The SPIRIT of ERROR, Found, and Discovered, In the accounted Pastors and Teachers of the Island Bermuda, in the West-indieses; Their Principles and Practice also tried by the True Spirit, and found to be contrary to the Scriptures of Truth, and disproved by them; though pleaded for by the strongest Arguments, the said Teachers could bring forth. In an Answer to some Queries that were sent unto them, by us called Quakers. Which Answer was subscribed with all their Names hereafter mentioned. Their deceit unfolded for the People's sake of the Island; By a Servant of the Truth, (which searches out all iniquity, though it work in a Mystery) called, RICHARD PINDER.  
The Wicked is snared by the transgression of his Lips, but the Just shall come out of trouble.  Prov. 12.13. 
THe Day of Glory hath appeared, & the everlasting Gospel is now Preached unto them that dwell upon the earth, to the calling all forth off that great and long night of Darkness, which hath lain over every Nation, Kindred, Tongue, and People; where the Beast and false Prophet hath Reigned, and Mystery Babylon, the Mother of Harlots deceived; that they upon whom she hath sitten, have been as unstable as the Waters, and as changeable as the Winds, that a Rock, or Place to rest upon they have not known; but tossed and hurried to to and fro they have been, and deceived on every hand, through her Enchantments, that have filled the whole Earth with spoil and violence, through her changeable Ways and Garments, which she hath been decked withal, since she began to drink the Saints Blood, and since she, Mystery Babylon, the false Church, made all. Nations drunk with the Wine of her Fornications, which hath made them Reel and Stagger to and fro, that they have all lost the way, and turned into the by-paths, wherein they are groping like blind men without any glimmering of Light, and run and clash one against another, and fall on heaps, and then burst out like the Waters, thinking to swallow all up; and then another Wave meets them, and here arises Heat and Rage one against another; and here People rend and tear one another about the Scriptures, and cry it up to be their Rule and Guide to lead them to knowledge; but have all lost the Key which should open the Door of true Knowledge, and which should open the Scriptures unto them; and this Key they hate (which is the Light which Christ hath enlightened every one withal;) and so it is but just on the Lord's behalf, to give every one of them up to follow the Imaginations of their own hearts, being that they hate his Reproof, and cast his Law behind their backs: And being that they are grown so proud and haughty, that they despise waiting for his Counsel, that every one doth the thing which seemeth good in his own eyes; and there the Lord and his Reproofs are not regarded, but rejected; neither is his Law there waited for: Where man hath chosen his own way, in which man seeks to exalt himself, and to get a name in the Earth, that what man doth in that state, he hath a self-end in it; whether it be in matters seemingly to bring something to the glory of God, or in others; yet he hath his own end in it, and this is the estate where man is Cursed, and all things (unto him) for his sake; and there man is separated from the true and living God, and so turned into his own Inventions; invents a way to serve and worship him, by whom he was made, thinking thereby to please him, and procure his love: Whenas, alas, he daily rejects his love, by turning into his own ways; and here the Lords hand is turned against man, because of his iniquity, which daily aboundeth, and is daily brought forth, where man hath chosen his own way, and turned from the way of God, which is but one.  
Now the ways which man hath invented, are many; and which he hath sought out for himself, since he was turned forth of the acceptance with God; by reason of his choosing to walk in his own ways, And there standeth the craft and subtlety of man, in the degenerate state, degenerated through the subtlety and craft of him, that hath led from the Truth, that he cannot savour the things of God, his Judgement and Discerning being taken away; and in that he is become leavened up into such a temper and frame, as he is altogether an Enemy to Truth and Righteousness. In this state, man calls Truth Error, and Error Truth; and calls, and accounts his own way, the way of Righteousness; and so puts the Lord's Way, and his Judgements afar off; and seeketh to do those things which is pleasing in his own eyes; and by this perverteth true Judgement, and seeketh to be Judge himself over the things which God hath made; and there man is not at all willing that God should rule over the work of his own hands, but would rule, and be Lord and King himself; and so goeth on in craft and subtlety, as that Power worketh and moveth in him, which is at enmity against God; for its Kingdom and Exaltation standeth in craft and subtlety, and there its strength lieth by which it is upholden; opposing the Lord and his Work, and setting its own up, in those who are guided by it, and so it hath many Instruments which in subtlety and craft, under a pretence of Godliness will stand up for it, in opposition to the way by which God worketh to manifest his love among the sons of men, to reconcile them unto himself again; which is only known through his own Son, which in his love he gave a Light into the world, that whosoever should believe in him, should not abide in Darkness (by which people are separated from God) but should have the Light of Life. And this is He, by which God maketh himself known unto the sons of men, that through transgression have been destitute of his knowledge; and this Word of Reconciliation being now Preached, even the Gospel of his only begotten Son, in whom the Father is well pleased, and in which man is accepted with him again; I say, This Gospel being now Preached unto every Nation, Kindred, Tongue, and People, over whom the Beast, and false Prophet have reigned, and Mystery Babylon, and Mother of Harlots bewitched. Also now the Power of the enmity standeth up on every Instrument (whom it hath fitted) to blaspheme & reproach the Gospel of Light, and glad Tidings; which we the despised people (commonly called Quakers) bear testimony unto, though for it we are Hated, and Despised, and spoken against, in every place, by them that have pretended to be Preachers of the Gospel of Peace and glad Tidings; but are now in this the day of Glory, found to be Preachers for the glory of man, and for filthy Lucre, & are now found to be of Mystery Babylon's Merchants, which have long deceived the Nations, and taken their money for that which is not Bread; which now, when the day of Glory hath appeared, and their Merchandise spoiled, begin to lament and mourn; and because in a day misery is come upon them, in which they gnaw their Tongues for pain, and blaspheme against the Lord and his Tabernacle, which now is witnessed to be with men; whose day hath appeared, to make their abominations manifest, and to the discovering of the secrets of their hearts, that their Blasphemy