A general summons from the authority of truth, unto all ecclesiastical courts and officers wherein they may see what truth objecteth against their practice and proceedings in cases of conscience / by William Smith. Smith, William, d. 1673. 1668 Approx. 60 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 14 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A60632 Wing S4304 ESTC R38258 17244800 ocm 17244800 106289 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A60632) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 106289) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1101:8) A general summons from the authority of truth, unto all ecclesiastical courts and officers wherein they may see what truth objecteth against their practice and proceedings in cases of conscience / by William Smith. Smith, William, d. 1673. 27 p. [s.n.], London printed : 1668. Reproduction of original in the Cambridge University Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Wherein they may see what Truth objecteth against their Practice and Proceedings in Cases of Conscience . By WILLIAM SMITH . And I will punish the World for their Evil , and the Wicked for their Iniquity : and I will cause the Arrogancy of the Proud to cease , and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible , Isa. 13.11 . London , Printed in the Year , 1668. The Epistle to the READER . Reader , WHere Knowledge is heaped up concerning Truth , and the Truth not obeyed and practised , it makes the World like a Wilderness , or the height of Babel : for all People are out of order that do not obey and practise Truth : And by how much their Knowledge is large , even so much the more Confusion aboundeth ; because that Knowledge pusseth up the fleshly mind with false notions and conclusions , and whatsoever Worship is set up from such a knowledge it only receiveth Life from the Power of Temporal Laws , and all such Worships either live or dye as the Law favours them or is against them ; and such things are gotten up among the apostatized Christians , who are gone from the Spirit and Power of God : And so Bishops , Pastors , Vicars , Curates and People do erre and go astray from his wayes like lost Sheep , as they confess . And what is to be expected in such a Worship , where the Spirit and Power of God is wanting ? And what is to be expected from such Bishops , Pastors , Vicars and Curats , as erre and go astray from his wayes like lost sheep ? Do not such erre and go astray as walk in their wayes , who walk not in the way of God ? And notwithstanding there is a confession of erring and going astray , yet People are driven forward in such wayes by the force of Temporal Laws , and so People must either erre and go astray , or come under the punishment of such Laws . Now let the wise and moderate Reader consider , whither such are going , as erre and go astray from the way of God ? are they not going to the Chambers of Death and Destruction ? And is there any cause why People should be forced , by Temporal Laws , to walk in that way ? Oh that it might be seriously layd to heart ! for such as erre and go astray like lost sheep , have more need to forsake their wayes , that to compel others to walk with them ; for Christ hath sheep that hear his voice , and follow him ; and those sheep do not erre and go astray from his wayes , but feed in his Pasture , and rest under his Shadow , and he saves them from the Wolf and Beasts of Prey . And all such as confess they erre and go astray from his wayes , they must turn unto him and follow him who is the Light of the World , and Way to the Father ; and then they will not erre and go astray like loss Sheep , but be gathered into the Fold , and into the Pasture ; and there is neither Bishop , Pastor , Vicar or Curate that can come into this state , but as they come to the Light with which Christ Jesus enlightens them ; for who be from the Light , are in Darkness , and that is the cause why they erre and go astray like lost Sheep . And can any be true Worshippers of God , whilest they erre and go astray from his wayes ? And is not God worshiped in his own way ? And yet such as confess they erre from his wayes , would force others so worship with them , but such are seen in the Light , and their end is manifest , and many are delivered out of such wayes , and gathered into the way of God , and so he is known to be a Spirit , and worshipped in the Spirit and in the Truth , which is his own way ; for his Spirit doth not lead astray from his wayes , and they that have received his Spirit and live in it , they live in the Truth ; and they that be in the Spirit , Life and Power , the outward Law can neither give Life , nor bring Death upon their Worship , because it standeth in the Substance which endures for ever . So Reader , be thou mindful to obey the Light with which Christ Jesus enlightens thee , and that will keep thee from going astray like a lost sheep ; for that which goeth astray is a wanderer from the Light , which is the Guide in the way of God , and they that erre and go astray are following and worshipping the Beast and false Prophet , whose habitation is full of Persecution , by which the Saints and houshold of Faith are afflicted . But now the Lamb sits in Judgment , and the Beast , and the ●hore , and the False Prophet are judged , and their House will fall over their heads , and those that sit with them , and they will feel the ●urden of their house upon them ; and there will be none to take the burden of : Therefore whoever thou art that readest , mind that which giveth Understanding , that thou mayest be a follower and worshipper of the Lamb , and not of the Beast , and the Whore , and False Prophet ; for of 〈◊〉 Truth , the Lamb and the Saints must have the Victory . W.S. A General Summons from the Authority of TRUTH , unto all Ecclesiastical Courts and Officers , &c. Friends , YOU have taken upon you a Work of great concernment , but how you are qualified and fitted for it , is the thing to be considered ; for there are several Objections may arise against you , and this is not the least ; Whether you be in such a Spiritual capacity , as to judge of Spiritual matters , or fully to determine cases of Conscience , from a spiritual discerning and understanding ? for many are unsatisfied concerning the proceedings in such cases , and it is not without some ground , when your practice and proceedings in such cases are truly examin'd and rightly compared , with the practice and proceedings of Christ and his Apostles , who had power and authority , in the true Spirit , to try and judge of all things pertaining to the Conscience ; and though you pretend the same thing , and have given your selves the title of Spiritual Men , and your Courts Spiritual Courts , and so sit to try and judge of things pertaining to the Conscience , yet you are not found upon the true Judgment Seat , neither do your proceedings in such cases , run in a true Line of Spiritual Men before you . So that the precept of the Spirit , nor the president of Christ and his Apostles , are not your Rule ; for where did they set up Courts to try and judge in such cases ? And who did they summon to appear before them ? and who did they Excommunicate for not Hearing their Service , or for not appearing to their Summons , or for not Baptizing their Children , or for not Receiving the holy Communion , or for not Repairing Steeple-houses , which you call Churches , or for not paying Tythes ? and who did they Imprison or cause to be cast into Prison , when they had