AN Answer unto a wicked & infamous Libel made by Christopher Vitelli, one of the chief English Elders of the pretended Family of Love: Maintaining their doctrine, & carpingly answering to certain points of a book called the displaing of the Fam.  
Answered by I Rogers.  
AT LONDON Printed by john day dwelling over Aldersgate. Anno. 1579.  
Cum Privilegio Regiae Maiestatis.   

To the right honourable, Sir Francis Walsingham, chief Secretary unto the Queen's most excellent Maies●y, and of her honourable Council: Grace and Peace, in Christ our Lord  
Having before this, set forth a small treatise, displaing a sort of men, in this our country of England, embracing an Author under two letters, H, and N. about six months ago: I have received since, from the same people, sundry letters containing matter against the doctrine publicly taught in the church of England: and answering certain matters contained in the said book, called The displaying of the Family of Love, which answers, some I have put in print, the rest remain: whereof this Libel is one of the chiefest, and as the same doth witness, is made and compiled by one of the chief of that sect, and the only man which was the occasion that any of HN his doctrine become conversant with our native Country people, (a thing greatly to be lamented.)  
The name of the party is Christofer Vitelli, sometime a joiner of London, and infected with that infamous doctrine of Airius, hundred. years ago▪ whose credit among the pretended Family of Love is very great, and therefore I have used more diligence in answering the same. Being (Right honourable) unboldened to present the same unto your honour, upon view and taste of your good inclination towards the true Church of Christ and the purging out of the same, all disorders and discords that therein groweth, or which blemisheth that beloved bride, as much as in your honour lieth.  
And if herein I shall seem over bold, or presumptuous, considering my rude and unlearned capacity, I have many examples, which may serve for my excuse. For, where should men (publishing error) seek defence, but under the name and protection of such, as (through the Lord's dispensation, and gift of singular wit) do understand falsehood at the first sight, and have authority to correct the same: and hate error and corruption, of a zeal to the glory of god, and a care of true Religion: and by rate goodness of nature, do love the truth, and also sufficiently adorned with courage to defend the same.  
Accept therefore (most honourable) these my rude labours, in honourable part, and give judgement where truth lieth. Accept my serviceable heart, to further the glory of christ his church, and not the simple utterance and small skill, with les learning, as by the handling appeareth. Also consider the providence of our God, which ruleth his children by his beck, and hath appointed your honour as a special Patron in his Church, to hear the grief and groanings thereof, and to understand and see that truth be not defaced, trodden down, or spurned at by heretics, or wicked Atheists, which the mixed Church is too too full of.  
And as the Lord hath made your honour to feel the sweetness of his son our Saviour: So I am persuaded that you bend your singular care, and deep consideration, that this our country of England, might be free from heretics & depravers of Christ his glory. And if it might please your honour to consider the root and ground from whence this strange doctrine grew, the practices and means by which it is maintained and supported: And by this little said by me, consider with all, what might be said against this doctrine of H N. by men of knowledge and skill. And finding the root nothing else but singularity, ambition, pride, and carnal liberty. The shore and pillars that uphold it, wrong application of the holy Scriptures, counterfeit shows of piety etc. your honour shall perceive (I doubt not) how little true reason these men have, or sound argument to prove the particulars of their doctrine: the body and substance being found in deed but a lump of old worn heresies, newly hatched by H N. Fidelitas, and ●lidad, men come out of the clouds, as they would have the world believe.  
And as this doctrine hath increased and spread itself in many shires of this Realm. So if I should declare what event doth follow in many places, it were scarce credible. The fountain or foundation thereof, is the opinion that these men have, that they keep the law of God in every point, as he requireth. ●er of cometh their doctrine of perfection, attained unto in this life, and as they term it, the beginning of immortality: then being made perfect, they imagine themselves to be Godded with God, or incorporate to God, I will use their own terms: with whom God in one being of his spirit, is hommisied, or become man.  
Now having once planted this doctrine, what Satan can work with this persuasion, is easily perceived For when this doctrine is once believed, that their Elders cannot sin, and whatsoever they commit, it cannot be sin, because they are guided by the spirit. And when all fear to offend, or conscience of sin is excluded: to all boldness and liberty to live after our liking, a very window is opened.  
As there is no reason to maintain this, nor truth to uphold this: So it is very necessary that the simple people should be warned to beware of this so subtle a doctrine: which they like very well of, because their teachers and Elders, under pretence of plausible precepts, delivered to the simple at the first taste, of a godly life, which afore any thing they must embrace: with many shows of mortification. Then must they grow to the manly oldness in the love, which is that perfection which they dream of. But the secret part of their doctrine is hide from the most part: And all their books are not made common to all, as containing to strong meat for weak stomachs: therefore their glass of righteousness few must look into, lest their whole vanity, and corruption should be espied. That book therefore is a rare bird among this Family. And this subtlety doth Satan work to deceive the simple, to keep certain secret mysteries, and doctrine, to work admiration in the hearts of deceived people.  
Right honourable, I have set down this part of their doctrine, as a taste: what other matters they maintain, by perusing this small treatise, shall easily be espied: how their chief Elder HN. is exalted, and called a Prophet: and that his prophecies shallbe proved true: and also they accounted of HN. in office to be a priest, and say that through his priests office, God will receive all men to mercy: so that our only Lord & Saviour, is smally accounted of: his offices are bestowed upon HN. These things, are too too absurd, Right honourable, and worthy to be buried in silence: had not Satan raised up his imps to trouble his Church with these blasphemies: against which, I have bend that poor skill, and force I have, to displey these men, with their doctrine. There are many, Right honourable: that could better, & more learnedly have confuted their doctrine: but it is so vain, and childish, that simple souls, and meanly exersized in holy scripture, are sufficiently instructed by the Lord, to manifest all their abhommations.  
The simplier sort of these men, I take to be such as have a desire to serve the Lord: and yet is their simplicity carried away by the Elder sort, or stronger men: conference in my opinion, is the best way to help the simple: which the Elder sort can no● away withal: lest their trecheryes should be espied. ●dad, one of their writers, giveth them such a precept in his book, entitled a fruitful exhortation to the Family of Love: in ● sextion.  
But you shall not contend, or dispute with the blasphemers, and the tanglers about the scripture: nor with the apostates, or decliners from us, and our good doctrine: or with the self conceited wife: nor yet with any of all those, that bring in variance, and make breach, besides our good doctrine of the service of Love.  
It appeareth Right honourable, by this prohibition of this Elder: that conference, and disputation is forbidden them: especially the Elder sort: but the no●ces, which are not entered into the secret parts of their doctrine: but are carried away with a show of piety, and good life, which at the beginning is opened unto them: with fly, and subtle persuasions: that nothing else is sought at their hands, but how the man might be made perfect in Christ jesus: but after once a step be made towards them, or a taste of this doctrine: then books are bestowed upon them, which they must read: of HN. as his exhortation, his dialog, his ●pistles, the exposition of the lords prayer, with the Articles. etc. & as they profit in these, books harder to digest: as the prophesy of the spirit of Love, a declaration of the Mass: the holy Lamb: the Gospel, or ●uang●ly of HN. etc. & last of all, the glass of righteousness, which few of this company have: the other books more riser printed as is supposed, in Flas●ders, and translated by this Libeler, into English: as he himself confesseth.  
And here I crave pardon, in that I have been overlong: to trouble your honour with these repetitions: and I would to God, that I had no occasion ministered, once to name these people, nor this error: then should Christ his Church, nor no member in the same, have needed to bend their study, to publish, or manifest the same. The Lord of mercy, give your honour all increase of faith with the truth of true piety: and continued in you a zeal of Christ his Church, with a care, that nothing but truth be taught therein: and that the contemners thereof, may be put to silence: so as our God may be glorified: his people edified: error, and heresies subverted, & truth advanced: which the Lord God grant, for his son, our Saviour Christ his sake: to whom be honour▪ and praise, now and ever.  Your honour to command, I Rogers.  

To the Christian Reader.  
CHristian Reader, thou hast to peruse at thy pleasure, this finale treatise, containing an answer unto Christopher victual, the chief ●lder of the pretended ●am●lye of Love: and because it was directed to me, and aunsereth certain points of my former book called, the displeying of the family. Therefore it is very meet and convenient, that since the matter toucheth me nearly: and charges me with much untruth: that I defend the cause, I first took in hand: which I am verily persuaded, is an honest, just, and godly defen●e of th● purity of doctrine, now taught, and publicly preached: which this family spu●ne eagerly against. And although 2. vigilant Pastors, have learnedly confuted the doctrine of their Author HN. Yet this little availeth to recall them home, to that found profession, that some of the once ●asted: and lest they should bo●st, or vaunt, that they have written, or compiled anything, which should not be answered, I h●ue thought good once again, to bend my simple study, to unswere this libeler Christopher Vitell: whole credit among●st the family is not small. Ma●uel● not gentle reader, that I being the simplest of many thousands, have adventured to meddl● in these disputable questions: more ●itter for men of learning, and knowledge (I grant, but since they have made their invectives against me, it behoveth me simply to answer: wherein I confess many things are omitted, which m●ght well h●ue been spoken of: and many things are briefly touched, which should have been dilated, if leisure had served me: but since I cannot d●e things as I would, thou hast my goodwill, as I could. If thou wouldst profile, by reading these conferences, it is expedient that thou peruse a little book, called ●he displeing of the Family, the publishing of which book, was the cause, that this man being touched therein nearly: hath made this L●bell for answer thereunto: excusing himself of many crimes, and as much as in him lieth, keeping up the credit of their Author HN. who●e the family would not, that he should be touched, or blemished: (not not with a venew:) but he that listeth to mark how his chiefest scholar, or oldest ●ngli●h Elder, Christopher V●tel, doth with might, and main, culle●, and hide all the faults of HN. as well his doctrine, and foul errors: as his corrupt life, and conversation: and how confidently and with a b●asen face, he avoucheth, that all is false, and lies, whatsoever is brought forth never so probably: (ye●) with many witnesses: thou shalt or it be long, have a testimonial out of ●launders of HN his whole life: which if the Family here in ●ngland, would be ●esolu●d with ●●ueth: shallbe upon any occasion published in print: it nothing blemisheth our ●ause although this rude and unlearned Answer be made unto this slanderous Libel: but our God therein is greatly magnified: that simple men are sufficiently assisted with God his spirit to confute and overthrow this blasphemous doctrine of the Family: so gross, and absurd it is, against all the holy scripture, and against common reason. And as nothing is more in va●iance between us, then how man is restored unto that ●lisle, lost in Adam: and his state, (being regenerate.) I have simply set down my poor s●ill: & such experience of a regenerate man, as I find in holy writ●: & feel in my own consci●ence. And also I have collected, the condition of a regenerate pe●son, by the doctrine of HN. as nee●e as I could collect by such books of there's as came to my hands: (wherein) if the Family imagine, that I have not rightly set fo●th a regenerate man after their doctrine: let some of their illuminat Elders, (if they please:) set upright such a one, as they will stand unto.  
So shall the controversy between them, and us, sooner come to end, and trial: which if they refuse to do: than it will appear, that it is not truth they seek, (but) singularity. For although in other matters there be difference, & opinions: yet in ma●s election, salvation, redemption, and regeneration: being the pillars, and foundations of our faith: whosoever erreth herein, cannot be saved. I am also Christian reader, to desire thee to amend, and correct with thy pen: certain faults, escaped in this treatise by the Printer, and to amend the sense, of some sentences, being not rightly pointed, which I refer unto thy learned judgement. The Lord our God bless thee, and grant us his holy spirit, that we may persist, and abide, in the unity of his holy Church: and patiently abide the Lord his leisure, in rooting out errors, and heresies which disquiet thy little flock: They are exercises of our faith: but yet blocks, whereat the wicked stumble: and hindrances of many a man's conversion, which the Lord our God foretold us of: that in the latter days such should come: and such dangerous days should be: that if it were possible, the elect should be deceived.   

The complaint of a Regenerate man unto God the Father, showing the sorrowfulness of his ha●t.  
O Lord God, heavenly Father, tho● that art not only our God, but the God of all the world: we thy creatures, the work ●f thy hands, make our humble prayers and supplications b●fore thy excellent majesty. beseeching thee (O Lord) not to consider us as we a●e of ourselves, earth, ashes, and whatsoever is 〈◊〉 but as we are in Christ jesus our Lord, thy sanctified people, whom thou hast choose before all worlds, to witness thy ●ame in earth: And to whom t●ou hast made manifest thy Son ou● Saviour with an uncovered face to our great comfort. ●et alas, we unworthy wretches find in ourselves such heaps of sins, and such lumps, and loads of impieties: that were we not stayed in thy promises, we should perish with mistrust in thy mercies. For we know that thou art a just God and dost visit the offences of thy children with rods, and their sins with whips: Yet thy mercy doth never fail us. Yea although we sin, yet are we thy.  
We have (O Lord) tasted greatly of thy mercies. Many years we have been fed with heavenly meat. Long time we have enjoyed the benefit of thy gospel (a blessing of blessings) our own conscience doth witness, yea our sins are so ripe and so outrageous, that they are ascended up unto the heavens, and 〈◊〉 for thy justice, which we have sore provoked with multyplying sin upon since. We have not obeyed thy voice. We have not hearkened unto thy servants whom thou hast s●●t. We have propbaned thy holy Sabaoth with vain spectacles, & ungodly tragedies. We profess thy name in our word, but deny it in deeds. Our vanity is too too manifest in our apparrail. Our excess appeareth in our banquets. Our small reverence towards thy holy name in our vain other. Our merciless charity towards thy members is too too manifest. Yea our whole life is nothing else but abuse of thy creatures, with ingratitude for thy benefits. So that we thy children are to expect and look for naught else but thy heavy hand, yea thy judgements in displeasure.  
We and our for fathers have sinned. Our Princes and Rulers, our Priests, our Prophets and teachers. Yea from the greatest to the lest, all have followed the bypath of their own imagination & device▪ and have not hearkened unto thy word, to make it the lantern to our feet, and the light to our steps. Our own ways and devices have prevailed.  
We therefore O Lord our God, prostrate ourselves before thy majesty, beseeching thee for thy dear Son our saviour Christ jesus sake, turn not away thy face from us in displeasure. Bring not upon us wretches, the due punishments our sins have deserved. Look not upon us as we are of ourselves, but as we belong to Christ jesus: for whose sake thou hast promised to deny us nothing we ask in his name. Look upon thy wont mercies of old, although the cry of our sins be great before thee, yet the righteousness of our Lord and saviour Christ jesus, is greater: whom we interpose and put between thy justice, and our deserts. Yea, by him we appear with boldness before thee this day as children, not as strangers, saying: O Our Father, sanctified be thy holy name. Let thy kingdom be enlarged in us thy children. Let thy will be performed in us most obediently, even as thy saints & holy one's do fulfil the same before thee. give unto us O Lord all earthly blessings this day: that we may use them to our comfort, and not abuse them in pleasure. forgive us O Lord we beseech thee, our daily sins that we commit against thy divine Majesty. And give us thy holy spirit that we may forgive all such as by any degree 〈◊〉 trespass against us. Lead us not not (O Lord) into trial, nor temptation above our strength, for then our weakness will appear. deliver us (O Lord) from all those evils our sins daily provoke: And from all those plagues and punishments which thou hast threatened to bring upon us at this time. deliver us from the mouths of cruel Lions, which daily ga●e to devour us: From bloody Papists which lie in wait for us, and d●ly conspire to bereave us of the most comfortable benefit of thy word, and seek to make our lives a pray unto their greedy desires. Bring (O Lord) their devices to naught. Let th● little flock enjoy the sweet comfort of thy gospel, that we may praise thy holy name in our own land.  
Root out all sec●es and heresies which are among us, which Satan hath stirred up to disquiet thy church. And Lord if it be thy will, either to convert them, or put them to silence for evermore. Preserve O Lord God our gracious Queen Elizabeth, in thy own bosom Deliver her O Lord from all conspiracies, treasons and treacheries, which Satan in his members shall devise against her. Make voided their cou●cels that consult against her, and let us O Lord, enjoy thy blessing in her long prosperous, and happy days. give O lord unto her councillors wisdom fortitude, and courage, to prevent all dangers, and unto our bishops and teachers give truth in doctrine, & boldness to publish the same without 〈◊〉. And to us thy people give O lord humble hearts, and obedient minds that we thy children may now at the last be warned, to reverence and regard thy holy gospel, and fear thy punishments forsaking our vain delights in earthly things, so that our whole life may be a daily watch and looking for thy glorious coming. So that in our hearts we may daily sa●, Come Lord jesus come quickly that we maybe loosed from th● woeful vale, wherein we do nothing but provoke thee with our sins▪  
Grant (O Lord) we beseech thee, that thy church may long enjoy the liberty of thy word, and give constancy to thy members our brethren, which suffer any cross or tribulatiō●●her in body or mind, as witnesses of thy truth. give them patience we beseech thee, that they may abide whatsoever thy Majesty hath determined, so that even in torments they may witness thy holy name.  
Grant us (O Lord our God) these our petitions, or so many as are expedient for us thy children, for thy dear Son our Saviour jesus Christ his sake. To whom, with thee▪ & the holy Ghost, be all honour, praise glory dominion, & power, for ever and ever. Amen.   

A short reply after the order of a proface. By the means of certain slanderous words: as followeth, from C. V  
THERE IS NOTHING more necessary, for the reedisying of God his Gospel, in a common wealth, than fo● every such, unto whom the Pastoral office is committed. With all expedition to beat down (by the authority of the same word) all upstart heresies. And opinions, by the which the true Church, and congregation. Is disquieted▪ of l●te therefore, as one poor member of the same in a preface. To the tituled work against those which are called the Family of Love, liking them to a Cormorant Fowle, was for that I espied. By the manner of writings, and imaginative practice. Somewhat slily covered over (as the Snake under the green herb) from their HN. an Onacratolu● c●ept in this our native Country of England through simplicity. But rather I fear me hypocrisy, to the bosomed of many supposed wise men, the more by the means of a second Mergus C. V Whom heretofore by uttered vow at Paul's Cross ●ecanted, as I think the same error which he now stiffly defendeth: Nevertheless sithence which tyme. Hath in co●ners drawn companies togethers, of the which s●me have refrained▪ and others yet t●o many abiding. I therefore somewhat to further the goodwill of the Author against that Family their error, and not their p●●sons, and for the hopes sake which is laid up in store, through jesus Christ our ●ord and Saviour did by preface▪ forewarn the vewers of the said b●oke, to be heedful of such so pestilent a sect, who under the title of sundry sentences of holy scriptu●●. H●ue as in a ma●● knit fast, through the web of the Spider. Many ●ely ●lyes, whose unstable minds, more wavering than such slender wings, have been, are, and will be, except the grace of God, make them more heedful, so fast tangled, that it will be scarce possible to pluck them out: I do once again, even as one greatly compelled, make answer against that which herein followeth by those w●ome I hoped their conversion, and not detection, whose words have said me to be, Diveled with the Devil, I do consider these words to b● said to me by the like intention, as to my L. and master Christ, that he had Bel●ebub the chief Devil yet w●●●e ●●ue. And the reprovers false. Their words. This blasphamous Batman, with his slandering, and lying blasphemeth the holy Ghost for he nameth the Family of Love, a Corniorant Fowl. And an heretical sect: whereas notwithstanding there is 〈◊〉 Catholic Church nor comminas●ye of Saints but the Family of Love: And herein he condemneth the holy Scriptures, the Law, and the Prophets, as also Christ, and his Apostles: Moreover he saith: that the Lord his elected Minister HN. is of the seed of certain sectaries ● Whereas his doctrine is altogether against all Sectaries.  
If it be blasphemy to reprove an error, then have I not done well, if it be lying to detect a falsehood, I will reanswer, if slandering them, that slander other, (in one is the fault,) to this first, God his word doth teach me, to defend his Church: the Queen's majesties laws, her common wealth: whereto my conscience answereth by the truth, that if you take not better heed, you will fall from heresy, to treason, (and so into contempt of your religion. Of your loyalty. And true service of God,) of the which take heed, for the holy Ghost is judge betwixt us both: I do name the Family of Love the self same as before, till I do perceive you to be otherwise minded, except you use this policy. That when your Religion will hold no longer. you will then say, we understood not your minds, and so thereby excuse your follies: You say there is no Catholic Church, nor commonalty of Saintes, but the Family of Love: surely your love is so secret if we understand it not, you much less perceive it: but in secluding all that be not of your Family. What shall be said of all the godly in the world before your HN. whom now to colour, (do call the holy name.) What say you of our gracious Queen. Her noble Counsel, the learned Bishops. And disdiet preachers of the lords Gospel. What think you of the excellent ounces? both Oxford▪ & Cambridge? from the which they are not now to learn, of their true love in God. Of your HN. Neither of C. V Who cunningly hath joined together that which we know (Christ to be the ou●●commer, 
The ●h●nin●ing of HN. into a holy n●●●, and C. victual▪ into an over 〈◊〉▪ is a p●●●e 〈◊〉, t● 〈◊〉 so 〈…〉 of 〈…〉.  and C. victual the joiner to be b●t a deceiver: Your Argument must have an Inter●ection, when you say. He condemneth the holy Scriptures, the law, and the Prophets: (all which three,) ●●●uerence, love, and ob●y▪ by the Lord God his assistance. 
The Deu●ls d●●●st ne●e●●●the the● fall of Lucifer eschaunge the●● names into the d●uine e●●en●e t●ll now. Only 〈◊〉 I wa●, th● C●rist the Carpenter 〈◊〉 called, was yet better 〈…〉.  (you add) as also Christ, and his Apostles: is it enough to condemn any before the cause why▪ your Vocative, must have a Dative, to yourself be all these except you 〈◊〉 the greater heese: I 〈◊〉 also vettrly deny your HN. H●rry Ni●holas to be the lords elected Minister▪ otherwise, then suffered to pervert the congregation: And also I say to you Chris●opher victual, 〈◊〉 you 〈…〉, and while there is yet time, 〈…〉 to God, whom in this ●t●r you h●ue greatly offended, your Prince much a●used▪ an● many your fellow disorderly 〈…〉 by your ungodly collections thorough which 〈…〉, you have continued too long, 
then victual the ioyne●● that so pe●eshly hath framed wood and clay together.  as to your ease you may think. So to their pain it may be assured. If now your doctrine be against all sectaries. Then be as good as your word, and ●ly these errors▪ else, as weeds are cut of with sickle, and scythe for hi●ting the good herbs: so must evil membber from a common wealth.  
Far well.  Fidem fero, mihi fama fuco.  

