This is the Word of the Living God to his Church he hath called and chosen out of the World,
1653 to place his Name into, order, and guide in his pure Wisdom to his praise and glory, who alone is worthy God over all blessed for ever.
THat in every particular Meeting of Friends, Servants and Children of the most high God, that there be chosen from among you, one or two who are most grown in the Power and Life, in the pure discerning in the Truth, to take the care and charge over the Flock of God in that place; and this is the Word of the living God to you who are chosen,
To watch over the Flock of God, to whom I commit the charge and care to take the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy Lucre, but of a ready minde: I charge and command you in the presence of the living God, not to rule as Lords over Gods Heritage, but rule in the Power of the Spirit in all purity, to be Examples to the Flock, and to see that order be kept in the Church, in constant meeting together, according to the Rule that hath been given forth, once a week, or more if it may be, beside the First-day Meeting, and to have a general Meeting with other Friends near to you, once in two or three weeks, as the Lord orders and makes way: Be not slack and backward, but faithful to the Lord in improving
[Page 2] every opportunity for Friends to meet; and to lay the charge and care of some Friends that is the most grown in Truth, in every Town where Friends are scattered, to see they meet together to wait on the Lord three or four hours as the Lord orders, one night or two in a week, and to watch over one another with a pure single Eye, to see those that come amongst them walk orderly according to what they profess; and if any walk disorderly, for them to whom the care and charge is committed, or any other which discerns them, and is moved to speak to them, to deal plainly with them, in reproving them, and ministring to the pure in the Conscience, for the restoring of them; and if they will not reform, acquaint two or three more that are the most grown in the Truth, or you to whom the charge and care of the Flock is committed, and you, with the other, that did speak to them in tender Bowels of love, admonish them, and with plainness of speech minister to the pure in the Consciences, to raise up the Witness; to judge and cut down the deceit, that their Souls may be saved, and their Nakedness covered; but if they still walk in disorder, when the Church is meet together, reprove them openly; and if they do not still reform, but walk in their Filthiness, when the Church is met together in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, charge them to depart from amongst you; so cast them out, and not have any union with them, not so much as to Eat with them, until they repent and turn to the Lord, to walk in obedience to that which is pure; if they do, then receive them again; but if they still walk in the Stubberness of their Wills, and not bend to the pure in their Conscience, keep them forth, that not any filthy Person dwell in the House of God; then will the blessing
[Page 3] of the Lord God be with you: And this is his Word to you, to see that there be not any in outward Want in the Church, and that all walk orderly in their Places and Callings, and if any Root of bitterness spring up in any, which causeth Strife in their minds one against another, as soon as you know of it, call such before you, and examine the matter strictly, and stand in the Wisdom and Power of God, to guide you to judge the Cause, and end it in Righteousness; but if the Cause be hard for you to discern, the measure you are grown to cannot discern betwixt the Parties; I charge you, and command you in the presence of the living God, not to be hasty in the Cause come before you, to order it in your doubtful and dark minds, for what is not of Faith is of Sin, but to send for some that is more grown in discerning to judge the Cause, and end it in Righteousness; then will Deceit be judged, and Strife kept out, and the Innocent set free to serve the Lord, and your union will be in
Christ Iesus where you will bring forth Fruit abiding in him, and through his Blood you shall overcome the World in you, and without, and shall reign Kings upon the Earth: In the Power of
Christ you shall command the unclean Spirit, in all his appearances within you and without, and he shall submit to the Power of God in you, dwelling in him who alone is Power, and to whom all glory belongs for ever: The eternal pure powerful and dreadful Spirit of the most high God, rest upon you whom he hath chosen to watch over his Flock, and his mighty Power open the pure eternal Eye in you, to discern and separate between the Precious and Vile, the Holy and the Unholy, and furnish you with Courage and Boldness, and pure Wisdom to rule in the Power of his Spirit, to cut down
[Page 4] all deceit,
1654 and to wash the Disciples Feet in bowing to the pure in the least appearance, and ministring to it, to strengthen the desire raised up towards the Name of the Lord, until Judgment be brought forth into Victory, then will you have union together in that which is pure eternal begotten of God, who reigns over all blessed for ever; and Wisdom's justified of her Children.
W. D.
Writ
in the Year 1653.
This is the Word of the Lord to thee
Oliver Cromwell, called,
Lord Protector.
THus saith the Lord God of Heaven and Earth to thee,
Oliver Cromwell, Why dost thou slight my Counsel, and harden thy Heart against it, which I declare to thee by my Sons and Daughters, and is witnessed in thy Conscience by my Word in thee, which called on thee to trust no longer in the Arm of Flesh, nor seek great things for thy self, as those did I drove out before thee in my Wrath, and destroyed in my Fury, and the fearfulness of my Displeasure consumed them; and hath given thee power into thy Hand who promised me in the day of thy Distress, if I would deliver thee in that day, and give the power over all that stood up against thee, then wouldest thou take away all these Unrighteous Laws, which is contrary to my Righteous Law in the Conscience, which were made by those I drove out before thee, that my Children should not be Persecuted any more by any outward
[Page 5] Law; but have free Liberty to declare my mind, as I moved them by my Spirit; and into thy power I have committed what thou requiredst of me, that thou mightest perform thy promises to me? and now I have tryed thee, and in this day of thy Tryal, thou hast proved unfaithful to me, and to my People, and no truth have I found in thee in this day, as to perform thy promise to me; but contrary to them all, hast thou improved the power put into thy Hand, to seek great things for thy self, and hast set up thy self in the pride of thy Heart, to rob me of my glory, in taking upon thee to be
Lord Protector of my People, when contrary to thy fair words and promises, thou by thy power Establishest those Laws by which my People always were and are Persecuted, which Laws uphold this filthy and abominable thing in my sight; the Heads thereof Judge for Rewards, and the Priests Teach for Hire, and thou with them leanest upon me, and sayest,
Is not the Lord amongst us, no Evil shall come upon us, as the Wicked Generation did,
Mic. 3.11. And those Rebellious People I destroyed before thee, who made those Laws thou hast Established, contrary to all thy fair words and promises, and to preserve thee in thy obstinate and wicked walking before me, in setting thy self on high, in seeking thy own glory; thou trustest to the Arm of Flesh to protect thee in the ways thou livest in, but since thou hast abused the power I put into thy Hand, I have Corrected thee by the Arm of my Power, to let thee see that all the Policy and Strength of men cannot deliver thee forth of my Hand; and when thou wast nigh to Destruction, I appeared as I had done in all the times of thy distress, thy
Lord Protector; and in my tender Love to deliver thee by the Arm of my
[Page 6] mighty Power, when none could help thee, that thou mightest fear me, and lay thy Crown in the Dust before me, and give glory to my Name, in denying thy self, and performing thy promise to me, who am a dreadful God, and will not be robbed of my glory; but since I delivered thee, still like proud
Pharoah hardenest thy Heart against me, and continuest in thy obstinacy, in upholding these Unrighteous Laws thou promised me to take away, but instead of performing thy promises, in taking them away, thou hast Established them by thy power, by which my Children are Persecuted, and the Hands of the Wicked are strengthen'd against them; and notwithstanding all thy Wickedness, and Rebellious walking before me, in love to thy Soul I have preserved thee to this day, and still doth wait upon thee to be Gracious and Merciful to thee, if thou wilt still return to my Counsel, and diligently hearken to it, the Light in thy Conscience, which witnesseth against the pride of thy Heart, and loftiness of thy Spirit, and calls of thee to perform thy promises thou madest to me in the day of thy distress, in speedily taking away the Unrighteous Laws by which my People are Persecuted, that are guided by my Righteous Law in their Conscience, that they be no more given up as Sheep to the Slaughter, (for declaring my Word and Mind to the People) as they have been and are in this Nation, but that they may have free Liberty, and no more be Persecuted by any outward Law, for declaring what I make known to them by my Spirit: Which if thou dost return to me, that I may guide thee by my Power, as is declared, then will I heal thy Backslidings, and deliver thy Soul forth of the Pit of Corruption, and bring it into my Banqueting-House, where thou shalt
[Page 7] drink of the Rivers of pleasure that is in my presence, where thy Soul shall be for ever with my dear Children in the purchased Inheritance that shall never fade away, and this shall be the Portion of thy Cup. I once more tender to thee, if thou wilt speedily return while my Arm is stretched forth in this day of thy Visitation, to imbrace thee, and if thou wilt not hearken to my Counsel, but like proud
Pharaoh still hardens thy Heart against it, and continue in thy Pride and Obstinacy as thou hast done, know this, my Spirit shall not always strive with thee, but I will hasten the day of my Righteous Judgments upon thee, and the Arm of Flesh which thou trusts and leanest upon to uphold thee, and protect thee where thou art, shall be to thee as the broken Reeds of
Egypt, that shall break to peices, and Torment and Wound thee; and I will get my glory upon thee, in breaking thee down in my Wrath and fierce Displeasure, and none shall deliver thee out of my Hand, which will speedily perfect my Pleasure upon thee, for the time is not long ere I accomplish what I have spoken, except thou Repent, and thou shalt know thy Destruction is of thy self, and thy Blood shall be upon thy own Head, and shall confess my Judgments to be true and righteous to all that hear of it, that they may be warned by thee to fear and walk humbly before me, in the day that I do this, saith the Lord of Hosts.
The Word of the Lord I was commanded by him to writ to thee, and after it was written, was taken from me, by one
Thomas Pentlow called Justice of the Peace, at the Town called
Willby in
Northampton-Shire; yet notwithstanding in the love of God to thy Soul, I
[Page 8] am again ordered by him to make known his Counsel to thee,
1655 that thou mightst not be Ignorant of his mind towards thee, what he hath made known to me, who am a lover of thy Soul, and known to the World by name
William Dewsbery, Prisoner in
Northampton Goal, for the Word of God, and Testimony of Jesus Christ.
From the Common Goal in Northampton
the first day of the Tenth Month, 1654.
The Mighty Day of the Lord is comming, in which Christ knocks at the door of the Heart of Kindreds, Tongues, People and Nations, who desire to know the only true God, and Iesus Christ whom he hath sent, to be the Light of the World, and Salvation to the Ends of the Earth, to all that obey him; but a stumbling Stone and a Rock of offence to all that resist his Counsel, whom he will take in their own Craft, and overturn in their own Devices, to the shame and confusion of their Faces; but they that believe in him shall never be ashamed. This was given forth in the common Goal in
Northampton, the
7th day of the
11th Month,
1655. by
William Dewsbery, there Prisoner for the Word of God and Testimony of Iesus.
THe mighty day of the Lord is comming to you, People, whose natural Birth and Generation was in the Northern Islands, whom the Lord of Heaven and Earth hath placed, where he hath suffered you to
[Page 9] be scattered into
Barbadoes, Virginia, New-England and other Islands there away, and Countries elsewhere, and to every Kindred, Tongue, and People and Nations, in whom there is desires raised to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, to be the Light of the World, to guide the Feet of those that sate in Darkness, into the Light and Way of Peace: To you People the mighty Day of the Lord is coming, and in his Power is appearing amongst you, in raising desires in some of you, towards his Name, which desires cannot be satisfied with any outward Observations and Traditions of your Fathers, but above them doth your minds rise, in true Hunger and Thirst towards the living God, for refreshment from his presence; prize the Love of God to you, in whom he hath raised desires towards him, and look not forth at any that teaches to hearken to the Teachings of Men without, who draw you to seek Christ and God without, and to come to the knowledg of the Kingdom of God in outward Observations, with which the knowledge of God comes not; the Kingdom of God is within, and as the Lightning is from the East to the West, so is the coming of the Son of Man in his day, whose appearance is within; but you People in the day of Darkness and Ignorance, that have been over the whole Earth, have been deceived in looking forth at teachings of Men without, and for the Kingdom of God to come in outward Observations, that men have set up in their vain thoughts, Wicked and carnal Imaginations of the Saints condition, which is Recorded in the Scriptures of Truth, but they not regarding the motion of the Spirit of God within, which taught and guided the Saints; they are Strangers to the Saints Life, though they speak great swelling
[Page 10] words of the knowledg of God, and with them deceive the simple, with the inticing words of Mans Wisdom, and boasting in other Mens Lines made ready to their Hands; but they themselves are natural bruit Beasts, living without the fear of God, in Pride, Covetousness, Dissimulation and Hypocrisie, full of self-Love, making their Bellies their God, delighting their Hearts in the Creature enjoyments and visible objects, and are Men-Pleasers, having their Persons in admiration, and them respecting for advantage, and these Men who are Ignorant of the only true God you have followed, to teach you to come to know God, who hath drawn you to Worship an unknown God in the ignorance of your minds, so have they destroyed your Souls, and the Souls of many, and you People perish for want of Knowledg,
Hosea 4.6. In being caused to err with the Lies and Lightness of these false Prophets, which the Lord is against, who run when the Lord never sent them, as the false Prophet did, when the Lord sent his true Prophet
Ieremiah to cry against them,
Ier. 23.32. All People who desire to know the living God, let the time past be sufficient, you have followed Men who have deceived you, and cease from them, and turn to the true Prophet whom
Moses the Servant of the Lord declared the Lord God would raise up,
Deut. 18.15. his Elect and Chosen Servant, to raise up the Tribe of
Iacob, and to restore the preserved of
Israel, whom he hath also given for a Light to the
Gentiles, and to be his Salvation to the Ends of the Earth, whom
Isaiah the Prophet declared the Lord would raise up to open the Fountain of Life, and Salvation to all that Thirst, (
Isaiah 55.1, 2, 3) and now witnessed with all that hearken to his Counsel, who
[Page 11] calls to every one that Thirsteth, Come ye to the Waters, and he that hath no Money, come ye buy and eat, yea, buy Wine and Milk without Money, and without Price; wherefore do you lay out your Money for that which is not Bread, and your Labour for that which satisfieth not; hearken diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and let your Souls delight it self in fatness; incline your Ear, and come unto me, hear, and your Souls shall live, and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you, even the sure mercies of
David; all People no longer look forth, the glad Tydings of the Gospel of the eternal Salvation is heard within, in this day of the Lords Mercies, wherein he is teaching his People himself, as was declared by the Prophet,
Isaiah 54.13. and now witnessed with all the Children of Light, whose minds are turned within, to wait on the Lord for teaching, and to establish them in the Covenant of Life and Peace, who is performing his promise to all that wait on him, which he declared by his Servant the Prophet,
Ier. 31.33, 34.
This shall be the Covenant that I will make with the House of Israel,
in those days saith the Lord,
I will put my Law in their Hearts, and write it in their inward Parts, and will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a People; and they shall no more teach every Man his Neighbour, and every Man his Brother, saying, know the Lord, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, saith the Lord,
for I will be merciful unto their Vnrighteousness and their Sins, and their Iniquities will I remember no more.
Therefore every one that desires to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, turn your minds within, and examine your Hearts, search and try your ways with the Light that Christ Jesus
[Page 12] hath enlightned you withall, that shews you in your Hearts what is Sin, that Pride and Covetousness is Sin, Lying and Swearing is Sin, Dissimulation, Cheating, Couzning is Sin, vain idle Communication, foollish Jesting and Unbelief is Sin; and these things you know in your own Consciences to be Sin, by the Righteous Law of God in the Heart, that reproves you for them in the secret of the Heart and Conscience, there is your Teacher, the Spirit of the Lord within; which in this mighty day of his Power, he is pouring his Spirit upon all Flesh, according to his promise declared by the Prophet,
Ioel 2.28, 29. And now witnessed with his Sons, and with his Daughters, who walk in the Light, led and guided by his Spirit within, which keeps the Conscience void of offence towards God, and towards Man: Every one diligently hearken to the Counsel of the Lord, the Light that witnesseth for God in the Conscience, give up to be guided by it, then you need no more be taught of Men, neither shall your Teacher be removed any more into a Corner; but thine Eye shall see thy Teacher, and thine Ear shall hear a voice behind thee, saying,
This is the Way, walk in it, when thou turns to the right Hand or to the left, as was declared by
Isaiah the Prophet,
Isa. 30.20. which is now witnessed, and that is the living Word of God within, that hath raised desires in you towards God; every one in whom desires is raised, wait in the Light and Power within, that hath raised the desires, and the Lord will then strengthen and give you power to wait on him in the way of his Judgments, till the Carnal, Earthly, Sensual minds, which hath lead you to delight in Lusts and Pleasures, and created enjoyments below God, be cut down and slain with the Word of God
[Page 13] within, which is a sharp and two edged Sword, to slay down the first Man, which is of the Earth earthly, then will you come to witness to be the slain of the Lord, and the sentence of Death upon the first Man who hath lead you from God, with all the Wisdom Strength and Righteousness you had in him, and in the Power of the Spirit, you will be brought to the true sence of the Poverty of your Spirits, to Hunger and Thirst after the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus the Light, him to prize and love, and self judge and deny, with his Light, and in his Light wait to dwell in his Power, you to guide in every Word and Work in the Light, where your union and fellowship will be with the Father of Light, who will you keep that faithful in him abide, and dwell in his mighty Power and Wisdom as he moves thee, witness his mind in his pure Power to the confounding of the mighty Wise and Prudent men, who is exalted in the wisdom of the World, and Counsel of their own Hearts, not regarding to be guided by the Counsel of God, in Christ the Light.
To you, tender Babes and Children of the most high, this is the Word of the Lord God in whom desires are raised towards his Name; his Counsel mind in you, and stand faithful in it, according to his Word declared to you, and consult not with Flesh and Blood; in the Light and Life lift up your Heads, and freely give up Soul and Body to the Lord God of Heaven and Earth, that he may exhalt in you the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, to guide you in perfect obedience to his Righteous Law, written in the Heart, for the exercise of the Conscience towards God and Man; and fear not Man whose Breath is in his Nostrils, who stands up to oppose the Lord in this
[Page 14] mighty day of his Power, wherein he is exalting Christ Jesus the Light, to be King for ever. In his Light be faithful to the Lord, and though you be hailed before
Rulers, Governours and
Kings, for a Testimony against them, take no thought what you shall say, but keep within, stand in the Counsel of God, it shall be given you in the self-same hour; my Heavenly Father will in you speak, and his Enemies confound before his mighty Power in you; and the Hearts of the great and mighty Men of the Earth shall fail, and paleness shall gather into their Faces; the dread of the holy God will be with you, who faithfully give up to be guided by his Counsel, in the power of his own Spirit; one shall chase a Thousand, and five put ten Thousand to flight; the Decree is gone forth, Christ shall be King in Gods time over all the Nations of the World; and all the powers of the World that him withstand, he will break them to pieces like a Potters Vessel, so shall they become as Dust before his Breath, the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it; who is giving the Kingdoms of this World to his Son, and to you that wait for his appearance, the living sound is come, that doth witness, that not any Weapon formed against him shall prosper in this day of his appearance in the Hearts of his Saints.
In the presence of the Lord, I charge you stand fast in the Counsel of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Light in the Conscience, and according to the measure you have received; be faithful in walking with God in perfect obedience to his Will, freely giving up your Bodies to finish your Testimony in Sufferings, if the Lord call you, for it is not given to believe, but to suffer with him, and they that suffer with him, shall Raign with him, and the Son of Man is perfect in sufferings; and
[Page 15] you that are faithful to the
[...], he will lay no more upon you, then he gives you strength to bear, he will guard you with the Angel of his presence, and compass you about with Salvation for Walls and Bulwarks, and you shall know this is to you the Word of the Lord God, the day will declare it: All people who dwell upon the Earth fear the living God, who hath Created the Heavens and Earth, and the Fountains of Waters; and all turn to the Light of Christ that witnesses for God in the Conscience, against Sin in its appearance in the secret of the Heart, and diligently incline your Ear to the Counsel of Christ the Light, that he may guide you by his Spirit, least through your disobedience you perish before him, in this mighty day of the Lords Power, in which he is coming with Fire and Sword to plead with all Flesh, and not any that transgresseth his Righteous Law in their Consciences, shall escape his Righteous Judgments in this his day, he is bringing down the loftiness of Man, and the haughtiness of Spirit he is laying low, and is exalting his Son Christ Jesus to be King, and over all to Rule; the
Heathen he will give him for his Inheritance, and the utmost parts of the Earth for his Possession, and the Kingdom he will establish to his Son, whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and of his Dominion there shall be no end; therefore let all the Kings and Princes of this World, mind the Light of Christ to guide them to rule for God, to break the bonds of Iniquity, and let the oppressed go free, that in all things they may have an Eye to the glory of God, in obeying the Righteous Law of God in your Consciences, to do as you would be done unto, in taking up the daily Cross, to that nature which would hinder for doing Justice, and for
[Page 16] shewing Mercy, and
[...] humbly with the Lord.
Given forth by the movings of the Spirit of God, in and through his Servant,
W. D.
DEar Friends, Servants and Children of the most high God, whom he hath called and chosen out of the World; be faithful all of you in his Counsel, wait his Power to guide you in all your Thoughts, Words and Works, in his pure fear in obedience to his Will▪ I charge you in his presence, be valiant for your freedom, in dwelling in the Power of the living God, that he may arm you against the fiery Darts of the Devil, him to resist in his appearance in all his Wiles, who goes about like a roaring
Lyon, to draw you every way, seeking to get your minds from the pure, to draw into the visible things, your Affections there to captivate, your Wills to satisfie in created and perishing Objects, or in the knowledg of the Truth, in the fleshly Wisdom, to feed with the Swine upon the Huskes, the form and image of what you have injoyed, or what you see in the vision, what you do not injoy in the possession, and speak in a Drunken Spirit words without knowledg, and with them sits a painted Beast, the will at liberty out of the Cross; and thou whose condition this is, art the foolish Virgin, turned from the pure Wisdom of God, the Light of Christ that convinced thee of Sin, and now appearest in the outward formallity, in the sight of Men, with a Lamp like the wise Virgins, but not dwelling in the Power of God,
[Page 17] wants the Oyle of joy and gl
[...]dness in the power of his Love, which the wise Virgins hath in their Lamps, which exerciseth their Conscience, and keeps all their affections in order to the Spirit of Truth, which bridles their Tongues, not to utter words before the Lord, but in true silence wait upon him, until his Spirit move his mind to declare, from the living Power the Soul possesses and enjoys in Christ, the Husband of the wise Virgins, whom he moves his mind to declare, from the living Power the Soul enjoys in true possession, in Christ who is the Bride the Lambs Wife, who by his Power keeps her Lamp trimed always, breathing and thirsting for him to manifest his Power to take away Sin, and renew the Image of God, and the perfect Man to witness in Christ Jesus the Souls life, to raign in her for ever: And beloved are you that Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness, for you are the Children of the Kingdom of my Father, and with you my life is bound up; and to you this is the Word of the Lord, fear not, lift up your heads and wait in the Light with boldness, in it look up to Christ your King, he will appear as the Lightning from the
East to the
West, and you shall behold him Riding upon the
wilde Asses Coalt, your wilde nature subjecting it to himself, and skiping over all Mountains, and leaping over all Hills that hath separated you from the presence of God; and will heal your Infirmities, and satisfie your thirsty Souls, and give you the end of your hope, the Salvation of your Souls, where you shall sit down with him in the Kingdom of the Father, to rejoyce in the Power of eternal love and life, which is in his presence for ever and ev
[...]r; and this is the Childrens Bread that comes down from Heaven: But you foolish Virgins that sits in the outward
[Page 18] form and profession of the Truth, your Lamps are empty of the Power of God, which should cast down your Wills, and keep them in the daily Cross; so you are possessed with a dull, sottish, drousie, earthly, careless spirit, which is weary of waiting upon the Lord in silence, you have no Oyle in your Lamps, you are turned from the Light that would lead you to the Power of God, which would preserve in the true thirsting, to wait for refreshment that is in his presence; so you are Imprisoned and Starved for want of Food, while you are in a silent Meeting amongst the wise Virgins, who feed on the immortal Bread which comes down from Heaven, the Flesh and Blood of Jesus Christ, which daily strengthens them in the Power of God, which gathers all their Hearts together in one, where the union is in the invisible being in silence, rejoycing together in the Lord; to the Consciences of you foolish Virgins I speak, you are strangers to the life the wise Virgins enjoyes, though amongst them you come, your life is in beautifying the outside of the Lamp with words, being quickly spoken, but the fear of God is not before your Eyes, but your Wills are out of the Cross, a false joy arises in you, speaking what you do not possess, priding and glorying in other mens Lines, end contending for Truth, with that mind that is out of the Truth; and so become Trees blosoming with leaves, but bears no Fruit, and here your folly is made manifest, while you speak to others, your selves are under Reproof, in that you are strangers to the life of God: I charge and command you, silence Flesh, and speak not before the Lord you foolish ones, that dare to make mention of his Name, while the worker of Iniquity raigns in you, whom the Lord will destroy,
[Page 19] except you repent; therefore all Friends who make mention of the Name of the living God, examine your Hearts, search them, and try your ways with the Light that comes from Christ, with it read your condition in the Book of Conscience, there will you see how you stand in the presence of the living, pure, holy God, whether in the state of the foolish Virgins, that is turned from the Light of Christ, that did convince them of Sin, and so gets into the form of the Truth, but an Enemy to the Cross, so make Shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience,
&c? or whether you be in the state of the wise Virgins that loves the Light, and in it to wait, to dwell in the Power which chastiseth that nature (which would draw from the Light, and your Garments defile) daily in the Cross, and there your Souls is keept pure and chaste, to follow the Lamb where ever he goes, and enters with him into the rest that is prepared for the People of God, where the foolish Virgins shall not come, until they from their foolish Wisdom return into true obedience to the Father of Light,
&c.
Dear Children of the Lord God, be valiant, bold and faithful in your measures, that in the Light, Life and Power of God, you may stand in the day of great tryal, which the Lord will bring upon all you that make mention of his Name; for power will be given to the Beast, his Horn to exalt even to the host of Heaven, for the clearing of the Sanctuary of the Lord; then will all foolish Virgins and painted Beasts that are enemies to the Cross of Christ, who hath defiled the Sanctuary of the living God, in coming before him amongst his Saints and Children,
&c. from amongst them they shall come trembling before the power of th
[...]
[Page 20] Beast, when he utters his voice and commands all to Worship his Image; but then shall all you Children of the most high God, whom he hath called
[...]o be faithful to him, in his eternal Power rejoyce, who will you keep in that day in rest and peace, in the ancient of days, who will sit to judge in Righteousness all that withstands the rising of his Glory, and of his Dominion there shall be no end.
Friends, meet together in the true silence of your Spirits, to wait in the Light for the unlimited Spirit of the Lord, to manifest his Power in you, to bruise the
Serpents Head in all his appearance in you, to put an end to Sin, and to bring in everlasting Righteousness, that you in him may grow up in the pure nature of the most high God, over all blessed fo
[...] ever,
Amen. God almighty keep you all faithful in his eternal Power in himself, to bear his Name in Righteousness, that his Name may be written in your Fore-heads, that all that see you may witness you to be of the Righteous Seed that the Lord hath Blessed; his Eternal Power and Presence keep you in the eternal unity of the Spirit, and bond of Peace, where I am with you, in the unchangable Love and Life,
&c.
I desire you to let this be Read in your Meetings, with a good understanding, in the fear of the Lord, for this is the Day I will make separation betwixt the Wise and the Foolish, between those that fear the Lord, and those that fear him not, saith the Lord God almighty.
[Page 21]ALL Saints and Children of the most high God, abide with God in the calling whereunto you are called, which call is the measure of Light given unto you, which witnesseth against all the deceitful twisting of the
Serpent within you, and seals up to your Spirits the eternal love of God in the free Covenant of life in
Iesus Christ: All in your measure as you have received of the Lord, walk faithfully with him, so will you be preserved pure, clean and unblamable before him, and will be fortified by the Arm of his eternal Power, against all the deceit, subtilty, windings and twistings of the
Serpent within you, and without you: I charge you all in the presence of the Lord God, to abide with God in what he hath communicated to you, and run not out from the Witness of the eternal Spirit, that hath sealed you up in measure in the Power of his love: Thou that doest run out to speak further then thou witnessest, art a filthy Drunkard that lavisheth out thy self, without the fear of the Lord; and so spends and wasts upon thy Lusts, and the plagues and vengance of the Lord is thy Portion, thou filthy Drunkard; for no Drunkard nor Lustful person shall inherit the Kingdom of God. All dear Lambs and Children of the Lord abide in the Witness of the eternal Spirit, which will pass Judgment and bruise the Head of the
Serpent in you; so will you be armed against all the glorious appearances of the
Serpent without, to keep him out of the Scriptures; and the least of you in the Truth of God, will overturn all Priests, and all the Men of the World that dwell in their Serpentine Wisdom, and makes a Trade of the Letter, speaking and
[Page 22] disputing of the Saints conditions, as the
Devil did about the Body of
Moses, but cannot witness the Scriptures sealed up to their Souls by the eternal Spirit; now all you that dwell in the Truth, in your measure will comprehend them to be Houses built upon the Sand, tall Cedars, aspiring up into the Air, sturdy Oakes that stand in pride of their own conceits, but hath no Root, so let them not speak of the Scriptures, but bring them to the Witness, to which they can witness of the Scripture; so will the breath of the eternal Spirit of the living God, speaking in you from the Power of the Lord, that hath sealed his love to your Spirits, raze up the Sandy Foundation, so will the House, and the sturdy Oakes, and the tall Cedars fall, and the
Serpent in all his windings and twistings his Head will be bruised, and all deceits overturned, and your Souls preserved pure and clean, and the Name of the Lord honoured, who doth accompany the Witness of the Spirit with his own Power, and abiding in his Power, you shall reign Kings upon the Earth, and the Lord God almighty be with you all, you Sons and Daughters of the most high God, and carry you all on in his eternal and mighty Power, faithful unto the end, that ye may receive the
Crown of eternal Glory, which is laid up for you in the
Lord Iesus Christ, and there you will fare well; and I shall remain with you for ever in the Lord.
DEar Friends, meet often together in the Name and fear of the living God, and take heed of Words; see that the Witness speaks, which will cut down your own wills, and it will minister to the Witness in others, to the slaying of their wills; and take heed of watching over one another with an evil Eye, to spy out one anothers weakness, and declare it to others, and discover their nakedness; thou that art here art cursed
Ham, and the Wrath of God will be revealed upon thee, but watch one over another with a pure single Eye, and if thou see the pure in Bondage in any one by the deceit, whisper thou not behind their back to others; but let the Witness in thee which sees the deceit, and suffers with the pure that is pressed down by it, let it declare and witness forth the minde of the living God against the deceit, and it will cut it down, and the pure holy Seed will be set at Liberty, and thy Conscience will be kept clean unto the Lord in discharging thy Duty; and so will thy Captivated Brother or Sister be restored again forth of the Hand of the Destroyer, and then thou wilt have union together in that which is pure for ever in the Lord: And the eternal God of Power keep you all his dear Children in his pure Wisdom, to walk faithfully with him, and one with another, and the blessing of the Lord God almighty be with you all for ever,
Amen.
MY dear Friends, this is the Word of the Lord to you all whom my Father hath chosen out of the World, in his eternal Love to make known his Power in you, thus saith the Lord to you, Look not back, but Iudge that mind with my pure Word I have Enlightened your Consciences withal, for the exercising of them towards me, and towards men. And I command you my Children, stand in my pure Counsel, and look up to me, and I will accompany you with my Power, and will make the way plain before you, in bringing down that which is untoward in you, and disobedient to my Will; so my Ways will not be burdensom, and my Commandments grievous to you my dear Children; and this is my Word to you, Cast off whatever I have let you see is offensive to my Will, that so your Souls may rest in the Bosom of my Love, that I may carry you on in the Arms of my eternal Power, faithful unto the end, and Crown you with glory, which I have laid up for you in the Lord Iesus; sleight not my Counsel, but be valiant and bold for the glory of my Name,
saith the Lord God, and be not hasty to utter words before me, but let your words be few and savory at all times, ministring Grace to all that hears you, that my Name may be honoured in all you my dear Children, in all your words and actions, then I will accompany you with my powerful presence, and will make you a terror to all evil doers, One to chase a Thousand, and Five to put Ten Thousands to flight; so will I get my self a glorious Name, in the manifestation of my Power in you my Sons and Daughters who stands faithful in my Counsel,
[Page 25] and walks in my Fear; and your Souls shall be refreshed in the Fountain of my Love in the Lord Iesus, where you shall reign for ever in my presence.
Meet often together to wait upon me in the fear of my Name, and watch one over another in love, and I will be with you my dear Children to order you in my pure Wisdom, to the praise and glory of my great Name,
saith the Lord God almighty. Written from the Spirit of the Lord, to be sent abroad amongst Friends, to be Read at their Meetings.
THE DISCOVERY Of the great Enmity of the SERPENT Against the Seed of the Woman, which witnesseth against him where he Rules, both in Rulers, Priests and People; whose hearts are now made manifest in this great day of the Lords Power; wherein he is sending his Sons and Daughters in the Power of his Spirit to run to and fro to declare his Word.
Which Discovereth the state of
England, who according to her own lusts hath heaped up Teachers to her self that hath spoken smooth things to her, calling her the beautiful Church and Spouse of Christ; but in the day of tryal she is found in Enmity to Christ in his appearance in his Children, and to be in the estate deluded from the Spirit of Truth, Recorded in 2
Tim. 4.2, 3. Which cannot indure sound Doctrine, having itching Ears, and turns them away from the Truth to Fables; and now are
Englands Teachers tryed she hath heaped up to her self, and their Doctrine proved; and their Ministry made manifest, in the great Enmity they manifest against Christ, in Persecuting the Bodies of his Saints, them to destroy whom he hath sent to Preach freely his eternal Word; for which they are Stoned, Beaten and Imprisoned; and many of
Englands Teachers, whom she upholds, stirs up the People so to do: Being deceived, not regarding what is spoken, that neither Fornicator, nor Idolater, nor an Adulterer, nor Effeminate, nor Abuser of themselves with mankind, nor Covetous, nor Drunkards, nor Revellers, nor Extortioners, shall Inherit the Kingdom of God, 1
Cor. 6.9, 10.
A true Testimony of him the World knows by name, William Deusbery,
and in scorn calld Quaker;
who hath been by them Imprisoned in York, Darby, Leicester
and Northampton,
where he is now kept in the common Goal, for the Word of God and Testimony of Iesus Christ.
[Page 27]Also his Call to the Ministry of the everlasting Gospel, by the still voice of the Spirit of God, and his mighty Power destroying with the flaming▪ Sword the disobedient, that would not stand in his Counsel, and causing the Soul to submit to his Counsel, the Light that comes from Christ, in it to wait on him to open the Seals of the Book, and make known the mystery of eternal life to the Soul, the Scripture testifieth is in Christ, the Truth of it to know as it is in Jesus.
The Word of the Lord to all in
England, whom the Lord hath betrusted with Power, from the highest to the lowest, to see the peace be kept, and to judg the Cause of the People with righteous Judgments.
With a Lamentation over all in
England, who oppose Christ in his spiritual appearance, and so slight the day of your Visitation to your own Destruction.
From the common Goal in Northampton
the 25
th day of the 4
th Moneth 1655.
Oh, People in England!
AM I become your Enemy, because I tell you the truth, and deal plainly with you in declaring the minde of the Lord unto you? which in the eternal riches of his Love he hath made known unto me, by the Word of God and Testimony of Jesus Christ, for which Word and Testimony I suffer outward Bonds and Persecutions, as my Lord and Master did; who was called a Blasphemer, Belzebub, the Prince of Devils, by the high Priests, who cried to the unjust Magistrates to deliver him up into their hands, that their Persecuting Murthering spirits that thirsted after his Blood, might be satisfied; which
[Page 28] the unjust men in Authority to do them a pleasure, in satisfying their wills abused their power, and delivered him up; and though they proved not any thing against him, they put him to Death, calling him a Blasphemer; and he sealed his Testimony with his Blood: And all my holy Brethren, Prophets and Apostles were called Blasphemers, Hereticks, Seducers and Deluders by the false Prophets, High-Priests and Pharisees then; who professed the Name of God in words, but denied him in their practices, and Persecuted his Children, who were guided by his Word, under the names formerly written; as I and my Brethren are now Persecuted by the same Generation, which profess God and Christ in words, but denying him in their practices, living in Pride and Pleasures, Envy and Murder; every way Persecuting and seeking to destroy the Bodies of the Saints of the most high God, where the righteous Seed is raised up, which witnesseth against their unrighteous practices, and discovers them in their secret hypocrisie, which is hid under their voluntary humility, which causeth them to appear what they are, and manifests what was hid in their Hearts under their fair coverings of outward Forms and Profession of Religion, which they now manifest forth by their Fruit, whose Children they are, in obedience to their father the Devil, who was a Persecuter and a Murtherer from the Beginning, whose works they now do that profess Christ in words, but denies to be guided by his Spirit; for his Spirit is no Persecuter; and so are they made manifest (in what they do) to all that have Eyes to see, that they are strangers to Christ, while they continue in
Cain's nature persecuting the righteous Seed without a cause, as he did,
[Page 29] and doth in this Nation; both in the North of it; and in other Prisons in several places of it, there hath been cast into them the Saints and Children of the most high God, for obeying his Will, in witnessing forth his eternal Word that he hath made manifest in them: And no breach of any National Law proved against them, but a Popish Law made in
Queen Maries Raign, which some hath suffered under; and many other of the Saints and Children of the most high God, they have Persecuted and cast into Prisons, and not the breach of any National Law proved against them; but in the pride and envy of their Hearts do they Persecute the Innocent, to satisfie their own wills; as I am a witness against them who have Persecuted me, and cast me into Prison under the name of a Seducer (as they say,) for the Seducing of the People of this Nation, and for suspition of Blasphemy, and breaking of the publick Peace, in dispersing Principles
[...]ontrary to the truth of the Gospel, and Peace of the Nation; and not any Accuser appeared to my face, to prove what they charge against me, as is formerly written, either by the Law of God, or the Law of the Nation, but the Serpent in whom he rules, hath manifest his enmity against me, whom the Lord hath redeemed from the Earth; and sent to Preach the everlasting Gospel to those that dwell upon the Earth; and to witness against the wickedness of the dark World, that the deeds thereof are evil; for which Testimony the World that hates the Light that comes from Christ, whom they ever Persecuted, to fulfil the measure of their fathers Iniquities, hath me and my Brethren Persecuted under the names as formerly written; charging me with making Tumults, and breaking the publick Peace,
[Page 30] for walking in obedience to the Spirit of Christ, which guided all
[...]e sent to preach his Gospel, to run to and fro as I have done in thee, oh
England, that knowledge may be increased, as is recorded in the Scripture of Truth,
Dan. 12.4. And is according to the commands of Christ;
Go your ways, behold I send you forth as Lambs among Wolves, carry neither Purse nor Scrip, nor Shoes, and salute no man by the way, and into what City ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as is set before you, Luke 10. vers. 3, 4,
& 8.
But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to their Counsel, and they will scourge you in their Synagogues, and you shall be brought before Governours and Kings for my Names sake, but he that endures unto the end, shall be saved, Mat. 10. vers. 17, 18, & 22.
According as it is written, the wicked World that always did as they now do, persecute the Messengers of Jesus Christ, who to them were and are sent to witness against them in their Markets and Meeting-places, that their deeds are evil; which the Children of this Generation, that are strangers to the leadings of the Spirit of Truth, calls them that are guided by the Spirit to walk according to the Scripture, makers of Tumults, movers of Sedition, breakers of the publick Peace, as the unrighteous Generation did, who Persecuted Christ and his Apostles, whose practice was to declare the minde of God in their Synagogues and Markets, as the Ministers of Christ do now: And they found him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the Doctors, both hearing and asking them Questions,
Luke 2.46. When Jesus came to
Nazareth where he had been brought up, and as his custom was, he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day, and as he
[Page 31] was declaring the Word of eternal life to the People, all they in the Synagogue, when they heard these things he spake were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust him out of the City, and led him to the brow of the Hill (whereon the City was built) that they might cast him down headlong; but he passed through the midst of them, and went his way,
Luke 4.16, 28, 29, 30. And
Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ, not of man; neither by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the Dead,
Gal. 1.1. He was a chosen Vessel unto the Lord, to bear his Name amongst the
Gentiles, and
Kings, and the Children of
Israel, Acts 9.15. It was his practice to go to and fro to preach the Word of eternal life, to the people in their Synagogues and Markets, as the Ministers of Christ do. When
Paul and
Silas came to
Thessalonica, where was a Synagogue of the
Iews, Paul as his manner was went unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures,
Acts 1
[...].1, 2. When
Paul went unto
Athens his Spirit stirred in him, when he saw the whole Citty given to Idolatry, therefore disputed he in the Synagogue with the
Iews, and with the devout persons, and in the Markets daily with them that met with him: Then certain of the Phylosophers of the
Epicureans and of the
Stoicks encountred him, and some said, what will this Babler say, other some, he seemeth to be a setter forth of strange Gods; because he Preached unto them Jesus and the Resurrection,
Acts 17.16, 17, 18.
And all my Brethren this day with me, that witnesseth Christ Jesus risen from the Dead, and are sent to Preach Christ the Resurrection, who hath enlightned every one that is come into the World; that all may in his Light that from him comes, that shews them Sin;
[Page 32] wait for his Power to cleanse them from Sin, and raise them out of the fallen and dead estate, by the power of his Resurrection, to live in pure obedience to God.
We are by those the World call their Ministers and Teachers, withstood as
Iannes and
Iambres withstood
Moses. But the Lord is making them daily manifest, that all shall see their folly, and by them be no more deceived, 2
Tim. 3.8, 9. And as the
Heathen Phylosophers, before written, encountred
Paul, so hath these men encountred with us, as before written, for witnessing Jesus the Resurrection, and the true Light that enlightneth every one that comes into the World.
And as
Tertullus the Heathen Orator accused
Paul before
Felix, Acts 24.1, 5.
We have found this man a pestilent fellow, and mover of Sedition amongst all the Jews
throughout the World, and a Ring-leader of the Sect of the Nazarens. The same spirit that was in the Heathen Orator
Tertullus, that lead him to accuse
Paul before
Felix, did
Edward Bowles, whom the people of the World call Minister, and Teaches in the high place in
York, manifest to be in him, who never had spoken to me, when he by that dark spirit was lead to give in an Information against me; and at the time when it was expected I should have the priviledge of the Law, (that Thieves and Murtherers had) by it to be Tryed, and my Accusers to appear face to face; the said
Edward Bowles did not appear to prove against me what was written in the Information; neither a perfect Coppy of it would he or they that had it in keeping, give to me when it was demanded, least their works of darkness should be brought to light; but what was brought to light when it was demanded of
Edward
[Page 33] Bowles: This is a perfect Coppy that he wrote with his own hand, as followeth:
It is informed that one
William Deusbery, a Ring-leader of the Persons calle
[...]
Quakers, goes up and down the Country of
York, and is now in the
West-riding thereof, dispersing Principles prejuditical to the truth of the Gospel, and peace of the Common-Wealth: It is therefore desired, that seeing no man is allowed publickly to exercise his gifts to a particular Congregation unless he be first tryed and approved; that the said
William Deusbery may not be permitted to go up and down from place to place Teaching, until he receive Approbation of some Persons, who shall be thought fit to judg how agreeable his Principle are to Tru
[...] and Peace.
This is the substance of what I delivered into Mr Payler;
but the particular words I cannot exactly remember, but I believe they do not any thing considerably vary from this Paper.
This man whom
Edward Bowles calls Mr
Payler, was the Fore-man of the Grand-Jury, to whom he delivered the Information against me, that they might deliver it to
Hugh Windham, who sat Judge of Life and Death, at the general Assizes holden at
York, about the time of the thirteenth and fourteenth dayes of the first Month called
March, 1653. Upon the sight of the Information given in against me, the Judge granted a Warrant in the open Court to the men that was in Commission to do justice in
Yorkshire, to apprehend me.
Which after that time, I being at a place called
[Page 34]
Tholthorp, about ten Miles from
York, in the
North-riding thereof; and many of the Servants of the living God with me waiting on him, his Power to manifest to his glory; and while we were together, there came one
George Mann in great rage two several times, with an Iron Fork to satisfie his blood-thirsty minde; the Lord with his Power did him chain, and prevented his bloody intents; to satisfie his will on me, he went to
Thomas Dickeson, who was at a place called
Kirby-Hall in
Yorkshire; and he accused me (as
Thomas Dickeson said before him) that I said I was Christ, upon which accusation he granted forth a Warrant on the twenty sixth day of the second Month called
April: And on the twenty seventh day, I being with the Children of the Lord, (at
Crake,)
Iohn Lockwood called high Constable apprehended me with the Warrant before mentioned, and the day being far spent, he said to the Friends with me, if they would ingage for my appearance the next day, he would shew me that favour that I should stay with them that night; (I replyed these words) that not any man should ingage for me, neither desire I favour at the hands of men, if thou hast power over the body, do with it what thou hast power: Then
Iohn Lockwood said, the day is far spent, I shall not go with thee to the Justice to night, until to morrow stay at thy Friends House.
Reply, if thou say I shall stay here, if the Lord please I shall be ready to go with thee, where he gives thee power to have me; so he went away, and said he would send for me the next day; and in the night season many of the Lords Servants and Children was with me waiting on him, who is worthy to be waited on, for he is good to the Souls that wait on him, and to the Souls that seek him; when
[Page 35] much of the night was spent, the Inhabitants of
Crake in great rage and fury came to the Doors and Windows of the House, like the Inhabitants of wicked
Sodom, crying and rushing at the Doors, and said they would have me forth, to dispose of me according to their wills, for I should not be there; and
Iohn Lockwood high Constable, so called, who said I should be there until the next day, yet to do the people a pleasure he contrary to his word came in, and took me forth, and had me into the Streets, where the people shouted with a loud voice, as they had me to and fro, from one House to another (where they sold Ale) till the people in one House let them in, and there they set two men to watch over me until the next day, which was the twenty eighth day of the Month before written; on which day they had me before
Thomas Dickeson, who granted forth the Warrant for me to be brought before him, and did me examine, and it was manifest before him, that what I was accused of in the Warrant, (and the day the Warrant mentioned my being in that place) was false, for I had not been in that place that day, neither could they prove any such words spoken by me, as I was accused of; and when he had nothing against me in that Warrant, then he did commit me to Prison, by a Warrant that he said, Judge
Windham granted forth at the general Assize, before written, which Warrant I never saw.
[Page 36]A True Copy of the Mittimus, as followeth.
North-riding of Yorkshire.
To the Sheriffs of the said County of
York, and to the Keeper of the Goal of the Castle of
York.
WHereas there was a Warrant directed for the Apprehending of
William Deusbery of
Stanly, for the seducing the People of this Nation, from Iudge
Windham the last Assizes; and he being brought before me, and refuseth to find Surety to be of good Behaviour, and to appear at the next Assize, to be holden for the said County, to answer the premises: You are hereby required to receive into your custody the said
William Deusbury, and him safely to keep, until he shall be delivered by due course of Law. Given under my Hand and Seal the
28th day of
April 1654.
According to his command, as aforesaid, I was had to
York Castle, and there kept Prisoner until the general Assize, which was holden about the 22d day of the 5th month called
Iuly, in the year above written, and there
Hugh Windham did sit Judge of Life and Death, who at the Assizes before mentioned, which was in the first Moneth called
March, gave order to apprehend me, and according to his order it was done; and he coming to judge the Cause between me and my Accusers, it was pressed on him by some Friends of the Truth (for the Truths sake) that I might have the benefit as those had that were arraigned for Fellony and Murther, to be brought before him, and the people of the Country, and there my Accusers to appear face to face to prove
[Page 37] their Accusation, that I mighr suffer according to Law, if I had transgressed it; otherwise that I might by it be cleered before the Country of the Lyes and Aspersions and false Accusations they had publickly charged me withal; his promise was, I should be brought before him, and have a fair Tryal at Law, as others Prisoners had; but he was not faithful to do as he had said, before him I was not brought at that time, nor any Tryal had; but at the end of the Assizes cleared me by Proclamation, and sent me a
Liberato (as they call it) to pass away.
Into Prison I was cast, as formerly written, the 28th day of the second Moneth (called
April,) and there was kept until the Twenty fourth day of the fifth Moneth (called
Iuly) and then was turned forth, as is formerly written, without any Tryal or Law to me read why they had kept me in Prison that time: So for the Truths sake, to that of God in every ones Conscience I this day lay before: He that hath an Eye to see let him see.
Which after the Lord, by the Arm of his mighty Power had me set at liberty out of the hands of those unreasonable men; I journyed as I was led by his Spirit to declare his Word in
Cleveland, and other parts in
Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, and so to
Darby, and as I was declaring the Word of the Lord to the Consciences of the Inhabitants of
Darby, there came two men and laid hold on me, and had me before the men who were in Commission to have done justice, who there did sit at the General Sessions holden at the Town, about the twenty fourth day of the sixth Moneth, called
August, 1654.
When I before them was brought, the first Question
[Page 38] to me by them propounded was;
In whose presence
[...]oest thou now stand? (the answer to them was)
In the presence of the everlasting God; the men called Justices replyed with these words,
Iaylor take him away, put him in Prison for disturbing the Court, which was done at their Command; into Prison I was put, and when the day was spent,
Thomas Youll, called the Mayor of
Darby, sent for me, and when I came before him, he asked me,
What I came to do? the answer to him, I came to declare the Word of the Lord to the Consciences of the Inhabitants of
Darby; the Mayor replyed, Wilt thou go out of the Town? answer to him, When the Lord orders me to go forth, then I shall go, till then I shall stay; then
Thomas Youll, the Mayor, commanded the man to put me into Prison again, which was done; the next day, about the nineth hour, came
William Bould, one of the Mayors Officers, and said to me, if thou wilt go forth of the Town, and in it no more come, I will open the Doors for thee to come forth; the answer to him, Out of the Town I shall not go, until I am ordered of the Lord; and if thou openest the Door, forth of the Prison I shall not come, till the man that said he had authority to put me in, come by the same authority and take me out; then away the man did go, and afterwards did come, and the man who is named
Iohn Slalous, who put me in Prison, opened the Door, and took me by the Arm, and put me forth in much wrath, and delivered me to the other man, whose name is before written, who said he had order to put me forth of the Town, which he did, and strictly charged me to depart out of their Coasts, with many threatnings what should be done to me, if in the Town again I returned; but the
[Page 39] words of vain man was not regarded, into the Town I returned, and there did stay till I was free in my Spirit to depart from thence.
Then I jour
[...]yed to
Leicester, and was there the first day of the week, which was the third day of the seventh Month (called
September,) And with me was many people, to whom the word of the Lord was declared; and after the Testimony of Jesus was finished to them, I went into the high place of the Town, which the people of the dark World calls their Church, and after the man they call their Minister had done, the Word of eternal life was declared to the Consciences of the people, who did hear with much attention, until two men came to me, and said they had order from
Edmund Iohnson, called Mayor to take me away, and with violence drew me forth, and had me before the said
Edmund Iohnson, who commanded his officers to put me in Prison before he did me examine, which was done; and the next day the man that put me in Prison brought me forth before the Mayor, and
William Billers another of the Rulers of the Town, who did me examine; and not finding any thing against me, commanded
Robert Brewin, Keeper of the common Goal, to put me out of the Town, and strictly charged me to depart forth of their Coasts, with many threatnings what they would do if I again into the Town did come; but the threatnings of man was not regarded, into the Town I did return, in obedience to the command of the Lord, to finish the Testimony of Jesus, I was to witness to the Consciences of the Inhabitants of the Town of
Leicester.
Then in obedience to the Spirit of Truth, I journyed into
Northamptonshire, and in a Town called
Wellingborrow,
[Page 40] and there aways many did receive the word of Life with much gladness of heart: And at a time as I was going along the Street in that Town, near the House of
Thomas Andrews, whom the people of the the World call their Teacher; he to me did speak these words,
Give over deceiving the people, least the Plagues of God fall upon thee; the answer to him was, if thou sayst I deceive the people, make it appear wherein I deceive them; he replyed,
thou tells them there is no original Sin; I required of him, didst thou hear me say so? to that he made no answer; then these words was to him declared, thou must either prove what thou accusest me of, or own thy condemnation upon thy false Accusation; he fled away, and did make no answer. About the time which was near three weeks after, I was ordered of the Lord to return again to
Wellingborrow, and hearing there was a Meeting in the Steeple-house where
Thomas Andrews was, who had me falsly accused, as is formerly written, for the Truths sake into the Steeple-house I did go, and in silence did stand till the man, called their Teacher, had done; then I declared the word of the Lord to the people, who did hear peaceably, and afterwards I spake in particular to
Thomas Andrews, to prove what he had
[...]alsly accused me of, in saying I deceived the people, and there make it manifest before the people, or to own his condemnation upon his false accusation, but to what was required no answer he did make, but away fled: Then
Henry Smith who in that Town dwells, out of the Steeple-house haled me into the yard, where the Truth to the people was declared, who did here stand peaceably to hear, till
William Baw, called high Constable, did take hold on me, and had me away into
[Page 41] the Market-place amongst the people; and said he would bring evidence against me for Blasphemy; so he had me as Prisoner to and fro in the Market-place, with so doing he made disturbance among the people; but when he could not prove what he had falsly accused me with, he let me go; who at that present time went from amongst the people to a Friends house, and came no more forth amongst the people in the Market that day.
The next day being the twenty eighth of the tenth Moneth (called
December)
Richard Dennit being Constable of
Wellingborow came to the Friends House where I was, and took me forth by vertue of a Warrant that had no name, but for one who is commonly called Quaker, and had me with it before
Thomas Pentlow, called Justice, at
Wilby in
Northamptonshire, who did me examine, but would not read me any Law I had transgressed, but made a Mittimus and sent me to the common Goal in
Northampton, on the twenty nineth day of the tenth Moneth called
December, 1654. A Copy of the Mittimus I was denied by
Iohn Snart Keeper of the Goal; and also the men that were in Commission to do Justice, when it was of them desired in open Court, at the general Sessions holden at
Northampton, the tenth day of the eleventh Month, by those whose names are
Iohn Clark, Iohn Parker, called Sergeant at Law,
George Benson, Iohn Mansil, Iohn Brown, who there did sit in Commission to have judged the Cause in righteousness between me and mine Accusers; but when the Mittimus was read where the charge against me was written, not any appeared to prove what the Blasphemy was, for which they committed me to Prison in suspition of; neither they to me
[Page 42] read any Law that any thing charged against me had it transgrest; but again to Prison did me commit, to answer at the Assizes holden at
Northampton, the tenth and twelfth day of the first Month called
March 1654. And three times I was there brought before
Matthew Haile who did sit Judge of Life and Death, to answer what might be objected against me; and the last time I before him was brought,
Hugh Windham was with him, who then was in Commission with him, to have judged the Cause in righteousness, between me and my Accusers; and though not any Accuser appeared against me, to prove me the transgressor of any Law; neither would these that sat to judge my Cause, any Law to me read, that any evidence given in against me, was the transgression of; but they me committed to Prison, where I had been amongst those arraigned for Fellony and Murther: So under all these Lies and Aspertions, false Accusations I suffer, and instead of being cleared of them, (when I was brought before those that were in Commission, to judge with righteous judgement) more Accusations were laid upon me by them, which was done by
I. Parker at the general Sessions before written; and
Hugh Windham at the general Assizes, before mentioned, which both did accuse me in the open Court, before the people, that I was a Seducer; and when I required them to make manifest wherein I did seduce any, they would not answer to what then was required, and a Coppy of the ground of the Evidence they pretend they have against me, they denied to be given me, in all places where they have proceeded against me, as is formerly written, least their works of darkness should come to light, and their folly made manifest, and Truth cleared of the
[Page 43] Lies and false Accusations, with which they blind the Eyes of many, and cause them to stumble at the ways of Truth, in speaking evil of the things they know not, as is manifest in what is written.
So for the Truths sake I bear Testimony of, and it to clear from all Lies and Aspersions cast upon it, which hath caused the simple to stumble at the way of Truth, and that they no longer be turned aside by the lying spirit, who every way seeks to murther and destroy the Truth from the Earth, in Persecuting the Bodies of the Saints, and shutting them up in Prison, under the names of Blasphemers, Deceivers, Seducers and Disturbers of the Peace, so make Lies their refuge, as that Persecuting spirit ever did in all Ages. To stop the lying Mouth, and for the Simple sake that desire, in the truth of their Hearts to know the leadings of the Spirit of Truth, in the way to know the only true God, I here publickly declare to the Inhabitants of
England, and to all that dwell upon the Earth, what I was in the fallen estate, and how the Lord raised me up by the arm of his mighty Power, and carried me on through the great work of regeneration, that all may know the Truth; I am sent to bear Testimony to the Consciences of those that dwell upon the Earth, & is not any Seducing, nor contrary to the Truth of the Gospel, but is according to the Truth, as it is in Jesus,
He that hath an Eye to see let him see, and an E
[...]re to hear let him hear.
Psal. 51.5.I Was conceived in Sin, and brought forth in Iniquity, and in that state lived and delighted in pride and pleasures, lightness and vanity, as all do in that nature, untill I was about eight Years of Age, though before that time, when I did live in vanity, the Light in my Conscience did witness against me, and caused some trouble in me, but I departed from the Light, and so followed the counsel of my own Heart, that lead me into vanity, to live without the fear of God: And about the time when I was eight Years of Age, of my natural birth; the Word of the Lord came unto me,
Isa. 43.7. Mat. 12.36. I created thee for my glory, an account thou must give to me for all thy words and actions done in the Body, which word enlightned my Heart, and opened the Book of Conscience in me, where all was written I had done in the Body ever since I had any remembrance,
2 Cor. 5.10. and when I had read my condition, how I had lived without God who created me for his glory;
Isa. 43.7. the Word of the Lord then came unto me, Shall the Axe boast it self against him that heweth therewith, or shall the Saw magnifie it self against him that shaketh it?
Isa. 10.15. as if the Staff should shake it self against him that lifteth it up, or as if the Staff should lift up it self, as if it were no Wood; and by the Power of the Word of the Lord that spoke in me, my understanding was enlightned, and my Conscience bore witness, that it was my condition; I had lifted up my self against the living God,
Isa. 43.7. in living without his fear, who
[Page 45] created me to live in obedience to him, but I had lived in disobedience to him untill that day; so deep sorrow seized upon me, and I knew not what to do that I might get acquaintance with the God of my Life, who created me for his own praise and glory;
I
[...]a. 43.7. then I ceased from my vain conversation which I had lived in, and began to read the Scriptures, and Books, and mourn and pray to a God I knew not where he was, but expected him without, looking up towards the Firmament, where my carnal imaginations told me he was, and as I had heard those the World calls Ministers, whom I went to hear, whose words did witness with my carnal imagination of God, they said he was above the Skies, calling it Heaven; but I felt the hand of the Lord within me, executing justice upon the wicked in me,
Luke. 17.20. Gen. 3.24. and what way ever I turned to seek him in observations, thither the flaming Sword turned, which was placed against me, to keep the way of the Tree Life,
Rev. 20.11, 12. and execute the righteous justice of God upon me, So I stood before the Throne of the Lamb, reading in my mournful estate, the sentence of condemnation that passed upon me from the glory of his presence, and in this condemned estate I continued, and through the ignorance (where God was, what his Worship was) I strove to satisfie his justice in outward observations,
Luke. 17.20. imitating what the Saints did, sometimes in Fasting and Praying,
Acts 10.30. which was the practice of
Cornelius, and others of the Saints of the most high God,
Dan. 10.21. as I found recorded in the Scripture of Truth: But notwithstanding all my strict walking in observations, in which I was seeking the Kingdom of God,
Luke 17.20. Gen. 3.24. I found him not, but the flaming Sword cut me down; so my sorrow increased, for I found none in my condition that I could declare it to.
[Page 46]Then it pleased the Lord to order my Friends in the flesh to put me to keep the Sheep, where I was retired from company, so my minde was kept in my mournfull estate, where my great ease was in mourning to a God I knew not,
Psal. 22.21. nor none could tell me where I should get acquaintance with him, in the place where I was in the outward, being in a Town called
Allathorp, nigh
Pocklington in
Yorkshire; but hearing of a people about
Leeds that walked more strictly in profession of the name of God then any did where I was, I had no rest in my spirit till my Parents, in the flesh, sent me thither to be an Apprentice, not regarding what Calling, so I might be amongst those that feared the living God,
Psal. 3.16. Heb. 22.21. Isa. 43.7. that I might be acquainted with the God of my life, who had created me for himself, and the desires the Lord raised up in me were answered, when I was thirteen years old of my naturall birth I was bound an Apprentice to a Cloath-maker in a Town called
Holdbeck near Leeds; and as I hard, so it was, there was much speaking of God, which they called preaching, and professing him in words from the letter of the Scripture what the Saints had spoken forth, so intimating the Saints practice in their carnall wisdom, seeking the Kingdom of God in outward observations,
Luke. 17.20. Psal. 66,
[...]6. as I had done before I came there; but when I met with none that could tell me what God had done for their souls, in redeeming them from the body of sin, which I groaned under,
Rom. 7.24. Luke 17.20. and separated me from the presence of God, though I walked strictly with them in their outward observations, running to hear one man after another, which they called Ministers, yet I found no rest nor peace to my weary soul,
Gen. 3.24. but the flaming sword, the righteous Law of God, cryed in me for
[Page 47] a perfect fulfilling of the Law of God, and did meet with me where-ever I was, that I could finde no peace in that worship of God the world hath set up, as in receiving the bread and wine, which they told me was the seals of the Covenant, which was long ere I durst receive it,
Psal. 51.3. because I saw not my selfe prepared;
1 Cor. 11.28, 29. for the evil of my heart stood before me, and when I was to receive it, I sought the Lord to keep me by his Power that I might receive it worthily, and when I did receive it, my desire was the Lord would seal up his love to my Soul, but I found nothing sealed up to my soul with it:
John 15▪ 27. Luk. 22.2. Ephes. 4.30. 1 Cor. 10.16, 17. Phil. 3.15. Ephes. 5.11. 1 John 1.6. Eph. 5.13. Then much fear seized upon my soul for a long time after; and
Iudas Condition was cast into my mind, untill it were shewed that the seal of the Covenant was the spirit of Christ, and no outward Element; and the supper was the body and blood of Christ, which the world doth not know, nor I at that time, but was made to wait for the manifestation of it to me: Then I durst joyn no more wi
[...] the world in that practise; nor in their practise in singing
Davids conditions, which they called Psalms; for the light in my Conscience let me see the evil of my heart, that I was not in
Davids condition; the sence of which stopped my mouth, and while they were singing, I did mourn and weep for want of the pure spirit that
David had,
James 5.13. that caused him to sing, neither could I apply the promises which they told me belonged to me, for I found no promise belonging to that nature,
Ephes. 5.6. but the wrath of God abode upon me, for my disobeying his Counsel in me, the Light in my Conscience, (but being ignorant) it was his Counsel I departed from it, and lent my Ear to those without, that said they spoke from the Mouth of the Lord, so
[Page 48] was deceived, and caused to err by their Lies, that did draw me to seek the Kingdom of God in observations without,
Jer. 23.32. Luke 17.20. Deut. 30.14. Isa. 30.1. Job 33. from 19, to 22. but the Word of the Kingdom was in me, and executed the righteous justice of God upon my adulterous heart, that took counsel, and not at his Mouth, till I was consumed, and my Body was brought so weak, I was not able to answer the expectation of him whom the Lord had placed me with, though my Conscience was clear I did what I was able; and he in his carnal wisdom thought I was in a Consumption, and was in minde sometimes to have sent me away to my Friends in the Flesh, and other times he would have the men the World calls Doctors, to apply some things to my Body for my Recovery, but I was not free to let them, but once for fear of giving them offence,
Jer. 5.25. Isa. 59.2. for I knew my infirmity was the evil of my heart, that separated me from the presence of my God, and how to be freed from it none told me; and when I found no help in outward observations, in Reading,
Luke 17.20. Ezek. 34.6. Praying, Hearing or Meditating of what I heard my sorrow and misery was so great, it constrained me to run to those the World calls Ministers and Professors, which appeared to me had most acquaintance with God, to ask them what I might do to be saved, and they spoke smooth things to me, to believe in the Name of Jesus Christ,
Acts 2.37. 2 Cor. 13▪ 5. and to apply the promises, but that he was to be found within me none told me, which added to my sorrow, telling me to believe in Christ, I knew not where he was; then at that time did the Wars begin in this Nation, and mine Eyes being still abroad to do something in outward observations for my life;
Luke 17.20. Judg. 5.23. the men called Ministers cried, Curse
ye Meroz, because they went not forth to
[Page 49] help the Lord against the mighty: Then I was willing to give my body to death, in obedience to my God, to free my soul from
[...], that I might escape the Wrath I lay under
[...] get acquaintance with him; I joyned with that little Remnant which said, they fought for the Gospel, but when I was amongst them, I found as much ignorance of the Gospel, as was in those I had been with, none told me what the Gospel was, but the Letter, which is the outward Testimony and Declaration of the Gospel, which is Christ, who is the Glad-tydings to Sinners; but they called the Letter the Gospel, as I had heard before, so I found no rest to my Soul amongst them: Then I heard there was in
Scotland a reformed Church, whom they said walked in the fear of the Lord; I journyed into that Country, and to
Edenbrough, where I found nothing but formallity, their Teachers calling to the people to seek the Kingdom of Heaven in outward observations, as I had heard in
England: Then I returned back to
England again, and went amongst those that called themselves the Church of Christ, who are called by the name
Anabaptists, and
Independants, who was setting up a more glorious Image in outward observations, and said they were the Children of God; but I could not joyn with them, for the Testimony of his Love my Soul wanted: And then the Lord discovered to me, that his Love could not be attained in any thing I could do, in any of these outward observations; so in all these my turnings in my carnal wisdom, seeking the Kingdom of God in observations without, thither the flaming Sword turned, which kept the way of the Tree of Life, and fenced me from it, and cut me down, and rent all my Fig-leave Coverings, & destroyed that
[Page 50] minde that looked out to seek the Kingdom of Heaven in observations, or to hearken any more to hear the Word of the Lord from
[...]. Then my minde was turned within, by the Power of the Lord, to wait in his Counsel, the Light in my Conscience, to hear what the Lord would say: And the Word of the Lord came unto me, and said, Put up thy Sword into thy Scabard, if my Kingdom were of this World, then would my Children Fight;
Mat. 26.52, 53.
Knowest thou not that if I need I could have twelve legions of Angels from my Father; which Word enlightned my Heart, and discovered the mystery of iniquity, and that the Kingdom of Christ was within;
Luke 17.21. and the Enemies was within, and was spiritual, and my Weapons against them must be spiritual,
the Power of God:
2 Cor. 10.4, 5. Mat. 26.53. Then I could no longer Fight with a carnal Weapon, against a carnal Man; for the Letter, which man in his carnal wisdom, called the Gospel, and had deceived me; but then the Lord discovered to me the deceits of all these men in
England, that were seeking the Kingdom of Heaven in outward observations;
Luke 17.20. Rev. 19.15. and the Messenger of the Covenant, forth of his Mouth proceeded the two-edged Sword, with which he slays his Enemies, cut me down, and caused me to yeild in obedience,
Mat. 26.52. to put up my carnal Sword into the Scabard, and to leave the
Army.
Isa. 26.8.Then I returned to my outward (Habitation and) Calling I had in the World, and there laboured with my Hands, my minde being turned within, to wait upon the Lord in the way of his judgments; and this I witness, the Administration of
Moses, in which
Cain is banished,
Gen. 4.14. Rom. 9.13. Exod. 29.
Esau reprobated,
Pharoah plagued, the first born of
Egypt slain, and my will brought in subjection,
[Page 51] for the Lord to do with me what his will was, if he condemned me he might, and if he saved me it was his free Love;
Ephes. 25.8.9. Jonah 2.2. Isa. 9.6, 7. and in this condemned estate I lay crying in the depth of misery, without any hopes of deliverance by any thing I could do to pacifie the Wrath of God, till the Administration of the Prophets, that witnessed to my Soul there was free redemption laid up for me in the Lord Jesus, and by the power of the Word of their Testimony, there was a secret hope raised up in me,
Lam. 3.26 John 5.35
[...]. to wait for his coming; there I waited till the Administration of
Iohn; and I witness, that of all that is born of a Woman, there is none greater then
Iohn, for he is a burning and a shining Light, who discovered more of the mystery of iniquity in me, in his Administration, and the sence of my condition was more manifest, and the cry of my condemned Soul was great, and could not be satisfied, but breathed and thirsted after Christ,
Mat. 5.6. Eph. 2.13. Mat. 24.27. to saye me freely through his Blood, or I perished for ever, and in this condemned estate I lay waiting for the coming of Christ Jesus, who in the appointed time of the Father appeared to my Soul, as the Lightnings from the
East to the
West, and my dead Soul heard his voice,
John 5.25. and by his voice was made to live, who created me to a lively hope, and sealed me up in the everlasting Covenant of life,
Eph. 2.13. with his Blood; then I witnessed the wages of Sin and Death,
1 Pet. 1.3. and the Gift of God eternal Life, through Jesus Christ my Lord;
Isa. 55.3. and I witnessed according to Testimony of Scripture,
Rom, 5.14 Death raigns over all from
Adam to
Moses,
Mat. 11▪ 13, and .12. and
Moses untill the Prophets, and the Prophets untill
Iohn, and from this day the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force; there is no rest to the Soul till Christ be manifest, and
[Page 52] this the Scripture witnesseth; and I witness these Scriptures fulfilled in me, in the year according to the acco
[...]t, 1645.