Excommunicated them ? Compare your practice and proceedings with theirs , and then see if there be not good cause to Object against your practice and proceedings in such cases : For you have set up Courts , and Proceedings which are not to be found in the Scriptures . And your first work is to enquire of the Town-Officers ( who are your Intelligencers ) if there be any people within their Parishes , that do not go to their Parish-Church , and hear Divine Service ; and if there be any such , then they must present their Names and Dwellings into the Court ; and then your next work is , to send a Paritor with a Summons from the Authority of your Court , unto such parties so presented , and to require them to appear before you ; and when many have simply appeared according to your Summons , you commonly ask them , If they go to their Parish-Church , and hear Divine Service ? or something to that purpose . And though they give you an Answer according to the Scriptures of Truth , you will not be satisfied with it , but excect they will conform to what you would have them , you proceed to Excommunication , and so return it to the Temporal Power , to cast them into Prison : and if they do not appear to your Summons , you also proceed in like manner , and so you make the Magistrates your Servants , and the Sheriffs your Bailiffs : For upon the return of your Excommunication to the Magistrates , they direct their Writ to the Sheriffs , and the Sheriffs arrest the partie or parties by their Warrant , and so cast them into prison , and keep them in prison upon your account ; and here you are the cause of laying heavy burdens upon some mens shoulders , for you address your selves to the Magistrates , and procure their Writ , and they issuing forth their Writ to the Sheriffs , in answer to your minds , the Sheriffs are thereby forced unto Execution , though they well know , that such upon whom the Writ is to be Executed , do not at all deserve such corporal punishment as Imprisonment ; for as to People in Corporations , they well know one another , as being Neighbours together ; and for Sheriffs of Corporations to be forced to execute a Writ upon their Neighbours , which unto them are well known to be honest and well-disposed men , and such as are of good report , and also serviceable in their places and callings , doth not this bring a burden upon their Consciences in so doing ? and yet being compelled and forced to it , they do not see how to avoid it , as wanting strength to gainsay it , and by that means , there are many of them brought to do such things , in such cases , as are against their own Consciences , and thereby draw burdens and trouble upon their Consciences ; And is not this a heavy state which you plunge People into by your proceedings , as to cause them to do that which is against their Conscience , and so bring them into trouble of Conscience ? And there may be a question whether any Law in force do bind the Sheriffs to execute a Writ of that nature in such a manner , but that is left to their own examination and finding out . And now are these things either like Spiritual Men or Judicious Temporal Men ? And is this your Church Censure to cast out honest People , and cause them to be Imprisoned because they cannot for Conscience sake conform unto you ? do you not believe your selves , that there is good cause to object against your proceedings in such cases , by which honest People are so exposed to sufferings ; for you do not only Excommunicate them , and cause them to be cast into Prison , but you also judge them unworthy of common dealings and society amongst men : And if any have to do with them by way of dealing , or come in their company by way of society , then they must become lyable unto the same Judgment and Cesure of your Court : And so your proceedings tend to destroy common dealings and society among Neighbours , which the Law of the Nation taketh care to preserve ; for the Law hath great regard unto common dealing and trading , and would not have any man to be discouraged in it , because it is a principal upholder of the Nation , by supplying all outward wants from one hand to another . And you judge and censure this , which the Law of the Nation encourageth , and so your proceedings are found to be against the Law of the Nation , and consequently destructive to the Nation . And are not such proceedings worse than the Jews against the young man , whose eyes Christ opened ? for they did but cast him out , and all they had against him for so doing , was only because he would not deny him by whom his sight was restored , to own their sayings . And what have you more against those People called Quakers , save only that they dare not deny Christ Jesus to own your practice , and yet you proceed further against them , than did the Jews against the young man ; for you cause them to be cast into prison , and we do not read that the Jews did so by him ; so you are found in a worse spirit than were the Jews , who only cast the young man out , and no more ; but that will not satisfie you except the body be cast into Prison . And was it not the Jews that Crucified the Lord of Life ? Now if your Church was a true Church , and your service Divine , then you would seek to gain people by Love , and not proceed against them in such a manner : But your fruit makes your Church and service manifest what they are who persecute honest harmless people , that dare not defile their Consciences with polluted things : and may not people go to the Church and hear Divine Service , except they go to your Steeple-house and hear your matter ? And may not people perform Divine Service without they hear what you have to say ? for Service standeth in performing , and not only in hearing : for many may hear the true Spirit in its reproof , and yet not obey it to become servants to it : and such are not in Divine Service , though they may hear the Divine Spirit . And may not people meet with the Lord , and hear his Divine Spirit , and perform Divine Service in no other place but where you would appoint them ? Would you be limiting the Holy One , and keeping people in bondage by your limitations ? for if they cannot conform unto you , then you cast them out from you , and so cast them into prison . And is not your limitation the very ground of this Bondage ? And is the not-going to your Steeple-house a Fact of so high a nature , as to be Excommunicated and cast into prison for refusing ? If it be , then shew the offence against , God and his Truth , or otherwise you cast people into prison without shewing any cause , and that is against the Law of the Nation : for no Free-man is to be Imprisoned without cause shewed ; and the Quakers are Free-men , and you Imprison them by your proceedings without shewing cause , for the cause must be some offence against God and his Truth , and the Offence is to be proved by two or three Witnesses , or otherwise it is not an offence of that nature as to come under Excommunication , and consequently a Prison . And as for the Quakers , you have never yet shewed any such cause upon your proceedings , and therefore , as to them , your Excommunications are void , and such falsly Imprisoned who suffer upon that account ; forasmuch as you have not at any time proved them offenders against God and his Truth , which is the cause of Excommunication ; and they that tryed judged such cases in the true Spirit , they proceeded to Excommunication upon such cases as were proved to be an offence against God , and his Truth , but they did not proceed