Three queries propounded to the King and Parliament, in the fear of the Most High, and in the tender love of my soul to them
         Penington, Isaac, 1616-1679.
      
       
         
           1662
        
      
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             Three queries propounded to the King and Parliament, in the fear of the Most High, and in the tender love of my soul to them
             Penington, Isaac, 1616-1679.
          
           8 p.
           
             s.n.,
             [London :
             1662]
          
           
             Place of publication from Wing.
             Caption title.
             Signed at end: Isaac Penington.
             Caption title on p. 2 reads: The queries.
             Reproduction of the original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           THREE
           QUERIES
           Propounded
           to
           the
           King
           and
           Parliament
           ,
           In
           the
           Fear
           of
           the
           Most
           High
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           tender
           love
           of
           my
           soul
           to
           them
           .
        
      
       
         
           The
           PREFACE
           .
        
         
           THe
           main
           thing
           conducible
           towards
           mans
           safety
           and
           happiness
           ,
           is
           to
           see
           things
           aright
           :
           and
           he
           that
           seeth
           aright
           ,
           must
           see
           with
           a
           right
           eye
           .
           There
           is
           an
           eye
           which
           cannot
           see
           the
           things
           of
           God
           ;
           there
           is
           an
           heart
           also
           which
           is
           insensible
           of
           his
           warnings
           ,
           and
           so
           runs
           into
           the
           pit
           .
           There
           is
           also
           an
           eye
           ,
           to
           which
           God
           giveth
           the
           true
           sight
           ,
           which
           foreseeth
           the
           evil
           and
           seeketh
           an
           hiding
           place
           ;
           and
           an
           heart
           which
           feareth
           its
           Maker
           ,
           and
           waiteth
           on
           him
           for
           counsel
           ,
           distrusting
           its
           own
           understanding
           ,
           which
           it
           feeleth
           shallow
           and
           apt
           to
           err
           .
           O
           that
           man
           might
           feel
           his
           want
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           receive
           a
           principle
           of
           divine
           life
           from
           him
           ,
           and
           be
           fixed
           and
           act
           therein
           .
           If
           I
           should
           pray
           thus
           particularly
           for
           every
           one
           of
           you
           ,
           would
           ye
           be
           offended
           with
           me
           ?
           I
           have
           written
           somewhat
           here
           in
           the
           kindlings
           of
           my
           love
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Light
           of
           Life
           which
           shineth
           in
           my
           heart
           ;
           O
           that
           the
           Lord
           would
           please
           to
           open
           a
           vein
           of
           the
           same
           Life
           in
           you
           ,
           and
           then
           would
           ye
           reade
           them
           in
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           (
           in
           a
           secret
           sence
           of
           spirit
           )
           feel
           what
           they
           are
           and
           from
           whence
           they
           come
           .
           Now
           if
           it
           should
           please
           the
           Lord
           that
           any
           of
           you
           should
           feel
           any
           touches
           of
           heart
           ,
           and
           secret
           assent
           of
           soul
           to
           the
           truth
           of
           them
           ,
           O
           take
           heed
           of
           the
           fleshly
           wisdom
           and
           reasonings
           of
           the
           earthly
           mind
           ,
           which
           will
           soon
           rise
           up
           afterwards
           ,
           to
           wear
           out
           the
           sence
           of
           any
           good
           that
           God
           begets
           in
           the
           heart
           .
        
         
         
         
      
    
     
       
         
         
           The
           QUERIES
           .
        
         
           Quer.
           1.
           
           
             VVHether
             ye
             do
             certainly
             and
             infallibly
             know
             ,
             what
             was
             the
             ground
             or
             cause
             why
             the
             hand
             of
             the
             Lord
             was
             so
             heavy
             upon
             this
             Nation
             ,
             and
             why
             he
             overturned
             the
             Government
             thereof
             ,
             and
             brought
             the
             Honourable
             into
             contempt
             ?
          
        
         
