THE True Light Discovered to all who desire to Walk in the Day. In several little TREATISES Written by that faithful Member of the true Church of Christ Jesus (lately deceased) STEPHEN SMITH.  Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the World; he that followeth me, shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life. John 8.12. 
LONDON, Printed in the Year 1679.   

To the Friends of Truth in the Counties of Surrey, Sussex, and Hampshire.  
Friends,  
HOw greatly hath the Lord appeared in this day, in raising up many Instruments to sound forth his glorious Truth? yet many are not sensible of it, nor of the great Work he is a doing, who is a setting up his Spiritual Kingdom, and is establishing Righteousness in the Earth; and all those that oppose this Work, shall in ●im be ashamed, and the Lord will go on with his Work, who is come to restore Man into the primitive purity he was first created in: Man that hath been drove from him into the Earth, by reason of Transgressions, and been a Servant to sin, and under the power of Satan, and been ignorant of the Life of God, and of the sweet refreshments of his living presence, not knowing the motions and leadings of the Father, neither hath his ear been open to hear the voice of God, but hath been without any sensible feeling of the Life and Power of God, and had no savour of the things of God. In this condition is Man, that is driven from God in the Fall: But now is the Lord come to restore him again by his beloved Son Christ Jesus, who redeems Man again from his lost estate, and brings him out of the Earth, and out of all such things which had separated him from God, to delight in the Lord his Maker again; and from being a Servant of sin, to be a Servant of God, and of Righteousness and Holiness, and to bring him again into Innocency, in which he was first created. And this hath been the Work of the second Adam, the Lord from Heaven, in all that did receive him, and it is his Work at this day. The Father of Mercy and great Compassion, he hath considered Mankind who had corrupted his way, and he sent his Messengers to foretell the coming of the acceptable day of the Lord, and the day of Salvation of God, who invited all the hungry and thirsty to come and drink at the Fountain of Life. And this was the free Love of God, to help Man out of the Pit wherein there was no Water, and to offer him the Wells of Salvation to drink at, that so he might be washed from sin and from pollution into which he was fallen, and could see no deliverer, till the Lord was pleased to open a door of Hope, and to set him free by his Son Christ Jesus, and to save that which was lost, and to bring Peace and Salvation; whose power is indeed as able to cleanse from sin, as ever the Devils was to defile and corrupt. This is true, and witnessed by some, though many cannot believe that ever any can be free from sin in this life. Now he that is in the first birth, and sees no further, but is overcome with sin daily, and his mind is earthly and corrupt, and has never known the power of God to work in him the New birth, and a change from his sinful Estate, he judges he can be no otherwise while he is here, and so is like a blind man, who though the Sun shines, because he cannot see it, he will not believe that it shines, or that others see it. But this must not make the Faith of some void, who have known the second Adam to be a quickening Spirit, and have found him able to save to the utmost all that come unto God by him; and the blood of Christ is to them of full effect, and they witness him to be a perfect Saviour: and indeed for this end was Christ given of the Father, and for this end came he into the World, and was made manifest, to destroy the works of the Devil, and to save his People from their sins; and until Christ hath brought Man out of the Transgression he hath fallen into, he hath not finished the Work that the Father hath given him to do; for as sin hath reigned unto death, so must Righteousness reign unto Life Eternal; and as through the power of Lust man hath been defiled throughout in Body, Soul, and Spirit, so by the power of Christ is man to be sanctified throughout in Body, Soul, and Spirit; and being once cleansed by his power, to be saved from those sins which formerly have defiled him: and by this Man doth witness the Restoration by Christ, and the renewing by the Holy Ghost into the Image of God again, which he had lost whilst in the Transgression; and so Man comes again into unity with God, and to know his voice, his motions, and the leadings of his Holy Spirit, which while he was in darkness, and served sin, he was wholly ignorant of.  
This makes Man fruitful again unto God, who before was as a barren Wilderness; and whereas he was before filled with Darkness, he now comes to be filled with Light and Life, and now he hath Visions and Revelations of Heavenly things: before he was crying, There was no Revelation nor Vision, they are ceased; whilst night was upon him he saw no Vision, and because he saw no Vision, nor had no answer from God, therefore he thought it was so with all others, and that Revelation and Vision was ceased; and he measured all men by his dark rule, darkness being over him, and his eye blinded.  
Whilst he was in the first birth he was Earthly, his mind Earthly, delighting in Earthly things; he could not then believe there was any immediate Teachings of the Father by his Holy Spirit, nor any enjoyment of Heavenly things; neither was his eye inward, but to an outward Teacher, and outward Books and Writings; but when the inward ear came to be opened, and the day of the Lord appeared unto him, than he heard the words of God, and saw the Visions of the Almighty, and then he began to praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his mercies which endure for ever.  
And now being come to taste of the loving kindness of the Lord, and his heart being filled with Heavenly blessings, he ministers forth the same to others; and these are the true Ministers indeed, who are moved by this blessed power of God to seek the Salvation of Souls: And of this number was our dear Brother Stephen Smith, (now deceased) a man who laboured in faithfulness and constancy, according to the ability God had given him, to beget others to the Truth; and was constant in Sufferings, in Travels and Labours, and had a good esteem in the hearts of many for his faithfulness to the Lord, as you well know, and therefore I need not write much concerning him, especially since some others have written so largely of him, but shall remain,  
Your Friend and Brother in the Everlasting Truth, Ellis Hooks. London 28th. day, 3 mo. 1679.   

A Testimony of the Work and Mercy of God, particularly in relation to our dear Friend Stephen Smith lately deceased.  
THe most holy and wise God, who hath been pleased to make choice of foolish, weak and contemptible things, to co●●●●nd the wise, and the things that are mighty, to the intent that no flesh (with its wisdom and strength) might glory in his presence, but that his Power might appear in what way, manner, or Instrument soever he pleaseth, how mean and despicable soever they may seem to that fleshly eye and mind that takes its measures from outward appearances, and not from an inward solid principle of sound Judgement: I certify from a living experience, that this most holy God hath appeared and raised up many Witnesses of his blessed Power and Work in our day; even persons of various degrees, qualities and capacities, not only some few endowed with Learning, natural acquirements and parts, but more especially many of the plain, simple and unlearned, to the end that not only his Power might the more appear, and shine in its glory over all flesh and the glory of man, but also that God in his wisdom is graciously pleased to condescend to the lowest and meanest capacities, in most familiar ways, to direct his speech and Testimony of Life for the reaching people's several capacities and consciences, so as to turn them to that principle of Light and Truth, which through Christ Jesus he has placed in them: God hath in our day, as in former ages, raised up Plowmen, Herdsmen, fishermans, Husbandmen, and such like, to be experimental and more effectual Preachers to men of such capacities, then Academical or Schoolmen with all their Learning, acquired parts, and School craft; and with a plain Testimony in the simplicity of the Gospel, condescended to accommodate and answer low and mean capacities, with that truth and simplicity that is in Christ Jesus, which has been to the confounding of the wisdom of the wise; so that it may be truly said, where is the wise? where is the Scribe? where is the disputer of this World? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this World? and not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called, but God hath chosen the foolish things of the World to confound the wise. And although the following Writings and Discourses of this our dear and honest-hearted Friend Stephen Smith, now deceased and at rest with the Lord, do not bespeak him a man educated in artificial Learning, Oratory and Eloquence, yet he was a simple,  and sincere man, to what the Lord made manifest in him, and one that eyed the power and presence of God in his Life and Testimony, since the God of all our mercies was graciously pleased to open his understanding, with the knowledge of his Divine Light and Truth, as it is in Christ Jesus our Lord; he prized it as his great mercy from the most gracious God, that after his long and wearisome travels in many Countries, and exercises in the troublesome and tossing Sea of the World, he at length arrived at his desired Haven of safety, being brought to know a true stay to his mind, and a quiet habitation of repose in the Sanctuary and holy Tabernacle of him who dwells in the Light, and hath Immortality dwelling in the Light. I knew this man from the first time of his being convinced and receiving Gods holy Truth, (which was in the year 1665.) who in mercy to him made me instrumental therein; and when his understanding and heart was opened, through the plain evidence and Testimony of the Spirit of Life, concurring with the witness, manifestation and operation thereof in his own conscience, (as it always doth) he received the Truth in the Love of it, and gave up to obey and walk in the same, and truly loved Gods faithful Messengers and People, how despised and suffering soever they were, and freely gave up to partake with them of their sufferings, and did likewise suffer with them both in Person and Estate, by Imprisonments and spoil of Goods, for his tender Conscience and Testimony on the behalf of Christ Jesus; who as he gave him a Testimony to bear against all Hireling oppressing Teachers and Priests, who preach for hire, and impose that great oppression and Antichristian yoke of Tithes, (according as he signifies in some of his Writings) so he gave up to suffer and endure Spoil, rather than in the least he could pay them, or gratify the covetous mind or greedy appetite of such Shepherds as feed themselves, and not the Flock, and make a prey upon people, and with force and cruelty rule over them. And lastly, as he was a man fearing God, and of good report in his Country, being an exemplary Preacher of Righteousness in his Conversation, and one truly kind and ready to do good in his day; so God was pleased in some measure to endue him with a living Ministry, and experimental and innocent Testimony to tell of his goodness, and speak forth his praise to others, from an inward sense thereof in himself, and to the comfort and encouragement of many that heard him. I speak what I know herein, he having at sundry times traveled with me in the work and service of God in the Gospel of his Son Christ Jesus; and we traveled together more particularly at one time to visit Friends in Surrey, Sussex, and Kent, in which Journey we were much and often comforted together in the Lords work, and in the Assemblies of Friends, which was near upon a year before his decease. Well I am satisfied in my very Soul, that as he is taken away from the Evil to come, so he is entered into his Rest, and has his portion with the Blessed that dye in the Lord. From a Living Remembrance of this my dear Friend Stephen Smith, and a real sense of his Innocent Life, Spirit and Conversation, and in honour and due respect to that Divine power and work of God in him, I was really concerned in my Spirit to give this precedent Testimony; truly desiring and praying to God, that all Friends professing the same Truth, may concur in the same Spirit and example of Faithfulness to the end; even so as to obtain the same blessed end of the Righteous, that will crown all our Labours, Travels and Sufferings which in this World we partake of, and endure for the Testimony of Jesus and of a good Conscience.  
I am a Friend to the Truth, and the Souls of all men, G. Whitehead. Enfield, the 20th. day of the 1st. month, 1671/9.   

Susanna smith's Testimony concerning her Husband.  
MY Testimony for my dear Husband is, That he was a man of an upright heart towards God and man, and hated deceit; he was diligent and faithful in the service of the Lord; he did spend and was spent for the Everlasting Gospel, and is entered into Rest and Peace with the Lord for ever.  
Susanna Smith.   

The Testimony that lives in my heart concerning the Life and Death of that holy and worthy Servant of the Lord, Stephen Smith.  
O The remembrance of that holy and worthy Servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, by whose Heavenly power he was made a holy Temple for the Lord to walk in, whose Earthen Vessel was filled with God's Heavenly Treasure, by which the Life of Jesus was made manifest in his mortal Flesh, so that the excellency was of God, and not of man; so that by God's holy power he was made a perfect and upright man, one that feared God, and hated all manner of Evil wheresoever it did appear: And indeed I can never forget him, whose blameless and innocent Life, and holy Conversation, when he was amongst us, it was a good pattern unto us; for he was a man of a meek and gentle, and of a tender Spirit, in which he was very careful and tender to all in whom the least appearance of Truth did manifest itself, for which his Travels and his Labours were very great for the Truth and Christ's sake, in whom he was made very instrumental, as in the hand of the Lord, that he thereby might beget a People unto the Lord; being not satisfied to eat his Bread alone, as many yet living can truly testify to the truth hereof; knowing that he was a true and faithful Labourer in the glorious Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus, for whose sake he was made willing to suffer, for he accounted it all joy that he was counted of the Lord worthy to suffer for his Name sake; who truly trampled upon Egypt's Glory, and chose rather to suffer afflictions with the People of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of Sin for a season; who often said, he accounted nothing the Lord had blessed him withal, too dear to part withal for Christ's and his Gospel's sake; concluding that it was but a reasonable Sacrifice to part with Life, and all that a man hath, for Christ's sake; and he that could not part with all for Christ's sake, was not worthy of him. And he was a man of a tender and of a broken Spirit, and always constant in his Love to all his Brethren in the Truth, and having a great esteem of them therein; and whose care was very great over all the Flock of God, who was filled with the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, in which he truly laboured to prevent all manner of differences or discord that might happen among Brethren; and if any did happen, he was always willing to compose and reconcile all manner of differences, which would have been to the great dishonour of the Lord and his Truth, which was prevented by him, so that he was a true Peacemaker; and he was as a Father to the Fatherless, and as a Husband to the Widow; and as a Child, I have been often a partaker of his Fatherly kindness, and living still in the remembrance of the same, I hope I shall never forget but to return the honour and glory to God, who is the Fountain of all our blessings and mercies, from whence floweth all our fresh Springs, in and through Christ Jesus the Son of God's Love, in whom was the Spring of Life flowing in and through him, even to the great satisfaction of my Soul, as one that did but partake of the overflowings of that Life, in which his Soul was deeply consolated and wrapped up in the Heavenly Joy of the Lord God: so that in the greatest extremity of his weakness, he would be very often declaring of the great and mighty loving kindness of the Lord God, by which he was lifted up above the fear of death: Nor was he afraid of the terrors thereof, so that a little before his departure, I being present with him, he being filled with God's heavenly Spirit, by which he was enabled to pray and supplicate the Lord God of his Life, in which he was praising and magnifying that holy and innocent Life of Jesus, saying, Lord and dearest God, O assist in this Heavenly passage from death to life; who being subject to the will of his Heavenly Father, said further to me, Now I am going into my sweet sleep; so that he immediately and innocently laid down his head in perfect peace with the Lord, and lives for evermore.  
O the heavenly and the blessed Testimony of the Lord God, that sprung in and through him, by a heavenly Exhortation to them that came to visit him, saying, That it was a blessed and a heavenly thing to have the mind clear and holy, free from all troubles and cumbers of this evil World, as he truly said his was; having all given up to the will of the Lord, that it might truly be done in Earth as it is in Heaven. O what a blessed and a heavenly Habitation is this for the Soul of man to rest in, which I have a full assurance of! And a little after there came in one to see him, and he exhorted him, to dread and fear the Lord God, and to repent of all his wickedness, whatsoever that holy and pure witness in his conscience makes manifest to be evil: So if happily he may find mercy with the Lord, which will be better to thee, said he, than all the World besides. And a little after came in another to see him; so that the mighty power of the Lord God was seen and felt, whereby he was refreshed again, and desired her to fear the Lord, that thereby she might be preserved out of all evil; and desired her to love the Truth above all, for the Truth is a very precious thing; and to be sure to keep low and humble to it, and not to be highminded, nor exalted above the pure of God in her conscience, for that would he very hurtful to her.  
About two or three days after, the blessed heavenly power of the Lord did arise in him, from which did spring a living and a heavenly Testimony in a holy remembrance of the tender deal of the Lord with him, from his Childhood to this very day; who said to his Sons, That his days were very near drawing to an end; and declared, how that his Father and Mother cast him off when he was but a little Lad: But the Lord had always preserved him, and his Blessings did always attend him, in raising him up by multiplying his Blessings upon him, having been often in many great dangers and perils by Sea and Land: So, said he, having my mind chaste and sober to God, and having the fear of the Lord placed in my heart, by which I was preserved out of evil, and doing the thing that was right in the sight of the Lord; so that I found favour of the Lord, and gained the love and savour of all people, in dealing justly and truly with all people, not wronging any man. So this in charge he gave to his Sons, That they might always be kept chaste and soberf in their minds, having always their minds to the fear of the Lord placed in their hearts, that thereby they might be preserved out of evil, and doing always that that is just and right; and to be sure to be courteous and kind to all, loving the good in all, and bearing their Testimony against the evil in all wheresoever it doth appear. And whensoever (said he) you go about that which is weighty, take counsel of good and sound Friends, so that all things may be done to the honour and glory of the Lord and his blessed Truth in which your blessings are all yea and Amen. And advised them, not to run into the Cumbers of the World, but to wait upon the Lord, and he will find out a way for them in his time: For the Lord (said he) is a calling and taking me out and from all Troubles and Cumbers, from the evil that is a coming upon this wicked World, in a good time wherein I am assured of that sound and perfect peaee, wherein my Soul resteth with the Lord for evermore; so that I have no more to do now, but desire the Lord to make my passage easy to his Heavenly Rest.  
William Lickfold.  
He was born the 19th. of the 7th. Month 1623.  
He departed this Life the 22d day of the 7th. Month 1678.   


A TESTIMONY FOR THE TRUTH, And against DECEIT & DECEIVERS, WITH A Reproof unto those who are not Faithful to the Truth which they are convinced of.  
By Stephen Smith.  Isaiah 26.11. Lord, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their Envy at the People. Verse 12. Lord, thou wilt ordain Peace for us; for thou host wrought all our works in us. 
Printed in the Year 1679.   

A Testimony for the TRUTH, and against Deceit and Deceivers, with a Reproof unto those who are not faithful to the Truth which they are Convinced of.  
FOr as much as it hath pleased the Lord in his great love and tender mercy to visit many who have been long covered with Darkness, and drawn by the Subtlety of the Serpent, working in a Mystery within, and without in his Instruments, from enjoying that Love and great Riches which is declared of in the Scriptures of Truth, which should be revealed in the latter days, in his Everlasting and Unchangeable Covenant; which Promise of the Lord many who had true breathing after him, and could not be satisfied with feeding with Swine upon Husks, but truly breathed after Living Refreshment, and after that Bread which nourisheth that Birth which is Eternal, and have delighted in the righteous Judgements of the Lord, over the Enemy and Oppressor of man's Soul, through which Judgements the Love of God hath greatly been manifest, having thereby brought to the knowledge of his Everlasting and Unchangeable Truth, to the exceeding great refreshment and satisfaction of the Souls of many thousands, who have earnestly desired the same before the World and all its glory; and having received the same, in the Love of it, and known Freedom by it, in the Enjoyment of the same, do meet together, as the manner and practice was of those who lived in the Fear and Dread of the Lord in the Primitive times; so now in the pure Fear and Obedience to the just and equal requirings of this Creator, (whose Ways are Equal, Right and Just) meets together to wait on him, to the end they may be refreshed and fed with the same Bread of Life, that so the Plant which the Lord hath planted may grow, that so they may be changed from glory to glory, till at length they may come to bear the Image of the Heavenly, whereas formerly they have born the Image of the Earthly; and those who so meet the Spirit of Truth, can truly say they never waited on the Lord in vain, but do witness true refreshment from the God of Love, whether a word be spoken in their Meetings or no; so that they can truly sing in their Spirits of Mercy with Judgements, and hath not executed Judgement without Mercy, in which hath greatly appeared his wonderful Love to lost Mankind, of which great and unspeakable Love, there are to this day (to the Glory and Praise of his great Name, even from his own Works) thousands of Living Witnesses, and hundreds have laid down their Lives in Nasty Holes, and Stinking Prisons, and many have been Banished, and many have suffered cruel Mockings, and many thousands the Spoiling of their Goods, whose Righteous Testimony through the Eternal Spirit of Love and Truth they have gladly born in this Day of God's Power, to the exceeding Comfort and Refreshment of all that are faithful Followers of the Lamb, but is, and shall be to the astonishment of all who persist in their Disobedience against the Spirit of Truth, and continue in their Rebellion against it, and this righteous Testimony, through all who are true Worshippers in the Spirit and Truth, who are led and guided in all their ways by the Spirit of Truth, being Sons and Daughters of the Living God, so greatly beloved by him; so those that touch them in a wrongful manner do touch the Apple of his Eye, who created all things for his Glory; and though his Mercy is great in not executing Judgement speedily, but gives space and time of Repentance; yet if they mind it not, but let the Day of God's Love pass over their heads, that Terrible Voice they shall hear, My Spirit shall strive no more, let Flesh know that it's but Grass, and when the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it, it shall fade as a Flower, and that in a moment when his Anger is kindled, which may be when the Worker of Iniquity is in the height of his vain glory, and greatest boasting: so as that righteous Testimony (through all who are in the true Innocent Seed, unto which all the Blessings and the Promises of the Lord are) doth stand as a true Witness of the Lords great Love in this day wherein he is making known his great Power against all Workers of Iniquity, and unrighteous Actions, and deceitful Workers, who can feign and flatter with all sorts of debauched Persons, and all dissembling Hypocrites, Persons of unstable minds, joining with the cunning, twisting, twining Serpent, in all its appearances, in their earthly, sensual, and devilish wisdom, being in the Adulterous whorish spirit degenerated from the Spirit of Truth, holding a Profession of the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of Persons, receiving honour, and giving honour, according to the Customs and vain Traditions of the World, by which means they have no knowledge of that Honour which is from Above: Yet notwithstanding these great Abominations which they commit in the sight of the Lord, and all them which live in their faithful Testimony against them, yet they lean upon the Lord, and think there shall come no evil upon them; but except such do speedily repent, and turn from their Abominations, and bow to the righteous Testimony of God in them, which shows them the deceitfulness of their hearts, to the end they may above, and before all, desire a clean heart, and a right Spirit, that so they may be single hearted toward their Creator, and all men; which, except that be known, the Lord will send a day upon them, wherein shall be weeping, and howling, and bitter Lamentation; and their Torment shall be so great, that in the Morning they shall wish it were Night, and at Night they shall wish for Morning, and many shall desire Death rather than Life: So I greatly desire that all People would mind, in coolness, how it stands between them and their Creator, and deal impartially with themselves, for, of a certain, Cod will not be mocked, but such as they sow, such they must reap: So all mind the Fear of the Lord is to departed from Evil, that so the Curse of the Lord may be done away, and his Blessing known and received.  
And those that come amongst the Possessors of the Truth, who have heard the sound of it, and so a belief is raised in their hearts, that God is found by them that diligently seek him in the Way of Truth; many there be that are thus persuaded, and so frequent Meetings (together with them that are in the work of Truth) in a bare Profession of Truth, never throughly given up to the end that Truth may be their Guide in all their ways, but come and sits down with some reserve in their Hearts, which they covet to keep, as Achan did the goodly Babylonish Garment, which was appointed for the Fire; but for so doing the Curse of the Lord followed him, though his covetousness was a trouble to the Children of Israel for a time, yet at length God made it manifest; and so will the Lord do those who comes amongst Friends with a reserve in their hearts; that which is appointed for the Fire, they that covet to keep, notwithstanding the many Precious Meetings they come to, and hear their conditions plainly laid open to them, yet still consulting with Flesh and Blood, which will never yield that true obedience should be given to the Lord, so cannot amend, but continue in the same course of Life, for not taking heed to the Council of the Lord, nor giving wholly up to be guided by the Spirit of Truth; such are not in the the Way of Truth, but sit down as Branches by those of the Vine; but their Fruit doth manifest them: for those that deals so deceitfully with their own Hearts, how can it be expected they should be true to others? so such becomes an ill savour to Truth, as long as they continue so, and a burden and a trouble to them that are in the way of growing in the Truth; but let them know who harden their hearts against Reproof, and though they do come amongst them that live in the Fear and Dread of the Lord, and so meet together that they may receive a continual supply of the Bread of Life, and enjoy the presence of the Lord; yet their so coming with a reserve in their heart, they cannot profit by it: So at length, seeing they cannot bring the Way of the Lord to their way, they begin to grow cold in meeting, and so by degrees the Enemy draws out the mind, and then gets room for his consultations, and so persuades them to wait no longer, but that all Places are alike: and so at length some get into the Mass-House, with other silly People laden with sins, ever learning, and never able to come to the Truth; and begin to persuade themselves, (or the Enemy of their Souls persuades them) that there is a little difrence in the Declaration of the Ministers of Christ and Antichrist; their words, say they, are all good, and so begin to build Babel again, having rejected that Love which did appear for their Everlasting good, having chosen to please themselves in some small thing, which they could not part with, though no better than a Mess of Pottage, for which many have sold an Eternal Inheritance; so with Cain they are in the Curse, wandering up and down in that which is cursed of the Lord, and not beloved of good men; so the Lord hath dealt justly in making them manifest, They went out from us, because they were not of us, but their reward will follow them. And many others there be that come to Meetings, and hear Truth declared often, and confesseth its the Truth, but when they see, if they come to obey, they must take up a Cross to Flesh, either in denying to fear man, or else hazard of losing Goods, and some their Companions and Acquaintance, (though it may be in iniquity) and such like Baits the Enemy of man's Soul hath ready, for that mind which is willing ro catch at them, to save that alive which is in the Curse; so sometimes they come, and sometimes they stay away, and then come again, and the Enemy of their Souls gets a wound now and then; but for want of giving up, at length the Enemy gins to be whole again, and so the Spirit of the Lord is grieved and quenched by degrees, and the Enemy grows stronger and stronger; and at length he gets these Reasons in the Creature, because the Enemy knows many will not be satisfied without some plausible Reason; so he tells many, why thou art but a poor Creature, or you are but poor Creatures, and what can you do without power? so here the willing mind readily catches at this bait: and then when they are asked, why they give not up, O say they, we want power, O that I had but power to do so and so, how joyful should I be; and such like stuff the Enemy furnisheth them withal, who are willing to receive it, and in the mean time slight the appearance of Christ, (the Light, in whom Power is received) by grieving and quenching his Holy Spirit of Truth, in which is the greatest manifestation of Love that God could bestow on lost Mankind, in making manifest his Son in their hearts, for the redeeming them up unto himself, out of their lost condition, in the nature of Adam in the fall, up into the Nature of the Second Adam, which never fell: but how is this Love of God slighted by those who thus wilfully yield to the Enemy of their Souls, and rejecting the Lord, who searcheth the Heart and tryeth the Reins, and then say they want power; and its true, when people have given themselves up to the power of the Enemy, whose nature is to do all the hurt he can, they may well say then they want power to do good, that being disesteemed and accounted of as a thing of nought, having cast behind them the great Love of God in his Son, and embraced something which the Enemy hath set before them, as some glory in the World, and the like; but as he was always a Liar, (the Devil) so will he be found in this; for instead of giving them the glory of the World, he is fitting them for God's Wrath and Indignation, that so when he is cast out of those more upright hearts, and more thankful, that he may possess those Swinish natures, and so throw them headlong into a Sea of Destruction,  others of the like bad natures, of whom I shall say something.  
Those are they which have heard and seen something of Truth, by reading Books, or speaking with some in the Truth, whose words being accompanied with power, proceeding from the Spirit of Truth, they not having been able to resist, but standing over them, questionings and reasoning have been raised in them concerning their buildings, whether or no they be upon the right Foundation; but that being catched too, which shows them their conditions so plain, that they have no assurance of their well-being, but in doubting, and reasonings, and fears, through which secretly torment doth arise; but their minds being from him that shows them their conditions, which, though it be the greatest Love that God could bestow on lost Mankind. yet in that it brings a Cross to flesh, seeing plainly that if they harken to it, they must forsake all their vain Customs and Traditions of the World, with all its Lusts and Vanities; these things not agreeing with Flesh and Blood, which they are consulting, the mind being drawn from the Witness for God in their hearts, by their wilful yielding to the Enemy of their Souls, who is always ready with his Baits to betray them who desire ease in the Flesh, and whose minds are out in studying Arguments to keep them in the same, the subtle Serpent being here at work, to the end that the Creature may partake of his Table, for he knows that then they cannot partake of God's Table, as the Scriptures of Truth declares; so at his Table he hands out curious words, in Prayers, and hanging down the head like a Bulrush, and with feigning and flattering words to all sorts of Deceitful Workers, and doth help to turn and wind all sorts of Worship, which the Beastly Nature sets up, and so tells them there is Flesh as well as Spirit to be satisfied, and that they must live in sin, as long as they have a being here; and to others, whose natures be inclined to Lust, he provides plentiful Dishes for them; and others, who are disposed to Drunkenness, he directs them to Companions, and opportunity; and at his Table are variety of Dishes for the Covetous man, or Proud, High, Heady, Boaster, Curser, Ranter, for all sorts that will come to his Table, he hath curious Dishes in a plenteous manner, and in all these he promises content and satisfaction; but as he ever was, so he is, and ever will be a Liar; for let those speak who hath fed most plentiful at his Table, if ever they were satisfied, but that the more they fed the more hungry they were; let all these forementioned, and Gamesters speak for themselves, and Thiefs, and Murderers, and the like. But in some he works more in a Mystery, and furnisheth his Table with curious words, and so feeds them, and decks them; but always at his Table he hath this Dish for all sorts of Professors and Profane, that they must live in Sin, in this Life; this is, as it were a Chain, by which he holds all (that will believe so,) fast to his Table; and then let them be as rich as they will, in comprehending, and getting into the Brain-knowledge the Scriptures, and outward Learning, so though the work grows so high in the Mystery of Iniquity, that the Enemy of the Soul hath exalted himself above all that is called God, and so makes a show in fine words, and in long Prayers, and in curious Arts; yet whilst he can keep them in his Chain to his Table, if they cannot have ease in professing in one Sect, he will give them leave to profess in another Sect; and if that will not serve he will give them leave to go into the profession of Truth itself; and further, to meet together with them in the Truth, any thing but hearing the Voice of the Son of God, and obeying, which brings to the Table of God, and so overthrows his Table; to any thing but this his Chain will reach: Now, as to what is before, those that have seen something of Truth, and some trouble hath by reason thereof risen in them, but for love of a little ease to the flesh, such their minds being out, willingly goes into the Devil's Chain, and so feeds at his Table, where they are furnished with Arguments against the Spirit of Truth manifested to lead and to guide into all truth, and so out of Sin, which is the Devil's Chain; but being thus furnished according to their heart's lust, being in the Adulterous Spirit, takes all occasion to speak evil of Truth, and them that are in it, who are true Worshippers of the Lord, according to his Will, in Spirit and Truth; so the god of the World having blinded their minds, an evil eye gets out, and this watches for the halting of them who are in Truth; and when the just hand of God is gone out, in making manifest some who have been in the profession of Truth, who have hardened their hearts against reproof, till at length their hypocrisy and guile is made manifest; on which, they hereby take occasion to speak evil of the Way of the Lord, and them that are in it, the Enemy of their Souls giving them thereby some ease for the present; but it lasts not long, but the Fame of Truth is sounded in their ears again, by the Witness of God within, or else from those in whom it dwells without them; then the Lamb riseth, and giveth torment again, and their Cover be too narrow, and will not serve them, neither shall they; Woe to the Rebellious Children, saith the Lord, that take Counsel, but not of me, and that cover with a covering, but not with my Spirit: So all unrighteous Cover which people of unstable minds are under, the Woe of the Lord is against, so what will become of them that are under them? O that men would in coolness consider, whose day of God's Visitation in Love is not past, least by their often provocations, he visits in his great displeasure, and says, My Spirit is weary with striving, it shall strive no more: now for the sakes of many who have yet true Breathe after Living Refreshment, and are willing to take up Christ's Yoke and Burden, and to follow him that is meek and lowly in heart, that so they may rest for their Souls; for their sakes I shall give a brief Relation of the Ministers of Christ, and of the Ministers of Antichrist: First, The Ministers of Christ must know Christ, and see him, and believe on him, Joh. 6.40. But some will say, Who is there that knows not Christ? Doth not all that can read see what is writ of him in the Scriptures of Truth? And is not the Christ which you mean, who suffered without the Gates of Jerusalem, and the like? Yes, we do own the same Christ, and that which the Scriptures do declare of him is true, and we do expect no other; but to know him no further than the report of him, (though that be true) this is but a poor knowledge, which the Workers of Iniquity have, of all sorts, that lives visibly in gross and manifest Sins; and notwithstanding that knowledge, yet live and abound in the same; so that knowledge only (though that, as I have said, be true) is not sufficient to fit a man to be a Minister of Christ: But saith the diligent Enquirer, What knowledge then is necessary for a Minister of Christ? To know him as he is the Mystery hid from Ages and Generations, but now is made manifest to his Saints: to know what is the Riches of the Glory of this Mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you the Hope of Glory, Collos. 1.26, 27. To know him as he is a Covenant given to the People, and a Light to enlighten them, manifested within them, to give the knowledge of God; and to know that he is the Light of the World, and how he hath enlightened every man that comes into the World: to know him to be the Word in the Heart and Mouth: to know him to be the Reconciler unto God: to know him to be the Anointing, which is true, and teacheth all things: to know him to be the Spirit of Truth, which is manifest to lead and to guide into all Truth: to know Christ's Flesh, and what it is to eat it: to know Christ's Blood, and what it is to drink it: but some will say all this may be read in the Scriptures: But by the way, though the words may be read in the Scriptures of Truth, yet the knowledge of the Mystery which is declared of in those words, is not attainable by reading them: But because some are willingly ignorant, and so desires to be, rather than to have true wisdom in God's way, and so stumbles at all; I shall say a little concerning seeing the Son, which is necessary for a Minister of Christ: First, To see him to be the great Love of God manifested to convince of Sin: to see him to be the wonderful Power of God, and how that he died, to the end, that whether we sleep or wake we should live together with him: to see him as he was manifest to destroy the Works of the Devil. to see him to be the great Mystery of Godliness, God manifest in the Flesh; and much more might be said of the knowledge and sight which a true Minister of Christ hath, but what hath been said is enough to satisfy the truly hungering and thirsting Soul; but the full loath the Hony-Comb: But is this all the upright-hearted say? Nay, they that thus have obtained mercy to have the knowledge of what is above declared, must receive it in the love of it, and this Love of God thus manifested in them they must give up to obey, being his Everlasting and Unchangeable Covenant, which is the Key of knowledge, manifested to rend the Veil, and to break the Chain of Darkness, and to open the Mysteries of the Scriptures of Truth, and to give the knowledge of God, whom to know is Eternal Life; so Iniquity being taken away, and Sin being purged through the knowledge of Christ, who is the Power of God, and God known to walk, and to dwell in them through the Son of his Love, who is God's Righteousness, as God hath said, I will dwell in you, and walk in you: The Eye of the Understanding being thus opened, and the Revelation of Christ being daily witnessed to sit and to furnish them with Wisdom from above, to speak a word in season unto all conditions; being thus filled with the Love of God, and his Glorious Appearance, a constraint lying upon them, through the Power of God that dwells in them, and from the great Love of God in the same, such cannot be silent, nor eat their Morsel alone; but the Love of God doth constrain them who have Wives, and Children, and Estates, and several others that have no Wives and Children, to leave their Callings, and several Employments, and go abroad as Sheep among Wolves, to declare this great and unspeakable Love, to the end, That People may be turned from Darkness to Light, and from Satan's power, to the Power of God, that others may partake of the same Love of God in his Son Christ Jesus with them: But for this their love, how Barbarously and Cruelly they have been used, many having finished their Testimony in Nasty Holes, and Prisons, and other great Cruelties, which would be too long to relate; so these thus furnished with the Love and Power of God, and being obedient to the same, being Learned men in the Book of Life; these are not to take with them Scrip nor Purse, so as to be careful of Earthly things, (but as they have received freely, do Minister freely) but into what house they come, where this great Love is answered, in the same Love of God in measure, what things such set before them, for necessity they eat and drink, and the like, seeing it comes from their Father's Love: but when they come into a place and cannot see, in the Counsel of the Lord, that that Love is answered in which they come, there they cannot receive, though in never so much necessity. True, say some, these are fit Qualifications for a Minister of Jesus Christ; but be there any such now adays? How dost thou know them? Yes, I do testify, as thousands beside myself are ready to give the same testimony, that such Ministers, qualified, as , there be many in this Day of God's Power: But how do you know, may some say? I answer, By turning us to the great and unspeakable Love of God manifested in our hearts, which shows us our conditions, how it stood between us and our Creator, as it had done long before, but we knew not that that was the appearance of the Son of Love, till those who had tasted, handled, seen and felt the powerful working thereof told us; but told us also, the first step must be through Judgement; so a belief thereof being raised, and a clean and a perfect obedience yielded to it, we in time found its power in us, opening the Eye of our Understandings, and revealed the man of Sin; and so came the knowledge of the Spirit of Truth to be revealed in us, and by it we had a sight of the unfruitful Works of Darkness without in his Instruments, and the sight of the Spirit of Truth, and those that were Ministers of it: But notwithstanding this Testimony, if some should be hard to believe, let such deal so ingeniously with their own Souls, as to go and hear, and try, with a single heart, and hold fast that which is good; and this is desired, to the end that others may be partakers of the same Love of God, and of their assurance of their being reconciled unto him through his Son, to whom be glory for ever. Now there being a necessity that the Ministers of Christ should be qualified, as is before mentioned, the Ministers of Antichrist may be easily known; but for the sakes of such , I shall lay down some marks of them: First, They are such who never knew the Son of God in the Everlasting and Unchangeable Covenant manifested in them, so not learned men in the Book of Life, but are alienated from the Life of God, through the ignorance that is in them, knowing him manifested in them, who is Infallible, but in their fallible wisdom, by the Art of Tongues, gets the Prophets, Christ's, and the Apostles words, and something out of Heathen Authors, and so in their vain imaginations patches up another's Discourse; and so for the love they have for their god which is their Belly, they sell their Art at as dear a price as they can, for several hundreds by the year, some for more, and some for less, but all as dear as possible; as I heard a Priest say once, if it were not for Tithes who as would should preach for him: but this being so well known to all, that its alone for their god, which is their Belly, that their Mouths is opened, there is little need to speak of that, these being Sayers, but not Doers, so not accepted of God; these are they which run and are not sent, which speaks a divination of their own Brain, so not like to profit the people, you may read of them at large Ezekiel the thirteenth, read the Chapter; from such Priests and Prophets as these is Profaneness gone forth in all the Land, read Jeremiah the twenty third; so they are sufficiently marked out in the Scriptures of Truth. But some say, we know all the Priests now adays are bad enough, and the smoothest of them preach for filthy lucre sake, but they speak good words; so we may do as they say, and as they do: O foolish people, is it not because you love such easy Prophets, who speak peace to you in your Sins, that you thus speak? have you not heard what the Scriptures of Truth says? Do men gather Grapes of thorns, or Figs of Thistles? By their Fruits you may know them: Should we not count him a very Fool that should go look for Figs on Thistles, or sweet water out of a bitter Fountain? What if they should say the Lord lives, that is a true saying to them which know it in themselves; but it's a Lie to them who say it, and know the contrary in them; but these Priests which Preach for Hire, cry peace to men whilst they put into their Mouths, to the end their god may be supplied, which causes and constrains their Mouths to be open; but in case you deny to put into their Mouths, than Demetrius like, prepares War; crying out, we have a Law, and if you won't pay, we will make you pay: But by the way, what compulsive Law of men doth Christ's Ministers use, or were they to use? prove any such thing in the Scriptures of Truth, that they were to compel any man to give to them: Now, if God hath appointed no such Maintenance by his Righteous Covenant and Law; Is it not stealth in his sight, to compel and take that by man's Law, which God hath not appointed in his Law? Look about you Priests, for the Righteous Judge will sit in Judgement, and to the Lambs Bar to give an account you must come, and then the twisting Serpent will stand you in no stead, but all things will be laid bare before you, what esteem you have of your god, which is your Belly, for the serving of which, how have you yielded unto the lying Spirit, and so like Ahabs' Prophets persuaded and instigated many to go on in the Persecution, though to their destruction. Have you not told the Magistrates that the Quakers are Ringleaders of Faction, though you never come to their Meetings, nor never examined the cause why they dissented from you; nor never heard that they went about to disturb or molest any of their outward enjoyments, but barely because they bore a faithful Testimony against the twisting twining Serpent, the great Enemy of man's Soul; which Spirit of Error your god cannot be served without: so a great stir and ado you make, in being Instruments of casting into Prison, haling and tearing away the Goods, and the like; from those who lives in the Fear and Dread of the God Almighty, and in peace with men though in enmity with the Serpent, the Enemy of man's Soul: so in the Innocent Blood which hath been shed in Nasty Holes, and Stinkiug Prisons, cries aloud unto the Righteous Judge of Heaven and Earth, who is Lord of all, who created all at his pleasure, and can destroy all in the same; those that be innocent, out of the revengeful spirit, have committed themselves, and so cannot use any compulsive way, with Weapons that are Carnal, but in plain Demonstration and Power of the Spirit of Truth, and their innocent Cause to the Judge of all they have committed, to be cleared in his will and time, who will assuredly do it. But further, to clear that you are the Ministers of Antichrist; if, notwithstanding what is declared, any yet be in doubt: Harken what Christ saith to the Wicked, I was an hungry, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or thirsty, or a stranger, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily, I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me; and these shall go away into everlasting punishment, Matth. 25. In the same Chapter he shows the Righteous man's love, and his reward; and how did they express their love to Christ? Did they do it in speaking great words of his Name? No, as you may read, they visited his Brethren in their necessities: so mark by the way, there were Righteous men, and now are, though the Ministers of Antichrist for the gods sake, would have all err and stray again from the Lords way; but the Pearl for which they have sold all, and bought, is of more value than so; but since Christ hath Brethren, are not they them which are led by the Spirit of Truth? and if people be given up to obey it, will it not lead them out of the Spirit of Error? If so, then must they not departed from your ways, who are in the Revengeful Spirit? Well then, since those that are led by the Spirit are Sons of God, as the Scriptures of Truth declare, Rom. 8. and Heirs with Christ; for he that sanctifieth and them that are sanctified are all of one, wherefore he is not ashamed to call them Brethren: now since there is such an unity between Christ and his Followers, Shall it avail them any thing, who call upon Christ, yet persecute so near Relations, as his Brethren? And since those that visited them not in their necessities, received such condemnation, what will become of you? And you, Generation of wicked Doers, who have been the cause of the Imprisoning so many of Christ's Relations, where several hundreds have laid down their lives for their faithful Testimony against you, because of your Adultery from the Lord, and his Worship, which is to be performed in Spirit and Truth, and have set up worships according to your own hearts Lust: and because of the Lords Patience, and Long-suffering, and great Mercy, how do you harden your hearts against Reproofs, and for good return evil, and so go on scoffing and mocking: well, though the Lord hath exercised a great deal of patience, it's my belief, it will not last long; but he will execute Righteous Judgement, and plead the cause of the Innocent, who hath committed all to him, with Praises and Glory from his own works for ever.   
Stephen Smith. The 21th. day of the 11th. Month, 1667.   

