THE Saints Testimony Finishing through SUFFERINGS.

THere being a General Sessions (and pretend­ed Goal-Delivery) holden at the Town and Burrough of Banbury, the fourth day of the week, being the six and twentieth day of the seventh moneth, 1655. and to many known, that several of the Servants of the Living God were there imprisoned, whom the world in scorn calls quakers; so many friends to them and the truth of God, were moved out of Bristol, Glocestershire, Barkshire, and other parts of the Nation, to come and visit them, and to use their endeavors that justice and equity might be done them; at the beginning of the Sessions we were there, and heard the Charge given, and was present the whole time all our friends were tryed, and observed as followeth.

After awhile, one Thomas Colle was called into the Court, (who bore som office in the Town,) when he appeared, it was observed great rage against him role, yet little was said to him, but that he was unmannerly in that he kept on his hat; and they asked him, if he knew where he was, or before whom, and said that he affronted the Court, and words to that purpose, al­though the man uttered not one uncivil word; whereupon the Deputy Re­corder [Page 2]called Iohn Griffith, who sate Judge in the Court, fined him to pay five pounds, & condemned him to prison til he should pay the same, & he was fined forty shillings more for neglect of his office, as they said, and because be refused to pay the money, was sent to prison accordingly, as they had commanded. This hard sentence being thus passed, was a great burthen to them who loved Righteousness, and expected equity; And clearly see­ing that the said Thomas Cole for conscience sake could not respect any ones person, he being enlightned with the light of Christ Jesus, which respe­cteth no mans person, and in obedience to him and the Apostle who was guided by the same spirit of Light, who saith; My brethren, have not the faith of our Iesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons, for if ye respect person yee commit sin, Iames 1.9. and are convinced of the Law as Transgres­sors. After that the said Thomas Cole was sent to the prison as aforesaid, one Robert Rich (standing not far from the place where the Judge sate) who is a friend to all that love righteousness, was made a witness for the just GOD against all injustice and deceit, he seeing and hearing the said Judge, and some others that sate neer him on the Bench, earnestly inviting two men (that was in the Court with their hats off) whole names (as was after­wards informed, were two Priests, viz. Priest Smart, and Priest Iones,) to the transgression of the same thing, for which a little before they had fined and sent to prison Thomas Cole, namely to the putting and keeping on their hats; the aforesaid Robert Rich taking notice of their partiality, and unjust pro­ceedings herein, and to see the Law of God not regarded by them, but threw behind their backs, which saith, Thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty, but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy Neighbor; was moved of the Lord to speak after this manner: Christ Je­sus who respecteth not the person of any man, and judgeth righteously, will give unto every one of you according to your deeds, and they that judge ought to judge righteous Judgement, without respect of persons; some small enmity arose against him, and one sitting on the Bench asked what business he had in the Town, who answered, he came to visit some friends; they asked his name, and where he lived, to both which he gave a meek & a just answer; presently after this the court a journed til the afternoon.

In the afternoon friends came again to the Court, where the Magistrates was set, & within a short time she (who is called Anne Audland) was called to the Bar, & there in the Court an inditement was read against her, charging her with blasphemy, & on they did proceed to tryal, called a Jury & brought in their witnesses, which differed one from another, and was in confusion, though they pretended to bear witness to one and the same thing, but falsly was the accused, & there did declare against, & deny in the presence of the li­ving God, those things charged upon her: so he that sate as Judg in the court, spoke to the Jury, that all which was proved could not be found, or would not prove blasphemy, & words to them to that purpose; so they went aside to con­sider of it, & being together, where by the Law they ought to have bin kept alone, til they were agreed upon their verdict, and being together could not [Page 3]find the bil, for some of the Jury said, why should we find this bil, seeing we have not evidence to prove it? or words to that purpose, & so threw it by; but one of them that sate on the Bench that same day, & is called a Magistrate, came in to the Jury, when they were together, to corrupt and instigate them, as some of the Jury hath confessed, which was contrary to the known Law of the Nation in such cases provided, & contrary to truth and equity, which is a greater crime and breach of the Law, then those things which many of the servants of Jesus are imprisoned for. And after awhile the Jury came into the court, & was asked if they were agreed, to which they said they were; & gave in their verdict for the Protector, but they said they found not blasphemy, it was then demanded what was found? to which they said misdemeanor; then she desired to know what she was accused of, for they read then bil, & called their witnesses for blasphemy, but blasphemy was not found; then they said they found misdemeanor against her, the asked in what? they said in calling the Minister a false Prophet, but she denyed that she did, as they said, although its no transgression to call them false prophets who are false prophets, which doth not abide in the doctrine of Christ, and their minister being then on the bench in the Court, was asked what he had to accuse her of; he answered, he deser­ferred his cause to God, and said he desired she might have what favour the Law would afford; yet for all this, though the Bil was not found, and though their as they call him, there present, did not accuse her of any thing, they committed her to Prison again, who had been there prisoner nine months be­fore, and fasly accused at her first commitment, for no other thing did she speak but the truth, according to plain Scripture, a true Relation of which is published and declared in a printed paper, being intituled, A true Decla­tion of the suffering of the Innocent, who is hated and persecuted without a cause, which is made manifest dayly, for which the righteous Iudge of all the world will deal righteously, and call you to an account, and weigh you in an equal bal­lance, and measure you in a just measure, and from the hand of the Lord must you receive a reward according to your deeds.

