FOR THE VINEYARD OF THE Lord of Hosts, To be Read in Their MEETINGS.  
The BREATHE of a PRISONER for the TESTIMONY of JESUS, who in the Deep hath seen the Afflictions of his People, and cannot hid his Praise who supports them, nor-with-hold his Complaint because of the hardness of men's hearts, but cries unto the Lord God of Righteous Judgement, for the Deliverance of his own PEOPLE.  
With a few Words of Exhortation and Advice, given forth as a Testimony of my dearest Love to the whole Seed of God; because I cannot otherwise communicate it in this time of my Restraint, I have been the more large, that I may be refreshed with you, and you with me, in the overflowing Fountain of our Life.  
By JOHN WHITEHEAD.  
Printed in the Year, 1662.   

For the VINEYARD of the Lord of Hosts, to be Read in their Meetings.  
O Vineyard of the Most High, wherein I have laboured according to the ability which God hath given me since the appearing of the Bright and Morningstar which hath enlightened the World, in whose Joy I am now at rest, and my Peace is as a River, because I hide not my Talon in the Earth, nor have stood idle in the Marketplace, but have improved what was given me for my Master's use; and for the increase and watering of thee his Vineyard, which I cannot in any wise forget now when trouble is near, and all the Beasts of the Field do compass thee about, and with their whole Power do seek to break down thy Hedge, crop off thy Leaves, devour thy Fruit, tread under thy tender Plants, cut off thy flourishing Branches, and make thee as a Wilderness: For in the everlasting Love of one God I think upon thee, remembering the kindness of thy youth, and the love of thine Espousals, wherein thou wert betrothed to the Lord with Judgement and Mercy, in the day that thou sat solitary in the Wilderness, and had none to help: my heart is broken within me, and doth with thy breathing Babes and tender Mourners (whose Cry hath reached unto Heaven) send forth these Breathe, that in the Spirit of Supplication we may have fellowship together, whilst my soul saith unto God, Surely thou hast no cast off the Beloved of thy Soul, nor sold the Heritage (to be trodden down) for a thing of nought, neither given the Plants of thine own right-hand for a spoil to their Enemies: Shall they then prevail, which come gnashing with their teeth to devour us? and wilt thou let thy Name be blasphemed, wherein thou hast gathered us, in which we do trust? for thy Presence is yet amongst us, and thou withholdest not the Riches of thy Mercy from us, but openest thy Treasure to us; and of thy Fullness we have received strength, else we could not have escaped in the hour of Temptation, nor stood upright in the time of our deep Trials, but when thou sawest us weak, thou turned not away thy Face from us, but ever hast stretched out thy right-hand to uphold us, and hast helped us with a little help; when we call upon thee, thou bowest down thine ear to hear, and givest us also to understand the words of thy mouth. But why dost thou not show thyself unto the World, for they understand not thy way? For, though thou hast given thy Light into the World, they love Darkness rather, and that blinds their eyes, that they know not thee, nor us whom thou hast sent, and therefore do persecute and seek to root up, not believing that we are thy pleasant Plants; although thou hast created us anew in thine own Image, and shown thy Light, Life, Love, Virtue, Power, Patience and goodwill towards men, through us, yet do they not consider, but think they do thee good service, when they kill us all the day long: And when we do speak to them in thy Name, and would turn them from their Envy, Anger, Pride, Covetousness, Murders, Thefts, Lies, Adulteries, Fornications, Oppressions, Injustice, and the evil of their Inventions, unto the Light wherein thy Fullness dwells, that therein they might walk with thee in newness of life; They reject our Testimony, and say we would delude them; and when we do declare thy Righteousness, and show thy Judgements at hand, because Transgressions are multiplied, and Iniquity drunk up as water; their hearts they harden against us, and mock at fear, neither do they prepare to turn unto thee, but for our love in warning them, give us the water a Affliction to drink; and when we call them that are yet wand'ring with a heart panting for living water (but being gone astray from thy ways, do drink of the Whore's Cup, or, at best, that Water which men have fouled with their feet) and say, Turn ye again to the Lord, and defile not yourselves with the Inventions of men, neither touch any unclean thing, but come forth and be ye separate, and our God will be a Father unto you, and you shall be his Children: Then they reproach us a factious, sowers of Sedition: but if any do lay it to heart, and believe our Testimony and return, they meet them first with