to imprison any by the power of temporal Laws , nor by their own power , though such offences were proved against them , as might bring them under Excommunication , neither did they proceed against those that were without ; but if any that was called a Brother , was a Fornicator , or Covetous , or an Idolater , or a Railer , or a Drunkard , or an Extortioner , they were to put away from among them such wicked persons ( so mark ) they were amongst them against whom they proceeded to Excommunication , and those that were without they left to be judged of the Lord , 1 Cor. 5. For a man is first to be within before he be cast out , and when he is within , as to profession , and then walketh not according to the Rule of Truth , and will not receive Admonition , to be reformed from his abuses , then he is to be cast out as a wicked person . So the Apostle did not say , If any will not come to our Worship , and hear our Service , or will not have their Children Baptized , or will not receive the holy Communion , as now commonly used , or be in Error in matters of Religion or Doctrine allowed in the Church , or pay not their Tythes , or Tenths ; that then they shall proceed to cast out such as wicked persons : He did not lay these things down as a ground for such proceedings , but he took notice of the wickedness which was an offence against God and his Truth , and so laid down the most principal matters upon which they were to proceed for the casting out such offenders from amongst them ; and this was their Practice who judged in the true Spirit , and cast out offenders by the power of the true Spirit . But you cast out such as are not offenders in any such matters , and count them unworthy of common dealing and society among men , and cause them to be cast into prison , by the Temporal Power ; and so you cast out sober , and righteous , and godly people ; whereas they cast out drunkards , and fornicators , and such as were in transgression , but they did not Imprison them ; and you are doing both , and that to a people who are neither drunkards , nor fornicators , no● any way offenders against God and his Truth , but live soberly , and righteously , and godly in this present world , and you have not any thing further against them , but as to things pertaining to their Consciences , of which you are not able to judge ; so that if you did not first make causes you could find none in the Quakers to give you any occasion to proceed in such a manner against them ; and besides they are not of you , but are separated from you , and those causes you make are , in themselves so slender and weak , as that they cannot any way bear the weight of such proceedings ; neither ought you to be judg● in the case , forasmuch as the cause is your own , and the Law of the Nation , excludeth men from being Judges in their own Cause ; as supposing that men in their own Cause , will eye their own Interest more than the common good ; and therefore it excludes them from trying or judging in that case ; and yet you go much further , by taking upon your selves the whole matter , as in these particulars . 1. There is no Cause but what you make . 2. There is no Evidence but your own Conclusions . 3. There is not any to give Judgment or Sentence besides your selves , Now every Cause is to be of that nature , as the Law properly in it self will take hold upon , by which it cometh under the power of the Law to be determined ; and every such Cause is to be proved by such Evidence as are not related to it , and also to be determined by such Judge or Judges as are no way concerned in the matter ; and so all parties , which may stand any way related unto the Cause , either in Evidence or Judgment , are excluded . But your Proceedings are wholly left unto your selves , and your own Interest is involved , which makes you parties ; and what plea can be held against you in such a case , to obtain right from you ? For it is to be understood , that you have not made such Causes , and gotten power to act in such proceedings , as to give judgment against that which you have made , or to determine the matter against your own Interest ; and so it may well and safely be concluded , that you are resolved in the beginning how the matter shall end ; and not any plea , though never so good and sound , that will help the Defenddant in his Case . And here you are beside the Law of the Nation again , for every good and sound plea , is to be admitted on the Defendants behalf in all Courts of trial ; and the Defendant is to have the benefit of his Plea , so far as it will hold good against the Plantiff ; and hereby many Plantiffs are overturned in their Cause , and all Judges standing equal in Judgement , as to the Cause of both parties , do suffer the matter so to be tried and proved before them , as that they may from a good understanding , do right unto the party grieved . But you will not admit of any Plea , though never so good and sound , according to Scripture , which is the chief plea on the Defendants part against you , yet you will not admit of it to the Defendants benefit , by doing him right accordingly , but with confidence proceed to Excommunication , if there be not Conformity given ; and so your proceedings are found to be against the Law of the Nation in these particulars . 1. In destroying common Dealings , and Society among men . 2. In Excommunicating and Imprisoning , without shewing sufficient cause . 3. In being Judges in your own Cause . 4. In not admitting the Defendants Plea. And as these things are the very foundation or ground of your proceedings , and being found to be against the Law it self , so the Law doth not properly stand by you , neither can you properly stand by the Law , for the Law doth not properly stand by any thing that is against it , but rather takes hold upon it to suppress it ; and if this were well minded , you would not be admitted to sit in the highest seat of Judgment concerning Spiritual things . Now you first cause People to be presented for not going to their Parish Church , and then you proceed to Excommunicate and Exclude them , and no Plea will be admitted by you in the Case ; And is the first an offence in your account , and is not the latter of as high a nature ? Surely , if there be an offence in the first , it is much greater in the latter , forasmuch as you exclude from that which you cause to be presented as an offence for not going to ; and then , if People were willing to go , they are excluded , and being excluded , they may not be received until they have purchased your Absolution , and this maketh an offence on your parts , and that according to your own conclusion . For , if not going be an offence , then exclusion must needs be greater ; and that falleth upon you as the Actors ; and here you draw a guilt upon your selves in your own work . And what neccessity is there for you to cast out and exclude People for that which they are not in , is not this a high degree of confusion in your proceedings ? For , if you would have People go to your Steeple-house and Service , then overcome with Love and convince them by sound Doctrine , and if you judge them unworthy , then let them alone where they are , and do not run your selves into such confusion , as to cast such out as are without before , and then judge them unworthy of coming in , without your Absolution . But if you should do so , then you would lose your gain , after which you seek , and your Diana would fall , and your Craft be spoiled ; and indeed ( to speak plainly ) that is the main thing you strive to uphold ; for your Courts draw sees from such as cannot withstand you , and your Absolutions bring money from such as fall under you , and so your proceedings end in money ; by which it is manifest , that you are not so much for the honour of Almighty God , as the love of Lucre ; and if that was not to be obtained , there is good cause to believe , that your Courts would soon dissolve of themselves ; but whilest there is any hope of gain or profit , you will keep them up , if the Magistrate will but help you ; and you have found out so many devices to compass your gain , besides that device for not coming to your Steeple-houses , and Service , as it is a hard matter to escape your Snares , especially such as be of a tender Conscience ; and for the sake of such here are some of your devices opened , and with the Scriptures of Truth compared , by which trial you are found much wanting . 