Rev. 19.15. Mat. 2.13. Rev. 11.7.8, 9.The Witnesses that stood before the God of the Earth, and had power to plague the Earth; having finished their Testimony, the Beast ascends out of the bottomless Pit, and makes War against them, and kills them, and their dead Bodies lay in the Streets of the great City, spiritual
Sodom, and
Egypt, where our Lord was Crucified; and this Scripture was fulfilled in me, in the year according to account, 1648.
Rev. 11.10. Mat. 24.15. Dan. 11.31.Then Kindreds, Tongues, and the Nations of the Earthmade merry over the Witnesses; and I see the abomination that maketh desolate, which is spoken of by
Daniel the Prophet, standing in the holy place where it ought not; and then was I led by the Spirit into the Wilderness, and tempted of the Devil, that the Scripture might be fulfiled,
Luke 4.1.
In that day and hour of temptation, which was in the time, as the lines following giveth Testimony, I witnessed these Scriptures fulfilled in me, of
Pauls condition, wherein he complained as I then did,
Rom, 7.19, 20, 22, 23, 24. who found a Law in my members, Warring against the Law of my minde, that when I would do good, evil was present with me; the sence of which caused me to cry, Oh wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this Death? And as I was crying to the Lord to free me from the burthen I groaned under;
2 Cor. 12.9. the Word of the Lord came unto me saying, My Grace is sufficient for thee, I will deliver thee; and by the power of this Word I was armed with Patience to wait in his Counsel, groaning under the body of Sin in the day and hour of temptation, until it
[Page 53] pleased the Lord to manifest his Power to free me, which was in the year according to the account, 1651.
Rom. 7.24. Rev. 11.11.
The Spirit of Life from God entred into the Witnesses, and they stood upon their Feet, then great fear fell upon all that saw them; and the Temple of God was opened in Heaven, and I saw in the Temple the Ark of his Testament, and there were Lightnings, Voyces,
Verse 19▪ Thunder, Earthquakes, and great Hail: then mystery
Babylon the great,
Rev. 17.5.
Rev. 18.3.5, 6, 7, 8. the Mother of Harlots, and the Abomination of the Earth, which made all Nations drunk with the Wine of the Wrath of her Fornication, she was discovered in me, and God remembred her when the mighty day of the Lords power was manifest upon her,
2 The
[...]. 1.7, 8. Jesus Christ was revealed from Heaven in flaming fire, pouring vials of wrath upon her, and rendring vengeance upon all in me that knew him not (and disobeyed his Gospel) and purged away the filthy nature (that did me imbondage) with the Spirit of judgement,
Isa. 4.4. and with the Spirit of burning, so through the righteous Law of life in Christ Jesus, I was made free,
Rom. 8.2. and am from the body of Sin and Death; and through these great tribulations, my Garments is washed and made white in the Blood of the Lamb,
Rev. 7.14.
Rev. 22.14.
Rev. 21.27. Mat. 5.6.
Rev. 22.2, 5. John 3.3.
Rev. 20.6. who hath led me through the Gates of the City, into the new
Ierusalem, where there is nothing enters that works abomination, or makes a lie, but what is written in the Lambs book of Life, where my Soul now feeds upon the Tree of Life, which I had so long hungred and thirsted after, that stands in the Paradise of God, where there is no more curse not night, but the Lord God and the Lamb is my Light and Life for ever and ever; I witness I am regenerated and born again of the immortal
[Page 54] Seed, and hath partaked on the first Resurrection, on whom the second Death hath no power.
And this I declare to all the Inhabitants in
England, and all that dwell upon the Earth,
John 6.45. Isa. 54.13. that God alone is the Teacher of his People, and hath given to every one a measure of Grace,
Mat. 25.15. John 1.19. Eph. 5.13. Titus 2.11. which is the Light that comes from Christ, that checks and reproves for Sin, in the secrets of the Heart and Conscience; and all that wait in that Light which comes from Christ (which is the free Grace of God) for the Power of Jesus Christ to destroy Sin, and to guide them in obedience to the Light, so shall they come to know the only true God and Father of Light in Christ Jesus,
John 17.3. John 14.6. who is the way to him: And this I witness to all the Sons of men, that the knowledge of eternal Life I came not to by the Letter of the Scripture, nor hearing men speak of the Name of God; I came to the true knowledge of the Scripture, and the eternal rest, (they testifie it in Christ) by the Inspiration of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
John 5.39. Job 32.8. Rev. 5.3, 4, 5. the
Lyon of the Tribe of
Iudah, who alone is found worthy to open the Seals of the Book; and I witness none else can,
Ephes. 1.13. for he alone opened the Seals of the Book in me, and sealed it up to my Soul by the Testimony of his own Spirit, according to his own promise,
Isa. 8.16. Jer. 31.33, 34. Ezek. 36.24, 25, 26, 27, 28. Neb. 8.10, 11, 12. Isa. 54.13.
I will bind up the Testimony, and seal the Law, amongst my Disciples, and I will write my Law in their Hearts, and put my Spirit in their inward parts, and they shall not depart from me; neither shall they need to teach every man his Neighbour, and every man his Brother, for all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest, for I will be merciful to their Vnrighteousness, and their Sins and Iniquities will I remember no more; and all my Childern shall be taught of me, saith the Lord God,
and great
[Page 55] shall be the peace of my Children; and
[...]his here declared the Scriptures witness, and I witness the Scriptures fulfilled in me;
praises, praises,
Rev. 29.1. Rev. 5.13.
Hallelujah and eternal praises be unto the Lord God almighty, who hath taken unto thee thy great Power to sit upon thy Throne, and to the Lamb for evermore.
It being charged on me my Imprisonment to be just until I give a reason of the hope of my calling, and that I am unwilling so to do: To stop the lying Mouth of the false Accusers, and to clear the Truth from the lies laid on it, as is before written, and in love to the Souls of the People,
Gal. 1 15, 16. that they the Truth may know as it is in Jesus; Here I have declared the work of the mighty God in revealing his Son in me, who led me on my journey through the dark World,
Rev. 7.14. where I passed through great tribulations, as formerly written, until I came to the end of the World,
John 5.19. Mat. 6.22. over it to rejoyce in the Power of my God (1
Cor. 10.11. upon whom the ends of the World are come) whom the whole World that lies in wickedness, hates and persecutes; but to the pure single Eye, that is not of the World, I lay this before which is written, that all which it minds may see the Truth I bear Testimony of is not any Popish Tenet (though I was questioned concerning them at the general Assizes holden at
Northampton, the tenth and twelfth dayes of the first Moneth, called
March, 1654.) neither is it Seducing,
Rev. 14.6. nor Blasphemy, nor prejudicial to the Truth of the Gospel, or peace of the Nation, but according to the truth of the everlasting Gospel, and sound peace of the Nation, for which Testimony I am still kept in Bonds in the common Goal in
Northampton, numbred amongst the Transgressors,
Isa. 53.12. in the low Prison with these arraigned
[Page 56] for Fellony and Murther, waiting in rest and peace, till the Sufferings of the righteous Seed be fulfilled: And all you that are Enemies to the Truth of God, persecuting it under the names, as formerly written, calling the preaching of the Truth seducing, this I declare and confess unto you in the presence of God, after the Way you call Seducing do I worship the Lord God of my Fathers, and witness fulfilled what is written in the Law and the Prophets;
Act 24.14. he that can receive me let him.
Dear Friends whose minds are turned to the effectual Light that comes from Christ, all mind your own measure, and be content in what the Lord hath committed to you; with the Light judge that which would draw your minds to look forth at others conditions, and in impatiency to covet what the Lord hath given to them, before it be manifest to you; be faithful every one in your own measure, and in patience wait in the Light for the unlimitted Spirit of Christ your Life, to open the Seals of the Book, and make known unto you the mystery of eternal Life, which he will daily reveal in you that are faithful in your own measures to follow the Lord in what he makes manifest to you whom he hath called into his Vineyard at the nineth and eleventh hour; be faithful to the Lord in walking in obedience to him in the Light; he will make a short work in the Earth for his Seeds sake, and your Reward shall be Rest and Peace in the presence of God in Christ, with those that came into the Vineyard the 3d and 6th hour, and laboured the heat of the day; God almighty be with you his chosen Servants and Children, and
[Page 57] all in your measure keep in his eternal power bold, valiant and faithful unto the end, and crown you with eternal glory in Christ, one Judge, Lord and King, God over all blessed forever, Amen.
To all you that Rule in
England, from the highest to the lowest, whom the Lord hath intrusted with power, to see the Peace be kept, and to judge the Cause of the People: He hath given you Power their Causes to judge with Righteous Judgement, the Evil-doers to Punish, and the Righteous set Free out of the Hands of those that oppress them.
This is the Word of the Lord God to you;
THat you lend not your Ears to the counsel of your own Hearts, or to the counsel of any without you, that tempt you to draw your minds from the pure Counsel of God, which is the Light that comes from Christ Jesus, and calls on you in your Consciences, to judge with Righteous Judgment, as you will eternally answer before the pure powerful dreadful God; take heed of abusing your power he hath intrusted you with, in establishing any Law which is contrary to Scripture, and the righteous Law of God in the Conscience, as those did whom the Lord drave out, and destroyed before you in his wrath, and overturned in his fierce displeasure, which if you uphold
[Page 58] those Laws they made in their will, or any other which is contrary to the righteous Law of God in the Conscience, and rule according to those Laws; and exercise the power committed to you to bind the Laws upon the Consciences of the Children of the Lord, whom he hath chosen out of the world, and made them his Jewels to fear an Oath, in obedience to the righteous Law, which saith,
Swear not at all; which if you by these unrighteous Laws take advantage against the righteous Seed concerning the Law of their God, them to ensnare under your power, that you on them may satisfie your wills: This I declare to you from the eternal God of Heaven and Earth, it is hard for you to kick against the pricks; for what is done to his people he takes it as done to himself, and better a Milstone were hanged about your neck, and you cast into the Sea, saith Christ, then to offend one of these little ones that believeth in his Name, and obeys his Command, who saith,
Swear not at all; and now is manifesting his power in his People, that all them may know between those that Swear, and them that fear an Oath, which if you them that fear an Oath oppress: this know
[...] the Lord God will plead their Cause, as he did the Cause of all his people in all Ages, and destroyed those that oppressed them; as in the time of
Pharaoh, and in the time of
Nebuchadnezar, and in the time of
Hamon, in the raign of King
Ahasuerus, and in the time of King
Herod, whom he smote in his righteous Judgments▪ and consumed him with Worms,
Acts 12.23. for persecuting his people, and robbing him of his glory, the righteous justice of God he manifested upon the Enemies of his People, is left upon record you to fore-warn, that you touch not his
[Page 59] chosen anointed People, nor do his Prophets no harm, for whose sakes he Kings rebukes, and all that oppress them, as is recorded in Scripture of truth: And you Rulers of
England who promised to the Lord God, if he would deliver those that oppressed his people into your hands, and give you power over them, you would take away all Laws that burthened the Consciences of his people, and they should have free liberty to worship him in Spirit and in Truth according to his Law written in their own hearts; and according to your desires the Lord appeared while you in his counsell stood, and gave all into your power according to the desires of your own hearts; and now is the time of your tryall wherein the Lord is trying you all this day whom he hath put power into your hands, which if you now forget the Lord God, who appeared to you when you were little in your own eyes in the day of your distress, and deny to perform your Promises you made to the Lord when he delivered you out of the hands of those that sought your lives; but contrary to all your Promises abuse your Power you are intrusted with, to build up again what you seem'd to destroy, which cost the price of so much blood, in establishing Laws which are contrary to Scripture, and the righteous Law of God in the Conscience, and by them think to scatter the power of the holy people, and to weary out the Saints of tlle most high God, in turning Judgment backward, and keeping Justice afar of, that Truth falleth in the Streets, and Equity cannot enter, so he that departeth from Evil maketh himself a prey to your wills, and the Lord God seeth it, and is displeased with you, that there is no Judgment for his People: Therefore to you this is the Word of the Lord, that abuse your power, you are
[Page 60] intrusted with, in perverting judgment, as before-written; thus saith the Lord God,
The Pit you dig for my people ye shall fall into it your selves, and my people I will deliver by the Arm of my mighty power, and according to your deeds I will to you repay, and recompence fury and vengeance to you my Adversaries, and will you sweep away with the Beesom of my wrath, except you repent, and your blood shall be upon your own heads, and you shall not escape, but come to your End, and none shall help you: He that hath an Ear to hear let him hear.
And be fore-warned now in this day of your Visitation, wherein the Lord hath to you sent, you to forewarn of the evil that is a coming upon you, that you may speedily to him return, and lay your Crowns in the dust, at the Feet of Jesus,
Sions King, and in his Counsel stand; which is the Light in the Conscience, that in you witnesseth against every vain thought, and wicked imaginations, and in the Light wait his Power you to guide to perform your Promises, and to take away all Laws contrary to Scripture, and the righteous Law of God in the Conscience, that the righteous Law of God may be your Guide, which is the Guide of all the Children of God; then will the Lord God of Heaven and Earth be with you, and with the Arm of his mighty Power destroy all that Plot or rise up against you, before whom he will make the unrighteous Powers of the Earth to shake, if you abide faithful in his Counsel, and will make you a terrour to the Evil-Doers, and a praise to them that do well, and will bring you into the eternal Peace and Rest he hath prepared for his People; but if you reject his Counsel, and cast his righteous Law behind your backs, as you have done, and follow the counsel of your own hearts;
[Page 61] all that have an Eye to see, read and understand,
Prov. 29.1.
He that hath been often reproved, and hardeneth his Neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy: And in that Day I shall be clear of your blood, who in love to your Souls hath not hid the Counsel of God from you, which he hath made known to me, that you may be left without excuse in the day of the Lords Anger, when he doth perform what he hath spoken: Then shall I be remembred whom the World knoweth by Name
William Deusbery, and by some of you that profess to minister justice cast into Prison, and there kept in the common Goal in
Northampton, for the Word of God and Testimony of Jesus Christ.
From the Goal in Northampton,
the 25
th day of the 4
th Moneth, 1655.
O
England, England! over all in thee I lament, who Persecutes the Sons and Daughters of the most high God, he hath to thee sent, thee to forewarn of the evil day that is coming upon thee.
O That thou in this day of thy Visitation did know the things belonging to thy Peace; which the living God tenders to thee in this day of his mercy, wherein he waits on thee, to be gracious unto thee, and to make thee the glory of all the Nations of the World, and in all thy Straits for thee appeared, and in his mighty Power hath destroyed all that did secretly Plot and Rise up against thee, to establish unrighteous
[Page 62] Laws, and them bind upon the Consciences of those that feared the Lord, in thee, and walked humbly before him, according to the measure of Light received; and now hath he appeared in the day of his mighty Power, in thee, O
England, to exalt the Kingdom of Christ in the Hearts of his Saints, and hath sent them to Preach his everlasting Gospel in thee, to turn the minds of the People from Darkness to Light, which comes from Christ, in it to wait for his Power, to guide out of all Sin and Uncleaness, into union and fellowship with the Father of Light; which many of you People in
England seemed to desire above all things, and content to give up your lives to withstand them that did appear to bind any unrighteous Law upon you, and by it to take advantage against you concerning the Law of God, which you professed to love, and to delight in your liberty in it, more then in your nearest and dearest Relation, or Life, or any outward enjoyment; and all you in that day, who were faithful to the Lord, according to the measure of Light manifest in you, the Lord God did appear for you, and in his mighty Power hath scattered those that stood up in enmity against you, to bind Laws upon your Consciences, which is contrary to Scripture, and the righteous Law of God in the Heart; and the Lord hath given you power over all those your Enemies, and now have you free liberty, which they cannot take from you, to worship God in Spirit and in Truth, according to the desires you seemed to manifest, in the day you cryed to the Lord, when you were in distress; and now is the Lord come to visit you in his tender mercy, and hath sent his Ministers to Preach his eternal Word, freely without Money or Price, in season and out of season,
[Page 63] to reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine, which many of you People in
England, who promised the Lord to worship him in Spirit and Truth, now his counsel reject, and turns to the Teachers you have heaped up to your selves, according to your own Lusts, who cries Peace, Peace to you in what you do, while you put into their Mouths; and now is the time come to the fulfilling the Scripture in you, who have itching Ears, and cannot indure sound Doctrine, but turns from it to Fables, which if you continue in your careless minds, slighting this day of your Visitation, and not like to retain God in your knowledge, God will give you up to reprobate minds, that profess you know God, but in works deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate, upon whom the Lord will get his glory in his righteous judgements, and if the Lord in his everlasting love had not left a Seed in thee, O
England, thou with all thy Teachers whom thou hast heaped up according to thy own Lusts, would have become as
Sodom, but for his own Seed sake, whom he hath blessed, he will do good to the Inhabitants of
England, who stand faithfully in his Counsel, to be guided by his Power, and will scatter all those that stand in opposition to his righteous Seed, Christ, whom he is exalting in the Hearts of his elect and chosen People in
England, to rule for ever, over all that stand in enmity to him, this is the day the mighty God is giving all power unto his Son Jesus, to whom every knee shall bow; and all you proud, stubborn, self-willed, lofty ones that hate the Light of Christ in you, that witnesses against Sin in the secret of the Heart and Conscience, and it reject, and deny to be guided by it, but turn to the counsel
[Page 64] of your own Hearts, and the Teachers you have heaped up according to your Lusts, and with them sits at ease in the Flesh, and turns the Grace of God into wontonness, and forgets the loving kindness of the Lord, who delivered you by the Arm of his mighty Power when Enemies compassed you on every side, and gave you your lives for a prey, when they were nigh unto Death; and now you abuse your liberty, to walk with your Teachers according to your Lusts, and with them commit this filthy and abominable thing in the Land, the Priests to Teach for Hire, and the Prophets they divine for Money, and you People love to have it so, but what will you do in the end thereof, which day you put afar off, and do not regard, but that you shall not be ignorant of the mind of the Lord, and left without excuse, in the mighty day of the Lords anger, who hath sent his Servants and Children early and late, to fore-warn you of the evil day that is coming upon you, if you do not speedily repent, and turn to the Lord, but slight this day of your Visitation, then shall the things now belonging to your Peace be hid from your Eyes, and your end shall be according to the Word of the Lord I declare to you; Thus saith the Lord,
All these my Enemies, that will not that I shall Rule over them, bring them hither, and slay them before me; and this is your portion you Enemies of Christ, that hate his Counsel, as before written, he will you consume with the Breath of his Mouth, and the brightness of his coming, which will over-take you that sit at ease in the Flesh, as a Thief in the night, and in flames of Fire will render vengeance on you that disobey his Gospel, and will give to every one of you according to the works done in the Body, and you shall
[Page 65] not escape from
Israels Judge,
Sions King, who will all his people deliver, and you proud lofty Ones bring under by his mighty Power, to the praise and glory of his righteous justice, who alone is worthy, God over all blessed for ever,
Amen.
Remember you are warned in your life time, and prize this day of your Visitation, while the Lord in patience and long-sufferance waits to be gracious and merciful to you, if you speedily return to his Counsel, which is the Light of Christ in your Consciences, that shewes you Sin, and wait in it for his Power, to lead you to Repentance, and to cleanse you from Sin, and in the straight way of self-denial, and the daily Cross, you to guide in obedience to the Father of Light, then will the Lord God be merciful to you, and heal your backslidings, and love you freely, and blot out your Transgressions for his name sake, which if you will have none of his Counsel, but it reject, as you have done, and still commit this filthy and abominable thing in the Land, the Priests to teach for Hire, and the Prophets to divine for Money, which is the practice of your Teachers, you have heaped up to your selves according to your Lusts, and love to have it so; then your Portion you must own, what the Lord hath spoken he will perform, and you and your Teachers shall reap the fruit of your doings, according as is declared, and in that day I shall be remembred when you lie upon the Bed of sorrow, who is clear of all your Blood; who perish through your disobedience in that I have not hid the Counsel of God, from neither Rulers, Priests nor People.
And to the Light of Christ in all your Consciences, I clear my Conscience in the presence of the living,
[Page 66] pure & dreadful God, who will perform according to his Words, and the condemnation of the Evil-doers slumbers not, the Lord will cleanse the Land of you, and not any that rejects Christ the corner Stone shall Rule in
England, for the Lord will make it the glory of all the Nations of the World, notwithstanding all that oppose him, his own work he will carry on in it, by the Arm of his mighty Power will he exalt Christ Jesus, to be King in it, to Rule the People according to his righteous Law; and all that will not his Laws obey, and their Crowns lay down at his Feet, and to him their Knee bow in perfect obedience to his righteous Law written in the Heart and Conscience, he will you break in pieces, with his rod of Iron, and dash in sunder like a Potters Vessel, and not any shall escape that doth evil, and bring the Curse upon the Earth which the Lord is making as the Garden of
Eden, the Mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it, he that can receive it let him, and hath an Ear to hear let him hear: And whether you People in
England hear or forbear, in your Consciences I shall be for ever manifest; and you shall eternally witness the Truth I have declared, is to you the Word of the Lord God, the day will declare it.
A TRUE TESTIMONY OF What was done concerning the Servants of the Lord, At the
General Assizes, holden at NORTHAMPTON THE One and twentieth day of the fifth Month 1655.
Where
Edward Atkins sate Judge of Life and Death, before whom was brought
William Deusbery, Ioseph Storr, Henry Williamson, Iohn Whitehead, Marmaduke Storr, Thomas Cocket and
Francis Ellington, whom the World in scorn calls
Quakers, who have been and is in Bonds for the Truths sake; and as near as remembred, the substance of what the Judge (who made a Goal Delivery of all the Transgressors of the Law) did express to the Servants of the Lord, that was brought Prisoners before him, whom no breach of Law was proved against▪ and also as near as remembred, here is declared the substance of what the Servants of the Lord did express, so long as they were permitted to declare the Truth, which did stop the Mouth of all that did object any thing against it; and though the Judge could not gainsay the Truth declared by them, nor Read them a Law that they had transgressed, yet were they not suffered to have the benefit of the Law that Murtherers and Felons had, that their Accusers might appear face to face, and they have a Tryal, and speak for themselves, to clear the Truth from false Accusations, cast upon it and them, but we are again committed to Prison, as the following Lines make manifest.
With a true Discovery of the Persecution of
Iohn Huckin, Michael P
[...]tt
[...]s
[...], and
Thomas Goodayre, who is Imprisoned in
Northampton ▪ for the Truth
[...] sake, wherein the great enmity that is in
Thomas Andrews, Priest of
W
[...]llin
[...]orrow, and
Thomas Pentlow of
Wilby c,alled Justice, and also of the Magistrates of
Northampton made manifest
Also the Word of the Lord to the Rulers and Judges, and all that Plot against the righteous Seed, the World in scorn calls
Q
[...]akers.
[Page 68]ABout the time of the eleventh hour, of the one and twentieth day of the fifth Month, the Goaler called
William Deusbery, Ioseph Storr, Henry Williamson, Iohn Whitehead, Marmaduke Storr, Thomas Cocket, and
Francis Ellington, and he set them all together at the Bar before the Court; the Judge looked upon them, and after a little silence, said to the Goaler,
Are these Prisoners? the Goaler answered,
yea, my Lord; the Judge said to the Goaler,
do you use to bring Prisoners before the Court in this manner? you deserve to be Fined ten Pound for bringing them before the Court cover'd; the Goaler answered,
if you command me, I shall take off their Hats; then the Judge gave command, and the Goalers Man took them off, which being done, the Judge having knowledge given, which was
William Deusbery, spoke to him as followeth.
Judge Atkins said to
William Deusbery; what art thou here for?
William Deusbery answered, The Mittimus will express what I was committed for, but a Copy of it I am denied by the Keeper of the Goal.
I. A.
What is thy name?
W. D.
Unknown to the World.
I. A.
Let us hear what that name is that the World knows not.
W. D.
It is known in the Light, and not any can know it, but him that hath it; but the name the World knows me by is
William Deusbery.
I. A.
[Page 69]
What Country-Man art thou?
W. D.
Of the Land of
Canaan.
I. A.
That is afar off.
W. D.
Nay it is near, for all that dwell in God, is in the holy City, new
Ierusalem, which comes down from Heaven, where the Souls is in rest, and enjoys the love of God in Jesus Christ, in whom the union is with the Father of Light.
I. A.
That is true, but are you ashamed of your Countrey, is it a disparagement for you to be born in
England?
W. D.
Nay for the Truths sake I am free to declare according to the Knowledg of the World, my natural Birth was in
York-Shire, nine Miles from
York, towards
Hull.
I. A.
You pretend to be extraordinary Men, and to have an extraordinary Knowledg of God.
W. D.
We witness the Work of
Regeneration to be an extraordinary Work, wrought in us by the Spirit of God.
I. A.
But the Apostles wrought with their Hands in their Callings.
W. D.
They had Callings in the World, some were Fishermen,
Paul a Tent-maker, but when they were called to the Ministry of Christ, they left their Callings to follow Christ, where he led them by his Spirit to Preach the Word; and I had a Calling in the World, as they had, and in it did abide, until the Father revealed his Son in me, and called me from my Calling I had in the World, to Preach the eternal Word he had made known to me, in the great Work of Regeneration.
I. A.
Why didst thou not abide in thy own Countrey,
[Page 70] and Teach People in them Parts?
W. D.
There I did stay until I was called from thence to go where I was led by the Spirit of the Lord, and as many as are led by the Spirit of God, are the Sons and Daughters of God, and they that have not the Spirit of Christ are none of his.
I. A.
You say well; for we must in charity conclude that every one in this place hath the Spirit of God in them, but how do you know that you are guided by the Spirit of God?
W. D.
They that have the Spirit of God are known by their fruits, and he that believeth in Jesus Christ, and is guided by his Spirit, hath the witness in himself.
I. A.
That is true; yet, notwithstanding, I see by your carriage, that what my Brother
Hails did at the last Assizes, in requiring Bonds for your good behaviour, he might justly do it, for you are against
Magistrates and
Ministers.
W. D.
Make that manifest, wherein we are against them.
I. A.
Said to
Robert Guy, Clark of the Peace, What have you against these men?
R. Guy,
Here is an Information given in upon Oath, by Mr
Robert Beeton, that
William Deusbury on the twenty nineth of
December 1654. did go into the Church in
Wellingborrow, and stood with his Hat on in the time of
Sermon and
Prayer, and after the
Minister had done he spake these words,
The Priests preach for hire, and the People love to have it so: But what will you do in the end thereof? with other railing words, which made disturbance amongst the people.
I. A.
What have you against
Storr and
Williamson?
[Page 71] (not any one spoke openly against them) I shall take course that those that have disturbed the Ministers, before I go forth of the Town, that they shall be indicted.
W. D.
It is the Liberty of the Law of this Nation, that any which is brought Prisoner before those that sits to judge their Cause, may speak for themselves, the truth to witness against the false information given in against them; and that Liberty I take, to manifest the ground and cause of my going into the Steeple-house at
Wellingborrow. As I was going in the Street,
Thomas Andrews (called Minister of that Town) called to me with these words,
Give over deceiving the People, lest the Plagues of God fall on thee ▪ I replyed these words,
Doest thou say, I deceive the People? make it manifest wherein I deceive them: Thomas Andrews said,
Thou saidst there is not any Original Sin; I replied,
Didst thou hear me say so? to which he would not answer, but fled away; I being falsly accused by
Thomas Andrews, afterwards, when he was met with the People at the Steeple-house, I went into it for the Truth sake, and after he had done, I propounded the Question to him, that he would prove there before the people what he had openly accused me of, in saying, that I said there was no Original Sin, but he would not answer; but in silence fled away, and what I here declare that I did, is not any breach of the Law of this Nation.
I. A.
But in that you are found wandring in the Countrey, you break the Law, for there is an ancient old Law, that if any did go from their dwellings to travel in the Countrey without a Certificate from some Justice, they were to be taken as wandring Person.
W. D.
[Page 72]
If there be any such Law, read it to us, and if there be such a Law in thy Conscience, thou knowst it is contrary to the Scriptures, for the Apostles and Ministers of Christ went to and fro in the Countrey, Preaching the Word of eternal Life, and there were added to the Church daily such as should be saved, and the number of the Saints and Brethren were daily encreased, and the Law that is in force in this Nation, doth allow all that professeth Faith in Jesus Christ, to have free Liberty to walk in the Faith, which is according to Scripture.
I. A.
Thou hast an eloquent tongue and thou art proud of it.
W. D.
Pride I deny, but the Truth I witness, which will judge Pride, and torment all that live in it, until it be destroyed. The Judge would not speak any more words to him known by name
William Deusbury, who as they say was committed to Prison, upon suspition of Blasphemy, where he hath been kept above twenty nine weeks, and hath appeared at the general Sessions, and two general Assizes, where not any Accuser hath appeared to his face, neither was any Law ever read to him that he hath transgressed.
I. A.
Said to
Ioseph Storr, is thy name
Ioseph Storr?
I. S.
Said, yea.
I. A.
What art thou here for?
I. S.
I have been nine and twenty weeks in Prison, amongst those Arraigned for Fe
[...]ony and Murther, and know not for what cause I was Imprisoned, and never any Accuser appeared to my face, to prove me the Transgressor of any Law, and I desire that my Accusers may appear to my face, that I may have a Tryal according to Law, for Judge
Hailes promised at the
[Page 73] last Assizes, if I would appear at this Assizes my Accusers should appear to my face, but a Tryal was denied, and he not any further examined, or suffered to speak.
I. A.
Which is
Williamson? What have you against him?
Iohn Brown in Commission to do justice (who did cast him into Prison) whispered with the Judge, and they said no more to him, though he hath been kept twenty week in Prison, and now hath appeared at two Assizes, and none appeared to prove him the Transgressor of any Law.
I. A.
Said to
Iohn Whitehead, Is thy name
Whitehead?
I. W.
Yea, I am so called; and not any further was he examined, though he demanded the liberty the Law of the Nation allowed, that he might be heard speak, and have a Tryal, which was denied him, though he hath been kept eighteen weeks in Prison, and hath appeared at two general Sessions, and not any Accuser did there appear to prove him the Transgressor of any Law.
I. A.
Common Fame is a good Accuser, (though not a good Tryer) yet I am satisfied from what I have heard to continue you in Prison, unless you will lay in Bond to be of good Behaviour, and appear at the next Assizes, for you are by common fame accused to be a dangerous People, and Breakers of the publick Peace.
I. W.
So the People of God by the common fame of the World) was in all Ages every-where spoken against, and accused to be Disturbers of their peace, as
Paul was accused to be a mover of Sedition through the whole World.
I. A.
[Page 74]
Said to
Marmaduke Storr, Is your name
Marmaduke Storr?
M. S.
My name is so called: Then the Judge turned to speak to
Francis Ellington, and seemed to be unwilling to hear
Marmaduke Storr speak, yet he said, I desire to have my Tryal according to Law, for I was taken in my Journey, and imprisoned, from the management of about seven score pounds in the year, and have never yet forfeited my Liberty, but appeared in serving the Common-wealth in its greatest straits, for which they are indebted to me about two hundred pounds, as my Commission
Debenter and
Claim upon Record will make appear.
His Cause was no further examined, though he was committed in his Journey as a Vagabond, when he came to relieve his Brother
Ioseph's want, who had been a eleven weeks in Prison, and he was going into
Staffordshire to renew the taking again of his Farm, which was out within seven dayes, and he hath been eighteen weeks in Prison, and hath before appeared at two general Sessions, where there was no Accusation read, nor any appeared to prove him the breaker of any known Law, neither by Word or Action.
I. A.
Which is
Ellington?
F. E.
I am so called.
I. A.
What are you here for?
F. E.
I was in Bonds fifteen weeks for my appearance at the general Sessions; and when I appeared there, no Accuser appeared to my face, nor no Evidence was read against me, to prove me the Breaker of any Law; and there I was committed by those called Justices to the Goal, where I have been kept in the Dungeon
[Page 75] these thirteen weeks, amongst those arraigned for Felony and Murther, and hath been taken from my outward Habitation, which is at
Wellingborrow, within seven miles of this place, and have been deprived of my outward Calling, which I lived in, and from my Wife and five small Children, and
[...]o am deprived of the benefit of the Law of this Nation, which no Felon or Murtherer that is here is deprived of, for they have liberty to speak for themselves, and to have a fair Tryal according to Law, which is denied to us.
The Judge said to
Robert Guy, Clark of the Peace, Where is your Evidence against these men?
Rob. Guy,
This
Ellington is a receiver of these men, and here is a Letter he writ to a Justice of Peace, wherein he doth accuse the Justice of doing injustice in committing of
Deusbery and
Storr to Prison.
I. A.
Why do you trouble us with that which there is no matter of Fact in? I much wonder you should trouble a Judge of the Assizes with such small things, and not end them in your own Sessions, for we come hither to determine greater matters.
I. A.
Mr
Ellington, I have a great love to you, being a man that lives in this Countrey, will you enter Bond for your good Behaviour, to appear at next Assizes?
F. E.
I am of no evil behaviour, neither to this day hath any thing been proved against me concerning it, and if it yet can be proved by any one man here, that I have been of evil behaviour, or have broken any Law of this Nation, I am here present to answer it, and to give in Bonds for my liberty.
I. A.
You have transgressed the Law in that you came to the Bar with your heads covered, because it is a contempt to Authority.
F. E.
[Page 76]
There is no Law in this Nation requires any such thing, as putting off the Hat; if there be any, I desire it may be read, that so before the Country I may be convinced by the Law, before Bonds be required.
I. A.
I shall deal favourably with you, for I shall take your own Bond to appear at the next Assizes.
F. E.
First prove me a Transgressor of the Law, for the righteous Law of God saith,
Where there is no Law, there is no Transgression; and there is no Law in
England that requires the putting off the Hat; therefore it is not a Transgression: therefore I desire that I may have the benefit of an English man, which is not denied to any Felon here amongst us, for I have to this day stood alwayes faithful to the Common-wealth, and have not forfeited my liberty, but have hazarded my life and estate to procure Freedom, which now I am deprived of.
I. A.
If you will not put in Bond for your Behaviour, which I think is very reasonable, take him away.
F. E.
For my behaviour, if there be any here that can accuse me, I would have you Country men to speak, any of you, if not, let all the poor people in
Wellingborrow, and the Towns there-abouts, and the poor in
Nothamton, which I have for these fifteen or sixteen years imployed in
Carding, Spinning, Dying, and
Weaving of
Wooll, speak what my behaviour hath been towards them, or others: For, I have (until they cast me into Prison) imployed more poor people in work about Wooll, then any one man in this Countrey doth; yet, notwthstanding what I have done, and do, may not I have the benefit of the Law, as all Malefactors here have.
I. A.
Goaler, Take him away.
[Page 77]Judge said to
Thomas Cocket, Is your name
Cocket?
Thomas Cocket said, yea. And he spake to
Iohn Mansell, and
Iohn Brown, that committed him to Prison, and sat on the Bench with the Judge,
What have you to accuse me of? I am here ready to answer the Law; but they would not answer him a word, neither did they, or any other, openly accuse him of any thing, and though he hath been kept in Prison fourteen weeks, and hath appeared at two general Sessions, and at these Assizes where not any Accuser appeared to his face or evidence read to prove him the transgressor of any Law, the Judge would not examine his Case, nor hear him speak, but commanded the Goaler to take them all away, two or three times, and would not let them speak for themselves.
Yet
Marmaduke Storr said to the people, take notice all people, how we are deprived of the priviledge and liberty that the Law of this Nation allows, in that we may not be heard speak, and have a legal Trial, which is granted to Felons and Murtherers.
Then they were with-drawn, and he who is called
William Deusbury, turned to the Court, and spoke as followeth to the Judge:
With what measure thou meetest to us, it will be measured to thee again; and the Lord God of Heaven and Earth will judge between thee and us, and will give unto thee, and every one of you, according to the works you have done, and in that day you shall know whai is now declared is the Truth; the Lord hath spoken it, in whom we trust, and he will us deliver.
Soon after the Court did rise, and the Goaler took them away, whose names are formerly written, to Prison again, where he saith, they must be kept until the next Assizes, if they will not enter Bond for their good
[Page 78] behaviour and appearance at the next Assizes, though not any evil behaviour hath been proved against any of them, by the Law of this Nation, neither when they were committed to Prison, from the time when they have been brought forth at the general Sessions and Assizes, as what hath been formerly written, makes manifest; and at the general Sessions holden the fourteenth day of the fourth Month,
Iohn Whitehead, Marmaduke Storr and
Thomas Cocket, was by those that then sat in Commission to do Justice, sentenced to be kept in the house of Correction, and there to be wrought hard, and not to have any meat brought to them, which those called Justice at that time said, was their due Punished, according to Law, as Vagabonds, and notwithstanding fix weeks after, they were thus sentenced, (which they said was their punishment prescribed by Law) they brought them forth at the Assizes, in order to a further Tryal, and alledged nothing against them; but they were again committed to Prison amongst the servants of the Lord, whose names are before written, which were brought before Judge
Atkins, who did not read any Law to them they had transgresed, but in the open Court said, that common fame did repute them to be dangerous persons, and said that common fame was a good Accuser, but not a good Trier, yet all that he tried their Cause with, was the common fame, for not any legal Tryal they had, least the enmity and injustice of those that committed them should have been brought to light; and tho he made a Goal-delivery of all Murtherers and Felons that had transgressed the Law, yet those he could not find had transgressed the Law, by any thing that could be informed against them, because they were evil spoken of, tho not
[Page 79] any evil proved against them, but according to the common fame of the people, Judge
Atkins sentenced them to Prison again, where they are to be, as he saith, until the next Assizes; and their Friends and acquaintance are not suffered to see them, or to speak with them, so in this day the Scripture is fulfilled, as it was in former times, by those that judged the righteous Seed by the common fame of the people, who cryed release unto us
Barrabas, and Crucifie
Iesus, and though
Pilate could not read any Law that
Iesus had transgressed, and in his Conscience knew that he was a just man, yet to do the people a pleasure, he harkened to their common fame, which was, that he would deliver him up to be Crucified, and
Pilate contrary to the Light in his own Conscience, delivered him up to them to be Crucified,
Luke 23.22, 23, 24, 25. and now in this day is the same righteous Seed, the Lord hath blessed, Jesus the Son of the living God, persecuted in his Saints, whose bodies are cast into Prison, by those that judge for man, acc
[...]ding to the common fame of the people, who ever persecuted Christ the Lord of life, that saith,
in as much as you have done it to the least of these my Brethren, you have done it unto me, Mat. 25, 40
The Discovery of the Persecution of
Iohn Huchin and
Michael Patteson.
JOhn Huchin, being moved of the Lord the twenty fourth day of the fourth Month, being the first day of the week, to go to the Steeple-house in
Wellinborrow;
[Page 80] where the Priest
Thomas Andrews, and the people were meet together, he there peaceably standing in silence, the Priest commanded those he called Officers to take him forth of the
Steeple-house, which was done at his command, before half of the Sermon (as its called) was ended, and by one
Henry Henfnan, called Church-warden, was he had forth to an Alehouse, and set watch over him, until the Priest had done; then the Constable sent to tell him, that if he would not come at their
Steeple-house in the afternoon, that he should be set free, he replyed that he should not make such a promise to them, for he knew not what the Will of the Lord was to do with him, but after a season they let him go: And about nine days after,
Thomas Fox Constable, came to his Masters shop, where he was working, and took him forth without shewing any Warrant or order for his so doing, and carried him before
Thomas Pentlow called
Iustice, and though not any evidence came against him that he speak one word in the
Steeple-house, or made any disturbance there, yet the said
Thomas Pentlow, did send him to the common Goal in
Northamton.
Michael Petteson, living in the Town before written, being moved of the Lord the first day of the week, being the first day of the fifth Month, to go into the
Steeple house in
Wellingborrow, and there in silence stood peaceably, until the Priest
Tho. Andrews had done, and people going away, then he was moved of the
[...]ord, to ask
Thomas Andrews this question; Friend, canst thou witness this to be the Word of the Lord that thou hast spoken here before the people; but the Priest, instead of answering to the question, he commanded the Officers to take him away, and then
Iohn Brown Constable took him forth and had him to an Alehouse, and set watch
[Page 81] over him, and the next day the Constable abovesaid, carried him with the other Friend, before written, before
Thomas Pentlow aforesaid, without shewing him any Warrant; and when he was brought before him, no Accuser appeared to prove that he had transgressed any Law, neither did he read him any Law that he had transgressed, but the Priest,
Thomas Andrews, sitting by
Thomas Pentlow, did move that a Mittimus might be made to send him and the other Friend to the House of Correction, for he said the Goal was not Punishment enough for them, but
Thomas Pentlow not answering him in that, did make a Mittimus and sent them to the common Goal in
Northampton, where they are for a Testimony against the unreasonable proceedings of these unreasonable Men, in patience waiting until the Lord deliver them by the Arm of his mighty Power.
This is said before that of God in all Consciences, that all may judg what Spirit guides these Men, that hath proceeded against those two before mentioned; for while they lived in Pride, Pleasure, Scornfulness, foolish jesting, and mocking, spending whole nights and days in running after Fidlers, Dancing, and spending their precious time in Wantonness and Vanity; the one of them above Twenty two Years, and the other above eighteen Years, and all the time that they lived in Vanity, they did go to the Steeple-house (which the Priest calls a Church) and he did own them as his hearers, and did not speak to any to hinder them, or to take them away; but after the Lord, in the riches of his love, sent the Messengers of his Truth, whom the World in scorn call
Quakers, whom they did hear the fourth day of the tenth Month, 1654. that Word which they then
[Page 82] heard delivered, was to them Power and Life, that did their Understandings enlighten, and Consciences awaken, wherein they did read in the Book of Conscience the evil of their doings until that time, they see they had lived without the fear of God, and the power of the Spirit, which shewed them the evil of their Hearts, constrained them to depart from it, and to wait on the Power of the Lord, to guide them in obedience to the measure of Light received, and in obedience to the Light and Power of God, they were moved to go into the Steeple-house, as before written, and though one of them spoke not one word, and the other Propounded but one question to the Priest after he had done, which is not the breach of any Law of this Nation, yet notwithstanding they cast them into Prison, as what is before written makes manifest;
He that hath an Eye to see, let him see, and an Ear to hear, let him hear.
A Discovery of the Ground and Manner of the Persecution of
Thomas Goodayre, who is Imprisoned in
Northampton, by the Magistrates of that Town.
UPon the thirteenth day of the fifth Month, in the Year 1655. he was moved of the Lord to come to
Northampton, to visit some of his Friends, which were cast into Prison there, by the Magistrates of that County, and when he came there, he went to the Prison door, but could not be suffered to see his Friends; for the Goaler had received order from those called Justices,
[Page 83] that none should come at them who are in scorn called
Quakers, which he went to visit; and as he was going from thence along the Streets of that Town, he met the Mayor, and several others, some of which are called Aldermen, and he was moved to speak to them these words, or to this effect; Men, see what is the fruits of the Ministry of this Nation, and what it hath brought forth, for Persecution and Wickedness abounds; and he declared, that those who say they are Christian Magistrates, and do Persecute the Innocent, are Heathens, and know not God; and he told them that they could not produce one Scripture to prove that ever any Christian Magistrate did Persecute any Man, as those had done that cast his Friends in Prison; then one of them called an Alderman, stroke off his Hat in the Street, and said, he would learn him better manners, then to stand and talk before the Mayor with his Hat on; and some of them spoke to the Mayor to bind him to good Behaviour, and the Mayor and the Aldermen consented together, and required Sureties for his good Behaviour, or else they said he should go to Prison, but he told them, that he was bound to good Behaviour by the righteous Law of God; and he refusing to find Sureties, they did immediately send him forth of the Streets to Prison, without Mittimus or further Examination, and did not make known to him any National Law that he had transgressed, neither hath he to this day had any further Examination or Tryal▪ but is content to rest in the Will of God, in whom his confidence is, who will deliver him out of the Hands of all wicked and unreasonable Men.
TO all you Rulers and Judges of the Earth, who combine together against the Lord, and against his Anointed, and lay your Plots in the deep, and fetch your counsel out of the bottomless Pit, that you may ensnare the righteous Seed, whom the World in scorn calls
Quakers, who in love to your Souls, do you warn (as you will eternally answer before the Lord God of Heaven and Earth) to give over Plotting against the Righteous, and inventing evil devices against the Innocent, for in the eternal Light you are seen, and in your secret works of darkness you are discovered; and all you that will not take warning now when the Lord calls you to turn to his Light, but his Counsel rejects, and continue in the evil of your doings; To you this is the Word of the Lord,
All your Plots and Counsels shall not prosper against the Righteous, for he that sits in Heaven doth laugh, the Lord shall have you in derision; for not any Plot shall prevail against Israel,
nor unrighteous Counsel stand before Zions
King, who will break you with the rod of Iron, and dash you in pieces like a Potters Vessel, that plots against him to oppose him in his appearance; (In the Hearts of his Saints)
for in what you do to the least of those, you do it to me, (saith Christ)
and better a Milstone were hanged about your Neck, and you cast into the bottom of the Sea, than to offend the least of those that believe in my Name. From the Spirit of the Lord that will not always strive with Man, you are once more warned, now while you have time prize it, and turn to the Light of Christ in your Consciences, which lets you see the secret evil of your Hearts▪ and wait in the Light for the Power of Christ, to destroy
[Page 85] the plotting, wicked inventing minde, and to guide you in the strait and narrow way of self-denial, and the daily Cross, in perfect obedience to the Law of God, least you perish in your disobedience; for the Lord God of
Israel is arising in mighty Power to plead the Cause of his persecuted oppressed People, and to scatter all their Enemies that plot against them, as Dust before the Wind; for they that plot against the People of God, and for them digs a Pit, shall fall into it themselves; for not any Weapon formed against them shall prosper; for all shall know the mighty God is with
Israel his People, and that the King of eternal glory dwells in
Mount-Sion, who is the strength of his people, and of his Dominion there shall be no end; and in that day all both high and low, rich and poor, that slight the comfort of the Lord, and continue in enmity against him, and his appearance in the Hearts of his Saints, then will you know what hath been and is declared to you, from the righteous Seed, is to you the Word of the Lord God;
He that hath an Ear to hear, let him hear.
Witnessed by the righteous Seed, whom the World in scorn calls Quakers,
who are in the common Goal in Northampton,
for the Truths sake.
REad with understanding in the fear of the Lord, this is the Word of the Lord to you: Dear Friends, Servants and Children of the most high God, whom he hath called out of the World, be faithful all of you in his Counsel, to wait for his Power, you to guide in all your thoughts, words and works, in his pure fear, in obedience to his Will; I charge you in the presence of God, be valiant for your freedom in your dwelling in the Power of God, that he may be your Arm against the fiery Darts of the Devil, him to resist in his appearance, in all his Wiles, who goes about like a roaring
Lyon to devour you, every way seeking to get into you, your minds from the pure to draw into the vibsile things, your affections there to captivate, your wills to satisfie in created and perishing objects, as in the knowledge of the Truth, in the fleshly wisdom to feed with the Swine upon the Husk, the Form and Image of what you have enjoyed, or of what you see in the Light and Vision, and doth not enjoy it in the Possession, but spake in the airy drunken spirit Words without knowledge; with them sits decked a painted Beast above the Cross, and thou whose condition this is, art the foolish Virgin that appears in the ou
[...]ward formality, in the sight of Men, with a Lamp like the wise Virgin, but not dwelling in the Power of God, wants the Oyle of joy and gladness, in the power of his love, which the wise Virgins have in their Lamps, that dwell in the pure Light and Power of God, which keeps all the affections in order to the Spirit of Truth, and bridles the Tongue not to utter words before the
[Page 87] Lord, but in the silence on him to wait, till his Spirit move, his mind to declare from the living Power, what the Soul possesses and enjoys in Christ the Husband of the wise Virgin, who is the Bride the Lambs Wife; I charge and command you all in the presence of the living God, who make mention of his Name, examine your Hearts, search them, and try your ways with the Light that comes from Christ, which will discover all your conditions in the Book of Concience, there you will see how you stand in the presence of God, wherein the state of the foolish Virgin, in the airy Spirit, feeding upon words spoken in the Light and Vi
[...]ion, there boasting in pride of what thou possessest not, and through the subtilty of the Devil is turned from the pure Power, to flee the Cross, and so make Shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience; or whether you be in the state of the wise Virgin, that in the pure Light waits and dwells in the Power, which chastiseth that which would your Garments defile, keep daily in the Cross, and then the Soul is kept pure and clean, to follow the Lamb with boldness whithersoever he goes, and enters with him into the rest prepared for the People of God, where thou the foolish Virgin shalt not come, until thou from thy folly and fleshly wisdom return to the pure Light, with it to judge, and in it to wait for his Power, Christ Jesus the Fountain of wisdom, thee to guide in faithful obedience to the Father of Light. All dear Children of the Lord, be valiant, bold and faithful, that in the pure Light, Power and Life of God, you may all stand in the day of tryal, which the Lord will bring upon you all that make mention of his Name, for power shall be given to the Beast, his Horn to exalt even to the host of Heaven,
[Page 88] for the cleansing of the Sanctuary, that all painted Beasts that are enemies to the Cross, that hath defiled the Sanctuary of the living God, in coming before him, amongst his Saints and Children; for from among them shall they come, trembling before the power of the Beast, when he utters his voice for all to come to his Image him to worship, then shall all you Children of the most high God, whom he hath called and chosen to be faithful to him, in his eternal Power rejoyce, who will you all keep in that day, in rest and peace in the ancient of days, who shall sit to judge the Beast and the Whore, their Kingdom to break down and destroy, in his eternal judgement for evermore, and will Rule over them by the Arm of his mighty Power, and of his Dominion there shall be no end, for to him it belongs forevermore. Meet often together in the fear of the Lord, his Power to manifest in you, to his praise who is worthy forever, Amen. I charge and command all in the presence of the Lord God, who make mention of his Name, that you speak not at any time to any in your own will, or to one another, or to any without or to exhort them when you are guilty of the same thing, in the exalted Spirit out of the Cross; be silent thou Fool, first judge thy self with the Light, and in the Power dwell, to cast the Beam out of thy own Eye, and that thy own House be kept in order, then wilt thou see clearly to take out the Mote out of thy Brothers Eye, and how to exhort others, how to walk in order to the Spirit of Truth, and watch over one another with a single Eye. All you that fear the Name of the Lord, in tender love bear one anothers Burthens, and exhort one another, to build up one another, in your most holy Faith; God almighty be with you, all
[Page 89] his faithful Servants and Children, and in his eternal Power keep you in himself, that in him you may grow up in his pure nature, to bear his Name in righteousness, that his Image may be written in your Foreheads, that all that sees you may know you to be the righteous Seed the Lord hath blessed; his eternal Power preserve you and keep you, and build you up in the purity of the Spirit, and bond of Peace, where I am with you in the eternal unity, and in the unchangable Love and Life.
William Deusbery.
From Northampton
Goal
the 19
th of the 3
d Month, 1655.
A TRUE PROPHECIE OF THE Mighty Day of the Lord.
Which is coming, and is appeared in the North of
England, and is arising towards the South; and shall over-spread this Nation, and all Nations of the World.
WHEREIN The Lord is redeeming
Sion forth of her long inthral'd Captivity in
Babylons Kingdom, where she hath been scattered in the cloudy and dark day, into Forms and Observations, and there kept by the Priests, and Teachers of the World, who ran when God never sent them.
Now is the Lord appearing in this day of his mighty Power, to gather his elect together, out of all Forms and Observations, Kindreds, Tongues and Nations; and is making up his Jewels, his mighty Host, and exalting Jesus Christ to be King of Kings, to lead his Army he hath raised up in the North of
England; and is marched towards the South, in the mighty power of the living Word of God, which is sharp as a two-edged Sword, to cut down High and Low, Rich and Poor, Priests and People; and all the Powers of darkness in the Land, and all the World over, that are fruitless Trees that cumbers the ground, defiles the Flesh, and walks in disobedience to the righteous Law of God, the pure Light in the Conscience;
For who falls on this Stone shall be broken, but on whom it falls shall be ground to Powder: So shall this Nation, and all the Nations of the World be Conquered; and the Victory witnessed, neither by Sword nor Spear▪ but by the Spirit of the Lord.
A Word from the Lord to all the Inhabitants of
England, Rulers, Priests and People, to haste to meet the Lord with speedy Repentance, and returning within, to hearken diligently to his Counsel, the pure Light of Christ in your Conscience, to be guided by his Power, else you shall perish in your gain-sayings;
For if his anger be kindled a little, blessed are all they that trust in him.
O
England, who lies in the faln and lost estate, separated from the true and living God,
by thine Iniquities,
Hos, 14.1 notwithstanding all thy Profession of his Name, in outward Forms and Observations; Repent, Repent, and turn unto the Lord God Almighty, who waits on thee to be gracious unto thee, and to make thee the glory of all the Nations of the World,
Isa. 30.18. if thou wilt diligently hearken unto his Counsel, the Light that is in the Conscience of every one, to wait in it upon the Lord God,
John 1.9. that he may guide thee by his Power.
And this I have to declare unto thee from the Lord, which he hath made known unto me, concerning thee, O
England, certain years ago, when the everlasting Covenant of Life was confirmed unto my Soul in the Lord Jesus Christ,
Isa. 55.3. that I should go with the ransomed of the Lord unto
Sion:
Cap. 35.10. I enquired of my God, to manifest unto me where
Sion was, that I might return thither to worship him
in Spirit and Truth;
John 4.24. there being so many confused cries in thee, O
England, who professes to worship the only true God, some saying,
Lo here is Christ, in the
Presbyterian practice, so called; and the
Independants, so called, cries,
Lo he is here; and the
Anabaptists, so called, saying,
Lo he is here; and others in outward Forms saying,
He is here, according as Christ foretold, that the time would come when they shall say,
Lo here is Christ, and lo there; as it is fulfilled in thee; but Christ saith,
Believe them not, look not forth,
Luke 24.23.27.
for the Kingdom of Heaven is within: And as the Lightning that shineth out of the one part under
[Page 92] Heaven, and shineth unto the other part under Heaven, even so shall the Son of Man be in his day: And this I witness, and while I was waiting on my God, to make known unto me where
Sion was, the Word of the Lord came unto me with witness to my spirit, that Christ was not divided, and that there was no rent in his Garment,
1 Cor. 1.3. Zach. 14.9.
For the Lord is one and his People one; and that all thy outward Forms of Worship, O
England, where thou art waiting for Christ in Observations, is contrary to his Will; for Christ saith,
The Kingdom of God is not in Observations, neither shall they say, lo here, or lo there, for behold the Kingdom of God is within you:
Luke 17.20, 21. And that all thy strict observing of thy outward Forms, is but imitating the Saints practices, in thy babylonish & heathenish Wisdom, so there is nothing but confusion in thee; and that all thy outward Forms is the outward Court,
Rev. 11.1, 2. which is without the Temple, that the Angel was not to measure, for it is given unto the Gentiles, and the holy City shall they tread under foot; and this was made known unto me from the Lord my God, to be the estate and condition thou stoodst, and doest stand in, O
England, in all thy outward Forms and Observations;
Having a Form of Godliness, but denying the Power thereof:
2 Tim. 3.5. So under all thy profession, is most cruel oppression, every one oppressing one another, according unto their power, from the highest unto the lowest; so that the cry of the oppressed Seed within the Hearts of thy Inhabiters, O
England, and those that are oppressed in outward oppressions in thee,
Jam. 5.4. hath entered into thr Ears of the Lord God of Sabbath, and he is coming in Power to set the oppressed free, and to bring them to
Sion;
Isa. 58.6. Jer. 3.14. which in the eternal Riches of his Love he made known to me where
Sion was, according
[Page 93] unto the desires he had raised up in my Heart; and the Word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
I will gather my People out of all Forms and Observations,
Rev. 5.9. Rev. 7.9. Ezek. 34.13.
and out of all Kindreds, Tongues and Nations, and I will pour my Spirit upon them, and purge away their filth with the Spirit of Iudgment and of Burning; and I will write my Law in their Hearts, and put my Spirit in their inward Parts,
Jer. 31.33. Zech. 14.9.
and they shall not depart from me; but shall be bound up in union with me, in the free Covenant of Life in the Lord Jesus, and one with another, in the one Spirit,
so shall the Lord be one, and his People one; and this is
Sion, the City of the living God, to whom all the promises of the Lord are, according unto the Scripture of Truth, wherein
they need not to Teach every Man his Neighbour,
Dan. 10.21. Heb. 8.10, 11, 12.
and every Man his Brother, saying, Know the Lord, for all shall know me from the least unto the greatest, for I will be merciful unto their unrighteousness, and their Sins and Iniquities will I remember no more.
And this is the holy City, the New
Ierusalem, which
Iohn bare witness of, wherein
there is no Temple, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it:
Rev. 21.2, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27.
And the City had no need of the Sun, neither of the Moon to shine in it, for the glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the Light thereof: And the Nations of them that are saved, shall walk in the Light of it; and the Kings of the Earth do bring their glory and honour unto it; and the Gates of it are not shut at all by day, for there shall be no night there; and there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither that works abomination, or makes a lye, but they that are written in the Lambs Book of Life,
John 4.24. and all that walk in the Light of Christ within; which Light exerciseth the Conscience,
[Page 94] and leads into the holy City, the New
Ierusalem, where the
true Worshippers of the Father are, who
worship him in Spirit and in Truth,
Rev. 22.5. 1 Thes. 1.1. and are come out of the
night, and need no Candle, neither light of the Sun, for the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall raign forever and ever: And this is the true Church in God,
Sion, which shall
become the praise of the whole Earth, and from whence the Law shall go forth, according unto the promise of the Lord, and the Word of the Lord from
Ierusalem;
Isa. 2.3.
Then shall Righteousness run down with a mighty stream, and Oppression shall cease.
And this glory of the Lord which he hath made known unto me, shall be made manifest to the Inhabiters of
England, if you will hearken diligently to the Counsel of the Lord, which is the Light in your Consciences, and in it wait on the Lord to be guided by his Power; I waited in the Counsel of my God, in the Calling where I was placed, until the Year 1652. and in the eighth Month of the Year, as it is accounted of men, the Word of the Lord came unto me saying,
The Leaders of my People causes them to err,
Isa. 9.16. in drawing them from the Light in their Consciences, which leads to the anointing within, which the Father hath sent to be their Teacher (which would
lead them into all Truth) to seek the Kingdom of God in Observations,
1 John 2.27. where it is not to be found:
Luke 17.20.
So my People perish for want of Bread: Freely thou hast received, freely give, and minister; and what I have made known unto thee in secret, declare openly. Which Word constrained me by the Power of it to leave my Wife and Children, and to run to & fro to declare to Souls where their Teacher is,
Has. 4.6. the Light in their Consciences, which
[Page 95] the Lord hath given unto every one a measure to profit withal, for the exercise of the Conscience towards God and Men,
Dan. 10.4. Rev. 7.17. and waiting in the Light for the Power of Christ; he would lead them up to the living Fountains of Water, where their Souls would find refreshment in the presence of the Lord, and their Bread should be sure,
Isa. 35.10. and their Water never fail, as the Lord hath made manifest to my Soul; and to worship him in Truth at New
Ierusalem,
Rev. 5.13. to sing Hallelujahs and Praises among the redeemed Sons and Daughters of God, in the beauty of holiness, unto
the Lord God that sits upon the Throne, and to the Lamb for evermore.
To you Rulers of
England, whose names will be honourable, if you will honour the Lord in obeying his Counsel, which is the Light in your Consciences, that he may guide you in all your ways, to you I am moved to write: Thus saith the Lord God Almighty,
I will overturn,
Ezek. 21.27.
overturn, overturn until I have given it unto him whose right it is; as you have seen the Power of the Lord manifest on many that were in the place where you are, who all professed the Name of Christ, but they would not obey his Counsel, the Light in their Consciences,
Jer. 9.13, 14. but
walked after the counsel of their own Hearts, and improved their power for their own ends, and dissembled with God and the Countrey, but our righteous God hath overturned them,
Dan. 12.2. to their everlasting shame and contempt.
Now if you will not obey the Light in your Consciences to rule in the Power of the Spirit,
Isa. 58.6. to break every Yoak of unrighteousness, and put every filthy and abominable thing out of the sight of the Lord, that the oppressed may be set free▪
Rev. 13.16. but you will cause both small and great to worship the Image of the Beast
[Page 86] in forcing them to obey the Heathenish and Unrighteous Laws made by
Nebuchadnezar's nature proud flesh, who set up himself a King, to oppress all under his power, and set up whom he would to Rule and Raign with him over others in Tyranny, Cruelty and Oppression in all unrighteousness; which Beast received a deadly wound with a Sword, by the little Horn spoken of in
Daniel,
Dan. 7.8. before whom three Horns fell; and the Horn had Eyes to see what they should do, the Light in their Consciences, and a Mouth which speaketh great things, what they would do for the glory of God, whose look was more stout then their Fellows:
ver. 20.21.
I beheld the same Horn made War with the Saints of the most high God, and prevailed against them, as it is fufilled. Many of them have been Persecuted, and some cast into Prison by their power; and this is the Beast that
had power to give Life to the Image,
Rev. 13.15.
that the Image of the Beast should both speak and cause, that as many as would not Worship the Image of the Beast should be killed; and this is fulfilled, that when the Beast received his deadly wound, with the Sword of the righteous Justice of God, then did the other Beast, which was the power that Raigned after him, give life to the Image of the Beast, that the Image of the Beast spoke; and this was fulfilled in giving power to the unrighteous Laws, where the Priests, and unrighteous Lawyers and Judges, that
Iudge for Rewards, that as many as would not worship the Beast,
Mica. 3.11. in obeying the will of proud flesh, must be Killed, cast into Prison, and there Starve, and be broken to pieces, and by the power of proud
Nebuchadnezar's nature, must be cast into places, some into close Prison by the wrath of proud flesh,
Rev. 13.17. and must neither
Buy nor Sell, to have
[Page 97] any benefit of the Law,
but he that hath the mark of the Beast, and the number of his Name; Here is the Patience and Faith of the Saints.
Dan. 12.9.13. Rev. 13.18. And you Saints of the most high God, stand in his Will;
for these words are sealed up, until the time of the end; and you shall stand in the Lot at the end of the days, Here is Wisdom: Let him that hath understanding count the number of the Beast, for it is the number of a Man, and his number is six Hundred threescore and six. Now if you hold up this glorious Image, which was set up by
Nebuchadnezar's nature,
Dan. 3.3. proud flesh, in human wisdom, which that Image spoken of in
Daniel, was but a tipe and figure of this, which now shines gloriously in Forms and Observations, and deny the Life and Power of Jesus Christ; you will be found to be the strength and glory of this great Image: And this I declare unto you from the eternal God of Power,
Dan. 2.40. You shall be overturned, as all that have gone before you, which have set up this great Image, and caused all both small and great to bow down and worship it:
Rev. 14.16.
The Stone cut out of the Mountain without Hand, shall smite this glorious Image, and break it to pieces, and it shall
become like the Chaff of the Summer Threshing-Floor, and the Wind shall carry it away,
Dan. 2.34.35.
and no place shall be found for it; and the Stone that smites the Image shall become a great Mountain, and shall fill the whole Earth. O be valiant for the Truth upon Earth,
Mic. 3.10, 11. ye Rulers of
England, and give over building up
Sion with Blood, and
Ierusalem with Iniquity, as it hath been in this Nation, by all that upheld this Image, which the Lord hath overturned, and cast out before you,
Mic. 3.11▪ and is still held up by you:
The Heads thereof judge for Reward, and the Priests teach for Hire, and the Prophets thereof divine for Money; yet will they
[Page 98] lean upon the Lord, and say,
Is not the Lord amongst us? no evil can come upon us.
O prize your time, and stand steadfast in the Counsel of the Lord, the Light in your Consciences, hearken unto it, let it alone guide you in all your Counsel, that Christ may be Head in you all; then will the glory of God be the end of all your undertakings, and you will remove this filthy and abominable thing out of the sight of the Lord, the Judges that judge for Rewards, and the Lawyers that plead for Money, and the Priests that teach for Hire;
Exod. 18.23. and set over the People to judge their Causes,
Men fearing God, and hateing Covetousness, to judge their Causes without Rewards,
Isa. 5.51. and that the People may be taught freely, without Money or Price,
Mat. 10.8. by the free Spirit of Christ in the Hearts of his Saints, who cannot but declare freely, as we have freely received:
Pro. 8.13. Then will the mighty Power of God go along with you in all your ways,
Pro. 1.7. if you will stand in his Counsel, and walk in his fear, to depart from all evil, which is the beginning of Wisdom, and your names will become a sweet savour through the power of the Lord among his Saints, as all the names of the Righteous are; and you shall partake of the glory of the Lord, which he is manifesting to his chosen People in this Nation, which he hath chosen to make known his Power, in exalting the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and will make it the glory of all the Nations in the World, and the mighty God of Power will be unto us
Salvation for Walls and Bulwarks,
Isa. 26, 1. Mich, 4.4. and
we shall sit under our Vines and Fig-trees, and none shall make us afraid: And this shall be the Portion of your Cup, if you will deny your selves, and diligently hearken to the Counsel of the Lord, the Light in your Consciences, to which
[Page 99] I speak, which shall eternally witness the Truth declared unto you,
For the Mouth of the Lord of Hosts hath spoken it, who hath raised up his own Seed in his People in this Nation, which cannot cleave to this great Image, which was set up by those that were in the place where you are,
Dan. 2.43. which the Lord hath overturned, and cast out in his Indignation, and is not yet taken away by you, and while you uphold it, the anger of the Lord is kindled against you; There is no peace to the Wicked, saith my God.
This is the day that the God of Heaven will set up his own Kingdom,
Dar. 2.44▪ which shall never be destroyed; and the Kingdom shall not be left unto other people, but shall stand for ever and ever. Here I have cleered my Conscience, in declaring unto you what my God hath made known unto me concerning you and the Nation, which shall shortly come to pass: He that hath an Eye to see, let him see; and he that hath an Ear to hear, let him hear.
To all you unrighteous Judges,
Mic. 3.10.11. that judge for Rewards, and Lawyers that plead for Money, who devour the Creation, and set people at variance, destroy many Families, and delight in unrighteousness; and to all Oppressors,
Pro. 6.19. high and low, who grind the faces of the Poor, and causes them to groan under your Cruelty and Oppression,
2 Thes. 2.12. hear the Word of the Lord.
Thus saith the Lord God,
Howl and Weep for the misery which is coming upon you,
Jam. 5.1, 2.
for the cry of the Oppressed hath entered into the Ears of the Lord, and he is coming to
render vengeance upon you, and set the Oppressed free: For the rust of your Money and Gold shall eat your Flesh, as it were Fire, for you have heaped up Treasures for the last day;
Isa. 58.6. and ye shall be cut down, ye fruitless Trees,
[Page 100] that
cumber the ground, and cast into the Lake, for it is the place prepared for you, and for all fearful and unbelieving; and
the Abominable, and Murtherers, and Whoremongers,
Jam. 5.3.
and Sorcerers, Idolaters, and all Lyars shall have their part in the Lake which burns with Fire and Brimstone,
Luk. 13.7. Rev. 21.8.
which is the second Death. Repent, Repent, now while you have time,
Isa. 55.3.
put away the evil of your doings, turn to the Lord, and hearken diligently unto his Counsel,
John 3.19. the Light in your Consciences, which lets you see the evil of your doings; loving the Light, and giving your selves up to be guided by it, it will lead you to Life; hating it, and disobeying it, it is your Condemna
[...]ion: This is the day of your visitation, prize it, least you perish in the mighty day of the Lords anger, which will speedily come upon the Children of disobedience:
Joel. 2.1. To the pure Light in your Consciences I speak, which witnesses against the evil of your doings, and will witness me eternally, when the Book of Conscience is opened.
