to
             afflict
             the
             innocent
             and
             helpless
             ,
             who
             can
             neither
             resist
             the
             evil
             which
             is
             offered
             them
             ,
             nor
             harm
             that
             which
             offers
             it
             ?
             I
             shall
             onely
             here
             mention
             three
             general
             heads
             ,
             to
             which
             many
             particulars
             may
             be
             referred
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             One
             great
             way
             of
             Persecution
             is
             ,
             by
             making
             use
             of
             Laws
             already
             made
             ,
             either
             according
             to
             their
             proper
             tendency
             to
             that
             end
             and
             purpose
             ,
             or
             by
             bending
             them
             aside
             ,
             from
             their
             proper
             intent
             ,
             to
             reach
             those
             whom
             they
             have
             a
             mind
             to
             afflict
             and
             persecute
             .
             Thus
             the
             Jewes
             ,
             when
             they
             had
             a
             mind
             to
             have
             Christ
             put
             to
             death
             ,
             told
             
               Pilate
               ,
               We
               have
               a
               Law
               ,
               and
               by
               our
               Law
               he
               ought
               to
               die
               ,
            
             John
             19.
             7.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Another
             way
             is
             ,
             by
             making
             new
             Laws
             fit
             for
             their
             purpose
             ,
             whereby
             they
             may
             catch
             ,
             ensnare
             and
             suppress
             that
             which
             is
             contrary
             to
             their
             spirit
             and
             principle
             ,
             and
             which
             will
             not
             bow
             thereto
             .
             This
             is
             a
             certain
             way
             to
             take
             that
             which
             is
             born
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             which
             cannot
             but
             be
             true
             to
             Him
             ,
             and
             so
             cannot
             bow
             to
             the
             corrupt
             will
             of
             man
             ,
             nor
             to
             any
             Law
             made
             in
             the
             corrupt
             will
             to
             strengthen
             the
             corruption
             ,
             and
             against
             the
             holy
             pure
             Will
             and
             Mind
             of
             God.
             Thus
             Daniel
             and
             the
             
               Three
               Children
            
             were
             caught
             in
             the
             snare
             by
             Laws
             ,
             Daniel
             for
             praying
             to
             his
             God
             against
             the
             Royal
             Statute
             and
             firm
             Decree
             of
             the
             King
             ,
             signed
             in
             writing
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             desire
             and
             advice
             of
             all
             the
             Presidents
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             ,
             the
             Governors
             ,
             Princes
             ,
             Counsellors
             ,
             and
             Captains
             ,
             Dan.
             6.
             7
             ,
             8.
             and
             the
             
               Three
               Children
            
             for
             not
             worshipping
             the
             Image
             Nebuchadnezzar
             had
             set
             up
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Decree
             of
             the
             King.
             (
             observe
             this
             by
             the
             way
             and
             consider
             it
             well
             .
             What
             hath
             been
             set
             up
             all
             this
             night
             of
             the
             Apostacy
             ,
             but
             Images
             of
             the
             true
             Worship
             ?
             and
             what
             compelling
             hath
             there
             been
             thereto
             ?
             )
             Thus
             have
             Articles
             been
             framed
             ,
             and
             Statures
             made
             here
             in
             England
             ,
             (
             as
             in
             King
             Henry
             ,
             8.
             and
             in
             Queen
             Mary's
             days
             )
             which
             have
             been
             great
             Engines
             of
             Persecution
             :
             And
             thus
             have
             there
             been
             some
             late
             Laws
             made
             in
             New
             
               -
               England
            
             to
             the
             same
             Effect
             ,
             though
             better
             might
             have
             
             justly
             been
             expected
             from
             them
             .
             And
             this
             is
             not
             only
             a
             certain
             way
             ,
             but
             a
             very
             plausible
             way
             likewise
             ,
             whereby
             the
             Persecutor
             hides
             himself
             from
             the
             Imputation
             of
             Persecution
             ,
             and
             appears
             as
             a
             just
             Executer
             of
             the
             Law
             ;
             and
             so
             represents
             him
             ,
             who
             is
             upright
             before
             God
             and
             innocent
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             an
             Offender
             and
             Breaker
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             and
             so
             justly
             punishable
             .
             But
             this
             will
             not
             alwayes
             cover
             the
             unjust
             spirits
             Persecution
             of
             the
             Just
             .
             He
             that
             shall
             persecute
             the
             Lord
             of
             Glory
             (
             as
             he
             that
             persecuteth
             the
             least
             Member
             of
             His
             ,
             how
             contemptible
             soever
             he
             appears
             to
             his
             eye
             ,
             doth
             no
             lesse
             ,
             Act.
             9.
             4.
             
             Matth.
             25.
             40
             ,
             45.
             )
             when
             Christ
             shall
             call
             him
             to
             account
             ;
             therefore
             it
             will
             be
             a
             vain
             plea
             for
             him
             to
             say
             ,
             there
             was
             a
             Law
             for
             it
             ,
             and
             he
             acted
             according
             to
             Law.
             It
             is
             fit
             for
             all
             Men
             and
             Laws
             to
             bow
             before
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             disturb
             any
             in
             their
             Obedience
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             or
             hurt
             the
             Principle
             of
             his
             Life
             in
             any
             ,
             but
             cherish
             and
             nurse
             it
             up
             (
             as
             much
             as
             in
             them
             lies
             )
             in
             that
             tenderness
             which
             Christ
             begetteth
             in
             it
             ,
             and
             in
             that
             spiritual
             Liberty
             which
             Christ
             allows
             it
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             A
             third
             way
             of
             Persecution
             is
             by
             the
             hand
             of
             Violence
             ,
             without
             either
             Law
             ,
             or
             so
             much
             as
             pretence
             to
             Law.
             Thus
             the
             persecuting
             spirit
             ,
             when
             it
             hath
             power
             in
             its
             hand
             ,
             and
             is
             out
             of
             fear
             ,
             smiteth
             (
             with
             the
             open
             fist
             of
             wickedness
             )
             that
             which
             is
             an
             Enemy
             to
             ,
             and
             stands
             a
             Witness
             against
             its
             wickedness
             .
          
        
         
           
             6.
             
             
               The
               Ends
               of
               Persecution
               ,
               or
               what
               the
               Persecuting
               spirit
               aims
               at
               in
               its
               Persecuting
               ,
               and
               would
               fain
               attain
               thereby
               .
            
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             main
             end
             of
             Persecution
             ,
             is
             ,
             to
             bring
             the
             Children
             of
             Light
             ,
             (
             who
             have
             left
             the
             Evil
             ,
             Darkness
             and
             Corruption
             of
             the
             World
             )
             back
             to
             the
             World
             again
             .
             That
             which
             they
             persecute
             them
             for
             ,
             is
             ,
             for
             leaving
             the
             World
             both
             in
             its
             principle
             and
             practices
             ,
             and
             for
             professing
             obedience
             and
             subjection
             to
             another
             Spirit
             :
             That
             which
             they
             drive
             at
             in
             persecuting
             them
             is
             ,
             to
             force
             them
             back
             from
             under
             subjection
             to
             that
             Spirit
             which
             hath
             led
             them
             out
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             into
             subjection
             to
             the
             spirit
             of
             the
             World
             again
             .
             There
             is
             a
             great
             fight
             between
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             and
             the
             spirit
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             in
             the
             two
             Seeds
             ;
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             striving
             to
             bring
             the
             spirit
             of
             the
             World
             under
             ,
             
             and
             the
             spirit
             of
             the
             World
             striving
             to
             bring
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             under
             .
             This
             is
             well
             known
             in
             the
             heart
             ,
             where
             the
             new
             Birth
             is
             witnessed
             .
             O
             what
             striving
             there
             is
             by
             the
             powers
             of
             Darkness
             ,
             with
             all
             manner
             of
             secret
             Temptations
             and
             forcible
             Oppositions
             (
             so
             far
             as
             the
             Lord
             permits
             )
             to
             bring
             the
             Heart
             (
             which
             the
             Lord
             hath
             begun
             to
             redeem
             ,
             and
             in
             some
             measure
             set
             free
             from
             them
             )
             under
             their
             power
             again
             !
             And
             the
             same
             that
             stirs
             up
             the
             Darkness
             in
             the
             Heart
             against
             the
             Seed
             and
             Birth
             of
             Light
             there
             ,
             the
             same
             stirs
             up
             the
             Darkness
             in
             other
             men
             against
             it
             also
             .
             The
             Lord
             knows
             what
             bitter
             fights
             we
             have
             had
             with
             the
             Enemy
             in
             our
             own
             Hearts
             ,
             before
             we
             could
             leave
             our
             
               principles
               ,
               paths
            
             and
             practices
             of
             Darkness
             ,
             how
             hard
             it
             hath
             been
             to
             us
             to
             deny
             the
             World
             and
             come
             out
             of
             it
             :
             and
             yet
             when
             the
             Lord
             hath
             conquered
             and
             subjected
             the
             Darkness
             in
             our
             own
             hearts
             in
             any
             measure
             ,
             then
             we
             meet
             with
             a
             new
             fight
             abroad
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             the
             same
             Principle
             and
             Power
             in
             them
             fighting
             against
             us
             ,
             as
             did
             at
             first
             in
             our selves
             .
             And
             as
             this
             was
             the
             aim
             and
             work
             of
             the
             Power
             of
             Darkness
             in
             our selves
             (
             and
             still
             is
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             any
             of
             it
             is
             left
             in
             any
             of
             us
             )
             to
             bring
             us
             back
             under
             the
             Darkness
             again
             ,
             even
             from
             the
             Light
             and
             Leadings
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             from
             single
             obedience
             thereto
             :
             so
             it
             is
             the
             aim
             and
             endeavour
             of
             the
             same
             spirit
             in
             others
             .
             And
             if
             they
             could
             but
             bring
             us
             back
             from
             our
             God
             into
             the
             World
             again
             ,
             they
             would
             be
             at
             peace
             with
             us
             as
             well
             as
             with
             other
             men
             ,
             and
             love
             and
             cherish
             us
             as
             they
             do
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             A
             second
             End
             of
             Persecution
             in
             the
             spirit
             that
             persecuteth
             ,
             is
             ,
             to
             keep
             the
             Children
             of
             Light
             from
             gaining
             further
             ground
             .
             The
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             and
             his
             Truth
             is
             of
             a
             growing
             spreading
             nature
             .
             It
             is
             like
             Leaven
             ,
             like
             Salt
             ,
             like
             
               the
               Light
               of
               the
               Morning
            