A PROCLAMATION By way of EXHORTATION Unto all the Inhabitants of England; Concerning Fasting and Prayer: And that they may come to a certain Discerning and Knowledge of the Will of God therein, (who is King of the whole EARTH.  
[First by way of Preparation unto a True FAST]  
COme all you who expect to be Herd and Accepted of the Living God; Fasting and Prayer, in the Spirit of Holiness, is required as Necessary thereunto: but the want of a certain Knowledge Discerning, how, and in what manner the same aught to be Performed, (therefore it is that people are rejected) being all Vain Service and Lost Labour, where no Reward is received, or when they ask amiss, what answer shall such have, judge ye? And therefore, be Admonished, I beseech you, to mind that which gives you a Discerning and certain Knowledge in this weighty Work: You may read what the Lord said by his Servant Isaiah, chap. 8. concerning Fasting; and what Christ Jesus said, Mat. 6. but how long may people read these Say. (as well as others) and yet have no certain knowledge of the Will of God therein? I speak of such who are out of the way of a True Understanding; which all are who are in a bare Confession, with their Mouths, that God ought to be feared; but the Heart, that not being right in his sight, Infidelity that taking place there; from whence a Conclusion is drawn, That Sin, which is Evil, can't be parted with; this is a great Evil indeed, set up in the Heart by the spirit of Antichrist; where a Form of Words, and large Confessions concerning God and Christ are made; but the Blessed and Effectual Workings of God's Spirit in Flesh, for the Destroying of Sin, that being denied, the Enemy's works (which is Sin and Evil) they continue in the Heart (contrary to the Blessed Will of God) by which means the Nobility of Man's Understanding that is Clouded and Darkened through Error and Falsehood; by which means the Minds of Mankind are exercised in a Brutish Understanding concerning Spiritual Matters; imagining a Performing of Service to God by confessing, That he ought to be feared, (and yet live out of what they confess in a Talk) that all good Success and Blessing comes from him, etc. So then, let such be judged by their own words, who confess he ought to be feared, and yet live in Sin and Evil, under a strange Delusion, That those Works can never be so destroyed, as to know Dominion and Freedom from them on this side the laying down the Body, or at least, till about that time of separation from all outward visible things: So here Sin, the Continuance of that hath been pleaded for by them who would be called Christians, and would be accounted such who fear God, and that they are in his Service, though never expect to be free from sin; What Service is that in Evil? And what Reward shall Evil Works have? Is not sin an Evil work of the Evil One? And must not the Works of the Evil One, if continued in, have a Bad Reward?  
Oh that people would Fear God in Deed and in Truth! for they that fear him will do no Evil: So the way of a Right Understanding, that leads quite contrary to Sin and Evil: So its strong Delusion indeed, to expect a Right Understanding in an Evil Way; and Presumption indeed it is, to hope for Good out of Evil.  
Oh, be Awakened to Righteousness, in which there's no sin! and than will the Eye of the Understanding be opened to see the Man of sin, who hath exalted himself above that of God in Man, under Confessions and Professions of the Name of God and Christ, whilst that signified by the Name, which is Power manifested in Flesh, for the revealing the Man of sin, and destroying his works, that hath been denied by the Exaltation of the Man of sin in man; by whom Mankind hath been exalted above the Pure Principle of God in man, even above the Light of that Blessed and Unerring Spirit of Christ, by which that which is reprovable is made manifest: But through Unbelief of God's Love therein, Mankind in a great part being held under strong Delusions of Satan, their minds being exercised in a Brutish Understanding, some have called that Blessed Principle of God in man, a Devilish Light; and others a Bewildering Light, or a Natural Light; so that all that is of God in man that hath been denied (whose Work do you think this is?) But if it were so, as the Wicked One in the wicked hath concluded, may it not be said now, as it was in the days of old, after God had created Mankind upon the Earth, and they had corrupted their Ways, which displeased God, who in his Displeasure said, My Spirit shall not always strive, etc. Then was not Destruction nigh? but in that there was a time in which God's Holy Spirit did strive with flesh, it plainly appears, the good will of God was therein to have had it otherwise; but Mankind resisting his Way of bringing it to pass, the Way of Salvation that was removed, and a Way of Destruction let in; so the Way of Salvation then that was by the moving and working of God's Good Spirit, the which had place in Noah, who was a perfect man in his day, who being moved in a True Fear of God had a Right Understanding, in which he was a Preacher according to the Will of God. So that Blessed Spirit of God, by which Noah had regard and was acted by, though it was rejected by Mankind in their corrupt Ways, yet it was not Devilish nor Natural, as Mankind in their Brutish Understanding in great measure have concluded: but the least measure of that pure Principle of God in Mankind of his Blessed Spirit, is Unerring; the which in measure, in all Ages, in God's Time and Season did strive in Mankind, and for the good of Mankind, that through it they might have been Preserved out of Corrupt Ways and Works, which Corrupt Ways and Works was and is the Cause of all Heavy and Grievous Judgements in Ages past, and to come upon Mankind: So its plain and evident, how Gracious, Merciful and Long-suffering God hath been throughout all Ages through some measure of the shining of the Light of his Unerring Spirit, notwithstanding the Great and Grievous Provocations of Mankind in their Corrupt Ways, by which their Understandings were and are darkened, that they could not come to a clear Discerning what manner of Love of God that was unto them (as it is written) How often is the Candle of the Wicked put out, Job 21. So its plain, that was and is the Love of God in the Light of his Unerring Spirit, by which the Wicked were shown their Wickedness in all Ages; and the putting that Love from them was, and is the Cause that the Wicked perish in their Wickedness, through the Hardness of their Hearts, and Unbelief of the Love of God in his Blessed Principle of Light, which shines sometimes even unto the Wicked, though they cry, Depart, I desire not the Knowledge of thy Ways: And though this Wickedness of the Wicked, under many fair pretences of Confessions and Professions of God, have laboured to put away the way of the Lord, and through many Devices hath the Wicked One in his Agents in their Wickedness, set up many Corrupt Ways; yet the Way of the Lord remains Pure forever, and can never be Corrupted, but it remains a True Witness against all Evil and Corrupt Ways whatsoever. And this Perfect Way of God was the Way of the Upright in Heart in all Ages, by which they were led out of Evil (though under more Servitude) before the fullness of time, when it pleased God so to cause his Light to shine forth in Flesh, in an absolute perfect Dominion over all the Lusts of the Flesh, where Satan could get no Entrance, though Forty Days Christ Jesus was Tempted by him; so herein was the Son, who is the Heir of all, manifested. So all the true Prophets in all Ages, they had their Testimony from a measure of the Light of that Spirit; and there their Testimony ended (who were Faithful) and the Law written in Tables of Stone, that was by the Light of that Blessed Spirit, by which all might see and learn to come to Christ, in whom the Law is fulfilled: So here is the Prophet, whom Moses spoke of, that God would raise up, whom all is to hear; and every Soul that will not hear that Prophet, Destruction attend it.  
So let none say in their Hearts, Who shall ascend into Heaven, that is, to bring this Prophet Christ from above? or, Who shall descend into the deep, that is, to bring up Christ again from the Dead? For the Word is nigh, even in the Heart and Mouth; which Word of Faith the Ministers which were True did Preach, and them which are True do Preach; and herein is the Labour of them whose Abiding is in the Word, that others may be turned to the Word in the Heart and Mouth, that by it they may be reconciled unto God: And this Blessed Word was in the beginning, before words were; All things being made by him, in whom is Life, and the Life was (and is) the Light of Men, who believe therein: And though the World did not, nor doth not know the Love of God herein, yet he was and is in the World; and though his Appearance was and is rejected by most, yet some did and do receive him, who felt and feel his Power to overcome the Lusts of the Flesh, which is Sin and Evil; which Unspeakable Love of God, shed abroad in the Hearts of the Primitive Christians, by this Free Gift of his Holy Spirit, which made them who received the same, who were truly sensible of God's Love therein, undergo great and grievous things, some things of which may be read in the Scriptures of Truth. So their Fasting and Prayers being performed by the Move and Guidings of that Blessed Principle of God, how were such preserved by the Power of God, in the Peace of God, wherein their Souls rested in God? So the Blessed Name of the Lord was unto them a strong Tower (which was the same to the Righteous in all Ages) but never was a more clearer Discerning thereof then in this Age; there being a Cloud of Witnesses of the Everlasting Love of the Everlasting God herein: and so they are Blessed who live up to that Blessed Principle of God in them, and continue Faithful to the End in the Testimony thereof: O the Remembrance of them will be had in great Esteem in Ages and Generations to come.  
So now, that which is Chiefest of all, and of greatest Value, let that be first minded, that all things may be done according to the Will of God; in order to which a Right Understanding is necessary, the which is better than Gold and Silver; for the Wicked may possess Gold and Silver, and things visible to their Hurt, where a Right Understanding is wanting; for if Knowledge and Understanding be wanting, people perish: Therefore be advised to wait in the Way of Understanding, the Fear of the Lord God, who made Heaven and Earth, the Sea, and all things else according to his good Pleasure; here is the beginning of Knowledge, and to attain to a Right Understanding: for, in the Fear of the Lord there's no Evil in that Way. So away with Invention and Imaginations of Fearing God, whilst Conclusions are made, That Sin can't be parted with; all Ways made up by men in Sin, are from a Corrupt Understanding: So come to the Fear of God, and he will teach us his Ways; and all that come there come out of Evil; for there's no Evil in God's Ways: so that they that are in God's Way, are out of Evil; by which it plainly appears, that all Ways where Conclusions are made, That Sin, is in them; or, that they can't live out of Sin; or, that they know not a Way out of Sin; all such, where such Conclusions are made, are out of a Right Understanding, and their Ways are Destructive, and their Works in them Ways are Destructive, so that all who endeavour to save their Lives there, do want a Right Understanding; for Transgression, which is Sin, is the Cause of Death; so all that are raised from Death, are raised from Sin, the Cause of it: so then, all that keep their Lives there, shall lose Life; and all that lose their lives there, shall find Life: So Blessed are they who serve the Living God, they do as they should do; so that's no Evil (but Good) so let none think in their Perverse Ways, that they shall be fed with Knowledge and Understanding there (No, no) they will Starve and Perish there for want of Understanding: so let all deal clearly with themselves, in coolness and stillness, in the silence of fleshly wisdom, in a true Examination concerning the ways they live in and let that which is wrong be rejected and that which is right received; and in that which is Right will be ●●●n what Fast is Pleasing and Acceptable in God's sight; and that Prayer which will be Effectual and Prevalent for the good of the Soul in a Right Understanding will be seen: So now, begin a Fast; come, pity the Oppressed; let the Prisoner go free; have Compassion on the Poor; break off Imquities by a True Repentance, in turning from Evil, the Cause of Anguish and Trouble upon the Soul, that the Soul may be set at Liberty to praise the Lord; and so let hard hearts be melted and broken down, and the seat of Unbelief, by reason of which the Love of God in the Light of his Son 〈◊〉 rejected, and by that means p●●● souls are kept in Bondage con●●●●●●o the Will of God, let that seat 〈◊〉 Unbelief be thrown down; for God 〈◊〉 greatly displeased at the Presumption of Mankind, who have exalted themselves in their own wills, where Self exerciseth Will-worship in a feigned Humility, whereby the Cross is counted Foolishness. So Christ's Exhortation, To take up the Cross daily, and deny Self, God's Love therein that is slighted; the Cross that being without, Fasting that being without, Prayers that being without, all being done without a Right Understanding; for want of which Ptetended Fasting is vain, Prayer is vain, and the Conversation of Mankind is vain and unprofitable, where the will of man is set in Opposition against the Will of God in his Heavenly Gift, even the Light of his Unerring Spirit, by which the World is reproved of Evil: and this is, and will be the World's Condemnation, their slighting the many Visitations of God's Love, in that he doth manifest unto them what is reprovable in his sight; but they being unmindful of God's Love therein, by which means their Souls are in great Bondage under Sin and Corruption; subjected there under a vain Hope by the Subtlety of the Serpent, That though they live unseparated from Sin, yet they shall obtain Justification through Christ, and see a good End, or good brought forth through Sin be never finished; this kind of Persuasion is through strong Delusions of Satan, whose workings are in a deep Mystery of Iniquity in pretended Godliness; but his End therein is, to make void that Blessed coming of Lord and Saviour to finish Sin, and to put an End to Unrighteousness, and thereby to make way for the bringing in Everlasting Righteousness, that souls in that Blessed Principle of God may rest in Peace.  
Now where this is not known, be Awakened, I beseech you, unto Righteousness, which is God's, and no otherways man's, but as he becomes stripped of his own Eyes, and so comes before the Lord with a Broken and Contrite Spirit, and Heart humbled at his sight, who searcheth it by his Light, and shows to man in the Cool of the Day what beastly Imaginations are lodging therein; to the end, that man might lie down at the Feet of his Appearance in a True Fast, in abstaining from Evil; and Praying in the Spirit, that by the Exercise of God's Love in his striving therewith, Evil may be overcome, and so the soul set at liberty from Evil, the cause of Trouble and Anguish, which is upon every soul that's in Evil.  
So let every one that names the Name of the Lord depart from Evil. Come Curser and Swearer, be persuaded to be awakened, and see what a sad Condition thy soul is in: but if thou wilt not, but hardenest thy heart, what will the taking the Name of the Lord into thy Mouth avail thee? Or Unclean Person who art defiled, and endeavouring to defile others, remember, That none in Vnclaanness can enter into Heaven; so except thou leavest thy Evil therein, thy Expectations of God's Kingdom will fail thee.  
Come Idolaters, who are making Gods of Gold, and Silver, and Wood, and Stone, and so are bowing down to the works of your own hands; that is a great Abomination and Evil, greatly to be lamented, who are so far blinded from the Appearance of the Light of God's Spirit in your own Hearts, which being taken heed unto and obeyed, brings to the Knowledge of God; but that Love of God being rejected, what strangers are you to God, and the Saints of Life? and so are become Beastly and Brutish in your Understandings, your Bands of Corruption through sin and iniquity being made strong; and so under strong delusions are bowing to Pictures to put you in mind of God and the Saints, though they cannot hear, nor see, nor smell: what savour think you to get out of them Stocks and Stones? Be Awakened, I beseech you, to Consideration; and know, that it's some measure of that Grace and Truth which Jesus of Nazareth was filled with; by Virtue of that all the Saints savour to God, and one unto another; which Grace hath appeared unto all, but the Saints or Believers, were and are taught by it: so that which convinces of Evil is to them that believe in it and obey it, an Instructor in the way of Life. So leave your Folly in Bowing and Cringing to the East, and to you know not what; and answer the Love of God in his Principle of Light in you, which makes manifest that which is Evil; and then will the Eye of your Understanding be opened, to the beholding of him who fills Heaven and Earth with his Presence, so that no Darkness can cover man from him, who is God of the North, South, East, and West; who will spoil your glorying, who are boasting yourselves of the Antiquity of your Religion, who first went from the Cross, which is the Power of God, and so got up in a form of words, and then set the Cross upon the House, of Stone, etc. Alas! your Religion is seen through; and all who hang upon your Skirts, they must have a share of the shame, which is coming upon that Adulterated whorish Spirit, which hath led the minds of the people out from a sense of the Royal Law of God within man, so that the stream of God's Love therein to Mankind, that hath been stopped; and in the Night of Apostasy the stream of Malice, and Envy and Hatred, that hath run in your Streets, where the Innocent Bloodshed lies at your doors. So it's time you were awakened to a true Repentance, that you may come to the knowledge of Salvation through the Remission of your sins: for it's the saving of your souls, I seek, and not the destruction of your bodies; so Truth is my weapon, which I desire may reach to that of God which is Truth in you; that so the pure Language, which is Truth, may be restored in all; and the Royal Law of Love therein may show itself, which gives an Understanding, To love God above all, and our Neighbours as ourselves, and to do to all men as we would they should do unto us.  
Come all you who conceive mischief on your Beds in your hearts, and cannot rest till you bring it forth into action; now consider what manner of evil this is, which though it may be covered for a time, if continued in, ruin and destruction is in the way thereof.  
Come you who live in Pride and Idleness, following the lust of the Eye, the lust of the Flesh and Pride of Life, who live in fullness of Bread and Wantonness, Feasting and making Merry over the pure Principle of God in you; this is a great Evil: therefore be admonished to mind that God in you, and Watch and Pray in the same, that so by that which is good of God, the Evil may be overcome, and the root and ground judged from whence all evil springs.  
Come all you Drunkards and Gluttonous Persons, who waste and spoil the good Creatures, which are appointed for the necessary use of Mankind; read what is written in Isa. 5.11, 12. What a miserable life are you in who are attended with Woe and Misery, who are so far separated from the love of God in his Son, and the Dominion that is therein to use and order all things aright, according to the will of God? For want of this knowledge how are many overcome with Strong Drink? the which having Dominion, how are many there unmanned of that natural ability of a man, and so lie liable to other Temptations, whereby the soul lies in bondage? Come now, be persuaded to mind that love of God which in the Cool, when the Drink is out, shows you what a great evil this is; which if not departed from, ruin is in that way both of Soul, Body and Estate.  
Come you Gamesters of all sorts, who spend your time in Gaming and Sports, who are coveting an Increase by such unequal and unjust ways, and many spending their time in such Practices, How many Families are ruined by such a Course of Life? and what an evil example Parents thereby show to their Children and Families? This is a great evil, such being an ill savour who are living therein, both to God, and man who fears God. Therefore be admonished, to break off these evils by a true Repentance, and learn to redeem time, that a Change may be witnessed (before you go from hence) by virtue of the Power of Christ, which often moves against evil: so let not the just always be resisted by the unjust; but if the just principle of God be minded and joined unto, then will the unjust be overcome, and the just set up; in which all that dwell will be good savour in their day, and a good example to all.  
Come all you who are exalting a false Birth, where your Ears are stopped and your Eyes are closed, so that you have neither heard, nor seen, nor handled that which was from the beginning; even that word of Life (which everlasting Life was with the Father, and was and is manifested to Believers) from whence Testimony is given of Gods love therein, where the true fellowship is witnessed in the Blessed Light of God; which all you, who are exalting a false Birth, do despise, and speak very evilly of, or at least, very slightly: So the true Heir hath been rejected, and not thought fit to reign; having been called by you who are exalting the false and untimely Birth, either a Devil (which some have called him; and others, Natural, or a Fool: by which it may be seen, how the Serpent's Wisdom hath been set by, by the Adulteress, who would fain have her Bastard to be Heir; for which end how seemingly fair hath the Harlot Trimmed and Decked herself? being arrayed in Purple and Scarlet, and decked with Gold and Precious Stones and Pearls; her Religion being in her head, from whence Abominations are let into the Heart; where if the Light appear to search it, it is mocked and slighted by Ishmael: So that false Prophet he is set up, who cries out, No Revelation now; so the deceitful heart being after the false Prophet, gross darkness that covers: so the love of God in the Blessed appearance of the Light of his unerring Spirit, that is not comprehended; so the Eye hath not seen, nor the Ear heard, neither hath it entered into their hearts, the Mercies and Goodness of God, which is to them that fear him, and love his appearance in the Heart, where the Light of his Blessed Spirit doth show forth his goodness, from whence is Ministered forth life and strength to the poor soul, strengthening it against the appearance of evil: so the soul being made sensible of the Peace of God, and rest through the Revelation of his Holy Spirit, which causes joy and gladness to the Soul; having found a friend in its adversity, it sets a high value and esteem of him, and is willing to be guided and directed by him. So the Harlot is seen, and the false Birth is seen, and the false Prophet which steals the true Prophet's words is seen: so the Adulteress may Cry long enough, and Scold long enough, and Peep and Mutter, all her Whineings in seeming Prayers, and Teaching Doctrines all end in filthiness and sin in her best duties; and yet this Impudent Harlot concludes, There is none like her; and her Birth is the true Birth; and all the rest are false: But her deceit is manifest, and her Sorceries and Witchcraft is seen; and a Bed of Torment is prepared for her: so they are Blessed that fear the Living God, and sanctify him in their Hearts, who do not commit Lewdness with the Harlot, nor add any thing to the maintaining of her Gallantry.  
Come all you Ranters, who have gotten some words of Truth, but do use them in an exalted spirit, in which you are swimming up and down above the pure stream, which flows from the pure meek principle of God, the nature of the Water of Life, which comes from the Fountain of all good, that being to drive away all filthiness of Flesh; where that hath passage, it refreshes and keeps green and fresh, in a good savour to God and man. But you Ranters having lost its savour, are exalted above that which is lowly and good, being under a great Imagination of a knowledge of good and evil, on which, through the subtlety of the Serpent feeding you, are become dead to any true sense of the Virtue that flows from the living Power, from whence through disobedience you being shut out: What a do you are making? some crying out against Meeting, as formal; and that you feel not the Power that was amongst them: which indeed is no wonder when you are past feeling, and so being tossed up and down in your minds in an exalted state, some appearing in a singular pretended Zeal, under a voluntary humility, as if you were Wiser and Holier than others (the Serpent here having puffed up) sets a judging the Body, and feeds his members who waits for hurt, as by the slipping of some through weakness, or the like, and so gets all occasions of making Parties and Rents, still the Serpent being covered under a pretence of a higher Attainment; but at length, after some time of exercise in this work, and through the everlasting love of God in the Body, in preserving it sound and entire, where his will is done, and a fight given of the Enemy's working therein, and so not able to prevail: At length many go out in Distraction to Meetings, and there make sad noises, to prevent (if possible) the going forth of the Declaration of Truth, as much as in them lies; keeping people from a Reception thereof by their Babbling and Squalling to Disturb Meetings, it having plainly appeared. But their Nourishment being from the Vine of Sodom, disobedience to that which they might be convinced of, being the cause from whence the first going out was; so the Root being corrupt, the Fruit is corrupt: so all in time grow dry and withered, being an ill savour therein, and a stink whilst they live herein upon Earth; so that both the way and end in that way is destructive. The which may serve for a warning to all who are convinced of the Truth, to take heed how they slight Gods love therein, in disobeying that Principle of God in them, which is meek and lowly; and all that live in true Obedience to it, they live in safety, where evil in uncleanness cannot enter, nor haughtiness hath no place there; but they that answer that Blessed Principle, they rise in its nature to hate uncleanness and haughtiness; so in its nature of meekness and lowliness, all who grow here bring forth good Fruit, which is a Blessed savour in his sight, who is Creator of all; and all who are grafted into this root, and abiding therein, do feel sap and nourishment from the same, whereby they spring, grow and flourish in a green, lively, sensible life of the exercise of God's love to mankind; and so dare not appear otherwise in the sight of men, than they stand approved in his sight who sees all things: and so, meeting together to wait upon him, who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth, all gathering together in his Blessed Name, feeling true Refreshment in his Presence: strength there by is renewed to love God above all, and to love one another, and to watch for the good in one another; and to testify against the evil, which may be an occasion of defiling or hurting any; still waiting in meekness and love, to the end the good may be preserved, and that which is evil resisted: And though this love by many may be rejected, yet it is that which will carry them who are exercised therein above the head of all opposition; and preserve them who keep their Habitation therein out of all extremes, even to finish their course with Joy and Peace in that Crown of Life which is everlasting.  
Come all you who live in Envy, Hatred, Malice, Strife and Contention, Masters and Dames of Families, who are in Branglings, and evil and rash Speakings, and Discontents; these Fruits proceed from a corrupt and cursed ground; and so is an ill savour and bad example to your Families: This is a great evil.  
And all Children who are Stubborn and Heady, who do not obey your Parents, as it is meet in the Lord: This is a great evil.  
And all Servants who are not Subject and Obedient in your several places, but are highminded, and cannot bear Reproofs; but are ready to Answer again, and to be Disquiet, and Murmur, and Whisper, and to tell Tales to stir up Anger and Strife: This is a great evil.  