           Three
           things
           are
           supposed
           or
           taken
           for
           granted
           in
           this
           Query
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           That
           it
           was
           the
           hand
           of
           the
           Lord
           that
           did
           this
           .
           It
           is
           he
           that
           hath
           the
           anguish
           of
           soul
           and
           the
           diseases
           of
           body
           at
           his
           command
           ,
           and
           afflicteth
           both
           mens
           bodies
           and
           souls
           at
           his
           pleasure
           .
           And
           he
           also
           afflicteth
           Nations
           ,
           with
           the
           Powers
           and
           Authorities
           thereof
           ,
           when
           it
           seemeth
           good
           unto
           him
           .
           Now
           this
           is
           the
           thing
           which
           is
           mainly
           to
           be
           eyed
           by
           particular
           persons
           ,
           and
           also
           by
           Nations
           in
           whatever
           befalleth
           them
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           the
           hand
           of
           the
           Lord
           in
           things
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           there
           was
           a
           ground
           and
           cause
           for
           which
           the
           Lord
           did
           it
           .
           The
           Lord
           is
           tender-hearted
           ,
           and
           loveth
           his
           creature
           ,
           delighting
           to
           do
           it
           good
           ,
           and
           doth
           not
           afflict
           it
           out
           of
           any
           pleasure
           he
           hath
           therein
           ,
           but
           upon
           a
           kind
           of
           necessity
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           bring
           down
           evil
           and
           bring
           up
           good
           in
           a
           Nation
           .
           
             He
             doth
             not
             afflict
             willingly
             ,
             nor
             grieve
             the
             children
             of
             men
             .
          
           It
           is
           no
           pleasure
           to
           the
           Lord
           to
           torment
           his
           creatures
           :
           but
           to
           destroy
           the
           seeds
           of
           corruption
           and
           unrighteousness
           ,
           and
           to
           bring
           up
           the
           good
           Seed
           which
           he
           hath
           sown
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           men
           ,
           this
           is
           a
           pleasure
           to
           him
           .
           Now
           as
           your
           afflictions
           were
           very
           great
           ,
           and
           the
           alterations
           in
           this
           Nation
           strange
           ;
           so
           there
           was
           a
           consideration
           in
           the
           Lord's
           eye
           to
           countervail
           them
           ,
           or
           they
           had
           never
           been
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           it
           is
           requisite
           and
           necessary
           for
           you
           ,
           certainly
           and
           infallibly
           to
           understand
           the
           ground
           why
           the
           Lord
           did
           this
           :
           what
           his
           meaning
           was
           :
           what
           he
           was
           offended
           at
           and
           intended
           to
           bring
           down
           ;
           what
           he
           was
           pleased
           with
           and
           intended
           to
           give
           scope
           to
           spring
           up
           and
           grow
           under
           this
           confusion
           ,
           which
           could
           not
           under
           the
           former
           settlement
           .
        
         
           The
           reason
           ,
           why
           this
           is
           necessary
           for
           you
           ,
           is
           this
           :
           Because
           unless
           ye
           certainly
           understand
           this
           thing
           ,
           ye
           may
           err
           and
           mistake
           in
           your
           present
           course
           ,
           setting
           up
           the
           same
           things
           now
           ,
           which
           the
           heart
           of
           the
           Lord
           was
           then
           against
           ,
           and
           endeavouring
           to
           suppress
           the
           same
           things
           ,
           which
           it
           is
           the
           will
           of
           the
           Lord
           should
           grow
           up
           ,
           and
           so
           may
           provoke
           the
           same
           hand
           against
           you
           again
           ;
           which
           truly
           I
           think
           is
           not
           good
           for
           you
           to
           do
           ,
           nor
           indeed
           can
           I
           think
           so
           of
           you
           ,
           as
           that
           ye
           willingly
           
           would
           do
           it
           .
           Therefore
           pray
           to
           the
           Lord
           for
           the
           upright
           ballance
           to
           weigh
           a
           thing
           of
           such
           a
           nature
           in
           ,
           and
           of
           so
           deep
           concernment
           to
           you
           :
           for
           if
           ye
           do
           run
           a
           contrary
           course
           to
           the
           mind
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           he
           be
           provoked
           against
           you
           ,
           and
           stretch
           forth
           his
           mighty
           Arm
           and
           overthrow
           you
           ,
           it
           will
           then
           be
           too
           late
           for
           you
           to
           consider
           of
           these
           things
           .
        
         
           Quer.
           2.
           
           
             Whether
             when
             the
             Lord
             did
             overturn
             the
             former
             Powers
             ,
             with
             the
             glory
             and
             beauty
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             and
             raise
             up
             other
             Powers
             out
             of
             the
             dust
             (
             as
             I
             may
             say
             )
             even
             from
             among
             them
             of
             low
             degree
             :
             If
             they
             had
             then
             answered
             what
             the
             Lord
             expected
             and
             required
             of
             them
             in
             their
             day
             ,
             whether
             they
             should
             have
             been
             continued
             by
             him
             in
             their
             dominion
             or
             no
             ,
             and
             whether
             ye
             should
             have
             had
             this
             day
             of
             tryal
             ,
             which
             it
             hath
             pleased
             the
             Lord
             now
             to
             afford
             you
             ?
          