             ;
             it
             's
             nature
             is
             to
             leaven
             ,
             to
             season
             ,
             to
             overspread
             and
             gather
             Mankind
             from
             the
             Evil
             ,
             from
             the
             Darkness
             ,
             from
             the
             Corruption
             ,
             from
             the
             Death
             and
             Destruction
             .
             Now
             the
             spirit
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             that
             spirit
             which
             ruleth
             the
             World
             ,
             is
             loth
             to
             lose
             ground
             ;
             and
             therefore
             hunts
             and
             seeks
             to
             destroy
             the
             Vessels
             wherein
             the
             Light
             appeareth
             ,
             and
             from
             whom
             it
             shineth
             sorth
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             them
             appear
             as
             odious
             as
             they
             may
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             keep
             all
             their
             own
             Territories
             and
             Dominions
             
             in
             a
             perfect
             detestation
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             distance
             from
             them
             .
             Thus
             though
             the
             People
             of
             God
             have
             still
             been
             an
             innocent
             People
             ,
             and
             simple
             as
             to
             the
             subtilty
             and
             deceit
             of
             the
             Serpent
             ,
             and
             weak
             and
             foolish
             in
             compare
             with
             the
             wise
             and
             strong
             ones
             in
             the
             worldly
             nature
             and
             spirit
             :
             yet
             they
             are
             still
             represented
             as
             most
             dangerous
             ,
             most
             subtile
             and
             pernicious
             ,
             as
             shrewd
             Deceivers
             ,
             Witches
             ,
             Jesuites
             ,
             &c.
             yea
             ,
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             hateful
             and
             hated
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             A
             third
             End
             of
             Persecution
             ,
             is
             ,
             to
             afflict
             ,
             grieve
             ,
             vex
             ,
             disturb
             and
             torment
             those
             ,
             whose
             Principles
             and
             Practices
             are
             displeasing
             to
             them
             .
             There
             is
             enmity
             in
             the
             nature
             and
             spirit
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             against
             the
             holy
             pure
             Spirit
             and
             Seed
             of
             God
             :
             and
             if
             it
             cannot
             overcome
             and
             get
             its
             will
             one
             way
             in
             bringing
             back
             ,
             yet
             it
             will
             strive
             to
             have
             its
             will
             another
             way
             ,
             even
             in
             vexing
             and
             afflicting
             .
             It
             is
             the
             pleasure
             of
             hatred
             or
             enmity
             to
             do
             any
             thing
             which
             may
             hurt
             that
             ,
             against
             which
             its
             hatred
             is
             .
             Thus
             the
             evil
             spirit
             
               rejoyceth
               in
               iniquity
            
             ,
             in
             grieving
             and
             afflicting
             that
             which
             is
             good
             .
             As
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Love
             delights
             in
             Love
             ,
             and
             in
             doing
             good
             even
             to
             those
             which
             persecute
             :
             so
             the
             spirit
             of
             enmity
             delights
             in
             hatred
             and
             doing
             evil
             ,
             even
             in
             vexing
             and
             oppressing
             those
             which
             seek
             their
             good
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             not
             ,
             nor
             cannot
             be
             one
             with
             them
             in
             their
             
               dark
               principles
            
             and
             
               evil
               practices
            
             .
          
        
         
           
             7.
             
             
               The
               colour
               ,
               or
               pretence
               which
               men
               put
               upon
               their
               Persecutions
               of
               that
               which
               is
               good
               .
            
          
           
             Persecution
             is
             so
             hateful
             (
             and
             hath
             such
             a
             blackness
             of
             spirit
             in
             it
             )
             that
             it
             cannot
             endure
             to
             appear
             in
             its
             own
             colour
             .
             Where
             is
             the
             man
             that
             would
             appear
             to
             persecure
             that
             which
             is
             good
             in
             men
             ,
             or
             men
             because
             of
             their
             goodness
             ?
             Therefore
             all
             Persecutors
             ,
             though
             they
             still
             persecute
             that
             which
             is
             good
             ,
             and
             those
             which
             are
             good
             ;
             yet
             they
             still
             represent
             and
             charge
             them
             as
             evil
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             thereby
             hide
             the
             badness
             and
             unjustness
             of
             their
             Persecutions
             from
             their
             own
             eyes
             ,
             and
             from
             the
             eyes
             of
             others
             .
             Thus
             the
             true
             Prophets
             of
             the
             Lord
             were
             alwayes
             misrepresented
             by
             their
             Persecutors
             ,
             even
             as
             false
             Prophets
             ,
             as
             
               Troublers
               of
               Israel
            
             ,
             as
             mad
             men
             ,
             as
             men
             not
             fit
             to
             be
             
             tolerated
             in
             the
             Kingdom
             or
             Commonwealth
             of
             Israel
             :
             see
             Jer.
             29.
             26
             ,
             27.
             
             And
             those
             which
             condemned
             their
             fore-fathers
             ,
             for
             persecuting
             the
             true
             Prophets
             in
             former
             dayes
             ,
             yet
             could
             also
             persecute
             the
             true
             Prophets
             in
             their
             own
             dayes
             .
             Christ
             himself
             ,
             when
             he
             asked
             the
             Jews
             ,
             for
             which
             of
             his
             good
             works
             they
             stoned
             him
             ?
             They
             said
             ,
             
               Not
               for
               a
               good
               work
            
             ,
             or
             
               as
               a
               good
               man
            
             ;
             but
             
               for
               his
               doing
               evil
            
             ,
             for
             his
             blasphemy
             ,
             in
             that
             he
             
               being
               a
               man
               ,
               would
               make
               himself
               God
               ,
               Joh.
            
             10
             ,
             32
             ,
             33.
             
             And
             the
             Pharisees
             did
             not
             represent
             him
             as
             a
             good
             man
             ,
             as
             an
             holy
             Teacher
             from
             God
             (
             as
             indeed
             He
             was
             ,
             though
             his
             Doctrine
             and
             Conversation
             differed
             very
             much
             from
             theirs
             )
             but
             as
             a
             Deceiver
             ,
             a
             Seducer
             of
             the
             People
             ,
             a
             mean
             man
             ,
             the
             son
             of
             Joseph
             the
             Carpenter
             ,
             one
             whom
             none
             of
             the
             wise
             Scribes
             owned
             ,
             but
             only
             such
             silly
             people
             as
             knew
             not
             the
             Law
             
               (
               Joh.
               7.
            
             49.
             
             )
             yea
             ,
             as
             a
             very
             bad
             man
             ,
             as
             one
             that
             was
             against
             the
             Worship
             and
             Ordinances
             of
             Moses
             ,
             against
             God's
             Temple
             and
             Priests
             in
             his
             Doctrine
             and
             Principles
             ,
             and
             a
             prophaner
             of
             God's
             holy
             Sabbath
             in
             his
             Practices
             :
             yea
             ,
             more
             than
             this
             ,
             they
             represented
             Him
             as
             a
             man
             that
             had
             a
             Devil
             ;
             and
             when
             the
             mighty
             Power
             of
             God
             appeared
             in
             Him
             ,
             they
             said
             it
             was
             the
             power
             of
             the
             Devil
             ,
             and
             that
             He
             was
             able
             to
             do
             such
             great
             things
             beyond
             them
             ,
             through
             the
             help
             of
             Beelzebub
             the
             Prince
             of
             Devils
             .
             Could
             the
             Jews
             think
             they
             did
             otherwise
             than
             well
             in
             desiring
             such
             a
             man
             as
             this
             to
             be
             put
             to
             death
             ?
             might
             they
             not
             well
             prefer
             Barrabas
             before
             a
             man
             thus
             represented
             by
             their
             chief
             Priests
             and
             Teachers
             ,
             who
             knew
             and
             could
             expound
             the
             Law
             ,
             and
             were
             best
             able
             to
             judge
             (
             as
             they
             might
             well
             think
             )
             both
             what
             was
             the
             Truth
             ,
             and
             who
             were
             Deceivers
             ?
          
        
         
           
             8.
             
             
               The
               Blessednesse
               of
               the
               Persecuted
            
             .
          
           
             The
             Disciple
             of
             Christ
             ,
             who
             is
             persecuted
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             ,
             who
             suffers
             from
             men
             and
             their
             Laws
             for
             the
             uprightness
             of
             his
             heart
             towards
             ,
             and
             for
             his
             obedience
             unto
             Christ
             ,
             that
             man
             is
             precious
             in
             the
             eye
             of
             Christ
             and
             hath
             his
             blessing
             with
             Him
             :
             yea
             ,
             the
             more
             men
             disesteem
             and
             hate
             him
             upon
             this
             account
             ,
             the
             greater
             is
             his
             blessedness
             .
             
               Blessed
               are
               ye
               when
               men
               shall
               revile
               you
               ,
               and
               persecute
               you
               ,
               and
               shall
               say
               all
               manner
               of
            
             
             
               Evil
               against
               you
               falsly
               for
               my
               sake
               .
               Rejoyce
               and
               be
               exceeding
               glad
               ,
               Matth.
            
             5.
             11
             ,
             12.
             
             He
             is
             blessed
             in
             several
             respects
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             man
             is
             in
             that
             Spirit
             and
             in
             that
             way
             which
             God
             hath
             chosen
             ,
             and
             so
             he
             is
             in
             a
             happy
             state
             and
             condition
             at
             present
             .
             He
             is
             in
             the
             path
             of
             Life
             ,
             in
             the
             way
             of
             Peace
             ,
             under
             the
             Leadings
             of
             God's
             Spirit
             .
             The
             World
             loveth
             and
             cherisheth
             that
             which
             is
             its
             own
             ,
             that
             which
             is
             of
             it
             and
             walketh
             with
             it
             ;
             but
             is
             at
             enmity
             and
             war
             with
             that
             which
             is
             of
             God.
             Therefore
             the
             World's
             Dislike
             ,
             Enmity
             and
             Persecution
             is
             an
             evidence
             of
             God's
             choice
             ,
             and
             of
             a
             Removal
             from
             it
             towards
             God.
             It
             is
             an
             happy
             thing
             in
             the
             eye
             of
             man
             ,
             to
             be
             at
             unity
             with
             the
             World
             ,
             to
             have
             the
             love
             and
             friendship
             thereof
             ,
             to
             have
             all
             men
             speak
             well
             of
             one
             ,
             to
             be
             found
             doing
             that
             which
             is
             pleasing
             in
             the
             eye
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             enjoying
             the
             pleasures
             and
             profits
             thereof
             :
             but
             in
             the
             eye
             of
             God
             it
             is
             happy
             to
             be
             in
             unity
             with
             that
             which
             is
             contrary
             to
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             procureth
             its
             ill-will
             .
             
               Love
               not
               the
               World
               ,
               neither
               the
               things
               that
               are
               in
               the
               World.
               If
               any
               man
               love
               the
               World
               ,
               the
               love
               of
               the
               Father
            
             (
             which
             begetteth
             out
             of
             the
             World
             )
             
               is
               not
               in
               him
            
             .
             But
             he
             that
             loseth
             the
             love
             of
             the
             World
             (
             for
             the
             Principle
             of
             God
             and
             his
             subjection
             thereto
             )
             is
             in
             that
             which
             the
             Father
             loveth
             ,
             and
             feeleth
             the
             Love
             of
             the
             Father
             opened
             in
             him
             ,
             and
             revealed
             to
             him
             :
             and
             this
             is
             truly
             an
             happy
             state
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Recompence
             ,
             which
             God
             will
             give
             to
             them
             in
             the
             World
             to
             come
             ,
             who
             cleave
             to
             Him
             and
             his
             Truth
             ,
             for
             all
             the
             Persecutions
             which
             they
             endure
             in
             this
             World
             for
             his
             Truth
             's
             sake
             ,
             is
             exceeding
             great
             .
             
