CAESAR'S Penny to be paid by CAESAR'S Friends.  
AND Jesus beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written? The stone which the bvilders rejected, the same is become the head of the Corner, Whosoever shall fall upon that stone, shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder, Luke 20.17, 18. verse.  
Then the chief Priests and the Scribes, the same hour sought to lay hands on him, but they feared the people, for they had perceived that he had spoken this parable against, them. And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should fain themselves just men, that they might take hold on his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the Governor, v. 19, 20, 21.  
And out of their subtlety, They asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither respectest thou the person of any; but teachest the way of God truly. Is it lawful for us to give Tribute unto Cesar or no? vers. 21.22.  
But jesus perceived the subtlety of those spies which the chief Priests and the scribes had sent out, who feigned themselves just men, & came to him to see if they could bring him under the power of their Law, that they might have wherewithal to entrap him; for they could not ensnare him in his words that he spoke to them in his doctrine; therefore the subtlety of the Serpent caused them to flatter jesus, and called him Master. And secondly, that they knew he taught the way of God truly, that could not be denied by them. And thirdly, that he regarded no man's person. Then fourthly, they put forth their question as a case of scruple to him, Tell us say they, Whether is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cesar or no?  
For Cesar was their governor, and they were under his government, and they thought thereby to ensnare him in his words, if he did but give them counsel against him, (Cesar their Governor.)  
Then the wisdom of God foresaw the intent of their minds, & their deceitful hearts, how they lay in wait to ensnare the innocent, to bring him under their law, that they might have had him before Cesar their Governor; for that was their desire, and the desire of the chief Priests and Scribes to have got something against him, thereby that their Law might have taken hold on him, because that they could not tax him in his Doctrine, & were afraid to do any thing at him then because of the people: and so were brought to confess the truth in their words; & said that he had taught they way of God truly, & that he regarded no man's persons; and subtly came they to tempt the Lord jesus Christ with that earthly Question, that they might have had wherewithal to accuse him.  
But the Lord frustrated their ends, and the wickedness of their design: and then said Jesus unto them (perceiving their craftiness) Why do ye tempt me? Here was their subtlety and policy discovered by that blessed Spirit, and laid open unto their shame; for saith he, Show me a penny: whose Image and Superscription hath it? they answered and said, Caesar's, Luke 20, 23, 24.  
And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things which be Gods; And they could not take hold of his words before the people, and they marvelled at his words and held their peace, Luke 20.25, 26. And so the tempters were discovered, their ends frustrated, and the innocent by wisdom preserved out of the enemy's hands at that time.  
But now in this generation the same subtle spirits take the same thing to accuse the innocent withal, & say, Render to Cesar the things which are Caesar's; & would have the friends of Christ to do that which is contrary to Christ's mind; for they are under Christ's command, and therefore under his Law and Government, & are to be subject to him, & obey his Father's will, that they may give unto God the things that are Gods, that he may be honoured by them; for Christ himself did not regard Caesar's person, as they said that were sent unto him, thou regardest no man's person, and he that is Christ's followeth his example, & honoureth those that are in him, and regardeth him above all, knowing this, that he that respects persons commits sin, and he that commits sin transgresseth the Law, and he that transgresseth the Law, must appear before the Governor, there to answer before Zions King, and suffer punishment for every transgression; For the Lord is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and he will not suffer sin to go unpunished. Then,  
Let me ask you one question? you that are Tempter's as the spies were who feigned themselves just men, as you do, who cryeth, out unto the innocent, to give unto Cesar the things that are Caesar's; was it the friends of Christ that shown him the Image and Superscription, or was it the enemies to Christ, that came under the pretence of friends to have ensnared him, that he spoke too, and said, Give unto Cesar the things that are Caesar's? Answer me this, and tell me then if it were ever required of the friends of Christ, to do any such thing, yea or no?  