        
         
           The
           day
           of
           Power
           and
           Government
           which
           the
           Lord
           had
           given
           you
           formerly
           ,
           was
           manifestly
           by
           his
           Providence
           come
           to
           an
           end
           ;
           and
           whether
           ever
           ye
           should
           have
           a
           day
           more
           ,
           was
           very
           doubtful
           .
           All
           your
           Councils
           and
           Strength
           availed
           nothing
           ,
           save
           only
           to
           make
           the
           work
           the
           more
           difficult
           ,
           if
           not
           at
           length
           almost
           impossible
           .
           And
           now
           the
           Lord
           was
           busie
           in
           trying
           several
           sorts
           of
           these
           ,
           what
           they
           would
           do
           for
           his
           Name
           :
           and
           truly
           this
           I
           may
           say
           concerning
           them
           all
           (
           though
           I
           would
           not
           reproach
           any
           )
           that
           they
           did
           not
           answer
           the
           expectation
           of
           the
           Lord.
           But
           this
           I
           leave
           to
           you
           to
           consider
           ,
           
             Whether
             if
             they
             had
             answered
             the
             expectation
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             done
             what
             his
             Soul
             delighted
             in
             ,
             and
             what
             in
             part
             they
             promised
             ,
             whether
             the
             Lord
             would
             have
             continued
             them
             in
             Authority
             or
             no
             ?
          
           I
           propose
           this
           ,
           that
           ye
           may
           take
           notice
           upon
           what
           ticklish
           terms
           ye
           then
           stood
           ,
           as
           to
           your
           future
           hopes
           ,
           and
           how
           easily
           your
           Authority
           and
           Greatness
           might
           have
           been
           for
           ever
           buried
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           was
           lately
           uppermost
           have
           continued
           so
           ,
           if
           it
           had
           seemed
           good
           unto
           the
           Lord
           ;
           that
           so
           ye
           may
           be
           sensible
           of
           what
           the
           Lord
           hath
           done
           in
           relation
           to
           you
           ,
           and
           pray
           that
           ye
           may
           walk
           worthy
           of
           it
           ,
           making
           use
           of
           it
           in
           the
           fear
           of
           his
           Name
           ,
           who
           hath
           all
           still
           in
           his
           hand
           ,
           and
           can
           still
           do
           what
           he
           pleaseth
           in
           this
           Nation
           .
           Indeed
           he
           can
           yet
           bring
           down
           whom
           he
           will
           ,
           and
           he
           can
           yet
           set
           up
           whom
           he
           will
           ;
           and
           what
           he
           will
           do
           ,
           ye
           know
           not
           :
           but
           in
           the
           fear
           of
           his
           dreadful
           Name
           ,
           and
           in
           holding
           your
           standing
           out
           of
           self-confidence
           (
           because
           of
           your
           present
           strength
           )
           is
           your
           safety
           .
        
         
           Quer.
           3.
           
           
             If
             ye
             do
             not
             certainly
             know
             what
             was
             the
             cause
             of
             the
             Lord
             's
             former
             displeasure
             against
             you
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             so
             sore
             afflicting
             you
             ,
             but
             shall
             err
             in
             judgement
             and
             set
             up
             the
             same
             things
             again
             ,
             which
             the
             Lord
             then
             put
             forth
             his
             hand
             to
             throw
             down
             ,
             and
             also
             endeavour
             to
             crush
             and
             suppress
             that
             ,
             which
             the
             Lord
             then
             made
             way
             for
             the
             growth
             of
             ,
             whether
             this
             will
             not
             endanger
             your
             overthrow
             from
             the
             hand
             of
             the
             Lord
             ?
          
        
         
         
           Sure
           I
           am
           the
           Lord
           is
           able
           to
           overturn
           you
           as
           easily
           ,
           as
           he
           overturned
           them
           that
           were
           in
           power
           before
           you
           .
           
             What
             is
             man
             to
             the
             Lord
             ?
             what
             is
             his
             flesh
             to
             the
             Lord's
             Spirit
             ?
          