Howl and Weep all you that live in pride and pleasure, and Drunkenness, Gluttony, Lust and Uncleanness, Lightness and Vanity, idle Communication, foolish Jesting and Laughter, which is madness and folly; cursed Speaking, Lying, Couzening, Cheating, Swearing, for which cause the Land mourns; you live without the fear of God, Eating and Drinking and rising up to Play, to please your selves, your Belly is your God, your end is Destruction, who mind Earthly things;
Luke 13.7. hear the Word of the Lord, and fear ye fruitless Trees, which cumber the ground, and defile the Flesh, the Lord will cut you down and cast you into Hell,
For the Wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all that forget God; and this is your Portion in the estate
[Page 101] that you are in; own it, for the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it; Without are Dogs, and Sorcerers, and Whoremongers, and Murtherers, and Idolaters, and whosoever loves and makes a Lye
shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone,
Rev. 22.15.
which is the second Death.
Repent, Repent, and prize your time, and turn unto the Lord, and mind the pure Light in your Consciences, which lets you see the evil of your Hearts; loving it, and obeying it, it will lead you forth out of all unrighteousness,
Tit. 2.11, 12. to eternal Life; hating it, and disobeying it, it is your Condemnation: This is the day of your Visitation, prize it, least you perish in the day of the Lords anger,
John 3.19. which is coming upon the Children of disobedience in this Nation, and elsewhere; for the Lord will make the Earth as the Garden of
Eden,
Isa. 51.3. and hath begun his great and strange Work in this Nation, and is making up his Jewels, and gathering his Wheat into his Garner,
Mal. 3.17. Sons and Daughters up unto himself; and will bundle up you Tares, and cut down you fruitless Trees,
Luk. 13.7. and cast you into the place prepared for you, who defile the flesh, cumber the ground, and walk contrary to the righteous Law of God, the pure Light in your Consciences, to which Light I speak, which will eternally witness me, when the Book of Conscience is opened.
To all you who have professed your selves to be the Ministers of Christ, and walk contrary to the Doctrine of Christ, in having
the chiefest places in the Assemblies, standing praying in the Synogogues,
Mat. 23.5, 6, 7. and
having uppermost rooms at Feasts, Greetings in the Markets, and
of men called Masters, as the Scribes and Pharisees did, which Christ cryed
Wo against;
Isa. 56.10, 11. and
every one of you seeking
[Page 102] your gain from your Quarters, as the false Prophets did, when the Lord sent
Isaiah the true Prophet to cry against them.
And you hold up the horrible filthy thing committed in the Land, in bearing rule by your Means, as the false Prophets did, when the Lord sent
Ieremiah the true Prophet to cry against them.
Jer. 3.30, 31.And you seek for the Fleece, and cloth your self with the Wool, and feed with the Fat, and make a prey of the People, as the false Prophets did, which the Lord sent
Ezekiel the true Prophet to cry against,
Thus saith the Lord,
Ezek. 34.2, 3,
I will require my Flock at their Hands, and cause them to cease from feeding my Flock; neither shall the Shepheards feed themselves any more, for I will deliver my Flock from their Mouths, that they may not be meat for them. Now is the Lord gathering his People from under your Power, which you have made a prey of; and you make the People to err, and bite with your Teeth,
Mic. 3.5. as the false Prophets did, when the Lord sent
Micah the true Prophet to cry out against them; and you cry
Peace, as they did, and he that puts not into your Mouths, you even prepare War against him; and this is fulfilled by your going to Law with poor People, for your Wages; and others in raising Persecution against every one that will not obey you in your vain Traditions,
[...]er. 23.30. wherein you steal every one the Word of the Lord from his Neighbour, in taking a part of Scripture, and adding unto it your wisdom, and so speak of the Saints conditions, which you cannot witness fulfilled in your selves; a false vision, a divination and deceit of your own Heart,
Jer. 1.14. and so causes the People to err by your Lyes, and by your Lightness, as the false Prophets did, when the Lord sent
Ieremiah the true
[Page 103] Prophet, who knew the Word of the Lord to be as
a Fire and a Hammer, to cry against them; and all the Saints that know the Word of the Lord,
Jer. 23.29 knows it to be a Fire and a Hammer in them, in transforming them by its power,
From under the powers of Darkness, into the glorious Light and Liberty of the Sons of God. See you how you dawb up the People with
untempered morter, seeming Vanities, divining Lyes unto them, saying,
Ezek. 13.10, 11.
Thus saith the Lord, as you may find it written in such a place of Scripture, which was spoken by the Lord in them which gave it forth: And thus you steal the Saints words to speak of, when as the Lord never spoke by you; as the false Prophets did, when the Lord sent
Ezekiel to cry against them;
Jer. 23.32 and now he hath raised up his Sons and Daughters, who obey his Counsel, to cry against you: And this I declare unto you from the Lord,
Mic. 3.6, 7
Night shall be upon you, that you shall have no Vision, but shall be ashamed and confounded; yea, you shall all cover your Lips, for there shall be no answer of God.
Wo, wo unto you, you Murtherers of Souls, whose Blood hath cryed unto the Lord God Almighty, and he is coming in Power to require their Blood at your Hands,
Mat. 23, 13. who have shut the Kingdom of Heaven against Men, as the Scribes and Pharisees your fore-Fathers did, in telling people, The Light of Christ, which enlighteneth every Mans Conscience,
Job. 1.9. in which Light he is to wait for the Power of Christ to guide him out of every evil way, to walk in Purity and Holiness, without which no Man shall see the Lord, You tell them it is the Light of a natural Conscience;
He. 12.14. and you will not enter into the Kingdom your selves, to be guided by the Light in your Consciences, which would lead you into the Kingdom,
Mat. 23.13. nor suffer them that
[Page 104] are entering in, to enter in; and here you shut all from the Kingdom of Heaven, which is within them, in drawing them from the Light in their Consciences, which would lead them unto the Word of Faith, which is in their Hearts,
1 John 2.20.27. the anointing of the Father, wherein they need not to teach one another, but as the Anointing teaches, which is in Truth, and is no Lye, which all the Children of the Lord are witnesses of in their measures, who walk in the Light, and see your deceits, how you Murder and Destroy Souls for Money, to maintain you in Pride and Pleasure, though the Light in your Consciences cry against you for your practices,
John 3.19, 20, 21, but you hate it, and will not obey it; but to it I speak, which will witness me eternally, when the Book of Conscience is opened to your Condemnation, who shut all people out of the Kingdom of God, which is within them, in turning them aside from the Light in their Consciences, which the Lord hath given unto every one a measure, to guide them into the Kingdom:
Mat. 25.15. And then you make a prey of them, in telling them they must wait for the Kingdom of God in Observations, which you call Ordinances, which you have set up in your imaginations of the Saints Conditions, which is Recorded in the Scripture of Truth:
Dan. 10.21. Some of you say,
Lo here is Christ, in the
Presbiterian practice; and saith another,
Lo he is here, in the
Independent practice; and the
Anabaptist saith,
Lo he is here; and others that walk in outward Observations say,
Lo he is here, according as Christ fore-told, that such would come that would say,
Lo here is Christ, Lo there is Christ, as it is fulfilled in you, who draw people to seek the Kingdom of God in outward Obsevations;
Mat. 24.23. but saith Christ,
Believe them not, for the
[Page 105] Kingdom of God comes not with Observations; for as the Lightning cometh out of the East, and shineth unto the West, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be: And this I witness;
Mat. 24.27. but you turn them from the Light in the Conscience, which would lead them into the Kingdom, to look forth at the glorious Image you have set up in outward Observations, and they must pay you so much a Year for it, as will maintain you in Pride and Pleasure, to be Masters among the Sons of Men; and so you Worship the works of your own Hands, offering up Sacrifice to an unknown God, whom you ignorantly Worship, having no Scripture for many things you do.
There is no Scripture for your Call into the Ministry of the Gospel of Christ,
1 Cor. 1.26, 27. by human Wisdom; nor for your making Bargains with the People for so much a Year.
Act. 20.33
There is no Scripture for your sprinkling Water on the Face of a Child,
Mat. 10.8. calling it Baptism.
There is no Scripture for your stealing the Saints Words,
Jer. 23.30. in taking a part of Scripture, and adding to it your wisdom, tearing it in sunder, in Doctrines, Reasons, Uses, Helps, Motives, according unto the fancies of your Brains.
There is no Scripture for your particular Houses that you have to creep into, where none must come but your selves, and whom you please to declare your Sermon, as you call it, which is a divination of your own Hearts, one day after another, one year after another.
There is no Scripture for your putting
Davids words into the Mouths of poor ignorant People, to sing praises unto the Lord;
Psa. 131.1. as
O Lord, I am not puffed in mind; I
[Page 106] have no scornful eye; I water my Couch with my tears; all the night make I my Bed to swim; all my Bones do tremble: When they cannot witness these Conditions,
Psa. 6.6. Psal. 119.120. and so cause them to Blaspheme the Name of God, and when the Light in their Consciences cries against them, for Lying in the presence of God, and Blaspheming his great and glorious Name: You tell them it is the Light of a natural Conscience,
Mat. 23.13. and so murders their Souls in shutting them out of the Kingdom of God, as the Scribes and Pharisees, and all the false Prophets did, that denied Christ to be the Light, who enlightens every one that comes into the World:
John 1.9. And here you are found to be among the false Prophets, Scribes and Pharisees, walking in their ways, and every Tree is known by its Fruits, which all the Prophets walked in the Light,
Mat. 7.20. and Christ that was the Light, cryed
Wo against; and you are all turned out of the way, in rejecting the corner-Stone,
Christ, which enlightens the Conscience of every one, to guide them unto him, as the false Builders did;
John 1.9. and go in the way of
Cain, to Murther, and greedily run after the error of
Balaam, who loved the Wages of unrighteousness:
Jude, 11. So as a Troop of Robbers wait for a Man, so do you company of Priests Murder in the way by consent, as the Priests did when the Lord sent
Hosea the true Prophet to cry against them;
Hos. 6.9. for you commit Lewdness, in turning every one from the Light in their Consciences,
Mat. 25.15 which the Lord hath given unto every one a measure, according unto their ability, to guide them up into the Kingdom of God; and you turn them aside to seek the Kingdom in Observations, hearkening unto the dark inventions of your Brains, in adding your Wisdom unto the Testimony of Christ;
Rev. 22.18 and this is your Portion,
[Page 107] the Plagues written in the Book will be added upon you. Here I have cleared my Conscience, dealing plainly with you, declaring unto you where you are, as the Lord hath made known unto me, that you may be without excuse in the mighty day of the Lord, which will speedily come upon you, wherein you shall give account for the Blood of Souls that have been shut out of the Kingdom, and destroyed by you: To the Light in every one of your Consciences I speak, which shall eternally witness me, when the Book of Conscience is opened.
Repent, Repent, and give over deceiving the People, and destroying their Souls,
Psal. 2.12. and haste, haste to meet the Lord, in returning within, to be guided by his Counsel, the Light in your Consciences, which you have rejected, least ye perish in your gain-saying:
Kiss the Son, in obeying his Counsel, the Light in your Conscience, that lets you see the evil of your doings,
least you perish in the way; for if his anger be kindled a little, blessed are all they that trust in him.
To all you who have set up a finer Image in Gospel Ordinances, as you call them, under the Forms of
Independent and
Anabaptist, and say, you are the Saints whom the Lord hath chosen, and have only right to the best of the Creatures, to Eat of the Fat, and be Clothed with the finest of the Wool,
Ezek. 34.2, 3. and make merry with the Creatures,
Gal. 5.13. and live in pleasure; and when the Light in your Conscience cries against you, to
Vse your Liberty,
Mat. 5.48.
but not as an occasion to the Flesh; to
make no provision for the Flesh, to satisfie it, and the lusts thereof; but you must
be Perfect, as your heavenly Father is Perfect:
Rom. 7.23 You regard it not, but hearken unto the counsel of your own Hearts, which draw you to
[Page 108] look at the words of
Paul, where he saith,
I find a Law in my members warring against the Law of my minde; so ye wrest the Scripture to your own destruction, for your encouragement to live in the Flesh, and say none must be free from the body of Sin while he is here in the body: And thus you deceive your selves, and all whom you draw from the Light in your Conscience,
Ezek. 18.20. which cries for a perfect fulfilling of the Law of God within; for
the Soul that sinneth, it shall dye: Though
Paul did complain of a body of Sin, it was in his growth,
Rom. 7.24. and it was his burden, which made him cry
O wretched Man that I am, who shall deliver me? And he witnessed it put off;
The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Iesus, hath made me free from the Law of Sin and Death; for Christ is made manifest,
to destroy the work of the Devil,
Rom. 8.2. and
not to destroy the Law; to save Man from the condemning power of the Law, while he lives in transgression of it;
1 Jo. 3.8. for the Law hath power over the fleshly Man,
Rom. 7.1. so long as he lives:
But he came to
fulfil the Law, and all the Saints bear witness of it in their measure; some witness it fulfilled, others wait, following the Lamb daily in the Cross, till they come to the fulfilling of it,
Rom. 8.3.4. that
the righteousness of the Law may be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit.
Therefore mind the Light in your Consciences, diligently hearken unto it, and it will smite your glorious Image of Forms and Observations, and break it to peices, and will rend off all your glorious Coverings of your outward Profession, and will let you see, the
Wo. is unto them that are covered;
Is
[...]. 30.1. and not with the Spirit of the Lord. To the Light in your Consciences I speak,
Rom. 6.6. which will eternally witness me, if you
[Page 109] hearken unto it, to be guided by it, you will never find rest in outward Forms and Observations, but in putting off the body of Sin,
Rom. 8.4 through the obedience of the Spirit, that the righteousness of the Law may be fulfilled in
[...], in walking no more after the Flesh, but after the Spirit,
Gal. 5.24.
For they that are Christ's, have crucified the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts; and the body is dead in regard of Sin, but the Spirit is alive unto Righteousness:
Rom. 8.10 And this you must witness, or else all your Religion is vain, and your Souls will perish.
To you Inhabiters of
England,
Rev. 17.4▪ How long will you drink of the Cup of Abominations, the Wine of the Fornication of the Whore, which hath made you Drunk, and all Nations,
Isa. 55.2. to lay out your Money for that which is not Bread, to the Merchants of
Babylon, who fill unto you the Cup of Abominations, in drawing you from the Light in your Consciences, which is given unto every one of you a measure, to guide you up to God,
Luke 17.20, 21. to seek for the Kingdom of God in Observations; and Christ saith it is not in Observations, but within; so they keep you in Captivity, in
Babylons Kingdom, under the power of Sin, Hell, and Death.
To every particular Inhabiter of
England I write: Come out of
Babylon,
Rev. 18.4 all Forms, and Observations, and Traditions, which are set up by the will of Man: Now is
Babylon come in remembrance before God,
Revel. 18.23, 24. and the vials of wrath must be poured upon her, and upon her Merchants, for by their Sorceries are you Inhabitants of
England, and all Nations deceived; and in her is found the Blood of the Prophets and Saints, and of all that were slain upon the Earth: Haste, haste, come out of her,
Rev. 18.4. least you partake with her in her Sins, and so partake with her in her Punishment,
[Page 110] which will speedily come upon her, for the Mouth of the Lord of Hosts hath spoken it: return within every one in particular; examine your Hearts, and mind the Light in your Conscience, and it will always let you see where your Hearts are, and what they delight in; for it is the Heart the Lord requires, he will no longer be Worshipped in Words,
John 4.24. Forms, and Observations, but in Spirit and in Truth, and in sincerity in the inward part: Therefore every one be faithful in taking heed to the Light in your Consciences, which the Lord hath given to every one a measure to profit withal, for the exercise of the Conscience towards God and Men;
Mat. 25.15. in minding your watch, to wait in the Light in measure, it will bring to Judgment all the powers of darkness in you; and the righteous Law of God will cry through your earthly and carnal Hearts, till Judgment be brought forth into Victory,
Isa. 42.2. and your wills will be brought in subjection unto the Will of God, to wait on him for refreshment from his presence, who
satisfieth the hungry with good things: And take heed of consulting with Flesh and Blood,
Luke 1.53. for that leads into Pride and Disobedience, into Hell and Destruction; mind the Light in your Conscience, which is the sure word of Prophecy, that you cannot be deceived, taking heed unto it,
2 Pet. 1.19. as unto a light that shines in a dark place,
until the day dawn, and the day-Star arise in your Hearts; diligently hearken unto it, and you shall eat that which is good,
and your Soul shall delight it self in Fatness: There is your Teacher within you,
Isa. 55.2.3. the Light in your Consciences;
John 3.19. loving it and obeying it, is your Life; hating it and disobeying it, is your condemnation: To that pure Light in your Consciences I speak, which will eternally witness me, when the Book of
[Page 111] Conscience is opened in you: Now you have time, prize it, in waiting on the Lord in the Light, to
make your Calling and Election sure, in
putting off the old Man and his deeds, and putting on the Lord Iesus Christ in righteousness and holiness,
2 Pet. 1.10.
without which no Man shall see the Lord; in so doing you shall escape the Wrath of God, which is coming upon the Children of disobedience in this Nation,
Isa. 51.3. and else where; for the Lord will make the Earth as the Garden of
Eden, and hath begun his great and strange Work in this Nation,
Joel. 2.3. which shall make the Ears of them that hear to tingle,
1 Sa. 3.11. wherein he is exalting the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus, which Kingdom shall break down all the Kingdoms of the World,
Dan. 2.55. and shall fill the whole Earth;
For the mighty day of the Lord is coming, that shall burn as an Oven,
Mal. 4.3.
and all you that are Proud, and all you that do wickedly shall be Stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn you up,
Verse 4.
saith the Lord of Hosts, and it shall leave of you neither Root nor Branch. But unto you that fear the Name of the Lord, shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his Wings; and ye shall go forth and grow as Calves of the Stall:
Verse 3
And ye shall tread down the Wicked, and they shall be as Ashes under the soles of your Feet, in this day that I do this saith the Lord: Wherein he is now gathering his Elect together, his scattered Sheep,
Mat. 24.31. Ezek, 34.12. that have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day, and will bring them from the People, and gather them from the Countries,
and will bring them to their own Land, and I will fe
[...]d them upon a good Pasture, and upon the high Mountains of Israel
shall their Fold be, and there shall they lie in a good Fold, and in a fat Pasture shall they feed upon the Mountains of Israel;
Verse 13 Verse 29.
and I will raise up for them a Plant of renomn, and they
[Page 112] shall no more be consumed with hunger in the Land, neither bear the shame of the Heathen any more, but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid: Thus shall you know that I the Lord your God am with you, and that the House of Israel
is my People,
Verse 30.
saith the Lord God.
England, here I have cleared my Conscience, in declaring to thee what the Lord hath made known to me, of his love and mercy he will manifest to thee, if thou wilt hearken diligently to his Counsel,
Isa. 33.2. the Light which is in the Conscience of every one, and wait upon him to be guided by his Power; and all you that disobey the righteous Law of God, the Light in your Conscience, you shall be swept away with the Beesom of his Wrath, and your place shall be no more, for the Mouth of the Lord of Hosts hath spoken it;
John 3.20. and whether you hear or forbear, I am clear of the Blood of all Men,
Act. 2.25 in making known to you what the Lord hath revealed to me, he that can receive it, let him.
A Word from the LORD.
TO all Saints and Children of the most high God, whom he hath called and chosen out of the World and all their Customs, Fashions, Worships, Forms, 'Observations and Traditions, which are set up by the will of Man,
1 Pet. 2.9. to wait upon him in the Light, the Counsel of Jesus Christ,
Isa. 55.2. the Captain of our Salvation;
[Page 113] every one in your measure stand valiant Souldiers, and be not discouraged, neither at the Enemy within nor without, lift up your Heads, and behold your King Jesus Christ, who is present with you, to dash in pieces and destroy all your Enemies for you: Stand faithful in his Counsel,
Isa. 13, 9 and walk in his Power, every one in your measure; and be bold in the Lord, for you are the Army of the Lord God Almighty,
Joel 2.2, 3. his mighty Host, whom he hath chosen out of the World, to make known his eternal Power in, to sound out his eternal and powerful Word, which shall make the Ears of all the Inhabitants of the Earth that hear, to tingle; and at the sound and hearing thereof shall their Hearts fail,
1 Sam. 3.11. and paleness shall gather into all Faces in the mighty day of the Lords Power, which is begun in this Nation,
Joel 2.4, 6.7, 8, 10, 11. wherein he is exalting the Kingdom of Jesus Christ our King,
Rev. 17.14. who is riding on in his Majesty and mighty Power, conquering all the powers of the Earth, in the Hearts of his Saints; and will overturn and dash in pieces all the Powers in this Nation, and all the World over, that will not submit to his Scepter, to be guided by his Counsel, the pure Law of God, which is the Light in the Conscience: Now is he coming with Ten Thousands of his Saints, to Judge the World, and to give to every one according to their deeds; and the Kingdoms and Dominions, and the greatness of the Kingdoms under the whole Heavens,
Jde. 14.15. shall be given to the Saints of the most high God,
Dan. 7.27. and all Nations shall serve and obey him: Rejoyce, rejoyce, ye Saints and Children of the most high God, stand fast in the Counsel of Jesus Christ, the Light in you, and walk in his Power, and you
[Page 114] shall walk as Kings upon the Earth, and shall sing the new Song that none can sing, but the Hundred forty four Thousand,
Rev. 5.9. and 14.3. and 19.6. and 5.13. and all whose minds are redeemed from the Earth, who stand before the Throne of God day and night singing
Hallelujahs and Praises to the Lord God omnipotent, who is taking to him his great Power to sit upon his Throne, and to the Lamb for evermore.
From the Spirit of the Lord, Written by one whose name in the Flesh is William Deusbery,
called Quaker
with the People of the World, who live in their perishing nature.
CHRIST EXALTED,
1656 AND Alone worthy to open the Seals of the Book. And the Scriptures owned in their place.
A true Testimony of him, as is manifested, in Answer to a Book, Intituled,
The Quakers Apostacy, from the perfect Rule of Scriptures. Given forth by
Iohn Timson, of Great
Bowden in
Leicestershire.
And the Deceits and Blasphemies he charges upon the
Quakers, is turned upon his own Head, and he found guilty of what he reproaches them with, in what is written for the simples sake, and Truth to clear from false Accusations and Lies cast upon it.
And the Ten
QVERIES he saith he vindicateth, and would Print but four of them, they are all published, with the Answers that he charges to be confused, dark and deceitful, that the Answers may witness for themselves against what is charged upon them.
He that hath an understanding in the Light, read and judge.
Search the Scciptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testifie of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life,
John 5.39, 40.
Iesus saith unto him, I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me,
John 14.6.
THE Book thou hath Printed, is seen with the Light that returned an Answer to thy first
Queries; and for the Truths sake, and it to clear, from the Lies, Slanders, and Aspersions cast upon it, in the Light here is writ, to witness against the falshood and untruth, which thou hast charged us withal, that answers thy
Queries, which to that of God in all Consciences, who it minds, will give them to discern, that what thou hast charged against the People, who in scorn are called
Quakers, is false, and on thee is returned, as the Lines following make manifest, wherein is writ what thou hast charged them withal, and to clear the Truth, an Answer thereunto is returned.
In thy Preface as thou calls it, which thou presents to the Reader, thou hast not much of it exprest, before thou begins falsly to accuse us, charging us with drawing People aside, and intangling them with dark Diabolical snares,
&c.
And thou sayst, the Answers thou received to thy ten
Queries, were so obscure, deceitful, and confused, that it constrained thee to Reply. To which thou sayst, an Answer thou hast received,
&c. And hath now undertaken to give the sence of what thou understands, of what is writ to thee, and hath given it forth publickly to the World, that we have accused thee of slanders, in things that are too gross in plainness of speech to publish to the World,
&c.
Reply. Dark diabolical snares we deny, the Word of the Lord God we witness, which was in the beginning,
[Page 117] which Word is Life, and the Life is the Light of Men,
Iohn 1.1.4. Which word we Preach to turn the minds of People from darkness to light; from the power of Satan to the living God▪
Acts 26.18. in the light of his living Word, which discovers the thoughts and intents of the Heart,
Heb. 4.12. to wait in his Light, on him for power, to lead out of all the ways of darkness, into union with the Father of Life, in Christ the Light, who in him walk, there is no occasion of stumbling,
Ioh. 2.10. but who deny to be guided by his Spirit is none of his,
Rom. 8.9. but in darkness walk and stumble at noon-day; and it is truth we declare, as it is Recorded in the Scripture of Truth, he that can receive it let him; and for thy charging the Answer to be obscure, deceitful, and confused, seeing the deceit in thee hath published that they are deceitful, and could not publish them to make manifest what the deceit is, and some of them which thou hast published, thou hast both added and diminished; for the Truths sake, the Queries with their Answers is published, that the Answer may witness for it self, against the falshood thou hast charged on it; he that hath an Eye to see, let him see.
And for thy giving thy sence of what thou understands of our writing, and saith we accuse thee of slandering,
&c.
Reply. Thy sence thou gives of our words with thy dark understanding, we deny, and slandering we deny, it is thy own practice, proved to thy Face, by thy own words, as followeth.
2. In thy second false Accusation thou saist, that we judge our Novices, and all others besides our selves uncapable to receive some of our Principles, as yet,
[Page 118] and therefore we study to darken the sence, by subtil glozing, equivocating expressions, and shuffles.
Reply. Thy false Accusation we deny, we do not judge Novices besides our selves uncapable to receive our Principles; we know Christ the true Light hath enlighted every one that comes into the World, and the Gospel we Preach, is to turn the minds of People from Darkness to Light, and who it minds, it will give them an understanding, the principle of pure Religion to know, Christ the Light in whom we stand clear of thy Slanders; in this Light we plainly speak, as moved of him, and do not study to darken the sence of our words, as thou dost falsly accuse us, the Lord is Judge between thee and us.
3. The third Accusation charging us with damnable Heresies,
&c. And further thou saist, what thou hast charged us withal, is upon such rational grounds, that thou art sure we are convinced, in the seceret of our Hearts and Consciences, that thou Lies not: In the presence of God I charge thee to be a Liar, in the Slanders and Lies before written, what followeth will make thee more manifest; thou saist, we frequently judge Men by the Light which gave forth the Scripture, even while we are opposing the authority of Scriptures, as they are the only Rule of knowing God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent,
&c.
Reply. Thy charge is false, in saying we oppose the authority of Scriptures, which Christ the Light, who gave forth the Scripture, who spake as one having authority, and not as the Scribes,
Mat. 7.29. and the Scripture is a true Testimony of him, who is the Way to the Father,
none knows the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son reveals him, Mat. 11.27. So thou in
[Page 119] the Light art seen to be guilty of what thou chargest us withal, in denying Christ the Light within, to be the Authority of Scriptures, and the perfect Rule of Faith and Obedience; therefore let Flesh be silent, and the lying Mouth be stopped, for Christ we own, which was before the Scriptures, and is the authority of them, for when he spoke them forth, he spoke as one having authority, and according as Christ speaketh of the Scriptures, we them own in their place, a true Testimony of him,
Iohn 5.39.40.
who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no Man cometh to the Father, but by him, John 14.6.
So none oomes to the knowledge of the Father by reading the Scriptures, though they think to find Life there, they shall not, if they come not to Christ, of whom they testifie, and in whom the Life is, who saith,
Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think to have eternal Life, and they are they which testifie of me; and he reproves all who will not come to him, that they may have life. So what thou chargest us withal, thou art the Man that denies the authority of Scriptures, and found guilty of slandering the Children of Light, as what is written makes manifest, and what as followeth will make thee more manifest, to all that have Eyes to see the many Falshoods and Lies thou hast begun the Book withal, in that thou calls the Preface to the Reader; so out of thy own Mouth thou art Condemned.
4. The fourth Accusation, thou saist, we are so drunk with Delusion and Impudency, that we will rather charge the Scripture with deceit, then question our own deceitful Hearts.
Reply. In the presence of God we witness against
[Page 120] thee, we own the Scripture to be the Scripture of Truth, and do not charge the Scripture with deceit, but with the Light of Christ that gave forth the Scriptures, and discovereth the deceit of the Heart, with which Light we judge the deceit of the Heart, and witness against thee in the Light, which makes known to us the Scripture in the Truth, as it is in Jesus Christ the Light, God is our witness.
5. The fifth false Accusation, thou saist, we write and speak the Language of Scripture, as if we were for it, and is not, which is rank Hypocrisie, and done of purpose to deceive.
Reply. We in the Light speak as moved of the Lord, 2
Pet. 1.21. whose Language is according to Scripture; and doing any thing in Hypocrisie we deny, or to deceive any, the Lord is our witness, who will rebuke the lying spirit, and stop thy lying Mouth.
6. The sixth false Accusation, thou saist we boast, that we are as perfect as Christ that dyed at
Ierusalem.
Reply. Thy charge is false, boasting we deny, or any Perfection that is of self; our Righteousness, without Christ, is as a filthy Ragg, and a menstruous Cloth; Christ our Righteousness, who is the true Light,
That lighteth every one that comes into the World, Iohn 1.9. we witness him the same Christ, as was in that Body that suffered at
Ierusalem; and every one of the Children of Light in the measure of growth in him, the same mind is in them, that was in Christ Jesus,
Phil. 2.5. who is the brightness of the Fathers glory,
Heb. 1.3.
7. The seventh false Accusation, thou saist we say, that he that trusts in Christ that dyed at
Ierusalem, for Salvation, shall be deceived.
[Page 121]
Reply. This Charge is false as the other, in the presence of God we witness against thee, no other Christ we bear Testimony of, to be the Salvation of lost Man and Woman, but that Christ according to Scripture Testimony, who was born of the Virgin, and made a good Confession before
Pilate, and suffered at
Ierusalem, and rose again the third day, and ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right Hand of God; and this Christ we witness the true Light,
Who lighteth every one that comes into the World, and saith,
I stand at the Door and knock, who opens, I will come into him, and Sup with him, and he with me, Rev. 3.20. and we witness him faithful;
And as many as receives him, to them he gives power to become the Sons of God; and this is the condemnation of all, because they believe not in him,
Iohn 12.
8. The eight false Accusation, thou saist we reproach Christs Institutions and holy Ordinances, with the odium of Mens Traditions, outward Observations, inconsistant with Gods Kingdom, and compares them to
Nebuchadnezar's great Idol,
&c.
Reply. Thy Charge is false, Christs Institutions, and holy Ordinances, we own in the Dispensation of time they were to be continued, and what is now in this Dispensation of time, known in the administration of his Spirit we own; but who upholds any Idolatry in observing any thing by Tradition, and not guided by the Spirit of Christ, and so walk contrary to the perfect Law of God in the Conscience; and though their words be never so glorious in outward appearance, in crying the Ordinances of Christ, while they deny to be guided by Christ, they are no Ordinances of Christ, but an Image, set up in the proud exalted nature, which
[Page 122]
Nebuchadnezar set up his Image in, which with the Power of God shall be thrown down, and thou with the rest of the Idol Worshippers shall be broken to pieces, and Lies shall not save thee; for the Lord will exalt his Name, and his Children that observe his holy Ordinances shall raign in his spiritual Power, that preserves them, therein to observe the movings of his Spirit, which doth lead to worship the Father in Spirit and Truth, according to Scripture Testimony,
Iohn 4.23, 24.
And when thou
Iohn Timson hast presented thy false Accusations and Lies to the Reader, in the Preface of thy Book, that they might receive the Falshoods, and Lies that are written therein, and these Lies and Slanders, which are here laid before thee, and witnessed against, in the answer thereto returned will sufficiently prove to thy face, and be manifest to that of God in every ones Conscience, that thou hast spoken unadvisedly with thy Lips, when thou saist thou Lies not, and all these Lies found in thy Mouth; given forth publickely for all to read; and thou declares to the Reader, that the Lord knows, what diligence and tenderness of Bowels, thou hast had to prepare it for them,
&c.
Reply. Blush, for shame, O vain Man, to appeal to the Lords knowledge of thy diligence and tenderness of Bowels, to prepare so many Lies and Falshoods for People to read, thou shalt certainly know that the Lord takes notice of thee, and he will lay thee open, and make thee manifest, and Lies shall not cover thee, nor be thy refuge,
Isa. 28.17. when our God will clear his Truth, and thy Tongue, and all others, that rise up against him, shall fall in Judgement, the day shall declare it.
[Page 123]Further, thou goes on, saying, as for those persons that have answered me, who have charged me with bringing sorth many Lies and Slanders, and have made a noise thereof, as if I was some carnal lying wretch, that matters not what I write.
Reply. To that of God in every ones Conscience I appeal, that Lies proceed from a carnal wretched Heart, and the Lord is making thee manifest, who would make Lies thy refuge; which with the Light thou art seen, and thy Lies turned upon thee, that in the Light thou mayst be read what thou art; and in the Light our Books are known, and no such thing is in our Books as thou falsly charges us with, and would make People believe is written therein, in giving the sence of our words in thy dark mind; and for the Simples sake, an answer is returned, to clear the Truth of God, in what he hath given out by his Spirit, both in word and writing, and whether thou wilt receive it, yea, or nay, thou shalt know, and all others, that Christ is the Authority of the Scripture, and when he spoke them forth, he spake as one having Authority, and not as a Scribe; and who in his Light walk, cannot be perswaded to turn from him, by any Lies and Reproaches thou canst cast upon them, who saist we are wholly turned from the Truth, which against thee witness it is not so, let God be Judge and in his day make manifest what we are, in whose Will we rest, as moved of him to witness against the Falshoods, thou hast further charged upon us in what followeth.
Thou hast not done justly nor honestly in that thou hast not Printed the Questions, as given forth by thee, and Answers as returned by us, and in an answer to what is of thee required, to prove the Charge thou
[Page 124] chargest us withal, in thy Reply to the Answer to the first Question, and the false Accusations, Lies and Slanders is not proved in all thou hast writ.
The one Baptism we own
Eph. 4.5. and the Watch in the Church we own, in the Spirit of life, which in order doth keep, in obedience to the pure God, who is the God of order, and not of confusion, but keeps his Children in himself purely to live, according to what is profest.
Further, thou goest on and queries, what proof would we have, is it not our own prophane Language, both in Papers and Conference; it is no news to hear most of their Way dispute against water Baptism, the Lords Supper, a setled fixed Ministry over particular Churches; and queries, further, what
Quakers administer water Baptism, the Lords Supper, and constantly watches over a particular Flock? or else for shame (thou saist) we must own the Charge, and confess our Sin, in telling the World these are thy lying Slanders.
Reply. Prophane Language we deny, and Shadows and Figures we witness done away, the Substance being come, water Baptism was in its time a Figure of the Substance, as
Iohn witnesses, to whom that Dispensation was committed,
Mat. 3.11.
I indeed Baptize with Water unto Repentance, but he that comes after me is mightier then I, whose Shooes I am not worthy to bear, he shall Baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with Fire. And
Iohn's Baptism we deny to be in force, he did decrease, and Christ must increase, whose Baptism we own, according as is Recorded in the Scripture of Truth, and since he ascended, there is no Scripture doth witness his sending any to Baptize with Water;
Paul,
[Page 125] who was sent after he ascended, what he did in the liberty given him, his liberty he knew, when he circumcised
Timothy, and Baptized
Crispus, and
Gaius, and the Household of
Stephanus, besides I know not that I Baptized any other, saith
Paul, for Christ sent me not to Baptize, but to Preach the Gospel, not with wisdom of words, least the Cross of Christ should be of none effect, 1
Cor. 1.16, 17. And
Iohn who bore record of the Word of God, and Testimony of Jesus Christ,
Rev. 14.6. saith,
I saw an Angel in the midst of Heaven, having the everlasting Gospel, to Preach to them that dwell in the Earth and to every Nation, and Kindred, Tongue and People; John did not say, he did fly through the midst of Heaven, Preaching the everlasting Gospel, and Baptizing with Water, we know
Iohn was faithful in his Testimony of Jesus Christ; who is now revealed, and the Angel is come, and the Gospel Preached, and the Shadows done away.
And Bread and Wine were the Supper of the Lord, in the Dispensation of time, a Figure of his Death, which were fulfilled, when he had suffered and rose again, and now he is known to stand at the Door and knock, if any Man hear my voice, and open the Door,
I will come in and Sup with him, and he with me, saith Christ,
Rev. 3.20. And we being many are one Bread, and one Body,
&c. 1
Cor. 10.17. and know the Wine renewed in our Fathers Kingdom, Christ the Substance we now witness; Shadows and Figures done away, he that can receive it let him.
And the Churches set up by the will of Man we deny; and the fixed Ministry set up over them by the will of Man, that watch for the Fleece, bear rule by their means, and seeks their gain from their Quarter▪
[Page 126] these we deny,
Ieremiah 5.31. and
Isaiah 56.11.
And those in scorn called
Quakers, do watch over the Flock of God, every one as the Lord them calls; and not for filthy Lucre, as the Priests that bear Rule by their means do, neither by constraint, but of a ready mind, 1
Pet. 5.2. in obedience to the Spirit of the Lord, as he them move; and thy Slanders thou hast not yet proved, our Consciences do witness it, that what thou hast accused us with is a Lie, and not the Truth.
And thou further sayes, that
William Deusbery in a lying Paper, as thou calls it, which is entituled
A true Prophecy of the mighty Day of the Lord, already risen in the North of England, &c. In which Paper he makes it his work, to slander the Ordinances of Gospel worship, under the notion of outward Observations, which Christs Kingdom comes not in,
Luke 17.20. and thus he accounts of all the Ordinances and Institutions, prescribed by Christ himself, in the Apostolical Churches; and accounts all the strict observing of outward Forms of worship, is but imitating the Saints practices, in their Babilonish and Heathenish wisdom; all these outward Forms are the outward Court, without the Temple, Pag. 1.2.
Reply. The Lie will be found in thy own Mouth, in calling that a lying Paper, a true Prophecy it is of the mighty day of the Lord; and for thy saying
William Deusbery makes it his work, &c. as before written, thy Charge is false, and the Truth is witnessed against vain Man, who in his dark mind seeks the Kingdom of God in Observations, where it comes not,
Luke 17.20. neither shall men say
Lo here, or lo there, he called by name, as before written, doth witness they are not the Ordinances
[Page 127] of Christ, according as is declared of them, they will be found and made manifest, to the shame and confusion of their Faces who in their own wisdom imitates the Saints practices in Forms, which they did practice in Life and Power, in the Dispensation of time they served their Generation, in the manifestation of the Spirit, according to the Will of God.
And whereas thou sayst in Pag. 4. it is more clear, that he prophanely compares the holy Ordinances and Institutions of the Lord to that great Image set up by
Nebuchadnezars proud nature, spoken of by
Daniel, and that that Image was but a Tipe and Figure of this which now shines gloriously in Forms and Observations.
And thou sayst, that in his speaking to the Anabaptists and Independents, he tells them they have set up a finer Image in the Gospel Ordinances (as they call them) and what other Ordinances (thou sayst) doth these or you set up, but what was practised in the Apostolical Churches; thus you may see how this Impostor, doth reproach the holy things of God.
Reply. Blush for shame, who sayst
William Dewsberry compares the holy Ordinances and Institutions of our Lord to that great Image,
&c. Holy Ordinances, and Institutions of the Lord is not rhere exprest by him, where thou sayst he then so compares; he witnesses against the Image you have set up in your minds, of the Truth as you conceive where you are in confusion that doth you divide into Forms and Observations, as before written, to look for the Kingdom of God to come; and though you call them the Ordinances of Christ, you denying Christ the Light you to guide in the daily cross, you are in the same nature wherein
Nebuchadnazar
[Page 128] cast the Lord Servants into the fiery Furnace, because they witnessed against his Image, so do you who walk in your imaginations and deny Christ the Light, cause the Servants of the Lord that walk in the Life, and cannot bow to your Image but witness against it, to be haled out of your Meeting Places, beaten, stoned, whipt, stockt, imprisoned, which are the fruits of
Nebuchadnez
[...]rs nature, as is manifest this day amongst those against whom he witnesseth and who is the Impostor and reproaches the holy things of God, the fruit makes manifest; he that hath an Eye to see let him see.
And further thou sayst that he in the height of his insolent rashness and madness, saith thus, The Word of the Lord came unto me saying, I will gather my Peopel out of all Forms and Observations, and out of all Kindreds, Tongues and Nations, and I will pour out my Spirit upon them. And this thou sayst he writes in a different Character, as if it were all Scripture, by this you may see is proved what I have accused them with, in denying the Ordinances, and Administrations of the Gospel Churches, true, and yet this impudent Lyar tells me, its a lying slander, they would render me a Lyar, for telling them the Truth, but it seems they can rather, and with more ease deny the Accusation then prove themselves Saints, and stand to it; thus when they are pincht they will say and unsay, and any thing to evade.
Rashness and Madness is thy own, in speaking evil of that thou knowest not, the day will declare, the Lord will gather his People together, according as its declared,
Revelations 5.9. And the Lye and false Accus
[...]tion will still rest on thee, for charging
William Deusbery, as before written, and the impudent
[Page 129] Lyar he will not be found, when the Lord will separate between the precious and the vile, then shall it be known who walk in outward Forms and deny Christ the Light, and those that live in the Light, Life and Power of Christ, them to lead in the daily cross, which keeps them in a pure Life, and holy Conversation, and thy false Accusations doth not us pinch, neither do we any thing to evade, but witness the Truth, against thy false Accusations, and in patience do finish our Testimony in sufferings, and all with us that in the Light walk, are in the Ordinances of the Gospel Church and witness the everlasting Gospel, where all types, shadows and figures are done away, which thou so much cryes up; and the Lord will throw thee and all down, and a day of tribulation shall come upon thee, and thou shalt not escape, except thou repent.
And whereas thou revilest us for saying that the Spirit is the only rule of Faith and Life,
Ioh. 16.13. which thou sayst that promise was made directly to the twelve.
Reply, Who art thou that limits the holy One, the promise of his Spiri
[...] is to all who wait on him in the manifestation of his Spirit, according to the Testimony of Scripture, 1
Cor. 2.7, 8, 9. the manifestation of his Spirit is given to every one to profit withal; for to one is given by the Spirit the Word of Wisdom, to another the Word of Knowledge, by the same Spirit; to another Faith, by the same Spirit; to another the Gifts of Healing, by the same Spirit,
&c.
And for thy unsavory words which in reproach calls us proud Worms that vilifie and diminish from the Scripture,
&c.
Reply, Pride is thy own, we do not vilifie nor diminish
[Page 130] the Scriptues, we witness them a true Testimony of Christ the Life, and who in his Light walk know the Truth of the Scriptures, as it is in Jesus,
Eph. 4.201.
And whereas thou saist in confession to what was declared to thee, that
Abel, Enoch, and
Noah, had Faith before the Scriptures were written, to which thou quotes
Heb. 1.1. God who at sundry times, and in divers manners spake in times past unto the Fathers by the Prophets, hath in these last days spoken to us by his Son; and thou saist before there was any thing commited to writing, the Lord did more visibly reveal his Will by Voice, Visions, Angels,
&c. But since he hath committed his whole Will unto writing by the Prophets, and Apostles, these former manners are ceased; and thou saist, to look for the same discoveries still, by Voice, Vision or Inspiration, is madness we run into.
Reply, Thou vain Man, who dare to say, the Lord hath ceased making himself known to his People, by Voice, Vision or Inspiration; holy men of God did speak, and do speak, as Inspired by the Spirit of God, and moved by the Holy Ghost, 2
Pet. 1.21. And the Lord hath promised in the latter days,
I will pour out my Spirit upon all Flesh, Ioel 2.28, 29.
Acts 2.17, 18.
Ier. 31.33, 34.
Heb. 8.9, 10, 11.
Isa. 54.
[...]3.
All the Children of the Lord, who are led by his Spirit, doth witness these Scriptures fulfilled, and knoweth the Lord is faithful according to his promise, who will recompence into thy Bosom thy just reward, for speaking evil of his Truth▪ and whil'st thou deniest the manifestation of his Spirit, which the Lord manifests to his People, as is Recorded in the Scripture of
[Page 131] Truth, thy pride and confusion thou hast made manifest, and neither knowst
Moses Ministry nor the
Apostles, which thou in a busie mind speaks of, in thy dark understanding, which leads thee to fill thy Book with false Accusations, as in thy 10th Page where thou saist, we do not make any clear difference, between the outward Declaration, and the Word of Faith.
Reply, For the Simples sake, as we have declared the Truth, we do declare it, which is witnessed with all the Children of Light, the Word of Faith is in the Heart, and in the Mouth, and who are guided by it, their Hearts are kept pure; Faith purifies the Heart,
Acts 15.9. whether they have the outward Declaration yea, or nay; and they that have the outward Declaration, and though they read it, if they mind not the Word which is Life and Light, which gave forth the Scriptures, they do not live according to the Scripture; for they are without Faith, who are not guided by the Word; Faith comes not by a bare reading, the outward Declaration, Faith is the gift of God,
Eph. 2.8. given to his Children, who diligently hearken to his Word, which is Life, and the Life is the Light of Men.
And for thy charging us with contradictions, confused Nonsence, bitter Censures and Shuffles, and how notorious false it is, wherein we say, that not any do know the Scriptures by the outward Declaration.
Reply, To the Light of Christ in all Consciences we appeal, let the Righteous judge, a natural Man knows not the things that are of God, (though he read the outward Declaration) for they are spiritually discerned, 1.
Cor. 2 14. and none is found worthy to open the Seals of the Book, but the
Lyon of the Tribe of
Iuda, &c. Rev 5.3.5. and then thou deniest Gods speaking
[Page 132] to his People, by Voice, Vision or Inspiration, and saist, they run into madness that expect any such thing; here thou art found in the Contradictions, confused Nonsence, bitter Censures and Shuffles, and notorious▪ Falshoods, which thou hast fasly charged us withal, and it is turned upon thy own Head, and proved out of thy own Mouth, that while thou art making a shew in words, to maintain the Scripture Authority, thou deniest both the Dispensation of the Spirit of God, in Christ the Light, and the Scriptures which bare Testimony of him, as is manifest in the Reply to what thou hast writ in the Sixth and Eighth pages.
And whereas thou in the Eleventh Page callst us deceivers, and saith to those thou callst thy Friends, we have them abused by the deceit and cheats of our own Hearts,
&c.
Reply, Deceit and Cheats thou art proved to be in, and what thou endeavors to do in the deceit of thy Heart, against the Truth, thou wilt see thy hope fail thee, and not a Blessing, but a Curse upon thy endeavors; which to thy Face is proved, in what is before written, to be contrary to the Dispensation of the Spirit, and Scripture, for which the terror of the Lord shall take hold on thee, for thy uttering words without knowledg, and speaking evil of the things thou knowest not, as in the Twelth Page.
And whereas thou appeal'st to them thou callst thy Friends, how their Hearts have been heated and warmed by Power of the Word and Sacraments,
&c. Which is now in contempt and reproach, by those that seduce you: Which thou chargest upon us, and
[...]aist thou hast clearly discovered our Slanders, Shifts,
[Page 133] and Shuffles, and our reproaching the Ordinances, and Institutions of our Lord, as Heathenish, by comparing them to that great Image of that Heathen King,
Dan. 3.3. And how we deny the Scripture to be a perfect Rule of knowing God, believing in him, and living unto him; and reproach thee to be a lying Slanderer, for charging us with that which is an apparent Truth, as thou saist thou hast proved by our lying Papers; and that we have reproached thee falsly, and the Lies are returned upon our own Heads, whilst thou saist we witness our selves Perfect, and without Sin, and have entred the new
Ierusalem, into which none shall enter that make a Lie,
&c.
Reply, Them thou callst thy Friends, who are in the Light, with all the Children of the Light, do witness, that their Hearts were never warmed in Sacraments, no such words is found in Scripture; and thou that art pleading for the Authority of Scripture, is with the Light of Christ in all his Saints denied, and thy Sacraments, which is not found in Scripture; and in the Light thou art clearly seen, the Slanders, Shifts, and Shufflels are thy own, as is manifest in the Answer to the same Reproach, and Accusations, in the Second and Third Pages of thy Book; and what we witness is according to Scripture, which we own, and in many things thou hast writ, as before is manifest by thy own words, the Scripture thon deniest; so on whose Head the falshood remains, to the Children of Light is made manifest, and the day will further declare it, wherein Christ our King shall be exalted over all, in whom our perfection and cleansing from Sin is, and leads us into new
Ierusalem, into which nothing ente
[...]s that works Abomination, or makes a Lie, but who
[Page 134] enter therein are led by the Spirit of Christ, in whose Mouth is found no guile, he that hath an Ear to hear, let him h
[...]ar,
And whereas thou saist to some of them thou callst thy Friends, some of you have heard
William Deusbery say of himself, that he was as Perfect as that Christ that died at
Ierusalem; this is witnessed by one of Credit and Fidelity amongst your selves; I forbear his name: In
Deusbery's new Brith he thus witnesseth of himself.
Reply, Thy Spirit in the Light is seen, who hast published what thou hast received from a nameless Author, and thy Accusation is false, which thou hast published to the World, there were never any heard
William Deusbery say of himself, that he was as Perfect as that Christ that died at
Ierusalem, and that thou callst his new Birth will be a witness against thee; there is no such word exprest by him, as thou saist this nameless Author hath related of him. In the presence of God he (called
William Deusbery) doth witness that self is imperfect, and self Righteousness as a filthy Ragg, and a menstruous Cloath,
&c. Isa 64.6.
And he doth witness Christ Iesus the true Light, which lighteth every own that comes into the World, Iohn 1.9. which discovers the imperfection and filthiness of self, with all its righteousness; and his Perfection is in Christ, the Light, which he doth witness, the same Christ and no other, but he which suffered at
Ierusalem, who is the brightness of his Fathers glory,
&c. Heb. 1.3. 13.8. Which he thou falsly accusest, as before written, which all the Children of Light do witness, the Righteousness of God in Christ the Light, 2
Cor. 5.21. which for the Simples sake the Truth is witnessed
[Page 135] forth in the presence of God, which the Lord will clear, from the Lies and Slanders cast upon it, and he shall be known what he is, whom you call a proud polluted Worm, that dare exalt himself to a Perfection equal with God, which are thy own words, and what thou hast gathered up from others who falsly accuse as thou dost, which words was not spoken by him, thou callst a proud polluted Worm, who can bear thy Revilings, but for the Truths sake, that the Simple do not stumble, at the Way of Truth, doth witness against thy false Accusations, and Revilings, which thou hast filled thy Book withal.
As in the 14th and 15th Pages, Speaking to them thou callst Friends▪ whom thou saist is seduced, and thou declares that those whom thou chargest with seducing them, doth reach them to cease from all Religious Duties of commanded Worship, without scruple or check of Conscience, before they can enjoy God, or be taught immediatly what to do, first put out the true Light, and Power of Conscience, to do his Office, by despising the means of enlightning, and convincing it to act in the Soul, and then resolves to follow the immediate Commands of Conscience, without questioning the Author of those Laws at all.
Reply, Thy Accusation is false, we do not teach any to ceafe from all religious duties of commanded worship, neither put out the true Light, we teach all to be obdient to the commands of God, who saith, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased, hear him,
Mat. 17.5. And we bear Testimony of him that he is the true Light that lighteth every one that comes into the World,
Ioh. 1.9. and convinces the World of Sin, Righteousness and Judgment,
Ioh. 16.8. and
[Page 136] he alone commands in the Conscience for God, and is the Author of the prefect Law, handed in the hand of a Mediator, to whom we exhort all to be subject, and in whom all the Children of Light walk,
Col. 2.6.
And for thy expressing, a depth of deceit and delusion, which thou chargest upon us, which is found in thy self, who hath made Lyes thy refuge to slander the Innocent, which is further manifest in thy 16th Page.
Thou fayst we take no notice of Scripture authority, as if they were altogether out of date, which false Accusation is witnessed against in what is returned in answer to the preface of thy Book.
And in the 17th and 18th Pages thou chargest us with impudent fore-heads, to make a shew of one thing, and intend another, purposely minded to deceive, and yet they tell us often that as they write so they mean, and speak the Truth in plainness, most horrible hypocrisie and deceit, which nothing but a lying and a knavish Head, dare go about to excuse,
&c.
And all those unsavory words as before written, wherein thou sayest we have discovered to purpose the deceit of our answer, in saying the Revelations of Christ are according to Scripture, and where the new Covenant is witnest, the Law is written in the Heart, and the Witness and Testimony of Jesus within bearing witness with our Spirits, that we are Sons of God.
Reply, Doing any thing of purpose to deceive, through Hypocrisie or Knavish Heads, we deny, and in the presence of God we speak the Truth in pla
[...]ness, and do witness there is no deceit in saying, the Revelations
[Page 137] of Christ are according to Scripture, and all in the new Covenant do know, the Law of God written in their Hearts, and the Witness or Testimony of Jesus within, 1
Iohn 5.10. bearing witness with their Spirits, that they are the Children of God
Rom. 8.16. and this declared is neither deceitful nor knavish, which is the unsavory words thou chargest on us, let the Truth of God in all Consciences judge, to whom they belong, the Scriptures we are not against, they bear Testimony of Christ the Light, whom we witness the way to the Father,
Mat. 11 27.
None knows the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him; by the revelation of the Spirit of God, is the things of God known to his People, 1
Cor. 2.9, 10, 13.
Rom. 8.11, 16. according as is recorded we witness the Scriptures fulfilled in Christ the Light who is our Life,
Col. 3.3, 4.
And whereas thou queries, did ever any read of the Law and Testimony in the Heart, and that the Law and Testimony in the Heart, is the Law of the new Covenant?
Reply, Who hath read the Scripture in the fear of God, hath read what the Lord hath promised as declared,
Isa. 8.16. Bind up the Testimony, seal the Law, among my Disciples, and
Ier. 31.33.
This shall be the Covenant I will make with the House of Israel, in those days saith the Lord, I will put my Laws in their inward parts, and write it in their Hearts, Heb 8.10, 11, 12. and the Law written in the Heart we witness, and the Lord faithful in performing according to his Promise in the new Covenant.
And thou goest on in Page 19 and 20, calling us Impostors and Pervertors of the new Covenant, and to
[Page 138] be in Idle proud Fancies, and itching Humors of our own Brains in our Apostate Condition.
Reply, We in the Light can bear thy reproach, and have witnessed the Truth that it may stand a witness against thy revilings, and in the Lord we rest, who will make manifest, whether thou or we be the Pervertors of the new Covenant, and guilty of what thou chargest us with.
And whereas thou in the 22d Page says, that
William Deusbery tells us, that the mighty day of the Lord is appeared in the North of
England, and is rising towards the South, and shall over-spread this Nation, and all the Nations of the World,
&c. what the mans fancy and design is in bruiting and making such a noise of the appearance of the mighty day of the Lord, judge ye; I am sure he hath sufficiently discovered his own folly, in blazing abroad such Dreams of his own lying Heart,
&c.
Reply, In thy 2d Page thou hast enlarged thy self concerning that Book, calling it a lying Paper,
&c. and the Truth is witnessed in answer to thy charge, and this in answer to what is here written, Fancies, Bruitishness, Folly Dreams, and Lyes,
William Deusbery denies, the Truth he hath declared, as the Lord hath him moved, in Faithfulness to the Souls of all People, that they be not found the sloathful Servants, putting the Day of the Lord afar off, in this his Day wherein the Hour of his righteous Judgment is come, (
Rev. 14.7.) to all that wait on him, the Truth is declared, that all men may prepare in the Light the Lord to meet, and no longer in sloathfulness remain, least he come upon them as a Thief in the Night▪ and if the Day
[Page 139] of the Lord do not arise over all the World, and the Kingdoms of the World became the Kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ, and the Lord perform not as is declared, then say the Lord hath not spoken by me who is known to the World by name
William Deusbery.
And in the 22d Page thou sayst, we have set our selves in the Throne of Christ judging the whole World.
Reply, Thy Accusation is false, self we deny, to Christ we are subject, who sits on his Throne, and is come and coming in his Saints to judge the World,
Iude 14, 15. 1
Cor. 6.2. and 2.5.
And in the 23th page thou sayst, why do not we command the Dead to rise, and appear before us? and many other unsavory words are there exprest.
Reply, A wicked and Adulterous Generation shall seek after a sign, and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of the Prophet Jonah,
Mat. 16.4.
And whereas thou chargest
Howgill and
Burrough (as thou callst them) with pernitious Blasphemous Opinions.
Reply, Thy Accusation is false, they are faithful Men, serving their Generation in the Light, Ministers of Christ, in whom is witnessed the God-head dwelling Bodily,
Col. 2.9. and in him we are one in God, they that joyn to the Lord are one Spirit, 1
Cor. 6.17. he that can receive it let him.
And whereas thou in the 29th Page saist, that the Revelations of Christ, that are according to Scripture, are either Texts of Scripture, expressed, or rational Deductions, Consequences and Conclusions, that naturally flow from particular passages of Scriptures,
[Page 140] and not any other Revelations can be pleaded for a Rule.
Reply, Thy dark mind is shut out from knowing the Revelations of Christ, and though thou sayst that answer that was returned to these words was not to purpose▪ it stands a witness against thee, and will be found to purpose in the Light, when thy reward thou shalt have, for all thy unsavory words exprest in thy Book.
And in the 33th Page, where thou falsely accuses us, that we will allow of no Laws of God nor Scripture, but the Revelations and Edicts of our own bewitched Hearts,
&c. And when thou hast reviled us with false Accusation, as before written, thou beseechest those thou callst▪ thy dear Friends to be serious in their Thoughts of what thou hast written, in discovering our deceits and blasphemies, denying the Rule that all things are to be tryed by, and make themselves the absolute rule, and we must not question what they say, though it be never so insolent, and to be abhorred of all sober Christians,
&c.
Reply, Thou hast brazened thy Face, to slander the Truth of God, with Lies and Blasphemies, which is the Foundation of all Heresie, and there thou art found, and thy Accusation is false; Christ the Rule that all things is to be tryed by, we own, and deny our selves, and to the Light of Christ in all Consciences we appeal, whether thou or we deny the Rule, thou that saist the Revelations of Christ are either Texts of Scripture expressed, or rational Deductions, Consequences,
&c. as before written, or we who witness Christ the true Light, revealed by the F
[...]ther
[...]
knows the Father but the Son, and he to whom▪ the Son
[Page 141] will reveal him, Mat. 1
[...].27.
Luke 10▪ 22. Let all that are in Christ with sobriety in the Light judge.
And for the rest of thy Slanders in the 37
[...] and 38th Pages, where thou saist, these miserable Worms un-Covenant themselves, and un-Christ themselves, as if they cared not for Grace and Mercy, in standing before God, denying the Scripture,
&c. And in the 40th Page thou saist, of those in scorn called
Quakers, thou can safely say they deny the benefit that comes to the Church by Christ's suffering in that Flesh, that he received from the Virgin
Mary; or else deny it to b
[...] a real Body of Flesh, and so make it but a Type, and a Figure of Christ in the Saint, who are his true real Body, which he now suffers in, and by his suffering makes satisfaction for them, making the Death of the Cross of none effect.
Reply, The miserable Worms that un-Covenant themselves, and un-Christ themselves, who denies Christ the Light, thou art found to be one, who in thy dark mind art working Abomination, and making Lies, which thou hast published to the World in thy Books, and thy place thou maist read,
[...]s is Recorded,
Rev. 21.27. And the rest of thy Accusations, Recorded in the 40th Page, we witness against, and for the Simple sake, declare as followeth, that benefit came to the Church by Christ's suffering, in that Body God gave, which was born of the Virgin
Mary; and with one Offering hath Christ perfected for ever, them that are Sanctified,
Heb. 10.14. And these are his Saints in whom he is now revealed, who are his Body,
Eph. 1.23. which now suffered by thee, and all that are of the Murdering Generation, who bore false witness against Christ, when he was in that Body which they Crucified
[Page 142] at
Ierusalem, and thou hast manifest thy self to be of the same Murdering Generation, who hath publish
[...] to the World thy false witness against the Innocent, to perfect thy evil intent, towards the Body of Christ, if the Lord prevent thee not; but thou shalt know the Lord faithful, that thou and all that forms your Tongues against him, shall fall in judgement,
Isa. 54.17.
And what is charged upon thee in Answer to thy Reply, to the Answer to the third Question, that thou sets at nought the Corner Stone, and prefers the Testimony of him before him, limitting the eternal Son of God, as thou hast in what is Printed in the 55. Page, where thou speakst of the Scripture, that they are designed of God, to be the only Instrument and Vessel of his Spirit, to convey the knowledge of Christ, as Redeemer to lost Man, and without them Christ is not known at all, to any saving ends.
Reply, Who art thou that dare thus utter Words vvithout knovvledge, Christ is known where the Father reveals him, to be the Souls Life, vvhether they have the Scripture yea, or nay, according to the Will of God, he makes known his mind to his People, who wait upon him in his fear, and the secrets of the Lord are with those that fear him,
Psal. 25.14. And the Spirit of the Lord is witness with our spirits, that we are the Children of God: O Man repent, least the Lord cut thee off, and thou perish in thy gain-sayings.
And further thou hast written in Reply, to what was returned in Answer to the Question before mentioned, the most of thy false Accusations are answered, in what was returned to the former part of the Book, and all
[Page 143] thy false Accusations and Reproaches denyed with the Light, and for the Simples sake, there is returned in Answer to thy Questions which thou hast propounded.
1.
Qu. Where read we of a perfect Law of God, in the Heart; and where is it made the Rule and Ground of the Saints Obedience?
Ans. the Law of God is perfect,
Psal. 19.7. and is the Rule to which the Saints are to walk in obedience to, and to be guided by,
Psal. 119.12. and the Law to be in the Heart is proved,
Psal. 40.8.
I delight to do thy will O God; yea, thy Law is within my Heart.
2.
Qu. Whether the Law in the Heart be under another Covenant, distinct from the perfect Law of God declared in Scripture?
3.
Qu. What vve are to understand by the Lavv of God in the Heart, vvhich is the same vvith Scripture, vvhether the 10th Commandements vvritten in Tables of Stone only, or all those positive Precepts of Gospel-Worship and Obedience conjoyned vvith them also?
Ans. To thy 2d and 3d Questions; in the old Covenant, the Lavv vvas vvritten in Tables of Stone, vvhich Lavv having a shadovv of good things to come, and not the very Image of the things, can never vvith those Sacrifices vvhich they offered Year by Year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect,
Heb. 10.1. And vvhen he came, vvho saith, Lo I come to
[...]o thy vvill▪ O God, he taketh avvay the first that
[...]e may establish the second, ver. 9. by vvhich vvill vve are sanctified thorow the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all, ver. 10. and by one Offering he hath
[Page 144] perfected forever them, that are sanctified, whereof the holy Ghost is a Witness to us, as he said before,
This is the Covenant that I will make with them, saith the Lord, I will put my Laws in their Hearts, and in their Minds will I write them, ver. 14, 15, 16.
Ier. 31.33.
4.
Qu. Whether the Law in the Heart, without the use of Scriptures, make any Evangelical discoveries of the Person, Natures, and Offices of Christ, as he is Redeemer of lost Man?
Ans. Thy feigned Words we wave, the Truth we witness, the Law in the Heart witnessed in the New Covenant, Christ is known to be King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, 1
Tim. 6.15. And the faithful High Priest,
Heb. 2.17. & 3.1. & 4.15. & 5.6. & 7.26. & 10.21. who hath made us Kings and Priests to God and his Father,
&c. Rev. 1.6.
5.
Qu. Whether all shall be saved, that have the Law of God written in their Hearts, by virtue of the New Covenant, or any be saved that live to Years of discretion, that know not Christ, as the Scriptures testifie of him, in order to his coming to the World to save sinners?
Ans. All are saved, who are guided by the righteous Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ, which sets them free from the Law of Sin and Death,
Rom. 8.2. And what Years soever any live unto, they have no discretion to know Christ, as the Scriptures testifie of him, but they who in his Light wait upon him, to be guided by him; for who hath not the Spirit of Christ, is none of his,
Rom. 8.9.
And for the rest of thy Aspersions, and Revilings thou hast writ, calling us Deceivers, that fear the
[Page 145] Authority of man, or else we would deny Christ, himself.
Reply, Christ we do not deny, but him we own, who respects no Mans Person,
Rom. 2.11. and in him no fear of Man is, and we in him Reign over thee▪ and all the authority of the power of Darkness, that stands in opposition to Christ, the Son of God, to whom every Knee must bow,
Phil. 2.10. the day shall declare it.
And in what thou hast replied, to the Answer to the fourth Question, which thou chargest to be untrue, to say,
That Man in the fall, as he stands in the state of corrupt nature, hath not therein any Light without Christ, to do any thing acceptable to God, &c. Which thou goest about to prove the contrary, and saist there is the Light and use of reason and understanding faculties, though corrupted.
And further thou says, This Light of corrupt reason, as before exprest, presents to the conscience good and evil,
&c.
Reply, In the Light thou art seen to be in the corrupt Fountain, from whence all these corrupt words hath come, which thou hast Printed in thy Book, and thy words are not true. Corrupt reason of Man doth not present to the Conscience things good and evil; a corrupt Tree cannot bring forth good Fruit,
Mat. 7.18. There is nothing makes manifest Darkness but Light,
Ephes. 5.15. which all men in the Fall is gone from, out of the way, and there is none that doth good, no not one,
Rom. 3.9, 10, 11.
&c. And the natural Man receives not the things that are of God, nor can he know them, because they are Spiritually discerned, 1.
Cor. 12.14. And all the Righteousness of Man in
[Page 146] this state, is as a filthy Rag, and a menstruous Cloath,
Isa. 64.6. And this is the state of Man in corrupt Nature: And the Light that convinces Man of this dark and corrupt Estate he is in▪ is the Light of Christ that convinces the World of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment,
Iohn 16.8. So we that were sometimes Darkness, are now Light in the Lord,
Ephes. 5.8. And who walk in the Light, there is no occasion of stumbling.
[...]
Iohn▪ 2.10.
And whereas thou saist, Thou knowst we Lie, as thou hast made it manifest.
Reply, It is not so, thou hast not yet made manifest and Lie that we have spoken, by any truth thou hast declared.
And thou goest on, as in thy 89th Page, thou saist, The rational Soul of Man corrupted, is called the Candle of the Lord, which we invent to be Christ, which is false, we deny that the corrupt Soul of Man is the Candle of the Lord, or Christ.
And further, thou saist, It was thy intended work to go thorow all the Answers to the ten Questions, but for want of thy Paper, which thou saist we detained from thee, contrary to our Promise.
In which thou saist not true, for the promise was to thee, thou should have a Copy of thy Paper, which thou sent to us, when it was ready for thee, which was not then written, neither was any time set down of thy having it, and as way was made, a Copy, according to our promise, came to thy Hands.
And in the close of thy Book, thou goest on a
[...] thou begun, saying, we deny Scripture, as to the
[...] were intended, and reproach the Ordinances of the Lord Jesus, which the Scriptures Teach, under the
[...]
[Page 147] of Heathe
[...]ish Worships,
&c. which is
[...] to▪ in the Truth declared; a witness to stand against all the Reproaches, that thou hast cast upon the Truth of the living God, and the God thou art pleading for, cannot crown thee with honour, in the day wherein the living God will exalt his Son, and clear the Innocency of his People, then shall the God whose worship thou art defending, be confounded, and Confusion and Shame shall stop thy Mouth; and if this come not to pass as declared, then say the Lord hath not spoken by me.
And in that thou call'st thy Postscript, in the end of thy Book, the things therein thou falsely accusest us with, and calls them the Rocks which we are to manifest how we shall escape, which is clearly made manifest, in what is written in answer to thy Book: Only this, where thou saist, we make no difference between the visible professing Church, and the Pagan World, all may be saved alike, if they will,
&c.
Reply, They that make a visible Profession of Christ, and deny to walk in the Light of his Spirit, are of the World that lies in Wickedness, 1
Iohn 5.19.
Mat. 7.21. as well as them thou call'st the Pagan World; and not any can be saved by what they do in their own wills, all that is done in that nature is abomination to God as is plain in to Answer what thou hast writ in Pag. 70.
It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that shews mercy, Rom. 9.16. which he makes manifest in the riches of his Grace, in Christ the Light, who leads all that obey him, in the strait way of self-denial, and the daily Cross, in obedience to the Will of God, which is our sanctification:
And he that sanctifieth, and they that are sanctified are one, Heb. 2.4
[Page 148] 1 Thes. 4.31. He that can receive it let him.
For the Truths sake, that the Simple be not turned out of the way by the false Accusations, Reproaches, and Aspertions thou hast cast upon it, what is before written in Answer to thee, the Truth doth clear; and the Answer to thy ten Questions, which thou chargest to be deceitful, that they may witness for themselves, against what thou hast cast upon them, that all that desire to know the Truth, may them read. The Questions and Answers are as followeth.