And if not, why do you require it of them? do you set yourselves in Caesar's room, was not he an enemy to Christ? and was it not Caesar's Government that they came to have brought him under, who by the wisdom of God was preserved? Is there any Caesar's in Christ's Kingdom amongst the Saints, or are they not in the Gentiles Court? what saith Christ in Mark 10. to his Disciples and Friends; Ye know, saith he, that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles, exercise Lordship over them, and their great ones exercise Authority upon them; but, saith Christ, so shall it not be amongst you, Mark 10.42, 43.  
They that are Caesar's friends giveth Cesar his Penny: but the friends of Christ are compelled also to do the same; for there are now many spies, who feigneth themselves just men, and seek to ensnare the innocent, 
Rev. 15.3, Heb. ●3. 1 Joh 3.1. Re. 1. 1 to 5  and bring them before Cesar, and would have them to stoop under him but Christ is born King of the new converted Jews, & all that will not that he shall reign over them, must be brought before him that he may slay them; for he is the express image & brightness of his Father's glory, and the saints penny that they are to give unto their Lord and governor, who are not of this world, but of God, out of the world, born again, and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb from under Cesar, to sing all Honour and Glory, and thanks be unto Zions King, now and for evermore, Amen.  
Hallelujah to the Highest.  

Civil Respect.  

FIrst, There is in this generation a sort of proud people, called by the name of Gentlemen and Gentlewomen; 
Isa. 3. Isa. 2.7, 8 to 12.  but they want the Nature of their name, & are hasty, choleric, proud, lofty-minded people: But the loftiness of man shall be brought down, and his haughtiness laid low, that the Lord alone may be exalted, Isa. 2. It is the children of the light and Saints of the most high God, though poor in spirit, that have right to the Kingdom of God, and are gentle, & meek, and long-suffering, 
Mat. 5.2, 3. Gal. 5.22. to 25. 2 Pet. 1.6, 7 8. Col. 3. 12. to 15, v. Eph. 4. 17, 18. 19 Eph. 5.11. Prov. 16.18, Jer. 13.17. Joh. 5.42, 43, 44. Ju. 16.  kindhearted and lowly-minded; the other proud people have stolen the name of Gentlemen and Gentlewomen, but they are not in the nature; for it is proper to the Saints alone, and they are gentle & meek, and of quiet dispositions, and are in order to the Spirit of Truth; But those lofty, proud, hasty, scornful, highminded people, called Gentlemen and Gentlewomen, they are in the flesh, and the lust, and are disorderly, contrary to the Spirit of truth; and Gentiles they may well be called that name, and their nature is very agreeable, pride, covetousness, the love and honour of the world, having their understandings darkened, and being alienated from the life of Christ, who was, and is gentle, and meek, Lamblike, and suffereth the contradiction of sinners, I Pet. 4.  
Secondly, These lofty proud people cryeth out, now that their pride and vanity is discovered, and declared against by the Spirit of truth, and they are very unwilling to hear of the downfall of it, but pride goeth before destruction, & they shall weep in secret, for their pride and covetousness is idolatry, and draweth their hearts from the Lord; and how can they believe that seek honour one of another, and not the honour that cometh of God; so showing themselves to be uncivil, glorying in pride, riches and the wisdom of the flesh, and respecting men for their greatness in the earth, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage, disrespecting and not regarding the commands of the Lord.  
Thirdly, Yet notwithstanding they cry our against the people of God, who regard the commands of God, and testifieth against pride, covetousness, the love and honour of the World, in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, whose Kingdom is not of this world.  
Fourthly, But these proud, high and tall Cedars cryeth out of that, and saith, that they should show them some civil respect, not knowning the Nature of the name; for civil respect is a just divine Right, and so to do as they would be done by, according to the sight of Christ, and the righteous Law of God, and not to flatter people in their sins, but to speak plainly according to the Word of the Lord, and Woe to the Crown of Pride, Isa. 28.1.   