against the Lord and his Tabernacle, they utter forth because of their sorrow that is come upon them: For though they cry to the Mountains and Hills to cover them, yet they cannot defend them; for a consumption is determined against them, & entered into their own bowels; that Behold, when they look for Day, Night then cometh upon them; and when they look for safety from the Hills and Mountains, even sudden destruction cometh upon them, that Blackness of Darkness compasseth them about; and the deeper they dive to hid their counsel from the Lord, the greater will their misery be, and the sooner will their measure of iniquity be filled up, that the Lord with the Besom of his wrath may sweep them away. For do we read in all the Scriptures, that the false Prophets in any generation uttered forth such folly and Ignorance, as the false Prophets in this generation do? And though you three of Bermuda lay long hid, that the envy which was in your hearts against the heritage of God, did not so much appear, as it did in some of your Brethren; yet the Lord hath sought you out, that the deceit of your hearts might be made manifest, and laid open; and that was the end for which I was moved to send my Queries unto you; and not that I wanted satisfaction as to my own particular, in the things whereof I Queried; but that your Belief and Judgement might be brought forth: For, as many may know, you are the least of many hundreds of the men of Darkness, which have uttered forth their folly and ignorance, in passing their judgements upon us, (whom God hath made as a terror unto all the wicked) and upon the Gospel of Light, which we bear testimony unto, which hath enlightened every one that cometh into the World; about which Light, the most of my Queries unto you was, which were sent unto you, subscribed with my own name, and with George Rofé, who also hath given his testimony against you, both by his Word and Writing. And I having now received an Answer to my Queries, I may here set down some of your principal Arguments laid down therein, with my Reply unto them, that both may be sent into the World, that all who fear the Lord may judge thereof.  
The Priests say, in answer to the first Querie, That there may be a light in man, reproving and convincing of sin, and yet not sufficient to lead unto life. For they say: Such a light was in Judas. And they say, There is a Natural Light in man, which Reproveth sin.  
Answer. The Light which convinceth the World of sin, is the Spirit of Truth; and Christ said, It should lead them into all Truth, Joh. 16.8. So, for you three Priests to say, that the Light which convinceth of sin, is not sufficient to lead unto Life; you might as well say, Christ spoke not truth, when he said, That the Spirit which reproveth the World of sin, should lead into all Truth. And Judas he turned from the Truth, when he betrayed the Innocent into the hands of sinners. And when he took money (of such envious men as you are) for so doing, in whom a persecuting spirit soon appeared; as you may remember, your seeking to the Magistrates to have us banished, who witnessed against all deceit, and deeds of Darkness, and against your natural Light, and against your Preaching by your Natural Learning, which the Light that convinceth of sin, discovereth to be contrary to what the Apostles Preached; who received their Gospel not of man, neither was taught it by man, 
Gal. 1.1.  but by the Revelation of Christ; who hath enlightened every one that cometh into the World, that through him all might believe and receive life; But his Light condemns all such Unbelievers as you are.  
The Priests say in their Answer to another Querie, That the Light which discovereth corruption, is from Christ, but not given to all men.  
Answer. The Light which discovereth corruption, is One in all; 
John 3.  the same to him that believeth, as it is in him that believeth not. For Christ, whose Light convinceth of sin, is He that is to judge all Nations of men, that be upon the face of the whole earth: Yea all you Unbelievers are to be judged by him; and according to the Light (which he hath enlightened you withal) will Judgement be given, and you receive reward according to your deeds.  
So it is good for you all now, while you have time, to give regard to the Light which convinceth of sin, and discovereth the corruptions of your own hearts, and it will let you see, that such as say all are not enlightened with a measure of it, are Deceivers, and speak contrary to the Scriptures in so saying: As you may read 1 John, v. 9  
The Priests say again, That light may be in a man two ways. First they say, By proceeding from Inbred Principles brought into the World with him, as water is in a Well, where it springeth. Secondly, They say, Light may be in a man by infusion, or instruction, by him that wanted it, as water is put into a Well.  
Answer. Where do you read, that any of the true Prophets, Christ, or his Apostles, told people of light being in them two ways? This is but a piece of Sophistry, to blind people withal, to tell them of light being in them two ways. And see how in this you are contrary to the Scriptures: For did not the Lord say, He would give a Light to the Gentiles, which should be his salvation unto the ends of the earth? Isa. 49. And doth not Simeon say of Christ, That he was given a Light, to lighten the Gentiles? Luke 2.32. And did not Christ himself say, I am the Light of the World? John 8.12. And did not he say, It was the Condemnation that Light was come into the World, and men loved Darkness rather than Light; because their deeds were evil? John 3.19. And did not John say, He enlighteneth every one that cometh into the World? John 1.9. And did not the Apostle say, That the light which shined in their hearts, gave them the Light of the Knowledge of the glory of God, in the face ●f Chr●st Jesus? 2 Cor. 4.6.  
So you that are speaking of two Lights, are them that darkens Counsel, by uttering words without knowledge, who tell of an Inbred light, which is as water springing in a Well; and of light infused, which is as water put into a Well: That you three Priests may read yourselves by your own comparison, who tell people of light being infused into them, by hearing you tell your meanings of the Scriptures, and their meanings whom you call Orthodox men; (which you call Preaching of the Word) that I say you may read yourselves, and also your Hearers by your Comparison, who compare that Light (which is infused into people by instruction, which you count your work) to water that is put into a Well. Now consider, Will not water that is put into a Well that hath no Spring in it soon decay, and waste away? But Praises be unto the Lord, who among his (that have believed in the Light which enlighteneth every one that cometh into the World) hath opened the Wellspring of Light; and Life; and such see your ignorance, and laugh at your folly, who are speaking of Light being in people two ways; you are the men of Darkness, whose eyes the god of the World hath blinded; lest you should see the Light of the glorious Gospel, 2 Cor. 4.4.  