After that, then there was one Iane VVaugh called to the Barre, who had been imprisoned about sixteen Weeks before, in the Town of Banbury, who at first coming thither, was in obedience to the Lord, to declare his truth, and witness against deceit, for which she were beaten, and abused, persecu­ted and imprisoned, and evilly entreated in the said Banbury, as the servants of the Lord in former ages (as wel as this) were, by such an evill genera­tion, and seed of evil doers, as they are, whose fruits makes them manifest, to be guided by the same spirit (though under a refined subtilty) that other persecutors of the innocent, spoken of in Scripture were. The said Iane VVaugh, as foresaid, who had been a witness to the truth of God, and a­gainst the deceit of the world; and after she had been sore abused in the said Banbury, persecuted, imprisoned, and put forth of the Town, for witnessing the truth against deceit; and after a certain time, being moved by the Spi­rit of the Lord to come into Banbury again, and being with a friend getting him to write a Letter for her; the Magistrates hearing of her being there, sent [Page 4]for her to come before them; Iohn Austine who was then Mayor, caused the Oath of Abjuration to be tendred unto her, and because in obedience to the commands of Christ Jesus, who saith, Swear not at all, she refused to swear, being faithfull to him, abiding in his Doctrine; and although she so did in obedience to his Command, out of love to him and his truth; and there in their court, when the said Oath was tendred, she utterly denyed all things contained in that Oath, and Witnessed against all Popery, and Popish, Je­suiticall Opinions whatsoever; yet the was then (notwithstanding all that) committed to Prison, where the remained (though the breach of any Law were not laid to her charge) til the Generall Sessions, Assize, or pretended Goal-Delivery, when and where she was called to the Bar, as abovesaid, and appearing there that day, where no Accusation and witness came in a­gainst her, nor any breach of the Law or mis-demeanor laid to her charge; but notwithstanding, she was asked to put in sureties for her good behavi­our; then she asked them on the bench, what Law she had broken, and would have had them to have convinced her of a transgression, by making known to her the breach of some Law, the which they refused; but she could get no other answer, but that if she would not give in sureties, she must to prison a­gain, which was done accordingly; now let all the wise in heart, that truly fear God, consider whether these proceedings against the innocent be either legall or just; and if they do not exceed the proceedings of heathen Magi­strates, who sate Judges in tryals against the Christians and servants of Je­sus in former ages, as in the Scriptures are left upon Record.

Consider, and see the actings of the persecuting Jews, who had the form, but wanted the power, and so out of a blind zeal persecuted the Servants of Iesus, who were in the power and life of truth, and they were sore moved and offended at the Servants of Iesus, and exceeding mad against Paul, who was pressed in Spirit (being in Macedonia) to testifie to the Iews that Iesus was Christ; and when they aposted themselves and blasphemed, he shoke his Rayment, and said unto them, your blood be upon your own heads, and having cleared his conscience to them, he departed, and went to the Gen­tiles, and so entred into a certain mans house that worshipped God, and be­ing moved of the Lord, he spoke and was not afraid, the Lord being with him, and having much people in that place, where he continued a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them; and the Iews which made insurrection against Paul, when they brought him before the Deputy of Achaia for teaching the word of the Lord, which their dark minds (who lived in Envie and Malice against the truth) could not receive: And now observe the actings of the Deputy of Achaia (who though he might be accounted a heathen or an Antichristian) whose proceedings in that case might preach or teach wisdome to some who profess themselves to be Chri­stian Magistrates; for when Gallio was the Deputy of Achaia (as Iohn Griffith Deputy-Recorder was Iudge in the Court, at the assize or sessions in Ban­bury; before whose judgement seat the servants of Iesus was brought, by such [Page 5]as had made insurrection against them in their Market, Steeplehouse, and Steeplehouse-yard, in nature, like the envious persecutors of the Servants of Jesus: For, the Iews made insurrection against Paul, and brought him be­fore Gallio to the Iudgement Seat, and laid down their accusations against him, (according to Law, there and then accusing him to the Deputy, who sate as Judge, saying, in their accusation, this fellow (to wit, Paul) perswa­deth men to worship God contrary to the Law; and when Paul (the accu­sed) was about to open his mouth to answer (against that accusation and) for himself (the Deputy of Achaia which Paul was brought before, to wit) Gallio, answered and said unto the Iews (very wisely in the Prisoners be­half, who it is likely in his conscience was convinced of their envie and ma­lice against him, he said to the accusers) if it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Iews (being troubled to see their unjust accusations, and unreasonable actings) reason would (saith he) that I should bear with you, but if it be a question of words or names; and of your Law, look ye to it, for I wil be no Iudge in such matter, and he drove them from the Iudg­ment seat, Act. 18.12, 13, 14, 15, 16,

