A Plain TESTIMONY TO THE Ancient Truth AND Work of God; AND Against the CORRUPTION of the CLERGY, And their Upholders.  
By T. G.  Jer. 5. 30, 31. A Wonderful and Horrible Thing is committed in the Land; The Prophets prophesy falsely, and the Priests bear Rule by their Means, and my People love to have it so; And what will ye do in the End thereof? 
Printed, and Sold by T. Sowle, at the Crooked-Billet in Holywell-Lane, in Shoreditch, 1691.   

A Plain Testimony to the Ancient Truth and Work of God; and against the Corruption of the Clergy, etc.  
FRiends and People every where, in all Places where this may come, this is to let you know, there is something in my Heart and Mind for to publish, and to make manifest unto all People that profess Christianity, and Salvation by Christ, what the Clergymen of the World hold forth, both the Popish Clergy and the Protestant Clergy, both in Doctrine, Principles and Practices; and also their manner of Doings and Practices, as touching the Worship and Service of God; and also their Persecutions and Cruelties which they and their Hearers, and Members of their Churches have acted and done against the People of God, who are in scorn called Quakers, and will undertake by the help and assistance of the Lord, to prove these things to be true, which is, or may be herein, and hereafter expressed and declared against them, which are as followeth.  
First, I do affirm, that neither the Popish Clergy, nor the Protestant Clergy, nor their Hearers that are Members of their Churches, neither can, nor never shall know Jesus Christ experimentally to be their Saviour and Redeemer from their Sins and Iniquities, as the true Ministers and People of God did know him formerly, and as the true Ministers and People of God know him now in this our Age and Generation, to their and our Souls true peace, joy, comfort and satisfaction in God; neither can they ever know the Mystery of Godliness by experience revealed in them, nor they cannot have a true belief in Christ, as the Ministers and People of God had, and have now, so long as they live and act in Sin, and take pleasure and delight therein, and plead for a continuance in Sin so long as they live upon the Earth. And it is the Doctrine and Belief of the Clergymen, before mentioned, and the People that are their Hearers, and Members of their Churches, That none can be set free from Sin, nor be made perfect from it in this Life; and so they preach against Perfection from Sin, which God and Christ commanded that People should be perfect and holy; and are God and Christ such hard Masters as to command that of People for them to do, which cannot be done nor attained unto in this Life? But the Ministers of Christ never preached any such Doctrine, but on the contrary, they preached Perfection from Sin, and exhorted the People to press after Perfection; and the Lord gave Gifts unto men, and he made some Apostles, and some Evangelists, and some P●●ph●●●, and some Pastors and Teachers, for the perfecting of the Saints, and for the Work of the Ministry, and for the Edifying of the Body of Christ, until they all came into the unity of the Faith, and of the Knowledge of the Son of God unto a Perfect Man, unto the measure of the Stature ●f the fullness of Christ. And many of the People of God did attain to Perfection from Sin in this Life, and they did know an Overcoming of their Sins and Iniquities in this Life, by the help and assistance of the Power and Spirit of Christ working in them: And no Man nor Woman can be perfect from Sin of themselves, nor by any Works of Righteousness which they can do of themselves, nor by their own Wills, but by the help and assistance of the Power and Spirit of Christ working in them; and so all things are possible with God, which may seem impossible to men; and the Lord is the same that he was then, and he is as able, and sufficient, & willing to do the like for us, & to work the same Works in our Hearts by his holy Spirit, as he did in the Hearts of his People formerly, if we do but truly believe in him, and be willing for to obey and follow him, by taking up a daily Cross to our own Wills, and Thoughts, and Desires, and Inclinations of nature, and so thereby we must deny ourselves from doing any thing that will please ourselves, if it do offend the Lord, and displease him, we must not do it for the gaining of the love and friendship of any people, nor for the gaining of any outward Thing, or Treasure that is in the World: And we are required and commanded by the Lord for to put our whole trust and confidence in him, who hath promised, that he will never leave nor forsake them that puts their whole trust & confidence in him. And these things the Lord commanded and required ●is people for to do formerly, which they did in Love and in Obedience to him, and the Lord was with them, and in them, by his holy Spirit, and he did help and 〈…〉 Spirit for to do and perform those things 〈…〉 required of them for to do; and this he 〈…〉 d truly believe and follow him, and for all them 〈…〉 fear and love him with all their Hearts, above all 〈…〉 g. And now the Lord commands and requires us for to do the 〈◊〉 things; and if we be willing and obedient to him, and fear and love him with all our Hearts, above all visible things, I do verily believe, and I am confident in the Lord, that he will help and assist us by his holy Spirit for to do and perform all things which he commands and requires of us for to do and perform, now in this our Age and Generation; but all them that do not truly believe in Christ, nor is not willing for to obey and follow him, nor to deny themselves as aforesaid, and counts God a hard Master, by commanding and requiring more of them then they are able to do, or can be attained unto in this Life, as they say; it is manifest unto the Lord and his People, that all such are slothful Servants, and hide their Talents in their earthly Hearts, and are disobedient to him, such neither fear nor love the Lord as they ought to do, nor as ●e commands them for to do; and no such slothful, idle, careless people can believe that Perfection from Sin is to be attained unto in this Life, neither are they willing to press after such a good State and Condition; and so he who they love and serve, which is the Enemy of their Souls in them, prevails against them, and teacheth them for to preach and speak against Perfection from Sin in this Life; read the Scriptures following, Gen. 6. 9 17. 1. Job 1. 1. Luke 1. 5, 6. Mark 6. 20. Mat. 1. 19 Acts 10. 22. 2 Pet. 1. 21. 2 King. 20. 1, 2, 3. Mat. 5. 48. Ephes. 4. 11, 12, 13. Heb. 6. 1. Heb. 13. 20, 2●. Rev. 14. 2, 3, 4, 5. 1 John 2. 14. Chap 3. 4. to vers. 11. And further I do affirm, that all that preach and speak against Perfection from Sin, and say, That there is no Perfection from Sin can be attained unto in this Life; all such Persons and People do encourage People for to live in Sin, and they do discourage people from pressing after perfection, and they are a means to beget people into Unbelief, that they may not believe that such a good state and condition is to be attained unto in this Life; and all such deny the sufficiency of Christ, and the end of his coming in Spirit, into the Hearts and Souls of all true Christians, and true Believers in him; which end was, and is, for to mortify, and to kill, and crucify Sin, and to destroy the Works of the Devil, which is Sin and Iniquity in people; and every evil Plant which the Lord hath not planted, which hath taken deep Root in people's hearts, the Lord will pluck up by the working of his own Power and Spirit in the hearts of all true Christians, and true Believers and Followers of Christ, who truly love and obey him; and this great Work of Christ must be known and witnessed for to be done and wrought by him in every true Christian, before Christ can be known experimentally for to reign and rule in the hearts and souls of people: And these things are a mystery unto all that live in Sin, and take pleasure and delight therein, and unto all the proud and covetous Clergy that are in the whole World, that preach for Tithes or Money, and are hired by people to preach for so much Money by the Year, which the true Apostle Paul said, That the love of Money was the Root of all Evil; And the true Ministers of Christ hated all such covetous Practices, and declared against them; and Paul said, I have coveted no man's Silver, or Gold, or Apparel; ye yourselves know, said he, that these Hands have ministered unto my Necessities, and to them that were with me: Who was