1. You have devised to bring people into your Courts , for not Baptizing their Children , as you call it ; and where doth the Scripture command Baptizing of Children after your manner , as to sprinkle water in their Faces , and to sign them with the sign of the Cross , and to have Godfathers and Godmothers to undertake for them ? For though Christ in his love and tenderness towards little Children , would have them suffered to come unto him , and not forbidden , and that he took them in his arms , yet we do not ●●ad that he sprinkled water in their faces , and signed them with the sign of the Cross , or that they had Godfathers or Godmothers to undertake for them ; but he said , Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven , Mat. 19.14 . by which he shewed their Innocency , and his love to them in that state . And now you have gotten a Law to compel people to Baptize their Children , as you commonly use it , though Christ used it not : and if People refuse to use it , then you have a snare for them . And was it not above four hundred years after Christ before sprinkling Infants came in ? Read Eusebius ; And Christ did not mention water when he sent forth his Disciples to Teach and Baptize all Nations , but commanded them , To Baptize in the Name , or into the Name , of the Father , Son , and holy Ghost , Mat. 28.19 . And the Apostle said , That by one Spirit they were all Baptized into one Body , 1 Cor. 12.13 . and this is beyond your outward sign which you are commonly using , and it standeth by the Authority of the Spirit , and of the Scriptures , without the help of any Temporal Law. And do you not say , the Scriptures are your Rule ? and yet you are using such things as are not to be found in them , and have a Law to compel or punish those that cannot use the same things with you . 2. You have devised to bring People into your Courts , concerning your Communion , as you commonly use it , and call it holy ; and it is believed that the Communion of the Saints and Apostles was as ho●y as yours ; and yet we do not read that they Excommunicated and cast such into Prison , as would not be partakers with them . And was not the Communion which they used , the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ ? See 1 Cor. 10.6 . And did not the Apostle put people upon the Examination of themselves before they ate of that Bread , and drunk of that Cup which was their Communion ? 1 Cor. 11.28 . ( So mark ) He did not say , If there be any that will not receive this Bread , and this Cup , as we commonly use it , that then we will Excommunicate them , and cast them into Prison . They did not proceed in such a manner , who had the true Communion amongst them , but said , Let a man examine himself , and so let him eat of that Bread , and drink of that Cup. So see what your Communion is , who proceed to punish people that cannot receive it as you commonly use it ; for the Apostle bids People Examine themselves , and so let them eat ; and you bid People either come and eat , or you will proceed to punish them ; and here is a great difference between your minds and the mind of the Apostle . 3. You have devised to bring people into your Courts , for Error in matters of Religion , and Doctrine , by you allowed ; and do you not believe your selves , That the Religion and Doctrine which Christ and the Apostles allowed , was as sound and true as yours ? And we do not read that they Excommunicated and cast such into Prison , who differed from that Religion and Doctrine by them allowed ; for the Apostle bid people examine themselves whether they were in the Faith ; He did not say , You are in Error as to the Religion and Doctrine which we allow , and we must Excommunicate you , and cast you into Prison , and we have a Temporal Law to do it ; but he saith , Examine your selves , whether you be in the Faith : prove your own selves , know you not your own selves , how that Jesus Christ is in you , except ye be Reprobates , 2 Cor. 13.5 . And by that Examination and proof , he would bring people to know Christ Jesus in them , and so bring them out of the Reprobate State , in which is the Error : And this was sound Doctrine , by which he laboured to bring people to the knowledge of the Truth , that they might be saved ; and that was to Christ Jesus in them , who is the Salvation of God. And so the Apostle would not , that people should be Reprobate concerning the Faith , and live in Error , and therefore he preached sound Doctrine to them , that he might open their Understanding● to know the Truth ; And the Doctrine that he preached was Christ Jesus in them . And this was the Religion and Doctrine which the Saints allowed and approved , and they warned such as did receive it , That they should not receive another Doctrine , though they , or an Angel from Heaven should bring it . And though they certainly knew , that their Religion and Doctrine was Truth it self , yet we do not read that they Excommunicated , and cast such into Prison , as differed from them in Religion and Doctrine , for they were of a better spirit , than to deal with people in such cases , after such a manner . Therefore see what spirit you are of , and first Examine and prove your selves , whether you be in that Religion and Doctrine which they allowed , who had the Spirit of Faith in Christ Jesus : For though you may have a Law in such cases , and by that Law may proceed to Excommunicate and Imprison , yet if such against whom you proceed , be in that Religion and Doctrine , which they allowed who had the true Spirit , they are in the Truth and not in Error ; and by such proceedings , you make your selves no less than fighters against God , and his Truth ; by which it is manifest that your power is not of God , and so the Error is your own . And the 5th . of Eliz. 23. is your great authority in these cases . 