               Great
               is
               your
               Reward
               in
               Heaven
               ,
            
             Mat.
             5.
             14.
             
             
               Our
               light
               Affliction
               ,
               which
               is
               but
               for
               a
               moment
            
             (
             but
             at
             most
             ,
             for
             the
             time
             of
             this
             world
             )
             
               worketh
               for
               us
               a
               far
               more
               exceeding
               eternal
               weight
               of
               Glory
               ,
            
             2
             Cor.
             4.
             17.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             The
             Reward
             is
             great
             in
             this
             world
             also
             .
             There
             is
             an
             hundred
             fold
             Recompence
             to
             be
             reaped
             in
             this
             life
             .
             The
             Peace
             of
             God
             in
             the
             Conscience
             ,
             the
             Presence
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             Life
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             Vertue
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             Glory
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             (
             which
             accompanieth
             ,
             resteth
             with
             ,
             and
             abideth
             on
             the
             heart
             which
             is
             faithful
             ,
             and
             waiteth
             upon
             God
             for
             Patience
             ,
             Meekness
             ,
             Innocency
             and
             Strength
             to
             carry
             through
             the
             Sufferings
             )
             may
             well
             be
             valued
             at
             above
             an
             hundred
             fold
             Income
             and
             Recompence
             ,
             
             for
             all
             the
             Hardships
             and
             Tribusations
             which
             are
             undergone
             for
             his
             Name-sake
             .
             
               If
               ye
               be
               reproached
               for
               the
               Name
               of
               Christ
               ,
               happy
               are
               ye
               ;
               for
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Glory
               and
               of
               God
               resteth
               upon
               you
               ,
            
             1
             Pet.
             4.
             14.
             
          
        
         
           
             9.
             
             
               The
               grievous
               misery
               of
               the
               Persecutors
               .
            
          
           
             It
             is
             a
             miserable
             thing
             to
             be
             deceived
             about
             that
             which
             is
             good
             ,
             to
             put
             Good
             for
             
               evil
               ,
               Light
            
             for
             
               darkness
               ,
               Sweet
            
             for
             bitter
             ,
             and
             so
             (
             under
             a
             mistake
             at
             least
             )
             become
             a
             Persecutor
             of
             the
             good
             .
             All
             good
             is
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             is
             against
             good
             is
             against
             God
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             a
             dreadful
             thing
             for
             the
             creature
             to
             set
             himself
             in
             battel
             against
             his
             Creator
             ,
             and
             to
             engage
             the
             Power
             and
             Wrath
             of
             the
             Omnipotent
             One
             against
             him
             ,
             though
             while
             the
             eye
             is
             shut
             ,
             it
             doth
             not
             appear
             to
             men
             ,
             either
             that
             they
             are
             against
             God
             ,
             or
             that
             their
             danger
             is
             so
             great
             thereby
             ,
             as
             indeed
             it
             is
             .
             The
             Children
             of
             God
             are
             as
             the
             Apple
             of
             his
             Eye
             :
             Who
             can
             touch
             them
             ,
             and
             He
             not
             be
             deeply
             sensible
             ?
             yea
             ,
             and
             they
             are
             most
             dear
             to
             God
             in
             that
             ,
             for
             which
             the
             World
             most
             persecutes
             them
             .
             And
             therefore
             their
             danger
             and
             misery
             must
             needs
             be
             great
             ,
             which
             may
             further
             appear
             in
             these
             three
             respects
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             In
             respect
             of
             the
             weight
             of
             Wrath
             ,
             which
             their
             Persecutions
             of
             others
             here
             will
             bring
             upon
             themselves
             in
             the
             world
             to
             come
             .
             Then
             every
             hard
             word
             ,
             with
             every
             thing
             they
             have
             done
             against
             any
             Lamb
             of
             Christ's
             ,
             shall
             come
             upon
             them
             .
             There
             is
             a
             time
             of
             Judgment
             for
             all
             that
             is
             sowed
             in
             this
             world
             :
             and
             then
             every
             one
             shall
             reap
             what
             he
             hath
             sowed
             .
             And
             if
             he
             that
             hath
             not
             visited
             the
             sick
             and
             imprisoned
             for
             Christ's
             sake
             ,
             shall
             hear
             that
             sentence
             ,
             
               Go
               ye
               our
               sed
               ,
               &c.
            
             what
             will
             his
             portion
             be
             ,
             who
             hath
             imprisoned
             them
             and
             caused
             their
             sickness
             ?
             Now
             is
             our
             time
             of
             trouble
             ;
             but
             the
             Lord
             hath
             prepared
             a
             day
             of
             rest
             for
             that
             Spirit
             which
             is
             troubled
             in
             this
             world
             by
             the
             spirit
             of
             this
             world
             ,
             and
             then
             shall
             the
             troublesom
             spirit
             ,
             which
             troubled
             the
             peaceable
             Spirit
             (
             and
             would
             give
             it
             no
             rest
             in
             its
             following
             and
             obeying
             the
             Lord
             )
             be
             troubled
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             2
             Thess
             .
             1.
             6
             ,
             7.
             
             And
             what
             shall
             the
             misery
             of
             that
             spirit
             be
             ,
             whom
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Lord
             troubleth
             and
             filleth
             with
             
             anguish
             ,
             and
             torments
             in
             his
             Fire
             and
             with
             his
             Brimstone
             !
             Oh
             that
             men
             would
             awaken
             and
             consider
             in
             time
             ,
             and
             not
             fell
             away
             their
             everlasting
             Inheritance
             for
             a
             mess
             of
             Vanity
             and
             transitory
             Lusts
             and
             Pleasures
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             hand
             of
             God
             doth
             often
             overtake
             them
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             and
             the
             Lord
             doth
             many
             times
             curse
             their
             very
             Blessings
             to
             them
             ,
             insomuch
             as
             they
             cannot
             enjoy
             this
             world
             with
             that
             sweetness
             and
             content
             they
             might
             ,
             were
             it
             not
             for
             the
             rage
             and
             bitterness
             of
             their
             spirits
             against
             God's
             People
             ,
             and
             their
             provoking
             of
             God
             against
             them
             thereby
             .
             How
             many
             of
             his
             own
             People
             did
             Pharoah
             lose
             ,
             and
             how
             did
             he
             break
             the
             strength
             and
             glory
             of
             his
             Kingdom
             ,
             by
             persecuting
             God's
             Israel
             of
             old
             ?
             How
             did
             Amalek
             cause
             his
             name
             to
             be
             rooted
             out
             from
             under
             Heaven
             ?
             How
             did
             the
             Nations
             and
             mighty
             Powers
             of
             the
             Earth
             fall
             upon
             this
             account
             ,
             one
             after
             another
             ?
             And
             in
             this
             Nation
             how
             many
             Powers
             have
             already
             fallen
             thereby
             !
             
               Jerusalem
               is
               a
               burthensome
               stone
            
             (
             it
             was
             so
             in
             the
             type
             ,
             it
             is
             much
             more
             so
             in
             the
             substance
             )
             which
             lyes
             in
             the
             way
             of
             every
             earthly
             spirit
             and
             power
             ,
             which
             they
             know
             not
             how
             to
             build
             with
             ,
             neither
             can
             they
             rear
             up
             their
             own
             building
             because
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             therefore
             every
             Power
             strives
             to
             remove
             it
             out
             of
             their
             way
             :
             but
             they
             know
             not
             the
             weight
             of
             it
             ,
             nor
             who
             it
             is
             that
             hath
             squared
             it
             ,
             nor
             how
             firm
             it
             is
             fixed
             upon
             the
             Rock
             .
             The
             earthly
             spirit
             is
             never
             to
             enjoy
             any
             true
             or
             lasting
             Peace
             and
             Settlement
             (
             which
             is
             the
             Gift
             of
             God
             )
             until
             it
             leave
             off
             persecuting
             God's
             Israel
             (
             which
             are
             the
             People
             whom
             God
             calleth
             out
             of
             the
             world
             )
             and
             leave
             them
             free
             for
             God
             to
             enjoy
             ,
             command
             and
             dispose
             of
             :
             and
             whatever
             holds
             Israel
             in
             bondage
             ,
             either
             within
             or
             without
             ,
             must
             either
             subject
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             or
             be
             broken
             by
             that
             Arm
             of
             Power
             ,
             which
             the
             Lord
             putteth
             forth
             to
             redeem
             Israel
             with
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             By
             all
             their
             Persecutions
             and
             Afflictions
             they
             shall
             but
             increase
             and
             cause
             to
             grow
             ,
             that
             which
             they
             strive
             to
             suppress
             .
             This
             is
             Misery
             indeed
             ,
             for
             a
             man
             to
             hazard
             his
             soul
             eternally
             ,
             and
             his
             Peace
             and
             Prosperity
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             to
             crush
             and
             suppress
             a
             People
             ,
             and
             yet
             not
             be
             able
             to
             effect
             that
             neither
             ,
             but
             even
             thereby
             occasion
             their
             growth
             and
             encrease
             :
             and
             yet
             so
             it
             is
             in
             the
             day
             that
             God
             putteth
             forth
             his
             hand
             to
             redeem
             Israel
             .
             