R. Farnworth.   

What it is to give offence, and what it is not, and who are offended, and by whom now in these latter days that Christ is appearing in spirit.  
GIve no offence to the Jew, 
1. Cor. 10.33. Rom. 2 2●. 29.  nor to the Gentile, nor to the Church of God, and let all things be done decently and in Order; Thus saith the Apostle Paul, the man of God, and Minister of the Lord Jesus Christ, and so say I  
Now he is not a Jew that is one outwardly, whose praise is of men: But he is a Jew that is one inwardly, whose praise is of God; but the Jews outwardly who seek the praise of men, they cry out against that which was the Apostles practise and order, and calleth it uncivil, disorderly and raising of tumults, not being acquainted with the guidings and leadings of the Spirit of truth.  
For had they looked carnally at things, & the leadings out of the Apostles at that time, they might have said that he said, give no offence in any thing, neither to the Jew, nor to the Gentile, and who did offend the Jews more than he did in opposing them in their way of worship, & they were in great enmity against him for it; for they were informed of him, that he taught all the Jews that were amongst the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying, That they might not circumcise their children, neither walk after their customs, Acts 21, 21. And what was more offensive to the Jews than this was; yet he said, give no offence unto the Jews. Now carnal people in this generation say, It is an offence to them that their Ordinances (as they call them) is cried down, as sprinkling of Infants, which they have no Scripture for, 
Acts 20.28.  & for holding up a Steeplehouse, which they call a Church, and the Church is in God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 〈◊〉 Thes. 1.1. And Christ came to redeem his Church with his blood, and not a Steeplehouse, which they call a Church; 
1 Pet. 2.5. Eph. 1.22, 23. Rev. 13 16, 17, 18.  for the Curch is made all of living stones, elect and precious, and Christ is the Head of his Church, and not the Head of a Steeplehouse; and this may be offensive to some, to call it a Steeplehouse and sprinkling of Infants to be a mark of the Beast, as john saith, Rev. 13.16, 17, 18. ver.  
As it was an offence to the jews that Paul should say, that Circumcision, and those things which the jews had been formerly commanded by God to observe, were then of no account with God, for the substance of all Types, Shadows and Figures were then come, which was Jesus Christ, 
2 Cor. 4 5, to 11.  which he then preached and held forth, 2 Cor. 4.5, 6, 7.  
Paul said, Give no offence to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, and he did exceedingly offend them in declaring against their observations, 
Acts 21.28. to 31.  & in going into the Temple, insomuch that they cried out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the Law, and this place: that was their Temple, and all the City was moved, and the people ran together: and the took Paul, and they draw him out of the Temple, and forthwith the doors were shut, etc. Acts 21.28, 29, 30, 31. to the end.  
In this generation, natural & carnal people, jews in knowledge, whose praise is of men and not of God, they cry out of the Apostles order, and say, it is disorderly to come into their Temple, or Steeplehouse, which they call a Church; and if any come in thither to testify against their deceits, and false worships as Paul did, they are moved with envy as the jews were; and cry out help, or take him away, he is a turbulent fellow, and saith, that it doth disturb them: and the deceit will be ready to take Paul's words, and say you ought to give no offence to the Jew, nor to the Gentile, etc. And they call that offensive which were the Apostles practices, as it is left upon Record.  
For he went into their Synagogues, & three Sabbath days together reasoned with them, Acts 17.1, 2. He did not go to stand up in a Pulpit as the Priests do now, but he went in amongst them, 
Act 19.1, 2.  as if one might come into the Steeplehouse & sit him down, & afterwards speak to the Priest that stands up in the Pulpit, to declare against those things which he practiseth contrary to the Scriptures, Christ & his Apostles; but they cry away with such a one, he doth disturb us, etc. & saith, it is disorderly or unmannerly, and it was the Apostles manner so to do Read Acts 17. and see Acts 13. Now when Paul and his Company were come from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphilia; and John departed from them, 
Acts 13.13. to 16. etc.  and returned to Jerusalem; but they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down; and after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, they had freedom to speak. And Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God give audience, etc. Acts 13.13, 14, 15, 16. to the end.  
