An alarm to all priests, judges, magistrates, souldiers, and all people; inviting them to repentance and amendment of life : for the great day of the Lord is neer at hand / the substrance of most of this disourse was by several revelations from the spirit of the Lord, given unto the author to be proclaimed: who is known unto many by the name of Daniel Gotherson. : Wherein Tho. Danson, a priest in Sandwich, is proved a deceiver of souls. Gotherson, Daniel. 1660 Approx. 295 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 71 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2009-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A85476 Wing G1351 ESTC R177564 45789330 ocm 45789330 172640 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A85476) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 172640) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English Books, 1641-1700 ; 2642:5) An alarm to all priests, judges, magistrates, souldiers, and all people; inviting them to repentance and amendment of life : for the great day of the Lord is neer at hand / the substrance of most of this disourse was by several revelations from the spirit of the Lord, given unto the author to be proclaimed: who is known unto many by the name of Daniel Gotherson. : Wherein Tho. Danson, a priest in Sandwich, is proved a deceiver of souls. Gotherson, Daniel. [8], 7, [120] p. Printed by James Cottrel ..., London : [1660] Date of publication suggested by Wing. Imperfect: stained, final pages mutilated. Reproduction of original in: Friends' Library (London, England). 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Repentance. 2007-09 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2007-09 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2008-02 John Latta Sampled and proofread 2008-02 John Latta Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-09 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion AN ALARM To all Priests , Judges , Magistrates , Souldiers , and all People ; Inviting Them to Repentance and Amendment of Life : For the great Day of the LORD is neer at Hand Blow ye the Trumpet in Sion , and sound an Alarm in my holy Mountain : let all the inhabitants of the land tremble : for the day of the Lord cometh : for it is nigh at hand . Lift up thy voice like a Trumpet , and shew Judah her transgressions , and Israel her sins . The substance of most of this Discourse was by several Revelations from the Spirit of the Lord , given unto the Author to be proclaimed : who is known unto many , by the Name of Daniel Gotherson . Wherein Tho. Danson , a Priest in Sandwich , is proved a Deceiver of SOULS . LONDON : Printed by James Cottrel , dwelling on Addle-hill . To the honest-hearted understanding READER , who readeth without Prejudice . READER , LEt thy Heart be fixed upon the Lord , and the Arm of his almighty strength , in the supporting thee , and teaching thee : for it is Christ that openeth the Vnderstanding to understand the Scriptures ; and the great Mystery of Salvation lieth treasured up in Christ . And if thou without prejudice , in the cool of the day , dost search and commune with thy own Heart , and be still , thou mayst find the true Bread that came down from Heaven , that whosoever eateth thereof , shall never dye : and thou shalt plainly see all Deceivers unmasked , and their Deceipt plainly and nakedly laid open , with all Antichristian Practises used to this day ; and their Mystery of Iniquity unfolded unto all those that are not wilfully blind , and desire to stupifie their sences . But if thou wilt search in thy heart , in meekness , for the Light Christ , thou shalt finde Eye-salve , the Balm of Gilead , the Blood of Christ that will cleanse thee from all sin : for it will , by thy Obedience , bring thee to Mount Sion , the City of the living God , the Mount that cannot be touched : for it is a spiritual Life that must be witnessed : And Christ plainly sheweth , that the Father seeketh such to worship him , as worship him in the Spirit and in Truth . And therefore lend thy Heart , nay , give it up into God , that thou , in thy own Vessel , mayest have the Bread of Life : for it must be the Oyl in a Man 's own Lamp , that must convey him into the Bridegrooms Chamber , to receive that Blessing : Come you blessed of my Father , saith Christ , inherit the Kingdom prepared for you ▪ Enter , thou good Servant , into the joy of thy Lord : He is that great Prophet that Moses spake of , that whosoever would not hear , should be cut off from amongst the people ; who is JESUS , that saveth his people from their sins : Whose great day of power hath appeared unto many , and is appearing unto all , and doth pull down their pride : for , The loftiness of men must be brought low , and their haughtiness must be humbled : for Christ teacheth all His to be meek and lowly , that they may finde Rest unto their Souls : for , Blessed are the meek ; they shall inherit the earth : And by hiding the Word Christ in thy heart , thou shalt be kept , as David was , from sinning against God : for those that hear the Voyce of Christ , & desire to be taught by Him , as the truth is in Jesus , they shall be guided by him to do the will of God in every thing , and be led by the Spirit of God , to do as they would be done unto ; and to walk in all things as Christ hath walked : for they shall be filled with the Spirit of Righteousness , that filleth all in all : and they shall not need that any man shall teach them , but as the Anointing which dwelleth in them , teacheth them all things : for they shall know their true Teacher . Know you not that Christ is in you , except you be Reprobates ? And so being taught by Christ , they shall taste of his fulness , and the Arm of his strength they shall all witness ; that will make them walk from strength to strength , and Grace shall make them see God in Sion : for Holiness becometh the House of the Lord for ever : And by leading holy Lives , they find their works to be wrought in God , and themselves Branches springing from that Vine Christ ; and they come in by that true Door , and they follow Christs Voice : for he is their Shepherd , and he leadeth them into pleasant Pastures , where their Souls are refreshed with that which is sweeter then the Honey , and the Honey-Comb , and is better then thousands of Gold and Silver : for it is the enjoyment of the Lord , which is better then Life . And therefore as thou tenderest thy salvation , be like the wise man that fore-saw the evil , and made his hiding place in his God : for assure your selvs , High and Low , Rich and Poor , Learned and Vnlearned , Priests and People , the great day of the Lords Wrath is near at Hand , wherein the stout Ones of the earth shall tremble : for all their words and works must come to judgment ; and none but those that have truth in the inward parts , shall stand before him : it is the unspotted Life , the undefiled in their way , the pure in heart , will see him with comfort : the clean heart is a fit Temple for the holy Ghost to dwell in : and those that have part in the first Resurrection , from the Death of Sin to the Life of Grace ; over such the second Death hath no power . This Treatise is for your instruction , to bring you to a sight of all that is past , and present , and to come . And therefore seriously read without prejudice : For it is the Advice of Him that thirsteth after the salvation of all men , that they may come to the knowledge of the Truth , that they may be saved : For every one that shall finde a Benefit by Christ , are such as have part in Him ; such as are baptized into Him ; and such are baptized into His Death ; and they are new creatures , and old things are passed away ; all things are become new : For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing , nor Uncircumcision ; but a new Creature : And where the new Creature is , there is the Vnity of the Spirit witnessed to be kept in the Bond of Peace . The 22 of the 10. Month , commonly called by the heathens , December , 1659. I am a true Lover of all whose Desires are after the living GOD , who am called Daniel Gotherson . A PREPARATIVE To the Ensuing Epistles . 1. DEspise not Prophesie : 1 Th 5 Trie all things ; firmly hold That that is sound and pure : The rest thou may'st be bold , As vanity and lewd Illusion for to hate . But if thou judge too soon , Thou wilt repent too late . Be well assur'd 't is good , Before thou do approve ; Be well assur'd 't is naught , Before thou dare reprove . Mean while I wish thee do As Abrams servant did ; As Paul in Macedon , To preach when Christ him bid . As the Beraeans , whose Nobility is prais'd By Gods own holy pen : These men their courage rais'd , And utmost industrie , To finde the certaintie , When doubtful novelty They heard or did espie . 2. BEfore or rash receive , Or rash reject they durst ; First if his Doctrine swerve , Detest him as accurst . But if of heresie Thou canst not him detect , Stay till thou see the truth Made plain by the effect . It is a wickedness To which men are not slow , In rage to cast away That which they do not know . so Josephs brethren did His Dreams as Dreams deride ; But them their reverend King , Up in his bosome laid . And though he thought them strange , Durst not yet vilipend ; But humbly did observe , Until he saw the end . So Moses brethren durst His zealous loving fact , Reprove as deed accurst , And as Usurpers act . 3. THough Moses knew that God Had sent him to that end ; And hop'd his brethren would This secret understand . Eldad and Medad , when I' th' Camp they prophesie , Even Joshua is rash To blame them foolishly . But Moses tells him plain , Not zeal doth him inflame , But envie and disdain ; And would God would his name Not in these two alone In this sort glorifie ; But in all Jacobs seed . When Gideon did destroy , In his heroick rage , The Altar which the Jews To Baal had set up ; Oh how this people spews Dire wrath , and fell despight ! But Joash bold replies , Will ye for Idols fight ? That dares this morning dies . 4. WHen Saul from that he was , Was suddenly transum'd , And with the Prophets did As now he was indu'd : Some spake of this amiss , But some were better skill'd , And said , they cannot chuse , Which with God's Spirit are fill'd . VVilt thou the winds forbid To blow where they are sent ? Shall sacred Prophesies In Schools or Cells be pent ? VVhen David offered His service to his King , VVhat a loud peal did then His eldest brother ring ? As if God might not send , VVhen , whom he thinketh best , And as to him seems good , To relieve a State distrest . As if God might not set On Shepherds head the Crown , VVhen they themselves forget , That must be tumbled down . 5. BUt let Eliab storm , Let Saul himself run mad , Let him and all his crew Conspire against the Lad : Prince Jonathan is wise , And for his brother glad ; And for his thankless King ; Religiously is sad . Michal shall be his friend , And so shall all the best ; And above all his choice , VVhat cares he for the rest ? VVhat weighs he Nabals scorn ? The Ziphims treachery ? Abner his skill in war ? Dog Doegs villanies ? VVhen Jeroboams King A Prophet reprehended : His Majesty incens'd Bid him be apprehended . For this his hand he lost , Until he su'd for grace . Kings , 't will be to your cost , If Prophets you disgrace . 6. DId not King Ahab so , And with him that abus'd His Prince with tales , and false , Micaiah just accus'd ? The Bethelites prophane , That taught ( as we to swear ) Their Boys and Gyrls to mock Him that had power to tear , And with a word destroy Their lives , did in one day Four hundred children loose , Naaman went away From Elisha his gate , VVith scorn and rage fulfill'd , Because ( so wise men are , Learned and deeply skill'd In their own judgments blind , ) The word which him was sent Did not his prouder thoughts And high conceits content , But though his footing slid , His servants were more wise ; And boldly faithful did Their foolish Lord advise . 7. IF Lords or Kings misdeem You that on them attend , Be not base flattering Parasites , But your best counsels lend . Do not your selves and them , Fond Parasites , for fear , Fearless down headlong cast In Pits of deeper care : Yet , if you be but stout , To speak as you believe , You may your froward Lord His leprosie relieve . Or if he needs must wend After his own advise , You have done nobly yet , And as became the wise . VVhen Elisha again In a sad time of want , Did promise by next day Bread should be nothing scant ; This cannot be , quoth he , That thought God could not do That which he could not see VVas possible . And so , 8. IF men these Prophecies Judge as to sense they seem , How can they feasibly Such uncouth wonders deem ? But learn of that proud lord Your judgements to submit : For God is wise , and strong To do all he thinks fit . If in his name then hear You shall things difficult , Do not with flesh and blood Too suddenly consult . You may as did this Prince , His life who therefore lost , False sentence over-soon Pronounce unto your cost . Do not with Jehu's friends , If in your sight appear ( As will ) a Prophet , ask , What makes this mad-man here ? Alas ! can you streight know What God in heaven hath meant ? Can you sans tryal know Who is not surely sent ? 9. LEt us this Jeremie How to supplant devise , ( Said the rash Jews ) for sure All that he tells are lies : Is no man wise but he ? Is all the learning his ? Are there no Prophets more ? Do all else go amiss ? Poor men ! thus they must do , That must themseves destroy . Sad Jeremiah they 'll force Against their pride to pray : I would their good , my God , But they reward me ill : Let famine and the sword Them and their Infants kill . As much did Pashur gain , The chief of Clergie-men , A sect which always hath Before all other been In mischievous designs , And spightful machinations : Be wise therefore you droans , And shun these consultations . 10. IF your Arch-Priests will needs Like Anti-christs resist , Bid them alone for you Malicious blind persist . He that these Priests huge fame , And their foul friends found out , Hath ever been the same , And will still ( do not doubt . ) They shall be terrifi'd , That terrible now seem : Magor-Missabib is This bul-beggers new names . Poor wretches , I do not Your pride at all envie ! I do not , but lament And moan your misery ; And of these surly sect VVhich with Hilchias child , At hand I do foresee , Repentance be your shield . VVhen Jeremie again , By dreaful comminations , His people would restrain VVith hideous exclamations , 11. ( THe Priests they being chief ) Against him they conspire : Treason must be his crime , Destruction must be his hire . For if you mark it well , Priests they this use have got , Reprove the state of sin , And death must be thy lot , If these blood-thirsty hounds Be suffered to prevail : But Magistrates are wise , Though cater-caps can rail , And carry after them Sometimes with glosing lies ; ( As they Jehoiakim ) The King ( God op'd his eyes ) Yet you that fear the Lord , And in his Son believe ; Do not too soon consent , But boldly wise relieve : And namely Shaphans child , Such is thy prudence rare ; So art thou just and mild , And for our weal takest care . 12. ALthough Jehoiakim VVould not with reverence hear The Book of Jeremie , But scornfully did it tear , And in the fire consume Unto his greater hurt , And of his royal race ; Yet some men had the heart , VVhich next him were the first , And sat in highest place , The Prophet and his words To heed , and to imbrace . They tremble as they hear , And amongst themselves confer , VVhat course is best to take These judgements to aufer . In Zedechiah's days , Again this holy wight , For telling them the truth , Of treason he 's indight . But though his own are blind , A Pagan doth believe : Moors more then Jews are kind , ( Oh shame ! ) and dare relieve , 13. WHom they dare persecute , And do the King exhort He credit not too soon Malicious fond report . When Amos in the court Gods judgements did denounce ; The Prince of Prelates then Him traytor doth pronounce ; And the fond King incense : But what was his reward ? Priests , you the storie read , And awfully regard : Thy wife , said Amos then , Proud Priest , shall play the whore ; Thy Sons and Daughters all The sword shall soon devour : Thy place thy eyes shall see Thy enemies possess ; And in a forraign land Thy self die in distress . Frown , mowe , grin , grind thy teeth , Swell , break , for all thy mood , The word I speak is truth , And cannot be withstood . 14. OUr Lord himself his own Would not receive nor love , Chiefly the chief amongst you His words and works reprove . Because the ways of God They measure by their wits , They 're scandaliz'd and fall , And still lies in the Pit. Oh learn by their extreams And lasting miseries , What 't is for to refuse The profer'd verities . What 't is rashly to judge , Resist , and presecute Things that distaste , before Thou know how to confute . As after his ascent , When he his promise paid , Many both mock't , and rail'd , And of the Apostles said , For they did prophesie , And with new tongues could They babbled idlely , Because their brains were weak . speak , 15. BUt wise Gamaliel , When others burst for spight , And plotted to destroy Gods Prophets if they might , Sage counsel freely gave : Princes , beseech you hear ; Be well advis'd , take heed , Too sudden wrath forbear . As Theudas lying knave , Judas the counterfeit , Although a while they seem'd Great credit for to get , Yet quickly came to nought : So if these men you see , Not true Apostles , but Impostors crafty be ; Believe it , they will soon Such as they are appear : But if they be of God , God will his servants clear ; And we that dare resist Not men but Heavens King , Shall wish that we had wist , And late repent this thing . 16. IF therefore thou be'st wise , Reader , thy spirit suspect , When thou perceiv'st it tempt Thee rashly to reject That which thou now hast read , Or shalt within a while : Do not with high conceit Thy weaker wits beguile . Though Doctors dote as yet , And this false doctrine teach , That Prophets now no more . Of future things shall preach , Nor miracles be seen ; Do not their dreams receive . Blinde guides , their silly selves And others they deceive . And if thou say as they , Then hear this prophesie ; Thy eye before thou die , Shall give thy tongue the lie . Who shall the Jews convert ? Who shall restore our peace ? Who shall the Pope subvert ? And Mahomet make cease ? 16. DId not Elias need When 'twixt Jehove and The doubtful Jews did half ? Did not Elias call Men from their crooked ways , And for the Lord prepare ; Before himself appear'd His Gospel to declare ? And dost thou hope that now , These schisms at all shall cease ; And the round world with light , As the full Moon increase , Without Elias aid ? Or art thou so purblind , As nor in Malachie , Nor in Esay to find , That as the Baptist did VValk in Elias might ; VVhen this Messias came A miserable wight : So much more now before VVe see his glorious day , His usher shall prepare Afore his face the way ? 18. NOr do thou curious scan From whence he doth appear , Nor what his person is : For then I can but fear , Thou some offence wilt take , As men were wont of old , When in Gods secrets they To pry were over-bold . God doth send whom he list ; The reason none can tell , But only God himself . For this you must all know , Christs merits are the thing Which all must flie unto Even for salvation . God did appoint him for Salvation unto all That in the light believe . Which light is Christ alone , Who hath enlightned every one , Which in the world hath been , Or shall be to the end . The Lord he did also David and Salomon call , And his Apostles twelve , His Prophets every one . No man deserves this place , No man is competent , Let God do what he will , Let this thy mind content . 19. PRaise God that he hath found One whom employ he will , More for thy good then goods , To save thy soul from ill , Danger , fear , care , and grief ; All for thy comfort , and Thy heavie hearts relief . Who if thou knew the soul Of those whom God hath call'd , As Israel in Aegypt , I know thou art much appall'd : Dost mourn , complain and cry , That God as he of old , VVill now again provide The sorrows that unfold Thee , and his woful spouse . How quickly to relieve , The means then glad imbrace ! The choyce thee let not grieve ; Thy wisdom in this case , Is thankful modestie ; Say unto God thy grace VVithout an envious eye . 20. THe poor , the mean , the rude , The vile God oft doth call ; And place in highest room , That he the Lord of all , Of all may be confest , His counsels be ador'd , Rather then vainly scan'd , His name with hymns decor'd ; And all flesh put to shame . David and Saul were poor ; Moses a man unfit , Amos a country-boor , The chief of Prophets all , And of all Kings the head , A Carpenters Son some so call'd : The Apostles carn'd their bread : The most were ideots call'd : Paul was a wicked man : Mathew himself records A hated Publican . Even Nathaniel said , From Nazareth to hope For good , I am afraid : Yet Christ from thence did come , Which brings salvation . 21. THe word he brings , the works That he shall do , respect : All proud , and wicked ways Far from thy thoughts reject . Dost thou believe ? Then lend thy helping hand : Dar'st thou deny ? I dare thee then withstand . Or art thou in doubt ? Then pray that thou mayst see : Study within , And then confer with me . Egerton , Anno 1660. D. Gotherson . FINIS . The first Epistle : To all people whose souls panteth after God , as the Hart panteth after the water-brooks . ANd now also is the ax laid to the root of the tree : therefore every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit , is hewen down and cast into the fire . I is to the circumcised in heart , that cometh or springeth from all the twelve Tribes , that Jesus Christ is lovely , the choicest of ten thousand ; for whom they part with all , to purchase that pearl that is of so great worth , that the heart cannot conceive , nor the tongue express , nor the eye see that is mortal ; being that Stone with the new name written in it , that no man knoweth but he that hath it ; and is not discernable with any but they that are born again , that can witness they are become little children , for only to such belongeth the kingdom , and to none other . Now the soul being of so great worth , that Christ said , What will it profit a man to gain the whole world , and to loose his soul ? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul ? by which it appeareth , that there is none but Christ the promised seed can redeem man from death , nor offer unto God a ransom for him : and as the tree falleth , so it lieth , and there is no repentance in the grave whither thou goest : and every word and work must be brought to judgement , with every secret thing ; and God is no respecter of persons , for he cannot behold transgression in Jacob , nor sin in Israel ; and if David a man after his own heart sinneth , he must go with broken bones to his grave for it : and seeing all have sinned , and come short of the glory of God , it is the one thing necessary for every man and woman seriously to consider , and wait in seeking the Lord , that he may be manifested unto every ones particular : and this is to be sought for , to know him that taketh away sin , even the sins of the world : for as in Adam all died , so in Christ shall all be made alive : and Christ hath lightned every man that cometh into the world : and Christ the hope of glory is in every one ; and know ye not that Christ is in you , unless you be reprobates ? now the man Christ Jesus , the great Prophet , declared in general terms what should be in latter times , leaving it to every son and daughter to declare their particular experiences when the Spirit doth rise up in them , and manisest himself unto them : for they that believe ( saith he ) out of their bellies shall flow rivers ( or plentiful discoveries ) of the water of life . Therefore as Moses gave way to Christ ; for when Christ appeared in flesh , Moses Administration began to be silent , and drew back , and set Jesus Christ in the Chair , to be the great Prophet that should be the Teacher in Types after him ; and the Ministration of these discoveries were to reign in the world their appointed times : Even so the Lamb Christ Jesus , or that single body , gives way to the Holy Ghost , or spreading Spirit , Joh. 16. 7. Joh. 17. 21. If I go not away , the Comforter cannot come to you : for he that dwells bodily in me , is to spread himself in you ; that as the Father in me , and I in him , are one ; even so I in you and you in me , may become one with the Father . And the Testimony of the Apostles declares as much , 2 Cor. 5. 16. Col. 1. 27. Though we have know Christ after the flesh , ( in one single body ) yet now henceforth know we him no more so , but we look after that mystery which hath been kept secret from ages and generations past , which is Christ in you the hope of glory : & therefore I must tell you that yet live in dipping in water , and observation of Gospel-Ordinances as ye call them , forms and types , you live yet under the ministration of Jesus Christ after the flesh , declaring the Lamb Christ to remain as yet in one single person : but know you , that as the ministration of Moses gave way to this ; so this ministration is to give way to the inward teachings of Christ , and the spreading of the Spirit in sons and daughters , which will more excellently declare the glory of the mystery . The man Christ Jesus told the woman of Samaria , Woman , the time is coming and now is , that neither in Jerusalem nor in this mountain shall men worship the Father ; but they that worship him , shall worship him in spirit & in truth , for the Father seeks such to worship him : by these words as also , Luk. 17. 21. Joh. 4. 45. the son of man declares that both outward forms , customs , and types of Moses worship under that ministration at Jerusalem , likewise all forms , and customs , and types of this ministration of himself , as the Lamb held forth at a distance to be our Mediator , should all cease , and give way to the spiritual worship of the Father in the latter days , or to the spreading of the Divine power in men ; the one Law of righteousness being the Teacher of all : so that upon the rising up of Christ in sons and daughters , which is his second coming , the ministration of Christ in one single person is to be silent and draw back , and set the spreading power of righteousness and wisdom in the chair , of whose kingdom there shall be no end : so as all things were gone out from the Spirit , and were gone astray , and corrupted : the Spirit in this great mystery of truth being manifested in the flesh , burns up that dross out of the Creation , and draws in all things again back into himself , and declares himself to be the alone wisdom and power of righteousness , that rules , dwells , that governs and preserves both in and over the whole Creation , 2 Cor. 5. 19. 1 Cor. 5. 24. and now the Son delivers up the Kingdom to God the Father ; and he that is the spreading power , not one single person , become all in all in every person , that is the one King of righteousness in every one . Here is plainly seen what the dividing of time is , which is the last period in which the Beast is to reign : for now every ministration pleads his priviledge till the Law of righteousness drown up all in himself . Moses yet pleads priviledge in the practice of the Jewes after the flesh : the Son of man , Christ in one single person , pleads a priviledg ; and not onely the true ministration of the Son of man according to the Apostles declaration , but likewise many false forms , customs and observations of worshipping are raised up through a wrong understanding of those Scriptures ; all pleads their priviledge : and lastly , the ministration of the Spirit , forsaking all forms and types , worshipping the Father in the substance of truth , this now pleads his priviledge as his due right by course . So that you see here is the dividing of time . But this last ministration is the sufferer for the present , as being denied his right by the former , that ought to give way : and as the worshippers in Moses ministration envied and killed those as worshipped the Son of man , the Lamb and his worshippers ; so now those that worship Christ at a distance , in their several Congregations and Forms , and are most zealous therein , are in these dayes the most bitterest enemies to the ministration of Christ in the spirit and in truth . But when this ministration of the Spirit spreads himself , he will make the greatest separation that ever was : for though Israels separation out of Egypt amazed the World , and the separation of gathered Congregations out of Parish Churches ( so called ) did trouble the earth , though it is no more but going out of one form into another , and none into the unity of the one Spirit : yet this ministration of the Spirit now rising up by right of inheritance , will take peace from the World much more ; for he hath begun , and he will go on to gather the scattered of Israel together out of all Egyptian bondages and self-seeking oppressing Governments , and out of all forms and customs of the Beast , to worship the Father in spirit in and truth , being made to be all of one heart and one mind : and this shall more and more appear , as the day approacheth , which hath already dawned . Therefore let me tell you , that all your enmity will not uphold your forms ; your imprisoning , and reviling , and making Laws to suppress such as are contrary to you , will never work your will , but pull miseries and shame upon your selves , as the zealous Scribes and Pharisees did , in killing the just one Christ the Son of man. Therefore be patient , look up to him for teaching , from whom every good and perfect gift cometh down , even the Father of lights , in whom there is no variableness nor shadow of turning , who stands at the door and knocks ; and if any man will open , he will come in and sup with him ; and the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity , delighteth to dwell in the contrite ones , that he may give life unto them : for when the Law of righteousness ariseth up , and maketh himself more manifest , he will reconcile all , and make every one to be of one heart and of one mind ; and no other power must be the restorer , but this King of righteousness and peace : for this is he that makes men do as they would be done unto , and then envy and bitterness dies : see Act. 4. 32. Isa . 60. 16. Now when this King , Jesus , Emanuel God with us , ariseth up in sons and daughters , whereby the Scriptures are proved true Prophesies , Promises , Visions , and Revelations ; the Teachers of this World deny the Testimony , crying out , Visions and revelations are ceased , because they would have the people ever learning of them , and giving their money to them for that which is not bread , and profiteth not : for they can teach no further then they have learned ; and they have learned no further then the declaration , which the Scripture it self saith is but a dead Letter : it is a mystery , and Christ revealeth it by his Spirit ; and it is the Spirit that maketh known the deep and hidden things of God. Now when any receiveth power from on high , by believing in him , and he maketh such to eat the good of the Land , and they are forced to bear their Testimony to witness unto others , as David did ; he had not hid his goodness within his breast , but shewed even in the great Congregation what the Lord had done for his soul : I say , When any thus moved speaketh to the Priests of our days , although Scripture warrants speaking one by one , as it is made manifest to them by the Spirit , and the first is to hold his peace ; yet they presently cry out , A disturbance in their Steeple-house , and hale them to prisons , where many times the just ones of the Lord Jehovah die in the outward man by their hardships , as in Colchester Gaol , and other places in the Nation , by the Priests means , who possess the people with conceits , and make them believe their lies , that these people are self-conceited , and it is Errour and Blasphemy they hold : even just like those that when the Holy Ghost had filled the Apostles and all those that were with them , they cried out & mocked , saying , These men are filled with new wine ; because they knew not the voice of the Spirit : for the natural man knoweth not the things of God ; they are spiritually discerned . Well , he is at hand , and is a working ; for he that keepeth Israel neither slumbereth nor sleepeth ; and he will discover your shame , and make your nakedness appear unto all men : for wickedness shall slay the wicked , though no mans hands be upon him . The tender Lambs of Christ by the Wolves in sheeps clothing are destroyed ; but yet let the wolves know for their eternal woes , that the Lambs are the blessed of the most high : for the King of righteousness is in them , for they are the field wherein the treasure hath lain hid all the dark and cloudy days of the Beasts Reign , which is now almost expired : they are Zion whom no man regards , out of whom Salvation cometh : for Jacob is in them , who hath been long a servant to Esau , and now is set free , and he will glorifie himself both in them and for them , to the shame of all wolfish Esaus that are of a destroying nature : and the whole earth shall be filled by these with the knowledge of the Lord , of whose Dominion and Power there shall be no end : for the consolation of Israel doth draw neer to be made manifest to every ones particular ; therefore let all wait with patience for it , on him that is almighty , able to save : for Jesus is able to save to the utmost all those that come unto God by him ; and for ever blessed are such , for the Lord is their portion : for it is the Law and power of righteousness which made Abraham forsake his Isaac , his dearest Relations according to the flesh , rather then to refuse the way of his God ; and by this he found peace : so that this King of righteousness , and Prince of peace , that governed Abraham , and is called blessed , the blessing of all Nations , for this shall save his people from their sins : for he shall remove from the Curse , and restore his from the bondage they groane under ; for Abraham sprang from him , as a tree groweth from a seed that gave the tree its being : the Law of righteousness and peace ruling and dwelling in any one , is the seed of Abraham ; and the several branches of men and women in whom that power rests , are children , and of the family of Abraham : for it was not the man of the flesh that was called Abraham , but the Law of righteousness , and truth , and peace , that did rule and govern in that body , he was the Abraham : for it is clear , that before this righteous power was manifest in it , it was Abram , as you may read Gen. 17. 