The Priests say, That there is a light within some men, discovering their corruptions; what it is, and where it is; by Infusion, or Instruction; by the Word of God contained in the Scripture; That (they say) they grant.  
Answer. What will the Light which cometh by Instruction, which you yourselves compare to water put into a Well; (which will soon waste and decay) will it discover corruption, where it is, and what it is? And will not the Light which is in people, which is as water that springeth in a Well, will not this discover corruption, and where it is? By this you are seen to be they which would set up yourselves. For we know well enough what it is you call the Word of God, contained in the Scriptures: 
1 Kings 8.17.  But the Word of God is Christ, which the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain. So in this you have showed forth your ignorance.  
The Priests say in Answer to another Querie, which was, Whether the Light (by which the Children of Light walked) was within them, or some Light without them? To this they say, The light whereby the Children of Light walked, was within them; rooted, and grafted in their hearts: but it was infused into them by the Doctrine contained in the holy Scriptures.  
Answ. The LIGHT, which the Children of Light (which we read of in Scripture) walked in; and in which they had fellowship with God, and one with another; and in which they knew the blood of Jesus, which cleansed from all sin: God was the Author of this Light, John 1.5. and not the Scripture: For the Scripture doth but declare of the Light: Neither doth the Scriptures say (as you do) in any place, that Light by them is infused into people: but saith, Christ, the Light, by which every one is enlightened. And several there were, which walked in the Light with God, before the Scriptures were written; as Enoch, who was translated from death to life, Gen. 5.22. and Abraham knew the voice of God before the Scriptures were written. 
Heb. 11.5.  And why do you tell so often of Light being infused into people by the Doctrine contained in the Scriptures; and do not also tell what you mean by that Doctrine? Now if this be your meaning (as I believe it is) your taking a Verse of the Scriptures, and raise from it so many Doctrines, and then lay down so many Trials, and then so many Arguments, and then so many Motives, and Uses, and Applications: if this be the Doctrine you so much speak-of (as I say again, I believe it is) through which you say Light must be infused into people. Now consider, you do all this for money; and people give you money for doing of it, as you three Priests; witness your Forty pound Salary, and two shares of Land a year: yet nevertheless, though you do all this for money; the gift of God cannot be bought and sold for money, Act. 8.20. And they that walked in the LIGHT (which is the gift of God) they witnessed a cleansing from the sin through it; which you, who tell of Light being infused into people (by such Doctrine as before mentioned) plead against; that in short, we plainly see, the more people adhere unto you, the further into darkness they are led, and the further they are from owning the gift of God in themselves; which should lead them unto Life Eternal, and from the teaching of all Deceivers, Rom. 6.13.  
The Priests say, The Children of Light came to a right understanding of the Scriptures, through the Light that shined in the Scriptures themselves; and not by any Light that was in them before they were acquainted with the Scriptures. As a man in the dark discerneth a Candle, by the light which shineth from the Candle; and not by any light he had before.  
Answ. That which must bring people to receive a right understanding of the Scriptures, is the Spirit which leads to the fulfilling of them: for many there were that had the Scriptures, and could talk of them, and yet were in darkness, and could not see into the mystery the Scripture spoke of, in that they were enemies to the Spirit by which they were spoken forth; and so stumbled at CHRIST, 
1 Cor. 1.23. Rom. 9.32.  the True Light; Him of whom the Scriptures did declare: But Simeon, who was a Just man, and waited for the Consolation of Israel; it was revealed unto him by the holy Ghost; that he should not see death, until he had seen the Lords Christ, Luk. 2.26. Now he did not say, that the Scriptures did reveal this unto him, but the holy Ghost. For there were many at that time, who did expect the Messiah to come; as Simeon did: yet though they had the Scriptures, yet could not know him, who was the Gentiles Light, and Israel's Glory, Luk. 2.32. And now you three Priests, consider your comparison; Whether a man by the light of a Candle only, discerneth the light of a Candle, as you say; or he discerneth the Candle, and its light, by his eye, which is the light of the body, which he had before: for a man that hath not the light of the eye, he can neither see the Candle, nor its light. That you have erred both in the main matter, and in your comparison, and by your own comparison, may be judged to be men, 
Deut. 16.19.  whose eye, gifts and rewards hath blinded, Exod. 13, 8. (to wit) such yearly gifts, as your forty pound Salary, and two shares of Land.  
The Priests say in their Answer to another Query; That they do not promise to bring any light of their own to the Scriptures, as they say, our words in our Queries would make; but, they say, they only do open the words, and seek out the true sense contained in them, by an Allegory of Faith.  
Answ. We know, whatever you profess or promise, that you can bring no light to the Scriptures; and for your finding out the true sense of them, that also we know you can never do, so long as you are not guided by the same Spirit, as they were that spoke them forth, though you have them in several Languages, as Latin, Greek and Hebrew, as Pilate had, who delivered the Innocent up into the hands of blood-thirsty-men: such Nathaniel White, as thy Brethren in New-England are: whom thou so highly extols, and art a Pastor of their false Church, which is of Mystery Babylon's offspring; witness their drinking the Saints blood. And though thou, with thy two Brethren, Brown and Burr, tell of searching out the true sense of the Scripture, by an Allegory of Faith; yet we know so long as you live in headiness, high-mindedness, and love Pleasures more than God; and accuse falsely, as you many times did us, (who witnessed against your deceit) we know so long as you are such, that your minds are corrupt, and that you are reprobate cancerning the Faith, 2 Tim. 3.8. which was orce delivered to the Saints, before Mystery Babylon, 
2 Tim. 3.4.  your Church's Mother, brought forth such Children as you are; who live in Pleasure, sporting yourselves in the daytime, as Nathaniel White; 
2 Pet 2.13.  witness thy playing at Bowls; and yet by New-englands' false Church, and Gathered Congregations, is accounted a Reverend Divine.  