4. You have devised to bring People into your Courts for not paying your Tythes ; and in that case , Hen. 8. and Edw. 6. provided something for you ; but how that now standeth in force , as to your proceedings , the matter is something questionable . And if Tythes be not yeilded and paid , then according to that Statute made in 2. Edw. 6.13 . you are to have a Writ Excommunicato capiendo , out of the Chancery , against the party , or parties so refusing , and if they can be found , then to cast them into Prison ; and if they cannot be found ; then the Statute of the 5th . of Eliz. 23. giveth power to leavy Fines of 10. l. the first Capias , 20. l. the second , and twenty pounds the third ; and if the party or parties do not yield their Bodies to the Sheriff upon Proclamation ; then twenty pounds upon every Capias , ad infinitum , according to that Statute . And so you are furnished with Statutes for your purpose in the case of Tythes . But are these things according to the Rule and Command which Christ gave to his Disciples , when he sent them forth to preach the Gospel . Surely you have looked more into the Statutes , than you have done into the Scriptures , for did not Christ say to his Disciples , when he sent them forth , Freely ye have received , freely give , Mat. 10.8 . And do not you say , Give us Tythes , or we will give you Punishment according to the Statutes ? And is not here a great difference between your voices , and the voice of Christ ? And is not the true Sheepherd known by his voice ? and are not Theeves and Robbers known by their voices ? And which of you will go forth and freely give what ye have , as the Disciples did ? Or must you not first know what the Tythes of such a place will afford you before you go unto it ? And will not more Tythes and Profits call you from that place again unto another ? And do you not hereby manifest that you do not freely receive the Ministry as the Disciples did , and so are in the disobedience unto the Rule and Command of Christ , and are minding earthly things , for your Belly , which is your God ? Oh the Lust of the Flesh , and the Pride of Life which corrupteth the Earth ! The Power of the Lord is manifest to cleanse the Land , and the Earth from such defilements ; yea he will sweep it as with a Beesom , and will drive the Locusts before him until the Land be cleansed . And when Christ offered up himself a Sacrifice unto God , then did he end the Law with Tythes and Offerings : For it is granted , that there was a Commandment under the Law , by which Tythes were payd ; and they that were of the sons of Levi , had a Commandment to take Tythes of their brethren , according to the Law , Heb. 7.5 . But you are compelling Tythes from such as you cast out , and do not count them brethren , and so you erre from that Commandment under the Law. But it cannot be granted that Tythes are now to be paid by the Power of that Commandment , forasmuch as Christ hath disannulled it , Heb. 7.18 . and being disannulled , the force and power of it is taken away ; and he never gave commandment afterwards for Tythes to be paid , nor his Apostles neither . And you may see how Paul laboured with his own hand , that he might not be chargable , 1 Cor. 4.12 . 1 Thes. 2.9 . He had not his Parritors about him to send unto such as would not pay him Tythes ; and this makes a great difference between you and Paul , for he laboured with his own hands , that he might not be chargable to any ; and you sit at ease , and are chargable to many ; for you will have your Tythes , and your pay from such as do not set you on work , neither have need of your work ; and as Christ hath disanulled the Commandment going before concerning Tythes , and that he did not revive it again by his own commandment , so it must needs stand disannulled to all intents and purposes whatsoever : For among Temporal Powers , there is that regard to the disanulling of any Law , as that it shall no more be put in Execution without it be again revived , but standeth wholly and fully disannulled and repealed . And will people have less regard to the power of Christ Jesus , than unto Temporal Powers ? For as Christ disanulled that commandment , by which Tythes were pay'd under the Law , and did not again revive it by his own command under the Gospel , so it standeth wholly and fully repealed unto this day , and no man hath power to revive it , or cause it to be put in execution ; for Christians are to keep the commands of Christ , and not to keep up commands which he hath disannull'd ; for that is to keep up the Jews practice among Christians , and so deny Christ Jesus , who is the End of the Law , not only for Tythes , and Offerings , and Oblations , but also for Righteousness to them that believe . And have Kings and Princes of the Earth such Power and Authority as to revive that by their Law and commandment which Christ hath disanulled , and left disanulled ? Will you set Kings and Princes of the Earth above Christ Jesus the King of Glory , and Prince of Life ? And will you proceed against people to Excommunicate and Imprison them from such a ground and Foundation . Surely it is not altogether your Ignorance but your Interest that puts you forward in this work . And if you say , that the Church is to be preserved in Discipline and Order by the Magistrates Power , and as they have provided Laws in such cases , so you must put them in execution according to their own intention , and that you are blameless , as doing nothing but what the Law enjoynes you , which in your places you cannot avoid ; and so according to your own perswasion concerning your proceedings you would seemingly clear your selves from persecution : But this Covering will not hide you , though it be the largest that can be spread over you ; and if you would clear your selves by it , as not being the constituto●s of such Laws , then you must needs make the Magistrates guilty , and you have no cause at all to do so , seeing you reap the Profit ; and if you would lay it upon them , to excuse your selves , you requite their pains for you after the worst manner , for they are your principal Upholders and Supporters , and that breath you live by , as to such things , you draw it from them , and that strength you stand by , you receive it from them . And have not you , or some before you , propounded and prescribed such wayes unto them , before they have enacted Laws for such purposes ? And doth not that make you stand originally guilty of the matter ? And doth not your prosecuting such Laws draw the guilt more upon you , though , as to what the Magistrates do for you in such cases , they are not clear , and in time they may come to see it , and be weary of it ? And would you wholly lay your proceedings upon the Magistrates Power , and so make them bear the burden of all your work ? And will that power stand by you in all things you practice ? or do you not act in many things without their power ? and do you not thereby plainly do them wrong ? Now concerning your Steeple-house , which you call a Church , and bring People into your Courts , that cannot pay money towards Repairing it , What Law have you in that case ? And is your Church of that Nature as it must be Repaired with money ? Will it decay , and fall , and come to nothing , if it be not repaired and upheld with money ? If that be the nature of your Church , as by your proceedings seemeth ; then People have good cause to absent from it , and you have no cause at all to compel any to come unto it ; for the Church is the Pillar and ground of Truth , and it needeth not to be repaired with money , because it standeth in the eternal Power and Life , which decayeth not ; and Christ Jesus is the Head and Ruleth over it , and is a Husband to it . And this is not like an old House that will fall if it be not kept up with money . And that is the Church and Church-Government which the Quakers own and submit unto , and there needs no outward Law to compel them , for the day of his Power hath made them willing , and his Love constrains them ; and so you can neither compel nor restrain them by your Laws , for they cannot be compelled to observe that which they know is not true , nor restrained from that which they know to be true ; and whether you proceed against them according to your Law , or without Law in such cases , it is all one unto them ; For they do not so much take notice of the outward Law in cases of Conscience , as they mind to keep their Consciences void of offence towards God and men . So that your proceedings are little unto them , whether you render them guilty by a Law or without Law. For as their Consciences are void of offence towards God and men ; so no man can charge an offence to make them g●ilty : And that wipeth off all your sentences and censures as fast as you give them forth . And what Law have you to proceed against people ●or not repairing the fence about the Steeplehouse-Yard and for following honest labour upon those dayes you call Holy-dayes ? have you not heaped up devices like a Mountain , and do not every device bring you some gain and profit ? and is not that the princip●l ground why you proceed in them , and might their not be a good and sound plea held and maintained against you according to the Scriptures of Truth ? and might not all your devices be overturned if such a plea could be admitted ? yea surely , your mountain might s●on be thrown down if Justice and Equity could but enter , therefore you have no cause so highly to lift up your horn , seeing you stand upon a slippery place . But some may say , What is there in all these things which is of concernment as to Life and Salvation , for Life and Salvation standeth not in such things , but by believing in Christ ? Ye● ; There is great concernment in these things as to Life and Salvation , and they that would come into the true Faith , and be a believer in Christ , they must deny these things , and come out from among them : For they that believe in Christ for Life and Salvation , they do not yield their obedience to another Power , because all Believers obey his commands , and not another ; so here is something of concernment as to Life and Salvation , for who are observing such things as Christ doth not command , they have not Life and Salvation in him as Believers ; therefore people are to mind what they obey , because they become servants unto that thing ; and who are obeying any of these things , they are certainly in bondage by them ; and doth not that separate from Life and Salvation in Christ Jesus ? And unto what do you bring people by your compulsion , do you bring them unto Christ , or into your own observation ? And if they cannot bow to your observation , then you excomm●nicate them , and cast them into Prison : And what command have you for such things according to Scriptures ? Let us see your Scriptures if you be spiritual men , and do not presum● above what is written , but keep to that which you say is your Rule ; for the Quakers are noble , and search the Scriptures , and they find that those things you practice are not so according to Scripture . And have not people good cause to be separated from you , who erre from the Scriptures and the Power of God ? And how will you stand by these things in the day when you must give account of all your deeds ? Will not these deeds appear as evil deeds ? and will not you appear as evil-doers ? and what Law will then appear to justifie you before the Judge of Heaven and Earth ? for you will find him to be a Judge more righteous than your selves ; and you will not have a plea to hold against him , but must bear his Judgement , because you have sinned ; therefore repent whilst you have time , and learn to do well . And why do you act so furiously against others by the power of the Law , and take no notice of your selves by the same Law ? Is there not a Law for you as well as others ? Is there not something which the Law taketh notice of , as to your selves , which properly falleth under the sentence of Excommunication ? Doth not the Law take notice of Incontenency , Usury , Simony , and Perjury in the Ecclesiastical Courts , or Idolatry ? And doth it not properly relate unto you , and brings such things under Excommunication ? See 5 Eliz. 23. But you here stand silent , or rather dead as to any motion ; and if you say that no such presentment comes before you whereby you may proceed , and that you cannot act in proceedings without some matter for a ground ; unto which is answered , That if you would but as diligently search , and examine such things among our selves , as you do other things among poor coun●ry p●ople , it is believed that you might find m●tter sufficient as a ground to set you upon motion ; and that is the proper place where you are to begin , for such things are offences against God and his Truth , and the Law very fitly takes notice of them as offences worthy of punishment ; and the Quakers are not against the punishment of evil-doers : And if you would begin in your own house , and make it clean , then clean people would have some delight to dwell with you ; for they that are washed and sanctified by the Spirit of the Lord , they cannot joyn to any unclean thing ; therefore observe the Law and its directions as to your selves , before you be so busie to execute it upon others : But you rather choose to take notice of such things as may increase your gain , than of such things as may profit the soul. And because of these things the Land mourneth and is distressed ; for you have neither precept nor president from Christ and his Apostles for such proceedings ; neither can such as follow Christ own your practice and proceedings , in such cases ; for it is below a Christians Life , and they that be in the Christians Life , do suffer by you that profess Christianity out of the Life . And is it not below spiritual men to plead Laws and Statutes for their proceedings in cases of Conscience ? Have you no other Power and Authority in such cases but what is given you by Laws and Statutes ? if you have then shew plainly upon what ground your Authority standeth ; and if you have no Authority in cases of Conscience , but what is given you by Laws and Statutes , do you not thereby take away the Authority and dignity of Christ Jesus ? and do you not as much as in you lieth go about to unthrone him from this right ? For what Law can reach the Conscience , but the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus ? And what Power is able to Judge the Conscience , but the Power of Christ Jesus ? and what Authority can govern the Church and keep it in Discipline and Order , but the Authority of Christ Jesus ? And would you take away his Right , and give it to another , or take it your selves ? Doth not this manifest that you want his Spirit , Power , and Authority ; and so the Magistrates must help you by their Power and Authority ; and their Laws , in some cases , must be the ground of your proceedings , and in other cases , your own Inventions without Law , and that makes your Excommunications null and void ; for the Magistrates have not that power given unto them as to what they do for you in such cases , though you , or some before you may have urged them , and drawn them to provide Laws for you , yet they are all dead in themselves , as wanting power to serve unto that end for which they are provided , because the Conscience is not to come under the power of any man in things pertaining to God ; and though we that are called Quakers do own Magistrates as they are for the punishment of evil-doers , and for the praise of them that do well ; which is their proper place as Magistrates , and in such cases we are actively subject to their Power , not only for fear , but for Conscience sake , yet wherein they extend their Power to the Conscience , and thereby would give you power to exercise Lordship over the