So where wicked lewdness or a matter of wrong is committed, reason doth require to hear it; and reasonable men to determine or judge according to e­quity; that are to judge in that case, and to hear the accused as wel as the accusers, that Justice may be Ministred according to the offences, but if it be a question of words, or names; or telling hireling Priests or false Pro­phets of their deceits and false worships, who profess themselves to be Mi­nisters of Christ and are not, let them either plead their cause from the Scriptures, if they can, to procure their practise to be according thereun­to, or else let them cover their faces for shame.

After Paul, who was brought before Gallioes Judgement seat, had taken leave of the brethren, (being at liberty) he went thence into Syria, and from thence to Ephesus, and there entred into the Synagogue, and reasoned with the Iews, and went from Ephesus unto Cesaria, and when he had salu­ted the Church, he went down to Antioch, Act. 18.18. to the 24. and spent some time before he de­parted (and having his freedom) departing from Antioch, he went over all the Countrey of Galathia, and Phrygia, strengthning the Disciples (and al­though he thus wandred or went through the Countries, yet were he neither Iesuit, Fugitive, nor Vagabond) and passing through the upper Costs, came to Ephesus, and there finding Disciples, he layed his hands on them, and were strengthned by him, and he went into the Synagogue, and there boldly de­clared the things which concerned the Kingdom of God, where some belie­ved, as others who believed not were hardned, and spake evil of the truth, (as they do now.) And there were seven Sons of one of the Iews, with cer­tain Vagabonds Iews, and chief of the Priests, who were hypocrites, that i­mitated or counterfeited the way of God, and had a just recompense for their reward, so that they fled out of the house naked and wounded, so there arose no small stir about that way, for they that were in the false worship [Page 6]made a great uproar, but the Town Clerk appeared the people, and did not impute it to Paul, but said to the rude multitude and false worshippers, that they ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly, and told them that they were in danger to be called in question for that dayes uproar; and did not lay it to Pauls charge, that he was the cause of this their Tumult and mis­demeanour, although he had declared against their deceit and false wor­ship; and after the uproar was ceased, Paul called the Disciples unto him, and imbraced them, and was not at that time committed to Prison, but departed from thence and went into Macedonia, and when he had gone over those parts, and had given them exhortation, he came into Greece, and passing through severall places and countries, strengthning the Disciples, and prea­ching the Kingdome of God, freely declaring the counsell of God, coveting no mans silver nor Gold, and as he finished his course, the Iews (and false worshippers) which were of Asia, when they saw him in the Temple (who had not the command there, but the chief Priests and persecuting Iews, their party, who) crying out and said, Men of Israel help, this is the man that teacheth all men every where, against the people and the law and this place; (meaning the Tem­ple,) and all the City was moved, and the people ran together, and they took Paul and drew him out of the Temple, (as they now do out of their preten­ded Churches, or Idol-Temples, such as are witnesses against deceit) and forth with their doors was shut, Acts 21.27, 28, 30, 31, &c. and as they went about to kill him (their envy be­ing great, and their rage high) Lissius the chiefe Captain hearing that the whole City were in an uproar, and finding the Iews going about to kil Paul, they seeing the Captain and souldiery coming, left beating of him, so the chiefe Captain took Paul out of their hands, demanding who he was, and what he had done, and the multitude being confused, some crying one thing, and some another; and not knowing the certainty, he commanded him to be carryed into the Castle, and on the Staires he was preserved, and born of the Souldiery from the violence of the people, who tumultuously followed after him, crying, away with him; and when he was on the Staires, the Captain gave Paul Lycence & liberty to clear his conscience to them, which, when he had done the Zealous falseworshippers, and antichristians, lifted uptheir voyces and cryed, away with such a fellow from the earth, it is not fit that he should live, Act. 21.40. & the 22.1. to the 23. ver. And their malice and envy being great, af­ter they had judged him not fit to live, and had not the Magistrate preserved him, they had taken away his life, when they cryed out against him, cast off their Cloathes, and threw dust in the ayre. Then the Captain commanded him to be brought into the Castle, to be examined, that he might know wherefore they cryed so against him; and the Captain (through mis-infor­mation) caused him to be scourged and bound with thongs, contrary to the Law of the Romans, being un-condemned, who after he knew that Paul was a Roman, he was afraid, because he had acted contrary to the Law: and af­ter he knew the certainty wherefore Paul was accused of the Jews, he dealt justly, and loosed him from his bonds, and commanded the chief Priest and [Page 7]all their counsel (his accusers) to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them, giving him liberty to speak for himself; and after he had spoken for himself, and the truth being cleared, there was a Division a­mongst the people, and many received it, though it were by others rejected, who continued in their persecution; and the Captain fearing lest they should bave pulled him in pieces, preserved him out of their hands, and after that the chief Captain heard that the chief priests and jews had conspired against Paul to take away his life, and fourty of them had bound themselves under a great curse, that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed him; but the Governour preserved him out of their cruell hands, and sent Paul away by night unto Cesaria, (providing with him necessaries meet for that journey, and so sent him safely to Faelex the Governour, with an Epistle shewing the cause wherefore he was committed, or taken into his custody, with the Iews accusations laid to his charge, or spoak of the Jews that accu­sed him, who sought to take away his life, which he understood to be worthy neither of death, nor of bonds; and therefore he gave commandment to his accusers to appear befor Foelex, to say what they had against him. And when the Souldiers came to Cesaria, they delivered the Epistle to Foelex the Gove­nor, and presented Paul also before him, who when he had read the Epistle, and asked of what Province he was, understanding he was of Celiscia, dealt nobly with him, saying, He would hear him when his accusers was come: And after they came with a certain Oritor, who informed the Governour against Paul the Prisoner, and begun to accuse him, laying many false accusations against him as at this time they do against the servants of Iesus, who abide in his Doctrine as Paul did, whom they in their accusation said he was sound a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition amongst all the Iews throughout the world, and a Ring-leader of the Sect of the Nazarens; and when Tertulus the Oritor, which the High priests and Elders brought, to carry on their deceit in a plawsable manner, had laid down their false accusations, the ( high Priests, Elders and) Iews assented to the same, saying they were so.