1. And when Abram was ninety years old and nine , the Lord appeared unto Abram , and said unto him , I am the Almighty God : walk before me and be thou perfit , and I will make my Covenant between thee and me : vers . 5. Neither shall thy name be called any more Abram , but thy name shall be called Abraham : for a father of many Nations have I made thee ; And in Mat. 3. the Pharisees and Sadduces come to Johns Baptism , as you may see ver . 7. And he said unto them , O generation of vipers , who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come ? bring forth fruits meet for repentance : & think not to say within your selves , We have Abraham for our father ; for God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham . So it is plain , that Jew or Gentile in whom the power of righteousness breaketh forth and ruleth , are the children of Abraham , Act. 10. 34. Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons ; but in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness , is accepted with him . For as the visible body of Christ was not the anointing , but the Spirit in that body was the Christ , the spreading power of righteousness , which was to fill the earth with himself ; and his body but a house or Temple for the present work , to redeem the lost man according to the promise , The seed of the woman shall break the serpents head , as also to throw down Moses Law ; and became the substance of his Lambs , and Types , and Sacrifice ; for that body was the Lamb that did fulfil the righteous will , by his voluntary and free-will offering up of himself : therefore Christ is called the spreading power , because he fills all with himself ; and because this power did appear first to Abraham as we read of , therefore is he called The father of the faithful : for it was an everlasting Covenant that God made with him ; therefore every one that follows after him , and treads in his steps , being willing and obedient , they shall eat the good of the land , and they shall be called children of that seed of Abraham , which seed is the blessing of all Nations , and is the restorer of all his from bondage : and although his just ones many times lie under oppression and hardship by the seed of the flesh , and they are despised ones by them ; yet now the day is at hand , that their glory shall arise : and the reason is , for the Almighty God is in them of a truth , & he will lead their captivity captive , and set them down in peace : for they are the City of the Lord , new Jerusalem , the place of his rest , which shall be the praise of the whole earth : for the Almighty King of righteousness is their Saviour , and there is no other name under heaven whereby men can be saved , but the name of Jesus ; and verily I bear my Testimony from him , that he will be exalted in this the great day of his power , for the Lord is a bringing mighty things to pass in this the day of his appearance , and the hearts of his shall fear : for , to him ( saith the Lord ) will I look , that trembleth at my word ; and therefore let all his redeemed ones wait patiently for the consolation of Israel ; for their King is coming , and he will fill the earth with his glory , and turn ungodliness from Jacob : then shall Jacob rejoyce , and Israel shall be glad . For without controversie , great is the mystery of godliness : God was manifest in the flesh , justified in the Spirit , seen of Angels , preached unto the Gentiles , believed on in the world , received up into glory . And that his might not be deceived , he saith , In the latter times seducing spirits shall come , and so cunningly carry themselves , that if possible the very elect should be deceived : and Paul 1 Tim. 4. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4. sheweth some of the principles of their deceit : and thus he saith : Now the Spirit speaketh expresly , that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith , giving heed to the seducing spirits and doctrines of devils , speaking lies in hypocrisie , having their consciences seared with a hot-iron ; forbidding to marry , and commanding to abstain from meats , which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth : for every creature of God is good , and nothing to be refused , if it be received with thanksgiving ; for it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer . And this Paul exhorts those that will manifest themselves good Ministers of Jesus Christ , such who are nourished up in the words of Faith and good Doctrine , that they should put the brethren in minde of these things , and exercise themselves in godliness : by which it appears , that Paul reckoneth such as are before spoken of , amongst Hymeneus and Philetus , who concerning the truth have erred , saying , The Resurrection is past already , and overthrow the faith of some ; nevertheless , the Foundation of God standeth sure , having this seal , The Lord knoweth them that are His : and let every one that nameth the name of Christ , depart from iniquity . So that it is plain , that every act of evil is a fruit of old Adam , the flesh , which hath nothing but envie , lust , pride , drunkenness , malice , and all uncharitableness , which the King of Righteousness , Christ Jesus , redeemeth his from , and also maketh his righteous , godly , full of faith , love , patience , meekness , being without spot , unrebukable : for they are born again , not of corruptible seed , but of incorruptible , by the word of God , which liveth and abideth for ever ; which word is Christ in them the hope of glory : For Moses truly said unto the Fathers , A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren , like unto me ; Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you . So that it is plain , that the Lamb Christ Jesus , was the substance of Moses ; and where the substance is , shadows and Types doth cease : and this method of divine Discovery doth finish the Mystery ; for the Lord doth take up all into Himself , for he is in all , and acts through all ; and all that power of Righteousness that appeareth in any , is still but that power of the Lord which he hath promised to pour forth in the last dayes , as you may see in the second of the Acts , vers . 17 , 18. And it shall come to pass in the last dayes , saith God , I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh : and your sons and daughters shall prophesie , and your young men shall see visions , and your old men shall dream Dreams ; and on my servants , and on my hand-maids , will I pour out of my Spirit in those dayes , and they shall prophesie . So that every Branch shall be a Joynt or Member of the Mystical Body , or several spreadings forth of the Vine , being filled with that one Spirit , Christ the anointing , who filleth all with himself , and so becomes the alone King of Righteousness , that rules and governes all his ransomed ones , Joh. 17. 23. I in them , and thou in me , that they may be made perfect in one , that the world may know that thou hast sent me , and hast loved them as thou hast loved me : For I am the Lord , and beside me there is no Saviour . He is in every one of his little ones that are born again ; and how , is declared , Joh. 14. v. 15 , 16 , 17 , 18. If you love me , keep my commandments : and I will pray the Father , and he shall give you another Comforter , that he may abide with you for ever ; even the Spirit of Truth , whom the world cannot receive , because it seeth him not , neither knoweth him : but ye know him , for he dwelleth with you , and shall be in you : I will not leave you comfortless ; I will come to you . Yet a little while , and the world seeth me no more , but ye see me : because I live , ye shall live also . At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father , and you in me , and I in you . He that hath my commandments and keepeth them , he it is that loveth me ; and he that loveth me , shall be loved of my Father , and I will love him , and manifest my self unto him : if a man love me , he will keep my word , and my Father will love him ; and we will come unto him , and make our abode with him . And Rom. 8. 9. Now if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ , he is none of his ; for as many as are led by the Spirit of God , they are Sons of God , vers . 14. Ephes . 1. 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23. Paul speaking to them concerning their faith in the Lord Jesus , as he had heard , and their love unto all Saints ; he ceased not to give thanks for them , making mention of them in his prayers ; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ , the Father of glory , may give unto them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him ; the eyes of their understandings being enlightned , that they may know what is the hope of his calling , and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints , and what is the exceeding greatness of his power , to usward , who believe , according to the working of his mighty power , which he wrought in Christ , when he raised him from the dead , and set him at his own right hand , in the heavenly places , far above all principalities , and power , and might , and dominion , and every name that is named , not onely in this world , but also in that which is to come ; and hath put all things under his feet , and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church , which is his Body , the fulness of him that filleth all in all . Which Mystery was made known to Paul by Revelation ; and he expresly saith , That this Mystery in Christ was not made known unto the sons of men in other ages , as it is now revealed unto his Apostles and Prophets , which is made known by the Spirit ; and that is , that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs , and of the same Body , and partakers of his promise in Christ : and to this end , he prayeth for them , that they may be strengthened in the inner man , by the riches of his glory , with might , by his Spirit ; that Christ may dwell in their hearts by Faith , that they may be filled with all the fulness of God , and may grow up into him in all things , which is the head , even Christ Jesus in them the hope of glory , which cleanseth all his from all filthiness , that they may perfect holiness in his fear : for they that have learned Christ , and been taught by him , as the Truth is in Jesus , they put off all uncleanness and lasciviousness , they put off the old man , with his deeds , which is , lying , deceipt , lust , evil speaking ; they must not be angry , neither give place to the devil , nor his Temptations ; against which they must keep a continual watch , that they may not fall ; they must let no rotten nor corrupt communication proceed out of their mouths , but that which is good to the use of edifying , that it may minister grace to the hearers ; and all bitterness , wrath , anger , and evil speaking , and clamour , must be put away , with all malice , drunkenness and fornication , filthiness and foolish jesting . And that which maketh manifest sin , is the light in every one ; for all things are reproved and made manifest by the light ; for whatsoever doth make manifest , is light : and therefore awake thou that sleepest , and stand up from the dead , and Christ shall give thee light ; and wait on the Lord , to be filled with his Spirit ; for we are members of his Body , of his flesh , and of his bones ; that you may be strong in the Lord , and the power of his might , that puting on the whole Armour of God , they may be able to stand against the wises of Sathan ; for they are not onely to wrestle against flesh and blood , but against principalities , and powers , against the Rulers of the darkness of this world , against spiritual wickednesses in high places ; and therefore they must have their loins girt about with truth , and having on the brest-plate of Righteousness , the sword of the Spirit , which is the word of God , that enlightneth every one that cometh into the world , Christ in you the hope of glory : for they that are Christs , crucifie the flesh , with the affections , and lusts : and he maketh his walk as he hath walked , to be holy as he is holy , and pure as he is pure ; to count all things but loss and dung , that they may win Christ , for whom they suffer the loss of all things , that they may know him , and the power of his Resurrection , and the fellowship of his sufferings , being made conformable to his death , that they may attain unto the Resurrection of the dead ; forgetting those things that are behinde , and reaching after those things that are before , that they may attain unto perfection ; having their conversations in heaven , from whence they look for the Saviour , the Lord Jesus Christ , who shall change their vile bodies , that they may be fashioned according to his glorious body , according to that working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself ; and therefore they are careful for nothing , but in every thing , by prayer , and thanksgiving , and supplication , their Requests are made known unto God ; and those things that are true , just , pure , and of good report , peaceable , and lovely , bowels of compassion , kindness , humbleness of minde , meekness , long-suffering , charity , that whatsoever they do , in word or deed , they may and ought to do all in the name of Jesus Christ , giving thanks to God the Father by him : & this is the fruits the Saints are clothed with , which doth demonstrate their new birth , which gift is from above , from the Father of spirits , from whom they receive power to become the sons of God , by believing in his Name . Behold , the days come , saith the Lord , that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch ; and a King shall reign and prosper , and shall execute judgement and justice in the earth : In his dayes Judah shall be saved , and Israel shall dwell safely ; and this is his Name whereby he shall be called , THE LORD OVR RIGHTEOVSNESS : For he is that mighty King that shall be established upon the holy Hill of Sion ; that is , he shall be the onely King , unto whom every man and woman must be subject ; for He shall Reign for ever and ever . But here may an Objection arise : We see the power of darkness reigns in most men and women , and they are guided by the god of this world , who ruleth in the hearts of the children of disobedience ; for the Mystery of Iniquity doth work in them , with all deceivableness in unrighteousness , in them that perish , to whom the Lord sendeth strong delusions , that they should believe lies , that they all might be damned , that would not receive the truth in the love of it , but took pleasure ( mark this ) in unrighteousness ; so it is sin is the cause of all misery . I answer , That all men by nature are children of wrath ; but God , who is rich in mercie , giveth unto all a tender of grace , for he stands at the door , and knocketh ; if any man open , he will come in , and sup with him . Now there is a measure of the light of Christ in every one , which is given to profit withal : and when he cometh , he destroyeth sin , or taketh away sin , for he came to destroy the works of the devil ; and he will consume and destroy all sin , by the brightness of his power , for he is stronger then the strong man , that divideth the spoils , and taketh from him whatsoever he trusteth in . So that whatsoever estate a son or daughter is in , it is still but Christ combating with his Enemies , in that estate , drawing all into himself , and destroying all opposing powers , that himself may remain to be the one alone Almighty power , spread forth every where ; and so doing the will of the Father , bruising the serpents head in them that believe , that he alone who is the Divine , may grow up , flourish and remain , and bring forth abundance of fruit in them , when their created flesh is purged from bondage , and made subject unto him in all things ; for they that are in Christ , ought so to walk as Christ hath walked , who did no evil , neither was there guile found in his mouth ; so that every one speaking the truth in love , may grow up into him in all things , which is their head , even Christ , who is their Anointed ; and he shall subdue all their enemies under their feet , Psal . 100. 1. and his people shall be willing in the day of his power . And the new heaven and the new earth , mentioned Rev. 5. 13. wherein he who is King of Righteousness doth dwell and rule , and they that are his redeemed ones , shall see him in all his creatures , and they shall all rejoyce in each other , and all their joy in him shall be full . This great Mystery , Christ , is begun to appear , and Christ is arising , and drawing all his into himself : and he that hath part in the first Resurrection , over him the second death shall have no power . For there is no peace , saith my God , to the wicked ; there is no peace so long as deceipt lodgeth in the heart : If I regard iniquity in my heart , God will not hear me ; there can be no quiet nor true peace in man , till the Kingdom of Darkness be conquered , and the serpent be cast out , and all his works ; and then such a heart is made a fit Temple for the holy Ghost , to dwell bodily in : for all Christs enemies must to the fire , and when they are burnt up , then he reignes in the soul ; for unto us a Child is born , and unto us a Son is given , and the Government shall be upon his shoulder ; and his name shall be called , Wonderful , Counsellour , the mighty God , the everlasting Father , the Prince of Peace ; of the increase of his Government and Peace , there shall be no end : and those that wait or stay themselves on the Lord , he keepeth such in perfect Peace . For it is Righteousness that delivereth from Death , even death eternal ; and therefore it concerneth every man and woman to wait , that he may feel that power of righteousness , the Lord subduing every lust in them , bringing all into subjection that is contrary to him , that Christ alone may Rule . Open the gates , and stand open ye everlasting doors , that the King of glory may enter in , which is Jesus , who will cast out all sin , that he may present his without spot unto the Father : for the Lord hateth every hypocrite , Isa . 9. 17. and Christ saith , Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees , hypocrites : for wickedness burneth as a fire , and through the wrath of the Lord of Hosts is the Land darkned , and the people shall be as fewel of the fire ; no man shall spare his brother , and all because of sin . And Tophet is prepared of old , even for the king it is prepared ; and the breath of the Lord , as a river of brimstone , kindleth it . And therefore all you stout-hearted Magistrates that oppress and destroy his holy ones in this the day of the Lords power , fear and tremble , for he is coming to punish the stout heart of the King , and all that do wickedly under him : and he pronounceth wo unto all them that make or decree unrighteous decrees , and that write grievousness , and subscribe it , to turn aside the needy from judgement , and take away the right from the poor , that widows may be their prey , and that they may rob the fatherless : What will you do in this the day of the Lords visitation , which will bring desolation upon all oppressours ? for they shall be troden down as dirt in the streets , Isa . 10. 6. And all those that kill the Prophets , and stone the just ones that are sent unto them , to turn them from the evil of their doings : Let them fear and tremble before him , for fear he require at the hands of them the bloud of all the Prophets slain from the foundation of the World : for the wicked shall be turned into hell , and all people that forget God : for the Lord is known by the judgements which he executeth , in snaring the wicked in the works of his own hands : for the Lord will break in pieces all unjust oppressing Magistrates like a Potters vessel . Be wise now therefore O ye Kings , be learned ye Judges of the earth ; serve the Lord in fear , and rejoyce in trembling ; kiss the Son , lest he be angry , and ye perish in the way ; when his wrath shall suddenly burn , then blessed are all they that trust in him . For nothing but truth in the inward parts can stand before him , and therefore every one wait till this King Jesus , who is the Word , and was in the beginning ; and all things were made by him , and without him was not any thing made that was made : for in him is life , and the life is the light of men , which is the true light that lightneth every man that cometh into the world : and to all those that do receive this light , in the love of it , to them he gives power to ●ecome the sons of God , even to such as believe on his Name , which are born not of blood , nor of the will of the flesh , but of the will of God. For it is plain , the Word was made flesh , and dwelt amongst us , Joh. 1. 14. the same was in the beginning vvith God , of vvhose fulness vve have received grace for grace . Now say the people of this World , vvho lye in vvickedness ( for the vvhole World lyeth in vvickedness ) this Light vvill delude you , it vvill deceive you . Thou vain man , what can deceive Antichrist ? what can deceive a Drunkard , a Whoremonger , an unclean Swearer , Lyer , Covetous man , who is an Idolater ? are not these led by the Prince of Darkness , that ruleth in the hearts of the children of disobedience ? Cannot all men see that they are in darkness ? and can the light of the World , Christ Jesus , can he delude them ? these are plainly lulled asleep by Satan in a carnal security , and cry peace , peace , until sudden destruction cometh upon them , as travail upon a woman with child , and they shall not escape it . Therefore let me advise such to wait and repent , if possible , that this the sin of the thoughts of their hearts may be forgiven them : for they are in the gall of bitterness , and the bond of iniquity . For I bear my testimony from the everlasting Spirit of the Lord Jesus , that this which hath been declared , is the truth of God , and will become his povver unto Salvation unto every one that can lay hold upon him : for they shall put on the nevv man , vvhich after God is created in righteousness and true holiness , vvhose conversation is in heaven , from vvhence they look for the Saviour , the Lord Jesus Christ , vvho shall change their vile bodies , that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body , according to the vvorking vvhereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself : for Christ by his appearance vvith the Spirit of his mouth , vvill burn up all the cursed seed of bondage , under vvhich his redeemed ones groane ; and vvhen that vvhich is the Serpents seed is cast forth , then the heart is a fit Temple for the Father himself to dvvel in , a garden vvherein he vvill take delight : for the Lord vvill be alone exalted in this the great day of his povver , vvherein Judah shall be saved , and Israel shall dvvell safely : and this is his Name whereby he shall be called , The Lord our Righteousness . Now the Priests of this Generation delude the People , just like those spoken of , Jer. 23. 14. I have seen in the Prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing , they commit adultery , and walk in lies ; they strengthen the hands of evil doers , that none doth return out of his wickedness : for the Lord feedeth them with Wormwood , and giveth them Gall to drink ; for the Lord expresly saith , They shall not profit his people ; for they speak a Divination of their own heart , and not out of the mouth of the Lord ; and they tell the people , if they walk after the imaginations of their own hearts , no evil shall come upon them : I have not sent these Prophets ( saith the Lord ) yet they run ; I have not spoken to them , yet they prophesied : but if they had stood in my counsel , and had caused my people to hear my words , then they should have turned them from their evil way , and from the evil of their doings . Am I a God at hand , saith the Lord , and not a God afar off ? can any hide himself in secret places , that I shall not see him , saith the Lord ? do not I fill heaven and earth , saith the Lord ? how long shall this be in the hearts of the Prophets that prophesie lies ? yea , they are Prophets of the deceipt of their own hearts , which think to cause my people to forget my Name , by the dreams which they tell every man to his Neighbour , as their fathers have forgotten my Name for Baal . Therefore am I against the Prophets , saith the Lord , that steal my word every one from his Neighbour , therefore they shall not profit this people at all , saith the Lord. Now let the Priests be tried , do they know the voice of the Lord ? do they not deny , and say , Revelation is ceased , and teach men cannot be freed from sin while they live , and teach people to die in their sin ? and what will become of them then ? for as the Tree falleth , so it lyeth ; and there is no repentance in the grave . Well , look to it , woes will be your portion , Jer. 23. 40. The Lord will bring an everlasting reproach upon you , and a perpetual shame , which shall not be forgotten . And therefore let me seriously desire every one to wait patiently upon the Lord , and to turn in to the light of their mindes , that checketh for sin and evil : for this is the true Teacher : for that which giveth power over one sin , will give power over all sin , if the watch be carefully kept ; and strength from on high will be manifested to give power against all sin , if the minde be turned to the Lord , who will seek that which was lost , and bring again that which was driven away , and will bind up that which was broken , and they shall be safe : And thus shall they know that I the Lord their God am with them , and that they are my people , saith the Lord God : for they know the Word of the Lord for ever settled in heaven , and they make my Law their delight , and will never forget my Precepts , but will meditate on my Law day and night : for Christ saveth his from their sins . He it is that cometh out of Sion , to turn ungodliness from Jacob : and the time shall come , that the Kingdoms of this world shall become the Kingdoms of the Lord Christ , and he will lead the captivity captive , and let the Prisoners of hope go free ; now they that hunger and thirst after Righteousness , shall be filled ; and the poor receive the Gospel dayly : Christ is drawing all men after him ; he is calling in the Isles and Nations of the world , to come to this great Battle : and blessed for ever are all those that fighteth under him , and are his souldiers . I give thee thanks , O Father , Lord of heaven and earth , because thou hast hidden these things from the wise and learned , and hast revealed them unto Babes ; for such have the anointing from the Anointed , as you may see in 1 Joh. 2. 27. But that anointing which you received of him , dwelleth in you ; and you need not that any man teach you , but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things ; and it is true , and is not lying , and as it taught you , ye shall abide in him : and now little children abide in him , if ye know that he is righteous , know ye that he that doth righteousness is born of him : For he that findeth rest and peace in this precious wisdom and power of the Spirit , findeth it not by looking upon it at a distance , but by seeing and feeling that power , ruling in the Body of his flesh ; for that which makes true love flow forth to every creature , is Christ in you the hope of glory , who indeed is the Blessing of all nations , and the Joy of the whole earth ; Therefore fear not , O Servant Jacob , neither be affraid , O Israel : for I will save thee , and thou shalt dwell safely ; and shalt not follow me in Types and Figures , in a formal customary way of worship , which is zeal without knowledge ; for he that hath the anointing within , seeth the Father in every thing . Now he that speaketh from imagination or tradition , and not from experience of what he seeth , cannot tell another of his evil , but such a one is a false Prophet , and runneth before he is sent , put forward by some secret lust ; and he never can bring to that which procureth peace , for he knoweth it not ; because that which a man seeks for , whereby he might have peace , is within the heart , not without : The Word of life , Christ , the restoring Spirit , is to be found within you , even in-your mouths , and in your hearts ; the Kingdom of heaven is within you . And therefore I must tell you the Priests of this generation , Read all the Books in your Universities , that tells you what hath been formerly ; and though by your natural parts , with the help of such Studies , you can make speeches of a day long , yet you have no peace , but your hearts still are as a barren wilderness , and increase in sorrow , till your eyes return into your selves , and the Spirit come from on high to make you read in your own Book , your heart , wherein you shall find the Mystery of Iniquity , the Man of Sin seated , which is the fruits of the first Adam : and till the Mystery of Godliness , the second Adam , Christ Jesus , be revealed in you , to destroy the works of the devil , and make you righteous , and restore you to life , there is not neither can there be peace : for there is no peace to the wicked , saith my God : and , if I regard iniquity in my heart , God will not hear me : and , he that liveth in sin , the wrath of God abideth upon him . So it is clear , that the single-hearted ones , who see the Mystery of Righteousness , and are acquainted every one according to his measure , with that Spirit of truth that is to be the Blessing of the whole earth , and that enlightens all that come into the world , although they are slightly regarded , and trodden under foot of men of the world , whom God filleth with his hid treasure , that have every worldly thing their hearts can wish for , that their eyes many times are ready to start out for fatness : yet let them know for their sorrow and wo , that out of this Sion , which no man regards , shall the Deliverer come : for the light and life of Christ vvithin the heart , discovers all Darkness , and delivers Mankinde from Bondage ; and beside him there is no Saviour : and what vvill become of those that are found fighters against God ? for they that persecute them , persecute me , saith Christ . And therefore fear and tremble , vvhoever rhou art , for the wrath of the Lord smoaketh against thee , and his jealousie burneth like fire : if thou art found in a persecuting nature , thy sin will bring destruction upon thee , and there shall be no remedy . Although judgement is not executed speedily against evil doers , which causeth their hearts to be set in them to do evil , yet the Lord will punish the hairy scalp of them that go on in their wickedness ; and when their sins are fully ripe , then judgement shall come upon them to the utmost , and there shall be no Remedy : and therefore , O Man , who ever thou art , great or small , that fighteth or striveth against his little ones , fear and tremble , and cease from sinning any longer in that nature , for fear the Lord may be a heaping up thy iniquities , that he may bring wrath upon thee to the utmost , and then there shall be no remedy ; for he repayeth them that hate him to their face , to destroy them , he will not be slack . Deut. 7. 10 , 21. For the Lord thy God is amongst you ; a mighty God , and terrible ; who is now rising in his might and power , to destroy the man of sin , and is rising like a mighty man , refreshed after Wine , and the seed of wickedness shall be destroyed by the brightness and glory of his coming : for he alone that is the King of Righteousness will be exalted amongst you . And therefore let all flesh stand still , waiting in silence before him , that they may see the Salvation of GOD. The second Epistle : To all people whose souls panteth after God , as the Hart panteth after the water-brooks . NOW to him that ordereth his Conversation aright , will I shew the salvation of God. Hearken to the Word of the Lord , and your souls shall live : mind what power rules in you , whether it be a particular , confining , selfish power , which is of the devil , or whether it be an universal , spreading power , that doth delight in the liberty of the Son : for if the Son shall make you free , then are you free indeed . The selfish power vvhen it is crossed or shamed , it grows distempered , bitter spirited , sometimes endeavouring to kill that bodie it dwels in , and sometime some other that angers it : but the power of Christ , who is the giver forth of the Law of Righteousness , ruling within , is not moved to anger : charity , true love , thinketh not evil , but hopeth , and endureth all things , being meek and patient , loving and acting righteously , both to his own Body , and to others , though they be his Enemies , following the Rule of Jesus Christ their King , Do good to them that hate you , and pray for them that despightfully use you , that you may be children of your Father which is in heaven . Let every man and woman know , that there is but two Spirits , a good and a bad ; there is but two wayes , the straight and the narrow , that leadeth to life eternal , and few find it ; and the broad way , that leadeth to destruction , and many there be that go in that vvay : there is but God and the devil , Heaven and hell ; the way to happiness , and the way to misery ; the way to life , and the way to death , even death eternal . And the way to life , is believing in the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world . And verily it doth concern every man to know in what state he is , whether the spirit or the flesh beareth sway : for the two powers before spoken of , are the two Adams in mankinde ; they are Jacob and Esau , son of the free-vvoman , or son of bondage : the first kills and crucifieth the Son of God ; but the second , the Lord from heaven , he maketh alive : for Christ the Spirit of Truth , doth arise above the power of evil ; and he takes the body , and rules in it : Isa . 