           What
           great
           tree
           could
           stand
           before
           the
           late
           vehement-wind
           (
           where
           the
           Lord
           gave
           it
           power
           )
           which
           was
           terrible
           and
           dreadful
           ,
           tearing
           up
           by
           the
           very
           roots
           ,
           which
           might
           be
           a
           figure
           and
           warning
           where
           the
           Lord
           gives
           eyes
           to
           reade
           .
           After
           ye
           have
           done
           all
           ye
           can
           ,
           even
           made
           Laws
           as
           strong
           as
           ye
           can
           ,
           and
           put
           them
           in
           the
           strictest
           course
           of
           execution
           ye
           can
           ,
           one
           night
           from
           the
           Lord
           may
           end
           the
           controversie
           ,
           and
           shew
           whether
           we
           please
           the
           Lord
           in
           obeying
           him
           ,
           or
           ye
           in
           making
           Laws
           against
           us
           for
           our
           fidelity
           and
           obedience
           to
           him
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           the
           Lord
           is
           able
           to
           overturn
           you
           :
           so
           if
           ye
           mistake
           your
           work
           ,
           misinterpreting
           the
           passages
           of
           his
           Providence
           ,
           and
           erring
           in
           heart
           concerning
           the
           ground
           of
           his
           former
           displeasure
           ;
           and
           so
           (
           through
           the
           error
           of
           judgment
           )
           set
           your selves
           in
           opposition
           against
           him
           ,
           replanting
           the
           plants
           which
           he
           will
           not
           have
           grow
           ,
           and
           plucking
           up
           the
           plants
           of
           his
           planting
           ;
           do
           ye
           not
           in
           this
           case
           provoke
           the
           Lord
           ,
           even
           to
           put
           forth
           the
           strength
           which
           is
           in
           him
           against
           you
           ?
           We
           are
           poor
           worms
           :
           alas
           ,
           if
           ye
           had
           only
           us
           to
           deal
           with
           ,
           we
           should
           be
           nothing
           in
           your
           hands
           !
           but
           if
           his
           strength
           stand
           behind
           us
           ,
           we
           shall
           prove
           a
           very
           burdensome
           stone
           ,
           and
           ye
           will
           hardly
           be
           able
           to
           remove
           us
           out
           of
           the
           place
           wherein
           God
           hath
           set
           us
           ,
           and
           where
           he
           pleaseth
           to
           have
           us
           disposed
           of
           .
           And
           happy
           were
           it
           for
           you
           ,
           if
           instead
           of
           persecuting
           us
           ,
           ye
           your selves
           were
           drawn
           to
           wait
           for
           the
           same
           begettings
           of
           God
           (
           which
           we
           have
           felt
           )
           out
           of
           the
           earthly
           nature
           into
           his
           Life
           and
           Nature
           ,
           and
           did
           learn
           of
           him
           to
           govern
           in
           that
           ;
           then
           might
           ye
           be
           established
           indeed
           ,
           and
           be
           freed
           from
           the
           danger
           of
           those
           shakings
           and
           overturnings
           ,
           which
           God
           is
           hastening
           upon
           the
           Earth
           .
        
         
           Now
           because
           ye
           may
           be
           apt
           to
           think
           ,
           that
           I
           write
           these
           things
           for
           my
           own
           sake
           ,
           and
           the
           sakes
           of
           my
           Friends
           and
           Companions
           in
           the
           Truth
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           we
           might
           escape
           the
           sufferings
           and
           severity
           which
           we
           are
           like
           to
           undergo
           from
           you
           ,
           and
           not
           so
           mainly
           and
           chiefly
           for
           your
           sakes
           ,
           lest
           ye
           should
           bring
           the
           wrath
           of
           God
           and
           misery
           upon
           your
           souls
           and
           bodies
           :
           to
           prevent
           this
           mistake
           in
           you
           ,
           I
           shall
           add
           what
           followeth
           .
           Indeed
           this
           is
           not
           the
           intent
           of
           my
           heart
           :
           for
           I
           have
           long
           expected
           ,
           and
           do
           still
           expect
           this
           cup
           of
           outward
           affliction
           and
           persecution
           from
           you
           ,
           and
           my
           heart
           is
           quieted
           and
           satisfied
           therein
           ,
           knowing
           that
           the
           Lord
           will
           bring
           glory
           to
           his
           Name
           and
           good
           to
           us
           out
           of
           it
           :
           but
           I
           am
           sure
           it
           is
           not
           good
           for
           you
           to
           afflict
           us
           for
           that
           which
           the
           Lord
           requireth
           of
           us
           and
           wherein
           he
           accepteth
           us
           ;
           and
           ye
           will
           find
           it
           the
           bitterest
           work
           that
           ever
           ye
           went
           about
           ,
           and
           in
           