1. Qu.
Whether the writings of the Scriptures, are a Declaration of the holy Will and Mind of God, that necessarily oblige the Servants of God, that profess him, to believe and observe whatever is revealed therein, to be believed and done; and whether the Scripture alone be a perfect Rule of Faith and Life unto all of years amongst us, yea or nay?
Ans. The Scriptures is a true Declaration of the things believed amongst the Saints, and a true Testimony of Jesus Christ but not any do them know, neither can believe what is written therein, only by the outward Declaration and Testimony of Scripture, but by the Word of Fai
[...]h, which is in the Heart, and in the Mouth, which is the Word of Faith which we Preach,
Rom. 10.7, 8.
2. Qu.
Whether any other Revelations and Observations, not to be found in the Scripture, be binding to the Consciences of those Persons that have the benefit of the Scripture, or whether such Revelation or Dictates within a Mans Heart and Soul, be as binding to the Conscience, and to be urged to a Mans self, or others, as the Scriptures are?
Ans. The Revelations of Jesus Christ, is according
[Page 149] to Scripture, which Revelation binds up the Testimony, and Seals the Law in the Hearts of his Disciples; and what Dictates is in the Conscience or Heart of Man, contrary to the Law and Testimony, is not to be regarded, but disowned and judged with the Light which comes from Christ, the Saints Life, who guides them in a pure Life, and holy Conversation, according to Scripture,
Isa. 8.20.
3. Qu.
Whether any thing besides the Scripture, is constituted of the blessed God, to reveal Christ as Redeemer and Saviour, to the Spirit of miserable lost Man, to bring Man, unto happiness; or whether corrupt Man without the knowledge of Scripture, may ordinarily attain unto Salvation, yea or nay?
Ans. No Man can come to the Son any other way, but whom the Father draweth by the power of his unlimited Spirit; and never any shall know the Father, but he to whom the Son reveals him; and he that thinks to attain the way to eternal Life by reading the Letter of the Scripture, and regards not the Light that comes from Christ, that witnesseth for God in the secret of the Heart and Conscience, he deceives himself, for the mystery of eternal Life is Sealed up in the sealed Book, from all the Sons and Daughters of Men; and none shall ever know it by the outward Testimony of Scripture, but by the Inspiration of the Spiri
[...] of Jesus Christ, the Lyon of the Tribe of
Iudah, who is found worthy to open the Seals of the Book,
And is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, to all that in his Light wait; his Power them to guide, in faithful obedience to the righteous and perfect Law of God, written in the Heart, for the exercise of the Conscience▪ which keeps them void of offence towards
[Page 150] God, and towards Men, according to Testimony of Scripture,
Acts
[...]4.1
[...]. & 23.1.
4.
[...] Light of Conscie
[...] which is
[...] Fall, be the remains
[...] Beliques les
[...] of the first Adam,
in reference to the Covenant of works; or whether her common to all, from the Redemption of the second Adam,
as flowing from the Covenant of Grace, or how else? I desire you would clearly express your thoughts in this.
Ans. Man in the fallen estate hath not any Light, as the remains of the first
Adam, in him, to guide him to do any thing well-pleasing to God, as he stand in the state of corrupt Nature; for all his Righteousness is as
[...]ilthy Rags, and as a menstruous Cloth, the Light that convinceth Man and Woman of the evil of their Hearts, and discovers the filthiness of all their own Righteousness, is the Light that comes from Christ, the true Light that lighteth every Man that comes into the World,
Iohn 1.9. And this Light is not common to Man by nature, it is the great gift of God, his Grace that hath appeared, and teacheth all, that are guided by it, to deny all Ungodliness, and worldly Lusts, and to live Godlily and Soberly in this present evil World; and all that walk contrary to the Light, this is their Condemnation, the Light,
Iohn 3.19.
5. Qu.
Whether the end of God in giving and continuing this
[...]ind of Light to all Men in the World, was not to be
[...] and c
[...]rb to the exorbitant lusts of so corrupt
[...] as Man, and so made subserviant to God in the Government of the World, in order to the peace and continuance of the same, and to leave all without excuse. Or what beside this the end of God was, that this kind of
[Page 151] Light should be minded and improued according to the power of Man by what he is from Creation
[...] or Redemption, in order to eternal happiness▪ and the
[...] this Light in all Men, shall be the only condemnation of the World. Or whether this Light be the Gospel, or Christ, or his Spirit, or whether it be a Light either equal with, or inferiour to, or of a different kind with the Scriptures?
Ans. The Light which comes from Christ is given of God, to guide the Creature out of its own strength and power, to Christ the mighty Power, and Wisdom of God, the Creature to guide with Moderation, in the use of all Creatures, and to order and govern the Creation to the Praise and Glory of God: And this Light is of the pure Nature of God, and leads to Christ the Everlasting Gospel. And this is the condemnation of the World that hate the Light which comes from Christ, because they believe not in him,
Iohn 1.8.
6. Qu.
Whether the Light of Conscience, the Light of Scripture, the Light of Providence, the Light of Grace, ought no
[...] to be prest upon all, to reform them, and draw them up to a higher pitch of Christian Obedience, according to the written Word of the Lord?
Ans. Thou by all who are in the Light is seen to be in thy Wisdom, querying after many Lights, but
[...] is formerly written, in answer to thy 4th.
Question, there is but one true Light, Christ, who lighteth every one that comes into the World▪ and all his Ministers turns the Minds of People fro
[...] Darkness to Christ the true Light, in it to wa
[...]t on him for his Power to destroy the Power of Satan, and to lead in the strait narrow way of self-denyal and the daily Cross, which is the
[Page 152] way into the Kingdom of God,
who ever will be my Disciple, (saith Christ)
be must deny himself, and take up his Cross daily, and follow me, Luke 19.23.
7. Qu.
Whether a Sinner condemned by the Law, is made just before God, unto Eternal Life, by an inherent Power within, or work of Sanctification; or whether by the Satisfaction, and Suffering of Christ in Mans nature, and behalf, rested on by Faith?
Ans. The Creature whose Conscience is awakened by the Light, the Righteous Law of God in the Heart, which shews it its sinful state, and stands condemned before the Throne of God for disobeying the Light, shall never be justified by any self-Righteousness, for it is uncleanness in the Sight of God, for justification is through Faith in the Lord Jesus, but this Faith, which layes hold on Christ for justification, is not attained by any Power the Creature hath of its self, neither can any know it, who receive honor one of another,
Iohn 5.44.
How can ye believe who receive honor one of another, and seek not the Honor that comes from God only; Faith is the Gift of God, given to the Children of Light, who wait in the Light on the Lord, in the way of his Judgments,
Isa. 26.8. till judgment be brought forth into Victory, that the Creature be brought into true Poverty of Spirit, forever to perish, without free Redemption in the Lord Jesus, which the Father in his appointed time reveales the Son to the Soul, that stands condemned befo
[...]e him, and by the Arm of his mighty Power, creates it to a lively Hope, and he that hath this Hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure; so whom he justifieth he sanctifieth, and he that saith he is justified, and liveth in Sin, deceiveth himself; for Faith purifieth the Heart, and purgeth the Conscience
[Page 153] from dead Works to
[...] witnessed in the
[...] of Scripture.
Heb. 9.14.
8. Qu.
Wh
[...]ther the Person or Essence of Christ
[...] or his Spirit dwell
[...] in any upon Earth, or whether by his Gifts and Graces only; or whether all those that have Christ in them▪ must forsake all outward teaching of Men; and
[...] the Scripture be but a dead Letter, and of no use, otherwise then Christ within doth witness unto them?
Answ. He that knows not Christ to be in him is a Reprobate, for he that hath not the Spirit of Christ is
[...] of his, and he that is guided by the Spirit of Christ, needs not any teaching of Man▪
(for you shall not need to teach one another, for all my Children shall be taught of me, saith the Lord God) and the Scripture is but a killing letter, but of use in its place; a Testimony of Christ, but not any knows Christ by it, for Christ is known by the Light of his Spirit, which gave forth the Scriptures, and all that are guided by his Spirit knows the Scripture in the Truth as it is in Jesus
Ephes. 4.21.
9. Qu.
Whether the conversion that was wrought upon, the Souls of many, under the ordinary outward Ministry of the Word, in our publick Assemblies, turning Men from Darkness to Light, from prophaness to true Godliness be true unto Salvation; and whether those t
[...]at have been thus converted were in the state of Salvation before they joyned themselves unto your Society; or whether can none be converted, and saved, that never came under, nor gave their assent to the dispensation of your way; and how you will justifie yours to be in the true and good old way, that
[Page 154] all have and shall be s
[...]v
[...]d in? you may do well to make it out by some evident dem
[...]nstration▪
Answ. Who can witness a true conversion by the Power of the Spirit of God, in turning their minds from Darkness to Light, that comes from Christ, and in his Light wait to receive the sentence of Death in themselves, to destroy all self-confidence in any thing below Christ, and in the state of Death to wait till that they hear the voice of the Son of God, and by his Power were raised up to a living hope in Christ to walk; who throw his Blood do witness their Garment
[...] w
[...]shed and made white, to reign Kings and Priests upon the Earth for ever, to Worship the Father in Spirit and Truth; and who ever can witness this conversion, whether it were beg
[...]n when they frequented your Publick Assemblies, or absented from them, this conversion we own, who it can witness, and of our way they are, and will to us come, and all shall know the Truth we witness is the good old way that all Souls that came to God walked in Christ the Way the Truth and the Life, the ancient of days, which was before time, but manifest in time in all the Children of Light, who doth them lead in the narrow way of self-denial, and the daily Cross, with him to enter thorow the strait Gate, into the holy City, new
Ierusalem, where the soul hath union with the Father of Light, and beholds his Face, and his Name is written in their Foreheads, and there is no Night there, neither need of
Candle, nor light of the Sun, for the Lord God giveth them Light, and they shall reign forever and ever, Rev. 22.5.
10. Qu.
Whether any of your Way attain unto Perfection
[Page 155] in this Life, that they can truly say, that they do all that God commands, without failing, either in matter or manner of obedience, no not in thought, word and deed; and whether the Persons of any stand just before God, that are not thus perfect?
Answ. All that are in the Way we are in, which is Christ the Way to the Father, in whom all in their measure are pressing on to the fulness of stature in Christ the perfect Man, and who in him is grown to the fulness of stature, in his Power doth stand, which doth them guide, that in their Mouths is found no guile, for they are without fault before the Throne of God,
Rev. 14.5.
THE MIGHTY DAY OF the LORD, is Coming.
In which Christ is exalting King upon the holy Hill of
Sion, over all the World to Raign, who in this Day of the Lord knocks at the door of the Heart of Jew and Gentile, Kindreds, Tongues, People and Nations, who desire to know the only true God, and Christ Jesus whom he hath sent to be the Light of the World, and Salvation to the ends of the Earth, to all that obey him; but a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offence to all that reject his Counsel, whom he will take in their own Crafts, and overturn in their own Devices, to the shame and confusion of their Faces; but they that believe in him, shall never be ashamed.
The Word of the Lord to all the faithful scattered in the World, that in the Counsel of the Lord stands, to strengthen the desires raised towards his Name, them to give Victory over the World.
A Warning to all that dwell upon the Earth, and to the Kings, Princes, and Rulers in the World, to submit to Christ the Light of the World, least they perish in the day of his fierce wrath, when the Hearts of all that disobey him, do fall before him.
From the common Goal in
Northampton,
the 7th day of the 11th Month 1655. Given forth by him the World knows by name,
William Deusbery at the writing of this, Prisoner for the Word of God, and Testimony of Jesus Christ.
WHose Natural Birth and Generation were in the Northren Islands, whom the Lord God of Heaven and Earth hath placed, where he hath suffered you to be scattered into
Barbadoes, Virginia, New-England, and other Islands there-aways, and Countries elsewhere; and to every Kindred, Tongues, People and Nations, in whom there is Desires raised to know, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent to be the Light of the World, to guide the Feet of those that have sat in Darkness, in the Light and Ways of Righteousness and Peace.
TO you the mighty Day of the Lord is coming, and in his Power is appearing amongst you, in raising Desires in some of you towards his Name; which Desires cannot be satisfied with any outward Observations and Traditions of your Fathers; but above them doth your minds raise, in true Hunger and Thirst towards the living God, for refreshment from his Presence: Prize the Love of God to you, in whom he hath raised Desires towards him; and look not forth at any that teaches you to hearken to the Teachings of Men without, who draws you to seek Christ and God without, and to come to the knowledge of the Kingdom of God in outward Observations, with which the the Kingdom of God comes not, the Kingdom of God is within; and as the Lightning is from the East to the West, so is the coming of the Son of Man in his Day, whose appearance is within.
[Page 158]But you People, in the Day of Darkness and Ignorance, that have been over the whole Earth, have been deceived in looking forth at Teachings of Men without, and for the Kingdom of God to come in outward Observations, that Men have set up in their vain Thoughts, wicked and carnal Imaginations of the Saints conditions, which is Recorded in the Scriptures of Truth; but they not regarding the motions of the Spirit of God within, which taught and guided the Saints; they are Strangers to the Saints Life, though they speak great swelling words of the Knowledg of God, and with them deceive the Simple, with the enticing words of Man's Wisdom, and boasting in other Mens Lines made ready to their Hands; but they themselves are as natural bruit Beasts, living without the fear of God, in Pride, Covetousness, Dissimulation, and Hypocrisie, full of self-Love making their Bellies their God, delighting their Hearts in the Creature enjoyments, and visible Objects, and are men-Pleasers, having their Person in Admiration, and them respecting for Advantage. And these Men who are ignorant of the only true God, you have followed, to Teach you to know God, who hath drawn you to worship an unknown God, in the ignorance of your minds, so have they destroyed the Souls of many, and you People perish for want of Knowledge,
Hoseah, 4.6. in being caused to err with the Lies and Lightness of these false Prophets, which the Lord is against, who run when the Lord never sent them, as the false Prophets did, when the Lord sent his true Prophet,
Ieremiah, to cry against them,
Ier. 23.32. All People who desire to know the living God, let the time past be sufficient, you have followed
[Page 159] Men, who have deceived you; and cease from them, and turn to the true Prophet, whom
Moses the Servant of the Lord, declared, the Lord God would raise up
Deut. 18.15. his elect and chosen Servant, to raise up the Tribes of
Iacob, and to restore the preserved of
Israel, whom he hath also given for a Light to the Gentiles, and to be his Salvation to the ends of the Earth, whom
Isaiah the Prophet declared the Lord would raise up to open the Fountain of Life and Salvation to all that thirst,
Isa. 55.1, 2, 3. and now witnessed with all that hearken to his Counsel, who calls,
He every one that thirsteth, come ye to the Waters; and
[...] that hath no Money, come ye, buy, and eat; yea, buy Wine and Milk without Money, and without Price. Wherefore do you lay out your Money for that which is not Bread, and your Labour for that which satisfies not? Hearken diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and let your Soul delight it self in fatness. Incline your Ear, and
[...]me unto me, hear, and your Souls shall live, and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. All People, no longer look forth, the glad tidings of the Gospel of eternal Salvation is heard within, in this day of the Lords Mercy wherein he is
[...]ching his People himself, as was declared by the
[...]rophet,
Isa 54.13. and now witnessed with all the Children of Light, whose Minds are turned within to wait on the Lord for Teaching, to establish them in the Covenant of Life and Peace, who is performing his Promise to all that wait on him▪ which he declared by his Servant the Prophet,
Ier. 31▪ 33, 34.
This shall be the Covenant I will make with the House of Israel,
After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my Law in their Hearts, and write it in their inward Parts,
[Page 160] and will be to them a God, and they shall
[...] ad
[...] they shall no more teach every M
[...]n his
[...] and every Man his Brother, sa
[...]ing,
[...]ow the Lord▪ for they shall all know me from the least of them, to the greatest of
[...], saith the Lord; for I will be mercifull to their
[...]ighteousness, and their Sin, and their Iniquity will I
[...]ember no more.
Therefore every one that desires to know the onely true God, and Christ Jesus whom he hath sent. Turn your minds within, and examine your Hearts, search and try your ways with the Light Christ Jesus hath enlighted you withal, that shews you in your Hearts what is Sin; that Pride and Covetousness is Sin; Lying, Swearing, is Sin; Dissimulation, Cheating, Co
[...]sning, is Sin; vain idle communications, foolish Jesting, and Unbelief, is Sin; and these things you know in your Consciences to be Sin, by the righteous Law of God in the Heart, that reproves you for them in the secret of the Heart and Conscience, there is your Teacher, the Spirit of the Lord within, which in this Mighty Day of his Power, he is pouring his Spirit upon all Flesh, according to his promise, declared by the Prophet,
Ioel. 2.28, 29. and now witnessed with his Sons and Daughters, who walk in the Light, led and guided by his Spirit within, which keeps the Conscience void of offence towards God, and towards Men. Every one diligently hearken to the Counsel of the Lord, the Light that witnesses for God in the Conscience, give up to be guided by it; th
[...]n you need no more to be taught of Man, neither shall your Teacher be removed any more into a Corner, but thine Eye shall see thy Teacher, and thine Ear shall hear a Voice behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk in it,
[Page 161] when thou turns to the right Hand or to the left, as was declared by
Isaiah the Prophet,
Isa. 30.20. which is now witnessed, and that is the living Word of God within, that hath raised desires in you towards God; every one in whom desires is raised, wait in the Light and Power within, that hath raised the desires, and the Lord will them strengthen, and give you Power to wait on him in the way of his Judgments, till the carnal, earthly, sensual Mind, which hath led you to delight in lusts and pleasures, and created enjoyments below God, be cut down, and slain with the Word of God within, which is as sharp as a two-edged Sword to slay down the first man, which is of the Earth earthly; then will you come to witness to be the slain of the Lord, and the sentence of Death upon the first Man who hath led you from God, with all the Wisdom, Strength and Righteousness you have had in him, and in the Power of the Spirit, you will be brought to the true sence of the poverty of your Spirits, to hunger and thirst after the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus the Light, him to prize, and love, and self-judge, and deny with his Light, and in his Light wait to dwell in his Power, you to guide in every word and work in the Light, where your union and fellowship will be with the Father of Light, who will you keep (that faithful in him abide and dwel) in his mighty Power and Wisdom, as he ye move to witness his mind in his pure Power, to the confounding of the mighty, wise, and prudent Men, who is exalted in the Wisdom of the World, and counsel of their own Hearts, not regarding to be guided by the Counsel of God in Christ the Light.
To you tender Babes and Children of the most High,
[Page 162] this is the Word of the Lord God, in whom desires is raised towards his Name; his Counsel, mind in you, and stand Faithful in it, according to his Word declared to you, and consult not with Flesh and Blood; but in the Light and Life lift up your Heads, and freely give up Soul and Body to the Lord God of Heaven and Earth, that he the Kingdom of Jesus Christ may exalt in you, to guide you in perfect Obedience to his righteous Law written in the Heart for the exercise of the Conscience towards God and Men; and fear not Man, whose breath is in his nostrils, who stands up to oppose the Lord in this mighty Day of his Power, wherein he is exalting Christ Jesus the Light to be King for ever in his Light; be faithful to the Lord, and though you be haled before Rulers, Governours and Kings for a Testimony against them, take no thought what you shall say, but keep within, staid in the Counsel of God, it will be given you in the self-same hour, my Heavenly Father will in you speak, and his Enemies confound before his mighty Power in you, and the Hearts of the great and mighty Men of the Earth shall fail, and paleness shall gather into their Faces, the dread of the holy God will be with you, who faithfully give up to be guided by his Counsel in the Power of his Spirit: one shall chase a Thousand, and five put ten thousand to Flight: the decree is gone forth, Christ shall be King over all the Nations of the World, and all the Powers of the World, that him withstand, he will break them with his iron rod, and dash them in pieces like a potters Vessel, so shall they become as dust before his breath, the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it, who is giving the Kingdoms of the World to his Son, and to you that wait for his apperance, the living
[Page 163]
[...]ound is come, that doth witness that not any weapon formed against him shall prosper, in this day of his appearance in the Hearts of his Saints.
In the presence of the Lord, I you Warn and Charge, stand fast in the Counsel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Light in the Conscience, and according to the measure you have received, be faithful in walking with God in perfect obedience to his Will; freely giving up your Bodies to finish your Testimony in sufferings, if the Lord call you; for it is not given only to believe in him, but to suffer with him, and they that suffer with him, shall Raign with him, and the Son of Man is perfect in sufferings; and you that are faithful to the Lord, he will lay no more upon you, then he gives you strength to bear; with the Angel of his presence he will you guard, and campass you about with Salvation for Walls and Bulwarks, and you shall know this is to you the Word of the Lord God;
The Day will declare it.
ALL People who dwell upon the Earth, from the highest to the lowest, fear the most high and living God, who hath Created Heaven and Earth, and the Fountains of Waters; & all return to his Counsel, the Light of Christ that witnesseth for God in the Conscience, against Sin in its appearance in the secret of the Heart, and diligently encline your Ear to the Counsel of Christ the Light, that he may guide you by his Spirit, least through your disobedience you perish before him, in this mighty Day of the Lords Power, in which he is coming with Fire and Sword to plead with all Flesh; and not any that transgresseth his righteous Law in the Conscience shall escape his righteous Judgment in this his Day. He is bringing down the loftiness
[Page 164] of Man, and the haughtiness of his Spirit laying low, and exalting his Son Christ Jesus to be King, over all to Rule,
The Heathen he will give him for his Inheritance, and the uttermost Parts of the Earth for his Possession, and the Kingdom he will establish to his Son, whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and of his Dominion there shall be no end. Come down ye Kings, Princes and Rulers in the World, who in the Throne sit in Pride, exalted to rule in your Wills contrary to the pure perfect Law of God, the Light of Christ in your Consciences, to which you must come and own your Condemnation for your Pride and Disobedience, and to his Counsel, the Light in your Consciences, return in subjection to Christ the Son of God, and at his Feet your Crowns lay down, and Honours in the Dust before him, and wait on him in his Counsel, the Light, that he may guide you by his Spirit, in the fear of God, to walk humbly before him in your Places, to Rule for God, to break the Bonds of iniquity, and let the Oppressed go free, that the glory of the most high God, alone you seek, and not great things for your selves, as you have done, and in this day of darkness, while you have lived without the fear of God, not regarding to be guided by his pure perfect Law, the Light of Christ in the Conscience; let the time past be sufficient, you have lived to your selves without God in the World; and with all diligence obey the Word of the Lord, which is to you declared in this day of your Visitation, wherein the Lord tenders eternal Salvation to you, in Christ the Light, in whom the Father is well pleased with all that obey him, which if you be obedient to Christ, and wait on him to guide you by his Counsel, the Light, he will you lead in the strait and
[Page 165] narrow way of self-denial, and daily Cross, into the holy City, new
Ierusalem, the Light of which all Nations that are saved walk therein, and the Kings of the Earth shall bring their Glory and Honour unto it, where your Souls will be refreshed, with the living mercies of God, in Christ the Light, to praise him for ever in the beauty of Holiness, but if you his Counsel reject, and walk in Pride, self-Love, delighting your Hearts in the glory of the World, and the pleasures therein, and so slight this day of your Visitation, then the things belonging to your Peace will be hid from your Eyes, and sudden Destruction, as a Whirlwind, shall overtake you; for
Sions King, whom you disobey, will break you with his Rod of Iron, and dash you to pieces like a Potters Vessel, and you shall be cut down and slain with the Sword that proceeds out of the Mouth of him, whose Name is called the Word of God. Now while you have time, to him submit, and kiss the Son, in obeying his Counsel, the Light in the Conscience, least you perish in the way; for if his anger be kindled a little, Blessed are all they that trust in him: Remember you are warned in your Life-time, he that hath an Ear to hear let him hear:
The Kingdoms of this World are become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall Raign for ever and ever, Rev. 11.15.
He that can receive it let him.
BRethren, and Sisters in the Eternal Light of Christ Jesus, whom my Heavenly Father hath gathered you to wait upon him, that you might be the holy Presthood, and Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus; every one in particular, mind your calling in the Light, and watch diligently in the Light, the Life, to feel a raising you up in the pure being with God in Christ, your Souls to delight in the pure Fellowship with the Father, in the Lord Jesus, and one with another in him; that in the Measure of life in Christ, your Souls be kept free at Liberty in him, the shame to dispise, and the Cross to take up in Obedience to the movings of the Spirit, of Life, which you will all know the movings of the Life, it overcomes the Soul into it self, and seals up its own Testimony to all that wait in the Fear of the Lord with diligence in the Measure of Light: All in singleness of Heart wait upon God, that the Life in every one of you in particular exercise you, in singleness in the service of the Lord, in what he calls you unto, to his praise; and know the Seed of God in you all, to keep you Faithful up to God, that in him you grow in the living union to reign over all, in the Light and Life for ever; and all of you in the Fear of the Lord God, wait for an understanding that the Seed of God you may know, and the movings of the Life in it, that not any abuse the Liberty, and in the dark minde take upon you to utter words before the Lord; in his presence, I lay it upon you, let his dread be upon you, that in his fear you be preserved all low to wait in the Light and Life, that in it you grow in unity, and
[Page 167] in the Power and dread of God keep out the dead airy spirit that utters words out of the Life, and brings in a dead formality, which burdens the Seed of God.
My dear Brethren and Sisters, in the Life of my God and your God, that are faithful to him, I beseech you all in the tender Bowels in the Lord Jesus Christ, minde your union with the righteous Seed in you all; that the Cross be laid to the Ground of all evil, and his Seed over you reign, and in you, and thorow you Minister as you are called of God, to the building up one another in the Life and Power; that the dark airy spirit be kept forth from amongst you, and death with its formality broken down, and kept out with the Life, you will all enjoy in the righteous Seed of Christ the Light over all God blessed forever; that in you not any thing of God be opprest, but in freedom serve him, Amen.
God Almighty in the Life you all keep up faithful, him to serve in answering his witness in all your Consciences, that you may your Generation serve according to his will and finish your course with Ioy. W. D.
London,
the 9
th of the 2d
Month, 1657.
BRethen and Sisters in the Light and Life in Christ, whom my Heavenly Father hath gathered forth of the World, to make known in you his Eternal Power and Wisdom that he may be known to be the Everlasting God, who is come down to dwell with the Sons and Daughters of Men; this to you is the Word of
[Page 166] the Lord, prize the mercy of the Lord, who hath plucked you as Brands out of the Fire, and looked upon you in the day when you were in your Blood, and no Eye to pity you, then did he stretch out the Hand of his Power, and in the Light hath gathered you, and counted you worthy to be first Fruits in Christ, to wait upon him to receive of the eternal riches, of the Treasure of the Kingdom of Heaven forever; let the mercy of the Lord God be a Seal upon you, to constrain you all humbly to walk in his pure fear, faithfully to answer the Light of Christ in faithfulness what is made known unto you, and when you have done the will of God, in Obedience to what you are called to in the outward; watch in the Light the Power of God, you in his fear low in your minds to keep, that the Enemy that will attempt to lead to boast of whats done, be judged down and reigned over and you preserved, kept safe in your Tents, in your pure dwellings in the Power of the Lord God, and there wait, God to keep you in a pure understanding, his Seed to know, that you to it be joyned, and raised in it over the unrighteous Seed, to reign in all its appearances to trample upon it in the Power of the righteous Seed, the Lord hath blessed; all watch, watch, watch diligently, and wait Wisdom to receive to seperate between the holy and the unholy in you all, that the movings of the Life in the Light you all know, and in the movings of the Life in the Light for that Wisdom of God to guide you, in the pure Knowledge of the service he calls unto, so will God seal unto you, his counsel, and his secrets he will not hide, but reveal to you that fear him, and you will have the Presence of the Lord accompanying you in his pure service, in the presence of the
[Page 169]
[...];
1675 I lay it upon you all wa
[...] to
[...] is the
[...] of God, as is made manifest to you in the Light, that not any of you, who make mention of the Name of the pure God, lend an ear to the Enemy that will draw▪ your Hearts from the pure fear, and wa
[...]ting in the Life to form in your minds, the similitude & liken
[...]ss of
[...] Truth, and lead you in a dead formality and to abuse the movings of the Life which you have felt, in putting new Wine into the old Bottles, there will
[...] arise in its strength, and lead you in rashness to spe
[...]k of that you see and do not possess; for the Bottle will burst and spill the new Wine; and from t
[...]s ground is all rashness, in uttering words out of Go
[...]s Wisdom, and hard speeches in judging out of the Knowledg of God, and this with the Light into Condemnation must come.
In the fear of the Lord God, wait the living wisdom to guide you, and quench not any movings of the Spirit; I lay it upon you, wait the Lord to Seal unto you his mind, that in his movings you may answer his Will, which the Light will guide you to know the intent of every motion in word and in works, that in it you stand approved in the Integrity of your Hearts to God; every one in particular there faithful to be found in the Power of God, that in all the movings of the Spirit of Life, the earthly wisdom be judged out, with all its Reasonings and Consultings, that you all may know that new Man in Christ, in which the new Bottle is witnessed, that preserves the new Wine, which is committed to you in the Kingdom of God, your Souls to refresh and make glad in his presence, to minister it forth in his living Power and Wisdom, to refresh the Weary, Burthened, and Oppressed Soul, with the
[Page 170] com
[...]ort of the Spirit of Life, in which your Souls are made glad in God, so will you all come to the pure ministry in the Life, which in the measure will overcome in its self, which you will all feel; and as you are moued of God be faithful, strangle not the Birth, neither quench the movings; and in the presence of the Lord I warn you, wait for an understanding in the Life, you to lead, neither to add nor diminish, so will Death with all its Formality be kept out of you, and from amongst you; let none burthen the Seed, with an airy dead spirit, in the Form, out of the Life: All wait in the Life, to be kept every one in particular in your own Habitations, with God in the Life to dwell, and as moved in the overcoming Power and Life in you, let no thoughts hinder the Life for declaring it self, who are overcome with the Power of it, in any Service which you are called unto, to the building up one another, or witnessing to the World, then will the presence of the Lord God be felt within you, and amongst you, to guide you all in his Wisdom, to his praise; and to be tender one over another, and know your union one with another, and in it bear one anothers Burthens, and in the tender Bowels of Love, in the movings in the Life, judge out all strife, all disorderly Spirits, who would Rule amongst you; and build up one another in your most holy Faith, that in it you grow, in the unity of the Spirit, and bond of Peace, in Christ to stand over all deceit in its appearance within and without, over it to Raign in the Dominion of the Spirit of Life, you in him all faithful to keep unto the end, so the dread of the Lord God you will feel compassing you about, and make you terrible as an Army with Banners; before one of you
[Page 171] that is in the Resurrection and Life in Christ, shall a Thousand flee, and Five put Ten Thousand to
[...]light; for you in the Life are the Host of Heaven, before whom the Nations shall shake, and the Inhabitants of the Ear
[...]h shall tremble and before the Power which preserves you in the Life, faithful until the Sufferings of the righteous Seed be fulfilled, shall the Hearts of all the whole World fail, in the day that the Lord God will make you manifest in the Eyes of all People, you are his Jewels who faithful in his Li
[...]e abide, he will Crown you with eternal Dominion, in his Life to Reign over all the powers of Darkness within and without, that in the unity in the Life you grow up together in his presence, to delight to praise his Name for evermore; the everlasting Power of God guide you in a pure understand in his Life up in himself, to serve your Generation according o his Will, in faithfulness unto the end▪
Amen.
The Decree is gone forth over all the World, Christ Iesus shall be King, blessed are all they that bow d
[...]wn in obedience to his Light; all that disobey and withstand shall fall down before him, until the Kingdoms of this World become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall Reign for ever and ever, the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. W. D.
Given forth
the 22
d of the 3
d Month 1657.
in Kent.
SInce my last from the
Lands-end in
Cornwel, dated the 17th of the 7th Month, great were the service of my God, in that Country; on the 27th day being the first day of the week, I was at a Meeting at
Humphry Lowers, a Man that had been a Justice, which was near the High Sheriffs of the County, who was wicked against the Truth of our God, it were said he threatened to break the Meeting, which in the Power of my God I did stand, which Chained him, that the Meeting continued precious in the Lord: The 29th of the Month I was at a Meeting at
Lanceston, after the Meeting I Journied into
Devonshire, as the Lord had let me see I should meet with a storm in the outward, in the Country, or near it; that day it was manifest, I was stayed with certain Men in a Town called
Torrenton, and a guard of Men with Halberts set over me, then brought before the Mayor and other Justices, who were some of them very cruel and wicked against the Truth of God, and did deal very rudely with me; they in great wrath took my Hat off my Head, and threw it on the ground, and committed me to Prison, where I was two nights, and near three days, and was many times brought before them, who did charge me very strictly to be a Jesuite that was come from beyond the Sea; they read unto me many new Laws, as to proceed against me as a Vagabond, which then the Lord reigned over them, as in that he set me free; then they read to me the Oath of Abjuration, and said I must take it, which was denied, and the Truth declared against it, the Pope, and all Idolatry; the second
[Page 173] day at night they brought me forth (and they would know how I came to be a Minister of Christ) much being spoken to it in my Examination, the day before; as of my coming from my Wife and Children, to Preach the Word of eternal Life through the Countries into
Cornwell; in answer to their questions, I was free in the Lord to declare to them how I came to be a Minister of Christ, which cut them to their Hearts, that one Justice wept, and the Justices Clark said, if thou hadst spoke thus much before, here had not been this to have done: Then I did speak in answer to what was propounded, but they would not hear: Then some of them stormed against me for my Hat, and sent me to Prison again; many times I was brought before them, to see if they could ensnare me, in the wisdom of God, I stood innocent. They made a Mittimus to send me to the common Goal at
Exeter; some of them would not have me to go, but he that had the chief rule said to me, thou shalt not see my Face any more, until thou art before the Judge the next Assizes at
Exeter; I answered, do what thou hast power, my Innocency will plead for me; I was had again to Prison, and the Mittimus given, I lay on the Prison Floor, without straw, or any thing; on the Second day of the eighth Month, I was brought before them, my God had then pleaded my Cause, and changed the Heart of Man, which failed in them; when I was brought before them, the Man that said I should see his Face no more, until I was before the Judge at
Exeter, he pulled the Mittimus in pieces before my Face, and said to me, thou art free: So did my God set me free out of the Hands of unreasonable Men, according to his promise he made to me, Praises to the Name
[Page 174] of my God for ever.
1658 The first day after, I was at a Meeting in
Summersetshire; the 4th day being the 7th of the sa
[...]e Month, at a Meeting where, as they said, were near a Thousand; the next day I was with
T▪ Salthouse and the rest in Prison with him at night, with many Friends; the next day at a Meeting in
Wilshire; on the 11th day, being the first day of the week, there was a Meeting, where it was said, there might be two Thousand: My God was mighty in his Power to the glory of his Name; If God will I may be at Justice
Cripse's in
Gloustershire the next third day, and at
Slettingford, twelve Miles from
Bristol, the fourth day; if God-will I may be at
Bristol the sixth, or the first day, being the 18th of this Month, further then, as my freedom is in my moving in the Lord; the presence of God keep you with me in his Life, and all the Elect, faithful to the end,
Amen.
IN the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ walk, to reign over all contrary to the Light, that in the Light, and glory of God you may all shine forth, living Witnesses of the Name of the everlasting, holy, pure God, who hath looked on you in his tender love, to gather you in the Everlasting Power of God, to stand against all deceit; blessed are you tha
[...] are faithful, in obeying the Light of Christ, to fo
[...]low him in the Cross, and straight way of self-denial; you are my Brethren and Sisters, in the Lord Jesus our Captain,
[Page 175] over all he will Crown you, with his Almighty Power, to stand in Faith and Patience to follow him, until every tongue that lifts up it self against you, shall fall in Judgment, withal that stumble at Christ Jesus our Life and Light, who will gather a large People to himself; in that Country many shall come in, that is yet wandering upon the Mountains, where they find no rest; Blessed are all you that abide, and walk faithful with the Lord, whom he hath called, and chosen in the Light, to be the first Fruits; what ever ariseth contrary to the Light, within or without, watch to the Light you will descern, stay your Hearts on the Lord, in the Light, holding fast your Confidence in the Lord, he will deliver you forth of all contrary to the Light, and cause you to rejoyce in the daily Cross, to the crucifying you to the World, and the World to you, and over the World will cause you to rejoyce withal its pomps and glory, and evil therein; you shall over it stand in the Power of God, to his Praise and Glory, even so be it with you all in the Almighty Power of God, in whom my Soul salutes you that faithfully walk, humbly before the Lord, in Obedience to his Counsel, the Light.
DEar Lambs, called in the Light to lye down in the safe Fold of rest, in Christ our life, in the tender bowels of love in him I beseech you, that you be faithful in meeting together, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and diligently watch to know your own measure of Grace in Christ, him to feel in you to judge your thoughts, and every vain Imagination that over them you may reign, and delight in the refreshing of his presence, and all take heed of many words, at
[Page 176] all times let them be few, but what is from the savory Spirit of Life, in Christ the Light, in him the blessing of the Lord rest on you all for evermore; there to farewel with me in the everlasting love of the Father in Christ the Light, Amen.
W. D.
Given forth
the 24
th of the 7
th Month 1658▪
at Leeth
near Edenborough, Scotland.
Let Copies of this carefully be written, and sent to the Churches, when they are met together in the Fear of God, to be read amongst them.
BRethren and Sisters, called in the Light to feel the Power of Almighty God, burying self in the Death, and raising up his own immortal Birth of himself in all your Hearts, which hungereth and thirsteth after his Righteousness, and cannot be satisfied but in the Light of the Countenance of the Eternal God of Heaven; Grace and Peace be multiplied to you all, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Light,
&c. This to you all is the Word of the Lord God, to watch diligently to the Light, that you may see all the workings of the Enemy, who would draw you from the Light, and as the Lord discove
[...]eth him, judge him in all his appearances with the Light, that you may be kept out of all his Temptations, that the Power of God you may all feel guiding of you, that not any receive the knowledge of the Truth in the wrong ground, as many have done; who have received
[Page 177] the knowledge of the Truth,
1659 and for want of the watch to the Light, the false birth in them raiseth its self, with what is known, and received in the day of tenderness, and so hath run out in a drunken hard Spirit, spending the Talent upon the lust, out of Gods fear, so hath grieved the Spirit of the Lord, and burthened his dear People, and hear is the ground of all that came out with us, and go from us, and are not of us, who in the day of their coming forth were tender, and at that time God manifested himself in measure, but not watching to the Light, the Enemy entered, and the false birth rise in its strength, and enriched it self with Gods gift, then the Swine got the Pearl, and turned again and all to rend; so here is the ground of strife that hath been or ever shall be, with all that came out in the acknowledgment of Truth, and flee the true Judgment of God, from his witness in their own particulars, and through his People in whom he dwelleth: All dear Children of God, who love the Light, prize the Mercy of the everlasting Father of Light, who hath counted you worthy to wait upon him; watch, watch, to the Light, that the Judgment of the Lord may pass upon the first Man, which is of the Earth, that he may truely be buried into the one Baptism, into the death, that the birth Immortal you may feel generated in you by the working of the Immortal Word, the true Birth, which makes self of no reputation, which humbleth self in the Cross, and Thirsts and Hungers in you for the presence of the Lord, or otherwise you cannot live; fear you not, you Children of my Father, lift up your Heads in the Light of the Lord, for the Bowels of the God of Heaven earns towards you, stay your Hearts upon him in the Light, and the Lord will rebuke
[Page 178] the furious Enemy of your peace; he will not break the bruised Reed, neither will he quench the smoking Flax, until he hath brought Judgment forth into Victory; so let not any of you be bowed down any longer, but all arise, arise in the Light of the Lord God, hold fast your confidence in the measure of the Light of Jesus, and the Enemy of your peace he will rebuke, and all unbelief and deceit he will throw down, and raise you in the strength of his own Life, to delight in the strait way of self-denial, and the daily Cross, where the Immortal Babe will receive the Crown, of the Glory of the Lord, and in the light of his Countenance shall be refreshed forever; therefore all that come to witness the least measure, the freedom of the Immortal birth of God in you, stand fast in the Liberty, you have received in God, and be not intangled again with the Spirit of Bondage, judge the evil One in the least appearance, that he enter not, and the Lord God preserve you, in his pure Habitation, in his Light and Life, and in the fear of the Lord God meet diligently when the Lord orders you to appoint your Meetings, the time and place; it is upon me from the Lord to lay it upon you, to cast all excuses aside, and to meet as near as may be at the time appointed, that you may not be a burthen one to another, as some hath been, who hath come one a long time after another, that when some have come, others have been pretty clear before the Lord to depart, this hath grieved the Spirit of our God, and the Meetings have not been so profitable as would have been, because of this carelesness in the behalf of the Lord; I warn, and charge you all in his presence, that not any of you let any thing of the Earth, or self, enter upon you, to hinder your diligent walking, and meeting with the Lords People at the time ordered by you,
[Page 179] in the Light; and when you meet, let your Hearts in the Light be single unto God, wait to receive his gift in the inspiring of his Spirit, that there be no Eye one towards another, in expectation of any thing from one another, as to draw your minds from the Light in your own particulars, but all single to God, wait to be kept in the Light, that he may give you an expected end, according to your desires; and when the Lord ministers in you any gift, watch that the true birth possess it, that so the false birth, that would pride it self in Gods gift, and sacrifice upon the Mountains in the exalted mind; may be kept down in every one of you, in the Fear of the Lord, when thou receivest the gift, wait to make thy Peace with thy Brother, in feeling the word of reconciliation with God in Christ guiding thee to sacrifice upon the Altar; and what gift soever thou receivest of the Lord in the Power of his eternal Word, whether Praises, Prophesie or Exhortation, I am commanded of the God of Heaven to lay it upon you, that thou quench not his Spirit, but bring thy gift unto Gods Altar, and in the strength of his Life in the Light, Sacrifice unto him, so shall thy Talent be Increased, and the Babes shall be refreshed: And dear People of God, be tender over the least breathings of Gods Spirit in one another, and all wait to be clothed with a healing spirit, in the Covenant of Light in the Lord Jesus; let the strong bear the Burthens of the weak, that you may all grow in unity in the spiritual Birth, born in the everlasting day of Light, that in the day determined of God, wherein your Faith must be tryed, you may all stand, born of the Seed, which the Power of Hell and Death cannot touch, nor make dismayed, that the Lamb of God be over all born in
[Page 180] you to reign in dominion, you to guide in the Light, to bear forth your Testimony in faithfulness to the praise and Glory of the most high God, who called for all to prepare in his strength, that you might be freely given up in the day he had determined; and let not any be discouraged, for the day is the Lords; be bold, be bold you Children of the most high God, fear not Man whose Breath is in his Nostrils, God will rebuke him in the height of his Pride, and will dash and abase him as he did
Nebuchadnezar, when he boasted himself against the God of
Israel; so all be bowed in the Light, and believe, and walk with God: from the God of Heaven I declare all the wrath of the powers of the Earth shall not perish one Hair of the Head of all the Saints, but which shall be to the Glory of his Name; and the Comfort of all his Peop
[...]e; all be faithful, and none halt before the Lord whatever arise, for now is the day of separation between the precious and the Vile, the Wise and the Foolish; so look not at thy own strength, dear Babe, for whatever God calls thee to, at the present time, his mighty Power will arise, and will cause thee to rejoyce in finishing thy Testimony to his Glory.
Blessed, Blessed are all you who are called and chosen and faithful unto death, you shall receive the Crown of eternal Life, to sing Praise and Hallalujah unto the most high God over all blessed forever; God Almighty keep you in the Power of the endless Life, faithful unto the end, Amen.
Let this be read amongst Friends with understanding in the Fear of God. W. D.
Given forth at London
the 10
th 11
th Month. 1659.
TO ALL NATIONS,
1660 KINDREDS, LANGUAGES, TONGUES, and PEOPLE, WITH YOUR
Princes, and
Rulers, And all
People from the
Highest to the
Lowest.
Thus to you is the Word of the Lord God,
FEar God, and give glory to him, for the hour of his Judgments is come, and his dreadful terrible Day will come speedily upon all Nations and People; therefore Worship him that made Heaven and Earth, and the Sea, and the Fountains of Water, and them upholds by the Word of his Power; let his Fear and Dread be upon you all: People, see what acquaintance and union you have with him; he is a God that will not be mocked, who is now coming in his pure dreadful Majesty, and glorious Almighty Power, to break down and dash in pieces like a Potters Vessel
all People from the highest to the lowest, from the Prince on the Throne, to the Beggar on the Dunghil, in and amongst all Nations, Kindreds, Languages, Tongues, and People, who put the Day of the Lord God afar off, and live without the knowledge o
[...] the onely true God in this World, serving an unknown God in the ignorance of your minds, and in Traditions; worshipping
[...]ou
[Page 182] know not what, and walking every one in your own ways, doing your own works, which leads to satisfie the flesh in the lusts thereof: All which is abomination to the only true and ever living God, to whom you must give an account for every idle word, and all your deeds done in the Body.
All people upon the face of the Earth, let the time past be sufficient, you have lived without the Knowledg of the only true God; in this day the living God visits you with a day of Visitation of mercy, to declare his Counsel to you, that you may corne to the knowledg of him; be warned to depart from the evil of your ways, and hearken diligently to the only true God, who waits upon you to be gracious unto you, whose Grace hath appeared unto all men, which is the Light Christ Jesus the Son of God hath lighted you with, that discovereth unto you the secret evil of your Hearts and Consciences; in the fear of the living God, search your Hearts with the Light, which is the Counsel of God, that convinceth you in your Hearts and Consciences, that
Lying is a Sin,
Swearing is a Sin,
Covetousness a Sin,
Pride a Sin,
Drunkenness a Sin, and
Gluttony a Sin,
Whoredom and
Vncleanness a Sin,
Cozening, Cheating and
Dissimulations are Sins;
Tyranny, Cruelty, and
Oppression, and
Murther are Sin
[...]
[...]
[...]hich fore-mentioned cries to the God of Heaven for Vengeance, which if you do not walk in obedience to the Grace of God, the Light, which discovereth them, to guide you out of them: As the Lord God destroyed the old World, who received not his Counsel, so will the Lord God of Heaven and Earth, break in upon all you People, scattered in all
Nations, Kindreds, Tongues and
Languages; for his eternal Decree is gone over you
[Page 183] all, who walk in your wicked wayes, he will break you down, and dash you in pieces, and you shall become an abhorring to all flesh: Therefore prize your time while God preserves you, for the Day of your Visitation is come▪ wherein the God of Heaven visits you, and exhorts you in the power of his Spirit to return to him, which if you diligently hearken to his Counsel, the Light, which sheweth you your evil wayes, and convinceth you of your Sins, as before written, and wait on him in the Light, to lead you out of all
Idolatry, and every
sinful and
evil way; then will the only true God give you power over your sinful and unclean nature, and he will teach you his Wayes, and lead you in the Paths of Righteousness, and save you out of all your Idolatrous wayes you have walked in, and will establish you in eternal Rest and Peace, with all his Children that walk in obedience to his Counsel, the Light, which convinceth of Sin in the secrets of your Hearts and Consciences; in which Light he is gathering of his People out of all
Nations, Kindred, Languages, and
Tongues, and
People, into his own Kingdom, in the Light with him to walk, who is now establishing his Kingdom in the Earth, which Kingdom shall break down all other Kingdoms, and their Dominion take away, and destroy to the end.
Then shall the everlasting God be known in the Earth, to destroy the Image (that will not submit to him) and to establish all those that walk in the Light, in his everlasting Kingdom to dwell, and there to praise his Name alone, who is worthy over all, God blessed for ever.
Hear and
Fear all
Nations, Kindreds, Tongues, Languages,
[Page 184] and
People, Repent and
Turn to the only true God, in hearkening diligently to his Counsel, the Light, that convinceth of Sin in the secrets of your Hearts and Consciences, that ye be not cut off in the dreadful and terrible Day of the fierce Wrath of the everliving God, wherein he will destroy
all Idolatry out of the Earth, and perform according to his Word here to you declared, and none of you shall escape, which disobey his Counsel, the Light, and you shall certainly know the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it, what he will bring upon all Nations.
Remember you are warned in your Life-time, in this Day of your Visitation, if you slight it, your destruction is of your selves, and your Blood is upon your own Heads.
From the Righteous Seed, of whom it is written, It shall be no more said, the Lord liveth that brought us forth of the Land of
Egypt; but the Lord liveth that hath raised up his Seed, and brought it forth of the North-Countrey,
Jer. 23.7, 8.
Forth of the Northren Countrey, called
England, from the Seed of God there risen, that shall spread over all the Nations of the World.
Dear Friends and Brethren,
CAlled and Chosen of God, to wait upon him in his Light, every one in particular feel the Power and Life of God, exercising you in his Service, whatever he calls unto, when the Lord fills the Heart of any of you with his Presence, and in his Life moves thee, quench not the Spirit, I am commanded to lay it upon thee, whosoever thou art, from the least to the highest growth.
All, dear Friends, wait to be kept in the Bond of the Spirit, obedient to its motions, to cease and stay when it moves not, as well as to begin any exercise when it moves: And dear and tender little Babes, as well as strong Men, retain the pure in every particular, and let not any thing straiten you, when God moves: And thou faithful
Babe, though thou stutter and stammer forth a few words in the dread of the Lord, they are accepted; and all that are strong serve the weak in strengthning them, and wait in wisdom, to give place to the motion of the Spirit in them, that it may have time to bring forth what God hath given: And dear Brethren, feed the Lambs, and loose the Tongue of the Dumb, that Praises may arise in and amongst you all, to the glory of God, that in him you may be a wellspring of Life one to another, in the Power of the endless Love of God, in which the Lord God keep you all.
W. D.
From York Tower,
the 10
th day of she 12
th Month, 1660
Dear Brethren and Sisters,
IN the Church of the first born, of the royal Seed of the most high God, grace, mercy and peace be multiplyed in and amongst you, to whom God revealed what he determined, and is now manifesting, that every one in the Light and Life of God might stand single, out and over the snares of those whom God lays aside, as the broken Reeds of
Egypt, that his own Name might be trusted in, and his mighty Arm alone seen and felt, in leading and preserving his People to his glory, as witnessed this day, blessed be the God of our strength and safety.
ALL dear and chosen Vessels of God, whether in Bonds or out of Bonds,
This is to you the Word of the everlasting God, in the everlasting Light and Life, stay your Minds, and lift up your Heads, and be strong in the Name of the Lord, and fear not the Wrath of Man, for it is limitted, and shall turn to the praise of God forever, who is making up his Jewels this day, and gathering his Wheat in
[...]o his Garner, and the Sheep of his Pasture into the safety of his Power, that he may lead them, and save them with his out-stretched Arm, to the confounding of the Heathen that know not God.
DEar Friends, gird up the Loins of your minds, and in the Faith and Patience in Jesus stand still in the Light, and see the Salvation of God this day, who hath caused the Mountains and Hills that
[Page 187] withstood his glorious arising to melt like Wax, and to vanish as the untimely Fruit; he hath divided the Waters, and turned them on heaps, and hath made way through them for the ransomed ones to walk in his service where he hath called; he hath made the weak as strong as
David, before whom the uncircumcised hath fallen, that hath resisted the God of
Israel.
DEar Friends, let the Love of God constrain you to trust in him, and feel the Birth of the Seed of God born up over all, to eat and feed of the Bread of Life, that out of time and place, and over all visibles you may live and rejoyce over all hardships that would appear, and wrath that arises; all keep the word of Faith in the Power of God, the Mountains shall fall before you, more and more, and you shall tread down the Pride of the perverse and froward Generation, in the patience and dominion of God forever; and let the strong bear the Burthen of the weak, that all in the unity of the Spirit, in the Power of the Love of God grow up an holy Preisthood, offering up the Souls and Bodies a living Sacrifice, in faithful Obedience to do the will of God.
In whose Name it is declared unto you, Dear Friends, in vain is it for Man to strive to limit the holy one of
Israel, or his Spirit in his People for if they were as the Sand upon the Sea shoare that seek to oppress and destroy you that love God more then any thing in the World, yea then Life it self; fear not, comfort your selves in the Light of his Countenance, for he will arise and scatter in his wrath, as dust before the wind, all those that resist his Spirit,
[Page 188] and his righteousness will he establish in the Earth for ever.
And O Sion thy God reigneth and thou shalt seethy Enemies come bending to the soles of thy Feet, and thy renown which shall go more and more over the Earth, thy leaves shall heal the Nations, which shall walk in thy Light, and you shall be known in all the Earth to be the City of the most high God, yea the righteous Seed which the Lord hath blessed, when the Faces of thine Enemies shall be covered with shame, the Mouth of the Lord of Hosts hath spoken it.
Let this be sent abroad amongst Friends with understanding in the Fear of God. W. D.
York Tower
the 19th 12th Mounth, 1660.
ANd Suffering Members, dwelling in the Power and Life; glad your Hearts in the unlimited Power of God, that in his strength you reign over all the Powers of Darkness, in your keeping the word of Patience, in the Lord Jesus, who will plead your cause in his righteous Judgments, when he will clear your Innocency in the Faees of all his Enemies, to your eternal comfort, and the Glory of his Name forever; lift up your Heads, this is the day that hath been proclaimed in your Ears, which our God hasteth to finish, and cut short in righteousness for his Name sake; the mighty God of Power keep you faithful to the end, Amen.
W. D.
19th 12th
month. 1660.
DEar faithful Friends in God,
1661 who hath known the day in your Travels, that not any thing hath been dear to you, not Life it self, that you might enjoy the Light of the Countenance of God, which he hath now manifested in the everlasting Covenant of his Light in Christ, which now constraineth, in the Power of our Royal Life, born of the noble Seed, to stand out, over and above all flattering Tongues, and all threatings and wrath of Men, which will be more and more manifest, before this day of tryal be over; and what wrath ever the Lord suffers to arise in the Powers of the Earth, without he moves, do not any seek to stop it, let God have the glory, the wrath of Man turns to the praise of God, and the remainder he will restrain, while the royal Babes in Meekness and Patience stand still, and gives glory to God in faithfull obedience, with Life to Death, if the Lord call for it, who hath blessed the labour of all he called into the Vine-yard of God, in whom my Bowels is enlarged, in the strength of the Life I have received of the Father: Oh, feel me, for I am with you, filled with joy in the Lord, that his royal Birth is brought forth, and the Captive set free, the Tongue of the Dumb loosed, and the living Power of God raised, to offer up living praises on the holy Altar of God, in the Asemblies of his Saints: Oh, lift up your Heads; be glad in the strength of the Lord, in this day of gathering the good ripe Fruit in the Vine-yard of the Lord; now doth the Vines abound with Vertue, laden with Clusters of the purest Grapes full ripe, which drops abundantly with the Wine renewed in the Kingdom
[Page 190] of the Father: Oh, fill your Cups, be not straitned in your Spirits to receive of the fulness of God, in whom I am constrained to say unto you in the Light, drink, drink abundantly, let the Thirst of the immortal Birth earnestly in the Light reach forth it self, to draw more and more the infinite Life, that it may comprehend you in the Power of it self, that in its strength your Hearts may be set free over all below, and your Spirit in the Light and Life, raised in the Heavenly Harmony, to praise and glorifie the Name of the Lord in eternal unity, to the astonishment of all that know not God, whose Hearts shall fail before the Life of God, which keeps all that abide in it, with what ever he gives, low in his fear, that neither Heights nor Depths, Tribulations or Distress, Persecution or Famine, or Nakedness, Peril or Sword, Life nor Death▪ things present, nor things to come, can never separate the royal Birth from its faithfull obedience to Christ Jesus the Light, and dwell out of time and place, and over all Creature enjoyments, in the unlimitted Power to guide, that your words be few and savory at all times, whether in Bonds, or out of Bonds, to minister Grace to the Hearers, and be tender affectionate one towards another, in the pure chast Love of God, all to lye down together in the eternal unity, one in the fulness, in the most high God over all, blessed for ever.
Farewel, your Brother W. D.
From the Tower in York,
the 25
th of the first Month, 1661.
Let this go abroad amongst all the afflicted and wounded in Spirit, with care send this to them.
DEar Child which Crys over all the World, and beyond all the Pleasure, Pomp, and Vanity therein, for the enjoyment of the Light and Countenance of God, fear thou not, neither be thou discouraged, because of the violent assaults of the Enemy, who seeks to draw thee into the carnal reasonings of thy Spirit, and in it to kindle a fire to thy self, and caus
[...]s thee to walk in the Light of the sparkes that thou hast kindled, (and this thou hast at the hand of the Lord in thy going from his Counsel) thou lyes down in sorrow, few knows thy great distress, but to the Lord it is known, and them that has walked in the same Pathes.
Oh, thou Dear, and afflicted Soul who lives in the deep sence of the working of the evil one in thy mind, and many times is ready to say, Never was any like unto me, neither any Sorrow like unto my Sorrow; and in this Languishing, Disparing, Morning of thy Soul, all things is made bitter to thee, as the waters of
Marah; thus art thou driven from all comfort, as a Child without a Father, and a desolate Widow without a Husband, and as a Stranger that no Eye pitieth, (in thy apprehension) sometimes saying in thy Heart, in the heat of the temptation, and the Fire thou hast kindled.
[Page 192]Oh, that I had been any Creature but what I am, or if it were the will of the Lord that he would shorten my days, that I might not be any longer on Harth to Sin against him; for in thy own
[...]ence, and feeling, thou walking in the sparks thou hast kindled, in carnal reasonings, thou descerns not any thing but Wrath, Horror, Misery and Distress on every side, and great languishings, secretly crying out in thy Heart; Oh, that I were alone in the Wilderness, or in any Cave, or Den in the Earth, that I might never see nor hear any of the Sons of Men any more, but in the secret retiredness, even Roare and Mourn out my days until I dye.
Oh, thou Child of the morning of the pure eternal day of the God of
Israel, hearken no longer to the Enemy, who saith, there hath none traviled where thou art, nor none drunk of the Cup that thou art drinking; he is a Lyer who goes about to destroy thy pretious Soul; In the Word of the Lord God, I declare unto thee, I drunk the same Cup, with my faithful Friends, who are born of the royal Seed, every one in their measure have travelled in the same path, and hath endured the same temptations, and walked in the Light of the same sparks, and layn down in Sorrow, in the sence of the same misery, as thou mourns under this day.
No longer lend an ear unto the Enemy, and the thoughts of thy Heart, arise, arise in the Light of the Covenant, and stay thy Heart, and the Lord God he will throw down the Enemy of thy peace, destroy the carnal reasonings of thy mind, put out the Fire that thou ha
[...]t kindled, and he will deliver thee forth of the horrible Pit, and set thy Feet upon the Rock of
[Page 185] Ages, and thou shall tread down the Enemy of thy Soul, in the sensible feeling of the Bowels of the love of the Father, who will manifest himself, to be a Father to the Fatherless in thee, and a Husband to that mournful Widow, and a comfort to that Immortal Babe that mourned in thee, in the uprightness of thy Heart, to do the will of the living God; so in the Power of his might stay thy Heart, and tread upon all Doubts, Fears, dispairing Thoughts, Questionings, Reasonings, Musings, Imaginations, and Consultings; arise over them all in the Light in Christ, he will lead thee into the Banqueting-House of the pleasure of our God, where thou shalt sit down with me, and all the redeemed of my Father, who are born of the immortal Seed, and have passed through great Tribulations, and have washed our Garments, and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb; therefore do we now stand before the Throne of God, praising him Day and Night in his holy Temple; and this shall be the Portion of thy Cup, if thou diligently hearken to the Counsel of the Lord, which calls thee to trust in him, he will embrace thee in the Arm of his Love, and thou shalt praise his Name forever.
God Almighty in his Light and Life raise up thy Soul, and establish thy Heart in his Counsel, stedfastly to wait his Power to lead thee, (in the Cross) out of all unbelief, and cause thee to lye down at rest, in obedience to his will, where thou shall drink the Cap of the Salvation of God forever, Farewel. W. D.
From the Spirit of the Lord, given forth in York Castle
the 23
d of the 3
d Month, 1661.
Oh King, hear the Word of the Lord God, which came unto me about the sixth hour in the morning of the 20th day of the third Month, 1661.
Thus saith the Lord through his Servant.
OH, fear and dread the Name of the eternal God, who hath Created and Preserved thee, by the Arm of his mighty Power, and saved thee in the hollow of his Hand, in the day of thy great Distress, when he Corrected that Family, and all the Nation, that they might walk humbly before him; and who did humble themselves before him, his Presence did appear with them, but when they departed from the lowliness of his Spirit, and promised fair things, and did not perform in the uprightness of their Hearts, according to their words, though they were never so Invincible, for Strength, and cloathed with Policy and Wisdom of this World, the Lord hath, and w
[...]ll break them down by the Arm of his mighty Power, and catcheth them in their own Craft, and overthrows them in their own Devices, and not any can deliver themselves out of his mighty Hand, he breaks them as the Pot-sherds of the Earth, and makes their Names rot and perish among Men, and stink in the Nostrils of the upright in Heart; thus he sets up to try Man if he will give him glory of his Works, and when he kicks against him, his Maker, he breaks him down in his Wrath, and overthrows him in his fierce Displeasure;:
[Page 187] And this is the Work of the mighty God, who hath preserved thee in safty, whil'st Destruction and Calamity was on every side, that now thou hast seen a Cloud of Witnesses before thine Eyes; that in this day thou art set on the Throne, wherein he is trying and proving of thee, that thou mayst, by what thou hast seen, dread his Name, and wait in his Counsel, the Light of his Spirit, which is his Law in thy Heart and Conscience, that lets thee see thou art but Dust; and if thou watch unto it, and wait upon him in it, thou wilt see the secret evil of thine Heart, which if thou look up to him in the Light of his Spirit, and in the uprightness of thine Heart judge the evil in thee with his Light, and in it wait on him to be guided in the true lowliness and humility of his Spirit, to seek alone his glory, and nothing for thy self, but wait upon him, to be an Instrument in his Hand, that he may govern and order thee in all his ways; then will he enlighten thy understanding, and seal unto thee his secret Counsel, and give thee to see through all that profess his Name, and know him not, and what his true Worship is; and he will let thee see what is Idolatry, and what is the Worship which his presence shall accompany all that are found faithful therein, and which he will defend with his Power against all opposers, and none shall prosper that devise mischief against them that are faithful to him, in this his Worship which is declared to thee, to be pure obedience to his Spirit, which cleanseth the Heart, and purifies the Conscience; and this is his Worship he hath determined in his unchangeable and heavenly Decree to establish in the Earth, and over all Nations it shall stand, he will scatter all as Dust, that seek to oppress his People, and
[Page 188] resist the rising of his glory, and thou shalt certainly know the Mouth of the Lord of Hosts hath spoken it: Which if thou turn thy mind within, to his Counsel in thee, and in dilligent▪ watchfulness encline thine Ear to his pure Spirit, that calls for Righteousness in thy Heart and Conscience, and be obedient with boldness to walk in the strait way of the daily Cross, and deny the evil that accompanies the day, and answer his requirings, what he makes known unto thee; then will he guard thee with the Power of his heavenly and dreadful Presence, and will make thee a terror to evil doers, that a Lyar or an Unclean person shall not be found in thy House, nor any worker of Iniquity shall be able to stand before thee, he will Cloath thee with Wisdom, and thou shalt be able to Judge all Causes that is brought before thee in Righteousness; then wilt thou put away all Sports, Playes, Pastimes, Drunkenness, Uncleanness, and whatever grieveth his Spirit, forth of thy sight, and cleanse the Land of it, through thy faithful walking with God, who hath made thee a Son of Affliction from thy Youth, that thou mightst learn to fear his Name, which if thou do, he will make thee a Terror to all Nations round about, that devise mischief against thee; the Angels of his presence will pitch their Tents about thee, thou standing in his Counsel, and giving Liberty to his Sons and Daughters, as he moves them by his Spirit, to walk in his Service, who is the mighty God that requireth this of thee, that thou do not lay a Bond upon the Spirits of his People, in matters of Worship, as to force all to one Uniformity; for thou hast seen before thine Eyes, that the Kings and Princes of this Wo
[...]ld, that have sought so to do, have brought much innocent Blood
[Page 189] upon them who have been seeking by their outward Power, to establish
Sion with Blood, and
Ierusalem with Iniquity; thus hath his People been Slain from day to day, in the Nations that have been building
Babel, in whom is found the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus, and all that is Slain upon the Earth, for whose sake he is now risen, to plead the Cause of those that fear him, and walk humbly before him.
And this he requireth of thee, in all things to mind his Law in thy Heart, to do unto others as thou wouldst be done unto, if thou wast in their places, and they in thine; and let mercy be found in thy Hands to all people (as thou hast found mercy at the Hands of the Lord) yea, to thy Enemies, and in what thou mayst, live in Peace with all Men; and in all thy undertakings seek not thy self, let the glory of God be the Object of thy mind, and wait to feel his Hand leading thee in what thou doest, which if thou stand in his Counsel, to do as he requireth of thee, to mind thy Place, and to keep the people in Peace, and punish Sin and Wickedness, and give free Liberty for the Lord, with his Spirit to Rule in the Consciences of his people, as he orders them, to meet in his fear, and witness forth his mind where he leads them, without restraint; and no more be given like Lambs to the Slaughter, and driven to Prison like Sheep to the Fold; but to have free Liberty in their peaceable lives to serve him their God; then will he raise his Name in thy Fathers House, and make thee a nursing Father unto his People, and thou shalt partake of the Blessings with them that fear him, and all the World shall be amazed to hear of his dreadful appearance, for his people that obey his Spirit
[Page 190] in this Nation, which shall convince both
Iew and
Gentile, that the mighty God is risen to manifest his Power to them that fear him in this Nation, and these Northren Countries; and the day is very near wherein it shall be no more said, the Lord liveth that brought up the Children of
Israel out of the Land of
Egypt, but the Lord liveth that brought up and led the Seed of the House of
Israel out of the North-Country.
Oh, King, let his goodness constrain thee, and all in thy Family, to humble your selves before him; what could he have done for thee more then he hath done? hath he not been thy relief in thy greatest straits? now let his goodness ingage thee to answer what he requires of thee, then will he make thee one of the number of his Elect and Chosen, and thy days will be ful
[...] of gladness, and thy Soul shall live forever in the Kingdom of glory with all the redeemed, who are led with his Spirit; but if thou reject his counsel, his law in thy Heart, and not regard his Spirit in thy inward parts, but hearken to the counsel of thy own Heart, and the wit and pollicy of the spirit of this World, and so set up thy self on high, and rob God of his Glory, and give up his people as they have been to be pulled out of their peaceable Meetings, and haled to and fro, as Sheep that are slaying all the day long in tumults distresses, afflictions, stonings, stripes, prisons and death, and set up proud covetous Men that know not God, to be Teachers in the Land, which draw people into Idolatry, worshipping they know not what; so the Blind leading the Blind they both fall into great wickedness, which grieveth the Spirit of God, and the liberty which is given to Playes, Sports, and Pastimes, which draw people into drunkenness, uncleanness, and
[Page 191] great abomination; and if they be not reformed by thee, but suffered to go on as they have been, this will be thy portion as he hath multiplied on thee his mercies to astonishment of the people and Nations round about; so will he stretch out the Arm of his Power against thee, and get himself the glory, in his mighty Judgments, which shall be revealed in the great and terrible day of his fierce wrath, wherein he will cleanse the Land of all that rob him of his glory and reject his counsel, the Light of his Spirit in their Consciences, and thou shalt certainly know, the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it through his Servant, which in faithfulness to thy Soul, oh King, hath not hid the Counsel of God from thee, but greatly desireth thy eternal welfare, and in patience waits, that Righteousness may be established in the Earth, who is known by name
William Deusbery, Prisoner at the date hereof, in the common Goal at
York, for the Word of God, and the Testimony of Jesus Christ.
But before this could be sent unto thee with a private and safe Hand, I was set at Liberty, with some other of my Brethren, by thy late Proclamation, which we own as an Act of Justice; now if thou let Bonds be laid no more upon the Consciences of the people of God, but as before written, they may serve their God in free liberty of his Spirit; thou wilt then find a hiding-place in this terrible day of Vengeance, which will be manifest in
England, and so to the astonishment of all the World, for not any Man that lives contrary to God, but he shall roar under the heavy Judgments of the fiery wrath of the Lamb of God, whom the Father will reveal in Flames, rendering Vengeance upon all that know him not, and obey not
[Page 192] the Gospel of Jesus Christ; for God will make
England as the Garden of
Eden, and Wickedness shall not reign therein; then shall it be a blessing to all Nations, and thou shalt know assuredly he is faithful and true, who hath revealed these things to his Servant, that desireth thy everlasting felicity and happiness in thy obedience to Christ Jesus the Light, who lighteth every Man that cometh into the World, and now is the Father revealing him to Judge every one according to the deeds done in the Body,
&c.
