A returne to the ministers of London by way of answer to their seasonable exhortations, (so called) directed to their congregations : with sober reproof sent unto them, because of their secret smitings against the despised people called Quakers, whom they have secretly reproached in their said exhortation ... / by E.B.
         Burrough, Edward, 1634-1662.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A30538 of text R22000 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Wing B6021). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
       Approx. 72 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 16 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images.
       
         EarlyPrint Project
         Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO
         2017
         A30538
         Wing B6021
         ESTC R22000
         12261151
         ocm 12261151
         57906
         
           
            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. A30538)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 57906)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 861:19)
      
       
         
           
             A returne to the ministers of London by way of answer to their seasonable exhortations, (so called) directed to their congregations : with sober reproof sent unto them, because of their secret smitings against the despised people called Quakers, whom they have secretly reproached in their said exhortation ... / by E.B.
             Burrough, Edward, 1634-1662.
          
           [2], 29 p.
           
             Printed for Robert Wilson ...,
             London :
             1660.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
             Attributed to Edward Burrough by BM.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Society of Friends -- Persecutions.
        
      
    
       A30538  R22000  (Wing B6021).  civilwar no A returne to the ministers of London; by way of answer to their Seasonable exhortations, (so called) directed to their congregations. With s Burrough, Edward 1660    13149 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 B  The  rate of 2 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 
        2004-01 TCP
        Assigned for keying and markup
      
        2004-01 Aptara
        Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images
      
        2004-02 Olivia Bottum
        Sampled and proofread
      
        2004-02 Olivia Bottum
        Text and markup reviewed and edited
      
        2004-04 pfs
        Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
      
    
  
   
     
       
       
       
         
           A
           RETURNE
           TO
           THE
           Ministers
           OF
           LONDON
           ;
           By
           way
           of
           Answer
           to
           their
           
             SEASONABLE
             EXHORTATIONS
             ,
          
           (
           so
           called
           )
           directed
           to
           their
           Congregations
           .
        
         
           With
           sober
           reproof
           sent
           unto
           them
           ,
           because
           of
           their
           secret
           Smitings
           against
           the
           despised
           People
           called
           QUAKERS
           ,
           whom
           they
           have
           secretly
           reproached
           in
           their
           said
           EXHORTATION
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           is
           written
           for
           the
           better
           information
           of
           them
           and
           their
           particular
           Congregations
           ,
           and
           that
           truth
           may
           be
           exalted
           ,
           and
           deceipt
           and
           iniquity
           may
           bow
           and
           tremble
           .
        
         
           By
           
             E.
             B.
             
          
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           for
           
             Robert
             Wilson
             ,
          
           at
           the
           
             Black-Spread-Eagle
          
           and
           
             Windmill
          
           in
           
             Martins
             ,
          
           near
           
             Aldersgate
             ,
          
           1660.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           A
           Return
           to
           the
           Ministers
           of
           London
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           Answer
           to
           their
           Seasonable
           Exhortation
           ,
           (
           so
           called
           )
           &c.
           
        
         
           1
           FOrasmuch
           as
           you
           the
           
             Ministers
          
           in
           and
           about
           
             London
             ,
          
           have
           sent
           forth
           a
           Seasonable
           
             Exhortation
          
           (
           as
           you
           call
           it
           )
           to
           the
           people
           of
           your
           
             Congregations
             ,
          
           which
           I
           have
           seen
           ,
           read
           ,
           and
           considered
           ,
           and
           do
           find
           something
           therein
           worthy
           of
           Answer
           ;
           for
           the
           end
           that
           people
           may
           be
           satisfied
           concerning
           things
           doubtful
           ,
           which
           are
           in
           controversie
           this
           day
           among
           many
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           well
           known
           the
           controversie
           hath
           been
           long
           ,
           and
           is
           grown
           very
           high
           between
           us
           and
           you
           ,
           concerning
           
             Church
             ,
             Ministry
             ,
          
           and
           
             Religion
             :
          
           And
           divers
           things
           in
           your
           
             Exhortation
          
           are
           doubtful
           unto
           many
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           doubts
           may
           be
           removed
           ,
           if
           possible
           ,
           therefore
           I
           do
           return
           what
           follows
           as
           an
           answer
           unto
           you
           .
        
         
           Whereas
           you
           say
           ,
           you
           are
           not
           ignorant
           of
           the
           prejudices
           and
           prepositions
           ,
           wherewith
           the
           carnal
           world
           is
           leavened
           ,
           concerning
           your
           Calling
           ,
           Office
           ,
           and
           Doctrines
           ,
           and
           what
           clamours
           ,
           and
           fiery
           contentions
           ,
           abound
           for
           them
           every where
           ,
           that
           pleads
           Christs
           Cause
           in
           the
           gates
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           As
           for
           your
           
             Calling
             ,
             Office
             ,
          
           and
           
             Doctrine
             ,
          
           there
           is
           much
           to
           be
           said
           against
           them
           ,
           in
           and
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           for
           your
           
             Calling
          
           and
           
             Office
             ,
          
           is
           not
           according
           to
           the
           example
           of
           Scriptures
           ,
           though
           the
           Calling
           and
           Office
           of
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           hath
           example
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           yet
           as
           you
           are
           called
           into
           your
           
             Office
             ,
          
           that
           is
           not
           according
           ,
           but
           rather
           contrary
           to
           the
           Scriptures
           :
           And
           as
           for
           your
           
             Doctrine
             ,
          
           it
           is
           in
           some
           things
           unsound
           also
           .
           Now
           as
           for
           Seasonable
           Exhortations
           of
           Ministers
           to
           people
           ,
           I
           do
           acknowledge
           that
           is
           a
           duty
           which
           ought
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           but
           how
           seasonable
           and
           sound
           your
           Exhortations
           are
           ,
           that
           remains
           to
           betryed
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           not
           only
           the
           carnal
           world
           ,
           
           as
           you
           speak
           ,
           that
           are
           doubtful
           concerning
           your
           Calling
           and
           Office
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           the
           best
           of
           the
           people
           ,
           whose
           eyes
           the
           Lord
           is
           opening
           ,
           to
           see
           and
           behold
           the
           false
           imitations
           of
           the
           
             Calling
          
           and
           
             Office
          
           of
           
             Ministers
             ,
          
           as
           you
           have
           stood
           for
           many
           Generations
           .
           And
           it
           is
           true
           ,
           them
           that
           pleads
           Christs
           Cause
           ,
           they
           all
           cryed
           out
           upon
           ,
           and
           contended
           with
           ,
           but
           this
           fully
           belong
           not
           to
           you
           ,
           though
           you
           apply
           it
           to
           your selves
           ,
           but
           it
           pertains
           more
           to
           others
           ,
           for
           the
           
             World
          
           speaks
           well
           of
           you
           ,
           as
           it
           use
           to
           do
           of
           false
           Prophets
           .
        
         
           And
           you
           say
           ,
           
             We
             the
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             in
             the
             City
             of
             London
             ,
             do
             with
             earnestness
             exhort
             the
             people
             of
             this
             City
             ,
             to
             awaken
             ,
             as
             out
             of
             sleep
             ,
             and
             to
             lay
             to
             heart
             ,
             the
             great
             dangers
             that
             threatens
             you
             ,
             which
             you
             represent
             under
             a
             threefold
             consideration
             .
          
        
         
           1
           The
           fear
           of
           the
           return
           of
           Popery
           .
        
         
           2
           The
           distracted
           estate
           of
           Religion
           amongst
           us
           .
        
         
           3
           Other
           symptomes
           of
           Gods
           wrath
           hanging
           over
           your
           heads
           .
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           That
           you
           are
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           this
           is
           doubtful
           unto
           many
           ,
           and
           many
           more
           testimonies
           might
           be
           given
           to
           the
           contrary
           ,
           than
           can
           be
           given
           for
           it
           .
           But
           this
           is
           not
           the
           present
           debate
           ,
           and
           therefore
           no
           more
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           what
           ,
           is
           the
           people
           of
           your
           Congregations
           yet
           asleep
           ?
           Have
           not
           you
           awakened
           them
           in
           so
           many
           years
           time
           ?
           Have
           you
           been
           preaching
           over
           them
           ,
           and
           taking
           their
           money
           so
           long
           ,
           and
           are
           they
           yet
           to
           awaken
           ,
           as
           out
           of
           sleep
           ?
           Will
           not
           the
           blame
           of
           this
           ,
           and
           the
           condemnation
           of
           it
           fall
           upon
           you
           their
           Watchmen
           ,
           who
           hath
           not
           yet
           awakened
           them
           ?
           And
           may
           not
           they
           say
           that
           you
           have
           dealt
           unjustly
           by
           them
           ,
           who
           are
           left
           as
           asleep
           under
           all
           your
           preaching
           ,
           and
           are
           yet
           unsensible
           of
           the
           danger
           that
           threatens
           them
           ?
           Oh
           friends
           !
           will
           you
           consider
           ,
           and
           your
           people
           with
           you
           ,
           what
           you
           have
           been
           preaching
           ,
           and
           what
           they
           have
           been
           hearing
           for
           so
           long
           a
           time
           ,
           seeing
           you
           now
           acknowledge
           they
           are
           yet
           asleep
           ,
           and
           unawakened
           .
        
         
           Now
           as
           to
           the
           first
           of
           your
           considerations
           ,
           
             The
             fear
             of
             the
             return
             of
             Popery
             ,
          
           for
           which
           you
           lay
           down
           divers
           things
           to
           make
           the
           people
           believe
           it
           :
           
             First
             ,
             The
             union
             of
             forreign
             Popish
             Powers
             :
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             vast
             numbers
          
           (
           say
           you
           )
           
             of
             Popish
          
           Emissaries
           
             and
          
           Iesuites
           
             that
             swarms
             amongst
             you
             :
             Thirdly
             ,
             The
             vending
             and
             printing
             of
             so
             many
             Popish
             Books
             every
             year
             ,
          
           &c.
           
        
         
         
           
             Answ.
          
           As
           for
           
             Popery
             ,
          
           I
           know
           it
           is
           
             idolatry
             ,
          
           and
           their
           
             Church
          
           and
           
             Worship
             ,
          
           and
           every
           part
           thereof
           abomination
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           the
           spirit
           that
           leads
           them
           ,
           is
           not
           the
           spirit
           of
           Jesus
           ;
           and
           as
           for
           
             Popery
             ,
          
           it
           was
           never
           yet
           truly
           cleanse
           out
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           but
           there
           hath
           been
           ,
           and
           are
           great
           remainders
           yet
           standing
           ,
           which
           may
           indeed
           easily
           prove
           its
           former
           strength
           :
           For
           is
           not
           the
           most
           part
           of
           the
           
             worship
          
           of
           the
           
             Church
          
           of
           
             England
          
           made
           up
           of
           such
           things
           ,
           as
           was
           first
           instituted
           and
           practised
           amongst
           the
           
             Papists
             ,
          
           witness
           ,
           the
           making
           Ministers
           by
           natural
           learning
           ,
           at
           
             Schools
          
           and
           
             Colledges
             ,
          
           and
           their
           maintenance
           by
           
             tythes
             ,
          
           and
           yearly
           
             stipends
             ,
          
           and
           their
           way
           of
           
             Parochial
          
           settlements
           ,
           are
           not
           all
           these
           things
           
             Papistical
             ?
          
           and
           witness
           sprinkling
           infants
           ,
           calling
           it
           the
           Baptisme
           into
           the
           
             Visible
             Church
             ,
          
           and
           witness
           the
           singing
           of
           
             Davids
             Psalms
             ,
          
           as
           now
           they
           are
           sung
           among
           you
           ,
           these
           things
           for
           the
           most
           part
           are
           of
           
             Popish
          
           institution
           ,
           and
           many
           other
           things
           also
           pertaining
           to
           your
           
             Church
             ,
             Religion
             ,
          
           and
           
             Ministry
             ,
          
           so
           that
           
             Popery
          
           was
           never
           clean
           cast
           out
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           though
           the
           Lord
           hath
           wounded
           it
           ,
           yet
           there
           is
           the
           remainder
           of
           it
           yet
           standing
           in
           great
           force
           ,
           so
           that
           while
           
             tythes
          
           are
           pleaded
           for
           by
           you
           ,
           and
           those
           things
           practised
           by
           you
           ,
           it
           may
           indeed
           be
           feared
           ,
           the
           return
           of
           
             Popery
             ,
          
           seeing
           you
           stick
           so
           fast
           in
           those
           practises
           which
           were
           of
           
             Popish
          
           institution
           ,
           and
           the
           cause
           of
           fear
           lies
           at
           your
           door
           ,
           and
           upon
           your selves
           principally
           ,
           and
           if
           there
           be
           vast
           numbers
           of
           
             Popish
             Priests
          
           and
           
             Iesuites
          
           swarming
           amongst
           you
           ,
           if
           you
           be
           Ministers
           of
           Christ
           ,
           why
           do
           you
           not
           discover
           
             Wolves
          
           in
           Sheeps
           cloathing
           ,
           and
           fright
           then
           away
           ?
           Why
           do
           you
           not
           lift
           up
           your
           Spiritual
           Weapons
           ,
           (
           if
           you
           have
           them
           )
           as
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           did
           ?
           whose
           weapons
           were
           powerful
           and
           mighty
           through
           God
           ,
           and
           who
           shall
           bear
           the
           blame
           but
           you
           ,
           if
           
             Wolves
          
           in
           sheeps
           cloathing
           tear
           your
           
             Flocks
             ?
          
           that
           is
           a
           sign
           you
           are
           lazy
           idle
           
             Shepherds
             ,
          
           and
           that
           you
           want
           the
           Power
           and
           Authority
           of
           
             God
             ,
          
           and
           when
           the
           powers
           of
           the
           earth
           fails
           you
           ,
           and
           your
           carnal
           weapons
           are
           all
           broken
           ,
           then
           you
           are
           like
           to
           be
           overcome
           with
           the
           swarming
           of
           
             Popish
             Priests
          
           and
           
             Iesuites
             ,
          
           if
           there
           be
           any
           such
           among
           you
           look
           you
           to
           it
           ,
           for
           I
           know
           not
           any
           ,
           and
           if
           you
           know
           any
           by
           name
           ,
           and
           where
           they
           are
           ,
           you
           ought
           by
           your
           Law
           to
           discover
           them
           .
        