An Answer to a wicked and infamous Libel made by one of the chief english Elders of the pretended Family of Love.  

Vitell.  
Testimonies of Zion of the ●●st stone of foundation laid therein of ●he judgement and righteousness, and of the holy priesthood and spiritual oblation through jesus Christ● brought fourth through the Lords ●l●c●●d minister HN.  
Love. Truth.  
BLessed is he which watcheth for the day of the Lord which shall come as a thief in the night. Math. 24.1. Thessa▪ 5. Peter. 3.  
For the time shall come that the watchmen upon mount Ephraim shall cry, come let us go up unto Zion to the Lord our God. jere. 31. Mich. 4. Zach. 8.   

Answer.  
TO what purpose these places of holy scripture are collected, I am ignorant of, because they want due explication: we know that from Zion came the law of God, and righteousness, and truth from jerusalem. But it doth not follow that we known not these testimonies but by HN. his ministry: before his new doctrine was broached, the Church of Christ was not ignorant of that corner stone Christ jesus, of his holy priesthood, & of his holy sacrifice: these things were truly understood and known, although HN. had never written.  
Touching Christ his coming as a thief, we know it is meant of his second coming, although you would gladly have it to be the coming of HN. with his new blasphemies.  
The watchmen upon mount ephraim, are the teachers of Christ his Church, of which number your HN. is none, his cries are from Flaunders and not from Zion.  
You place two special virtues, Love, and Truth, as a face and ●ositenaunce to your doctrine: but if we should examine the same by the word of the Lord, than your Love is but pretenced. For your Love should be known by loving the Lord jesus, who loved us first. But the love of HN. hath besotted your hearts, who by his doctrine is enemy unto our Lord jesus: who only is to be beloved.  
And for truth, you only use the word barely without substance: what truth you use in this your libel will appear by reading, to every indifferent mind: if your Love and truth, be no better than is here expressed, than I may well affirm that little Love, and small truth is to be found in this your libel.   

Vitell.  
BEhold I ley in Zion a stone of foundation, a proof stone, a costly corner stone to a fast foundation, who so believeth in him, let him not haste. For I will make the judgement to a measure line, ●nd the righteousness a balance. Esa. 28. b. Luke▪ hundred. b. Rom. 9 c▪ Pet. ●. ●.  
A fals● balance is abomination unto the Lord, but a full weight pleaseth 〈◊〉 ●●ll▪ Prou. 11. ●.  
A ●ight balance▪ and weight is of 〈◊〉 Lord▪ and all pownde● in the sack▪ are his works. Prou. 16. Should I saith the Lord justify the unright balance, and the false weights in the sack, wherethrough their rich men do much unright, and their anhabit●untes deal with lies, and have deceitful tongues in their throats? Mich. 6. b. 〈◊〉▪  
Therefore will I begin to plague you, and make you desolate because of your sins. Miche. 6.  
Awake now all and repent, and remember to be obedient unto the law, and commandments of the Lord, to the end, that you in the day of the Lord, be not found entangled or held captive of your sins, nor plagued with the plague of the ungodly.  
Whosoever now in the 〈…〉 Lord, will escape the plagues of the ungodly, and bide preserved inthe godliness▪ Let him believe in jesus Christly ei●en as● the 〈◊〉 saith, and turn him about 〈…〉 of a child, and apply him to be obedient unto the requiring of the word of jesus Christ, and of the doctrine of his lor●▪  
And so let every one come and assemble him to the mount Zion, to the cominalty● of Saints, and to the stone, the fast foundation which is laid of God in Zion, and build him thereon to a spiritual house, in all love and concord, and to an holy priesthood. For to offer spiritual oblations which are acceptable unto God through jesus Christ. 1. Pet. 2.  
I through the grace of God which is given to me, have laid the foundation like a wise architect, and an other buildeth thereon: but let every one take heed how he buildeth thereon. For an other foundation can no man ley, then there is laid, which is jesus Christ. 1. Con. chap. 3. b.  
This description of Zion, my beloved, have I written 〈◊〉 give thurby the lovers of truth to understand whether they have read any of the books of HN or no●, which are named the most holy service of lou●, & that the scriptures which the Lord hath set forth through his elected mi●ist. HN. are brought forth out of Zion, according to the promises of the Lord For it is written that the Lord will bring forth his love out of Zion, & his word out of jerusalem, etc. Also that the same HN▪ hath taught all men to repair to his mount Zion, and build thereon, the which is in his works declared at large, as is before rehearsed.   

Answer.  
HEre is set down a large description of Zion, of the corner stone, & foundation, and many places of holy scripture heaped together, but to no other end that can be perceived but to amaze the Reader, that your doctrine should thereby bear a face and countenance of truth, and come from Zion, & jerusalem: but we tell you truly that your new upstart heresies, with your new terms, are not testimonies of Zion, but from bethel, Dan, & gilgal: your masking show is now discovered, & your vizards plucked of. Your painted words are open to the world, & your subtle ●leightes made manifest: here are many places quoted, but none applied: If we shall assemble to Sion, as you require, then must we leave your HN. & your Family. For by Zion is understood the doctrine of the prophets, Apostles, and Evangelists, from which the Lord assisting us we will never departed: and whatsoever doctrine may be proved by these, we reverently embrace, & gladly receive, & what doctrine soever is contrary here unto, that we reject, & cast of: of which number, the doctrine of HN. and his Family are: because it agreeth not with that Prophets, Apostles, nor Evangelists.  
You give the lovers of truth to understand whether they have read any c● H N. his booke● or not, 〈◊〉 so that there may be ●onets of truth although they never read H N. nor his books as you grant this unto us now, so you will deny the same hereafter, as shall appear, you would still have us believe that H N. teacheth no doctrine but builded upon Zion, as appears by his works, his books are to be seen, his doctrine is out of his own imagination, being deluded by an erroneus spirit, to disquiet the joyful proceeding of Christ his gospel, and to exercise his church according to this saying, necess●●st haereses esse etc. It is necessary that heresies be etc.  
There was never heresse in the world, but would dispute, argew, and reason, and deny no conference with any: but this HN. thinketh it sufficient that he tell his Family, that he hath learned his doctrine by gods own mouth, and no man may speak against him nor his doctrine, but by and by he is condemned for a blasphemer of the holy ghost. So sharp and quick are these Elders of the family in judgement: it is time for you to help your decaying state, with some face, & show of words. For your Family & doubt not do espy your poisoned doctrine, which lay hide from them, under your dark speech, and unaccostomed phrases: his works declare his doctrine to come from his owneacute; brain by illusion of Satan, and none giveth testimony of him, but himself, and you his deceived Elders.   

Vitell.  
NOw for as much as there are certain which make up themselves slanderously, and reproachfully, as ignorant of the promises of the Lord, where through they blaspheme the Lord, and his most holy service of Love, saying it is the most detestable heresy: and so desame, and slander the Lord his elected Minister H N. and all those that have therein their exercise●, which seek only there, through, and through the law of the Lord, how they might live, in that which is godly, and manly, in all lawful▪ and dutiful obedience, both to God, and governors, spiritual, and temporal, and live peaceably, and deal uprightly with all men. etc.   

Answer.  
WHereas some in the fear of God and love to his truth, and in discharge of their duty they own unto his Church, have manifested, and made known to the world, your doctrine and behaviour: we do not herein slander you, we only seek thereby your amendment and conversion: and give also warning unto the simple, that they may take heed unto your painted cloaks, by which you shadow untrue doctrine, to the perishing of their souls. 〈◊〉 are not ignorant of the promises of Christ our Lord: but to our great comfort, we depend thereon, neither do we blasphem● the most holy service of Love: if you understand by (Love) God as often you do confounded that word Lou●● but when we speak against the service of Love, we mean thereby suc● service, and usages as are used ●mong you, in your private co●ue●ti●les. As for HN. whom you tear me the Lord his elected minister: we dare not so acknowledge him, neither think him worthy of the name: but a sour of heresies almost worn out of use, but now by him revived, & blazed under new titles, and vnaccusto●ie● phrases, to amaze the simple. And for that he calleth himself a Prophet, and so is among you accounted: we tell you, that the more you extol him, and his calling, the more you extenuate the office of Christ jesus. If you seek only to serve the Lord, can not this be done without H N. or his service of Love? We think that Christ hath left us sufficient testimony in his word, how he will be served in his church if HN, had never written. And for your dewtifull obedience to Magistrates, spiritual, and temporal, that doth little appear: for so much as you 〈◊〉 an Author nor allowed of by any Magistrate, and use your private 〈◊〉 forbidden by the Magistrate and both wright, & speak against 〈◊〉 of Christ, 〈…〉 by the public Magistrate! and for your upright dealing, they be●●● now it that are conversant amongst you If your private dealings be no 〈◊〉 then your public declarations & I suppose your uprightness is not greatly to be boasted of.   

Vitell.  
ANd yet▪ are complained of to the Magistrates with many false brutes and slanderously reported of where through the Magistrates are moved to trouble and persecute them & yet their adversaries have not anything worthy of punishment against them: but I see that the time is now, even as it was when the Lord jesus Christ was personally upon the earth: for the Pharisees said that jesus was a breaker of the Sabbath; they also found fault with his Disciples because they going through a corn field pluck● of the ears & rubbed out the corns & eat, for they were hungry, even so the Family of love, going through a corn field have pluck● of ears of corn and rubbed and eaten thereof to satisfy their hungry souls the which the enviers of the loves unity have of pied and are offended at them, and have accused them therefore, but other matter they have not against them and yet they say they are breakers of the Law. etc.   

Answer.  
THe complaint that good men have made against you is not to slander you but of purpose to have you and your Family depend upon the Lord & his truth: & not upon HN. or any, although they boast never so much of the spirit of God: of trouble and persecution you complain, and yet for your part you are safe enough, as for some of your Family which have been imprisoned and upon submission released, therein no cruelty was showed: if nothing could have been objected against them as you report, than was their imprisonment severity? is it not lawful to chastise heresies, and to punish gainsayers of public doctrine, in deed so you would have it, that every man might be left to the liberty of his own will, and so should the world swarine with infinite dissensions and heresies, which the devil doth more busily stir up now then heretofore. It is the gospel and the doctrine thereof, that he breatheth out threats against, and stirreth up his to spurn against the same very eagerly, only because it spoileth him of his wished prey: through the firm faith and confidence 〈◊〉 have in our most triumphant conqueror Christ jesus.  
Your comparisons are unequal, because Christ was accused as a breaker of the sabaoth, and his Disciples found fault withal that in hunger did rub the ears of corn: even so you, as you would gladly have men believe, are as innocent of crime as Christ and his Apostles in that you are charged: but we tell you plainly we find fault with you for satisfying your hungry souls: it is for the corrupt meat you have choose, which in deed is very poison, and will bring your bodies & souls to utter destruction everlastingly (except you repent) and because we warn you and will you to be circumspect and take heed of such poisoned meat in your hunger, you are waspish above measure. If that you be hungry in deed, Christ hath meat prepared in his holy word, sufficient to quench the hunger or thirst of any true Christian. But you have choose meat prepared by HN. which you like greatly and agreeth best with your stomachs, but we in the fear of the Lord warn you, that you take heed thereof, for it will bring a surphet uncurable unto your souls.   

Vitell.  
FOr which cause sake I am moved to make a short rehearsal, by what means the Lord of his good 〈◊〉 me out of ●hin● ignorance, and also made manifest unto me, the life & salvation. Moore I have recited the names▪ of two w●iter●, which have w●●●ten agamist the most holy service of love, and against the Lords minister HN. & also a part of their slanderous reports to the end that the lovers of truth might pray unto the Lord, that he of his gracious goodness will give those slanderers understanding that they might perceive and understand their horrible blasphemy against the Lord and so humble themselves & repent, for I think it is all out of ignorant blindness whatsoever they have done whereby they might find grace at the hands of the Lord etc.   

Answer.  
IT were more requisite that you would declare unto us, what was the cause that moved you, first to embrace that wicked sect of Arrius, and many years become a leader of many poor souls into that gulf of mischief, and then to show some reason that moved you to forsake that opinion, and embrace this absurd impiety of HN. which so greedily you have choose to satisfy your hunger, and you call it life and salvation. The two writers will (the Lord assisting us) verify continuall●e that in no point we have slandered you nor your minister HN. And we refer the judgement thereof unto the lovers of truth, which shall indifferently view the reasons & allegation● on both sides, without partiality.  
As for the horrible blasphemy against the Lord, wherewith you bitterly charge us, we deny that we have committed any such heinous offence against ●od: whose reverent name we adore with all humility: and until you can prove us such blasphemers you will remain in the sight of all God his children, an impudent liar and a slanderer. You are one of those illuminate elders, which keep all the commandments of God, and commit no sin: but now it doth appear of what spirit you are, & with what spirit you are led. Can not your cause be maintained without such contumelious and impudent speech? he that is a blasphemer of God, is without hope of mercy. Many Divines have studiously sought what the sin of blasphemy is, but you have with great ease found out the same to be who so speaketh or writeth against HN. or his family: must he needs be a blasphemer? Temper your humours with more modesty for shame, else men will think that your HN. hath published that of you, which cannot be found in you, which is, that when you are reviled, taunted, or bitterly used, you as lambs in patience bear the same, you do evil verify your author's words.  
It is all out of ignorant blindness what we have done, as you say: are all blind and ignorant that speak against your pretended family? then are there many blind and ignorant in the world: but I doubt your great sight which you prophetically make a show of in thi● libel, will declare very notably your blindness, though you brag very often of your sight. I would with all your sight you see rightly into yourselves, them should you perceive that your new covenant of perfection which you dream of, is a moere illusion of Satan, and no where to be found in the holy scriptures.   

Vitell.  
IN as much as it hath pleased the Lord of his gracious goodness, to make manifest unto me (as most unworthy) through his most holy service of love, in misunderstanding ignorance & error, so have I humbled myself before the Lord and his Minister HN. as the greatest sinner among sinners, desiring the Lord that he of his goodness would extend his mercy over me, and forgive me all my offences, wherein I had lived contrary to his commandments, laws, and ordinances, so that the Lord at his time when he saw it good, through his grace released me out of my calamity, and also made manifest unto me, through his most holy service of Love, and his elected minister HN. his promises which he made with Abraham, where through he will bless all the generations of the earth, and also how, when, and wherein they are fulfilled, etc.   

Answer.  
H●re is expressed the manner of this man's conversion, and how he came to be of the Family of Love: wherein are many shows of piety, and humility requisite in a Christian, but where he saith, he humbled himself be●ore the Lord, and his cle●ed minister HN. therein he bewrayeth himself: we are taught in all our troubles to call upon the Lord Innoca me in die tribul●tionis 〈◊〉▪ to humble ourselves before the Lo●d, it is good and convenient, but before HN. what warrant have you so to do? why join you HN. and God together in ●our humiliation? I will not cry out no you do, that this is blasphem●e: yet I tell you, it is not christianlike spoken. I know not how you will qu●li●ie this your speech, you say that the Lo●de when he see it good released you of all offence, wherein you had lived contrary to his commandments: but now being released do you sin any mo●e? ●f you would speak plainly as you have uttered your repentance, so now rests that you should also speak of your perfection, and of the state wherein you now stand. For that is the matter that we would have you to be plain in: but that is concealed, and kept secret, lest your liberty should be espied.  
●ou say further that through the service of Love, and his elect minister HN. all the promises made unto ●braham, how, when, and where, they are fulfilled, and made manifest unto you. And I pray you, could you not embrace the promise made unto Abraham, without HN. are not the scriptures sufficient to manifest the same without him? surely this is great pity that you extol your Author so above measure, the Prophets have written thereof: Christ and his Apostles, have opened to us, how, when, and where, those promises are fulfilled sufficiently: ●f HN. had never written.   

Vitell.  
Moreover there was made manifest unto me, through the same service of Love, and the Lords minister HN. the coming again of Christ with his saints, and his righteous judgement, wherein he will judge the world, with mercy and faithfulness, and erect again his righteousness, and even so acomplish all, whatsoever he hath spoken through the mouths of his servants, the Prophets: from the beginning of the world, according to his promises.   

Answer.  
NOw you affirm that there is made manifest to you the coming again of Christ with his saints. etc. but because you add not in the resurrection, we are doubtful what you mean by the coming again of Christ, lest you understand it a coming in this life: Because you add that there shall be accomplished, whatsoever hath been spoken by the Prophets from the beginning.  
●f you had been a true Christian, you needed not HN. to manifest these things, they are sufficiently opened to us in the holy history, & by his beloved Apostle Paul: if you had stayed yourself with their manifestation, you should not have looked for your HN. to make known the same: but it is to be doubted by your speech, that you mean some other coming of Christ in this life, and not when he shall come, at the general day of Christ his second coming, when he shall come with glory, majesty, and power to judge the world with righteousness. You affirm that then he shall accomplish whatsoever he spoke by the Prophets from the beginning. The Prophets spoke as they were commanded, to kingdoms, and Cities, certefying of the destruction determined, and the captivities whereunto the people should be led: many of their prophesies confirmed the coming of Christ etc. which are already come to pass. Your meaning I doubt of, but I will not take you so short, nor hunt for any advantage of words: but I tell you plain, your speech is very doubtful.   

Vitel.  
NOw when the Lord of his goodness, had released me out of my blindness, and opened mine eyes, th●̄ see I, that all people upon earth which were without the house of Love, were all ●rapped in unbelief: and that there ●as nothing among them but va●i●un●e, ●tr●fe, and contention, reviling, blaspheming, misusing, deriding, taunting, and checking, and every one would have right, and be the comm●●●l●ye of Christ, and condemned all others for heretics, and false Christians, none would be culpable, or bear the blame, but every one put the fault upon an other.   

Answer.  
WEre you so relesed of your blindness, that you were not subject to be blind again? for that is a question. were your eyes so opened as HN. saith of himself in the preface of his prophesy: the sight of mine eyes become clearer than the Crystal, and mine understanding brighter than the sun? ●ou would feign counterfeit your Author in words, which become neither of you both with your opened eyes: you see that all people which were without the house of love, were wrapped in unbelief: which in plain speech is, that all the world which hold not your doctrine, nor believe it, are unbelievers. If this be true, then are you uncharitable to lurk in corners, and hide this doctrine among yourselves, and will let so few be partakers thereof: No fear of torment, no threatenings of men should prevail nor stonish you, if this your saying were true: is there nothing upon earth but variance, contention & c? You speak of your sight, but you have put on a pair of blind spectacled, and so see nothing. For if you see aright, you should to your comfort, s●e the Gospel preached, true mortification used among some, and for contentions and strife, you, & your Author HN. are the cause thereof: who possessed with fantastical spirits, have troubled the quiet proceeding of Christ his gospel: in that Satan raiseth up sects, and errors, it is a manifest token, that he envieth the prosperity of the same gospel. For in time of Popery, when men followed dreams, and illusions, than Satan was quiet: but now the Gospel is published to the comfort of Ch●istes Church: now ●athan bestirs himself in his members, to move contentious people, to disquiet the joyful proceeding thereof. Where wheat doth grow, their cockle, and ●arnell will show itself: you are those that make the contention, and quarrel, and yet cry, what disssentions are in the world? you say every one challengeth to be called the commonalty of Christ: Why flee you the name, Church, putting in stead thereof: comminaltes: but so you may be like your Author in words, you care not how unlike unto the scriptures you teach.   