             The
             wayes
             that
             man
             takes
             to
             bring
             them
             back
             into
             captivity
             shall
             be
             the
             means
             of
             perfecting
             their
             Redemption
             .
             Come
             ,
             said
             
               Pharoah
               ,
               this
               People
               multiply
               too
               fast
               ,
               they
               grow
               more
               and
               mightier
               than
               we
               ;
               let
               us
               deal
               wisely
               with
               them
               ,
               and
               keep
               them
               down
               by
               hard
               labour
               ,
               lest
               they
               grow
               over-numerous
               and
               joyn
               with
               our
               Enemies
               against
               us
               ,
               when
               they
               see
               their
               advantage
               :
            
             But
             they
             grew
             and
             spread
             the
             more
             ,
             upon
             his
             wise
             plotting
             and
             contriving
             to
             diminish
             them
             .
             And
             what
             did
             he
             get
             by
             striving
             to
             keep
             them
             from
             going
             forth
             of
             his
             Land
             and
             Idolatrous
             Worships
             ,
             to
             worship
             the
             Lord
             aright
             ,
             but
             Plagues
             and
             Judgements
             upon
             himself
             and
             his
             People
             from
             the
             Lord
             ?
             Can
             the
             Powers
             of
             the
             Earth
             withstand
             God
             any
             more
             now
             ,
             than
             they
             could
             formerly
             ?
             shall
             not
             He
             redeem
             and
             bring
             forth
             his
             People
             from
             the
             Land
             of
             Babylon
             ?
             His
             spiritual
             Israel
             from
             the
             spiritual
             Egypt
             ?
             Shall
             He
             not
             break
             the
             Antichristian
             Yoak
             from
             their
             Consciences
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             be
             free
             in
             spirit
             to
             serve
             the
             Lord
             ?
             Can
             any
             hinder
             God
             from
             breathing
             his
             Spirit
             upon
             People
             ,
             and
             from
             begetting
             them
             in
             the
             image
             and
             likeness
             of
             his
             Spirit
             unto
             Himself
             ?
             And
             shall
             not
             these
             be
             the
             Lord's
             ?
             shall
             not
             the
             same
             Spirit
             teach
             them
             to
             worship
             the
             Lord
             ?
             shall
             God
             call
             them
             to
             worship
             Him
             openly
             ,
             and
             shall
             they
             not
             obey
             him
             ,
             but
             worship
             Him
             according
             to
             man's
             Inventions
             and
             Commandments
             ,
             or
             not
             at
             all
             publickly
             ?
             Oh
             ye
             sons
             of
             men
             be
             wise
             ,
             do
             not
             contend
             with
             the
             Lord
             ;
             be
             not
             bewitched
             by
             the
             
               Cup
               of
               Fornications
            
             ,
             from
             the
             
               pure
               spiritual
               Worship
            
             of
             the
             living
             God
             ,
             into
             
               Man's
               Inventions
            
             ,
             which
             the
             Lord's
             Soul
             loaths
             ;
             nor
             do
             not
             strive
             to
             hold
             any
             back
             from
             the
             Lord
             ,
             whom
             the
             Lord
             draws
             after
             Him
             :
             but
             consider
             his
             Power
             ,
             wait
             to
             know
             his
             Work
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             do
             not
             intrench
             upon
             his
             Dominions
             ,
             but
             be
             thankful
             for
             and
             content
             with
             your
             own
             ;
             and
             do
             not
             provoke
             Him
             against
             you
             ,
             who
             can
             more
             easily
             take
             yours
             from
             you
             ,
             than
             ye
             can
             His
             from
             Him.
             And
             consider
             this
             Watch-word
             ,
             in
             that
             which
             can
             open
             and
             shew
             the
             truth
             of
             it
             ;
             
               The
               Lord
               hath
               put
               forth
               his
               Arm
               to
               recover
               his
               Possessions
               from
               out
               of
               the
               hands
               of
               Antichrist
               :
            
             and
             who
             shall
             be
             able
             to
             force
             it
             back
             again
             ,
             to
             make
             it
             return
             into
             His
             bosom
             without
             effecting
             what
             He
             stretched
             it
             forth
             for
             ?
          
           
             Therefore
             ,
             O
             Magistrates
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             do
             not
             make
             use
             
             of
             the
             Sword
             to
             suppress
             the
             Plants
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             to
             cut
             down
             that
             which
             manifestly
             is
             not
             of
             God.
             Look
             abroad
             throughout
             this
             Nation
             ,
             behold
             how
             much
             evil
             there
             is
             to
             grieve
             and
             provoke
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             to
             divert
             good
             from
             the
             Nation
             ;
             and
             to
             bring
             wrath
             upon
             it
             and
             the
             Government
             thereof
             ;
             strike
             at
             that
             in
             righteous
             and
             true
             Judgment
             ,
             and
             with
             mercy
             to
             creatures
             souls
             and
             bodies
             :
             but
             that
             which
             certainly
             is
             of
             God
             ,
             meddle
             not
             with
             ;
             and
             that
             which
             may
             be
             of
             God
             ,
             for
             ought
             ye
             know
             ,
             be
             circumspect
             in
             medling
             with
             ,
             lest
             ye
             engage
             God
             against
             you
             .
             It
             were
             better
             to
             let
             many
             Tares
             grow
             ,
             than
             pluck
             up
             one
             Ear
             of
             Corn.
             Christ
             hath
             absolutely
             expressed
             it
             to
             be
             his
             Mind
             ,
             that
             he
             would
             not
             have
             that
             done
             ,
             which
             may
             so
             much
             as
             hazard
             the
             plucking
             up
             of
             an
             Ear
             of
             Corn
             ,
             
               (
               Mat.
            
             13.
             29.
             )
             But
             oh
             how
             are
             the
             Laws
             and
             Governments
             of
             this
             world
             to
             be
             lamented
             over
             (
             and
             oh
             what
             need
             there
             is
             of
             their
             Reformation
             )
             whose
             common
             work
             it
             is
             to
             pluck
             up
             the
             Ears
             of
             Corn
             ,
             and
             leave
             the
             Tares
             standing
             !
             The
             chief
             cause
             of
             this
             misery
             (
             from
             whence
             it
             principally
             ariseth
             )
             is
             men's
             medling
             with
             those
             things
             which
             God
             hath
             reserved
             for
             Himself
             ,
             and
             assaying
             to
             do
             that
             carnally
             ,
             which
             God
             once
             did
             spiritually
             ,
             and
             will
             do
             spiritually
             again
             in
             his
             due
             time
             ,
             when
             He
             hath
             sufficiently
             shewn
             how
             untoward
             and
             improper
             mans
             hand
             is
             to
             effect
             it
             .
             The
             Christians
             in
             the
             Apostles
             dayes
             ,
             were
             
               of
               one
               heart
               and
               one
               mind
               ,
            
             which
             proceeded
             from
             the
             Power
             and
             Work
             of
             God
             upon
             them
             ,
             and
             then
             they
             soon
             came
             into
             one
             Way
             and
             Worship
             :
             but
             men
             will
             have
             Unity
             and
             Uniformity
             in
             a
             way
             of
             Religion
             and
             Worship
             ,
             before
             there
             is
             one
             heart
             and
             one
             mind
             .
             Now
             this
             is
             contrary
             to
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             and
             to
             the
             very
             nature
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             cause
             of
             much
             Cruelty
             upon
             mens
             Consciences
             :
             and
             this
             hath
             been
             and
             will
             be
             the
             constant
             effect
             of
             it
             ,
             even
             the
             crushing
             (
             as
             much
             as
             lies
             in
             man
             )
             of
             that
             which
             is
             tender
             ,
             and
             of
             and
             for
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             encreasing
             of
             that
             which
             is
             formal
             ,
             dead
             and
             earthly
             .
             Now
             if
             ever
             Christ
             appointed
             or
             intended
             such
             a
             Church-Government
             ,
             which
             naturally
             produceth
             this
             effect
             ,
             let
             all
             that
             fear
             God
             ,
             and
             are
             of
             sober
             spirits
             ,
             judge
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             10.
             
             
               The
               way
               and
               means
               to
               avoid
               Persecution
               .
            
          
           
             Where
             is
             the
             man
             (
             in
             whom
             there
             is
             any
             good
             ,
             who
             hath
             any
             love
             to
             Goodness
             and
             Righteousness
             ,
             who
             hateth
             Cruelty
             and
             Oppression
             over
             mens
             outward
             Liberties
             and
             Estates
             ,
             and
             much
             more
             over
             the
             Consciences
             of
             People
             )
             that
             could
             not
             with
             his
             heart
             desire
             to
             have
             this
             grand
             Enemy
             removed
             ,
             both
             from
             particular
             persons
             ,
             and
             also
             from
             Governors
             and
             Governments
             ,
             that
             Peace
             and
             Settlement
             might
             be
             known
             ,
             Righteousness
             reaped
             ,
             all
             Cruelty
             and
             Hardness
             in
             one
             man
             towards
             another
             removed
             ,
             and
             there
             be
             
               no
               more
               complaining
               in
               our
               streets
               ,
            
             either
             because
             of
             
               Oppressions
               from
               men
            
             ,
             or
             
               fear
               of
               Wrath
               from
               God
            
             upon
             those
             Governments
             which
             oppress
             ?
             And
             who
             would
             not
             earnestly
             pray
             to
             God
             for
             the
             discovery
             of
             that
             way
             and
             those
             means
             ,
             and
             be
             very
             industrious
             in
             the
             use
             of
             them
             ,
             whereby
             this
             persecuting
             spirit
             and
             temper
             might
             be
             wasted
             and
             dryed
             up
             in
             him
             ?
             Now
             the
             way
             and
             means
             whereby
             the
             persecuting
             spirit
             may
             be
             subdued
             ,
             are
             divers
             ,
             as
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             
               By
               a
               true
               Awe
               and
               Fear
               of
               God
               in
               the
               heart
               .
            
             The
             Fear
             of
             God
             teacheth
             to
             depart
             from
             Iniquity
             ,
             and
             to
             seek
             the
             crucifying
             and
             bringing
             under
             of
             the
             worldly
             spirit
             in
             a
             man's
             self
             ,
             and
             to
             wait
             daily
             to
             have
             God's
             Will
             revealed
             ,
             and
             likewise
             to
             be
             made
             obedient
             thereunto
             .
             Now
             he
             that
             is
             in
             this
             temper
             of
             spirit
             ,
             will
             hardly
             be
             drawn
             to
             persecute
             another
             ,
             but
             rather
             rejoyce
             to
             see
             a
             tenderness
             of
             spirit
             in
             him
             ,
             and
             true
             subjection
             of
             heart
             to
             what
             he
             believes
             to
             be
             the
             Mind
             and
             Will
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             dares
             not
             so
             much
             as
             judge
             him
             for
             differing
             ,
             either
             in
             Apprehensions
             or
             Practices
             about
             Worship
             ,
             much
             lesse
             persecute
             him
             therefore
             .
             But
             that
             man
             who
             is
             of
             a
             prophane
             spirit
             ,
             or
             comes
             easily
             by
             his
             Religion
             (
             even
             by
             the
             wisdom
             ,
             industry
             and
             parts
             of
             man
             ,
             and
             not
             by
             the
             gift
             of
             God
             )
             and
             is
             exercised
             in
             that
             Fear
             of
             God
             which
             is
             taught
             by
             the
             Precepts
             of
             men
             ,
             but
             knoweth
             not
             that
             Fear
             which
             God
             puts
             in
             the
             heart
             (
             from
             whence
             the
             true
             Religion
             and
             Worship
             springs
             )
             either
             of
             these
             may
             be
             drawn
             to
             persecute
             ,
             yea
             indeed
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             hard
             for
             either
             of
             them
             to
             abstain
             there-from
             .
          
           
           
             2.
             