65. 17. he makes it a new heaven and a new earth , vvhere in dwells righteousness . Now that vvhich seeks after the enjoyment of Creatures , to have peace in them , doth but seek the living among the dead : for all sin makes but one perfect body of the power of darkness , the devil , vvhich doth raign in every man , till the man of righteousness , Christ , the stronger then he , vvho is the Anointing , comes and throws down his strong holds , and divides the spoil : and vvhen Christ this Word of life hath the possession , that soul hath true peace in the salvation that cometh out of Sion : for peace is not to be found in any other : for he is the Prince of peace , and the Captain of our salvation , vvho hath perfected for ever all those that are sanctified by him ; and he ever liveth to make intercession for them : for by his obedience many are made righteous . Every one shall be called by my name : for I created him for my glory , formed him and made him . I will bring forth the blinde people , and they shall have eyes ; and the deaf , and they shall have ears . I , even I am the Lord , and besides me there is no Saviour . Isai . 43. 7 , 8 , 11. Because thou wast precious in my sight , and I loved thee , therefore will I give men for thee , and people for thy sake . This people have I formed for my self ; they shall shew forth my praise . And all the seed of the Serpent shall be destroyed ; and the power of darkness is that cursed ground that is for burning , vvhich the Lord of life and glory vvill trample upon ; for he came into the world to destroy the works of the devil ; and all things shall be subdued by his power , and he vvill put all things under his feet : and then when all things are brought under by this Prince of peace , then the soul sits down in peace in him who is the King of righteousness , vvho will make all that living earth subject to himself , and fill all with holy breathings . Glorious things are spoken of him ; for he is the City of God : and this holy breathing is the kingdom of heaven within you , when he rules within you ; and the kingdom of heaven without you likewise , when you see the same glory rule in others , in vvhich you rejoyce . For in the day of Christs power , he vvill subdue all his enemies under his feet , and deliver up the kingdom to his Father . Therefore let not any one marvel to see the people turning from one way of Worship to another : for the Father is driving his people thorow all the Ways , and Forms , and Customs , and Reformations , and Governments of the Beast , to weary them out in all , that so they may not find rest for the soles of their feet , in any outward form of Worship , nor in any thing until they come to lie down in him , forsaking all Forms to worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth ; that is , to walk uprightly , being holy in all manner of Conversation ; for it is written , Be ye holy , as I am holy ; and pass the time of your sojourning here in his fear , knowing that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things , as silver and gold , from your vain conversations in time past , but with the pretious blood of Christ Jesus , as a Lamb slain from the foundation of the world . And until Christ reigneth as Lord and King , the soul is restless , running from post to pillar , as I may so call it , from one Worship and Form to another , meeting nothing but confusion and the curse in every thing he doth ; so poor creatures are in bondage within , for they know not what to do ; the way to Sion is not yet clear , and they are filled with sighings and secret mournings , to see themselves in confusion and loss , to stick in the mire , but cannot get out : this is inward slavery which they groan under , being under the hand of the Tyrant flesh that rules the Kingdom , and devises the several fleshly Forms and Ways of Government , to which , if any refuse to conform , then he thinks fit to punish them with imprisonment or shameful reproach , any way he can invent ; so that many weak spirits are brought under , and are in awe , either by fear or shame ; and thus Jacoh hath been kept very low , but he must arise . To see the Divine Power in Creature-Objects is sweet , but to see him ruling in the heart , is sweeter : for the Spouse had seen Christ , or else she could never have called him her Beloved , and mourned in his absence . Now all things , yea all things , must be but loss , dung , and Dogs meat , that we may be found in him , having the Law of Righteousness and Peace ruling and dwelling in our hearts , being refreshed with those sweet smelling Spices , the discovery of the Fathers Love within , which is the Word of God. This is sweeter then the Honey and the Honey-Comb ; for this is to see him neer at hand , even within the heart , ruling and resting there : This is the Kingdom of Heaven within you ; this the City of Refuge that will not fail a man ; this is the Rock of Defence and Offence : this is the Power that makes a man as bold as a Lyon , that in the greatest streights findeth peace and rest : like Paul , can sing at midnight , although in chains under the hardship of persecution by Tyrants , for he felt peace , and was at rest ; yea , such peace as the world knows not of : let come what will come , this man knows it is the will of his Father it shall be so , and he feels a quiet peace compass his heart , so that he seeth and feeleth peace within , and rejoyceth in the excellencie of it ; he seeth love and patience within , and rejoyceth in that sweet Oyntment that doth cast a delightful savour all his soul over . Now if this man should be forsaken of all his outward Friends , imprisoned , banished , all men deny to deal with him , because they count him a man of strange Opinions , and Blasphemies , calling him all reproachful names ; as they shall say all manner of evil falsly against the new-born Babes , and they shall kill them , and think they do God good service in it : Yet the Saints are in God , he lives in them and they in him ; and he will have his holy Ones , whom he draws up to worship himself in spirit and in truth , to be silent , slow to speech , for a season ; yet quick-sighted , Eagle eyed ; though they be silent , they are not sottish , as the world judgeth , and falsly surmiseth of them ; but they shall all see and behold with the single eye , and judge others righteously , and they shall not be judged of any man. And let the ignorant Professors of the world be ashamed , for condemnation will fall upon them , and fear shall surprize the hypocrites : for the righteous actings and patient silence of those that are drawn up to wait on the Lord , shall be the great shame and confusion of face upon them ; the wise flesh , that would be an Angel of light , is full of words , but dead to the Law of Righteousness : the Saints must dye to waste words , but be made alive to righteousness , walking uprightly to all things , in all well-pleasing , in the sight of God their heavenly Father : for the man of the flesh is altogether for preaching , praying , as he calls it , observations of Forms and Customs , and knows not how to worship , if these be taken away ; he hath no peace if this be gone . But the man that is in his natural condition , that is not born again , this mans prayer shall turn into sin , and all that ever he doth is an Abomination in the sight of God , and he that hath his eyes in his head , as Solomon saith the wiseman hath , he beholds all these his performances to be out of the life and power of Christ , and death is in all that ever he doth : let his specious fair pretences be what they will , if the inward Power be wanting , no Sacrifice can be accepted : therefore the clean heart God accepteth ; therefore the just man is continually meditating , the Law of his God is in his heart , therefore his footsteps shall not slide . The godly man turns his eye inward to see the Law of Righteousness guiding and ruling his body ; and this is the excellent sight , to see the Divine Power in ones self , ruling , dwelling and living within ; which if it doth , that Body wherein it dwells , shall be wholly subject in all its actions to the Law of Righteousness . They that know what the power of Love , and the Law of Righteousness is , they know the truth of what is here verified : they that live in the light , they see the Lord abroad and at home ; they see him in other creatures , and they see him in themselves ; patiently submitting to his will in all things , that it may be done on earth , as it is in heaven ; so that there is a sweet composed agreement between the disposing hand of God without , and his power within . He that thus seeth the Lord the Antient of dayes , the one Almighty power , doth mightily honour him , when nothing can be done abroad , either in adversity or in prosperity , but the divine power that rules in the heart , consents , rejoyces , and doth not grudge : And now the Lord is one , and his Name one , and his power one , every where . The sight of the King of Glory within , lies not in the strength of Memory , calling to minde what a man hath read and heard , being able by a humane capacity to joyn things together into a method , and through the power of free utterance , to hold it forth to others , as the fashion of Students in their Sermon-work is , which a plough-man that never was bred in the Universities , may do as much ; nay , they do more , in some kind , as experience teaches . But the sight of the King of glory within , lies in the beholding of light arising up from an inward power of feeling experience , filling the soul with the glory of the Law of Righteousness , which doth not vanish like the taking in of words and comfort from the mouth of a hear-say-Priest , who doth speak by the strength of his memory ; but it doth continue like the Sun in the Firmament , shining forth from that established power of the Divine within ; and the inlivened heart shall sooner be separated from glorying in the Law of Righteousness that dwells in him , then the light and heat of the Sun , can be separated from the Sun : and truly , let me tell you , that as a man finds abundance of sweet peace in his heart , when he is made to live in the Kingdom of Heaven ; so the words that this man speaks from this power within , are very profitable to others , and is good seed , wheresoever it is sown , that will spring up , and bring forth fruit : for vvords spoken from the light of experience , have a two-fold operation upon the hearts of the hearers : for first , if I lie under straits and bondage in my spirit , by reason of some inward and outward troubles , by reason of the enthraldom to my ovvn lusts , that overpowers me , so that I cannot do what I would ; then the words of experience from anothers mouth that hath been in the same condition , and is passed thorow it , sounds liberty and life to my weary soul : I speak what I have felt in this particular . Secondly , If I delight in any way of the flesh , as to seek peace in Creatures abroad vvithout me , or to seek satisfaction to my self-vvill and lust , in the midst of this , I do ( occasionally ) hear the vvords of experience from others , declaring such actions and motions to be the powers of the flesh and devil , and not of the spirit of Righteousness ; presently these vvords take peace from the earth , that is , from proud flesh , and fills the vvhole soul vvith anger , distemper , gradging and torment : and this is another operation that pure Language produceth , vvhich is , a launcing of the dead flesh , that the disease may be cured ; for this wounding is not to the ruine of the creature , but it is a Medicine sent from the Lord to heal him , to take away the evil peace from the flesh , that so the created part may lie down in rest , and be at peace in Christ which cannot be moved : for every comfort that is of the flesh , shall be shaken and removed ; but Christ the one povver of Righteousness and Peace , shall not be shaken nor moved , but stand firm for ever . Now by this may you see the Kingdom of the flesh and devil , vvhich must be shaken to pieces , and fall , and the Kingdom of Heaven , or of God , that endures for ever , and is that Rock that cannot be removed . For every one that hath lain under the bondage of selfish power , and is delivered , he can from that experience , declare vvhat the power of darkness is , in vvhole mankind . Now some may say , What is it for a man to live in the Kingdom of Hell , Devil , or Darkness ? I answer : When a man takes delight in nothing but satisfying of the lusts of his own heart ; vvhen the vvay of the flesh is pleasing , and the vvay of the spirit of Righteousness is a burden to him ; vvhen he glories in himself , and feeds vvith delight upon his Covetousness , Pride , Envie , Lust , Self-vvill , and in all other Evil , that doth satisfie his devillish appetite ; and if he can but overcome that power that checketh his will , or crosseth his carnal delights , then this man is in his Kingdom , he rejoyceth , and is well pleased . But yet know , thou vain Man , that this is yet but the Kingdom of the flesh , that must be shaken , and this earth must be removed ; for this is glorying in a mans shame . What is the Kingdom of Heaven , or of Christ ? The Law of Righteousness and Peace , ruling and dwelling in mankinde , is the Kingdom of Heaven ; for this is the universal power bearing rule , and therefore treadeth the selfish power under his feet ; for all his delight is in the Law of the Lord , and in that Law he doth exercise himself both day and night . Now vvhere the heart is thus established vvith grace , there is perfect peace ; and that which is perfect peace , is the Kingdom of Heaven within you : yea , it is the White stone , with the new name written in it , that none know it but them that have it . What is it for a man to live in the Kingdom of Heaven within you ? When a man is come to that condition by believing in the light , that he is brought over the works of darkness , and is made subject in every thing to the King of Righteousness , Jesus Christ , and all his delight is to walk according to his Law in every thing , his Crown and Glory being in that Law of Righteousness which he findes seated in his heart , and findes content no where else ; and when the Spirit is honoured , this man is in his Kingdom , he hath vvhat he would have : for vvhen a man is made to see and know the Law of Love and Righteousness within him , and delights to act from that power of life and liberty which he seeth & feeleth seated in him ; now this man is carried on with much joy & sweet calmness , meekness and moderation , and is full of glory : this is the excellencie of the work of Christ , not onely to make flesh subject to Righteousness , but to know himself made subject , and to rejoyce in the sweet enjoyment of that Prince of peace : to make a man rejoyce , and to know the ground of it , that his joy is unmoveable . What do you mean by Divine Power ? The Divine is the spreading power of righteousness , which is Christ that filleth all in all with himself , & he is called a Tree , or a Vine , because he doth not lie in any single person , but spreads himself in all mankind ; & every single body in vvhom he breathes , is but a bough or bud of the Vine : so that look upon all together in whom Christ is spread , and they make up but one Vine , knit together by that one Spirit into one Body , vvhether they be poor or rich , learned or unlearned ; therefore those rich men that despise the poor , and those learned that despise the unlearned , as your University men and Priests of the Nation doth , for there is some Priests now in the Nation , that vvere not bred in the University : but know all of you that are despisers of them that are good , and have them in contempt for their poverty , and because they are unlearned in your Logick and Tongues , as men are ; vvhy I must tell you , you are all but pricks of the Thorn-bush , not Branches of the Vine , and you are the curse that is now very neer unto burning . And every single one alone in vvhom Christ breaths , is but a parcel of the Vine in vvhom the Divine Power dwells and rests , even as every Branch of an Appletree is filled vvith the sap , vvhich is the life of the vvhole Tree . Christ is the Divine , because he grovvs and flourishes in the time of light ; he is the Son himself , he is a Vine or Tree that grows by day in the heat of light , and so brings forth abundance of fruit to the glory of the Father . Trees that grow in the heat of the Sun , they bring forth pleasant fruit : so those that are Branches of this Vine , that grows in the heat and life of the one Spirit , the King of Righteousness , they bring forth abundance of the fruits of Righteousness , according to the nature of the Vine they grow from : therefore the Saints are called , Children of the day , not of the night ; for they speak vvhat they know experimentally , and vvhat they have received feelingly from the Lord : As we have tasted , as we have felt , as we have handled , so we deliver unto you : and their actions and words are not spent at random ; for they act righteously in the creation , among all they have to do vvithal , and they do it from the Law of Reason and Righteousness which they feel seated vvithin them . For every one that doth speak or act from the light or power of the Divine within himself , can give an accompt of his Words and Actions ; but this is the glorying that the fleshly part hides himself from : for the Law of Righteousness , fleshly Israel , could not behold the new Covenant , which the men of the long Robe , the Clergy-men , so called , are unacquainted with . For opposite to this Divine Christ , there is a night-Vine , which is the power of selfishness , which is a fruit of the bottomless pit ; and it is spread abroad in mankinde , and every man and woman that is guided by this selfish power of darkness , are but Branches of the night-Vine ; and this night-Vine which is fleshly man , hath from the beginning of Adams fall , filled the whole earth vvith darkness , under pretence of Learning , and fleshly Forms of Government , and so is become a spread Tree : but he is called by the Spirit of Righteousness , the Thorn ; the Fruit he brings forth , is sower and bitter , and good for nothing but the dunghil ; for Trees that grow alwayes in the shade or place of darkness , where the light and heat of the Sun doth not co-operate , brings forth unpleasant fruit . Now this night-Vine , or rather Thorn-bush , is the branchings forth of the wisdom and power of selfish flesh ; every bud from it , is a sharp prickle : Treacherous and covetous Judas was one Branch from that Root , and he hath risen sin up to a mighty great Tree : for every treacherous and covetous heart is but the buddings forth of Judas : so the envious Scribes and Pharisees are other Branches from the same Root , and these have risen up into mighty spreading Trees ; for every one that is zealous without knowledge , making a profession of the spirit of Righteousness , and yet grudging and hating the vvay of the spirit , are but the buddings forth of the Scribes and Pharisees that killed the just One , the Lord of life and glory , and wrote Hebrew , Greek and Latin over his head , to blind the world , that their learning taught them to do that act of murder : and although they have now killed Christ after the flesh , and by that have spread in every Land and Family , to hinder Christ from rising , or else to suppress and kill him again after he is risen , if they could , in Sons and Daughters , whom he hath , by the manifestation of his light , made himself known unto them . So covetous Demas , proud Simon Magus , froward and churlish Nabal , unrighteous Elymas , and such like , are all the budoings forth of the Thorn-bush , and have covered the earth with their Branches , to keep it in darkness , and to hide the Son of Righteousness from it ; and all these are centred in the Clergy of this nation , or the Priests , which is most suitable to their taking of Tythes , which is the great sin of Oppression that many people for conscience sake , and nothing else , are undone in their outward Estates ; and some through hard imprisonment , have lost their bodily lives : and this great and sad grievance is upheld by these mens pride , covetousness , idleness , bitterness of spirit , despising and treading all under foot in whom the spirit of the Lamb appears ; which all those that are born again do see and know this to be true , and that these are the standing Enemies against Christ ; their Churches , as they call them , are the Successors of the Jews Synagogues , and are houses of bon-dage . And though they have prevailed with the Magistrates for their Tythes , to settle them , yet they shall finde the last end of them will be sad ; for they are but hear-say Preachers of the Gospel , they cannot say any thing from any Testimony of light they have within themselves , but from the Writings they have from the Apostles , which they profess great love to , & keep charily for their Tythes sake : and by the one , they deceive the people of their Souls , for they preach the letter for the spirit ; and by the other , they pick their Purses . And this is very manifest by their carriage : for though those Writings which they live by , were not Writings that proceeded from any Scholars according unto humane Art , but from Fisher-men , Shepherds , Husbandmen , who spake and writ as the Spirit gave them utterance , from an inward Testimony of life ; Yet now these learned Scholars , having got the Writings of these inferiour men of the world , so called by some , they now slight , and despise , and trample under their feet , men guided by the Spirit of the Lord , pressing upon the powers of the earth , to make Laws to hold them under bondage , and that Lay-people , Tradesmen , and such as are not bred in Schools , may have no liberty to speak or write of the Spirit . And why so ? Because out of these despised ones of the world , doth the Spirit rise up more and more to clearer light , making them to speak from experience , and every fresh discovery of the Father shines more glorious then the old , till at last the creature is made to see the Father face to face in his own light . But now the Scholars that come to speak from the strength of what they have stole from others , being not filled with the Holy Ghost , which maketh Ministers , they have no inward Testimony of their own to uphold their Trade , but by a customary practise , they uphold their Trade thus , by holding fast the old letter , getting their livings by telling the people the meanings of those Tradesmens Words and Writings . But alas ! they mightily deceive them , and corrupt their Meanings , by their multitudes of false Expositions and Interpretations : for no man knows the meaning of the Spirit of GOD , but he that hath the Spirit : and if the Father sends forth any of these Tradesmen to declare their Testimony which is in them , as in these dayes he sends forth many , and these true labourers shall increase , maugre the Malice of Men & Devils , and all those false aspersions cast upon them , calling them new Lights , Factious , erronious Blasphemers , and the like , shall not hurt them : for it is but that the Scriptures may be fulfilled ; they shall say or speak all manner of evil , falsly , against them for my sake ; and they that kill them shall think they do God good service in it , even as those that killed the Just One , crying , Crucifie him , crucifie Him : but all will be to no purpose , for the work is of the Lord , and it shall stand : The counsels of the Lord taketh place in every age , and his word is stablished in Heaven ; and when all things else shall come to nothing , then not one jot or tittle of this shall fail . Wicked men and Deceivers had best give over , for it is hard for them to kick against the pricks , or strive against the stream : For the Lord Jehovah , at whose voice the mountains quake , the hills tremble ; that telleth all the Stars , and calleth them all by their names ; and saith to the proud waves of the Seas , Thus far shall ye go , and no farther ; that keepeth the devils in chains , against that great and terrible day , when all men shall be judged for the things done in their flesh ; that divided the seas for his children to pass over , and drowned his enemies in the same waters ; I say , this God is too great for Man to contest with . But what is the reason that the Preachers of this world , so called by many , are so bitter against truth in the inward parts ? in words they speak much for it . Because the light of truth that springs up out of this earth , which the Scholars tread under feet , will shine so clear , as it will put out the candle of these wicked learned Deceivers . Now the people are not to look for any teaching , but from the great Prophet Jesus Christ , and are not to acknowledge any other Ruler , but such as are guided by him , this King of peace , who plants the Law of Righteousness in the hearts . The hear-say Teachers would have the people look up to them for teaching : and verily I must bear my Testimony , that the more I look'd upon any man for teaching , the more I was wrapt into bondage and confusion ; and therefore all the upshot and end of the Priests is onely to hinder Christ from rising , and to keep Jacob under , that he may be a servant unto the man of flesh . So it is plain , that all that is done in the world about hear-say Priests , and their settled Forms of Worship , is no other but the spreadings forth of the Thorn-bush , the fleshly man , to hinder the worship of the Father in spirit and in truth ; and all these strict and zealous Preachers , so called , and Professors of other mens Words and writings , and Upholders of Forms and Customs , are no other but the Scribes , Pharisees , and Judas , that still pursues Christ in enmity . And this is the reason why many are so ignorant and cold spirited in the acknowledgement of the Father , because the night-Vine or Branches of the Thorn-bush are so mighty great and thick , that they hide the light and heat of the Sun of Righteousness from it ; this is the man of sin , the Mystery of Iniquity , that lets , and must let , till he be taken out of the Way . Indeed , this Thorn-bush doth so prick , that none dare meddle with it , but those that are well clothed with Christ , such as have put on the whole Armour of God. This Thorn-bush or night-Vine , grows in the cold time of the night , while the Sun of Righteousness is under the clouds ; and the fruit it brings forth is unpleasant , as pride , covetousness , envy , self-love , hypocrisie , confusion , bondage , and all misery , under the power of darkness : and all that oppress the holy just Ones , they act from this night-Vine , and are children of the night and of darkness . Now from hence it doth appear what proud men the Clergy are , that call themselves Divines , when their light is but a candle , stolen from the Apostles and Prophets writings ; it is not their own Light , it is but hear-say in them , who cannot in their own particulars witness the things they do declare or hold forth unto others ; and therefore their pride , and covetousness , doth plainly declare them to be false Christs , and false Prophets , and that they are but Branches of the Thorn-bush that are full of sharp pricks , in regard they endeavour to uphold a forced maintenance from the people , whether they will or no , and force the people to be silent , to hear them preach hear-say , what Austin , Gregory , and the Fathers have said ; and none must gainsay what they affirm , although never so false , upon pain of 5 l. or lye in the common Goal , and be bound to their good Behaviour ; and are like to be crushed in their Estates , by the power of many wicked Magistrates , if they oppose these hear-say Priests that say and unsay ; for they know not what they say , but say to darken peoples knowledge more and more ! O sad Anti-christian Laws , against the plain Scripture , which alloweth prophesying , or speaking one by one , as the Spirit giveth or maketh manifest , and the first shall hold his peace : doth not the shame of those Laws and their Makers almost appear unto all men ? If it do not , it will do very suddenly : assure your selves , you Priests , you must fall and be turned out , as Judas , Simon Magus , and the Scribes and Pharisees , that are the greatest Enemies to Christ , the spreading power of Righteousness : for the Lord doth not send hear-say men to be labourers in his Vineyard , but such as he first fills with his Divine power , and then sends them to work in his Vineyard : so that still it is but Christ in them , that is the One , that is sent of the Father : for the Father sends none but his only beloved Son in whom he is well pleased , who is the Law of Righteousness and Peace , the spreading power that fills all in all . And you shall finde , you Priests that are so puft up , and filled with pride , and are cloathed with covetousness , that ere it be long these poor despised ones of the world that have this Law written in their hearts , are the true Labourers that are sent forth into the Vineyard ; and you that call your selves Divines , and Labourers , you are but Traitors to Christ , and Enemies to his Spirit : you have had warnings from time to time ; Many Prophets hath the Lord sent unto you , and righteous men ; but you have stopped your ears , and hardned your hearts at the voice of the Charmer , charm he never so wisely : but the greater will be your woes and sorrow ; for you are left without excuse ; you are the men that must have your mouths stopped , not by a humane tyrannical hand of power , as you have stopped the mouths of Gods holy and just Ones , for that they abhor ; for the Lord himself , whom you dishonour by your hypocrisie , will stop your mouths with shame and sorrow , when he makes you to see your selves in the state of Devils , Deceivers , Scribes and Pharisees , Simon Magus , Demas and Judas , that are Traitors to the spirit and power of Righteousness which is in the Saints . But if you say you do not assume the names of Divines as you write your selves , under which description you are as bad as Diviners , Sorcerers or Deceivers , as Balaam was , and as the maid that got her Master gain by Divination , in Act. 16. 16. you hold forth letter for spirit , make people believe your words of hear-say , that it is the Testimony and experience of the spirit within you ; and you pick their Purses extreamly by this Sorcery and Divination . So it appears plain that the word you call Divinity , darkens knowledge : you talk much of the Body of Divinity , and of Anatomizing Divinity : O fine Language ! but when it comes to trial , it is but a husk : All is not Gold that glisters ; there is no Kernel ; the words ye say are without life ; the spirit that gave forth the Scripture , ye are strangers unto : the natural man understands not the things of God ; they are spiritually discern'd : the Spirit hath filled the hearts of those you despise . You go on , selling words for mony to the blinde people , whom you have deceived ; and the Spirit is not at all in your service , and your service stinks before the Lord : your preachings , prayings , and all your Will-worships , with all the people joyning with you , is but an abomination in the sight of the Lord ; for you are the people that draw nigh to God with your lips , but your hearts are far from him ; and are removed afar off Love ; Justice , righteous actings , doing injury to no man , is not to be found among you , neither clean hands and a pure heart : for the alone peace of the heart lieth in seeing and feeling Christ the Divine power to rise up and rule within ; and every soul is in confusion , bon-dage and sorrrow , until he have true light and feeling thereof in himself , as I have shewed and found by experience . And surely this may command all mouths to be silent , that speak from hear-say , and yet saith , Thus saith the Lord : he lies , & he dishonoureth the Lord , whoever he is , that speaketh before the Lord hath revealed himself in him , & spoke to him , and put words into his mouth ; & he doth exceedingly wrong the souls of his hearers , by deceiving them ; and so their lives , their whole actions , and their conversations are unprofitable to all men , because they make them believe a Divination are Words of Knowledge spoke from a pure Testimony . Surely if the Lord had not become the Teacher of his despised Ones , they had been over-spread with Egyptian bon-dage and darkness , as the Priests are , by whom the earth is corrupted , and over spread with thick darkness : Well , you have Prophecies and Promises in the Writings of the Prophets and Apostles , wait upon the Lord till you see the fulfilling of them within your selves : and leave off your much talk about words and syllables ; for by this multitude of waste discourse people are blinded , that they neither minde the Ptophecies of Scriptures , nor wait for the fulfilling of them in themselves : for whatsoever is written , is written for our instruction , upon whom the ends of the world shall fall . And verily , I can truly say ; That so long as I was a blinde Professor , a strict goer to Church , as they call it , and a hearer of Sermons , and never questioned what the Priest said , but believed as the learned Clergy , the Church , so called , believed ; and still forgot all I heard : though I must say , The words they said were like a pleasant song in my ears , whilst I heard them . And this I know is the best condition of all your zealous Professors , this is all they can get from you ; for you are in bondage and confusion ; and Ignorance is the Mother of your Devotion : for your lives are in the flesh , you do not savour the things that are of the Spirit , and so you are not of God. Whilst I was such a Professor , I was counted by some Priests and others , a good Christian , and a godly Man , though all that was in me , was but zealous Ignorance , and led me on in the heighth of the deceitful Nature . But since it hath pleased the Father to reveal his Son in me , and hath caused me to speak what I know from an inward principle of light and power of life within ; Now the same Priests , and Professors whom they have deceived , my former Acquaintance , begin to be affraid of me , and call me an erronious Man , a dangerous man ; and look upon me as upon a man of another world ; and in that , they are not mistaken : for our Conversation is in heaven ; and our delight on earth is in the Saints , and in those excellent Ones , that excels in vertue . For my part , I can truly say , from the goodness of the Lord , who is worthy of everlasting praises , to be acknowledged from me , that am as a brand snatch'd out of the fire , and kept from burning , by the goodness and loving kindness of the Lord , That my portion is fallen to me in a goodly heritage ; the Lord is my portion ; I have the Lord , I have enough . I look upon them with the eye of pity and love , seeing them as yet to live under the spirit of Delusion , and power of Darkness ; the god of this world having blinded their eyes , that they cannot see the way to the Kingdom : and therefore I think it my Duty to wait upon the great Restorer of all things , until he manifest or raise in them the manifestation of the measure of that light that he hath placed in their souls , and given them to profit withal , and then that ruling in them , will makes us become one again , and then we shall not be divided any more . O dear Friends ! despise not this Word , wait on the Lord for teachings ; you neither will nor can have rest in your souls , until he speak in you peace : For those that stay themselves on him , are kept in perfect peace , And follow your Forms as much and as fast as you can , in the strictest way you can possible , and it will not bring you peace ; nay , it will bring you to a loss , and you shall be more and more wrapt into Confusion and sorrow of Heart : I speak what I have found , and therefore let not any deceive themselves . But when once the heart is made subject to Christ , the Law of Righteousness , looking up to him for instruction , waiting with a meek and quiet spirit till he appear in you , then you shall have peace , then you shall know the truth ; and those that are made free by the Son , they are free indeed : For they shall hunger no more , neither thirst any more ; for the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne shall govern them , and shall lead them to the lively Fountain of water : and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes . The third Epistle : To all Those that teach for Hire , and divine for Money , that they may lay their Hands on their Hearts , and consider the evil of their doings , and cease to do Evil , and learn to do well : For the terrible Day of the Lord is at hand ; And who can dwell in everlasting Burnings ? VErily I must bear my Testimony from the Spirit of the Lord Jesus , which is everlasting , That you the Priests of England are all blinde Guides , and have your right eyes put out : and I shall prove you Deceivers of the people , and woes everlasting will be your portions , if you proceed ; and therefore in tender love to your souls , I send this unto you , without consulting with flesh and blood . Consider this , you that are wandring Stars , That when Christ appeared in flesh , Moses Administration began to be silent , and drew back , and set Jesus Christ in the chair , to be the great Prophet that should be the Teacher in Types after him , and the Ministration of these Discoveries were to reign in the world their appointed time : Even so the Lamb , Christ Jesus , or that single Body , gives way to the Holy Ghost , which is the spreading Spirit , Joh. 16. 