         
           
             Now
          
           (
           you
           say
           )
           
             they
             are
             acting
             under
             the
             disguise
             of
          
           Sectaries
           ,
           
           
             and
             subtilly
             insinuating
             many
             of
             their
             Doctrines
             ,
             as
             teaching
          
           Justification
           
             by
             Inherent
             Righteousness
             ;
          
           perfection
           ,
           
             unlawfulness
             in
             joyning
             in
             your
          
           Ordinances
           ,
           
             and
             nullity
             of
             your
          
           Ministry
           
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           Now
           these
           that
           you
           call
           
             Sectaries
             ,
          
           may
           truly
           plead
           against
           you
           ,
           against
           your
           
             Church
             ,
             Worship
             ,
             Ministry
          
           and
           
             practises
             ,
          
           upon
           good
           grounds
           ;
           and
           as
           for
           
             Iustification
          
           by
           Inherent
           Righteousness
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           that
           the
           Saints
           witnessed
           Christ
           ,
           and
           his
           Righteousness
           within
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           none
           are
           justified
           by
           any
           righteousness
           without
           them
           ,
           but
           who
           witness
           Christ
           revealed
           in
           them
           ,
           for
           all
           are
           reprobates
           that
           do
           not
           witness
           Christ
           in
           them
           ,
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           13.
           5.
           
           And
           as
           for
           
             perfection
             ,
          
           that
           is
           the
           doctrine
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           of
           Christ
           ,
           for
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           spake
           wisdome
           to
           them
           that
           were
           perfect
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           2
           6.
           and
           Christ
           commanded
           them
           to
           be
           
             perfect
             ,
             Mat.
          
           5.
           who
           never
           commanded
           impossibilities
           .
           You
           might
           better
           have
           charged
           these
           doctrines
           upon
           the
           
             Apostles
             ,
          
           than
           upon
           the
           
             Papists
             ;
          
           and
           as
           for
           joyning
           to
           your
           
             Ordinances
             ,
          
           there
           is
           many
           that
           fears
           God
           ,
           who
           are
           not
           
             Papists
             ,
          
           that
           for
           good
           conscience
           sake
           cannot
           joyn
           to
           your
           
             Ordinances
             ,
          
           nor
           own
           your
           
             Ministry
             ,
          
           neither
           in
           its
           
             Call
             ,
             Practise
             ,
          
           nor
           
             Maintenance
             ;
          
           and
           if
           these
           things
           were
           in
           dispute
           ,
           I
           should
           shew
           you
           ,
           according
           to
           Scripture
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           lawful
           for
           the
           Saints
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           joyn
           themselves
           to
           your
           
             Ordinances
             ,
          
           nor
           own
           your
           
             Ministry
             ;
          
           but
           it
           is
           lawful
           for
           them
           both
           to
           deny
           your
           
             Ordinances
          
           and
           
             Ministry
          
           in
           their
           present
           standing
           ;
           and
           as
           for
           printing
           and
           vending
           so
           many
           
             Popish
          
           books
           as
           you
           say
           ,
           oh
           it
           had
           been
           your
           wisdome
           to
           have
           mentioned
           ,
           the
           books
           by
           name
           ,
           that
           all
           might
           have
           known
           which
           were
           
             Popish
          
           books
           ;
           but
           because
           your
           Charge
           is
           general
           ,
           I
           cannot
           answer
           particularly
           ,
           either
           to
           clear
           or
           to
           condemn
           ,
           except
           you
           had
           mentioned
           in
           particular
           ,
           which
           you
           ought
           to
           have
           done
           ,
           rather
           then
           to
           have
           slandered
           in
           the
           dark
           .
        
         
           Your
           fourth
           reason
           ,
           whereby
           you
           would
           make
           your
           people
           believe
           ,
           
             that
             there
             is
             fear
             of
             the
             return
             of
          
           Popery
           ,
           
             is
             ,
             That
             the
             whole
             body
             almost
             of
          
           Popery
           
             is
             published
             by
          
           Sectaries
           ,
           
             especially
          
           Quakers
           ;
           
             and
             you
             say
             you
             cannot
             but
             observe
             a
             ready
             co-incidency
             with
          
           Papists
           
             in
             their
             Opinions
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           As
           for
           the
           
             Quakers
             ,
          
           which
           you
           have
           long
           opposed
           by
           Prisons
           ,
           Goals
           ,
           and
           Persecutions
           ,
           and
           your
           carnal
           weapons
           ,
           
           and
           now
           also
           charge
           great
           things
           upon
           them
           ,
           to
           make
           them
           odious
           to
           the
           people
           .
           Alas
           ,
           do
           you
           not
           know
           that
           they
           are
           blessed
           of
           the
           Lord
           ?
           Is
           there
           never
           a
           man
           among
           you
           sixty
           one
           Priests
           ,
           so
           wise
           as
           
             Balaam
          
           was
           ,
           he
           saw
           there
           was
           no
           Inchantment
           against
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           nor
           durst
           he
           curse
           whom
           God
           had
           blessed
           ;
           but
           however
           ,
           they
           have
           borne
           with
           patience
           (
           and
           they
           do
           therein
           continue
           )
           all
           that
           you
           have
           caused
           to
           be
           acted
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           you
           have
           spoken
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           your
           words
           and
           works
           against
           them
           shall
           be
           your
           own
           burthen
           in
           the
           day
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           shall
           sink
           you
           into
           misery
           ,
           who
           hath
           made
           the
           innocent
           people
           the
           people
           of
           your
           malice
           and
           fury
           ,
           but
           God
           is
           with
           them
           ,
           I
           need
           say
           nothing
           :
           and
           why
           have
           you
           not
           particularly
           instanced
           what
           particular
           part
           of
           
             Popery
          
           they
           do
           publish
           ?
           Why
           will
           you
           charge
           in
           secret
           ,
           and
           prove
           nothing
           in
           particular
           ?
           therefore
           I
           do
           charge
           you
           to
           mention
           ,
           what
           particular
           things
           they
           do
           publish
           which
           is
           
             Popery
             ,
          
           and
           not
           the
           truths
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           then
           you
           shall
           have
           a
           further
           answer
           .
        
         
           Your
           fifth
           reason
           is
           ,
           Jesuitical
           designs
           ,
           
             and
             you
             mention
             the
             Protestant
          
           Universities
           ,
           
             and
             the
             impoverishing
             ;
             and
             disgracing
             ,
             and
             overthrowing
             a
             godly
          
           learned
           Ministry
           ,
           
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           As
           for
           the
           
             Vniversities
             ,
          
           thousands
           are
           satisfied
           concerning
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           of
           
             Popish
          
           institution
           ,
           and
           are
           not
           the
           Fountains
           of
           Divinity
           ,
           as
           they
           have
           been
           falsly
           called
           ,
           for
           its
           possible
           I
           could
           give
           large
           testimonies
           of
           the
           wickedness
           of
           the
           educations
           which
           is
           these
           in
           those
           places
           ,
           and
           how
           little
           good
           they
           learn
           ,
           and
           how
           much
           evil
           ;
           But
           you
           have
           stated
           the
           cause
           wrong
           ,
           for
           the
           plucking
           down
           the
           
             Vniversities
          
           would
           rather
           seem
           to
           be
           the
           removing
           part
           of
           
             Popery
             ,
          
           than
           to
           be
           the
           way
           to
           let
           in
           
             Popery
             :
          
           and
           as
           for
           a
           godly
           
             Ministry
             ,
          
           that
           is
           truly
           
             godly
             ;
          
           and
           truly
           
             learned
             ,
          
           alas
           there
           is
           no
           fear
           of
           impoverishing
           ,
           disgracing
           ,
           and
           overthrowing
           of
           that
           ,
           for
           that
           is
           alwayes
           poor
           and
           low
           ,
           and
           contemptible
           to
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           so
           it
           must
           be
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           
             Antichrists
             Ministers
          
           that
           feares
           to
           be
           made
           poor
           ,
           and
           that
           their
           
             tythes
          
           and
           
             stipends
          
           should
           be
           made
           less
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           they
           that
           fear
           to
           be
           overthrown
           ,
           and
           not
           the
           
             Ministers
          
           of
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           for
           the
           
             Ministers
          
           of
           
             Christ
          
           are
           out
           of
           all
           such
           fears
           ,
           because
           their
           standing
           and
           falling
           depends
           not
           upon
           earthly
           powers
           ,
           but
           are
           builded
           upon
           the
           Rock
           of
           Ages
           ,
           and
           cannot
           be
           overthrown
           .
        
         
         
           Your
           sixth
           ground
           is
           ,
           
             Toleration
             for
          
           Popery
           
             is
             publikely
             pleaded
             for
             in
             print
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           That
           
             Popery
          
           is
           idolatry
           ,
           and
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Rome
          
           2
           false
           Church
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           said
           ,
           and
           I
           hope
           shall
           never
           renounce
           it
           ,
           but
           shall
           alwayes
           give
           testimony
           ,
           until
           death
           ,
           against
           the
           
             Church
          
           of
           
             Rome
             ;
          
           but
           I
           must
           tell
           you
           plainly
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           my
           judgement
           that
           the
           
             Papists
          
           ought
           to
           be
           burned
           for
           their
           Religion
           ,
           or
           if
           a
           
             Iesuite
          
           be
           taken
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           I
           would
           have
           him
           so
           tolerated
           ,
           that
           he
           should
           not
           have
           his
           life
           taken
           away
           by
           inhumano
           cruelty
           ,
           not
           for
           
             Religions
          
           sake
           ,
           except
           something
           can
           be
           charged
           upon
           him
           ,
           besides
           ,
           matters
           of
           his
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           or
           
             Conscience
             :
          
           This
           is
           my
           judgement
           ,
           that
           both
           the
           
             Papists
          
           and
           
             you
          
           are
           
             Antichristian
             ,
          
           (
           in
           this
           )
           in
           that
           
             you
          
           kill
           each
           
             other
             ,
          
           when
           they
           take
           one
           of
           
             your
             Ministers
             ,
          
           and
           
             you
          
           theirs
           ,
           to
           destroy
           each
           other
           :
           this
           is
           not
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           
             Dragons
             power
          
           in
           both
           ,
           and
           there
           ought
           to
           be
           more
           toleration
           in
           both
           ,
           that
           lives
           may
           be
           spared
           ;
           and
           you
           ought
           to
           conquer
           with
           
             Spiritual
             Weapons
             ,
          
           if
           that
           you
           have
           them
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           kill
           and
           murther
           persons
           ,
           but
           to
           judge
           
             spirits
             ;
          
           That
           is
           contrary
           to
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           example
           ,
           to
           destroy
           mens
           lives
           for
           
             Religion
          
           sake
           :
           And
           why
           may
           not
           the
           
             Papists
          
           have
           toleration
           ,
           in
           matters
           concerning
           God
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           others
           :
           So
           those
           that
           plead
           for
           their
           toleration
           upon
           this
           account
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           be
           converted
           from
           sin
           ,
           and
           not
           destroyed
           in
           their
           sin
           ;
           this
           is
           no
           
             error
             ,
          
           that
           their
           lives
           may
           be
           spared
           ,
           but
           to
           plead
           for
           their
           toleration
           ,
           as
           the
           right
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           this
           is
           sin
           .
           And
           thus
           your
           sixth
           ground
           ,
           wherefore
           you
           fear
           the
           return
           of
           
             Popery
             ,
          
           is
           answered
           .
        
         
           Now
           I
           come
           to
           the
           second
           consideration
           ,
           which
           is
           ,
           
             The
             present
             distracted
             estate
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             you
             say
             is
             evidenced
             in
             divers
             particulars
             :
             First
             ,
             your
             division
             in
             civil
             and
             spiritual
             things
             ,
             so
             that
             the
             wonted
             love
             and
             communion
             in
             holy
             duties
             ,
             is
             interrupted
             ,
             strangenesse
             and
             distances
             fomented
             ,
             censures
             and
             hard
             opinions
             of
             each
             others
             entertained
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           Here
           is
           your
           error
           ,
           for
           true
           
             Religion
          
           is
           not
           distracted
           nor
           divided
           in
           it self
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           one
           in
           unity
           and
           peace
           ,
           and
           so
           are
           all
           they
           that
           are
           in
           it
           ,
           their
           hearts
           being
           united
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           in
           their
           Faith
           Practise
           ,
           and
           Worship
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           things
           pertaining
           to
           their
           
             Religion
             :
          
           It
           s
           true
           ,
           there
           is
           distraction
           
           amongst
           all
           the
           
             false
             Sects
          
           and
           
             Churches
          
           upon
           the
           earth
           ,
           and
           it
           must
           be
           so
           ,
           
             Babilon
          
           is
           divided
           ,
           and
           confounded
           in
           its
           self
           ,
           and
           one
           part
           of
           it
           against
           another
           ,
           so
           the
           distractions
           is
           among
           your selves
           ,
           among
           
             Papists
             ,
             Prelates
             ,
             Presbyters
             ,
          
           and
           the
           rest
           ,
           tearing
           and
           rending
           one
           another
           about
           
             Church-worship
             ,
          
           and
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           all
           like
           
             Wolves
          
           in
           sheeps
           cloathing
           ,
           biting
           one
           another
           ,
           being
           divided
           in
           
             civil
          
           and
           
             spiritual
          
           things
           ,
           one
           crying
           for
           
             this
             ,
          
           and
           another
           for
           the
           
             other
             way
          
           of
           Government
           in
           
             Church
          
           and
           
             State
             ,
          
           and
           you
           are
           out
           of
           the
           true
           love
           ,
           and
           true
           communion
           in
           holy
           duties
           ,
           and
           interrupts
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           what
           one
           saith
           is
           
             right
             ,
          
           another
           saith
           is
           
             wrong
             ;
          
           and
           all
           this
           is
           in
           
             Babilon
             ,
          
           among
           your selves
           ,
           and
           none
           of
           it
           among
           them
           that
           are
           in
           the
           true
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           and
           in
           true
           
             Church-Vnion
             ,
          
           who
           are
           gathered
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           .
        
         
           Your
           second
           
             Evidence
          
           of
           the
           distracted
           estate
           of
           
             Religion
          
           (
           as
           you
           say
           )
           
             is
             the
             many
             horrid
             and
             hideous
             errors
             ,
             which
             for
             some
             years
             past
             have
             abounded
             amongst
             us
             ,
             against
             the
             Authority
             of
             Scriptures
             ,
             the
             Diety
             of
             Christ
             ,
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             Trinity
             of
             Persons
             ,
             Immortality
             of
             Souls
             ,
             Doctrines
             of
             Repentance
             ,
             Humiliation
             ,
             Sanctification
             ,
             Resurrection
             from
             the
             Dead
             ,
             the
             eternal
             recompence
             of
             Heaven
             and
             Hell
             ,
             yea
             ,
             divers
             Sects
             encreasing
             every
             day
             in
             numbers
             ,
             power
             ,
             and
             malice
             ,
             and
             under
             the
             names
             of
          
           Quakers
           ,
           Ranters
           ,
           Seekers
           ,
           
             &c.
             oppugning
             the
             received
             Doctrine
             ,
             and
             unquestionable
             interest
             of
             Christ
             Iesus
             amongst
             us
             .
          