a Tentmaker, he was not brought up at any Schools of Learning for to be made a Minister of Christ; nor none of the Ministers of Christ were brought up at any Schools of Learning, to be made Ministers of Christ, but several of them were ignorant and unlearned men, as to outward Learning and Scholarship, which people do so much boast of; but they were brought up at Christ's School, and they were taught of him by his holy Spirit, and they were endued with Power from on High; and they were led and guided by Christ's Spirit into all Truth, and out of all the wicked & ungodly Ways and Practices, which many of the Clergymen, and of their Hearers before mentioned, live and walk in now. And the Apostle Paul said, That the Gospel which he preached, be neither received of Man, neither was he taught it of Man, but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ, and he preached not unto any people with enticing Words of man's Wisdom, nor of man's Learning; but he preached and spoke unto the people in the Demonstration of the Spirit, & with Power, that their Faith should not stand in the Wisdom of Men, but in the Power of God; and Christ made them able Ministers of the New Testament, not of the Letter, but of the Spirit; for the Letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth Life unto the Soul: And so the Ministers of Christ never preached such a Doctrine, as these covetous Clergymen do now: Read these Scriptures, Galatians. 1. 11, 12. Acts 2● 33, 34. 2 Cor. 3. 6. 1 Cor. 2. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 1 Tim. 6. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. And you that preach and speak against Perfection 〈…〉 Sin, and say, none can be set free from Sin in this Life, can you not believe that Christ Jesus is as able, and sufficient, and willing to save people from their Sins, and to bring them to a perfect state from Sin, according as God created Man and Woman in the beginning, as the Devil who is the author of all Sin and Evil, who makes his Children and Servants perfect in Sin and Wickedness, who continue to the end of their days, to obey and follow him, and are led and guided by his spirit into Sin and Evil, and his evil Fruits are brought forth, and acted and done daily by his Children and Servants, to the great dishonour of God, who made Man and Woman for to love, fear, serve and honour, and obey him, in Truth and Righteousness, and to live and walk before the Lord, in a holy, godly, righteous Life, in all manner of Holiness and Righteousness, in our holy Lives and godly Conversations, so long as the Lord is pleased that we shall live upon the Earth, that so God Almighty may be honoured and glorified in us, and by us, that so we may answer the end for which he hath made and created us, which is to fear and love him with all our Hearts, which if we do so in Truth, than we shall be made willing by the Lord for to obey him, and keep his commands, which is the duty of every one so to do.  
And now, all you that do not believe that Perfection from Sin can be attained unto, and that not any can be set free from Sin in this Life, doth not your Faith and Belief stand in him who is the author of all Sin and Evil, which is the wicked Spirit? And your faith and belief stands not in Christ, who is the Author of Perfection from Sin, who is the good Spirit, and saves his People from their Sins, but not in their Sins; and Christ said, Whosoever committeth Sin, is the Servant of Sin. And the Apostle Paul said, Know ye not to whom ye yield yourselves Servants to obey, his Servants ye are to whom ye do obey, whether of Sin that leads to Death and Destruction, or of Obedience unto Righteousness, which leads to Life and Peace with the Lord. And so long as People live in Sin, and are Servants to it, they are free from Righteousness; and the Apostle John said, He that committeth Sin is of the Devil: and he said, He that is born of God sinneth not. Read these Scriptures, John 8. 34. Rom. 6. 16, 17. to the end, 1 John 3. 4. to vers. 11. And all that believe that they cannot be set free from Sin so long as they live in this World, they know nothing of the New Birth experimentally, no more than Nicodemus did, which was a Ruler of the Jews; nor no such persons nor people that plead for living in Sin term of Life, they know nothing by expe●●ence what it is for to be Regenerated, and Born again of Water and the Spirit, without which inward spiritual knowledge they cannot enter into the Kingdom of God; and they that are born of God by the Water and Spirit of Life, they are not Servants to Sin, neither will any such plead for Sin, nor for a continuance in it as long as they live; but all such Persons and People that are born of God, as aforesaid, they hate Sin, and every appearance of it, in Thoughts, Words and Actions, both in themselves and in all other people, where they see Sin committed, acted or done; and those that are born of God by his Spirit, they are in Christ, and he is in them spiritually, and they are made new Creatures by the working of Christ's spirit in their hearts and souls; and all old things that are evil, which is Sin and Iniquity, comes to be taken away and destroyed, and all things are made new by the workings of the Power and Spirit of Christ in the hearts of all the Children of Light, who are true Believers and Followers of Christ through the Spiritual Warfare, and through great Tribulations, and Trials, and Exercises, which the People of the Lord come to know, and to pass through, before they attain to Perfection from all their Sins; and it is said, That many are the Troubles of the Righteous, and through many Tribulations must they enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but the Lord is all-sufficient for to help his People out of all their Troubles and Trials, both inward and outward, those that puts their whole trust and confidence in him: And he hath done great things for many of his people now in our Age and Generation, which have been under great Troubles, Sufferings and Trials, both inward and outward, for which we have just cause, and we are bound in duty to bless and praise the Name of the Lord, and to return unto him all Honour, Glory, Praise, Thanks, Fear, Reverence and true Obedience; for unto the Lord alone it doth belong, both from me, and from all that knows him, who have tasted of his Love and Mercies, blessed and praised be his great and glorious, and heavenly Name, both now, henceforth for ever, and for evermore. Read these Scriptures, John 3. 1. to vers. 11. 2 Cor. 5. 17. Acts 14. 22. 2 Cor. 1. 3. 44. Chap. 10. 3. 4. 1. 45. And so the true Way that leads to the Kingdom of Heaven, is a straight and narrow way, for it is a way of Holiness, Righteousness and Purity, and a way wherein all people must deny themselves of doing any evil thing that will offend the Lord, or displease him, and therefore there are but a few that find it, and walk in it: and Christ's Flock is but a little Flock, in comparison of the multitude of people that are in the World, but the way that leads to Hell and Destruction, and so into everlasting Torment and Misery which shall never come to an end; this is a broad and wide way, and it is easy, and delightful, and pleasant, to all fleshly carnal minded people for to walk in: And all those people that live and act in Sin and Evil, and take pleasure and delight therein, and deny Perfection from Sin in this Life, all such persons and people are going on in the broad and wide way, that will lead them into everlasting Woe and Misery, unless they repent. And therefore it is my Advice and Counsel unto all people that now live and delight in Sin and Evil, as you tender the glory of God, and the good and well-being of your Immortal Souls, come out of all your ungodly ways and doings, and Repent and forsake the Evil of your ways and doings, and desire the Lord to pardon you for all your Sins and Transgressions, which yond have acted and done against him; and turn unto the Lord, and fear and love him with all your hearts, and hate Sin and Evil, and every appearance of it, both in yourselves, and in all others, that thereby you may come to know a Change, and a Reformation to be wrought in your hearts by the Power and Spirit of Christ in you, and this is the only way and means for you to find Forgiveness, and Mercy, and Acceptance with the Lord for your poor Souls; which if you so do, and find, it will be of more worth and value to you that find it, than all the outward enjoyments of Honour, or Riches, or Pleasures that are in the World.  