Then Paul, after Poelex the Iudge had beckned to him to speak, he answe­red the more cheerfully for himself, and to clear his innocency, and make their accusations appear to be false; he let the Iudge understand, that there were but twelv days since he went down to Ierusalem to worship, & letting him understand the whole matter, that there was no such thing done by him, as they had laid down in their accusations against him, neither could they prove the things whereof they accused him: And Foelex who sate Iudge, hearing these things, Act. 23.23. to the end. that he might act according to Law, deferred til Lissius the chief Captain should come that he might know the uttermost of their matter, and commanded that Paul should be kept til he came; Act. 34.1. to the 24. verse. he also commanded the Centurion that kept him, to let him have liberty, and that he should not forbid or hinder any of his ac­quaintance to minister or come unto him. By all this you may learn how to act and do in such cases, whose unrighteous acting against ( Anne Audland, Iane VVaugh, Sarah Times, Nathaniel VVeston, &c.) the Servants of the Lord, [Page 8]that gives not the liberty to them, that the Heathens did to Christians in former ages.

One Sarah Tims, who had been imprisoned in Banbury eleven weeks, who met the Priest in the Grave-yard, and said, M [...]n, fear the Lord (in obedience to his command) not uttering abuse to any, and when she had so spoken, the rude multitude hurried her, and struck her with their hands, others kicked her, and stoned her with stones; and Iohn Austine being Mayor, and other Magistrates there present, rebuked not the rude company, as is certified in a Letter, and sent in writing to the Priest & Magistrates in Banbury; & after she was beaten & abused, she was sent to the Prison, though no Law was by her broken, as did appear at her examination at the Assizes or Sessions at Banbury, the day as aforesaid; and being called to the Bar, appearing, it was asked to give in Sureties for her good behaviour, so she desired to know first what Law she had transgressed, and what they had against her, to which they answered, if she would not give in sureties, she should to prison again; then she desired to know by what law they committed her, and one Iohn Austine, called Mayor, an­swered, that sweeping the house, and washing the dishes was the first point of law to her (or words to that effect) so sent her back again to the Prison, she not being charged with the breach of any Law, nor witness brought in against her: but it wil be hard for any to believe these things, who were not eye wit­nesses of the in, that such in justice should be acted in this Nation, where there hath bin so much freedom and liberty of conscience talked of.