The Priests say, That to say their Preaching is nothing else but the telling people of their own meanings of the Scriptures, is an untruth; and that we are never able to prove it.  
Answ. Are not you the very men that get your living by telling the people your meanings of the Scriptures? for do you not deny the Light which Christ hath enlightened every one withal; which should reveal the Mystery the Scripture speaks of, which is, God manifest in the flesh: Do you not deny this? and tell people, Revelation is not to be looked for in these days: And what do you say, it is an untruth to say you give your own meanings of the Scriptures? If an untruth; how comes it to pass then, that you three Priests are not all of one judgement? for certainly if you were guided by that Spirit, by which the Scriptures were given forth, it would inform your Judgement, and bring you into oneness of mind; but you being enemies unto the Spirit, by which the Saints were led, you cannot agree in your meanings about the Scriptures, though you are made friends, and agree in this thing to join your strength together against the Truth, as Pilate, and Herod: But formerly have you not been at difference among yourselves? and are you not so still, even about that you call Church-Government; and about those things you say are Institutions of Christ; your sprinkling of Infants; and giving people Bread and Wine, which you call a Sacrament? which indeed both it, and your sprinkling of Infants are from the POPE, and beware instituted by him: but as for your not agreeing among yourselves about these things, I need say little; and also for your joining together against the Truth: These things I may both leave to them of that Island, who fear the Lord, to judge of: for they take notice of your unstableness; and the day is now coming, wherein (it may be) you may be further tried. But all will be, that the deceit and rottenness of your hearts may appear unto all, that desire truly to fear the Lord, that they with speed may turn from following you in your pernicious ways, lest they be destroyed with you; for the snare is before you.  
The Priests say again, They use the help of Faithful and Orthodox men's Labours; whom God hath commanded them to remember, and to follow their faith; against which way (they say) we, nor any other can except any thing justly.  
Answ. We can justly except against, and have already excepted against both you, and them you account Orthodox men's Labours; for are not you of the generation of men, who by their Opinions, and by them they count Orthodox men's Opinions, have set people on heaps, like one to destroy another, because they are not of the same Opinion with them: And hath not this been the work, since the Opinions of those you call Orthodox men, were cried up; and since you (the Merchants of Mystery Babylon) told people, they must follow the Faith of those you call Orthodox men; whose faith you say you are commanded to follow: But alas! do not they differ in their Opinions as much as you? that have not people, by adhering to their works, which you traded withal, been driven into divers Opinions, Sects and Ways; and then seek to destroy one another about them? and by this, are not you, and your Brethren found to be they, that have caused so much Blood to be shed among them, that have the name of Christions? And why do you three Priests not tell us where you have a Command from God, to follow the Faith of them you call Orthodox men, seeing you say you have? But doth it not plainly appear by this, that you are the men who have erred from the Faith, which was once delivered to the Saints, 
Acts 15.9.  and which the Saints lived in; which gave them victory over the world, and purified their hearts. 
Eph 2.8.  For is not this the Faith which you have received by tradition from those you account Orthodox men; That people cannot be free from sin, while here upon earth? Now if this be the Faith of the Orthodox men, which you say you are to follow; then we can justly except both against them and you, and your Faith, for it is not the Faith of God's Elect: for they that were in it, witnessed victory over the world through it, and were saved from sin by it. 
1 joh 5.4.   
The Priests say, It is a lie to say they do not exhort people to come to the knowledge of the Scriptures, as the free gift of God; for they say in their Doctrine, they declare it as a gift of Grace given to some, and not all; we exhort them to beg it of God by Prayer; and before we preach, we pray with them, and for them, to God, that he would bestow the right understanding of his Word, upon them, and us, they say.  
Answ. That which gives a true understanding in the Scriptures (which you call the Word) is the gift of God, which is his Grace, which hath appeared unto all men, Tit. 2.11. And you that deny, and would exclude this Grace, from having appeared unto all men; are setting up your own Doctrines and Commandments, received by Tradition, and are crying them up, and selling them to your hearers for money; and though you both preach, and pray with them before you preach; yet, have you not money for your Praying, as well as your Preaching? And though you exhort people to beg by prayer from God, a right understanding of his Word; yet, have you not money for this Exhortation? But Praises be unto the Lord, who among His hath manifested his Word of Life to instruct; which is nigh them, 
Deut. 30.14.  even in their mouths, and in their hearts, that they may hear it, and obey it. And such who know the Instructions of the Word, which gives Life; they deny your Instructions, and Exhortations, and Preaching, and Praying also: for they see that you do them all but for your own ends, since you have set yourselves against the Truth; as you three Priests of Bermuda have done; who were like a wild Bull in a Net: witness your fretting and chafing in your Praying and Preaching, when you could not get the Magistrates of that place to satisfy your envious minds, to banish us off that Island; who came to visit the remnant of jacob's Seed; that it might be gathered from off the tops of the barren Mountains (where it long had been scattered) into the Fold of Rest; and at the fulfilling of this your rage (like madmen) appeared.  
The Priests say, That they find to their great comfort, that the Doctrine of holy Scriptures, received by Faith, hath power to purge their hearts from the Corruption of Sin; and they say, it's often declared by them, that they own no other Light of Christ, making to see sin to their salvation, but this Doctrine contained in the holy Scripture, and planted into their hearts by his holy Spirit, through hearing and reading of them.  