And now I shall mention, and lay before you some of the Cruelties and bloody Persecutions of these Clergymen, before mentioned, and some of their Hearers, and Members of their Churches, which have joined with them in their Cruelties, and bloody Persecutions, and shall begin with the Popish Clergy, and some of the Members of their Church; first, It is well known to many People what their Doctrine, and Principles, and Practices are, and what it leads and guides them for to do and act, in those Places and Countries where they have the Rule and Power in outward things; as for instance, They do believet at all people which are not of their Faith and Religion are Sectaries and Heretics, though they be called Christians, as I can make appear by their own Books, which they have set forth; and then this hath followed by their practices, that the more Heretics they kill and destroy, many of them think they do God more service, and count it a Meritorious Work, although the people which they have killed and murdered were no Heretics, but good Christians, many of them, and were faithful to God in what he manifested and made known unto them in their Age and Time; As for instance, How many of these good people aforesaid, have these Popish bloody Clergymen, and the Members of their Church, caused for to be but and destroyed in Queen Mary's Reign, because they could not for good Conscience-sake submit and conform to their Idolatrous Ways and Worships, which were never ordained by the Lord, nor never such a Doctrine nor Practice was ever preached, nor practised by any of the Ministers of Christ. And so this Doctrine and Practice, which was and is preached and practised by the Popish Clergy, and the Members of their Church, was ordained and set up by the Devil and his Ministers, and not by Christ nor his Ministers, as appears plainly by their Wicked Actions and Practices, aforesaid. And I shall mention more of their Cruelties and Murders, as for instance, How many Thousands of Protestants did they kill and murder in Ireland, even at such a time when the Protestants were peaceable and quiet, and did not lift up a hand against them; and the Devil in those Murderers did invent such Cruel Tortures and Punishments to put them to Death, as scarce hath been heard of amongst the Heathens, which are no Christians; and yet notwithstanding they have the boldness and confidence, for to call themselves Christians, and say, Christ is their Saviour: but Christ hates and abhors all such Murders and Cruelties, as are found acted and done amongst them: And Christ came not to destroy men's Lives, but to save them. And here people may see that these aforesaid, are not acted nor guided by the Spirit of Christ, but by the spirit of the Devil, who was a Liar and a Murderer from the beginning.  
And now I shall mention and lay before you some of the Cruelties and great Persecutions of the Presbyterian Clergy, and some of their Hearers and Members of their Church, both in Old England, and in New-England, which they have acted and done against the People of God, who are in scorn called by the World Quakers; first, they have cast many of us into Prisons, and there they have kept several until they died, and by their means and doings they have taken away the Goods and Chattels of many of our Friends, both Rich and Poor, to the value of many Thousands of Pounds; and this they did in Oliver Cromwell's time, and they proceeded against us for not paying of them Tithes, and Money for Preaching, by a Law which gave them treble Damage; and they caused evil men for to come into our Houses and Grounds for to distrain our Goods and Chattels, which they did several times, and sold our Goods and Chattels, and gave the Money to those Tything Hireling-Priests; and they sold our Goods & Chattels at an undervalue; and they took many times Goods and Chattels from us, which were worth above five times more than they called their due; & thus they have done to many of us. And they have cast several into Prisons for less than eighteen Pence a piece, at their own valuation, which they said was their due; and thus they have ruinated several of our Friends, and their Families aforesaid, in their Estates, besides the Cruelties which they have Inflicted upon our Bodies, in casting many of us into Prisons, and there they kept many until they died; and thus Cruelly, with much more Cruelties, which are here too tedious to mention, have they acted and done against us, because we could not for good Conscience sake uphold them in their ungodly Ways and Practices, as to pay them Tithes, and Money for their Preaching, as Ministers of Christ, as they and the people that hear them, call and account them to be: but Christ came to put an end to that Law, and Priesthood, and Covenant, by which Tithes were paid in the time of the Law and first Covenant, and hath abolished it; read Heb. 7. 8, 9, 10. And where do ye find, or read in all the Scriptures of Truth, that any of the true Ministers of Christ took Tithes, or Money for their preaching? Or did ever any of the true Believers and Followers of Christ pay Tithes? And whosoever they be that either take Tithes, or pay Tithes, denys Christ to be come, and the end of his coming, so as to yield obedience unto him, by doing that which he requires of them.  
And now I have something more to mention of the Wickedness, and Cruelties, and Murders of the Presbyterian Clergy, and the Professors and Members of their Church in New-England, against the people of God, called in scorn Quakers; first, they cast many in Prison, and they Whipped many in a cruel manner, both Men and Women, 〈◊〉 their naked Bodies; and they took away the Goods and 〈◊〉 of many of the people aforesaid, and they Branded and Burnt them with Hot ●●ons, and they Cut off the Ears of some, and Banished them; And all these Cruelties, with much more, which are not here mentioned, which they acted and did against the people aforesaid, would not satisfy their bloodthirsty Spirit.  
And now I desire all true Christians, who are true Believers and Lovers of Christ, to consider and take notice of all these Cruelties and Murders aforesaid, and see if these Clergymen and People aforesaid, be not acted and guided by the same Spirit now that the High-Priests, and Chief Priests, and Scribes and Pharisees were, when Christ was upon the Earth; and they had a form of Godliness, and professed Scriptures, and they made long Prayers, and made clean the outside, and appeared righteous in the sight of men, but their hearts were deceitful, and full of Hypocrisy and Iniquity, as many of the Priests and Professors of Religion are found to be now, by their evil Lives and Conversations in this world: And was there any greater Enemies to Christ Jesus, when he was upon the Earth, than those High-Priests and Chief Priests, and Scribes and Pharisees were then? And they sought every way they could for to destroy Christ and his Ministers, and sought false Witness against them for to have them put to Death: and Christ and some of his Ministers were put to death by means of such wicked ungodly Priests and Professors of Religion as aforesaid, which had a form of Godliness, but they were absolute Enemies to these that lived in the Life and Power of Godliness; as these Priests, and Professors, and People are now; & many of these now are absolute Enemies to the Children of Light, and all that do truly believe and own the Spiritual Appearance of Christ in their hearts, as to obey and follow it, who was and is the true Light and Life of all true Christians, and true Believers in him in all Ages & Generations that are past & gone; and all such Christians and true Believers in him, who do obey & follow the Light & Spirit of Christ in their hearts, they do, and will receive power daily for to forsake their Sins and Iniquities; and the same Light and Spirit will beget a perfect hatred in their Hearts against all Sin, and every appearance of it, both in themselves, and in all others, where they see Sin acted or done: And whosoever doth truly love and 〈…〉 Light and Spirit of Christ in themselves, which shows them Sin, and reproves them for it in secret, when they either think, speak or act any thing that is Evil, it will teach and help them to forsake Sin, and every appearance of Sin, according as the Lord doth manifest Sin unto them: And whosoever doth truly believe in this Light and good Spirit of Christ, which shows people their