Then one Nathaniel VVeston, an inhabitant in the said Town, was called to the Bar, who had bin commanded by the Lord to go to the Steeplehouse in Banbury, where the people were assembled together, whil'st the Priest of the Town (called Samuel VVells) was speaking to them, who suddenly gave o­ver preaching (as they call it) and spoke twice so the people, saying, there was one, he feared, come into the congregation, which would breed a disturbance, and he called to some to take him forth, for he said, he could not proceed to prayer whilest he was there; then one VVilliam VVheatly, a Magistrate; with others, haled him forth of the synagogue, or steeplehouse, and afterward Nathaniel VVeston being sent for before the Mayor, was tendred the Oath of Abjurati­on, when in their consciences they might know he was never addicted to pope­ry, but alwaies an enemy to their Opinions, and from his childhood observed, (and to them wel known, being born and bred in the said Town, and was accounted) to be a strict professor of that which was accounted the reformed religion, and continued a diligent hearer of those Ministers who were coun­ted godliest and strictest in their conversation, till of late, in the light of Christ Jesus, he saw them to be out of the Doctrine of Christ, and the pow­er thereof; and although they preached to others, yet themselves were as cast-awaies, not living the life of them who are declared of in the Scriptures to be the Servants of God and Ministers of Christ, but live in the pride and covetousness, in the strife and envying, and in the love and lust, customes and vanities of the world, (and preaching by their conversation the same things) [Page 9]things) being thereunto guided by a Spirit of deceit, which is the reason their hearers live so wickedly, and so they are loved and upheld by the wicked world, and the love of the Father they know not who live in such practises; therefore all people behold and see (if you can) the subtil enmity of this Ge­neration, to be the same that ever was against the true worshippers of God in Spirit, who use all unjust wayes and means as the serpents seed ever did, fal­sly to accuse and persecute the innocent. And although it cannot be unknown to the Magistrates of the town of Banbury, that papists live in it, yet when was it ever known that they tendred the Oath of Abjuration unto them, as if it were for no other end, but a snare to entrap the innocent; but the Lord God in his power is risen, and into the pit must they go, which for others they have digged, and a just reward shall they receive from the hands of the Lord, whom we know liveth, and wil plead the cause of the innocent: and although the said Nathaniel VVeston, when the Oath of Abjuration was tendred to him, did utterly renounce and deny there openly, all things contained in the said Oath, and witnessed against all popery, popish, and Iesuiticall opinions, or te­nents whatsoever; and told them, that in obedience to the command of Christ Jesus, who saith, swear not at all, he could not swear, lest he should go out of the Doctrine of Christ, in which he did abide; yet notwithstanding was he sent to the Prison, where he had lain 14. weeks at their Assize or Ses­sion, holden in Banbury, who was there called, and appearing before them it was demanded of him, to put in sureties for his good-behaviour, whereupon he desired to know what Law he had transgressed, which they would not, neither was there any appeared that laid any misdemeanour or breach of law to his charge, nevertheless was he sent to the prison, where he doth yet re­main: So all people that hear and read these things, you may see with what justice the Magistrates of Banbury proceeded against the innocent, and servants of the living God.

So there was one Robert Rich (as many others) standing by, who with them was an eye witness to many of these things thus acted, as before is rela­ted, in their proceedings that day, and saw that there was great Rage in them against the Innocent, and how they plotted and took Counsell together against the servants of God, (laying traps and snares to catch them,) and after they had consulted together, one of the Magistrates there sitting on the Bench (called Thomas Hathead) said to the Judg, and to some of the rest of the Magistrates, I suspect them to be Jesuits, whenas that in his conscience would tel him the contrary, and that out of his Envy he accused them, and desired to have them tryed by the Oath of Abjuration (who in obedience to Christ Iesus durst not swear, to transgress his Doctrine, and break his com­mand,) so at length they agreed together, and gave order to have them brought into the Court, and then the Lord God moved the aforesaid Robert Rich to declare unto them their unjust proceedings, so according to the com­mand of the Lord, he spake and said, that he was a Witness for the righte­ous Lord God, against their unjust proceedings in the Court that day, who [Page 10]desired to speak, and to clear his Conscience unto them, whereupon the Iudg and others on the Bench, bad him come up and speak, and when he was come up and began to speak, they cryed away with him, away with him; pull him down, pull him down; so their Officers, as was commanded them, pul­led him down, and haled the said Robert Rich to prison, not permitting him to speak, as they had promised.

These things are written and published to the world, that people may not be igno­rant how unjustly the innocent Lambs and servants of Christ Iesus suffer, and are persecuted in this Nation, which exceeds the persecutions that were in former ages, either by the jews, or from those in Queen Mary's dayes, for they had a Law gave them power, according to which they acted, (so the more to be excused;) but this Nation hath no such persecuting Law in force, and Liberty of conscience hath been proclaimed, and pretended, yet men and women are beaten, buffetted, haled, stoned and stocked, and after that thrown into prison, holes and dungeons (the breach of no known Law proved against them) and not so much freedome afforded them in prison, as to thieves and murtherers, whose friends are not kept from visiting them, as hath been known in Banbury, &c. People, lay these things to heart and repent, that the righteous judgement of God fall not upon you.

A TESTIMONY Against False Prophets, and false Teacher: And also the Ob­jection answered, concerning the woman forbidden to speak in the Church With a Relation of Margret Vivers, was moved of the Lord to go speak to the Priest in the Steeplehouse in Banbury: And also concerning the imprisonment of Richard Farnsworth, &c.