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           That
           many
           horrid
           errors
           have
           abounded
           amongst
           
             you
             ,
          
           that
           's
           very
           true
           ,
           as
           in
           many
           particulars
           might
           be
           instanced
           :
           But
           why
           do
           you
           maliciously
           charge
           the
           
             Quakers
          
           with
           opposing
           the
           interest
           of
           Christ
           Jesus
           ?
           The
           Lord
           shall
           judge
           you
           in
           his
           day
           ,
           when
           he
           makes
           it
           appear
           to
           all
           the
           world
           ,
           that
           those
           whom
           you
           charge
           with
           the
           contrary
           ,
           are
           the
           very
           friends
           of
           
             Christs
          
           interest
           ,
           and
           have
           been
           patient
           sufferers
           for
           his
           Name
           sake
           ,
           under
           the
           wickedness
           of
           your
           Generation
           ;
           and
           as
           for
           the
           
             Ranters
             ,
             Seekers
             ,
          
           and
           others
           ,
           whom
           you
           have
           reckoned
           up
           together
           with
           the
           
             Quakers
             ,
          
           it
           is
           well
           known
           that
           we
           are
           in
           opposition
           in
           spirit
           unto
           all
           these
           ,
           and
           have
           given
           large
           testimony
           in
           the
           fear
           of
           God
           against
           them
           ,
           though
           it
           is
           certain
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           many
           as
           upright
           and
           sincere
           men
           towards
           God
           amongst
           these
           
             Sects
          
           you
           have
           mentioned
           ,
           as
           any
           of
           
             your
             
             Congregations
             ;
          
           and
           though
           in
           some
           things
           they
           are
           condemnable
           ,
           yet
           in
           some
           things
           they
           are
           as
           justifiable
           as
           
             you
          
           are
           ,
           before
           the
           Lord
           :
           And
           what
           the
           
             Seekers
             ,
             Ranters
             ,
             Familists
             ,
          
           and
           the
           rest
           mentioned
           by
           you
           do
           hold
           ,
           as
           in
           these
           things
           you
           have
           charged
           them
           with
           ,
           I
           le
           leave
           that
           ,
           for
           I
           am
           not
           now
           pleading
           their
           cause
           ,
           but
           the
           Cause
           of
           God
           and
           his
           People
           ,
           whom
           you
           in
           scorn
           call
           
             Quakers
             ;
          
           and
           though
           you
           have
           joyned
           them
           in
           accusation
           with
           others
           ,
           yet
           I
           must
           separate
           them
           from
           others
           in
           my
           Answer
           ,
           and
           must
           tell
           you
           in
           the
           fear
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           that
           you
           have
           belied
           them
           ,
           and
           falsly
           accused
           them
           out
           of
           your
           malicious
           hearts
           ,
           for
           they
           do
           not
           deny
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           
             Scriptures
             ,
          
           but
           gives
           that
           authority
           to
           them
           ,
           which
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           that
           gave
           them
           forth
           have
           formerly
           given
           ,
           neither
           do
           they
           deny
           the
           
             Deity
          
           of
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           but
           do
           say
           ,
           in
           him
           dwelleth
           the
           fulness
           of
           the
           
             Godhead
             ;
          
           neither
           do
           they
           deny
           the
           
             Holy
             Spirit
             ,
          
           nor
           the
           
             Father
             ,
             Son
             ,
          
           and
           
             Spirit
             ,
          
           but
           say
           there
           are
           
             three
             ,
          
           and
           these
           
             three
          
           are
           
             one
             ;
          
           but
           as
           for
           your
           
             Trinity
          
           of
           persons
           ,
           that
           is
           language
           besides
           the
           Scriptures
           ;
           and
           we
           do
           affirm
           the
           Soul
           is
           
             immortal
             ,
          
           and
           as
           for
           the
           Doctrines
           of
           
             Repentance
             ,
             Humiliation
             ,
             Sanctification
             ,
             Resurrection
          
           from
           the
           dead
           ,
           the
           eternal
           recompence
           of
           
             Heaven
          
           and
           
             Hell
             ,
          
           these
           Doctrines
           are
           publickly
           held
           forth
           by
           them
           in
           words
           ,
           and
           also
           in
           practise
           ,
           more
           than
           by
           your selves
           ;
           therefore
           with
           what
           face
           you
           could
           charge
           them
           with
           the
           denial
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           it
           is
           almost
           wonderful
           ;
           and
           there
           are
           thousands
           of
           your
           Congregations
           that
           are
           and
           have
           been
           sometimes
           hearing
           in
           your
           
             City
             ,
          
           that
           shall
           bear
           witness
           against
           your
           accusations
           ,
           and
           give
           evidence
           that
           they
           have
           heard
           them
           ,
           whom
           you
           call
           
             Quakers
             ,
          
           give
           faithful
           witness
           of
           ,
           and
           for
           all
           these
           things
           which
           you
           charge
           them
           with
           denial
           of
           :
           Do
           you
           think
           that
           your
           
             Congregations
          
           are
           all
           so
           blind
           as
           to
           receive
           for
           truth
           what
           you
           herein
           have
           spoken
           ,
           nay
           ,
           I
           must
           tell
           you
           ,
           some
           of
           them
           are
           offended
           with
           you
           because
           hereof
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           in
           that
           you
           have
           reckoned
           the
           
             Quakers
          
           with
           
             Ranters
             ,
          
           and
           others
           ,
           between
           whom
           there
           is
           absolute
           opposition
           ,
           and
           not
           agreement
           ,
           neither
           in
           doctrine
           nor
           practise
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           you
           should
           charge
           the
           
             Quak
          
           with
           such
           things
           as
           they
           are
           altogether
           clear
           of
           ,
           and
           known
           to
           be
           so
           by
           many
           ;
           
           but
           this
           is
           ,
           that
           your
           folly
           and
           weakness
           might
           appear
           ,
           and
           as
           you
           speak
           of
           encreasing
           every
           day
           in
           
             number
             ,
             power
             ,
          
           and
           
             malice
             ,
          
           some
           part
           of
           this
           is
           true
           ,
           for
           the
           Lord
           doth
           encrease
           his
           people
           daily
           in
           
             number
             ,
          
           and
           
             power
             ,
          
           by
           his
           
             spirit
             ,
          
           but
           not
           in
           
             malice
             ,
          
           and
           that
           is
           your
           torment
           ,
           the
           encrease
           of
           the
           
             Quakers
             ,
          
           which
           as
           they
           have
           begun
           to
           encrease
           ,
           so
           the
           Lord
           will
           continue
           them
           ,
           and
           you
           nor
           mortal
           men
           shall
           not
           be
           able
           to
           hinder
           ,
           neither
           the
           Magistrates
           persecution
           ,
           nor
           the
           Ministers
           instigation
           thereunto
           ,
           though
           you
           have
           joyned
           hand
           in
           hand
           against
           them
           ,
           for
           the
           Lord
           is
           with
           his
           people
           ,
           and
           his
           authority
           and
           power
           is
           their
           defence
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           not
           in
           empty
           formes
           (
           as
           you
           say
           )
           but
           in
           the
           power
           of
           Godliness
           ;
           and
           as
           for
           your
           Ordinances
           and
           Ministry
           ,
           of
           which
           you
           speak
           ,
           something
           I
           have
           said
           to
           it
           already
           ,
           and
           more
           I
           shall
           say
           hereafter
           .
        
         
           Your
           third
           Evidence
           is
           ,
           
             the
             odious
             scandalls
             of
             those
             that
             profess
             themselves
             to
             be
             the
             people
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             their
             self seeking
             ,
             their
             unparaellel'd
             breach
             of
             all
             civil
             and
             sacred
             oaths
             ,
             whereby
             the
             mouth
             of
             iniquity
             is
             opened
             ,
             and
             the
             reverence
             of
             religion
             abated
             ,
             so
             that
             to
             us
             (
             say
             you
             )
             there
             appeares
             no
             visible
             way
             of
             repairing
             the
             credit
             of
             strict
             profession
             ,
             but
             by
             a
             severe
             punishment
             of
             Professors
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           many
           that
           do
           professe
           themselves
           the
           people
           of
           
             God
             ,
          
           but
           are
           not
           ,
           but
           by
           their
           lives
           and
           practises
           gives
           odious
           scandalls
           ,
           and
           are
           self-seeking
           ,
           as
           you
           say
           ;
           but
           upon
           whom
           the
           guilt
           of
           this
           may
           truly
           be
           charged
           ,
           that
           remains
           to
           be
           sought
           out
           ,
           doubtlesse
           it
           lies
           as
           neer
           your
           doors
           as
           any
           others
           ,
           for
           is
           not
           your
           pride
           and
           oppression
           by
           taking
           
             tithes
             ,
          
           and
           suing
           people
           at
           law
           for
           wages
           ,
           and
           casting
           them
           in
           prison
           ,
           because
           for
           good
           conscience
           sake
           they
           cannot
           pay
           you
           ,
           your
           seeking
           for
           your
           gain
           from
           your
           quarter
           ,
           and
           your
           taking
           great
           sums
           of
           money
           ,
           and
           preaching
           for
           hire
           ,
           taking
           so
           much
           yearly
           ,
           are
           not
           these
           odious
           scandalls
           ,
           and
           very
           self-seeking
           practices
           which
           you
           are
           guilty
           of
           ,
           while
           you
           pretend
           publique
           good
           ?
           as
           for
           breaches
           of
           oaths
           and
           covenants
           ,
           I
           wish
           you
           to
           search
           your
           own
           hearts
           ,
           for
           that
           iniquity
           doth
           lye
           as
           near
           your
           generation
           as
           any
           others
           ,
           witnesse
           that
           you
           and
           your
           brethren
           have
           from
           time
           to
           time
           engaged
           to
           such
           and
           such
           things
           :
           as
           first
           ,
           did
           not
           you
           engage
           for
           the
           government
           to
           be
           without
           
             King
             ,
          
           and
           
             House
             of
             Lords
             ?
          
           And
           did
           not
           you
           then
           cry
           up
           the
           
           
             Protector
             ,
          
           contrary
           to
           your
           engagements
           ,
           and
           now
           cry
           up
           another
           :
           and
           thus
           it
           is
           very
           evident
           ,
           that
           the
           guilt
           of
           breach
           of
           Oaths
           &
           Covenants
           ,
           lies
           neer
           unto
           your selves
           ,
           which
           indeed
           opens
           the
           mouth
           of
           iniquity
           ;
           for
           the
           very
           
             Cavaliers
          
           and
           
             Prelates
          
           say
           ,
           you
           were
           once
           strict
           in
           your
           way
           ,
           but
           now
           you
           have
           struck
           hands
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           are
           now
           your selves
           doing
           that
           which
           you
           cryed
           out
           against
           in
           them
           ▪
           And
           
             thousands
          
           in
           this
           Nation
           is
           abated
           in
           their
           affections
           from
           your
           
             Church
          
           and
           
             Ministry
             ,
          
           as
           knowing
           them
           to
           be
           upon
           a
           false
           
             Foundation
             ,
          
           and
           to
           be
           of
           
             Babylon
             ,
          
           and
           not
           of
           the
           Heavenly
           
             Ierusalem
             :
          
           And
           what
           do
           you
           mean
           by
           severe
           punishment
           of
           professors
           ?
           do
           you
           mean
           to
           set
           up
           
             Ecclesiastical
          
           lawes
           again
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           must
           be
           forced
           to
           your
           
             Church
          
           way
           and
           Religion
           ?
           is
           it
           in
           your
           hearts
           to
           drive
           the
           Nation
           by
           force
           ,
           and
           if
           they
           will
           not
           ,
           to
           punish
           them
           with
           fire
           ,
           and
           faggot
           ,
           and
           prisons
           ?
           If
           this
           be
           your
           meaning
           ,
           as
           may
           justly
           be
           supposed
           it
           is
           ,
           the
           Lord
           deliver
           the
           Nation
           from
           you
           ,
           this
           is
           not
           the
           way
           to
           gain
           the
           credit
           of
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           but
           the
           further
           you
           go
           on
           in
           this
           way
           ,
           as
           you
           have
           formerly
           walked
           in
           ,
           the
           more
           will
           your
           
             Profession
          
           and
           
             Religion
          
           stink
           in
           the
           nostrils
           of
           all
           good
           men
           .
        
         
           Your
           fourth
           Evidence
           is
           ,
           
             Immensity
             ,
             &
             boundless
             liberty
             permitted
             ,
             assumed
             ,
             &
             freely
             practised
             by
             many
             ,
             to
             write
             ,
          
           print
           
             and
          
           publish
           
             all
             manner
             of
          
           blasphemies
           
             and
          
           opinions
           ,
           
             &c.
             the
             sad
             and
             woful
             effects
             thereof
             appears
             in
             many
             ,
             some
             being
             in
             Apostacy
             ,
             others
             in
             luke-warmnesse
             ,
             and
             much
             decay
             in
             the
             power
             of
             godlinesse
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           As
           I
           have
           acknowledged
           there
           are
           without
           doubt
           many
           
             errors
             ,
             blasphemies
             ,
          
           and
           
             false
             oppinions
          
           extant
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           both
           written
           ,
           published
           ,
           and
           maintained
           ,
           but
           upon
           whom
           ,
           and
           what
           sort
           of
           men
           this
           can
           truly
           be
           charged
           ,
           this
           is
           very
           doubtful
           to
           many
           ;
           and
           your
           charge
           being
           onely
           general
           ,
           no
           particular
           answer
           can
           well
           be
           given
           ,
           only
           it
           appears
           ,
           you
           would
           have
           none
           to
           
             write
             ,
             print
             ,
             and
             publish
             ,
          
           but
           your selves
           ,
           or
           by
           your
           consent
           ;
           and
           you
           would
           tye
           the
           
             Nation
          
           up
           in
           the
           bondage
           of
           your
           own
           
             spirits
             ;
          
           and
           you
           would
           be
           the
           only
           Judges
           of
           
             blasphemies
          
           and
           
             errors
             ;
          
           but
           that
           we
           allow
           not
           ,
           for
           enemies
           must
           not
           be
           Judges
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           very
           possible
           that
           such
           is
           your
           darknesse
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           call
           truth
           error
           ,
           and
           error
           truth
           in
           some
           particulars
           ,
           but
           if
           you
           shall
           instance
           any
           particular
           
           
             Doctrines
             ,
             Blasphemies
             ,
             Errors
             ,
          
           and
           
             Opinions
             ,
          
           published
           and
           maintained
           ,
           in
           my
           next
           I
           shall
           freely
           give
           my
           witness
           against
           them
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           really
           so
           ,
           and
           against
           the
           people
           that
           holds
           them
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           your selves
           ,
           &
           more
           particularly
           I
           cannot
           now
           say
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           indeed
           woeful
           and
           sad
           effects
           of
           
             errors
          
           brought
           forth
           in
           this
           
             Nation
             ,
          
           and
           many
           are
           in
           the
           
             Apostacy
          
           from
           the
           truth
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           
             luke-warmness
          
           also
           ,
           and
           the
           power
           of
           
             Godliness
          
           is
           decayed
           ,
           and
           they
           have
           the
           
             Forme
             ,
          
           and
           holds
           that
           without
           the
           
             Power
             :
          
           your selves
           may
           do
           well
           ,
           and
           your
           
             Congregations
          
           also
           ,
           to
           search
           your
           own
           hearts
           ,
           by
           the
           spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           that
           the
           guilty
           may
           see
           ,
           and
           turn
           unto
           the
           Lord
           ,
           that
           his
           wrath
           come
           not
           upon
           them
           .
        