NOw to the good in every particular is this writ, even that good Principle of God; by which if taken heed to, its nature is, to make manifest that which is evil; and it will not in the least agree with any thing that is evil: That is a Pearl indeed, which the Earthly mind and wisdom hath kept people from the knowledge of. (but the way of the upright, which was and is out of evil.) And so the fear of offending God, by obeying his good gift, that is good, and out of evil; which is a true and right way to a clear understanding what to abstain and Fast from, and what to Pray in and for according to the will of God. So a Testimony of the everlasting love of God in his way, which is perfect, many have received, where the Eye of Understanding hath been opened, from which, that is seen which was from the beginning (even the word of life) in which there's no Evil: so its good and just that this be confessed to before men, and great evil to deny it; so it's the good which is of God, by which all evil is overcome; so Blessed are they who overcome the evil by the good, and so are built and established through the good word of God; by which the soul being freed from bondage and corruption in sin and evil, from which the soul being set at liberty, on the unspeakable love of God herein in his Son, manifested to destroy the Devil's works, which is sin and evil, here is freedom through the the Son of God's love in Deed and Truth: so that Scripture is fulfilled, If the Son sets you free, then are you free indeed: whose Blessed freedom is out of sin and evil.  
So the Blessed end of the everlasting love of God, in his coming in the Light of his unerring Spirit of life and power, to finish sin, and put an end to transgression, this is seen and known to be the richest and choicest of his many mercies to mankind; the which mercy of God being rejected, or obstructed through the vain imaginations and evil ways set up by man's wisdom in the fallen estate from a right understanding; where conclusions are made, That sin cannot be overcome: I say to all such who are at ease under that conclusion, they are fled to lying vanities, where being from a sense of God's mercies in his Son, and there dwelling and abiding, their habitation is in Darkness, their Fasting is in Darkness, their Prayers are in Darkness, their Fellowship is in Darkness, and their Professions and Confessions of God and Christ are in Darkness, where they know not what they say, or what they do, being in Darkness; and there reading the Testimony of the holy men of God, they are quite blind to what the Will of God is therein: so through Darkness the way of God that being hid, how many ways have been set up in the dark? the Eye, that should see, that being shut; and the Ear, that should hear, that being stopped; the Vulture's eye, that being open, which could never see the way of God: so people under gross darkness, being led about there by the Vulturous eye, an evil eye; how are they on heaps about the words, being on heaps in Parties? so heaps in Parties being up, one Party cries out, Lo here; another, Lo there: and so many Parties with their Lo here, and Lo there, are set up; one Party crying out, Stand further off, my way of building and fashioning in Professions and Confessions of God and Christ, is better, and more righteous than thine: Another Party climbing up another way, cries down that fashion, and sets up another singular way of pretended righteousness; then, Stand further off; my way of Confession is best of all; (till another rises from the same imaginary ground,) and so being blind in that eye which should see; and in that wretched condition, having put evil for good, and good for evil; and light for darkness, and darkness for light; and so in the darkness and evil, what labour and pains have the heaps of Parties taken to make darkness light, striving by all the Arts and means imaginable to Eclipse and Darken the Light of the Son; and for the effecting their designs, what Curious Workmen in Flourishing, and Painting, and Daubing and Smoothing have the many Parties set up? being herein agreed, as plainly appears: That darkness must be light; and whosoever speaks to the contrary, they all wonder at that work: For say the several Parties in effect, Though indeed we do much differ in our fashions in Confessions and Professions, and therein do many times quarrel, and fall out, to the shedding of much Blood, as by experience is known; yet in this we do much agree [in spurning against the light which lighteth all mankind.] And though Christ said, I am the light of the World; and though God be called, light; and though it be said, In him is life, and the life is the light of men; and, That God, who is light, searcheth the heart, etc. And though those who Ministered from Christ did, by their Declarations and Writings, endeavour to turn people to the Light (to God, who is Light) and though he be the Father of Lights, and all that are begotten by him, are begotten by his light, and brought forth into the light, which shining in the heart, clears the understanding of darkness and error; and though what is reprovable be made manifest by the Light (Immanuel, God who is light with his people.) Notwithstanding all this, and much more that is upon record, how ignorant are the many Sects and Parties of this way, by reason of the esteem they have of darkness; wherein they being ignorant of God's Righteousness, how in their blind zeal do they go about to establish their own ways and righteousness, and though no better then filthy Rags? So darkness that being over people, and in the dark, corrupt ways being set up, from whence sin is let into the heart, and so the soul is in bondage to corruption; the Religions being in the head, how giddy are these Sects and Parties? turning and wheeling about, cringing and bowing at every turn, the sting of the Venomous Beast that being nourished in the heart by the unbeliever; concluding where he takes place, That it is a dangerous principle to hold forth such a way that is out of sin, or to tell of perfection? which darkness and blindness of theirs, under many fair shows of Professions, what strange effects have been brought forth? through these many Sects and Parties, in their ways by which they are blinded, and can't see God's Way, which is Truth, in which there is no Error (therefore perfect) but for want of the knowledge of this, I say, what strange effects have been brought forth by the many Sects and Parties? whose strength hath been an Arm of Flesh, the which, whilst one Party hath been strongest in, how have they shown it, in suppressing and keeping down the others? but giddiness being through the Religions, being in the head, a time of turning round again coming, how hath another Party exercised the same power, and so one after another? A corrupt fountain of Imaginations and Inventions being opened amongst Apostates from the Truth: How in this night of darkness hath Envy, Malice and Hatred run currently, and drove Meekness, Holiness and Truth quite out of doors? so the way of Truth that having been out, the Commandment that was given forth in the way of God, To love him above all, and one another, that hath been out; the Sects and Parties having been blinded through sin, in that blind Sodomites estate, how have they (who have had the Names of Christians) been groping and feeling for the door which lets into Peace? but let them bring forth their experiences after twenty, forty, sixty years' Trial, some more, someless; and done't think to cover yourselves any longer with telling what you read of others experiences, whilst you are resisting the just pure gift of God; for a day of search is come, and coming: So Woe to them that cover, but not with God's Spirit.  
So all you Blind Guides, who are leading the blind, you must needs fall into the pit of destruction together, if you do not repent of your evil in resisting the just principle of God in you. So do not think by your twining and twisting in your wise definitions or distinctions about evil, whilst you put good for evil, that you shall mend the matter thereby; for good is good, and that's of God, from whence all good comes; and evil is evil, and that's of the Devil, from whence all bad comes: So plaindealing is a Jewel, which many Honest hearts have sought for, and have waited on God to be seasoned therewith, which makes savoury in his sight who is Creator of all, a Mighty power over all, whom all the Ministers of Christ turned People to, that they might not continue in darkness, nor under Satan's power; but that they might know his Light, who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth, and so to live subject under this higher Power, by which Power the true eye comes to be opened; and by a true understanding is witnessed God's love to the World in his Son Christ Jesus, and what manner of love that was in that Blessed Act, in Suffering without the Gates of Jerusalem; so in the same Will, which was the Sanctifier of Believers, Believers now are sanctified and cleansed from evil, to make mention of the Name of the Lord in Truth and Righteousness, in which there's no Evil. So let him that names his Holy Name departed out of evil, lest the good Spirit of God leave striving with him, and so the soul be sealed down in evil, where Tribulation and Anguish will never have an end.  
Come therefore be awakened, I beseech you, unto Righteousness, and repent with that repentance never to be repent of, in ceasing to do evil: And let the example of Nineveh be before you, Jonah 3.8, 9, 10. Cry mightily unto God; yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands; who can tell if God will turn, and repent, etc. And God saw their Works, that they turned from their evil way, and God repent of the evil that he had said, that he would do unto them, and he did it not.  
So this by the way; Fast as long as you will, Pray as long as you will, Cry as loud as you will, if evil be not turned from, all will be vain: So evil, that is within man, and God's love hath been to make it manifest by the light of his Spirit within; so man being convinced of, and reproved for evil, if he heeds not reproofs, but perishes in his evil, than his destruction is of himself; but if through this love of God, shed abroad in the hearts of people, they be awakened thereby, and so cleave to the good, and follow and obey it, then will that which was a Reprover for Evil, be an Instructor in a Blessed Life, where sin nor evil can't enter (nor be) neither is there any agreement with darkness in that life in which there's no evil; but the soul being in this liberty, then, Come, I will tell you what the Lord hath done for my soul; and my soul, and all that's in me praises the Lord. So here's the Blessed Fountain opened, where the streams of God's love are felt to run, which drive back the streams of malice, uncleanness and abominations, which have corrupt mankind. So Blessed are they whose Eyes are to the Living Fountain, and wait for the rising of the springs thereof in their hearts, from whence the truly thirsting soul comes to be satisfied, refreshed and strengthened, through a true sense of the springing up of this Well of Water, which he gives who hath all power in Heaven and Earth; the which Well of Water springing unto everlasting life, all being dipped or plunged under this, the soul comes to be washed from corruption: and so made white as Snow; the which is an everlasting ordinance, ordained of God for a perpetual Covenant; the which all that would know Salvation through the remission of sins, they must wait to be confirmed in this Blessed Covenant, where the Blessed Unity stands out of sin; for there's no evil in this Covenant: So all that come to be concerned here, must first agree in their hearts to cease from sin and evil, and then to wait for the rising of the Pure, and so to watch in the Pure against all appearances of that which is corrupt, and so to grow up in the Pure to a Blessed Dominion over the corruptible; and so in the pure measure of God's Spirit to receive and use the Creatures of God with Thanksgiving, where every Creature is good when they are so received: so to the Pure all things are Pure; but to the Defiled and Unbelieving there is nothing Pure: So the way of God, that is Pure and Undefiled; and Blessed are they who are Undefiled and keep (and are kept) in that Blessed way to finish their days, where the Soul rests in Peace with God, the which is the will of God (according to which is this writ) So to him be glory and honour, from the rising of the Pure of himself, forever and for ever, Amen.   
By a Servant of the Lord, Stephen Smith.   

THE BLESSED WORKS OF THE Light of God's Holy and BLESSED SPIRIT Exalted above the works of Darkness.  
COme, sit down together in a deep Silence out of all fleshly Wisdom, forgiving all Trespasses; that he that sits upon his Throne, who said, behold I make all things new, that he may forgive all your Trespasses; and then wait for acceptance into God's pure holy Covenant, his holy Law in the Mind that it may be writ in the Heart, and they shall not teach every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother, saying, Know the Lord; for all shall know me from the least to the greatest; for I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and inibuities will I remember no more; A blessed day, magnified be the Lord, whose Works praise him for ever (and not good works out of wicked workers mouths) to these mighty works of the mighty God, the which he is working and bringing to pass through his mighty power, are appointed that mankind should live in the enjoyment of them, to the praise and honour of his Maker for ever.  
And that it may be distinguished between evil workers who have got the good words, and the good works, from whence all true and good and gracious words came, (observe.)  
In one of the Collects appointed in the Book of Common Prayer, it is thus written,  
Almighty and everlasting God, which of thy tender love towards man, hath sent our Saviour Christ Jesus to take upon him our Flesh, and to suffer Death upon the Cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great Eumility, mercifully grant that we both follow the example of his Patience and be made partakers of his Resurrection, etc.  
Now mind; To pray for this, that is common, and used in the old World of Transgression, where iniquity and sin is, which separates from God, and are out of his Blessed Work: But to be in the Humility and Patience, this is God's Work, where his Will is done on Earth as it is in Heaven: So that if people would but so far condescend to the Will of God, as to sit down in coolness in a true Silence of all the works of the fleshly wisdom, would they not agree with us, who are in Scorn called Quakers, in Judgement at least, though it may be not in Practice, viz. That Words without Effects, are as Dreams and Chass, (to the Wheat, the Substance.) So he that hath a Dream, let him tell his Dream; but he that hath God's Word let him speak it: What is the Chaff to the Wheat? Is not my Word like a Fire, saith the Lord, and like a Hammer, that breaketh the Rock in pieces, Jer. 23. I am against the Prophet, saith the Lord, that steals my Word from his Neighbour, who use their Tongues, and say, he saith, and Prophesy false Dreams, and tell them, and cause people to err by their Lies and Lightness. And so now in Coolness, when the works of the enemy are down, viz. Prejudice and Passion, etc. Then by a little work of God, in its least appearance, by which mankind is made sensible, they may see by this small distinction what it is that we, who are in Scorn called Quakers, stand for, (and against:) And when the Eye of your Understanding is opened, to behold his glorious works whom you have pierced; then will you love us, whom so many have hated, because of our Testimony of God's Works. Do but see how you first hated the Light of God in yourselves, before that great Darkness came over you to hate us, who are called Quakers, because we are bowed unto Christ's Spirit, the true Christians Spirit, and therein have in some measure partaken of his Cup, out of which some indeed have drunk very deep, even to the following of his great Humility and Patience, even to Death, as in the New-England Sufferings may be seen (by those cruel imaginary Christians, whose wicked hands have been deep in the shedding of Innocent Blood. And though through Ignorance the Sufferings of God's people hath been much in Old-England, yet they have not been in that desperate kind as there; where doubtless they are more drunk with the Whore's Cup of Sorceries and Witchcraft, than those of that kind are here in Old-England, whose spirit is felt; but that their Wings are cut, so cannot fly at that rate, which otherwise they would be at; for now their Hands are tied, how wonderfully do their Tongues go? by which its plain they have no Bridle, but are set on Fire of Hell, wondering, despising and fretting against the work of the Lord in this the day of his power, though thousands are raised by it, to declare and publish the same words, in life and conversation, etc.  
And now you vain and empty Professors and Notion its, who are saying in your dark and imaginary conceivings of things; that if you had been in the Scribes, and Pharisees days, you would not have done as they did: But come, be patiented a little; the works of Truth have a good tendency, though they be bitter to the guilty for the present; come I say, look where you are; by the Light you may see; you must see by it at last; it were better for you if you would let your Eye be opened now, and see that offensive Eye pulled out which hath been offended at God's works all this while: So do not harden your hearts in this day of God's power being manifest, lest you be cut off from his rest for ever. Come therefore you that are judging others that did wickedly in their Generation, by resisting God's holy Spirit, so had none of the works of Revelation; come see now what Latitude your works are under: If you be in the same liberty in the flesh as you were in, it's no matter what you say: Come now to the Trial; what experience have you of the operation of God's Spirit? How much of the mind and will of God hath it revealed to you? Can you say, Thus saith the Lord, by the certain knowledge of the Revelation of God's holy Spirit? Or have you only talked of it, as the Jews did, who said, we have God for our Father, when they were doing the Devil's works? Come do not stop your Ears; Have you heard the voice of God or seen his shape? or are you ignorant of it, as they were who accused Christ, as if he was bearing false witness? Nay, come further; Have you not said, That Revelations are ceased, and thereby shut up the way of the Kingdom of God, and from the knowledge of his Righteousness by your wicked works, in going about to establish your own Righteousness, and works therein for term of life.  
Come you that have set up the Law and Covenant without (above the Law and Covenant within; are not these your own works? and have not they made you as blind as your Fathers, the Scribes and Pharisees, that you can neither see nor hear?) but in your blind zeal are persecuting Christ's near Relations, who follow him in their Generation, even by the drawings of his Father's Spirit unto Humility and Patience, who is the way, in whom God's Will was done: And did not Christ give Testimony of Relations, his Mother, his Brothers and Sisters, who did his Father's Will? And is not this to be done on Earth? And is it not the will of God that we should speak the Truth at all times, and that we should be led and guided by the Spirit of Truth into all Truth? (is there any sin in the guide:) And is not this Christ of God the same Anointing or Teacher, as he was in the beginning of the World? Was not he before Abraham was? And is not he the same yesterday, to day and for ever, as he was in the beginning, who was David's Lord, and the Holy men's Lord in all Ages? And is not he the Covenant by which all must come unto God? Was he not given for a Covenant, and a Light to enlighten people, and to be their Salvation, to lead and command his people? And must not his sheep hear his voice? And is not he the same that he was in the beginning? And is not this the Precious tried Stone, which the Wise Builders, building without, are confounded and stumble at, even the highest Notionists in the fleshly Wisdom, in their highest conceivings about the holy men's words? Come, examine yourselves, and see whether Christ be not in you, except you be Reprobates: You unbelievers, how hath the God of the World led you about, and blinded you, that you cannot see the Light of his Glorious Gospel? Come see the cause; have you not been making Provision for the flesh in the first place, and answering the Lusts thereof after the glory of the old World of sin and iniquity? Hath not respect of persons been in your Eye, and filthy lucre, and praise of men, and greeting in Market-places? Have you not preached and prayed in your own wills, and run for gifts and rewards in your own wills? and is not all this Honour to be had below? And have you not sought it before the Honour of God's work in your hearts? And is not this the cause of your Ignorance of God's Kingdom, and his Righteousness (Christ) and his Relations, his Mother, Sisters and Brethren, who are sanctified and blest through the will of God, where it is done in Truth and Righteousness? and where that it is done, do not such confirm in truth and reality all God's Blessed and holy works without in all generations? So do not envy and hate the people called Quakers, for maintaing the works of God's holy Spirit within them; for there are many of them have been as high Talkers of the works of God in holy men without, as you are; but found not such Salvation, as to venture souls, and bodies, and estates, till we came to cease from our own labours in our own willings and run; and so our hearts were bowed unto God's holy will in the deep silence of all fleshly reasonings and consultations: So by the works of God's holy and blessed Spirit the way of God came to be made manifest in us; the which is a pure, Holy, undefiled way, Christ, the same yesterday, to day, and for ever, as he was in the beginning without guile, without sin; no iniquity is in him; he that is the hope of Glory, the great Mystery made manifest in us Gentiles, who in former times, when without knowledge of him in the World, had Lords many, and Masters many, and feigned Faiths and Beliefs concerning him many and divers: But when we were given up clearly to seek the Kingdom of God, without any reserve of making provision for the flesh, than the New Jerusalem, God's building, came down from above, the Mother of all the Faithful, where no evil can be conceived, whose Children in her are made free from the Law of sin and death; and this blessed City hath no need of the Sun, neither of the Moon to shine in it; for the Glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the Light thereof. This blessed habitation is prepared for God's people, who love the Light of his appearance, and delight to do his will.  
So away with all false Accusations from all you false Accusers of the people called Quakers, who say, we expect to be Saved by a righteousness of our own, and by works of our own: If it were so, as you falsely and vainly do say, then might we not keep in the broad way, with you Hypocrites, who are gotten above the daily Cross, and so led about by the Thief above the door, where you Foxes, who are cunning in hunting about after others works, have holes enough to creep and cringe into to keep you in the glory of the World of sin and iniquity, where you have had a long Trade in your imaginations, conceiving God's works in his blessed Instruments without you, whose Lines you have long made your boast of; so your Lies are upon your own heads. For, this I testify, and the Testimony is the same in thousands, who are witnesses of the works of God's holy Spirit, in some degree or measure, viz. That it is in Christ, God's Covenant, in which we hope for Salvation, and in no Covenant or Work of man's; and in this Covenant we are made a good savour unto God, and one unto another: And acceptance with God is obtained no other way but by the one pure offering, without spot or blemish, by the effectual workings of the Eternal Spirit, where the Blood of Christ is witnessed to be sufficient to purge Consciences of dead works, and so to serve God in the New and Living way, which he hath consecrated for us through the Veil, his flesh: And therefore all who are thus partakers of God's works, by the Revelation of God's Spirit, being true witnesses of the Blessing of God in this one unspotted offering, we cannot but confess him before men, denying all imaginary offerings in men's wills, where their Garments are filled with spots and blemishes, and their Consciences are defiled with dead works of their own Inventions and Works, the which having some outward show of Holiness may recommend unto man, who lives in the same, but not unto God; and therefore experience in the works of God's blessed Spirit hath taught us to deny them.  
And by this Christ of God, the Mediator of the New Covenant, we have Acceptance with God, from whence the knowledge of Salvation comes, by the Remission of offences and sins; and therefore we deny all false and vain Mediatorship of vain man in his works of Conceivings and Imaginations concerning this Mediator; the which is really to be enjoyed and known by the effectual workings of God's Eternal Spirit, to the Consolation and Peace of Souls who partake thereof.  
And through the blessed Works of this blessed Spirit of God the deaf Ear comes to be opened, to hear the voice of the one true powerful Shepherd, who alone doth feed the Sheep of his Pasture with that convenient and wholesome Food, the which causeth soundness of Heart and Mind, and therein doth he take care to preserve and keep his Sheep in a living sense of his Love and Fatherly care, who calls to his Sheep when the Lion, the Wolf and the Bear appears, and strengtheneth them who take pleasure in harkening and obeying his voice. So to the one Shepherd and one Fold, Testimony is given, unto whom all that are erred and strayed must return, if ever they witness deliverance from evil and preservation from danger. So we deny all false Shepherds whose works of darkness tend to the scattering people in their minds and understandings from the sense of God's Works in Christ, in reconciling lost mankind, and bringing them home unto himself (the substance of all) of which the Law outward was but a shadow of good things the which are enjoyed in this one Shepherd and Bishop, who takes care and oversight of Souls; magnified and praised be his holy and glorious works of Redemption for ever and ever.  
And so to the Honour of this one blessed Physician of Souls, whose Works are certain and effectual, the which has been tried by many wounded Souls, who could find no Cure without by the foolish and vain Physicians without, who are mere Deceivers, and Daubers up of people through their Enchantments and Sorceries, by which they have made a long Prey of people through their fair Speeches, getting their Money through mere Deceit and Flattery, intruding into things they have no knowledge of, in which Works they are puffed up above the pure holy Works of God's blessed Spirit, the Revelation of which they have denied, they in lieu thereof have set up their own Imaginations and Conceivings in the Revelation of their Singular exalted Spirit, the Flattery and Deceit of which having taken with people, how are Nations corrupted by it? and what Misery have these wicked Works brought into this Nation? God having given signal Testimonies of dislike unto them by Plague, Fire and Sword, and by many Messengers whom he hath drawn near unto himself by his works, by the hands of them Messenger hath he sent warning upon warning, and exhortation upon exhortation, with tenders of his blessed works of reconciliation upon just and equal terms, of his enemies repenting, and turning unto him by turning from their wickedness: But what Entertainment these Servants of the Living God have found by these foolish Physicians, who are mere Time-servers for their own ends, whose refuge is an Arm of Flesh to defend their wicked corrupt works, which have filled the Nations with their Defilements, who by their Flatteries have drawn a Compliance from Magistrates, to punish the Messengers and Servants of the most high God for telling the Truth from a certain knowledge of the works of God's Spirit of Truth, and therein testifying against the works of error and darkness. But the sufferings that have been for this love of God in and through them who have been Instruments in his hands, may through search be known; so Testimony is given against them, who are in the exaltation of works without, and denying the immediate blessed works of God's holy Spirit in its Operations and Revelations of the Mind and Will of God unto wounded Souls within.  
And further concerning these blessed works of God's righteous holy Spirit, the which are attended with Peace, unto which way many have been turned; and becanse some loiter, and are slothful, and yet remain unconverted of the old man's corrupt words and deeds, and therefore not fit to put on the new man, Christ Jesus; and some who were in the way, do turn out of it again; and some fall headlong down to Perdition: Oh! what occasion have the watchers for evil taken at this, and thereby set at nought God's works in his holy righteous Spirit, and them that abide therein, making conclusions in their dark imaginary conceivings of the works of God, That he hath no such perfect works now adays; but that all are fallible and changeable: And so measure and weigh the things of God in their corrupt false measure and balance, which things are Abomination in the sight of God. So Testimony is given to God's blessed works, though many are so brittle that they will not abide them; yet notwithstanding God's works in and through his holy Spirit of Truth, are righteous, holy, perfect in every degree and measure, and remains firm in goodness, and unchangeable, there being no spot nor blemish in them, the which praises them for ever, out of which none shall ever find acceptance of him. Mutter, peep, whine and scold as long as you will, your works of darkness must down, which have corrupted the Nations, which is cause of the great Judgements passed in this Nation, and the greater yet to come; For the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, is gone out against wicked workers and works; and thus saith the Lord, No Peace to the wicked, their prayers are abomination in my sight. So whatsoever your professions and cover therein be, of your talk and imaginations concerning the gift of God, which is Life Eternal, you being really out of it, in your own imaginary parts and gifts, in comprehending the works done without you, and so not sensible of any real, perfect, pure work of God's holy Spirit in you, the which is the cause you are so dark, and wickedly blinded to plead for sin, the which is accompanied with the wages of death; the cause of death being sin, the which remaining, the effects cannot cease, even death and corruption from that venomous sting over all flesh that is corrupted with it. So for shame leave your false Accusations against an innocent people, called by the Name of Quakers, for testifying of the works of God's holy Spirit, the which are perfect in every degree, and therefore there is not the least sin nor evil in them. So all you who say, You are not without sin in your best duties; I say, they are all works of your own (which blind and hid God's works from you.) And as you may read of the works of God's Spirit in Mordicai, how they could not bow to the Pride and Arrogance of Haman; and also, the works of God's Spirit in Daniel, how they could not bow to them that would have restrained and limited them; and also the works of God's Spirit in Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego, how they could not bow to the Golden Image, set up by Nebuchadnezar, though Laws under Penalties of Death in a Cruel manner was before them; and also, the works of God's holy Spirit in the Primitive Christians, through the strength of which they underwent hard and grievous things under the spirit of Antichrist, which got up in a form of good words, in the pleasures and vanities of the works of the fleshly wisdom, the which have been kept up by the same wisdom, by the Arm of flesh, under which the Innocent people, who are true witnesses of the works of God's Spirit have suffered very deeply in this Age, the which cannot be hid, though the cause for which they have thus suffered is so far hid that it cannot be believed, though they have been wonderfully declared of. But it is Mordecai, Daniel, Shadrach, Mesh●ch and Abednego's God, which we, who are in scorn called Quakers, do worship in and by the effects and blessed Operation of his own blessed Spirit, wherein stands our confidence, and not in Flesh; and our Faith, Belief and Hope is in him, that he will turn the Hearts of our enemies unto us, though many will perish in their gainsaying. So over all the works and powers of darkness in our Faith and Belief, that the holy righteous works of God's blessed Spirit shall be exalted, and the God of Truth in and through his blessed works, in preparing and fitting the hearts of people, the knowledge of him shall increase, till it spread over all. And for this purpose hath God raised many, contrary to the wisdom of the World, in whom he hath made known his Righteous Works, who have unity and fellowship therein (who are true labourers therein) purely out of love to God and his blessed works, in goodwill and true-love to all men, that all may taste of the goodness of God, the experience of which will bring mankind to be of one mind and heart, and therein to agree to praise and magnify God, who shows man his Thoughts, to whom belongs honour and glory for ever.  
And now all you Leaders of the People, in all forms and fashions, who are denying the works of the Divine Power of God in its blessed operation and powerful workings, in setting free them who are heavy laden and weary through the enemy's works of sin and iniquity, the which you say cannot be overcome; therefore you are deniers of the sufficiency of God's works and his kingdom, wherein dwells righteousness, peace and joy, in and through effectual workings of God's holy Spirit; the which, though you say in words, Thy Kingdom come, thy Will be done, etc. But being sayers, and not doers, you are so darkened that with all your own wills and mights you are strengthening the old Kingdom of transgression, where sin and iniquity aboundeth, the Devil's works: Was it not by reason of transgression that the first Law, the first Covenant, was added, which was written in Tables of Stone? And was not this in force till the Seed of Life and Power, the coming of the Messiah, to finish Transgression, and to put an end to Sin, and so bring in everlasting Righteousness, God's Kingdom?  
Now all you blind Leaders of the blind, is not here God's second Covenant, writ in the heart, into which all must come that come unto God, where his Light is to shine, who is the True Light that enlightens every man that comes into the World? And if this righteous Law be taken heed unto, will it not judge Lust when it rises in the heart? And will it not judge Anger when it rises in the heart? And will it not judge every desire of breaking Promise, when it arises in the heart? And will it not judge every hasty and froward Action and Lightness, when they appear in the heart? And is not all that proceeds from this righteous Law and Covenant of God in the heart Pure Truth, Yea and Nay? And what is more than plain Truth, Yea and Nay, is it not judged by this pure Law in the heart? And are not all fotbidden to Swear by this one Lawgiver, who is able to Save or to Destroy? And must not his righteous Law and Decree take place, though many Laws through darkness and Ignorance may be made against it? And must not all that come to Zion, the City of the Living God, be redeemed through these righteous judgements? And all that will not come under this righteous Law and Government, where Mercy and Peace kisses, and Truth and Righteousness is set over all; is it not just that they be left to Judgement without Mercy? So is not Destruction from Self-willing and running of people out of the counsel and knowledge of the will and mind of the living God? And is not the Salvation of every Soul in and through the righteous Decrees, and just and holy Laws of God, which is Light in every Conscience? And must not all come to Salvation come first to the way and means that God hath ordained? And is not the second coming of Christ, in the Light of his Holy Spirit, the way by which all must come unto God, the which is without spot, without guile? And must not all that come unto God come unto him in this one blessed savoury offering? And is not this Christ of God the same yesterday, to day and for ever as he was before Abraham was, and so the same in the beginning of all things? And must not all that come to God, come out of Transgression, the cause why mankind was driven from the presence of God? And is not this Christ of God the way out of Transgression, who was obedient and subject to the will of his Father in all things? And must not they, all that are saved, be brought into this blessed Covenant of Life, the end God's great love in his Son manifested to the World, that through him they might not abide and perish in Darkness; but through believing and obeying that second coming and appearance of the Light of him, they might have the Light and Understanding of the Life of him, the one blessed Offering, that perfects for ever them that are sanctified?  
And now all you blind Leaders of the blind, under all your imaginary lifeless Confessions and Professions of God and Christ, what strength of Arguments do you use in your perverse Wills and Affections to strengthen the old World of Transgression in sin and iniquity? whereby you go about with all your might to make void the second Covenant which is without fault, and so you shut up the way to God's Kingdom and the knowledge of his Righteousness, by labouring and moiling in your vain service and works to establish your own Righteousness, and dark works therein? And by this fruitless labour and travel, what darkness and blindness have you brought over the Nations, through your ignorant Conc●●vings of those gracious words, which were spoken by the effectual working and moving of God's holy Spirit in and through holy men, the which was for a blessed end spoken, even to turn people from the darkness, which was over them by reason of their transgression, unto the true witness in them, the Light makes manifest all that is reprovable and wicked in mankind, the which being turned from, and the Light obeyed, that they may be led to the knowledge of God, that they may not be without God in the World, whom to know is Life Eternal? And so Light is sown for the Righteous, that through this blessed Seed the Serpent's head may be bruised, and kept under in all; and so is way made to put on the Heavenly Image again, by being led and guided out of Darkness by the Light of the Emanuel, in and through every blessed and glorious degree of his works to the mark of that price, the measure and stature of the fullness of Christ Jesus, the Heavenly Man, the Heavenly Image; as many as are baptised into Christ, put on Christ.  
Now I say unto you blind Leaders of the blind, who have got some few of the gracious words and works of the righteous m●n of God, therefore I say but few of them, because there is but little upon record of those mighty works, which did then show forth the wonderful power of God in and by the effectual workings of his holy blessed Spirit, the which, if all had been written, the World could not have contained the Books; and of that which was written, you have but a part, with which you blind Leaders of the blind have made a long Trade, in Wresting, Perverting and Corrupting to your own destruction, making them look every way but the right in your imaginary Conceivings thereof. So wrong you are in your Judgements, who have denied the effectual workings of God's holy Spirit, that what in you lies by your works of darkness, you are making void God's holy Law and Covenant, as to any true understanding or knowledge of it in the mind and heart: And so building yourselves up in Imaginations and Conceivings, what strangers are you to God's holy work, in and by the effectual working of his holy Spirit within man? How brutish are you in your understandings, to stand and wonder, and some to despise, till they perish at the news of these works, though God hath raised many faithful Witnesses, who have declared and given Testimony to them, even to the laying down their Lives, and many their Liberties, and in great measure their Estates, whereby it hath plainly showed, that this is the time and season wherein God is making known his mighty power, for the subduing and bringing under the power of darkness, that the Kingdoms of this World may become the Kingdoms of God; and that the Kingdom of his Son, which is in Righteousness, Peace and Joy of his blessed holy Spirit may be set over all? And is not this according to that Prayer, Thy Kingdom come, thy Will be done on Earth, etc. Now consider, are not all those ways destructive to mankind that are made up in the dark Conceivings of man, without the Light of understanding the will of God herein? And by your works of darkness, in opposing the blessed effectual works of God's holy Spirit, what misery and consusion have you brought yourselves and the Nations into, where you lie in heaps in Controversies about the works and words without, till the enemy's works of darkness be overgrown in you, by which you are so droven from the presence of God, and the Light of his Countenance, that you are greatly confounded, kicking and stumbling at the precious stone, the which in your fleshly worldly wisdom you think too mean to be in your Buildings? by reason of which how many fashions are your Building of? reeling and staggering from one fashion to another, soaring aloft in your airy imaginations of the things of God, in using your Wits and Arts to bend the holy men's Testimonies to your corrupt Wills and Affections: And so much more as you strive in these works, so much more you are, and must be confounded: What a sad work have you herein taken in hand? and what vast Sums of Money have you exacted out of Nations to maintain the Pride and Arrogancy of your hearts herein?  
Oh! that there were such a heart in people to sit down before the Lord, that they may partake so much of his works as to open the Eye of their understandings, that they see over these works of darkness, where nothing is good nor pleasant to the truly hungering and thirsting Souls after God's Righteousness: How miserably have these Nations been cheated by these blind Guides, who have exacted abundance of Wages under pretence of being Healers and Curers of the Nations; but are now found by the Effectual Workings of the Light of God's holy Spirit to be the chief Instruments of the letting in of Darkness, Corruption and Abominations that reign on the Earth; through that adulterated Spirit, the Mother of all Harlots, who are departed from the true Spouse, and so running and hunting after others blessed works and experiences, have set up Trades in their Arts of telling and boasting of others Lives and Works, where that adulterated Spirit hath covered them, who are corrupted with her Sorceries and Witchcraft under various fashions of Confessions and Professions of God and his Christ? But underneath these cover are the same wicked hands by which the Just hath suffered, and been rejected, and set at nought in all Ages.  
And through the blessed works of the Light of God's holy Spirit these corrupt workers and works of darkness being discovered, and a Righteous Testimony in Thousands that stand against them; what a sad work do these blind Leaders make to hid themselves from the wrath of the Lamb that is coming upon them, looking back to the several Traditions, Customs and Commands of men, from whence they drive several establishments upon fleshly rotten Foundations, as Covenant, and Directory, of man's, none of God's Foundation: Christ, God's Foundation, is a pure, holy, unspotted Foundation, where God's Wisdom and Counsel directs in and through the works of his holy Spirit, the which are perfect and good in every degree thereof, by which people are built up a Spiritual house, to the honour and praise in and through God's blessed works forever.  
So to God's Covenant and Works must all mankind be brought under; (that are redeemed and made alive to God;) therefore we deny the Presbyterians Covenant and Directory, as being but a mere Parcel of Conceivings and Imaginations, which tends to hid the holy Covenant, and Foundation of the Righteous people in Generations past, and now present in being (who were and are built upon the sure Foundation, which God hath laid, and thereon in Covenant with his righteous holy works.)  
And concerning your Foundation, who are built upon a Church-Faith, made up by an Assembly of Diviners out of their own Brain, in the fleshly Comprehensions; its man's work, full of blemishes and spots (and not God's,) God's Foundations and Works thereon are pure and holy, without spot, wrinkles or blemish. And forasmuch as your made up Faith and Works tend to the making void the precious Faith of God's Elect, which is the gift of God, the which purifies the heart, and works by love, and giveth victory over the old World of Transgression and sin, without which there is no pleasing God: And so to this one Faith, one Baptism, and one Lord, Testimony is given, and against all feigned Faiths, the works of men's hands, the which are in wickedness, by which the Just was slain.  
And concerning that head of the Beast, which is branched out into several Horns in feigned Humility and Will-worship, intruding into things which they are not led into by the Light of God's holy Spirit, and therefore their Foundation being not from a certain knowledge of the immediate works of God's holy and blessed Spirit in them; But are in their own willings and running into Imaginations and Conceivings about the Practices of the holy men of God; but being out of their Spirit and Works therein, what dark works of plungings and dippings in outward Water, and imaginary fellowships in outward Elements; but being out of a true sense of the works of God's Spirit, and its inspiration to enlighten them, and give them an understanding of the Times and Seasons of the Dispensations and Works of the mighty God; what strangers are they to the New Birth, and the one Baptism of Christ with Fire and the holy Spirit, to burn and consume Lusts, and so to bring down every high Thought and vain Imagination under his Feet, who is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the World? And so by that one pure holy Spirit of God are many baptised into one Body, where God's will is done on Earth by him that abides forever. So not by the works of man, is any saved, but by the merciful works of God in his Son, by the washing of Regeneration, and renewing of the holy Spirit. So into this pure holy Name must all be baptised, dipped, plunged, the which tends to the bringing out of all false Fellowships, into that one and only Pure Fellowship, to walk in the Light of the Lord, where the Blood of Christ cleanses from all sin: A pure Baptism indeed, a pure Washing in a pure Fountain, where filthiness that is within man comes to be washed away, and thereby way is made for the comfortable fresh springs that rise from the Fountain of Love and Mercies, (the Substance,) of which many outward things are shadows; but the good thing itself is come, glory to God on high, (Heb. 9.9, 10.) So to this blessed work, who must increase, his Testimony is given; and against all the works of men's hands, the which tend to the making void thereof. So the Fountain of God stands sure, and must do forever; and all false foundations, whereon people have built, must be swept away for evermore.  