UPon the first day of the week, being the 3 ⁰. day of the 7. month, one Margret Vivers, a servant of the Lord, (inhabiting in the Town of Banbury) was moved of the Lord to go in to the Synagogue, or Stee­plehouse in the said Banbury, and waited upon the Lord, whose power mo­ved her to go to be ordered by him, who worketh after the counsell of his own will; and when the Priest of Banbury ( Samuel Wells by name, their pro­fessed Minister) had ended and done, she was moved of the Lord to speak somthing unto him who had in his Doctrine, or preachment, been speaking against self-denyal, and exhorting his people that they that had not the spi­rit might pray for it; saying most of them remained in unbelief, &c. But the Prayers of the wicked is abomination unto the Lord, and such as are with­out the Spirit of Christ (and have it not) are none of his, and they are the wicked that are in unbelief, and the enviors, mockers, scoffers, Rom. 8. Rom. 1.28, 29. Psal. 66 18. Iud. 18. Mat. 16.24. Mat. 10.38. Luk. 14.26, 27. Heb. 2.10, 11. 1 Pet. 1.22.23. and such as walk after their own ungodly lusts, who are persecutors of the servants or Je­sus, like those (malicious wicked ones, and unbelievers) here at Banbury, and whilest you regard iniquity in your hearts, God wil not regard your prayers; and to speak against self-denyal, is to speak against the Doctrine of Christ, so no self-denyall in obedience to the Doctrine of Christ, no Disci­ple or follower of Christ, and no Disciple, no Saint; for saith Christ, he that wil be my Disciple, let him deny himself and take up his Cross and follow me, here the necessity is laid down by Christ himself, therefore he that de­nyeth not self, in obedience to Christ to follow his light, but continues in sin and unbelief, abiding in darkness, is (no Saint but a Servant of sin, and so) out of the Doctrine of Christ, and he that abides in darkness, speaking against self-denyall, saying it makes no Saint, (though in obedience to the Spirit and word of God) he is a contradictor of the truth, and a denyer of the Doctrine of Christ, and neither knoweth a Saint nor him that sanctifieth, but is ignorant of the turn and the Apostles Doctrine, who saith, seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit, love one a­nother with a pure heart fervently, being born again (contrary to self, and [Page 14]the corruptible seed) for witnessing him that sanctifieth, Iohn 8.12. and that which discovereth sin and self in the ground of it, with its fruits and effects, which is the true light of Christ who calls to repentance, and a denyall both of sin and self, and in obedience to his call, such as follow his light are thereby led out both of darkness and self, out of self-love, self-seeking, self-conceited­ness, and all unbelief and sinfulness, as wel as out of self-righteousness, error, delusion, and deceit; and into the love and joy of the Lord, righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, and so into the marvellous light, even the light of life, according to the word of the Lord, in obedience thereunto, through the working of the Spirit and power of God; but such as are servants of sin, and do not envy self, but disobeyeth the light of him that sanctifieth, they are in the unrighteousness, denying the Doctrine of Christ, and turns persecutors of them that deny self in obedience to him, as their fruits maketh manifest (who continue in felse undenyed) as wel as the Priests (anti­christian or) false Doctrine, for after the Priest of Banbury had been spoken unto for the same, instead of vindicating by Scripture what he had delive­red contrary to truth, when he was spoken to for it, he suffered the servants of the Lord Jesus (as antichristians aforetime did) to be haled out of the Synagogue, and haled down to the Goalers house, attended with a great company of people which, shewed much rudeness and wildness, & what little effect their Ministry had wrought, and so it were a clear manifestation that they were unbelievers, and those that regarded iniquity in their hearts, and lived in sin, and self undenyed, and were not guided by the spirit of Christ, but of Antichrist, as persecutors and such in their nature aforetime were, Act. 17.5, 6, &c. Afterwards, one was moved to go down to the Goalers house, to the friend that was in custody at that time, and some they pushed and abused him, and some others began to reason with him, and would have had the Steeplehouse to be the Church, but could not prove it so to be; and there they shewed again that their Priests Ministry had neither taught them civility nor good-behaviour, that were so wild and disboist, neither had his Ministry taught them (as was said) to know what the Church of Christ was, for the Church is the body, of which Christ is head, and he is the head of the body his Church, Eph. 1.22, 23. Coll. 1.18, 19. as the Scripture witnesseth, but Steeplehouses are not the body of which Christ is head, neither is Christ the head of the body of Steeplehouses (as he is of his Church (therefore the Steeplehouses are not Christs church, and yet poor deluded creatures, have been taught by the Priests to believe that steeplehouses are churches, and so they call them, and rests in the perishing and visibles, that are so ignorant of the true church, the pillar and ground of truth, 1 Tim. 3.15. Heb. 3.6. 1 Pet. 2.5. Eph. 2.20.21, 22. Eph. 5.25, 26, 32. ver.

And after that when they had confessed that they had Margret Vivers, (who had spoken to the Priest in the Steeplehouse, after that he had ended that day) there, neither for whoredome, felony, nor theft, and words to that purpose, yet it was the Mayors mind that she should be there; but whether [Page 15]she had committed any offence or no, they could not tel, (as they said, and words to that effect;) and the man that kept her there upon such uncertain­ty, when they was about to put her in Prison, and had her at the dore, but did not put her in; for no Law by her was transgressed at that time, as it was said, that could be proved for witnessing the truth in obedience to the com­mand of the Lord; (yet though they did not commit herto Prison, other two they did, one that stood by, and another that was quietly passing up the street at that same time) and the man that had kept her in custody, did object against a woman speaking in the Church; it was asked whether the Spirit of God might not be permitted to speak in the Temple of God, yea or nay; the which by some was answered and granted that it might.