flatteries, then with threats and cruelties, which they spread, as the snares on Mizpah, for their feet, like the chief Priests Pharisees, and Lawyers of old, who would neither enter into the Kingdom themselves, nor suffer those that were entering to go on: And when we are gathered in thy Name, and do silently wait to feel thy Power, that in it we may edify one another, and drink at the Fountain of Life, which thou hast opened unto us, without reverence to thy Name, they come upon us with open violence to devour thy Lambs, merely for drinking at the Fountain; yea, their stroke upon us is very cruel, because we love thy Precepts, and cannot derogate from the glory of thy Verity, who hast made out Yea, Yea, and our Nay, Nay; and said unto us by thy Son since the Law, Swear not at all; and though we have given our cheeks to the smiter, our bodies to prison, and exposed our goods to the Spoiler, and patiently born many other grievous sufferings for the Truth's sake, whereof thou hast made us Witnesses; yet will they not believe those things which thou hast spoken by us, and what have we more to seal the Testimony with which thou hast given us? unless thou wilt suffer the Whore to drink more of the blood of thy Saints before thou bring thy long and often threatened judgements upon her, who yet fears them not, but saith, I sit a Queen, and am no Widow, neither shall I see any sorrow: And by what means wilt thou plead with Babylon that saith she is the Lady of Kingdoms, or who shall persuade men to fly out from her, that they perish not in her plagues, for they are mad upon her Idols, and do mock thy Messengers, and do shamefully entreat and stone those whom thou hast sent to forewarn them, that they may escape the wrath to come; Yet with thee is mercy and forgiveness, and I know thou wouldst not their destruction, but rather that they may turn and live: Therefore hear my Complaint, and bow thine ear to my Request, for I groan within myself and my spirit breathes that thou mayest arise in thy Mighty Power, and speak by thy righteous Judgements, that men may fear before thee, and the Nations be persuaded to come to thy Light, and Kings to the brightness of thy rising. Let thy right hand rend the veil from off all hearts, that thy Salvation may be showed openly, and Satan trodden under foot, for who else is sufficient for these things. But in the day of Indignation, O Lord, Remember thine Heritage, and let not thy Vineyard be rooted up, but spare thy People, and cause thy tender Plants to grow: Chain the Dragon, and let the Earth drink up the floods that would hinder thy Spouse from returning out of the Wilderness, where her place hath been in the long dark night of Apostasy: but since the breaking up of the day, thou hast said unto her that sat solitary, I am the Husband of thy youth, therefore walk with me, and I will not leave thee nor forsake thee, but lead thee unto the Mountain of my House, and my Banner over thee shall be Love, and herewith thou hast alured her, and she followeth hard after thee: But now, O Lord, our Shepherd, we are compassed about with Adversaries, and grievous Wolves are gathered to prey upon thy Lambs, Therefore abide thou with us, and break their teeth, O God, that thy Flock may not be meat for them; for our expectation is from thee alone, and we have not made flesh our Arm, because our hope is in thee; neither tribulations nor afflictions can separate us from thee, for we have appealed unto thy Righteousness, who searchest the hearts and tryest the reins of all men, that thou mayest give Judgement between us and them that do afflict us; and if thou hast not sent us and commanded us to speak, or if in heart we be not innocent towards men, and no way guilty of doing or intending those evils wherewith they charge us, Then let out hearts fail, and confusion cover us before them in the day of our Trial; but ●nd if thou hast sent us and commanded us to speak, and by thy own Power begotten us into an innocent life, Then open thou our lips, and let the words of thy mouth break through us, and stick in the hearts of our Enemies, that they may be pricked like the Persecutors of old, and not have ability to resist the Spirit and Wisdom by which thou leadest us: for though we ourselves know that we are of thee, yet do we patiently wait till thou decide the controversy, and in the sight of all men show who are thy People; yet can I not cease to breath, that thou mayest shorten these days of trouble for thy Elect sake, in whom thy soul delighteth, that no more may be laid upon thy little ones than they can bear, lest they faint, and their Adversaries triumph and say, Where is now the God in whom they trusted? O let them know that thou art near, and dost hear the cry of the Oppressed; and upon the Glory of thy Name let there be a defence, and so keep us in it, to the end that it may never be dishonoured.  