THe blessed and unspotted Foundation the mighty God of Heaven and Earth hath laid, which is Christ, or Unction from the holy God, by the Light and Teaching of which mankind comes to be inspired with an understanding concerning things that disser; even that which is precious and wholesome, so good for Food for every Soul; and that which is vile and filthy, which tends to the defiling and bringing Souls into bondage. And so John in his 1 Epist. 2.20. saith unto the then Believers, who had received this Heavenly Gift: But ye have an Unction from the holy One, and ye know all things: Herein was, and is God's Love in his Son manifested to the World, to destroy his works, who hath led mankind into Darkness; and so through man's obedience in following and believing in these blessed and unspotted works of God in his Son, the enmity comes to be slain, that separates mankind from God, and so the blessed works of God in his Son, reconciling and bringing back them who have been lost by wandering and roving in their own willings and run in this cloudy and dark night, they come to be seen, felt and enjoyed by them who were and are partakers thereof, even of God's works in his Son, by which the eye of the understanding comes to be opened, and so the offensive eye, that is offended at God's works, comes to be put out: And thus the Light and Understanding of that pure Life comes to be known, the which hath been as a Lamb slain from the Foundation of the world of wickedness by the subtlety of the Serpent in man's heart.  
And now to the praise and honour of God Almighty, who hath drawn thousands by the strive of the grace of his holy Spirit to the knowledge of his way, Christ, the Truth, Way and Life, the which is without spot and blemish, the same pure, holy and unchangeable Way and Foundation on which the holy men of God were built in Ages and Generations past, Ephes. 2.20. and are built upon the Foundation of Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief Cornerstone. So here was the Primitive Christians Foundation, from whence proceeded and proceeds Heavenly, blessed and gracious words, from the true sense and feeling of the operation and powerful works of God's holy and blessed Spirit: And from this holy, uncorruptible, pure Foundation and way of God were all true Ministers and Teachers of others raised, from the blessed operation of the Spirit of Truth in themselves, whereby they had and have the Will and Mind of God unto People, though not all in the same measure or degree: But every one being faithful to his own measure of knowledge, is therein a Minister of the universal love of God in his Eternal Spirit unto the World.  
So here lies the difference between true Teaching and Teachers, (and false.) The true Teaching being the anointing of God's holy Spirit and Power, wherewith mankind being anointed, and taught of God, and according to God's blessed will therein, in a cross to his own Carnal Will and Affections, speaking forth and delivering the Truth unto people, as it is in Jesus Lord of all, in whom the Peace is, and from whom Peace is proclaimed under those Conditions and Qualifications as it pleases him to make and tender, who is Lord of all. The false Teaching is that Spirit of Iniquity, the old Deceiver of the World, the Serpent that worked and wrought under a Mystery, subjecting mankind unto his will under a vain hope, through which he beguiled him at first, drawing out a Compliance of his Will unto his delusions, and so to transgress the blessed commands of his Maker; through which yielding of mankind unto the Serpent's Counsel, they became Transgressor's of God's holy Law and Covenant; and for that cause was driven from God's Presence, and then Fear entered; and Trouble and Sorrow entered by man's yielding to the Traitor, by which means he partook of the Nature of his Cursed works; and being thus drove out of the Garden of Eden, the Lord placed a Flaming Sword, which turned every way to keep the way of the Tree of Life.  
And now the same Mystery of wickedness, by which mankind was drawn into Transgression, the same spiritual wickedness got in a high place, above the pure Seed of God in man, there keeps mankind in bondage to his will under many fair and specious hopes, That though sin and transgression, (the cause of death,) be not finished in them, yet deliverance shall be had by the manifestation and works of the Seed without them. So here mankind being embondaged by these corruptible works under the dark power of the enemy, from whence arises all corruptible ways, man being gone from the uprightness in which he was created, goes now abroad hunting about in his Inventions and Conceivings, being led about by this Thievish Spirit, which first drew his mind from the will of God, and so in this is climbing up and down, every way but the right door; and so being in this Earthly wisdom from below, by Arts and Trades set a teaching of their Imaginations and Conceivings concerning the holy works without, and so here lay down Foundations under Confessions and Professions of good works and gracious words without, and thereby keep the Serpent's works of transgression and sin alive within; and here the false Teachers under several covers of Confessions and Professions in the spirit of Antichrist set up. And so here being tossed up and down in floods of Inventions, from thence their shameful works are cast up in the old World of transgression and sin, where these false Teachers are so riveted, the works of the Enemy being become so natural unto them by reason of the continuance of time in transgression and sin, that thereby they are now become impudent and bold, even to dare to plead for the Serpent's works, (sin,) for term of life; taking it for delusion and high presumption for any to speak to the contrary: And so here false Teachers being raised from the works of the enemy, moving in the Earthly wisdom for Earthly things, being propped and bolstered up through vain glory, praise of men and weighty Pounds, many Nobles and special Marks, with abundance of Crowns, and frequent appearances of Angels; in and by which they are so oiled, that their Tongues run at their own Wills and Lusts, by fair Speeches of other men's Lines and Works; with which ignoront simple people being taken, have so fed and oiled the Wheels of these Tradesmen, the which hath set them up so strong, that they make all the defence they can to strengthen themselves and their Clients in the old World of sin and Iniquity: And so these false Teachers having put darkness for light, and light for darkness, what strong Pillars and props they are grown under the Devil's Kingdom and power of darkness, under several heads, more that might be mentioned, being derived from one beastly power, from whence is risen several Heads, and so branched out in several Horns, the which are pushing every way against the Horn of God's Anointing (the power and strength of the effectual and blessed Teachings of his holy and blessed Spirit) the door and way by which all must enter that come to be truly satisfied with God's righteousness (Christ) the same Seed promised in the beginning to bruise the Serpent's Head; the effectual works and power of which, according to God's good pleasure, was and is manifest in the World. So to the praise and honour of God's holy works many can say, Peace from him that is, and was, and is to come, Jesus, Lord of all, who delivers his people from their sins. the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the World; through which powerful and blessed works of mercy and Peace is extended to all mankind, without respect of persons, upon Earth.  
So blessed are they that fear God, and are found out of their own willings and running in their perverse and crooked nature, in a true submission and obedience to the righteous works of God's righteous holy Spirit, the true Christian Spirit, that Christianity may flourish again, and that Heathenism and Paganism under that name Christian may be subdued, and vanish away; and Jesus Lord of all, exalted in the hearts and minds of people over all his enemies: Then shall the Nations flourish, and yield Fruit in Season, to the praise and honour of God forever.   

ANd now all you Merchants of Babylon, Howl and Cry, Alas! alas! What! all these precious Trades, whereby we have gotten so much Gain, must they all down? Where be all our Mountains and Rocks, that have been so long a making up by all our Fellow-Tradesmen by Arts and Inventions, in Professions and Confessions of good works and words without, through Ages and Generations past? Will none of these Mountains and Rocks cover and hid us from the great wrath of the Lamb? What must we now bow to his righteous works who takes away the sins of the World? or else will ye grant us no Peace? Alas! alas! what clothing in Scarlet, and and Purple, and Fine Linen of Egypt, with precious Stones, will these no longer hid our sins and iniquities? Must all our works herein, wherein we thought to have established our own righteousness, must they now all be put off as dung and dross? Alas! alas! though we have lived so far from the knowledge of the operation and works of God's Spirit, as utterly to deny its Revelations now adays, and so have been dark, and void of the knowledge of God's righteous chastisements, and rebukes therein; yet we have presumed, that by custom of Confessions and Professions of God's good works, done in and through holy men without us, would have given us a right to his holiness, thou the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, the pride of life and friendship of the World had never been wholly subdued in us, but in such a part as might be consistent with our gain and profit in the World. But alas! alas! our cover be too narrow, they will no longer hid us; God's righteous works are abroad in the Earth, who is inspiring his people with true Light of understanding; and Mordicai sits in the Gate, and will not bow to wickedness (Haman.) Alas! alas! we have twined and twisted about through many Crafts and Inventions, some of our best Arts-men having called the Light a Devil, some others a Natural Light, and others a Bewildering Light; and likewise many false Accusations have we raised, with Evil Reports, Scorn and Reproaching of the people called Quakers, for Confessing to the Works of the Light of God's holy Spirit; yet all our shifts do not at all help us, but those works prosper, and they are generally a faithful people to their Testimony. Alas! alas! who would have thought our Mother would have been such a Harlot? What delicate Enchantments and Sorceries hath she used and trained us up in, that we have been thus deceived, and thereby have been Instruments of deceiving the whole Nations? Alas! alas! we can fly into no Corner nor Hole but we are found, out and pursued. Alas! alas! can't all the Wisdom of the World, and Arts therein help to hid our sins and Iniquities from the Light of the Lamb? Is every Creature so manifest in his sight, that made all things good in the beginning? And is he now at work again? And must all yield to his works, or be accounted his enemies, and be cast out of his presence, who is Lord of all, whose is the Earth and fullness thereof? Alas! alas! words of repentance of sin will not serve now; there must be a true repentance and forsaking sin and evil, or else we perish forever.  
Even so must it be done to you workers of iniquity, who have been and are as props and pillars, strengthening the Old World of Transgression in sin and iniquity, the Devil's works, and therein withstood the sufficiency of God's love manifested to the World in his Son to destroy the Devil's works, which works of Transgression the old subtle Serpent, the deceiver of the Nations, in and through his Instrument, is striving and labouring to maintain under several and very large and specious pretences of crying out, Lord, Lord: But come workers of iniquity, these good words will not give you admittance into the Kingdom of God; it's not they that say, Lord, Lord, shall enter therein; but they that do the Will of God; And was not his Will manifested to the World in his Son, that they that believed and followed him in doing his Father's Will might not perish, but have everlasting Life? And do not many of you confess to this in words? who say in your Prayers, That we may follow the example of Christ's Humiliation and Patience, that we may attain to his Resurrection, etc. What brave words have you workers of iniquity got in your Old Bottle, that can hold none of the New Wine? And so in your corrupt wills what will the using good words do you good, but thereby add to your Condemnation, who by good words, and corrupt, and bad actions are withstanding, and have withstood the good will, pleasure and love of God in his Son to the World. So your works of Darkness and falsehood are clearly manifested, and you can't hid them from the Light: But the Light of the effectual and powers works of God's holy Spirit, wherein his Will is manifest, is rising more and more, to a more perfect day of his will being done upon Earth, to the praise and honour of his blessed and holy Name, whose works are Pure, Holy, Just and Perfect in every degree thereof, and tend to the true Reformation, Peace, Prosperity and Establishment of all mankind in God's love and mercy therein forever.  
So worshipped be God that made Heaven and Earth, and the Fountains of Waters, and all things therein, who fills the hearts of the upright with joy and gladness, through the shinings forth of the light of his Countenance, who sits upon his Throne and saith, Behold I make all things New, (Amen.)   

ANd now unto such who are in doubt, Whether God's holy Spirit doth so effectually work now adays as in the Primitive times. Unto you I say, what flesh could ever have endured such grievous and continued Punishments in Trials of divers sorts, by Imprisonments, and Banishments, and Hang, and Killings, as in New-England (and Imprisonments to Death and spoiling of Goods) in Old-England, and Cruel Mockings, and Scoffing and bloodshed by unmerciful men? Indeed some in a voluntary humility have somewhat appeared in Sufferings, but being in their own willings and run and works therein, how have they been overcome, their strength being an Arm of Flesh, as well as others, and so fleshly works have been overcome by fleshly works? But it is not so with them who are in scorn and derision called Quakers, because they have bowed to God's way, the which is quite different to man's ways, was that name given; but in God's way hath his Arm been revealed, and its strength made manifest in our weakness: So that to the praise of him that lives forever the operation of his blessed Spirit is felt, as in the primitive days; and the glory and comfort of it hath ministered strength and refreshment in the time of trials; though this way of proceeding hath been hid from the vulturous evil Eye. So to the praise and glory of God is Confession made through the operation of his holy Spirit, through which thousands have been preserved and kept from bowing to the seed of Cain, Haman and the Beast, which hath made the World as a Wilderness, where wild Fruits and wild Actions spring. So we can truly say, to the praise of God, let not the wise men in the wisdom of this World glory in their wisdom, nor the strong men in their strength, nor the mighty men in their might; but let all wait in that pure measure of the Light of God's Spirit in their Consciences, that by it they may draw near unto God, that they know his blessed works of mercy, and love, and judgement in the Earth, wherein that true glory and honour of God is.   

ANd further, concerning Ministry, this I say; as the blessed works of the Light of God's holy Spirit has place in hearts, and so opens understandings, a discovery will be made from thence of the false, corrupt and and wicked Ministers, who open their Mouths for Gifts and Rewards, from whose works in fair and deceitful Speeches Profaneness is gone out into the World, where the Revelations of God's holy Spirit is denied and set at nought; they telling people, Revelations are ceased, they are not to be known now adays, etc. So the sight of all the good and blessed works of God's good and holy Spirit are become as a Sealed Book, so that they who have exalted their parts and knowledge in Hebrew, Greek and Latin above the pure Life of Jesus, they can't read in it, because it is sealed; and these Learned men (unlearned in the things of God) can't read in it, because they draw near to God with their Mouths, and seem to honour him with their Lips, but their Hearts not being right in his sight, therefore are the wisdoms confounded, and understanding in the Things of God kept from them.  
So it's such who have nothing to Minister from but a divination of their own Brain, in conceivings and imaginations concerning the works of God in others, but from no knowledge of his works in themselves; so they run and Divine for Money, and Gifts and Rewards in that adulterated whorish Spirit, which hath sat a long time, and reigned over people, who have been as unstable and unsettled as Waters, reeling and staggering to and fro through the Sorceries and Witchcraft of that whorish wicked spirit, into which Cup the Kings of the Earth have drunk, and been made drunk with Envy, Malice and Hatred one against another; and from Lusts, which have been conceived in that wicked and untimely womb, have proceeded Wars, and Fight, and Hatred one against another, and also hatred against the appearance of God's good works in others.  
So it's against that bad and wicked spirit, which is not to speak in the Church, that I am moved to give Testimony in and through the operation of God's good and holy spirit, the which is mightily at work this Day, wherein his power is made manifest to destroy the Devil's works, and so a way making for the pouring forth of God's holy and blessed spirit more and more upon all flesh; from whence I believe there are at present hundreds of Able and Gifted Ministers in this Nation, in some degree or measure or other of God's holy spirit, who can speak experimentally of what they have felt, handled, tasted and seen of his works thererein, who is the beginning and ending of every good and perfect work and gift, in and for them, who wait to know his will and do it: And through these blessed works must the wounded and distracted Nations be healed and set to rights; and all that hinder these blessed works of God's holy and unlimited spirit, they are enemies to God, and to their own souls, and to the Nation and Country where they live.  
So to that of God in every one's Conscience I appeal in these weighty and high concerns, wherein I have done the will of God, I rest  
The 9th. day of the 4th. Month, 1673 A Lover of the Truth, wherein I seek the good of all Mankind. Stephen Smith.   

NOw unto you who say, I writ out of Enmity: Therein you say true; for in the true Enmity, which God hath put between the two Seeds, viz. The blessed Seed of the woman, and the Cursed Seed of the Serpent: So that in that which is truly good, that blessed Seed by which evil is overcome, according to the goodwill of God, in that I give Testimony against that which is corruptible and bad, by which mankind is led away into darkness, and there captivated under the enemy's power.  
But if any shall say, I wish herein any ill to any one's person: I do say in the Truth and Uprightness of my heart, that such do falsely accuse me; For I know in the blessed Seed Intercession is made through me and many thousands, that Light may rise in them who sit in darkness, that mankind, who are dead in trespasses and sins, may be quickened, and raised into the glorious freedom and liberty in the Son of God, where we may live together in Peace with God and one with another, to the praise and glory of his holy Name forever.  
Stephen Smith.    

A Trumpet sounding in the Ears of all Persecutors, to awaken them out of their dead sleep, in which they have taken Prey from the Innocent; who have made themselves drunken with Malice and Envy; and so, Nabal-like, are saying, What are these, that we should regard them, etc.  
COme Persecutors, Awake, Awake, harken how the Cows and the Oxen Low in your Ears; when you lie down to sleep, doth not their Lowing trouble you? And when you rise, are not you tormented at the noise of their Lowing? sleep as secure as you can, you will be awakened at last; and then the noise of the Lowing of Cows and Oxen will sound in your Ears: In your lying down, in your rising up; in your Eating and Drinking; in your going about your business; it will be a dreadful noise, when the cause of the Innocent, whom you have wronged, comes to be laid before you.  
Come Persecutors, Awake, Awake, harken; do you not hear the Bleating of Sheep, which have been taken from Innocent people, for keeping the Commands of Jesus? stop your Ears as hard as you can, they will be opened at last; and heir Bleating will be so loud sounded in your Ears, that you cannot avoid the terrible noise thereof.  
Come Persecutors, Awake, Awake; harken what a dreadful noise is amongst the Pots, Kettles, Skillets, Frying-pans, Dripping-pans, Pewter-dishes, Flagons, chamberpots, etc. the which have been taken from an Innocent people, for keeping their Conscience void of offence towards God and man; that men take offence against the Innocent, when no proof can be made thereof; that is the steps of the wicked in all Ages: But harken Persecutors, sure you are not so fast a sleep, but that you may hear the rattling of these things in your Ears; well, they will make a fearful noise at last.  
Come Persecutors, Awake, awake; open your Eyes, they will be opened at last, and then the Beds, , Corn, Hogs, Horses, Butter, Cheese, Bacon, and all sorts of Comedies taken from Tradesmen, out of their Shops, and working Instruments from poor people, Shoe-Leather, and abundance of other things, too long to name; all taken from an Innocent harmless people, who seek the good and well-being of all men: At last all these things shall be laid before your Eyes, you shall not be able to shut them against them, nor to stop your Ears, from the several dreadful noises; but they must sound in your Ears, and you must know, that all these do proceed from a corrupt rotten heart and mind, which is abhorred by the living God.  
And now after all the spoil, that hath been made on the Goods and Persons of an innocent people, many of whose bloods have been shed in your Streets, witness Horsly-down meeting: After all this, the matter of Fact which the Innocent people, called Quakers, have been accused of, it hath not at all been proved against them; neither hath there been any cause of a ground given to suspect their Meetings to be any ways tending to Sedition, etc. They have been always peaceable on their parts; and therein the peace and well-being of all hath been sought? When you are awakered, and the Book opened wherein your wickedness is recorded; then will the Meetings of the People called Quakers, appear unto you as aforesaid. And so all you, who are wondering at a people's standing still in Silence to wait upon the Living God, to receive Counsel of him, that by the same they may be guided in the way and path of Life: would it not be good if all would do the same? And not run forward in Satan's Counsels, in envy, hatred, and malice, till you come to be bitten and devoured, one of, and by another: What is it the near to have the names of Christians, when there is none of Christ's Spirit or Nature in you. Be not deceived, the Living God will not be mocked; though in his tender mercy, he hath yet spared many Vials of wrath and hath not poured them forth, but instead thereof he hath caused many to go out in dread, and fear, to testify of his good will, upon repentance and amendment of life, but that love having been slighted, the contrary will come heavy at last; and then your courage and valour which you have exercised against an innocent people, that will fail you, and fear, and trembling, and amzement, that will seize upon you. Brambles and Thorns, whose nature is to Tear and Rend, cannot stand against a consuming Fire.  
Come, harken all that have a Finger in this Dish; have you not betrayed your Master? are you not called Christians? and should not Christians have all one Master? Did not the name of Christian come by him who is Master of all, and hath all power in Heaven and Earth? and was it not given to them who came out of the Heathenish nature, who came under the power, which was manifest to destroy the works of the Devil, and the nature of the Devil's power, which is to Rend, Tear, and Devour; coming in Troops, as he did upon Jobs Goods, in Troops of Chaldeans, and Bands and Troops of Sabeans? So have not you, who are in the same works now, as the Sabeans and Chaldeans were then (in spoiling the Goods of Innocent men, who love that which is Evil? have you not betrayed your Lord and Master, having given yourselves up to serve a wicked Ruler, he that is Prince of the power of darkness, who hath his rule in his Servants, who are departed from their obedience to him who is Lord and Master of all, and aught to be served and feared by all; since there is no blessing, nor any thing that is good, but what is of him, and from him, who created all, and upholds all, who is Lord of all, blessed for ever.  
Come, be awakened, and hearken; where do you find (by the example or Doctrine of Christ Jesus, who is Lord of all, and hath all power in Heaven and Earth,) or do you read of any such works , done by him or his Followers? No, no, you have betrayed him, who call him Lord, and yet live in such works of malice and revenge; he taught, and teaches quite contrary, even to learn of him, who is meek and lowly in heart, admonishing all to love one another, and to do good for evil, and to love enemies; who dwell with them that are of a contrite and humble spirit, who teaches the humble and meek, and who washeth and cleanseth his Followers from their filth, as in days past, so to day and for ever. Oh you betrayers of him, who have rendered him a hard Master, in that you deny him; for he is righteous, just and true, and gives power to them that receive him, and obey him patiently, to bear the reproaches, of the wicked, and to undergo their cruel mockings, and scoffings and spoilings, till his pleasure is to plead the cause of the Innocent, who have no Arm of Flesh, nor Carnal weapon; but their trust is in him who is Lord of all, unto whom all Tongues must confess, and every Knee must bow; though for a while, the wicked, with their Ruler the Devil, may be lose, he must be chained at last, and cast into the Lake of Fire, where their part and portion will be, who continue serving him (a sad Bargain.) So all you betrayers of the just, holy principle of Light and Life in your hearts, be awakened; come, see what a Dream you have been in, and what Dreamers you have followed, who are out of the way of the Lord, and yet for lucre sake, by art and policy, keep people confessing they are out of the way of the Lord, persuading it's not to be found, or as if there were no such thing.  
Oh, be awakened, and see what a Dream you are in, and what silly Dreamers these are, who have put from them Christ, the way of Truth and the Life, by which all that ever come to God, it must be by him, whom many have found, so cannot but confess him before men, there being no other way out of Evil, and which brings and leads to peace; this is a perfect way, and tried way, into which no unclean person, nor envious person can come into; he must forsake his Envy, and uncleanness, and all the Devils works, if ever he comes there.  
Come, don't stop your Ears, and shut your Eyes, it will be all in vain; for he that is Lord, Master and Creator of all, sees and beholds all, you can hid nothing from him, and he will call you to an account; then, what can the betrayers say?  
Oh, you whose days are not quite over, consider what you are a doing, and what you are a treasuring up; malice, envy and hatred are from a rupt root and ground, which is cursing.  
Come, be awakened, cease to do evil, then learn to do well, if happily you may obtain mercy; restore the pledge and repent: Keep nothing back that hath been taken by violence.  
Be awakened, and see how filthy your hands are, through Malice and Cruelty, which hath brought a filthy smell and curse upon your Estates; a sad portion for your Children, for their Fathers to die with their Estates entailed in the Curse, the which can never be removed, from Father or Child, till the cause of the Curse be repent of, and done away, and so the hands wasted in innocency; until which time every one shall bear his own iniquity, because of the accursed thing that is in their hands.  
So out of love to Truth, and good will to all is this written, whatever construction you may make thereof, into whose hands it may come; in his sight who sees all things, I am cleared, that herein I wish the good of all.  
Stephen Smith. The 10th. of the 8th. Month, 1670   

SOME REASONS AGAINST Paying Tithes, AND Upholding that Ministry that doth Receive the same.  Written in Love to the Truth, and for the sake thereof, and in Love to my Neighbours, Stephen Smith. 
I. CHrist Jesus he is Lord of Heaven and Earth, and hath power over all flesh, by whom the World was made, who is Heir of all things, and hath right of government in the Hearts and Consciences of all people, and over all the Kingdoms of men, the right of ordaining and appointing Ministers being in him, and also in giving forth his Righteous Law and Commands in their Hearts, where he ought to reign, where his Ministers so ordained of him are to wait, with their Minds stayed in his Light, to receive of him freely a supply of wisdom and power, and to communicate from the same freely, and to be contented with what provision the Lord is pleased to make for them; and by him there being a change of the Priesthood under that Covenant given unto Moses and the people of Israel, there is made of necessity a change also of the Law; and forasmuch as the Priests in this Age, who are not ordained of Christ, do uphold that which the Lord hath changed, therefore we do deny them, and that which they claim for their Maintenance.  
II. These Priests being not ordained of Christ, nor appointed to that Office by him, they therefore do usurp that Authority, the which doth of Right belong to Christ Jesus, the which are presumptuous sins, and therefore we do deny them.  
III. These Priests having denied the Revelation of Christ's Spirit now adays, and set up the Letter and Law without above the Spirit and Law within, by which its plain and evident, that they are Strangers to the great Love of God in his New Covenant, and being void of the knowledge of the gift of God to the World, they have nothing but Imaginations and Inventions of their own Brain-study, and out of others Works and Labours, therefore we do deny them.  
iv They not being ordained of Christ they bring forth no pleasant Fruit, as is evident, but being ordained of man, being man-made Ministers, they are men-pleasers, so no Servants of Christ Jesus, but of their own Bellies, and for the sake thereof they are abominable greedy of filthy Lucre, and therefore we do deny them.  
V They being out of the way of the Lord, and strangers thereunto, therefore they can be no guides therein, having set up Imaginations and Devices in their own Hearts, they follow them in defrauding people, therefore we deny them.  
VI Forasmuch as Christ hath said, John 10. All that ever came before me are Thiefs and Robbers, or as it may be rendered, All that go before him; (Now mind) before Abraham was he was, and before the Prophets were he was; so the true Prophets they did not go before him, they waited for the Signification of Christ's Spirit, which was in them, the which was their Foundation, and this was the Apostles Foundation, and the Believers in the Primitive time were built upon the same; but the Thiefs and Robbers were the false Prophets and Priests that came before him, who steal the true Prophet's words, and use them in their Divination for Money, and Rewards, and Preaching for Hire, the which were wicked practices, testified against, and cried out against by the true Prophets; among which wicked practices we finding the man-made Ministers in this Age and Generation, who go before Christ, and being of that number Christ Jesus spoke against, therefore we deny them.  
VII. All take notice, that the Testimony against Priests that preach for Hire is no new thing of twenty or thirty years standing, as some do vainly imagine; those abominable practices were testified against by the true Prophets; read Micah 3. Isaiah 66. Jer. 5. Ezek. 13. Hosea 6. and read Christ's Testimony against Hirelings, John 10. (and mind) all the holy men of God were and are of the same mind. And for Priests and People now adays to pretend to Cospel-order and gospel-days, and to live in the same, and if not worse practices than the false Prophets, Priests, Teachers and People, who were before the more powerful manifestation of Christ to flesh, the everlasting Gospel, who is the end of the Law for Righteousness to all that believe; this is a very great shame even to the name of Christianity, and the false Teachers the Priests being the Leaders into these Abominations; therefore we do deny them.  
VIII. Paul an Apostle of Jesus, he did exhort the then Believers, to follow him as he was a follower of Christ, who ever was, and is a blessed Leader out of Transgression, out of sin, and therefore out of Strife and Contention; he taught and teaches to love enemies, for this Cause was and is the love of God in his Son manifest in flesh, even to condemn sin in the flesh, and to destroy the Devil's works of Malice, Envy, Lust, Pride, Excess, Covetousness, Lying, Guile, Hypocrisy, Deceit, Fraud, Vain Worships, Vain Services, Persecution, and all other Abominations that may be mentioned; the true and faithful witness, even the Light of his holy Spirit in mankind, never did nor will assent unto to any thing that is evil. And forasmuch as the Priests are led by another Spirit, and acted by another Spirit, as by their Fruits and Practices they are manifested, even to be led by the spirit of Cain, he being the first Persecutor about Religion; and the Priests being in the same steps of Persecution, they may say if they speak truly, Beloved, be you followers of us as we are followers of our forefather's, Cain, the false Prophets and Teachers in Ages past; they bringing forth the same Fruits, therefore of necessity they must spring from the same corrupt ground and root; and therefore let all the wise in heart judge, whether we have not good cause to deny them.  
IX. It hath been so from the beginning, that he that was born after the Flesh, persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now; and when we turned our backs upon ungodliness, and waited in the grace of God, that we might live godly and righteously in this present evil World, we did believe we might suffer by unreasonable reasonable ungodly men, who live exalted above the Grace of God, of which number the Priests are chief; and therefore we deny them.  
X. And whereas Christ Jesus, who is Lord of the Sabbath, did above sixteen hundred years ago set up the everlasting Worship in the Spirit and Truth, and directed all to take that for their Leader into all Truth, and the Truth and blessed effects whereof being witnessed to the praise of God this day, as it was in the Primitive time. And whereas the man-made Ministers of this Age and Generation, who are not ordained nor sent of Christ Jesus, do teach for Doctrine the Commands of men, and so worship in vain, and by their Traditions and vain Customs they have excluded that Worship in Spirit and Truth, the which Christ Jesus set up; therefore we do deny them.  
XI. Whereas the man-made Ministers now adays do make that their Plea for their Persecution and wickedness, they have a Law, so said their forefather's, the Scribes, Pharisees, and Chief Priests, who Crucified Christ, they said, they had a Law; and what Persecutors about Religion since Cain had not some seeming pretence and covering? though indeed these in this generation do excel in rare Arts and Cover to hid their wicked bloody Spirit of Persecution under; but he is risen and come that sees through them, and teaches his Followers of them; and therefore we do deny them.  
XII. And we do commend the Reader for his full and complete satisfaction about the ground and setting ●p of Tithes, since the gospel-days, unto a Book Entitled, The Great Case of Tithes Revived, by Francis Howgil, who died a Prisoner for the Testimony of Jesus; in that Book are all Reasonable Objections clearly answered, and there is clearly shown, what a dark night of Apostasy was over people when Tithes were set up by a Law, and how many hundred years it was after Christ, before that gross Ignorance was ushered in, in making Laws to Prosecute and compel about Tithes.  
And unto all we do signify, That we have hopes in our Lord and Master, Christ Jesus, our Saviour, that he will maintain us by his Grace, and supply us out of his fullness of Wisdom and Power to live godly, soberly and righteously in this present life, giving no just Gause of Offence to any, but in all things to live an innocent harmless life, keeping our Conscience void of Offence, both before God and all men: And if any that may be among us, and profess to own our Principle, should do otherwise then right and just, let none be so rish as to condemn our just Principle, or those that live in it, because of the unfaithfulness of some that may make some Profession of it, and not live up to it: And we do pray for all in Authority, that the Lord of Heaven and Earth man pour out his Spirit of Judgement and Wisdom upon them, that they may be opened, and that the Nobility of their Understandings may be cleared from Darkness and Error, that they may discern between the Precious and the Vile, and that they may be for the Punishment of them that do Evil, and for the Praise of them that do well.  
The 6th. of the 1st. Month, 1676,   