Conscience , we cannot in that place be actively subject ; because in so doing , they give you power to intrude into the Authority of Christ Jesus : And as for Conscience sake we are actively subject to their Power in their right place , so for Conscience sake we cannot be actively subject when they stretch their power unto spiritual things , which is out of their place ; and both these are for Conscience sake unto us , who are cal'd Quakers . For as we dare not deny the one for Conscience sake , we cannot own or submit to the other for Conscience sake . And what more is to be expected from us as to active obedience to the Magistrates power , but only in cases which pertaineth to civil things ? And have we ever refused or denyed obedience to their Power in any such case ? And as to your proceedings by the Magistrates Power , in cases of Conscience , it might be some satisfaction unto many People , if you would openly declare by what Laws and Statutes you maintain your Courts and Proceedings , and in what Kings time they were made : For if you have not the temporal Power to warrant and maintain you , then you only move as Birds in the air , which have no certain Centre , and this is the ground why we that are called Quakers deny your practice and proceedings in cases of Conscience , as not being warrantable by the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus , nor according to the Scriptures of Truth : And we know that no temporal Power or Law , can maintain your proceedings against the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus , for it is he alone that hath Power and Authority to rule and govern the Conscience , and not any besides him ; and so in cases of Conscience , your proceedings are without Power , and consequently void in Law ; for without Power there is not any offence can be truly tried or punished : And herein you are found wrong doers by your proceedings , and you pull down your own building by pleading Laws and Statutes for your proceedings in such cases , and moderate people do see that you are not spiritual as you pretend , but only in some things have the Magistrates Sword on your side , by which many become subject more out of fear than for Conscience sake . And because we cannot for Conscience sake be conformable in such cases , therefore you proceed against us and inflict punishment upon us , and that is contrary to Reason which is counted the root of the Law : For it is not a reasonable thing that the exercise of our Consciences should come under your power to be punished , whilest as to Civil things , we are not found guilty of any offence ; and this we do maintain against you to be a truth : And therefore , as to us , your proceedings are of no more force , than as you drive them forward in the strength of your own wills ; and yet there is a great noise that we will not obey the Laws , nor be subject to Government , and that we are a willful People , and deserve to suffer . Now we would have our Accusers to shew us plainly , what Law we disobey , and in what Kings time that Law was made ; and also shew us wherein we are a willful People , and deserve to suffer ; for we do not know any thing by our selves in such matters , neither can such an accusation lye upon us ; for as to all things which the Law requireth , which in it self is properly Law , we actively obey ; and as to that which in it self is not Law , as not being grounded upon Reason , which is counted the root of the Law , we passively submit ; and so we stand in the Will of him that hath called us , and patiently suffer without resisting or revenging , and this hath been known for these several years ; and where is then our disobedience to the Law , seeing we are either in active or passive obedience unto all that is counted Law ? But such accusations are only to asperse us , and cover our Persecutors ; for we do not disobey any Law whereby we deserve to suffer , but , as to Civil Government , behave our selves , in a just and peaceable manner . And is there any Law against us , as we live in that Life ? If there be , we would know when it was made , and by whom , and what punishment is to be inflicted upon such as so live ; for if there be such a Law as provideth punishment for those that live peacebly , then we are the proper Objects of it , and dare content to suffer by it ; but if there be no such Law , or Punishment provided against a peaceable Life , then do we not suffer undeservedly , because our Life is peaceble . And such accusations and aspersions will not clear our Persecutors , in the day when God shall Judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ ; but they shall then know that they have inflicted punishment upon us , contrary to our deserts ; and you , amongst others , who are the greatest promoters of it , and are also in the action by your Excommunications : And we cannot otherwise be perswaded , but you are the Womb in which our Sufferings are principally conceived , and by the Magistrates power you have opportunity to bring forth your Birth , and herein you are found to walk contrary to the Law and the Prophets , and to the Doctrine of Christ Jesus ; for this is the Law and the Prophets , That as ye would that men should do unto you , even so do unto them . And this is the Doctrine of Christ Jesus , That if an Enemy hunger , feed him ; if he thirst , give him drink . Therefore see unto what you are come your selves , before you compel others to come unto you ; for if you be not come to the Law and the Prophets , you are at a great distance from Christ Jesus . And , are you doing to others , as you would have others to do unto you ? And how do you fulfil the Law and the Prophets , whilest you are doing that unto others , which you would not have others do unto you ? And are you feeding Enemies , and giving them drink , according to the Doctrine of Christ Jesus ? or are you not doing the contrary & so you are neither come to the Law and the Prophets nor to Christ Jesus . And for what must People come unto you , when ye your selves are not come to the Law and the Prophets nor to Christ Jesus ? Must they come unto you as unto Gentiles , who are alienated from the Life of God , and strangers to the Covenant of Promise ? Must such as become to the Law and the Prophets , and to Christ Jesus , return again to the Gentiles ? for the Law and the Prophets are above the Gentiles , and Christ Jesus is above the Law and the Prophets , and such as are come from among the Gentiles and are come to the Law and the Prophets , and to Christ Jesus , they cannot return to the Gentiles again , except they deny that which brought them forth , and though there may be some that for fear deny their Profession to conform unto your practice , yet there are many that have more 〈…〉 ard unto the peace of their Conscience . And if you would have ●●ople return unto you , then shew them a more excellent way then 〈…〉 er in they walk . For s●me have found a more pleasant 〈…〉 hen they walked in whilest they walked with you , and they that know what it is to travel in Mire and Clay , and then come to find a Clean and Pleasant Path , they will not willingly go into the Mire and Clay again , but rather rejoyce that they are gotten past it . And we that are called Quakers , have learned the Law and the Prophets , and the Doctrine of Christ Jesus , and he is our Light , and our Way , and our Guide , and being come to the excellency of this knowledge , through the mercy of the Lord God towards us , we cannot conform to any Beggarly Rudiments , and