           the
           end
           will
           wish
           that
           the
           Lord
           had
           rather
           never
           given
           you
           this
           day
           of
           prosperity
           ,
           than
           that
           he
           should
           suffer
           you
           thus
           to
           make
           use
           of
           it
           .
           Now
           that
           ye
           may
           the
           more
           clearly
           see
           the
           temper
           of
           my
           spirit
           ,
           and
           how
           my
           heart
           stands
           in
           this
           thing
           ,
           I
           shall
           a
           little
           open
           unto
           you
           my
           faith
           and
           hope
           about
           it
           ,
           in
           these
           ensuing
           particulars
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           I
           am
           assured
           in
           my
           heart
           and
           soul
           ,
           that
           this
           despised
           people
           (
           called
           Quakers
           )
           is
           of
           the
           Lord
           's
           begetting
           in
           his
           own
           Life
           and
           Nature
           .
           Indeed
           had
           I
           not
           seen
           the
           power
           of
           God
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           received
           from
           the
           Lord
           an
           unquestionable
           Testimony
           concerning
           them
           ,
           I
           had
           never
           looked
           towards
           them
           :
           for
           they
           were
           otherwise
           very
           despiseable
           in
           my
           eyes
           .
           And
           this
           I
           cannot
           but
           testifie
           concerning
           them
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           found
           the
           Life
           of
           God
           in
           me
           owning
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           God
           hath
           begotten
           in
           my
           heart
           refreshed
           by
           the
           power
           of
           Life
           in
           them
           :
           and
           none
           but
           the
           Lord
           knows
           the
           beauty
           and
           excellency
           of
           Glory
           ,
           which
           he
           hath
           hid
           under
           this
           mean
           appearance
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           Lord
           hath
           hitherto
           preserved
           them
           against
           great
           oppositions
           ,
           and
           is
           still
           able
           to
           preserve
           them
           .
           Every
           Power
           hitherto
           hath
           made
           nothing
           of
           over-running
           them
           :
           yet
           they
           have
           hitherto
           stood
           ,
           by
           the
           care
           and
           tender
           mercy
           of
           the
           Lord
           ;
           and
           the
           several
           Powers
           which
           have
           persecuted
           them
           ,
           have
           fallen
           one
           after
           another
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           I
           have
           had
           experience
           my self
           of
           the
           Lord's
           goodness
           and
           preservation
           of
           me
           ,
           in
           my
           suffering
           with
           them
           for
           the
           Testimony
           of
           his
           Truth
           ,
           who
           made
           my
           bonds
           pleasant
           to
           me
           ,
           and
           my
           noisom
           prison
           (
           enough
           to
           have
           destroyed
           my
           weakly
           and
           tenderly-educated
           nature
           )
           a
           place
           of
           pleasure
           and
           delight
           ,
           where
           I
           was
           comforted
           by
           my
           God
           night
           and
           day
           ,
           and
           filled
           with
           prayers
           for
           his
           People
           ,
           as
           also
           with
           love
           to
           and
           prayers
           for
           those
           ,
           who
           had
           been
           the
           means
           of
           outwardly-afflicting
           me
           and
           others
           ,
           upon
           the
           Lord's
           account
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           I
           have
           no
           doubt
           in
           my
           heart
           that
           the
           Lord
           will
           deliver
           us
           .
           The
           strength
           of
           man
           ,
           the
           resolution
           of
           man
           is
           nothing
           in
           my
           eye
           ,
           in
           compare
           with
           the
           Lord.
           Whom
           the
           Lord
           loveth
           ,
           he
           can
           save
           at
           his
           pleasure
           .
           Hath
           he
           begun
           to
           break
           our
           bonds
           and
           deliver
           us
           ,
           and
           shall
           we
           now
           distrust
           him
           ?
           Are
           we
           in
           a
           worse
           condition
           than
           Israel
           was
           ,
           when
           the
           Sea
           was
           before
           them
           ,
           the
           Mountains
           on
           each
           side
           ,
           and
           the
           Egyptians
           behind
           pursuing
           them
           ?
           He
           indeed
           that
           looketh
           with
           man's
           eye
           ,
           can
           see
           no
           ground
           of
           hope
           ,
           nor
           hardly
           a
           possibility
           of
           deliverance
           :
           but
           to
           the
           eye
           of
           Faith
           it
           is
           now
           nearer
           ,
           than
           when
           God
           began
           at
           first
           to
           deliver
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           It
           is
           the
           delight
           of
           the
           Lord
           and
           his
           glory
           to
           deliver
           his
           
           People
           ,
           when
           to
           the
           eye
           of
           sence
           it
           seemeth
           impossible
           .
           Then
           doth
           the
           Lord
           delight
           to
           stretch
           forth
           his
           Arm
           ,
           when
           none
           else
           can
           help
           :
           and
           then
           doth
           it
           please
           him
           to
           deal
           with
           the
           enemies
           of
           his
           Truth
           and
           People
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           lifted
           up
           above
           the
           fear
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           are
           ready
           to
           say
           in
           their
           hearts
           concerning
           them
           ,
           
             They
             are
             now
             in
             our
             hands
             ,
             who
             can
             deliver
             them
             ?
          