7. Joh. 17. 21. If I go not away ( saith Christ ) the Comforter cannot come to you : for he that dwells bodily in me , is to spread himself in you ; that as the Father in me , and I in him are one , even so I in you , and you in me , may become one with the Father : And the Testimony of the Apostles declare as much , 2 Cor. 5. 16. Col. 1. 27. Though we have known Christ after the flesh , yet now henceforth know we him no more : but we look after the Mystery which hath been kept secret from Ages and Generations past , which is , Christ in you , the hope of Glory . And therefore all your merchandizing in Gospel Forms , as you call them , and Types , declare you the Priests of England , to be yet under the Ministration of Christ after the flesh , declaring the Lamb Jesus to remain yet in one single person . But know you , That as the Ministration of Moses gave way to this , so this Ministration is to give way to the inward teachings of Christ , and the spreading of the Spirit in sons and daughters , which doth more excellently declare the glory of the Mystery ; and this you call , A Dumb Idol : for all those that patiently wait in silence upon the Lord , do wait for the manifestation of the measure of the Spirit of God , to be poured down upon them , to make them profit withal ; for they that are led by the Spirit of God , they are the Sons of God. The Man Christ Jesus told the Woman of Samaria , Woman , the time is coming , and now is , that neither in Jerusalem , nor in this Mountain shall men worship the Father ; but they that worship him , shall worship him in spirit and in truth ; for the Father seeketh such to worship him . Now you shew your Ignorance of Scriptures , and that you have not the Key of David , that openeth and no man shutteth ; and shutteth , and no man openeth ; but like those that made silver Shrines for Diana , cryed her up for a great goddess , because their Living was got by it ; but their deceipt was plainly seen to all , whose eyes were opened . Now you deny the Teacher within , that shall not be moved into a corner : For the word is nigh thee , even in thy heart , and in thy mouth ; and you need not tell the people , Lo , here is Christ , or Lo , he is there : for there is in every one a measure of the light of Christ , which is given them to profit withal ; and if they follow that light , it will bring them out of every evil way : for it is that pure thing in man , that never did consent to sin , nor never will , but doth check and reprove for evil thoughts , and vain lusts and desires , which this light judgeth down ; for Christ hath thus enlightned every man that cometh into the world : now till the measure of this light is manifested in you , so as totally to destroy the works of the Devil , for to that end Christ came , even to destroy sin ; I bear my Testimony from the Lords Spirit , You are strangers from the Covenant of Grace , and Aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel , and are without God in the world : and how are you fit to teach another , that know not your own Guide , that is , the Lord from heaven ? for know you not that the Kingdom of heaven is within you ? you Disciples , you little Ones , that are born again , not of corruptible seed , but of incorruptible , the word that abideth for ever , Christ in you , the hope of glory : for know you not that Christ is in you , except ye be Reprobates ? so your deceipt is to drive a Trade in the world , to deceive souls , to keep people from knowing the true Teacher : for if they should once know one within them , to lead them whither they in their corrrupt wills would not go , and should give way to obey that holy Voice , for it is the Voice of Christ , then they would not give their money for that which profiteth not , and that which is not bread ; for Christ saith , He that eateth the bread that I shall give him , shall live for ever : for my flesh is meat indeed : and , he that believeth in me , out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water : Now you do esteem men contrary minded , as Hereticks ; the Just One , Christ , was accused for a perverter of the people , by the Jews , Luk. 23. 14. Stephen was stoned for blasphemy , Act. 7 , 59. Herod killed James the brother of John , with the sword , imprisoned Peter , Act. 12. 2 , 4. Paul stoned till they supposed he was dead , Act. 14. 19. they had trials , Heb. 11. 36. by mockings , by bands and imprisonments , by cruel scourgings , they were stoned , they were sawn asunder , they were slain with the sword ; and all for faith , for bearing Testimony for that which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world : for Paul said , That when Christ had revealed himself in him , then he spake the word with boldness , and went about turning people from darkness to light , and from the power of Satan unto God , that they might receive remission of sins , which teacheth to follow peace with all men , and holiness , without which no man shall see the Lord. Now the light maketh manifest the Mystery of Babylon the great , the Mother of Harlots , and abominations of the earth , who hath made her self drunk with the bloud of the Martyrs of Jesus , and Saints of the most High : those that have the mark in their foreheads , in which you are yet , even in Babel , in confusion : and therefore fear and tremble before the Lord , for who is able to dwell in everlasting burnings ? For the devil that deceived them , shall be cast into the lake of fire : mark that , that deceived them : nothing makes a man more like unto the devil , the Prince of darkness , then to be a deceiver of the Brethren , and they shall all to perdition , Rev. 17. 8. for they do mock now with the Lamb Jesus , and they offend his little Ones . O! it were better that a Milstone were hanged about their necks , and they thrown into the sea , then to offend one of those little Ones that put their trust in me . But know this , the Lamb shall overcome you , for he is Lord of lords , and King of kings , and they that are with him are called , and chosen , and faithful , and therefore rejoyce over her , ye holy Ones , for God hath avenged you on her , and will avenge : for true and righteous are his Judgements ; for he hath judged the great whore , which did corrupt the earth with her fornication ; and hath and will avenge the blood of his servants at her hand : for the dreadful and terrible day of the Lord is at hand , in which no iniquity or deceipt can stand : there is nothing but the pure , holy and undefiled shall be able to enter : for no unclean thing can enter the Kingdom of Heaven ; and it must be the oyl in a mans own vessel , whereby the true light is maintained , by which alone the Bridgegroom can be followed in to the marriage-chamber , who is the true Vine ; and they that abide in him , and he in them , they bring forth much fruit ; and he is the Way that whosoever walketh in , shall come to the Father : he is that Rock that whosoever buildeth his house on it , shall stand , and no persecution , storm or tempest , shall shake : although the mountains move into the midst of the sea , my heart ( saith David ) shall not be troubled : Why ? Because it standeth fixed , fixed in the Lord : the Lord keepeth such in perfect peace , whose mindes are stayed in him : there is nothing can disturb the peace of them whose mindes are turned in to the light Christ , and hearken to his voice ; For my sheep ( saith Christ ) follow me , they know my voice ; I am the true shepherd , and they will not follow a stranger : now you are come in not by Christ the Door , but by the inventions and wills of wicked men , like your selves , who are out of the life and power of God , and so cannot make Ministers : for the carnal man knoweth not the things of God , they are spiritually discerned : read Act. 13 , 2. it is the holy Ghost that sends Ministers , they must be anointed by the holy Child Jesus , the Anointing , before they can go teach ; & this you may see Mar. 16. 15. after the Resurrection , Go ye eleven disciples into all the world , & preach ye the Gospel to every creature : he doth not say to the Scribes and Pharisees , and High Priests , Go ye ; nay , they put him to death , crucified him , as you the Priests do now , even murder the Just One , in your own particulars , and in every other that you can , to whom Christ pronounced this wo : Wo unto you , Lawyers , for you will not go to heaven your selves , and those that would , ye hinder . O dumb Dogs , Idol-shepherds , that cry , The Lord , when the Lord never put into their mouthes : but they prepare war against the Just ; when he cannot put into their mouths , then they prepare war. Take heed , leave off seducing , for everlasting woes will be your portion : and this take notice , that from the Lord you are warned to repent , and turn in to the light in your consciences , that checketh you for sin and evil , for that is your true Teacher , Emmanuel , God with us ; and to this I bear my Testimony , That it is true , and they that believe in the light Christ Jesus , in you that believe the hope of glory , they shall finde him raising them from the death of sin to the life of grace , and have part in the first Resurrection , and over such the second death shall have no power ; for he is Jesus , that redeemeth his from all iniquity , who is the light of the world , and the life of men , the living Way , the Resurrection and the Life , the faithful and true Witness , the First and the Last , the Beginning and the End , who was dead , and is alive for evermore . Now this Mystery is made known unto the Saints , Col. 1. 27. even the mystery hid from ages and generations , and is now unto his chosen ones made manifest ; which is , Christ in them the hope of glory , ver . 28. Whom we preach , warning every man , and teaching every man in all wisdom ; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus , whereunto I labour , striving according to his working which worketh in me mightly : as ye have therefore received Christ Jesus , the Lord , so walk you in him , rooted and built up in him : for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily ; and ye are compleat in him , for you are risen with him , through the faith of the operation of God , who hath raised him from the dead ; therefore their bodies are of Christ , and therefore they are not to be deceived by voluntary worships , and beggarly rudiments ; which indeed have a shew of wisdom , but it is to the man that is blinde : and , if the blind lead the blind , they shall both fall into the ditch . Now is the day of the Lords mighty power appearing , and his people need not go to the Priests for help , Jer. 31. 34. After those days , saith the Lord God , I will put my Law in their inward parts , and write it in their hearts , and will be their God , and they shall be my people ; and they shall teach no more every man his neighbour , and every man his brother , saying , Know the Lord : for they shall all know me , from the least of them to the greatest of them ; for I will forgive their iniquities saith the Lord , and remember their sins no more . Thus saith the Lord which giveth the Sun for a light by day , and the ordinances of the Moon and Stars for a light by night , which divideth the sea , when the waves thereof roar , the Lord of Hosts is his name . Now is it fit to hearken to your preaching , as you call it , by Arguments and expositions , putting a meaning upon other mens words , as you Priests do , telling stories by hear-say of what you have read out of the works of those , it is like , as much out of the power and life of God as your selves ? whereas none of you know by experience : for if you did , you durst not sue for treble damages , but with Zacheus make restitution to those ye have robbed : it is plain you are merchandizers of the Scriptures , and drive a Trade with your Traditions , and imaginations of your own brains ; and woes will be your portion , if you proceed : for you plainly preach to others , to get a living by it , and this makes you all children of the curse : for it is plainly seen , that Money , covetousness is your God. Well , you must all be slighted ; your preaching stinks before the Father , and he will draw his people out of your confusion , and leave you naked and bare , and your shame shall be made manifest to all men . For indeed , I bear my Testimony from the Lord , That you are a most wicked Generation of men : for you are teaching people , busying their heads what hath been done in the time of Moses , and the Prophets and Apostles times , and in the Son of Mans time in the flesh , Jesus , the Anointed ; but you do not , nor cannot teach them , because you are strangers to it , to wait upon the Lord , to find light from the spirit of Righteousness , which is to arise from the measure of the light of Christ in every one , and his power in and upon the heart . Now all the Learning and Arts in the world , is but to speak methodically of what hath been , what is , and conjecture what shall be : all which is uncertain . Now he that speaks within , as we have felt , as we have tasted , as we have handled , so we deliver unto you ; I say , these must know what they say , and know who they worship : and whereas some of you call silent meetings a dumb Idol , when the people of the Lord are waiting on him , for the fulfilling of those Prophecies promised unto them ; You shew your blindness : for it is and shall be the portion of the sons and daughters of the Lord to wait in silence with their eyes looking upwards , waiting to be taught onely by Christ , the great Prophet , before whom all flesh shall be made silent . And therefore cease your teachings , and your prayers , as you call them : for they are an abomination to the Lord , until you finde this true Teacher Christ in you , opening your hearts to hear his voice : for whoever doth speak , and not declare the Lord in a pure Language , that is , from himself , shall bear his shame , whoever he be . For the time is come that none shall need anything to teach him the way to Sion , but an humble quiet heart , to wait on the Lord , till he manifest himself unto them : for the Lord is a great King , and worthy to be waited upon ; and his Testimony within , fills the soul with joy and singing ; such joy as the world knoweth not of , and such joy as men and devils cannot take from them , by which his holy Ones have experience of his goodness , that he is the Rose of Sharon , the choicest among the sons , altogether lovely ; whose love is better then wine , his fruits are sweet unto the taste ; whose voyce is sweet , and his countenance altogether comely ; and the souls of his beloved ones delighteth in him : and by this experience of him , he gives power unto them to speak forth those experiences unto others , and then they speak to the rejoycing of one another , and to the praise of Him that declares Himself in them . And therefore thou , whoever thou art , that speakest thy imaginations , studies of thy own brain , thoughts , and makes thy self a Teacher of others , and the voice of the Lord hath not appeared to thee , and the anointing from the holy Spirit hath not come down upon thee , thou shalt be judged for thy unrighteousness , because thou seekest to honor flesh , for thou dost not honour the Lord : for the anointing that cometh to teach all things , creates new heaven , and new earth , wherein dwelleth Righteousness ; for they shall be filled with the fulness of Christ , who is the spreading power that filleth all in all ; every Member of his Body , being a star shining forth of him ; or rather , a body in and out of whom he shines ; for he is the power that fills all , Rom. 8. 23. We that have the first fruits of the Spirit , even we , groan within our selves , waiting for the adoption , to wit , the redemption of our bodies ; and the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us , with groanings which cannot be uttered : and he that searcheth the heart , knoweth what the minde of the Spirit is ; because he maketh intercession for the Saints , according to the will of God : For he makes all new by himself and for himself ; and this is called the holy breathing , which Christ said the Comforter shall come , who shall abide with you for ever . Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God , and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you ? 1 Cor. 3. 16. Now the fleshly part , first Adam , seeks peace , life and glory to himself , from creatures , and things that are without him ; as first , he seeks content and peace from wife , children , friends , riches , places of dominion over others ; but that peace that is built upon such hay or stubble , shall come to nothing , and the Foundations shall fall , 1 Cor. 3. 12 , 13. Secondly , the fleshly first Adam that is from the earth earthly , seeks content and peace from sermons , prayers , studies , books , Church-fellowship , and from outward forms and customs in their forms of worship ; but that peace that is built upon this foundation , will fall and come to nothing likewise ; Rom. 9. 31. But Israel which followed after the Law of Righteousness , hath not attained to the Law of Righteousness ; for they sought it not by faith , but as it were by the works of the Law ; the reason they stumbled at that stumbling Stone which the Builders refused , but now is become the corner-Stone , the Rock of Ages : as it is written , Behold , I lay in Sion a stumbling stone , and a Rock of offence , and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed : The Word is nigh thee , even in thy heart and in thy mouth , that is , the word of faith which we preach , Rom. 10. 8. Isa . 28. 9. those that are weaned from the milk , and drawn from the brest , he teacheth knowledge , and maketh to understand doctrine . Now wo unto those that have made lies their refuge , and under falshood have hid themselves , every one wondring after the Beast , and worshipping the golden Image , the inventions of their own hands , who are deceived by her Witchcrafts , her Gog and Magog , who are in number like the sand of the sea : But what will be their end ? they must be destroyed by fire : and therefore follow not a multitude to do evil . And the devil that deceived them shall be cast into the lake of fire , where the Beast and false Prophets are , who shall be tormented day and night , for ever and ever . O stand amazed all Deceivers of his people : for the time will come that he will require the blood of his people at your hands ; and what will become of you , when the dreadful and terrible GOD appears in Judgement ? you will then desire the hills to fall upon you , to hide you from his presence ; then those that have Christ in them , who hath filled them with everlasting rest and glory , shall lift up their heads , for their Redemption draweth neer ; and he that shall be your Judge , is become their Saviour : for the Father judgeth no man , but hath committed all Judgement unto the Son : And they that live in the Son , have the Light of Life abiding in them . And so in him they walk from strength to strength , until they appear before GOD in Sion . The fourth Epistle : To all the Hypocrites in Sion , desiring them that they would return , that the Lord may heal their Back-slidings : For the Wrath of the living God is revealed from heaven against all Vnrighteousness ; And Woes will be upon them , even Woes eternal , that take upon them the Profession of Religion in any Form , to be a Cloak to their Sin and Vnrighteousness . THere is no man ( saith Christ ) that putteth his hand to the Plough , and looketh back , that is apt for the kingdom of God. Now doth not most Professors look back ? do they do the works God , or are they not doing the works of the devil ? is not wrath , anger , backbiting , whispering , deceiving , over-reaching in their bargains , killing , is not these fruits to be found amongst all Professors ? and therefore it is high time for them to repent , that they may do their first works : for the time once was , that they had Zeal , and Love , and Gentleness and Temperance , and were in the Moderation a little kept : but now they are come into the persecuting nature , into the destroying nature , the devouring nature , the dogs nature ; and are out of the Lambs nature : for the fruits of Faith , are Love , Goodness , Gentleness , Meekness , Temperance , Brotherly kindness , Charity , Bowels of compassion , Holiness and Righteousness ; Against such ( saith Paul ) there is no Law : For they that are Christs , have crucified the flesh , with the affections and lusts . And now amongst those tender Lambs of Christ , those Babes that are born again , those Plants of the Lords right Hand , Trees of his own planting that are full of sap , the Cedars of Lebanon ; I mean those that are by the wicked of the earth , the men of this world , in scorn called Quakers , amongst these is crept in wicked Deceivers , ungodly men , and ungodly Women , even as Judas crept in amongst the Apostles , such who think that gain is godliness , such who follow Christ for the Loaves , such as think they can serve two Masters , God and Mammon , Christ and Riches , Christ and Lusts , Christ and the World , Christ and Antichrist ; such who teach that Doctrine of Devils , that Paul speaketh of , denying to marry , and to abstain from meats , such who turn the Grace of God in them into wantonness , Truce breakers , Breakers of Covenants , pretending they were married in their carnal estate ; and they were never moved of the Lord , and therefore they may leave their husbands , and leave their wives ; and that spirit these are guided by , is of Satan , and so will lead them to take others , as their blind Ignis fatuus leads them : for by nothing but Imagination , Lust and Fancie , are such led . And such leads away silly women , that are captivated by Satan , laden with divers lusts and pleasures , that are alwayes learning , and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth . Others are led to neglect their Families and Relations , to neglect their Children ; contrary to that Doctrine of Paul , that saith , A man is worse then an Infidel that doth not provide for his Family , meaning his outward Family : For , let every man wait on his calling ; and God hath appointed that the creation shall be managed , that man may be Lord of all the creatures : and Christ saith , It is a more happier thing to give then to receive : and the Apostle commandeth to lay up , that there may be a distribution amongst the Saints : and how can he lay up that is idle , and runs to and fro , wasting his time in idleness , and consuming his pretious time , whilst his wife and children wants at home ? and so this spirit rents and tears the affections of men from their wives , and women from their husbands , and children from their parents ; and this that brings into a dis-uniting , is not the Spirit of the Lord : for the Spirit of the Lord brings into Union : for it shall convince the whole world at last , that they shall be all of one heart , and of one spirit ; and the one alone spirit of Righteousness shall fill all in all : And this cannot be that spirit that rents and makes divisions ; but this spirit of Righteousness teacheth the man to know his own wife , and love her , as Christ did the Church ; and it teacheth the woman to know and love her own husband ; and the man and woman so taught , live like Turtle Doves . And so the unbelieving woman cometh to be sanctified by the believing man ; & the unbelieving man by the believing woman ; and here the good vertuous Wife cometh to be found , that Solomon speaketh of , whose price is above pearls , and she doth him good and not evil all his days : and is not as the wicked woman , that is termed by him , a whorish woman , that is rottenness to her husbands bones . And Others there are , that are very loose in their carriage , and deny the Resurrection of the Body , contrary to the Doctrine of the Apostle , saying , The Resurrection is past already , and such was in his time , that had overthrown the faith of some : now these people are in distraction , and the Spirit of the Lord leades into Unity , Love , and Peace , and out of all disturbance ; and the Lord is the portion of his people for ever , and they that stay themselves upon God , are kept in perfect peace : and the Spirit of God is infallible : they that are guided by that , cannot erre ; and these do erre , not knowing the Scriptures , and so are led into the distraction which causeth disturbance ; and this is , by the cunningness of Satan , who lieth in wait to deceive , and this simple people are led captive by him , to do his will at his pleasure . And therefore dear Friends , take heed how you hear , and whom you hear ; and be not blinded by those that lie cunningly in wait , to deceive you : for all that is to be known of God , is made manifest in man : and this is all the Lord thy God requireth of thee , To do justly , love mercy , and to walk humbly with thy God : for Holiness becometh the House of the Lord for ever . And Christ saith , He that hath my commandments and keepeth them , dwelleth in me , and I in him . And therefore do not think the Name or the Profession of a thing will serve the turn ; it is coming into the Life and Power of the thing that is expected from the Lord : they that cry in that day , We have eat and drunk in thy presence , and thou hast taught in our streets ; all that will not do : Depart from me , saith Christ : the reason why , is shewed by him , because they were Workers of iniquity . So there is no priviledge for a people , be they never so high in Gods favour , yet if they sin against him , they must know , the wrath of God is against them : for if a righteous man turn from his righteousness , and do that which is evil , he shall die for the evil , and I will remember his righteousness ( saith the Lord ) no more . The people of Israel were a peculiar people , the Lord had manifested his love in abundance to them , he fed them with Angels food , and led them in the Wilderness , that their cloaths waxed not old ; and he made the rock gush out waters , and gave them Quails , the lusts of their own hearts . But they died in judgement ; whilst the meat was in their mouthes , the wrath of God came down upon them , and Gods Soul came to be angry with them , even so much that the Lord said , My soul shall be avenged on this Generation . David , a man after Gods own heart , yet for sinning , was forc'd to go with broken bones , and his Ioines were filled with a sore Disease , and he went groaning all the day long . Moses for striking the Rock twice , did not enter the Land of Canaan . And therefore do not thou think , whoever thou art , and let thy profession be what it will : for if thou sinnest against God , thou must be punished by him . And know this , That the end of all teaching , and speaking , and writing , is to be brought to doing . The end of all , saith Solomon , is to fear God , and keep his Commandments : This is the whole Duty of Man. And therefore be as thou seemest to be , or seem to be as thou art : For it is onely the pure in heart shall see God ; and the meek shall inherit the earth , and dwell therein for ever . The fifth Epistle : To Roger Crabb , and Francis Jennings , John Porter , Elizabeth Porter , Stephen Powel , Sarah Aldridge , Anne Bunion : To all those that are in the deceipt with him , who stile themselves the Servants of the Lord onely ; with Judeth Edds , and some few Others , whose Names I cannot finde : that they may see their durty Dregs , and repent of their Abominations : For the Wrath of God is revealed against all Deceipt , and all Deceivers . LAmentations , Mourning and Wo is pronounced against all evil ; and he that soweth , or she that soweth Dissention amongst Brethren , is such a one as the Soul of the Lord abhorreth . Now let not their looks dismay thee , thou tender-hearted child or children of the most High : for the Duty of Obedience which the Lord thy God requireth of thee , is not in any other thing but in being obedient to the Commands of God , as sin is made known unto thee , by the light of the everlasting Spirit of Righteousness which is in thee , and there is placed , to make known sin and evil unto thee , and is there placed in thy heart , to raise thy immortal soul , by the immortal seed of the word , which is , Christ in thee , that thou mayst live unto him that hath called thee out of Darkness into his marvelous light , that we might not henceforth live unto our selves , but unto him ; and therefore living unto him , is to be holy as he was holy , and pure as he was pure : and so the Life of the Saints is to be a Life of purity , and it is the pure in heart that see him ; and so it is not as Roger Crabb surmiseth , and William Smith , and John Dunck , and others , in wearing hair or not hair : for if they will believe the History of Josephus , they may finde that Christ wore his Hair very long , waving about his Shoulders ; and the Scriptures of Truth maketh mention , that he wore it according to the manner of the Nazarites , who had no Razor come upon their heads : neither is it in dirty hands & faces , as they fondly do surmise ; but it lieth in the hidden man of the heart , in a meek and quiet spirit , which is a thing of God , much set by : neither is it in straw Hats , or such fond conceits ; for they cannot be made without hands , no more then woollen ones . But the Reader may take notice , that this people being departed from the living presence of the Lord God , where Life , and Peace , and Rest is to be dwelt in ; they wander up and down , seeking Rest , and finde none : for the Peace is not in eating or drinking , but in Righteousness , Peace , and Joy in the Holy Ghost . It is not then in denying the lawful use of the creatures : for the Apostle saith , Whatsoever is sold in the shambles , that eat , making no scruple for conscience-sake . So then it is clear , that men may lawfully eat all creatures , as well as herbs , or what groweth naturally : And every creature of God is good ( saith Paul ) and nothing ought to be refused , if it be received with praise and thanks giving : and , it is not that ( saith Christ ) that goeth into the man , that doth defile the man ; but that which cometh out : For out of the heart ( saith Christ ) proceedeth adultery , fornication , murder , and the like : So it is the evil heart being corrupted , that is the cause of the man being defiled , and it is not the denying of meats wherein Religion stands : for they may see that Christ fed five thousand men with five Loaves and two Fishes , and commanded the Fragments to be taken up , that nothing might be left ; and he turned water into wine : if he had not allowed the use of it , he would not have made it ; but it was to be drunk . And Christ saith , If any of you have a son shall ask bread , will he give him a stone ? or if he shall ask a fish , will he give him a serpent ? so he clearly owneth the eating of those creatures . And if they , or any led by their fond deceitful spirit , that deny the Resurrection of the Body of Christ out of the grave , let them read Luk. 26. vers . 