             
               By
               meckness
               of
               spirit
            
             .
             The
             Gospel
             makes
             meek
             ,
             tender
             ,
             gentle
             ,
             peaceable
             ,
             fills
             with
             love
             and
             sweetness
             of
             spirit
             ,
             teacheth
             to
             love
             ,
             to
             forgive
             ,
             to
             pray
             for
             and
             bless
             enemies
             :
             and
             how
             shall
             this
             man
             persecute
             ?
             Can
             a
             Lamb
             persecute
             ?
             Can
             a
             Dove
             persecute
             ?
             Indeed
             a
             Wolf
             in
             Sheeps
             clothing
             may
             raven
             and
             devour
             ,
             but
             a
             true
             sheep
             cannot
             .
             As
             the
             power
             of
             the
             Gospel
             is
             known
             ,
             the
             devouring
             and
             persecuting
             nature
             is
             destroyed
             :
             and
             that
             being
             taken
             away
             ,
             Persecution
             soon
             comes
             to
             an
             end
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             
               By
               a
               sober
               and
               patient
               consideration
               of
               their
               cause
               whom
               they
               persecute
               ,
               and
               what
               it
               is
               in
               themselves
               which
               moves
               them
               to
               persecute
               them
               .
            
             The
             strength
             of
             Persecution
             lies
             in
             the
             darknes
             ,
             in
             the
             dark
             thoughts
             ,
             mis-judgings
             and
             misapprehensions
             about
             him
             ,
             whom
             one
             persecutes
             or
             is
             inclined
             to
             persecute
             ,
             in
             prejudices
             ,
             and
             false
             judgements
             of
             Persons
             and
             things
             received
             :
             which
             by
             a
             sober
             hearing
             and
             considering
             of
             things
             in
             God's
             fear
             and
             in
             meekness
             ,
             might
             be
             removed
             ;
             and
             then
             the
             eager
             Persecuting
             heat
             of
             spirit
             would
             soon
             abate
             and
             fall
             ,
             the
             fewel
             (
             which
             kindled
             it
             )
             being
             taken
             away
             .
             
               The
               Jews
               stopped
               their
               ears
               and
               ran
               upon
               Stephen
               ,
               Acts.
            
             7.
             57.
             
             This
             is
             the
             way
             of
             persecuting
             spirits
             ;
             They
             take
             in
             prejudices
             against
             persons
             ,
             their
             Principles
             and
             Practices
             ,
             stop
             their
             ears
             against
             what
             may
             be
             said
             to
             manifest
             either
             the
             equity
             of
             the
             thing
             in
             its
             self
             ,
             or
             their
             mistake
             about
             it
             ,
             and
             then
             run
             headlong
             in
             their
             fury
             of
             persecuting
             and
             devouring
             .
             But
             he
             that
             is
             sober
             and
             considerate
             and
             weighs
             the
             cause
             before
             he
             engages
             against
             it
             ,
             and
             observes
             what
             it
             is
             in
             him
             which
             moves
             so
             hotly
             against
             another
             ,
             and
             which
             is
             so
             ready
             to
             believe
             ill
             aforehand
             :
             he
             shall
             soon
             see
             that
             ,
             which
             is
             always
             hid
             from
             the
             eye
             of
             the
             Persecutor
             ,
             and
             find
             water
             to
             cast
             on
             this
             devouring
             fire
             of
             spirit
             in
             him
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             
               By
               a
               righteous
               frame
               of
               spirit
               ,
               which
               is
               willing
               to
               do
               by
               another
               ,
               as
               he
               would
               be
               done
               to
               in
               the
               like
               case
               .
            
             Persecution
             ariseth
             from
             unrighteousness
             and
             selfishness
             ;
             righteousness
             and
             true
             equity
             would
             soon
             end
             it
             .
             If
             no
             man
             would
             make
             another
             man's
             Conscience
             bow
             by
             force
             who
             would
             not
             have
             his
             own
             so
             bowed
             ,
             Persecution
             would
             soon
             cease
             .
             But
             this
             is
             the
             great
             evil
             and
             unrighteousness
             of
             man
             ;
             whoever
             is
             uppermost
             ,
             thinks
             he
             hath
             ,
             right
             to
             bow
             all
             the
             rest
             under
             him
             ,
             and
             looks
             upon
             them
             as
             guilty
             and
             offenders
             ,
             if
             their
             Consciences
             do
             not
             yield
             and
             bow
             
             under
             him
             .
             And
             he
             that
             newly
             complained
             of
             the
             load
             laid
             on
             his
             Conscience
             by
             others
             ,
             yet
             if
             he
             can
             get
             ease
             and
             power
             into
             his
             hand
             ,
             is
             presently
             laying
             a
             load
             upon
             others
             .
             Here
             is
             a
             wrong
             frame
             of
             spirit
             within
             ,
             and
             how
             can
             it
             chuse
             but
             bring
             forth
             injury
             and
             Persecution
             outwardly
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             
               By
               taking
               heed
               and
               watching
               against
               the
               corrupt
               and
               carnal
               ,
               Principle
               ,
               with
               the
               reasonings
               ,
               self-ends
               and
               interests
               thereof
               ,
               and
               hearkening
               to
               the
               Principle
               of
               God
               ,
               which
               teacheth
               and
               speaketh
               right
               Reason
               .
            
             Man
             ,
             as
             he
             came
             from
             God
             and
             was
             by
             especial
             favour
             formed
             in
             His
             Image
             :
             So
             it
             pleased
             God
             to
             place
             in
             him
             a
             Principle
             of
             His
             own
             Life
             to
             govern
             him
             .
             This
             Image
             was
             defaced
             by
             the
             fall
             ,
             and
             this
             Principle
             forfeited
             ,
             yet
             for
             Christ's
             sake
             (
             who
             is
             the
             Saviour
             of
             all
             men
             ,
             but
             especially
             of
             them
             that
             believe
             )
             the
             Lord
             stirreth
             up
             and
             visiteth
             all
             mankind
             more
             or
             less
             ,
             by
             the
             pure
             eternal
             Principle
             of
             His
             own
             Light
             and
             Life
             in
             Christ
             .
             In
             hearkening
             to
             this
             ,
             man's
             reason
             is
             rectified
             ,
             purified
             and
             preserved
             pure
             ;
             and
             his
             steps
             here
             are
             safe
             :
             But
             consulting
             and
             contriving
             out
             of
             this
             ,
             he
             meets
             with
             that
             which
             corrupts
             him
             (
             captivating
             and
             mis-byassing
             his
             reason
             )
             and
             then
             all
             his
             intents
             ,
             designes
             and
             contrivances
             become
             corrupt
             ,
             and
             tend
             not
             onely
             towards
             the
             prejudice
             of
             others
             at
             present
             ,
             but
             also
             to
             his
             own
             loss
             and
             detriment
             in
             the
             issue
             .
             He
             therefore
             that
             would
             be
             safe
             in
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             any
             blessing
             which
             he
             hath
             received
             from
             God
             ,
             and
             faithful
             in
             doing
             him
             service
             in
             his
             generation
             ,
             must
             know
             what
             of
             himself
             is
             ready
             to
             betray
             him
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             watch
             against
             it
             and
             turn
             from
             it
             ,
             and
             what
             in
             himself
             is
             given
             him
             of
             God
             to
             enlighten
             ,
             guide
             ,
             instruct
             and
             preserve
             him
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             hearken
             thereto
             and
             be
             made
             happy
             thereby
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             And
             Lastly
             ,
             To
             set
             it
             yet
             more
             home
             upon
             all
             that
             are
             ingenuous
             ,
             and
             would
             be
             worthy
             and
             noble
             ,
             and
             do
             that
             which
             is
             worthy
             and
             noble
             ,
             abhorting
             cruelty
             ,
             afflicting
             and
             oppressing
             of
             others
             ,
             let
             them
             consider
             
               the
               fruits
               and
               effects
               of
               Persecution
               ,
            
             which
             are
             very
             many
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             worst
             kind
             ,
             even
             sutable
             to
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             root
             .
             At
             present
             I
             shall
             onely
             mention
             these
             four
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             In
             a
             great
             degree
             
               it
               hindreth
               the
               growth
               of
               the
               present
               good
               in
               every
               age
               and
               generation
               ,
            
             so
             far
             as
             the
             earthly
             power
             or
             sword
             
             of
             the
             Magistrate
             can
             well
             hinder
             .
             Persecution
             of
             that
             which
             is
             good
             by
             the
             earthly
             Powers
             ,
             in
             its
             proper
             tendency
             is
             an
             hinderance
             to
             the
             growth
             thereof
             in
             their
             age
             and
             day
             ,
             though
             the
             Lord
             can
             overbear
             the
             malignity
             of
             it
             and
             further
             the
             growth
             of
             his
             Seed
             thereby
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             
               It
               wholly
               tends
               towards
               hindring
               the
               shooting
               up
               of
               any
               further
               seeds
               of
               good
               ,
               which
               God
               hath
               to
               saw
               in
               the
               earth
               :
            
             For
             all
             the
             seeds
             of
             good
             which
             God
             hath
             to
             sow
             in
             the
             earth
             ,
             at
             first
             they
             are
             looked
             upon
             as
             evil
             ,
             until
             by
             God's
             blessing
             upon
             them
             ,
             and
             opening
             of
             mens
             eyes
             through
             the
             much
             suffering
             of
             those
             vessels
             ,
             in
             whom
             God
             causeth
             the
             most
             excellent
             seeds
             of
             his
             virtue
             and
             goodness
             first
             to
             appear
             ,
             their
             innocency
             and
             beauty
             begins
             at
             length
             to
             shine
             in
             mens
             eyes
             and
             be
             discerned
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             
               It
               occasioneth
               the
               growth
               of
               evil
               .
            
             For
             good
             withstandeth
             ,
             opposeth
             and
             chaseth
             away
             evil
             ,
             even
             as
             light
             doth
             darkness
             :
             and
             therefore
             the
             preventing
             of
             the
             springing
             up
             of
             the
             good
             ,
             is
             a
             cherishing
             and
             strengthening
             of
             the
             evil
             .
             Besides
             ,
             the
             same
             Spirit
             ,
             Government
             or
             Power
             ,
             which
             persecuteth
             and
             keepeth
             down
             the
             good
             under
             a
             pretence
             of
             its
             being
             evil
             ,
             cannot
             chuse
             but
             also
             cherish
             and
             nurse
             up
             the
             evil
             ,
             under
             a
             pretence
             of
             its
             being
             good
             .
             For
             the
             same
             eye
             ,
             tongue
             and
             heart
             ,
             that
             seeth
             ,
             calleth
             and
             acknowledgeth
             that
             which
             is
             indeed
             good
             to
             be
             evil
             ,
             cannot
             chuse
             but
             also
             mistake
             the
             evil
             and
             think
             it
             good
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             
               It
               draweth
               down
               the
               wrath
               of
               God
               upon
               People
               ,
               Powers
               and
               Governments
               ,
            
             where
             such
             persecution
             is
             ;
             where
             the
             evil
             is
             cherished
             under
             a
             pretence
             of
             its
             being
             good
             ,
             and
             the
             good
             endeavoured
             to
             be
             suppressed
             under
             a
             pretence
             of
             its
             being
             evil
             .
             If
             men
             from
             their
             hearts
             do
             acknowledge
             the
             being
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             His
             disposal
             of
             things
             :
             then
             surely
             what
             is
             truly
             good
             in
             Persons
             or
             Nations
             is
             of
             Him
             ;
             and
             what
             is
             of
             Him
             ,
             His
             eye
             is
             upon
             .
             He
             beholdeth
             the
             plants
             which
             He
             hath
             planted
             in
             the
             earth
             ,
             and
             the
             plants
             which
             the
             envious
             one
             hath
             planted
             ;
             and
             He
             cannot
             bless
             that
             Place
             ,
             that
             People
             ,
             those
             Powers
             ,
             that
             Government
             ,
             where
             His
             plants
             are
             crushed
             ,
             under
             a
             pretence
             of
             their
             not
             being
             His
             ,
             and
             where
             the
             evil
             hature
             and
             plants
             are
             cherished
             as
             if
             they
             were
             the
             good
             .
          