bring our selves into Bondage again . But as the power of the Lord God hath made us free , so in that freedom we wait to be preserved ; and as we stand in that freedom , your Bonds are all broken , though you may cast our Bodies into Prison ; for you may as easily hold the Wind in your Fist , as hold the Truth in a Prison . And can you hold the wind in your fist , that it shall not have an universal course ? is not that a thing beyond your art and skil ? And do you think to hold the Truth in Prison because you cast the body there ? is not that a thing beyond your power and strength ? for Truth will have an universal course , when you have shut the Body close in Prison ; and by how much you think to bind it and supress it , even so much the more doth it grow and spread , and you cannot bind it from the universality of its motion ; and so you labour in vain as to what you do against the Quakers , and you are so far from fulfilling the Doctrine of Christ Jesus , that in stead of giving food and drink to a hungry and thirsty Enemy , you are persecuting us that are your Friends , and Friends to all People : and so your practice and proceedings are not only contrary to Reason , which is counted the root of the Nations Law , but contrary to the Law and the Prophets , and to the Doctrine of Christ Jesus , and also contrary to what is manifest to be the Kings mind ; for that Speech which was delivered by the Keeper unto the Parliament , upon the tenth day of the eighth month , called October , 1667. it was delivered as the Kings mind , and by his Command , as the same Speech doth demonstrate ; and what was so delivered , doth clearly manifest tha● the King doth regard the good of his People , as being so near a● interest to himself ; and he would have the Parliament to imprin● it as a known Truth in the hearts of his Subjects , that there is 〈◊〉 distinct interest between the King and his People ; but the good 〈◊〉 one is the good of both . Now as the King would have this to be imprinted as a known Truth in the hearts of his Subjects , and that he doth include his own Interest with his People , and thereby bringeth the matter so near himself , as to concern his own good in theirs , which in it self is undeniable a very clear Truth ; then why do not you receive this Truth into your hearts , and so fulfil the Kings mind ? for it is to be understood , that all people within the Kings Dominion , who are free born , are accounted his People , as he is chief in outward Government ; and so in general tearms ; he includes his Interest and good in theirs , and their Interest and Good in his own ; and do not you proceed to Excommunicate and Imprison such People ? and do you not make them uncapable of common dealings and society amongst men ? and do you not make them uncapable of having any benefit by the Law as complainants ? and do you not judge them unworthy of the Kings Protection ? and is not this to make a distinction between the King and his People ? for no common good , as to outward things , can arise to the sufferers ; and as the King concerns his own good in the good of his People , by a joynt Interest ; do you , not wrong the King by intruding upon his Interest ? Surely the mind of the King , as it is manifest , and your proceedings which you practise , are at a great distance , and much contrary one to the other , for you plainly endeavour to blot out that known Truth which he would have imprinted , forasmuch as you destroy the common good of his People , in which it so nearly concerns his own . And now , upon what Foundation will you have your building to stand ? and by what will you uphold your work in which you are so busie ? for your work is found contrary to the Law of the Nation , and contrary to the Spirit of Truth , and contrary to the Scriptures of Truth , and contrary to Christianity , and contrary to Reason ; and contrary to the Law and the Prophets and contrary to the Doctrine of Christ Jesus , and contrary to what is manifest to be the Kings mind ; and where will you have a Foundation to build your work upon ? for as it is found contrary to all these weighty things ; so by their Authority your work in cases of Conscience may well be questioned , yea , the Law of the Nation may justly question you , and the Spirit of Truth may justly question you , and the Scriptures of Truth may justly question you , and Christianity may justly question you , and Reason may justly question you , and the Law and the Prophets may justly question you , and Christ Jesus may justly question you , and the King may justly question you ; and what can your Foundation be , but the love of money , which is the root of all evil ? And these things are opened thus fully and largly that you might see your selves as in a glass , & others might see you with open face : And what sad effects have ensued the execution of temporal Laws , which have related to Spiritual things ; was not such a Law pretended when the Lord of Life was condemned ? and was not such Laws pretended when the Martyrs suffered ? and are not such Laws now pretended , by which the Innocent and Guiltless are punished ? and hath not the prosecuting of such Laws been the occasion of destroying the natural Life of many innocent People at this day ? and doth not this fill your hands with blood ? and how can you say that you wash your hands in innocency , and so approach to God's Altar , if your hands be full of Blood ? And that is the end of your Laws and proceedings in cases of Conscience , for such Laws never brought prosperity in their execution , but alwayes have been destructive , and so brought calamity and misery ; and it need not be declared what hath hapned by the execution of such Laws , both as to years past , and the time present , for the blood of many declares it , and the loss of Estate declares it , and the long suffering Bonds and Imprisonment declares it , and the sound of this Declaration is higher and louder than Tongue or Pen can declare ; and will not the Lord make inquisition for these things ? yea surely , he will find out the work of every one , and the guilty he will by no means clear , therefore love Mercy before you offer Sacrifice , for until you love Mercy , and live in it , all your Sacrifices and Prayers are but as empty shadows ; and though you may offer and make many of them , yet whilst you mingle them with violence and oppression , they never reach the Throne of Grace to find acceptation , and so the showrs fall not down upon you with a blessing ; and that makes Briars and Thorns spring out of the ground unto persecution : And as for the Quakers , you may as easily force the Sun to go backward , as force them into your practice and observation ; or you may as easily restrain the showrs from falling , as restrain them from worshipping God in his Spirit ; for as they fulfil the mind of God , by yeelding their obedience and service unto him , so they cannot fulfil or satisfie your minds , by yeelding their obedience and service unto you ; and if you were spiritually minded , you would never endeavour to force and compel them by the power of temporal Laws , but the wrong being greatest to your selves , even so they pitty you , as well knowing the terror that will come upon you , and therefore they labour to perswade you for your own good ; and do not count them your enemies , because they tell you the truth in plainness , but be warned to forsake the evil of your doings , and live in love and peace as becometh Christians , for Christ Jesus must Reign and have the Glory . THE END .