37. and so forward : But they were terrified and affrighted , and supposed that they had seen a spirit : and he said unto them , Why are you troubled , and why do thoughts arise in your hearts ? Behold my hands and my feet , that it is I my self ; handle me , and see : for a Spirit hath not flesh and bones , as you see me have . And when he had thus spoken , he shewed them his hands and his feet . And while they yet believed not , for joy , and wondered , he said unto them , Have ye here any meat ? and they gave him a piece of broyled fish , and a honey-comb ; and he took it , and did eat before them : and he said unto them , These are the words which I spake unto you , while I was yet with you , that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses , and in the Prophets , and in the Psalmes , concerning me . Then opened he their understandings , that they might understand the Scriptures . Act. 1. vers . 9. and so forward : And when he had spoken these things , while they beheld , he was taken up , and a cloud received him out of their sight ; and while they looked stedfastly towards heaven , as he went up , behold , two men stood by them in white apparel , which said , Ye men of Galilee , why stand ye gazing up into heaven ? this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven , shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven . And these peoples Teacher , Roger Crabb , most blasphemously speaketh of a place where no Righteousness shall enter in , without distinction ; and so he putteth no difference between the pretious and the vile ; and so most wickedly and perversly taketh upon him to speak of things he knoweth not : for Christ the Righteousness of God , who is righteous as God is righteous , doth enter , and sits on the Throne with clean Hands ; and his righteous Seed , in all his true Babes and little Ones , is raised , that they feel his living presence in them , constraining them to love ; and they feel his Arm of strength carrying them , and guiding them in all their Wayes ; and they feel that Rock of Ages , bruising the Head of the Serpent , who is too powerful in Roger Crabb , and his Followers , and leads them captive to do his will : For of whomsoever a man is overcome , his servant he is , of whom he is overcome ; whether it be of sin unto death , or of obedience unto Righteousness . And so dear friends , I desire you to repent , and turn , and put away the evil of your doings . Cease to do evil : learn to do well : hide the word of the Lord in your hearts , that you may not sin against God : and be content with this knowledge of the Lord , to know what he requires of thee , and to do it ; and that is this , What doth the Lord thy God require of thee , O man , but , To do justly , to love mercy , and to walk humbly with thy GOD ? The sixth Epistle : To all Magistrates , Judges , Lawyers , Commanders , Souldiers and Priests : that they may plainly see by the Scriptures of Truth , what the Lord God requireth at their hands ; and they may see here , as in a Glass , how short they come of what is required of them , and repent , and turn from their wicked and abominable Ways , that the Lord may have mercy upon them : for this they may assure themselves , The fierce and terrible day of the Lord is near at hand , and none but the pure in heart shall be able to stand before him : for nothing can dwell in his presence but purity : for without Holiness , none shall see him with Comfort . I Shall direct the Reader to some Texts of Scripture , that sets forth what Gifts a true Teacher ought to be qualified with . See Gen. 17. 1. And when Abraham was ninety and nine years old , the Lord appeared unto him , and said , Abraham , I am the Almighty God ; walk before me , and be thou perfect . Gen. 18. 19. For I know him , that he will command his children , and his houshould after him ; and they shall keep the way of the Lord , to do justice and judgement . Heb. 11. 24. By faith Moses , when he was come to years , refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter : chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God , then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season . Vers . 26. Esteeming the reproach of Christ , greater riches then the treasures in Egypt : for he had respect to the recompence of the reward . By faith he forsook Egypt , not fearing the wrath of the king : for he endured , as seeing him who is invisible . Gen. 5. 22. And Enoch walked with God , after he begat Methusala , three hundred years . And vers . 24. And Enoch walked with God ; and he was not : for God took him . Exod. 4. 14. And the Lord said , Is not Aaron the Levite thy Brother ? I know that he can speak well : and he cometh forth to meet thee ; and when he seeth thee , he will be glad in his heart . Vers . 15. And thou shalt speak unto him , and put words in his mouth ; and I will be with thy mouth , and with his mouth , and will teach you what you shall do . Vers . 16. And he shall be thy spokes-man unto the people ; and he shall be , even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth , and thou shalt be to him instead of God. Josh . 1. 1. And the Lord spake to Joshua , vers ● . There shall not a man be able to stand before thee all the dayes of thy life : as I was with Moses , so will I be with thee : I will not fail thee , nor forsake thee . Vers . 6. Be strong and of a good courage : for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance , the land which I sware unto their Fathers to give them : onely be thou strong and very couragious , that thou mayest observe to do according to all the Law that Moses my servant hath commanded thee : turn not from it , to the right hand , nor to the left ; that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest . Vers . 8. This Book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth , but thou shalt meditate therein day and night . 1 Sam. 2. 10. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces : out of heaven shall he thunder upon them : the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth , & he shall give strength unto his King , and exalt the horns of his anointed . Concerning David , Psal . 18. 20 , 21 , 22 , 23. The Lord rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands , according to my righteousness hath he recompenced me : for I have kept the wayes of the Lord , and have not wickedly departed from my God : for all his judgements were before me , and I did not put away his statutes from me : I was also upright before him , and I kept my self from my own iniquity : Mark that , from my own iniquity ; his delightful sin : And vers . 32. of the same Psalm , It is God that girdeth me with strength , and maketh my ways perfect . Psal . 37. 37. Mark the perfect man , and behold the upright : for the end of that man is peace . Psal . 119. 101. I have refrained my feet from every evil way . Vers . 113. I hate vain thoughts , but thy Law do I love . Vers . 128. I hate every false way . 1 King. 3. 14. And if thou wilt walk in my ways , to keep my statutes and my commandments , as thy Father David did walk , then will I lengthen thy dayes . And Pro. 23. 26. My son , give me thy heart , and let thy eyes observe my ways . 2 Chron. 34. And Josiah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord , and walked in all the wayes of David his father , and declined neither to the right hand , nor to the left . Ezra 7. 10. For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord , and to do it . Vers . 25 , 26. And thou Ezra , after the wisdom of thy God that is in thy hand , set Magistrates and Judges , which may judge all the people ; all such as know the Laws of thy God , beyond the river : and teach ye them that know them not : and whosoever will not do the Law of thy God , and the law of the king , let judgement be executed speedily upon him , whether it be unto death , or to banishment , or to confiscation of goods , or to imprisonment . Neh. 1. 5. O Lord God of heaven , the great and terrible God , that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him , & keep his commandments . Neh. 10. 29 , They came to their Brethren , their Nobles , and entered into a curse , and into an oath , to walk in Gods Law , which was given by Moses the servant of the Lord ; and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our God , and his judgements , and his statutes . Job 1. 1. There was a man in the land of Uz , whose name was Job , and that man was perfect and upright , and one that feared God , and eschewed evil . Isa . 2. 3. Let us go up to the house of the God of Jacob , and he will teach us of his ways , and we will walk in his pathes : for out of Sion shall go forth the Law , and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem . Sanctifie the Lord of hosts himself , and let him be your fear , and your dread . Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace , whose minde is stayed on thee , because he trusteth in thee . Trust ye in the Lord for ever : for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength . The wayes of the just is uprightness . Thou most Upright dost weigh the pathes of the just ; yea , in the ways of thy judgements , O Lord , have we waited for thee : the desire of our soul is to thy Name , and to the remembrance of thee . Thus saith the Lord of hosts , the God of Israel , Amend your wayes and your doings : Trust not in lying words , saying , The Temple of the Lord , the Temple of the Lord , the Temple of the Lord : for if you throughly amend your wayes and your doings ; if you throughly execute judgement between a man and his neighbour ; if ye oppress not the stranger , the fatherless and the widow , and shed not innocent blood in this place , neither walk after other gods to your hurt : then will I cause you to dwell in this place , in the land that I gave to your fathers , for ever and for ever . Behold , ye trust in lying words that cannot profit : will ye steal , murder , and commit adultery , and swear falsly , and burn incense to Baal , and walk after other gods , whom ye know not , and come and stand before me in this house , which is called by my Name , and say , We are delivered to do all these abominations ? But this thing commanded I them , saying , Obey my voice , and I will be your God , and you shall be my people : and walk ye in all the wayes that I have commanded you , that it may be well unto you . Behold , the dayes come , saith the Lord , that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch ; and a king shall reign and prosper , and shall execute judgement and justice on the earth : in his days Judah shall be saved , and Israel shall dwell safely : and this is his Name whereby he shall be called , The Lord our Righteousness . Nevertheless , if thou warn the righteous man , that the righteous sin not , and he doth not sin , he shall surely live : the soul that sinneth shall die : but if a man be just , and do that which is lawful and right , and hath not eaten upon the mountains , neither hath lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel , neither hath defiled his neighbours wife , neither hath come neer to menstruous women , and hath not oppressed any , but hath restored to the debtor his pledge ; hath spoiled none by violence , hath given his bread to the hungry , and hath covered the naked with a garment ; he that hath not given forth upon usury , neither hath taken any increase , that hath with-drawn his hand from iniquity , hath executed true judgement between man and man ; hath walked in my statutes , and kept my judgements , to deal truly ; he is just , he shall surely live , saith the Lord God. And they that be wise shall shine as the stars in the firmament , for ever and ever : and they that turn many to righteousness , as the brightness of the firmament . And in that day will I make a Covenant for them with the beasts of the field , & with the fowls of heaven , and with the creeping things of the ground ; and I will break the bow , and the sword , and the battel out of the earth , and will make them dwell safely ; and I will betroth thee unto my self in righteousness for ever ; yea , I will betroth thee unto my self in righteousness , and in judgement , and in loving kindness , and in mercy : I will betroth thee unto my self in faithfulness ; and thou shalt know the Lord. The Lord also shall roar out of Sion , and utter his voice from Jerusalem : and the heavens and the earth shall shake : but the Lord will be the hope of his people , & the strength of the children of Israel . Then shall Jerusalem be holy , and there shall no stranger pass through her any more : For thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel , Seek ye me , and ye shall live . But upon mount Sion shall be deliverance , and there shall be holiness ; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions . They that observe lying vanities , forsake their own mercy . But I will sacrifice to thee with the voice of thanksgiving ; I will pay that that I have vowed : salvation is of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord , concerning the prophets that make my people err , that bite with their teeth , and cry peace ; and he that putteth not into their mouths , they ever prepare war against him . But truly , I am full of power , by the Spirit of the Lord , and of judgement , and of might , to declare unto Jacob his transgressions , and to Israel his sin . Hear this , ye heads of the house of Jacob , and princes of the house of Israel , that abhor all judgement , and pervert all equity ; they build up Sion with blood , and Jerusalem with iniquity ; the heads thereof judge for reward , and the priests thereof teach for hire , and the prophets thereof divine for money : yet will they lean upon the Lord , and say , Is not the Lord amongst us ? no evil can come upon us . Therefore shall Zion for your sakes be plowed as a Field , and Jerusalem shall become heaps , and the Mountains of the house as the high places of the Forests . The Lord is of purer eyes then to behold evil , and cannot behold iniquity . When the Lords appearance cometh upon the soul , then he cuts away all Idols , and they shall be no more remembred : the appearance of the Lord giveth sight to the blind : Christ Jesus enlightneth every man that cometh into the world ; and that is Christ the Son of the most High , that checketh for evil in every one , and that is the true Teacher . Follow that : it will bring thee out of all evil ; for it leadeth unto perfect peace . Ye shall not say , Lo here is Christ , or lo he is there : but the Word is nigh thee , even in thy heart , and in thy mouth : and this true Teacher , will keep thee from the very appearance of evil . The Lord Jesus promised the Comforter should come after his departure ; and Peter received it : for he being full of the Holy Ghost , there was three thousand added by his Ministry at once : and the Apostles , when-they had prayed , the place was shaken where they were assembled together , and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost , and they spake the Word of God with boldness . Now Christ is the Bread of Life : And he that eateth the bread that I shall give him , ( saith Christ ) shall never hunger : and he that believeth in me , ( saith Christ ) hath everlasting life : and he that eateth the bread that I shall give him , shall live for ever . And those that are risen with Christ , set their affections on the things above , where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God ; and they do not minde earthly things : for as they have born the Image of the earthly Adam , which is sin unto death ; so they must bear the Image of the heavenly , which is obedience unto righteousness : the end whereof , through his mercy that enableth them to bear it , is everlasting life and salvation : and , he that is born of God , sinneth not , because he is born of God ; neither can he sin , because he is born of God : for he that committeth sin , is of the devil . Now consider these sayings , and ponder them in your minds ; for where the Lord cometh , his presence is very dreadful and terrible ; and he destroyeth all Graven Images , and grindeth them to dust ; he maketh that heart deny himself , and take up his Cross dayly , and follow him . When a stronger then the strong man armed cometh , he destroyeth his strong holds , and divideth the spoils , and maketh the heart clean : A new heart , saith the Lord , will I give thee , and a new spirit will I put into thee , and I will lead thee , and be thy everlasting reward and strength to support thee : for I dwell in the humble , and delight to give life to my contrite ones : for with the holy , wilt thou be holy ; and with the contrite and pure , will I be pure , saith the Lord. Now by thy words , thou shalt be justified ; and by thy words condemned . Now this is from the true Lover of all your souls , the seed of God in you , that groaneth after the deliverance of it , may come forth from the state of bondage , and corruption , and thraldom , where it is kept , that it may come to the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Almighty , the most high , who with continual praises with one heart , and in oneness of spirit sing continual Praises and Hallelujahs to Him that liveth for ever and ever , who alone is worthy of all everlasting praises from his own , henceforth and for ever . Now I shall shew the signs , marks and characters of good Magistrates , as the Lord giveth of them , as I find in Scripture : and by the manifestation of his Spirit within me , I know it is the Lords desire , that Judges and all Magistrates should be such as feareth the Lord and hateth covetousness , and worketh Righteousness , that judgement and justice may run down like a mighty stream , and Rivers of waters . Moses was a good Magistrate : he executed the Law with Justice upon all , without respect of persons , or gifts , or rewards , according to the command of the Lord , who was the Lawgiver : For the Law came by Moses , but Grace by Jesus Christ . Deborah was a good Magistrate , and the children of Israel came up to her for judgement ; and she judged Israel at that time , and the Lord was with her , and made her lead away the Captives , and lead them into Captivity that oppressed his people : for she was just before him ; and the Stars from Heaven fought in their courses for her , against the enemies of truth , and the river Kishon swept them away : and the Land had rest forty years : and the Lord caused the Mighty and the Nobles to be in subjection unto her , and the Lord went before her , and the earth trembled , and the heavens dropped , the clouds dropped water . Gideon was a good Magistrate , and the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him , and said , The Lord is with thee , thou mighty man of valour ; go in this thy might , and thou shalt save Israel . And the Lord said unto him , I will be with thee . And the Lord said unto him , Peace be unto thee ; thou shalt not dye : and the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon ; and Gideon did as the Lord had commanded him . And Gideon said , That neither I nor my Son shall rule over you . And the Land had rest forty years in the days of Gideon Solomon was a good Magistrate , and God said unto him , Because thou askedst this thing , and hast not asked the life of thy enemies , nor long life for thy self , neither riches for thy self , but hast asked for thy self understanding to discern Judgement ; behold , I have done according to thy words : lo , I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart , so that there was none like thee before thee , neither after thee shall arise any like unto thee ; and I have given thee that which thou hast not asked , both riches and honour ; so that there shall not be any like unto thee , amongst the kings all thy dayes . And Solomon said , His meditation was stayed on the Lord all the day long , and his meditation was of his goodness , kept in the Lords fear : And Solomonraigned over all Israel forty years . Asa was a good Magistrate : he was perfect before the Lord , although the high places were not taken away in his time : he reigned one and forty years , and the people had much comfort by him , & made sore lamentation for his death : for they , by his appointment , entered into a solemn League and Covenant , That whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel , should be put to death , whether small or great , whether man or woman : and all Judah rejoyced at the oath : for they had sworn with all their hearts , and sought him with their whole desires , and he was found of them ; and the Lord gave them rest round about : And Asa reigned in peace seven and thirty years . Hezekiah was a good Magistrate ; and he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord , according to all that David his father had done , and wrought that which was right and truth in the sight of the Lord , according to all that David his father had done ; and wrought that which was right in the sight of the Lord , and he did it with all his heart , in seeking the Commandments of his God , and prospered in the work . Josiah was a good Magistrate ; and he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord , and walked in the wayes of David his father , and did not decline from the right hand , nor the left : and the people sorely lamented his death : for all Judah mourned for him , and Jerusalem , and Jeremiah lamented his death : and he reigned one and thirty years . And Paul saith of a good Bishop , that he must be no striker , blameless , the steward of the Lord , not soon angry , not given to filthy lucre , nor wine , but a lover of hospitality , a lover of good men , sober , just , holy , temperate , holding fast the faithful word : and he sheweth the reason , That he may be able by sound doctrine to convince gain-sayers : he exhorts that prayers and supplications may be made for kings , and all in authority ; to what end , he sheweth ; to this end , That we may live peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty : for this is good and acceptable in God our Saviour : and he saith , The Magistrate beareth not the sword sor nought ; It is for the punishment of evil doers , and for the praise of them that do well . Now that Magistrate whose heart is not touched with the true fear of the Lord , and that seed of true faith that is as small as a grain of mustard-seed , hath got the pre-eminence , and is chief in his soul , and Christ Jesus is set up in his soul , in him on the throne , that he hath the whole heart , and the whole man is in his dominion , that can truly say , by bearing Testimony to the witness of God in him , That to him to live is Christ , and to die is gain ; unless the Magistrate be such , he is not Christs Magistrate : for those that are Christs , have crucified the flesh , with the affections and lusts ; and no drunkard , whoremaster , swearer , proud , ambitious , self-seeker , lover of pleasures more then lover of God , having a form of Godliness , but denying the power thereof , no such can be said to be of God , and so are not to have that double honour which is due to Magistrates that do truly rule in his fear . And this discovers plainly how short those Judges and Justices come of being godly Magistrates , that suffer and consent to the imprisoning of just and righteous ones , whom the Lord esteemeth as the Apple of his eye ; and those that touch them to their hurt , will one day find it , that the Lord esteemeth them as his Jewels : and yet how is the Goals filled with them through the Nation ? and some have perished to death , because they cannot consent , for conscience-sake , to pay Tythes , seeing them to be a great and abominable Oppression . I could wish that Judges and all Magistrates would regard their Oathes , to do equal Administration of Justice to every man alike , to have no mans Cause in respect of person , but rightly to judge for the Poor as well as the Rich , and let the merits of the Cause carry it ; minding the words of Jehosaphat : for he said to the Judges , Take heed what you do : for ye judge not for man , but for the Lord : wherefore let the fear of the Lord be upon you : for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God , nor taking of Gifts . And let them that are contrary minded , remember the ends of Empson and Dudly , and mind the proceedings of Henry the Third , in the five and thirtieth year of his reigne , against Henry de Bath , one of the Judges then . And the sixteenth year of Edward the First , there being a great complaint of the ill Administration of Justice by the Judges ; whereupon the then Parliament , upon due examination , and proofs of their Bribery and Extortion , together with their injustice done to the people , were fined to pay to the King , as followeth : Ralph Hengham , chief Justice of the Upper Bench , 7000 Marks ; John Lineton , chief Justice of the Lower Bench , 3000 Marks ; William Brompton Justice , 6000 Marks ; Solomon Rochester , 4000 Marks ; Thomas Lodington , 2000 Marks ; Walter Hopton , 2000 Marks ; Richard Boyland , 4000 Marks ; William Sham , 3000 Marks ; Robert Litbury , Master of the Rolls , 1000 Marks ; Roger Liester , 1000 Marks ; Henry Bray , Escheter , and Judge for the Jews , 1000 Marks ; Adam Streton , chief Baron of the Exchequer , was fined 34000 Marks ; and Thomas Wayland , being found the greatest Delinquent , for Bribery and Extortion , and being of the greatest substance had all his Estate , real and personal , taken from him to the Kings use : and this great Act of Justice was highly pleasing to the people , and brough● much honour to the King , as well as Treasure into his Coffers : And one Bellknap and Trisillian , being both chief Justices , were executed for injustice . In the year forty one , Articles were exhibited against John Bramston chief Justice , Robert Barkly , Francis Crawly , Humphry Davenport , Richard Weston , Thomas Trevor , being Justices of both the Benches , and Barons of the Exchequer ; and as I take it , they were degraded for injustice done the people . It is said of that great Tyrant Nero , That he could not indure an unjust Judge : for one being convicted before him for injustice , he caused him to be flea'd alive , and his skin to be nailed to the Judgement-Seat , that whoever came on that Seat , might have that act of Justice fresh in his memory . Thou art inexcusable , O man , whoever thou art , that judgest another : for wherein thou judgest another , thou condemnest thy self , if thou dost the same things : and thinkest thou to escape the judgement of Cod ? Now it were a good thing for the people of England , that the chief Magistrates with their Council , would erect a Court of Justice , where every man , by their Proclamation , might once every quarter of a year , appeal to the said Court , for relief against any injury done them by Judges , Justices , or any Officers of the Commonwealth in private or in publick , done to their detriment . This would be a high Act of Justice from the Counsellors , Magistrates or Rulers , who should preserve Justice in the Land : and it would be very satisfactory to all the people ; and this would make men follow the Command of Christ in time , To do unto all men , as they would have all men do unto them . By all these Texts of Scripture before-rehearsed , it is plainly shewed by the holy Ghost , the marks of true Teachers and false ; the marks of hireling shepherds , and such as fleece the Flock ; and such as are of Christ , and are truly Ministers of Christ , and have the Spirit of Christ , God having revealed himself in them , they do minister food in due season ; and they do feed the Flock of Christ , over which the holy Ghost hath made them Overseers ; and they do turn people unto God , unto the light that is single , that knoweth the deep and hidden things of God : for the Father that dwelleth in them , sheweth them all things ; and they have the first Fruits of the Spirit , and God is in them of a truth , and they and the Father are one ; and they do abide in the Vine , and in him they bring forth much Fruit , to the glory of God the Father : and these Fruits of the holy Ghost are to be found dwelling in them , as Love , Joy , Meekness , Patience , Temperance , Brotherly Kindness , Bowels of Mercy , Humbleness of Minde , Holiness and Righteousness . And the false Teachers appear plainly by their Fruits , to be the Priests that do receive Tythes : for they seek gain from their Quarters ; they fleece the Flock , and do not feed them ; they speak a Divination of their own brain ; they are in the number of those that steal the word from their neighbour , and cry , The Lord saith , when the Lord never spake unto them : they do not at all profit the people : for they that were unclean , are unclean ; they that were filthy , are filthy still ; and Drunkards are Drunkards still : they are not sent of God ; for if they were , they would have turned people from the evil of their doings , and they should have learned to do well . By their fruits ( Christ saith ) they shall be known : for men do not gather figs of thorns , nor grapes of thistles : but every good tree bringeth forth good fruit : and by their covetous filthy lives they destroy the hearty professions of their hearers , who are much led by example and practice of their Teachers ; and herein they are partakers of other mens sins , and so must partake with them of their plagues ; and the blind doth lead the blind , and they must fall into the ditch : for they that cannot witness in their own particulars , that the Spirit of the Lord in them , is raised , and hath the whole seat of the soul in his dominion and power , and the seed of God is raised in him , and there is a continual watch kept to destroy sin in its first motion , and so it is not yeilded to , but is laid all upon the Tempter : unless a man be brought to this , he is not a fit person to teach others : for Christ commandeth his Disciples to be perfect , as their Father which is in heaven is perfect ; and to be holy , in all manner of conversation : for without holiness no man shall see the Lord : and , he that is in Christ , ought so to walk as Christ hath walked , who did no sin , neither was there guile found in him . I am sure the Priests dare not say they are in Christ , or that he hath revealed himself in them , or that the holy Ghost is come down upon them : if these effects were wrought in them they durst not sue the just and righteous for treble Damages , and make such spoil and havock of their Estates , as they do , throughout the Nation ; taking from some eight times as much as is the Due , according to their own Demands . O sad Generation of men ! that dare say the Lords Prayer , as they say , Forgive us our Trespasses , as we forgive them that trespass against us ; and yet it is like , the next day sueth for treble Damage for a pretended Trespass , done before he saith the Petition . Do they think the Lord God , who hath an all-seeing eye , doth not know their hypocrisie , and will repay their deceit upon their own heads ? yea , be assured all of you , he will. Do you follow the Rule that Christ commandeth , To do unto all men , as you would that all men should do unto you ? Do you expect a day wherein God shall judge the secrets of all men , by Jesus Christ , and when every man shall give an accompt for the things done in his bodie ? And do ye think that these actions before-rehearsed , will stand and bear weight in that day ? O fear and tremble : for whatsoever a man soweth , that shall he assuredly reap ; he that soweth to his flesh , shall of that , reap corruption ; but he that soweth to the spirit , shall of that , reap life everlasting : for they that are led by the Spirit of God , they are the sons of God ; and they that are led by their wills and lusts , whose servants are they ? the Apostle tells you , That of whomsoever a man is overcome , his servant he is ; whether it be of sin unto death , or of obedience unto righteousness . And therefore awake thou that sleepest , and stand up from the dead , and Christ shall give thee light : and be not drunk with wine wherein is excess ; but be ye filled with the Spirit : and look to see that Scripture fulfilled in you , that ye are covetors of spiritual things , and all other Scriptures also : for they are written for our Instruction , upon whom the ends of the world shall fall ; and leave off the woolvish nature , the dogs nature , the lyons nature , and the destroying nature ; and put on the Lambs nature , be tender hearted one to another ; and if any man have a quarrel against another , forgive it , even as God for Christs sake , forgiveth thee : if thou unfainedly repent , and turn from the evil of thy doings , then the Lord will blot out all thy transgressions , and he will remember thy sins no more . O turn ye , turn ye : for why will ye die , ye house of Israel ? And therefore let all now take up the sore lamentation , and teturn unto him , that they may be saved : for Jesus is able to save to the utmost all those that come unto God by him , seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them : and they that do forsake lying vanities , and cleave unto him , blessed , yea , for ever blessed are they ; for they that have part in this first Resurrection , from the death of sin unto the life of Grace , over such the second death shall have no power ; but they shall reign as Lords and kings , for ever and ever ; and the high praises of God shall be found in their mouthes , and they shall be all cloathed with white , the white Robes of his Righteousness ; and follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth ; and he will lead them unto the lively Fountains , and wipe away all tears from their eyes ; and they shall sing praises and hallelujahs unto him , for ever and ever : for he hath found them worthy , and hath given them to be with his Father , that they may behold his glory , and see him as he is : for none of Christs prayers shall fail : He saith , Father , I will that those whom thou hast given me may be with me where I am , that they may behold my glory ; that as thou , O Father , art in me , and I in thee ; so that they may be made one in Vs , Joh. 17. 23 , 24. And they have all this benefit here , that if they abide in Christ , and his Word abide in them , let them ask what they will , and it shall be done unto them . And herein is my Father glorified ( saith Christ ) that you bear much fruit , Joh. 15. 