Vitell.  
ANd I see that by that occasion there was much murmuring, uproar, rebellion, disobedience to God, and to spiritual and temporal governors, and the lord caused me to see also that there should be no peace erected, which should remain or continued without the most holy service of love, etc. Also then shall no kingdom prospero which is against or despiseth the kingdom of the love For it is the kingdom of God the Father, of God the Son, & of God the holy Ghost. For the kingdom of Israel shall be set up again, and the Children of love shall reign there in with God and all his Saints, unto whom be laud, honour, and praise, from generation to generation, both now and ever, Amen.   

Answer.  
AFter this man's blindness was restored, than he see much murmuring etc. An● yet you could never see rightly into yourselves, for if you cold then should you perceive that you yourselves, the Papists, Anabaptistes, Pelagians, and Libertines are those that make the rebellion, and are cause of the dissension and disobedience to spiritual and temporal governors. And further you see no peace should be on earth, or continued without the service of love. The doubtful signification of this word Love is often confounded among your Family, sometime you would have it taken for God, sometime for Christ, and sometime for your whole doctrine and profession, and sometime for a property or virtue proceeding from God: but to take it simply as I think you mean it for the order and manner of your doctrine and service of God: Then we answer, that Christ his peace we have enjoyed in his church, and it hath continued with his church since his ascension, and yet I confess that such was his pleasure, to afflict his church, to suffer wicked people to persecute the same, yet his peace the church never wanted. Therefore your sight was very dim, when you see such things.  
Moreover you see that no kingdom should prospero which is against the love: Kingdoms and nations have prospered, and do prospero by the protection of the almighty, with his blessing, and yet are against your Family of love. Therefore clear your spectacles, and look better upon the matter, for surely I think you were in some dream when you written this. And where as you would have us believe the kingdom and service of the love, is the kingdom of God the father, the son and the holy Ghost, this you have brought in to make the world believe that your Family of love is nothing else but the true doctrine sent from God, but you herein deceive yourselves and others, for the doctrine taught among you, is strange, and no where to be found in the word of the Lord: and your Author HN. giveth testimony only of himself, without warrant from God, or his word, therefore your doctrine in the Family of love is not from God the Father, etc.  
If you say that others also give testimony of HN. his doctrine, & name unto us it is your Fidelitas, who in deed in his book chapter 2. sex. 8. sayeth as followeth.  
You shall furthermore understand▪ that the judgement which the God of heaven hath declared through HN. upon earth, & set forth through the same his minister, is very true, & that also the same judgement, pronounceth and declareth the right form and state of all what is in heaven and upon earth, of all what is Gods and man's, spiritual and heavenly, and of all what is natural, right, and reasonable: And that no such wonderful works could be wrought nor brought forth by any man, unless God were with him, etc.  
In deed this fellow Elder Fidelitas, testifieth much of your HN. But whether his testimony be true, let us examine it a little. If the judgement which God hath declared through HN. be very true, them was there no truth before. For, HN. teacheth such a doctrine as was never herded of in the world since the creation, especially the doctrine how man is godded with God etc. and tha● man and God had all one order, being and nature. Also the doctrine of pe●●e●●●on to be in this life attained unto, and that the law is possible to be kept, all which if it be very true what ●N. hath declared and set forth, then doth the holy Ghost in the scriptures teach us contrary, as shall appear more ●n treating of the particularities of these points.  
Moreover if we would give credit to this Fideli●as, he would have us believe that N●. pronounceth, and declareth the right state of all, what is in heaven and upon earth, what is Gods and man's, spiritual and heavenly, natural right and reasonable etc. Belike he thought his books should never have been perused by any, but of such as are drowned in the drowsy dreams o● this fantastical doctrine. One Moore of ●u●●er, in ●●●ng ●●wardes days, and one 〈…〉 of Manchester, in this our queens days, told of such vain and frivolous matters, but they were punished as lunatics.  
And whereas your Fidelitas, saith that no such works could be wrought by any, unless the Lord were with him, this is as strongly affirmed as the other part is monstrous and ungodly. For I pray you examine what are the works that HN. hath so notably brought forth, which doth manifest that God is with him. His books peradventure you mean●. What his books are, and out of what spirit they proceed, is easily perceived. A simple wit having such a guide, could devise against Christ his doctrine as fine riddles as HN. hath published: & should carry a more show of truth then his books do. For scholars and children are able to confute his follies sufficiently: they carry such absurdities with them, both against the Scriptures of God, and against all common reason, and nature.  
The kingdom of Israel shall be set up again, & the children of love shall reign therein (you say) but when shall this your prophesy take place you tell us not. In deed David George told us before the like prophe●y, that the true house of David should be erected, and the children of love should reign therein. Why delight you yourselves with such speeches? For in this worl● these things according to the letter, ●hall not happen, but they are spoken to assure us of the resurrection, and to shadow the joys of the kingdom of heaven, whereby our hearts should be lifted up with expectation of his promise.   

Vitell.  
BEhold these be the causes wherethrough the lord hath moved me to minister the service of love unto other, wherein I have sought only the honour of God, and the salvation of all people which hope in god, and long for his righteousness. Also I have (through the goodness of the lord) met with certan good willingnons, which have submitted them obediently and faithfully unto the lord and his gracious word, which also have followed the council of christ to the cleansing of their hearts, and therein doth their light shine before men, wherein they seek the laud of the lord and the salvation of all men.   

Answer.  
WHen you had seen dissension, uproars, contention etc. in the world, than the Lord (you say) moved you to minister the service of love unto others, you took the aforesaid troubles as a fit occasion given you to begin your doctrine, surely you bewray yourself in your speech: You thought it was good fishing when the waters were troubled, and took occasion to teach false doctrine when you see great broils, and tumults in the world. But where you affirm that the Lord moved you to do this▪ whereby shall we know that this your bore affirmation is true, only because you say so, but the holy Ghost hath warned us not to give credit to such. jer. 14. ver. 14. saith, The Prophets' prophesy l●es in my name, I have not sent them, neither did I command them, neither did I speak to them, but they prophesy to you a fal●e vision, divination, vanity, and de●eitf●lnes of their own hearts. Also Eze. 13. ver. 3. Woe be to the foolish Prophets that follow their own spirit & have seen nothing. We may not believe every spirit, but try the spirit whether he be of God john. 4.1.  
The Lord moved you not to leave your art & calling, and to minister a strange doctrine to the people: but the spirit of pride and vainglory, and a desire of singularity pu●t up your mind. Like as in time past you did as eagerly maintain other strange, & monstruous opinions.  
The causes that moved you to spread your doctrine, are not sufficient, you have thrust in yourself into a function and calling, neither allowed of god, nor ordained by m●n, and thi● your ministry is disobedience to God and the public magistrate, neither h●ue you herein fought the honour of God▪ & salvation of all people, as you affirms. If you had sought God his honour your voice should publicly have been herded and not in corners.  
In that you have met with certain good willing one's, which have submitted themselves etc. therein we beshrew you, & lament that any simple souls are deceived by your persuasions, and in deed it seemeth some such there are that give ear to your sugared words, For, the poison of asps is under your tongue. Psal. 14.  
Why come you not ●orth to maintain such doctrine as you have taught? why prove you not your doctrine by the holy Scripture? Why suffer you your scholars to be troubled and imprisoned? but for yourself you are sa●e enough, and when they should tender a reason of their hope and faith, than they utterly deny your doctrine. It seemeth that such a principle you have taught them, to affirm and to deny, only keeping their conscience secret.  
Now where you say that your good willing one's, or scholars, their light hath shone before men, whereby you would hear us in hand, that your pupil's be men of excellent life, & as you set them out, so do they your life as appears by their letters: so one of you commendeth and praiseth another, an● so must you ●éedes do, when you want good neighbours, the best way i● to praise yourselves.   

Vitell.  
ALso I have given forth certain books, which are translated word for word as near as we could, out of the books of HN. and some of them have come to the hands of envious people, which are diuil●ed with the devil, either devilishly minded, for they be slanderers, and liars, and also blasphemers, whilst they have blasphemed th● holy Ghost, and hi● most holy service of love. Moreover, they hau●●ayled at, ●euyled, condemned, despised, and blasphemed the Lord his elected minister HN. If this come not out of envy, although they say nay, than I know no envious spirits. And although there be many enuiors of the love and her most holy service, yet are the●e two horrible blasphemers of late risen up, whose books ar● come to my hands. The one is named Steven Batman, the other I.R. But they might both be named with one name, Tertullus, if they cont●nue in their lying, whereof I must write although I have no pleasure in such workers of wickedness.   

Answer.  
THat the books of HN. were translated out of Dutch by you, we known before, but in distributing them to the queens subjects without any allowance of the magistrate, contrary to law, therein we tell you, you have not dealt li●e a ●rue subject, nor a christian, you complained of disobedience to magistrates, but you yourself are the most disobedient of all others. And some of those books have come into my hands, whom you term envious and divelled with the devil. Strange Doctrine must needs have strange terms. Your judgement of me and master Batman we will only answer with this saying. The Lord give you a better mind, and a more modest spirit. I would you were as free from heresies and false doctrine, as we are from a devilish mind.  
You affirm we have blasphemed the holy Ghost, and his elect minister HN. Here is sharp judgement, and such as should not be in any of Christ his church: this doth well become you elders in HN. his Family. Surely if there were no other matter in the wo●ld to discern your doctrine by, your own poisoned words would bewrap your spirit, & of what household you are of. The children of God do know that you are herein, manifest and wicked liars, but you have no pleasure in such workers of wickedness, and no marvel, being come to that perfection that you are, we poor sinners are despised in your sight: but our hope is in the lord jesus, who doth not despise sinners, but for us he shed his blood, and for you which are so righteous, in whom no motion of sin can be found, I doubt doth this saying appertain: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.   

Vitell.  
THis blasphemous Bateman, with his slandering, and lying, blasphemeth the holy ghost. For he nameth the Family of Love, a cormorant ●owle, and an heretical sect: whereas notwithstanding, there is no Catholic Church, nor comminal●ye of Saints, but the Family of Love, and therein he condemneth the holy scripture, the law, the Prophet's, and also Christ, and his Apostles ● moreover he saith, that the Lord his elected Minister HN. is of seed of sectaries, whereas his doctrine is altogether against all sectaries.   

Answer.  
TO Fellow a little of your Rhetoric, you forget both Christianity and humanity: so intemperate you are in your blasphemous terms, because Master Bateman calleth your Family of Love, a cormorant ●owle, doth it follow that he is a blasphemer of the holy ghost? this is such a consequence as best becomes your school, and your frantic humours are thereby made known to the World. Men would not think, that such speech should proceed from the elders of the Family: this were two much, ●f your young novices should in their brau●es, and con●i●ions use: but you to wright such ungodly, and uncomely speech advisedly, it cannot be coloured by any shadow of words: touching Master Bateman, he is a learned, reverend, and godly preacher, neither can your ungodly terms once blemish, neither his person, nor his calling. I would you did follow that vocation, and calling, wherein you were once placed, no worse than Master Bateman doth his calling, in discharge whereof, you, nor none of your Family can justly reprehend him, neither in life, nor doctrine, which is sufficient testimony of his demeanour: For i● you had any thing to accuse him of, you would not conceal it▪ so bitter are your stomachs, as appeareth by your ungodly terms.  
Whereas you say, that there is no catholic Church, b●t the Family of Love: this is as stra●nge as your other words are horrible, and monstrous. For where was your Family before David George, or HN. were born & some of your heresies in deed, were maintained before, by Pellagians, by ●nabaptistes, by Papists, and such like: but your general doctrine, was never patched together, but of late by HN. in Flaunders: a place as apt to breed errors, as you are to broch● them: in condemning HN. you woul● have the world believe, that Master Bateman condemneth the law, the Prophets, Christ, and his Apostles. With what impudent face can you avouch this? must 〈◊〉 credit your own wo●des, and testimonies only, because you say your doctrine cometh from Zion? Christ hath instructed his Church sufficiently, to credit no such Fables.  
another reason you produce, that Master Bateman doth accuse HN. to be of the seed of certain sectaris, and to clear him thereof, you ●ay that his doctrine is altogether against all sectaries. It is the mann●r of impious perso●●, to flee the ●anies of the faculty they use, as the these, the murderer, th● harlot, the drunkard, or such like, they would not be called by those names, which vi●es they embrace: for it is odious unto them: so you to clear HN. of partaking with sundry sects do affirm that he is against all sectaries: that he as a master o● sectaries might be alone. But this answer is not sufficient to clear HN. to be void of heresis, and sects, ●t were expedient sore his purgation, that he should publish unto the world, if he dealt plainly, a book to approve his calling, and show us in plain speech, that his doctrine is sound, and agreeing unto the scriptures: otherwise he may deceive irroneous heads, such as you are: but God his children I hope will take heed of your ●ollyes.   

Vitell.  
NOw even like as the forenamed Bateman, hath slandered HN. even so do you also I R. For you say that HN. was thought to be the chief of David George's sect after his death, and so you do slander him by presupposing: for I know they be false imagination's, all what you imagine of him: for you despise him because he saith, he is a Prophet sent of God. But the time may come, that you sh●l ●inde his Prophe●ie true, and although you cannot believe it, yet you aught not to despise it, neither aught you to despise the dutch language, which you count to be rude: wherein the Lord, through his Minister ●N. hath brought fourth his most holy service of love. For I know you never counseled with the L●●d, and therefore you know nothing of his secrets.   

Answer.  
WHerein I have slandered your Author ●N. in supposing him to be chief of David George's sect, you show no reason to the contrary: you affirm that alike we have slandered him, and I think even so: For neither of us have slandered him in de●d, as far as I can understand: to clear him of accusation, you only say all i● false, what I have supposed of him: you think that is enough among your Family: for your word among the● is of some credit: but it behoveth, you should by substantial reasons, clear him of such matter as I have charged him with: your bore denial with us, is not sufficient: for the credit of your Author▪ you should say somewhat: by your silence, and bore denial, men do verily think the supposition is very true.  
That he was one of David george's sect, I have laid down the reasons that moved me so to think, in a little book, called the displaying of the Family of Love: amongst other reasons there alleged, I set down certain articles o● the coherence, and agreement of doctrine: and how likely they agreed together, by perusing the same, may be perceived: whereunto this man thinks it sufficient for him to say, all is false what I have imagined against him: but your words ar● no warrants▪ you say I despise him, because he affirmeth that he is a Prophet sent of God: his person I hate not: only his doctrine, and vain prophesies I utterly mislike: and most of all, because many of this our native country of ●ngland, are by him, and his vain prophecies deluded, and deceived: and being moved with zeal for my brethren, and countrymen, I have bend myself, with such poor s●ill as I have, to utter his follies, and vaintyes: there be many learned in Christ his Church, far better ab e to have written hereof: to whose office it properly belongeth: to cleanse the Church being defiled with heresies: yet I take the man to be none▪ of the Church of Christ, that thinketh he hath no office in his Church.  
If I dislike him, because h●●arth he is a Prophet etc. I have great reason, and good warrant so to do. jere. chap. 23. verse. 16. saith, Hear ●ot the words of the Prophets, which prophesy unto you vanity, they speak the 〈◊〉 of their own ●art, and not the 〈◊〉 of the Lord: we are also warned by Christ, and his Apostles, not to give credit to such vain Prophets, and false teachers. Peter Epistle 2. chap. 12. There shall be false teachers among you, which privily shall bring i● damnable heresies even denying the Lord that hath bought them, with infinite places more. Since Christ our Lord ascended into heau●●● office of prophesing▪ and foretelling of thinger, have ceased in the Church, only the Apostles were 〈◊〉 with the spirit of God, and by the power of the same spirit, foretold of many things that should happens but it ceased 〈◊〉, many have risen up, and have proudly prophessed: but they 〈◊〉 been con●●ned as false Prophets, even as your HN. 〈◊〉.  
●ou say the time may come, tha● I shall ●inde his prophecies true, you put the time uncertain: but you have told your Family in corners, as I am 〈◊〉 informed, that many of your prophets sayings, should ear thi● have been fulfilled, touching the public receiving of your doctrine, which are proved false, and untrue: although I 〈◊〉 believe it, yet I aught not to despise it, (you say,) why I aught to believe it, you tender no reason: we are forbidden to credit any such, as I have proved. In that I aught not to despise it, I pray you show some cause ● though vanity t●at be utters, touching▪ hi●●●●ference with almighty God▪ how the power of God compassed him ●bout with a 〈…〉 etc. and again h● saith: th● being of God, gave forth his sound & 〈◊〉, and spoke unto ●e HN. through the spirit of his Love, all these words, and said: 〈◊〉 there was ne●e●●ny that written in Christ's Church, that ever used any such vain, and proud speech.  
I hau● said, that it is requisite, that HN. if he will neede● have his new office of a Prophet to be credited, that he must work miracles▪ which it seemeth he doth: as some in your Family, in sadness have told: amongst other matters, this is avouched, that NH. is not ignorant in any language, not not the learned tongues, he hath written an epistle unto the Bishops here in ●ngland in latin. I think he hath his knowledge and learning by some bequest, as a legacy: also it was affirmed to me of credit, that some of the Family, going over into Flaunders to him, be told them of all their message, and instructions before they spoke: such marks and notes, you give out to your Family, to establish your blind Prophet.  
You say I aught not to despise the Dutch language, wherein the Lord hath brought forth his most holy service of Love.  
To despise any language I may not: only in comparison of other learned tongues, I have said it is rude. And was there no service of God before, among other nations, but now brought forth in the Dutch tongue: I would that there were no more heresies brought forth, in the Dutch tongue. but only this of N●. but it is known to many learned, the sundry heresies are written, and published in that language, to the grief of God his children. You further say, that I never counseled with the Lord, & therefore know nothing of his secreates.  
You sat upon your judgement seat when you written this: how know you that I never counelled with the Lord? to council with God we may as we are taught, (that is,) in praying and hearing of his most holy word, which I hope in the Lord, that ever he will guide me with his holy spirit to do, and perform all the days of my life: as for your secret Revelations, and prophesies, I am utterly ignorant of, they are things proper to your Family, but not to the Church of Christ.   

Vitel.  
Moreover you written not right, where as you call it, his Euangeli●um R●gn● yet doth Saint Paul say, ●f ou● Gospel be ●id, it is from them that be lost whole mind the God of this world hath blinded etc. For it i● not written his and you find fault with the poo●e Family of Love, as though th●y deny it ●i●h thei● mouth, & keep it 〈◊〉 in their ha●t●: but you confess the Lord▪ 〈◊〉 your mouth, and your heart is f●ll of bitterness, and even so you deny him with your heart, and mouth.   

Answer.  
I Have called a book which H N. hath published, his gospel, because it is another, and not agreeing with Christ his gospel, therefore rightly termed his. You would excuse it by saint Paul, as though HN. had as good right to write and publish a gospel as that shining vessel S. Paul Whether will you lift up your prophet? so high, that with Lucifer he may be cast down as low: we are warned not to credit any, bringing another gospel, he is accursed as saith the holy ghost, there was never any godly man since the Apostles time, 
〈…〉  that dared be so presumptuous, as entitle any broken, and call it a gospel, ' therefore your Author hath dealt therein presumptuously and wickedly.  
Now, whereas I found fault with the poor Family in affirming & denying. I would I had not some cause so to do, but where you add this word poor if it be so, you are the cause thereof, for with your manifold collections to set out the Author's works, you have indeed made many an honest & wealth householder poor, as I can testify, and name the parties, and you have been charged herewith before this time.  
You say moreover, that I confess the Lord with my mouth, & deny him with my heart. If this be true, then am I worthy great reprehension, but if it be false, then are you worthy the reward of a liar and slanderer.  
In deed it is somewhat grievous unto you, and your patience can scarce beer it, that I have so openly manifested you, and your Author, yet therein I confess I have done nothing but my duty which I own unto the church of Christ, that the simple may be warned of your subtle snares and deceits, where with you seek to entrap God his children, to make them be partakers of your manifest impieties, but the Lord will preserve his evermore,   

Vitell.  
Moreover, whereas you written the life of HN▪ & of his birth, you written more lies than truth, therefore it appeareth you know not where he was born, neither was he ever at M●ster as you said, nor any man for him. For he was ever against all rebellion and disorder of life, and that can be tried by his works, and alo testified yet in Amsterdam, for the Rulers permitted him to deal with those sectaries, for to see if he could persuade them, because they see the Lord had given him wisdom and understanding. But even as it chanced to our Lord jesus, which was judged to be a companion of Publicans and sinners, also a wine bibber, and a drunkard. Even so do they say of his minister HN. & all such things hath he born in the patience of Christ etc.   