And in this generation, it is counted disorderly, unmannerly, & tumultuous to follow the Apostles order, and rule, and manner, as it was to go into the Synagogues to dispute with them, and lay open their deceits; so you call it uncivil & turbulent for to speak in your Markets, if any be moved by the Lord so to do, and say that it is offensive; and the Apostle who said, Give no offence to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, did not count such things offensive, as to reason with them in their Synagogues, & to dispute daily with them in their markets, though they took it as an offence done to them; yet it was according to the workings & leadings of the Spirit of Truth then, 
Acts 17.16, 17, v.  and it is the same now: For Paul whilst he waited at Athens his spirit was troubled within him, to see their false ways of worship; therefore disputed he in the Synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the Market daily with them that met him, Acts 17.16, 17.  
And certain of the Philosophers of the Epicurians, & of the Stoics, encountered him, and said, What will this babbler say? Then they called Truth babbling, and the wisest of men in their natural learning do so now, & they said, that he seemed to be a setter forth of strange Gods; therefore they took him, 
Acts. 17.18.19, 20. Acts, 17.32, 33.  that they might know, as they said, what the new doctrine meant: and as it was then, so it is now, Acts 17.18, 19, 20. And they said, that he brought many strange things to their ears, and when they had heard him speak, some mocked, and others said, we will hear thee again, Acts 17.32, 33, 34.  
And at Corinth Paul wrought on his Trade, and was with Priscilla and Aquila there; for Claudius had commanded all the Jews to departed from Rome: and whilst Paul was at Corinth, he went into the Synagogue, and reasoned every Sabbath day, persuading both the Jews and the Greeks. And as Paul testifieth by the Spirit, to the Jews, and witnessed the truth of God, 
Acts 18. 1● 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.  contrary to their carnal reason; then they were so moved and offended at him, that they opposed themselves, and blasphemed; and when they did so, he shook his raiment, and went away from them, Acts 18.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ver.  
And now they cry out in this generation as they did then, 
John. 1.5.9. John 8.12. Isa. 54.13. Jer. 31.31. to 34.  if any go into their Steeple-houses to speak the Truth of God, & testify by the Spirit against their deceits, and hold forth Christ the light of the world, & the way to the Father, to God alone Teacher of his people, according to his promises both by the Prophets & Apostles, as they are left upon record; then they cry out as the Jews did, and say, they are against Church and Church Ordinances, and so incense the people, & stir them up in a great rage, as it was in the time of the Apostles, 
Ezek. 34.11. to 16. Joh. 6.45. Heb. 8.10, 11.  Acts 19 and are ready to set all on an uproar, as they did; and cry out against those that follow the Apostles rule, order and manner; and say they, what uncivil & unmannerly people and disturbers of the peace are these; and then they beat them, and hale them before the outward Authority, and stocks and imprison them, as the Apostles were, Acts 4 to v. 21. & Acts 5.17, 18. Acts 5.27, 28. to the 36.  
Now in this generation the Jews in knowledge & outward profession cry out against the children of Light and servants of the Lord, 
1 John 2.20, 27. Acts 4 to 21. Acts 5 17, 18. Acts 5 27.28.  that testify against the deceits of the world, & calleth them turbulent fellows; so did the Jews by Paul, and they call that way of Truth which differeth from the world's minds, and is contrary to carnal reason & fleshly wisdom, they call it Heresy; so did the Jews by Paul; but saith he, In that way which ye call heresy do I worship the God of my Fathers: And Ananias the high Priest and the Elders with a certain Orator who informed the Governor against Paul, said, that he was a pestilent Fellow, and a mover of sedition amongst all the Jews throughout the World, and a ringleader of the Sect of the Nazarenes, who also have gone about to profane the Temple, whom we took and would have judged according to our Law, etc. Acts 24.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. and in Acts 28. the Jews did desire to hear of Paul, what he thought concerning that Sect, as they called it, which was the life and power of Truth held forth by him? for say they to him, As concerning this Sect, we know that every where it is spoken against. Acts 28.22.  