Wholesome Advice AND INFORMATION, In TRUE LOVE to all called CHRISTIANS;  
To provoke them to the Royal Law of Love, as it is in Jesus; and to the Blessed and Effectual WORKS therein.  
THe Lord of Heaven and Earth, who by his great power and wisdom did Create all things good, who in the beginning gave unto mankind Dominion over the Earth, and God blessed them, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the Earth, (and subdue it) and have Dominion over the Fish of the Sea, and over the Fowl of the Air, and every Living thing that moveth upon the Earth: And the works of the Lord were all good (and are all good, savoury pleasant) being ordered by his universal power and wisdom, by which they were created.  
But mankind being fallen from the sense thereof, they have form and fashioned many Inventions in their minds, being captivated under the enemy's power of Darkness, wherein they are become corrupt and unsavoury, having lost their Dominion, instead of subduing the Earth, they have let the Earth over them, and being become Earthly-minded, the things that move upon the Earth have Dominion over them; and thus being captivated under the enemy's dark power, set the enemy's dark power above the power and wisdom of God, Christ, the same yesterday, to day, and for ever, by whom all things were created, who is Heir of all, by whose Power, Life and Immortality is brought to Light; glory be to him for ever.  
But people being embondaged and corrupted, they are become such slaves thereunto, and in such a ground of Infidelity, that they cannot so much as believe in God's power and wisdom, which is manifested to create again into its own primitive, savoury, holy Life, in Dominion over the Earth; but in the State of Infidelity, mankind being plunged with their narrow spirits they go about to measure the things of God, and in their fallen Earthly wisdom to weigh things of Eternity (and being confounded in their works) what variety of cover do people get to cover their shame in all parts of the World, as well as in Christendom (so called) where indeed they do greatly excel other Nations in curious Arts to make cover to hid their great shame; (a miserable Trade! but very costly in in this Nation.) And forasmuch as the love of God hath been, and is largely manifested, through which many have been, and are redeemed from that great folly and madness, in that vain travail and labour, in joining with those Arts-men of the Times, who spend their days and consume abundance of Treasure in making false cover to cover their shame; out of which confusion many being redeemed, who are baptised into Christ, and have put on Christ's beautiful Garment, and are comely in his sight, who is Lord of Heaven and Earth, before whom every Creature is manifest: and because such cannot run with them in the same Excess of Riot, and pay towards the Maintenance of those Sottish Arts-men, what a wonder they make of it! and cry to the Magistrates for help, to punish the Innocent people, for keeping their Consciences void of offence both towards God and man: What Imprisoning, even many to Death, and Spoiling, Tearing and Rending of Goods, seeking thereby the destruction and ruin of many thousands of industrious laborious Families.  
A practice not so common amongst the very Turks, among whom I having lived, I did observe something of their Behaviours to the Christians and Jews that live amongst them, and one unto another; and in many common Civilities, which are called moral, in which they seemed to exceed many who are called Christians in Christendom; the Christians that live amongst them of several Opinions agreeing together in outward concerns, do enjoy the Liberty of their Consciences in their several ways of Worship; and the Jews have the same freedom, the Jews observing the Seventh day, and are quiet; and the Christians the First day, and are not disturbed; and the Turks observe the Sixth day; and I did not perceive any Penalties inflicted either on Christians or Jews for worshipping of God as they suppose they should; but they do live quietly and peaceably one with another in these Concerns.  
And concerning the Turks Moderation, in permitting the Christians so quietly to enjoy their several persuasion in Religious matters, I made some Inquiry, What reason they could give for the same? and thus answer was returned me, thus saith Turk, In case we should go about to compel or force them to be of our Religion, fear might overcome some of them, for fear of the Punishment some may yield; and in case we should persuade them by promises of Cutward Preferment, for the Advantage sake some might yield; but (saith the Turk) when we have done all, we cannot alter or change their Belief, the which they retaining, though they may yield unto us, it would be but in hypocrisy; and in case we should accept of them on those terms, they then would have an opportunity to do us hurt. And herein they show more Moderation than the Apostate Christians in many places of Christendom.  
And concerning the Turks Deportment, and Civil respect one unto another, in meeting and greeting one another; they seem to exceed the Christians in Morality; it being a cause of Laughter unto them to see the Christians Beggarly Airy Behaviours one unto another, in Scraping with the Leg, and Doffing the Hat, and foolish Gestures, too too much used amongst many who are called Christians, who want the more solid, and more comely, and truly courteous Behaviour, which the Truth guides unto.  
But lest any should mistake, who do not know the difference which is amongst them called Turks, wherein I speak of the Behaviour of the Turks, as before, I do not speak of those Nests and Dens of Thiefs and Robbers, who are made up of Christian Runnagadows, Moors and Turks; neither do I speak of the aspiring highminded ones amongst them; but I speak of a plain people, called Turk-men, whom I have trusted much, and having found them faithful, I perceived they had an Awe and Fear of God upon them, they often expressing these words [The Lord is just, and therefore we must do justly] And by occasion having proved a Turk, I shall in brief give an Instance of his Faithfulness, where in he declared the Fear and Awe of God that was upon him: Being ordered by a Merchant that then lived in Aleppo, to send him up 1500 Dollars privatelely from Scanderown, where I lived; according to order, the Money being delivered, and laid upon a Horse in a Satchel, as their manner is, the Horse by Chance ran away with the Money before him, it being in a dark Night he could not find him, and in the Morning betimes the Horse with the Money was feeding at a Turk-man's Crib, the Turk taking hold of him, and feeling the Money, and seeing the Christians Mark, there being none to accuse him but the witness in him, he might clearly have kept the Money, and turned the Horse going; but the faithful and true Witness was so prevalent in him, that he took the Money carried it unto an Agaw; which in that place is somewhat like unto a Lord of a Manner, and after diligent search; what he had done was showed unto me, and the Money recovered: But mind the Awe and Fear of God that was upon the Turk, after Inquiry concerning his Do, this was his Answer; said the Turk, The Lord hath blessed me with Cattle of several sorts, accounting his Outward Riches; in case (said he) I should have put that Money to that which the Lord hath blessed me withal, that being none of mine, the Lord would have brought a Curse upon all that I have. Hear this O Christians, and awake to Righteousness, and done't persist in your Gainsaying the preaching the Gospel to every Creature, 
Col. 1.23.  lest you be cut off from the goodness of God through your unbelief and hardheartedness; and those whom you so despise, be grafted in; (all things are possible to the power of the Lord) for of a Truth, as said Peter in another Case, The Lord is no Respecter of Persons, but in every Nation he that feareth him, and worketh Righteousness is accepted with him. So mind, it's not a bare talk of Righteousness that will serve; and what have you more who say, Visions are ceased, and Revelations are ceased, and the Inspiration of God's Spirit is not to be known now adays? Oh blind Apostates! what Gospel have you to preach? No; the Gospel is hid to you, in whom the God of this World hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, 
2 Cor. 4.3, 4.  lest the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the Image of God should shine unto them: The Confession out of your own Mouths will rise up against you in the day of account, which hastens: The midnight of it is much over you, and the day of the Visitation of God's love to many of you is far spent: Do you think that your having the holy men's Testimonies of the Righteousness of God will add to your Comfort in the day of account, if you be found out of the Righteousness there testified of? No; assuredly they will be a witness against you. The learned Scribes and the Pharisees they had the Law and the Prophets, which witnessed to the Righteousness of God (but they resisting the Spirit of God) how blind and ignorant were they of the Law and Prophets! so that goodness of God they being strangers unto, through their hardheartedness, in resisting the Key of knowledge, they were so far from the comfort thereof, that they took occasion by them to resist the righteousness of God; so those blessed Testimonies which witnessed to the righteousness of God, were a witness against them for refusing the same: And forasmuch as the Christian-Nations have more of the holy men's Testimonies concerning the righteousness of God in the blessed operation of his holy Spirit, and do grieve it, and do despite unto it, and are found in the day of account out of the life of the righteousness thereof, the more and stronger will the Scriptures of Truth be a witness against them: So than the Scriptures are profitable and comfortable, through the blessed Spirit that opens them, and giveth power to live the life of the holy men recorded therein: But if the righteousness of God's holy Spirit, which is witnessed unto throughout the Scriptures of Truth, be rejected, then will the Scriptures be unprofitable and uncomfortable in the day of account, when every one shall receive a reward according to their Deeds done in the Body.  
Oh! that people would consider, and not go on striving against the works of the Lord, who is exalting the peaceable Kingdom of the Son of his Love, which is in righteousness, 
Rom. 14.17.  peace and joy in his holy Spirit. (Oh! it's for want of knowledge that people perish) and rather than they will deny themselves, that they may have knowledge of the righteousness which is of God, they will persist and persist, and perish in their own unrighteous Works; For the Wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God: 
Jam. 1.20.  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his Ears are open unto their Prayers, 
1 Pet. 3.12.  but the Face of the Lord is against them that do Evil. Oh that people had a true knowledge of the Scriptures! but they do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God: The goodness and mercies of God, both in the holy Testimonies, as recorded in the Scriptures of Truth, and otherways manifested, should lead unto true repentance of every evil way and work, whereby God's righteous Spirit is grieved and quenched.  
Assuredly the more God's holy and righteous Spirit doth strive many ways with a people or Nation, and they go on, not regarding the operation of the hand of the Lord therein, but do continue to grieve and quench the blessed motions thereof, it will be more tolerable in the day of Judgement unto that People or Nation which profess less, but do more: So it's not a bare Profession and Confession, what people do that is acceptable; but it's in doing the Will of God, through the move of his holy Spirit, in every Nation they that fear God and work righteousness are accepted; and for that end, that people might fear God and work righteousness, his universal Love in his universal Spirit and power doth enlighten all mankind, whereby they may see the evil and the good; and to them that receive him in his tenders of love, he gives them power to eschew the evil and to love the good, of what Nation, Language or Country they be of. In the time I lived among the Turks it appeared to me, that they had more Charity and true Love one unto another, then may be found amongst many who are called Christians, who live in Error, out of God's way: Surely such Christians are driven farther from true Love one to another, and Mercy, and Patience, and Self-denial, than the very Turks: They may be ashamed when they look back into those malicious works manifested upon an Innocent People in this Nation; I suppose they are not to be paralleled amongst the very Turks: And for Christendom, so called, in general, who are apostatised from the Truth, how many Religions and high Professions there are made of God and Christ, but how little of the blessed example and humiliation of Christ is followed! Let the wise in heart take but a view of the greatest part of Christendom, so called this day, and see what works of Envy, Malice and Hatred (Evil Fruit) is shown forth, where they seek the ruin and destruction one of another; such wild Fruit doth not proceed from Christ the Vine; no, no; such Fruit proceeds from a corrupt root, which Axe of the Lord must be laid to, and it must be cut down, the word of the Lord must come over it, which must be felt a Hammer to beat down corruption, and a Fire to consume it; this Cross that Christians must take up, if they arrive at that blessed Haven of rest which the Lord of Heaven and Earth has appointed for them that love him; thus Christians bowing under the Cross, the power of God, and Crucifying their corrupt Wills, and Affections, and Lusts, with that exalted, proud, arrogant spirit, that carries people above the Fear of God and the blessed example and humiliation of Christ; Christians (so called) coming under this Cross, then will you be a good example to all Turks and Infidels in the World, and your good Conversations and true Love one unto another will convince the Turk that the Lord is with you of a Truth, there being no other way to true happiness and peace with the Living God, but by Christ, the Way, the Truth, the Life, which people being converted to and living in, therein showing forth the great Love of God to the World in his Son; this will preach forth the righteousness of God unto them who are strangers thereunto; and the people thus gathered to the Lord, the Lord will be with them, and plead their Cause, whilst you observe that great and chief Commandment, in loving God above all, and your Neighbours as yourselves; in doing this you will please God, and reach to the witness in them that do not know God: But if you continue mere Talkers and high Professors of what you should do, and leave that undone which should be done, therein you will be a bad example, and an ill savour to other Nations, and a stink, which the Lord of Heaven and Earth will never be pleased with; though you may cry Lord, Lord, in your deep Distress, he will not hear, if you regard Iniquity (the Prayers of the wicked are abomination to the Lord) I speak the Truth in the love of God unto you, in dealing plainly, according to his blessed Will: You that say, you are Christians, examine yourselves; will the name Christian avail you, if you be out of the Christian-Life and Nature? What will it avail you to retain a Name of being Christ's Followers, and if you be found in the way of the Scribes and Pharisees, by whom he was Crucified? What will it avail you to talk of the Truth in the inward parts, that which is lovely in the sight of the Lord, if you be found in a Spirit of Deceit and Falsehood in the Friendship of the World, resisting the Just, and he doth you no harm? What will it avail you to cry Lord, Lord, and not wait to know his Will and do it? What is it the near for you to talk of God's great Love to the World in the Son of his Love, who invited all to him, who was and is meek and lowly, where the Rest and Peace is in the joy of the Lord to Immortal Souls, if you be found in froward, peevish, exalted, imaginary, proud, ambitious spirits? What will it avail you to read and talk of the holy men's Lives and blessed Practices, if you be found in the Life and Practice of Cain, Nabal and Hamman? The Followers of Christ Jesus, the Heavenly man, they were and are to deny themselves, and take up a daily Cross to Cain 's Nature, to Nabal 's Nature, to Haman 's Nature: The blessed and effectual Cross that slays the Enmity, and makes a reconciliation by the blessed Cross (the Power of the Lord and Saviour) Christians being plunged, dipped, baptised, and brought under Christ, the power and wisdom of God: And in the blessed Gospel-order established, and therein shining forth to the Praise and Honour of God; this will preach and reach to the Turks and Infidels in the World, and overcome them, and make them confess, That Christ Jesus is a blessed Leader, and all that follow him are blessed and happy forever; and that there is no other way to true Peace and Happiness, but by following Christ's blessed example and great humiliation, by all that ever come to attain to his Resurrection, he must lead them in the way.  
So, away with all your Wooden, Brazen, Iron, Golden Crosses, with all your Trumpery thereunto belonging, 
The very Turk sees over it.  with all Images, and Religions which are turned into Trades and Merchandise, whereby spiritual wickedness and the Mystery of Iniquity is upholden; away with it all, it stinks. Now the great Mystery, Christ in us the Hope of Glory, is opened, a blessed Fountain to wash in, which makes clean the inside, and fits and prepares for his glorious and everlasting Kingdom; the desire of all Nations is come, and coming; blessed are all they that wait for him, and receive him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, 
Col. 3.11.  Barbarian, Scythian, Bond nor Free, but Christ is all and all.  
And this Love of God to the World, in his Son Christ Jesus, the Lord of Heaven and Earth, by his universal Power and Wisdom hath raised thousands of Living Witnesses, who cannot deny him before men, knowing assuredly that the Cause is the Lord's, and he will plead it with all flesh; and to all faithful and true witnesses, that continue to the end, they shall have a Crown Immortal Life, the which Life and Immortality is brought to Light through the Gospel (praises be to his holy Name forever) So it's for True Christianity that many who are called Quakers have so deeply suffered to this day; and in this true Self-denial and daily Cross, following our blessed Leader and Commander Christ Jesus, we have sought the good of all mankind, testifying against Infidelity and Corruption wherever it appears.  
Take but a view of this Nation, and see what abundance of poor distressed Families are begging up and down, and many are ready to perish for want of Conveniencies; and do but view how others do swell in Pride and Luxury, and cover themselves over with a Name of Christian; whatever esteem this may have in the sight of fallen men, I am sure it hath none with God, nor those who are raised unto some degree of knowledge of his divine power and wisdom, by which all things were created good in the beginning, and by which alone that which is out of order must be put into order again.  The Lord God prosper his blessed work of Reformation, which he hath begun in the Earth, saith my Soul, and the Souls of all who are truly sensible of his Righteousness therein. 
By one that did Live several years amongst them. Stephen Smith. The 8th. day of the 12th. Month, 1673  
THE END.   


A Faithful Testimony Concerning the SCRIPTURES, And Dangerous Estate that they are in, who through their private Interpretations do add unto, and diminish from, the Holy Prophecies therein Contained:  
And do thereby make void the End and Tendency of God's great Love, through the Moving of his Holy Spirit in Holy Men, in giving forth those Blessed Testimonies plainly shown.  
And the Blessed Motion, Operation, Revelation and Divine Inspiration of God's Holy Spirit in its Blessed Works and Manifestation in this day time (and season Asserted.)  
And an Exhortation unto all to Bow to the Light and Manifestation of God's Holy Spirit in them; lest the things which concern their Everlasting Rest and Peace be hid from them. With some brief Instances of Wicked motions, and their Effects; and Blessed motions, and their Effects, taken out of the Scriptures.  Revel. 22.18. For I Testify unto every man that heareth the words of the Prophecy of this Book: If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the Plagues that are written (in this Book.) 
Printed in the Year, 1679.   