Answer.  
IN writing the life of HN. I have done it by the testimony of his honest neighbours who known him better then you, longer than you, and before you known him. Their testimony will stand for truth, although for his credit sake, you will not believe it, and accounted it lies. I never said he was in Munster. I affirm that he went about to aid his brethren in Munster as was supposed: you say it appeareth by his works that he is against all rebelilion and disorder of life: but how doth it appear by you hi● Family, to teach a secret doctrine in corners against the law, and stir up the people to embrace the same▪ What wisdom and understanding was given to him, whereof you boast▪ Little is showed either in him or you. He is a wise man that contenteth himself with the simple truth, taught in the scriptures, an● seeketh not by strange deurses to publish doctrine contrary thereunto. Wisdom is showed in humility, and not i● v●rne ostentation and boasting of the spirit of God, and of secret revelations, where of your Author is full. A wise man delighteth not in singularity, neither thinketh, speaketh, nor boasteth of any wisdom in him. If God have bestowed any excellent gift in man, let it appear to his glory, without ostentation. ●ou make your comparisons unequal, because Christ our Lord untruly was accused to be a wine bibver, a drunkard, etc. So likewise his minister HN. which he is content to bear in the patience of Christ.  
What patience is in your Author I know not, but if we may discern the patience of the master by his scholl●rs, than I can testify of many of ●our unpatience. What words and blasphemies you have charged me with b● this your libel appears, and wh●t taunts and uncomely speeches, mired with manifest slander, in your letters appeareth. Besides what private letters and threats I have received at your hands of the Family, I could here declare, but that you are so patiented, as you affirm your HN. is, I find it not. The Lord give us all patience, that in seeking his truth, we may imitate his patience which said: Learn of me. etc.   

Vitell.  
NOw you say he nameth john Calvin, Marten Luther, the Papists and the Anabaptistes to be 4. castles which is also false. For there are no such names mentioned of in all his books, neither is there any such books of his, therefore Adrian Gisling hath told you a lie and you have fortified i●.   

Answer.  
I Said in the displeing of the Family, that one Adrian Gisling had read in a book called the glass of righteousness of 〈◊〉. castles, under the same men's names mentioned, now this man is sure HN. never written any such book, and therefore must needs be a lie. I am credibly informed that HN. hath written 27 small treatises and ●pistles, and this man hath seen all as he saith, but let the thing be true or false, the matter is not great: the party that told me is living and of honest credit and may as well be believed as you: I pray you are there no books called the glass of righteousness, for he compiled two. of that title, I never see any of those books in deed but if there be no such then HN. hath mocked the Family, for he still in his books referreth his reader unto the same book called the glass of righteousness. And in deed I doubt that book doth utter more of your Authors secret doctrine, than his small pamphlets: Few or none in the Family have it that I could ever learn, if you have seen all the Author's works than you have also seen that, and you keep it secret lest your Family should not or could not well brook the doctrine contained in the same. Let the book be seen and keep it not hidden, it standeth you upon now to let the world taste the doctrine which you have affirmed Princes & kingdoms afore this time should have embraced.   

Vitell.  
Moreover you said he married his daughter Mary to a younker: that is true, but not at Emden: also you say that HN. abused a woman, that is a false report, so to report of him for he never abused any woman neither taught he any other doctrine concerning the immortality: but the doctrine of Christ. For Christ saith he that believeth in me though he were dead yet should he live, and who so liveth and believeth shall never dye neither was he accused to the Rulers for any such matter, but he was complained of by certain envious people which affirmed that he was one that taught a strange doctrine, and th● Magistrates gave credit unto the false witnesses, & thereupon sought for him, and because they found him not, they dealt extremely with his Family and carried away his goods.   

Answer.  
THat his daughter Mary was married to a younker you affirm: Therefore not all are lies, which are by his neighbours reported of him, as you said before: & why may not all the rest be true, only (you) speaking contrary? some of these people were at the marriages, which have testified their knowledge. I think at that time, you were not acquainted with HN. nor his doctrine: and therefore, your bore denial is only hearsay: but these are no great matters to stand upon: you confess that he could not be found, being sought for, then was he fled, before his accusation was for strange doctrine, and not for a woman, as you avouch: But certainly, If the Magistrates should carry away his goods▪ for an accusation of strange doctrine, than were they not indifferent, neither can I be brought to credit your speech, nor think so unreverently of any Magistrates: but why sied he, if he were not guilty of any crime?  
In ●mden men know, that many Religions had peaceable habitation, without gaynsaying of the magistrate: If the spirit of God, were so mighty in him, as he saith it is: why did he not stay to tender a reason of his doctrine, before the magistrate▪ the particulars being examined, your simple denial against so many witnesses, is scarce credible. But at ●mden, from that day to this, openly he dared not be seen: therefore some other matter was laid to his charge, then professing a strange doctrine. For his credit sake, it had be● convenient, to have given some reason, to prove that he was accused for no other cause: let the world judge indifferently, where is more probability.   

Vitell.  
ANd after there was justice desired, than they restored again his goods unto his children: but there was much taking away by the untrue officers, for there was no invitory taken thereof: but whether he went, and where he had his abode, that shall in time be manifest: when as the Lord shall move the hearts of the Magistrates, to desire to know the ground of the truth, then shall it all be declared to them: but the truth thereof, is yet unknown unto you: therefore you may be content, and not trouble yourself therewith.   

Answer.  
THe Magistrates you say redelivered h●● goods to his children: therefore, they were men that embraced justice, and so would they have ministered justice to HN. If he would ● stayed: but the safest way was to prevent the matter by flight, you are very ●riuye to HN. and his doings, that can so readily tell what was missing: now the Magistrates here shall know the truth where he is, and where he hath made his abode ever since: but sure it is little to be regarded where he is, and I think the Magistrates do heartily wish, that he had never been born, nor you neither: he for devising your new family, and you for publishing the same to our country, and translating t●e books, which certainly was not done like a godly Christ●an, nor a true ●nglish hearted man. For in ●eede, as I am informed, you are of the Dutch race yourself, and so appeareth by your vain, and curious head; salling from one error to another, as those countrymen are apt unto.  
●f the bo●k●s had remained in dutch our quiet Country should never have ●in troubled with this new family, to the grief o● God his children, whi●h bewail the state, that you have brought many unto at this day: veye well assured, that although you lurk in corners, and sand fourth your Libels, you cannot escape his hands, who seethe every corner of our hearts. And as HN. by slight, would not abide the trial of his matter, even so do you follow the same course, & sail rightly by his compass: for stand to your doctrine, nor come to conference you dare not: but privily insinuat your doctrine, where your words are taken for Oracles.  
The Magistrates would gladly that you should give a reason, more agreeable to truth, of your dealings, and doctrine: as for HN. where he become, or where he is, they little pass: and whe●e you say, that to me the truth is unknown, it may be as you say: neither will I trouble myself much therein: but that you of his Family might embrace truth is my chief purpose: which cannot be in my opinion: holding yourselves captive to the illusions of HN.   

Vitell.  
furthermore you say that he doth call himself, Restorer of all things whereunto I answer, that there is no su●h word written by him, and yet hath th● Lord accomplished according to his promises through the ●piri●● of Christ, in him, all that he hath spoken through the mouth of his servants, the Prophets: more where you say that HN. cannot err or mi●●e the right etc. I know not how he, or any one should err, whi●h● is endued with the holy Ghost, & led by the spirit of Christ, which leadeth into all truth.   

Answer.  
THat he doth so call himself: I have written therein, as I ●inde it collected by the commissioners, who dealt specially in that matter: but you affirm as much, or more of him, than I charged him with. For you say that the Lord ●ath accomplished through the spirit of Christ in him, all that he hath spoken through the mouth of his Prophets: and this we think to be very strangely avouched of you, contrary to truth: the Prophecies of such whom the Lord raised up to comfort the weak estate of his Church, in the time of the law, were fulfilled in their seasons, especially such prophesies, as either touched the captivity of the jews, or the destruction of their City: also many of their prophecies concerned the coming of our merciful Messiah, the manner of his birth, passion, death, and resurrection. Now, to affirm that all these are fulfilled in ●●. is very horrible, and monstrous: but such is your vanity, that so you may extol the dignity of your Author, you care not what untruths joined with blasphemy you utter: the like speech HN. avoucheth of himself, saying, what God hath spoken through h●s holy Prophets, 
Proph 〈…〉  & what is written of Ch●ist, should also in us, and with us become fulfilled etc.  
●ow you are able by any shadow of truth, to prove an● of these two sayings true, it had been requisite, that you should a showed: for they carry great absurdities, both in truth, and reason: Whether do you lift up your Author, by such untrue speeches? it doth appear very lamentable, to all God his children: this is proud boasting, and exaltation, such as S. Paul did warn the Church, to take heed of such.  
I do much marvel that Christian men, with any face can writ thus presumpteouslye of mortal man, although you would qualisye your saying, that this is brought to pass, by the spirit of Christ in him: but this helpeth not, neither doth it stand with the will of God revealed: that any mortal creature should be so exalted.  
For if we should demand of you, how we shall know this to be true: than you answer, by his works, which I think you mean his books: If otherwise you mean, some miraculous dealing which you are privy of and not known: it were necessary for his credit, and your honesty not to hide it any longer: but simply to manifest the same.  
Moreover you say, that none can err which are endued with the holy ghost etc. We know that the spirit leadeth into all truth: yet those vessels having by grace such privilege: do often, in show, and countenance appear as though the spirit were quenched, or as fire raked up in ashes: example here of Peter, who having the spirit of God, 
Gal. 2.11.  yet did things contrary to truth, and therefore was rebuked by Paul, and that worthily: many in Christ his Church, no doubt have been guided by the spirit of God, and yet sometimes have showed themselves human creatures: as wanting that excellent privilege appropriate to Christ, which said, I am truth: such is our condition, (we may not reach higher,) not to err is a special title belonging to Christ our Lord: and not to mortal man, although lightened with the spirit: we must rest content with such honour as it pleaseth him to grant, who is Lord of his creatures, and not to reach so high, as presumptuously to challenge a title, and dignity, far above our capacity and not agreeing with our frail condition, and nature. But such is our vanity not guided by the spirit of God to advance our state, and calling above our degree, and condition, by the setting on of our enemy Satan.   

Vitell.  
NOw I do marvel, why you be so envious against that name HN. will you not permit the Lord to give names to his ministers, according to the work that he will accomplish by them? or do you think that the names are given to the outward creature? then are you much deceived. Not my beloved, the servants of the Lord, are children of Love: ascribe no names of holiness as dew to the outward person. For they know, that they are but frail earthen vessels, & bear their names according to their virtues which God hath given them, and submit them humbly, and obediently as serviceable instrum●ts to serve the lord & their neighbour: therefore I would council you, to look into yourselves, & mark what 〈◊〉 good thinking spirits rule 〈◊〉, wherethrough you blaspeme, di●pi●e, & dishonour the tipple, or tabernacle of the Lord   

Answer.  
Against the two letters of HN. I am not envious, only against such doctrine as he doth teach contrary to the scripture, whereby you as an Hypocrite, have seduced the people, and led them into error, and corrupt ways: to hinder the Lord of his purpose it rests not in mortal man. If HN. be a name signifying some office, why hath neither he nor you manifested the same? but pled ignorance, that it signifieth some h●e mystery which you nor we know not, now as HN. is a name given by the Lord, as you affirm, according to the work that he will establish by him: so doth his fellow Elder ●idelitas look for like credit, whose words I will repeat, as they be written in his book called, A dist●nci●e declaration of the requiring of the Lord etc.  
In the First chap. 1●. se●ion, ●e hath these words following: but fire, or bend always, all your sight o● me Fidelitas, and consider how that the Lord hath choose me, even from my very birth, out of my Mother's womb, to the obedience of the requiring of his word: For that I with you, and ye also with me, according to the requiring of the testimonies of his gracious word, should become united therein, and so to grow of one uniform being, with each other in the same. etc.  
You show us in the 29. sexion, that through HN. his priests office, the Lord will receive all men in mercy: but for Fidelitas office, as yet we know not what it is, and in deed there were never any, that would challenge such names, as these elders do: & affirm that they signify their office, and calling: certain players upon stages would declare th●●r names, representing c●rt●ine ●e●●ue● to se● out their matters, som● w●●e call●d truth, some hope, some faithfulness: but in sadness, to set ●owne such names to signify 〈◊〉 which th● Lord as y●u affirm, will accomplish by them: is mere impiety.  
But where the Lord giveth names, it appeareth by their calling, and such a●e their works, and sayings, as giveth testimony sufficient to their vocation. ●ut ●our HN. c●n show no sufficient marks, whereby any, but seduced person's, should give credit to his words: only a painted show, and barren heaping up of wo●des, darkly applied without conclusion, or sense, saving you, and such l●ke, that find great mister●es in his sentences, carrying such credit among you, as is not seeming Christians The Lord gave names to sundry under the law: as Isaac, Samson, john baptist, etc. But doth it follow, that HN. is a name, given by the Lord Prove unto us, that the Lord hath established his name: your frivolous cavil, that HN. signifieth 〈◊〉, will not serve: such babbles are scarce sufficient to me●k children: therefore you must devise some better 〈◊〉.  
Some of your Family have written, that HN. signifies some greater matter then either you▪ or we can tell of: such incertentyes' ho● you avouch of your HN. For uncertain doctrine must have certain ●idden mysteries to amaze the hears minds: or else no doubt▪ the drift of do●● me would easily be espied. Therefore you must de●ise some hidden secrets, whereby to carry a show of prof●●●d m●tter.  
That names are given by men in these days and not by God, there is no doubt or question, but you would sayne have HN. to be a name given of God to signify a calling, you give us no reas●n so to think, but would have us believe it is so, because you say so, then were we vain heads, and unconstant minds. For we depend so strictly upon the scriptures of God, that no spirit, no 〈◊〉, nor no Angel teaching other 〈◊〉, can be a co●ted, or believed amongst us, so certain is our faith, and so invincible is that truth, which by the Scriptures we held.  
In that you, t●e Children of the love ascribe no names of holiness unto the outward person, it is a mystery we a●e ignorant of: we simply give names to our children in baptism, without signification of holiness touching the In●ant, the names may signify holiness, but that the person carrying the same name shall be endued therewith that are we ignorant of. If you have such hidden mysteries among you, it were good the world should not be ignorant of it. We commit the success and event of such hidden secrets to the Lord Of envious good thinking spirits that rule in us, you council us to look to, without your council (God willing) we mean to follow the council of the Lord our God, which willeth us not to believe every spirit, 
john. 4.1.  etc. And yet I never herded before of envious good thinking spirits. But such a grace you have, not only to forge new doctrine, but new names of Spirits also.  
In speaking against HN. you would insinuate that we blaspheme, despise, and dishonour the temple or tabernacle of the Lord Doth it follow necessarily that they that speak against HN. blaspheme, despise etc. And is he the temple or tabernacle of the Lord? undoubtedly we are all deceived then: For I assure you, we take him to be an erroneous spirit, a fantastical head, possessed with pride of mind: Satan blowing the belowes. The Lord working thereby the exercise of his church. If you have other opinion of HN. warrant, or ground so to do, have you none. But because you will not believe the truth, 
2. Thes. 2.1:  therefore are strong illusions sent, whereby you might be deceived. Look into the holy Scriptures with a more single mind, and it shall be easily perceived.   

Vitell.  
Moreover you say that the illuminat elders sin not, I would you known what you say, forth you should understand that they do lord and prevail with God and C●●ist, over the sin, and have no pleasure to commit sin, therefore they teach men the godly obedience, whereby they might be friends with God, but they that have pleasure in sin, are the servants of ●inne, and are enemies to the Lord   

Answer.  
I Have said that the illuminate Elders in the Family sin not, you deny it not, but wish that I known what I said: you say that they prevail with God over sin. But we deny that any prevail with God over sin, otherwise then in the person of Christ.  
And herein you teach false doctrine to the people. For your words are false, that we prevail with God and Christ over sin. Nay, we affirm that we prevail with God by Christ, which accepteth us for his sake, and although you acknowledge never so much that this is brought to pass by Christ, in us, yet we tell you plain, that it standeth not with his good will and pleasure so to do: but that continually we should be petitioners to him for grace to keep under sin that sin reign not in us, that sin bear not rule in us, 
Rom. 6.12. & 24.  or have dominion over us, as the Scriptures use to sp●ake: but that we prevail against sin, so that we extinguish it in our own people. It is a doctrine of Satan, and not from the Lord In this and the like doctrine doth your Author and you show a manifest proof whence your errors are sucked, even from the Pope, who teacheth that we may fulfil the law. If it be so, then may we be righteous by it, and have no need of Christ. Such heretical and imptous doctrine contrary to the scriptures you teach, and therefore your Author and you worthily despised.  
The Pope in his doctrine of Opera super●● 〈◊〉, and you with your doctrine of perfection to be wrought in us in this life, do so extenuat the death and passion of our Lord and saviour Christ, that the poor oppressed, & burdened sinner, loaden and ●roning under the burden of sin, can find small comfort. Therefore the church of christ grounded upon the Prophets and Apostles, Christ jesus being the chief corner stone of this foundation, 
1. Cor. 3.11.  doubt not in truth and humility of spirit to acknowledge still i● us while we are in this life a battle or combat against sin, to strive, to fight, but not to conquer, to triumph, or to prevail, but by faith in Christ, in whose person we conquer, we triumph, and we prevail. So that to be overcome, or be subdued under sin we cannot, because we have a valiant and most victorious conqueror, who still imputeth his conquest and victory ours, yet so as sin and the motions thereof still remain in ●s, to our great exercise, that feeling our weakness, our want, and our need, we ●ight in our necessity, have rec●●se unto our Captain, our saviour and deliverer.  
But that we in our people, should prevail 〈◊〉 sin as you affirmed: is false, wicked, and damnable doctrine: but such favour hath falsed with you that you greedily embrace this, as though Christ or his Apostles had taught it, whereas it is against all the doctrine of Christ and his Apostles and against all examples in the scriptures, 
Psal. 130.  David saith 〈…〉. S. Paul saith. Christ jesus came into the world to save sinners of the which number I am the greatest, 
●. Tim. 1.15.  if doing our best we must acknowledge ourselves unprofitable servants: 
Luke. 17.10.  where is become your doctrine of perfection, never herded of in Christ his Church: our human state and condition is so lifted up and stast with pride by your doctrine of perfection that penitent sinners found small grace in whom you impute scarce hope of salvation, except they attain the perfection, on whom shall Christ his death take place? & to whom shall the virtue thereof extend, if none shallbe saved but such as be perfect in whom no sin rests or remaineth? you take away all comfort from sinners to whom the Gospel belongeth: and our only comfort in distress, the effect whereof by this your doctrine is denied: miserably do you herein deceive your setu●s and other.  
They that have pleasure in sinn● are servants to sin, as you affirm, but to have pleasure in sin that sin reign in us, or have dominion over us continually we affirm that they are marke● and tokens not of the children of good but contrary: yet we doubt not to ●●●irme the remnants the motions lust● and roncupiscence incident to our frail nature still to lurk in our bodies notwithstanding we be in the favour with God and made righteous by Christ his death and passion: for so it standeth with his good will and pleasure: that his grace should be made perfect through our weakness. 
Cor. 2. cha. 12. u. 9  Therefore you with your doctrine of perfection, do extenuate his death as much as in you lieth. We are not in humbling ourselves, enemies unto the lord, but you by exalting yourselves, except you repent, will be taken enemies both to God and all good men.  
Your scholars in the Family do blame us in their writings, & affirm that we in confessing our imperfections▪ and sins which continually do assault us daily and hourly, We are (as they say▪) Advocates for sinew, and you, teaching a perfection, are maintainers of righteousness: but more truly may it be said of you, that you with your perfection are enemies to the grace of God manifest to us by Christ Iesu● our Lord: and do thereby blaspheme (as much as in you lieth) the glory of his passion and death appropriate only to sinners: you may with the pharasies brag of your perfection and observation of the law, but we comfort ourselves with these and the like sayings of holy Scripture: 
Tim. 1. ch●. john 3.16.  Christ jesus came into the world to save sinners: So God loved the world that he gave his only begotten son etc: Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world etc.   