        
         
           Well
           ,
           were
           it
           not
           in
           love
           to
           you
           ,
           and
           in
           pitty
           (
           in
           relation
           to
           what
           will
           certainly
           befall
           you
           ,
           if
           ye
           go
           on
           in
           this
           course
           )
           I
           could
           say
           in
           the
           joy
           of
           my
           heart
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           sence
           of
           the
           good
           will
           of
           my
           God
           to
           us
           ,
           who
           suffereth
           these
           things
           to
           come
           to
           pass
           ,
           
             Go
             on
             ,
             try
             it
             out
             with
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           come
           forth
           with
           your
           Laws
           and
           Prisons
           and
           spoiling
           of
           our
           goods
           and
           Banishment
           and
           Death
           (
           if
           the
           Lord
           please
           )
           
             and
             see
             if
             ye
             can
             carry
             it
             .
          
           For
           we
           come
           not
           forth
           against
           you
           in
           our
           own
           wills
           ,
           or
           in
           any
           enmity
           against
           your
           Persons
           or
           Government
           ,
           or
           in
           any
           stubborness
           or
           refractoriness
           of
           spirit
           ;
           but
           with
           the
           Lamb-like
           nature
           which
           the
           Lord
           our
           God
           hath
           begotten
           in
           us
           ,
           which
           is
           taught
           and
           enabled
           by
           him
           ,
           both
           to
           do
           his
           Will
           and
           to
           suffer
           for
           his
           Name
           sake
           .
           And
           if
           we
           cannot
           thus
           overcome
           you
           (
           even
           in
           patience
           of
           spirit
           and
           in
           love
           to
           you
           )
           and
           if
           the
           Lord
           our
           God
           please
           not
           to
           appear
           for
           us
           ,
           we
           are
           content
           to
           be
           overcome
           by
           you
           .
           So
           the
           Will
           of
           the
           Lord
           be
           done
           ,
           saith
           my
           soul
           .
        
      
       
         
           Post-script
           .
        
         
           O
           Dear
           Friends
           ▪
           hearken
           to
           the
           Voice
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           my
           heart
           ,
           which
           speaketh
           thus
           unto
           you
           ;
           
             O
             wait
             ,
             wait
             to
             feel
             somewhat
             of
             God
             ,
          
           somewhat
           of
           his
           Divine
           Life
           and
           Power
           stirring
           in
           your
           hearts
           ,
           and
           travel
           (
           in
           the
           Light
           and
           leadings
           of
           it
           )
           out
           of
           the
           earthly
           nature
           ,
           leaving
           the
           corruption
           of
           man
           behind
           ,
           which
           makes
           you
           miserable
           ,
           and
           putting
           on
           the
           Holiness
           and
           Righteousness
           of
           the
           Nature
           of
           God
           day
           by
           day
           ,
           which
           will
           make
           you
           happy
           ,
           as
           ye
           are
           made
           partakers
           of
           it
           :
           Yea
           ,
           do
           but
           come
           into
           the
           Power
           of
           that
           Religion
           which
           ye
           your selves
           profess
           ,
           not
           so
           much
           minding
           the
           outward
           form
           (
           for
           it
           is
           not
           of
           so
           much
           value
           )
           and
           ye
           shall
           find
           that
           we
           shall
           agree
           in
           Religion
           sooner
           than
           ye
           are
           aware
           .
           Now
           if
           in
           your
           hearts
           ye
           shall
           ask
           me
           ,
           
             What
             it
             is
             to
             come
             into
             the
             Power
             of
             that
             Religion
             ,
             which
             ye
             your selves
             profess
             ?
          
           I
           shall
           appeal
           unto
           your
           own
           souls
           ,
           whether
           it
           be
           not
           this
           ,
           even
           
             To
             forsake
             the
             Devil
             and
             all
             his
             works
             ,
             taking
             up
             the
             Cross
             unto
             your
             own
             hearts
             lust
             and
             corrupt
             wayes
             ,
             and
             under
             this
             Cross
          
           (
           wherein
           is
           the
           
           power
           of
           God
           felt
           by
           them
           that
           mind
           it
           ,
           and
           wait
           upon
           God
           there
           with
           humble
           and
           subject
           spirits
           )
           
             to
             fight
             the
             battels
             of
             Christ
             against
             temptations
             to
             sin
             and
             the
             souls
             enemies
             ,
             even
             until
             death
             .
          