           
             Therefore
             he
             that
             would
             not
             be
             an
             enemy
             to
             God
             ,
             an
             enemy
             to
             goodness
             ,
             an
             enemy
             to
             himself
             ,
             an
             enemy
             to
             mankind
             ,
             
             and
             a
             friend
             and
             promoter
             of
             evil
             ,
             let
             him
             wait
             on
             the
             Lord
             ,
             for
             the
             fear
             of
             his
             Name
             and
             Power
             to
             be
             written
             on
             his
             Heart
             ,
             and
             for
             a
             meek
             righteous
             frame
             of
             spirit
             ,
             &c.
             that
             he
             may
             consider
             his
             steps
             and
             the
             reasonings
             of
             his
             mind
             ,
             and
             not
             mistake
             evil
             for
             good
             ,
             and
             good
             for
             evil
             ,
             and
             so
             persecute
             men
             for
             being
             and
             doing
             that
             ,
             which
             (
             might
             it
             have
             its
             course
             and
             progress
             )
             would
             make
             the
             world
             happy
             .
          
        
         
           
             Object
             .
             
               But
               will
               not
               this
               undermine
               Magistracy
               ,
               and
               interrupt
               its
               punishing
               of
               evil-doers
               ,
               if
               they
               should
               be
               thus
               tender
               and
               considerate
               ?
               For
               what
               man
               cannot
               pretend
               Conscience
               for
               what
               he
               does
               ?
               and
               if
               the
               Magistrate
               should
               hearken
               to
               every
               pretence
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               the
               Laws
               would
               soon
               be
               silent
               ,
               Government
               at
               a
               stand
               ,
               and
               every
               one
               do
               what
               they
               list
               ,
               bringing
               in
               all
               manner
               of
               licentiousness
               and
               disobedience
               to
               Authority
               ,
               under
               a
               pretence
               of
               Conscience
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             Answ
             .
             1.
             
             Conscience
             is
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             tenderness
             and
             conscienciousness
             towards
             Him
             is
             necessary
             to
             the
             receiving
             of
             His
             pure
             fear
             ,
             and
             towards
             the
             springing
             up
             and
             growth
             of
             all
             good
             in
             the
             heart
             .
             The
             Seed
             of
             good
             is
             tender
             :
             and
             if
             it
             be
             not
             received
             into
             tender
             and
             well-prepared
             earth
             (
             but
             into
             thorny
             ,
             stony
             or
             high-way
             ground
             )
             it
             cannot
             grow
             .
             And
             it
             cannot
             reasonably
             be
             supposed
             ,
             to
             be
             the
             intent
             of
             God
             in
             appointing
             Governments
             ,
             that
             ever
             their
             Laws
             or
             Authority
             should
             hurt
             that
             tenderness
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             wherein
             his
             seeds
             of
             good
             are
             sown
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             It
             is
             true
             ,
             The
             corrupt
             nature
             of
             man
             ,
             which
             is
             selfish
             and
             seeketh
             covers
             for
             evil
             ,
             may
             also
             seek
             this
             cover
             to
             hide
             iniquity
             under
             ,
             and
             may
             pretend
             Conscience
             when
             there
             is
             no
             matter
             of
             Conscience
             at
             all
             ,
             but
             self-will
             and
             self-ends
             at
             bottom
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Notwithstanding
             this
             ,
             God
             would
             not
             have
             the
             true
             conscienciousness
             and
             tenderness
             in
             any
             of
             His
             crushed
             ;
             nor
             can
             it
             be
             done
             by
             any
             Person
             ,
             Authority
             or
             Law
             ,
             without
             provokeing
             God
             on
             the
             one
             hand
             ,
             or
             without
             injury
             to
             such
             who
             are
             so
             dealt
             with
             :
             Viz.
             Who
             are
             punished
             by
             man
             for
             the
             exercise
             of
             that
             conscientiousness
             which
             is
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             which
             he
             requireth
             and
             is
             pleasing
             to
             Him.
             
          
           
           
             4.
             
             It
             were
             far
             better
             in
             it self
             ,
             safer
             for
             Governours
             ,
             more
             agreeable
             to
             equity
             and
             righteous
             Government
             ,
             and
             more
             pleasing
             to
             God
             and
             good
             men
             ,
             rather
             to
             suffer
             some
             (
             by
             their
             craft
             and
             false
             covers
             )
             to
             escape
             due
             punishment
             ,
             then
             to
             punish
             those
             who
             by
             the
             goodness
             ,
             innocency
             and
             righteousness
             which
             God
             hath
             planted
             in
             them
             )
             are
             exempted
             from
             punishment
             .
             Yea
             ,
             it
             were
             better
             and
             much
             safer
             to
             spare
             many
             evil
             men
             ,
             then
             to
             punish
             one
             good
             man
             :
             For
             mercy
             and
             sparing
             (
             even
             of
             offenders
             )
             is
             natural
             to
             that
             which
             is
             good
             ,
             but
             severity
             and
             punishments
             are
             unnatural
             ,
             and
             but
             for
             necessities
             sake
             .
             And
             as
             for
             that
             man
             ,
             who
             by
             his
             subtilty
             and
             deceit
             thus
             escapes
             man's
             hand
             ,
             he
             wil
             be
             no
             great
             gainer
             :
             For
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             above
             all
             ,
             will
             be
             sure
             to
             meet
             with
             him
             .
             Yea
             that
             Magistrate
             (
             who
             spares
             some
             evil
             and
             evil-doers
             meerly
             upon
             this
             account
             ,
             lest
             he
             should
             hurt
             that
             which
             is
             good
             )
             the
             Lord
             will
             help
             and
             bless
             ;
             whereas
             that
             Power
             and
             Government
             which
             wilfully
             errs
             herein
             ,
             the
             Lord
             may
             soon
             cut
             down
             :
             And
             that
             which
             errs
             thus
             through
             mistake
             (
             it
             being
             a
             grievous
             mistake
             to
             cut
             down
             the
             good
             in
             stead
             of
             the
             evil
             )
             the
             Lord
             ,
             who
             loveth
             the
             good
             and
             hateth
             the
             evil
             ,
             may
             easily
             be
             provoked
             against
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             As
             Government
             came
             from
             God
             :
             so
             the
             righteous
             execution
             of
             it
             depends
             upon
             God.
             Every
             man
             needs
             God's
             help
             daily
             ,
             else
             he
             may
             easily
             erre
             in
             his
             course
             :
             and
             Governments
             and
             Governours
             need
             God's
             help
             much
             more
             ,
             in
             the
             many
             intricacies
             and
             perplexities
             which
             they
             often
             meet
             with
             .
             And
             God
             is
             nigh
             to
             them
             in
             their
             difficult
             cases
             ,
             who
             wait
             upon
             him
             for
             counsel
             and
             direction
             .
             If
             the
             case
             be
             knotty
             ,
             yet
             if
             God
             give
             wisdom
             ,
             hath
             the
             Magistrate
             cause
             to
             complain
             ?
             And
             will
             not
             the
             Lord
             assist
             that
             Magistrate
             ,
             who
             in
             his
             fear
             waits
             on
             him
             ,
             and
             is
             not
             willing
             to
             spare
             the
             evil
             ,
             and
             afraid
             to
             hurt
             the
             good
             ?
             If
             there
             were
             not
             so
             much
             consulting
             with
             man's
             wisdom
             and
             policy
             ,
             (
             nor
             such
             laying
             of
             designs
             and
             intents
             at
             first
             ,
             as
             spring
             from
             man
             and
             not
             from
             God
             )
             but
             a
             naked
             upright
             waiting
             on
             him
             for
             instruction
             ,
             who
             can
             onely
             guide
             the
             spirit
             of
             man
             aright
             ,
             Governments
             would
             not
             prove
             so
             difficult
             ,
             nor
             the
             success
             therein
             so
             dangerous
             .
          
           
           
             A
             brief
             Account
             of
             that
             stiffness
             ,
             resolvedness
             and
             supposed
             stubborness
             ,
             which
             by
             many
             is
             Objected
             against
             the
             People
             called
             Quakers
             .
          
        
         
           
             Object
             .
             
               That
               the
               People
               called
            
             Quakers
             ,
             
               are
               an
               innocent
               and
               industrious
               People
               ,
               that
               they
               aim
               at
               good
               and
               might
               be
               serviceable
               and
               profitable
               to
               the
               Nation
               in
               many
               respects
               ;
               this
               many
               believe
               concerning
               them
               ,
               and
               in
               their
               hearts
               wish
               that
               the
               Powers
               would
               let
               them
               alone
               and
               make
               a
               trial
               of
               them
               :
               the
               which
               they
               might
               be
               the
               more
               enclined
               to
               do
               ,
               were
               it
               not
               for
               a
               certain
               stiffness
               which
               appears
               in
               them
               ,
               they
               being
               so
               gined
               to
               their
               Principles
               and
               Practices
               that
               they
               will
               not
               bend
               in
               the
               least
               ,
               nor
               so
               much
               as
               meet
               the
               Magistrate
               one
               jot
               in
               any
               favour
               he
               would
               shew
               unto
               them
               .
               This
               is
               such
               a
               temper
               as
               no
               Magistrate
               or
               Governour
               can
               beat
               ,
               and
               therefore
               there
               is
               a
               necessity
               either
               of
               banishing
               or
               suppressing
               them
               out
               way
               or
               other
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             Answ
             .
             I
             freely
             confess
             ,
             that
             (
             looking
             upon
             them
             with
             man's
             eye
             )
             it
             may
             easily
             appear
             so
             to
             man
             ,
             who
             cannot
             see
             either
             whence
             that
             is
             ,
             or
             what
             that
             is
             ,
             which
             is
             wrought
             in
             their
             hearts
             by
             God.
             And
             how
             can
             I
             blame
             others
             for
             judging
             thus
             of
             them
             ,
             when
             I
             my self
             should
             be
             liable
             so
             to
             judge
             ,
             if
             I
             did
             so
             look
             upon
             them
             ?
             But
             yet
             ,
             if
             I
             had
             patience
             to
             hear
             them
             ,
             and
             to
             consider
             the
             thing
             in
             the
             fear
             of
             God
             ,
             (
             watching
             against
             that
             wisdom
             ,
             from
             which
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             things
             of
             God
             and
             the
             state
             of
             his
             People
             is
             hid
             )
             I
             see
             also
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             some
             ground
             may
             appear
             unto
             man
             ,
             to
             let
             him
             see
             that
             this
             is
             not
             such
             a
             stiffness
             and
             stubborness
             of
             spirit
             as
             he
             judgeth
             ,
             but
             ariseth
             from
             ,
             and
             necessarily
             accompanieth
             a
             true
             tenderness
             and
             conscientiousness
             towards
             God
             ;
             which
             to
             make
             the
             more
             manifest
             to
             such
             as
             are
             willing
             fairly
             to
             consider
             the
             thing
             and
             know
             the
             truth
             thereof
             ,
             I
             shall
             thus
             demonstrate
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Stubbornness
             ,
             or
             such
             a
             kind
             of
             stiffness
             and
             resolvedness
             ,
             ariseth
             from
             the
             strength
             and
             corruption
             of
             the
             natural
             will
             and
             earthly
             wisdom
             .
             The
             wisdom
             which
             is
             from
             above
             is
             gentle
             ,
             easie
             to
             be
             entreated
             :
             and
             the
             will
             which
             is
             created
             by
             God
             is
             mild
             and
             flexible
             ,
             and
             easie
             to
             be
             led
             (
             by
             the
             least
             child
             )
             in
             the
             line
             of
             goodness
             .
             And
             I
             can
             truly
             say
             this
             ,
             that
             I
             never
             