Answ. By this it appeareth, that you are them that preach up another Faith, than that which was preached to Abraham before the Scriptures were written, Gal. 3.8. when Abraham saw the coming of the Just Ones, and rejoiced, joh. 8.58. And the Prophet saith, He should sit as a Refiner and Purifier of Silver, Mal. 3.3. And john saith, He shall throughly purge his floor, Luke 3.17. And the Scriptures cannot contain him, for he is ascended for above all heavens, that he might fill all things, Ephes. 4.10. This is He the Scripture declares of, who was the Author and Finisher of the Saints Faith; in whom they believed, and had remission of sins; and received Life Everlasting, according as the Scriptures say: And the Spirit of Truth, which led them into all Truth, was the Saint's Comforter, and this led them to the fulfilling of what before was written: And so they stumbled not at Christ the chief cornerstone, as they did that cried up the Prophet's Write, but were erred from the Spirit, by which the Prophets were led: and this is your condition, who set yourselves to scandalise and reproach the LIGHT, which Christ hath enlightened every one withal; and yet are crying up the Doctrine contained in the Scripture; and say, it hath power to purge your hearts from the corruption of sin: when as alas, you believe no such thing, as people can be purged wholly from sin in this life. And note, that so long as sin remaineth, it corrupts; and so your deceit is seen, who tell of being purged from corruption; and not from the sin which doth corrupt. And Praises be unto the Lord, many are come into the Faith, by which Abel offered a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain; 
Heb. 11.4, 25.  of whose stock all envious men are: And the Faith of Abraham is witnessed, by which he obeyed the voice of God, before the Scriptures were written; and faith which Moses was in, is witnessed, by which he denied the pleasure of sin, which you three Priests are yet found in; and though you cry up the Doctrine contained in the Scriptures, yet your deceit is seen, and your Ignorance discovered, who say, You know no Light of Christ making to see sin to your salvation, but the Doctrine contained in the Scriptures; which before I shown what it was, taking a Verse of Scripture, and Divining an hour (by a Glass) from it: But all such Doctrine, they that spoke forth the Scripture denied, and preached Christ the Light, and Lamb of God, which had been slain from the foundation of the World, and preached remission of sins through him, who is the Power of God, and the Righteousness of God, who hath enlightened every one that cometh into the World, that through him all might believe. And this Light the Saints witnessed to shine in their hearts, to give them the Light of the knowledge of the Glory of God. And so this Light they preached, which in all at first shined in Darkness, and reproves for the sin that is borough forth by the Power of Darkness. 
2 Cor. 6.4.   
The Priests say, That we (to wit the Quakers) take the Light of Christ for the knowledge of Christ, as the Son of God, and Saviour of the World.  
Answer. He that is the only begotten Son of God, and Saviour of the World, hath enlightened every one that cometh into the World; and this is he that giveth the knowledge of the Father; and this is life eternal, to know the Father, and him whom he hath sent a Light into the World, 
Joh. 12.36.  that they who believed in him, should not abide in Darkness. Now the Light which cometh from the only begotten of the Father, First sheweth unto people their own darkness, to the end, that with the Light they may be led out of it; that where the Light is believed in, and obeyed, it manifesteth life; which life Redeemeth, and Reconcileth unto God as it is known. And this is the true and saving knowledge of Christ, which we (the Quakers) bear testimony unto; for by his Life the Saints were saved, and this Life none know, 
Rom. 5.10.  but who come and wait in the Light for the revealing of it, that they are the Children which abide in the Darkness, who do not believe in the Light, which Christ hath enlightened every one that cometh into the World withal, and can never come to the knowledge which saveth, but are condemned already, john 3.18.  
The Priests say, To reason from every one having so much light, as leaveth them without excuse; therefore they have a Light of Christ, or saving Light (they say) its all alike; as if one should prove every sick man hath knowledge to recover himself, because he knoweth he is sick.  
Answer. Here would you not make it, as though people were left without excuse by some other light, than the Light of Christ. Oye blind Leaders of the blind, who are thus fallen into the Pit of darkness! Doth not Christ, who is the Light, and saveth them that believe in him, condemn the Unbelievers? And would you have him to judge and condemn them for their sin and transgression, and that he never enlightened them, to let them see what sin and transgression was? Oh how you err in the things of God, and in the judgement which is Eternal, which is committed unto the Son, who hath enlightened every man that cometh into the World. And you that are telling of a Light, by which people are left without excuse, 
john 9.22.  and not from Christ, you are they that are setting up another Judge than he; and so would pervert the Truth, and true judgement, which was ever the work of him that is the father of Lies, who did not abide in the Truth, whose ways the true Light now discovereth; that though you who are filled with his subtlety, go about never so many ways to pervert the Truth and true Judgement; yet you are discovered in them all, and all your Arguments and Comparisons seen to be of no value. For consider your last Comparison: Every man that is sick, knoweth not the ground of his sickness and distemper; but the Light which every man is enlightened withal, shows unto him his sin; for which sake the Wrath of God cometh and abideth upon him; that all may see your Comparison is made in the blindness of your hearts, which is filled with the gross Darkness, that you cannot compare Spiritual things with Spiritual; 
1 Cor. 2.14.  neither indeed can you natural men (who say people are left without excuse by a natural light) discern the things of God; for they alone are Spiritually discerned, 1 Cor. 2.14.  