And yet he said, give no offence in any thing; 
Act, 24. 1 to 6. Act. 28 22.  now they were mightily offended with his manner of life and practice; for it was contrary to the world, and so they said that he sought to turn the world up-side down: and so they called the Truth turbulent, and him pestilent, and the Truth a Sect, and him a ringleader of the Sect of the Nazarenes.  
Now say they the Sect of the Quakers, as they call it, is the pestilentest Sect, and they are the turbulentest people that ever was, crying out both in Churches and in Markets, and so the Truth doth trouble the deceit now as it did then. And Paul who said, give no offence, he did offend the deceit most, and said, be not conformed like the World, but the transformed by the renewing of your mind, 
Ro● 12.1, 2. Ephes. 5.11.  and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them, Ephes. 5.11. And this is orderly and according to the spirit of Truth, Rom. 12. 1, 2.  
But in this generation the deceit crieth out for order, when they live in disorder, and are in the offence; for he that is proud is out of the order and government of the righteous Spirit of Truth, & is an offender, and transgresseth the righteous Law of God, and he that is covetous is disorderly, and an offender, transgressing the righteous law of God: and he that is a drunkard is disorderly, & is an offender, transgressing the righteous Law of God; and he that is a swearer is disorderly, and transgresseth the Law of God, and doth greatly offend & grieve the righteous Spirit of the Lord; & such as these are not cried out against, nor restrained from their ungodliness; neither by the jews in knowledge, nor Priest nor Professors of these times, but are encouraged in their wickedness; and that is counted disorderly, to declare against pride, drunkenness, lying, swearing and unjust dealing openly in Steeple-houses & Markets; but the Apostle saith, 
1 Cor. 6 9.10. Gal. 5.19, 20, 21. Rom. 1 28. to the end Rom. 2 8, 9 1 Thes. 1.8. Re. 20.1.15. Re 21.27. Re. 22 11. to 16.  that the unrighteous and such as these shall not inherit the Kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. Gal. 5.19, 20, 21. And because they do not like to retain God in their knowledge, therefore doth he give them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things that are not convenient, being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity, whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despightful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, etc. Rom. 28, 29, 30. to the end.  
But such shall not inherit the Kingdom of God, but be rewarded according to their deeds, tribulation & anguish, indignation, wrath, is the portion of all such, Rom. 2.8, 9 & none shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, whose names are not found written in the Lamb's book of life, so saith Jesus Christ, and he hath sent his Angel to testify the same, Rev. 20.14, 15. Rev. 21.21. Rev. 22. from 11, to 16 verses.  
The Apostles order is now by the Professors of these times called disorderly, & the Apostles manners is by them cownted unmannerly; therefore  
To give no occasion of offence is to act righteously in all things, as thou art convinced in thy conscience according to the Law of God, and not to do any evil, nor speak any guile, that thou mayest be without guile before the Throne of God, Rev. 14.4, 5.  
Now to act righteously, and to speak in plainness of speech, it doth offend the world, and the generation of evil doers; and to use the word Thou is hard to be born by the proud self-seeking people, although it be the word of the Lord, and hard to be used in reality without respect to persons, but by the honest hearted who love God above all, 1 Joh. 5.3, 4.  
Now thou that art convinced of the truth of God in thy conscience, by the light of Christ, & dost not act according to that in thy conscience, thou dost offend and grieve that which is pure of God in thee; and if thou wouldst seek to find out a way by thy reason; to flatter with the World's minds, rather than lose their love & favour for thy one ends, & disobey that in thy conscience, thou offends the truth in thyself, & the truth in thyself, & the truth in others suffers by thee, than woe will follow after.   
THE END.