Vitell.  
FArther you say, they may join with any congregation or Church and live under the obedience of any Magistrate. It is true, we are obedient unto all Magistrates where we devil, for ●he pieces cause, and observe their politic ordinances, which are to a good protection of their subjects, ●●d the land, but we consent not unto any thing which is against God or his commandments: also we account none ungodly but such a● obstinately blaspheme the Lord & his ordinances, and despise his most holy service of love, although they be ignorant of the way unto life, For we confess that there is no man righteousness until the Lord deliver him from his unrighteousness, and through his Christ make him righteous: and then may he say that the Lord is his righteousness.   

Answer.  
THat you may join with any Church etc. I did affirm, being led by many reasons so to do, for you persuaded many in Queen Mary's reign to go to Mass: your brethren in Flaunders which are of your Family do the like, you also with us come to Church and join with us in prayer in ●euing thanks in he●ring the word preached etc. Yet hau● you private conu●ntickles and meetings forbidden by the law, wherein you show (not your obedience to the Magistrates a● you affirm) but your wilful stubbornness and frowardness: you join with all, to wine all: but more justly you flatter with all, to deceive all.  
How do you observe the politic ordinance of the Magistrate, in printing your books and publishing them to the Queen's subjects contrary to the law made in that behalf? your obedience c●nsisteth in words but not in 〈◊〉: ●h●refore with more truth you might say (we will not be obedient to Magistrates.)  
In that you condescend ●o● i● any thing contrary to God etc. Therein you say well, but I would you were found herein true of your promise, for then your HN. and his doctrine with his prophecies should not have such credit among you as appeareth, if his doctrine be not directly against the Lord our God and his commandments: I appeal unto the judgement of all God his Children, that shall read these conferences.  
You account none ungodly but such as blaspheme the Lord, and despise his most holy service of love.  
Whom you account blasphemers before is declared: i● any speak aagaynst your HN. or your Family of love: Ipso fa●to he is a blasphemer: then all the world which do despise your Family are blasphemers, your conclusion must needs fall out even so: whereby appeareth what reverent opinion you have of any and of all that are not of your Family: if you learned this of HN. consider better of it for very shame of y● world● if no reverence, nor fear of God can move you.  
You confess that there is no man righteous, until the Lord deliver him from his unrighteousness, but how we are delivered you & we greatly vary: we according unto the holy Scripture do acknowledge Christ to be our righteousness which he hath wrought perfectly in him self which by faith we apply to our unrighteousness, his obedience, his love, his patience etc. we by faith apply to our disobedience, to our hatred, to our impatience etc. all what was in Christ is made ours by grace, yet still we in our earthen vessels are corrupt sinful and void o● any such virtues as the law requireth.  
But ●ou on the contrary affirm that by Christ working in us by his spirit we are made righteous, and so cleansed from our unrighteousness that we are changed into his perfection: so that in all our actions, words, and thoughts nothing can ●low o● p●oc●ede from us, but suc●e as proc●ede ●rom Christ, because we are guided by the same spirit, but whether you or we speak truth, let the holy Scriptures bear witness, then may be say that the Lord is his righteousness, it is very true, but how and in what manner the Lord may be said, to be our righteousness, is to be understood: we acknowledge that he in his own person, is our righteousness and sanctification: but you will have his righteousness wrought in you by his spirtie, the difference consists in the ma●er: we acknowledge in him all strength all piety, all obedience, and in ourselves all weakness all ungodliness, and all disobedience, but you will needs have all in all to be in us, which to much blemisheth his glory and triumph: if we should also in our people triumph: our triumph standeth not in doing, but in believing in him which did. Therefore as you have charged us wrongfully to be advocates for sin, so may we rightly call y●u Patrons: for our corrupt, rotten, and earthen vessels.   

Vitell.  
MOre you are offended at the confession of the Family of Love: understand the matter well: that there is no man compelled thereunto: but if any one be wounded, or troubled in his conscience: then he may to his comfort, make his evil thoughts or else what, manifest unto a priest, or Elder, according unto the counsel of the holy scripture. Also I think it is an ordinance in the Church of England: that if any one be troubled in mind, he shall come and ask counsel of the person, or minister, and I think he must then make manifest his thoughts etc. And the Catholic Religion holdeth thought, word, and deed: but there are many, that will compel men to declare their thoughts▪ whi●h 〈◊〉 neither priests, nor Ministers of the ●ord.   

Answer.  
TOuching your confession which ●ou acknowledge to be voluntary, and not coa●ted. I have signified my disliking your Author HN. do●h say it is expedient, that they of his Family make manifest, all that hath been committed: (both what it is,) & whereunto our nature draweth us unto: here it apppeareth▪ if you follow your Author directly, he leaveth the matter not so voluntary, as of necessity. And this must be done as you say, unto a p●iest, or Elder: to please the papists I think you have added this word priest: but we tell you, that such manner of confession the scriptures allow not of: if any be wounded in conscience he may to his comfort, repair to any godly, or learned preacher, ●o show his grief, and to receive counsel, and comfort to his consolation by the scripture, against the prick of conscience, or the law which troubleth many men's minds: but that of necessity he must make manifest all thoughts, all what our nature doth incline unto, there is no warrant what ordinance is in the Church of England, you have not showed: but that he must of necessity make manifest his thoughts, it is untrue: it is left fr●●: only by way of persuasion, men are moved to repair in such extremity: to their learned and godly pastors, and by no ordinance: but this appeareth, that you account not yourself as any member of this Church of England: no marvel: for you hold it more safe, to profess HN. his Family, then to be an obedient child of Christ his Church: Whereof England is a special part.  
What the Catholic religion holdeth touching confession, is no cloak to shadow your dealings with all: for we tell both you, and them, that such a confession, as both you, and they hold, is not agreeing with truth. The Papists urge men, and account them heretics that deny it: and you hold it as an expedient thing: neither have you both, any warrant so to do.  
Some do compel men to declare their thoughts, which are neither priests, nor ministers, as you affirm who they are, you tell us not: yet I suppose you mean the commissioners, who examining your Family, touching their faith and doctrine: found them so subtle by your instructions, that in the end they required them, to declare their knowledge, what they thought of their Author HN. and I think the Magistrate authorized by the Prince may in such cases require us to manifest: what opinion we have of any Author, or what we think of him: but you have taught them to say, (we know him not,) and therefore, to commend him, or discommend him, we may not: such sleights you devise, when the Magistrates requireth a truth at your hands, and here is also declared, your obedience to rulers: your Elders are safe, when the poor country people, are brought before the Magistrates: but when will any of you the elders, come voluntarily, and defend your doctrine, and prove it good by sound argument? it is not enough to se●d out your Libels without name, and ●ide your selu●● 〈…〉, and say our rigorous de●ling is t●● cause thereof? Truel● i● you would appoint time, and place, and meet accordingly, I burst undertake to be bond, that you should, both come, & go safely: where conference might bring truth to light, if you look for truth, and require to be satisfied: for this wrangling, is not so consonant to Christian piety▪ truth▪ and plain dealing is ●est, and none that ever held truth, but was desirous of conference: i● you refuse it, and mutter still among yourselves, when shall truth appear where it is? For the love of God examine these things, and take better advise.   

Vitel.  
YOu say moreover, that we affirm that the law of God may be kept, it is true, we do so affirm, that they whi●h love God, will keep his commandments: ●or so saith Christ, he that loveth me, will keep my commandments: but he that loveth me not, will not keep them.   

Answer.  
THen all is not false that I have collected of you, as some of your Family have written: that the law is possible to be kept, you deny not: but why you affirm it, you yield small reason: only Christ saith: If you keep my commandments etc. Touching this matter of the possibility of the law, I have answered your scholars to their several Epistles sent to me.  
Yet further consider, what 〈◊〉 nature of the law is: The● law causeth wrath: Rom. 4, u 15. The law hath dominion over man, as long as he liveth. R●m. ●. u ●●. I know not sin but by the 〈…〉. Acts 15. chap. 10. ver▪ Why tempt you God, to ley a yoke on the disciples necks, which neither our fathers, nor we are able to bear? mark therefore what is the nature of the law: It causeth wrath, it hath dominion over us, while we live: it bringeth us to the knowledge of sin, a yoke importable: now compare this with our frail state and condition, how by the law the Lord hath made our sins known as appeareth Rom. 11.32, For God hath shut up all in unbelief that he might have mercy on all. also Gala. 3.22. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin: that the promise by the f●ith of jesus Christ should be given to them that believe:  
If by this doctrine we b● concluded and shut up all under sin: than it argueth a plain impossibility to keep the law. If there were in us any possibility to fulfil the law: then Chri●● our Lord died in vain, for he fulfilled (the same for us:) neither was there any mean found, in heaven, or earth, to pacify the wrath of God, and satisfy the law: but the death of that immaculate Lamb, Christ jesus. For Christ was appointed to fulfil the law for us, before there was a law given: for if by our infirmity, the strength of Christ is made perite, Cor. 2. chap. 12. vers. 9 So contrary, if we affirm in us strength to fulfil the law: then is his death extenuate, and made o● none effect. It is no derogation to God, that such a law is given us, which we cannot keep: but thereby his great mercy and love towards us is showed in saving us, and delivering us from the danger thereof by Christ jesus ou● Lord  
We reject not the law, but in reu●rence embrace it, as a schoolmaster to see our imperfections, and sand us to Christ, such is the nature of the law, & such is our weakness in performing the same: never was there any that did it, only ●achary & ●lysabeth are said to walk in all the commandments ●ut how far? sine querela co●●m 〈◊〉: without reproose before men. But i● the Lord should have entered in●o judgement against them, by the dexterity of his law▪ then must they need● have said, to us is nothing due but confusion and shame, to thee be honour and glory for ever.  
Now you s●e how the law is fulfilled, and satisfied in the person of Christ no● in our people, but merely by him so that in Christ, and by Christ, have we fulfilled the law: because his righteousness is made ours by grace, which we take hold on through faith.  
All those places of holy scripture, which command the observation of the law, do therein set before us marks to level at: so that we must study to come as near them in our life, as our mortal state and frail condition will permit: You deceive yourselves mightily, when by illusion of Satan, you acknowledge that you keep the law in every condition as it requireth, except you admit that distinction the Libertines do, which affirm nothing to be sin except we make a conscience thereof before it be committed. Much more might be said by men of better skill, if you require to be satisfied.   

Vitell.  
furthermore you say, that we affirm HN. to be the true Prophet of God, sent to blow the last trump● of doctrine which shallbe blown upon the earth. Mark wh●t▪ his works testify of him, and even so is he, whether it be believed or no●. But he sayeth not that no man knoweth the true sen●e of the scripture but he, but this I say, if any man know the truth he cannot condemn HN. nor his prophesy, but much more embrace it.   

Answer.  
THat HN. was a Prophet you denied not before, now you affirm the same, but you give us a caveat that he is the same that his works testify of him what you mean by his works I know not, except you mean his books, which testify him to be a deceiver, ●●d an erroneous spirit: he, seduced by Satan, and you by him.  
But if you mean by wo●kes some miraculous matter, muttered of you in secret corners, them we tell you plain ●hat neither his books, nor his works can clear him of false prophecies, and wicked doctrine which you teach the people, as appeareth.  
You say if any man know the truth, he cannot condemn HN. nor his prophesy, but much more embrace it. If you could make this to be believed, it were somewhat, but who will credit your saying; being so often taken tardy? There be many in the world which know the truth undoubtedly, which never herded of HN. nor any doctrine of his▪ your saying is very monstrous, many are with the Lord that have given their lives for the truth, and yet never known HN. nor herded of him, if none know the truth but such as embrace ●N. and his doctrine, than wa● truth hidden before he came into the world, or written his books: such a gift you have to avouch a manifest untruth, where all godly Christianes' can say the contrary: Yet to maintain him in his vain prophesying▪ you let not to ty truth to his girdle, so that none that knows truth, can condemn HN. So invincible a Patron you have, with long seeking, got at last.  
I do verily think, for all your great brag, that HN. will be an odious name, in the mouths of god hi● children, through all England: now he beginneth to be known, and by the great credit, and admiration you have him in, the more detestable will he be reputed: as a seducer of such men as cannot content themselves wi●h such truth, as the scriptures contain: but must have a Prophét, raised up out of Flaunders, a banished man, and one that dare not show his face in any country openly: and you had rather embrace his novelties: then the wholesome doctrine, contained in the old, and new testament.   

Vitell.  
NOw concerning his books, they be of such Authority, as he affirmeth them: but where as you say, that he saith all is false, and lies whatsoever is taught etc. mark well. what he writeth, and add nothing thereto, and it shall be found true what he writeth: more where as you say, he commends the Pope and Cardenalls, with the Mass, and other ceremonies, there is none commended, but in their right order, if you mark the matter well.   

Answer.  
HIs books I affirmed, that they were in credit amongst the family, of equal authority with the scriptures: and that they were written with the same spirit: to this you answer, that they are of such authority, as he hath affirmed: therefore note well what you say: for never any since the Apostles tunes had so impudent a face, as openly to publish such a detestable lie: if this come not from the spirit of pride, I know no proud boasting spirits: all the Fathers in the primitive Church, ever reverenced the holy scripture, and submitted all their books thereunto.  
Austen desired not to be credited, or believed, but as his works might agreed with the holy scriptures: all men in general have ever acknowledged themselves in their writings: to be subject to error, only the scripture, to be without blemish: but this man will have HN. and his books of equal authority with the scriptures, & written with the same spirit: thus do you run, from one impiety to an other, and in the highest degree of blasphemy. But I pray you look upon the matter better: before you say he is a prophet, now his books are of equal authority with the scripture: whether will you lift up your HN. above all condition of frail man: the higher he is exalted, the more grievous will be his fall, without repentance: it is Luciferian pride, thus to attribute unto mortal man: but you make HN, to be a name of office, and not of a creature: such mysteries requireth falced: where truth, and simplicity embraceth plain dealing.  
Now you say, that HN. doth avouch all to be false, whatsoever is taught by any other: therefore hear his own words, and then discern, and see: God his truth, and his godly and heavenly works, 
Prophesi. Chapter. 13 verse.  are unknown unto all flesh, and unto all fleshly, and earthly men: but it is given to the children of the kingdom, the commonalty of the Love, to understand the secret mysteries thereof. You say it will be found true what he writeth: If none but the commonalty, or Family of Love do understand the scripture: than it was not rightly understood, before there was any mention of your Family.  
Now for commendation of the Pope Cardinals, and Mass, he saith, he commends none, bu● in his right order: this speech is ambig●us, in his right order. For simply I think, none of them have any shadow of right order, neither is their callings, nor doctrine grounded upon, either right, or good order. Your Author belike, alloweth the Mass, or else he would not have taken such pains, as to explicat every ceremony therein: in his book called A declaration of the Mass but thus with subtlety of speech, you would feign say, somewhat to defend your Author, be his sayings never so monstrous.   

Vitell.  
FOr in that book, named, a joyful message of the kingdom of God, & Christ: though you deridingly call it his gospel, is declared, that ●Papa signifieth an old Father in the holy understanding.  
Now although he be not endued with the holy understanding, yet is the name not the worse in itself. For the Lord hath ordained governors, spiritual, and temporal: and they represent the majesty of God: although now certain governors, govern not according to the rule of righteousness: yet is not therefore the name euertheles●e of reputation because it is an ordinance of God: therefore let us despise no name, that belongeth to governors, neither yet also any governor, nor any man else: for we have all sinned, & have need of the grace or mercy of the Lord   

Answer.  
THe book in latin is called evangelium , gospel of the kingdom: but this man is the translator thereof: and hath qualified it, calling it a joyful message of the kingdom: the title is arrogant, and presumptuous, & the doctrine therein worse, as will appear in print ere it be long: the pope hath found among man● enemies, one friend: although his doctrine is spoken against every where, yet this man, would gladly képe, and retain his bore name: belonging to a governor in office: we condemn not the name, his doctrine not agreeing with the word, is by the same word condemned: & so is yours.  
For significations of names▪ w●e will not contend a part of your divinity lieth therein: neither do we despise any name: but is evil doctrine be shadowed or under any name, cloaked than we inveigh against the doctrine, using the name: as when invectives are made against the Pope, or HN. it is not meant of the people but of the doctrine. And surely the Pope did never exercise so great a Popedom, in the West Church, as your HN. (a new Pope) doth among you of his Family, and as the papists, which tooth, and nail, seek to maintain every absurd, and senseless part of the pope's doctrine, with all their power, wit, and skill: Even so do you of his Family maintain your N●. and whatsoever unsavoury doctrine he teacheth, it ma● not be discredited: nor he cannot therein err, or miss the right: in such reputation, have you placed mortal man.  
You say we all have sinned, & have need of the grace or mercy of the Lord: that all have sinned, you truly confess: but that all do daily sin, you cannot believe: especially, you the ●●ders of the holy understanding: but in humility of spirit, you, and we aught to confess, not only that we have sinned: but daily, and hourly do sin: and have need, not only of his grace, but his mercy also: although you speak of grace, or mercy: but we crave his grace, and mercy: his grace to guide us, and his mercy to deliver us.   

Vitell.  
Moreover, you are greatly offended, because he sayeth that none should take i● hand to teach or preach, but the illuminate elders, whi●h ar● Godded with God, or incorporated to God, and with whom also, God in one being and power of his spirit, is hominisied, or become man. And those you call proud speeches, and because ●N. useth them, you despise him, although they be no strange words or speeches in th● dutch language▪ therefore in so doing, you despi●e the Lord   

Answer.  
I Am offended in zeal of God's 〈◊〉 against your general doctrine whereof this is a part, that none may teach the truth but the illuminat elders.  
Your HN. further saith: Therefore it is assuredly all false and lies, 
〈…〉  seducing and deceitful, what the ungodded, or unilluminate men out of the imagination or riches of their own knowledge, & out ●f their learnedness of the scriptures, b●ing forth, institute, pr●ach, and tea●h etc.  
Now look well and behold whether HN. condemn not all others, but his illumined Elders, who are Godded with God etc. which indeed I have rightly tearme● proud speeches, such as never any godly writer in Christ his church dared ever speak or writ. ●ou would colour the words by the ducth tongue, saying they be not strange speeches in that language, but certainly a strange and monstruous doctrine is thereby taught, and far disagreeing from the written word, and far unbeseeming any Christian.  
And here if I should dilate what a meaning you have in these words, Godded with God, I should increase this treatise over much: yet I will somewhat touch it, as you and your Author have expressed it in writing. I will use your own speech as followeth. See and mark (my beloved, 
A 〈◊〉 call●d m●nnes f●lling away.  ) in the beginning when God had made all things well, th● was the Lord one Lord of his kingdom, and one God of his work, and there was also no more but one God and one man, and they were one▪ and had in all one order, bein●▪ ●nd nature. For God was all that the man was, and the m● was all that God w●●.  
Thus monstrously, and blasphemously you have taught god and man to be one in nature: now compare this godhead with God or incorporated to God, and easily it is perceived that you mean God and man to be one: this were worthy to be buried in silence, but that now the patrons defend such blasphemies, it is time to clear the Church of Christ that such proud and Luciferian voices should not be herded, or once named, & yet this man will prove that HN. cannot err, and none that know the truth can condemn HN. It is a pitiful thing that men having any sense or feeling of God or godliness, should so vainly write: or publish to the world such absurd & horrible doctrine, never herded of before and yet the Author must needs be a prophet, and his doctrine to proceed from the Lord: now in despising this and the like proud speech of HN of necessity I am counted to despise the Lord thus still you draw HN. & his matters that who so speaketh or writeth against him be writeth and speaketh against God, whether will you exalt your Author, you unbelievers, surely, above all that is called God, but with your father you will be cast headlong so low, 
Thess●. 2. ch●p. ●.  where to late you may bewa●l your contempt of God and godliness, look in time to this and the like part of your doctrine o you Ipocrites.   

Vitell.  
FOr as much as the Lord hath seen it for good to bring forth his most holy service of love, in the dutch language, although it seem gross and barbarous to you, so shall it from henceforth be counted a language among those languages wherein the Lord hath erected his law and the priests office thereof, and the service of the belief with his priest's office. Like manner shall the most holy service of love be brought forth through the Lord his elected minister HN. with his priest's office, where through, the Lord will receive all men in mercy, which humble them unto his word of grace: according to the requiring of his law and ordinances, be erected and remain from generation to generation for evermore, for love peace, and righteousness shall remain in eue●lalastingnes.   