A Faithful Testimony Concerning the SCRIPTURES  
COme all Professors of the holy Scriptures to the trial, whether there may not be great and high talking of, by those who are real opposers of the very end and tendency of that love and mercy of God which through the Scriptures is testified unto: Come to plain dealing, and weigh things in a true balance; and let that which is light and vain, which is a  that the Noble Seed cannot come forth: Let that be cast off, that the Nobility of your Understandings may be opened and cleared from darkness and error, that the things which concerns your everlasting peace may be witnessed, before you go from hence and shall be seen no more.  
The 2 Pet. 1.20, 21. Knowing this first, that no Prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the Prophecy came not in old time by the Will of man: But holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Now mind, since the Prophecies in Scripture is of no private interpretation; let all who would not be supposed to be of that number, who are giving their private Interpretation of those weighty and high concerns, consider what Spirit they are led and acted by therein. For as much as those weighty concerns cannot be understood, but by the universal love and mercy of God in and through the manifestation of the Light of his holy Spirit, given to every man to profit withal: Therefore all had need to consider, whether they feel and understand the mind and will of God through the manifestation of his blessed Spirit, leading and guiding them into the knowledge of those Prophecies aforesaid: And if this love of God in the manifestation of his Spirit, be not taken heed unto, and received and used for that end it is given; all they who neglect it can give no other Interpretation of the Prophecies, but what they conceive in their private Conceptions, the which is a dangerous Estate; the Prophecies being deep things, wherein the great Salvation of the Lord unto mankind is signified; and this goodness and mercy of the Lord is only revealed by his Spirit, as said the Apostle, 1 Cor. 2.10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit, for he searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. So it's by taking heed unto the manifestation of the blessed gift of God (by which the love and mercy of God were witnessed unto by the holy men of God) that the Scriptures of Truth come to be clearly understood: And this Spirit of God giving to man kind light and understanding in the things of God; this also pure and holy in man, the which must be taken heed unto by all that comes to a clear understanding in those weighty concerns of life and peace under that penalty, lest they be hid from them: Therefore there is a necessity even for all to take heed to that love of God in the blessed operation and inshining of his holy Spirit in them, as saith the holy Apostle, Rom. 1.19. Because that which may be kn●●● of God, is manifest in them, for God hath 〈…〉 unto them.  
And therefore a●● that deny this universal love of God, the moving of his holy Spirit, and do nor the heed to the manifestation of it in themselves; they are they who are the opposers of the love and mercy of God signified through the Scriptures.  
And thus in the works of darkness, being found opposers of the 〈◊〉 intent and meaning of the will of God, through the blessed operation of his good Spirit; how are people giving private Interpretations of the Prophecies in the Scriptures according to their own private Imaginary conceivings, adding and diminishing to bring them to their corrupt minds and wills: In which works of darkness they make void the great love of God testified of by holy men throughout the Scriptures, and so are without the real benefit, which is and may be received through Faith and Comfort of the holy Scriptures, by them who do truly take heed to the manifestation of God's holy Spirit in them, which convinceth the World of sin, and therefore universal; and take that for a rule and guide to walk by out of darkness, and to guide and lead into all Truth. Oh it's the carnal mind which is enmity against God; 
Rom. 8.7.  for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be. It's that mind that would make void this love of God in the manifestation of his Spirit to every man to profit with; as saith the Apostle, 1 Cor. 2.14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Therefore it is of necessity for all to take heed to the Revelation and Manifestation of God's holy Spirit in them, if ever they come to a true knowledge of the love and mercy of God testified unto in old time: And therefore it's good for all to consider what state they are in, whether in a natural or spiritual, whether in a capacity to receive an understanding in the things of God testified of in the Scriptures, or whether in a natural estate wresting them to their own destructions: In that state what false conceptions about the things of God are brought forth, the which genders to bondage and corruption.  
And in this Worldly wisdom, what diversity of Inventions do people get, make and find out, to keep them from the Cross which Christ exhorted his followers to take up daily and follow him? Though this may be accounted as foolishness to them that perish; yet as said the Apostle, But unto us that are saved, it's the power of God. It was not the intent in the moving of God's holy Spirit (in holy men, in giving forth those blessed Testimonies of God's righteousness and love therein unto the world) that people in their carnal minds and natural estates, should cover their unrighteousness therein, and deck and trim themselves therewith for some selfish advantage; the which are very presumptuous sins that have gotten dominion in the hearts of those who do account themselves Leaders of the people: And indeed if the people did not love to have it so, they would bow to the manifestation of God's love and mercy in them: But being contrary minded, then to yield to the good will and pleasure of God in the moving of his good Spirit; how greatly do they provoke the Lord of Heaven and Earth in grieving and vexing of his holy Spirit? as said the Prophet Isaiah in another Case, 63.10. But they rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit; therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them: In that state it's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living: I do therefore beseech all to be considerate in this weighty concern, wherein the Souls Immortal are so deeply concerned, and let not the day of God's Visitation in and by the striving of his good Spirit pass over your heads, lest you be left mourning and grieving without God in the World, and so without any certain hope of all the Saints and Sanctified in the Truth: And through the blessed operation and revelation of the holy Spirit of Truth, he is now the hope of all them, who are real deniers of that which hath a tendency of grieving and quenching his holy Spirit; and in this is Christ's Doctrine obeyed, in denying that which is contrary to the will of God, whose blessed will is the satisfaction of all; and for that end hath he given of his good Spirit unto all, the which ought to be taken unto by all.  
The gainsaying of the striving thereof, was the cause of the World's overthrow of old; in that they grieved his good Spirit, and therein provoked the Lord of Glory, till in his hot displeasure, he said, his Spirit should not always strive with them: And the cause of the Scribes and Pharisees Crucifying the Lord of Glory by their wicked hands, was by their doing despite unto God's holy Spirit, they being stiff Necked, did resist the moving and striving of God's holy Spirit, as their Fathers did before them, which brought those sad and miserable Calamities (which may be read of) upon them. And that which was the cause of Ignorance in Days, Ages and Generations past; is now the cause of great ignorance in which the people living in error know not the Scriptures, nor the power of God; and for want of the knowledge thereof, people do perish.  
Thus plain and evident it is to all who have the Eyes of their understandings opened, that they who are true owners of the Scriptures, their sense and knowledge thereof comes by the moving of the Spirit of Christ, who lighteth every man that comes into the world, unto which the true Gospel Ministers turned people, even from darkness that was in them, unto the Light that was in them; which Light that shineth in Darkness, and the Darkness comprehendeth it not. In this principle of the Light of God's holy Spirit, which makes manifest the Deeds of Darkness, must all believe, and obey, that come to find Life and Peace: And read John 1.1. what is there said concerning the word of God, by which all things were made, the which the Devil is out of; though he may get the words, and talk and preach of the word: But being out of the word of God, he cannot preach that: He that can receive it, let him; for in him the word by which all things were made, is Life; and the Life is the Light of men: And for the inshining and breathing forth of this Light out of Darkness, must all wait in the Self-denial of all dark works, taking up the Cross daily thereunto; that Life and Immortality may be brought to Light through the Gospel: And if this be hid: It is hid to them that are lost, In whom the God of this World hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, 
2 Cor. 3.3, 4.  lest the light of his glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the Image of God, should shine upon them. And whilst this love of God testified unto through the Scriptures, remains hid; what true benefit can such be supposed to have of the Scriptures, though they may be never such high Talkers and Professors thereof: Oh that people would consider what they are doing, that they may not labour and travail all their days in vain, and lie down in sorrow at last.  
Come, be sober, be wise you Professors of the Scriptures, and remember that it is witten: For we must all appear before the Judgement seat of Christ; 
2 Cor. 5.10.  that every one may receive the things done in the body, whether they be good or bad: What then will a bare Profession of holy men's words and works wrought without you, avail you? if you be found in uncleanness, in unsavoury words and works? What will it avail you to have read what blessed and holy Lives the Saints and Servants of the most High God led and possessed, if you be found in an unsavoury Life, and in an unholy Conversation, in an unclean Possession? If so, will you not be found deniers of the scope and tendency of Scriptures; where it is written, to be spiritually minded, is Life and Peace; and all that possess this are in a clean and holy possession: The Scriptures saith, to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace: So to the blessed motions of God's holy Spirit you must turn your minds, and eye its leadings and guidings; this is the way the Saints and Servants of the most high God were directed to, and guided in, by the true Preachers of the everlasting Gospel: And therefore unto that of God which he manifests and shows, you must bring your hearts and minds, before you can know the law of the Spirit of Life, to set you free from the law of sin and death: Oh consider, will a talk of freedom avail one in Captivity, whilst he sees no way but that he must remain so all his Life time? Awake, awake out of your Dream unto righteousness, and sin not, that you may ●now ●he Lord and his way; the which is above man's ways, as the Heaven is above the Earth: The Lord of Heaven and Earth hath ordained a means and way to everlasting Peace and Happiness, and the Scriptures testify the same: Even of Christ's spiritual appearance, who is the Way, Truth and Life; so to that of God which is holy, must every one come that is made holy; unto that which is righteous, must every one come that is truly made righteous and meet for the Kingdom of God, the which the unrighteous cannot inherit: Oh hat people would consider their ways wherein they walk, and not go on in evil ways, and satisfy themselves with a ●alk what they have heard of the righteous way, and live out of it; for the great love of God in his Heavenly gift to the World, was and is, that people should be led by it to that repentance never to be repent of, even to forsake that which is manifest to be wrong, false and evil, by the faithful and true witness the Spirit of Truth in every one: As it is written, Behold I have given him for a witness to the people, 
Isaiah 55.4.  a Leader and Commander to the people: And it is also written, 1 Joh. 5.10. He that believeth on the Son of God, hath the witness in himself: Blessed are they who are in the way of the knowledge of reconciliation unto this faithful and true witness, and live up unto it; This will be to their joy and comfort in that life and peace which is everlasting: And to them that do not believe, he is a witness of their unbelief and hard heartedness, to their shame and confusion; as you may read, And I will come near to you to Judgement, 
Malachi 3.5.  and I will be a swift witness against Sorcerers, and against the Adulterers, and against false Swearers, and against those that oppress the Hireling in his Wages the Widow and the Fatherless, and that turn away the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of Hosts; read Rom 8.16. Joh. 1.5. By this you may see how plentifully the Scriptures testify of the Spirit of Truth witness: And now try in yourselves, come to the examination, if any be unclean in Thought or Action; is there not that within that shows it, and witnesseth against it? If any be unmerciful this witness will witness against it, if any backbite, or defraud, or murmur, or lie, or steal, or bear false witness, or contemn the counsel of the Lord, and proud and high minded in contemning his holy Law and Commandment; this faithful and true witness will ever be a witness against all such, and against all that is bad, and hath a tendency of defiling and corrupting any: And therefore all they that deny this, are real deniers of the love and mercy of God testified unto through the Scriptures: And further, concerning this faithful and true wirness Christ the word of God; observe what the Scripture saith, Bom. 10.6, 7. Say not in thy heart, who shall ascend into Feaven? (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, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is the word of faith which we preach: (Now mind) are not you opposers of the love and mercy of God, in the moving of his holy Spirit in those holy men which gave forth the Scripture; whilst you remain gainsayers of that more sure word, so nigh the heart and mouth; and in your exaltedness of Spirit in a fleshly worldly wisdom, being puffed up above what is written; what a vain travail and labour they live in? In imagining and creating to yourselves, a contrary way to what the Lord hath ordained to salvation: Come to the witness in you, and by that (if you conrinue your subjection thereunto) you will be sensible that it is the love of God unto you; and in this love be admonished to give private Interpretations of the Prophecies in the Scripture, lest thereby you provoke the Lord, till swift destruction comes upon you.  
And for your further Information, observe what the Sripture saith, 1 Joh. That was the true light which lighteth every man that comes into the World; as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God: The Scripture doth not say, as many as profess him, he gives power; but it saith, as many as receive him who lighteth every man that comes into the World, to them he gives power, etc. Indeed he is to be received in his spiritual appearance; and for that end he stands at the door and knocks in gentle reproofs and convincement, whereby the hard heart must be broken, and set open unto him, and receive him, before the remission from evil be witnessed, and the great horrible clouds of darkness be expelled, and the vail over the heart rend, and power received to overcome the wicked one; as it is written, Behold I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, 
Revel. 3.20.  and open the door, I will come into him, and will Sup with him, and he with me. This is a great tender of love and mercy; be they not very hard hearted, that saith unto him, depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy ways; these are they that oppose the Scriptures Testimony, and shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; 
Mat. 23.13.  for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. This was the sad and deplorable condition of those high professors of the Law and the Prophets, whom Christ pronounced dreadful woe against: And all that are resisting the Spirits Testimony in themselves, as they did, are in the same state of Hypocrisy, and under the same sentence of dreadful woe and misery: Therefore I beseech you to consider what state or condition you are in, and done't go about to exalt yourselves in wisdom above what is written, but take notice what Christ said, Luke 17. For behold the Kingdom of God is within you: These are plain and true words, a wiser than he that spoke them never was, nor ever shall be: Indeed it's very great presumption for any to exalt a wisdom above his; and to set at naught his blessed counsel in so great and weighty a concern: And for further proof of the necessity of bowing to that of God in you; observe also further what Christ said, But whosoever drinketh of the water I shall give him, 
Joh. 4.14.  shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him, shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life: See how plain and evident are the Testimonies in Scripture, unto that which is pure and holy of God within: It must needs also be as plain and evident, that those who do oppose the way to the knowledge thereof, are real opposers of that love and mercy of God testified unto by the moving of God's holy spirit, as recorded in the Scriptures: Indeed that is a very sad state, and miserable will be the end of 〈◊〉 who live and die in it: Therefore be admonished to take heed to the Light of Christ within thee, ●●●ch is a blessed leader, proved 〈…〉 thousand●, who are living 〈…〉 of it's blessed leading, them that are led ●nd guided by it, out of that which would harm them; an● a blessed Commander he is, who gives power to them that receive him t●●k up his Commandments, the which are no way grievous; and in the doing thereof, there is great peace, as said David, Psal. 119.165. Great peace have they that love thy law, and nothing shall offend them: The Law is pure, holy and good, and to be taken heed unto in the heart: 
J●r. 31.33.  Come, come to the pure principle of God within, or else you can never know the Truth and its freedom, not the will of God signified through the Truth, under what denomination soever; the end and tondency of Gods love thereby, being that all should come to the knowledge of the Truth and be saved; to which end none can come, but as they take heed to the blessed motions of God's holy Spirit in them: Cease therefore your vain labour and hard travail under that slavish servitude, where the prince of the power of the Air ruleth them who doth despite unto the Spirit of Truth; and he blinds and darkens the minds of people, so that unto them he makes darkness seem as light, and light seem as darkness; and so he instructs his Vassals and Slaves, to call light darkness, 
Isa. 5.20.  and darkness light; evil he calls good, and good evil; and thus in and through his dark works he brings people, and keeps them under woe and misery. Oh that people would fear the Lord, and departed from evil, and wait upon the Lord in the leadings and guidings of his good Spirit in them, the which will draw them unto the knowledge of Christ in them, the hope of Glory; even unto Christ, the way, truth and life; the same yesterday, to day, and for ever; the resurrection and the life, the first born of every creature: who said, Search (or ye search) the Scriptures, for in them ye think to have eternal life, 
John 5.  and they are they that testify of me: And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life of me: It is very plain and evident by what hath been said, and may be said; That except people come unto Christ, the power and wisdom of God to all that believe, they cannot see life, but the wrath of God abide on them; and being dead in trespasses and sins, under condemnation, and the wages of sin which is death: In this state, what ever high talk and profession may be made from what may be read in the Scriptures of Truth, of the Heavenly gift, which is Life Eternal; this will but add to their condemnation, who do put Christ at a distance far from them, and will not receive him in his spiritual appearance; but do despite to his Spirit of Grace, in quenching and grieving the motions thereof: Such profane unprofitable talkers, are real opposers of the Spirits Testimony, the which testifies of Christ: Unto whom all must come, that do receive Eternal Life; even unto his quickening Spirit, the Lord from Heaven; And wait to feel his power to raise out of the ways of death and destruction, and to translate them by the blessed work of regeneration and conversion, into the way of life and peace: This is the work of the Spirit, and not of the Letter: For the Letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. (Mind,) It is not the Letter and Testimony of the Law written, which effects this blessed work, in giving life ●●●ut that holy and blessed Spirit of ●●●e in Christ Jesus which sets free from sin and death: The which Law of the Spirit, is testified of, and born witness unto, by the Letter and Testimony of the Law and Prophets, and the Apostles and Disciples of Christ Jesus: Therefore I do in the moving of the Spirit of Truth, according to my measure therein, exhort and persuade all to take heed unto the manifestation of God's holy Spirit in them, for the opening the eye of your understanding in those weighty co●●●●ns of everlasting life, as testified of through the Scriptures of Truth: And that the Scriptures may Be set in their right places, and the honour which is due unto the Lord of Heav●n 〈◊〉 earth, may be given unto him, who hath powerover all flesh. and gives Eternal Life to all that are freely given up to him; and with whom he is well pleased, and doth accept: As it is written, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; 
John 10.27, 28.  and I give unto them Eternal Life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. Oh, be admonished to leave o●● giving private Interpretations of the Prophecies, the Seriptures; and bow to the universal love and mercy of God in the moving of his Spirit of Truto, that thereby you may be led and guided into all Truth.  
And for your sakes, who desire that Truth and Righteousness may 〈◊〉 place in the Earth again; for your clearer Information take notice it is written; He that committeth sin is of the Devil, for the Devil sinneth from the beginning; 
Joh. 3.8.  for this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the Devil. (Now observe) what a sad condition they are in, who through unbelief and hard heartedness, in resisting the spiritual appearance of the quickening Spirit, the Lord from Heaven, in which works of darkness, do draw such a vail of gross darkness over them, that they cannot so much as see to the beginning of that blessed work and redemption from under the enemy's power of darkness in sin and corruption: The which blessed works of redemption, was, is, and is to be wrought by the manifestation of God's great love to World in his Son; but people being darkened, and their minds and understandings blinded, through the God of this World; they do in this dark and sad condition, plead and contend for sin, the which is the Devils work, the which through darkness, they conclude must continue for term of Life: Now mind, he that committeth sin is of the Devil; and therefore this Doctrine of pleading for sin, must also be of the Devil, sin being the Devil's work; those works of pleading for sin must also be the Devils.  
And thus through gross darkness and great and horrid Ignorance, are the works of the Devil, the grand adversary and enemy of Souls, exalted above the blessed works of Christ Jesus, who was and is manifest to destroy the Devils works; Even the Son of God's love Christ, the same yesterday, to day, and for ever: And these works of God, in and through the manifestation of the Son his love unto all mankind, are in every degree righteous, perfect, holy and pure forever; and herein is his power, dominion and glory seen, felt and clearly understood by them who are his workmanship, created again unto good works, the which he hath ordained and appointed for mankind to live and walk in. And by and through them is his power, dominion and glory confessed unto, and set above all, and over all the enemies works, and power of darkness, as it was in the Primitive time, by them in whom the Spirit of the Lord had place to live and move in; and in the blessed motions thereof were those blessed Testimonies in Scripture given forth, wherein is showed his great love to the World, in the manifestation of his power and wisdom in flesh, to destroy the Devils works: And by the same blessed Gospel, through which the righteousness of God was then revealed; by the preaching of the same Gospel, is now the righteousness of God revealed, and confessed too by them who are raised by the same power to be the living witnesses thereof: And to that same power and wisdom, by which the Devils works are destroyed, and destroying in these last days, is Confession made by them who are raised in some measure unto the knowledge thereof; and by the same power and wisdom is Testimony given against the Spirit of Antichrist, the which came in, in the Apostles days; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; 
2 Tim. 3.5.  as said the Apostle, from such such turn away. Now take notice, that it was by this Spirit of Antichrist, That the false Teachers were set up and maintained, by whom the damnable Heresies came in, 
2 Pet. 2.  in denying the Lord that bought them, by whose pernicious ways, the way of Truth hath been, and is evil spoken of: In all the Congregations and Assembles of unbelievers, where the beast with his many Heads and Horns, doth exercise his power and Antichrists Spirit, is head Leader and Commander: There this damnable Heresy is maintained, that no more of the Revelation of God's holy Spitit, is to be known now adays, say they Revelations are ceased; and they look upon it to be presumption, and of a dangerous consequence for any to speak or testify of what the Spirit of the Lord reveals and makes known now adays, or for any to expect new Revelations now adays: Oh damnable Heresy, what people that have but the least glimmering of the things of God, would give away their reason and understanding therein, and maintain such false Preachers, by whom these damnable Heresies is maintained; this is the work of a subtle enemy, unto whom people being joined, do betray the light and understanding, the which in some degree or measure at some time or season, through the striving of God's holy Spirit, they have or may be enlightened withal in the things that concern their everlasting peace and well-being in that world which is without end: For as much as the good Spirit reaches to all that they may profit in their perverting their understanding therein, and not profiting thereby, will be no good answer in the day of account, when the faithful and true witness will rise up against them, testifying unto what they have had; and how they have betrayed it: if a Talon or Talents are hid in the Earth, the Earth then shall not be able to conceal it; but the hidden things must be brought to light, and every one will be rewarded according to the Deeds done in the body, whether they be good or evil. It will be a shame to say then, my sins and iniquities were not manifest unto me by the Spirit of Truth; and so think to hid them and cover them with lying excuses; saying, it was a natural Light, or as some have called it, a Devil: Thus mankind being darkened by the enemy, the man of sin; He now exalts himself above all that is called Gods, 
2 Thes. 2.3, 4.  and sits and judges the motions of God's holy Spirit to be delusions, or insufficient to lead and guide out of evil; accounting that Religion good enough, that can talk of what is recorded in Scripture; how the Primitive Christians were moved and acted by God's holy Spirit: But saith this man of sin, to expect new Revelations now adays, this is dangerous; Revelations are ceased, the operation of God's Spirit is not to be known now adays; and thus the man of sin brings a fear upon all his vassals and subjects, that they dare not own the Spirit of Truth, as manifested in them, to lead and guide them into all Truth; though Christ Jesus did bear witness to it, and did commend it unto the world; Even that Spirit of Truth which reproves the World of sin, etc. But the man of sin teaches his Subjects to deny the sufficiency thereof, and fears them, and keeps them in such subjection; that they must not so much as confess to the sufficiency thereof: Now believe in it, saith the man of sin, the Scripture is the only rule of life; and in this belief he keeps them who are only professors thereof, under his strong delusions in many Sects and Opinions, wrangling and scolding about their cover; one Sect of Professors, of what holy Lives and blessed Conversations the Saints and Servants of the Lord of Heaven and Earth lived by the guidance of his holy Spirit in the Primitive time: This Sect cries, my dress, my covering is the fairest and best; another Sect cries down that dress and covering, and sets up another dress and covering; and what abundance of these Sects there be, let the wise Judge, who live under the woe and misery; as is written: Woe to the rebellious Children, 
Isa. 30.1.  saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover, with a covering, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin: And as Peter said of the  Teachers; Having eyes full of Adultery, and that cannot cease from sin, 
2 Pet. 2.14.  beguiling unstable Souls; an heart they have exercised with covetous Practices, cursed Children: And as Judas in his Epistle said of them who was then departed from the Faith and blessed works of the holy Spirit; so it may be as truly said of these: These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit: But these speak evil of those things which they know not, but what they know naturally as bruit beasts: And being thus corrupted and exalted, live above the pure fear of the Lord; they in this exaltedness pervert and wrest the Scriptures, to bend them to their corrupt wills and imaginations: They do in the dark works of the man of sin, give their private Interpretations of the Prophecies in Scripture, and in a mystery of iniquity, they speak evil of the motions of God's holy spirit; in which blessed motions, those blessed Prophecies were given forth; and cannot be understood, but by the blessed operation and moving of the same blessed spirit; but the moving of this blessed spirit, being mocked at by Hagar's brood, that Birth after the flesh, which gendereth to bondage; this brood in their several Sects, do exalt the mystery of iniquity, and spiritual wickedness in high places; and under this mystery conclusions are made, that Christ who suffered by wicked hands, hath done all for them; and that their sins are forgiven, in what he did and suffered without them; and their Confessions and Professions to this purpose, they look upon to be sound and good Religion, though sin and iniquity they live in, and plead for it for term of Life: But let all the wise in heart, who have not so far betrayed their reason and understanding in the things of God, but that some little glimmering and descerning they have thereof: Consider and judge, whether the man of sin be not the Author of that Religion; and whether such dark works have not a tendancy of overthrowing the true purpose and intent of all the holy men's Testimonies, given forth by the moving of God's holy spirit, as recorded in the Scriptures: Much might be written concerning these workers in the works of darkness; but I give but some brief hints thereof, and leave the wise in heart to Judge.  
And I do ask this question; whether in case the Motions, Operations, Revelations and Inspirations of Gods holy spirit of Truth, have not the leading and guiding of people's hearts and minds in their conversations and all their ways and works, where this is denied? Whether then doth not a spirit of error and falsehood, deceit and hypocrisy lead instead thereof?  
Indeed misery, and miserable will be the end of all those who do persist and go on under the cover of the Antichristian spirit, to oppose the great love of God in the manifestation of the Son of his love, who both was, and is manifest to destroy the Devils works: And in this glorious manifestation of God's spirit of grace, light, power and wisdom, is the Lord of Heaven and Earth at work this time and season, to create again and redeem mankind out of the fall, death and curse; and is pouring out of his blessed spirit upon all flesh, as was Prophesied of through the moving of God's holy spirit in old time by the Prophet Joel 2.28. And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your Sons and your Daughters shall Prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see Visions; and also upon the Servants, and upon the Handmaids in those days, will I pour out my Spirit. Now Hagars brood do object; and say, that this was fulfilled in the primitive Christians days, but now it is ceased, etc.  
Answer, That the spirit of the Lord was poured out upon the primitive Christians, who believed and waited in the manifestation thereof, that is evident to all who read what blessed Lives they lived, and boly examples they were, in their day and generation: And they were built upon the foundation of the holy Prophets and Apostles; and this was the spirit of Christ, as you may read 1 Pet. 1.10, 11. The Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the suffering of Christ, and the glory that should follow: It was by the moving of the spirit of Christ in the Prophets, who prophesied of the grace that should come: This spirit of Christ in them, was their foundation on which they built, and from whence they had those blessed Revelations and Visions of that great salvation, the which through the pouring out of the same blessed spirit of Christ upon all flesh should come: And those who denied themselves, and took up the Cross and followed Christ's blessed example, even in his great humiliation and patience, they were witnesses of the fulfilling of those blessed Prophecies: And the Apostle in his Epistle to the Romans, saith plainly: Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his: 
Rom. 8.  (Let all take notice) that it is alone by the spirit of Christ that any can be truly said to be followers of Christ, and so true Christians, as being baptised by this one spirit into one body (out of the many Sects.) And all them who were possessers and injoyers of Christ's Spirit: In them was fulfilled the Prophecy so far, as they were partakers of the spirit thereof.  
But unto what a degree of gross darkness are people plunged into, through a great night of Apostasy; where conclusions are made, that the Operation, Revelation and Inspiration of this Spirit of Christ is ceased now adays. They may as well say, Christ hath now adays no followers, therefore none are true Christians; the many Sects and Opinions have gotten varieties of Baptisms, but all out of the Spirit of Christ: That is ceased (they say) now adays, the operation and work thereof was fulfilled in the primitive days. Now every one to his private Interpretations, and build some Babel; the Nations are now become as waters, and the Whore with her Golden Cup of Sorceries rids over all; and the Nations have drunk of her Cup of Fornications, and are made so drunk therewith, that they see no need of the Revelation of Christ's Spirit now adays: Their Mother Mystery, Babylon the Mother of Harlots; she instructs her brood of Children to kindle fires of Confession and Profession, without true Faith and Obedience of what blessed Testimonies are left upon record, and to warm themselves by the sparks of their fire; and to cover themselves with the Harlot's Attire, even their own self-righteousness, in feigned Faiths, and feigned Humilities, in feigned Worships, and feigned Beliefs; having denied the sufficiency of the Arm and Power of God now adays, and the Sanctification, Wisdom, Righteousness and Redemption of Christ Jesus now adays; contenting themselves with Profession and Confession of Christ Jesus, that he was made Righteousness, Wisdom and Sanctification, and Redemption, to them that believed in the Primitive time, by the pouring out of his blessed Spirit; then the Arm of the Lord was revealed, and the power of the Lord did redeem people from under the enemy's power, and the Faith of God's Elect was then very precious: And the power of Christ Jesus, who hath power over all flesh, that then was the higher power, and people did then bow under it, and confessed him before men; then indeed Christ's Doctrine and Commands taught and received, and his precious blood confessed unto by them that were witnesses thereunto, who through the virtue and sufficiency were redeemed from under the man of sin's power, and so cleansed from the filthy Garments of sin: Then indeed the Lord had a people the which were his purchased possession, being sanctified throughout in Soul, Body and Spirit, by the pouring out and renewings of Christ's holy Spirit: They were not their own, being purchased and bought with a price; they all confessed unto the Lord that had bought them, and all the true Preachers of righteousness, they preached up then the sufficiency of the Blood of the Lamb, and the uncorruptable word of life, and laboured and traveled for the forming of Christ in the Believers, that they might present them perfect in Christ Jesus: All this saith the Seed of the bondwoman, where Mystery Babylon hath her brood; we cannot deny but that the state and condition of the Primitive Christians were as aforesaid: But they may say, if they will speak the Truth, our Mother Mystery Babylon hath taught us another Lesson now adays: Alas, for you our forefather's, Demas and the Antichristian Spirit, that led abundance from among the true Christians; many in the Antichristian Spirit went out and embraced this World, and in the Wisdom thereof, the God of the World blinded our our Forefathers Minds, and then the Gospel was hid, and in the Apostasy we grew, being inwardly ravened from the Spirit of Christ, we lost the sense of the sufficiency of the power thereof: Then the Spirit of Antichrist that led and became head, and the Beast, and false Prophet, with many Heads and Horns, some like a Lamb, having received power from the Dragon, became in time such a great head and mountain, that they made War with the true Woman and her Seed, and cast out floods of ungodliness against that Birth and Seed that was conceived by the free Woman; and in such a degree the Beast prevailed, that he proclaimed open War; saying, who is able to make War with the Beast: Thus the Seed of the bond Woman, who are conceived and brought forth out of the Womb of Mystery Babylon, may truly say; the Arm of flesh is now accounted for the higher power, and we teach for Doctrine the Commands of Men; our Mother hath trained us up, and taught us to deny the power of the Lord to be the higher power, and to deny the infallible teachings of the Grace of God's Spirit; and to deny the Operation and Revelation, and Inspiration of God's holy Spirit now a days, and to say that is ceased now adays: And now we can live bravely in the Lusts of our own eyes, and in the Lust of our own flesh, and in the Pride of Life, under many Fair Cover that our Mother hath made us; having cast off Christ's Yoke, we are now at liberty in the flesh to use our Tongues in our own wills and pleasures; the Beast and false Prophet hath purchased this liberty for us, and our Mother sits as Queen, and saith, we shall see no sorrow: It is service good enough now adays to be high talkers of the holy men's words and works, and to set them up for Teachers who have an Art and subtlety to please men best with their good Words and fair Speeches. As for the universal Spirit and power of the Lord Jesus and his blessed Office to fit and prepare for the blessed Ministry: Our Mother Mystery Babylon hath taught us to deny the sufficiency thereof; and to set up Universities and Schools to make Ministers by, and let them be as graceless as they will, so they be Witty and Learned, and can talk Learnedly of the good words and Testimonies that proceeded from the moving of God's Spirit through Fishermen, Shepherds and Herdsmen, and the like: If they can by their floods of Eloquence and high flown Doctrines and Speeches, under fair shows of Confession and Profession of some things that have been done, and of some things that should be done, and yet leave all undone; and stop the very motions of the Spirit of Truth, by and in which alone every thing that is good is done, and without it we can do nothing that's good and acceptable and well pleasing to God. We the Children of Mystery Babylon, may say, if our Preachers and Teachers do so well apply themselves to Learning, and get such curious Arts and Eloquence, as to stop the motions of the Spirit of Truth, now adays they do our Mother's work well, and deserves good Encouragement (some long Coats, some short Coats) some Shopkeepers, and Trades; (a vast Revenue by the year) some more, some less, according as we and our Merchants can agree: And for this Trade and Merchandise, we are beholding to the Beast and false Prophet, who hath purchased this liberty for us, to deny the Revelation, Operation and Divine Inspiration of the Spirit of Truth now adays: And so to give our private Interpretations of the holy Prophecies in Scripture, and to make void the very end and tendency of the moving of God's holy Spirit through holy men, in giving forth the same.  
Thus you may see the Fruit of your Doctrine, you Seed of the bond Woman; who are nourished and trained up by your Mother Mystery Babylon, in whose Womb all the Treachery in Cruel Butchery hath been conceived and brought forth; who have been so drunk with the Whore's Cup of Sorceries, that you have not spared to drink the Blood of the holy Prophets, Apostles and Saints, and Martyrs of the living God; and this is, and hath been the fruits and effects of the motions of your own proud, arrogant, exalted spirits, whereby you have disdained and mocked the very appearance of God's holy Spirit of Truth, and the Light thereof: You have contemned and spoke slightly and evil of, and all this have you done under a Mystery; wherein, in your drunken fits, you have killed and spoiled the Servants of the living God, and then wiped your Mouths like Sheep-biting Dogs; and made the World believe that Worshipped the Beast, that you had done some service for the Lord: You are the Generation whom Christ spoke of, Mat. 23.33. Ye Serpents, ye generation of Vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of Hell? Fill up your measure, that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the Earth.  
For of a Truth, the good Husbandman, the Lord of Heaven and Earth, hath all this while reserved a Seed, as it is written; And as Esaias said before, 
Rom. 9.29.  except the Lord of Sabbath had left us a Seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha: And in this is the Lord replenishing the Earth and making of it fruitful in virtue, in life, in praises to his holy name, even by the same spirit of Truth that moved in the holy men of God, that gave forth those holy Prophecies and blessed Testimonies in the Scriptures of Truth: And this is the time and season wherein the Lord is pouring out his spirit, even the same spirit as he did pour out upon his Sons and Daughters in the Primitive time: And it's by the Operation, Revelation and Divine Inspiration of the same spirit of Christ Jesus, in and by which the Holy Prophecies and Testimonies in the Scripture comes to be understood: And in this spirit the Lord hath, and is ordaining Ministers that they may go, and bring forth fruit, and that their fruit may remain: And by the power and efficacy thereof, are thousands of living witnesses raised now in these days, unto whom the goodness, mercy and loving kindness of the Lord is revealed, even by the Operation, Divine Inspiration and blessed effects of the same spirit of Christ Jesus, which the holy men of God were witnesses of in the Primitive days: And in and by this spirit of power and wisdom, is the Lord made Righteousness, Wisdom, Sanctification and Redemption unto his people who are believers this day, as he was in the Primitive days unto his people who did believe in him: And by the power and effectual works of this spirit of Christ Jesus in these days, time and season; The Blind receive their Sight, 
Mat. 11.5, 6.  and the Lame Walk, the Lepers are Cleansed, and the Deaf Hear, the Dead are raised up, and the Poor have the Gospel Preached to them: And blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me: This spirit of Christ Jesus was the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles, on which the true Believers (which were the Church of Christ) was built; and it's on this Foundation that the true Believers (which is the Body of Christ) which is his Church is built this day, time and season, where Christ is Head, Leader, Lawgiver and Commander; and by his spirit is the blessed Worship set up now in the Church of Christ, the which Christ set up in opposition to all false Worships in the Primitive time; as you may read: But the hour cometh, when the true Worshippers shall Worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth; 
John 4.23, 24.  for the Father seeketh such to Worship him: God is a Spirit, and they that Worship him, must Worship him in Spirit and in Truth. Therefore yours is the false Worship now, where the Revelation, Operation and Divine Inspiration of this blessed spirit of Truth is denied now adays: Your Worship is false, imaginary and conceited; for none can truly call Jesus Lord, but by the leading and guiding of the same holy spirit of Truth; and all that makes mention of his holy Name, let them departed from Iniquity: And all you who do not; but do continue in the Mystery thereof, in subjection to the man of sin; your Prayers are the Prayers of the wicked, the which is abomination to the Lord: And your patched up Sermons, the which you Study and Frame up in your Brain from the works of others: They are all alike abomination; and how costly these works of abomination are, let the Wise in Heart judge: And in all where this blessed spirit of Truth is rejected and stopped in its motions, and so grieved and quenched, and another spirit leads; all their labour and travel is vain, and your Consultations are vain, and whatsoever you form up, be it an Instrument never so cunningly and wisely wrought in the deepest of your Skill and Council, in the highest degree of the World's Wisdom to oppose the out-going of this blessed Spirit of Christ Jesus; it shall never prosper, neither shall the Contrivers ever prosper in their works: Look back 20 or 30 years past, where great undertake have been (even if it had been possible) to have ruined and spoiled all those who gave Testimony to this Spirit of Truth: And see what sad effects those works of Opposition have produced; what hath your turning of things upside down availed you? Alas for you, your worth is the product of ruin and misery; that which you intent to your peaceable Neighbours (will come upon yourselves,) your own works in your singular exalted spirits is the purchaser thereof. Oh you Ignorant Fools, who are blinded by the God of this Wold, and are so high flown, that you go about to limit the holy God in the go out of his holy Spirit; you may as well undertake to alter the course of the Sun, and stop up the course of the Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea: Your sins of Presumption would be much alike, and your Folly will end in as great shame; Indeed your presumption arises from an Arm of Flesh, and long continuance in vain Customs, Traditions and Inventions: And because you can clap up in Prisons, and make Havoc, and Ruin, and Spoil of People and their Goods; your spirit that leads you in these works, being an envious, Malicious, Cruel, Abominable, Wicked spirit; therefore proceeds this wrong Judgement from you, even that God's holy Spirit in Revelation, Operation and Divine Inspiration, as moving through holy Men in the Primitive time, is now ceased: But if it were so, as you vainly Imagine; then show where the difference lies between you who call yourselves Christians, and the Heathens, if the Spirit of Christ Jesus, the Spirit which people were brought under in the Primitive time, and thereby to be Baptised into one Body, the which was to be ruled and governed by that Spirit of Christ. Now if the Revelation, Operation and Divine Inspiration thereof be ceased, then tell me by what spirit Christians, so called, are Baptised into so many Bodies and Fellowships, and what Spirit rules and governs? And what difference there is between them called Heathen in their Fellowships, and them called Christians in their Fellowships, where the Authority, Rule and Government of Christ's Spirit is denied.  
Come to plain dealing, and don't Shuffl; you have been long enough in that work already; and the more you persist therein, the more you will be confounded, and the deeper plunged into the horrible pit, and your Feet will be faster stuck in the Mire: Therefore be admonished to deal plainly, lest you be your own Executioners through your high presumptuous mindedness in bringing swift destruction upon you; for of a Truth thousands have been bowed before the Lord under a sense of their own insufficiency to perform that which is good and acceptable of themselves, and have truly waited upon the Lord in a deep silence of the flesh: And indeed Christ hath appeared the second time in his blessed Spirit and power, and hath quickened and revived many hungry Souls, and he hath made known his sufficiency and help in the needful time. And all them who have in Truth laid hold of him, cannot part with him; for it's by him that we can do all things well pleasing and acceptable in the sight of God and man: And all that have begun in this Spirit, and are faithful and obedient thereunto, have Hope, Faith and Confidence to grow up and be made perfect thereby; and so attain to the mark and prize that is before us: Though many may and do turn aside through unfaithfulness and disobedience, and the many and great trials that may be met withal, through the Oppression and Cruelty of the World's Spirit; yet over all that hath been, and may be met withal; we have Hope and Faith, that in and through the assistance of the Spirit and Power of our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus, we shall persevere and go on, bearing the blessed fruits of his spirit, which is in all Goodness, Righteousness and Truth, Patience, Meekness and Innocency, to the finishing our Testimony, and laying down our heads in Patience and Joy in Life Everlasting.  
And further, concerning the out-going of this blessed spirit, I do testify my Faith therein; that the Lord of Heaven and Earth will by the Majesty and power thereof, overturn, overturn, overturn the power of darkness, and destroy all the cursed fruits that have sprung from the corrupt root and ground thereof: And by the light of the spirit of Christ Jesus, a sight is given to many faithful witnesses, that the Axe of the Lord is laid to the root thereof: And the Lord of Heaven and Earth that hath begun the work, will carry it on, and perfect it, to his own praise, honour and glory; and to the establishment of his purchased possession, where he Tabernacles and Delights to dwell forever.  
And now this root and offspring of David, this bright and moving Star, hath taken deep rooting in many hearts and minds, from whence fruits spring and grow, to the praise and honour of the Lord of the Harvest; and to the joy and comfort of all the faithful and true labourers therein, whose out-going being in the move, leadings and guidings of his holy spirit; the which having taken deep root downwards, now yields fruits upward, in some an hundred, in some sixty, and in some thirty, fold: As you may read of the Parable of the Sour and the seed that fell into the good ground: 
Mat. 15.  And from the Lord of the Vineyard, whose is the Vineyard; he having planted many Heavenly Branches into the Vine, his good Husbandry and Care is seen to be over them: And all whom he hath, or may ordain to be Instruments and Servants in this blessed work, he ever did and doth maintain them, never suffering them to lack Food and Raiment, things necessary both for this Life and that which is to come: But none that keep within the bounds of the leadings and guidings of his blessed spirit, did ever covet Silver or Gold, or Preach for filthy Lucre-sake: And now the Lord of Heaven and Earth, having prepared by his Eternal spirit and power such a Ministry again, and sent forth into the Nations, who have no such thing in their Eye to draw them out of filthy Lucre; but purely and clearly do seek the honour and glory of God, and the good and well-being of people. This makes the corrupt and false Teachers of the Nation, who are made so by man in the World's spirit and wisdom, being drawn out for filthy Lucre sake; and in more than ordinary manner, coveting after Silver and Gold; this makes these Diviners mad: The day of Christ being so clearly come, and the man of sin (their Master) so clearly revealed, and a Testimony so clearly goes out against them; that their Master the man of sin in all his Transformations, though he appear in them and they in him, as Ministers of righteousness, and by all the best arts and cunning in perverting and wresting the holy men's Testimonies by private Interpretations, adding to, and diminishing from the Prophecies thereof: And seemingly by casting mists and fogs before people's Eyes, they turn the very end and tendency of the holy men's Testimonies and Prophecies left upon record, to another use then what they were intended and given forth by the moving of God's holy Spirit for: And this they do partly through Ignorance, being so wilfully, to hid their Corrupt, Proud, Arrogant, Covetous and Idolatrous practices under.  
And let all whose desires are after the knowledge of the Lord, and the peace and rest of their Souls in that unspeakable comfort and joy, in that life which is everlasting; take but a view of the blessed motions of God's holy Spirit through holy men in old time, as is left upon record: And compare the Covetous, Idolatrous practices of the false Teachers of the Nation, and see how unlike the good they are; and how just like the wicked they are.  
Gen. 4. Cain, who was of that wicked one; he offered, but unto his Offering the Lord had no respect: Abel offered in Faith, 
1 Joh. 3.12.  and the Lord had respect unto Abel and his Offering: And Cain was Wrath, and envied him, and Murdered him, because his own works wereevil, and his Brothers righteous. See your Father all you Persecutors about Religion, and the ground of his wickedness.  
And the Lord said, my Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh, and God shortened his days; 
Gen. 6.  and said, every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually; for all flesh had corrupted his way, and the Earth is filled with violence through them: These were the effects of fleshly motions; But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord; and read what blessed effects his moving therein had.  
The false Prophets moving in a flattering lying Spirit, enticed Ahab to go on to his Destruction: Micah the true Prophet moving in the Spirit, 
2 Chron. 18.  of Truth, and for speaking the Truth, was Imprisoned, and Fed with Bread and Water: The lying Prophets for lying, flattering and dissembling are at Liberty.  
Mordicai being one of the Lords people, he could not be moved to bow to Haman, nor do him reverence, 
Esther 3.  though he was told by the King's Servants often that he transgressed the King's command: This filled Haman with wrath, and in his wicked motion he sought the destruction of Mordicai and all his people; but read what became of him and his motion.  
Read what dreadful effects the wicked fleshly motions of the Sodomites had; 
Gen. 19  and the blessed effects of Lot's righteous motions against their wickedness.  
Read what the false Prophets moved for; and how the true Prophet was moved to cry against them, 
Isaiah 56.10, 11.  and said, They are all dumb dogs; yea, they are greedy dogs, which can never have enough: They all look to their own way, every one for his gain from his quarter: And he did not rail in saying so, he spoke the Truth.  
Read what wicked motions there was in the flesh, and the motion of the true Prophet against them; said he, They were as fed Horses, every one neighed after his neighbour's Wife: 
Jer. 5.  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?  
Read the true Prophet's motion in the word of Truth against the false fleshly Prophet's motion; Who moved for handfuls of Barley and pieces of Bread; 
Ezek. 13.  Read how wicked they were: The wicked false Teachers in this Age, have a larger and richer Trade; they move for Thousands of Pounds.  
The true Prophet moving in the Truth, cried out against the horrible wicked fleshly motions of the Priests; and said, As troops of Robbers wait for a man, 
Hosea 6.  so the company of Priest's murder in the way by consent; for they commit lewdness: Observe they were agreed in their motion.  
Read the wicked motions of a wicked spirit in the Precedents, Princes, Governors, Counsellors, who moved the King to make an unalteralterable Decree to ensnare Daniel, 
Dan. 7.  because he was Honest and Just: And though Daniel was acquainted therewith, and knew the penalty; yet he was moved in a good Spirit to open his Windows and pray as before: And read what became of the motions of the wicked; and also of the blessed motions.  
The good Spirit in the Prophet moved him to testify against the false Spirits motions, both in head and tail: Said he, The heads thereof judge for reward, and the Priests thereof teach for Hire, 
Mic. 3.1.  and the Prophets thereof Divine for Money; yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us. Oh the presumption and confidence of wicked motions; and observe how hireling Priests were cried out against in former days, as well as in these last days.  
Christ in his Doctrine gave people warning, To beware of the Scribes, which love to go in long Clothing, and love Salutations in the Market places, 
Mark 12.  and the chief Seats in the Synagogues, and the uppermost Rooms at Feasts: Which devour Widows houses, and for a pretence make long Prayers: But they are worse that make Widows, and devour Estates; examine the Jailers Calendars for near 30 years' last passed.  
Acts the 20. The Apostle was moved by a good Spirit to declare what should come after him; saying, For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous Wolves enter in among you; not sparing the Flock. And what a wonderful motion this wicked generation have had for near this 30 years, let all them that have heard and seen, and are more moderate and wise in heart, judge.  
1 Joh. 2. There you may read that there was then many Antichrists, and the evil motions of that wicked Spirit, the which was then in the World. Chap. 4.3. was to deny Christ's coming in flesh.  
And John being in the Spirit on the Lord's day, had wonderful things revealed unto him; both of the Beasts rising out of the Sea, and out of the Earth; 
Revelation  and with what swelling Pride he exalted himself over the Saints and Servants of the Lord God: And how that Kings agreed to give their strength and power unto the Beast with one mind, to make War with the Lamb; and the Lamb shall overcome them: For he is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, and they that are with him are blessed, and chosen, and faithful: And he saw the downfall of Babylon, and the End of the Beast and false Prophet: Read chap. 19 And this is coming to pass, and must be fulfilled, glory, praises and honour be given to the Lord God forever.  
And thus unprejudiced Reader, who hath some Breathe after the knowledge of the Lord, and canst not take up a rest in a sinful state, but desires that true Judgement may go forth: Here is plain Truth, and also some brief instances therein, which is but few to what might be given from Genesis to the Revelations, of the wicked Spirits motions, and their Effects; and of the blessed motions of God's good Spirit, and their Effects; by which thou mayest see, by the fruits and practices, who are of that brood and generation of Cain and his followers; and who are of the generation of Abel and his followers: And what a wicked, proud, arrogant Spirit that is, which dares presume to limit the moving of God's holy Spirit in its Revelation, Operation and Divine Inspiration. And by which wicked and presumptuous works, that proud, ambitious and aspiring Spirit, hath turned the very end and tendency of the love and mercy of God in the moving of this holy Spirit through holy Men, in giving forth those blessed Testimonies and Prophecies in Scriptures, even quite to another use, then intended.  
And how the Antichristian Spirit, which was in the World in the Apostles days, wrought in a Mystery of Iniquity, and in Confessions and Professions from the true witnesses Testimony; that Christ was come into the World, and how he was Born, and how he Suffered, and was Ascended, and will come again (which is all true.) But under this fair covering, the Merchants of Babylon set up their Trades, and freighted their Vessels with the Whore's Trumpery, and with fair Speeches and good Words, out of the Life, out of the Power; they have deluded poor Souls, making Merchandise of them; setting up that which is profitable in the way of righteousness, for the way of righteousness; and so excluded the second coming of Christ in Spirit to them that look and wait for him without sin unto Salvation: This great mystery, the which is Christ in us the hope of Glory, the way of Truth and Life, the way of Righteousness unto the Father, out of which none can come unto him; this by their Arts they have wholly excluded: And thus having set the Scripture for a chief rule, and only rule of Life; they have excluded the Spirit of Truth's guide and leadings, the which the Scripture directs unto; and so set the Scriptures above the Spirit, by the moving of which they were given forth: And the Words and Writings of the Scripture, they have set up, for the word itself. And this Spirit having put the Declaration and Writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John for the Gospel; here the Gospel, the power of God, that is excluded, and Christ the word of God in the heart and mouth, that is excluded: And thus having turned the Scripture upside down; The man of sin, the Son of Perdition; 
2 Thes. 2.3.  who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God; sitteth in the Temple of God, showing himself that he is God: And now saying in effect, that the day of Christ is passed, as touching his appearance and coming in the flesh, he is at a remoteness or distance from his people. Now Revelations are ceased, say they, and the best term they can give the Light in man, is to call it a Natural Light: So Natural and Brutish is mankind become, through the works of the enemy; and in this Natural State, reading the Scriptures, having put the moving of God's Spirit a far off from them, by which alone the things of Cod therein are understood: They in that Natural Estate, doth not understand what they read, neither can they receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto them: Oh people be admonished to come down to the Light of Christ in you, that makes manifest the deeds of Darkness; and as the man of sin comes to be revealed in you, by the Light of Christ's Spirit, you thereby will come to the knowledge of Christ's day and coming in righteousness, to make War against all unrighteousness, and to put an end to transgression, and finish sin, and bring in everlasting righteousness: So away with all private Interpretations and vain Imaginations, and come to the universal love of God that Spirit or Light; the which makes manifest that which is reprovable, and turn at his reproof, and he will pour out his Spirit upon you: And thus by the coming of the day of Christ, the day of the wicked will be seen, and the Bed of Torment they must lie down in, who go on in wickedness, opposing the Spiritual appearance of Christ Jesus: Oh sad will their day be, who persist in their presumption of mocking and scoffing at the moving of God's holy Spirit now adays; that is a proud arrogant Spirit, which will lead all that follow it to the end, to misery, contempt and shame; and at length to everlasting destruction. Blessed are they that are not defiled with it: And therefore be admonished to put your whole trust in God; and wait for the appearance of his grace, that you may have Salt and Savour in yourselves; or else, notwithstanding you may talk high things of what you read in Scriptures, yet if you be not regenerated and born of the Spirit, you cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. And thus in the Leading, Guiding, Operation, Revelation and Divine Inspiration of the Blessed Spirit of Truth, am I moved to give Testimony to the Truth and way of Life and Peace, in true love to all the Creation of God, for the undeceiving of deceived and deluded Souls, that their understandings may be cleared of Darkness and Error; and that they may know the Truth as it is in Jesus, and be saved.   
Stephen Smith. The 11th. Month, 1676.   

A Tender Greeting to the Flock of Christ in Bedfordshire and Huntingtonshire.  
Dear Friends,  
IN the everlasting Seed, Power and Life, keep the substance of all signified in Ages past, under many Types, Figures and Shadows, now known and dwelled in by them who have believed the good report of the holy men of God, which is left upon record, who was redeemed from the Earthly part; even that they might be God's witnesses of his Heavenly gift, wherein is all the Treasures of wisdom and knowledge hid; which Treasure hath been freely opened unto us, who through faithfulness and diligent waiting, have expected the same, as a sure reward of the bounty and goodness of our Creator for ever. So that all the obedient and upright hearted can truly say, for ever be the day had in remembrance, when we were awakened out of Carnal Security, we had in vain Customs and Traditions of men in the Fall; who have sought out many Inventions, through which comes blindness, hardness of heart, and unbelief; from whence proceeds envying, hatred, malice, uncleanness, and all other evils whatsoever: He who is Prince of Darkness, having his Power and Authority there in blindness and darkness, carries the Creature into bondage at his will, he being ruler in the Children of disobedience: But glory and praises be to the Lord our God, who is the great God, and besides him there is none: It's he alone that opens the understandings of them that fear him; who hath discovered unto us, the Mystery of the workings of Satan, and the breadth and length of his rule and dominion, and the end thereof; for ever is he who thus opens unto them that fear him, greatly to be admired by all his Sons and Daughters, who are redeemed by his great power out of Adam in the Fall, up into him that never fell, through whom we have access into his presence, the which sweetens all to us, and carries all that truly trust in him through all Tempests and Storms whatsoever: Even by his Arm and Power, who will and can appease and lay all Tempests and Storms when they have accomplished that for which they were suffered to be raised, he being seen and known who walks upon a troubled Sea; as in days past, so yesterday, and to day, and for ever. So Dear Friends, keep out his appearance, who would work questionings and reasonings concerning the Rod of the wicked, with which the Righteous are threatened: (It's for the Fire) (It's for the Fire) that's God's Word: So all to abide faithful in his power, by whom all appearances of the wicked one may be resisted in his many wills, who is a Murderer and a Thief; who walks about in the Earthly mind, compassing there, and betraying there; and draws back into the Earth there: And then when trials come, the Earth is in the way; and then the false balance is set up in the heart, and the precious Jewel being weighed therein, the Earth that appears heaviest, and so carries the sway in the mind, and so comes to be set up in the heart: So thereby many come to lose the everlasting reward of peace, and joy, and comfort, which is in that Life which lives and abides for ever: So Dear Friends, have an Eye to the reward of well doing; even that Pearl of great Price, and let it have dominion in the heart, and the Earth set under all; that so we may continue to the end in all well-doing; and patiented and meek running in that race which is set before us, unto whom belongs the Crown of Immortal Life. When the Lord pleases to show me a clear way unto you, I shall be willing to see your Faces, to the end that we may be refreshed together; even from that everlasting Fountain, from whence comes all our fresh springs which glads the Souls of the upright for ever: But at present I find my Testimony required, where I have had the greatest time of my Conversation in the everlasting Covenant of Truth, Light and Life.  
That wicked ruler who rules in the Children of disobedience, hath many Agents here abouts, as well as in other places, who have been at work amongst us: They took from me six Cows, for a Fine of 20 l. for speaking the things of God according to his will, (but they had great trouble with them:) From my Brother John nine Cows, for a Silent Meeting at his house; and from another all his Beds, , two Geldings, Pewter, Brass, Leather, and abundance of other things, to the value, as is supposed, of near 50 l. for a Silent Meeting at his House: At Kingston on Thames, Friends have had abundance taken from them, and they kept out of their Meeting place, and not suffered to stand quietly in the Streets; but some were taken and sent to Prison, and others drove about by Soldiers in a barbarous manner; and several other Fines have been levied, too long to mention: And Meetings being disturbed, Friends being haled out, etc. all which works for good to them that truly fear and obey the voice of the Living God: The more they strive, the more doth Power and Life appear; which keeps Friends Clear, Sweet and Innocent; even to love God above all, and their Neighbours as themselves, greatly desiring that they may see a necessity of building upon the same Rock; even Christ Jesus, who is the power of God, and wisdom of God, who feeds all that truly hunger with spiritual Meat, and all them that truly thirst with spiritual Drink; him who was glorified with the Father in the beginning, by whom all things were made, who continues the same yesterday, to day, and for ever: Through whom Friends Meetings in these parts are fresh, lively and constant: But the great Boasters, as Presbyterians, Independants and Baptists, who have kicked against the Everlasting Covenant of Late in their own hearts, yet in their Imaginations have said they would follow Christ, etc. But they now, as in days past, when the storm was up, are driven into their holes: But they would not believe it in days past, before the storm was seen, when it was testified unto them: But they are Foxes, they can cover themselves no more; if they turn not to the Truth now, they stand in danger of being swallowed up in darkness for ever.  
So Dear Friends, that which concerns us, is to be thankful, and to meet often together, that so we may grow up together, even from one degree to another of an Heavenly appearnce of him in whom is all glory; that so we may bear his Heavenly Image for ever. So in true watchfulness, keep over all the appearances of the Enemy: And in true love and tenderness, keep watchful over one another; seeking one another's good, and the strong bearing with the weak, that so all may be preserved in the way of the upright, out of all evil; that so we may be sanctified throughout in Soul, Body and Spirit, even to the glory and praise of the great God, who made all things at his pleasure; who hath appointed times and seasons and bounds to all: Whose work is great which he is bringing to pass, and in vain do the richerds strive against it; of a certain he will dash them to pieces: So in the Everlasting Seed is my Dear Love unto all, who loves and obeys the appearance of him who brings Salvation, who is over all, blessed for ever and ever.  
Stephen Smith. Pirbright, the 8th. day of the 5th. Month, 1670.   