Sins, and reproves them in their own Hearts and Consciences, when they do sin against God, if they do truly love, and obey, and follow this Light and good Spirit in them, it is sufficient in its self, without the help of vain sinful men, which preach against Perfection from Sin in this Life; I say again, it is sufficient, and there is help and power enough in it, for to lead and guide all people out of their Sins, and to give them power to forsake all their Sins and Iniquities by degrees, all that are willing to deny themselves of all their sinful Ways and Pleasures, and so become obedient to this Light and Spirit of Christ in them; and this Light and Spirit the Lord hath given a measure of it freely to every one for to profit withal; and it is sufficient for to teach all People that truly believe in it, and obey it, and is willing to be taught by it, it will teach them to deny all ungodly Thoughts, Words and Actions; and it will teach them to live soberly, justly, godly, and righteously in this present world; and it will teach them for to do unto all People, as they would be done unto themselves; and it will teach them for to deal, and to do justly to all men, and to love and show mercy unto all People, and to walk in Lowliness, and in true Humility before the Lord; and these things the Lord requires of every one, and it is the duty of every one so to do. And now if this good Spirit of Christ did bear rule in every one's Heart, it would lead and guide them in all Truth and Righteousness, and it would lead and bring them out of all the wicked and ungodly Ways, and Worships, and evil Practices which are acted and done amongst all the Sons and Daughters of men, which are now in the fall, and live in Sin and Transgression against God, and so are found to be in the unregenerate state, and such are dead in their Sins and Trespasses, tho' their Bodies be alive in this World: and if this good Spirit aforesaid did bear rule in every Heart, there would not be that Killing nor Destroying one another, neither about Religion, nor no earthly thing whatsoever; and therefore I would have all People to take notice, that there are two Spirits, a good Spirit, and an evil Spirit; and the good Spirit comes from God, and the evil Spirit comes from the Devil; and the good Spirit leads People up to God, to have fellowship & communion with him in spirit, in their hearts & souls; and this is the only Communion which is spiritual, that is alone necessary and needful for every one to know in truth, as to their Everlasting Happiness with the Lord, when time here in this World shall be no more to them. And the evil Spirit draws and leads people from God, into all manner of Sin and Wickedness, some into one kind of Sin, and some into other kind of Sin; so that all People upon the Earth are Sinners, and live in Sin so long as this evil Spirit guides and bears rule in their hearts, and every one is a Servant to whether of these two Spirits he doth obey; and to whether of these two Spirits be yields his Members servants unto, his Servants they are to whom they do obey, whether it be unto that spirit which leads them into Sin and Evil, which is the wicked Spirit, or it be that they do obey the good Spirit, which leads and guides all them that are led and guided by it, into all Truth and Righteousness, and out of all Sin and Iniquiry; And whosoever hath not the Spirit of Christ, they are none of his, let them profess what they will, or be of what Judgement or Religion soever, if they have not the Spirit of Christ in them for to teach, and instruct, and counsel them, they are none of Christ's Servants nor Ministers; read these Scriptures, Rom. 8. 6. to vers. 15. Rom. 6. 12. to the end, 1 John 3. 4. to vers. 11. Tit. 2. 11. to the end, John 1. 1. to vers. 13. 1 Cor. 12. 7. And all them that do love and believe in the Light and Spirit of Christ in them, which shows them Sin, and reproves them in their own Hearts and Consciences, many times when they do sin, insomuch that I have heard several people say, when they have sinned, I pray God forgive me; when as at that time no Person outwardly did speak to them; but it was the Light and Spirit of Christ in them, that showed them that they had sinned against the Lord at that time; and whosoever minds and takes heed to that Light and Spirit of Christ in them, and believes in it, so as to obey and follow it, it will not only show them their Sins and evil Deeds which they have done and committed against the Lord; but it will beget a perfect hatred against all Sin in them, that do truly love and believe in this Light and good Spirit aforesaid, and it will beget secret cries and breathe unto the Lord, in their hearts and souls, that he would be pleased to pardon them, and to give them power for the time to come to forsake the evil of their Ways and Doings; that they might never sin against the Lord any more; and this hath been my state and con●●●ion, and many more of the People of God; and now we can say in truth, to the praise and glory of the Lord it is spoken, that we that were Sinners and Unbelievers, and were dead in Sins & Trespasses in days & years that are past and gone, as well as others; and then at that time when we were in that sad and miserable state and condition, as aforesaid, the Lord was pleased out of his infinite love, mercy & goodness, for to reveal and make known himself unto us, even at that time when we were Enemies, Aliens and Strangers unto him by wicked Works, which we had done against the Lord, notwithstanding all our Profession of Religion, and fair pretences which we made, that we did love the Lord, and believe in him, and did worship and serve him, as we thought then; but it pleased the Lord of his great love and kindness to us to appear in our hearts, by his Light and good Spirit, which he manifested and revealed in us at that time; and the Lord was pleased by his Light and Spirit for to search our hearts, and to let us see the deceit and the evil that was in our hearts, by reason of Sin and Iniquity, which the Enemy of our Souls, (which is the wicked spirit) had wrought in our hearts, and we knew it not, when we lived in our sins, and took pleasure and delight therein; and so instead of denying ourselves from doing those things, which did offend and displease the Lord, we did those things which did offend him and grieve his holy Spirit, as too many do now; and when we did those things which grieved the Lord, we did not then walk in the straight and narrow way that leads to Life and Peace with the Lord; but we were then walking in the broad and wide way that leads to Hell and Destruction, which many Thousands are now walking in, that live in their sins, and take pleasure and delight therein; but now the Lord out of his free love, and grace, and mercy hath called us out of the evil of the World, and the vain Conversation that people live and walk in, both Professors and Profane, and he hath revealed and made known his Mind and Will unto us, what he would have us for to do, and what he requires of us, which is to live the Lord with all our Hearts, above all visible things that are in the World; and also to fear, serve, honour and obey him in Truth and Righteousness, and to do justly with all men, and to love Mercy and walk Humbly with God; and now we find that the Lord hath made a Remnant of us freely willing for to serve and obey him, and to do his Will in what he makes known unto us, in all things which he commands and requires of us for to do. And this great Work which the Lord hath already wrought in our hearts, and the great things which he hath done for us, and in us, by his Power and Spirit, he hath not done it for any goodness, or worthiness, or any deserts which he saw in us, nor for any Works of Righteousness which we have done, whereby to move, or to engage the Lord for to do these great things, either for us, or in us; but he hath done all these things for his own Name sake, and in love to our immortal Souls, and out of his free Love, and Mercy, and Kindness to us, for which we are bound in duty, and are engaged to return unto the Lord all Honour, Glory, Praise, Thanks, Love, Fear, Reverence and Obedience; for unto him alone it doth belong, both from me, and from all that know how good and gracious he is, and hath been unto them, who is God over and above all, blessed and praised be his great, holy, and heavenly Name, both now henceforth, for ever, and for evermore; Amen.  