Dear Friends and Sisters,
BOrn of the birth of the immortal Seed of the most high God, who hath not any Life but in his presence, nor refreshment but in the Light of his Countenance, you are the Children of the day-spring which is from on high; lift up you Heads in the Light of the everlasting Covenant, in it feel the drawings of the love of the Father, whose Bowels earns towards you, who hath remembered you in all your Ret
[...]rements, Mournings, Crys and Tears, in the days when you were weeping and seeking the Lord your God, seeking the way to
Sion, with your Faces thitherwards; now in the acceptable day of the Lord, in the Light hath he gathered you, that you might satisfie the thirst of your Souls, and the hunger of you Spirits, in the Ocean and Fountain of Life which is opened for you all to drink; yea drink abundantly of the infinite Mercies of the Eternal God, oh, feel the earnings of his Bowels, that
[Page 193] when you were Enemies, he gave his only Son for you, and now he spreads his Arms forth in this day of acceptance to imbrace every Prodigal, and set free every Captive, and purge every Conscience, and wash every Garment of those that cannot live but in his pure Life: Oh, the strength of the Bowels and Mercies of the God of all Compassions, who hath resisted the proud, and given Grace to the Humble, who hath opened his Ear to the Cry of the Poor, and hath heard the Groans of the Needy, and hath prepared his Table, and richly furnished it with the fatness of his House, that all that cannot live without him, may in his Light return, and wait upon him and he will imbrace you in the Marriage union, in Christ Jesus, in whom he will Cloath you with the wedding Garment of his own righteousness; in the power of his love you all his dear Children to sit down, and eat and drink the Flesh and Blood of Jesus Christ, which will fill you with vertue, and cause you to grow fruitful Branches in the Vineyard of God, in whom the Father will crown you with the Glory of his pure Li
[...]e, and cloath you with the Garment of Innocency, and beautifie you with the excellency of his Majesty, to grow in eternal Unity, to finish your Testimony in faithfulness to the Lord God, in his Light over all, blessed forever.
And all you chosen Jewels of the Lord, whom he hath made up in this his powerful Day, to stand living Witnesses of his glorious Name, in the sight of all People and Nations of the World, whom the Lord calls to bear your Testimony in the glorious Resurrection of his Life, which he hath raised up in
[...] ▪ in his Light, as moved of the Lord; arise in his
[...]
[Page 194] every one to clear your Spirits with boldness in his Innocent Life; let no difficulty stand before you; in the Majesty of the Power of God tread down Sathan under your feet, that would let or hinder any of you that are truely constrained of the Lord to declare his Name in any Country, Nation or Island, where the Lord God leads, for the mighty God will prosper you that retain the sence of your poverty as in self, that his powerful Life may stream forth in the glory of his own brightness, to the enlightning of the People that have sat in Darkness, that in the path of Life they may walk to the Praise of the Mighty God.
And all you called of God, from the least to the highest growth, wait in the Power of the endless Life of the most high, to cover you in it; be valiant to keep your Meetings in the Name of the Lord, that every one may feel the streams of the Fountain of Virtue in Christ the Light, refreshing you all, and filling you his Vessels with the Vertue of his heavenly Life: And when the Living God fills you with the overcoming Power of his Love, and moves any of you, in the broken Heart, and contrition of Spirit to offer up the Sacrifice of Prayer or Praises, or any other exercise in the Congregation of his holy People: This is laid upon me in the Name of the Lord, to lay it upon thee whoseever thou art, that thou quench not his Spirit; let the Lord God glorifie his name thorow thee; let not thy mind look out from the Lord, as to mind the presence of any of his there, for streightning of thee in thy obedience to God, and in thy faithfulness thy Talent shall be increased; so look not at thy weakness, but at Gods strength, and at thy clearness before the Lord,
[Page 195] and this in the Name of the Lord I lay upon every particular Soul, to wait in singleness, for the Lord to exercise thee with clearness in his sight, in every motion and breathing of thy Spirit, in the measure life received of God, for he is come to silence all Flesh, and set
Israel free; in the strength of his Life to deliver his Captives, and to cause the Fetters to fall off that which hath been bound, to lift up the Head which hath been bowed down in
Israel, and to loose the Tongue of the Dumb, to cause the Mouths of the Babes to praise him, and the Tongues of the Sucklings to speak forth his wonderful works: So arise, you that have groaned, for a day of freedom; and you that have been as Vessels ready to burst for want of venting, and have said in your Hearts, I fear I shall not be born; so hast thou gone in mournfulness of thy spirit, as a child disobedient to thy God, but let it be so no more, least thy Talent be taken from thee.
So all Children keep your Eye with God, and with clearness answer him in every motion in his everlasting Power, then will the Lord cause his Light to shine in the brightness of his glory, which will stop all forward and dry Spirits, which is hasty to utter words before the Lord; so will
Israel be full of virtue, and the Churches be covered with the glory of the most high, in the savory Life which shall reign forever; and in it be tender one over another, to restore one another in the Spirit of meekness, let your Bowels be enlarged to the poor, and let your Compassions flow to the helpless and the needy, whether in the inward of the outward man, and the God of all Compassions cloath you with the Garment of his vertue, to his Praise and Glory.
[Page 196]And all you valiant Vessels, and Antients in
Israel, how have you refreshed the Children of the most high God in your travells, in the strength of the Almighty, in the gathering the great multitudes of the Israelites of our God, to behold his glory in the Light of the Son; all put on the excellent Garment of the feeling virtue more and more, that by pure Judgments, the healing tender Spirit, be placed in
Israel, that if any that comes forth with us be struck with the Adversary, that would weaken them from walking in the Path of life: Oh, you Antients in
Israel, who were willing to lay down your lives to gather them to the Light, in that Life feel your bowels open to support them in the hour of Temptation, and draw them in the pure Judgment which is surrounded with Mercy, so will the excellency of the Glory of God be your Crown, which to my great comfort, in measure, I feel set upon your heads this day, that so the tender bowels of the true Shephard may abound in you, who leaves the ninety and nine; to seek the lost and strayed of the House of
Israel, who shall praise the Lord to see the Antient of days sitting amidst and amongst the Antients of
Israel, cloathing all with his meek, low, tender healing restoring Spirit, so will the judgment committed to you be pure, and establishing
Sion in her pure holiness and freedom, then will few be lost or scatered in the
Israel of God, and the Children will be bold to speak forth the mind of the Lord in prayer or praises, or what exercise they are called unto in the presence of his People; and you who have travelled for the freedom of
Sion's Children, which will become as a Family of Prophets, every one prophesying one by one, as the Lord gives utterance; and the Antient of days governing
[Page 197] you, and all his
Israel, to judge in righeousness, in which the Spirits of the Prophets is subject to the Prophets in this day of the freedom of
Sion, whom the Lord is exalting over all in his heavenly dominion, to reign to his praise forever.
And all you Saints in Light, what tribulation soever ariseth in the Earth, as for the Testimony whereunto we are called of God, look not forth from the Lords Power in you, but every one abide in your Tents, in the measure of his powerful Life, and you will feel the Antient of days in and with every one of you, to lead you on in the Testimony whereunto you are called in the Light, with boldness to endure the tryal, till you all have finished that whereunto you are called in Christ the Light, who is come in his Saints to judge the World, and to break down the wickedness thereof with the Breath of his Mouth, and the Brightness of his coming in his heavenly Authority to clear his Peoples Innocency, in all he calls unto, to the confounding of the unrighteous Generation, whom he will tread upon as Morter, and bring to nought whatever will not have his righteous Life to reign; for the Kingdom of this World shall become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall break the battle out of the Earth; his Government shall be over all, and of his Dominion shall be no end, the Mouth of the Lord of Hosts hath spoken it through his Servant, who remains your Brother, and Companion, in Tribulation in the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ.
W. D.
Given forth the
8
th Month, in Newgate
Prison, 1661.
DEar Children of the most high God, dwell in his eternal Power, to keep your Habitation in the Light, to stand over, above, and atop of all that is contrary to the Will of God; in the living Faith tread down
Sathan under your feet, trample upon him as the Valiant Lambs of the Lord, that in his holy Mountain you may dwell together, in his eternal powerful Dominion Reign over all that would vail you from the full enjoyment of the Life of God; and in the strength of the Son of God, walk together in his pure Life, comfort one another in bearing the Burdens of the Weak, and gently leading them in the Power of God, that they may sit down in the holy Mountain of God, with them that have overcome in the Name of the Lord Jesus, to offer up an acceptable Sacrifice in the pure operating Life, in the strength of the Power and Wisdom of God, to stand out of all dead Formality, in the Life to feel the Lord Rule in you, and amongst you, to guide you in his Wisdom, that if any Simple heart, through weakness, should utter words out of the savory Life, in what you may, bear it in the Meeting, and after speak to them, to restore them with the Spirit of meekness, that so in Love and Unity you all may grow in the Wisdom of the Father, as dear Children in all things, doing to one another as you would be done unto, in singleness of Heart in the sight of God, freely Ministring according to your Ability, both to the inward and outward Man, to the Re
[...]ief of your Brethren and Sisters that are in need, that God
[Page 199] may take pleasure to dwell in the midst of you, to fill you all with his comfortable Presence, to his Praise and Glory for ever.
W. D.
Newgate
Prison London,
the 13
th day of the 12
th Month, 1661.
Dear Brethren and Sisters,
BOrn of the Birth of the Morning of the powerful Day of God, abide in the powerful Life, satisfie your Souls with the fulness of the Presence of God, in your faithful watchfulness in his Light, let no
Dalilah allure you from his fear, least the
Philistine bind you, and the
Vncircumcised come over you, to the sorrow of your Hearts: In the Light and Life of God arise, let no stain come upon you, let the Righteous Garment of the Son of the Day cover you, and in the glory of his Light and Life you all walk and shine in the glory of the brightness of the Father of everlasting Mercy, Comfort and eternal Salvation, to you his dear Children, that dread and fear before him, and delight your Hearts alone in him; keep your Meetings in his Power, that in it you be all bound up in his Life, his vertue to feel in the strength of his Love, filling every one of you, that in the overflowings you may refresh one another, that in the unity in the powerful Life, you grow to the eternal praise and glory of the powerful God of Vertue; that his Name be magnified in and amongst you, over all God blessed for ever; his powerful
[Page 200] presence more and more fill you, and overcome you, that the strength of his Love and Wisdom may govern you, and build you up in the Life of Love, Farewel.
Let Copies of this be sent all abroad in the Meetings of the Church of the living God. W. D.
Given forth
the 28
th of the 6
th Month 1661.
at Beckrins Park
in Bedfordshire.
OF the noble Seed, born of the Birth of the excellent Life in Christ the Son of the most high God, in his Eternal Power wait to keep your estate with God, in the measure of his Life, to feel his Almighty presence leading through every condition, to the establishing the Soul in his eternal Wisdom, to walk with him, that not any take their flight in the Winter, nor on the Sabbath day, but in the midd'st of the Winter Storms (whether in the inward or outward Man, or both) seek not to flee in the least measure, from the Light and Power of the Lord, to get any ease, but as it is handed in God; for wo to them that take their flight in the Winter, or on the Sabbath day: And when you are in the Winter, or in the Sabbath, doth the Enemy work to get entertainment, to cause you to flee from the leading Power of God; which if he prevails in the Winter, your flight is into Unbelief, and Dispairing
[Page 201] thoughts, Hardships and Difficulties, to cause you to Faint, and draw back to Perdition: But all dear faithful Vessels of the Lord, to whom his Power is known, in the Light (all of you) wait on the Lord, in the middst of the stormy Winter, the Lord hath, and will keep you in the Word of his Patience, in which he hath made you his chosen Jewels, to stand in his mighty Power, which hath caused his Renown to sound over the Earth, in leading of you even unto Blood, others to the spoiling of their Goods, some Imprisoned even until Death, in the meekness and patience of the Lamb of God, who in tender Bowels hath remembred you, and answered the Cries and Supplications of his people, that have been poured forth in the behalf of you faithful Sufferers, for the Name of the Lord, who in measure hath caused the fierce Winter storms, in the outward (many times) to cease, that a Sabbath of rest, in measure, you may come to enjoy,
&c.
Dear chosen renownable Children of the most high God, which not any Winter storms could move from your stedfastness in the Lord: This is laid upon me to write to you, that all diligently watch to the Light of the Lord, that the Enemy do not enter with his Temptations, as to cause any to take your flight on the Sabbath day, into security, which will draw into a customary Formality, and into an easeful mind, that will vail and darken the understanding, and cause dryness and barrenness in the inward Man; which will quench the first Love, and cause the Innocent to suffer, and bring a greater exercise, then all the storms that have been indured from the hard-hearted Children of Men,
&c.
[Page 202]In the Name of the Lord, all stand armed against the subtil Enemy of your Souls Peace, with the Light judge him, in the Power of God trample and tread down
Sathan under your Feet; that in the pure humble Spirit of Life in Christ, you all be kept and grow in unity in the depths of the Love of the Father, that his Vertue and Life abound in you, to bind you up in eternal oneness with himself, and one another, to serve the Lord with singleness of Heart, in faithful obedience in the Cross, that the Crown of the glorious Dominion may rest upon you, to the glory of the Name of the Lord for ever.
Farewel, your Brother W. D.
Given forth in Newgate
Prison, London,
the 11
th day of the 12
th Month, 1661.
Dear beloved Brethren and Sisters,
BOrn of the noble Birth of the God of our strength, in whom my Soul rests with you in the Life of God; oh, let us in true humility be glad in him, and strong in the Power of his Love and Life, in these trying daies to keep our Habitations in God, that in our faithfulness to him, comfort may flow to all the Babes, Lambs and Children of our Father, through all who know his loving kindness abounding, in the secrecy of the depth of his Love, in the new Covenant of Light, which stands in his own faithfulness; all that wait in
[Page 203] his fear will feel your strength renewed from day to day, in the Resurrection of his Glory, Power and Dominion, with him to dwell and reign over self, and tread down
Sathan under your Feet, in the Unfathamab
[...]e depth of the Love and Life in God, that his own Vertue may stream it self into every Vessel more and more, to make these transcendant excellencies to appear to be of God, in the brightness of his glory to shine forth in the strength of his Incomprehensible Love, and tender feeling Compassions, to the strengthning the weak and feeble minded, and enlivening that which is ready to die, that in the feeling enjoyed Life in Christ, the Babes and Children of the Lord be raised in eternal unity, to grow up in the Heavenly Dominion of the Lord God of our Righteousness, him to obey with boldness in the strait way of self-denial, and daily Cross, in faithfulness unto the end; and watch one over another with a single Eye, building up one another in the holy Faith, opening your Hearts in the free Spirit of God, to them that are in need, that ye may bear the Image of the Heavenly Father, who relieveth the Hungry, and easeth the Burthened, and maketh glad in refreshing his in the time of need, giving liberally, and upbraideth not; even so be it with you in the Name of the Lord, saith your Brother and Companion in the Lord Jesus Christ:
Farewel. W. D.
Given forth in Newgate
Prison, London,
the 16
th day of the 12
th Month, 1661.
ANd Companions in the Tribulations and Kingdom of Patience in Christ Jesus, in him Watch and Pray, and believe in his Name, that you may keep the Word of his Patience, in the Will of God quietly lye down in your present Sufferings, for the Word of God and Testimony of Jesus Christ, who numbers the daies of your Sufferings, and when they are accomplished, will plead the Cause of his People in the day he will be revealed in flames of Fire, rendering Vengeance upon all that know him not, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; then shall your Innocency with all the Elect be cleared, in the sight of all people, and you shall shine as the Morning Stars in the Power of God, to enlighten the people of the Nations, through the brightness of the glory of God that shall rest upon you, to the gathering the Brethren from far, and the Sisters from the ends of the Earth, who shall bless the Name of the Lord for ever, for you that endure in faithfulness unto the end, the Crown of glory shall rest upon you, forever.
The eternal God in his everlasting Power keep you in the deep Life of his Son, in unity to finish your Testimony to his Glory:
Farewel,
W. D.
Given forth in Newgate
Prison, London,
the 13
th day of the 12
th Month, 1661.
Dear Lambs keep in the unity, in the Life and Power of God, and let your words be few.
THe Eternal God of rest and peace is amongst you, in him Rule over all that would draw from the everlasting Power and peace in God, his peace be with you in his Light, Power and Life, to establish you, that in the first love you grow in unity, and in it reign to the endless praises and glory of the God of peace and the comfort of one another forever.
Even so be it with you, saith my Soul, in the Name of the Lord. Farewell, W. D.
London, Newgate
Prison
the 12
th day of the 12
th Month, 1661.
Dear Brethren, and chosen Vessels of my Father,
HOw do you comfort my Heart in your faithful obedience to the God of our Salvation; lift up your Heads you blessed Lambs of the holy God, dwell in his love, and delight your Hearts in the Light of his Countenance continually, and in the Life of the Lord let your love abound one towards another, that in the strength thereof you may comfort one another in these trying days, and with the Light judge every thought that would streighten you▪ for drinking in the fulness of the vertue of God, that so you may all fill your Hearts
[Page 206] with gladness, and keep the word of his patience, till the time determined God will work your deliverance, with all his Elect, to his praise and glory forever. Fare you well; your Brother,
W. D.
25
th day 11
th Month 1661.
GReat is the charge that is committed to you, as to your watchfulness over your own Hearts, and the great people amongst whom you are placed; Oh, you Brethren, walk in the unity in the Life of God, it will be the great comfort of them chosen Jewels of God in that place; the strength of the Life and Love of God will wait to cover you, it will flow through you in the unity as a River, to water the Garden of God, and cause it to grow full of the fruit of the Spirit, which is Love, Joy, Goodness, Peace against which their is no Law; so
[...]hall your names be honorable in
Israel, and many shall bless and praise the Name of the Lord for your watchfulness, meekness and lowliness, and tender love in the Power of God, to build the decay'd Walls of
Sion, and repair her desolate places, to the rejoycings of all that love the Lord our God.
His Powerful Presence be with you and bind you up as one in his Life in all your undertakings for the comfort of Sion;
and the Blessing of the Almighty
[Page 207] God be with you, and rest upon you, to his Glory forever. Your Brother, W. D.
From Newgate
Prison
the 5
th day of the 9
th month, 1661.
This was writ and directed to several Friends in
Bristol.
ALL in the measure abide, that in the unlimitted power and life in his Kingdom you stand to keep your dominion in his heavenly authority, these trying days, wherein Husband is called to forsake Wife, Wife Husband, Parents Children, and Children Parents, and other Creature-enjoyments for the Testimony of the Name of the Lord: so all you Families of God, that are, or shall be called to bear your Testimony, prize the mercy of the Lord, who hath made you his chosen Jewels, and the first-fruits amongst many Brethren, to fulfil the measure of the sufferings that is yet behind; in the name and power of the Lord Jesus arise, whether Husband, Wife, Parents or Children, in bonds or out of bonds, and take to you the sharp threshing Instrument, which is the Power of God, that you may thresh inwardly all the Mountains of thoughts, fears or unbelief, representation of all hardships, and every desire and imagination that would draw from a peaceable rest in God in the Name of the Lord; I lay it upon you, be valiant for your Freedom, and with
[Page 208] the powerful Instrument of God thresh and bruise down the Mountains as chaff and dust, and thresh upon the head of the great red Dragon, the old Serpent, the Devil, and spare him not, and be not afraid of encountering, for mighty is the Lord that hath called you to conquer him; so keep his head under with the threshing Instrument bruise down and keep under all that would disquiet you, or draw you from your rest, that so in peace in Christ you all may abide, in a pure resignation to the will of the Father, that in the Habitation of peace in his Kingdom, you in his dominion reign over, above and atop of all below the Light, so wi
[...]l your joy flow as a River, your triumph and dominion in the authority of God, over all the Mountains of this World, within and without, in the Mountain of the holy Life in Christ to reign, admire and sou
[...]d out (in the low minde and holy fear) the new song with triumph, over the Devil and his Angels, and the accuser of the Brethren, which you will see cast down, and you shall tread upon him, and bruise him under (and all that would joyn with him) with the sharp threshing Instrument, the mighty Power of God which you have received in Christ the Light, and in all things you do one for another, let love abound in the Innocent Life in God, doing as you would be done unto, in the sight of God; and you that are servants in Families, which be in sufferings, I lay it upon you, be faithful that the good savour of God be found amongst you, to the praise of the Lord; and you that are out of bonds, in what you may, be assistant eve
[...]y way (as the Wisdom of God leads) bearing one anothers burthens, to fulfil the Law of Christ who is taking to him his great Power to reign forever, even the strength
[Page 209] of the mighty God be with you, and lift up all your Heads in his Authority to stand, and to keep the word of his Patience, to finish your Testimony to the praise and glory of his Name, over all blessed forever, of whose Dominion there is no end, in which you dear Lambs may feel me, and read me in the Life, which is hid from the World, but known to you in the secrets of God, where our eternal Joy and Triumph is for ever; whatever becomes of the outward Man, in the Will of God farewell—yea, farewell in the Name of the Lord.
W. D.
Given forth in Newgate
Prison, London,
the 3
d day of the 1
st Month, 1661, 62.
IN the Birth Immortal, which in you breathes through, over and above all the Pomp, Pride, and Pleasure of the World, to enjoy the fulness of Life in Christ, who liveth forever; with the Light of the Lord judge all your own thoughts and desires, which would draw from the Light, that in the Life of God, you reign over all Doubts, Fears, Cares, Representations of evil, and hardships which would look you in the Face in this trying day, which is now manifest to the sight of all people that fear the Lord; all take heed of consulting with Flesh and Blood, or suffering an evil Spie to go forth in the reach of your Sence, reason, to fore-see how you may pass through such tryals as may appear to your Sence; if you hearken to these
[Page 210] reasonings, you go from the Light, and so will be weakned in your spiritual Travel, as
Israel was in the daies of old. So all dear Lambs, and chosen Vessels in the Light of the Lord wait to receive his strength, to tread down every motion that is out of the Life of the voice of Christ, the high Priest over the houshold of God, you all hear and feel, who saith, in his Light believe in the Name of the Lord, and you shall see his mighty Works brought to pass, while you stand still in Obedience and Peace with the Lord, and he will clear your Innocency, and smite the Hearts of them that devise mischief against you; so shall you behold the Lord in his glory, pleading your Cause with the raighty of the Earth, whom he will make to confess, and say, it is in vain to afflict a People whom the Lord supports, or to destroy whom the Lord God will save; for as it hath been proclaimed in your Ears, certainly it shall come to pass; the Lord will try all, that they may be known who are born of him, for whom God will appear to carry through with joy whatever he calls unto, and by his mighty Arm will bring deliverance unto us, who cannot handle Sword nor Spear, neither trust in the Arm of Flesh, but in the spiritual Power and Life in the Light, which he will exalt over all contrary to him, so will he make his Name famous in the Earth, because of his glory which he will reveal to cover the Earth, as the Waters cover the Sea; and all ungodliness will be buried in the deep, and sink as a Stone to the bottom thereof, and never rise aga
[...]n over the Just; but the Righteous shall rejoyce that the Lord reigneth, their Strength and Life blessed for ever: So all Brethren and Sisters, lift up your Heads in the valiant Spirit of the Lamb, which bears all things, and
[Page 211] endures all things,
1662 that in his Light, Life and Power every particular reign over whatever is contrary to him, and rest in peace in a faithful resignation to the heavenly Will of the Lord; and in his Name meet, and his presence you will feel in the mid'st of you, who will not suffer one hair of your Heads to perish, but which is for his glory; and as you abide faithful to him for the eternal comfort of our Souls for ever: so in Faith and Patience in the Power of the Lord, all in your own measures received of God stand, stand still all in the pure unity with the Lord, and with one another in his living Dominion rest in peace, God will give you an answer of all your Prayers and Tears, an expected end in refreshing your Souls with his Light, and Power and Life forever, in whom you shall sit under your own Vines, and never more shall any make you afraid; the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it, through your Brother in the Tribulation and Kingdom of Patience in Christ:
Farewell. W. D.
From York
Castle
the 4
th of the 9
th Month, 1662.
LIft up your Heads in the Light and Life of God, that you may keep the Word of his patience, which will carry you up, over and above all the affl
[...]ctions you meet withall in this present World, for the
[Page 212] Lord is dear over you, and your lives are pretious in his sight, who hath called you to witness forth his glorious Truth this day, through Tribulations and Afflictions to enter the Kingdom: Oh, be bold and valiant in the Patience of the Lamb, and in the love of his own Life, feel his vertue filling you, that in the eternal unity you may grow Pillars in his Temple unmoveable, to bear your faithful Testimony, to the astonishment of the Enemies of
Sion, and the praise and glory of the God of our Strength, Life and Righteousness over all, who Reigneth and Ruleth for ever; and the God of Life bless, preserve and keep you in Unity and Love, over all in his Life to Reign to his glory for ever:
Farewell; W. D.
From York
Castle
the 2
d of the 7
th Month, 1662.
FOR the Testimony of the Name of the Lord, the strength of the Almighty God is with you, and the eternal Crown of glory shall rest upon your Heads, that in your faithful Obedience refresheth the Flock of the living God: Oh, lift up your Heads you chosen Vessels, in the Light of the Lord arise up in his Strength, and Reign over every thought, and whatever would streighten you of drinking in of the fulness of the vertue of God, that you may alwaies be fall of the Power of the Spirit, to water the Plants, and build up
[Page 213] the Feeble in mind, and speak a word in due season to the Weary and Oppressed in Spirit, that the Blind may see, and the Lame walk, and the tongue of the Dumb loosed, to praise the Name of the Lord in the Assembly of his People, that the glory of the Lord may be spread abroad, in and through you his chosen Vessels, whom the Lord hath called to be the first-Fruits amongst many Brethren.
The eternal glory of the Lord rest upon you, and cover you, saith your Brother and Companion in the Name of the Lord.
W. D.
From York
Castle
the 21
th day of the 8
th Month, 1662.
Dear beloved Brethren and Sisters,
IN the eternal love of the Lord Jesus, Oh, my dear beloved ones, love the Lord Jesus, and delight your Hearts in his Light, Power and Life of our beloved, who hath chosen you in his eternal love, to make known his everlasting Salvation in the sight of all people, that he may get himself a Name over all, in carrying you in your faithful Testimony, to the astonishment of all that know not God; and exalting his glorious Name over all, and spreading his renown to the ends of the Earth: Oh, be valiant my beloved Friends, in resisting the thoughts of your own Hearts, that in the eternal depth of the love of God in Christ you grow and abound, to the eternal comfort of one another, and the glory and praise of God over all blessed for ever and ever; in which
Farewell.
W. D.
York
Castle
the 17
th of the 1
st Month, 1662, 63.
To all the Faithful in CHRIST, Who Have stood in his Counsel the Light, to be led in the Foot-steps of the Flock of the Companions, and to all that profess the Light of Christ to be their Guide: To you I write these following Lines, to be seriously weighed, in the weighty and ponderous Spirit, wherein you may discern a Discovery of a false Birth, in some, that came forth with us, as to own the Light, in their Iudgments, and go forth from us, in rejecting the stroak of the pure judgments of God, through the working of the mystery of iniquity, and so become as the untimely Birth, that doth not see the Sun in his glory, nor the beauty of
Sion (who hath passed through death un
[...]o life) in her comely unity in the Spirit and bond of peace: He that can receive it, let him, n
[...]w in the cool of
[...]he day, when Counsel may be hearkened unto, and rightly understood in the Truth, as it is in Iesus.
DEar Friends, called and chosen of God, in the Eternal Light and Power of the most high, who have been, and are his living Witnesses from the beginning of the dawning of his powerful and glorious day of
[Page 215] his dreadful appearance, which hath caused the Earth to shake, and the Keepers of the House to tremble in this day of your visitation from on high. And all you that in true watch
[...]ulness wait on the Lord, in the measure of his life, you are sensible of what he did, hath done, and doth, in the ordering of his dear and tender Children, as in the subjection both of the inward and outward Man, in every exercise of the Spirit, as in exhortation, prayer or praises, which the most high God hath and doth accompany with his blessed presence, in which he hath made all (that hath kept their Habitations in the powerful life of the first Love) to stand as Saviours upon Mount
Sion, to gather the scattered of
Israel, and to bring again the dispersed of
Iacob: And this is the work of all that are truly sent of the Lord to labour in his Vineyard, who seeks not their own things, neither sets up, nor serves themselves with what the Lord hath given unto them, but alone seeks the glory of God, and serveth him with uprightness of Heart, in the exercise of all the Gifts and riches of his Grace, with which he hath cloathed them, to the perfecting of his Praise and Glory, and the comfort of his Heritage forever: therefore do they shine as the Stars in the Firmament of Heaven, in turning many Souls to Righteousness, in which they enter into the heavenly Habitation of the most high God; where it is known the Lord to be one, and his Name one, and there alone stands the union of all the flock of the Companions, who have been truly baptized and buried with Christ in his Death, where we could not cover our naked Souls with a Fig-leaf Garment of our own works, or with any self-created gesture, or posture of the outward Man, but in true obedience to the
[Page 216] Light,
1663 waiting in the sence of our misery, crying out of the great Deep to the God of mercy, who in his appointed time, in his tender compassions he casts the Skirts of his Garment over us, and said unto us, live: In which Life we in eternal unity bear our Testimony to all the World in the Light of his Covenant, sitting and feeding together at his Table, cloathed with the wedding Garment, where there never was, no
[...] ever shall be any rent, but eternal harmonious joyful unity, in the everlasting felicity, where every Child of this Inheritance (as moved of the Lord) casts in their Mite, in the returns of his Spirit, offering up the Sacrifice of high praises to the most high God over all, blessed forever.
Dear and tender Friends; This ariseth in my Heart to exhort all that are convinced of the Truth, that every one with diligent watchfulness search your own Hearts with the Light, and in it know your own estates, and seriously know your own conditions, and that you may certainly understand what Spirits you are on, and to have the seal of the Spirit of God demonstrating to you in full assurance; that you walk with him, in true self-denial, according to your measures in uprightness of Heart with all the flock of the Companions, as before written, then will the Lord give you a sound and perfect judgment, to weigh and try all Spirits, and taste the breath from whence the words proceed, and not to lay your Hands hastily upon any, whatever they pretend, but in that which tries and weighs your own spirits, in coolness and singleness of Heart, try and taste what Spirits they are on that comes amongst you in this day, wherein many comes forth with us as to the owning of the Truth in their judgments, and regulates
[Page 217] the outward Man in some outward gestures like to the Children of the Truth; and some have felt the stroak of the Judgment of the Lord, which hath caused them to forsake some things which formerly they delighted in, and in some measure of Zeal have born a Testimony to the Light, enduring both stripes and imprisonment, both in this Nation, and some beyond the Seas, while they stood in the Fear of the Lord, who for his Names sake hath delivered them from the Winter Storms that they suffered under; but they for want of watchfulness, the Mystery of Iniquity hath wrought and drawn them from the Light into the pride of their Hearts, to deck themselves with the jewels and gifts of the Spirit God gave unto them when they were humble before him; but they departing from the redeeming judgment of God, the Beast gets the deadly wound heal'd again, and instead of giving glory to God for their deliverance, they in this time of some measure of rest, take their flight on the Sabbath day, upon the Mountains of their high Imaginations, and Sacrifices upon the high places, and doth not regard to make their peace with Christ in them, their Elder Brother, and so to bring their gift to the Altar, in the humble meek Spirit which gathers into unity, and answereth to the witness in every Conscience; but though they pretend zeal and Obedience to God, in what they do; they being gone from the Light, they neither regard the Glory of God, nor the good of his People; for all that they now do, is wrought in a self-serving Spirit, where they enter into the mysterious working of the deceit of their Hearts, to set up, and cover themselves with a voluntary humility, and feigned love, gathering all the eloquent and inticeing words of mans
[Page 218] wisdom, with which they make a flourish in a discoursative spirit, speaking high words of that they never did know, to get entrance upon the affection of the tender hearted ones, that are afraid to judge any but themselves, with others that look more at high words, then to feel from whence they came, or to know the end for what they are spoken; and these they seek to overcome with their subtle enticing words, to draw them into singularity, and self-separation, that they may set them up with admiration, and to carry on their own Interest, they make use of those they overcome, to seek all occasions with themselves to speak evil, some both by writing and printing, against those that God hath raised up to keep their Habitation, and to stand unmovable upon the Foundation Christ the Light, to discern and judge their subtle, crafty, wicked proceedings, and to lay them open, that they be such as intrude into a Ministry, and runs when God never sent them, therefore they do not profit the people at all, for they go not in at the Door, which is the Light to be led in conformity to Christ in his suffering and Death, so come they to be ignorant of the saving gathering word of eternal Life, because they in self-strivings climb up over the true judgment of God, and in pride and fleshly wisdom pretends to enjoyments of high things, in a self-boasting spirit, some saying in their Hearts, as it is written, I see, and know, and am rich, and want nothing, when they are blind, and miserable, and naked, and wants all things, and must come again to the Light, to b
[...]y eye-salve of Christ that they may see, and raiment to cover them, or else their nakedness will forever appear. For this birth which is generated in the My
[...]tery of
[Page 219] Iniquity (as before written) it cannot live but in singularity and
self-separation, setting up self some times in visible Formes, Gestures and Postures, to be seen distinct from others, as Clouds tossed to and fro, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever, except they repent: for God will make the Womb of this Births Conception to be the Grave whence again it shall return, and there to be buried to its eternal consummation, the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it, through his Servant that hath and doth labour day and night, according to the ability of the Grace I have received of the Lord, for the restoration of all those that have been in danger of destruction, through the snares and working of the Enemy (as before written.) And amongst many, some hearked to counsel, and have been again restored in obedience to the Light; but who rejected the counsel of God through his Servants, and desperately goes on in a self-serving spirit, (though often reproved) they harden their necks, destruction hath, doth, and will come upon them, and that without remedy.
Oh! How did my Bowels earn for the preservation of
I. P. in what I could to have drawn and separated him from that spirit which gave forth the paper that propagated the keeping on the Hat in prayer, and reflected judgment upon those that called upon the Name of the Lord with their Heads uncovered: but after much counselling of him in tender love, to have stopt that paper from going abroad; but he would not be separated from that spirit that gave it forth. Then I cleared my Conscience in the Word of the Lord, which now (in my freedom in God) I declare to the Children of
Sion, what the eternal judgment was, that did arise
[Page 220] in my Heart, in words to this purpose.
Iohn,
[...]f then propagate what thou hast written in this paper, thou wilt wound more Hearts, and cause more trouble of spirit amongst the tender hearted People of the Lord, then when the temptation entred dear
I. N. who deeply suffered, but the Lord restored him again by true repentance: And as to my particuler, it is not my nature to be found striving with thee, or any upon the Earth; but having declared the Truth to thee, I will return to my rest in the Lord, and let every birth live the length of its day, and time manifest what is born of God; for that Spirit that stands up in self-striving, will weary it felf, and dye, and end in the Earth. And this will certainly come to pass upon all that do not diligently wait in the Light, to judg the out-goings of their minds, and to be lead in true self-denial, which is the Foot-steps▪ where the Flocks of the Companions delight to walk, every one serving one another in love, seeking to restore one another with the Spirit of love and meekness, forth of what any have done, through the violence of Temptation or weakness.
Oh! Dear Friends, feel the earning Bowels of the Lord through me to you all, in which I beseech you, that what hath come to pass in this day of great tryal, and hour of Temptation, you may all (in dear love to the Lord of Life) return to his Light, to feel his Power restoring into a true understanding with him to walk, in true self-denial, where you will feel his Presence, filling your Hearts, and binding you up in eternal Unity of the Spirit, and bond of Peace; every one forgetting all things that are behind, and not any one stand up in self-striving, but in the tender bro
[...]herly
[Page 221] love informing the Judgements of one another in the Light and Power of the endless life, and in it submit to the low estate of one another, serving one another in love, which is the washing one anothers feet; and here is Christ and his Disciples in eternal unity, and powerful Dominion, against whom, every tongue lifted up shall fall in Judgment, and every weapon formed shall not prosper, but come to naught, for the Mountain of the Lords House shall be more and more set upon the top of the Mountains, and established over all the Hills, and all the faithful shall more and more (in eternal unity) praise and magnifie his Name, in the beauty of holiness, who sits upon the throne, and liveth and reigneth forever and ever.
And dear chosen Vessels, who hath known, and doe abide and keep your state with God in the perfecting power manifest in your inward man, which truly buries self in the death, and hath raised you up, and sent you forth in the Resurrection and power of the endless Life, which seeketh not any thing, but to glorifie the Lord in all your travels, and undertakings, where-ever the Lord calls you.
Oh, you blessed amongst the people; what can be said of the goodness of the Lord, that hath been and will be more and more manifest to you, whose care and burdens, labours and travels is known to the Lord, and your reward is with him forever. Dear Brethren, though great be the wrath that withstands the work of our God, which wrath worketh openly and mysteriously to lay burdens upon the innocent, and to add affliction unto the afflicted. In the Word of the Lord that ariseth in my Heart, I declare they shall but weary themselves, and all their hopes shall fail them, and their
[Page 222] expectations shall come to nought, who wait for evil concerning you who love the Lord better then your lives, and delight to wait to feel his Power at all times, leading and ordering in the limits and bonds of the Spirit of the Lord, &c. I know there is of you my Brethren, that need not be written unto in lines of this nature, but to all who hath, or may have their mouths opened in the true motion of the Spirit of God, and hath not yet overcome and escaped the danger▪ where many have received loss as before written, with a godly jealousie over you, in tender bowels I beseech you watch and pray, that in the Light and Power of God you always be kept; And when any motion of the Spirit of the Lord ariseth in you, to exercise the Gift God hath given you; first search your Hearts, and see that you be at peace with Christ in you, your elder Brother, that in the sense of your peaceable union with him, your Hearts be truly broken, and your Spirits truely humbled and abased before the Throne of his glory, in which power bring your gifts to his Altar, and keep within the bounds of the Spirit, then shall your Sacrifices (whether it be Exhortation, Prayer or Praises answer the witness of God in all his People, and God will accept of your faithfulness in the returns of his own Spirit to his glory forever: And whatever the Lord doth in you or with you, rejoyce not over much in Spirits being made subject, but rather rejoyce in the power that keeps self in the Death, that your names you always behold written in the Lambs Book of Life; then will you be full of vertue, as branches in the Vine of Gods righteousness, whose leaf shall never wither; but you shall be always Faithful, and your leaf shall be for the healing of the Nations; and an Eternal
[Page 223] Judgment shall rest and abide in you, in the pure discerning of all the unstable wandering Spirits, that are as before written, which is the Stars that the great Dragon draws after him from the heavenly Light, and throws them down again to the Earth, because (through pride) they kept not their estate in the meek humble Spirit of the Lord of Glory.
Oh▪ my dear Brethren in the unity and bonds of the meek humble Spirit of our God, my Soul blesseth the Name of the Lord for you, and your faithfulness is as marrow to the bones of the feeble, and as sinews to the loynes of the weak; therefore let us in the true motion of the meek peaceable Spirit of the almighty God, go on in his service, and let us wrestle with the most high, in the prevaling power of his own Spirit, for the bringing again the captivity of
Sion, that they that have mourned before our God with us in years past, may be restored and brought from the Mountains (where they are scattered) into the Light and Fold of rest, with us to lye down in the Shephards Tent, where we find safety in the heat of the day, and in the hollow of his hand, he will keep us, untill the indignation be over past.
Therefore you valiants amongst the people, who in the meek humble Spirit shines as the Angels of Glory; every one be faithful in the power of the most high God? in whom you shall stand as Saviours upon Mount
Sion, in your living Testimony which causeth the dead to hear the living Voice, the Lame to Walk, the Blind to See, the Dumb to Speak forth the high Praises of the mighty God, which shall cause the Ears of them that know not God to tingle, and the Hearts of the righteous to rejoyce, and forever glorifie the Name of the Lord,
[Page 224] that hath kept you humble, little and low as to self, but mighty, powerful, prevailing, in the pure, peaceable, eternal Dominion of which there is no end,
Where my Soul rests, who hath now given forth what hath for some time lain upon me, to clear my Conscience to all that ever have tasted in any Measure of the good Word of God, and the Power of the World to come, that they may certainly know whether they abide in the Vine of Gods Righteousness, yea, or ndy, Therefore, Let them that hath an Eye to see, let them see; or an Ear to hear, let them hear; or an Heart to understand, let them understand what the Spirit saith to the Churches, in the eternal Judgment and Word of Truth, through
Your Brother and Fellow-Labourer in the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ: Farewel; W. D.
Send this with care abroad to be read in the Fear of God in the Assemblies of the Church of the first Born.
The Word of the Lord, to his beloved City, New
Ierusalem, come from God, cloathed with the excellency of the Glory of his Love; and is the Bride, the Lambs Wife, with the flowings of the tender compassionate Bowels of the Lord Jesus, to all the Mourners in
Sion, and the Afflicted desolate People, who wait for his comming as for the Morning, and hath not satisfaction in any thing, but in the enjoyment of his sweet and comfortable Presence.
OH
Ierusalem, thou beloved amongst the People, who art become the beautiful Bride the Lambs Wife; Oh, how did he seek thee in the day of thy Divorcement, when thou wast weeping in the barren Wilderness, as a desolate Widow, who had not any to comfort thee, when thy greatest Mournings and breakings of Heart were thy greatest comfort? And the more thou drunk the Tears that was shed for the want of him, was thy greatest satisfaction: Oh, the weary daies thou had'st upon the Earth, because thy Languishing Soul knew not where to meet with thy beloved, neither did'st thou know how to walk in the steps of the Flock of thy Companions, who was comforted with his Presence, whom thy Soul wanted; then was he near unto thee (though thou knew it not)
[Page 226] enlivening the desires that were towards his Name: And in the acceptable day he sent forth whom he had ordained, to declare unto thee the glory of his Love, in the Light of his own Life, in which he hath covered thee this day, as with a Wedding Garment, and in it thou appearest comely in his sight, and acceptable in his Presence. And for thy sake, oh,
Ierusalem, thou City of the Living God, what hath been endured? How many Innocent Lambs have suffered, its hard to be expressed, to bring gald-tidings unto thee of him whom thy Soul thirsteth after? How have the Striplings sent out in Gods Authority run to and fro in the Earth, willing to spend, and be spent in all services of Love, to perswade thee to forsake all that hath intangled thy mind, and hindred thee from the innocent Life of thy Beloved. Thy mighty Men, with many of the Sons and Daughters of glory, have sealed their living Testimony with their Blood, in the patience and sufferings of the Lamb of God, that thou mayst be affected with the excellency of the glory of him whom thy Soul desireth.
And now the Lord God requireth of every particular Son and Daughter of
Sion, To Watch and Pray, that not any enter into Temptation; and all that have any stain upon their Garments, come to the Fountain
which is opened for Judah
and Jerusalem
to wash in, which is the Heart-breaking love of God manifest in the Light of the Covenant, and sealed up to the Soul in the Blood of Jesus.
Oh, come away, come away, out of all your thoughts, desires, doubts, and unbelief, which would turn you aside from the enjoyment of the dear love of God in Christ Jesus; Let not any stand afar off, because of
[Page 227] your Littleness, Lameness, Blindness, Weakness, and Infirmities, who cannot live at Peace, until you be healed with the Blood of the Lamb.
Arise, arise, you necessitated people, in the Light of the Lord, give up to the drawing Spirit of Life in the Light of Jesus Christ, he will carry thee (that cannot go) in the Arms of his Compassions; he will cause the Lame to walk; and thou that art sensible of thy Blindness, to recover thy sight; yea, he will heal thee of all thy Infirmities, who in the Light waits as a little Child to be ordered and guided in the washing and sanctifying Spirit of the
Lord Iesus, who is become a Husband to the desolate Widow, and a repairer of the Breaches, and a restorer of the desolate Places, in whom the Fatherless hath found mercy this day, for his Names sake.
Oh! what shall I say of the unspeakable Love of God in Christ Jesus the Husband of the Bride, the Lambs Wife? Oh, ye Sons of the glorious day, read, and feel in the deep tasts of the unsearchable Love. And you Hand-Maids of Glory, drink of the inexpressible Ocean, which flowes in the Light over all opposition. This is the Son of the Fathers Love, who hath been a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with griefs,
He was Wounded for our Transgressions, and by his Stripes are we healed, and this is the Work of the Lord: Let all Crowns be thrown down before him, for he alone shall have all the glory, besides him there is no other: Therefore in the measure of him▪ let every Son, Daughter, and Servant of God watch, and diligently hearken to his Counsel; and what ever the natural Man most inclines to, when the Temptation besets you, judge your selves, look up to the Lord, and resist the Devil with boldness in the first assault,
[Page 228] and the Lord God will give you Dominion over him, and the Bond of Iniquity shall not have power over you; and in his holy Authority, every one stand in Dominion upon the Head of the first Man, with all his excellency and glory, that in the perfect freedom every particular Reign, in the measure of the Light, over every thought and desire that is contrary to the Will of God, that in his eternal Will, you Sons and Daughters of the most high, you all dwell in the holy Faith, which will evidence to you beyond your sight, and will Arm you against all the fiery Darts of the Devil: And you shall tread down Sathan under your Feet, and in the triumphing Dominion, through the Blood of the Lamb, and Word of your Testimony, you shall overcome, and continually drink of the Rivers of pleasures, which is the presence of the Lord Jesus, our Light, Life and Righteouness for ever; for he is become our Husband, and we are as the Wife of his Bosom, in the delight of his glorious Love; Let the Mourners in
Sion rejoyce, and the afflicted among the people be glad, and fear the Lord. And let not any say, the Lord regards me not, who desires Salvation in uprightness of Heart; for what ever thou hungers and thirsts for in his Life, thou art the Heir of it, and the Lord will satisfie thy Hunger with his refreshings for his Name sake: And this is the Portion of them that are least in their own Eyes amongst the people, the Lord hath spoken it.
And all you Inhabitants of the City of the great God, whom the Lord hath prospered in your living Testimony, in what he hath called unto, blessed be the Lord God for you who retain the sensibility of your nothingness in self, and so become poor with the poorest,
[Page 229] and Weak with the weakest, and truly maketh self of no reputation, but humbles it to the Cross, and doth not serve self, but the Lord and his people, with all his Gifts and Ornaments, with which he hath adorned you, because of the savour of this Oyntment which you have in Christ, causes the Souls of all the upright in Heart to praise the Lord for you: Oh, your stedfast valiant unwearied Travels, Labours and Sufferings for the Lord, causes the Hearts of his People to be enlarged with Hallelujahs, and high Praises in the holy Assembles of his Saints, you know your reward is with you; and wo to them that devise mischief against you whom the Lord hath blessed.
Oh,
Sions Children, from the least to the greatest, love the Lord Jesus Christ, and let not a thought of the Heart have any power that would draw from the Light, Life, and Love of the Lord Jesus; let the day of the Resurrection arise upon you, which will set your Souls in perfect love, above all Unbelief and Infidelity: Oh, drink, drink, drink to the full satisfaction of your Souls, of the Cup of his Salvation, for it is freely handed to all that love him, and thirsts for his Mercies, and trample and tread down the self-working spirit, that all be bound down in silence, and kept in the Death that would move in any exercise, to utter words rashly before the Lord; but in the Resurrection, Light, Power, Life, and innocent Birth enter the Kingdom, and Reign in the Dominion thereof. Oh, here my dear Friends, let us comfort and consolate our Souls together, for this is our beloved, and we have waited for him, and now is he come with power and great glory, to deliver his Captives, and establish them in his glorious freedom, where the
[Page 230] evil one shall not prevail against them; and to Marry the Soul unto himself, who hath waited for him as for the Morning; and all in the Marriage union, feel his Power abounding to lead in the daily Cross, to stand over all that would draw from the sweet union, that is in the footsteps of the Flock of his Companions, who walk in the Light; and stir up the gift of God in you, in all faithful obedience, to meet together in true watchfulness, to wait in the Light: And as your Hearts are filled with the Heavenly Power of the Lord, and broken in the sence of the overcomings of his Life, and moved in the forciable strength thereof, in any exercise in your Families, or in the Assemblies of his People; quench not the Spirit of the Lord, but be obedient, and keep within the bounds of a broken Heart, and a contrite Spirit, which is a Sacrifice acceptable in his presence: And all feel the love of God enlarging your Hearts one to another, that the strong may bear the Burthen of the weak, and in the pure Life of love, you may grow fruitful Plants in the Vineyard which God's right-Hand hath Planted,
&c.
And as for our little Sister (which is scattered amongst the people in the Nations) that hath no Breast of Consolation, her broken Cisterns hath failed her: What shall we do, in this day she shall be spoken for, which is come upon us, though at present she cannot draw near, but Mourns at a distance, and Cries in secret for want of the enjoyment of the God of our Sa
[...]vation? Oh, let your Bowels open to her, and let your Hearts breath unto the Lord, that he may seal his Counsel unto her, and cause her to walk in the Light of the Lord with us, whom he hath raised to be the first Fruits amongst many Brethren, to bear his glorious
[Page 231] Testimony over and above the Heads of all the wrath of the Children of Men, that withstands the Appearance of God, who will cause them to bow before his Glory; in the day he will clear the Innocency of his beloved people, which shall smite the Hearts of them that know him not, neither by Sword, nor Spear, nor strength of the Arm of Flesh, but with the breath of his Mouth, and the brightness of his comming, which shall spread his Fame over the Nations, to gather our Brethren from far, and Sisters from the ends of the Earth; yea, the mighty shall bow to his Scepter, and the Nations that are saved shall walk in his Light, with us, whom he hath made as dear unto himself as the Apple of his Eye; and though a Woman may forget her sucking Child, yet the Lord will not forget any that fear him; but he will lead through all Tribulations with Joy in his heavenly Power, untill we have finished our Course with gladness, to the glory of the Name of the Lord forever. And this is the Portion, and the Lot of thy Inheritance, thou beautiful Bride, the Lambs Wife, against whom every Tongue that is lifted up shall fall into Judgement, and the Weapons formed against thee shall not prosper; for the Lord hath made thee a burthensome Stone to the Nations, and the praise of the whole Earth; and the desires of the people shall be to the Name of the most high God, who dwells in the midd'st of thee, and hath displayed his Banner of Love over thee, and hath turned his fury away from thee, and never any more shalt thou want the fresh Springs of Life, who loves the Light, and bathes thy Soul in the Ocean of his inexpressible Mercies: The Lord will keep thee in the safety of his Power and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail
[Page 232] against any of the Sons and Daughters, who wa
[...] in the Light of thy City, O
Ierusalem, in whom there is no more Curse; but the Throne of God, and of the Lamb is in thee, and his Servants doth serve him, and they do see his Face, and his Name is written in their Fore-heads, and there is no Night there, neither need of Candle, nor Light of the Sun, for the Lord God giveth them Light, and they do Reign forever, as the Lord hath spoken
Through your Brother and Companion in the Tribulation and Kingdom of Patience in the Lord Iesus, W. D.
Given forth in York
Castle,
the 19
th of the 1
st Month, 1663.
Let this be sent abroad to be read, in the fear of the Lord, in the holy Assemblies of the Church of the first born, where she is scattered to the ends of the Earth.
The
Breathings of
Life To God's Spiritual Israel, Through A faithful Follower of the Lamb, in the Regeneration and Kingdom of Patience and Tribulation; and now a Sufferer in Bonds for the Testimony of the Lord Jesus, known to the World by the Name of William Deusbury.
DEar Children, and Chosen Vessels of the Eternal Everliving God, whom he hath plucked as Brands out of the Fire, and hath manifested his heavenly powerful operating Spirit to lead you in his holy fear, to wait upon him in the way of his Judgments, which hath buried and
[...] in the Death, that you could not find
[...]ny Com
[...]ort or Satisfaction unto your hungry thirsty S
[...]ls, but in lying
[Page 235] down, in true subjection to the Judgments of the Lord, manifest in the Light, until the Lord broke in upon you (when your wills were subjected) with his tender love and bowels of free mercy, which caused the Dead to live, the Lame to walk, the Deaf to hear, and the Dumb to speak forth the wonders of the Lord.
Oh you dear Companions, in the Tribulations, and Patience of Jesus, when I remember you, my heart is broken, and as a man overcome, with the Compassions of the Lords love that flows out towards you; in which my Soul exhorteth you to dread the Lord, and fear continually before the heavenly Majesty of our God, and be faithful upon your watch that the Enemy which you know goes abroad as a roaring Lion to devour you, that he may be trampled upon, and never get Entrance, to stain your pure Garments, which you know never could be washed but in the blood of the Lamb: And all take heed of giving way in the least measure, to what you know would intangle you in any bondage, do not rely upon your own strength, though you have and do reign in the glorious dominion standing in the Light, yet if there be the least hearkning to the Enemy to tamper with him, though you may think you may be able to subject the disposition of nature he works upon, if he draw you from the Light you will be insnared, and distress and sorrow will come upon you as an Armed man, and under Gods Judgments you must lye, until the Lord raise you up again in the renewings of his mercy, in the Light of his own Covenant.
Therefore, dear Children, of the Immortal birth, I cannot but say once more unto you, Watch, watch,
[Page 234] with all circumspection and diligence, stand faithful upon your watch, that in the Light of the Lord the eye of discerning be kept open in you, that you may discern the Mysterious workings of the subtil Enemy of your souls peace: And take heed of taking any liberty to your selves in any thing but what you know stands approved in the Light, Power and Life, which hath so freely manifested it self in regenerating and renewing you in the spirit of your minds, let your souls continually prize the Light, and the Sin-condemning power to love it above all things, that you may stand in the Marriage-union, in the power which destroys the works of the Devil, and keeps the Soul in pure freedom to walk with the Lord, rejoycing in the daily Cross, where Self is crucified, and the Soul set free, in the pure Liberty, in the love and life of the most High, to magnifie and praise his name, in the beauty of holiness, forever and ever.
Oh beloved ones! look not at Self, nor at any storm or tempest that ariseth through temptation or tryals of what nature soever, as to vail you from beholding of the lovely countenance of Jesus the beloved of our Souls: Oh lift up your heads all that love the Light; for the Lord our God, in the bowels of everlasting compassions will draw near you more and more; and he will carry his tender Lambs in his Armes, and the dear suckling Babes at the Breasts of his Consolation; and to cause his young men in Christ to rejoyce in the purity of his nature, and the Handmaids and Daughters of Glory to triumph in his Comliness, with which he will cover them that love the Light and his pure nature better then their lives: the aged among his people he will cloath them with Wisdom, and the grave, solid,
[Page 236] ponderous, weighty Spirit shall more and more possess the Ancients among his Children; a pure perfect eternal Judgment, he hath plac'd in the midst of thee, oh
Sion, that shall keep forth, and bind the ravenous ones, for it shall be as a wall, for the preservation of his lovely City
Ierusalem, and great is and shall be the encreasings of God upon all thy Inhabitants, that abhor self, and love the Light, and delights to walk in faithfulness up to the requirings of the Lord in this his dreadful day, wherein he is purging his Sanctuary through great sufferings according to the word of the Lord as hath been declared, let no discouragement be upon your Spirits, for the mighty Jehovah is with every particular Babe of his Kingdom, and dear and pretious is your lives in the sight of the Lord: a Woman may forget her sucking Child, but the Lord will not forget you that trust in his Mercies; and though the Cup look bitter, which many hath to drink in this trying day, fear not, you beloved People, but stand approved in the Light of Jesus, and whatever you meet withal, his presence will accompany you, in sweetning your passage daily more and more, for his bowels earns abundantly to you, who in the holy resolution in his heavenly Power, is freely given up to do and suffer whatever the pleasure of the Lord is,
[...]hat he may glorifie his Name in the Earth, in disposing of you to the eternal renown of his Name forever.
Oh you dear Babes of the holy Seed, abide in your safe dwelling, in the Light over all fear of what ever man can do, for the determination of God is, not any more wrath shall have power, then shall turn to his praise, for the Lord hath given his Angels charge over you, and they pitch their Tents continually about you,
[Page 237] and in vain it is for man to strive to afflict you whom the Lord will save, or to destroy whom the Lord will preserve; Therefore be glad, oh
Sion, in thy God this day, and let thy Inhabitants, oh
Ierusalem, shine forth in the glory of the Heavenly power of the most high God, who dwelleth in the middst of thee, for the day of thy deliverance he is hastening, and to make inquisition for the Blood of thy tender Children, who has sufferred spoylings of their Goods, and many Stripes, Prisons, Afflictions, and Death for the Word of God, and Testimony of Jesus Christ: Therefore in the Word of his Patience, every one stand in your several conditions, gird up in the Light, the mind to the Lord unmoveable in his streng
[...]h to bear your Testimonies, the strong leading the weak by the Hand, that all in the gentle sweet leading Spirit of Life, in eternal Unity live and walk in the heavenly Authority, in peace and faithfulness until death, where the Crown of eternal glory shall be your reward, in the power of his everlasting dominion to Praise and Magnifie his Name with Hallelujahs and high praises in the beauty of his Life forever and for evermore, Amen.
And further this ariseth in my Heart, dear beloved vessels, where
[...]oever God hath placed you in the Earth (whatever appears amongst the Children of men) in the Light of Christ stand still and dwell in your peaceable rest forever, that to the witness of God in every Conscience we may be manifest to be the Children of the eternal God of Peace; in whom is our diligent watchings, and waitings upon our God, to order us in his Power and Wis
[...]om, in our peaceable lives to be a blessing to all the Inhabitants of the Land of our Nativity, from the highest to the lovest in what we may,
[Page 238] to perswade them to walk in the Fear of the Lord, that they may escape in the day of terrible wrath, which the mighty God will manifest in the day of his dreadful vengeance upon the ungodly, that so by our conversation in Christ, the measure of God in all their Consciences may testifie for us, that in us the peaceable holy Seed is raised which the Lord hath blessed, and in which we know that neither height, nor depth, principalities nor powers, things present, nor things to come, prisons, nakedness, peril or sword, life nor death can never seperate us from the sweet refreshing, Life and Peace we have together in Christ the Righteousness, Strength and Dominion forever.
In whom Rests the Soul of your Brother in the word of his Patience with you; Farewell; W. D.
Warwick
Goal
the 8
th of the 11
th Month, 1663.
The Word of the Lord to
Sion the New
Ierusalem, the Bride the Lambs Wife, the E
[...]cellency of all the Glory that is amongst the People; though she be now in deep Sufferings, in fulness of time God will clear the Innocency of her Children; and all the Nations of the Earth shall call her the
Blessed of the Lord; yea, the
holy City, in whom the Lord dwells, to manifest his Glory upon the Earth amongst the Children of men forever.
O
Sion, who is brought forth in the beautiful and glorious Birth of the morning of the Day of the Almighty God, thou
Ierusalem, the Bride, the Lambs Wife; O what Tongue can express of what is felt in the heavenly Treasures and Fulness of the Most High, who watches over thee for good, and not for evil, in this day of thy great Tryal, wherein Judgment is begun at the House of God, that he may prove you to be his People, in the sight of the Nations, and manifest his mighty Power for your deliverance in the presence of the People, to the astonishment of all the proud and stout-hearted among the Children of men. In the ability of the strength of the Lord I declare his Word to thy tender Children, O
Sion, whom the Lord God beholds, how you are compassed about with the ravenous
[Page 240] Beasts of the field, and given up by the Children of men, for to be laid waste, and to race up the Foundation of your strength if it were possible; that so the pure and living Worship of God in the Spirit, may not be known in the Earth.
O dear and tender Children of the Immortal Birth, which maketh Self of no reputation, whom the Lord hath called and chosen to be his living Witnesses upon the Earth, to bear Testimony of his great and glorious Name amongst the People; fear not Man whose breath is in his nostrils, neither regard evil tydings of what men intend to do with you: O be faithful upon your watch, that you may stand in a good Authority in the Light and Life over all the appearance of evil in the Inward-man, that would draw your minds from staidness in the Power of the Lord God, that so the evil spy of the mind may never have Power, that would run forth in the reach of your reason, to judge of what will come to pass in the sensitive part, and so cause
[...]0ainting and feebleness of mind, thorow the dark Judgment, which is out of the Light and Power of God; as the evil Spyes did in the days of old, who brought evil tydings of the good Land: Therefore all you Servants of the Most High God, stand fast in his Counsel, who saith,
I am God Al-sufficient, walk before me, and be ye perfect, in that to reign over all, what ever is contrary to the will of God, that so in the free resignation of your wills, with all that you have and are, you may be a living Sacrifice upon his Altar, with singleness of Heart, standing approved before the Throne of his Glory, with boldness and holy con
[...]idence, without the least doubting or wavering of mind, but that the Lord will go before you, and with
[Page 241] joy and gladness of Hea
[...]t carry you through, what ever he hath determined, to the perfecting his Praise and Glory of his Name forever.
And dear Friends in God, you are not ignorant of the tender Love of our Father, who in the Authority of his own Spirit, sent to proclaim this day of tryal in your Ears certain Years ago, that every Child might look up to the Power of the Lord, to be prepared to meet him in the day determined, which now is manifest in the sight of all People that love the Lord; To whom I declare in the Authority of the same Spirit and Life, that your deliverance is sealed in the Eternal and Unchangeable Decree of the Most High God; let all the power of darkness do what they are permitted, fear not you chosen Vessels, for not any more of the wra
[...]h of man shall have power, then you shall have ability in God's Sufficiency to rejoyce, triumph, praise and magnifie the Name of the Lord, through and over all the wrath of Man, all your days, until your Change come, and for ever when time shall be no more; and God will be the God of your Families and tender Children, who never did not will forsake the Righteous, neither suffer their Seed to beg their bread.
Therefore lift up your heads in the Power of the Lord, you chosen Vessels, for you shall prevail and overcome through the Blood of the Lamb, and the Word of your Testimony, and no more shall love your lives to death, that you may do and suffer whatever the pleasure of the Lord is, who was made perfect in suffering, and did go before us unto the Father, and
[...]ow is come again to receive us unto himself; therefore all in the Light behold Him, behold Him, who ascended over all the power of Hell, and Death, and Darkness,
[Page 242] who now in like manner is descended, whose coming we behold in the Clouds with Power and great Glory. Therefore dear Children of the Lord, with the Light judge whatever would cloud or vail you from beholding his glorious Appearance, so shall you reign over all the evil attendances of the mind; though they be never so strong or many, you shall in the Power of the Lord trample upon them in the Name of Jesus; whose coming is in the Clouds, to deliver every Lamb forth of the evil that assaults the mind, thorow the Manifestion of his Appearance;
For as the Lightning is from the East unto the West, so is the Appearance of the Son of Man; and as the
Serpent was lift up in the Wilderness, so is the Son of Man
lifted up in this his Day. O let your Eyes be all fixed on him, and your Hearts stedfastly believing in his Name, without wavering, though the Devil tempt, and all the Power of Darkness do what it can, in the meek Life of Jesus you shall trample upon the head of the old Serpent, and reign in the powerful Authority over all the Enemies within and without forever.
And as to the Clouds that arise outwardl
[...] from Men, who lay their Plots in the deep, and fetch
[...]heir Counsel out of the bottomless Pit,
&c. I be
[...]ch you all in the Bowels of love, consult not with Fle
[...]
[...]nd Blood, but walk close with the Lord as at other times; as our Brethren,
Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and
Ab
[...]nego did in the days of old, for whom the Lord appeared through all the clouds and power of darkness, to the confounding the pride of
Babylon in that Age and Generation,
&c. And certainly the Royal Birth of the Immortal Seed, which maketh Self of no reputation, shall see Christ coming thorow all the Clouds, with Power and great Glory, and in as great Majesty as
[Page 243] ever since the World was made, for the Deliverance of his own Birth, that seeks not any thing but to glorifie his Name, with the loss of all, Life it self, if the Lord requires it at their Hands, to seal the Testimony of their peaceable and holy Conversation in Christ Jesus, which is in meeting, watching and waiting, to receive the Heavenly Vision. And dear beloved Children, stedfastly believe in the Name of the Lord, that the Birth of the one pure Will may be raised into its Dominion in you all, that the Father may fill you with his sanctifying Word; and when you are sweetly refreshed, take heed of being hasty to utter words before the Lord, but sink down into the Eternal Power, and as it overcomes you with the forcible Power, and moves in you to make mention of the Name of the Lord, whether in Exhortation, Prayer, or Praises, O take heed of quenching the motion of the Spirit, but give freely up to the Power of the Lord, to order you in his own Will and Wisdom, what he will manifest thorow you, that so you in true Obedience cast your Mi
[...]e into the Treasury of God, and give the Lord his own with advantage, which proceeds from a broken Heart and a contrite Spirit, which our God will not despise, but will enlarge our Borders for our Faithfulness, that so all the Assemblies of the Lord's People, may be as the Assemblies of Prophets of the Most High, freely offering up to him the Fruit of his own Vineyard, in the holy return of Praises, Praises, in the pure Demonstration and Power of his own Spirit, that the everlasting Praise and Glory of the Name of the God of our Consolation may be exalted over all, who is established in his pure peaceable Kingdom in the Hearts of his People, and of his Dominion there is no
[Page 244] end;
For the Heathen shall be given Him for his Inheritance, and the utmost ends of the Earth for his Possession; Swords shall be beaten into Plow-shares, and Spears into Pruning-hooks, for he will break the battle out of the Earth, who is God over all to rule and reign forever and ever; Princes shall be in love with Him, and the Mighty of the Earth shall submit unto Him, and all the Nations that are saved, shall walk in his Light, and call him Blessed, who was dead, but now alive, calling to all People to come, and believe in his Name, that Eternal Life may abide in them forever. But all that reject his Counsel, the Light, to be led in the strait way of self-denial, their Blood will be manifest to be on their own Heads, in the day of the fierce wrath, when he will be revealed in Flames of Fire, rendering his eternal Vengeance upon all that know him not, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,
&c.
Therefore doth the Word of the Lord sound thorow me, in the heavenly Proclamation to all the Children of Light, with all whose Faces are set towards
Sion; Stand fast in the Faith, and in the Light, come boldly to the Throne of Grace, where the Fountain of the fulness of the great refreshings you will enjoy, that you may buy Wine and Milk without Money, or without Price: O come away, come away, in this day of your Invitation, wherein
the Spirit and the Bride saith, Come; and every one that it heareth, saith, Come; and every one that is athirst, Come; and every one that will, Come; come and drink, drink of the Fountain of the Water of Life freely, that by the vertue thereof the Weary and Heavy-laden may be eased, and all your putrified Wounds cleansed, and all the Issues of Blood
[Page 245] healed, and all the stains of the Garment washed, that all the bowed-down heads may be lifted up, and the Soul that hath been as a desolate Widow, and as a stranger without a dwelling in God, and as a Child without a Father, now in your faithful Obedienee to the Light, the Lord will manifest himself to be the Husband of the desolate Widow, and an Entertainer of the Sranger, and with him the Fatherless shall finde Mercy; which shall cause the Lame to leap as an Hart, the Blind to See, the Dumb to Speak forth the high Praises of the most high God, whose Mountain is, and shall be more and more set up atop of the Mountains, and established above all the Hills, and all Nations shall flock to the Mountain of the Lords House, in Obedience to our God, who is taking to him his great Power, to manifest himself to be the safety of them that trust in his Name, whom he will hide in the hollow of his Hand, as in a munition of Rocks, to the confounding the Enemies of
Sion, and staining the pride of the glory of all Flesh, who shall vail and bow before him, and confess to the glory of his Majestical Power, That there is not any GOD like to him in whom we trust, and who will plead our Cause, and answer our Expectation, according to his own Determination.
Therefore dear Servants of the most High, let not any of us be weary in well-doing; and above all things love the Lord Jesus, yea, love the Lord Jesus Christ; and in his perfect Light. Thought and Will, all in stedfastness and staidness of mind, keep your Habitations, in perfect Peace, that the Birth of the one, pure, holy Will may rule and reign over all that stands in the will of Man, that so high Praises, Praises, may wait
[Page 246] upon the Lord in
Sion, and
Hallelujahs in Heavenly Harmony may be sounded within the Gates of
Ierusalem; who is made this day a Burdensome Stone to the Nations, but is and shall be more and more the Praise of the whole Earth forever, and it shall be known more and more: Assuredly the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it, through your dear and loving Brother, who blesseth and praiseth the Name of the Lord for you all who love the Lord Jesus Christ, and seek his glory alone, and nothing for self in all that you do and suffer upon the account of the Testimony you bear, in profession of his Truth, in the sight of all Peop
[...]e: O blessed, blessed are you, you Self-denying-People! for what is before expressed, is your Inheritance forever and ever: In which fare you well, fare you well, saith my Soul, in the Name of the Lord.