           Here
           (
           if
           ye
           will
           enter
           at
           this
           narrow
           gate
           ,
           and
           walk
           on
           in
           this
           streight
           way
           unto
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           into
           which
           flesh
           and
           blood
           cannot
           enter
           ,
           but
           the
           selfish
           nature
           and
           earthly
           spirit
           must
           be
           left
           behind
           )
           in
           this
           Religion
           ,
           which
           indeed
           is
           the
           substance
           of
           all
           true
           Religion
           ,
           we
           can
           readily
           meet
           and
           unite
           with
           you
           .
           But
           if
           ye
           will
           set
           up
           a
           form
           to
           stop
           the
           power
           and
           progress
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           his
           people
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           and
           not
           mind
           the
           power
           of
           Religion
           your selves
           ,
           but
           with
           vehemency
           go
           about
           to
           force
           others
           to
           your
           form
           (
           which
           ye
           cannot
           truly
           say
           is
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           of
           man
           )
           in
           this
           we
           cannot
           close
           with
           you
           ,
           but
           must
           be
           content
           in
           the
           will
           of
           God
           to
           suffer
           under
           you
           ,
           the
           time
           which
           the
           Lord
           hath
           allotted
           ,
           which
           ye
           cannot
           go
           beyond
           .
           And
           blessed
           for
           ever
           be
           the
           Name
           of
           the
           Lord
           our
           God
           ,
           who
           hath
           made
           us
           acquainted
           with
           that
           Life
           and
           Power
           ,
           which
           was
           before
           all
           forms
           and
           wayes
           of
           Religion
           and
           Worship
           of
           man's
           inventing
           ,
           and
           which
           will
           be
           after
           them
           ;
           and
           who
           hath
           hitherto
           born
           up
           our
           spirits
           in
           the
           Testimony
           ,
           which
           he
           hath
           given
           us
           to
           bear
           to
           his
           living
           Truth
           and
           Worship
           ,
           and
           who
           we
           doubt
           not
           but
           will
           yet
           bear
           us
           up
           ,
           even
           to
           a
           Conquest
           in
           his
           Spirit
           over
           all
           that
           he
           hath
           called
           us
           forth
           to
           testifie
           against
           .
           And
           that
           great
           City
           or
           building
           of
           Religion
           ,
           which
           is
           built
           up
           by
           man's
           wisdom
           and
           maintained
           by
           man's
           strength
           ,
           we
           are
           sure
           is
           falling
           and
           shall
           fall
           throughout
           all
           the
           Earth
           :
           yea
           man's
           striving
           to
           re-edifie
           and
           re-establish
           it
           ,
           will
           but
           make
           the
           ruins
           thereof
           more
           speedy
           and
           more
           dreadful
           .
           The
           mouth
           of
           the
           Lord
           hath
           spoken
           it
           ,
           both
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           of
           Truth
           which
           cannot
           be
           broken
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           many
           of
           his
           Servants
           ,
           in
           this
           day
           of
           his
           appearance
           in
           spirit
           to
           those
           ,
           the
           eyes
           of
           whose
           spirits
           he
           hath
           opened
           ,
           and
           by
           whom
           he
           hath
           given
           a
           Visit
           and
           Warning
           to
           the
           Earth
           ,
           which
           the
           earthly
           ear
           cannot
           hear
           ,
           but
           will
           be
           overtaken
           and
           surprized
           with
           
             the
             Day
             of
             the
             Lord
          
           :
           and
           O
           what
           running
           and
           seeking
           will
           there
           be
           
             to
             the
             rocks
             ,
             and
             hills
             ,
             and
             mountains
             for
             an
             hiding-place
             from
             the
             wrath
             of
             the
             Lamb
             ,
          
           but
           none
           will
           be
           then
           found
           .
           O
           miserable
           earthly-spirited
           man
           (
           who
           hast
           passed
           away
           thy
           time
           in
           a
           dream
           ,
           and
           hast
           little
           minded
           or
           regarded
           the
           salvation
           of
           thy
           soul
           ,
           or
           considered
           what
           thy
           present
           vain
           pleasures
           and
           courses
           would
           tend
           to
           )
           what
           wilt
           thou
           then
           do
           ?
           
             There
             is
             a
             pit
             prepared
             for
             the
             wicked
          
           (
           I
           speak
           not
           an
           imagination
           of
           mine
           own
           ,
           indeed
           it
           is
           the
           Truth
           of
           God.
           )
           Now
           the
           Lord
           seeks
           the
           souls
           of
           lost
           men
           to
           save
           them
           from
           the
           pit
           :
           but
           
             their
             ears
             are
             dull
             of
             hearing
             ,
             their
             eyes
             vailed
             ,
             their
             hearts
             grosly
             fatted
             and
             made
             insensible
             with
             the
             
             sences
             and
             delights
             of
             the
             earthly
             nature
             ,
             and
             the
             Voice
             of
             God
          
           (
           with
           the
           things
           that
           concern
           their
           eternal
           peace
           ,
           yea
           their
           present
           welfare
           also
           )
           
             cannot
             enter
             into
             them
          
           ;
           and
           so
           they
           let
           slip
           the
           time
           of
           their
           Redemption
           ,
           and
           waste
           away
           the
           season
           of
           their
           Visitation
           ,
           hardly
           ever
           so
           much
           as
           thinking
           what
           will
           become
           of
           them
           in
           the
           end
           .
           