And now I would have all People to take notice, where this may come, that all Persons and People that despise and reject the Light and Spirit of Christ in them, which shows them their Sins, and reproves them in secret when they do evil, and say, It is but a natural Light, and that it is not sufficient, nor hath power to save people from their sins, nor to keep and preserve them out of sin, all such are Unbelievers, and hate Christ, and love their evil Deeds; for Christ is that Light and good Spirit in them, and he hath given a measure of it freely to every one to profit withal: and all them that truly love and believe in this Light and good Spirit in them, and is willing for to obey and follow it, all such will come to know Salvation and Redemption by Christ from their Sins and Iniquities; but all those that hate, and despise, and reject the Counsel and Teaching of this Light and good Spirit in them, and so slight and undervalue it, and count it a thing of nought, it will be the Condemnation of all such, and the Lord will be found just when he comes to judge them; and this Light and good Spirit in them will bear witness against them when they come to Judgement, which will be more than a hundred Witnesses outwardly; read these Scriptures, John 1. 9, 10, 11, 12. chap. 8. 12. chap. 12. 46. chap. 3. 19, 20, 21. 2 Cor. 13. 5. Col. 3. 11. Chap. 1. 27, 28. And I do verily believe, that there is and shall be a Resurrection, both of the Just and Unjust without respect of Persons, w 〈…〉 just God of Heaven and Earth, for to give 〈…〉 all their Deeds and Actions which they have 〈…〉 time, and every one shall receive a Reward from God, 〈…〉 their Deeds which they have done in their Bodies, whether they be good or evil. And now it concerns both me, and every one for to prize our time, which the Lord is pleased to give to us to live upon the Earth, that we may walk circumspectly and wisely, in the wisdom of God, before the Evil day come, which will certainly come upon the Wicked and Ungodly, that live and die in their Sins and Iniquities: And it is the true desire of my Heart and Soul, that we may all spend our time which the Lord gives us to live upon the Earth to God's honour and glory, by bringing forth good Works and Actions in our holy Lives and godly Conversations, to the praise and honour of his great and worthy Name, that so we may answer the end for which God hath made and created us, which is to love him with all our Hearts, and to fear, serve, honour and obey him in Truth and Righteousness, whereby God Almighty may be honoured and glorified, both in us and by us, who is worthy to have all the Honour, Glory, Praise, Thanks, Fear and true Obedience, for unto him alone it doth belong, both from me, and from all that know the Lord how good he is to them, both now and for ever, and for evermore; Amen. Read these Scriptures, Rom. 14. 12. 2 Cor. 5. 10. Rev. 22. 12.  
And now I shall come to mention something of the Cruelties and Persecutions of the Episcopal Clergy, who are Teachers of the People of the Church of England, so called, and some of their Hearers and Members of their Church that assisted them in their Cruelties; first, they Imprisoned many Hundreds of the People of the Lord, called in scorn Quakers; and by their means we were put into nasty Holes and Dungeons amongst Thiefs and Murderer; and some of us were Fettered and Chained with Irons on both Legs as they do to the worst of Malefactors; and our Friends and Acquaintance were not suffered for to come to see us, although some of our Friends did come a Hundred Miles or more, for to see us, and neither they nor we could be suffered to see one another; and they have gone away without seeing of us; nor there was not any suffered to come to relieve us, nor to help us to such things for our Money as we stood in great need of; nor we were not suffered to have any manner of Bedding brought in, not so much as a little Straw to lie upon, to keep us off the cold Ground, although we would have paid for it: and this was worse Cruelty than many use to their Dogs and Swine: And so the Gaolers would force us to buy Victuals of them at their own rate, or else we must have none, which was dearer by half then we might have had it of other People, if we could have been suffered to buy it at best hand; and there many were kept in Prisons until they died, by reason of such Cruel Usage as aforesaid. And these Clergymen caused many of our Houses to be rifled, and they went into the Grounds, and took and carried away out of our Houses and Grounds much Goods and Chattels several times, which they sold at an undervalue, less by half than they were worth: And they took away Goods and Chattels from many of us, which were worth above five times more than they could prove to be their due; and they distrained all the Goods in some Houses, and left them not a Bed to lie upon, neither for the Man of the House, nor his Wife, Children nor Servants, although some of the men's Wives, which had their Houses so rifled and plundered, was but newly delivered of a Child, or Children; and so they took no Pity, nor showed no Mercy neither to Men, Women or Children, that were in such a state and condition as aforesaid: And thus they have Ruinated several Persons and their Families, by taking away their Goods and Chattels, which they and their Families should have lived upon: They did live very well & comfortably before these wicked ungodly Clergymen, and the Upholders of them came upon them thus to destroy them. And they have taken away Goods and Chattels from us worth many Thousands of Pounds. And all these Cruelties and Wickedness they have done and acted against us, is only because we could not for good Conscience-sake pay them Tithes, and Money for their Preaching, as Ministers of Christ, which we know in our own Hearts and Consciences, and also by the Scriptures of Truth, that neither Christ, nor his true Ministers, never ordained any such wages, nor they never practised any such things, nor never took Tithes nor Money for their Preaching, nor never preached such a Doctrine as these Tything Hireling-Priests do now: But on the contrary, they denied all such ungodly ways and practices, and spoke against them, and said, That Covetousness is Idolatry, and the love of Money is the Root of all Evil; And, that these things ought not to be done, nor practised amongst the Ministers of Christ; and as the Apostle Paul said, so say we, If any one Preach any other Gospel, or any other Doctrine, than that which the Ministers of Christ preached unto the People formerly, let him be accursed. And the Ministers of Christ were endued with Power f●●● on High, and they were taught of Christ; and the Gospel which they preached, they neither received is of man, neither were they taught it of man, neither did they learn it at any outward Schools of humane Learning; neither did they buy it for Money; but the Lord did reveal it unto them by his holy Spirit, which He gave unto them freely; and so they Preached freely without any Tithes or Money: neither did they go to Law, nor compel, nor cast any sort of People into Prison, because they gave them not Tithes nor Money for their preaching. And therefore I do affirm, that all the Priests and Clergymen that, are in the whole World, that either preach or teach to any sort of People for either Tithes or Money, or both, they are all guilty before the Lord of that great Sin of Covetousness, and the love of Money, which is the Root of all Evil; besides many other great Sins which they are guilty of in the sight of God: And the Wicked and the Unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God, nor any Covetous Man, who is an Idolater, hath any Inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ, or of God. Read these Scriptures, 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10. Eph. 5. 3, 4, 5, 6. Col. 3. 5. 6. Heb. 13. 5. Luke 12. 15.  
And whereas many of you Clergymen, and others, have falsely accused us, in saying, That we deny Authority, and will not be subject nor obedient to Authority, etc. To which I Answer, not only for myself but in the behalf of my Friends, who are in scorn called Quakers; And this I can certainly say, and declare unto all sorts of People, that we do really own and honour Authority in our Hearts, such who are Men of Truth, and hate Covetousness, and all such as punish Evil-Doors, and encourage them that do Well; and all such Magistrates as these I do believe are ordained and appointed of God to be a Terror to the Wicked, and them that do Evil: and such are a means to hinder the Wicked form acting such gross Wickedness as many of them would do, if it were not for fear of an outward Law, and of such Magistrates as they know will punish them for their Offences; and such Magistrates as those, that are a means for to encourage and strengthen people in doing that which is good, and to suppress Vice, We are willing for to be subject and obedient to them in all things that are Temporal, which is lawful and expedient to be done: And all those Magistrates which now bear Rule, or may hereafter come to bear Rule amongst us, we can promise and engage unto them, That we will never Plot, nor Contrive any Evil thing against them, nor any of them, whereby to hurt or wrong them any manner of way: We shall never rise up in Rebellion against any Governor or Government whatsoever, as to sight against them with any Carnal Weapon; and if they should be suffered to make Laws against us, as many have done formerly, and command us to d●● at which we know is a Sin against the Lord, if we do it; or if they should require any thing of us, which we cannot do for Conscience sake, yet notwithstanding we shall not resist them by force of Arms, but by the help of the Lord, I hope, we shall be made willing by him for to give up our Bodies and Estates to suffer for Christ's sake, whatsoever the Lord may suffer them to do against us. And this the People of God did in all Ages, that were and are faithful and obedient to him in what he manifested unto them; as for instance, Did not the Rulers Imprison Peter and John, and afterwards they threatened to punish them, and commanded them, That they should not speak nor teach to any man in the Name of Jesus; And they answered, and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye? And they said further, We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard: And they departed from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they were worthy to suffer shame for the Name of Christ; and daily in the Temple, and in every House where they came, they ceased not to Teach and Preach Jesus Christ. And the Rulers, and Chief Priests and Pharisees, and such like wicked People, persecuted many of the Ministers of Christ, and did imprison and abuse them exceedingly; and some they killed, only for preaching the Gospel, and speaking against their ungodly Ways and evil Practices which they lived and walked in; yet notwithstanding they could not put them to silence by all their Cruelties and Persecutions which they inflicted upon them, neither could they hinder them that were living from preaching the Gospel. And so it is good for every one of us to be faithful unto the Lord in what he makes known unto us, and trust him, and be willing to give up to suffer for his sake, if he calls us thereunto, and he will appear in his own good time for our deliverance, out of all our Troubles and Trials, both inward and outward, wherein we shall have cause to bless and praise the Name of the Lord, for his great love and kindness to us, who is worthy to have all the Honour Glory, Praise and Thanks; for unto him alone it doth belong, both from me, and from all that know him experimentally, both now and for evermore. Read these Scriptures, 〈…〉 and Chap. 〈…〉. Acts 4. & Chap. 6. 8. vers. to the end. Ac● 7. 5●. vers. to the end.  