Answer. To the Question about the woman forbidden to speak in the Church, and proved that the spirit of God may speak in his Temple, either in the Body of male or female, let the woman keep silence in the Church, as it is said, and let God speak by his spirit in his Temple, 2 Cor. 6.16. Either of male or fe­male, whose bodies are the Temples of God through the spirit, 1 Cor. 3.16, 17. For in Christ Iesus the spirit of God in male and female is both one, Eph. 2.19.19, 20. Gal. 3.27, 28. And Paul he commended Pheba in his Epistle to the Romans, which Phebe was a servant of the Church which was at Cenchrea, Rom. 16.1. and in the same Epistle he saluted Priscilla, and also gave thanks with the Churches for her labour, who had been a helper of him in Christ Jesus, and she was a woman labourer in the Gospel by the Spirit of truth; so was there woman labourers with Paul in the Gospell, which he writes of in his Epi­stle to the Philippians, as wel as them he speaks of, whose names are written in the book of life, Rom. 16.3, 4. Phi. 4.3.

So was there women guided by the Spirit of the Lord, that were the Lords Prophetesses, as wel as there were men that were his Prophets; and the Lord spoke his word by his own Spirit, in and through the one as wel as the other: Miriam, Arons Sister, was a Prophetess, and spake forth the praise of God, in that dispensation and administration, by the spirit of God that teacheth to prophensie, as wel as the manifestation of it is given to profit withall, Exod. 15.20, 21. Isa. 8.16, 17, 1 Cor. 12.7.

And Deborah a Prophetess by the Spirit of the Lord which taught her to prophesie, she therewith judged Israel, and were a Minister of Justice a­mongst the Lords people in her dayes, and in that dispensation, insomuch, that the Children of Israel came up to her for judgment, and did not dis­pise the counsell of the Lords spirit in a woman preacher, or a Iudge in Isra­el, and a Prophetess of the Lord, Iudg. the 4, 5, 6, 7, &c.

And in the dayes of Iosiah King in Israel, there was one Huldah a Prophe­tess, that lived in Ierusalem, a woman Preacher, or one, who by the Spirit of the Lord, declared and spoke to the people the word of the Lord, and to her the Priest and people went to enquire and hear the word of the Lord, ac­cording also to the Kings command, 2 King. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, &c. Be­sides, several other Prophetesses as wel as Prophets, there was in the time of [Page 16]old among the Lords people, Issa. 8.3. Nebe. 6.14. Luke 2.29, 30, 31, 32. as the prophetess in Isajahs time, and in Nehe­miahs time, so there was in the Apostles time a man in Cesaria had four daugh­ters that were virgins did prophesie, Act. 21.8, 9. And at the comming of Christ when Simeon that just man spoke of him, the light of the Gentiles and the glory of the people Israel, there was one woman a widow, of above fourscore years of age, that had no outward huusband at home to ask, who was a preacher, or one that spoke of the Lord Iesus to all that looked for Redemption in Ieru­salem, Luke 2.36, 37, 38.

And Tryphena, and Tryphosa, and Persis (three vertuous godly women) did labour much in the Lord, which Paul (in his Epistle to the Romans) did sa­lute; and as the wife is in subjection to her husband, so is the Church sub­ject unto Christ, who is the head thereof, as the husband is the head of the wife; and Chsist being the Head of his Spouse, or husband of his Church, the Spouse of Christ united unto him, and betrothed in Righteousness, both as­keth of him, and staying at home taketh counsell with him, though the Harlot from home, and the stranger unto him, knoweth it not; and saith the Lord, [...]el 2.28, 6. I wil pour out of my spirit, that sons, and daughters, and handmaids also shall prophesie; and who are they that are offended hereat now? that the Lord doth see, but proud, covetous, self-seeking priests, (who never knew God,) and their hearers that are deceived by them, and such in their nature who know not the sure word and spirit of prophesie, but are ignorant both of the mystery of godliness, 2 Pet. 1.19. Col. 1.27. Rev. 19.13. Heb. 17.8. and so of him whose name is called the word of God, and know­eth neither the teachings of God, not the life of the Scriptures, and the work of the Spirit of God, who would not have him to be the same now that he was, and Christ to be the same yesterday, to day, and for ever; who are such opposers of the work of the Spirit of God, and persecutors of the servants of Jesus, in whom it is bringing and brought forth, as their Generation and seed of evil doers ever was; Mat, 23.33, 34, &c. ‘Holy men of God spoke forth the Scriptures.’