         
           Your
           fift
           Evidence
           is
           ,
           
             Sabbath
             Prophanation
             ,
          
           both
           in
           
             Opinion
          
           and
           
             Practice
             ,
          
           grown
           to
           a
           greater
           height
           than
           ever
           formerly
           ;
           the
           Iewes
           
             Sabbath
          
           cryed
           up
           ,
           instead
           of
           the
           Christian
           :
           
             Shops
          
           opened
           upon
           the
           
             Lords
             day
             ,
          
           yea
           ,
           some
           working
           the
           works
           of
           their
           
             ordinary
             callings
             ,
          
           in
           knitting
           ,
           and
           sowing
           of
           garments
           in
           our
           Assemblies
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           Pulpits
           ,
           in
           the
           time
           of
           Gods
           publike
           worship
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           This
           remains
           doutful
           to
           many
           ,
           what
           the
           true
           
             Sabbath
          
           is
           ,
           and
           whether
           the
           Lord
           doth
           require
           of
           this
           
             generation
          
           the
           observing
           one
           day
           above
           another
           ,
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           what
           day
           it
           is
           that
           he
           requires
           the
           observing
           of
           ;
           as
           for
           the
           7th
           day
           of
           the
           week
           ,
           we
           know
           that
           the
           Lord
           commanded
           the
           
             Iewes
          
           to
           keep
           as
           a
           
             Sabbath
             ,
          
           and
           to
           rest
           ,
           But
           that
           was
           never
           commanded
           to
           the
           
             Gentiles
             ;
          
           and
           as
           for
           the
           first
           day
           of
           the
           week
           ,
           which
           is
           called
           the
           Christians
           
             Sabbath
             ,
          
           that
           is
           doubtful
           to
           many
           ,
           whether
           God
           commands
           and
           requires
           the
           observation
           of
           that
           day
           by
           the
           gentile
           believers
           ,
           yea
           ,
           or
           nay
           ;
           seeing
           that
           there
           is
           neither
           command
           nor
           binding
           example
           for
           it
           ,
           through
           out
           the
           Scriptures
           ▪
           if
           there
           be
           any
           I
           do
           desire
           that
           you
           would
           shew
           it
           in
           your
           next
           ,
           and
           by
           what
           authority
           ,
           whether
           from
           men
           ,
           or
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           the
           first
           day
           of
           the
           week
           is
           now
           kept
           by
           you
           ,
           as
           your
           
             Sabbath
             ;
          
           for
           really
           many
           are
           doubtful
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           and
           you
           would
           do
           very
           well
           ,
           if
           you
           have
           a
           command
           from
           
             God
             ,
          
           or
           
             example
          
           from
           his
           servants
           in
           former
           ages
           ,
           to
           discover
           so
           much
           unto
           the
           people
           ;
           And
           as
           for
           your
           calling
           it
           the
           
             Lords
             day
             ,
          
           it
           is
           certaine
           every
           day
           is
           his
           ,
           and
           not
           one
           day
           more
           then
           another
           ;
           and
           
           as
           for
           
             shops
          
           opening
           ,
           and
           such
           things
           as
           you
           mention
           ,
           though
           every
           one
           that
           do
           such
           things
           ,
           may
           not
           be
           justified
           in
           the
           doing
           of
           it
           ,
           yet
           such
           a
           thing
           in
           it self
           may
           be
           justified
           ,
           if
           the
           spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           moves
           unto
           it
           ,
           and
           who
           shall
           limit
           the
           Lord
           ?
           And
           why
           may
           not
           others
           labour
           in
           their
           ordinary
           
             callings
          
           that
           day
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           you
           in
           your
           ordinary
           
             callings
             ?
          
           I
           mean
           ,
           your
           ordinary
           
             calling
          
           of
           
             preaching
             ;
          
           that
           it
           is
           an
           ordinary
           
             calling
             ,
          
           it
           is
           certaine
           ,
           because
           you
           deny
           any
           extrordinary
           
             calling
          
           in
           these
           dayes
           ,
           and
           so
           I
           only
           query
           this
           ,
           why
           others
           may
           not
           follow
           their
           ordinary
           
             callings
          
           as
           well
           as
           you
           ?
           for
           it
           hath
           been
           affirmed
           very
           lately
           by
           some
           ,
           that
           
             preaching
          
           was
           a
           trade
           ,
           and
           a
           
             function
          
           for
           men
           to
           get
           a
           living
           by
           ,
           and
           we
           do
           not
           question
           but
           there
           are
           many
           now
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           called
           Ministers
           ,
           that
           do
           
             preach
          
           for
           that
           end
           ,
           and
           would
           cease
           to
           
             preach
             ,
          
           if
           
             money
          
           and
           
             tithes
          
           were
           ceased
           to
           be
           given
           them
           :
           I
           speak
           this
           of
           some
           ,
           not
           of
           all
           ,
           which
           doth
           demonstrate
           ,
           that
           the
           way
           of
           your
           preaching
           ,
           is
           an
           ordinary
           
             calling
             ;
          
           which
           you
           labour
           in
           ,
           on
           your
           
             Sabbath
             day
             .
          
        
         
           Your
           sixth
           Evidence
           ,
           
             is
             the
             powring
             out
             by
             many
             of
             all
             sects
             with
             a
             full
             mouth
             ,
             all
             manner
             of
             obloquy
             and
             contempt
             upon
          
           Ministry
           ,
           
             and
          
           Ministers
           
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             openly
             interrupting
             them
             in
             the
             excercise
             of
             their
             duty
             ,
             whereby
             they
             are
          
           discouraged
           
             in
             their
             work
             ,
             while
             they
             are
             represented
             under
             the
             notion
             of
          
           Baals
           Priests
           ,
           Gehazaes
           ,
           pulpited
           divines
           ,
           
             distributers
             of
          
           Sundaies
           Doses
           ,
           Simonions
           ,
           Decimating
           Clergy
           ,
           
             common
          
           Incendiaries
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           It
           is
           certain
           ,
           that
           the
           true
           Ministry
           ,
           and
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           were
           in
           all
           ages
           and
           now
           are
           contemned
           and
           despised
           ,
           and
           all
           manner
           of
           evill
           spoken
           against
           them
           for
           the
           name
           of
           Christ
           :
           But
           whether
           you
           are
           those
           true
           
             Ministers
          
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           your
           
             Ministry
          
           the
           true
           
             Ministry
          
           sent
           of
           Christ
           ,
           this
           is
           doubtful
           to
           many
           ;
           and
           by
           many
           particulars
           which
           might
           be
           instanced
           ,
           the
           contrary
           doth
           appear
           :
           The
           
             Ministers
          
           of
           Christ
           in
           the
           daies
           of
           the
           
             Apostles
             ,
          
           they
           never
           complained
           of
           being
           
             interrupted
             ;
          
           for
           they
           were
           haled
           before
           
             Rulers
             ,
          
           and
           commanded
           to
           preach
           no
           more
           in
           that
           name
           ,
           and
           yet
           they
           were
           not
           discouraged
           thereby
           in
           their
           work
           ,
           nor
           when
           they
           were
           called
           
             movers
          
           of
           sedition
           ,
           and
           deceivers
           ,
           and
           such
           reproachful
           
           names
           ,
           they
           regarded
           not
           these
           things
           ,
           but
           as
           for
           
             you
             ,
          
           you
           seem
           to
           be
           troubled
           that
           any
           should
           speak
           to
           you
           ,
           or
           ask
           you
           a
           question
           ,
           or
           exhort
           you
           to
           repent
           ,
           if
           any
           out
           of
           good
           conscience
           query
           with
           you
           ,
           concerning
           your
           
             practise
          
           and
           
             Doctrine
             ,
          
           and
           if
           any
           exhort
           to
           good
           ,
           and
           cry
           against
           evil
           amongst
           you
           ,
           this
           you
           call
           interrupting
           of
           you
           ,
           in
           your
           
             Ministerial
          
           duty
           ,
           and
           to
           
             prison
             ,
          
           houses
           of
           
             Correction
             ,
          
           and
           to
           
             Whips
          
           and
           
             Stocks
             ,
          
           must
           such
           go
           ,
           which
           was
           never
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           practise
           ,
           never
           was
           any
           sent
           to
           
             prison
          
           for
           opposing
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           what
           if
           the
           Ministers
           of
           
             England
          
           be
           called
           
             Hirelings
             ,
          
           and
           false
           Prophets
           ,
           and
           greedy
           
             dumb
             dogs
             ,
          
           the
           practise
           of
           some
           of
           them
           doth
           prove
           it
           that
           they
           are
           so
           ;
           these
           things
           you
           must
           bear
           ,
           as
           coming
           deservedly
           ,
           and
           not
           unjustly
           upon
           you
           ,
           for
           the
           servants
           of
           the
           Lord
           in
           all
           Ages
           ever
           cried
           against
           
             deceivers
             ,
          
           and
           false
           
             Prophets
             ,
          
           and
           called
           them
           
             deceivers
             ,
          
           and
           
             greedy
             dumb
             dogs
             ,
          
           and
           
             Serpents
             ,
          
           and
           
             vipers
             ,
          
           and
           evil
           beasts
           ,
           and
           slow
           bellies
           ;
           these
           names
           and
           terms
           did
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           the
           
             Apostles
             ,
          
           and
           
             Prophets
             ,
          
           use
           unto
           such
           as
           are
           some
           of
           the
           
             Ministery
          
           of
           this
           
             Nation
             ,
          
           and
           not
           with
           revilings
           and
           reproachings
           ,
           but
           with
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Authority
           from
           God
           ,
           that
           reproves
           the
           wickedness
           of
           
             Prophets
             ,
             Teachers
             ,
          
           and
           people
           ;
           and
           tell
           me
           ,
           have
           not
           some
           of
           you
           sued
           men
           at
           the
           
             Law
             ,
          
           and
           cast
           them
           into
           prison
           in
           this
           
             City
             ,
          
           because
           they
           would
           not
           give
           you
           
             money
             ,
          
           and
           
             tythes
             ,
          
           and
           
             hire
             ,
          
           though
           such
           as
           have
           not
           heard
           you
           ,
           nor
           received
           you
           as
           
             Ministers
             ,
          
           not
           received
           any
           thing
           from
           you
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           you
           did
           never
           any
           work
           for
           ,
           have
           you
           sought
           wages
           from
           ,
           and
           caused
           them
           to
           be
           
             imprisoned
          
           that
           would
           not
           give
           you
           ?
           And
           tell
           me
           in
           good
           earnest
           ,
           can
           any
           less
           be
           said
           of
           such
           who
           thus
           walk
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           are
           
             insatiable
             hirelings
             ,
          
           and
           as
           bad
           as
           
             Baals
             Priests
             ,
          
           and
           even
           
             cheaters
             ,
          
           and
           
             greedy
             dumb
             dogs
             ,
          
           let
           the
           Witness
           in
           your
           own
           
             consciences
          
           answer
           ,
           and
           you
           shall
           have
           a
           reply
           .
        
         
           Now
           I
           come
           to
           your
           third
           
             particular
             ,
          
           which
           is
           
             other
             causes
             and
             symptomes
             of
             Gods
             wrath
             hanging
             over
             your
             heads
             ,
             the
             frequent
             disappointment
             from
             time
             to
             time
             ,
             of
             all
             hopes
             of
             coming
             to
             any
             settlement
             in
             Government
             in
             the
             Nation
             ,
             occasioned
             by
             strange
             confusions
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             clear
             evidence
             that
             God
             hath
             in
             displeasure
             darkened
             our
             eyes
             ,
             and
             bid
             counsel
             from
             us
          
           (
           say
           you
           .
           )
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           It
           is
           very
           true
           ,
           that
           from
           time
           to
           time
           of
           late
           daies
           
           the
           Lord
           hath
           disappointed
           the
           purposes
           of
           men
           ,
           even
           concerning
           settling
           of
           
             Government
             ,
          
           and
           there
           hath
           been
           almost
           strange
           confusions
           in
           changes
           ,
           but
           to
           what
           can
           this
           be
           attributed
           ?
           Have
           not
           your
           fins
           been
           as
           great
           a
           cause
           of
           it
           as
           any
           others
           ?
           And
           have
           not
           you
           and
           your
           Generation
           been
           the
           Councellors
           in
           all
           these
           matters
           ?
           Was
           not
           some
           of
           you
           or
           your
           Brethren
           in
           
             Olivers
          
           daies
           ,
           and
           in
           
             Richards
          
           daies
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Armies
           daies
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Parliaments
           daies
           ,
           and
           are
           not
           you
           and
           your
           Brethren
           busie
           at
           this
           day
           in
           ordering
           a
           settlement
           of
           Government
           in
           this
           Nation
           ?
           But
           the
           Lord
           hath
           hitherto
           disappointed
           
             you
          
           and
           them
           ,
           that
           
             you
             have
             counselled
             ;
          
           and
           broken
           you
           into
           confusion
           and
           distraction
           ,
           and
           turned
           backwards
           even
           the
           proceedings
           of
           
             Rulers
             ,
          
           and
           
             Teachers
             ,
          
           and
           the
           spirit
           of
           deep
           
             sleep
          
           and
           of
           
             slumber
          
           is
           powred
           upon
           you
           all
           ,
           and
           the
           
             vision
          
           of
           these
           things
           is
           as
           a
           sealed
           book
           unto
           you
           ,
           even
           because
           of
           Gods
           displeasure
           against
           you
           ;
           and
           in
           that
           you
           say
           ,
           
             your
             eyes
             are
             darkned
             ,
             and
             counsel
             is
             hid
             from
             you
             ,
          
           in
           that
           you
           say
           true
           ,
           though
           to
           your
           own
           shame
           :
           And
           what
           trust
           can
           be
           put
           in
           such
           
             Watchmen
             ?
          
           What
           confidence
           can
           be
           placed
           by
           your
           people
           in
           you
           ?
           when
           as
           you
           acknowledge
           that
           your
           eyes
           are
           darkned
           ,
           and
           counsel
           is
           hid
           from
           you
           ;
           the
           Scriptures
           mentioned
           by
           you
           doth
           prove
           there
           was
           darkness
           upon
           the
           Land
           ,
           but
           
             Isaiah
          
           doth
           not
           say
           ,
           nor
           
             David
             ,
          
           that
           counsel
           was
           hid
           from
           them
           ,
           or
           that
           their
           eyes
           were
           darkned
           ,
           neither
           did
           ever
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           say
           so
           ,
           but
           witnessed
           that
           the
           Lord
           was
           their
           light
           ,
           and
           in
           him
           their
           eyes
           were
           opened
           ,
           and
           counsel
           was
           revealed
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           You
           say
           ,
           
             This
             sadly
             presages
             of
          
           unchurching
           
             the
             Nation
             ,
             or
             the
          
           departing
           
             of
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             from
             you
             .
          