And now I shall men●ion something concerning false Prophets, who they are, an● now they may be known, because such things have been cast upon 〈◊〉 that have spoken in our Meetings, that They were false Prophets, and if it were possible, they would deceive the very Elect, etc. To which I Answer, That there is not any Person or People that live and walk in Sin, and take pleasure and delight therein, and plead for a continuance in it 〈◊〉 term of Life, and say, That there is none can be set free from Sin in this Life. that can witness any thing of their Election by the working of Christ's Spirit in them; and all such are deceived already by the deceitfulness of Sin, which bears rule in the Hearts of all the Children of Disobedience, who are disobedient to the Light and Spirit of Christ in them; and suell are in the broad way that leads to Destruction, and are in the state of Reprobation and Condemnation: But the true Prophets which the Lord sent, prophesied freely, without either taking Tithes or Money, and they prophesied truly that which came to pass; and they bore witness against the false Prophets and false Shepherds, that prophesied for Money and Hire; as for instance, read Isa. 55. 1. 2, 3. Chap. 56. 10, 11. And Isaiah was a true Prophet, and sent of God, and he did (as I may say) comparatively, make as it were a Proclamation, and saith, Ho, every ●re that thirsteth, come ye to the Waters, and he that hath no Money, come ye, buy and eat; yea, come buy Wine and Milk without Money and without Price. And he saith unto the People, Wherefore do ye spend Money for that which is not Bread, and your Labour for that which satisfieth not; Harken diligently unto me, saith the Lord, (by that true Prophet) and eat ye that which is good, and let your Soul delight itself in Fatness. Here People may see how the Lord by his true Prophet invites every one for to come to the Waters, and buy and eat freely, that which is good for their Souls, without Money and without Price; and he exhorts them that they should not spend their Money for that which is not Bread, and their Labour for that which would not satisfy their thirsty Souls. And now the generality of people are spending and giving their Money for that which is not the Bread of Life, neither will it satisfy any hungry thirsty Soul that truly hungers and thirsts after the Lord and his Righteousness. And this true Prophet called the false Prophets and false Shepherds, which spoke and prophesied for Money, dumb Dogs, greedy Dogs, which can never have enough, and they all look to their own way, every one for his Gain from his Quarter: And he told them that they were blind and ignorant, and so they did not understand the things of God. And now if people be not wilfully blind and ignorant, you may see that there is as much difference between the true Prophets of God, and the true Ministers of Christ, and the false Prophets and false Minstors, that either preach or prophesy for Tithes, or Money, or both, as there is betwixt Light and Darkness.  
And now I have something to propound unto all you Clergymen, before mentioned, which do profess, and say, that you are true Believers and Ministers of Christ, and that you follow Christ and his Ministers for your Example; and that the Scriptures are your Rule and Guide for to walk by; first, Where do ye find or read in all the holy Scriptures of Truth, that any of the Ministers of Christ ever went to any Schools of outward Learning, and stayed several Years there, and did commence from one degree of Learning unto another, for to be made Ministers of Christ, as you Clergymen did, and do now? And when you have been several Years at such Schools or Colleges, until you think that you are Artists, and are sufficient for to preach to People, than you get an Order to Preach: And so you come from those Schools into the Country, and inquire where there is a vacant place, where there is no Ministers, and then you endeavour to get that place for to Preach at, if you like their Wages; but if not, than you inquire for to get a better place, where there is most Tithes or Money, which is worth so much by the Year; and this is your Call to your Ministry▪ But the true Ministers of Christ were never called nor made Ministers after such a way and manner as yours is. And is not this way of yours, in being made Ministers, like unto a man that binds his Son to be an Apprentice with a Tradesman for several Years to learn him his Trade, and gives him so much Money for so doing; & when his time is expiered, his Master gives him his Indentures, and then he becomes a free man to set up his Trade, and to trade for himself without any opposition? But these Clergymen before mentioned, exceed all the Tradesmen in the World, that have any Principle of Honesty ruling in them; for when an honest Tradesman sells his Commodity, he delivers it to them, (or some for them) that buys it and pays for it: But these Covetous Clergymen aforesaid, sell their Sermons for Tithes, or Money, or both, and keeps them still, and do not deliver them to those that pay for them: And when they have a mind to go to another Town to Preach, they may have some of their old Sermons still for to preach to that people; and if that people do not give them any Money for that Sermon, yet notwithstanding they are paid for it by their own Hearers, which pay them so much every Year for their Preaching, which may amount to ten Shillings, or more, for every Sermon they preach throughout the whole year: Did ever the Ministers of Christ do any such things as these? And further, where do you find or read in all the Scriptures, that any of the Ministers of Christ took either Tithes or Money for their Preaching, or went to Law with any sort of People, and took away their Goods and Chattels, and cast them into Prisons for not paying of them Tithes, or Money for their Preaching, as these ungodly covetous Clergymen have done unto as these many Years, and still continues and goes on in these wicked ungodly Practices against us, as is before mentioned? And further, where do ye find or read in all the Scriptures, that any of the Ministers of Christ, when they went to preach, took a Text of other men's Words, and from those words raised Doctrines, Reasons, Motives, Uses and Applications, as you Clergymen do now? And further, where do you find or read in all the Scriptures, that any of the Ministers of Christ baptised Infants, and had Sureties to stand up for them, and to promise that they shall forsake the Devil, and all his Works, the vain Pomp and Glory of the World, with all Covetous Desires of the same, the Carnal Desires of the Flesh, so that they will not follow nor be led by them. And all this the Witnesses promise in the behalf of that Child, or Children that they stand up for; and when the Priest asketh those Witnesses, whether they do forsake the Devil and all his Works, and all things above expressed, they say, that They do forsake them all; which is a Lie in the sight of God and his People. And these Persons and People which do so promise and say as aforesaid, they are such as live and act in sin and evil, which is of the Devil, who is the author of all sin and evil that is committed against God by all the Sons and Daughters of men in the fall, who are unregenerated, and not born again of the Water and Spirit of Life: and these people which do thus say and promise, as aforesaid, they are such as do not believe that Perfection from Sin can be attained unto in this Life; and that none shall be set free from Sin so long as they live in this World; such as these take upon them to be called Godfathers, and Godmothers; and the Children which these people stand up for and promise so on their behalf, are taught to ask them Blessing, and to call them Godfathers and Godmothers; which thing is unwarrantable in the fight of God, the Maker and Creator of all mankind, and of all other Creatures whatsoever. And how dare any People be so bold and wicked, as to take upon them for to be so