THE brethren's Answer IN LONDON TO Mr. Ferguson's Letter.  
Beloved in the Laird,—  
WIth a great deal of grief, and fellow-feeling, we received your Lamentable Epistle, and as you were pleased to make us partakers of the News of the Persecution, and heavy affliction, wherewith you are afflicted; so we desire you to sympathise with us, when you read the following lines. Truly our Case is likewise very desperate, and our Condition, Deplorable (if it were possible) with Tears of blood, we must needs to the shame, and Confusion of your face, acknowledge, that you were the only mouth of the Cause— and the greatest, and chiefest Instrument in Carrying on the precious work of a further, and more thorough-Reformation. Indeed you were the main Wheel, that moved in the late mysterious Engine, and by your Indefatigable pains, and Industry in Contriveing, and managing so great, and glorious a Design, that it was in a manner brought, within sight of the promised Land; but woe, and alas to you and us, we are neither of us permitted to Enter into it, it was all blasted in the very minute, and we are all certainly informed that nothing but Woes and Curses, and Judgements, fiery and Indignations are to be poured out upon us if we go on, and persest, in such horrid, and Rebellious Practices: there is a Notable, and thundering Text against us, Curse not the King, no not in thy Bedchamber, for the birds of the Air shall Carry the thought, and that which hath Wings shall tell the matter; and therefore it is no wonder we are so unhappily prevented, since the Little birds not only tell tales, but discover the most secret thoughts and Intentions of the Heart. As for your Spirit of Prophecy, that your write us, is entered into you, we do so far believe it, that all our Plots and designs are in vain and to no purpose, unless to our own destruction, and that the thoughts of our heats, and the works of our hands shall Not meet their designed Ends, viz. to Establish the good old Covenant and Association, the old high Court of Justice, and a Complying Parliament, that would throughly mind their own, and the Interest of the Brothers; Indeed had this took Effect, we had been richer in goods, than in Grace, and should have replenished ourselves with the Jewels and the Earring of those Egyptians that so tyranously and persecutingly Lord it over us— but on the contrary they Now spoil us, and distrain our Goods, for the violation of the Laws— but garnt,— that it had pleased our Infernal Master, (whose work we do, and whose wages we shall assuredly receive) to have lengthened the thread of Signior Potapskis life, yet he would never have continued to Suckle and Replenish us, with the Tap of Sedition, and Rebellion, for he has gone on too much in that Work already; but We Say— had he lived, yet the stroock of Justice would have over taken him, and he would have received a fit recompense of his Reward, the Axe and Scaffold.  
And this put me in mind to Advertise you of the Resolution and Courage, with which the four Martyrs, embraced their Destinys, but especially the Lord Russel, who by the Assistance of the Reverend Doctor Board, Acted his last part more like some Mutius Scaevolva, or Guido Faux— than a sneaking Penitent Traitor— his Lordship's Ghost (if reports be true) was lately seen near the fatal Place, of his Execution, and had like to been killed over again, by a midnight-Magistrate, for not Vanishing in due Season, but I suppose neither the aforementioned Doctor's hand, nor head was concerned in this, if it had, it would never have wandered at so unseasonable a Minute, or have met with so severe a Bastinado, Indeed the good Lord at his death approved himself in some measure like Samson in killing more at his death than in his life, for we are really informed he made use of white Powder, which the Doctor furnished him with, which does a world of Execution without the least Noise, his Speech was as Murdering as Boraskies' Blunderbuss, though it made little or no report at all; Indeed the Doctor is an Excellent Composer, and has done this mysterious Business to a Tittle, very ingeniously, and with a great deal of Caution, but we know (to our Griefs) Murder will out, and such sort of Knavery cannot be long concealed, though the greatest care Imaginable be taken to secure it, I may say of him as was said of the Men of Benjamen, that he slings a Stone to an hairs Breadth, but he has the fate of Left-handed-men to be very Unfortunate, but however the Intention was very good, and Pious, he did it no doubt for the Promotion of the good Cause, and and the carrying on the Work of the Laird successfully in the three Nations— and therefore in our Opinion, he deserves all possible Laud and Commendation, and a large Gratuity out of the stock of the Brothers—  
But as for your Dear, and Intimate friend Sr. Patience, we have nothing, but expected to hear foam News from him e'er now, but in this too, we are disappointed, and know not what to do for three or four swingeing Evidences when therest of the Trials come on, 'tis true he did good Service, in his Generation, and (as you say) ventured his Soul for his Friend, but dares not venture his Neck for the good Old Cause.—  
As for M,— G—, and A— I suppose they breathe the same Air with you, and we much wonder that you did not more in large on that Subject, if my Lady G— be likewise in Terra in cognita, I hope M— is not in so bad a Condition, as you seem to represent him, for he has, no doubt, still the same Spiritual strokings, inward Comforts and Consolations that he had before, But, Woe be unto G— if he has not the constant Supply of a kind Sister to support him in his Misery— as for A— he is no doubt like Hannibal in the Alps, will either make or find a way if there be no Stews, or Brothels ready made, he is the best Founder in the World, for the old Trade cannot be forgot; It Would be endless to recount all our miseries, and the several Afflictions, the distressed Saints are exercised with, but we shall hasten to a Conclusion, with some few words of Use and Application.  
1. Then since, the Holy Plot, is so unexpectedly disappointed, we may see what Fools and Idiots these men are, that put any trust or Confidence in lying Vanitys, or any work of their own hands, others were designed to be our Sacrifices, but the Rod is fallen on our own Backs, and we must all hang in the Air, between Heaven and Hell.  
Erasmus the seventh and the eighth.  
2 From the Constant and Resolute behaviour of the Lord Russel, you and all of us may learn this Profitable Lesson (viz,) to do likewise, since Death is certain, what need you care when it comes, since your Fate is written in your foreheads.  
Count Tekely the seventh and the eigihth.  
3. Let us advise you to have Patience, under your Sufferings, considering that the Laws are above you, and that it will be very Vain and Foolish for an Infant to strive against a Man of War, bear up like a Courageous Soldier in the Cause, and your Lot be to Die for it, Dye like a true Protestant Martyr with a Lie in your Mouth.  
Consider, and seriously Ponder, what we have now written unto you, and when any thing of moment Intervenes, pray make us acquainted with it, who remain in all brotherly Love and Affection, your despised, persecuted Fellow-Sufferers.  
London, the last year of Whiggisme, and the middle of the Month of Sorrow.   

LONDON, Printed for H. Jones. M.DC.LXXXIII.