An Answer to a Paper, called, The Christians Vow in Baptism.  
A Paper coming to my hands, Entitled, The Christians Vow in Baptism, Explicated and Renewed; given forth by an unknown Author, who is crept into his hole again, from whence he brought that bundle; which upon due consideration he will have cause to be ashamed of, being works of Darkness; where many words are used out of the wisdom of God, the which hath a tendency of darkening and hiding God's Counsel from mankind; and therefore that I may be clear in this matter, in giving check to that high presumption manifestly shown in the said Paper as above, is this given forth.  
First, He calls it, The Christians Solemn Vow; afterwards he saith, let the remembrance of the Vow of God in Baptism: Something he would have it, but he knows not what; and so he colour's it over with many Scriptures, wherein God's Covenant with man is expressed; where he tumbles new and old together, as one ignorant of him from whence both came, and therefore unlike to have the knowledge of either.  
So now as one high flown in Imaginations, undertakes to make a Covenant for others: But the better to colour over and usher in his Babel, he takes many of the true Prophet's words, and therewith decks himself over, that he may appear the more beautiful in the sight of his good Masters. A thing highly esteemed of by man; but was, and is an abomination in the sight of the Lord. But to begin with some of his words: Oh wonderful grace, when thou hadst forfeited all, and wert no more his by nature, than the Devils and damned in Hell!  
Answer, In this Confession, what a humble man doth he appear to be; see where he sets you who are concerned with him, even equal with the Devil's nature, and damned in Hell. What a rare Artsman this would be, if he could make the Devil's nature good; by saying over so many words as he hath ordered in his Paper: But in the dark where he is foaming and tumbling about in an endless work, seeking to make the Devil's nature good, which always was, and is bad and envious against good: There he is left bound till he repent of his presumption.  
Now to Esau's Pottage, which is ushered in as a Prayer after his manner; the which he would have all to follow, either in that Image, or as like it as he can. But let all wise people consider, and compare the true Prophet's Prayers with his: The true Prophet taught his followers to Pray, Our Father, etc. as you may read, every word being of great weight, But all you who are followers of this Imaginary man in his works of Darkness, see what a broad way your leader hath found, to tell over a pennyworth of Prayers, and then you are fit for his invented marriage; and in case you should lose that Paper, you may buy a pennyworth of another sort somewhat like it: So passing by much of his supposed goodly stuff, come to the Marriage Bond in his words: And do here solemnly join myself in a Marriage Covenant unto him. Oh blessed Jesus, I come to thee hungry and hardly bestead, poor, and wretched, and miserable, and blind, and naked; a most loathsome polluted Wretch, a guilty condemned Malefactor, unworthy for ever to wash the Feet of the Servants of my Lord, much more to be married to the King of Glory: But such is thine unparallelled love, I do here with all my power accept thee, and take thee for my Head and Husband. Did you ever hear of a more Loathsome, Impudent Harlot, who in all her filthiness and abominations, presumes to say that God is her Husband: Oh high presumption, which arises from the nature of the Devil; this is made indeed in the Earthly wisdom, and there ratified, the which I leave all you to judge who do return in some degree or measure the Divine, Pure, Holy nature of the Son of Righteousness, into which all do grow; and so take a view of the Heavenly Marriage of the Heavenly man, and compare it with that loathsome conceited marriage, Revel. 19 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him for the Marriage of the Lamb is come, and his Wife hath made herself ready: And to her was granted, that she should be arrayed in fine Linen, clean and White; for the Linen is the Righteousness of Saints, etc.  
Alleluja, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth; here is a Heavenly melody: Had the Author of that Paper been so Ingenious to have come to that Marriage Supper, he might have partaken of the Heavenly joy and comfort, and not have been left to that great confusion manifested in that Paper: For the Invitation unto it hath gone throughout the Nation, that they that would come, might come, for the Fountain to wash and prepare for it, hath been and is open, glory to God for ever. But further, see the confusion of the Author of that Paper in these words: And the Covenant which I have ratified on Earth, let it be ratified in Heaven: What, after the Marriag is concluded, to be made? What work is this? he hath ratified it on Earth, and would have it done so in Heaven? but whether he will or no, it seems he doth not know; so all is left in doubt and fear again: What a sad bargain you have made all this while; who spent your Money and time after such Idle Immaginary do.  
Now all you who have seen and read the Author's supposed Covenant, be so Ingenious to read how God was pleased to give forth his Law and Covenants, the which he ratified in Heaven; and compare them with the Author's pretended Covenant which he ratified on Earth, without any knowledge of the party's consent, he pretends to be concerned; let any prove the contrary if they can, and let him show if he can in all the Scriptures of Truth, where God ever left it to vain man to make a Covenant to be binding to all others in that manner, etc. That many did vow obedience, and were encouraged in the Covenant of the Lord, that is true and manifest through the Testimonies of the Prophets; but where did any presume to bind God in that manner? Oh gross Idolatry; But the blessed holy God at all times and seasons, according to his blessed pleasure and good will to mankind, did give forth his Law and Commands, and so Covenanted to be the God of his people, to keep them in Peace, etc. On condition of their living in obedience to his will and pleasure manifest in his time and season, as you may read, Deut. 5. and Exod. 19 The Lord our God made a Covenant with us in Horeb: The Lord talked with them face to face in the Mount, in the midst of the fire; which caused a fear and trembling: These words the Lord spoke unto all your Assembly, etc. and he wrote them in two tables of stone: Wherein the Lord shown his glory and greatness; and they said, we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth: So the Law was added because of transgressions till the Seed should come, Gal. 3.19. So Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousness for every one that believeth, Rom. 10.3. But concerning the first Covenant which God made with his people when he shown favour and love; In taking them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, Heb. 8. Because they continued not in my Covenant, I regarded them not, saith the Lord: But now mark that second Covenant which is without fault: After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my Laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a People: And they shall not teach every man his Neighbour, and every man his Brother, saying, know the Lord; for all shall know me from the least to the greatest: For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more: Oh for ever blessed is this Covenant, there is no fault in it; and that it is a bad nature indeed by which Imaginary Covenants are made, which hath a tendency of drawing people's minds out from waiting to know this blessed Covenant in the mind and heart: So to the sober and wise in heart I writ, that they may weigh these weighty things in a true balance, and from thence give forth true judgement.  
And mind further the Author's words: This Covenant you are advised to make not only in heart, but in word, not only in word, but in writing: Sure he thinks all's done; but if that must be made or written in the heart, than there will be no room for God's Covenant, for that doth not at all agree with that confused stuff; and what pity it is that any should be deprived of God's righteous Covenant, since God's love is universally tendered therein, and inviteth all unto it, that they may partake of its pure, holy nature to convert sinners, and make wise simple and Ignorant people, who are ready to perish for want of knowledge; the which is communicated to them that fear God, and wait to feel his blessed promise to extend his mercy and goodness therein, to overcome and give victory over that which is evil and corrupt: But further he adviseth; To spread the writing before the Lord, as if you would present it to him as your act and deed: So here is an act and no act, sometimes presumed to be done and ratified, then again in doubtful terms; as if you would do so, etc. And saith the Author, when you have done this, set your hand to it. Answer, so you may stand to it beloved, whilst he that exhorts you runs away, Foxlike, creeping into his hole, etc. why is not his hand to it. Note further, Keep it, saith he, as a memorial of the solemn transactions that have passed between God and you. Answer, Since God here is made party concerned; you that concern your selves therein, had need know when and how God appeared unto you; sure else (if you be not wilfully blind) you will see all that stuff to be mere Imaginations, if you cannot see them to be Devilish Inventions, the which indeed they are; Now take this last advice in these words: That you may have recourse unto it in Doubts and Temptations; what think you now, either the Paper must be an Idol, or Christ? It is not Christ, therefore it must be an Idol, than the Author must be an Idolater; let them that concern themselves with it deny it if they can: Hath not this a tendency of making void the love God through Christ Jesus, who is the way to God out of doubt, and through his power and wisdom all doubts are resolved; who also is the succourer of them that are tempted, and the deliverer of them who are guided by him out of temptations; into his holy Name all are to be Baptised, Dipped, Plunged, that Sin and Iniquity may be brought under, and consumed by Fire and his holy Spirit; which is the one true Baptism, through and by him who is to increase in all his Blessed Office as Priest to Minister according to the necessities of all that come unto him, as proper to open the Mysteries that are hid from the Wise and Prudent; a Bishop to oversee what is lacking in the Church, a Shepherd to lead his Flock in an out, and to Feed them in Green Pastures of Life and Peace, a Physician to heal the Wounded, a Prince to give forth his Righteous Laws and Decrees in his Church; where his Righteous, Holy Laws are written in the Heart, is to be read and spread before all, that all who are met in his holy Name, may partake of his Divine Nature, and so become Heirs of his everlasting Kingdom, which never shall have end: So Blessed are they who believe in God, and do not make haste, but wait patiently for the fulfilling of his promise; that you may be delivered and kept from Worshipping the Inventions of men: So in good will to all who have a desire to Truth is this given forth by.  
Stephen Smith. The 27th day of the 8th. Month 1673.   

An Answer to a Paper called, The Gospel's Glory.  
A Paper Entitled, The Gospel's Glory, or the Covenant of Grace; and Grace of the Covenant, Unfolded.  
And for the better understanding of them who Impartially desire to know the Truth as it is in Jesus, is this brief Answer given.  
The Blessed Gospel of Christ, glad Tidings of Christ, The Power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth; 
Rom. 1.16, 17.  therein is the righteousness of God revealed from Faith to Faith: This was preached unto Abraham which was hundreds of years before Moses, and therefore so long before his Writings: And the same blessed Gospel they which are of the same faith with blessed Abraham, 
Gal. 2.8.  are blessed with him in the knowledge of; this is invisibly to be felt and seen, to expel the Clouds of darkness and error, and to rend the vail thereof; and to break down the Partition wall which is made up through sin and iniquity; and thus to finish sin and put an end to transgression, and to bring in everlasting righteousness; and herein is the righteousness of the law fulfilled in them that believe, through the Gospel of Christ, he being the end of the law for righteousness to them that believe: And in this invisible glorious work in opening the understandings of them that believe, is the glory of the Gospel manifestly showed: 
2 Cor. 4.3, 4.  But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; in whom the God of the World hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the Image of God, should shine unto them; so unbelief is the cause why people have not the knowledge of the Gospel which the Apostle was not ashamed of, it being the power of God unto salvation, the power of a Saviour, the wisdom of a Saviour, Christ Jesus the Heavenly man: In his blessed spiritual appearance for the refreshing of every truly hungering and thirsting soul after his righteousness: Paul to the Galatians saith, the Gospel which was preached of me is not after man; 
Gal. 1.11, 12.  for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ; so that the blessed Gospel is an inward glorious work, wrought by the Spirit and power of Christ Jesus, the foundation of all the Prophets and Apostles; on which the true believers were and are built, to the praise and honour of God for ever.  
And whereas he saith, the grace of the Covenant unfolded; therein he shows what birth he is of, which might fit be employed in its Poetry, in making of ballads, then to be found so presumptuous in affirming the grace of the Covenant unfolded in that dark (imaginary stuff in that Paper.)  
The grace of God being an invisible appearance of God's holy Spirit unto all mankind, which is testified to Paul and Titus: For the grace of God that bringeth Salvation, hath appeared to all men, (Teaching us, etc.) So here was and is the universal love of God to all mankind; not willing that any should perish, but that all might know the Truth and be saved: So in that the grace of God appears unto all, the renders of his love is therein showed to all without respect of persons: That in every Nation they that fear God and work righteousness through the blessed operation of the grace of his holy Spirit, such are accepted of him: So than they are in the way of a blessing, who believe in God, and wait in a full assurance: And trust in him, for the knowledge of the infallible teachings of grace, whereby way is ministered unto a growth in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus: And thus far the Apostle did unfold the love of God, from what he had handled, felt seen, of the mercies and riches of Gods great love to all mankind therein, being a true witness of the love of God through the grace of his holy Spirit; by and in which the good of all was and is sought, but indeed there be but few that doth regard it, though his hand of love be stretched out all the day long: There be so many false Teachers, who by good Words and fair Speeches deceives poor simple ignorant people, through their great flourishing words about the grace of God; out of the sensible feeling of its blessed virtue and power in its infallible Teachings and thereby bringing Salvation: And though this love of God hath appeared to all, all have not the knowledge thereof, as they had and have, who are true believers in God: As said the Apostle to Titus, Teaching us, so true believers Baptised by one blessed Spirit into one body; and therein being received into God's holy Covenant of grace, cannot but cry out; Oh the virtue of Christ Jesus by whom comes grace and truth, which is of a healing nature, glad tidings indeed unto wounded Souls, and none can be further truly sensible of the unfolding of this love of God, to the refreshing and comforting of their immortal Souls, but by the feeling of its virtue and power, to quicken, revive and raise up out of sin and iniquity the cause of death.  
And in his Poetry he saith; Gods works preach not redemption from Hell, the name of Christ there is not legible.  
Ans. And in and by all Gods powerful and glorious works; both within man and without, is the blessed and powerful name of Christ to be read and understood: So its Gods works alone that preach redemption from the power of Hell and death, 
2 Cor. 5.19.  and therein is Christ's holy name legible: But as it is written, that which is born of flesh is flesh, and so a heap of fleshly works are in that Paper, to the shame of the Author, in giving them that Title, etc. And as that which is born of flesh is flesh, so that which is born of the spirit is spirit; and these two births are contrary, for the birth of the flesh, though it may speak great swelling words, and tell of the victory of Christ, and triumph in swelling words of his fame, as in that Paper; yet it being a worker of iniquity, it must have that Sentence, depart from me; it can in no wise inherit the Kingdom of God, though it may glory and say, I have preached and done many things, yet its product is but spiritual wickedness got in a high place, which the indignation of the Lord is against, so it must be cast out; he that can receive it let him.  
And thus much might be said as to the words in that Paper; but to all Impartial readers this is sufficient, to convince them that that Paper is none of the Gospel's glory, nor none of the Covenant of grace, neither is the Covenant of grace at all there unfolded? But it is a mere parcel of conceivings from the same imaginary spirit, that uses to be Employed about making of Ballads.  
And so in true love to all unto whom this may come, I counsel you to mind the fear of offending God, that you may be made sensible of the blessed appearance of the grace of God's holy Spirit, that you may be received into the blessed Covenant thereof, and therein be witness of its sufficiency, in teaching what to deny, and what to do, this being the means ordained of God for the good of all, and all that becomes sensible of the infallible teachings of the grace of God; such will not wonder at Silent Meetings, as many do who are out of the sense of Gods love therein; many such grow despisers, and wonder, and cannot believe the effectual works of the grace of God's holy Spirit, though in the demonstration and power thereof, they be declared and published from time to time: And I wish all to take heed of being exalted through vain glory in fleshly works, the which are attended with sorrow and misery, and will bring all them that rest there to the end, but in the Lord is everlasting glory. And mind the saying of the Apostle to the Ephesians; But God who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved us; even when we were dead in sins, hath he quickened us together with Christ, by grace yea are saved; So mind the blessed teachings of the grace of God which is pure, holy and perfect in every degree, and this the mark which all should set before them as they expect to run well in their Heavenly race, and obtain the blessed peace of God to their Souls, which is the will of God; and in the knowledge thereof I give this Testimony, who am what I am by Cod's Grace, and therein a well wisher to all who are truly seeking after the knowledge of Cod, in which love I rest,  
Stephen Smith. The 11th. day of the 11th. Month, 1674.   

A Testimony to the way of Truth and Life, with seasonable Exhortations thereunto.  
THat which hath been of low degree and little esteem with mankind; now is the Lord God exalting and will exalt and set over all; the blessed Way, Truth and Life, Christ the same yesterday, to day, and for ever, the blessed way of the Lord opened unto the wise in heat, but ever was and is a mystery shut and hid from the wicked; the Vulture's eye hath not seen it, nor the unclean cannot enter into it; but a Fountain is opened (praise to the Lord for ever) to wash and to cleanse from sin and iniquity, and so to sift and prepare for the way of Truth and Life. Blessed are they who trust in the Lord, and keep their minds stayed upon the blessed manifestation of his light, and love and mercy unto them therein, with their eye single unto the Lord, whose blessed springs of life and true refreshment, will in the Lord's time and season rise in the hearts of such, to the great consolation, and peace, and rest of their Souls; whom the Spirit of the Lord will guide unto the knowledge and understanding the pure and unchangeable Religion which comes from above, where the true Worship which Christ did and doth set up in the Spirit and Truth, will be witnessed: And this being possessed and enjoyed, all the false Religions and Worships which are out of the way of Truth and Life will be discovered; and keeping low in the silence of the earthly and sensual wisdom, wisdom which is pure from above will be manifest, and herein the works of the blessed day of the Lord will be seen, who is working a reformation in the Earth, in restoring the blessed language of Truth, and setting up Truth, and Righteousness, and Mercy, and Peace; and bringing a people to a pure language to speak the Truth, from the guidings and leadings of the Spirit of Truth, which was Prophesied of; That the Lord would power out of his Spirit upon all flesh, Sons and Daughters: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: Blessed are they who believe and trust in the Lord, and patiently wait for the fulfilling of his promise, for the Lord will assuredly slain the glorying of all the fleshly births; and create and bring forth a spiritual birth, unto which all his blessed promises are: And the Kingdoms of this World shall become the Lords and his Christ's, and he shall reign for ever; and he will exalt his everlasting Kingdom, and of the increase of his Government there shall be no end: This peaceable Kingdom of the Son of his love, is in righteousness, peace and joy in his holy Spirit; whose Tabernacle is with men, and the Ark and the Testimony, and the Mercy Seat over all his works, where he doth common with them; he takes pleasure in and makes known his good will and pleasure unto mankind, who receiving freely, communicates freely the good will and pleasure of the Lord; here is the Wine and Milk without Money or Price: And the Spirit saith come, and the Bride saith come, and he that heareth saith come, and he that will come let him come, and take of the water of life freely for a fountain is open where life manifests itself freely; and the streams of Babylon are drying up, where the Whore with her guilded Cup of Sorceries and Witchcraft hath sat; a Cup of Wormwood and Gaul is filling to her, and a Bed of Torment will be the portion of her Merchants, and all that receive her mark, and wear it on their forehead, or in the hand: So blessed are they who do escape out of Babylon, and set their faces towards Zion the holy City, where the substance is enjoyed, and that which was figured and typified in the Law and Covenant given forth in Mount Sinai, in the Gospel in Mount Zion is possessed the blessed Law and Covenant, in the Mind and in the Heart, Christ in us the hope of Glory, the Substance; and herein that which the Lord hath ordained for peace is witnessed, and in and by this great Ordinance are all Ordinances necessary to Salvation clearly understood: So blessed are they who cease from their own vain labour and works, and believe and wait upon the Lord to partake of his glorious works, to expel the clouds of darkness, and to command his Light to shine out of it in the heart to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ; here's the pure powerful foundation which God hath laid for all mankind to believe in and build upon, and all that labour in darkness to comprehend what the Light is, it's all vain labour; though Light doth shine in darkness, yet darkness cannot comprehend it; and Christ knew what he said, when he said, I am the Light of the World, though the World through malice, envy and prejudice are so corrupted and darkened, that he is become unto them a stumbling stone and a rock of offence, yet he is the Light of the World, and doth light the Candle of the wicked: but when the wicked are lighted, and their wickedness manifest, they often hate Light that makes manifest their wickedness, and puts out the Candle, and so adds sin to sin in getting covers to hid their transgression: And to such the hands of the Lord is stretched out in the love and mercy to them, but all gainsayers of it do turn into vanity, calling good evil, and evil good, light darkness, and darkness they call light, and herein they reject love and mercy, and embrace hatred, and lay other foundations which the Lord hath not laid, and so labour in vain, and build in vain, which are all for the fire, and must be destroyed, the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Oh that people would consider and be wise, and not go on to provoke the Lord to shut them out into utter darkness; for out of darkness people are invited to turn to the Light, and from Satan's power unto God, that they may have a sense and knowledge of his love and mercy, who gives remission of sins to them who truly and unfeignedly repent of them, and forsake them, approving themselves before him in so doing, and embraceth that love and mercy and good will therein, and so watching and walking in his light there will be more light and understanding given of his way, truth and life, the which he is making known in the Earth and his Salvation among his people.  
Therefore be admonished not to provoke him, and harden your hearts against his reproofs, for in so doing you will be more and more confounded, and your bonds of corruption in darkness will be made stronger, and when his good Spirit hath done striving, and the light and council thereof be taken from you, then will you be left in utter darkness where is weeping and gnashing of Teeth: For of a Truth the Lord is risen in great power to break down all the pleasant pictures and likenesses which mankind in their corrupt wills and affection have made of Religions and Worships, and through their dark immaginary works therein, they have opposed the Lords making known the true Religion and the true Worship which Christ did and doth set up in his Spirit of Truth, and is standing and remains firm and unchangeable.  
And therefore in the bowels of love I admonish all you who are not come to a true sense and experience of the Lords good will and pleasure in making known his way, Truth and Life, but are in some tenderness in panting after the Lord for the knowledge of his good will and pleasure therein: I desire you to be persuaded to consider whether you have believed in the Light that comes from him, and leads to him; and if you were true believers in God and in his Christ, than you cannot deny the manifestation of love and light that comes from him; for what is known of God is manifest in us, he shows it unto: Oh it's a good thing to wait upon the Lord in Truth, with a single eye unto him who sits with light and understanding of his blessed way, Truth and Life, Christ that was before Abraham, and was in the body which was prepared for him to do the will of his Father, in which he suffered without the Gates of Jerusalem by wicked hands, and rose again and shown himself unto many hundreds of witnesses, and hath many thousand witnesses this day of his sufferings and resurrection; who is the same yesterday, to day, and forever; a mystery which is hid from the worldly wise and prudent, who live in an exaltation above the pure, holy manifestation of the Light of God's holy Spirit; and so neglecting the one thing necessary, do live in the many things where offence to the just is given daily, and the movings of Gods good Spirit is grieved and quenched; and then comparing themselves with themselves, and measuring themselves by themselves, they are not wise in heart; and therefore are they shut out from the knowledge of the way of Truth and Life.  
Therefore I do persuade all to wait low at wisdom's gate for the opening thereof, that your hearts may be seasoned with grace; and than that which hath been of low degree, as to the esteem mankind hath had of it, by the savour of God's grace, it will be beloved and esteemed, and exalted; and those dark immaginary works which hath been lets and hindrances of the knowledge of the Truth, Way, and Life; they will be hated and disesteemed: And things will be put in order by the true wisdom, to the praise and honour of God, and to the great peace and comfort of all the truly humble in heart: And thus in a few plain words is this Testimony of Truth given forth for the Information of the truly breathing and thirsting Souls after the Way, Truth and Life, and the righteousness therein: The which the Lord God Almighty exalt more and more unto the breaking forth of the day of his perfect love unto all them that seek him in Truth, and with an upright heart.  
Stephen Smith. The 27th. day of the 9th. Month, 1675.   


The LIFE OF CHRIST Which is the LIGHT of MEN, Exalted above the WORKS of DARKNESS.  
Being an Answer to a BOOK; Entitled, The Fundamental Error of the Quakers Detected.  
By an Author who hath concealed his Name.  
Herein is proved, That men may not become Christians by following the Light within.  Rom. 1.18, 19 For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the Truth in unrighteousness: Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God hath showed it unto them. 
Printed in the Year, 1678.   