The Scriptures or Writings that proceeded from the Spirit of truth, were not spoken forth by the seed of evill doers, that were haters of God, and per­secuters of his, neither were they spoken forth by such as preached for Hire, barerule by their means, 2 Pel, 1.21. Ier. 26.9, 10. Ier 20.2 Ier. 37.16. 2 Cor. 6.4, 5, 6, 7, 8. nor such as laid heavy burthens upon the people, & sought for their gain from their quarter, (like the Priests of England, the false prophets, and pharisees) but Holy men of God, who witnessed against such, spoke forth the Scriptures, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, who were persecuted, mocked, stoned, haled out of the Synagogues, set in the Stocks, most shamefully abused, evilly entreated, and sore punished, smitten, put in the Dungeon, and often imprisoned, and such a portion from the world and seed of evill doers doth the servants and messengers of God meet withall now, that witness against them, who make a trade upon their words, also denying them, and owning the teachings of God, and the life of the Scriptures again now, as they that spoke them forth, who suffered for wit­nessing the truth in the life and power of them aforetime did.

The Priests crueltie manifested, &c.

VVHen Christ Jesus (the Dear Son of God) came to testifie against the world, that the deeds thereof was evill, Iohn 7.7. Mat. 2. Mark 5. Mat. 26. & 27 chap. the Priests and their par­ty held counsells against him, and sought false witness to take away his life, and they accused him for blasphemy, and said, what further need had they of witness against him? Herod also, and his men of war, they set him at nought; and both Pilate and Herod became friends to joyn persecution against him, and that evill seed had their hands in shedding his innocent blood; and af­ter they had done so by him, Iohn 18 & 19 chapt. Act. 4.1, 2, 3. & the 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 verses. his Servants were evilly entreated from the persecuting Priests, and seed of evill doers; Peter and Iohn were put in the Prison, and afterwards beaten, and commanded to speak no more in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, but for all that they could not but speak the thing which they had heard and seen: And Stephen were judged by the priests and their counsell, to be a Blasphemer, though he was a man ful of the Ho­ly Ghost; and so ignorant were they of the Spirit of truth, that they persecuted them that were guided by it; and out of envy and malice & shed innocent blood, and took away Stephens life, by stoning him to death as a Malefactor, under the pretence of a Blasphemer, when no such thing could be proved a­gainst him, though the Greeks, Libertines, Stoicks, Act. 6.11, 12, 13, 14, 1 [...]. Mat. 43, to the 10. Mark 6.20. Act 21.28, 29, 30, Act. 24. Act. 17.17, 18. & 24, 25. vers. Act. 18.12, 13, 14, &c. Act. 24.5. Act. 26.16, 17, 18. and Epicarians sought to encounter him. And Iohn Baptist he were behaedded by Herods command, though he were convinced, and knew [by that in his conscience] that he were an upright Man. And Paul he were counted a Pestilent Fellow, a mover of Sedition and a Ring-leader of the Sect of the Nazarens, & they cryed out, Men of Israel, holy, this is the man that turneth the world up-side-down; and they drew him out of the Temple, and forthwith, the doors were shut, he were beaten and abused for going into their Markets and Synagogues to reason and dis­pute with the Iews, and for testifying against the outward Temple, and that Temple-worship, and bearing witness against their deceits, who also was cal­led of Christ, and both chosen and sent, to turn people from darkness to the Light, and from the power of Satan unto God, Act. 26. Yet so blinde and ignorant of the life of truth were the Priests and their counsell, that they persecuted Paul as they did the rest, and said he was a mover of sedition, and accused him as a heretick, and sought by all means to take away his life, though he told them of his choosing and Call, Commission and sending, they could not be­lieve him, that knew not the Spirit by which he were guided and sent, who also told them, that in the way which they called heresie, did he worship the God of his Fathers; yet for all that were he imprisoned, beaten, and set in the Stocks: Act. 24.14, 15. Act. 26.22, 23 24. And the same portion from the Priests and their party doth the Servants of Jesus meet with in the world: Wo to the wicked seed of evill do­ers [Page 20]and persecutors; Priest and people, you are seen with the Light, and you Spirits are tryed, 2 Pet. 2. Mat. 6.5. Mat. 23.4, 5, &c. and your wayes comprehended, and all your false worships and you are found out of the Doctrine of Christ, & in the steps of the false pro­phets, and amongst the Scribes and pharisees, called of men Masters, and hath the chiefe place in the Assembly, stands praying in the Synagogues, and bind heavy burdens upon the people, and grievous to be born; and as Christ cryed wo to your Fathers, the same Woes are to you their off-spring, who are found with their Marks, and following their steps, you are clearly seen with the light, and comprehended, and with the Light judged and condemned, though to some you appear like Graves which men pass over and are not aware; wo un­to you whited walls, and painted Sepulchers, ye serpents, ye generation of Vipers, how shall you escape the damnation of hel, as Christ hath said, Mat. 23.33, Luk. [...].44. ver. &c. Mark 12.38, 39, 40.