And all dear Friends, be dear and tender over the weak, and all that hath strayed forth of the Foot-steps of the Flock of the Companions, in what you can, draw them, and gather them in the Bowels of tender love, that the scattered may be gathered into the Unity, to lie down with us in the pure Rest, to the praise and glory of God forever.
To all the Faithful and Suffering Members in all Holes, Prisons and Goals, for the Word of God and Testimony of Jesus Christ; with the rest of the Faithful where-ever scatter'd upon the Face of the Ear
[...]h.
Dear Brethren and Sisters;
HEar the Word of the Lord, thus saith the Lord, Though you now drink the Cup of Adversity, and eat the Bread of Affliction, and are trampled upon, as though you were not worthy to live upon the Earth, yet notwithstanding all the Fury of Men, you are resolved in the strength of my Spirit forever to be deprived of the sweet enjoyments of Wife, Husband, tender Children, Parents, and outward Possessions, Liberty and Life, before you deny the Testimony of my Name before the Sons of Men. Oh! you dear and tender Children, who love not your Lives unto Death this day, that you may finish a good Testimony for the Glory of my Name, saith the Lord God; lift up your Heads in the Light of my Covenant, and believe in my Name, for I am near unto you, saith the mighty God of Safety; and let not any weight or burthen lie upon you; for I will be more than Husband to Wife, and more than Wife to Husband, or Parents to Children, or Children to Parents; yea, I will be a Husband to the Widow, and a Father to the Children
[Page 248] who are deprived of their tender Parents for my Name sake: I will enlarge your Borders in the Life of my Righteousness; you that suffer in true Innocency, will I refresh with the depth of my Mercies; yea, I will guard you with the Angel of my presence, and all that devise Mischief against you shall be confounded be
[...]ore the Glory of my Power, with which I will keep and preserve you in the Word of my Patience, and Safety, in my Presence, saith the Lord God.
Therefore you dear Children, who drink the deepest in Sufferings, think it not hard, for it is my purpose unto you all that have not any Eye to Self, but alone seek my Glory in all you do, I will make you more and more Honourable in the Glory of my Life, and double my Bl
[...]ssings upon you and yours; for I have
[...]eheld your Integrity, and my Bowels are mightily moved with Compassion towards you; therefore am I risen for your sakes this day, to declare unto you, my suffering People, That not an Hair of your Head shall perish, neither shall you be detained in Prisons and desolate Holes any longer than I have determined shall be for your eternal Good, and the Glory of my Name forever; Therefore in my Life stand faithful, in resistance of every evil Thought, or whatever would cause you to murmer, or desire any thing but what you know will advance the Glory of my Name, and the Exaltation of my Truth, over all that riseth up against it in your being truly subject to the measure of my Light and Life, that will not let any seek a Pre-eminence or esteem amongst Men; neither let Self-striving nor Self-serving have power in any; but in true Humility, Love and Meekness watch one over another; and let the strong take the weak by the Hand, that you may all gently
[Page 249] in Love,
1664 Meekness and holy Fear dread my Name, and serve one another, that your Love may be manifest unto me, saith the Lord your God, and one unto another in the naked simplicity of your Spirits, then will I make my Dwelling amongst you, and with you; and my dreadful and glorious Presence you shall all feel mightily in you and amongst you, moving in the exercise of my Spirit, to the Renown of my Name and the Comfort of one another, and I will Crown you with heavenly Blessings, and the Glory of my Powerful Life; and you shall praise my Name forever that I made you my Jewels, and counted you worthy to suffer for the Testimony of my Name. I will go before you through all the Waters and Floods of Afflictions; and I will appear with you before all the Counsels of the Sons of Men; and my saving Power shall compass you about in your hot and sharp Afflictions, all you who have your Confidence alone in me, the LORD your GOD. Therefore trust in my Name, ye my dear Children, and cast all your care upon me; And if any of you joyfully suffer the Spoiling of your Goods, I will supply with what is needful for you and yours: And if any of you seal your Testimony in the Word of my Patience with your Blood, I will take care of your tender Wives and Children or Parents, for whom your Souls have been poured forth in Prayers unto me for their good,
Therefore hear my Word which is sounded unto you from the Throne of my Grace and eternal Glory; Rejoyce not too much in Spirits being made subject, but throw down your Crowns before me, that there be not a Self-seeking, Self-serving Spirit in the Family of my People; but all feel the Birth Immortal raised up in the Resurrection of my Life in you all, which truly makes
[Page 250] Self of no Reputation, so that all Loftiness be laid low, and all Haughtiness bowed down in every one, that I the Lord God in you all may be loved, obeyed, and exalted; who is taking, and will take to me my grea
[...] Power, to exalt the Meek upon the Earth, and reign over all the Pride of the Children of men (that is exalted above my Witness in their Conscience) that so my Sons may be brought from far, and my Daughters from the ends of the Earth, in the sight of all People whom I will make to confess, in Subjection to my Power, That you are the beloved People of the most high God, and of the righteous Seed which the Lord hath Blessed, and not any Weapon formed against you shall prosper, but come to nought, which will be hastened for your Comforts, and certainly performed according to what is here declared, to your Eternal Joy; and you shall assuredly know the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
The Word of the Lord, before expressed, came to me in the Prison-House in Warwick,
the 13
th day of the first Month, 1664.
which constrained me to send it to be read amongst you, dear faithful and suffering People of the Almighty God, in whom I remain your Brother and Companion in Tribulation and Kingdom of Patience in the Lord Iesus Christ.
W. D.
Oh thou beloved Seed of God in
London, Hartford, Bristol, Redding, and
Colchester, with all in other Places where the Power of Hell, and Darkness is begun to make War in the fierceness of his Wrath, and great Fury, as though he would destroy and utterly lay waste.
ALL you dear Children born again of the Royal Seed, who is raised up in the Power of the most High to bear the Name of the Lord in the Earth, and to shine forth in the lively Image of his own Nature amongst the People; in your loving the Lord Jesus better then all the World, and the created objects, and enjoyments therein, and in this day of your great Trial you are found faithful, in the Name of the Lord to withstand all the Power of Hell and Darkness, and to make War in Righteousness neither with Sword nor Spear, but in the Word of the Patience of the Lamb of God, who overcame, and was made perfect in sufferings.
Oh you chosen Vessels, whom the Lord
[...]ath counted worthy to stand in the heat of the Trial, in the excellent noble Life to bear your Testimony, with the hazard of the loss of your estates, and Liberty, even to Banishment, yea to lay down your lives if the Lord require it at your Hands, to the comforting and incouraging of all your dear Brethren, whose eyes are upon you, and their Prayers and Breathings to the Lord for you, that he may
[Page 252] carry you on with boldness, and sweeten your Passage, until in faithfulness you have finished what is determied of the Lord in drinking of this Cop he is handing unto you, that he may make you manifest to be his dear and chosen Jewels, to the perfecting of the praise and glory of the Name of our God over all blessed forever.
Oh you valiant Brethren, and beloved Sisters cloathed with the excellency of the glory of the incomprehensible God, lift up your Heads in the Name of the Lord, trample upon all the fear of Man, and upon a
[...]l the Representations of hardships, of parting with dear and tender Wife or loving Husband, or with your dear and tender Children, which lyes near to the Hearts of loving Parents.
Oh how doth the compassion of a Father flow forth towards them, and the earning of the Bowels of a tender and loving Mother towards the dear and tender Children, when the Trial looks in the Face of being separated from them, and to see their Faces no more.
Dear chosen Vessels of the most high God, let not any of these things enter into you, as to trouble or weaken your Testimony for the Lord, who hath commanded me to write unto you to cast your care upon the Lord, and be faithful in standing approved before him in your faithful Testimony, he will be more then Wife to Husband, or Husband to Wife, or Parents to Children or Children to Parents [yea] he will instruct our Children with his Spirit, and teach them his Fear, though they should be in the Hands of their Enemies: so that our Children shall not want the thing that is good for them: The Lord hath sealed his Counsel to me which I here declare unto you Parents of tender Children, whose Trial is known to the Lord in these things, &c.
[Page 253]Oh feel the Seed of
Abraham in its Dominion in you, which is the Bride, the Lamb's Wife, and in true love to him doth offer up the dearest
Isaac into the Will of God, that a perfect Sacrifice our God may have, Soul, Body and all that we have in this day: He hath called us to be the first Fruits unto the Lamb, and in our Testimony in this our Tryal we are called to preach to all Nations, Kindred, Tongues, and People in their own Language; for the Witness in all their Consciences will feel us, and give them to understand that we are not of this World: but are the Redeemed of the Lord, whom he hath called in the Patience of the Lamb to suffer; for to gather the Seed that is scattered in the Earth, that our Brethren may be brought from far, and our Sisters from the outmost parts of the World, who cannot come until we have drunk this Cup, of which I was sent to declare to you in years past; and now to your comfort I declare, when it is finished according to the pleasure of the Lord; which he is hastening, and will cut short in righteousness for the Seed sake; then wo, wo to the Enemies of
Sion, for our God will plague them, and cause them to cast all their glory down before him, and they shall come bending to the soles of the Feet of his People, and shall con
[...]ess that you are the Children of the most high God, the righteous seed which the Lord hath blessed; and this certainly will come to pass, the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Through your Brother and Companion in the Tribulation and Patience of the Lord Iesus, Farewel W. D.
Given forth in the the County Goal of Warwick,
the 26
th of the 6
th Month, 1664.
1665This for Dear Friends in
London, and them that are Aboard the Ship, in order to
Transportation; or elsewhere all abarod.
DEAR and Valiant Children of the most High, your faithful standing in the meek Spirit, to bear your Testimony for the Lord, in what he calls you unto, is a sweet perfume in the Presence of the Lord, and a great refreshing to the Hearts of his People; Therefore, abide in the pure meek Spirit, and receive your blessed reward, you faithful Lambs, the blessed Crown of Glory is yours forever; Oh feel the earning of Bowels towards you, and the breakings of Heart that is before the Lord for you; Oh can we remember you, and not our Eyes water with Tears, in compassionating of you in the simpathizing Spirit that indears, and unites us one unto another in our God, to whom my Soul breaths. Oh Lord sweeten the passage of thy People, and make their Cups pleasant thou suffers to be given them to drink, that thy mighty Power may be manifest in all them that love not their lives to death, to do thy will this day; and plead their cause in hastening their deliverance, to the confounding of all
Sions Enemies, and the renown of thy great Name forever and ever.
[Page 255]Dear Brethren and Sisters in the meek Spirit of our God, my Life goes and abides with you, with the forcible love of the whole Church of the first born; Oh lift up your Heads, and let not the fear of the Sickness, or any Representation of any Evil enter you, but all in staidness in the Light, Life, Thought and Will of God, which is perfect in it self; and abiding, as is written, God will keep every one of you in perfect peace all your days in every condition, and will keep you in sweet peace and unity one with another to the praise and glory of the Name of our God, whose presence is with you, and will sweeten your passage in whatever you are to go through to the Praise and Glory of the Name of the Lord forever, who will arise more and more, and plead our Cause in the sight of a mighty People, whom he will make to con
[...]ess that you that are faithful, are the Children of the most High God, the righteous Seed that the Lord hath blessed, and it will be well every way with all the faithful and suffering People, and the blessing of God shall be upon us and our Children forever that love the Lord Jesus this day. And the hundred forty four Thousand shall stand upon Mount
Sion, where some of the number is already established; and they shall sing the new Song, that not any shall learn but those that are redeemed from the Earth, who shall make the Ears of all the Enemies of God to tingle, and their Hearts shall fail, and paleness gather into their Faces, for dreadful will be the vengeance of the Lord upon
Sions Enemies, and great fearfulness shall surprise them; they shall run to and fro like Vagabonds as
Cain did, and not know where to hide their Heads,
[Page 256] for where ever they are the Lord will find them out and banish them from place to place, until he hath gotten his glory upon them, in laying all low that withstands his arising, for he will dash the potsheards of the Earth to pieces, and they shall lament and cry out, and gnaw their Tongues for pain, when you faithful beloved, ever honourable Children, that endure unto the end, shall Shout and Sing Praises and Magnifie the Lord, and say, Oh how righteous are thy Judgments, Oh thou King of Saints; for thou hast pleaded our cause and turned our Sorrows into everlasting Joy, and hast over-thrown all thy Enemies that withstand the rising of thy Glory, that a door may be opened to gather our Brethren from far, and our Sisters from the ends of the Earth: Therefore will we Sing of thy Goodness with Praises, Praises, Hallelujahs, and high Praises, for thou art worthy over all forever and ever,
Amen.
My dear Companions with me Salutes you all in the dearest love of our God, where neither Sea nor Land can seperate; but in the bowels of love will we imbrace one another in the chast Life where no Vulters Eye can behold our Joy and Felicity in the Lord our God; In whom fare you we
[...]l, fare you well saith the Soul of your dear Brother in the Name of the Lord forever, both you that are for Transportation, and you that stand in a faithful Testimony in that City where the Lord hath sent his destroying Angel to execute the pleasure of his will.
And in the tender Bowels of the Love of God, I desire you all [in this Gloomy Dismal Dark Day that's come upon that City] put you on the shie
[...]d of Faith,
[Page 257] and in the Light of the Covenant stand single before the Lord to be cloathed with the Garment of Eternal Salvation, that you may reign over all fearfulness and unbelief, that every particular may stand as Saviours on Mount
Sion in the midd'st of a desolate People, for this is the Harvest of the great God in that City wherein he is Reaping, Threshing and Winnowing the Chaff from the Wheat, and making a short work in the Earth for his Seed sake, and many that shall have their lives given them for a prey shall receive the Word of Eternal Life in that City, and great shall be the number who shall submit to the Government of Christ, and they shall bless the Lord; for you that love not your lives to death, for the Glory of God and gathering the Sons and Daughters of Men to the Knowledge of God, by your holy lives and sweet walking in all holiness of Conversation: Oh blessed be the day that ever you were born, yea my Soul Glorifies God for you, that ever you had a being, you faithful Lambs in the City of
London, and else where scattered according to the Will God; Though you now drink a Cup of great Affliction, the day of Eternal Joy is sprung up to thee, which none can take away, an eternal Freedom shall be unto thee, Oh
Sion; Kings shall come unto thee, and Princes to the rising of this thy Glorious Day, and all thy Enemies shall fall before thee, and thou shalt be the Glory over all the Earth, and the chosen Diadem in the Hand of thy God amongst the People, who shall as much love thee as they now hate thee, and esteem of thee as they now despise thee; for thou,
[Page 258] Oh
Sion, art the Plant of the Lord, the Tree of Righteousness, in whom is the vertue of the mighty God of Heaven, and the leaf of thy Tree shall heal the Nations, and put an end to all their distractions, the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it
Through one that dwells within thy Gates thou Glorious and Beautiful Sion,
Church of the first Born, the Beloved Bride the Lambs Wife forever: Blessings, Glory, and Praises, Hallelujahs, Eternal Honour and Renown be unto thy God and King, who reigneth in thee and is exalting his Kingdom over all the Kingdoms of this World, and of his Dominion there shall be no end. W. D.
From the Common Goal in Warwick,
the 12
th of the 6
th Meneth, 1665.
For the dear Daughters of
Sion whom the Lord hath or shall suffer, their dear and tender Husbands to be separated from them beyond the Seas, or else-where, for the Testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ.
DEar Handmaids of Glory, whom the Lord hath counted worthy to part with your dear and tender and beloved Husbands, for the Name of the Lord; assuredly many puts their Shoulders to help to bear the Burthen of your Tryals this day: O the Tears and breakings of Heart, that is poured forth before the Lord for your dear Husbands, and you and your tender Children, you are Families of many prayers, and assuredly shall be known to be Families, of many Mercies; O dear Daughters of
Sion be content with your Cup handed forth to you this day, and bless the Name of the Lord, that you are accounted worthy to be the first Fruits among the beloved Daughters: What could the Lord do more for you, then to count you worthy to suffer in this nature to give you such blessed Husbands, that are set as glorious Lights in the face of all People? Dear, chosen, beloved Daughters of
Sion, let it be seen you love the Lord Jesus more then your dear Husbands, and stand over the affectionate Part, and solace your Souls in the Love and Life of the Lord Jesus, your eternal and beloved Husband and Comforter of your real Husbands, and will make us all to rejoyce
[Page 260] in whatever he calls us unto, we diligently watching, and judging our selves and resting in the Light and Will of God, in which the Lord establish you, you de
[...]r beloved Daughters of
Sion, for whom breathes the Soul of your dear Brother daily to the Lord, to strengthen you and your dear Husbands, and all that love the Lord Jesus Christ;
In whom fare you well. W. D.
Warwick
common Gaol
the 10
th of the 8
th Month, 1664.
For my dear honorable Brethren, who are or may be sentenced to be Transported to the Isles beyond the Sea, for the Testimony of the Name of the Lord Jesus.
MY dear Friends, in the suffering of the Lamb, who liveth and reigneth forever and ever, and shall overcome all his Enemies, in the day determined that all his Enemies shall bow under the Soles of his Feet, then shall all that oppress you call you the blessed of the Lord forever: O, my dear Brethren, lift up your Heads in the Light and Life of Jesus, for whom you suffer; abide in his Light; reign over your thoughts of either Wife or Children, or whatever would trouble your minds, for giving up freely in this your Testimony: O you valiants among the People, the first Fruits, and the leading Champions, the Lord is with you, and Thousands and ten Thousands shall bless the
[Page 261] Name of the Lord for your faithful Testimony, which shall sound over Nations, to the gathering the People, and bringing in our little Sister who hath no Breasts to feel the Consolation of the life of our Beloved, for whom we suffer this day: O, my dear Brethren, triumph, trimuph, in the face of all your Enemies, it shall be well with you wheresoever the Lord suffers you to be carried; and as to your tender Wives and Children, the Lord hath said to my Soul, it shall be well with them, the blessing of the Lord shall rest upon them forever and ever; and with you, to the comfort of the Isles that wait for his Law; therefore in the peaceable power of the Lord go on, you chosen Brethren of the suffering seed which the Lord hath blessed; O happy men that ever you were born; and blessed be the day that ever the Lord called you in his Power to stand faithful in what the Lord requires of you, in which living Testimony you stream through the whole Body, as a River of Oyle, and vertuous refreshings, whose memorial shall never perish, but preach to Ages and Generations, to the Glory of the Name of our God forever.
O go on with gladness, with trimuph, for it is to bring in the Seed from all the ends of the Earth, that our Brethren may come from far, and Sisters from the end of the World: O mighty God, cover thy faithful Servants with thy glorious Power, and cause them and their Families to rejoyce in thy disposing of them forever and ever, Amen.
My Life in the suffering Spirit go with you in the Name of the Lord forever; my dear Companions in these bonds Salute you in the Love of the Lord. Farewel. W. D.
From the Common Gaol of Worwick,
the
[...]0
th of the 8
th Month, 1665.
The Word of the Lord to all Children born again of the Immortal Seed as the Salutation of the Bowels of the unlimitted Love of the Father, flowing forth to you in the forcible Power of his own Life, thorow your Brother and Companion in Tribulation, and Kingdom of Patience in the Lord Jesus Christ.
DEar and honourable Brethren and Sisters, Oh how doth my Soul bless the Name of the Lord for you, who stands faithful to God in your living Testimony for him, in the pure, meek, peaceable Spirit of our Lord Jesus, with the hazard of the loss of all outward substance; dear and tender Wife, and Children, and beloved Husband, and tender Children, to be rent from their dear beloved Parents, and also with the hazard of your Liberty, and Transportation out of your Native Country, and not at all love your lives to death to seal your Testimony with your Blood, in the Word of his Patience, if the Lord require it at your Hands; and when you have done the Will of God, in what is before written, your love is so large to the Lord Jesus, that you abhor, loath and detest, and trample upon every appearance of the arrogant, self-prid
[...]ng, and self-inriching boasting Spirit, in what you have done, or suffered for the Testimony of the Truth of our God,
[Page 263] and in true watchfulness, and pure attendancy to the Light and Counsel of the Lord Jesus, you are always kept in a true sensibility of your own nothingness, cloathed with the Garment of everlasting humility, where you sit at the feet of Jesus, as
Mary did, chusing the good part that shall never be taken away, casting your Garments of all self-righteousness upon the ground, that Jesus may tread upon them, and the cumbred disposition of
Martha, that would complain of the innocent Life, or that would have any eye to self, and rob him of his Glory; and for this you Children of the most high, is your daily waiting, that the Lord Jesus may take you up into him, and cause you to rejoyce, and sing Hosanah to the highest, and to bless him that comes in the Name of the Lord, to cover you with his own righteousness, and marry you to himself, as his chosen and beloved Bride, in his own faithfulness, and give you perfect Victory in overcoming through the Blood of the Lamb, and the word of your faithful Testimony, in the pure, meek, holy, healing Spirit of the Lord our righteousness, in whom you shall be as Pillars in the Temple of our God, and shall go no more forth, but shall grow as Trees of Righteousness in the midd'st of the Street of the City of our God, bringing forth acceptable Fruit to him in due season, and your Leaves shall be for the healing of the Nations, where-ever the Lord suffers you, to be cast for the Testimony of his glorious Name; yea, the Prisoners of hope will be refreshed at the sound of your coming, and the Mourners will rejoyce in your arising, for the Tongue of the learned shall be given unto you all in your measure, to speak a word in due season to every condition, for you and all the Companions, that
[Page 264] can read and understand in the true experience, your state as here written shall stand as Saviours upon Mount
Sion, which can never be removed, because yo
[...] have not any eye to self, in what ever you do, but it is your delight to be ordered by the holy Spirit of the Lord Jesus, and in your resignation into his pure will, you shall be translated more and more, into the angelical glory, and by your holy conversations, words, and works, which hath the love of God stampt upon them, you become Preachers of the mind of God, to the Nations, and as ministring Angels, shall reap in his harvest, to the gathering our Brethren from far, and our Sisters from the ends of the Earth, and all the Nations shall confess, that you are the Children of the most high God, the righteous Seed; whom the Lord hath blessed and the Hearts of the People shall be changed, in the day determined, by the Power of the mighty God, who turns the Hearts of men as a River of Water, and the People of the Nations in the Earth, sha
[...]l more strive in their fervent desires for you suffering Innocent Lambs to live amongst them, then they now str
[...]ve and endeavour to send you away from them, the Mouth of the Lord of Hosts hath spoken it, through your Brother in the Lord Jesus, whose life hath been of no esteem to serve you with my faithful Brethren, who in true self-denial, through the almighty Power of God, indured the heat of the day, that you might be gathered and established, to indure the tryals which were of the Lord determined, of which I was sent in years past to proclaim in your Ears, and in the same word which speaketh thorow me to you, of which neither jot nor tittle shall fall to the ground, till all be fulfilled I declare to you this day. Therefore dear and honourab
[...]e Brethren
[Page 265] and Sisters, from the highest growth, to the lowest stature in Jesus, let not any consult with Flesh and Blood, but all in the perfect Light and Life of Jesus, lift up your Heads, that your Souls may be inlivened with his quickening vertue, in that eternal Hunger which nothing can satisfie, but the Lord of Glory in this day of separation, between the precious and the vile, between the true birth and the false birth, as it was in the days of old, when they confessed unto him, and followed him beyond the Seas; but when the Lord said,
Except ye eat my Flesh, and drink my Blood, you have no Life in you; All that were the false birth, that stood as the high-way ground, stony and thorny ground Hearers, foolish Virgins, that had no Oyle in their Lamps, they said,
this is an hard saying, and who can bear it? and they went back and left the Lord of Life, and followed no further: Then the Lord said to the Children born of the true birth,
will you go away also? They answered, nay,
thou hast the words of eternal Life, and whither shall we go? Oh, dear Child, canst thou leave the Father that begot thee? or canst thou
[...]eed of any thing, but the bread he hath prepared for thee? Though thou mayst be beset, and compassed about as Bees with the Enemies of thy Souls peace, that would hinder thee from walking with thy God, yet can they keep thee from him; nay assuredly, thou hangest upon him, as a Child upon a Father. Though thou be as a little Babe, thou abhors all things that would hinder thee from following the Lord: Thou saist of thy riches of this World; thou shalt be no snare to me, and to the tender Wife, weep not for me, give me up, for I must forsake thee when the Lord requires me, neither regards the Crys and Tears of the mournful Children, thou comfortest them in
[Page 266] what thou mayst, but thou freely leavest them for the Glory of thy God; and thus is it with Wife concerning tender Husband, and Children concerning their dear Parents, in this day of rending one from another. Assuredy I cannot but commiserate your condition, and simpathize with you, being sensible of the earnings of Bowels whilst I have been drinking this cup for many years. And now, Oh ye Babes, born of the royal birth, you are the chosen Jewels, let no care be upon your Hearts for any thing in this World, for you seeking Gods Kingdom, and the Righteousness thereof, you shall have all satisfaction in the fulness of the Love of God, though separated one from another: and let none of your Eyes look out at any that deny the Lord of Life before Men, who in the profession of his Name, came forth with us, and goes forth from us, because they are not of us; for as I have proclaimed in your Ears, many years ago, so I proclaim it again, in the word of his faithfulness, who liveth for ever, That all that profess the Light and Name of Jesus, and hath an Eye to self in what they do, and doth not follow him with a single Heart in his work of Regeneration, before the trying day be over, they will deny him and wither, as though they had never made mention of him; but all you Lambs that fear and dread the Name of the Lord, and freely gives up to be governed by his powerful Spirit, and in the least measure wait in the Light, self to be buried down under this Judgment, and your Souls raised in the Resurrection of Jesus, and born again of the Seed of God, which cannot depart from him, but must follow him, let the power of darkness over all the Face of the Earth do what it is permitted, Oh the beholding of you, Children of the immortal birth, it is known
[Page 267] to the Lord, the earning of Bowels, in the meltings and breakings of my Heart, and I am streamed into you as a River, in the unexpressible unlimited love and Life of my God, and your God, where feel and taste, and let us solace in the invisible in-dwelling love of a tender Father, where no vulterous Eye can behold, nor any venomous Be
[...]st shall enter, to sting the beloved Babes begotten of the Father any more.
And dearly beloved Brethren and Sisters, where ever the Lord orders you, watch diligently, that in the sweet reserved Spirit, in the heavenly Wisdom you walk together, in the loving, meek holy Spirit of the Lord Jesus, and in the nearest fellowship, and familiarity with any one, watch to the Light to be covered alwayes with his Spirit of Sanctification, that you may stand before the Throne of the Lamb, with the pure Garment of his own righteousness, to the Glory of his great Name forever: And in all your words and works, be tender over one another in love, in what you may, and the strong bearing the burthen of the weak, that the holy, meek, lowly, healing Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ, may rule in you all, binding up your Hearts together in the eternal unity of the Spirit, and bond of Peace, where ever the Lord orders any of you his faithful Children, that you with us, and we with you, may be as Sinews to the Loynes, and Marrow to the Bones of one another, in the meek lowly Spirit of Christ our Head, and Life, that in him we all may be manifest to the whole World, to be the Children of the most High God; through the aboundings of his vertue in and amongst us, who are born again, and is the Church of the first born, the pure Bride of the Lamb of God, who abhors to live in any thing, that is not of his
[Page 268] nature, and in sincerity of Heart have given up our names to him, and in his Glorious Majestical cominion tramples upon all false births, feigned, self-creating, self-serving Spirits, who are gone from the Innocent Life, and make to themselves Pleasant pictures, in a voluntary humility, and smooth words and gestures, and outward appearances, to enter the affectionate part; and betray the Innocent as with a Kiss, but in the tryal of the day that is come upon all pleasant things, and pleasant pictures, they are found serving themselves, and
Iudases to the Innocent Life, of those that are regenerated, by the Power of the most High, and redeemed from the Earth, therefore to you that stand girt up in the Light, Thought and Will of God, to reign over all the pollutions of this World, I write as to my Honourable Brethren, and Sisters, desiring you all to resign to the faithfulness of God, that his al-sufficiency may preserve you, out and over all the clouding thoughts of your own Hearts, that in the pure discerning, you may taste and weigh all Spirits, of what nature they are, in what Nation, Country or Island soever you are ordered to go, and lay not your Hands hastily upon any, neither regard their feigned smooth words and behaviour, but in the Life of the Lord Jesus, wait, that he may give you Ability, in his pure Wisdom to make your passage, in the invisible entrance, through all outward appearances, to try and taste what they are inwardly to God, in the measure of the Heart searching Spirit you have received of the Father, that so you may all be kept, and preserved, in the intire union, in the sincere Life to reign over all false births, in the dominion to walk with the Lord, and one towards another, in the eternal, in
[...]xpressible, unlimitted,
[Page 269] pure, holy chaste Love of our Father in the Lord Jesus, who in his unlimitted Love laid down his Life for us, and with his Blood hath redeemed, washed, and cleansed us, that we might have access to the Throne of his Glory continually, to offer up the living Sacrifice of
Halelujahs and high Praises, Glory and Honour unto the Lord God, and to the Lamb that sits upon the Throne, our Light, Life, Strength and Righteousness, Joy, Peace, Tranquility, and everlasting Felicity over all God blessed forever, of whose dominion there is no end.
And in his Glorious Powerful Resurrection, and Dominion, keep your state with God, that his tender Bowels may be inlarged in you, to all where you feel any true breathings, and heavenly desires, towards the Name of the Lord, though in some outward things they may differ, let not that shut up your Bowels, but in the openings of the Spirit of the Lord, in what you may, Minister to the enlivening of that in them, which the Lord hath begotten to hunger for him; Oh I beseech you ease my Heart in this matter, for I am in travel, till all that hunger for the righteousness of God, under what denomination soever, be all gathered to the Light of Jesus, there to receive an understanding to feel the Spirit of the Lord, make a separation in condemning sin in the Flesh, and quickning in Spirit, in the Resurrection, in the Powerful Life in Christ, that so our little Sister, that hath no Breast, scattered among Languages, Tongues and People in the Nations▪ by your sweet, and holy Conversations in the meek, lowly, and loving chaste Spirit, of the Lord Jesus, may be gathered in the Light and Life of
[...]esus, with us to sit down at the table of our God, to drink continually
[Page 270] the Cup of Salvation, in which work, O my God, bless thy Servants with thy prosperous presence, where ever thou sends them; and all you chosen Lambs, comfort my Heart, in what my Soul desires in this thing, that as in the pure discerning of the Spirit of the Holy God, you trample and reign over the greatest subtilty which in the Mistery of iniquity transforms it self, as is before written, that so you may in the service of Love in the meek healing compassinate Spirit of Jesus, gather all the tender hearted forth of all Sects, Forms, and Opinions, with all that hath strayed from the foot-steps of the Flock of the Companions, in the Light of the Lord with us to walk, in faithfulness all their days, until their change come, that if it be possible, that not any may be lost, who hunger after righteousness, and hath their Faces set towards
Sion, That so in the heavenly Harmony, all that have truly sought the Face of God, may in his pure Light, Life and Dominion, walk together with us, in the unlimitted Bowels of Love in the Lord Jesus, to the confounding of all
Sion's Enemies, who in the time determined of our God, shall come bending to the Soles of the Feet of the afflicted suffering Lambs of my Father, who Love the Lord better then your Lives, and your Neighbour as your self; yea, and they that withstand you sha
[...]l in the day determined of God, confess it is in vain for any to strive, to bring to pass their evil intents, upon a People beloved of God, whom he will carry through by his Almighty Power, and save with the Arm of his Salvation; for every Tongue lifted up against you shall fall in judgment, and all Weapons formed against
[Page 271] you shall not prosper, but come to nought, and you shall see the mighty salvation of God for your joy, which the Lord will hasten more and more, to the astonishment of all that withstand the rising of his Glory, and you shall certainly know, this is to you the Word of the Lord God, declared thorow your Brother, and Companion in the Tribulation, and Kingdom of Patience in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Farewel.
W. D.
From the Common Goal in Warwick,
sent forth at the command of the Lord,
the 8
th of the 3
th Mo
[...]eth, 1665.
Blessed are they that overcometh through the Blood of the Lamb, and the word of their Testimony, and love their lives no more to Death.
The Discovery of Mans return to his first Estate, by the Operation of the Power of God, in the great work of Regeneration. And a Word to the Back-slider, who hath tasted of the good Word of God, and the Powers of the World to come, and hath turned from the Grace of God, into wantonness, and gone back into spiritual
Sodom and
Egypt, where our Lord is crucified.
Also, a discovery of mystery
Babylon, and her Merchants. And a word to the hard-hearted unbelieving
Iews, Professors who profess Christ in words, but stumble at his Light in their Consciences, to thei
[...] own Destruction. With a Word to all Saints, who have set their Faces towards
Sion, to seek the Lord their God, and to those that are waiting therein to worship him in Spirit and Truth. And a Word of Consolation, unto the travelling Child; that yet sits in Darkness, being deeply afflicted, and wounded in Spirit, through ignorance of Salvation in the New Covenant, in Christ Jesus the Light.
All Men and Women, behold, and see in what Estate you were Created.
Gen. 1.26, 27.
ANd God said, let us make Man in our Image, God created Man in his own Image, and in the Image of God created he Him, Male and Female created he them.
[Page 273]
And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden
to dress, and keep it: and the Lord God Commanded the Man▪ saying,
Gen. 2.15▪ 16, 17.
of every Tree in the Garden thou mayest freely eat, but of the Tree of knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely dye the death.
The Serpent was more subtile then any beast of the Field,
Gen. 3▪1.10.
which the Lord God had made, he said unto the Woman, ye shall not surely die; for God doth know that in the day you eat thereof, your Eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as Gods knowing good and evil.
And when the Woman saw the Tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant unto the Eyes, and a Tree to be desired to make one wise; she took the Fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also to her Husband with her, and he did eat.
And the Eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked, and they sewed fig-leaves together, and made them aprons.
And they heard the Voice of the Lord God walking in the Garden in the cool of the day, and Adam
and his Wife hid themselves from the Presence of the Lord among the Trees of the Garden: and the Lord God called unto Adam,
and said unto him, where art thou?
And he said, I heard thy voice in the Garden, and was afraid; and because I was naked, I hid my self. And he said, who told thee that thou wast naked? hast thou eaten of the Tree whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? and the Man said, the Woman, whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the Tree, and I did eat.
And the Lord God said unto the woman, what is this that thou hast done? the woman said the Serpent beguiled me and I did eat.
[Page 274]
And the Lord God said unto the Serpent, because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all Cattel, and above every Beast of the Field; upon thy Belley shalt thou go, and Dust shalt thou eat all the Days of thy Life.
And I will put Enmity betwixt thee and the Woman, and between thy Seed, and her Seed; it shall bruise thy Head, and thou shalt bruise his Heel.
And the Lord God said, Behold this Man is become as one of us,
Gen. 3.22.23, 24,.
to know good and evil; and now lest he put forth his Hand and take also of the Tree of Life, and eat, and live forever; therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the Garden of Eden,
to till the ground from whence he was taken. And he drove out the Man, and placed at the East of the Garden of Eden
Cherubims,
Rev. 2.5.
and a flaming Sword, which turned every way to keep the way of the Tree of Life.
Every Man and Women, behold and see how you are fallen from the estate and condition you were created in;
Gen. 1.26, 27. you were created in the Image of God to delight alone in him, but you are fallen in obeying the counsel of the Serpent,
Gen. 3.24. and are driven out of the Presence of God into the Earth, and there your minds are feeding upon the dust of the Earth, created o
[...]jects which will perish; some delight in Father and Mother, some in Wife and Children, some in Houfe and Lands, some in Money and Gold,
Luk. 14.26. Mat. 10.37 Eph. 4.5. Eccl. 2.3. Jer. 9.33. Joh. 5.44. some in Meats and Drinks, some in Raiment, what they shall put on, some in Lusts and Pleasures, in Wantonness, vain idle Communication, foolish Jesting and Laughter, which is Madness and Folly and some in Honour and Preferments in this World, wherein their Hearts are lifted up in Pride and Exaltation above others whom they have power over, not considering how you are driven out from the Presence of the Lord, wherein you were placed in the beginning:
1 Cor. 3.6. and some
[Page 275] there are that feed upon the letter of the Scripture, conprehending God and Christ in their Wisdom from what the Saints of the most high God had spoke forth from the Life they enjoyed in Christ Jesus,
Col. 1.27. which was in them the hope of their Glory, and Man in his Serpentine Wisdom steals the Saints words into his understanding,
Jer. 23.30. Cor. 9.26.23. and never knows the Life and Power thereof in himself, and so speaks a divination of his own Brain, a Riddle to his own Heart, and while he speaks to others, himself is a Cast-way.
Every Man and Woman in particular, deal justly with your Hearts, and see where your Hearts are, and what they delight in, for in some of these created objects you delight in, and feed upon, if you cannot witness your change by the Eternal and Powerful Word of Truth;
Gen. 3.24▪ Mat. 25.19. Gal. 15.19.20.21. for into the Earth you are driven from the Presence of God, and these are the Fruits which spring forth of the Earth, which is in your Hearts, Self-love, Pride, Covetousness, Anger, Revenge, Hastiness, Frowardness, Back-biting, hard-Heartedness, Cruelty and Oppression, Lust and Uncleanness, Drunkenness, Impatiency and Unbelief, and you are fenced out from coming to the Tree of Life, with Cherubims and the flaming Sword, which turns every way to keep the Tree of Life.
Gen. 3.24. So every one see what you can witness of your return again unto God from whence you are separated by the Disobedience and evil of your Hearts, and see what is the Ground of the hope of your callings, and by what Power you are acted in your Obedience unto God,
Eph. 5.13. whether by the Power of the first
Adam, or by the Power of the Second; for if thou upon the Convincement of the evil of thy ways, do not wait in the Light, which is in thy
[Page 276] Conscience, that convinceth thee of the evil of thy doings, for Power from the Lord to guide thee forth of the evil, which the Light discovers, which would guide thee into the Kingdom of God,
Luke 17.20. but thou runnest out into the Wisdom of the first
Adam, to seek the Kingdom of God in outward Forms, and Observations, according as thou comprehendest of the Saints practices, and thou imitatest their practices in thy Wisdom, and though thou walkst never so strictly in these outward Forms,
Gen. 3.7. Mat. 9.16.17. Gen. 1.14. to 19. thou art alive in the first
Adam sewing fig-leaves together to cover thy nakedness, a piece of new cloth in an old Garment, thou art putting new Wine into old Bottles, and art building up a Tower to get up to God in thy heathenish and Babylonish Wisdom, and confusion will come upon thee; in the day when the Lord comes to look for Fruit, thou wilt be found a fruitless Tree that cumbers the Ground;
Cain, with his offering up Sacrifice unto God in thy first nature,
Gen. 5. Gen. 27.34, 38. Heb. 12.17. Gen. 12.9, 10. 2 Pet. 1.19 20.
Esau seeking the Birth-right with Tears, who shall never find it, and all the Fruit that is raised in thee is from
Hagar the Bond-woman, and thou hast thy end for thy self in all that thou dost which is thy Hire, which thou expectest in the end, life, for thy Labour, and Obedience, and thou regards not the Glory of the Lord, and his Fear is not before thine Eyes; therefore every Man and Woman, deal justly with your own Hearts, under what name or title soever thou be, whether thou be a Teacher of others, or a Professor of what thou comprehendest to be Truth from the Testimony the Saints gave forth, from the Life and Power of Christ that was in them, and thou expectest Life in thy outward Forms and Observations, and mindest not to be guided by the Light which is of
[Page 277] Christ in thy own Conscience, which Light guided the Saints that gave forth the Scriptures, and while thou disobeyest that Light, profess what thou wilt, thou art in the fall,
Gen. 4.1, 11, 12. Gen. 21.1. Gal. 4.30. first
Adam is yet alive in thee,
Cain is not yet banished, nor
Esau reprobated, nor the Bond-woman and her Son cast out; which are all figures and types of the first nature, which is yet alive in thee, and thy will is thy guide, and thy Heart is in the Earth,
Rev. 18.3. notwithstanding all thy profession, and thou art a painted beast made drunk with the Wine of the wrath of the Whore, which is thy Wisdom, which comprehends that which thou never didst know manifest in it self, and sits deckt as a well favoured Harlot, above the Cross of Christ, thou wilt be found a Thief and a Robber,
John. 10.1. who comes not in by the Door Jesus Christ, but climbs up some other way; and thus far went the Scribes and Pharisees, and the young Man, who had kept the Commandments from his youth,
Mat. 10.20, 21. but when he should have sold all for Christ, he went away sorrowful: And thus far went
Paul when he persecuted Jesus Christ, according to the Law he walked blameless, and all thy strict walking to get Life in Observations according to the Letter,
Phil. 3.5.6. is striving again to get to the Tree of Life by thy own power, who art fenced out with Cherubims, and a flaming Sword,
Gen. 3.24. which turns every way to keep the way of the Tree of Life; And if thou never sawest thy self fenced out from the Presence of God, notwithstanding all thy righteousness in observations, thou art not come so near God,
Gen 2.7. Rom. 5.4. Mat. 11.12.13. as to see the flaming Sword, which is placed to meet thee, in every way thou turnest to get life in thy own power, and to cut thee down, and kill thee, that Christ may be thy life; thou art alive in the first
Adam,
[Page 278] and art in the death, for death reigns over all from
Adam to
Moses, and
Moses is until the Prophets, and the Prophets till,
Iohn, and
Iohn until Christ, and if thou canst not witness that thou art come to
Moses,
Joh. 1.6, to 9. & 26 27. ver. Mat. 7.13.14. profess what thou wilt, thou hast not set thy Face towards God, nor one step in the strait and narrow way to Eternal Life, but art going the broad way to destruction, whatever thou be, whether a Teacher, of others, or a Professor of what thou comprehendest to be Truth from the Letter of the Scripture, under what Form, Name, or Title soever thou be, thou art a dead Man, and a dead Woman, and the wrath of God abides on thee, though thou seest it not,
Rom. 7.9. There
Paul witnesseth, I was alive without the Law once,
John 1.9. Eph. 2.1, 2, 3. but when the Commandment came, sin revived, and I dyed. Friends, every one in particular, deal justly with your Hearts, see what you can witness of your death with Christ, by the powerful word of Truth, which enlightens the Conscience, and condemns sin in the flesh, for every one would ascend with Christ to be partakers of the Life and Glory with him,
Rom. 8.3. Joh. 3.36. 1 Pet. 2.8. Gal. 3.27. Rom. 6.3. to. 8. Rom. 8.17. 2 Tim. 2.11.12. Joh. 5.25. but he becomes a stumbling Stone to be Baptized with him into his sufferings and death, and this thou must witness before ever thou come to sit with him in Heavenly Places; for it is they, and they alone that shall reign with him, who suffer with him, and they that are dead with him shall live with him; it is the dead that hears the Voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live; arise thou that sleepest in the dust of the Earth, securely in thy earthly serpentine Wisdom, thy mind feeding upon the dust of the Earth,
Eph. 5.14. created objects which will perish; arise, stand up to Judgment, that Christ may give thee Life:
Mi
[...]h. 6.1. this is required
[Page 279] of thee, O Man, to do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God; examine thy Heart, and deal justly with thy own Soul:
John 1.9. & 8.12. &, 9.5. There is a Light in thy Conscience, which Light is of Christ, minding it, it will let thee see the mystery of Iniquity that lodgeth in thy Heart, which is deceitful, and desperately wicked; and this Light in thy Conscience, which discovers unto thee the evil of thy Heart, is of the eternal Word of God,
Jer. 17.6. Eph. 5.13 and was from the beginning, according as it is written in the outward Testimony of the Truth.
In the beginning was the Word,
John 1.2, 3.3, 5,
and the Word was with God, and the Word is God, and the same was in the beginning with God, all things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made;
Rev. 20.12, 13.
in him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men, and the Light shineth in Darkness, and the Darkness comprehends it not: Every one arise out of your earthly wi
[...]dom, and mind the Light in thy Conscience, and wait on the Power of the Lord in it, and it will bring thee to Judgment before the Throne of the Lamb▪ where the righteous Law will be opened in thy heart, that will cry through thy earthly heart for Righteousness and Judgment;
2 Cor. 5.10. Mat. 12.
[...]6. and the Book will be opened in thee, where thou shalt see all written that thou hast done in the Body, and shall give an account for every idle word, and receive thy reward for what thou hast done; and thy reward is Wrath and Condemnation, which will pass upon thee from the Presence of the Lamb, for thy disobedience and breaking of the righteous Law,
Jam. 2.10▪ which must be fulfilled, and what way soever thou turnest to get Life in outward Forms and Observations, the flaming Sword, which is the righteous Law, that goes out of the Mouth of the Lamb, it will turn every way, and meet
[Page 280] thee, and cut thee down, and cast thee into Hell, where there is Weeping and Wailing for want of the presence of God, and thou canst do nothing to pacifie the Wrath of God, which is gone out against thee: Now wouldst thou hide thy self,
Gen 3.8, 9, 10. Gen. 3.7. as
Adam did, when he appears in thy Heart, thy Fig-leafed Garment of Prayers, Tears, Forms, outward Observations according unto thy comprehension of the Letter, will not cover thy Nakedness; it served to cover the Nakedness from the sight of Men; but now when the Lord appears in thy Heart, thou canst not stand before him; now comes
Cain in thee to be driven from the Face of God,
Gen. 4.12, 13, 14. Gen. 27.34, 38. Heb. 12.17. Gen. 21.10. Rev. 19.15. Rom. 3.6, to 8. 2 Tim. 2.11, 12. to be a Fugative and a Vagabond in the Earth, notwithstanding all his Sacrifice; and
Esau in thee Rep
[...]obated, never to have the Blessing, though he seek it with Tears; and the bond Woman and her Son cast out, and the first
Adam now slain, with the sharp Sword that goeth out of the Mouth of the Lamb; and art made to give up thy Soul to God, whose it is, to do with thee what he will, if he destroy thee forever, he may; and if he save thee from eternal Death, it is his free Love; now art thou Baptized with Christ, into his Sufferings and Death, where thou liest sealed down under the eternal Judgment of God; and there perisheth for ever, for any power or help thou hast in thy self; and this is the Administration of
Moses,
Mat. 18.11. Luk. 19.10. where thou liest condemned for ever, under the righteous Law, without any help or hope, until the Administration of the Prophets, that prophesie of a Christ, that hath satisfied the righteous Law of God for thee, who art lost and condemned under the power of the Law of
Moses ▪ and now there is a secret hope raised up in thy Soul, and thou lookest up from under the condemning power of
Moses for a
[Page 281] Saviour, and the Prophets are until
Iohn, and of all that were born of Women there was not one greater than
Iohn,
Luke 16.16, 17. Mat. 11.11. Joh. 5.35. for he is a burning and shining Light, that lets thee see the filthiness of thy Heart, and the Law shines in its purity to condemn the earthly Man in thee, but he streghthens the hope in thee that was raised up by the Prophets, to see the beauty and excellency of Jesus Christ, which ravishes thy lost condemned Soul, that thou art willing to sell all for him, the Scripture now being fulfilled in thee who witness this, From the days of
Iohn even until now,
Mat. 1.12. Luke 3.5. the Kingdom of God suffers violence, and the violent take it by force; now is every Mountain and Hill laid low in thee, and crooked ways made strait, and the rough way in thee made smooth, and thou waitst in the Wilderness, and lost condition of thy self, for the Salvation of God, to be manifest to thee in Jesus Christ;
2 Pet. 2.10. Luk. 17.24. John 5.25. and in the appointed time of the Father, the Son of Man comes to thy Soul as a Thief in the Night, as the lightning from the East to the West, so is his appearance in thee, and causes thy dead Soul to hear his Voice, which witnesses to it eternal Life freely through his own Blood, and thy Soul hears his Voice, and by the Word of his Power is made to live and art sealed up by the holy Spirit of Promise, the Spirit of God bearing witness, with thy Spirit, that thou art his Child: now comest thou to witness the second
Adam to be a quickning Spirit, and
Isaac the promised Seed to be heir for ever:
Rom. 8.16 and that the wages of sin is death, but the Gift of God is Eternal Life:
1 Cor. 14.45. Rom. 6.23 Eph. 2.5, 8, 9, 10. and that by Grace thou art saved, through Faith, in the Lord Jesus, not of works least any should boast, and he that hath hope in him purifies himself as he is pure, and the Love of Christ
[Page 282] constrains thee now, who can witness this work of Regeneration manifest in thee, to follow him whithersoever he goes,
1 Joh. 3.3. 2 Cor. 3.14. Tit. 3.5. no more to obey him for Life as thou didst, when thou wast without seeking him in Forms and Observations, but now the Love and Life thou enjoyest in Christ Jesus constrain
[...] thee to deny thy self, and take up thy cross daily and follow him.
Luk. 9.13.24. Now art thou come into the beginning, to live in the Lord, guided by the powerful word of Faith,
Joh. 4.1. to 5. the Light that shines in thy Heart, which is the Light of the City New
Ierusalem, to which thou art come to Worship the Father in Spirit and Truth; and all that are come to walk in the Light of the City New
Ierusalem, are the true
Israel of God, that are taught of God,
Joh. 23.24 Isa. 54.13. Heb. 8.10, 11, 12. Ezek. 36.24, 25, 26, 27, 28. Jer. 31.33.34. to whom the New and everlasting Covenant is made, according to the promise of the Lord;
This is the Covenant I will make with the House of Israel,
and with the House of Judah,
after those days, saith
the Lord, I will put my Law in their inward parts, and write it in their Hearts, and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a People, and they shall teach no more every man his Neighbour, and every man his Brother, saying, know the Lord, for they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them. I will be merciful unto their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more, and in this City there is no need of the Sun▪ neither of the Moon to shine in it, which are borrowed Lights, outward Dispensations, and teachings of men,
Rev. 21.23.24, 25, & 27, v.
for the Glory of the Lord God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the Light thereof, and the Nations of them that are saved shall walk in the Light of it, and the Kings of the Earth bring their Glory and honour unto it; and there shall in no wise enter into
[Page 283] it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie, but they which are written in the Lambs Book of Life; and the Gates of it shall not be shut at all by day, for there shall be no night there, for the Lord God giveth them Light, and they shall reign for ever and ever. Halelujah to the Highest.
To all revolted Souls who have departed from the Counsel of the Lord, and are made drunk with the Wine of the wrath of the Fornication of the Whore,
Rev. 8.3. bewitched with the Mother of Withcraft to return into Spiritual
Sodom and
Egypt, where our Lord is Crucified.
WHoever thou art in whom the righteous Law of God,
Rev. 20.8. Jesus Christ the Light in thee hath cryed through thy earthly Heart, for righteousness and judgment,
Mat. 12.39. and there thou didst stand arraigned before the Throne of the Lamb, where the Book was opened in thee, and written therein, all the deeds thou hast done in the body, and the sentance of wrath and judgement passed out of the Mouth of the Lamb on thee for every idle word, and all that thou hast done, and in this thy condemned Estate, thou runnedst too and fro to hide thee from the wrath of the Lamb,
Gen. 3.24. in reforming thy ways, and strictly observing what thou wast convinced of to be the Will of God; but what way soever thou turnedst in thy Obedience towards
[Page 284] God, to get Life, thither the flaming Sword turned that proceeded out of the Mouth of the Lamb, and cut thee down and cast thee into a Hell,
Rev. 19.15. who
[...]e thou layest weeping and wailing under the wrath of God, sealed down under his eternal judgment for evermore, for any help or power thou hadst in thy sel
[...], until Jesus Christ manifested eternal Love and Mercy freely to thy poor lost condemned Soul, and raised thee up to a lively hope, and sealed thee up in the Covenant of Life with his own Blood; Now after the witnesses hath sealed up their Testimony, the Beast which is thy will, that ascends out of the bottomless pit of thy deceived Heart, which is deceitful and desperately wicked, hath made War against the Witnesses; and slain them, and they lie dead in the spiritual City of
Sodom and
Egypt,
Rev. 11.7, 8. Jer. 17.19 where our Lord is Crucified, and thou art made Drunk with the Wine of the Wrath of the Fornication of the Whore, and bewitched with her Witch-Crafts, who now tells thee, whom he loves he loves to the end; and to the Pure all things are pure, thou art no more under the Law, but under Grace, and all things are alike, that when thou disobeyest the pure Law, which once had power over thee, and it witnesseth against thee secretly, crying in thy Heart, use thy liberty, but nor as an occasion to the Flesh, thou regardest not the Counsel of the Lord,
Gal. 5.13. but hearkens to the Mother of Harlots in thee, and causes thee to wrest the Scriptures to thine own Destruction, and tells thee the Law hath no power over thee, thou art under Grace, it is but the Law in thy members, that Wars against the Law in thy mind, the acting of the humanity which acts in its place, that the Grace of God may appear more gloriously; God sees no Sin in
[Page 285] thee, for it is no more thou, but Sin that dwells in thee, and the former misery thou wast in, under the Wrath of God, for the disobeying of the righteous Law, thou now treadest under thy Feet, and lies slain in spiritual
Sodom and
Egypt in thy Heart, yet not put in Grave, but lies in thy sight, and lets thee see the evil of thy doings, and vexes and torments thy earthly and carnal Heart in the midd'st of all thy Joy; but the Whore in thee tells thee, that the former trouble thou wast in, it was through ignorance of God, but now thou art grown up to a higher stature in Christ, to see nothing but love in whatsoever thou doest, and now thou knowest nothing but to eat, and to drink, and be merry,
for the Children of the Bride Chamber, cannot mourn while the Bridegroom is with theus; time was thou didst mourn, but it was when the Bridegroom was not with thee; but now the Winter is past, and Summer come, and singing of Birds is heard in thy Land, and now wash thy face, and anoint thy Head with Oyle, that thou appear no more before Men, as thou didst when thou wast a Pharisee; now to be a friend to Publicans and Sinners, and become all to all that thou mayest win some, and whatever thou dost, it is God that acts thee, for thou art not stronger then he to resist him, and if he would have it other ways, how couldst thou hinder it? so it is as it must be, and it cannot be otherwise; thus the subtle Serpent winds into the mind of Man, and causes him to wrest the Scriptures to his own destruction to draw back into perdition.
Wo,
Prov. 14.14. Heb. 1.13. wo unto thee thou back-slider in Heart, who chargest God, who is purity it self, to be the Author of Sin, and the actor of thee in all thy filthy and unrighteous walking,
Heb. 10.38. and hast turned the Grace of God into
[Page 286] Wantonness, and takest liberty to Sin, because Gra
[...]e abounds, and makest the coming of Christ, (who came to fulfil the Law) to destroy it,
Rom. 6.1. Mat. 25, 17, 18. through the evil of thy Heart, that when the righteous Law cries in thee for purity, and condemns thee for thy unrighteous walking; then thou pretendst to fly to the free Grace in Christ,
Rom. 7.1. to save thee from the power of the Law, but thou shalt find the Law hath power over the fleshly Man as long as he lives; and the fleshly Man that now guides thee, is under the Law until it be destroyed through Faith in Christ Jesus;
Mat. 15.17, 18.
For he came not to destroy the Law, but to fufil it, and the Saints witness it, though thou wrest the words of
Paul (when he declared his condition before he came to the fulness of stature in Christ) to thy own Destruction.
Rom. 7.23 Rom. 6.16. Ro. 7.25. ver. 5.
I see a Law in my Members, warring against the Law of my Mind, and brings me into Captivity, into the Law of Sin, which is in my Members; but he gave not up himself to be a Servant of Sin, as thou doest, it was his burden that made him to cry,
Oh, wretched Man that I am, who will deliver me from this body of Death? and he waited in the Faith until he was freed,
Rom. 8.2.
For the Law of the spirit of Life in Christ Iesus, hath made me free from the Law of Sin and Death, that the Righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit:
Luk. 9.2. He witnessed Christ come in him to fulfil the Law, and so do all the Saints now, according to their growth; some witness the Law fulfilled in them, and others are waiting in the Faith patiently, following the Lord daily through the Cross, until the Law be fulfilled: But thou art departed from the Counsel of the Lord thy God, and causest his Name to be evil spoken of, and hast made the Hearts of his People sad,
[Page 287] as they did that the Apostle speaks of,
For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you, even weeping, that they are the Enemies of the Cross of Christ,
Phil. 3.18.19.
whose end is Destruction, whose God is their Belly, and whose Glory is their Shame,
2 Pet. 2.19, 20, 21.
who mind earthly things. These Scriptures are fulfilled in thee, which the Apostle mentions,
And while they promise them Liberty, they themselves are the Servants of Corruption; for of whom a Man is overcome, of the same is he brought into Bondage, for if after they have escaped the pollutions of the World, through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ, they are again intangled therein, and overcome, the latter end of them is worse
[...]
[...]ith them, then the beginning for it had been better for them not to have known the way of Righteousness, then after they have known it,
ver. 22.
to turn from the Holy Commandment delivered unto them; but it is happened unto them according to the true Proverb, the Dog is returned to his own Vomit again, and the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the Mire. And thou mayst read what will be manifest to thee from the Lord.
For if we sin wilfully,
Heb. 10.26. to 32. ver. after we have received the knowledge of the Truth, there remains no more Sacrifice for Sin, but a certain fearful looking for of Judgment, and fiery Indignation, which shall devour the Adversaries.
He that despised
Moses Law died without Mercy, how much sorer punishment suppose ye, shalt thou be thought worthy of, who hast trodden under foot the Son of God, and hast counted the blood of the Coveant wherewith thou wast sanctified an unholy thing, and hast done despite unto the Spirit of Grace; and we know him that hath said,
Vengeance belongs unto me,
[Page 288] I will recompence saith the Lord: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Rev. 2.5.
Remember from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do thy first work, in minding that light of Jesus Christ in thee before whom thou once stoodest condemned for that thou now livest in. Prize the time, and give up to be guided by the counsel of the Lord in thee, the light of thy conscience,
Eph. 4.13. that discovers every vain thought, wait on the power that is present with the light: and it will dash
Babylons children against the stones,
Psal. 137.8, 9. which is Sin in its conception, so will thy carnal mind be brought to the Cross daily, and thy Heart will be purged with the Spirit of judgment, and the Spirit of burning; kiss the Son in obeying his Counsel, the Light in thee,
Psal. 2.11.12.
least thou perish in the way; for if his anger be kindled a little, blessed are they that trust in him.
The discovery of Mystery
Babylon, to all enslaved Captives in
Babylons Kingdom, who are made Drunk with the Wine of the Wrath of he Fornications,
Rev. 18.3. and bewitched through the multitudes of her Inchantments.
FRiends,
Babylon is within you, the Mother of Harlots is within you,
Rev. 17.5. and bewitches you through the abundance of her Sorceries; and the Beast is within you,
Rev. 11.7. that riseth out of the bottomless Pit of the deceived Heart, which is deceitful and desperately wicked; and the Beast which all the World wanders after,
[...]er. 17.5. Rev. 13.4.
[Page 289] is your wills, that makes War against the Lamb of God in you, which is the Light that makes manifest the evil of your Hearts,
Joh. 1.9. Eph. 5.13. Rev. 17.3. ver. 4. and your wisdom is the great Whore that sits upon the Beast, that ariseth out of the bottomless pit of the deceitful Heart, and she finds out many deceitful inventions to preserve the beastly will alive, having a golden Cup in her Hand, full of the Abominations of the Earth, and this golden Cup is your outward professions,
2 Pet. 1.11 glorious comprehensions and conceivements of God and Christ, imitating what the Saints did in power, according as they were moved by the operation of the Spirit of the most high God, and
[...]
[...]mitate the Saints practice by your wisdom.
There is nothing but confusion in the Kingdom of
Babylom;
Gen. 11.7, 8, 9. so come you to be divided into so many particular Forms, as Presbyterians, Independants, Anabaptists, and divers others that are in outward worships, painted over with glorious words, and yet you whose wills guide you,
Rev. 17.4. Mat. 15.19, 20. Gen. 6.5. Gen. 5.19, 20, 21. Prov. 1.7. are painted Beasts, bewitched with the Mother of Harlots, notwithstanding all your outward professions and glorious observations, they are but the golden Cup, and within you are full of the abominations of the Earth, as self-love, covetousness, lust, and uncleanness, hastiness, frowardness, backbiting, slandering, hardheartedness, cruelty, and oppresion, grinding the Face of the Poor, impatiency and unbelief, and the Fear of the Lord is not before your Eyes, and thus you lie inslaved Captives, in the Kingdom of
Babylon,
Luk. 14.26. Mat. 10.37. Mat. 19.29. refreshing your Hearts in the Creature enjoyments, which will perish; some in Father and Mother, some in Wife and Children, some in House and Land, some in Money and Gold, some in self
[Page 290] Wisdom, delighting in themselves, some in Honour and Preferment in this World, and when there is enjoyment of these visible Creatures,
Jer. 9.23. Joh. 5.44. then there is content, and when they are taken away there is trouble, the mind always plodding,
Mat. 6.21. Mic. 2.1, 2. Prov. 22.16▪ Amos 4.1. Hos 2 18. Revel. 24. rev. 18.13 John 1.9. and 8.12. and 9.5. 1 John 2.27. Luk. 17.21, 22. contriving, and acting every way to get of the Creatures what the Heart lusts after, and he that gets the most is the highest exalted, so every one is exalted above another, and there is nothing but Tyranny, Cruelty, and Oppression among you, you Sons and Daughters of
Babylon; And in her was found the Blood of the Prophets, and of the Saints, and all that were slain upon the Earth.
The Merchants of
Babylon are your Teachers; who draw you from your guide, which is the pure Light of Christ in you, to seek the Kingdom of God in Observations, without you, contrary to the mind of Christ, the Kingdom of God comes not with Observations, neither shall they say, lo here, or lo there, for behold the Kingdom of God is within you.
But these your Merchants have no Scripture for their Merchandize, which they sell to you enslaved Captives for so many Hundreds in the Year, and is paid in the Nation, or elsewhere: For these Observations they tell you, you must observe, or else you cannot come to the Kingdom of Heaven, though they are contrary to the Scripture, as they are practised by them; there is no Scripture that witnesseth their call to the Ministry by humane Wisdom;
Not many great, not many Noble, not many Wise, after the Flesh.
There is no Scripture that any that Jesus Christ sent
[Page 291] forth, made a Bargain with the People for so much a Year, as these do that profess themselves to be sent of Christ.
1 Cor. 1.26. Mat. 10.8. Gal. 1.11 12. Ma. 10.16. Mat. 10. to ver. 8.
This is the call of the Ministers of Christ,
Paul an Apostle of Iesus Christ, neither of Man, nor by Man, but by the Revelation of Iesus Christ.
I send you forth, (saith Jesus Christ)
as Lambs among Wolves, into what Town or City ye enter, enquire who is Worthy, and if they receive you, there abide, eating such things as is set before you, the Labourer is Worthy of his Meat, freely ye have received, freely Minister.
Those whom Jesus Christ commits the Word of eternal Life unto,
2 Cor. 5.14, 19, 20. and calls them forth to declare it unto others, the love of Jesus Christ, which is sealed up to their Souls through his own Blood,
Act. 21.13. constrains them to give up themselves to death, in witnessing forth the eternal Life they enjoy in Christ; as it was,
2 Pe
[...]. 2.15. Jude 11. it is,
the Love of Christ constraineth me to Preach the Gospel, saith
Paul; But these your Merchants are they which have forsaken the right Way, and are gone astray, following the way of
Balaam the Son of
Bezor, who loved the Wages of unrighteousness.
And as there is no Scripture for their call to the Ministry by their humane learning, nor making Bargains with the People for so much in the Year; so there is no Scripture for these Observations they call the Ordinances of God, as they are practised by them.
There is no Scripture that Christ or any that he sent forth, did take a Child, and sprinkled Water on its
[Page 292] face, and said in so doing they Baptized it into the Church of Christ.
Suffer little Children to come unto me, saith Christ,
and forbid them not,
Mar. 10.14.15. Mat. 19.14.
for of such is the Kingdom of God; for whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little Child, shall not enter therein; he sets the Child as a type and a figure, to shew forth to every one, that they must become as a little Child,
Luke. 18.16, 17. depending upon the Will of God, before they enter into the Kingdom of God:
Mar. 10.16. he took them up in his Armes, and put his hands on them, and blessed them, but that he sprinkled Water on their Faces, and said, He Baptized them into this Church, th
[...]e is no such Scripture.
Another Observation your Teachers tell you, you must observe, is hearing these studied Sermons; in taking a part of Scripture, and adding to it their wisdom, calls it the Word of God, which is contrary to the Scripture; but they say, They have Christ for an Example.
There was delivered unto him the Book of the Prophet
Isaiah, and when he had opened the Book, he found where it was written,
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to Preach the Gospel unto the Poor; he hath sent me to heal the Broken-hearted; to Preach deliverance to the Captives; and recovering the sight of the Blind; and to set at liberty them that are Braised; to Preach the acceptable year of the Lord: And he closed the Book, and sat down; and he began to say unto them,
This day is the Scripture fulfilled in your Ears; and all bear him witness, and wondred at the gracious words that proceeded out of his Mouth, he
[Page 293] was the substance of the Prophecy, which was then fulfilled in him.
This is no ground for any to take the Saints words, and add to it their wisdom, and call that the Word of God.
The Prophet that hath a Dream, let him tell a Dream; he that hath my Word, let him speak my Word faithfully:
What is the Chaff to the Wheat? saith the Lord:
Is not my Word like a Fire, and like a Hammer, saith the Lord,
that breaks the Rocks in pieces? All to whom the Word of the Lord is committed, can witness it to be as a Fire within them, and as a Hammer that breaketh the Rocks in Pieces, subjecting all in the Heart, under the power of it self, so it alone rules and guides him, that he is what he speaks, that if he had never seen any thing that the Saints have declared without him, he had known what is manifest in him; and he to whom the Word is thus made manifest, is a true Minister of Christ, who is called to speak the Word faithfully.
But these that call themselves your Teachers, and make Bargains with you for so much in the Year,
Isa. 56.11. Jer. 5.30. Mic. 5.11. Ver. 5. Jer. 23.30. they never witnessed the Word of the Lord in them, as a Fire, and like a Hammer that breaketh the Rocks in pieces, so they never had any thing to have spoken of the Lord; but as they have stoln it from the Testimony of the Saints, so they speak a divination of their own Brain, a Riddle to their own Hearts; and whilst they speak to others, themselves are Cast-aways.
And the Lord testifies against them,
Cor. 9.27.
Behold, I am against the Prophets, saith the Lord,
that steals my Word every one from his Neighbour.
[Page 294]
Behold I am against the Prophets, saith the Lord
that use their Tongues, and say, He saith.
Jer. 23.31, 32.
Behold I am against them that Prophecy false Dreams, saith the Lord,
and to tell them, and causes my People to err by their Lies, and by their Lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them; therefore they shall not profit the People at all, saith the Lord: And this fruit is made manifest of the Ministry that hath been in
England.
Another Observation your Teachers tells you to observe, which is contrary to Scripture, as it is practised by them, in singing of
Davids Psalms in Metre, taking
Davids words, who was a Man after Gods own Heart, and putting words into the Mouths of poor Ignorant People to sing that which they never knew, and so causes them to Blaspheme the Name of God, saying,
Let us sing to the Praise and Glory of God,
Psal. 131.1. as,
O Lord I am not puft in mind, I have no scornful eye, I do not exercise my self in things that be too high for me: When they never knew any change wrought in their minds, and so causeth the people to Lye. And causing them to sing
Davids Prayers, as,
O Lord Rebuke me not in thy wrath,
Psal. 38.1, 7.
neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure; for thine Arrows stick fast in me, and thy Hand presseth me sore; for my Iniquities are gone over my Head, as an heavy Burthen, they are too heavy for me to bear; my Wounds stink and are corrupted, because of my foolishness; I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly, I go mourning all the day long: And may be none of you in all that place can witness the Condition, and so Blasphemes the Name of God, who will be Worshipped in Spirit and Truth; and this is the rule given out from him,
If any
[Page 295] be afflicted, let him Pray; if any be merry, let him sing Psalms: And there is none merry but the ransomed of the Lord, who returns to
Sion with joy and singing.
And everlasting joy shall be upon their Heads, and they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and sighing flyes away.
All People may search the Scriptures, and see how you have been deceived by your Teachers, who have caused you to seek your lost God in carnal and dead Observations, which they have not any Scriptures for; all cease from them, for the Lord complains of them,
The leaders of my People causeth them to err, saith the Lord of Hosts; and now are these Scriptures fulfilled in these Men, which the Apostle Prophesied of.