An Answer to a Book Entitled, The Foundamental Error of the Quakers detected; Or, That men do not become Christians by following the Light within, without Outward Teaching, etc.  
THese are the works of the power of Darkness, to render the Light of Christ Jesus of itself insufficient to lead into Christianity; wherein the Author of the Book hath sufficiently manifested his folly, in undertaking to detect that for Error, which is a fundamental Truth.  
Indeed he hath made a bold attempt in his dark comprehension, in going about to limit the leading of the Light of Christ Jesus, which shows plainly that he is not acquainted with the way thereof; and in adventuring to speak and to affirm things so confidently, that he hath no knowledge of; this bespeaks him to be a rash inconsiderate man: But lest we should know him, (like a Coward) he hath concealed his Name. And in our reasonable and faithful confidence in Christ, the Way, Truth and Life, we cannot give such dark ignorant works better entertainment than they deserve; and by giving of them their due entertainment according to Truth, we have cause to believe the endeavours of such dark immaginary Spirits will grow weaker and weaker, and the turning of things upside down (as the Author of that Book and his Generation hath done) will prove a miserable hard travel and labour, that will end in great sorrow and trouble.  
But to come to the business in as brief manner as may be, that I may not be tedious to the unprejudiced Reader: This short answer is recommended, showing the drift of that dark Spirit; by answering only some particulars: Such manner of work as this having been often answered by many worthy Servants of the Lord, the which are faithful witnesses against all such dark works.  
By the way let it be remembered. 1. That we truly own the holy Scriptures, and all true and effectual outward Teaching in their place, as proceeding from the holy Spirit. 2. That by the assistance of the same Spirit only, the Scriptures, etc. are truly to be understood and be made profitable. 3. This Spirit works immediately in the understanding, where ever outward means becomes effectul. 4. Divine Light and Inspiration being all sufficient to teach immediately, it is not to be limited to outward means.  
First, to prove the sufficiency of the Light of Christ Jesus to lead into true Christianity, either without outward teaching, or by it: The Lord God of Heaven and Earth be his glorious and powerful outgoings in the Light, being not to be limited; take two or three instances out of the Prophets concerning this blessed leader, the Light of Christ within, Psal. 97.11. Light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart; and said David, rejoice in the Lord ye righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness: The which many thousands do this day, (by the springing up of this ever blessed Light within) even where outward Teaching is not; and by the effectual working in its powerful operation in springing up out of darkness, many who had the name of that they were not, were both convinced and converted and led into true Christianity: And Isaiah prophesying the coming of Christ's kingdom, saith Isa. 2.5. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord; and in the 55 chap. 4 v. Behold I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people: And of this Covenant, this light promised to enlighten the Gentiles: John the greatest Prophet that was born of a woman, God sent to be a witness that all through him might believe, and this Testimony of the true light that lighteneth every man that comes into the World, he had from God who sent him, and not man's Teaching: And Paul saith, Gal. 1.12. speaking of the Gospel: For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it; but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ: So here men were made Christians by Christ the Light of the World, without outward Teaching, and this overthrows the affirmation of the Author of that Book, who saith, That men do not become Christians by following the Light within, without outward Teaching: But the Author may know that these men true Christians, and men. But I do affirm that there was never a true Christian made by men's Teaching, without the leading and guiding of the Light of Christ's Spirit within; and that is by the leading of Christ within, that people are made true Christians, and the gainsaying of the Truth is the cause there are so many false Christians now adays, by reason of such natural men as the Author of that Book manifests himself to be, being ignorant of the Light, not knowing the way thereof; neither doth he know the fundamental principle of the people called Quakers, the which is a manifest token of the gross darkness that he is under, in that he presumes to call that error which he is a stranger to: But neither he nor any else hath yet proved our opposing the leading and guiding of the Light of Christ within, to its leadings and guidings in Teaching without: But we do oppose its blessed Leading within and Teaching without, to such dark unchristianlike Spirits that doth not know the way thereof; who in such like dark works in a high degree of pride and arrogancy, are going about to limit and set bounds to the works of the Lord God Almighty.  
So that which he calls a fundamental Error, is a fundamental Truth; that it is possible with God this day and time, as well as in days past, to lead by the Son of his love into true Christianity (with (or without) outward Teaching) of which Truth the Lord God hath raised abundance of living witnesses this day, and by his arm and power he is raising up more daily, who are built upon the same foundation that the Prophets, Apostles and the Primitive Christians were built upon, against which work and foundation the gates of Hell cannot prevail.  
This Covenant, this Light, this Witness, this blessed Leader, (God's love, God's gift to the people) all mind that it did not only inspire immediately the Apostles, but also the people; by which Inspiration people come to understand when they have done evil, even when none without can accuse them; by this love wicked people are made sensible of their wickedness, though indeed, as it is written, the Candle of the wicked is often put out; yet many times they are overcome with the Light and Love of God therein, that thereby they forsake their evil (and turn from their wickedness;) and by yielding their members servants unto this righteous appearance of the grace of God, and by obeying the infallible teaching thereof, many have been converted into the true Christians faith; and by the Truth sanctified, and then justified through their obedience to the Heavenly gift of God are made true and living Christians, abiding the Baptism of Christ, who Baptizeth with Fire and the Holy Ghost; and therein are confirmed and settled under the shadow of his wing, whose fruit is very precious and pleasant: And it is by this Light that the voice of the true Shepherd comes to be known from the false Shepherd; thus by grubbing up the root of the tree, the branches must needs fall with it.  
Page 4. He proceeds thus, viz. You know it was said by our blessed Saviour, that straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it: And I little doubt but that an appearance at first of a greater strictness and narrowness in your way, then in theirs that differs from you; was a temptation to some injudicious persons, etc.  
Answer, If we were not in the same straight and narrow way that Christ did speak of, where we are partakers of Gods great love in that rest and peace which he hath prepared for them that believe, fear and love him, it were an easy matter to go back again into the broad way; there be opportunities enough given besides this great one given by this Author of that Book in his gross abominable Insinuations: But such is the manner of such dark Spirits, to pretend great love to the Souls of others, and are not in a capacity to pity and love their own.  
But he saith, That might have been escaped had we considered that the strictness and narrowness, consisting in outward austerities and incivilities, etc. Answer, whither may a rambler go when he is turned into the way of mischief, and pursues his journey without care of what will be the end of it? But I perceive this is his great trouble as it was haman's, Mordicai would not bow to him; we not going out of the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ into the respect of persons, but faithfully keeping his commands, and abiding in his Doctrine; the which is true whatsoever he wickedly suggests to the contrary: This he accounts Incivilities and a piece of Superstition of our own devising; and that several orders among the Papists have been built upon the same bottom; (but mind) all this while his name is concealed, showing that he is not willing others should know what bottom he is built upon; but who that are wise can expect any better fruit of such a corrupt tree that grows upon the root of Imaginations? he hath nothing else for his bottom of all that he hath said.  
And he goes on in page 6, 7. in these words: Ye have taken liberty to walk loosely and cast off this yoke, and that is in not governing your spirits, passions and tongues according to the Laws of his Kingdom, etc. And this he infers from some words he hath taken out of Edward Burroughs' Book, as thou cursed, thou beast to whom the Plagues of God are due, a reprobate, a Child of darkness thou art thou disobedient one, etc.  
Answer, By this it is manifest, that if that Author had been in the false Prophet's days, he would have been as much offended with the true Prophets for calling the false Prophets greedy dogs, and dumb dogs, and many such like words; and as David said Psal. 49.12. Man being in honour abideth not, he is like the beasts that perish; or if he had been in that day of Christ, who indeed was very humble and meek, but in his reproofs of Hypocrisy he was very sharp, as appears in these words, Woe to you Hypocrites, likening them to whited Walls, painted Sepulchers; and he said to them who supposed themselves to be the Children of Abraham, and that they had one Father, even God; But Christ said unto them, ye are of your Father the Devil: And he said unto the Scribes and Pharisees, ye Serpents, ye generation of Vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of Hell? And the Apostle Paul saith, whatsoever he be that preacheth any other Gospel then that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed; Here is but a hint of much that might be said, what the Language of the Spirit of Truth was in those days against those dark opposite Spirits to the way of Truth; and there is no question but Edward Borroughs knew what Spirit of opposition he had to encounter with, that by the Light of Christ Jesus he knew what was the portion of that Spirit: But let the Author of that Book, or any for him, prove if they can, that ever Edward Borroughs did do any wrong either to Man, Woman or Child.  
And he saith, (speaking of Christ,) he hath strictly enjoined his followers to be humble and lowly in heart, to esteem others better than themselves, to speak evil of no man, etc. and not to judge, etc.  
Answer, But all this while this man that doth thus prescribe from what is written, what others should do, he himself doth not so; it appears by concealing of his name, he is not willing to be known; But sure when he bethinks himself, he cannot suppose that the spirit of Truth doth lead its followers to esteem Hypocrites, and those that oppose the way thereof (above them that are led and guided by it.)  
And sure the Author by disesteeming of the Light of Christ, that lighteneth every man that comes into the World, rendering it a natural Light, as he hath done in many places, is become very blind indeed; if he thinks the Spirit of Truth did forbid the judgement of Truth: by these words of Christ Mat. 7. Judge not, that ye be not judged, this he spoke to Hypocrites that went about to pull out a mote out of others eyes, and the beam remained in their own; saying, Thou Hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy Brother's eye: But such gross darkness hath happened to many that do not believe in the Light, and not knowing the way of the Spirit of Truth; yet for sinister ends in great presumption, undertakes to correct them who are born of the same, and are in measure acquainted with the way thereof; as that dear and faithful Servant of the Lord Edward Burroughs was, as may be seen by his works, which stand a witness against deceitful flattering Tongues: But this is the old way of the enemy and adversary of the peace and happiness of Souls, to cover his hatred and malice with smooth flattery in words: As saith David in another case, Psal. 55.21. The words of his mouth were smother than Butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than Oil, yet were they as drawn Swords.  
But to speak the Truth, by the leading and guiding of the Spirit of Truth, as the Prophets, Christ and his Apostles did; though in very sharp reproofs to gainsayers, is not against true humility, nor a speaking evil of any man.  
In Page. 11. The Author saith, Neither you are not guilty of rejecting God's way and method of converting men to, and keeping them in the way of saving Faith, Repentance and Evangelical obedience; and of inventing and choosing one of your own, etc. Which method he instances out of two Authors, Edward Burroughs' Book, and one of William Pens.  
The which is as followeth word for word.  
In the works of Edward Burrough, who you are pleased to style that true Prophet in the Title page, which are published by you; there are these say: In page 252, thus, His pure Spirit is put into the inward parts, to be the rule and guide of life in all things: And again, Only by the teaching of the eternal Spirit, is the living God known in the Creature. Again page 408. It is promised (saith he) that the Spirit shall lead into all Truth, and such do own the Scriptures, but not as their Teacher; for the anointing dwells in them, and they need no man to teach them, but as that anointing teacheth all things; for all the Children of God are taught of God, and need not any other Teacher, nor need to say one to another, know the Lord; and all such own the Scriptures to be the Testimony of that which they believe and have received: And again in page 834. The only perfect rule of Conscience in the exercise to God is the Spirit of Christ, and not any other thing: And because something besides the Spirit of God exercises the Conscience; therefore it is that there are so many ways and Sects of Religion and kinds of Worship in Christendom and among Christians, while the Spirit of Christ only is not the rule of Judgement and exercise of Conscience to God and man: Again page 861. The judgement in that matter (Heresy) must be just, equal, holy, and (only) by the Spirit of Christ which is infallible, and gives infallibility of Judgement and discerning into all cases and things.  
Mr. Pen spends the fourth Chapter of his late Book; Entitled, Reason against Railing, to prove that the Light within, and not the Scriptures is the rule of Faith and practice, In page. 47. he saith, We dare boldly affirm in the name of the Lord, that the great reason of our belief concerning them, the Scriptures is not any outward thing; but inward Testimony recorded, and Heavenly Amen, that we have received from the holy Light within us, to the Truth and faithfulness of those say. Again p. 48. Wherefore the Scriptures are so far from being the great rule of faith and practice; that the Light of Christ within us, is both our warrant and rule for faith and obedience to them. Again page 114. Let it be remembered, saith he, that Christ promised to send the spirit of Truth to lead into all Truth; as much as to say, none are led into the Truth, nor in the Truth, but by the holy Spirit of Truth; or that their practice is a lie, or they are led into a lie, who are not led by the Spirit of Truth, that alone leads into all the ways of Truth; where by Truth is not meant the mere Letter of the Scripture, which notwithstanding is true: But the living powerful Truth, Christ the Way, the Truth and the Life; of which the Scripture is but a record or declaration. And page 115. Many may run into the practice of several outward things mentioned in the Scriptures, to have been the practice of Saints in former Ages, and yet not be led into the Truth; for all that is but Will-worship, imitation and unwarrantable.  
Now let all the wise in heart, who do retain so much of sense of the Spirit of Truth's leading and operation thereof in them, as that thereby they are in some degree in a capacity to judge of spiritual matters, and that have a desire that God may not take away his holy Spirit from them: I say, let all such in the cool of the day, when all self Interest is laid aside, judge whether these men, Edward Burroughs and William Pen, and all them who are of the same Faith and Judgement with them, do deserve such strange contradicton as the Author of that Book hath raised and made against them.  
To be sure their method (as he calls it) is clearly agreeing with Christ and his Apostles: Christ Jesus the Light of the World, the Way, Truth and Life, did direct his followers to take heed to the Spirit of Truth that reproveth the World of sin, etc. and he counselled them to take that for their guide into all Truth: And ought not all Christians to be followers of Christ their Lord and Master; and how is it possible that any should follow Christ, except they be led by the Spirit of Truth in themselves? And he that steals away their minds from that guide, he is a Thief; and as Christ said, The Thief comes to steal, to Murder and to destroy; but I am come that you may have Life, and that you may have it more abundantly.  
And the Apostle Paul is very open and plain in his Testimony concerning this matter, in these words, The things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God; by this the deep things of God are searched out: And are there not many deep things of God contained in Scriptures? The which is not possible to be understood and searched out by any other Spirit, but only and alone by the Spirit of Truth; therefore this must needs be a sufficient teacher of mankind without the Scripture, as it was to Abel, Enoch, and to Abraham, and the holy men of God long before there was any of the old or new Testament written.  
And it was the great love of God in the moving of his holy Spirit in those faithful Servants, by whom those weighty things as are recorded in the Scriptures of Truth were given forth: And it is the great love of God in the moving of his holy Spirit in its leadings and teaching of his people, through which the many Types, Figures, Prophecies, and many hard say comes to be understood, and a clear distinguishing comes to be known between the Jew outward and the Jew inward, between the Law outward and the Law of the Spirit of Truth inward, and between the shadow of good things, and the good things themselves; and also between the Spirit and the Letter, the Power and the Form, etc.  
And for want of fearing God, and taking heed to the motions of his blessed Spirit of Truth; that is the cause there are so many heaps of Opinions about the Scripture; therefore it is that all learned men in the Spirit of Truth do so highly esteem the teachings thereof, as absolutely necessary to life and peace: And all whose minds are converted by the Spirit of Truth, and are spiritually exercised therein, and feeling the life and peace that flows from it unto their Souls; this confirms them, settles them, and makes them unmoveable and unchangeable in their Faith in the power of the Lord, who hath been thus merciful in opening this fountain of life and love, where a washing and cleansing comes to be witnessed, and entrance ministered into the kingdom of God, and of this day that is breaking forth and shining clearer and clearer: Edward Burroughs that man of God, was a faithful Instrument in the hand of the Lord, and his works do demonstrate the same to thrash and cut down hypocrisy and gainsayers of the Truth and faithfulness of God unto mankind: And in the succession of this blessed work and service in the everlasting and unchangeable Truth, the Lord hath raised up William Pen with a Testimony: And in his continuance therein unto the end of his days he will receive the same Crown of Immortal Life; and their Testimonies which the Author calls their method taken out of their Books is faithful and true, and doth and will appear so to all that are in the least learned by the Spirit of Truth.  
But in contradiction of those faithful and true Testimonies of Edward Burrough's and William Pen's, the Author of that Book undertakes to prescribe a method and way, the which he calls God's method and way; this being a long ramble too tedious to transcribe, I shall draw up the scope and tendency thereof.  
That (Page 15.) after Christ's ascension into Heaven, he sent the holy Spirit upon his Apostles, and immediately inspired them with a clear knowledge and understanding of it (And again page 24.) Although the first promulgator of the Gospel were enabled by immediate Revelation from Christ to teach it unto others; yet afterward God's ordinary way and method of transmitting the knowledge and faith of the Gospel downwards to others successively, was by such men's teaching it to others, as had themselves learned it of the Apostles, or others that taught the same Doctrine as they did. (Again page 28.) And there is great reason why the same regard should be given to what the Apostles and Evangelists wrote, as to what they spoke; as long as they either wrote the same Doctrine, or History upon the same evidence; for the Doctrine is the same after it is written as it was before, for its being written doth not alter the nature of it: And therefore men must needs be as much concerned in their belief, or disbelief, obedience or disobedience to it, when it is communicated to them by writing, as when it is so by preaching; (yea I had almost said, or by immediate Revelation.) (And again page 33.) I shall conclude what I have said in this proposition, to show that the same regard is due to the Doctrine of the Apostles, when written, (as now it is) as when it was preached by them, by remembering you of this great Truth, that every man shall be tried or judged at the last day, by the Law he hath been under. The Gentiles that are or have been without a written Law, shall be judged without any such Law, and the Jews which are under a written Law, they shall be judged by it, Rom. 2.12. Even so those that are under the Gospel written will be judged by that, etc.  
Thus than I take the substance of his method to be, that the Apostles were immediately Inspired and from immediate Revelation; the New Testament was written, and since that immemediate Revelation and Inspiration of the Spirit hath ceased; and those writings now are become the rule of faith and practice: And that this Gospel written, as he calls it, hath been successively transmitted to others as they have learned it; and that this written Gospel (as he calls it) must be the rule and judge in all matters of faith and practice, without immediate Teaching or Inspiration.  
This then being the method of the Author of that Book, to exclude immediate Revelation, and set up Tradition in the room.  
But this he hath manifested by his writing, that he is not in the line of succession in the holy Spirit of Truth and righteousness; if he had been there, he would never have opposed the Truth of what was spoken by William Pen and Edward Burroughs: But who can expect any better fruit from a Plant that hath so little sap and life from the root, and spring of Light, Truth and Holiness to nourish it.  
Page 41. (he saith,) That Christ doth enlighten all whom he doth enlighten in one or more of these three ways. 1. Either by Natural Light. Or 2. by Supernatural Revelation. Or 3. by outward speech, or writing, or example, etc. Would not all that are in their wits judge that this Author of the Book had better to have been quiet then so presumptuously in his high flown, proud, arrogant Spirit: So positively to condemn the sufficiency of the Lights leading within into Christianity; without outward Teaching: Since he is at such a loss, not knowing what Light it is that Christ doth enlighten people with. But in page 43. there he saith, That though Christ do enlighten all men with natural light; a little before it is, them whom he doth enlighten; it is some way, even what he imagines, wherein he contradicts himself; but what way he knows not: The Vulture's eye hath not seen the way thereof, neither can the natural man receive the things of the Spirit of God: To be sure the Author of that Book hath not attained to A.B.C. in the way of Christianity, as is manifest by his dark conclusion, that Christ the Light within men, is a natural Light.  
Let all the wise in heart judge how unlikely the Author of that Book is to show the way of God, who is so far out of it; not knowing the out-going of the Lord God who is Light, whose outgoings were from everlasting to everlasting, nor so much as the first principle of the Oracle of God, which is Light; and therefore he hath not spoken as the Oracle of God: And therefore in saying he would show the method and way of God, he hath manifestly declared his Ignorance and presumption: But such unlearned men as he is undertake to judge the Quakers foundation for error; and after they have done, they are to seek what it is: But let him or any who are of his mind prove if they can, that ever any Quakers in their Writings have said, That it was by the leading of a natural Light without, or with outward Teaching, by which ever any one true Christian was made. No, no, we do know that Christ the true Light that Lighteneth man that comes into the World, doth it with a supernatural and Divine Light (wherein they that believe and wait upon God, receive Spirit, Life and Power to become Sons of God.) And that he both hath and can by the powerful drawings thereof, bring them (who wait in the manifestation thereof in themselves) into the true Christianity: And that the outward Testimony or declaration that was, or is given forth unto the Sons and Daughters of men from the immediate motion and flow forth of the Spirit of Truth; had and hath this effect, even to bring into this name, the Light of Christ within, and from Satan's power unto God, that the teaching of God within, as well as without, by them who speak as his Oracle, might be effectual to guide into Christianity: And that the powerful drawings of the blessed Light of Christ within, hath been the only motive to move many to consider their ways and to turn at the reproofs thereof into the strait and narrow way that leads into the life of Christianity.  
But I do ask a question concerning the Gentiles, that both were and are without an outward written Law, since they must be judged without any such Law; for transgressing of what Law must they be judged? it cannot be denied but that God hath given them a Law to walk by, and that it is for the transgression thereof that they come under condemnation, and must be judged. Before this question be answered in Truth, that Gospel must be known that is preached in every creature which is under Heaven.  
Page 37. The Author saith, we that have the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles brought down to us in the Scriptures, may according to Scripture Dialect, be said to have Christ and his Apostles; as truly as it was said of the Jews in our Saviour's days on Earth, that they had Moses and the Prophets; for it was by having in the Scriptures what they said and did, that they were said to have them; and by hearing and believing the Scriptures of the New Testament, we may as well be said to hear and believe Christ and his Apostles, etc.  
Answer, That ever such a stranger to Christianity should be so impudent as to say, I will show you the method and way of God, that doth not know himself one step therein, as appears by his dark arguing. The Jews had the writing of Moses and the Prophets, and no question but they did believe them to be so; but what did they profit by them? when out of that Faith and Spirit through which they are profitable, they did testify of Christ, and were a witness to the righteousness of God, as saith the Apostle; when by them they judged Christ ought to die, Christ did send the hardhearted Jews who went about to kill him, to Moses and the Prophets; saying, Joh. 5.39, 40. Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal Life, and they are they which testify of me; and ye will not come to me that ye may have life: And mind what the Apostle saith, Rom. 3.12. But now the righteousness of God without the Law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; which righteousness the said Jews did not know, though they had heard what Moses and the Prophets said of it: But mind the cause of their not hearing so as to understand, Neh. 9.20. Thougavest also thy good Spirit to instruct them, but the cause of their blindness was even their rebellion against God's Spirit: And Stephen said to the Jews Acts 7.51: Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost; as your Fathers did, so do ye: So it's very clear, though the Jews had Moses and the Prophet's writings, yet by not taking heed to the Instruction of God's Spirit in them, they were without the knowledge of them; and thus it is with the generality of those called Christians, they have some of the writhings which gives a relation of God's great love to the World in his heavenly and powerful gift of his holy Spirit manifest in the flesh to bruise the Serpent's head, and to destroy the Devils works: But by disesteeming the blessed appearance of the Light of the Spirit of Christ in man, as the Author of that Book doth in calling it a natural Light; being thus in unblief, their foolish hearts are darkened: So though they have the New Testament, as it is called by many that do not know the Law and the Testimony, though they have some part of what was writ concerning Christ the Way, Truth and Life of Christianity: Yet by their quenching and grieving the immediate motions of God's holy Spirit in them, they are as clearly void of the knowledge of the end and tendency of God's great love in and by the motion of his holy Spirit, that gave forth those writings with the several blessed Testimonies therein, even as the hardhearted Jews were of the Law and the Prophets when they were in the gainsaying and rebellion against God's holy Spirit. But such kind of smooth teaching, as the Author of that Book, who is unlearned in the blessed Teaching of the Spirit of Truth, is very pleasant to unlearned people in the things of God; but the Scripture is fulfilled in many of them, Acts 13.41. Behold ye despisers, and wonder and perish, for I work a work in your days, a work which you shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.  
So it's very clear, and that in a true sense, that people may have the writings and not have Christ nor his Apostles, neither be in their Doctrine; but in lieu thereof they may have the Spirit of Antichrist, and Doctrine of Antichrist, and the ravening Woolves nature, though they may have the Sheep's clothing.  
First, The Scriptures we must needs highly own, in that they refer us to (and exalt) Christ and his immediate teaching of his Divine Light and Spirit within, as being subservient thereto, where they are received therein.  
But since a great part of the work of the Author of that Book is to maintain the Scriptures, being a rule of Faith and Practice; and to gainsay the sufficiency of the Spirits teaching without the Scriptures, or its immediate teaching now adays, without some outward teaching.  
I do ask whether the Authority be in the Spirit that spoke the words, or in the words when spoken or written? if none can deny but the Authority both was and is in the Spirit: And Isaiah by the same Authority of God's blessed Spirit, he can work a saving change in people, either with or without what is written; therefore it is a high degree of presumption in going about to limit the blessed holy Spirit of God, as the Author of that Book doth.  
But what Authority or effect had the true Prophet's words in the false Prophet's mouths; this sad effect, they stole away the hearts of people from the living fountain, and put them upon a vain labour in making broken Cisterns that could hold no water.  
And what Authority, profit or advantage have the true Ministers and Apostles of Christ's words now in the false Teachers mouths, with their meaning upon them: Even this sad and lamentable effect; they thereby steal away the hearts of people from the sense of the immediate motion of God's holy Spirit in them, and to gainsay its powerful teachings; and the universal love of God in the moving of his universal holy Spirit through all the World, in its convincing and reproving the World of sin, etc. And then to set them upon vain and unprofitable service: First, having turned their hearts and minds out of the way that the holy Spirit of Truth leads in, and then set them upon a vain labour and travail in seeking, but never finding; till at length they conclude with the Devil's Doctrine, that there is no way out of a body of sin and death on this side the grave: And such flattering and deceitful Teachers are in a high esteem and account among a flattering deceitful people. So all may mind, that we do not oppose the in ward Teaching of the Spirit of Truth, to what outwardly hath been taught or written from the blessed motions thereof, or that may be taught or written by the motion of the same: But we do oppose the true Teachings thereof, to the false Teaching of all immaginary deceitful Spirits, who under a pretence of love to Souls, do make Merchandise of them.  
And that being the great hinge on which his work depends, in concluding the Scriptures to be the rule of Faith and Practice, excluding the immediate Teaching of the Spirit, and the all-sufficiency thereof. I do ask whether Faith be a fruit of the Spirit, or of the Scripture? or whether a true Christians practice in living peaceably, lovingly, justly, and holy, and mercifully, and in a clean life and conversation in long sufference, patience, goodness, brotherly kindness, etc. be a fruit of the blessed Spirit of God, or of the Scripture? And since it cannot be denied, but that Faith and practice in a true Christian holy Conversation, is a fruit of the blessed Spirit, and that the Scriptures say the same.  
Then are not all the gainsayers of the immediate Teaching, Operation, Revelation and Divine Inspiration of God's holy Spirit of Truth, a grand cause that there is so little fruit of the Spirit brought forth in Christendom? And whether that be not the cause of so many heaps of Sects, Notionists and Opinions among them, and of so much Pride, Lust, Hypocrisy, Fraud, Deceit, Wrath, Malice, Murders, Witchcrafts, Sorceries, and all other abominations that might be mentioned, committed in all the World; (the Lord gives the humble in heart true Judgement, but the proud he doth resist.)  
But in Page 42. the Author saith, Christ indeed or God Creator, as he is described in the beginning of that Chap. Joh. 1.9. Doth enlighten every one that cometh into the World, with the faculty of reason and understanding, by which he may know that there is a God, and that he is to be worshipped, and that he is peaceable, and the difference between moral good and evil, in many things: But however this may possibly be a light sufficient to direct the Heathen to as much as God expects from them, (if they live up to it) to whom he affords no other Light, yet this Natural Light is not sufficient to direct those that live under the Gospel, to believe, and do what they are bound to believe, and do upon pain of Damnation, etc.  
Answer, He hath clearly manifested his ignorance of the Gospel, and what men are to be brought under that are made true Christians, as if the Light of Christ within had not Gospel in it, or could not minister Gospel: But by hating of the Light; how blind are they, who have such low thoughts of thy way thereof? accounting the Light of Christ natural, yet sufficient to direct the Heathen as much as God expects of them.  
Such is the esteem of them whom the God of this world hath blinded their minds, taking the Jew outward for the Jew inward, and the Christian in show, for the Christian in Truth: And the wild Heathenish life and conversation of the Christian in show, for Christianity, if they do but only in words own the Scriptures to be their rule of faith and practice. And the true Christian that brings forth the fruits of Gods holy Spirit in life and conversation, and is not ashamed to confess to the immediate motions of it in its blessed leadings and teaching to love of God above all, and their neighbours as themselves; and lives in true fear and watchfulness, that they may not grieve nor quench the immediate motions of God's holy Spirit in them; but are careful to live up to the reason and understanding that Christ hath illuminated or inspired them with, and to eshew the evil and to love the good, being showed it by the Light of Christ; and that God ought to be worshipped in Spirit and Truth, and is in the performance thereof according to Gods will, confessing to the blessed holy Spirit of God to be the rule of Life, Faith practice. Such a faithful and true Christian as this, having such an account to give, as is given by Edward Burrough and William Pen of the sufficiency of the pure Spirit of God, to be the Judge of all matters of life and conversation.  
Such true Christians are very slightly esteemed by such private immaginary Spirits as the Author of that Book is manifest to be of in all his works of darkness in that Book. But I had rather be a Christian, and though I am called Heathen; then to be a Heathen, and yet to be called and accounted a Christian.  
In Page 61. the Author saith, Another place misunderstood and misapplyed by you, is Joh. 16.13. When the Spirit of Truth is come, he will guide you into all Truth; which is not a promise of sending the Spirit to guide all Christians by its immediate motions: But a promise to his Apostles, for they only were then present with Christ at his passover, etc.  
Ans. Indeed the immediate motions of God's holy Spirit, is the great trouble of them who follow the motions of their own Spirit, and lives out of the way of the knowledge of the holy Spirit of God, which is Light and Life. But I ask, in case people are not to follow Christ and his Apostles into the true Faith and practice of Christianity, by the immediate motions of God's holy Spirit of Truth; by the motions of what Spirit are they to be led and guided? since there is such variety of Sects and Opinions in the motions of their private Spirits, which of them is to be followed.  
But since the Author hath limited the immediate motions of God's holy Spirit only unto the Apostles: I do ask into what Spirits motions were people Baptised, and led into the body of Christianity? or are they now to be led into the same; and how can Christians have the Crown of Immortal Life as Paul had in finishing his course of life well, and he said, that was not laid up for him alone, but also for all them that love the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ: And who can be a follower of him in the way, if they do not take heed to the immediate motions of God's holy Spirit, as he did according to the measure and manifestation thereof in every one? And again,  
What can set people free from the spirit of bondage, or from the spirit of error or corruption, and deceit, and hypocrisy; but the immediate motions of God's pure holy spirit in them?  
But such is the dark work of the Author of that Book, even to gainsay, and limit the immediate motions of God's holy Spirit, and to set up the private selfish imaginary Spirit which is not in unity with the Light and Spirit of Truth.  
But if the promise of Christ was only to give that gift of the immediate motion of God's holy Spirit unto the Apostles; then to what end did he counsel the Churches to Pray in the Spirit, to Sing in the Spirit, and to persevere and go on in the Spirit, and not to quench and grieve the Spirit, and abundance more to this purpose in Exhortations to the Churches to follow the spirit, and mortify the deeds of the flesh by the spirit: Had not Christians need to have the immediate motions and help of God's blessed spirit in this work, and to be their rule of life and guide in judgement, that all wicked malicious spirits under the cover of the Prophets, Christ's and the Apostles words, may be judged down, let all the wise in heart consider this and lay it to heart.  
What a sad tendency such unprofitable talkers and teaching hath, in opposing the immediate motion, and teaching, and guiding of God's holy spirit; and whether such Agents and props in the Devil's kingdom and power of darkness, be not a  to the blessed works of the Lord? who sits upon his Throne, and saith, behold I make all things new. And whether such dark works as are manifest in that Book, be not the cause that there are so many mockers now adays at the immediate motions of God's holy spirit, in and through his servants, according to their several measures and services therein? But such is the work of all dark spirits, to pretend love to people's souls: But in the dark to work against the great love and mercy of God in the immediate motions of his holy and blessed spirit, for the bringing of souls to peace and happiness, and everlasting rest in his heavenly gift, the which is life Eternal.  
But by what hath been written, as before, the whole drift, scope and tendency of the Author's spirit in that Book may be seen, where several particulars might be answered with the same sharp reproof, as that which is answered hath: Such works have been answered over and over again, as may be seen at large in abundance of Books; but one more especially I refer the Reader to: And that is a Book Entitled, The Christian Quaker and his Divine Testimony vindicated, etc. By George Whitehead and William Pen: And though the Author of that Book hath concealed his Name, and covered his spirit of Error with smooth words stolen out of the Scriptures, yet by the light of Christ Jesus he is seen clearly, though he calls that Light Natural, and like a foolish builder hath built without the Cornerstone: By the Light of Christ his building is seen to be raised from no other foundation and ground, but mere imaginations: And that it must be cast down into the pit of darkness out of which it was raised.  
So though he may complain, as he doth in the beginning of his Book, of the entertainment others have had in the like endeavours: Yet unto the Truth and wisdom of God in all who have not lost the sense of his holy spirit from them, I do appeal whether this be not an entertainment according to Truth.  
And though he hath pretended his work to be in love to souls; yet it is manifest in the Light of Christ, to have this tendency; even to deprive souls of the infinite benefit of the sense and enjoyment of the immediate motions of God's holy spirit, and to make void their Testimonies who are planted into the same: But to prevent the Enemy's works, is this written in love to Truth and Righteousness, and all people who desire after the same.   
Stephen Smith. Worplesdon in Surrey the latter end of the 5th. Month, 1677.   

A Testimony against the World's vain Mirth and Pastimes, etc.  
BLessed are they who feel the Inspiration of the Almighty giving them understanding; that in reading the Scriptures of Truth (the Holy-mens' Testimonies) they may be understood, and deliverance witnessed from them who wrist them to their own destruction.  
There is indeed a time for all things, as said Solomon, who in that wisdom given him, knew that God created man upright, but man found out many Inventions: And all that Mirth whereby Gods righteous spirit is grieved, they who live in it; they increase their own sorrow.  
The Rejoicing and Melody which David had in his heart to the Lord who gave him power over his foes, Psal. 30. And girded him with gladness: But what is this to them who are overcome with their foes, the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and pride of life: All such have not a true knowledge of that joy and melody which David witnessed, as being girded with gladness by the Lord; who said, My soul and all that is in me praise the Lord, and let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord: And figuratively he makes mention of outward Instruments; all which are but Types in comparison of that heart that is prepared and put into a right frame, even as a well Tuned Instrument to make Melody to the praise and honour of God (this is the substance) shown forth by holy people's praises to the Lord for his work of deliverance; as is recorded in the Scriptures of Truth: When the Children of Israel were delivered, and their foes destroyed: Then sang Moses and the Children of Israel: (and this was the substance, the Lord shall reign for ever and ever:) And Miriam with the women went out with Timbrels and Dances in a Heavenly Melody unto the Lord who had delivered them.  
But the wicked and proud who hate to be reform, they have nothing to do to take the name of the Lord in their mouths: And none but wicked Instruments dare bring those Scriptures to stir youth up to be Prodigals, and to spend their Portion of precious time in riotous living in keeping company with some who wallow in pride and idleness Sodoms sins; and except such Prodigals do turn whilst the door of mercy doth open, and they find a reception into the Father's house, by a true unfeigned repentance; they shall never witness that Melody or Music (whereby the Soul is made to leap for joy,) which the Prodigal obtained through a true repentance, and returned to his Father's house; he had not that Music and Melody among the Harlots, nor when he kept Swine; mind that, see the generation of the wicked, Job. 21.11. They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their Children Dance: They take the Timbrel and Harp, and rejoice in the sound of the Organ: They spend their days in Wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave: Therefore they say unto God, depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy ways: What is the Almighty that we should serve him, etc. See here you wicked generation of proud profane persons, who stir up the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life one in another, by your light frothy behaviours in your wicked Inventions. Oh for shame do not go about to cover your evil works by the instigation of wicked Instruments, who wrist the holy men's words; which if persisted in, will be to their destructions, and of all them that follow them therein. See what the Prophet Amos pronounced to them that chant to the Viol, etc. And are at ease, woe to them, Amos 6.  
And concerning comparisons in the sound of Instruments, being certain or uncertain; this makes not at all for your purpose who extol that Music by which the Lord is dishonoured, and the seed of life grieved and burdened, so for shame leave off your lightness and vanity, lest you be left as them who are filthy to be filthy still, and you seek repentance, as Esau did with tears, and cannot find acceptance.  
And see the effects of wicked Dancing, Mat. 14.6, 7. But when Herod 's birthday was kept, the Daughter of Herodias danced before them: Now read and see what effects her brave Dancing procured; weigh these things you that have Children that are Light and Airy, and restrain them from that wicked practice, lest they add sin unto sin, and bring woe upon them, as you may see Herodias Daughter, who added one wickedness unto another.  
Stephen Smith.   

To all Bishops and Priests, and all concerned with them in a Book Entitled, A form of Common Prayer, for God's blessing upon His Majesty and His Dominions, and for the averting Gods Judgements, Printed this year 1678.  
ANswer, The Lord God hath signally shown his great displeasure by Sword, by Plague, and by Fire, against that opposite spirit that hath led into all rebellion against the motions of his holy spirit, wherein he is making known his way of blessing, and his saving health among the people. Yet for his great name sake, and in his love, mercy and pity, he did put a stop to those Judgements, and hath given space and time of repentance; and through many faithful Servants hath the Lord manifested his good pleasure, that all who are erred from the way of blessing in life and peace, that they might return unto him and wait upon him who is Lord of Heaven and Earth, for his teachings and instructions in his holy Covenant of Life and Peace: But how regardless have you been of the many and frequent Testimonies that have been faithfully in the moving of God's holy spirit of Truth, given forth against the swelling and groaning abominations of the times? So that instead of harkening and obeying the motions of God's holy spirit, you have proceeded in vexing and grieving the same in a most high degree; you have abused the Servants of the Lord God: And through your pride and presumption you have drawn the heavy displeasure of the Lord upon you, whose dreadful judgements do hang over you; and will not be averted or turned from you by any feigned show of fasting made up in the will of man, contrary to the good will, mind and pleasure of God.  
In that which is called the order for Morning Prayer, are these words; Rend your hearts and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, etc.  
Answer, To them that do in Truth and in unfeigned repentance open their hearts unto him, with a faithful resignation of heart, soul and body unto the pure manifestation of his holy Law of his pure spirit of life; unto such he hath shown himself very gracious and merciful, in setting them free from the Law of sin and death: But how often do you repeat those words, and yet keep your hearts whole in the friendship of the World, in the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and pride of life; you have been so far from renting your hearts, that you have not so much as rend your garments; are not the garments of your own righteousness (which is no better then filthy rags) whole upon you; and in that loathsome garment you appearing before the Lord, who seeing your loathsomeness and hypocrisy in imputing the righteousness of Christ unto you, whilst you are really and truly whole in your loathsome garments of your own righteousness; where the righteous judge both of the quick and the dead, beholding you as you are in your loathsome garments, he will never agree with you in your accounts, whilst you account so falsely of your Interest in the righteousness of Christ, and yet whole in the garments of sin and iniquity, doing the things you should not do, and leaving undone the things you should do; would you when you reckon with your Servants agree with them in such account, and allow of their doing so all their life, and leave them to account of your riches; and that you are bound to give it them; sure its time to be awakened from this misery of ignorance: And take notice of your following words, Though we have rebelled against him, neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his Laws which he set before us. (Now mind) was ever your hearts rend from this condition; do not you persist in your rebellion and so grieve Gods holy spirit, in keeping your heart whole, in persecuting them who are led by it: Are not the Priests whole in their sin of preaching for Hire and for filthy lucre sake, they tell lies in Hypocrisy, promising that to people, which neither they nor the people have right unto, whilst they are Servants to sin: Come down from these barren mountains of imaginations, and rend off these filthy garments, and rend your hearts from these evils, and follow the example of them who are really in this work, and from the Lords acceptance have found him gracious and merciful, and in the righteous government of his holy spirit of Truth, the knowledge of his way of Truth is known in this World, and in walking therein there is that hope manifest by Christ's righteousness in us, of having Eternal life with him in that World which is without end.  
And you say, Dear beloved Brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry places, to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not dissemble and cloak them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father, but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent and obedient heart, etc.  
Answer, Here you acknowledge yourselves to be fallen from the Primitive Christians guide, and moreover, in the service and work of the Lord they did speak as they were moved by God's holy spirit, and did declare the pleasure and will of God as that gave utterance; and by his holy spirit they were made Ministers, not coveting any man's Silver or Gold, or Apparel, nor they did not move for any filthy lucre sake; but how have you erred and strayed from this way, being lost as to a true and saving knowledge of the motions of God's holy spirit: And in this lost Estate every private spirit is set a work, and imaginations dreams do tell their several conceivings of what was given forth by the moving of God's holy spirit; but having erred from the way of the spirit of God, and being strangers thereunto, they are also strangers to what was given forth by the Spirit of God; thus being in error, they don't know the Scriptures nor the power of God: And thus being become strangers to the motion of the true Christian Spirit, in the World's earthly sensual Spirit they move, and say, the Scripture moveth, and under this cover you can dissemble and cloak your sins, cloaking yourselves under the failings of the holy men of God, as they are recorded in the Scriptures of Truth, but are far enough off their sorrow and repentance by which they obtained favour with God again; And thus you go on cloaking your sins, and opposing the motions of God's holy Spirit, under a pretence of the Scripture moveth us; and under this cover you can dissemble your sins in persecuting and spoiling the Goods of them who have truly testified of the motions of God's holy Spirit in them, against all the evil motions of the enemy in all his flattering deceitful works and ways: And to this motion of God's holy Spirit you must bow if ever you come to know the way of Truth, you must come to the moving of the Spirit of Truth in you, even that Spirit which reproves the World of sin, the which Christ Jesus set up to be a leader and a guide into all Truth: In this Spirit the Lord God is to be worshipped, it's this Spirit that convinceth of sin, that is the way out of sin, that is it which moves in the heart against sin, and so to confess and acknowledge sin, and so to repent and forsake sin, and this is the way to obtain mercy and forgiveness of sin. And by its leading and guiding to abstain from the appearance of evil, unto this Spirit of Truth you must bow, and take it for your leader, if ever you come truly to call God Father, and he owns you to be his Sons.  
In your Confession you say, Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep; we have followed too wuch the devices and desires of our own hearts, we have offended against thy holy Laws, we have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and there is no health in us, etc.  
Answer, And when do you intent to do otherwise, since you have appointed this form of words to be always said. Oh turn for shame unto the true Spepherd and Bishop of your Soul; and don't come still with this sad unprofitable story before the lord (Mind) if a man offend against the Laws of the Nation, if it be but once he is liable to the punishment that is prescribed by that Law, or if a Servant should but once do the thing he should not do, and leave undone the things he should do, this would incur his Master's displeasure; but if he should continue doing so, he would turn him out of his service and account of him as he is an unprofitable Servant: How then can you expect to be heard and received of the Lord, who are always doing that you should not do, and leaving undone that you should do; you may well say you have no health in you, neither are you like to have, so long as you continue in these sad practices: And in that you do offend Gods righteous Law, how can you expect but to be punished by the righteous Judge? Indeed you have done that which you ought not to have done, in that you have caused to suffer so many innocent people, both by long Imprisonment, and spoiling of their Goods; in that you have shown no more mercy to them, how can you expect to receive mercy at the hand of God, seeing those sufferers have been a people fearing God, and hoping for his mercy in whom the Lord takes pleasure, and in his pleasure he hath sustained them, wherein many have been faithful and true witnesses, whereof many have departed this World under their several confinements in peace; and many remains living to this day confessing and testifying to the mercies and favour of God in the manifestation of the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, which sets free them who walk up to it from the Law of sin and death: And that there is great peace in keeping this holy Law, this hath been, and is the Testimony of them who are, and have been led by the Spirit of Truth, witnessing unto the Way, Truth and Life, the way of peace and happiness: And thus in the good will of God in good will to all mankind, in patiented suffering under your wills who have followed too much the devices and desires of your own hearts, and thereby having rejected the council of the Spirit of Truth, you have provoked the Lord, as you say in these words: We have provoked thine anger, thy wrath is waxed hot, and thy heavy displeasure is sore kindled against us. You have confessed to the Truth, and when you come to feel the weight of your many transgressions against Gods holy Law, than you will wish you had been serious in what you have said, and that you had broken off your sins by a true and unfeigned repentance: And for this end hath God's holy Spirit strove with you many ways; but see by your own confession how evilly you have required this love.  
Your words are, We sinful people of this land do acknowledge before thee, to thy glory and our own shame and confusion, that never any Nation under Heaven had more experience of all the instances of thy goodness, and the methods of our amendment; nor yet did ever any more shamefully abuse them, when thou gavest us great and long prosperities, we said ourselves to the full, waxed fat and wanton, and kicked against thee; when thou threwest us into horrid confusions, from which we saw then little hope of arising, even in the time of that distress did we trespass yet more against thee, when by miracles of mercy thou hadst turned our captivities, we soon returned to folly, to our vomit, and to our wallowing in our former or greater filthiness, etc.  
Answer, This is a very sad miserable condition indeed, much to be lamented; you had need consider it and be in Truth humbled for it; and to forsake that evil Spirit that hath been your leader in those horrid practices, and to wait upon the Lord for the leading and guiding of you out of those evils, that you may have a better account to give unto the Lord in the day of account, as Hezekiah had when the Prophet Isaiah was sent unto him with this Message from the Lord: Saying, Thus saith the Lord, set thine house in order for thou shalt die and not live; then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall and prayed unto the Lord; and said, remember now O Lord I beseech thee, how I have walked before in Truth, and with a perfect heart; and have done that which is good in thy sight, and Hezekiah wept sore. And the Lord heard his prayers, and seeing his tears, he was very gracious and merciful unto him, as you may read: Now compare his confession with your confession; and seeing you have no better account to give, you may well be ashamed and confounded at the thoughts of what acceptance you can think to have, and reward at the hand of the Lord.  
And you say these words, The Communion Service, the Priest standing at the Lords Table shall say: Our Father, etc.  
Answer, Here you manifest yourselves as deep in the appostasie from the Communion and the 〈◊〉 Table, as they were in, who put Lig●● 〈◊〉 Darkness, (and Darkness for Light:) You here plainly show from whence you had your Ordination and Learning; the least in the School of Christ that hath learned of him, neither Shepherds or Fishermen, sees over the dark works. It's but in vain for you to think to make this service pass; no, that Darkness is much vanquished by the the breaking forth of the Light of Christ out of Darkness, by which the Table of God, and the Table of Devils is known, and the Cup of God, and the Cup of the Devil, and at the Table of God, and with the Cup of God, many thirsting Souls are satisfied, and do truly bless and praise the Lord, knowing that we cannot partake of the Table of God, and the Table of Devils, or of the Cup of God and of the Cup of Devils; and therefore are fully satisfied at the Table of God and with the blessing; and herein do bless the Lord who hath led many from the North, South, East and West by his good Spirit hereunto: And thus being led by his holy Spirit, we can truly say, our Father who doth feed us in all our trials and afflictions with his bread of Life, and nourish us with his Cup of Blessing; to him be praise and honour for ever.  
Oh Nation of England, how wonderful kind hath the Lord been unto thee, in sending his Servants with warning after warning, even warning thee to break off thy sins by a true repentance? And in that Fast that is acceptable unto him, that thee mightest have been found in turning from the evil of thy do, and in answering the Lords just requirings, in doing justly, and walking humbly, and showing mercy in remembering the meek, and them who fear the Lord, in whom the Lord takes pleasure, and in renting of your false cover, and have put off your loathfome clothing, the which you confess you are under, and to have rend your hearts in deed and in truth, and to have abstained from the appearance of Evil, and to have let the oppressed go free: Had you chosen this Fast, and truly turned to the Lord, and in simplicity to have waited upon him, to have known his mind and pleasure in his sore and grievous and never to be forgotten Judgements, with which he did visit you, by Sword, by Plague, and by Fire: (Oh how can you easily pass over the remembrance thereof.) If I say you had considered your ways, and by abstaining from the appearances of evil, you had truly turned unto the Lord; you might then have expected to have found favour of him, and in his counsel and wisdom you might have been directed to have been established in the fear of the Lord, and in his righteous way to have been confirmed; and under the covering of the work of his righteous Spirit you might have been preserved, as you pray in these words; From all evil and mischief, from sin, from the crafts and assaults of the Devil, and from thy wrath, and from everlasting damnation, good Lord deliver us.  
But turn unto your confession, and take a view of it, and see how short you have come of this Fast, the which is well pleasing unto the Lord; and how instead of waiting upon the Lord to know his way made known in the Earth, you have gone on in your way of grieving and vexing his good Spirit, and provoking the Lord God against you. But what will be the end thereof?  
Stephen Smith. The 4th. day of the 3d. Month, 1678.  
THE END.