7 , 8. These things have I spoken unto you , that my joy might remain in you , and that your joy might be full , saith Christ . Now as for all others , let them be in what form of Worship soever , if they be out of the Life and Power of Christ , as is before shewed , who are in the life , which are onely such that have the seed of God raised in their own particulars , and alwayes obey it in the power thereof ; such are not under the power of the Law , but under Grace : and the Spirit of the Lord Jesus which dwelleth in them , hath made them free from the Law of sin and of death ; and they , and they onely are Christs , because they are led by the Spirit of Christ : and all others , let their forms be Episcopal , Presbytery , Independents , Anabaptists , or whatever ; all their Worship is but will-Worship ; and their eatings and drinkings , and washings , and preachings , and singings , and hearings , are all but the Sacrifice of Fools , being all will Worship , the inventions of mens hands , out of the life and power of the truth , as it is in Jesus ; and therefore is before the Lord , but as the cutting off a dogs neck , being a blind zeal without knowledge : for I know upon what ground they all stand , having run through all these Forms , and could never finde rest for the sole of my feet , in them ; neither can any find true peace , until they come to lie down in the Father , worshipping him in Spirit and in Truth , being holy in all manner of conversation : for unto such it is become natural to do the will of their Father on Earth , as it is done in Heaven . And therefore I do dearly exhort you all , men and women , to whom this shall come , to keep close to the pure seed of God in you : for that is your true Teacher ; and follow it , and it will shew you the Father and the Son : and if you obey this Doctrine , you shall know that it is of God : and lend not your ears at any time or place unto the Tempter , but crush the Serpent in the first motions of sin ; and then they turn upon his own accompt , and not upon thine : for it is no sin to be tempted , but the sin is to yeild : for when lust hath conceived , it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished , bringeth forth death . Therefore break the Cockatrice Egg , before it be hatched , that it may never come to be a Serpent : and resist the devil , and he will flee from you ; and turn in the minde to the pure light , and wait in it , that preserved you may all be out of that sin and evil that would defile you : for this pure Principle of God in you , will not consent at any time to sin , but will check and reprove for it ; and if its motions be obeyed , it will keep you all single and unspotted of the world ; and so you shall be found worthy to follow the Lamb in this the day of his power , wherein he is risen to make War with the Beast and false Prophet . And therefore it doth concern every one continually to watch , and to have their loines girt about with the preparation of the Gospel of Truth , that is , with Jesus , the Word , by whom all things were made , who is in all his Babes and Children that are born again ; and those that have his commandments and keepeth them , dwelleth in him , and he in them : and this Lamb of God , that taketh away the sins of the world , shall have the Victory : and blessed and thrice happy are all they that can come to witness , sensibly , in their own particular , him rising in them , that are truly fighting under his Bann●… against sin , the world , and the devil ; and feel a dayly conquering of sin ; that die dayly ( as Paul saith ) unto sin , that they may be made alive unto God ; and ( as David saith ) that hateth the very appearance of evil . And the onely way to this , is to keep low in ones self , and to wait in the cool of the day , turning in to the light , and in it wait ; and put on the whole Armour of God , that you may be preserved at all times out of the snares of Satan : for this will let you see sensibly , the Tree that bringeth forth corrupt fruit to be cut down in you , and a new plant raised , which will bring forth its fruit in due season , to the glory of the Lord , who alone is worthy of all glory and honour , and everlasting praises , for ever and for ever . And therefore all Friends , keep in the pure fear and wisdom of the Lord , that at all times you may be ordered by it , to do all things to his glory , at all times , and in all places ; that you may be a good savour unto all men you have to do withal ; and let your souls truly pant and thirst after the living God , as the hart panteth after the water-brooks : for your Redeemer is neer you , if you refuse him not : the Word is nigh thee , even in thy heart and in thy mouth : and , the kingdom of heaven is within you , as is plainly shewed in this Treatise : and if Satan be in his first motions resisted , you shall plainly see him pass away , as the shadows pass away , and the dew , when the Sun ariseth . And therefore keep in the pure fear and wisdom of God , that with it you may be ordered and guided in all things , to do them to his glory ; and so you shall sensibly witness the seed of God in you all to reign , that will trample Satan under feet : and then shall the saints rejoyce , and they shall witness pure and holy rejoycings , with songs of Triumph and Praises , with Glory , Glory , Glory , and everlasting Praises to their Father , which is in heaven , who is worthy . We have had great stirs in the Nation , of late years , by Souldiers , and great Words , and good Language have they spoken , that they would do much for Christ , and the setling of his Kingdom , which they do not know ; and the protecting of his people , whose Life is in it , being in Righteousness , Peace , and Joy in the holy Ghost ; which is a hard thing for a Souldier that kills men for mony , houses , lands and goods , ever to witness , until with Zacheus , he restore to him that he hath robbed by forged cavilation , and to the debtor his pledge . But the whole Nation is sensible , if they be not wilfully blind , of the backsliding and Apostatizing of the Army , and how in all changes they have sought themselves , and not the things of God : it is like they have forgot that Text , Joh. 18. 16. My kingdom ( saith Christ ) is not of this world : and Paul saith , Rom. 14. 17. The kingdom of God is not meat and drink , nor yet Arms and Armies , but righteousness , and peace , and joy in the holy Ghost , which Souldiers and Armies usually destroy and confound : and therefore Christs Souldiers must have onely the sword of the Spirit , which is the Word of God , which leadeth them into all the truth and peace , and condemneth the very practices of this Army , that hath so often changed and sworn , and engaged , with hands lifted up to heaven , and yet broke all as fast as made them , to the sadding of the hearts of all their faithful friends , to the strengthning of the hands of their enemies ; and if they do not speedily repent , they must expect that the great God will pay their hypocrisie and deceitful dealings , with indignation and wrath upon the heads of every one of them that doth , or hath done evil : and when the measure of their iniquities are full , they must expect wrath from heaven to be poured down upon them , and there shall be no Remedy : For they may read that David , although a man after Gods own heart , yet because his hands were dipt in bloud , the Lord would not let him build an house unto his Name . Zach. 4. 6. Not by power , but by my Spirit , saith the Lord of hosts , is this work to be done . We read that Souldiers have been great enemies to Christ and his Kingdom , Joh. 19. 23 , 24 , 32 , 34. the Souldiers armed with swords , staves , and spears , were imployed to take Christ , and apprehend him , to bring him to Pilate ; they stripped him of his Garments and Robes , and crowned him with Thorns ; they spit in his Face , they buffeted him , they gave him vinegar to drink , they crucified him , and cast lots for his garments ; they thrust a spear through his side , they watched the Sepulcher , for fear he should be taken away ; and after he was risen , the chief Priests gave large money to the Souldiers to broach their lies , that his Disciples came by night , and stole him away while they slept : The Souldiers stretched forth their hands to vex certain of the Church ; they killed James the Apostle with the sword ; they apprehended Peter , and put him in prison , where he was guarded day and night with four Quaternions of Souldiers , to prevent an escape . The Lord hath resolved that men of blood , as is before shewed , shall not build his house : Christ is the King and Prince of Peace , and his Subjects are the Subjects of Peace ; Christs Gospel is the Gospel of Peace , his Apostles and Ministers the Embassadors of Peace , and his Kingdom consists in Righteousness and Peace . Now nothing is more directly opposite , inconsistent and destructive to this Peace , to the King , Prince , Gospel , Embassadors , and Kingdom of Peace , then Armies , Wars , Souldiers and Arms are : and therefore you may read , that when Christ sent forth his Disciples to preach his Gospel , and set up his Kingdom , he did not chuse Captains of thousands and hundreds , nor yet Souldiers and armed men , but Fisher-men and others , altogether averse from war ; and commanded them in express terms , not to take gold , silver , nor brass in their purses , nor scrip , nor two coats , nor yet staves ; much less Pistols , Musquets , Pikes , Carbines , Swords : for Christ expresly meaneth that his Ministers must be no fighters , no strikers , strivers , much less professed Warriers ; and their weapons must be the Spirit , and their mouth , the Word of God ; and they must fight onely against mens lusts and sins , not against their persons . It is prophesied by the holy men of old , That men shall learn war no more , but his people shall break their spears into pruning books , and their swords into plough-shares : for Nation shall not rise against Nation , nor lift up the sword any more ; neither shall they learn war any more , but live in peace . And these things shall be fulfilled , when Christs Kingdom cometh to be set up ; and they shall keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace . And therefore let me admonish you all , to leave off your dissembling , & tell people in plain terms , you fight to get great Estates , and kill men for mony : and sad and miserable will be the end of you , unless you repent , and perform all those Ingagements , Vows and Promises made at Triplo-Heath , New-Market , and other places ; where , by your large Declarations , Remonstrances , professed by you , that you aimed at nothing but the publick good , you caused many honest hearts to joyn with you , to the shedding of Blood. And therefore speedily repent , and turn to the Lord , with fasting , weeping and mourning , and set your selves to do Justice in the earth , for fear it speedily open her mouth , and swallow you up , as it did Corah , Dathan and Abiram : for assure your selves , the Lord is coming against you in Judgement , and he will be avenged on every one of you , great and small . And therefore , if you expect to reign with Christ , I say unto you once more , Speedily repent , and put away the evil of your doings , and go way , and sin no more , by your deceitful wicked practices , lest a worse thing come unto you . And consider how often you have declared to put your helping hand and utmost endeavours to regulate the Laws , that are so exceeding chargeable and burdensome to the people of this Nation , that I have heard it credibly reported , That according to calculation , cast up by good Arithmeticians , that say , There is neer seven millions of mony spent yearly , by the people of the Nation , in Law and Equity ; and above one hundred thousand a year , it cannot be less , amongst Serjeants , Bayliffs , and such kind of needless Officers , besides many persons murdered every year , in and about Arrests , and escaping from Serjeants , that no Nation but England can parallel the like practices : which is a shame to all that profess the knowledge of the Lord , and makes the very Turks say in their common speech , as I have been credibly informed , when any doth them some great injury , I think you will use me like a Christian : O abominable shame ! that Turks must rise in Judgement , and condemn the great Talkers of Religion in England : and this heightens the spirits of Judges , and makes them proud , and not like their Predecessors , that rode to Westminster upon Asses to shew their humility , from Serjeants Inne , and back again to Westminster , and did not vaunt and lord it over the people as some have done of late years , and gained great riches for themselves and their Favourites and Creatures ; it is to be feared not justly , but evilly : just like the Papist Priests in former times , when most of those Laws now in being were made , who gained in their times most part of the great situations , and best Lands in this Nation , by Combination , Craft and Subtilty ; by lulling the people asleep in ignorance and blindness , in their vain superstition , pronouncing hell and damnation , with bell , book and candle , to all that did not observe the same ; and thereby brought the people into a fond belief of them : for since that fall , those , that is to say , the Judges and their favorites , have far out-run those Priests , in gaining riches in an excessive manner , by griping very many men . And it is to be observed , that many of them have come of poor and indigent Parentage , yet have they climed up , and leaped into most of the Lordly Titles and gainful places and Offices in the Nation , and therein and thereby have domineered and tyrannized over , and oppressed the honest people , and gained the favour of fawning , flattering , and lascivious Courtiers , by Rewards which they have usually given at their enterance , which they have made up again out of others , to their sorrows ; contrary to the practice of the Judges in old time , in this Nation ; and the Lawyers formerly were milde to their Clyents , and honest , ( as I must confess , some I have had trial of , hath been to me , as Serjeant Twisden , William Wilde , Shelton , and a few others ) and used them very kindly , and had great care of their business ; seldom any Lawyer taking above one Fee in one Cause in a Term ; and they did not let their Clyents standCap in hand , and make them scrape legs , and beseech them to take their mony , and take large excessive Fees , as some will , and have done , and pretend they are afraid one of another : as Serjeant Conyers took a Fee of me to move in Chancery , and kept it four several dayes ; and Serjeant Maynard , and Chal. Chute was fee'd to defend the motion ; and that Cause was in an Order positive , That unless cause was shewed that day , I was in a manner undone , in a business of almost all my Estate : and by the Rules of the Court , I was to stand committed , if I spake up my self ; and I could get no other , the time being so short ; yet this Serjeant , just as he came to the Bar , gave me my Fee , and run into the Court , and told me the Atturney-General was against me , and he durst not nor would not meddle in the Case : So I was forced to move the Commissioners my self , and run the hazard of committing to the Fleet , or else I had been ruined . Now let all men judge , if such Lawyers ought not to be punished : for by Law they ought to be for ever put by pleading in that Court , or any other , and suffer imprisonment , during the pleasure of the King or chief Magistrate , as you may read by the Statute of 3 Edw. 1. chap. 29. The Life of the Law is execution of it . And some , nay , too many , have taken large Fees to speak in Causes , to my knowledge , and have never come to the Bar at all ; and the Party hath gone and demanded his money again of them , and they have denyed to give it again ; and told their Clyents it was enough for them that they were not against them . Is not this a grand Impudence ? and doth not this cry for Vengeance against such a Generation as this is , that the Poor , the Fatherless , the Widow , hath little or no right done him ? for if a poor man have never so much right to an Estate , he cannot get it but by suing under forma pauperis ; and if he be cast , as many , nay most times he is , let his Cause be never so good or just , by the reason of a corrupt Judge , and the weight of his Adversaries Purse , which makes most Causes , according to the late practises and proceedings , then the poor man must be whipt at the Carts Tayl , saith our Laws : and if any man lends the poor man money to sue for his Estate , then it is Champerty and Maintenance , saith the Laws of England , and Barratry : and the man that doth it , must be fined all his Estate , and be punished with imprisonment , and pilloried , or what punishment a corrupt Judge pleaseth to put upon him . And now , Souldiers , will you tell us you have regulated our Laws ? I say unto you , Up and be doing , and act like men of courage , and do some great things for us , according to all your Oaths , Declarations , Remonstrances and Engagements ; or assure your selves , the proudest of you shall be dashed and broken to pieces , like a Potters Vessel , and none shall be able to deliver you : for the Lord is risen , and will stand by his redeemed ones , whom you are now helping to eat up , as men eat bread , and stand them in no stead at all : and your gilded Promises and specious pretences will not hold out without doing ; it is he that doth good , and he that keepeth promise , shall come into the holy Hill ; they that break it shall be sure to be cast forth for ever : your Form of Godliness , without the Power , is known , and is discerned by all men , who have their eyes in their heads . Now having done with the Deceipt of these men , at present , I must speak a few words , in the vindication of a Party , who hath some calumnies cast upon her , by the scandalous Pen of a lying Priest , one Tho. Danson at Sandwich in Kent ; it is on the behalf of one he calleth Mrs. Dorothy Gudderson , in his Book called The Quakers folly opened , by him , as he alledgeth , upon his Dispute at Sandwich , with three Quakers , on the 12 , 13 , 14. dayes of the month he calleth April , in the year 1659. wherein he stiles himself , Fellow of Magdalen Colledge in Oxon : where he might , if he had made good use of his time , have learned more manners then to traduce a person so much above him by Birth and Parentage , as she is ; which thing he highly esteemeth and prizeth , although she denieth it ; having so learned Christ , as to count all things but dross and dung , that she may be found in him , not having her own Righteousness , which is by the Law , but having the Righteousness which is by Christ , through faith in his blood , and so expecting Justification by the Righteousness of Jesus Christ within her . And this I know is her whole desire , panting and breathing after holiness ; as the hart panteth after the water-brooks , so longeth or breatheth her soul after the living God. And thus Tho. Danson beginneth his Discourse of her : I will tell thee a true story , which may perhaps move thy laughter . Just like a Jester in a Play , more like then a staid Fellow of a Colledge ; wherein he condemneth her for denying to kiss a Gentleman , and is ashamed to tell it was himself : for I being present the same time , perceived by his countenance , as far as one may judge or discover by outward appearance of another , that he was much disturbed that she refused him to salute her : and the passage was thus : He coming to salute her , she put forth her hand to him , and said , That so far as God had made manifest to her any sin , or vain custome of the world , she should and had denied her self in it : and that she did believe to be one . And verily he might have been so far judicious , after so many high complements used to her , and his wife inviting her to his house , as to have forborn the putting her in print , just in the end of his Book , as much as in him lay , to make her ridiculous to her Friends , Kindred and Acquaintance ; when she said she believed it , and he may know , that what is not of faith , is sin . But all men may see what spirit he is guided by , even a lying spirit . He may be ashamed of what he held forth at the Meeting , at Sandwich ; as also his traducing of Samuel Fisher , charging him with many lies , to my knowledge , in his Book , I being present at the Meeting , and also knowing Samuel Fisher very well , being confident he is a precious child of the living God , one that is born again , and is a Babe in Christ , and his vvhole desire is to do the vvill of his Father , vvhich his soul continually breathes after , vvhich is , the living God that made heaven and earth ; and it is his meat and drink to do his vvill on earth ; and I am sure this is the desire of his soul : and that he is a true Minister of Jesus Christ , I do bear Testimony unto it , the witness of God in me being raised by his Ministry : and for those false aspersions cast upon him , of his receiving a Pension from the Pope , I know his soul abhorreth any such thing ; and that he is as great a hater of the Pope , and his vvayes , as any man in England is ; and I knovv he hath no such need , nor ever vvill have : For they that seek the Kingdom of God , and the Righteousness thereof , all other things shall he administred unto them : and I do verily think , that there is not a man in England more able to confute Errour and Heresie , then Samuel Fisher is . And verily , Tho. Danson did exceedingly vvrest the Scriptures , giving his dark and blinde meanings of them , at that Meeting in Sandwich : for he said , We were not justified by that Christ that was in us ; he said , No , no , twice to it : for he owned two Christs , one vvithout the Saints , and another within them . But this he became ashamed of , and disowned in the Meeting : and then he owned but one Christ in the Saints and in Heaven , as there is but one God ; though he be in heaven , yet is he with him that is poor , and of a contrite heart , and trembleth at his word . Yet still he could not clear himself from his former assertion , in his denying Justification by the Righteousness of Christ within : for he might as well have said , That Christ and his Righteousness was divided ; inasmuch as he owned Christ in the Saints , but not his Righteousness , which justified : and all his Discourse and Drift was , to have men justified in their sins , and to be sinners all their lives , as one that justifieth the wicked , Prov. 7. 15. Isa . 26. 12. God hath wrought all our works in us , saith the Prophet : Rom. 4. 5 , 9. saith the Apostle , Abrahams faith was counted to him for Righteousness : and this Priest is a bolsterer of men up in their sins , and sows pillows under their arms , as I may so say , in comparison : for he calleth them worthy that are his hearers , that loveth flattering and fained Titles , and the fawnings of men , which is deceipt ; when none ought to have the Title of Worthy , but those that truly set their faces toward Sion , and seek it with their whole hearts , and desire to have the King of Righteousness and Prince of Peace , to guide them and rule them in all their actions and works , that they may witness them to be all wrought in GOD. Now this person , Tho. Danson , all his teachings tendeth to a Justification of Christ without us , and not to a Justification wrought by Christ within us ; and so his hearers can never attain to that perfect peace that the Scripture speaks of , which is thus written , That he that stayes himself upon the Lord , he keepeth such in perfect peace ; and there is no peace to be found out of a man : the peace is within the Heart ; the Gospel , Christ Jesus , the enlivening Word is within the soul ; and he is the pure Word , Power and Wisdom of the Father , who is the onely Reconciler unto God , who is made manifest for the same purpose , to break down the partition-vvall which separates the soul from God , & to bring the soul into its proper place & centre , into Unity & Fellowship withGod , who is Light , in whom there is no Darkness ; and so by abiding in this living Word Christ , and he abiding in you , the creatures are brought to serve the ever living God in newness of life , and in the Spirit ; and so Christ will and doth work their work in them and for them , to their everlasting salvation : and so the first fruits of the Spirit , maketh them alive unto God ; and according to Christs words , He that believeth in him hath everlasting life , and he shall never come into condemnation , but shall pass from death unto life : for Christ alone is the onely Saviour ; and there is no name under heaven given unto men , whereby they can be saved , but by the Name of Jesus . And this Gospel Christ , is a free gift of God : it is not to be bought for mony , as Tho. Danson falsly surmiseth : for he must know , that there is a necessity laid upon those that are the true Teachers of the Gospel , and woes is to be upon them , if they do not teach freely , and be instant in season and out of season : for Christ saith to them , As ye have freely received , so freely give : and so having received from the Lord that which they do deliver unto the Saints , they speak from a pure Principle of Life and Power , that reacheth the witness of God in their Hearers , and they live themselves in the Life and Power of what they speak , and so by their good examples are a good savour unto all men that they have to do withal ; and so they bring people into the pure and perfect image of Christ , and the unity of Faith , which brings them to the knowledge of the Son of God , unto a perfect man , unto the measure and the stature and the fulness of Christ ; and they say , We that are dead unto sin , how can we live any longer therein ? and such are in the number of such as the Apostle said , We preach wisdom amongst those that be perfect ; not the wisdom of the world , but the wisdom and power of God , which is pure and peaceable . Therefore it is good and righteous to let the people know the false Teachers , and those that call themselves Ministers of Christ , and are not , but are of the Synagogues of Satan . And the true Prophets of the Lord , alwayes did stir the peoples memory up with these Deceivers : Isaiah cried against such Hirelings as seeked gain from their Quarters , Isa . 56. Jeremiah cried against such as taught for hire , and divined for mony , Jer. 5. Christ himself cried against such as were called of men , Master , stood praying in the Synagogues , and had the chiefest places in the Assemblies , Mat. 23. the Apostle Jude declared against such as went in the way of Cain , in envie ; and such as went after the ways of Balaam , for gifts and rewards , Jud. 11. Peter declared against such as through fained words and covetousness made Merchandize of the people , 2 Pet. 1. 5. these and such-like practices manifests the false Teachers : for they that have not the Spirit of the Lord Jesus dwelling bodily in them , leading them into all the fruits of Holiness and Righteousness , making them perfect in Christ ; unless they be such , they are no Ministers of Christ , let their pretences be what they will : For they that are Christs have crucified the flesh , with the affections and lusts thereof ; and , they that live in the Spirit , shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh ; and they that are risen with Christ , seek the things that are above , where Christ sitteth at the right hand of the Throne of God , and they do not mind earthly things . And therefore all dear Friends , mind the pure love of the eternal God , the loving Father unto you all , to manifest his living pure way of Truth , Life and Salvation unto you , which is treasured up in Christ , who is in you that believe , the hope of glory : and therefore lay hold upon him , and highly prize this the day of your visitation , which the Father hath given you all in tender love to your souls , which the Lord desires the salvation of : for the Lord saith , As I live , saith the Lord , I desire not the death of a sinner , but that he may turn from his wickedness , and live : and , God would have none to perish , but that all might come to the knowledge of the truth , that they might be saved . And what is the Reason when men have the measure of the manifestation of the true light of Christ in them , which is given them to profit withal , that they are not saved ? The Reason is , Because they will not part with their Lusts , their darling sins : for they love Darkness more then Light , because their Deeds are evil ; and they will not come unto the light , that they may have their deeds made manifest : and , Thy condemnation is of thy self , O Israel : and Christ saith , I stand at the door and knock : if any man will open , I will come in , and sup with him , and he with me . O Jerusalem , Jerusalem , that killest the Prophets , and stonest those that are sent unto thee , how often would I have gathered thee together as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings ! and ye would not . So thy rebellious sinful nature leadeth thee to thy everlasting destruction , because thou takest pleasure in unrighteousness and sin , and thou slightest the pure wayes of the living God , and countest the blood of the Covenant an unholy thing , and thou dost despite unto the Spirit of Grace . And therefore now search and try your wayes , and turn to the Lord , and put away the evil of your doings , and learn to do well ; and the Lord will heal all your back-slidings , and will love you freely , and remember your sins past no more , if you from this day go away and sin no more . But if you go on in sin , know , That although judgement is not speedily executed against evil doers , yet the Lord will punish assuredly the hairy scalp of him that goeth on in his sins and wickednesses ; and when the measure of thy iniquities are fully ripe , then Judgement shall come upon thee to the utmost , and there shall be no Remedy , and none shall be able to deliver thee , in the day of the Lords wrath . And therefore stand in aw , and sin not , lest a worse thing come upon thee , then yet hath done . And therefore confess thy sins unto the Lord , and he is faithful and just to forgive thee thy sins . But woe be unto him that covereth his sin , and hideth his Transgressions : for he shall not prosper . Therefore high and low , rich and poor , learned and unlearned , turn unto the Lord , and harden not your hearts : and let the great ones know , That the Almighty God is coming against them , and he will plead with them , by fire and by the sword ; and the ungodly shall be as chaff before the wind , as stubble before the fire : for the day of the Lord shall burn as an Oven , and the day shall burn up all that do wickedly : for the Lord God will not be mocked , but he will be avenged on his enemies ; and all the unbelieving and unrighteous generation of men , both Priests and People , shall feel the stroke of his almighty Arm of Power , if they do not speedily repent , and turn unto him , and leave off their wicked deceitful wayes , and their doings that are not good : for they are wallowing in their own wayes , and their hearts are running a whoring after their own inventions . And therefore return unto the Lord , and learn Righteousness now at the last , before you die : for as the Tree falleth , so it lieth , and there is no Repentance in the grave whither thou goest ; and as death leaveth , Judgement findeth : for this I say as Paul doth , That according to the way that most men call heresie , so worship I the God of my Fathers ; believing all things which are written in the Law and the Prophets , and that there shall be a resurrection both of the just , and the unjust , a resurrection of the dead : and herein do I exercise my self , to have alwayes a conscience void of offence , towards God and towards man. Act. 1. 10 , 11. And while they looked stedfastly towards heaven , as he went up ; behold , two men stood by them in white apparel , which also said , Ye men of Galilee , why stand yee gazing up into heaven ? this same Jesus , which is taken up from you into heaven , shall so come in like manner , as ye have seen him go into heaven . Act. 2. 20. The Sun shall be turned into darkness , and the Moon into blood , before that great and notable day of the Lord come , 1 Thes . 4. 15 , 16 , 17. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord , That we which are alive , and remain unto the coming of the Lord , shall not prevent them that are asleep : for the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout , with the voice of the Arch-Angel , and with the trump of God ; and the dead in Christ shall rise first : then we which are alive and remain , shall be caught up together with them in the clouds , to meet the Lord in the air ; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thes . 5. But ye , brethren , are not in darkness , that that day should overtake you as a thief , 2 Thes . 7 , 8. And to you which are troubled , rest with us , when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels , in flaming fire , taking vengeance on them that know not God , and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord , and from the glory of his power , when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints , and to be admired in all them that believe . As Paul reasoned with Felix , ( Act. 24. 25. ) of Judgement , Felix trembled , and said , Go thy way , I will call for thee , when I have a convenient season . 1 Cor. 15. If after the manner of men ( saith Paul ) I have fought with beasts at Ephesus , what advantageth it me , if the dead rise not ? 1 Cor. 15. 43. It is raised in power , by the mighty power of him that is Almighty , that said , Let there be light , and it was so ; and laid the Foundations of the earth , by the word of his power , & can destroy it in the very twinkling of an eye , by the word of his power , 1 Cor. 15. 52. In a moment , in the twinkling of an eye , at the last trump : for the trumpet shall sound , and the dead shall be raised incorruptible , and we shall be changed . 2 Cor. 5. 10. For we must all appear before the Judgement-seat of Christ , that every one may receive the things done in his Body , according to that he hath done , whether it be good or bad . 2 Pet. 3. 7. But the heavens and the earth which are now , by the same word , are kept in store , reserved unto fire , against the day of Judgement , and perdition of ungodly men . Vers . 