The Priests say, We discover much Ignorance, when we desire to know what example they have out of the Scriptures, for taking Forty pounds' Salary, and two shares of Land a year for preaching. For they say, Christ and his Apostles had a complete Maintenance, and their Salaries is no more. And again the Priests say, They are commanded to take pains, and to bestow labour to attain ability to discharge their Callings, and so have another reason to require Maintenance, than they that were Immediately sent, and officiated, and furnished by the Spirit of God: That they say, they do not receive it as Alms, or Charity from the people's freewill, but as their due debt; That they say, they may not only receive it when it is given to them, but also may with a good conscience Sue for it, when it is detained.  
Answ. As for Ignorance, that is in abundance shown forth in yourselves; and it doth betray you, in that it leads you to utter forth your folly, in pleading so for your own covetous ends; but do you think that all people are as full of Ignorance and Blindness as yourselves, that they cannot see your greediness after the earthly things, which (under a pretence of preaching the Gospel) you would heard up to yourselves? Was there ever such a generation of Covetous Teachers as you are, who (under a pretence of preaching the Gospel) would gather to yourselves (if it were in your power) all the substance people should live upon? And yet say, you receive it not as Alms, or Charity from the people. Nay you say, you may Sue for it with a good conscience: But may not all see by this, that you are the men whose consciences the hot Iron hath seared? Oh what unsavouriness and greediness appears amongst you, that have pretended to be Preachers of the Gospel of peace unto the people, and now tell them, If they detain your Salary and Wages, you may go to Law with them for it! Oh what Nathaniel White, Thou that hast been cried up for a Pastor of a Congregation so long! Will the people of Bermuda bring thee no longer their free-will-Offerings, which thou once told them was their duty to do? Will they not bring thee Gifts and Rewards, as they use to do? Must thou now go to Law for thy Maintenance? Would it not have been thought a strange thing some years ago, to have heard such a word from thee, as to say thou mightst with a good conscience sue for Wages for preaching? Is not the Proverb fulfilled upon thee? art thou not turned with the Dog to the Vomit again, and thy two Brethren Burr and Brown? Where do any of you read, that Esay, Jeremy, Ezekiel, Micah, or any of the Prophets; or Peter, or Paul, or any of the Apostles, told people that they might lawfully go to Law with them, if they would not give them so many shares of Land, or so much Salary by the year, or so much Sugar, Indigo, or Tobacco, which many of your Brethren in this West-Indies preach for, and go to Law with their Hearers for, when they will not pay them it? Yea, and with them also, which never heard them; but witnesses against their deceit and covetousness; and witnesses Christ the unchangeable Priest, who gives them true knowledge, who is the end of the first Priesthood, and the Law also, by which Tithes was to be paid; and so they who witness him, sees you; that are now speaking of going to Law with people for Maintenance, to be a company of greedy Apostates, who (like Wolves) would devour, and go to Law with people, when for conscience sake they cannot put into your mouths, nor feed you with gifts and rewards, as thou Nathaniel White hast been, by these in Bermuda; whom thou hast gathered into thy own Form, to follow after thy own Traditions, which thou call'st Church-Order; and indeed is the Order of New-englands' Church, after the Order of which, thou wast made a Pastor; and though thou hast not partook with them in shedding the Saints blood, yet thy envy hath no less appeared than theirs; witness thy praying, in the hearing of George Rofe, That God would open the Magistrates eyes, that they might see how they had given leave to have the people seduced. That your taking of pains, which you three Priests tell of, is through envy: For you being not immediately called of God, nor furnished by his Spirit, as you confess you are not; your preaching must needs be by your own Inventions; through which you can never beget any to God, though you can make them Proselytes, and Favourites unto you, that they will stand up with you in envy against the Truth; and so long as they put into your mouths, and feed you with gifts and rewards, so long you will cry Peace, peace; but when not, than you will prepare War: like your Brethren, whom Micah the true Prophet cried against, Mich. 3.5.  
And whereas you say, The Prophets, Christ, and his Apostles had a sufficient Maintenance, and your Salaries are no more; I charge you all, to show where one of the true Prophets, Christ, and his Apostles, had Forty pounds' Salary, and Two shares of Land a year, and so much weight of Tobacco as you have; that it is but a perverting the Truth, to take their words to plead for your own covetous ends: And do you not think that they who fear the Lord on that Island, takes notice of your covetousness, and of thy unstableness Nathaniel White; who once pretended a great zeal for holiness, and is now turned to sporting and playing with them, who (when thou hadst a sincerity in thee) was thy enemies; but now, thou being turned from it, they can join with thee, and thou with them, in sporting, and gaming; but dost thou think that they who fear the Lord, are not burdened to see such things? And dost thou not think that they see such things not to be of God, but of the wicked one? Who ever rejected the Truth and its Reproofs, as you three Priests have done; but the Truth is over you, which will increase your torment.  
And whereas you desire all men to take notice of the malice of your Adversaries, for questioning you about your Salaries: For you say, they are paid, not by them whom you preach unto; but ariseth (you say) from the devotion of the first Founders and Owners of that Colony; so that by your Preaching, the Inhabitants are not put to one penny more charges by us, say you.  
Answ. But nevertheless, though you have not your Wages from them whom you Preach unto, this doth not make it that you are no Hirelings; for we believe you make little matter whom you have it on, so you have it. And who is there that knoweth the state of that Island, and doth not know how much the people thereof are oppressed by them, whom you say pays you your Salaries; that it is still but the money of Oppression. For doth not the Inhabitants of the Island, whom you preach unto, pay unto them (of whom you receive your Wages) one penny half penny forth of every pound of Tobacco that they send for England, except they get it away by stealth; which is accounted great Oppression; much more than that of Tithes? And do not they (your Masters) who Hire you, tell the Inhabitants of the Island, that they take that penny half penny out of every Pound of Tobacco in part for paying you your Wages.  