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           By
           
             unchurching
          
           the
           Nation
           ,
           I
           suppose
           you
           mean
           making
           the
           
             Church
          
           no
           
             Church
             ,
          
           which
           if
           this
           can
           be
           done
           ,
           then
           the
           Gates
           of
           hell
           may
           prevail
           against
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           contrary
           to
           the
           words
           of
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           who
           said
           ,
           the
           Gates
           of
           Hell
           should
           not
           prevail
           ;
           but
           I
           must
           tell
           you
           ,
           the
           Nation
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           as
           to
           the
           general
           part
           of
           it
           ,
           hath
           been
           long
           ,
           and
           yet
           is
           
             unchurched
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           ungathered
           by
           the
           Eternal
           Spirit
           ,
           into
           the
           true
           fellowship
           in
           the
           Body
           of
           
             Christ
             ;
          
           for
           the
           night
           of
           
             Apostacy
          
           and
           
             Darkness
          
           hath
           been
           over
           the
           world
           ,
           since
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           daies
           ,
           and
           over
           this
           Nation
           in
           particular
           ,
           and
           your
           
             Churches
          
           hath
           been
           no
           true
           
           
             Churches
             ,
          
           nor
           the
           people
           under
           your
           
             Ministry
          
           truly
           joyned
           and
           united
           in
           true
           
             Church
          
           Order
           ,
           and
           under
           true
           
             Church
          
           Government
           ,
           though
           I
           do
           not
           say
           but
           that
           there
           are
           thousands
           of
           sincere
           people
           that
           loves
           the
           Lord
           ,
           yet
           remaining
           among
           you
           ,
           and
           the
           day
           of
           the
           Lord
           is
           appearing
           ,
           which
           will
           confound
           the
           
             Whore
             ,
          
           the
           
             false
             Church
             ,
          
           which
           hath
           been
           set
           up
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           and
           through
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           Assemblies
           which
           hath
           had
           the
           name
           of
           the
           
             Churches
          
           of
           Christ
           ,
           will
           be
           found
           to
           be
           otherwise
           in
           the
           judgement
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           false
           
             Ordinances
             ,
          
           Practises
           ,
           and
           Ministers
           ,
           must
           be
           thrown
           down
           ,
           that
           the
           glory
           of
           the
           Lord
           may
           again
           appear
           .
        
         
           Further
           you
           seem
           ,
           
             to
             charge
             your selves
             with
             leaving
             your
             first
             love
             ,
             and
             former
             zeal
             ,
             for
             the
             truth
             and
             worship
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             the
             present
             coldness
             and
             indifferency
             in
             the
             things
             of
             God
             ,
             together
             with
             your
             barrenness
             and
             unanswerable
             walking
             to
             the
             Gospel
             of
             Christ
             ,
             &c.
          
           (
           say
           you
           .
           )
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           Though
           to
           your
           own
           shame
           ,
           yet
           I
           do
           believe
           this
           is
           truly
           acknowledged
           ,
           that
           you
           have
           lost
           your
           
             first
             love
          
           and
           
             zeal
             ,
          
           which
           once
           was
           in
           you
           ,
           in
           the
           daies
           when
           you
           were
           persecuted
           under
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           you
           were
           full
           of
           
             love
          
           and
           
             zeal
          
           for
           the
           
             truth
             ,
          
           and
           
             worship
          
           of
           God
           ,
           according
           as
           it
           was
           made
           manifest
           ,
           and
           then
           you
           were
           sufferers
           your selves
           ,
           but
           now
           you
           are
           
             causers
          
           of
           others
           to
           
             suffer
             ,
          
           and
           there
           is
           indeed
           much
           
             coldness
             ,
          
           and
           
             dryness
             ,
          
           and
           
             barrenness
             ,
          
           amongst
           
             you
          
           and
           
             your
          
           people
           ;
           I
           do
           truly
           desire
           you
           may
           repent
           you
           thereof
           ,
           that
           if
           so
           be
           the
           Lord
           may
           heal
           you
           ;
           and
           your
           walking
           indeed
           is
           
             unanswerable
          
           to
           the
           
             Gospel
          
           of
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           (
           to
           wit
           )
           your
           taking
           of
           
             tythes
             ,
          
           and
           so
           much
           
             by
             the
             year
          
           for
           preaching
           ;
           and
           
             suing
          
           people
           at
           the
           Law
           that
           will
           not
           give
           you
           wages
           ,
           though
           you
           do
           no
           work
           for
           them
           ;
           these
           ,
           with
           many
           other
           things
           which
           you
           practise
           ,
           is
           an
           
             unanswerable
          
           walking
           to
           the
           
             Gospel
          
           of
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           and
           seeing
           you
           have
           confessed
           your
           sius
           in
           some
           measure
           ,
           repent
           and
           sin
           no
           more
           ,
           that
           your
           iniquities
           may
           be
           blotted
           out
           .
        
         
           Again
           ,
           
             you
             complain
             of
             the
             prevalency
             of
          
           Atheisme
           ,
           
             and
             doting
             upon
          
           error
           ,
           
             endless
             separations
             ,
             common
             ignorance
             ,
             unbelief
             ,
             prophaneness
             ,
             the
             prejudice
             against
             wholesome
             doctrine
             ,
             and
             all
             order
             of
             discipline
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             many
             other
             confusions
             are
             upon
             us
             ,
          
           (
           say
           you
           .
           )
        
         
         
           
             Answ.
          
           Alas
           !
           So
           it
           is
           ,
           but
           where
           is
           the
           blame
           ?
           Oh
           you
           Watchmen
           !
           Should
           not
           you
           have
           better
           preserved
           your
           flocks
           ?
           Should
           not
           you
           have
           fed
           them
           with
           living
           food
           ?
           Should
           not
           you
           have
           been
           examples
           of
           righteousness
           and
           truth
           unto
           them
           ?
           And
           should
           not
           you
           have
           nourished
           them
           with
           knowledge
           and
           understanding
           ?
           But
           because
           the
           
             Shepherds
          
           have
           been
           
             lazy
          
           and
           
             idle
             ,
          
           and
           fed
           themselves
           ,
           and
           not
           their
           
             flocks
             ;
          
           but
           the
           
             Shepherds
          
           have
           ruled
           over
           their
           flocks
           with
           force
           and
           cruelty
           ,
           and
           their
           
             Ministry
          
           and
           
             Preaching
          
           hath
           been
           a
           very
           burden
           and
           oppression
           upon
           the
           people
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           that
           their
           
             flocks
          
           are
           
             divided
          
           into
           many
           Sects
           ,
           and
           separations
           ,
           and
           great
           confusions
           is
           in
           your
           Assemblies
           ,
           and
           among
           you
           ,
           even
           the
           sin
           of
           the
           people
           in
           some
           measure
           ,
           will
           be
           charged
           upon
           you
           their
           
             Teachers
             ,
          
           whole
           flocks
           are
           run
           into
           
             errors
             ,
          
           and
           
             Atheisme
             ,
          
           and
           despise
           wholesome
           doctrine
           ,
           and
           are
           out
           of
           true
           order
           ,
           and
           Church-discipline
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           traditions
           of
           men
           :
           Therefore
           oh
           that
           you
           
             Ministers
          
           would
           consider
           !
           and
           that
           you
           would
           learn
           more
           wisdome
           ,
           and
           that
           your
           people
           would
           come
           to
           receive
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           into
           their
           hearts
           ,
           whereby
           they
           may
           be
           led
           into
           all
           truth
           ,
           and
           into
           the
           Covenant
           of
           God
           ,
           where
           there
           is
           no
           
             unbelief
             ,
             ignorance
             ,
             prophanenesse
             ,
          
           no
           confusion
           ;
           but
           
             peace
             ,
             love
             ,
          
           and
           
             unity
          
           altogether
           ,
           and
           if
           you
           and
           they
           did
           come
           into
           this
           ,
           you
           might
           be
           happy
           ,
           and
           the
           judgments
           of
           the
           Lord
           would
           be
           removed
           .
        
         
           Now
           I
           come
           to
           some
           particulars
           which
           you
           do
           promise
           for
           your selves
           :
           First
           ,
           
             That
             you
             will
             use
             all
             holy
             endeavours
             to
             keep
             God
             and
             his
             Truth
             among
             you
             .
          
           Secondly
           ,
           
             That
             you
             will
             be
             more
             diligent
             in
             watching
             over
             your
          
           flocks
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           
             That
             you
             shall
             endeavour
             the
             establishment
             of
             your
             Congregations
             against
          
           Popish
           
             delusions
             .
          
        
         
           To
           all
           which
           I
           answer
           :
           You
           must
           first
           make
           clean
           your
           own
           hearts
           ,
           and
           you
           must
           first
           repent
           of
           your
           own
           iniquities
           ,
           before
           you
           can
           heal
           others
           ;
           and
           you
           must
           first
           learn
           obedience
           to
           God
           in
           your
           own
           hearts
           ,
           before
           you
           can
           truly
           instruct
           others
           therein
           :
           And
           indeed
           there
           is
           need
           enough
           for
           you
           to
           mourn
           before
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           to
           fast
           ,
           and
           to
           confess
           your
           sins
           ,
           (
           as
           you
           say
           )
           for
           the
           Lord
           has
           been
           long
           
             departed
          
           from
           
             you
             ,
          
           and
           his
           presence
           from
           your
           
             Assemblies
             ,
          
           and
           that
           is
           the
           cause
           of
           
             deadnesse
             ,
             
             and
             drinesse
             ,
          
           and
           
             barrennesse
          
           among
           the
           people
           ,
           because
           Gods
           presence
           is
           wanting
           among
           you
           ;
           and
           you
           had
           indeed
           need
           to
           be
           more
           diligent
           in
           watching
           over
           your
           flocks
           ,
           for
           you
           have
           been
           negligent
           therein
           ,
           and
           have
           fed
           your selves
           ,
           and
           not
           them
           ,
           and
           you
           have
           sought
           
             theirs
             ,
          
           and
           not
           
             them
             ,
          
           it
           s
           partly
           evident
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           time
           for
           you
           now
           to
           amend
           ,
           and
           to
           put
           away
           the
           evil
           of
           your
           doings
           ;
           but
           first
           ,
           before
           you
           dispence
           the
           word
           to
           others
           ,
           you
           must
           feel
           the
           word
           in
           your
           own
           hearts
           ,
           to
           be
           as
           a
           
             fire
          
           and
           as
           a
           
             hammer
          
           in
           you
           ,
           and
           you
           must
           know
           another
           
             Foundation
          
           for
           
             Ministers
          
           than
           you
           have
           long
           stood
           upon
           ,
           even
           the
           
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
          
           must
           be
           your
           
             Foundation
             ,
          
           and
           you
           must
           cease
           to
           
             preach
          
           for
           
             hire
             ,
          
           and
           to
           
             divine
          
           for
           
             money
             ,
          
           and
           then
           should
           it
           be
           better
           with
           you
           ,
           and
           your
           flocks
           would
           have
           comfort
           in
           you
           ,
           if
           you
           had
           received
           freely
           from
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           ministred
           freely
           to
           them
           ;
           but
           while
           you
           do
           it
           for
           ends
           to
           your selves
           ,
           they
           can
           have
           no
           good
           hopes
           nor
           confidence
           in
           you
           .
        
         
           And
           whereas
           you
           exhort
           your
           
             Congregations
          
           in
           divers
           particulars
           :
           
             First
             ,
             to
             take
             heed
             of
             false
             teachers
             ,
             trying
             their
             spirits
             ,
             and
             holding
             fast
             that
             which
             is
             good
             ,
             especially
             to
             beware
             of
             Popish
             insinuations
             ,
          
           (
           say
           you
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           )
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           Your
           Exhortation
           is
           good
           in
           it self
           ,
           but
           you
           should
           have
           demonstrated
           more
           plainly
           how
           
             false
             teachers
          
           should
           be
           known
           ,
           conparing
           their
           fruits
           
             now
             ,
          
           with
           what
           they
           were
           in
           the
           daies
           of
           
             old
             ,
          
           when
           the
           Scriptures
           were
           written
           ,
           and
           that
           had
           been
           a
           good
           way
           to
           have
           discovered
           
             false
             teachers
             ;
          
           that
           sixteenth
           of
           
             Matthew
             ,
          
           mentioned
           by
           you
           ,
           bids
           them
           beware
           of
           the
           leaven
           of
           the
           
             Pharisees
             ,
          
           and
           Christ
           said
           ,
           
             they
             were
             such
             as
             was
             called
             of
             men
             Master
             ,
          
           stood
           praying
           in
           the
           
             Synagogues
             ,
          
           loved
           uppermost
           rooms
           at
           
             feasts
             ,
          
           went
           in
           
             long
             robes
             ,
          
           and
           of
           such
           Christ
           bids
           beware
           ,
           and
           of
           such
           now
           the
           people
           in
           
             London
          
           are
           to
           beware
           ,
           where
           ever
           they
           are
           ,
           for
           such
           as
           do
           these
           things
           ,
           are
           in
           the
           steps
           of
           the
           
             Scribes
          
           and
           
             Pharisees
             ,
          
           which
           Christ
           cried
           
             Woe
          
           against
           ,
           and
           the
           true
           Prophets
           cried
           against
           such
           in
           their
           daies
           as
           preached
           for
           hire
           ,
           and
           that
           sought
           for
           their
           gain
           from
           their
           quarter
           ,
           and
           such
           you
           ought
           to
           cry
           against
           now
           ,
           as
           seek
           for
           their
           gain
           from
           their
           quarter
           ,
           except
           the
           guilt
           of
           these
           things
           in
           your selves
           stops
           your
           mouths
           from
           crying
           against
           them
           in
           others
           ;
           and
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           cried
           against
           such
           as
           went
           for
           gifts
           ,
           and
           rewards
           ,
           such
           as
           taught
           
           for
           
             filthy
             lucre
             ,
          
           and
           such
           as
           made
           
             merchandize
          
           of
           people
           for
           gain
           for
           themselves
           ,
           such
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           and
           
             Christ
          
           declared
           against
           ,
           and
           such
           you
           ought
           to
           declare
           against
           ;
           but
           the
           people
           of
           your
           
             Congregations
          
           may
           say
           ,
           who
           are
           such
           now
           ?
           and
           where
           are
           they
           ?
           that
           I
           leave
           to
           their
           consciences
           to
           judge
           who
           it
           is
           ,
           and
           where
           they
           are
           now
           ,
           and
           whether
           there
           be
           any
           of
           them
           in
           this
           City
           now
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Nation
           ,
           that
           are
           called
           of
           men
           
             Master
             ,
          
           and
           love
           uppermost
           
             rooms
          
           at
           
             feasts
             ,
          
           and
           that
           preacheth
           for
           
             hire
             ,
          
           and
           money
           ,
           for
           gifts
           ,
           and
           rewards
           ,
           seeks
           for
           their
           
             gain
          
           from
           their
           
             quarter
             ,
          
           teacheth
           for
           
             filthy
             lucre
             ,
          
           and
           gain
           ;
           who
           are
           found
           in
           these
           things
           now
           ,
           such
           are
           
             false
             teachers
             ,
          
           who
           ought
           to
           be
           taken
           heed
           of
           :
           I
           shall
           not
           now
           say
           it
           is
           any
           of
           you
           ,
           but
           I
           shall
           leave
           it
           to
           
             you
             ,
          
           and
           to
           
             your
             peoples
          
           consciences
           ,
           to
           whom
           your
           
             Exhortation
          
           is
           ;
           and
           as
           I
           have
           said
           before
           ,
           let
           all
           
             Popish
             inventions
          
           and
           
             Popery
          
           be
           first
           cast
           out
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           and
           then
           if
           you
           joyn
           with
           us
           against
           it
           ,
           through
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           we
           will
           endeavour
           the
           keeping
           of
           it
           out
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           shall
           no
           more
           enter
           in
           amongst
           us
           into
           this
           Nation
           .
        