Now having refreshed my full heart, in spreading our Cause before the Lord, O ye his People bear with me a little, and let your ears be inclined to hear a few things which concerns your peace: for, because I love you, I cannot withhold from you, that it is signified unto me, That whilst you are beset with Adversaries on every side, the Enemy will bestir himself-with all subtlety and violence to make a breach amongst you, and also will tempt to every thing whereby he may weaken you, and let your Adversaries in upon you; but he shall not be able to effect his purpose, whilst you all, in that Faith which worketh by Love, Meekness and Gentleness, do hold the one Head, which is Christ the Light, and neither the Planters nor the Waterers: for Him we preached, and in Him we have believed who is the Author of Eternal Salvation from Sin, and perfecter of Man's Redemption up to God, and you are Witnesses that we have not preached up ourselves, neither laboured to set up him that planteth, nor him that watereth, as any thing in comparison of the precious Truth of God, for which we now suffer, but in plainness and sincerity, not with wisdom of words, but in the demonstration of the Spirit we have manifested the Life and Power of God, that ye may know, believe, and be guided by it in yourselves, and so inherit Rest and Peace with God, and not always stand afar off, in the expectation of somewhat to come, which is an unsettled state, wherein they that stand may easily be deceived with swelling words, or good pretences, wherewith the strange Woman (whose ways are movable) decketh herself, lest those whom she seeks to catch in her snare should ponder the path of Life, and see that her ways do lead to the Chambers of death, and that her steps take hold on Hell.  
But dearly belove Friends and Brethren, seeing we know that the Son of God is come by an, innard feeling of his Presence in spirit, that hath given us an understanding that is true, and we look not for another, but are rooted and grounded in him, Let us hold fast our confidence, and faithfully follow him, and patiently endure the Cross, that we may ever be his Disciples, who is a quickening Spirit and doth dwell in us; then shall we no more wander amongst briars and thorns, but 〈◊〉 amongst the Lilies of the Valley, and drink of the Water of Life.  
But Friends, because all of you that are convinced are not yet come into the savoury Life, to discern of things that differ, you must sake heed of presuming to judge of things that are, beyond your measure, for your principle, strength and safety is to be still, and wait in he Light of the Spirit within, that both your Faith and Wisdom from above may be increased, and that will open you more and more to receive instruction, but will never let you slight nor reject the Spirit's Testimony in the Elders and Brethren, whom God did use as Instruments to turn you unto him, which still in the same. Love do watch over your Souls; Neither shall you despise Prophesying, not quench the Spirit that speaks in the mouth of Babes who are of stammeting lips; but as Friends of the Bridegroom, rejoice to hear his Voice in any instrument, by whom, or to whom never he speaks▪ But take diligent heed lest you set tip any Instrument above its place, or give unto it any part of the Glory that is due unto him that useth it, lest thereby ye kindle his Wrath, and cause jealousy to burn like a Fire: for if his Glory he given to, and received by the most precious Instrument in his hand, be will cast it away from him, and suffer it to be trodden under foot as the mire of the streets. Therefore be tender of one another's preservation, and let all your affections be guided with Justice, Equity and Moderation, so shall you never puff up any above, not cast down any below the in measure, which doth much tend to preserve the Body in the unity of the Spirit and bouds of Peace.  