10. But the day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night , in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise , and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat ; and the earth , with the works that therein are , shall be burnt up . Ver. 12. Looking for , and hasting to the coming of the day of God , wherein the heavens being on fire , shall be dissolved , and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat . Mal. 4. 1. For behold , the day cometh , that shall burn as an Oven , and all the proud , yea , and all that do wickedly shall be stubble ; and the day that cometh shall burn them up , saith the Lord of hosts , and shall leave them neither root nor branch . I could instance many more places to clear it , and to shew the Lords purpose in it , to make his mighty power to appear , and to shew to all that ever was , his Justice in fulfilling his promise to his redeemed Ones , and to lay all their sins upon the Prince of Darkness , the Devil , for tempting the new-born Babes of Christ ; and he not prevailing over them , because greater is he that is in them , then he that is in the world ; and sin must not go unpunished : therefore Satan tempting , and they not yeilding , it is all treasured upon his accompt , against that terrible day : and if it were not for that day , he should still remain , and be a Deceiver of the Brethren , and still range up and down the earth , and do wickedness . But his day of wrath is approaching , and that day is it , as you may see plainly , in that Epistle of Jude , vers . 6. And the Angels , which kept not their first estate , but left their own habitation , he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness , unto the judgement of the great day . When this day is , none knoweth but the Father , who keepeth it to himself : but thy particular , and the men of this Generations day of Judgement is at hand ; and therefore it is good to live in judgement at all times : for blessed is the man that feareth alwayes . And verily it is a blessed state for a man to wait on the Lord at all times : for blessed is he that waiteth on him : and , salvation is of the Lord , and his blessing is upon his people . And when the minde is stayed upon God , then the heart judgeth down sin in the first rise of it , and so it is blasted and laid upon the devils accompt , that is the Tempter : and the mind that is always staid upon the Lord , waiting upon that pure seed of God in him , judgeth down sin at all times , and sin hath no entrance in that heart , but it is , by the power of Christ in him , kept pure , and clean , and uncorrupt , and holy as God is holy , in all manner of conversation ; as it is written , Be ye holy , as I am holy ; and be ye perfect , as your Father which is in heaven is perfect . Now all those that allow themselves in any sin or lust of the flesh , they cannot be of God , neither can any sacrifice that man or woman doth , be accepted . If I regard iniquity in my heart , God will not hear my prayer : and , the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination in the sight of the Lord God : and , the prayers of the wicked shall turn into sin . And therefore cleanse your hands , you sinners , and purifie your hearts , ye double-minded ; that when that day cometh , you may be found in the number of those that shall have the Sun of Righteousness arise upon them , with healing under his wings ; and they shall grow up as fat Calves : for their Redemption draweth near . And as for the wicked , wo to them , it shall go ill with them : for the wicked shall be turned into Hell , and all people that forget God : For the Lord is known by the Judgements which he executeth , when he snareth the wicked in the works of his own hands . The seventh Epistle : To all Magistrates , and Persons in Power , to consider what they do , when they oppress the tender Lambs of Christs Fold : For the great Day of the Lord is at hand , and He will bring every word and work unto Judgement . GOD said to Pharaoh by Moses , Let my people go , that they may serve me ; and if thou wilt not let them go , I will shew my power and wonders upon thee ; I will pour out my plagues upon thee and thy people . The Lord is coming to punish the stout-hearted Magistrates that oppress his babes and children : and it is not he that cries , Lord , Lord , that will be able to stand before him : for he is coming with fire , like a Refiners fire , to purge the Dross from the good Metal ; and it is only he that doth the will of his Father which is in heaven , that shall be able to lift up his head in that day : for the Lord will be avenged of all his Enemies , be they never so lofty ; for they are all alike to him : God is no Respecter of persons , but in every nation he that feareth him and worketh Righteousness , is accepted with him : and the Lord is a bringing forth his People with joy , and his chosen Ones with gladness : for he is become their Sun and Shield , their Righteousness and Strength , and their exceeding great Reward : for his delight is in the upright on the earth , and such he doth make to excel in Vertue : and the Lord will overturn all false deceitful Powers , that are not of his planting , and he will root them up , and leave them neither Root nor Branch , and they shall feel the stroke of his Almighty Arm , in this the day of his fierce wrath : for it is coming upon the Hypocrites in Sion ; for the Marriage of the Lamb is come : now is he coming in power and great glory , and none but the pure in heart shall see him ; and they shall behold him as he is : for the Lord is the God of Truth , and an everlasting King : at his anger the earth shall tremble , and the nations cannot abide his wrath : for he hath made the earth by his power , and established the world by his wisdom , and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion ; he causeth the clouds to ascend unto the ends from the earth . And therefore every one , come to know this great GOD , that you may in him lie down in peace , and finde rest unto your souls ; and know this , That there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus , that walk not after the flesh , but after the Spirit : for condemnation hath passed over them already ; they are compleat in Christ , and renewed into his image ; they are in Covenant with him ; they are his Children ; they are born of him : and he that is born of him sinneth not , neither can he sin ; because he is born of God. The Reason , because he is born of him , that is , the pure seed of God in him , being always obeyed and waited in , the watch being continually kept , by this he overcometh the world ; and this is our victory , even our Faith , that hath given us victory over the world ; and this Faith standeth in Christ , who removeth those Mountains of Sin and Uncleanness , that hath possest them in the time of their ignorance , even like so many Devils : for every sin is a Devil , as you may read , that Mary Magdalen had seven Devils cast out of her , that is , seven reigning unclean spirits , being devils : and the devils besought Christ , when they saw they must go forth of the man possest , that they might enter into the herd of Swine : So by this Faith in Christ , the corrupt fruitless tree that cumbreth the ground , is removed , and a Plant of Righteousness , of the Lords own planting , is placed in the room of it , that is planted by the Rivers of waters , that flourisheth , and bringeth Fruit in season , and whatsoever it doth , doth prosper , and his leaf shall never wither , but it shall bring forth his Fruit in due season , to the glory of the Father ; and so by abiding in Christ the Vine , the creature doth bring forth much Fruit to the glory of the Father ; & the pure is known from that which is impure , & the holy from that which is unholy & that of God from that which is not of God : for that which is holy , is to abide in the house of God , who dwelleth not in unclean Temples made with hands ; but his Temples are his Saints , and their Bodies are the Temples of the holy Ghost , and this is the living sacrifice that God accepteth : for it is the living that praise the Lord , the dead cannot : they that are dead in trespasses and sins , they praise not God , their sacrifice is as the cutting off a dogs neck : it is the redeemed of the Lord that sings the songs of Sion , the songs of Holiness : they are they that follow the Lamb in the Regeneration , and they are regenerated ; and these follow the Lamb Jesus , through great Tribulations , and they have washed their garments in his blood , and they shall sit on his right hand for evermore : for he hath found them worthy : for he hath redeemed them from all iniquity , that they may serve him in Righteousness and true Holiness , all the dayes of their lives ; and so they are come to the perfect liberty of the sons of God ; they are led by his Spirit , which leads them into all truth , out of all sin , and all unrighteousness ; and so they are kept without spot or wrinkle , in the midst of a perverse and crooked Generation ; and the Comforter , which is the Spirit of Truth , leads them into all Truth , and sets up true Judgement , and Justice , and Equity , that that rules the whole man , and governs the souls of his , that all unjust Rulers and Governours , that hath had possession formerly , is destroyed , and the LORD GOD alone doth reign in this the day of his power , and he alone doth plead the cause of his redeemed Ones , by that of his pure Self , which he hath placed in every one of them , and hath made it to get the victory . And therefore wo , wo unto them that lay heavy burdens upon his despised Ones : for a Day of terrible Wrath and Vengeance is coming upon you all , and the sword of the Lord is drawn , and will be avenged on all his Enemies , in this the great day of his terrible ; appearance ; and the Enemies of his power shall know , that he alone will reign and be exalted , in this great day of his appearance : for the Lord alone will reign , and be King over all the Kingdoms of the world ; and all the Kingdoms of the world shall become the Kingdoms of the Lord , and of his Christ , and unto him shall all bend and bow , and all the powers of the earth be made subject : for he is the Light , and in him is the Light of the world ; and he is the beloved of God. Therefore every one lend their ear unto him , and hear him : for in him is to be found the white stone , with the new name written in it , that no man knoweth , but he that hath it : for all that are led by the Spirit of God , are led into Holiness : for Holiness becometh the House of God for ever : it is none but the pure in heart shall see God : for God is Righteousness , and he leadeth his people into righteousness : they that are led by his Grace , are led out of Ungodliness , and out of the pathes of the wicked : for the wicked walk in darkness , they stumble at noon-day : the fool saith in his heart , There is no God ; and his actions plainly declare it : for he liveth as though there were no God to punish him , nor Devil to torment him , nor Hell-fire to burn him , which is the portion of the wicked ; storm and tempest , fire and brimstone is their portion for ever , from the presence of the Lord , Rev. 19. 3. And her smoak rose up for evermore . And therefore you stout-hearted of the world , that bend your brows against the Just , fear and tremble : for the righteous God is coming in Judgement to avenge the blood of his servants at your hands ; and which of you will be able to dwell in everlasting burnings ? for Judgement is already begun at the house of God : And if the Righteous scarcely be saved , where shall the sinner and the ungodly appear ? And therefore repent , repent , go away , and sin no more , before repentance be hid from your eyes , and you be cut off from the Land of the Living , and meet the Lord speedily in the wayes of his Judgements : O it is good to live in judgement at all times , that is , to judge sin down in the first motion , as hath been already shewn . And therefore all you that would be counted Christians , and be Co-heirs with Christ Jesus the Son of the living God , who is the onely Saviour of Man-kind , depart from iniquity , sin , and all ungodliness , and return to him who is come to judge all flesh , raising up his true and faithful VVitness in all Concernments , which sheweth to all men upon the face of the earth , what sin , iniquity , and all ungodliness is , to the end they may unto their Father , return and repent of their former evil ways , that their sins may be taken away , and their iniquities may be blotted out , and his perfect life brought forth , which doth his will on earth as it is in heaven : and such who do obey this holy Voyce of Christ in them , do witness his Kingdome come in great power and glory , which is not of this vvorld : therefore the vvorld knovveth it not : for they vvill not come unto Christ , that they may have life ; and therefore they cannot tast of the Tree of Life , and eat and live for ever , John 6. 50. This is the bread ( saith Christ ) that cometh down from heaven , that a man may eat thereof , and not dye . I am ( saith Christ ) the living bread which came down from heaven : if any man eat of this bread , he shall live for ever ; and the bread that I will give , is my flesh , which I will give for the life of the world . And this is he that giveth povver to understand the Scriptures , that are dark to the understanding , until he that gave them forth , open their understandings : as you may see in Luke 24. 45. Then opened he their understandings , that they might understand the Scriptures : the onely vvay to obtain this favour from the Lord , is to love the pure seed of God , in the vvhich is Gods vvitness in thy Conscience , and is his written VVord in thy heart , vvhich vvas that VVord to David , that he had such a love unto , that by loving of it , God made him vviser then his Teachers , and it vvas sweeter then the honey and the honey comb , and it vvas better then thousands of Gold and Silver : and Solomon saith of this vvisdome , The merchandise is better then the merchandise of silver , and the gain thereof is better then gold : And this is the Pearl of great price , that the man sold all to buy it : therefore my desire , nay , the desires of my soul , thirsteth after the Salvation of all men . And therefore , dear Friends and People , all be kept lovv in the fear of God at all times , and learn of Christ to be meek and lovvly , that you may find rest unto your souls ; and consider , that the onely thing is to fear God , and keep his Commandments ; for they that hath the Commandments , and keepeth them , dvvelleth in Christ , and Christ in them : and much reading is a vveariness to the flesh : here the end of all is , To fear God , and keep his Commandments ; this is the vvhole duty of man : for he that manifests his faith by being obedient , he shall live for ever : for the Kingdome of God consisteth not in vvords , but in life and povver , vvhich is righteousness ; and that procureth true peace , such peace as men and Devils can never take from you : and so vvalking in this peace , the God of love and peace vvill be vvith you to the end . Now unto God our Father , be glory , and everlasting praises ascribed , both novv and for ever , and for ever . Amen . The eighth Epistle : To Richard Allen , a Priest in the Parish of Crundal in Kent , and also to be communicated to the rest of his Brethren the Priests , to shew them the unlawfulness & wicked Practice of receiving of Tythes , contrary to the Practice of Christ and his Apostles ; and yet call themselves , A Gospel-Ministry : But they must know , The terrible day of the Lords Wrath is at hand , and this their Act of Oppression must come to Judgement . WHat hast thou to do to take the Name of the Lord in thy mouth , seeing thou hatest to be reformed ? for , Let him that calleth on the Name of the Lord , depart from iniquity : and , He that saith he is in Christ , ought so to walk as Christ hath walked : and , He that hath Faith , it purifieth the heart , and he purifieth himself as Christ is pure . Now he that liveth in any known sin , is a transgressor of the Law : and , He that keepeth the vvhole Law , and yet offendeth in one point , is guilty of all : and , He that breaketh one of these least Commandments , and teacheth men so , shall be called the least in the Kingdome of Heaven . Now I do charge thee with the desiring of thy Neighbours Goods , which thou hast no just right to , neither by the Law of God , nor just Law of Man : but the Reason is , there is Laws in being for thy wicked lust , because all things are out of Gods order : for our Judges are not as they were at first , nor our Counsellours as at the beginning ; if they were , they might tell the people of the Law , what it is : for the power of the Nation of England hath had their Laws invested and enacted by Parliaments , and they chosen by the people . Now it vvas never conceived that a people should be so void of reason , as to give a company of persons a power to destroy their Birth-Right , the property of their Estates : for they are called to provide for the safety and weal of a people , not for their hurt or damage : and all Laws are grounded upon Reason , or ought to be ; and where Reason ceaseth , there the Law ceaseth . Now thou art so ingenuous to confess that Tythes came first into England by the appointment and command of the Pope , and Popish Laws : and is it reasonable that those Laws should binde us , that vvere first made by them ; vvhen vve are so distinct from them , that vve now , in our times , have had Laws made amongst us , for the selling and sequestring of their Estates , quatenus as Papists ? and that an Act of Parliament made against common Right , as Tythes is , common Equity and common Reason , is therefore null and void in it self in Law , and ought not to be executed , as appears by these following Laws : See the first part of Doctor Bonham's Case , fol. 118. and the eighth of Edward the Third , fol. 3 , 30 , 33. E. Cassanet , 32. and the 27 H. Annuity 41. and the 1 of Eliz. Dyer 113. and first part of Cook 's Institutes , Lib. 2. Chap. 11. Sect. 209. fol. 140. and the fourth of Edward the fourth , 12. 12. Edward the Fourth , 18. 1 Henry the Seventh , 12 , 13. Plowd . Com. fol. 369. Yea , ( saith that Learned Oracle of the Law of England , Edward Cook , in the fourth part of his Institutes , fol. 330. ) where Reason ceaseth , there the Law ceaseth : for seeing Reason is the very Life and Spirit of the Lavv it self , the Law is not to be esteemed to respect that vvhich hath no Reason , although the generality of the words at the first Institution , or after the Letter , seem otherwise . And ( saith the Learned Author , in his first part of Institutes , fol. 140. ) all Customs and Prescriptions , Acts of Parliament , Lavvs and Judgements that be against Reason , are void and null in themselves . And saith the Armies Atturny John Cooke , in the late Kings Case stated , page the 23. That by the Law of England , any Act or Agreement against the Laws of God and Nature , as I shall prove Tythes are against both , is a meer nullity , saith he : for as a man hath no hand in making the Laws of God and Nature , no more hath he power to mar or alter them : and he cites the Earl of Leicesters adjudged Case for a proof : and all the Judges in England cannot make one Case to be Law , that is not Reason , no more then they can make one Hair white that is naturally black : for Law must be Reason adjudged ; and every Law of man must be consonant to the Law of God , otherwise they are not Righteous nor Obligatory . Now what reason is there that a poor man taking a Frame at a rack rent , and peradventure hiring money at use , and spending all his time and pains for a whole year to maintain his charge , which is his duty , being up early , and down late , eating the bread of sorrow , plowing and sowing , and buying seed himself , running the hazard of the loss of all his Cattle ; and for want of a good season , peradventure may hardly have the seed he cast into the ground ; and after he hath reaped it at his own charge , then for a lazy Priest , a Non-Resident , a Drunkard , a Whoremaster , a covetous Person , ambitious , arrogant , proud , vain , lascivious , swaggering , swearing , fighting , lying , unconfcionable , antichristian , ungodly Priest , as many are such ; and some are filled with all Unrighteousness , being Enemies to Christ , and his chosen Ones , persecuting the righteous Seed ; for such a one to come and take the Tenth of the poor mans Corn : let any man judge whether this be reason ; when the poor man neither imploies him , nor dare not hear him ; for fear , if he should come to hear his Will-vvorship in his Idol-Temple , he may justly fall into the condemnation of the Devil . Thou sayest , That Abraham paid Tythes to Melchisedec . I answer : That was before the Levitical Priesthood : and Christ Jesus is made a Priest for ever , after the Order of Melchisedec ; which was thus : Melchisedec met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the Kings , who brought him Bread and Wine ; and Abraham gave him the Tenth of the spoil : what was this to the paying of Tythes yearly out of his own Estate ? Canst thou prove that Abraham did pay Tythes out of that ? And now the Levitical Priesthood is changed by Christ Jesus , and therefore there is a change of the Law : and now the Priesthood is not committed to the natural Off-spring of Levi , or any other Tribe , but to Christ Jesus , the unchangable Priesthood , whose Kingdom stands not in Figures and carnal Ordinances , but in the substance : For the time is come , ( saith Christ ) that ye shall not worship the Father at Jerusalem , nor in this mountain ; but the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth : for he seeketh such to worship him . Now since the destruction of the Temple at Jerusalem , thou canst not read that ever God commanded another house to be built . Thou sayest that Christ Jesus said , Ye tythe Mint and Cummin ; these things ye ought not to leave undone . Christ Jesus spake then to the Jews , in the time when the Levitical Priesthood was not ended , who were bound by the Law. But when Christ was offered up , he said , It is finished . Now do thou remember , that he that addeth or diminisheth from the words of the Prophecies of this book , his name shall be blotted out of the Book of Life : and peruse thy Letter , and see if thou hast not added . Thou hast those Texts quoted , No man muzleth the mouth of the Ox , that treadeth out the corn : and , No man goeth a warfare at his own charge : and , He that plants a Vineyard eats the fruit thereof : And herein it is agreed , that the Ministers of Christ Jesus , who are effectually called to his service , and labour in the Word and Doctrine , ought to be comfortably provided for , that they go not a warfare at their own charge : but this doth not require the world , which lies waste as a wilderness , and is not of the Vineyard , should contribute : for Christ saith , Father , I pray not for the world , but for those that thou hast given me out of the world , that they may be one , as thou , O Father , art in me , & I in thee , so that they may be made one in us : therefore no reason that they that are of the world should be compelled to give of the substance of their labours to Christs Ministers : for every man is sole owner of his own ; and he that violently or fraudulently dispossesseth him of any , is a Thief and a Robber in the sight of God and good Men : God abhorreth the sacrifice of the wicked , and hath no need of his substance : for the earth is the Lords , and the fulness thereof ; and he will never forsake those that put their trust in him : and , The just man shall live by his own faith : and , If any man with-draw himself , saith the Lord , my soul shall have no pleasure in him : and such as Christ sent forth , he alwayes took care that they never wanted , but they were always kept without being chargeable to any , and they eat the fruits of their own Vineyards which they had planted , not which other men had planted : and by the Churches who were gathered out of the world , were they maintained , to preach the Gospel to the world , who lay in wickedness , unto whom they would not make the Gospel chargeable or burdensome ; which was their glory , and their crown : and this Example of the Apostles , leaves every one free to give him that teacheth , not binding any to the maintenance of those that have less need then the Giver . And this discovers the hireling shepherds , that teach for filthy lucre , that fleece the Flock , and not feed them ; that have a form of Godliness , but deny the power thereof ; from such there is an express command to turn away , who make merchandize of the Scriptures : for the Lord saith , They shall not profit my people : for they are ever learning , and never able to bring to the knowledge of the truth : for he that knowetn not the life of Faith , to witness it in his own particular , how can he teach another ? Thou sayest , That Peter converted three thousand souls at one Sermon , and thereby it did appear he was a Minister of Christ , the Lord effectually working with his Ministry , upon the hearts of his hearers . Now thou hast been a Teacher to the People of Crundal many years , and name me but one man or woman that hath been converted by thy Ministry ; and if they can demonstrate unto me the work of Regeneration , wrought upon them by thy Teaching , then I will pay thee thy Demands . And how canst thou plead thy self a Minister of the Gospel , and sue for treble Damages ? for learned Judge Rolle said in Court , That Tythes were not due and payable by the Law of the Land : in a Case of Tythes , on the Bench , when he was chief Justice : and when they were paid in the old Law , the Levites , the Fatherless , the Widdows , the Strangers , were all to be provided for out of them ; and the Priests of England hath no such custome , but consume them on their pride and lusts , and wicked covetousness : and the Disciples of Christ were commanded to go into all the world , to preach the Gospel to every creature ; they were not to stay in a place : and the signes that followed them that believed in their Doctrine , in his Name they should cast out devils , they shall speak with new tongues , they shall take up serpents , and if they drink any deadly thing , it shall not hurt them ; they shall lay hands on the sick , and they shall recover . Thou sayest , That Believers sold their possessions , and laid them dovvn at the Apostles feet . But they did distribute them as every man had need , they did not purchase Lands , and let the money to Usury and Extortion , as the Priests of this Generation do . Thou sayest that Paul informs of the qualities of a good Bishop , to be a man blameless , not given to filthy lucre : and Christ saith , Go not to Law with any man. Now learn thou these Lessons , and follow Righteousness , Faith , Love , Peace , with them that call on the Lord , out of a pure heart . Thou directest me to that Text , in Heb. 7. 8. And here men that die receive Tythes : read the 11 verse of that Chapter : If therefore perfection were by the Levitical Priesthood , for under it the people received the Law , what further need was there that another Priest should arise after the Order of Melchisedec ? for Christ came of another Tribe : he sprang out of Judah , who was not made after the law of a carnal commandment , but after the power of an endlesslife : and vers . 25. Wherefore he is able also to save to the utmost them that come unto God by him , seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them . And it shall come to passin the last dayes , saith God , I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh , and your sons and daughters shall prophesie ; and your young men shall see visions , and your old men shall dream dreams ; and on my servants , and on my hand-maids I will pour out of my Spirit in those dayes , and they shall prophesie . And verily , I do bear my Testimony , that I do witness such a people now upon the earth , whom the Lord hath revealed his secrets unto , and doth powerfully work upon the hearts of thousands , to the turning them from darkness unto light , and from the power of Satan unto God , that they do receive remission of sins : and this I do witness in my own particular , in great measure ; blessed , yea , for ever blessed be his holy and dreadful Name : for he alone is worthy of everlasting Praises from his Own , both now , henceforth , and for ever . And woes , everlasting woes will be the portion of all those that oppress his righteous Ones . Now I finde that all men that will attain unto salvation , must hear the Son of GOD : for , A Prophet ( saith Moses ) will the Lord your God raise up unto you , in all things like unto me , and him shall you hear : and it shall come to pass , that whosoever shall not hear him , shall be cut off from amongst the people . Now neither the Son of God , nor none of his Disciples nor Apostles did ever take Tythes , or ever command the paying of them : and they were not persons ordained by the will of man , but were anointed with the holy anointing , and were , by that Spirit that did anoint them , commanded to feed the Flock of Christ , over which the holy Ghost had made them Overseers . And Christ himself saith , That unless a man be born again , he cannot enter into the Kingdom of heaven . And this new Birth is a Death unto all sin , and a Life unto all Righteousness : and this every man must feel , That it is as natural for him to serve the Law of God , as it was formerly to serve the Law of sin . And he is the true Teacher that is able by his own Experience to tell another how he hath passed from Death to Life : for no unclean thing can enter the Kingdom : for without are Covetous , Lyers , Adulterers , Drunkards , Extortioners , and all evil Doers . Now a true Teacher must hate the very appearance of evil ; he must hate vain thoughts , and every false way . We shall finde in Scripture , that all the Teachers of Righteousness were such as were filled with the Spirit of the Lord , and did not preach for filthy lucre or gain , but of a ready minde , and were not as the Priests of these times are , that lie as Thieves and Robbers , to murder in the way , and sue for treble Damages , and persecute the Son of God in all those that desire to live godly in him : which they will feel one day , that those that persecute them , they persecute him : and it were better that a milstone were hanged about his neck , and he thrown into the sea , then that he should offend one of those little Ones that put their trust in me , saith Christ . Now I finde that in the year 600. or soon after , Gregory the First , then Pope of Rome , sent over Augustine the Monk into England ; by vvhom Ethelbert King of Kent was converted : This Augustine vvas a C●…n Regular ; and after he had obtained his own Design , he then preached up Tythes in England , by the Popes appointment ; and at the same time , taught the people that the pardon of sin might be merited by good Works . In the year 786. two Legats were sent over from Pope Hadrian the First , to Offa King of Mercland , Alwolf King of Northumberland , vvho made a Decree , That the people of those two Kingdoms should pay Tythes : King Athelstone about the year 930. King Edmond about the year 940. King Edgar about the year 970. King Etheldred 1010. King Knute about the year 1020. Edward the Confessor , and others of the Saxon Kings , by Order from the Pope , made Laws for Tythes . The Normans afterwards entering this Kingdome , William the Conquerour , Henry the First , Henry the Second , King Stephen , and other Kings , by the like Order from the Pope , confirmed the said Laws for Tythes : and yet notvvithstanding all these Laws , yet vvas it left to the Ovvner to confer it vvhere he pleased ; vvhich vvas the cause of making so many rich Abbies and Monasteries in England : and until the year 1200. or thereabouts , every one gave their Tythes as they pleased ; vvhich made Pope Innocent the Third , send his Decretal Epistle the Bishop of Canterbury , commanding him to injoyn every man to pay his Tythes to those that ministred spiritual things to them ; which vvas inforced by Sentence of the Ecclesiastical Courts . And this vvas the first beginning of Parochial Tythes in England : and this after , by the Parliament was thought reasonable , and then established by a Law , the King and People being all Papists . Now all this will I prove : and let any man , that hath any fear of the Lord , judge whether that the Rules and Practice of those Back-sliders , who were in the dark night of Apostacy , be fit to guide us , who have again received the pure light , as the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour , and have received the Lord Jesus Christ , and know how to walk in him : for know ye not that Christ is in you , unless you be reprobates ? and , put you on the Lord Jesus Christ , and make no provision for the flesh , to fulfil the lusts ●…eof . The ninth Epistle : To all Priests that teach for Hire , and divine for Money ; that call themselves Ministers of Christ , and are not , but are of the Synagogue of Satan ; that they may repent : For the day of the Lord is at hand . THe Arm and strength of the Lord God is found and felt in the hearts of all his chosen ones ; and they feel themselves branches springing forth of the Tree of Life : and in him ( that is , in Christ ) by abiding in him , and his living Word abiding in them , they bring forth much fruit , and they walk from strength to strength , and from faith to faith , until they appear before God in Sion : and they do turn people from darkness unto light , and from the power of Satan unto God , that they do receive remission of sins , and an inheritance amongst those that are sanctified : and as they have felt , and handled , and tasted of the good Word of Eternal Life ; so they do deliver it unto others : freely they have received , and freely do they give , according to the command of Christ their Law-giver ; and they have received the Unction , the anoynting , from the Holy One , which doth abide in them , and teacheth them all things ; and they have the first fruits of the Spirit , which doth make them alive unto God. And they do go into the dark corners of the world , as they are moved by the Holy Ghost , to preach freely the everlasting Gospel of Salvation , glad tydings to all people , whose feet are beautiful : and they do it upon this account , that a necessity doth lie upon them , and woes will be upon them if they do it not , if they do the work of the Lord negligently : and they are ready to sacrifice their lives , and to seal the truth of their Ministry with their blood , that they may finish their work with Joy and inward Consolation , which is full of power and great glory ; and their Conversations are without Covetousness , they seek not their ovvn , but the things of Jesus , the salvation of all men , that they may live the life of holiness ; as they have been servants unto sin , so , that they may novv come to be made free from sin , and have their lives in holiness and righteousness , the end whereof , is everlasting life : for the gift of grace is free ; and so many as receive him , to them he gives power to become the Sons of God , even to all those that do believe in his name : and their conversations are in heaven ; and they do not minde earthly things ; and they do the works of the Spirit , vvhich doth make them alive unto God : for as many as are led by the Spirit of God , they are the Sons of God ; and they are as Lights in the midst of a perverse and crooked Generation : and they are holy , harmless , vvithout spot and blemish , vvaiting vvith Oyl in their own Lamps , for the coming of the Lord , that they may enter into his Joy , and receive the end of their faith , which is , the salvation of their souls . The true Ministers of Christ , they were filled with the Holy Ghost , before they went forth ; as Paul saith , when Christ had revealed himself in him , then he spake the word with boldness : and many of the Priests say , That Judas had a Commission , as well as the rest of the Apostles , because Christ sent them forth , and said , As you go , preach ; and say , The Kingdom of God is at hand ; vvhich Kingdom was the pouring down of the Spirit of Righteousness , vvhich he promised that the holy Ghost should come down , and abide with them for ever , and lead them into all truth . But there is not one Text that ever I could find , that they did go forth until the lot fell upon Matthias in the room of Judas , and he was numbered amongst the twelve . It is said , That the seventy returned , and said , Behold , Lord , the devils are subject unto us . So at the best , those Priests that pleads for Judas , doth but derive their Office from him : for he was a Deceiver at the best : and so are all they that have not received the holy Ghost : for the Apostles were to feed the Flock of Christ , over which the holy Ghost hath made them Overseers , and the Priests of this Generation , are they not proud , covetous , arrogant , ambitious , self-lovers , lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God , having a form of Godliness , but denying the power thereof ? Where is the man or the woman that hath been at any time snatcht out of the paws of Satan , and out of the snares of hell , by their Ministry , as it is called ? Where is the fruits of the holy Ghost to be found amongst their hearers , which is , Love , Joy , Meekness , Temperance , Brothetly kindeness , Bowels of Compassion , enduring all things , Temperance , Righteousness , and holy in all manner of conversation ? Is not the fruits of their hearers clean contrary ? are they not wrath , anger , malice , murder , robbery , plunder , a neater word for Thieves , Swearing , Adultery , Fornication , and all uncharitableness , scoffing , despising those that are good , heady , high-minded , disobedient to parents , unnatural , truce-breakers , Covenant-breakers ? And by this it appears , that they neither have the call of Christs Ministers : for if the Lord had sent them , they should have turned people from the evil of their doings , and they should have learned to do well : neither have they the maintenance of Christs Ministers , nor the fruits of Christs Ministers : for Christs Ministers , they were commanded to take nothing with them , neither money , nor staff , nor scrip ; and they were to enquire who was worthy , and there enter , and there eat such things as was set before them , and that was their maintenance : not to force people , and take away their Goods , three times as much as was or could be demanded . And the fruits of Christs Ministers : Peter converted three thousand at once ; and many thousands now , blessed be the holy Name of the ever-living GOD , are escaped out of the snare of the hunter , by the sounding forth of the everlasting Gospel of salvation from his true Ministers , who are despised , and scornfully called , by the seed of evil doers , Quakers : whose Doctrine is , To turn people to the light within them , which doth bring them out of Rebellion , and the disobedient nature , which the light doth reprove and condemn ; and they that do draw from the teachings of Christ within , such the Light Christ doth shew to be seducers , 1 Joh. 2. 