         
           And
           you
           say
           ,
           
             that
             your
             knowledge
             here
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             graces
             here
             ,
             are
             imperfect
             ;
          
           to
           which
           I
           say
           ,
           then
           you
           are
           imperfect
           
             Saints
             ,
          
           imperfect
           
             Ministers
             .
          
           But
           what
           do
           you
           mean
           by
           here
           ?
           I
           suppose
           that
           you
           mean
           upon
           earth
           ,
           now
           there
           are
           none
           of
           the
           
             Graces
             of
             God
             that
             are
             imperfect
             ,
          
           but
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           is
           perfect
           in
           it self
           ,
           
             and
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             is
             perfect
             ,
             and
             every
             gift
             of
             God
             is
             perfect
             ;
          
           as
           saith
           the
           Scriptures
           .
           Now
           that
           you
           should
           say
           the
           
             Graces
             of
             God
             are
             imperfect
             ,
          
           this
           is
           
             error
             ,
          
           even
           abominable
           
             error
             ,
          
           and
           you
           shew
           
             unsoundnesse
          
           in
           Judgement
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           things
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           hath
           belied
           the
           
             Graces
          
           and
           
             Gifts
          
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           in
           their
           least
           measure
           are
           
             perfect
             .
          
           And
           thus
           I
           have
           looked
           over
           your
           
             Exhortation
             ,
          
           and
           thus
           I
           have
           returned
           to
           you
           again
           ,
           not
           but
           that
           I
           know
           it
           is
           the
           duty
           of
           
             Christs
             Ministers
          
           to
           exhort
           their
           flocks
           ,
           and
           that
           exhortation
           in
           it self
           is
           good
           ,
           but
           when
           I
           find
           where
           lies
           and
           false
           accusations
           are
           against
           the
           
             Quakers
             ,
          
           whom
           I
           dearly
           love
           and
           own
           ,
           upon
           that
           account
           ,
           and
           not
           otherwise
           have
           I
           engaged
           with
           you
           ,
           and
           what
           I
           have
           done
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           rendering
           
             evil
          
           for
           
             evil
             ,
          
           but
           rather
           to
           reprove
           your
           evil
           ,
           and
           to
           undeceive
           your
           
             Congregations
             ,
          
           who
           might
           otherwise
           take
           all
           for
           true
           that
           you
           have
           said
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           not
           reproved
           .
        
         
         
           
             Again
             ,
             you
             exhort
             your
             Congregations
             ,
          
           that
           they
           manifest
           sincerity
           ,
           not
           only
           by
           hatred
           of
           error
           ,
           but
           by
           a
           love
           of
           the
           truth
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           Sincerity
           of
           heart
           is
           indeed
           precious
           ,
           especially
           where
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           is
           the
           rule
           of
           Judgement
           ,
           and
           doth
           mannage
           that
           sincerity
           ;
           but
           where
           a
           false
           spirit
           rules
           in
           the
           judgement
           ,
           the
           sincerity
           is
           often
           betrayed
           into
           a
           zeal
           against
           the
           truth
           ,
           and
           against
           the
           wayes
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           rather
           than
           otherwise
           ;
           and
           thus
           it
           was
           with
           the
           
             Iewes
             ,
          
           whose
           sincerity
           (
           through
           their
           error
           of
           judgement
           )
           was
           turned
           into
           
             zeal
          
           and
           
             bitternesse
          
           against
           
             Christ
             :
          
           And
           thus
           it
           is
           to
           be
           feared
           it
           is
           with
           many
           in
           your
           
             Congregations
             ,
          
           who
           may
           have
           a
           
             zeal
          
           without
           
             knowledge
             ,
          
           and
           be
           short
           of
           true
           discerning
           between
           what
           is
           
             truth
             ,
          
           and
           what
           is
           
             error
             ,
          
           I
           speak
           not
           this
           of
           all
           ,
           but
           of
           some
           ,
           for
           it
           s
           no
           small
           thing
           to
           discern
           between
           
             truth
          
           and
           
             error
             ,
          
           especially
           in
           this
           day
           ,
           wherein
           there
           are
           so
           many
           wayes
           and
           professions
           of
           
             Church-Ministry
             ,
          
           and
           
             Worship
             ,
          
           and
           yet
           all
           professing
           the
           
             Scriptures
          
           are
           their
           Rule
           of
           
             Faith
             ,
             worship
             ,
          
           and
           
             practise
             ;
          
           and
           seeing
           that
           all
           
             Sects
          
           do
           professe
           proof
           from
           Scripture
           for
           what
           they
           hold
           forth
           ,
           what
           ground
           have
           the
           people
           to
           believe
           you
           more
           than
           others
           ,
           or
           others
           more
           than
           you
           ?
           for
           where
           people
           receives
           
             Doctrine
          
           or
           
             Religion
          
           by
           report
           from
           others
           ,
           without
           the
           
             evidence
          
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           in
           their
           own
           hearts
           ,
           this
           is
           not
           receiving
           of
           the
           truth
           unto
           eternal
           life
           ;
           wherefore
           I
           exhort
           your
           
             Congregations
             ,
          
           that
           every
           one
           amongst
           them
           may
           wait
           upon
           the
           Lord
           ,
           to
           have
           a
           feeling
           and
           discerning
           in
           their
           own
           hearts
           ,
           and
           that
           each
           one
           may
           be
           led
           and
           taught
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           which
           leads
           into
           all
           truth
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           deny
           all
           false
           
             Ministers
             ,
          
           and
           false
           
             worships
             ,
          
           and
           may
           worship
           God
           in
           Spirit
           and
           Truth
           ,
           through
           the
           ministration
           of
           his
           own
           
             Spirit
          
           in
           their
           
             hearts
          
           and
           
             consciences
             ,
          
           and
           thereby
           will
           they
           discern
           between
           
             truth
          
           and
           
             error
             ,
          
           and
           will
           love
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           hate
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             You
             exhort
             ,
          
           That
           they
           keep
           themselves
           unspotted
           from
           the
           prevailing
           corruptions
           of
           these
           back-sliding
           times
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           Concerning
           the
           times
           ,
           many
           are
           ignorant
           ;
           but
           this
           is
           certain
           at
           the
           present
           time
           wherein
           we
           are
           ,
           is
           the
           Lord
           disquieting
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           its
           the
           latter
           daies
           of
           
             Antichrists
             Reign
          
           
           and
           
             Government
             ,
          
           that
           hath
           been
           in
           full
           
             power
          
           and
           
             authority
          
           for
           many
           generations
           ,
           and
           
             Babylon
          
           that
           great
           City
           ,
           her
           ruine
           is
           threatned
           ,
           because
           of
           her
           abominations
           ,
           that
           have
           been
           many
           and
           great
           ,
           for
           the
           whole
           earth
           hath
           been
           corrupted
           (
           as
           it
           s
           written
           )
           and
           now
           the
           Call
           of
           the
           Lord
           is
           ,
           that
           every
           man
           come
           out
           of
           
             Babylon
             ,
          
           and
           deliver
           himself
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           not
           partake
           of
           their
           plagues
           ;
           and
           happy
           are
           they
           that
           are
           made
           clean
           and
           unspotted
           from
           her
           sins
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           not
           be
           found
           covered
           with
           her
           
             garments
             ,
          
           for
           the
           day
           of
           the
           Lord
           is
           come
           ,
           and
           coming
           upon
           
             Babilon
             ,
          
           and
           all
           
             back-sliders
          
           from
           God
           and
           his
           wayes
           .
           Now
           
             Babilon
          
           is
           that
           great
           City
           ,
           which
           hath
           ruled
           over
           the
           Kings
           of
           the
           earth
           ,
           and
           in
           her
           hath
           the
           blood
           of
           
             Souls
             ,
          
           and
           of
           all
           
             just
             men
          
           been
           found
           .
        
         
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             You
             exhort
          
           to
           endeavour
           a
           healing
           of
           those
           sad
           breaches
           and
           divisions
           which
           have
           been
           amongst
           you
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           Now
           
             the
             sad
             breaches
             and
             divisions
          
           which
           is
           indeed
           at
           present
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           cannot
           be
           healed
           ,
           but
           as
           the
           cause
           and
           ground
           thereof
           be
           removed
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           sins
           of
           
             Rulers
             ,
             Teachers
             ,
          
           and
           
             People
             ;
          
           and
           this
           is
           the
           cause
           wherefore
           the
           Lord
           hath
           brought
           distraction
           amongst
           them
           :
           Oh
           what
           ambition
           and
           self-seeking
           hath
           been
           among
           the
           Rulers
           !
           What
           judging
           for
           gifts
           and
           rewards
           ?
           what
           neglect
           of
           Mercy
           and
           Judgement
           amongst
           them
           ?
           And
           oh
           how
           have
           they
           oppressed
           the
           poor
           ,
           and
           trodden
           down
           the
           needy
           !
           and
           because
           hereof
           is
           the
           righteous
           God
           vexed
           ?
           And
           oh
           what
           covetousness
           and
           greediness
           of
           gaine
           are
           the
           teachers
           guilty
           of
           !
           How
           do
           they
           preach
           for
           hire
           ,
           and
           divine
           for
           money
           ?
           How
           have
           they
           unreasonably
           caused
           men
           to
           be
           imprisoned
           ,
           and
           their
           goods
           to
           be
           
             spoiled
          
           for
           
             wages
             ,
          
           and
           
             tythes
             ,
          
           and
           
             hire
             ?
          
           Oh
           how
           hath
           
             covetousnesse
             ,
          
           and
           
             idolatry
             ,
          
           and
           
             superstition
          
           abounded
           amongst
           the
           
             Teachers
          
           in
           this
           
             Nation
             ?
          
           Oh
           abominable
           hath
           been
           their
           sins
           ,
           their
           oppressions
           ,
           and
           self-seekings
           !
           and
           because
           of
           these
           things
           hath
           the
           Lord
           brought
           distractions
           amongst
           
             people
             ,
          
           and
           the
           sins
           of
           
             Rulers
          
           and
           
             People
          
           cries
           for
           vengeance
           from
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           till
           these
           iniquities
           be
           removed
           by
           repentance
           and
           forsaken
           the
           fruit
           and
           effect
           thereof
           shall
           never
           cease
           ,
           but
           breach
           upon
           breach
           will
           the
           Lord
           make
           ,
           till
           the
           
             Rulers
          
           and
           
             Priests
          
           repent
           them
           of
           their
           
             iniquities
             ,
          
           Gods
           hand
           will
           be
           upon
           them
           both
           in
           Judgement
           ;
           
           and
           for
           their
           sakes
           
             that
             divine
             for
             money
             ,
             and
             preach
             for
             hire
             ,
             and
             judge
             for
             rewards
             :
          
           Will
           the
           Lord
           make
           the
           Nation
           as
           heaps
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           ploughed
           field
           ?
           Therefore
           let
           all
           people
           repent
           of
           their
           iniquities
           ,
           and
           return
           to
           the
           light
           of
           
             Christ
          
           in
           their
           own
           consciences
           ,
           and
           become
           followers
           of
           the
           
             Lamb
             ,
          
           and
           this
           is
           the
           perfect
           way
           of
           healing
           of
           all
           breaches
           
             inwardly
          
           and
           
             outwardly
             .
          
        
         
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             You
             exhort
          
           to
           be
           diligent
           in
           the
           spiritual
           and
           conscientious
           performances
           of
           family
           duties
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           Men
           must
           first
           be
           awakened
           and
           enlivened
           unto
           God
           ,
           before
           they
           can
           act
           for
           God
           in
           holy
           duties
           ;
           and
           as
           for
           duties
           performed
           in
           pretence
           unto
           God
           traditionally
           ,
           and
           without
           the
           teachings
           of
           the
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           but
           idolatry
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Nation
          
           is
           weary
           of
           such
           a
           
             Religion
          
           which
           they
           have
           received
           ,
           and
           held
           traditionally
           ,
           for
           thereby
           the
           Soul
           
             immortal
          
           cannot
           be
           nourished
           unto
           eternal
           life
           ,
           and
           while
           you
           teach
           
             duties
          
           towards
           
             God
             ,
          
           by
           that
           rule
           ,
           while
           you
           teach
           
             praying
             ,
             singing
             ,
             repeating
             ,
          
           catechising
           ,
           by
           tradition
           and
           imitation
           ,
           without
           the
           leadings
           of
           the
           
             Spirit
          
           of
           Christ
           in
           them
           ,
           you
           do
           but
           teach
           
             idolatry
             ;
          
           as
           long
           hath
           been
           taught
           in
           the
           
             Christian
          
           Nations
           ,
           the
           doing
           and
           performing
           such
           and
           such
           things
           ,
           as
           
             Christian
             duties
          
           and
           
             practises
             ,
          
           and
           the
           forcing
           and
           compelling
           of
           doing
           such
           things
           upon
           people
           in
           the
           
             unregenerate
             state
             ,
          
           and
           
             unconverted
          
           nature
           ,
           this
           
             Religion
          
           and
           such
           performances
           of
           duties
           ,
           have
           been
           of
           
             Babilon
             ,
          
           and
           of
           
             Antichrist
             ,
          
           and
           a
           cheat
           upon
           peoples
           
             Souls
             ,
          
           whereby
           many
           have
           been
           
             murdered
          
           and
           slain
           in
           that
           great
           City
           ,
           and
           the
           form
           of
           
             Godlinesse
          
           without
           the
           Power
           hath
           been
           practised
           ,
           while
           duties
           have
           been
           performed
           unto
           God
           ,
           without
           the
           teachings
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           such
           their
           consciences
           are
           blinded
           ,
           and
           the
           Lord
           abhors
           their
           
             Sacrifices
             ;
          
           and
           people
           must
           first
           come
           to
           feel
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           in
           their
           hearts
           to
           
             regenerate
          
           them
           ,
           before
           they
           can
           perform
           any
           acceptable
           thing
           to
           
             God
             ;
          
           and
           therefore
           do
           not
           teach
           people
           to
           be
           hypocrites
           ,
           do
           not
           teach
           them
           such
           and
           such
           performances
           ,
           in
           the
           corrupt
           nature
           ,
           without
           the
           teachings
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           in
           their
           own
           
             particulars
             ,
          
           for
           if
           you
           do
           ,
           you
           make
           them
           but
           two
           fold
           more
           the
           
             children
             of
             the
             devil
             ,
          
           and
           such
           duties
           
           performed
           in
           that
           nature
           ,
           shall
           not
           cover
           nor
           hide
           from
           the
           Wrath
           of
           the
           Lord
           which
           is
           comming
           upon
           all
           
             hypocrites
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sixthly
             ,
             You
             exhort
          
           that
           they
           would
           cause
           their
           children
           and
           servants
           to
           submit
           to
           
             Catechisings
             ,
          
           and
           train
           them
           up
           in
           there
           verence
           of
           
             godly
             Ministry
             ,
          
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           It
           may
           be
           enquired
           into
           ,
           what
           you
           mean
           by
           
             cause
             them
             to
             submit
             ;
          
           how
           
             cause
             them
             ?
          
           by
           force
           and
           imposition
           upon
           their
           consciences
           ,
           by
           outward
           external
           personal
           punishment
           or
           threats
           ?
           Is
           this
           your
           meaning
           ?
           Will
           you
           set
           up
           
             Religion
          
           by
           
             violence
             ?
          