And you that are his Children in simplicity, wait that ye also in understanding may be Men, and take heed of being so affected with simplicity, as to despise or hate knowledge, like those to whom Wisdom cried, and Understanding uttered her voice, and they would not hear; who stood conceited in ignorance, till calamity came upon them, like an armed man, but always bow down your ears to the Instruction of Life, and do the Will of God, that ye may understand Doctrine and be of a sound Judgement to try Spirits and Doctrines, whether they be of God or no: but in so doing, be sure to keep your own habitations in a measure of light, and see that neither prejudice nor immoderate affections bear sway in you, so will you see what stands in Unity with the first Principle, by which you were turned towards God, and is approved in his Light, and tends to establish you in Righteousness that you may safely embrace; but whatsoever doth jar with the first Principle, and would dis-settle and remove you from the Light within (wherein that which may be known of God is made manifest) either by drawing into uncouth and singular outward Observations, or by promising Liberty, or a greater Glory than that which the Light of the Spirit within hath given us to behold with open face, as in a Glass, and is translating you thereinto; I say, that which by these things would work discontent in your present measures, and let you lose from waiting in God's Fear, into the comprehension of things above your measures, is dangerous, and to be eschewed: And if any do hold forth such things, they, as well as such which would draw you back into the Rudiments of the World, do speak of themselves, and seek their own glory; but he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God, and seeketh his Glory that sent him.  
And if Contention, Strife, Wars, or Commotions do arise in the Earth, betwixt Man and Man, or People and People where you inhabit, dwell you in that Power which hath redeemed you out of the Earth from amongst Men, and that will keep you sensible that you are not your own, but bought with a price, that you may be unto God a peculiar People; And therefore you shall not defile yourselves with their Contentions, nor strive, nor side with Parties, which fly to that Sword for refuge by which they may perish: but we having received and trusted in the Sword of the Spirit, by which we can never perish, let us sit down in that which keeps holy and harmless, and separate from sinners; so shall his wonderful Counsel, who is Prince of Peace, be with us, wherein we may be Peacemakers, and obtain the blessing to be called the Children of God.  
And you that are as yet not much exercised with Sufferings, but are at peace in your dwellings, none making you afraid, Take heed lest at any time you be secure; for than may the Enemy entice you from a sense of God's mercy to look out at Creatures, and to set your heart on Earthly things, and then if a trial come suddenly and unexpected, it will be the heavier upon you; and if through want of preparation ye fall under in it, than it will be hard for you to be raised up again to stand faithful unto the End, whereon your safety and the possdession of the Crown of Life depends: and if you be not constant and faithful in these last trials, you lose your reward, for all that ye have gone through: for, if any do put his hand to the plough, and look back, my soul hath no pleasure in him, saith the Lord. Therefore, as I would that you should not be dismayed, nor fear the Threaten, Excommunications, Fines and Imprisonments, or any other thing which you may suffer by the wicked hands of mortal men; So would I that you may both inwardly and outwardly be prepared to suffer what man can do unto you: And whilst ye behold the Lord restraining their wrath from breaking out against you, bear a part with your Brethren that are suffering under it, and God shall reckon it to you in the day of your need.  
Finally, dear Friends and Brethren, be of one mind, and live in peace, and in the Name of the Lord keep your Meetings, that Love and Life may abound amongst you, and therein faithfully instruct, admonish, and (if need be) reprove one another; but let the Spirit judge all things, and with an open tender heart receive Instruction and Reproof one from another, pondering it in deep silence, and not measuring it in the reasoning part, for that will grow high and work prejudice against the Admonisher and Reprover, if you see not a present cause or need of such a thing, and thereby you may both hurt yourselves, and discourage those that in sincerity sought your good, whereby they may be caused in silence to lament when they see you in the like danger, and say, We called, but they would not hear: therefore measure and bear all things in the meek low spirit. And you that are strong and spiritually minded, being come over all these things, labour to restore and raise up them that fall, and comfort the feeble-minded, and say to them that stand afar off, Draw near and walk with us in the Light, and the Lord will also give you rest; and wait on your Ministry, that ye may preserve that which is gathered in the savoury Life, to shine as Lights before men; For there is a Seed sown in this Nation and elsewhere, which gins to bud forth in thousands, who having not seen, yet love; which gives me sufficient ground to believe that when the Winter is past, and the latter Rain comes upon the Earth, the shall be a plentiful Harvest, wherein every one that hath been faithful in a little, shall reap much, and give thanks unto God which hath blessed the Seed sown, who will send forth such, as in the furnace of Affliction he hath fitted for his use, faithfully to labour, that every eye may be opened to see the common Salvation (that God hath prepared for all People) is the Light that doth enlighten the Gentiles, and the Glory of Israel.  
Written in Lincoln-Castle the 24th day of the sixth Month, 1662. John Whitehead.  
THE END.