             in
             my
             whole
             course
             and
             conversation
             (
             who
             have
             long
             been
             a
             Spectator
             and
             un-interested
             person
             both
             as
             relating
             to
             the
             civil
             state
             and
             the
             various
             professions
             of
             Religion
             ,
             till
             the
             power
             of
             Truth
             and
             presence
             of
             God
             appearing
             in
             this
             People
             drew
             my
             heart
             after
             them
             )
             yea
             I
             cannot
             but
             say
             in
             the
             singleness
             of
             my
             heart
             ,
             I
             never
             met
             with
             a
             more
             mild
             ,
             gentle
             ,
             flexible-spirited
             People
             .
             And
             he
             that
             can
             reach
             the
             ground
             of
             the
             thing
             ,
             cannot
             but
             see
             it
             to
             be
             thus
             :
             For
             he
             that
             is
             daily
             exercised
             in
             denying
             his
             will
             and
             wisdom
             ,
             he
             on
             whose
             back
             the
             Lord
             lays
             the
             cross
             and
             crucifies
             him
             every
             day
             ,
             his
             self-will
             and
             self-wisdom
             (
             with
             all
             the
             conceitedness
             and
             stiffness
             which
             ariseth
             therefrom
             )
             must
             needs
             be
             much
             broken
             in
             him
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             In
             the
             tenderness
             and
             pliableness
             to
             good
             ,
             which
             God
             begets
             ,
             there
             is
             and
             cannot
             but
             be
             an
             unbendedness
             to
             evil
             .
             Consider
             this
             ,
             O
             ye
             that
             are
             wise
             :
             In
             the
             birth
             which
             God
             begets
             in
             the
             heart
             ,
             in
             the
             immortal
             Seed
             of
             life
             ,
             which
             God
             hath
             sown
             and
             causeth
             to
             spring
             up
             in
             his
             heritage
             ,
             there
             is
             a
             bowing
             to
             God
             at
             every
             appearance
             of
             good
             ,
             accompanied
             with
             a
             tenderness
             ,
             gentleness
             and
             good
             will
             to
             man
             :
             But
             it
             cannot
             bow
             to
             that
             which
             is
             evil
             in
             any
             man
             upon
             the
             face
             of
             the
             earth
             .
             Read
             then
             this
             Riddle
             ,
             with
             a
             true
             understanding
             :
             The
             tender
             one
             cannot
             yeild
             ,
             the
             flexible
             one
             cannot
             bow
             ,
             but
             naturally
             standeth
             upright
             and
             strait
             towards
             God
             ,
             even
             in
             every
             thing
             it
             hath
             learned
             of
             him
             ,
             and
             which
             he
             requireth
             of
             it
             .
             Thus
             in
             the
             Apostles
             days
             ,
             the
             Christians
             (
             though
             meek
             ,
             though
             sweet
             ,
             though
             pliable
             to
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             and
             to
             all
             good
             ,
             yet
             )
             could
             not
             bow
             to
             so
             much
             as
             an
             appearance
             of
             evil
             any
             where
             ,
             but
             shun
             and
             avoid
             it
             every
             where
             .
             And
             if
             it
             were
             not
             for
             this
             kind
             of
             stiffness
             and
             unbendedness
             ,
             the
             Children
             of
             God
             could
             never
             be
             preserved
             in
             their
             departure
             out
             of
             the
             Worlds
             Spirit
             ,
             Wayes
             ,
             Worships
             and
             Practices
             :
             but
             would
             soon
             be
             ensnared
             and
             drawn
             back
             again
             ,
             by
             the
             enticements
             and
             subtilties
             of
             the
             worldly
             nature
             either
             in
             themselves
             or
             others
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             A
             stiffness
             then
             I
             grant
             ,
             an
             unbendedness
             I
             grant
             ;
             but
             not
             of
             the
             earthly
             ,
             not
             of
             the
             self-wil
             ,
             nor
             according
             to
             the
             earthly
             :
             but
             such
             as
             ariseth
             from
             Truth
             in
             the
             heart
             ,
             and
             from
             tenderness
             of
             Spirit
             towards
             God
             ;
             such
             as
             is
             begot
             in
             His
             fear
             ,
             preserved
             by
             his
             power
             ,
             and
             is
             necessary
             towards
             their
             preservation
             
             who
             are
             born
             of
             Him
             ,
             and
             called
             by
             Him
             out
             of
             the
             World.
             And
             if
             those
             who
             are
             apt
             and
             liable
             to
             mis-judge
             of
             them
             ,
             did
             but
             see
             the
             sincere
             desire
             of
             their
             hearts
             not
             to
             offend
             man
             ,
             but
             to
             be
             subject
             to
             the
             utmost
             according
             to
             the
             will
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             knew
             what
             breathings
             there
             are
             in
             their
             hearts
             to
             God
             (
             in
             relation
             to
             the
             Magistrate
             ,
             and
             when
             they
             appear
             before
             Him
             )
             that
             they
             may
             be
             preserved
             in
             the
             pure
             fear
             ,
             and
             in
             righteousness
             and
             inoffensiveness
             ,
             and
             how
             they
             cannot
             but
             refuse
             to
             break
             any
             of
             God's
             commands
             ,
             because
             He
             is
             their
             Supream
             Lord
             ,
             and
             they
             dare
             not
             disobey
             Him
             to
             please
             man
             ,
             or
             avoid
             their
             own
             sufferings
             from
             man
             :
             I
             say
             ,
             if
             men
             did
             see
             this
             ,
             surely
             they
             would
             not
             call
             it
             stubbornness
             and
             self-willedness
             ,
             but
             a
             pure
             subjection
             and
             denial
             of
             the
             self-will
             in
             God's
             fear
             ,
             joyned
             with
             an
             holy
             and
             humble
             boldness
             in
             His
             power
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             Let
             it
             be
             equally
             considered
             ,
             and
             it
             will
             soon
             be
             acknowledged
             ,
             That
             the
             least
             thing
             which
             God
             requires
             (
             the
             Command
             being
             from
             so
             great
             a
             King
             ,
             upon
             whom
             the
             soul
             hath
             so
             great
             dependance
             ,
             from
             whom
             it
             hath
             so
             great
             hopes
             ,
             and
             to
             whom
             universal
             obedience
             is
             so
             due
             in
             it self
             and
             so
             profitable
             to
             the
             creature
             )
             is
             exceeding
             weighty
             :
             and
             it
             is
             impossible
             for
             the
             fear
             of
             Him
             and
             due
             tenderness
             towards
             His
             Commands
             ,
             to
             be
             preserved
             ,
             without
             a
             strict
             and
             close
             giving
             up
             the
             Will
             to
             Him
             ,
             and
             standing
             in
             His
             strength
             ,
             strong
             and
             unbended
             against
             all
             temptations
             ,
             provocations
             ,
             allurements
             and
             affrightments
             to
             the
             contrary
             .
             (
             and
             how
             easily
             may
             men
             call
             this
             stubborness
             and
             stiffness
             .
             )
             But
             this
             they
             receive
             from
             God
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             law
             of
             obedience
             and
             power
             to
             obey
             ;
             and
             this
             (
             which
             men
             call
             stubborness
             )
             flows
             in
             upon
             them
             from
             him
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             in
             the
             sweetest
             and
             meekest
             frame
             of
             spirit
             ,
             most
             ready
             to
             deny
             themselves
             and
             to
             yield
             up
             their
             own
             wills
             ,
             to
             whatsoever
             is
             good
             and
             righteous
             ,
             and
             so
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             5.
             
             The
             same
             thing
             ,
             which
             is
             offended
             at
             this
             unbendedness
             and
             resolvedness
             ,
             which
             is
             wrought
             and
             preserved
             in
             them
             by
             the
             fear
             of
             God
             (
             calling
             it
             by
             way
             of
             reproach
             ,
             stiffness
             and
             stubborness
             )
             I
             say
             ,
             the
             very
             same
             thing
             will
             commend
             that
             resolution
             and
             stiffness
             ,
             which
             is
             taken
             up
             in
             man's
             wisdom
             ,
             and
             held
             in
             man's
             will.
             Is
             it
             not
             good
             to
             weigh
             and
             consider
             things
             reasonably
             ,
             and
             then
             to
             chuse
             and
             hold
             fast
             to
             those
             Principles
             
             which
             appear
             most
             reasonable
             ?
             what
             man
             ,
             but
             will
             say
             it
             is
             ?
             And
             is
             it
             not
             good
             to
             obey
             and
             keep
             to
             that
             Light
             which
             is
             higher
             than
             Reason
             ,
             which
             comprehends
             Reason
             ,
             rectifying
             and
             preserving
             it
             ,
             making
             it
             profitable
             and
             serviceable
             to
             God
             which
             made
             it
             ,
             to
             the
             Vessel
             in
             which
             it
             is
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             Creation
             ?
             But
             
               Wisdom
               is
               justified
               of
               her
               Children
               .
            