           And
           must
           
             children
          
           and
           
             servants
          
           be
           compelled
           by
           
             resraint
          
           and
           
             force
             ?
          
           This
           is
           not
           the
           right
           way
           to
           promote
           
             Religion
          
           and
           the
           
             Worship
          
           of
           God
           ,
           nor
           to
           make
           
             children
          
           and
           
             servants
          
           truly
           religious
           ;
           it
           was
           the
           
             Beast
             that
             received
             power
             from
             the
             Dragon
             ,
          
           that
           
             caused
          
           all
           to
           
             worship
             ,
             both
             small
             and
             great
             ,
             children
             and
             servants
             ;
          
           and
           this
           causing
           to
           
             worship
          
           was
           in
           the
           time
           of
           the
           
             Apostacy
             ,
          
           when
           the
           true
           Church
           was
           fled
           into
           the
           
             Wildernesse
             ,
          
           and
           all
           the
           time
           ever
           since
           ,
           hath
           
             Nations
          
           been
           
             caused
          
           and
           
             compelled
          
           to
           such
           and
           such
           performances
           ,
           and
           practises
           of
           
             Religion
          
           and
           
             Worship
             ,
          
           and
           such
           
             causing
             ,
          
           I
           am
           jealous
           ,
           your
           meaning
           is
           ,
           whereby
           you
           would
           
             force
          
           and
           
             compell
          
           such
           manner
           of
           
             worship
          
           and
           
             practises
          
           upon
           people
           :
           And
           what
           do
           you
           mean
           by
           
             godly
             Ministry
             ?
          
           Will
           you
           admit
           of
           just
           tryal
           according
           to
           the
           
             Scriptures
             ,
          
           whether
           yours
           be
           that
           
             godly
             Ministry
          
           or
           no
           ?
           for
           all
           sorts
           of
           
             Christians
             ,
             Papists
             ,
          
           and
           
             Protestants
             ,
          
           and
           all
           
             others
             ,
          
           they
           will
           say
           that
           they
           are
           in
           the
           
             right
             way
             ,
          
           and
           their
           
             Ministry
             is
             the
             godly
             Ministry
             ,
          
           but
           the
           fruits
           of
           many
           proves
           the
           contrary
           ,
           and
           we
           cannot
           believe
           that
           yours
           is
           the
           
             godly
             Ministry
             ,
          
           except
           you
           will
           prove
           it
           to
           us
           ,
           by
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           the
           
             Scriptures
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           it
           is
           certain
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Ministry
             of
             the
             Apostles
          
           was
           the
           true
           
             godly
             Ministry
             ,
          
           and
           if
           yours
           agree
           with
           theirs
           ,
           then
           we
           will
           confesse
           that
           yours
           is
           the
           true
           
             godly
             Ministry
             .
          
           Therefore
           tel
           us
           plainly
           ,
           Do
           you
           agree
           with
           them
           in
           your
           Call
           ,
           and
           in
           your
           Maintenance
           ,
           and
           in
           your
           Practises
           ,
           and
           in
           your
           Fruits
           and
           Effects
           ,
           in
           your
           Lives
           and
           Conversations
           ,
           and
           in
           your
           Doctrines
           ?
           Are
           you
           justly
           according
           to
           ?
           and
           do
           
           you
           agree
           with
           the
           Apostles
           in
           all
           these
           things
           ?
           Shall
           we
           lay
           you
           to
           the
           line
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           be
           judged
           ?
           This
           is
           but
           as
           a
           hint
           at
           things
           whereby
           you
           might
           justly
           be
           tryed
           ,
           for
           if
           you
           agree
           not
           with
           the
           Apostles
           in
           these
           case
           mentioned
           ,
           then
           it
           is
           evident
           that
           your
           
             Ministry
          
           is
           not
           the
           true
           
             godly
             Ministry
             ;
          
           but
           hereafter
           we
           may
           have
           a
           better
           occasion
           to
           try
           you
           :
           And
           thus
           the
           principal
           parts
           of
           your
           Exhortation
           is
           answered
           ,
           and
           if
           you
           can
           ,
           receive
           it
           in
           love
           .
        
         
           TO
           all
           you
           
             sixty
             one
             Teachers
             in
          
           London
           ,
           
             under
             whose
             hands
             your
             Exhortation
             passeth
             :
          
           This
           I
           say
           to
           you
           ,
           in
           the
           fear
           of
           the
           Lord
           God
           :
           Oh
           ye
           men
           consider
           !
           and
           let
           it
           enter
           into
           your
           hearts
           ,
           the
           day
           of
           the
           Lord
           is
           at
           hand
           upon
           you
           ,
           and
           account
           of
           your
           
             Stewardship
          
           must
           you
           give
           ,
           and
           his
           reward
           must
           you
           have
           whom
           you
           have
           served
           ,
           and
           you
           must
           reap
           the
           fruit
           of
           what
           you
           have
           sown
           :
           Oh
           look
           upon
           your
           flocks
           ,
           and
           see
           what
           a
           condition
           they
           are
           in
           !
           Oh
           what
           pride
           and
           vain-glory
           is
           abounding
           amongst
           them
           !
           Oh
           how
           doth
           wickedness
           spring
           forth
           from
           them
           !
           Are
           they
           like
           unto
           sheep
           of
           Christs
           Fold
           ?
           Or
           are
           not
           they
           appearing
           outwardly
           Christians
           ,
           when
           as
           the
           evil
           nature
           is
           uncut
           down
           in
           them
           ?
           Oh
           what
           wickednesse
           abounds
           in
           this
           City
           !
           What
           double-dealing
           and
           dissimulation
           ?
           What
           lying
           ,
           and
           swearing
           ,
           and
           drunkennesse
           ?
           Oh
           high
           are
           all
           the
           fruits
           of
           the
           flesh
           grown
           amongst
           your
           
             Flocks
             !
          
           Your
           
             Vineyards
          
           are
           not
           
             dressed
          
           as
           they
           ought
           to
           be
           ,
           there
           is
           abundance
           of
           corrupt
           trees
           ,
           and
           fruitlesse
           branches
           which
           cumbers
           the
           ground
           :
           Oh
           it
           makes
           the
           heart
           of
           the
           righteous
           sad
           to
           walk
           in
           the
           streets
           ,
           and
           to
           view
           the
           
             abominations
          
           that
           are
           daily
           brought
           forth
           ,
           by
           a
           people
           professing
           
             Scriptures
             ,
             Church
             ,
             Ministry
             ,
          
           and
           
             Christ
             :
          
           Oh!
           it
           burdens
           the
           just
           ,
           and
           grieves
           the
           righteous
           soul
           to
           consider
           
           how
           high
           iniquity
           is
           grown
           among
           the
           sheep
           of
           your
           Pastures
           ,
           whom
           ye
           should
           have
           fed
           with
           knowledge
           ,
           and
           converted
           unto
           the
           fear
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           had
           you
           been
           
             messengers
          
           sent
           of
           God
           ;
           the
           very
           
             Iewes
          
           and
           
             Heathens
          
           they
           blaspheme
           against
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           through
           the
           abominations
           brought
           forth
           among
           
             Christians
             ,
          
           that
           have
           the
           name
           to
           
             live
             ,
          
           but
           are
           
             dead
             :
          
           Oh
           let
           it
           enter
           into
           your
           hearts
           ,
           and
           smite
           you
           ,
           that
           your
           many
           years
           
             Ministry
          
           should
           have
           so
           little
           effect
           ,
           for
           your
           
             vineyard
          
           is
           like
           untilled
           ground
           ,
           unploughed
           ,
           and
           unbroken
           up
           :
           Oh
           there
           is
           much
           hard-heartednesse
           amongst
           your
           people
           ,
           and
           their
           hearts
           goes
           after
           covetousnesse
           ,
           even
           while
           they
           professe
           God
           with
           their
           lips
           ;
           Oh
           the
           righteous
           mourns
           in
           secret
           to
           see
           the
           prophanenesse
           ,
           the
           scornings
           ,
           and
           reproaches
           that
           are
           brought
           forth
           in
           your
           
             City
             :
          
           And
           oh
           the
           
             idolatry
          
           that
           abounds
           !
           let
           it
           repent
           you
           ,
           that
           you
           have
           been
           so
           slothful
           ,
           and
           never
           more
           seek
           the
           
             fleece
             ,
          
           but
           seek
           the
           
             flock
          
           that
           's
           gone
           astray
           from
           the
           Lord
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           true
           
             Shepherd
             ,
          
           whose
           voice
           hath
           not
           been
           obeyed
           ,
           
             and
             many
             Pastors
             have
             destroyed
             the
             Vineyard
             ,
             and
             many
             Shepherds
             have
             fed
             themselves
             ,
             and
             not
             the
             Flock
             :
          
           Oh
           consider
           the
           day
           of
           the
           Lord
           is
           at
           hand
           ,
           and
           he
           will
           visit
           with
           his
           rod
           :
           
             You
          
           and
           your
           
             Flocks
          
           prepare
           to
           meet
           the
           Lord
           ,
           for
           his
           Kingdome
           is
           nigh
           to
           come
           ,
           which
           will
           be
           a
           terrible
           day
           to
           all
           workers
           of
           iniquity
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           for
           this
           your
           
             Exhortation
             ,
          
           I
           say
           ,
           as
           for
           
             Exhortation
          
           in
           it self
           ,
           
             Ministers
          
           ought
           to
           exhort
           their
           
             Flocks
             ;
          
           so
           such
           a
           thing
           in
           it self
           I
           do
           commend
           ,
           and
           not
           oppose
           ;
           but
           when
           I
           had
           read
           and
           seriously
           considered
           the
           aim
           and
           intent
           of
           your
           spirits
           in
           your
           
             Exhortation
             ,
          
           I
           found
           it
           secretly
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           measure
           openly
           opposing
           ,
           and
           striking
           at
           ,
           and
           secretly
           smiting
           the
           people
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           whom
           you
           have
           reproached
           by
           the
           name
           of
           
             Quakers
             ,
          
           who
           are
           dear
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           he
           careth
           for
           them
           ,
           though
           you
           see
           no
           beauty
           in
           them
           ,
           but
           accounteth
           them
           altogether
           vile
           ,
           and
           in
           as
           much
           as
           you
           lifted
           up
           your
           hands
           against
           them
           ,
           upon
           that
           account
           was
           it
           upon
           my
           spirit
           to
           return
           something
           in
           answer
           ,
           for
           the
           
             information
          
           of
           many
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           be
           undeceived
           ,
           and
           not
           in
           envy
           towards
           any
           ,
           
           but
           in
           love
           to
           all
           ,
           to
           both
           you
           and
           your
           people
           ,
           and
           you
           have
           occasioned
           this
           upon
           your selves
           ,
           though
           you
           are
           reproved
           ;
           and
           not
           as
           a
           man
           of
           strife
           or
           contention
           have
           I
           proceeded
           ,
           but
           as
           one
           that
           desires
           the
           further
           
             manifestation
          
           of
           truth
           ,
           and
           that
           no
           false
           accusastion
           may
           rest
           upon
           it
           ,
           which
           you
           have
           secretly
           brought
           forth
           ,
           with
           which
           the
           Lord
           is
           not
           well
           pleased
           ,
           that
           you
           should
           set
           your selves
           in
           opposition
           against
           his
           people
           ;
           and
           if
           any
           of
           you
           shall
           receive
           a
           just
           reproof
           and
           repent
           ,
           it
           may
           prove
           to
           you
           an
           advantage
           of
           much
           good
           ,
           and
           be
           not
           so
           proud
           as
           to
           say
           in
           your
           hearts
           ,
           
             What
             art
             thou
             ,
             weak
             man
             ,
             that
             reproves
             us
             ?
             or
             wherefore
             art
             thou
             so
             bold
             thus
             to
             deal
             with
             us
             ?
          
           but
           rather
           fall
           under
           just
           reproof
           ,
           for
           in
           uprightnesse
           of
           heart
           have
           I
           proceeded
           towards
           you
           ,
           and
           not
           in
           mine
           own
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           will
           of
           the
           Father
           :
           And
           oh
           that
           your
           
             Flocks
          
           would
           also
           consider
           ,
           among
           whom
           there
           are
           many
           that
           are
           
             zealous
          
           in
           their
           way
           !
           Oh
           that
           their
           
             Zeal
          
           and
           
             Iudgements
          
           were
           guided
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           then
           should
           it
           be
           well
           with
           them
           !
           Oh
           that
           they
           would
           be
           
             meek
          
           and
           
             humble
             ,
          
           and
           learn
           the
           fear
           of
           the
           Lord
           !
           Oh
           that
           every
           one
           of
           them
           would
           consider
           ,
           and
           turn
           from
           their
           iniquities
           ,
           and
           become
           followers
           of
           
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
          
           then
           should
           the
           glory
           of
           the
           Lord
           be
           revealed
           unto
           them
           ,
           and
           peace
           ,
           and
           truth
           ,
           and
           righteousnesse
           should
           be
           unto
           them
           ,
           and
           their
           Families
           ,
           and
           their
           City
           ,
           if
           they
           would
           come
           into
           Covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           he
           taught
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           be
           exercised
           by
           his
           Law
           in
           their
           hearts
           ,
           then
           should
           the
           countenance
           of
           the
           Lord
           be
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           then
           should
           they
           discern
           between
           truth
           and
           error
           ,
           between
           the
           
             Ministers
          
           of
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           and
           
             Deceivers
             .
          