And also for your challenging of us, whom you account your Adversaries, to prove that the Inhabitants are put to one penny charge by you for your Preaching: We say, You need not have made such a great challenge; for we can easily prove, and bring the Inhabitants to witness for us, that you put them every year to many a penny charge, by Repairing the Houses you dwell in; and if they do it not just when you would have them, will you not frown at them? So this your cover, is ripped open, and your challenge returned upon yourselves, that your nakedness more and more appears; for the day hath broken forth, which makes all your deceit manifest; and Praises be unto the Lord, many he hath visited by it; who begin to see your folly and weakness concerning the things of God, and are declining from you, that they may be brought to know the Lord their Teacher, by his Law which he hath written in their hearts; and this is the Lord fulfilling for his own mercy sake, in spite of all envious men, who gnaws their Tongues for grief and pain.  
Again the Priests say in their Answer to our 17th Querie, which was concerning their Preaching by an Hourglass: That they have the Warrant of the custom of the Churches of God for it; which they say is a sufficient Warrant against all contentious spirits; and they bring 1 Cor. 11.16. to prove it by.  
Answ. That place of Scripture doth not speak any thing of the Apostles preaching by an Hourglass, as you do; that we can justly contend for the Truth against your Deceit in this. And I charge you three Priests to prove where ever there was such a Custom among the true gathered Churches, who was gathered by the Spirit of the Lord, and witnessed Praying, and Prophesying by it. Are you not ashamed to scandalise the Churches of. God, in saying it was their custom to preach by an Hourglass? But will any that have read the Scripture believe you? Certainly none, but who are willingly as blind as yourselves.  
Again, The Priests to prove the sprinkling of Infants lawful, they bring the Command of God to Abraham to Circumcise: And they say, sprinkling of Infants (which they call Baptism) came in in the room of it. For they say, Though they be different in the External Sign, yet they are one and the same in the Inward and Spiritual Grace, signified by the Signs; for they say, both Baptism and Circumcision, signify a being in Covenant with God; and Gods Command to Abraham to Circumcise, will warrant Baptising of Infants.  
Answ. As for sprinkling of Infants, that (without controversy) was never commanded of God; but is an Invention of the Popes, who commanded it to be done with the sign of the Cross; and though you have left it off, and are become disobedient to your father the Pope; yet nevertheless he was the first Author of it: Though you disobey his Command, and will not do it with his sign, the Cross, but do it after your own Invention, and so you are found acting contrary to the Apostles Rule, by adding your own Inventions. For they never received a Command, neither gave a Command to sprinkle Infants, and so you are found out of their Rule, and your father's Rule the Pope also, and are not faithful to his Church, which is your Church's Mother, that you as Rebellious Children kick against him; yet you may thank him for first Instituting this Ordinance (as you call it) of sprinkling Infants, which you in your ignorance say, The Command of God to Abraham to Circumcise, will warrant you in. But all whose eyes God hath opened, out of that great slumber you are in, sees that the Command given to Abraham to Circumcise, will no more warrant you in sprinkling of Infants your way, than it will do the Pope in his way. For we know Circumcision was given a Seal unto Abraham, of the righteousness of Faith, which he had being uncircumcised, Rom. 4.11. but as for your sprinkling of Infants, we know nothing that it is a Seal of; except of your own ignorance. And as for your saying, that sprinkling of Infants came in the room of Circumcision, do you not think that all, whose understanding the Lord hath opened by his eternal Spirit, will take notice of your ignorance and blindness in this thing? For Circumcision, as you may read, Rom. 2.28, 29. is not that of the Outward in the Flesh, but is of the Heart, in the Spirit, etc. That all who are not blind, may see that Circumcision of the Heart with the Spirit, endeth that of the Outward in the Flesh, 
Gal. 5.6.  1 Cor. 7.19. Gal. 6.15. That as for your sprinkling of Infants, it is but a mere Invention, and was never commanded of God, as Circumcision in its time was; neither ever was it practised among any we read of, that in the Apostles days, by the Spirit, was gathered into fellowship with the Lord; for they spoke of one Faith, one Baptism, and were Baptised by one Spirit into one Body, and so was in oneness of mind and judgement, one with another; for the Spirit by which they were Baptised into the death and suffering of Christ, made them of one mind and soul; which you three Priests, who plead for the Popish institution, sprinkling of Infants are not. For do you not differ among yourselves about it? One crying of it up to be done after his way, and to whose Children he will; and another, another way, to whom he will; and so are in your ignorance at difference amongst yourselves? But do you not think people gins to take notice of you, and to see your folly; though you join all your Forces together against the Truth, and though you join in union with Death and Hell, and make lies your Refuge? Yet Judgement is laid to the Line, & Righteousness to the Plummet; and Hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and your agreement with Hell shall be broken, and your Covenant with Death disannulled, that the Truth may appear unto all, who have a desire to walk therein, from under that (sad, & sable Cloud of Obloquy) which thou Nathaniel White used to tell of; which indeed lies thick upon thee, that thou canst not see that thou art fallen into the snare; but joins with the other two Priests, Brown, and Burr in those things, which sometime thou wouldst have been ashamed to have owned and pleaded for; But evil men and Seducers wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. That this is written for the sake of such (in that Island of Bermuda) as might be deceived by you, by your perverting and scandalising the Truth in your envy and hatred against it; 
2 Tim. 3.13.  which not little hath appeared, since first the Truth was boar testimony unto before you and your Hearers; a Remnant of which, the Lord will yet gather from the mouths of all such dumb Shepherds, that he might teach them himself according to his Promise, and put his Law in their minds, and his fear in their hearts, that they shall not departed from him, Heb. 10.16.  