26 , 27. and this light doth bring into the holy life , and into the pure worship of God in the Spirit . And therefore I do dearly exhort you from the Lord , to come out of all your false Churches , your false ways , and from your proud deceitful Priests ; and come to Christ the true Pastor and Bishop of your souls ; and so you shall come to the Church that is in God , 1 Thes . 1. 1. Heb. 12. 22 , 23. whose Overseers are made by the holy Ghost . And so dear Friends I do dearly exhort you to take heed to that which is pure of God in your consciences , and obey it , and make that your Teacher : for that calls for a pure conversation , 1 Pet. 1. 13 , 14 , 15 , 16. and let your light so shine before men , that they may see your good works : and so you shall all come to be baptized into Christ , and so put him on , by one Spirit , and come to be buried with him in the true Baptism , Rom. 6. 1 , 2. and so a fellowship into the new life cometh to be witnessed , where there is one Faith , one Lord , and one Baptism ; and so one God and Father of them all : and so they are kept in that Church which is the pillar and ground of Truth , Ephes . 4. 4 , 5 , 6 , 7. 2 Tim. 2. 19. 1 Tim. 3. 15. Mat. 11. 28. Christ calleth all that are weary and heavy laden , to come unto him , and he will give : them rest . And therefore obey the light , and come out from your sins , take up the cross , and deny your wills , and forsake your iniquities , and touch not the unclean thing , and he will receive you ; and take heed you do not reject the counsel of the Lord God , who desires to bring you to salvation : for , the vision is but for an appointed time : and , the Lords Spirit shall not alwayes strive with man. The tenth Epistle : To all Drunkards , Swearers , Vsurers , Extortioners , Adulterers , and all unclean Persons , shewing the heavy Wrath of the living God burneth like fire against such evil Persons , and the terrible day of Vengeance is at hand : And these are to warn them , that they speedily repent , before their hearts come to be ript up , and laid naked before the mighty and terrible GOD , who doth regard no mans Person in Judgement , but every one shall receive according to the things done in his Body , whether they be good or evil . THe Light that discovers sin , is Christ ; and when any evil is committed , Gods witness in the conscience is disturbed , the just seed lyeth oppressed , and then the soul lieth under the wrath of God : and who can dwell in his Displeasure ? And the many sad Judgements that have befallen persons in that condition of drunkenness , I think , should deter persons from that accursed beastly sin , which maketh men , that they are like unto the swine , as you may see in 2 Sam. 13. 28. Now had Absalom commanded his servants , saying , Mark now when Amnons heart is merry with wine : and when I say unto you , Smite Amnon ; kill him , fear not . Another president you may see in 1 King. 16. 8 , 9 , 10. In the six and twentieth year of Asa king of Judah , began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah , and reigned two years . And his servant Zimri ( captain of half his chariots ) conspired against him as he was in Tirzah , drinking till he was drunk in the house of Arza , steward of his house in Tirzah . And Zimri came and smote him , and killed him in the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah , and reigned in his stead . Holofernes , being drunk , was slain by Judith . Noah being drunk , his sons mocked him : he became a scorn to his Children . Lot being drunk , committed incest with his two Daughters . Benhadad being drunk , you may see what a sad loss he came to , and how he was discomfited , 1 King. 20. 16 , 20 , 34. David made Vriah drunk , and then sent Letters to Joab to have him set in the front of the Battle , that he might be slain . We ought not to keep company with Drunkards , Prov. 23. 20 , 21. The wo of the Lord of hosts , the God of Israel , is pronounced against Drunkards , Isa . 5. 11. VVo vnto them that rise up early , to follow Drunkenness , and to them that continue until night , till the wine doth inflame them : for they regard not the work of the Lord , neither consider the works of his hands . Many more Texts of Scripture might be quoted , and many Examples of Gods Judgements against such sinners to my own knowledge : as , some that have fallen into wells , and been drowned ; some into the Thames ; some have broke their Necks off their horses ; some their Legs , their Arms ; sides wasting their pretious time , that God hath put into their hands to get wisdom , and also ruining their wives and children in wasting and consuming their Estates : for a Drunken man is fit to do any wickedness , & to act any ungodliness : and this sad sin is many times committed by peoples drinking of Healths : the Devil stealeth upon them , and if he can get them to drink Healths , he hath them safe enough : for of whomsoever a man is overcome , his servant he is , to whom he is overcome ; whether it be of sin unto death , or of obedience unto Righteousness : so he that is overcome by sin , is the devils slave . And verily , my soul doth mourn in secret , and my heart doth bleed within me , and sorrow doth over-whelm me , for some of my dearly beloved Friends , that are overtaken by Satans snares in this way of sinning : and therefore my desire is to them from the Lord , that they would mind the light of Christ in their Consciences , which is , Gods witness for himself ; and it will either excuse or accuse , acquit or condemne : and this being silently and patiently waited in , will teach the denying the drinking of healths ; and will be a means to keep out of this beastly sin , that makes persons like Beasts , and defaces the Image of God , and defiles his Temple ; and such , if they do not speedily repent , the Lord will destroy them : for he that defiles the Temple of God , him will God destroy . And your Bodies are the Temples of the holy Ghost . And next to this is Swearers : for because of Oaths the Land mourneth : and , The curse shall enter into the house of the Swearer , and consume it , even with the beams and timber thereof . And what a company of sad creatures there is , that will swear any thing for advantage , in buying and selling in their ordinary course of trading in the world , between man and man ! how for six pence , many times , they will sell their Faith ! O let such fear , and tremble , and repent : for without heavenly Jerusalem are all swearers , drunkards , and all Lyers , who have their portion in the lake that burneth with fire and Brimstone . And the sin of accustoming a mans self to swearing , is reproved , Eccles . 23. 9. to 24. & 17. 14. and Christ Jesus gave this command to all that then were and should be , Swear not at all , saith Christ : and all Controversies may be ended without swearing , if the Magistrates would come to the line of true judgement , and be guided by the witness of God in them . And therefore dear Friends , leave off this wicked custome of vain swearing : for it neither profiteth the speaker nor hearer ; but serveth the Devil , and bringeth everlasting destruction to the soul . And there is a great and most abominable sin committed in and by many , that they eat up Gods people like bread , they devour them by Extortion and Usury : but such must not come to the holy Hill of Sion . VVo to them that get fields and houses by violence and oppression , and devour the Fatherless and the widdow : They are far from the commands of Christ , which saith , Lend , looking for nothing again : it is a sin forbidden amongst the Jews , Exod. 20. 17. & 22. 25. Lev. 25. 35 , 36 , 37. Deut. 5. 21. Neh. 5. 1. to 14. Psal . 15. 1 , 5. Prov. 22. 7 , 16 , 22 , 52. & the 22. 8. Jer. 15. 10. Ezek. 18. 13. and 22. 12. Mat. 5. 42. & 7. 12. Luk. 6. 30 , 34 , 35. and this lay upon me to acquaint all people with from the Lord , that they do injury to no man , for gain to themselves ; but every one do as they would be done unto , as they would that men should do unto them : for the great day of the Lords wrath is at hand , and all shall be judged according to the things done in their Bodies , whether they be good or evil : and all evil doers , sin lyeth at their doors , and the flaming sword of the Lord of hosts doth hang over their heads . And therefore my desire , yea , my souls desire unto all is , That they would keep their mindes out of fading , visible , perishing things : for none but such have their hearts upon the invisible God , who is a Spirit ; and none but spiritual worshippers do serve him , or honour him ; even such the Father seeketh to worship him , that worship him in the Spirit and in Truth ; and such feel their lives to be in God , and they live by Faith , which Faith is the Faith of Gods Elect : for they that so come to live , dayly do they feel the flowings in of comfort , from the well-spring of Life ; and they grow like Trees that are planted by the Rivers of VVaters , that do bring forth Fruit in due season , whose Leaf shall not fade , and whatsoever they do , it shall prosper ; and the Lord refresheth their souls with fatness , and giveth them the bread of life , that they eat , and live for ever ; and they drink of that water , that they never thirst : and they taste of that heavenly Rock , which is Christ : and they are the tender Lambs of Christ : and the Lord God doth esteem of them as his Jewels ; and they that touch them , touch the Apple of Gods Eye : For they are they that do overcome the world , and they shall be cloathed in white , and they shall follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth , and sing songs of Triumph ; Glory , Glory , everlasting Glory and Hallelujahs be given to him that is Lord of lords , and King of kings , that is the God that giveth his people light , and in his light they see the everlasting Light , which maketh them live for evermore in his presence , where there is the fulness of joy , and at whose right hand are pleasures for evermore . The eleventh Epistle : To all Those whose souls panteth after the living God , as the Hart panteth after the Water-Brooks . DEar Hearts , my dearly beloved in the light and love of God , for whom my soul travelleth in birth , that I might see Christ formed in you , that you might walk worthy of the Lord , unto all well-pleasing ; being fruitful in every good work , and increasing in the knowledge of God , strengthned with all might , according to his glorious power , unto all patience , and long-suffering , with joyfulness ; giving thanks to the Father , who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light ; who hath delivered us from the power of darkness , and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son ; in whom we have redemption through his blood , even the forgiveness of sins : who is the image of the invisible God , the first born of every creature : for it pleased the Father , that in him should all fulness dwell . And so dear Hearts , as you wait in him out of all visible things , wherein your life hath formerly been nourished and upheld , you shall ( by Christ ) witness a new birth , and a new nature ; and the life of God will be felt and witnessed , which doth redeem the soul out of sin , and of inquity , and doth reach the seed of God , which is pure , and of his fulness , of whom we receive grace for grace : and so the pure innocent seed of the Lord springeth up in you , that you become fruitful Branches , and bring forth much fruit unto the Lord ; and so every one in their several measure , answer the Lords expectation : who is this day seeking for fruits amongst his people : and all dead fruitless Trees must have the Ax laid to the root of them , that they may be hewed down , and cast into the fire : for the Lord hath chosen forth of the world , unto himself , a people to wait in his counsel and light , that they may serve him in Righteousness , and obey him in Truth . And therefore , dear Hearts , be diligent and watchful , that in the strength of God , you may be continually armed against the old devouring Enemy , Satan ; who goeth about like a roaring Lyon : and all his War is against the tender Lambs of Christs fold ; that he may make Rents and Divisions amongst them : but you are commanded to resist him , being stedfast in the Faith , & always to let your works and labour to abound in the Lord , for as much as you knovv your labour is not in vain in the Lord : and this know , that Satan will do what he may or possibly can against you : he had sought to winnow Peter as Wheat was winnowed in a sieve : he tempted Christ , but there was no ground for him to enter in him . And those that are renewed in the spirit of their mindes in Christ , they pluck up and plow up the fallow ground of their hearts , they pluck up sin by the roots ; they remove the ground , that there is no room to receive the devils temptations , although he strives to the utmost of his power to keep the seed of God in bondage ; which seed is Gods Elect and Precious , and he will redeem it out of captivity and thraldome : for it is the Resurrection , and the holy Birth , the Beloved , the incorruptible , that destroyes Satans kingdom : and therefore love it , and nourish it , and cherish it , and let it have the whole dominion in you , and it will totally put out Satan , and you shall tread him under your feet : for where the seed of God doth reign , there Satan is subjected : and so in the light of God you will finde strength , and power , and dominion over the Enemie , and over all his sleights and deceits . As you stand in the light , which is the power of God , the Enemy will find no place to enter , and his strength will be abated and decreased , and then you will , by degrees , find your bodies fit Temples for the holy Ghost to dwell in , and the strength of the Lord God of Life and Glory will dayly be renewed unto you ; and in his strength you shall walk , until you appear before him in Sion : and you shall obtain victory over the Enemy of your souls , and know the glorious liberty of the Sons of God , and so come to have a portion and an inheritance with the Babes of Christ , even an everlasting inheritance reserved in heaven for you , in that Kingdom which hath no end ; and even such glory as no eye hath seen , nor ear hath heard , nor tongue is able to express , which God hath laid up for them that love him : What hath not eye seen ? what hath not ear heard ? and the heart is able to conceive more then all , yea , it is able to conceive and entertain into the imagination any thing ; yet all this is nothing to those everlasting joyes , and comforts , and consolations , which the Saints shall enjoy in the presence of the Lord for evermore . And therefore faint not at your fiery trials , which cometh , or is admitted , or suffered in the Wisdom that is Infinite , to try you , as if some strange thing were come unto you , as you may see in 1 Pet. 4. 12 , 13. But rejoyce , in as much as you are partakers of Christs sufferings , that when his glory shall be revealed , you may be glad also , with exceeding joy : if you be reproached for the Name of Christ , happy are you : for the Spirit of God and of glory resteth upon you : on their parts he is evil spoken of , but on your parts he is glorified : for the time is come , that judgement must begin at the house of God : and if it first begin at us , what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God ? and if the righteous scarcely be saved , where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear ? Wherefore ( saith the same Apostle ) let them that suffer according to the will of God , commit the keeping of their souls , to him , in well-doing , as unto a faithful Creator . And so dear hearts , look not out at things past , present , or to come , or at others , but stand in the light , and in the counsel of the Lord , and freely give up to his will , as Job did : Although he kill me , ( saith he ) yet will I trust in him . And in the Lords due time , there shall be deliverance out of all troubles , and he will work your peace , even peace that men and devils shall not take from you : for he that keepeth Israel , neither slumbereth nor sleepeth : and although many are the troubles of the Righteous , yet the Lord will deliver them out of them all . And therefore cast your whole care upon the Lord , and trust in him , and he shall bring it to pass : he shall bring forth your Righteousness as clear as the light , and your just dealing as the noon day : and so the power of the Lord will compass you about , and his Angels shall have charge concerning you , to keep you in all his ways : for they that stay themselves upon the arm of the Lord , have perfect peace ; and their strength shall be renewed day by day in him , who is made perfect , and is become the Author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him ; which is Jesus , that saveth to the utmost all that come to God by him : for he ever liveth to make intercession for them . And so believe in him , and you shall be saved : For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness , to every one that believeth : For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the Law , that the man which doth them , shall live by them : but the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise , Say not in thy heart , Who shall ascend into heaven ? that is , to bring Christ down from above ; or who shall ascend into the deep ? that is , to bring Christ back again from the dead . But what saith it ? The Word is nigh thee , even in thy mouth and in thy heart ; that is , the Word of Faith which we preach ; which teacheth to deny all ungodliness , and worldly lust , and to live godly , soberly , and righteously in this present evil world ; and to do injury to no man , but to do unto all men , as you would have all men do unto you : even this the Lord thy God doth require of thee , O man , To do justly , to love mercy , and to walk humbly with thy God. And this walking with God , is that way that Enoch vvalked in , & all the holy men of God that brought their souls to the true centre of Rest , even Rest everlasting , where there is the innumerable company of Angels , and the first-born , whose names are written in heaven , in the book of Life . And so dear hearts , indure , as Moses did , all things patiently , as seeing him that is invisible : for the patient abiding of the Meek shall not be forgotten : and the Lord bottles up all the tears of his redeemed ones : and so every one come with patience to do the will of God , that when you have done it , you may receive the Reward : and so every one come to feel Christ Jesus , in you that believe , the hope of glory ; and feed upon the living Gospel , which is the bread of life , that whosoever eateth , hungreth no more : for every one must come to possess Christ in their own hearts : for it is the Oyl in a mans own Lamp , that must convey him into the Bridegrooms Chamber , where the fulness of life and joy is to be found , possessed , and enjoyed : for unto such , who ordereth their conversations aright , will Christ say at last , Come you blessed of my Father , inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundations of the world : for those that be guided by Christ , are such as hear his voice , and do desire to be taught by him , as the truth is in Jesus ; and they shall be guided by him to do the will of God in every thing , and so they shall come to be filled with his Righteousness , and so his Righteousness filleth them with everlasting glory : and the pure broken heart that is contrite , the Lord doth accept . And so let all Rulers and Magistrates cease the naming of God , until they part from evil : and let them cease their medling with setling the things of Gods Kingdom ; for I have seen they have all been broken to pieces as soon as they go about that work : for the Lord will do his work himself : by his Spirit and by his power it shall be accomplished ; and it shall not be in the power of man to hinder : but he will break the great Potsherds of the earth to pieces , if they meddle with those things that concern the setling of his Kingdom . And therefore in render love to their souls , I dearly exhort them to settle their own Governments , and their own Kingdoms , which are of this world ; and let Christ alone with the setling of his Kingdom , which is not of this world : for a Spirit of Righteousness shall rule and reign in the earth , as the spirit of wickedness hath done : and although the devil doth roar , yet the time is at hamd when this shall be : and it shall not be in the power of man to hinder it . And therefore give over striving against the stream , you mighty Potentates of the world : for it is hard for you to kick against the pricks : For the great day of the Lord is at hand , and all mens works shall be tryed with fire : and in that day , the great and mighty men shall cry to the mountains and the hills , to fall upon them , and hide them from his presence . And therefore all lend their ear to this call to Repentance , while the day of their salvation lasteth ; and whilst the Lord standeth at the door of your hearts , knocking , let him in : remember what Christ said to Jerusalem : Jerusalem , O Jerusalem , thou that killest the Prophets , and stonest them that are sent unto thee ! how often would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings ! and ye would not . But her calamity came of a sudden : and so let her be an Example for you , speedily to repent , and put away the evil of your doings : cease to do evil , and learn to do well ; for fear the wrath of the Lord destroy you : for the time was , when all the Kings of the earth would not have believed that the Adversary should have entered the gates of Jerusalem ; and all the inhabitants of the world would not have believed that the Enemy should have entered the gates of Jerusalem , for the sins of her Prophets and of her Priests ; which were full of iniquity , as the Priests of England are , who have shed the blood of the Just in the midst of her . And therefore wo , wo to thee , O England , if thou dost not speedily repent , and put away the evil of thy doings : for the Lord desireth not the death of a sinner , but that he may live . Therefore turn ye , turn ye : for why will you die , O house of Israel ? And come to be within the promise of the Elect of God : for the Lord loveth his saints , and he preserveth the faithful , and mercy shall embrace them on every side : For he is nigh to them that are of a broken heart , and he saveth them that are of a contrite spirit : therefore blessed are the people whose God is the Lord , the people who he hath chosen for his own inheritance : for the eye of the Lord is over them , to preserve them , and to keep them in all their wayes , and to preserve them in famine ; and thousands shall fall before them , and the plague shall not come neer them : for the destroying Angels shall pass over their heads . Therefore all dear hearts fear the living GOD , who is a God of power , and he is dreadful to all the workers of iniquity ; but a God of love , and joy , and consolation to all those that fear him , and that delight in his Commandments , to do them . Therefore fear the living God , and wait upon him , that you may finde pure wisdom flow in upon you , from on high : For every good and perfect gift cometh down from above , from the Father of lights , who doth powerfully manifest himself unto his Babes and Children , and doth flow from heaven with fresh discoveries of his love unto his belved Ones , that they can say feelingly , Their beloved is their and they are his : and he draws them by the cords of everlasting love , that they are refreshed at the well-spring of life . And therefore return , return : forsake your idol-shepherds , and embrace Christ , which is the Light : for he is the true Shepherd and Bishop of your souls , in whom the sure mercies of David are enjoyed , and the glory of Israel is witnessed ; even the free Covenant of light , in which the true Prophets did stand , who is the Rock of Ages , and is the Light of the World , and is perfect Righteousness ; and they that are in him , are righte us by his Righteousness : for he hath for ever perfected all those that are sanctified : and he commandeth his to be holy as he is holy , and pure as he is pure : and , Be ye perfect ( saith Christ ) as your Father which is in heaven is perfect : and the Cross of Christ is the mighty power of God unto salvation , unto every one that believeth : And by this ( saith Christ ) shall you appear to be my Disciples , by taking up the cross dayly , and following me : and Gods witness in every man will shew him the Cross of Christ , what it is : for that will shew all those that are faithful to it , what is the will of God in every thing : for it is that pure Thing of God in man , that never did consent to sin , nor never will , but shews man all that ever he did : and so we may say , with the woman , Come , see a man that hath told me all that ever I have done : Is not this the Christ ? said she . And so , dear Hearts , this is your true Teacher , Emmanuel , God with us : and the Lord is a strong Towet , the Righteous fly unto it , and are safe : and they are hid in that invisible life which is in God : and they know the life of God : and they walk in his dayly presence , and the arm of his strength is revealed dayly unto them , which bringeth salvation . And therefore come off from all your Idol shepherds , and from all your false Forms of worship unto the Lord , who is bringing his people off from the barren Mountains , where they have fed upon husks and chaff : and he is become their ●…cher himself , and he will feed them with the finest of the Wheat , and they shall drink of the well-spring of Life , and never thirst again : and they shall finde , that one day in his Courts , is better then a thousand elsewhere . Now the Priests must know , That an old Mass-house is not the Courts of God : for the Church of Christ is the Pillar and Ground of Truth : and as many as were baptized , were baptized into Christ : and , They that are in Christ , are new creatures : old things are passed away ; all things are become new : and , Your Bodies are the Temples of the holy Ghost : and him that defiles the Temple of God , him will God destroy . And so dear Friends , and Brethren , and Sisters , and Fathers , and all You that do fear the Lord , Take heed how you hear , and take heed whom you hear : for I do see dangerous seducers and deceivers abroad in the world , besides the Priests ; even such as the Apostle Peter speaketh of , that even would beguile the saints out of their simplicity , if they could , even as the serpent beguiled Eve ; such as have eyes full of adultery , beguiling unstable souls , hearts exercised with covetous practises ; having forsaken the right way , and gone astray , following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor , which loved the wages of unrighteousness : these are wells without water , clouds that are carried with a tempest ; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever : For when they speak great swelling words , in the Name of the Lord , they allure through the lusts of the flesh , through much wantonness , those who were clean escaped from them who live in Errour : while they promise them Liberty , 〈…〉 themselves are the servants of corruption : for of whom 〈…〉 overcome , of the same is he brought in bondage : for 〈…〉 they have escaped the pollutions of the world , through 〈…〉 knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ , they are 〈…〉 intangled therein , and over-come , the latter end is 〈…〉 with them , then the beginning : For it had been better 〈…〉 yhem not to have known the way of righteousness , then after 〈…〉 have know it , to turn from the holy commandment deli 〈…〉 ed unto them , but it is happened unto them according to 〈…〉 true Proverb , 〈…〉 dog is turned to his own vomit again●● 〈…〉 sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire . And amongst the 〈…〉 other , so called , that saith he was born in Holland ; ●…t he is the dangerousest person that ever I read of , or heard of , next unto that grand Apostate , Spira : and I fear he had more Brethren : I shall do my endeavour to finde them out and then publish them to the world , that all men may take notice of them . And my Advice now unto you from the Lo●… is , That you all , dear Hearts , wait low in the counsel of the LORD GOD : and when you have got into the simplicity of Christ , stay in it , and abide in it , and wait in the power and strength of GOD , that you may be kept out of the wiles and suggestions of the roaring Enemy , who stirreth up Enemies without , and Enemies within , and all to keep your Crown from you . Put on therefore , dearly beloved in the Lord , the whole armour of God , that you may be more then Conquerours , through Christ that loveth you , even as Paul was : and learn the wisdom which is from above , which is pure , peaceable , gentle , easie to be intreated , full of mercy and good fruits : be humble , meek , lowly , be broken-hearred , be contrite-spirited : let patience possess your souls : For ye were as sheep going astray , but ye are now returned to the Saviour and Bishop of your souls , Christ Jesus . Unto his keeping I commit you : To whom be given everlasting Praises , Honour , and all holy Hallelujahs to Him that liveth for ever , and for evermore world without end . The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all Those that set Their Faces toward Sion , and seek it with their So●… sire : To which my Soul saith , AMEN . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A85476-e520 Deut. 13. Chap. 18. 2 Pet. 2. Baal