Answer.  
THe Dutch language must now be accounted amongst those learned tongues wherein the law and gospel were written, and this he avoucheth the Lord hath seen it for good, that it shallbe even so, you now take your author's office in hand. For you Prophesy, that from hencefourth, this shall come to pass, the law, the service of the belief, and the priests office must be brought forth, in the Dutch Language.  
I cannot but say (notwithstanding your false Prophesy:) that the Dutch Language you use, especially in such strange invented words and confused composition, is barbarous, sith that ●●rtayne other of your books, that have learned to speak latin (a tongue by nature & propriety plain, copious and eloquent) are also new fangled in name, and barbarous in phrase, of purpose to be blasphemous in doctrine, which you nor any of your Family have as yet (as I think) translated: they want a certain father, and therefore have no certain names, but borrowed, as Theologica, Germanica, Augustinus, Elutherius, etc. Their new devised latin words are such as Aegoitas, Ipsietas, etc. Their doctrine is that, Adam is nothing else but vetus homo, and Christus is nothing else but novus homo. The history of Christ his birth: his miracles, passion, death resurrection etc. they regard not, but allegor is upon every part thereof most dangerously and ungodly, teaching● uncertain significations without con●ort, making no account of the history. Confidently to believe the truth of the history, (they say) is to abide in the letter which killeth.  
Those books contayn● plain doctrine which the libertines hold, and also the doctrine of perfection which you hold to be in this life▪ but especially this principle, that when this perfection which you dream of, is come to the man, then is he illuminate and deiffied, and God in him hominified, so that in all his actions, words, and thoughts he can no more commit sin or any evil than God or Christ can commit sin or evil: the reason is rendered because God or Christ dwelleth in the man, and hath th● government of all his actions, thoughts etc. And when you are pressed in conference to show that man, thus having Christ dwelling in him, if he at any time do bring forth any evil that in resemblance ma● appear as sins, they are not so to be● accounted of say you, because Christ dwelleth in the man: which doctrine is wicked, false, and devilish as I have often told your fellows in other places. Christ dwelleth in us by the participation of his holy spirit, and guideth our actions, else should we have no strength to resist sathan, or flesh, nor the enticements of the world: but taketh not away thereby our human imperfections but he keepeth lusts and all wickedness that they reign not over us, or rule in us, or have dominion over us, yet we cease not to be sinners, or commit sin, that is your own doctrine, but hath no foundation or warrant in the word.  
Other books also are of such like name and doctrine, as Elidad and Fidelitas, whereof I fear● me that you were the translator. The doctrine whereof I mean not to touch in this place, only this is to be noted, that the parties acknowledge themselves to be fellow Elders with the Elder HN. and magnify his office and calling abou● measure, and protest with great vehemency, that such wonderful works as are brought forth through the same HN. could not be wrought unless the Lord God were with him. And these strange names of their Elders do marvelously astonish our English people. Elidad, as I have learned, is an Hebru● word, and signifieth dilec●us Dei. the beloved of God, which is a proper title belonging to our Saviour Christ. This is my beloved son etc. And that we generally are in him, and by him beloved there is no doubt, so is be still the beloved. And that some of their Elders name themselves Fidelitas, so others that (belike) are not come to so high degree, name themselves Amatores Charitatis. It is a world to see how these men delight in such vain shows of piety, and think to get credit by these coloured means, which to the godly seemeth ridiculous, and too too fond.  
And thus much concerning the books in latin, by occasion of the Dutch, wherein note this (Christian Reader,) that whereas the Italian Pope would have all in latin, this other Pope, and dutch Antichrist would have all in Dutch, as a predestinate tongue to open his prophecies, and mysteries of that Lord.  
All the quotations of holy scripture that HN. useth to prove that he is risen from the dead to judge the world, do prove in deed that jesus Christ hath risen from the dead, must they therefore avouch HN. his resurrection? See (good Reader) the presumptuous spirit of Satan, so settled in these for ●orne adames▪ that through the eating of that forbidden fruit, wherethrough they would become as god, that is, dei●●ed, they are wholly become sathanified, or divilyfied. Strange names I confess, but very significant, & prope● for such strange Christians. Was not Christ jesus mightily declared to be God by the resurrection from the dead? If this resurrection were the mightiest declaration, or argument, & proof, that Christ was God, judge Christian Reader▪ if HN. maketh not himself not only God, but Christ, and so the promised seed.  
And in deed, you yourself victual, have affirmed him to be a Prophet before, in thi● place you call him a priest: give him also the name of a king, and then is he Christ a new Messia●, for by his resurrection, he maketh himself God. Such an Antich●ist ● think, should never have been herded of, if that the Children of God had not been warned in the gospel, that many false Christ's should come into the world, and such dangerous day's, that if it were possible, the elect of God should be deceived. But blessed be God wh● ever is ready to preserve his elect by Christ, s● that perish in ●ecoiuable waye● they shall not, such a care hath the Lord over his.  
Now HN. and his ●●istes office shall appear, where through the Lord will receive all men. O impudent wretch's, have we not a deliverer, even the Lord jesus? who doth not only receive us, but continually protect us, and minister to us all things, both heavenly, and earthly, which are expedient for us: but will you blasphemously open your mouths, that we shall be received by the priests office of your HN. Not godly Christian can hear this without grief: What derogation is this to our merciful Lord, and Saviour? that now a wretched man, possessed with a lamentable spirit, shall take upon him his office, and calling, where through we shall be received. O manisef●st impiety: O execrable iniquity, which no patience can bear. Seeing you publish ●uch doctrine, in writing with deliberation, what doctrine do you te●ch in corners to your Family, where no mā●are open hi● mouth against any blasphemy that you do utter▪ In such cred●● are you ●●ept, but woe worth the head, that seeks to 〈◊〉 the simple, with such horrible doctrine.  
Your 〈◊〉 ●ayd, that I know not HN.: but as it was said to Serinthus the heretic: I know him to be the first begotten son of Satan. But the Lord hath given his Church the spirit of truth, to dire●● them from all such v●yne boasts of iniquity: So likewise O Lord, give thy holy spirit to the simple, seduced in the Family▪ that they may behold the blasphemies, which their Elders, in wickedness do teach: against the son of God Christ jesus.   

Vitell.  
furthermore, you writ very untruly of HN. where you say, that no man be he never so learned, or godly, can understand, or interpreat the scripture● for I am sure, there are no such words written by him: therefore I must needs say, they are lies, and false judgements, with wrong interpretations, almost all what you writ of him, and of his works: and even so are most of your interpretation●, which you allege of Christ, and his Apostles doctrine. For if so be they (I mean HN. his books) might be perused of unpartial judges: then your judgement, would be found even like their judgement which condemned Susanna: but the Lord raised up Daniel, which is the judgement of God: and delivered the guiltless, unto whom we commit our cause. For he will judge uprightly, and reward every one, according to his deeds.   

Answer.  
WHat HN. hath pronounced of all other men's understanding of the scripture, I will here again set down that the reader may judge, who is in the lie. Therefore it is assuredly all false, and lies seducing, and deceitful, what the ungodded, or unilluminatded men: out of the imagination, or of their own knowledge, and out of the learnedness of the scriptures, bring forth, institute, preach, and teach: they preach in deed the let●er, and the imagination of their knowledges but not the word of the living God. And in an o●her place ●o diu●▪ codem cap. 〈◊〉 them esteem themselves, so holy as they will, they are a false Christianity, and devils synagogue, or school. etc. with many other places to like effect: so that HN. still teacheth his Family that it is given to the Family of Love, to understand the secrets thereof.  
Now let the indifferent reader judge, whether HN. exempt not all, but him, and his, from the true understanding of the scriptures: all men which are not godded, with God, he termeth (fleshly minded) and earthly in cogitations: and entreateth whole chapters of such men: he saith: That a fleshly, and earthly man, out of his natural, and scripture learned understanding, hath not any sight, or knowledge at all, thereof he i● so utterly void of the same, that he cannot understand the smallest title thereof: much less expound the same, according: to the truth, to an other etc. So that it appeareth plain: that nono but HN. and his illuminat Elders can understand the sam●▪ according to truth.  
You say, if HN. & his books, might be perused of unpartial judges, then should his case be found, as innocent, as Susanna. Those unparcial Iudge● that you would have, are you, and your fellow Elders in the Family. For I do truly affirm, that no godly, or learned man in all Christendom will allow your HN. and his books, for true doctrine: you, for your part, have traveled the most part of this 10. years: and yet I cannot understand of any godly, ●r learned man that embraceth your doctrine, only some erroneus spirits, whose heads have been intoxicated with other horrible heresies, do join with you, in these your wicked attempes: also certain unlearned country people, with whom by your sugared speeches, and fair words, you have not a little prevailed to the destruction of their souls. If you would choose any godly, and learned men, to hear your reasons, and arguments, th● matter might quietly be debated: you do but in words make a show, a● though you would stand to indifferent, and vnp●rciall judgement: But when it cometh to trial, you will be judged, only by yourselves, which is the safest way to cloak your impieties.   

Vitel.  
THerefore, consider what you have done: for I am sure you are not appointed a judge by the Lord: but Christ will come with his Saints and judge the world, and all nations with righteousness, and he will sand his angels for to keep, and to gather the corn together, and they shall bring the corn into the Barn: but the weeds shall be cast into the unquenchable fire: therefore judge you nothing, before the Lord come: whilst you cannot as yet discern the herbs, from the weeds: nor the corn from the chaff: for with the same judgement that you judge, shall you be judged: in as much as you are guilty▪ in the same which you falsely judge over others.   

Answer.  
I Am not appointed a judge: but Christians must not be like Horse, and moil, that have no understanding: I only admonish you, as is every man's duty of such doctrine as you teach to the poor people, which is corrupt and therefore knowing the same I have manifested it to the world: that your cause might sooner (if you be disposed) come to trial: and that truth might appear where it is.  
You further discourse of the second coming of Christ: I hope you mean it not otherwise: but in the resurrection of all fle●●. I written this because HN. in the preface of his book, called a good Instruction of the upright saith, the 2. division, saith these words. For as much thei●, as that now in this same newest day: the coming of jesus Christ, as a Lord in his majesty, from the right hand, of God his Father appeareth and becometh manifested unto 〈◊〉 with full clearness of his heau●nly illumination, according to the scrip●●●e. etc.  
Here HN. telleth, that jesus Christ is come, and is manefest to you of his Family: and that he is come from the right hand of God his father. Our faith is, that he shall come from thence in the end of the world: but HN. telleth his Family, that he is come: therefore your words, and your Authors agreed not: this is very suspicious doctrine, touching the resurrection: and this augmenteth more suspicion, that one of your Family, being asked before many witnesses touching Christ's coming to judgement, did answer plain, that he was already come: meaning his second coming: I could name the party, yet my hope is, that you teach not so heathnishly of our resurrection, and of Christ his glorious coming to judgement.   

Vitell.  
Moreover you affirm in your writing, that you, and all that are as your are, whom you ●all God his children, do feel your selves wounded with sin unto death: but by grace given from above, that wholesome medicine Christ jesus whose passion hath purged, whose blood hath cleansed, whose death hath cured all your diseases and maladies etc. So you confess you need not any more, for you are cleansed and cured of all your diseases, wherefore do you then condemn HN. which doth teach none other doctrine, where through men shall come to life everlasting but through the passion, death, and blood of jesus Christ, but you are cleansed as you say and therefore have you no more need of Christ nor of his safemaking oil of the godly salvation, for you affirm that you are all clean: and I would you were cleansed through jesus Christ, for than could ye neither slander nor lie.   

Answer.  
I Have said that all God his Children feel themselves wounded with ●h● unto death etc. the remedy I hau● also showed as you have set down, but your conclusion is false and cannot be collected of my words: that I need not any more, because I am clense● and cured, for we need his providence still to protect us, and his grace to defend us in all our actions, for we ar● still subject to ●all into sins, not withstanding in the purpose of God we be his elect, and to our comfort do feel the Lord work in us a hate of sin which is a testimony to our conscience that we pertain unto the Lord Iesu● yet so as the dregs of sin with the motions thereof lurk in our bodye● although you deny it: our battle against ●inne is continual, and shall never have end until our earthly tabernacle shallbe turned to dust, contrary to your doctrine of perfection: you ask● why I blame HN. which teacheth no other doctrine: I would be nor you did not, but how contrary you speak unto the truth, doth manifestly appear.  
You charge me again untruly that because we are cleansed we need no more of Christ, (this would you have) but our need● we still acknowledge: our wants we utter, and yet doubt nothing of our delivery from sin hell, and death: and although we acknowledge this our redemption and forgiveness of our sins, yet so as the remembrance thereof, still worketh repentance in us, and also we often feel the law to press us, the justice of God to terrify us, our conscience to accuse us, in such trouble are often the children of God, but still by grace given us, through faith we acknowledge Christ jesus who hath interposed himself between us and the law, between us and the justice of God etc. with such conflicts doth the Lord still exercise his Children, and so doth hereby school us that feeling our want or need, and our miseries, we might flee to him for strength, for mercy, & for help but I doubt whether you in your Family with your presumptuous doctrine of perfection do feel any of these exercises the godly Christian is partaker of▪ Now you wish, that I were cleansed through jesus Christ: for than could I neither slander, nor lie.  
●oe here appeareth unawares, that you, when you are cleansed, can sin no more: but for my own part I acknowledge, and I doubt not, but verily believe through Christ, that my sins by his death are cleansed, and yet subject, both to lie, and slander. Although I know not, neither is it yet manifest unto me, that I have wittingly, either belied, or slandered, either you, or your Author, or maliciously have written any thing against you, yet it may be that I have been informed otherwise, than truth in some things: yet so, as hitherto untouched of you, except we should take your bore word, against many witnesses.   

Vitell.  
further, you writ of two men which we●e before a worshipful justice Anno 1561. which you affirm to be of the Fam. of love, what they were, that is that, but of HN. his doctrine at that time they known not, & also you affirm you know what, but seeing you will ●eedes slander us, we will in the patience of Christ bear th●t, and h●pe ●pon the goodness and mercifulness of the Lord, desiring him to give you a better mind.   

Answer.  
TOuching two men examined before a worshipful justice, I have collected that they were of the Family of love: you answer, the doctrine of HN. at that time they known not, but this is certain, one of them is living, & knoweth you but to well, and is a well-willer to your Family, and scholar of Allin, but what they were, you answer that is that. Such subtle answers are fittest for men of your profession, you know what they were it seemeth, and in deed they were of your hatching, although for further increase of knowledge▪ Allin their near neighbour did more instruct them, and lead them forward into your error. Plain dealing would have put men out of doubt, seeing you know what they were. But since they have bewrayed your doings▪ in secret you regard them not. For some of your Family have answered, that by compulsion, and threats, they made their confession, others say plain, they were not of our Family: you are ashamed of them now that they have disclosed your secret conference.  
You say I affirm, I know what: I think you mean touching your own person, wherein I have uttered you to be y● only man, that hath brought this wicked doctrine of HN. which lay hidden in the Dutch tongue, among our simple English people, to their everlasting destruction, except the Lord in mercy open their eyes, that they may see into the wicked, & monstrous drift of your Author HN. and repent them, and so turn unto the Lord jesus from whom they have departed: following a stranger, an enemy to Christ and his gospel, set up by Satan, who envieth the prosperity thereof. The Lord give you hearts to understand, and also give every one of you a better mind.   

Vitell.  
COncerning Christopher V●tell, of his a●t, or his small skill in learning, he knoweth it also, neither doth he make any boast of any thing that he ●ā: for he knoweth, if he have any go●d, whether it be godly, or ma●ly, that ●t cometh f●om above for all go●d cometh from the Father of light, with ●home there is no variablnes: ●ei●her is he changed into darkness: but all what is neither godly, ●o● man●y, that cometh out o●●he ●l●sh of 〈◊〉, or ●l●shfly wisedon● 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 g●od thinking his 〈…〉, ●hi●h bringeth 〈…〉, holiness, a counterfeit righteousness: as also, many manner of religions, or choose God services, sects, or errors etc.   

Answer.  
TOuching this Christopher Clitel in Latin Vit●lus, (or Vitulus:) I have said he is a joiner by occupation, a wavering mind, and unconstant, delighting in singularities, & always held heretical opinions: almost this 36. years: wise men have noted 3. evils, being once rooted in man, are seldom or never void of some spice of the same disease: that is Lunacy, jeolously, and heresy: and it so falls out by this man's example: who in king Henry's reign, was unconstant, in king Cowards reign, a dissembler, and in Queens mary's reign a plain Arryan, and now in this our Prince's reign, a chief teacher of the Family of Love: now he hosteth of nothing: surely there is no cause, but rather to sorrow, that many poor people, by you are deceived, and abused: and their simplicity carried away, by your subtle speeches.  
You say, what so is godly, or manly, that is from above: the phrase is somewhat difficult, I think you mean spiritual, and earthly.  
But where you add, what is neither godly, nor manly, that cometh of the flesh of sin etc. Here is a distinction more scholastical, then mean wits can attain to: if by godly, and manly, you place manly, as contrary to godly, then is manly taken in the evil part, and so not from above, except you will have evil things from above, which cannot be. The third distinction is ambiguous: for of our corrupt nature we bring forth fleshly wisdom, imaginations, etc. And hereunto, are we by nature subject: if the Lord by his grace, do not guide us, and lead us, and deliver us, (yea and so delivered, if he still do not protect and govern us, we shall be ready to fall again, and again: therefore we daily crave at his hands, saying: deliver us Lord, from such evils, as by our own corrupt nature, we are subject unto.  
Here are also 2. phrases I thought not good to let pas untouched, the one the man's good thinking, and this is taken in the Family in the evil part. If his thought be good, it is from above why despise you it? The other is, choose God services. If it be a service of God, than you do not well to place this phrase with sects and errors. But these men have a delight to publish strange Religion, and to set it forth with strange phrases also. For so they may speak like their Author, they care not how unlike the holy scripture they writ.   

Vitell.  
ANd all these come hereout, because the man will judge the corks of the Lord with his natural wisdom, or lernedenes. And herout, namely, out of the wisdom of the flesh, sprung all Christopher Vitelles errors, but not out of any other man's council or books.   

Answer.  
ALl errors, sects, and counterfeit righteousness (as this man says) come of this, that man will judge the wor●es of the Lord with his natural wisdom & lewdness. Touching man, simply, which S. Paul calleth Ammalis homo, the fleshly minded man, knoweth not the things that are of God, yet it is also affirmed that no man can say Abba, Father, without the spirit of God. This man would persuade that there is now some secret teaching from God by revelation, which is proper to this Family, and therein they have a special gift, they little regard the ordinary way and mean to attain knowledge, and the true sense of the holy scripture.  
It is not to be denied, that almighty God hath taught his children by his holy spirit, in revelations extraordinary, but that now the son of God is come into the world, e●en the wisdom of the Father with an uncovered face, shall we now in this light look to be taught by revelations or inspirations? he hath by his wisdom established an ordinary way of teaching in his church, whereunto we must stand ob●dyent, except we will deny his ordinance. Faith cometh by hearing of the word of God, If we have faith, we shall not want other excellent virtues, she is never alone, but love, charity, humility, patience, etc. wait upon her as handmaids. Hath not the Devil deluded many which only depend on revelations? And you which brag of your Author, which is (as he saye●h) taught from god his own mouth, & hath hard the sound of his voice. Thus miserably are you car●ed away by illusions, & herein you deceive yourselves and many others. Out of the wisdom of the flesh sprang all Christopher Vitelles ●rrors. Note I pray thee Reader, that this Libeler acknowledgeth to have been in him many errors, comprehended in this word ●all) and anon● thou shall find him saying, he was in no error.  
In deed the church of Christ hath felt to much expe●●ence of your heretical head, fraught full of heresies, so that if any newer device should by Satan be stirred up, you are as apt an instrument to broach the same, as any that I know in England. From no other man's books did this man suck his errors? and were you in error them? and by the same means, may you not still remain in error? have you any further privilege now then you had before? Of necessity you must sly unto your perfection, that you cannot err, nor sin, there is no either excuse to be had, here is a mystery. For you think it an absurd thing that your errors sprang from any other fountain than the flesh of sin. Not books, no conference, were means to bring you to this ●rro●. Lo●ke well into yourself, and you shall fi●de in ●ou now more errors and he● esi●s then ever you held heretofore. ●ou imagined yourself cleansed, and your h●use swept, but now are seven morse spirits entered into you, as appears by your doctrine and you are become ten sold the child of destruction, more now th●n be●●r●. And except you repent, your end will be far worse than your beginning.   