This know also, that in the last daies perilous times shall come, for Men shall be lovers of their own selves, Covetous, Boasters, Proud, Blasphemers, disobedient to Parents, Unthankful, Unholy: All People see, are not your Teachers so? Self-lovers, before they come at you, they must know what they must have: Covetous, Griping for much; and if you will not give them so much as they can have in another place, they will not come at you; here is Self-love and Covetousness manifested: without natural affections, Trucebreakers, false Accusers, Traytors, heady, high-minded, lovers of Pleasures, more then lovers of God, having a Form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such the Apostles exhorts to turn away. All people behold and see all these Scriptures are fulfilled in your Teachers, they speak against Pride, and live in it; against Covetousness, and live in it; they teach by their words to be natural affectionated one towards
[Page 296] another, and they walk contrary, causing poor people to pay, to maintain them in Pride and high Ranks in the Earth, who can scarce get Bread for their Bellies, and Cloathes for their Backs; yet they force them to pay them, being void of all natural affections; and they are Truce-breakers, break
[...]ng all Bonds and Covenants, if they can get more Money in another place: Thus they shew forth to all the World, that they are lovers of Pleasures more then lovers of God, and have a Form of godliness in words, but deny the power thereof; from such turn away, for of this sort are they which creep into Houses, and lead captive silly Women, laden with Sin and divers Lusts; these Scriptures are fulfilled in your Teachers, every one hath his particular House to creep into, where none must come but themselves, or whom they please, which is contrary to the practice of Christ, or any that he sent forth; they went through the Countries, Towns, Cities, Villages, according as they were guided by the Spirit of God, to declare what he gave them to speak; and your Teachers lead silly Women captive, laden with Sin, and led away with divers Lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth; do not they tell you, to look for Christ's coming in such Observations as they set up? which is nothing but the invention of their Brains; for Christ tells you,
The Kingdom of God comes not with Observations, but its within you: But many of them that deny, that the Light in your Consciences, which makes manifest the evil of your Hearts, is the Kingdom of God, calling it the Light of a corrupt Conscience; so shuts the Kingdom of Heaven against Men, and will neither enter in themselves to
[Page 297] be guided by the pure Light of the Kingdom of Christ within them, nor suffer them that are entring in to enter, as the Scribs and Pharisees did; now as
Iannes and
Iembres withstood
Moses,
Rev. 18.11. so do these Men resist the Truth, Men of Corrupt minds, Reprobate concerning the Faith, but they shall proceed no farther, for their folly shall be made manifest to all Men, as theirs also was, and no Man shall buy their Merchandize any more.
All you enslaved Captives in the Kingdom of
Babylon, Why will you lay out your Money for that which is not Bread; and your Labour for that which satisfies not?
Isa. 55.2. hearken diligently unto Jesus Christ the Light, that lets you see the evil of your Hearts, to be guided by it,
Eph. 2.1
[...]. and you shall eat that which is good;
encline your Ears, saith Christ,
and come unto me; hear, and your Souls shall live,
Isa. 55.3.
and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David: Mind the Call of a powerful and tender Father, in the Lord Jesus,
Rev. 18.4. 2 Cor. 6.17, 18. who calls,
Come forth of Babylon my People, and touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters, saith the Lord God Almighty. Friends, prize your times, slight not the day of the Lords mercy, for he waits to be gracious,
Isa. 38.18. Isa. 65.2. Jer. 3.12. Hos. 14.4. Mica. 6.8. Mal. 6.21. Luke 17.21. Ro. 8.14. 1 Joh. 6.26. and saith,
I stretch forth my Arm all the day long, to a back-sliding and gain-saying People. Every one, mind your conditions, deal justly with your own Hearts, see what your Hearts hath fellowship with, and guides your minds, for the Kingdom of Christ is within you, it is not in Observations, as your Teachers tells you; for they deceive you, therefore Christ for-warned us for looking forth at those which would come in the latter days,
Mat. 1
[...]. that would say,
Lo here
[Page 298] is Christ, lo there is Christ, as it is in these our days, some say, Lo here is Christ in the
Presbyterian practice; the
Independents say,
Mat. 24.32, 36. He is there; and the
Anabaptists say, Lo he is here. But Friends, mind what Christ saith unto you,
Luke 17.20, 21. Eph. 5.13,
Believe them not, look not forth, the Kingdom of Christ is not in any of those, nor in any other outward Observations, but (be awarned) the Kingdom of Christ is in you,
Mat. 13.21, 32.3, 33. and that is the Light that lets you see the evil of your Hearts; and Christ compares it to a grain of Mustard-seed, the least of all seeds,
Zac. 4.19. and it grows up above all other Herbs, and becomes a Tree that the Fowls of the air
[...]lodges therein; and he compares it to a little Leaven,
Joh. 1.5. that a Woman took and hid in three measures of Meal, and it leavened the whole lump: These are earthly Parables and Figgures, which Christ laies down, speaking to the earthly and carnal Heart of Man, that he may read his condition within: Therefore despise not the day of small things, but mind the Counsel of the Lord Jesus, the little Light that shines in thy dark Heart, look upon the
[...]igures; the Parables; the little Leaven which is hid in three measures of Meal,
Joh. 11.10.6. it changes the whole lump into the nature of it self; so the little Light that shines in thy dark Heart, is the powerful word of Faith,
Which was in the beginning, by which all things were created, and without him was nothing made; this Word is Life, and the Life is the Light of Men, and the Light shines in darkness, and the darkness comprehends it not; this Light is the word of Faith the Apostle exhorted to take heed unto,
Ro. 10.7, 8
Say not in thy Heart, who shall ascend up to Heaven to fetch Christ down? or down into the deep to fetch him up? the Word is n
[...]gh thee, in thy Heart, and in thy Mouth; and this is the
[Page 299] word of Faith which we Preach, the unction of the holy one given of the Father, so that we need not to teach one another, but as the anointed teacheth us▪ which is truth and no lye, which is the sure word of Prophesie, whereunto ye do well to take heed as unto a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-Star arise in your Hearts.
All people return within; give up your selves freely to be guided by that Light, that discovers to you the evil of your Hearts; and none be discouraged, because you see an evil Heart, but prize the Love of God that discovers it to you, and whatever the Light makes manifest to you to be evil: Wait on the Lord for power,
Pro. 20.22.
[...]am. 3.25 Isa. 8.17. Mat. 25.21. and he will give you power to obey, and in being faithful in a little, more will be communicated from the Lord, so will the righteous Law be set up in your Hearts, that will cry through your earthly and carnal Hearts for Righteousness and Judgement, and so will bring you to an account for every idle word,
Mat. 12.36. 2 Cor. 5.10. Isa. 57.17.17. and all deeds done in the body. Look up unto the Lord against whom you have Sinned, and he will arm you with power to what he layes upon you, with patience to undergo his Will, until all the powers of the Earth in you be famished, and slain under his righteous Judgments; then will Judgment be brought forth unto Victory, that you can no longer live without the loving kindness of your Father in Christ Jesus.
Now is the Parable fulfilled, the little grain of Mustard-Seed grown up above all Herbs, and the little leaven hath leavened the whole lump, and the Prodigal starved forever, if his Father receive him not freely into his House.
Thou that canst witness this condition, stand still in
[Page 300] the Will of God, he will raise up his seed in thee to trust in his Name, and to delight in the eternal Covenant of Love and Life, he hath made with thy Soul in the Lord Jesus Christ, and will guide thee by the Word of his Power, in a way thou knowest not, forth of
Babylon (where thou wast an inslaved Captive, under the power of the filthy Beast, which is thy will, and the Whore the Mother of Witchcrafts, which is thy wisdom, which enthralled thee under the Powers of darkness, to satisfie the lusts of thine own Heart, which led thee to destruction) up to
Sion, to live by Faith in the Lord Jesus, which will purifie thy Heart, and set thy Soul free from under the powers of darkness, into the Glorious Liberty of the Sons of God, where thou shalt sing the Songs of
Sion, Hallelujahs and Praises forevermore unto the Lord God, that sits upon the Throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever.
To all inslaved hard-hearted,
Rev. 18.3. and unbelieving Jews in this Nation, and elsewhere, who are made drunk with the Wisdom of the Whore, and bewitched through the abundance of Sorceries, to put the Day of the Lord afar off, looking for Christs coming in the Spirit, as the hard-hearted unbelieving
Iews in the Letter, did for his coming in the Flesh, according to the promise; but they limited the Holy One, according to their carnal wisdom, expected his coming in great Pomp and Glory: and when he came in that poor despised way,
Luke 2.7. Mat. 13.54, 55, 56, 57. Mark. 6.4. contrary to their expectations, they stumbled at him, and would not own him to be their Saviour, but rose up against him, and put him to Death,
Matth. 27.1.
to vers. 50.
BEhold, you hard-hearted and unbelieving
Iews, do you not look for Christ coming in the Spirit according to his promise, as they did for his coming in the Flesh? but you limit the Holy One, as they did, expecting Christ to come in Power and Glory, according
[Page 302] to your own fancies; and so put the Day of the Lord afar off you, in rejecting and despising the Counsel of Jesus Christ the pure Light in your Consciences, which lets you see every evil thought, word and action, and cryes behind you,
This is the way, walk in it: but you disobey the Light, and hearkens to the counsel of your Hearts,
Isa. 30.22. as the
Iews in the Letter did, that put Christ to Death; and so you slay the Witnesses in Spiritual
Sodom and
Egypt in your Hearts, where our Lord is Crucified,
Rev. 11.8. in not regarding the Counsel of Christ, which is that Light that shines in your dark Hearts,
Rev. 3.20. which knocks at the Door, according to his Word,
I stand at the Door and knock; if any Man hear my Voice, and open the Door, I will come into him, and will Sup with him, and he with me.
Oh thou enslaved Soul under the power of
Babylon in thee, come forth, mind the Light in thee, which is the sure word of Prophesie, whereunto you do well to take heed, as unto a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-Star arise in your Hearts: stand not out against this secret Counsel of Christ in you, lest you perish in your gain-sayings; for if his anger be kindled a little, blessed are all they that trust in him. All give up, give up freely to be guided by the Counsel of the Lord, the Light in you, believing in his Power that is present with the Light, he will lead you daily through the Cross, in the straight way of his Sufferings and Death, where the old Man will be put off with his deeds, and so you shall have right to the Tree of Life, and shall enter with him through the Gates into the City New
Ierusalem, where you shall have communion with the Father and the Son,
[Page 303] and an inheritance with those that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, and shall reign as Kings upon Earth to the Praise and Glory of the Riches of the Grace of our Heavenly Father, to whom alone be all Power, Dominion, Honour and Glory, for ever and ever.
A Word from the Lord to all that are waiting on the Lord in
Sion: and those that are weeping, and are seeking the Lord their God, asking the way to
Sion with their Faces thitherwards.
FEar not ye Mourners in
Sion,
Isa. 61.2. Isa. 30.18. & 20.21
[...]ohn 1 9 & 8.12. the Lord waits on you to be gracious unto you, and though he give you the Bread of Adversity now, and the Water of Affliction, yet shall not your Teacher be removed into Corners any more, but your Eyes shall see your Teacher, and your Ears shall hear a Voyce behind you;
Eph. 513. 1
[...]oh. 2.27 Isa. 42.3. Mat. 2.20. Pro. 20.2
[...] saying,
this is the way walk in it, when you turn to the right Hand, or to the left; therefore every one of you mind the Light, which is of Jesus Christ in you, that judgeth the unrighteousness of your Hearts, give up to be guided by the pure Light in you, which is your Teacher, the Counsel of Jesus Christ, and it shall bring Judgment forth unto victory, and whatever he makes manifest to you to be his Will:
Wait on the Lord
[Page 304] in his Counsel, and he will give you Power to obey, and when you have obeyed his Will, take heed of departing from the Counsel of the Lord, which is within you, to hearken to the counsel of your own Hearts, which will draw your minds to look back at your Obedience, and the experiences you have passed through, so will the Beast, which received a deadly wound with the Sword, the righteous Law,
Rev. 13.3. that goes out of the Mouth of the Lamb, in you, his deadly wound will be healed, and sits a painted Beast above the Cross of Christ, working lying wonders in your Hearts, and imitating the operation of the Power of God,
Rev. 13.11, 12, 13, 15. who is purifying his Sons and Daughters with the Spirit of Judgment, and the Spirit of burning, and the Beast in you, that tasted of the Power of God, when he received his deadly wound under the Justice of God, now can imitate the same in deceit, and cause Fire to come down from Heaven in the sight of Men,
Mat. 13.37. imitating the operation of the Spirit of burning, and so deceives himself and all that dwell upon the Earth, he is made manifest to all that dwell in the Heavenly Light in their Hearts. All Friends mind your watch, for the Adversary the Devil goes about like a rearing Lion seeking whom he may devour;
1 John 4.1, 2, 3. abide in the Counsel of the Lord, which is the Light in you, and you will discern between the Beast, which is Anti-christ in his lying wonders, and the Lamb Jesus Christ, in the operation of his power; so you will come to try the Sp
[...]rits, whether they be of God, yea or no; all that are guided by the Beast have their Life in speaking and acting in outward operations what they once experienced, and what they comprehend to be Truth, speaking that they enjoy not,
[Page 305] and is exalted in pride, the Heart returned into the Earth. But thou that art guided by the Lamb, the Light in thy Conscience; the righteous Law crys through thy earthly Heart, and brings it to judgment, and thou canst find no life in the operation of the Power of God, nor in thy obedience, but whilst the Presence of the Lord is with thee in it;
Luk. 17.10. Heb. 10.36. Col. 3.2. Ezek. 36.31, 32. 1 Cor. 1.29.31. and when thou hast done the Will of God in obeying what he hath made known unto thee, thou seest thy self to be an unprofitable Servant, and hast need of patience, that thou mayest receive the promise. where thy life is hid with Christ in God, to save thee freely for his Names sake, or else thou perishest, and to carry thee on by his mighty Power, or else thou fallest, so thou hast nothing to Glory in but in the Lord.
And as they that are guided by the Beast (which is Anti-christ) speak of the Truth, a riddle to their own Hearts,
Re. 22.18. not knowing the Power and Life of what they speak, adding to the Word of the Lord, and the plagues and curse of God will be added unto them. But thou that art guided by the Lamb Jesus Christ, thou knowest when the Word of the Lord is committed to thee:
Jer. 23.28, 29. 2 Cor. 10.41.
If any have my Word, saith the Lord,
let him speak my Word faithfully: is not my Word like a Fire: saith the Lord,
and like a Hammer that breaketh the Rocks in pieces: Thou canst witness the Word of the Lord, to be as a Fire, and as a Hammer to break the Rocks in pieces in thee, and bring down all in thee in subjection to its self, and it alone rules in thee: and thou that canst witness the Word of the Lord thus manifest in thee, thou art a true Messenger of the Lord,
[Page 306] let not the deceit stop thy Mouth; for the Word the Lord calls thee to speak shall perfect his work for which it is sent.
Rev. 14.4, 5.All Friends stand fast in the Counsel and Will of God, be faithful in following the Lamb daily through the Cross, and none be discouraged; in Temptations be content, look up to the Lord to keep you in the Hour of Temptations,
Lam. 1.3. for it is no Sin to be temped, but to yield to the Tempter: and when the Lord delivers you from the power of the Tempter, watch that your will get not from under the Cross,
[...]ut sink down into the Love of God, and every one be content in what the Lord hath made manifest to you, and be faithful according to your Talents,
Mat. 25.20, 21, 22, 23. and more will be communicated to you; and none look forth at others conditions, for if you do, the Enemy will cause you to stumble, and you will come to a loss in your own condition, wait patiently in the Counsel of the Lord, the Light in you, for he is making a short work in the Earth,
Mat. 1.10, 11. that you that come into the Vineyard at the eleventh Hour shall receive as much as they that came in at the third Hour, and have Laboured in the heat of the day.
Mat. 21.5.All ye Children of the Lord lift up your Heads, behold your King riding in Majesty and Power, upon the wild Ass Colt, which is your wild nature, subjecting it to himself,
Rev. 22.14. Rev. 21.17 Cant. 2.9. that you may enter with him through the Gates of the City into new
Ierusalem, where there enters nothing that worketh Abomination, and maketh a Lie, but what is written in the Lambs Book of Life, and there you
[Page 307] shall dwell in the Banquetting House of the Lord forever, feeding upon the Feast of Fat things, rejoycing in the Eternal Love and Mercy to your Souls,
Rev. 17.4. Rev. 19.16. Rev. 5.9, 10. in the free Covenant of Life, in the Blood of Christ, who is the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, God Blessed forever, who is riding on in Majesty and in Power, conquering, and to conquer all the powers of darkness in the Hearts of his Saints, that they may reign as Kings upon the Earth, to the Praise and Glory of our God, who is taking unto him his great Power, to reign in his Saints for evermore, to whom alone be all Honour, Glory, Power, and Eternal Praises for ever.
To
Richard Thomas at
Hartford, for him to communicate to all that are there, and at
London, and else-where, as way is made, to be sent to them that are to be Transported for the Testimony of the Name of the Lord.
DEar Friends, and blessed of the Lord forever; you whom the Lord hath chosen to be the Valiant ones amongst his People, in this your great Tryals; oh, blessed be the Name of the Lord, for you and your dear Wives and Relations, that gives you up freely, for to bear your Testimony in the face of all People: Oh, the dear Bowels, who can express, that flow to you, who in your faithfulness are as a stream of Vertue, to the refreshing all the Heritage of our God; all take your full delight in his joyful presence; and all in pure love walk together; the glory of the most high God rest upon you, and your beloved Families and Children, whom the Lord hath blessed you with: And all the People shall confess in the day determined, that you with the rest of the faithful, are the righteous Seed that the Lord hath blessed, to whom the wicked shall
[Page 309] bend and come under, to the power which is our Life forever, who feel the Life in the Infallible passage, and secret Salutation in God, where my Soul imbraces you, in the eternal Fountain of love, and taketh her solace in the dear and near Union, where there can be no Separation, but everlasting fellowship one with another forever; where my Soul goeth with you, in the eternal welfare. Dear Brethren and Sisters, whom my Soul loves, and gives glory to God that ever you had a being in this World, to glorifie the Name of the Lord in your Generation, with him who remains your Brother,
W. D.
Warwick
Common Goal,
the 2
d day of the 5
th Month, 1665.
1666The Word of the Lord to all the Inhabitants in
England, from the Highest to the Lowest, that they mey know his Determination, and so be entreated to break off from their Sin, in true Obedience unto him, that they may escape in the day of his dreadful appearance, when no flesh shall stand before him.
TO all Rulers, Teachers and People, in the Nation of
England; and to all the Inhabitants in these Northren Countries, in which the mighty Jehovah Lord God omnipotent over all, hath determined to raise up his righteous Seed, to the exaltation of the glory of his great Name, to the fulfilling of the Scriptures of Truth, as is Recorded in
Ieremiah the 23.
Chap. and 7. and 8. verses, It shall no more be said, the Lord liveth that brought us out of the Land of
Egypt, but shall be said, the Lord liveth that hath raised his Seed, and brought it forth of the North Countrey, and out of all the Nations where it is scattered; and this I have to declare to you all, in the Authority of the Word of his Holiness; The Lord will manifest according to the determination and purpose of his mind, unto a poor people that fear before him, and seek the Lord with strong cries and tears day and night, that if it be the Pleasure of the Lord, all the Inhabitants in
[Page 311]
England and else where in these Northern Countries, might break off from all the evil of their doings, in a true resignation to the Light of Jesus, that reproves for sin in the secret of their Consciences, that so the Lord may turn his fury away, and spare the People of the Land of our Nativity, that not any be found sealed up to destruction, in that day wherein it shall be said, Let him that's filthy be filthy still, and let him that's holy be holy still: Oh sad will it be to them who hath neglected the day of the Visitation of the Lord God to their Souls, and have not their Consciences washed, and their Hearts purified in the Blood of the Lamb, for they shall cry, but not be regarded, and call to the Lord, but he will not hear them, because the Decree of the Lord will be sealed against all that reject the Counsel of the Lord, and the tenders of his Mercy, and sport away their precious time in leud and wicked ways amongst the Workers of Iniquity, whose condemnation slumbereth not; the Day of Gods Vengeance will come as a Thief in the night; great destruction will come upon them all, that reject the Government of the Soul-saving sanctifying Spirit of the Lord Jesus, in this day he is making up his Jewels, and putting a difference between them that serve him, and them that serve him not, and between them that swear, and them that fear an Oath.
Oh what shall I say concerning the People of the Land of my Nativity; Oh my Bowels, my Bowels are moved within me for her Inhabitants, from the highest to the lowest, with all in these Northen Countries, and in the tender compassion I cannot be silent, but in the force of the Spirit of the Lord exhort all, who yet witness not redemption from their vain conversations;
[Page 312] turn, turn, why will ye die, for the Lord God will not be mocked, he is of purer Eyes then to behold Iniquity; Oh reject not his Counsel, neither kick at the reproofs of the Lord, for the day of his Patience will not extend for ever, neither will his Spirit always strive with man, for he is jealous of his Glory. Oh turn, turn, all People, and diligently hearken to the Counsel of God, the Light of his own Spirit, that reproves you secretly in your Hearts and Consciences, and look up to the Lord with the eye of your minds, in true watchfulness and dependency upon the Lord, that he may save you from your iniquities, that you may find peace with God, whatever befal you in these days of great calamity, which is upon the Face of the Earth: Oh People if you reject God's Counsel and harden your necks against the reproofs of the Spirit of the Lord. Oh what shall I say unto you, seeing there is no minding the Fear of the Lord, but every one doth what seemeth good in your own Eyes: Oh the pity that's to you from one that cannot help you, but in the sence of your misery, that rejects Gods Mercy, saith in my secret mournings for you; Oh that my Eyes were as a Fountain of Tears, that I might water thy Altar, Oh Lord, day and night, that if it were possible thou mightst be prevailed withal, and change thy purpose concerning this stiff-necked and hard-hearted People, that reject thy Counsel in the Land of our Nativity: But notwithstanding all this simpathizing Bowels, as one who hath received favour at thy Hands, Oh Lord, I leave all with thee, spare thy People, Oh Lord, and inable them to go thorough the trial of the day, and sweeten their passage, and the Cup they are to drink,
[Page 313] who fear before thee, and tremble at the Word of thy Holiness, even so be it with them, oh Lord.
Once more I cannot but exhort all People, look about you, yea from the highest to the lowest, and who hath not desperately sold themselves to do wickedly, take a view of the Lords dealings with the People of the Land, how he hath shaked the rods of his many Judgments over the Nation, which did smite upon many, and they were mown down as grass, which caused many that feared the Lord to wrestle with him with strong crys day and night, that he would stay the hand of the destroying Angel, and the Lord heard his poor People, and stayed his Hand in a great measure, waiting to see if the People of the Land would mend their ways, and the Rulers therein would give over persecuting, imprisoning, spoiling and banishing his poor People, who fear before him, and serves him in uprightness of their Hearts day and night, and dare not disobey him in what he makes known unto them, though they hazard their Liberty and all enjoyments, yea life it self, so tender are they over the Glory of the Lord, who hath given them victory over sin, and all selfishness, through the Blood of the Lamb, and the word of their Testimony, no more to love their lives to death, &c.
But Oh, you Rulers, though God hath stayed his Hand in a great measure, that the sound of mortality is not so loud in the Ears as hath been, yet how do you answer the end of the Lord, seeing that few Prisons in the Nation but the Lords People are in them, because of the exercise of their pure Consciences towards the Lord, and other cruel proceedings in rending Husband from Wife, and Wife from Husband, and Parents
[Page 314] from Children, and Children from Parents, and inhumanely banishing them out of their Native Country: for these things, and other wicked proceedings, the Hand of the Lord is stretched out still, and the pale Horse is on his way, passing to and fro in the Nation, and he that rideth thereon is Death, smiting and cuting down with the Sword of Plague and Pestilence; and if so be you proceed as you have done, in executing these cruel Laws against the innocent, then will the commission of the Rider of the pale Horse be enlarged, and what flesh can stand before the pale Horse, seeing the Rider thereon is
Death, as is recorded in the Scriptures of Truth,
Rev. 6.8.
Oh my Bowels is moved within me for the calamity that will come upon the Nation, if you Rulers continue your Persecution, for the day of the Lord hastens, that they that do wickedly shall be as stubble, and the Maker thereof shall be as a Spark, and he will blow up the flame in the fierceness of his wrath; and who can stand in this terrible dreadful day, wherein Christ shall be revealed in flames, rendering Vengeance on all them that know him not, and obey not the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, &c.
Further, this I exhort, all mind what you say and do, who hath hardened their Hearts in a boasting Spirit, and said, we see no difference, but these People we cast in Prison God cuts off in a common Calamity as well as others; the sence of their sufferings causeth many a Cry and Tear to be poured forth before the Lord, and the mighty God answered and said unto my Soul, I have beholden the cruelty of Men, how they have stowed my People up in Prisons, and in the Ship, where the infection was, and them that hath
[Page 315] been taken away, their Blood shall be required at their Hands who cast them into Prison, and as to all in general that fell in the common Calamity that feared my Name, it was to stain the pride of the glory of all Flesh, as well amongst my People, as others, that my People might wait in my Light to stand in a true preparation for the day of their dissolution; therefore I take away my People in my everlasting loving kindness from the evil to come, but the wicked I cut off in my Fury, and they shall reap the fruit of their own doings, and this is the substance of what the Lord hath said in taking away his People in this common Calamity; therefore let the stout-hearted bend, and no more boast themselves in loftiness of their minds, to see the righteous taken away, for if the judgment begin at the House of God, and the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the wicked and ungodly and Sinners appear; for yet a little while, and the Lord will plead the cause of his People, with terrible Vengeance he will manifest himself, and the Rod of the wicked shall nor always lye upon the backs of the righteous, but their long continued Afflictions will be accomplished in time; therefore you meek, gentle, and peaceable quiet People, who abhor every appearance of evil, abide in the Word of Patience, and pray for them that Persecute you, that if it be the Will of God we may prevail with the Lord, that their Eyes may be opened, and their Hearts softned, that they may break off from their evil doings, and so escape the terrible vengeance, as is before written, wherein the Lord will break the Battle out of the Earth, and establish purity and peace amongst a people called by his Name; that as they have sowen in Sorrow and long-suffering, they shall reap with Joy, in this great and terrible day of
[Page 316] the coming of our Lord, which is nigh to be revealed, wherein he will say to the wicked that hath imprisoned, and afflicted his People, Go ye cursed into everlasting Fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels; and to his righteous Blessed suffering Seed, he will say, Come you Blessed of my Father, enter into the Kingdom prepared for you before the Foundation of the Earth was laid; so shall every one reap the fruit of their doings, whether it be good or evil; according to their deeds, so shall be their reward from the Lord, who is over all Blessed for ever.
Oh,
London, London, yea I say once more you Inhabitants of
London, whose lives was given you for a prey, and you stand as Monuments of Gods Mercy to this day, while many of your dear Relations, Neighbours, and Acquaintance were cut down, with him that rid upon the pale Horse; Oh, that you would lay it to Heart, who are yet living before the Lord, and all turn to the Counsel of the Lord, the Light and Manifestation of his Spirit in your own Consciences, to guide you in all fear, and dread of the Eternal God, to wait upon him to feel the opperation of his holy Spirit, to guide you in all your words, and works, that so you may be a good savour unto the Lord in your faithful Obedience to the measure of his Spirit, that so he may take delight in you, and take away the reproach that hath been cast upon you, the Inhabitants of the City of
London, &c.
But if you People, in the City of
London, do not prize the Mercies of the Lord, but slight all his kindnesses, and harden your Hearts and not regard the reproofs of his Spirit, but delight your Hearts in pride, pleasures, pomp, riches, and glory, in this present World, and with so doing provoke the Eyes of the Glory of the Great
[Page 317] God, Oh then what shall I say unto you Inhabitants of
London, who thus requi
[...]e the Lord, notwithstanding all his Favours, and boundless Mercies, which he hath manifested to you, in the sight of all People this day, Oh if you do not speedily return to the Lord by repentance, and break off from all your ungodly ways, in obeying the sin-reproving Spirit of the Lord God in your own Consciences, I must take up a Lamentation for you, in the sence of the misery that I feel will come upon you, for the Lord hath determined to bring you down, and if you will not be intreated, to hearken to his Counsel, the measure of his Spirit in you, to guide you in his holy Fear, that you may be Heirs of his living Mercies, through your holy Conversations, then will he come upon you in the fierceness of his Wrath, and break you to peeces, like Potsherds, and get his Glory over all your Heads, in the Revelation of his righteous Judgments, wherein the Rider of the pale Horse shall execute the pleasure of his own will, as he did the last Year, upon thy Inhabitants, Oh thou City of
London, so now art thou warned, through the Constrainments of the Spirit of the Lord, through him that could have no rest till he signified unto thee, what is here given forth, what the determination of God is.
Therefore Wo, Wo, unto the Wicked, for it shall go ill with them.
But, Oh blessed be the Faithful Lambs happy are you, dear, precious, and blessed Vessels, your Faithfulness to God, in your watching, waiting in the Light of the Son of Righteousness, for whom you have stood as Pillars in the strength of the Almighty; Ah your tenderness and love to God, and one unto another in the days of great Calamity that hath been amongst you, is recorded in the
[Page 318] Book of Eternal Remembrance of the living God, and in the Hearts of his Righteous Generation, never to be forgotten. Oh take your Crown of everlasting Blessings, you innocent Lambs, and Children of Light, in the City of
London; Oh be valiant, and keep your state with God, that his pure saving sanctifying Spir
[...]t, may guide you all in purity of Life and Conversation, and in the aboundings of the Pure, Holy Love to God, and one unto another, the mighty Jehovah will shew himself for you; in the day of great Tribulation you shall rejoy
[...], when the wicked shall Howle, yea you shall tryumph in the Pure Dominion of the Lord of Glory, when the wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all that forget God, the Mouth of the Lord of Hosts hath spoken it,
Through your Brother in the Tribulation and Kingdom of Patience of the Lord Iesus. W. D.
Given forth in Obedience to the Lord,
the 10
th of the 3
d Moneth, 1666.
Blessed are all who are united to God in the Lord Jesus; yea happy are the People that have the Lord for their God.
A General Epistle, given forth from the Spirit of the Lord, to be Read in his Fear in the Assemblies of the Church of the First-Born, gathered in these
Northern-Countries, and in all
Countries and
Islands where-ever the People of the Lord are scattered over the Face of the Earth.
CAlled in the Light of the Lord Jesus to stand living Witnesses for him upon the Earth amongst the Children of Men: Oh! the Bowels of the Love of the Lord that is in my Heart to you, that when I was nigh unto death, to the sight of all that saw me (as to the outward Man) and scarce able to speak, I was constrained to give forth the substance of what is now sent amongst you, for a perfect discovery of your conditions, seeing that many are called, and few chosen; and many convinced that are not converted; therefore are these lines written, that you may truly know whether you be born again, and redeemed from the Earth yea or nay. And in order thereunto, let every Man and Woman search their Hearts with the Light of the Lord, and it will truly manifest whether you be born again, and so feed upon the Tree of Life; or otherwise you rest in outward formal conformity to the Tturh, and the heart in the Earth, and that Spirit will turn against Truth, and hath done: And some others
[Page 320] are drawn to delight their Hearts in the Gifts,
1668 Parts, and knowledge which the Lord hath given them, more then in the Lord, the Fountain from whence they come; and so abuse the gift, and feeds upon the fruit of the Tree of Knowledg, which puffeth up, and maketh Man wise in his own eyes, and say in his Heart, I am wise, and rich, sees, and wants nothing; when they are Blind, miserable, naked, and wants all things; and whatever any profess, as to the Service of God, that is in this condition, they have an end to themselves in what they do, which grieveth the Spirit of the Lord, when Men and Women in a discoursitive Spirit takes upon them to declare the Truth, when the Lord neither calls them, nor speaketh by them; so are the Children born of the Royal Seed burthened, (for such have turned against the Truth, and the Children born of it) whom the Lord hath and will ease in the day determined, when all mouthes shall be closed in silence, but who are opened by him; and not any Voice be heard, but his own Spirit speaking in and thorow his own Children, born of him, who alone seeks his Glory, and not any thing for themselves which must be denied. Therefore seeing the Enemies wiles are great and many; let all dread the Lord, and who have been led astray, wait in the heart-searching Light, to see the Mystery of Iniquity where it led them forth, and return to the Light to judge down proud exalted self, which hath turned against the Truth, and bring into true Poverty, and abhoring of self, to wait at the Throne of Grace, for the Lord to raise you up in the Resurrection which raised up Jesus from the dead; and in this Life contentious Self is buried in death, and the true unity is known, where the Lord alone is exalted
[Page 321] in purity, joy, love and peace in all his, from the least to the highest growth, and all Flesh abased before him, who is worthy of all Obedience, Praise and Glory for ever,
Amen.
And all dear Friends and Brethren that love the Light, and rejoyce in the Judgments of the Lord, to have subtil Self buried in the true Death, that what gifts of the Spirit soever the Lord gives unto you, and the Enemy tempt you never so strongly to puff you up in a self-priding spirit, in what you have received of the Lord; yet his fear is so minded by you, which keeps you in a true sence of your nothingness▪ and emptiness in your selves, which causes you to wait in true self-den
[...]a
[...], for the daily assistance and renewing of your strength in the Resurrection of Life in the Lord Jesus; and the more he manifests his Power with you, the more empty and nothing you appear in your own Fyes: And so is the true Birth known, which makes Self of no repuration, that the Lord may be exalted in his unlimitted power, in manifesting himself in the poverty, emptiness, and nothingness of his people, who are born of him, that not any Flesh may glory before him, but all in truth to say, the Lord doth all in me, and through me, and the Lord shall have the Glory, and I will sit in the dust at his feet, with all my Brethren and Sisters, to serve him, and his People, (through whom we are raised up to sit in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus) in what I may, whilst I have a being amongst the Sons of Men, to the glory of his Name for ever.
And this is the state of the true Disciples of Christ, that cannot feed of the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, although in your Journey and Travels (dear Vessels of the Lord) you see the Tree of Knowledge
[Page 322] to be good, where it stands in its place, but the Fruit is not good to eat, and feed upon, because Knowledge puffeth up, but Grace maketh humble. Therefore dear Brethren and Sisters born of God, who cannot live in any enjoyment, but as you enjoy the Life and Presence of God, from whence every good and perfect gift comes.
And dear Lambs, although some of you be in your own Eyes, the meanest amongst the People of the Lord; yea, at sometimes your Trials is so great, that you are ready to account your selves unworthy to be numbred amongst the People of the Lord, and yet you dare not disobey him, neither can you live without his presence.
Oh, you dear Children of God! lift up your heads over all Temptations and Accusations of the Enemy, for your Groans and Cries are entred into the Ears of the Lord God, who in the Bowels of his Love and Mercies doth constrain me to proclaim the day of the tender compassion of the Lord, to all you who are truly poor in your Spirits: Oh, blessed are you among the Children of Men! for yours is the Kingdom of God. Therefore be not weary of waiting upon the Lord, for in his own time he will turn your Sorrows into Joy, and give to you the spirit of Praises, for the spirit, of Heaviness, as he hath done to many who have endured the like Temptations, Tryals, and Sufferings, under which you wait this day for Deliverance; and the Lord will be the same to you, therefore be of good comfort, for as the Serpent was lifted up in the Wilderness, so is the Son of Man lifted up in the Light and Covenant of Life, to heal your Wounds, and save you from S
[...]n, and to give you Victory over the Enemy in all his appearances;
[Page 323] so that you thorow Faith in the Name of Christ, make War in Righteousness; and fighting the good Fight, in keeping the Faith, you will he made more then Conquerors thorow his Love that he will shed abroad in your Hearts, which will cause you to speak of his goodness, and praise his Name for all his Mercies.
And all dear Children of the Lord, who do witness in measure that you▪ are truely baptized into his Death,
[...]nd so are made partakers of his Resurrection, as is before written, which is the Life that worships him according to his own Will, and so is truly accepted of him: watch and pray that you may be guided in the power of his Spirit in all your ways: And be careful, that not any be hasty to utter words before the Lord; neither suffer any sighs or groans, or any thing to be heard to pass thorow you, but as you have the seal of the Spirit of the Lord, that he requires it of you; this I am commanded to lay as a charge upon you, that so all Flesh may be truly silent before the Lord, and not any voice to be heard, but the living Spirit of the Lord speaking in his People; which you that wait in the fear of the Lord, and minds his leadings, may truly know, as it is written, so doth his Children witness,
He that hath my Word, saith the Lord,
let him speak my Word faithfully; Is not my Word like a Fire, and a Hammer that breaks the Rocks in pieces: Therefore all mind to feel the Word of the Lord speaking in you, that the pure burning Life of the Spirit may be tasted and felt in whatsoever you be exercised in, that so you might be fully assured it is not your own work, as Man speaking of God, but the Lord alone uttering his own voice in the forcible power of his own Spirit, in
[Page 324] what you are exercised in, whether it be to pray in Sighs or Groans, or in words, or to speak in Exhortation or Praises; you are not to quench the Spirit of the Lord in this his day,
[...]hat he is come and doth appear, in giving divers gifts unto his People, in his appearance, as he did amongst his Disciples who waited at
Ierusalem, for the pourings forth of his Spirit from on high; but they that were strangers to the work of the Spirit, could not taste the Life that spake in them; but said,
They were mad and full of new Wine, &c. but the Lord justified them, it being the work of his own Spirit; and although he gave unto them various gifts, yet all in the unity of himself, in which they sacrifice, in returning to the Lord his own with advantage, to the glory of his great Name, as his Children doth at this day; blessed be his Name for ever, that forth of the Mouthes of Babes his praise is declared, in their measures, as it is with those of higher growth in the Lord; and so do the faithful Labourers reap the Fruit for which they Travel, that all the People of the Lord may be filled with his Spirit, and in the exercise and leadings thereof, become a Body of living Ministers, and a Family of Prophets; the strong leading the weak by the Hand, and in tender Love building up one another in their most holy Faith, which gives the Victory over the World to Reign in the Heavenly Dominion, which causeth the Children of the most high▪ in the Authority of the Lord to say to the greatest Persecutors;
Oh man, do what thou hast power, the God whom we serve is able to deliver us out of thy Hand; but if he will not, we are resolved in his strength to suffer what he permitteth Man to do; and this is the holy resolution of
[Page 325] all that are Born again, and cannot hide your Heads in the time of Persecution, because you are Born of the Royal Seed, and have overcome the beggerly, cowardly, earthly-spirit, through the Blood of the Lamb, and the Word of your Testimony, and no more to love your lives to Death.
And all dear chosen Vessels of the Lord, seeing he hath manifested his Grace so largely to you; with all diligence be obedient in walking answerably to his Love and Mercy received, that as living Witnesses for God you may shine forth in the beauty of Holiness in all your ways; and be careful in keeping your Meetings at the time appointed, every one endeavouring to be the first at the Meeting, that so not any give way to a careless spirit, as some have done, and so come to Meetings when others have been a considerable time together, and so becomes a burden to the diligent and obedient Servants of the Lord; and so the Meetings are not so profitable to your comfort, as when you meet diligently at the time; waiting in the fear of the Lord to feel his sweet Presence, which will keep you awake in the Life of his own Spirit, to the glory of his Name, and the comfort of one another, which will cause you to prize the opportunities God gives to you, not knowing how soon you may be deprived of them,
&c.
And be tender one over another, and watch over one another with a pure single eye; and every one see the Beam cast out of your own Eye, before you go to spy a Mo
[...]e in others: And if any Brother or Sister offend, you that know, speak to them privately, in all tenderness, to restore them; and this know,
Whoever turns a Sinner from the error of his ways, saves
[Page 326] a Soul from Death, and hides a multitude of Sins: But if they will not hear, take two or three more, and speak to them again, in the spirit of meekness, waiting and seeking the Lord for their recovery; but if they will not hear, but persist in wickedness, then acquaint the Church, whom the Lord in his Wisdom will order to deal with them for his own glory.
And in all things you do, I dearly beseech you, do unto others as you would be done unto your selves, that so you may all, in your measures, stand as Saviours upon
Mount-Sion, to the glory of the Lord in the power of his own Spirit, which will cause the Whisperer, Bcakbiter, False-accuser, and Tale-bearer to be clensed away, and cast out of the House of the Lord; that so, in the good order of the Holy Spirit of our God, we may all live, that he alone in his Dominion may reign in us, and amongst us, whose Government is upon his Shoulders, and all the Crowns of the Gory of Man cast down at his Feet, that he may be exalted in ordering every member of the Body in their place and service, to his everlasting Praise and Glory: Even so, dear Father, carry on thy work in all the Churches of the Saints, scattered over the face of the Earth, that in the Eternal unity they may be established in the Lord, being one, and his Name one, and all the contrary swept away with the Breath of thy Mouth, and brightness of thy coming; So come Lord Jesus, take to thee thy great Power, and reign in thy Authority in and amongst thy dear Children to the astonishment of the Nations, and all people that are not born again, and to the Exaltation of thy own Name and Kingdom over all, who is worthy to reign, blessed for ever, and of whose Dominion there is no end.
[Page 327]And all you faithful Labourers in the Gospel of Christ who in true innocency travel in his Strength, and seeks not any thing for your selves in what you do, but to Glorifie the Lord in establishing his People in the living Unity, in his own Spirit: Oh, blessed are you amongst the People! my Soul Praises the Lord for you, and blesseth his Name that ever he raised up such a Spirit in you, that in all the greatest riches of the Spirit God gives to you, yet you remain truly poor in your selves, and in deep humilty become Servants to his People for the Lords sake; and being poor you make many rich in that which will abide fresh and green in the Winter Storms, and will not fade away in the Terrible Blasts which will come for the trial of his People, and cause all Hearts to fail, but what is born of his own nature. Oh, dearly beloved Brethren, feel my Bowels of enlarged love, which floweth to you in the Love and Life received and enioyed thorow death, where there is no variableness nor shaddow of change.
I remain your Brother, in the Word of his Patience, to endure the Suffering, according to his determination, with all that love the Lord better then their lives. W. D.
Warwick,
the 14
th of the 10
th Month,
IN these trying days be not afraid of what Man can do, whose Breath is in his Nostrils, and lock up to the al-sufficiency of the Almighty God, to stay your minds in him, who hath counted you worthy to Suffer for him: In all humility walk faithfully before him unto the end; he is your reward, and will give unto you a Crown of Life forever, even so be it with you in the Name of the Lord, is the breathing of my Soul for you whom my Soul loves; and keep your Meetings in the Authority and Life of the meek and patient Spirit, which wares out, and overcomes all things that is not of its nature.
Read this in the fear of the Lord amongst Friends. W. D.
Warw
[...]ck,
the 5
th of the 3
d Month, 1671.
For my dear Brethren
George Whitehead, A. Parker, and Brethren concerned in the General Meeting.
IN the Love of the Lord my Soul in the endeared Life of God is with you, & if the Lord had set my face
[Page 329] to have been with you,
1673 I should have been present in Body; but I am ordered otherways, having much upon me while the Door is open; therefore my breathing to the Lord is, that he may cover you in that Assembly with his Glory and heavenly Wisdom, as I believe he will to the comfort of his People, that so all Hearts may be gladed, in feeling his pure Power and heavenly Refreshing in you: My dear Brethren, in the Light and Life of God, whom my Soul loves and remains,
Your dear Brother in the Vnity of the Spirit of our dear Father, who hath called us by his Name, W. D.
Bristol,
the 7
th day of the 3
d Month, 1673.
My dear Brethren, Friends are generally in a sweet state with God in this City, and where I have passed, both to my comfort and yours in the Lord; blessed be his Name forever.
IN the Covenant of Life in Christ our head, my Soul salutes thee, and simpathizeth with thee, in thy exercise in thy Bonds with breathings to the Lord, to sweeten all our ways, what he calleth us unto, with his living Presence, to the perfecting of his glory forever,
Amen. Dear
George Fox, I have been through many Counties in the North Countrey, and the comfortable
[Page 330] Persence of the Lord did manifest it self in all the Assemblies of his People, to all our comfort, in him our Head and Life blessed forever: All was very peaceable; and great Resort, to Friends Meetings, of all sorts of People, and not any opposition, but all Meetings parted in peace: And it would be too tedious to mention the names of them that minded their Love to thee, through all the Counties where I Travelled, but generally all the Ancient Friends in
Cumberland, Northumberland, Byshopprick, and
York-shire, Darby-shire, Notingham-shire, Leicester-shire, and in this Town desired to have their dear Love remembred to thee, and the deep sence of thy Labour and Travel is fresh upon their Spirits, which causeth many Prayers to be poured forth before the Lord, if it be his good Will and Pleasure to give thee strength of Body, and Liberty to Travel amongst them, to their great comfort, as in the days of old and years past; but in the Will of our God, our Souls rests with thee in the Pleasure of our God, in whom I remain
WHom the Lord hath in this his Glorious Day visited, and in his Light plucked as Brands out of the Fire, to wait upon him, that his Great Work of Regeneration may be perfected in all of you, to your Eternal Comfort, and the Glory of the Name of our God forever, &c. And my dear Friends, seeing many are Called, and few Chosen; many Convinced, that are not Converted; and many come forth with us, and go forth from us, that are not of us, as by sad Experience hath been witnessed, &c. and from the deep Sense of this working of the Enemy, I am constrained to send this
Epistle amongst you, knowing the Kingdom of God is compared unto Ten Virgins, Five Wise and Five Foolish, who had all Lamps, and slumbred in the Secure Mind, until they were awakened to enter in with their Lord, then were the Foolish Virgins made manifest, that though they had Lamps like the other, yet wanting the Oyl, they neither did or could enter, &c. Oh! dear and tender Friends, let all Dread the Lord, who make mention of his Name in the Light of Christ; for this Parable is to you, unto whom the Lord hath sent to preach to you and in you the Word of his Kingdom.
And this is upon my Spirit, in the Word of the Lord to you all convinced of the precious Truth of our
[Page 332] God, turly to examine and search your Hearts with the Light of Christ Jesus, that you may have a certain Knowledge, how it is with you, and how you escaped the subtil Wiles of the Enemy, which have hindred so many from the Possession of the Life of Truth; and that you may truly discern, how the Enemy draws into the Foolish Conceitedness, in the Out-side and Formal Profession of the Truth feeding upon the Knowing Part, and so stoppeth the Hunger that should reach the Life; and then in an Exaltedness saith,
I See, Know, am Clothed, and want Nothing; when they are Blind, Naked, Miserable and want all things, and this is the State of all the Foolish Virgins, who dwell in the Outward Court, and place all their Confidence in the Form, and Outside, and Profession of Truth, and so has lost the Sense of that Heavenly Hunger, which must possess the Life hid with God, or else it must mourn out its days in Sorrow. Therefore all dear Friends, watch diligently to the Heart-searching Light, that this Mystery of Iniquity you may all discern, that so the Enemy may not prevail against you, to turn you aside, either to the Right Hand or to the Left, that whatever the Lord has convinced you of to be Evil, you may wait upon him for Strength, to preserve you out of it, that so you may Answer God's Witness in the Regulation of your Conversation in the Uprightness of your Hearts, so you may stand clear before the Lord, that you are willing to do and suffer whatever the Lord should call you to; and when you have done all this, then be you watchful to the Heart-searching Light, that the Enemy doth not draw your Minds to place your Confidence in the Work of Righteousness you have done, as the
Ground of your Hope and Calling
[Page 333] in Christ, and want
Faith in him, and so cause you to rest in your
Services, and so come short of the
hidden Life, enjoyed through Faith in the Light and Life of Christ, our Righteousness. I beseech you,
dear Friends, Wait to know your Passage in this great Mystery, where the Entrance is into the
Straight Gate where all the Foolish Virgins, though their Lamp in the Outward Profession be never so Glorious, yet through Pride in their Attainments, never entered into this Rest; and here is the farthest that ever any come, that make a Profession of Truth, that go from us, and are not of us. So tender Friends, that truly seek God's Glory, and so love his Light that you are willing to give up Life and all to do his Will; and when the Enemy would draw you to rest in what you have done and so take the Jewels of God and play the Harlot, and deck Your Selves; you Drea
[...] the Lord, and in his Light you see more Light; and you see, That all that you have done is your Duty and your reasonable Service which you must do, or otherwise you perish eternally, and yet your poor Souls in the Light travail on in the Foot-steps of the Flock of the Mournful Companions, who are weeping in Secret, and inwardly seeking the Lord God, to be Married unto him in that hidden Life which is hid with Christ in God, and until you enjoy the Marriage-Union, in deep Humiliation you wait in the Light, for the Lord to create you to a
lively Hope in Christ Iesus, the
Second Adam. And you tender Children of my Father, who can understand in your Heavenly Travail and Exercise of Spirit what is here written, Lift up your Heads, and stay your Minds in the Light of the Lord Jesus, which ransacks your Hearts, and doth not only keep you in
[Page 334] Holiness of Conversation, but makes you weary of living under the Dominion of your own Thoughts and Wills: Therefore I beseech you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ; watch to the Heart-searching Light, that discerns your Thoughts and Intents, and judgeth your Thoughts, and all Fearfulness and Unbelief; and wait in the Measure of the Light and Life, that quickeneth your immortal Souls, and hath begotten heavenly Breathings, Hungerings and Thirstings to eat the Flesh, and drink the Blood of the Lord Jesus. Oh thou blessed Birth! let not Streightness be upon thy Spirit; for the Bowels of the almighty God earn towards thee, which cannot be satisfied with any Thing but the pure Presence of Christ to reign in thy Heart, and to exercise heavenly Authority in his Throne in thy Conscience: Oh tender Babe born of the immortal Seed! le
[...]d not thy Ear to any of thine own Thoughts, Doubts and Unbelief; neither to the Accuser, who seeks every way to discourage thee, for trusting in the Name of the Lord; but diligently incline thou thy Ear to the righteous Counsel, which is the Light and Life: The Lord will satisfie thy Hungry and Thirsty Soul with his everlasting Loving-kindness in Christ Jesus, and will create thee to a lively Hope, and marry thee to himself in his own Righteousness, where thou wilt receive Dominion to reign over thy own Thoughts, and thy own will, and to walk in his Strength in the Word of Faith, which will give thee Victory over the World within and without; so will thy Heart be kept pure, thy Conscience clean, and thou cloathed with the glorious Garment, a meek, low and a quiet Spirit, and so become the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, the second
Adam, and the Lord of Life and Glory; and here is the Dwelling-place of all the
[Page 335] Sons and Daughters of
Sion, Citizens of the new
Ierusalem, who walk in the Light as he is in the Light, and so are Partakers of his Divine Nature, and as he is, so are we in this present World, bearing his Name in his righteous Power, guiding us in his Light, Thought and Will, which keeps us in the Heavenly Fellowship with the Father in the Son, and one with another in him.
So all my dear Friends; Brethren and Sisters, who do witness proud ambitious Self buried in this Heavenly Baptism, in Conformity to Christ in his Death, and you made alive through Faith in Christ our Light and Life, as you have received Christ, so walk in him, in all Humility, and godly Fear, and true Watchfulness, that your own Thoughts Will and Unbelief, have no Dominion over your Spirits; but every Minute of Time as they appear, through Faith in Christ the perfect Light and Life, keep your Dominion, and reign over them: And thus in Christ being victorious over all Self in you, you will reign as Kings, in the Authority of the glorious Truth of God, over all the Power of Darkness without you: So whatever you suffer for the Testimony of the Name of Christ, he takes it as done unto himself; and better a Milstone were hanged about their Necks, and they cast in to the Sea, then hurt or offend the least of you my Brethren and Sisters, who are regenerated and born again, and your Confidence is in the Lord alone: So in all your Sufferings whether spoiling Goods, or imprisonments, or whatever your Trials be from the Sons of Men that you meet withall for your Testimony in the Blessed Truth of God; let nothing Discourage you, but judge all your own Thoughts, and in the Glorious Light and Life in Christ Jesus rest in Peace, in the pure Contentation
[Page 336] within the Gates of
Sion, where your Faith and Patience will so abound in you, that you shall weary out all your Persecutors, and the Blessing of the A
[...]mighty God will be upon your Families, who are rent one from another to fulfil the Sufferings of the Body, and you shall wear your Crowns, who thus patiently wait in a Quiet Mind and Resigned Will; And in the
Word of the Lord I declare it to all you, who suffer Imprisonment, as is before written,
That all the Wrath of the Power of Darkness shall not be able to keep you an Hour longer then the King of Eternal Glory hath determined for the Renown of his Glorious Truth on Earth, and your Comfort forever: Therefore let Patience have its perfect work; for,
in Peace are we to Conquer, and in Quietness to Prevail over all that resist the rising of the King of Glory, who liveth in us, who hath been Dead, but now Alive; in whose Life keep your Habitation in the
Word of Faith, which is in our Hearts and in our Mouths, and this is the Word of Faith we preach unto you, and which you are to contend for against all Evil Attendances, both within and without; for by this
Word of Faith are the Armies tha
[...] would alienate your Souls from the Enjoyment of the Lord within you, beaten back and overcome, and the Mouth of the Roaring Lyon stopt, and all the Fiery Darts of the Devil both within you and without you quenched; therefore, as the Valiants of Christ Jesus, in his Name and Nature contend for the Faith which is delivered unto us his Saints; for this is our Victory that overcomes the World, even our Faith, as it was with our Brethren of old, in Ages past,
I have fought a
good Fight, I have kept the Faith, henceforth is laid up for Me a Crown of Eternal Gl
[...]ry: And here i
[...]
[Page 337] our Fellowship with the Father in the Son, and one with another in him: and all dear Brethren and Sisters, in this Word of Faith keep your Meetings, both valiantly and faithfully, that so none of you be found forsaking the assembling of your selves, as the manner of some is, who are out of the Word of Faith; but as the Lord hath counted you worthy to be his Dwelling-place on Earth, and his Tabernacle amongst the Children of Men; Prize every Oportunity the Lord affordeth you to meet together in his Powerful Holy Name, with the Loins of your Minds girt up with the Word of Faith in you, which will empty you of Self, and cloth you with the Garment of deep Humility, and fill you with the Riches of his Everlasting Love and Endless Mercies, for God dwelleth with the Humble, but the Proud he beholds afar off: So, without Faith in the Name of Christ, and a Humble Spirit, the In-dwelling Presence of the King of Eternal Glory you cannot enjoy: Therefore I charge you in the Name of the Lord, Hearken not to any Suggestions within you, nor Counsels without you, that would draw you to sleight or forsake meeting together in the Name of the Lord Jesus; but let every particular Member know your Service in the Body, that by your Faithfulness others be encouraged to meet with you, to wait in the Light, to feel the Living Refreshings of the Lord; and when you are refreshed with the Income of God's sweet Presence, be watchful, that not any utter words rashly before the Lord, to spend your Talent in a forward Spirit, to satisfie the Lust, that would appear further then the Lord would have them, as some have done which has brought them under a great Vail of Darkness, and have
[Page 338] lost their Way, and returned with Sorrow, to the burdening the Hearts of the Righteous; but Tender Plants, wait to know and truly discern between the Milk of the Word, and the Words, for the Milk of the Word is a Sweet Stream in the Refreshing, to the Nourishment of this heavenly Birth, that it may grow thereby; and some the Enemy hath drawn to speak forth that which they in a retired. Silence were to feed upon, and grow up in its Nature. Therefore, dear Friends, wait in the Light, that the Word of the Lord may dwell plentifully in you, as it is written, so are we Witnesses;
If any have my Word, let him speak my Word faithfully; is not my Word like a Fire and a Hammer, that breaks the Rocks in pieces, which sealeth up the Testimony God calleth unto in the Heart of his Disciples: Therefore all be very circumspect in this weighty Matter, that whatever you feel of the Refreshings of God in you, that you do not let any thing come forth, either in Words or Sounds, or any Noises, but what is brought forth in the Authority of this Living and Powerful Word; then will the Blessing of the Lord attend what is brought forth, be it much or little, either in Words or Hymns, or Joyful Sounds, do not quench it, but answer the Lord in the Authority of the Word of Eternal Life; and the Sons and Daughters of the Lord, who are thus exercised, will not burden any, but it will be a Stream of Refreshing in the Hearts of all the Righteous; thus will every Vessel be preserved in the Life of Truth, and not go but as the Presence of the Lord goes before them: Therefore let all dread and fear the Mighty God, who have received any Gift, to see that the True Birth possess the Gift,
[Page 339] which Birth makes Self of no Reputation, that so the Lord of Life may exercise every one in the Improvement of their Gift, to the Comfort of his People, and his Eternal Glory, and none go further then they have Assurance they are called of the Lord, and his Heavenly Powerful Presence goes before them; so will the Lord bless the Travel of every Soul, and the Body be kept in the Pure, Sweet, Sea
[...]oned and Savoury Life, which edifieth the Body in the Love and Life of God, which cannot be exprest; and all that will not wait thus to be exercised, as is here written, but go out of their Places, burthen the Life, weary the Faithful, and if they do not give over, and submit to the Government of Christ to reign in them, and wait in true Silence, that they may speak no more of him but as he uttereth his Voice through them; my Soul pitieth them; for they will be as Wandring Stars, and Darkness will come upon them; therefore be Warned, whose Consciences witness what is here written to be your Conditions, &c.
And all tender Friends,
☜ be very watchful and careful to keep your Meetings upon all Services on Truth's Account, both Sons and Daughters, born of God, that there may be no Confusion, but a sweet Submission to one another in the Light and Life of Christ Jesus, that as the Lord, hath blessed your Meetings and Labour of Love for the Body's sake, keep your Minds stay'd upon the Lord, out of all Consultings with Flesh and Blood, or any Strivings to appear to be any thing but what the Lord is in you, to keep you all in Humility, in a pure Subjection unto Christ, that he may silence all the Councils fo Flesh in you, and keep you in his holy dread and pure Fear, to receive Wisdom from him, to guide you to determine all Matters brought before you,
[Page 340] so that every one have your Eye to the Lord, to eye his Glory in all your Words and Works; so will Love abound, and the Blessing of the Lord will be in the midst of you, to guide you all in his pure Fear, to do to every one as you would be done unto, and watch over one another with a Pure Single Eye at all times, that your Single Eye may be to the Good in one another, and your Tenderness in the Love of God in all Humility to reach to the Measure of God, to raise it up, and thus will you stand in the Heavenly Nature Saviours upon Mount
Sion, to bring again them that stray, and so restoring them with the Spirit of Meekness; and here is Christ and his Desciples Washing one anothers Feet in all Humility and Heavenly Condescention (one unto another) the Strong bearing the Burden of the Weak, and gently leading them forth, out of that which burdens the Pure, into the Light and Path of Life, where the building up one another is in the most holy Word of Faith, where we sit together in our Heavenly Places in Christ, where Self is made of No Reputation, but every one Serving the Lord, casting down our Crowns before his Throne, and with one accord singing the Songs of the Redeemed from the Earth; all Glory, all Honour, all Praises, and Thanksgiving Dominion be giving unto him, who is found worthy to sit upon the Throne in our Consciences, to feed us with the Br
[...]ad that is sure, and refresh us with the Water that never
[...]aileth; so we that are many are made one Bread, eating the Flesh of Christ, and drinking his Blood, where we have Life, and that abundantly, and we comforted together in our Heavenly Mansions, in our sweet
[Page 341] and pure Fellowship of the Gospel in Christ our Righteousness, who is One, his Name and Nature One in all his People; and Salvation is unto us for Walls and Bulworks; and here have we Peace, in this Holy City, New
Ierusalem, which the World knoweth not, neither can they take it from us; and here is no Strife nor Contention within her Gates, but we witness the Promise of the Lord fulfilled, I will make
Ierusalem a Quiet Habitation: In this City there is no more Curse, but the Name and Image of God is written in the Foreheads of them that dwell therein; that all that have to deal with them, as they mind God's Witness in any Measure, will confess, These are the People of the Most High God, born of the Righteous Seed, which the Lord hath Blessed. And in this Heavenly Government,
☜ dear Brethren and Sisters, all keep your Meetings, and the blessed Persence of the Lnrd fill all your Hearts, and inlarge his Love in you and amongst you, to your mutual Comfort one of another, and the Honour of his Great Name, who is over all God blessed forever.
So will you, dear Friends and Brethren, comfort the Hearts of all Travelling Friends and Brethren, who have not loved their Lives, to Death to serve the Lord, and gather you home into this Heavenly Rest; the very Sense of their faithful Labours and Travels, seeking nothing for Themselves, but the Honour of God and your Establishment in this Rest, it takes deep Impression upon my Heart, both they that have finished, who here did wear the Garments of Humility, and now the Crown of Eternal Glory; and my dear Brethren that are yet on this side the
[Page 342] Grave, who are labouring in the Service of the Lord, in Faithfulness, in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus▪ dear Friends, let your Hearts be affected as mine is, that the End of their Labours may be answer'd in your Faithfulness, in keeping your Meetings according to all the Exhortations, that you have had through the Faithful Labourers and is expressed in this Epistle,
☞ that you may grow up as an Holy Priesthood, offering up the living and holy Sacrifice in your faithful Testimony and pure Unity of Spirit and Bond of Peace, where my Soul is bound up with you in this Heavenly Rest in Christ Jesus our Light and Life over all exalted in us to Reign, who is worthy forevermore, in whom I rest;
Your Dear Brother, W. D.
London,
the 14
th, of the 11
th Moneth 1675:
Titus Oates's Certificate concerning
William Deusbery and the
Quakers.
1678
YOurs I Received, in which mentions one
Deusbery, his name is
William Deusbery a
Quaker, whom you would do well to Discharge: He is no
Iesuit, nor like one; I look upon it to be more discretion, not to medle with any Protestant Dissenters in this day; but bend our forces against the common Enemy of the Protestant Religion, the Papist; And endeavour to win by Arguments those that are Dissenters from us: Sir, here is a Certificate from some that hath known him these Twenty years and upwards, who are Men of repute in their Generation, and Protestants: And I pray, did you ever know that there was ever such a Correspondency betwixt
Iesuits and
Quakers as might render them suspicious; or did you ever know any
Priests or
Iesuits in their Meetings? and there suffered to Preach,
&c.
For I know the
Iesuits and the
Quakers, and there is such vast difference in points of Religion, that it is as possible to reconcile Light and Darkness, as to reconcile them; though they may appear different from us, yet I think they are no Murtherers, as the
Papist have been, and are: I have no more, but that I am yours though unknown,
T. O.
The 13
th of March, 1678, 9.
1680An Exhortation to all People, to prize their Time, in making their Calling and Election sure, before they go hence and be no more.
As it hath pleased the Lord God in his tender Mercy, in his Heavenly Power in Christ, to assist his tender Hand-maid
Mary Sam, and give her full Assurance of her Eternal Salvation, who lived with her Grand-Father
William Dewsbury at
Warwick, where he was and is Prisoner for the Testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ, And there she departed this natural Life when she was the Age of Twelve Years and sixteen Weeks; and in her Sickness declared to all about her, what God had done for her Soul. A brif Account whereof Follows.
ALL People, mind the fear of the Lord, who created the Henvens and the Earth, the Seas and Fountains of Waters, and all turn your Minds to the Light of Christ Jesus in your own Consciences, that reproves for Sin in the secret of your Hearts, and this God requires of you all, to search your Hearts thorowly
[Page 345] with the Light of Christ Jesus which is the true Light that lighteth every one that comes into the World, as it is written in the Scriptures of Truth,
Iohn 1.9. And as you are faithfull to the Light, it will let you see how you have lived and spent your precious time that is gone over your Heads; then will your Consciences be awakned with the Light of Christ, and you will be made sensible of your careless sinful and miserable state and condition that you have lived in; so will the Lord in great Mercy to your Souls set your sin in order before you, and the Iniquity of your Heels will compass you about; so will you be made sensible of your lost and perishing State and Condition, that if the Lord did not look upon you in his Mercy in the Lord Jesus, to give you strength to forsake every evil Way, and Repentance for what you have done, you would
perish forever.
So from the deep sence of your own nothingness, and the need of the help of Christ Jesus the true Light and blessed Saviour, to whom you Cry and Pray continually,
That he would perfect his great work of Regeneration, in leading you in the foot-steps of the Tribulated Companions, who go weeping and seeking the Lord their God, asking the Way to Sion,
with their Faces thitherwards, no more to let your Eyes slumber in peace, nor your Eye-lids have rest until you be assured the Lord is your God, and that he hath blotted out your Sins, and done away your Iniquities for his Name sake, and hath accepted of you in his new and Everlasting Covenant of his Mercy in Christ Jesus, So, you that were afar off in your Rebellious Nature, of which you are now ashamed, through true Repentance and Obedience to the Light you are made nigh in the Blood of Christ, which gives you full assurance of your Eternal
[Page 346] Salvation, and purgeth your Consciences from dead Works to serve the Living God; and whoever you are that come to witness this blessed Work of Regeneration wrought in your Hearts, as before written in your being created to a lively Hope in Christ Jesus, [
Mark] you are to watch and pray, that in the Exercise and Improvement of this Hope you may receive Strength to purifie your selves as he is Pure;
[...]o comes all that are Worshippers of the Father to Worship him in Spirit and in Truth, for such the Father seeks to Worship him; and these are they whom he Perfects forever, through the Sanctification of his Spirit: So is this Scripture fulfilled in you,
He that doth Truth, brings his Deeds to the Light, that they may be manifest that they are wrought in God, John 3.21. And these are his Children who walk in the Light, and have their fellowship with the Father of Light, in Christ Jesus their blessed Saviour, and one with another, in his humble, meek, pure and blessed Nature, and so becomes his chosen Jewels and Citizens of
Sion, who walk in the Light of the
New-Ierusalem, as it is written in the Scriptures of Truth,
The Nations that are saved shall walk in the Light thereof; And whatever any of you suffer, who are redeemed from the Earth, and have your Confidence in the Lord alone) Christ takes as done unto himself, as it is written,
Mat. 25.31. to the end of the Chapter,
When the Son of Man shall come in his Glory, and his holy Angels with him, then shall he sit upon the Throne of his Glory, and divide the Sheep from the Goats; when he hath set the Sheep on the right Hand, and the Goats on the left, then will he say to those on his Right Hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the
[Page 347] Foundation of the World; for I was hungry, and you gave me Meat; thirsty, and you gave me Drink; a stranger▪ and you took me in; naked and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in Prison, and you came unto me. Then shall the Righteous answer him, saying; Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? or when saw we thee sick and in Prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily, I say unto you, in as much as you have done it unto one of the least of these my Brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say unto them on the Left Hand, Depart from me, ye Cursed, into Everlasting Fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels. He gave them to understand, why they must depart, they had not done to him, as those at the right Hand had done, as you may read at large from Verse 41. to the end of the Chapter.
So all may see how Man's destruction is of himself, in not regarding the Counsel of Christ Jesus, the Light, to guide them in a Humble, Pitiful, Compassionate, Pure and Blessed Nature, so they go into Everlasting Punishment; but the Righteouss that are guided by his blessed Spirit (as before written) they shall go into Life Everlasting, which is the Inheritance of all that walk in the Light, faithful unto Death, the Crown of Life they shall enjoy forever and for evermore, as it pleased the Lord to give a full assurance to his tender Handmaid of her Eternal Salvation, in his blessed Work upon her Spirit, as the following Lines do manifest.
These following Lines are what was exprest by
Mary Sam, Daughter to
Iohn Sam of
Hutter Congquest in
Bedfordshire, who dwelt with her Grand-Father
William Dewsbury, at the Sergeants Ward in
Warwick, where he was and is Prisoner for the Testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ.
THe
first day of the
second Moneth, 1680. it pleased the Lord to afflict her with a violent Feaver, that brought her very low in a little time, and great was her exercise of Spirit, as to her Condition and State with God, many times weeping when
[...]he was alone: Her Aunt
Ione Dewsbury asked her, Why she walked alone so often in the Garden, when she was well? and why she was so sorrowful? She answered and said,
Dear Aunt, I am troubled in my Conscience for want of a full assurance of my Eternal Salvation; for not any knows my Exercise, but the Lord alone what I have gone through since I came to Warwick,
it was begun a little before I came but it was but a little; but since I came to Warwick,
this was my Exercise, I thought I should not live long, and that if I did dye, I did not know whither my Soul should go; but I hope the Lord will give me satisfaction before I dye; but its but hope, and though but hope, yet for this hope my Soul shall praise the Name of the Lord forever. And so she continued praising the Name of the
[Page 349] Lord, and making Melody, with joyful Sounds, many times in her great Affliction.