           Oh!
           there
           is
           a
           pity
           for
           many
           poor
           people
           ,
           which
           are
           
             zealous
          
           in
           their
           way
           of
           Religion
           ,
           without
           knowledge
           ,
           and
           they
           think
           they
           do
           God
           good
           service
           ,
           while
           yet
           their
           consciences
           are
           not
           exercised
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           but
           a
           false
           spirit
           that
           rules
           and
           leads
           ,
           and
           many
           holds
           the
           truth
           in
           unrighteousnesse
           ,
           and
           they
           know
           not
           but
           they
           do
           well
           :
           Oh
           that
           such
           would
           consider
           ,
           and
           not
           be
           hasty
           in
           any
           thing
           to
           performe
           or
           professe
           Religion
           in
           their
           degenerate
           estate
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           
           would
           come
           to
           know
           the
           Regeneration
           ,
           and
           the
           renewing
           of
           their
           minds
           by
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Immortal
           Birth
           might
           be
           born
           in
           them
           ,
           even
           the
           Birth
           of
           the
           Spirit
           which
           is
           Heir
           of
           God
           :
           Oh
           that
           that
           might
           live
           and
           rule
           in
           them
           ,
           then
           should
           they
           be
           Heirs
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           
             Citizens
          
           of
           the
           
             New
             Ierusalem
             !
          
           And
           oh
           ye
           
             people
          
           of
           
             London
          
           !
           lay
           it
           to
           heart
           ,
           
             you
             must
             be
             born
             again
             ,
          
           or
           else
           you
           can
           never
           enter
           into
           Gods
           Kingdome
           ,
           
             you
             must
             be
             changed
             in
             nature
             ,
          
           and
           must
           be
           crucified
           to
           this
           world
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           live
           unto
           God
           ;
           this
           must
           you
           come
           unto
           ,
           or
           else
           you
           have
           no
           part
           nor
           portion
           in
           eternal
           life
           ;
           all
           your
           
             duties
          
           and
           
             performances
          
           in
           your
           
             forms
          
           of
           
             Religion
          
           they
           cannot
           save
           you
           ,
           nor
           justifie
           you
           ,
           all
           your
           
             preaching
             ,
             praying
             ,
             singing
             ,
          
           and
           all
           your
           
             duties
          
           whatsoever
           ,
           they
           are
           all
           nothing
           ,
           till
           you
           come
           to
           know
           
             changing
             and
             renewing
             inwardly
             ,
          
           and
           do
           witness
           the
           Seed
           of
           God
           raised
           up
           in
           you
           ,
           and
           the
           head
           of
           the
           Serpent
           bruised
           in
           you
           by
           the
           Seed
           of
           the
           
             Woman
             ,
          
           this
           must
           you
           come
           to
           witnesse
           ,
           that
           your
           souls
           may
           live
           :
           Oh
           that
           you
           would
           consider
           !
           be
           not
           so
           
             zealous
          
           against
           that
           which
           you
           may
           call
           
             Heresie
          
           and
           
             Schism
             ,
          
           for
           while
           you
           erre
           in
           judgement
           ,
           you
           may
           soon
           speak
           evil
           of
           
             truth
             ,
          
           and
           persecute
           it
           under
           the
           name
           of
           
             error
             ;
          
           many
           have
           wofully
           fallen
           into
           that
           snare
           ,
           and
           brought
           sorrow
           upon
           themselves
           thereby
           :
           The
           wise
           
             Iewes
             ,
          
           even
           the
           
             chief
             Priests
             ,
             Scribes
             ,
          
           and
           
             Pharisees
             ,
          
           they
           were
           confident
           in
           their
           way
           ,
           as
           you
           can
           be
           ,
           and
           yet
           they
           
             erred
          
           in
           
             judgement
             ,
          
           and
           would
           not
           receive
           Christ
           ,
           but
           persecuted
           him
           ,
           under
           the
           very
           name
           of
           a
           
             Deceiver
             ;
          
           and
           thus
           it
           is
           possible
           for
           many
           to
           do
           in
           this
           age
           :
           What
           though
           you
           have
           
             Christs
          
           words
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           words
           ;
           yet
           if
           you
           have
           not
           the
           Spirit
           of
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           that
           was
           in
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           you
           know
           nothing
           rightly
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           neither
           can
           you
           understand
           them
           ,
           nor
           have
           Salvation
           by
           them
           ,
           for
           you
           must
           know
           Christ
           in
           you
           ,
           your
           hope
           of
           glory
           ,
           else
           you
           are
           reprobates
           ,
           and
           shut
           out
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           God
           :
           And
           search
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           see
           ,
           if
           they
           do
           not
           witnesse
           this
           :
           Do
           not
           they
           say
           ,
           
             Christ
             is
             in
             you
             ,
             except
             you
             be
             Reprobates
             ?
          
           and
           do
           not
           they
           say
           ,
           
             The
             Law
             of
             God
             is
             written
             in
             the
             heart
             ,
             and
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             is
             put
             in
             the
             inward
             part
             ?
          
           And
           do
           not
           they
           say
           ,
           
             That
             Christ
             hath
             lightened
             every
             man
             that
             comes
             into
             the
             world
             with
             the
             true
             light
             ?
          
           And
           do
           not
           they
           say
           that
           the
           Apostle
           
           exhorts
           people
           to
           hearken
           
             to
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             in
             their
             hearts
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             followers
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             that
             was
             in
             their
             hearts
             ?
          
           And
           do
           not
           the
           Scriptures
           say
           ,
           
             That
             it
             was
             the
             light
             that
             shined
             in
             the
             heart
             ,
             that
             gave
             the
             knowledge
             of
             God
             unto
             the
             Saints
             ?
          
           Search
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           see
           whether
           these
           things
           be
           so
           ;
           and
           must
           not
           men
           be
           
             born
             again
             of
             the
             immortal
             seed
             ?
          
           Oh
           consider
           and
           let
           not
           these
           doctrines
           seem
           
             new
          
           unto
           you
           ,
           neither
           reject
           them
           ,
           though
           they
           come
           unto
           you
           in
           weak
           appearance
           ,
           
             not
             with
             words
             of
             mens
             wisdome
             ,
             but
             in
             simplicity
             ,
             and
             in
             sincerity
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             Power
             of
             God
             :
          
           And
           search
           the
           Scriptures
           whether
           these
           things
           be
           so
           ;
           were
           not
           they
           false
           Prophets
           
             that
             preached
             for
             hire
             ,
             and
             divined
             for
             money
             ,
             and
             sought
             for
             their
             gain
             from
             their
             quarter
             ?
          
           Were
           not
           such
           deceivers
           in
           the
           true
           Prophets
           time
           ,
           and
           them
           that
           preached
           for
           filthy
           lucre
           ,
           and
           for
           money
           ,
           and
           for
           gifts
           and
           rewards
           ?
           were
           not
           such
           false
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           false
           Apostles
           ?
           Search
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           whether
           these
           things
           be
           so
           ,
           for
           the
           day
           of
           tryal
           is
           now
           come
           ,
           wherein
           all
           must
           be
           searched
           ,
           and
           that
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           and
           
             Worship
             ,
          
           and
           
             Ministry
             ,
          
           which
           is
           not
           according
           to
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           which
           was
           given
           forth
           by
           the
           
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
          
           let
           that
           
             Religion
             ,
             Worship
             ,
             Church
             ,
          
           and
           
             Ministry
          
           be
           utterly
           condemned
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           all
           his
           
             people
             ;
          
           and
           let
           such
           
             Ministers
          
           as
           cannot
           prove
           their
           
             call
             ,
          
           their
           
             maintenance
             ,
          
           and
           
             practises
             ,
          
           to
           be
           according
           to
           the
           
             Scriptures
             ,
          
           let
           such
           
             Ministers
          
           be
           confounded
           ,
           and
           silenced
           for
           ever
           ,
           and
           come
           to
           try
           this
           matter
           when
           you
           will
           .
           For
           whereas
           you
           cry
           out
           against
           us
           ,
           as
           if
           we
           were
           deniers
           of
           
             Scriptures
             ,
          
           as
           if
           we
           were
           enemies
           to
           
             Church
             ,
          
           and
           
             godly
             Ministry
             ,
          
           and
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           and
           as
           if
           we
           were
           
             Deceivers
             ,
             Hereticks
             ,
             Papists
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           But
           I
           say
           unto
           you
           ,
           these
           things
           have
           you
           never
           yet
           justly
           proved
           against
           us
           ,
           but
           rather
           accused
           us
           behind
           our
           backs
           ,
           to
           make
           us
           odious
           among
           people
           ;
           and
           though
           for
           divers
           years
           together
           we
           have
           been
           
             publike
             ,
          
           yet
           when
           did
           ever
           any
           of
           you
           
             Ministers
          
           seek
           by
           lawful
           means
           to
           convert
           us
           ,
           or
           shew
           us
           our
           errors
           ,
           if
           we
           were
           as
           you
           say
           of
           us
           ,
           oh
           it
           had
           been
           your
           time
           to
           have
           sought
           our
           conversion
           !
           and
           not
           to
           have
           persecuted
           ,
           to
           have
           sent
           to
           prisons
           ,
           houses
           of
           correction
           ,
           and
           by
           such
           weapons
           of
           an
           outward
           force
           and
           cruelty
           have
           you
           dealt
           with
           us
           ,
           and
           not
           in
           meeknesse
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           as
           
             Ministers
          
           of
           
             Christ
          
           ought
           to
           do
           ;
           but
           hath
           cried
           to
           the
           
             Magistrates
          
           to
           defend
           you
           and
           
           your
           
             Church
             ,
          
           and
           
             worship
             ,
          
           being
           unable
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           by
           the
           Authority
           of
           Gods
           Spirit
           to
           defend
           your selves
           :
           Therefore
           I
           say
           unto
           you
           now
           ,
           lay
           down
           your
           
             carnal
             weapons
             ,
          
           and
           come
           out
           in
           in
           the
           
             spirit
             of
             meeknesse
             ,
          
           and
           come
           out
           in
           the
           Authority
           of
           Gods
           Spirit
           ,
           if
           you
           have
           it
           ,
           convince
           us
           thereby
           ,
           if
           we
           be
           in
           an
           evil
           way
           ,
           as
           you
           say
           ,
           let
           us
           hear
           your
           soundest
           arguments
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           to
           prove
           those
           things
           which
           you
           say
           of
           us
           ;
           prove
           it
           by
           evident
           arguments
           ,
           that
           we
           deny
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           are
           
             Hereticks
             ,
          
           and
           that
           we
           are
           
             Papists
             .
          
           I
           challenge
           you
           all
           in
           the
           Name
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           even
           all
           your
           
             Ministers
             of
             London
             ,
          
           let
           us
           hear
           your
           sound
           reasons
           openly
           in
           the
           
             spirit
             of
             meeknesse
             ,
          
           and
           do
           not
           
             back-bite
          
           nor
           
             slander
          
           in
           the
           dark
           ,
           neither
           let
           us
           be
           bawled
           against
           by
           your
           rude
           members
           ,
           as
           often
           we
           have
           been
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           spirit
           of
           wickednesse
           ;
           but
           come
           out
           
             you
             Ministers
             ,
          
           we
           are
           willing
           to
           be
           tryed
           according
           to
           the
           
             Scriptures
             ,
          
           and
           by
           the
           
             Spirit
             of
             God
             in
             our
             Religion
             ,
             and
             in
             every
             part
             of
             it
             ;
          
           and
           if
           you
           be
           the
           same
           ,
           then
           come
           forth
           in
           
             the
             spirit
             of
             meeknesse
             ,
             like
             Ministers
             of
             Christ
             ,
          
           and
           lay
           down
           your
           carnal
           weapons
           ,
           and
           let
           us
           have
           fair
           dealing
           openly
           ,
           that
           
             truth
          
           may
           be
           manifested
           publikely
           ,
           and
           
             errour
          
           may
           be
           discovered
           ;
           and
           let
           us
           not
           envy
           one
           anothers
           persons
           ,
           &
           seek
           to
           destroy
           one
           anothers
           lives
           ,
           but
           let
           us
           seek
           to
           destroy
           the
           evil
           in
           one
           another
           ,
           that
           men
           might
           be
           saved
           ,
           and
           this
           would
           be
           a
           
             Christian-like
          
           way
           ,
           we
           would
           hear
           what
           you
           have
           to
           charge
           against
           our
           Religion
           ,
           by
           sound
           arguments
           in
           meeknesse
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           answer
           ,
           it
           ,
           and
           then
           we
           will
           charge
           something
           upon
           your
           
             Ministry
             ,
             Church
             ,
             Religion
             ,
          
           and
           
             Worship
             ,
          
           and
           we
           will
           prove
           what
           we
           say
           against
           you
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Scriptures
           ;
           and
           we
           will
           not
           impose
           our
           
             Religion
          
           upon
           you
           ,
           by
           the
           force
           of
           
             outward
             Powers
             ,
          
           and
           
             outward
             Lawes
             ;
          
           neither
           would
           we
           have
           you
           force
           
             your
             Religion
             ,
             Ministry
             ,
          
           and
           
             Church
          
           upon
           us
           ,
           by
           such
           means
           ,
           but
           we
           will
           leave
           the
           effect
           of
           all
           things
           to
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           come
           out
           when
           you
           will
           in
           such
           a
           way
           as
           this
           ,
           and
           this
           would
           satisfie
           thousands
           ,
           and
           let
           meeknesse
           and
           the
           fear
           of
           God
           be
           amongst
           you
           ,
           and
           this
           is
           the
           way
           to
           exalt
           
             Religion
             ;
          
           and
           we
           would
           think
           it
           a
           happinesse
           ,
           more
           then
           otherwise
           ,
           to
           be
           joyned
           in
           sober
           debate
           and
           dispute
           against
           you
           ,
           that
           you
           and
           we
           ,
           in
           
             your
             Religion
             ,
             Church
             ,
          
           and
           
             Ministry
             ,
          
           and
           in
           
             ours
             also
             ,
          
           might
           be
           
             tryed
          
           according
           to
           the
           
           
             Scriptures
             ,
          
           that
           all
           may
           be
           satisfied
           who
           are
           doubtful
           ,
           and
           may
           hear
           
             your
             principles
             ,
          
           and
           
             our
             principles
             discussed
             ,
          
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           the
           people
           ,
           who
           may
           judge
           by
           the
           light
           and
           witnesse
           in
           their
           own
           consciences
           ,
           for
           to
           that
           in
           all
           we
           do
           appeal
           ;
           and
           in
           such
           a
           proceeding
           ,
           come
           forth
           when
           you
           will
           ;
           lay
           down
           
             your
             carnal
             weapons
             ,
          
           and
           take
           the
           
             weapons
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
          
           and
           come
           to
           the
           tryal
           ,
           
             for
             the
             day
             of
             the
             Lord
             is
             approaching
             upon
             all
             the
             world
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           END
           .