called, as aforesaid? And further, where do you find or read in all the Scriptures, that any of the Ministers of Christ did Marry any People, or did say Prayers over the Dead, or Churched any Women, as it is called; and all these things the Clergymen aforesaid, do, and practice for Money, besides their Tithes and Money for Preaching. And further, where do ye find or read in all the Scriptures, that any of the true Bishops and Ministers of Christ, that were ordained and appointed by him, did assume to themselves, and did take upon them such high Names and Titles, as to be called Lord and Masters, as these Bishops and Clergymen do ●ow? And where do ye find or read in all the Scriptures, ●●at Timothy and Titus were called Lord Bishops, which were true Bishops, and ordained of God? And where had they any Bishoprics, and many hundreds of Pounds by the Year, as these Bishops have now? And are not these great Names and Titles, and these rich Bishoprics, which they own and have gotten to themselves, contrary to the mind and will of God, and contrary to the practice of the true Bishops which were ordained of the Lord, and contrary to the Scriptures, be not a means to beget them into Pride and Highmindedness, and Self-exaltation, and not into Humility and Lowliness of Heart; so as to be gifted and qualified as the true Bishops were, that were ordained of God? And where do you find or read in all the Scriptures, that ever any of the true Prophets or Ministers of Christ were called Master, as a Name or Title to set up Self above the common sort of People? And did not Christ cry Woe against all such that went in long Robes, and had the uppermost Room at Feasts, and love Greetings in the Markets, and the Chief Seats in the Synagogues, and are called of men Rabbi, which is Master? And Christ said unto his Ministers, Be not ye called Masters, for one is your Master, even Christ, and ye are Brethren; and be that is the greatest among you, shall be your Servant. And the Apostle Paul who was a true Minister of Christ, said, That though I be free from all Men, yet I have made myself Servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And so he was not called Lord, nor Master, as a flattering Title amongst men, which upholds Pride and Highmindedness, as these Bishops and Clergymen are now? And did ever the Ministers of Christ demand ten Shillings for a Mortuary, and take it, as these Clergymen do now? And further, where do you find or read in all the Scriptures, that any of the Ministers of Christ set People to sing David's Psalms, which are put into Rhyme and Meter, by Hopkins and S●erhould, and others? And whether they that sing David's Psalms now, and are not in his state and condition that he was in, when he spoke those Words, which are recorded in the Book of Psalms? do not such sing Lies in Hypocrisy, yea or nay? For though those Sayings were true in David, because he was in that condition which he spoke of at that time, when he spoke those Words; but those Sayings are not true in them that know nothing of his condition; for he was in several conditions, as may be seen in the Book of Psalms: And how can people sing so long as their Souls are in Captivity, and they themselves in bondage to Sin; and so people must come to know Salvation and Redemption wrought by Christ in them from their Sins and Iniquities, before they can sing in Truth? And further, where do you find or read that the Ministers of Christ had a Book of Common-Prayer, or a Mass-Book provided for them, for to read to people for Money, as these Clergymen do now? Or where do ye find in all the Scriptures, that any of the Ministers of Christ, or any other People, that were true Believers and Followers of Christ, did ever read and say their Prayers in a Book, when the Lord moved them by his holy Spirit to pray unto him; but they waited upon the Lord until they were endued with Power from on High; and then they preached and prayed according as the Lord by his Spirit in them did help and assist them, and gave them utterance for to do and perform what the Lord did require of them, as appertaining to the Worship and Service of God. And now I shall propound one thing more, which is of great Concernment; Where do ye find or read in all the Scriptures, that ever any of the Ministers of Christ, or any true Christians or Saints, who were true Believers and Followers of Christ, that any of them did compel or demand any Money of any sort of People, for mending and repairing those Houses and Places where the true Ministers and People of God meet for to worship him in.  
And now I have something more to declare unto all that profess Christianity, and Salvation by Christ, which do say and believe, that they are already Saved, and Redeemed, and Justified by Christ and his Righteousness without them, although they be of that Faith and Persuasion, that They must live in Sin as long as they live upon the Earth; and that none can be set free from Sin in this Life, etc. To which I Answer; That all that are of that Faith and Persuasion are deceived by the Deceiver, and that Faith and Persuasion was never begotten by the Lord, but by the evil one, who is the author of all Sin and Evil: For I do affirm, that all People that know Christ spiritually and experimentally to be their Saviour and Redeemer, and that he hath already saved, and redeemed, and justified them; then no such, persons nor 〈◊〉 will any more plead for Sin, nor a continuance in 〈◊〉 term of Life; but all such people do believe that Freedom from Sin is to be attained unto in this Life: and all such People that are truly saved, and redeemed, and justified by Christ, as aforesaid, they hate Sin and every appearance of it, in Thoughts, Words end Actions, both in themselves, and in all others where they see Sin 〈…〉ed, acted and done against the Lord; But mark what follows, That before any can come to know experimentally that Christ hath saved and redeemed, and justified them, they must first come to know Sin to be mortified, killed, and destroyed in their Hea●● by the working of the Power, and Spirit of Christ in them; and also they must come to know Sanctification to be wrought in their Hearts by the power of the Lord in them, before that they can come to know, or to witness Justification by Christ, and his Righteousness: For all that are or shall be truly saved and redeemed, and justified by Christ, they are and shall be saved, and redeemed, and justified by Christ from their Sins, and from their Iniquities; but not in their Sins, nor in their Iniquities; for Christ Jesus neither saves, nor redeems, nor justifieth any Man or Woman is their Sins, but from their sins; and whosoever he, she, or they are, that live and act in Sin and Evil, and takes pleasure and delight therein, and pleads for a continuance in Sin term of Life, and believes that there is none that can be set free from Sin in this Life their is no such persons nor people that are already say 〈◊〉 nor redeemed, not justified by Christ and his Righteousness. But some may object, and say, Did not Christ come to save Sinners and to justify 〈…〉. It is true that he did so; but he came not to save Sinners in their sins, nor to justify the Ungodly in their Ungodliness, but from their Sins, and from their Ungodliness; as they in love and obedience to God came to forsake their Sins and their Ungodliness. And there is no Man nor Woman upon the Earth that can know Christ in Truth, and experimentally to be their Saviour and Redeemer, and Justifier, any further than he doth save, and redeem, and justify them from their Sins, and from their Ungodliness, so as to mortify and destroy Sin in them. But some may say, That the Righteousness of Christ is imputed unto us. It is true, it is so unto his people, but the Righteousness of Christ is not imputed to any one that lives and walks in Unrighteousness, and takes pleasure and delight therein; read these Scriptures, Mat. 1. 21. Tit. 2. 14. 1 John 1. 7. Rev. 1. 5. Gal. 2. 17. Psal. 143. 2. Exod. 23. 7.  