The Priests in their Answer to our last Querie, which was concerning singing David's conditions in Rhyme and Meeter: To this they say, That God is no respecter of Persons, but giveth the same condition to all his servants: And they say, They have an express Command for singing of Psalms, Col. 3.16. Jam. 5.13. And the example of Christ and his Apostles, Matth. 26.30. Acts 16.25. And they say, If we think that we can find more fit Psalms than Christ acknowledged to be holy Scripture, we may speak our minds; and they say, they will answer it.  
Answ. None of these Scriptures, which you have mentioned, speak any thing of singing David's Prayers, Quakings, and Lamentations, in Rhyme and Meeter, as you do: for David's Psalms were turned into meeter by the Protestants since they turned from the Papists: Neither do we believe that your Hearers, whom you sing with, are in David's conditions; but are as far from them as you Covetous Teachers are yourselves: that we know, and believe, that you cannot admonish one another in Psalms, Hymns and spiritual Songs; nor sing with grace in your hearts unto the Lord: which that place of Scripture, which you mention, saith, Col. 3.16. For you are such whose hearts are exercised with Covetous Practices; who have forsaken the right way, and are following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, as you do, 2 Pet. 2.14, 15. That you are far from David's Condition, and from singing unto the Lord with grace in your hearts: for they are carried away with Covetousness, as your fruits make it manifest; in your so much pleading and preaching for filthy lucre; which Christ and his Apostles (whose words you Covetous men are not ashamed to speak of) declared against. And you need not tell us of Christ's owning david's Writings to be holy Scripture: for we know, that David was a man that feared God, and hated such covetous practices, as you are found guilty of: But we know no command Tho. Sternhold nor John Hopkins had (nor yet the New-England blood-thirsty-men) for putting his Writings in Rhyme and Meeter; neither to add their own Inventions to them, to make them, that Drunkards, and Swearers might sing them in a Tune: which even thou, Nathaniel White, dost often bid them keep, when they are not diligent in singing as thou wouldst have them, but misses Tune. And that place you mention, Mat. 26.30. speaks nothing of Christ and his Apostles, singing David's Writings, but saith, they sung an Hymn: And we know, Paul sung Praises unto the Lord; as in Acts 16.25. though he was put into the Stocks, and received many Stripes, for reproving the Spirit of Divination in the Woman, who through Soothsaying, brought in her Master great gain: but when he saw the hope of it was gone, he went about to persecute the Servants of the Lord, in whom the Spirit of Truth was; and haled them before the Magistrates, as Nathaniel White, George Rofe was, for speaking to thee; that when thou perceivedst that thy deceit was like to be laid open to the people, cried out to the Magistrates, beseeching them not to let him speak there. But Nathaniel White, if thou hadst spoken nothing but sound words, which could not have been condemned, why didst thou not stand by them? For if thy Church be the true Church, it is built upon that which the gates of Hell cannot prevail against. But you Priests, being erred through Covetousness; and your Church being of her offspring, which is to be burned with fire; and you having lost the Spiritual Weapons, you are fain to fly to the Mountains and Hills for defence; but they cannot defend you, nor cover you; but your deceit and nakedness daily appeareth, as it doth in this thing; your pleading for the singing of David's Conditions in rhyme and meeter; which conditions you yourselves never knew: that though you say God giveth the same Condition to all his Servants, yet you are not come to the Servants state, but are (with many of your hearers) like a company of untamed Heifers, who are not accustomed to the yoke; nor are not yet come to know the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom; nor to departed from iniquity, which is the good understanding; that you are not like to sing with the Spirit, and with understanding, so long as you live in those things which the Spirit testifies against: That if you three Priests truly search yourselves, and let the Witness of God rise in you, it will let you see, that you are such as James speaks of in that place you mention, jam. 5.12. who were fallen into the condemnation, and so are short of the condition James speaks of in ver. 13. in which every one that was afflicted might pray; and he that was merry sing Psalms. For you may also read Jam. 1.22. That he whose tongue is not bridled, his Religion is vain: And how had Jonathan Burr his tongue bridled, when he called George Rofe Butter-whore, and prating Ass? But it may be Nathaniel White, thou wilt say, thou dost not own him in it: but tell me then how it comes to pass, that thou joinest with him, and Brown, in pleading for such things, as here , which was set down in you● own Paper by way of Answer to our Queries: which Paper was given into my hands, with all your Names to it.  
And many things more I might have gathered out of it, than here is; by which I might have manifested your erring from the Scriptures of Truth: but so much here is discovered of your Blindness, and Ignorance of the things of God, that any who love the appearance of the Witness of Truth in themselves, may easily see of what sort of Teachers you are.  
And you the Inhabitants of Bermuda, who are following on after those Traditions, which these men (which before I have spoken of) lead you unto, that you may consider what you join with, and receive for Doctrine; for, as you may read in the Scripture, there were some that taught the Commandments of men for Doctrine, and so through their own Traditions made void the Law of God, 
Matth. 15.9. Mark 7.11. Col. 2.14 20, 21.  and the Righteousness which is of Faith, which who cometh to know, knows it to end all those things which stood in the Law, contained in Ordinances, and divers Washings, and such things which was imposed, until the time of Reformation, that the Seed should come; which ends all the Types, Figures, and Shadows, and gives to see beyond all external things, which the minds of people are after, until they come to feel that Righteousness which is of Faith, revealed in them, which saith on this wise, Say not in thy heart, Who shall ascend into Heaven? that is, to bring Christ down from above: Or, who shall descend into the deep? that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead: But what saith it? the Word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it: and this is the Word of Faith which we preach, Deut. 30.14. Rom. 10.6, 7, 8.  
THE END.   

LONDON, Printed for Robert Wilson, at the Sign of the Black-spread-Eagle and Windmill, in martin's Le Grand, 1660.