Vitell.  
NEither ●an I blame any man, for min● own sins were greater and horrible● in my sight▪ then all other menne●, for although I had ●ed certain books of sundry writers: yet was I moved to sea●●h ●hether they were grounded upon the Lo●ds promises or not, and humbling myself before the Lord, a● desirous to do his will, ●o gave he me to understand, that I known nothing of all his waye●, but the trouble that I ●as in, whereout the Lord delyue●ed me, ●s not to be expressed. And i● the Lo●d of his goodness had not comforted me with his holy spirit, through hi● most holy service of his love, brought forth through HN. his elected minister, I should have remained without hope of life.   

Answer.  
NOw cometh this victual to declare a tragedy of himself, which no man can gainsay, being a thing secret and unknown to the world. For our secret conflicts are troublesome I grant, when our conscience shall pres us with the greatness of our sins, but whether it were so or no who can control him? or else who will believe his own words, speaking so many things contrary to truth already? But I must certify that this is a special point of practice in the Family, that when any in conference do require how they could so easily leave the certainty of doctrine which once they earnestly embraced, then shall you hear them tell you of marvelous conflicts, much trouble and vexation of mind, and could never attain to any quietness, until by the doctrine of ●●. they found rest unto their souls.  
But may not this be an illusion of Satan as otherwise, being rightly examined? for Satan is so subtle, that if he may get possession of any settled minds, who instructed in godliness by the scriptures, resist his persuasions, and so cometh to conslict of mind in such troubles▪ where Satan▪ by the Lord his permission, prevaileth: then worketh he in his a certain security or peace, and then they think all is well, when ind●de never in worse case than so captived in Satan's tyranny.  
Now this man, when he hath set abroad some of his troubles, you shall see how he was delivered: by which we may gather what mark he shoots at: namely in all troubles, and agonies of mind, all must resort to the service of Love, set forth by his elected Minister HN. For this man, if he had not taken that course, he had remained without hope of life: certainly great is the honour, wherewith they advance this their priest and prophet, above all that is called God: but my hope is, that with the blast of the Lord his mouth, which he hath published in the scriptures: he shall be confounded and overthrown so low, that the fall of him, which so exalted himself, shall be to the comfort of all the Lord his children: for whose ●ake, he now beginneth to manifest this lying Prophet, and will I hope, raise up to his Church, men of zealous minds, which will both writ, and speak against this wicked man of sin: which is in such credit with deceived people, which the Lord in mercy speedily bring to pass: to the glory of thy name, the comfort of thy church, and the spoil of Satan, and his imps.   

Vitell.  
But he gave me to understand there through that he would be merciful unto all penitent sinners, how horrible sins soever they had committed, therefore I may say a medicine master getteth greatest pray●e by those that have the filth●est and corruptest disease's, as a leprous person, and such like. ●uen so have I the greatest cause to landlord the Lord, and must confess that he wh●ch is mighty hath done great things on me, and holy is his name.   

Answer.  
NOw after this man hath showed his conflict of mind, and how he was delivered through the service of love, ministered by HN. Now he telleth that by that same he understood that God would be merciful to all sinners, and I pray you, did you not know of this mercy but by HN? Were you ignorant ●of the Scriptures before you came acquainted with him & his books? His mercy and compassion is plentifully declared in the gospel, which it seemeth you were ignorant of. This medicine m●ster HN. hath wrought a great cure upon this man. For as one of your scholars have written in his defence, He teacheth with power, and it may be, the power of Satan which leadeth men into errors and heresies. Although you imagine that this is wrought by the mighty hand of the Lord, abusing the words of the canticle, which the blessed virgin did set forth magnifying the name of the Lord thereby.  
Touching your diseases which you count to be cured: it is out of doubt that you are more full of infirmities, and desperate diseases then ever you were, although you feel them not. For a body that feeleth no sickness, yet infirm, and weak, is hard to be cured, yea irrecuperable as Physicians prescribe. Look therefore more rightly into yourself, and you that are so whole & clean you shall find matter of corruption in you, whereupon the true Physician of our souls Christ jesus, shall (if you acknowledge your sickness and infirmity) work thereby such an alteration in you, as heretofore you never had the like: but if you stand upon your perfection, & integrity, he cometh to such a as terrible judge, to your confusion: where on the contrary we rejoice in his mercy, still acknowledging our sins, & our wants, crying, & calling upon him all the days of our ly●es with the Prophet David, and saying: if thou O Lord, look straightly upon our sins, Lord Lord, who shall abide it etc. Correct us O Lord, but yet in thy mercy, not in thy fury, lest we should be consumed etc. thus we still call upon the Lord for our delivery, & acknowledge our continual transgressions, which are ever before us, as pricks to provoke us forward, to do therein our duty, that is, to ask mercy of the Lord our God: who willeth us to call upon him, in the day of our trouble.   

Vitell.  
furthermore concerning Christopher's being at Paul's Cross, and the cause why he came there: that can my Lord Bishop, doctor grindal declare best: For he knoweth, he found me in no error, and so he there said: neither had he any law, to compel me to come thither: but he desired me to come & confess that I held no such opinion, or error, whereby the false brute might be stayed, which went of me, so I accomplished his request therein, albeit I confessed, that I had in some points been deceived, by certain strangers, etc. now I wish that you would inquire of my Lord, doctor grindal: for I think he will testify the matter, even as it was.   

Answer.  
COncerning Christopher Vitells being, and recanting, at Paul's Cross: there are many yet living, that were present, & do verefy what I have said: & touching my L. of Cant. whom you appeal unto: if the case be so, as you have affirmed: then is he worthy great blame to desire any man to recant, which is in no error, ● come to such a famous place, as Paul's Cross is.  
Before in the 35. section, you confess, that out of the wisdom of the flesh, sprung all Christoffer ●itells errors, and now you affirm, that you were in no error: again in this tractation, you confess, that in some points, you had been deceived by certain strangers: and in an other place, you avouch, that by no other men's counsel, or books you were deceived: such a gift you have to say▪ and unsay: to affirm, and to deny: but the truth is, that you were prisoner in the counter in woodstret, by commandment of the Bishop that then was, and there is your name registered: and your coming was not voluntary, as you untruly affirm: but coacted by the law. Magistrates use not to desire men to come to public place, to confess their heresies: but the law itself doth urge it, and you, according to the law, for your releasement out of prison, did recant at the Cross: and named your error, to be Arrianisme: whether you did it from the heart, that the Lord God knoweth.  
Now consider this man, for his credit sake among his deceived Family would persuade, that such a piece of injustice, was showed unto him, as he saith: but he is proved a liar, not only in this, but in many other matters: verefying the old proverb, mend●cem memorem esse oporte●: a liar had need to have a good memory.  
And where as you so confidently affirm, that you were in no error, when you were at the Cross: the contrary whereof is manifest. I will put you in mind of the disputations, and conference, that divers men had with you in Queen mary's days: M. Ro. Crowley a reverent and godly preacher yet living who affirmeth, that several, times he disputed with you, concerning the blasphemy of Arryus, and you continually denied Christ jesus to be God, equal with his Father: and immovably you remained all her reign of that mind: and this M. Crowley, is ready to avouch against you, whensoever you, or any for you: will require to be certafied: Also one jone Agar, an old maid, which waited on those in office for the City, as Mayors, and shrieffes, did declare to M. Fulkes the Elder, and others, that you Christopher victual, whom she named to be her cousin, had taught her plainly, that Christ was not God: but only a good man, and a Prophet: and that there were men that she did know living, that were as good, and as holy men, as he was: and further, that Master Latimer, Master Ridley, and others (which gave their life for Christ's cause,) were stark fools, and did not well in suffering death: such wickedness have you been the Author of: & yet now to hold your credit with your Family: you would have the world believe, that you were in no error: but you are worthy the reward of a liar: which is, that when he speaketh truth he is not believed.  
This man is choose, and found to be the aptest person, to be an illuminat Elder in HN. his Family, & of greatest credit, among those deceived souls: a fit instrument to bear record of HN. and his doctrine: then to declare the joyful message of Christ our redeemer, whom he hath blasphemed, denying his divinity: worthily are they deluded, that follow such a deceiver.  
That man, that once hath made shipwreck of faith & good conscience, and is possessed with error, it is hard to reclaim him: but that some spice of that malady will lurk in him, or a worse: as is proved true by you: you confessed then, you were deceived by certain strangers: and have you not as great cause to suspect yourself deceived now, by HN. a stranger in nation, and estranged from God, and Christ, in his doctrine published: contrary to his will revealed in the holy scriptures? if you would consider with indifferency, you were never so notably deceived then, as you are now: for look into all the works of HN. what do they tend to? but that he is a prophet raised up by God, and an elected minister, a priest in office, by whom God will receive all men in mercy. With such like testimonies, doth he utter of himself, and his Family, do believe the same. I would his credit were not so great with you but that you could compare his sayings with the scriptures, and have an eye unto ●s collections of the same, and how he followeth the grossest ●raslation of the Bible, delighting in that most specially, and his allegations applied so far from the sense of the holy ghost, that a man meanly exercised ●n the scripture, may plainly see his corruption.  
Many brutes have been of you, touching your erroneous spirit, and in deed, they that have truly noted your disposition, do affirm, that you could never like of any public doctrine, which was taught: but had always a desire of singularity: such a troubler of Christ his Church have you been: but blessed be the name of the Lord, who hath made manifest your heresies, although you will not scarcely acknowledge them: so that the simplest among many thousands, is sufficiently assisted by the Lord, to bewray, and display your manifest impiety, and the Lord hath in store of his Church, that will not joy, nor rest in peace, until all your errors be disclosed, and ●ou, and your fellows be brought to ●umble yourselves before the Lord, without your HN. which the Lord bring speedily to pass. Amen.   

Vitell.  
NOw must I for want of time, pass over, and omit many things, and submit my cause unto the almighty: desiring him of his goodness, for to try our cause in his balance of equity, even with the Love and truth: for so shall there then be expressed, and testified by the light, or Christ: that God's honour is declared with the loves service most sincerely.   

Answer.  
THis Libel was not long enough: but he mu●● o●●t much matter, and so as he saith, submit his cause unto the almighty, etc. ●ut if you did as becometh a true Christian: you should not only submit your cause unto the Lord, who in patience su●freth Ipocrites to trouble his Church: but also submit your doctrine, to be tried, and judged by his holy word: which is a just judge in all causes of controversy. For if your protestation shall be admitted without exception, them evil doers, and blasphemers of God, and Christ, may have liberty to refer their cause unto the Lord, but since almighty God hath in earth a known Church, it is requisite that every one, (being required,) should give account of his faith, and hope as the scriptures do teach: you would have your cause tried in the balance of equity, a truer balance is not, than his law, which is without blot, or wrinkle: if you would abide the trial thereof, your doctrine and your patron HN. should be found lighter than vanity itself.  
Where you add with the Love & truth (the Love) you so often confounded, that you know not yourselves, the meaning thereof: sometime you will signify Christ by that name (love) sometime a virtue proceeding: sometime a quality of the mind: & sometime for the exercise, which you privately use: where to find the exposition of this word (Love) you leave it as uncertain: than it shall be expressed you say, by the light, or Christ, that by you, God his honour is declared: with the loves service sincerely: here is Love again joined with service: which cannot mean (as I think) any thing ●lls, but God his service. I take it in the best part: if you have any other more secret mystery therein, I leave to yourselves: but touching any service, you do to God: it is Ipocrysye: so long as you serve him, without Christ: or with any other and Christ: for he will admit no other to have place in men's hearts, but himself, he made all, he requireth all.   

Vitell.  
O what a dangerous time is it presently in these last days, and how unrightly have many unregenerated men, set up themselves, to give judgement with their good thinking: For whatsoever every one mindeth, thinketh good, and electeth, ●ther falls to, that same praiseth, and judgeth he for the most best, and for a righteousness, & thereto also he wresteth the scripture according to his will: for the scripture is serviceable unto every one, even as he is minded, (be it whatsoever,) to be high minded in pleasant lusts: either to be debased in misery, to be mer●y, or sorrowful, with sighing, either with thanks to be despised, and persecuted, or to persecute and despise one an other, and many such like. etc.   

Answer.  
OF the dangerous time, we are not ignorant of: and more we tell you, that you, and your fellows make the time much more dangerous, and troublesome with your errors, which HN. and you have raised up. Now you complain, that unregenerate men, have set up themselves: you mean by unregenerate men, all others which are not illuminat, nor deified as your Elders are. The children of God, for whom Christ died, whose names are written in the book of life: are regenerate, although, as I have said before, you accounted none to be regenerate, but such as have no motions of sin, or sin not: but you say that the same unregenerate men, with their good thinking▪ that same he praiseth, and judgeth for righteousness: but who might worse allege the same than you: who c●mm●nd without reason or 'cause your Author, and his monstrous doctrine, which hath in it such gross absurd●●yes, and most contrary to God, and his word: and you are they that pervert the scripture, to set up your Prophet, and his doctrine, and what is spoken of Christ, do you not wickedly apply the same to your HN. do you not apply this place of Malarhy. chap. 3. which our Saviour Christ verified to be propesied of john, behold, 
Prophesy ●ol. 1.  I will sand my messenger which shall prepare the way before me. Again Math. 11. he shall turn the heart of the Fathers to the children, 
In the pre●●c● of the prophesy Fol. 1.  and the hearts of the children, etc. do you not (I say) apply these places to signify your HN. and that it is meant by him? therefore, there are none found such wresters of the scriptures as you.  
And where as you affirm, that the scripture is serviceable unto every one therein you show what reverence you have unto the same: for although you, & such others do abuse the scripture, contrary to the purpose of the holy ghost: yet are the scriptures, the wisdom of God revealed to man, and is a perfect law of righteousness, and not as you ungodly, and unreverently term it, serviceable unto every one. Your companions the Papists have as you do, called the scripture a nose of ware, a shipman's hose, etc. but most wickedly, and falsely, to both your confusions, it is the power of God unto salvation. Unto them that believe the savour of life, unto life: but unto such as you are, which so unreverently speak thereof, it is the savour of death unto death: the scriptures do not maintain pleasant lusts, nor high minds, as you unreverently suppose: but they are to comfort, and lift up the sorrowful, and broken minds: and to beat down, and correa, the haughty and proud stomachs. If ungodly men, such as you are, abuse them to other purposes, the fault is in the people, not in the word.   

Vitell.  
WHereunto every one wresteth the scripture, and defendeth his cause therewith, insomuch, that every one thinketh that he, for his part, hath the most best. Behold, with such a misery is the man plagued, & such manner of good thinking, and unprofitable burden hath he taken upon him, o that we left all such, and gave over our understanding captive, either suffered it to be plucked under the obedience of the love of jesus Christ, and followed after the common brotherly love, innocently, or undeceitfully: and continued concordably in prayer unto God, ●l that God received us to mercy, & released us from the sin of the ignorant knowledge, and established his promise on us, to the laud, praise, and honour of his holy name, and to our salvation.   

Answer.  
IF every one wrist the scripture, where shall we find Christ his Church, who is led by the spirit of truth, according to his promise: th● greatest wresters of the word, are you yourselves, as is before showed: that every one thinketh, that he hath the best part, (as you say:) For men's thoughts, we refer to his knowledge that is Scrut●tor cordium, & remum.  
Also you affirm, that man is plagued with such a misery, and burden: but we rather say, o miserable man, out of whose corrupt nature springeth such presumption, and wickedness: to be under the obedience of the Love of Christ jesus, is our whole care and study: to him only we cleave: on him we call: upon his mercy we depend: and carefully seek, & endeavour to be obedient to his will: for he is our hope, our anchor hold, our mercy seat, our only comfort in all distress of mind: our physician in sickness: our governor in health: our peacemaker: the only purchaser of our health, and salvation: he is all in all with us, and we enjoy all in all by him, and through him: and if this saith were also planted in you, than would your HN. be banished out of your hearts, and your perfection would soon quail: and in humility of spirit, you would ●ith v● fall down before this meek Lamb Christ jesus, and say, peccavimus cum patribus nostris, etc. We have sinned with our Fathers: without which Christ, no flesh, that is, no creature living is justified in his father's sight: and Christ his death is proper to none nor belongeth to none, but sinners, and such a● feel sin, or are laden with sins.  
What shall then become of you justiciaries with your perfit state which sin not: to follow brotherly love, is also to be wished: both in you and us, and I pray you do even the same: them shall you not seek out the simple people, whose capaciti is like unto ware, which will easily receive any print or mark: seek not with your fly, and subtle persuasions, to seduce them with your corrupt doctrine▪ under pre●ence that you seek, only the godly life which Christians should follow: whereas in deed you seek to lead them from Christ to HN. from the comfort of the holy scriptures: which showeth how mercy is offered to all penitent sinners: unto a perfit state of life, which must be attained in this world which never any, Christ jesus except, could attain unto: and so you corruptly lead them away from all comfort in Christ: Therefore we will not let to desire the Lord in mercy, to preserve his children, from your infected poison.   

Vitel.  
Therefore speaketh the lord through his Prophet Zac●ary, judge righteously, and let every one show goodness and mercifulness unto his brother, and let no man deal unrightly with another, nor with the widows, fatherless, stranger's, and poor. And let no man imagine any evil against his brother in his ha●t, but alas they will not have ●●gard hereupon, but ●u●ne the● backs says the Lord unto me, and stop their ears that they hear not, and harden their ha●●es as hard as a diamond. For that they should not be obedi●t to the law & the word which the lord sendeth in his spirit through his prophets.   

Answer.  
TOuching the saying of ●achary, we wish the very same: that every one show mercy, and deal rightly with his brother, with the widow and fatherless, strangers and poor etc. But can you allege these places, & have no regard to follow the exhortation yourselves, how rightly do you deal with your brethren, that being required to utter your faith which you hold, you deal subtly and deceitfully with such as with well unto you, and seek your health and delivery from error. Now regard you that no man imagine evil in his heart against his brother, when as you call us free ●nes, Libertines, and wicked blasphemers, etc. Who turns their backs, who stops their ●ares, who harden their hearts? Have not you turned from Christ to HN? Have not you stopped your ears against all wholesome admonition, which the holy Ghost hath plentifully in the holy scriptures set forth? and only bend your hearts upon the books and writings of HN? Have you not hardened your hearts and bend your faces against a manifest truth, and placed HN. a prophet, & priest, by whom God will receive all unto mercy? On whom may this prophetical speech or exhortation be better applied, then upon yourselves, and yet will not I go about to excuse myself and others that we do therein what is required, but only let the world see that these men of the Family cry out, and apply the sayings of the Prophets against us, and for themselves, they suppose it belongeth not to them, to take warning thereby, in so perfect a state do they remain.   

Vitell.  
O God prepare the hearts of the people to the lowliness, that they might stand minde● in humility to the Love, and love the coming of thy Christ in his lordl●nes, through whom the whole earth shallbe ●udged with righteousness, which shall move all might and violence, and bring it under his obedience, and tender unto thee, O almighty God, the kingdom, all power and glory, to the end that thou mayest be all in all. O god give this into the hearts of the governors, that they may see it. And illuminate all kings, princes, Lords, and potentates with thy godly wisdom, that they may fear thy holy name, stand submitted unto thy Love and her service, and might turn them from all violence, and misuse, and that the world may be inhabited to thy praise in the Love, and in all righteousness, and that all men in true repentance for their sins, might be turned unto thee. And the horrible plagues of ungodliness, which are come over the world for their sin●es cause, cease, and have an end.   