And now whereas I have heard many People say, That the Quakers Religion is but a new upstart Religion, and is but of a few Years standing, etc.  
To which I Answer; That I can make it appear by sufficient Grounds and Reasons, that our Religion and Principles, and Doctrine which we preach and hold forth unto all people where we come, it is of above sixteen Hundred Years standing; and we are in the same Faith, Hope and Belief of God and Christ, and walk in the same Light, Life, and Spirit of Christ, and in the same Way and Practice, as to the Worship of God, and Christ and his Ministers, and Disciples did Preach, and Teach, and Practice, and hold forth unto all people where they came, above sixteen Hundred Years ago.  
And now all you Clergymen aforesaid, that say you are Ministers of Christ, and the Scriptures are your Rule to walk by, Answer all these Things which are here laid to your Charge by plain Scriptures, without wresting or perverting any of them to a wrong sense, and answer in plainness, without your Logic or Syllogisms, or without using any of your Hebrew, Greek or Latin, which any carnal earthly-minded Men may have, that are brought up Scholars at your Schools, which are in capacity to learn humane Learning, which may be bought for Money. And so it appears plainly, both in the sight of God, and his People, by your wicked ungodly Actions and Practices, which you have done and acted both against the Lord, his Truth and People, that you have received nothing from God, as the true Ministers of Christ did, and doth row; neither were you brought up at Christ's School, nor never were taught of him, as the true Ministers of Christ were, and are now; and so what you have you and your Friends have bought with Money; and so you sell it again for Money to those that are willing to be taught by you, which knows no better teaching, and so you are a means to bring up people that are your Hearers, in Darkness, Blindness and Ignorance, as you yourselves are in; and so you all live without the true Knowledge and Enjoyment of God in this world: And so the People of the Lord that are taught of him by his Holy Spirit, cannot for good Conscience-sake buy any of your deceitful Wares, nor cannot give you any Tithes, nor Money for preaching, which speak and preach against Perfection from Sin in this Life, and say that None can be set free from Sin in this Life; and so you deny the sufficiency of Christ, and his Commands, and your Faith and Belief stands in him who is the author of all Sin and Evil, which is the Devil; and so your speaking and preaching, as aforesaid, doth encourage and strengthen the Wicked in their Wickedness, and you are a means to beget them into Unbelief, that they may believe as you do, that their is no Perfection from Sin in this Life: And so neither you, nor they that are your Hearers, do press after Perfection, because you do not believe that such a good state and condition can be attained unto in this Life; and so your Doctrine, and Principles, and Practices, are all quite contrary to the Doctrines, and Principles, and Practices of Christ and his Ministers, and all true Believers and Followers of Christ, and also quite contrary to the Scriptures of Truth in every thing that you do and practice concerning the Worship of God, and therefore you are to be disowned and denied by all good Christians that truly fear the Lord, and loves him in Truth and in Sincerity of heart; and all your Preaching and Praying is abomination in the sight of the Lord, and he will not hear nor answer the Prayers of the Wicked, that live and delight in Sin and Wickedness, and walk and act in such wicked Ways and Practices as these Clergymen do now, which is all quite contrary to the 〈◊〉 Way of God.  
And now I have something to mention and lay before you all, that are called Christians, of all sorts of Professions and Religions, whether they be called Quakers, or any other sort of Professions or Religions whatsoever, that do say, and believe that God is your Father, and Christ is your Saviour; I desire that every one would seriously weigh and consider their own Ways and Doings, and meditate and ponder the things of God in our own Hearts and Souls, that every one may come to see, and to know what assurance they have of the Love of God to their Immortal Souls, and of their Eternal and Everlasting Inheritance with the Lord in his heavenly Kingdom for evermore, when Time here in this World shall come to an End with us all: For it is not a bare outward Profession of any Religion whatsoever that will avail any of us, as to our own Souls true Peace and Happiness with the Lord for ever, but it must be a real Possession, and an Enjoyment of the Love of God in our own Hearts, that doth avail and satisfy our Souls, which no Man nor Woman upon the face of the Earth can come to enjoy the Love of God, and true Peace and Comfort in him, (which is of more worth and value than all the outward Enjoyments that are in the whole World) so long as they live in Sin, and take pleasure and delight therein: for God is pure, holy and righteous, and he is of purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity, as to allow of it in any one; and without Holiness no Man nor Woman can enjoy the Love and Presence of God to his Soul's Comfort and true Satisfaction in him; For it is not every one that saith Lord, Lord, that shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is he and they, that do the Will of God that shall enter into his Kingdom: And it is not the Hearers, nor the fair Sayers, nor them that have but an outward knowledge of God, that shall be Justified by the Lord; but it is the Doers of the Will of God, and them only that the Lord will Justifio, and speak Peace unto their Immortal Souls. And so I desire that none would deceive their own Souls, in thinking better of themselves than they are; for the Apostle Paul saith, Be not deceived, for God will not be mocked, for such as every one soweth, such must they reap, whether it be Good or Evil▪ And now I appeal to the Witness of God in every Heart and Conscience, of what Name or Religion soever you are of, Whether you are come so far into the true Christian Life, as to believe and obey the first Principle of the true Christian Religion? And whether you are come so far into the Life of Truth, and into the practice of the holy Scriptures, as to let your Yea be Yea, and your Nay be Nay, and do not alter nor change your Minds and Thoughts after you have said it, but let Yea and Nay stand after you have spoken it, and do and perform what you have said? And so every one ought-to be watchful and careful how to speak and act, before they either speak or act, l●st they offend the Lord by so doing; for the Apostle James saith, If any man among you seem to be Religious, and bridleth not his Tongue, but deceiveth his own Heart, this man's Religion is vain. And whosoever they be that promise for to do such and such things, which are just and lawful to be done, and aught to be performed; then if they that promise for to do such things, do not mind nor regard to perform their Words and Promises which they have spoken and promised, their Religion is vain, let them profess what they will. For such Men and Women that make Promises one to another, and do not mind nor regard to perform them, no such persons ought to be believed, nor trusted, nor to be confided in; and such have not a true Bridle for their Tongues, and so their Religion is vain and naught, and it is not the true Christian Religion; read these Scriptures, James 1. 26, 27. Gal. 6. 7, 8. Matth. 5. 37.  
And now I desire all Civil, Sober-minded people, that profess Christianity, and the Scriptures to be your Rule, that you would be so moderate, as to read these Scriptures herein set down, and compare these Scriptures, and the holy Lives and Conversations of Christ and his Ministers, and them that were true Believers and Followers of Christ, with the Unholy Lives and Conversations of these Clergymen aforesaid; and also their Cruelties and Persecutions against those that truly fear the Lord; and also their Selfish Covetous Actions and Practices which they do and practise for Tithes and Money, under pretence of being Ministers of Christ, and Preachers of the Gospel; And if you do understand those Scriptures in Truth, as they are, and be not partial in your Judgement, than you may see that there it as much difference betwixt the Doctrine, and Principles, and Practices of Christ and his Ministers, and the Doctrine, and Principles, and Practices of the Clergymen aforesaid, as there is betwixt Light and Darkness: And therefore I would not have you for to speak any Evil against that Way which you know not what it is; But I would have you first for to try all things, and hold fast that which is good.  
Selby in Yorkshire, the 4th Day of the third Month, 1691. Thomas Goodaire.  
THE END.