             O
             Lord
             my
             God
             ,
             awaken
             thy
             poor
             creatures
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             live
             and
             not
             dye
             :
             rather
             let
             thy
             Judgments
             break
             forth
             to
             awaken
             them
             ,
             than
             that
             they
             should
             thus
             run
             on
             towards
             utter
             destruction
             ,
             even
             to
             perish
             from
             thy
             Life
             and
             Blessedness
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             swallowed
             up
             in
             the
             misery
             ,
             torment
             and
             wrath
             due
             to
             that
             nature
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             contracted
             and
             wallowed
             like
             swine
             in
             .
          
           Every
           nature
           ,
           principle
           and
           spirit
           is
           travelling
           towards
           its
           end
           .
           O
           man
           ,
           take
           heed
           what
           nature
           thou
           art
           of
           ,
           in
           what
           principle
           and
           spirit
           thou
           actest
           ,
           and
           towards
           what
           thou
           travellest
           .
           And
           remember
           that
           God
           loveth
           his
           creature
           ;
           thy
           destruction
           is
           not
           of
           him
           ,
           if
           thou
           perish
           :
           but
           in
           him
           is
           thy
           help
           ,
           if
           thou
           hearken
           to
           his
           Voice
           ,
           and
           turn
           at
           the
           Reproofs
           of
           that
           which
           he
           hath
           placed
           near
           thee
           ,
           even
           in
           thy
           heart
           to
           reprove
           sin
           in
           thee
           ,
           and
           to
           beget
           thee
           into
           the
           love
           and
           holiness
           of
           his
           Life
           and
           Nature
           ,
           leavening
           thee
           into
           a
           new
           man
           ,
           as
           thou
           becomest
           subject
           to
           the
           checks
           and
           leadings
           thereof
           .
           This
           is
           pleasing
           to
           the
           Lord
           ;
           that
           which
           proceeds
           from
           this
           ,
           and
           is
           performed
           in
           this
           ,
           is
           the
           true
           Worship
           ,
           and
           not
           that
           which
           man
           hath
           invented
           ,
           and
           with
           which
           the
           earthly
           nature
           is
           quieted
           and
           satisfied
           ,
           but
           the
           power
           of
           Life
           turns
           from
           .
        
         
           
             It
             is
             the
             great
             mercy
             of
             the
             Lord
             to
             stop
             any
             man
             in
             the
             way
             of
             his
             error
             ▪
             and
             happy
             is
             he
             that
             is
             stopped
             by
             him
             .
          
        
      
       
         
           Another
           Post-script
           .
        
         
           YEt
           one
           thing
           ,
           perhaps
           as
           my
           last
           unto
           you
           ,
           let
           me
           freely
           propose
           :
           and
           be
           not
           hasty
           in
           spirit
           ,
           but
           wait
           on
           God
           for
           skill
           and
           ability
           to
           weigh
           the
           thing
           aright
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           an
           upright
           answer
           thereto
           ,
           as
           before
           him
           ,
           in
           the
           secrets
           of
           your
           consciences
           .
           It
           is
           briefly
           this
           ,
           
             Why
             may
             not
             the
             power
             of
             Religion
             be
             permitted
             to
             flourish
             under
             you
             ?
             cannot
             the
             Government
             of
             God's
             Spirit
             and
             your
             Government
             stand
             together
             ?
          
           I
           beseech
           you
           consider
           it
           .
           No
           man
           knoweth
           how
           short
           his
           time
           is
           ,
           nor
           what
           is
           to
           come
           after
           his
           present
           determination
           of
           things
           .
           It
           is
           now
           your
           day
           :
           O
           that
           ye
           had
           the
           true
           Light
           to
           walk
           by
           in
           it
           ,
           that
           ye
           might
           not
           afterwards
           repent
           ,
           and
           that
           my
           heart
           might
           be
           gladded
           concerning
           you
           ,
           who
           have
           so
           prayed
           for
           you
           ,
           as
           if
           I
           had
           felt
           mine
           own
           soul
           in
           your
           conditions
           .
        
         
           
             Isaac
             Penington
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           END
           .