The next day some Friends being in the Room with her, She was much opened in declaring how she had observed the dealings of the Lord with her in time past, saying,
I have been twice in my days nigh unto death, but the Lord in his tender Mercy prolonged my days, that I might seek his Face in the Light of Christ, and come to be acquainted with him, before I go hence. And also she said,
If this Distemperdo not abate, I must dye, but my Soul shall go to Eternal Ioy, Eternal, Eternal and Everlasting Life and Peace with my God forever: Oh! Praises Praises to thy Majesty, Oh, my God! who helpeth me to go through with patience, what I am to endure. Then after some time she said,
Friends, we must all go hence one after another, and they that live the longest know and endure the greatest Sorrow: Therefore, O Lord, if
[...]it be thy will, take me to thy self, that my Soul may rest in Peace with thee, and not any one to see me here any more. Oh! Praises, Praises be unto thy holy Name forever in thy will being done with me, to take me to thy self, where I shall be in Heavenly Ioy, yea, in Heavenly Ioy forever and forevermore. The day following she desired all to go forth of the Room, for she desired to be alone; and after a considerable time, when we heard her groan upon her sick-bed, her Mother and Grand-Father went to her, then she said unto them,
I have now received full satisfaction of my Eternal Salvation, it is now done, it is now done: And dear Mother, when thou, or any of my Sisters dye, I desire the Lord may go along with you; for I am very willing to dye, that the Lord may Glorifie his Name this day, in his will being done with me; And many times would she be praying
[Page 350] to the Lord day and night▪
O Lord, lay no more upon me, than thou givest m
[...] strength to bear, and go though with patience, that thy Will may be done, that thy Will may be done (many times together)
Oh help me, help me, O my God! that I may Praise thy holy Name forever. And so continued, very often Praising the Name of the Lord with joyful Sounds, and singing high Praises to his holy Name forever and forevermore; she being much spent with lifting up her Voice in high Praises to God, through fervency of Spirit, and her Body being very weak, her Grand-Father went into the Room, and desired her, to be as still as possibly she could, and keep her Mind inward, and staid upon the Lord, and see if she could have a little rest and sleep: She answered,
Dear Grand-Father, I shall dye, and I cannot but Praise the Name of the Lord whilst I have a beeing; I do not know what to do to Praise his Name enough whilest I live; but whilst there is Life there is hope; but I do believe it is better for me to dye, than live. And so continued speaking of the Goodness of the Lord from day to day, which caused many Tears to fall from the Eyes of them that heard her, Her Grand-Father coming to her, asked her how she did? she said to him and to her Mother,
I have had no rest this night nor to day; I did not know but I should have dyed this night, but very hardly I tugged through it; but I shall dye to day, and a Grave shall be made, and my Body put into a Hole, and my Soul shall go to Heavenly Ioy, yea, Heavenly Ioy and Everlasting Peace forevermore. Then she said,
Dear Grand-Father, I do believe thou wilt not stay long behind me, when I am gone. He answered,
Dear Grand-Daughter, I shall
[...] fast
[Page 351] as the Lord orders my way. Then she praised the Name of the Lord with high Praises, and Joyful Sounds for a season, and then desired her Mother,
To let her be taken-up a little time; saying,
it may be it will give me some ease. Then they sent for her Grand-Father, who said to her,
‘If this be thy last day, and thereon thou art to dye, it is not safe for thee to be taken forth of thy Bed: dear
Mary, thou shalt have all attendance that is convenient, as to set thee up, in thy Bed, and to lay thee done again; but to take thee up' we are not willing to do it. She answered,
Well Grand-Father, what thou seest best for me, I am willing to have it so.’ Then her Mother and Aunt set her up in her Bed; she said,
it did refresh her and give her some ease: And as they were ordering what was to be done about her Bed, she said,
Oh! what a great deal of do is here in ordering the Bed, for one that is upon their Death-
Bed. Her Aunt
Ione Dewsbury said,
Mary, dost thou think thou art upon thy Death Bed? She answered,
Yea, Yea, I am upon my Death Bed, I shall dye to day, and I am very willing to dye, because I know it is better for me to dye than live. Her Aunt replyed, I do believe it is better for thee to dye than live: She said,
Yea, it is well for me to dye.
Then her Mother said to her,
Mary art thou well satisfied in thy leaving me and thy Sisters, and in thy coming to
Warwick to thy Grand-Father? She answered,
Yea, Mother, I am very well satisfied, for I saw my way was made so Clear for my coming to Warwick;
and my Grand-father and I have lived so comfortably together that I am fully satisfied as to my coming to him; and I have been very well as to any matter of Sickness, until this Sickness came upon me.
[Page 352] And dear Mother, I would have thee remember my love to my dear Sisters, Relations and Friends; and now I have nothing to do, I have nothing to do. A Friend answered, Nothing
Mary but to dye. Then she said to her Mother,
I desire thee to give me a little clear Posset drink, then I will see if I can have a little rest and sleep before I dye. When the Posset drink came to her, she took a little, and desired her Mother to give her a little drink to wash her Mouth. Then she said to her Mother,
I have a swelling behind my Ear, but I would not have any thing done to it, nor to my sore Throat nor Mouth, for all will be well enough when I am in my Grave. Then she asked what time a day it was? it being the latter part of the day, her Grand-Father said, the Chimes are going Four; she said,
I thought it had been more; I will see if I can have a little rest and sleep before I dye, And so she lay still, and had a sweet rest and sleep; and then she awaked without any Complaint, and in a quiet peaceable
[...]rame of Spirit laid down her head in peace, when the Clock struck the fifth hour of the 9th day of the 2d▪ Moneth, 1680.
We whose Names are under-written were Eye and Ear Witnesses of what is before expressed, as near as could be taken, and does not much vary from what she declared, as the Substance (though much more sweet and comfortable Expressions past from her, but for brevity-sake are willing this only to publish) who stood by her when she drew her last Breath. William Dewsbury,
her Grand-Father.
Mary Sam,
her Mother.
Jone Deusbury,
her Aunt.
Hannah Whitthead,
a Friend.
IN the Light of Christ to wait upon him, to renew you in the Spirit of your minds, to serve the living God. My dear Friends, mind your Calling, unto which you are called, to wait in the Light to retain God in your Knowledge, to feel the work of Regeneration perfected in you, that you may truly learn to take up the Cross daily, and to feel the heavenly Power manifest it self in the Light, to raise you up in the Life that makes self of no Reputation; and dryeth up the Tongue of the
Egyptian Sea; and bringeth all Flesh to true silence in you before the Lord, then will not any be hasty to utter words before him, but all in true Watchfulness and Prayer wait for the heavenly Inspiration of his holy Spirit, to overcome your spirits, and to sanctifie you, in making you obedient to the Heavenly Government of Christ Jesus in you, who will lead you forth of your own thoughts and wills, in a humble subjection to his blessed Light, Life, Thought, and Will, which will order you in all faithfulness, to walk with God in your Families, to be good Examples by your good Conversation, that so you may set up a Throne in the Consciences of your Children and Servants, and all with whom you have to do, in having all your words and works seasoned with the good savour of the Spirit of the Lord, that he may give you an assurance that the Church of God is in every particular Family; and that you are his dwelling-Place amongst the Children of Men; then will the Angels of his Presence pitch their Tents about you, in the day when this Scripture
[Page 354] shall be fulfilled, as it is written, Pour forth thy Vengeance O Lord upon the Heathen that know thee not, and upon all the Families that call not upon thy Name.
And dear Friends, be watchful in Prayer always, that you may enjoy the heavenly Life, to exercise you in all faithfulness, strive to exceed in Humility and Carefulness; in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ to meet together, that he may exercise, guide and order you in all Services, upon the account of the blessed Truth of our God, that in the meek spiritual Life and Love, you be subject to serve the Lord, and one another in all love and tenderness of Heart, in doing unto others as you would have them do unto you; then will the Lord take delight in you, and make you manifest, to be his chosen Jewels and Saviours upon Mount
Sion, in repairing the Breaches, and restoring the Desolate, in bringing back again in the Bowels of Love, those that have been driven away, or turned aside either to the right hand or to the left, in the hour of Temptation and daies of Tryal.
Oh, you meek humble minded spirited People of the Almighty God, lift up your heads, and keep your minds staid upon the Lord, to help you to keep your Habitations of Peace within the Gates of
Sion, where Salvation we have for Walls and Bulwarks, whose confidence is in the Lord alone, in whom I beseech you live in the endeared Love of Christ Jesus, who gave his Life to Redeem us to himself, and gave strength to his Redeemed ones, to forsake Wife and Children, to give up our lives daily in Tumults, Stripes, Blood-shed, with cruel Sufferings, both in Prison and when at Liberty, for to
[Page 355] bring Enemies out of enmity in the Light to be in union with God: Oh, be intreated to seek the Lord, to subject all your minds to this Love of God in Christ Jesus, to rule in you; then will the desire of my Soul be answered, in your restoring and gathering to God, as is before written, who will then build you up in the unity of the Spirit, and bond of Peace, which will enable you with Patience and meekness, to weary out and overcome whatever is contrary to his pure, peaceable and blessed nature; the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Through your Brother and Companion in the Kingdom of Patience and Tribulation in the Lord Iesus Christ. W. D.
Warwick,
Goal, the
the 10
th day of the 12
th Month 1680.
1682A General Epistle to be Read in the Fear of God. In and amongst the Assemblies of his People.
IN the Light of the Lord all Watch and Pray, that you may receive Power through Faith in the Name of Christ to Reign over your own Thoughts and Wills; then will you Delight in taking up the Daily Cross to the Mortifying of the Earthly Members: That your Conversations may be as becometh the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, which will make you Manifest to the Witness of God in every Conscience, that you are the Salt of the Earth; that have kept your State and Habitation in God, and doth retain the Sweet Savoury Spirit of Life, which Seasons all your Words and Works, and Ministers Grace to all with whom you have any concern; to the Exalting Gods Blessed Truth over all that Watch for Evil, which will cause their Eyes to fail, and frustrate their Expectations for ever,
Amen.
And Dea
[...] Friends, I beseech you be Faithful upon all Accounts, for the Service of the Blessed Truth of God; to meet together in his Holy Fear, that you may receive the Holy Inspiration of his Spirit to Exercise you in what Service God, is pleased to call you unto; whether in Prayer to God, or in Exhortation to
[Page 357] Build up one another in your most Holy Faith; to raise up the Life in all, th
[...] every one that's Overcome with the Powerful and H
[...]avenly Motions, cast their Mite into Gods Treasury, and give him his own Advantage; so will you feel the Encrease of his Government in you that are Faithful, in the true Measure of Light and Life; more and more he will give unto you, to the Edifying of one another in love: So will you become Epistles written in one anothers Hearts, with the Pure Spirit of the Living God; which will bind you up in the Unity of the Spirit, and Bond of Peace; and what Exercise soever is met withal, whilst you are in the Mortal Body, Pray to the Lord to keep you in the Life of his own Spirit; that Patience may have its Perfect work, that if you be
Smitten on the one Cheek, turn the other Cheek to the Smitter also; and if you be Reviled, Revile not again; but in deep Humility and Patience Wait in the Pure, Meek, and Peaceable Spirit of our Lord Jesus who was made perfect through Sufferings: So are his Dear and Chosen Jewels, who bear his Name in Righteousness, and have their Eye to the God of their Help, and their Confidence in the Lord alone.
Oh ye Blessed of the Lord, be Glad in his Name, who will not let any of you Suffer (whose Confidence is in him alone) any more then he will give Strength to Bear, and will Sweeten the Cup of your Tribulation with his Blessed Presence, which will cause your Hearts to Rejoyce, and Sing in all your Tryals; and will give you your Portion forever with the Blessed Assembly, that
Iohn Spoke of in the seventh of the
[Page 358] Revelations, a number that no man could number, that had passed through the Great Tribulation, and washed their Garments, and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb, Therefore are they before the Throne of God, and serve him day and night in his Holy Templ
[...] ▪ and he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell among them, and Feed them, and lead them to the Living Fountains of waters, where God will wipe away all Tears of Sorrow from their Eyes forever.
And this is your Portion, you dear Children of the living God, who in true Love to him have waited upon him, in the Light of Christ, to be Buried with him in his Spiritual Baptism, and made conformable to him in his Sufferings and Death.
And in the deep sense of your present strait, being made Conformable in Measure to our Lord and Saviour; you Cry as he did upon the Cross, my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me (when he bore the Sins and Transgressions of his People) Even so do you his Dear Children in your Measure, passing through the Great Tribulations, being made of the Number of the Slain of the Lord.
Here is first a passing through the Great Tribulation, and to be made of the Number of the Slain of the Lord; and being truly Humbled into his Blessed Will, in the deep sense of the poverty of Spirit, there Wait upon the Lord, until he Create you to a lively Hope, and give you a Possession of his Blessed Life, that is hid with Christ in God, and so marry you to himself in his own Righteousness, which he gives you for to be your Wedding Garment.
And now this Love of God constrains you to walk
[Page 359] in all Strict Observations that are Required of you to be done; but no more to Lean upon them for Life, but have now all your Obediences accepted of God through Faith in the Light, Life, and Name of Christ, in whom you now are the Righteousness of God for ever, in giving up freely to be guided by his Spirit in Faithfulness to the end.
Oh you ever blessed and happy People! Who doth witness fulfilled in you what is here written; Lift up your Heads and rejoyce in the Lord, and in the Almighty Power of his Humble, Meek and Pure Spirit, which makes Self of no Reputation, but through your Obedience to Christ Jesus the true Light, in whom you come to Witness the Lord to be One, and his Name One; and you that never had Power to believe in his Name, until he gave you Power to believe; you are One in the Lord for ever. And here is the Joyful and Eternal Unity with the Father in the Son, and one with another in the Love of Christ which bought us with his
[...]lood, which the gates of Hell can never Prevail against.
And all you my Ancient Brethren and Sisters, that have Obtained this Blessed Dominion and Everlasting Inheritance; I Bless God for you, whom I do believe will take care to answer the Desire of my Soul, as before-written: For the Comfort of the Young and Tender Babes, for whose sake I had this Concern upon my Spirit, to lay before them the true Passage into the Footsteps, where the Tribulated Companions have Travelled that are Married to the Lord of Life, and have upon them their Wedding-Garment, that they may not come Short that are upon their Travel towards the same Inheritance in Christ the true Light, as before exprest.
[Page 360]And I dearly beseech you, whom God hath Sealed up (with his holy Spirit, to your full assurance of Gods▪ Everlasting Love in Christ Jesus) that you Watch over the tender and tribulated ones; and in what possible can be done, to strengthen their Faith, that they may come into the heavenly Unity with the Father in the Son; and sit down with all them that have been made Conformable to Christ in his Sufferings and Death, that in the heavenly Resurrection; blessed and everlasting Peace, they may sing Hallelujah, and high Praises to the Lord their God, over all the wrath that's in the Children of Men; which will come to an end, and vanish away like Smoke, before you whom the Lord hath called in meekness and Patience to bear his Name in Righteousness, in the Sweet Savory Spirit of Jesus Christ, over all Blessed forever,
Amen. In which the Lord keep you all, with my Soul, Faithful unto the end, is the Breathings of the Spirit of your Brother and Companion in the Kingdom of Patience and Tribulation in the Lord Jesus Christ.
And further I have this to communicate to my Friends and Brethren; that what hath come to pass these late Years, for want of Watchfulness to be Guided by the Spirit of the Lord: Love hath been quenched in many, that Offences have entred, and Separation followed; which hath deeply wounded my Spirit, who hath endeavoured to the utmost of my Power in the Love of God to prevent such Proceedings; and so have I done in many Years past, in preventing Papers ready to be Printed, from being Published, that were of a tendency to quench the Love of one towards another: And when
[...]effery Bullocks Pape
[...]s were published in Print, which would appear to the Reader of a tendancy as to the breach of Unity; (which
[Page 361] would cause the Enemies of God to Rejoyce; it did so wound my Spirit, that for many Week, they that saw me did not expect that I would continue long in the Body: But God in his Mercy restored Strength in his Appointed time.
And when I did hear that some in the
West, did intend to Publish in Print against some Friends: I bore my Testimony against such proceedings, and told one that did favour what was intended, that I would have my Hand cut off, before I would exercise it in such undertakings: And desired him, to speak to
W. R. that he would not proceed in publishing any thing of that nature; for if he did, it would be a prejudice to Truth, and would produce very sad Consequences that would follow, and my Spirit would be deeply wounded, as it is this day, through these Proceedings; that voluntarily through want of Love, casts away the Judgment, that is given to the People of the Saints of the most High God (to keep all sweet and savoury amongst us) into the Hands of the Enemies of God, as an inlet for them to come unto the midst of us, to sit as Judges and trample upon us.
So to Clear my Conscience of all False Reports cast upon me, as that I have Encouraged what is brought forth as before written; and to satisfie all Friends in God, I have Laboured according to the Ability God hath given me, to prevent the publishing all things of that Nature, as afore-said; and have Endeavoured with all concerned, that I could meet with: to have a care of watching for Evil, lest they provoke one another to wrath, and so quench the love: But rather look at the good one in another, and in the Love of God Minister, to preserve them forth of any weakness they
[Page 362] did see lay near to attend them; that so the pure Holy Spirit of Life and Love, that first gathered us into it self, to be a People in God, and in his blessed Authority to raign over what was, and is contrary to his blessed Nature, may again restore, (where it is wanting) in the Universality of its blessed Power, to make up the Breaches, and to restore the Desolate ones, in causing every one that Professeth the Blessed Truth of God, to love their Neighbour as themselves; and so to do unto all, as they would have others to do unto them; that so all concerned in the Exercise, in the Measure of the Grace of God in Christ, (that seeks the peace of his People) may stand as Saviours upon mount
Sion, to the Honour of the Name of the Lord our God, and the Eternal comfort of all that love not their Lives unto Death, to serve the Lord, and his dear and chosen People, in the Meek Patient and Peaceable Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In which the Lord keep you all with my Soul; that in his pure and Peaceable Dominion we all Reign, and throw down our Crowns before his Throne, and all unanimously Sing, all Glory, Honour, Praises, Thanksgiving and Dominion be given to him, who is found worthy to sit upon his Throne in all our Consciences, Christ Jesus the true Light, and hope of our Glory, even so be it with all that Professeth his Blessed Truth, Saith my Soul in the Name of the Lord.
W. D.
From Warwick
the 8
th day of the 3
d Month 1682.
MY Dear Faithful suffering Brethren and Sisters in
Bristol, Gloucester, and elsewhere, for the Word of God and Testimony of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; Oh lift up your Heads, you Blessed of the Lord, whose dayes are prolonged to see this blessed day which was sounded in your Ears above twenty Years by past, and have counted you worthy to receive this blessed Crown, of his suffering Spirit, for all you that freely resign to suffer for his Name in true sincerity, shall reign forever with him in eternal glory; therefore in the Name of the Lord, I beseech you all, convinced of Gods blessed Truth, do not lend your Ear to any counsel in you, or without you, that would cause you to fly Sufferings, and so deny the Suffering Jesus before Men, for if you do, you know it is written then he will deny you before his Heavenly Father,
&c. But all you chosen Jewels, that so loves the Lord, that you dare but do as Godly
Daniel did, walk with your God as at other times, with the hazard of both Estate, Liberty and Life. Oh, Blessed, blessed be the day that ever the Lord Crowned you, with this blessed frame of Spirit in receiving Jesus to be your guide, even so the Lord keep you, and lead you to the living Fountains of living Water, which in the Light is always opened in you; give not way to your own thoughts, but in the Light Judge them down as fast as they appear, then will you be kept out of the streightness of your own Bowels, in the Heavenly enlargedness in the Light, Thought and Will of God; whose thoughts are good
[Page 364] and not evil, to give you all an expected end in answering all the desires he hath raised up in you, to do his will: Therefore arise in the pure Peaceable Spirit of the Lord, cast your care upon him, he will arm you with Patience to endure the Tribulation which will cause the Beholders to admire, as it is written in the Scriptures of Truth; Behold the Patience and Faith of the Saints, which will overcome all that withstand the rising of his Glory; who is the God of our help over all blessed forever.
Where is the Rest of your tribulated Brother in the Kingdom of Patience in Christ Iesus. W. D.
Warwick
the 17
th of the 5
th Month, 1682.
My Antient Friend,
1684
Edward Nightingal,
WHom the Lord counted worthy to receive his Blessed Truth, with many in that City and County, when the Lord sent forth his Servants, and called me to forsake Wife and Children, and to give up my Life daily into his Will, to endure Stripes and Bruises in many Tumults, with the rest of my faithful Brethren, who loved not our Lives to Death for your sakes; to gather thee, and all that received the Truth, that you might enjoy the Presence of the Lord; and amongst many others, we counted thee worthy to receive his Servants, that meet together in the heavenly Unity in the Truth; for which both thou and I, with many of the Servants of God, was put into Prison, as many of his Servants are this day,
&c. And the blessed Presence of God kept, and doth keep them, that truly fear his Name in sweet Unity and Peace in himself, and one with another, to their everlasting Comfort, and to the confounding the Enemies of God, to behold their stedfast standing and entire union, to bear their faithful Testimony in whatever they were, or are called unto for the Truth of God; which did not only confound Gods Enemies, but many were Convinced and received the Truth in the Love of it, in beholding the Unity of faithful Friends, to their everlasting Comfort, and the Honour of the Name of the Lord forever; which caused my Soul, with the rest of the faithful Labourers, to praise the Name of the Lord, in blessing the Travel of our Souls, and giving us to see the Fruit
[Page 366] of our Labour
[...]n h
[...]s Vineyard, and the Peace and Unity of his People.
But of late I have heard that thou my antient Friend
Edward Nightingal, and
Iohn Cox, with some other in that City, doth meet in a Separating spirit from the rest of Friends in that City, which casts a Stumbling-block in the way of many: And instead of gathering People to receive the Truth, you scatter and drive them away; and giveth great advantage to them that watch for evil, and is of a bad savour, and a Wounding of the Spirits of them that truly fear the Lord: I can truly say that your meeting in that Separating spirit, which is such an evil savour in the Nation, hath been and is more Affliction to me, then all Persecutions and Imprisonments I have endured unto this day: Therefore I intreat and beseech thee, my Antient Friend
Edward Nightingal, with all that meet in the Separation from the rest of Friends in the City, to turn your minds to the Light of Christ in you, that will let you see you have not done well, and with it judge that which hath led you to Separate from meeting with Friends; and return to meet with Friends in the City, in the sweet Concord, Love and Unity, in the Life of the Blessed Truth, as in the days of old and Years past, of which I am a witness with the rest of faithful Friends, that in all our Meetings, whether in the Prison, or in the City, we never wanted the sweet appearance of Christ our Life in us, and amongst us, according to his Promise, and our Comfort then, and so is it now, with all that meet in his Name, and Unity with his People, as we did in those days, which was many Years before the Enemy could
[Page 367] get any enterance to make a breach, amongst them that make Profession of Gods blessed Truth, and to draw some into a self Separation, as he hath done you, and too many elsewhere: For I do assure you it is the work of the Enemy of your Souls; for you should not have Separated, but have kept your places amongst Friends; and not have taken offence because Friends see there might be some service for Truth, in meeting twice on the First Day; it is very like in that City, some that had a Love to Truth, might get an opportunity to come to one of the Meetings: It is very much to me, how you let the Enemy get over you, as to cause you to Separate from Friends; which if you had kept your places, in meeting with Friends, you in time might have seen a Service in meeting twice a day as well as they: For you may be sure that Separation neither restores any to love the Truth, neither gathers any to God, but rather scattereth and driveth away some that was gathered in Love to Truth, by the painful and faithful Labourers that was truly sent of the Lord, as is before written. Therefore in the earnings of tender Bowels of the Love of God to you, I once more beseech you, that you in Humiliation wait in the Light of Christ, he will let you see how the Enemy led you from the Light out of your places, when you Separated from Meeting with Friends; and in yeilding obedience to the Light, it will bring you into your places again, to meet with Friends to your Comfort, and the Honour of the Name of the Lord, according to the Counsel of the Lord in my Heart, here sent unto you.
But if you reject the Council of the Lord, which in
[Page 368] his Love I am moved to send these Lines unto you; then shall I Lament your Conditions, because of the evil consequence your Separation will produce to your sorrow, and wounding many God would not have Wounded; for which you must give an account: And before you lay down your Heads in peace, you will remember me, who hath not hide from you the Counsel of the Lord.
W. D.
Warwick,
the 21
st day of the 11
th Month, 1684.
A General Epistle to Friends,
1686 from that Ancient Servant of Christ William Dewsbury.
MY Dear Friends, and Brethren, who are called forth of the World, and pluckt as Brands out of the Fire, by the Heavenly Power of God, and hath Convinced you of his Everlasting Truth, in the Light of Jesus Christ; My dear Friends, as have you received the Truth in some measure, watch and pray, and Believe in the Name of Christ; that his Power you may feel, in the Heavenly Inspiration of his blessed Spirit, to lay Judgment to the Line, and Righteousness to the Plummet; that all that is not Obedient to the Light of Christ, may be kept down, and buried in the Heavenly Baptism, under the Sentence of Death; as it was and is with all the Children of God, who have received the Sentence of Death in our selves; that we may have no confidence in our selves, but alone trust in the Living God, which will keep you all in the sweet seasoned savory Spirit of Life, in all your Words, Tradings and Dealings amongst the Children of Men; then will you be manifest and known to all People to be the Salt of the Earth, who retain the savour of the Heavenly Life, in the Blessed Truth in you, that every one according to your Measure, may be felt, upon all occasions, continually streaming forth, in the savoury Spirit of Life, to the Comfort
[Page 370] of your own Families, and the City of God, who over all is Blessed forever.
And my dear Friends, I desire all to be watchful, that not any come short of what is required of them, both Rulers of Families, and Parents of Children; while you have a day to be with them, call your Families together to wait upon the Lord, in the fear of his Name; certainly the Lord will answer the end of your endeavours in causing the savoury Life to stream through you, to season your Servants and Children, that the Church of God may be in every pa
[...]ticular Family and Habitation of his People: Great is t
[...]e concern upon my Spirit for the Children of all that profess the blessed Truth of God, that all Parents may stand i
[...] their places to bring up their Children in the fear of the Lord, while they are in their Minority and tender Years, and under their tuishion, not to be too indulgent to them, in suffering the Spirit of the World to rule in them, to have their own wills, and to do those things which are not according to the Truth of God, and to connive at their Children instead of reproving of them, and crossing the Spirit of the World in them, and causing them to be content with such things as is according to the Truth of our God; and for want of this carefulness in Parents, the Spirit of the World is strengthened in their Children, when it should be kept down by the heavenly Authority and Power that the Lord hath given to their Parents to rule over them, and n
[...]t to let them have their own wills satisfied in any thing which is contrary to the Truth of God; and all in his Wisdom so walk, with such Moderation in all things, as well as clothed in modest Apparel laying
[Page 371] by all Superfluity, that your good Examples may raise up the witness of God in your Children; and for want of this care in some Parents, and being too indulgent, and full of lenity to their Children they grow Rude, Stubborn, Self-willed and Disobedient to their Parents, while they are under their tuishion, to the wounding of the Hearts of their Parents, who neglected their duty, as to the Government of their Children in their tender Years: Therefore I desire and beseech you, in this weighty concern, that you slight not the oppertunity God gives you, to be in all things a good Example to all that live with you, both Children and Servants, that by your godly Conversation, and heavenly Exhortations you raise up the Witness for God in your Children and Servants, and in exercising the Power God hath given to you, to cross and keep down the evil Nature, while they live with you: And when your Children grow up, take them to Meetings, and keep your Eyes over them, that they behave themselves soberly according to your Exhortations; then encourage them in wel-doing, so will the Lord bless your sweet and heavenly Behaviour in your Families, that Servants will bless God that ever it was their lots to come into your Families, in that their Spirits were sweetly seasoned with the Truth, by your heavenly Behaviour and Care over them,
&c. and your Children will magnifie the Name of the Lord for your blessed Care and heavenly Instructions, and godly Endeavours every way for their good in this World, and their eternal happiness in the World to come, which will Crown the hoary Heads of their Parents with Joy, to see their blessed care and endeavours sanctified to their Children, and to see their Off-spring to be
[Page 372] made the Off-spring and Children of God; blessed be his Name forever, who heareth the Prayers of his People, who is exercised daily in the heavenly inspiration of his holy Spirit, to call upon his holy Name, not only for Enemies, but for a blessing upon their Families, and for all that love the Truth of our God; these are the Families that are a sweet savour to the Lord, that he guards with the Angel of his presence, and wi
[...]l make them manifest and known to all People, that they are his chosen Jewels whom he will preserve in the day when he will pour forth his Vengence upon the Heathen that know him not, and upon all the Families that call not upon his Name.
And if any of these Children of these heavenly minded Parents, when they are from under their tuishion, for want of watchfulness, grow into carelesness, and turn their backs of the blessed Truth of God, and trample all the care and good counsel of their Parents under their Feet, to satisfie their own Wills in the Pride and Vanity of this evil World, to the wounding of the Hearts of their careful and loving Parents, they will be clear of their Blood, when they shall reap the fruit of their doings except they Repent.
And all you young and tender People, with others that come among Friends, through the education of your careful Parents, Masters or Mistrisses you have been under, I have a concern upon my Spirit to write to you, that you do not rest in an outward profession of the Truth, by what you have received by Education, but all watch to the heart searching Light of Christ in you, which will let you see you must be Regenerated and Born again, and so be made real and faithful Friends, by the Heavenly inspiration of the powerful
[Page 373] Spirit of God in you, which if you be careful upon your watch, you will see Judgment upon all in you that is not obedient to the Light of Christ, in whose Light you will see more Light, that will let you see your great necessity of the enjoyment of the Life which is hid with Christ in God, which will cause you to pray without ceasing, that the Lord would enable you to loath and abhor the Pride, Pomp and Pleasure of this evil World, and to give you assurance of Gods Love to your Souls; and until you enjoy it in all places of your retirement, you will pour forth your Supplications with Tears to the Lord, as the blessed and heavenly Travellers and Companions did and doth, who could not find the Kingdom of God in outward observations, tho none more faithful in observing what is made known to them to be the Will of God; but the Kingdom of God not consisting in outward observations, you in the Light press forward, according to your Spiritual Hunger and Thirst, in true poverty of Spirit, weeping and seeking the Lord your God, asking the way to
Sion, with your Faces thitherward, that you may enjoy his Salvation for Walls and Bulwarks.
Oh, you blessed Children of the Lord, lift up your Heads, and stay your Minds upon the Lord, patiently waiting upon him, he will turn your Sorrows into everlasting rejoycing, and seal you up with the holy Spirit of Promise, and in the marriage union with himself, and will give you assurance of your eternal Salvation; then you will certainly know the Kingdom of God to be within you, and the anointing to teach you, which will enable you to delight in taking up the Cross daily, in true obedience to the Light of Christ, all the days you have a being amongst the Children of Men; then will
[Page 374] you in the Name of the Lord
[...] upon the Pride, Pomp, Pleasures and Vanity o
[...]
[...] evil World, to the great Comfort of your dear and careful Parents, Masters and Mistrisses, whose tuishion you were under in your minority and tender Years, and to all that walk in the precious Truth of our God over all blessed fo
[...]ever,
Amen.
And all dear Friends and Brethren, seeing the Lord who turneth the Hearts of Men as Rivers of Waters, and in his loving kindness so ordereth those in Authority, that the Prison Doors were opened once more in our day, to injoy Peace and Qu
[...]etness, according to his blessed will, Praises be to his holy Name for evermore. I have a concern upon my Spirit that all Friends and Brethren have their Hearts affected as mine is, to live in the sence of the Mercies of the Lord, and every one, for the time to come, endeavour to prevent the Enemy in what he hath been a doing of late Years, to make dis
[...]union amongst Friends and Brethren, by publick opposi
[...]ion of some, and others not patiently keeping in their places, hath also separated; the differnce being so publick, hath caused many a sorrowful Heart, and given cause to the Enemies of God to rejoyce, which hath been a greater Exercise and Trouble to me then all the sharp Persecutions, and Imprisonments I have endured for the Word of God and Testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ,
&c. Therefore, in the Bowels of the Love of God, I beseech and entreat you all, who have been, or is concerned in what is before written, let the Love of God so abound that in it all labour for Peace and Unity, in Christ the Prince of Peace, who in love laid down his Life for us, when we were Enemies; and called many of his Children in our Age, to give up their Lives in the hea
[...] of the
[Page 375] Day, Weeks, Months and
[...], to gather Enemies unto the knowledge of,
[...] with God; therefore wait for the heavenly W
[...]sd
[...]m, to bear one with another; that if any who are Conscientious to God, and Blameless in their Conversations, having a concern upon their Spirit, to declare in publick Assemblys the Truth, to edifie the People; I beseech you▪ in the love of God, that not any through disaffection shew at least any publick opposition; but rather speak to the Party in private, if there be any occasion for him to be spoken to, so will the Enemy be prevented of casting a stumbling block in the way of tender spirited People, that comes in love to be Comforted in the Meeting, and in so doing it will cause Love and Unity to abound amongst Friends, that in the Love of God▪ all may be restored that hath been scattered, and brought again into Unity, to meet all together in the Everlasting Truth, to feel the Healer of Breaches to reign, who is the restorer of the Desolate exalted in his Kingdom, in all your Hearts, to offe
[...] up a Peace-offering, in passing by all Offences, that have caused Dis-union, and to bind you all up in the Unity of the Spirit, and Bond of Everlasting Peace, to meet all together, who profess Gods Blessed Truth, to Praise his Holy Name, all as one, and one as all, while we are here in these mortal Bodies, and forever, when time here shall be no more, even so be it with you all saith my Soul, in the Name of the Lord, to whom is my Prayers, that all may be accomplished as above written; until it be so with you I shall remain your exercised Brother, in the Kingdom of Patience, and Tribulation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
My dear Friends through the sharp Persecutions, that was passed through in the heat of the day, and many long Imprisonments; being nineteen Years a Prisoner, in this Town of
Warwick, and four of them being kept close Prisoner, it hath pleased God to suffer my Health to be Impaired, that many times I am forc'd to rest two or three times, in going to the Meeting in the Town, not being of ability of Body to travel, as in Years past; I do, in the Love of God, visit you with this Epistle, desiring it may be carefully read in the Fear of the Lord, in the Assemblies of his People, that Peace and Eternal Vnity may be amongst you, in the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ,
Amen.
Given forth in the movings of the Peaceable Spirit and Word of Reconciliation, in the Lord Iesus Christ, to whom is my Prayers, that all Convinced may wait to be made of the number of the Slain of the Lord, and conformable to Christ in his Death; that they may witness his quickening Power, to raise them up in the Resurrection of Life, to enter into the Gates of
Sion, to dwell in the City of new
Jerusalem, where Peace is within her Gates, and Quietness amongst all that have their Habitation therein, having Salv
[...]tion for Walls and Bulwarks, and are the blessed of the Lord, preserved by him, to the Honour of his Name forever,
Amen.
W. D.
Warwick,
the
4th of the
10th Month
1686.
These following Epistles were found in Manuscript, without Dates.
To all you proud Priests that dare to add your Wisdom to the Testimony of Jesus.
KNow this as from him, that he is come to lay open your Deceits, and the Conjuring deceiving Inventions of your own Brains, which you sell for so much in the Year, to maintain you in Pride and Lust, for to eat of the Fat, and be cloathed with the finest of the Wool; and so deceive the simple, and lead them on in Blindness and Darkness, in making people believe the Inventions of their own Brains, to be the Word of the most high God, as in taking part of the Testimony of the word Jesus, and add to it the Inventions of their own Wisdoms, branching it into Doctrines, Reasons, Uses, Helps and Motives, according as their fancies guides them, and then takes the pure Testimony of Jesus, to prove the truth of this their Conjuring deceiving Inventions, though the Scripture tells you, that no Prophesie is of any private Interpretation; for the Prophesie came not by the will of Man, but holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost; and saith
Iohn in the Revelations,
I saw in the right Hand of him that sat upon the Throne, a Book written within,
[Page 378] and on the back side sealed with seven Seals: And I saw a strong Angel Proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the Book, and loose the Seals thereof? and no Man in Heaven or in Earth, or under the Earth was able to open the Book, or look thereon; now when
Iohn saw that the mystery of Salvation was hid from all Creatures, he wept much, because none was found worthy to open the Book, neither to look thereon: And one of the Elders said to
Iohn, weep not, behold the
Lyon of the Tribe of
Iudah, of the Root of
David, hath prevailed to open the Book, and loose the Seals thereof; and hath revealed his mind to his Servants that obey his Counsel; to him be all Glory, and Honour, and Power for evermore.
Oh, cease thou vain Man from adding thy Wisdom, in opening the Seals, in telling poor ignorant people what means the Scriptures, by thy studied Sermons, and Expositions, which is the Invention of thy own Brains; and putting words into the Mouths of poor ignorant people, to sing Praises to the most high God; for there is none can sing but the ransomed of the Lord, and they return to
Sion with joy and singing, and everlasting joy is upon their Heads: And the Apostle saith,
If any be Afflicted let him Pray, if any be merry let him sing: Oh, therefore come down you vain proud Men, that call your Traditions the Worship of God, and causes the people to err by your Lies, and by your Lightness;
And I sent them not, neither commanded them, therefore they do not profit this People at all, saith the Lord: Hear what the Lord saith unto you, I testifie to every Man that hears the words of the Prophesie of this Book; if any Man add unto these things, God shall add to him the Plagues that are written therein;
[Page 379] and if any Man take away from the words of the Prophesie of this Book, God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the holy City, and from the things which are written in this Book, and this is your reward; you add your Wisdom to the Prophesie of this Book, and the Plagues written in this Book will be added to you; and you take away from the words of the Prophesie of this Book, in drawing the people from the anointing within them, which the Father hath sent to be their Teacher, according to the Prophesie of this Book, to seek for the Kingdom of Heaven in carnal Observations you have set up, contrary to the Prophesie of this Book; and in the estate you here stand, your names are taken out of the Book of Life, and out of the holy City, and from the things which are written in this Book: Repent ye Reprobates, who reject the Counsel of Christ in you, and give over deceiving the people, and mind the Light in you, that discovereth to you the evil of your Hearts, and give up to be guided by it, least you perish in your gain sayings, Kiss the Son in obeying his Counsel, which is the Light in you, least you perish in the way; for if his anger be kindled a little, blessed are all they that trust in him.
ANd Children of the living God, mind your watch every one in particular, and dwell in that which is of God, which is the Light that searches the Hearts, and discovers the Seed of the Serpent, and its ground and being, and ministers to the Seed of the Woman, which Seed is Christ, who is the Fountain and Treasure House, where you shall receive of his Fulness, Wisdom and Power, to stand against the Serpent in all his appearances, so will his Head be bruised, and the eternal pure Eye will be opened in you, to know what is to be blest, and what is to be accurst; therefore every one in your measures stand faithful in the Counsel of God, which is the Light, the eternel Witness of his Spirit, which witnesseth against all deceit in its ground where it appears; I charge you all in the presence of the living God, that you consult not with Flesh and Blood, nor look not down at the Corruption, as to discou
[...]age you, and cause you to distrust in the Mercies of the living God; thou that dost, thy Condemnation slumbers not, for the Wrath of God abideth on the: All dwell in that which is pure, stand out of your own wills and thoughts; but keep in that which is of God, that witnesses against all deceit in its appearances; and all hold fast your confidence, which is the measure of Faith, which is the Witness of the eternal Spirit, so will all deceit be kept under, and the Serpents head will be bruised, and the pure holy Seed of God, the righteous Babe, who works no Iniquity, and in whose Mouth is found no guile, will be set at liberty, & raised up to re
[...]gn
[Page 381] King over all the Earth, and to do the Will of God, so shall your Souls enter within this holy City, and you shall have right to the Tree of Life, feeding on the Feast of fat things, the eternal Riches of the free Mercies of God, in the free Covenant of Life in the Lord Jesus, and there you shall rest with the Lord forever; where nothing shall enter that works Abomination, or makes a Lie, but that which is written in the Lambs Book of Life; and this is the rest that's prepared for the people of God, where the workers of Iniquity shall never come.
All dear Friends, joyn with the Seed of God that works no Iniquity, and take heed of lending your Ears to the Counsel of the Serpent, that would draw your minds to look out at Experiences, which you have partaked of in the Dispensation of the Power of God, in rendering Plagues upon the works of Iniquity, wherein thou comest to witness in the Name of Christ; Miracles wrought in thee; and Devils cast out; wherein thou wast in Bondage by their power, and thou who comest to witness the Lord ministring to his tender Seed, in opening to thy Soul the riches of his Love laid up in Christ Jesus, and so comest to Prophesie in the Name of Christ, but not abiding in the Counsel of the living God, who would destroy the works of Iniquity, and would cast out the works of Darkness, and would lead through Prophesies and Openings to the Inheritance in Christ, which will never fade away, but in departing from the Counsel of the Lord, you are bewitched with the Serpent that tells you, you are some body now, that hath tasted of the Power of God, and secret pride gets in; and others out of the Prophesies and Openings of what they see, and do not
[Page 382] wait
[...] they come to the Possession, and there g
[...]s in secret Pride, and so becomes a wandering Sta
[...], flown up into the Air, and the worker of Iniquity yet stands, notwithstanding all your experiences that you can witness, Devils cast out in measure in the Name of Christ, and that you have prophesied in the Name; he will say unto you, I know you not ye workers of Iniquity; to that in thy Conscience I speak, lend thine Ear unto it, it will rip thee up, and search thy Heart, and pass true Judgment upon the Head of the Wicked, and will eternally witness me, notwithstanding a
[...]l thy experiences: Therefore all dear Freinds, all take heed that none of you come short of your rest, but dwell in the pure Power of the living God, which judgeth the Wicked, and casteth out Devils; dwelling in it, it will dispossess the powers of Darkness; and as
[...]e in his tender Love appeareth to the mind, and lets you see into the Inheritance laid up in Christ, dwelling in the Power you will be kept in the pure fear, not to avish your selves out to speak of that you possess not, but to wait low in his Will, where you will be kept in a true sence of your conditions, how the Seed is oppressed by the worker of Iniquity, and so will be kept by the Power of the living God, waiting on him in the Faith, until you overcome by the Blood of the Lamb, a
[...]d the word of his Testimony, then will the worker of Iniquity be destroyed and cast out, and the Power and holy Seed of God raised up, which can work no Iniquity, but stand perfect in the Will of God, and there you enter into the Rest prepared for you in Christ Jesus, where nothing shall enter that works Iniquity, and I shall be with you forever in the Lord: And the
[Page 383] Lord God Almighty be with you his dear
[...]abes and Children, bless, guide, and keep you all, by his eternal pure power, clear and holy, that you may be a peculiar People, and holy Priesthood, to give up your Souls and Bodies a living Sacrifice unto the Lord God Almighty, that he may order you and guide you by his eternal and pure Wisdom, according to the Counsel of his own Will, and his Name alone may be honoured in you, in his ordering of you, who alone is worthy of all Honour, Glory, and Power, and Praise for evermore.
THis is the Word of the living God to you his dear Children, all be Faithful on your watch, in the Light, wait to dwell in the Power of the Living dreadful God, and in it stand armed against self, in all its appeareance, that in the mighty Power you may tread upon your own Heads, that Christ Jesus may be Head in you all, that you in him may reign Kings upon the Earth to trample upon the Earthly Spirit in all its appearances in you, and without you; I charge you and command you, in the Presence of the Living God, consult not with Flesh and Blood, which draws into disobedience and unbelief, and fills you full of hard thoughts of God; I charge you lend not an Ear to that wicked Spirit, but diligently incline your Ear to the Counsel of Jesus Christ, and in him all walk faithfully, according to the measure of Light, to answer the charge and care that's laid upon every one in your measure; and meet
[Page 384] often together in the Name and Power of the Lord, to wait in the silence of your Spirits by his mighty Power, to Manifest it self in you, and watch one over another with a pure single Eye, and let no hard thoughts lodge in your Brests one towards another: I charge you and command you in the Presence of the living God, judge them out with the Light, and when you see any draw back, be faithful in ministring to the pure in them, to raise up
[...]he Seed to restore them again; and then forgive one another your offences, which is done one to another, as Christ Jesus hath forgiven you; and be tender affectioned one towards another, and exhort one another in love, to the Building up in your most holy Faith, that you all may rejoyce together in the eternal unity, in that which is pure begotten of God; and God Almighty be with you his dear Babes and Children, and you in it, keep in the unity of the Spirit and bond of Peace, where I am with you my dear Hearts, saluting you all in the Bowels of eternal Love.
W. D
This was I moved write
the 7
th of the 10
th Month,
when I was in Wellin
[...]gborow
in Northamtonshire,
where the Lords Work is great in gathering his Children together there awayes and in Leastershire,
and in Buckinghamshire.
ANd Children, of the everlasting God, and Father of Light and Life, all in his Light wait for his living Power to manifest it self in you, to guide you in every thought word and action in obedience to his will, that you may all shine forth in the brightness of his Glory, in a pure Conversation, that so you may every one of you be Lights to the dark World, that they may see your good Works, and glorifie your Heavenly Father, who hath in his tender love plucked you as Brands forth of the Fire, and hath looked on you in Mercy and hath counted you worthy to be Witnesses, of his great and glorious Name, for which sake he hath chosen you unto himself, that you might be a People to his praise and glory; every one of you in your measures to bear his Name in righteousness: this is the Word of the Lord to you all, that every one of you be Faithful in your Measure, that as you have received Christ Jesus, so to walk in him, in giving your selves to him, that he may guide you by his Power. I charge you and command you all, in the Presence of the living God, to be faithful upon your watch, and in the pure Light wait, believing in the Name of Jesus Christ to save you from all hard thoughts of God, and all unrighteousness, and to establish your Souls in righteousness and peace, where you will all be united together, in the unity of the Spirit and Bond of Peace: God Almighty be with you, and in his Eternal Power keep you all bold, valiant and faithful unto the end, that you may all sit down in the eternal rest prepared for you, in the Lord Jesus, where I
[Page 683] am with you all that are faithful forever, in the Lord whose Prayers to God is, that not any of you draw back to perdition, but that you all wait in the Light, believing in the Name Christ Jesus, to the saving of your Souls: And the power of the dreadful God, rest upon you all, and establish you in his Love and Life, that you may rejoyce forever in his Presence, and there I am with you in the eternal Unity.
BE not troubled at the Lords disposing of us in suffering the Devil to cast us into Prison, for with you we are in the Liberty of the Spirit, in the eternal unity, which cannot be separated; I have declared to you of the Lords ordring of us to his Praise and Glory. On the 10th day of the 11th Month,
Iofeph Storr, my fellow Prisoner and I was carried forth of the Prison to the Sessions, which was holden at
Northhamton there was
Iohn Parker, that did fine my Brother
Thomas Aldam, and more called Justices, who were in great enmity against the Truth: But the Wittnesses, that had sworn against me, (as they said,) for Blasphemy, did not appear against me: the Lord smit them with terror, the lying Spirit durst not appear; then they were confounded in that they charged against me: And there was many Friends appeared in much boldness for the Truth, one Justice
Crutt, and
Iames Nagill, who is great in the outward, where there dwellings are, in
Bickering Park in
Bedfordshire, and
[Page 387] one
Edward Hackney an Atturney at
Kettency in
Northhamtonshire: there had not been above three Meetings with me; yet the enmity of
Iohn Parker, and these with him, required Bonds-men of me, to be bound for me, for they said I had writ strange Papers to the Lord Protector: if I would not find Men to be bound for me, I should to Prison again, I then required of them to read me a Law I had transgressed, but they would not answer, but called for Bonds-men; I answered, there shall not any be bound for us: hear is our Bodies, do with them what you have power to do; they commanded the Jaylor to take us away; we were not suffered to speak any more, but taken and put into Prison, and a Copy of our Mittimus we cannot have, but was denyed both of the Jaylor, and of the men called Justices, when it was demanded of them in the open Court; but the wrath of man turns to the Praise of God, for the Truth of God was much spread abroad that day, and a mighty thirst was raised up in the Hearts of many towards the Name of the Lord, Praises forever be to him, whose ways are past finding out; he takes the wise in their own Craft, and overturns them in their own Devices, to their everlasting shame, and contempt; to the Glory of his Name, who alone is worthy, God over all blessed forever.
This is the Word of the Lord to you,
DEar Friends, Servants and Children of the most High God, whom he hath called out of the World, be faithful all of you in his Counsel, to wait his Power to guide in all your thoughts, words and works in his pure Fear, in Obedience to his will. I you charge in the Presence of God, be valiant for your Freedom in your dwelling in the Power of God, he you to Arm against the firy darts of the Devil, him to resist in his appearance, in all his wiles, who goes about like a roaring Lyon to devour you, every way seeking to get into you, your minds from the pure to draw into the visible things, your affections there to captivate, your wills to satisfie in created and perishing Objects, or in the Knowledge of the Truth in the fleshly wisdom, to feed with the Swine upon the Husk, the Form and Image of what you have enjoyed, or of what you see in the Sight and Vision, and doth it not injoy in the Possession, but speaks in the airy drunken Spirit words without knowledg, with which you sit deckt a painted Beast above the Cross; and thou whose condition this is, art the foolish Virgin, that appears in outward formality, in the sight of Men, with a Lamp like unto the wise Virgin, but not dwelling in the pure Power of God, wants the Oyl of Joy and Gladness, in the Power of his Love, which the wise Virgin hath in her Lamp, that dwells in the pure Light and Power of God, which keeps all the affections in order to the Spirit of Truth, and bridles the
[Page 389] Tongue, not to utter words before the Lord, but in true silence on him to wait, till his Spirit move his mind to declare from his living Power what the Soul possesseth and enjoys in Christ, the Husband of the wise Virgin, who is the Bride, the Lambs Wife: I you all charge and command in the Presence of the living God, who make mention of his Name, examine your Hearts, search them, and try your ways with the Light that from Christ comes, with it all read your conditions in the Book of Conscience, there will you see how you stand in the Presence of God, whether in the state of the foolish Virgin, that in the airy Spirit feeds on words, speaking in the Vision and Sight, there boasting in pride of what thou possessest not, and through the subtilty of the Devil is turned from the pure Power, to fly the Cross, so makes shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience, or you be in the state of the wise Virgins that in this pure Light waits & dwells in the Power, which chastiseth that which would your Garments defile, daily in the Cross, and there your Souls are kept pure and chaste, to follow the Lamb with boldness wheresoever he goes, and enter with him into the rest prepared for the people of God, where thou the foolish Virgin shall not come, until thou from thy foolish wisdom return to the pure Light, thy self with it to judge, and in it wait for the Power of Christ, the Fountain of Wisdom, thee to guide in faithful Obedience to the Father of Light.
All dear Children of the Lord be Valiant, Bold and Faithful, that in the pure Light, Power and Life of God you may all stand in this day of tryal, which the Lord will bring upon you all, that make mention of his Name, for power shall be given to the Beast, his Horn
[Page 390] to exalt, even to the Host of Heaven, for the cleansing of the Sanctuary, that all painted Beasts, that are Enemies to the Cross, that hath defiled the Sanctuary of the Living God, in coming before him amongst his Saints and Children, they shall come trembling before the power of the Beast, when he utters his voice, all to command his Image to worship; then shall all you Children of the most High God, whom he hath called, and chosen to be faithful to him, in his eternal Power rejoyce, who will you all keep in that day, in rest and peace in the Ancient of days, who shall sit to judge the Beast, and the Whore, their Kingdom to break down and destroy in his Eternal Judgment for evermore, and will rule over them by the Arm of his Power, and of his Dominion there shall be no end, for to him alone it belongs forever,
Amen.
Meet often together in the Fear of the Lord, his Power to manifest in you to his Praise, who is worthy forever,
Amen. I charge you and command you all in the Presence of God, who make mention of his Name, that you speak not at any time rashly in your wills one to another, or to any without, as to exhort them when you are guilty of the self-same thing in the exalted Spirit, out of the Cross; be silent thou Fool, and first judge thy self with the Light, and in the Power dwell, to cast the moat out of thy own Eye, and that thy own House be kept in order, then wilt thou see clearly how to take the beam out of thy Brothers Eye, and to exhort others how to walk, in order to the Spirit of Truth, and in the pure single Eye, a
[...]l you that Fear the Lord, watch over one another, in tender love bear one anothers▪ Burdens, exhort one another to the building up in the most holy faith: God Almighty
[Page 391] be with you
[...]all his faithful Servants and Children, and in his eternal Power keep you in himself, that in him you may grow up in his pure nature, to bear his Name in righteousness, that his Image be written in your Foreheads, that all that see you may know you to be the righteous Seed the Lord hath blessed; and his eternal pure Power preserve and keep you, bind you up in the unity of the Spirit and bond of Peace, where I am with you in the Eternal Unity, in the unchangable Love and Life.
ANd Friends of God, whose minds are truned to the Light with which Christ Jesus hath inlightned you, in his Light all wait, and with boldness in him in whom your life is hide, look up to him in his Light, believing in his Name, which is his Power, to guide you with boldness in every thought, word and work, in faithful Obedience to the Light, that in it you may shine forth in the brightness of the glory of his Power, to be manifest to the Consciences of the Sons and Daughters of men, that you are the Children of the Day, which are come out of the Night, in the Light, up to Christ to judge the World in his power, guiding you in a pure Life, and holy Conversation, that men may see your good works, and glorifie your heavenly Father, who hath raised you up by the Arm of his mighty Power, in his Light to be Lights to the Children of the World, that sit in darkness, to guide them forth of it; in the Light to have union and fellowship with the Father of Light in Christ, to whom you are
[Page 392] come, to be your Wisdom, and he will establish your Souls in righteousness and peace, that give up your selves to be guided by him. Dear Friends, Let the love of God that hath pluckt you as Brands out of the Fire, and hath counted you worthy to be as the first Fruits of the Lamb, constrain you to be faithful upon your watch, to wait in the Light of Christ to dwell in his power, that in it you may grow up in his Life, and pure discerning, to know the Deceit in all appearances, and the Beast in his lying Wonders, who keeps all in a Form of Truth, that lends an Ear to him, but out of the Life; but in the Light of Christ you may know him, he leads into a Form of words, when the Life speaks not, so the Soul doth not enjoy what the Mouth speaks; and the Beast which is the Will is at Liberty, from under the Yoke, and out of the Cross, painted with the Saints words, and with you sits deckt a painted Beast, above the Cross of Christ, working lying Wonders, in
[...]rming Sights and Groans, when the pure Seed of God is not regarded, which is in Prison, the sighing and groaning of that the Lord hears, and he will deliver that which Sighs and Groans to him for deliverance, with groans that cannot be uttered; and the Deceit also will work violently in you whose minds are turned from the pure Light, to form and immitate the true Power, that did pass through you from the Life, but being faithful in your watch in the Light of Christ, you may know him in his deceitful working in the mind, he leads out of the Fear of God, into a formality, to appear before men, so into Pride and Emulation, which is to be thrown down, and condemned with the Light of Christ. This is the word of the living God to you his dear and chosen Children, in the Light all meet often
[Page 391] together, and take heed of lending an Ear to the Adversary, the Devil, who goes about like a roaring Lyon to tear you from the Light, and to Sow the Seed of Enmity, to watch over one another with an evil Eye, to spie out one anothers weakness, and to declare it to others behind their backs, and to lay open their infirmities, and discover their shame, and uncover their nakedness; thou who practises this, art turned from the pure Light, into
Hams cursed nature, which the wrath of God is to, and is to be condemned with the Light of Christ, in which thou must wait, and own the condemnation upon that nature, and to blind and pluck out that evil Eye, and to open the pure single Eye, to judge the deceit and guide thee in Obedience to the Light, least thou perish in thy disobedience.
Dear Friends, in the pure Light, Power and Life dwell, and take heed of speaking words in the sight and visions of the Truth, when you are not in the Life and Power; all mind the Union in the Power, which will be manifest in all that wait in the pure fear, in the silence of your Spirits, in the Light, for the living Power of Christ to declare it self in you, and even through you, to the praise of his Name who is worthy; for this is the Word of the most high God to you his Sons and Daughters, whom he hath chosen in his eternal love, to watch over one another in love, with a single Eye, as over your own Souls; and if you see any of the Children of Light, through the Subtilty of the Devil prevailed against, and turned from the Light, take heed of laying open their infirmities, to discover there Shame, in uncovering there Nakedness to others; but thou that discovers their conditions, in tender Bowels of love
[Page 392] minister to the pure in the Conscience, to raise up the Witness, to restore them again, with the Spirit of Meekness, then wilt thou save their Souls from Death, and hide a multitude of Sins; and here is Christ and his Disciples serving one another in love, washing one anothers Feet, in ministring to the pure, to wash away, the filthy nature, and bearing one anothers burthens so fulfilling the Law of Christ, who did bear the Burthen for us; when we were Enemies he died for us, and in fulness of time hath manifested his mighty power in you, in raising up his Seed, that you might be of the first Fruits in him, to grow Trees of Righteousness in his Vineyard, to bring forth Fruits to the praise and glory of his great and glorious Name, who alone is worthy, God Blessed forever.
God Almighty be with you, his dear and chosen Children, and his powerful and dreadful Spirit accompany you in all your ways, and his eternal Power establish you in Vnity of the Spirit and Bond of Peace, that in it y
[...]u may stand, over all the World, and the troubles thereof, within you and without you; in his Power stand fast, and unmoveable, in the will of God, where I am present with you, saluting you in the Bowels of tender love in the eternal Vnity. W. D.
Dear, Pretious and Beloved Friends,
CAlled in the Light of the Lord to stand living witnesses for God, in the midst of a crooked, wicked, perverss and untoward Generation: Dear Friends, all in the Light and pure meek Spirit of the Lord, enter into the Chamber of Rest, which God hath prepared for you in his unlimitted Power to dwell there, to stay your Minds, and keep your Confidence, and hold fast your Faith, that so the door may be shut, that not any thing enter which would cause feebleness of mind, faintness of Spirit, or in the least measure would cause you to stagger at the promises of the Lord, who hath promised he will never leave us, nor forsake us, that what tryal soever any of us be called unto; who love the Lord, and have given up our names unto him, he will not suffer one hair of our Heads to perish, but what shall be for the Glory of his Name, and the Comfort of our Souls forever; as many of us are witnesses of the faithfulness of our God, in making our passage pleasant through all Tryals and Suffering that hath been unto this day, which is now manifesting it self as was proclaimed amongst you in times past: Therefore I beseech you all, dear Friends, put not the day of the Lord afar off, for a general Tryal will go on all that make mention of the Name of the Lord, that it may be known who are truly born of God, and who are not; that so his pretious Jewels may be made up, which doth and shall more and more shine forth in the brightness of his Glory, (being established in his Light,
[Page 364] Life, and Love) which the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against, because the Lord is the strength of all that is born again, and for their sakes he is making a short work in the Earth, and to hasten his peculiar People through the Tryals, according to the determination of his own will, for the Glory of his Name, and the eternal Comfort of the righteous Seed which the Lord hath blessed, that so he may establish Peace in the Earth, and Purity and Holiness amongst the Children of Men, which will be the end of all these Tribulations; therefore wait in the Faith and Patience, you chosen Vessels of the Lord, an
[...] be faithful in obedience, as at other times, with the Loyns of your minds girt up to the Lord, in his unlimitted Power to rest, and reign in a quiet still mind, giving up both Goods and Life f
[...]eely; casting all your care upon the Lord, who will answer the expectation of his People, and work a mighty deliverance, neither by Sword nor Spear, but by his own out-stretched Arm, in the day of his dreadful and terrible Vengeance, which he is hastening upon the Earth, that shall cause all Hearts to fail that know not God; the Wicked shall confess to his righteous Judgments, and the Righteous shall bow before him, and the Heathen shall know he is our God, and that we have not trusted in his Name in vain; for he will judge righteously upon the Earth, and give unto every Man according to the Deeds done in the Body; then wo, wo, wo to the Proud and Wicked, it shall go ill with them: Ah, but you dear Suffering Innocent People of the Lord, lift up your hands and rejoyce, for the Lord is dear over you as the apple of his Eye, and great is the reward of the faithful, 'tis you shall reap the Fruit of your doings,
[Page 395] and shall rejoyce when the Wicked shall Roar and Howl in the sence of his fierce Wrath, for he will get himself a glorious Name, in consuming his Enemies with the breath of his Mouth, and the brightness of his Coming; even so hasten thy Work, O Lord, its the breathing of my Soul, with all thine, that thy dear Children may be delivered from all their Oppressors, that in thy Power and Life they all be kept by thee, to the perfecting thy Glory forever, where is the Rest of your dear Brother,
Dear Children of the living God,
LIft up your Heads in the Light of the Covenant of God, and Reign in his Life and Power, over all that would draw your minds from staidness in his fulness; and give God a Sacrifice of Soul, Body, & all he hath given you; In the word of his patience to stand valiant, when you are called of God; let not
Demas's nature be obeyed in any, to forsake God, and imbrace this present evil World. Dear Children, as you have received Christ the Light, Life and Power of the Father, so let us walk in faithfulness, to finish our Course to the Glory of our God, who is now bringing to pass what he hath revealed to his Servants, that we may shine in the Glory of the Word of Faith and Patience in Jesus Christ our Life, in whom we do and shall enjoy all things needful, in whatever is endured for his Name sake. Oh,
[Page 396] be bold and valiant in Christ; you in his Word and Life and Patience shall Reign forever, to br
[...]ng a Blessing upon all the Earth, the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it, through his Servant
My dear beloved Brethren,
ANd blessed Companions in the Tribulations, Kingdom and Patience in the Lord Jesus, Grace, Mercy and Peace be multiplyed in and amongst you, to perfect you in the Dominion of the Almighty God, to keep the Word of his Patience, in faithfulness quietly to rest in that Will of God, that the weighty Seed of God in you stand in pure liberty, to keep you all in the Life and Power of Truth, that every one of you may have the Seal of the Spirit of God in your own Hearts, that you suffer for the Word of God and Testimony of Jesus Christ, then whatever is done to you, he takes it as done unto himself, and will judge your Cause in Righteousness, to the Confusion of the Faces of them that afflict you in this his day, wherein he wil
[...] bring forth his Praises over all the Earth, to the astonishment of the Nations and People that know not God,
&c.
Oh, my dear Friends, the Lord recompence into your Bosoms an Hundred fold for your faithfu
[...]ness to the Lord, in which you have caused his Renown to sound over the Land, to the comfort of the Hearts of the Upright; you have largely consolated and made glad my Heart in these my Bonds, and caused my
[Page 397] Soul to rejoyce with high Praises unto my God, in whom I behold the Travel of my Soul, and am satisfied in my return to the Prison-House, bearing the Sheaf with joy. Stand faithful Witnesses for the Almighty God blessed forever; even the Lord God of eternal Power, keep you in the savory Life together, in Love and Unity and Faithfulness unto the end, and in all things your words to be few, and in the fear of God; So saith my Soul in the Name of the Lord, Farewel.
FRiend, thou who wast in the Place of the Mayor in
Terrington, the Thirtieth day of the seventh Month, with the others that say, with thee, they are in Commission to do Justice; the day before mentioned, you abused the Power committed to you, and turned your Swords against the Innocent, whom you wounded inasmuch as you could: In the fear of God consider, what you have done; is this the Fruit of your Fasting, and Humbling your selves as you say, when you have done, to Smite with the Fist of Wickedness, and instead of entertaining Strangers, you use them so Barbarously, as was made manifest when I was with you; this is not to Rule for God, an account you must give to the Judge of Heaven and Earth. Oh, Men, How will you stand in that day, when it shall be said unto you,
I was Sick and in Prison, and you Visited me not; Hungry, and you gave me no Meat; Naked, and
[Page 398] you Clothed me not; a Stranger, and you took me not in: The day is near, to this account you will be called with the Lord of Life and Glory; and though you say, When did we see thee in Prison, or a Stranger, and took thee not in; the answer, to you, as is Recorded in the Scripture of Truth,
Inasmuch as you did it not to the least of those that Believed in my Name, you did it not to me, saith Christ, of whom the Scripture Testifies. Oh, Men, while you have time prize it, and sleight not the day of God's Mercy, and come unto him, and diligently encline your Ear to his Counsel, the Light in your Consciences, that lets you see the evil of your Hearts, and your unjust proceedings against Innocent Men; and wait in the Light that will shew you as is written, that the Lord may give you Repentance unto Life, that you perish not in the day of his fierce Wrath, wherein he will recompence to every one according to their Works; then shall the Children of the Lord be known, and the Worker of Iniquity shall fall before them.
From a lover of your Souls, who desires it to be the Lords Will, it may not be laid to your Charge, what you have done to him, who writes his Name William De
[...]sbery.
THat are convinced of the Blessed Truth, all wait in the Light that you may truely Experience Christ in you, Baptizing you with the Holy Ghost and Fire, Rendering Vengeance upon all in you that knows him not, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and so you will come to witness you are of the number of the slain of the Lord, and conformable to him in his Sufferings and Death; and you that are in the sence of your miserable and lost estate, wait upon the Lord, weeping and seeking the Lord your God, asking the way to
Sion, with your Faces thither-wards, until the Lord cause your Souls to hear the Voice of the Son of God, and they that hear his Voice live, but not in themselves, not to themselves, but the Life you then live, is Christ in you, and you in him. Oh, blessed are you that witness what is here written, for you are the true Members of the Body of Christ, who abhor your selves, and admire
[Page] the Lord with all his Saints, in whom he is admired, Oh Praise the Lord all you his dear Children for his wonderful Works, in leading you in his narrow Way, and through his strait Gate which so few find; the Lord keep you by his mighty Power, that you may contend for the Faith, and keep it, which the Lord hath Delivered unto you his Saints, that through Faith you may have Victory over your own Wills, and over the World, with all the Pomp Pride and Pleasure of it, and so delight in the daily Cross, to be the well seasoned savory People, in all your Words and Works, to Glorifie our Father which is in Heaven, even so be it with you, is the Prayers of your ever Loving Brother,
W. D.
Desired this to be sent amongst his antient Friends in Yorkshire,
to be Read in their Meetings.
This which is here written, is to you that say you are in Commission to do Justice in the County of
Northampton; and profess your selves to be Ministers of Justice, the Evildoers to Punish, and the Oppressed to set Free from under the power of those that oppress them.
THis the Lord God of Heaven and Earth requires of you, as you will eternally answer before him, that you faithfully walk according to what you profess, and judge with righteous Judgment the Causes brought before you, without respect of Persons; for he that respects Persons commits Sin, and is convinced of the Law as a Transgressor.
And this is required, that when you are met together, that you cause to be brought before you, all that hath informed against me, who to you is known by Name
William Dewsbury, that it may be proved, what the Blasphemy is, for which
Thomas Pentellow in
Wilbey said he sent me unto Prison on suspition of: And it is required, that you cause to come before you all that have given evidence against my Companions in Tribulation, and in the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ, whom you have cast into Prison with me: Gather together, as is required, and see if your God whom you served, that lead you to do what you have done, will appear with you, and justifie you in your Actions, and
[Page 400] clear you of Cruelty and Oppression, which if your God cannot clear you, obey him no longer, as you have done, in abusing your power to hide your Sin; for if you do, this Scripture will be fulfilled on you,
He that hideth his Sin shall not prosper; This is required, that you bring your deeds to the Light, and if they be contrary to the Light, let the Ancient of dayes, who gives Judgment to the Saints of the most High judge you, and your God that leads you to do the Works of darkness; and while you have time, turn to the Light of Christ that shows you the secret evil of your Hearts, and wait in the Light on the Lord God, in the way of his Judgments, that if it be his good pleasure he may give you Repentance unto Life, least you perish in your Disobedience. But if you abuse your power, as you have done, in casting into Prison, and there keeping them that believe in Christ, whom you never yet proved had transgressed any Law, no more then
Pilat could prove against
Iesus; then by your Fruit you will prove your selves to be in the state of
Cain, who was a Vagabond, and had no Habitation and dwelling in the onely true God, and so persecuted the Righteous Seed, as you have done; and if you so continue, no withstanding all reproof then read your Portion,
Proverbs. 29.1.
He that hath been often reproved, and hardeneth his Neck, shall suddenly be Destroyed, and that without remedy, he that hath an Ear to haer, let him hear.
I whom to you am known by the Nam
[...] before-written, was moved to send this to you, which Truth you shall know, when the day shall declare you have me Imprisoned for the Word of God, and Testimony of Iesus Christ. W. D.
Dear Friends and Brethren,
1688
I did not know until this last night, but that I should have been▪ with you at the Yearly Meeting, but it pleased the Lord to visit me with my antient Distemper which hath accompanied me many Years in Prison; and since I was released; the Distemper was so sharp upon me, as to sence, this last night, that I did not know I should have lived to see another day; but Crying to the Lord, he ordered and cleared my way to go into the Country, so I cannot be with you at this Yearly Meeting, but desire the Lord to assist you with his blessed Power and heavenly Life, to bring in the scattered ones to their everlasting Comfort, and his Glory forever,
Amen.
And that it may be so with you, is the Prayer of your loving Brother, William Dwesbury.
London
the 30th of the
[...]th Month, 1688.