             He
             that
             knows
             not
             the
             Principle
             of
             the
             Eternal
             Light
             ,
             who
             is
             not
             born
             of
             it
             (
             much
             less
             by
             unfeigned
             obedience
             and
             subjection
             formed
             into
             it
             )
             he
             cannot
             justifie
             it
             in
             his
             Paths
             :
             but
             he
             justifies
             the
             earthly
             wisdom
             and
             reason
             of
             man
             ,
             by
             it
             setting
             up
             appearances
             of
             Good
             ,
             instead
             
               of
               Good
            
             ,
             and
             would
             make
             all
             acknowledge
             and
             bow
             to
             them
             
               as
               Good
            
             :
             whereas
             that
             which
             is
             indeed
             acquainted
             with
             the
             Good
             ,
             living
             in
             the
             Principle
             thereof
             ,
             cannot
             bow
             to
             the
             false
             Appearance
             ,
             but
             only
             to
             the
             Truth
             it self
             .
             When
             man's
             spirit
             and
             wisdom
             is
             wearied
             out
             of
             all
             its
             paths
             ,
             and
             he
             broken
             with
             the
             misery
             which
             will
             certainly
             overtake
             him
             therein
             ,
             at
             last
             the
             Path
             of
             God
             will
             be
             welcome
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             that
             Principle
             which
             (
             through
             the
             operation
             of
             God
             )
             is
             able
             to
             rectifie
             him
             and
             make
             him
             happy
             .
          
           
             There
             hath
             long
             been
             a
             Peace
             and
             Prosperity
             throughout
             the
             world
             in
             Unrighteousness
             :
             but
             the
             season
             is
             at
             length
             come
             for
             the
             breaking
             thereof
             ,
             and
             now
             there
             is
             not
             to
             be
             such
             a
             setled
             false
             Peace
             in
             Unrighteousness
             any
             longer
             ;
             but
             Tribulation
             ,
             Anguish
             and
             Destruction
             is
             coming
             upon
             the
             selfish
             and
             unjust
             spirit
             :
             and
             he
             that
             refuseth
             the
             Path
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             must
             not
             know
             Peace
             ,
             but
             be
             overtaken
             with
             the
             over-flowing
             scourge
             ,
             and
             swept
             into
             and
             shut
             up
             in
             the
             pit
             ,
             which
             hath
             long
             been
             digging
             for
             the
             wicked
             
               (
               Psal
            
             .
             94.
             13.
             
             )
             and
             mark
             this
             thing
             following
             ,
             ye
             that
             would
             not
             find
             your selves
             deceived
             of
             your
             souls
             hereafter
             ,
             nor
             of
             your
             outward
             Peace
             and
             Prosperity
             here
             :
             for
             it
             deeply
             concerns
             both
             .
          
           
             The
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Lord
             once
             raised
             up
             a
             spiritual
             building
             ,
             which
             the
             spirit
             of
             the
             Dragon
             overturned
             (
             as
             to
             its
             outward
             state
             :
             though
             the
             gates
             of
             Hell
             could
             not
             prevail
             against
             the
             being
             and
             inward
             state
             of
             the
             true
             Church
             )
             and
             instead
             thereof
             set
             up
             an
             earthly
             Image
             ,
             agreeable
             to
             the
             earthly
             spirit
             in
             Nations
             ,
             but
             burthensom
             to
             that
             which
             is
             innocent
             ,
             pure
             and
             spiritual
             .
             The
             Lord
             God
             suffered
             this
             to
             stand
             all
             it
             s
             allotted
             
             time
             ,
             and
             to
             have
             power
             to
             keep
             down
             the
             Visibility
             of
             His
             Truth
             and
             People
             :
             but
             the
             Lord
             hath
             appointed
             a
             season
             to
             raise
             up
             his
             own
             Building
             again
             ,
             and
             to
             throw
             down
             this
             Image
             .
             Now
             this
             I
             say
             to
             all
             men
             ,
             in
             the
             Fear
             and
             Dread
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             Stand
             still
             and
             mark
             ,
             if
             all
             the
             power
             of
             man
             be
             able
             to
             keep
             down
             God's
             spiritual
             Building
             which
             he
             is
             raising
             up
             ,
             or
             to
             keep
             up
             any
             part
             of
             the
             earthly
             Image
             which
             He
             is
             throwing
             down
             .
             The
             spirit
             of
             man
             (
             in
             various
             wayes
             )
             hath
             shewed
             ,
             what
             it
             judgeth
             best
             to
             have
             down
             and
             to
             have
             up
             ,
             and
             hath
             put
             forth
             its
             strength
             to
             accomplish
             its
             will
             and
             counsel
             :
             Stand
             still
             a
             while
             and
             ye
             shall
             see
             ,
             that
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Lord
             will
             also
             shew
             what
             He
             would
             have
             down
             ,
             and
             what
             He
             would
             have
             up
             ,
             and
             He
             will
             also
             put
             forth
             His
             strength
             to
             accomplish
             His
             Will
             and
             Counsel
             .
             It
             is
             the
             Glory
             and
             Honour
             of
             the
             Lord
             to
             carry
             on
             His
             Work
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             all
             the
             Oppositions
             of
             man
             ,
             and
             against
             the
             full
             current
             of
             his
             strength
             and
             will.
             This
             will
             make
             it
             to
             appear
             to
             be
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             cause
             the
             Glory
             of
             his
             Name
             to
             shine
             .
             O
             that
             men
             could
             fear
             the
             Lord
             and
             bow
             before
             Him
             ,
             that
             He
             might
             be
             honoured
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             see
             good
             to
             honour
             them
             in
             the
             carrying
             on
             of
             His
             Work
             ,
             and
             so
             might
             not
             be
             forced
             (
             through
             their
             hearkening
             to
             the
             dark
             spirit
             ,
             and
             because
             of
             their
             ignorance
             of
             ,
             and
             disobedience
             to
             the
             Light
             of
             his
             Spirit
             )
             to
             get
             Himself
             a
             Name
             by
             overturning
             their
             strength
             and
             Councils
             ,
             and
             causing
             his
             Glory
             to
             shine
             over
             them
             .
          
           
             We
             have
             been
             a
             poor
             oppressed
             People
             ,
             from
             the
             day
             that
             the
             Power
             of
             the
             Lord
             brake
             forth
             upon
             us
             ,
             and
             his
             Light
             sprang
             in
             us
             ,
             even
             until
             now
             .
             And
             now
             we
             are
             brought
             lower
             than
             ever
             ,
             and
             are
             in
             greater
             danger
             (
             to
             the
             eye
             of
             man
             )
             than
             ever
             .
             Yet
             our
             confidence
             is
             still
             in
             our
             God
             :
             and
             this
             we
             are
             certain
             of
             ,
             that
             our
             Principle
             (
             and
             Practices
             there-from
             )
             shall
             stand
             ,
             and
             man
             shall
             not
             be
             able
             to
             prevail
             against
             it
             :
             for
             God
             will
             preserve
             his
             People
             in
             his
             Life
             and
             Power
             ,
             and
             the
             heads
             of
             all
             that
             wait
             upon
             Him
             in
             his
             Fear
             ,
             shall
             be
             lift
             up
             above
             all
             the
             swellings
             of
             the
             Waters
             ;
             yea
             ,
             a
             song
             of
             Praise
             is
             already
             prepared
             in
             the
             hearts
             of
             God's
             Chosen
             ,
             against
             the
             day
             of
             his
             Deliverance
             .
             We
             look
             not
             out
             ,
             but
             give
             up
             our
             backs
             to
             the
             smiter
             ,
             as
             if
             their
             stroaks
             were
             never
             to
             have
             an
             end
             :
             and
             yet
             we
             wait
             on
             our
             God
             and
             hope
             in
             Him
             ,
             as
             if
             Deliverance
             were
             
             springing
             up
             every
             moment
             .
             And
             ,
             Oh
             that
             God
             would
             smite
             the
             spirit
             of
             Enmity
             and
             Darkness
             in
             Men
             and
             Powers
             ,
             and
             then
             there
             would
             be
             Love
             ,
             Peace
             ,
             pursuing
             after
             God
             and
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             no
             more
             persecuting
             and
             smiting
             of
             God's
             People
             for
             the
             Uprightness
             of
             their
             hearts
             ,
             and
             for
             their
             Obedience
             and
             Faithfulness
             to
             Him.
             But
             be
             it
             known
             throughout
             all
             the
             Earth
             ,
             We
             are
             the
             Lord's
             ,
             and
             we
             must
             worship
             and
             serve
             Him.
             He
             hath
             redeemed
             us
             (
             even
             all
             of
             us
             in
             some
             measure
             ,
             who
             have
             known
             Unity
             with
             His
             living
             Truth
             )
             in
             soul
             ,
             in
             body
             and
             spirit
             :
             and
             they
             must
             all
             be
             His
             in
             the
             first
             place
             ,
             and
             cannot
             bow
             to
             man
             (
             in
             the
             least
             )
             against
             His
             Will
             ,
             or
             contrary
             to
             the
             Law
             of
             his
             pure
             Life
             ,
             and
             Leadings
             of
             his
             Spirit
             in
             the
             heart
             .
             Here
             is
             our
             standing
             ,
             in
             the
             strength
             of
             our
             God
             ,
             whatever
             become
             of
             us
             .
             And
             here
             we
             stand
             in
             love
             and
             good-will
             to
             mankind
             ,
             yea
             to
             these
             present
             Powers
             ,
             however
             they
             judge
             of
             us
             ;
             and
             have
             been
             praying
             for
             them
             ,
             and
             mourning
             over
             them
             ,
             while
             they
             have
             been
             smiting
             of
             us
             .
             And
             when
             they
             have
             drawn
             the
             Hand
             of
             the
             Lord
             upon
             themselves
             ;
             if
             the
             Lord
             shall
             please
             to
             open
             their
             eyes
             to
             see
             what
             we
             have
             been
             towards
             them
             (
             and
             how
             fain
             we
             would
             have
             had
             them
             set
             footing
             there
             ,
             where
             they
             might
             have
             stood
             firm
             and
             have
             been
             preserved
             )
             they
             will
             bewail
             as
             much
             their
             dealings
             with
             us
             ,
             as
             what
             will
             befall
             themselves
             .
             The
             Lord
             will
             manifest
             all
             things
             in
             his
             Time
             ,
             and
             give
             his
             Truth
             a
             passage
             in
             the
             Earth
             ,
             and
             his
             People
             a
             quiet
             habitation
             therein
             ,
             how
             black
             soever
             the
             face
             of
             things
             now
             appear
             ,
             as
             relating
             to
             them
             .
          
           
             
               O
               how
               happy
               will
               the
               Day
               be
               when
               the
               Lord
               shall
               have
               wrought
               down
               the
               selfish
               spirit
               in
               man
               ,
               and
               shall
               have
               raised
               up
               His
               own
               Noble
               and
               Equal
               Principle
               .
               Then
               shall
               Righteousness
               spring
               up
               and
               spread
               abroad
               throughout
               the
               Nations
               :
               and
               the
               work
               of
               Righteousness
               shall
               be
               Peace
               ,
               and
               the
               effect
               of
               Righteousness
               Quietness
               and
               Assurance
               for
               ever
               .
            
          
        
         
           THE
           END
           .