Answer.  
THis part containeth a prayer which this man maketh for all, that they might sta●d minded in humility to the love, as I have often complained of the confounding this word Love, and the signification thereof, so here I will t●ke it in the best part, to signify God, to whom we crave continually his grace to hū●le our hearts, that we may ever stands obedient to his will, and that we may look for that joyful coming of Christ jesus, whose appearing shall be to the comfort of his elect, & to their surpassing joy: but as a terrible judge to the wicked despisers of his mercy offered, and to such as have s●t up in their hearts any other besides him, or follow any other but him, or delight in any other saving h●m. No violence can resist him, no strength prevail with him, but as you say, all shall be brought under his obedience.  
●here as you pray that all king's princes etc. may ●ea●e thy holy name, and stand submitted to thy love. ●ere is love taken in another sense, therefore you intricately use this word Love: whereby your meaning can not easily be found out.  
For, here love and her service, is meant such doctrine, and service, ●s you teach, which you wi●h all princes were partakers of, if your doctrine were a truth indeed, then were your prayer good: but forasmuch as your doctrine is false, wicked, and fantastical, therefore your prayer is corrupt, and abominable, and to be despised, and all princes that fear the Lord, will become utter enemies to you ● your doctrine, and seek diligently to amend (if it be possible) your corruptions, and I doubt not but the Lord hath in his Church, men of zealous minds, who will not see the glory of our immortal God, nor the death, passion, and resurrection of Christ jesus our Lord, so defaced, darkened, and shadowed. And that his Church may be purged of such corrupt weeds, which spring up, seeking to destroy that good corn, which is sowed already.  
O Lord God we humble sinners abiding in the unity of thy holy Church do most humbly, & heartily pray thee even for thy son, our Saviour Christ jesus sake, that thou will't in m●rcy look upon thy poor afflicted Church, and the members thereof, that by no malice of Satan, no pretence of collored speech, nor no vanity of mind, any of thy children be carried away, as straying from thy fold: but that O Lord, they may again be joined to thy flock: so that so many as pertain unto that good shepherd of our souls, 
john. 10.  Christ jesus, may laud and praise thy name with one voice: and O Lord we most humbly beseech thee, to cleanse thy Church, from the filthy dregs of doctrine, which wicked men, through the malice of Satan have devised to disquiet thy peaceable Zion: convert thou them O Lord we beseech thee: mollify their stony hearts, which have set up a Prophet, whom thou O Lord hast not sent: let them O Lord behold how far they have declined from thy ways, and followed the doctrine of deceivable men: let them see from whom they have departed, & to whom they clea●e fast. And although we O Lord, by our offences, and the manifold transgressions wherewith we provoke thy merciful goodness, who do know thy will, and yet are so slow performers thereof, whereby thou O Lord, dost punish our offences, so that wicked men now set up themselves against us, accusing us and that worthily, of the breaking of thy holy laws. So O Lord, although we have thus sore provoked thy goodness by our offences, yet we beseech thee consider thy son our Lord and Saviour, whose obedience & righteousness to thy will▪ thou hast by promise made it ours, so that belonging to thy son, we are shadowed under his righteousness, and covered under his wings in safety from eternal destruction. But such is thy goodness O merciful God, to try thy children here in earth, how steadfast we will bid batta●le against Satan and his imps, and how constant we will abide therein: so that no blast nor invasion of enemies shall, I hope, shake that foundation of faith that thou hast planted in us, which we most humbly desire thy majesty to increase, and that we may persevere and continued in the unity of thy holy church in this life, and after we may enjoy t●e fruition of thy godly majesty, and sing praises unto thee world without end.   

Vitell.  
O Lord let us find grace before thy eyes, and hear ou● humble supplication which we make unto thee, in the sorrowfulness of our ha●ts. For a broken heart and a sorrowful sp●●ite will't thou O Lord not despise▪ for even there will't thou enter 〈◊〉, and thereby m●●e thy habitation, and sanctify thy name from generation t●●en●●●tio●, 〈◊〉 in everlastingness, It is very true.   

Answer.  
O Lord we beseech thee turn the hearts of these deceaue● people, and grant them thy hol● spirit, that they may discern thy truth tau●ht in thy holy word, and not give ea●e unto an●e which teach contrary thereto, overthrow their devices, brig to light their de●●●ts for thy holy names sake. That we thy children may rejoice over their t● version & so together with one voice, magnify & praise thy glorious name▪ and that those straying sh●●p may be brought in to thy fold again, 〈◊〉 it be thy bles●●d will  
Reveal unto them O Lord we beseech thee, the office, and death of thy son, our Lord and Saviour: that they tasting the sweetness thereof, may forsake the confidence they have in their perfection, and that we may all acknowledge only Christ jesus to be perlite: and we ourselves, dust, and dung, and whatsoever is vile: let n●t Satan lead them captive, but O Lord we beseech thee, pull them out of the lions mouth: and conjoin them to thy holy Church, out of which, they have wandered over long, in doctrines of men.  
Let thy strength appear O Lord, and let our weakness be made open to them: let the effect of thy Gospel break into their hearts of stone: that they may taste, & feel, how sw●ete the Lord is in mercy towards sinners: and how severe to such as justify themselves.  
And if it stand with thy good will & pleasure, thus to convert them, at the suit of our earnest prayers: we shall for the same, give thanks in thy Church evermore. But if thy Church shall have thereby, their trial made known to the world: herein O Lord keep thy children, and such as love th● Lord jesus, & embrace the joyful tidings of the Gospel, in thy own bosom: that they be not led away, with any pretences of piety, into error, or corruption: but defend them as thou hast promised: 
Ps●lme. 1.  that what pity, a Father hath over his children, like pity thou O Lord will't show unto them: which we beseech thee grant us, for thy son jesus Christ his sake: to whom with the holy ghost: be honour, land praise, power, and dominion: from everlasting, to everlasting, So be it.    

The state and condition of a regenerate man, by the rule of holy scripture: compared with the state of a regenerate man, by the doctrine of HN. in the Family of Love.  
I Being in my creation at the first, 
Gen. ●. 7. ●●●ans ●●at● in innocency  in most excellent state, and happiness: having by divine providence, in myself free choice & will, to choose the good, and refuse the evil: (described by fire, and water:) I willingly and of mine own accord, gave place to evil: 
Man's 〈◊〉 in ●is ●all.  and so worthily by justice, brought upon myself, the heavy hand of my God: and the dexterity of his law▪ with maledirion, & curse: where, in ● had remained everlastingly: had not the Lord my God in mercy, and of his special grace, beholding my woe●●●l ●ase, without any desert of mine provided, 
〈…〉 15. Gal. 4.4.  and promised a deliverer, a Saviour: even the Lord jesus which in ●ulnes of time came: whom the patriarchs hoped after: whom the Prophets foretold of: 
Esa●. ●. 14. 〈…〉 Rom. 13.14  which died for my sins, and rose again for my justification: who put out the hand writing of the law pronounced against me, & ●astened it to his cross: who suffered for me that I might reign with him: 
Ephe. 1.3.  who left me an example, that I should ●ollow his steps: And which is more, without condition, promised me eternal life: which by the only sacrifice of his death: he hath obtained: and by his painful passion, hath purchased freely for me, and all others: 
〈…〉  whom he chose before all worlds: to be heirs, and sons of the same inheritance, by adoption, and grace: which promise, or assurance I hold ●●rmely by faith. 
〈…〉.   
Notwithstanding this his loving kindness, and mercy showed towards me: 
R●m. ●. 24.  if the Lord my God did not s●ill protect me, guide me, and de●end me I should anihilat, and make void, this mine estate, or assurance: therefore hath he given unto me, the participation of his holy spirit: renewing me, & working in me regeneration: which is a detestation, 
R●m. ●. 9.  loathing, and hate of sin, and a mind & will to serve the Lord Yet so as there is a kind of rebellion in me: 
Rom. 7.3.  So that the good things I would do, I do not: but the evil I hate, that do I: (yet not I,) but sin that dwelleth in me. I feel my flesh lusting against the spirit, 
Gal. 5.17.  and the spirit against the flesh continually: so that I cannot do the same things I would▪ I feel the law of my members, striving, and rebelling against the law of my mind.  
And further, to make my state, and condition more thoroughly known, I feel often times sin, 
●. Cor. 1●. 7.  and the mostons thereof, so strong in me, that I am for a season led captive therewith, yea, without remorse: so that the spirit seemeth in me utterly quenched, 
2. Sam. 12.  or as ●ire raked under ashes that is not seen: and sometime I wallow, and for a season as it were, 
●say. 57. ●7  forget my God: notwithstanding, this my backsliding I feel again the goodness of my God, and the working of his spirit renewing me again: then in sorrowfulness, and tears, I bewail myself in prayer, that I have so long estranged myself, & offended my God: then do I feel the comfort of his spirit: which bringeth to my remembrance, 
●eu●●0. 1.  the promises of the Lord, pronounced in his word: videliz. Though thy sins were as red as scarelet: yet will I make them as white as wool: 
〈◊〉 ●. 18.  look how far the heaven is, from the earth: so far have I set thy sins from thee. Like as a Father hath compassion on his children: 
Psalm. 103  even so the Lord, will show mercy on me: for he dealeth not with us after our sins, no● rewardeth us after our iniquities▪ All the day long, he standeth with stretched out arms, ready to receive those that turn unto him. etc.  
Then when I feel this, the Lord my God comforting me by his promises: I am driven by the working of the same his holy spirit, to be partaker of the holy sacrament of his death: which is to me a seal, 
Ps●l. 116.13.  and pledge, & cognizaunce of my redemption: which to my great comfort, I receive as a token of his love, and kindness showed to me: and so, more, and more, I feel sin, and Satan weaker, and by resisting him daily, I find him, and his baits Idle: my flesh, and ●he allurements of the world, less able to hurt me, or to prevail against me.  
And ● feel in my sel●● through the working of the same spirit, a readiness to all good exercises of piety, as hearing of the word, Prayer, Abstinence, Charity towards Christ's members, Love, Peace, Io●, etc. But yet still I feel fin with her motions, never ce●sing a fresh to assay me, and try me with new assaults, and sifting me every way again and again, charging me often with the dexterity of the law, 
Deut. 2●. 26. 〈◊〉 3.10.  with the greatness of my sins, laying them particularly before me with great horror, & preparing such books and baits for me, that if I were not preserved by the great goodness of my God, I should utterly despair, and fall away, but the Lord doth comfort me still, 
2. Cor. 12.8.  saying: My grace is sufficient for thee. My grace is made strong through thy weakness. 
job. 7.1  Be of good cheer I have overcome the world. In such case I am, and such is my battle continually, and always fight this under my grand captain I prevail and am not vanquished, nor utterly overcomed, yet again I prepare for a new skirmish & place myself in the foremost rank to abide the brunt of the next encounter so that I never look for any rest nor peace whilst I am in this vale of misery, for my life is a continual warfare:  
Yet in this exercise or continual skirmish, 
●say. ●●. 9  I am at peace in mind and conscience, knowing and firmly believing that my redeemer liveth who hath trod the wine press alone, and hath offered me the cup of Salvation, and sealed in my heart the pledge of hy● love: so that with confidence and boldness I have access unto my God, and by the mediation of my Lord and Saviour Christ I obtain what soever is necessary or behooveful for me: for I being thus knit unto my God do boldly make my prayers unto him, yet in trembling and fear I acknowledge my offences, 
Psal. 19  & say: O Lord my God I daily confess mine offences, & my sins are ever before me. Enter not into judgement with thy servant, for no flesh is righteous in thy sight, ●f thou O Lord observest mine iniquities, who is able ●o abide it? For thy holy name sake O Lord be merciful unto mine iniquity for it is grea●. Remember not the faults of my youth. Show unto me thy mercy, and grant me thy salvation. Thus daily and nightly I bewail my misery, & confess my ●●nnes unto the Lord my God, and acknowledge that ●f the Lord should con●ond with me in justice, 
joh. 9.3.  I were not able to answer.  
For what is man that he should be clean, 
Io●. 15. c●a. 14. ●. 15. & 1●.  or he that is born of a woman that he should be just? For he found no steadfastness in his saints, yea the heavens are not clean in his sight. How much more man, which is abominable and filthy, and drinketh iniquity like water. 
●sa. 25.11.  Whose very righteousness is like a clot defiled with the vn●●mely b●●th of a woman.  
Thus considering my state and condition. I rest quiet in mind, and by faith in the son of God, Christ jesus, I doubt nothing of my salvation, but accept gladly the battle & warfare I have with sin and Satan continually, as tokens of his great mercy and pledges of his love, in feeling the ready help and speedy delivery of the lord, who in time to me unknown, will visit mine offences in this life with whips, and my sinnes with scourges, but his mercy he wil● never take from me. And thus being choose, call●d, and prepared, he sanctifieth me, & by death maketh a wa● and entrance unto an happy life, where I shall behold that joyful sight, even the Lamb that was 〈◊〉 for me. 
Reu● ●.  And shall follow him wh●resoe●er he goeth. Singing praise and thanks to him for ever and ever, Amen.  

The state and condition of a Regenera●● man, af●er the doctrine and ●eaching of HN. in the pretended family of Love.  
Beloved, 
This wor● 〈◊〉 word 〈◊〉 of a 〈◊〉 called Man▪ falling aw●y, an 〈…〉. 1.  in the beginning when God made all things well, then was ●he Lord one Lord of his kingdo●e, and one God of his works. There was also no more but one God ●nd one man, and they were one: and had in all, one order, being, and nature. For God was all that the man w●s, 
2. ●la. 9 ●●.  and the man was ●l that God was etc.  
Thus man become God at the beginning: For God looking upon man, 
Sexion. 2.  looked upon himself, as the same clearness of his living Godhead.  

Sexion. 6.  Also the man looked upon his God, his gentle, clean, and unspotted manhood, in all fulcomenes, in all honesty and fairness, in all fashion and being, according to the same Godhead. And this was also all one, God and the man. etc.  

Se●ion. ●.  God gave the man in the beginning none other Laws, Institutions, judgements, nor Commandments but to live with joy, naked, or uncovered before him, 
Man his innocency.  and to look upon all the works of God, for good, and not for evil, & should never taste or feel evil, death, or condemnation.  

Sexion. 10.  But as the man turned ●way the eyes of his flesh from his ●od, & see upon himself that he was not the highest Godhead itself, but that he was also man▪ then was he undersought or tempted to the knowledge of good and evil, to be therethrough as God.  
Then came a blindness over man, 
Sexion. 11.  and estranged him, or separated him from his God, wherethrough he could not bear the word or voice of his god, nor shine before him with his naked manhood.  
Man did acknowledge none other God, 
Sexion. 14.  salvation, nor kingdom of heaven, but through the knowledge that the man had taken on to himself, which was nothing else but the devil, hell, and condemnation.  
Through this knowledge of Adam, 
Sexion. 15.  the generations of men have inherited a consumeable inheritance, wherethrough men that were made, or shaped to be one with God, and aught to be one with another, are fallen into many contrarieties, 
Sexion. 1●.  and hinderlike knowledges.  
Thus man being fallen away altogether, destroyed in his understanding and from the living Godhead, and from the kingdom of heaven straunged, might be brought again to his upright estate in his God, through his love, according as he had promised, to the salvation of the manly generation he made one new man after the same likeness or similitude of his Godhead, 
Th● opinion th●t th● 〈◊〉 hau● of Chri●t.  and named him jesus Christus, which doth signify unto us the safemaking oil of God saving being, the same is go out from God, and hath showed himself upon earth.  
He is go into the knowledge of men, and found all their man knowledges, 
Sexi●n. 17.  and their scripture learnedness, in all, in all that they witted, false and lying.  
This false knowledge, sitting she understandeth not God's truth aright, through her wisdom and Scripture, learnedness, hath Christ rebuked, and taken captive the knowledge of men, and made it through Christ, foolishness to make them free, and deliver them in this to coming day of his lordliness, from all their foolish knowledge.  

M●th. 15.  Even so hath Christ done by the sin, and the righteousness of men. 
Luk●. ●3.   
He is also go into the death of men, 
Sexion. 10.  and hath born thereby one death, namely, his death of the cross: and so through his death, hath taken captive the death of men, because that he in the last day in his coming again, may set up the man from death, through the death of the cross, and make him alive, that he may bring him in his upright estate to his God.  
But now hath jesus Christ the might and Lordship over all destroyed things, 
Sexion. 2●.  which burdened the men, and the destructions which were taken captive, and through the death of the cross, had brought all under him: Even so is he with his might and Lordship ris●n again from death over the destruction, and through the declaration of his resurrection, hath he showed to his friends and disciples which believed in him, and hath made it known unto them the might & home, to get y● over winning against all that destroyed things wherewith the man was incaptived.  
God hath ordained a day, 
S●x●o●. 24.  which is the day of love, in which he will judge the earth with righteousness, through one man: 
Which man i● HN. Published peace. chap. 1. devi. 16.  he hath concluded it, which holdeth belief before every man: seeing that God hath awaked him again from the death.   

Hitherto the doctrine of HN. taken out of a book called Man's falling away, his lordliness, and coming again.  

Documentall sentence● HN. ch●p. ●. de●●. 4.  THe heavenly being of God, and God his upright righteousness, is become mortal in us: but yet not for ever, but for a certain season: till the man show forth upright fruits of repentance.  
The man in his youngness is subject to sin, until he have attained the manly oldness in the Love, and the upright freedom: then is the new covenant of perfection erected: and all is fulfilled which is written by Moses, 
●id●litas. Chap. 1. ●●ui. ●.  or that God requireth through his Prophets: or what is evangelized of Christ.  
And if there chance any temptations, 
Document●ll s●ntence● chap. 3 divi. 7. ●.  by our Paramours, which we in times past have loved, to come and assault us: etc. but if they lay hold on us, with force, and violence: and that then, although we cry, there cometh not any power, or help unto us, for to withstand them in their force, and violence: and that they even so ravish us, 
Libertinisme.  against our will: so are we guiltless of the transgressings: for we have cried for to be released from the tyranny of the evil, and there is no help come unto us: of which guiltless transgressings, 
Deut. 22.  the law witnesseth, where it saith: a woman that is violently taken in the field, etc.  
The regenerate man, 
Document, chap. 2. de●i. 1.  from his new birth, is exercised in all well doing and for that cause also, he cannot bring fourth any thing else: but all good, and Love.  
The true, or upright freedom is this: that the man through the ministration of the gracious word, etc. his heart, spirit, and mind, is wholly released purged, and purified from all wicked nature, 
Deut. 26.  which hath reigned over him: & that there devil, live, nor rule any other thing in him, 
Ma● h●s st●te regenerate.  namely in all his spirit, thoughts, mind, & soul: but alone the true Godhead, with his lovely being, of the upright Love: and so to be wholly replenished with all the virtues of God: that there flow nothing else in him, namely in all his spirit, and mind: but the spiritual, heavenly▪ and living waters.  
Man regenerate, doth veare costly treasure in earthen vessels: & is of one mind with the three godly witnesses, that hear witness in heaven.  

Document●ll sentences▪ chap. 2  Of which th●ee godly witnesses: the on● is the Love, which is God the Father himself. The second witness is the truth: which is the word of God the Father, 
D●u●. ●.  & jesus Christ himself. And the third wit●es, is the holy spirit of Love, or of God & of the truth of jesus Christ, which is the everlasting life, and the inheritance, of all spiritual, and heavenly goods.  
Consider where God, with his Christ and spirit, 
prophesy▪ ch●p. 6. Divi. 9  hath his dwelling i● any one: and bringeth forth 〈◊〉 secret treasures, of the heavenly goods thereout: even there is then truly his wisdom to be found, and also the council of God according to the truth.  
Gather you now altogether into my house of Love: 
Prophesy▪ chap 7. Divi. 19  and to my holy tabernacle, or man of God: wherein I as a glorious God, with my perfit Godhead, as with my Christ at my right hand, and with my holy spirit of Love, my true being: do live, devil, and walk: and wherein we as one true deity, have revealed, and glorified us: to the end, that you all now may become consubstantiated, or conformably united, as one m●n of God in me: and inherit my rest, with all the children of God.  
For when all that, which the Lord requireth through his word, & through the service of his Love, is fulfilled with us all: 
●idelitas.  and in us all: so is then also verily with us all: (namely,) by those, with whom the same is fulfilled: the end of the sin, 
Chap. 3. divi. 15.  and the death of the same, come to pass, or attained unto: & the end of the sin, & her death, is the beginning of the eternal immorta●itye: & is also the upright freedom in jesus Christ, whereunto all men, jews, and Greeks, circumsized, and uncircumsized: wise, and unwise: are called▪ and bidden by the grace of God.  
Man being thus illuminate, & regenerate: Godded with God: & in whom god in one power, & being of his spirit, is homini●ied, 
Vitelli▪ Libel.  or become man: cannot sin, miss the right, nor commit any evil: 
Sexion. And is their gen●●●l doctrine  but doth Lord, & prevail with God, and Christ over the sin: nothing can flow from him: but heavenly living, and safe making waters.  

A principle in th●●amilye, collected by the doctrine  Christ his shape is required to be perfit in us, while we are in this life the shape is perfection without sin: which shape cannot be in us, if we be sinners: therefore requisite, that we be partakers, of the new covenant of perfection, spoken of by Fidelitas. chap. 1. devi. 8. 
Fidelitas. Chap. 5. devi. 15.   
Let every one take this effectually to heart, and let no man refuse the good being, whereunto, God hath created the man. and called him through jesus Christ, & his holy one's: and whereunto he is also presently loved, by the commonalty of the Love. etc.   
FINIS.   

AT LONDON. Printed by john Day, dwelling over Aldersgate. Anno. Dom. 1579.